" How was it, Ying Yue? How did it go?" The princess asked me in an interrogative tone.
" It wasn't that bad. He's not comfortable around me yet. Also, he doesn't show any kind of feelings and emotions. He's going through some kind of trauma". I responded in an assertive tone.
" A Trauma?" The princess reacted shockingly.
" Yeah! The trauma that Li Wei went through is way too deep. It won't be easy to get through his heart-------------------- I'll be going now! See you tomorrow, your highness!" I bid my goodbyes to the princess.
" See you tomorrow, Ying Yue!" The princess said in return.
Outside, I thought back about my private session with the young prince.
( Li Wei must have suffered a lot after losing his mother. How to get through to him? I want to help that child somehow, but how? How should I proceed?)
Ying Residence
" Yue, what are you thinking about so intensely?" Ying Jie asked me in an interrogative tone.
" Nothing! Nothing at all!" I sighed.
" I know you very well, sister. When you're lying, you never look at me. You look elsewhere". Ying Jie said to me in an assertive tone.
" You know me so well. No one knows me better than you do. The thing is, the Emperor's child, Li Wei cannot speak. He lost the ability to speak after losing his mother, the Empress. He hasn't spoken since. It was very awkward to communicate with him. He uses a diary to communicate with people. The trauma he went through is way too deep. Getting through to him won't be easy. I don't know how to proceed with him". I said in an informative tone.
" He's unable to talk, you say. Did they go to consult doctors about his condition?" Ying Jie asked me in an interrogative tone.
" Yeah, they did! According to Princess Li Mei, they went to several doctors, but none of them could cure him". I responded in an informative tone.
" He went through a trauma. There's only one way to cure him". Ying Jie said in an assertive tone.
" Which one?" I asked him in an interrogative tone.
" If he were to go through something similar, that would cure him of his inability to speak". Ying Jie spoke out in an assertive tone.
" I see! What you said is reasonable enough, but I could never go through with it. I could never put Prince Li Wei in such a position just to hear him speak again". I said in a disapproving tone.
" You like Prince Li Wei that much?" Ying Jie asked me in an interrogative tone.
" It's too soon to say the word like, don't you think?" I asked my big brother with a smile.
" Anyway, what about the emperor? What does he look like?" Ying Jie changed the discussion topic.
" I can't answer your question. I haven't met him yet". I responded.
" I'm happy for you. Looks like you like taking care of children. I'm sorry for doubting your abilities. I should have supported you from the very beginning. I'm sorry!" Ying Jie spoke out in an apologetic tone.
" Why are you apologizing? You've always supported me for as long as I can remember. You're the best brother ever and I don't have anything against you. You've always wanted the best for me. Whatever you did was for my good. I don't blame you for anything". I spoke out with a smile.
" Sister, I didn't know you saw me that way. I'm so happy!" said my brother while sobbing.
" Let's eat! Tomorrow will be another long day". I said with a smile.
" You're right! We better eat and go to bed". My brother sat up at the dining table and we started eating.
Dinner lasted for half an hour at most. We spent the entire dining time silently.
" Good night, brother!" I walked off of the dining table.
" Have a good night too, sister!" Ying Jie said in return.
Li Imperial Palace
" What did you think of Ying Yue, mother?" The princess asked the empress dowager.
" She seems okay! She's also very polite". Empress Dowager responded.
" You think so too? Brother, can you tell me why you didn't come to meet Ying Yue today?" The princess asked the emperor.
" I was very busy. I'm the Emperor and as such, I have a lot of responsibilities. Don't worry! I'll meet her, eventually". The emperor said in a reassuring tone.
" You say that, but why can't I believe you?" The princess asked questionably.
Ying Residence
" Brother, wake up! Breakfast is ready!" I called out to my brother repeatedly.
" Sister, did you say breakfast just now?" Ying Jie woke up at the word "breakfast!"
" Yeah!" I confirmed.
" What's the sky color today? Is it raining or is it snowing? My sister made breakfast for me today. It's a miracle, and she even woke me up". My brother said while laughing.
" Stop joking around and get ready. Come down for breakfast when you're done". I exited Ying Jie's room.
" Yes, chief!" Ying Jie continued to laugh.
Fifteen minutes later, we were done having breakfast.
" I'll be on my way. Have a good day at work today!" I took my bag and headed towards the exit.
