Chapter 113 - Outcry (1/2)

The next day, his mother's personal maid came to find him, after pleading with Zhong Ji to allow her to look after him. When she saw his reddened cheeks, she was very worried and was the only one who cared enough to see to it. The servants at Zhong Ji's palace only did the bare minimum, which was bringing in his dinner which he ignored and ensuring he stayed put in the room.

Jun Shan just blankly stared at her in a daze, he had not been able to sleep all night and had just sat there staring at the door. When he went out with her to take a bath he saw that the other servants had left, it seemed they no longer cared what he did now that there was someone who wanted to look after him. He was of no consequence to them or anyone. He hated this place and wanted to go home, but even his personal maid told him he could not go there anymore and that this was now his home.

He was not allowed to leave the premises unless called for and was confined to his room in the back of the palace and the little garden in front of it. His personal maid was often busy trying to see to his life and welfare, as the other servants completely neglected him now that she was here. So he spent most of his days either sitting in his room or sitting in the garden alone.

Zhong Ji said to concentrate on his studies, yet she made no moves to provide him tutors or books. The other princes had tutors but he never had any. His mother had neither the means nor connections to ask the officials to tutor her child. And so she did the best she could on her own. He never complained and was always grateful for the knowledge and always enjoyed their lessons as his mother always made it fun for him. He never minded that he did not have access to what the other princes did.

After all, the palace was not where he intended to spend his days, the world outside seemed a lot more interesting to him. Now even that seemed dull, but he still wanted to leave the palace, now more than ever, although he no longer knew where to go or what he would do.

”Your highness, Consort Zhong has requested your presence.” A maid interrupted his wallowing. Jun Shan looked up, then got up and followed. He had not seen her since at all after that one time on his arrival.

Jun Shan frowned as he walked into the reception hall. He now realized why she wanted to see him. Her sister, Zhong Hua was here and seeing her reminded him of how his mother was beaten up unfairly because of her. He could feel his eyes getting hot again, which made him feel worse.

Zhong Hua scrutinized him for a long time and then sneered, ”Ji er', how did you end with this?”

Zhong Ji frowned and sighed, ”It was a slip of tongue.”

”Don't tell me you asked for him?” Zhong Hua asked appalled.

”Of course not!” Zhong Ji immediately defended.

Jun Shan's eyebrows twitched and he lowered his head, trying to blink the tears away. He was aware that he was not wanted but it felt very different to hear it.

Zhong Hua scoffed, ”You've been with the Emperor almost every night for the past few months and still no progress? What's the point of you coming here if you can't even get pregnant...In the end, you're no better than me.”

Jun Shan's ears perked upon hearing this and he bit his lip hard, holding back his tears.

{...He's been coming here every night and didn't even care to check on me...I really don't mean anything in his eyes...}

Zhong Ji frowned and did not respond.

Zhong Hua looked at her younger sister's expression and then sneered, ”No, you're even worse than me to be raising a  useless servant, father must be soo proud.”