Author :
From now on... I'll update from Monday to Friday, the weekend is my resting days, hopefully I will have that to myself. 😅
See you on Monday💚♥️💛
Just when Zhan thought the call would go unanswered, he suddenly heard his father's voice, warm and familiar, in his ear.
"Who's speaking?" his father asked.
"Baba… it's me, Zhan," he replied, his voice trembling slightly.
"Zhan? Which Zhan?"
"Your son, Baba. Zhan."
"Oh! Zhan? Is everything alright?" his father asked, concern rising in his tone.
Zhan let out a soft breath. "Everything's fine, Baba."
His father greeted him more warmly after that, and Zhan responded, then added quietly, "Baba… I really want to talk to Que and the others."
"Are you worried about their well-being, my son?" Xiao Yun asked with a hint of teasing. Zhan quickly shook his head, even though no one could see him.
"No, not at all, I just… I haven't seen them or heard their voices in so long. That's all," he replied, hoping his father wouldn't take it the wrong way or refuse to let them speak.
"Well, seeing them won't be for another year. Right now, I'm at the market, but when I get back, I'll connect you with them, alright?"
Zhan nodded quietly, not because he agreed, but because he had no choice. He had hoped...really hoped....to hear their voices right then and there.
He sat in wait, counting the minutes until his father would return and make the call.
Every minute that passed felt like an hour. Lao teased him, laughing at how anxious he was, while Bai Wuxia watched with quiet sympathy. She knew better than anyone how deeply Zhan felt the pain of being separated from his siblings.
Zhan managed a small smile as Lao kept teasing him. "Everyone leaves home eventually," he said. "But my siblings… they're like my own children."
Lao turned away, smiling shyly, and muttered, "We wouldn't know about that, right, Mama?"
Used to being called "Mama" by Zhan, Bai Wuxia only smiled, saying nothing.
Nearly eight hours later, Zhan finally got the call. By then, he had already convinced himself it wasn't going to happen. He sat with the phone in front of him, arms crossed, disappointment sinking in. But when he answered and heard Que's voice on the other end, joy surged through him so strongly he thought his heart might burst.
He could hear all the children's voices, chattering in excitement. Everyone wanted to talk to him at once. It took everything in him to hold back tears....he didn't want to break down and worry them. Que quickly put the call on speaker so they could all speak together, and one by one, they each greeted him.
Zhan followed along, responding to each one as if they were right there in front of him. For a moment, he completely forgot he was still in the mansion, with Bai Wuxia quietly watching. He felt like he was home again.
(How I wish I am among his siblings to be loved like this. 😩)
Once the greetings were over, he asked them the things that had been weighing on his heart.
"Are you eating well? Are you going to school?"
Que responded enthusiastically, "We eat so much, Gege, we have to say we're full before they stop serving us! We have our own room, no one bothers us. They gave us beautiful clothes....so many, we had to give away our old ones. And Baba enrolled us in the school you always wanted for us. So now you can rest easy, okay?"
Zhan let out a long breath. The relief that swept through him was immense... almost half of his worries gone in that moment. For the first time in a long while, he felt a tiny flicker of peace. His father hadn't sale him off as carelessly as he once feared.
From that day on, Zhan had a new purpose. Every night, he called to check on his siblings. "How was your day? What are you doing now?"
At first, he had been hesitant, afraid his father would scold them or forbid the calls. But when that never happened, he relaxed. To his surprise, even Cunxin occasionally took the phone and chatted with him. It brought Zhan an unexpected comfort, a tranquility he hadn't felt in a long time.
And the best part? Nothing changed after the wedding. His life in the mansion stayed the same....just Bai Wuxia, Lao, and the ever-present bodyguards stationed outside, day and night. He also had two male attendants, always on standby in a distant part of the mansion in case he ever needed something.
But the person this whole arrangement was for....the so-called husband he had been married off to....never appeared in front of him. Zhan hadn't even caught a glimpse of someone who might be him. He hadn't even heard his voice. Only now and then, Bai Wuxia would mention him in passing to Lao: "The Prince asked for chicken," or "The Prince is on his way, so tidy this up."
Sometimes, those offhand comments reminded Zhan of why he was really in this country. Of the marriage. But mostly, he forgot.
And what he didn't know.... what he couldn't even begin to guess... was that the real challenge in his life hadn't even begun yet.
