This Isn’t The Prince Ping I Know

On the way back to Ping Tian Palace, an unfocused Qian Ping gazed out the carriage. Familiar scenery of crowded shops and people bustling the streets flickered through his eyes. Nothing seemed to register with him.

Sitting opposite to Qian Ping was Jing Ke and Heng. Whilst Sixi was sat at the front outside, with the coachman that drove their carriage. They had all waited to meet up with the prince after morning court.

"Qian Ping, are you worried about this Anle heir?" Heng straight up asked. "We know nothing about him. In fact, we know nothing about the Anle Tribe. I don't recall our Xia Kingdom ever dealing with them."

"It's because the Anle Tribe is situated rather far from us," Jing Ke informed. "The Ngai Kingdom sits directly in-between us and the Anle Tribe. We've never had any territorial issues to directly deal with them."

"Aren't the Anle Tribe just a small nation? I can't understand why Ngai Kingdom would struggle against them," Heng remarked.

"Ngai Kingdom was built from wealth alone. It's one of the richest kingdoms but in terms of military prowess, they are weak," Jing Ke reminded. "On the other hand, I've heard the Anle Tribe are extremely strong fighters."

"Do you think the Anle Tribe will be trouble?" Heng questioned. "Should we be more prepared?"

"Qian Ping, what do you think?" Jing Ke asked, turning to look at the prince.

"What do I think?" Qian Ping repeated. He was clearly pondering over something. "I'm thinking if she's going to wait for me to return...."

Jing Ke and Heng both frowned. [He's not listening at all]. With the exact same thought, they eyed each other. [What's on his mind?]

"Sixi," Qian Ping said loudly, "how far are we from home?"

"Your highness, we are almost at Ping Tian Palace," Sixi answered loudly from outside.

"Tell the coachmen to go faster," a seemingly impatient Qian Ping demanded. He leaned back onto the soft cushioned surface. [Would Ding Ding still be there?] he couldn't stop himself from thinking again. [I was away for so long. I wonder what she's been up to…] A sudden image of Ding Yiu's sleeping face flashed before his eyes, causing him to abruptly turn his head to the side. There was a slight blush on his cheeks.

Watching the prince, a confused Jing Ke simply scratched his head. He considered that perhaps the prince had urgent matters to attend to back in Ping Ting Palace. Heng on the other hand was slowly narrowing his eyes on Prince Ping's pinkish cheeks. [That weird look Qian Ping has…] Heng carefully processed, remembering all events that had happened in the past 48 hours. Then he quickly pressed his lips together to stop a laugh from coming out. He had forgotten that Qian Ping had taken Ding Ding to his bedchambers last night. [Something good must've happened between them] Heng suppressed another laugh.

It was only another 10 minutes when the carriage finally arrived into the entryway of Ping Tian Palace. Yet that 10 minutes felt like an entire decade to Qian Ping. Even before the carriage properly came to a halt, he had already jumped off. Without saying a word, he rushed straight towards Zheng Palace. Jing Ke swiftly followed the prince but Heng stayed behind.

"Sixi, wait here a second," Heng said.

"What is it young master Heng?"

"Let's go and find Ding Ding first," Heng suggested.

"Ding Xiaojie? She was still sleeping in Zheng Palace when the prince left this morning," Sixi told. "I've arranged for some maids to take care of her. She should still be there."

"Just in case, just in case," Heng urged, pushing Sixi along. "We can also take this opportunity to see if anything else has happened." [More like, there's a chance Ding Ding has gone off somewhere] Heng secretly thought, [and if Qian Ping doesn't see Ding Ding, he'll be in a bad mood. I refuse to be near a moody Qian Ping].

Under Heng's excessive pushing, Sixi reluctantly headed away from Zheng Palace. They would first go to the servants' quarters to hear reports on what happened in Ping Tian Palace today.

Now in Qing Lin Palace (a residence inside Ping Tian Palace).

A confused, worried and slightly dejected Mu Hui and Yilan sat together by the table under the garden pavilion. Despite being master and servant, the two shared a close bond to one another, having been together since young. Mu Hui often encouraged Yilan to sit with her when no one else was around.

