Chapter 36 - 33

When Yu Yingyi ad Song Liya made it back to the palace, Jia Yi greeted them once again if though they said she didn't need to. Though there was no point in telling her since she looks so devoted to it.

"Welcome back, prince and princess, it seems the both of you had a great time together. Also, princess, your parents are back from their banquet," said Jia Yi.

Immediately, Song Liya's expression turned grim, which would mean their time together would lessen due to her mother's plan to separate them, even if she didn't say it, she knew.

But Yu Yingyi was surprised, she didn't even realize a week passed that quickly. After the banquet, the plot where the empress would introduce a prince to Song Liya to marry. The thought of this made Yu Yingyi's heart churn, it felt like something was burning inside her, she wanted to prevent this as much as possible.

This was funny because Song Liya was trying to keep Yu Yingyi from being together with the maid while Yu Yingyi was trying to keep Song Liya from getting introduced to a prince.

Just how would this go?

Although Song Liya wanted to lead Yu Yingyi straight to their room, she couldn't since she had to greet her mother. So, just this once, she'd leave Yu Yingyi with Jia Yi.

"Maid, bring Yingyi to our room while I greet my mother, don't do anything that would get yourself in trouble, this is my warning to you."

Song Liya said before turning over to Yu Yingyi, "Jia Yi will guide you to our room, don't let her do anything to you."

"You worry too much, the only one I'd let you touch me is you, no one else." Yu Yingyi reassured.

"I know, I'm just saying just in case."

Those were the last words Song Liya said to Yu Yingyi before she left her alone with Jia Yi. Now it was time for her to greet her mother, she had a bad feeling about it.

***

There was her mother on the throne, alone. Her relatives couldn't be seen anywhere and the only people in the area were her and the guards outside the door.

That's when there was suddenly a zipping sound in the air, Song Liya reacted instantly and caught the iron needle between her fingers. This was her mother's way of greeting her.

"I'm surprised you caught it, I thought your skills would weaken after spending so much time with that commoner." said her mother.

After being in a relationship, her mother's opinion of her seems to have gone worse.

"You think too little of me mother, training was basically a daily thing for me every day, how could my skills weaken?" Song Liya asked.

"Hmph, at least there's still something good about you. Song Liya, there's something that needs to be done."

"And what is that mother?"

"You'll need to find a new consort, being with a commoner hurts the pride of our imperial family."

Song Liya stared into her mother's eyes. "You mean it hurts your pride?" she shot back.

*BAM*

The loud sound of her mother slapping the armrest of her throne echoed through the room.

"Song Liya! Is that a way to speak to your mother!?"

"I apologize, I wasn't thinking right."

"I thought so. Again, you're going to need to find a new consort that's royalty, I already set up a meeting for you with him tomorrow."

Yu Yingyi's expression turned grim. "No thank you mother, I don't wish to meet someone who I already can predict won't be able to stick with me."`

"How would you know that? You've never met him before so there's no telling anything. You don't have a choice anyway, you must meet with him.

"Fine, I'll meet with him. But don't expect anything mother."

With that said, they moved onto a different topic. Meanwhile with Yu Yingyi...

"Prince, if I may, can you answer how's your relationship with the princess?" asked Jia Yi.

"Why do you want to know?" Yu Yingyi questioned.

"I'm just wondering, you don't need to tell me if you don't want to."

'Even if you say that, I can tell you're begging to know.' Yu Yingyi could see the curiosity leaking out of Jia Yi. 'Though there's no harm in telling.'

"My relationship with my princess is going smoothly, the both of us enjoy each other's company and our love for each other is equal. Everything is great. Is there a reason you asked?" asked Yu Yingyi.

"Yes, it's cause being with me will be infinitely better than what you're having with her," said Jia Yi

Yu Yingyi stopped in her tracks, she didn't expect Jia Yi to be so open about it. She was expecting a confession of some sort but this was straight up telling her without any warning at all.

"Jia Yi, stop this."

"Stop what?"

"Stop whatever you're planning to do, I already know the empress told you to flirt with me or try to get with me."

Jia Yi let out a laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, I just never expected to be found out so early."

"So what I'm saying is true?"

"Of course it's true, everything was planned by the empress. The original plan was to cause some problems and start from there. But what would be the fun in that? I decided that I wanted you and you only."

When Jia Yi said that, Yu Yingyi swore she saw her heart's eyes as Jia Yi's expression turned into someone who was obsessed with her. It was similar to Song Liya, but it was different. Although there were heart eyes, no love filled them, it was filled with infatuation, lust, and desire.

All because of obsession.

Moreover, Yu Yingyi was surprised Jia Yi said the information so casually. This information should be kept a secret, but here was Jia Yi saying it like it was normal.

"Why're you telling me this? This information should be kept a secret."

"HAHA! It should, but the empress knew I was going to say it anyway. It doesn't matter, the princess will get another consort anyways and you'll become a nobody. But don't worry, I can also take care of you, everything you need, I have it."

As Jia Yi was saying it, she was getting closer and closer to Yu Yingyi with a crazed smile until Yu Yingyi's back was pressed against the wall. Suddenly, two arms were blocking her way out.

"What do you say, prince? Why don't you be with me forever? After all, the princess will leave you anywa-"

"Get your hands off her!"