▪️🔸🔹▫️
Living with Lao made Zhan realize that she struggled with formal education. He took it upon himself to teach her, using the knowledge he had acquired over the years. He browsed the internet, gathered useful textbooks, and passed the list to Bai Wuxia, asking her to help find where they could buy them. Bai Wuxia, being well-acquainted with the area, had no trouble locating them.... thanks to the many trips she had made with Queen Zaiye and Yibo before even Yibo start studying in the country.
Zhan's teaching style was so effective that even Bai Wuxia became interested in joining their lessons. Soon, he had two students. They studied in the sitting room, freely asking questions when something didn't make sense. Zhan, with calm patience, answered to the best of his knowledge. The lessons brought joy not only to them but to Zhan as well, easing the ache of homesickness and even helping him recall subjects he had long forgotten.
Through these sessions, a deep bond began to grow between them... one built on understanding and affection.
Around four in the afternoon, Zhan was sitting in the mansion's sitting room, dressed in a simple T-shirt and three-quarter pants. His hair had grown out a bit, since he hadn't had it trimmed since arriving. He had tied it up in a loose high ponytail using a red ribbon. Though the ribbon wasn't perfectly secure, it suited him surprisingly well.
Beside him was Lao. They were watching a TV series, completely absorbed. Lao didn't fully understand the language, so Zhan whispered translations to her as the scenes unfolded.
Bai Wuxia walked into the room, dressed in a long gown, holding her phone and an ATM card. She approached them, her eyes landing on the two of them.
"Come on, Lao. Let's go quickly and be back soon.... there's a lot of shopping to do today."
"Okay!" Lao said cheerfully, getting up in a hurry.
Zhan looked at them and muttered, "So I'm being left alone in this house today?"
Bai Wuxia smiled as she looked at him.
"Your Highness, the shopping list is quite long. That's why I asked Lao to come with me. I figured even if I invited you, you wouldn't come," she added, teasing. She had invited him many times before, hoping he'd stretch his legs a little, but he never accepted.
To her surprise, Zhan stood up.
"I'll come," he said, not out of eagerness, but out of unease. The truth was, he didn't like being alone in that mansion. He especially feared the thought of the Prince returning soon and finding him by himself. What would he do? What would he say?
Bai Wuxia took out her phone. "It should be fine… but let's ask the Prince, just in case."
As soon as she mentioned the Prince, Zhan quickly rushed to his room... he didn't want to wait for her to ask on his behalf.
Just a few minutes later, Zhan came back out, freshly changed into a casual red top and black jeans. He looked effortlessly striking. The layers of hardship and wear that had once hidden his beauty had faded away during his time of rest. Though he was still tall and slender, his natural charm now shone through clearly.
As they stepped out into the mansion compound, the bodyguards and the two male attendants couldn't help but stare. Their jaws dropped, eyes wide, as they caught sight of the stunning figure walking beside Bai Wuxia. Zhan looked like something out of a celestial tale....his presence stopped people in their tracks. Some bumped into each other, others stared in disbelief, and a few...drooled.
Bai Wuxia simply smiled at the scene, then subtly signaled to four of the guards to follow them discreetly, making sure Zhan wouldn't notice he had a silent escort.
Zhan thoroughly enjoyed the outing. He finally got a proper look at the city—the structure, the energy, the beauty. It truly impressed him. This was his first time outside, and something about today made it feel different. People stared, some even tried to take pictures. Whenever that happened, the bodyguards quickly intervened and had them delete the photos.
Eventually, Bai Wuxia handed Zhan a face mask to help protect his beauty. Only then did things calm down slightly. But even with half his face hidden, people still turned their heads, eyes tracing his tall, lean frame, narrow waist, and graceful steps.
Many couldn't help but wonder...
"Is he a heavenly god or a young goddess?"
****
Since that day, Zhan, Bai Wuxia and Lao had fallen into a routine of occasionally going out together.... whether it was for shopping, hair washing, or simply to get some fresh air.
Life carried on quietly. Zhan had never met Prince Yibo, and Yibo hadn't met Zhan either. Despite living under the same roof, they had never once crossed paths. Prince Yibo never asked after him, and Zhan certainly didn't intend to go looking for the prince. It was as though they lived separate lives, each completely unaware of the other's existence.
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Every evening before bed, Zhan would mentally count the days left before he could finally leave the mansion and the city behind....return to his home country, rejoin his family, and resume his studies alongside his siblings.
Now, five months in, it felt to Zhan like he had already journeyed through half the path ahead of him. His mind was much more at ease than when he first arrived. He realized that everything he'd feared wasn't nearly as bad as he'd imagined. If he had known how manageable it would be, he wouldn't have cried or stressed so much back then. And if he did cry at all when the time came, it would be for one reason only: leaving behind the people who had grown close to him.
