@westcrescent
When the Emperor set his tea down, Yiran lifted his head up. He was lucky to be summoned for a favour for the Emperor, and he was already aware of what it consisted of.
"You're the greatest tutor for my children," the Emperor began, a confident look on his face. "You're young, but you even set aside marriage proposals for your knowledge. I find it interesting, though. Why won't you marry?"
Yiran smiled faintly as he kept in his amusement. The Emperor was interested in him. What a strange idea.
"It's much easier to focus on my works without distractions. A wedding is too distracting."
The Emperor's smile and nod of approval seemed to mean he was appeased by the answer. The two men stood and made their way to the room the Emperor had set up for the study lessons.
On the way there, he turned to Yiran and continued their talk.
"You should know my sons are young. I also invited my daughters for the lessons, but it seems they aren't interested. They would much rather do embroidery and learn their instruments. I'm sure my sons will keep you busy enough though."
Yiran silently smiled at the subtle warning. He knew from talk among nobles that the princes were rowdy.
"No need to worry. I'll try and keep them focused."
When they arrived at the room, the Emperor entered first. Yiran heard his voice from outside the doors, his interest piqued when he heard the Emperor's tone.
"Xiyue, you're joining your brothers?"
Yiran followed the Emperor into the room as he finished speaking. His eyes scanned the room, not surprised to see the princes' faces. Four of them, ranging from nine to fifteen. It was the older daughter who surprised him.
His eyes met hers as he stared at her. Yiran thought the feeling that he got was simply interest in why she was there. That was the reason he couldn't take his eyes off of her for seconds and his mind seemed to blur everything else out.
"I thought none of the girls were coming. It seems like Xiyue decided to. Well, that's good. You have a bigger class now." The Emperor seemed to not notice the way Yiran seemed confused for a moment, having finally gotten his mind back. "This is You Yiran. He's a scholar and one of my counselors. You will all be educated properly if you listen well." His eyes fell on the middle sons, giving them a stern look.
When the Emperor left, Yiran turned to his students. Suddenly, with the princess sitting there, he felt nervous.
"I did bring scrolls for you to read. To give us a place to start." The family maid he had brought with him passed the scrolls to each of them. Yiran glanced at Xiyue again before dropping his gaze to look at his own belongings he laid out. "All of you are at different levels. I'll probably have to help catch the younger ones up."










