Chapter 6: Accepting Unrealistic Realities
The next day, Zhao Xing looked tired. Mrs Zhao stared at her at the breakfast table, as she stared into space.
"Xing Xing?"
"Um?" she responded as her eyes became focused.
Mrs. Zhao wondered at how her daughter was acting. "Did you stay up all night reading those manhuas again?"
"Argh!!" She made an annoyed sound, at the mention of the word 'manhua' and collapsed on the table, hitting her forehead in the process.
"Zhao Xing!" her mother called her by her full name.
"Maaa!" Zhao Xing cried in response. "They're bullying me, now you're joining them, I'm so pitiful. All of you join hands to bully me, it's not fair."
Both Mrs. Zhao and Zhao Yun stared at the ranting girl like she had lost her mind.
Her mother's voice softened a bit though her expression showed her confusion.
"Xing Xing, didn't you have a good relationship with your classmates? How come people are bullying you, eh?" The girl soon raised her head, her forehead was a bit red from being hit so hard on the table, she was pouting, with tears that refused to fall. Seeing her daughter like this, how could her heart not hurt? She held her daughter's arm from across the table.
"Baby, who bullied you, mommy will take you to settle accounts with them."
For a moment the atmosphere was full of a sad air, as both mother and daughter stared at each other silently. But Zhao Yun who had been watching the two with an expression full of disgust inserted his milky voice.
"She always likes trouble, she must be the one to look for trouble, why won't they bully her?"
Zhao Xing eyes darted his way with a frightening glare. But the little guy didn't stop there, he turned to his mother and shrugged with an expression that said 'See what I mean?'.
Mrs. Zhao also knew this, so she didn't know what to say for a moment.
Zhao Xing didn't have the strength to mind them, she stood up, carried her backpack, with an "I'm off", she stormed off.
"Eh Xing Xing, be careful on the road!" her mother called out to her as she left.
The treatment was the same at school, either they thought she was up late doing some student unworthy things or she was bullied by bad people, the conclusion was for her to stop looking for trouble. But how could these mortals understand her pain? They truly haven't seen the world in its worst! She, Zhao Xing has. For the first time, she knew how it felt to be lonely and alone!
She didn't remember how she came back home this time, but she knew that she and the prince had an intense discussion. Now, to think of it, she was only 17 and hasn't reached legal age yet, but she had to talk about politics with that Smiley Face (the Prince). She didn't know if she should be happy about this or not.
The school day went on as normal. Their way home was silent as both Zhao Xing's friend stared at her.
Shan Shan was first to speak, "Xing Xing, is it that serious?"
Her friend looked a bit worried, and Zhao Xing wasn't one that liked to spoil the mood, so she put her index finger and her middle finger on both corners of her lips and pushed them up.
"I'm ok, see?"
Lu Yang rolled his eyes, "Are you trying to act brave? When did you grow up?"
Since the day I realised we weren't alone in this universe. she said to herself.
But outwardly, how could she explain? She made an attempt to kick him but missed as he quickly evaded. "What are you saying sounding like I grew 10 years older?"
If she had the strength to kick and scold people then she was ok. Thus her friends were somewhat relieved.
Later that night, she was dragged once again to meet the king of hell-the prince, much to her dismay.
She figured time ran differently in both worlds, in a way she couldn't really grasp. Maybe, it was like being at the other side of earth, maybe not, but whenever she came back home it would be day, so she mostly spent her night time here. She wondered how they managed to make it flawless, so that whenever she returned it was like nothing had happened.
It was morning again when she returned this time. The Prince summoned her to his study, where he played chess by himself.
"Grand tutor mind joining me?" he called out to her, the usual smile on his face.
Zhao Xing was still annoyed so she glared at him, instantly refusing, "No, don't know how."
"Oh? Then would grand tutor join me to sit, or do you want to keep standing?"
Hearing his offer, Zhao Xing hesitated, but still joined him to sit.
Whatever he wanted to say, he didn't say, and instead continued to play chess, freely.
Zhao Xing didn't care, if he wanted to stay mute, then he could stay mute, she'd just enjoy the view of the wonderful architecture. She boldly took a cup from the side and poured herself tea.
The prince glanced at her as his smile grew broader. Despite his gaze, Zhao Xing continued to look around, seeming very leisurely.
The scene was serene, one could look at it and feel a sense of peace and healing. But the thoughts of both sides were full of poison. Inwardly cursing the other party.
Crown Prince Zhang ZhengYang, second prince, and only son of the late Empress. Everyone knew him to be the a hardworking and filial prince. It was unfortunate that his mother left him 4 years ago. They say she died from an unknown illness. But Zhang ZhengYang didn't believe it. And had been secretly investigating her death underneath. Though till now there was no result from the investigation.
From the outside, the prince was selfless and giving his all to serve his father, but only his people know who he actually was. In recent years his father's health had been deteriorating. Of course many people didn't know the details. All they knew was that the Emperor was sick. But as for how sick... no one really knew.
During court session he looked pretty fine, and so nobody could actually tell for sure whether they should prepare for a bloody war for the throne soon. There were originally 14 princes, among which passed away as they grew up due to different reasons, of course the most plausible would be the struggles in the harem. Now, only 7 princes were able to grow to adulthood.
But even at that, not all of them had the primary power or potential to become future rulers: the third Prince, born to the Imperial Consort, was lascivious and irresponsible. The fourth and ninth princes were silent people seemingly choosing to just stay on the side lines. The eight prince was sickly, and barely left his courtyard. The tenth prince stayed with his maternal Uncle, who was a general guarding the borders. As for the fourteenth Prince, he was still a little child. These were all information received from Nuo Nuo the day before.
"Till when are you two going to act like this? My eyes can't take it anymore!" A young man appeared from nowhere, almost making Zhao Xing spill the tea in her mouth.
"I just wanted to see how long you were planning to hide."
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