Author's Note: This Fic is no longer Author's Main Focus. So it will be update once a year... if Lucky.

" "This is really delicious!" "

"Ahaha... thank you..."

Normally Beiyue would be pleased and pushed forward her chest in pride. Cooking is one skill she takes seriously since it was one of few things that connect her to her previous life. Heartwarming meals are always welcome and a good way to bonding. However... there is one thing that made her unable to properly enjoy the food. And that was...

"Uhh... Yue." Zhonglei whispered. "Am I hallucinating or did I really seeing doubles here?"

"If you're hallucinating then so do I." She hissed back.

The thing that bothering her was the fact that Che and Prince Xiaoyao act in the exact same manner.

Oh, don't get her wrong. There's nothing wrong with that. A lot of people could have said the same thing or react in the same manner at the exact same time. But they don't have the "echo" quality that Prince Xiaoyao and Liu Che had. Why?

Something told her that the answer was Obvious with capital O. But what is it...?

Chapter 37: Distorted Reflection

They were restarting school today. The break period is over. Had it been any real casualties then it would last longer since they took of mourning period into account.

Zhonglei dislikes it.

Correction: he dislikes school. Should he list it? Alright.

First, it was waste of time. To quote Dongling, it was more chore than anything. Cultivation lesson? Nah, he can do it by himself. Have been doing so without a proper teacher. He didn't need a teacher. Just give him books. Arithmetic? Military lesson? Already covered by logic and common sense while helping Beiyue make sense of the MESS called Miyang and Qinghe's reports. Writing and Reading? Bitch, please. Already graduate from that class before he turned ten.

Second, it was a cesspool. No. Really. The school was basically a miniature court and it gave Zhonglei headaches. He wants nothing to do with it, now that he is not a noble anymore. A servant's duty, even the privileged ones, is to serve their master. Their battle is in keeping their master alive and dispose of anyone who intends to harm their master. They don't need political skill... much.

He really sees the appeal of being antisocial. He really does.

Because...

"Yun. Get out of my sight."

"You can still see? Wow. Color me surprised."

...because he can't help but crossing paths with his once-siblings despite they were on different courses.

Zhonglei wonder what are the repercussion of going berserk right there and then and claims PTSD? Hell. Maybe he really should take Yue's suggestion and set up time-delayed pranks. Ugh. The downside of being the rational and calm one. Sometimes he wants to go batshit insane like Dongling and just punch away his problem until they were gone. Alas, someone has to be the sane man.

Sigh.

Is it too late to take back his application form and get out from this cesspit? He pretty sure Yue and Dongling won't mind.

"I wonder how long you can stay? It was amazing you even allowed to go back."

Ugh. You know what? If you want something done, do it yourself.

"I hope there is no problem." Zhonglei did something he never thought he would: get in between Zhongqi's and Yun's bitchfest. "Speak of problem, Ms. Xiao doesn't belong in Eastern College anymore, so why are you here? I don't understand why would a student from Imperial College going here unless something happens. Were you on an errand? Then why are you wasting your time rather than doing your business? Do you want to invite someone's wrath?"

He has the utmost pleasure seeing Yun's face turned red from anger and shame.

Deny it all he wanted, he was that bitch's child. He has the pleasure of ruining someone's day. He just being smarter in picking his targets.

"So the dog come back." Sneered Yun. "Do you enjoy licking that trash's boot?"

Zhonglei's eyes narrowed. "By Trash... do you mean Princess Beiyue?"

"Hmph. Like that trash deserve title Princess. She's just useless twat who gotten lucky."

...is this bitch want to die so badly? Why she didn't just say so?

"Fu." Zhonglei put a hand to his mouth and start snickering. "This is really funny, Ms. Xiao. Have you ever think of being a comedian?"

"Wha—what are you laughing at?"

"You." Zhonglei smiled. It was not his nice smile. "You of course. You call me a dog, you call a princess "Trash" when you weren't sure there won't be anyone else eavesdropping, yet was not it you who stole the so-called Trash's money just to make yourself feels better? Doesn't it make you even more pathetic?"

