For the following 4 days, the undercover civilian trip went on smoothly, with all checklist items being accomplished.

Jae-in and Beauty Belle Su coexist in the most harmonious way, which seems weird to everyone as they anticipated some sort of female fight.

Xuan Di also enjoyed the trip after realising how 'peaceful' it turn out to be, unlike what he originally imagined it.

With everything commencing well, the only person that is unhappy was Beauty Belle Su.

She originally thought this trip will be hard and torturous for Jae-in, she wanted her to reveal her ugly and tainted personality in front of Xuan Di and the commoners of Xuan.

However, throughout the 4 days, despite the continuous taunting and challenging words or behaviour she acts, not even a slight crease can be seen on Jae-in's forehead.

She is always in a calm manner, enjoying the blissful moment of freedom, drinking tea and smiling with agreement to everything she had said.

With this changed behaviour, not only she is unable to carry out her plans, Jae-in even captured Xuan Di's attention.

'No, this cannot continue. I can't let this happen, I will need to do something.' Beauty Belle Su thought. With a plan in mind, her eyes twinkle with an idea.

"Master Xuan, your lowly consort would like to speak her mind, not sure if I am given the permission." Beauty Belle Su look up to Xuan Di as they are walking side-by-side along the lake nearby the Capital of Xuan.

"Speak." Xuan Di continue walking.

"Since your lowly consort is born and raised in the Capital of Xuan, I can't help but to have strong missing of home. I would like to request for your permission to accompany me back home to visit my Father. I .. I just want to know his well-being and also to provide a short company."

Xuan Di glance over to his left, apparently she did not react much to Beauty Belle Su's ridiculous request of visiting her house.

Being a Beauty Belle Su, it is not proper in status for requesting a personal home visit when the her rank is lower than the Empress. Also, who have ever heard an Empress visiting a Beauty Belle consort household?

Throughout the 4 days, Xuan Di realised that not once Jae-in had given him any attention or react to anything. It is as though nothing in the world can ever stir her again.

A sudden thought of wanting to see her emotions clouded his mind. Without him knowing, he pull Beauty Belle Su into his arms and look into her eyes as though she is the love of his life.

"Since my beloved has requested for this, I shall grant it. Everyone, let's head over to Yang Household."

"Thank you my Imperial Majesty.. And since tonight is the night of New Year Celebrations, after visiting my father household, we should take a stroll along the streets, there we can watch the fireworks show!"

"Everything is to be granted for you."

Beauty Belle Su who did not expect this reaction from Xuan Di, slowly succumb into his "love affections", ignoring the signs of this being an act.

Jae-in, who is watching everything as an outsider, pity Beauty Belle Su.

'Another victim of Xuan Di's love games. Although we do have some bad blood before, I still pity you that you will never get his heart. After all, he will never love anyone.'

*

*

*

As the group finally arrive at Yang Household, Beauty Belle Su led them to the living room while the doorman proceed to run to the study chambers where his Lord always reside in, to inform this unexpected visit.

Almost immediately, Merchant Yang ran out of his study chamber to receive his one-in-a-life-time household visit from the Emperor.

"Your humble subject, greets your Imperial Majesty. Your humble subject would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during your visit here." Merchant Yang kneel down on his knees to welcome the Emperor of Xuan.

"Be at ease, it is my fault for this sudden visit." Xuan Di said while holding Merchant Yang's arms up.

"Father!! Do you miss your beautiful daughter?" Beauty Belle Su jump to hug her father's arm while showing off an innocence of a never-growing-up little girl.

Noticing that there is one more lady who is standing beside Xuan Di, dressed modestly in a yellow dress yet emitting a noble and highly dignified aura, immediately he knew who she is.

"Your humble subject greet your Highness. My apologies that I did not greet you earlier on and would like to seek your punishment." Merchant Yang bow with his hands layered onto one another in front of him as a sign of respect.

"Be at ease, I understand and no worries for the punishment as there is no need for it." Jae-in smiled. She seems pleased with Merchant Yang's self-cultivated mannerism.

With all greetings and surface smiles, Beauty Belle Su retreat into her household with Xuan Di along with Merchant Yang, bringing him for a house tour while Jae-in remain in the gardens with Yu-ji.

Soon, it is dinner time and everyone gather in a big round table filled with appetising food ranging from healthy vegetables, savoury poultry to expensive seafood that look plentiful.

With Jae-in sitting on Xuan Di's right and Beauty Belle Su on his left, a continuous flirting and feeding is happening on the left side.

Xuan Di did not like how Jae-in is reacting, not once did she grab food to place on his bowl like old times or even stare at Beauty Belle Su as a sign of jealousy. Initially, he thought she will shameless follow them for the house tour as he recalled in the past, Jae-in said this to him.

