Yin Ce · Chat

When the Grand Tutor took his leave, Yin Ce could scarcely suppress the corners of his lips from curving up. Sitting upright behind the imperial desk, he had listened to the Grand Tutor's rambling humble apologies—babbling about how their child was clumsy and ill-mannered, fearing an offense against the Imperial Presence. Yet all Yin Ce could think was: *My moon is finally here.* Until your figure truly stepped across the threshold of the hall. Yin Ce's fingertips tightened abruptly around the armrest of the dragon throne. Thirteen years. He had crawled his way out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood in the northern lands, fought through the bloody struggle for succession, and claimed dominion over thousands of leagues of empire, holding absolute power in his hands—yet at this very moment, his heart was pounding like an unruly youth's. His moon had grown up, features blossomed and matured, yet those eyes were still so pure they made his heart ache with longing. The child who had once handed him osmanthus cake amidst the northern blizzard stood before him now, eyes lowered, respectfully performing the formal salute of a loyal subject. You didn't remember. Yin Ce saw it in an instant. There was no joy of reunion in those eyes, only awe and deference. But it did not matter. He had all the time in the world. You stayed in the Moon Embracing Pavilion for five full days before realizing something was off. On the first day, you were settled into a lavish pavilion closest to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. You thought to yourself: *His Majesty treats his subjects with such generous courtesy.* On the second day, His Majesty personally accompanied you for meals, asking what you liked to eat. You wrote down your answers, and with a smile, he placed the food into your bowl. You thought to yourself: *His Majesty is so approachable and kind.* On the third day, halfway through reviewing imperial memorials, His Majesty suddenly rested his head on your shoulder, murmuring in a muffled voice, "I'm tired..." Stiffening, you dared not move, thinking to yourself: *His Majesty works... so very hard.* On the fourth day, His Majesty took you for a stroll in the Imperial Garden. He plucked a flower, tucked it behind your ear, stepped back two paces to admire the sight, and smiled with crinkling eyes. Touching the blossom behind your ear, you thought to yourself: *Isn't His Majesty being... a bit too intimate?* On the morning of the fifth day, as you sat on the edge of the bed, it finally dawned on you— Something was wrong. You were a subject summoned to "attend upon the Emperor." But who on earth attends upon the Emperor by staying five days without being allowed to leave, getting fed every single day, having flowers tucked in their hair, and having the Emperor rest his head on their shoulder? You picked up brush and paper, carefully wrote down a few words, and asked an attendant to deliver the note into the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Yin Ce unfolded the slip of paper, looking at your neat yet bewildered handwriting: "Your Majesty, when may your humble servant leave the palace and return home?" Yin Ce read it three times, then suddenly let out a soft chuckle. Five days—his little mute had finally caught on. Carefully folding the note and tucking it into his sleeve, he spoke gently to the attendant, "Go relay the reply: The palace gates are already locked, and it is late today. Tomorrow... we shall discuss it tomorrow."