The Hideous Concubine

True to their word, after Ying Yue agreed, the second prince made his way to the fourth prince's residence. Though these past few years he became closed off, but to those close to him he was actually quite easy to talk to.

As the second prince explained the situation, the fourth prince couldn't care less so he agreed to leave the second prince to arrange everything.

A week after, an edict was bestowed to the Bai Estate conferring the fifth young miss as the fourth prince's concubine. She would be married in the moment she comes of age.

So today, Ying Yue finally turned sixteen, the moment she did so, the Bai estate sent her off with 10,000 taels of silver as a dowry, a few ornaments of average value and a maid for her to take with her to the fourth prince's residence.

There were no vows, wedding celebrations nor fireworks. She was just sent off to her new courtyard in a remote corner to live her life off.

As she looked around at her new residence, she was somewhat happy. This place is in a remote corner so she can have enough space to grow her herbs. No people frequent the place much so it was a bonus for her who didn't like interacting with people.

Xiao Hua was busy arranging their courtyard while she looked around with Bao'er and Shasha.

While she was savoring the sight, footsteps sounded from afar and were coming near to where she was.

A horde of young women came over led by a girl at the front. Her clothes were much elegant compared to the others.

'Bao'er who are they?' Ying Yue asked telepathically.

'They are the prince's concubines. The one in front is his cefei and the acting head of his harem, Chu Yanyan.'

Getting the required information, she faced the bunch, waiting for them to speak first.

"This sister is new here, we came over to say hi." The leader Chu Yanyan said.

"Greetings! This concubine's name is Bai Yingyue, hoping for sisters' guidance in the future." She answered politely. Although she hated this rotten pleasantry, she had no choice but to do these well. It was her choice to have this position in the first place.

"This sister Bai is being courteous! Are you perhaps acquainted with the crown princess consort?"

"Yes, her highness is my older sister."

"Great, she is a friend of mine. In the future, if you have a problem, come to this sister for help." As if noticing her veil for the first time, she asked, "Little sister, it is just us in here, no need to hide your face anymore."

"This little one apologizes. This face is hideous and this concubine is afraid of disgusting the other sisters so it is best if I keep it on." Doing her best sounding like a sad maiden, she lied once more.

A flash of mirth passed by the eyes of these maidens that did not escape Ying Yue.

"It's alright then, if you feel too uncomfortable then you need not force yourself to mingle. If you want to stay in this courtyard and not come out, this jie understands. You can choose to join the important gatherings instead."

After the long pleasantries, the horde left. Ying Yue was finally relaxed. At least they were disgusted enough to leave her alone. She can focus on her things here on out.

After that meeting, a bunch of gossips circulated in the estate. The most talked-about was about the hideous concubine in the remote courtyard. It was said that she was disfigured so she hid behind the veil, some said she suffered from a contagious disease that can make people ugly.

With these, the hideous concubine had her peaceful days in the residence with no one daring to bother her. It was truly a magnificent result.

That same evening, while everyone was soundly sleeping, a young woman dressed in a white robe with a matching white veil that covered her face, walked around the lake, settling down in a pavilion in the middle.

Being at the same place as the prince drove her nerves into overdrive. Sleep was the last thing in her mind despite being very tired.

They said this pavilion was near the prince's courtyard, so she came here to spy on him. Bao'er's concealment array was topnotch so she never worried about getting caught.

"Bao'er can you see how he is doing?"

"Right now, the prince is sleeping, but he looked quite restless like he is having a nightmare." Seeing the prince toss about in his sleep, this was the only thing it could conclude.

Thinking for a moment, Ying Yue then took out her flute hidden inside her robe. she decided to play a melody to soothe the prince.

"Bao'er, make sure that the music only reaches him." after hearing the other's grunt of approval, she closed her eyes then positioned her fingers to the holes of the flute.

She remembered a piece called "The dream of an Immortal". This piece spoke of the journey, the weariness, and the yearning of an immortal who lived to see the world change.

It was a song that was made exactly for her own kind. Immortals who saw their loved ones die before their eyes, the endless traveling.

Their dream was not as grand as to save the world but for someone to save them from the millennium of loneliness. This is a song calling out to whoever can hear, to help them alleviate the painful and arduous journey.

This song of hers was trying to call out to the person inside the room. Come save me, is what she wanted to say.

But at the end, she can never be that selfish, that dream that was supposed to be for herself transformed into a wish that the person listening to this song would find his own freedom, his own happiness. Maybe then, her weary heart would be at ease.

As the song ended, Bao'er confirmed that the prince stopped moving about and fell back to sleep.

Ying Yue was still trying to compose herself. It was the first time she played for him, but this first was the best among all those times she did in all the years that she lived.

It was truly very warm.