297 The One Who Collapses (1/2)
Hanjian
A full moon hung over the enormous palace estate that was the size of a town. The Imperial Palace was the most formidable part of the country. Next came the Capital which was right outside of the palace gates.
”The details have been finalized, Your Highness,” Lu Tianbi reported. She unraveled the heavy scroll in her hands. There were wooden cylinders on either ends of the scroll that ensured the edges of the paper wouldn't scrunch upwards.
”Your Princess will arrive very soon,” Lu Tianbi proudly said. She placed the flattened scroll in front of the fussy Crown Prince.
Yu Zhen had a book over his face and it was unknown if he was awake or not.
Lu Tianbi's attention wandered to his stack of parchments that had shifted in placement. So he had finally finished all of next week's work. She didn't know why he was working himself to the bone like this. Did he want an entire week off? Was that it?
His mornings were occupied with court duties and then touring the closest towns outside of the Capital to ensure everything went smoothly. Yu Zhen was the most ideal Crown Prince that anyone could ask for. Albeit, he was too crude and harsh, but he got the work done the most efficiently.
”Zhenzhen?” Hu Dengxiao whispered whilst waving a hand over his Crown Prince's face. The man in question was leaned back in the cushioned chair.
”He's exhausted,” Lu Tianbi muttered. She crossed her arms and sighed. ”He wakes up the earliest out of everyone and sleeps the latest. It's so rare to see him nap like this.”
”Are you sure he's actually asleep though?” Hu Dengxiao mumbled.
”Leave him be,” Lu Tianbi warned when Hu Dengxiao reached for the book. ”Let our Prince sleep a while longer. If not, he might drop dead in front of us.”
”Nuh-uh! Our Commander is too strong for that. What's the point of training every morning if he doesn't put his well-built stamina to use?” Hu Dengxiao retorted much to Lu Tianbi's displeasure.
”He should use the time he spent training to sleep instead. All of his techniques are near perfection. He has also mastered the secret arts of sword fighting and combat. I don't know why he's pushing himself like this,” Lu Tianbi nagged.
”Maybe he wants to maintain a great body for when the Princess comes,” Hu Dengxiao snickered. He wondered if she caught the double meaning in his words.
Lu Tianbi rolled her eyes.
”Let's sneak out of here, Tiantian~ I found this really small waterfall in the forest and maybe we can splash around like when we were children—”
”Get back to work,” a voice bit out.
Hu Dengxiao let out a terrified shriek. He jumped behind Lu Tianbi and shakily peered over her shoulders. ”T-the monster, he's alive!”
”Sadly,” Yu Zhen grumbled out. He sat upwards and gripped the book off of his face. He checked the title and scowled. 'The 99 Steps of Love.' No wonder he had such a sweet dream about Xueyue and their future in the palace.
Too bad he had woken up to the cruel reality that they were far from having a family of their own. He let out an aggravated sigh and tossed the book aside. He didn't need to fill his head with false hope like this. He preferred to live in reality.
”The work for today, tomorrow, and the day after that has already been finished on your part. For me and Dengxiao, we only need to finalize a few documents. You should head to bed now, Your Highness,” Lu Tianbi said.
Concern marred her pretty face. Lu Tianbi was worried about his condition. She approached the Crown Prince and placed a hand over his when he picked up the brush.
”Don't do this to yourself, Your Highness,” Lu Tianbi said.