Chapter 34

"Are you sure you're not the Emperor?"

I asked Ml for the fifth time.

You see, his estate no, this place looks like the imperial palace itself. It's just that we're on the west side of the Dan Empire where according to him half of the land is a desert. Guess what, his home is similar to how the ottoman empire built its palace. The luxury and designs are top-notch. It's just that it's a mix of ancient China's Han Palace.

Hundreds of stairs to go up, just as hundreds of soldiers guard the gate and way to his dominion.

"Bengong was blessed to be given this kind of place."

"Do you like it?"

No. I'll tire myself with these stairs.

I smiled and nodded.

"My husband is the emperor himself."

I whispered making him laugh.

"My wife, do you want to be the empress?"

My heart stilled laughing awkwardly.

I shook my head. "The highest position will always be in your heart."

Do you think you're the only one who can act even without genuine love? Heart? Ptui.

Ml chuckled, beaming a wonderful smile as he holds my right hand, gentle as if I'd break looking at me with his ever tender eyes. Bleh. Ladies and gentlemen, here I have witnessed what it truly feels like seeing a character having a background filled with light, flowers, and roses blooming as his aura shines more than the rays of the sun. It's truly... Something. The three blind mice would surely be enlightened if they witnessed this scene.

"You're words made by heart flutter."

As quick as I've been lulled by his handsomeness I've been brought back to my rationality.

As if it did make his heart flutter. What a farce.

I mimicked his chuckle albeit more feminine and shy. "You're making your wife embarrassed."

After nearly a month of traveling, I'm finally able to rest as much as I can. What a relief.

But...

The air here is way hotter than in the Fu Empire. I've asked before and even though the seasons would change this is considered their normal temperature. "Can Li Jia Ying remove this viel? It's quite hot."

"Be patient. Wait until we enter our home."

His eyes darted to the curious stares of the numerous people who didn't dare to lift their heads. Even the curious children who were just starting a second ago were forced by their parents to look down on the ground.

Aiyo, it's not like I'll always avoid these people. They will someday see my face even if you prevent it.

"Welcome home Your Highness and Mistress. Glory to the Son and Daughter of Dan."

Son of Dan... Oh yes, there was a part in the story where he was referred to as the Son of Dan. It means he is below the Emperor who is the First Son of Dan having an equal term with the princes but higher authority as a king yet lesser than the emperor...does that even make sense? Given that he has the royal blood that stabilizes his status as well as adding his contributions, the Emperor of Dan endowed him with such a title.

Now I'm the daughter huh? Makes me cringe, it feels like incest.

I just silently followed Ml until we reached our chamber as the maids helped me change. My attitude was a quiet fool while looking around. To think the outer appearance of this place is so majestic, yet the interior design was more simple and elegant. There is no exaggeration in designs and accessories, it's just like the temperament of the owner. Even the color scheme of the palace mostly sided with the cooler palette.

The pillars were of simple paint and carving yet the golden rings on the bottom and above were worth millions of dollars.

This place looks like seven times the net worth of the Ceo of Amazon.

"Are you hungry?"

I shook my head. This hag needs to sleep on a bed. A bed I tell ya.

"Alright, husband understands that you should rest first..."

His eyes would flicker at me and then frown before masking it like it was nothing. He has done it three times already. For some reason, he looks troubled.

"What's the matter?"

"Husband will tell you when you have a good rest."

"No, please do so lest Li Jia Ying will be bothered to sleep."

"It would truly trouble your rest."

"How would wife know if you don't tell her first?"

"You really will."

"Tell me."

I urged him, my gossip girl acting up.

Ml sat in besides as it's obvious he is just acting unwilling a second ago. "My trusted physician will come and do some play."

"What would my role be?"

"He had cured your foolishness."

Not troublesome at all. Not like I'll disagree. I get the gist of it. That doctor must be renowned if he wants to make it believable when some people will ask in the future.

"You think Li Jia Ying will experience troublesome hardships when that time comes?"

It's like he is wanting me to prepare for future plans. Now that I've been out of the Empire, whether I act foolishly or not would depend on me. But also, it would ruin his reputation marking him a fool, yet if I'm healed and can be cured as a sane quicker than what was mentioned in the novel, it would also help him improve his reputation.

"Would it not?"

"It still has its benefits."

I can also gain more resources if this happens.

"Thank you for understanding my concern, wife"

Don't be we are just using each other.

"Isn't part of my responsibility as your wife? When will he come?"

"Ten days from now. Therefore,"

Ml kissed the back of my hand, hugging me as I let him nuzzle his face on the crook of my neck. The scent of...pine? Eh? Weird.

