It was raining when she came out of the King's residence, she had her dinner with her father, although she could eat lesser than usual as her relish was killed.
The guard grabbed an umbrella for her but she shook her head, "Let the rain cool down my turmoil, I hadn't a smooth controversial chat with my father."
Ke Xin looked at Ladyship Ma, their princess didn't want to get married like this and her gloomy face was speaking of the endeavors that had gone vain.
Xing Huan halted near the steps before descending, taking off her shoes, she handed them to Ke Xin.
"My lady, it hurts your feet!" Ladyship Ma protested.
"I am more comfortable without them." Her eyes were still strolling on unknown points downward. The year that she spent in her room and the library, made things more twisted between the king and her.
Getting back to her fort, she walked inside her room with Yan Yuxi and two of the maidens. She turned to ladyship and said, "I want you to spend more time with Queen Xing Xiao. I want to know what is going on in her head and what she would ask you to do when you reveal my dismay regarding this marriage idea."
The ladyship nodded, however, it scared her. Picking a complicated attitude against the Queen was dangerous because if she becomes angry, she might turn everything against princess Xing Huan and ask the courtiers to vote for her disqualification.
"As you wish your highness."
"Don't visit me during that time, send the words through Ke Xin. I don't trust anyone else."
The ladyship couldn't take this one, she was worried about the princess's condition, whatever she traded with her father wasn't good which made her serious like this.
"My father didn't accept my request for a bit of space for working on the case, I have to prepare myself within a week that the suitors arrive." Going to the room where the ladyship and Ke Xin could help her change the dress, she took out the list and handed it to Yan Yuxi who was standing in the door frame.
"I want to know everything people say about these men. Find everything, Yuxi!"
The girl bowed her head and stood behind the door, unfolding the paper.
Changing her dress, she wore a black casual hanfu that could provide her with better chances to fight. Ke Xin cleaned her face off the makeup and the princess stood up, her face was dry and thoughtful.
Grabbing her sword out of the case on the wall, she flew out of the window.
"Princess is angry!" Ke Xing uttered.
Ladyship Ma shook her head and went outside of the room. Yan Yuxi was already outside, possibly showing the list to Zha Gang.
The princess got out of the window, where her guard's buzzing tones were coming.
"Let's join Fu Liu." The princess asked but two shadows expanded on the ground. Looking back, they saw Chaoxiang and master Qin Jinhai.
"What brought you here, master Qin?"
"Well, we did get enough chance to speak about the Feng family but I would like to help you tonight."
The princess sighed, "There must be assassins, I don't want to set your life and covered identity in danger."
"Then, please, take Chaoxiang with you! His sister was worried about you."
The princess tried to smile but she couldn't, she hadn't the face to tell the girl that she must be patient to get rid of the bracelet.
"Alright, then. Let's go and take the tailor. As long as this assassin doesn't speak we need him to speak and I won't be friendly, anymore."
They marched out for the horses and saw Prince Xing Bolin who was talking to Xing Liling. The girl had tensed skin, she didn't like that the prince was on one mission with his sister, she liked Xing Bolin but the prince used to ignore her.
"Xing Liling, it is cold to be outside in thin clothes!" she taunted to send her away.
"I wasn't inclined to join you but don't you think this case is a bit dangerous when you are about to get married?"
The princess's lips twitched up, hardly she killed her rage not to slap her, was it her business to be concerned about her affairs?
"Don't worry about me, I still remember how to swing my sword!"
She walked to her horse and mounted up, holding the rein, she smirked, "Did my brother tell you about building up his harem?"
She yanked her horse flanks and left, didn't even bother to look at the girl's reaction. It might be steam clouding out of her head.
…
Prince Wu Xiuying closed his eyes, suppressing his rage. He was staring at the hairpin the princess bought for Li Shu. "To earn such metals from those mines, your ancestor poured my people's blood! Do you really think that I let this be unpaid?"
He squeezed it in his hand, and the sharp edge tore his skin, dropping it on the table, blood painted the jewelry and he dashed out. Going outside was hard but had he another option inside the dish that was offered to him by destiny? No, he had no other choice but to swallow the prevailing situation. He tightened a textile over his wrist and covered his face while watching the patrols in a corner.
Holding tight to the sword sheath that he couldn't use, yet, the words that were written in the letter were dancing in his head, pursuing him to bear death and fight for his mother's peace. He had called for Chaoxiang and passed him the letter. He wasn't surprised as if he knew this already. It made the prince even more furious. He sent Chao to the princess to be alone.
Getting into the dark, he flew up on the roof, using the shadows of trees and walls to ambush. He jumped down the wall and rushed to the woods. He had borrowed the metal from the princess without letting her know. He wanted to know who was behind the low-quality metals.
Getting close to Tian guesthouse, he took off his mask and went inside the room through the balcony, he had rented this chamber as merchant Raz Long Sheed. Slipping in fabulous clothing, he walked out of the chamber. Going to one of the butlers who was working there.
"Did anyone come here to ask about me?"
The young man nodded, "yes, sir! It was a young lady."
The prince nodded and strode along the corridor, the princess cared about this merchant. Why not get close to her to realize how would she react to a man's desire? He had plans for her, she must have received the list of her suitors, why not play with her to achieve his goals and avenge his mother's sorrow?
'Scourge the life princess to survive me, I will take your heart and make you suffer.'