'Yan Huiqing? She has indeed shown great potential in preparing numerous healing potions. But she is a princess. Would it be appropriate to send her to assist in a camp filled with men? No no…he is thinking too backwardly. She is a princess, precisely why she has to gain an understanding of the real world out there and step out of the luxury filled shelter. Then again can this prince really assure her safety?'
"There would be a few female servants to ensure princess's comfort. She would also have her own personal guards to protect her." Ji Fenhua spoke up, sensing the elder's trail of thoughts.
"My granddaughter is more than capable of protecting herself. I think she can make the decision for herself. I will ask someone to go and….
"Alright then, I will go and personally ask the princess to see if she is willing or not." Ji Fenhua said not letting Elder Yan finish his words.
He gestured at his guard. Yan Lingyun immediately got up to follow Fenhua. However, Ji Yufei immediately tactfully crossed his path with a polite bow.
"Your majesty, your name has been decorated in the hall of fame in the centre of all the chess institutes. I have always been keen on learning chess. If you could please show me some moves I would be grateful." He said.
Yan Lingyun smiled broadly in pride. He put one of his arms on Ji Yufei,
"Young lad, what makes you think that you are capable of learning from me?"
'Trust me I would rather not invoke your fury and humiliate myself. But the young master has trusted me to keep you busy here. I can't let him down.' Yufei kept his thoughts to himself.
"I dare not think so, it's merely a humble request of mine." He responded.
Yan Lingyun was famous for taking chess a bit too seriously. Humiliating his opponents and enjoying the scenery of his opponent for hours to come with a move was one of his most favourite hobbies.
Did the young master truly have to make him the sacrificial lamb? Being a guard was truly hard. He pitied himself.
"Fine, fine, this king is in a great mood today. He shall entertain you in a game of chess."
"Arrange the board." He instructed a servant standing near.
"Yes, your majesty!"
—--------------------------------------------------
"That damned brother of mine! Couldn't he at least give me some details? I am his sister. He doesn't have to be that wary of me now? Does he? On top of that this lengthy gown, it's literally sweeping the floor as I walk? How do these designers in the palace even come up with such impractical designs?"
"There is a new gown design that's been recently launched. Pretty practical yet has enough drapings and layers to give it a sophisticated look. I wonder if princess is interested?"
Huiqing was startled. She was welcomed by the view of a handsome man. He had a calm warm smile on his pale face.
"Is he a vampire? His face is as white as a sheet of paper?" She wondered to herself.
"My sickness from childhood didn't allow me to enjoy the sunlight much." He responded to her thoughts.
'Did she think out loudly? Or can he read minds? Moreover, how did he enter her room? She clearly had locked the door herself. No no no, Huqing don't think so much, what if he is currently reading every single thought of yours? Stop stop stop!'
Noticing how Yan Huqing seemed to be flustered, he suppressed a laugh.
'She is too cute!'
"Ahem" He coughed a bit to gain her attention.
"Yeah? Oh wait, I mean, I didn't mean to say that. I was just surprised by your complexion. You look really pretty. Wait no…not that way. I just mean you look good, not like a vampire." She scratched her neck looking down. At this point, it would just cause her more embarrassment if she tries to explain further. She waited for the person to instead speak up.
He should say something right? She has already tried her best to ease the air of awkwardness. It didn't help, but effort is effort!
"It's alright, don't worry about it." He said with a gentlemanly smile.
"You didn't respond to my first suggestion though, would you like to take a look at the new design?" He asked again.
"Design? What design?" Her mind was in too much of a mess to recall what he said earlier.
"Gown? A more practical gown design? I heard you complain about how your gown was causing you discomfort."
"So you were standing outside my room to eavesdrop on me?" She shouted at him pointing her fingers at him accusingly. She finally found her usual pitch of voice back. That's right, how could she easily forget about the previous doubts in her mind.
She must interrogate this stranger properly.
Puffed up cheeks, bulging eyes, a soft frown and righteous expression - in one word if Ji Fenhua had to sum it all up it would be 'Adorably irresistible'. His lips curved into a broad smile unknowingly.
"What do you think?" He questioned her back instead of answering.
"What do I have to think? I asked first, so you must answer first."
"What if I refuse to?" He arched his brows playfully.