14: Failed Siblings

Walking inside his brother, Jia Min Sheng orders the servants for warm robes, clothes and tea. Jia Hui Liang smiles eyes void of emotion as his brother shows him the seat.

Jia Hui Liang slowly walks to the table and sits still looking at his very much alive brother, seeing him like this makes him forget all the bad tension and the invisible hate he held for him for not loving him as his sibling.

Jia Hui Liang always wanted to be loved by his brother but his brother didn't show him any intention of getting close and sometimes he outright pushed him, burning their bridge.

The maid soon pours them warm tea, Jia Min Sheng soon sips the tea and as soon as he does he puts it down. He looks at Jia Hui Liang coldly before saying, “why are you here?”

“Brother sho–”

“You know what I mean, you cut our ties as siblings the day you step out here why are here?” He cuts him off mid sentence.

It's true, he could remember it clearly. What was supposed to be his last day here.

Dressed within beautiful long red robes that cover his body from neck to toe, over his head was a thick yet breathable veil equally red matching his patterned robes. He sits inside the carriage where his brother stood outside looking at him.

“This is the path you chose, Fine it's too late to stop you.” Jia Min Sheng spoke, “but if you need me don't be afraid to come home after it's where you belong.”

“...” Jia Hui Liang didn't say anything for a while, but soon he smiled. “To this day you sit on your high seat, hmm, I'd take this veil off to show you how happy I am, not only because it's a special day but also simply because…”

As soon as he finishes the sentence Jia Min Sheng's pupil Strunk.

“Living with you and brother in law has made me feel nothing but invisible, you are so insufferable even your own wife cannot stand you. I don't want to know you, I won't turn to you, I'll never return and I will never see you again because brother you truly sicken me.”

Jia Min Sheng grabs his sleeve startling him, Jia Hui Liang could barely see his expression through the veil, “if that's how you truly I won't stop you from finding happiness and if it means not returning don't ever come here, don't look back and take the path to happiness so Jia Hui Liang since this place was so painful for you, I don't want to see your fucking face again,” The make throat throbbs.

Jia Hui Liang's heart trembles and he wants to cry but his heart hardens, “then the day my father died so did my brother and so I am now an only child,” he drags his sleeves away facing straight.

Jia Hui Liang wasn't offended, after all it was only right that his reaction, if he was the old him he would have left the moment he said it. But Jia Hui Liang is dead and he now only cares about one thing, revenge and for his plans to work he needs his brother or rather he needs his brother's power.

“I was but a child brother, can't you forgive me?”

“I can, but what would be the point?” He asks.

“The point would be us, will you leave me at the hands of the harem.”

“Wouldn't your lover protect you? Isn't the harem your family.” He said coldly.

Jia Hui Liang could hear the emotions behind his voice, of course if there is one thing he remembers is that his brother might be the one to care the most. His insecure and tragic brother who suffered, he didn't know his pain.

“Brother I won't lie, his imperial majesty failed me, just as you said you must be happy right? Go on ahead, scold me.” Jia Hui Liang said eyes are a drain of emotions.

Jia Min Sheng snarls, “STUPID!” He slams the table spilling the tea over, “why would I be happy?! Do you think I would like you to be unhappy?! I'm right so what? Your husband failed you, that's what! Why are you not angry?!” He shouts in anger.

Jia Hui Liang smiles, he finally looks at his tea taking a sip, it's cold like his already dead soul. He puts it down then looks at his brother, “brother, you misunderstood, disappointment came first then bitter sadness as he betrayed me over and over again, I endured because I had faith in him but sadly he can never change and he'll never will.”

Jia Hui Liang touched his heart, “and at that realisation came anger. I was willing to give him everything but in the end he wouldn't protect me as he promised leaving this orphan to suffer. So brother could you please protect me?”

Jia Min Sheng was silent for a moment but soon rose as he pushed back the chair he walked to the other side, he then proceeded in gentle holding his brother into a warm hug.

“I'm sorry, I failed you,”

Jia Hui Liang's heart warms at his brother, it's just like in his past life he wasn't crying this time around but he knows he is heart broken.

“I failed you, I've failed you, I'm sorry I'm sorry,”

The Jia siblings could only cry in each other embrace as they held each other tightly and even if they spent years apart they held each other as if never separated and they suffered that Jia Hui Liang felt etched within his brother's safe embrace. And after some time.

“I've made a deal with the emperor, once I return from this exhibition I'll take you home with me and protect you as I should have.”

“PLEASE brother be careful and safe travels”.

“I will, I promise after all I must protect you… and him.” He whispers.

But sadly that parting would be the last they saw of each other.

“Huihui, I'm sorry but your brother didn't make it,”

‘Brother it isn't you who failed me it is I who failed you, and I'll make him pay.”