This chapter was quite difficult to write.... especially with all the emotions... but I think I managed to write them down quite well. If not... I am sorry ^^

Please enjoy <3 <3 <3

Wei Ying's POV

It was hard to keep my eyes open. Not because I was tired but because Lan Huan didn't leave my side for even one second. That was what I wanted before. He stayed with me, spending time with me instead of doing his royal duties. I wished for that more than anything else.

But not anymore.

I wanted him to leave me, let me be alone so I could mourn the death of my daughter, mourn the loss of my love and relationship with Lan Huan. But how could I make him understand to leave me alone without letting him know that I knew about his betrayal?

It might sound stupid and I couldn't quite understand why I was like that but... I didn't want him or anyone to know that I found out.

"Wei Ying...." Lan Huan called me but I kept my eyes shut. His voice was making me angry, it made me realize what I lost in the last couple of days. He was genuinely worried about me. His voice told me he loved me and was worried about me. It told me everything his aura would have if I would have looked at him. But I couldn't. Not now. I knew if I looked at him... everything would be over.

So I ignored him and listened to the soft tunes of Wang Ji's zither instead. He was playing it nonstop for the last few days. He did it not only because he knew how much I liked to listen to him, but he did it also because the doctor said that it would help keep my emotions down. Lan Huan also begged Wang Ji to play for me to help me feel better. It sounded a little different than usual because this time he used his spiritual power while playing.

The thing was....

I had every right to be sad, to be mad, to be enraged... It was my right!

But with Wang Ji playing his zither I wasn't allowed to feel these emotions. I knew he didn't play for me just because the doctor advised or Lan Huan begged him to, he did it because he wanted to help me. Because he was worried about me. I always sneaked a looked at him when I was sure that Lan Huan was asleep. Wang Ji's aura was dark grey for days and it didn't change at all.

"Your highness?" Someone called and I felt Lan Huan moving towards that voice.

"What?" He sounded weak and disinterested.

"His Majesty called for you. There seems to be a situation at his palace."

"So? What does that have to do with me?" Lan Huan asked and I felt him turning back to me, "Tell him I don't have energy or time to worry about someone else than my consort."

"B-but...."

"Leave at once!"

"Y-yes, your highness...." The servant gave in and I heard him leave.

I knew he was fighting with the emperor a lot in the last days and I also knew that it was because he was with me instead of Wen Qing. I knew that it wasn't Lan Huan's idea for his cheating on me but the truth is, he gave in. He could have rejected the idea, he could have rejected the emperor and he could have rejected Wen Qing but he didn't. He would probably say he had no other way because his father told him to do so for an heir but I knew better.

I knew that Lan Huan wanted a son just as much as the others. It was obvious even if he tried to hide it. Maybe he didn't even know about this hidden desire of his. Albeit he wanted a son with me, as I can't give him one he had to turn to someone else. I didn't mind that. I knew that would happen anyway. But not now. Not while I was still alive!

After I gave up my home, my world, after I gave up everything for the one I love.. this is what I got as an answer? Him cheating on me.... this betrayal... I won't ever be able to forgive nor forget.

I felt a hand caressing my head. "Wei Ying.... please open your eyes.... just once... I want to look at you... I want-" His voice broke and I felt his lips gently meeting my forehead. "We will go through that together. You are not alone, Wei Ying. You have me."

It was obvious he was talking about our daughter. Not his cheating. Of course. He didn't know I knew after all.

"Wei Ying, I am sorry for not being there for you. I am sorry you were alone when it happened. I am- please Wei Ying, please look at me. Please.....just once..." He pleaded desperately. I felt irritated and kept my eyes shut despite feeling the slight urge to open them. Soon the irritation was gone due to Wang Ji's soft melody.

"Your highness," Someone called again. "His majesty is arriving soon."

"Why would he come here!?" Lan Huan asked annoyed.

"He asked to see you, your highness. As you didn't come, he took it upon himself to come to you."

"What does my father want? Can't it wait until Wei Ying is better!?"

"I am afraid it can't wait, Lan Huan." The emperor's voice sounded as he entered our chambers. That suppressed irritation of mine tried to break free. Without success.

"Father." Lan Huan greeted him.

"Wang Ji...." The emperor asked surprised. "You are here too?"

Surprisingly to me, Wang Ji didn't answer. Usually, he was very polite, especially to his father. As my eyes were closed shut I couldn't see what he was doing but Wang Ji didn't say anything. He must be concentrated on his zither.

"His music is helping Wei Ying, father."

