Gritting onto her teeth with all her might as her hands curl into a fist that twisted that nicely knitted handkerchief on her left hand.

Ignoring that change that Beauty Belle Su is making, I continue sipping the tea and enjoy the fragrance.

"Hmm.. This is a good tea." I said aloud.

"Ah Older sister, what you said is right. I shall head back to my palace to start preparing my dresses and maintain my beauty as expected from you. Your lowly consort shall take her leave."

"You may leave." I wave her to leave casually without caring about her sarcastic remark.

"Kekeke.. This is so fun, seeing that change in her face and that twisted anger." Yu-ji laughed out loud the moment Beauty Belle Su left my chambers.

"Of course, such a thing will be a common sight to see from now on. Okay, Yu-ji, I need you to prepare the stuff for the trip out. The necessity of a typical trip out of the palace like clothes, food and some tea pots to avoid any suspicion.

As for the clothes, as plain as possible because I do not want to attract attention. Oh right, prepare a few male attire and black night clothes.

Food shall remain as light as possible, more snacks and non-perishable food to be prepared since we will need them once we make our plan to leave. As for the weapons, we will need to station it on our body.

Arrows and bow can be hidden among the clothes prepared. In the next few days, you need to sneak out majority of my dowry jewels every day to exchange into gold or silver tales that can be stored at the exchange inn. We will not carry any money during this trip as it doesn't make sense to bring so much out for a short under cover civilian trip.

What else.. Ah, did you receive any news from brother?"

"No Missy Jae, I did not receive any news from young master. Should we wait till we get a confirmed reply?"

"No, we got no time. We are left with just 7 days from the trip out. There is not much time left for last minute preparation. I think once we escape, I will leave traces for him to track me."

"I got it Missy Jae. I will proceed to prepare everything."

*** ***

[Beauty Belle Su Palace]

"THAT STUPID WENCH, HOW DARE SHE BELITTLE ME LIKE THIS! HOW DARE SHE!!!"

Beauty Belle Su smash a nearby vase onto the floor and swept off the teapot position on the table. Unable to contain her anger, she grab hold of the chair and threw it onto the floor which lead to broken wooden pieces flying around the living room.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.. THAT VIXEN, HOW DARE SHE SHAMELESSLY DISGRACE ME LIKE THIS. HA... HA.." She continue her ramble as she breathe hard.

"What? She is okay with me sharing her husband? Why didn't she turn into that jealousy and possessive face that I want her to be in?"

"Huh? His Imperial Majesty to be distracted by a commoner's beauty? HOW DARE SHE COMPARE ME AND MY BEAUTY TO A COMMONER? DON'T SHE KNOW WHO AM I? I AM THE DAUGHTER OF THE WEALTHIEST MERCHANT IN CAPITAL OF XUAN! I AM A NOBLE DAUGHTER! HOW DARE SHE .. HOW.."

"Your Imperial consort! Please calm down! Please don't smash the things anymore! They are valuable assets and some are gifts from his Imperial Majesty!" Maid Xia immediately kneel onto the ground while holding onto her Miss from going anymore crazier.

"How dare she.. I will make her pay..." Her rising demon within her blinded her eyes with anger and bloodlust revenge.

"Your Imperial consort! If you desire revenge, we can slowly plan them but please don't lose your cool if not, it will bound to be a defeated war." Maid Xia calm her Miss down.

"You are right, it's too early to say that she won. Jae-in, you are asking for it."

*** ***

[D-3]

3 more days before the commencement of the under cover civilian trip with Xuan Di and Beauty Belle Su. So far, everything planned has been put in place well. Despite the increased in things to prepare, the self-training is still mandatory.

Practising the sword martial arts that I once lost touch of, with the daily practises, the movements become more fluid and smooth as though I have been practising them for years.

Yes, the ability that I once had is back.

Doing one last flip while swinging my sword cutting through the air, some leaf that ascend down from the tree, got cut into half almost immediately. Withdrawing my sword to my side, I heaved a sigh of relief.

Thank god for my monstrous training, 1 month is definitely not enough to return back to my best state but, at least I am almost 2/3 back to my best state. This is enough to travel and face any unexpected situation.

Monitoring the air, I guess sooner or later, winter will be over and the weather will not be too cold for my escape. The food and snack prepared will be able to last through my escape to Capital Kai.

Yes, that's right, the nearest capital away from Capital of Xuan is Capital of Kai. To leave Xuan, will need to cross over at least 2 mountains and the Jiang River. I believe once Xuan Di realised I have escaped, he will definitely search the Capital of Xuan or even close down the gates.

In order to leave in one piece, on the night of mission (to escape), Yu-ji will leave first to head over at the designated meet up place with a marked sign for tracing. Since Yu-ji is not as skilful as me, she will need to leave first.

Then, I will follow on in 2 hours time to head out to meet her. Just this last step, freedom will be within the reach of my hands.

Strange, why isn't brother replying to my letter? Have he put any plans ahead the moment he received my letter? Somehow deep down inside, I felt a sense of uneasiness as though something bad will happen. However, I shrug it off as though I was being too pessimistic.

Little did I know, sometimes it's right to trust your instinct.

*** ***

"YOUR IMPERIAL MAJESTY PLEASE HAVE A SAFE TRIP." The servants and eunuch bowed down and loudly recite their usual greeting as Xuan Di walk towards the prestigious carriage prepared.

Beauty Belle Su and I stood by at the side as obedient wives adhering to their husband. Just when I thought Xuan Di will head straight into the carriage that has been prepared with careful thoughts by me, I spot an expensive footwear stopping in front of me.

'Why did he stop?' I wondered.

Though he stopped, he didn't say anything. Not knowing what he want, my head remain down but I could feel his gaze trying to burn through my head as though he want some answer that I do not even know the question to it.

"Your Imperial Maj.." before I could even finish my sentence, he cut me off.

"Let's go." And he head straight into the carriage.

'Hmph.. what's the point of stopping in front of me when you never say anything and when I wanted to say something you left.. This is annoying.'

Before boarding the carriage, I decided to pass on last minute instruction and checks for the preparation so I stayed behind for awhile.

Beauty Belle Su saw this and approach the busy me.

"Your Highness, your little sister shall proceed into the carriage to provide some companionship to his Imperial Majesty." Proudly, she walk away with her expensive looking dress and overly accessorised hair and strong choking fragrance scent on her body.

'Disgusting.. Does she know she dress like a prostitute?'

Looking away to focus on my task, within 5 minutes, everything was settled. Giving a side glance to Yu-ji, she gave me a thumbs up to indicate that everything we secretly prepared are assured and hidden well.

Sighing a short relief, I grab hold of my dress and walk towards the carriage, a suffocating prison that I need to endure in order to leave. With Yu-ji holding my hands, I slowly ascend up onto the carriage and make my way inside.