Li Wei grinned happily at Khan Bojing's offer. "En, let's go."
This time, she led the way. She walked by Khan Bojing's side in an extremely slow pace. Her steps were exaggeratedly slow in order to prolong their time together as much as she could. As casually as she could, Li Wei suggested, "Yebai, you should remember the directions to the Li Manor from now on."
"Oh?"
Li Wei was a blunt woman and so her answer was straightforward. "En. That way, you can come see me."
"..." Khan Bojing paused in his steps, causing Li Wei to look back at him. His dark eyes zoomed onto her face. "You don't speak like this with every man you encounter, do you?"
What if I say, yes? She wanted to tease him, but only shook her head adorably. Better not tempt him. "Only with you, Yebai."
Again, the way she said his name, the way she answered his question sweetly caused a subconscious stir within his heart. His figure reflected in her large eyes. It looked as if he was the only one in her world. Her red lips were spread in a smile and she radiated with happiness, like a blossom in early spring, like rain on a hot summer day. Would such sweetness exist on her lips?
Khan Bojing forced his eyes to wander away from her lips as a way to divert his attention. "Why were you at the Cherry Teahouse earlier?"
Li Wei continued walking again. "Mo Shufen said that you were with her."
"That's why you were there?"
"En."
"Silly, why did you walked into a trap you knew was set up and ready to push you down? From now on, don't do anything rashly." Khan Bojing's scoldings were strict, not open to discussions. His voice strongly lectured her.
Li Wei couldn't help asking the question that's been gnawing at her heart this whole time. "Yebai, were you with Mo Shufen? Or were you with Li Zhilan?"
Khan Bojing stopped walking. His hands turned her body around so that she directly faced him. He wasn't sure why, but he felt the need to explain what happened. That look of betrayal on her face bothered him quite a bit. "Sometimes, I really wonder what's going on in your head. I'm staying at the Cherry Teahouse."
Ah, so she was thinking too much. But his explanation wasn't what she expected. Why isn't he staying with Li Zhilan?
"It's dark now, let me get you a lantern." He stopped by a lantern stall by the roadside. Khan Bojing handed to Li Wei a peach lantern that looked awfully similar to the one hanging in her room. Not knowing that he just bought her a lantern in which she already had, he continued walking as before. "Once we have more time alone, I will tell you everything. Wait for me, I'll come find you."
Li Wei looked at the Li Manor that stood nearby. That walk ended too soon. She already walked so slow, but it felt even faster than usual? "En. I'll wait for you."
"Go inside now, I'll watch you go home before I leave."
"When will I see you again, Yebai?" Li Wei tried to linger as long as she could. Who knows when he will come find her? It won't be easy to see him again. Before he could answer, she added, "Don't let me wait too long."
"I'll come as soon as I can." Khan Bojing couldn't help but smiled. Her eagerness to see him tugged at his heartstrings. He couldn't help but said, "Behave yourself, eh? Don't go bumping into people."
"Stupid Bojing, I only bump into you," Li Wei whispered under her breath. She wasn't that clumsy.
"Hmm?"
"Nothing!" Li Wei bravely patted his shoulders in a proud manner to hide and distract him from what she said to herself. Her embarrassment caused her cheeks to redden already. She quickly walked away to escape the situation. Only when she stood on the stairs of the gates did she turned to look back. To her disappointment, there was no figure standing under the willow tree across the road.
"Li Wei, you're looking for someone?" Li Fahrin looked up as Li Wei came in through the gates.
She immediately denied it by claiming something else, "Aunt Rin, I was actually looking for you. I was worried you haven't returned yet."
"Such a smooth talker you are," Aunt Rin laughed, secretly feeling pleased that Li Wei cared this much for her.
Li Wei locked arms with her aunt and started walking towards the dining hall. Once they arrived, Li Wei sat down eagerly. She was starving!
Li Fahrin watched Li Wei took a large bite of a drumstick and casually threw out, "Wake up early tomorrow. We're heading to the palace."
She almost choked, her eyes didn't hide her surprise. "Cough cough, w-why?"
"The empress wants our two families to spend time together before the wedding."
Li Wei's eyebrows raised. "So simple?"
Li Fahrin carelessly shrugged her shoulders as if she had no care in the matter. "Whatever game the empress has in mind, we'll find out tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll be there."
"Do I have to go...?" Li Wei couldn't help but asked weakly. Sigh, without even an answer, she knows she has to go. But again, does she really?
Li Fahrin sat back onto her chair and looked at her niece whom she hadn't spend time with in a while. In those years that Li Wei was in Hai'an, it seemed like she had changed. Even compared to the girl she used to know, the Li Wei now in front of her seemed like a completely new person. The Li Wei from before would be jumping in joy upon the news of going to the palace, but now she looked as if it was something worth dreading.
At the same time, Li Wei was in her own thoughts as well. Going to the palace meant she'd have to face certain people. Specifically, she'd have to face Hua Xifeng. Since coming back to this life, she hadn't met him. It seemed this time she couldn't avoid it. She'd have to see him tomorrow.