I must have missed Yuwen Hong cause I keep writing these long chapters. Another 2 chaps in one. So take it as if I did 2 chaps this week.

Chapter 29
Wei Li Lian
Her Highness Wei
Princess Elora
Phoenix Palace

"Good morning to Her Highness Wei! Did Her Highness sleep well?" Her entourage awaited at the bottom of the stairs of the Phoenix Palace when she stepped out.

They then strutted behind her toward the middle grounds where she would have the morning meeting with the harem.

On the way there, she crossed paths with the emperor. He was with his generals and heading for breakfast.

When Li Lian and her entourage curtseyed for the emperor, the generals bowed their greetings to her. Yuwen Hong was neutral towards her. He did not show any annoyance, if he was actually irritated with her. 

It had her slightly questioning whether refusing to give him company after the celebration had been a wrong thing to do. However, thinking about it, she could not imagine being able to laugh and enjoy time with Yu'er after she had seen him leisurely kill someone.

In Yuwen Hong's eyes he was protecting what belonged to him, and it was regarded treasonous to desire a woman of the emperor. Probably the killed general had not been so much in touch with the Nevorian ways and culture, thus he made such a request.

Li Lian was not against the Gurio man's inevitable death. No. It was the way Yuwen Hong did not hesitate to kill. It made her wonder whether when he found out about her, would he execute her with abandon? What if he never thought twice when stabbing her, caught up in his anger and betrayal.

The most painful thing is to be in love with a man who you are sinning against. The person you love, you'd like to protect, to nature, to comfort, and to encourage them. You would not like to be the reason their heart is to break. Not when they have chosen to trust you with their heart and love. Not when they see you as their everything and someone who would stand with them if the world was to turn against them.

After the meeting, Li Lian went to oversee the progression of the preparation of her coronation. The official responsible for the overall planning was exhilarated on this particular morning. He mentioned to her that before she arrived, His Majesty had passed by and was quite pleased with his work that he bestowed him a reward.

After an hour there, she retired to the Phoenix Palace earlier than usual as she had promised Cai Wenjin they would finish making the formal robes she would wear at the wedding. Many people liked to call the day the coronation, while in her mind Li Lian identified it as their wedding. Being empress did not matter to her as much as the fact that she would become one with Yu'er under the heavens and on earth.

"I love this color," Cai Wenjin took out a steamed bun from the plate and began munching while observing their work.

The person who did most of the work was obviously Li Lian. Cai Wenjin normally helped with cutting the material. Li Lian was weary of having her help with sewing at her young age. Since this was not her child, any harm done to her, people would use it against Li Lian and even want to charge her with treason. They would say that the oncoming empress wanted to kill the first daughter of the emperor in order to not have competition when she later on bore children.

"Concentrate, Princess Cai Wenjin. Do not make the mistake of cutting yourself." The young princess kept looking back at the entrance of the welcoming chamber as if expecting something. "What is stealing your attention?" Li Lian eyed her suspiciously.

Cai Wenjin quickly shook her head and blushed profusely, her stuffed cheeks gaining a dark shade.

"Concentrate. Make sure your cutting is straight." Li Lian guided her small hands as she cut. They had already wasted so much material as Cai Wenjin was not yet perfect at cutting things.

"His Majesty arrives!" An eunuch called from outside and instantly some fidgeting approached them.

Li Lian and Cai Wenjin went on their feet and rushed to the entrance where they bowed as Yuwen Hong entered.

"Greetings to His Majesty."

The familiar woodsy scent of his wafted in the air as he passed. He was garbed in the magnificence of blue robes, unlike the formal wear he had on earlier when she met him.

Yuwen Hong made himself at home by lodging himself on the elevated zabuton that Li Lian was seated on. 

"No reason for formalities. Come and sit with me." Yuwen Hong placed down the birdcage he held, carrying the infamous Qi Qi.

Cai Wenjin did not waste time running to sit next to her father. "Fuhuang! I am happy to see you!" Her mood was instantly more cheery than before.

Li Lian delayed on her spot, feeling a little awkward. She was a person who felt things should be first resolved before moving on. One thing she despised most was pretense with the people she cared about. Not that she was not already doing much of it with all the lies existing between them.

Yuwen Hong gave Li Lian an unsure eye after his little exchange with his daughter.

He cleared his throat. "I have come... because Qi Qi missed you."

"Ah... that is nice." Li Lian went to sit at his other side and took the cage from him.

It had been months since she saw the bird. In the midst of all her busy days, she forgot to visit Qi Qi. Which was weird. If she was a descendant of birds, why didn't she care much for them?

Especially Qi Qi. Li Lian felt a weird jealousy towards the bird. The one a dog carried when it saw another dog get attention from their human friend.

So all in all, she didn't like Qi Qi much. It reminded her of the time she wanted Qi Qi from Yuwen Hong and he refused. It was for the best because Li Lian had secretly wanted to starve the bird.

Why? Just for fun.

She was a horrible human being. She loved the dog owned by Noble Consort Qi, while the pet owned by her beloved, she wanted to punish.

Qi Qi noisily screeched as he realised he had been handed into different hands that were not his owner's. The parrot gave her a sly eye and sang, "Idiot!" Then went on to whistle until Yuwen Hong took him back.

