A Flower Without Rain

Chapter 13

The entrance gates of the Vermillion Palace creaked open as a mid-aged woman entered. Her attire was of a dusty blue adorned by the white gradient and a thin long coat of the same blue shade. The jewelry she wore was of gold earrings, hair fixed into a bun showing her status as a married woman, and wrinkles present on her face.

Walking the path to exit, Crown Prince Xin Hua noticed her presence. He knew her very well to be Clan Leader Lian Gen's wife, Madame Min Jie.

He simply raised a brow, "What is she doing here?" he never would have thought she'd come by considering how busy she may be due to the clinic their family ran.

Shaking his head, Xin Hua decided to go along his path and to the stables. However, before he could even take a step he stood still in his tracks. A deep sigh, a small frown came upon his lips as eyes turned towards the path he almost never walked on. The direction his mother-in-law was headed were the chambers of Crown Princess Lian Yu.

Something inside told him to follow her and it only caused him to wonder why.

Upon reaching the chamber doors of Crown Princess Lian Yu, Madame Min Jie cleared her throat as those piercing eyes met the female servant who stood at the door. The young woman gulped, feeling fear from the lady of noble status. She knew very well who she was and her mannerisms.

"Your Highness, Madame Min Jie has come to visit you." voice shaking.

Crown Princess Lian Yu who was just sewing a piece of embroidery, froze at the mention of that title. She too, gulped with fear as lips quivered unsure of what to say. "......Allow her entrance." she granted even though she didn't want to.

The doors slid open and shut as slow steps followed, getting closer and closer to her. Now standing, Lian Yu's eyes looked about her room, not daring to meet her mother's.

Coming to the table situated by where Lian Yu is, Madame Min Jie sat down with a stern look and hands wrapped around another. Quiet, it was for a moment before the mid-aged woman eyed her daughter and motioned for her to sit. Lian Yu who was just standing by, reluctantly left her space to sit across from her mother.

Once she settled herself into her seat, Lian Yu forced a smile but still, did not meet eyes with her mother. "Greetings, mother. How are you doing?" she asked with a content tone of voice.

Madame Min Jie's gaze lowered, "Fine, and have you fulfilled your purpose?" immediately speaking of her martial duties.

The young woman could only shake her head as a frown came about, "No, I have not and there's no need to rush things. We must walk at our own pace."

"Do you think I care?!" her voice suddenly rose startling her daughter. "I don't care that you are the Crown Princess, you must produce an heir for the royal bloodline!" the colors of the past that used to seem so far away were coming back.

Nothing was ever really over.

"You are worthless compared to your brother and sister. You will never live up to them or anyone!" she yelled with rage.

The Crown Princess's lips parted and shook. Brows pressing together, she abruptly stood from her seat despite the quivering fear. "Why must you compare Song and I even in her death?!" she hated it more than everything. "Growing up, you always placed me in the wrong and never Zhong or Song." she hated how her mother put the world against her. "I always did my very best just so you can love me the way you love them, and yet you still treat me the same." those lovely eyes lowered, and glistened with tears about to spill. "I am Yu!" she cried. "I am not Song or Zhong so please, just see me for who I am." she seemed to beg.