Hotaru [The Tale of Genji]

Seeing His Highness the Fourth Prince again, he grew taller again.

This age is the time when every day changes, I'm afraid it won't be long.Yingying will be as tall and straight as his imperial brother.

When Suzaku found Ying, His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince was learning the piano with his second brother.Everyone in the world knows that Prince Guang is the most elegant and beautiful person in the world, and he is proficient in all six arts.Yingying also seems to have a heart yearning for the music in the world, and she actively asks her elder brother for advice on piano art.

At this time, the little prince was being held in his arms by His Highness Guang, carefully memorizing the music score.His fingers weren't long enough, and he couldn't move the notes quickly at the moment, but he studied very seriously.There is a breeze in the Yuchi Court, accompanied by the sound of the piano.The player's appearance and temperament are unique, and the constant conversations complement each other wonderfully.

"Here, that's right, just move at this place..."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, firefly is very good."

After another burst of music, Prince Guang patted the fourth prince on the shoulder, and praised: "Everyone in the world knows how I am, I really should let them see Ying's piano skills, lest ordinary people who have never seen the world and listen to some filthy voices will be overwhelmed." It should be Xianle."

"I have benefited a lot from His Royal Highness Brother Huang's teaching. It's just that in this piano art, it's really hard to beat Brother Huang."

The second prince was amused by Yingying's appearance, and made fun of the attendants around him: "Emperor Ying is the most serious person I have ever met, why don't you want to bet with me and see how he will be in ten years' time?" Will his piano skills surpass mine?"

The palace servants were amused by His Royal Highness, and some bet in response, and some kept smiling at the two princes without saying a word.Everyone laughed for a while, Prince Guang leaned back on the pillow, and suddenly asked: "Speaking of which, why do you think of learning the piano?"

Yingying plucked the strings and replied: "His Royal Highness Mother said that music has the power to comfort people..."

"So that's how it is..." Prince Guang nodded, "It's true that the ancients used music to express their love. But who does Ying want to comfort? Ah, no need to answer, it must be under the East Palace!"

Yingying didn't deny it, and kept silent while rubbing the strings with her fingers.

"It's great to be able to express my heart so firmly," Prince Guang sighed quietly, "To have such a person by my side..."

"Second brother... can't you..."

In the distant blue sky, the prince who has understood the love of his sons and daughters is staring at him bewilderedly.His voice drifted with the intermittent piano sound, just like an indescribable heart.

"In this world, there are always people who can't be met..."

"Firefly, Light," Donggong Qingjun's figure appeared, and greeted the two with a smile.

"Oh, oh, say Cao Cao, Cao Cao is here..." Prince Guang sat upright and bowed towards the East Palace.The surrounding palace servants also bowed their sleeves and offered refreshments and drinks again.

Yingying hadn't had a good conversation with Suzaku for almost ten days, and she didn't know what to say when she saw her suddenly.After saying hello, he lowered his head and plucked the strings, listening to the greetings of the two imperial brothers.

"Has Ying started to learn the piano?"

"Yes, the emperor's brother has a very good understanding, and he learns quickly."

"Excuse me, light."

"It doesn't matter, I am alone. It is always possible to teach Ying and Qin, but unlike Brother Huang, you are so busy that you don't even have a chance to enjoy the spring scenery."

"Anyway, thank you for taking care of Firefly for me."

"Yingying doesn't belong to your family, he is also my emperor's younger brother. His Majesty Donggong is really mean to say that..."

Prince Guang waved his hand and made fun of Donggong.With such an appearance, all the attendants blushed.In fact, the East Palace originally wanted to say that after the Prince Guang's coronation ceremony this year, he would have to participate in the political hall, and there would be no such leisure.

But thinking of the act of bestowing a surname today, he was afraid of arousing the mood of the Second Highness, so he changed the topic. Now he was not annoyed by a joke or two, he responded gently and looked at the fourth prince who had been silent all the time.

"So, how did Firefly learn?"

"Also, not very proficient..." His Royal Highness replied in a low voice, with some hesitation.

"It's already very good. When you come again next time, Brother Huang, Yingying will definitely be able to present a song for you."

"Then I will bow my head and bow my ears. I am so looking forward to it."

"Hmm... Mmm!" Donggong smiled so softly, Yingying groaned softly, nodded her hair slowly and made a small sound of reply.

****

For a while, Prince Guang and Dong Gong chatted a few words about academic matters, and Prince Ying still listened carefully.Occasionally, Dong Gong met his gaze with gentle eyes, which made people feel at ease.

"Speaking of which, have you finished preparing for the Aoi Festival?"

"Yes, I will arrive in Beijing at the Zhaiyuan soon, and I think everything will be ready."

"That's right, the sunflower festival is a grand event every year, does the emperor plan to go and watch it?"

