Chapter 29：Lovesick or Stupid?

Winter soon came and Yin Hua Lei's wound healed bit by bit, scabbed and until all that remained was a scar.

Tiandi still visited Gao Le palace almost every day and the little dumpling looked satisfied watching her mother sew a few winter dresses and articles for her.

She also didn't forget to include Xia Luyoung because for better or for worse, the tenth princess already stuck to her like glue.

She was also happy to have someone wear her creations, even though she didn't explicitly show it.

Xia Luyoung on the other hand was ecstatic on the idea of receiving a dress personally made by Gao Le princess.

She had long been admiring Yin Hua Lei's minimalistic yet elegant way of clothing but didn't have the gall to ask who her seamstress was.

It turned out it was Gao Le princess herself who designed them and trained people to make the robes as she liked.

But this time, Xia Luyoung hit the jackpot because Yin Hua Lei herself would be the one to embroider the dresses she would give to both her and Bao Bei.

As the days grew colder, Yin Hua Lei couldn't help but notice that a certain someone was avoiding her.

It wasn't that there was a reason for her to meet that person but not once had she seen his shadow since that night.

Just thinking that she was yet to have the opportunity to give him a piece of her mind on the things he was teaching Tiandi was enough to cause her internal injuries.

What happened to him? Yin Hua Lei was absentminded as she watched the small dumpling munch on pastries.

"Tiandi... enough sweets for today." She still didn't forget to monitor her daughter's sweets intake.

The little treasure pouted but still put down the the mung bean cake that was about to enter her tiny mouth, albeit reluctantly.

After which, her mood already turned like a wheel as she giggled, bounced to her feet and hopped her way to Yin Hua Lei. "Nappie nap time!"

Yin Hua Lei let her settle on her lap and nestled the girl between her arms, sending the small body's warmth all the way to her heart.

Xia Luyoung on the other hand, was used to this sight. She didn't think much and focused on her embroidery. She received tips from Yin Hua Lei so she was trying her best to perfect it.

The first time she saw Bao Bei cuddling Princess Gao Le jiejie, Xia Luyoung passed it off as her body still being underdeveloped. Hence, the little dumpling opted to hug the elder sister.

She'd been thinking like that ever since and didn't suspect anything.

***

"Lian'er the engagement has been put off for a long time now. Why are you still insisting on not announcing it? You really don't want to marry her?"

The Emperor was sitting inside his study. Across from him was his younger brother who had a huge age gap of 28 years.

In truth, when he learned that Imperial Consort Liu Qing was pregnant back then, he also had doubts.

If Xia Chun didn't personally know the consort's integrity, then he would have been the first one to accuse her of tricking the Emperor.

But he also knew that his Imperial Father's weakness was a beauty. At the age of 50 plus, his imperial father was still vigorous in those matters between a man and a woman. In fact, he was dubbed as a romantic Emperor.

Anyway, Xia Chun who was the Crown Prince back then, still investigated and found out that the unborn child of Princess Liu Qing turned Imperial Consort Liu Qing was indeed an imperial seed.

Unfortunately, their Imperial Father succumbed to a scheme by their brothers before Xia Lian Bei was born and Xia Chun was left with no choice but to fight and win.

The Consort Dowager Liu Qing had a rough pregnancy because of all the commotion and her weak body couldn't survive the strain of giving birth.

Since then, Xia Chun protected this brother well but the child couldn't escape the harsh reality of being an unwanted prince.

Still, he wanted the best for his little brother. And according to Xia Chun's standards, the best wife for his imperial brother was naturally someone he, as the Emperor himself groomed since young.

Feng prince more or less knew what his imperial older brother was thinking so he narrowed his eyes at him.

"What makes Brother Emperor think that this brother doesn't want?"

"Well who was it that refused to go home for three years? And when he returned, he even brought home a consort and four concubines? Now you're still refusing to send a proposal to Yin family. What do you want Zhen to think?"

Xia Chun didn't even bother to hide his teasing tone anymore.

Prince Feng raised his index finger and shook it. "Correction, there are only three concubines left. There was a rotten tomato among the bunch so this prince had to throw it away. Courting death by scheming against my little treasure!"

"Oh?" was the Emperor's only reply while raising an eyebrow in a taunting manner.

"Do you know one of the rules of the Yin family?"

Xia Lian Bei only stared at his brother so Xia Chun continued. The Emperor wouldn't let go of the original topic.

"For the sons never to accept a concubine and for the daughters to be wedded as the only wife."

Hearing this, Feng wang's bewitching face slightly contorted. Of course, he knew!

This rule was the reason why he accepted concubines in the first place. He was furious with Yin Hua Lei at that time to the point that he wanted to make her suffer once she entered his palace or better yet, never to be married to him.

