《Don't worry, i'll divorce you》


 Chapter 1 Prelude

    <h4>Chapter 1 Prelude</h4>


    "Wake up TanTan..."


    A hand gently strokes her hair.


    In herzy bed, TanTan doesn¡¯t wanna to open her eyes easily,


    "Uhm, give me 5 minutes more,Mom..."


    "Nozy girl. You¡¯re gettingte to schoolter..."


    "Uhmm..."


    ¡¯Wait...¡¯


    ¡¯Wait a second...something odd¡¯


    TanTan opens her eyes ,looking at her Mom, the person she loved most in the world. Growing without a father makes her connection with her Mom roots deeply. TanTan is willing to do anything for her.


    "But, Mom....I am not a school girl anymore. I am already 25 now, and I am getting my legal diploma in few days ahead.¡¯


    Her Mom is looking back at her weirdly. She is smiling but her eyes give a sadness look.


    "What are you talking, Silly Girl?


    You are still 15, you¡¯re still need a protection...." She hugs TanTan warmly "Listen TanTan, no matter what will happen, you should never give up. No matter where or when, I will be with you and I will always protect you....don¡¯t forget it."


    "Mom, what are you talking about? Ugh..why suddenly I feel hurt on my chest...Mom?..Mom?"


    and everything is dark.

 Chapter 2 Where the hell I am

    "Huu..huu..*XiaoCie..."


    "Huuh...Tan Er ahh..."


    "Namanabu...namanabu nama..."


    ¡¯What is the noise... so noisy....i can¡¯t sleep peacefully...it seems many cries and prayers, is someone die?¡¯


    TanTan opens her eyes, surprising to see a darkness in front of her. She is also feeling that her bodyying on something and can¡¯t move freely.


    She tried to move up her hands but her movement is limited to the space. Then she realizes something scary....


    she is trapped...trapped in a closed box ,like a wooden coffin? the smell is like a wooden thing.


    ¡¯What happened ? Am I die? No way!!!¡¯ TanTan tried to refresh herst memory. She remembered that she was rushing to go home, willing to tell her Mom about a good news, that she is finally officially being hired in aw department. She has an opportunity and a bright future ahead of her life. She can give her Mom a better life and also reach her dream to be a justice judge. There is no way she dies! Or does she? Maybe she was not paying attention to the road and got an ident?


    No, it cannot be...


    TanTan follows her instinct, she hears voices outside, so she tries so hard to bump the top cover of that coffin and she shouts as loud as she can be...


    "Bukkk.....Bakkkk...Bukkkk...."


    "Let me go...LET ME OUT!!!"


    Indeed there are many people at that room, around the coffin. Because it is a funeral of the first daughter of Hua Family. A horror and terrified expression shown in every faces, they are unbelievably looking at and hearing the voices from inside the coffin. No one dares to take any action.


    An old woman that looks fatigue after crying a lot reacts first and immediatelymands some men to open the coffin,


    "What are you waiting for?? Quickly...open it... its Tan Er....my Tan Er...she is still alive..."


    The old woman was the elder of Hua Family, Madam Hua who even though already around 80 years but still having a clear mind to lead the Hua Family for many years. So some servant men are right away obeying hermand and opening the coffin...


    TanTan relieves and she immediately arises from the coffin, and starts observing around. TanTan can see how shock and horrify the looks of the people, seeing her awakes from the coffin. It is understandable for the condition, but what makes TanTan feels weird is the clothes of the people wear, and the decoration of ce she is right now. It feels that she is in the ancient maind series, which is her Mom¡¯s favorite genre to watch. Could she being in the movie site, somehow she is dragged into a making of Chinese movie? But she didn¡¯t see any cameras?


    So if it is not a movie site then is it a possibility that she travels back in time???? What the hell I am???


    "Tan Er ..she is alive...Quick, help my TanEr out of that...."


    As TanTan has get out of the coffin,


    Madam Hua approaches TanTan, hugs her tightly and crying,


    "TanEr...TanEr...ahh..you are still alive....thanks gods...amitabha...."


    TanTan doesn¡¯t reject the hug, even though she doesn¡¯t recognize this grandma but TanTan can see the real affection toward her, not like other¡¯s reaction. They whisper to each other and some are loud enough for TanTan hears.


    "My gods, why is she alive again? "


    "No way, hate to admit it but this woman just too lucky..."


    "How scary it is....maybe...maybe she is really an evil..."


    "She is an evil indeed, regarding what she had done...maybe even heaven has rejecting her...."


    TanTan wonders why there are more negative responds than positive responds to the fact that she is still alive.


    "Nm...mm...excuse me?" TanTan decides to ask to the grandma who hugs her.


    "What is it TanEr?"


    "Where am I? Who are these people?"


    "What are you talking about, you are at home, TanEr? These are all of Hua Family¡¯s members...your family."


    "Hua Family? But I¡¯m not ¡¯Hua¡¯... I am ¡¯Lang¡¯....LangTanTan, right? What is Hua family anyway?"


    Madam Hua bes panic to hear what TanTan said...


    "Aiyahh, TanEr...what happen to you? Don¡¯t scare Grandma..." She res to other servant, "Go. find the finest physician here to check my TanEr..."


    "What? No...I am not sick... I just don¡¯t know what happen here?"


    A young girl who before also crying beside Madam Hua is now standing beside TanTan,


    "XiaoCie, don¡¯t make me scare too, don¡¯t you remember me? Its XiaoRue, your trusty servant who born in the same day with you.."


    TanTan can¡¯t respond anything for both of them cause of the confusion she had in her mind for these all new information...She is even mumbling herself, ignoring the others "This is dream....must a dream,e on TanTan, wake up...wake up..."


    From the crowd of audience, there is a noble man who in forties stands closely to them, bows politely to Madam Hua, and say some words to soothe her,


    "Forgive me to dare saying this, Madam Hua but I believe Young Lady maybe just in shock for just awaken. Perhaps Young Lady need to rest, so all her memories can returns itself and she can back to her normal state. Anyway, it is a fortune sign for Hua Family that Young Lady, Hua MuTan has surpassed the death. So let me congratz Madam Hua for the fortune..."


    "..." Madam Hua suddenly stands firmly and looks to the one that gave the words.


    "You are right, FouEr...XiaoRue, take your XiaoCie to her room, and let her resting for a while. And for everyone who hase, I, HuaLangMu will give you a bow as a grateful for your attendances. I will never forget it. But as you can see, there is no funeral to be carried out anymore, so if you please, you all may left from here..." As her word, by apanied the servants at her both sides, she did bow to all people in the room. XiaoRue guides TanTan out of the room as Madam Hua¡¯s order. But before TanTan left, she can see that man who is called FouEr by Madam Hua, is staring to her sharply.


    Out of the room, TanTan is mesmerized with the view of the house. First thing in her mind is that this house is really really giving ancient vibe, but it is also spacious. Both sides of the way to her room are filled with many different kinds of flower, but not so far, when TanTan is walking nearer to a ce that seems as her room, she can see abundant colourful peony flowers. ¡¯It is a garden of Peony...so beautiful...¡¯. She stops.


    TanTan remembers that peony flower is also her Mom¡¯s favourite flower,


    ¡¯If only Mom is here, she would be very happy...but she is not. Instead, I am here... why?¡¯


    TanTan looks at the sky. The sky is so bright and clear, as it is still daytime.


    Seeing her master like that, XiaoRue feels agitated, she immediately pulls TanTan to enter the room.


    "XiaoCie,e..e...you need to take a rest now...."


    TanTan just follows as she also agrees that she need to take a rest, maybe if she closes her eyes once more time, then everything had happened is actually just a dream. Maybe she will wake up again in her small butfy bedroom with her Mom calling her to wake up.


    Note:


    *XiaoCie = Youngdy, a formal calling from the servants to the noble daughters.

 Chapter 3 No Way that He is My Husband

    TanTan enters an ancient chamber, it is neat and huge. It is really simr with a bed chamber for a noble daughter in the movie. The decorative wooden table in the middle, the decorative wooden make up table at side of a double-sided antique bed, covered with sutra cloth and another soft transparent cloth as the curtains and a hard but smooth ceramic as a pillow. TianTian admires at those things, ¡¯Wow, this dream feels so real¡¯. She even can smells the fragrance of flowers strongly surrounding the room.


    XiaoRue guides her to sit on the bed and then she takes a cup of tea from the table and serves it to TanTan,


    "Please drink it, XiaoCie and then try to rest."


    TanTan takes the cup and drink it,


    ¡¯Hm...this tea is not too bad...¡¯, then she returns it to XiaoRue,


    "Thank you..."


    XiaoRue looks surprise to hear that wordes from her XiaoCie. This is the first time she hears it. It almost make her tearsing out. This XiaoCie, the lyoungdy HuaMuTan is the type of person who never say thank you without any benefits. especially to her servants. XiaoRue wonders if is it the experience of rising from the death can change someone? But it can be also just a temporary effect... TanTan is also realize the reaction,


    "What is it? You look surprise..."


    "XiaoCie never say thank you before to XiaoRue...It¡¯s really not necessary although, XiaoRue is just doing the duty. Now, XiaoRue will go out, letting XiaoCie to take a rest."


    ¡¯Saying thank you is odd? Wow, am I a princess or what?¡¯


    Just a minute after XiaoRue closed the door, TanTan can hear the noise sudden be heard at outside her room.


    "Young Master..." its XiaoRue¡¯s voice,


    "Does she really awaken? I want to speak with her" A man speaks, there is an unpleasing tone in the voice, TanTan wonders who he is.


    "But XiaoXie is resting right now, Young Master....No, please don¡¯t enter..."


    "Brakkk!" The door is opened harshly,


    TanTan is sitting on the bed side, looking at the man who just entered.


    He is actually a young handsome man, about twenties TanTan guesses. His cloth is simr like a noble young master in the chinese drama, neat but not too mour, a simple dark blue color giving a serious and tough aura in him. His fierce face has giving TanTan a clue that he is note in friendly.


    "So, you are really still alive...how unfortunately!..."


    The tone contains a mocking, which triggering TanTan to feel upset.


    "Why do you need to say like that?"


    The manes closely to TanTan, he pulls TanTan¡¯s hand harshly and in anger, he gives TanTan a warning,


    "Listen this carefully. I never forgive you for what you did to ShuangAi. You had hurt her once, try another time and I will send you to hell by my own hand!"


    He pushes TanTan hardly and then just leaves.


    ¡¯What is going on with that rude man?


    Who is ShuangAi? I had hurted her? I even don¡¯t know who she is? Why I must get this rude treatment?¡¯


    Seeing the man is gone, XiaoRue immediately enters the room,


    "XiaoCie, are you okay?"


    "Who is that man?"


    "Hah?"


    "Just now, who is that rude and terrible man?"


    "XiaoCie, what are you talking about? Don¡¯t you remember? He is Prince LiZouWei, your husband."


    "What? that man? No way!!" Howe that man be her husband, she didn¡¯t see any affection to her at all in him.


    "XiaoCie,...how can you forget about him? He is the person you love so much...you even were willing to kill yourself so he agreed to marry you ..."


    ¡¯What? Really ridiculous!¡¯ She, TanTan will never do such that stupid thing. This girl who she is being right now, how could she so stupid? Its obviously that man didn¡¯t love her at all...¡¯ His eyes full of hatred, he was serious willing to kill her.


    "And...who is ShuangAi?"


    "She...she is..." XiaoRue seems afraid to mention this ShuangAi. How not, if everytime she mentioned about ShuangAi, usually HuaMuTan would thrown her tantrum; screaming and throwing anything she could and at the end, XiaoRue the one that must cleaned the mess up.


    "Come on, tell me eh...XiaoRue... I am really can¡¯t remember all these things... Maybe after you tell me, I can remember something..."


    XiaoRue takes a deep sigh.


    "Please don¡¯t be mad, Xiaocie...


    ShuangAi....she is a daughter of Royal Teacher SuLingPo, who grew together with Prince Li, so the prince is very fond on her."


    "Oh, so she is his childhood lover, the one that he should marry to?"


    XiaoRue panics to hear the words,


    "XiaoCie, how can you say that? Right now Prince Li has be your husband. It has been 6 months. They shouldn¡¯t...have romantic rtionship anymore..."


    Even though XiaoRue sounded so intense tofort her SiaoCie. TanTan could hearing an unsure tone when XiaoRue mentioned about the rtionship between Prince Li and ShuangAi has ended. TanTan wondered,


    ¡¯In that case...how was this marriage going on in this past 6 months?¡¯


    XiaoRue is being nervous to see her XiaoCie bes silent, she is really couldn¡¯t guessing what is in her mind like before. She feels the condition of XiaoCie right now is really really bad.


    "SiaoCie..."


    TanTan sighes, " You may go, i need to take a rest right now..."


    XiaoRue obeys right away, its a right time for her also to report these things to Madam Hua. So she immediately closes the door and leaves the room.


    Meanwhile in the room ,TanTan can¡¯t really take a rest. From all the information she just heard ,she concludes all in her mind,


    "This is really simr with the chinese drama that I and Mom ever watched; Only in this drama, I get the viin character. A bad girl who is separating the couple of main characters. Oh, i hope these all are really just a bad dream. Mom willugh hardly if she hear about this dream, maybe she will mock me that this dream can be happened because I am still single...Now, what should I do to wake up from this dream?..."


    Not too long, another knockinges from outside, this time is Madam Hua whoes.


    "TanEr, are you still wake up?"


    TanTan surprises. She doesn¡¯t want to make an olddy worry a lot so she soon prepares herself,ying on the bed. Bumping her head to the hard pillow, *Auch* and covers herself with the nket she sees.


    "Yes ,pleasee in..."


    Madam Hua opens the door, she is apanied by XiaoRue, her loyal assistant, A Tao and also an old stranger man who cloth like an ancient physician, bringing a big wooden box on his shoulder.


    "I am sorry to bother your rest, my dear, but Physician Fang hase to check your condition. Please bear it for a while, okay..." Madam Hua pats her hand so gentle, TanTan just nods and let the man who called Physician Fang to check her condition with traditional ways.


    At the end of examination, Physician Fang takes out the paper and write something, and XiaoRue takes it. While Madam Hua whispers to TanTan,


    "Take a rest, okay dear. Everything will be alright." TanTan does what Madam Hua says. She closes her eyes, even though she still can hear Madam Hua speaks to this Physician Fang.


    "So how is my TanEr?" asked Madam Hua.


    Physician Fang bows politely to her and then exining,


    "Please don¡¯t worry, Madam Hua. I didn¡¯t find any wrong with Young Lady¡¯s body. She just a little weak and need nutritions to recover."


    "But...she forgets many things..."


    "Seeing the condition, I assume that Young Lady just had a shocking experience. Being so close to the death is usually giving different side effects for some people. In some case, it can be a temporary effect but it also can be permanent. But the most important thing is that Young Lady needs a lot of rest and cannot having more pressures. I has written some herbal medicines to soothe Young Lady¡¯s mind and also strengthen her body. Hoping it also can help to recover her memories soon orter. We just have to wait..."


    "Very well, thank you Physician Fang. ATao, please guide Physician Fang to outside and give the money to him. XiaoRue, immediately buy and prepare the medicines for TianEr..."


    ATao and XiaoEr immediately do what they are being asked to do. After all leave the room, Madam Hua once again sit closely to TanTan, she looks at TanTan sadly,


    "What a poor girl you are, TanEr....what a poor...Don¡¯t worry, *Ama will do anything to heal you.... You are my precious TanEr...a daughter of my beloved son. Oh how I can face your Dad if anything bad happened to you...YiCao ah YiCao ...you must keep protecting your daughter from heaven, as you has send her back alive...."


    After Madam Hua tidies the nket to cover TanTan, she is finally leaving TanTan alone.


    TanTan opens her eyes,


    "Now I think I get to know more about this HuaMuTan.... She doesn¡¯t have parents, just a Grandma who loves her so much. She falls in love with this Prince Li even though he doesn¡¯t love her back. It can be a good story for a drama but TanTan doesn¡¯t care of all those things actually. The main problem is how she can return to her normal life? Let¡¯s just sleep for now and hoping that that when I wake up, all of these will be gone as a bad dream. So TanTan closes her eyes and tries to sleep. The day has be dark. Without she knows, there is a ck clothed man like a ninja, making a hole and then blowing some sleeping gas through a wooden straw. It makes TanTan finally falls asleep. Then that man secretly enters the room and searches every parts of the room, he looks so tense and upset when he is finally give up for not being sess to get what he wants. Then hees closely to TanTan, willing to search around the bed but he stops when he hears a footsteping closely to the room. He disappears from the room, a minute before XiaoRuees to check the condition of her XiaoCie. When XiaoRue sees her XiaoCie has a deep sleep, XiaoRue just closes the door again and leaves the room.


    Note: *Ama: a short calling for Grandma, usually be called by a close rtive.

 Chapter 4 Return with My Husband

    "Mom, please don¡¯tugh! It was really a nightmare..." TanTan protests to her Mom who sits andughs so hard beside her on the sofa.


    "But you are not really his wife right?...no need to feel upset... I believe if he knows who you really are, maybe he even can fall on you, silly girl. Isn¡¯t he handsome?"


    "No way. Yes, he is handsome but he¡¯s really not my type. He is more like your type, Mom. Now if I remember ,he is really alike your favourite actor, what is the name....ah...*LeeMingHo....that korean actor, only he is younger."


    "LeeMingHo is not my type..."


    "Don¡¯t lying, Mom. You watched almost all his movies..."


    "I didn¡¯t lie...I am fonding to him because he was alike my first love, that¡¯s it!"


    "Your first love? You never tell! Who is it? Is he your elementary ssmate? Junior high school ss mate? High School Oppa? Come on Mom, tell me..."


    "Silly girl ,he is no others than your Dad!"


    "Really? Wow, so Daddy is your first love and you managed to marry him atst? Wow, Mom, you are amazing!"


    "Not only that, I am even blessed to have you, my dear TanTan. You are a treasure from my first love."


    "Oww, so romantic. I wish I have a romantic story like yours, Mom."


    "Oh, you will, TanTan...I know that you will have your own first love and be happy with him forever..."


    "Mom, you realize, right? That I am already toote to experience first love, now my life goal is just having a bright job and living happily with you forever."


    TanTan hugs her Mom¡¯s shoulders warmly and her Mom touches her nose as usual, and says


    "Silly girl, it never toote for a first love...One day you must leave me and find your first love..."


    "Nooo, I don¡¯t want...I want to be with you forever..." TanTan responds spoiled and closes her eyes.


    At that moment, she smiles so peaceful.


    And then she opens her eyes ,suddenly she realizes she just had a dream. Now what she sees is a roof of antique bed,


    "Good Morning SiaoCie" TanTan arises and sit beside her bed, the ray of sunlight is passing through the transparent door papers. Then she sees that XiaoRue is preparing a wooden bask of water.


    ¡¯Oh No!....I am still in the past. So this is really not a dream! I am really, really thrown into the past! I am feeling want to cry right now...Ugh ,my head is heavy...¡¯ TanTan massages her head lightly to remove the heavy feeling.


    XiaoRue sees that and feels worry,


    "XiaoCie, Are you feeling unwell?" She immediately takes a cup of tea and serves it to TanTan.


    ¡¯How thoughful this girl is¡¯ TanTan takes the tea with smile and drinks it up. Then like before she gives back it to XiaoRue and says, "Thank...".


    But XiaoRue seems notfort with the words ,so TanTan stops saying it, and just smiles to her. After that, TanTan yawns so wide and stretches her hands up. She stands up from the bed and then continue stretches her body a little bit. XiaoRue looks surprise, and then


    ¡¯Usually XiaoCie is very attentive with her manners as ady. This illness has making her forgetting herdy-manners also.¡¯ she sighs.


    "I want to brush my teeth, where is the bathroom?" asked TanTan.


    "Brush the teeth? But XiaoCie has drunk the tea just now. Maybe XiaoCie means to wash your face and hands? Here XiaoRue has prepared the water for XiaoCie washes the face and hands."


    "The tea...do you mean you don¡¯t brush your teeth every morning but just drinking tea to clean your teeth????"


    TanTan feels weird with the fact. She looks to the tea pot, checking what kind of tea she drunk just now, she pours it again, but this time she gargles her teeth with the tea, and then she threw out the tea at outside the room, to the nt.


    Seeing TanTan¡¯s actions, XiaoRue is being nervous,


    "XiaoCie, you are scaring XiaoRue right now...you act so weird..."


    TanTan then learns that the customs in this time is so different than her future time¡¯s customs. TanTan is a fast thinker. From what happened yesterday she concludes that if she acts more oddly in XiaoRue¡¯s eyes. She will report it to Madam Hua and then perhaps TanTan can be seen as a crazy woman to Madam Hua and everyone. It will trouble and make Madam Hua sad. TanTan doesn¡¯t like to make Madam Hua who has treated her so kind yesterday, as like her own grandma to be sad more than she already has right now.


    "Ahhh, XiaoRue....I am fine....I am really fine. It just....it is already too long I was being in the coffin, so I feel need a little of exercise....that¡¯s it! Now, where¡¯s the water? I want to wash my face and hands..."


    XiaoRue is still unbelieving but she keeps helping her XiaoCie to clean up. TanTan tries to remember all customs she ever watched in chinese dramas. She knew that usually the servants help their master to change the clothes. So she lets XiaoRue to do her duties although she is actually not tofort being served like that. Then after that she is also letting XiaoRue tob her hair. When TanTan sits in front of a bronze mirror. It isn¡¯t give a clear reflection but enough for her to see that it isn¡¯t her face who reflected inside the mirror. She then realizes yesterday she didn¡¯t really pay attention to her face. So this is must be the real HuaMuTan¡¯s face. As XiaoRue starts tob her hair, TanTan is observing the face in the mirror.


