"Ming'er," the Emperor sighs even though he'd seen this coming from his second son, "You know that's not what I meant."
As much as the Emperor doesn't acknowledge it, he knows well that there's nothing in the world that Ming'er cherishes most that his freedom, which was already limited due to his royal status.
Despite this, Ming'er, along with his two best friends Chen Jun and Ruofei (who sometimes seemed more like bad influences than best friends to the Emperor), would always find ways to go against the system by sneaking out and exploring all sorts of places.
"It's pretty much the same thing," Ming'er scowls as he folds his arms. Even though he's rather tall and well-built for his age, Ming'er looks like an angry bunny as he sulks slightly.
The Emperor couldn't help but chuckle fondly. As much as he pushed Ming'er to always conduct and present himself as a strong and capable man, the heir to the throne, the Emperor also knows that Ming'er is just eighteen years old.
"No, it's not the same thing," the Emperor reasons as he places a hand on his second son's shoulder.
Ming'er is so upset by the fact that he's being sentenced to confinement in this very room for the coming week that he doesn't even think before he shrugs his father's hand off.
Ming'er grunts as he lies back onto his bed and pulls his covers over him. He turns to face the wall such that he isn't facing the Emperor.
It's almost like Ming'er doesn't want to face the fact that he's going to be stuck in the room for the next few days. It's his own way of protesting, in a sense.
"It's for your own safety," the Emperor continues, completely unfazed by his second's son disparaging reaction. "We still don't know who attempted to assinate you, and what was his motive behind trying to do so."
"I could easily take him on," Ming'er protests from under the sheets. It comes out as a mumble as he'd buried his face deep into his long sleeves.
"H-He caught me off guard the last time," Ming'er murmurs, "But I'll be able to take him if he tries to fuck with me again." Despite his initial stammer, Ming'er sounds determined and indignant.
"Language, Ming'er," the Emperor warns as he frowns in disapproval, "And you wouldn't be here if you could've easily taken him on."
"I-I fucked up," Ming'er is so emotionally affected by the thought of losing the last shred of his already limited amount of freedom for one entire week that he completely ignores his father's earlier warning.
"Like I said, it was just one time," Ming'er rambles, "I'll definitely be able to take that fucker on..."
"Ming'er," the Emperor warns, sounding even sterner than before. Ming'er senses the authority, no-nonsense in his father's voice and immediately zips his mouth. "That's enough."
"Look at me," the Emperor commands, to which Ming'er immediately obliges, albeit reluctantly. Ming'er feels a dull ache throb at his chest as he shoots up from his bed, but he ignores it.
"We're still investigating the matter," the Emperor explains in the serious tone that he would use to talk to his officials about important state affairs, "As such, we have to ensure your safety for the timebeing."
"You know well that we can't afford to risk your safety," the Emperor continues as he looks at his second son in the eye, "After all, you're the..."
The door opens before the Emperor could finish his sentence. Ming'er looks up by reflex, thinking that it's his mother or his best friends. However, it's neither of them.
It's Mingyi.
Ming'er widens his eyes at the sight of his big brother. It feels so good to see him.
Even though he didn't say it out loud, along with Chen Jun and Ruofei (and her), Ming'er was afraid that he wouldn't see his brothers, including Mingyi, ever again when he woke up in the strange modern universe.
Well, Ming'er pretty much feared that he wouldn't see anyone that he knew in his world ever again.
Everyone, except for Mingsi. But that's besides the point.
The Emperor clears his throat as though he's swallowing back whatever he was about to say to Ming'er.
However, Ming'er already knows what he was going to say. The Emperor doesn't have to say it out loud for him to know.
"Father," Mingyi greets respectfully as he lowers his head. He's alone, all by himself, and there aren't any Imperial Guards around him.
"Mingyi," the Emperor nods at his first son, "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in your room, resting, especially after what'd happened to your brother last night. It's not safe for you to wander about like this."
"When is it ever safe for me to wander about, father?" Mingyi half-jokes. It sounds like something he'd been holding back, something that he'd been wanting to say for a while.
