The Emperor's Pampered Wife

12 hours of agony. 

That's what Ji Li Zhao and the rest of his team went through. No one slept and everyone was on high alert. 

"Why are they not resting?" He Lan asked while yawning. She just got out of her bedroom and immediately headed to where Hou Wei Yan was resting. 

Ashraf who decided to do the monitoring looked at her momentarily before returning his gaze to the patient lying peacefully in bed. "If you were in their shoes, would you sleep?" 

"But she's already fine," she commented as she took a seat beside him and observed Hou Wei Yan's breathing. "Doctor Hou overworked herself again and the stress piled up. Her body is simply too tired to remain conscious." 

"Tell them that and they will only worry more," he replied. He was sure the Xing twins and their Big Boss were suffering from paranoia because they reacted to the smallest things that were happening to Hou Wei Yan. "They asked me if I was sure of my diagnosis every hour that goes by." 

"Gosh these men," He Lan muttered while shaking her head. As she did this, her eyes landed on Zhou Jinhai who was also in the room but was asked to stay confined in the far corner. "And what about him?" 

"He needed to take responsibility," Ashraf answered as an excuse—his voice bearing too much seriousness that no one would doubt anything he said. "These gentlemen shouldn't be the only ones suffering sleeplessly and waiting for her to wake up when his actions were what caused this in the first place."

But in truth, he was just keeping him alive for as long as he could. He knows what Ji Li Zhao is capable of. 

By simply existing as part of the Regal Families, he is dangerous when crossed. Someone's life is meager compared to him and his family. He could kill them if they even made the smallest of mistakes and no one would point their fingers at him for doing it. 

Because he is of regal blood. 

While he was thinking this, his eyes trailed off to Ji Li Zhao who earnestly sat beside Xing Qiu. Xing Yun was forced out of the room and ordered to take complete rest due to his previous injury.

[ Surprisingly, he followed Ji Li Zhao's orders even though he only said it once. He is supposed to be higher than Ji Li Zhao considering which family he belongs to...and yet he obeyed without question. Why? ]

"Hng," 

As soon as such a small noise came out of the bed, all of their ears perked up and they were now rushing toward Hou Wei Yan's side. She was stirring up and they needed to check on how she was doing. That was supposed to be Ashraf's job as the one assigned as her physician. 

And yet Zhou Jinhai who was in the corner beat him to it. Even Xing Qiu was unable to react and stood still as the culprit of this incident held her hand as gently as he could and with tears flowing from his eyes. 

[ What the fuck?! ] Xing Qiu thought as he stumbled back from Zhou Jinhai zooming past him. 

"You---" 

Before he could do anything, Hou Wei Yan slowly woke from her deep slumber and fluttered her eyes open causing him to bite down his tongue in silent anticipation. "Big Sister~" 

"Wei Wei! I'm glad you're safe!" he muttered as he held her hand, causing Xing Qiu to glance at Ji Li Zhao who was silently observing the show. However, his closed fist did not go unnoticed. 

"Jinhai?" she muttered before surveying the room and finding Ji Li Zhao's gaze that was just silently observing. Her eyes then returned to Zhou Jinhai who was shedding tears of sorrow and relief.

"You scared me. Had I not made it in time to save you...*hic*...gosh...thinking about it aches my heart Wei Wei. I would have killed myself for my incompetence." 

"What?" Xing Qiu reacted in disbelief. 

[ Ah. If he was doing this to Long Lee, I would have punched him and killed him on the spot. ] Ashraf thought as he watched Zhou Jinhai's spectacle. Now he sees that keeping him safe for that time was futile. 

He was digging his own grave. 

Hou Wei Yan looked at him in bewilderment. "You saved me?" 

"I did. Luckily, I made it on time," he muttered much to everyone's disbelief. Xing Qiu was nearly puking blood in the shamelessness that he was watching. 

[ What genes does the Zhou Family have to produce a shameless person such as this?! ] he internally screamed, stopping himself from jumping in and repeatedly stabbing him with his knife. [ He puts Han Yu Shou to shame!!! ]

He Lan who was neutral earlier couldn't help but raise her brows in amusement. She knew that Zhou Jinhai was formidable in his pursuit, but it never occurred to her that he would stoop so low. [ How could he bear to take the credit from someone else and act like we aren't witnesses? ]

They saw firsthand how Ji Li Zhao came down the helicopter and rescued Hou Wei Yan while Zhou Jinhai grumbled in misery at his failure to protect her. He is even unable to run and find her in the forest because he fears the darkness, and yet when a hero needs to be crowned, he comes forward as though he did all the hard work. 