"Then.... does it make him feel better?" The emperor asked curiously and there were two answers given at the same time.

"Yes," Lan Huan answered.

"No," Wang Ji's answered.

"Wang Ji?" Lan Huan called him in surprise. "What-?"

"It helps him keep his emotions in check. It prevents him to have an emotional breakdown. But it doesn't make him feel better. It only stops him from doing what he probably wants to do in order to come to terms with his loss."

I was so shocked that he knew what I felt that I opened my eyes and looked at him. It's ridiculous that he knew me better than my own husband. Wang Ji's eyes were red and swollen. He must have not slept for a long time. I bit my lips and closed my eyes again.

"So that means nothing will happen to him as long as the music is played, right?" The emperor asked.

"Maybe..." Wang Ji answered. "But at some point, we have to let him feel what he wants to. Right now he feels nothing or at least only very little. It should be fine for a few days but if this keeps on for too long ....."

"No!" Lan Huan growled and took my hand in his. "I won't let that happen."

"Then I will stop playing now."

"No!" Lan Huan said. "It's too early. He just lost our child, he won't be able to.... the doctor said to make sure he won't stress out. I can't risk it. Not yet. If something happens to Wei Ying... I won't be able to take it. Wei Ying is all I have...."

'Wrong...' I thought.

"He is stronger than you think." Wang Ji said firmly. He knew me well.

Lan Huan's grip grew stronger. "Wei Ying... I couldn't protect you when you lost our child. But I will protect you from now on." He whispered and kissed my forehead again.

'I don't want to be protected. I want to let out my feelings. I want to scream, I want to cry. Why can't you let me feel what I want and have to feel? I won't die from it!'

I opened my eyes and for the first time since that incident a couple of days ago I looked at him.

"Wei Ying!" Lan Huan beamed at me. "My love, finally. You opened your eyes."

I stared at him.

"I am sorry, my love. I was not with you .... I will protect you, Wei Ying. We will go through this together. I will be there for you. I am sorry that I didn't spend enough time with you. It's my fault, I was too busy...."

'Too busy cheating on me, I know....' I closed my eyes again.

"It seems he is tired." The emperor stated.

"Not tired, depressed." Wang Ji corrected him and I suppressed a smile. Probably my first smile in a while. It made me ... kind of happy that there was someone who understood me. And it made me sad that it wasn't Lan Huan.

"Lan Huan, I need to talk to you."

"I doubt it is important." Lan Huan answered as he softly stroked my hand.

"It is important!"

"What you think is important and what I think is important are two different things, father. The only importance for me is Wei Ying and his well-being. So whatever it is you think is important can wait until my consort gets better."

"Lan Huan...." The emperor sighed. "I know you love Wei Ying more than anything. I am not against it and happy when you are happy but your duties...."

"Can wait until Wei Ying is better!" Lan Huan almost shouted.

"If you two want to fight, do it somewhere else. You are disturbing Wei Ying." I heard Wang Ji saying.

"I am not here to fight." The emperor sighed.

"Then why are you here?" Lan Huan asked silently.

"Because you didn't come when I called for you. The doctor is currently at my palace."

"Are you feeling unwell again?" Lan Huan asked disinterestedly.

"It's not me."

My eyes might be closed and I couldn't see anything but my ears functioned very well. I heard the smile in the emperor's voice. He seemed to be happy.

"Who is sick?" Wang Ji wanted to know.

"No one is sick. At least not the way you think. Our family... we might get an additional family member soon."

Suddenly there was a crash. It sounded as if a teapot fell on the ground.

"Wen Ning?" Wang Ji called him in shock.

"I... I am sorry, your...your highness... I will clean- I will clean that up right away." Wen Ning answered with a trembling voice.

He understood the emperor's words just as well as I did.

"What do you mean with an additional family member?" Wang Ji then asked his father confused. "Which consort of yours is pregnant?"

"I will be at my palace. Come when you are ready." I heard the emperor leaving. His words were meant for Lan Huan.

No one said a word. Wang Ji kept playing the zither while in the background I could hear Wen Ning cleaning up the shards.

I opened my eyes slightly and saw Lan Huan frowning, staring at nothing. He must have understood his father's words as well. His aura was dark and showed different emotions.

He was worried about me and didn't want to leave my side. He was scared something might happen again when he was gone. It told me he loved me madly. He wanted to stay with me, be there for me, care for me, protect me. All this I could see but I felt nothing but emptiness. What good are these feelings if he still cheats on me?

