Love Is Selfless
Huo Jin was astonished to see Prince Nianzu and Prince Lei Wanxi at the bottom of the stairs of the temple. He greeted Nianzu and asked the Princes why they did not leave.
"I wanted to meet you before leaving for Lu Province," stated Nianzu.
"Oh! Prince Nianzu should have called me to his chamber. He does not need to wait for me," asserted Huo Jin.
"It's fine. You shall consider me the same Nianzu," he urged him. Lei Wanxi agreed with the Fourth Prince. They started to walk on the walkway.
"Brother Nianzu, let's have breakfast together," Lei Wanxi suggested to him.
"Sure!" He immediately agreed with him.
"Come, Huo Jin," Nianzu placed his hand on his back and pushed him forward. They soon reached the chamber of Nianzu.
"Sister Chun will not get sad, will she?" Lei Wanxi questioned him.
"No. She has breakfast plans with the Empress and the Princesses," Nianzu replied and called a maidservant inside. He ordered her to bring the meals for them.
"Where is Eunuch Chung?" Lei Wanxi asked, looking around.
"He has gone out for some work," replied Nianzu and looked towards Huo Jin.
"You seem disturbed. Is everything alright?" He asked him with a concerned expression.
"Nothing, Prince Nianzu," Huo Jin stated. The maidservants had set the table and walked out. Lei Wanxi handed him the chopstick and told him to start eating.
"Princess Bai has agreed to remarry. General Wang is also leaving with us to give the message to the Eastern Province's Prince. It is great that Princess Bai moved on and is ready to give herself a chance. I am glad for her," Nianzu asserted.
"Yes. Sister Bai made a great decision. Brother Yongzheng did not love her. He did not even respect her. At least, her new husband will love and cherish her," Lei Wanxi stated. Huo Jin remained silent throughout the conversation. He felt as if the Fourth Prince was telling him to move forward in his life. After they finished their respective breakfasts, Lei Wanxi and Huo Jin thought to take their leave, but Nianzu stopped Huo Jin.
"I have something important to talk about with Huo Jin," Nianzu affirmed. Lei Wanxi understood Nianzu's words.
"I have morning practice. I will see you later, Huo Jin.
"What is the important matter that Prince Nianzu wants to talk about?" Huo Jin questioned him.
"I want to talk about you," Nianzu said.
"About me?" Huo Jin was startled to hear that.
"Yes. Can't I talk about my friend?" Nianzu asked him, keeping a tiny smile on his lips.
"He can," Huo Jin answered.
"What have you thought in your life? Would you like to spend it alone? This is the second time I am asking you this. Hopefully, your answer is different this time," Nianzu said and waited for Huo Jin's answer.
"My answer is still the same, Prince Nianzu. I do not want to marry anyone," Huo Jin said in a firm tone.
"Why? You also know that Xinyue never loved you. Don't you think love is a mutual feeling?" Nianzu knitted his brows.
"Prince Nianzu, Love is selfless. I did not give my heart to return her feelings to me. Though, I made some efforts so that she would love me back. However, my status was not great enough to match her status. I do not regret it, Prince Nianzu," Huo Jin explained to Nianzu. There was a tiny smile on his lips as if he was proud to be in love with her.
"Xinyue wanted power, Huo Jin. That's why she never cared for your feelings towards her. I have also married a woman who is a commoner. I never checked her status. So, do not ever think that your birth status was the reason that she could not return your feelings. Understand the difference," Nianzu advised him.
"But she saved my life. She cried for me. I saw in her eyes that she cared for me. A mere slave like me would have died long ago, but she did not let me die. How could I get selfish with my feelings? I do hope that someday I will meet her in another world. My heart is still the same as it was months ago," asserted Huo Jin.
Nianzu fell out of words. He could not understand what he should say to make Huo Jin agree or make him think the other way. Silence surrounded them for a few minutes until something came up in Nianzu's mind.
"Brother Yongzheng prevented the departure of Princess Bai Yaling to the cold palace at the end. He cared for her at the end moment, but what's the use? The same goes for Xinyue.
I know that she saved you, cared for you, but her selfishness should not affect your life. You are such a young man with a bright life ahead. I am concerned for you not only as a friend but also as a Brother. Remember, you called me Brother! I want you to be happy… happier in life. You do not deserve this lonely life with one-sided feelings. That's why open your heart, Huo Jin. Love will surely come to you and I will be the happiest person to see you with someone," Nianzu pronounced. He did his best in explaining to Huo Jin.
Huo Jin smiled at him. "Prince Nianzu, thank you for thinking so much about me. However, I am happy with this life too," he said and stood up from the floor chair. He bowed his head. "It was nice to have breakfast with the Fourth Prince. Have a safe journey, Prince Nianzu," Huo Jin said and left the chamber.
Nianzu sighed as he failed to make Huo Jin understand. He had observed him in the temple how he was gazing at Jian Guozhi as if he still had complaints with him.. Though, every time Huo Jin used to astonish him because his definition of love was beyond anyone's understanding.