《Love System: Changing Destinies》 1 My Pathetic Life It has been almost a year since I graduate and I''m still jobless. I didn''t even attend my graduation, as I still have an outstanding fees. What can I say, I don''t have money to pay for it. All the money I have is used mainly for one thing. House rent. That is the most important thing in my life. At least, I won''t be living on the street. I''ve been living with a measly 600 dollars a month and more than half of it is for my rent and bills. And the source of money? It come from my sisters, which are way older than me and have been acting like my parents since their death when I was nine. Other than that, food? I''m content with instant noodles for now. If I''m feeling fancy, then I would cook some rice and fry some eggs. Fresh steaming rice with eggs, adding a dollop of soy sauce and mayonnaise is a delicacy for me. Sigh. I really need to get a job. But what can I do? I can''t apply anywhere without my degree certificate, which I can''t obtain until I pay the outstanding amount. Plus, graduating with second honour in Creative Writing can''t really get me a place in somewhere decent after all. Arghhh... my life suck. Why did I take writing again? Even since I was a little boy, I have dreamt to become a singer, or an actor, or perhaps an announcer. It wasn''t until I was in high school, when the tv starts to play House M.D. that I start to have dream on becoming a doctor, a neurosurgeon specifically. But... life doesn''t always give what you want. Apparently, I don''t have the face to become an actor, nor did I have the voice to be a singer, and certainly I don''t have the grace to become an announcer. Oh yeah... I got a D on my Biology. So, there goes my dream. Then, why did I take up writing again? Oh yeah, now I remember. Back in high school, one of my teacher would always praised me for my composition. She always told me I have a knack on writing. She even submit my mid term paper to be published in the school magazine. It was one of my proudest moment in my life. That is one of the reason on why I took up writing. Plus, I have this kind of thinking when I first start. If I can''t become what I want in reality, perhaps I can become one in my writing. It''s like... some sort of compensation for not being able to achieve my childhood dreams. But now, years later, after I graduate, I don''t really feel the urge to write anything. I don''t know why. I have a lot of ideas, running around in my mind. But, the moment I put those on paper, it disappear. Sometimes... I feel useless. Most of my high school friends seems to be enjoying their life. They have a job, some have gotten married, and they even have a child. Their life seems... happy. I can''t say it''s perfect because I know, no one is perfect, but...I know, they are happy. Living each day with a purpose will surely make you willing to survive another day. As for me... It''s hard enough to survive on a daily basis. As for me, I don''t even have money to eat because I don''t have a job and I don''t have a job because I don''t have money to pay for my outstanding fees. Argh...the loop just go on and on. Lately, I even feel ashamed to go out with my best friends, which by the way, have a great career in their life. One even manage to bought himself a house after three years of working. How''s that for a commitment? Being depressed has become my daily routine. All I can do to escape it is watching countless hours of video on YouTube or playing games on my phone or... reading some novels. More than often, suicidal thoughts would cross my mind. I would be thinking if I should just die if I really have no purpose in life. There are times that I would almost slash my wrist, but I can''t do it, because I want to live. Once, I even search on how to slash one''s wrist successfully. It turns out, the way they slash their wrist vertically and dip it in the tub of water, as they shown in tv, is considered as an act of a coward by those psychologists. They say, people who do that are afraid of pain and you won''t even really die. Apparently, the ''correct way'' is to slash horizontally, which, they say, guarantees an instant death. In my clouded mind, I almost do it. I even graze the outer skin of my wrist with a pen knife, horizontally, before I stop, thinking that... sigh. Nobody knows my suffering. Nobody seems to care. Feeling like a burden, to my sisters, I would some time wish... wish for the impossible. I want to live. But I don''t know how. ---------- "He seems to be the right candidate, sir." "He is, isn''t he?" "So, what do you want me to do, sir?" "LS03, wait for him. But, if he takes too long to get here... bring him in." "Bring him in? Sir, you mean..." "Yes." "But, sir..." "We have no other choice. The stars and planets alignment only happen once in a blue moon. If we miss it, we might have to wait for years. By that time, we have no idea how many survivors are there. I rather sacrifice one man, than let the rest suffer." "I understand, sir." "He is in his weakest spot now. You should know what to do, LS03." "Yes, sir. I''ll do my best." ---------- "Lets just sleep. Tomorrow will be better. Maybe." This is the last thing in my mind before I fall asleep. I never know that I will be facing a different tomorrow. A much different tomorrow. 2 Love System: Introduction "Welcome, host." Jae blink his eyes, unable to get custom to the bright light in front of him. When his sight become clear, he finally realized he is not in his room anymore. In fact, he is not even lying down. He was standing upright, in the middle of a large white room of... nothing. "What the...?" "Welcome, host." The same voice that arouse him from his sleep greet him again. "What... Who are you? Where..." He turns around in confusion, trying to find the source of the voice. But, everywhere he turn, only endless seas of white blank greet him. "I''m inside your mind, host. Allow me to introduce myself. I''m LS03, the system manager that have been assign to you. I''m looking forward to work with you, host." "Wait a minute. What do you mean by system?" ---------- Where the hell am I? Is this a dream? "No, host. This is not a dream." "You can read my thoughts?" "I am residing in your mind, host. So, I do know what you are thinking. But, for privacy purpose you can turn off the mind reading capabilities at will." "Okay... I''m turning it off." "As you wish, host." Hello.. Hello... Great, no response. So, let just rewind and think. A system? What does that mean? If this isn''t a dream then... where the check am I? "Erm... What''s your name again?" I need to get some answer and I think it''s best to just directly ask him... her... It. "My name is LS03, host. You can call me Zero Three." "Okay... Zero Three... You are saying that I''m not dreaming, correct?" "Yes, host." "Then, can you explain to me where am I and what are you?" "Right now you are residing in the system space, host. It looks empty because you haven''t been assign to anything and you aren''t able to purchase anything yet. As for me, I''m the system manager and I will be guiding you to get through the system." "What is this... system that you''re talking about?" To be honest, I do have some clues to what is this... thing talking about. I''ve read a fair share of time traveling and system attachment- mission storyline during my free time. But, those are fictions, right? "I''m sorry, host, for not explaining further. The system is name Love System, where we give help to loveless individuals from all around the different parallel world to escape their unsightly destinies. And you, host, have been chosen for this." "Why me?" "Well, the system observed individuals that have potential, unearthed potential. And we found out that you are suitable enough for this task." This is such an elaborate dream. Fine, I''ll just play along with this dream. It has been a while since I have an interesting dream. Cool, this maybe my chance to write something new. But, does the market still have any spot for this kind of story? After all, there are quite a lot of this type of story already exist in the market. Well, I''ll think about it later. "Okay, so what should I do know?" ---------- Now, it was the system manager''s turn to be left dumbfounded. LS03 was silent for quite some time, thinking that the new host is taking this a bit too... easy. Does he really think he is still dreaming? The host, on the other hand, are starting to sit and lay on his back on the white floor, getting comfortable, with eyes shut. The manager was actually contemplating with what happen, upon seeing how this easy going young man act, when the host ask again. "Hello? Are you there? What''s wrong?" Jae was puzzled with the sudden silent. He was, after all, getting hype up to explore his ''dream''. "Ehem, nothing. Before we start, let me explain to you a bit more." The young man nod his head blankly, preparing to listen. "By agreeing to be the host of the Love System, you will be bind to a contract. You will have to help 10 individuals to change theirpre-written destinies, in any way you could, as your mission. You will be given a thousand points for every mission completed and there will be some side task as well to help you gain more points. Are with me till here, host?" The system asked as the host went silent. "Hmm... I get the gist of it. But, what are the points for?" "You can purchase skill or talent, some special item to help you clear your mission and of course, some furniture to fill this space." Jae open up his eyes and turn his head around to his side and upon seeing the empty white space that surrounds him, he starting to feel overwhelmed. Facing upward, he closed his eyes again, before asking another question. "If I choose to reject the system?" "If you reject it... we will have to send you back to... hell." "WHAT?" Startled with the answer, Jae''s open up his eyes and sit upright. "What do you mean by hell?!" "Ehem.... host, don''t you know that you have to die first before you can be accepted as the host? We have to send you to hell because... you die by suicide." ---------- DIE? Suicide? I''m dead? And I kill myself? But, how? No, no, no. This is just a dream. Just a dream. "No, host. This is not a dream. You... died, a while ago." "Hey, I thought you can''t hear my thoughts. And what do you mean by me being dead? I''m still alive. This is just a dream." "You are saying it out loud, host. Erm... let me show you." All of a sudden a collection of images starts to flash in my mind. I''m seeing myself in it, like I''m watching a movie. I watch myself sleeping on my bed. That''s right, I''m sleeping on my bed. Then, another image occurs. The kitchen. My kitchen. The knob on the gas top is turn on, but no fire on the stove. It struck me hard, did I forgot to switch off the gas? "No, host. You didn''t forgot. You... tried to killed yourself, again." I didn''t realize I''m speaking out loud again. I start to remember everything. I was feeling down that day. The project that has pick my name suddenly cancel on me. I was feeling so devastated that for the nth of time, suicidal thoughts cross my mind, again. In my hazy mind, I remember playing at the stove, turning on the gas. But, that was for boiling the water for my ramen. Which I didn''t cook because I was out of it! "You... This is wrong. I don''t kill myself. It must be an accident. I''m not..." I stop myself when I realized one thing. "I''m really dead, am I?" "Yes, host." We both when silent as I lay back on the floor. I still need some time or this information sink through when the... system, speak again. "Host, we don''t have much time now. I need your answer, do you agree to accept the system?" "What''s the rush, Zero Three?" "The alignment of timelines to the other world will open in the next few second. If I fail to send you there, the individual that you suppose to help will suffer his demise." "Fine, I accept it." Well, I''m no longer alive right? Perhaps, I can help others and redeem myself. A blinding light consume me with a sharp pain burst through my gut. 3 First Love: Mo Xue 1 "It hurts!" "I''m sorry, host. But... It will get better in time." I doubt it. I slowly open up my eyes and saw an elaborate bed canopy greeting me. A dark green brocade with gold threads decorating it, creating a majestic image. But somehow, it carries a hint of gloominess. Sitting up slowly, I can feel my whole body is aching. Looking down at myself, I can see that I''m wearing a single layer sleeping wear. A pale pink silk sleeping wear, the one that I once saw in some tv dramas. Shit... I''m in... Horrified with the thought that cross my mind, I hurriedly turn my gaze around. A large room, filled with lavish furniture, made out of expensive wood, with wall decoration made out of expensive looking silk and brocade, all in dark and gloomy colour, and some sculptures made out of jade and other materials are proudly place in each corner. "Zero Three... don''t tell me... that I''m now in Accient China?" "Yes, host. Right now you are occupying the body of Jun Jae Hee, the Consort of the Tian Mo Kingdom fourth prince, Prince Mo Xue." Oh my god! This whole thing is real? I''m not dreaming. It''s real. Playing my hand on the bed cover, I can feel how soft it is. It''s... real. But wait... "What do you mean by a Consort to a prince? I''m a guy. How can...?" "Host, we have been taking note on you and... we have found out that you are... bent. So..." I mentally facepalmed myself. Yes, I''m bent. A bottom to be exact. But... "I get it... but, we are in Ancient China for God sake. Does homosexuality exist here? And... to no less, a prince? Doesn''t the royalty care whether the marriage will bring them offspring or something?" "Host, I think it''s time for you to receive Jun Jae Hee''s memories." ---------- The host was brought to a parallel world, where the human race don''t only have man and woman as genders. In this world, they have something that is call gers. A ger is a man, that is capable to borne a child, making them quite special. A ger also boast to be much more delicate and talented than normal woman, making many of the men desired to be with them and many women despise them. However, right at that moment, the gers are very sparse as many would exploit them for their own purposes. Jun Jae Hee is the Consort of Tian Mo Kingdom fourth prince, Prince Mo Xue. Their marriage is an alliance and was arranged by Jae Hee''s father, the King of Silla, as a peace offering. Living sheltered and pampered as the only ger in the royal family, Jae Hee was actually quite afraid when he found out about the news. He was nervous to venture out to an unknown place, leaving his family and all he knows dear. However, he understands, this is a sacrifice that he have to make, for his kingdom. He have heard how the prince have accepted the alliance willingly, thus he too had hoped, that the prince will accept him whole heartedly. Who would have known, he would only land his gaze once on his handsome prince, on their wedding day, before he died, on his untimely death. Being a prince, Mo Xue has a harem full of woman. It''s not that he is a player, as most of the women are the offering from the officers that wants his favour. Mo Xue has accepted them all, without them knowing that never once has the prince ever visited their daughters. The women in the harem have no real status, as they are not officially married to the royal family, despite their fathers being a high ranking officer. Spending their day harping their nails and fight to get the prince attention, these women were thrown into shock, when they heard the news of the prince royal marriage. On the first week upon Jae Hee''s arrival, he have suffered multiple humiliation and sneak attacks. All this is possible as the prince was suddenly being call away to the border due to some issues. The women in the harem have gang up and decided to make a mess out of the newcomer, ensuring that Jae Hee would never dare to compete with them later. The final straw was when one of the concubine''s maid accidentally slip in too many wolf''s bane inside the Consort''s porridge and kill him by accident. "So, Jae Hee is dead?" "Yes, host. He died. He was sick for a while after one of the concubine trip him at garden''s lake. The porridge was also spike by them, but they were actually planning to put blue cohort, not wolf''s bane. The maid who done the deed misplace the herb at first place and make the mistake." Jae, now Jae Hee, sat in silence, as he remember the past life of the original Jae Hee. He shivers in disgust over the act of those shameless concubines. He knows what herbs like cohort and wolf''s bane do. He have read enough novel to understand the train of thoughts of these type of jealous beings. "Zero Three, can you check, how many cohort or wolf''s bane in my system right now?" "Just a moment, host... I''ve check your body. There are still a tiny portion of both drug in your system, but I can flush them all out at this moment. Would you like me to do so, host?" "If you don''t, will it affect me later?" "Not, really. Your body will naturally flush them out by itself, given that you no longer consume them." "Interesting..." The newly soul-changed Consort let out a small smile, planning his revenge. He might be a loser in his real life, but right now, he plans to make a different. "Oh yeah, what is my mission here, Zero Three?" The Consort is finally given a glimpse on his target''s future. The Prince. On the surface, the prince seems to be cold and silent man, a man without many words, and perceive as someone who have no interest in anything. He is also one of the many princes in the Kingdom, and he is one who don''t really care about the throne. Being cold as he was, he is the best assistant and confidant for the Crown Prince, Mo Tang, the second prince of the kingdom. Despite being borne from different mother, Mo Xue and Mo Tang have grow up together, away from the other princes. Fully supporting his elder brother, he can even move the mountains to ensure the Crown Prince place on the throne. However, after meeting with a certain woman, Jia Ru, everything changes. Princess Jia Ru seems like a wonderful woman, cheerful and a bit rebellious, easily captures the heart of the prince with her cute antic. Both of the princes. This has driven a wedge between these two princes and later, as Jia Ru being promoted as the Crown Princess candidate''s, Mo Xue is desperate to become the Crown Prince himself. He betrays his brother to get his love, without knowing that Jia Ru is actually a spy, and not a Princess from a foreign country as she first claim to be. Later... He is destined to fall from grace, being killed by his brother. Without the strong help from the fourth prince, the Crown Prince is helpless, making the kingdom falls, as Jia Ru the spy, makes her moves. "Your mission, host, is to prevent Mo Xue from falling in love with Jia Ru. As I said before, you can use any measure to complete the mission given. A thousand points will be given upon completion." "Okay, then. Anything for my prince." 4 First Love: Mo Xue 2 "Oh, by the way, host, a side mission has been unlocked. Make Mo Xue fall in love with you within 90 days or less. 500 points will be given upon completion." "Fall in love? What...?" Before the Consort can finish his trains of thought, a sudden commotion can be heard from outside the door. "We are very sorry, You Highness. The Consort has passed away due to our negligence." Jae Hee smirk inwardly, hearing the fake sob that belong to one of the concubines. Upon realizing that they are entering the chamber, he quickly lay down and pull the duvet up, covering his body. The door swung open and a handsome man enters, followed by a handful of sobbing concubines, dressed to the nines. The man have no particular expression when he eyed the pale ger that was laying on the bed. As soon as he detect no movement on his Consort, he has already planned, on the back of his head, on what to write to his Royal Father, explaining that the peace offering is dead. However, just before he turn away, he spied a flutter on his Consort''s eyelids. Jae Hee pretends to wake up, fluttering his eyelids as best as he can, doing what he have watch in some dramas back in his life, before opening his eyes. His gaze directly fall into the handsome man''s eyes, locking it in place, making him daze out, unable to think. All he can do is stare straight at those beautiful hazel eyes, drinking it all in. "Argh... A ghost!" The women that was ''mourning'' a certain Consort''s death just now are screaming in fright. Awaken from stupor, Jae Hee blinks a few times, before crunching his face a bit and let a tear fall out of his eyes. "Prince..." The chamber went silence with the sweet call from the pale ger. Even though his skin is pale due to sickness and his voice is a bit hoarse, his beautiful face can''t be hidden. The concubines starts to fume in anger when they realized the beautiful, porcelain like skin Consort is not dead. All of them are glaring at each other and turn their glare right back at the pale ger. "Call out for the physician." The handsome man approach the bed slowly before taking a seat at the edge. All this while, he keep his eyes on his Consort, noticing how the beautiful ger visibly scoot backward on the bed and keep glancing in fear towards the bunch of concubines that followed him before. "All of you were dismissed." Without even glancing back at the rest of them, the handsome man wave his hand, commanding them to leave the chamber. The women were furious, but they have to suffer their anger silently, obeying the prince''s order. As the women step out of the chamber with their maids, the Royal Physician enters with his assistant in tow. He bow his greeting toward the handsome man before approaching the bed. "Check on my Consort." "Yes, Your Highness." The handsome prince step out of the bed, letting the physician take his place. He notice how the beautiful ger follow his step, with tears brimming his eyes. The physician gently ask for his hand, laying it on a small cushion, taking the Consort''s pulse. A noticeable frown can be seen on the physician''s face after a moment. "What''s wrong?" ---------- He was taken by surprise, hearing himself asking with worries. He doesn''t know why but from the moment those bright blue eyes meet him, he feel a tug in his heart. He watch as the physician release his Consort wrist, and instructing his assistant to go and concoct a medicine, while he, take out his bags of needles, and prick into a few acupuncture spot on his Consort slim wrist. "Your Highness, may I speak to you in private?" He was watching the pale ger drift to sleep and didn''t realize the physician is in front of him. After clearing his throat, to clear the stifle in his heart, he motion with his hand for them to move to the far corner of his Consort''s chamber. "What is it that you want to say?" "Forgive me, Your Highness. It seems like your Consort have been poison." "WHAT?" A sudden rage cloud his mind upon hearing this. How dare they harmed what''s belong to him? "Yes, Your Highness. I found a small trace of cohort and wolf''s bane inside the Consort''s body system. However, you don''t have to worry, Your Highness. I have ask my assistant to concoct a medicine to flush away the drug. As long as the Consort doesn''t consume anymore of those drugs, he will be okay." "Thank you, I really appreciate it. Answer me this... I''ve heard about wolf''s bane being a poisonous substance, but what about this... cohort?" He was asking because he simply don''t know. He have studied his fair share of poison, but never once he heard about a poisonous drug called cohort. He notice how the physician frown a bit, glancing back at the beautiful sleeping Consort of his, making himself frown in unknown jealousy. "Cohort is used to... prevent pregnancy, Your Highness." ---------- "Host, why are you pretending to sleep?" "I''m doing my white lotus act. Just let me be. Can you found out what are they talking about?" Jae Hee just simply close his eyes, pretending to have fall asleep. His system report back on what are the Prince and the physician talking about, noting about the reaction of the Prince as well. "The Prince is acting weird this time, host." "Weird? How?" "In the original storyline, he simply have no particular response regarding your death. I mean, Jae Hee''s death. He would simply write a letter of explanation and have you buried. But... according to my analysis, right now, he was completed enrage and worried about you." "Isn''t it good? Then it will easier for me to capture his heart, right?" The system went silent over the logic of his host. "Oh yeah, does the Prince meet with Jia Ru yet?" "No, host. He will meet her in the next 30 days." "30 days? But... Argh!!!! I need to capture his heart in less. Shit! I thought you say I have 90 days to make him fall in love with me?" "In 90 days or less, host. Don''t worry, I will help you." "Fine! I''m going to sleep now! My whole body is aching! Let me know about the Prince later, when I wake up. I want to know what his interest are, his favourite food and hobbies, things like that, okay?" "I can tell you now, ho.." "Shh. I''m sleeping." Jae Hee slowly drift into sleep, this times its for real, not realizing, the Prince in question is towering above him, giving him an unknown look. 5 First Love: Mo Xue 3 The pale ger in front of him is his Consort that he willingly married to as a part of a peace treaty with the Kingdom of Silla. Apart from a mere glance on their wedding day, today was the first time he face his bride. He have never met a ger before, but he knows about their existence. During the past few decades, gers have declined in number and those who still lives was living in enough wealth and comfort due to their worth. In his understanding, the gers are a weak beings, need to be pampered and sheltered all the time. While he have no particular feeling about such events, he do hope for a partner that is willing to fight along side of him rather than being a complete white lotus. Such thoughts has cross his mind when he sees the ger for the first time. A beautiful yet frail being, must be someone that is snobby and demand to be pampered all the time. But right now... He wasn''t so sure. Seeing his newly wedded bride, all alone in the chamber, with no guard and maid beside him makes him question his knowledge. He stroll around the chamber, seeing some knick knack that his bride has bring from his kingdom, noticing how sparse it is, despite its high quality. "Reporting to Your Highness, Your Consort have received multiple humiliation and sneak attack from the concubines ever since he step into his courtyard after you leave. He remain oblivious at first, acknowledging all of them with a smile and regard his accident as his poor luck. However, after the incident at the lake, he finally realized that the concubines are plotting on him, this he tries to keep his distance. Despite being coop up inside his chamber after the incident, the women keep coming and even send their maids to taunt him in his room." After leaving his Consort''s chamber, he bring out his shadow guard, and ask him what have happen during his absence. The answer he got only flames up the rage inside his heart. "Have you found out who drugged him?" "Answering to Your Highness, it''s Concubine Yan''s maid. She have sent her maid to act as your Consort''s maid, instructing her to sabotage his meal and spied on him." The Prince visibly tremble in anger. He later found out that the traitorous maid have escape and now missing. "Where is his maid? Didn''t he bring anyone from his kingdom?" "Due to the marriage being a peace offering, only he is allowed to enter the kingdom. This is the rule that Your Majesty has drawn up. So... He comes here alone." "Shi, guard her well. This time, stop any advance from harming him. Keep looking for that maid. You know what to do. Er, San, come out." Inside the Prince''s study chamber, two shadow guard appears, a man and a woman, both in a black clothing, with a mask on their face, in a blink on an eye, crouching their greeting next to another black clothed man in front of the handsome man. "Er, I need you to be his maid from now on. Guide him and protect him by his side. Understand?" "Yes, Your Highness." "And San, go to the Kingdom of Silla. I want to know everything about my Consort''s life over there." "Right away, Your Highness." After getting their task, the shadow guards leave to complete it, leaving him alone to wallow about his feeling. He recalled back to the moment he gaze upon his Consort''s teary eyes. He can sense his fear. And he vows to eliminate it and replace it with continuous joy. ---------- "Ah... This is the best sleep I ever had." "Good morning, host. Please be ready. The Prince has send for you his shadow guard to act as your maid." "Eh?" I open up my eyes slowly, before groggily sit up. My body feels a bit sluggish and stiff. I may have been sleeping a tad longer than necessary. A moment later, the door open slowly, and a young girl, looks like in her early teen, cutely donning a pigtails on both of her head, step inside, carrying a large basin out of metal. "Oh, you have awaken, Consort Jae Hee. Please, let me help you clean up and change." As I watch her working her hardest to carry the seemingly heavy basin, I mentally ask my system about her. "Zero Three, is this the shadow guard that you mention about? She looks like a young girl that barely hit puberty." "It is her, host. She may look like that but according to my Intel, she is one of the most powerful shadow guards in the Prince hand. The Prince has also assign another shadow guard to guard you in secret and have sent another to Jae Hee''s previous kingdom, to gather information about him." "Interesting..." It seems like the Prince has start to take notice of me. This will make my job easier then. "Consort Jae Hee?" I snap out of my thought when the maid/ shadow guard wave her hand hand in my face. I blink in daze before focusing my eyes on her. Gathering my thought again, I start to assume my role... As a semi- white lotus ger. ---------- "Who are you? I''ve never seen you here before?" The Consort''s voice sound hoarse albeit its sweet melody. His eyes contain a trace of fear, scooting on his bed backwards, seemingly afraid with the newcomer. The shadow guard that have been assign to be the poor ger''s maid suddenly feel pity on him. Despite her heart have been train from the very beginning to ignore any feelings, she is after all a woman. She knows what have happen to the poor Consort and know that he will have a hard time to trust anybody. But, her master, the Prince, have assign her to the task. And the first step to complete it is to gain this poor soul''s trust. "Ah... My name Xiao Er, I''ve been assign to you, Consort Jae Hee, by the Prince." The shadow guard notice a small glint of hope linger at the corner of the Consort''s eyes as soon as he finish her word. "The Prince?" "Yes, Consort. He was worried about you. Are you feeling okay now? I''ll prepare your breakfast and your medicine after I help you change, Consort." The pale ger let out a small smile before grudgingly climb down the bed. The shadow guard slash maid, has prepare large basin of warm water on the small table near the bed. Walking wobbly to it, the pale ger stare blankly at the water, before turning back to her, who was waiting patiently by the basin. "Thank you, Xiao Er. But... I can change by myself. You can leave now." ---------- There''s no way in my life that I would let some stranger take a look at me. Thank God that the original soul feels the same as well. Based on my memory of him, Jae Hee wouldn''t let others see his body too, even since he was ten, right after they notice him to be a ger. "But, Consort, it''s my duty. If... if you don''t let me do it, the Prince will get mad at me." Eh... why does this maid getting all teared up? "She''s just pretending, host." Ahh... well... "Xiao Er, don''t cry. I''m just... not comfortable changing in front of others. Don''t worry, I won''t tell the Prince about it. Erm... how about this, you can go and prepare my breakfast now. I''m a bit hungry as I didn''t have my dinner last night. Can you do that?" The maid blink her eyes innocently before letting out a toothy grin. After excusing herself, she went out the chamber, but not before preparing me a set of change. If I didn''t know that she was a powerful shadow guard, I would probably take her as genuinely innocent teenager. Oh well, she is here to guard me after all. "So, Zero Three. Where can I take a bath?" 6 First Love: Mo Xue 4 Argh... there are no shower in here! Of course, back in the ancient world there are no showers. But they do have tubs to bath in right? "Host, it is currently snowing outside. They rarely take a bath during winter. You''ll be freezing to death." "Yes, I get it." I clean up as best as I could, with the warm water from the basin. I have to scourge Jae Hee''s memory to find out how they do it in this era. More importantly, how he do it when he is alive. Even if he was a stranger here in this kingdom, there will be a chance that he will be meeting others that know who he is and how he act. So, just to be save, I will have to act accordingly, and apply some changes, later, when necessary. "Ah... you look so beautiful, Consort! Here, your breakfast is ready, but it is still hot. May I do you hair while it cool down, Consort?" Right now I''m all dressed up with the garment that my new maid slash guard has prepared. It''s a long male dress with a belt tied in the middle, both in the colour of pale blue and pink. The colour look nice, even if it was a tad feminine to my taste. I let out a small smile and give the smiling maid a nod. Putting the tray on the table, she guide me to the vanity table. It was the first time I''m seeing myself in this new body. While it is breathtaking, with pale, porcelain smooth skin, a striking blue eyes pair with crescent shaped brows and lush ruby lips, it have no resemblance whatsoever with my original face, and thismakes me a bit regretful. All of the sudden, my thoughts flies to my life from the past. ---------- A handsome prince was standing at the door, just outside the chamber, watching a maid donning up his Consort''s hair. What intrigued him was the look on his Consort''s face, lonely and distance. All of a sudden, his heart clench in pain as he sees such expression. The Consort in question is thinking about his sisters and his friends back in his original life. He was wondering if any of them mourned his death when the maid excitedly claimed that he looks so beautiful with his new do. Jae Hee look up in the mirror, wanting to see it himself when he notice, on the reflection, the Prince that he need to entice is standing behind and is staring back at him. Startled by this, he briskly stands up and turn around, accidentally knocking the poor maid down. "Ah! Xiao Er, I''m sorry." A sudden chuckle, coming from the Prince''s mouth freezes all movement in the room. Noticing his act, he revert back to his normal facial expression and enters the chamber. "Consort, I''m glad you are awake. How are you feeling?" The maid have scrambled back on her feet and is standing a few step behind the Consort, bowing in respect. Blinking blankly, unknowingly creating a cute bunny image in a certain man''s heart, Jae Hee''s thought is running around, trying to find the best way to act in front of his husband, the Prince. "Your Highness," he starts with a bow, "Thank you for your attention. I''m well now." The chamber went silent for a while until a grumbling sound can be heard. The Consort''s face turns red after realizing he is the source of such sound. Pulling down his head, trying to hide his embarrassment, he fail to notice the warm smile on his husband''s face. "Come, my Consort. I''ll join you for breakfast." The Prince hold out his hand, making the Consort look up. Clearly dumbfounded with such event, the Prince step forward and grab a hold on his Consort''s right hand, albeit gently, before tugging him to the table. The piping hot breakfast has turn slightly warm by now, but, with steams that still lingers visibly above it, it looks much more appetizing. Especially towards a certain man that have fallen asleep without his dinner last night. Jae Hee is practically salivating upon seeing the bowl of congee, serve with fresh scallion and some fried shallot. There are also freshly fried yutiao and a bowl of warm soy tofu. He almost pounce at the table, until he finally realized, his hand is still within the Prince grasp. The handsome man let out a small chuckle, thinking how cute his newly wedded bride is acting. His heart is tickling as he saw the blush spread along his Consort''s cheeks. ThePrince then guide his bried to sit at the table before taking a seat beside him, but not before discreetly dismissing his shadow guard. "Let''s eat, my Consort." ---------- Waaa... What happen here? What am I doing? Did I just blush in front of the Prince? Why does my heart jumping around? Am I getting sick? Why it is so hot in here? Doesn''t the system say it''s winter now? "Host, you are staring for too long." Shit. I hastily blink and turn my gaze back to the table. I can see the Prince''s smile. Argh, he must thinks I''m nuts. Jae, focus. Now it''s time to eat. But... "Your Highness... my- my hand." I put my gaze on my hand, that was still in his grasp, unwilling to look at him again. A shiver run through my spine when his thumb brush the back of my hand, before releasing it. Pulling back my hand, I instantly take the spoon on the table and scoop a mouthful of congee. Ah, the taste is a pure bliss. I''m not sure what they put inside it, but it is scrumptious. "Host, aren''t you forgetting something? Someone?" Erk... Awkwardly, me, being on my third scoop of congee, have to let my hand hang up in the air, glancing at a certain man that was now watching me eat. Prompting his elbow on the table, he lean his head upon it and stare at me, with a smile. "Zero Three, why is the Prince smiling goofily like that? Didn''t you tell me he is cold hearted?" "..." "What''s wrong, my Consort? Is the meal not to your satisfaction? This Prince can ask the maid to replace it." I didn''t realize I''m staring, again. Since my system is not responding, I need to handle him by myself. Sensing that the Prince is getting up, I stop him by reflect, taking a hold on his sleeve. His gaze falls on my hand, before turning it to me, as I hastily remove my hand from him. "I... erm... you- ah, have... have you eaten, Your Highness? I only have... this... this one serving. Should I... Should I call for more?" Argh.... Why am I stuttering like an idiot? ---------- The Prince silently enjoy the pink blush that starts to taint his bride pale cheeks. He is having a hard time controlling himself from brushing his fingers upon it. He turn his eyes toward the pale ger ruby lips, adoring every sentence that come out from it, without hearing anything. At the same time, in our soul-changed Consort''s head, an announcement suddenly pop. [Side mission, task one: Share breakfast with the Prince. 20 points. Bonus task: Spoon fed the Prince. Extra 10 points.] 