"Your Highness, this is not right." Dao Ye shouts, again blocking her way.
"Dare, block me again and I will show you what I can do to you!" Yi Hua snapped, gritting her teeth and her words did silence Dao Ye who was hesitant yet terrified watching Yi Hua through his lashes.
"I- Your Highness, my apologies." Dao Ye speaks, bowing his head down, "I shouldn't have crossed my limits." He adds, feeling embarrassed, Yi Hua heaves out a sigh and looks at Dao Ye.
"I understand your concern but I can just not have a talk, right? I got to know what my sister is planning on." Yi Hua says, looking at Dao Ye as he gulps, "I will help you, Your Highness. Ask me for anything." Dao Ye speaks, fisting his arm and bringing his left hand ahead, holding his sword and making a gesture.
"I expect your loyalty to me, then. It's your choice if you want to follow me because I have a long way to go." Yi Hua says, smiling a little while Dao Ye gasps, "Your Highness, you seem to have changed." Dao Ye comments, unconsciously.
Upon realization he cups his mouth close and bows his head, mumbling apologizes. "I do understand that, it's fine. I am no longer the old Princess, but it would be good if we become friends." Yi Hua says, smiling at Dao Ye.
Dao Ye widens his eyes, "Friends? But that's not-"
"Just when it's you and me, let's be friends. No position and status because I don't want to feel like under inspection with you around." Yi Hua adds, cutting Dao Ye off, "So, let's get going." She says, walking ahead and leaving a stunned Dao Ye behind.
"Your…H-Highness!" Dao Ye gasps and runs ahead to catch up with her, still flustered. He hangs his head low and follows her, "Now that we are on terms of being friends, you can call me by my name, Hua." Yi Hua speaks, her head ahead and a subtle smile on her face, enjoying how flustered the boy was.
"How…c-can I?" Dao Ye speaks, his voice so soft and small for her to hear, nonetheless, she did catch on to his words, she chuckles, 'Take your time, I will be comfortable if you do so." Yi Hua says, frowning as she finds a familiar figure ahead.
Her steps halted and she felt a shiver down her spine, "What is he doing here?" Dao Ye frowns as he follows her gaze and witnesses a man ahead with his side profile facing them.
"Whom?" Dao Ye asks, Yi Hua lets out a shaky breath but composes herself.
"That man. Why is he here?" She asks, tilting her head and looking at Dao Ye, "Uh…Isn't he the son of the Gu family?" Dao Ye questions, squinting his eyes to properly see the face of the man.
"I do know that- ahem, Dao Ye, I want you to keep a close eye on him. Every small detail on him, bring it to me." Yi Hua says, her eyes burning with rage and hatred, wanting to grope his eyes out of his socket.
"Sure, Your Highness. But-"
"No questions, for now, Dao Ye. I will let you in with details slowly. Just so you know, anyone related to him is to be suspicious of." Yi Hua says, licking her lips and inhaling deeply, she looks at Dao Ye, "Also if he demands to meet me, just show him the door." Yi Hua adds, looking ahead and taking a turn to the other side, and walking away.
Dao Ye contently watches Yi Hua and looks back at the man who was standing alone in the garden, playing with his sword, 'Who is this man?' Dao Ye thinks to himself, his eyes already set on this man.
Walking a while further, Yi Hua sighs in relief, "I don't understand why the royals need a separate pavilion for themself and not just stay in a house." She groans, complaining about having to walk this long.
Dao Ye chuckles but frowns when he hears an unusual word from her, "Your Highness, a house? What is it?" He asks, curious yet embarrassed.
"Ah, it's just one building where all the family members stay…like the one you see outside of the kingdom. Small huts, you know but with many, um- never mind." Yi Hua says, giving up to have him explain with easy words.
Dao Ye chuckles and nods his head, "Wait outside while I have a talk with my sister." Yi Hua commands, Dao Ye nods his head and Yi Hua walks ahead, the maids around widen their eyes and watch Yi Hua.
"Your Highness." Every maid standing outside the door calls out for her, bowing their head and greeting her, Yi Hua nods her head and walks to the door, "Open the door." Yi Hua mumbles, and the maids standing by the door look hesitant.
But as they were about to speak, to inform Tao Tao of Yi Hua's presence, the door opens up on its own with Tao Tao walking out with a smile on her face which vanishes when she notices Yi Hua standing before her.
Her surprised face soon morphs into an annoyed one, "Why are you here, dear sister?"
Yi Hua forces out a smile, "Thought, why not go and meet up with my favorite sister, hmm?" Yi Hua says back, raising a brow and startling Tao Tao but soon Tao Tao scoffs and lets out a chuckle, Of course, sister. Come inside."
Tao Tao walks back in and gestures for Yi Hua to walk in, Yi Hua nods her head and walks in, and the door closes behind them, Tao Tao looks to her side and then back at Yi Hua, "Why are you here? I doubt you meant me when you mentioned 'favorite sister', right?"
Tao Tao retorts back, the forced smile still on her face, Yi Hua chuckles and claps her hand, "You do have a sense, I see." Yi Hua comments, Tao Tao's color fades off of her face and she gasps, "You- why are you here?" Tao Tao says, gritting her teeth and glaring at Yi Hua.
"I hear rumors." Yi Hua says, walking closer and crossing her arms.
"What? What rumors? I don't get it." Tao Tao says, frowning in confusion.
"Rumors that you conspired, my missing."