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Listening to Fen was like listening to a dream itself. Yue herself was only two years older than Fen, but sometimes, the girl felt light years away. It was their biggest difference as well as one of the main reasons Yue held her close: it gave Yue a peek, a small window of opportunity, to experience life through the lens of one who allowed themselves passion and youth and fun – something Yue never had, not even when she was a young girl on the cusp of adulthood, as Fen was now.
The Empress allowed her own attention to follow the girl’s up to the heavens, but Yue did not have any recognition of constellations – that was what astronomers were for, and a good astronomer was worth its weight in gold. Yue’s heart yearned momentarily for the legion of professionals she had lost – and now had the task of replacing, lest she be forced to rule without their expert influence and insight.
The Princess’s light-hearted reaction to her question gave them a moment to breathe that (at least Yue) had needed. The sylph sat back on her slender haunches, listening to how Fen audibly pondered her question – and yet, at the same time, metaphor was present. Waterfalls. Wild adventure, more than the dynasty could provide. Breath taken straight from her lungs, in the best of ways.
Yes, you are quite adventurous. May the crystal dragon bless the future husband who must try to keep you.
Yue did not come from a progressive society; moreover, her own family prescribed more traditional Chinese gender roles than perhaps most did. It was what made her lineage desirable, if what her mother always told her – the fact that they looked like fine, carved ivory figurines. It was something Yue sought to change, and she was determined to give the role more meaning than simple, surface-level beauty and whatever benefits a marriage brought.
She considered herself to be a rather involved Empress, intent on leaving the world better than it was before her, but until the society around her changed entirely, the woman was more than conditioned to believe that her only opportunities lay down the path that her husband paved for her. There was no other choice for women in the matter.
With her undertone laughing and lilting, Yue nodded and waved her tail.
I am inferring then that these streams do not take your breath away,the empress suggested.
Neither do they take mine.If Yue were being truthful, she had never before experienced such a distasteful, frigid place.
I think I might always mourn for the land we have lost. I know that we will soon gain what you desire. I desire it too; something new. I want the ancestors to surprise me.
Never before had Yue needed to consider where she would desire to live, or the things she wanted to see. These things had never been open to her decision-making, always puppeteered by those of the generation above her. She would deign to live where there was the greatest need, even if it meant staying in swamplands to do so.
Hmm,Yue thought for a moment.
I haven't thought about it much,the woman hedged truthfully.
Just as the Princess had, Yue would also give two answers.
My easy answer is... I'd love to see a glacier,and she thought on the concept of a glacier briefly.
Supposedly, it is as if the Great Wall were made of ice.The governess of some cousin once knew a guy who had seen a glacier, and the tale was told far and wide. The story had dazzled her ever since she had been a pup.
But my truth?Her voice fell hushed.
I think i'd like most to see my mother's face again, just as you do.
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