The sun rays peeks through screen window as I was already awake. Sitting beside Shen Qing who's still deep in his sleep, I lightly applied some herbal medicine on his side head that’s developing a bruise. At the same time, I admired his well-defined facial structures. I closed the bottle to the herbal medicine and set it beside the pillow. I caress his left cheek and incline closer to his ear. I whisper, ‘you look more handsome with your sleeping face. Your angry face isn’t attractive at all’. He flinches and grasp my hand. I jerk back. His eyes still closed and unconsciously held my hand tighter in his grip. I tried slipping my hand away, but he clenches. Suddenly, A’Li creaks the door open. I turned my head to her and used my other hand to gesture to her that Shen Qing is still asleep. She nods and was about to retreat, but I continued to gesture her to come towards me.

“What is it?” I quietly said. A’Li bends down lower to my sitting level as she whispers,

“I compared the porcelain bottle you’ve found in your room and the poison, they’re a complete match”

I drew away and worriedly look at A’Li. “Have you figured out who is behind it?” I ask.

“No. The person who accused you is too smart. He/she has brought me to a dead end with no evidence to trace”

“What should we do then?”

“For now,” A’Li thought before she continued her sentence, “I suggest Crown Princess to be careful because he/she can attack any time”

“What are you two talking about?” Shen Qing said, caught me off guard and I realized that he isn’t holding my hand anymore.

“Greetings, Crown Prince Yan” A’Li immediately steps back and bows.

“You may rise” Shen Qing gestures her to stand.

“You were awake the whole time?” I questioned and faced him.

“Yes”

My face reddens at the thought that he must have heard me compliment his good-looks.

“A’Li, please leave us” Shen Qing orders as A’Li bows before leaving. As soon as the door closes, he is up and sitting. And dressed improperly too. His white sleeping shirt partially revealing his muscular chest. He changes his sitting position on purpose when he notices me looking. He extends his right leg across the bed and his left leg curled in. He leans forward to rest his right elbow on the right knee and studies my changing expressions.  His shirt parting apart and exposing more of his chest. He grins.

“You didn’t have to send A’Li away” I stated as I stopped looking at his bare chest and climbed off the bed.

“You’re blushing” He teases and pulls me back to the bed. I glare at him due to embarrassment.

“I have other matters to attend today” I ignored his comment and pushed his hand, “Don’t you?” I add, wonder if he’s going to be heading to the Emperor’s palace for political discussions.

“Not today” he answers and out of the blue, pulls me in his embrace.

“Hey! What are you doing?” I said alert.

“I’m getting cold. Plus, my head hurts” he snuggles with my warm body.

“Serves you right” I mumbled, “Don’t you remember what happened last night?”

“I only remember you slamming my head to the door”

I scoff, “Good. Very good. Now, please excuse me. I can’t always be attending to your needs” I shoved him away and got off the bed.

“Attending to my needs?” He is now glaring at me like I’ve said something wrong.

“Yes, your needs” I answer, “If you want more attention, Consort Xue is available. I’m pretty sure she’s been waiting for you” I grabbed my robe and started to get dress.

“Are you mad? It’s not like I chose to stay in your room last night. Imperial Mother locked me in your room” Shen Qing climbs off the bed and walk in front of me so we are meeting eye to eye.

“Right. You didn’t choose. Blame it on your mother then. I’m not the only one who can bear you a child”

“Is this about consummating the marriage?”

“No” I flatly denied.

“Then what is it about? Consort Xue?”

“I rather not have this talk with you” I pushed him aside.

“I don’t get why you’re behaving like this? Was it because I didn’t consummate the marriage like you wanted it?” He follows me.

“You’re disgusting” I stop to face him, “You only need a child so that your position to inherit the throne isn’t threaten. Consort Fang died yesterday. Your mother wants us to have a kid. What else can I be angry about? I ain’t mad that we have not consummate the marriage nor jealous if you decide to have Consort Xue to bear you an heir. I am---” I cut off my sentence and thought back to Yi Chen’s words.

In the past I’ve loved you and I still love you.

I shut my mouth tight and stared at him. He stares back at me.

“I am what?” He asks.

How am I supposed to explain to him that a man who saved me a couple of times told me that he loved me? And what if Yi Chen was the scarlet-red robe man who I’ve always been visioning? The one with all the answers to my questions? If Shen Qing knew that a man has taken interest in his wife, he would definitely send assassins to murder him. Or may be not.

“Ruo Xie would like to meet with Crown Prince Yan” A’Li interrupts us from outside the door.

I step away from Shen Qing and walked towards the mirror to fix my messy hair.

“Let him enter” Shen Qing said, walks the opposite direction to fetch his robe. Ruo Xie enters as A’Li enters too. A’Li approach me to help comb my hair.

“Highness Ping wanted me to give this to you” Ruo Xie said as he hands Shen Qing an envelope.

Shen Qing opens the envelope and unfolded the letter. From the mirror’s reflection, I studied Shen Qing’s expressionless face. His eyes showing emptiness. After finishing the letter, he looks at Ruo Xie and nods. Ruo Xie did the same and then left the room without saying anything else. Shen Qing quickly tied his belt and disappeared from the room before I can stop him.

“Is something wrong, Crown Princess?”

“No” I lied.

“Then why are you frowning?”

“I’m not frowning” I denied as I stabbed the jade hair accessory into my looped bun. I continued to speak, “About earlier, is there really no other way to find out who tried to accused me?”

