I also saw Wang Wuying take her 2 children aside. Jing's sister was sickly and hardly ever seen. I was told that she knew of what was going on. They were followed by a squad of elite guards. Prince Min came over and looked at us. He went to Prince Huo and challenged him to a fight. I looked over to where Lai Chang was looking at Empress Cui Yahui, smiling. They were talking about something. It did not seem like she was up to something, but I knew better. Lai Chang was a very shrewd and calculating woman. She was a noble, but of a low family until very recently. She knew exactly the types of games needed to play in order to advance. Bao was on the back foot and just nodded her head. The two then began to spar. It seemed that Min was a bit quicker and more disciplined with his strikes. Huo was more grounded, and his strikes packed more power into them. Everyone was looking at them as they went at it. Min was able to get the upper hand in the fight and looked smug. Huo looked up at Min when he lost good naturedly and hugged him. Min was very surprised.
Doing so many spars with Zhizhu and Hong had humbled him quite a bit. There were rare times when he could catch one of the 2 off guard when they were being overconfident or playing around, but it was rare. Min frowned as he had thought that this would make Huo angry. "Let go! I won, so you have to listen to me!" he whined without any response other then a tighter squeeze. Lai Chang and Cui Yahui were not impressed by the display. They were more pleased by seeing Min win. I decided to leave a contented Analim be. I wanted to get involved. I looked at both Min and Huo. "Huo, let go of Min. You have to listen to the victor. It's their right to give a victory speech." I said. Huo looked confused and said "Huh? But Zhizhu and Hong have never given me any victory speeches." I nodded with a smile. "Zhizhu and Hong never want you to feel like you've lost because you're all so close. Min obviously has something he has to say. Let him calm down for a moment and say it to you." I instructed him. Zhizhu and Hong also came to see what Min would say to them. We gave him attention.
Even though that was the plan, it did not seem like Min was actually ready. Min looked at his elder brothers and looked back to his mother who was also approaching. It was Min that got flustered. "Go ahead Min. Tell them what you have to say." Lai Chang said firmly to her son. He got even more nervous and just blurted "I won! You have to respect me more." He then looked at them still looking directly at him and ran off. "Min!" his mother called after him. "That boy!" she sighed. I walked up to her and said "It's alright. A boy that age is probably just shy. All he need is a listening ear of a mother that will help him navigate his fears and guide him. A father that can show him the proper example of getting past those fears in a manly way is also a nice help." She looked at me. "Are you suggesting that I do not raise Min to overcome fear?" she said with venom. I shook my head. "No. I am just asking that you be patient with him, he obviously was not ready to give a victory speech. I wonder why he was motivated to win that spar with Huo. He obviously chose that himself, correct?" I smirked.
Feeling a bit sassy, I let that hang in the air. "Who can say? Boys can be very competitive at this age. Yawen, you would do well to remember that." she said back to me with a smile. I simply bowed my head. "Yes, I will do just that, Beauty Lai Chang." she still outranked me. Empress Cui Yahui walked to us and we bowed to her. "Lai Chang. Yawen. Boys are certainly a blessing. Rougang is a willful one. I'm sure he'll be a good emperor." "I'm sure he will. As long as you and Wang Jing instill both skills and moral values into him, he can't lose." She raised an eyebrow before fanning herself with her folding fan. She covered her mouth and said "What kind words you have for my son, Yawen. Thank you. Even I was surprised when he told me you purposefully let the crown pass by your sons. I would never be so... magnanimous." "I know my worth and position. I only need play it well." I responded. It was a non-answer, but nothing would come from asking further. "One of these days, I will find the secret. I hope that doesn't bother you." she said. "If you want, when we return we can play a game."