" Thanks!" Ying Jie said thankfully.
Li Imperial Palace
" Ying Yue greets her royal Princess!" I bowed respectfully before the princess.
" You may stand up!" The princess said in a commanding voice.
" Thanks, your majesty!" I rise.
" If you're looking for my nephew, he should be in his room". The princess said in an assertive tone.
" Which direction is his room in?" I asked the princess.
" Go straight ahead, then turn right. The second room on your right is my nephew's room". The princess gave me directions.
" Thanks, Princess! I'll see you later!" I walked past her.
" See you later!" The princess said silently.
MPS Police Station
" Good morning, everyone!" Ying Jie greeted his colleagues.
" Good morning to you too, Ying Jie!" Police Detective Xu Lifang greeted him back.
" What's up, guys!" Police Detective Lui Xiang greeted everyone present.
" Now that everyone is here, we can begin. We have a case to take care of. Three days ago, there was a masked thief seen in Oriental Plaza. 500 Jewels disappeared from the store, but the strange thing is that the next day, the 500 missing jewels were returned to the police station". Commissioner Beiyang spoke out in an informative tone.
" The 500 missing jewels were returned? A thief who returns what he has stolen! Xu Lifang reacted in a shocking tone.
" What a strange thief? What do you think, Ying Jie?" Lui Xiang asked Ying Jie's opinion.
" What if he didn't want to steal these jewels in the first place? This stealing has another motive hidden behind it". Ying Jie gave out his opinion.
" A motive?" Commissioner Beiyang asked in an interrogative tone.
" I'll be back in a minute". Ying Jie moved several steps away from everyone.
Li Imperial Palace
" Prince Wei, today we will have a conversation. Do you remember yesterday I told you I wanted to know you better?" I asked the young prince in an interrogative tone.
Prince Li Wei (Scribble): Yes!
" I was serious. I want to know everything about you more than anything". I said in an assertive tone.
Prince Li Wei (Scribble): Why? Why? Why do you want to know me? I have nothing for people to be curious about.
" Don't say that Prince Wei! You're a very sensible child. You're kind, cute, and smart. See, there are so many things to like about you". I said joyfully.
Prince Li Wei (Scribble): You like me now, but in a few days, you'll get bored with me.
In the midst of our conversation, I heard my phone rang in my bag.
" My phone's ringing! Excuse me for a minute! I have to take this call". I said to the prince.
Prince Li Wei (Scribble): I'll excuse myself!
" You don't need to go anywhere. You may stay! I'll have the call right here". I spoke out in an assertive tone.
Prince Li Wei (Scribble): Okay!
Imperial Nanny Ying Yue
"Hello! Brother, is everything okay?"
Police Detective Ying Jie
"Not really! We're in charge of a strange case."
Imperial Nanny Ying Yue
"What kind of case?"
Police Detective Ying Jie
"A masked thief robbed a jewelry store three days ago. The next day, the missing jewelry was returned to the police station."
Imperial Nanny Ying Yue
"You should have figured it out by now. This case is very simple. The masked thief has no intention of stealing anything. My guess: He's looking for someone."
Police Detective Ying Jie:
"He's looking for someone? Who?"
Imperial Nanny Ying Yue
"How should I know? Don't worry! He won't steal anything, I can guarantee it. I'll talk to you later!"
Police Detective Ying Jie
"Thanks for your help!"
(Ying Yue hangs up the call).
" It was my brother". I said to the prince.
MPS Police Station
" What's this?" Ying Jie found a note in the mail and picked it up.
Unknown: "I'll be robbing the Beijing Guwan Cheng today at 10:30 P.m"
" Commissioner! Commissioner!" Ying Jie came back holding the note in his hand. He yelled out the commissioner's name.
" Why are you yelling, Ying Jie? What happened?" Lui Xiang asked Ying Jie in a worried tone.
" Commissioner, I found this in the mail". Ying Jie handed the written note to the commissioner.
"I'll be robbing the Beijing Guwan Cheng today at 10:30 P.m" Commissioner Beiyang read the note.
" He finally shows himself. Gentlemen, we must be ready to greet him. He made fun of the investigative police. He will pay for that". Commissioner Beiyang said in an assertive tone.
Somewhere in the shadows
Unknown: Today should be fun. I hope I'll find what I'm looking for.
The next chapter hits on September 7, 2020!!!