7 First Love: Mo Xue 5 The Prince silently watching his bride fidgeting, stuttering on his words. Without notice, the spoon that was in his bride''s hand, appear in front of him. "Pl-please, have some, Your Highness." Chuckling inwardly over his bride shy act, the Prince grasp his wrist, stabilizing his shaking arm before eating the congee. The Consort, feeling shy and embarrassed, was watching from behind his eyelashes, as he bow down, chin touching chest. He gasp silently as his hand was captured by the Prince. "Can I have some more?" The Prince''s voice sounded low in his ears, bringing an unknown shiver to the Consort''s spine. The latter give out a small nod, before scooping another spoon of congee, blowing it a bit to cool it down. Focusing too hard on his task, he failed to notice that the Prince has scoot closer to him, rounding his arm on his waist, not touching, but almost. "Ahhhhh..." Startled, after realizing that the Prince is so close, the Consort accidentally spill the content of his spoon on the Prince''s robe. Fearing for his life, the bride panic and fall from his seat, bringing pain on his behind as the floor come in contact with his tail bone. ---------- "Oy... it hurts." "Congratulation, host. You have completed your given task." All of the sudden, I can sense something is flashing in my mind. [Side mission, task one: Completed. Total points gained: 30 points. Total points needed to unlock new world: 1000 points. Points collection: 30/1000 points] "What does is mean by..." "Please focus, host. The Prince is till here." Ah... I forgot. Turning my gaze up at him, I found him staring at me. Shit... did I just make him angry? There''s is a slightly visible stain on his robe. Oh my God! What should I do? Ignoring my pained behind, I scramble to kneel in front of him. This is what they do when they want to apologize in the ancient world, right? Argh... He is the Prince. Would I be beheaded for this? "I''m... I''m so-.. I beg your pardon, Your Highness. It''s my mistake for staining your robe. It wasn''t my intention. Please... forgive me." "Host, what are you doing?" "Shh... Can''t you tell, I''m begging for my life." "But..." "Shh..." Keeping my head down and hushing Zero Three in my mind, I wait for the Prince to respond. The silent was eerie, deafening me. Why didn''t he say anything? Did I really anger him that much? It''s just a small stain right? Surely, it can be clean easily. But... it''s... The royal robe... I mean... a royal''s wearing it. Argh... I wouldn''t dare to look up, so all I can do is wait. And wait... Until, a pair of black boots show up in front of me. ---------- He look so afraid. Does he wary about me that much? Such thoughts come running through a certain Prince''s mind. He slowly stand and approach his bride, that is by now bowing low and shivering in fright. He lower his body and captured his bride''s chin, lifting his face up. Upon kneeling in front of his Consort, he impulsively drop a chaste kiss on the latter''s lips. The Prince watch in amusement as his bride widen his eyes, shocked with the sudden kiss. Seeing the latter''s parted lips, he dive in again, this time giving his bride a full fledged kiss. He holds his bride''s nape, making sure he have no where to go, as he gently swipe his tongue inside his bride''s warm cavity. His tongue explore further, finding and massaging the other''s, making his Consort unconsciously moans, while his eyelids flutter and closed. The Consort was too stunned with this act and have no time to respond. All this time his mind are blank, as if, he was drowning in bliss. He didn''t even realized that his husband, the Prince, has lay him on his back, on the floor, all while kissing him senseless. Small mumbled moans keep escaping from the Consort''s lips, making the Prince excited and aroused. Slowly, he diverted his attention to his bride''s pale neck, kissing and sucking it, leaving ample of pinkish marks. Cloudy with desires, the Consort grab the lapel of his husband''s robe, trying to contain his pleasure while enjoying it. It was, his first time feeling this, both for the Consort and the host. "Ahhhhh!" A shout from a certain maid, that belongs to a certain concubine wakes them both. The Consort, embarrassed and in fright, unknowingly push the Prince away and tries to hide his disheveled conditions. "What are you doing here?" The cold tone of the Prince brings shiver to those whose presents in the chamber. The Prince is already standing up, and swiftly step in front of his Consort, hiding him from the newcomers. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness. I''ve tried to stop Concubine Ning but she... insist." The Prince throw a look at his hidden guard that he had sent to be his newly wedded Consort maid. He understands what may have happen, as Xiao Er signal to him about the other guards that trail behind a certain concubine. "I ask a question, Concubine Ning. What are you doing in my Consort''s chamber?" While the concubine in question is still afraid with the Prince sudden anger, she is showing her anger as well. Tightly crunching on her shawl, she eyed in disgust towards the pale ger that was now hiding behind the Prince, making her missed the man''s question. "My Lady want to visit Consort Jae Hee, Your Highness." The witty maid by the Concubine Ning side step in, seeing that her master is close in jealousy. "Look, Your Highness, My Lady have prepared a bowl of bird nest porridge for the Consort. Here, let me serve it, Your Highness. The porridge is best eaten while it''s still hot." The babbling maid nudge her master as she said her piece, making the concubine divert her focus back towards the Prince. Acting like a green tea b*tch, the concubine tries to flirt with His Highness. She was, after all, having a rare time in her life, seeing the Prince up close. The Prince felt a small dainty hand, clutching his robe behind him. With a quick glance, he saw his bride is shivering, with his gaze that keep staring on the newcomers, especially on the maid, flashing his fears. "Put it on the table and leave. This Prince is having a morning meal and do not wish to be disturb." "But, Your Highness..." The maid begin, "My Lady has..." "Xiao Er," the Prince cuts the maid, "spread the word." "Yes, Your Highness." With that, the concubine and her maid was thrown out of the chamber and after the door was closed, the Prince turns toward his bride, slowly engulfing him in his embrace. He runs his hands on the small of his bride''s back, calming the shivering ger. After knowing that his bride are no longer in the state of fear, he drop a sentence to the latter''s ear, making his lovely Consort shivers again. "Now, can we continue?" 8 First Love: Mo Xue 6 Shit... He kissed me, and I kissed him back? This is my first time. And... it feels good. "Host, Concubine Ning and her entourage is coming." "Who?" "The one who trip you into the icy lake." "Oh... let''s have some fun shall we?" Even after knowing that someone is coming, I let myself be kissed by him. I mean, why not... it''s too good. Smirk. "Ahhhhh!" Here it goes. I push the Prince back, pretending to be scared as I turn my back, tidying my clothes. I was this close to laugh, thinking about how the concubine might have look when she saw our intimate moments. Ahhhhh... I can''t stop myself from smiling when remembering it. Wait... Zero Three said that they are the one that was responsible in sending me... I mean the original Jae Hee into the lake? Ugh... I can sense my body shivering thinking that this body had been submerged into the cold icy lake. Concubine Ning, huh? It''s payback time. [Side mission, task two: Eat the poisoned porridge by Concubine Ning. 50 points. Bonus task: Eat it in front of the Prince. Extra 10 points.] "What??? Why do I have to eat it? Do you want me to die?" "All the task given is to help you with the side mission, host. You can refuse, if you want. But let me remind you, host, the more points you have, the better." ---------- Jae Hee keep hiding behind the Prince and unconsciously hold on to his robe when Concubine Ning''s maid put the bowl of porridge on the table. Knowing that the bowl contain poison and he have to eat it to gain points for his mission, he trembled slightly, keeping a wary eye towards the maid. This was what happen at the moment the Prince turn his gaze back. The Prince have notice his Consort''s fear and understandingly send them away. He tries to comfort his bride, by offering him a hug, before lighten up the atmosphere, by whispering his desire. The Prince keep thinking how cute and bunny-like his newly wedded bride is, when the latter shivers in anticipation. Dropping a light bite on his Consort''s lobe, he make his way to the latter''s pale neck, filling it with more pinkish spots. "Ahhhhnn..." Light moans escape from the Consort''s lips, making him forgot his task. Clutching tightly onto his Prince, he move his head further, giving his husband more space to work with. Tok tok. "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has summoned you." The Consort turn stiff within the Prince embrace, as he heard that. The Prince on the other hand, let out a low growl, unsatisfied. Lowering his head on his Consort''s shoulder, the Prince tries to steady himself, before dropping a peck on the latter''s cheek. "I''ll be back later, my dear. Then, we will continue. I would expect that you''ll be ready for me." Leaving the Consort''s chamber, the Prince unknowingly grin all the way to the Crown Prince''s abode, thinking about how delicious his bride''s pinkish cheeks looks like. He can''t wait to taste it tonight. ---------- He want to continue tonight? And he expects me to be ready? Shit... is he...going to... "Argh!!! Zero Three, what should I do? He wants to... to..." "He want to consummate your marriage, host." "He... He... But... I... I don''t... I..." "Calm down, host. Let just take it as a part of your mission." Just a part of my mission? I''m a freaking virgin! I never... I don''t even have any experience with... this. That kiss just now was my first kiss too. Now, I will have to sacrifice my virginity to a stranger? But... He is not a stranger, right? He''s... my husband. No... he''s Jae Hee''s husband. Not mine. But... I''m Jae Hee now. So... Argh.... I''m confused! "Consort? Consort Jae Hee? Are you okay? What are you doing down here?" Awaken from my stupor, I look up at Xiao Er, which was doing her best to pull me up from the floor. Eh, when did I fall down? Getting dizzy with what have already happen, I let her sit me on the table. "Consort, you haven''t eaten much? Would you like something else?" I blink over her concern. How can I eat when your master is having a feast, on me! Then I remember, I still need to eat that poisonous porridge. Even if the Prince is not here, the main task is to eat it. Well... "I will eat a bit more. Xiao Er, can you pass me that porridge? I want to taste the bird nest porridge. I never had one in my life." Which is true, both me and the original Jae Hee have not eaten any bird nest porridge in our life. At least, that is what I get from his memories. I can sense my maid stiffen with my request. She seems hesitant to serve me the porridge that Concubine Ning brings to me, does she know something? "No, host. She doesn''t know. But her experience as a shadow guard tells her that something might be wrong." "Ah... Eh, I thought you can''t hear what I''m thinking? Didn''t I turn that mind reading function off?" "... you are too easy to read, host. At least for me." "..." Hmm... so what can I do to eat that porridge? If this maid is as good as my system says, she would surely prevent me from eating it. "How about I cook you another bowl, Consort? This bowl have turn a bit cold. It''s not nice eating cold porridge, especially since your body is not well, Consort." See... "Zero Three, where is the other shadow guard?" "He is outside, host." "Can he see what is happening inside here?" "No, host. The Prince specifically said not to gaze on you when you''re inside and alone." Hmm, is he jealous much with his own guard? Well, this will do. Thanks, my Prince. I turn my gaze back at my awaiting maid. "Ah, it''s okay then. I''ll just eat this yutiao. Can you fetch me my hanky from the drawer?" The moment she turn, I instantly scoop a spoonful of that porridge, and directly pull it to my own bowl, mixing it with my congee. I pretend to eat it, making sure Xiao Er get to me first, before scooping the mixture into my mouth. I''m sorry, Xiao Er, but I need a witness. ---------- The poison acts a bit slower than our soul-changed Consort thought, even after finishing his own breakfast, he feel nothing. It wasn''t until he drink his medicine that the poison starts to react. He vomited a mouthful of blood, before collapse on the table, alerting both the maid and the other shadow guard in hiding. Shi, the hidden guard, directly fly to the Crown Prince''s abode, crashing the meeting between the fourth prince and his brother. Both princes were shock at his act, but he swiftly approach his master and tell him what have happen. A visible trace of anger flash through the Prince''s eyes as he listen to what happen. The Prince quickly stand up, giving his elder brother a salutation of farewell before using his own air kungfu to flew back towards his home. Shi vaguely explain to the Crown Prince that something have happen back at home and send notice towards the steward that follow the fourth prince, that their master has gone home. ---------- Aghh... it hurts. My whole body feels like it''s burning. "Congratulations, host. The second task have been completed." "Shut up! I''m dying here and all you can think of is the task?!" [Side mission, task two: Completed. Total points gained: 50 points. Total points needed to unlock new world: 1000 points. Points collection: 80/1000 points.] 9 First Love: Mo Xue 7 It hurts. It''s really hurt. Even when my outer body has fainted, my inner conscious is rolling in pain as I''m being transported back to the system''s space. Right now, I''m rolling on the white floor, trying to contain the burning that have developed within my body. But... No matter what I do, the pain doesn''t lessen by any measure. "Zero Three, is there any medication for this in the system?" "Yes, host. But it will cost you 300 points." Shit. I don''t have that many points. "Anything lesser that can help me?" "The system have painkillers, in different degrees. It will not cure the poison, but it can lessen or eliminate the pain. The price varies from 50 points to 500 points." "Give me the cheapest one." "Yes, host." [Purchase complete. 1x pill of painkiller (Grade 1) Points deducted: 50 points. Points collection: 30/1000 points.] A blue pill directly appears in my palm. Without further ado, I swiftly swallow it dry, pushing it at the back of my throat and I wait. "Zero Three, the pill is not working." I grumble after waiting for almost half an hour. "The pill is working fine, host. First grade pill only elevate 10% of the pain. The higher the grade, the better it''s effect." Argh! Did I just waste my hard earn points on something that didn''t even work? You know what, from now on I will take on all the task given. Who knows what other things that I need to buy in the future. ---------- While our soul-changed Consort is still rolling in pain inside his system space, his outer body is being treated by the royal physician, the same one that was called to treat him before. He is sweating, with frowns on his forehead, as he apply acupuncture on the pale ger''s body. The Consort''s husband, the Prince and his maid is waiting silently, with worries streak on their face, waiting for the physician to finish. "Xu Tao, go and concoct this mixture. Go now." The physician''s assistant was out in seconds after getting his command. The physician turn his attention towards the maid and started his question. "He was supposed to be okay, how can more poison get into his system? This time it reacts badly with the medicine that I have prescribed." The Prince was visibly shock and turn toward the maid, the shadow guard in disguise. The maid throw out a confused look. "Master Xu, I have personally prepare his breakfast and medicine. Here, the bowls from his breakfast are still here on the table. Please check." The physician pull out a bag of small silver balls for his robe and approach the table, with the Prince and the maid in tow. He pour a small amount of tea in the soy milk bowl, the yutiao plate and the congee bowl, even the bowl of medicine, swirling it around before dropping a few silver balls in each of them. There are no reaction on the balls, making the maid let out her breath. However, the physician notice the spoon on the side and proceed to check it like he had with the bowls. The silver balls finally give a reaction. Its colour had changed slightly, indicating that the poison exist, on the spoon, the one that the Consort had used for breakfast. "How can that be?" "The proof is here! You still want to deny it? Insolent maid!" The maid gasp in surprise as she heard the physician''s words and directly kneel in front of her master. "Your Highness, this is not my doings. I hope you can shed light on this." The physician threw a dirty look towards the maid. He was thinking that if this maid is able to poison her own master, there is no use for her to be kept alive. The Prince give out a faraway look, before he turn his attention toward the physician. "Master Xu, this morning, this Prince share the same spoon with My Consort. We eat from the same bowl, using the same spoon. As you can see, this Prince is in great health. Plus, why only on the spoon the poison makes its appearance and not on the bowl itself?" Master Xu was dumbfounded with this and turn back towards the table again. He observe the table once more, asking himself the very same question that the Prince have asked before, but failed in getting answers. While thinking, he spy with his eyes, a food tray that is covered with a pink food cover, located on the side table. He approach the table and open up the cover. "What''s this?" The maid look up and follow the physician''s eyes. Her gaze land on the tray that she set aside from this morning. "That is bird nest porridge that was sent by Concubine Ning." The Prince''s gaze slightly change. "Did My Consort eat it?" "No, Your Highness. I prevent him from eating eat. But, he did say that he wish to taste it, as he never eaten it before." "Your Highness!" The Prince and the maid turn there attention toward the physician, as he gasp in surprise. "The poison is in this bowl! Look! Even the dose is much higher!" ---------- I instantly open up my eyes, upon sensing thatthe pain have dispersed from my body. I have no idea how long I''ve been out. I tried to sit up, but something prevent me from doing so. An arm. An arm on my chest, snaking it''s way to my waist and pulling me. I turn my head to my right, and I saw him. The Prince. Sleeping next to me. "Zero Three, what have happen when I was out?" My system proceed to tell me everything, including how they found the trace of poison inside the bowl of bird nest congee. "The Prince has apprehend Concubine Ning. Now, she and her maid is being detain inside the house prison. The Prince tries to keep this at bay but somebody from the concubine side will leak it to her family. You have to be careful, host. They might send someone to attack you again." "Hmm, thank you for your reminder. But, what is this man doing here?" "The Prince was worried about you, host. After the doctor treat you, the Prince personally feed you your medicine." I lightly ghost trace the facial features of the man by my side. This is my first time come in such close contact with anyone. Who would have known, that I have the luck to be in a relationship with someone as handsome as this. Or at least, Jae Hee is. Sigh, am I lucky to be dead and to be sent here? I''m here for a purpose, to complete my mission. and my mission is to save you, my prince. "Zero Three, does he do this because he love me?" "No, host. Right now the Prince is merely infatuated with you. His feeling is not strong enough to be considered as love." Hah! Not loving me but still want to bedded me? You wish, mister. Getting angry with such thought, I use my remaining strength to push his arm away and sit up. He sleeps on my right, blocking my exit as I''m now at the inner side of the bed. As I was thinking on how to get down from bed, my act of pushing him has startled him awake. I failed to notice his light smile until he sit up and faces me. "My dear, you''re awake? How are you feeling? Is your body feeling okay?" He gently ask me, while brushing my hair with his large hand. I keep my gaze on him, slowly drowning in the depth of his eyes. I can feel my heart jumping around in my rib cage, as he hold his gaze, waiting patiently for my answer. Shit! I''m falling for him! 10 First Love: Mo Xue 8 The ambiguity of the night is broken with the loud growl of a certain Consort''s stomach. Well, he can''t be blame as he has fainted and fall to sleep these passed couple of days without any decent meal in between. Obviously, he would get hungry. "Ah, this Prince should have guess so. Xiao Er!" The Prince called out for the maid, while entertaining himself by watching the crimson taint that have started to spread over his bride pale cheeks. He give out commands to serve the meal, before taking hold of his bride''s hand, guiding him out of the bed. Jae Hee, feeling embarrassed for the nth time, followed his husband meekly, while covering his flushed cheek with his free hand. Upon seating over at the table, he was made aware by how close the Prince is, making his body rigid under an unknown pressure. The chamber went silent once again, with the Consort being shy and stiff on his seat, fidgeting his fingers nervously, while the Prince, with an arm on the table, holding his head, playing with his bride''s long luscious hair, with a small grin on his face. Tok tok. "Your Highness, the food is ready." Jae Hee pull up from his reverie and his attention fall directly on trays of food that was presented before him. Xiao Er come with few other maids and start to serve multiple plates of mouth watering dishes. The Consort''s eyes gleam in excitement, making the Prince chuckle unconsciously. The maids turn their head around, seemingly shock with their master sudden act. Never once in their life heard their master''s act of happiness, not once, alone or with others. Especially not within the distance of any other concubine in his harem. But now, they are witnessing it first hand, the stoic, cold faced prince is expressing his happiness towards his bride, even if the Consort is quite oblivious to it. Now they understand, this Consort can''t be slighted. ---------- I''m hungry! And all this looks so delicious. Oh, wait. "Zero Three, can you check, if any of this dishes got poison on it?" Well, once bitten, twice shy. Call me paranoid but I don''t want to live that experience of being poison again! At least, not in the near future. "Don''t worry, host. All the dishes here are safe to eat. But, be careful. There are two dishes that the original body is allergic to." Ah, thank god for the warning. I rake my brain, try to remember which food that I''m... I mean Jae Hee is allergic to. Found it! Without waiting further, I grab hold of my chopsticks, awkwardly. I can''t really use chopsticks well, but... so does Jae Hee. He would always use spoon during his meal in his kingdom, which was the custom over there. Chopsticks are just use to transfer the meal to their eating bowl, not to eat with. Well, the scenario is perfect for me, getting all awkward and sloppy using chopsticks. I don''t care. I just want to eat. "My dear..." Ahhhhh! I forgot about the Prince! "Zero Three, why don''t you remind me of him?" "..." I slowly put my chopsticks down and turn to my right. He keep the same pose as before, with his head on his palm, eyeing me from my side. "You-r Highne-ss, I..." He slowly wipe the side of my lips with his fingers, before licking the remaining stain. I gulp watching him. How manly!!! Jae, stop ogling!!!! "Here, for you." He pull out a wooden rectangular box from his sleeve and give it to me. I always wonder, do the sleeve have some secret pocket or something? They always manage to keep things in it. Jae, focus! "What is it?" I found myself ask. I trace the outer surface, feeling the smooth design that was carve on it. A flower, five petal blossom take space at the center of the box with intricate leaves weaved around it. The box itself is beautiful. "Open it, my dear. The gift is inside, not the box itself." "It''s beautiful." [Hidden task, unlocked. Make the Prince happy of his achievements. 5 points. Number of times: 20 times.] "What..." [Hidden task: 1/20 completed. Total points gained: 5 points. Points collection: 35/1000 points.] "How?" I was dumbfounded with the sudden flashes inside my mind. I just got points for making the Prince happy? "The box is the Prince''s craftsmanship, host." Ah... Now I understand. I take a peek at my so called husband, finally understanding the hidden pleasure within his eyes. Without further ado, I open the box slowly, trying to decipher what''s inside. The item is hidden within the fold of a blue satin cloth with some red and green embroidery, depicting flowers and leaves, and was tied with a string. I carefully unravel it, and out were a long stainless steel spoon and a pair of stainless steel chopsticks, both with an exquisite detail on the handle. I recognize this. It''s the same type of spoon and chopsticks that Jae Hee use to have back in his kingdom. This type of utensil is a bit different with the one from this kingdom, which all of them are made from marble or porcelain. "Are you happy, my dear? Now you can have your meal comfortably." I turn towards him. He does this for me? I mean, for Jae Hee. Damn, now I''m being jealous of the dead Consort. "Shh, don''t cry. Come, let this Prince accompany you eat." I don''t even realized I''m crying until he brush his callous fingers on me. I don''t know what have come on me, but I take hold of his hand and drop a peck on the back of his palm. I come back to my sense when I watch his eyes widen in surprise. Argh!!! What have I done! ---------- "I''m sorry. Thank- thank you, Your Highness. I... Jae Hee will use it well." The Prince stop his bride hand that was trembling, as the latter take out the new set of utensils, to use. The Prince gently take hold of his chopsticks and serve his bride well, filling his bowl with dishes. The Consort went silent over this and decided to return the gesture. At first his hand still contain a slight tremor, mainly for being nervous. But as the night progress, they both starts enjoy each other company, eating to their heart content, sharing small exchange once in awhile, with a shy smile from the bride and a satisfied grin from the husband. However soon, the dinner come to an end. "My dear, here. You have to drink your medicine." Jae Hee frown upon seeing the blue porcelain bowl that contains the bitter liquid. Even if he collapsed this morning after taking it, he still remember the aftertaste. The soul-changed Consort really hate it! "My dear?" The bride threw out a pitiful look, sending hint that he don''t want to drink it. His hopeful look brings a tug in the Prince heartstrings. But even then, he knows that his bride still need to drink it. He keep the same features, making the Consort oblivious to his state of mind. Thinking that his plea was left unheard, he unconsciously sulk, turning his gaze downward. Seeing the lovely profile of his bride, the Prince inwardly sigh, making a decision. Without notice, the Prince gulp down the bowl, keeping the liquid inside his mouth, the bring up his bride''s face by the chin, transferring the liquid by his kiss. Taken aback by this, Jae Hee''s eyes widen in surprise, while his mouth readily accept the substance, as the bitter medicine flowing down his throat. The Prince didn''t break the kiss even after all the liquid had been fully transferred. He slip in his tongue, savouring his bride inner cavities, dancing it together in complete harmony. The Consort unknowingly respond with such measures, letting out a small mumbled moans, making those who listen, blushed furiously. Jae Hee seems to have forgotten about the remaining maid that''s still standing inside her chamber. With his eyes closed, drown in pure bliss, he was completely unaware of his surroundings. This fall into his husband''s hand. The Prince wave them all out, without breaking the kiss, as his eyes were eyeing his bride''s reaction. "Ah!" The kiss break at the same moment the bride feel himself in the air. Clutching his husband''s neck frantically, he realizes the Prince is carrying him, and they were moving, until the Prince stop and he feel his body is being lowered. "My dear..." ---------- [Side mission, task three: Make the Prince stay for the night. 10 points. Bonus task: (Pick one) 1. Having a light skinship with the Prince. Extra 50 points. 2. Having intercourse with the Prince. Extra 100 points.] What... 11 First Love: Mo Xue 9 "What do you mean by... those?" "You can choose between the two, host." I''m barely able to think this through as I keep my gaze on the Prince, that was now hovering on top of me. Am I ready for this? I... "My dear..." I can sense his need, bulging from behind his robe, as he pressed his body on top of mine. He dropped a peck on my nose, making me blink, nervously. "This Prince will serve his Consort well tonight. Will my dear agree to it?" I... I don''t know. All of a sudden, he captured my lips again, nibbling on my lower lip, tugging it open, before delving further. "Mhhhhnn..." Getting light headed, I didn''t realize my robe has been open, by him. I turn my head to the side, in need of oxygen, leaving him to openly devour my neck. "Ahhhhnn... Prin-ce" "Call me Xue Er, my dear." Shivers start to form on my spine, as he growl next to my ears, biting my lobe, before kissing and sucking on my neck, again. I can''t believe with what I''m hearing, as I heard myself moaning a mess, as his callous fingers play on my nipples. I... stop. This is too fast! I mentally berated myself, but my body betrays me. It''s like I''m trap within my conscious, begging for him to stop, but my body, knowing what it wants, openly left me immobile, responding to those sudden pleasure. ---------- The Prince uses his chi to blow up a few candles, creating a romantic atmosphere within the chamber. The few candles that still left, glowing softly, illuminating the ger''s pale skin as the Prince slowly take away layers and layers of his Consort''s robe. "Ahhhhnn..." The ger let out his sinful moans, as his husband starts to go down, trailing his kisses to his nipples. With one hand keep tweaking on one nub, the hot mouth of the Prince suck on the other, making the Consort arch his body in desire. "My dear, you are so beautiful." The Prince lift up his head from the swollen pink nub that is by now hard as a pebble. The Consort can only blush, embarrassed with such notion, with his head turn to the left, hiding his gaze from the Prince lusted one. The Prince starts to give his attention toward the other nub, sucking and biting it, making the Consort whimper in pain as he would sometimes bite a bit harsh and then moans wantonly, as he lick it back. The Prince hand trail downward, pulling the string of his bride''s pants, and push the cloth down, making his bride fully naked, albeit the single inner layer of his robe. "Ahhhhnn... no... mmnf" The Prince slowly trail the inner thigh of his bride, before brushing his finger along the latter''s length. The Consort struggle to keep his leg close, but his husband powerful thigh block his attempt to do so. Both of the Consort''s hand are now on top of his head, being held by the Prince, as he returns to devour his bride sweet lips. His hand are now pumping his bride''s length, slowly at first, before hastening the pace, bringing his bride to the cloud nine. "Ahhhhnn... mmhf... Prin-ce..." "Call out my name, my dear." "Please... Ahhhhnn... no... Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhh!" The Prince keeping milking his bride''s cum, sending him to the cloud nine. Still in his euphoric bliss, the ger was not aware that a single, cum coated finger has trail its way beyond his perinium, trimming on his outer hole. "Emmhf..." With a single push, the lone finger slide in, making the pale Consort tremble and whimper, in pain. That lone finger slide in and out ever so slowly, making sure the sweet hole is ready to accommodate the rest. "Ahhhhnn..." As soon as the Consort start to moan, again, the Prince slide in another finger, and another, gaining it pace, making the Consort moans in short breath. The Prince observed his bride reaction, seemingly eager to please him. "Ah! What... Ahhhhnn..." The Prince hasten his pace as fingers manage to hit a certain sweet spot inside his bride''s hole. The Consort squirm beneath him, his hand is now clutching on the Prince''s shoulder, grasping hard on his robe, trying to contain the overwhelming stimulation that he was experiencing for the first time. "Xue- Xue Er.... Ahhhhnn... please... I can''t... Ahhhhnn..." Being a ger, meaning, being a man that is able to conceive, the Consort''s hole is able to produce it''s own wetness. By now, his hole is drench, with both his cum and his own liquid, making a plopping sound as the Prince''s fingers thrust faster and deeper. The chamber was filled with the pale ger moans, almost like screaming, while the Prince is dedicated to whisper words of flatter towards him. "Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhh!" The ger came for the second time that night. Lying listless, he let out a small whimper as the Prince pull out his fingers, but that, doesn''t last long. "Ahhhhh!!!" ---------- It''s hurt! His is so big. I can feel it fills my hole, tearing it up. His three fingers are not enough to get me ready. I can''t even string a proper word as my mouth keep letting out those shameless moans. My eyes are barely open, as he ram his meat into me, roughly mind you. But... despite the initial pain, I''m craving for more. I watch as he towers above me, pistoning in and out, while his hand rushly tear his own robe, revealing a perfectly sculpted body. Damn, I''m drooling at this. Unconsciously, my hand starts to touch his abs, as he trail mine. While I''m admiring his six pack, he put his hand on top of my stomach, tracing the slight bump on it, belonging to his length. "My dear, love what you are seeing?" Without noticing, I give a small nod. My moans never cease, making the nod, the only way to respond. A slight smile ghost on his lips. He push both of my legs up, and crash himself on me, ravishing my lips yet again, swallowing both my moans and whimper, while thrusting harder. I claw his back every time his length meet my bundle of nerve, trying to ease the sensation. I may have left him with a scratch or two. "Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhnn... hmmf... Xue... Ahhhhnn" "My dear..." He growl low in my ear, as I tried to plead him to go slow. Soon after, he grunt a scream, as I feel warm liquid starts to evade my stomach. He slowly let go of my leg, still locking his length inside me, as he collapsed on top of me, embracing me. In daze return his gesture, unknowingly sob In his neck. "Shh... don''t cry, my dear. You have done well. Don''t cry." I don''t know why, but I start to cry harder upon hearing this. For the first time in my life I feel so love, even if I know the Prince doesn''t love me, yet. [Side mission, task three: Completed. Total points gained: 110 points. Total points needed to unlock new world: 1000 points. Points collection: 145/1000 points.] "Congratulations, host. You..." "Zero Three." I cut my system compulsory speech. "Yes, host." "Just let me sleep." As I said that, I''m slowly drift into a deep slumber, listening to his comforting words. 12 First Love: Mo Xue 10 "Good morning, host. It''s time to wake up." I slowly open up eyes, only to see the rising chest of a certain someone. I gaze up, looking onto the fine specimen in front of me. Damn, I''m falling hard for this Prince. I try to shake away this thoughts. I can''t. I can''t fall in love with him. His life is my mission and I will be leaving after saving him. He deserves better, better than me. I slowly push away from his embrace, pulling myself up. My whole body is aching and my back, is stinging. Argh... Damn this horny Prince. However, as soon as I tried to move away, his strong arm pull me back, making me fall on top of him. "Mmnf~" I accidentally whimper in pain, as my body was slightly twisted to the side. Pain shoot up from my lower back, making me temporarily immobile. "Hurt~" "Shh... I''m sorry, my dear." The Prince run his hand to my lower back, massaging my hip with his large, warm palm. Despite that, I still shiver upon meeting his palm on my naked skin. Since when did his hand got under my robe? "Does this make it better, my dear?" His husky morning voice sounded sexy to my ears. I can only nod in in his embrace as I can''t trust myself to sound normal with him. "This Prince is sorry about last night. Next time, I will do it slowly, my dear." ---------- The pale ger stiffen upon hearing the last sentence. Feeling shy over this, he buried his face deep into his husband''s chest, feeling the vibration of laughter bubble up of his husband. The soul-changed Consort have a mix feeling over this. Can he really let himself fall in love with the Prince, despite knowing he himself is not the genuine person. And the Prince, seemingly infatuated with him, is it him or the real Consort? But, the real Consort is already dead, without the Prince even knowing his true self. So, they were left with him, a young man from another world. A loud knock disrupt his train of thoughts. "Your Highness, it''s time for you to go to the palace." Jae Hee slowly pull away from the Prince''s embrace, as the Prince sits up. He wants to get out of the bed but the Prince push him down, covering him back with the duvet, urging him to sleep. The Prince wait for the Consort to sleep, playing with the latter''s hair, humming a song, making his bride fall back to sleep. The Prince drop a chaste kiss on his bride''s head, before wearing his robe loosely, walking out the chamber. His attendant is already waiting, carrying with him His Highness outer jacket. The Prince cast a glance toward the Consort''s closing door, as he let his attendant drape his coat over him, before they both leave. Back in the chamber, directly after the door is shut, the Consort eyes open up and stare brightly at the brocade canopy above him. ---------- "The Prince has left, host." I immediately open up my eyes, moving around a bit, still feeling a bit sore. "Zero Three, I''m heading back to the system''s space." "Yes, host." I gradually close my eyes again, slowly drifting out of my outer body and being transported back to the empty, stark white space. I keep laying down on the floor, since the ''activity'' last night have make me inconvenient to move around, at least for now. "Do you need painkillers, host?" "No need." I''m not going to waste anymore of my hard earn points on something like this. Plus, it''s not all pain, right. Smirk. I better save up on those points and only use it when in need. And... that remind of something. "Oh yea, Zero Three, why did you wake me up this early?" "Consort Ning''s family had known about her imprisonment, host. They have petitioned for the King, asking for a fair judgement. Minister Ning Zuo, her father, said that you have bewitched the Prince, making him do such things. The rest of the ministers, the one who have send their family members here are supporting him. They are petitioning to have your marriage annulled and for you to be punish as well." "Damn. It''s just the same, like in the drama. All this political scheme is disgusting. Why on earth would you send me here to be a Prince''s Consort when there are millions of other people out there?" "..." I almost scream in frustration as my system failed to respond. Shit, do I have to face this on my own? Well, even when I''m watching those period drama, I would skip all those political carp and goes directly to the relevan scene. So what can I do? "What do you want me to do?" "We will have to wait, host. Right now the Prince is already at the palace, he was planning on calling the physician, the one that had treated you before, as witness, stating that Concubine Ning is the one that try to harm you. Couple with your previous ailment, the Prince wants to eliminate the concubine all together." "Eliminate? As in... kill her?" "Yes, host." I shiver upon such thoughts. [Side mission, task four: Help the Prince to disperse his harem. 