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When he had left, the very last gasp of summer heat was fading, chill winds coaxing the trees ' leaves to turn bold, vibrant shades of gold and red. Now those same leaves were the delicate, bright green of new growth, shading the full glory of flowers in spring, ornamenting the palace. The spring garden party had come and gone in his absence, an event he had been more than happy to miss. Now, the throne loomed in front of him, ministers and other members of the court all in attendance as the Moon Prince returned from his tour of Li.

Jinshi walked down the center of the room, following the path laid by the red carpet leading to the throne, all eyes on him. He let their gazes wash over him, absently noting which ones were openly admiring or hostile without letting any indication of notice cross his features. Instead he wore his face like a mask - that of the serene, noble prince. As he approached the Emperor, he raised his arms before him and bowed, deliberately pitching his tone of voice to resonate around the room. 'Ka Zuigetsu humbly greets your Imperial Majesty. '

'Raise your head, Zuigetsu. ' The Emperor 's voice was likewise formal, no show of parental fondness for the court 's eyes.

Jinshi raised his head and dropped his arms before him. The Emperor - his father - looked at him with an expression that mirrored his own. Formal, but not cold, an acceptable balance to show the court. The Emperor was, of course, flanked by the pillars of the nation, the most prominent of which continued to be Gyokuen, it appeared.

One of those pillars was a surprise, though. Lakan stood behind the Emperor, yawning openly and looking supremely bored. It was a wonder he hadn 't already pulled out a book or done something else to give offense. Clearly, something in the court had shifted during his time away. Jinshi checked quickly, but the familiar form of General Lo was present and accounted for.

'Report. What is the state of the empire? '

Jinshi gave his report in clear, succinct terms - he had polished it over the last few nights. In short, the empire appeared to be thriving, but there were a few points of concern that he could take the opportunity to bring to the court 's attention - areas where last year 's insect damage had not quite been ameliorated and damage to subsequent harvests had been sustained. Friction on the northern border. An uptick in reported pox cases - no doubt something the medical officials would be keen to know, even as he resolutely forced his thoughts away from a specific medical court lady.

Association with him could only bring her the type of attention that would hurt her.

As he finished his report, he bowed his head again. He had not arranged his exit in advance, deciding it was wise to take the temperature of the court and the rest of the Imperial family. Instead, he waited to hear the Emperor 's will.

He also did his best not to vomit on the sumptuous red carpet in front of him, deliberately breathing slowly and swallowing his nausea. The stress was getting to him - Suiren had refused by letter to leave his service in no uncertain terms, which hopefully meant that once he was finished with his duties for the day, he could rest for the evening. Quietly, in his own home, without the constant presence of guards, day and night. Basen had actually managed them a finesse that had genuinely impressed Jinshi during their travel, but no matter how well managed, ten men, plus attendants living nearly on top of each other for over six months had left Jinshi craving privacy - and the men a break.

'This is excellent news - We are pleased. This journey, undertaken on behalf of the empire, has no doubt been tiring. Take the next week to rest. ' The Emperor 's eyes crinkled at the very corners, suppressing some kind of expression, but Jinshi was too genuinely excited to wonder what exactly it betokened.

A week 's vacation. This might have been the best possible news His Majesty could have given him. All he had to do now was make his formal greetings to the rest of the Imperial Family and his rounds of the court before he could finally collapse in his own bed - a prospect that was more appealing by the second.

'Ka Zuigetsu hears your words and thanks you, ' he said, raising his hands and bowing his head once again as the formal audience itself concluded and he began to make his greetings to the Imperial family. His mother - no, his grandmother - greeted him with her usual cool composure in front of the court, only the squeeze of her hands on his own indicating any emotion beyond that. 'You look tired. '

He smiled automatically, deliberately focusing his attention to push the exhaustion, the headache and the nausea to the back of his mind. 'I 'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, I will admit, ' he responded, returning the squeeze of her hands gently.

'In that case, as much as I would like to speak with you, I won 't keep you any longer. Perhaps you might visit me in a week? ' Anshi kept the ever-present half smile on her face, indicating no discomfort - she was not the most demonstrative of mothers, but Jinshi had never doubted her care.

