Lei Wanxi went to the Western Palace and found the Empress, and the other two consorts were present except Consort Ju in Zhu Lin's chamber. He stayed outside and asked the maidservant, "When did they all come?"
"An hour ago, Your Highness," she replied.
Lei Wanxi nodded his head and went towards the pillar, and looked outside. He tapped his shoe on the floor, waiting for the Empress and the other two to come out. He felt a hand on his shoulder and tilted his head. "General Wang," he whispered and knitted his brows.
"What is General Wang doing here? He should take a rest in his house," Lei Wanxi said worriedly.
"Prince Wanxi, I have found out from my person that the Father of Princess Zhu Lin has reached near the borders of Luoyang. I have informed the same to His Majesty. Kindly inform this to the Princess," Wang Hao stated and put his hand down from Lei Wanxi's shoulder.
"Great! I will tell her, General Wang," Lei Wanxi assured him. "How is the wound on your back?" Lei Wanxi asked.
"It is healing, Prince Wanxi. Do not worry. I am absolutely fine," Wang Hao stated.
"I am glad to know that. Brother Sheng is a little troubled. Also, I heard from Brother Jian that Brother Sheng and Sister Lili fought yesterday. What is happening, General Wang?" Lei Wanxi said with a dejected tone.
"Prince Wanxi, let the Crown Prince fight himself with this. He has many reasons to be in trouble. I know that this incident had made him recall his mother. The Crown Princess will take care of the Crown Prince," Wang Hao explained to Lei Wanxi, who nodded his head.
"Shall I talk to Brother Sheng?" Lei Wanxi questioned.
"There is no use talking to the Crown Prince at this moment. The Crown Princess knows what is best for the Crown Prince," Wang Hao advised Lei Wanxi, who agreed with him.
"I shall take my leave, Prince Wanxi," Wang Hao bowed and left. He waved at General Wang, who soon vanished from his sight.
Soon the Empress and the two consorts came to the resting chamber of Zhu Lin. Lei Wanxi greeted them when Deng Hui asked him, "What is the Sixth Prince doing here?"
"Princess Zhu Lin's father has reached near the borders, Imperial Mother. I am here to inform her about that," Lei Wanxi replied. He did not tell about his likeness towards Zhu Lin. He thought that it would be best to confess it later.
"Sure. Go ahead," Deng Hui stated. Jinlong looked at her son and smiled at him. Lei Wanxi lowered his head and kept it till they left his sight. Once they left, Lei Wanxi dashed to the chamber.
The maidservant was helping her in getting up when Lei Wanxi asked her where she was heading to. He stood in front of her and grasped Zhu Lin's arm gently to support her.
"I thought about walking for some time. My body is aching because of sitting and lying down on the bed," Zhu Lin complained.
"You will not walk until you recover fully," Lei Wanxi scolded her and looked at the maidservant. "Ask me before agreeing to the Princess. Now, leave," Lei Wanxi told her. The maidservant bowed and walked out of the chamber.
"Let me walk for five minutes. The wound is healing. I have been into such situations many times," Zhu Lin requested Lei Wanxi, who glared at her.
"But this time, the situation is different. Your life was in danger. Now, do not argue with me," Lei Wanxi sternly told her.
"I will not argue with you if you let me walk," she stated.
Lei Wanxi knitted his brows and kissed her lips, thus startling her. "What was this?" She arched her brows up.
"I am concerned for you. Let's go back to bed. Your naval injury was indeed grave," Lei Wanxi affirmed. Zhu Lin saw the sincerity and anxiousness in his eyes for her. She nodded her head and sat on the mattress. Lei Wanxi moved her feet up and covered them from the blanket.
"Do not walk until the wound heals fully," Lei Wanxi told her.
"I will not," Zhu Lin replied.
"Your Father is near the borders of Luoyang. By early morning, he will be here," Lei Wanxi informed her. Zhu Lin was happy to hear that. "I am scared how he will react," Lei Wanxi said in a low voice.
"He will be a little worried to see me but also will be proud that I saved the life of General Wang and also Prince Wanxi's life," Zhu Lin answered and smiled.
Lei Wanxi moved closer to her and hugged her. They stayed like this for a few minutes before pulling away. "Even I am proud of you. I am glad that we met in a strange way," Lei Wanxi asserted.
"You were so furious that day," Zhu Lin stated and chuckled upon recalling the memories.
"Brother Nianzu is also returning. I am so happy. I thought I would never be able to see him. Though my anger for him has not reduced," Lei Wanxi replied.
"Oh! But how could he return?" Zhu Lin curiously asked.
"He passed the Civil Services Exam with rank 1. He gave the exam as a commoner. So, his appointment to the Court is definite. Also, Father is happy that the Fourth Brother did not neglect his duties even after renouncing the title of the Prince," Lei Wanxi explained to Zhu Lin.
"That's good. Prince Nianzu's true place is this Palace. Also, being a commoner is not easy. I have seen how much they have to suffer, especially the women. But, strangely, the Fourth Prince gave the Civil Services when he never wanted to come into the eyes of the people," Zhu Lin skeptically said.
"What do you mean?" Lei Wanxi questioned.
"Something might have happened with the Fourth Prince. That's why Prince Nianzu decided to give the Civil Services," Zhu Lin deduced. Lei Wanxi furrowed his brows.
"Did someone trouble Brother Nianzu?" Lei Wanxi queried.
"It might be a possibility. But something big might have happened. I remember the words of the Fourth Prince to me.. There is something hidden behind this exam," Zhu Lin asserted.