    First ,she realizes that HuaMuTan is younger than her real age. She looks around 16-17 years old. But doesn¡¯t she already married? Once again ,TanTan remembered that in ancient time, marriage age is younger than in future time. ¡¯So its eptable, but still howe they do it, too young...¡¯ thought TanTan.


    Second, she can see that this HuaMuTan is actually a very pretty girl. With her big eyes and long eyshes, then oval face and long nose, the face is even smooth without any es at all. Her body skin is also in bright colour but pale, like never being burned under sunlight. Although her boobs were still in growing she guesses.


    But overall, this HuaMuTan has a potential to be a famous idol if in the future time.


    ¡¯Not bad at all¡¯ somehow TanTan feels proud for the face. But then she feels sorrow coz it isn¡¯t her real face, she misses her own face. Can she ever get back to her true selfter?


    "Its done XiaoCie!" TanTan amazes with how handy XiaoRue to tie her long hair.


    She almost want to say thank you again,


    but she stops when another servantes to deliver messages.


    "Young Lady, Madam Hua is expecting Young Lady to meet her in the main room."


    "Ok, tell her, I am going there now"


    XiaoRue¡¯s expression sudden changes, TanTan can see an anxiety on her face.


    "Anything wrong, XiaoRue?"


    "No, its nothing...Come, XiaoCie... Madam Hua is waiting for you"


    TanTan knew something fishy but she doesn¡¯t want to force XiaoRue, maybe she will figure it outter. Beside, what XiaoRue said is right. Meeting Madam Hua is the priority so TanTan follows XiaoRue to the main room ,which where the funeral was held before. But now, the ce has been cleaned from any funeral things. It just a huge room with some wooden furnitures and some ancient paintings and decorations.


    What makes TanTan surprised at there is that not only Madam Hua who sit in front of the room but she is also seeing Prince LiZouWei sitting at another side of the room, apanied with a young man who looks like his bodyguard.


    ¡¯What is he doing here? Does hee to threaten me again?¡¯ TanTan is feeling annoyed with this Prince Li¡¯s presence.


    Beside Madam Hua, there is another old woman sat, a quite pretty aunty but this Aunty stared unpleasing to her. TanTan wonders why?


    "Where is your manner, MuTan? Why don¡¯t you greet properly to me, your Grandma and your husband here?" TanTan doesn¡¯t like the tone that aunty speaks. She can see that this aunty, whoever she is, obviously in hostile with HuaMuTan.


    "Its alright, Gui Er... TanEr is still not recovering from her sickness. Let spare her this time, okay. Come, TanEr. Let Ama sees you."


    "Mother, you are always spoiling her. Prince Li is here, how can we show to him this un-educated manner...its...its so embarrasing..."


    ¡¯Mother? So this woman is really HuaMuTan¡¯s aunty!¡¯ TanTanes forward to Madam Hua without hesitated. She is passing through Prince Li, who just drinking the tea, doesn¡¯t care of her at all.


    "Good Morning,...Ama...Aunty..." TanTan bows a little bit, tries to greet Madam Hua and this aunty politely.


    "Very well, its enough, TanEr. How do you feel today?" Madam Hua smiles to TanTan while Aunty Gui just giving annoying expression.


    "I am feeling fine. Thank you for Ama¡¯s concern". TanTan tries to respond carefully, her heart is beating fast,


    ¡¯I am not saying anything wrong right? At least I remember this is the way they talk in drama¡¯


    "I am so d to see you healthy again, my TanEr... isn¡¯t it, Prince Li?


    "Yes, you¡¯re right, Madam Hua." The prince smiles politely to Madam Hua.


    ¡¯So, he can smile. Not bad when he¡¯s smiling, he looks more handsome.¡¯


    But the smile is quickly fading when his eyes meet TanTan¡¯s eyes. Then he turns his eyes to Madam Hua, talking to her politely and ignoring TanTan as she doesn¡¯t exist there.


    "Its a big fortune for HuaMuTan could survives from the incident. As soon I heard the news, I immediately came here to check her condition. Forgive me toe suddenly yesterday and disturbed Madam Hua."


    ¡¯Checking my ass, didn¡¯t hee to give her warning...even threaten to kill me yesterday?¡¯


    TanTan feels sick to hear this Prince Li so smoothly pretending to be caring for her. But she is only can vomit it inside her mind. The situation is not clear yet for her, she doesn¡¯t want to make any unnecessary scene. Furthermore she is still confuse for the purpose of this meeting.


    "Yeah, my TanEr is so lucky... her fortune is having you as her husband who cares about her so much."


    ¡¯No, he doesn¡¯t, Ama. He wants to kill me¡¯ shouted TanTan in heart.


    "Now I can feel ease to let her return to your house and let you continue taking care of her. Maybe in that way, she can recover better and gain her memories quickly back." Madam Hua pats gently TanTan¡¯s hands.


    ¡¯What???? No way, Doesn¡¯t it mean that this Princees to pick me up? He wouldn¡¯t agree with this right? Doesn¡¯t he hate HuaMuTan so much?¡¯


    "Please be ease, Madam Hua. I promise I will taking good care of HuaMuTan."


    ¡¯What the hell? What is his nning to? Does he really n to kill meter at his house? Nooo...¡¯


    "Nooo ,Ama...I don¡¯t want to leave you, please let me stay here...I am scare..." TanTan tries to soften Madam Hua¡¯s heart. Deep in her heart, she repeated the words ¡¯I am really scare to be killed, Ama...¡¯


    "Don¡¯t be ridiculous, MuTan. You are a married woman now. You suppose to follow your husband, don¡¯t make a shame to Hua family!" scolded Aunt Gui. TanTan felt that this aunty is also so urge to kick HuaMuTan out from the house.


    "TanEr, your Aunty is right. We must follow the tradition. Prince Li hase this far to take you home. Beside, don¡¯t worry. This man is your husband who you loved so much before. You ever said being with him is the most happiness moment in your life. I believe this is the best way to bring back your memories."


    ¡¯Did HuaMuTan say that? What a love-blinded that girl!!¡¯


    "But...but I don¡¯t know him....I really don¡¯t want..."


    "Stop it, MuTan! Do you want to stress your grandma again?"


    TanTan sees the expression of Madam Hua. The worries is so clear on her face. TanTan carefully looks at Prince Li again. She surprises that this time the Prince stared back to her. A very cold and sharp stare, but also contain a confusion for a moment. And then Prince Li talks to her, gently like to a little child,


    "Come, MuTan...don¡¯t worry your GrandMa anymore. Let¡¯s go home."


    TanTan evaluates the situation. If she keep insists to stay, then maybe Madam Hua can feel something odd with her, and like her aunty and that Prince said, it can burden Madam Hua so much. But if she follows this Prince, she can¡¯t insurance her own life. But she is also realizing how important is the family good name in the past time, of course from dramas she watched.


    TanTan looks at Madam Hua again, she is so old, but her warmth reminds TanTan to her Mom. For her, TanTan feels that she is willing to do anything as it can make her happy.


    "If..if I return with this...this Prince Li. Will it make you happy, Ama?"


    "As long you are happy, TanEr...I will happy too..."


    "..." TanTan is also noticing her aunty still looking at her with an unpleasing re. She seems doesn¡¯t give up to push her away.


    ¡¯Well hell, I am not in a good position right now...This HuaMuTan has troubling this kind GrandMa by marrying the wrong man for her. If I want to fix it, I need to understand the problem, which means I need to go to the lion¡¯s den if I have to...¡¯


    "Very well, Ama...This TanEr will just listening what you say..."


    "Is it that mean you are willing to follow Prince Li to return to his house ?"


    TanTan just nods her head slowly.


    "Aiyah, very good TanEr...I believe this is the best way for your health. Just don¡¯t forget to visit Ama in next year, okay...." Madam Hua touches TanTan¡¯s face gently. "Aiyah, I will always miss you, my TanEr... Now, I give you my blessing. Go with your husband and live happily as what you dreamed about."


    "TanEr will also miss you Ama, and I feel grateful for your kindness. I promise I will never forget to visit you next year..."


    "Then I think its better for us to start our journey ,Madam Hua so we can arrive to Li Mansion more quickly and let MuTan take a rest sooner" Prince Li stands from his seat and then giving a formal farewell gesture to Madam Hua and also to Aunty Gui.


    "Yeah, you are right, Prince Li. The sooner both of you start the journey is better. Prince Li, please take a very good care of my beloved granddaugter, TanEr..."


    "I will"


    And then in a few minutester, Madam Hua ,apanied by Aunty Gui are ushering TanTan and Prince LiZouWei at the gate of Hua resident. There is a decorative and luxury horse chariot , which the space is enough for 4 people has waiting for them.


    "Then, I¡¯ll go now, Ama." TanTan gives her farewell for thest time.


    "Yes, TianEr," Madam Hua,


    and then the prince helps her to ascend into the chariot. TanTan knows that he did that just because being seen by Madam Hua.


    Then when Xiao Rue want to ascend to, Madam Hua sudden stops her.


    "XiaoRue,wait..." She talks to Prince Li, "Prince Li, TianEr just recovers from her sickness. If you are kindly hearing this old woman¡¯s wish. I hope you can apany TianEr inside the chariot and let XiaoRue sits at the front. I believe both of you need a lot to talk about during the journey."


    Prince Li has a high respect to Madam Hua, so he pressures his dislike and do as what Madam Hua¡¯s wishes. He ascends to into the chariot. And then XiaoRue sits at the front, beside the Prince¡¯s bodyguard who also acts as the charioteer.


    There is an unspoken intense aura between them inside the chariot.


    Prince Li is purposely looking to anyways except toward TanTan. He clearly avoids to have any contact with her. Meanwhile TanTan is in her alert, staring at this Prince Li in case he takes any action. In her future life, she never afraid to the bad guys. Living only with her Mom makes she also equips her self with some modern martial arts, boxing, karate and shooting to protect herself and her Mom. Although the present condition of her body isn¡¯t really her real body but she assumes that as long she has her future memories, at least she can defense herself quite well.


    But nothing happens so far, TanTan is very curious so it pushes her dare to ask,


    "Why?"


    "...." Prince Li is finally looking to her.


    "Why do you want to pick me, don¡¯t you hate me? Why don¡¯t you just let me stay at least for some months with Madam Hua? In that way, we won¡¯t bother each others right?"


    "And giving you another chance to harm ShuangAi?"


    "What?"


    "Don¡¯t you think I don¡¯t know your evil n ,HuaMuTan! I know that you are pretending to be sick so you can freely n an evil n to harm ShuangAi again, and also discredits my good name in front of your GrandMa and the King!!"


    ¡¯Wow, is that HuaMutan willing and able to do such those evil things?¡¯


    "I won¡¯t do that!!"- (¡¯Obviously i won¡¯t ,not Lang TanTan!)


    "Ah, enough with your hypocrite actions already. I am sick of it!!! There is no one beside us in this chariot...Why don¡¯t you try to be honest once in your life HAH?? Listen to me carefully, I pick you up just because I need to keep my eyes on you from making any evil ns to hurt ShuangAi." Prince Li sudden shouts, instructed the chariot to stop. Then he arises from his sit.


    TanTan confuses why do he need to stop the chariot?


    "What are you doing?" she asks.


    "We already so far from Hua resident. No need to be pretending anymore. I can¡¯t breathe if I stay here with you..."


    He steps out from the chariot and asks XiaoRue to rece their seats.


    TanTan can feel that the grudges this Prince has to HuaMuTan is so deep, makes TanTan curious,


    ¡¯Who are you exactly, HuaMuTan? And what had you done to this man?¡¯


    When XiaoRue enters the chariot, XiaoRue thinks she will seeing her XiaoCie rages and cries like usual. But what a surprise that she sees TanTan just sits silently and in deep thinking,


    but not in anger.


    "XiaoCie, are you okay?"


    "Hah, what?" TanTan awakes from her thinking, looking at XiaoRue and suddenly remembered XiaoRue¡¯s reaction before, ¡¯So. XiaoRue was weird before because she knew about this journey...¡¯. TanTan begins more fond to this girl. This XiaoRue is clearly always worry for HuaMuTan since she has been awaken till now.


    TanTan smiles gently to her,


    "Yeah, I¡¯m alright. Come, sit here and help me to refresh my memories before we arrive. Tell me about everyone that I will meet there."


    ¡¯I am still in a dark here. For now, I must gain all information i can soter i can decide what I can do next.¡¯

 Chapter 5 Saving an evil woman or a prince

    The journey of returning to Li Mansion is quite long. It gives enough time for XiaoRue to exin the condition in Li Mansion.


    Prince LiZouWei is the seventh son from eight sons of the present King. Compared with other princes, Prince Li is the humblest one and having the smallest authority than other princes. Rather than involve himself into the internal power struggle in kingdom, he is more focusing in folk education and taking care his own ce. It makes him looks like unharmed sheep on his brothers and even on the king¡¯s eyes. But since HuaMutan, who is a granddaughter of the Lord General Hua who controls half of army power in the country had eyes on him. It makes the King finally took out his decree to marry HuaMuTan with Prince Li and as the gift of their wedding, the King bestowed this Li Mansion to them.


    ¡¯So Hua Mutan¡¯ s family background has stronger influences than i thought, no wonder the Prince Li was so respectful to Madam Hua before. From beginning, this Prince Li had been forced into unwanted marriage that he couldn¡¯t reject at all.¡¯ Somehow TanTan feels sorry to this Prince. But that doesn¡¯t make her can forgive the Prince Li¡¯s attitudes toward her before.


    TanTan continues listening XiaoRue¡¯s exnation,


    In that mansion, there are 4 people TanTan must know;


    There are Uncle Tong who in charge of all finances of the house and his wife Aunt Tong, who in charge in all house chores. Both of them are the faithful servants of Prince Li¡¯s deceased mother. They are also watched over the Prince Li growing up, and because they don¡¯t have any son so they has been considering Prince Li as their own son. They will do anything for the Prince Li¡¯s happiness.


    "How do they usually treat me at that house?" TanTan curious how XiaoRue will answers it.


    "Ng...they are doing their duties very well XiaoCie... they treated you as the wife of their Master..." again, another unsure tone in XiaoRue¡¯s voice. She is really not good in lying.


    "Ah..is that so..." TanTan didn¡¯t pursue it more, as she can see the story line here. If this Tong elders cares a lot with the Prince than they must be having a resentment for a girl who had robbed the prince¡¯s happiness.


    "Then who else the other two?"


    XiaoRie continue exining, there is Young Miss LiFangFang, a foster daughter of Prince Li. Her biological father is the closest friend of Prince Li who died in the battle. After her Mom had died due to disease, Prince Li took care of her to fulfill his promise to his deceased friend. Young Miss LiFangFang is just 7 years old now and she is a very active little girl. XiaoRue warns TanTan not to be close with this little girl. When TanTan asks why, XiaoRue tries so hard to exin with a lot of kind words but in the conclusion, it is because in the past HuaMuTan ever almost burned LiFangFang alive for her jealousy and since that Prince Li forbid her to talk or do anything to LiFangFang.


    ¡¯Jealous to such little girl, how crazy is this HuaMuTan?!¡¯ The more TanTan hears stories about this HuaMuTan. She bes more understand the badments she heard in thest funeral... She just can¡¯t believe that she is being in this evil woman¡¯s body right now...


    Thest person XioRue tells is the bodyguard who is sit beside Prince Li outside of the chariot right now. He is ManQi, also is known as the Prince Li¡¯s shadow. His martial art is very high and he has been following Prince Li since he was teenager. He is a very quiet man, almost like a cold statue most of the time. No one knows his family background or his past but one thing for sure, he is very loyal to Prince Li. He is also will do anything even the worse things ever for the Prince. TanTan can imagine that this ManQi won¡¯t hesitate to kill her if the Princemands him to.


    Then suddenly a ¡¯shooosh¡¯ soundes from no where, TanTan can see there is an arrow sticks on the inner chariot wall, followed by other arrows who pierces to outer chariot walls.


    "XiaoRue,y down!!" TanTan pulls herself and XiaoRue down to avoid the arrows. ¡¯Someone is attacking us¡¯.


    ManQi preforced to stop the chariot as some ck-clothes men are attacking them from the front.


    Prince Li and ManQi are immediately taking out their sword and put their defence acts.


    "Is it a robbery? Then unfortunately you won¡¯t get anything because you choose the wrong people to messy about..."


    Prince Li tries to scare them...but then Prince Li realizes that these enemies¡¯ purpose was not their wealth...


    Cause one by one, the enemies try to enter the chariot and attack TanTan.


    ¡¯They¡¯re aiming to Hua MuTan, why?¡¯


    "ManQi, protect her..."


    ManQi nods but before he can do that he must defeats three men who together attack him at once.


    Inside the chariot, XiaoRue has been screaming and terrifying, seeing many men try to enter and pulls them out but TanTan manages as much as she can to fight back, she hits, bites, pushes every bodies who enter. She even uses the arrows on the walls to hurt their hands. But finally one of the enemy uses his sword, tries to stab TanTan. As her instinct, TanTan falls out of the chariot, the enemy doesn¡¯t waste the time, he tries to stab TanTan again but TanTan uses her karate technique to avoid the attact. There is the other enemy behind her want to attack her once more time. But then Prince Lie manages to kill that man, after that he looks at TanTan weirdly, ¡¯Since when this evil woman can fight?¡¯


    Unaware, there is another man tries to stab Prince¡¯s back,


    "YOUR BEHIND!! WATCH OUT..." TanTan who stands closer to the Prince, is immediately taking an action to protect the Prince, she pulls him and she is turning her body to take the prince Li¡¯s position and so the enemy sessfully shes her back with his sword.


    TanTan loses her bnce and falls on Prince¡¯s Li¡¯s chest, while ManQi had killed the man who just now attacked TanTan. And turns out it was thest enemy who attack. No more enemies, all died.


    XiaoRue who realizes its already safe toe out, shocks to see TanTan got hurt. She rushes to TanTan and seeing TanTan¡¯s back cloth has coloured with her red blood.


    "Xiao Cie...."XiaoRue cries.


    "I am okay...ugh..." TanTan feels so pain on her back, but she manages to stand up firm again.


    "You are not okay..." Prince Li suddenly carries TanTan¡¯s up to one of the horse chariot and then loose the horse and the Prince himself sits behind her on the same horse.


    "ManQi, XiaoRue...clear all these and then return to Li Mansion right away. I will take HuaMuTan back right now to treat her wound..." Without waiting for the answer, Prince Li has driving the horse faster he can.


    "Ugggh" The shaking was too strong, making TanTan feeling more painful.


    "Hang on....We almost there..."


    TanTan doesn¡¯t give any respond, she just re on the Prince Li¡¯s face, he looks so worry...and then TanTan can¡¯t help herself to stay awake ,she is finally fainting on Prince¡¯s chest.


    While in Prince¡¯s mind, everything that just happened confuses him a lot,


    ¡¯Why there is someone who want to kill HuaMuTan?¡¯


    ¡¯Why did this HuaMuTan suddenly be brave to fight enemy like that and even willing to take wound for him?¡¯


    ¡¯She never did such things before, in the past no matter what happened, she was usually just hides like a weak woman and only cares about herself.¡¯


    To solve these mysteries, he must save HuaMuTan first.... so he focus to drive his horse entering the city and then headed to Li Mansion.


    Not too far, among the people who witness a horse that is driven crazily so fast passing through them. A young beautiful maiden recognizes the driver of that horse and she is wondering,


    "Is that Prince LiZouWei...Li*Ge? But who is the woman who with him just now? Is that.....Hua MuTan?" Suddenly she turns worry and then rushes to somewhere.


    Notes:


    *Ge: calling for a big brother.

 Chapter 6 The evil woman is back.

    Arrives at Li Mansion, everyone surprise to see their Master suddenes back, carrying a woman. Tong Elders who sees the arrival of Prince, quickly examining the situation. They recognize the woman as HuaMutan, is wounded at her back, the wound looks very bad.


    "Uncle Tong, quick call a physician toe..." Prince Li doesn¡¯t stop his steps, he rushes inside the mansion... and then he is entering a room, where there are the MuTan nts at outside of the room. Aunt Tong is following behind.


    He immediately put HuaMuTan on the bed slowly....make sure HuaMuTanys on her side, with her face facing inside bed wall. With that position, Aunt Tong can see her back which covered by ckish red blood marks.


    "This...! What happened, Prince Li?"


    "I¡¯ll exinter...Just hurry, clean her wound, Aunt Tong...and change her cloth...I will wait at outside..."


    Prince Li then went out and closed the door of the room. He stood silently, thinking for what just happened.


    Not too long, Uncle Tonges with a noble old man. That old man doesn¡¯te alone, he is apanied by a beautifuldy, the samedy who witnessed Prince Li at the street before.


    Prince Li gets a little surprised seeing them. He nned to call just themon physician, not the Physician Huang, the royal physician who is also his adoptive father.


    ¡¯How do they know it so quickly?¡¯


    Prince Li greets Physician Huang politely, he bows a little bit,


    "*Yi Fu...."


    He smiles nervously to thedy,


    "Shuang *Mei..."


    Lady ShuangAi smiles back to him,


    "Li *Ge, when I saw you entering the city, I knew something wrong has happened. So I take Fathere here to check."


    ¡¯That¡¯s why they cane so quick. But the wounded one is HuaMuTan, should I let YiFu to treat her?¡¯ Prince Li bes hesitated regarding for their past with HuaMuTan


    "This..."


    "Well, where is the patient?" asks Physician Huang impatiently.


    Right that moment, Aunt Tong has finishing change TanTan¡¯s cloth... she opens the door,


    Due to the situation, Prince Li decided just let Physician Huang enters the room to check HuaMuTan and followed by Lady ShuangAi ...


