201 She Loves You More (1/2)
The Palace.
”How strange of you to visit me at such odd hours,” Second Prince Wang Jing lightly commented. He took a sip of his favorite Jasmine tea but cringed at the repulsive taste. Despite the aromatic and sweet scent, the tea was incredibly bitter and disgusting.
The Second Prince figured it was because this pot of tea wasn't brewed and served by his favorite servant. The veiled woman was nowhere to be found in this room. It was always like this when guests came around. Specifically, Wen Jinkai.
”You're adding too much sugar into your tea. It's repulsive and unhealthy for you,” Wen Jinkai nagged as he took the sugar bowl away from his long-time friend. He swatted at the grabbing hands of the needy Prince.
”Ugh, just one more spoonful, please. This tea is so bitter and it was brewed incorrectly!” Second Prince Wang Jing whined.
The Second Prince couldn't stomach this tea without the help of the sugar! Usually, he didn't like sweet things, especially sugar in tea. On top of it, he hated teas that weren't brewed by his favorite servant. He couldn't complain. It was the risk he took to keep his servants safe from the wrath of the Commander.
”You should punish the servant for their incompetence.” Wen Jinkai scowled. ”Have your people always mistreated you with vulgar tea?” He took a whiff of the tea, deeming it was safe. There wasn't any lingering smell of poison.
”No, of course not. You know my servants will never bully me. They're paid more than the regular palace servants. Besides, Mother will kill them if they do.” Wang Jing sighed. ”And even if they did, I won't report it. Mother can be scary.”
”The Empress is always protective of her sons. It's not a surprise,” Wen Jinkai responded whilst taking a small gulp of the tea. He found nothing wrong with it. It was bitter like his heart. Just as he liked his teas to be.
Wang Jing's gaze softened. ”You're considered her son too, you know. Sometimes I think she loves you more than she loves the rest of us.”
”Her love is obsessive and overbearing.” Wen Jinkai let out an agitated sigh. ”It has progressed into something I've come to despise.”
”What do you mean?” Wang Jing curiously asked.
Wen Jinkai surveyed the empty tea room. There was no one in here except for the two of them. The doors outside were heavily guarded by Wen Jinkai's men. No one would dare to eavesdrop.
It wasn't like Wang Jing had a big mouth either. He knew how to keep secrets. It was one of the reasons why Wen Jinkai hung out with the Second Prince so much. Wen Jinkai could vent in peace without judgment.
”I heard a nasty rumor,” Wen Jinkai muttered.
”About?”
”The Empress.”
”Why don't you call her Mother?” Wang Jing softly frowned. ”She'd like that, you know. That's all she wants to hear from you.”
Wen Jinkai was irked by the Second Prince's unwavering loyalty to their mother, Empress Huiyun. But what could be done? She was a great caretaker to all of her children, so much so, that none of them could find faults in her, just as she never saw a flaw in them.
The happiness of her children mattered more to her than her own life.
The Empress would do everything to keep her children safe by her side. No sin was too heavy, and no risk was too terrifying. Her children were her life, her only joy, her only treasure. Empress Huiyuin loved all of her children. Even if she showed it in different ways—some more repulsive than the other.
”As always, this conversation must be kept between us, and no one else,” Wen Jinkai began.
”Of course.” Wang Jing firmly nodded. ”Besides, who would I tell this to?” he laughed, ”You're the only brother who talks to me.”
Wen Jinkai's expression dimmed. He sympathized with the Second Prince. It must be lonely in this part of the palace. No one ever came here unless it was to take care of Wang Jing—the neglected Prince of Wuyi.
”Mother trusts you with all of her secrets, doesn't she?” Wen Jinkai asked.
Wang Jing blinked. ”I can't tell you that. My lips are sealed when it comes to other people's conversations with me.”
”Tch, stingy.”