Hotaru [The Tale of Genji]

Prince Ying has always been a frank person, this can be known from his childhood.Before he was an adult, he was very attached to His Majesty Suzaku, but he often expressed his feelings to his elder brother.Everyone in the Imperial Palace knew that the person His Royal Highness Ying most admired was the Eastern Palace at that time.Later, when everyone grew up, they stopped talking about this matter.Every time it is mentioned, it is to praise how brotherly the two are.

Who would have thought, though, that this fondness actually had nothing to do with brotherhood.

His Majesty Shuai never doubted that Suzaku would eventually belong to him.His only concern was Suzaku's mood.If he hurt Suzaku because of his recklessness, it would be the last thing His Highness would want to accept.How to make Suzaku fully accept her love?After much deliberation, Yingying couldn't get a satisfactory answer.

In the past few days, His Royal Highness Prince Ying recalled the time spent with Suzaku over the years.A kind of sweetness accompanied by subtle melancholy welled up in his heart, and he couldn't help laughing occasionally, as if stars were embedded in his eyes, extremely affectionate and lingering.It's not that His Highness Ying has never tested Suzaku's feelings for her.Although it was only a small matter, it also disappointed His Highness Ying for a long time.

This happened on a certain morning in winter, when the first snow of the year fell in Yujingzhong.Suzaku was very happy and poetic, so he came to find Yingying to go to the garden to enjoy the snow scene.The two walked in the snow in thick velvet cloaks, watching the red plums blooming in the wind when the green pines were covered with white snow.Among the jade trees in Qionglin, the gentle and elegant young man stands holding an umbrella, his tender brows and eyes are shining with water.Seeing such a beautiful scenery, the prince only thought that he was going to die of drunkenness.

This scene is so beautiful that even this firefly's heart becomes hot.That thought almost blurted out, but he still restrained himself.

It's not good to be exposed to the wind and cold for a long time. After enjoying the snow for a while, I have to go back.His Royal Highness Ying's heart was a little turbulent, and he thought why he accidentally tried it out.If he could see a little bit of emotion from Suzaku's expression, and then think of a complete solution, then he wouldn't be offended.Therefore, Yingying said to Suzaku, "Looking at the snow, I think it will be the next day. Why don't you come to Chengxiang Hall at night, and we can drink and enjoy the snow and the moon. Wouldn't it be beautiful."

"It should be wonderful like this, but you have to tell the palace people not to sweep away the white snow in the courtyard, it will be the most beautiful when it forms naturally." His Majesty was naturally happy, and said to Prince Ying with great interest: "At that time, I will bring some Good wine here... the government affairs are busy at the end of the year, so let's take advantage of this time to get drunk and be lazy."

"You can drink whenever you want," Yingying said softly, reaching out to wipe the snowflakes off Suzaku's shoulders.

"Then it's settled, I'll come to you later."

"Sweep the couch to welcome you."

As night approached, the attendants prepared the table under the pavilion in the courtyard as instructed, and put down the windshield.A non-choking brazier is placed on the cage, and delicious food is served.The snow was really fine and fine, and it fell gently for a whole day.Of course, no one dared to sweep the white snow in the courtyard, it was thinly piled up, reflecting the moonlight, it was extremely beautiful.

Seeing that everything was ready, the prince nodded in satisfaction and told them all to leave together.Sitting next to the brazier, he took out a small wooden box from his arms.He opened the box and saw many letters in it.He opened one of them, browsed through it hastily, sealed it up as it was before, and put it back.

Not long after, Suzaku arrived.

Yingying led him to sit down, Suzaku smiled and said: "It's an elegant thing to watch the snow around the stove, and it's snowing early this year, so it's not a good feeling."

"What you said reminded me that such a scene should be included in a painting." Prince Ying suddenly realized, "Wait a minute, I'll go get the painting tools."

"Just ask someone to take it, you..."

Before His Majesty finished speaking, His Highness Ying had already disappeared.Suzaku could only sit there shaking his head and laughing.He knew that His Royal Highness Yingying was actually a person who liked elegance very much.Today is such a beautiful scene, if he is not allowed to draw two strokes, he will definitely leave regrets in his heart.