He didn 't bow so much as incline his head in a gesture of respect to the Empress Dowager. 'It would be my pleasure. '

Anshi 's smile became real for a moment before she returned the nod and released him to finish the rest of his greetings.

Empress Gyokuyou was as beautiful as always, her green eyes alight with what appeared to be genuine warmth as her son, the Crown Prince, sat quietly in her lap and looked around the court with wide, green eyes and a head full of wild red curls, echoing his mother 's features. Beside them stood Princess Lingli, who watched him with a wary attention that was somewhat better than the fear of strangers he had been greeted with when he returned from the Western Capital the second time. 'Greetings to His Exalted Highness the Crown Prince, Her Majesty Empress Gyokuyou and Her Highness Princess Lingli. ' He made sure his voice carried, leaving no question about how he had greeted - and acknowledged - the Crown Prince.

Said Crown Prince looked at him and smiled, holding his arms out toward Jinshi.

'That means 'up, ' ' Princess Lingli informed him with a solemn expression that seemed at odds with the cheerful baby he had known in the Rear Palace.

He smiled at the princess, feeling the expression grow just a little more natural. 'It does? '

Princess Lingli nodded and Empress Gyokuyou laughed. 'It does indeed. Here, ' she said before depositing his little brother into Jinshi 's arms.

The boy smiled at Jinshi, grabbing at the front of his robes, content to be held in a higher position even as Jinshi automatically adjusted his grip to make sure the child wouldn 't fall. An ordinary family scene, one that might happen every single day - but the court murmured around them.

The Empress ' message was clear and unequivocal. The Imperial family would show a united front to the court.

Meanwhile, Princess Lingli watched them. 'Mother and Father say you 're my big brother now. '

A few members of the court gasped at the princess ' bluntness, but Gyokuyou pressed her lips together in an attempt to hold back laughter as she looked at Jinshi. 'Lingli, the Moon Prince has just gotten back from a very long trip and is tired. And - ' she continued as the princess looked like she was about to object and say something else, 'even if that were not the case, the court is not a good place to get shoulder rides. '

'But you said I could ride him 'cause that 's what big brothers are for! ' Lingli pointed to her baby brother with a pout. 'You won 't let me ride any of my brothers! '

Jinshi heard Basen snort behind him, even as Jinshi couldn 't quite master his own face in the face of the little girl 's obvious disappointment, the corners of his lips twitching in repressed laughter of his own. He looked at the boy in his arms. 'Did she try to ride you? ' he asked the boy, who grinned at him in glee and made a credible attempt to grab Jinshi 's shoulders, as if attempting to go for that very ride his sister had been denied.

'Oh, yes. Yes, she did, ' the Empress confirmed, shaking her head. 'The princess has been very eager for you to come home ever since I explained that rides go in order of biggest to smallest. Perhaps you would be willing to indulge her in a week or so? '

Jinshi offered his most charming smile to the little prince and princess. 'I would be honored to visit next week. '

Lingli clapped and her brother followed her example. 'Yay! Horsie! '

Empress Gyokuyou shared a fond, exasperated look. 'Isn 't it good to be home? '

'Indeed, Empress Gyokuyou, ' Jinshi replied, shifting the Crown Prince 's weight as the boy reached for his mother again and was returned safely to her waiting arms. He was surprised to find it was true.

Only time would tell if this display of family accord would last, but at the very least it appeared that the Empress intended to attempt to solidify her son 's claim to the throne by making allies instead of enemies. An approach Jinshi had admired ever since their days in the Rear Palace - and one he was more than happy to throw his support behind. He looked down at a tug on his robes to find Princess Lingli looking up at him with an expectant look in her eyes. 'You won 't forget? ' she asked, her diction shockingly clear since the last time he had seen her.

He shook his head and crouched down so that their eyes would be level. 'I promise, I will come and see you after about a week. You won 't forget either? ' he teased.

Lingli looked up at him with wide, shining eyes and shook her head. 'I promise! '

He almost felt rather than heard the court sigh at this charming display of sibling accord and stood to face the Empress. 'Your Majesty, ' he offered her the same respectful nod that acknowledged her position while at the same time being mindful of his own.

