In such a solemn place as the Sui palace, the question seemed to be more than out of place, almost belonging to a different world. Most ordinary families couldn't even enjoy such familiarity, much less in such a family where order and hierarchy were obviously prioritized.
True to the carefree tone of his words, the child pranced into the room without any regard to formality, heading straight for his mother's lap. He didn't bow or say his greetings, only letting out a soft purr as he buried his face into the Empress's sleeve, "Mommy, Daddy, I've missed you."
A doting smile slowly tugged at the corners of the empress's mouth as if the clasps were suddenly unlocked. And when she smiled in this manner, it was unparalleled by even the most brilliant rays of sunlight. Even the emperor couldn't hide his apparent grin.
Lightly stroking the back of his head, she seemed more like a mother than ever.
You little rascal, it's only been a day," the emperor chastised, but the edge to his words was gone. In its place, a joking father took form. The child only snuggled closer in response, covering his ears. Turning around, he stuck out his tongue and winked at us.
Looking closer, it was not hard to see that the child was not that young after all, being at least seven, the age of my own brother. But in comparison to A'Yu's vigilance, this Sui prince seemed to not have a single care in the entire world as he bit large chunks of the red bean pastry, hastily wiping off the crumbs that fell onto his mother's gown.
In comparison, my husband, the Prince of Jin, sat as stiff as a rock statue. His back was perfectly straight from years of practice, and his expressions were perfectly controlled. Seeing his brother come in this way, there was not as much of a tremor in his expression. Perhaps it was because he was so used to it that it had no effect on him.
But if I was a stranger to them, I would have never thought them to grow up in the same family. In fact, it would not have been a far stretch to say that the two princes were polar opposites, one being bound in every way and the other being free as free can be.
It must be tiring to be the Prince of Jin. The thought crossed my mind, and I repressed it as fast as I could. How could such an impudent idea ever form? The elderly brother was obviously supposed to be the more responsible one, setting the perfect example for his younger siblings. Yet the Prince of Jin was but the sixth child out of ten, and the second son at that.
"Mommy, how come Second Brother has such a pretty wife? You guys always dote on him and give him the best of everything! He got an important feudal land, and you won't even allow me to leave the capital!" He said as he shoved another pastry into his mouth. "And you guys arranged a marriage with a Princess for him! Even Eldest Brother only married the daughter of an official!"
"Until you're older…" The empress murmured softly, almost guiltily. "Mother can't stand the thought of you out there alone, away from the comforts that you're used to."
His naivety struck me in a way that shook my very core. There was some part of me that resonated with his calls for freedom, but what's more, the way he took all the priceless privileges struck me.
In addition, the empress's words almost implied that she was fine with the Prince of Jin being far away from her. Or perhaps it was me overthinking again. He was older after all. Plus, his expressions didn't do as much as waver when I glanced at him.
In fact, we seemed to be outsiders to this entire scene playing out in front of us. As the three on top of the stage exchanged playful banters, we watched from a distance, gazing up to the royal family in such a way that subjects would respectfully examine the actions of their rulers. Though it was the day after our wedding, we were in no way the subject of the occasion.
"Daddy, when will my name be changed?" The young prince suddenly quipped, sitting up straight and gaping at his father.
There was a slight hesitation as the emperor tried as best he could to dodge the question. "It's your brother's big day, we can discuss it later." It was almost as if the emperor was just reminded of our existence, and only as a factor of the uncomfortable divide where he couldn't speak freely. Ironically, we were only important when it came to an excuse.
"It's supposed to be within three days that Second Brother changes his name from Ying to Guang. Didn't the fortuneteller say that I would only have to wait a few days after his to change mine?" He tugged on the hem of his mother's dress gloomily.
"Not now…"
"No one cares about me! The fortuneteller said his name was going to be a curse on my existence! And I have to change it so that I wouldn't be affected!" He pouted, swinging his sleeves so violently that he accidentally slapped the side of his mother's face with it.
She lightly brushed it off as if nothing had happened.
"Yiqian! Stop this!" The emperor exclaimed, but the prince paid little attention. "Your brother's name is supposed to be changed to better the fortune of the empire!"
"No! You all just want him to curse me to death!" His face was redder than the setting sun, and he let out a fit of coughs as he struggled for breath.
"Yiqian!" The emperor and empress both shouted in unison. The Prince of Jin only closed his eyes, whether to stop witnessing the scene or to not betray his emotions I do not know. All I knew is that he let out a near-silent sigh that only I could hear due to our proximity. But with their youngest child in front of them, it wasn't like the emperor or empress would pay attention anyways.