"You dare to—"

"And not just that. The so-called Prodigy child turns out to be a talentless hack. How was four years' worth of Miyang's revenue, miss fake prodigy? Two stars? I'm shocked. If we have to rank aptitude between zero to one hundred, yours probably sitting somewhere near zero, not even a double-digits."

Is it wrong to enjoy it? Who knows. Does he even care? No.

"I would have called you Pathetic Thief... except that would be an insult to any thieves out there and I doubt Pathetic could even cover it. Shameless is close, though. Does Pill Events and Boat on Lake ring any bell?" He takes great pleasure in making her pale while still fuming. She looks funny. "Fufu, getting desperate are we? How about rather than you running around and make trouble, you sit down and reflect on your actions? Or was there no space left in that tiny brain of yours who can only know to scheme, throwing tantrums, and being greedy?"

"You... you... you filthy birth!"

"I am aware." Deadpanned Zhonglei. "I have a functioning brain, you know. At least this filthy blood is more respectable citizen than a toxic waste of space like you."

"You dare to—"

"Fake Genius, no friends, and low social standing with no womanly skill except dolling up. Not to mention terrible personality and nonexistent work ethic. I doubt even brothels would accept you. Guess we have an old spinner in the making."

Are that tears in her eyes? Yes, it is. Does he feel guilty? Nah. No space left for her.

"I suggest you run now, little faker. Or do you want to continue? I'm fine with either way."

She runs away.

Huh.

He feels a little disappointed. Oh well.

"I don't know why you were here when this was not lunch break yet, so go back to your class before you get in trouble." He told Zhongqi. "I should go back too."

When he passed him, Zhonglei can't help but glance at his once brother.

Zhongqi's expression was closed off with a dark faraway look in his eyes... or rather, eye. One of his eyes was covered in bandages.

If someone told Zhonglei years ago that his once proudful and arrogant brother would be quiet and staying low, he would bonk them in the head, thinking they were joking.

~X~

Beiyue wanted to scream.

She can't, so she settle by making the room uncomfortably hot.

That stupid rumor had circulated even after she made it clear there's nothing between her and Jing beyond platonic feelings. PLATONIC. Do you get it? P-L-A-T-O-N-I-C. Oh, come on you stupid backward primitive society. Were a boy and a close girl must be romantically involved? Can't they simply just be friends?

Apparently not.

This is why she hates a backward world like this. The modern world at least more open to the male-female platonic relationship, even if there were some ribbings involved.

Here? Here if a man and a woman were seen together without a minder, they must be romantically involved.

Fuck off, guys.

Just because her uncle-maybe-father were into incest doesn't mean she nor Jing were! They are not the Emperor dammit! She is not into incest and neither is Jing. She was just being a supportive cousin and unofficial therapist since you lot fail in Family Matters 101. Honestly, among this screwed-up family, she was among the sane ones, and wasn't that a dreadful thing? She is not, never was, the epitome of sanity.

Cunning, sometimes. Reliable, she made sure to finish what already started. Kind? Depends. Are you an enemy or not? Stressed, yes, god damn fucking it. But sane? Sirs, madams, she was never normal. Sanity is overrated.

Sadly in this screwed-up family, she was among the sane ones. Or the one who did not fall to baseless gossip.

Really guys. Just because she and Jing resemble her mom and the Emperor respectively doesn't mean they were their second coming. There are differences! Glaring differences!

For example, Beiyue is more of a tomboy. No. Make that androgynous. Modern era fashion has something called Unisex and she spends most of her time wearing pants, and later, suits. As such she is more comfortable wearing boys' clothes. She also more rebellious compare to her mother's mild-nature and obedient personality. Arranged Marriage? No thanks. She will break all of it... or rather burn them all.

Jing, too, was not the Emperor. Their similarity ended up in physical resemblance. Out of all siblings, Jing is the one who physically resembles the Emperor. Zhenshi came close, but definitely with his mother's colors. But personality-wise... Jing is more closed off and secretive with his feelings, especially now that he's free from his shackles. The Emperor was more open. And dramatic.

For another...

"Yue. Can you braid my hair?" Jing asked.

