The Princess Weiyoung: The Crown

A Battle of Wills

Tuoba Yu

After the Crown Princess's banquet, I retired to my chambers early. My last conversation with Weiyoung kept replaying in my mind.

Flashback

"Prince Nan'an? You are Prince Nan'an?"

"And you are Prime Minister Li's daughter?"

Weiyoung slipped her hand out of my own. Once upon a time, I found relief in lack of physical contact. Now, I found myself almost missing it.

"Please forgive me your highness. Had I known who you were, I wouldn't have behaved so informally."

"Lady Weiyoung, it is alright. Would you like to continue touring the palace?"

"Do not trouble yourself, Prince Nan'an. My cousins and I actually need to find Madam and my sister. We should be leaving soon."

End Flashback

Weiyoung was so distant and........ cold. She was nothing like the playful, vibrant young woman I had come to know. It was almost as if the last month between us had never happened. Perhaps she was angry with me for hiding my identity?

Yet, she never told me she was the Prime Minister's daughter. Besides, I did not owe Li Weiyoung anything. I had nothing to feel guilty about.

So why did I still have this pit in my stomach?

I shoved the feeling away, not wanting to think about it now. I needed my energy for tomorrow, so I sighed and succumbed to my fatigue.

Morning

I awoke to the shrill chirping of the hummingbirds outside. After laying in bed for several more minutes, I slowly got up and prepared for the day. I had grown accustomed to sleeping in these last few weeks. The soft knocking on my door snapped me out of my thoughts. "It's open."

My door opened to reveal a very alert Cheng An. "Good morning, your highness," he said.

"What's the plan today?" I asked.

"First you have breakfast with Consort Lu, then a training session with Prince Dongping and Prince Gaoyong. After that, you have an appearance at Qingfeng Abbey."

"Why am I expected to be there?"

"While you were away, there was a terrible flood in the Ming province. Many of the villagers are now homeless and starving. I thought it was a good idea for you to be there and offer hope for the people. Also, the territory is the home to several powerful officials. Maybe, you can sway them."

"Thank you Cheng An. You are a great ally to have."

When I entered her personal chambers, I bowed before Consort Lu. She was a middle-aged woman with silky black hair fashioned in a bun. Her phoenix headdress dangled behind her back, giving her majestic auras. 

"Greetings, mother," I said. After all this time, the name felt like poison on my lips. 

"Rise, my son," she answered, and I slowly got to my feet.

"I was surprised you wanted to have breakfast with me today. You usually dine with his majesty. Is there a special occasion?"

"Do I need a reason to spend time with my beloved son?"

Beloved son my ass. My eyes narrowed slightly, but I said nothing. This is coming from the woman who etched scars into my flesh, who locked me in a dark room for hours as a child. She was as loving as a cobra, ensnaring others with her sweet words and false promises. Consort Lu surely had an agenda.