The Emperor furrows. However, just as he's about to speak, Ming'er beats him to it.
"Big Brother," Ming'er calls out. Even though he doesn't say it out loud, he's relieved to know that Mingyi is alright. He'd been worried about him when he was stuck in that strange modern universe.
Mingyi turns to Ming'er and smiles at him. "Little Brother," he replies in his calm and soothing voice, "I'm glad to see that you're alright. You gave us one hell of a scare yesterday..."
"Mingyi," the Emperor warns his first son in the same tone that he'd used on Ming'er when he'd swore earlier, "Language."
Mingyi immediately lowers his head. "I'm sorry, father," he apologizes, "My emotions got the best of me. I'll be sure to watch my mouth from now on..."
"You boys," the Emperor sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose. He then gets up from his second son's bed and pats his clothes slightly.
"Anyway," the Emperor remarks, "I've got to go attend to some matters now. Mingyi, you can go ahead and have a short chat with Ming'er, but I want you back in your room soon."
"Yes, father," Mingyi acknowledges respectfully as he clasps his hands together and lowers his head. Ming'er does this as well.
"I'll be sending a few Imperial Guards over soon enough," the Emperor says, "I'll send some of them to escort you back to your room," he continues as he glances at Mingyi, "And more of them to guard the entrance of you room." he concludes as he turns to Ming'er.
"Yes, father," Mingyi repeats. As reluctant as he was to accept the fact that the Imperial Guards were pretty much going to watch him like a hawk, Ming'er nods and acknowledges his father's words.
"I'll get going now," the Emperor informs as he moves to step out of the room. There are Imperial Guards waiting as soon as he opens the door. It was as though he'd called them from a distance.
Ming'er had seen this so many times that he isn't even surprised anymore. Regardless of wherever he may be, the Emperor always seemed to have a way to silently command the Imperial Guards over even from afar.
Ming'er sometimes wondered if that was a sort of an in-built feature that came with ascending the throne.
The Imperial Guards bow respectfully to the Emperor before closing the doors to the room.
Mingyi turns to Ming'er as soon as the doors close behind them. He gives him a warm smile.
All of the agitation and frustration that had welled up within Ming'er instantly disappears at the sight of his older brother's smile.
There was always something soothing and calming about his smile, and him as a person overall. Despite all of his hardships, Mingyi is pretty much the epitome of serenity.
"Little Brother," Mingyi grins as he wheels himself over to Ming'er. The latter tries to get out of bed to help his brother over, only to wince at the pain that shot through his body when he attempted to do so.
"No, don't, it's okay," Mingyi immediately says, prompting Ming'er to sit back down. His bones crack slightly as though they were thanking him for not over-exerting them.
"I can wheel myself over. My hands still work, you know," Mingyi jokes as he moves his wheelchair the closest that he could move it to the side of his little brother's bed.
"Big Brother," Ming'er calls out softly. He's so relieved to see his big brother, whom he'd always looked up to, again.
"I'm so glad to see that you're alright," Ming'er couldn't help but blurt out, even though his older brother couldn't possibly have figured the context that his little brother was referencing.
"Why wouldn't I be alright?" Mingyi chuckles, "Besides, I should be the one saying that."
"I'm alright, really," Ming'er reassures his Der brother, "What happened last night...it was just a slip-up. I could've easily taken that guy on, you know I could..."
"Yes, yes," Mingyi chuckles, quick to ascertain his younger brother, "I know you could've. I believe in you, I always do."
"But here I am..." Ming'er sighs as he lies back down, accepting his predicament. "Serving a one week exile from anywhere else but this room."
"One week isn't even that long," Mingyi half-chuckles, "I mean, It's sure as hell better than a sentence that lasts a lifetime."
Ming'er immediately realizes how what he'd said would come off as insensitive to his older brother.
"I'm sorry for saying that," Ming'er immediately apologizes.
"Ming'er," Mingyi reassures as he places a hand on his younger brother's shoulder, "There's no need to apologize, really."
"You get used to being a caged bird after a while."