    Physician Huang and her daughter were a little shock to see the wound on TanTan¡¯s back. Physician Huang immediately asks her daughter to help him open TanTan¡¯s cloth and put the medicine on the wound. When ShuangAi takes off TianTian¡¯s cloth, Prince Li turns around, as a gentleman. Although they are husband and wife. Prince Li was never see HuaMuTan¡¯s naked body even when their first wedding night coz he never slept in the same room with her since the beginning of their married.


    It takes a while to treat TanTan¡¯s wound. After done, Physician Huang takes Prince Li out from the room, while ShuangAi and Aunt Tong helps to clean up the unconscious TanTan.


    "How is she, Yi Fu?"


    "The wound is not hurting her bones but she lost a lot of blood. She¡¯ll be fine, she just need a lot of rest and take times to recover. Only..."


    "Only what YiFu?"


    "The wound I am afraid is quite deep ,it will leave a big scar on her back...what an unfortunate..."


    "Is that so?" Now Prince Li felt responsible coz he knows what a scar means for a woman pride, especially HuaMuTan¡¯s pride. He feels HuaMuTan will use it to threaten him to follow what she wantster. Prince Li takes a deep sigh.


    Physician Huang seems can guessing Prince Li¡¯s mind, he feels sorry for him. He knows how trapped his adoptive son in this marriage.


    "What is actually happened, Li Er? Did that woman once again purposely hurt herself like before?" He remembered how HuaMuTan threaten to kill herself in front of King¡¯s Mother which finally sessfully make the King issued the marriage decree for her and Prince Li. He was also there to treat HuaMuTan as the King¡¯s order although he was not willing to.


    "No...YiFu...this time is different. She... She is wounded because of me. "Then Prince Li recited what had happened to Physician Huang.


    Meanwhile inside the room, Aunt Tong can¡¯t hold any longer to speak her mind to ShuangAi, she sits and pours some tea for ShuangAi.


    "This...evil woman...how can she return and trouble us again!!"


    ShuangAi takes the tea and thanks Aunt Tong. She sips it and then responds to Aunt Tong,


    "Don¡¯t say like that, Aunt Tong, she is wounded right now..."


    "Ah...Ai Er ah...you are too kind...Do you forget that she had subducted Prince Li from you in evil way? How can you stille and help your father to treat her? I won¡¯t me you if you want to hurt her now... Go on..."


    "Aunt Tong, you tease me! You know i won¡¯t do it. No matter who, when they are treated by my father. That means they are my patient too."


    "AiEr ah...howes you too good,...ah if my Prince Li can married to you...how live this house can be... if not because of this evil woman...I probably already raise your children with Prince Li..."


    "Aunt Tong...stop it...don¡¯t talk like that, I and Prince Li are nothing than just like a sibling. Now, Lets go out, leave this wounded woman to rest..." ShuangAi pulls Aunt Tong out of the room. But before ShuangAi closes the door, she looked with sadness to TanTan whoid on the bed.


    At outside, Physician Huang was just finish hearing Prince Li¡¯s narration, Physician Huang speaks his mind,


    "It seems fishy..."


    "Do you think so, YiFu?"


    "We can¡¯t be sure if this is not HuaMuTan¡¯s own n? You can¡¯t be too soft with this woman, LiEr..."


    "Do you really think this woman is crazy enough willing to give herself scar just to subdue me?"


    "I don¡¯t say it for sure...but regarding how she sent some killers and trying to harm ShuangAi...HuaMuTan seems like a crazy woman who can do anything to get what she wants." It is still fresh in their memories, Physician Huang still can¡¯t forgive HuaMuTan about it.


    "I know YiFu...Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let this woman to hurt ShuangAi again. I swear for my life to watch her away from ShuangAi." Prince Li is also can¡¯t forgive HuaMuTan for that.


    Physician Huang takes a deep sigh and looking at Prince Li sadly, his sympathy on his adoptive son was so deep,


    "LiEr, This is really troubling you,.... "


    The door is opened, Physician Huang stops his word, and expecting her daughter to join. Aunt Tong has instructed by Prince Li to prepare the medicine ording the receipt that be given by Physician Huang and after giving proper greet to all, she goes to the kitchen.


    "Father...." ShuangAi walks toward them,


    "Li Ge, MuTan *Cie is still not conscious. She might have fever this night, so better having someone to watch her over the night..."


    "I see....thanks Shuang Mei...I am sorry, that its troubling you for nothing..."


    "Don¡¯t say that...how about you, Li Ge. Are you fine? Actually what had happened in your journey?"


    Then once again Prince Li retell the situation but this time he chooses the words carefully especially to the part when TanTan protected him and got wounded because of him.


    Seeing ShuangAi standing beside Prince Li, Physician Huang feels pleased but also deeply frustated. As a father, he ever dreamed to see Prince Li and his own daughter, ShuangAi together in marriage, but it was already bes past. Deep inside his heart, he is still cannot epting the fact that Prince Li was no longer can be his son inw. So in his heart, he cursed this HuaMuTan, ¡¯Maybe it would be better if she is not to be healed at all¡¯. But he knows it is against his physician¡¯s heart, his job is to help patient not to harm patient.


    After hearing what happened, ShuangAi looks so worry to Prince Li,


    "It seems MuTan Cie has unknown enemy. You must put some guardians to protect herter..." Prince Li and Physician Huang widened their eyes, hearing ShuangAi¡¯s words.


    "Ai Er, what makes you think these enemies aim to Hua MuTan and not to Prince Li?" her father asks her curious.


    "I am sorry, Father. This is just my assumption. Before LiGe married to MuTan Cie, we never hear any attacks toward LiGe in his any journeys but this time? Just when Li Ge went to pick up MuTan Cie, then suddenly we have this attack? I am feeling that someone doesn¡¯t want MuTan Cie return here. I may be wrong, but its better to be cautious."


    "..." Both of Physician Huang and Prince Li shook their head, just now they were thinking that most likely HuaMuTan is the actor behind the attack. and here a naive ShuangAi is thinking that HuMuTan is really a victim.


    "AiEr, do you remember that this Hua MuTan ever wanted to kill you, don¡¯t you?..."


    Physician Huang recited it because he felt her daughter is too fool to concern about HuaMuTan.


    "Yes, Father....I know, but I am also understand the reason she did that. Li Ge had too kind to me and it made MuTan Cie misunderstood about us. I don¡¯t me her ,its Li Ge¡¯s fault actually..."ShuangAi gives a teasing tone and smiles innocently to Prince Li.


    ¡¯What a naive and kind-hearted ShuangAi... the woman who I love more than anything...¡¯


    Prince LiZouWei smiles back to her but his eyes looks at her in sadness.


    "You can¡¯t me me, ShuangMei. If I have to choose to save, between you and her. You know for sure , I choose you rather than her. You are... you are my precious sister"


    "See...that¡¯s my point..!! Father, don¡¯t you see? Li Ge is actually just using me as the reason to run away from his own wife...he just don¡¯t want to be banded in a marriage..." ShuangMei always feel that this his adoptive brother is never being serious to her words. She is always be treated as a little girl and she is always upset about it.


    "What? I¡¯m not..." Prince Li protests


    "Ehm, enough...please behave to Prince Li, Ai Er. I think its time for us to leave, There¡¯s nothing else we can do here."


    Physician Huang greets properly by giving a little bow, ShuangAi is also doing the same.


    "Thank you for your treatment, I am sorry that I had bother you this time, YiFu."


    "Just be careful LiEr, like AiEr says, you may put more guards just in case."


    "Thanks for your advice, YiFu. Let me escort you out."


    Prince Li walks away with Physician Huang anddy ShuangMei to the gate of the mansion.


    From behind the bushes of Peony flowers,es out a little girl, chasing her red ball. She dresses like noble little tomboy girl, with her long pants. She looks around and feeling weird for the door which is not closed properly...


    She seems nervous coz she is remembering that it is a room of that evil woman stays, but she is also curious for she saw her YiFu came out from that room just now. And as she knows that the room is emptytely, so she steps closely to the door and takes a little peek. She sees TanTan sleeping and suddenly she hears TanTan is murmuring something,...it shocks the little girl, as she thought TanTan is awaked. It scares her so she leave the room rashly until she fells down, stumbled by her own feet. When she arises and run away, that little girl doesn¡¯t realize that she drops her jade pendant close to the door. Because she is busy screaming in her mind,


    ¡¯No...the evil CieCie hase back...Nooo....¡¯


    Notes:


    *WangZi: *prince (the proper calling)


    *YiFu: the proper calling for adoptive father


    *Mei: the proper calling for younger sister...


    *Cie: the proper calling for elder sister from younger sister.


    (*please forgive me for any misspelling in Chinese calling formality. I try my best to describe the atmosphere of old Chinese times with my limit of knowledge. I will epting any corrections. *Kowtow)

 Chapter 7 On the way home XiaoRues story

    Let¡¯s return to XiaoRue and ManQi.


    After being left by Prince Li, ManQi is carefully checking the bodies while XiaoRue prepares the belongings to be taken. In minutes, XiaoRue has done with her work and then she is waiting for ManQi to be done. It takes time to check entire 10 corpses. XiaoRue waits patiently, she observes how ManQi moves from one to other corpses but he looks unsatisfied. Then he stands after checking thest one.


    "Well, what did you find?" XiaoRue asks curiously. ManQi doesn¡¯t look at her at all, he seems ignoring her and then starts digging a big hole. XiaoRue was actually never talk with this ManQi during she lived with HuaMuTan at Li Mansion. Like what she heard from others, this ManQi is really a mystery man. XiaoRue walks closer to ManQi; repeating her question.


    "Did you find anything from these corpses? Any marks? Any clues?"


    ManQi still doesn¡¯t give any response. So XiaoRue keep asking him questions, squatting beside ManQi who works hard to dig the hole.


    "Who do you think they are? Why did they attack us? If they were the robber, don¡¯t we better go away from here now....who knows these men still have other gang? what do you think?"


    ManQi just keep digging, while in his mind, sudden pops up one word, ¡¯Noisy!¡¯


    The hole is ready now. ManQi looks at XiaoRue, like he is expecting something from her but XiaoRue doesn¡¯t have any clue at all,


    "What? Why are you staring at me like that? You know we¡¯re really better leave now and return to Li Mansion. I am so worry with XiaoCie...she...mmm"


    ManQi doesn¡¯t want to hear any useless words...he covers XiaoRue¡¯s mouth with one of his hand while the other one he use to point the corpse...and finally he speaks,


    "The bodies....pull them all here..."


    XiaoRue can¡¯t believe what she hears. This ManQi has asking her, a weak girl to pull the dead bodies, all of them? She is also can¡¯t believe that this man dare to close her mouth with his bare hand. Since a little, growing up with HuaMuTan, XiaoRue learns the manner between man and woman. A Gentleman should neverys the hands on a mainden¡¯s body, like covering the mouth. ¡¯What a rude...¡¯ XiaoRue¡¯s face has bing red coz of the anger. She widened her eyes and stares to ManQi as a protest.


    ManQi gives a teasing smile,


    "If you can¡¯t help then don¡¯t talk. Be quit and sit there as a nice little girl, okay.... As soon I bury them all. We¡¯ll back to the Li Mansion. Do you understand?"


    XiaoRue nods her head obediently, then ManQi takes off his hand from XiaoRue¡¯s mouth, and right at that moment XiaoRue takes a chance to bite his hand hardly.


    "Aauuuchhh!!! You..." ManQi res angrily back to XiaoRue,


    "I am not a little girl! How rude..." XiaoRue walks away from ManQi, then she stops at one body. First, she feels hesitated but then she makes her mind; she pulls the body into the hole.


    "You said, as soon we bury them, we can return right. I¡¯ll help you so we can return quickly..." and then she continues to pull another body.


    ¡¯Well, turns out this girl is quite brave...¡¯


    ManQi feels amused seeing XiaoRue¡¯s act. XiaoRue realizes that ManQi has not yet start moving,


    "Well, what are you waiting for !!!" She shouts angrily.


    After both of them finished the job, ManQi and XiaoRue pray to give proper burying for the dead. Then ManQi takes the horse from a chariot and rides it on. He pulls the horse, closer to XiaoRue,and then he gives a hand to XiaoRue as like a gentleman to help her up on the horse, but XiaoRue hesitated,


    "Why don¡¯t we use chariot?"


    "The chariot¡¯s wheels are broken already, its no use anymore. It just 2 of us, it will faster in this way ,don¡¯t you say you want to return quickly?"


    "That¡¯s right..." XiaoRue decides to takes ManQi¡¯s hand and sits at behind him, trying not to touch his back at all...


    "Hold tightly, don¡¯t fall...Haittts"


    "Whattt...wuoo....",


    As soon the horse starts running, XiaoRue feels to lose her bnce so instinctually she holds ManQi¡¯s wrist tightly. During the road, XiaoRue can feel her heart beating so fast...


    ¡¯It must be because the horse is running so fast, I never ride the horse like this before....XiaoCie, please be okay.... XiaoRue ising...."

 Chapter 8 Flashes of memories

    ¡¯Where am I?¡¯ TanTan looks to her hand, she is holding a dagger and it has blood on it.


    ¡¯What? what I am doing with a dagger, whose blood is this?!¡¯ TanTan hears the scolded voices,


    "Put it down, MuTan!!" Prince Li stared to her in rage. Beside him, there is a pretty woman whom right arm has wounded, blood flowing from her arm, obviously cause of the dagger. She looks terribly pale.


    "I warn you, HuaMuTan! Put it down or I¡¯ll do it with force..."


    "No...no LiGe...don¡¯t harm MuTan Cie..."


    ¡¯That woman is still protecting her? What an angel...¡¯


    "Ha...hahahaha...disgusting!!! You are disgusting, ShuangAi!!! Always pretending to be an angel, isn¡¯t that how you steal my husband¡¯s heart, you...wicked woman...I curse you to die...die...DIE...!!!


    ¡¯Its my voice, but its not me who talks....Is this...a sh of HuaMuTan¡¯s memory?¡¯


    Prince Li moves forward her, do an action and then everything bes dark.


    TanTan opens eyes again, this time is in a dark night, somewhere in a remote corner of the city. There is man whom face is covered ck cloth,


    TanTan can see her hand giving some money in a heavy pouch to him, she can hear HuaMuTan¡¯s voice,


    "I¡¯ll give the rest of money if you manage to kill that wicked ShuangAi. Make sure she won¡¯t able to arrive in Prince Li¡¯s birthday ceremony."


    ¡¯So this HuaMuTan was really ever make a n to kill ShuangAi?¡¯


    The scene jumps...


    TanTan is in a bouquet, seems in a birthday ceremony of Prince Li coz everyone congrats him. She sits beside Prince Li who is busy responding other guests.


    Suddenly a servant manes in hurry to Prince Li, makes all guests pay attention to him.


    "Prince Li, Physician Huang gives an apology for not ablee to here, cause when they headed here, their chariot had been attacked by some killers."


    Prince Li shocked to hear the news,


    "How is ShuangMei? Is she alright?"


    It makes everyone clear to see how affection Prince has toward Lady ShuangAi.


    "Lady...she...she is fainting because of what happened..."


    Prince Li then drops his drink and rushing out, but being stopped by HuaMuTan¡¯s hands.


    "Husband....how can you go in your own birthday party...everyone see..."


    "Is this your deed?..."


    "What? what are you talking about?"


    "Let me go....HuaMuTan, I won¡¯t forgive you if anything happen to ShuangAi..." Prince Ai pushes her harshly and then gone.


    TanTan can hear the guests around HuaMuTan starts whispering,


    "What a shame...she left by her own husband for another woman"


    "Is what Prince Li saying just now true? That she sent killers to harm ShuangAi and her Dad? What an evil woman..."


    TanTan can hear that HuaMuTan screams so badly at that time.


    And then its dark again.


    In another sh,


    TanTan is at the kitchen, she is in front of a small room. There is a screaminges from inside the room, a voice of a little girl.


    "Let me gooo... let me out...Yi Fuuu...help me"


    XiaoRue is beside her, crying and terrified.


    "XiaoCie...please forgive her..don¡¯t do this..."


    "Be Quiet, XiaoRue. I need to give a hard lesson to this wicked little girl. So she doesn¡¯t dare to talk evil about me in front of Prince Li and take all his attention anymore...Now, don¡¯t you afraid to me?! You must obey to me next time.."


    "You, evil CieCie... my YiFu won¡¯t let you go from this. He will never love you!!! I am not afraid to you!! I will never obey you!!"


    "You, wicked stubborn fool girl..." TanTan can feel that HuaMuTan is looking something to harm the little girl. She looks at under the cooking furnace, there is still a small fire left. HuaMuTan takes a wood and the fire,


    "Open the door, XiaoRue..."


    XiaoRue terrified to see what will happen, "Nooo, XiaoCie, you can¡¯t do that.....you can¡¯t kill her; She is Prince Li¡¯s adoptive daughter...if you do this, Prince Li will so angry to you...please consider it again XiaoCie..."


    "Don¡¯t be fool, XiaoRue...I am not that stupid, I won¡¯t kill her. I just want to give her a little taste of burning, maybe on her face so she won¡¯t dare to disobey me..."


    "No....no...XiaoCie...its not right..." XiaoRue gains her courage to block HuaMuTan entering the room, she shakes her head and pleas with her eyes...


    "Step away, XiaoRue....are you starting disobeying me now....Step away or I¡¯ll burn you with her..."


    "No...XiaoCie....I won¡¯t let you do wrong anymore...You¡¯ve done enough...please."


    HuaMuTan tries to enforce moving XiaoRue aside, but their struggles idently makes some fire from HuaMuTan¡¯s hand touches and burns things around them.


    HuaMuTan and XiaoRue are surprise, they immediately run out from the kitchen. Because there are so many things that can easily burned in the kitchen, the fire grows bigger so quickly. At that moment, XiaoRue initiates to take a bucket to fetch some water, but HuaMuTan obstructs her.


    "XiaoCie, please...she is just a little girl..."


    "I prefer she burned and die...so everyone in this house can see what happens if they disobey me..."


    "HUA MU TAN!!"


    At that moment, Prince Lies and shocks to see what happens, some servants whoes with Prince Li immediately put off the fire and release the little girl from the inside room.


    Prince Li walks toward HuaMuTan and ps her so hard.


    "Be grateful that I don¡¯t kill you right now, you...evil woman...!!" From inside the room, a little girl running into Prince Li¡¯s hug,


    "YiFu...huahh huaaahh"


    Prince Li carries that little FangFang by his hands, and res furiously to HuaMuTan.


    "Its over FangFang. Listen, HuaMuTan! From now, don¡¯t you dare close to FangFang anymore or I swear I will kill you no matter what. Let¡¯s go..."


    After everyone leaving HuaMuTan and XiaoRue. XiaoRue knows that HuaMuTan is in anger now, but she still trying to calm her XiaoCie, like usual.


    "XiaoCie...." But HuaMuTan is so angry that she pushes XiaoRue harshly, making XiaoRue hurt.


    "Go away ,you...traitor...I don¡¯t want to see you anymore...."


    Once again HuaMuTan screams,


    " WHY....why do you care to everyone except to me!!! Why you can¡¯t care about me at all!!! AaaaakKkggghh"


    ¡¯This HuaMuTan is really really childish, she angry because she doesn¡¯t get what she wants. She does what she wants, although it is very wrong... typical of a spoiled princess. She caused her own suffers but she still med others for it.¡¯


    And there are many other memories of HuaMuTan evil deeds yed in her mind, it is getting worse and worse, and finally makes TanTan begging to stop,


    "STOPPPPP...."


    This time she is really opening her eyes for real,


    "Auuuchh" she can fell a burning pain from her back...


    "Brak" TanTan looks at the door, it seems someone has just leaving her room, but she doesn¡¯t have energy to find out. She recalls what just happens.


    She is wounded because of the attacks and she got some shback of HuaMuTan¡¯s memories, which make her more understand who HuaMuTan is and the situation she is in right now.


    But in those memories, none of it exing how HuaMuTan died till she, LangTanTan possesses this body. One thing for sure, she really doesn¡¯t like to continue living as that HuaMuTan. Oppositely TanTan feels that her purpose to possess this body is to help fixing all problems that be done by HuaMuTan. Well, she decides she will do anything that she can to get rid the title of ¡¯an evil woman¡¯.


    ¡¯But auuchh, I never know that being cut with a sword can be this painful... In drama, they make it looks so easy. Ahh, I feel dizzy now..." TanTan then decides to sleep again to gain her energy back.

 Chapter 9 A different woman

    TanTan doesn¡¯t know how long she had been sleep. The second time she awakes, she hears XiaoRue¡¯s voice.


    "XiaoCie, you awake....Thanks God..."


    XiaoRue helps TanTan sits up immediately,


    "XiaoRue...what time is this?"


    "Its already morning, XiaoCie. Last time when I came back here, you got a high fever and slept a whole day until now. XiaoRue is so worry..."


    "..." TanTan feels so weak, XiaoRue gives her the cup of tea as usual, but this time TanTan doesn¡¯t have energy to rinse her mouth out, so she just drinks it all.


    "...Where am I?" TanTan looks around, the room is filled with sweet fragrance and luxury with many decorative furniture but the room is so big, so it gives TanTan a cold atmosphere.


    "XiaoCie, we are at Li Mansion now. This is your bedroom. Since you married into this family, you always stay here." Since TanTan asks any information in the chariot before, XiaoRue feels she need to exin anything to her XiaoCie, to regain her memories back.


    "Oh,...I see..." TanTan tries to go down from her bed,...she still so weak that XiaoRue must assist her down.


