As soon as Shen Qing pushed Ke Qiang into a room, he started shouting at him. Unaware that I followed them, I stood outside the room to eavesdrop and A’Li did the same. Shen Qing seemed to be angry about the unexpected plan that Ke Qiang decided on his own and continued to lecture him for changing their original plan.

           “Have you discussed with Imperial Father?” Shen Qing asked and released a weary sigh.

           “No, I have not.” Ke Qiang answered and looked away from him.

           “So this was all your idea without discussing it with Imperial Father?! Our plan was to destroy them, not forming an alliance!”

“I know! But-” Ke Qiang decided not to finish his sentence.

“But what?” Shen Qing walked up and looked at him. He observed his facial expressions and caught a brief of hesitation shone through Ke Qiang’s eyes. “You like her?” He spoke quieter. Ke Qiang looked up and seemed as if he was in pain from the truth.

“I know, so don’t look at me with such disgust.” Ke Qiang said.

“You knew this mission was to eliminate them, not-”

“I know! I know, but I just can’t. I mean, look at her, she’s innocent. She doesn’t deserve to be caught in this cross-fire.”

“In time of war, innocent people are always dying; we can’t hesitate just because of some affection.” Without realizing, I bumped into the door from trying to lean forward to hear what they were saying. Once I caused a noise, Shen Qing instantly walked over to the doorsteps surprised to see me. Unable to give him an explanation, I glanced up at him with disbelief that he and Ke Qiang intended to have their family killed. I scratched the back of my hands and glared at Shen Qing, who is showing no expressions. For some odd reasons I wanted him to explain why he has to be so cruel towards them, but in the back of my head I already knew the answer. If anyone was in his way from obtaining something, he wouldn’t hesitate but kill them. I knew that, but I still wanted him to explain, so I waited. Yet, he couldn’t say anything to ease my worrying heart.

“Is it true?” I managed to spoke, “that your task here was to murder the Zhen family?”

“Yes.” He answered without hesitation and guilt.

“So this was just all a pretension, the marriage and your fake concerns about us when I was hurt? This was all just to make me believe that you actually-” I cut off my sentence and turned away.

“What are you talking about?” Shen Qing asked, not understanding.

“Nothing,” I replied, “nothing important; I finally get it now.” I laughed softly to myself.

“If you’re talking about us, then you clearly know that I can’t.” He grabbed my arm to make me face him. Once I was facing him, he was startled to see my damped eyes and reached for my face. Yet, I pulled away and wiped away the droplet that fell.

“You can’t? Then why are you making my heart flutter? Why are you caring for me? At times worrying about me, but then acting cold towards me later?”

“Why did you save me? Why did you follow me here?” He inquired to dodge my questions.

“I was afraid that Consort Xue-”

“Oh you two shut up; you’re obviously in love with another!” Ke Qiang interrupted and stormed out, so did A’Li. We both didn’t say anything further, but stared at another. Since both of us wouldn’t talk, I left the room to go pack my stuff. As soon as morning came, we headed back home while Ke Qiang stayed behind to seal his promise with the Zhu Emperor. Once home, Shen Qing was happy because he was with Consort Xue. As for me, I stood on the side and watched them be happy and told myself to ignore it. Everything had returned to how it was like before; him loving her and me being alone.

“Crown Princess, we need to change the bandage.” A’Li reminded and gestured to leave. I nodded and led the way back to my bedroom to have my wound cleaned for a new bandage. He did care for me once, right? At least that’s what I thought, but how can a man like him care for someone like me? I don’t know and I don’t want to know anymore. Even if I managed to melt his heart with my warmth, he wouldn’t notice.

Two days after arriving home, Shen Qing was summoned to the palace to discuss the success of the mission. Hearing from other officials, Shen Qing and Ke Qiang were rewarded for their successful plan of stopping a war from continuing. Because of this, Imperial Father decided to hold a banquet and clearly told Shen Qing that he is not mad at Ke Qiang for not sticking with their original plan.

During the banquet, he only sat next to Consort Xue while I sat behind them. That place where she sat belonged to me, but he had chosen her over me. As I was sitting behind, the memories of us emerged in my head and filled my sadness with hope. I was the most happiest when we were in the cave and he only cared for me, but now it’s changed. Since the banquet was to celebrate their success, I decided to leave early because it was pointless of me to stay. I didn’t tell A’Li where I was going and sneaked out when she wasn’t looking. Once I was outside of the banquet, I strolled in the darkness heading back to my bedroom. Arriving at the door of my bedroom, I pushed the door open and suddenly some white smoke came at me. Within that moment, my body collapsed and I felt someone catching me from the fall.

“You-” I uttered and then everything turned to blackness. I automatically flinched and struggled to move my arms and legs from being tied. Unable to move, I became more frustrated and tried to figure out where I was. I attempted to scream, but the rope that went across my face prevented me from screaming because it was placed between my lips. Briefly, I stopped to catch my breath and kicked around to loosen the ropes.

“Quit struggling, it’ll be useless.” A familiar voice spoke and I glanced at the man with confusion. “Surprised, huh?” Yi Chen sat in front of me, “You’re probably wondering why I kidnapped you, so to answer you it’s because I need lure him out. I’m tired of waiting, so I might as well speed up the process.”

“W-what are you talking about?” I attempted to speak, but it came out as muffled. He reached over and loosened the rope on my mouth. “What are you talking about?” I repeated.

“You know exactly who I’m referring to, Xiang Yun.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Of course you do! You have just been avoiding the truth! Don’t tell me you’ve haven’t been suspecting who the scarlet red robed-man is?”

“No, I’ve forgotten about that.”

“Then what about the silver bracelet stained with red dots?”

“What do you know about that?” I was startled to hear him know about that because I have not told him anything about it.

“I know the man who gave it to you, but before I tell you everything I need to know that you’ll say yes to me.” He said, referring to my answer to his confession. “I’ve been waiting and I think I deserve an answer.”

“Are you trying to make a deal out of my emotions?”

“Leave that man, he can’t make you happy; can’t you see that? Let’s escape this place and I can forget everything that he had done to hurt us.”

“He’s my husband, and if he can’t make me happy that’s my decision; I won’t leave him.” I sternly answered. “What did Shen Qing do to make you hate him so much?” I asked.

“He killed my family and broke his promise to defend them on court.” He answered with anger filled in his eyes. I stared at him with nothing to say because I wouldn’t know what is appropriate to say anyway. “Why are you quiet now?” He inquired.

“Is it true that he did that?”

“Yes! My mom was falsely accused for the schemes against the emperor and to prove her innocence she killed herself in front of him and me. Shen Qing promised to defend and find proof, but he didn’t care because it was at the same time of his inauguration as crown prince.”

“How come no one in the palace has ever talked about this?” Yi Chen scoffed and rolled his eyes at me. He moved closer and helped me sat from lying on the wooden bed.

“That’s because the emperor decreed that if anyone talked about my mom and the case they would be killed on the spot.” He replied and angrily clutched onto his clothing.

“What’s your mother’s name?”

“Jiang An Hong.” As soon as he said her name, the name sounded so familiar. I closed my eyes and tried to remember where I’ve heard her name from. If I’m not wrong, Empress Dowager threw a fit once when a maid accidentally gossiped about a person naming Lady Jiang. Don’t tell me Lady Jiang is Yi Chen’s mother and wet-nurse who raised Shen Qing?!

           “Are you and Shen Qing brothers?” I concluded, but still doubtful.