Unexpected Ally

Reunion

Ji Heng sat absent minded at her desk tracing random patterns no one could see on the wood.

Although His Majesty had caved to Madam Jiu's demand to have Ji Heng safely tucked away in her room, he had almost everything but the furniture removed. If she was staying longer and it wouldn't be such a hassle he probably would have removed the furniture too.

He also had all windows covered so no one could 'try to use them to assassinate her'. Though Ji Heng is also certain he did that to make her room dark like the dungeon he has turned it into.

Ye Qingti has 5 guards stationed around the outside of the building and one inside with her at all times. He has set the rotation of one guard changing out with a new one every hour. That way every 6 hours the all the guards have been rotated out without there ever being a time where she is left unguarded.

Ji Heng didn't know how to feel. She missed Ling Xiang and wondered if Mr. Nie would come for her. She wanted to hate Madam Jiu for the suffering she was going through. However the story Jiu told her kept playing through her mind.

Essentially in a past life Ji Heng had put Jiu through similar hardships. Ji Heng wants to call it bull but somthing deep inside her says its true and that this is karma coming to get her.

I Wonder what my brother is like. Is where I came from beautiful. Was I really engaged to another at one point? Does Mr. Nie actually know who I am and about the poisoning?

Ji Heng found that last question hard to believe. No. His concern seemed so genuine I can't bring myself to believe he was using me. Xiao Jiu has done nothing but get in my way, why should I believe her? But why would she risk her life and reputation to save me? And why did she believe so fiercely that I was being used? Is someone else pulling strings?

Ji Heng's mind wondered back to her encounter with the elder prince. Ji Heng felt really uncomfortable near him and could sense evil intentions. Could he be pulling strings? Is he trying to use Xiao Jiu since he couldn't use me?

Ji Heng was brought out of her musings as she heard the guard outside speak.

"Your Highness Madam Jiu. What brings you here?" He asked

"I would like to speak with Imperial Concubine Wan." Jiu's voice replied.

"Of course." He replied and a moment later Jiu came walking in with 2 of the outside guards trailing in after.

Feng Jiu looked around the room noticing how empty it is. Her eyes then landed on Ji Heng's slumped figure at the desk. Feng Jiu sighed and sat down across from her.

"What do you want?" Ji Heng asked rudely.

"I just want to talk and see how you are doing." Feng Jiu replied.

"Your the winner. I am the loser. I have nothing more to say to you." Ji Heng said continuing to trace invisible patterns.

"There is no winner or loser. We are both simply being fooled by fate." Feng Jiu replied sadly.

Ji Heng scoffed. "You won His Majesty's favor. You are blessed." She said bitterly then turned so her back was to Jiu.

"My friends will be by tomorrow. After a basic trial they will take you to where you need to go." Feng Jiu said calmly.

"Why do you destroy me only to then try and help me?" Ji Heng asked turning back around.

"I never wanted any harm to come to you. I am not perfect and things were getting out of hand. I needed to do something but ended up causing things to happen that I did not intend to." Feng Jiu replied.