"There looks like an interesting story here. I would like to hear it. Even the crown princes seemed to wonder what is so funny." My dad says.

  As he looks at the empress, she looks at Na. Na looks over at Chen and she looks at Diu. They could not hold it in anymore. They ughed even harder. Wondering what is so funny that they are in hysterics.

  Na spoke out. "Your Majesty, this was all my idea. I convinced everyone to join me. See, the original idea was just to go shopping for the day. Curiosity got the best of us. So, we ended up staying out all night. We went out looking like boys. That way, no one would recognize us."

  All the men in the room went pale.

  "After we hit a few spots, we ran into the empress, and she joined us against her will. Somehow, we ended up at the Lotus House. I have to say that the girls were pretty. This is how we found the dancer. So, we thought we would invite one of their friends to perform for us. The princes seem to know her well." Na continues.

  Having enough of this "That is enough." I say, standing next to Na.

  With my dad agrees with it, everyone finally sat down, and we just enjoyed the rest of dinner as a family.

  "I am gd the four of you had fun. Next time, please be careful. If anything would have happened to you, I would not have forgiven myself and I am sure the crown prince would have been upset as well. I will reward you for the bravery and scouting out the talent." The emperor responded.

  It was time to go; she looks at me as we reach the road; she looks over at me. "Goodbye." She says.

  "I thought I would be with you tonight?" Confused,

  "Since I have not been on the schedule, technically it belongs to Chen." She stated.

  She did not even give me time to respond to her before she says, "Do not worry about me. I can make it back by myself. I rather walk tonight anyway."

  Me and Chen had a surprised look come across our faces. I was so stumped for words. Chen had her sedan there I help her up into it. Sitting next to each other, she leans on my shoulder, closes her eyes. Just rubbing her head while we head to her pace.

  Not really feeling in the mood to be with her tonight, thinking about Na and how she seems so mad, and I really do not understand why she is like this. Wanting to talk to Chen on the why, because maybe she will know. It does not seem right.

  I carried Chen into her room and requested her staff to get my room ready. She opened her eyes and smiled lightly.

  She pulls me down and kisses me. Not holding back, I kiss her back passionately. I felt a little guilty somewhat because I wanted to be with Na; I keep thinking of her while I am with Chen, but she feels great. She is tight in all the right pces. As I pin her hands above her head with one hand, I slide my other hand down her leg, opening it softly, sliding my finger in her lotus, watching her arch her back. Let out a slight moan. Her lotus is dripping just by the touch of my finger. She is primed and ready for the dragon.

  Deciding to let her squirm a little bit more, letting go of her hands and sliding my hand down her body. Feeling her juices flowing, she finally colpses from exhaustion. I silently leave her room. Walking out of the pace, what was I thinking? Why did I just do that? I understand keeping the heirs to the throne thing, but it just feels so wrong? Kept on thinking of Na the entire time. Is that wrong? But is it what it is? I love her with all my heart. But I must keep the whole harem happy as well.

  As I was walking back to my pace, Na made it clear she did not want to see me tonight, but I really want to see her. She may need some space since tomorrow is the trial. That might weigh on her mind tonight.

  Reaching my pace, I noticed it felt lonely these days, more so tonight because I wanted to share it with Na, but she wanted to be alone. Coming across Shuming tonight thinking that he would have gone home tonight thinking I was at Chens.

  "Why are you here tonight?" asking Shuming.

  "I'm on duty till ter tonight." He says.

  "Tomorrow is Fen's court date. Do we have everything to present?" I ask.

  "Yes, your highness. We are all set. There is no way she will get off the hook tomorrow." He says with confidence.

  "Good, we better get some rest. It will be a long day tomorrow. Oh, did you find out why Na is so upset?" I ask.

  "No, I didn't. She wouldn't talk to me." He says.

  As we stepped into my room, we parted ways and got ready for bed. Laying my head on my pillow with guilty thoughts running through my head about what happened tonight. Dozing off to sleep.

  Waking up to food at the table still feeling guilty for not being with Na, but hopefully I will get to see her today at the trial. Shuming walked in to go over all the evidence that we had on her Fen and her misdoings.

