The suave younger prince

The following morning as the servants prepared her bath, she contemplated on escaping to the town. Wang Jian had mentioned he had various duties to attend to and he could not be by her side. He apologized endlessly again and again. Kissing her hands, her shoulders, nearly getting close enough to her lips again. 

Ying  Yue had been careful not to let him.

She doesn't want to be touch by him, not yet, not so easily. Not after all those lies he told her, she's still trying to convince herself upon staying. It's so easy just to walk out of the palace and leave again. Although something inside her told her that she should stick around, wait it out and see how things pans out. 

She could only assume Wang Jian is probably outside the walls with Lord Chua to search for Fan.

Whatever it was he has to do outside the palace, she doesn't care, and it'll take a lot to make her care all over again.

She was halfway through the hallway on her brisk footsteps, hoping to elude her servants and guards when a voice caught her. "I'm rather offended you haven't come to visit me yet, sister."

It was Third Prince Wang Jungjae, a half brother to Wang Jian, younger by two years. They share the same father but with different mother.

She and him were never that close, rarely given a chance to interact but it's never a doubt she is fond of him. Prince Jungjae is laid back, a complete opposite of his older brother. He tends to command audience and maintain it.

Getting her attention was an easy task.

She whipped her head around and turned, it'd been hard for her to smile the last couple days, but she didn't hold back once she saw him. "Jungjae!" She glimmered with delight and rushed out to his embrace.

He did not hesitate upon picking her off her feet and swing her around.

He set her back down and inclined his head apologetically.

"I heard you've been back and it tears me apart not being able to welcome you. I've been away for a while and just now getting back." He crooned. "I had the entire day free to myself and I figured I take it upon myself to see you."

He paused and eyed the team of maids and guards tailing her. "Goodness gracious, you have more servants and guards tending to you than I do. Here I am with a single guard following me around..." He clucked his tongue. "What kind of injustice is that?"

He waved his hand, disbanding her servants, and they did not hesitate upon obeying the prince's command.

Prince Jungjae winked at her.

"Thank you." She said relieved. "Thank you for getting rid of them."

"No worries, I could only imagine how much they irritated you."

She nodded without denial. "Jian had been adamant about me having them."

"I heard..." He said vacantly. "I heard about everything..."

She didn't answer.

"Come, walk with me." His hand ever so gently grazed her elbow guiding her to move.

Prince Jungjae is married with two wives already. He's energetic, enjoys and prefers women's company which landed him in numerous trouble more often than he'd like to admit.

"I could take you outside the wall for a while and go shopping perhaps?" He said in his smooth voice as if he's a single man courting an unmarried woman.

She scoffed. "I'm hardly interested in shopping at all."

"Strange, and here I thought women like that stuff."

"Not all, Jungjae. I would rather be doing other things."

"...and tell me what's that, so I can accompany you there."

"Library?" She turned, a half smile flashing at him.

"Oh, you are so cruel. I'm sure you're doing this on purpose. You know I won't last a minute in a library. Silence is just not for me."

"You have not changed a bit." She crooned then laughed.

Ying  Yue tried not to look so eager, but she would like a ticket out of the palace for a while. Prince Wang Jungjae was kind enough to get rid of her maids and guards for her. So, she agreed on a little field trip out of the palace. 

"On second thought, I think I'll take up on your offer. I would like to get out of here for a little while."

"Good girl." He purred, "I'm bored."

The market was filled with loud merchants eagerly attracting customers into their stalls. Prince Jungjae was like a rock star, getting stopped every few seconds by his awed and adoring fans. He was more liked and more popular - no doubt - than prince Wang Jian and he relished every bit of the attention he got, smiling widely at every chance.

"Well, isn't this so much better than the palace?" Prince Jungjae kept a casual stroll the whole time. Pacing with her speed, or rather, taking his time to better enjoy the worshiping commoners.

"Perhaps to you, you always enjoyed the attention. I remembered."

He could only chuckle. "Can you blame me if I'm popular?"

"No, but you dragged me in here just so you could shower in attention without getting attacked by women."

"Ah, you know me too well."

Her mouth open as to respond with a banter when his eyes lit up. A glittering necklace captured his attention and yanked her towards the stall. Prince Jungjae picked up the necklace, hovering it by her neck. His eyes narrowed. "This looked good on you, sister."

Adding the sister as a declaration of his innocence.

"Put it back, I don't want it."

"Too late." He breathed as he already clamped the hooks together on her neck. Letting it fall to her chest, admiring it. He gestured his personal guard to pay.

"So, what have my brother done for you lately?"

A ripple of madness followed by a growl escaped her before she could even stop herself. Her obvious anger was evident.

Prince Jungjae pressed his lips smiling like a fox. How easy it is for him to rattle her anger. He knew about Fan, and how much the concubine felt the freedom to openly bully the first wife.

"As much as I realize you are my conniving brother, even this is a new low for you, Jungjae." Prince Wang Jian sneered behind them. He was mounted on a horse, Lord Chua with him. 

They recently came back from their secret expedition. 

"Stop flirting with my wife and flirt with your own wives!"

Prince Jungjae let out a mocked offended exhale and placed his hand to his chest. "Forgive me brother, but I can't just let her rot in the palace while I could obviously show her a good time. You're apparently too busy with your duties or with your concubine."

Wang Jian shot him a warning glare. 

Jungjae groaned, suddenly serious. "Forgive me, brother. I just thought I'd set her free from the servants. She's been with me, safe and protected the whole time."

Wang Jian's anger ease. "Thank you, brother. I appreciate you taking care of my wife during my absence. "

Jungjae turned and smiled at her, easing out his tensed muscles and breathed at the same time. "Afraid, I shall turn you over to your husband."

She nodded, the conversation between the brothers had always carried a bit of oddness to her. It is as if they share a secret language or constantly talking about something only they could understand. Perhaps it's the politics, or it was something else entirely, but whatever it was. They were always careful and tip toeing around Ying Yue.

Wang Jian leaned in offering her his hand. "Come, let me take you back home to the palace."

She said nothing as she took his hand and climb behind him mounted on his mare.