Prince Han clenched his teeth together to stop sticking his head out the carriage window and asking ‘how long’ for what seemed like the 30th time. He longed to ground himself by squeezing the handle of his sword, but that was packed away and hidden. Ordinary noblemen didn’t carry weapons out in the open.
“Rest assured, my lord, we’ll be there soon,”
Prince Han glanced at the bearded man across from him. Imperial guard turned personal bodyguard Chang Lingxiu.
Rubbish.
The idea that he, a prince personally elevated to the Fourth Rank by The Emperor himself, would need a bodyguard was laughable. It was unnecessary. That night was a fluke, an example of him letting his guard down. He understood that without Chang Lingxiu, Jiayi’s plan wouldn’t have worked, but it didn’t make it sting any less. He tried to explain as much to The Emperor, but he didn’t make a convincing picture, sick in bed from an overdose. The gift of a personal bodyguard became a decree, and Prince Han had no choice but to obey.
As he was lying in bed in a tonic-induced fever to sweat out the rest of the aphrodisiac, Prince Han replayed the moments leading up to the attack. Family events like the New Year banquet were never his favorite. His elder brothers were only polite to him because of his favor with The Emperor, and making connections and drinking himself senseless was never appealing. A year ago, Prince Han would’ve only waited for a course or two before thinking up an excuse to leave. But each time he thought of a suitable lie, his eyes strayed across the hall. As it was one of the most auspicious days of the year, the servants were allowed to dress up for the festive occasion. Many maids dolled themselves up in sweet pink or red outfits, peppering their hair with red bows and ribbons.
Jiayi was the odd one out. Instead, she wore a dark green chenyi and a simple red waistcoat lined with white fur. She had fresh pink and red chrysanthemums tucked into the crown of her head. Outside of a simple copper bangle, she only wore the earrings he gifted her for her birthday. He didn’t think she ever took them off, and the thought warmed his cheeks and belly.
She was fascinated with the entertainers. Each performance made her eyes glitter with wonder. If something were particularly enticing, her mouth would open wide in shock. Watching Jiayi was so captivating that he never paid much attention to who was refilling his cup with wine. The next thing he knew, it was daylight, and he was lying in bed, Sang’er sobbing over him.
Holed up in his room for days, one thought swirled around his head. Jiayi had rescued him.
“Don’t worry, my lord,” Chang Lingxiu said, breaking him out of his memories, “Jiayi will be fine,”
“I don’t need you to remind me,” Prince Han replied.
Prince Han knew he was being snappish and short-tempered, but he couldn’t help it. He’d been on the edge from the moment Jiayi agreed to this ridiculous plan.
“His Majesty is sending Jiayi back to her family?” asked Prince Han.
Chang Lingxiu looked taken aback by the intensity of the question but nodded, “Yes. One of Xiang pin’s other maids told me. She was a little worried. She says Jiayi’s family is always begging her for money,”
Prince Han turned away, watched Yiqiang notch his arrow, and let it fly.
That was an understatement. Jiayi wouldn't survive if she set foot into the Wei estate. When Jiayi told him about the cruelty of her legal mother, he believed her. But after seeing the letters she received from home, he was sure the woman would sell Jiayi off in a heartbeat. Going back there was practically suicide.
“Jiayi!”
Jiayi walked through the training yard, carrying Yiqiang’s lunch.
Yiqiang tossed his bow to Sang’er and ran over to her. She smiled down at Yiqiang, but Prince Han could tell it was forced. Prince Han glanced at Sang’er, and the eunuch led Yiqiang away to eat.
“You go eat, too,” Prince Han told Chang Lingxiu.
Chang Lingxiu glanced between Prince Han and Jiayi before nodding and obeying.
“Are you alright?” Prince Han asked when they were alone.
Jiayi looked startled by his concern, “I’m–I’m fine, my lord. Are you alright? Should you be out in the cold like this so soon?”
He ignored her concerns, “How can you be alright when His Majesty is sending you back to that woman?”
“I’ll just have to figure something out,”
“Like what?”
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Jiayi fiddled with her hands, “Well…I thought about pretending to be sick, but the Imperial Physicians would figure me out in a second. So I was thinking that–well if I broke–“
Prince Han grabbed Jiayi’s shoulders, “Are you insane? A broken bone isn’t a laughing matter,”
“I know, but I know I broke something small like my arm–“
It was even worse than he imagined. Jiayi was so desperate she was going hurt herself on purpose, knowing full well that the bone may never heal properly or, worse, kill her.
“You could stay with me,”
Jiayi stopped, “My lord, what do you mean?”
“I have a small villa just outside the capital, you could stay there,”
“Stay in your villa?” Jiayi shook her head, “That’s too much, my lord. You shouldn’t trouble yourself like this for a maid,”
“You’re not just a maid, Jiayi,” Prince Han said, squeezing her shoulders, “You’re my friend,”
He tilted her head and let the sun hit her face, shining on the fading bruises and split lip from His Majesty’s punishment.
