Far from her mischievous gaze, her tears ridden eyes are hard to take for Jiang Liu. He was not used to this kind of sister-in-law. Who could have thought, that other than his royal brother, there is someone else who's able to send her emotion spiraling out of control.
"Tang Mei, escort the empress back to her palace." Jiang Liu called out to the dumbfounded servant.
"Ah--- ye…yes, your highness." Tang Mei shattered in her reply, her whole being was knocked senseless.
Tang Mei, with rigid movements, assisted the empress to stand up. Wei Yi Yi dejectedly leaned on Tang Mei's shoulders while Jiang Chen firmly held into the ends of her sleeves as the maidservant half-carried her back to direction of the inner palace.
"Don't let anyone see you." Jiang Liu added, he remained motionless in his spot. With his gaze, he followed them until they reached a certain distance. After a while, he said, "Were there any witness?"
The cluster of leaves remained fluttering with the wind but the silence was never disturbed. The presence of another being cannot be perceived and yet, with deep voice, a man respectfully answered, "None, your highness."
"Make sure of it. You know what to do." Jiang Liu said in a tranquil voice. The expression on his face remained stagnant as if he was not ordering to silence a person. It was at this rare moment in which you would realize that Jiang Liu is indeed the emperor's brother from the same mother. "Also, investigate to which noble family belong that carriage and who is that 'Si Song'."
Jiang Liu did not wait for any response. He picked up his folded fan from his sleeves and flicked it open. With one hand gently swaying the folding fan and the other one at his back, he extrudes an aura of a dignified scholar. If not for his mismatched build and face, he might actually pass as one.
Taking his first step, a small 'crack' sounded from within his body. He hounded--- one hand on his knees and another supporting his back--- he cried internally, 'It hurts! It hurts!'
He might have strained his back while running with Jiang Chen at his back. That child is so heavy! Is he still a puppy? Isn't he a piglet already?! For him to grow up as such, just what exactly does the empress feed him these days?!
Thinking about his efforts, he complained, "Aiya, my dear sister-in-law, see how loyal this younger brother is? I'm diligently cleaning up after you! You should hurry up and acknowledge me already! Obviously, this one is a better choice than some round brat!"
A proper adult is seriously competing with a child barely six years old for attention.
For the following days, Jiang Liu obediently remained inside his prince palace. Not because he learned his lessons and accepted his punishment, rather, he was suffering from back pain and sore muscle like some old man.
-------
Upon returning at Xian Feng Palace, Wei Yi Yi run to her chambers and latched the door. She thrown herself directly to the bed, gathered all blanket and pillow closer, and buried herself to their softness.
As the look in her eyes turned distant, the surrounding seemed hazy and surreal. In pain, she clutched into her head as distinct voice echoed in her ears.
'Yi Yi, look. It says here that if you wrapped around a blanket, it could imitate the sense of 'hug'. When you sleep at night and feel lonely, this could work out. I read somewhere that hugs have been scientifically proven to ease sadness. Let's go buy heaps of blankets! Oh, and some pillows too.'
When they were young, Si Song would read random things in the internet in order to tell her stories. That time---in as a same case as before--- Si Song passed her the laptop and she curiously looked. It was a blog for pets and the article talk about how to wrap your dog to calm them when they panic. Black lines appears on Wei Yi Yi's head, she almost face palm right there in then.
'Once you grow up more, Wei Yi Yi, we'll be able to build our home. You won't be lonely anymore.'
It was still vivid in her mind. Whenever he's talking to her, Si Song would smile at the end of his sentences and act as if he was older than Wei Yi Yi. Everything he acted like this, she couldn't repute him with any words.
Those simple phrases, until adulthood, followed her closely. It formed her habits and made up most of who she is.
Remembering their silly yet simple life, Wei Yi Yi tears flowed out her eyes silently.
In their group, Lan Zhuang is the oldest and the strictest, most of the time--- if not everyday--- he would discipline Ye Ming, He Lian and her. On the other hand, Si Song is the youngest and despite this, he's the most caring in the group.
Their loud personalities easily overcast Si Song's presence. Even so, he was always there.
Why can't she go home?
Why was she brought here? Why did she need to come and be 'Wei Yi Yi's' replacement? Why must she live as someone she's not?
For loving someone too much; for suffering long enough for this fruitless feelings, 'Wei Yi Yi' died of sadness. But that was her decision. She's the one who took the step.
And so, why is she here? In exchange for her?
By midnight, Wei Yi Yi caught a terrible fever. Mirages of over lapping memories flash before her eyes. Her temperature raised and turned her delirious.