Two days passed since the issue with Rijun was resolved. Rijun joined dinner in their uncle's manor everyday and was in good spirits. He even gave Xing some books about GO techniques for her to read. Although Xing had already read those books, she accepted his nice gesture.
Apparently as the Prime Minister took a vacation, work has piled up and Rijun was taken as a replacement. Also the Emperor was pouting and let all his work with Rijun as he had hidden his sister all this while. He complained how the emperor cannot be managed now since his father would be the only person who could deal with him as Lord Zhong had other matters to attend to.
Rijun lamented that, today the emperor had asked him to practice sword with him even though Rijun is unskilled. Apparently the Emperor was obsessed with the crimson jade brothers and making him replace them.
Xing couldn't help but laugh at the sorry state of Rijun. Rijun looked tired and exhausted as he still had loads of documents to verify. Xing offered to help and both were doing their work together.
AoTian who entered saw both his children working together and it made him really happy. He left them alone and went to talk to his brother. Feiye filled up on the details on the happenings from that day and AoTian was glad that both had decided to look forward to the future.
Also his daughter gets lost just like his son? Tough luck!
Xing was happy to see her father back at dinner but wondered why Shengli hadn't returned yet. Her father asked Xing to be prepared to leave to the Prime Minister's Manor that night.
After dinner Xing went to Shengli's room to wait for him and by surprise she got there in her first attempt without help and ended up asleep in his bed.
Shengli after advising his people what to do concerning the fake Lord Táng wanted to meet Xing and went to her room only to see her room empty. He then learned that her father had come to pick her up and he felt his heart squeeze.
Should I really send her to her father?
He then tried to find her in other places and then he had an idea and walked in fast paces towards his room. At first his heart fell when he saw the empty room but his life came back only when he saw her cuddled in his bed hugging his blankets.
I really don't want to be apart from you anymore!
Shengli placed his hands on her forehead and that woke her up,
"You are back!", she smiled.
"Yes, I am", he kissed her forehead and she hugged his neck.
"I'm dirty! Let me take a bath first", he said.
"It's okay, you smell nice", she said. Shengli smiled and laid beside her. Both of them were looking at each other with their faces inches apart.
"That wolf of yours was there. You didn't even warn me… Did you do that in purpose?", Shengli asked trailing his finger on her nose.
"Yes, my father should know how different I am and how important you are to me. Also you should know too, no one can hurt you and everything mine is yours…", she kissed his finger, "So did you two talk? ", she asked placing his hand on her cheek.
"Not much. But I think he has gotten the basic idea. I feel bad for him though. Not only his wife left him but also she died without even meeting him and he suddenly got a daughter and she wants to marry the one he hates", he kissed the tip of her nose.
"Hmm.. My mother was cruel indeed..", she mumbled, "And knowing her, the reason she did that must be something simple and she'd have been stubborn for no reason. Even if she hid from the previous Emperor for my sake , she'd have met my father after his death, right? My father is the Prime Minister and not someone powerless or heartless to do anything right? She didn't even let my father see her face even once…! Well… Whatever! What she did is done and nothing can change it",she sighed.
"Xing, you OK? ", Shengli hugged her close.
"Yes! Yes! Now get up and take a bath. You stink!", she pushed him off the bed.
"You liar!", he said and entered the bath, followed by her.
"Xing!"
"What?"
"I'm going to undress"
"So? I'll wash your back"
Shengli sighed, Why did I even ask?
Suddenly realisation hit him,
The scars! What if she sees them? Well… She'll have to know someday right? But what should I say?
Shengli undressed and stepped into the bath.
Xing saw the glaring scars on his pale body and felt her heart skip a beat. There were some scars that were deep and were years old. It didn't look like accidental scars but like someone had deliberately wounded him with a dagger.
My Prince! What happened to you in the past? Why aren't you telling me? Why are you suffering alone?
Without knowing, she was gently caressing the scars,
"My Prince! These.."
" I was careless once. Someone got me. But I escaped", Shengli didn't know how to explain and all the things he did back then flooded to his memory. If I tell you everything will you be able to look at me the same way as before? Or would you start hating me? Or worse, will you lose your temper like you did that day at the library?
"You are cruel, my Prince! You're being cruel to me! All this time you had known how I was doing but I didn't have a single clue about you. At least my mother let my father think that she was dead! But I… "
Xing said with her voice trembling.
Shengli felt like someone was squeezing his heart and he cannot let his voice out,
" Xing, I... "
" It's fine, I don't want to know", she said feeling he was sad and scared.
But why is he scared?
"Xing...", he started and just then a knock was heard on the door,
"Young Master, Your dinner..", a servant's voice was heard.
"Leave it", he shouted and held Xing's hand as she tried to leave.
"It's not proper for me to be here. Father's here too. I'll leave then", Xing said and left as his grip loosened.
"Since when..", did you care about such things? Was what he wanted to ask but didn't seeing her sad back, "Xing, I'll meet you tomorrow", he said and she looked back and smiled and left.
He knew she was hurting but he didn't know how to tell her everything.
Sorry, My Love, it's not that I want to be cruel, it's just that I'm a bigger coward than I thought!
Shengli didn't even have any appetite that night and sleep escaped his eyes too. The nightmares of Xing looking at him like his mother looked at him, made him restless.
Xing was brought to her father's Manor with her brother and even though it was night, it was well lit and the only word that came to Xing's mind was ' Ginormous'.
Why are there houses as big as a village? Won't people get lost inside their house?
