On a certain ordinary day, Zhujin and Xia Yu walked side by side. They planned to visit the archives to look into some old edicts. When suddenly...
"Oh my! I left the book you lent me." Xia Yu exclaimed, remembering what she had missed.
"Oh? Where did you leave it?"
"It's on the left of the work table."
"Okay. I'll go get it."
"Oh no! I must not bother-"
"It's okay, Little Sister. It's not a long walk." the older prince assured her.
"Okay. I'm sorry about that."
"No worries. Wait for me a bit."
With that, Zhujin walked his way back to his courtyard. Lucky for them, they haven't gotten far yet.
As Xia Yu waited for him, she looked at her surroundings. She's not alone. She had her entourage of two maids with her, Boyang and Ningning. Out of the blue, she remembered what the head eunuch told her. He asked her to add two more maids and two guards. If it wasn't for Brother Zhujin, she would not have won her stand.
Two maids following her around are more than enough. As for protection, she can do that herself. Besides, Boyang is also skilled in martial arts. Maybe she should train Ningning as well.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard approaching footsteps. They came from the opposite direction. So, it wasn't Prince Zhujin. Soon enough, the mystery person appeared at a turn up ahead.
Based on his clothes, he seemed to be a dignified person in the palace. He looked about the same age as her. He immediately spotted her and flashed her a cheery smile.
"A pleasant day to you, Second Princess Consort!" he greeted her the moment he was near her. He even did a polite bow.
"A pleasant day to you too."
"I must say... it is such an honor to encounter Your Highness today." the young man said, whose cheery smile didn't fall.
"Oh? Thank you! I am also pleased to meet you."
Xia Yu didn't know who he was. But he sure was happy to see her.
"Believe me, Your Highness. I am more pleased to meet you."
Before Xia Yu could even think of a reply, the young man spoke again.
"I'm impressed with how Your Highness handled the situation with the pregnant concubine. You were amazing! Not everyone can change the mind of His Majesty."
Xia Yu was almost taken aback by the enthusiasm and praises this young stranger was giving her.
So he was there?
Xia Yu wished she had looked around to see who was watching them at that time.
"Thank you for your kind words. But I must disagree. I didn't think what I did was that impressive."
"It is! I assure you. Most women will leap at the opportunity to get rid of concubines. It was very refreshing to see a kind wife like you take pity on her and her child."
Xia Yu smiled at him. It is not every day someone thinks the way he does. Most people would think she was either stupid or scheming to get on her husband's good side.
"I only did what I think is right. There is no need to be impressed by it."
"Princess Xia Yu!"
Both Xia Yu and the young man looked at the one who interrupted them. It was Zhujin. He walked closer to them with a book in his hand.
"I've got the book." Prince Zhujin announced as he got closer.
"First Brother! My greetings to you." the young man greeted him with a bow.
But to Xia Yu's surprise, Zhujin spoke but not to him.
"Here is the book."
He gave the book to Xia Yu which she took. But the moment the book was passed to her hands, Zhujin held her arm.
"Let's get going."
Without waiting for her response, the Crown Prince began to urge her to walk away. The stunned princess didn't have time to react as she was half-dragged away from the other man who was most likely a prince.
"Oh? Ah... goodbye First Brother and Second Princess Consort!" the young man still greeted back.
Not wanting to be rude, Xia Yu looked back at him. She gave him an apologetic smile as an acknowledgment. Then, she looked at her front and continued walking away with Zhujin.
When they had walked further enough, Xia Yu began to question the prince.
"Brother, what's going on? Who is he?"
Upon hearing Xia Yu's voice, Zhujin woke up from his tense trance. He stopped walking and looked at Xia Yu. He let go of her arm.
"I'm sorry about that. Did I hurt you? Is your arm alright?" he said, suddenly bombarding her with his worried questions.
"I'm fine. Don't worry. So... is he one of the princes?"
With that tone of Xia Yu, Zhujin knew she wouldn't drop the topic unless he answered.
"He's the Fourth Prince. His name is Zemin, the son of the late Noble Consort Mingjing."
So he wasn't just any ordinary prince but a high-ranking one. In fact, he is the fourth in line to the throne right after the Third Prince, Jinyi.
"So, he is your brother. But you seem a bit aloof with him. Is there something wrong?"
Zhujin let out an exasperated sigh before answering her.
"The former Noble Consort once tried to frame my mother."
Ah... a harem drama. This should be annoyingly interesting.
"If it wasn't for the Imperial Investigators, my mother would have been charged with treason. It would have cost her life. They found out that it was a scheme crafted by the former Noble Consort."