Now, dear reader, the story truly begins…
Like most evenings, Zhan was in the sitting room teaching Lao. Tonight, Bai Wuxia was busy in the kitchen, finishing up dinner. Before she came in, Zhan had already begun a quick revision session with Lao so they wouldn't waste time later.
He was dressed in soft, flowing pants and a matching top that barely reached his waist. The fabric was milk-white with delicate red floral patterns. His face looked soft and almost childlike in its radiance, and the clothes illuminated his natural beauty even more. For once, his half long hair was untied, flowing freely down his neck. He sat with his back to the door, while Lao faced it.
They heard a car pull up outside. At first, they didn't react.... they assumed it was a visitor for one of the neighbors. After all, they didn't receive guests, especially not at that hour. It wasn't yet Prince Yibo's usual time of return, so they thought nothing of it.
A few minutes later, they heard the sitting room door open. Neither of them had moved when it happened, but clearly, whoever came in had a key.
They both looked up. But before Zhan could turn around, he noticed Lao spring to her feet with a deep bow and composed silence. That alone was enough to freeze Zhan in place. A sudden rush of anxiety hit him... a type of dread he had never felt before.... as a smooth, deep voice echoed across the room.
"Excuse me," came the calm, authoritative tone.
It was Prince Yibo.
The voice rang in Zhan's ears and seemed to lodge itself directly into his soul. He didn't hear a response from the Prince... not even an acknowledgment of Lao's respectful greeting: "Welcome back, Your Highness." Her head was still bowed, and it was clear the Prince had a rule against being looked at directly.
Zhan sat there stiffly, like a statue, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from his chest. Sweat rolled down his face and neck, and he didn't dare move until he heard the Prince's footsteps fade up the stairs. Only then did Zhan snap out of his frozen state, shooting up and bolting straight to his room.
Lao watched him dash away and shut the door behind him, then glanced back at their study materials, trying to stifle a giggle. Zhan had no idea who Prince Yibo really was. If he did, he wouldn't have tried so hard to hide his face. And as for Prince Yibo....he didn't spare a second glance at the unfamiliar figure sitting in the room. He simply walked past without a word.
Still smiling, Lao whispered to herself, "They'd be perfect for each other…" Then she clamped her hand over her mouth, wide-eyed, and quickly scanned the room to make sure no one heard her. She gathered their books and headed for the kitchen to join Bai Wuxia.
"You're done already? I rushed through cooking just so I could catch up with you two!" Bai Wuxia said, setting the pot aside.
Lao couldn't hold back her amusement. She placed the books on the counter and said, laughing under her breath,
"We were in the middle of the lesson when the Prince arrived. As soon as His Highness entered, His Highness Zhan took one look and vanished into his room. That was the end of our study session."
Bai Wuxia chuckled and turned off the stove. She didn't know how or when this odd connection between the two had started, or how it might end... but she silently prayed that whatever happened, it would lead to something good for both of them.
Prince Yibo had returned home completely exhausted. He had been out since dawn and hadn't had such a long day in a while. After a quick shower, he collapsed onto the huge couch in his master bedroom. He lay on his stomach, his arms tucked under a pillow, the coolness of the air conditioner and water still clinging to his skin.

Prince Yibo's bedroom.
Slowly, he felt an old feeling creeping back....the one he had tried so hard to suppress. So he turned over onto his back and reached for his phone, dialing Xielin. It had been a few days since they last spoke.
"Mr. Newlywed Groom! I've been thinking of you all day. I told myself I'd call once I got home...seems like marriage has swallowed you whole."
Yibo closed his eyes and gave a tired laugh, rubbing the center of his forehead. "Married? What marriage?"
Xielin burst out laughing. "Oh, don't play dumb. Don't forget I was there when it happened."
Only then did Yibo remember....he'd been formally married off months ago. Four, maybe five months now.
"May the heavens guide you, Xielin," Yibo muttered.
"And may the heavens erase your attitude, Yibo," Xielin shot back. "I don't know how long you'll keep pretending this isn't happening."
Yibo smiled faintly. "What attitude are you talking about? Come on, I just called to say hi, not to get scolded."
They had a rather long conversation, which delayed Yibo until it was nearly time for his evening jog. He hung up the phone and quickly headed into the bathroom to splash water on his body again. Yibo was an extremely clean person....almost obsessively so. A single shower never felt like enough.
