He was Almost Absorbed by the System

Chapter Seventy Nine - Regrets

"Zhen.. I do not wish for you to leave brother," the young Emperor engulfed his brother in a bear hug. Second Prince was not small, for all his delicate features, but he lacked the breadth and large muscles of his older brother.

Wáng Yu Long was due to leave for the Heartlands with a detachment of guards and the Heartlanders guests. Many ignorant souls felt as if the Emperor was using Second Prince as a political hostage to not only uphold the peace treaty between the Empire and small, rich nation, but also to ensure he was no longer a threat to the throne. This cold action gave further proof to the ruthlessness of their new Emperor, who had many Ministers and officials running around as if injected with chicken blood. Had they seen the Emperor now, they might have questioned their views.

"Brother...!" Yu Long tapped his brother's arm when he was no longer able to breathe.

Jie Long loosened his grip slightly. "I always thought we would never part, that we would live together and die together. And when we resolved to run this Empire to ensure our safety in this life, we would then rule together."

"The wishes of children remain the wishes of children, brother," Yu Long returned, he was also sad to leave this person who he had remained beside for over eighteen years. "We now have to face this world as adults; I as the Guardian of the Living God of the Heartlands and you as the Emperor of this Empire."

"I would have given you the throne," Jie Long told him, earnestly.

"I know," Yu Long said, shaking his head. "But I would never have accepted it. I was always intending to seek that person."

"You mean Xiang Ah Liû?" Jie Long asked. Yu Long nodded, but did not elaborate. "He means that much to you?" Yu Long nodded once more. "I do not understand the way of the gods, but I understand you; you have made your choice and I cannot change it."

"Do not speak as if you are not as stubborn as I!" Yu Long exclaimed. Jie Long laughed loudly and released his brother, who bowed to his Emperor. "With me no longer here, chose your allies wisely and remember I will return when you need me to do so. I also wish an invite to your wedding and to be amongst the first to greet your sons and your daughters."

The Emperor scowled, but admitted he was considering an alliance with Minister Zhao, who had many lovely daughters of age.

"That is true," Yu Long replied, recalling the faces of a few of them. Admittedly, several were concubine born and would not be accepted as First Wife or Empress. "The Third Daughter, Zhao Xiu Ying is very beautiful, but too ambitious. I would seek the eldest daughter, Zhao Zhen Yi instead."

Jie Long tried to recall the face of the eldest girl, but simply recalled a tall girl of humble appearance outshone by her many sisters. "May I ask why?"

"Zhao Zhen Yi is not as fair of face, it is true," Yu Long said. "But her temperament is pure and her mind quick. She did not look down on her sisters with lesser status and she spoke eloquently. Minister Zhao's wife spoke frequently about Zhao Xiu Ying's beauty, while Minister Zhao's mother spoke of Zhao Zhen Yi's Guqin skills. Also, I heard her tell her older cousin Gu Zi Tu to cease acting like a harlot, for while a man would not be unhappy for a woman to offer favours, does not mean he will take her as wife."

At the cousin's name, the Emperor recalled an attractive woman with a full figure, but she had not respected his personal boundaries at all and when he had managed to remove himself from her forward touches, he had seen her attempt the same with his brother instead! He shuddered, but understood what his brother was saying. Zhao Zhen Yi would not be like Huang Lei He, controlling and jealous of the concubines, but she would not let herself be controlled by unruly women either. Should she be as the brothers perceived her to be, should would ensure harmony in the future inner palace.