Fei Yang had already sent his experience of that night, including his confirmed suspicions of two certain individuals.
Days passed, and Ju Ning laid in her bed keeping warm from the cold weather. The scowl on her face was as deep as ever.
"..........I'm hungry." she muttered quietly to herself.
Although hungry, she didn't want to speak to anyone and order them around. It was bothersome to her.
The lady simply sighed to herself, "I wonder how mother and father are doing." she could only wonder, especially the fact that Chang was no longer around to keep them company.
Just as she said that, the doors opened, revealing Wen Ling who's come with a tray of hot foods for his dear wife. Carrying it, he walked carefully as to not drop it or else he'd have to fetch another.
"What brings you here?" Ju Ning questioned her husband with raised brows.
The prince seemed to bite the inside of his lip, "I....I just wanted to make sure you were eating good, so I brought you food." he looked to ponder.
The lady just smiled, "Then come, I am quite hungry."
Coming towards her, he placed the tray on the nightstand and held the bowl of short rib beef soup along with a spoon. Dipping it in to capture the warm liquid, he blew on it as to make sure it wouldn't be too hot or else her mouth would burn.
Then, he held the spoon to her lips to drink. His expression was dear as ever as he waited for her lips to part. She chuckled softly at his actions and took in the flavor.
"Did you make this?" she asked.
He looked speechless almost, "How did you know?"
"It tastes homemade." she said. For her, there was effort mixed in along with the feeling of home and family.
"Is it alright?" Wen Ling asked like a child.
"Delicious," just one word.
He became cheery causing her to smile without a doubt.
As she ate the food he made, he kept his talk going on and she'd listen.
"How is your belly so big already? I believe you only told me the news just a few weeks ago." he was curious.
"Umm.....err....... I'm actually in my last stage of pregnancy already." she nervously laughed.
His expression turned shocked.
"I didn't know how to tell you the first few months so I kept to myself. I think I got pregnant the first night we were together." she explained.
They had gotten married at least over eight months ago.
His eyes lowered, "Why didn't you tell me earlier then?" he seemed down.
Her lips turned into a frown, "Because......our marriage was out of power and political reasons......I thought that our child would only grow up without any actual love. I was afraid that after I told you, you'd no longer see me since you've completed your duty to conceive a child." her gaze seemed to shift to a sorrowful one.
Wen Ling sighed to himself, "Ju Ning, this marriage may have been out of power and political reasons but it was me who asked for your hand in marriage. I begged my father, even General Ju for me to marry you."
Her eyes widened in shock, "Why?"
"Ju Ning, what other reason could there be? It's none other than the fact that I hold you dear in my heart. It's tradition that only after the first born prince is married that the ladder would follow. I immediately went to my father after the announcement of my eldest brother's marriage. To my father, this was seen as a grab for power but for me, it was to be with you and only you......I guess you can say I've been waiting on this marriage for at most, 5 years."
She turned confused, "But I thought you didn't like me at first?"
"Well at first my father made me stay around with you and then I learned to know about you. Overtime, I began to hold you more and more in my heart before I then asked to marry you......" he sighed.
All she was, was speechless. She didn't know how to respond.
"I.....I was being selfish wasn't I? I didn't even think to consider your feelings." feeling horrible of his actions.
She gave a subtle smile as she wiped her eyes, "Well, I don't mind......I do feel the same for you." putting her hand over his.
His eyes seemed to glisten, feeling lightened by her confession.
At long last, they were both finally able to say what they wanted. Their answers led gave them light to walk the path they share together.
It was already long after the meeting Fei Yang gave to His Majesty and His Highness, Wen Ling. Shock was their response at the involved party members.
Now, as Wen Xin walked from the training grounds after paying visit, he left back to his Hidden Palace.
Walking past the king's Sun Palace, the prince, who still walked with caution due his injuries, couldn't help but notice two figures. Looking as he passed, he saw his older brother handing a pouch to a female servant.
He only raised a brow, wondering what that could be about.
"I wonder what Ling's doing? Maybe he likes her I don't know.........wait no.....he'd scold me if I said that. He holds Lady Ju Ning too close to heart."
Every time he'd pay a visit to his older brother's palace, he'd see how whipped he was for her. She could just breathe and he'd smile faintly to himself like no one saw when really everyone did.
