(no subject)

[shangba]

( By midday, in the heat of Lotus Pier, when Hanguang-Jun finds himself swarmed by the teenage and youthful nobility of Yunmeng: )



Youths surround from each side. Chattering.

Comments

[emperorssmile]

We’re just making up for lost time.

[shangba]

Do the juniors think us folly?

[emperorssmile]

Not that I’ve heard. I suppose Sizhui would know better than me, though.

Wouldn’t they just be glad to see their Hanguang-Jun so happy?

[shangba]

We may be, as the youth say, overbearingly in love.

[emperorssmile]

Maybe it’s overbearing for them, but it doesn’t feel that way to me. It feels just right.

[shangba]

Wei Ying is uncaring for his reputation?

[emperorssmile]

Should I care about it? The world isn’t trying to kill me, isn’t that good enough?

[shangba]

Oh, my love.

[emperorssmile]

It’s okay. I know I won’t be popular once my identity is known. I’m fine with it. I have a family who loves me and I can lead a good life.

[shangba]

Our lives are bound as one.

[emperorssmile]

You’re right. The only reason I care about my reputation is when it affects yours.

[shangba]

Surely, it does not.

[emperorssmile]

I was worse about it back when we first got together, because you’re Hanguang-Jun. But now everyone knows we’re married, so the damage is already done. There’s no reason I have to worry.

[shangba]

They know I would never relinquish you.

[emperorssmile]

I’m glad.

I’ll fix my reputation whenever I get the opportunity to. Maybe one day, it’ll be enough.

[shangba]

What do you wish for?

[emperorssmile]

I already have you. What else is there that matters?

[shangba]

Your life will be long. Find something.

[emperorssmile]

I will. Right now, I just want to live each day as best as I can.

[shangba]

Is it so hard a life?

[emperorssmile]

It’s a good life. I’m happy that I can spend it with the man I love and our children, too.

I guess I want to find a purpose outside of that, too. Something to keep me occupied. I’m just not sure about what.

[shangba]

Teaching? Hunting?

[emperorssmile]

Something like that, yeah.

I want to teach the younger disciples and take them on some smaller night hunts.

I must be tragically spoiled to feel like I have an over abundance of free time.

[shangba]

You worked enough in a first lifetime.

[emperorssmile]

The world was different back then, too.

It feels good to be useful. And I always come up with the best ideas when I come across problems that bug me.