The Darker the Night, The Brighter the Stars

Zhao Yan, the deadly beauty was currently unable to sleep.

"Grandfather, Zhao Yan, your granddaughter is going to get married." Zhao Yan said aloud while lying on her back and hugging the quilt to her chest.

Tomorrow, she would leave this place and move to yet another place. Then she would get married to Zhao Country's Prince Regent, Prince Jing, aka Fu Yanqing.

It has only dawned upon her that she would marry a prince and not just any normal prince but Prince Jing himself.

Zhao Yan was suddenly having second thoughts. Could she still back out? But Fu Yanqing had repeatedly warned her that she has already agreed, there was no turning back anymore.

Zhao Yan thought about it. She was only getting married not out of love but out of obligation for the child inside her stomach.

Yes, that was it. An obligation. Her obligation as a soon to be mother.

The next day, Zhao Yan purposely stalled and took longer in dressing herself up even with the help of Chun Lan and Jae-Ha.

She made some arrangements and left Shopkeeper Liang some instructions before reluctantly boarding the carriage. All of her luggage were also packed and was on a different carriage than the one she was in.

She was also forced to wear a much thicker cloak due to the cold weather.

Fu Yanqing did not allow her to go out when he saw that she was not as bundled up as he was expecting. He placed two thick outer coats around her body before he was satisfied. He especially replaced her gloves with his gloves that were larger but thicker and much warmer than her own.

"Yanyan, are you trying to catch a cold? This prince is not happy with your choice of clothing. " He pointed out. This was woman was really good. She was able to make him worry just by standing and doing nothing.

"I will be fine, Your Highness. It is already so hot." Zhao Yan was thinking that he was even more cautious than her.

His level of preparation and paranoia reached to the point where he would order the driver to drive the horses slower because she might feel dizzy.

"With how slow the carriage is, it will take us a month before we arrive..." She complained under her breath.

"It is so you won't get dizzy. Your health is more important. " When she heard this, Zhao Yan was very touched but she still urged the carriage to move faster.

Most of the time, Zhao Yan was like a bear in hibernation. She would spend a long time sleeping or napping and would almost always wake up leaning on Fu Yanqing.

She was so embarrassed that she would turn her back to him in a sulky manner. He didn't wake her up at all and even pointed out that she was drooling.

Zhao Yan had even checked if she really did drool. After finding out that he was only making fun of her, she was so annoyed that she ignored him for three days and three nights.

Fu Yanqing learned his lesson after that but he insisted on not waking her up during her sleep or nap. It was almost winter season so it was fine sleeping more especially with her condition.

During the day, Zhao Yan would ask Fu Yanqing about the capital. Which family was influential... who she should watch out for... which place was a good spot to visit... She asked a lot because she didn't want to go to such a place as an ignorant person.

Fu Yanqing calmly placated her worries and explained, "This prince will take care of you. If you want to bully someone, this prince will tie up that person for you."

Zhao Yan ignored those words. He was still Prince Regent, the man who killed his own father to gain control of the throne. She was aware that he wasn't a good person but as long as he treated her right then she could bear with it.

Only because of their child.

Just like that, they arrived at Zhao Country capital while heading towards Prince Jing's mansion.

Zhao Yan was fast asleep by the time they had arrived and had missed out on sightseeing.

Fu Yanqing personally carried her to the Bamboo Courtyard which became a memorable sight that his servants and guards witnessed. They had to rub their eyes to confirm whether they weren't dreaming.

Chun Lan and Jae Ha were both prepared when Zhao Yan woke up. The hot water was ready and they were only waiting for her to wake up.

"Are we at an inn...?" Zhao Yan asked sleepily while rubbing her eyes awake. She stretched her arms and looked around before feeling surprised.

The furniture and decoration were too stylish to be an inn...And if she wasn't wrong, then this table that appeared purple was made from jichi wood...? This was a very expensive piece of wood!

Her hands felt the sheets underneath her and stiffened. After being exposed to the outside world, Zhao Yan became aware of what was expensive or not and she was very sure that the brocade silk sheets under her was expensive to the point that selling it alone would be enough to buy a house in the capital of Tang Country.

Chun Lan proceeded to speak. "My lady, you're awake. Chun Lan will help you wash and change. It is already noontime. You slept soundly so we didn't wake you up, figuring that you must be tired from the long travel."

Zhao Yan just nodded and stood up. She took her time immersing herself in the warm bath and feeling herself get rejuvenated.

Jae Ha, who was more experienced in styling her hair was combing Zhao Yan's hair while Chun Lan was clipping her nails.

They helped her change into a lilac colored dress with thick material. Zhao Yan only wore two accessories and it was the blood red jade bracelet that Fu Yanqing gave her during the journey and the jade hairpin she got from her grandfather on her sixteenth birthday.

She was like a little fairy with immaculate features once the preparations were done.

By the time she was ready, Fu Yanqing had already ordered one of his servants to check if she was awake.

"I will go to His Highness." Zhao Yan had been revitalized after getting to sleep long and bathe long so she was in a very good mood when she met with Fu Yanqing.

"Sit down. The dishes are on their way." Zhao Yan obediently sat down on the nearest chair but he shook his head and motioned to the chair beside him.

She got up and moved to that chair. She must obey and respect the house and its crow.

He looked at her simple yet elegant attire and was very satisfied. No matter what, he prefers her without any rogue. It allowed him to clearly see just how white and tender her cheeks had been recently.

He couldn't help but reach out and pinch her left cheek. Sure enough, it was just as soft as he had imagined.

"Ah! Your Highness, why did you pinched me?" She rubbed her cheek and looked at him in a sour manner. The tender skin bloomed red easily.

He immediately felt guilty for indulging his urge.

"Yanyan, I did not mean to..."

He run his thumb in circles around the reddish area, trying to soothe the pain and chiding his undisciplined behavior that hurt her.

"Your Highness, Prince Jing... Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived." One of the servants named Hui Yin announced.

She was a woman in her forties and the head housekeeper of the mansion as well as the wife of Steward Liu. Most of the mansion's management were assigned to the couple because the mansion was lacking a host.

Fu Yanqing was annoyed. They had only arrived a few hours ago and his mother was already here to annoy him.

"The Empress Dowager is here...?" He looked at his little woman whose eyes were wide while looking at him for an answer.

His lips twitched slightly before nodding.

"No need to worry. I will deal with mother. Stay here, don't wait for me and just eat." Fu Yanqing looked at Chun Lan and Jae ha. The two bowed, understanding his implication. They would take care of the lady.

Satisfied, Fu Yanqing left to meet with his mother.

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