章 17: Deep Conversations
"How do you feel, Yue-er?", Emperor Wei Tian asked as he watched Ying Yue dazedly look away from the open window, through which warmth of the winter sun was penetrating, not only brightening the room, but also making people feel better from the bone piercing cold of the winter. Emperor Wei Tian detected her slightly shivering even after being wrapped in bulk warm blankets, coats and scarf. He knew in his heart Ying Yue wasn't shivering because cold but as an after effect of the medicines she consumes.
"Agh. Greetings to Father Emperor. Sorry, I didn't even realize when you came in.", Ying Yue said calmly.
" It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. It has been a while since I came to chat with you. I hope this Father is not disturbing you?", Emperor Wei Tian laughed.
" Of course not.", Ying Yue smiled a little.
" Are you feeling any better, Ying Yue?", Emperor Wei Tian asked something which in the past was like a Taboo. Ying Yue was never feeling better in the past. Thus, asking such a question made him feel an inconsiderate father. However, recent signs of hope from First Lady Shen's existence provided the chance to ask something he has never asked before from this daughter of his. Ever since her childhood Ying Yue has always been quiet and introverted , always keeping everything to her self. Even after being a princess of an empire like Shuang's she never was arrogant or demanding.
It was like she always wanted to be invisible to the world as she tried hard to reduce her presence from the palace. Before she fell ill and got bedridden the only two places she could be found in was the library, and his training ground. Though, Ying Yue never said it out loud she absolutely enjoyed watching him fight with his soldiers with their raw strength, without using any martial power, or when he played with swords.
At first, he thought Ying Yue was just curious like any other kid her age, as she was 6 back then. But the more time went by he found Ying Yue never missed a chance to see him train at the training ground, even though she always put a nonchalant face, but her eyes gave her way. Those beautiful heather colored eyes, usually dull, would sparkle. That was the first time Wu Wei Tian realized what it was truly like to be admired by his child.
She was the only child out of all the children he 'adopted', from the imperial clan, who admired him without any greed for power, who simply looked up to him, and didn't take him to be someone to be scared of because of scars he got, from past wars, on his face. From the aspect of a princess her behavior was absurd, but this unusualness made Wei Tian fond of this little somewhat emotionally numb child.
Slowly this fondness turned into a fatherly love he never thought he was capable of feeling, and watching such a little soul suffering so much after she suddenly fell so sick that no doctor could save her, wrecked him from within. He felt despair but no way to vent. It took years for First Lady Shen to provide them with a ray of hope. The only thing he can now do is to trust this heavenly entities that his High Priest, Feng Guang, has so much believe in.
"Umm.", Ying Yue replied.
" Are you saying this to make Zhen feel better? You do not need to lie to me little child.", Wu Wei Tian sighed.
Ying Yue reached out her hands, " Hands."
" Huh?", Emperor XiWang looked at his daughter questioningly with a smile.
" Give me your hands.", Ying Yue repeated.
Wei Tian felt amused, and reached out his hands, but he was shocked when Ying Yue gently took his hands and stroked the back of his hand with her thumb gently.
" Wife does that to make me feel better.", Ying Yue said fondly with a little smile, " Do not worry Emperor Father. For the past two month..I..I feel a little better. The feeling of my bones continuously being broken from within has lessened a little. I feel my headaches are little frequent. I didn't vomit blood much either. I do feel a little better. Trust me."
" Good! Very Good! I am so glad Yue-er! Finally some improvement! If this goes on maybe.. not maybe, for sure you will be fine soon Yue-er! Zhen is so happy for you!", Wei Tian clasped her hands a little tighter as he was shaking with happiness.
Ying Yue didn't reply to the last statement just nodded without a smile. A little improvement doesn't mean complete recovery, does it?
" Zhen never asked for your opinion when Zhen decided for you to marry a woman. Was Yue-er ever angry at Father Emperor for this?", Wei Tian asked nervously. Emperor XiWang who is fierce and a symbol of power and strength, and scares the enemies greatly, was actually feeling nervous in front of his daughter. If it got out everyone would definitely drop to their knees and start worshipping Ying Yue.
" If I am being honest Father Emperor, I do not know. What I felt was..nothing, at first. If you had told me to marry a mule or a tree at that time, I would have certainly agreed. What Father Emperor wants Ying Yue shall comply. But now.. I am just glad it is 'her' you chose for me.", Ying Yue replied honestly, "She is kind and takes good care of me. Even when I sit in daze for hours she keeps me company. Father Emperor, do you think she..is weird?", Ying Yue questioned as she lied down comfortably on the bed because her head was aching terribly.
" How come she is weird? Do you think she is?", Emperor XiWang laughed, but noticing Ying Yue frown in pain he understood her head was aching thus, extended his hand to lightly message her forehead. He had to control his hand greatly to make sure he was not putting too much pressure when messaging her.
Ying Yue closed her eyes tightly before letting out a groan in pain, "I do think she is. Though at first she seemed reluctant with the marriage..... she then adapted quickly to the idea of being with a woman. She cooks for me everyday even though there are servants for that. She could have just ordered them, but no, she herself takes all the trouble. Why go to such a length for someone like me? It did occur to me that she might be doing all these as an act. But…
Father Emperor, do you remember that you once told me that eyes are the windows to ones soul. Is it really true?"