100 points. This is a long term task. Points will be given when it''s completed.] "How many woman inside the Prince''s harem?" "Fifteen, host." Fifteen?! How on earth can one man handle that many woman. Oh, wait. He never really together with them, right? But... fifteen? There from Jae Hee''s memory, all of those concubines are beautiful and voluptuous. There must be one that had attract his fancy. "Zero Three, among them all, who is the Prince''s favourite?" I ask, nonchalantly. But, to be honest, I fear the answer. "None, host. He have not been with any of those woman." Ha... I''m releasing my breath that I''m holding unconsciously. Right now, I have to take my head, trying to find ways to do my mission. First one to go, Concubine Ning. ---------- While on the outside, the Consort seems to be sleeping soundly, seemingly unaware of the in and out of some maids that have been ordered to prepare a hot bath by the Prince, in reality, the pale ger is plotting the demise of a certain concubine. Jae doesn''t really want to kill anybody but when he thinks how that particular concubine had tried to kill him, twice, he feel no guilt what so ever. He slowly open up eyes, a flash of viciousness streak on it for while, as he finally got a way, to ensure that Concubine Ning will be gone from the Prince''s harem. 13 First Love: Mo Xue 11 "Thank you, Xiao Er. I can wash by myself." When I finally awake, I found that Xiao Er had bring along some newly appointed maid, under the Prince''s order, to bring me to a hot bath. Feeling relief, to think that I finally got a chance to bath, I let her help me to the back of the chamber, where a large wooden tub of steaming hot water is hidden behind a large wooden screen is located. My body is still aching and my back is still a bit sore. That, couple with the existing illness that this original body already had, I feel totally lethargic and I was hopping that a hot bath can elevate that. Damn, the Prince really take me hard last night. "But, Consort, the Prince has ordered us to help you bath and then give you a massage." No, this won''t do! I don''t know why Jae Hee doesn''t want anyone to see his body, but for me, who in their right mind wants a woman to wash him, especially when you know you''re bent! In a sudden, a piece of memory flash in my mind. A ten year old Jae Hee, naked in a wooden tub, while his white porcelain skin is red, trembling in fear and... disgust. An elderly women, still beautiful despite her age, is washing him, brushing lower, lower on his back. The young Jae Hee cries in silence. What the? He was molested by that perverted maid since young. No wonder he refuse to have any maid serve him during bath. I can even feel his fear, as his memory starts to meld into mine. "Consort, what''s wrong? Are you sick? I will get the physician now." Xiao Er''s concerns wake me up from my stupor. I didn''t realize that I''m trembling, in fear. Jae Hee''s trauma seems to affect me too. "No! Xiao Er... I''m okay. Leave me, here. I''ll attend to myself." "But..." "Please... out. Now!" I assert a bit firmly at the last word, making her a bit shock. However, she accept my wish and lead the rest of the maid out. She left me on the side of the tub. Thank God for the wooden beam that serve as towel holder is next to me or else, I can''t even stand. I proceed to strip, and get into the large tub, by stepping on the stool. After submerging myself into the hot water, I can feel my aching body rejuvenated, making me lean on edge of the tub, closing my eyes, relaxing in content. "Host, have you thought about your new task?" ---------- Mo Xue, the fourth prince, is standing in silence, listening to the ministers in court, demanding the Emperor to annulled the marriage between him and his Consort. Despite the anger resound in all corners of the court, the Emperor ignores them, blatantly shifting his focus on his son. The Emperor inwardly smirk, as he notice how still his prince is. He knows his fourth son well, the more he kept his silence, the more deadly his course of act later is. However, even he wouldn''t know, that his fourth son is planning to disperse his harem all together. All for the sake of one ger. "Your Majesty, my daughter have enter the Fourth Prince courtyard the longest. By right, she deserves to be honoured as the senior in his household. But now, she is in jail! All of this is the act the imbecile ger. I beg you, Your Majesty. Please uphold justice for my daughter." Minister Ning pleaded in front of the court while most of the other ministers are echoing his words. However, their voice was silenced, after the Emperor wave his hand. "My dear minister," the Emperor starts, "Consort Jae Hee is send here as a peace offering from the Kingdom of Silla. By breaking the marriage and the treaty, This Emperor will be deemed unfaithful towards the treaty. Who then will trust This Emperor and His Kingdom?" The court grow silence over the logic of their Emperor. The ministers now their head low, but some of them are sharing a look. This however, doesn''t escape the Prince''s eyes. "Your Majesty, if you please. This servant may have the solution for this problem." One of the minister, bowing behind Minister Ning, carefully raised his voice, attracting the court attention. "Oh, you do? Please tell This Emperor." "Your Majesty, from what I have gathered, the Prince just got back from the border and the may haven''t consummate their marriage yet. If it''s possible, Your Majesty can annulled their marriage and marry the ger to another Prince. To the Sixth Prince perhaps." Murmur of agreement surrounds the court, making them failed to notice the fuming anger of a certain Prince. The Emperor jerk his brow in amusement. He watch from the side line, waiting for his Fourth Prince to explode. The Sixth Prince in question is quite pitiful. Having contacted with a high fever in the age of four, the Prince was mentally disable. Because of that, he was the only Prince without any household to his name and, marrying the ger to him can actually be considered as a punishment. "What do you think, Xue Er?" The ministers shift their gaze towards the Fourth Prince. However, their eyes were met with the icy, murderous gaze of him. "This Prince has already consummate his marriage with His Consort. My bride might already be with child." This revelation shock both the ministers and the Emperor, both with different reason. Continuing the revelation, the Prince delve further. "Speaking of that, does Minister Ning know why your daughter is being detained?" ---------- "Consort, the palace has summoned your presence." "Now?" I was ushered to change to a more appropriate attire for court. Thank goodness they don''t have to change my inner garment as well, so I dumbfoundedly let them attend to me while I ask my system what had happen. "The Prince has presented the royal physician to the court, host, and he have submitted the proof of your illness. Plus, the Prince have claimed that you might be with a child." "What?! We just do it once. ONCE! How on earth can I get pregnant? Even then, they wouldn''t know right now, right?" "..." Shit... What have i gotten myself into? Without further ado, Xiao Er escorted me outside, towards the awaiting carriage. I still feel a bit sore, despite the hot bath. Well, try to shove a stick up in your ass, then you''ll know. No, not a stick.... a... Jae, focus. "What do you think they want to do with me, Zero Three?" "Based on the flow of event, they might want to check your body for the remaining poison and perhaps check your pulse for pregnancy." "Can you check it for me. Does any residues of those poison remain inside?" "Wait a moment, host... There are some for both wolf bane and the cohort, host." The journey to the palace took around thirty minutes or so. The ride was a bit bumpy, but the soft wool cushion my sore bum, so, it was okay. Xiao Er dutifully stay by my side as we were greet and escort by the eunuch. The journey from the entrance we come in to the hall where the court assembled is quite far. It was a bit hard for me walk all the way there with my behind being that sore. Ughh... horny Prince! Just how rough he is with me last night? "Consort Jae Hee has arrived!" Okey, focus, Jae. Focus. It''s time to kick some concubine''s butt. Or perhaps their father''s butt. 14 First Love: Mo Xue 12 The court turn their attention toward the entrance of the hall, simultaneously gasp at the beautiful ger that just step across the threshold. Despite their constant request to denounce the ger before, right that moment, all of them seem to have forgotten about it. Wearing a formal attire, the Consort look dazzling, with a hint of innocence, as his pale porcelain skin seems to contrast with the deep shade of red on his robe. His long luscious hair is being pull up in a simple do, without our any lavish accessory, enough with a single silver pin, with a single pearl in the colour of his equally luscious lips. "This servant greet Your Majesty." His melodies voice float to the heart of those who heard, bringing smile to their face, even to the stoic Forth Prince. The Prince step by the side of the kneeling ger, pulling him up, even before the command of the Emperor. "You really have the look that can bewitched others, Consort Jae Hee." The Emperor let out a playful remark, breaking the trance of the court. The ger in question keep his head low, while his husband is holding him, slowly massaging his back with his hand. The Prince, without anyone noticing, is sending a small burst of chi with his palm, intending to give him energy, as he notice how his bride slightly limping walk just now. "Consort, the court have summoned you as This Emperor had received a petition, to annulled your marriage with the Fourth Prince, Mo Xue. The reason is, you have bewitched the Prince and make him imprisoned one of his loyal concubine." As the Emperor regaled the proceeding, the pale ger tremble slightly. The Prince smiling features grow colder by second, as he keep rubbing his hand on his bride''s body, trying to calm him down. "The Prince however has stated that the concubine in question has poisoned you and you may as well be with child. Thus, this court want the royal physicians to take your pulse. Will you agree to it?" ---------- "This servant agrees, Your Majesty." Well, what more can I say. I''m glad that the Prince stay by my side at this time. His massage really help me relax. Ah... hubby~ "Royal Physicians, if you please." The Prince guide me to take a seat at the side. He patiently walk slowly with me. Argh... did he notice my limping walk? It''s so embarrassing! But, it was his fault too. As soon as I turn, after taking a seat, on a full fluff cushion, a few man in a dark maroon robe, with a gold leaves emblem embroidered on their right chest, make their way towards me. "Zero Three, who are these guys?" "They are the Royal Physician, host." "So many?" "The Emperor want to have you check by multiple physician, so that no one can claim you or the Prince lie on the results." Ah, it seems like my father-in-law favours me. Thank you, father-in-law. "Please, Consort, put your hand here." One of the eunuch, the same one that guide me and Xiao Er here bring forth a small green cushion and put it on the table by my right. Xiao Er gently pull out my hand and place it, palm up on the table, and cover it with a thin silk handkerchief. The Prince is still standing, on my left, still keeping his hand on my back. I glance up at him, offering a small smile, thanking him. He smiled back. Ah... my hubby so handsome~ Shit! Jae, focus please! I turn my head back to the front when I feel my wrist is being hold. The first physician, hold my wrist for a few minutes, before he step back and let the next one proceed. This was repeated on all five of them before they huddle together at the side, discussing something. One of them come back, and bow in front of my husband... I mean, the Prince. "Your Highness, this servant seek permission to conduct search acupuncture on Your Consort." I saw the Prince frowned a moment, after hearing this request. He gaze a worried look at me, seemingly hesitant with it. Why? "Host, search acupuncture means that they will stick needles in your feet to detach the poison." "Then, why did he look so worried? Didn''t I already have a few acupuncture session before." "The needles that will be use is different and the process will be painful, host." "How painful?" "...very painful." Shit! But if I didn''t do that how can I proceed with my plan. Remember Jae, you are now acting as a semi white lotus. Shy and graceful but must have a bit of courage. Even when you will surely faint after that. Oooh... then per you can lie in your husband embrace. Jae, focus. I snap away from my imagination and tug at the Prince''s sleeve, nodding a yes. "Are you sure, my dear?" I give him another nod as he crouch in front of me, massaging my hand. He drop a chaste kiss on both on my palm before standing up and address the waiting physicians. "Granted." They bow at my Prince before retreating. One of the physician roll out a silk bag, filled with silver needles. However, the needles are not the thin needles that they usually used for acupuncture. Or at least, not the one that the last physician used on me. They look slightly... bigger, thicker and longer. Sigh. It''s going to be painful. ---------- The court murmur their astonishment with the Prince act of love, while the ministers that had their daughters send in was teething in anger. The Emperor look delighted, jerking his brows together and hold his head with his palm while watching the everything. As soon as the Prince give his permission to let the physicians conduct a search acupuncture on his own bride, some ministers are smirking in ridicule, wanting the ger to make a fool of himself. They had notice how that said ger give his acknowledgment and pity his stupidity. A search acupuncture is painful, even a normal grown man can barely handle. So how can a delicate ger manage such thing. An attendant of the court carry forth a small cushioned stool and put it in front of the ger. His maid help him to prop up his leg and carefully take off his shoes. However, when she wants to take off his stockings, the Prince intercepts and do it himself. Afterwards, he stay at the same position, standing at the feet of his bride , blocking the ger''s feet from being seen by the rest of the court. The Emperor chuckled over his son possessive nature. He would never thought, the one that have been sub as ice block have finally been thawed. It''s seems like his decision to grant marriage with the ger is a good one. Ah... He can''t wait for his future grandchild. The physicians starts to approach the ger''s feet, but seemingly nervous with the Prince that stands so close to them. But, they have a job to do. Strengthening their will, they starts to administer the search acupuncture, boldly asking the Prince to step aside. This act leave a tiny gap, making the courtiers of the court at the left side able to see the administration. "Consort, we will start. Before that, I will beg your pardon, first. This will hurt a bit." A gentle nod was give from the pale, porcelain skinned ger that seems to have smile hung on his face. The physicians feel a bit guilty about having to hurt this gorgeous creature, but... The first physician turn their gaze away and starts to dab an alcoholic solution on a piece of silk handkerchief, before use it to wipe the sole of the ger''s feet. The second physician starts to pull out a couple of needles from the slid back, and hand it over to the first physician. With a guilty smile on his face, he slowly punch in one of the needle on the sole of the ger''s right foot, waiting for him to wail in pain. However, the scream he''s waiting for and the screech that the rest of the court are counting for never come. 15 First Love: Mo Xue 13 Arghhhh! It''s bloody hurt! Jae, focus! Don''t faint now! Don''t faint! Endure it! Think of happy thoughts! Happy thoughts! "Host, do you need some painkillers?" "No!" Hell no! Even if the pain is greater than before I would never get another painkiller. Why waste hard earn points for something that will never work. If I''m not wrong, I only have around 150 points, give and take a few. That is not even enough to get the best painkiller. So, no, thanks. "My dear, don''t hold yourself. You can scream if you want." I snap my eyes open, when I heard a worried, husky voice sounded low next to my ears. I don''t even realized the Prince have move next to me, crouching on the floor to look at me. I keep biting my lips, trapping all the screaming inside as I shake my head at him. "This Prince is sorry." I let out a small smile, while still trying to contain the pain. What seems to last like a thousand years, it was only a few minutes. The piercing pain heighten again as I can feel the needles being pulled out, slowly. Unconsciously, I grab the nearest thing next to me, which is the Prince''s hand. I''m on the verge of breaking down when all of the sudden the Prince kiss me. Like really kiss me. He tug my lips open, sucking the lower part, as I can taste the metal tang of blood. All my suppressed scream is being swallowed by his kiss. A moment later, I black out in his arms. ---------- The whole court can see the courage shown by the delicate ger. Droplets of sweat starts to form on the ger''s forehead, but not once he scream, not even a pip. Some of the courtiers heart breaks seeing the ger trying to suppress the pain, by biting his lips, making the luscious lower lip bleeds. The Prince''s heart bleed the same way, seeing his newly wedded Consort suffering. Trying to lessen his pain, he captures those tortured lips, urging the ger to let out his scream inside him. As soon as the needles were pulled out, the pale ger faint in the arms of his husband. The Prince''s aura change for the worse. Without waiting for the Emperor''s permission, he scoop up his bride and rush out from the hall. The physicians were stunned, dumbfounded and simultaneously turn their gaze towards the Emperor, who only chuckles at his son''s act. He give the physicians a small nod, signing them to continue their task. All of the physicians step back into the center of hall, stepping up to a table that have been brought out by the palace attendants. In full view of the court, the physicians conduct their search and experiment, until the head share a glance with the rest. A cloud grim flash across all of them, indicating that whatever they have found, will not be good. "Your Majesty, we are ready to share our findings." Meanwhile, our poor ger is still unconscious, laying in husband embrace, as the Prince rush out from court and rush their carriage home. He still carries his bride as he step inside his courtyard, in plain view, making the servants gossips their finding to their masters, the concubines in His Highness''s harem. "That insolent brat. Just a mere ger and he wants to control the Prince. Looks like he haven''t learn his lesson, huh?" A lady dressed lavishly in shimmering yellow dress is lounging on the day bed, frowning her displeasure as she utters this. This beautiful yet haughty lady is none other than Concubine Shen, the youngest daughter of the Minister of Work. Concubine Shen is the most cunning of them all. Despite her soft and polite appearance, her heart is as rotten as dirt. She never handle anything by herself, not even letting her maids to do the deed. In fact, everything that had happen to the poor ger, come from her. She would manipulate the rest of the concubines, giving them hints and let her maids to guide the other''s maid to attack the ger. By doing this, she manage to eliminate a lot of obstacles without even lifting a finger. "My lady, we have to proceed cautiously after this. Concubine Ning and her maid had already been detained. I''m afraid the other concubines would also be suppressed by His Highness." "You''re right. After this, nobody would openly attack the ger. We''ll wait. Find some opening to get rid of him. If we can''t get insiders to do the deed, get outside force. Hmm... go tell my father about this. Ask for his opinion." "Yes, my lady." ---------- "Host, it seems like Concubine Shen is making her move." "Who?" Right now I''m being transported back to my space. You would think that if I faint, I would no longer feel any pain, but, no! It''s seems like whenever I faint I would be transported back, and suffer it all on my own. Argh... is this a plot to make me buy those painkillers? My system is cruel. Right now I''m laying on the floor, trying to suppress the pain on the sole of my feet while listening to my system''s report on who Concubine Shen is and what she''s planning. "Ah, the legendary green tea n*itch. Hmm... Zero Three, can you help me with something?" "What is it, host?" I don''t really have a plan to handle all of those concubines on my own so I asked my system to gather any evidence that might have left from before. Fortunately, my system agree with it. "What would you do with all this, host?" "Find a proper time to let the Prince know. I mean, Concubine Ning''s fate is pretty much sealed and will be serve as an example for those who wants to attacke, but, the rest of them might retaliate in silent. And that Concubine Shen, hmmm... can you alert me when they got a new plan?" "I will, host." "Thanks." I slowly close my eyes as I got drifted away from the space when my feet didn''t feel like it''s hurting anymore. A few moment later, I woke up in my room. I glance down as I can feel some movement on my feet and I saw a certain prince is wrapping my feet up. His head is bowed low, concentrating on the task. Ah, I''m touched. Hubby, why so handsome?~ "Xu-Xue Er." I love how his name rolled out from my tongue. He immediately looked up and I can sense I flash of relieve shown across his eyes. He instantly slide up to me and get me in his arm, crushing my body, tight. "Xue Er?" "I''m sorry, my dear. I vow, I would never let anyone hurt you anymore." His declaration bring warmth to my heart but at the same time it pained me. Sigh, can I really accept his love, knowing that I will leave him later? Whenever I read those transmigration novels, I would always think it''s sad to leave behind your loved one. Even if, in those novel, their loved one seems to follows the MC world hopping, can I believe that it will be same too in my case? I mean, me being here for the sole reason of saving him. Yes, saving him by changing destinies. That''s my responsibility. But... I let out a silent cry, as I snuggle within the Prince''s embrace. Let''s just cherish this moment, no matter how long or short it will be. 16 First Love: Mo Xue 14 While the Prince is cooing his bride, helping him with his injuries and tucking him in, the court goes crazy with the physician''s finding. "Now, Minister Ning. What can you say to this Emperor? You claimed your daughter was framed but multiples evidence had clearly shown that Fourth Prince''s Consort has been poisoned. Based on what the royal physicians has discovered, he had been poisoned since a few week ago. This Emperor believe this happen when the Prince is away at the border?" The ministers that were yapping before to have the ger punished were now silent. The Emperor let out a mocking smile before he continues. "Plus, one of the royal physician, Master Xue, have found evidence of poison from a bowl of bird nest, that was sent personally by Concubine Ning and her maid before. Now, what can you say about that?" The crowd goes silent before the father try to stammer his apologies towards the Emperor. "This servant- this servant didn''t know, Your Majesty. Please-please, I beg your pardon. Please consider this as a father''s anxiety towards one child. Please, Your Majesty, this servant beg you, please give mercy to this one''s daughter." The Emperor straighten his back and his playful gaze turns cold, making the whole court shivers in fear. They all know despite the easy going look the Emperor is fond to portray, His Majesty is one of the most dangerous person on earth, having the power and authority to eliminate the one that spoil his eyes. Minister Ning went silent, with his body bow low, visibly tremble under the Emperor''s overwhelming pressure. "This Emperor have gotten news, our Prince haven''t been making the news of his concubine being detained public. This Emperor believe that he still have some respect towards your daughter. But you, Minister Ning, dare to make this public, openly denouncing the Consort that this Emperor have chosen for his Prince. The act of poisoning royalties is considered as treason! Are you trying to rebel?!" The courtiers were shock with the sudden anger of their Emperor, making them simultaneously kneel and bow their head to the floor. Apologies rang throughout the whole court, as the courtiers are trying to appease their angered Master. "Silence! Head Attendant, note down my decree." "Yes, Your Majesty." The head attendant approach His Majesty, bowing low, ready to accept his decree, while another assistant, down at the small table pull himself up, ready to write. The rest of them, still on the floor. "This Emperor is giving Concubine Ning, the Fourth Prince''s Concubine, and her entire attendants, death penalty, for the act of poisoning the Fourth Prince''s Consort." Some small gasp can be heard from the courtiers but other than that, none of them have spoken. "As for Minister Ning, for speaking out of turn and trying to blame others, one year of salary deduction. Since this can be considered as his anxiety towards his child, he may keep his position and rank. But, his other child, sons and daughters, are no longer able to serve the Palace and its lineage." ---------- I''m currently snuggle up in my husband''s cosy embrace, while listening to the court progress, reported by Zero Three. I have to really concentrate as I keep getting distracted as my husband''s hand play with my hair. Heck, I almost purr in satisfaction. In the end, Concubine Ning got what she deserves. But, the main problem is, what I''m going to do with Concubine Shen. Based on my memory, or the original Jae Hee''s memory, he haven''t got any contact what so ever with that woman. Compare to the rest of the Prince''s harem, he have actually met all of them, at least once, but not, the green tea b*tch. Tok, tok. A low knock on my chamber make me pull out and involuntary land my gaze at the door. The Prince lands a peck on my hair, urging me to lay down while he step down the bed and walk towards the door. I blankly stare at his muscled back, unconsciously trying to remember the feel of each muscle beneath my fingers. Shit, Jae! What are you thinking? I immediately turn my gaze around, turning on the bed, facing the curtained wall. I can feel my blood rushing up my veins, to my face and... other places too. No.... It''s not the time to be horny. Argh! Thinks about... erm, horses. Yes, horses being slaughtered. Okay, that''s it... but, ew... "My dear?" My body turn stiff as I heard the call. Slowly, I turn back, peeking at him from under my duvet. He laughed seeing me. His tinkling laughter went deep inside my heart, unknowingly, I smile at it. "I have to go for now. Royal Father have presented a decree to punish Concubine Ning. I have to take care of it." I nod in understanding, as he hunch over, dropping a peck on my head. Before he left the bed, I impulsively catch the sleeve of his robe, making him turn back at me. Argh! Why did I do that? Facing the Prince''s questioning look, I hide further under the duvet, tucking in until my nose. He seems to be waiting for me as he play with my hair. Why does he like to play with my hair? Does he have some sort of hair fetish? Focus, Jae. Focus. "Xu- Xue Er. Will- will you come, for... dinner?" My voice sounded in a soft whisper. But even then, I felt like the pitch is up by several notch. "Does my dear wants me to?" He ask back making me unconsciously nod a few time. By the time realized what I''m doing, he''s already let out his tinkling laugh. I can only sunk further into the duvet, half pouting. "Of course, my dear. Wait for me." ---------- As soon as the Prince leave his Consort''s chamber, countless maids scramble off from their hiding place, making their way back to their masters. A moment later, countless of breaking and trashing sound rang throughout the inner courtyard of the Fourth Prince, as the ladies scream murder towards a certain ger. All, but one. "My lady, it will be very hard to approach that ger now. The Prince has ultimately set up guards and all the new maids are afraid to go against him as they know what had happen to Concubine Ning''s maids. Plus, with the royal decree, even the Emperor is giving out a silent warning." "Hmm, it''s seems like the Emperor really treasures that ger." Concubine Shen lazily lounge on the day bed, her maids are pampering her with foot massage and such while she listen to her head maid''s report, as she whisper it to her. "Have you made contact with father?" "Master ask me to tell you to lay low for awhile, until this whole thing down. He have also ask me to pass you a letter. He warned, burn this letter after you read it." The lazy look on her face changes with this. She wave away all her maids, as the only one she trust is the head maid, the one that have been following her from home. Beckoning her head maid to bring forth the letter, she open it up and starts to read it. Her indifferent features start to change as she get to the end of the letter, as she smile in pure satisfaction and malice. She folds the letter back and step down from the day bed, walking around to the corner candle stand before burning the letter into ashes. Her eyes gleam in wonder as she watch the flame dance before dropping the half burn letter on a tin bowl. "Father really have a good idea. Tell back to father, his daughter will do as he says." ---------- * The Prince will now address himself as ''I'' in front of Jae Hee as a form of endearment. He will still call himself This Prince to others, to place some sort of superiority. 17 First Love: Mo Xue 15 [Side mission, task four: 7% completed. Total points gained: Points will be given after the task is 100% complete. Total points needed to unlock new world: 1000 points. Points collection: 145/1000 points.] Ah, does this mean Concubine Ning is dead then? I''ll light a candle for you, but, I won''t pity you. You let others manipulate you and you even try to kill an innocent. Not once, but twice. Nobody knows how many have suffered in your hand. "Zero Three, does all concubines in the harem has plotted against Jae Hee before? I mean, it can''t be that all of these woman have their heart in the gutter, right?" Right now, I''m leaning inside the bath tub again, having a hot bath, before getting ready for dinner. It''s seems like the maids have told the Prince that I enjoyed a hot bath and they are being told to give it to me. Ah... how I wish to have an ally, or at least, someone that haven''t acted against the poor ger yet, so I won''t have to eliminate all of them. It''s too cruel. "Unfortunately, host, all of them had their hand in sabotaging Jae Hee''s life before." There it goes. Sigh. After the Prince left, Zero Three give me a report on Concubine Shen, stating that her father had planned on getting in war with the Kingdom of Silla. If the plan works, Jae Hee''s head will be on the stake. There are so many things that I have in my plate right now. First and foremost, makes the Prince fall in love with me, which was the easiest way to stop him from falling love with that spy, which will be coming in a month. Then, I need to handle all this jealous women. Plus, I need to worry whether we are going to war or not. [Side mission, task five: Prevent the war. 100 points. Bonus task: Uncover the act by Minister Shen. Extra 50 points. Bring down the Shen''s family. Extra 50 points.] Arghh!!! See! Damn you, Love System. Just how many task did I need to complete in this lifetime? Can I just quite now? Oh wait, speaking of that... "Zero Three, I''ve been wanting to ask,what does it mean by ''points needed to unlock new world''?" I always wonder what did it mean by that. I mean, the main mission itself is already 1000 points. Does that mean that I just need to complete the main mission and don''t really have to worry about the side task? Hur hur. "After a thousand points gained, host will have the option to jump to the next world or stay. Of course, you have to pay if you want to stay in one''s world. It will cost 500 points if you decided to do so." Huh, who wants to stay. It will be better to jump world. Gosh, I miss my bed, my books, my tv, my internet, my phone. I miss modernity! "Does that means that, if I can gain 1000 points, before completing the main task, I can directly jump to next world?" I make some quick calculation in my head. Making the Prince fall in love with me will get me 500 points. Add it with some minor side task, I think that is manageable. "...Technically, you can, host." ---------- While the soul-changed Consort is celebrating inwardly upon finding the loop hole on his system''s points management, he was unaware of the entrance of a certain handsome man. The Prince enters his bride''s chamber, dismissing all the waiting maids in the main hall before retreating to the back of the chamber. As he spy his bride, submerged inside the steaming hot water, with a single pale shoulder peaking on top of the tub, while his long luscious hair covering the other, he approach him silently, disrobing himself. When he finally got his birthday suit on, he circled the tub, eyeing the pale ger''s blessed expression, his eyes closed tight and his mouth curved up. He enters the tub, as slowly as he can, unwilling to disturb the peaceful being. However, despite the large tub being able to fit four, the water ripples from a certain man alerted the pale ger. "Ahhhhh!" Startled as he open his eyes only to see a stark naked handsome man with an eight pack blessed on his abs, the pale ger involuntarily shout, trying to back away, covering his body. The handsome man swiftly captured the flustered ger, turning his body and clasp his hand towards their front, making the latter''s back plastered on the hard muscled abs. "It''s just me, my dear." The husky voice that was now filled with the desire sounded low in the ger''s ears, sending shivers towards one''s spine. The struggle lessen, but the friction of both bodies is sending signal towards one''s libido. "Is my dear well? Does it still hurt?" While the handsome man is inquiring about the pale ger''s wounded feet, the ger in question is blushing, taking the question somewhere else. The latter just shake his head shyly, as the handsome prince bring them both to lean on the tub. The ger slowly lean his head on his husband''s shoulder, turning his flustered face away, as the handsome man scoop some water in his hand and start washing his bride. The ger''s stiff body slowly soften as his husband carefully caress his body. Keeping one hand taut on the ger''s stomach, the other hand keep scoping water, cleaning, no, playing with the smooth skin. Sooner than later, the soft caress switch into a gentle tease. The handsome prince gently prod on his bride supple skin, from his arm to his waist, up to his chest, tweaking the pink pearl, making the ger gasp within his embrace. "Xue- Xue Er... Ahhhhh." The soul-changed Consort unconsciously lean his body further back, as his husband feast on his open neck, leaving trails of love marks, while keeping his hand busy at front. Small gasp turn into short moans, as the Prince hand goes downward, teasing the ger''s length. The ger squirm in his husband''s lap, wanting to get free from such tease, unknowingly aligning his sacred hole towards the latter''s semi hardened length, brushing it into solid jade. "My dear, are you seducing me?" 18 First Love: Mo Xue 16 What? His question brings tingle to my spine. But what did he say? My mind has already gone blank, making me unable to comprehend it, just dumbly admiring the allure of it. What had just happen? I was just minding my own business and then he... came. Naked? I tried to run but he captured me. I don''t know why, but, I don''t feel as repulsed upon him seeing me naked, compared to when I thought of some woman seeing me in the same condition. In fact, upon leaning my whole self towards his body, I feel save, secure. Even when he tease me, I''m craving for more. "Ahhhhnn..." As his hand pump my length, slow tugging it under the water, I can feel his bulging need just right before my hole. Conscious or not, I keep brushing my creeks towards its hotness, feeling like, that is where his bulge solely belong. "My dear, what have you done?" His low growl brings excitement to me, making me hump my hip faster, as I guide his hand to pump me further. I can barely register my own voice, moaning a mess within his hold. His hand that was holding my waist trails downward, way pass my perinium, and insert a single finger inside my needy hole. I don''t know whether it was because of the water or the fact my hole is able to create it''s own lube, his finger slide in easily. From one to two, then three, thrusting in and out, stretching it to accommodate his while slightly hitting that sweet spot of mine, teasing me further. I don''t even realized I''m riding on his fingers, trying to reach that spot, that he so cruelly denied me to. "Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhnn... Xue Er... please... Ahhhhnn... please..." Is that really me? Begging for him? Stop! Just stop! "Please what, my dear? Tell me." My mind has gone blank. I can''t register anything in front of me even with my eyes stark open. Each part of my body is only responding to him. His touch, his voice. I admit... this whole body is his now. I turn my head towards him, feeling the need to have him anchor me. I need to see him. I need him. "Xue Er... Ahhhhnn... I want... ...you." ---------- The last string that hold the Prince''s sanity snap with his bride''s pleas. Pushing the ger''s body forward, putting both of his hand perch on top of the wooden tub, the Prince thrust his hardened length inside the awaiting hole in one swift motion. "Ahhhhh!" The painful scream rang throughout the chamber, making the few remaining guards and maids that surrounds it flushed in pink. They slowly take their step backwards, further and further away from the Consort''s chamber, until none of the sound is within their earshot. Back in the back chamber, the Prince didn''t slow down, not even for a moment, right from the start, making the ger''s whimper of pain and moans of pleasure short and breathy. His hip keep pistoning, ramming his meat roughly inside the delicate ger drenching hole, pulling till his head and ram it again through the hilt. If one care to look, a thin trail of red slither in the water, making a stark contrast inside the hazy tub. But... no one really care. One lusted drive Prince is busy chasing his heaven, while the poor ger, is almost nearing his. Despite the initial roughness, the ger''s needy behind didn''t seems to flatter. In fact, it stood up right, eager to meet his husband crazy pace, as his meat keep hitting that spot he crave for. "Ahhhhh... Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhh..." The pale ger is in a moaning mess, unable to think, nor plead for his husband to slow down. His mind is begging silently, but his body is in heat, making his moan sound as wanton as ever, bringing a cold satisfaction upon the one who incite it. "My dear." "Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhh!" They both reach their climax within minutes apart, with the Prince bite down the pale ger seductive shoulder when he came, as he feel the need to anchor himself from the high. The ramming slows down, as the Prince try to push his seed deep within his bride''s womb, kissing the teared skin, licking it close. He slowly pull both of them backwards, with the panting ger leaning on his husband''s front, while his length is still deep within him. "You make me go crazy, my dear consort. What have you done to me?" The husky voice, still laced with unbridled desire bring shivers towards the panting ger. He no longer have any strength, his whole self plastered along his husband''s body, short in breath, but still beautifully sated. His pale, porcelain skin have turn an adorable pink, making the Prince crazy, as he keep peppering kissing on its surface. They sit still until the water in the tub turn cold, before the Prince untimely pull out his length from the warm canal of his bride. The pain suddenly register within the mind of the ger, making him unconsciously whimper his pain. "Shh... I''ll make you feel good later." Feeling tired and sleepy, the ger haven''t notice the lust within his husband''s response. Giving out a weak nod, he let the Prince clean and dry him up, before clutching his arms along the Prince''s neck, as he carries him out from the back chamber. The soul-changed Consort is getting ready to sleep when his body hit the soft bed, but his husband have a different agenda in mind. Nothing that involves sleeping. At least not in the near future. Meanwhile, at one of the concubine''s courtyard, a person in black, covered with a black hooded robe was being ushered sneakily into the sleeping chamber of a certain concubine by her maid. The concubine in question is pacing impatiently, gloom shrouded her face. "My Lady, Young Master is here." "Elder Brother, you came." The waiting concubine let out a bright smile upon seeing the newcomer. The man approach her, opening up his hooded head, revealing a handsome and chisel jaw, with features much like the concubine. "Third Sister, how are you?" The concubine let out a weak smile, sending signal to her maid, asking her to leave. She guide the man to take a seat at her bed, before she start, looking sad and pitiful. "You have heard the news, brother?" "I just got home from the border when father tell me what have happen. He sent me here to comfort you. Are you well? Did you suffer from any misgivings, sister?" "I''m well, brother." The man caught a tinge of sadness within those words, hurriedly clasp both of the concubine''s hand, forcing her to turn towards him. Two fat streak of tears can be seen falling from the peach blossom eyes in from of him, making his brotherly heart tug in pain. "Third Sister, tell me. If you really suffer from any misgivings, this brother will seek justice for you. Tell me. Is it the Prince?" "No, Eldest Brother. The Prince haven''t done anything to me. Really." "It must be that damn ger then. Consort or not, he must pay for what''s he''s done!" Another drop of tears roll gently down the concubine''s cheeks, some have even drop on the man''s hand. Grasping his sister''s hand, the man made a vow, to eliminate anybody that have hurt his little sister. A vow that he will soon be breaking, once he let his gaze fall on that certain ger and once he know the dark truth of his sister. 19 First Love: Mo Xue 17 What am I feeling now? Am I happy? Delighted? I don''t know. I can''t think. I don''t understand what I''m supposed to be feeling. I''m lost, drowning in this pleasure that I''m not sure if I deserve it. "My dear, you''re still so tight for me." "Ahhhhnn..." Being pounded, again, on the soft bed, gently this time, give me room to... finally think, what the heck is happening. As soon as my back touch the bed, he attack me again. No... more like... devouring me, slowly, gently. My tiredness seems to sap away and my desire alight, as he showers me with kisses, trailing countless love bites on my neck and my shoulder. I know I''m still wearing my robe, my thin piece of sleeping wear, as I can detect it''s fabric''s frictions on my skin. But I also know it''s open on my front, as I can feel his tout, hot body brushing on top of mine, as his arms hook both of my legs up, baring my sacred hole to be devoured by his meat. "Ahhhhnn... Xue Er..." My mind in a hazy state. I keep moaning and calling out his name, not even knowing when his meat has slither in my hole again. His gentle act bring forth a burst of warmth inside my heart, as he gently hit that sweet spot of mine, making my eyes blurry, and misty. "Ahhhhnn... Xue Er... you can... Ahhhhnn... go... faster... Ahhhhnn..." I know he''s holding himself back. How can I not know, when the last two time he took me, I almost die... in pleasure, of course. "Shh, my dear. This time, let me bring you to your pleasure, okay?" He drop a peck on my lips, before pulling up, staring at me as his hip thrusting forwards in a gentle pace. It pained my heart seeing how attentive he is, making a drop of tears come rolling out from my misty eyes. My hands that are clawing on his biceps crawl up to his neck, pulling him down to meet my kiss, before I state my demand. "Ahhhhnn... I want it faster, Xue Er." I know it''s going to cost me but... I''m happy when he is. "Host, Concubine She-" "Zero Three, not now." ---------- While the night haven''t end yet inside the Consort''s chamber, the rest of the chambers within the Prince''s courtyard are asleep. All except one. "Young Master have left, My Lady." Smeared make up can''t hide the delicate angelic face of a certain concubine, but her icy cold eyes betrays the God given features. Accepting a hanky from her maid, Concubine Shen wipe of her tears from the face, looking smugly upon the bronze mirror. "Bring me the package that he brought me." The maid bring forwards a small silk covered box that her brother brought from home. It was an item given from their father, a key piece to destroy a certain ger future. "My Lady, does Young Master know about this?" Putting away the box, the maid help her master hide it within the numerous treasures on the vanity table. Concubine Shen put out a smirk, as she heard the question. "Elder Brother is a stick. Father would never tell him about such thing. The only thing that we can use on him now is how dotting he is on me." Changing her robe into her sleeping wear, the concubine continues. "This is good though. Elder Brother will find a legit way to overthrow that piece of shit. All we have to do, is help Father to put things in motion." A small smile was shared between the master and her maid. "When will you want me to make a move, My Lady?" "Let''s wait for my father. If thing goes well on his side... Next week" While the green tea bitch is smiling smugly over her reflection, a swift shadow run pass her back, bring the impending news for a certain someone, someone who may well be the sole reason of her demise. ---------- Argh! I can''t move! Like literally, can''t move. Laying by the side of the most handsome man I ever met, with my head on top of his chest, and not being able to move is... Heaven~ It was so late at night that it may be almost dawn already. I don''t know. I passed out somewhere during our heated bout of pleasure. Slowly opening my eyes, I can see my room being dimly light by the candles. No movement can be detected, only the shadow dance, cast by the candle, as the wick dance with the night breeze. I don''t know if my husband, I mean, the Prince, is still awake or not. I don''t even dare to lift up my head to look at him. I mean, I can''t even if I want to. Closing my eyes again, I transfer back to my space, as I feel the need to rant my feeling towards someone. And that someone is... "Zero Three, what do you think of the Prince?" "..." "I mean, does he... love me? Does he love Jae Hee?" "Answering to your question, host, the love index shown that what the Prince are feeling right now is a slight infatuation, closely bordering the adore segment." "Meaning?" "The Prince has not yet fall in love with you, host." Sigh! Well, what do you expect? A line virgin that have no idea how relationship works wants to seduce a godly handsome man. I... wait... "Zero Three, what does it mean by love index? Don''t tell me... you have sort of measuring devise to calculate a person''s love?" "..." "Zero~" I didn''t realize my stern intended call sounded like a whine. I listen to my system''s explanation about the love index. It turns out, the system do have some sort of measuring system to gauge for such thing. There are four segments, or levels, starting from infatuation, then adore, cherish and finally love. As I listen to Zero Three''s ramble on the different criteria for each segment, my mind keep wondering on something. "Hey Zero Three, can you use the love index on me? Can you check... What am I feeling right now, towards the Prince?" My system goes silent for a while, before it answers me. "No, host. The love index is only applicable on the target of Love System." Double sigh. Now who can tell me what the heck am I feeling right now? ---------- While a certain soul-changed Consort mumble out his uncertainty towards his feeling inside his space, making him look adorably fast asleep, the first light hit. The Prince was awake, keeping his arm on his bride, sending a small burst of chi towards him, as he tries to lessen his bride''s soreness. He smile remembering the event last night. After countless times eating up his dear bride, until he fall into oblivion, he commands the maid to serve some light porridge and prepares to clean up his bride himself. He refuse the maid, knowing that his bride doesn''t like anyone to see his body. He wonders why, but... he''s not complaining. As he finish cleaning up, the maids comes, serving the light porridge and some side dishes. The Prince carried his bride towards the table, coaching the Consort to eat on his lap. Still half asleep, his bride let him manipulate his body, mumbling sleepily, as he spoon fed him the bowl of porridge, before carry him back to sleep. Now, hours later, the Prince step away from his bride, getting ready to face his morning, but not before kissing lightly on his bride''s temple. "Sleep well, my dear." His whisper seems to have gotten straight to his bride, as the latter curve up a small smile on his lush lips. He exits the chamber, taking the coat from his attendant and briskly walk under the light drizzle of white snow, leaving footsteps on the white ground. Upon approaching his own chamber, a shadow appear from the corner of his eyes, making he dismiss his attendant, before turning his attention toward a certain shadow guard that is now kneeling in front of him. The black clothed guard pull out a box and hold it up for his master. The very same box that was once in the hand of a certain concubine, now in the hand of the powerful handsome prince that she wants to have. 20 First Love: Mo Xue 18 "Host, the Prince already knows about Concubine Shen''s plan to overthrow you." "Oh, how?" "It seem like, after your poisoning, he directly command more of his shadow guard to spy on everyone here. Last night, after Concubine Shen''s brother come and brings her a package, the guard steal the package and inform the Prince." "What package? Why didn''t you tell me?" "... I did. Last night. You tell me to stop." "Ah..." I can feel heat spread on my cheeks as I remember what happen last night. Right now I''m having my morning meal alone. When I wake up, quite late I tell you, the bed next to me has already gone cold. Xiao Er tells me that the Prince has been called to the palace so he can''t accompany me. Right now, stirring the bowl of congee mindlessly, I discuss what happen with Zero Three. The package is some sort of aphrodisiac and a name seal, from one of the powerhouse in the Kingdom of Silla. "It seems like they are really bend on persecuting me. They are planning to use the drug on me and let me be found together with any official from Silla, right?" "Correct, host." Pftt. This level of craftiness is not up to par with my level of creative writing. Thank God with all the drama I''ve watch, this is easy. "So, what did the Prince do with the drug?" I take a few sip of warm congee as my system told me what happen. Hmm, the Prince asks his guard to return back the drug? Why? Did he plan from them to do the deed to me and catch them in the act? It''s a bit risky since we have no idea when they will act. I mean, I do, they will move next week. But the Prince doesn''t. "Zero Three, you told me the Prince love calligraphy and have an outstanding memory, right." "Yes, host." Hmm, it''s time to lay the trap. No need for the big tiger, just need its paws. ---------- The soul-changed Consort happily ate his meal as he thought about his plan. He asks his maid to prepare some brush and paper, meaning to practice some calligraphy on his own. Moments later, we can see the beautiful pale ger, standing upright on the writing desk, staring at his own messy hand writing on the rolled paper in front of him. Well, despite having memory of the original owner of his body, it''s still hard for him to emulate the skills. In this case, writing. "I can read the words, but I can''t write it." The ger lament softly by himself after a half day have passed, with him still trying to attempt his hand on writing the original''s kingdom language. He didn''t notice one particular handsome man have arrive, as his concentration took up all his other senses, making him gasp in fright, when that man hold him by his waist. "Shh, it''s me, my dear. What are you doing?" The ger instantly calm down and start to blush when realizing their intimate position. He starts to squirm as the Prince snuggle his nose on his neck, sniffing lightly and peppering butterfly kisses there. "Prin- Xue Er, I''m- I''m just bored. I''m trying to write something, but..." The ger''s head that was turn to his husband is now fall back to the front, eyeing his messy work with a pout on his lips. The Prince are unable to move his gaze from those luscious lips, making him pull his bride''s chin towards him and drop a soft peck on it. Pinkish blushes start to spread on the ger''s porcelain cheeks, making it as bright as the plum blossom petal. "What are you writing? Do you want my help?" The Prince loosens the hold of his bride, taking the latter''s hand that holds the brush, ready to guide him in writing. Still standing behind him, the Prince uses his free hand to roll open a new piece of paper when his eyes notice a negligible writing at the corner of the last paper. "My dear, this is?" "Hmm?" The ger turn his attention towards his own writing, the one that was pointed at by his husband. It was a writing of a name, in his own language. The pale ger answers happily, turning his half of his body towards his husband. "This is my name," he start, guiding his husband hand to trace the characters one by one, "Jun Jae Hee." "This one is ''Jun''?" the Prince asks while tracing back to the first character, peering from his bride''s shoulder. The ger let out a small nod. The Prince halts for a moment before using his bride''s hand to write a set of characters on a newly rolled out paper. He writes a three word characters, which the first character is the same one from his bride''s name. "Xue Er, you know my language?" the ger asks in surprise. "No, my dear. But can you tell me what does this say?" The take another look at his husband''s writing, before saying, "Jun Jin Lee." ---------- I''ve known of the Prince''s abilities, and as my expectation, he remembers the characters that were engraved on the name seal, despite only seeing it once. It seems like my plan is working. Smirk. Jun Jin Lee. It''s the name of a young minister in the Kingdom of Silla, which was sent as a delegate here in Tian Mo Kingdom. It is also the very same name that was etched on the name seal that is now back in the hand of Concubine Shen. This is the man that Minister Shen had chosen to set me up with. Based on the information from my system, he has chosen this man because of his looks and his ambitions. The latter is clearly a threat to him. However, there is one thing that our dear minister has not known. "This is my cousin''s name. You might know about him, Xue Er. Father says that he lives here." "Have you met with him since you come here, my dear?" I can feel he tightens his holds on me, a clear sign of jealousy. I spun around, letting go of his hand and embrace him. Well, I need to appease this Prince of mine in one way or another. "I haven''t been anywhere apart from the palace, ever since I got here." Now ask me if I want to go, my Prince. I will clearly say yes and you will an excuse to meet that guy. Come on, ask me. ---------- The soul-changed Consort is waiting for his opportunity to move forwards with his plan. But somehow, the Prince didn''t act as he wish. After cajoling his bride and accompanying him for dinner, the Prince left, siting that he has some work that urgently need his attention. The pale ger is left on his own that night, feeling lost and lonely, as if he has become dependent with the Prince''s warmth by his side during the cold night. With nothing to do, he keep practising his calligraphy mindlessly while ranting on the Prince with his system. His system has learn to keep mum and silently listening to his host complaining when thing doesn''t work his way. Meanwhile the Prince is having a private meeting with the man that his bride wants to meet, the cousin. "Your Highness, it is my honour to finally met you." Jun Jin Lee is a handsome man, his body straight and upright, making he looks sincere and capable. A pure scholar, his mind is bright and clear without any taint. If the Prince doesn''t know about this man relationship with his bride, he might be drowning in anger and jealousy. Now that all of that has been cleared up, it''s time for him to discuss some business. 21 First Love: Mo Xue 19 "This Prince notice that you are My Consort''s cousin?" "Yes, Your Highness. However, it has been a while since I saw him. We lost contact when I was sent to study." The Prince is trying to gauge the man in front of him. However, his clear face and calm eyes are unreadable. Despite that, he knows the young man is trustworthy. Not because of his relationship with his bride, but because he has got intel about him. The Prince knows about the man''s talent and ambition, so he also know of the reason why Minister Shen would want to lay his trap on him. "This Prince''s guess you have also know about what had happen to My Consort this past few days?" A small subtle change can be seen on the man''s face, but as swiftly as that his features revert back to normal. However, the clear change of anger and shock didn''t go unnoticed by the handsome prince. "Yes, Your Highness. I was made aware of that." Sitting on the opposite side on the small round table, the man held his clear gaze up, facing the Prince, unafraid. The Prince signals with his hand and his shadow guard that followed him hand the man a piece of parcel. Raising his eyebrows, he questions the Prince while accepting it. The Prince leisurely sips on his cup of tea, leaving the man to open the parcel himself. Inside it is a letter, detailing the information on how a certain minister is keen to set the man and the Prince''s Consort. He read it carefully, his eyes widen in shock, but only for a moment, before it turn cold and icy with suppressed hatred. "Your Highness, this is... true?" "My shadow guard obtain it from the hand of my Concubine, just before she burn it to ashes. Before you wonder why This Prince didn''t act to it and give it to you to read first, it is because this Prince has other goal in mind." The night continues as the Prince reveals what he have planned. The man silently listen to the detailed plan, shocked that the generally aloft Prince is capable of such things. He knew, if not for his relationship with the Prince''s Consort or the fact that others are trying to use him to destroy the Consort''s reputation, the Prince would not share this with him. He applaud the Prince''s brilliant mind, adapting changes to his plans once he knows the other''s intention. "This servant will proceed as instructed, Your Highness." "Good. Choose one day to visit your cousin. He miss his family." With those, the Prince left the man''s private chamber and when home to his bride. ---------- "My dear, your cousin has asked me for my permission to meet you. I have granted him, so he will coming today." A few days have passed since that night. Zero Three had informed me what had happen on the night he left me alone, as the next day, when I woke up, he''s already by my side. If everything works according to plan, Concubine Shen will make her move. Since my Prince has already give them a chance, I''m sure she''s itching to take it. The question is, who will she send to do her dirty deed this time? "Xue Er, you''ve met Big Brother Jun? He''s coming to meet me?" Right now, I''m sitting on his lap, eating breakfast with him. It has been a few days since he force me to do that. Eating on his lap and being spoon fed by him... and then... other things happen... after that... Smirk. I refused a few time until it dawn to me... nah... it''s too tiring to refuse him. This dense Prince would just force his way anyway. "Are you excited, my dear?" I flash him a wide smile, while nodding in agreement. Of course I''m excited! First, my plan will finally working and second, the most important reason, I can finally get out from this room. Ever since I came here... I mean, being transported here, the only place I''ve been is the palace. Apart from that, I''m confined in this room. The reason was, every day I''ll be so spent that I slept my way through the morning and will be left with so little day time when I woke up. The culprit for my condition? The Prince! My body will be so sore when morning come but my behind is left intact. I know that the Prince has disbursed his chi to me but... I''m getting bored in here! "Host, Concubine Shen has received the news about Jun Jin Lee''s visit. She will use a newly appointed maid to sneak into your room and place the name seal." "What about the drug?" "Her maid has threatens one of the kitchen maid to put it in your tea when Jun Jin Lee come to visit." I lay my head on the Prince''s shoulder, feigning my drowsiness as I listen to Zero Three report. It turns out Concubine Shen is much more daring than I thought. She even let her father get hold of the poor maid family just so she would do the did. She knows that with the recent event, nobody dare to make a move on me, so she have to submit to kidnapping. So... what can we do to trap this green tea bitch? "My dear, wake up~ Your cousin is here." I immediately come back to my sense, flickering my lashes slowly as if I was asleep. Hah, those acting classes really come in use right now. The Prince help me up, before he summons Xiao Er to help me change. As I was only here in this let warmed chamber, the Prince has secretly tasked the maid to dress me up scarcely. It serve the purpose well as it was easier for him to take them off. Smirk. So when Xiao Er bring me layers and layer of clothing with a plush thick outer robe to accompany it, I was a bit baffle by it. "It is still winter, Host." But still... Even the one that I wore to the palace doesn''t have this much layer on it. Haish, my Prince is possessive! ---------- The Fourth Prince''s courtyard is bustling with activity. A guest have arrives. It is super rare for the Prince to accept guest to his home, especially if they are not his immediate family members The maids are trying hard to make themselves presentable when they found out who''s the guest is. Despite their lowly wage and their living restriction, none of them are immune to the juicy gossip from the town. The guest is none other than the Kingdom of Silla''s delegate, also known as one the most handsome eligible bachelor in the city, Junior Minister Jun Jin Lee. Even the concubines that reside in the courtyard has their hearts shaken. While they have never seen that man, paintings and stories about him have long reach them as well. They put out their best clothing, waiting to be brought upon the hall to meet with the handsome man. All but one. Concubine Shen let out a small smile, watching how the inner courtyard of the Fourth Prince turns busy with excitement. She shares a knowing smile with her head maid, confirming everything is ready. Ready to trap a single ger. Who would have guess, her trick are up in the air, known to both the ger and the Prince that has grows to love his delicate bride. Let the game begins. 22 First Love: Mo Xue 20 "Big Brother Jun." "Hee Hee." The soul-changed Consort frown upon hearing that childish nickname. He remembers that is what they use to call the original Jae Hee when he was a small child. But still... "Big Brother, stop calling me that. I''m already a grown up." The handsome man laugh heartily upon hearing his cute little cousin whine. The Prince let out a small smile, amaze by his bride''s cute pout. Inside the hall, the Prince only brought out his Consort. This is because the handsome man that comes to visit is his bride''s cousin and he specifically come to visit him. But this knowledge in unknown to the rest of the women who reside in the Prince''s courtyard. By their twisted logic, they should be brought out to meet with the guest too. Most household would do so as showing off their beautiful selection of women brings up the household value. Hatred begin to accumulate inside their heart, more than ever. However, they can''t do anything about it. They can only grit their teeth, while remembering what have happen to a certain concubine named Ning. While the rest of the women in the Prince''s harem starts to throw their tantrums, a certain concubine is calm and collected. With a nod, she instruct her head maid to begin their plan. The head maid took the package that was hidden on the concubine''s vanity table before slip out from the chamber. The concubine lay back on the chair, with a sinister smile hung on her lips. The head maid make her way to the maid courtyard, where a small girl with bright eyes is waiting for her. She approach the little girl and give a small blue pouch from the package she brought. "Here. Remembers to put it under the bed of the Consort. If you do it well, you will be rewarded heavily." "Yes, Big Sister." The little girl runs out from the maids courtyard as the head maid watch her disappearing figures before she head to her next destination, the kitchen. Another hound maid is waiting for her there. But contrary to the bright eyes child from before, this girl is cleary terrified. Standing by the wooden shelf, the girl tremble when the head maid comes. "Here. Put this inside the tea. Serve this only to the Consort and the esteemed guest. Take care to not let the Prince drink it. Understand?" "..." "I ask, do you understand?" The young maid tremble in fear, nodding her tearful head a few time while taking hold of a small vial of drug with her shaky hands. "Remember, do the job well and your family will be fine. Or else, your little brother will pay the price for your incompetence." The head maid left the kitchen while the poor girl slump on the floor, shedding silent tears. Upon hearing some chatter from the other incoming maids, she swiftly hold back her sobs and brush away her tears. The kitchen get busy with orders to bring tea and snacks to serve the esteemed guest. The young maid, originally tasked with serving tea, take out a set of red and black patterned tea set. The set have two design for four cups. Two of them have red flower with black petals and the other two have black dragon with red flames on it. The maid kept away one of the dragon cup and secretly laced the two flower cup with the drug from the vial given to her. Soon, the tea maids are ushered out. The young maid follows from behind, still nervous with what she have done. In her heart, she begs for forgiveness but she can''t let her family suffer. Inside the visiting hall, the Consort and his cousin are having a light conversation, exchanging news about their life as it has been forever since their last met. The soul-changed Consort borrowed the memory of the original, carrying the conversation as much as he can while listening to the report from his system. As soon as the maid comes, all three of them stiffen unconsciously. Without knowing, each of them, the Consort, the Prince and the guest eyes the incoming tea. Snacks are serve and the tea is poured. The other maid took notice of the tea cup design and ultimately serve the Prince the cup with the dragon on it. While the Consort knows which cup was drugged, the other two does not. However, seeing the sole different patter on the Prince''s cup, the both ventures a guess. Meanwhile, in a certain black-hearted concubine''s room, an elegant looking lady lay on the chaise, being tended by her maid. Her head maid comes in a rush, excitedly. The lady wave her maids away, as the head maid approach her and whisper the progress. "Good. Take care of the girl. Let my father know about it too." "What''s next, my lady?" "All we have to do now is just wait. After twelve hours, the drug will work. After it has been incubated inside their body, the love worm will start to eat their heart. They will send impulses to their brain, to find their other half. When that happen..." The lady in pink let out a light laugh, letting her words hanging. If it wasn''t for the fact that she''s planning something so devious, she might pass as an angel. Her head maid is all smile, imagining all sort of possibilities when their plan finally work. She starts planning what to do when she finally become the head maid of the whole house, not just his lady chamber. She grin at the prospect of gold and riches that she will get. But who would have known, their plan are already doomed from the start. ---------- "So basically, the drug is not harmful to one health?" "No, host. You would only feel the itch to..." "To what?" "To have sex, host." Pftt. "My dear?" "Hee Hee?" I let out an apologetic smile, taking my handkerchief out as I cough out my half eaten chrysanthemum cake. Inwardly, I curse my system for not telling me sooner. I''ve been drinking that tea all afternoon. No wonder the Prince let his concubine uses such drug. I was wondering why didn''t he change the drug when he get his hand on it. I grudgingly eyed the Prince''s cup that is on his hand. The one with the red flower, similar to mine. Jun Jin Lee make a fuss of wanting to let my husband drink from the same patterned cup as mine, thus he is now drinking from the dragon tea cup. Haish! Twelve hour later I''ll be so dead. Well... It''s not like I can escape it anyway. "The drug will make you sustain an enormous energy throughout the deed, host. It will last for twelve hours." Pffft! 23 First Love: Mo Xue 21 The wintertime brings the night time early, making it unsaved for traveller to take the road at night. Especially when the road is slick with slippery ice. The Prince has invited his bride''s cousin to stay for the night. This come to as a shock to the whole household. Not once have the courtyard received an outsider to stay for the night. Even a certain concubine was thinking perhaps the guest will take a room at the nearby inn. However, her surprise turn into a happy opportunity, according to her own twisted logic. She immediately let her father know, and urge him to prepare well for the night ambush. Her head maid left the Prince''s courtyard secretly, as the whole household is bustling with excitement, without knowing that she is being followed by a shadow guard. Meanwhile, our poor soul-changed Consort is having dinner with his husband and his cousin inside his private chamber. "Ah, my little cousin. I can see that you have already use to this kingdom''s cuisines." The cousin is making a jest at him seeing how messy he eats. He scrunched his nose cutely, pouting. In his defence, he is hungry and usually the Prince will be feeding him. But since tonight they have another man with them, the ger insist to sit on his own. Plus... with all the excitement inside the bathroom just now... The ger inwardly sigh when he thought back of his husband''s grace. The Prince gently wipe the corner of his bride''s mouth, taking care to pick some meat to his bowl, making it easier for the ger to eat. A charming smile curve on his lips, appreciating his husband kind gesture. The guest is feeling happy upon seeing his younger cousin is doing well. However, he notices that the ger is quite pale and tired looking, hence he was wondering why. "Hee Hee." "Hmm?" "Are you pregnant?" Pfft! ---------- What! Where was that comes from? "Drink some water, my dear." I gladly take the water offered to me, sending a shock glare at my now grinning cousin. Why does he think like that? "Big Brother Jun. Don''t simply say something like that. I''m not pregnant." "Yet." He rebuke me back. Shit! I almost forgot that I''m a ger now and I certainly can get pregnant over time. Plus, with my ''hardworking'' husband plowing the field, my field, every single day, the seed may already began to sprout. "Take care of yourself, Hee Hee. You look a bit tired and paler than ever." Of course I''m tired! We just... he just... Ughh!!!! I can feel blood climbing up my neck and my cheeks. I throw a bashful glance towards my Prince when he purposely brush his warm hand on my equally warm cheek. "Don''t worry, this Prince will certainly take good care of my dearly beloved." I feel a bit childish but I can''t help myself from pouting when I heard his replies. Take good care? Huh! On me or my body? "Hahaha. Your Highness, you should not fed this single dog to many dog food. My stomach is almost bursting with it. I''m calling it a night. Farewell, little cousin." "Big Brother is turning in already?" The Prince help me stands up when I struggle to follow Jun Jin Lee''s gesture. I can see a knowing smile hung on my cousin''s lip upon seeing this. "This single dog almost went blind, little cousin. Don''t worry. I''ll wait for you to wake up tomorrow before leaving." "Big Brother!" He even dare to snicker at me! Thumping my feet in protest, I take a seat back only to see my Prince staring at me incredulously. "What?" I ask while taking some more meat for my bowl. "I''m hungry." He replied. "Here." I put some more meat on his already empty bowl of rice. "I''m hungry for something else." He says again. Cocking my head to the side, I take another glance at the table, looking for other dishes that he might want, before I hear him continues. "I''m hungry for you." Pfft. Is the drug already working? It hasn''t been twelve hours yet, right? ---------- Without further ado, the vigorous Prince scoop his bride up in his arm and head straight to the inner chamber. The ger let out a loud gasp, flailing on the Prince''s arm, trying to get down. However, with a stern lusty look from his husband''s eyes, he ceased all movement and obediently clasp his arm around his husband''s shoulder, hiding his delicate face on the crook of the latter''s neck. Upon gently laying his bride on their bed, the Prince starts with a gentle kiss, before it turns passionate, taking both of their breath away. "Xue Er... ahhhhnn... be gentle, please. It still..." The ger plead embarrassingly. His sacred hole is still sensitive from their actions during bath time and now when the Prince wants to have another go, all the ger can do is submit. "I will, my dear." The Prince blinding smile instantly make the poor ger limbs grows weak. He chose to close his eyes, immersing himself in the tingling pleasure that have spread throughout his body as the Prince''s hand expertly ghosted butterfly touch on his body. One by one, the garment that hug the pale ger''s body is let loose and open at front, baring out his pale porcelain skin that is painted with purplish pink love mark. The Prince''s eyes goes dark as his fingers slowly trace the constellation on his bride body, made by him, of course. "Ahhhhnn..." Each touch, no matter how light it is, send a tingling sensation to the ger''s brain, making it hard for himself to hold his moans back. Taking a peek behind his lashes, he can see the passionate eyes of his husband as the latter dive down to mark him again. His arms are hung on his husband''s neck, tighten ever so slightly as the Prince''s lick and suck his pale canvas. The latter''s hand tweak the already hardened nub, playing with it until it become much too sensitive to the poor ger. "Ahhhhnn... Xue- hmmp..." Taking turn to blessed the ger''s pink nubs, the Prince free hand already reach his bride''s pant drawstring, pulling it open before push it down, groping his bride supple body in the process. The slow lingering touch is torturing the ger. It make him feel good, but now he wants more. "Xue Er... please~" Acknowledging his bride''s need, the Prince slip his hand to the back and shamelessly grope his bum, tracing along the creek where some liquid is already leaking. "Please what, my dear?" Nibbling softly at the ger''s lobe, the Prince rims the sacred hole, making the ger gasp, wiggling weakly to catch it. "Mmph~ Xue Er... I want... Ahhhhnn..." Without waiting for his word to finish, the Prince inserts his index finger, deep till the third digit. He can feel the pulsating wall of the warm hole, sucking his finger tight. "Ahhhhnn.... mmph..." Moans and whimpers mix together as the Prince slowly slide his finger in and out, adding another finger along the way, and another, stretching his bride to accommodate his thick jade stick later. The soul-changed Consort is on his ninth heaven. Pleasure exploded from within his well-loved body, tingling from the top of his head to the tip of his toes. His arms are clutching his husband''s back as tight as he can, enjoying the assault on his body, both on his hole and his front. Soft moans and whimper rang throughout the room, as it always is. So this time, no one is even near the Consort''s chamber to listen to his sweet pleas. "Xue Er... Ahhhhnn... Faster... Ahhhhnn..." The ger''s length is twitching in excitement. The Prince hasten his pace, thrusting his fingers in and out as he pull back to look at his bride''s sweat sheen face. "I love you." With that, the ger climaxes, shooting his load across their bodies. Eyes wide with shock, the ger can''t even believe what he''s hearing. His mouth is quivering to say something but none ever come as a loud scream escape from his lips when the Prince swiftly push in his hardened jade stick inside the awaiting hole. "Ahhhhnn... ahhhhnn... ah... mmph..." "I will wait, my dear. Till the day you will return my feeling with your heart. But for now, I will take you body as compensation. 