The next day, Song Ning wakes up with a headache. Consort Ling comes into the bedroom with a soup to help her clear her pain and foggy mind.
As song Ning drinks, the consort pour herself a cup of tea. She look at Song Ning with interest.
"I know Tan Ye for a long time.Even before his birth."
Song Ning look up with the bowl still touching her lips. Consort Ling smile.
"I lived in the palace for a long time. My aunt is one of the many consort of the emperor. My parents and my older brother died in the battleground thus i am allowed to lived with my aunt. I spend most of my time in the palace. I lived like a royalty but never a royalty. The armies that my parents used to hold are disperse to other units but they remain royal to the crest of my family. If should i command them to gather, they will do as command. For now, my token is given to Tan Ye."
"Why? Why did you give it to him."
"He will need it one day."
"I thought that he is a care free prince"
"He is on the surface. However he is a smart boy who plan the things he want to do."
"What he wants to do?"
"I cannot say but i can tell you how i marry him. After he is born, he is raised by a nanny. His mother was sickly. I used to visit her when she was pregnant with Tan Ye and she pass away after he turn three. I was fifteen and i like playing with him. His brother and i often meet and Tan Ye is always within our reach. I spend my time with the two brothers and we are close in many ways. I take care of them like my own family. His brother is a year younger than me. When Tan Ye is five, his brother marry one of the consort's niece. I request to move back outside of the palace. The permission is granted and i move back into the General Ling mansion. A lone everyday. Somedays, Tan Ye comes out of the palace to find me."
"Did you … like The Second Prince?"
"… yes but does it matter? For the royal family. Connection is everything. They believe that i have nothing thus the emperor protect me, the only living family member of General Ling. Also because my aunt his one of his favourite consort. Eventually, my aunt request that i marry Tan Ye. I agree. Tan Ye who doesn't know what is marriage all about agree knowing that i will take care of him forever. Thus at seven he moved out of the palace. I become his wife and his sister that is so much older. I never complaint about this. I am happy the way things are now."
"You miss… the time to have children."
"Yes i miss it but i never wanted children nor to give birth to any. Perhaps i don't have infinite with children. In further, i hope i will get to see the first child of Tan Ye. "
Song Ning now knows the strange situation that how The Third Prince get his wives. A child that is surrounded by women who are older than him but yet he is the one thinking and planning how to get their revenge on the people who hurt them. Even though he act like a playboy and seems to be clueless about everything that is happening in court. He actually is aware and act accordingly. He is alike an actor. Multi face with a lot of talent in acting.
The siblings left the Prince mansion after the tenth day. They return home and clean up their house. Sweeping and cleaning. A servant come by in the late afternoon.
"This is the Luar New Year gift by my mistress, Lady Wen."
"Ah Thank you. Please convey my thankfulness to Lady Wen."
Song Ning give a red packet to the servant and the driver. They exchange an auspicious couplet for the Lunar New Year. The Little servant and the driver are delighted and accept it with a smile. They all bow to each other. Everyone is happy and smiling. The siblings watch the carriage move away. They return inside the courtyard and look at the table to items.
"It is rather nice of Lady Wen."
"Well, if it's wasn't you who insist of breaking the engagement, she won't be marring to brother Nan Feng! So getting this is …"
"Enough. Now…"
"Oh she insert red packets in this box… there is a letter too. I will eat the lucky cakes first!"
Song Ning open up the letter. It is just a normal letter and an invitation to have dinner on the last day of the Luar New Year.