That day, Shu Changyu returned to the manor carrying a suppressed irritation in his heart, only to see two kites placed on his desk.
They were the most ordinary swallow-shaped kites, with two neatly coiled loops of string secured along one wing.
Shu Changyu recognized at once that they had been sent by his mother.
Every spring, his mother personally made kites for each member of the family. Later, his elder sister went to guard Yanmen Pass with their father, and his elder brother was stationed at Yumen Pass, so the household was left with only Gu Lanrong and him receiving his mother’s kites each year.
“Why are there two?” Shu Changyu asked, picking one up from the desk.
“Replying to Young Master, the maid from Madam’s quarters said Madam had extra time this year and made an additional one. She said since you’ve taken on a student, you might as well bring one in for your student to play with,” Qing Feng hurriedly replied.
Shu Changyu let out a cold snort. “Unnecessary.” With that, he placed the kite back on the table and turned into the study.
Qing Feng was shocked to see his usually mild-mannered young master lose his temper for the first time and quickly went off to ask the maid to prepare a calming soup.
Inside the study, Shu Changyu paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, then pulled out a half-read miscellany from the shelf to read.
But the words entered his eyes without entering his mind, and his brows grew increasingly furrowed.
After a moment, he slammed the book back onto the desk.
That brat—now not only stupid, but also disobedient!
Shu Changyu fumed inwardly, locking himself in a silent struggle. After a while, he suddenly found himself annoyed at his own reaction. The boy had indeed disobeyed him, but he had only caused trouble for himself; it had not implicated Shu Changyu, nor had it drawn the Emperor’s suspicion onto him. In fact, it had even made Shu Changyu seem more trustworthy in comparison.
If that was the case, and he had already decided to cut ties with Ji Mu, then why was he angry?
He, Shu Chancellor, never acted without benefit and never interfered in others’ affairs.
Thinking this, his anger subsided significantly. But once it faded, concern for Ji Mu began to rise instead.
Emperor Qianning was suspicious by nature; Shu Changyu himself had only managed to earn trust through constant caution. Ji Mu, however, was different. That half-grown fool understood nothing and simply listened to whatever others said. In his past life, he had been manipulated by Shu Changyu at will; now, without Shu Changyu’s protection, wouldn’t he be played by others without even realizing it?
Shu Changyu told himself reluctantly that his anger was only due to a lingering teacher-student bond from his past life.
The next day, when he went to retrieve his book case from the desk, he discovered the pair of kites was gone.
“Where are the kites Mother made?” Shu Changyu asked.
Qing Feng quickly replied, “Yesterday, seeing that the kites seemed to have upset Young Master, we had someone put them away.”
Shu Changyu laughed aloud. “How clever of you. Since when do I get angry at kites? Go fetch one for me. After morning court, bring it to the palace gate.” He paused, then added, “As for the other one, send it along with a letter to Eldest Sister at Yanmen Pass.”
As for his elder brother stationed at Yumen Pass—there was no need to bother.
When he was young, every kite he received was either broken within half a day or given to the maidservants in exchange for wooden swords and spears.
Qing Feng hesitated. “Ah? But yesterday Young Master said—”
“Mm?” Shu Changyu glanced at him.
“Nothing, nothing,” Qing Feng hurriedly replied.
That day, when Shu Changyu entered Zhongli Palace, Ji Mu was already waiting in the courtyard.
“Imperial Tutor!” Ji Mu called as soon as he reached his side. “I heard Father Emperor summoned you yesterday because of me…?”
Shu Changyu merely glanced at him and said nothing, instead taking the kite from a nearby attendant and placing it into Ji Mu’s hands. “Take it and play with it.”
Ji Mu was too focused on his expression to notice what he had received, and continued, “Imperial Tutor, did Father Emperor make things difficult for you?”
Shu Changyu looked at him. “Your Highness already knows His Majesty may question me because of this, yet you still disobeyed my instructions and met Minister Ye?”
“I…” Ji Mu hesitated, while quietly observing his expression.
“You already know your mistake and have suffered the consequences. There is no need for me to say more,” Shu Changyu said lightly, even smiling faintly. “His Majesty was merciful and did not make things difficult for me. I only hope Your Highness will heed good advice in the future and not act rashly again.”