[ He is the culprit here. ] she thought once more, thinking back at his actions that led to the two ladies going missing in the forest. His actions placed Hou Wei Yan and Bei Changhai in danger. 

"Some people stoop low when they are desperate," Ji Li Zhao casually commented, his nails now digging into his flesh as he continued to contain his anger in his fist. He didn't want to confuse Hou Wei Yan and step forward as the hero. 

In fact, he never even wanted to be praised as one. If she never asked who saved her, he wouldn't even mention anything. He was just glad that she was safe. 

But Zhou Jinhai brought it up and acted as though he was a man of valor. He doesn't want to confuse Hou Wei Yan, but he will not stand by as he lies in front of his wife. 

Before he could say anything more, Hou Wei Yan flashed Zhou Jinhai a thankful smile which made everyone freeze solid. The look on her face was of genuine gratitude and yet it was directed at the man who deserve nothing but criticism. 

[ I can't believe this. ] Ashraf thought as he exchanged glances at He Lan who had the same thought as him. [ And I thought Dr. Hou was intelligent. ]

"Big Sister," Xing Qiu muttered, trying his best to explain the truth to her. 

But Hou Wei Yan was unwilling to listen to them and instead, gave out an order that left a bitter taste in their mouth. "Can you please leave us for a moment? I want to thank the one who saved me." 

If she's looking for the one who saved her, then it should be Ji Li Zhao she should talk to. But instead, Zhou Jinhai took his place shamelessly and didn't even bother to correct her. By the look on his face, he had no intention of ever correcting her and was even thankful that she believed him without question. 

[ Fuck this! ] Xing Qiu raged, ready to storm and pull Zhou Jinhai by the hair and drag him out. 

However, Ji Li Zhao had no intention of creating a commotion or allowing one to happen when his wife was still in a delicate state. He wanted her to recover as much strength as she could before she faced any of this drama. [ Wei Wei needs to rest. ]

Gently, he pulled Xing Qiu by his side and shook his head. "Let's go out. Doctor Hou needs to finish her talk so she can rest again. ] 

"But---" 

"She needs rest." he reiterated. When said twice, he could feel the intensity and did not need to hear it once more. Ji Li Zhao will be pissed if he disobeys. 

Defeated, he left the room with everyone else, making sure to leave last, and gestured for Hou Wei Yan to touch her pillow. She did as he asked and smiled in gratitude before facing Zhou Jinhai. 

"I don't remember much, Jinhai. I'm sorry," she said as soon as everyone left and no one was within earshot. She offered him a full of anticipation. After all, who wouldn't anticipate a heroic tale such as this?

Zhou Jinhai smiled with victory—his mind filled with how Hou Wei Yan would embrace him for his valor. Only that it wasn't his. [Never mind that. As long as Hou Wei Yan is mine. ]

He repositioned himself and began retelling the story that was never even his. "Bei Changhai ran into the woods and you followed. I was reluctant to follow because I saw the darkness that engulfed the forest." 

Before proceeding to his tale, Zhou Jinhai clasped Hou Wei Yan's hands with eyes of tenderness. "But how could I leave you in such a forest knowing your fear of darkness? I just can't do that. I would never leave you alone in such darkness, Wei Wei!" 

"And then?" Hou Wei Yan urged, seeing Zhou Jinhai's tears falling from his fragile-looking eyes. 

"I went inside the forest. Despite my trauma of darkness, I ran inside, hoping to find you and help you in locating Bei Changhai. She's important to you, isn't she?" 

Hou Wei Yan flinched at this question. He hits the spot. She doesn't know what she would do if Bei Changhai got hurt because of what happened. She is a future Xing and she held great expectations for her entrance into the family register. She knows she will bring change to some of the traditions the Xing Family still upholds and she will be a great bridge to the warfare of the Ji Family. 

Slowly, she nodded her head. "Indeed, she is." 

"The rain began falling while I was looking for you. It took me a while but I found you in the forest. You were already unconscious when I arrived. You were bleeding after you fell down a cliff. I managed to stop your bleeding momentarily and brought you here." 

"By carrying me?" 

Zhou Jinhai momentarily stopped as Hou Wei Yan asked this. He saw something else in her kind eyes. It was anger. 

He could feel his sweat drop since her interrogation finally began. "No. I received help from our Boss." 

"Did he jump off the helicopter to help with the rescue?" 

"No," he answered in confusion. [ Why would she ask such bullshit? ]

Hou Wei Yan sighed before her kind smile disappeared. She looked at Zhou Jinhai like he was the most hideous liar there is. "Then why else would he get that beat up while you faced me here gleaming and glowing? You went inside the forest without proper equipment and you came out unscathed?" 