24 First Love: Mo Xue 22 He loves me? "Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhnn... Xue... Ahhhhnn..." I can''t even string a sentence. He takes me again and again without giving me a chance to respond. Not that I can if I wanted to. "Xue- mmph..." He silence me with a kiss as I turn to face him. Laying on my stomach, all I can do is clutching the bedsheet, when he plunge my hole again and again. The tip of his meat roughly hit my bundle of nerve, sending me tremendous pleasure. I can hear my voice turn hoarse but I can''t stop myself from moaning a mess some more. My length is brushing in friction beneath me, stimulating it some more until it''s twitching again. I''ve lost count on how many time I''ve came and how many time he have burst his load. All I know is now my field has been plowed to the max, each corner of it is full with his seeds. "Host." "...What?" "The ambush team is already outside." Ah... now let''s get the game begin. ---------- With the remaining strength he has left, the ger push back and force the Prince to fall on the bed. Taken back unguarded, the Prince was shock for a moment before trying to get back in motion. However, the soul-changed Consort climb on top of him and starts to ride on his jade stick, making him fall back, growling his satisfaction. It''s the first time his bride is taking the initiative so he let him have it. He is utterly mesmerized by his bride pleasured look as the latter plunge himself on his jade stick, moving his hip up and down, riding it deep. "Ahhhhnn... too deep... Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhnn... Xue Er... Ahhhhnn..." The ger rambling moans sounded like a nightingale singing in a certain Prince''s ears. The latter push his body up, intertwining his hand on his bride''s hip, guiding the smaller man to ride him faster. The ger uses his husband''s shoulder as a support when the Prince start to assault his already swollen nub. "Xue Er... no... Ahhhhnn..." Outside, several men lead by a certain minister''s right-hand man have already surrounds the front of the Consort''s chamber. They can clearly hear the sound of groans and moans that rang throughout the chamber but none of them have any responses on their faces. They make way for another gentleman, a straight postured man that carries a noble bearing. The minister''s eldest son. Shen Liang. "Those foreign imbeciles! They dare to soiled the Prince''s courtyard and this kingdom with their immorality. Guard, crash the front and get those imbeciles in chains!" The noble gentleman is pure and have never engaged in any copulation before. Therefore, despite his rage, his ears and neck are blaring red in embarrassment upon hearing the lustful moans from inside the chamber. He ignore such thought, thinking that he is there to do his work, cleaning up the kingdom from such travesty. His men crashes the open, blaring it open. From behind the silk screen, all they can see are the silhouettes of two person, being illuminated by the faint candle light, engaged in their bed time activity. "Preposterous! Guards, seize them up immediately." The silk screen is torn apart and front the front door the couple act become clear to see. The ger''s porcelain body, painted with purplish pink love mark, is arching backwards, drown in intense pleasure. While the Prince''s face is still hidden, nibbling on his bride''s perky nub, with his back facing them. "Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhh!" That is the first time the noble man lay his eyes on the ger. His heart race madly when he saw the sinfully pleasured look on the ger''s delicate face when the latter reach his climax. "Ahhhhh!" The ger seem to have finally notices the uninvited guests, hurriedly hide his face on the crook of his husband''s neck. "A pair of imbeciles! You dare to taint this kingdom with your immoral act? Seize them." The noble man bark his orders, finally come to his senses upon hearing the ger''s screams. His eyes grow colder when none of the two move, albeit the ger''s shivering state. The Prince turns half of his face to the side, while keeping one hand on his bride''s back, calming him, he brings his free hand to his mouth, whistling low. In seconds, those uninvited guests are surrounded by the Prince''s personal army. Alarm with such event, the noble man reflectivity tries to fight, not realising who''s he''s fighting with. "Noble Son Shen." The low magnetic voice that surrounds the atmosphere, stumping all other noises, shaken the will of those men. All of them recognize such voice, especially the one who''s name was called upon. The sword on his hand fall to the floor with a loud ting, silencing the rest of his men that were resisting arrest. "Fourth- Fourth Prince!" ---------- Ahhhhh! It''s so uncomfortable! Yes! I deliberately take advantage and roll on top of him. But it is because I want to have a clear view when they come! Not that I want to... I thought he would let me go when he realized they come crashing to the door. Who would have thought that he would urge me to have another release before calling for his guards. And even now, he didn''t let me go. "Mnnh..." I hide my face on his neck as he holds me, with his length still reside inside me. His man cover him with a robe while he uses the duvet to cover my body. "Detain them in the dungeon." He walks out of the room, carrying me in his arms. Each steps makes a thrusting movement below. Ahhhhnn... it''s so... uncomfortable! I''m not sure whether it''s due to the drug or die to our position, the feeling down there is unbearable. I struggle from his hold, trying to get down. "My dear, be good. Do you want me to take you here?" ---------- The poor ger stop struggling all together. Feeling unfair, he pout cutely before burying himself on the crook of his husband''s neck. His beautiful eyes come in contact with the noble son, stirring an unknown feeling towards the latter''s heart. He still in daze, even after the owner of those pair of mesmerizing eyes have long gone. He walks meekly towards the dungeon, seemingly unaware of what have happen, as his mind keep replaying the first sight of the ger. A pure, unadulterated pleasure, on the beautiful porcelain face. With tears glossing on the his peach blossom eyes, it looks like the stars that twinkle in the night sky. While his object of fascination is having another round of sweet torture with his husband, the noble man keep thinking, what if... What if the man was his? 25 First Love: Mo Xue 23 In the well lit chamber of a certain concubine, a lady can be seen pacing around her room in her silk yellow dress. She was prepared to act, waiting for the news of a certain ger''s immorality to spread. Twelve hours has certainly pass from the moment the drug was administered and she already received news about the ambush team that was led by her elder brother have arrived. However after half of incense, there is no commotion. As if... nothing had happen. No one had come to give her any news. She was left alone in her room, as her head maid was sent to monitor the proceeding by her. "Any moment now..." She muttered breathlessly while straining her ears for any news or noise. Or anything. However, as the night pass by, not a peep can be heard. In fact, if one ever ponder serious, not a voice can be heard around that concubine''s courtyard. Seemingly unaware of such thing, the lady keep pacing around her chamber, not even realising, blisters have even form on her feet. Meanwhile, the Prince and his bride is continuing their bed activity until the first light hits the earth. Slumped tiredly on his husband''s bed, the soul-changed Consort was left unconscious as the Prince proceed with his morning ablution and walk out of his chamber, but not before kissing his bride good bye. The Prince make his way to the dungeon, the same place where he was there a few days before, overseeing the punishment for a certain concubine named Ning. His shadow guard appears the moment he step foot inside the dungeon. "All of them are keeping their silences. Including Noble Son Shen." The Prince give a small nod, making his way to the questioning room that also serve as the torturing chamber. Multiple torturing devices was spread along one side of the room while on the opposite side, there''s a raised platform and some neat table set on top of it. The Prince walks towards the awaiting table and take his seat while one of his attendant immediately come forward and serve him tea. A plush, thick robe is perch on the Prince''s shoulder, to counter the chilling coldness of the dungeon. Not that he need it tho, as he can use his chi to warm up his body. Sipping leisurely on his chair, the dungeon guards bring in one of their detainees, the noble son. The handsome man was made to kneel in front of the Prince, just below the platform. "Your Highness." The dazed look that was once on the noble son''s feature was replaced with a calm and domineering one, seemingly unafraid. The noble man is holding on his dignity as a noble, calmly facing his superior. He know he have made a mistake last night, but in his defences, he''s doing it for this kingdom. "Noble Son Shen, may this Prince enquires, what happen last night?" The man replies back, saying he got a tip from an insider of the Prince''s courtyard, saying that Consort Jae Hee is planning an affair with the delegate from Kingdom of Silla. He recount that the tip says that they even found a hidden name seal inside the Consort''s chamber. "Oh, you mean this?" The Prince pull out a small pouch from inside his robe and take out the name seal. Putting it on the table, he pour himself another cup of tea. "You claimed to get the tip last evening and before long you have gather fifty man to ambush my Consort''s chamber. This Prince have no idea that Noble Son Shen have acquire such power." Upon seeing the name seal, it finally dawn on him, that there must be something wrong. If the Prince has already know about the name seal, why doesn''t he punished his Consort? Facing such thought, he unconsciously replies back to the question given to him. "Those are my father''s men." "Fifty martial art expert within a minister''s courtyard? Even the Great General Chang doesn''t have such amount within his home." Silence sweep throughout the chamber as the handsome man mull over what has the Prince says. The Prince signal with his eyes to his shadow guard and within seconds two women are being brought by the dungeon''s attendants. The smaller one, who looks like a small girl, is smiling brightly with her large eyes glossing around the room. While the other woman, stop her struggle when she saw the man sitting on the platform. She automatically fall to her knees. "Your- Your Highness." The handsome noble man instantly recognizes the latter. She is his younger sister''s maid, the one that she bring from home when she enters the Prince''s courtyard. The maid was equally shock seeing her lady''s elder brother. She was detained last night without any reason when she was out to check on the progress of the planned ambush. Seeing the noble man, alarm rises in her heart. She know for sure now her lady''s plan might have already failed. Another thing that shock her too is the existence of the small girl, the very same young maid that she had tasked to slip in the small pouch containing the name seal inside the Consort''s chamber. However, contrary to how she was treated, the girl was left standing, smiling cheerfully. What the heck have happen? ---------- "Host, Shen Li have figure out what happen. Concubine Shen''s head maid have confessed." "Did she confess willingly?" "Not at first, but with the confession of the young maid, she have no way to escape." Right now I''m laying on my stomach, with my eyes close, listening to Zero Three''s report. I wonder how shock that handsome man is when he realized he have been played by his younger sister. "What about Concubine Shen?" "Shen Li is pleading with the Prince to let his sister go. He ask to bring his sister home and he promise to never let her act as wilful again." I instantly open up my eyes when I heard the door open. Turning my head around, I watch the Prince sauntering to my side. Right now I''m on his bed, in his room. The bed is a bid firmer and the room is a bit gloomy to my taste, but it was filled with his scent. A calming musky sandalwood and cinnamon. "My dear, you''re awake? Do you want to rest some more or are you hungry yet?" The Prince sit next to me, with his warm hand massaging my lower back. I know he have been giving me his chi but hell, my whole body is aching. Not a limb can be move willing. "Hurt." I mutter low, aware of the hoarseness of my voice. Well, what do you expect, we spent more than ten hours on bed doing... that. It was a feat for my body and my ass to still kept intact. "Host, Concubine Shen has gone berserk. She is making her way here now." 26 First Love: Mo Xue 24 -In the heart and mind of Concubine Shen- My name is Shen Ning. I''m the only daughter of Minister Shen household and I''m also the youngest of three. My mother passed away after birthing me so my father would always try to give me whatever I want. Including, the man of my life. It was summer in my sixteenth year when I first saw him. It was the annual flower party held by the palace. All of the noble young man, woman and ger are invited to attend it. It was the first time for me to receive such invitation as most noble girl would be deemed as young woman at the age of sixteen. I was there with my father and my Second Brother. Elder Brother is away studying at the neighbouring country. Since my father is one of the First Rank Minister, our tent are located at the front. This leaves us a clear view of the event. And giving me a clear view of him. He was sitting alone at the side. Most of his brothers are sitting together, eating and drinking, enjoying the festivities. However, he keep sitting on his seat, aloof and uncare. Only once that he move, which was when the King, his Royal Father, ask his children to perform their talent. Most of them chose to display their talent in martial art, waving their swords and their spears on the middle platform. A few chose to play music, some are plucking their zither, while some are blowing their flute. For him, he chose to write a calligraphy. Nothing much can be said on his performance. All he does is stood in front of a table, flicking his wrist on the white sheet above it. However, if one care to notice, a powerful control can be seen, each time he flick his brush on the paper. Nevertheless, the final artwork is splendid. He wrote up a single word, harmony. That is the first moment my heart thump. Only God knows how much I struggle not to stand up and run to get that piece of writing to myself. His whole being might be aloof and cold, but his writing contains all his emotion, and all his personality. His writing is him. I plead so hard with my father, begging for him to marry me to that guy. I know he is a prince, but the King have already chosen the next in line, the Crown Prince, his brother, so he does not required to marry any royalties. In fact, due to my father''s reputation and rank, I can even demand to marry the Crown Prince myself. No, I want him. Not his brother. When I heard how the daughter of Ning get to enter his courtyard as his concubine, I almost kill myself. Because of that, father finally relent and let me go. I know he wants the best for me. I even know, my Elder Brother is building relationships with the foreign country''s royalties just to make path for me to be married here. So I understand why he doesn''t want me to stoop so low and be a mere concubine. However, I have confidence, that before long, I will be the legal wife to him. The Fourth Prince''s Consort. That was two years ago. A month after my eighteenth birthday, I received the news. The Prince is finally getting married. And not to any of his concubines here in his harem. But to a foreign royalty Prince, a ger. Ever since I enter his courtyard, I have only seen him a handful of times. But every month, a new lady from a noble household would enter, under the name of his concubine. How can I be his Consort? In fact how can any of the girls here be his Consort when he never even grace any of us with his presence. With nothing to do, those girls spend their days quibbling and sabotaging each other. It was a great thing for me to be born as a First Rank Noble Lady, so most of them didn''t dare to slight me. However, I have developed a certain persona, a noble and understanding sister. They would come and visit me, bringing me gifts and to chit chat. From there, I learn all of their secrets and their tricks, thus helping them to trick the other and manipulate them to my own uses. Because of this, they become dependant to me and I have my own set of lackeys. I goad them to mistreat the ger, allowing them to think that this ger is just a mere person. After all, the Prince didn''t even attend their wedding night and directly rush to the border after their wedding ceremony. I guide them on what to do, urging them to work together to dispel the ger. After all, his status is not the same as them, a concubine. He is the legal wife, the Prince''s Consort. Who would have known that the ger survived and the Prince had come back, giving him the utmost importance. Indeed, I was the one who switch the cohort with wolf''s bane, going from preventing pregnancy to murder. I didn''t know that the Prince would pay any attention toward the ger especially since he never paid attention to any of us. I mean, I know I have never met him, but, how can a mere man can be compared to a woman. Due to this development, it was easier to manipulate the rest of them. And the one who have made the first move is a certain concubine name Ning. It was easy. All I have to say is that she have been inside the Prince''s courtyard much longer than the rest, thus she is supposed to be treated well, not some foreign ger. I have even instruct my maid to switch all of her stock of cohort and change it to a higher doses of wolf''s bane. The plan work both way. First, to harm the ger and second to eliminate her. Less stank to compete on. Who would have thought that the King himself has put down the punishment and spread the word, unanimously warns anyone from harming the ger. What so special about that ger? He is just a man that can birth babies. Any woman can do that. I can do that. And now, even with the carefully planned scheme from my father, all efforts are futile. My brother get detained and the ger are not even with that man. They found him on the bed with the Prince. They told me the Prince is out and they told me the man didn''t leave the ger''s chamber. Which is why my father''s man can enter easily. What the hell went goes wrong? I can''t take it when Elder Brother told me he''s bringing me home. No! I need to see him. I have love him for so long, he can''t do this to me. I ignored my Elder Brother, pushing him away, making my way to his chamber. They told me he''s there, with that slut of a ger. He dares to lie next to my man? That place is supposed to be mine! 27 First Love: Mo Xue 25 "Xue Er, can you call for my maid? I want to clean up." "Why would you call for another when you have me, my dear." Heat spread along my face, hearing such cheesy replies. The Prince proceed to hoist me up and help me clean up. I would kill for a long hot bath, but I need to get ready now, to meet with that woman. Not long after, while I''m still changing my robe, I can hear a loud commotion outside. The room is particularly bigger than mine so the noises are a bit muted. However, an instant update from my system keep me in the loop. My gaze fall back to the Prince, seeing the absent of reaction from his face. I blink twice, trying get his attention, but his sole attention is on my body, with his hand tying the front part of my robe. "Xue Er~" "Hmm?" "I want to meet her." ---------- The Prince was startle for a moment before deftly finishing his job. Look up to his bride''s face, his gaze land on the dewy peach blossom eyes. "You knew about her." It wasn''t a question, but a statement. The Consort have never met the woman, so how can he knows about her. A small nod from the ger confirms it. It make the Prince wonder, what else did his bride knows. "I want to meet her. I want to end this. Please." The Prince guide his bride to take a seat at the table, as the ger''s body is still recovering from their bout last night. Taking a seat next to him, the Prince pours his bride a cup of water, as the latter''s voice sounded hoarse and scratchy. Taking the chance when his bride is drinking, he silently signal his shadow guard to let the one who''s making a ruckus outside come through. "Your Highness, you can''t do this to me. You- It''s you! It must be because of you. You slut!" A disheveled looking woman enters the Prince''s chamber, screaming and shouting. The elegant lady that she was so keen to portray on was long gone. Running behind her is her brother, trying to stop her tirade and pull her away. "Let me go, Elder Brother. That place is supposed to be mine. Let me go." The concubine keep shouting and throwing insults towards the silent ger. No emotion can be seen on his delicate face but it another thing that can be said on his husband''s. The poor elder brother of the fallen concubine put on an apologetic face, but even then, his eyes can''t hid his adoration towards a certain someone. "Noble Concubine Shen." The angelic voice sounded a bit hoarse today but nevertheless, still carries its own sweetness. The ger, still in his husband''s embrace, straighten up his back and directly lock his gaze with the woman. "I have always wanted to meet with you. Other sisters have proudly spoke about your elegance, your compassion and your gracefulness." The ger stops as his husband hand over another cup of water, urging him to drink. He smiled, accepting it, boring down daggers to the eyes of the woman if front of them. Not to mention, unconsciously, sparks a certain emotion towards the woman''s brother. "However," the ger continues, "this Consort''s can''t comprehend, are the sisters lying or you are?" The next tone from the ger sounded strong and charismatic, shocking even the Prince. Not once have any of them heard the ger speaks with such gusto, using such formal speech. It''s weirdly refreshing compared to his usual gentle voice. The woman that was dumbfounded hearing such tone finally regain her bearing after seeing such adoring looks from the Prince. Those kind, adoring gaze have never been seen before by any of the his concubines, but now, he graces those looks towards another man. By right, there is nothing wrong for the Prince to flash his adoring towards him. He is his rightfully wedded bride. But inside the twisted mind of a derailed concubine, the rights should only belong to her. "You- You slut! How dare you seduce His Highness? What right do you have? I''m the daughter of the First Rank Minister, The First Rank Noble Lady of this kingdom." Watching from the side line, the Prince has already tune out his surroundings and only put his sole attention towards his beautiful bride. It seems like everyday he will found some new charms from him, locking his adoration in place. "First Rank Noble Lady? Other than the fact that this Consort is His Highness lawfully wedded wife, this Consort is also the Prince of Silla. Does that make this Consort have the proper right, Noble Concubine Shen?" This manage to stop the tirade of a certain concubine. Yes, she have forgotten. She is so proud of her lineage that she fails to remember, the other have an impressive family too. The ger might have been sent here as a treaty offering but the fact that the ger is also a Prince can''t be denied. "But I love you much." The concubine slump on the floor, barely caught by her brother, upon realising the matter in hand. "Am I interrupting something?" Another man enters the Prince''s chamber, with a playful smile hung on his lips. He walks further into the room and take a seat beside the ger. The Prince finally turn his attention, nodding his acknowledgment towards the newcomer. "Apologies for the intrusion, Your Highness. But this servant need to make his move as the works summons me. But before that, I wish to meet with my cousin." Shock can be seen on both of the concubine''s and her brother''s face. They both know who the man is, the lady''s knowledge is from a painting and her brother''s is from some meetings a while back. "Cousins?" Noble Son Shen mutter unconsciously. "Ah, Noble Son Shen. I don''t see you there. Yes, this is my younger cousin. Hah, this makes me His Highness cousin in law, right?" the man replies with a laughter. ---------- Big Brother, can you please control yourself? I haven''t deal with you yet about your plan with the Prince. And this Prince of mine, stop molesting me!!! 28 First Love: Mo Xue 26 Haish... One man is laughing at his own joke while the other man is molesting my body. One man is my cousin while the other is my husband. Question, which one should I kill first? "Host..." "I know." I''m raking my brain, trying to find ways to end this farce faster. I came to know about how the confusion of last night happen. The Prince and my cousin swap their outer robe, so when my cousin was seen leaving my chamber and head out, their hidden informant thought it was the Prince. It was all make plausible when the Prince also lent my cousin a few of his close attendants. That''s the reason why the ambush team manage to get in. It was all a trap from the Prince, my cunningly devilish husband. I don''t have to do anything and all have been presented to me in a platter. But I still need to do something, or I won''t get rewarded with points. Ughh. "Big Brother, please wait a moment. Little Brother have some matters to solve." My cousin finally cease his laughter upon hearing my tone. It is weird to suddenly talk formally using the palace speech. It is especially hard to concentrate when your husband is rubbing his hand on your inner thigh and tracing your spine with another. After failing to come up with something, I decided to seek help from my system on how to expose the truth. I want to end her now. "Zero Three, do you have any truth serum?" ---------- "Noble Concubine Shen, this Consort have never met you but have suffer tremendously because of you. What do you think this Consort should do about it? "What- what do you mean?" The pale concubine goes paler by the minute. She grip her hand tighter on her brother''s sleeve, as trying to get him to help her. But that poor man is helpless as well. "This Consort is not sure about what happen last night, but seeing that this man is close to you, then you must be behind what happen yesterday." The soul-changed Consort is guiding the fallen concubine to spill the truth. This can be achieved with some help from his system. He uses his hard earned points to purchase a one timed fifteen minutes truth cheat from his system. When the cheat is applied, every single person in this alternate world will speak the truth when they were asked. All except him. "What- what are you talking about? I know nothing. Nothing!" "What did you do to me, Noble Concubine Shen? What did you do?" "I did nothing. Nothing! It was all father''s suggestions. He wants to frame you and this man so he can wage war on your kingdom!" Plop! The concubine''s elder brother fall backwards upon hearing such thing. The concubine finally realized what she have said, gasping in fright, bringing both of her palm to her mouth. The ger let out a small smirk before faking a shock expression, gasping his surprise. "You what? I thought you just... Big Brother? Xue Er?" The soul-changed Consort knows that both of these man already know about it, but they are still bidding their time as they have no evidence about it. The ger is simply giving them a way. It''s beneficial for both parties, as they finally got their conviction and for him, he finally get to fulfil his task. "Third Sister. What are you saying? Why would father do such thing?" Who would have thought, this question is what was needed to drive the ger''s plan further as the concubines proceed to tell everything. She tell them how she hate the ger, how she has asked her father to help her when her plan of poisoning the ger via the other concubines failed. "You are the one responsible for that?" The gentle looking cousin finally snaps upon hearing this. Standing up, his body is shaking, terribly angry with such thing. If it wasn''t for the ger who hold on to his sleeve, he might already give the delirious woman a good beating. He had never thought that everything that happen to his little cousin is due to the preposterous act of this woman. Even the Prince was shock with such development. He thought that all scheme that fall on his bride before was separate acts from some jealous concubines. Who would have thought that all of it was orchestrated by a single person. ---------- [Side mission, task four: 14% completed. Total points gained: Points will be given after the task is 100% completed. Total points needed to unlock new world: 1000 points. Points collection: -5/1000 points.] Negative? Negative?! My precious points~ If it wasn''t for that bloody truth cheat. Fifteen minutes of truth for the cost of 150 points. And I can only use it for one time per world. Wu... am I getting played by my system? My points~ My precious hard earned points~ "..." Well, it was worth it. I have all the evidence but there are no way for me to present them out. I mean, if this was a modern world I may be able to fake some videos or recording. But here... in this ancient setting? But!!! The whole... thing didn''t even last for fifteen minutes. From the moment it starts until she tell the whole truth, it only took around ten minutes! "Can I get a refund for the wasted time? If 150 points for fifteen minutes, then it''s 50 points for five minutes, right? No questions was asked after that. She was all crying and begging for mercy while being carried away." "...no." Sigh... I should have asked more. Maybe even ask the Prince if he really love me, just like he says last time. Wait... "Zero Three, what level is the Prince''s feeling on me right now?" I know it haven''t reach the ''love'' segment yet. If not, I''ll already get the 500 points. "The Prince feeling right now have jump from infatuation to adore, closely bordering the ''cherish'' segment, host." Only half? That man is going to meet with Jia Ru in a month. No, scratch that. Based on my calculations, they will meet in another 20 days! Argh!!! What can I do? "Don''t worry, host. You have another 80 days." Sigh. Letting out my defeat, I turn my attention to ground the black ink. After the whole fiasco, my Prince and my cousin immediately detain those two siblings and went out to report them to the Emperor. They have been gone for some times now, so me, being bored, was thinking of practicing my writing. Calligraphy is not my strongest trait, same like this original body. From Jae Hee''s memory, I know that he has been trained in the Four Arts, just like any other noble woman. His expertise is in painting. But for me, I can''t even draw a cat without making it look like an elephant! "Err, host." "What?" "Truthfully, any talent that the original body got, will be directly transferred to you. So, you don''t have to worry about going OCC." "..." "The original body sustain its muscle memory so if host wants to draw, your ability will match the original body." "And you''re just telling me now?!" [Side mission, task five: Semi- Completed. Total points gained: 50 points. Total points needed to unlock new world: 1000 points. Points collection: 45/1000 points.] Eh! Does this mean the war is still going to happen? 29 First Love: Mo Xue 27 "Zero Three, which bonus task that I have completed for task five?" "You have completed the task of exposing Minister Shen''s scheme, host." "Meaning, the Shen''s family is still standing." Hmm... Well, this might be possible due to the fact that Concubine Shen''s elder brother have no idea about what his dad and little sister have been doing. He seems to be a pretty decent guy. The Emperor might pardon him and let him succeed his father''s place. Yup, that kinda make sense. But, the war? "The system has no information regarding this, host. In the original story, there are no wars. Tian Mo Kingdom was directly plunged to oblivion by Jia Ru from the inside. The destinies of this whole alternate world is changing because of your presence, host." What.... So, there will be war? And I still need to stop it? ---------- "There are a total of nine princes, mistress. However, the ones that are capable to lead are only two, Crown Prince Mo Tang and the Fourth Prince, Mo Xue." In the middle of a desert, inside a lavish brown tent, a woman, dressed in a skimpy red outfit, lay on a soft yellow chaise. With a thin piece of organza covering her lower face, leaving only a pair of mesmerizing black eyes to be exposed, the woman gently pluck one piece of grape from the side table and bring it to her mouth. A tiny trail of juice escape from her mouth. It can be barely seen through the semi transparent cloth, but it''s enough to sway the heart of any man. However, the man that is standing in front of her wouldn''t even dare to raise his gaze, knowing that impending doom will fall upon him if he did. "How is the relationship between those two princes?" The lilting voice softly boom inside the tent. Apart from them both, there are a few maids standing at both side of the chaise, bowing their head in submission. "Their relationship is pretty good, mistress. Even though the Fourth Prince is talented, he is not interested with the throne. Plus, he would usually help the Crown Prince and support him from behind." The woman in red slowly raise her body, sitting, crossing her legs and perch one hand on her thigh, resting her chin on it. From behind the organza, the woman purse her red lips out, while her back fingers are drumming her chin. After a while those pouty mouth curve into a smile, seductive and dangerous. "Well then, perhaps we can do something to change it. Prepare to leave in the morrow. We have to get there before the next full moon." The man give out a salute before bowing and leaving the luxurious tent. The woman in red lay back lazily as her maids steps forward to massage her body. In another place, miles away from the desert, a certain ger is having tea while waiting for someone. No, not his handsome prince, but someone else. "Hee Hee." The ger that was so deep in his thoughts jerk his head up upon hearing it. He give out a small smile while inviting his cousin to take a seat beside him. Yes, the one he''s been waiting for is his cousin, Jun Jin Lee. "Oraboni." ---------- His eyes widen when he heard me call him in the Silla''s language. After coming here as a delegate, I know he have not been able to speak it. As a symbol of respect towards this kingdom and the Emperor, most of Silla''s citizens that come here will only speaks in Tian Mo''s language. "Oraboni." I repeat before continuing in Silla''s again, "This little brother needs help." "What''s wrong? Do you... do you want to... go home? Are you not happy hear?" "No. It is nothing like that. It''s just..." Shaking my head, I reorganize my thoughts. Ever since I realize that my system can''t no longer give me any help regarding the impending war, I started to make up some plans. However, due to my status as a delicate ger that is not supposed to interfere with any political issues, I have to seek help from someone else. It''s true that my system can help to monitor certain parties, but as I said before, this is not a modern world where I can manipulate any evidence. Since the war is between this country and the original Jae Hee''s kingdom, I thought it would highly inappropriate for me to ask for the Prince''s help. Hence, I choose my cousin to be my external help. I was thinking of giving him hint and guiding him so he can discover any plot and scheme from any third parties that wants to drive this kingdom into war with the Kingdom of Silla. "Oraboni, do you remember what did Concubine Shen said that day? About... The war?" I continues further when I notice he keep his silence. "This little brother knows that he''s not supposed to meddle with this issue but this one can''t help from being worried. After all, this little one is still the Royal Prince of Silla." "Hee Hee, that matter has been settled. Minister Shen has been detained and Concubine Shen has been punished with poison. You don''t have to worry about it." "Oraboni, do you know how many that despise me for being the Prince''s Consort? Not just the ladies in this household but also their families. Two concubines have been put to death because of me. This one might be paranoid but don''t you think those family that have their daughters here wouldn''t do something about it?" I see him grew silence again, probably thinking about the rationality behind my deduction. He might never have thought about such think but for me, a seasoned marathoner of drama, how can''t I not know those thing. I might not be a woman myself but if any of these man ever stop and think, they will naturally figured it out as well. However, in their cases, most of them would figure it out way to late. Thank God I have the knowledge of my drama. It seems like my efforts in watching countless hours of those period C-drama hasn''t gone to waste. Smirk. I''m so gonna watch more of it when I get back to the modern world. Jae, focus. "Oraboni, could you perhaps, take some precautions? I don''t want to burden the Prince with this, so I can only turn to you. They have been made sure not to plot in me, but what about our kingdom. Royal Father sent me here to keep our kingdom safe because he know he can''t hold any outside force from plunging our kingdom. If war happen..." After a long pause, he finally lift his head up, looking slightly miserable but with determination layered on top of it. "What do you want me to do?" I proceed to tell him about the ladies in this household, asking him to monitor any sudden movement from their families. After that I also remind him about the second son of the Shen family. "Shen family is still standing with Noble Son Shen taking the reign. He is a decent guy. Even if their family rank has gone down, he still keep his heads up. His younger brother in the other hand..." "This one knows. This one have heard stories about him and has even met him once during his visits with his sister." Searching Jae Hee''s memory, it is true that the original have met with the second son of the Shen''s family. It''s was the day where Concubine Ning trick him to the garden and trip him to fall onto the icy lake. From his memory, I can see the sneer and lust emerge from his eyes when he''s looking at this original''s body. "Oraboni, perhaps... you can start with him? He frequently come here to visit Concubine Shen so he might actually have some idea on Concubine Shen''s plan. He ceased his visit after the return of the Prince." "His father has sent him to the neighbouring country to study. He may be on his way back now. I assume his family has sent in notice about what have happen here. Don''t worry little cousin, oraboni will help you." ---------- The soul-changed Consort smiles in relief after knowing he has manage to get the original''s cousin to help him. He was busy doing a small celebratory dance inwardly when all of the sudden his system put out a notice, making him curse furiously. "Jia Ru is on her way, host. Shen Dong is also on his way back. With their speed, it is estimated that they will arrive in ten days." 30 First Love: Mo Xue 28 The fuc... "You told me Jia Ru will only come in... Let me check... yeah, she''s not supposed to come in another fifteen days! How on earth is she''s coming here sooner?" "... As I''ve told you before, host, your existence has change the future. Everything