The morning light flickered through the soaring trees across the field of bluebells as I strode back to the stone pathway that connected to His Majesty's and my palace. The shimmering blue-green water of the large lotus pond came into my view.

His Majesty's palace was constructed on this lotus pond, just like Tianshang Palace (Heavenly in Chinese is Tianshang. The palace name of the First Imperial Prince) which was built within the Heavenly Garden. The lotus pond was far-reaching to the borders of my palace ground.

The Lotus Pavilion was built at the center of this pond, which was closer to the Lianhua Palace. Imperial Father wasn't satisfied since the pavilion was quite far from Tianshang Palace, so he made sure to build Juhua Pavilion (the chrysanthemum flower in Chinese is Juhua) right at the edge of this pond. Just like the name that had a wealth of meaning associated with it, its appearance could be daisy-like, decorative, pompons or in buttons with a variety of colors, mainly yellow, red, white and violet combined with different shapes and sizes.

It's strange how Imperial Father chose this place out of all the places in the garden where the yellow chrysanthemums were particularly large in number compared to the rest of the colors. It also happened to be the color that was more pleasant and beautiful to my eyes whenever I visited the pavilion. But it could also mean its destiny. After all the yellow chrysanthemum symbolizes unrequited love.

Juhua Pavilion was only a few meters away from the Lotus Pavilion, so no wonder the Emperor heard my zither. Especially in the silent night, the sound was vivid, forming the nights in this splendid manifestation of a garden akin to a miracle created by the divinities. Who wouldn't fall in love with it? But out of all the places in this enormous garden, the Lotus Pavilion had the most mind-blowing view during night-time while Juhua Pavilion seemed ethereal during the day-time.

I lightly yawned due to lack of sleep but paused midway in a daze, looking at the cold visage of the man walking a few feet away with his servants closely following behind. He had his hands clamping at the back while he paced forward leisurely, seeming to be taken by the garland of the most vibrant blooms. The dark pupils that were keenly assessing each flower finally landed onto my face. It's a great wonder how a cold-hearted man could be a lover of fragile flowers.

I continued to hold his gaze as his eyes raked down my half-naked body. My lips lightly curled up into a smile as I bowed,

"Good Morning, Your Majesty."

I looked up only to see a dark shadow hovering across His Majesty's handsome face as his deep eyes lightly frowned with a trace of displeasure. Still holding onto my smile I was about to open my mouth when he walked right past me. My smile instantly fell continuing to just stare at the place he had previously stood. How many times had he ignorantly walked past me in all these years? Innumerable...

When he threw rude insults at me, I was able to bear it. When he punished me without trying to hear my explanations, I was still bearing it up. When he humiliated me in front of all my people, I accepted it. But treating my presence with ignorance was what punctured my heart even at the last moment of my life. Every single time he blatantly disregarded my existence, my heart would throb violently. I had always wished that he'd turn back and look at me, at least once. Unfortunately, there came no such day and I highly doubt there would ever be.

I gritted my teeth and turned around loudly stating, "Please forgive this General for intruding His Majesty, but this General needs to make an important report. This humble General requests to speak to Your Majesty alone."

It was then that the Emperor paused on his tracks and signaled his servants to leave the place as he stood by the lotus pond, his back facing me, "Go ahead."

"Reporting to Your Majesty, a few days after the attack in the Imperial Palace, the guards at the city gates let a disguised man into the capital in exchange for quite a sum of gold. They also helped the man to leave the capital three days ago. The men are already dealt with, Your Majesty. This General will handover a detailed report on the matter later in the morning."

"Execute them." He interrupted. My eyes went wide. Execute them? Wasn't that too unreasonable? Sentencing them to a lifetime in prison would be a good solution. But more than that, torturing them and dismissing them from the army would be a better way of punishment. Most of my men had strong physiques even though they weren't smart enough. I'm pretty sure they could survive but the after effect of torture would be bad news, which would be a perfect punishment for those who performed disloyalty, having to reminisce about their mistake for a lifetime.

The soldiers make an oath on the first day of their entry to the army, one of them being their undying loyalty. Xu Lin had the most loyal army compared to other nations. Except for rare cases, it was very unlikely to witness betrayal but that's due to the severe torture received. It was a specified punishment for soldiers disregarding their loyalty and getting tempted by their greed. These guards were yet to cause physical harm to a person nor they had any relation to an assassination plan. That being the case, the execution was out of line. It was the common law of this land.

It's true, an Emperor was the law in a country but for the past 400 or 500 years, we've only followed the books of the law passed down by our ancestors. That didn't mean the Emperor couldn't execute them. He could even create new laws. However, don't they deserve a second chance? They were simply lured in by gold thinking they would become rich overnight and now see what they had gotten themselves into. I bet they'd think castration would be a better choice now.

Noticing my silence, he once again ordered, "Torture and execute them. don't want any of the traitors to live even for a second. Also, bring their families to question."

My eyes narrowed, "They don't have anything to do with this, Your Majesty."

"How can you be so sure when you haven't even interrogated them, General? You aren't trying to cover them up, are you?"

"This is going beyond our ethics, Your Majesty. That's all I'm trying to say." My eyes flashed with disappointment. Since when did he become so ruthless? Is this also the reason he sentenced both mother and I to death solely based on what he saw and heard but with no enough evidence?

The guards were in the wrong but their families weren't responsible for it. And by interrogating them, it wouldn't stop with just questioning. Until they give a positive answer, the interrogation would continue to proceed to unnecessary death.

