Guangfeng continued to ask Ansheng questions about things that he had heard Yuelan say about her home or what he had seen of it so far. Ansheng answered all of his questions calmly and explained them more clearly than his daughter was able to, even if he couldn’t fully explain them. Most of Guangfeng’s questions had to do with the way Kilin’s government was set up, how the running water, lights, and cars worked, or how the fridge kept things cold without ice or the stove cooked food without fire. By the time they had reached the chrysanthemums in the garden Guangfeng still had more questions than he felt he had answers.

“I feel so...ignorant here,” Guangfeng sighed as he joined Yuelan by the flowers. “Is this how you felt when you first arrived in Longuo?”

Yuelan turned to look at him. Her jade eyes studied his as she tried to determine his sincerity and then, slowly, she nodded her head. “It is. I still feel that way a lot. I haven’t even been there for a year, after all.” She crouched down in front of the flowers and hugged her knees. “It feels like I can’t be myself and there are a bunch of chains holding me down as I try to keep my head above the water. I can’t cook as well there as I can here. I have to be careful who I talk to and what I talk to them about. I can’t tell anyone the truth about where I’m from. I’m separated from my dad and lying to everyone here about my health. Almost nothing is the same. Pretty much the only thing that is is my mother’s guzheng.”

Guangfeng listened without interrupting. He crouched down next to her and wrapped his arms around her to embrace her. “I’m sorry. You said that things were different, but I didn’t realize just how different they really are. And I admit that I didn’t believe you were telling the truth about women and men being equal here. You’re a very capable woman and I know a few women who are capable, but I’d never thought of them as really being equal to me.”

“I noticed.” Yuelan sighed and rested her head on Guangfeng’s arm. “It’s been really hard to remember that we’re from two cultures that are very different, even though some parts of them are similar. Sometimes I get really mad at you for being so overbearing and acting like I belong to you. It’s hard to remember that in Longuo that’s more or less how it is for women. They don’t have any more rights than their husband or father gives them. What’s even worse is how women can be killed for ‘betraying’ their husbands even if they were forced. If a man rapes a woman how is it the woman’s fault? She didn’t ask for it and she didn’t want it, but the woman is blamed and not the man. It’s disgusting. And women being killed for losing their virginity before they get married? That’s ridiculous too. You can’t spout nonsense about keeping us locked up inside where nobody can see us for our ‘protection’ and then refuse to protect us when it really matters. Things are so unbalanced between men and women that sometimes it makes me want to throw up.”

Guangfeng winced. There was nothing he could say that would be a valid argument. Not after talking with her father about how things were between men and women here. She had grown up in a place where women had already proven that they were equal to men. How could he justify saying that they weren’t when she knew they were? And after seeing some of what her world had managed to do in the six hundred years since the worlds were separated he understood that even though he had received the best education possible because of his status as a prince and potential heir, her education was more extensive than his own.

“Yuelan…” Guangfeng’s voice was pained. He tightened his arms around her and rested his head on hers. “I don’t know what to say. There isn’t much I can do right now. I can start making changes after I become emperor, but…”

“I’m not asking you to make changes right now, Guangfeng. I already know you can’t. But do you understand now why I get so upset sometimes? And why I was so angry with you over Laurel?”

The prince grimaced. “You felt like I was ignoring your authority,” he said quietly.

Yuelan shifted in his arms so she could look at him. “It’s more than just that. I have servants here too, you know. But they aren’t slaves. I don’t own them. They can work here or leave whenever they want. They’re just as human as you or me. Think about it. If somebody wanted you to do something you didn’t want to and they threatened Liling, would you let them harm her, or would you do what you had to to keep her safe?”

Guangfeng sighed. “You already know the answer to that, Yuelan. I’d do my best to keep my sister safe without causing harm to more people.”

“Well, that’s all Laurel was doing,” Yuelan pointed out. “She was protecting her brother. And even if she hadn’t drugged my tea, Yun Cai probably could have kidnapped me anyway. How could you want to have her killed for that?”

“When you put it that way I can understand a little better why you’re so angry over it.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and gave her a tense smile. “But you’re announcing to everyone that you’ll forgive betrayal, Yuelan. What happens if someone gets close to you to hurt you knowing that you won’t treat them harshly for it?”

Yuelan glared at him. “You think I’ll forgive any betrayal, Guangfeng? I forgave Laurel because she’s been with me since the second day I was in Longuo. You trusted her enough to send her to me as one of my personal maids. She did the best she could for me every day and I chose to trust her. I’m not an idiot. I may not be used to all the infighting and backstabbing that goes on in the imperial family in Longuo, but that doesn’t make me helpless. Do you think taking her family in was just for their protection and her piece of mind? I’m not a heartless person who would threaten them to force her to behave, but with her entire family working for me they can’t be used against her anymore. Her family may have been a weakness originally, but now they’ll all be grateful and loyal to me. Kindness can inspire more loyalty than fear.”

“You didn’t answer my question, Yuelan,” Guangfeng pointed out.

“If someone gets close to me intending to harm me I won’t be as forgiving as I’m being with Laurel. They’ll be punished according to the law. I won’t speak up for them.”

The prince let out a sigh of relief. “I appreciate your gentleness, Yuelan, but I’m glad you’re not gentle to the point of foolishness.”

Yuelan smacked his arm. “You haven’t known me for that long. I still have plenty of things I can surprise you with, Xiong Guangfeng.”

Guangfeng chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Good. And I’ll do my best to not limit your freedom or step on your toes anymore.”

“You’d better. By the time we go home you’ll be out of excuses for doing it.” She smiled and poked his arm.