Xia Yu could see the Noble Consort's motive for scheming against the empress. Anyone, who is one position away from being the most powerful woman in the whole empire, would be tempted.
"Because of the strong evidence of her crimes, Lady Mingjing was sentenced to death. The sentence also included the extinction of her clan. Zemin was only four years old back then."
How tragic.
Xia Yu imagined a little Zemin crying after hearing the news that his mother was no more.
"But despite that, it seems Prince Zemin wasn't included and didn't even lose his position." Xia Yu commented.
"It didn't feel right for Father to punish his son for the sins of his mother. His Majesty made sure that Zemin was cared for. He thinks he isn't a threat since there isn't anyone left to back him up."
"His Majesty is right on that part. Besides, Prince Zemin doesn't seem like someone capable of following his mother's path."
"I know. All of you are right about that. Zemin has proven over the years that he is well-mannered and kind. He's loyal to Father and even respects Mother. However...."
"You can't help but feel wary of him. Is that it?" Xia Yu guessed.
"Yes. I worried he might attempt to avenge his mother and the extinction of their clan. I don't trust him."
Xia Yu can tell that by the way he ignored Prince Zemin earlier.
"Those are indeed good enough motivations. But I must say, it doesn't seem fair that you'll judge him for that."
"That is true. I saw it myself how he worked hard to gain everyone's trust. He was put to the test numerous times. And he was able to prove his sincerity every time... you know what? Maybe I should stop being paranoid."
Xia Yu chuckled at the prince's conclusion.
"Yes, I think you should, Brother."
And with that, they both started to laugh.
One late evening in the quiet corridors of the palace, Xia Yu was walking with her two attendants. She had just gone from the palace library to return some books. She was feeling a bit tired. How she wished her room was just around the corner. She kept her brisk pace hoping to reach the White Jade Courtyard sooner.
But as she turned to the next corner, she spotted a group approaching her. She recognized the one in the middle. It was her husband. And what a sight he was!
His poor eunuchs were holding him on both sides trying to steady him. With one look from him, anyone can tell he drank a little too much.
Soon enough, the two groups met at the intersection.
"Good evening, Your Highness!" Xia Yu greeted the prince with a bow.
Miyojin leaned in closer, giving her a good look. His dizzy gaze soon revealed who greeted him.
"Oh! Look here. Isn't this my wife, the Second Princess Consort, Xia Yu?" he commented, slurring his words.
Yeah. He is drunk.
Miyojin looked from left to right and from front to back.
"I'm surprised my brother isn't here with you. Every time I see you, you always have my brother nearby."
"I just got back from the palace library to return some books. I don't see the need for the Crown Prince to accompany me for such a simple task."
Xia Yu smiled at Miyojin while eyeing him from top to bottom.
"But look at you. Why did you get so drunk?"
Miyojin paused for a bit looking blankly at Xia Yu.
"I... I just need to get something off my mind."
But before Xia Yu could ask what that 'something' was, Miyojin spoke again.
"Since you are not around my brother now, why not accompany your husband instead?"
Xia Yu was a bit stunned at the prince's request but...
"Of course. I don't see any reason why not." Xia Yu agreed with a beautiful smile on her face.
Miyojin could not believe his ears. Is he dreaming? Is he so delirious that he can no longer comprehend reality from imagination? But before he could inquire if this was a dream, Xia Yu spoke to the eunuchs.
"May I?" she asked, indicating to them to give the prince to her.
"But Your Highness! His Highness is a bit heavy-"
"It's alright. I can handle him."
The two eunuchs couldn't do anything but follow Her Highness' command. They handed the drunk Second Prince to her with care.
Xia Yu had one of Miyojin's arms wrapped around the back of her neck. She, on the other hand, wrapped an arm around his waist to steady him.
Miyojin could not believe that this was happening. Is his princess holding him close to her body? They were joined at the hip! He did his best not to lean most of his weight on her. Although, he did drag his steps to prolong their walk to their courtyard.
It was already late at night. The later it became, the more Lijuan grew worried. Prince Miyojin is supposed to be back by now. And yet she is still alone in his room.
Could he still be working?
Lijuan knew that the prince had been very busy with state affairs. But even if that's the case, he would still be here at this time.
Lijuan let out a sigh. It had been a month since she started living in the palace. But Miyojin had only touched her twice since then. They had spent numerous nights sleeping together. But, it was only sleeping. Miyojin would be either too tired or not in the mood.
She had been missing his gentle touches. She used to think that once they were married, she'd never miss his touch again. But, she was wrong.
All of a sudden, Lijuan heard a noise coming from the outside. Then, she heard the door open.
He's here!
Lijuan felt her heart pick up its pace in excitement. However, her excitement turned to dread when she heard a female's voice.