"Brother, I recalled something. I will see you later in the Palace," Lei Wanxi said and ran away from there. Nianzu turned back to see Lee Wanxi who soon vanished from his sight. He then turned to look at Chuntao who was standing in front of him.

"Your highness, have you had some work in the village again?" Chuntao asked.

"No. I was here with a young boy," Nianzu replied. "Shall we go back to the Palace or do you want to spend some more time here?" Nianzu queried.

"We shall go back," Chuntao replied.

"I am waiting for you outside the house. You can lock the doors," asserted Nianzu and walked out. Chuntao quickly locked the doors and came out of the main wooden gate. She locked it too and put the key in the pocket of her dress. "Your highness, let's go," Chuntao said softly.

There was complete silence between the two as they were walking. Nianzu finally broke the silence and asked Chuntao, "Miss, why were you crying earlier? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I am fine. I recalled my parents and brother, so I ended up crying, your highness," Chuntao replied.

"That is sad to hear. It is indeed a tough time for you, but this phase will pass soon," Nianzu stated. Chuntao agreed with the Fourth Prince. They reached the Palace soon. "Miss, tomorrow you need to come early to the chamber. I have something important to discuss with you," Nianzu told Chuntao.

"Yes, your highness." Nianzu turned and walked away. The night had fallen, and he soon reached the Eastern Pavilion. He saw Jian Guozhi there with his first wife Zhilao Mi. "Brother spends more time with Sister Mi. I hope Princess Consort Xue will not do anything," Nianzu thought. He turned his gaze away when his eyes fell on Xue Yu-Yan who was glaring at the two.

Nianzu found the same look in the eyes of Xue Yu-Yan as he had seen in the eyes of Weng Wei. Nianzu walked to Xue Yu-Yan and stood at a safe distance from her. Xue Yu-Yan noticed him and gave him evening greetings.

"Princess Consort Xue, how are you doing?" This sudden question of Nianzu bewildered Xue Yu-Yan.

"I am doing well. What about the Fourth Prince?" Xue Yu-Yan asked back.

"I am also doing well," Nianzu replied. Xue Yu-Yan passed a tiny smile to the Fourth Prince. "Princess Consort Xue, what are you looking at from here?" Nianzu queried, intentionally acting as if he did not see the First Prince and his first wife.

"Nothing, Fourth Brother," Xue Yu-Yan replied.

"Princess Consort Xue, I would like to advise you something. Now, it is up to you whether you want to take it or not. Do not let your jealousy overpower you. You might end up doing those things which you never wanted to do. You might even regret later," Nianzu proclaimed. Xue Yu-Yan contemplated upon hearing those words.

"Fourth Brother, it seems you know what kind of turmoil I am going through. It seems in this Palace, I can share a part of my worries with you because you might have observed all this with your mother. I had never thought my life would be like this.

A concubine usually suffers from this- 'not able to see her husband for months.' I am an official wife of the First Prince, but still, I could not grab his attention. I am just feeling low and indeed I'm jealous because of all this," Xue Yu-Yan pronounced and lowered her eyes. A tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it off, not wanting anyone to notice that.

Nianzu had no sympathy towards Xue Yu-Yan because of her evil ways, but a part of his heart softened whenever he used to see women in that state. Even if she was evil, she should not be treated this way. "Sister Xue, can you promise me one thing?" Nianzu asked.

Xue Yu-Yan confusedly looked at the Fourth Prince. "A promise?" she asked.

"Yes," answered Nianzu.

"What kind of promise, Fourth Brother?" Xue Yu-Yan questioned.

"Just do not harm anyone in all this, Sister Xue," Nianzu said.

Xue Yu-Yan chuckled. "Why do you think I will harm anyone, Fourth Brother?" Xue Yu-Yan asked.

"I have seen the same expression in the eyes of the Empress when I was young, though the Emperor has given equal concentration to all his wives. Though she is the Empress now, time gives a lesson to everyone. Do not become a person like her," Nianzu was direct with Xue Yu-Yan.

"I am afraid, Brother Nianzu, but I am not like the Empress. I do not know why you said so. I just want love from my husband, too. He admires two women in his life—one is the Crown Princess and the other is Sister Zhilao. I stand nowhere in his life that's why the expression in my eyes was anger and jealousy. I do not want to harm anyone, but if I am being neglected like this, then I might end up doing something," Xue Yu-Yan said with a heavy heart.

"Sister Xue, you can turn good. No one is bad in this world, but circumstances turned them into one. You are in a state where you still have time to turn things right using the right way. Though it may take time, you will be happier that way rather than choosing the wrong path. I hope Sister Xue will keep this in her mind," Nianzu stated.

"I understand, Fourth Brother. Thank you for conversing with me. Brother truly deserves to be the advisor of the Emperor," Xue Yu-Yan pronounced.

Nianzu smiled and took his leave but before leaving he said, "Sister Xue, good things take time but eventually they lead to more happiness than the bad things which bring momentary happiness. I will talk to the First Brother in my own way regarding this. You can come to me if you ever feel low. Have a good night."

Nianzu walked away while Xue Yu-Yan stayed there for a few more minutes. "I wish I could stand beside you, Jian Ge. You are forcing me to take the wrong path. I know I will regret using that path, but I also want to be loved by you," Xue Yu-Yan murmured.

~~~~

Hello Dear Readers!

Hope you all are doing well.

Reading historical stuff, I always tried to think about life about every single person there. In the story, Xue Yu-Yan is experiencing some bad things in her life that have turned her into a person she never wants to!! I hope you liked this chapter.

THANK YOU

HAPPY READING