    "Its okay, XiaoRue...I just want to have a fresh air..." TanTan lets go XiaoRue¡¯s helping hand and she tries to walk by herself out of the room. At the door, she almost losing her bnce but she grips the door side to help helself stand.


    "XiaoCie..." XiaoRue rushes to help XiaoCie. But TanTan is giving sign that she doesn¡¯t wanted to be helped. At that moment TanTan sees something under the door, a little green round jade pendant with double red strings.


    ¡¯Someone must be leaving it here by ident.¡¯


    In the same time, TanTan recognizes a little figure hiding at behind the tree, at the room yard. The figure tries to keep her body from unseen and she looks so nervous. TanTan feels her act is so cute.


    "XiaoRue..." TanTan gives gesture asking her toe.


    "Yes, XiaoCie...what is it?"


    TanTan shows the pendant to XiaoRue,


    "I just found it ,do you know whose this?"


    XiaoRue exams the pendant,


    "I don¡¯t know XiaoCie...It can belong to anyone in this Li Mansion.."


    "Hm...well, this pendant looks pretty. If no one admits it, I will make it mine..."


    Hearing TanTan¡¯s words, the figurees out from the tree and shouts,


    "Its MINE!!! GIVE IT BACK TO ME!!!"


    A little girl who run away from TanTan¡¯s roomst time, standing in anger, but a fear can be seen clearly from her gesture.


    XiaoRue surprises to see this little girl,


    "FangFang XiaoCie..."This is the first time since that ident, Li FangFang dares to talk again with HuaMuTan. XiaoRue terrifies to think what will happen next.


    TanTan is also recognizing this little girl from HuaMuTan¡¯s memory. She observes LiFangFang. She looks cute in her blue long sleeve clothes and pants, with two rolled ball-shape hair in each side of her hair. LiFangFang is indeed a cute little girl, what on earth can makes HuaMuTan have a heart to hurt her.


    TanTan always loves children although she never having one. But she closes with the children around her home neighbourhood. This FangFang reminds her with the little girl who lives next to her house. Having an angel face but does mischievous things ...


    ¡¯This little girl seems trying to suppress her fear, this pendant must be very important to her...¡¯ TanTan smiles, she talks in strict tone like a teacher investigates her student.


    "How do I know that this pendant is really yours?"


    "MY YIFU GAVE IT TO ME...GIVE ME BACK OR...I¡¯LL TELL YIFU..."


    FangFang thought this HuaMuTan will afraid with her threat. But she aghast when TanTanes forward to her.


    "Xiao Cieee...No..." XiaoRue is also surprise, she is thinking bad about it, she tries to hold TanTan but TanTan shakes her head and smiles to her, calms XiaoRue by whispering, "Its okay...I won¡¯t do any bad to her."


    FangFang still feels scared to HuaMuTan after that incident so she bes shivering although she still maintains her threatens , "Do...Don¡¯te...I waa..waarn you...YiFu...said yoou...can¡¯t..eee..."


    TanTan lifts up her right hand, and as the reflex, FangFang closes her eyes and cover herself with her small hands to defense. But what happens next is really surprising her. She can feel TanTan¡¯s hand pats her head gently. She opens her eyes and seeing that TanTan lowers herself, squitting to talk to her and smiling regretfully to her...TanTan opens her hand and then put the pendant on it.


    "Don¡¯t be afraid...see, this is yours, I return it to you...Next time keep it carefully, don¡¯t drop it again, okay..."


    ¡¯Odd....very odd...Evil CieCie is different somehow...¡¯ LiFangFang widens her eyes and feels confuse, she bes speechless.


    TanTan can understand her confusion, so she continue talking in friendly tone to LiFangFang.


    "I know I did very...very...very...bad things to you before... Its my bad, I don¡¯t me you if you can¡¯t forgive me... but I want you to know... From now, I promise I won¡¯t hurt you anymore..."


    ¡¯Evil Cie Cie was never talk kindly to me likr this...its odd....its odd...its scarier more than usual....I am scare, YiFuuuu...¡¯ LiFangFang suddenly crying loudly for she feels confuse what had happened.


    "Huaaaaah...huaaahhhh"


    TanTan is also confusing for the respond of this FangFang. She and XiaoRue be panic.


    "HUAMUTAN!!"


    ¡¯Hm..why I am feeling this situation is so familiar...??¡¯ TanTan turns around and sees the furious Prince Li... without giving any chance to exin, hees to TanTan and ps her face hardly...


    ¡¯kkk¡¯


    Coz of her weak body, TanTan fells down right away on the ground, XiaoRue rushed to assist TanTan,


    "XiaoCieee...."


    "I WARN YOU BEFORE, STAY AWAY FROM LIFANGFANG!!! If only you are not just recover, I will had killed you right now!!"


    Prince Li takes the crying LiFangFang go leaving TanTan who is speechless for what just happened, she is being pped for nothing!


    "That crazy man !!!!" TanTan feels upset for she is being false used.


    "Auuuchh" She can feel the pain not only from her cheek but also her wound at back.


    "XiaoCie, we better back to inside..." TanTan agrees, XiaoRue helps her back to inside room.


    While not far from the room, in the hallway, Prince Li puts down LiFangFang to sit on a side of hallway. Prince Li wipes LiFangFang¡¯s tears...she doesn¡¯t cry anymore, but she still sobbing a little. Prince Li checks her body, searching any wounds or bruises, but he finds nothing.


    "Are you okay, FangEr? Did she hurt you again? You can tell YiFu..."


    LiFangFang shakes her head slowly, she shows the pendant that in her hand, it confuses Prince Li, he recognizes the pendant,


    "Isn¡¯t this pendant the one that I gave you in yourst birthday? What¡¯s going on with this pendant, FangEr? Did she try to take it from you?" FangFang shakes her head again.


    "She...hik hik...she returned....it..."


    "..She returned it?" Prince Li still can¡¯t understand.


    "I...lost...it...hik...at ...her....ce...yesterday... and ...today...she...returned hik...it to me...."


    " You lost it and she returned it?....Did she threaten you when she returned it? What did she want from you this time?" It makes sense, Prince Li knows HuaMuTan is the type of woman who will harness anything to fulfill what she desires including threaten a little child.


    LiFangFang has calmed herself, so she can fluently exins...


    "No...YiFu....no.... She didn¡¯t ask anything....she just returned it to me... and... she says that she regretted, she promises not to hurt me anymore..."


    "....Did she really say that?" LiFangFang nods her head.


    Prince Li feels unbelievable, ¡¯Its so fishy....¡¯ he thinks, ¡¯Maybe she ns on something by pretending nice?¡¯


    "Then why do you cry?"


    FangFang feels shy,


    "I am scare because she became to kind to me....YiFu, she is so different...she is not like an Evil CieCie that I know..."


    "Why do you say so?" Prince Li pats FangFang¡¯s head to calm her.


    "She patted my head gently like you did...Evil CieCie wouldn¡¯t never do that before..."


    "Well... even so she change, maybe because she is sick right now."


    "She is sick?" FangFang is a kind little girl. She concerns to anyone who sick even though the bad people like Evil CieCie...


    "Yes, FangEr....she maybe forgets a lot of things...but still I don¡¯t want you to close to her...Don¡¯t y around her ce anymore, okay?"


    "Yes, YiFu...Now, FangEr feels hungry. Can we eat something sweet?"


    "Okay, lets eat together...I¡¯ll ask Aunt Tong to cook your favourite food"


    "Horray....I love YiFu..." FangFang kisses Prince Li¡¯s cheek softly and then she stands up.


    Prince Li then holding her little hand and takes FangFang toward the dining room.


    While in his mind, he keeps figuring out what exactly this evil HuaMuTan is nning about? pretending forgetting the past? pretending to be kind to FangFang? Well, he really need to keep his watch on her.

 Chapter 10 A visitor at midnigh

    A week has passed with nothing crucial happens. TanTan was mostly just resting in her room all day. There was zero visitor for TanTan and she even didn¡¯t see another servants except XiaoRue who being busy running here and there, doing chores. Sometimes when she was at outside the room, TanTan could feel that she was being watched. TanTan didn¡¯t pay attention of all those coz she is focusing to recover her strength. But no smartphone nor television in this era made her felt bore.


    When she is already tough enough to walk, she walks around the room, examines all things she can examine. She looks to the wooden antique wardrobe where she can see many silk clothes folded inside, she looks into the drawers of mirror desk and find so many antique jewelry and cosmetics. Next she turns to an antique chest. It is locked but TanTan is guessing the key must be at somewhere with her, and she is right. She found the key inside the pocket that always held on her cloth. Inside, she find a lot of money kept within many more silk clothes and some ancient books. These things describes that HuaMuTan was an extravagant woman. But there is one thing looks different from others. She takes out a girl doll, a quite old doll, seeing from its dull condition. It made from clothes, big possibility from amateur hand-made, coz the sewing is not smooth and tidy. "Its seems a little odd to see HuaMuTan keeping this kind of doll ,is this doll means special for her?"


    At that time, XiaoRuees in to deliver the food. She is a little weird seeing TanTan is checking the chest.


    "XiaoCie, are you looking for something. XiaoRue will help you"


    "XiaoRue, do you know this?" She show the doll to XiaoRue.


    "Ah...its xiaomei,...XiaoCie¡¯s favourite doll, XiaoCie always bring her where ever XiaoCie goes."


    "But why? Isn¡¯t it childish...?"


    "XiaoCie never leave it because Madam ShuiXian made it for you, XiaoCie"


    "Madam ShuiXian?"


    "Yes, XiaoCie¡¯s Mom"


    XiaoRue feels sad that her XiaoCie¡¯s sickness looks very bad, she is even forgetting about her own mother. XiaoRue then tries to exin about HuaMuTan¡¯s parents as much as she can. TanTan listens to her while the doll on her hand and she sits beside the chest. She is also busy thinking.


    ¡¯HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom? So this doll is the legacy of her deceased Mom.¡¯ TanTan somehow feels sympathy to this HuaMuTan. ording to XiaoRue¡¯s exnation, HuaMuTan¡¯s parents had passed away since she was just 7 years old. Her father, General HuaYiCou, died in a battle. While her mother, Madam ShuiXian, coz of her sadness, jumped to the cliff following her husband death. So despite of her evilness, she was quite a pity girl.


    ¡¯Seeing her still keeping the doll to remember her Mom, maybe this HuaMutan is not fully evil¡¯ TanTan thought. She put the doll back carefully and close the chest.


    At the middle of night, there is a ck shadow walks on the roof. He stops at the roof of TanTan¡¯s room. He opens the roof a little bit and blows some smoke into the room, causes TanTan falls a deep sleep. But before he can enter the room, unexpected ManQi appears and fighting the shadow. After some moves, the shadow knows that he can¡¯t defeat ManQi, he uses some powder to distract ManQi so he can escape. ManQi want to chase but he decides that checking the condition of HuaMuTan is more important, beside the powder he breathed a little just now show the effect, he feels a little dizzy. He won¡¯t sess to chase the shadow right now. Then he discovers that HuaMutan just fell asleep so he retreats and report it immediately to Prince Li.


    After receiving the report, Prince Li instructed ManQi to get a rest, recover his body first. He himself walks to Hua Mu Tan¡¯s room, checking by himself that Hua MuTan is really in a deep sleep.


    "Indeed, someone is reallying after her? But this time the killer just put her in asleep and not killing her. Is the killer tonight from the same party or different than the ones who tried to kill her?" He looking at Hua Mu Tan, "You seem having a lot of secrets, HuaMuTan..." then he walks out from the room.


    In other ce, the ck shadow who sess escaped from ManQi reported to his master who has waiting on the cliff. The master is wearing a mask that covering almost all his face.


    "So do you find the thing?" The Master asks in a cold tone, the ck shadow immediately kneels down and bows his head to the ground,


    "I...I am sorry Master. The bodyguard, ManQi is too strong to fight. I was almost unsessfully escaped from him."


    "Useless..." The master approaches the ck shadow and then killed him coldly with a sword on the ck shadow¡¯s body. Then the master kicks the dead body of the ck shadow off from the cliff. "It seems I must be looking it by myself..." he turns back from the cliff and walks away.

 Chapter 11 ShuangAis feeling

    The next day, Hua MuTan feels exhausted from the sleep, ¡¯Maybe I got too much sleep...¡¯


    She stretches her body and although she still can feel pain, but the wound seems has recovered a lot. So she decided to have a walk around the mansion. But before she goes out, she feels something missing in this morning, she walks to the table and then drink the tea by herself.


    ¡¯Usually XiaoRuees to serve me at this time...am I waking too early or she iste this time? Oh well, no need to wait for her....this mansion is not too big for me. Let¡¯s explore it, TanTan¡¯


    TanTan walks out the room and she looks at the sky, it is a clear sky today and she wonders how long she need to stay in this ancient time. She is really missing her Mom. Then TanTan once again notices a little shadow behind the tree, the shadow has a small pendant which TanTan can easily recognizes,


    "Come out, FangFang.... I won¡¯t hurt you..."


    LiFangFanges out and act nervously. She is being aware to TanTan but her eyes are showing curiosity.


    "Do you want something from me?" TanTan smiles and asks her in soft tone.


    "I...Ie to say thank you.... Last time you return my pendant.....YiFu always say that we have to be polite no matter to who and saying thank you to everyone who has helping you..." FangFang tries so hard not to show her nervous and it looks so cute in TanTan¡¯s eyes.


    "Its very good. You are so nice. I ept your thank..." TanTan is really want to make friend with this little FangFang, but she knows the past HuaMuTan had given a traumatic for FangFang, so she doesn¡¯t try toe closer to FangFang.


    "mmm...are you okay?... YiFu said you are sick, you are forgetting many things...is it because of that, you be good, not evil anymore?" The innocence question of FangFang makes TanTan smile wider. She is really a good and pure kid.


    "You are concern about me? Thank you.... You are right, I am sick and forgetting many things, I can¡¯t remember my past. Am I so evil in the past?"


    "Yes ,you are....you usually angry like a monster, and so scary, you even almost burn me alive..." FangFang shivered remembering all those things.


    TanTan then giving regretful look and it makes FangFang ease a little bit,


    "...But I can¡¯t remember it anymore so can you forgive me for all evil I did?"


    "mmm...its hard. You did so evil, its hard to be forgotten....how do I know if you are not lying..." FangFang seems having a difficult struggle inside her mind, "mmm...you must give me a proof that you has changed..."


    "A proof?" Suddenly Tantan remembers something, "wait a moment..." TanTan enters the room for a while and thenes back with a doll in her hand. FangFang is attracted to the doll,


    "What is that?" she asks curiously.


    "This is XiaoMei. She already apany me since I was little like you until now....Is she pretty?" TanTan shows the doll clearly. It makes FangFang forgetting her fear anding closer to her. FangFang likes the doll, she nods as she agrees that the doll is pretty.


    "Then from now she is yours. She is so important to me but I am giving her because I want you know that I am really sorry for the past of me and this xiaomei need a big sister to take care of her, better than me."


    "You¡¯ll giving her to me...?" FangFang widens her eyes, unbelievable. TanTan nods and then hands the doll to FangFang.


    FangFang looks so happy, she hugs the doll, " Hi xiaomei...from now I am your big sister..." FangFang looks to TanTan shyly, "Thank you...."


    ¡¯Thanks for the doll, at least with this, Hua MuTan is paying her mistakes a little bit...¡¯ TanTan smiles.


    Then FangFang seems thinking and finally deciding something, she res at TanTan,


    "You can y with us if you want..." she offers. TanTan is so d that finally FangFang opens her heart to her. This little girl is really pure for opening her heart so quickly to her after what happened in the past.


    "Is it alright? Doesn¡¯t your YiFu warn you not to talk to me actually?"


    "Ng...that¡¯s right, YiFu said that because you were evil before and wanted to hurt me.... but now you are not evil anymore...so I think its okay. Beside YiFu is not at home right now....and I am so bore..."


    "Prince Li is not at home? Where is he going?" as her surprise, TanTan speaks out her mind.


    "YiFu took Sister XiaoRue and Uncle ManQi go but I don¡¯t know to where..."


    ¡¯That¡¯s exining why I don¡¯t see XiaoRue till now... Its odd, why he took XiaoRue and go where?¡¯


    "So do you want to y or not...?" FangFang wakes her up from her thinking,


    "Sure...why not? Lets y..." TanTan smiles,


    "Horray, lets y at my ce...I¡¯ll show you my other dolls...." FangFang pulls TanTan¡¯s hand naturally so TanTan doesn¡¯t have any choice to follow this little girl through the hallway.


    Then FangFang starts to run faster, as TanTan¡¯s body just recover, she still feel weak and easily lost the breath, so she stops,


    "wait...wait...FangFang...do not in rush, okay...let me take a breathe for a while..." She sit on the side of hallway


    "Are you okay?" FangFang feels worry


    "I am sorry...but *YangMu, you are so weak...I even can runner faster than you and not losing breathe soon."


    ¡¯YangMu? adoptive mother?¡¯ TanTan feels weird to be called like that. But she doesn¡¯t hate it, she looks to FangFang smiling,


    "Silly girl....I just recover from sick, of course I am weak now, but if I alreadypletely healed, I can defeat you in running..." She can¡¯t help to pinch FangFang¡¯s cheek gently.


    But suddenly a harsh voice scolded her and then someonees and takes FangFang away from her.


    "TAKE YOUR HAND OFF FROM HER!!!"


    It is Aunt Tong, she res angrily to TanTan. TanTan remembers her and her husband in HuaMuTan¡¯s memories, how HuaMuTan degraded them and treated them harsh and impolitely.


    Aunt Tong squats near FangFang to checks and talks to FangFang,


    "FangEr, are you hurt?"


    FangFang shook her head. In one point, she feels scare to Aunt Tong¡¯s shout just now.


    Then Aunt Tong stands and faces TanTan angrily but still trying to be polite, regarding to her position.


    "Madam MuTan, I think you has forgotten that Master Li has forbid you to be around FangFang XiaoCie anymore...."


    TanTan can feels the hatred in Aunt Tong¡¯s tone toward her.


    "I...I don¡¯t mean..."


    "Don¡¯t you think coz Master Li is not at home right now so you can do what ever you want like before. I am not afraid to report about this to Master Li when he returnster..."


    TanTan bes a little upset, coz she doesn¡¯t given any chance to exin,


    "Listen here, Aunt Tong...."


    At that time, there is another voice calls, but this time it is a beautiful voice


    "FangFang...Aunt Tong, what is going on here?"


    FangFang turns to the voice owner and responds excited,


    "Pretty Cie Cie..."


    "Ai Er" Aunt Tong also greets the voice owner kindly.


    TanTan also recognizes her as ShuangAi in HuaMuTan¡¯s memory.


    ¡¯So this is Shuang Ai...¡¯ She examines ShuangAi¡¯s appearance, ShuangAi looks so pretty with her white long clothes with blue sky silk coat, ¡¯ She is so beautiful like an angel, no wonder Prince Ai is so fond to her...¡¯


    "Aunt Tong, I heard you were shouting just now, what happens?"


    "Please forgive me, AiEr. But I shouted because I saw Mrs MuTan was trying to harm FangFang again.."


    "NO, I¡¯M NOT!!" TanTan is getting more upset, ¡¯Enough with this usation! I didn¡¯t do anything...¡¯


    ShuangAi examines the situation, then she squats near FangFang and talks to her.


    "FangFang, is that true that your YangMu hurted you? Don¡¯t worry, you can tell me..."


    "No, she doesn¡¯t hurt me...She just pinches my cheeks...but its not hurt! It same like YiFu ever did to me..."


    Aunt Tong didn¡¯t believe what FangFang said, she thought the evil HuaMuTan had threaten FangFang,


    "Don¡¯t be scared, FangEr... Aunt Tong and ShuangAi CieCie here to protect you. This evil woman can¡¯t harm you anymore...You can tell the truth..."


    FangFang is also getting upset for not being believed,


    "I am telling the truth! Pretty CieCie...Aunt Tong, you don¡¯t know!! That Evil Cie Cie has change, she has forgetting the past and be a new CieCie... look! She even gives me this doll!" FangFang shows the doll to anyone.


    ShuangAi and Aunt Tong seems also surprise to find FangFang is so defending HuaMuTan, Aunt Tonges closer to ShuangAi and whispers,


    "Ai Er, I think this evil woman is already trying to influence FangFang with the doll, poor little girl...She is too little to see the evil n behind that doll!"


    ¡¯Now that is already too much!¡¯ TanTan can¡¯t ept usation anymore than that...


    "Listen aunt Tong, either you believe or not, I don¡¯t have any evil n to harm FangFang. Like FangFang did say, I have forgetting the past and change...I don¡¯t want to hurt her anymore..."


    "But, its impossible...People can¡¯t change that easily"


    ShuangAi stops Aunt Tong to debate furthermore...She has examine the situation and decides,


    "Its okay Aunt Tong, I will take care it from here...Why don¡¯t you help me a favor...prepare us your tea in the garden, I love to drink it there.". ShuangAi mentioning a small garden beside the hallway where they are right now.


    "But...is it safe to leave you with that evil woman?"


    "I¡¯m fine. She just recover from her sick, remember? She won¡¯t able to do any harm to me and FangFang...."


    "Very well....if you say so..."


    Then Aunt Tong leaves after giving a warning look to TanTan.


    TanTan still a little upset to this Aunt Tong, but then she realizes there is no point to stay upset. She is now focusing to this ShuangAi, who red to TanTan in aware.


    "I hope you can forgive Aunt Tong...She didn¡¯t really mean it. She just...worry"


    TanTan knows that Aunt Tong was really mean for every her words, its so clear that Aunt Tong still angry and hate HuaMuTan so much but TanTan didn¡¯t want to debate about it. More important is, she is curious about this ShuangAi...does she also hate HuaMuTan, willing to take revenge on her for anything had happened in the past? TanTan feels she must prepare for every possibility that happens like in chinese drama... every drama always has conflict between main female characters, antagonist vs protagonist right?