"Hui Xiaojie, when do you suppose Ding Xiaojie had ran away?"

"I'm not sure," Mu Hui dismally replied. "This morning's situation doesn't make sense to me."

The girl Mu Hui thought was Ding Ding and ran after turned out to be someone else. Immediately, they had attempted to go back to the prince's bedchambers. From outside though, they could already hear Consort Tong making a massive tantrum, so they didn't bother entering. Listening more closely, Mu Hui and Yilan understood that Ding Ding wasn't there. When Consort Tong and Consort Zhou arrived, she was already gone.

"However, the maids were certain that Ding Ding was inside only minutes ago," Mu Hui went on, "how could no one see her leave?"

"Perhaps the maids weren't paying attention," Yilan suggested. "No matter what, it was Ding Xiaojie's blessing to have avoided those two troublesome consorts."

Mu Hui smiled with a nod. She agreed with Yilan on her last point. Consort Tong was known to be difficult. She often acted like a spoilt brat and relied on Consort Zhou's kindness to get her out of trouble. [Kindness huh?] Mu Hui secretly doubted. [Zhou Yourong appears to be a kind and fair person. But it's not believable for me]. Propping her elbows onto the table, she supported her head on her palm. [Perhaps that's the reason I've never gotten along with either of them].

"Do you think we'll see Ding Xiaojie again?"

"She seems close to Prince Ping. So I suspect-"

"Greeting Consort Mu," Sixi loudly greeted as he entered into the garden.

Yilan quickly got off her seat and stood to the side of Mu Hui.

"What brings you here Head Sixi?" Mu Hui politely asked.

"Prince Ping requests for your presence at the main hall immediately," Sixi announced. He outstretched his arm to the side, beckoning Mu Hui to move. "May I warn you that the Prince has no tolerance for anyone today."

Sensing gravity in Sixi's words, Mu Hui quickly made her way out of Qing Lin Palace. With an equally confused and worried Yilan by her side, she followed after a rushing Sixi. Mu Hui noted the anxiousness in Sixi's body language. [For Sixi to act this way, the prince must be enraged] Mu Hui figured. "Head Sixi, is Prince Ping troubled by something?"

"Troubled, yes," Sixi answered simply and coldly. "Please quicken your pace Consort Mu."

Mu Hui did as Sixi requested. She and Yilan were half-running towards the main hall of Ping Tian Palace. This sense of urgency created a bad feeling within Mu Hui that she couldn't get rid of. And she was right to feel that way. For when she arrived into the main hall, she knew there was trouble. Besides Prince Ping in the main hall there was also Sima Heng, Consort Tong and Consort Zhou. Sixi led the way inside for Mu Hui as Yilan waited outside with the other consorts' maids.

"Your highness," Mu Hui properly greeted the prince. [He looks displeased].

Prince Ping waved his hand for Mu Hui to step aside. She moved to stand beside Consort Zhou who was in the middle. Consort Tong stood on the other side of Consort Zhou.

"It was reported that all three of you went to Zheng Palace this morning, right after I left," Prince Ping said. "What were you doing there?"

There was silence in the room as the prince eyed each consort carefully. Consort Mu appeared to have realized what this may be about and had become calmer. Consort Zhou remained the same. She maintained that slightly troubled, yet guilt-free look. Whilst Consort Tong was darting her eyes around the room but never looked towards the prince.

"Consort Tong," Prince Ping deliberately picked her first. "You ordered to punish two maids serving at my palace. Your reason?"

Tong Liluo gulped. She kept flickering glances at Zhou Yourong for help but was blatantly ignored. Sweating, she took one step forward, "Y-your highness. I was only disciplining those two maids. They were being disrespectful to me and Consort Zhou."

"I questioned the two maids. They weren't being disrespectful. They were trying to fulfill their duty to serve the guest within the palace at the time," Sixi informed. "However, it was Consort Tong who forced her way in."

"Is that correct?" the prince deliberately asked.

