"Your majesty indeed favors the Empress. Having such a light punishment is a blessing from you to her, "He commented, trying to please the Emperor.

The Emperor looked over, "Oh? How so?"

"While it looks like you are trapping her within her palace as punishment, you are secretly protecting her by stationing the guards. Furthermore, if any other uncalled activity is uncovered, fingers can no longer be pointed at the Empress as she is already arrested in her room. Is this servant right with his guess?"

The Emperor laughed, "Not bad, not bad. However, you missed one more point. It's not out of affection. It's simply a reward for her since she helped me along with my goals."

The eunuch looked mildly confused and couldn't help asking, "She did?"

The Emperor tapped his fingers on the wooden table, "How can someone know the meaning of safety when they haven't met danger?"

With this bad experience in mind, Hongyue was bound to be dependent on the palace for health needs as well as protection. Since the Empress indirectly helped him chase the bunny into the cage. Of course, he should reward her.

"Carry out the order, give the medicine to the eldest miss every 8-12 hours. The later, the better."

The more you depend on me, the better.

*****

As the week slipped by, General Wei grew to be more impatient. How was Hongyue not back? He was declined many times at the door by the guards stating that it was best to let the eldest miss stay at the palace to heal. However, the general didn't want that. The more Hongyue stayed at the palace, the higher the chance he was going to be suppressed by the emperor. Shouldn't Hongyue be found to be useless by now? How was the emperor still allowing her to remain?

At the Wei Manor's entrance, a delicate girl dressed in light blue stepped out from her carriage. Two simple hair stick adorned her black hair, and a simple cloak embraced her shoulders. A gentle smile was placed on her lips, but her eyes were freezing cold. A nearby maid quickly rushed forward to steady the girl as her foot touched the ground.

The maid greeted the girl, respectfully, "Third miss."

Lan'er acknowledged her with a soft nod, but she didn't seem to hold an interest. Balancing herself, she glanced out to the manor's t.i.tle board, and she moved her hand away from the maid.

"Why has father suddenly called me back?" Her voice was soft, but it held a significant amount of anger. The maid was surprised by the third miss's tone, but she quickly waved the other servants over to a.s.sist the third miss, while not answering the question. The other servants carefully scurried forward and helped guide the third into the manor with tiny steps. Their hands only touched the outside of the third miss's sleeve and not once did they speak to her. While moving about, their heads were lowered and didn't dare look up at the third miss.

Seeing this, Lan'er blinked and looked away. She didn't want to see these servants, they irritated her eyes. She looked out over to Hongyue's manor.

Her eyes contained a hint of longing.

A longing for honesty.

For sincerity.

While everyone treated her kindly and gave her everything on their knees, they didn't really treat her like a person. Only like a doll. Her heart grew cold. They fed her with the most delicate pearls, the kindest words, and the best of all gifts. However, they only did so in order to trade for her life. In return for those useless beautiful things, she would have to give up her own dreams, her wishes, and all her desires. But what if she couldn't give it? No, she wouldn't give it. Why should she?

Her head felt dizzy as her heart squeezed tightly in her chest.

I stole this happy life from you.

I'm sorry.

I'll pay you back, my dear sister.

It was a weird feeling. The kind where it was filled with guilt and wretched with disgust. The ugly yet angry feelings for herself. If only if she didn't listen to her father that year. She pushed one of the maids further away from her. Her heart was slowly growing with anger.

These people!

Why treat me so well when you all just want to use me? It was like a trace of bitterness in her heart. A memory of her playful elder sister seemed to emerge into her memories.

"Little Lan, if Father doesn't protect you. If your mother doesn't protect you. This sister will protect you."

Reviving those memories were like a trigger for Lan'er.

Sister, you can't even protect yourself. How will you even protect me?