Empress Gyokuyou smiled - a familiar, mischievous smile that he remembered from countless amusements in the Rear Palace. Usually it betokened something that would be at least mildly troublesome for him, but he could no longer bring himself to care. 'Moon Prince, ' she replied.

With that, greetings to the Imperial Family were over. Jinshi moved through the court, his perfect, nymph-like smile still on his face, hair spilling like silk over his shoulders and his bangs worn intentionally a little long, the better to cover the scar on his cheek. He greeted ministers, courtiers and ladies alike, all with the smooth charm he had been known for in the court when he was simply Jinshi, the manager of the Rear Palace and the Emperor 's favorite.

He was soon inundated with women, escorted by their adoring fathers, brothers and uncles. They all had some variety of dark, shining hair adorned with jewels, skin rendered pale and lustrous with powder, eyes and lips reddened and moist with invitation. Fine silks and embroidery enhanced voluptuous curves. His immediate atmosphere became a miasma of different scents competing for his attention and driving a sharp spike of pain into his temple. The women themselves began a battery of tactics to capture his attention - direct, flirtatious gazes and sultry bedroom voices, probing for any hint of carnal interest. Shy smiles and glances at him through their lashes, receptive to any conversation he might choose to initiate. Polite, respectful questions about his travels. Teasing, playful banter about the weather or other inoffensive topics.

To all of them, he responded with courtesy and charm. For the polite, he offered a hint of adventure, telling stories about the far reaches of Li that they would never see, caged here in the capital.

To the shy, he drew them out with empty compliments that provoked flushes of pleasure at being noticed, respecting their sincere admiration without offering a hint of reciprocity.

To those who teased, he returned their playfulness, bantering with them in a game that, if there were no true winners, nor were there losers.

For the overly flirtatious, he took no notice, brushing off any attempts to touch him with redirection, letting their interest wash against him without provoking any type of response.

He noted with an absent sense of detachment that the sparkling charisma that drew in his audience, men and women alike, seemed to be even stronger now that the gravitas of the Moon Prince bolstered it. The open lust was better hidden, but he could still see it burning. Lust for him, for what his station might mean if only he would take notice of one of them. Jealousy and resentment festered from those who were wise or perceptive enough to realize a fundamental truth.

The Moon Prince was as cold as his title.

In Shogi, he might be passable. In Go, he was average, at best. Even in the greater politics of the court, he acknowledged that he was a novice in many aspects. But this - the game of flirtation and charm, he was the acknowledged master - pleasing and charming, implying everything and promising nothing. His lips curved in a perpetual smile, but only the observant would notice the distance in his eyes.

It had been six months - and the Emperor had still not named him Crown Prince in place of Gyokuyou 's son. Lady Ah-Duo was right - it was not yet time to give up hope on that front.

Once, he had balanced managing the Rear Palace with the shadow duties of being the Emperor 's only heir. He could do it again. He could be the Moon Prince and fulfill the Emperor 's slightest demands while also dedicating himself to the protection of the Crown Prince, rooting out any selfish insistence on the part of the foolish court who might attempt to topple him from the position.

He had to. If his path stretched out in front of him, the destination might still be slightly altered.

Jinshi felt himself settle into his role, not even the pieces of his broken heart provoking more than a dull ache when he occasionally caught sight of a stray freckle or slender figure.

Around the Moon Prince, the court whispered and speculated.

'He 's as beautiful as ever! '

'Look at his composure, his bearing - so elegant and noble. '

'We 'll have a new Crown Prince by the next garden party, I 'll put money on it. '

'Well, if by 'new ' you mean 'our former Crown Prince back, ' then, yes. '

'A new Crown Prince and a new Pure Consort - my! Life at court has certainly gotten exciting! '

Chue smiled as she hovered around the edges of the room, her makeup and clothing making her look like any number of ladies in waiting crowding the room to play looky-loo at the Moon Prince as she listened to the rumors surrounding him. Her new protegee had outdone himself this time.

