The Darker the Night, The Brighter the Stars

Zhao Yan woke up, feeling quite refreshed. She stretched her arms lazily and rubbed her eyes awake.

Chun Lan who was in the room with Jae Ha was preparing food on the table.

"My lady, you finally woke up! Chun Lan was really worried. You stayed up late at night and were very exhausted. You fell asleep in the study room so His Highness carried you himself to your bed." Chun Lan said in a relieved tone as she saw that her lady was okay.

Zhao Yan was stunned. She did not remember much after talking with Fu Yanqing aside from embarrassing herself by crying yet again.

"It is late. I will accompany you back to your courtyard."

Her eyes widened slightly. She remembered him saying that but she did not remember what happened afterward.

Even still, she recalled all the things that had transpired last night. His attempt at kissing her and the words he said to her as he recalled the time they spent together like strangers.

She blushed further when she remembered how he kneeled and kissed her fingers delicately.

"Ahh..." She was so embarrassed that she hid under her quilt again and forgot about the world.

She was probably the first person to have seen him kneel subserviently and she did not feel very good about it.

"My lady, why are you hiding in bed? The food will get cold. Prince Jing told this servant to let you sleep in because my lady was very tired last night. His Highness especially ordered the kitchen to prepare you the best dishes."

Zhao Yan would have continued to stay hidden if not for her stomach and her baby demanding her to eat. She was awakened by her responsibility as a pregnant mother and swiftly got out of bed.

She was so fast that Chun Lan barely got a word when Zhao Yan was already seated.

"Quick, I need to wash my face and hands." Jae Ha was closer so the quiet girl handed her the basin and prepared a dry towel.

Zhao Yan washed meticulously before drying herself. Seeing all the delicious food on the table, she naturally did not stall and went to grab a bowl and chopsticks.

"Oh? Is this Herbal Taxilli and Egg Sweet Soup..." Zhao Yan's attention was piqued. This sweet soup can nourish the blood and protect the fetus. It was very suitable for her since she was in the early stage of pregnancy.

Zhao Yan ate to her heart's content. She even snacked on goji berries and red dates afterward. Then when she was done, she took a warm bath with the help of Chun Lan and Jae Ha.

She was in the middle of resting on a chair while in deep thought when a guest arrived at her courtyard.

"My lady, His Highness Prince Jing is here." Jae Ha spoke up.

Zhao Yan immediately straightened. The door opened before she could compose herself. She was stunned in place like a deer caught in headlights.

She immediately stood up.

"Y... Your Highness...!" Zhao Yan's voice unintentionally turned high pitch due to nervousness. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands and lowered her gaze like a child that had done something wrong.

Fu Yanqing didn't let her be embarrassed for long.

"Yanyan, are you rested?"

Zhao Yan nodded, not trusting herself to say something stupid.

Fu Yanqing looked at her wide-sleeved green colored dress embroidered with pink cherry blossoms. His gaze rested on her stomach for a while and his lips couldn't help but curve upwards.

"Come." He extended his hand for her to take.

Zhao Yan accepted it and looked at him curiously.

"Your Highness, are we going somewhere?"

He glanced down at her. "We are going to the palace to meet the Empress Dowager. Empress Mother and my younger sister are already waiting for us."

Zhao Yan was immediately on alert. The Empress Dowager again? And she was also going to meet Fu Yanqing's sister...

From what he told her, Fu Tian Su was spoiled since birth because she was the only princess among the previous Emperor's children.

Zhao Yan was very curious to meet this person. Would she also be like the noble young ladies that Zhao Yan met before? Arrogant and prideful, immediately flaunting their wealth and status?

Fu Yanqing noticed her deep thought. "Do not worry. This prince is here. No harm will come to you."

Zhao Yan smiled. "I was thinking what kind of person the princess is."

"Su'er is spoiled. " He calmly repeated. This was also the same word he used to describe the princess when they were traveling.

"But she is not unreasonable. Am I right, Your Highness?" She peeked upwards at him. With her small height, she was only able to reach his chest. She was not even tall enough to reach his shoulders which made their height difference more emphasized.

In her defense, Fu Yanqing has a good foundation and his body structure was due to the fact that he knows martial arts and he had fought in a war since he was only fifteen.

When Zhao Yan was fifteen, she was busy memorizing prescriptions and medications, courtesy of her grandfather who was very strict in teaching.

Besides, she was too weak and too small to practice martial arts or Qing gong. There was also the fact that it was frowned upon for women to practice things that were meant for men.

"You will know when you meet her." Fu Yanqing said as guided her towards the carriage. Chun Lan and Jae Ha were behind them, following quietly.

They dare not interrupt the mellow atmosphere between their masters but they did strain their ears to listen while keeping their heads low.

Fu Yanqing helped Zhao Yan step inside the carriage.

The interior was very spacious and luxurious. The decorations were elegant and stylish but not gaudy. With so much space inside, twelve people can ride inside and there would still be space for a table with fruits and pastry.

▪▪▪