"Y-yes that is... I-I was mistaken... gone overboard," Liluo began to stammer. She wasn't an idiot. She could hear the underlying anger in Prince Ping's tone as he spoke. Panicking under his glare, Liluo blurted out "Your highness, you can't blame me. I only did that because you had suddenly brought a girl to your bedchambers. I'm your wife. I was just... I was wanting to... Err...." Liluo dropped to her knees instantly. Prince Ping's expression had grown darker with each word Liluo said to the point that it was now too obvious he was enraged. "I'm sorry," Liluo quickly and meekly apologized, her body shaking. She had never seen the prince this angry before.

[What is this?] Yourong mentally questioned as she watched the prince closely. [Why is he so angry? For what?] "Your highness," she spoke up. "Is this really about the maids or something else?" It was a question that Yourong knew would displease the prince further. However, she was confident she was different to Tong Liluo or Mu Hui. [I've always been the prince's favourite. Everyone knows he loves me deeply. No matter what I say or do, he'll tolerate me. Because I am the most important to him] Yourong confidently thought. [However, I want to make sure of that girls place in his heart. How important is she for him to be this angry?] "Your highness," Yourong continued, "I don't think it is necessary to gather us all here to inquire about the punishments of two maids. Perhaps your real intentions was to see if we've mistreated your guest?"

Prince Ping tilted his head towards Yourong. His expression remained dark.

[That look on his face...] Yourong observed. [Is he really that bothered about the Ding Ding girl?] "Your highness, can I suggest-"

"I suggest you shut your mouth Consort Zhou," Prince Ping yelled. The second those narky words left his mouth, he was aware of just how angry he had become. It was almost to the point of madness. Never in his entire life had he spoken to Zhou Yourong in such an aggressive manner, so rudely and with such an irritated tone. It wasn't like him at all.

The entire room went dead silent. Everyone, including Yourong herself was stupefied by Prince Ping's sudden change in attitude towards her. She was so shocked she couldn't think or react. Both Mu Hui and Liluo were also stunned by the prince's outburst against Zhou Yourong. It had never happened before. [This isn't like the Prince Ping I know] was the only thought going through all three consorts mind.

The only one who could secretly take joy in such drama was Heng. He sat very quietly to the side of Prince Ping, simply observing. [I'm actually surprised Qian Ping could even shout at Zhou Yourong like this. He's always treated her like some delicate, ancient vase] Heng kept sneaking glances around the room. [Ah Ding Ding, if only you are here to witness this gratifying moment. Just where did you run off to? It's your fault I'm stuck with a moody Qian Ping again]. He recalled the way Prince Ping went from disappointment to his current state of wrath when he and Sixi informed him of the events this morning. [He's not stopped being angry since] Heng thought, refocusing on the situation before him.

"Your highness, you would actually speak to me in such a manner," Yourong began in a pained voice. Swelling tears in her eyes she tried to regain her composure, "for an unknown girl, you would treat me like this."

"She isn't an unknown girl to me," Prince Ping corrected. "She's the reason I'm still alive. That's why I won't allow anyone to harm her. Is that clear?"

Yourong allowed her tears to flow down her cheeks. She put on the mask of a victim as she spoke, "why do you speak to me so? What have I done wrong? The one who ordered to punish the maids was Consort Tong. I merely went there to greet the girl. I had no intentions of harming her." She sniffled, looking at Prince Ping with wet eyes, sending him a clear message that he had wronged her.

Normally the sight of a crying Yourong would've sent Prince Ping into a nervous breakdown. He would become deeply concerned and focused on nothing but her. This time was different though. The emotions he felt for Ding Ding was evidently stronger. He wasn't swayed. "You meant her no harm?" Prince Ping repeated in a quizzical way. "It wasn't necessary for you to bring so many servants and guards with you to greet her."

"Those servants were-"

"You were with Consort Tong the whole time, yet you didn't stop her," Prince Ping went on. He didn't allow Yourong the chance to speak, "that makes me wonder about your intentions."

Frustrated and nonplussed, Yourong could only clench her fists tightly. [Is this even real?] she kept chanting over in her mind. [Prince Ping is actually saying these words to me...] Her disbelief made her incapable of thinking. She could only cry.

Seeing Yourong remain silent Prince Ping let out a sigh. "I'm disappointed is all."

