Xue Yu-Yan could be seen doing the painting in her private chamber, but her hand was trembling. She was trying hard, but could not draw anything. A fear had grown in her, an unknown fear! She put the brush down and sighed. "This was the only thing I was good at," she sighed. "But, my hands tremble every time I try to paint," she murmured.

She stood up from the floor mattress and went towards the porch of her chamber. Sitting on the stairs of the porch, she rested both hands on her knees and her knuckles were under her chin.

​​

"Lady Xue, it's hot outside. Please go inside," a maidservant humbly requested Xue Yu-Yan.

"I am not feeling hot. I am cold," Xue Yu-Yan replied. "Leave me alone. Clean the table," Xue Yu-Yan ordered her. The maidservant bowed and turned to leave when Xue Yu-Yan asked her about Jian Guozhi.

"The First Prince is with Lady Mi. They have gone outside to the nearest shrine to the Palace," the maidservant replied. Xue Yu-Yan was dejected to learn about that, but what could she possibly do. Indeed, as the woman of the First Prince, she wanted his love but she could not let her entire life waste on that! After conversing with the Fourth Prince the other day, she realized that she had full rights to be happy. 'I won't think about him anymore! If he wants to come, then he is welcome, but I will not let myself ruin over this,' she thought.

"Do you want to go out with me? I am getting bored here," Xue Yu-Yan with gleaming eyes waited for her response. The maidservant was a little astonished, but she immediately agreed with Princess Consort.

"Where does Lady Xue want to go?" She humbly asked.

"It has been a long time since I have been to the market," asserted Xue Yu-Yan and expressed her desire to go there. "I forgot to ask your name. What is your name?" Xue Yu-Yan questioned her.

After Princess Consort plotted against the Crown Princess, her personal assistant was removed, keeping only two Palace maids to serve her.

"This servant is called Zhiyi."

Xue Yu-Yan nodded and looked back at the old plum tree on the porch. "Zhiyi, I have only a few people around me who are a little concerned about me. You are also one of them. Be free to talk to me not as the Princess Consort, but as your elder sister. It must be tough for you, serving us day-night and hardly being able to meet your family." Zhiyi was stunned to notice the changed behavior of Xue Yu-Yan. Even for a servant like her, she was thoughtful.

"I will see my father's residence then. I just want to see it once from outside. Maybe I will get to see my mother. Hopefully, she is doing well," Xue Yu-Yan murmured. When she had stepped inside the Palace, she thought of a better life, but it was the opposite.

"Lady Xue, we shall go near the evening time to the market. But, I am a little concerned…" she paused. Xue Yu-Yan glanced at her and asked the reason for her concern.

"People might recognize you, Lady Xue," Zhiyi stated. She was right. People would gossip about her late father, who was charged with illegal works and corruption in the Empire. However, she did not run away from all this. One day she had to face this, then why not today.

"Zhiyi, my father's crime has nothing to do with me. Just bring me a veiled hat. We are going now because before sunset we need to be back. My father's residence is a little away from here so, it would take a lot of time to walk there," Xue Yu-Yan opined.

"Walk?" "I will arrange a sedan for Lady Xue," Zhiyi humbly said.

"No. That would grab unwanted attention. Let's just go there on foot. It is my first time walking such a long distance. It will be fun," Xue Yu-Yan smiled. Zhiyi was delighted to see the smile on Princess Consort's lips, that had vanished in the past few days. Xue Yu-Yan stood up and stretched her arms out. She walked inside the chamber, followed by Zhiyi.

Zhiyi brought a veiled hat for Xue Yu-Yan. She wore it and tied the knot under her chin. Looking at herself in the mirror, Xue Yu-Yan smiled a little.

"Let's go," with full enthusiasm she told Zhiyi, and the two walked out of the chamber. Soon, they reached the Fu Imperial Gates where Commander Sun was checking the food supplies delivered to the Palace. He bowed, seeing the Princess Consort, who also did the same.

"May I know where the Princess Consort is going?" Commander Sun queried.

"To the market," replied Xue Yu-Yan.

Commander Sun narrowly gazed at Zhiyi and asked her why she did not prepare a sedan for her mistress.

"I told her not to. I want to go by foot," Xue Yu-Yan said in a firm tone.

"Princess Consort Xue, you cannot go out without a security and sedan," Commander Sun opined. "The market is far from here and the sun is still shining. I will arrange a sedan for you. Moreover, you are Princess Consort. I will follow you else I will be punished," he added.

Xue Yu-Yan did not argue with him and slightly nodded her head. Commander Sun gestured to a soldier, who left the sight and moments later came there with six people carrying a sedan. Another Commander did the remaining work of Commander Sun.

Xue Yu-Yan got into the sedan, which was carried up by six sedan carriers. She peeked outside through the tiny window of the sedan while Commander Sun and Zhiyi followed her. "I want to see my Father's Residence," Xue Yu-Yan told Commander Sun, who slightly raised his brow. "I will peek from outside. I know I cannot enter there," Xue Yu-Yan added.

Commander Sun commanded the carriers, who changed their direction to the Wei Residence.

After a while, Xue Yu-Yan told them to stop as they were a hundred meters away from the Wei Residence. The carriers put the sedan down. Zhiyi helped Xue Yu-Yan to get out of the sedan. Xue Yu-Yan stood up and adjusted her hat. "My face is not visible, right?" Xue Yu-Yan inquired from Zhiyi, who refused.

She walked ahead and took the other path which was connected to the Western part of the Residence. Soldiers were guarding the Residence, so, seeing them she stopped. She recalled the days when she used to climb over the wall to go out but was scolded by her mother to act gracefully. She trained herself hard to become the potential Crown Princess keeping aside her wishes, but what good did it bring to her? Nothing! Though she was missing the scoldings of her mother. 'I wish I could see her one more time. Is she eating well? Is she taking good care of herself?' A tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it off.

"Lady Xue, the soldiers are watching you. We must go back," Zhiyi humbly requested.

"Hmm." Xue Yu-Yan turned and walked back to the Sedan. Getting in, she told them to drop her till the market entrance.