Prince Xian Rong stepped inside and bowed slightly in greeting.
"Oh, Sister-in-law. You are here," he said, his voice polite but strained.
Princess Moyin returned the greeting with a gentle nod. "Brother. You sent for me?" He said facing prince Rong Yuan.
"Yes," Prince Rong Yuan answered calmly. "We are going to the countryside, to visit Mr. Ha family."
Prince Xian Rong's throat tightened. His fingers curled at his side.
"To… today?" he asked, unable to fully hide the hesitation in his voice.
"Right away," Prince Rong Yuan replied, watching him closely.
Princess Moyin noticed the change immediately. She stood and took a step toward Prince Xian Rong, concern softening her face.
"Are you alright?" she asked. "You look unwell. Are you sick?"
"He's fine," Prince Rong Yuan cut in, his tone sharper than necessary. "Go and prepare the horses. I'll be right behind you."
Prince Xian Rong bowed again and left, closing the door carefully behind him.
Princess Moyin turned back to her husband, her brows knitting together.
"Don't you think you were too harsh on him?" she asked quietly.
Prince Rong Yuan waved it off, pulling her gently into his arms.
"Don't mind him. He still thinks he's a child."
He lowered his voice, leaning close as his breath brushed her ear.
"Come, wife… let's finish what we started earlier."
"Finish what exactly?" she asked, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
He smiled back, unabashed. "You know very well."
She scoffed lightly. "Didn't we already finish last night?" She placed a hand over her stomach. "I'm pregnant, remember? Too much will affect the baby."
"I'll be careful," he murmured, completely shameless.
Princess Moyin stared at him in disbelief before laughing softly.
"How did I not know you were this shameless?"
"I lost my shame the day I fell in love with you," he whispered, pressing a kiss just beneath her ear.
A shiver ran through her despite herself. She pushed against his chest, breath uneven.
"Your tricks won't work on me this time."
Seeing her struggle only deepened the fire in his eyes. He leaned closer, ignoring her weak protests.
"The door is open," she whispered, glancing toward it.
"Then let someone dare to enter," he replied without hesitation.
"Your… your brother is waiting," she managed, her voice barely steady.
But Prince Rong Yuan was already too far gone to hear anything else.
Some minutes later, a soft knock at the door startled them.
"Who is that?" Prince Rong Yuan asked, quickly straightening up, his breath still uneven.
Princess Moyin hurriedly gathered the scattered clothes from the floor and pulled them around herself, shooting him a sharp look. He only smiled at her, completely shameless, before calmly putting on his robes and walking toward the door.
He opened it slightly and saw his assistant standing outside.
"I'll be there in a minute," he said quietly.
With that, he closed the door. Princess Moyin, now properly dressed, followed him into their chamber. After washing up quickly, Prince Rong Yuan stepped out to meet his brother and his assistant.
As they walked toward the stables where their horses were kept, Prince Rong Yuan noticed the faint smile playing on his assistant's lips.
"Say what you want to say," he snapped, already irritated.
"Are you sure?" the assistant teased, his smirk widening.
Prince Rong Yuan merely raised a brow.
Lowering his voice, he leaned closer. "Next time, Your Highness, allow your breathing to settle before coming out. Don't make it so obvious."
Prince Rong Yuan paused for a brief moment. Without a word, he shot him a cold glare and continued walking.
Outside, their horses and a few guides were already waiting. They mounted and rode out of the palace grounds.
"Your Highness…" the assistant called.
"Hm?" Prince Rong Yuan replied.
The tone alone told him his assistant was up to no good. They had been friends for years, he knew that voice too well.
"I just discovered something that will shock you," the assistant said, his smile turning mischievous.
"What?" Prince Rong Yuan asked, irritation creeping into his voice.
"Where do you think your brother got that mischievous nature of his from?"
Prince Rong Yuan didn't answer. He simply urged his horse forward, increasing its speed and leaving his assistant laughing softly behind him.
-----
The sound of approaching hooves broke the quiet of the countryside.
Mr Ha, who was repairing a wooden tool outside his house, looked up first. Shielding his eyes from the sun, he frowned slightly at the sight of finely dressed riders nearing his modest home. The horses were strong, their saddles well made, clearly not ordinary travelers.
Hana stepped out just then, wiping her hands on her apron. The moment she saw the group, her steps slowed.
"The prince ," she murmured.
By the time the riders stopped before the house, Mr Ha had already straightened his back and stepped forward. Prince Rong Yuan dismounted first, his movements calm and measured, followed closely by his assistant. Prince Xian Rong hesitated for some second before dismounting, his gaze already searching the house without meaning to.
Mr Ha froze. "Your highness" exclaimed.
He had been transporting goods to the palace, so he knows the prince very well.
He quickly bent his knee. "This humble one greets Your Highness."
Before he could kneel fully, Prince Rong Yuan stepped forward and gently stopped him. "There is no need for such formality," he said calmly. "We are guests today."
Mr Ha was startled by the courtesy. "This… this house is poor, Your Highness. I fear it cannot properly receive....."
"A house that shelters people in need is already worthy of respect," Rong Yuan replied.
Hana felt her heart tighten at those words. She quickly bowed as well. "Please forgive us for not recognizing Your Highness sooner."
Prince Rong Yuan nodded lightly, then his gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, toward the inner rooms of the house.
"Is Lady Yue Rong at home?" he asked.
At the mention of her name, Xian Rong's fingers curled slowly at his side.
Hana answered carefully, "She is resting inside. The healer advised her not to move much in the next few weeks"
Mr Ha exchanged a brief glance with his wife before stepping aside. "Please… come in."
As they entered the small courtyard, Ha Rin came running out, then stopped abruptly when she saw the familiar men. Her eyes widened.
Hana gently pulled her back. "Ha Rin, greet the guests."
The child bowed clumsily. "Good… good afternoon"
Prince Rong Yuan's stern expression softened. He nodded at her, then looked around the simple courtyard.
While prince Xian Rong remained standing near the doorway, his eyes fixed on one direction.
He didn't know whether he feared seeing her…
Or feared that she might recognize him.