He dressed in a hurry, ready to head out like he did every evening, when his phone rang again. It was Qiantang. He waved a hand in mild frustration.
"Qiantang," he muttered, then picked up the call. "It's time for my workout," he said briefly. It was his personal rule not to take calls during this time.
As if she were right in front of him, she pouted and rolled her eyes. "You're in New York and I'm in China, Mr. Man. Or did you forget?"
He chuckled softly. "Yes, ma'am."
"Okay, no more excuses. This time is mine, completely."
"I didn't say no," he replied, "but right now is my workout time...and I have visitors, friends from another country. I promised to call you later."
She whined at him in her usual playful way, a sound that made his skin tingle. He closed his eyes as he listened to her soft complaint, then opened his mouth quietly.
"Stop it, please, Qiantang. I said I promise."
She exhaled slowly. "Alright. But... video call?"
"Yes," he answered shortly.
That was enough for her. A bright smile spread across her face as she said goodbye. Today felt like a special day to her....he rarely agreed to video calls. He had told her many times it wasn't his thing. So the moment the call ended, she leapt from her bed with excitement, tore through her cupboard for an outfit—a blouse and skirt—and dashed into the bathroom like someone late for an important meeting.
She wanted her hair styled perfectly...she knew how much Yibo loved smooth, silky long hair. Ever since she found that out, she made sure to have it professionally done any time she expected to see him. Though he never complimented her, and only gave a fleeting glance before looking away, it didn't bother her. Just that one glance from him was enough.
She showered quickly, got dressed, grabbed her car keys, and headed out.
In the first grand sitting room of their lavish home, she found her mother seated regally on one of the luxurious chairs while a woman knelt before her, working on her pedicure. Her mother was scrolling through her phone casually, looking every bit the wealthy, elegant woman she was.
Qiantang rushed in and hugged her from behind. Her mother looked up quickly, taking note of the unmistakable joy on her daughter's face.
"Heading out?" she asked, reading her expression.
Qiantang nodded. "I'm going to the salon. Today Prince Yibo finally agreed to meet!"
She released her mother and hurried toward the door. Her mom's jaw dropped slightly as she watched her go. To meet? But how? Is he coming to town?
Before she could ask, Qiantang was already at the door. Her mother raised her voice slightly.
"No reckless driving! Be back early before your father comes home and finds out you went out alone."
"Okay, Mom!" she called back cheerfully.
Her mother just shook her head and returned to her phone, silently marveling at how deeply her daughter adored Yibo... as if no other man existed in the world. Thankfully, she thought, the man her daughter had chosen was actually worth it. He wasn't just anyone.
💚🦁❤️🐰💛🐢
When Prince Yibo returned, it was already late....past midnight, around 12:30 a.m. He used the usual key to unlock the door and let himself into the house. The sitting room was quiet and empty, just as it always was whenever he came home late. Without hesitation, he headed upstairs to his room.
The promise he made to Qiantang weighed on his mind. He was someone who took his promises seriously and always did his best to keep them. So, he pulled out his laptop and turned it on.
He started a video call with Qiantang, who had already been sitting in front of her computer for a while, waiting and growing a little impatient. She was just about to get annoyed, but the thought of how dependable he was with promises softened her irritation. As soon as the call came through, she answered.
Her face filled the screen....she was lying on her stomach on her bed, dressed in a sleek black gown that accentuated the fairness of her skin. Her hair draped over one shoulder, her face fresh with subtle makeup, and her lips glistening with lipstick under the screen's glow.
She smiled and winked at him. He closed his eyes briefly, a shiver running down his spine. Her position, though casual, was far too suggestive for him. Her neckline and the top of her chest were visible, not revealing too much, but enough to stir him.
"Sit up properly," he said in a low voice, licking his dry lips.
She smiled again, pleased that she'd gotten a reaction out of him. She loved seeing him lose composure for her—it was one of the few ways she could measure how much he truly cared, since she knew he would never say the words aloud. She wanted to see him change for her, show her that he wanted them to belong to each other just as badly as she did.
"What's wrong with how I'm lying?" she teased.
"Just sit up," he said. "Or I'll end the call."
She knew he meant it. So with a little pout, she sat up abruptly. He gave a small smile, barely lifting the corners of his lips.
She could never stay mad at him for long. So, without wasting time, they slipped into their usual conversation. That's when he realized....Qiantang clearly had no idea about the plans his mother had made. For most of their conversation, she was showing signs of possessiveness, even jealousy. In the end, he gave up trying to explain and just watched her lips move as she spoke, mesmerized by the shine of her lipstick.
