(no subject)

[shangba]

( Midday, past lunch observed with Xichen: )


How fared the children this morning?

Comments

[emperorssmile]

Don’t worry, Lan Zhan. I would still love you even if you got old and I didn’t.

[shangba]

If I too were as a worm?

[emperorssmile]

In any form you take. Even if you were a dog!

[shangba]

...do not disgust yourself with the thought.

[emperorssmile]

I won’t. I just want you to know that I love you that much.

[shangba]

Love Wei Ying more.

[emperorssmile]

Impossible. Maybe just as much!

[shangba]

Just as much.

[emperorssmile]

You love me lots, then!

Sizhui and Jingyi are going to stay in Caiyi for a little while longer. Liang and I are on our way home! I should be back with enough light for archery, but we can always light some lanterns if it gets too dark.

[shangba]

...he cannot be betrothed and linger overnight with another.

[emperorssmile]

But they’re friends.

Do I need to send him a butterfly and wait until they catch up?

[shangba]

...uncertain.

Would we be at ease with each other alighting in but one other person's company, beyond duress?

[emperorssmile]

I trust you 100 percent, so I wouldn’t have a problem with that.

But I guess it doesn’t look good and Jingyi already gets on Jin Ling’s nerves.

I don’t think they’re going to spend the night in Caiyi, so we could let them hang out this once and talk to Sizhui about it later?

[shangba]

...would not enjoy knowing Wei Ying lone with another.

My husband is too handsome. He would be harassed and pursued.

[emperorssmile]

I’ll spend time in groups when we’re not together, then.

So… what about Sizhui? I doubt he’s thinking about what it looks like from the outside.

[shangba]

Mmmmm. In truth, mere fledgling courtship, not betrothal.

Jingyi, a childhood friend.

Perhaps...

[emperorssmile]

Would you feel more comfortable if I bring them home now?

[shangba]

No. Perhaps I merely overthink.

[emperorssmile]

Let’s talk to him together, then. Maybe he’ll talk to Jingyi about his courtship now that I’m not there.

[shangba]

Are we perhaps too strict?

[emperorssmile]

Maybe, maybe not. It would be easier if one of them were a woman, since it’s natural for men to hang out together.

[shangba]

...is it?

[emperorssmile]

Cloud Recesses separates the sexes, so it would be easier on him to avoid spending time alone with any of the women. He grew up with his martial brothers, so it’ll be tough having to stop spending one-on-one time with them.

[shangba]

...will Jin Ling restrict himself so?

[emperorssmile]

Good question. I’ll write him.

Maybe it would be best to let them decide how to handle it.