White lies

[ Third Person ]

The Last Prince may be the youngest but his lineage is all but greed. He is regarded as the dragon son, for he bears the greatest gift when he was born. The Lord of Dame always said that his star shone the brightest amongst the three heirs. But, his heart is not for the throne. He always commends that His second brother should take the throne because he deserves it more than he does. Although he does not want to be crowned, his mother thinks otherwise.

This created more tension between his brother.

[ Tae Hua's POV ]

Ji Wok entered the room with a stale face. I shrugged and asked him what happened.

"Remember the horse we used to ride at the northern gate when we were young?"

I nodded, he took his elbow and show it to me. His elbows were bleeding and I grimaced, looking at it.

"You rode him again?"

He hissed, I smiled a little and look for my things. He's a little bit careless when it comes to that horse. He might have stirred up the senses of the horse.

I walked down to my bedside and opened the drawers. I found the ceramic jar which was given by Weicheng and threw it off to him. He easily caught it in a single hand as his forehead creased and checked it.

"This-" He stutters

I raised an eyebrow "That's Yun Clan's healing balm. Yes"

He inspected it "No, I was going to say that I gave it to-"

"You gave it to Dan Weicheng" I finished off his sentence as his smile was suddenly turned to a blank face, his brows suddenly met. As he kept it inside his robe.

I suddenly felt something is off to him.

"Why was it in your hands?"

"He accidentally gave it to me" I casually said.

His eyes dropped to my face. I looked at him intently and tried to analyze his thoughts. "You're being too friendly with him" I said as a matter of fact and turned my head.

He shrugged and just breathed "I don't"

"You never gave anything to anyone before, especially something that you hold dear."

My Cousin has always been aloof and unfriendly, too busy with swords or reading books. He's always away from the crowd and all places with a noisy background. He just talks to either me and Qui Run. Maybe because his Father always favored his older brother, so he is afraid of connecting with anyone.

The ceramic jar was created for her mom, the carvings are the same as Yun's because his father carved it for her when she was bedridden with illness. It was the only heirloom he cherished the most.

He stood up, about to leave when he turned his head again to me. He whispered

"never gave up something I hold dear" he repeated before he said his last words "I did" as he just left the room.

I creased my forehead. I just left him alone and went to the outer court. The event created havoc last night so we were excused to work today.

I crossed my arms as I walk on the wet pavement. I can't keep my mind off Ji Wok's stance. He seemed off lately.

"Your handsome friend, Niu Qui Run is here"

I cleared my ears hearing his loud voice. He's still holding his fan and waving it. "What are you doing here alone, Your Majesty?"

"Stop it" I countered

He sat down, grinning on the other side of the cemented table.

"What are you thinking?" he suddenly lowered his voice, his excitement suddenly wore off as he realized I'm not in the mood.

"Yun Ji Wok is acting strange lately," I said "he seemed to not care about things I say and often try to go against my thoughts"

"Are you having a fight?"

"Tsss" I pushed his fan and it dropped off "No, we are not. We never fought each other"

He clapped his hand "That's it! Just try to punch each other and it will lessen the burden, guys need some beating with their friends too. It'll lessen the tension."

I shook my head, "You're crazy"

His smile wore off as his face became serious "are you sure you're both ok?"

"You know what I am thinking?" I said.

"Well, your face looks troubled. I don't know" he shrugged as if taunting me to talk. I heard someone shouting as I saw Weicheng and his friends on the other side of the hallway, their voices are ecstatic, as always. And noisy. They exited to the end of the hallway, going to the court.

I watched him walk with his peers, they all seemed to have fun. They are laughing and shouting.

"ahhhhh" my sudden disturbance was interfered by Qui Run's voice. "It's Weicheng"

I was stoned and looked at him "what do you mean?"

"You said, Ji wok's acting strange? It's Dan Weicheng?"

I narrowed my eyes at him "so you also felt it?"

"well" He sighed "When we were admitted and lined up outside the academy. I already saw how Ji Wok's stance changes when he sees Weicheng. And found out that he was the reason, Ji Wok was forced to enter the academy"

"He was the one who initiated the brothel incident?"

Qui Run smiled "No, actually, Dan Weicheng helped a woman at that time and made trouble because of that. Ji Wok said, he just helped because he saw the woman was being harassed too."

At that time, Ji Wok hated the thought of entering the academy. He has always been filial so even if he does not enter, his brother would still inherit the Yun Household and it doesn't concern him otherwise. His mother does not want him to be entangled with controversies and wants him to stay low, because she believed that his older brother should inherit the Yun seal.

But, he was forced to enter the academy with me because of the event. His father was very displeased because of the incident, so he was sent to avoid any more troubles. Because of this, his mother, especially took this as going against her. Their relationship has been stained yet again.

"So he was the reason" I nodded slowly.

"Anyway, the event yesterday brought a lot of confusion, do you think the information was true?"

I sighed "I don't know. But, if it is true, the second princess must be in danger, living her life out of the palace seems hard enough, but being banned and threatened must be a huge blow to her."

The Second Princess Xie'en has always been regarded as a beauty who can surpass heaven and earth. The Princess can be compared to a clear and fine luminous pearl, that shines whenever she's under the sunlight. Her eyes are the most expressive and her hand, her right palm possesses the fine and delicate three stars formed in a triangular shape. The only thing that will identify her is her birthmarks.

She is always kind and generous even as a kid, her voice soothes like a harmonious flute traversing through all sides of the realm. Her intelligence and skills surpassed any kid at her age, with such wit and clever tongue. She is the epitome of perfection, but her life was cut short.

