Ying Yue runs out of her mother's residence to go see what the noise was about; followed by Zhi Ruo and Bolin. Making their way closer to the entrance, Ying Yue was stopped by her father.
"Ying Yue? What are you wearing?! Go and get changed right now!"
"What? I'm always wearing this."
Ying Yue was back to dressing in male clothing as most of her wardrobe consisted of only that. Ying Yue was used to it, seeing a tea stain here and there was nothing new. She felt comfortable and was always home so she never felt the need to dress up or follow proper etiquette. Ying Yue watched as her father glared at her before motioning nearby maids to clean her up.
"Take Ying Yue and clean her up before the crown prince sees her."
"What? He's here?"
Bolin and Zhi Ruo watched as the maids dragged Ying Yue off. With only the marquis left, Bolin and Zhi Ruo could feel the hate vibes the marquis was giving off. Quickly bidding him farewell, they both decided they've stayed long enough. Making their way out of the marquis residence, they could see the crown prince carriage; parked right outside. Moving to the side, they could see the crown prince step out of his carriage.
"Oh? If it isn't general Bolin and lady Zhi Ruo. What brings you two here?"
Bolin quickly greets the crown prince. Although he hated the crown prince for forcing Ying Yue, Bolin still had to follow protocols.
"Greetings, crown prince. Ying Yue was merely bored and wanted company. We simply came to keep her company but now that you're here, we will be leaving."
Quickly bidding the crown prince farewell, Bolin and Zhi Ruo could only watch as the crown prince made his way inside the marquis residence. Once he was out of sight and the entrance closed, Bolin kicks at the wall to release his frustration.
"Dammit! Curse him!"
"Bolin! Stop it!"
Zhi Ruo drags Bolin along to her carriage that was parked a good few feet away from the marquis residence. Zhi Ruo lightly taps Bolin on the shoulder and stares at him angrily.
"What do you think you're doing Bolin? You could've gotten us in trouble! You're lucky the crown prince didn't notice!"
"What did I do wrong?!"
"Did you not see your own face when you watched him walk away? A face full of hate and disgust! You're lucky he didn't see it, and just now you were going to shout out degrading words too!"
"So what?! I hate that man! I never liked him from the start and now I have another reason to hate him!"
"Are you doing this for Ying Yue or yourself Bolin? Do you... still love Ying Yue?"
Zhi Ruo clenches her fists and braces herself for what Bolin was going to say. Thinking to herself that there's no way she could ever measure up to Ying Yue's worth in Bolin's heart. Bolin stares at Zhi Ruo, knowing what she was thinking; Bolin grabs hold of her hands and catches her off guard.
"It's true I used to love Ying Yue. I feel that there's still a part of me still do, but when I see what she has gone through already, I.... I don't want my feelings to weigh her down even more. I like you as a person Zhi Ruo, I really do. I just want you to give me some time...to just come to terms with my feelings."
"I understand Bolin, Ying Yue is important to me too. I owe her my life afterall, but when this is all over...I want to be seen as a love interest."
Zhi Ruo blushes from her own words. Shocked at how demanding she could be if she really tried. Bolin couldn't help, but break into a chuckle. Finally releasing his hold on Zhi Ruo; the two decided to part ways. Bolin watched as Zhi Ruo disappeared into her carriage before taking off on his horse.
Meanwhile, Ying Yue was cleaned up from head to toe. Although reluctant, Ying Yue still made a deal and now has to live with it. Finally coming to terms with it, and realizing she can no longer run, Ying Yue remained still as the maids dressed her and did her hair. Finally seating herself at a table; the maids moved on to fixing her makeup. Dressed in a pale orange dress, with gold embroidery, and using only gold jewelry and hairpins; Ying Yue could no longer see her real self in her reflection.
"Sigh....let's get this over with."
As Ying Yue walked out the door, she felt that her right wrist was oddly light for some reason. Ying Yue finally realized the maids had taken off the jade bracelet she had received from Jianyu,
"Where's my jade bracelet? Bring it to me."
The head maid lightly nods her head and heads off to retrieve Ying Yue's bracelet. Quickly running back, she hands Ying Yue her bracelet. Feeling a rush of relief, Ying Yue places it back onto her wrist.
"Where am I supposed to go?
"My lady, the crown prince and the marquis are in the main hall."
"You're all dismissed, I can go there alone."
Running late now, Ying Yue thanks her maids and leaves the room. Making her way towards the main hall, Ying Yue spots Jia Li all dolled up with her maid beside her. Ying Yue knew Jia Li was stubborn but not like this. Something finally clicked inside of Ying Yue's head. If she could somehow help Jia Li win the crown prince's affection again, then maybe the crown prince would drop the idea of marrying her.
"Jia Li!"
"Well, if it isn't Ying Yue. I tend to forget you're a woman sometimes."
