The Golden Cage Sigh - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Father and His Majesty the Emperor talked in Zichen Hall for a very long time.

He only came out when I was sitting at the doorway, drowsy and about to fall asleep.

I hurried forward happily and took his hand.

“We can go home now, right?”

Daddy slowly crouched down in front of me, his rough, calloused hand stroking my little face.

“Didn’t Man Nuer say she would stay in the palace and keep the Crown Prince company?”

Only then did I remember what I had promised His Majesty the Emperor.

But it was almost dark, and I still wanted to go home a little.

Daddy smiled at me. “Our Man Nuer is a girl who keeps her promises, right?”

I pressed my lips together and nodded. “Of course.”

“So Man Nuer has to stay in the palace and keep the Crown Prince company.”

I turned to look at Li Yanhe, who was standing to one side, clutching the hem of his robe.

Then I looked back at Daddy. “Then I’ll stay in the imperial palace tonight and keep Brother Yanhe company.”

“Daddy, remember to come pick me up tomorrow.”

Daddy looked at me, smiling, but for some reason his eyes were brimming with tears. Choking up, he answered, “All right.”

I had never seen Daddy cry before.

If he was crying, he must be reluctant to part with me.

I raised my little hand, wiped away his tears, and comforted him. “Daddy, don’t cry. Man Nuer will go home tomorrow.”

Daddy lowered his head, took a deep breath, and then suddenly pulled me into his arms.

“Man Nuer, when trouble comes, don’t be afraid. Daddy will always be here.”

I’m not afraid. I’m the bravest.

…

Smiling brightly, I waved at Daddy’s retreating back and shouted, “Daddy, you must come pick me up tomorrow!”

Daddy kept walking forward and did not look back.

I thought he must not have heard me.

Li Yanhe held my hand, his lips pressed together in silence, his eyes lowered.

Then he led me into Zichen Hall.

Only then did the figure behind us finally turn back, standing where he had stopped and gazing for a very, very long time.

Inside Zichen Hall, His Majesty the Emperor sat upon the Dragon Throne.

Li Yanhe sat beside His Majesty, listening as His Majesty told him how to be a good Emperor.

I sat on His Majesty’s other side. Although I could not understand, I still listened carefully to them speak.

Because Elder Brother had told me that when the teacher gave a lesson, even if I did not understand, I had to pretend that I did.

“Zhang Lin, the Sima of Rongzhou, is a man of real talent. After I am gone, transfer him back to the capital. This man is steady and hardworking, and can be entrusted with important duties.”

“Prime Minister Pei is advanced in years and stubborn by nature. You may listen to his opinions, or you may not. His grandson is this year’s Top Scholar; he understands flexibility and is steady. Once Prime Minister Pei retires and returns home, you may put him to use.”

“Pei Zhao, the Vice Minister of War, is unruly and untamed, but he has great talent. Whether you can subdue him will depend on you.”

“The Liang family has always been loyal to the throne and devoted to the country. In the future, when there are matters you cannot decide, consult the Junior Preceptor more.”

Hearing this, Li Yanhe looked at his Imperial Father and said, “But the Junior Preceptor…”

The Emperor smiled, looked at me, and then looked at Li Yanhe.

“No matter. The Junior Preceptor will not return to his hometown so easily.”

I nodded too. “Grandfather Liang is in very good health. He loves official work best.”

The Emperor patted my head.

“Jin’an, if Grandfather Liang returns home, you won’t be able to see him anymore.”

I shook my head. “Grandfather Liang said he would always stay with me and watch me grow up.”

Only then did the Emperor nod in satisfaction.

Daddy spent all year round at the Frontier, defending our home and country.

My paternal grandfather died on the battlefield when I was born. When I was three, Grandmother said she missed Grandfather, and after she fell asleep, she never woke up again.

After that, Elder Brother and I were taken by Grandfather Liang to the Liang family.

Like Li Yanhe, I did not have a mother, because my mother passed away while giving birth to me.

Grandfather Liang said I looked very much like Mother, and that I was just as adorable as Mother had been when she was little-his precious darling.

So Grandfather Liang liked me very much. He would hold me while I practiced writing large characters, and he would patiently explain the stories in books that I could not understand.

He would also spank Elder Brother when Elder Brother bullied me.

That was why he could not bear to return to his hometown. He would always stay with me.

But I did not go home tonight, and I wondered whether Grandfather Liang and Elder Brother would miss me.

And Amah too-I wondered whether she had saved me a piece of osmanthus cake.

His Majesty talked on and on for a long time. The more he spoke, the redder Li Yanhe’s eyes became.

In the end, he actually burst into tears with a loud wail.

Then His Majesty, his own eyes red, patted him on the shoulder.

I did not understand why he-or why they-were so sad.