“You put yourself in the line of fire for me and saved my reputation and that of The Empress. Giving you somewhere safe to go is the least I could do,”
Jiayi slowly pulled her face away, “If it doesn’t put you out–“
“It won’t,”
After Jiayi returned to Xiang pin, Prince Han realized he had more to consider. He decided to leave the Forbidden City a few days after Jiayi. The Emperor and The Empress accepted his excuse of needing some time away after his poisoning. He gave Jiayi some money and instructed her to rent a room at a nearby inn. They would meet there and then continue to the villa.
After a long day of traveling, the carriage finally stopped. Chang Lingxiu hopped out first and opened the door. Prince Han stepped down the stairs and into the street. He tucked his chin into the furred collar of his cape. It was still somehow cold, even though it was the middle of the second month.*
“Bring the bags, Chang Lingxiu,” he ordered before walking towards the inn. At least the guard would be good for something.
They stepped inside, and a servant rushed to greet them.
“Welcome, gongzi**,” the man said, “I apologize. Our inn is full up,”
“My master has been here many times. You’ve never been sold out,” said Sang’er.
The servant nodded and blotted his sweaty forehead with a rag, “I apologize again. A large party rented out most of the rooms for a wedding. But not to worry, there’s an inn down the road–“
“No matter,” Chang Lingxiu interrupted, “My master will stay with his wife, of course,”
“His wife?” Echoed the servant.
His what?
“Didn’t a woman named Wei rent a room here?” Asked Chang Lingxiu.
“Oh! Pardon this foolish old man. You’re right! Your mistress checked in a few days ago. Please follow me,”
Prince Han grabbed Chang Lingxiu’s collar when the servant turned away, ignoring how his chest tingled at the concept of Jiayi being his wife.
“What do you think you’re doing?” He hissed.
“Don’t we only need to stay for the night? Isn’t this better than running around looking for an inn in the middle of the night?”
Prince Han pursed his lips and shoved him away, “From now on, keep your mouth shut,”
The servant led them to a room at the end of the hall, “Please let us know if you and your wife need anything, gongzi,” before leaving.
Sang’er knocked on the door, and Prince Han took a deep breath—his wife.
Wife!
Prince Han didn’t know if he could sleep in the same room as Jiayi without bursting into flames now. Damn, Chang Lingxiu, for putting these thoughts in his head!
It didn’t even mean anything. They would spend one night at this inn, pack their things, and be on their way with Jiayi none the wiser about Chang Lingxiu’s loose lips.
“My lord,” Jiayi said, her face beaming as she opened the door, “You’ve arrived,”
Prince Han stepped inside the modest room and let Sang’er remove his cloak. He did his best not to look at the neatly made bed in the corner lest he begin to imagine himself sleeping next to Jiayi. He took a seat at the table tucked under the window. It was clear that Jiayi had spent her time here drawing. The table was scattered with small sketches of the city outside the inn. They were, of course, perfect to Prince Han’s untrained eye.
“How was your trip?” Jiayi asked, pouring him a cup of tea.
“Boring,” he replied, “What about you?”
“Not so bad. I haven’t been on a carriage in a long time, I–“
There was a knock on the door. Chang Lingxiu answered.
“Pardon me,” a servant girl said, a tray in her hands, “I’ve brought some small snacks, complimentary from the owner,”
She placed the tray on the table and smiled at Jiayi, “The owner noticed that you were fond of these buns, Wei furen, so he made sure to ask the cook to make them fresh for you!”
Prince Han clenched his eyes shut and let out a sigh.
“Oh,” replied Jiayi, her brow furrowed, “Thank you,”
“Please let the owner know if you or your husband have any other preferences,” the girl said, taking the tray and leaving.
Jiayi stared at him, “My lord, what was that girl talking about?”
✺
Jiayi wished she never asked.
Husband?
Prince Han?
Her husband?
Suddenly, Jiayi cursed herself for pushing the inn’s little table under the window. She wouldn't be able to jump out from sheer embarrassment before someone stopped her.
“It’s my fault,” Chang daren said, “I just said it so Prince Han could get a room,”
“Are there…” a terrible feeling arose as she began to ask, “Are there no other rooms left in the inn?”
If Prince Han was here, didn’t that mean he would be spending the night?
In the room?
With her?
Sang'er nodded his head, "Yes, all the other rooms have were rented,"
Jiayi let out a breath. She needed to get a hold of herself. How was this different from spending the night serving Xiang pin or Yiqiang? And it was only for the night. They’d be off first thing in the morning and could put this whole…situation behind them.
“It’s not a problem,” she said before standing, “I’ll go ask the girl for some bedrolls,”
Prince Han grabbed her wrist, “Wait. You’re my…wife now. You can’t be seen doing servant work. I’ll look like a beast. Sang’er will fetch it,”
“Right,” Jiayi said, pulling her hand away. She sat back down, searched the room for a distraction, and saw Chang daren standing near the door.
“Chang daren, would you like something to eat or drink? These buns are delicious,”
She held out the plate, hoping Chang daren would chat with her. He took a few steps towards her before freezing.
“Actually,” he said, “I’ll go help Sang’er find the bedding,”
He fled, leaving her alone with Prince Han.
–––––
*Between February 20 – March 21
**Young master, sir (but for people who are upper class)