A Love Written In The Stars

Prince Cheng groaned as he woke, his head pounding as if a hammer had struck it repeatedly. The acrid sting of last night's baijiu clung to his senses, his stomach rebelling as he managed to sit up, wincing as the movement made his head throb even harder.

His long, untamed black hair cascaded over his bare shoulders and chest, sticking to his damp skin.

The creak of the chamber door drew his attention, and Yizé entered, carrying a porcelain cup. His expression was calm as always, but his careful steps made it seem like he could feel Cheng's agony from across the room.

"Your Highness," Yizé bowing lightly, "this should settle your stomach."

Cheng took the cup, its bitter herbal aroma reaching his nose before he brought it to his lips. He grimaced but drank it down in one gulp, gagging slightly as the bitterness coated his tongue. He placed the cup aside, leaning back against the headboard and rubbing his forehead.

He closed his eyes for a moment, but his mind pulled him back to the previous night. The rooftop—laughter, baijiu—and a single moment—brief yet vivid—when he'd leaned in and kissed Mei. The memory made his chest tighten, but he didn't have time to ponder on it as Yizé brought him back to the present.

"There is news, Your Highness,"

"Concerning Prince Yizong."

Cheng straightened slightly, his weariness momentarily forgotten. "What about him?"

"It appears Prince Yizong had an affair with Lady Xiao," Yizé said carefully. "And… she is said to be currently with child."

Cheng blinked, stunned by the revelation. "What?"

"And I am just now hearing of this?"

"My apologies, Your Highness," Yizé bowed his head. "The information only reached me recently."

"Are you certain about this?"

Yizé inclined his head. "I confirmed it through multiple sources, Your Highness. There is no doubt."

Cheng pressed his fingers to his temple, "Yizong indulging in such reckless behavior…that is unlikely, and with whom? Who is this Lady Xiao?"

"She is the daughter of Magistrate Sha,"

"Magistrate Sha" Cheng repeated. "How did he even cross paths with her? Does he not realize the consequences of involving himself with a woman of such a family?"

"Lady Xiao has been in the palace for some time. How they ended up meeting, I'm not sure."

"And now she is with child," Cheng murmured, rubbing his chin. "Magistrate Sha will not take this lightly. Nor will princess xin yi." He paused, then added, "The Emperor—he must already know of this."

"He does," Yizé confirmed. "He has known for some time but has said nothing and taken no action. That, in itself, is concerning."

"Father's silence is a double-edged sword. It could mean he's waiting for the perfect moment to act, or he's testing us."

"Or both." yizé added.

"Yizong always manages to act appropriately and follow the righteous path. So this…" Cheng exhaled deeply, running a hand through his tangled hair. "This is quite unbelievable."

"What would you have me do, Your Highness?"

Cheng's gaze hardened. "Nothing."

"The Emperor has not taken any action yet, so it is wise to wait for now. Let us see why he is delaying his response."

"As you wish, Your Highness,"

—————The Palace Hall

"The Dragon Boat Festival is almost here!" Yú Yuè said excitedly. "It's a shame you've been so busy. I was hoping you could join me."

Mei nodded absentmindedly. "Have you noticed anything unusual lately? You know with lady xia."

Yú Yuè frowned. "Now that you mention it, no, nothing at all. Except for the time I saw her lose her temper with one of her maids and order her to be flogged 100 strokes."

"Lady Xia..." Mei said grimly. "You know, I've been having strange feelings, something I can't quite place, like I'm being watch—" Mei suddenly stopped mid-sentence, her eyes glazed over in the distant, like she were staring at something far away.

She had spotted Prince Yizong walking down the hall, his usual bright expression absent, replaced by a sadness she couldn't ignore.

"Go, Mei," Yú Yuè urged softly.

"What?" Mei asked in surprise.

"Go ahead and talk to him. I know you feel for him. I'll find you later."

After a brief hesitation, Mei nodded and hurried down the hall, calling out, "Yizong!"