"I dislike the feeling of you looking at other woman. I dislike the uncomfortable feeling of you spending time with some other woman that is not me. I am your wife and I hate how you are not fully mine. You are mine!! You must never be alone with another woman without me."

This was what she said when they had their very first jealousy fight after 3 months into their marriage. That time, he was just a crown prince and she was a crown princess.

They were newlywed couples and he knew he did not love her at all. But, that was the first time he learn about her strong feelings and the obsession love she had for him, which make him felt repulsive.

As he recalled, ever since the punishment he ordered months ago which made her sick, everything has changed.

She is no longer temperamental. She stopped smiling with love. She stopped her unannounced visits. She stopped appearing in his sight. She did not get angry at him being close to another woman. She was not jealous over his night visits. She stayed in her own chambers with private time that he did not know what she was doing. She started behaving properly, well-mannered, gracious and giving.

Using his side-eye, not a little bit of unhappiness or anger felt instead, she is happy. Jae-in, who is too focus on the variety of food choices in front of her and indulging in the tasty flavours, did not know that Xuan Di is staring at her.

After dinner, Jae-in excuse herself back to the gardens before Xuan Di could even say anything shortly after, he got caught into a drinking session with Merchant Yang and Beauty Belle Su by his side.

Leaving the suffocating room, Jae-in took a deep breathe and release them.

"Ah, this feeling feels so good!" Jae-in said out as she did a small stretch due to the full stomach she had.

"Missy Jae, I am unsure if you realised but, his Imperial Majesty has been very weird throughout this trip."

"Oh really?"

"Yes!! He has been staring at you whenever he is with you! And and.. His gaze seems so dangerous.. Do you think he realised what we planned to do?" Yu-ji worriedly asked as Jae-in settled in for a sit on a wooden swing nearby.

"Don't overthink and don't overreact. Maybe he is just being sensitive, being with him for my whole life, I have never once understood him and how he think. Let's just assume he is one of a kind."

"Whole life?" Yu-ji questioned.

"*Cough*.. I mean.. You get what I mean."

"Then Miss-y.." Before Yu-ji could finish, a sudden arrow attack targeting Jae-in came from the back.

With Jae-in's quick senses, she dodge the arrow and went to the side to hug Yu-ji into her arms as they fell onto the ground.

Positioning herself low, she observe the empty garden and tried to hear any sound made.

"Who is there? Don't be a coward to hide yourself. If you want to fight, be a man to fight fair and square." Jae-in shout out while hiding Yu-ji behind her.

3 masked men appear in front of her in black night wear, each holding a sword with one holding a bow and arrow.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Jae-in cautiously asked.

"Hmph, you young lady look very very beautiful, it's a pity if you are accidentally injured by my sword, am I right?" The shadow that is standing in the middle voice out.

"Who sent you here?"

"I think it is not a good place to have a heart-to-heart talk with such a beautiful lady right? Why not I bring you to somewhere quiet and private so to let me know you up close and personal?" He continue to tease Jae-in.

Jae-in remain quiet and assess the situation calmly, soon a smile appear on her emotionless face. To be honest, this is the perfect moment to make her escape isn't it?

With her being kidnapped by someone, it is the best excuse to allow her sudden disappearance.

As long as she manage to shake off the shadow guards that Xuan Di assigned to keep a watchful eye on her, then follow these 3 pea-sized brain men to find out who is the mastermind, everything will roll in perfectly.

Leaning closer to Yu-ji, Jae-in start her plan.

"Yu-ji listen up. I will follow them and once they take me away, I need you to inform everyone and ask for help. Then head back to our room and proceed to make your escape. I will come find you later and remember to make the right marking for me to trace you. You need to leave by tonight." Jae-in secretly whisper to Yu-ji.

Before Yu-ji could respond, one of the man interrupt them.

"Hey, we got no time to spare for you to do your ear biting moments with each other."

The other man who remain silent become annoyed and went ahead to grab Jae-in by her arms, restricting her movements in his arms.

"No!! Noo! Let's go of me! Right now! Help! Someone! Help me!" Jae-in screamed as she continue her act of being a helpless woman.

With their mission accomplished, the 3 men left Yang Household immediately with the noisy woman struggling to escape.

_________________________________________

[A/N]

Hello peeps!

Just want to clarify that the main male lead is still the Emperor, Xuan Di. However, there will be more side characters coming up in the later chapters. Some might wonder why not let Jae-in leave Xuan Di once and for all? Pursue a new love with another ML and lead a happy life.

No no no.. (shake my finger left and right)

This will be too boring, we need to torture Xuan Di and make him go crazy over Jae-in right? That will be a good revenge for not treasuring a love that he once possessed. (Just a sick preference of mine) But in terms of the level of torture, I have yet to determine how bad it should be.

Nevertheless, hope you guys enjoy the story!

Please stay safe and be healthy!