Xing was escorted to her courtyard by Xu mama an old servant that have been serving the Huang's for long and was also her father's wet nurse. She was too happy to see her and showed her all the stuff in her room. Xing saw all the exquisite furnishings there and saw most of them are high quality jade. And all the curtains were pink which made her sigh. At least there weren't clutter and the place was spacious and airy! Just the way I like!
Xu mama sent all the maids out and showed her a secret entrance for the next room and told her her master had especially asked to prepare this for some reason.
Xing felt happy that one word from her would make her father go all the way. So one door is for Huang Mingxia and the another for Táng JiaXing! Good! Having a rich father does not feel bad at all!
Xu mama was the one really happy to see her master's daughter and was overwhelmed and had tears in her eyes. Xing looked at the excited Xu mama and she felt happy. Just then a horde of maids with various bowls, towels and other things entered and bowed in front of her,
"Young Miss! Please wash up"
Xing felt a chill down her spine and her hair stood on end. She asked them to leave everything and let her be, but they persisted.
"Scram! Now!", Xing shouted which did the deed and everyone found their way out. Xing could hear Xu mama mumbling, "Even her temper is just like her father's" and was wiping the corners of her eyes.
Xing just shook her head in disbelief and washed herself up and got ready for bed. She couldn't sleep well because it was a new and unfamiliar place.
Was I hard on him? I cannot force him to say something he does not want to say right? Why did I get angry? I wasn't this angry when my mother refused to tell me my father's name before… It's not like I can change the past by knowing, right? So, Why am I getting angry for something that I cannot change? Well! Let's wait it out!
Xing calmed herself down and drifted to sleep.
Early morning she woke up to the smell of warm milk and she saw Shengli staring at her by the window and was fidgeting.
" How did you get here? Aren't there guards? Also how did you find my courtyard?" Xing asked not before grabbing milk from him. Only she knows how happy she is when she wakes up seeing his face no matter what.
"You know our Manors share a same wall. Also who do you think I am? There is no place in this kingdom I can't sneak in. Also this is the best courtyard in this Manor and there were some work done here. Obviously your father would give it to you", he said with a proud face.
" Yes yes, you are Shengli the great spy. I worship you", Xing bowed and he laughed as he saw the usual Xing.
"I'll be back after breakfast. Be ready. I will get you to meet Haru and there is something else I have to say to you. Also get a pass from your father. You won't be allowed to leave this Manor without a pass. It's the Prime Minister's Manor after all", he grinned.
Well! More rich! More rules to follow!
Just then her maid Xu Mama entered with two others with breakfast and clothes. Shengli already left and after cleaning up Xing changed like a good girl and ate her breakfast. Then she told them all to leave and not to disturb her the whole day. They all retreated bowing to her. Having power is advantageous sometimes she thought. Then she changed to her usual male appearance finished with her makeup and braided hair and jumped out of the window to go to her brother's courtyard which was adjacent to hers. He was dressed in his official uniform and was leaving for morning court. After making fun of his hat, Xing asked him for the pass and he laughed mockingly and told her to ask her father.
Seeing she has no chance with her brother who liked to hold grudges, she went to her father. He was eating breakfast and he almost choked seeing her dressed like that.
No wonder everyone thought of her as a boy!
He had his page boy Shizhi serving him. AoTian excused him when she sat beside her father.
"Father, did you sleep well last night?", she asked sweetly. Acting cute works always!
"I did. How about you? Was everything comfortable? Do you like it here? Ask anything you want. Does everyone treat you well? ", he asked with care and Xing felt heart warmed. Father really cares about me!
" Everything is fine father. But apparently I'm not allowed to go out but I have to go meet Ming Yushen today. I'll need that pass to go out and come in without bothering you or brother everytime", she said with a pleading tone.
AoTian looked at his daughter dressed like a man. She really looked lovely however she was dressed. But, How can he leave her alone? Wouldn't that be dangerous if an enemy gets to her or if she gets lost and she even said she had many enemies? Won't she be safer in home?
" But it is dangerous to go alone. I'll send someone with you. You can take the carriage", he said.
" But father, I will be going with Shengli. I'll return home before dark. Also if you give me the pass you'll know if I'm here or not", she grabbed his sleeves with her eyes wide.
AoTian looked at his daughter who was cute. But, isn't she threatening him saying she'll leave whether he gives her the pass or not? Also isn't it more dangerous allowing her with Shengli considering their relationship?
Still she is no different than me with her attitude. The best way to protect her is to have a way to monitor her movements than to restrict her.
So AoTian hardened his heart and called Shizhi and told him to inform the guards about his relative Táng and to give the pass for free access to this Manor and everyone should respect him. Xing was overjoyed and thanked him.
"Mingxia, Shengli…. He…" AoTian didn't know how to ask.
Seeing her father's hesitation to speak she could understand his worries as a father. She continued, " But rest assured father . We both know our place. We won't do anything that might harm your name ". Just as she was speaking Shengli entered," Greetings Prime Minister! I'm here to pick up Táng Jia Xing. Can we leave? ", he asked Xing.
"Ok", she replied
"Prime Minister, we'll be leaving. I'll make sure to keep her safe today and in the future too", he bowed and grabbed her hands and left the Manor. AoTian rubbed his temple in annoyance.
Is this asking for his permission? Why did it look like informing him?
He just couldn't come to a conclusion about what to do, since this is a sensitive matter. He cannot simply refuse their love nor can he accept it. No matter what Shengli is a threat to the kingdom and also his past is shady.Also, he is not recognising his position as the third prince but not giving it up either. Thinking about this made his head hurt. He just decided to trust them and wait it out.