Author's Note:
Huang Empire: China
Yeonghwa Kingdom: unified Korea
Crown Prince Huang Rui visited his father the emperor the next day.
Since he was 15 years old, he lived at the Yellow Lotus Palace, a palace that was still close to the imperial palace, but nearer to the Lian faction's land, which was the faction of his mother.
The Yellow Lotus Palace was his 15th birthday present from the Lian faction, and it was built following his taste, a palace so beautiful that he didn't want to leave it once he first saw it.
Despite still being more or less within the imperial palace complex, it could also be said to be far enough from the emperor, Consort Lan and the second prince.
Rui hid there for the past three years because he really couldn't bear to stay long in his father's palace anymore.
It was full of his memories of his late mother, Empress Lian Hua. It was painful and bittersweet at the same time.
Wu Jian and Liang Zhen, who had been by his side without fail all these years, understood that Rui reduced his visits to his father not because of his insolence, but because after each visit, he would have nightmares for at least three days.
So they also understood how challenging it was to return that day, even just for lunch.
The emperor just returned from the court, and Rui was already in the emperor's sitting room, waiting for him.
Rui bowed low.
"Greetings, Father. May your life be long, your health to be strong, and your leadership to stay fair."
"Ah, the son of heaven finally visits me."
Wu Jian, who accompanied Rui as usual, couldn't avoid wincing.
The emperor actually cared deeply for his son, but somehow, what came out were sharp words.
"You are the son of heaven, Father, not me," Rui answered in a similarly sharp tone. In that way, Wu Jian thought they were really father and son. Somehow, watching their conversations felt like watching two dragons clash.
The emperor was quiet for some time, before he sat down for his lunch.
The same set was spread in front of Rui.
Manners that were drilled into him since he first learned to walk and speak dictated Rui to begin eating as well.
The emperor stared at his son.
Rui was the identical copy of his mother. Empress Lian Hua was a beauty so rare that until that day, she was the inspiration of so many novels, plays and paintings.
Rui was beautiful in a way that poets would gladly break their hands to write verses about.
He had an unmatched elegance that even his own father couldn't rival. Rui looked more imperial than the emperor himself.
Everyone who met Rui for the first time would be stunned, as if they met a creature of heaven, not of this earth.
However, the past three years have changed Rui so much that he carried an aura of sadness everywhere he went. He was named The Mourning Prince because he appeared as if he was there on earth simply because he was forced to do so.
"You have lost so much weight, Son. You need to eat more."
"It takes too much energy just to live, Father. I'm still here, so it means I still have my meals."
"Three years have passed. You have avoided the world long enough. Return to your rightful place and help me manage this empire."
Rui looked at his father then.
Those eyes were weapons that even the emperor feared sometimes.
Rui's eyes were clear, as if they could see right through your soul.
"The murderers of my mother walk freely. Even thirty years of mourning will not heal me."
"You speak without mercy, as usual."
"Mercy is only for those who deserve it. And between us, we know we don't deserve it, Father."
For a few seconds, the emperor was speechless.
"You are the only person in this world who can speak like this to me."
"If you'd like to punish me, I am right here in front of you."
"I can't punish you. I need you."
The last three words made Rui chuckle. His expression made the emperor tremble, for sarcasm filled his son's eyes so much that he became anxious.
"You betrayed my mother, and married Consort Lan. In which part of it did you need me, Father?"
The emperor fisted his hand and his jaw tightened.
"Your words deserve death, Huang Rui."
"Go ahead. Free me and let me meet my mother."
"Prince Rui!!!" His father yelled.
Rui sighed, and drank his tea.
His father had to take a few deep breaths.
"Listen. Consort Lan was pushed by the Lan faction. I married her for political support. I married your mother because she was my first choice."
The teacup in Rui's hand slipped and fell, then crashed on the floor.
Wu Jian moved forward seconds faster than the emperor's eunuch.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Wu Jian asked.
Rui didn't nod, but Wu Jian knew he was at least not physically hurt. The captain of the guards was the one who cleared the shattered cup fragments.
Rui's mind was filled with a thousand things.
So his father was not bored with the empress. He was just pressured.
Were years of resentment toward his father misplaced?
"Lian Hua is very important for me," the emperor said, and his voice cracked. "And you, as my son with her, is also important for me."
Rui's hands shook. It's such a huge revelation from his father. He couldn't believe his ears.
All along, he thought his father sided with Consort Lan and his stepbrother, Prince Wei.