"I---" 

"And there's one thing I need to correct," she said as she drew closer to him to see his true reaction. "I only collapsed after I felt someone grab my hand to save me. And I was partially conscious when the helicopter arrived." 

"You were just disoriented, Wei Wei," he said in desperation, clinging to her hands as though it was his lifeline. He then hit his chest, showing her how hurt he was by her sudden barrage of questions. "It was me! I saved you!" 

"Drop the act, Mr. Zhou." she flatly said. 

Zhou Jinhai took a step back, taken by surprise with her sudden change of demeanor. He could no longer see the trace of the kind Hou Wei Yan who always referred to him as Jinjin no matter what he did. "Wei Wei?" 

"You thought I would remain kind after all the lies you hurled my way?" Hou Wei Yan muttered, looking at him as coldly as she could. "Stop putting up a mask and tell me frankly what it is you're after for coming at me strongly like this. I've always thought you had genuine feelings, but to recklessly act in such a way brought suspicions." 

"Wei Wei, I am genuine!" he yelled, still standing on his spot in disbelief. 

Hou Wei Yan understood where his reaction was coming from. He had seen many sides of her and remained on her side. Despite her blatant rejections and his relentless pursuits, she was always respectful and she never showed him hostility. 

That was because Zhou Jinhai showed her respect and was genuine with his actions. He was never one to place people in danger. But as of late, she found his actions with hidden intentions. 

"I'll admit that you were genuine...but that was before you and I met here in China," she muttered, leaning back against her bed while reminiscing the Zhou Jinhai she adored as her friend. But gone were those days when she could still share things with him. "That only means you learned of something that darkened your genuine heart." 

"No! Wei Wei! You got it all wrong!" he yelled at her which made Hou Wei Yan tense up. She hit the spot based on his reactions. "I love you!" 

"You don't," she answered without fear. She was sure her husband's men were looking after her and besides...she had backup. 

"I SAID I LOVE YOU! WHY DON'T YOU BELIEVE ME!" Zhou Jinhai exclaimed—triggered by her sudden change. His outburst and how he slowly stepped closer to Hou Wei Yan alerted her of a possible attack. 

Within seconds, she grasp hold of the object Xing Qiu left behind under her pillow and pointed it immediately to her current threat. Her cold eyes made Zhou Jinhai abruptly stop and raise his arms in surrender.

Hou Wei Yan was pointing a gun at him and by the icy look in her eyes, she would not hesitate to shoot when threatened. 

"Zhou Jinhai!" she called out in a deep voice. "I'm warning you. Spill it!" 

Something that caused Zhou Jinhai to change. Whatever it is, she wants to find out.

[ Did Fe Chungsa finally use her brain and grasp Zhou Jinhai? ] she thought before shaking her head at that possibility. [ Maybe an enemy of Mom attached their claws to get back at her—using me and those people related to me. ]

"WEI WEI!" he shouted which stopped her train of thoughts. 

Carefully, she observed his flaring eyes and could tell he was not covering for someone. Instead, he was dead set on hating her and she only found out about it which amazed her considering how she normally notices when hatred is directed at her. 

"I'm done giving you limitless consideration, Mr. Zhou. Tell me right now or I will pull this trigger and I wouldn't even bat an eye doing it." 

Zhou Jinhai, who still had his hands in surrender, nearly pop the veins on his neck in anger as he watched superiority dancing in her eyes. Anyone could tell that she has the upper hand right now and that did not sit well with her. "HOU WEI YAN! YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR!"

"That's more like it." she mused, now glad that he was disregarding his mask and facing her truthfully. "What is it that you're trying to achieve?!" 

Zhou Jinhai who could no longer hide and control his emotions and couldn't help but form a fist in anger and bite his lower lip in vexation. "You're indeed part of the Regal Family. Acting all superior and others as toys you can discard."

"You should be the one dropping the act, Hou Wei Yan. YOU'RE NOT FIT TO BE A DOCTOR AFTER YOU DESTROYED THE LIVES OF OTHERS!" 

"What are you even talking about?" she asked in confusion. Indeed she rejected him, but is that enough grounds to call it destroying his life?

Besides, if he is doing this simply because she's from the Regal Families, then he needs a reality check. "If this is about my lineage, the fault of my ancestors does not define who I am. I've built my life as Doctor Hou Wei Yan by myself." 

"Yeah? And before that? What were you?" he replied—his voice laced with venom and mockery. "You were a monster!" 

"That's a first." Hou Wei Yan thought before chuckling at this. All they said before she went to America was that she was an angel. They worshipped her and spoiled her because she was the princess and the epitome of angelic elegance. And yet in his eyes, she's a monster.

