"Thank you, Xiao Er. I can wash by myself."
When I finally awake, I found that Xiao Er had brought along some newly appointed maid, under the Prince's order, to bring me to a hot bath. Feeling relief, to think that I finally got a chance to bath, I let her help me to the back of the chamber, where a large wooden tub of steaming hot water is hidden behind a large wooden screen is located.
My body is still aching and my back is still a bit sore. That, couple with the existing illness that this original body already had, I feel totally lethargic and I was hoping that a hot bath can elevate that.
Damn, the Prince really takes me hard last night.
"But, Consort, the Prince has ordered us to help you bath and then give you a massage."
No, this won't do!
I don't know why Jae Hee doesn't want anyone to see his body, but for me, who in their right mind wants a woman to wash him, especially when you know you're bent!
In a sudden, a piece of memory flashes in my mind. A ten year old Jae Hee, naked in a wooden tub, while his white porcelain skin is red, trembling in fear and... disgust. An elderly women, still beautiful despite her age, is washing him, brushing lower, lower on his back. The young Jae Hee cries in silence.
What the? He was molested by that perverted maid since young. No wonder he refuse to have any maid serve him during bath. I can even feel his fear, as his memory starts to meld into mine.
"Consort, what's wrong? Are you sick? I will get the physician now."
Xiao Er's concerns wake me up from my stupor. I didn't realize that I'm trembling, in fear. Jae Hee's trauma seems to affect me too.
"No! Xiao Er... I'm okay. Leave me, here. I'll attend to myself."
"But..."
"Please... out. Now!"
I assert a bit firmly at the last word, making her a bit shock. However, she accepts my wish and lead the rest of the maid out. She left me on the side of the tub. Thank God for the wooden beam that serve as towel holder is next to me or else, I can't even stand.
I proceed to strip, and get into the large tub, by stepping on the stool. After submerging myself into the hot water, I can feel my aching body rejuvenated, making me lean on edge of the tub, closing my eyes, relaxing in content.
"Host, have you thought about your new task?"
----------
Mo Xue, the fourth prince, is standing in silence, listening to the ministers in court, demanding the Emperor to annul the marriage between him and his Consort.
Despite the anger resound in all corners of the court, the Emperor ignores them, blatantly shifting his focus on his son. The Emperor inwardly smirk, as he notice how still his prince is. He knows his fourth son well, the more he kept his silence, the more deadly his course of act later is.
However, even he wouldn't know that his fourth son is planning to disperse his harem all together.
All for the sake of one ger.
"Your Majesty, my daughter has entered the Fourth Prince courtyard the longest. By right, she deserves to be honoured as the senior in his household. But now, she is in jail! All of this is the act the imbecile ger. I beg you, Your Majesty. Please uphold justice for my daughter."
Minister Ning pleaded in front of the court while most of the other ministers are echoing his words. However, their voice was silenced, after the Emperor waves his hand.
"My dear minister," the Emperor starts, "Consort Jae Hee is send here as a peace offering from the Kingdom of Silla. By breaking the marriage and the treaty, This Emperor will be deemed unfaithful towards the treaty. Who then will trust This Emperor and His Kingdom?"
The court grows silence over the logic of their Emperor. The ministers now their head low, but some of them are sharing a look. This however, doesn't escape the Prince's eyes.
"Your Majesty, if you please. This servant may have the solution for this problem."
One of the ministers, bowing behind Minister Ning, carefully raised his voice, attracting the court attention.
"Oh, you do? Please tell This Emperor."
"Your Majesty, from what I have gathered, the Prince just got back from the border and the may haven't consummate their marriage yet. If it's possible, Your Majesty can annulled their marriage and marry the ger to another Prince. To the Sixth Prince perhaps."
Murmur of agreement surrounds the court, making them failed to notice the fuming anger of a certain Prince. The Emperor jerks his brow in amusement. He watches from the side line, waiting for his Fourth Prince to explode.
The Sixth Prince in question is quite pitiful. Having contacted with a high fever in the age of four, the Prince was mentally disabled. Because of that, he was the only Prince without any household to his name and, marrying the ger to him can actually be considered as a punishment.
"What do you think, Xue Er?"
The ministers shift their gaze towards the Fourth Prince. However, their eyes were met with the icy, murderous gaze of him.
"This Prince has already consummate his marriage with His Consort. My bride might already be with child."
This revelation shocks both the ministers and the Emperor, both with different reason. Continuing the revelation, the Prince delves further.
"Speaking of that, does Minister Ning know why your daughter is being detained?"
----------
"Consort, the palace has summoned your presence."
"Now?"
I was ushered to change to a more appropriate attire for court. Thank goodness they don't have to change my inner garment as well, so I dumbfoundedly let them attend to me while I ask my system what had happen.
"The Prince has presented the royal physician to the court, host, and he have submitted the proof of your illness. Plus, the Prince has claimed that you might be with a child."
"What?! We just do it once. ONCE! How on earth can I get pregnant? Even then, they wouldn't know right now, right?"
"..."
Shit... What have I gotten myself into?
Without further ado, Xiao Er escorted me outside, towards the awaiting carriage. I still feel a bit sore, despite the hot bath. Well, try to shove a stick up in your ass, and then you'll know. No, not a stick.... a...
Jae, focus.
"What do you think they want to do with me, Zero Three?"
"Based on the flow of event, they might want to check your body for the remaining poison and perhaps check your pulse for pregnancy."
"Can you check it for me? Does any residue of those poisons remain inside?"
"Wait a moment, host... There are some for wolf's bane and the cohort, host."
The journey to the palace took around thirty minutes or so. The ride was a bit bumpy, but the soft wool cushions my sore bum, so, it was okay.
Xiao Er dutifully stays by my side as we were greeted and escort by the eunuch. The journey from the entrance we come in to the hall where the court assembled is quite far. It was a bit hard for me walk all the way there with my behind being that sore. Ughh... horny Prince! Just how rough he is with me last night?
"Consort Jae Hee has arrived!"
Okey, focus, Jae. Focus.
It's time to kick some concubine's butt.
Or perhaps their father's butt.