Lodging a Complaint

After lingering a little longer, they returned to the Capital before sunset.

Once they had watched Shen Shixu return to the Shen Residence, Xiao Jinyi and his companions hurried into the palace and headed straight for the Imperial Study.

Emperor Wu'an was reviewing memorials when Quan Xi announced that the Carefree Prince, Master Baili, Prince Jing, and Princess Huimin had arrived together.

Emperor Wu'an set down the memorial in his hand. "Together? Now that is unusual. Something important must have brought those four together. Show them in at once!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. This old servant will go right away."

Holding his fly whisk, Quan Xi respectfully ushered Xiao Jinyi and the others inside. The moment Xiao Jiayi entered, she lifted her skirts and dropped to her knees.

Then she began to sob, startling Emperor Wu'an. He had two daughters, but neither was delicate by nature.

Princess Qingyang, Xiao Jiayun, was gentle and gracious, steady in everything she did, and fond of poetry and books. She settled easily into quiet concentration and was a tranquil young woman who rarely cried.

Princess Huimin, Xiao Jiayi, was livelier than her elder sister, a child who could never sit still. She loved riding horses and playing tricks on people, but as the youngest child in the entire palace, everyone indulged her. Growing up doted on by her older brothers and sister, she had never cried either.

So when Emperor Wu'an saw Xiao Jiayi weeping so pitifully, he was first surprised, then angry. Just who had made his daughter cry?

Emperor Wu'an rose from his chair, walked over to the kneeling Xiao Jiayi, and helped her up.

Taking the handkerchief Quan Xi offered, he wiped away her tears. At that moment, Emperor Wu'an had none of an emperor's imposing dignity. He was simply a father