Jian Guozhi turned left and gradually opened his eyes. He found himself in the chamber of his wife, Zhilao Mi. He had a peaceful sleep last night after so many days because of which he was feeling fresh. A smile formed on his lips as he saw Zhilao Mi beside him. He sat up on the bed and looked around.
Last night memories appeared in front of his eyes. But he was not angry at himself. Those things were burdening him and eating him up from inside. He got down from the bed and called for a servant in. A maidservant came there to whom Jian Guozhi told not to wake his wife up.
He wore the overcoat and left from there to his chamber. As he walked in, he saw Xue Yu-Yan there. Frowns appeared on his forehead. He ignored her presence and turned to go when Xue Yu-Yan stopped him.
"Come to my chamber tonight," Xue Yu-Yan in a threatening tone said.
"Why?"
"To spend a night with me," Xue Yu-Yan replied. Jian Guozhi snickered and walked to her. "Just go away from here. Don't ruin my morning," Jian Guozhi sternly said. Xue Yu-Yan who was on the bed got down from that and stood in front of Jian Guozhi.
"You ruined my entire night. What about that?" Xue Yu-Yan questioned him. "You do not even glance at me. I know we two have some differences, but it does not mean that you shall ignore my presence around you," Xue Yu-Yan asserted.
"Didn't I tell you that you need to live like this with me?! We both married to each other for our benefits. Once I will get the Crown, you will be the Crown Princess and later the Empress," Jian Guozhi stressed.
"But to keep my position intact, I need to become a mother." Jian Guozhi knitted his brows and understood what she was trying to say.
"Leave my chamber and do not step foot here without my permission," Jian Guozhi told her, but Xue Yu-Yan did not budge from her place. Jian had no choice but just to throw her out of his chamber when he heard Xue speaking.
"I get jealous easily. Sister Mi is innocent, that's why I do not want to hurt her, but if you keep acting like this, then I will not even think about her innocence. Spend time with me too," Xue Yu-Yan told and walked out from there, hitting the shoulder of Jian Guozhi.
Jian Guozhi clenched his fist tightly. "Xue, you are forcing me to do those things which I do not intend to," Jian Guozhi muttered as he slammed his hand against the wooden post of the bed.
"What is the mother trying to do? Xue was looking happy. What did they two discuss again?" Jian wondered. His personal assistant, Eunuch Ru, came there. He greeted the Prince and apologized for not coming there early.
"Do not let Xue enter here from the next time," Jian ordered Eunuch Ru who bowed his head this, accepting the order.
"Is the bath ready?" Jian then asked him.
"Yes, your highness. Please come with me," Eunuch Ru humbly replied. Jian walked out from there. After freshening up and taking a hot bath, Jian Guozhi got ready for the morning greetings to the Elders.
In the greeting hall, Han Wenji smiled at seeing all his sons, daughters-in-law, and a daughter. "Prince Yu, you are growing fast. Soon the Crown Prince will return and learn warfare from him," Han Wenji asserted. Weng Yu nodded in agreement.
"Father, I do not want to marry," Lei Wanxi suddenly said. The Empress looked at his mother who lowered her eyes.
"What happened, Prince Wanxi? You are of marriageable age. So, you must marry," Han Wenji pronounced.
"Father, I am young. Moreover, I do not want this kind of marriage for me," Lei Wanxi asserted.
"The Sixth Prince is raising the question on our decisions. It does not seem good. You are just a year younger to the Crown Prince so, I do not think you are young, Prince Wanxi," stated Empress Wei.
"Imperial mother, forgive me, but I did not question your decision. I do not know why the imperial mother thought that." Lei Wanxi then looked at his father and continued, "Father, I do not want to marry. I want to fall in love and then get married to that woman," Lei Wanxi veraciously said.
Han Wenji smiled upon hearing those words. "Prince Wanxi is always truthful about his feelings. I like this thing about you. Okay, do not get married now. But after a year you need to marry so better fall in love with a woman before that," Han Wenji proclaimed.
Lei Wanxi got happy and thanked his father. He then looked at the Empress and passed her his signature smirk.
"Father, even I do not want to marry now. It seems too early for me," Nianzu pronounced.
Weng Wei clenched her fists upon hearing that. She gazed at Concubine Deng Hui who was sitting at a seat near the third Consort. "Prince, you are older than the Crown Prince so, you cannot refuse this," Weng Wei pronounced.
"If my son has such a wish, then I will not force him. Do you perhaps want to fall in love first like Prince Wanxi and then get married?" Han Wenji queried Nianzu, keeping a smile on his lips.
"Thank you, Father. Yes, Father. I also want to fall in love first," Nianzu replied and passed a tiny smile to his father.
"What about the Second and the Third Prince?" Han Wenji asked them.
"We have no problem with this decision," Yongzheng replied. Han Wenji nodded and told the Empress to send the invitations to the Kingdoms accordingly.
"Prince Jian, is everything alright? You do not look good," Han Wenji worriedly said.
Zhilao Mi looked at Jian and found he was indeed tense. She knew the reasons behind her husband's worries.
"I am well, father," replied Jian Guozhi and looked at his mother who was anxiously looking at him. "Come to my chamber after this," Weng Wei told Jian Guozhi who nodded.
Han Wenji looked at his daughter. Time passed so soon that Han Wenji did not realize when his daughter grew up into a woman. His eyes were misty thinking his daughter will soon get married and leave the palace.