With that, he smiled gently again and gestured toward the study. “Your Highness, please.”
Seeing his polite, formal demeanor, Ji Mu simply stood there, staring at him without speaking.
For a moment, Ji Mu felt as though he had returned to his past life—when he had been nothing more than a puppet emperor under Shu Changyu. A chill ran through him, his heart tightening as he unconsciously clenched the kite in his hand.
“Your Highness?” Shu Changyu called again when he did not move.
Ji Mu lowered his eyes and looked at the kite.
Shu Changyu frowned slightly. “Could it be that Your Highness does not wish to study today and instead wants to fly kites?”
Ji Mu shook his head. “I only regret not being able to use two days for one. I would not dare to be idle.”
Shu Changyu nodded and said no more, walking ahead into the room.
As he left, he thought: this young prince is rather interesting. When he is reprimanded harshly, he does not get angry; when spoken to gently, he becomes sulky instead.
Truly, youth is unpredictable.
After class that day, Shu Changyu prepared to leave. At the doorway, he saw Ji Mu still looking gloomy and stopped.
“Second Prince, you are still young. There is no need to be overly harsh on yourself. The spring light is pleasant and the wind gentle—you may fly the kite for leisure and relaxation.”
Ji Mu looked up. “Can Imperial Tutor accompany me?”
Shu Changyu froze.
For a moment, he could not even find a way to refuse him. Remembering his own decision to avoid excessive closeness, he forced out, “Your Highness, this is against propriety.”
With that, he quickly bowed. “This minister takes his leave.” And almost fled from Zhongli Palace.
He avoided Ji Mu’s gaze, unsettled by the hope in those eyes, afraid he might personally witness that light extinguished.
Ji Mu sat at the desk, watching his departing figure through the window, motionless like a statue.
At that moment, the newly assigned maid Han Dan from Emperor Qianning’s palace entered to pour tea.
She had originally served in the Emperor’s quarters, but since the Emperor rarely visited the harem due to his frail health, she had little chance to gain favor. Blessed with good looks and unwilling to associate with eunuchs, she had been waiting for an opportunity to approach a master.
Unexpectedly, after repeatedly failing to attract the Emperor’s attention, she had been assigned to the Second Prince instead.
Ji Mu’s words that day still echoed in her mind, giving her a sense of confidence. She walked closer and poured tea gracefully.
“Your Highness, the kite brought by Lord Shu is right here. Would you like to fly it?”
Ji Mu did not even look at her.
Han Dan was confident she understood men well and simply stood by him without rushing.
“I do not want to fly it,” Ji Mu said after a moment, looking at the kite. “If it flies too high, it will leave me. If it leaves on its own, it will be gone.”
He paused. “But if I keep it here, I am the one restraining it. How could it be happy?”
Han Dan thought: truly a sensitive and sentimental young master—easy to manipulate.
Smiling softly, she said, “Your Highness, the string is in your hands. When the wind is strong, pull it back. When it is light, let it rise higher. The kite does not know how to control itself—but does Your Highness not know either?”
Ji Mu did not respond, still staring at the kite.
For a moment, he looked not at a kite, but at a person.
Then suddenly, he smiled.
The expression was bright and radiant, like sun and moon gathered in his arms, stunning Han Dan into silence.
He rose, took the kite, and left the room without acknowledging her presence.
As he passed her, she saw him glance down at the kite once.
His eyes carried a smile, gentle and almost affectionate, as though what he held was not a kite, but someone he cherished.
Han Dan shivered.
The spring wind lifted the paper-bamboo kite into the clear blue sky.
Ji Mu looked up at it, the string in his hand, his heart suddenly calm and wide open.
No matter how high it flew, no matter what he became in that person’s heart—even if he was insignificant—as long as he held the string, that was enough.
He smiled faintly as the kite soared like a bird, still bound to his hand.
At that moment, a child’s voice rang out from the entrance of Zhongli Palace.
“Grandmother! I want that one! Go get it for me immediately!”
Ji Mu turned his gaze.
A beautifully dressed young boy stood at the threshold, jeweled and radiant.
It was the Seventh Prince, Ji Cong, second son of Noble Consort Hui.
Author’s Note:
Ji Mu’s darkening progress: 15%
Shu Changyu: ??? What is going on?!