"I am aware our relationship has grown worse since Lian Hua passed away, but I will not lie to you out of pride anymore."
The emperor's face seemed ashen to Rui by then.
He thought his father was strong.
Had he been so blinded by his own grief, that he didn't realize his father was grieving so painfully as well?
"Your stepbrother and your stepmother are growing worse, and they are backed by the Lan faction."
"Then stop them," Rui said simply.
"It's not as simple as that. If I move, it is unfair. But if you move, it is more acceptable."
"What do you wish me to do?"
"You need to return to the old Rui who was so passionate to build and improve this empire."
Rui didn't answer.
"I have made a plan to support your return to court."
"I already don't like the sound of this."
"You shall marry Princess Seorin, the favorite daughter of the Yeonghwa kingdom's king."
Rui was aghast.
"Father, I am someone who lived in the past too much. Marrying someone now will only hurt the lady!"
"A sensible wife will pull you to the present."
"Father, I am in no state to protect a woman! I don't even think life is worth living anymore!"
"Then she can be your reason to live!"
"You are being senseless," Rui replied emotionally.
"Yeonghwa kingdom will give us half the right to their ginseng harvest, their gunpowders factory, and soldiers in case there's war. The king was the one who proposed for this alliance. Princess Seorin will support you with her dowry."
"We have enough gold as we are."
"We need more if we want leverage against the Lan faction."
Rui was silent. The emperor was right. The Lan faction was the richest faction in the Huang empire. They were rumored to plan to slowly take over the empire with their gold.
"Busan will be part of the dowry. Busan will be yours if you agree to marry this princess."
"Why are they this eager?"
"Princess Seorin is Yeonghwa King's favorite child. She had rejected her suitors because of her deep love to her father. I guess the king believes you're the only one who deserves his daughter."
"I might only make her suffer."
"Then don't. Stop burying yourself in misery. You're only 21. Perhaps an older wife can ground you."
"An older wife? She will try to dominate this kingdom through me, then."
"Huang Rui, do not be overly negative!"
"I don't—"
The emperor lifted his hand and Rui ceased speaking.
"Regain your health, physically and mentally. I need you to live longer than me, Son, do you understand? I need to die first before you. No more suicide attempts."
Rui's eyes were filled with sudden tears.
His father was being so vulnerable that day, a side that he knew they both were supposed to hide.
"Why are you being like this today, Father? And I…..I haven't given up on living since my last attempt, and it was already two years ago."
"It truly has to be the last. I can't bear it anymore. Do you hear me???"
Rui's tears fell.
"You are the only one I have left. I shall be the one who meets your mother first. You will live a long life, then you will give this empire an heir, you will educate him, and this dynasty will live long after we pass."
Rui had hated his father, because he thought the emperor shielded Consort Lan, who was suspected to poison the late empress.
But maybe, his father's hands were tight in this matter.
"Sometimes, the world looks full of fog for me. Why do I need to go on living? I feel lost."
"You need to continue living for this empire, because I know your heart, Prince Rui. You don't have even a grain of greed within you. If that is not enough, then live for me. For your father. I too, shall live for you, long enough until I could pass this throne to you. Stop saying Prince Wei can have it. I shall never change the crown prince."
Rui was shocked with this show of emotions.
For the past three years, their relationship had been strained.
Their monthly meeting had been just a formality.
Until that day.
Perhaps, he was not alone.
"I did not choose Princess Seorin randomly. She is truly your best match, and she will bring you more legitimacy and honor. Liang Zhen knows her full profile. He will share it to you later."
Rui was silent.
"And I want our monthly meetings to be changed to weekly."
Rui was still silent.
"If you don't object, your wedding shall be held in a week. In two weeks, you will return to court."
Rui stared at his father. Truly, he had aged so much. He looked exhausted. And even more so, he looked sad.
"Perhaps it is shameful for me to say this, but no scribe is writing this conversation anyway. I can't bear this empire alone. I need your help."
Rui's heart was heavy.
But fifteen years of education and the love for this empire that was ingrained in him by his scholar tutors and by his late mother made him bow low at his father.
"You can go now. I need to rest," the emperor said. "Once you return, I will start sharing all the minister's reports with you. You can ease my burdens."
Rui stood up, made another bow, and left the room.
*****
Author's Note:
When I'm so in love, I can write something like this, around 2,000 words, in an hour, haha.
May you feel the love, may you be in love with Prince Rui, but sympathize with his father too.
Please comment and like this story, also put this in your library.