With that said, she looked at the Moon Prince himself and narrowed her eyes. The young master looked sick. Oh, the court wouldn 't notice - all they ever saw was that celestial smile, the silken hair, the sweet voice. They missed entirely how the bones of his face pressed against the skin, throwing that beauty into a stark, almost otherworldly relief. His lips might curve in a smile, but his eyes were hollow in his face and occasionally he swallowed, as if fighting back a wave of sickness.

There was also Basen, unobtrusive at his master 's back, but watching his milk brother with a studied, neutral expression that only barely disguised his concern.

Originally the Moon Prince was supposed to be given a couple of days to recover from his trip - it was a subtle testament to the Emperor 's shock at seeing his oldest son 's state that this vacation had been extended to a full week.

It could be overwork. It wasn 't as if the Ma clan hadn 't seen the prince work himself into a state of exhaustion day after day in the Western Capital. He would be back in his own pavilion soon enough. If it was only exhaustion, that would begin to correct itself in a week. But if it wasn 't '

Chue ducked out into a side hall, her bad arm tucked against her side. She had a report to make and her mistress would be returning soon.

Suiren gasped the moment she saw him, her hand flying to her mouth. 'Young master! '

Jinshi winced - his head was throbbing and all he wanted to do was collapse face first into his bed. But he fought the exhaustion to throw propriety to the wind, wrapping his arms around Suiren, his oldest ally, his nursemaid, his

grandmother

, finally believing she was okay after that awful morning he 'd woken up in Lady Ah-Duo 's villa to the news that someone had tried to set fire to his home, had

hurt

her. 'Are you okay? ' he got out past tears that had unexpectedly sprung to his eyes.

Suiren returned the embrace, squeezing hard. 'It 'll take more than a thrown torch to scare me, young man. What

have

you been doing to yourself!? '

Jinshi just shook his head against her shoulder, unable to form words.

'Master Jinshi, if you can eat something, I think you should. Otherwise, go to bed, ' Basen interjected.

Suiren pulled back and took a good look at Jinshi 's face. 'You 're much too thin. Sit down - I 'll have food out in just a moment.

At that moment, the nausea Jinshi had been repressing suddenly came to the forefront and he barely made it to a waste bin before what little he 'd managed to eat came back up. With force. Once his stomach was empty and all he could spit was bile, he felt a cool, wet cloth bathing his face and the back of his neck. 'How long has this been going on? ' Suriren asked, looking between him and Basen.

'Almost a month. He 's not running a fever, but I think he 's picked up some kind of cold that isn 't going away because he won 't take the time to rest! ' Basen directed that last bit at Jinshi, glaring.

Suiren glanced at the contents of the wastebasket. 'And you 're sure it's an illness? '

Jinshi sighed and rested his head against his hand. 'Every bite I 've put in my mouth has gone through either Basen or the food taster. Both of them are fine. I 'm just sick. '

'Well, the Emperor gave you a week off, so why don 't you put it to good use and get your royal ass in bed? ' Basen folded his arms and glared at his friend.

'I 'll bring some tea into your room - try to drink what you can and we 'll see how you feel after a decent night 's sleep. ' Suiren helped him stand, guiding him to his bedroom before bustling off to get fresh tea.

Jinshi quickly stripped down to his pants, not even bothering to put on his sleeping robe before he planted face first into his bed. He vaguely felt his hair loosen and nuzzled his face against the pillow before unconsciousness pulled him under. The last thing he remembered was feeling Suiren brush his hair away from his face.

Suiren finished settling Jinshi in bed, the tea she brought untouched before she slid the door to the bedroom closed and turned to face Basen. 'He 's in a terrible state! '

Basen did his best not to quail in front of the woman who had been a constant, slightly scary presence his entire life. 'I know. He has been pushing himself, but he still shouldn 't be like this. I wish we 'd brought the apothecary with us. '

'That makes two of us, ' Suiren sighed. 'So, he 's been given a week 's vacation? '

'Yes. ' Basen nodded. 'And, frankly, I 'm hoping he spends all of it right here, resting, because I suspect that 's what it 's going to take for him to get back to normal. '

'Well, I expect him to stay in one place for the next day, at the very least. Which reminds me, your father is expecting you tonight to discuss the new security measures around both the Moon Prince as well as the protocols surrounding the Crown Prince. ' Suiren placed the tray of sundries she 'd prepared for their master in front of Basen instead, which was quite welcome. He did his best not to fall on the food as if he was starving, even as he stuffed his face.

