Yue : I met Xingchen's family.

"Is the place close?"

Yue asked once more as they were on their way to the palace hall. It seemed they had walked for quite a while, but the palace hall was nowhere to be seen. Yue turned her head right and left.

"We haven't gotten off the carriage long ago. The palace hall is still ahead," Xingchen replied, walking beside Yue.

"You still remember what I said?" Xingchen asked then.

Yue nodded. "I don't need to say much," she said.

Xingchen smiled with satisfaction. "Even if there are words that you don't like, you don't need to respond."

"Then won't you talk too much?"

Xingchen stared straight ahead. His forehead creased as he discovered the Emperor's entourage had just entered the hall. Then, Xingchen whispered, "Like that. Then speed up your steps."

Yue jogged to keep up with Xingchen's steps. The girl thought they should reach the hall soon. In fact, Xingchen asked her to stand behind the wall. Eunuch Feng also followed behind them.

Yue's eyes glanced at the two people beside her right and left. Yue thought that if they were like her, they would hide when others walked by. However, they were not Monstrous White.

"Prince, I think that's enough," said Eunuch Feng.

Xingchen stepped away from the wall. He sighed as he looked up at the sky. Next, he faced Yue who was wearing a hood.

"Come on."

Yue moved to Xingchen's side. The girl's mouth was shut while her heart screamed curiously. Yue walked by Xingchen's side. The man smelled like a tree. Looking back, Yue didn't know that boy's name yet. She wanted to ask, but the rule was that she wasn't allowed to say much. Yue looked down listlessly.

⭑⭑⭑

The Emperor and the other members occupied their seats. At the highest level is the Emperor, and below them are the Queen Mother and Empress. In the tiers below, sat the princes and princesses.

Not long after the Emperor sat down, Eunuch announced the arrival of Xingchen and Yue.

"Second Prince Xingchen and Princess Yue enter the room!"

"Princess Yue? I don't remember having that name in the Northern kingdom."

A girl with a pink hanfu whispered from behind her fan. Her sharp eyes looked toward the two people standing in the center of the hall.

"I heard she has a terrible face. It's better if she covers her face." Another princess replied.

Xingchen spread his hands, then bowed. Previously, he had already asked Yue to bow. "I greet the Emperor. May you be blessed for the next 1000 years," he said.

The Emperor nodded. His eyes immediately scanned the girl beside Xingchen.

"I'm happy to see you two getting along."

The Emperor's words changed the atmosphere. Everyone fell silent, then laughed inwardly. Anyone knew that the Second Prince, Huang Xingchen was limiting himself to outsiders. It was like they got along because Xingchen was afraid that Monstrous White was threatening him.

"Your Highness, I am also happy. I believe Xingchen's life will be better," the Empress said with a smile.

The pink hanfu girl chuckled. Covering part of her face with a fan, she said, "That's right, Mother. I wish Big Brother a pleasant life."

"Thank you for the prayers, Your Majesty." Xingchen simply answered. The words of those people sounded smooth, but there was so much satire in them.

For a long time, the Queen Mother was silent, she spoke, "Princess, you have shown good manners. So, why don't you show your face?"

The pink hanfu girl, Shuxin smiled crookedly. Even though she had goosebumps at Yue's pale hands, she was curious about her bloodshot eyes.

Xingchen took a deep breath. They were planning to humiliate Yue. Even though there were many bad rumors about Yue, they didn't give up trying to corner her.

After a small bow, Xingchen said, "Her Royal Highness The Queen Dowager, Princess Yue has had a long journey. I gave her some time to rest. However, she was too nervous to sleep. So, now she is not well."

"Brother, you know your wife is not well. Why are you still taking her out?"

Again, Shuxin spoke. She was made to wonder about something under the hood. She felt she could do anything for that. However, in the presence of the Emperor and Queen Mother, Shuxin needed to show good behavior.

"Brother, why don't you take your wife to rest? This princess believes His Majesty has no objections."

Shuxin put on her best smile, then faced the Emperor.

"Yeah, that's no problem. We can meet again at the banquet." The Emperor responded casually.

Xingchen lowered his head, "Down," he whispered to Yue.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's generosity."

⭑⭑⭑

Inside the running horse carriage, the atmosphere was chilly. Since leaving the hall, Xingchen has been silent. Now he is busy looking out the window. Meanwhile, Yue kept silent. Inside the girl, she was happy because she already knew the name of someone who wasn't afraid of her. Subconsciously, Yue laughed softly.

Xingchen can hear it. He looked away. "What are you laughing at?" he asked.

She flinched. "Name... your name is Xingchen," Yue answered haltingly.

"Yes, it's a star."

"Then what does my name mean?"

"Moon."

In an instant, Yue's excitement disappeared. "Moon?" she repeated. Yue means moon. The moon tortured her every month. Then, she named Yue. Yue's hands clutched her dress.

"That's a nice name," said Xingchen, "And you did your job great."

The smile that was gone now comes again. Yue smiled through her thumping heartbeat. This feeling is foreign but pleasant.

⭑⭑⭑

Shuxin was on her way to her residence when she ran into two princesses. They were busy talking and blocking the way. Shuxin stepped forward and reprimanded, "Ah, Sister Yiyi and Sister Qiqi. From far away I heard the excitement of your chat. Can I join in?"

The third princess, Yiyi answered with a laugh. "Sister, we were talking about Princess Yue since that name sounds familiar."

"You're right. In the Northern kingdom, there is only Princess Lanhua. So, where did she come from?"

Qi Qi laughed too. Her right hand covered her mouth. "People in the north say she carries a curse. However, she is thinner than a stick. How come? Second Sister, can you believe that?"

"I don't think it's easy. I also heard that she has a devil's eye. That's why she appeared with a hood."

Yiyi pursed her lips. "A little scary," she said.

"Yiyi, do you believe in that? We have to see it to prove it." Qiqi answered confidently.

Shuxin blinked rapidly. She was interested. "I'm not sure. Red eyes like demon eyes." She replied while waiting for the next response.

"Second Sister, why don't we try to prove it?"

Shuxin opened her mouth as if surprised. Her hand holds her cheek. "You will do it? Aren't you afraid?" he asked, actually provoking Yiyi and Qiqi.

"Truth to everyone. We'll go find out."

Qiqi was surprised to hear her twin sister's words. Her face seemed to say was Yiyi serious. Meanwhile, Shuxin smiled. It's so easy to lock up these idiots, she thought.