"Rest for now."

"Okay..."

***

Finally!

After ten days the doctor arrived.

"Greetings Mistress, this servant is named Feng Nian."

I nodded. What a pretty man. He isn't far from Ml's age.

"Then until when will this act end?"

I asked both the Ml and Feng Nian.

"In about a year."

I nodded.

There was nothing much, just that whenever he comes, Zhiyuan is with me. At times Ml had to leave and Feng Nian and I would be a distance apart. Every session is the same, I either read or chat with him, gaze at the window, or take a break to close my eyes and rest. During those times I learned many things about this empire which wasn't elaborated in the novel.

For example, many noble women and even the princesses fainted after hearing that Jin Hai, the King of Yi, our ML married someone from another nation without any notice. Even more, they were outrageous as they discovered he married a muddle-headed princess. Much to my amusement, when they learned that he will only have me as his wife and no concubine it said that they want to see how I look like. Women like this always existed in real-world settings too.

One-third of the empire was given to the King of Yi to monopolize and mandate. After returning to this Empire Ml's seal that represents his authority as the commander was given to him again making him the official King of Yi and the Great General of the Dan Empire. A celebration occurred but I didn't go, in the excuse, I'm not feeling well. Thinking about it, to be able to keep those two sparkling titles from the Emperor who might see him as a potential threat, this male lead sure knows how to handle himself.

Feng Nian told me that about a million soldier was at his disposal well in subservient to the Emperor's wishes. But as long as he held that seal, the soldiers will not run amok. Lastly, before he came his assistant official for the Administrative Department second to him commanded and controlled whatever happens to the 10 provinces that are under his jurisdiction. Which is part of one-third of the land and masses the Emperor designated for him to take care of.

To think that even if he was in the Fu Empire, his assistant would send pigeons if a problem arises and he will aide them with the best of his tactic. I wonder if that's what he also did in the novel because he never went in here, his homeland. He stayed there for Bai Ying Lue until the end as a ruler of the Fu Empire along with his FL Empress.

"Physician Feng, you've said that there will be a festival called Gazhun right?"

If I'm not wrong, it was Gazhun Treaty but wasn't specifically described in the novel. It's just that, the day the Gazhung Treaty was made became the festival conserve as a reminder that the neighboring Empire of Dan and the Koumn Kingdom are at peace. A time when two different cultures merge.

From what I remembered, Bai Ying Lue was about to visit the Gazhun Treaty but the author made a change so it was just mentioned, that's it. There's a possibility she didn't go.

"Yes Mistress, it'll be in sennight. But,"

Feng Nian paused, smiling apologetically.

"But?"

"This servant is afraid that the King of Yi won't let you out."

I snickered.

"If he is too busy then Li Jia Ying will talk to him and have you as my guardian. Disguising myself until he is satisfied. Maybe then, he'll permit me to go."

I've never been to any festival before. I've been to a carnival and a local fiesta but not a festival such as this containing a back story of two lands having a peace talk and made arrangements to have this kind of gathering.

Besides, it's a way for me to roam and observe as much as I can. Maybe I can find something useful when I escape and find someone I can truly talk about world-hopping. Moreover, Feng Nian is a loyal subject of the King of Yi, he will surely report everything if that happens.

"Li Jia Ying will wait and discuss it with him."

"But Mistress, he told me he might come a little later than before."

"Then does that mean you'll stay with me through the night until he is here?"

I said making a direct contact with him, smiling softly as my eyes brightened.

"This... Please don't jest."

I laughed heartily seeing his bashful expression.

It's a good plan to catch his heart until he'll trust me and believe me even if it's not as how he treats Ml. Peach dark eyes, a pretty face that I prefer teasing with his gentle smile that can soften a woman's heart. Let's not forget he has a sharp mind with low EQ. He looks like a scholar yet chose to be a doctor. Feng Nian's bearing is like a subtle wind that gives you this fluffy warmth. I kind of like him. Especially his androgynous face. "Don't be embarrassed. Li Jia Ying is just lightening up the mood."

But nah, it'll be cumbersome for me if I take that route. A visible Red Flag. Feng Nian looks like a person that'll sacrifice everything to the person he loves and breaks hard if broken. Watching the person he loves from afar like a Second Male Lead. It's terrifying. It's the same as pursuing Fu Jian Yu.

Sigh. As if I have time to think about taking such routes. Anyway, love is just meaningless for me to use in here. A bit of respect, admiration, and appreciation is fine.