When he finally came up for air, he responded. 'I 'll go see him as soon as I 've double checked the guard. '

Suiren sighed. 'How was the trip, at least? '

'Interesting. The majority of it was actually a good experience - and it kept him busy, which helped. He 's always been very good with diplomacy, which is what a lot of this was. But we also got a chance to see a lot of the country and meet people. Between that and giving him a chance to spar every time he needed to let his frustration out, he was actually doing okay until he got sick - and then he just kept pushing through it. ' Basen huffed in frustration.

'And how was Lady Lishu? ' Suiren asked, not quite hiding a smile.

Basen felt his entire body flush with embarrassment. 'Um 'I 'm not sure - '

'

Basen

, ' Suiren teased. 'I 'm aware that there was a certain village that was your first stop. I didn 't ask if you 'd come back secretly married, but I was hoping you could tell me how the young lady is doing now that she 's been freed from the Rear Palace. '

Secretly married! Basen didn 't think it was possible to flush any harder, yet he managed it as he stuttered out, 'Well 'um 'Lady Lishu is 'well! She 's well! '

'Well, that 's good to hear. ' Suiren couldn 't quite repress a giggle at Basen 's red face. 'I do hope one day you 'll bring your bride home. It would be nice to see you happy. '

He was still flustered by the very idea of bringing Lishu home - but even if she was ready, he turned his eyes toward the closed bedroom door. 'I can wait a little longer - I can 't imagine that the Emperor is going to let his marriage go any more. '

Suiren sighed at that. 'A consort selection was announced a few weeks after you left. Not just the legitimate wife, but two concubines as well. '

Basen winced. 'Concubines? So, you think his Majesty is serious about restoring him as Crown Prince? '

'I 'm not sure. But the Empress is officially in charge of the selection. I suspect our Emperor is more interested in making a show of balancing power. ' Suiren poured herself a cup of tea, holding it carefully in between her hands.

'He won 't do it. ' Basen shook his head. 'You know he 's determined not to marry at all, at this point? '

Suiren lowered the teacup and looked at Basen with a piercing stare. 'Did he say that? '

Basen nodded. 'One of the diplomats was from halfway across the world and was telling us about a queen in his country who 's maintained the stability of her rule for decades by using a potential marriage alliance as leverage. I think Master Jinshi thinks he might be able to pull off something similar - and if he has no children, the Empress ' son would remain the heir apparent, even if the throne passed through another generation. '

'I see, ' Suiren murmured.

'But I think, ' Basen forced out past the flush that was rising once again, 'that my own marriage might feel like rubbing salt in a wound right now. '

'You might be right about that. But that doesn 't mean you should put your life on hold either. Our master may be pained by his own situation while still genuinely celebrating your happiness, ' Suiren gently pushed.

Basen took a deep breath. 'I think, before making plans on her behalf, I should ask Lady Lishu what she thinks. If she 's amenable 'then I will speak to my mother and sister about beginning formal negotiations with the U Clan. '

Suiren clapped her hands. 'Wonderful! I hope the lady 's answer is everything you 've hoped for, my dear. ' She grinned. 'You deserve to begin your own family. '

At this point, Basen was wondering if he was going to spend the rest of his life in a state of permanent blushing. He attempted to change the subject. 'It may be awkward, but should we call the apothecary to take a look at him? '

Suiren looked at him and shook her head, a smile on her lips. 'I can care for him - and Maomao is unavailable, in any case. '

'Unavailable? ' He glanced at the closed bedroom door. 'Is she well? '

It may have taken him long enough that he was embarrassed by his lack of perception, but on the relative safety of the road, Jinshi 's heartbreak had become clear. If his master had merely been moping about his drastically changed circumstances, that would have been manageable - insufferable, but manageable all the same. Instead, the Moon Prince tackled each day with a stoicism Basen had never before seen, taking every task diligently as they came, one after another with no thought of any attempt to push the work off just enough to catch a break. By itself, his behavior could merely be explained by - and admired as - the Moon Prince 's growing maturity. But what unnerved Basen was how Jinshi 's expression almost never changed - his face a pleasant mask whether interacting with the men, making his diplomatic greetings or even speaking with Basen himself. There had been no complaints, no wry observations, not even so much as a weary sigh.

