Near the quarters where the eldest miss was currently confined in, a slight disturbance could be heard from the outside the room. Hongyue's curiosity was instantly piqued as her eyes flashed with a hint of enthusiasm.

She leaned forward.

A few strands of her dark hair fell forward, gently covering half her face, which gave her a slightly unusual vibe. She pulled at the right sleeve of the Emperor with a child-like playfulness.

"What was that sound?" She tilted her head and echoed out a whisper of eagerness, "Are we going to play another game?"

Another game?

Did she mean the game when she pretended to talk to spirits and called people fat whenever she pleased?

The Emperor glanced down at where her hands were in contact with his clothing, and he attempted to remove her hands. With a forced smile, he addressed her question with a quick "perhaps."

The doors to the room were abruptly shoved open roughly.

"Your majesty," A short messenger, dressed in dark navy, swiftly entered the room. His feet thudded lightly on the carpeted ground, and he rushed forward toward the bed where the Emperor was. Coming closer to the bed, he leaned down, and in a hushed voice, he whispered into the Emperor's ear.

The Emperor's expression didn't change, but his eyes became more sinister.

Oh?

The third miss of the Wei Family came?

Was General Wei already using his third daughter to get back the eldest one? He studied at the foolish girl in front of him. Hongyue was staring back with a clueless smile splattered on her face. Her eyes were filled with a type of happiness he could only call 'idiocy.'

Nodding his head and waving away the servant, he announced the happy news to Hongyue with a gentle voice, "Your third sister would like to see you, do you want to let her in?"

Hongyue wanted to scoff.

He was treating her like her words actually held some weight. Her eyes tilted down in a bewildered manner, and her voice was doubtful.

"Third sister?"

Noticing that the eldest miss didn't seem all that close to her sister, the Emperor couldn't hide a smile of relief that was starting to appear. Even if the general were going to do everything to get this useless daughter of his, he wouldn't be able to make a dent. With a brain this dense, the Emperor couldn't help but laugh. It was too easy to control her mind.

"Do you want to see her?"

His question echoed loudly for a second time, and he gazed over to her for an answer. Hongyue pouted. Seeing her about to refuse, the emperor cut in before she could make up her mind.

"It won't do any harm to see her, right? She's your sister, after all."

Hongyue nodded as she fiddled with the silk covers before her. Her big eyes flickered to one pattern to another. Seeing her uneasy expression, the Emperor left with a comfortable state of mind.

As soon as he left, the door of the room was swung shut, and two shadowy figures of the guards at the door moved back into their post. The smile that was on Hongyue's face melted away as her eyes turned cold.

Third sister?

This was not with her predictions.

Her eyes showed a trace of doubt, and her fingers tapped on the pattern at an even pace. Was this sister still going to be a friend or a new foe? She couldn't let down her guard. People could always change their stance in a blink of an eye. Did the general have anything to do with this?

Whatever it was, she would have to find out soon as she could in order to manipulate the situation into her favor. Her eyes flickered to the door. Although the Emperor appeared to be put off by the childish stupidly of her actions, the guards by the door were enough to tell her he wasn't going to put down his guard entirely.

Even though the Emperor had allowed her to see her sister. It should be clear that he only allowed her to because he was convinced she felt uneasy. As long as Hongyue displayed a sense of fear or doubt toward her own family, it would play in favor of the Emperor.

But more than anything else, Hongyue was fearful of something else. If this so-call sister was on her side, what would she do? She never had a sister figure nor had a sister. What was the bond of a sibling like? What was the touch of a sister like? Would they worry for you like you would for them?

It was a step lesser than a mother but more than mere friendship. All of which she never had, yet it was everything she both desired and feared.

How would she handle this?

Adjusting the expression on her face, she didn't bother to brush back her hair. She locked her sight onto the wooden door with a hint of anticipation as well as with an intense tingle of coldness. Under the sheets, her fingers balled up into a fist as she drew in a thin strand of air.

She could handle this.

If anything, she could always close up her heart.

There was no need to be afraid of anything.

in_awe

My father got discharged. Then passed out with a high fever so he was re-admitted. I'm currently preparing a lawsuit against the first doctor. You guys are too sweet to me. I was overwhelmed by the number of kind thoughts and your love. Thank you. Thank you sound so overused but I really mean it. I'm trying to pick up the novel again.