Secrets

Chapter 17: Secrets 

When they got home, the mansion was silent, except for the guards who were still awake. "Xui, take Princess Hua to rest early," Wang Wei said as they departed. Wang Wei and Bao made their way to the library.

"Young master, it's time," Bao said as Wang Wei changed his clothes and donned his mask. 

"Princess, I think Young Master Wei cares about you," Chen Xui remarked, glancing at her.

"Does he look like that?" Princess Hua asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

"Princess, your hairpin is gone. What's wrong?" Chen Xui inquired, noticing her distress.

"My hairpin?" Princess Hua touched her hair, her fingers brushing against the bare spot. "I don't know where I dropped it."

"Or did Li Chen take the hairpin?" she added, a frown creasing her brow.

Chen Xui looked at her intently. "Princess, do you still like Commander Li?" She asked, searching her eyes for an answer.

"Xui, can you help me to my bed?" Princess Hua said, brushing off the question.

The next morning was bright, the sun casting a golden hue over the landscape. Birds chirped cheerfully, their melodies weaving through the air like a gentle breeze. The flowers in the garden bloomed vibrantly, their colors a feast for the eyes, while the soft rustle of leaves added a serene backdrop to the day. It was a morning that promised new beginnings.

Princess Hua woke up feeling lively, the warmth of the sun invigorating her spirit. Chen Xui helped her with her bath, and as she was assisting her in combing her hair, Mrs. Li entered with two maids. They were holding a wooden box, intricately carved, used to serve food.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Mrs. Li and the maids greeted in unison.

"Mrs. Li, why are you here yourself?" Princess Hua asked, surprised.

"Madam is happy today; she said I should bring this myself," Mrs. Li replied with a smile.

Chen Xui collected the food from the maids, but Mrs. Li refused to leave. "Mrs. Li, why are you still here?" Princess Hua pressed.

"Princess, Madam Feng said I should watch you drink that for your baby," Mrs. Li insisted.

"Okay, I appreciate Madam Feng's kindness," Princess Hua said, though Mrs. Li still lingered.

"Mrs. Li, why aren't you leaving?" Princess Hua asked again, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"Princess, please drink that," Mrs. Li replied firmly.

"Are you trying to poison me or harm my child?" Princess Hua shot back, her eyes narrowing.

"I dare not, Your Highness," Mrs. Li said as she finally left the room.

Once the door was closed, Princess Hua ordered Chen Xui to lock it. She poured the medicine into a flower pot in the room, taking only a small sip from the cup. "So bitter," she grimaced.

"Princess, what if the general's family later finds out you aren't pregnant? Won't it be difficult for you?" Chen Xui asked, concern etched on his face.

"I have my own ways," Princess Hua said, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Meanwhile, the brothel was quiet that morning, the usual hustle and bustle absent as the scholars and ministers had left. Wang Wei was in the VIP room upstairs with Bao and Courtesan Rong. He had been injured the previous night while fighting bandits, an arrow lodged in his side and a sword cut across his arm, but they had emerged victorious. Courtesan Rong was tending to his wounds.

"Bao, pass me the cloth over there," Courtesan Rong instructed, pointing to a pile of linens as they finished treating his injuries.

Wang Wei sat on the bed, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Rong," he said, gently touching her face.

"I don't want to lose you," Courtesan said, Bao quickly turned his face away, feeling the weight of the moment.

"I love you," Courtesan Rong confessed, her voice soft yet firm, causing Bao to cough awkwardly.

"Young master, what if the princess is waiting for you at your door?" Bao interjected, cutting through the tension.

Wang Wei looked at Courtesan Rong, who nodded in agreement. He quickly dressed and headed home.

"Princess, is that not Young Master Wei?" Chen Xui pointed out as Bao wheeled Wang Wei inside.

"Where did he go this early in the morning?" Princess Hua asked, surprised.

Bao wheeled Wang Wei to his library, and Princess Hua followed closely behind. 

"Princess, please come back," Bao urged, but Princess Hua insisted on entering.

As she approached Wang Wei, she slipped, her hand inadvertently hitting his wound, causing their lips to brush against each other . Wang Wei shouted in pain and instinctively pushed her away. 

"Bao, please see the princess out," Wang Wei commanded, his voice strained.

"Princess, please," Bao pleaded, gesturing toward the door for her to leave.

"Do you really hate me?" Princess Hua asked, her voice trembling, but Wang Wei remained silent, his expression unreadable as she exited the room.

Wang Wei's wound began to bleed again, staining his clothes. 

"Young master, are you okay?" Bao asked, concern flooding his features as Wang Wei nodded weakly.

"Should I send for the physician to check on you?" Bao offered, his worry palpable.

"No, just help me with it," Wang Wei replied, gritting his teeth against the pain.

After a moment, the maid who usually brought his food, also his spy, entered the room. 

"Young master, I brought your food," she said, handing the tray to Bao along with a folded paper.

"Where is Mei?" Wang Wei inquired, his brow furrowing.

"The Empress's guard came this morning to take Young Lady and Ruo Xuan to the palace," the maid informed him, and Wang Wei gestured for her to leave.

They opened the paper together. 

"Young master, the emperor is looking for the Masking Knight? Young master, is this how you look like?" Bao laughed, but Wang Wei shot him a warning glare.

Suddenly, they heard the commotion of people shouting outside. 

"What's happening outside?" Bao asked, his curiosity piqued.