He had put up with it for approximately two weeks after leaving the Red Plum Village before finally dragging his master out of their tent before dawn, when they were making camp between towns. He put a training sword in his hand and proceeded to beat his prince into the ground until he finally got a reaction, Jinshi snapping, 'Enough, Basen! ' an order he would never have ignored in the past.

He had never seen his milk brother come after him the way he did after Basen had refused to stop, his careful and elegant sword form stripped back to bare essentials, attacking him with a wild fury. Basen had pushed Jinshi until they both collapsed - and the confession he forced from his friend in the aftermath had shocked him with its quiet hopelessness. This was not the agony of the prince not knowing if his love was returned. It was the despair of knowing that circumstances beyond his control had created a situation where the most loving act he could do was to let Maomao go - because there had never been any hope from the beginning.

Jinshi could live without Maomao - but only, Basen knew, if she was safe and happy. The fact that she was unavailable worried him - court ladies didn 't usually go far.

'Yes. But she is out of the capital until the beginning of next month. The physicians have gone to the southern harbor to meet a trade ship that has some rather rare pharmaceuticals and ingredients from the far West. ' Suiren smiled. 'It 's a good break for her as well. '

'So she 's happy, ' Basen grumbled. 'At least one of them is, I suppose. '

'Don 't make assumptions, Basen, ' Suiren reproved him gently. 'I suspect the young master is going to be somewhat surprised by the state of the court when he recovers. '

Basen leaned forward. 'What 's happened? '

Suiren shook her head. 'I 'll let your father tell you. Right now, the prince needs to rest without worrying. But make no mistake. ' She leveled him with a look. 'Maomao is utterly devoted to him - and she 's been busy. '

Basen finished his tea. 'In that case, if you 'll excuse me, I 'd like to speak to the guards and then report to my father. '

'Of course. ' Suiren smiled at that. 'It 's good to have both of you home. '

Basen nodded. 'It 's good to be home, Lady Suiren. ' He strode out to the courtyard to touch base with the household guard, already thinking through what he could focus on to make this situation at least a little easier on his master and his oldest friend.

As Basen left, Suiren looked at the closed bedroom door and shook her head. 'You boys ' ' she murmured. She considered writing a note to Ah-Duo, but if she knew her daughter, she would have most likely already gotten a report on her son 's condition before Suiren could send anything. She would wait and see how things looked in the morning.

In the meantime, she bustled off to the kitchen. The poor boy had been through a lot and would need his strength to navigate what was coming.

After a week of rest, Jinshi finally felt like he might approach a state close to 'human. ' The nausea was gone, although there was a lingering headache at times that he hoped would finish going away with some fresh air. It had almost felt like a shame to waste this precious time off either sleeping, eating or resting, but the lure of locking himself inside his home and not coming out in order to deal with the court was too tempting to resist.

Today, however, he dressed carefully and stepped inside his office, at once familiar and strange. He hadn 't actually done any work here since that morning in the court that had utterly rocked his world off its axis, rearranging the pieces of his life in a brand new configuration that made no sense - and somehow made everything that had come before suddenly make sense. Even though everything was exactly as he 'd left it, it felt like stepping into another man 's space.

In a way, perhaps he was. This had been Jinshi 's office - where he had managed the various and sundry affairs of the Rear Palace. The complaints of the various little birds cooped up in its walls, the reports of His Majesty 's visits and which concubines should be watched each month to see if they stopped walking the path of the moon. The requests of various ministers and merchants for their daughters to enter that exclusive, walled garden, even as he slowly, gently allowed attrition to wear down the numbers that had swelled alarmingly during his Former Majesty 's reign.

