How could he sit still and watch his mother die? How can he be still watching Prince Nuying that has been spoiled all her life, cry? Painful tears that she can't even let out! The worst tears is when you let them out but don't want people to know! It hurts more than the actual reason why you were crying.
He bent closer, raised her face to his, wiped the tears, rested her head on his shoulder and patted her back softly.
It made Nuying sob more.
'This acting has gotten to level ten' Jianguo said in his mind.
"His Majesty, I have returned." Junting said from outside.
"Come in," Ju-long said.
Jianguo rested lazily on the wall and chew his nuts slowly. His hands were itching already.
Junting came in, bowed to the Empress Dowager then to Jianguo. Jianguo nodded in approval and walked out.
Nuying also got up and left. She caught up with Jianguo and bumped his shoulder a bit.
Jianguo chuckled, "You are such a good actor! Your acting skills are the best!"
"You think so too?" Nuying played with her tangled hair.
"Come with me," Jianguo said.
"No, I want to go find Junnian." She ran off immediately after saying it!
"Huh? Junnian. She must be keeping track on him to know his whereabouts."
____________
In the Empress's palace.
Xiaofan danced around with a plate of soup filled with chicken.
The maids had tried to stop her but she wasn't listening.
She hummed some tune as she chew the chicken lap, "Oh so tasty. Oh so yummy!"
"Her Highness," Maid Yue called out. "Please sit still. Where has all your manners gone to?"
"Gone with the wind!" She said and continued humming.
Peizhi smiled wickedly. 'What if she truly goes crazy? Then my madam will have nothing to worry about.' She thought and her eyes glowed.
Outside...
Consort Shan tried to make her way in but the guards weren't allowing her.
"If I'm to report this to the Emperor he will make sure your necks are hacked and your heads hung at the main gate! Let me in!" Consort Shan bellowed. She had been in the sun longer than she expected.
The guards refused to respond to her and her annoying rants.
"Go in there and tell her that I came to visit! She will surely let me in! Go now!!"
The guards stood still without moving a muscle from their spot and eyes ahead.
"You peasants have made me look like a commoner in search of food! I will make sure you are all repaid in millions compared to the shame I've suffered today.
Inside...
A maid came in to whisper to Maid Yue about what was transpiring outside the Empress's main gate. Maid Yue immediately got up, bowed and left. Peizhi wished she could follow but could only sit and look after the Empress.
When Maid Yue got out, she saw that one of the flower pot was broken, the flower still looked alive, she picked it up and dusted the sand away from it leaves. "What is going on here?"
The guards bowed and made way for her to step out.
When Consort Shan saw Maid Yue, she sneered. "Go call me the Empress! I only came to say my greetings but these low lives refused to let me in. Now go, go call her and tell I'm waiting outside!"
"My lady," Maid Yue starting with a calm tone. "The Empress is currently not strong enough to entertain you! She is not yet allowed visitation by the Emperor. Forgive me my lady as I won't be of any help to you. But one thing is for sure, you'd be the first to come see her once the Emperor allows that. For now, there's little or no more I can do! Sorry for whatever the guards might have done to you!"
Consort Shan listened with her mouth parted. She scoffed and turned away. She stood there for a while then stormed off.
Maid Yue looked down at the flower, "Did she break it?"
"Yes, she had thrown a stone aiming for the door but hit the pot instead." One of the guards answered.
All the flowers the Empress had was given to her by the Empress Dowager... How would they tell the story of one pot being broken when it was left in their care?
She went back in, "Find another pot in the shop for this flower... It's still very much alive." Maid Yue said to the younger maid!
"Yes, I understand." The girl left with the flower in hand.
Inside the Chamber...
Xiaofan was now laying on the bed but still had a chicken drumstick with her.
"Your Highness, you can't eat while lying down!" Maid Yue immediately rushed forward to sit her up. "I left you here to look after her! Not to watch her from the corner of your eyes!" She shouted at Peizhi.
"I want more drumsticks," Xiaofan whined. "More!"
"There's something you should know." Maid Yue said with a Stern voice!
"I want more drumsticks!" Xiaofan whined again.
Maid Yue watched her some time then went off to the kitchen.
Thirty minutes later, Maid Yue returned with a plate filled with drumsticks!
"Oh wow!" Xiaofan eyes popped. "Before I died, was I allowed to eat all these?"
"Everything was given to you, you just didn't have any appetite for them."
Xiuying, you had all these but rejected them? If only I was allowed to eat this much! It was only Yunshen that allowed me eat as much as I want... Yunshen. If I'm to go back, he would be happy to see how far I've gotten!
She looked down on the drumsticks and smiled, took one and gave it a big bite! "Hmm, yum."
"One of your flower pot was broken," Maid Yue said. "You will be punished for it!"
"Hunh? I didn't break it, or did I?" Xiaofan asked.
"No, Consort Shan did!"
Consort Shan... That old wench! She never liked Xiuying, always tried to get her in trouble.
"Why did you let her go?" Xiaofan questioned.
"I'm not in position to discipline her and you are not in position to come out yet."
"Hmm! I'm telling my father."