    "May we sit for a while?" ShuangAi is taking FangFang to sit at the garden rocky chairs. She gestures TanTan to follow and sits with her. Finally TanTan and ShuangAi have settle themselves on the garden seats, while FangFang ys around garden, running forward her favourite wooden swings chair.


    Both of TanTan and ShuangAi are being silent, they actually feel awkward to each another. ShuangAi looks to TanTan, she is first opening the conversation.


    "MuTan Cie, how¡¯s your wound? I am d that you already can walk...that means you have recover a lot"


    TanTan is surprise that not only ShuangAi helps her to calm Aunt Tong before and now she doesn¡¯t questioning about hurting FangFang furthermore. In state, she is asking her condition?


    ¡¯This ShuangAi looks sincere concerning my condition. Is she just being polite or pretending?¡¯ TanTan decided to observes it more.


    "MuTan Cie,...are you okay?" ShuangAi feels nervous when TanTan is not immediately replies her words.


    "Ah...I¡¯m fine.....thank you for your concern...ShuangAi Mei?" TanTan is also feeling nervous, she doesn¡¯t know yet what to say in front of ShuangAi.


    Nevertheless, her words are enough to surprise Shuang Ai more. She res confused and worry to TanTan,


    "Am I saying something odd? You looks so surprise..." TanTan knows that HuaMuTan must be never be kind to ShuangAi before, but she doesn¡¯t want to acts like HuaMutan did in the past. No more evil actions.


    "It just you...are different, MuTanCie You never call my name properly before....are you really okay...?" ShuangAi feels worried, she thinks maybe the condition of Hua MuTan is worse than she thought. The usual HuaMuTan would call her name in anger tone or mocking tone, or she supposed had been rejected just now.


    "I am fine....I am really fine...."


    ShuangAi remembered that FangFang mentioned about forgetting things,


    "MuTanCie, are you really forgetting the past? May I check your pulse?"


    "You can check my pulse?"


    "MuTanCie, it seems you are really has forgotten that I am the best student of my father, Physician Huang? I am ensuring you that my skill is as good as my father."


    At first, TanTan hesitated but seeing ShuangAi¡¯s confident, she finally gives her hand. ShuangAi then acts like a professional physician. She touches TanTan¡¯s right wrist and then presses the pulse.


    ¡¯Okay, this woman is not only pretty and kind but she is also has talent to be a physician. Are you kidding? She is so perfect, no wonder HuaMuTan lose to her. It is a little bit unfair.¡¯


    While TanTan busy with her mind, ShuangAi finishes checking her. She releases TanTan¡¯s hand.


    "Well, what do you get?"


    "The pulse indicates nothing wrong with your inner body, it just weaker. Forgetting past maybe just a temporary effect of the traumatic condition. You need a lot of rest to calm your body MuTanCie .."


    "Oh please no more resting....I have enough resting for days. I am so bore...do you know there were no one who visited me when I rested!"


    ShuangAi shows a regretful face to HuaMuTan,


    "I am so sorry MuTanCie. Actually I hade to visit you couple of times before but LiGe never allow me to meet you. Today I purposely to visit you when I heard that LiGe is called by the *Queen Mother Li to enter the pce. I just want to check the improvement in your healing..."


    ¡¯So shees purposely for me. At first, I thought she was looking for Prince Li.....But wait, the pce? Did Prince Li take XiaoRue to the pce? For what?¡¯ TanTan feels its useless to think about it, she just need to wait and asks Prince Li or XiaoRueter. There is something more seizing her attention,


    ¡¯This ShuangAi...the more I hear the way she talks, I can feel her sincerity to HuaMuTan....But howe? coz she can see that ShuangAi is the main female character in this love story. After all HuaMuTan did to her, how can she not hate HuaMuTan?¡¯. TanTan cannot hold her curiosity any longer, beside there is no other people around them. It may the right time to ask.


    "Why are you so caring to me?"


    ShuangAi surprises, but confuses with the question or more about confuse to answering it precisely. TanTan repeats in another way.


    "I heard that I did many worse things to you in the past. Don¡¯t you hate me?¡¯


    "No....no...I don¡¯t hate you. I never hate you...If you can remember, you will know since beginning, I try my best to be close with you as my sister inw. "


    ¡¯She is telling the truth. In HuaMuTan memories, I could see everytime ShuangAi tried to make peace with HuaMuTan, but HuaMuTan just too blinded with jealousy and always thought that ShuangAi was pretending and stealing Prince Li¡¯s attention.¡¯


    "But...I did evil to you..."


    "I know...I can¡¯t say I am fine with that. But I also understand why you did that...beside this is not really your fault..You did it because you love him too deep... its LiGe¡¯s fault actually."


    "And you don¡¯t love him?"


    "What? Me? No... everyone may see us close to each other, but it just because we have been growing together. My rtionship with LiGe just between a sister and a brother...Please don¡¯t misunderstood it..."


    ¡¯And...that¡¯s why she doesn¡¯t have any grudge and jealousy toward HuaMuTan... So, Prince Li in fact is having an one-sided love, what a pity...They looks perfect to each other.¡¯ TanTan continues,


    "ShuangAi Mei...as you know now I have forgetting things in the past but still I am sorry for everything I¡¯ve done to you. From now I promise with my life that I won¡¯t harm you anymore. If...If possible, can we be friends?"


    ShuangAi so surprised to hear that wordse from HuaMuTan. Usually she was the one who ask.


    "....sure, MuTanCie. I love to..." Although ShuangAi is not sure for how long this forgetting effect willst or HuaMuTan just pretending or not, she feels nothing to lose taking this chance to fix their rtionship.


    "Thanks ShuangAiMei..."


    FangFang suddenes close to them,


    "I rememberr....Pretty CieCie, can we y in the city? Yesterday Aunt Tong said there will be a moon festival tonight....can we go again likest year....pleaseeee"


    "Moon Festival?" Well, it sounds interesting...TanTan likes the modern moon festival so she curious how it held in ancient time.


    "Be patience FangFang, actually CieCie already has a n to ask your YiFu¡¯s permissionter..." She notices HuaMuTan is also extracted,


    "Would youe too, MuTanCie?"


    "Can I?"


    "...bak!!"


    TanTan¡¯s word is interrupted by Aunt Tong who put the set of tea pot and little cups harshly on the table.


    "Prince Li has given clear instruction that you have to rest in your room, Madam...it can be bad if you rpse and be a burden to others..." Clearly TanTan can see the mocking tone in Aunt Tong¡¯s words.


    "Come on Aunt Tong...don¡¯t be like that, don¡¯t worry MuTanCie, I¡¯ll ask LiGeter. Now why don¡¯t we try this special tea made by Aunt Tong. Its very good, you¡¯ll like it .." ShuangAi pours the tea and serves it to TanTan.


    "I doubt it, Ms ShuangAi. As I can remember, Madam ever said that my tea is either too cold or too hot, can¡¯t even be drank at all...isn¡¯t it?"


    ¡¯Well, its HuaMuTan who said it, not me...¡¯ But of course TanTan can¡¯t speak it out so she just silent and drink it. Like ShuangAi said, the tea indeed very tasty.


    "Its really good...may I have another one?"


    Aunt Tong just frowned her eyshes,


    ¡¯What a hypocrite woman...¡¯ she thought but still she pours another one to TanTan.


    *YangMu: adoptive mother, a proper calling.


    *Queen Mother Li: the title for the mother of current King.

 Chapter 12 In Front of QueenMother XiaoRues story

    Lets back to the morning, before TanTan wakes up to see what happened to XiaoRue...


    In the very early morning, XiaoRue opened her eyes in her tiny and simple room. Her room is actually just a small room that used to be an abandon room. It is smaller than other servants¡¯ bedroom where the servants can sleep together. Since she first arrived with HuaMuTan to Li Mansion till now, actually she was never get any good treatment from Aunt Tong and other servants. They are calling her a fool girl coz at first, they ever offered her to be their side, which mean not obeying HuaMuTan anymore. But how could she? XiaoRue had regarded HuaMuTan as her own sister, who grown up together. She won¡¯t betray her own sister. But the consequence she gets is being ignored and treated harshly by other servants.


    The condition of her room was actually very poor but she neverint nor reported to HuaMuTan. Beside HuaMuTan was also never care nor asking about XiaoRue¡¯s condition.


    But there is another reason why she didn¡¯t tell, if she told HuaMuTan about her room condition then her XiaoCie would punish all servants and forced them to give a big room and special treatment for her. XiaoRue didn¡¯t want that, because it just made the situation with other servants became worse. She just satisfy with what she has right now.


    As her habit, she opened the window, patted her face and then shouted loudly to her self.


    "Ciayooooo XiaoRue....Remember this day is also a blessingggg...Do your besttt okayyy"


    Behind the door close to the window, someone couldn¡¯t hold hisugh hearing XiaoRue¡¯s shout.


    "Who¡¯s there?" XiaoRue surprised and felt embarrased with theugh. She immediately opened the door.


    ManQi was standing there, smiled to XiaoRue,


    "What an unique way to start a day, Ms XiaoRue..."


    "You....how shameful, are you peeking on me?" XiaoRue couldn¡¯t stop her face to be red instantly.


    "I am not!...I just want to knock your door before i hear your shouting..."


    "Why do youe here anyway?"


    "Prince Li asks me to pick you up. Come on..."


    "Wait...I¡¯ll call XiaoCie first..."


    "No need....Prince Li just want to meet you only...let¡¯s go..." ManQi just pulled her hand tightly and go with her.


    XiaoRue couldn¡¯t say anything because she was distracted with the hands...once again this man didn¡¯t care with the manners, ¡¯how can he easily hold a maiden¡¯s hand just like that?¡¯ XiaoRue felt her heart beats became messy again while they kept walking till the lobby of the mansion where Prince Li had waited for them.


    "Master, XiaoRue is here..." Finally ManQi released XiaoRue¡¯s hand and reported to Prince Li politely.


    "Prince Li..." XiaoRie bowed down to greet Prince Li politely.


    "Stand up XiaoRue... Right now I need you toe with me to the pce..."


    XiaoRue blinked her eyes, ¡¯The pce?....but why?¡¯


    "Queen Mother has hearing about ShuangAi and requesting me toe and exin her condition, I need you to help me telling Queen Mother exactly what happened in the road when we returned to Li Mansionst time. She needs to hear it from a reliable witness. But I warn you, XiaoRue...don¡¯t say anything nonsense in front of Queen Mother or you will lose your head easily... Do you understand?"


    XiaoRue gulped, she bowed and answered nervously,


    "Yes, Prince Li. XiaoRue understood..."


    "Okay, let¡¯s go..."


    Prince Li ride on his own horse and also Manqi on his own horse.


    ¡¯Oh, not again...¡¯ XiaoRue knew where she should sit on but she hesitated, rememberedst time she felt weird about it. ManQi offered his hand to help XiaoRue up to the horse.


    "Ride with ManQi, XiaoRue....and don¡¯t left behind...let¡¯s go..." Prince Li ordered clearly so XiaoRue couldn¡¯t disobeyed it, she epted ManQi¡¯s hand and sit behind him. As the horse started run, XiaoRue instantly held ManQi¡¯s waist tightly again.


    This was actually not the first time XiaoRue entered the pce. As a personal servant of HuaMuTan, she often apanied HuaMuTan to meet Queen Mother. It is because HuaMuTan¡¯s mother, Li ShuiXian was a princess before, a daughter of Queen Mother so technically HuaMuTan is the granddaughter of Queen Mother. And that¡¯s why Queen Mother is so fond to HuaMuTan, she was the one in HuaMuTan¡¯s persuasion, asked the king to give a marriage decree between HuaMuTan and Prince Li. But after the marriage, Queen Mother heard a lot of unpleasant story from HuaMuTan about how Prince Li didn¡¯t treat her well and so she became having bad impression about this Prince Li.


    This time also, after hearing the ident that HuaMuTan got, she thought it was Prince Li¡¯s deed, so she called him to scold him about it or maybe to punish himter.


    Arrived at the front of the room of Queen Mother, XiaoRue didn¡¯t dare to look directly, so she just bowed her head, and seeing the floor following Prince Li while Manqi was outside, waiting.


    The eunuch announced their arrival,


    "Prince Li and XiaoRue, the servant ask permission to enter the room...."


    "Let them in..."


    Getting permission to enter, Prince Li entered and then greeted Queen Mother properly together with XiaoRue.


    "*Queen GrandMother..."


    "You arrived, Prince Li... I think you how why I call you toe... I have heard that My MuTan had a unfortunate incident, is that right? She just escaped from the death but then be attacked when you picked her home??? I want you to tell what happened exactly!"


    "Queen GrandMother, I believed you had heard everything, but I feel you will be more satisfy to hear from this XiaoRue, you may recoqnize her as the personal servant of HuaMuTan..."


    Queen Mother looked to XiaoRue, she examined her...


    "Oyeah...you are right. She is MuTan¡¯s personal servant. Quick, tell me what happened to my MuTan...tell me everything..." Hearing Queen Mothermanded her, XiaoRue immediately retell the situation when they were being attacked as best as she can remember.


    She told in detail, almost everything but the only thing she didn¡¯t tell was the time when Prince Li came and threaten HuaMuTan the day before the attack. She knew she would be killed right away by Prince Liter if she told about it.


    After finish hearing from XiaoRue, Queen Mother seemed pale and shivered,


    "My MuTan....got a big scar on her back? and nowying weak... Oooh how terrible....poor girl, My MuTan... Eunuch PO..." the eunuch that be called immediately enter and ready to take themand, "Hurry, sent the best physician and medicine to Li Mansion, give it to HuaMuTan..."


    Prince Li responded about it,


    "Thank you for your kindness, Queen GrandMother...Please be ensure, Physician Huang had treat her and I ensured you that I¡¯ll do my best to cure her scar."


    But the words of Prince Li on the contrary, made QueenMother angry and scolded Prince Li,


    "You bet you should, Prince Li!! Look what she had sacrificed to you... She even didn¡¯t care about her life for you and you....you still not grateful to have such a good and faithful wife...you didn¡¯t protect her well...like before, do you really want to make her die again and again???"


    Prince Li felt furious in his heart to hear that words, he clenched his fist hardly but then he still kneeled down, asked forgiveness,


    "Queen GrandMother, you¡¯re right! This is my fault! I failed to be a good husband that HuaMuTan wants. Please forgive me..."


    QueenGrandMother sighed, and then she allowed Prince Li to stand up.


    "Arise...Even though I want so badly to punish you, but I had promised to MuTan to release you as long she still alive and be your wife. But from now, I want you to be more careful and give your best to take care MuTan and protect her. I want MuTan recovers soon and then both of you muste to visit me immediately...If I hear any unpleasant rumour again about your marriage, I will ask the King to punish you and all people in Li Mansion, is that clear?"


    "...Yes, QueenGrandMother. I understood. Thank you for your forgiveness...."


    "Now go....I am so tired, you better go home and apany your wife... and XiaoRue, you also need to take care your XiaoCie very well. I¡¯ll granted you rewardster for your good works"


    "Thank You, Your highness..." XiaoRue bowed properly.


    Prince Li stood up and went out in mad mood, passed ManQi silently while XiaoRue who followed him hurry ended bumped to ManQi¡¯s back.


    "Auch..."


    "What happened? Was Queen Mother scolded Master again?" ManQi asked XiaoRue but he didn¡¯t expect to be answered because he was not surprised, it had happened many times, mostly because of HuaMuTan, reported bad about Prince Li. But not only toward QueenMother, Prince Li was never get good mood after meeting almost all royal family in the pce. So ManQi gave a sign to XiaoRue to walk a little fsr from Prince Li, giving him space to calm down.


    The pce is really huge, so it takes time to get their horse to go home. They must walked for a while, passing some ces of pce. Usually Prince Li would calm him down while walking to the gate. In the middle of their way, they heard a voice called Prince Li loudly,


    "*Qi WangGe...."


    Prince Li turns around, and he recognize the person who approached them as his step sister, Princess XiXi, the younger sibling of Third Prince. She looked so beautiful with her mixed pink and white long sutra dress.


    "Xixi..."


    ManQi and XiaoRue were also greeted her properly but then they just silent and stood backward far behind Prince Li and Princess XiXi,


    "QiWangGe....i am d to see you! I thought I am toote... I hear that Queen GrandMother called you, are you okay?"


    Princess Xixi was a big supporter for the rtionship between Prince Li and ShuangAi. So she also knows about HuaMuTan and she is very hatred to HuaMuTan,


    "Too bad that evil woman still alive....I heard that she even escaped from death twice....maybe she is indeed a monster?"


    "Xixi...howe you say that? Was it you? The one that ordered the killers to attack HuaMuTan?" Prince Li felt suspicious, knowing that this Princess XiXi is a free-spirited person, who dare to do malicious things sometimes.


    "No, unfortunately its not, QiWangGe.... You know my brother won¡¯t let me to do it even though I want to do it so badly..."


    ¡¯That¡¯s right...this mischievous princess still have a cautious brother, the third Prince LiFengEr¡¯


    "Are youing with *SanWangGe?"


    "Yes, he is busy with *FuWang... I am so bore so I just take a walk around and wait them to finish their business."


    "Oh, is that so..." But Prince Li felt a little odd that the king called Third prince to talk. The king seldom calls the princes just to talk, usually he calls to give important tasks, but mostly he asks the crown prince to do it. Beside any princes including him knows so well not to trigger any alertness of little dragon (the calling for the crown prince) by taking any the king¡¯s attention. The deceased second prince has bes a good example of it. Maybe he should check itter and warn the third Prince?


    "Well, I better to return to Li Mansion now. But XiXi, can you tell San WangGe, that I want to talk with himter?"


    "Sure, QiWangGe... how about I¡¯ll ask San WangGe to visit your Mansionter? I am also want to meet FangFang..."


    "It would be better...thanks Xixi..."


    They greeted each others and then Prince Li with ManQi and XiaoRue walked away.


    Princess Xixi was still watching them walking away while in her mind, she was thinking how pity is QiWangGe to have such an evil wife... she remembered how hard she tried to stop the bad influence of HuaMuTan toward GreatQueenMother but she failed because HuaMuTan was so cunning and good in pretending. In other side, she likes QiWangGe so much and always hoping that QiWangGe can having a better wife like ShuangAi... oh how she adore ShuangAi Cie...pretty and smart yet very humble, so opposite with that evil HuaMuTan. Nevertheless, she is still not giving up her dream to unite her dream couple.


    "Let¡¯s see HuaMuTan...I will save QiWangGe and ShuangAi from your evil hand... If not, then my name is not Princess LiXiXi..." then she turned away.


    *Queen GrandMother: a proper calling from the children of the current King to the QueenMother.


    *Qi WangGe: seventh brother, called by royal siblings.


    *San WangGe: third brother, called by royal siblings.


    *FuWang: a proper calling from princes and princesses to their father, the current king.

 Chapter 13 The Unforgotten Moon Festival 1

    For a next couple of hours, TanTan keeps talking with ShuangAi, sometimes in the middle of the time, they are ying with FangFang while Aunt Tonges and goes for couple times checking them ,


    ¡¯This Aunt Tong is really like a jail watcher¡¯, TanTan thought.


    In their conversation, mostly TanTan is the one who asking the history between ShuangAi and Prince Li¡¯s childhood coz TanTan wants to understand more about this Prince Li so she can figure out how to handle himter. ording to ShuangAi, she first met Prince Li when she was as big as FangFang, around 7 years old. At that time, Prince LiZhouWei¡¯s mother just passed away and it traumatized the little Prince Li so his father Physician Huang decided to treat the prince at home.


    ShuangAi remembered the first time Prince didn¡¯t want to talk at all. When ShuangAi tried to force him talk, she ended by getting a bite on her hand by the little Prince Li.


    "Really? He bit you?"


    "That¡¯s my mistake actually, he brought a dirty flower straw with him and I force to take it from him."


    "a flower straw?" TanTan confuses why kind of a flower straw...


    "Thats right, a flower straw...its a childhood game actually... we create things like a flower shape from a dry straws..."


    "I can make it!" FangFang excited to give her idea, she immediately take any dry straw she can get from the ground, in coincidences there are some ln the ground. FangFang then sits between thedies and with her little hands, she quickly morphs the straw into a flower shape.


    "Here...for YangMu" She gives to TanTan,


    "Wow, thanks, FangFang...you are good. How do you do that?" TanTan observes the flower straw she got, it looks simple but have a lot of foldings...


    "YiFu taught me...I¡¯ll make another one for Pretty CieCie.." FangFang then search for another dry straw.


    ShuangAiughs a little, it makes her looks more beautiful.


    "Yes, that is exactly what I saw in the past...See, MuTan Cie...only because this thing, he bit my hand hardly and cause Father scolded me...what a poor I am right?"


    And then ShuangAi continued telling their growing up memories. As the little ShuangAi never gave up to be always close to the little Prince Li. Finally the little prince Li opened his heart and started to treat ShuangAi nicely and even he often protected ShuangAi from wild animals when they yed together in a wood. One time, it ended badly, the little Prince Li got hurt badly and it made ShuangAi felt so guilty to him. Since that ShuangAi started to study medicine to his father more seriously, she wanted to able treated his brother incase they were in danger again. TanTan listened and imagined all those thing like watching a short movie.


