Days after the disastrous Harvest Moon dinner left Zhen'er in a fog of confusion.
The crown prince never did show up for their promised mother-son banquet. Instead, the Emperor spent the whole night with her, appreciating the full moon, partaking meals and the pastries she had painstakingly created for Yuān-er.
A tiny, petty part of her heart, lamented the loss and curse this self-catering personage. All of her hard work, lost in an instant!
Why was he here? After years of neglect, does he really think it's enjoyable to be toying with her life? Her survival of all these years depended upon this very visible loss of favour from the Imperial throne!
The years are the most capable of teachers, bringing insight and wisdoms. She very much understood all of her missteps and errors, committed during those heady days, under the tutelage of hindsight and self-evaluation.
Too much, too soon!
Despite being a child to a literati family, she was never a match for those raised to wage bloodshed and death in the courtyards. Something she never before experienced, due to her father's and his predecessor's tendencies to be loyal and circumspect towards their lady wifes.
And now, knowing her limitations, this renewal of favour brings her much distress.
But who may deny the Imperial requests?
Thankfully, there's still some steps of discretion. No yahuan or any taijian ever once accompanied these random Royal visitation to the Cold Palace. Perhaps he took pity upon her. And thus, these small gestures, that she prayed to be enough to keep off the scenting wolves living amongst the royal courtyards and pavilions.
YOU ARE READING
Tale of Zhen'er
RomanceA scholar. A general. A prisoner. And ultimately, an Empress (reluctantly). It's a strange story, and everything is Murong Jun's fault. Inspired by the BL novel 'A War Prisoner' All images are results from random Google Search. Will be taken down if...