“If Crown Princess is still concern about the situation, I can request for a---”

“No need. I’m just afraid that whoever the person who tried to accuse me will not just stop here. They even went as far as killing a maid, so I’m sure they’ll cut anyone in their way”

“Crown Princess---”

“It’s fine. It’s too risky, so don’t investigate anymore, A’Li”

“I understand” A’Li tucks my loose hair under the bun and finished my look with a few hair accessories.

“Is the imperial edict removed yet?” I ask, referring to the edict that issued more guards at the gate due to the attempt to assassin Shen Qing a few weeks ago.

“Yes, why you ask?”

“I want to go out”

“Now?” A’Li her head.

“Yes because I’ve heard Highness Ping is leaving today”

City Gate

Qi Shi pats his horse, waiting for his men to gather supplies before their departure. He turns his head in the direction of the palace’s location, hoping to see A’Li’s silhouette approach him. His eyes softens and exhale as he turned to unleash the rope tied to the pillar.

“Sir Ping!” a female voice shouts from afar. He immediately turns at the sound of his name, smiling widely. At first, he sees Xiang Yun waving cheerily towards him, but behind he notice the silent, elegant A’Li who captured his heart whole.

“Leaving so soon without telling me?” I ask, once A’Li and I reached him. He chuckles as he faces us properly.

“Didn’t want to disturb” He smiles at A’Li who ignored him, “What makes Crown Princess personally came out of the palace?”

“Well,” I glance to A’Li and back to him, “I need some fresh air” I lied and smiled mischievously at him implying that I purposely brought A’Li so that he can see her for the last time. He bashfully lower his head as he tried to hide his uncontrollable smile.

“A’Li,” I hooked her arm with mine, “We should accompany Sir Ping to his kingdom”

“Are you crazy?” A’Li finally spoke, “Crown Prince would be furious”

“It’s fine. We can just treat it as a mutual visit” I glare at Qi Shi to help me out.

Qi Shi took the signal, but denied it, “I’m sorry. It would be inappropriate for you to visit me now considering that I have other matters to attend”

“Next time then” I pout in disappointment.

Suddenly, a rush of warriors marches their way in and clearing the path as they enter. Qi Shi pulls A’Li and I to the side as the warriors stood in a line blocking off citizens from approaching the royalty arriving. I monitored the warrior’s uniforms and then got distracted by a villager’s child running directly to the crowd. At the same time, the commander, who is riding an enormous horse and leading the troops, is approaching the child at a 90 degrees angle. Instantly, I jumped into the commander’s path as I tackled the child. Embracing the child, we both duck down as I heard from above the horse neighing and the commander trying to grasp hold of his horse from running wild by yanking on the rein. In between the shuffling, I glanced up and my eyes widen when the horse’s hooves coming down on us. Quickly as I can move, I spun from the landing horse feet and released the child from my grip. The mother of the child made her way in and hugs the child who’s sobbing fearfully. I exhaled in relief, didn’t realize that a few warriors approached me from behind. They grabbed my arms harshly and forced me to face the commander.

“Crown-” A’Li was about to speak and step forward, but Qi Shi held her arm and shook his head.

“Let me go” I demanded, struggle to get free. The commander got down and that’s when I realized that it was Yan Ke Qiang, the 3rd Prince of Cai Kingdom and is also Shen Qing’s older brother.

“Ah Yun” Ke Qiang said, surprised to see me. He gestures them to let go as A’Li rushes over when Qi Shi lets go of her arm.

“Crown Princess, are you okay?” A’Li asks, spot checks me for any wound. I assured her as I faced Ke Qiang.

“Sorry for my impoliteness” A’Li bows afterwards.

“No need” he dismissed her formalities and stared at me intensely, “I wasn’t expecting to see my younger brother’s wife to be personally greeting me” he smirks.

“It was a coincidence” I answer.

“Does he know that you’re here?” he leans forward.

“Of course” I lied immediately.

“If you’re lying, punishment will be given” he whispers into my ear.

A’Li was about to push Ke Qiang back from invading my space, but out of the blue Qi Shi interrupts.

“I’m afraid we haven’t met” Qi Shi said, his hand on Ke Qiang’s shoulder so casually.

“Sir Ping” I quietly said as A’Li and I watched how Qi Shi will act.

“I’m sorry, who are you?” Ke Qiang asks, his attention on Qi Shi.

“Ping Qi Shi” he answers, not giving his title.

“And how dare you interrupt my time with my sister-in-law?” He raises an eyebrow, “Men. Take him away” he orders as Qi Shi grins. At the same time Ke Qiang’s men grabbed Qi Shi’s arm, Qi Shi’s guards automatically jumped in defense. All of the men yanked out their sword and Qi Shi gestures them to stop.

“I’m afraid you didn’t hear me correctly,” Qi Shi smiles delightfully as Ke Qiang glares at him with suspicion, “I’m Ping Qi Shi from Xin Kingdom”

Immediately, Ke Qiang lowers his head and asks for forgiveness.

“Sorry to offend Your Highness Ping. I wasn’t aware that you were visiting Cai Kingdom”

Qi Shi laughs, “It’s alright. Mistakes are common here”

“To make it up for my horrible attitude, how about we go out for drink?” he looks up.

“Next time,” Qi Shi pats his shoulder again and pulls him forward forcefully, “And next time if I see or hear that you’re speaking rudely with your own sister-in-law, don’t be unhappy that you’re going to be crushed to the ground” he whispered into his ear and stepped back as there was a smile on Qi Shi’s face.

Qi Shi nods at me and walks away towards his carriage.