Only Cai Wenjin laughed, finding the situation funny.

"Qi Qi, didn't you say you missed Li Lian?" Yu'er couldn't help laughing at his failed lie.

"Idiot!" Qi Qi spoke back, and at this point Li Lian bit her lips, doing her utmost not to laugh out loud too. Yu'er was using the antiques similar to his harem to grovel for her attention. How could she stay annoyed?

"Fuhuang, look, this is my robe for the ceremony. Is it not beautiful?"

Yuwen Hong looked through their current work with more interest than Li Lian expected he would have. "Very beautiful," he muttered in awe and gave her a look of pride. He was proud of her work and he looked down to her hands as if they belonged to a physician saving lives, when all she did was make clothing.

"It is Her Highness Wei who made it, Fuhuang!"

Yuwen Hong nodded. "She is beyond good."

"My thanks to His Majesty." Li Lian slightly bowed.

"Li Lian―"

"Fuhuang, I was just cutting the material, do you want to cut with me?"

Li Lian knew what he was about to say before he was interrupted. He wanted to apologise. She saw it by the softness in his eyes.

Yuwen Hong began cutting with Cai Wenjin, which was for the best. If Cai Wenjin did not offer that he probably would have wanted to help with Li Lian's embroidery, and remembering how he was a determined man at everything, even the things he was bad at―cooking and washing―he would have messed up her work for her.

"Her Highness Wei seems not quite happy this morning. I got too drunk yesterday and do not remember what happened. Did something happen?"

Yuwen Hong was despicable. He was just about to apologize for his actions, and now he was acting like he lost his memory, just so he could save his ego and nurse his pride?

Li Lian tucked back her soft spot which had started to bud for him. "I have no idea either," she dismissed his words.

They focused on their work for a while before Li Lian brought up a more important matter that had been on her mind. "Your Majesty, I realised that most people are suffering in this cold winter because of lack of clothing and blankets, thus I prepared some to be donated. Would you mind if I went out this afternoon to give it away?"

She saw his shoulders tense and he was not quick to reply. "There are many servants you could send."

"Yes, of course, but I cannot trust the process if I will not be there to see the people being handed what I have prepared for them."

"What are you insinuating? Are you saying my people are corrupted and that they will steal from the poor?"

It seemed it was going to be a no from  him. "I am not saying that. I am just a perfectionist who is satisfied only when I am involved in the work."

"A leader delegates, Li Lian."

Cai Wenjin stood and coiled herself into her father's legs. She liked to do that a lot with him and Li Lian knew where that came from. Li Lian was observing the man who also liked to touch her whenever she was near.

"I know, I―"

"Safety comes first. Who knows what wrong things could escalate and I will not be there. Just no." His jaw clenched in anxiety and she accepted it. He would not let her go.

When he took her from the academy, he would let her go out whenever she wanted, that was their deal. However, now that she was becoming his empress, her freedom went away with the title. He was using that as his leverage to keep her within his sight. There was always a price that came with the crown.

The tension eased as they had lunch during their break. Cai Wenjin talked more than usual in the presence of her father, so she filled in most of the needed conversation to keep away any awkwardness.

"Cai Wenjin, would you be angry at Fuhuang just because he killed another man for your safety?" Yuwen Hong asked after their lunch, and this had Li Lian stop sewing the piece she had just picked after the servants took away the dishes.

Princess Cai Wenjin frowned, then gave a toothy smile. "I would never be angry at Fuhuang. Fuhuang is the son of heaven."

Yuwen Hong gave a smirk to Li Lian. "Her Highness is angry at me."

"Her Highness is angry? Your Highness, why are you not happy?" Cai Wenjin gasped.

Li Lian eyed Yu'er begrudgingly. She was not in the mood for his games.

"I'm happy. I do not know what His Majesty is talking about."

"But he says you are angry," Cai Wenjin accused.

"She does not want to forgive me," Yuwen Hong added.

"Why? Your Highness taught me to always forgive and not slap my servants."

Li Lian did, but right now, she felt like slapping her father too. His gloating face was unpleasant to look at.

"Your Highness, forgive Fuhuang!"

Li Lian sighed. "Princess―"

"Does this mean I do not have to forgive my servants anymore?"

"Maybe that is what she means," Yu'er mused.

Li Lian could not help chuckling. He was impossible

"Always forgive others, Princess," Li Lian emphasised. "And I forgive your father too."

Yuwen Hong grinned. "Thank you, Your Highness." He took her hand and squeezed it in appreciation. She felt goosebumps kiss her hand at the touch. "And now that you have let it go, I must leave and attend to my other duties." He rose to leave.

So all he had done was sit all day with them like he had nothing to do just for her to forgive him? The soft spot budded in her heart again. A smile spread over her face mirroring his as she watched him leave. It was difficult not to love him.

Just as he left, the princess curtseyed to Li Lian, mumbling that she was coming back, before chasing after her father.

"Fuhuang! You said if I help you gain her forgiveness, you would let me use your big horse when learning to ride!"

Yuwen Hong laughed, his laugh bouncing in the hallway. "You did good. Yes you can have my horse for training."

Cai Wenjin squealed excitedly.

~Author's Note~

How cute are they?

S.V