"Ohhhh...is that any way to talk to someone who might just help you win back the prince's affections?"
"What? You? Help me? Hah...don't lie to me."
"I'm serious Jia Li. You want the prince's affection and I don't. If I can somehow divert his attention back to you then maybe he'll let me go. It's worth a shot."
"Sigh...that's not going to work, Ying Yue. And here you got my hopes up for nothing...."
"Wait,! Just listen to what I have to say!"
"There is no point. I don't want your help. I'll figure something out on my own."
"Ah! Wait!"
Jia Li quickly turned around and headed for the main hall. Ignoring Ying Yue's screams. Ying Yue was now slouching her shoulders in disappointment and dragging herself to the main hall. Her plan was not going to work without Jia Li taking part in it. Now that her plan has fail, Ying Yue was back to square one. After walking for five minutes, Ying Yue finally at the entrance to the main hall. Glancing around the room, Ying Yue notices Jia Li crying and shaking in the corner of the room. Thinking to herself about what could've happened in such a short amount of time. Marquis Zi Wei Yang motions for Ying Yue to come greet the crown prince that was sitting beside him. Rolling her eyes, Ying Yue walks over to her father and the crown prince who was too busy fanning himself. Clasping her hands together and lightly bending, Ying Yue reluctantly greets the crown prince.
"Sigh...greetings crown prince. What brings you to our humble home?"
"Ying Yue! That's no way to speak to the crown prince!"
"What happened to Jia Li, father?"
"Aiyah, that disrespectful girl got what she deserved. No one gave her permission to come in here in the first place. She only got what she deserved."
"I don't mind leaving, Jia Li is the crown prince's wife in the first place. They are not officially divorced."
Ying Yue watched as the crown prince facial expression change from her statements. Rather than being mad, the crown prince breaks into a chuckle. Quickly standing up he walks over to Ying Yue and motions for her to rise. Using his closed-up fan, he places the tip of his fan under Ying Yue's chin, causing her to look up.
"I'm here to ask you to accompany me today, not Jia Li. We have a lot to catch up on."
Ying Yue brushes away the crown prince's fan and stares into his eyes. Without any hesitation, Ying Yue declines his offer.
"I don't know what you're talking about, I am a busy person so perhaps my sister can accompany you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."
"I'm not giving you an option, so don't make this harder than it has to be."
".....Very well. If it's an order, I have no choice but to follow it. Shall we chat in the garden?"
Ying Yue motions for the crown prince to follow her to the family garden. Making sure she was always a few steps ahead of the crown prince; Ying Yue refused to walk side by side with the crown prince. Finally reaching the pavilion in the middle of the garden, Ying Yue seats herself before the crown prince. Thinking that maybe if she acted like this the crown prince will find her unfit to live in the royal palace and finally let her go.
"I know what you're like as a person Ying Yue, so you can stop acting."
"I'm sorry crown prince, I don't understand what you're talking about."
The crown prince reaches across the table and grabs hold of Ying Yues hand. Catching her off guard, Ying Yue quickly breaks free from the crown prince's grab.
"I...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to tug my hand away so quickly."
"It's alright Ying Yue. I probably scared you."
Ying Yue hides her hands under the table and tries to calm herself. Wiping her hand on her dress; Ying Yue reaches for the bracelet that she got from Jianyu. Using her left thumb and index finger she rubs the bracelet to calm herself down.
"What did you want to talk about crown prince? Surely you didn't come here just to check up on how I was doing."
"Is it wrong to want to check up on the woman you care for? I can barely wait to call you my wife Ying Yue."
"Hah...is that so...."
Keeping her gaze down, all Ying Yue could think about was Jianyu and wondering where he was. Still rubbing her bracelet, Ying Yue sucks in her tears and stares back at the crown prince.
"Crown prince Wang Yong....why are you so fixated on me now? You could have anyone else and your relationship with Jia Li was fine, so why?"
"I already lost you once Ying Yue. I'm not going to let it happen again. I just wish you could look at me the same way as before."
"I don't think I can anymore, your highness. I mean look at what's happened already. Time cannot be turned back and what's done is done. My heart.....no longer beats for you."
The crown prince locks eyes with the teary-eyed Ying Yue as she told him she loved another man. Filled with rage, the crown prince slams his hands on the tables and stands up. Glaring over Ying Yue, he walks to her and grabs her by the shoulders; shaking her profusely.
"Who is this man?! Tell me! I'm going to make him regret ever being born!"
Ying Yue remained silent and refused to say anything. Filled with rage, the crown prince finally breaks his hold on Ying Yue and walks away before turning around glancing at Ying Yue's thin figure from the back.
"You will still marry me and in one week and soon you won't be able to think of any other man other than me."
With a heavy heart Ying Yue sat silently in the garden, staring at the scenery. Silently wishing for Jianyu to come and take her away from everything.
"I'm waiting Jianyu..."