The Emperor who wasn"t very happy about everything happening around him knew what his brother might be feeling but he saw Rijun actually in a fowl mood which was so unlike him. His mood only got worse when Shengli began to speak and only his n.o.ble upbringing was stopping himself from hitting Shengli in the face. Rijun met his sister last evening and the ghastly sight of her made his blood boil. She was always something else and had moods of her own but he had only seen her almost this devastated previously when Shengli disappeared for a while. But if this is this hurting for both of them to do, why do it? Why not find an alternate solution?
Of course Rijun wasn"t privy to everything the trio witnessed in the temple and then at the Audience Hall of the Heavenly Emperor and no one else did, including his father. They didn"t tell anyone that they are involved in the nasty entanglements of the three realms" future somehow.
"What? Did you change your mind, brother?", the Emperor asked. He meant it. There is still time for changes...
Shengli took a deep breath and pulled out a white pouch from his pocket. Both the Emperor and Rijun opened their eyes wide by the expression Shengli had on him... Like he was looking at the most precious thing in the entire world... Like it was his soul he was holding in his hands... Like he would usually look at her...Mingxia!
Rijun recognised that awfully embroidered white pouch... Isn"t this made of the same white silk my sister had it on her for a while some months back? I would recognise that hideous embroidery two towns away. She even had the audacity to claim that was a wolf she was making and then hid it from me because I mocked her for it.. So she made it for him...? And she had the guts to give that monstrosity to him and he is actually... treasuring it..?
As usual, Rijun could not understand those two but if that is the case, why are they trying to be away from each other?
Shengli gently traced his fingers over the pouch made of the cloth she embroidered. She was going to throw it away but he couldn"t fathom the thought of throwing away something she made for him thinking about him. So he made a pouch out of it and he even stored a lock of her hair bound with a lock of his hair inside the pouch. He had known of a tradition in the Fire Kingdom that a husband and wife would cut a lock of their hair and bind it together wis.h.i.+ng they"ll stay together for the rest of their life and it was customary for them to put it in the alter they have for their G.o.d in their home. But Shengli had always kept it on his person till now. G.o.ds were never to be trusted in their case anyways...
But I cannot keep it with me now...
Shengli had known from his recent stay with s.h.i.+hong that he is more powerful than before or he hid all his potential till now. Even though his base of operations in the Wind Kingdom were all brought down by Xing, he didn"t seem that worried about it as he must and he still had many more connections and cash flow seemingly from other kingdoms which Shengli couldn"t investigate to the full extent while he was there. That"s why he had arrived to the conclusion that there should be some insider who should help them bring down s.h.i.+hong but now as the situation has been in more dire state than he originally thought, he himself decided to be the one to do it. Also s.h.i.+hong would lose his guard only around him...
The G.o.d that is trapped in the halberd never trusted Shengli when he was abducted recently and would always speak against him to s.h.i.+hong and even though s.h.i.+hong didn"t listen to Old Rong much, he had speculations about him too and that"s why he resorted to put a spell on him even though he offered to kill his brother himself.
Also Shengli remembered how in the past a painting of Xing in his hands drove s.h.i.+hong nuts and he had to endure malicious torture by his hands until he was rescued by the one who Xing calls Master Yuan. This pouch didn"t reach s.h.i.+hong"s hand like her painting because thankfully, this time he had left this pouch in the secret house he had built in the forest before he met s.h.i.+hong because he thought he"d be gone only for a little while.
That"s why this time he has to be more cautious and leave everything he has that would remind him of her back somewhere safe so he"d have to leave this pouch with someone he trusts... Someone who loves him... his only remaining family related to him by blood... His brother...!
"Junjie...This is everything I have", Shengli handed it to the Emperor.
The Emperor extended his hand to get it, even though he had no idea what that pouch contained but was surprised by the hold of his brother on that pouch still not relinquished.
"I trust you"d return it to me safe and as it is when I return", Shengli"s hands were still holding on to it and his eyes were focused on the Emperor making him wonder if there is something more to it than it seems.
"Why are you giving it to him?", Rijun asked Shengli. If it is something important, why not give it to Mingxia?
The Emperor realised the reason and the message his brother wants to convey to him as he felt the pouch.
Is it hair..? Is this supposed to be some lovers thing..? No... Not just that.. This pouch is the representation of my brother"s love for her... Symbolism for her...
" I acknowledge that you are the rightful owner of this. I will protect it for you and I will return it with pleasure to you when you return. I promise", the Emperor held his brother"s hand with both his hands firmly and only then Shengli let go of his grip on the pouch.
Shengli never doubts Xing...Nor does he thinks of her as a thing... He knows for sure her heart will never change and she is pretty firm when it comes to him.
But with every thing they came across till now, only his brother"s heart has the possibility to change. In that case, it will only hurt Xing to have been trapped in such a situation especially when she has to say here for some time. To be the object of affection between brothers, possibly spoiling their brotherly bond is something she"ll hate to the bones. So Shengli has to ensure that possibility to not arise in his absence and make his brother understand his heart. But he cannot be forceful about it as it may cause negative impact because heart is the trickiest thing in the universe.
But he is glad now that his smart brother had gotten his subtle clues and has a.s.sured him that what he fears will not happen and so he can rest a.s.sured.
Now I can leave with some peace of mind! But I cannot face her...!
"Stop! " , Rijun stopped Shengli who was about to leave.
"Are you leaving? Did you say your good byes to my sister?"
Shengli bowed his head and turned to leave seeing Rijun furious. She really has many people who loves her and would take care of her... She"ll be fine!
"You coward! If you have the audacity to leave her, you must have the guts to say your goodbyes to her", he stopped Shengli by grabbing his arm.
"You... You have this hold on her making her not able to function properly... Did you know that? Did you know how she wasn"t able to hold anything in for days when you disappeared last time..? I still wonder how she was able to know exactly the time you disappeared... It"s like... She has her life force tied to you.. Do you know...? She is stupid around you... Dumber than an Average human even... Are you really going to leave her without telling her...? You might as well kill her before you leave... At least that way I won"t be able to see her melt away thinking about you "
Rijun was half p.i.s.sed and half worried for her as his voice broke and his eyes were red of anger surprising the brothers in the room. Since when did Rijun get so emotional?
Rijun simply could not understand that how someone smart and awesome as his sister would become a broken little girl when it comes to him? It is simply foolish of her to give that much importance to love..! What a waste of her talents! And this guy... Does he even realise her love for him? How could he hurt her more?
Shengli froze hearing Rijun"s words. She suffered that much? She didn"t tell me any of that! That silly girl... Oh, Xing... My love..!
Shengli couldn"t bear to leave after hearing that... If someone she knew for only months would worry for her this much, how could he not? He decided to stay here for a while and have a good talk with her before leaving.
I really cannot become the reason for her suffering anymore! I really should get over my habit of keeping it in my heart and be open with her.