"I paid you a surprise visit to your private mansion. I didn't inform you beforehand because... well, I wanted it to be a surprise. I suspected something was being kept from us... and when I got there, I confirmed it. There's definitely something being hidden," Sikong said, arching an eyebrow with a sly smirk.
Yibo stood watching him silently until he finished. Then, instead of responding immediately, he began walking....not to leave, but to reduce the distance between them. He only stopped when he was standing directly in front of Sikong.
With a voice full of regal authority and sharp warning, Yibo said, "You broke my rules, Sikong. I've warned you before...don't enter my room without permission or invitation. And secondly... I'm warning you again: stay out of my personal life. This obsession of yours won't end well for you. That's my advice."
He turned and walked past him, but Sikong's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"If there's nothing to hide, why not keep staying with us? Hm? And who exactly is he?" Sikong asked.
The room fell into a heavy silence. Yibo halted mid-step. At the mention of Zhan, his mind suddenly sharpened....was Sikong really talking about him?
Sikong stepped closer behind Yibo and added, "I just want to know who he is. He caught my attention, and I'm genuinely interested in him. So please, could you introduce us?"
For the first time in ages, Yibo felt a sharp pang in his chest....jealousy, sudden and intense. He turned slowly, locking eyes with Sikong in a way that made the latter instantly uneasy. The look he gave carried weight, warning, and territorial claim.
"I mean it, man. I truly like him. And not in the way you're probably imagining…" Sikong tried to explain, adjusting his stance under the pressure of Yibo's glare.
Yibo didn't reply. He simply raised a hand and pointed to the door. His voice came out low but firm: "Get out, please. I'm locking my room."
Sikong looked visibly unsettled but knew better than to argue. He gave a small shrug, turned, and left the room.
Yibo shut the door with force and quickly passed by Sikong, who was now standing in the sitting room. Moments later, he was speeding out of the driveway in his car.
His face was red from the raged, his thoughts racing. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to figure out what exactly had upset him so deeply. As the crisp morning air cooled his flushed skin, the realization hit him: he was jealous....deeply. How could Sikong even think of sharing something with him that he already had? Not because he care for Zhan, but because Zhan, up to now, still is his partner... HIS Husband.
Once he calmed down, he returned to class. Unfortunately, the lecture had already ended by the time he arrived, and the professor had just left.
Meanwhile…
"Last born," Concubine Xueyin called out with regal gravity, her sharp tone signaling that what she was about to say was of great importance. The secluded space alone was enough to tell the girl this wasn't just a casual chat.
Respectfully, last born responded, "May your reign be long. I wish you success."
"There are two individuals from this household who are not where they should be.... and they're both part of the palace staff. What's more, they're assigned to Queen's quarters," she said, then paused meaningfully.
"I want you to investigate who exactly is missing from her section and where they went. Last born," she repeated the name with firm emphasis, and the girl nodded, bowing her head.
"This time, I don't want to hear that no information was found. I want real answers, no matter what it takes. Something that will satisfy me."
Last born nodded. "By the strength of heaven, Your Highness, I'll do my best. I promise you'll be pleased with the result."
"Good. You're dismissed," Queen Zaiye said as she turned away.
Once she was alone, her thoughts deepened. Everything was starting to unravel. No matter how tightly Queen Zhaiye tried to block every possible route of inquiry, Xueyin felt this was the most difficult challenge she'd ever faced. Even Qinnu hadn't given her this much trouble. At this point, she'd completely forgotten about Concubine Qinnu... her focus now was solely on the Queen.
Over the following week, Last born dug into every possible angle to identify the missing staff and where they had gone. But all her efforts turned up one result: only Bai Wuxia and Lao were unaccounted for.
That alone was enough. Last born gathered her findings and presented them to Xueyin.
"May misfortune befall that woman. May justice catch up with her," Xueyin muttered furiously, not realizing her words had slipped aloud. The frustration was overwhelming.
She had already dismissed Last born, who despite her best efforts had run into a wall. All of Queen's staff were intensely loyal. Extracting information from them was nearly impossible. Queen Zhaiye had designed it that way. She never let details escape beyond her inner circle. That made her incredibly secretive.... and dangerously protected.
💚🦁❤️🐰💛🐢
As the days slowly passed, the time left before they would leave New York dwindled...only about eight weeks remained, two months at most.
Bai Wuxia had been gradually packing up their belongings, carefully separating what they would take with them from what would be left behind. She hadn't spoken to Zhan about it, but a deep, maternal kind of sympathy filled her heart for him. She had come to see him as a son...one she hadn't given birth to, yet felt bound to as if he were her own.
Often, she sat alone, lost in thought, imagining what Zhan's life would become in the future. After being used and discarded in his youth, what now remained for him? Her greatest wish had been for the marriage to blossom into something strong and meaningful, to see it bear the fruits of mutual affection. She had hoped that, somehow, Zhan and the Prince would grow closer, truly fall in love, and build something lasting from their union.