  "Did you turn it in to my father, seeing he is proceeding over this hearing?" I ask.

  "Yes, your highness. I made sure that they delivered it to him personally." He says.

  "Good. Are you ready to head there now?" I ask.

  We headed over to the court. My heart beats wondering what was going to be said today. I am just worried that they are going to let her off the hook for all the things she has done to everyone.

  Reaching the court, I can feel my heart racing because worried that she will get away with it because who her father is. The court had a feeling of somber and aggravation. The aggravation was coming from her father.

  Monitoring him to make sure that he pulls nothing as usual. The tone of the room changed when the rest of the court arrived, since it had to do with the royal family. All the court had to be present. My mom and Na walk in to take their seats. Na, of course, is sitting next to my mother in an official stance.

  Seeing she is the victim in this case is not just her but all the concubines. Fen comes walking in with an emergence about her like she is untouchable. Following right behind her is her guard. My blood is boiling about now. Her dad looks like he wants to talk already.

  Thankfully, Na's dad is proceeding over this with Shuming and there is evidence that is iron cd. The first witness is called the court is in complete silence when Cao takes the stand. Cao talked about the day of the honeymoon when it all started. Looking around, I could see my mom's reaction and my fathers. They look so mad at this point; I did not know that Fen started that day.

  All this is new to me my first-time hearing this. As each servant from each pace comes up to talk about what happened in it. My blood is boiling even more because of the pain she had caused. Next up was Na telling her account of things.

  As Na kneels in front of her dad and Shuming, getting ready to give her testimony. Fen was getting mad and spoke up.

  "She framed me. I am innocent and never tried to hurt her, and I did not commit adultery." Fen Yells trying to distract.

  Shuming started the questioning, "What happened on that day?"

  Na told her side of what happened with the torture she went through and her being forced to take the pills to prevent her from getting pregnant. Losing her child because of the pills. She is telling us for the first time how Fen treated her whenever they met. Either she was getting punished and beaten or having to take something to prevent or cause a miscarriage.

  Then I hear out of Na, "I lost all hope of having another child and my will to continue."

  That crushed my heart and soul when I heard her say those words aloud. I can see the tears ready to fall from my father-in-w and mom and Na all at the same time. I wanted to cry as well, but I was madder than anything. Being mad at myself as well as Fen, I could not protect Na when all this was going on. Feeling like a failure as a husband, no wonder she is upset with me.

  Witnesses are coming forward against Fen, but her dad and her are attempting to dispute it. Thankfully, someone is overseeing the trial as an impartial overseer who cannot be bribed. Her guards turn to say his peace.

  As he testified, "We have been having an affair for years before selection. She pnned to be a dowager when the time came. She knew she could not have competition for her child, so she set out to make sure none of the consorts and second wife were to have children."

  Hearing all this took me in for a shock, I slid down on to my hands in complete disgust at myself for letting this happen. Fen came to the stand and continued to say they framed her in all of this. I can see her dad wanting to defend her, but my father-in-w stepped in.

  "You have no say in this case. It is time for the sentencing, seeing for the years of service to the empire, the guard will become a eunuch. We have reduced the rank of the crown princess and send her to the cold pace as a punishment." My father-in-w states.

  Seeing the disappointment in Na's face, my mother leaned over to her, not knowing what my mom told her, but I can see the relief on her face. The trail ended I met up with Shuming. We walked down the corridor. I feel relieved that Na and my other consorts can live in peace now.

  "Any word on the tax case?" Asking Shuming.

  "No!! they are not talking, and we haven't started the torture yet." Shuming informed.

  "Try to stay away from that if you can. After we finish here, I will tell them what happened today. This might intimidate them into confessing." I say.

  Just as we are talking about things, my mom's sedan comes up. We kneel at the sight of it. They pass by us.

  "I will inform them. Hopefully, this will give us the break we need." Shuming says.

  We parted ways. He headed towards the prison; I headed towards Na's pace. I feel heartbroken. I just wanted to console her and make sure she is going to be ok. After today, I will make sure that nothing will happen to her again.