"Tell me, what did I do wrong to you?" 

Zhou Jinhai looked at her angrily. She is so clueless that it's making his blood boil. Her innocence destroyed what used to be a glorious and prosperous Zhou Family from the Ducal Houses. "You destroyed my family." 

"What? Your family is the one that crossed me countless times in America. I never did them harm despite all the disrespect they showed me." she reminded him—making sure he remembered just what mockeries she received from their vile mouths. "As for your acquaintance, Miss Cheng, she destroyed her life on her own." 

Zhou Jinhai scoffed at her excuses. What his family did is nothing compared to what they did to them. [ They used their power to crush us. ]

"Even as a child, you could already destroy lives," he muttered, toying with her with his words. Since it came down to this, he was willing to reveal everything to her so she could finally understand why his genuine feelings turned into anger. "I guess you don't remember. You did hit your head pretty hard." 

"What are you talking about?" Hou Wei Yan asked in confusion—her hands slightly trembling at his words. 

[ Hit my head? When? ]

Before she could quench her curiosity and ask for any details, Xing Yun who was absent since earlier suddenly barged inside, pushing the doors of the room forcibly. It made enough noise to make Zhou Jinhai stop talking and Hou Wei Yan from thinking.

"Xi---"

He barged in and immediately charged toward Hou Wei Yan with tears in his eyes—ignoring the gun in her hands that was pointing at Zhou Jinhai. "Big Sister! Big Sister! I was worried about you! Did you know that you slept for 12 hours? It was horrifying! The waiting was killing me!"

Without giving her a moment's break, he shoved his head in her stomach and cried his heart out. "Oh, Big Sister! I was scared!" 

Hou Wei Yan who had been on edge since earlier looked at him in shock. His words finally sink in and she can't comprehend how she slept for 12 hours when she only had a minor injury. She slowly placed down the gun to pat his head as she was shaking and seemed genuinely shocked by what happened to her.

"I slept for 12 hours? Really?" 

"I was so worried that I stayed by your side without sleeping." Xing Yun reported while nodding his head—his eyes still brimming with tears. "But then I collapsed and they brought me out! I would have never left your side! I would never do that!" 

Worried, she scooped her face and made sure he was looking directly at him. Hou Wei Yan was treating him like a toddler and Zhou Jinhai who was momentarily invisible in their eyes was forced to look at this scene and digest all of it.

"How are you feeling? Doing better now?" she asked, slightly cooing as she comforted Xing Yun who liked this kind of pampering when he was sick and throwing a fit. 

"I am because you're here," he replied before hugging her torso once more. He was making sure her eyes were only on him and not on the sore loser in the room. "But don't leave me yet!" 

Hou Wei Yan had an obvious protest in that.

She wasn't done talking to Zhou Jinhai and it looked like she could get valuable information from him. 

"But---"

"Do you know how scared I was?!" Xing Yun grumbled, looking at her angrily, his tears threatening to fall once more. 

"Alright." she surrendered when she saw that Xing Yun would seriously throw a tantrum she could not handle if she refused.

After all of Xing Yun received her confirmation, Xing Qiu returned inside the room—ready to drag his twin out if Hou Wei Yan truly wished for it. But instead, she motioned him to close the door behind him and to walk closer to their group.

As soon as the door closed, she returned her focus to her previous friend—her heart now ready to let go of whatever the twin was trying to cover up. "Zhou Jinhai, I apologize for whatever mistake I made. You can choose not to forgive...and...for placing us in danger, I forgive you." 

Zhou Jinhai looked lost at this. He was not apologizing for what he did to her. "I---"

"And I'm cutting my ties with you. You can refer to me as Doctor Hou and act accordingly." she coldly said—determined to sever ties with him and make sure he understood the gravity of his actions.

To him, it may seem like a simple prank of allowing them to get lost inside the forest. But his neglect and recklessness caused her, Bei Changhai, and Ji Li Zhao to suffer injuries and trauma. For that, she can no longer stay beside him as his friend nor tolerate his presence knowing that the possibility of him doing it again is high.

"As for your affection, please don't push it on me anymore," she added before pulling her bag and slowly slipping a diamond right on her finger. The shimmer of the ring nearly blinded his eyes and what she said next deafened him. "I'm married, you see?" 

[ What did she just say? ] he thought in disbelief—replaying her words 10x before finally reacting. 

"What?!" he exclaimed; his eyes nearly popping out of their socket and his soul nearly out of his body. "Stop lying!"

Hou Wei Yan did not want to reveal this to him for fear of endangering what her husband was trying to protect, but she knew Zhou Jinhai would never stop unless he knew that someone already claimed her. He stands no chance because she has a husband she dearly loves.

