Chapter 69
“General Hwan is here to see you,” Haeun’s lady-in-waiting said.
Crown Princess Haeun looked at her, surprised, “Are you serious?”
Before the lady-in-waiting could answer, Youxian walked in, looking unrecognisable. Wearing a type of robe she hadn’t seen before. It seemed a bit too feminine, something a prostitute would wear.
Long white pants with black thigh-high boots held together by a black string which patterned up to his knees. The robe he wore was white too, the colours of the crown prince and it was fitted perfectly against his body.
Haeun narrowed her eyes at him. “Why are you here? Didn’t you lock yourself up?”
Youxian had his eyes on the interior of her lounging room. Humming as his eyes landed on her, he said, “Well, I think I’m done locking myself up. At this rate, I’ll die and won’t be able to live until the day my daughter gets married.”
Haeun stood up. Smiling at him, she said, “And here I thought you came to congratulate me.”
He raised a brow and looked down at her stomach. She was easily five months pregnant now and although his heart broke when he first heard the news; he didn’t show it on his face that he was bothered. Smiling as he looked back into her eyes, he said, “Correct! But unfortunately I didn’t bring you anything. The money Changling has given me has piled up and I don’t have enough storage space. How about we go out to celebrate?”
Haeun stared at him. She didn’t like how friendly he was and this came with no warning, either. Youxian had locked himself up for a year, even going as far as rejecting visitations from the emperor, his parents and other royals. Only Changling was allowed to see him and the children. So she could only rely on her son to inform her of him. “Well, I don’t know if we’ll be allowed to leave the palace.”
Youxian chuckled, “Oh no, don’t worry about that. Don’t you have me to protect you?”
The smirk on his face said it all. Youxian was definitely not here for a friendly visit. Scoffing, she said, “I know we’re part of the same harem, but don’t get it in your head that you are his highness’s favourite now that you are back. You’ve been rejecting him.”
“And isn’t that how you ended up pregnant?” Youxian interrupted as he took a seat beside her and started eating the dessert on the side table.
Haeun stared at him in her moment of pause. When did it all start?
Why did she dislike someone she grew up with?
All for their husband?
But he was their husband, after all, and if it weren’t for the empress manipulating her, she wouldn’t have gone as far as wanting him dead. Sighing, she looked away out through the window at the garden Changling loved so much, asking, “Why are you here?”
“I’m here to visit you, obviously.”
She turned to him, saying, “I’m no fool. I know what ‘no good’ looks like and you are up to no good.”
He smirked, placing down the half eaten dessert. He said, “As memory serves me correct, I owe you and the other wife a visit. What is her name again?”
Haeun scoffed. “What was her name again–oh yes, Kwon Ae Cha. Why?”
Youxian nodded his head slowly as the image of her formed in his mind. Side-eyeing her, he asked, “Does Ah-Cao like her?”
She nodded, “Unfortunately, yes, I don’t know what it is about her, but all the men like her—as if she is a witch.”
Grinning, she asked, “Does she bother you? No. My daughter doesn’t like her. She complains about her daily, saying that she’s always asking about me and there is just something off about her.”
She stood up and walked towards the window. “And? It’s not like you can get rid of her.”
Youxian stood up and walked over. Stopping beside her, he looked out into the garden, speaking only so that they could hear. “She isn’t my target. I was just asking.”
“Then who is your target?” She probed. He was too quiet for so long and must have so much planned, seeing that he was now out in the open.
Youxian turned to her and smiled. “Who else has our husband slept with?”
She raised a brow, confused. “What do you mean?”
He shook his head and started laughing. “Haeun, why does it seem like you don’t know? Am I asking the wrong person the right questions?”
She looked at him, appalled. “What do you mean? Who else would he have slept with? His highness has basically been celibate since marrying Ae Cha. It’s only since you returned that his sex drive has been ignited.”
He took in a deep breath as he listened to her. Nodding his head, he looked back out the window, thinking, ‘I wonder if Ae Cha will have anything worth reporting—nevermind, I’ll have a look myself.’
“Haeun, we’re the only one’s in the prince’s harem right?” He asked, leaving her confused.