Everyone stopped on their tracks and look towards the Empress.
Wei Yi Yi momentarily let Jiang Chen down. She then coped a feel on herself.
"Oh," she reacted when she touch what's on her back. After removing it, everyone looked at the bow at her hand.
At first, they all have confused looks, but then, as if suddenly enlightened, Jiang Liu nervously pointed at Wei Yi Yi.
Wei Yi Yi then realized, "This... is the one we borrowed from the martial hall..."
"Didn't you returned it?..."
"Both of you dragged me and run. How could I have time..."
A deathly silence consumed the group. No one move nor break any eye contact with the item.
After a while, Wei Yi Yi said slowly, "Jiang Liu, if we're really comrades, you know what I'm thinking right now?"
"This brother knows..." Jiang Liu gave a resolute nod.
"We bury the evidence!" They echoed each other. Their eyes reflecting each other, determined.
Hearing this, the three loyal servants gape their mouths open. Xiao Wang Xi did not forget to swiftly block his young prince's ears. Unbelievable, these two are still not done with their evil ploys!
"Empress, you cannot!" In her panic, Tang Mei raised her voice.
"Th--that came from Martial Hall's treasury! Surely that's one of the imperial palace's pri--price possession!" Shuttering, Xiao Yuan Xi started the waterworks.
----
"What a fine job you're doing! A daylight robbery just happened within Zhen's palace!"
In a fit of anger, the emperor harshly berated the head of the imperial guards.
Thieves infiltrated the highly guarded martial practice hall. Took away the Tian Zhen bow, one of the few rare works of the kingdom's famous crafter.
It is traditional for the emperor to shot the first game to signal the start of the fall hunt. The Tian Zhen bow, a ceremonial bow that was specifically crafted to be used by the emperor for this very tradition, was stolen just like that!
They were in the middle of preparations. Everything is going smoothly according to plan. And yet, just when the hunt is nearing, this happened!
In broad daylight to boost!
Glancing at the still kneeling guard, the emperor flare up. "What are you still doing here?! Go catch those thieves for Zhen!"
The man gave a final salutation, not excessive nor lacking. He then exited the imperial study to order his men.
"Your majesty, please calm your anger." Xiao Lin Xi advised his master.
Jiang Yu collapsed down at the dragon throne. Xiao Ling Xi came closer to massage his majesty's shoulders.
"Somehow, it seems there's no end to troubles." Jiang Yu commented. Tired, he buried his head on his hand.
Ye Ai Ning growing demands, the scandal about the portraits, and now thieves intruding inside the palace; taking the Tian Zhen bow with them.
Jiang Yu sense that trouble kept on raining inside the imperial palace like never before.
------
The two culprits of the troubles raining into Jiang Yu sneezed loudly.
"Someone might be thinking about me." Wei Yi Yi mumbled to herself.
Tang Mei walked in front, followed by the two trouble maker. The two eunuchs left to deal with the 'evidence' Wei Yi Yi wanted to bury.
Jiang Liu scratched his nose, feeling a bit itchy. He looked forward and intending to speak but hold it in. Jiang Chen silently rests his head at the crook of Wei Yi Yi's neck. His eyes fluttering as if half asleep. One of his hand firmly hugging Wei Yi Yi's neck while the other layed on her back. Each step, her hair would softly touch Jiang Chen's small hand. Feeling the light tickle, the child unconsciously gasps a lock of hair and hold it firmly before falling into deep slumber.
Jiang Liu jogged to Wei Yi Yi's other side in a small moment of consideration. Like Jiang Chen, he reached out to hold a lock of her hair before saying, "Inside the palace, others won't dare talk about it but big sister, letting your hair down like this is uncalled for a married woman."
"You're talking as if I left it all down."
Wei Yi Yi hated this long hair. She hated it more every time Tang Mei would coil it all up and put the necessary accessories, saying it signifies the status of an empress. It was heavy and neck breaking. Unless it is morning greetings or when meeting the emperor, most of the time, Wei Yi Yi would leave it to the most simple style.
"You're an empress, married to this dynasty's emperor, and royal brother's wife." Jiang Liu emphasized the 'married' part as if he's trying to send a message across.
"...I guess I am..." Wei Yi Yi replied in a careless manner.
It was a political marriage.
Jiang Yu came to be the emperor while 'Wei Yi Yi' was able to cross the line separating them. Since it was a business agreement, what's all the fuss about being husband and wife?
'Wei Yi Yi' sign this contract. Whether she picked up the shorter stick or not, transactions are always like that. As for her, as long as she did her job properly, did not bring trouble to her boss, and stir clear of his wrath, then she'll continue living as free as she could.
Although... this is an irritating job transfer...
"You know how strict royal brother is, and yet, you never change. I don't know what's more amazing, his helplessness when it comes to you or being able to make royal brother give up on punishing your actions." Jiang Liu smiled, finding it silly.
His royal brother, when it comes to protocol, is stick on abiding them. He was so strict with others and to his self.
He is strict with everyone and everything, except towards his empress.
"Big sister, have you ever wonder why there's no empress dowager for you to pay respect to?"
Wei Yi Yi gave a doubtful look towards Jiang Liu. She wonders why he's bringing this up. "...Because the late empress died right after the late emperor to follow him. As for the emperor's birth consort mother... she died of grief... right?"
Jiang Liu chuckled. "As expected of a woman who grew up in her boudoir." Wei Yi Yi glare at him. This brother-in-law is splashing her insult again! "Empress, this prince shall tell you--- Hide! Hide!"
Suddenly, a carriage came passing the pathway they're walking. Everyone panicked and in impulse, Jiang Liu grabbed Wei Yi Yi and hide her with his large frame.
"That scared me! Who with a snail brain would exit towards the south gate! This is so far and desolated! That guy definitely has so much time to waste and decide to give this prince a scare!" Jiang Liu spoke nonstop once the carriage passed them. "Big sister are you alright?! They did see you right? This brother will be dead if they recognize us! What if they said I'm smuggling ladies now while I'm supposed to be in confinement?! Hey, are you listening? Are you---"
"Si Song?"