"Thank you, Brother Nianzu, for understanding me. Despite the wrong I did, you and Sister Lili supported me and understood me," Xue Yu-Yan asserted; her eyes were still lowered.
"Sister Xue does not need to thank me. Brother Wanxi is young, that's why he acts that way. He has a pure heart and cannot stay angry with someone for a long run," Nianzu proclaimed, passing a tiny smile to Xue Yu-Yan.
"How is your mother doing? I have heard that she was a little sick. Is she alright?" Xue Yu-Yan asked.
"Yes. She is fine now. I was coming from her chamber only," Nianzu told Xue Yu-Yan, who nodded.
"How is Sister Xue feeling? I advised you the other day not to let your greed and jealousy overpower you," Nianzu stated and waited for Xue Yu-Yan's response.
"I am regretting that I did not follow the advice of the Fourth Brother," Xue Yu-Yan replied.
"Let's have a small conversation, Sister Xue," Nianzu said with a smile. Xue Yu-Yan agreed to him, and the two went to the Eastern Pavilion. Sitting on the wooden stools, Nianzu said, "Over a month ago, at this place, I had given a tiny piece of advice to Sister Lili. Everyone is aware of the toxic relationship that existed between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. She was not ready to accept things around her, things related to the Crown Prince, but gradually she did, and now their relationship has turned strong and unbreakable."
"Brother Nianzu, are you trying to help me through my relationship with Jian Ge? To tell you the truth, I married him because of the political benefits I saw in front of me. Unlike Sister Lili, I am a greedy woman," Xue Yu-Yan accepted the truth.
"You were a greedy woman, Sister Xue. Not anymore. Every woman has the wish to be cherished by her man. Please do not deny it. It is the truth that leads to rivalry among the wives, consorts, and concubines. Sister Xue, the First Brother is angry at you because of many reasons. You are smart enough to understand what I am trying to say. I know that soon the First Brother will peer through you and will find out your true self, but before that, you also need to find out about yourself," Nianzu pronounced.
Xue Yu-Yan nodded. "I have promised myself that I will find my true self," she affirmed. "I know I cannot change the past, but I will try my best to change my future. I want to live happily, free from others' pressure," she added.
Nianzu smiled and took out the fan which he had beside the sash. He started fanning himself. "What does Sister Xue like? What are your hobbies?" Nianzu queried her.
"Umm… I always wanted to go to the mountains and spend some time there. But my mother and father never allowed me to go there," Xue Yu-Yan replied.
"I also want to go to the mountains, but everyone says I am a kid," suddenly Weng Yu voiced, who had a bow in his hand. Nianzu slightly turned and passed him a smile. On the other hand, Xue Yu-Yan stood up upon hearing the voice of the young prince.
"Little Yu, you were practicing?" Nianzu curiously asked.
"Yes, Fourth Brother." Weng Yu came closer to him and said, "Today I scored 50 in aiming the targets." Weng Yu was happy while sharing his achievement. "I will tell you about this to Sister Lili. She will be happy to hear this," Weng Yu stated.
"You can tell the Crown Princess later. Have a seat," Nianzu said.
Weng Yu looked at Xue Yu-Yan and told her to take a seat. "I will after Brother Yu," Xue Yu-Yan asserted.
"Sister Lili said that as a gentleman I should tell a lady to sit first," Weng Yu proclaimed. Nianzu was bewildered to hear that and told Xue Yu-Yan to sit down. Once she sat, Weng Yu sat on the other wooden carved bench there.
"I also want to go to the mountains," Weng Yu initiated the conversation. "Sister Xue, we can take the permission of his majesty," Weng Yu said.
"Mountains are far from here. Moreover, after two days there are three marriages in the Palace so, the father will not allow this. Lastly, you are young, so you will not get permission to go out. Grow up a little and then you can go," Nianzu told Weng Yu, who heaved a sigh.
"I will ask Sister Lili. Only she can fulfill my wish. Sister Xue, then you can accompany us," Weng Yu excitedly said. Xue Yu-Yan agreed to the Seventh Prince.
"I do not think that Sister Lili will agree to your request, Little Yu. The Crown Prince will not allow her to go. So, do not ask Sister Lili," Nianzu urged Weng Yu, who pouted and crossed his arms.
"You can first ask the Crown Prince, Brother Yu," Xue Yu-Yan opined.
"Never, Sister Xue. I-I do not have enough courage to speak to the Crown Prince," in a low voice, Weng Yu said.
Nianzu closed the fan and said, "We can have a trip to the nearest mountain of Luoyang for a day. Summer is going to end soon and we need a trip at least before it will end."
Weng Yu's eyes glistened upon hearing the plan of going to the mountain with his brothers. He always wanted to spend time with his brothers. "Fourth Brother, then will you talk with the Fifth Brother? It will be fun if we all go on a trip together," Weng Yu asserted.
"I will talk with the Crown Prince regarding this. Sister Xue, your dream to go to the mountain will come true. Are you happy now?" Nianzu asked her.
Xue Yu-Yan nodded. She was indeed happy. She was feeling blessed thinking that there were a few people around her who did not despise her despite the wrong she did to them.
"It is lunchtime. I shall take my leave. My mother will be waiting for me." Nianzu stood up, followed by Weng Yu and Xue Yu-Yan.
"Even I am going," Weng Yu said. Xue Yu-Yan thanked both the Princes for having a conversation with her. Nianzu passed a tiny smile to her before leaving with Weng Yu.