At this time, Xiaoxue rustled and danced with the wind.The bright moon illuminates the courtyard, which is holy and clean, making people feel refreshed.Because the stove was lit, it didn't feel cold in the pavilion.The crackling of the charcoal fire became the only sound at present, but it became more and more peaceful.The cool wind blew slightly, blowing the gauze curtain and sweeping in some snowflakes.

At this time, Suzaku noticed a small wooden box next to the charcoal stove, with a few pieces of letter paper on it.Because it is very close to the charcoal furnace, if it is blown by the wind again, it will fall into the burning furnace fire and be burned to ashes.

Suzaku quickly took back the letter paper and wooden box and put them aside.

"It's really dangerous..." he muttered to himself.He glanced casually, and saw that the handwriting on the letter paper was incomparably beautiful, and the words were fresh and pleasant, with a soft and gentle taste—it turned out to be a love letter from his daughter's family.

Suzaku was taken aback for a moment, and hesitated for a while.Leaning forward to open the small wooden box, he saw that it was full of dozens of letterheads.Some have already been read, others have apparently not been opened.Whether it is the selection of paper with very gentle colors, soft notes, or even a touch of incense, it is very clear that what is contained in this box is a heartfelt confession letter.

When the young princes get together, they will take out the love letters they have received and read each other.They make fun of each other, and if they meet girls they know and have dated with, they will comment on each other.Among them, there is also a secret rivalry, who is more attractive.

The young master has always been restrained in these matters, and because of the previous events, he never responded much.After ascending the throne, no one dared to write to him so boldly.His Majesty was a little surprised to find these things suddenly, and then embarrassment ensued.Suzaku was at a loss for what to do because his unreasonable curiosity caused him to act in such a disrespectful manner.

He closed the lid of the wooden box in a panic, and put all the opened letters on the table.I turned around and sat back to the side, trying to hide it, not letting myself look at the wooden box again.He didn't intend to offend Prince Ying's personal affairs, but seeing these love letters, he couldn't help feeling emotional in his heart.

His Royal Highness the fourth prince's charm is astonishing, and he has attracted the love of many outstanding and lovely girls.I get along with him every day, and I ignore these things.As an elder brother, I live such a selfish life, and my concern for Prince Ying is not as meticulous as I thought.

Thinking of this, Suzaku felt endless sadness in his heart.Maybe it's because it's sealed too well, that kind of delicate, long-lasting emotion permeates Suzaku's heart, so thick that he can't breathe.Suzaku couldn't help but stretched out his hand and opened a corner of the curtain to let the cold wind blow in.After taking a few deep breaths of cold air, the suffocating feeling was slightly relieved.

"Why did you pull the blinds open, be careful of the wind and cold."

The voice from Shuai Palace suddenly sounded, and Suzaku was startled.Looking sideways, I saw him holding the painting utensils, with a surprised expression on his face—Xu Shizheng was surprised by his reaction.Just as Suzaku was about to say something, she saw Ying's eyes move to the wooden box next to her.Suzaku smiled bitterly, and explained: "The wind blows in just now, and this letter is too close to the fire. I was worried that it would be burned, so I moved it to the case. I accidentally saw the content on it. It's really Sorry, but I didn't mean to offend, please forgive me."

"What's the point?" Her Highness Ying laughed easily, "It's just a few letters, what do I have that Suzaku can't read?"

The implication in these words is shocking, but the fourth prince's face is bright and clear, and he really doesn't mind.Suzaku was hesitating whether to apologize again, when Ying put down the painting tool in her hand and walked over, picking up the box.He approached innocently and complained to Suzaku: "Actually, I've been worrying about these things recently."

"what happened?"

"I didn't intend these things at all, and I wrote back to politely refuse. But for some reason, I still receive these letters. More and more, I feel very troubled in my heart, and I don't know how to deal with it."

In fact, the owners of these letters have never received a single word of response from His Royal Highness the Fourth Highness.The poems and notes they sent to express their thoughts were finally thrown into the fire and burned to ashes.

His Highness Prince Ying has deep affection for those he cares about, but he is indifferent to those who have no intention of it.He never paid attention to the waiting of these people, and he was unwilling to give alms even if he politely refused.Even if it was in this wooden box, it was just because the Fourth Prince was too busy recently to deal with it, so he took it out for a little use at this time.

