(no subject)

[shangba]

( Midday, past lunch observed with Xichen: )


How fared the children this morning?

Comments

[emperorssmile]

Good! A-Liang didn’t drool out much of his food today and we’re going with Sizhui and Jingyi to the market in Caiyi. Want me to bring you anything?

[shangba]

Procure tanghulu for the children. Jingyi also.

[emperorssmile]

Got it!

How was your lunch with Zewu-Jun?

[shangba]

He is... not the man he was.

[emperorssmile]

I bet. His world was turned upside down when the truth about Lianfang-Zun came to light. If I were him, I’d be questioning everything I thought I knew.

[shangba]

We ask much of him.

[emperorssmile]

Too much?

[shangba]

He pledges not to relinquish his duties forever.

Asks only time.

[emperorssmile]

Do you think time will be enough?

[Lan Zhan went thirteen years after losing the love of his life… would he have healed with more time?]

[shangba]

I have told him... I have children.

[emperorssmile]

Did you tell him about Sizhui and Jin Ling?

[shangba]

No. Let fault be my own.

I have told him, as a sect member, I honour his burden. As a brother, I would bear it. As a father, I beg leave.

[emperorssmile]

You didn’t want to coerce him.

You won’t be alone. No matter what happens, I’ll bear it with you.

I’ll try my best not to be selfish.

[shangba]

Is it... too long for Wei Ying? A year. Two.

[emperorssmile]

A day would too long, but I’m not going anywhere. You’re not going to lose me or the kids for shouldering a burden you don’t even want.

[shangba]

How many years will you bear?

[emperorssmile]

Thirteen.

[shangba]

...no. Know yourself.

[emperorssmile]

It’s not like I have a choice. I’ll bear it however long you have to bear the title.

[shangba]

A year. Let us set hard line.

[emperorssmile]

One year, then. I’ll share my husband with the sect for a year.

Is it going to be the same as it has been over the past year or are you taking on more responsibilities?

Maybe I should let Sizhui and Jingyi go to the market by themselves and come home.

[shangba]

As has been. Perhaps Sizhui best removed.

[emperorssmile]

That’s not too bad, then.

He’ll understand. He might be relieved that you’re taking his crush seriously.

How do you feel about it? The year of continuing to sub in for Zewu-Jun, I mean.

[shangba]

Nothing has changed, yet all feels different.

[emperorssmile]

It’s because you’re not stupid.

I want to believe one year is all it’s going to take, too.