As the crown prince-in-training set out to the 8th prince's residence, Yue was lounging by the pond unaware of who was coming until Jiahao approached her.
"Are you alright?" he asked with a concerned look on his face.
"Hao, I'm alright. You really don't have to worry about me too much," she said as she touched his face. "But... I'd really like it if you send me some lotus cakes."
He smiled. She still likes the lotus cakes he makes. Back then, his lotus cakes were bland and were unfit for eating but nevertheless, she ate them with a bright smile on her face. But 3 years have passed already and it was fortunate that he practiced and honed his skills.
"Alright. I'll go make you some," he sighed. "I will be back."
"Alright," she smiled at him.
A smile was on her face as she looked at him leave. She had missed him. He was the only person who would stay by her side with whatever she does. She knew she could count him and she fully knows that he will stand by her side no matter what happens.
In the past, her mission was to bore a heavenly child that the Heavenly Emperor will bless for the sake of the Great Empire of Li who has worshipped him for generations. And now, her mission still stands but it will be up to her who to choose who she will wed and will become the Great Emperor of a great nation.
But once she chooses one, she knew the moment she will bear a child, she will turn into ashes and her soul will ascend back to the heavenly realm where she truly belongs.
Her heart was unsettled. It seemed like her anxiety from the past came back to haunt her once again. She closed her eyes and felt the breeze by the pond. It was calming.
"YUE! HURRY! GO HIDE!" she quickly turned around as her brother ran towards her frantically. "Fang ... arrived. Hide," Xuefeng panted.
She quickly turned herself into a bird and perched by the cherry blossom as she watched Fang storm inside. She sighed. Fang still hasn't changed. But she missed her After all, not all of her memories of Fang were not all bad. There were times were Fang was her favorite playmate.
"What are you doing here?" Xuefeng asked as he held her by the arm.
"I am here to visit the 8th prince. It is my duty to welcome you and him as I am the crown princess," she said as she held her head high.
"Crown princess? You still haven't married a prince yet," Xuefeng said.
"Who is that, Xuefeng?" Jiahao asked as he approached them with a lotus cake in his hand.
Fang looked at the cake in the prince's hand and felt a slight pang in her heart. Yue has always loved to eat lotus cakes from him. And he still makes them even though she was long gone.
"Your Highness," she bowed. "I am General Wen's sister, Wen Fang. I came to greet you and to give you presents," she smiled.
"Ah. You must be the crown princess-in-training," he said. His voice and his expression were indifferent. He seemed like he didn't want her around and the message was clear to her.
"Yes... Your Highness," she said.
"You must've come to see your brother. I am glad, Xuefeng's been down for a couple of days now and you, his sister, is the perfect one to lift his mood. I am quite busy so I will leave both of you here," he said as he looked up to call Yue who was silently watching from above.
"Ah... Your Highness. Is that the infamous red bird in the story of your victory?" Fang asked, stopping him from leaving.
"Yes," he said. His voice was cold as ice and it gave Fang a slight shiver.
"May I hold it?" she asked as she shoved her brother aside. But Jiahao turned the bird away from her.
"She is not for you to touch. I suggest you leave now. Mother Empress doesn't like it when a princess leaves the palace for too long," Jiahao said as he walked away with the bird perched on his broad shoulder.
Fang almost fell on her knees. Her tears were starting to show as she quickly stood up with the assistance of her 2 maids.
Xuefeng sighed and shook his head.
"You still haven't learned. I'll see you later in the banquet together with Father and Mother," he said as he turned to follow the prince but stopped in his tracks for a moment. "I suggest you put the bird out of your mind, sister. That bird is Imperial Highness' prized trophy from the war."
She couldn't utter a word as she watched her brother leave. She couldn't believe how she was treated.
"Shall we go, Your Highness?" her maid asked.
The anger in her heart spread like wildfire. She was humiliated and she wouldn't take that. But she knows she lost this time.
"Let's go," she muttered as she abruptly walked away.
'Someday, you will see me as someone important, Jiahao."