She knew Yibo inside and out. To him, she was more than a caretaker....she had raised him from the cradle. As for Zhan, the past ten months had been enough for her to observe and understand his nature. She had seen only goodness in him. Not a single negative trait came to mind. In fact, she believed Zhan and Yibo were better matched than she had initially imagined. She was also convinced that Queen Zhaiye had no idea who Zhan really was. From all she had seen and felt, Zhan was exactly the kind of man any mother would dream of having as a son-in-law..... kind-hearted, principled, and dignified.
What Bai Wuxia didn't know, however, was that Zhan himself had been silently counting the days left until their departure. His eagerness to return home was growing... not because of anything specific, but simply to be reunited with his family, his blood. Every day, he missed them....the rhythm of life with them, their presence, their love. And yet, every time that excitement rose in him, it was dulled by one haunting thought: What would become of him now? He had lost his education. He had lost his reputation. His name now? Divorcee. Yes, that was the word that would follow him moving forward.
During the final week of their stay, Zhan's demeanor changed even more. Something in him shifted...his body, his spirit. His usual spark dimmed. He became withdrawn, choosing solitude over interaction, preferring silence over conversation. Every time he was alone, he found himself spiraling into deeper thoughts about his uncertain future.
Bai Wuxia noticed. She saw it all. Her heart ached for him. She already understood how devastating it must be...how anyone in his situation, who had started out with so much hope only to be cast aside, would feel exactly as he did. Especially someone like Zhan, still young and full of potential. She had lived long enough to know: this kind of hurt left deep scars.
Queen Zhaiye, on the other hand, was engrossed in elaborate preparations to welcome her son back...her one and only, as precious as a thousand. She was organizing a grand celebration to mark his return and the completion of his studies.
Yet, somewhere deep within, she knew that even after his return, it wouldn't be permanent. He would likely resume from where he left off, not settle down in the Palace for good. Still, she hoped he'd stay with them for at least a few days....a chance to make up for the time lost.
This time, nearly everyone in the Palace of Tianjin....and beyond....was aware of Prince Yibo's upcoming return. Not just the palace dwellers, but all the townsfolk, even the neighbors. Queen Zhaiye's preparations were no small matter. It was the kind of grandeur that silences enemies and stuns rivals.
At that moment, she was seated before His Majesty, dazzling in an exquisite outfit. She had never stopped adorning herself for him. That had always been her way....cleanliness, elegance, and an obsession with beauty and poise. That's why, even now, her presence still shimmered in His Majesty's heart. Zhaiye had always been different, unique. She understood him. She knew exactly how to handle him.
Clearing his throat, His Majesty adjusted his seat, eyes fixed on her.
"So, mother of Yibo," he began, a slight edge to his voice, "you've gone so far as to eclipse me in our son's life? Everywhere I turn, it seems you've placed yourself before me without my even noticing."
She let out a refined, charming laugh, tilting her head gracefully and offering him a look only he ever received.
"Oh, please... don't be ridiculous. May your days be long. Yibo is yours.... yours entirely. Not just him, even his mother is yours. So what's there to worry about?"
A soft smile crept onto His Majesty's face. Her words pleased him. She had a way with language.... graceful, soothing. None of his other wives could match her eloquence. That's why he preferred spending time with her, though he tried to hide his favoritism. In his heart, she remained unparalleled.
"How much am I even expected to contribute? Let's not forget, I'm just a humble businessman… you're the one with the wealth. From what I saw, everything was settled, and only at the end was I asked to give my share."
Queen Zhaiye responded with a soft smile that still lit up her face despite her age.
"Whatever amount His Majesty gives, Zhaiye welcomes it with open arms. But let him not forget...no matter what the dancer does, the rhythm is set by the drummer."
He shot her a playful look as he picked up his phone.
"Flattery, hm? At this rate, I might transfer everything in my account to you without realizing it."
She chuckled.
"If that happens, I'll suddenly find myself among the ranks of millionaire women....if all of the Tianjin King's fortune ends up in my hands."
That made him laugh even more. Smiling, he completed a generous transfer to her account....so much that she blinked in surprise at the amount. He raised an eyebrow at her, meeting her gaze.
"Surprised? It's like I've never been this invested in anything concerning Yibo as I am today, right?"
She nodded slightly. He adjusted his seat and continued, smiling gently.
"I love my son, Zhaiye.... perhaps even more than you do. But with a large family and the responsibility to treat everyone fairly, I have no choice but to balance my affections. Even if one child holds a larger place in my heart, I must strive for fairness. My love for Yibo isn't because he's my son or a male heir.... it's deeper than that. It's a love placed in my heart by fate. In fact, considering the way I've been blessed with him, no matter his gender, I believe I would still love him more than any of my other children. The day I lost my father and was blessed with Yibo in his stead… that day, everything changed for me."
He paused and exhaled slowly, the weight of the memory settling between them.
Queen Zhaiye nodded quietly, feeling warmth bloom in her chest. His words, his reaffirmation of love for her cherished son, filled her with pride and contentment... more than enough to make her day.
"May our late King's soul rest in peace."
"Amen," replied King Mo Yi with a soft smile. She smiled back, feeling a little shy under his gaze.