He felt a certain tension building inside him, and he knew if they continued like this, things might get too intense. He needed something warm to drink to help him refocus.
He glanced at the clock at the corner of his screen. It was late...far too late to wake Bai Wuxia. So, he politely asked Qiantang for a moment, put the laptop to sleep, slipped on his slippers, and headed downstairs.
Meanwhile, Zhan....who hadn't eaten dinner because he'd refused to come out earlier....was finally being forced to move by the gnawing pain in his stomach. He got up quickly, pulled on his slippers, and adjusted the oversized sleep shirt and long pajama pants he wore. The light brown fabric clung softly to his frame. His hair was uncovered, shiny and neat from all the oils and treatments he used. He opened his bedroom door slowly, like a thief, pausing to listen. When he heard nothing, he tiptoed toward the kitchen.
Zhan quietly served himself a small portion of food onto a plate, then returned to the sitting room. The TV had been left on, showing a cooking show. It caught his attention. He stopped in front of it, plate in hand, picking at his food while his eyes stayed glued to the screen.
He had barely taken two steps when he spotted someone standing in front of the TV. It was so unexpected that he had to pause, confused. Slowly, his eyes narrowed as he stared at the person's back. His gut told him it was someone unfamiliar.... definitely not someone like Lao. Even though he hadn't looked closely, he was certain this wasn't her.
"Wow," Zhan muttered in quiet amazement. He was genuinely impressed by what the chef on the show had prepared....it looked delicious and stirred his appetite.
The voice confirmed Yibo's suspicion. He continued descending the stairs, his gaze locked on Zhan.
Zhan, on the other hand, froze as soon as he heard someone coming down. Panic shot through him. His heart pounded. "IT'S HIM!" his mind screamed. "What if he's heading to his room?" another thought rushed in.
In a snap, Zhan dropped the plate in his hand and bolted to his room in 280. He didn't even glance back to see who it was. He just ran as fast as he could, arms pumping, his body finally allowed to move freely after freezing in fear. He didn't stop until he reached his room, slammed the door shut, and locked it tight.
Yibo, stunned, stood frozen for a moment, watching the whole scene unfold. Who was that? he wondered, brows raised. When no answer came, he shook his head and shrugged before heading to the kitchen to do what he came downstairs for.
Later, back in his room, he and Qiantang talked a little more. He apologized for the interruption and finished the last of his coffee. Then he got ready for bed. But just before sleep could claim him, the image of what had happened downstairs came back to him.
He clicked his tongue and frowned. Who acts like that? he thought. Just hearing someone's steps and you toss your plate and sprint off like a madman? He sighed again and adjusted his pillow, trying to push the strange incident out of his mind and let sleep take over.
Around eleven o'clock the next morning
Three of them sat at the dining table in the upper sitting room, enjoying a late breakfast: Queen Zhaiye and her children, Xifan and Zhenxi. Xifan's daughter sat on her lap, and she was carefully feeding the little girl bits of tender beef as they chatted lightly about family matters.
At that moment, a palace maid approached and knelt to deliver a message: Princess Dingzhi, the younger sister of His Majesty, Sikong mother had requested an audience.
Queen Zhaiye gave a small nod, granting permission, then shifted her gaze back to her children. She gave Zhenxi a look, gesturing for her to take Mei from her lap. Zhenxi stood, gently lifting the child, while Xifan wiped her hands with a tissue and rose to her feet.
With elegance and poise, Queen Zhaiye descended from the dining area to the main sitting room. She had been aware of Dingzhi's stay at the palace for the past four days but hadn't sought her out... unlike the other companions she had taken time to visit.
Zhaiye had always sensed something off about Princess Dingzhi. Her presence didn't sit well with her, even before today. Their relationship had never been close, not even civil, ever since she'd married into the royal family. There had always been a quiet tension between them, possibly because of how the marriage to King Mo Yi came about.... an arrangement Dingzhi had strongly opposed at the time.
Dingzhi had once hoped the King would marry her close friend instead. It had stung deeply when that didn't happen, especially because it left Dingzhi as the King's last surviving sister and closest confidante. The late King had fathered only three children, and their eldest sister had died, leaving behind a son now under Dingzhi's care.
With regal grace, a soft scent trailing behind her, and eyes that missed no detail, Queen Zhaiye entered the sitting room. Of all the chambers in the palace, none could rival hers in beauty, luxury, and refined decor. The room itself was a testament to royalty... passed down to her not only from her father's lineage but also through her husband. She embodied sovereignty in every sense, though she wore it lightly while others merely performed it.