Jing was more on the gentle side. Oh, if someone (Beiyue) gets hurt he would take action without hesitation, but throne succession? He could care less about it. Maybe that's why his element is nature? What factor deciding your element again, if you have one? Heritage? Personality? Or what?

"I would've done it myself but..." Jing shifted awkwardly. Beiyue rolled her eyes.

"But you don't know how to do it. At least how to do it without making a bird nest with your hair and forced us to cut it off. You're hopeless with this kind of thing."

He lightly punched her.

Though Beiyue can see some relief in his eyes. She didn't mention his lack of a perfect arm.

Well, anyone would get sick of it. Being subject to gossip ain't fun.

"Here. It's done."

"Thank you." Jing nodded. "Where are Dongling, Zhonglei, and Che? Or your baby Tiger? Does it have a name?"

"No. Not yet. Haven't found the right one." She postponed giving it a name, so she called it cub or baby. The name is special. It basically a wish from parents. To give a child a bad name is the same as cursing the child. "Zhonglei was with Zhenshi and probably have a sleepover. I'll write to the principal he will be absent tomorrow. He deserves some break after encountering Xiao Yun. Dongling was taking Liu Che out shopping. He needs his own clothes and there are only so many Zhonglei's clothes that were dyed black."

Why he insists on wearing black Beiyue didn't know, but hell it looks goods on him.

If he were to wear other colors... let's see... that dark hair and eyes... grey and white. Monochrome color suited him. Then... blue. Dark shades, not the light ones. Not red of any shade. That made him stood out like a sore thumb. Ugly one at that. Orange even more. So is yellow and brown. Green...

Un...?

Why does her mind suddenly went to Xiaoyao?

"Jing... cousin. Don't you think Liu Che and Prince Xiaoyao were a little too similar?"

"You noticed it too?" Oh good, she wasn't alone. "Yeah, yeah I did. They look like they could have been related. Perhaps they are?"

"Perhaps?"

"Don't look at me." He shook his head. "Prince Xiaoyao, for all his fame as Nanyi's greatest Pharmacist, is a rather secretive person. There's very little known about his background. Supposedly he went to Lingyang school at the same time as Father and Aunt Huiwen and entered the Pharmacist course. Sometimes during the war, he gained many merits by creating various pills and helping the army by supplying them with medical and cultivation pills and helped defeat enemies by poison. I think there's a note about that achievement somewhere in library records... but as I said, aside from his merits and what else that's public knowledge, anything else is pretty much unknown."

"Including his family?"

"Especially his family. He was tight-lipped about his origins. I think you should ask Principal Cang He if you want to know better."

~X~

"You wish to know about Prince Xiaoyao?" Principal Cang He's eyebrows raised to his hairline.

Beiyue nodded.

She had approached him after school hours end, asking for some time of his to answer her question. He certainly doesn't expect the tomboyish Princess to inquire about the famous Pharmacist.

"Yes. I was wondering about his school days and his origins, if I may know. I am rather curious." Beiyue said. "Prince Xiaoyao is very gifted in Pharmacist. Was he perhaps born in a family of one or has a Pharmacist in his family tree somewhere?"

"Possibly, but like you, I don't know much."

Beiyue tilted her head. "But don't the Principal know the background of your students to some extent? Maybe not everyone, but certainly notable ones? Prince Xiaoyao is certainly a notable person."

"Indeed he is." Principal Cang He nodded. "and indeed I am the one who recommends him to Lingyang. However, Prince Xiaoyao was not born in Nanyi."

"He is not?"

"No. He was among war refugees from another Country. When I found him, he was an orphan with all left from his family was his surname."

Wow. That was just... wow. So he was not even a Nanyi native. "What is his country of Origin? And... pardon my word if it was disrespectful, but was there any chance he will leave Nanyi for his homeland?"

"Your concern is understandable, princess. But you don't have to worry." Principal Cang He smiled sadly. "Because his home country, the Song Country, was long gone due war years ago."

Ah... fuck.

Dead end.

No. There's some lead. She should just search through the books, old news, and old maps. One that still contains Song Country. Maybe old war maps. That ought to be useful.