"But now that Yibo is returning home," he continued, "don't you think it's time we began discussing his marriage? The years are passing. I want him to grow into a wise and grounded man. He is my heir, after all, as everyone knows."
His mention of marriage made her heart skip a beat. Though only a few days remained before her plans would be complete, she had already made all the necessary arrangements. She, too, had been counting the days.
She had been planning to initiate a conversation between Yibo's family and Qiantang's about a possible engagement, at least to establish familiarity. But His Majesty's unexpected announcement cut her thoughts short and threw her off balance.
"You know Professor Chaobai's daughter....the one who came to visit recently?" he asked.
Queen Zhaiye nodded quickly, though she didn't know the girl well. When the girl had visited, she stayed in the Qinnu wing as one of the palace's concubine guests, as His Majesty had arranged. The girl had simply greeted them politely and then left. Zhaiye had treated her kindly, offered her gifts, and fulfilled her role with grace, as always. She was curious to know where this was leading. Almost as if he had read her mind, His Majesty continued:
"We've begun early discussions with the professor… about the possibility of marrying his daughter to Yibo."
That stopped her cold. The idea didn't even register at first....Professor Chaobai's daughter? With Yibo? She didn't see the compatibility at all. To her, they weren't even in the same league.
"Your Majesty… Yibo already has someone he loves. They've known and understood each other for a long time. Their shared academic journey is the only reason the elders haven't stepped in yet."
He looked at her, surprised.
"Ah… so you're saying I almost made a mistake? But how did this happen? Yibo never brought it up with me."
"I stopped him. I didn't want him mixing love and studies."
He smiled.
"Really? You sound like one of those overly strict mothers."
She smiled too, trying to change the topic.
"You know how these young people are. Once love finds a way into their hearts, their studies take a back seat. They can't handle pressure well."
He brushed off the comment and pressed on.
"Whose daughter is she?"
"She's the daughter of a close friend of mine, and her father is a prominent businessman."
His Majesty fixed her with a long, probing stare that made her feel slightly uneasy. She quickly looked away.
"You do know her father. I hope, you're not arranged this just because she's your friend's daughter. You know I would never allow that....not for something as serious as Yibo's future. Besides, haven't i made it clear I oppose arranged marriages entirely? I said none of my children would be forced into one again."
She shook her head firmly.
"That's not it at all, Your Majesty. What you're thinking isn't true."
Silence fell between them for a moment before he finally said,
"Very well… let's set aside both my suggestion and yours for now. When Yibo returns, I'll speak with him and hear his thoughts directly."
"May we live to see that day," Zhaiye replied, releasing a quiet sigh she'd been holding in her chest.
Everything Yibo could possibly need had already been arranged by her. Even the furniture in his quarters had been completely replaced... nothing was left untouched. Though the old furnishings weren't worn, she had them all changed for two reasons: first, to ensure that every nook and cranny was thoroughly inspected for anything potentially harmful....hidden or not....and second, to implement enhanced security measures once everything was in place and perfected.
Even the house His Majesty had gifted Yibo in full...an impressive estate far grander than any other....was renovated and redesigned under her watch, tailored precisely to suit his preferences and lifestyle.
This lavish gift, the most exquisite among all of His Majesty's properties, sparked a wave of gossip and resentment among the royal wives. Xueyin, to her credit, worked hard to conceal the fury and jealousy boiling inside her, masking it beneath layers of calculated politeness and deceit. But Qinnu, who was always more direct and outspoken, went straight to His Majesty to voice her displeasure.
He simply smiled when she finished her rant and replied,
"Oh Qinnu… this boy, you see, when the time comes for him to marry, it's only natural that I provide him with a house. And if necessary, I might even arrange the wedding myself. For his younger sisters, one day, he will take the place of their father. I have never withheld anything from any of my children. I do everything in my power to meet their needs and carry out my duty as a father. I always strive to be fair with all of them... no favoritism, no bias."
That softened her mood slightly, because she knew deep down it was true. He did his best to be just and equal in his treatment of all his children. But still....her jealousy toward Zhaiye burned deeply. In everything, she seemed to come out ahead...be it popularity in the household or the quiet admiration of many. Even though some of those admirers hid their feelings, Qinnu could see it.
"Forgive me, and may you live a long life," she said grudgingly, "but honestly, this gift… it just doesn't seem fair."
He only smiled again, amused by her inability to present a real argument.
"Listen, Qinnu… I gave Yibo the house, not because he lacked one, but simply because I wanted to. Just as I've spent large amounts of money on his younger siblings when arranging their weddings...never once have any of their mothers complained that I was neglecting their children."
Still muttering to herself in frustration, she rose and walked out, feeling as though fire had consumed her from the inside...jealousy, rage, and bitterness bubbling over.
Her hatred for Yibo deepened even further. To her, he had become a burden shackled to them all....a weight they could never shake off. Every day brought news of him, every mention ignited her fury. She couldn't even count how many of her attendants she had punished simply for mentioning his name or praising his mother. In fact, the very name Prince had been declared forbidden in her quarters... symbolically exiled and buried.
Fuming, she returned to her chambers, already plotting her next move.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