"The Empress dowager really didn't waste much time disciplining The first princess Consort" She said while making funny faces at the little princess "how are things on the first Prince's side"
"the Minister's has been meeting the first prince in secret like wise some members of the royal family" Lu Yan reported from the shadows.
"Take note of everyone, one thing my father taught me was that when fighting a war it's always good you know your ennamies" she replied while shaking a toy at the little princess
"I already took note of everyone and already have eyes watching their every move"
"Good, and his grace any news from our scouts"
"they reported that a few villagers spoke of two strangers passing through their village and one was heavily injured"
"Really, Lu Yan have them investigate further and find out their location but be careful not to tip anyone off" on receiving his orders he bowed and jumped out of the window, with everything going on she had no doubt that the crown Prince Manor was being watched.
"Bie liu come take the little princess back to her room am ready for my bath now" Bie liu walked in and carried the little princess to her room.
* * *
Six days later at night
Lu Xiaolian together with Yao Yao jumped out of the manor and together with Lu Yan headed for a village north of the capital. The had been informed that the Crown Prince and Chu Yan had taken refuge there, it would seem that someone else was on their trail. The had no idea who that was but one was certain and that was that he or she weren't related to the First Prince.
* * *
"We lost them again" She said as they walked through the abandoned camp. "it would seem that we were too late miss the masked men had already attacked them again" Yao Yao said squatting by the side of a dead masked man. "Did you check him for any clue" Sh asked walking closer and squatting opposite Yao Yao. "There wasn't much clue my lady, just the same tattoo and a painting of the Crown Prince and Chu Yan". "The body is still warm it hasn't been long since they left if we hurry we may catch up, Lu Yan" Lu Xiaolian said standing. "Your highness this way" He said guiding them away. "Lu Yan you know what to do" Lu Xiaolian said as they followed the tracks left by the men, she already knew that Chu Yan and the crown Prince were too smart to leave any tracks. "I will make sure not to leave any tracks" he replied. The had discovered that the masked men traveled in batches euch following the other so they had made sure to eliminate any they came in contact with luckily they haven't been any for a few days now but you can never be too careful. Whoever sent them must definitely wanted the Crown Prince death and will stop at nothing so they aways destroyed all trails to avoid leading the next batch of masked men to them or worse the Crown Prince. They had been traveling for a few days when they finally got sound of clashing of sword, they quickly drew out their sword and ran towards the direction it came from. They had just ran in when a sword was raised by a masked man towards Zhongshan Huang who was still struggling with a masked figure. Lu Xiaolian quickly ran forward and jumping slashed the masked man on his neck then threw a dagger at the masked man struggling with Zhongshan Huang drawing his attention. Zhongshan Huang turned and recognizing her smiled and continued to attack the masked men soon all the masked men were death.
"your highness" Lu Xiaolian said walking up to Zhongshan Huang. "Why are you here, don't you know that it's too risky, who let you come" Zhongshan Huang said angrily and blacked out, Lu Xiaolian rushed forward and caught him before guiding him to lie in her hands.
* * *
it was a day and half before he woke up, the room was very bright so Zhongshan Huang winced as he opened his eyes. it seams that he was lying in an inn, he looked to his right to find Lu Xiaolian lying side ways next to him from the white cloth in her hands he could tell that she had been taking care of him. She looked very beautiful with her face bare, she looked very innocent and peaceful with her eyes closed to the many worries in life. He really wished to see her this way even awake, her smile was so beautiful that he really wished that like in the past he could see it everyday. Sometimes he wished he didn't have all these responsibilities then maybe he could spend every moment of the day with her in his arms smiling brightly at him. He was admiring her face when the door was pushed open by her maid Yao Yao carrying a bow of water, waking her. Lu Xiaolian open her eyes and seeing the wide awake Zhongshan Huang smiled and said "Your aware, Yao drop the bowl by the bed and get me some drinking water" Yao Yao bowed and walked out of the room. "How are you feeling" she raised her hands to feel his temperature "you fever is gone that's good I will give you some water to drink your throat must be dry after being unconscious for A day and half" sh continued arranging his blankets "Why did you come, you knew it was too risky you could have been hurt. why didn't you stay back in the capital" he said grabbing her hand. "It doesn't matter" she replied trying to release her hands. "Yes it does, Xiaolian I didn't want you to come, I don't want you hurt. why didn't you just stay in the manor, what were you thinking" he said holding tightly. "That you could be hurt, you were missing, it was reported that you fell off a cliff and died. I was cared I did know what to think. So I search for you without care, I wanted you found dead or alive it didn't matter I just wanted to hold you in my hands. I love you Zhongshan Huang, I don't care about myself only you" she shouted with tears rolling down her eyes. Zhongshan Huang was shocked speechless. Lu Xiaolian feeling shy pulled out her hands and turned to walk away when she was dragged back into the bed and into his hand "Well I do care about you that is, so don't ever try this again" he said bent his head and began kissing her. They continued until she was breathless and he released her lips. After a few minutes she raised up and still blushing said "You never gave me your answer". "I would think my kiss would have said it all, well I love you Lu Xiaolian no matter what I always have and to me you are most important so don't ever risk your life without my permission" he said placing a kiss on her forehead. "Even for you" she said with a smile. "Especially for me, I love you Lu Xiaolian, I always have and always will even till the end of time" He said hugging her. "we have to be careful not to open your wounds, I will call the doctor to do a check up"
She said a few minutes later before she ran out of the room with her face all red.