Seeing his younger brother's reaction, the Emperor stepped up his game.

"Zhen remembers having a sincere talk with Xiao Lei some time ago. She told Zhen how foolish she felt for pining for Our ninth son when he already has his favorite person. Since then, Xiao Lei behaved and followed Our advice. Zhen was so happy that We gave her the Royal Princess title."

The Emperor already put the bait, now it was time to cast the line.

"If you're really reluctant on marrying her then Zhen will grant your wish. Alas, We should not wrong Xiao Lei either. Zhen recalls that Grand Tutor Meng has a son who doesn't have a single woman in his courtyard. Indeed, Xiao Lei deserves such a faithful man. What's his name again, Min Tong?"

Emperor Du Liang turned to his eunuch but before Min Tong could answer...

"What son of Grand Tutor? Yin Hua Lei can't marry a simple scholar like that person! And even if she married to that family, what about Bao Bei? She still has a daughter to raise ah!"

What a good trap his imperial brother had laid! Xia Lian Bei couldn't help but smile in a way that bared his canines.

The Emperor wanted to snort in anger. "You really won't willingly admit that Xiao Lei's the mother of your child if Zhen didn't squeeze you this way, huh?"

Prince Feng only sank to his chair in a careless manner. "From the looks of it, you already knew."

The Emperor badly wanted to beat the little rascal up. Knowing and him willingly admitting were still two different things!

"So, are you going to marry or not?!"

Eunuch Min Tong who was trying to minimize his presence slightly pitied the Emperor. Where in the world would one find an elder consulting his junior on matters about marriage? And this Feng wang didn't know how to be the least bit grateful that his Majesty was so considerate.

Xia Lian Bei sighed.

"This great one came back here due to a report telling that ninth prince married the Bai girl without accident. Ben wang got curious because knowing her, she should have been restless in order to stop that wedding."

Eunuch Min Tong was baffled due to the sudden change in topic. He looked at the Emperor but saw him only listening in anticipation.

Xia Lian Bei continued unhurriedly, "Even after settling here, Yin Hua Lei made no move and appeared as if she had no plans at all. But ben wang didn't believe her façade. After all, I know how much ninth nephew means to her."

He raised his eyes towards Xia Chun.

"Imperial Older Brother, in my hatred, I refused her right over our daughter. That's why she hurt herself...

"Only then did I believe that she no longer desires to be with Ninth. If I force marriage now, she'll hate me forever."

That was the most honest confession Xia Lian Bei had given to anyone. Even the Emperor was slightly taken aback as he went silent for a moment.

But then, Xia Chun rolled his eyes.

"Little rascal, when did you ever become so melodramatic? You're already the father of her child. Bao Bei is the most powerful weapon in your arsenal! Are you just lovesick or stupid? The little treasure already sold you off, don't you know? If Zhen were you, We will do a general cleaning of the house!"

Xia Lian Bei was skeptical when he heard this. "Bao Bei sold this father off?"

That day, the tyrant prince Feng hurried out of the imperial palace off to his own wangfu to confirm what the heck her daughter told the evil woman.

After hearing what Tiandi's nurse said, he didn't know whether to visit Gao Le palace and explain or not.

Xia Lian Bei carried his little treasure all the way to the rear court of the prince residence.

Tiandi was babbling nonsense while playing with his pale hair which he kept hanging loosely on his shoulders.

Good thing this small demoness of a daughter didn't tell her mother how Xia Lian Bei let her play with small wooden swords, crossbows and let her chase their pet cats and dogs in the mud.

En... The situation is still quite salvageable.

He lightly pinched Tiandi's puffing cheek. "Bao Bei ah, you should be on poppa's team!"

The child on his arms didn't understand what he was saying so she also pinched Xia Lian Bei's cheek.

When they arrived at the rear court, it was easy to see that Feng prince didn't frequent here.

A eunuch announced his arrival and all servants and mistresses lined up to greet him.

"Greetings to wang ye!"

Xia Lian Bei had a playful smile on his lips as he sized up his consort and concubines. He'd already forgotten their faces and names but he admitted that they were all pretty according to normal standards.

"Have you all been well?" Came his melodic voice which immediately stirred passion in the ladies' hearts.

"Answering wang ye, we sisters have all been taken care of by wang ye. There is nothing lacking inside the palace."

A short lady with translucent skin and carefully made up face replied. This Consort was a high noble lady of Northern Chu but still chose to follow Feng wang for the sake of her family's ambition.

The other three concubines all said words of assent. More or less, their reason of being here was the same as the Consort.

These ladies disregarded the prince's reputation of all kill or nothing for their own agendas.