"She is in prison." The maid says, Yi Hua widens her eyes, gasping out loud.
"In…what?!" She asks, screaming out loud and startling the maids. Flinching, the maids look away, avoiding meeting Yi Hua's gaze for the fear of receiving some punishment.
Yi Hua shakes her head no, gawking at the maids searching to hear for answers but the maids remain still, "What do you mean by that? Why is she in prison?!" Yi Hua asks, composing herself as she grows panicked.
Upon the constant silence and lack of response from the maids, she grits her teeth and approaches one of the maids, standing before the maid she tilts her head trying to look through the maid as the maid uncomfortably shifts a step back.
Yi Hua grabs onto the maid's shoulder, startling the poor maid, "What happened? I asked you something!" The maid trembles at Yi Hua's raged and fierce behavior which she witnessed for the first time all her life.
"M-My Lady…Your Majesty…punished her because you went missing. That's what we heard…I-I don't know anything more…" The maid says, on the verge of tears while the others stay frozen on their feet.
Yi Hua widens her eyes as her lips tremble, her anger rising up at the reason for Lin Yi's punishment, "Okay, you all can leave. I will find my way to the King's chamber." Yi Hua orders, the maids heave out a sigh of relief, nodding their heads, and they all walk away.
"Yang Yang!" Yi Hua calls out for Lu Yang Yang, he appears from behind her, "Don't shout too loud, let's go and talk to your brother first." Lu Yang Yang says, floating ahead, Yi Hua frowns, "But why? Dad punished her then why do I need to see Yi Zhen." Yi Hua says, whining.
"Dad?" Lu Yang Yang says, raising a brow.
"Ah, it felt like a habit as it came naturally. Not my fault…also, I always wanted to have my dad. It's a shame if I didn't fulfill my dad's loss now when I have the opportunity." Yi Hua says, smiling slightly.
"It's no worries, I was just messing with you." Lu Yang Yang says, smiling at her.
"But the king might be your dad but he is not the typical dad you wish to have. You would need your brother's help." Lu Yang Yang says, looking ahead and gesturing to her to follow.
"But why?" Yi Hua asks, confused.
"He is the king, Hua. He has a position and reputation to keep up. Also, being a King means being ruthless and fierce. You can't grow weak if you wish to protect your family and the nation, understand?" Lu Yang Yang lectures her as they make their way ahead, Yi Hua minimizes her conversation as she finds the guards around.
Soon she finds herself in front of another building, "Woah, Brother Zhen lives in such a lovely environment." Yi Hua gapes at the beautiful scenic beauty around, "You can create one for yourself if you want to. It's not hard, you just need to plant them and take good care of them." Lu Yang Yang comments, Yi Hua looks at him briefly before she whines looking around, happily.
"Your Highness." The guards standing before the gate of the building call out for her, raising their weapons they move aside, " Prince Yi isn't inside, he is busy with the guards in Patrol Squadron."
Yi Hua frowns, "Then…when will he return back to his chamber?" Yi Hua asks, the guards exchange a glance and look at Yi Hua, "Your Highness, we have no idea. He has been in there ever since your absence and seldomly returns back." The guard answers, hesitantly.
"Then I will go and see him-"
"Your Highness." Someone calls her from behind, Yi Hua frowns and turns around to find an old lady standing before her, smiling at Yi Hua the lady bows her head low, "Queen Hu wants to see you in her chamber. We have been looking for you." The old lady says, Yi Hua frowns.
"You are?" She mutters, her question startling the woman.
"Your…Highness, I am the head matron. I serve the Queen." The old woman introduces herself with a surprised and bewildered look, Yi Hua awkwardly chuckles and nods her head, "Ah, right. I forgot." Yi Hua adds, faking out a laugh a little longer.
"Stop laughing like that." Lu Yang Yang says, shaking his head. Yi Hua suddenly stops and looks around, "Lead the way." She says, the old lady nods her head and forces out a smile.
Yi Hua walks to her and looks to her side as she watches the old lady turning around along with the few maids who were trailing after her, behind, Yi Hua clears her throat and walks ahead while the rest trail behind her.
"Yang Yang…" Yi Hua whispers, Lu Yang Yang floats before her and frowns, "Lead the way." She whispers again, Lu Yang Yang nods and floats ahead as Yi Hua takes in a deep breath walking after Lu Yang Yang.
Yi Hua found her heartbeat rising up as she steps closer to another chamber, "This is Jade Pavilion, the chamber for the Queen." Lu Yang Yang says, looking around, "The other pavilion you see at the right corner is the Empress Dowager's Virtue Pavilion." Lu Yang Yang says, familiarizing Yi Hua with her surroundings.
Yi Hua follows Lu Yang Yang's words and takes in the buildings, "Your Highness, we are already here." The old matron says, frowning as she watches Yi Hua continue walking.
Yi Hua halts on her steps and turns around, "Oh, yeah. I am just looking around." Yi Hua adds, clearing her throat she returns back and stands before the wooden door separating her from inside.
"Princess Yi is coming in!" The maids standing outside shouts as they open the door, Yi Hua gulps and slowly makes her way in, she smiles as she sees her mother sitting on the floor beside the wooden table filled with food.
"Ma." She mutters, smiling. Her eyes move towards the food and then she realizes she hadn't got to eat even when she gets into the palace. She gulps watching the food as her stomach reminds her of how she had starved it with a growl.
"Come here, I doubt you ate something. Ma will feed you." Hu Ying says, patting the space beside her, Yi Hua smiles and approaches the space, sitting down she excitedly digs her hand in the food to eat, shocking everyone who witnessed the royal princess's weird manner.