"That's right," Dong Gongxia answered with a smile, turned his gaze, and said softly, "Then, does Yingying intend to go with Brother Huang?"

Hearing this, His Royal Highness obviously didn't react.He stared blankly at Donggong, his cute look really made his brother laugh.

"Hey, brother, what's wrong with you? Could it be that you don't want to..."

"No! I, I am... I mean, Yingyuan intends to go to the Sunflower Festival with Brother Huang!"

The surging joy instantly overwhelmed the tender heart of the fourth prince.His cheeks were hot, and the subtle sense of alienation disappeared in an instant.The invitation from his favorite Suzaku was the best thing that happened to Hotaru these days.

The East Palace and His Highness the Second Prince looked at each other and smiled. The little melancholy between the child's brows was like a thin cloud in the sky. Although it would soon be dispersed by the wind, since it was captured.How can Suzaku, who loves Yingying so much, ignore them and let them bother His Royal Highness's young heart?

Seeing Yingying's cheeks flushed with excitement, Suzaku secretly heaved a sigh of relief.The child did not resent because of the neglect these days, this is what he prayed day and night these days.

"Guang, do you want to come together?"

"Eh?" His Royal Highness Guang was stunned for a moment, then he waved his hand and said, "I won't join in the excitement. The barnacle lady seems to be ill these two days, I'm a little worried, and I don't want to have fun."

"So that's how it is..." Suzaku couldn't ask any further questions when it came to the barnacle maid, "I hope Her Royal Highness recovers soon."

****

The journey back seemed quiet and beautiful, with the maids following behind holding the qin, and Suzaku leading Yingying along the clean and winding gravel road.Among the mottled green shadows, the beautiful figure appears and disappears from time to time.

"……firefly."

"Huh? Suzaku?"

Suzaku held Yingying's hand, hesitated for a while, then squatted down to be at eye level with the little prince.

"Brother Huang has been busy with the Sunflower Festival for the past few days, and has no time to talk to Yingying. Please don't blame Brother Huang, okay?"

Hearing this, His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince tilted his head, "I didn't mean to blame Suzaku, why did Suzaku think...?"

"Yes, that's great... Brother Huang has been worried."

"No, Yingying is not angry." The fourth prince moved closer and put his arms around his brother's neck, "What happened that day, Yingying knew it was wrong..."

"Eh?"

"Firefly asked my grandfather willfully that day... If there is something wrong, it will probably cause trouble to the emperor and grandfather. Ying knows all about this."

Hearing His Highness the Prince's words, His Majesty Donggong was obviously very surprised.

"Suzaku came here today because he actually wanted to talk to Yingying. I'm sorry, Brother Huang, Yingying knew it was wrong. From now on, I will never be so willful again."

No matter how sensible, Prince Ying is still only a six-year-old child.Thinking of his own willfulness, it is likely to bring dire consequences to his beloved grandfather, his cherished emperor brother.His Royal Highness was scared after all, the little fear and uneasiness hidden in his emotions appeared tremblingly at the end of the words.

He couldn't help tightening his arms, and buried his head in Suzaku's neck, trying not to let his tears flow down.

Finally, his gentle elder brother stretched out his arms to wrap his arms around the young prince.

"Brother Huang didn't blame you, I know, Yingying has always cared about me in my heart. And oh, I came here today just to invite Yingying to go to the Sunflower Festival with me..."

"……kindness"

"Well, well, crying is not an act of bravery."

"Firefly didn't..."

"Yes, yes, then, can Ying walk by herself? You have grown up, and the emperor can't hold you anymore."

……

Send Ying back to Chengxiang Hall, just in time for dinner.Although he was a bit reluctant, it would be more appropriate for Suzaku to return to Chaoyang House.Before leaving, Suzaku looked at Yingying's reluctant eyes and said in relief: "It's okay, everything has been arranged. There is no problem with Father."

Prince Ying nodded.

"Ah, that's right. That day, my father allowed me to take you to visit the lord of the Inner Palace." Suzaku stroked Yingying's shoulder, "If you have any presents for him, you should prepare them earlier."

"En! Yingying will definitely prepare carefully."

"Good boy, then, Brother Huang, go first."

"Ah."

His Royal Highness Prince Ying stood at the door and watched the emperor's brother leave, and turned his head reluctantly until he was out of sight.When I turned around, I saw my mother looking at me with a smile.

"Is it finally reconciled?"

"...There was no quarrel."

"Really, then, who is the child who was so wronged that he was about to cry in those two days?"

"Mother mother!"

"Ah, I know, it's not Yingying."

"Humph!"

"Okay, let's go. Mother is hungry, does Yingying want to eat with me?"

"Of course, let's go!"

"Okay, oh, dear son, you are blushing..."

The author has something to say: (づ￣3￣)づ