He then paced away with short steps. All the prince could think about was what he would want for dinner for the night.
It was either just porridge or some rice cakes.
Just before the king would go to sleep, he went over to his nightstand and took hold of his medicine given by the royal physician. He drank this three days a week in order to ease himself of the pain.
However, this night seemed to howl louder than the others. There were harsh winds that moved everything it touched.
Drinking the liquid, he couldn't help but become light headed.. This was present the few times after drinking it and so he decided to lie down on his cold bed.
Faintly, his eyes opened and closed as he looked about the dim room lit by just one candle that stood on his nightstand.
Then, darkness was all he could ever see.
"IT WAS YOU WHO DID IT! YOU DAMNED HIS MAJESTY." an official yelled to another.
This early morning chaos was all that filled everyone's ears.
The moment light swept the new day, was the moment one saw the king no longer respond. His breathing was normal but no matter what his eyes wouldn't open nor would he move a muscle. All that was known was that he was in some short of sleep, a coma.
The Left Prime Minister sighed at this mess and stood at the center on top the stairs. "Everyone please, we must not be out of line. We must gather information of any events that may have occurred yesterday evening." he organized.
Upon hearing this, the men in the room shushed and put themselves back in their respective places. Now, they awaited for both the princes to give their word.
"Thank you, Left Minister." Wen Ling spoke calling him by a shorter title.
The official bowed, "With pleasure, Your Highness."
"Now," the 3rd prince spoke loudly with a clear voice. "Does anyone want to come forward about what happened last night?"
One official spoke, "Your Highness," he greeted as he stepped out. "I've questioned the servants and one said that after the royal physician left another person entered. However, it is not known who it was that entered as they were wearing a mask, an opera mask." he clarified the last bit.
Wen Ling's hands formed into fists. Wen Xin taking notice of his brother's rage stood from his seat.
"Please give us further detail on that unknown person." Wen Xin ordered.
The official bowed, "Of course, Your Highness.... The person entering was wearing what looked to be a blue mask. Another thing I must include is that although the person entered, he never came out."
The 4th prince's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He couldn't help but look over to his brother whose expression was filled with nothing but coldness.
"Is there anyone else that would like to speak?! We must gather as much information as we can!" Wen Ling shouted making the room go dead silent.
During the 3rd prince's rages, not one dared to speak. His fury was not one to go against or else.
The Right Prime Minister then spoke, "Last night I saw His Highness, the 3rd prince handing something to a servant." having also seen.
Wen Ling seemed to glare at his accusation.
"What about it makes it so suspicious, Right Minister? What was it that I did that made it seem out of the ordinary?" he questioned.
There was nothing but quietness. The 3rd prince's eyes shut tightly, then opened to look at that man.
He swore to avenge his brother, Wen Chen's tragic death. To find that the person has struck once more truly irked him to the core. Not only that, he is now the one being accused when really all he did was try and find the truth.
"Actually," one spoke, being Prince Wen Xin.
The older prince looked to his younger brother.
"I also saw Ling last night. I don't know what it was but he was in front of His Majesty's palace when he gave it to a female servant." he finished his statement.
Wen Ling's eyes widened in shock and his face seemed to go numb. He felt absolutely dreadful being turned against for a crime he didn't commit.
"We must place His Highness on house arrest immediately!" the Right Prime Minister shouted causing a stir.
The officials began to feel uneasy, not knowing what to do.
Wen Ling clenched his fists, "Left Minister," he called.
The high ranking official bowed ready for his orders, "Yes, Your Highness."
"From today on, I shall be kept within the perimeters of my palace. I will not step out for any reason till an investigation of this is finished. No one is to visit me either!" he declared setting it straight.
Those in the hall looked on with silence.
"Guards, please guide His Highness back to the High Peak Palace! No one is to enter and His Highness is to not leave till further notice." the Left Prime Minister declared.
The 3rd prince sighed to himself, "Be sure to let him know." he spoke discreetly to the Left Prime Minister
"Yes, Your Highness," he nodded.
Guards then entered, surrounding him. Before he was to leave, he eyed the Right Prime Minister then looked away.
As he walked away, guided by the guards, he couldn't help but place his hope in him, His Highness Prince Fei Yang.
.
.
.