Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Nianzu brought Jian Guozhi to his chamber. "Have water." He forwarded the silver glass to Jian Guozhi, who refused. He brought his hands up, joined them, and rested his forehead on them. 

Nianzu placed the glass on the table there and pulled out a chair for him. Taking his seat, Nianzu waited for Jian Guozhi to turn stable. Hours passed, but Jian Guozhi did not speak a single word. 

The evening had fallen, and the two stayed like that. Finally, the First Prince lifted his head and leaned back on his chair. His eyes were focused on a wooden tiger that was placed on the shelf. He recalled the day when he told his mother about his wish of having a toy tiger. "She found the best craftsman to carve that wooden tiger. I was so happy when she fulfilled my wish." 

Nianzu turned himself back to look where the First Prince was gazing. His eyes fell on the wooden tiger on the shelf. Turning to the front, he heard the First Prince, "She fulfilled every wish of mine until she stopped listening to me. If I had listened to her then, she would have been alive. But I would not be able to live in peace because someday she might end up killing either Sheng Li or Ying Lili. I always wondered why the Fourth Brother wanted to leave the Palace. But then I got my answers." 

Nianzu's eyes turned wider as Jian Guozhi continued, "Because this Palace only increases jealousy among the Regal family members. It took me a long time to stop walking on the wrong path. People will talk ill about my mother, so I need to work hard to restore her image so that people could at least forgive her for her grave mistake." 

"I will help you in doing so, First Brother. You already gained a lot of respect from all of us for punishing the crime," Nianzu proclaimed as he placed his hand on his back, caressing it soothingly. 

"Brother shall eat something. I heard from Eunuch Long that you have not had your meals since the last day. You might fall sick if you keep skipping your meals," Nianzu stated. 

"I need some sleep. I have not had enough sleep for the past few days. I will surely have my dinner," Jian Guozhi assured the Fourth Prince. He stood up and rubbed his forehead with his forefinger. "My head is getting heavier," he mumbled as he turned towards the bedchamber. Nianzu also stood up and watched his brother, who had soon left his sight. 

Nianzu walked out of the chamber when he encountered Xue Yu-Yan, who had just come there. "Sister Xue, Brother Jian is taking a rest. He has a headache," Nianzu informed her. Xue Yu-Yan nodded when Eunuch Long came forward. 

"Princess Consort Xue, I am afraid, his highness has prohibited any entry to his resting chamber for today. Earlier, Lady Mi had also come to see him. You shall come tomorrow," Eunuch Long kept his tone polite while giving her the message. 

Xue Yu-Yan nodded her head and then left with Nianzu. 

"Brother is going through a tough time. It's tough to make choices like he made," Nianzu asserted. "What about Sister Xue? Did she realize fully what consequences it could bring? Temporary happiness, followed by loss of dignity and your virtue!" Nianzu glanced at Xue Yu-Yan narrowly.

"Yes, Fourth Brother. The wrong path may give you happiness, but not for long. I understood it when I was punished, and everyone looked at me as if I had committed some crime. Everyone distanced away from me. I would have been dead by now if I had continued walking on this path," Xue Yu-Yan pronounced. "After I chose the right path, Jian Ge agreed to give me a second chance. I am glad that he does not despise me anymore." 

Nianzu smiled upon hearing that. Now, the Palace would become a place with no enmity. He was delighted to think about it. "It was a nice conversation with you, Sister Xue," Nianzu took his leave while Xue Yu-Yan thought to meet the Emperor. 

Lei Wanxi was sitting on the Eastern pavilion, fanning himself. He was gazing at the peaks of the mountains that were visible from this place only. 'I did not see Hu Jingguo today. Where is he?' Lei Wanxi wondered when he heard the footsteps. He turned and found Nianzu was approaching him. A bright smile appeared on his lips, seeing him there. 

Nianzu halted beside him and took his seat. "Brother, where were you? I went to your chamber earlier, but even Eunuch Chung did not know about your whereabouts," Lei Wanxi complained.

"I was with the First Brother. He needs us in this difficult time," Nianzu replied. 

Lei Wanxi closed the fan and put it inside his sash. "I was shocked when I found out that Brother Jian himself handed the evidence to our father. But, I wonder what the evidence was. I asked our father, but he did not tell me," Lei Wanxi pouted. 

"Why are you interested in that? Let it be private between our father and Brother Jian," Nianzu proclaimed. 

"Brother Nianzu knows that I am curious about everything around me. Brother, the air of the Palace feels different. Finally, we got rid of the biggest enemy of everyone. Brother Sheng's mother will now rest in peace," Lei Wanxi joined both of his hands and closed his eyes. "May their souls rest in peace. I pray for everyone's safety," he said and opened his eyes. 

"Brother, did you see Hu Jingguo? I have not seen him since this morning. I told him yesterday to meet me in the evening," asserted Lei Wanxi. 

"He might be busy somewhere. He is now the Second Royal Physician so it is understandable," Nianzu stated. 

"But, I am his friend. For me, he should take out time," Lei Wanxi sulkily said. 

Nianzu smiled at the childishness of Lei Wanxi when he heard Eunuch Chung. 

"Forgive me for intruding on the Princes, but there is a message for the Fourth Prince," Eunuch Chung said.

"What type of message?" Lei Wanxi questioned curiously. 

"His Majesty wants to meet the Fourth Prince," Eunuch Chung informed. Nianzu knitted his brows and stood up. He had an instinct that his father might have called him to ask about his decision on the marriage, but he was hoping this not to be true.