    "Now I seem know why this Prince Li can fall in love with ShuangAi, she was so sincerely nice to him since they were little. I wonder why ShuangAi didn¡¯t fall on him too. They can be the best couple like in the love drama has...¡¯


    At the end, TanTan gives her opinion sincerely,


    "Its really really a sweet memory" TanTan can see how deep the rtionship of this brother sister have. As TanTan just a single daughter of her parents, she never feels how to grown up with a brother, so she quite envy but she is also thinking ¡¯If HuaMuTan is here right now, I bet she already pissed off with her jealousy¡¯


    "MuTan Cie, I am sorry... I must be make you bore with all my stories..."


    "No...no..I was the one who force you to tell...its good to hear more about you and Prince Li..."


    "Listen MuTan Cie, I told you my story with LiGe so you know sometimes it takes time to get closer with LiGe, be patience...you are his wife now...I believe one day he will open his heart to you..."


    ¡¯This ShuangAi still thinking that I am in love with that prince Li...how can I exin? and even though I did exin, then what? Can she help to return me to my time? maybe...i just need to try...¡¯


    "I don¡¯t think I like your brother anymore..."


    "Is it because you forget the past? Don¡¯t worry, like I said...its can be just temporary, you¡¯ll remember soon"


    "No...I mean ShuangAi...I won¡¯t remember again coz I..actually..I came from..."


    Suddenly they heard loud crying not so far from them, FangFang seems felt down with all her front body on the ground because she stomped on a small rock.


    "Huaaahh Huaahh" there are bleeding scratches over her shoulders and ankles...FangFang must felt down hardly.


    ShuangAi and TanTan immediately run to her, ShuangAi acts like physician right away, she kneeled down to check FangFang,


    "Are you okay, FangFang. Let me check your wound...don¡¯t cry..."


    While TanTan just standing watching behind them, she feels that better let ShuangAi who more expert in medicine to handle it.


    "HUA.MU.TAN !!!!"


    A scary loud voice is scolding her name sharply, TanTan shocked to hear it, but then sighed, ¡¯It happens again, isn¡¯t¡¯ it?Oh please, this is already the third time...¡¯


    The owner of the voice, Prince Li with his anger face rushesing to them, followed by Aunt Tong, XiaoRue and Manqi, who look worry.


    ¡¯This time I won¡¯t let him p me like before...¡¯


    And at that moment Prince Li wants to p her. TanTan yells to him fiercely like instructing a fierce doberman to obey.


    "STOP!!" She stared fiercely to Prince Li. It makes Prince Li really stops (^_^¡¯)


    "Don¡¯t you have to check first what is going on here before you judge someone wrongly?!"


    "YOU CLEARLY MADE MY DAUGHTER CRYING AGAIN, WHAT SHOULD I CHECK AGAIN...if I am not rushing to here after Aunt Tong told me, you might already hurt ShuangAi too right?!" used Prince Li, there is no even a little bit of mercy in his words. He just kept staring to TianTian with anger. But TianTian didn¡¯t back off, she stared back fiercely to him. The others around can feel the tension, they don¡¯t dare to say anything.


    "Li Ge...calm down...its not what you think..." ShuangAi stands up, after making sure there is no severe wounds on FangFang, she asks Aunt Tong to take care of FangFang and approaches Prince Li. She feels need to clear the situation. But Prince Li seems didn¡¯t want to hear it as he has being controlled by his anger. TanTan is also upset for the usation.


    "WHY DON¡¯T YOU LISTEN TO SHUANGAI MEI...SHE¡¯LL TELL YOU THE TRUTH EITHER I HURT FANGFANG OR NOT!"


    Prince Li wrinkles his eyebrows,


    ¡¯ShuangAi Mei? Why does she call her so chummy?¡¯


    Prince Li then notices ShuangAi had a worry look to him. He holds her hands,


    "ShuangMei, are you okay?"


    TanTan rolles her eyes,


    ¡¯This prince is giving too different treat between me and ShuangAi. He doesn¡¯t ask the problem to her directly but asking her condition first. What a fool love blinded man!¡¯


    ShuangAi is also notfort with being asked so gentle in front of HuaMuTan, usually this can be the reason to increase HuaMuTan¡¯s hatred toward her so she detaches Prince Li¡¯s hand, and acts formally,


    "I am fine LiGe...actually nothing really happened here. FangFang just stomped by herself, but nothing serious with her wounds. You have false used MuTan Cie."


    Prince Li seems not satisfy with the exnation. He nces to TanTan and then pulls ShuangAi a little bit far from TanTan, while XiaoRue takes the moment to approach TanTan as well.


    Prince Li tries to talk softly to ShuangAi, unfortunately it is clear enough for everyone to hear, including TanTan.


    "Why are you here, ShuangMei? Had I not told you, not toe visit her alone anymore."


    "Well, everytime I came here dan asked you to apany me visiting MuTan Cie, LiGe, you always make reasons to reject it."


    "Oh, ShuangMei...Doesn¡¯t you see why I did that ??? Don¡¯t say that you forget what had she done to you? You put yourself in danger by meeting with that woman...I don¡¯t want you to be harmed again !! Its fortune that I am right in time to return home this time...otherwise who knows what might happenedter??"


    Hearing them talking like that, XiaoRue knows she must to her best to diverts her XiaoCie¡¯s attention before another explosion of war will ur.


    "XiaoCie...XiaoCie...are you okay? You look pale, why don¡¯t we just return to your room and having rest...I¡¯ll prepare your favourite snack..." But her n doesn¡¯t work as TanTan immediately interrupting her,


    "Ssstt, XiaoRue...be quiet!"


    TanTan is wondering how ShuangAi reacts, she should exining her innocent right? Well ,that if she doesn¡¯t misjudge ShuangAi...


    As TanTan expected, ShuangAi answers to Prince Li,


    "LiGe...you are totally wrong here. MuTan Cie didn¡¯t harm me and won¡¯t be anymore....She...has changes, we are friends now..."


    "Friends? ShuangMei,... I don¡¯t believe she wants to be your friend for nothing.. please don¡¯t be too naive...!!"


    "LiGe!! Enough, it looks difficult to talk with you consciously right now..." ShuangAi turns walking to Tan Tan who looks confuse. ShuangAi folds her hands around TanTan¡¯s hand, pulls her precisely to leave the garden.


    "Come, MuTan Cie....Let¡¯s us just go and prepare for our tonight stroll."


    "What??!! Wait, where will you going tonight??" Prince Li sudden blocks their way and demands more exnations.


    "Go away, Li Ge. I and MuTanCie has nning to go walk around city tonight for the moon festival..."


    "Moon fest...WHAT??!! Who gives you both permission to do that?! No, I forbid that...this woman can¡¯t go out even one step from this house!" Prince Li gives his clearmand which triggers TanTan¡¯s anger, ¡¯I am clearly a prisoner here ! How dare he decide it!¡¯


    "I am not your prisoner...as far I know I am just your unwilling wife so why do you want to keep me here?!" TanTan can¡¯t hold anymore not to satirize Prince Li for what he said just now.


    "MuTan Cie, don¡¯t say that...I believe LiGe just need time to realizing his mistakes...during that, why don¡¯t we enjoy ourselves in tonight festival, right?"


    Prince Li just silent, he doesn¡¯t respond rush this time,


    ¡¯This HuaMuTan! What kind of spell she had whispered to ShuangAi till she so plump to her...it can¡¯t be continue like this...but...¡¯ Prince Li knows how stubborn ShuangAi can be if she had make a mind about something, its hard to change her mind...so if he keeps forbid them, maybe they still will go behind his back.


    "Fine...you may go!" ShuangAi reacts happily but Prince Li interrupts her react "...But with one condition..."


    "What is that?" TanTan asks curiously.


    "I¡¯lle with you tonight!"


    And then both of thedies give different reactions in the same time.


    ShuangAi feels happy more,


    "Its a good idea...."


    But TanTan feels unhappy,


    "No way....!!!"


    Prince Li looks to her sharply,


    "You have an objection if Ie, HuaMuTan?" Prince continued his words in his mind,


    ¡¯Maybe because your evil n will not sess if I go along?Hah, I won¡¯t let you...¡¯


    ShuangAi also asks her confusedly,


    "Its okay, MuTan Cie...the more is merrier right? We all can enjoy the festival together..."


    TanTan felt troubled, she doesn¡¯t want to be apanied by a man who clearly hate her radically, it will totally ruin the mood. She is really willing to have a peaceful night to be enjoyedter. But if she say no, this prince Li might not even letting her go, and maybe it will make ShuangAi gloomy also.


    ShuangAi observes the worry face of TanTan, she whispers to TanTan to ease her as she guesses what makes that kind of face on TanTan.


    "Don¡¯t worry MuTan Cie, I won¡¯t bother both of you. I¡¯ll take FangFang to go along with meter and leave you both alone..."


    ¡¯No, please don¡¯t!¡¯ TanTan shakes her head but ShuangAi just smiles and nods her head as it has been settled that way.


    "Okay, LiGe...MuTan Cie has agree...so lets we enjoy the festival together tonight!"


    TanTan then nces to XiaoRue who stands behind her, and speaks softly to her,


    "XiaoRue, please never leave meter..."


    "I won¡¯t, XiaoCie." XiaoRue answers steadily.


    ¡¯Very well. At least she will have XiaRue to apany her. She can just ignore this Prince and still enjoying the nightter.¡¯

 Chapter 14 The Unforgotten Moon Festival 2

    Time flies as like that. The sky has turns into orange and then red and then be dark as the night hase. As the recement of daylight, people in the BaoZhi town have put a lot ofnterns around the town. The road merchants have prepare their things to be sold. There arenterns, sugar candy, jewelry and many else to look. Some entertainers are also ready to show their unique shows, from eating fire until dancing on the thin rope..all ready to celebrate the moon festival tonight. Soon there are so many peoplee to enjoy the festival, including our story characters.


    Prince Li is apanied with ManQi like usual, TanTan with XiaoRue and ShuangAi is holding FangFang¡¯s hand, walking before others. This BaoZhi town is a small province region which is in Prince Li¡¯s authority. So every person who passing by with Prince Li, will greet him dan TanTan politely. People in the town love their humble prince and also they knows his famous wife, HuaMuTan. But this is the first time they see HuaMuTan, coz the past HuaMuTan would never want to walk around town like amon folk. She prefers to enjoy the moon festival in the luxury ces like in the pce if possible. People heard the rumours of course, that¡¯s why everytime TanTan walks passing some people, they would nce to her, and whisper to each other...


    "I heard she is wounded coz she had a lot of enemies..."


    "Is it true she is a living ghost? They said she came back from the death...."


    "They walk together?! Is that means that woman sess sways our Prince? Do you think she uses some kind of spell?"


    XiaoRue who can hear some of the words nces to HuaMuTan with very worry. In the past, no one dared to talk bad about HuaMuTan around her, either in her own house or in the pce because they knew the consequences and also they afraid to her background supporter, the great QueenMother. Hua MuTan was also never let anyone who talked bad about her goes easily, she would asked the soldier immediately to catch the person who talked. But these people don¡¯t know, so XiaoRue are too afraid for what will happenter. She nces again to HuaMuTan.


    TanTan in the other hand, tries to enjoy the moment. She admires the traditional decoration and many things around. When she looks around, she is also reminiscing her childhood. When she was 7 years old, her mother ever brought her to a traditional market on the moon festival¡¯s night. It was just a month after the death of her father. After weeks of sorrow and sadness because of their lost, TanTan¡¯s Mom decided to rise the life up again and took TanTan to celebrate it.


    "Mommy, why do we have to celebrate a moon festival?" As a child, the little TanTan was a curious little girl.


    TanTan¡¯s Mom smiles sad looking to her,


    "It said that there was a very beautiful godness lived in the moon named Chang¡¯Er. She was separated from her lovely husband who stays on earth. So she was always sad, especially today.


    When the moon is round and bright, ChangEr could see what happens on the earth and then became so sad because she couldn¡¯t find her husband anymore...so we cheer her up by having this festival...that¡¯s why we celebrate it happily every year, TanTan."


    "Will it really make Chang¡¯Er happy?" Little TanTan asked while she stared to the moon seriously.


    "Of course she will..."


    "But it also can make Mom happy again so I think its okay to celebrate it everyday"


    It surprised her Mom. She carries Little TanTan and kisses her gently,


    "Sure TanEr...but it will be more valuable if we celebrate it once a year, beside our teeth will be ache if we eat the moon cake every day..."


    Little TanTan giggles to hear it...


    Meanwhile Prince Li is in opposite mood, he doesn¡¯t enjoy the moment at all. He focus looking ShuangAi and FangFang, concerning about their safety. Both of them are his most beloved persons, he would do anything to protect them. When ShuangAi and FangFangugh and smile to each other, he also smiles seeing that.


    "YiFu..YiFu...look!! Sugar candy...can I have two?" FangFang shouts in front of sugar candy seller, the candies have many interesting shapes, there are people, animals and nts shapes. It mesmerizes FangFang¡¯s eyes, and also ShuangAi¡¯s.


    "LiGe, MuTan Cie, which one do you want?"


    Prince Li right away approaches FangFang and ShuangAi, he joins to pick the candy shapes and smiles with them.


    When TanTan sees Prince Li smiles, she feels a little surprise, because Prince Li never smiles in front of her,


    ¡¯He is actually quite handsome when he smiles¡¯. TanTan observes the chemistry between those three people, ¡¯They look exactly like a happy little family... HuaMuTan...HuaMuTan, you actually don¡¯t have any chance since the beginning. Why would you ruin their happiness? Is that why I am here now? to fix your mistake and help them together?¡¯ If I do that, will I return to my time and meet my Mom again?¡¯


    XiaoRue right now is beyond worry. She can see the sadness look on her XiaoCie, and afraid HuaMuTan couldn¡¯t hold her anger explosion any longer like in the past, so she must tries to divert her XiaoCie¡¯s attention.


    "XiaoCie...XiaoCie...look" She points to other direction, to antern seller, "Lets buynterns and make our wishes!"


    "Yeah, its a good idea...lets go"


    TanTan looks to ManQi who silently walks close to them since beginning, she knows he is with them as Prince Li¡¯s order to watch over them,


    "Do you want toe?"


    "He doesn¡¯t need toe, XiaoCie! Doesn¡¯t he have to protect Prince Li? We will be fine by our own..."


    Somehow TanTan can feel XiaoRue is feeling unease around this ManQi.


    "I¡¯ll tell Master first"


    "Okay" Its not matter, because TanTan knows that the Prince won¡¯t care about them. TanTan and XiaoRue take a walk first


    ManQi immediately approaches and whispers to Prince Li. Prince Li nces to TanTan n XiaoRue who have walking away tontern seller.


    "Go...keep eyes on them"


    ManQi does the instruction right away, he follows TanTan and XiaoRue who just bought thenterns and now they are directing to the hill side town, TanTan chooses a high spot, close to the woods. There is no one else so they can have they private moment to fly up thenterns far from othernterns.


    TanTan and XiaoRue starts to write their wishes on thentern,


    XiaoRue write:


    "Wishing a peaceful life and a true handsome soulmate"


    ManQi secretly nces to the writing, he can¡¯t hold hisughs. XiaoRue hears it and stares sharply to him.


    "What areughing about?"


    "No..nothing¡¯


    XiaoRue notices that ManQi infact also bought his ownntern and had wrote his wishes on it.


    "Its not fair if you see mine. Let me see yours.."


    "No, I am afraid its a secret..."


    But XiaoRue doesn¡¯t give up, she tries to reach thentern while ManQi tries to prevent thentern without harming XiaoRue, even so he lets XiaoRue keep trying.


    While TanTan checks what she has written on herntern before fly it, She doesn¡¯t realize that some one behind her is also reading the writing.


    He recites it, "Wishing to back in right time, too see my beloved Mom again"


    TanTan surprises, she turns around and see a noble old man smiles to her. TanTan feels the man is so familiar, she ever see him in somewhere...


    "I¡¯m sorry if I am surprising you, Young Lady."


    ¡¯He calls me ¡¯Young Lady¡¯¡¯? Why his voice sounded familiar.. Ah...right I saw him in the funeral, he was the one who suggested Grandma to dismiss the people...Grandma called him...ugh I can¡¯t remember...but Grandma listened to him. He must be someone so close to Hua Family.¡¯


    Seeing TanTan gives him a confusing look, the noble old man guesses her mind.


    "It seems you are still forgetting things, Young Lady. Let me introduce my self, I am Hua FouQi...."


    ¡¯The surname ¡¯Hua¡¯? That means...¡¯


    "Uncle...FouQi?" She guesses.


    "You remember, aah, that¡¯s a good sign. I see you are almost healedpletely. How¡¯s your wound?"


    HuaFouQi smiles. His eyes almost closedpletely when he smiles. It reminds TanTan to an earth god statue that she saw in the book.


    "Thanks for uncle¡¯s concern...Its almost full recover now..." TanTan feels nervous.


    ¡¯How close is he and HuaMuTan actually? Does he realize something?¡¯


    "I also miss your Mom, MuTan...She was a beautiful and smart woman I ever met. She has gone for a long time but I still can see her in you." He smiles to TanTan.


    TanTan smiles back to show her manner. Compared than HuaMuTan¡¯s aunt MeiGui, this uncle FouQi looks more hospitable to her. There is no cynic nor hatred in his words.


    ¡¯Its not bad...at least HuaMuTan, there is a kind uncle and caring Grandma for you. You should grateful for who you have than greedily want someone you can¡¯t have.¡¯


    "May I help you to light it on? I want to pray for your wishes also...considering it as my prayer for your Mom also..."


    "Sure, Uncle..."


    Then they start to light thentern together. From far, ManQi look to them seriously, he stops teasing XiaoRue and leaves hisntern to her,


    "XiaoRue, keep your eyes on your XiaoCie..."


    "Wait...what?"


    ManQi just leave her in puzzled. But she noticed HuaFouQi standing with TanTan, and she wonders what they are talking about.


    Back to ShuangAi and Prince Li,


    As soon as ManQi leaves to follow TanTan and XiaoRue. ShuangAi and FangFang are enjoying the road show, then ShuangAi notices the absence of them right away. She looks around to find TanTan, but she can¡¯t find her so she asks to Prince Li,


    "Li Ge, where is MuTan Cie?"


    "She is with XiaoRue, strolling around maybe". Prince Li answers shortly. He doesn¡¯t really care, as long that evil woman doesn¡¯t giving any trouble to ShuangAi and FangFang; actually he really doesn¡¯t want to do anything with HuaMuTan.


    Now ShuangAi feels regret not noticing soon. She stared judging him,


    "But LiGe, you should apany her..."


    "Don¡¯t worry, ManQi is with them. They will be fine!"


    "Its not about the danger...LiGe ...you are really heartless...Let¡¯s go FangFang, we find your YangMu..."


    "But I still want to watch..."


    At that time, ManQi has returns and reports about HuaFouQi. Prince Li¡¯s face suddenly changes and then he stops ShuangAi to persuade FangFang anymore,


    "Alright ShuangMei. I¡¯ll go there to pick up HuaMuTan. You stay here with FangFang." Prince Li nods to ManQi, instructing him to watch over ShuangAi and FangFang. Then he goes leaving them.


    ShuangAi feels safisty that Prince Li decides to pursue MuTan Cie. She is hoping everything will going well between both of them.


    Right when TanTan just lights on thentern with HuaFuoQi, Prince Li came suddenly and grabs thentern. He stares angrily to TanTan and also to HuaFouQi.


    TanTan can¡¯t believe what just happened, stares back to him.


    "What did you do! Give me back myntern!"


    HuaFuoQi is also surprised but he manages to keep calm and then greet Prince Li politely,


    "Prince LiZhouWei, its a honor to meet you here"


    Prince Li epts the greet and tries to talk normally, but he keep stares sharply to HuaFuoQi.


    "Minister Hua, what a coincidence you here to meet my wife?...Or maybe you both had arranged this meeting?!"


    TanTan doesn¡¯t understand what he have in mind by this question.


    ¡¯Its like he uses me to have a secret meeting with Uncle FouQi? Why?¡¯


    HuaFuoQi stares deeply to Prince Li, he answers slowly, like he is being careful with the words he says.


    "No, Your highness, its purely a coincidence. This old man just came here to enjoying the festival and then met Young Lady Hua who was enjoying writing her wishes on thentern. I was touched with the writing and willing to help her to fly up thentern."


    "Is that so...?" Prince Li checks thentern and read the writings...


    ¡¯back to the right time...what does it means? is it some kind of code?¡¯


    TanTan still upset for herntern sudden be grabbed from her, so she approaches Prince Li and try to grab thentern back.


    "Give me back!"


    "Srettt" Unfortunately Prince Li doesn¡¯t give thentern that easy and that causes some parts of thentern be torn. TanTan widens her eyes and then she throws an anger to Prince Li.


    "LOOK WHAT YOU¡¯VE DONE! YOU RUINS MY LANTERN"


    "Well, if you are not trying to grab it by force from me, it wouldn¡¯t ripped..."


    "YOU...!!!" TanTan is speechless,


    ¡¯Unbelievable....he is clearly did the mistake but not even a single sorryes from his mouth...he is even med me for this...¡¯


    "Please calm down, Young Lady Hua. I¡¯ll prepare the newntern for you..."


    "No....no need uncle Hua, thank you...but I am not in the mood to light on anotherntern..."


    "Since your loyal uncle here want to give you a newntern, why don¡¯t let him be? Right, Minister Hua?"


    TanTan can hear the cynical in his words, which it makes her feels weird.


    TanTan feels Prince Li is not only angry to her but also to this uncle FuoQi, do he has any grudge to uncle Fuoqi personally, or maybe he just not friendly to all Hua family¡¯s members. No matter what, TanTan doesn¡¯t want to give any trouble to this kind uncle she just meet.


    "Please leave us Uncle, let me talk to Prince Li alone..."


