Our Journey - Chapter 24 Do I Have To Prove It To You

The sound of the waves was heard by my ears. I opened my eyes and saw the scenery around me. I’m on the beach.

I’m interested in seeing the waves from afar. I walked towards there. More I approached it, the sound of the waves crashing into the beach was increasingly heard by me. I lifted up and saw the sky blue. I smiled. I haven’t seen a scene like this for a long time. The last time I came to beach is when I take my brother to the port. At that time we both took a walk on the beach and we told each other about our future and our hopes. Remember that, I feel sad. I really miss him

“Liu Fang!” Someone called my name. I stopped and sharpened my hearing.

“Liu Fang!” The person called my name again. I recognize that voice! That is my brother’s voice. I immediately ran towards the direction the voice was coming from. A man stands on the beach. I recognize it.

“Gege (Brother)!” I shouted and ran to hug him. My brother hugged me and patted my back gently.

“Liu Fang,” he called my name again.
for visiting.

“Gege, finally I can meet you again. I always pray that I can meet you. Even if it’s in a dream, as long as I can meet you,” I said to him. My chest feels tight. My tears run down my cheeks.

“I made an agreement with Zhiqiang Wangye. He will help me build my career in the military,” I told him about my agreement with Zhiqiang Wangye to him.

“Gege, I will grant your wish. I will be the general who lives up to our family name. You’re happy, aren’t you?” I continued my words. My brother stopped patting my back.

“I just want to congratulate you, my sister. Finally you are married,” my brother said in a trembling voice. He took off my arms then looked at my face. He holds my cheeks. My brother smiled, but his eyes filled with tears.

“From now on, you must live for yourself,” my brother said and slowly his shadow disappeared like gold dust scattered by the wind. I am surprised.

“Gege!” I shouted and ran to look for his shadow figure again. However, I did not find it. I became tired and sat on the sand of the beach. The waves hit my clothes. I feel the temperature is cold. That surprised me then I heard someone’s voice calling me.

“Miss Zhou! Wake up!” I heard the voice of Zhiqiang Wangye. I flinched. I blinked my eyes repeatedly. The scenery around me changed. I’m no longer on the beach. I was in a room with a variety of red ornaments.

“Miss Zhou, how long do you want to sleep?” Zhiqiang Wangye asked me. I saw him sitting on the bed. He holds the cup. Seeing him holding the cup, I automatically touched my face. As expected, my face is wet. He poured water on my face to wake me up.

“You!” I pointed his face in annoyance. He sighed then smiled arrogantly at me.

“I call you repeatedly, but you still don’t wake up. I was forced to water your face with water. And it seems that my efforts are successful,” he answered calmly.

“You! You can shake my body to wake me up. Why you poured water on me?”I answered angrily. He sighed.

“It’s already noon. We have to go to the Palace and meet Muhou (Imperial Mother) to greet her. You are her daughter-in-law starting today. You have to greet your mother-in-laws, right?” He answered as he stood up. He didn’t care about my protest to him. I’m sullen.

“Change your clothes immediately! I will wait for you near Wangfu’s (Prince Palace) front gate,” he said then went outside the room. Somehow I can’t fight his words. I sighed. I took the pillow and blanket that I used. I put it on the bed. Last night, I slept on the floor. I felt my back a little sore from sleeping on the hard floor.

I sat on the edge of the bed for a moment. I looked at my surroundings. I remember what I saw before. I dreamed that I was on the beach and met my brother. That dream feels very real. I remember my brother’s face. My chest feels a little tight. I feel sad. I miss my brother so much. Finally I could meet him in a dream, even if only for a moment.

“Wangfei (Prince’s Consort), may we come in?” Meihua’s voice came from outside the room. I immediately wiped away my tears.

“Come in, Meihua!”

“Wangfei, starting today I will be your personal assistant,” Meihua said after entering my room. I smiled after hearing her words. Meihua took care of me while I was in Wangfu. We are quite familiar. She is a woman that I can trust.

“I came with three maid servant who will also be your personal servant,” Meihua said again and the three female servants who were behind her advanced one after another.

“Greetings to Wangfei. May Heaven give you a long life,” they greeted me.

“What’s your name?” I asked one of them. She took a step forward.

“Our name now depends on you, Wangfei,” she said and I sighed. I forgot this rule. The employer must give the servant a new name. I looked around me. I don’t know what name to give them.

“Liling, Liliu, Linqing,” I gave them a new name after a while. They looked at each other and smiled. They look happy.

“Thank you for your gifted names, Wangfei,” they answered simultaneously. I nod my head. I’m also happy because I can name them in a short time.

“Then my name, Wangfei?” Meihua asked me. I shake my head.

“Do you want me to change your name too?” I asked her. She paused for a moment. Then she saw the three friends who came with her to my room.

