Bai Yaling dabbed her lips with the napkin and put it down on the table. Court Lady Dai gestured to the maidservant to clean the table.
Bai Yaling stood up and went towards the large window. "Her Highness seems to think about something intently. What is bothering Her Highness?" She asked humbly and walked to her. She halted at her right side and waited for Bai Yaling's answer.
However, she did not say anything. She looked at the sky, at the dazzling stars in the sky. She recalled the words of Wang Hao. 'He wants to be her husband and wants to be the child of her father.' After what Shi Zhihao told her, she lost complete faith that she would ever enjoy her life.
"Court Lady Dai, can a man love a woman who's a widow?" Bai Yaling asked her, and tilted her head to her. Court Lady Dai was perplexed to hear the question. She had understood that Bai Yaling was referring to herself, but she was not getting the man she was referring to!
"Love does not have its limits, Your Highness. It is possible to fall in love even with a widow," Court Lady Dai answered.
Bai Yaling hummed and again shifted her eyes towards the sky. 'How did he fall for me? We didn't even have enough conversation. Is he pitying me?' she asked herself, but then recalled the kiss. The genuineness was visible in it. A simple, yet heartwarming kiss.
She curled her fingers and lowered her gaze.
"Your Highness, the air is cold. You might catch it. You shall go back to the bed and take a good sleep," Court Lady Dai interrupted her thoughts. Bai Yaling nodded and went to the bed while a maidservant closed the window.
Court Lady Dai covered Bai Yaling from the blanket while another maidservant pulled the curtains down and spread them evenly around the bed. After extinguishing the lanterns, they left the chamber.
Bai Yaling was unable to sleep as the face of Wang Hao was appearing in front of her eyes, every time she closed her eyes. "I don't think that I shall not agree to it," she murmured and again closed her eyes.
~~~~
In the Wang Residence, Wang Fuxing raised the cup and said, "This is for my son. He will soon get married," he said with a smile. Huo Jin and Yin Na looked at each other.
Wang Fuxing gestured to them to drink the wine. "Brother Wang, you were outside the entire day. Were you with the Prime Minister's daughter?" Yin Na asked him with a smile.
"I was not with Miss Ai Huian. Forgive me, for not informing you and Huo Jin about it. I am not marrying her. I like Princess Bai," Wang Hao told them.
Yin Na and Huo Jin were astonished to hear that. "When did it happen?" Yin Na asked curiously.
Wang Fuxing smiled seeing their interaction.
"Princess Bai has not confirmed yet, so there is still some time in my marriage," Wang Hao replied and looked at Wang Fuxing, who was enjoying the mooncake.
"Then, make efforts to agree to you. Did you confess to Princess Bai? You did, right?" Wang Fuxing asked.
"Yes, Father. I confessed my feelings to Princess Bai," replied Wang Hao. "But she has yet to respond," he asserted.
"But I have heard that Princess Bai Yaling is a widow," Yin Na remarked and looked at Wang Hao, who put the chopsticks on the table.
"That does not matter to me," Wang Hao replied. "That was her past. She suffered a lot because of that. She is a nice woman." There was a bright smile on his lips.
"Brother Wang is in love. It is good to see. So, when she will confirm Brother Wang's feelings, can I meet her? I will see the Palace too," she expressed her desire and smiled.
"Ahh. I need to ask the Emperor first if I can bring you to the Palace. Forgive me, it slipped through my mind. You have asked me earlier too," Wang Hao said and then looked at Huo Jin, who was silently listening to them.
"Where did you get hurt?" He asked skeptically, looking at the bandage that was wrapped around his hand. He looked at Yin Na, who shook her head.
Wang Fuxing noticed that. "Did it happen when you two have gone to the market?" He questioned Huo Jin.
"Yes," Huo Jin replied. "I fell and my hand got bruised," he lied to them, though he did not to.
"Be careful from the next time," Wang Fuxing told him and picked a dumpling from his plate. He put it on Huo Jin's plate. "Eat it," he urged.
"Thank you, Master."
"I told you not to call him Master. You can call him Father too," Wang Hao said and looked at his father.
"How can I?" Huo Jin murmured.
"Why can't you?" Wang Fuxing asked him. Huo Jin was bewildered to hear him. "You don't need to call me 'Master'," He affirmed. "I will be glad if you call me Father," he stated.
Huo Jin was overwhelmed to hear him. "Yes, Father," he said and brightly smiled. Wang Hao looked at Yin Na, who was deeply gazing at Huo Jin. However, Huo Jin never looked at Yin Na the same way she did. It worried him a little.
What if Huo Jin refused her feelings? He could not see her sister getting hurt. Also, in his eyes, Huo Jin was perfect for Yin Na. He thought to talk to Huo Jin but he recalled the promise that he had made to his sister.
After having dinner at the pavilion, Wang Fuxing left for his room while Wang Hao, Huo Jin, and Yin Na stayed behind.
"I am a little tired, so I am leaving," Wang Hao stood up and left the pavilion. He thought to let them stay alone for a while, as it could become a chance for Yin Na to confess her feelings.
"Huo Jin, I am glad that you did not tell Father and Brother Wang," Yin Na said.
"Tomorrow, tell them. It is not good to hide such a big thing," stated Huo Jin and stood up. "You shall go back to your room. Good night.." He walked ahead to leave when Yin Na stopped him.
