Chapter 22：Arrangements

"Move to this prince's courtyard." Fu Yanqing said in a flat tone. He didn't want to leave so soon. He would have to wait until tomorrow again before he could see her. In the first place, he did not come through the front door. With his martial arts and Qing gong, it was an easy feat to sneak inside the almost nonexistent security.

Zhao Yan firmly shook her head.

"Your Highness, I don't dare...."

He opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off, "I'm afraid that it is late, Your Highness. I am tired and I want to rest."

Fu Yanqing didn't press further. He saw the dismissive way she looked at him with stiff movements. Though he wanted to stay longer, he knew that he had already pushed her far more than she could withstand. In the end, he still left because she shouted at him to leave.

Court Lady Choi gently reminded him not to keep agitating the lady. Pregnant women were sensitive and it was best to adhere to their desires.

"Prince Jing, this one would like to remind His Highness that the lady is frail and emotional. It will be more appropriate to give the lady some space."

Court Lady Choi's eyes were sharp. She understood that the cold Prince Jing was putting great importance on a woman for the first time. She did not believe it at first because it seemed like an illusion but His Highness not only embraced that woman but His Highness also acted intimately towards her.

It was unheard of. The woman hater of the century who would take a bath and scrub their skin raw every time a woman tried to touch him was acting like an infatuated youth in spring time.

Court Lady Choi thought of sending a letter to the Empress Dowager immediately but shot the idea down. She needed more information before informing the Empress Dowager.

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"Miss, is it okay to treat His Highness like that?" Chun Lan asked worriedly. No matter how annoyed Zhao Yan was, she knew that the title of prince was as bright and heavy as gold. Royalty isn't just a word. It means power, status and wealth beyond people's imagination.

It would be hard for her to cut ties with him since he was not only persistent but was just as stubborn as her.

Zhao Yan sighed.

If she runs away, he'll definitely chase after her. He might even force her to marry him. He seemed the type. Since he had done it before, there would be no problem doing it again and it really scared her.

Zhao Yan pursed her lips. She was being delusional. He was royalty. He wasn't short of women.

He could take a pick from so many willing females to be his bride and give him a baby. Why would he insist on her to marry him? She couldn't give him anything other than children. She knows a bit of medicine but she was sure that she could not compare herself to the imperial physicians of the court.

Sure, she saved him but it was unnecessary for him to repay his debts by marrying her. Or is it because of his guilt? Because he forced himself on her? Which was why he was going this far to compensate her?

Was he really guilty? She wished. She hoped that he would suffer from guilt from what he did to her but she also knows that it was wishful thinking.

Zhao Yan doubted him. She was only one woman. They didn't even get along...

Maybe it was really because of the baby in her stomach....

Zhao Yan subconsciously rubbed her stomach again.

He told her that he came for her not for the child. Was it really true? It was too hard to believe especially while remembering the times he had been as cold as ice to her.

He didn't put her in his eyes and always acted as if he was the one putting up with her instead of her putting up with him.

Zhao Yan closed her eyes. She would believe what she knows. It was the only thing she could trust in. She didn't want to hope too much. Depending on someone else was not her style and she was tired of letting other people take advantage of her.

Even without him, she could raise her baby alone. She grew up before without a mother and father. Her mother died from birthing Zhao Yan and though her father, Li Zhong was alive, he was practically nonexistent in her life.

If it weren't for Li Hua, her grandfather, she wouldn't have survived.

Her grandfather acted as a mother and father figure to Zhao Yan. She could do the same to her child.

But...

It would be nice if this prince really was sincere. Letting her baby grow up with a complete family was ideal and she preferred it than raising her child alone.

Still, she did not trust her baby's father, not one bit.

He was too suspicious. And he was a prince. No matter how she looks at it, she was just a plain young miss from a wealthy family while he was the warlord who led his country to many victories.

Zhao Yan bit her lip. Fu Yanqing, as the Prince Regent would naturally have a lot of concubines and women wanting to marry him. She wasn't anyone special.

Why would he waste his time on her?

And Zhao Yan was selfish. After seeing her father's concubines fighting over her father's attention, she swore that she would never share her man. It was fine if he wasn't rich or didn't have a wealthy background, as long as he was faithful to her and would only accept her as his only wife, Zhao Yan was happy.

Would such a man exist?

She hopes so.

Even if not, she still wants to wish that such a man would exist.

Her grandfather always told her that women were not less than men. He believed in her abilities which was why she was able to learn all the things he taught her with great confidence in herself.

But now, just because of one man, Zhao Yan was doubting her own self-worth.

This wasn't good.

So what if he was a prince? So what if he was Prince Jing or Zheng or Cheng? Zhao Yan doesn't need a man to sustain her! She was firmly capable of providing for herself.

With renewed confidence, she slept soundly until late in the morning.

"Miss, wake up. You need to eat breakfast on time." Chun Lan told her, gently shaking her awake.

"Mm..." Zhao Yan mumbled sleepily.

"Jae Ha prepared your bathwater already. Court Lady Choi is preparing the dishes on the table. Quickly, Miss." Zhao Yan sleepily woke up and got out of the bed.

She was still sleepy even when they were helping her wash her body. Good thing the water was very warm so she didn't feel cold at all.

After tidying up her appearance, Jae Ha started to combing Zhao Yan's hair.

Zhao Yan curiously looked at the quiet girl.

"Jae Ha, how long have you been serving Prince Jing?"

"Responding to the lady, Jae Ha has been serving Prince Jing for five years as a shadow guard." Jae Ha's voice reflected her quiet persona. It was low and smooth, barely distinctive.

Zhao Yan was surprised. This little baby doll who didn't look that much older than Chun Lan was a shadow guard? She didn't look like it at all!

Zhao Yan was very amazed.

"Amazing."

Jae Ha coughed a little and lowered her head.

"The lady praises Jae Ha too much."

Zhao Yan laughed at her shy look.

"I am a bit envious. I wanted to learn martial arts before but I was more suited to learning medicine and my grandfather was old... It's inconvenient for him to teach me. It was hard because I'm a woman. Even though we aren't inferior to men, people still underestimate women." Zhao Yan sighed as she said. She had really endured people because she was a woman.

Jae Ha smiled slightly.

"The lady doesn't need to worry. His Highness respects you very much. His Highness has even made arrangements to prepare a wide courtyard for the lady in Prince Jing's mansion. It is obvious that Prince Jing values the lady very much."

Zhao Yan was dumbfounded. Did she heard it right?

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