As he speaks, Lan Wangji returns to petting between Xiaoxue's ears. "Emperor Ai's closest official, Dong Xian, was also his lover. The emperor awoke one day to Dong Xian asleep, head on his sleeve." Lan Wangji lifts the hand that is not occupied with a rabbit to show the long drape of his own sleeve. "The emperor cut his sleeve rather than disturb the man he loved."