"Please come in," Queen Zhaiye said, gesturing to one of the seats with her signature poise and authority. It wasn't until Princess Dingzhi had sat down that the Queen herself settled onto a wide, elegant two-seater, one leg crossed over the other, her gaze fixed calmly on Dingzhi.
"My brother's wife," Dingzhi began, using the title she always addressed her with.
"Sikong's mother... when did you arrive in the Palace?" Queen Zhaiye asked coolly.
Dingzhi gave a slight grimace. "It's been four days now, actually. I must say I'm surprised you didn't know I was here."
The Queen raised her hands slightly, then brought them together gracefully.
"Not so surprising," she replied. "Everyone has their own matter. I don't often concern myself with palace affairs that don't involve me directly."
Dingzhi studied her, trying to gauge whether there was a deeper meaning in her words. Was she speaking in riddles... or was this simply a blunt statement? After a brief pause, she nodded and said,
"Fair enough."
Just then, Zhenxi descended the stairs with little Mei in his arms and approached respectfully. Ever cheerful and warm, she was known for being the most sociable of Queen Zhaiye's children. She greeted Princess Dingzhi warmly.... whom they all called Aunt Princess.... and asked politely about Dingzhi's children, Shang and Guanzhi.
"They're fine," Dingzhi replied curtly.
A moment later, Xifan arrived as well. She greeted Dingzhi with a quiet nod, said nothing more, and made to leave, her usual reserved demeanor fully intact. Like her brother Yibo, Xifan had inherited a calm aloofness, and Queen Zhaiye noticed clearly how differently Dingzhi treated her children compared to the affection she lavished on others, like Chu concubine Qinnu children.
"YOU... come here. What is wrong with you?" Dingzhi snapped suddenly, her tone sharp and indignant. "Is it because you've been married off that you now see yourself as equal to us?"
Xifan, halfway across the room, turned and blinked.
"Me?" she asked, clearly Confused....she hadn't done or said anything out of line. That was just how she was.
"I wouldn't know," Dingzhi replied stiffly.
Xifan said nothing further. Instead, she turned back and returned to the sitting area, taking a seat quietly. Dingzhi, meanwhile, began to rant without pause, jumping from one grievance to another.... accusing Xifan of distancing herself from everyone, of ignoring others.
At this point, it became abundantly clear to Queen Zhaiye that Dingzhi's real issue had nothing to do with Xifan personally. Whatever she was after, she was no longer hiding it. With composed indifference, the Queen simply picked up her phone and took a call, ignoring the outburst entirely until her children began rising and moving away. Only then did she lower the phone and set it down beside her.
"The Prince's living comfortably in New York," Dingzhi said with venom. "Prince Yibo can't even live freely among his own family....despite being no less deserving than any of them."
Queen Zhaiye gave her a calm, knowing smile as she placed her phone down. Then she raised her eyes and locked them on Dingzhi.
"Everything in life happens in its own time. Often, certain things turn out to be blessings in disguise....especially distancing oneself from certain places and environments. Don't worry, Yibo's aunt… his time to return will come."
It was clear to Dingzhi that Queen Zhaiye was speaking in layered meanings, delivering her message within a message. She rose to her feet, clicking her tongue softly and casting a sharp glance at Zhaiye.
"I'll be going now. I only stopped by out of courtesy...since you all clearly don't bother with anyone else."
Queen Zhaiye smiled, unbothered, as if there was nothing in Dingzhi's words that could rattle her. She rose slowly and returned the look with composed poise.
"Oh, come now...we do make time for people. Especially those whose presence holds great value in our lives. Our connection with them brings meaning and benefit...people like you, for instance."
Dingzhi immediately picked up on the sarcasm...it was unmistakable. She also realized there was nothing she could say or do to pierce through Queen Zhaiye's composure. So she turned and left, her heart simmering with frustration, and renewed her silent vow to outmatch Zhaiye in the end.
Queen Zhaiye smiled even more broadly the moment Princess Dingzhi walked out.
"Seems I've become someone you just can't erase, no matter how hard you try…" she muttered to herself with amusement, before returning to her seat and falling into quiet thought, already calculating how the next moves would unfold.
Meanwhile, Princess Dingzhi stormed into Concubine Qinnu's quarters in a foul mood. Not even the respectful greetings of the servants could penetrate her anger.... she ignored them all, not offering so much as a nod to a single one of them.
Zhanxianyibo💚♥️💛