Work Text:
Li Jing hummed as he sorted through some paperwork, illuminated by a single candle. The ink glided across the scroll in a smooth motion, and a few droplets splashed against Jing’s sleeve. He wasn’t bothered however, as the black cloth would surely hide it until it could be washed. Jing was glad he had decided to wear black that day. He had been working for hours, to the point where it had gotten dark out. But this paperwork needed to get done.
Jing briefly paused in his writing, giving a long stretch. He hissed as his shoulders and back popped, and he sat up straighter once done. Seems hunching while working just made it worse. Ugh.
Jing re-dipped the brush, but before he could begin the report again, a knock came at the office door. Jing glanced up with a araised brow, wondering who could be here at this hour.
“Enter.” He called, and the door swung open to reveal a guard.
“The emperor wishes to speak with you.” The guard stated, his tone no nonsense.
”Oh? What for?” Jing rose an eyebrow, confused as to why the Jade emperor would ask to speak to him so late. Shold he not be asleep?
”I don’t know. He just said to summon you.” The guard barely gave away anything, and Jing pursed his lips.
”Tell him I will be there soon. I must finish this rep-“
“No. The Jade emperor demands your preconceived, now.” The Guards voice took an irritated tone. Jing set aside his brush and stood wearily, deciding it was best not to cause any fuss about it.
”Alright, I’m on my way.”
…
”You wished to see me sir?” Jing stood in the office of the Jade Emperor, carefully composed. He stood like a statue, hands crossed behind his back as he waited.
”Yes.” The Jade emperor stated, sitting in one of his chairs, nursing a cup of tea. He didn’t say anything else, and the room was filled with silence. Jing waited, and after a few more minutes of silence, finally spoke again.
”If I may sir?” The Jade Emeperor hummed, and Jing took that as permission to continue. “If I am to be so bold… what exactly did you summon me for?” The Jade Emperor said nothing for a moment longer. Then he set down his cup of tea and stood, striding over to Jing from across the room.
“It has come to my attention that you have… changed your wardrobe. I must be blunt with you, it is quite disrespectful. It is common knowledge that white is the color of mourning.”
“What… do you mean?” Asked Jing slowly, looking at the shrunken (yet still somehow taller) form of the Jade Emperor. His expression riddled with confusion and growing worry. “The celestial realm is not in mourning anymore.”
“I mean,” The Jade Emperor continued, “You are Not to wear anything but white, as *your* mourning period has not ended. And likely never will.”
Jing just stared at the emperor for a moment, completely at a loss for words. It was that moment of shock that allowed the words to slip past him, unbidding. “That is ridiculous-!“
SMACK
The silence that followed was deafening. Jing stumbled back, gripping the edge of the dark wood desk to prevent himself from falling. His face- gods his face- it felt like it was on fire! Jing raised the hand not holding onto the desk for dear life, and shakily tried to feel the area on his cheek.
Jing’s hand shook as it barely grazed it over the smarting spot. He flinched, breathing heavily as he blinked spots out of his eyes, trying hard to keep his composure. He tried again, and this time was able to just barely tap his cheek. Nothing broken… Jing pulled his hand back. No blood… that was a good sign. But the pulsing ache in his face almost convinced him otherwise. He looked back to the emperor, who stood stern, coldly gazing at him.
Jing had been in many fights, it came with being a solider. He’s been punched in the face before, he’s been stabbed, he’s been burned, but none of it comes close to the sheer agony he was feeling now. Jing opened his mouth to speak, but only a strangled squeak came out. He swallowed, breath stuttering, and tried again.
”*Tàishān- wha- why-“
”You dare question your Emperor?! You lowly wrench, your ignorance is an insult to us! I made you from a mere mortal to a high ranking celestial and this is my thanks?!” Jing attempted to speak, but the Jade emperor bulldozed on.
“You disrespect the traditions of the celestial realm by refusing to do an appropriate mourning period fit for a celestial princess! You disgrace Yin’s image and your son’s reputations!”
