Upon hearing his sibling say this, Ažerlü-šanad took his goblet of wine, swirling the contents thoughtfully.
U’il-šanad saw this and understood the tacit urging to eat. He had his servant pick out a few dishes that his guard taste tested first.
Had this been any other of the Princes, Ažerlü-šanad might have frowned, but U’il-šanad was different. Other than the Crown Prince, the Emperor placed great care in ensuring the ninth Blood Prince’s safety. Though Ažerlü-šanad had said it was sayings of commoners, words of the uneducated masses, it was true that the Emperor believed that a divine child had to remain healthy at all costs.
Once the food had been tested, U’il-šanad gracefully began his meal, while Ažerlü-šanad studied him closely over the rim of his goblet.
When U’il-šanad looked up at him, question in his eyes, Ažerlü-šanad put down his goblet and began eating as well.
“Have you considered marriage yet, U’il?”
The younger Prince paused before he looked at the older with a light smile.
“I am only this old — how could I consider marriage yet?”
“If you have no need for service girls and boys, marriage simplifies things.” Ažerlü-šanad smiled back. “The Princess has both a younger brother and a sister…”
“Do send my apologies to her family for me, elder brother. The Crown Prince has yet to marry. I can’t be so rude I marry before him.”
“I married before the Crown Prince.”
“As father Emperor’s and mother Empress’ first son should. But I am but a lowly concubine’s child, and youngest too. It would be a disgrace if I marry first.”
“Then take a concubine.”
“How is that any different, elder brother?”
“U’il, I’m only trying to help.”
“That I understand, elder brother. But rumours come and falsehoods stay.” U’il-šanad said it with a light tone as he continued. “I care deeply for all my elder brothers and would not dare to offend.”
“At least consider it. I hope we can give them a positive response.”
U’il-šanad bowed slightly before saying. “Elder brother is wise. I shall consider it, then.”
Ažerlü-šanad smiled brightly as lifted his goblet.
Seeing this, U’il-šanad followed suit, and they shared a toast.
They dined speaking of arbitrary topics and the current affairs of the nobility. As Ažerlü-šanad had brought up marriage, it seemed to U’il-šanad that he struggled to stray too far from it. This or that noble had a suitable child, this or that noble of U’il-šanad’s age was engaged, this or that noble had some marital scandal…
Once they had eaten their dishes, the servants poured hot water over leaves, steeping them to create a fragrant water to finish their meal with. U’il-šanad had placed his cold hands in his sleeves, attentively listening to the small talk.
“Speaking of which,” he said as his older brother sipped on the hot water.
The Prince hummed.
U’il-šanad casually took this hand out his sleeves. “Fourth brother sent gifts over.”
Ažerlü-šanad’s look turned sharp as he paused momentarily before setting the goblet down. He studied U’il-šanad’s innocent expression.
“Do you not send over gifts when congratulating someone on their marriage?” U’il-šanad asked. He tilted his head ever so slightly to the side and tapped his lips with the folding fan he had received. “This reminded me of fourth brother’s gift.”
Ažerlü-šanad relaxed somewhat. “What did he send you?”
U’il-šanad smiled with an expression that looked somewhere between offended and amused. “A few eastern trinkets. Nothing of value.”
“Eastern as in…”
“Elder brother surely knows better than I whether fourth brother will send foreign gifts.”
Ažerlü-šanad huffed a laugh. “That much is true. He should know better than choosing something from the east.” The Prince tapped lightly on the table as his expression lit up. “This reminds me, U’il, I have something for you.”
The Prince looked toward a servant, who bowed before leaving.
“Elder brother is much too kind. I only sent a small gift of wine as gratitude for the invitation, yet you give me something. What can I reciprocate with when you spoil this divine brother so?”
“Oh, no need to think about too much. If Bag’ui sent you something, I need to do so as well, no?”
“But did elder brother not warn me in the past not to take bribes? This worries me.”
The First Blood Prince laughed heartily. “It is no bribe between brothers!”
“Oh…”
Seeing U’il-šanad’s face fall, Ažerlü-šanad received a glint in his eyes. “What troubles you, Maçu’il? Tell your older brother.”
“Elder brother is wise. Kindly bestow upon me some advice.” U’il-šanad opened the fan, partially hiding behind a pattern of butterflies. “I worried about being bribed, as I have Çuiren in my care…”
“She was a beautiful girl,” the older Prince agreed, giving a couple of nods to reinforce his stance.
“I know fourth brother would never allow me to return anything, so I sent them to second brother.”
Ažerlü-šanad stared at U’il-šanad, and, under the gaze, the latter began squirming slightly. This brought the former back to his senses.
“Beüra will surely see this as a problem if he figures out those originally were from his brother of the same concubine mother. Why take such a risk, Maçu’il?”
“I am still uneducated, elder brother…”
“Oh, no! Not at all. It was my fault. Let me handle this for you. I shall take the blame.”
U’il-šanad covered his eyes and quietly called out: “Elder brother.”
“You needn’t worry, U’il.”
“I can’t let elder brother take blame…”
“Let us do like this: take my gift, and I shall help you. See it as a favour to me to receive the gift and I repay you by taking the blame.”
U’il-šanad dried his tears. “Will this truly please you, elder brother?”
“Of course! If you need my help, I will help you!”
“Well, then… elder brother, if Çuiren remains in my care, how should I handle this?”
Ažerlü-šanad, whose heart had been somewhat moved, didn’t notice the slight shift in tone.
“It depends, naturally. If you don’t wish for a serving girl, she can be a servant. If you rather have her sold, that can be arranged too.”
“I see.”
“Will she continue her education?”
“Do you think that is necessary?”
“For now.”