Xiran's room, Ashen's mansion, capital,
Xiran sat on her large bed comfortably, gazing at the sky through the window with a saddened gaze, she murmured softly: "When will you return? I miss you already!"
After her first night with Ashen, they made love almost everyday, however, one day Ashen suddenly told her about a ritual of the royal family.
He said: "In the royal family, there is a ritual in which the couple has to stay apart for a long time to prove their love, therefore, I have to leave, but don't worry I will return soon."
Before leaving, He told her that she could arrange the spirit awakening ceremony for the villagers after a month. She agreed as it wasn't a long time.
Xiran could just let him leave at the time, thinking that living apart from him wouldn't be that difficult, she could endure this much, however, she was proved wrong by her body.
After a while, her body craved for Ashen, on one thought of Ashen, she would get wet, ready to experience the pleasure again, however, Ashen wasn't here.
Only now did she realize how difficult it was to live without him.
*knock**knock*
As she longed for Ashen, A knock on the door reached her ears.
She turned her gaze toward the door before muttering in a loud voice, permitting the person outside to enter: "Come in"
The door opened slightly as a maid entered before bowing respectfully as she informed: "Madam Xiran, There is a little girl outside, asking to meet you. She says that she knows you and is from your village."
Upon hearing this information, Xiran's eyes widened in surprise and joy as she ordered in a hurry: "Go and Bring her to me, Fast"
She was happy to hear that someone from her village had come to see her, now, she wouldn't feel bored while missing Ashen.
After a while, The maid returned with a little girl who was covered in dirt and wore tattered clothes.
She had tears in her eyes, however, it seemed as if she was trying her best to not cry.
Xiran's eyes fell on this little girl as she exclaimed in joy: "Hua-er!"
This girl was like a little sister to Xiran and she cherished her. She was only ten right now and had chubby cheeks.
Xiran couldn't help but get off her bed before running towards her as she took her in her arms.
She didn't care about the dirt that covered the little girl or the clothes she wore. With a warm smile, she hugged her, however, soon a confused expression appeared on her face as she asked: "Hua-er, How are you alone? Isn't there someone who accompanied you here?"
Just as this question reached the little girl's ears, she burst into tears, crying her eyes out.
Xiran made a puzzled expression on why was she crying like this.
Hua-er was a cheerful girl whom she had never seen crying, then what had happened that she would cry like this?
Xiran gestured for the Maid to leave with her eyes before taking Hua-er to her bed. She made her sit on her lap.
The maid nodded before leaving and closing the door of the room.
Hua-er didn't stop crying even for a second, Xiran, noticing this, Asked her with a concerned expression: "Hua-er, Tell me why are you crying? Aren't you a strong girl?"
Hua-er gazed at her as she attempted to utter words out of her small mouth, however, her throat was choked with emotions.
Xiran, noticing this, caressed her back and hair, attempting to calm her down.
It took some time, however, soon, her bellow turned into weeps as she informed her with a quivering voice: "Elder Sister Xiran... *weep* Our Village... *Cry*"
She couldn't mutter ahead as she once again burst into tears before digging her head into Xiran's chest.
Xiran understood that it would be a waste to ask her a question like this, therefore, she just let her cry her heart out.
Hua-er cried for what seemed like an eternity before calming down.
Xiran's eyes shined as she once again asked her in a soft and concerned voice: "Hua-er, tell me what happened? Why were you crying like that?"
Hua-er, whose tears had dried out, made a saddened face as she answered in a grief-filled voice: "Elder Sister Xiran, Our Village was destroyed by bandits and the villagers were all killed. Only I managed to survive"
"WHAT??" Xiran shouted in shock as her eyes opened wide.
Her Voice quivered as she asked again for confirmation: "O-Our village was d-destroyed? Villagers are killed?"
Hua-er nodded before tears started flowing out of her eyes.
Xiran also had tears flowing out of her eyes as she requested: "Please explain everything that happened"
Hua-er nodded before explaining with a determined expression: "Today, Some bandits appeared in our village on horses. Grandpa Village Head went up to them to ask their demands, however, without uttering a word, they beheaded Grandpa with their blade in front of all the villagers.
The Villagers began running in a panic, however, the bandits slaughtered all of them.
When my father asked them the reason for their deaths, the bandit leader laughed as he told him that he was doing it because he was the friend of Brother Yujin and You, Sister Xiran has betrayed him by siding with Prince Ashen."
Xiran's eyes widened, however, she let Hua-er complete her explanation as she didn't want to stop her in between.
"My father was also killed by them and my mother managed to save me before instructing me to come here to inform you all that happened. Sister Xiran, you have to avenge the villagers *Weep*"
After finishing her explanation, she once again burst into tears, however, this time she wasn't alone as Xiran also accompanied her in crying.
"Han Yujin!" Xiran Couldn't help but grit her teeth in anger as she thought about him. Now, Yujin was her biggest enemy and all soft feelings for him died down in her heart as they turned into hatred.
Xiran and Hua-er both cried in grief in Xiran's room.
Meanwhile in the phoenix feather sect, Ashen's Room,
Ashen stared at the letter in his hand with a clever smile. This letter was sent by the leader of the bandits.
Ashen had already read it and it said:
[Greetings Lord,
We have slaughtered the Carp Village according to your instructions. We also didn't forget to inform them that we were Han Yujin's friends and were killing them because of him. We intentionally let a small girl escape as you desired.
You can verify the information if you want. I will wait for the promised reward.]
This was all Ashen's plan that would help make Xiran depend on him for her revenge while hating Han Yujin to the core.
It will make every possibility of Han Yujin capturing Xiran's heart again into zero.
This plan also ensured that Xiran wouldn't betray him as she would need his help for her revenge. Now, She will also desire Yujin's death and destruction, same as him.
Previously, Xiran may have attempted to stop Ashen from killing Yujin, however, now, she would beg him to do it.
*Knock* *Knock*
As he was smiling at the letter, appreciating his plan, A loud knock came from the outside as a shout reached his ears:
"Wang Ashen, come with us to pay respects to senior Brother Chen!"
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(A/N - Thanks For Reading. ^..^)