Li-Rong stood watching the woman he had whispered and asked to meet up with him leave like he'd dismissed her. His hands balled into a fist and he punched the air, his restraint and control breaking free.
He wheezed, every single time he thought he made a step forward in his life and things around him, the universe always pushed him back testing the little patience he'd remaining in this world and palace.
Starting with his father and what was expected of him and the only person he cared about. His brain went back to one of his father's words. He was a mere token, currency to elevate his status to gain more power but he was no pushover.
"You need to get married to a princess and very soon"
A deep dark chuckle left his lips and he flexed his fingers, clenching his jaw. He knew his father and his capabilities and how far he could go for his goals and ambitions but he failed to understand.
Everyone had ambitions too
Yeah, he wanted…no need, something too for himself and getting it wasn't going to be a simple task but either way he was going to get it.
Good things don't come easy
That was an ambition too!. To get what he can't but he would. He sniggered. They were the same. Both wanted things that couldn't be obtained without violence.
…
"The southern province where Father took over has been having problems with the farmers and their governor. What do you think I should do?"
Li-Rong stood as his brother went on talking about the little mission their father had given him. A test, to put him out. Checking out his capabilities, it wasn't that serious of an issue in court. The case. Just a mere issue that could be solved with a delegate sent by the emperor himself but he gave it to him.
His second son to handle, knowing he couldn't do it but wanted to make him feel useful and important to himself because his father didn't care about anyone but himself.
Li-Rong took the scroll out of his hands, bringing it to his face and reading it , and as he thought. It was nothing special, just some villagers feuding amongst themselves.
He almost sniggered but knew that would anger him so he swallowed whatever advice he wanted to share not like they'd be interested in it. They never listened.
They only wanted to please their father and get his approval but they didn't know the meaning of when you get the emperor's approval. Hell was a better place to stay than by his side.
Li-Rong handed him back the scroll and squared his shoulder for what he was about to say "What I think you should do Second Brother, it's to let this go and—"
"I can't. Father wants—"
"He doesn't care. He won't care about a petty stuff like this when they're better things to do with his time."
The words hurt but they were the truth. Nothing but the truth. He groaned, he was in a sour mood and it traced back to everything that had to do with his father. Marriage. power.
Things that didn't matter to him. Only one thing or a person and she was the last thing he could ever get. So stubborn.
"I'm sending for a carriage to take me there. Father approved my departure and there's nothing you—the crown prince will say because the emperor had said it all"
Li-Rong scrutinised his brother. Prince Lei-Feng. The only person outright enough to show his hate on him about being the crown prince and not the supposed person.
He nodded in acquiescence, there was nothing to say to someone who was blinded and shaded from the truth from little. Only listens to the words of his mother but he really didn't care.
There was more to life than that.
As he opened his mouth to say something a man in a maid's robe revealed his presence and Li-Rong used that chance to glare at his brother watching his every move.
"Sorry to interrupt your discussion, your highness. Prince Lei Feng" The man acknowledged Lei-Feng before shifting back to Li-Rong "your father the Emperor is asking of you and would like your presence quickly in the court." He said with his inclined head.
Li-Rong's face changed from irritation to seriousness as he jerked his head for the man to raise his head up and he did "Tell him I'm on my way. I couldn't leave everything am doing and run to him"
The man gulped, nodding his head and about to leave "Eunuch Lou. I'm sure you know what to tell him but no worries. I'm behind you. You may leave now"
The man inclined his head again and moved back "yes your highness" before scurrying off.
"Take care" Li-Rong faced his brother, his lips tipping up in an uncanny smile and retreated. "Do what you have to do to survive. Father doesn't care about anyone, don't—"
"But he cares about you" his brother bit out, he could feel the malice seeping out from his voice and words, Li-Rong halted in his steps, his eyes glowing darkly and he shook his head pointing at him.
"You never know what lurks underneath the love someone has for you. It may be dark, it may be pure but we all tag them as love. Damned as it may be. It's all love and we the loved need to just live through it. But never think we are all happy to be loved" he said and left.
He wouldn't say he wasn't happy his father cared for him in his own sick and twisted way but all were love though he wished he never did and he was like his brothers that longed for a glance of affection and attention from the emperor.
A glimpse of his eyes on every action of them and he had all those for himself. He never made a step without his father on his back, talking him in or out of it. He never had a choice until now.
He wanted a choice, a chance to make things right before it was late or his father would make something out for himself and nothing for him.
As he walked down the grounds of the palace to the court, the eunuch appeared again out of nowhere. He wondered where he always sprung out from. He was the personal eunuch of his father and knew many things that could have him killed if leaked out.
"What now?" Li-Rong stood, his gaze dark and penetrating, the eunuch bowed his head almost to the ground.
"I'm sorry your highness but your father said you should come to his chambers instead. This is a private—"
Li-Rong walked away, not giving the eunuch time to finish up whatever he was about to say. There were many things to use his time for and not listen to him talk it away.
As he approached the chambers, he didn't notice the person that ran past him if not for the familiar scent and long silky dark hair that always sprawled over her back flowing in the wind.
It flew in the soft wind that the Jade hairpin she used to knot it into an updo sprang free and fell on the floor just in front of him and he bent down to pick it up.
But she was already out of sight when he stood up to give it back. He looked down at the hairpin in his hand which was the one he had bought for her. Pink and filled with so many intricate flowery designs around the dangling beads and little tassels with sprinkled gold on those designs.
It was beautiful.
He remembered the day he bought it when coming back from a secret mission. An auction in Wei. His father knew about the trip to Wei but not the auction house where they traded so many things.
And that was where he got this hairpin, a rare and extinct piece that was lost for a very long time that cost him a lot of money and how they got it was none of his business because it was Xin-yi's now.
He looked back to where she ran off to and then back to where she came out from. His father. The emperor's chamber. His heart sped and he rushed forward to enter but stopped calming his expression before tucking the hairpin into his cloth and exhaling then went in.