Chapter Text
“Halt!” Ning Yi called out from within his carriage, making the entire procession stop. He had been watching the street from behind the curtain, until a stall with small figurines caught his eye. He climbed out and his people, already on their knees, bowed their heads to the ground.
“Your Majesty,” Ning Cheng called out, riding up as he approached the stall. “Has something happened?”
“She bought me a figurine like this,” he replied, gesturing to the display. Ning Cheng understood. He always did. Ning Yi had countless concubines, but there was only ever one ‘she’ when he spoke. He picked one up and brought it up to his eyes. “I am getting old,” he murmured.
“No, Your Majesty,” Ning Cheng objected, still looking as upset by the notion of his death as he had when they were both young. Ning Cheng had never understood that Ning Yi was serving his country diligently until he could be rewarded by reuniting with Zhiwei; death had long since lost its’ ability to frighten him.
“Your Majesty,” Yao Yangyu, Vice Colonel of the Five Armies, greeted, riding up. He took the scene in with a glance as he dismounted.
“Who is the owner of this stall?” Ning Yi questioned, simply nodding to Yao Yangyu. He had been surprised, years ago, to find an excellent drinking companion in the younger man. Yao Yangyu was the only person who would sit with him, sometimes for hours, and share stories about Zhiwei. Ning Yi had both laughed and cried as he learned of her antics at Qingming Academy.
“I - I am, Your Majesty,” a voice very hesitantly replied, its’ owner’s face pressed to the ground.
“Rise,” Ning Yi permitted.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the young man said, almost quivering as he got to his feet.
“Am I so terrifying that my people must tremble before me?”
“No, Your Majesty!” The man replied, glancing up at his face before dropping his eyes back to the ground. “I am simply in awe, Your Majesty.”
“Was there a stall here before yours?” Ning Yi asked, choosing not the call the man on the lie, although he was saddened by it.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” he answered. When Ning Yi stayed silent, he elaborated. “My parents had a stall here for many years.”
“Your parents,” Ning Yi murmured.
“Is this -” Yao Yangyu began. “Is this where she got it?”
“I think so,” Ning Yi murmured, looking around. “It has been so many years and the city has changed. Strange that something so ordinary can be so treasured.”
“Isn’t that because a gift reflects the value of the person who gave it to you? An irreplaceable treasure can become nothing more than an ordinary trinket if given to you by someone worthless and an ordinary trinket can be an irreplaceable treasure if given to you by someone of great value.”
“Hmm,” Ning Yi hummed thoughtfully. “I’d like to buy one.”
“Your Majesty!” The young store owner exclaimed, looking truly alarmed. “Please, it’s a gift! A gift!” Ning Yi turned his attention to Yao Yangyu.
“While I acknowledge that the canal’s construction is expensive, surely the people do not believe I have bankrupted the country with it?”
“Who would dare?!” Ning Cheng exclaimed, looking predictably outraged; Yao Yangyu had caught the humour and was simply amused.
“Tiansheng is more prosperous than ever under Your Majesty’s rule,” the Vice Colonel contributed. “Even with effort, it would be difficult to bankrupt the country at the point.” Ning Yi gave him a pointed stare.
“Please refrain from giving my Officials ideas, Yao Yangyu. I can think of several who would be prepared to make the effort.” He earned a grin for his remark. “I can’t remember how much these cost,” he said, turning back to the store keeper. The poor man seemed to be at a total loss, caught between asking for money from the Emperor and failing to answer his question.
“They’re four wu zhu, Your Majesty,” a young voice replied as a little boy got to his feet. The man blanched.
“Please forgive him, Your Majesty,” he said, dropping to his knees and trying to push his son back down.
“But father,” the little boy protested, wiggling out of his father’s grasp, “you always say it’s rude not to answer when someone is speaking to you!”
“It can be difficult, even for my talented Officials, to answer me, boy. It is understandable that your father would struggle,” Ning Yi assured the child. Turning back to the father, he added, “I have children of my own and know that they do not always speak as they ought to. They will learn, in time.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty!” The father replied, reaching out again for his son. Ning Yi glanced at Wu Ying, who placed the required coins on the stall. Ning Yi examined the figurines carefully and smiled when he spotted a red tiger.
“You will offer this to her?” Yao Yangyu murmured.
“Yes. The thirtieth anniversary of her death is approaching,” Ning Yi agreed, as though anyone close to him would be unaware of the fact.
“She would be proud of all you’ve done for Tiansheng, Your Majesty,” Yao Yangyu told him. Ning Yi knew it, but hearing another say it gave the knowledge weight. His work was nearly complete and soon it would be time for Ning Heng to accept his fate as Emperor. Just wait a little longer, Zhiwei. I am coming.