[Disappointed... ] his words kept repeating in Yourong's mind. With her fists clenched so tightly, her nails now dug into the skin of her palm. Though the pain was far less noticeable than the bewilderment she felt.

"Sixi," Prince Ping loudly said, "for falsely exacting her rights as a consort of this palace and causing trouble, Consort Tong is to be flogged 20 times."

"Your highness, I'm wrong. Please be merciful... I'm sorry...." Liluo squealed as Sixi motioned for servants to lead her away. "Sister Zhou... help me please...."

Yourong turned her head away from Consort Tong. There was nothing she could do. [I know flogging Tong Liluo is a warning to me as well] she grimaced. [What I don't understand is why? Why is Prince Ping doing this?]

"As for Consort Zhou, please go back to your LiHua Palace and reflect on your actions," Prince Ping half-commanded.

"I understand, your highness," Yourong managed to say before leaving the main hall. She wiped away her almost dried tears. This was the first time Prince Ping had treated her like the others. The first time she had felt the insults of defeat.

[Did the prince really punish Tong Liluo, and scold Zhou Yourong because of Ding Ding?] a quiet and calm Mu Hui watched on. She had been besides Prince Ping for a long time. There were many occasions where Tong Liluo acted out of order but she never got physically punished. Mu Hui had also never once seen the prince talk to Zhou Yourong in the manner he did today. [He was always gentle and agreeing with Zhou Yourong] Mu Hui recalled. [Just how much has Ding Ding changed him? How important is she to the prince? Because, this isn't the Prince Ping I know].

"Mu Hui," Prince Ping addressed Consort Mu. His tone had softened compared to before. "Why did you go to Zheng Palace today?"

"I wanted to thank Ding Xiaojie for helping my maid yesterday," Mu Hui answered. "It was also Yilan's wish to thank Ding Xiaojie personally."

Prince Ping simply nodded. "Did you manage to see her?" He looked at Mu Hui with hopeful eyes, eager for her response.

Mu Hui shook her head. "When I arrived, Ding Xiaojie was already gone. I only saw Consort Tong, Consort Zhou and-" Mu Hui bit her lips to stop herself from finishing the sentence. She didn't know if she should mention that person.

"Who else did you see there?" Prince Ping asked.

Mu Hui looked at the prince. Her lips parted and the name of the person was said.

At present on the other side of Ping Tian Palace, Wan Xin was chomping away on roasted sweet potatoes inside the Garden Hut. The doors were wide opened and she sat at the seat directly facing outside. If Ding Yiu returned she would immediately see. [Why hasn't Xiaojie come back from Zheng Palace yet? When will she return?] Wan Xin had been wondering the entire morning. She took another hearty bite from the sweet potato [Hmm. I hope she doesn't decide to stay another night with Prince Ping. I hope she hasn't forgotten about me]. Wan Xin felt like she was going to become a 'Xiaojie-awaiting' rock, much like the faithful wife who waited and waited in folklore. Of course, she had considered to go look for Ding Yiu many times, but came to the conclusion that it was a bad idea. [I'm supposed to be Consort Liu's maid not Ding Ding's maid. It will be weird for me to search for Ding Ding openly].

Then it was as though the heavens had answered her wish. Running towards the garden hut outside was a girl dressed in pastel pink. An excited Wan Xin bolted out the garden hut, still holding her sweet potato.

"Xiaojie," Wan Xin loudly called out. "You came back...." Her mouth remained gaped opened as the poor sweet potato fell to the floor. Wan Xin's voice was momentarily lost. She blinked her eyes from the thick, wonky, asymmetrical eyebrows to the pair of baboon bottom's cheek, moving onto the two massive moles, the ghastly orange lips and then the freckles. [When were freckles added? No that's not the main point... the point is... this is....]

"Wan Xin, I'm so glad you are alright."

"Erm..." Wan Xin gulped. A part of her was now praying for a miracle.

Embracing Wan Xin tightly, she said, "Wan Xin, forgive me. I couldn't stop those maids taking you to Madam Xiong. I'm sorry."

[As I thought] Wan Xin mentally cried [this is Xiao Yiu].