“My name is Wangye’s gift. You are free to change my name,” Meihua said calmly. I sighed. I understand the meaning of her words. She is reluctant to change his name. I saw her face. A little pale and scared. Could this female maid actually like Zhiqiang Wangye?

“I think Meihua’s name is good. After all, we have known each other for a long time. I’m used to calling you by your name now,” I answered. She looked at me then smiled. She lowered his body.

“Thank you for Wangfei’s grace,” Meihua said in a cheerful voice. I nodded my head and smiled.

“What are we going to do now?” I asked the servants.

“We will help you to dress,” Meihua said to me. I nod my head. Meihua also helped me take off my clothes one by one. I’m sure they were surprised to see me still wearing my wedding clothes. I just removed the crown and hair jewelry that I used.

They provide warm water for me. I washed my body with water filled with fragrant flower petals. After washing my body, they helped me to wear new clothes. Meihua chose light green silk clothes for me. They also arranged my hair and put some beautiful hair ornaments on my hair. Meihua personally makeup my face. When I opened my eyes and looked at the mirror, I was amazed by my own face.

I rarely dress up because I don’t know how to use makeup well. I used to wear powder and just use lipstick. However, today Meihua gives color to my eyelids and gives a thick black liquid to my eyelashes. She also gave a red blush on my cheek.

“This is as good as my makeup when I get married,” I say my praise. Meihua smiled.

“Since we met, I want to dress you up. However, niangniang (your highness) always reject my intention. I know that without dressing up, niangniang are still beautiful. However, after dressing up, you are not only beautiful but also elegant,” Meihua praised me. I nod my head.

“Thank you for your help, Meihua. Thank you Liling, Liliu, and Linqing,” I replied and they nodded their heads.

“Wangye must have been waiting for you, niangniang,” Meihua reminded me of Zhiqiang Wangye’s words. I nod my head. I walked out of my room. Meihua walked before me to show a short road to the Wangfu gate.

At the gate, the arrogant prince stood up. He didn’t say anything when I was in front of him. He was surprised to see me. I lowered my body a little.

“Greetings to Wangye, forgive my delay,” I greeted and he nodded his head. He walked towards the horse carriage. At the horse carriage door, he extended his hand to me. I don’t understand why he did it to me.

“I want to help you ride on a horse-drawn carriage,” he said in a flat voice. I nod my head. I held his hand and he helped me into the horse carriage. After I sat down, he entered the horse carriage. He sat next to me. I feel uncomfortable with this situation.

“Is my appearance appropriate enough to meet Huanghou (Empress)?” I asked Zhiqiang Wangye. Zhiqiang Wangye looked at me for a moment then looked out the window.

“Much better than I thought,” he answered me. I smile.

“Meihua who helped me dress up,”

“I’m not surprised to hear that,” he blurted out. I sighed. Suddenly I remembered Meihua’s words.

“Meihua said that you gave her the name. How did you meet? ”

“When I searched Xiaoying, I went through a village that was attacked by a band of bandits. Meihua was almost killed by one of the bandits. I help him. The villagers say that her parents died because they were killed by a bandit. I pity her so I took her to my palace,” he explained casually. Hearing the story, I was surprised. I didn’t expect this selfish prince save someone he didn’t know.

“Meihua is a beautiful woman. Why don’t you make her became your concubine?” I asked him. I want to see his reaction. He looked at me with his sharp gaze.

“What do you mean by your question?”

“Meihua is a beautiful woman. Why aren’t you interested in him? ”

“You already know the reason, don’t you? Why do you ask? I just like Xiaoying and only want her. Whatever the situation, I will still love her. She is the only woman in my heart,” he said in a slightly louder voice. I know that he is angry. I shouldn’t have asked that. However, my stubborn nature appeared. I don’t like him talking in a loud voice to me. I pretended to laugh.

“I forgot. I just want to tease you. However, people became misunderstood. They think that you don’t like women because you have never taken a concubine,” I answered. However, soon I regretted my words. Why am I always like this when I’m talking to Zhiqiang Wangye? I always provoked his anger.

Suddenly he held my shoulders tightly. He brought his face to me.

“You want to know if I’m lying or honest if I’m only interested in women? Do I have to prove it to you here?” He asked and I felt the danger coming. I’m laughing. I pushed his chest slowly.

“I’m just joking,” I said and he let go of his grip. I shifted my sitting position so that my distance from him became further. He sighed.

“When you meet Muhou later, just be normal. We don’t need to pretend that we like each other in front of her,” Zhiqiang Wangye said casually. I nod my head. Somehow I feel that I’m stupid. Why can I easily be scared because of his actions? I could have hit him if he tried to touch me. Haven’t I beaten him twice?

“I also don’t want to pretend as your lover. I really don’t like you,”I said bluntly.