After getting separated from Huiquiq, Zhi rou soon found herself in a deserted area and kept walking around searching for him. soon she heard footsteps coming toward her and she started walking fast until someone held her hand and she screamed very loud and soon found her mouth clamped by the person's hand and the person turned her to face him and she immediately stopped struggling after seeing the person face and discovered it was the crown prince.
letting out a deep breath she bent her face down and was silently laughing at her how she reacted. Huiqiuq who is not used to women's behavior thought she was crying as starting rambling on. "Hey, why are you crying I was only trying to help you when I saw you were getting lost. I did not hurt you so don't try to act like I did anything to you" he said and by the time he was done he was out of breath. Surprised by his rambling he lifted up her head and looked at him teasingly. "Hey are you worried about me right now," she said bumping her shoulder with his raising a brow. he moved away from her and dusted his shoulder "I am not worried. I am only trying to protect my reputation. what do you expect people to say when I get back without you?" he said while trying his best not to look into her eyes and held her hand and started walking back fast. Zhi rou was surprised by this and tried to hide her face as she was bright red and tried to keep up with his pace.
they soon separated as the prince headedl back to the palace and she went back to her home.
Zhi Rou POV
Laying on my bed with the quilt over me I tried to go to sleep but huiquiq smiling face kept replaying on my mind. I can't get his face from my mind. I soon heard a knock on my door. "Who is there " I asked annoyed about someone disturbing me when I am trying to get some sleep. A reply soon came "it is your father RouRou". I immediately stood up to open the door and hugged my father as he came in. " hey what did I tell you, you are already matured can you start behaving like that. You will soon get married, can you stop being so clingy" my father scolded me with a teasing smile playing on his face. "No I can't stop, I will always be you little princess." I said with a cheeky smile on my face" . "Moreover why are you here" I asked. " oh I just wanted to ask how your date with your fiancé went, did he treat you well" my dad asked with a curious look on his face which made me burst into laughter. "Father the date went well and the crown prince was quite nice and he got a lot of food for me" I said with a huge smile on my face at the last sentence. " RouRou I already told you to behave ladylike, you shouldn't eat to much like that in public, you need to behave like an elegant lady in front of the crown prince so that he will be able to fall in love with you more" my father said. " okay father, I will do exactly what you say. I need to get some rest before I start getting eye bags" I said pushing him lightly out of the room. " naughty girl you don't want to spend time with your father after not seeing each other since. Anyway good night" he said teasingly and went out of the door. " alright good night" I said as I locked the door not paying attention to his first statement and went back to bed and fortunately I was able to go to sleep easily now.
Third-person POV
In the courtroom the emperor and the Minister are all deliberating on the issue of the bandits on the west coast. "your majesty, I think we should let the crown prince come back now since the bandits on the west coast have been successfully dealt with" left minister han said bowing his head slightly. "yes, I have been thinking about that and I have already sent the letter to him to let him know he can now come back and also he will be greatly rewarded for his commendable achievement" the emperor said happily. Prime minister Bai soon came forward and started speaking "your majesty there have been rumors going round about the third prince collaborating with the Chang nation and sending them messages, and this is making the people agitated".