Concubine Jin's request

In the evening..

Xia Jingxi was still in the Army Camp making preparations for tomorrow's departure to Jiangnan.

When a soldier gave her a message saying someone from Marquis Mansion was here to see her.

Xia Jingxi walked to the waiting room where Commander Shen was already sitting with Yue Jun and Yue Chen.

When she entered the room, Shen Bin got up and said, "I will leave you alone to talk, now that Commander Xia is here."

He stood up and left the room to them. Xia Jingxi took a seat greeted the brothers.

"You are leading the troop to Jiangnan." Yue Chen asked.

"Yes I am." She replied.

"Do you know it can be more dangerous than it seems?" Yue Chen asked again.

"I know Brother Chen." She said.

"How did His Majesty agree to it?" Yue Xhen asked.

"Stop it, you are interrogating her just like Grandfather." Yue Jun said to him.

"I know what I'm doing. I will be fine, you don't have to worry about me." Xia Jingxi said to them.

"I have full trust in your ability." Yue Jun said making Yue Chen look at him.

"It's not like I don't believe you won't be able to do it. But Grandfather is worried about you." Yue Chen clarified.

"I know. I would like to visit Grandfather myself to talk to him about this. But I'm busy with a lot of things as we have to set out in the morning." Xia Jingxi replied.

"Liar, you don't want to visit Grandfather because you know it's impossible to convince him." Yue Jun commented.

"Close your mouth." Yue Chen said smacking Yue Jun's head.

Yue Jun rubbed his head and said to her, "There's another person who is waiting outside to meet you."

"Ye Hong." he replied.

Xia Jingxi ordered a soldier to bring him in.

Ye Hong entered the room and saw her in a different avatar than the previous one. Instead of her royal clothes as Princess, she was wearing man clothing. Her hair were tied up rather than styled with a pin. One thing that was somehow similar was her hidden face. The Veil was substituted with the silver mask.

Her sharp eyes still the same.

Ye Hong bowed and greeted her.

"What's the matter?" She asked.

"I want to go with you." He replied straightforwardly.

"I think it's good to keep a skilled person by your side. Think about it he is a assassin, he can help you with his stealth on this mission." Yue Chen said supporting Ye Hong.

"He does have a advantage with this. but being a assassin you are used to sneaking and attacking, can you deal with a full on front battle if time arises." She asked Ye Hong.

"I'm willing to train to be the best. Please let me follow you." Ye Hong said.

Xia Jingxi looked at Yue Chen who nodded to her.

"Alright, You can come along." Xia Jingxi replied.

...

Back at the Palace,

At Lotus Courtyard,

"Everything is ready, your highness." Ji Ran said to Princess Jingxi who has just came back after seeing the Emperor.

There were some sounds coming from outside.

"Go and see what's going on." Princess Jingxi ordered her.

Ji Ran went out and came back in after a minute.

"Your Highness, Concubine Jin is here requesting to see you." Ji Ran reported.

"Let her in."

Concubine Jin came in with her maid and greeted Princess Jingxi.

"Take a seat Concubine Jin." She said.

Ji Ran poured the tea for them and stood aside.

Princess Jingxi saw the tea in the cup and ordered her, "Ji Ran change to another tea, this one is cold."

Ji Ran nodded taking away the tea. Concubine Jin looked at her and said, "Looks like First Princess knows about me."

"I do. Tell me your purpose for coming here?"

"I heard your highness is going to Jiangnan." Concubine Jin asked.

Ji Ran came in and served the tea to them.

"I am. What do you want with it?" Princess Jingxi asked picking up her cup.

"I request your highness to take me with you." Concubine Jin said looking down.

"What's the matter? Why do you want to leave the Palace when you are pregnant?"

"I'm just a mother who wants her child to live. It's been years any concubine gave birth to a child. Even if no one says anything, everyone knows Consort Wang is the reason behind it all. That's why I wanted to keep my pregnancy a secret so that I can keep my child safe." Concubine Jin said getting emotional and placing a hand on her belly.

"Tell the Emperor about your pregnancy and I'm sure he'll keep you protected."

"I have no doubt in His Majesty's protection. But the Harem is controlled by Consort Wang, I can't take risks with my child. I want to leave the Palace and give birth to this baby." Concubine Jin said now full on crying, her cheeks stained with tears.

Princess Jingxi was reminded of the dream she always had and the mother's willingness to protect her child no matter what.

"Don't cry, I can understand you. But I'm going to a mission, how will I convince Father to take you along? Do you have a place where you can go? What will you do when it's time for me to come back? Do you plan on living there and not telling Emperor about anything? Have you thought about all these questions?" Princess Jingxi asked her.

"I am originally from a place nearby Jiangnan. My sister lives there, I can go to her. You can tell Emperor that I can help you in Jinagnan as I am from there and know about the city. And about telling the Emperor about the child I haven't decided it yet."

"You are smarter than I thought." Princess Jingxi commented.

"It's a mother trying her best to protect her child. Please help me your highness, I beg you." Concubine Jin said getting on her knees.

Princess Jingxi hurriedly helped her up and said, "Don't do this, get up. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you Your Highness.. I'll forever be thankful to you." Concubine Jin said crying.

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