As much as Mu Luming didn't look like the Crown Prince, the man before them did not appear to be an Emperor.
If the Empress had an air of royalty surrounding her that constantly reminded others of her title, this person could pass off as any other middle aged-man on the street. He might as well have been decked out in a fisherman hat or carrying a bucket of radishes along with him.
Kesi glanced at Mu Luming's face again, suddenly much more appreciative of his delicate features. She could only hope that he wouldn't suddenly take a sharp turn and head off a cliff as he grew up and become more similar to his father in appearance.
Quite simply put, there was nothing extraordinary about the Emperor. His face was plain. His height was average. And he had a medium build, being relatively lean with only a slight bulge around his belly. Even his small beard was nowhere near impressive, the few sad whiskers making him look more like a scrawny goat than anything else.
What's worse, he slightly slouched and dragged his feet against the floor as he walked.
So when the crowds began to curtsy and bow upon his arrival, there was almost a disconnect with reality. Why were these people falling to their knees for this man who appeared as if he had nothing special?
Nevertheless, Kesi and Mu Luming followed suit, pressing their heads firmly against the floor as some other servants had done. As Kesi bent down, she could feel the wound on her thigh reopen, and she wondered whether Mu Luming's arm had the same issue. Especially, she feared that the gash on his hands from the flowers would become infected if dirt got into the wound.
They were probably overdoing the ritual, but it was better to be safe than sorry after all here in the palace.
"Your Humble Subjects greets the Holy Emperor." In unison, the crouched crowd chanted, the voice bouncing off the stone garden walls.
"You all may rise and be seated. I've said many times already that these gatherings are purely family ones, and there is no need for formality here." Settling into his cushioned chair, his neck slightly protruding forward as if a little turtle, the emperor spoke softly.
There was suddenly a scrambling of feet and rustling of skirts as the concubines poised themselves back in their seats, and the servants shuffled back into their designated positions.
"Plus, we are here today for a special reason. Our Crown Prince is back."
He offered a warm smile, the wrinkles around the corner of his lips appearing from laughing too often.
Extending a hand out to Mu Luming, the Emperor beckoned for the little boy to approach him. Wide-eyed, Mu Luming obliged, taking small strides until he stopped at the base of the elevated dragon throne.
Shakily, he paused, not daring to look up and meet his father's eyes or to step closer.
"You've grown so big." The Emperor motioned for Mu Luming to come closer, his movements slow and his voice extra soft, almost as if he was scared to frighten the little kid.
When his fingers hovered above Mu Luming's head, they visibly trembled as if debating whether to actually touch the child or not. For a second, Kesi couldn't tell exactly who was more scared.
Visibly taking in a deep breath, the Emperor rested his palm against Mu Luming's head and lightly patted it. His motions were slightly stiff. "You've truly grown much bigger than I've last seen you."
Although he was staring straight at his son, his expression almost made it seem as if he was looking past him and seeing someone else again. And for a moment, his eyes were sad.
"Your eyes are so similar to your mother's. She would be happy to see you grow up this well if she was still here." He offered a small smile, and Mu Luming only looked up in response.
From the shock in his wide eyes, it was clear that Mu Luming didn't know that. If anything, the word mother was almost foreign to him, and he couldn't remember the last time he used that term, if ever.
"Have you been liking the palace?"
Their conversation was dry, the sort of casual yet awkward small talk one would enjoy at a table of distantly related relatives.
Mu Luming nodded timidly. "Yes, Emperor. I had been telling the Empress earlier as well. The palace is beautiful."
A look of concern flickered across the Emperor's face, but it was quickly masked by his trademark smile. "Father Emperor. Mother Empress," he reminded patiently, emphasizing every syllable of those words. "And you should always refer to yourself as 'Your Royal Son' when speaking to either one of us."
Opening his mouth and closing it once more, Mu Luming looked like he couldn't bring himself to say those words. Ultimately, his voice came out as a feeble whisper. "But I thought you said there shouldn't be too much formalities."
For a moment, the Emperor was at a lost of words, his smile crumbling.
Kesi froze as well. She had always thought that she was good at reading people. And from the few interactions she had with Mu Luming, the one major trait that she had perceived was his adaptability and quick thinking.
Why was he offending the Emperor as soon as they had met?
This was unlike him.
It was just a few words. Father Emperor. Mother Empress. The Royal Son. There was nothing much to it.
She wanted to go up there and help Mu Luming straighten out his tongue, but she was a mere nanny after all. She couldn't simply barge up there in front of the Emperor.
Much to her surprise, after a moment's hesitation, the Emperor regained his jovial composure. "Crown Prince, you are young and unfamiliar with the palace. You'll get used to these necessary formalisms after a while. Who is in charge of teaching the Crown Prince these manners?"
Kesi stiffened.
"Your Majesty, Nanny Rong is tasked with helping the Crown Prince adjust to the palace."
The Empress's declaration made Kesi's heart thump even more.
"Nanny Rong?"
Mu Luming looked down at his feet, trying his best not to steal a glance at Kesi so that he wouldn't betray her location.
"Come forward, Nanny Rong."
Kesi's pounding heart skipped a beat.