that I''ve told you about this world is slowly changing to adapt to your existence and your decision." What... So now I''m responsible for this mess? It is not my choice to be sent here in the first place. Plus, everything I do is for the sake of completing my mission. Ughh! "On the positive side, host, you can achieve your goal sooner." "You- how on earth can I make the Prince fall in love with me when it was first determined that he will fall in love with that woman?" ---------- The sleeping ger looks so calm and content laying on his husband''s bed, taking his afternoon nap. However, the soul-changed Consort is actually inside his system space, loudly cursing on the change of course. "Host, I''m talking about your main mission." The young man instantly went silent. The truth is, he have forgotten that his main mission is to prevent Mo Xue from getting together with Jia Ru while the task of making the Prince fall in love with him is just a side mission. Yes, he has truly forgotten about that. Instantly sober, he slowly take a seat on the white floor, crossing his leg beneath him, with both elbows perch on his knees and letting his chin rest on his knuckles. This is his thinking pose, the one that he usually dose when he is needed to re-scramble his thoughts. Not long afterwards, he let out a long sigh. "Host?" For the first time, the system sounds worried, but it doesn''t get notice by the troubled host. Changing out his pose, he stretches his leg outward while slowly lay his body on the hard floor. "Nothing. You''re right. Can you give me details on Jia Ru? I need to understand her motive before planning anything." He lay down on the floor, crossing his ankle and folding his hand under his head, getting comfortable while listening to his system''s explanation on the story''s main villain. Jia Ru is an orphaned at the age of six, that was later bought by a mercenary army from the pleasure house. She was later trained in the art of seduction, as well as the art of poisoning, espionage and hand to hand combat among other thing. She eventually become one of the best spy among the underworld and proceed to pay her way out from the mercenary army that bought her. She has since then create her own one man business, selling her skill in espionage to the highest bidder. Her latest task, is to infiltrate Tian Mo Kingdom and gains military and political intel. Her employer is one of the far away nation that have long lusted upon the vast and rich kingdom. "So, let me guess, she''s going to use the identity of that nation''s princess to visit Tian Mo?" "Yes, host. Their letter of intent should be coming in the next few days and supposedly, the Emperor will ask the Fourth Prince to organize a welcoming celebration." "I see." ---------- Now I understand the story. In the original, after my death, I mean, Jae Hee''s death, the Emperor might think that this ''princess'' will be a great match to my-... the Prince. Hence the party. But since I''m still alive, who''s going to do so? "Zero Three, how many princes are there that is still haven''t got a Consort?" "Apart from the sick Sixth Prince, the Crown Prince, the Seventh Prince and the Ninth Prince, host. However, the Ninth Prince haven''t come of age yet and the Seventh Prince have left the palace and stay at the temple with his mother, training in monkhood." "Ah... wait, wait. If that woman was intended to be my- ehem, to be the Fourth Prince next Consort, how come she later be the Crown Princess candidate?" "She found some opportunity to meet with the Crown Prince, host, and charmed him out." Charm my ass! This is one scheming snake! [Side mission, task six: Stop Crown Prince from meeting Jia Ru. 200 points. Bonus task: Find another Crown Princess candidate. Extra 50 points.] Whaaat... "How come the points is so high for this task? It is double from the tasks before." "This is due to the fact that this incident is already pre-destined to happen, host, based on the original story." Gosh! Now I''m really going to change the destiny, am I? ---------- "My dear, wake up." "Hmm?" The Prince gaze fondly on his lazy, sleepy bride, playing with his hair that is fanned out on the soft silk bedspread. The soul-changed Consort is already out from his space a few moments before and is finally taking a nap, but the Prince who doesn''t know it is insisting on waking him up. "Xue Er?" Sluggishly trying to get up, the ger rub his sleepy eyes, clearing his sight while stifling a small yawn. The Prince instantly bring him into his embrace, rubbing his back and distributing his chi to give his bride some energy. "It''s time for dinner. Are you still sleepy, my dear?" The Prince curve out a small smile when he feel a few nods on his neck. His bride, conscious or not, scoot closer to him, returning the Prince''s hug while snuggling his face on the crock of his husband''s neck. Warm breath was exhaled slowly on the Prince''s neck, as he heard a soft snore right beside his ear. "Be good. You have slept for a long time." After waiting for a while, the Prince realized that he would not get any of his desired respond. He expertly switch his bride position and lift him up from the bed, walking towards the back room. He have tasked his attendant to prepare for a hot bath for his bride. The Prince was actually looking forward for it, as always. Their daily ''exercise'' during afternoon bath time is always enjoyed by both of them. However, for today, he decided to forgo it once, seeing how sleepy his lovely bride is. He strip them both and immediately bring his bride into the hot tub, letting the latter to lean on his front. Using the cloth provided, the Prince slowly wash his bride, taking his time to memorize each nook and crany. He finally notice a hidden mole behind his bride''s ear which was usually hidden by his long lustrous hair. The Prince drop a chaste kiss there, before pulling them both up and starts drying the up, his bride first. The pale ger is not totally unconscious. From the moment his husband drop them inside the hot bath, he have been stirred awake. But even he doesn''t know why, his whole body felt lethargic, thus, he welcome such pampering. He subconsciously snuggle deeper into his husband''s embrace as soon as they left the tub, seeking for warmth. The Prince continues to provide his bride with his chi while listening to his soft, warm breath on his neck. However, his chi was slightly deviated, when the pale ger utter some words to his ears. "Love you." 31 First Love: Mo Xue 29 "Mistress, our letter of intent have been received by them." "Good, then prepare the necessary. The youngest and most pampered princess of the Western Nation must not be presented lightly, right." The body that owns the flirtatious voice come out from behind the silk screen. Previously, this lady is the same lady that wore the skimpy red outfit, far in the desert. Right now, inside a highly decorated mansion, in the neighbouring state of her intended destination, this lady is wearing a proper western attire, a pale pink silk muslin gown, suitable for those lady with noble upbringing. She no longer wears an organza mask to hide her face, but her real face is still hidden beneath a layer of skin mask that she have put on. Her new face resembles the full moon, clear and innocent, which would easily grip the hearts of any man. However, the glint on her eyes, sneaky and fierce, betrays her whole look. "Mistress, everything will be done as ordered." Her servant bow as he leave her room. The lady flick her wrist, swiping on her face in an upward motion, letting the skin mask fall on the floor. Her real countenance shows, a devilishly charming lady, with a long but faint scar on her left cheek. She struts to the window, looking away to a certain place, with a dark smirk in her face. Far from the mansion, in the neighbouring kingdom, a meeting between father and his sons occurs. Inside the palace, in the Emperor''s office, the head of the kingdom is sitting behind a large table, staring intently on a few piece of paper. His sons, the Crown Prince Mo Tang and the Fourth Prince, Mo Xue, is standing solemnly in front of him. "Princess Jia Ru from the Western Empire will becoming for a visit. They wish to enter our kingdom to replenish their supplies before continuing their journey to the Southern Hemisphere. They are already at the neighbouring state, waiting for our permission." The two brothers exchange a look after listening to their father. Both princes hold their tongues, letting him to finish as they both know there''s more to come. "Western Empire is much bigger than Tian Mo Kingdom. The ruler have manage to unite the whole Western continent some years ago. Along with their letter of intent here, they send along the official letter of purpose, stating that they are sending their youngest princess to a journey to the South, to search for a cure for their Empress Dowager." He stops for a while, gauging the reaction in his sons before he asks, "What do you both think?" "Your son thinks that there is more to it, Royal Father." The Crown Prince started, "With permission, Royal Father, your son wants to share his opinion." "Granted." "According to your son''s resources, there is a princess name Jia Ru in the Western Empire. She is the illegitimate daughter of the ruler and her first wife''s maid. The maid is from this kingdom, Royal Father, as she is one of the tribute that you have sent to congratulate the ruler on uniting the Western continent." The Crown Prince paused for a moment, taking a glance at the Emperor before continuing further. "Nobody have ever seen this princess, Royal Father. All that was heard was this princess does exist and that is it. Over the past few years, there are news from our spies sending information about which country''s heir want to send a hand in marriage to the ruler''s princess, but none of them are for this princess. If your son''s calculation is correct, Princess Jia Ru should sixteen now, perfect age for marriage talk." "What about you, Fourth Prince? What do you think about this?" the Emperor asks again after digesting what the Crown Prince has said. "Your son share the same sentiment as the Crown Prince, Royal Father. Your son believe we must be very careful in receiving them to this kingdom, in case Royal Father decided to accept their request." The Crown Prince nod his head, agreeing with his younger brother. The Emperor take another minute, trying to think of a solution for this. In one hand, he wants to deny their request, wanting to prevent any mishap from occurring in his kingdom, for his subject''s safety. However, he might incur the wrath of the Western Empire later on. He have long notice the lust of the Western Empire Ruler on his kingdom. If it''s not for their location that is too far away and the fact that their army is filled with masters that can control element, or as the ruler believe, magic, Tian Mo Kingdom might already cease to exist. "Alright, this is what we will do. I will accept their request. Crown Prince, tighten the security as soon as they step inside the kingdom. Monitor their every move and don''t let any of them escape our attention, including their maids and slave." "Your son received your command, Royal Father." "Fourth Prince, you will be in charge on assembling a reception. It must be grand and decent. Don''t give the Western Empire any reason to say we are not giving them any respect." "Your son received your command, Royal Father." The Emperor give out a small smile before letting his sons leave the chamber. They both fisted their palm in salutation, before turning around to leave. However, before they even reach the front door, the Emperor call them back with another command. "Fourth Prince, I almost forgot. You are married now, so let your consort entertain the princess when she comes." ---------- "Who would have thought? Thank you father-in-law." I smirk knowingly upon listening to my system''s report. So many important incidents have change, far different from the original. In the original, based on what my system has shared with me, the Emperor didn''t even hesitate in accept their request of visit and directly command the Fourth Prince to receive her. But now? "Well, is this a way for the universe to help me? As a compensation for sending me to this forsaken place?" "...no information about that, host." I can feel my facial muscle getting numb by all the smirking I''m doing right now. Hopefully, no one will realize it as I''m holding my chin down, seemingly concentrating on my painting. I''m letting this original body''s muscle memory to flow its talent as I''m continuing my conversation with Zero Three. "My dear." My attention got drag back to reality, upon sensing a pair of hand grabbing my waist from behind. I turn my head around, greeting him with a smile. Who? My- ehem... The Prince. "Xue Er, you''re back." "Hmm." He drop a kiss on my lips, making me stunned a bit. I turn my face to the front, feeling the heat that start to spread on my face. He tighten his hold on my waist and perch his chin on my shoulder, looking across to what''s in front of me. "You paint well, my dear." I can barely hear him as he trail kisses on my neck, passing behind my ear. I have to grip my brush tightly before moving it away from my painting as I''m afraid to ruin whatever I''m painting before. "But I think, it lack something." He takes back the brush that I put aside, before writing something on the upper right corner of my painting. As I watch him write, I gasp in disbelief. Not only because of his immaculate calligraphy, but also because of the painting. This original body was painting black ink on white paper, but the detail in each stroke is so lively, making the non-existing colours scream to his eyes. Mountain and bird, lakes with fishes jumping in the air and a bridge at the center of the lake, with a pair standing on it, gazing to the moon. Gosh, this is a pure artwork! "Zero Three, can I attain this original body''s talent after I leave this world?" "Yes, host. This is one of the benefit given to you. You can bring this talent to the next world and you will be able to do so with any talent in the other body that you will reside later. That is, as long as you complete the main mission." "Which mean, if I didn''t complete the main mission but still manage to get that 1000 points and decided to leave, I won''t get to keep this talent?" "That is correct, host." Tsk. I know those loophole are too good to be true. "My dear. Look. See if the poems fits." I turn my attention again towards my painting. Upon reading his four lines poem, my heart jump erratically before clenching in pain. I turn around and hug him close, before crying on his chest. "My dear?" ---------- ''Once you see the ocean, There''s no other body of water that can compare. Once you see the clouds of mount Wu, No other clouds can compare.'' ?A/N: This poem is the first part of a love poem by Yuan Zheng. The meaning is, once you have found your fated one, no other can be compared with. This poem is written by the author for his dead wife.? 32 First Love: Mo Xue 30 The Prince was taken aback when his bride suddenly cried. He tries to calm him down but it seems like it only make him bawl even further. It only last for a few second though, as the ger suddenly went silent and goes limp in his arms. "My dear? My dear?!" The Prince went panic and immediately scoop his bride up and head to the bed with his long stride. Xiao Er that has just come in with the Consort''s afternoon snack was alarmed as well upon seeing the unconscious pale ger. He quickly drop the snack tray on the table and approach them. "Call up for the Royal Physician. Hurry." Without letting the maid slash shadow guard get to them first, the Prince has already give out his order. Worries stark across his features, as he lay his bride down on the bed. "Yes, Your Highness." Seeing that her master is giving the utmost importance to the bride, Xiao Er have long know about her master''s feeling. She rush out, using a tiny bit of her chi to walk faster, heading to summons the physician. When everyone are panicking and were worried sick about the fainted Consort, the perpetrator is pacing back and forth inside his white space. The host, the soul-changed Consort, is mumbling to himself while pacing around. After pacing on a straight line for a while, he unconsciously start to pace in circle, doing so for a few rounds before his step flatters. "Host?" The young man immediately buckle down, unable to keep his dizziness at bay. The lack of furniture inside his space is also one of the reason why he have to bow down to the floor, to gain his bearing. "I''m okay. I''m okay." He slowly sit down, crossing his legs beneath him, while taking a deep breath, trying to clear his head. Yes, this man has purposely pull himself back to his space, leaving his body limp outside. To be honest, he does it unconsciously, as he tries to run away from his feeling. His heart was bubbling in happiness, when he first read the lines written by the Prince. But then, his heart starts to clench in pain, as if a massive boulder crush it, until nothing''s left. He understands what that man is trying to imply, hence the reaction. "He... Zero Three, what-... What is his feeling now,... towards me?" The youth keep his head down, holding it with both of his hand, as he stutters over his question, knowing the answer won''t be ''love''. He hold his breath, waiting for the answer and slowly exhale when he gets it. "Reporting to host, the love meter is showing that his feeling has pass the ''adore'' section, currently at the middle of ''cherish''. Congratulations, host. You''re almost completing your side mission." Despite hearing such happy thing, the host is now holding his heart, crying without tears. "Host?" "The poem..." ---------- "What about it, host?" I recognize that poem. I''ve read it before. I don''t really remember who wrote it but I know the meaning of it. ''Once you''ve met your destined, none others can compare.'' That poem is the first part of one of the poems that I have studied during my past life. I loves Asian dramas so much that I took Asian Literature as part of my elective. I still remember how the girls in my class are gushing over this poem and the boys start to use it to woo others once our lecturer explain it''s meaning. Does he meant the same when he wrote those words? Does he really believe that I''m his destined one? Does he... But I am... I''m a fake. I''m not Jun Jae Hee. I''m not some ger that can give birth or a prince from some faraway land. I''m not even from this world! I''m Jae. Just a simple, unemployed graduate that... happen to kill himself without knowing it. "Host? Are you okay? You have been here for quite some time now and the Prince is getting worried." His face flashes in my mind. His gesture, his touches, his kisses, his... everything come tingling on my heart, my body. I know. I know I have fall for him but... No. I''m only here to complete my mission. And my mission is to save his life. I will do just that and then... I will leave. "Zero Three, as soon as I complete the mission and get the thousand points, pull me back. I want to leave this place." This is my decision, and I will stick to it. Xue Er, I''m sorry... "Yes, host." Taking a deep breath, I send my consciousness back to my host body. Blinking heavily, I open up my eyes to see the heavy dark brocade on top of me. But that didn''t last for long when I was suddenly engulf in a bear hug. "My dear." There it goes again. I can''t comprehend what to think right now, or even what to feel. Should I burst in joy up on receiving such love or should I turn it away? I don''t know if my heart can take it when I finally leave this world. Hardening my heart to reject him, I slowly push his body away. He let me go but still hold me within his arm length. He look at me with such love and... happiness? What was he happy about? "Thank you, my dear. I will cherish you till death and I wouldn''t let any harm befall on you." My mind was muddled as he drop kisses on my cheeks, my forehead and a long deep kiss on my lips. If it wasn''t for me start struggling for air, he wouldn''t have stop. He pull me into his embrace once again, pulling my body up as well. "Xue Er, what happen?" Engulf in his hug and confusion, I ask. He pulls away, still with a wide smile on his face, as he move his hands from my arms to my palms, clutching it tight. "We are going to be parents. You are with child, my dear." ---------- Thunder storms down on Tian Mo Kingdom. A few moments later, drop of rain starts to pour, heavily. The whole kingdom was shock and surprised. However, they welcome the surprise as the kingdom has been in draught for over a year now. It was winter, for sure. But with all the frozen non existence lake, and just frosted snow, clean water is something that is so much needed in the kingdom right now. The rain melt away the snow, as its temperature it slightly higher than normal. If one care to wonder, the heat is temperatively not normal. The usually gloomy snowy sky starts to brighten, despite the heavy rain, with sun peaking through, blessing that winter kingdom. The citizens are dancing happily under the rain, celebrating the gift from heaven while their head of state, the Emperor, is laughing in joy in his study chamber. "Good! Good! The Fourth Prince''s Consort just got pregnant and now the heaven is bestowing us with rain and sun. This child is sure lucky. Head Attendant, relay my decree. This Kingdom will celebrate the following event for three days and three nights. This Emperor will personally bestow the child''s name, as an appreciation for the heaven''s gift. If it''s a boy, Ling Yan. If it''s a girl, Ling Yue." "Yes, Your Majesty." The Emperor keep his laughter rang throughout the day, signalling to the whole palace, how special the child is to be. Meanwhile, the mother of the said child is in shock, staring at his husband with his eyes wide, both in surprise and pure horror. "What- what did you... preg- pregnant?" ---------- "Sir, my host, he-" "I know, LS03. It''s the job of the universe. We can''t intervene. However, all decision must be made by him. Don''t influence him further, other than things that is in regards to his mission. Understood?" "Yes, sir." 33 First Love: Mo Xue 31 The celebration goes on till midnight on the first day. Despite the initial heavy rain, musical troupe went out to parade on the streets, directly after the Emperor''s decree. The citizens, from young to old, from toddler to the old master, are out on the street celebrating. They start to praise the Fourth Prince''s Consort as a lucky bringer from the foreign country. Praises are sung by simple folkman, and got carried on by those who hears it, reaching to all depth of this blessed kingdom. The servant of various household are running around, filling their water supplies to the brim, no longer worried about the lack of water. All around the kingdom, the frost has already began to melt completely and the frozen lakes and water sources has been thawed. The winter cut short for Tian Mo Kingdom, marking the beginning of spring. Inside a certain chamber, on a certain household, two peoples are seemingly unaware of the celebration outside. The Prince adoringly holds his bride in his arm, leaning together on his bed. His bride, the ger, is sleeping soundly next to him, curling cutely like a kitten. The Prince would lazily play with his bride''s hair, brushing ever so slightly on his beauty spot behind his ear. The ger would snuggle closer to him, seeking for warmth. The soul-changed Consort is really asleep, mentally tired with the overload of information regarding his pregnancy. He have known about the possibility of him being pregnant, but he didn''t know it will be so soon. The moment his husband break the news to him the ger cries again, for a whole lot of reasons. Frustration, fear, pain and love ultimately exhausted the poor ger, making him fall to deep sleep within the Prince warm embrace. The Prince no longer panic when his bride went limp yet again. The physician has told him that pregnancy will effect a person''s hormones and emotion. He simply pull himself down to lay with his bride, waiting for him to wake up. The Prince still keep him happy smiling face, thinking about his future child. He didn''t mind whether it''s going to be a boy or a girl, all he wants is for them, the child and his bride to be safe. It startled him a bit, thinking that, no less than two weeks ago, he have no interest in having a family but now. Yes, now, all he wants is to have a family, not with just anyone, but only with the beautiful ger in his arms. His bride. His consort. His. No sooner than that, he feels the ger stir restlessly. He immediately rub his back, calming him down, dropping a chaste kiss on his bride''s hair, as he look down. The ger grudgingly open up his peach blossom eyes, looking up and share a stare with his husband. Their gaze were kept still for a few moment, until a small rumbling sound hit their ears. The ger instantly look away, but his newly tinted pink cheeks didn''t escape his husband''s. "Hungry?" The ger can only nod, highly embarrass with hearing such teasing tone of the Prince. The Prince call up a few maid to serve the meal as he have already instructed them to keep the meal ready and warm for his bride. Gently, he scoop his bride up, much to the latter surprise, rising up his brows firmly when the ger wants to be put down. He resorted to fake-drop his bride to make the latter clasp his neck firmly before heading to the table. The table is already filled to the brim with a whole lot of nutritious food, suitable for expecting persons. The ger can only put out a helpless look, seeing how his husband is busy filling up his bowl and feeding him, while sitting on his lap. The ger watch his husband''s face, carefully, as his heart starts to strain in pain yet again, seeing such happy features. "My dear?" A trickle of tear trail down the corner of the ger''s eyes, without him knowing it. The Prince stop his action, wiping away those tear, finally taking a good look at his bride. "What''s wrong?" "Xue Er..." "Hmm?" "Are you... happy?" "I am." The Prince take hold of his bride''s hand, kissing before placing it on top of the still flat stomach. "This child, my dear, is the seed of my love to you. I know my feeling towards you and I know you are feeling the same too. I''m happy. I''m truly am." And with that, the tears come falling down on the ger''s face, as if the dam that holds it breaks through. He embrace his husband, collapsing himself within the front of his warm body, crying his resentment away. The ger, no, the soul-changed Consort is having a change of heart, finally willing to accept his feeling, finally willing to try and get it through. "Thank you." ---------- "Thank you for being here. Thank you for accepting me. Thank you..." ''for believing that you love me.'' I can''t leave. I can''t. Not when this child is here. At least, not until the baby is born. I''m not sure what will happen to Jae Hee''s body when I leave, but I''ve read too many transmigration based novels to know that I will die before moving to next world. If I leave before giving birth, this baby will die too. He says he loves me, he believes so. He''s right, this baby is the seed of our love. At least, I can leave him with this token of my love. Only because I can''t... "Zero Three." "Yes, host." "I can''t bring this baby with me, can''t I?" "No, host. You can''t bring any living beings. However, you are allowed to bring non-animated objects from this world to keep it within the space or bring it with you to next world, host." "Zero Three." "Yes, host?" "About my request from before... cancel it." ---------- The ger went to sleep after dinner, which was a hard task for the Prince. Due to his fluctuating emotion, the Prince have to coax his bride to eat, as he calms him down on the dinner table. While laying on the side of his bride, the Prince spied a moving shadow from the corner of his eyes, making his body alert. Upon realizing that it was from his shadow guard, he drop a kiss on his bride''s hair, tucking him up before leaving the bed. He walks out of his chamber, wearing only an outer robe on top of his sleeping wear, walking briskly to his study chamber. In the middle of it, Yi, his shadow guard, is already kneeling on the floor, waiting. "Pardon my intrusion, Your Highness." "Proceed." The Prince take a seat behind the table, while the guard stands up, taking out a piece of parchment and put it on the table. "Your Highness, there is indeed an entourage at the neighbouring state, claiming to be from the Western Empire. They are currently residing inside the mayor''s manor. As they have received the permission from the Emperor, they will most probably head out the next morning." "And?" "There are thirty people, including the princess. However, half of them are of the eastern nationalities and the rest are westerners. But, all of the easterners are an accomplish martial artist, including the lady maid and their lowest foot servant." The Prince face turn frosty while listening to the report. The drums his fingers on the table, while reading the parchment paper. It contains the list of supplies that the visiting princess wish to obtain. "Half of this supplies are obtainable from that state. Why does it still on this list?" "Your Highness, according to our resources, those supplies are either run out of stock due to famine, or the stores have fallen into some sort of catastrophe before the princess''s entourage arrive." "How convinced. Proceed to report to the Crown Prince. Remind him to be wary with these supplies stores and keep a tight reign on security." "Yes, Your Highness." The Prince is already standing up, urging to head back to his bride. However, his shadow guard is still standing at the middle of the chamber, slightly fidgeting. "Anything else?" "Your Highness. Regarding the Emperor''s command on Your Consort-" "Don''t worry about it. He''s pregnant now. This Prince is sure that Royal Father will understand." 34 First Love: Mo Xue 32 "But I want to do it~" "My dear~" "I want~ Xue Er, I want~" You dare to prevent me? You wish. I almost explode in anger listening to my system''s report, stating that the Prince is petitioning to let the Emperor revoke his command on me being the one to entertain the princess. I mean, that fake princess. I have to ask, no... beg, my system to manipulate the mind of this dumb prince to ''accidentally'' slip up on this or else he would keep mum on it. It''s not that easy. Zero Three told me that the Prince''s mind power is absolute. If it wasn''t for the fact that the system is a cheat, it will not work. Plus, the cheat eats up the rest of my points, and I''m having negatives now! My precious points~ No, mister! I wouldn''t certainly let you do such thing. Do you know how hard it is to get this one chance to meet that scheming bitch? "My dear, you''re pregnant. You''ll be tired. Please listen to me." I''m pregnant, not disable. Stupid Prince! ---------- The soul-changed Consort resorted to blackmail. Emotional blackmail that is. At first, he would sulk and refuses to eat on his husband''s lap. Then while visitors come and congratulate the couple on their child, the ger would ignore the Prince blatantly, striking conversation with everyone but him. And when the Prince summoned them all out due to jealousy, the ger ultimately move back to his own chamber, commanding his maids to stop the Prince from entering, threatening to stop eating if they don''t. The ger knows that he''s acting childish, but that is the only way that he can think of. He would simply blame his pregnancy for his actions later. "Hee Hee, His Highness cares for you. Can you just relent on this one?" The Prince is on his wit''s end, hence the cousin. It was the last day of the celebration, when most people from around the city have already come, paying their visit and bringing gifts. A mountain load of precious treasure and herbs are taking up some space inside the ger''s chamber, while some of them are already being stored somewhere. The ger is having his afternoon snack, while his maid is brewing a pot of sang ji sheng and sweet egg, which is good for expecting persons, when his cousin comes to visit. More like giving a lecture. "Big Brother," the ger started, before switching to Silla''s, "Oraboni, I''m pregnant, not disable. Does he want me to be kept hidden here inside this chamber? Am I his trophy wife? Or... is he embarrass of me?" The ger lamented pitifully, faking his sadness to the other''s. He knows the cousin would immediately report back to the Prince, so he might as well take advantage of it. The cousin frowns hearing such things. He starts to understand why his little cousin is so keen to throw a tantrum over this matter. Later, when he meet up with His Highness, he starts to lecture the Prince on how he have made the ger feel insecure and demanded him to just comply with what he wants. The Prince want to refuse the notion but the cousin uses the ger''s pregnancy as a factor, making the Prince submit. "Thank you, Xue Er." The ger lovingly hug him when the Prince come by the next morning, saying that he would agree for him to entertain the visiting princess. To be honest, he partly blame himself for slipping up in front of his bride. He starts to wonder, when have he become so muddle headed. "But, I expect you to relax and not to strain yourself. You can command the maids and servants to do your bidding." "Okay~" "Promise?" ---------- "I promise, Xue Er." I grab his hand and starts linking our pinky together, promising. Finally! My prayers have been answered. Wow, to be honest, I don''t think this trick will work. No wonder those female lead in those drama would act such way, because their male partners isn''t immune to such pitiful state. Wait. Why did I just categorized myself with them? Ugh! I keep hugging him, while I''m planning inside my mind. I mean, I kinda miss him after two days of shunning him. Sigh. So, I let him carries me on his lap, and let him feed me breakfast, while I snuggle closer to him. Gosh! I even miss his scent. Anyway, the first step is done. Next, and the most important thing is, to organize the event. The Prince will organize the whole welcoming ceremony, while I will be in charge of the entertainment. But still, I wouldn''t let any of them, nor the Prince or the Crown Prince, to receive that woman when she comes. Since there is no Crown Princess nor its candidate and the so called princess is not on the highest degree to deserve a welcoming from the Empress, I would become the best choice to receive her, due to my status that is. Smirk. "Zero Three, regarding the task of not letting that woman meet with the Crown Prince, do I have to prevent them from ever meet or just that one initial meeting?" Well, I have to ask. I do believe it is highly impossible to prevent them from ever meet unless, I sent the Crown Prince somewhere else. It''s great though, since the answer I got benefits me. I only have to prevent their first meet, the one that have been predestined in the original story line. The meet should be happening on the second night of her ''visit''. They would ''bump'' with each other, when the Crown Prince is on his way back and that woman, is being harass behind the main street. The Crown Prince was ready to help when he sees this but that woman displayed her combat skill and defeat the attackers. And.... As legend call it, the Crown Prince was so enamoured by her bravery and yada yada yada. The Crown Prince proceed to tell it to the Prince, making him develop a sudden interest to her as well. Pfft. If one ever wonder to stop and think, it was utterly ridiculous. Why would someone attack a royal visitor and even then, why would she, some princess, would walk at night, in a foreign country no less, all alone? Huh, those two are really stupid that time! ---------- "My dear? What''s wrong?" The Prince raise his question upon hearing his bride''s snorting in disgust. He put down his spoon and pay full attention towards his pregnant ger, keeping an eye on his emotion. The ger pout cutely, definitely unsatisfied with something. "Can you tell me, my dear? Is the food is not to your liking?" The ger hook his arm around his husband''s neck, hiding his face on the crook, mumbling under his breath. "What is that again, my dear?" "I don''t want you to go and meet with that princess." The ger repeated, loudly this time, still sound muffled. The Prince let out a small smile, thinking how his adorable bride is jealous of the princess. He tighten his hug, rubbing the ger''s back. While the winter have slowly passed this last few days, it is still slightly chill. "Then who will receive her?" "Me. I want to go." "My dear~" The Prince coax his bride to finish his breakfast first while the ger is playing his pity and jealousy card to ensure his plan will work. Meanwhile, the ''princess'' entourage is having a break somewhere in the wood. They were preparing dinner after setting up their tents when a loud howl thunder across the forest. The guards are instantly alert as they heard the pitter patter come nearer to their camping ground. Out of a sudden, a pack of wolves starts to emerge from behind the tree. One, two, twelve, large wolves, grey in colour, with the size of a grown man starts to approach them slowly, while the biggest wolf, most probably the pack leader, is standing a bit further, eyeing the procession. Without notice, the pack starts to attack, lunging towards the guards. Fight erupt between men and beasts, as those men are trying to survive and those beasts are trying to get their meal. The fight continues for a few moment, with the beasts seems to be winning, overpowering the men with their brute strength. Most of the men suffer some heavy injuries, being clawed and torn apart. A couple of men have already died. Out of nowhere, slashing sound can be heard and flashing blade is blinding them. A stranger march forward and beheaded a few wolves, making the leader of the pack howl in agony. The stranger instantly taking the front line, facing the wolves that are now whimpering, edging to fight back. The stranger lock his eyes with the leader, unblinking. Few seconds later the leader give out another howl, calling his pack to retreat. The stranger keep standing there, until the last of the wolf hind disappears from their sight. As he turns around, those men finally got to see a clear view of this stranger. A young man, a handsome one nevertheless, carrying a noble but playful air around him. "Thank you for your help, young master." The stranger turn his attention toward the sweet voice, coming from the large tent behind those man. The tent flap was raised and a lady, in her western gown steps out, instantly mesmerizing the stranger. "This princess name is Jia Ru, from the Western Empire. If young master please, may this princess know your name?" "Greeting, Princess Jia Ru. This humble person''s name is Shen Zhe, from the Tian Mo Kingdom." 