Meanwhile at the Prince Zi mansion:
(This is told from Chiu Yeung's perspective)
This morning I woke up to the crow's croaking and I quickly made An Ping help me dress up as I wanted to take an early walk in the gardens. However, it seems someone had beaten me to it. standing underneath the tree was a man with his hair tied into a ponytail. He seemed to think very deeply as he didn't notice someone coming up towards him. When I walk up to him, I realise the man was His Highness. I've never seen him smile, so why is he smiling about? Prince Tian You must've noticed my presence because he immediately turned around. However, his face wasn't plastered with the usual cold expression, instead, it was much warmer and softer. I looked at him and greeted him he too greeted me by saying "Morning to you Princess Consort,". What's up with him today? He usually calls me Chiu Yeung. Why's he being so polite all of the sudden? It seems he is in a good mood because he looks softer and more approachable today.
"Good morning your highness," I greeted " May I ask why you seem to be especially happy today?". He looked at me and replied, " I am in a good mood. Let's all have breakfast together,". What? Since when would he ever start to ask me to do something? Whatever, I'm quite curious about what going to happen. I'll just pretend to follow him first. I nodded at him and proceeded to walk behind him. He walked quite slowly and waited for me to catch up to him. Was he being considerate to me or something? He stopped and I stopped right next to him. He seemed to want to strike up a conversation with me which is probably why he waited for me. We continued walking side by side and Prince Tian You asked, "I realised yesterday that we're married yet I seem to know nothing about you. How about you start talking about yourself? I wish to get to know the person who I've to spend the rest of my life with,".
I looked at him in surprise and started talking "My mother was a waitress working in Hai Nan*(1). Which is why most of the other princesses look down on me. Imperial father met my mother over a meal. He had come to the restaurant my mother worked in and it was love at first sight. They had a one-night stand and my mother got pregnant with me. Mother died before actually knowing Imperial father's identity. My mother died when I was 5. Around that time father had heard from the imperial astronomer that he was meant to have 5 daughters and at that time fifth imperial sister had just been born. The astronomer at that time had estimated when I was born so imperial father knew it must've been my mother who bore him a daughter. It took him half a year to find me. Imperial father brought me back to the place when I was 6 because I refused to go with him when he first found me. After all, grandma was becoming sicker and sicker. I only left with him three months later as my grandma died, and I became an orphan. When I entered the palace known of my imperial sister liked me because of my mother's background hence I was often bullied. Imperial father treated me quite well as he was guilty that he couldn't find me quicker, that way my mother might not have died," I explained, throughout the time I was talking I realised the prince only listened and didn't interrupt me. We had arrived at the dining hall, and everyone was inside already. Li Tian Yao greeted everyone as she asked, "How comes imperial Ge Ge came together with Imperial Sao Sao*(2)?". I was about to speak however his highness beat me to it. "We met each other on the way here," he replied. He looked around and ordered us to sit down and the maids to bring in the food.
The meal ended quite peacefully with Tian Yao watching my every move. What's up with her? At the end of the meal, Tian Yao caught up to me and asked "gege are you alright,". I nodded in reply whilst asking her why I wouldn't be. "Well, gege, you just seem so happy today,". I almost laughed out loud, just what did Li Tian You act like every day? "Oh, really," I muttered whilst turning my attention to the person behind her, Li Tian Xia. "Why don't you just try to get along with her? Perhaps you might even enjoy her company," I suggested. Li Tian Yao shook her head and answered, "I would rather have Ming Yu's company than her,". I looked at Tian Yao and signed. I ought to ask Tian You why both she and Tian Jing hated her so much.
Glossary:
1. A city in the Dong Yue kingdom, near the coastline.
2. Sao Sao means sister-in-law in mandarin. You usually call your older brother's wife this.