They were innocent civilians who wouldn't be able to handle such cruel methods of punishment. Some of them would be forced to take the blame unable to endure the physical pain. I simply couldn't let him perform such an unjustified act. If the citizens of Xu Lin were to be informed of this matter, they'd surely be induced with fear towards the Emperor. I shook my head and answered solemnly,

"My apologies Your Majesty, but this General refuses to agree with your decision. Please re-consider it once more Your Majesty!"

"What did you say?" His head snapped at me, his cold eyes daring me to repeat.

I replied yet sternly not minding my sharp voice, "I said, I cannot agree with it. This type of unreasonable treatment stopped centuries ago. People won't be happy with how Your Majesty handles this incident. I ask of Your Majesty to let the Ministry of Justice take care of their families. They shouldn't be handled by us, the Defense Ministry."

Rather than physical torture, they'll mentally abuse the person to spill the truth. The torture hall wasn't the right place. (Halls are considered buildings.) An entire family didn't need to pay the price for one person's mistake.

"Ha." A laugh escaped his mouth, a corner of his lips slightly raising but it instantly dropped as his eyes kept boring into my own. His tone deep and heavy, "Imperial Father may have trusted you and given you more than what he should give to an outsider, which was a big mistake on his part. But now, the Emperor is the one who stands before you! You dared to bluntly object orders! Are you courting death, General?"

"No, Your Majesty, this humble General is solely acting on his rights." I simply answered, void of any emotions, but a light smile plastered on my face knowing very well the outcome of my words.

If someone else had been in my position, they'd have already fled the scene. But I didn't fear this merciless and dangerous man. I wouldn't back down even if his mighty sword were to be pointed at my neck. That didn't mean I'll fight him back. I'd gladly die by his hands. It'll be the ultimate honor for me who had badly wished this in my previous life.

The blood slithered down my collarbone and to my chest. His raging eyes were piercing my soul, "You, dear general will only remain an outsider to . It won't be long until that disgusting smile vanishes from your unsightly face. Next time it won't stop with a scratch, General. Even if your so-called rights protect you from , remember, that one day will make you rot in the pits of hell!"

He retracted his sword, a trail of blood slipping down the cold blade as he put it back on his scabbard. He turned on his heel and walked away...

I continued to watch his retreating back until it disappeared from my sight.

They say love is blind. But would they say the same if they were in my situation? Not once had I thought, waiting for him was a waste of time.

I was satisfied just watching him.

"I sound pathetic," I muttered scratching the back of my neck as I walked towards my palace totally oblivious to what had happened moments ago. What could affect a man who had already experienced death?

Still, how many do you think have my patience? Be it this birth or the next, my love for him would never waver even if he were to harm me.

I didn't live in fantasies. Nor was I desperate for his love. But once in a while, I could see a vision where the both of us were madly in love.

Humans were always greedy. They had countless expectations. I was no different. While I said I was satisfied with how things were, I craved to be noticed by him. I didn't believe in impossibilities. That's why I'd continue to wait to make this seemingly impossible situation a possibility no matter how much time it takes. Even if my love wouldn't be reciprocated, I'd be satisfied if he'd at the least come to stop hating me.

"Oh my god! Your Highness is bleeding." My Head Eunuch shrieked.

"Ahh that..." I touched the left side of my neck, unbothered. The wound on my neck was shallow but the wound in my heart was so deep that it had left an ugly scar.

"Eh right, wild cats are so feisty you know." I lied, only to realise what I had actually told. I felt like my head exploded. I immediately looked around to see if His Majesty was near by. I let out a sigh of relief when I didn't even see his shadow.

"What?! How dare that cat do this to a graceful and celestial being?! Your Highness does not need to worry! This servant will find that impudent cat and skin him alive."

Pfft! I laughed internally yet my face didn't give off any emotions. I absolutely refused to imagine anything.

"How could you skin him alive Shang, when the mere sight of blood makes you sick? Moreover, it was I who provoked it so it's natural to be attacked."

Shang Mo pouted. Shang Mo was the son of the Chief Eunuch, Shang Dong. When his mother passed away Imperial father offered Shang Dong to work by his side. Unlike his father who was calm and collected he was energetic and quick-witted but also a little stubborn. They had a strained relationship with each other. I never asked anything because I didn't want to pry on their personal lives. But I hope it's not influenced by His Majesty and me.

"Tell Lily to prepare a bath for me. I have to get ready for the morning court."

"Yes, Your Highness. This servant will also bring some ointment for the wound, Your Highness."

"Hmm." I walked into my bedchambers looking around for my Baby. Ah, the only one who'd be able to cheer me up.

"Baby, Daddy came home. Where are you, little one? Aren't you going to welcome me?" I slowly approached the bed and lifted the curtain only to see Baby's fluffy, round tail twitching and her back facing me. There was a feeling of deja-vu.

"Like papa, like daughter..." I muttered unconsciously. I walked over to the other side of the bed to see Baby lying on her stomach. Her posture looked so adorably cute as if she was sad and sulking. I gently stroked her white fur as I apologised,

"I'm sorry I left you all alone, Baby. Won't you forgive Daddy?"

It took a while but her black eyes blinked and her little head lifted up as if she had forgiven me. Her head was now brushing against my palm searching for my warmth. She directly hoped into my embrace as I heartily laughed pecking her pink nose and soft cheeks, "Haha. My good girl! Only if your Papa was as forgiving as you are."