35 First Love: Mo Xue 33 "They met? Interesting." The ger is sitting inside the inner hall, listening to the Prince''s concubines ideas. He have summoned those ladies to help him and understandably, those ladies comply. He, by all right, have the highest seniority in term of rank and couple with the fact that he have manage to eliminate two of the highest ranked concubines in the Prince''s household, are enough to make those gentle lady obeys. But the Consort didn''t seems to misuse his power. He gently invite them and ask them to share his opinion, making the concubines lessen their contempt. To be honest, the ger is just lazy to think as he have other issue on his hand that requires immediate attention. "Consort Jae, what do you think about this?" The soul-changed Consort raise his head, smiling softly while in fact he''s using his system to remind him what were being talked about. "I believe it is a good idea, Concubine Ling. And perhaps we can combine it with Concubine De''s idea as well. Can we have it ready before the princess comes?" The concubines were enchanted with the ger''s soft tone. They all have met with the ger, at least once before, and they knew how beautiful he is. However, the ger always look so pitiful and delicate, making him an easy target to bully. Now, the ger have a sudden change in his personality. Still the same delicate being but his aura seems regal, making them unable to disagree with his command, despite how sweet and soft his tone is. Their meeting was adjourned as they all received their task. The group of concubines were split into three. One group will be handling the food feast, to ensure the foreign princess get to experience their local specialty, while the second group is in charge of the various locations that they wish to show her. Most probably they will be going to the Jiang Wen Pavilion, a place where all the best jewellery and dresses were sold and the Ninwen Temple. As for the last group, they will be responsible for the entertainment, such as dances and musical show, to be presented on the welcoming banquet and the farewell dinner later on. What about the ger? As soon as the meeting was over, he was whisked away by the Prince, urging him to rest and take a nap. He can only helplessly smiles on his husband''s action, stealing a peck on his cheek, before laying obediently on the bed. He have move back to the Prince''s chamber, after they have reconciled from their mini fight. The Prince has also receive the report, on the meeting of the princess and Shen Zhe, the second son of the Shen''s household. Surprisingly, the report didn''t come from his shadow guard, but from Jun Jin Lee, his bride''s cousin. "Why did tell me this?" the Prince asks. "Your Highness, I''m not sure if you know, but Shen Zhe is a bit... petty. If it wasn''t for the fact that he is somehow related to your previous concubine, I wouldn''t care to track on him. I have been wary about him, and about any of the lady inside your household, Your Highness. Jae Hee might be Your Highness''s Consort, but he is also my dear cousin and the Prince of Silla." He subtly hinted to the Prince, about what he has been doing, silently urging the Prince to pay a close attention about those ladies that were living within his household. To be honest, the Prince has long intended to dismiss his harem, but due to some business, he have to hold it for the moment. "But now, it seems like Your Highness''s harem is in complete harmony? I''ve heard about how my little cousin delegating tasks to them for the princess welcoming banquet." The cousin sips his tea after showing a knowing smile. The Prince, putting out his grim thinking face, starts to wonder, when will be the perfect time to get ahead with his plan. ---------- "They have crossed path and now travelling together? Do you know what are they planning on, Zero Three?" This was new. In the original plotline, Shen Zhe would never have an encounter with the princess. But then, in the original story as well, he wouldn''t be coming home and will be staying abroad, continuing his study. Oh gosh! Just how many changes I''m responsible on? And those wolves? Where did they come from? There''s no information about those. Ughh! "I can''t determine what is Shen Zhe''s plan, host, since he is alone. However, Jia Ru planned to use him to gain another set of supporter. She seems to know about what happen to the Shen Household." "Then, she will be probably make use out of it. Hmm... Monitor their activity, especially when her man make contacts with her spies." "Yes, host." Over the past few day, after analysing the action of this woman in the original story, I''ve come to realize that she must have her own spies here in this kingdom. I mean, how on earth can she orchestrated the whole ''being attack by the local thug'' scenario at the exact place where the Crown Prince will be? And then, that Shen Zhe. I have never meet him and Jae Hee have only meet him once. But... if the information about him is correct, he will certainly do something to me. Perhaps, he has even planned to do so on his way back. I look down to my stomach, caressing it slightly, thinking about little miracle that now''s reside in my womb. I have to prevent anything from happening to me, so this baby can have a future with his father. And for that, that Shen Zhe have to leave. "... Host, about the wolves..." "Hmm?" ---------- No one knows when, but the young innocent man''s heart that now reside within the ger''s body has slowly blacken. But perhaps, it was due to his circumstances that the changes happen. Two weeks ago, he''s just someone that have nothing in his life to live for. But now, getting thrown into an unknown world, being force to survive just for the sake of having his second chance in life, he starts to change. With an innocent life now reside within him, he no longer tries to survive only for himself, but for others as well. At first everything is just some means to an end. Completing the task, gain a thousand points and leave. But now, for his love and his baby, nothing can stand on his way. "Xiao Er, can you send a message to my cousin, asking him to meet me tomorrow?" He finally lift up his face from stirring absent mindedly on his sweet congee, flashing a small smile towards his maid. "Yes, consort." The latter replies, serving him another cup of hot tea. "Oh, get me a paper and brush. I want you to deliver it as well." ---------- ''Oraboni, I want to meet with Shen Li. Please bring him to Wu Fei Tea House tomorrow, after court meeting. I''ll be waiting. Hee Hee.'' 36 First Love: Mo Xue 34 "I don''t know why, but Jae Hee would never do something without purpose." Those words keep ringing inside a certain Prince''s mind as he walks home, heading towards his chamber. Yes, his bride had willingly moved back to his chamber, a day after he give his permission for his bride to be in charge of a certain event. The handsome Prince was with Jun Jin Lee, when the latter received the message from his cousin, the Prince''s Consort. The letter was fully written in Silla''s, but the content has been spilled out by the handsome delegate. They both were surprised by such thing. Why would a married ger want to meet with a guy outside? And to make thing even weirder, he wants to meet with the guy who''s family had tried to kill him? When the Prince enters his chamber, a whiff of plum blossom flairs to his senses. He knows, his delicate pregnant ger is having his afternoon bath right this moment. He walks to the back chamber, where he saw a line of maids are waiting outside the silk screen. He put his index finger to his mouth, silencing their greetings before waving them out. One by one, the maids walks out, taking care to step out faster, but silently. The said Prince then proceed to walk behind the silk screen, watching his bride leaning inside the tub, currently relaxing within the hot bath. He approaches his bride slowly, taking away his robe and inner cloth, as usual, while keeping his eyes on his bride''s serene features. The ger have a small smile on his face, with his eyes close, looking adorably tempting, as his skin glisten pinkishly. "Xue Er~" The ger has long realized that he was being watched. It''s nothing new, but one might marvel at how keen the ger''s senses are. To tell the truth, he have a cheat called Zero Three, the Love System''s manager. Ever since he was ambush before by the said Prince, the soul-changed Consort has asked his system to alert him when the Prince come again during his bath. At least, he won''t be as surprised. "My dear, you always seem to know that I''m here." The handsome Prince lift up his muscled leg, entering the tub, while his... junk, is hanging proudly between his long legs. As we know, this is not something new, but the ger would always sported a shy look, immediately shifts his gaze to somewhere else. The Prince smiles in amusement, seeing such look on his bride''s face. He submerge himself inside the tub, sending the water to ripples around the tub and break when it reach the ger''s porcelain skin. He scoot closer and engulf his bride within his arm, clamping his waist on the side. The latter, glowing pink with the heat and embarrassment, lean his head to his husband''s broad shoulder, sighing happily to meet the familiar warmth. "My dear~" The Prince turn his bride, making them face each other. The bride pout, dissatisfied when his leaning pose is being disturbed, but instantly melt upon seeing his husband''s devilish look. "Hmm?" "May I? The doctor says it okay." ---------- He... I can understand what he''s implying to. He wants... that. We haven''t been... doing... that... for the past few days, all in regards to my pregnancy. So... I can feel my blood rush to two different directions. One is up to my face and the other... southward. I can''t look at his eyes anymore. It''s too... blinding! I can sense his stare, his need and his lust, even when I''m avoiding it. To be honest... I kinda miss him too. I have only given out a small nod, when all of the sudden, he pulled my chin up and crush my lips in a scorching kiss. "Mhh~ Ahh~" I can''t help myself from moaning, as if it was waiting behind my vocal cord. As soon as I open my mouth to stop him, his slick tongue slides in, chasing mine around before capturing it. I can barely register it when he pull my legs and straddle me on his laps, when he starts to rub our length together. "Ahhhhnn~ Xue Er~" He trail his kisses down to my jaw and my neck, making arch my head backward, giving him more space. It has been days, since the last time he mark me, making my pale skin in now clear as a white canvas, ready for the painter to draw his masterpiece. I climb my hands up from his arms, snaking it to his shoulders, trying to anchor myself from the pleasure. Hearing myself moaning a mess makes me dizzy, as he pumped faster, forcing me to reach. Butterfly kisses trails down until it reaches my nubs. I arches my body even further, letting him play with those beans, licking them wet, sucking them swollen. "Ahhhhnn.. Ahhhhnn... Xue- Ahhhhh!" My arms falls from his neck with my whole body tenses, climaxing hard. The only thing that keep my position is his arm, holding on my waist. He pulls me back towards his embrace, plastering our body together. I can feel the stickiness on our abs, it must be from the release before. He''s saying something to me, but I can''t understand any of it. I rest my head on his shoulder, suddenly tired out of the blue. "Ergh~" A single digit snake inside my hole, making me unconsciously clench it, feeling foreign. He kisses my temple, hushing me to calm down as he slowly force another digit inside me. "Still so tight after all this time, my dear. Loosen up a bit." Feeling save once again, I give out a nod as I relax my body, then the finger slide to its third digit. The feeling of his long calloused finger feels a bit different from before, as it slowly swirl inside me, loosen up my hole. Why? Not that I''m rejecting it though as it felt... heaven. ---------- The poor ger doesn''t know, but his husband has struck his nerve point behind his neck, increasing his level of sensitivity. He have his own reason for that, for later purposes. However for now, he just wants to devour his little pregnant bride. The Prince keep peppering kisses, marking his bride''s body, nibbling on his lobe while whispering lovely nothing''s to him. His fingers are working harder, thrusting in and out within those warm hole, slightly grazing the sweet bundle of nerve, itching the ger to the point of desperation. "Xue Er.... Ahhhhnn..." The poor, teased ger subconsciously moves his hip, up and down, trying to chase the feeling, but his cruel husband kindly deny it. "Ahhhhnn... Xue Er... please... please..." "What do you need, my dear?" The Prince continues his torture, scissoring the sweet hole to ensure it can accommodate his long and hard jade stick. His low growl is sending shivers to ger''s spine, making his mind hazy with desire. A sudden switch snap within his soul. He didn''t even realized what he''s doing as he suddenly stands up, letting those fingers slide away from his sacred hole, shocking his husband. Taking the hardened stick of his husband''s, he look into his eye''s, before saying one word. "You." Outside the ambiguous back chamber of a certain Prince, far away from the kingdom, a group of ''visitors'' and her ''guest'' is making plans for the next day''s journey. An eastern looking lady, wearing a western attire is having a light hearted conversation with a certain man, the handsome stranger that once saved her entourage from wolves. "Then, why did you cut your study short by going home?" The ''princess'' asks. "My family have stumble upon some problem before." He replied, "I''m not sure what I can tell you..." "Please, Mister Shen. You are my benefactor. If I can help you in some way, I will." The handsome stranger smile inwardly, before recalling his tale, taking notes to frame a certain ger, thinking that the lady have fallen for his charm. He plans to use the lady status, to help him get his revenge. Little that he know, the lady, who have long known about the real truth, is laughing at his stupidity inside. She have plans for him too, a plan that might just bring him to the brink of death. They both churned their own plans while their supposed to be ''victims'' are having their time in heaven, intertwining their bodies together, in a slightly cooled down hot tub, without any care about the world. 37 First Love: Mo Xue 35 "Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhnn... Xue Er... faster... Ahhhhnn..." Inside the warm tub of water, the ger is bouncing up and down on his husband''s jade stick, trying to impaled himself on it as hard and as fast as he can. But his husband''s, taking notes on his bride''s pregnancy, holding his waist tightly, preventing him from doing so. "Ahhhhnn... Xue Er... please..." The ger''s sensitivity has been enhanced, thus making him unable to bear the impending itch that starts to spread on his body. Like ants crawling on his skin, he crave for some relief. His husband can''t bear to hurt their child, thus he control himself from ramming his meat stick roughly as he always does. All he can do is make shallow trust, barely leaving his bride''s hole while pulling out and directly thrust in, hitting the bundle of nerve repeatedly, to satisfy the latter. "Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhnn... Xue Er... Ahhhhnn... more... Ahhhhnn... coming... Ahhhhnn... Ahhhhh!" The ger is currently oblivious to his husband''s suffering, as he was chasing his own heaven, riding on the sudden climax. Poor Prince, he still haven''t come, as he still trying to contain himself. But that doesn''t last very long as his bride clench his hole, gripping the hard stick, as if a child holding on his candy, refusing to let go. He burst into his bride''s, filling the awaiting warmth with burning seed, as the latter mutter weakly on his shoulder. "Love you." ---------- It is in again. I love the feeling when his thick meat is plunging deep inside me. I crave how the throbbing hot stick brushes along my wall. And I''m crazy about the warm spurt that he would always splayed inside my needy hole, as I clamp his stick inside me. I love him. I just do. Tonight it feels a bit different. It''s like, our role has been reversed. No... not that. He still the one that top me. I can''t imagine if somehow I''m the one that been doing him. It seems so wrong. What I mean is... this time, I''m the one that was eager to get it rough and he seems to be... careful. Don''t mind me... I like it when he manhandled me in bed. I like his overbearing side when he take me, again and again, until I fell to oblivion. I feel loved, wanted by him. Today, tonight... He''s holding himself back. Why? Is it because of my pregnancy? Is he worried about me? After bath, he dries me up and help me with my clothes, as usual. He carries me to the front chamber, sit me on his lap by the table and proceed to feed me. My mind start to wander, if I get on further with my pregnancy later, would he have to suffer? Or... would he crave for another?! This can''t do!!! I need to help him get his release in one way or another, and... the only way that I can''t think of is... "Xue Er..." "Yes, my dear?" I clamber off from his lap, after I make my decision, forcing him to stay seated as I wave away our maids. His handsome features gave out a cute confused look. I didn''t know this man have a cute bone within him. "My dear?" He asked, tilting his head in confusion, when he hear me chuckle. Oops, I can''t help myself. As soon as the room is empty, I straddle on his lap, sitting on the edge of his knees, locking my arms around him. I drop a kiss on his jaw, and another on his lips before prying his lips open. I smiled sensing how startled he is, but it only takes a moment before he gain his bearing, dominating the kiss, as always. It was a bit hard to keep my focus on what''s I''m trying to do, as his kiss is heaven, and I''m in another heat. Smirk. I lowered one hand, trailing it down to his arm, which are by now holding my waist. I slip to his front, slowly, until I reach his pant, untying those string, letting the barely sleeping meat out. "My dear... what..." I''m biting my own lips, trying not to moan hearing such sexy voice. I slides off his lap, kneeling in front of him. Pumping his thick length, awakening it to its full potential, I gaze back at his already hazy eyes. This is my first time. I''ve never had any relationship before and I didn''t really like to watch... adult video. But I''ve read an ample amount of fiction, in Wattpad, so... Here goes nothing[1]. ---------- While our pregnant ger is trying his hand on... pleasuring his husband, with his none-existence skill, another lady, the one that pretends, is sitting on a large tree trunk, watching, with a soft smile hung on her lips, on a handsome man, that was grilling some meat over the open fire. The two sit among themselves at the south corner of the camp, while the lady''s entourage were enjoying their dinner at the center. Once or twice some maid and servant would come to check on their ''princess'', offering to help them, but they were denied. After a while, they notice this as a sign for them to leave the two alone. "Mr. Shen, how far we are from Tian Mo?" The lady asked. "Princess Jia Ru, by horses it will take another two days, but by feet like this, it will take another five." The handsome man sweetly replied. The journey from the last kingdom is peaceful, as they crosses the thick forest with a strong handsome man. Since the winter have ultimately ended earlier than usual, their outdoor camping/resting adventure has been pleasant to all. "Mr. Shen, can you tell me more about the royalties of Tian Mo Kingdom? I hope I can give out my best impression towards them, so it won''t bring disgrace to my family." Her lips continues to smile, while eating the freshly cook venison. The handsome man eyes flash dangerously, but it swiftly disappear. He turns his attention to the lady, disclosing everything that he knows, even some unspoken secrets of his kingdom''s royalty, under pretext that the ''princess'' wouldn''t stumble upon it accidentally. "Are all the noble man in Tian Mo able to speak English, Mr. Shen? Or only a few? Does the Forth Prince and the Crown Prince are able too?" The handsome man observes in pure jealousy when he sees a flash of excitement when she enquire about the Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince. He balled up his fist on his side, while his left hand almost break the twig that he holds, the one that he was using to poke the fire. "It seems like Princess Jia Ru is interested in those princes. Did you wish to catch their eyes, Princess?" His tone is soft as willow, but it come out from his greeted teeth. The lady, sporting a blush before answering, solemnly. "This lady wouldn''t dare to wish such thing. I''m just a princess in name, dispensable. No one would even ask for my hand, Mr. Shen." Seeing such sad expression on the peerless beauty next to him, the handsome man''s heart start to bleed, from a tiny little scratch. As if it was clawed by a kitty. He push back, slightly, all his thoughts on using this ''princess'' for his revenge, sincerely wishing he can have her for himself. Little that he knows, those paws that claws are not from a kitten, but from a seductive fox. Unaware of each others thought, the night continues as one man have a change of heart and the woman laughing her heart out, celebrating her small success in baiting the other. 38 First Love: Mo Xue 36 "Host, the Prince have known about your letter and knows about your planned meeting. He have also press your pressure point behind your neck, making you unable to control yourself just now." "What?" I was so tired after attending to my dear husband that after the third round on bed I ultimately collapsed. But before I fully fall asleep, this system of mine finally decided to spill the tea. I push myself back into the space, leaving my body sleeping on the Prince''s chest. "You have commanded me not to disturb you when you are having intercourse, host." "But still..." Yeah, I did request for it. I mean... I don''t want to be distracted and dampen the mood. Pleasure time is sacred, okay. I would be so turned off if some annoying, monotone voice rang inside your head while you''re getting it on. Or in my case, get eaten up. I proceed to lie down on the floor while listening to what have happen. Why did he press the pressure point, making me more sensitive when he himself is holding back? What if... "Zero Three, what are the other purposes of pressing that acu-point?" ---------- While the soul-changed Consort is interrogating his system and finally figuring out the truth, our dear Prince was still awake, feeling uneasy. He still remember the feeling of having his length get engulf in the warm cavity of his bride. While the latter didn''t manage to get the whole length inside his mouth, his soft palm are making up on it. Each lap, each lick, bringing him to another level of heaven. It didn''t take long before he grab his bride''s head, thrusting deep, almost choking the latter in the process. Those image keep lingering in front of his eyes, closed or not, especially the one where he pull out, accidentally spraying his seed on his bride''s delicate face. Watching his peach blossom eyes widen in shock, he crouch down, cleaning up the before pulling him up, tearing apart the thin sleeping wear, thrusting harsh in one quick trust. He still hold himself back, but he was that close to succumb to his own desire. Hazy with lust and deaf with his bride''s wanton moan, he bring them both to his bed, eating his fill for a few good round before finally stop, when he sees his bride has fall unconscious. These two love birds manage to get a miniscule amount of sleep, having different thoughts running around their mind all night long. The Prince is somehow feeling a bit guilty, attacking his bride acu-point to know the truth, but in the end, he didn''t even get to know anything. While the ger, spinning his gear, thinking what should he do, after knowing his cousin being a total snitch on him. The next morning, the Prince wake up on his usual time and leave his bride that was still deep asleep, leaving for the palace. A few hours later, when the soul-changed Consort finally wakes up, he summoned his maid to send a message to his husband, asking him to accompany him to the tea house. Yes, he made an abrupt decision to include his husband''s. Since the latter have already know, might just as well let him think it was intended. ---------- "The Prince seems shock when he received your message, host." I keep a small smile, letting my maids to dress me up. I look up to see my reflection on the mirror. It seems like they are dressing me up lavishly this time, more than usual. I''m wearing a dark red outer robe with pale pink lining and silver stitches around the edges. To be honest, I''m quite used by now to these type of feminine coloured robes. Thank goodness that they didn''t have me wear one with flowers embroidered on it. "What''s with the robe, Xiao Er? I''m just going out to have some tea. Isn''t this robe a bit... excessive?" "Consort, this is the first time you are going out with the Prince. Of course we need to dress you well." I watch another maid answers my question while Xiao Er tries to keep her smile at bay. I realize that the other maids are also trying to suppress their giggles. What''s wrong with them? This is not the first time I''m going out. This dark red is not my colour, nor the original Jae Hee''s favourite. Both of us favours a more plain looking colours, like pastels, grey or white. In my past life, I only wear red as a part of my uniform and for Jae Hee, he only wore it once... during his marriage. I feel gloomy out of the sudden. Jae Hee''s is married, but I''m not. Did I just commit adultery with the Prince? And... does this baby will be born illegitimately? "Host, stop worrying. You are now Jae Hee. What ever it is, Jae Hee is you and you are Jae Hee." ---------- The ger was so close to hyperventilating over his thought. Thankfully, his system manage to calm him down. He keep his silence over the whole course, pondering over the logic of him being one with Jun Jae Hee. He dazely let himself be move to the carriage, barely walking. He tries to interrogate more but his system reminded him of what he''s off to. Right now they are on their way to the tea house and the Prince will be meeting him there. "My dear." Awaken from his stupor, he lift his eyes to his handsome husband that had lifted the carriage silk door. The ger let out a sweet smile, finally realizing they have reached their destination. Gazing at his husband''s equally red robe, he later realized the intention of his maids. The ger exits the carriage, with his husband''s help and they both enter the tea house. His maid was left outside, waiting by the carriage. Other patrons laid their eyes on these two lover birds, the men''s fall on the delicate ger while the ladies, drooling over the handsome prince. No matter what hidden thoughts that they have in their minds, they all agreed to one thing, those two are match made in heaven. "Is Delegate Jun in here? We are his guest." The soft tune floats in the air, coming from the delicate ger. The manager of the establishment dazed out for a moment before reverting back to his professional structure. Politely bowing and answering yes, he personally escort the couple to the third floor. The third floor was known as a VIP floor, with only two rooms, one on each end of the establishment. The manager brings them to the left room, where the door was adorn with beautiful painting of the exotic hibiscus and a clear intricate sign above it stating, The Hibiscus Room. The delegate is already waiting on the table, leisurely drink his tea while another tall man can be seen standing at the widow, dwelling in his thoughts unknown. The other didn''t seems to notice the couple, until he heard a melodious call from a certain person. "Big Brother, I''m here." 39 First Love: Mo Xue 37 -In the heart and mind of Noble Son Shen- My name is Shen Li. Being raised inside the First Rank Minister''s household comes with a lot of perks, and being born as the eldest son, bring forth a lot of responsibilities as well. I spend my childhood learning language and etiquette, sword plays and politics, all in preparation to take my father''s place when he retires later. All my life is spent inside the classroom and the training arena since the day I''m able to walk. Sometimes, I would envy my younger brother. He can have all the fun in the world while I''ll be stuck inside the library. More than often, I would stare at him, while he was playing outside with his servants. Mother told me, this is my responsibility as the eldest, and my younger brother will have his set of responsibilities too. A few years later, my mother passed away after birthing my sister. Upon the fisrt look, all I can think about is how lovely she is, and I pity her for not being able to experience mother''s love. Father dote on her, spoiling her, giving in to her demands and tantrums, while me and second brother were doing the same too. Sometimes, I do feel that we pamper her a bit too much, but looking at such cute chubby cheeks, puffing in sadness when her candy drop on the floor, melts my heart away. Back then, all I can think of was, this poor child is motherless. Let her have her fill to compensate for it. Sigh. If only I hardened my heart to discipline her well back then... I was already abroad at some foreign country, studying, when the news came that my sister is getting married. No, not married. Enters a Prince household. I was shocked to the core, knowing that my father had sent me abroad with an intention to marry my sister to some foreign royalties. I wanted to rush back home and asked what happen, but Father wrote a separate letter, saying that is what my little sister wants, becoming the Prince woman. Even if she would only bear the title of concubine. I wonder what makes my father relent when I already knows of his ambitions to bridge a relationship with foreign royalties. He later disclosed to me how she tries to commit suicide when he refuses. Sigh. This spoiled princess of ours. It got me thinking, perhaps it was for the best. She wants to be together with the one that she likes. It is much better than marrying someone she doesn''t know, right? At least she is near home, if anything, it will be easier for Father to look out after her. I continued my study abroad, ditching all together the notion of finding the perfect groom for my sister. Three years later, as I try to complete my study, I received some news from home, dictating that my little sister have been bullied by the Prince''s legal wife. I rush back home without completing the final part of my study, wanting to comfort my sweet sister. I read Father''s letter, I listen to her story. Hatred builds in my heart, want to crush the one who makes my sister''s cry. How wrong was I. I want to laugh to the world, laughing at how stupid I am for trusting blindly. But the one who lies is my father and my dear sister. If I can''t trust them, then who can I trust? Our family was destroyed due to greed. My father''s greed, wanting to control the Prince, and my sister''s greed, wanting to harm and wanting what''s not hers. The Emperor sentenced them, but leaving me unharmed. I''m thankful for that, as he let me uphold what''s left of this household. But the Shen''s are no longer the First Rank family, and all the prestige of the late generation was washed away. I, the heir that supposed to take over my father''s place as a first rank minister, is now standing at the back of the court, as an assistant to the palace''s clerk, a position that is much lower than the palace attendant. It is all my fault. My fault for failing to notice the real truth. My fault for pampering my dear motherless sister until she can''t differentiate between right or wrong. My fault for not being able to stop my father''s greed. My fault... for falling for someone that is not for me. Yes... throughout my life, I''ve never felt this way, an itching in my heart, wanting... wanting to hold and to keep a certain someone by my side. Who would have thought, that certain someone was first hated by me, thinking how that person had bullied my sister. Yes... I''m in love with the Fourth Prince''s Consort. From the first moment I laid my eyes on him I was enchanted by his twinkling eyes, his flushed porcelain skin, and his pleasured features. More than once I found myself dreaming about him, thinking... that I am the one who bring such looks to his delicate face. His satisfied moans keeping ringing in my ears, on every lonely night. I can only shamefully release myself with such memory, which I will later feel so disgusted for doing such thing. "Big Brother, I''m here." I turn away from the window, facing the beauty that always reside in my mind. Today, out of the blue, Delegate Jun asked me for tea, saying that his little cousin wants to meet. I can hardly keep my composure, want to scream for joy, for being able to get a chance to meet him again. I wonder, would he hate me? Why would he want to meet me? After all, I''m the sibling of the one that tries to harm him. My spirit dampen by miles when I thought about it, but I agree with the invitation. Now, here he is. Looking ravishing in deep red, as his pale skin creating an enchanting contrast. My eyes can''t stop looking at him, truly in trance, until another sentence wakes me up. "Your Highness, I didn''t know that you''ll be coming too." I turn my gaze to the other person, the husband, the Fourth Prince. My smile fell, seeing their matching robe, as he strode inside the room with all the majestic of an emperor. The Prince is wearing a red robe with gold stitching while his bride, the one that I have fallen in love with, is donning an exact same robe, same design with silver threads. Truly... As what as they all have said, a match made in heaven. "Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Consort." I bow my head in salutation, trying to hide my eyes that are now close to tears. No matter how much I love the other person, I know that he can be belong to me, at least, not in this lifetime. Perhaps... we can be together in another world, when my love destiny is not so twisted as this[1]. 40 First Love: Mo Xue 38 "Big Brother, I''m here." The ger cheerful voice bring forth a jovial smile on his cousin''s face. But... It didn''t last for long when the latter choked on his tea when he realized his little cousin''s husband is tailing from behind. "Your Highness, I didn''t know that you''ll be coming too." He bows in salutation while secretly eyes the one that was standing at the window. He notice a slight changes on the latter''s features, but he failed to comprehend what it means. "This Prince received an invitation from his bride just moment after the court ends. You all have an appointment to meet today?" This sentence bring the delegate''s attention back. He finally notices that he have accidentally spilled the secret about the Prince acknowledgement about this meeting, but the ger doesn''t seems to notice it. A sudden relieve wash over his heart, as he blame himself inwardly. "I want to tell you last night, Xue Er. But you..." A wide grin swipe across the delegate''s face upon seeing the bashful look of his little cousin''s face. The ger''s pale skin is now flushed embarrassing, with pink necks and huffing cheeks. The other man, smiling sadly, bows in salutation. "Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Consort." "You may rise." ---------- Pity him. From a high ranking family heir to... a what now? "Assistant to the palace''s clerk, host." Sigh. "Hee Hee, come have a seat. Big Brother have ordered the best tea that they have. Come, have a taste. See, I have ordered some snack as well. The manager said that these snack paired well with this tea." The Prince brings me to the table and I can see my cousin is waving his hand, gesturing to the other man, inviting him to take a sit on the round table. The table is quite big, being able to sit six, but somehow, the poor man is sitting at an exact opposite of me. Sigh. The one that once was strong and prideful is now slouching in defeat. I truly pity him. It is not his fault, but... we can''t exactly choose which family to born in, right? The Prince poured me some tea. Thanking him, I smiled while inhaling the refreshing steam, sipping it, savouring the deep floral taste of the said tea. "What tea is this, Big Brother? Flower tea?" "It''s the seven coloured hibiscus tea, Hee Hee. It is nice, right? How is it compared to the golden flower tea back home?" "I''m not sure. I haven''t drink it that much. Royal Mother forbids me to, saying that drinking it to much will make my skin turns yellow." I answer with a fib, feeling a tad lazy to scourge the original''s memory. The Prince keep his silence, serving me with snacks and such by my side. Munching on some sweet green bean pasty, I mull over on how to start. Perhaps... The straight forward way might be the best after all. "Xue Er," I starts, trying to gain his attention, "I asked Big Brother Jun to bring Noble Son Shen to meet me today for a reason. Can you... listen first, before saying anything?" ---------- The ger blink his eyes, seeking permission and understanding from his husband while the subject of their discussion turn stiff at the opposite side. "I promise, my dear." The ger let out another smile before turning his attention forward. He seem reluctant at first, biting his lower lip, before finally opening her mouth. "Noble Son Shen, if I may enquire, where is your second brother right now?" The ger sported a nervous look while his husband and his cousin unconsciously holds their breath. They both stare at each other, sending unknown signal with their eyes. "My second brother is now his way home, Consort. He should be arriving anytime soon." The noble son answers as best as he could, feeling puzzled as to why the ger wants to know about that. He eyes the ger, the one that he love, a tad longer than necessary, drinking his features and committing it to his memory. "Noble Son Shen, pardon me if this will sound a bit rude, but... can you please watch over your second brother when he gets home?" The ger proceed to express his worries, saying how he have seen the second son of Shen dwelling within the Prince''s courtyard, visiting his sister, and how he would stare at him intently and smirking at him. The ger repeatedly say he''s sorry but he clearly was afraid of the man, thinking that perhaps he would want to seek revenge. Noble Son Shen awkwardly smile, agreeing with ger''s request, stating that he will try his best to explain to his younger brother on what really happen and will dissuade him if the latter wants to seek revenge. Deep down, the noble son was disappointed, thinking how low have his family''s reputation have fallen, even his younger brother had been seen as a possible proprietor of an unknown future. However, he knows, he can''t blame them, especially the ger. He himself knows about his younger brother''s infamous reputation within the city. Untimely, he also wonders if his younger brother have any negative notion towards the ger when he comes home later. He unconsciously vows in his heart to protect the sweet ger... Even if the latter won''t be having him in his eyes. --- "I''ve told you before, Your Highness. My little cousin is a smart one. He warns me about the second son before and now he clearly asks for cooperation from Noble Son Shen. I think, he might already know much more." "You mean, about the princess?" Later that night, after tucking his bride to sleep, the Prince slip away and goes to meet the cousin. They discuss about what happen earlier at the tea house, as they''re both puzzled over the ger''s keen sense. "Yes, Your Highness. Don''t you remember, how he stubbornly insist on wanting to handle the princess welcoming banquet and wanting to be the one in charge of everything? Your Highness even told me how he wants to be the greeter. That time, we were both thinking that was just jealous. What if..." "But how did she get any of these information? He arrives here alone. He didn''t even bring any maid or servant. This was stated in the peace treaty, the condition that the Emperor and the King Of Silla agreed on." The Prince interject, unable to believe that his sweet bride is able to handle such espionage. The cousin went silence for a moment, before continuing, hushly. "My cousin is still the Prince of Silla, Your Highness. The royalties have their own sets of their trusted man, much like to your shadow guards. Who can guarantee that His Majesty, my uncle, didn''t sent his best man to guard and to help his beloved son?" 41 First Love: Mo Xue 39 "Haish, this cousin of mine is sure a pain in the ass." Musing over my sore feet, I let my maids massage it while I rest over the chaise. I''ve just finish making rounds around the city, getting ready for the welcoming banquet. The palace messenger have informed me this morning, that the ''princess'' entourage will be arriving in another week or so. Thank God that I manage to rope the Prince''s concubines to help me get everything done, or else nothing will get ready as I would be so distracted listening to my system''s report. Now, those men are suspecting me? "Zero Three, does the King Of Silla really send his son some men?" "Yes, host. There are three Silla''s martial expert that have infiltrate this kingdom, just for Jae Hee. You can search the original''s memory, host, for ways to contact them." Ah... looking back, there are something like that. Before the King let his son go and get married he have leave some instructions, some code of some kind, saying that only to use them when the original is in dire state. Three men, three experts for three different situations. And all of them have made themselves at home here in the city. "Would you like to contact them, host?" "No, at least not now. The Prince is getting suspicious. Contacting any of those men might lead him to eat. No worries. I still have you, Zero Three." I remember that the original wants to contact one of them, right after he realized he had been trick and bullied by the concubines. However, he died before even get then chance to do so and in return, my soul got transmigrated in his body. I slowly let own my stiffen breath, trying to relax myself on the chaise, enjoying the feet massage, which in fact really help in elevating my tiredness. Unconsciously, I caress my stomach, my still flat stomach, knowing that a miracle is inside there. "I won''t be long, Consort, before your stomach shows. You must be so happy right. Would you like a girl or a boy, Consort?" The younger maid that was standing behind the chaise ask me this, while she starts to massage my neck, bringing a small smile to my face as I respond, "It doesn''t matter, as long as the child is safe." I''ve asked around, a ger''s pregnancy is almost as similar to a normal woman''s. However, when it come to giving birth, due to the absence of a pathway, the womb will have to be open at the front. In other word, surgery. I assume it will be like those C- section. Sigh. I have so many things to do and I wish to get it done before my pregnancy get along. Let''s do a quick check list. 1. Dispersed the harem. 