Spring clouds were wandering in the sky, and the moisture was warning about a surprise rain. The caravan was passing through the streets, everyone was peeking at the royal carriages. Whispering about the achievements they had brought; some were betting on who won this hunting season.
Inside the princess carriage, Fu Liu studied the shiver in her hand.
"I am sure the emperor would listen to you, milady."
The princess shook her head, not like this, he would listen. She hadn't visited her father during that past year, so it wasn't easy, things between them had gone twisted. What if she disappoints him?
'I can't refuse this; I must find a way to change his mind.' She told herself.
"I want to prepare a gift for my father, as soon as we arrive, I'll get some rest, then send Li Shu to me. Tell her brother to come after her before the dawn."
Fu Liu nodded, now that she pointed out Chaoxiang, the man seemed to be in a good state of martial arts, why not make him a guard to be in touch with?
"Your highness, do you permit me to take a test from Chaoxiang? I think he can be one of our guards."
The princess smiled and admitted with a nod. Li Shu's strange candor could bring her troubles, having her brother nearby sounded like an incredible idea.
Getting to her fort, she quit the carriage. Looking around, she had missed this place so much. The scent of flowers reached her nostrils, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Before leaving here, she was entirely a different person, none of these came to her attention. But now, something has changed. It was as if the Spring season just knocked on the door.
"Achoo!"
The sneeze sound was loud enough to tear her nerves and thoughts. Opening her eyes, princess Xing Huan's head tilted, averting to Li Shu.
"You are extraordinary!" she taunted.
"Your highness, so many flowers here and I'm allergic to some of them." She used her handkerchief to clean her nose.
The princess shook her head, 'You make me wonder if you are a girl at all. Not even a single tinge of shyness to make your cheeks blush.'
The princess approached Li Shu, closer and closer, sufficient for the maiden to feel the princess's breath on her skin. The gust that caressed her neck was warm, her eyebrows creased, and she was sniffing the girl.
What on the earth caused this? She didn't notice it right? Li Shu's eyes rolled to her brother who was startled too.
"Are you a human?"
Phew!
Li Shu slouched, what a ridiculous term of action to ask a question! Couldn't she feed her curiosity in another way?
"In people's view, I am a monster, you can assume like that."
Princess Xing Huan drew back, she shouldn't have asked the wrong question. The girl must have been hurt a lot to be named like that, perhaps she wouldn't show it but it had broken her heart.
"I'm going to have some rest, tomorrow I will meet my father. Fu Liu, go help the siblings."
She ordered and left there. Li Shu watched her leaving, but hardly she could breathe now.
Yes, this female shell of him could picture something else to people but, nothing could change his true nature. He shouldn't let his emotions get over his plans.
"Follow me, there is a nice evacuated dwell behind this castle. You two can stay there."
Fu Liu stated, peeking at Chaoxiang who went to bring their belongings.
"You have a good brother; he is taking care of you!"
"Shouldn't he? Pity for you that he isn't a girl!"
Fu Liu's lips curved up to cuss but he controlled himself, her tongue was more disastrous than snake poison, and the princess had a tough path to tame this freak. A moment ago, he thought that she had changed a little bit since last week they met but she didn't put down her guard, indeed.
Leading them to the back garden, there was a wooden building where a small Well was. Colorful Laces and silks were dancing on the clothesline.
"Your highness is generous," Li Shu noted, frowning, 'as a maiden, am I supposed to wash the clothes? The princess's clothes?'
It was remorseful even imagining himself serving her enemy. She wasn't certain for how long she could endure such a reckless meaningless life. This partial plan could not proceed like this, it was just wasting time, now he couldn't investigate during the day and only 82 days remained.
"This is execution for you, isn't it?"
Fu Liu grasped the wild look on her face, she hated to serve someone like this, and he could swear that her brother was washing her clothes and had done everything for her.
Li Shu pouted, and raised her eyebrow, anger had revolted in her veins but she couldn't let it flood out, not here not right now. Replacing that with a naughty smirk, stated, "Don't challenge me, there is nothing I can't do."
Chaoxiang let out a burst of furious laughter, unexpectedly, his highness devoured the rush of anger and didn't try to kill this eunuch.
"Let us settle in here, then we will get our plan."
"Yes, settle your stuff and then come to the ladyship office, your brother must come with me. I will introduce him to the captain of the guards." Directing to the man added, "You are allowed to take your sister back in the evenings."
He didn't hesitate more and left them alone. Viewing the eunuch getting far, Chaoxiang gazed at his highness. He gave the right to the prince for grumbling now.
"I will find the witch."
Li Shu didn't show any reaction, just went inside. For the first time in her life, she was concerned. Days were passing and she could do nothing.
Going after her, Chaoxiang put the boxes down.
Li Shu scanned the place, only one room had a small window, and the other two had full-length view windows, he couldn't risk picking them, however, he wouldn't stay here during the night but prying rats were everywhere.
"Prepare this room for me. Besides, we must leave no stone unturned. Catching the thieves and the witch is our priority."
Chaoxiang bowed and began his work. But under his eyes he could see how scared the prince was, he had never seen him like this.
Even the time Li Shu experienced the first period, she wasn't scared like this. That time she had to bear the pain and disgust of bleeding during the day but when the night surpassed the light, it was all gone. Now, the aura around him had changed the air, it had become frigid, reminding their childhood.