The next day, Zhao Zhang Wei had just exited the imperial court when an old Eunuch stopped him on his way to the Xinhe Palace. A flicker of surprise flashed in Zhao Zhang Wei’s eyes seeing the Eunuch. The old Eunuch served the Emperor and was the most trusted servant by His Majesty’s side.

“This servant greets Your Highness, The Second Prince.”

Still, with the usual gentle smile on his face, Zhao Zhang Wei stopped the old Eunuch from bowing with a wave of his hand.

“Eunuch Wang is an elder and had served by His Majesty’s side for four decades. Eunuch Zhang embarrasses This Prince with his formal behavior. “

The old Eunuch completed his bow despite his said words and had a polite smile on his face.

“This is what a servant should do. Master does not need to feel embarrassed for this mere servant.” 

Eunuch Wang then continued

“His Majesty had called Your Highness in the Imperial Study.”

This time Zhao Zhang Wei didn’t hide the surprise on his face. As he started to walk with the old eunuch in the direction of Imperial study he leaned closer to him and asked him while whispering

“Is everything alright? His Majesty remembered this one suddenly after so much time.”

Eunuch Wang humbly smiled as if to assure him when he saw the worry on Zhao Zhang Wei’s face and said to him in a low voice.

“Your Highness does not need to worry about anything. Although this servant does not know everything but His Majesty rather seemed to be in a good mood while ordering this servant for Your Highness’s presence.”

They soon reached the Imperial study’s doors. Eunuch Zhang went inside first and Zhao Zhang Wei waited outside. A few seconds after the old Eunuch returned and told him to go inside.

Entering the Imperial Study, Zhao Zhang Wei saw Emperor Zhao Wang Lei sitting on the chair behind the table as he read some documents in his hand. He lowered his head after one glance and kneeled to greet the Emperor.

” The subject son greets Your Majesty.”

Emperor Zhao Wang Lei finally raised his head and said

“Rise.”

Zhao Zhang Wei stood up and his eyes were still lowered.

“The Second son has grown up very well with a very noble character. Zhen feels satisfied whenever we see you.”

Zhao Zhang Wei lowered his head further as he spoke

“It is all because of His Majesty’s blessing.”

Emperor Zhao Wang Lei called Eunuch Wang.

“Eunuch Wang, Call that girl.”

Eunuch Wang left the Imperial study and entered after a few minutes. From the corner of his eye, Zhao Zhang Wei saw that this time there was a woman with him. After bowing to the Emperor, Eunuch Wang took his leave.

The woman curtsied to greet the Emperor but she could not do it properly.

Instead of being angry, Emperor Zhao Wang Lei laughed loudly and spoke to Zhao Zhang Wei.

“You see… This woman is just like your mother. She also didn’t know all this when Zhen took her inside the Palace.”

Zhao Zhang Wei glanced at the woman and smiled outwardly. However, no one saw his clenched fists hidden under his sleeves.

Zhao Zhang Wei’s mother, Noble consort Shu was one of the consorts who was highly favored by Emperor Zhao Wang Lei. Zhao Zhang Wei was six years old when his mother was found dead inside a well of Imperial backyard. No one found out who killed Noble consort Shu. A few months later, it was announced that Noble Consort Shu herself jumped inside the well because someone informed her about her parents’ and younger brother’s death. Noble Consort Shu could not bear this and hence she committed suicide.

Only Zhao Zhang Wei knew the truth.

As Zhao Zhang Wei tried to maintain his usual smile, he heard Emperor’s words.

“A few days ago, The Imperial guards informed Zhen that this girl had been coming to the Imperial Palace gates every day since one month. On asking, she told them that she wanted to meet Noble Consort Shu. Zhen immediately asked the guards to let the girl enter.”

Emperor Zhao Wang Lei paused for a second and then continued.

“This girl says that Noble consort Shu and her mother were very good friends. When Noble Consort Shu was still living with her tribe’s people, both of them had promised that their children would marry each other. A year later, Noble Consort Shu left the tribe and entered the Imperial Palace. The girl’s mother was not present there and hence this promise could not be taken back at that time. The tribe’s people knew that she had already been decided to marry another man so no one wants to marry her. Now her mother is dead and she had no one on whom she could depend. This is the reason she came to Imperial City to meet Noble Consort Shu.”

Emperor Zhao Wang Lei looked at Zhao Zhang Wei solemnly and said

“Zhen sent few people to investigate this matter and found out that whatever she is saying is the truth. Your mother had promised this girl’s mother. Zhen can not ignore this matter and hence Zhen wants you to take her in your courtyard as your concubine.”

Unnoticed at anyone, The girl’s expression distorted a little when she heard the last sentence.

Zhao Zhang Wei kneeled down and said

“This one will obey His Majesty’s order.”

Emperor Zhao Wang Lei nodded his head in satisfaction. The girl who had been standing quietly also kneeled down and said

“I am very grateful to His Majesty.”

Eunuch Wang entered and informed the Emperor about some important matter and hence Zhao Zhang Wei took his leave followed by the girl.

Entering Xinhe Palace, Zhao Zhang Wei told Eunuch Zhang to send Yi Huiqing to his study. A few minutes later when he was sorting out some documents in the study, Yi Huiqing finally entered. He put down the document in his hand.  Today, she was wearing a green-colored dress. Her face was free of any makeup just like yesterday. Her lips had a small smile as she bowed slightly and said

“Wangfei greets wangye.”

Zhao Zhang Wei acknowledged and raised his chin towards the girl standing in the corner.

“His Majesty had given this Prince a new concubine.”

Saying this, Zhao Zhang Wei paused and glanced at Yi Huiqing’s face. She was already looking in that girl’s direction. She looked very calm as she turned around and told him.

“Wangye can leave everything to this wangfei.”

Yi Huiqing looked at the girl again and asked with a smile.

“What is younger sister’s name?”

“Shaolin greets Wangfei.”

Yi Huiqng smiled and said

“Younger sister is very beautiful.”

The girl Shaolin blushed while Zhao Zhang again busied himself in the documents. Seeing this, Yi Huiqing decided to leave. Zhao Zhang Wei didn’t even raise his head as he waved his hand to dismiss both of them.

He looked at her back as she left the room without looking back at him. The same frustration and anger burned inside his heart.

In the past, whenever a new woman entered Xinhe Palace, one look at Yi Huiqing and he would be able to tell that she didn’t like it. Her eyes would lose their shine. Even if she tried to hide it under her pretentious smile, he would be able to see that she was upset.

But this time, she looked too calm, too different from the past. She didn’t look upset at all.

He didn’t like it. He was not liking this at all.

Zhao Zhang Wei thought

‘Either she had learned to pretend very well or she really…..doesn’t care at all.’