Disguised as a Noble Consort (MxM)

18

Butterfly Pavilion

"You must take on the role as the head of the house" The Duke of the Li Manor spoke to a child not less than 10, who was pouting and looking at the floors beneath his feet.

"Father I am merely a child"

"Nonsense. You are my only son, if you do not learn to be responsible now, then when?" The Duke's words greatly saddened him. Children his age get to play around while all he did was study all day long, learning the traits and values his family upholds. It's not that studying was something he does not like. He had that air of being a scholar in him but at the same time, he just wanted to be a child.

"Father, mother calls you. It's supper" A tiny female voice called. The Duke raised his head and his expression soften. A little girl peaked her head through the door. Big bright eyes staring curiously between them.

"We'll continue this later, until then keep studying those books"

"Yes father.." the child pouted.
As the Duke left, the little girl ran with her hands raised in the air and embraced the boy.

"Mother made our favorite soup! Cheer up this Meimei will play with you!" The girl exclaimed, staring at her brother's face with such innocence he couldn't help but sigh in relief, gradually forgetting the pressure his father placed on his shoulders that day.

. . . . .

Jin abruptly sat up. Tears stained his face as he clutched his aching chest, his breath coming out in short gasps.

He scanned his surroundings. It was still dark outside and the clock in the room read that it had only been an hour past midnight.

"Xie..xie..." He muttered softly under his breath as he fell back on the pillows, an arm placed over his head.

It had been two days since they recieved that letter from the empress. It didn't came as a surprise that Xian also found out his mother was missing in court the night they recieved that letter.

"She pursued her.." he couldn't help but groan.

Xian personally instructed him to stay inside his manor until he receives further notice from either him or the empress. Words about him swapping places with his sister came out sooner than he had expected. Earlier this morning concubines loitered outside his manor to try and confirm if said rumors were true but the guards Xian added in his place prevented them from even getting a glimpse of him.

The heat of the rumors hadn't died down but he was glad that people outside the forbidden city seemed to have more doubts than the people inside. His personal servants had been informed of his true identity. It came as a surprise to him that they still swore to keep his secret out of loyalty to the noble consort but Xian wasn't convinced and even added his own personal guard to keep an eye on the servants who serves his manor. Everything was in complete chaos.

A sudden knock on the door broke his train of thoughts. He gently sat up and waited just to confirm if he really heard a knock and when it came again he cleared his throat and let whoever it was in.

A man covered in black from head to toe entered and gave him a respectful bow. It didn't waste time to hand him a letter , most probably coming from the empress and left without a trace.