"If it happens that she is still alive. we need to find out first, to protect her," I said in a stern voice

Qui Run nodded in approval "I guess, that's the reason Ji Wok is unsettled, especially today, he must be looking for information too."

"We need to double our efforts before the Yun Clan and the Queen of the North can get ahead. We need to ask for more information from the red assassins before we could come up with strategic plans."

Qui run pouted while nodding.

His eyes dropped to the other side as he bowed his head, I closed my eyes and breathed to calm my nerves. I always remember that rose scent, I almost puke due to the excessive amount of scent suffocating me.

"Tae Hua" the voice irritated me too much, but I just sighed and turned my head as I bowed.

"Princess Xiao'er" her smile grew as she was well seated at the other side.

I forcefully smiled at her and sat down. Qui Run just looked at me, as if wanting to help me get away from the grasp of the First Princess.

"I have something to tell you" her eyes suddenly lowered to the tea I offered as she fidgeted with her fingers. I have seen this a lot with women before.

I absent-mindedly looked at Qui Run and he just pulls a face also knowing what is about to be discussed next.

"How can I help ease your trouble, Your Highness?"

"The event yesterday" I frowned and her eyes dropped to my face, I immediately smiled.

"What do you mean?"

"By this time, I know that the Empire is in havoc hearing the news yesterday. The lost princess must be wandering around somewhere, she must be living in a different home. I would like to help the search"

Qui Run choked and he took his glass to drink.

"The information hasn't been cleared and justified. We do not even know if that was real or some tricks played by the assassins to shake up the royal family" I said impassively

"But, I cannot just stay here doing nothing, if my sister is out in the wild" I narrowed my eyes and smiled sarcastically.

"Don't worry, we'll set out tomorrow to ask more details" I said and just snicker at her acting. "after we cleared out things, we will tell you about our next step"

AS IF.

she just nodded and stood up "Thank you, I hope to get more information as soon as possible too."

"My father and Mother will return tomorrow with some seniors and your master Pu to help with the several issues regarding the events."

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[Weicheng's POV]

"Ji Wok" After the meeting with General Niu and a few words from him regarding the Second Princess scene yesterday, I hurriedly went to the side of Ji Wok and whispered.

He looked at me surprised as I asked him to meet me at the riverside near the entrance palace later.

After dinner, I glanced at Ji Wok as he first went out of the Dining hall. My eyes shifted to my companions that are busy laughing and enjoying their food. I excused myself and said I will use the comfort room.

I run off to the hallway and went out of the palace. It's already 8 pm and the curfew is around 10 pm. I should get away with these palace guards to reach the back exit near the riverside.

I took one torch lamp as I jumped to the other side. I saw Ji Wok's back as his eyes are fixed to the stream. I saw the moon reflected in the stream as I slowly walk to him. When I reached behind him with just a couple of feet away, I coughed. He turned around and looked at me.

"Weicheng" his hands are still behind his torso I let out a small smile.

"I have to ask you several questions" I said right away. I held my right hand in a cold and freezing night.

He smiled as if knowing what I was about to ask. "Your secret is safe with me"

I narrowed my eyes "So you knew? How long? When?"

"Ever since I first saw you at the brothel"

Shock is an understatement. I was petrified. "How?"

"Aside from your facial features that are delicate and soft. You sat beside my table and ordered chamomile tea. That was the first time I saw a person dressed as a man sipping through a tea in a brothel."

Not yet convinced I just frowned.

"You smell flowery like lavenders and peach blossom when I helped you. You have a butterfly cloth tying your hand"

I often take lavender with me, since it has soothing effects on my wounded hand. I frowned, remembering my bondage that time. It was indeed a butterfly cloth from Mu Lin I shook my head. If I would have known that her cloth will give away my identity I should have changed it right away.

"that's it?"

"Before, I said maybe you're just feminine. But the questions lingered longer as I saw your pouch. That time I saw you crying looking at it. and I realized you are indeed a--"

I laughed "all this time I thought of hiding things from you"

"Your secret will be a big blow to the academy if found. You committed a grave sin. The Emperor will definitely give you a huge punishment for this. I do not know why you are doing this. But, since you have all the capabilities, wisdom and intelligence to stay, I will keep quiet. Just don't get caught and do not ever say I knew."

I beamed widely. As he asked me why I am grinning.

"I always thought you never broke the rules. But here you are keeping my secrets too" I said.

"That's not true" he sounded so arrogant saying those, I laughed.

"You stone face!"

"Of course not! When Qui Run, Tae Hua, and I were kids, we always get into trouble. And I always lie on behalf of them too" he sat on a huge rock as I tap his head

"very good" I said in a haughty manner, still tapping his head.

"you're saying that I should lie often?"

"no, of course not. What I am saying is, you should laugh and enjoy life more often."

he looked at me with a small smile as he shook his head "unbelievable"

"I am born to be unbelievable though." as said and we both laughed and stayed there watching the water stream.

"Your secret is safe with me" He said again. I smiled and thank him.

"what secret?"

our eyes traveled to Tae Hua who entered the scene in a quirk state.

"Are you- Are you having an affair" Tae Hua's face is explicitly entertaining, but I managed to stay firm. I almost laughed at his reaction.

I want to see him bewildered for a good laugh.

"yes" I held on to Ji Wok's arm, which he just looked at me surprisingly as I smiled at him "Right, Wok?"

Our eyes met, Ji wok stared at me for a few seconds with a mixed-up and curious face as he smiled afterward.

We looked at Tae Hua's bizarre and 'I can't believe' this reaction as he went on and left us.

We just shrugged as he just left us. I immediately took my arm clinked to Jo Wok and bid an apology as I went ahead. I almost slap my face due to embarrassment.