Coincidentally, I was invited again in the palace. Li Cha really admired Bai Suxin. She likes spending time with this fairy-like person. It's unbelievable.

"Your highness, why don't I visit your fourth brother?"

"Fourth brother?"

I smiled at her. Then Li Cha wickedly laughed.

"You go find him. But you have to hurry back. Don't let crown prince brother catch you or else, he'll get jealous."

I heavily nodded.

Lu Kai, Eunuch Xu and Jin'er were with me when we found Li Han in the training ground. He was alone. He looked so pathetic.

Li Han was faking everything. Like how his bad posture can be compared to those new hired awkward soldiers. He's really trying so hard to hide his true self.

Seriously? He is the male lead but he is not immortal! He just recovered from cold. Why isn't he resting?

When Li Han noticed our presence, he paused for a few seconds then he continued swinging his swords. With more power, showing his anger and frustration in every slash of his swords.

I walked slowly to him. Li Han was sweating. He breathed hard before he glanced at me and glared.

"Stop it."

I stopped, few steps far from him then I moved my head to the side. "What?"

"Stop sending me food. Stop sending me medicine. I'm not a beggar."

Chuckling, "Your highness is wrong. For me, his highness is no different from a beggar in the street."

As usual, his expression showed how he felt insulted. A mere daughter of a noble, treated him, a prince like a beggar.

"I heard you got sick so I sent you medicine. I heard your financial budget was cut off because you angered the crown prince. So as a loyal subject of the empire, I, a noble daughter with a good heart, sent you food. Instead of being thankful, your highness want to reprimand me? I've never seen such hypocrisy."

"Bai Suxin." His nose flared.

'I hate the male lead. I hate everyone. I hate this fucking novel. I don't want to be here. Why am I here? Why me?! Why?!'

"Su- Suxin."

I blinked. Noticing that Li Han was staring at me with a shock expression. I touched my cheeks, and damn, they were tainted with tears.

'Damn it!' I breathed in and tried to control my emotion. I have to act well. I have to.

"Tsk. You're so pitiful that it makes me cry." I giggled.

"Suxin. You."

"Your highness, if you want to thank me for pitying you, why not give me one of your eye?" I laughed crazily. No. I really think I'm going crazy.

His confuse expression gone. His lips turned into a thin line. "I don't need your help."

"Whatever."

Inside the carriage, Jin'er kept glancing at me.

"What is it?"

"My lady, do you like the fourth prince?"

I choked. "W-what?"

"Then why are you helping him? You insult him, you look down at him but then you're still helping him. I'm so confused, my lady."

"So you think I'm helping him?"

"You're not?"

I patted her head. "Li Cha and I made a bet. If his fourth brother fall for me before her thirteenth birthday, she'd give me the mermaid tears . If I failed, I'll give her my jade bracelet."

"Ohhh. A bet?!" Jin'er beamed. "I really thought you like that dog prince. That scared me." She puffed her chest. "Please my lady, don't scare me again like that."

—

Emperor Li Hai decreed a three-days 'birthday celebration' for the Empress Dowager as a sign of his filial pity.

Grand, colorful and expensive decorations where seen everywhere in the palace. It was like a Qixi festival. There were a lot of entertainments for all the royalties and nobles. Games, music and even circus.

I should be amazed of all the things I witnesses in this era. They were all new to me but, these things only made me sad.

In the real world, I was an independent woman, working in the bustling city. Still every month, I will always take time to go back to our province, especially during holidays. Or else, Mom will nagged at us and even show us her crocodile tears, saying we don't love her anymore.

Mom was really..

Mom was spoiled by her children. By us.

We bought her expensive things, for her skincare, medicines and sometimes kitchen utensils that she like so much. Since Dad passed away, Mom became more dependent to us. Closer to us.

I know Mom misses Dad so much. That's why, Mom need us, her children to stay strong and lived well.

And yet, I left her. I, her youngest daughter.

I closed my eyes, swallowing all my grievances to this damn novel. I hardly adapted my life here. I wish three years will come fast so that my role will finally end.

I must go back to Mom. I must. I just need to endure for three years more. Just endure it!

"Lady Bai, who do you think will win?"

I glanced at Li Cha. She was wearing a rose-colored dress whilst I have on my fairylike white dress. I, despite being only a noble daughter, was sitting beside the other royalties.

"Tenth brother, stop him!" Li Cha shouted.

The princes were taking this opportunity to show off their unique abilities in front of the emperor and the other nobles. The competition among the princes were no joke.

Everyone screamed, even Li Cha.

"What are you doing?! Call the imperial physician."

"Crown prince!"

"Help the crown prince!"

After the crown prince fell from his horse, the arena turned into chaos. The game stopped.

Emperor Li Hai stood up, obviously shocked. On the other side, the Empress Dowager almost fainted when she saw the unfortunate scene of her favorite grandson.

People ran towards the crown prince and immediately assisted Li Rui and sent him to be treated. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor Li Hai also followed, obviously concerned.

Whispers erupted among the bystanders. I didn't noticed when did Li Cha left my side.

Far away, that person was pitifully struggling to stand on his own. I snorted at his straight painful expression. During the game, Li Rui and Li Han were at the same time fell from their horses and yet, everyone showed their concerned only for the crown prince.

Even Emperor Li Hai. For him, Li Han doesn't matter. Showing that Li Han don't even enter his eyes. As if he's not also his son. As if he completely forgotten that he was once had a fourth prince to begin with.

Disappointment and anger flashed into Li Han's eyes but he immediately hid them.

I took my time to walked over and playfully asked: "Do you need help?"