The Summon
An ethereal young lady was sitting in a garden filled with various herbs. Her raven black hair glistened in the sun as her plump and seductive blood-red lips curled up in a beautiful smile. Her golden eyes squinted as she laughed.
The young woman caressed the fur of her tiger that was as big as a house cat. Its white fur contrasted with her unblemished, rosy white skin.
Ying Yue was telepathically talking to both Shasha and Bao'er. She was blissfully content as she passed a huge ordeal the night before. She successfully extended her life for another month.
The poison acted up every first of the month, until this day, she was still unable to come up with a cure. The black lotus she planted inside her room was the only thing that could suppress it. As the black lotus was as potent as her poison, she can only take it once with a monthly interval.
"Yueyue, why didn't you go look for the prince. All these years you were only hearing news of him. He is still looking for you."
"I think you are mistaken." A beautiful and melodious voice answered. "You did say he interrogated that person who shot the arrow right? By now, he must think I'm dead." There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
"But you aren't, so shouldn't you come to meet him?"
"No, I don't think so. This misunderstanding will do him good. I will only be a burden to him. And I don't want that."
The tiger listening in on the conversation moved to soothe Ying Yue. Even though it couldn't speak, it still made up for it through its actions.
Every 1st of the month was hell for them all, including Xiao Hua who was the only one close to her during those periods.
She knew very well how hurtful it was to those around her, she didn't want to add the prince to the list or she wouldn't be able to live for herself.
She heard all the news from Bao'er and she also usually sent the blob to watch over the prince.
These days, only those news from him kept her going.
"Bao'er, what's the news about Bai Xiang'er?"
They kept monitoring the crown princess as she was the cause of all the collapse that happened in the past life. Luckily, she laid low for the past years and focused on giving an heir to the crown prince.
"She was busy taking care of her little prince so she didn't make many waves recently." A year ago, Bai Xiang'er delivered a healthy prince and the capital celebrated the event for the whole day and night.
"That's good, but it's best to be careful. Sometimes, the calm before the storm was much worse as it hits you unprepared once the calamity came."
"I got it Yueyue. Don't worry."
As they talk, a steward made his way over to their little abandoned courtyard. Xiao Hua who was busy cooking had to leave things behind to welcome the steward in.
"This servant welcomes steward Fu." Xiao Hua, now 17, had the maturity and gracefulness of a fully grown woman. Her gestures were like flowing water.
It's a pity she was only a maid.
"No need for formalities. The master summons your young miss to the study. Ask her to dress appropriately." With that, the steward left, leaving the gobsmacked maid rooted in her place.
"Milady!" Xiao Hua shouted, making her way towards the back where her mistress was always at.
Seeing that ethereal appearance still made her face red but now was not the time thus she decisively reigned her fangirling then proceeded to her report.
After hearing it Ying Yue hummed her approval, she helped her dress in a simple robe and wear the full-face veil. Once they made their way to the study, Xiao Hua's little heart was bursting in anxiety.
Ying Yue, however, was as calm as can be. She already expected this as she will be reaching the marriageable age in a few days. She more or less knew what this was about.
As they were ushered in, she made a graceful bow then sat down on a chair in front of the desk.
"I am glad you made it here. Now off to business, you will be reaching the marriageable age soon and your mother was already looking for a suitable husband for you." Without as much as asking for her well-being, the patriarch went directly to the point as if he couldn't tolerate her presence more than the time that was necessary.
"This daughter understands." Smirking inside her veil, Ying Yue wanted to curse this old man.
"As you will be married soon, you should learn to take off that hideous veil." He commanded coldly.
"This daughter's face is much hideous than the veil. This daughter didn't want to burden anybody with this ugly face. Asking for father's understanding." These days, lying seamlessly was something she has gotten used to.
Not even bothering to comfort her he dismissed her after telling her to wait for the news.
That summon was talked about in the whole estate that probably even the horses on the stable were not spared.
The unfavored illegitimate daughter was summoned for the first time in almost 16 years. How pitiful was that?
This same gossip was far-reaching to the point, it even reached the concubine in the second prince's estate.
"What did you say? Father summoned Yueyue?" Bai Xingmei repeatedly asked in a disbelieving tone.
"Yes, milady. Since the fifth young lady is coming of age, the patriarch and the first wife were finding a good arrangement."
"This is unacceptable! They have neglected Yueyue, how dare they make plans for her future?" hitting the table in anger, she turned to her maid then said, "Hurry, help this concubine get dressed. I will find the second prince for help!"
Inside the library of the estate, the second prince was reading some memorials that he needed to work on. A steward came in informing him that concubine Bai was outside asking for an audience.
When he heard the name, a smile unconsciously broke out from his face. "Let her enter."
Not a moment later, a beautiful woman in an elegant robe walked gracefully then bowed in greetings. "This concubine greets your highness."
"Mei'er what are you saying? Didn't I tell you to not address me formally when we are alone?"
The woman's face reddened as she smiled and made her way towards her husband's lap. This action surprised the other as she never initiated anything before.
Smiling slyly, the second prince asked in a teasing voice, "Did Mei'er come here for a favor?" His hands roamed free at the little concubine's body.
"Your highness!" She cried on alert. She tried to get up but the prince wouldn't let her.
"Since Mei'er came here herself, this prince is willing to listen to what you have to say."
"It's just, This concu --" she stopped as she felt the piercing stare of the prince, then she corrected, "I want your help regarding my sister."
Remembering the sister that his wife was very fond of, he nodded his head, encouraging her to continue.
"She is turning 16 in a few days, and our father is starting to look for a husband for her."
"Isn't it a good news?"
"What good news?!" her voice rose up a notch which greatly amused the prince. For all the years they were married, it was the first time he saw her this agitated. That reclusive sister of hers must be someone very important to his wife.
Coughing lightly when she realized her agitation, she then continued in a much gentler way, "they were never there for her, so for them to decide her future is not right. So I would like to request your highness to take her in as your concubine too!"
The prince choked from his saliva upon hearing this. She could have come up with a lot of means but she came up with this?
Rapping her forehead gently, he cleared his throat. "Mei'er, if you are willing to share your husband, why should it be with your sister?" This wife of his truly makes him speechless.
"At least I can take care of her here and if she wanted to leave, your highness can rightfully arrange for it too once she married in." Her mind was just as simple as this.
Sighing loudly, he stared at her for a few minutes before giving up and advising her wholeheartedly. "Since that is what you want, we can have better arrangements for her. My brother Ah'Wei is a well-known block-face. We could arrange for her to be his concubine. If she truly wanted to leave, Ah'wei will gladly comply."
As if seeing a ray of sunlight, Bai Xingmei smiled warmly, "Really? Would his highness agree to this?"
"Of course. Leave this matter to me, all you have to do is to explain it to your sister."
After hearing his consent, Bai Xingmei hurriedly left like a gust of wind leaving the prince very helpless.
"Did I spoil you too much?" He said in an aggrieved but very helpless tone.
That same day, Ying Yue received a letter from her sister, telling her the conversation she had with the second prince. She also asked her if she agreed to this arrangement or not.
Knowing that Bai Xingmei only wished for her to be happy and free even coming up with ways to help her out, she can only feel deeply moved.
The letter also made her happy as she would now have the chance to watch over the prince closely. She knew there might not be a chance for them in the future but at least for now, she can still be selfish and watch over him even from afar.
With heartfelt gratitude, she sent a reply to her sister which sealed her fate as the fourth prince's concubine.