The days that went on in the Treasured Palace were glum, filled with loneliness. Whenever they crossed paths, she always greeted him but he'd ignore her as if she weren't there.
Here in the palace, Ha Lee was on her own.
In her courtyard, she sat alone on the porch, watching as leaves fell from the tree and to the ground.
Each one of those leaves was like a person. They served a purpose in their lives before it ended.
Her hair that was once free of any excess hair accessories, now held hairpins of high value.
As the wind drifted, so did her enduring heart.
Elsewhere, at the Moonlight Palace Queen Qi Ting was having a private meeting with someone. That someone was a relative of hers who had just entered office as the Minister of Personnel, Mo Yaozu.
The woman smiled, "Mo Yaozu, if I heard correctly. You have a daughter about 21 years of age." she stated.
The Minister eyed her, "Yes, Your Majesty."
He felt something come up his sleeve and his lips turned into a smirk.
"Is there someone you want to replace?"
The Queen's eyes looked at him devilishly, as her prey was in already in her hands. All she had to do was bring another piece to finish the game.
"A very naive one that does not belong here. Even if she is the Plum Palace's sole owner."
Yaozu always raised his brow during the talk of that specific palace's owner.
"Your Majesty, why does that palace only belong to her? Shouldn't it be for any Crown Princess?" he questioned.
The woman laughed, "Does it look like I was supposed to be the Crown Princess either? I can never step foot there except for Imperial Concubine Jian Wei." telling of the beginning.
"Every few years when the Crown Princess selection is near, the royal shaman must voice the future King's bride. It is said in the royal scrolls that the Plum Palace grounds is where the Divine Goddess, Daiyu, laid to rest. Although in her slumber, the land still belongs to her. She is to choose the Crown Princess that will reign over her resting place and be the nation's mother. However, there was never word of what could happen if the chosen one didn't claim the land nor become the future King's bride. There is speculation though, that if she does not become Queen or the palace owner, the royal family will face a demon within themselves."
The Minister nearly shivered at her last line. This all the more made this Sui Kingdom's royal family look to be the Divine Goddess' descendants herself.
"What do you mean it's a speculation?" he then questioned.
Her smile still present, she further explained. "It's just something the damn shaman said. It's probably not even true." she simply brushed it off without a care.
The man just sighed inside at his relative's words, but he too didn't really seem to care either. As long as his daughter, Mo Liu, became the Crown Princess, all else didn't matter.
Even if killing someone was to be involved.
Being alone for so long everyday since her arrival, Ha Lee left to the palace garden. At least here, she wouldn't be so alone.
There, she had nature's beauty.
As she sat on the bench, so did a sigh that came from her lips.
"I hope mother, father, and Xueqin visit me soon."
In this foreign place, she knew no one nor did she have any connections. None of the royal members had even visited her nor did the Crown Prince she admired.
Then, she stood, heading to the flower field. At the center of it, there was a pavilion and butterflies that fluttered from flower to flower.
Extending her arm towards the flying creatures, one landed on her finger. Pulling it to herself, she looked in awe.
She could only have it within her grasp for so long before flying away to be with the others.
Just when she thought she relax, the sound of shuffling came close until it crashed before her.
Ha Lee was flabbergasted at the sudden entrance of a young man.
That young man was Yusheng. Once again, was he running away from Li Dai having made fun of him for still being single.
He was still laughing to himself from that situation.
"Ahh er....... excuse me?" she called out.
Then, his laughter faded. Slightly, he turned, only enough to see her, so his face wouldn't be revealed.
Yusheng didn't know why, but immediately did he cover his face with the piece of cloth that was in his pocket.
Tying it around his head, he finally looked to the familiar maiden.
"Yes Miss?"
She eyed him closely making him nervous that he was being observed.
It was then she realized who he was.
"Are you perhaps.... that man?"
He raised a brow, not exactly getting what she meant. However, looking at her more closely, he recognized her. The eyes he called "beautiful" gave it away for him.
"Aren't you Miss Ha Lee?"
She smiled, something she hadn't given to another for a while. "I'm glad I got to see you again, Feng."
Behind his mask, was a flushed face. To him, the most beautiful part about her was her kindness and the way she perceived others.
Brushing off those feelings, he decided to converse with her. He hasn't had someone to talk comfortably with in a while besides his best friend, Li Dai.
"So what're you doing here? You finally popped up again after so long."
She awkwardly chuckled, "I'm actually the Crown Princess." her cheeks turning pink.
Shock hit him, almost screamed to himself inside.
"Isn't it a bad thing if someone sees us?! Moreover, it'd become a controversy."
"Ahh......Your Highness, wouldn't it be bad if others saw us together? I'm not saying this because I don't want to be with you, but because it could harm your reputation."
Clearly, he was worried for her. She had only just entered the palace as he's heard. If she were to be seen with another man, she would face consequences.
Just as he thought she'd be upset and probably distance herself, the direction changed.
"Well, others shouldn't assume then. Is it wrong to speak to another man or another woman? I am only talking to you simply because I want to and there is no one that visits me at the Treasured Palace. Not even His Highness visits me." she retorted.
He was silent rather astonished by her for a moment. A huffed chuckle came and his eyes shut for a second before they looked to her.
"Why doesn't brother ever look her way? She's so kind and honestly, she's just herself. There's nothing she has to hide........ I kind of pity her that she's so isolated from others including him."
He also knew the feeling of being left out from the crowd.
Taking it upon himself, he decided. "Then shall this man of General Li accompany you every once in a while to talk?"
Ha Lee's eyes seemed to sparkle hearing him. She nodded her head with pleasure now that she had someone in the palace she knew. She couldn't help but smile sheepishly.
The prince didn't know why, but seeing her in a delighted state made him also feel the same way.
Brushing it off, he decided to talk to her about the last two years since they last met.
As he talked without end, she listened. To her, she knew that he was the type to talk about his adventures to anyone but most would stray away from his running mouth. She on the other hand, enjoyed this nature of his.
On Yusheng's part, he was glad he found someone to listen to him. Someone that was able to give ear to his rambles.
The start of a blooming relationship.
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.
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