Taking Her Side

It didn't take long before Jie You came to Thousand Lotus Pavilion to find Da Ying. Ban Shiang had just reported to Da Ying when Jie You barged in. Da Ying who was casually enjoying her morning tea set it down gently and looked at Jie You in a lovingly way. "Morning sister, what brought you here so early to my Thousand Lotus Pavilion," she grinned.

"You…you…" Jie You was too shock from the news this morning that all she could do was point her finger at Da Ying.

"What is it?"

"It was you weren't it? What did you say to my mother?" Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi were ready to step in front of Da Ying, protecting her from the quickly approaching Jie You but were stopped with one glare from Da Ying. "I don't quite understand what you are saying?"

"I saw you leave my mother's residence last night, you must have said something. If not, why would she be telling me to marry that Prince from wherever he's from,"

"Sister must not slander me like that; Consort Yao invited me over for dinner since it would be the last before I leave. If I have wronged you for that, I apologize," Da Ying pretended to wipe a tear from her eyes.

"You're lying to me," she continued to walk towards Da Ying, finally stopping when they were within arm's reach. "My mother would never eat with the likes of you,"

"If you think that I am lying, go ask your mother,"

"If my mother told me, I wouldn't be here asking you, would I,"

"Then let's both go ask her,"

"Good, Da Ying, if you are lying to me, I'll make you pay tens fold,"

As they both left the courtyard to Consort Yao's, all the maids and servants were busy cleaning every inch of the palace, getting ready for Prince Xiao's arrival. There were especially many in her courtyard, trying to get everything cleaned. Since Princess Da Ying was going to be the future bride, it would only make sense that Prince Xiao would be making a stop at her courtyard. Plus, her courtyard had not been touched nor polished in the last 5 years; many things were needed to be done. Many of the servants were even worried they wouldn't be able to prepare everything before his arrival.

***Consort Yao's Courtyard***

"Mother," Jie You ran over to her mother, who was sitting on a bench, next to the pond.

"Princess Da Ying greets Consort Yao," Da Ying bowed at the pricked Consort Yao. "What is Ying'er doing here so early in the morning?" She asked in a friendly tone. Before she could answer the question, Jie You beat her to it. "Mother, I don't believe that you had dinner with Da Ying last night. Tell me the truth, if I find out she's lying, I'll make her suffer tens fold," Jie You demanded her mother. It was simply this spoiled and inconsiderate action that made Xiao Yuan detest her. Jie You had no manners nor did she have any consideration for anyone. "Jie You," Consort Yao snapped at her before turning to look at the quite Da Ying standing there, as if she had been wronged. In her heart, she had wanted to tell her daughter everything and end Da Ying's life but could not afford to. Instead, she set her sewing needle and cloth she was working on, on the table next to her and grabbed Da Ying's hand gently. "Jie You is still young; don't listen to her harsh words. Go rest first, I will explain to her," Jie You who was standing proud in the back of her mother, thinking that she was going to take her side, frowned at the sight. "Mother!"

"QUIET!" she raised her voice for the first time at the shocked Jie You.

"Please explain to her then, I take my leave," Da Ying smiled before taking her leave.

With her eyes filled with hatred, she continued to stare at Da Ying's back until she disappeared from view. "Mother," Jie You grabbed onto her mother's arm.

"The emperor is not in the palace at the moment, I have not had the chance to talk to him about your marriage with Prince Xiao Yuan. At tonight's banquet, you must volunteer," Consort Yao said strictly to her.

"Why? Why must I go instead of that wench? I refuse to. I would rather die than go, I refuse," Before Jie You could continue protesting, she felt the slap on her right cheek burn from pain. "You hit me?" Jie You held onto her swollen cheek. "Yes, and I won't hesitate to continue if you keep acting like this. I have been too lenient on you these years that you have turned into an ungrateful brat,"

"Me? I am like this because of you. Why are you protecting that woman instead of your own daughter? Having me marry that Prince is like killing me,"

"You'er, if you still consider me your mother, you must agree to this marriage."