Emperor XiWang smiled painfully though Ying Yue couldn't see as her eyes were shut closed, " It depends on what you want to believe. It's true that for certain people their eyes speaks the truth, but it's hard to come by such people when you belong from an imperial family where you have to be alert at every action of a person. Zhen has lived longer than you also, have met variety of people over the course of Zhen's life. From experience Zhen can be sure about one thing not all eyes end up to ones soul because not all people have souls or, souls that harbor pure intentions. These kinds of people for their goals are willing to detach themselves from even their goodness.
Do you know why Zhen had said this statement to you back then? It was because even though I never believed in this saying, it was you, Yue-er, whose eyes used to be clear and brilliantly shine with admiration at the world. Those eyes held utmost trust in me, and even though you were never good with words..", Emperor XiWang laughed, " I guess it's Zhen fault as you went after me, but those eyes always conveyed your words to Zhen. Though, it's sad they are no longer readable. So, it depends on you. Does Yue-er believe that First Lady Shen's intention in taking care of you is pure, as it is reflected in her eyes? Then you know the answer the best."
Ying Yue relaxed her frowns and opened her beautiful eyes, which were curved into little smile hardly detectable, " Understood Father Emperor."
" It's really shocking to see you talk for so long. Don't push yourself. Does your throat hurt? You want to drink some herbal tea?", Emperor XiWang asked worriedly.
" I want rock sugar pear water prepared by First Lady Shen.", Ying Yue said nonchalantly.
Emperor XiWang looked at Ying Yue and felt like laughing, " It hasn't even been a day since she left and you already miss her?"
Ying Yue couldn't keep a straight face and to hide her embarrassment she turned her face the other way and closed her eyes, " Not her. It's the food she prepares for me. Though they do not taste that much good because it seems it's the first time ever she is cooking in her life, I still like those as it seems more like…home. Don't make fun of Ying Yue, Father Emperor."
Emperor XiWang laughed uncontrollably and after he was done he smiled widely. It's been a long time that he has laughed this much in Ying Yue's company. Honestly, other than with Feng Guang, cultivar Ruan, he doesn't show his true emotions to anyone else. But this daughter of his is fun to get along with. Though, after she fell sick it has been years since they are talking so leisurely like this.
" It's not like that..", Ying Yue sighed as she turned her face back, " Oh, she said she doesn't want anything as her betrothal gifts except…. food and swords!"
" What food and swords? Did you hear right?", Emperor XiWang asked feeling amused.
Ying Yue nodded. She felt another headache when she heard Lady Shen adamantly asking for food as her betrothal gifts. Who asks for food as their betrothal gifts?! Was she starved for so long that she became a fool?! Ying Yue felt a heartache every time she remembers how excitedly and with a wide smile Lady Shen had replied 'food' when asked what she wants in her betrothal gifts. Then after she asked the kind of jewelry she wants Lady Shen declined any kind of jewelry answering, ' Can jewelry be eaten? I don't even like wearing them! If you want to give me some swords! I want to prac..I mean I want to play with them!'
As she retold what Lady Shen had said to Emperor XiWang they both looked at each other before the Emperor laughed once again while Ying Yue smiled.
" What a silly child.", Emperor XiWang exclaimed with a smile.
" Also, she reminded me several times to tell you that because she is marrying into the imperial family for my health's sake, she doesn't want her family to benefit anything from the marriage. She said not to give any benefit to the the Shen family for her marrying into the imperial family. How can she say all her true feelings out loud like that, Father Emperor? Is she too honest or too stupid? A person like that really makes you worried. Will she be treated right before the marriage at that family? I think I should send some more guards for her safety.", Ying Yue said seriously.
" Send a few more if you feel like it. With so much attention being paid into this wedding do you think the Shen family will have the courage to do anything to her. Stop worrying. It's just a matter of 7 days before you marry her officially into the imperial family." , Emperor XiWang assured Ying Yue, " Everyone's busy with the wedding preparations. Your elder sisters wanted to be a part of the preparation and are working really hard. You just need to rest and get treated thus, leave all the worrying to others."
" Do you think I'll be able to walk to the wedding alter on the wedding day, Father Emperor? When I have not walked in years. First Lady Shen truly deserves someone better.", Ying Yue said as she turned to gaze outside the window making it hard to detect her true emotions.
" What does it matter if you cannot walk now? It doesn't mean you won't be able to walk in future! Then marry her a second time after you are in good health. Or do you not want to marry her? Does that mean you want another man to stand beside First Lady Shen?", Emperor XiWang raised an eyebrow at her.
" Another man?! Where did it come from? I just meant.. forget it.. my weddings in 7 days and I need to be in good health. I will rest now Father Emperor. See yourself out.", Ying Yue said annoyedly as she covered her head with her blanket.
Emperor XiWang felt so amused watching Ying Yue getting annoyed like that. Ying Yue wasn't someone to lose her temper easily. She always put a straight face and tried to hide her true emotions, but watching her true emotions full on display was really refreshing to look at. The marriage decision was really…right?
Emperor XiWang pat Ying Yue's head lovingly over the blanket, " I will be leaving then daughter. Just concentrate on your recovery , Yue-er. Leave everything else to your Father Emperor."
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