He said those troublesome words with a pure and kind expression that can be seen through at a glance.However, those eyes, which can perfectly hide emotions, are observing Suzaku's reaction without a trace, trying to see a little bit of the expression of expectation from that infatuated face.

"Among these love letters, don't you have someone you're interested in?" Suzaku asked hesitantly.

"No." Prince Ying shook his head, stepped over to close the curtain for Suzaku, and drew the stove closer, "Besides, there are too many letters, and there is no time to refuse them one by one."

Suzaku's expression was silent, and he lowered his eyes and said, "Since you don't mean it, you just don't respond. As time goes by, no one will send the letter over."

"That's right," Ying nodded, "If you tell the servants in the palace not to deliver these letters for others, there will be no more trouble, right?"

Suzaku nodded, and presumably agreed with this statement.

Seeing that the person in front of him never looked directly at him, he seemed to avoid it blindly.Prince Ying really didn't know what it was like in his heart.He rubbed the letter, the letter paper was deformed due to heavy pinching, and the gentle handwriting on it was also distorted.

"Since that's the case, I'd better not keep these things hypocritically. If it spreads out, it will make people think that I am the kind of person who thinks highly of himself and takes pleasure in playing with women's minds. It will not be good for my reputation. It's better to just leave it like this Burn it—" Prince Ying raised his hand, and the letter in the box drew a blurred silhouette in the air, and it all fell into the charcoal stove.Bright flames sprang up and swallowed up the letter paper all at once.

Suzaku didn't expect Hotaru to do this suddenly, he let out a short cry of astonishment, and subconsciously stretched out his hand to stop it.Unexpectedly, the flames sprang up and burned the back of his hand.He suffered from pain and quickly retracted his hand.

"Suzaku——!"

Prince Ying rushed forward, and put Suzaku's hand into his arms to check.An extremely anxious and heartbroken expression appeared on his face, staring at Suzaku's wound.Seeing that slender white palm, the back of the hand was hot red.This is more painful than his own injury, and it makes the prince feel tortured and painful.

"It's okay, there's nothing serious..." Suzaku's arm was hugged, and the prince's distressed look made him feel extremely awkward.He said it was nothing, and pulled his arm back forcefully.

Unexpectedly, His Highness Fourth Highness, who was holding Suzaku's arm tightly, suddenly let go.Suzaku exerted too much force and fell backwards.Prince Ying stretched his arms around Suzaku's back, and lifted his body forward.A deep voice sounded in Suzaku's ears, "Sit still."

After finishing speaking, he didn't care how Suzaku reacted, and he got up and raised the curtain by himself.In a clean place, he took a handful of Snow White, turned around, and sat next to Suzaku again.

"Put out your hand," he said, "it's cold, bear with it."

"……Um."

Prince Ying covered the snow on the back of Suzaku's red-hot hand, held it with both hands, and stared at it firmly without looking away.That focused gaze made Suzaku embarrassed again, and he was about to say something when he was interrupted by the prince, "It's fine."

Suzaku felt quite depressed when the words he wanted to say were overthrown several times.He was in a trance just now, but he couldn't even feel the coldness on his hands, and his mind was full of Prince Ying's anxious look.He had a lot of things he wanted to say to persuade the prince, but when he looked back in his stomach, he felt that it was very confusing and illogical.I was already in a state of confusion, but even if I opened my mouth, it would only make people feel more confused.Under such circumstances, Suzaku didn't want to say anything more.

And Prince Ying can always interrupt Suzaku's voice just right, naturally because he really cares about this person too much.When he got to the bottom of it, it was also because of his fear—fear that Suzaku would say something that he couldn't refuse and that would make him extremely sad.Even, Firefly didn't dare to look at Suzaku.

I will not refuse any of your requests.

But how can I reject my own will?

Xueyue that night, her heart was buried in the first snow.He didn't say what was forcibly stopped, and pretended that he might not be rejected.This façade of brotherhood is in jeopardy, and one day it will fall like snow on the eaves, waking up the dreamer who is pretending to be sleepy.