After the Prime minister took his leave, Zhongshan Huang stayed back and went through some official reports. The reports were a much needed distraction after the Prime Minister's half baked attempts at framing Xiaolian for his daughter's sopposed suicide attempt.
What type of woman hasn't he seen, Xu Mingzhe was no different, She honestly thought she had him fooled. Not that he blamed her Xu Mingzhe wasn't exactly the smartest pea in the pot since she always allowed herself to be used.
First by Yang Suyin and now by Shen Piezhi. Lu Xiaolian was close to four months pregnant. Much care has to be taken not to avoid a miscarriage. Pregnant woman should stay calm and take care of their bod, she shouldn't be disturbed by petty struggles in the Haram.
Unlike most women in the Haram which were manipulative and power hungry. Lu Xiaolian was straight forward and kind hearted. He really liked how her brain worked.
That was one of the few things he had noticed about her the first time they had met years ago. The more he got to know her the deeper he fell in love with her until he could never let go
He always wanted her to leave a carefree life but that was never going to be possible not when they were members of the royal family. Even his mother the Empress never lived a carefree life.
He couldn't change the nature of things in the imperial family but he could lend her a hand and make her situation much better.
* * *
"Mistress his highness is coming over. one of our laundry maids saw him headed this way" Shen Piezhi's personal maid said happily.
"Really, quickly boil some tea and get the kitchen to deliver a light dinner" Shen Piezhi replied eyes bright and running over to the mirror to recheck her hair and makeup.
This was the first time they crown Prince was coming over to her rooms at night in a while not since the year she was married into the Manor.
After She had ensure that she looked presentable without a single hair out of place She rushed over to her seat, picked up a poetry book and pretended to read.
She could barely concentrate on her book not with her heart pounding so heart. She could hear it so loudly, she was so nervous that just these few minutes until he arrived felt like an eternity.
After the nerve retching wait he finally walked into the room. Zhongshan Huang was a very handsome and charismatic man. Even with his cold inexpressive face he was still so handsome.
"Your highness" Shen Piezhi said performing a perfect courtsey that would make her mother proud.
The crown Prince walked forward waving her off. Not seeing the point in engaging in fake pleasantries. The quickest he handle this this overstepping concubine of his the soonest he could get some cuddle time with Lu Xiaolian by now his mother's guard dogs should be asleep.
Since Lu Xiaolian pregnancy had been announced his mother had sent over some palace matron to keep him from disturbing Lu Xiaolian's sleep. The leader of the small group of meddling women was his former wet nurse so his couldn't even order them away.
They had really thought of everything safe from lying in wait for him at night. He had no authority in his own house. Lu Xiaolian didn't understand his plight at all, She finds the whole thing funny.
"Your highness please have a seat I will get someone to send over some light dinner. You must be famished after such a stressful day" She said.
"no need for that, I already had dinner" He replied.
"Oh that's good, Your highness must have had dinner with the crown princess. How is she fairing with sister Mingzhe's suicide attempt. it must not have been eassy handling it all not in her present condition. Her highness is so hard working I wish I could bear a little of her Budden during these trying time" She said walking forward gently.
"How kind of you" He replied eyes narrowed.
"It's only right that I do this your highness. With her present condition, her highness can't possibly attend to everything. I only wish to make everything much more easier for her" she said smiling gently.
"Shen Piezhi, you have always been too confident with yourself that you often see everyone else is a fool" He said busting her bubbles.
"You highness" She said surprised. She had no idea why he would say that. It can't be that he suspects her. No that's not right she had been very careful not to leave anymore clues. Nothing can lead it all back to her.
"Shen Piezhi I thought I made myself clear three month ago" He said.
"Your highness" she said falling to her knees.
"You were warned weren't you? he asked.
"Yes your highness" She said on a low tone.
"Good then don't blame me for being wicked" He said and walked out of the room completely turning a blind ear to her plead of forgiveness.
After Xu Mingzhe was disposed he paid her a visit to warned her never to do anything to harm Lu Xiaolian and here she is once again up to her old tricks.
He had never asked for any concubine yet the officials kept pushing them to him. Even with Lu Xiaolian's pregnancy some Officials were still pushing for more women to be installed in his haram.
Shen Piezhi and Xu Mingzhe would act as cautionary tales on what happens to those that overstepped their boundaries.