Hu Li spend her days in the boudoir. She order food and more food. She does nothing but read her books and eat whatever the royal kitchen have made for her. Her maids wonder why is the princess change. Suddenly she can't be brother to dress up, she now enjoys to be plain but pretty looking. She doesn't throw her temper nor things around any more. The Princess also doesn't go out at the evening for her horse ride. She is easy going and if things doesn't goes the way she wants it, she is fine with it. Strangely the courtyard, more flowers are blooming. Anything that flies like bees, butterflies and birds are found in her small garden. Even ants are visiting the courtyard and she spend her days bare foot.
One evening, while having dinner with her little friends. She hear a commotion outside. She hurry to keep her friends under the table. They eat in happiness with a huge piece of pork and another huge piece of chicken meat is waiting for them to eat. They cannot be bother with what is going on. The door is open and Prince Wang Cao is standing there.
"My greetings to the eldest sister!"
He bow to her. In his eyes, she see that he is suprise. Is it her attire? She have her chopstick in her mouth and she lick it. She use her chin to point to the chair opposite of her. He smile and sit down.
"Go get another bowl of rice."
The maid hurry off and she look at the Prince with interest.
"Usually when i invite you, i get a decline most of the time. Why are you here today? The Yamen is not busy?"
"Yes, today the Yamen is quite quiet. That's why i come here to meet you, my eldest sister. After all we are the blood siblings among the Prince and Princess in this royal family."
"Hmm, i am glad that you remember that..."
"Why are you so different today/"
"Am i? No i just not going anywhere."
"Usually, you will dress up as if you are going to a party. Today... i am not used to it. Every time i see you, your gold accessories are everywhere now you only have a jade hairpin, that is odd."
"Like i say, i am not going out. Here eat these."
The rice bowl is place down in front of him. They start eating and Wang Cao keep looking at this girl who is suppose to be his sister. There is something odd about her that he can't point out where is it. It's not the appearance but the manners. After the meal is done, he bow and leaves for the day. Hu Li ask the servants to clear the dishes as she walk away with the box in her hand. She walk across the yard to her bedroom. closing the door, she walk to the desk and open the box, her little friends have finish their meal. Sitting in sit looking lazy and comfortable they rub their own tummies. She smile.
"Both of you need to exercise. It's unhealthy to be in this lazy condition."
"Master... the food here is too good."
"Yeah it's crazy. I never have a really full meal."
She smile and open another box, it's the box of letters that the prince have written to Princess Wang Ching. She re-read the letter and understand the contents. She look at the candle on the other side of the table, she put the letter over the fire and allow it to catch fire. After that she place it down on the golden plate next to it. The rats look at her and each other.
"Master why?"
"So that no one will read these letters again and hold it against Wang Ching. It's better to burnt it."
She re-read the next one and do the same for the rest. Till she burnt all the letters. The newest letters are still in the envelops. She open it and read them, she have them burnt too. She watch the fire burnt brightly and die off after the last letter. A maid come knocking the door. She close the box with her friends in it. The maid brings in a cup of tea and place it on the desk. She sees that the princess is burning the letters.
"Your highness, why ..."
"It is for the best. You don't need to ask me why. "
"Are you going to reply to Prince Ying Tian?"
"No. There is no need for that."
"Why?"
"Are you questioning me?"
"No your highness. I understand , please forgive me."
"In future, there is no need for me to reply. If he writes to me just deliver as usual. I will read it when i want to."
"I understand your highness."
"You may leave now."
The maid bow and leave the room. She open the box with her little friends. They look tired.
"Go and sleep. I will read some books."
She stare at the fire and think about the relationship of that princess and that prince. The letters are written with care and attention for each other but in the end, it feels like they are using each other to complete their ambition in life. To be the ultimate ruler of this realm. They are the ruthless ones who will do anything including to get rid of their own family members. Prince Ying Tian is from a country named Tian You. They are growing strong in recent years and wants to gain more power and land thus combine forces with the princess is a chance for him to rule this realm and his own country. They are one of the many prince and princess that is not wanting to sit back and be just one of those royal family members. Hu Li decide to break this chain and bond that Princess Wang Ching have built up. In this way, the chances of the war is lower. Hu Li also plan to break off from the royal family in a few years so that the princess can die naturally and she can return to snowy land. Hu Li with her chin on the table she stare at the ashes of the letters as the night falls. Outside the window, the bird is sitting on the rooftop is watching over her.