23 A Sticky Situation

Snow did not fall in early winter, but it was still so cold especially inside the palace. Wei Hong Sheng felt a chill sinking into his very bones. This cold he felt was not from the weather, but was emanating from the inside of his heart outwards. This imperial palace was so gilded and seemed so noble, but was actually such a dirty place. When he thought of last week's events, how the Holy One had thoroughly wrecked his plans, Wei Hong Sheng could only feel disgust.

Then again, he'd long known that his life would never be easy. He'd long known that the royal family was, in reality, the most dishonorable and obscene. It really was a waste of energy to feel this anger and dissatisfaction each and every time.

"You're still so moody," the Fourth Prince sitting beside Wei Hong Sheng teased. "Would it kill you to smile?"

"Tell me, younger cousin, what have I to smile about?"

"You're still part of the royal family. You still have your wealth and your good looks. Who cares about being the Prince-shizi? Just live freely."

"Your words are not wrong." Wei Hong Sheng smiled faintly. "But I am not resigned."

The Fourth Prince well understood this cousin of his. How long had they been running amok in the capital together? This one's ambition was higher than the clouds, yet so few knew about it. "The sooner you give up, the easier your life will be."

"You don't understand the ghosts I have floating above my head." He didn't want to also say that even if he gave up, there were some people who'd never leave him be. For example, he'd been well-behaved these days. He had been laying low. Yet still Tian Ao traveled down from the north and now he was under constant surveillance. If he still had to suffer even if he was good, then what was the point of being good?

When the floods come, the fish eat ants. But once the waters dry, ants eat the fish. These rains would not last forever.

The Fourth Prince observed his cousin's expression before relaxing and leaning back in his seat. "You are right." he drawled, losing the will to continue his admonishment. He looked out over the other seated and standing noblemen to see who else had come; his eyes landed on Yan Qiu Yue, who seemed to be contemplating something on her own. "It looks like your former future brother-in-law is here."

These were the sorts of words that would poke at someone's wounds. With some irritation, Wei Hong Sheng looked up, following the Fourth Prince's gaze. When he saw Yan Qiu Yue, he froze.

Lower down in the banquet hall, Yan Qiu Yue was idly sitting. There were other young noblemen on either side of her, no doubt sons of some duke or marquis or another. However, she wasn't familiar with them and didn't want to give more opportunities for others to figure her out. As such, she kept to herself and was in deep introspection. From time to time, she would glance up at Wei Hong Sheng or Tian Ao, wondering what the emperor's and Prince Rui's intentions were for them.

She poked at the plate of food in front of her. It was heavily spiced and not to her taste. Nobody around her was really eating, either. Who knew how long these dishes had been left sitting in the kitchens before they were served? Ironically, one really did not come to a banquet to eat.

"Qiu Heng, you were supposed to save me a seat," An amused but somewhat offended voice rang out. Yan Qiu Yue's heartbeat quickened in fear as she recognized the voice of the young man she was very much hoping not to run into.

She slowly raised her head and came face to face with Hua Yan Ting, who took the seat across from her. Hadn't someone else been sitting there? Wasn't someone as famous as Hua Yan Ting supposed to sit higher up? Yan Qiu Yue hadn't realized that Hua Yan Ting was someone who would even make another man move seats in order to sit with his good friend. Feeling somewhat helpless, she forced a carefree smile and lowered her tone in an attempt to try to match her brother's. "It's your fault entirely. Who told you to come so late? It's a wonder the Crown Prince's people let you in."

"There were some matters I had to attend to. His Highness is understanding." Hua Yan Ting took a sip of tea.

"Hmm." Yan Qiu Yue didn't know what to say, so she responded with a noncommittal grunt. It took all of her mental willpower to stop her hands from shaking as she mirrored his movements and sipped her tea in an attempt to hide her face.

Hua Yan Ting stared at her, his focus sharpening as suspicion slowly descended. When was his Yan Qiu Heng ever so taciturn and unwilling to talk? It had to be said that the two of them were very close. At banquets such as these, they would often ignore others and be conversing happily by themselves.

"Qiu Heng, are you ill? Why does your voice sound strange?"

A chill ran down Yan Qiu Yue's spine. She bit her lip. In the end, Hua Yan Ting and her brother were good friends. So what if he found out? Perhaps he'd be understanding--even think it funny. It might be better to just tell him instead of keeping up these pretenses.

Just as she was about to come clean, someone pulled her up and out of her seat by the arm. "Come with me, I need to speak with you about something."

It was Wei Hong Sheng. "I--"

"Come." His tone and manner were brusque.

Yan Qiu Yue's eyes darted between Wei Hong Sheng and Hua Yan Ting, but ultimately let herself be pulled along. If Yan Qiu Heng hadn't told his friend about their switching places, perhaps he had a reason. If she didn't have to be the one to break the news to Hua Yan Ting, then she wouldn't be. Having made that decision, Yan Qiu Yue let herself be pulled along by Wei Hong Sheng, lowering her head to avoid looking Hua Yan Ting in the eye.

After walking out of the banquet hall, apparently once he realized that Yan Qiu Yue had no desire to resist, the former Prince Rui-shizi let go of her arm. A thought then occurred to her: why had Wei Hong Sheng come? What could he possibly have to say to her? She'd been so focused on being taken out of that previous awkward situation that she hadn't thought through this one.

"What is it that you think you're doing?"

Yan Qiu Yue realized that Wei Hong Sheng had led her to an abandoned corridor. They were utterly alone; not even a servant currently accompanied them. Yan Qiu Yue had no way of knowing that Mu Rong and her brother's servant had been so intimidated by Wei Hong Sheng's menacing aura that they'd been forced to stay behind.

Wei Hong Sheng's question was vague. She didn't know why he'd taken her out of the banquet hall and didn't know whether she should respond as herself or as her brother. So she impetuously replied, "I could say the same to you. For what have you pulled me to this place without any witnesses?"

Wei Hong Sheng flashed a wolfish grin. "I was helping you out of a sticky situation. Why don't you kneel down and thank me instead of showing me this arrogant attitude?"