    "... very well, if that what you want, MuTan. But don¡¯t hesitate toe to me if you need any help. If you can remember, I always help you to get what you want before..." And that thest words from Uncle Hua, he greets TanTan and Prince Li politely before he leaves.


    HuaFouQi is also passing XiaoRue, he instructed XiaoRue not to approach HuaMuTan yet, because HuaMuTan and Prince Li seems want to do a private conversation. Knowing that, XiaoRue just observes both of them from far.


    TanTan turns to Prince Li angrily.


    "What is your problem actually?"


    "My problem?! You know very clear by yourself...What is the meaning ¡¯back to the right time¡¯ Hah? Is that some kind of code that you can use to send another killers to harm ShuangAi?"


    "What? You are truly insane! For many times I said, I won¡¯t hurt ShuangAi anymore...! I am not who I am before...!!"


    "HuaMuTan...stop pretending! I know all that happened in the past, was your n and your uncle...You ever tried to force me with the drug that you got from your uncle, you also tried to poison ShuangAi with another drug which also you got from your uncle!!! Now, you tell me why I should not suspecting another evil n you have when you have meeting with your uncle?!"


    TanTan is speechless,


    ¡¯This man is too paranoid toward HuaMuTan...its useless to talk to him right now...¡¯


    From the far away, they heard ShuangAi and FangFang calling them, they areing from other way. Prince Li doesn¡¯t want to let ShuangAi see the argue, so he just steps closely to TanTan, gives her a cold warning


    "I warn you HuaMuTan...one day I will find the evidence of your evil n and arrest you with your uncle so you will get the punishment that you deserve to have...". Prince Li walks away and directs to ShuangAi and FangFang.


    But TanTan just stands there,


    ¡¯...I know those hatred are being said to HuaMuTan but still....why my heart is hurt?...¡¯ XiaoRue approaches her but TanTan doesn¡¯t have mood to be apanied,


    "Xiao Cie..."


    "Leave me alone, XiaoRue...I need time to be alone..." TanTan walks toward the woods


    "but xiaoCie..." XiaoRue still follows


    "Please XiaoRue...don¡¯te..."


    Xiao Rue stops. She just stands and keep watching TanTan walks away from her.


    The moon is so bright now and manynterns have been flied up, decorating the sky like fire balloons twinkling and dancing in the sky. Everyone give their attention to thenterns and sees thentern happily. Even XiaoRue, influenced by the hrity of the crowd, takes a look to thenterns. But not with TanTan, she stops and then cries, she feels so lonely. In this moment, she is really missing her mom, she squits and then crying,


    "Hik...hik....I want to go home...Mom, tell me what should I do to go home...."


    She pulls out her handkerchief to wipe her tears before she go backter.


    But not far from where TanTan squits, there is a ck shadow on the tree, observing her. This shadow of man wears a ck metal mask to cover almost all his face. Then the mask shadow is noticing a moonlight reflection from swords, it is not only one, but maybe three ck shadows has surrounding TanTan, and its obviously they are nning to kill TanTan. In the right time, when one of them takes action, The mask shadow throws some flying daggers and it sesfully hurting the arm of the one who tried to attack TanTan with his sword till bleeding. The dagger is poisonous, so it stops the movement of the wounded killer.


    Realizing what happened, TanTan puts her body steady and ready to fight, she then tries to avoid any attack from other two ck shadows. But of course it is very hard to defend herself from two expert killers. So when one of the killer almost sess pierces his sword to TanTan, the mask shadow immediately goes down and holds TanTan¡¯s waist tightly as they flies out of the woods. While those two killers pursue them. Because it happens too fast, TanTan doesn¡¯t aware for this mask shadow is her enemy or not. She is also doesn¡¯t realize that her handkerchief has fallen down, leaving a trace of her in the woods.


    XiaoRue who back to check TanTan surprises seeing no one at the ce where HuaMuTan just stood.


    She rushes into the woods and shouting around to find HuaMuTan,


    "Xiaocie....XIAOCIE....XIAOOOCIEEEE"

 Chapter 15 The Unforgotten Moon Festival 3

    Meanwhile when ShuangAi and FangFang approaches Prince Li, she doesn¡¯t see TanTan follows back with the Prince Li.


    "Where is MuTan Cie, why she doesn¡¯te with you, LiGe?"


    "I don¡¯t know and don¡¯t want to know anymore about that woman...let¡¯s go..."


    But ShuangAi scolds Prince Li for leaving HuaMuTan alone there.


    "What are you doing, LiGe? Don¡¯t you remember that MuTan Cie is still wounded, she isn¡¯t recover full yet. Howe you leaves her alone...let me find her now..."


    But FangFang who stands beside them shakes her hand,


    "..Pretty CieCie, I am sleepy, I want to go home..."


    Prince Li feels being cornered by ShuangAi coz she keeps staring to him.


    "Okay...okay....I¡¯ll find her...you takes FangFang home first. Don¡¯t worry about that...HuaMuTan...ok?"


    After instructed ManQi to assist them home and with unwilling, Prince Li back to the hill to pick up HuaMuTan. He sees XiaoRue is in panic, shouting to find HuaMuTan. Prince Li notices something wrong, he rushes to XiaoRue.


    "What happens?"


    "XiaoCie is missing, I only find her handkerchief in the woods..." XiaoRue shows the handkerchief that has became dirty with dirt. Prince Li exams the ground and finds the blood trace. He instructed XiaoRue to go home and tell ManQi toe. Although XiaoRue worries so much and willing to find her XiaoCie, but she knows she can¡¯t do anything except obeying Prince Li so she goes away.


    TanTan and the mask shadow have being out on the other side of opening hill, close to a side of a cliff When he feels safe, the mask shadow releases her. TanTan bes aware and stays away from him.


    "Who are you?!"


    "Seems you have a lot of enemy, HuaMuTan..."


    "You know my name?! Are you also my enemy?"


    "Hmm...it depends..."


    "Depends? depends what??" TanTan is not able to finish the words as the two killers has pursue them and ready to attack them again.


    "Give me a weapon..." TanTan feels she have to fight, the enemies are two, so do they. Two vs two, it will be fair.


    "What weapon?" the mask shadow surprises, he doesn¡¯t expect TanTan want to fight also...


    "Anything...quickly!!" urged TanTan as the enemies are getting close.


    The mask shadow then giving TanTan a short dagger.


    "Thanks..." and then TanTan and the mask shadow finally get their own foe, two by two.


    TanTan in her quick reflex, manages to avoid any attacks, and by using her modern sword fighting style, he also manages to hurt her foe with the dagger. While the mask shadow is easily immobilized his foe. The mask shadow nces many times to TanTan during the fighting, and he feels curious why this HuaMuTan can fight so well, he even surprised more when TanTan sessfully immobilized her foe also, TanTan manages to put her dagger stick to her foe¡¯s neck,


    "Tell me....who sent you to kill me?!" TanTan interrogates the killer but both of the killers decide to kill themselves by biting the poison seed in their mouth.


    TanTan shocks and suddenly she feels pain, it because her back wound has open again, she lost her bnce. The mask shadow grabs her body to stay steady and he concerns about her.


    "Hey, are you okay?"


    At that moment, Prince Li came and with his sword, he attacks the mask shadow who he thinks as part of the killers. The mask shadow manages to avoid the attack but he need to release TanTan. Prince Li catches TanTan with his free arm, hold her steadily.


    The mask shadow makes a distance between them. He takes a step back coz he didn¡¯t want Prince Li to recognize his real identity.


    ¡¯Prince Li is here so she will be fine...its time to go...¡¯ he thinks.


    So he just flies away in the darkness of woods, leaving them both.


    Prince Li is still holding TanTan, both of them seems just realizing how awkward their positions right now. Prince Li immediately lets TanTan go, causing TanTan almost falls but then gains her bnce again.


    Prince Li just nces to TanTan once, then he looks to the woods behind them.


    "Do you know actually who wants your life?"


    ¡¯Not asking how I am at all...what a ¡¯gentleman¡¯...ugh...my back¡¯


    "How do I know?" TanTan presses her pain feeling by turning her body from Prince Li. She walks avoiding Prince Li and noticing that she is standing face to a cliff, her mind is distracted when she looks to the cliff.


    ¡¯Not to deep...but quite scary if we fall down there...¡¯


    "Ah, surely you don¡¯t know, you have forgotten right? But although you don¡¯t forget, I believe you also don¡¯t know which one of your enemies who can¡¯t wait to finish your life, coz they are too many to be counted... well its over for tonight, lets just go back...ShuangAi and FangFang have waiting for us"


    Once again, TanTan feels unease in her heart,


    ¡¯Alright...enough already, its so clear that you hate HuaMuTan! I get it!! But he should know that I¡¯m not that HuaMuTan!!¡¯ TanTan turns around,


    "Listen...I am not...."


    "WATCH OUT"


    Prince Li notices that a dagger is flying toward TanTan. He takes action right away, he try to pull TanTan¡¯s body from the dagger but then the dagger manages to stab his left shoulder. Then therees another raid of the killers ,led by a wounded killer before. Although he got poisoned but as a professional assassin, he can reduce the effect with the antidote he had and now he tries to fulfill his jobpletely by using the same poisonous dagger that attacked him just now, and with his newpany that just arrived before the mask shadow took TanTan away.


    Now Its around five killers ambush Prince Li and TanTan. Prince Li and TanTan try their best to defend, but they are lost in numbers and not in their optimal condition.


    The killers manage to corner them until the edge of the cliff.


    From the killers¡¯ behind, a helpes.


    "Master!!" Its ManQi, he attacks three killers at once. But the other two killers, including the wounded one has focus to attack TanTan and Prince Li. When Prince Li and TanTan can¡¯t hold the attack anymore. To avoid another attack, Prince Li decides better to jump off the cliff to escape. He pulls TanTan¡¯s hand to jump but TanTan is not ready, so it ends with both of their bodies falls and rolls down to the cliff.


    Although ManQi want to save them, he is still busy with other killers. He tries to eliminate the killers sooner so then he can save Prince Li and HuaMuTan.

 Chapter 16 The Unforgotten Moon Festival 4

    Under the cliff, TanTan unconsciously isying down on the ground, with Prince Li on her top. In a few minutester, when TanTan awakes, she feels the her body is pressed heavily. TanTan looks on their top, she realizes that they had fallen into a hole?


    ¡¯Falling from the cliff then falling to the hole? Great!¡¯ No wonder she feels so much pain around everywhere on her body. She is also can feel the warmth of Prince Li¡¯s body and as a maiden, she feels ufort.


    "Get off from me..." She pushes Prince Li out from her, Prince Li groans softly.


    TanTan notices a dagger stabbed on his left shoulder. She instantly regrets to push him as TanTan recites what just happened,


    ¡¯Right, he is stabbed because he protected me...¡¯


    TanTan is not sure either she needs to pull the dagger out or not. She remembers in movie, the actor was ever hurt like this and he pulls it out before can be treated. But it is not a movie, is that right to do?


    But when TanTan is hesitated, Prince Li grabs her hand, he speaks weakly,


    "Pull...pull it...be..careful...its...


    its..poisonous..urggh"


    Prince Li knows it because he can feels the effectse so quick and weaken his body.


    ¡¯He got poisoned...!!!¡¯


    In her past, as a girl scout in her school, TanTan had an experience how to handle the bitting of poisonous snake but a poisonous dagger? Maybe not too different?


    *gulp, TanTan is pulling the dagger carefully but quick,


    "Arghhh..." the Prince Li, the fresh cky bloodes out from his shoulder. TanTan immediately pulls out Prince Li¡¯s shirt.


    "Wha..what do...you??" Prince Li surprised but he feels weak to object her.


    "Calm down...you must calm down so the poison will not spreading quickly. I am checking your wound."


    TanTan rips her below cloth long enough to cover the wound area,


    Prince Li just silent and letting TanTan wrapping his bare shoulder, he observes the way she folds the cloth, its quite good and it likes not the first time she had done it. But what makes he feels weird mostly that she doesn¡¯t look disgusted with the blood? He remembers in the past, the arrogant HuaMuTan was disgusted with blood. She even didn¡¯t want to cook by herself because she didn¡¯t want to touch the dead fish which still had the blood. And also she is willing to rip her own cloth?? The past Hua MuTan would never do that, her appearance is the priority for her no matter in what situation be.


    "Is HuaMuTan really has changed? She is too different than HuaMuTan I know..."


    Prince Li asks in his mind.


    After TanTan finishes wrapping the wound, she notices that Prince Li keeps staring to her. She stares back to him. In a few second, they looks into their each other eyes. Somehow TanTan feels shy in her heart and so she stands, looking around beside the Prince Li.


    "We...we can¡¯t stay here...the poison must be cleaned immediately and you must get treatment....I wish that ShuangAi is here...She will know how to treat you..."


    "ShuangAi...urghh" As he puts on his cloth back slowly, he thinks,


    ¡¯Ah, yeah ShuangAi and FangFang are still worrily waiting for them at home...Hate to admit but HuaMuTan is right, we must move...¡¯


    TanTan walks around to check where they are, it looks like some kind of a cave. But she can feels the flow of wind so there is must be some way out here. She looks at Prince Li¡¯s condition and she also feels pain again on her back, assuming her wound might opened because of the falling.


    "Can you walk?"


    Prince Li tries to stand up but it isn¡¯t working. Now he is too weak to move.


    ¡¯Obviously not...and I am also too weak to carry him out...What should I do? Should I go first and find help?¡¯


    "Maybe I should go out to find help..."


    "No! ..." Prince Li evaluates the situation, ManQi should had finished to eliminate the killers for now and began to look for them. But it would be dangerous to let HuaMuTan goes if there are still have killers out there.


    "Just wait here...ManQi wille to save us." Prince Li tries to sit leaning on the closest rocky wall and tries to rest his body, to slow down the poison. TanTan decides to do what Prince Li said, it should be not too long for ManQi can find them.


    TanTan knows nothing she can do for this moment beside she is also feels tired and painful, so she just sits beside Prince Li, a little bit far.


    Prince Li can¡¯t help to keep curious to TanTan,...he nces to TanTan,


    "How... do you know to band the wound very well?"


    TanTan feels a little surprise that Prince Li is being initiative to talk to her...


    "I..learn it from My Mom. She is good with wounded people..." TanTan, reminiscing her Mom who was a nurse before she retired.


    ¡¯Princess


    Under the cliff, TanTan unconsciously isying down on the ground, with Prince Li on her top. In a few minutester, when TanTan awakes, she feels the her body is pressed heavily. TanTan looks on their top, she realizes that they had fallen into a hole?


    ¡¯Falling from the cliff then falling to the hole? Great!¡¯ No wonder she feels so much pain around everywhere on her body. She is also can feel the warmth of Prince Li¡¯s body and as a maiden, she feels ufort.


    "Get off from me..." She pushes Prince Li out from her, Prince Li groans softly.


    TanTan notices a dagger stabbed on his left shoulder. She instantly regrets to push him as TanTan recites what just happened,


    ¡¯Right, he is stabbed because he protected me...¡¯


    TanTan is not sure either she needs to pull the dagger out or not. She remembers in movie, the actor was ever hurt like this and he pulls it out before can be treated. But it is not a movie, is that right to do?


    But when TanTan is hesitated, Prince Li grabs her hand, he speaks weakly,


    "Pull...pull it out...be..careful...its...


    its..poisonous..urggh"


    Prince Li knows it because he can feels the effectse so quick and weaken his body.


    ¡¯He got poisoned...!!!¡¯


    In her past, as a girl scout in her school, TanTan had an experience how to handle the bitting of poisonous snake but a poisonous dagger? Maybe not too different?


    *gulp, TanTan is pulling the dagger carefully but quick, then she throw the dagger far.


    "Arghhh..." the Prince Li, the fresh cky bloodes out from his shoulder. TanTan immediately pulls out Prince Li¡¯s shirt.


    "Wha..what do...you??" Prince Li surprised but he feels weak to object her.


    "Calm down...you must calm down so the poison will not spreading quickly. I am checking your wound."


    TanTan rips her below cloth long enough to cover the wound area,


    Prince Li just silent and letting TanTan wrapping his bare shoulder, he observes the way she folds the cloth, its quite good and it likes not the first time she had done it. But what makes he feels weird mostly that she doesn¡¯t look disgusted with the blood? He remembers in the past, the arrogant HuaMuTan was disgusted with blood. She even didn¡¯t want to cook by herself because she didn¡¯t want to touch the dead fish which still had blood. And also she is willing to rip her own cloth?? The past Hua MuTan would never do that, her appearance is the priority for her no matter in what situation be.


    "Is HuaMuTan really has changed? She is too different than HuaMuTan I know..."


    Prince Li asks in his mind.


    After TanTan finishes wrapping the wound, she notices that Prince Li keeps staring to her. She stares back to him. In a few second, they looks into their each other eyes. Somehow TanTan feels shy in her heart and so she stands, looking around beside the Prince Li.


    "We...we can¡¯t stay here...the poison must be cleaned immediately and you must get treatment....Oh I wish that ShuangAi is here...She will know how to treat you..."


    "ShuangAi...urghh" As he puts on his cloth back slowly, he thinks,


    ¡¯Ah, yeah ShuangAi and FangFang are still worrily waiting for them at home...Hate to admit but HuaMuTan is right, we must move...¡¯


    TanTan walks around to check where they are, it looks like some kind of a cave. But she can feels the flow of wind so there is must be some way out here. She looks at Prince Li¡¯s condition and she also feels pain again on her back, assuming her wound might opened because of the falling.


    "Can you walk?"


    Prince Li tries to stand up but it isn¡¯t working. Now he is too weak to move.


    ¡¯Obviously not...and I am also too weak to carry him out...What should I do? Should I go first and find help?¡¯


    "Maybe I should go out to find help..."


    "No! ..." Prince Li evaluates the situation, ManQi should had finished to eliminate the killers for now and began to look for them. But it would be dangerous to let HuaMuTan goes if those killers are still out there.


    "Just wait here...ManQi wille to save us." Prince Li tries to sit leaning on the closest rocky wall and tries to rest his body.


    TanTan decides to do what Prince Li said, it should be not too long for ManQi can find them. She knows nothing she can do for this moment beside she is also feels tired and painful, so she just sits beside Prince Li, a little bit far.


    Prince Li can¡¯t help to keep curious to TanTan,...he nces to TanTan,


    "How... do you know to band the wound very well?"


    TanTan feels a little surprise that Prince Li is being initiative to talk to her...she thinks that she would be ignored a whole night they trapped there.


    "I..learn it from My Mom. She is good with wounded people..." TanTan, reminiscing her Mom who was a nurse before she retired. Her Mom taught her any kinds of first aid in case she needs it someday. TanTan smirks to herself coz she doesn¡¯t expect to use the skill at this kind of time.


    But Prince Li thought TanTan was talking about HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom,


    ¡¯Princess LiShuiXian indeed was a kind-hearted woman¡¯ He remembers when he was a little boy, he ever fell down coz of the mischief trick from the little first prince. At that time, in coincidence he met Princess LiShuiXian and the little HuaMuTan who visited pce. Then Princess LiShuiXian kindly binded his wound and cheered him up. Sometimes, he wondered why HuaMuTan didn¡¯t have any simrity with her Mom except for their face. But now maybe he is wrong. They are mother and daughter after all.


    Because Prince Li seems drawn into his mind, there is a long silent between him and TanTan. TanTan doesn¡¯t like this weird silent atmosphere. And also she just realizes she didn¡¯t say anything yet for what he had sone before, so she gains her courage to open her voice,


    "Mm,...I want to say thank you for saving me before...and..sorry to make you got the wound.."


    Prince Li widens his eyes, he doesn¡¯t expect those wordse out from her mouth.


    "Well...if you wanna say thank you, you should say it to ShuangAi. She was the one who pushes me to find you and bring you back..."


    "Oh of course...I will,...I¡¯ll thank herter. ShuangAi is really good to care about me...Mmm, maybe it sounded weird for you but I really love to see you both together, you both will make a good couple..."


    ¡¯IT¡¯S DIFFERENT...it¡¯s too different! Although she is pretending, its too good... she didn¡¯t disgust with blood anymore, she didn¡¯t angry when she heard I mentioned about ShuangAi, now she even gives apliment about me with ShuangAi?¡¯


    Now Prince Li looks at TanTan in a new way, but his suspicion can¡¯t wiped away easily. He asks but more in confusion tone than in an anger tone.


    "What is your truly n, HuaMuTan?"


    "I don¡¯t have any n! I really don¡¯t!" TanTan takes her deep breathe before continues, "It just I had changed...Listen, I know you don¡¯t trust me but I still want to tell you that I am not HuaMuTan that you know anymore..."


    TanTan looks seriously to Prince Li, she can see the suspicion look from Prince Li¡¯s face.


    ¡¯What should I do to make him believe? Should I just tell him my true identity? Will he believe that Ie from the future, entering this body? It sounds crazier...¡¯


    But they immediately stop their conversation as they hear echoes of a voice calling,


    "Prince Li....Masterr!"


    "Over here!!!" Knowing that it is Manqi, Prince Li and TanTan shouts to give their direction, Prince Li looks to TanTan, "We¡¯ll see if your words are true..."


    Not too long they can see ManQi appears, walking rushes toward them. TanTan exins what happens and then ManQi immediately carries Prince Li on his back and they ready to go back to the Li Mansion. But after ManQi goes first, sudden TanTan returns to the cave and takes the poison dagger which already be covered by other her ripping cloth with her.


    ¡¯It can be clue for who the killers are...¡¯ She thinks, then she catches up ManQi slowly.

 Chapter 17 The Visitors and a Dagger 1

    Drops of dew and the chirping from the birds is telling that the morning hases. It is a quite peaceful morning, but not for TanTan. She wakes up with a horrible nightmare. In the dream, she back as a little HuaMuTan, holding XiaoMei, her doll and keep running and running from the wolves who chase her down...