But there was something else. Something that wasn't there earlier. A slight shimmer of green in the middle of the dark colors in his aura. That was what hurt me the most. That green shimmer told me that right now Lan Huan felt some kind of hope. Hope that his wish he didn't know he had, or rather the wish he didn't know was so desperate would come true.

I couldn't stand looking at Lan Huan and closed my eyes again.

"Go." The first words I spoke since I passed out in the bathroom back then. I barely recognized my voice. It was so raspy. "I want to be alone. Follow your father."

"What!? Wei Ying, no! I am not letting you alone." Lan Huan squeezed my hand. "I promise you I will never let you alone anymore. It's my fault I wasn't there when you needed me but it won't happen again."

"I want to be alone, Lan Huan."

"Wei Ying, I-"

"I know you mean well. You have been here the whole time, it's enough now. Let me have some time for myself."

"Wei Ying..."

"Follow your father! He wanted to tell you something..." I bit my lip. "It looked like was important."

The green shimmer was getting stronger. "Just go!"

"Wei Ying...." He bend down and pecked my lips. "I will be right back. I just... I will check on my father and come right back. I promise." He stroked my head, gave me another peck, and left.

'He is still lying to me...' I shouldn't be surprised but... it hurt so much.

I was staring against the ceiling, Lan Huan was long gone. I didn't know what would happen from now on. Would Lan Huan be honest with me? Or... would he keep lying to me? How long could he keep it a secret?

Now that Wen Qing was pregnant a lot of things would change. The way the emperor reacted earlier... it must have been a boy. An heir to inherit the throne after Lan Huan.

Why? Why did all of this have to happen now? No matter how much I tried to figure it out, I couldn't understand why everyone was in a hurry. It's not like the emperor was very sick. Maybe... maybe it was always like that. Maybe they forgot the fact that I was not like them, that I was a mortal and would be gone soon. They never had a mortal here, especially within the royal family so they probably treat me like an immortal.

They have been forgetting the fact that I was mortal and that for me time was the most valuable thing in life. For them, time was .... it didn't exist. So they don't realize they have been in a hurry. It probably was always like this. Only I think it was wrong.

Lan Huan, who was only a crown prince and had yet to become the emperor, probably was overjoyed about the news of an heir. He was happy whenever I became pregnant, he was happy when I gave birth to our daughters, but ... he always, without realizing it himself, wished for a boy. That was a fact only I could see. He was oblivious of it.

As for Wen Qing... she must feel so happy.

Thinking about her made me look to Wen Ning who stopped picking up the shards and was just staring at them absentmindedly. He figured out what the situation was at the same time I did. He felt guilty and was lost but at least his aura was not as black as it was when we first found out about their relationship.

Wen Ning suddenly looked up and met my eyes. He bowed his head and continued picking up the shards.

"Wei Ying...." Wang Ji called me and I looked at him. "...."

I waited for him to continue but he didn't until a few minutes later.

"Wei Ying... I don't know what happened..." He said and met my eyes. "I probably won't be able to help you much but .... if you need someone to talk to... I am- I am here. I am not a good talker... I am not good at it. I never was but.... I am a good listener. I am good at it."

"Help me then," I said and looked at him. I didn't really expect him to do something so I was surprised, or rather shocked at what he did next.

He stopped playing. Just like that.

"Feel." He said and I felt tears filling my eyes. "Mourn. You deserve to mourn."

My lips started to tremble as my feelings were coming back. "Wang Ji...."

"I won't play anymore. I won't stop you to feel what you want."

I held my chest. "They will hear....." I mumbled.

"They won't." He answered and suddenly I saw a blue shimmer covering the walls of the room. "No one will hear you, no one will judge you. Neither will I. You can be yourself, Wei Ying. Go ahead and mourn. You and your daughter deserve that."

I stared at Wang Ji who met my gaze. I didn't want anyone to see me like this. I didn't want them to hear me. But strangely I didn't mind if Wang Ji did.

I closed my eyes and allowed myself to let out the feelings I was not allowed to feel for days.

Wang Ji's POV

Finally, Wei Ying was sleeping.

I got up, covered his body properly with the blanket, and went out to look for Wen Ning. I had to talk to him because something wasn't right. Wei Ying didn't just mourn the death of his daughter, there was more and I was set on finding out what it was. And I had a strong feeling it had something to do with my brother.

I still had goosebumps. Wei Ying's painful screams still clung to my ear. There was no word that could describe what I felt right now. It wasn't just pain. It was a lot more.

"Wen Ning," I called him the moment I saw him standing not far from the bed-chamber. He was staring into the air and didn't hear me calling him.