”Im- I’m sorry-“ stuttered Jing, shakily lifting his hands in surrender. “I was- was not aware of these traditions-“
“Of course you didn’t! What would a mortal know?!”
Jing frowned and attempted to defend himself from the emperors words. “It is not my fault nobody thought to inform me-!“
SMACK
Jing let out a howl this time, stumbling back and landing the ground. He held his face in his hands, feeling his other cheek pulsing with familiar agony. He sucked in a breath, and another, trying desperately to ride out the pain as the emperors angry voice rose once again. But Jing couldn’t hear half of what he was saying because of his heart beating rapidly in his ears.
Eventually, the Jade emperors voice trailed off. Silence filled the room once again, aside from Jing’s ragged breathing. Jing jaw and cheeks burned something fierce, and he had to blink back the water in his eyes. He eventually moved from where he was laying on his side, and pushed himself up into his knees. He instantly became dizzy, and would have toppeled right back over if a pair of strong hands hadn’t steadyied him by grabbing his biceps.
Jing was still trying to find his breath as he looked up into the eyes of the now calmed emperor. His face ached when he tried to speak, but he pushed though it. “My- my apologies sir. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.” He set his hands in his lap, careful to keep himself composed. The Jade Emperors eyes softened, and he gently paced a hand on Jing’s aching cheek. Jing did his best not to flinch, and felt a tad uneasy at the sudden… affection.
“It is alright. Perhaps I should not have expected so much of you so soon. Afterall, it must not be easy to keep your composure while mourning.” The Emperor slid his other hand up Jing’s arm and to his right shoulder. Then he squeezed it, not enough to be painful but enough to make a point. “I will not tolerate this disrespect again. You will do well to keep yourself in line.”
”Yes sir.” Jing did his best not to react, but his heart was going crazy. “I’m… sorry sir.” The contract between the physical pain, the threatening words, the comforting ones, and the soft touches were sending his mind into a frenzy as he tried to understand the next move. Then, the Jade emperor further surprised him by pulling him into… a hug??? Jing remained tense, unsure of what to do.
”My daughter,” the Emperor whispered, and Jing shifted uncomfortably in his arms. “She is gone, but she has left me you and the boys. You will honor her, will you not?”
”Yes sir, of course.” Jing agreed cautiously, his grip on his pants tightening in anxiety.
“Good.” The Emperors arms tightened, and Jing took the cue. He released his death grip on his pants, and cautiously wraps his arms around the emperor. For Jing, the whole thing was incredibly awkward and tense, but the emperor doesn’t seem to mind. Instead, he only seems to hug tighter. Jing’s smarting cheek was against the others chest, and he did his best to hide his discomfort.
Eventually, the emperor pulled away, and Jing was very grateful. The emperor stood, tugging Jing up along side him. Jing’s legs shook a bit, still a tad weak, but the Emperors strong grip kept him from falling once again. He carefully kept his gaze lowered, not wanting to offend the Emperor more then he already had. But he was forced to look up when the Emperors hand guided his chin upward.
”I will have you set up to learn proper celestial etiquette, to avoid another situation like this.” Jing mutely nodded, but when the Emperor cupped his face, he couldn’t help but to tense. But all the taller man did was use his thumbs to wipe the leftover moisture had welled in the corners of Jing’s eyes. Finally the emperor let go of the progoda king, and Jing quickly stood up straighter as he began speaking. “Alright. I suppose I’ll let you go now. Please head home and get some rest. And don’t forget to change out of your… attire.”
Jing swallowed, and nodded. “Yes sir. Again, I am so sorry sir.” At the dismissal, Jing turned tail and hurried out of the suffocating office. No guards lined the doors or halls, likely having gone home for the night, which was just fine with Jing. He hurried back to his own office, gathering what was left and packing it up.
He avoided making any noise when he arrived home to avoid waking Nezha. He also avoided Nezha’s questions on the following days, making the excuse of breaking up a fight to explain away the bruises. He attempted the lessons, and kept a stronger control on his tongue when around the emperor. He would not make the same mistake again, Jing told himself.
Jing only wore white for many years after.