Even after the Shi Clan 's rebellion, when he had discarded his eunuch 's mask entirely, there was the mixed annoyance and comfort of various matters of the Rear Palace that had still landed on his desk, his official and unofficial court duties mingling in the space to create a bridge between his two selves.

But he wasn 't Jinshi anymore. A fact that others - including a certain other he did his best not to dwell on - had reminded him before. The mask of Jinshi had served him well. Perhaps it had served him too well. He had grown too comfortable in it, willing to believe that if he just tried hard enough, arranged things perfectly enough, he could shed his prince 's skin and become an ordinary man.

Someone who would be free to forge his own path - even if the path he wanted never took him very far away from the only home he had ever known. Jinshi had always wanted to serve the Emperor, to put his humble skills and poor talents at the disposal of the crown. He had never imagined marrying for something as glorious as love of the woman who would be his wife.

But even as a child he had desperately wanted to choose his own partner. He had wanted to know that the woman he took to his bed, into his life, was his own choice, someone who saw him, not just his face or his position.

Now all he could hope was that he would not be outmaneuvered and forced into a political marriage. To which end, he did need to speak with the Empress and he had a convenient invitation to visit her and her household now that his vacation was done. Suiren had done her best not to bother him with work, but the news that his marriage selection had been announced was urgent enough to break that silence.

He understood the Emperor 's line of reasoning. Better to direct the political frenzy into a form he could control than allow the court to challenge him over the decision to hide the fact that his firstborn son had survived - that the young man the court had derided for years as a fool and incompetent in one guise or as a damned eunuch in another, was now the more desirable candidate over a two year old boy with foreign blood.

Well. Better to face it head on.

But first, paperwork. He stared at the pile that had built up over six months of absence and just barely suppressed a groan.

'Good morning, Master Jinshi. ' Basen 's voice was cheerful enough, given that they weren 't going anywhere for the foreseeable future until Jinshi had dug his way out of at least some of this pile.

'Did Baryou go on vacation too while we were gone? ' he asked Basen as he grabbed a proposal at random off the top of the pile and glanced at it.

'Apparently, this was all the stuff that needs your personal attention. There 's a couple more baskets over on the side, ' Basen pointed them out, all neatly stacked and lined against the wall with different colored ribbons tying them shut. 'He said he color coded them. Blue is petitions, endorsements and anything requiring a royal seal, green is all of your public appearances and speech drafts, yellow are all the various reports from projects you were working on before we left. And then there 's various tax matters under the red ribbon, and the black ribbon has invitations and proposed assignations. '

He bit his lip to prevent himself from ordering Basen to simply throw the black-ribboned basket into the trash and be done with it.

' - anything on your desk needs to be handled as soon as possible because it 's time sensitive and then you can start working your way through the rest of it. '

Jinshi stared at the piles. 'We can 't flee the country to get away from it, right? '

Basen smiled. 'Sorry, Master Jinshi. I think you 're stuck. '

He smiled, but Basen 's form of address reminded him of what he 'd been thinking earlier. 'Basen. 'Jinshi ' was a mask that I long ago discarded. It 's time we stopped using that alias, I think. '

Basen just looked at him, thoughtfully, but didn 't offer those thoughts. 'Understood. What would you prefer to go by? '

He picked up his chop and traced the crescent moon of his sigil on the dry stamp, years of ink staining the seal permanently red. 'Moon Prince will be sufficient, I think. '

'Understood, Moon Prince. ' Basen straightened his posture. 'Is there anything I can assist you with? '

'No, thank you Basen, ' he replied. He replaced his chop on the desk and looked up. 'Although, if the name 'Yue ' slips out in private, that will also be acceptable.

'I 'll save it for when you 're being an idiot, sir, ' Basen replied with perfect equanimity that was reminiscent of Gaoshun at his most taciturn.

He smiled. 'I 'm sure you will. ' He sat at his desk and looked at the pile of papers, hoping that his mask didn 't break enough to show the despair he felt for his wrist and back at the thought of not moving from this desk until lunchtime, at least. 'All right. Let 's do this. '

The Moon Prince sat at his desk and began to read the first document.