He was behaving weirdly too. He was in pain too and I was sure it had something to do with Wei Ying's condition. Of course, he loved Wei Ying.

"Wen Ning!" I called him again and he flinched.

"Y-yes, your highness?"

"Tell me the truth!" I demanded and watched his reaction.

"I don't know what your highness is talking-"

"Yes, you do! And you will tell me this instant! What happened that Wei Ying is like this!?"

"I..."

"Don't lie!"

He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I am sorry...."

It made me furious to know that something happened to Wei Ying that I didn't know. I didn't like this feeling. I wasn't someone who would get furious about something. But since I met Wei Ying... it's all different now.

"Wen Ning...." My voice trembled. I never pleaded with someone like this. "Please, I beg you to tell me. I ... I need to know. I have to help him... somehow..."

"Y-your highness, you-!?" His eyes widened in shock. I figured out he knew. I was too obvious right now. But I didn't mind being found out by him. He wouldn't tell anyone. He is a loyal person. He is loyal to Wei Ying and if someone demanded it from him, he would surely die for him. Just as I.

"Please tell me what happened. I know it's not just the loss of his daughter. I know there is more. I have to know. Does it have something to do with my brother? Did they fight?"

He stared at me in shock for a long time until he closed his eyes. "I can't, your highness. His highness Wei Ying asked me to keep it a secret, so I will."

"So I was right!? There is something else that happened!?"

He smiled weakly. "Didn't you already know that, your highness? But if you really want to know the truth, ask Wei Ying. I ... won't be able to tell you. I am at fault too even if his highness says otherwise. It wouldn't have happened if I didn't- I shouldn't have insisted back then." He stopped and turned away from me.

I stared at his back before turning around to go back to Wei Ying. I silently entered his room and watched him sleeping peacefully.

'If I ask you will you tell me the truth? Did my brother do something? Whatever it is, I will-' I closed my eyes. Was there even something I could do? I shouldn't interfere in their relationship but I couldn't help it. Wei Ying loved my brother so much... and when they had a fallout, I should help Wei Ying so he could be happy again. I hated seeing him like this.

I sat there and thought about ways how to help Wei Ying feel better which was impossible as long as I didn't know what happened. Time flew by and I almost fell asleep but then I heard his voice.

"Lan Huan... didn't come back yet?" I opened my eyes immediately.

"Wei Ying, you are awake? You should sleep some more." I said but he just looked at me. I remembered he asked me something and frowned realizing that my brother did not come back yet. Several hours passed already. "No, he is not back yet. Maybe he was caught up with something on his way back. But I am sure he will come soon."

"No, he won't come. Not so soon." He shook his head.

"What do you mean?" I asked him but he kept quiet. "Wei Ying?"

"I am sorry for earlier. I ... mourned a little too loud, didn't I? I apologize for that." I looked at the man in front of me and realized he looked even more broken than before.

"Wei Ying, tell me what happened. You weren't just mourning the loss of your daughter. My brother... were you fighting? Did he make a mistake? If so, I am sure he is sorry."

He looked at me and tried to smile. It didn't work at all. "Wang Ji... why.... how can it be that you understand me so much more than Lan Huan? Or... maybe you just know your brother too well?"

"Wei Ying, what happened?" I didn'T even know how often I asked this question today.

"It wasn't a mistake." He said and I frowned. "He ... knew very well what he was doing." Once again tears were falling down his cheeks, softly hitting the pillow his head lay on.

I was getting a bad feeling. Wei Ying behaving like this, my brother must have hurt him badly.

I gritted my teeth, trying to ignore the sudden pain in my chest. "Tell me, Wei Ying. Please.... let me share some of your pain."

"Wang Ji, can we go out?"

"W-what?"

"I have been lying here for days... I think... I might suffocate if I don't get some fresh air."

It was the way he asked me that made me agree to his plea. My brother and the doctor would probably kill me once they found out but.. if getting out for a walk was something Wei Ying wished for, I would fulfill his wish. I didn't care what others thought, right now. All I wanted was to make Wei Ying feel better.

"Where do you want to go?"

"...."

"Wei Ying?"

"I didn't visit the bunnies for quite some time."

"Mhn." I nodded and carefully helped him out of the bed where he laid in for days. It was difficult for him to walk at first but after a few minutes, he didn't need my help anymore.

"Wait here!" I ordered and walked away to get his outer garments. Once he was ready he called for Wen Ning who wasn't able to look into Wei Ying's eyes. Wei Ying bit his lips and patted Wen Ning's shoulder.

