Chapter 77
Creeping up behind her father, she wrapped her arms around his waist, reaching his stomach and started rubbing it.
Youxian looked down. “Princess, you didn’t sleep at home again.”
“They told you?”
“They didn’t need to. You always come here first when you do something you shouldn’t.”
Moving around him, she hugged her father. Staring into his peaceful eyes, she asked, “Daddy, do you think I’m a bad person?”
He frowned, “No, why? Did something happen?”
She shook her head. “I feel like I’m a bad person.”
Youxian dragged her over to the bench. Holding her close, he said, “It sounds like you are listening to palace gossip. Didn’t I tell you to ignore it?”
She nodded, “I’ve been thinking bad things, daddy.”
“Then ignore them.”
“What if I can’t stop?” She asked as tears welled in her eyes.
Kissing her on the left eye, he said, “Baby, then we’ll deal with the bad things.”
She nodded her head as she leaned it against his chest.
Youxian looked out at the garden, saying, “Your sibling will be here soon. Did you get a present?”
She shook her head. “I’m the present. Whether it’s a girl or a boy, I will be a big sister. That’s the best present in this world.”
Youxian burst out laughing, then winced in pain.
Rubbing his stomach, she said, “You can’t even walk right anymore. It’s time it comes out.”
He couldn’t agree more–but what will be the outcome of his tragic story when the baby arrives?
*
Making her way inside the crown princess’s palace, she got distracted. Inside the garden was a bird laying by a tree. Crouching down, she looked at it, then picked it up.
“Mn? Are you hurt?” She asked as she observed it.
Raising the left wing, she saw that there was blood on it. Frowning, “How did you get hurt like this?”
Standing up, she walked around looking for something, not noticing that there was someone watching her.
Finding what she was looking for, she bent down beside it and laid the bird down on the ground. Looking at the rock, she lifted it above her head, then slammed it down, killing the bird.
Blood splattered on her face, but she did nothing of it. She stared at the rock and her hand on it—sighing, ‘I shouldn’t have done this.’
Standing up, she dusted her hands off. Turning around, she caught a surprise, as she saw the crown princess standing there.
She bowed, “Your highness.”
The Crown Princess shook her head. “You take so much after your father.”
She shrugged. “You wanted to see me?”
“Clean her up, she looks disgusting,” she ordered her lady-in-waiting.
Reaching the pavilion, Youxia laid down on the pillows and stared at her. “I’m clean now.”
She threw a peach cake at her asking, “I heard you disturbed your father, why?”
Biting the peach cake, she grumbled, “I missed him.”
The only person you care about is your father,” she said.
“Both are my fathers.”
“I was talking about Youxian.”
“I know. Tell me what you want, please. I have things to do.”
Taking a sip from her cup, she said, “I want you to marry my son.”
Youxia choked on the cake she was eating and stared at the crown princess. “You can’t be serious, mother!”
“I’m certain your father has mentioned this to you. I know you’ve been looking into candidates for your marriage, and your brother is the perfect fit for you.”
“But I can’t marry my brother!”
“And why not? He loves you and you love him. You will only have to consider starting a family when he becomes the emperor, which will not be for another fifteen years.” She said.
Glaring at her, she said, “My Marriage is not up for discussion and besides, I do not plan to get married ever!”
“The audacity that you have. You will get married. It is your duty as a woman to provide an heir to your husband.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I want to get married,” she said, standing up. Placing the half eaten peach cake on the table, she looked at her saying, “I know you are in cahoots with his other wife. If you know what’s best for you, stay away from me. Whether I choose to marry your son or another will be up to me.”
Slamming her hand down on the table, she yelled, “How dare you? I am not in cahoots with anyone!”
Side eyeing her, she said, “Stay out of it your highness, I’m already mad as it is.”
As she left, Haeun stared at her. Her frown got deeper and deeper. Turning to her lady-in-waiting, she asked, “What does she mean I’m in cahoots with Ae Cha?”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand too.”
“Keep an eye on her. And get rid of that bird,” she ordered.