"My cousins can attest to that," she muttered before pulling both of her cousins to her side. 

Xing Qiu who always wanted to blurt out this truth smirked at Zhou Jinhai's shocked and panicked face. "She's married to a good man." 

"The best man for her!" Xing Yun corrected and scoffed at him—mocking him without restraint using his expressive eyes. 

"NO! SHUT THE FUCK UP!" he yelled out in a panic and a state of meltdown. He was ready to throw things, but he knew he would be killed by the twins if some debris hit their cousin.

So all he could do was angrily stomp his feet and point accusingly at them in a fit of rage. "STOP LYING! YOU'RE IN CAHOOTS WITH EACH OTHER!" 

"Stay delusional, brother." Xing Yun muttered—adding salt to his wounds—before proceeding to hug Hou Wei Yan with tender affection. "And my Big Sister will stay married." 

[ No way! There's no way! ]

[ There was no news. How could she?! Did she do it behind everyone's back?! ]

"Who?...Who?...Who is he?!" he asked, still in a state of disbelief. He has no reason to believe the twins considering how much they hate him right now. But Hou Wei Yan isn't the type to lie in such a situation. 

The look in her eyes as she slipped into her ring was filled with adoration and pride. 

"That's no longer your concern." Xing Qiu muttered before Zhou Jinhai could ask again. The sound of his voice was slowly irritating him. He strode towards him with a darkened expression and held his hands firmly on his back before softening his expression as he talked to Hou Wei Yan. "Leave this to me, Big Sister. This will be handled by the Xings from now on." 

To let the Xings handle matters only means death.

It's either they end their career, or take their life depending on the gravity of their actions.

Hou Wei Yan looked at Zhou Jinhai and saw dangerous anger. She knew that he would no longer be the same Zhou Jinhai and she didn't want him to go without consequence. "He is still an acquaintance. We can't lose a doctor in Yi Lan." 

"Sometimes, you're too soft for your good." her cousin commented before smiling at her. "But I'll act accordingly." 

"HOU WEI YAN!" Zhou Jinhai yelled repeatedly as he got out of the room—dragged by Xing Qiu single-handedly. He was a strong man and was trained in taekwondo, yet he looked helpless under his hold. 

As soon as they were out of the room, Xing Qiu collared him and drew closer so he could only hear his whisper. "Be careful what you say. Matters like what happened when she was young are confidential and my aunt will personally hunt anyone who dares tell her what happened."

Xing Mei Yi may be keeping her distance and even helping in hiding Hou Wei Yan, but she still gets update from her son-in-law...so she hears everything. She still monitors and makes sure her child would never learn of what happened and relive the trauma. 

"Your family seems to be feeding you nothing but lies, Zhou Jinhai," he added, slowly backing away with a smirk. "Your family caused that accident. Managing internal affairs, especially on occasions like that is essential...and yet your mother allowed a guest to wander off. Don't you find that suspicious?" 

"We can't manage all our guests! We don't control how they act!" he defended. [ Hou Wei Yan is to blame! If it wasn't for her wandering in our place, she wouldn't have encountered our guests! ]

"But you can restrict them." Xing Qiu muttered, having a different side of the story.

He heard firsthand from Xing Mei Yi and Ji Li Zhao what happened. Just like them, he doubted the lousy reason the Zhou Family provided them—because why in the world would the number one family in the Ducal Houses allow children to wander off in their territory that is dangerously close to the Imperial Area? 

They were heavily briefed that no matter what rank they belonged in the Ducal Houses, they were forbidden in the Imperial Area. They are allowed to throw any parties they want and invite anyone, as long as their guests stay in their territory. The Imperial Area was marked because it is the boundary that distinguishes them from each other. 

There are many rules enforced on them regarding the Imperial Area and they vowed to obey them. Afterall, the only reason they belong in the Ducal Houses is because the Regal Families approved of their existence. So they are not allowed to bite the hands that fed them.

"Yet your mother didn't impose her dominance and kept her guests in check."

Zhou Jinhai flinched at this, his mind slowly filling up with the words his family said. They were dead set on painting the Xing Family as the evil that brought them down. Since all of them had the same words to share, he never had his doubts.

"What are you implying?!" he muttered as though a whisper in the wind. 

Xing Qiu glanced at the corner of the hallway and smirked. He slowly dragged Zhou Jinhai once more before pushing him into the darkness—a strong hand immediately accepting him and knocking him out cold in the neck. He smiled evilly as he saw Zhou Jinhai's eyes slowly closing and losing consciousness. "Let's talk somewhere comfortable for you, Mr. Zhou."