PAH!
Jing Yan's head snapped to the side as Sun Jun struck her across the face.
"Shameless!" he yelled, pacing around the room. "How dare you act so presumptuous!"
"You actually hit me?" Jing Yan asked, her eyes red and teary from the impact.
"You're lucky Mother didn't pursue this any further, or else…" he stopped midway, shaking his head.
Jing Yan reached for his hands and called him softly. "A Jun."
"Don't call me that!" Sun Jun roared, slapping her hand away forcefully.
She staggered back, caught unaware, a shocked look painted on her face as she stared at him.
"Sun Jun, you're treating me this way because of her? You like her, don't you?"
"What nonsense are you spewing now?" Sun Jun asked, bewildered.
"You're treating me this way because of Ruyi. Did you forget what you promised me?" Jing Yan demanded.
"Ruyi?" Sun Jun repeated, a tint of mock in his voice. "Let me tell you something: Ruyi is graceful and humble. Within a short while, she managed to earn King Father and Consort Mother's favour. And you? What have you achieved?"
"So, that's why you need her?" Jing Yan pointed out.
"I only respect her, that's all," Sun Jun quickly responded, avoiding her gaze.
"I'm such a fool," Jing Yan laughed hysterically. "I'm a fool to think that if I gave you my all, you wouldn't betray me like you betrayed Li Mei."
Sun Jun finally snapped at the mention of the name. He grabbed Jing Yan by the neck. "Do you really think I can't do anything to you just because you bore me a son?"
Jing Yan gasped for breath. "A Jun, you're hurting me."
"I told you not to call me that!" His hold hardened.
Jing Yan coughed. "Let me go," she managed to say.
"I'm warning you. You had better make peace with anyone Mother likes, or I think you've held your title for too long," he threatened.
With that, he shoved her onto the bed.
Tears rolled down Jing Yan's face. But she couldn't be seen like this. She rose up and looked at him. "Fūjūn (husband), look at me! I'm Jing Yan— how can you do this to me?" she lamented.
"Someone!" Sun Jun called. An attending maid rushed in and bowed. "Make sure she doesn't leave her room without my orders."
Humph! He flicked his sleeve, the silk letting out a soft sound as he walked out of the room, leaving two guards at the door.
"Yes, Your Highness," the maid bowed in response as Sun Jun exited.
"Sun Jun!" Jing Yan called after him. "You can't treat me like this! I'm your wife—I can't accept this! Why?" She cried after him, but was stopped by the attending maid.
"Wangfei Niángniang (Your Highness the Princess Consort), please don't make things hard for me," the attending maid pleaded.
"How dare you?" Jing Yan barked. "I'm a Princess Consort, step aside!"
The attending maid hurriedly sank to her knees and bowed. "Forgive me, Wangfei Niángniang (Your Highness the Princess Consort). I dare not go against the Second Prince."
Jing Yan ignored her and moved towards the door.
"Sun Jun!" She called after him, but the guards remained unmoved, their shadows falling across the doorway, cutting her off and leaving her voice trapped behind them.
---
The afternoon sun streamed through the stone corridor as Ruyi made her way towards her mother's chambers, returning from the palace.
"娘 (niáng) Mother," she called as she neared the door.
"Miss Ruyi, be gentle," Xiao Lan cautioned as she hurried after her.
Lady Ling sat down gracefully, her personal attendant, Hui Fang standing behind her and gently massaging her shoulders. She radiated elegance, and at a glance, one could see that Ruyi had inherited her striking features.
"Mother," Ruyi called softly as she sat beside her.
Lady Ling ignored her, turning her head away.
"Mother, what's wrong?" Ruyi asked.
"You still remember you have a mother?" Lady Ling said coolly. "I thought you had already forgotten me, since you visit the palace so often now."
"Mother, what are you saying? It's not what you think. Her Grace asked me to assist in preparing for the Imperial Archery Tournament—that's why she sent for me."
"Is that so?" Lady Ling huffed. "I thought you had found another mother besides me. Who knows? Perhaps Her Grace has already adopted you and will soon make you a princess." She laughed lightly, clearly joking.
"Don't joke about such things, mother," Ruyi said, clinging to her like a child. "I can't live without you. I don't want any other mother—I only want you.
Ruyi, I'm sorry. I totally forgot about your parent's feelings and allowed my quest for vengeance to consume my time.
Lady Ling smiled. "What now? Do you still want breast milk at your age?"
Xian Lan and Hui Fang chuckled.