"It's not your fault. You shouldn't suffer because of others. Stop acting like this, Wen Ning. If you keep up with this..." He didn't finish his words but it wasn't necessary because Wen Ning looked up at him.

"I am sorry, your highness."

Wei Ying smiled, it was a forced smile. It didn't even reach his eyes. "Let's go. Let's get some air."

I watched him taking slow steps forward. His back was lowered, his head down. He looked like a broken man and seeing him like this made me feel so many different things.

'Wei Ying....' I couldn't explain why it was so painful for me to see him like this. I wanted to take him into my arms and only let go once I was sure he was better. But of course, I didn't do that so. All I did was accompany him on his way to the bunnies. It was strange that to me it felt almost normal. As if my palace was his home as if he belonged there. I knew that letting him go back to his palace would be painful. It was like this every time but it didn't matter for as long as he was happy.

I didn't take my eyes off Wei Ying once. I watched him, observed him. He came here not only to escape his bedroom for some fresh air nor to escape boredom but also because he wanted to see the bunnies. Yet he didn't pay attention to them at all. He didn't play with them, didn't cuddle with them nor looked at them. All he did was sit in the garden staring into the air.

The same goes for Wen Ning. He sat a few meters away, ignoring the bunnies, and stared at nothing. The female bunnies who were so crazy about Wen Ning seemed to be confused and didn't dare to approach him. As if they felt that something wasn't right.

It was making me go crazy to know that something happened that made Wei Ying, that made both of them like this but not knowing the exact reason for it. I didn't know anything but one thing. I was slowly getting irritated at my brother. I knew he had something to do with it. Even if I did not know what it was, the fact that he made Wei Ying like this..... I wanted to go to my brother and punch him. And this urge was getting stronger by the minute.

'Wei Ying, talk to me...'

Suddenly Wei Ying looked up at me. He was crying again, tears were falling down his cheeks and my fingers were itching to wipe them away. But what hurt me the most was that his eyes changed. There weren't as lively as they were before. They were cloudy and I bit my lip to prevent a groan from coming out of my mouth.

'It hurts so much....'

"Wang Ji..." He called me and looked away again. I didn't say anything. Something told me that all I had to do now was listen. And I was good at it. Especially if Wei Ying was the one talking to me.

"Lan Huan...." He named my brother and the way he said it made me suppress a growl. Wei Ying looked at me again and smiled. "He cheated on me."

I widened my eyes in shock. My brother? My brother who even wanted to go against my father in order to marry Wei Ying, my brother who loved Wei Ying like no one before... he cheated!?

I didn't want to believe it but... it all made sense now. Wei Ying's behavior, his feelings, the stress which made him lose his daughter.... everything made sense.

My brother dared to hurt Wei Ying!? He dared to cheat on him!? Wei Ying, who gave up everything for my brother... he dared to hurt him like this!? He dared to break him like this!?

I heard a pained chuckle and looked at Wei Ying in shock. "Now that Wen Qing is pregnant, the emperor couldn't hide his joy... must be a boy, even Lan Huan will be overjoyed..... He finally got what he wanted and I wasn't able to give him. Isn't that great? Shouldn't we be overjoyed as well? Long live the emperor, long live the crown prince..."

My eyes immediately went to Wen Ning who looked paler than before and seemed to be in just as much pain. Now I understood his behavior as well. Wen Qing, his beloved sister hurt and betrayed his master in such a disgusting way. Wei Ying was the one who took Wen Qing in after seeing that Wen Ning wanted to be with her. Wei Ying was the one who gave Wen Qing a better life, yet that woman took what Wei Ying loved the most.

"Your brother loves me but still betrayed me like this... what am I supposed to do now?"

I gritted my teeth and tried to stay calm. I tried but it wasn't possible.

'I will kill them!' Under normal circumstances, such a thought would shock me, but at this point, I didn't care. I didn't care that I wanted to kill someone, I didn't care that the one I wanted to kill was my own brother.

All I cared about was making him and that woman pay for hurting Wei Ying like this. There was no excuse!

I growled and got up before turning around to make my way to my father's palace where all culprits were gathered.

to be continued....

Wang Ji seems to be serious about killing his brother. I can understand him albeit I think that killing him is wrong. That is not a punishment anyway... 

But I am happy that Wei Ying is talking to someone he can trust. I do hope he will confront Lan Huan soon! He shouldn't keep his knowledge a secret. That won't change anything nor help Wei Ying at all. 

Let's see what the next chapter will bring us...

If you enjoyed this update, feel free to leave a vote. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section too :D :D