return from lanling

[shangba]

A full moon, unblinking.

You did not sleep, to see?

Comments

[emperorssmile]

Just stating the truth.

Ah, I get to see my fated one today! Are you as excited as I am?

It’s been a long time since it’s been just the two of us. You should hold A-Liang until we part ways with the others. He misses his father.

[shangba]

As I miss my sons. Sizhui, also.

Elder but sensitive.

[emperorssmile]

I don’t think he would appreciate being cuddled by his dad while he’s trying to eat.

As cute as it would be to see you holding both kids at once.

[shangba]

Wei Ying's talismans should revert Sizhui to youth at will.

[emperorssmile]

Whose will?

Sizhui misses you too, you know. He asked me about you this morning. Has he written you?

[shangba]

He writes little since our disagreement.

Responds curtly.

[emperorssmile]

He wouldn’t have asked about you if he didn’t care.

When we get to Cloud Recesses, we should have him come see the new house and have some meals with us.

[shangba]

He will have his quarter there, as long as he wishes it. And empty, when he does not.

[emperorssmile]

He’ll always have a place with us.

You should try to talk to him.

[shangba]

We have spoken. He knows my heart.

Leave him time.

[emperorssmile]

It’s your call. I’ll stop meddling. For now.

But I still want us to have dinner together this evening before we part ways.

[shangba]

He will, gratefully.

[emperorssmile]

I know he will.

I still haven’t heard from Jiang Cheng yet.

[shangba]

Men wake with difficulty, according to Yunmeng habit.

He would have drunk.

[emperorssmile]

Probably. And he’s in Lanling, so he could be busy with Jin Ling.

I didn’t expect an immediate response. I’ll probably hear from him tonight or sometime tomorrow.

[shangba]

It will come tonight, just before sundown.

When his tempers have chilled, and before he drinks away. As with Wei Ying.

[emperorssmile]

It sounds like you’ve got him figured out. In another life, you could have been friends.

[shangba]

I know the parts of him that are Wei Ying.

[emperorssmile]

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I never realized we were so much alike.

[shangba]

A common upbringing.

Only, Jiang Wanyin given to ire, Wei Ying to hubris.

[emperorssmile]

I don’t have half as much hubris as I used to and he’s got more ire than ever.

[It’s hard to be prideful after seeing his own downfall.]

[shangba]

So Wei Ying says.

[emperorssmile]

Okay, maybe two-thirds as much.

[shangba]

Shall cross paths with Wei Ying.

We have stopped briefly at a market. A red and silver cloth procured for Wei Ying.

[emperorssmile]

Good! I’m relying on my own core’s qi now, but I have enough to keep going for a little while longer.