2. Prevent the war. 3. Stop the meeting of the Crown Prince and that imposter. 4. Find a new Crown Princess candidate. 5. The most important, stop MY Prince from falling in love with that tramp. "You forgot one more, host. Make the Prince fall in love with you." "Shut up. I thought I''ve already cancel the mind reading ability?" "... you ARE speaking out loud, in your mind, host." ---------- The ger almost roll his eyes around, bickering inwardly with his system. He was unaware that Xue Er have long stop massaging his feet and the one that was kneading his sore muscle behind him is no longer the cute young maid. In fact, the large warm pair of hands belong to his lover, his husband, HIS Prince. It doesn''t take long before the soul-changed Consort fall to his fatigue, sleeping soundly on the chaise. The Prince carries him up in his arm, bringing him lay on the lavish bed. However, his deep gaze was dark, full of determination but laced with uncertainty. "My dear, are you really doing something behind me?" The question remain unanswered until the day the foreign entourage arrive. The soul-changed Consort keep himself busy, preparing to welcome the ''princess'', under clear view of everyone, not giving any chance for the said Prince and the nosy cousin to suspect anything amiss. "The Consort wants to wear the deep red robe, Sis Xue Er. Hurry. They say the princess will be arriving very soon and we haven''t get the Consort dressed." A flurry of maids come bustling inside the Fourth Prince''s household. Not only the ger, the rest of the concubines inside the harem were invited to greet the princess entourage. The Emperor have granted the usage of the city guess manor for the princess and her entourage to reside while they were in Tian Mo, but the receiving ceremony will be held at the Fourth Prince''s courtyard. There nothing much can be done to the front household as this is not some sort of celebration for them to decorate it with red silk. However, the ger have commanded them maids and servants to clean it up and polish it well, making everything gleaming like new. The Prince was not inside his residence, as he was in fact, chased away by his bride, not wanting him to even get a chance on meeting the foreign princess. No one would dare to demand such thing from a Royal Prince, but for the ger, he claims it as it is. "Xue Er, make sure everything is ready. Please call the other sisters and let them know they have to be ready in an hour." "Yes, Consort." ---------- "Host, the Prince is with the Crown Prince, at the Security Department. Jun Jin Lee is helping them too. They are able to gauge the whole strength of Jia Ru''s martial expert and has already make contact with other martial school for help." I keep mum during this time, letting my maids help me getting ready, while I think about this. In the original story line, this doesn''t occur at all. Are they preparing for something? "Zero Three, can you please check if there any new intel the Crown Prince have gotten his hands on? Anything that he didn''t shared it with the Prince." As I walk to the front hall, I keep listening for some more report. There''s another classified intel, and the Crown Prince just received it late last night. The reason why I wasn''t informed of it was due to the fact that I only tasked my system to monitor my husband, my cousin, the imposter, and the concubines. I forgot to include the Crown Prince as well. "The Prince is rushing home as right now, wanting to stop you from receiving Jia Ru." Shit. The Crown Prince just got a classified intel saying that the original princess had already died, seven years ago. And he told the Prince about it! Is the universe is trying to help me or hinder me? I need my points, damn it! "Zero Three, stop him! Hinder him in any way. Don''t let him mess with my plan!" 42 First Love: Mo Xue 40 "Host, you don''t have enough points to buy any cheats and I have already raise the bar for your negative point limit twice, host." "Any other alternative? There must be something, Zero Three." I''m barely able in keeping my calm. I know the Prince is worried about me but I can''t let him or the Crown Prince meet with Jia Ru just yet. It might be their predestined fate, but because of that I have to prevent it. So far the story has completely deviated from the original and the main reason for it is due to my intervention. Based on my understanding, and my creative thinking slash imagination as well, if any of the predestined fate were to come true, the original storyline will soon follow. Which means, those two princes will be enamoured by Jia Ru and I can''t let it happen! "Host, there is... One way to let you use another cheat. However... It come with a huge price." "What is it? Let me have it." ---------- "Consort, are you alright? Do you feel unwell?" The soul-changed Consort was shaken and devastated on hearing what is the price that he have to pay to save his husband from his predestined fate, thus, he stumble upon reaching the front hall. "I''m okay. Just a bit dizzy. Can you bring me some honey water, Xue Er?" The pale ger was even paler, dots of perspiration starts to line on his forehead, slightly messing up his delicate features. The young maid by his side immediately take out a handkerchief, and help the ger to wipe it. "Host, the Prince is almost here. He is using his flying martial art." "... do it. Take away whatever you need, Zero Three. Please help me save him." The ger hide his anxiety, smiling sweetly while receiving his honeyed water. But the slight tremor of his hand haven''t gone unnoticed by the shadow guard cum maid. Back on some roof in the city, on the same afternoon, a handsome prince can be seen dashing back home, his body blurred with speed. But, if one is able to notice, his handsome features was marred with worries. In his mind, he wants to defies the gravity, defining the concept of space, wanting to be back by his bride''s side. All he wanted to do is keep his bride save and prevent any misgivings from ever happening. In the back of his head, he was blaming himself, thinking that he should have trusted his gut and keep persuading his bride from meeting with the imposter. He lament over the fact that his father, the Emperor, have already known about it and was planning to let his bride meet with that woman. They want to trap them, wanting to know what is their plan. He was enraged when he heard about it, immediately trashed the royal guards that attempted to stop him. How dare they used his bride like that! Who would have known, out of the sudden, a gush of wind knock him off and make him stumble to the ground. Coincidentally, his head bump on the ledge on one of the roof, making him unconscious, and fell on a dark deserted alley. Just another block from the dark alley, a large procession of the imposter are making their way to the Prince''s manor. A handsome man can be seen riding on a large, muscled, Arabian horse, leading the procession. Many of the citizen that were lining up at the side stare incredulously at the said man. Who was he? Who else? The notorious second son of the Shen family! The citizen of Tian Mo have long be made known about the treacherous act of Minister Shen and his daughter. Paired it with the man infamous past, many of them spit their disgust after he passed through. "How dare the son of a traitor leads the procession of the kingdom''s guest?" "I don''t think he is leading them. It seems like he is coming with them." "Do you think he have defected to the foreign country, knowing that he will be trash here?" Numerous rumours sounded, following the procession until it reaches the Fourth Prince''s manor. The head steward receives them, however, he clearly reject the entry of the young man. "I beg you pardon, Young Master Shen. Due to certain events, this manor is unable to receive you." His handsome features turns red in a second, as he barely able to keep his neutral look. He turns around on his horse and proceed to the carriage, knocking lightly on the side window. "I''m afraid we will have to part here, Princess Jia Ru. If you''re willing, perhaps I can show you this city tomorrow? How''s that?" ---------- "Please take care of him, Zero Three. You have taken-" "Consort, they are here." I was reminding my system to take care of my Prince when he was unconscious at the dark alley, when Xiao Er interrupt me. She help me get up to greet them while Zero Three promise me to guard the Prince safety. He better be safe, after all, the price I''ve paid is not that little. I push everything back and give my complete attention towards the matters at hand. Composing my features to be as aloof as I can, bearing the dignity of a Royal Consort and of course, a Prince, I spied from the corners of my eyes, the rest of the concubines are following my lead too. The house maid gracefully invite them in, and there comes the female lead of this story. The ''princess''. The imposter. The spy. Jia Ru. "Welcome, Princess. I am Jun Jae Hee, the Fourth Prince''s Consort. Welcome to Tian Mo. I hope your journey here was pleasant. I will personally be responsible for you during your stay here, so please, make yourself at home." I greet her in English and I notice the wave of shock on the faces of all that surrounds us. Yeah, both on their side and mine. Well, the original Jae Hee was born and raised as a Prince, so, even as a ger, he was also fluent in several world languages and dialects. As for me, who on earth doesn''t know English nowadays? In the modern world that is. I mentally smirk upon noticing her gentle facade cracks, when she heard my fluent command of English. There was something that I stumble upon while investigating her. Her command in languages, is quite poor. She can speak and understand several languages yes, but, on a perfunctory level. No wonder she would only ask Shen Zero few simple questions and let him take the lead whenever they have a conversation. Smirk. "Thank you, Consort." She replied in English before continuing in a thick and heavily fake accented Chinese. "I would prefer to speak in Chinese since my mother was one. Perhaps, I can improve while I''m here." "Of course. Please, have a seat." The small welcoming ceremony begins as everyone take their places. The real welcoming banquet will be held later tomorrow night at the guest manor where this imposter will reside in. Until then, have fun, bitch. 43 First Love: Mo Xue 41 "Consort Jae Hee is really talented. Look at how he handle the household and the foreign entourage. The Emperor trusted him and the Prince loves him. It looks like, we haven''t got anything to compete with him." One of the ladies that reside within the Prince''s household lament over this during breakfast, on the next morning. A few other concubines that she was close with is accompanying her, nodding their heads in agreement. "Thank goodness that he haven''t done anything to us even with all the scheme we have pulled on him. If not, our live might end just like Sister Ning and Sister Shen." Another one continues. "Perhaps, he doesn''t know. Look, Sister Ning and Sister Shen were both punished due to the fact that their acts were discovered. Sister Ning was caught poisoning the Consort and Sister Shen was punished after she spill her father''s plan for treason." The third one chimes in. "I wonder," the first one mulled over her thought before continuing, "Is it still safe for us to be staying here anymore?" The other two widen their eyes in shock, unable to understand what the lady is trying to say? The first lady quickly contemplating on something, before she dismiss all of their maids, requiring privacy. "What if," she begin hushly, "we request for us to leave this household and go home." "What?!" The other two were bewildered with such notion. However, after listening the first lady explanation and thoughts, they were soon enamoured with it as well. "I think, it''s better for us to discuss it with our family. After all, even if we haven''t been touched by the Prince, we have entered his household with enough fare last time. Our family''s reputation will suffer if we simply go home." "Yeah, you are right. But... I don''t want to rot here. Nothing to do, nothing to love, nothing to care for. The Prince hasn''t been gracing any of us, so how can we be lucky like Consort Jae Hee, already pregnant with a child." While the concubines mulled over such thing the morning haven''t even begin for the said Consort. He was still sleeping, tired with his ''punishment'' last night. However, the one that gives it still lingers on the bed with him, holding him close, unable to let go. Yesterday, the Prince was frightened to death after he woke up in the dark alley. Fear get the best of him as he rush home, only to met with a sleeping beauty resting on the chaise inside their shared chamber. He immediately hug his pregnant bride, waking him up in the process. "Xue Er?" Trying to set his heart to rest, the Prince captured the lush lips wholly, as if he wants to devour the ger. The latter tried to resist at the beginning, being unable to breath with such sudden assault. However, his body soften the moment his husband ended the kiss, lamented pitifully on his shoulder. "My dear, never again. Never again will I let you be so close to danger. Never again." ---------- Last night... ''Never again.'' I can''t help it as guilt crept across my heart. He loves me. He wants me save. And I... Xue Er, I''m sorry. I must do what I did, so you will be safe. So this kingdom will be safe. I won''t regret the price that I had to pay for this to happen. I just... I look up to see his face. It is one of those rare moment where he stay by my side in the morning, as he would usually be summoned to the palace. Today is not that day. He purposely refused to go. "Xue Er, won''t Royal Father be mad at you?" My voice still sound a bit hoarse, after... "I wouldn''t be going to the palace anytime soon. I want to with you, my dear." I can feel his arm tighten around my body, not letting even an inch of a gap between our naked body beneath this tangled sheet. Last night, was the first time I ever see this valiant man shows his fear, his weakness. And that weakness is me. I swear I noticed tears lingers at the corner of his eyes, while he take me again and again, while confirming, no, more like vowing to himself, to never leave me alone, in the face of danger. ''Never again.'' "Hey, what''s wrong?" I didn''t realize my tears have flown down until he cup my face and wipe it off. Unable to face this guilt, I bury myself into his embrace, silently crying, letting my tears out freely on his chest. How am I going to survive when I finally have to leave him? ---------- The Prince keep accompanying his bride throughout the morning, helping him clean up, feeding him breakfast and hounding him like a lost puppy, wanting to follow him around. His bride tried to chase him away, but the anxious husband is so determined to be sticky. The soul-changed Consort needs to oversee the preparation for tonight''s welcoming banquet at the guest manor, and the Prince doesn''t want to be left him behind. The ger finally relent upon realizing that the imposter is absent from the manor, already on her way with Shen Ze, touring around the city. "Zero Three, monitor them as usual. Oh, where is the Crown Prince right now?" The ger fake a nap on his husband''s shoulder, while listening to his system''s report, inside the carriage as they make their way to the guest manor. "He is with the Emperor at the palace, discussing the absent of the Fourth Prince during today''s court meet." --- "Royal Father, it seems like Fourth Brother really loves his consort. He must be resentful to both of us, since he blatantly absent from the morning court." Inside the private study of the Emperor, a pair of father and son are discussing leisurely over a pot of tea, about the Fourth Prince''s ''tantrum''. "Your brother... if before, I was worried about his lack of interest. But now..." The Emperor let out a tired sigh before continuing, "That boy... I hope he can be discreet about this. This is no longer about him. It''s about the safety of our kingdom." The Crown Prince shared a small smile,never doubting his younger brother. After discussing their next strategy with his father, the Crown Prince step out from the chamber, making his way out of the palace. As soon as he was out, one of his shadow guard appears in front of him, kneeling while reporting is news. "Monitor that princess. Make sure Mo Xue stay away from her." 44 First Love: Mo Xue 42 "The Crown Prince has left the palace and is making his way to the public horse stable. He wants to spy on Jia Ru as Shen Zhe is bringing her there for sightseeing along the plains, host." Hmm, I have prevented the Fourth Prince from meeting with her yesterday and now I need to prevent his brother from doing the same too? But... "Zero Three, can you tell me, if, right now, I refuse to do anything and just simply live my life, what will happen? Will the destiny return to its course?" I keep my eyes close, listening to Xue Er''s heart beat. Feeling guilty with what I''ve done before, I keep thinking, why would I need to care about others? I can simply live happily with the one who loves me. Why would I need to tire myself over something like this? The main task is to prevent Xue Er from falling in love with that imposter, right? So, if he already fallen in love with me, the task is considered done, right? "... Host, due to the fact that you have survived in Jae Hee''s body, the original destiny of this plane has been diverted slightly. However, since Jia Ru is considered the main character, she''s blessed with ''daughter of the world'' halo. If you, host, the foreign entity, failed to stop her, than the destiny will follow its original course." Shit, I forgot about the whole MC halo. Damn, those thing actually exist? I thought it was some nonsense by authors to grant their MC and ML qualification to justify their actions. Ugh... Now it just make my job even harder. Which means, even though the Crown Prince and the Emperor himself know about the imposter, she still can make something happen? "Another matter that need your concern host, don''t you remember about the price that you owe? The system will collect the payment immediately after everything is done." ---------- The soul-changed Consort stiffen upon hearing the reminder. No, he didn''t forget. He still remember the exchange that he demanded of. An exchange to save his own beloved. And he won''t regret it. The moment he opens his eyes, it shines with determination. A sharp glare came through it, sending an unknown shiver towards the steward''s spine that was manoeuvring the horses outside the carriage, making him involuntarily tighten his grip on the reign. The Prince and his bride are already on their way home, after their short visit at the guest manor. The Consort barely manage to check on the banquet preparation and delegating tasks on the workers, when his husband whisk him away, citing that the Consort looks fatigue and need some rest. The bride let out a small dissatisfied pout, but it does nothing to stop his Prince. He send out an apologetic glance towards the workers and asked Xiao Er to oversee the rest of the preparation. And now, just blocks away from their home, the soul-changed Consort abruptly straighten up, demanding to go to the stables, whining about wanting to ride on some horse. "My dear, it''s too cold to go out right now. We will got back later." The Prince says, coaxing his bride to change his mind. However, a few moments later, this command rang out to the steward''s ears. "Turn to the public stable." "Yes, Your Highness." ---------- Being pregnant has its own charm after all. "..." "What? I''m pregnant and it''s okay to act the way I did, right?" Even if Zero Three is a non-existence being, I can feel it''s judging eyes boring straight to me back. Judging what you might ask? Well... let''s just say I''m using my pregnancy as an advantage to... persuade the Prince. "By whining and acting childishly like a baby?" "Shut up!" ".... Host?" "What? Speak up." I can barely suppress my irritation upon sensing my system''s impending sentence. However, Zero Three''s reply is not something I expected. "You can''t ride a horse now. You''re pregnant." "You-" The carriage stop abruptly, albeit slowly. The Prince tighten his hold on me while throwing out a question toward the steward, asking why he stop. I keep my smile hidden within his sleeve, as I knew why. ---------- The lavish carriage of the Forth Prince come to a halt just blocks away from the intended destination. Decorated with the royal emblem, it make it visible to other to distinguish to whom the carriage belongs to. Which is why, a royal guest just take upon himself to stop the carriage. "It''s the Crown Prince, Your Highness." The soul-changed Consort keep his smile, inwardly wanting to thrust his hand upward in a victory pose, knowing that his plan has work. From the beginning, he didn''t really intended to go to the stables. What he really want was to intercept the Crown Prince from going there. "So, when the Crown Prince realized that his brother wants to go to the same place, what would he do?," he asks his system in a condescending way. "The Crown Prince would stop him, host." Come the reply in its monotonous tone. The soul-changed Consort his smirk as he follow his husband that has already steps out from the carriage. The Prince''s features instantly turn rigid upon seeing his brother, still keeping him counted for what had happen before. However, his cold features faded the instant he realized his pregnant bride is behind him. "Be careful, my dear." The carriage door is a bit taller than the usual one, making the Prince worry that his bodyweight stumble down, thus, he lend her a helping hand. The Crown Prince slowly shake his head, realizing he has been ignored by his younger brother. The Crown Prince clamber down from his stallion, walking towards the Fourth Prince that is still fusing over his bride. "Fourth Brother, you missed the morning court today." "And?" The Crown Prince let out a small sigh, partly amused with the Fourth Prince rebellious act. Who would have know, the proper Prince would one day defies the order for the sake of his beloved. Speaking about beloved, the Crown Prince turn his attention toward the delicate ger that is standing behind the Fourth Prince. The ger give out a small smile upon noticing, bowing his body slightly to greet the future ruler of Tian Mo Kingdom. "Greetings, Crown Prince. This one is called Jun Jae Hee." "At ease, Consort Jae Hee. No need to be so formal. We are family." The Prince didn''t even pay attention to his own brother, but instead focusing on his bride. When he saw what the ger was doing, he hold him, stopping him from bowing low. "You''re pregnant, my dear. Don''t bow like that." 45 First Love: Mo Xue 43 He was... I was... Arghh!!!! I''m just pregnant! Not disable! There''s no harm in bowing! My stomach is not even showing yet! I can feel my cheeks getting a bit warm, flushes embarrassingly upon hearing such thing. I glance a bit to the Crown Prince and what did I see?! That man is smirk teasingly at me! Ughh! I''m blushing hard for sure. Stupid Prince! ---------- While our pregnant ger is having a hard time controlling himself from smacking the head of his own husband, the antagonist of their story is leisurely strolling onto the public horse stable with her entourage. With, of course, the second son of the fallen Shen family, Shen Zhe. The attendant of the stable have put out one leg to stop Shen Zhe upon seeing him as the latter make his way to the section where the noble family keep their spare horses. That section also hold a selection of better breed of mares and stallions, all ready to be hired by affluent customer. "Much apologies, this section is reserve for the nobles only. Please proceed to the other section, customer." Despite the firm, professional tone of the attendant, Shen Zhe can hear the huge amount of ridicule behind it. He can barely contain his anger, with his fingers clenching in a tight fist, while trying to maintain his composure. Thank goodness, Shen Zhe thought as he glance back, relieve to see that the princess is standing a bit far from him, thus assuming the woman that he''s trying to woo didn''t see his humiliation. "Good brother," Shen Zhe approach the attendant closer, "I''m aware of my own status. However, can''t this good brother make an exception? You see, I''m escorting the kingdom''s guest. Her Highness wants to go sightseeing along the plains. We, as the humble citizen of this kingdom, must give the very best for the royal guest, don''t we?" The attendant gaze fall on the woman in question. His eyes lingers a tad longer than necessary, cleary enamoured with the demure and beautiful young woman. The attendant turn his attention toward Shen Zhe, eyeing him up and down, contemplating. The whole kingdom knows about the fall of the Shen''s. Their family can no longer be considered as noble. Households that use to vie the Shen''s sons for marriage are no longer within sight. It was only due to the Emperor''s generosity that they are able to keep their house and assets. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.novelhall.com for visiting. "Please, good brother. You certainly can''t give the princess some random horses, would you?" Shen Zhe hides his shaking fist, trying his best to sweet talk the young attendant before the latter finally relent. The young attendant proceed to open up the barrier while Shen Zhe walks back to escort the princess. After passing the threshold, Shen Zhe glare back at the young man, vowing in his heart to give him a payback for his humiliation. His mind starts to wonder about the incident yesterday, where he was stopped from entering before the Fourth Prince''s courtyard, in front of the massive crowd. When he strode back to his own house, whispers of ridicule greet his ears. Even his brother, who was once a young man of valour, now looking a bit haggard, warned him and asked about his intentions for escorting the princess. He sure have his own plans, but he won''t share it with his brother. In his mind, Shen Zhe was thinking about how their father was right, Shen Li is straight as a stick. Their family have fallen into the deep pit, their father and baby sister were gone and the eldest still want to praise them? "Elder Brother, we have to get back what was ours! We have to bring the glory back to our own family. Do you know how the public ridicule you, humiliating me, when we step outside?" The younger Shen bang his hand on the table, startling the white and blue porcelain tea set that once belong to their mother. "Ah Zhe," the elder brother sigh, "this might not seems fair to you, but this is what he have to live by. What our father and younger sister did were considered as treason. They''re plotting against the royal family! If His Majesty wishes to follow the appropriate punishment, both of us will not be sitting here right now. We will either be dead or be sent to the labour camp." "Both will be better than to suffer the daily humiliation." Shen Zhe replied with a huff. "You were once a candidate of a first rank junior officer, Elder Brother, and now? A mere assistance of the palace clerk!" "Ah Zhe, if you are truly embarrassed by this, let''s move away from the city. We can sell everything that we have here and start a new life somewhere. How''s that?" The elder of the two starts to compromise. "Why would I run away like coward? No! This is my home, this is my place. Hear me, brother. I will get back what I deserve!" "Mister Shen, aren''t you coming?" A melodious call jolted the man awake. He finally realized that he is not at home facing his elder brother, but instead, outside, intending to carry his intentions forward. Shen Zhe schools his features, showing a sunny smile, washing away his elder brother disappointed look, before turning to face the princess that was already equipped with a beautiful grey mare. "I''m coming, Princess Jia Ru." The man walk toward the princess, churning a plan to eliminate all that wronged him by using her, not knowing that a certain woman is planning to use him for the same reason. ---------- "He must felt so humiliated." I hid my smile before my cup, hearing Zero Three''s report on the incident at the public stables. It''s a pity that I can''t see it for myself, but... I lift my eyes to the brothers in front of me. One with the helpless look, smiling apologetically at me, while the other... let just say, I got myself a dog. Sigh. After my small victory of intercepting the Crown Prince, and suffer a massive embarrassment by my husband, I lead them to the nearest tea house, claiming to be hungry. The manager immediately ushers us to their best private room and my husband ordered the best tea and suitable snacks from expecting persons. I mean, that is literary what he said! I strongly have the urged to really smack him on his head that time. "Consort Jae Hee, I heard you have done a great job on the welcoming ceremony yesterday. How was the preparation for the banquet?" I glance over the stiffen up puppy by my side. He tighten his fingers firmly on his chopsticks, pausing for a second before moving a piece of pastry to my plate. I squeeze the back of his slowly, before answering his brother. "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. The preparation is going well. You don''t have to worry. I''m assuming that His Majesty will head the banquet tomorrow?" I keep a small smile, trying my best to entertain the Crown Prince when his younger brother clearly won''t do so. The Crown Prince share a knowing smile with me, before he answers. "I''m afraid not. Royal Mother doesn''t feel too well this past few days, so Royal Father decided to accompany her. He had asked me to lead the banquet. Royal Father have already sent the notice to inform you, perhaps you two missed it?" Shit! Now how on earth I''m going to prevent the Crown Prince from meeting that imposter? 46 First Love: Mo Xue 44 Cough, cough. The ger choke on his tea, making his puppy-like husband and brother-in-law worried. The husband slowly pats the ger''s back, while the ger is trying hard to catch his breath. All this while the soul-changed Consort was frantically screaming in his mind, consulting with his system on what he should do. "Host, even though the best possible scenario is to prevent the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince from meeting with Jia Ru, it is highly impossible to do so. Remember, she is this world''s leading lady and both of these man are her fated encounter." The ger compose himself, looking a bit dazed for a moment before responding to his husband''s call. "I''m okay, Xue Er. Nothing to worry." The ger reply, comforting his worried husband before turning back to his equally worried brother-in-law. "I''m sorry, Your Highness. I''m fine." "Don''t be sorry, Consort Jae Hee. Are you sure you''re okay?" The ger give out a weak smile, unconsciously clutching his husband''s arm tightly while conversing with his system. The latter took note on this, thinking that his dear bride is suffering from fatigue, thus stands up to leave. "Apologies Royal Brother, Xue Er will have to bring my consort home." --- "They are not coming to the banquet? How rude. Well then, surely there will be no hard feeling when this land is being taken away from them." At the guest house, long after the morning expedition to the plains, the imposter slash the world''s leading lady is getting ready for the welcoming banquet. Dressed in the most expensive garment from the west, a heavily layered gown in pale yellow, with white trimmings and under-coating, the seductive imposter look as royal as she can be. It turns out, dresses do make a princess out of a pauper. "They say the queen is suffering from a long term sickness, but I do believe that this is just one lame excuse. This kingdom really look down on you, Mistress." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.novelhall.com for visiting. A lazy smile curve up on the said woman as she let her maids dressed her up. One of the maid is standing behind her, giving up a few final touches to her hair, done in a half-up do, with ringlets of hairs carefully arranged beside her long neck. The imposter freely discuss her intention with her confidante, without any fear about any leaks on their plans as all her maids are slaves that she had bought from the west. None of them speaks nor understand the east''s languages. Plus, as a former slaves, being able to eat, dress and live well while attending a woman that have been know to them as mildly tempered, is enough to make them content with their live. The imposter and her confidante continues to plan their next step as they wait for the banquet to start. Back in the Fourth Prince''s manor, a certain ger is having a hard time preparing for the banquet. "Xue Er, let go~ I need to change. The banquet will begin soon!" The Consort is now struggling to escape from the arms of his prince, as the latter ignores his pleas. Caging his beloved on his lap, all the Prince does is smothered kisses and love bites on his beloved pale neck. The ger''s outer wear were all thrown to the side leaving his inner wear half open, exposing his upper body. Sitting sideways, the ger tries to get away by pushing his on husband''s chest or unlocking his muscled arms that''s taut around his waist. Alas, none of his effort are working, leaving him at the mercy of his beloved and at the end of sanity. --- "This horny Prince! Zero Three, help me!" How did this happen, you might ask? After we got back, he insists that I have a nap to rest my body. Not that I have any complain with that since I need to make a new plan with Zero Three. Since the emperor and the empress will not be able to attend the banquet, the Crown Prince will have to act as the host. Thus, increasing the chance of this world pre-destined fate to make its way back on track. Who would have know, after he tricked me to eat, before getting ready for the banquet, on the pretext that the banquet wouldn''t begin early, he would be the one to devour me? "How can I help you, host? I only exists within your conscious." I''ve already planning to intercept those pre-destined fate by attending the banquet and closing in on that fake princess. But now... " Xue Er,... ahn.... stop it. We''ll be... late. Ahn..." This horny prince! Right now, his mouth is busy marking my already love-bites-marked chest, while his right hand is already withdrawing my pants drawstring and slither in, brushing slowly, teasing my length. I can feel my body''s temperature rising as he tugs on my sleeping length, awakening it. I can hear how my pleas got stuck in my throat, with only lewd moans taking it place. "Ahhhhnn... Xue... don''t... Ahhhhnn." "Don''t? My dear doesn''t want me to touch here? How about here then?" When did his hand get there?! "Ahhhhnn!" Three?! Three in one go?! I know yours is THAT big, but are you trying to tear my ass apart?! Unwilling to succumb to the pleasure he''s brings me, I swallowed my moans and instinctively bite on his shoulder. Who would''ve know that this horny Prince would dare to laugh at that? Well it sounded sexy, mind you. "My dear is so feisty today. Looks like, this prince will have to punish you for disobedience." What disobedience?! Within seconds I find myself being lifted in the air, before sensing a thick, hard meat, plunge my sacred hole. "Ahhhhnn... No... deep..." My tears are threatening to fall, while my whole body slump on top of this horny beast. He raise himself from the chair, turning and walking towards what I assume to be our bed. Each steps he take seems to push his whole length deeper. All I can do is suffer silently. Shit! Scratch that. Slowly but surely, I''m getting drown with pleasure. "Zero.... ah... keep watch on the... ah... banquet. I... I don''t think... I can go." ---------- Before the banquet begins, the Crown Prince that was waiting for his brother and his bride in the royal carriage a block from venue, received a message from an unnamed black laden man. Upon receiving it, all he could do was shaking his head while smiling absurdly. Tapping his knuckles on the door, his attendant rush to his window, waiting the order. "Let''s head to the banquet now. We''re no longer waiting for the Fourth Prince." "Yes, Your Highness." "Oh, after we arrive, leave the carriage ready. I want to leave within the hour. Make something up."