At the sound of her voice, Yizong slowed his steps and turned.

Reaching him, she stopped to catch her breath. "How have you been faring?"

Yizong gave her a faint, false smile. "About what happened between me and Lady Xiao… Mei, I apolog—"

"No, no," she cut him off quickly, shaking her head. "I'm not angry. Yizong, it's okay."

He blinked, caught off guard.

"Truly it is okay" Mei repeated reassuringly.

Yizong looked at her for a moment, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

"And how goes it with Princess Xin Yi? I suppose she must have already heard, huh?"

Yizong sighed. "It has been difficult."

"Xin Yi's hurt runs deep, and repairing the damage I caused will take time."

"I...visit her every now and then, but xin Yi refuses to see me or accept any of my gifts. It is only today that she granted me an audience, though she remained cold and distant." 

Mei placed a hand on his arm. "All you can do is give her time and space, while proving your sincerity through patience and respect for her boundaries. Do not push or plead - let your actions show your remorse."

Yizong offered a sad smile. "I know I don't deserve her forgiveness, yet I hope soon she'll believe in the love that brought me to her first."

"I think a walk outside the palace walls would do you good. These halls hold too many sad memories at present.

"Come walk with me, will you?"

——

Li Ming stood quietly, watching Prince Yizong and Mei walk side by side, her expression was warm, inviting as she spoke to him. He couldn't stop thinking about the rumors he had overheard, whispered by the palace maids.

"Did you hear? Lady Mei and the Crown Prince... sharing a bath together..."

Those words had shocked him, filling him with much rage. Now, seeing Mei so close to Yizong only made matters worse.

He had long dreamed of being the one by her side since the first day they crossed paths. He had joined the palace guards just to be near her. But still, it felt like he was not doing enough.

Clenching his fists, he struggled to stay calm. Was it not enough that the crown prince was already tied to her through the rumors? Now prince yizong seemed to want her too.

Still, he reminded himself of his promise, he would not act out of anger. He would wait, watch, no matter how much it hurt. But if either prince truly became a threat to their lives together, he would not hold back.

For her, he would do anything—even if it meant breaking the rules or risking everything.

Xiao observed Li Ming's glower from afar, following his gaze to where Mei walked with Yizong.

"One could smell your jealousy from afar" she purred as she stepped closer. "Yet i wonder - at whom is it truly aimed?"

Li Ming was startled by her sudden arrival but did not turn. "I do not know what you mean."

"Xiao's gaze followed Li Ming hungrily. "Your feelings for Mei are as clear as day"

But li Ming remained still and silent.

"Do not play coy. I've seen the way you look at her - with longing, with jealousy, with wrath. You love her, do you not?"

"There is no shame in it." She gave a small, tight smile.

"Mei is a woman to inspire passion. But she does not - and will not - return your affection." Her nails traced idle patterns on a nearby tree. "Still, that does not mean all hope is lost..."

At this, Li Ming turned to face her. His eyes, usually calm, showed a bit of interest.

"Help me and In return, I can help you gain what - and who - you truly want."

"What is this matter of your's, Lady Xiao?" he asked in a cold tone.

Xiao laughed. "Must you be so sour?" Her fingertips continued tracing patterns on the tree trunk. "Prince Yizong's affections have turned elsewhere of late, and that simply will not do."

Li Ming's gaze hardened slightly. "So the target of yours is the prince."

"Mei is... an obstacle. Like a shadow, lurking always at his back."

Li ming smirked, "it appears the pregnancy has made you dart or is it - should I say the results of the rumors circulating about you and prince yizong?"

"Prince Yizong was never yours to begin with" he continued in a mocking tone.

"Neither is mei an obstacle"

She lifted a brow, unfazed. "Think on my offer. Apparently, you're on the verge of losing the woman you haven't even had the chance to claim. With Yizong's attention regained, what's to stop you from taking what you desire?"

He merely inclined his head and walked away, leaving Xiao to wonder about his silence—would Li Ming join her game, or stay firm like stone?