"Princess, please be careful."
Imperial Palace.
Inner courtyard garden.
The youngest princess of the Imperial Family, Princess i Yi, lifted her skirt and chased after butterflies. Even while playing such a childlike ga, she maintained the grace and poise typical of the Imperial Family.
Two maids followed behind her cautiously.
It’s no secret that the princess loves butterflies. It seems like every child loves colorful things, but what’s different about the princess is that she only chases them and never harms them, almost as if she sees the butterflies as friends. Even if one occasionally lands on her, she lets it fly away.
In the deep halls of the Imperial Palace, as the youngest princess, she is indeed quite lonely.
The sky-blue butterfly landed on a pot of flowers. i Yi whispered "shh" and tiptoed closer. Despite having a perfect chance to catch the butterfly, she didn’t reach out her hand but stood there silently, watching with bated breath.
"i Yi."
Suddenly.
A gentle voice called out.
"Prince His Highness."
The maid quickly bowed.
Startled, the sky-blue butterfly resting on the flower spread its wings and flew away from i Yi’s sight, spiraling higher until it flew over the high courtyard wall.
"Brother."
i Yi wasn’t angry or disappointed. She turned around and elegantly greeted the approaching Wataru Tetsuya.
"Has Teacher Xiang Tian not arrived?"
"Teacher Xiang Tian is on leave."
Today was indeed the day Koda Kaoru was supposed to co to the Imperial Family to teach, yet it was remarkable that a prince rembered his sister’s class schedule so clearly.
"Oh, then i Yi can rest today."
Wataru Tetsuya smiled, as if he was happy for his sister, "Would you like to go out with your brother?"
i Yi paused. For a child of only eight or nine, she naturally longed for the outside world, but the Imperial Family had strict rules. As a mber, it was impossible to travel casually.
Not only her, but Wataru Tetsuya was also not an exception.
"Where is brother going?"
"Shiyao Shrine."
"Did brother not already go to worship last week?"
Perhaps only worshiping the gods of the national religion was a sufficient reason to leave the palace.
"Praying to Xiang Shang for the protection of our Dongying certainly requires sincerity."
Wataru Tetsuya smiled again and asked, "Shall we go? If you want to, I will request permission."
"No need to trouble brother."
i Yi gently shook her head and bowed slightly, "Please extend my greetings to Xiang Shang on my behalf."
Wataru Tetsuya nodded, "Then I shall take my leave."
"Safe travels, brother."
In Dongying, the concept of social hierarchy is deeply rooted in all aspects of society.
From family to business enterprises, to politics, and to the Imperial Family... it’s all the sa.
"Oh, by the way, I’ve prepared a gift for you."
After a few steps, Wataru Tetsuya suddenly turned back and waved his hand.
The imperial guard following him approached Princess i Yi with a box, bowed deeply, and presented it with both hands.
The two maids stood silently.
Looking at the gift from her brother, i Yi’s small face suddenly turned pale, but she still slowly reached out to take it, lowering her eyes, "Thank you, brother."
"Hehe."
Wataru Tetsuya laughed indifferently and turned to leave with the imperial guard.
i Yi slowly raised her face, and her hands, holding the wooden box, visibly trembled slightly.
Underneath the transparent glass.
Exquisitely arranged, specins of colorful butterflies lay displayed.
Shiyao Shrine.
Wataru Tetsuya returned a week later.
Although this was a national religious site, he had never visited so frequently before.
This ti, he wasn’t stood up.
Main hall.
A veiled woman awaited in advance.
"Prince His Highness."
Irrelevant individuals naturally remained outside.
The unassuming Wataru Tetsuya walked alone into the hall.
"I thought Miss Fujiwara might stand up again this ti."
It was a complaint.
Understandably so.
People have emotions and desires; the Imperial Family mbers are not saints either. They are made of flesh and blood. As a prince being stood up, in the past, it might have led to extre asures like family extermination.
However, although the Imperial Family still exists, their power has greatly diminished. Prince is more of an honorary title, and this Prince Wataru Tetsuya might rank below the woman in the hall in terms of influence and status.
Of course.
On the surface, as a citizen of Dongying, one must maintain basic respect for the Imperial Family. In fact, Li Ji from the Fujiwara Consortium did apologize: "Last ti, an urgent matter arose unexpectedly. I ask for Prince His Highness’s understanding."
An urgent matter?
Does she an rolling under the statue base?
It is evident that this lady from the Fujiwara Family is undoubtedly a physicalist, or how else could she dare to fabricate stories under the watchful eyes of their gods?
She may be a physicalist, but the god-worshiping Japanese Imperial Family definitely is not, so Wataru Tetsuya wouldn’t suspect her of lying.
Wataru Tetsuya nodded. What could have been seen as an act of contempt against the Imperial Family was lightly brushed over.
Wataru Tetsuya stepped forward. He worshipped the statue with reverence, kneeling with both knees, identical to last week’s posture.
However, this ti, no one was inside the throne alongside the deities to receive his offerings.
Fujiwara Reiki silently watched, her veil obscuring her face and concealing any expression.
A few minutes later.
Wataru Tetsuya stood up.
"Miss Fujiwara invited ; it wasn’t just for this trivial matter, was it?"
He is quite self-aware.
Given the pervasive influence of the Fujiwara Consortium in Dongying, it hardly befits them to go out of their way to apologize to a so-called prince.
Fujiwara Reiki candidly admitted.
"Li Ji indeed has sothing she’d like to discuss with His Highness."
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