"Auntie Niang," Lady Ling said, turning to her personal attendant, Hui Fang. "Tell Ruyi how clingy she was as a baby."
"I wasn't!" Ruyi protested.
"You were," Hui Fang pointed out.
"Auntie Niang! I really wasn't!" Ruyi insisted. "Besides, I can choose to cling to my mother forever. After all, I'm an only child."
"Yes, yes," Hui Fang agreed, and they all burst into laughter.
"I'm sorry, mother." The atmosphere softened. "I haven't had time to sit and chat with you. I'm truly sorry," Ruyi pleaded earnestly.
"My good child, I understand," Lady Ling replied gently.
Ruyi produced a small pouch embroidered with a Chrysanthemum design. A gentle fragrance emitted from it as she handed it to Lady Ling. "It's for you."
Lady Ling hesitated. "Ruyi, are you certain this isn't a gift from Her Grace or His Majesty?"
"No, I promise. I made it myself. Put your mind at ease, mother," Ruyi assured.
"Alright, I'll listen to you." Lady Ling smiled and accepted the pouch. Instead of admiring it, she took Ruyi's hand, carefully inspecting her fingers.
"Silly child, how could you do this to yourself?" Lady Ling murmured, gently rubbing Ruyi's rough palm. "Does it hurt?"
"No," Ruyi replied, shaking her head.
Lady Ling smiled, happiness written all over her. Ruyi returned the smile and leaned into her mother's bosom.
Ruyi, don't worry. I'll definitely keep your parents safe and happy. I give you my word.
---
The palace was unusually quiet, maids and servants tending to their daily tasks as the faint echo of footsteps drifted along the corridor. Consort Yao sat in her chambers, Zhun Momo by her side. She picked up a paint brush and a sheet of paper, attempting to paint, but her hand shook with every stroke.
"Your Highness, don't rush it. Please take your time," Zhun Momo advised gently.
In anger, Consort Yao hurled the brush against the wall. "Give me another brush!" she ordered.
Zhun Momo quickly produced another brush, replacing the paper with a finer sheet.
Consort Yao made another attempt, but her hands still refused to cooperate. Finally, she let the brush fall. "You and I both know I'll never be able to paint again," she said, turning to Zhun Momo.
Zhun Momo remained silent. Though she had served Consort Yao for many years, she knew when to intervene in a matter—and when not to.
"This is all his fault. I'll never forgive him!" Consort Yao shouted, rising in anger.
Zhun Momo stepped closer. "Your Highness, please calm your anger."
"Come to think of it, I'm already one step ahead of my plan." Consort Yao finally sat down, calming herself. "It has to be her. She's the only one capable of pulling it off."
"Indeed, Your Highness. I'm certain keeping her by our side will bring us many benefits," Zhun Momo added.
But suddenly, a voice cut through their conversation.
"Yíniáng (Aunt)… Yíniáng?"
Consort Yao stopped midway, her gaze softening. "Bingbing?"
Rou Bing, Consort Yao's niece stepped into view. She looked delicately beautiful, her features gentle and refined, her complexion fair and luminous like fine jade. When she smiled, faint dimples appeared at the corner of her lips, giving her an innocent charm. The daughter of Consort Yao's younger sister and she had been doted on since childhood. Bingbing was a nickname Consort Yao had given her. Her mother had passed away not long after giving birth, and Consort Yao and her brother had been like parents to her ever since.
She rushed towards Consort Yao and wrapped her in an embrace. "Yíniáng (Aunt), I really missed you."
Consort Yao returned the embrace. "Good child, why didn't you tell me you had returned to the capital?"
"Yíniáng (Aunt)," she called as she released her. "My father didn't really want me to return, but I had to. I've missed you, my cousins, and uncle."
"You… I thought you forgot all about us. Consort Yao scolded playfully. When I asked you to follow me the last time, you insisted on staying with your father. Your uncle and I were worried you might be maltreated by his new wife. Bingbing, are you alright? Did anybody bully you?"
"Who would dare bully me?" Bingbing replied. "Yíniáng (Aunt), did you forget how troublesome I was as a child?"
"True, true. Our Bingbing has grown up now. She can definitely stand up for herself," Consort Yao teased, and they both laughed.
"So tell me—are you here just for a visit, or have you finally decided to stay?" Consort Yao asked.
"I've thought about it. I want to stay here for a while," Bingbing said. "But I assure you—I'm not leaving anytime soon.
"Alright. We'll do as you say," Consort Yao said, tapping her hand lightly.