    ¡¯It seems my stress has manifested into this nightmare...auch...auch... auch... auch...my body" TanTan groans for the cramp feeling from all of her body, ¡¯It feels that my muscles had been tore up...¡¯ She tries to wake up from her bed, then she realizes that XiaoRue is fallen asleep for watching over her all night.


    TanTan is very grateful for having a faithful servant like XiaoRue,


    ¡¯She must be so tired for all night...¡¯ TanTan doesn¡¯t want to wake her up, so she tries move slowly to go down from the bed, but it¡¯s not worked. TanTan¡¯s movement is waking up XiaoRue.


    "Sorry XiaoRue...I don¡¯t want to wake..."


    "XiaoCie...."


    In TanTan¡¯s surprise, XiaoRue sudden kneels down and bows down her head as she is guilty for something,


    "XiaoCie, please punish XiaoRue..."


    "What? Why? What did you do wrong that deserved to be punished?"


    ¡¯Seriously...what happened while I¡¯m sleeping?¡¯. As she remembered, after she, Prince Li and ManQi arrived at Li Mansion. She ignored everyone and just walked directly to her room and throw herself onto the bed.


    "XiaoRue is not a good servant...XiaoRue let herself to be distracted by thentern and made XiaoCie having a terrible experience and almost be killed!"


    ¡¯Non sense, if XiaoRue is not a good servant, I don¡¯t know then what can be called as a good servant anymore.¡¯


    "Arise, XiaoRue...its not your fault at all. In fact ,it was better that you weren¡¯t with me at that time or you would be hurt too" TanTan tries to ease XiaoRue but it isn¡¯t working at all. XiaoRue is still kneels down and seems very worry...


    It makes TanTan thinks, ¡¯Maybe in the past, HuaMuTan always med her for any unfortunate moments she had. If that so, what an evil woman she was really...its like how Prince Li calls her...ah thats right! Prince Li...how is he?¡¯ Sudden TanTan remembers that Prince Li woundedst night because of her,


    "XiaoRue, how is Prince Li? Is he okay?"


    "Prince Li, he..." TanTan feels XiaoRue hesitated to answer her. It makes TanTan thinking the worse,


    "What is it, XiaoRue??? Is something bad happens to Prince Li? Is he...?"


    "No..Prince Li is fine...XiaoCie don¡¯t have to worry. Last night Physician Huang had given Prince Li a medicine to save his life...Prince Li is now resting in his room."


    "Fiuuhh...you scares me a lot, XiaoRue...Oh,e on, stand up already...what makes you so worry?"


    But XiaoRue still not moving, she still insists actually not for what she has said but she is hoping that by punishing her, can ease her XiaoCie from being burst in anger after knowing who with Prince Li allst night.


    "If you insists not telling me, i will really punish you.." TanTan stands and changes her cloth by herself.


    Of course TanTan doesn¡¯t mean it. In her mind, she isn¡¯t thinking about punishing XiaoRue but she is busy thinking something else, like if Prince Li has fine, does she need to go and visit him? The one who calls Physician Huang is must be ShuangAi... then did ShuangAi went home safety with her father? And she also want to check FangFang, just to make sure that everyone is okay.


    ¡¯Yup, first let see the Prince Li¡¯s condition...¡¯


    "Stop ying, XiaoRue. I want to see Prince Li right now."


    "NOoo, XiaoCie...you can¡¯t...!!"


    Tantan stares puzzled to XiaoRue,


    "Why not?"


    "Its...its..because..."


    "Because ShuangAi Cie is with Qi WangGe right now. You can¡¯t disturb them!" A youngdy,es from nowhere, entering the opened door of TanTan¡¯s room, staring at TanTan and smirks to her.


    TanTan observes this uninvited guest., a pretty youngdy in her purple dress, with so many expensive essories around her cloth including a golden hairpin on her long curly hair. She is giving a royalty aura and she is also calling Prince Li as ¡¯QiWangGe¡¯ So...could be this youngdy is...?


    Like confirming what TanTan guesses, XiaoRue bows down her head and greet the youngdy in formal.


    "Servant greets Princess Xixi"


    "Arise..."


    ¡¯So this is Princess Xixi, the sister of third Prince? Isn¡¯t that mean she is HuaMuTan¡¯s royal cousin?¡¯


    Princess Xixi makes herselffort by sitting ln the chair in the middle table, she takes an empty ss and gesturing XiaoRue to pour tea for her. XiaoRue instantly obeys and does the order. Then Princess Xixi drinks the tea calmly.


    ¡¯Wow...she acts like she is the master of this room...how arrogant! But maybe she can act that because she is a princess?¡¯


    So TanTan doesn¡¯t bother it at all. She thinks about the information she got just now. ¡¯ShuangAi apany Prince Li right now? Oh that¡¯s why XiaoRue looks so worry. She thought that I will be jealous and throw an anger when I hear about ShuangAi. Well, HuaMuTan might do that....poor XiaoRue...¡¯


    Meanwhile Princess Xixi feels confuse to see a in reaction from HuaMuTan. She is expecting an angeres out from HuaMuTan, so she repeats,


    "Hey, don¡¯t you hear what I said. I said that Prince Li is..."


    "...now apanied by ShuangAiMei, yes I heard it clearly. Thanks for the information, Princess." Answer TanTan calmly, which is surprising not only Princess Xixi but also XiaoRue who bes relieves for what she afraid to happen just now is not exist.


    Princess Xixi widens her eyes and let her mouth open to express her confusion. It looks quite funny and cute, seeing it makes TanTan smiles to her.


    "You...you are not angry to know about it?"


    "Why should I? I am d that ShuangAiMei can apany Prince Li. He is wounded and need someone to take care of him..." TanTan is truly d can giving a change for Prince Li can be apanied by ShuangAi. At least it can pay her regret for making Prince Li wounded to protect her. So TanTan doesn¡¯t care for Princess Xixi¡¯s words.


    But Princess Xixi doesn¡¯t satisfy with the answer. She want so badly to make TanTan angry so she makes a lie,


    "Oyeah? But I heard that QiWangGe asks her to apany her all night. He even didn¡¯t want to let her go..."


    TanTan can see clearly the purpose of Princess Xixi, she tried to trigger her anger, ¡¯Its obviously that this princess hates HuaMuTan too. But is it because of Prince Li or they have another personal grudge? Oh HuaMuTan, how many people actually who hate you in this life? It seems almost everyone I met here is HuaMuTan¡¯s enemies.¡¯


    TanTan sighed, she isn¡¯t in mood to argue with this princess furthermore. She is remembering something more important, the dagger!


    Last time in her tiredness, she put the dagger on the table just before she went to sleep and now she realizes that the dagger is gone!


    "Sure ShuangAi Cie can take care of QiWangGe much much better than you!"


    Princess Xixi still keep talking while TanTan approaches XiaoRue and asks her about the dagger,


    "XiaoRue, do you see the dagger on the tablest night? the one that covered with cloth?!"


    "A dagger? Sure, it is still on the table when Ie to watch over XiaoCie, over there!" XiaoRue points to the table where she saw the dagger, but it is no more dagger, "Its gone? XiaoCie...I didn¡¯t know..." A worry lookes back again on XiaoRue¡¯s face.


    ¡¯Where is that dagger? was someone take it while they asleepst night? or in this morning?¡¯


    Princess Xixi bes upset for being ignoredpletely by TanTan and XiaoRue,


    "Hey, stop ignoring me...what¡¯s wrong with you all this morning, even FangFang ignored me and run away just like that... Listen, HuaMuTan..."


    ¡¯FangFang!...¡¯ TanTan and XiaoRue look to each other, it seems they are thinking the same thing, "It can¡¯t be...?!"


    TanTan then stares Princess Xixi and asks her in a very high serious tone.


    "When did you see FangFang?"


    "What should I?" Princess Xixi seems upset to be asked in that way,


    "TELL ME QUICKLY!" TanTan scolds ,and it makes Princess Xixi sudden feels scare,


    "Just now, when I want toe here. I bumped her on the way. She seemed hiding something on her back and then she just run away without saying any apology to me...how rude that child!"


    ¡¯Its FangFang...she was the one who take the dagger...Oh My God, that dagger is still poisonous!! FangFang...!¡¯


    TanTan rushes out from the room,and be followed by XiaoRue who seems knowing what inside TanTan¡¯s mind.


    "Hey, wait, I¡¯m not finish talking with you...heyyy...where are you going...are you going to QiWangGe to disturb them???" Princess Xixi bes more upset. She chases them and then pulls TanTan¡¯s hand to stop her,


    "HuaMuTan, I won¡¯t allow you to go to see QiWangGe...hey.Listen, LISTEN WHAT I SAY!" Princess Xixi shouts very loud till some servants who cleans the house at that time nces to them confusedly.


    "XiMei, why do you so loud in other¡¯s house? A princess should not act like that!" A manes to them and scolds Princess Xixi.


    TanTan can see that the princess sudden being aware with her attitude in front of this man. The man is also giving the royal aura and when TanTan sees XiaoRue greets him in formal and how the princess calls him, she can guess that this man is Prince LiFengEr, the third prince, who is also Princess Xixi¡¯s big brother.


    "SanWangGe, its HuaMuTan¡¯s fault. She was ignoring me when I talked to her. Isn¡¯t it impolite?!" Princess Xixi tries to get a support from her brother.


    TanTan wonders if this brother is also same like his sister, hating HuaMuTan? If that so, she is really don¡¯t have time for this...


    "Silly girl, how can you call HuaMuTan by name? You should call her MuTan Cie coz she is older than you and also she is your sister inw." What a surprise for TanTan to see Prince FengEr scolds his sister and even nod his head, smiles politely to her.


    "Huh! I will never call her like that. I only admit ShuangAiMei as my sister inw, not her!"


    "Xixi!" Prince FengEr scolds her again. He then turns to TanTan, "I am sorry for my sister being impolite to you, MuTan Mei. I hope you don¡¯t be offended with her words." Prince FengEr once again smiles to her. He is really handsome with that smile. In fact, entire his appearance is a very good looking, but for TanTan, its not the right time to enjoy a good looking, she must check FangFang immediately...


    "Its fine...I won¡¯t take it seriously. Then if you may excuse us..."TanTan ready to go but Princess Xixi still stubborn and blocks TanTan in the way.


    "I won¡¯t let you go to QiWangGe!!"


    "Step aside, Princess!!"


    Prince FengEr pulls Princess Xixi¡¯s hand and make a way for TanTan but he is also curious coz he sees TanTan is so worry,


    "MuTan Mei, why do you so rush? Are you really going to see *Qi WangDi?"


    "I am not, I want to check FangFang!!"


    ¡¯FangFang? Since when HuaMuTan cares about her step daughter?¡¯ This same thought urs in these brother-sister¡¯s mind ,it confuses them.


    "Your purpose to see FangFang must be never good, let mee with you!!"


    "Do as your please" TanTan answers as polite as she can be, while her mind answering ¡¯Whatever, I don¡¯t care...¡¯


    So four of them rushes to FangFamg¡¯s room. When TanTan near to the ce, she notices the cloth which covered dagger is on the floor close to the door. so TanTan rushes into the room and in shock, she finds that FangFang hasid on the floor with a dagger beside her. It seems FangFang in ident cut her own fingers with the dagger,


    "FANGFANG!!!" TanTan immediately approaches the body, she tries to pull out the dirty blood from the finger as much as it can be, hoping the poison isn¡¯t too deep yet. FangFang looks unconscious but still breathing,


    Prince FengEr who instantly understands the situation, immediately takes out a small bottle, contains a liquid medicine and makes FangFang drinks it.


    "What is that?" TanTan looks to the bottle curiously.


    "Its okay. Its an antidote. She will be fine" He ensures TanTan, then he carries FangFang onto the bed.


    TanTan who has relieved suddenly feel tired and weak that she finally sit down on the chair near to the middle table.


    XiaoRue who enters the room next immediately checks FangFang and covers her the nket.


    While Princess Xixi whoesst, seeing the dagger on the floor, and then seeing FangFang on the bed.


    "Is that a dagger?" She wants to take the dagger, examines it closely but TanTan stops her,


    "Don¡¯t touch..its poisonous!"


    "Poison?"


    TanTan immediately instructs XiaoRue to cover the dagger with cloth again and keep it to her room safely. XiaoRue instantly does the order.


    Seeing the condition of what happens, Princess Xixi makes her own conclusion,


    "What is this?? A poison dagger? FangFang? HuaMuTan, how evil are you? You tried to poison FangFang again, aren¡¯t you!! SanWangGe, we must arrest her right now!"


    "What? What are you talking about, I¡¯me here to save FangFang!!" in her tiredness, she is being pissed off to be used without a sense base.


    "You purposely made FangFang took your dagger from your room so it seems like she harmed herself! How tricky you are!" Princess Xixi continues her usation.


    TanTan stands in her anger,


    "RIDICULOUS! IF LIKE THAT, WHY I STILL COME HERE TO SAVE FANGFANG!"


    "BECAUSE I KNOW IT! YOU¡¯RE PLANNING THAT NO ONE KNOW ITS YOUR DEED BUT UNFORTUNATELY I MET AND SAW FANGFANG TOOK THE DAGGER FROM YOUR ROOM! SO YOUR PLAIN TO PRETEND NOT GUILTY IS FAIL! SAN WANG GE, WHAT ELSE YOU ARE WAITING FOR, ARREST HER NOW!"


    "THAT ENOUGH, XIXI!"


    Princess Xixi shocks for his brother doesn¡¯t defend her but...


    "But..SanWangGe..."


    "Didn¡¯t you see how worry and rushes MuTan Mei toe here and how hard she was trying to save FangFang!!"


    His brother defends HuaMuTan more than his own sister, how humiliating!


    "We¡¯ll see. HuaMuTan! Wait until QiWangGe hear about all these!!" Princess Xixi runs out from the room in her upset, leaving TanTan with Prince FengEr alone.


    "I am sorry, MuTan Mei. XiMei is not thinking clearly! I¡¯ll exin to herter, don¡¯t worry about her...!"


    Prince FengEr sit down and pour a ss of tea for TanTan, he is also gesturing TanTan to sit and rx.


    TanTan looks at Prince FengEr, she feels grateful to him, ¡¯This is the first time I have someone defending me, maybe I can trust this person as a friend?¡¯


    "Thank you...for defending me.."


    "Its nothing. I just said what I saw. I know that you are not intending to poison FangFang. That dagger..."


    "Just an ident...but it was truly my fault. I suppose to keep the dagger safety first" TanTan shows deep regretful , she looks to FangFang who is sleeping now.


    "But why do you have a poisonous dagger? Do you use it to someone else?"


    Prince FengEr asks about it lightly as he is joking.


    "Oh No...no....its even not mine... it belongs to the killers who want to kill me?"


    "The killers? Its interesting...can you tell me the full story?" Prince FengEr sudden looks sharply to TanTan, he seriously want to know what is it behind that dagger and maybe the wounds of his seventh brother.


    TanTan takes a deep breath before start, "Sure..." and then she retells what happened in her journey to Li Mansion and also the event ofst night, in the moon festival.


    Prince FengEr listens to her carefully, and it eases TanTan, that she feels finally she can talk her problem to someone friendly.


    At the end of her story, Prince FengEr gives his conclusion,


    "So...someone is trying to kill you, by sending these assassins and the clue is might be in that dagger?"


    "Yeah, at least its all I have. Oh right, just now you gives to FangFang, the antidote of the poison, do you familiar with that poison?"


    "Hm...the poison in the dagger is quite deadly but not too special. So yeah, in coincidence, I have the right antidote with me."


    "...FangFang is so lucky...Do you still have it? You should give it to Prince Li right now."


    "Yeah, you right, I think its time for me to see QiWangDi. And also to stop XiMei for not bothering QiWangDi. Do you want toe with me?"


    ¡¯I am not sure Prince Li will happy to see me in this moment¡¯ TanTan shakes her head slowly,


    "No, maybeter. I want to take care FangFang here for a while"


    "Very well, ah...MuTan Mei...perhaps you can trust the dagger to me? I might can help you to find information about the killers for you. Beside won¡¯t it be more safety with me than you put in this house?"


    TanTan stares to Prince FengEr, calctes what should she does,


    ¡¯Can I trust him? He has an antidote, doesn¡¯t it mean he owns the poison also? But he looks sincere helped me before...¡¯ In her study experience as aw student, she knows that in this condition she must be aware to anyone.


    TanTan once again shakes her head,


    "I can¡¯t give you the dagger, but I can give you the drawingter. Can you help me with that?"


    Prince FengEr surprises a little for the answer, he doesn¡¯t expect HuaMuTan to put aware on him, so he smiles to her,


    "Very well...give me the drawing of the dagger, I help you to find the owner..."


    "Thank you, I¡¯ll sent it immediatelyter."


    Prince FengEr excuse himself politely and goes out from the room. In front of door, he still nces to HuaMuTan and smiles, he talks in his mind.


    ¡¯This HuaMuTan is very interesting...¡¯


    and then he goes away.


    *QiWangDi: *Seventh little brother, calling for a royal little brother from a royal big brother.

 Chapter 18 The dagger XiaoRues side story

    As the order, XiaoRue rushes back into her XiaoCie¡¯s room to keep the dagger safely. But she didn¡¯t realizes far from the trees, ManQi is watching on her.


    In fact, sincest night he has monitoring HuaMuTan as the Prince Li¡¯s order. So in the morning he also witnessing what happened, that in the early morning FangFang secretlyes to HuaMuTan¡¯s room, maybe to check her YangMu after she heard about the killers. Then a few minutester, ManQi can see FangFang went out rushly and bumped with Princess Xixi but at that time ManQi didn¡¯t realize that FangFang took a dagger. He just thought FangFang run away coz afraid to be scolded by Princess Xixi. Then whenter HuaMuTan and XiaoRue run rushly to FangFang¡¯s room, he npoticed something is wrong. But because there were Prince FengEr and Princess Xixi with them, he didn¡¯t dare toe and join, so he followed them secretly.


    Then back to XiaoRue, when ManQi saw her alone, walked rushly to HuaMuTan¡¯s room. He shows up himself and it surprised XiaoRue a lot.


    "What is that? That you hold, Miss XiaoRue?" asks ManQi


    "Its secret...I don¡¯t have to show it to you!" XiaoRue stared suspiciously to him.


    "It might be danger if you bring it with you. Just give it to me, I¡¯ll keep it safe for you." In ManQi¡¯s mind, he is really don¡¯t want XiaoRue to be in danger, like what happened to FangFang.


    But XiaoRue can¡¯t trust him easily, she then stomps ManQi¡¯s feet with very very hard.


    "Auuuchhh! Why do you do thattt!!"


    "To show that I can defend my self! I don¡¯t need your help!" Then XiaoRue leaves him in rush.


    "What...hey ..?!"


    The pain is actually not too painful but ManQi decided not to force XiaoRue. He just secretly back following XiaoRue.


    From behind the window, ManQi can see XiaoRue put the dagger under cloth in the wardrobe.


    ¡¯So simple...¡¯ He smiles seeing what a simple ce that XiaoRue put the dangerous poisonous dagger


    Then not too long, He sees HuaMuTan returns and intructs XiaoRue to take out the dagger, prepares a paper and ink and then HuaMuTan starts to draw.


    XiaoRue observes confusedly why the way her XiaoCie holding the ink brush, she hold it not as elegant as usual she was in the past. But the drawing is good, looks real. After TanTan finishes her drawing, she asks XiaoRue to put the dagger back safely. But this time, TanTan instructs XiaoRue to put it below the bed. Then TanTan takes the drawing and go to Prince Li¡¯s room after asking the direction from XiaoRue. She is also ask XiaoRue to cook a herbal medicine for FangFang. XiaoRue heads to the kitchen and collects the medicine.


    In that moment, ManQi shows up again and offering help to XiaoRue. He boast to XiaoRue that he is an expert in cooking herbal medicine. So XiaoRue allows him to help. And in a few hourster, both of them have enjoying their moment to cook the herbal medicine together.

 Chapter 19 The Visitors and a Dagger 2

    After Prince FengEr leaves the room, TanTan returns to check FangFang once more time. She wipes FangFang¡¯s sweat and hold her hands, sudden FangFang¡¯s hand graps her hand tightly.


    "Mmm...Mommy....Mommy don¡¯t go..."


    FangFang murmuring in her sleep. It touches TanTan¡¯s heart, she pats FangFang¡¯s chest gently.


    "Don¡¯t worry, FangEr...Mommy is here...just sleep well for now..." TanTan then whistling a soft song...a luby which her Mom often sang for her when she was a child, in mother goose rhyme of ¡¯rain rain go away¡¯ but in her Mom¡¯s own lyrics.


    "Bad dream go away...don¡¯te back again anymore...my girl want to sleep...bad dream go away..."


    It seems worked, FangFang looses her grips and fallen asleep again.


    ¡¯Poor FangFang, I remember that she lost her parents too early...I wish I can do something for her...but now I think I have to go back to my room and prepare the drawing of the dagger... ¡¯ She looks to XiaoMei on the inner side of bed, she put it beside FangFang,


    "Here, let XiaoMei apany you for a while okay...I¡¯ll be back to check you againter" TanTan gives a little kiss on FangFang¡¯s forehead and then she goes out from the room, closes the door softly.


    Meanwhile back to the Prince Li¡¯s room few hours ago. Prince Li isying on his bed, his face looks unease coz of the dream he had.


    A tter of fire everywhere surrounding the little Prince Li, he screams and cries until he almost faint. Before truly fainted, he sees a figure of a man, a general, breaking the door in force and approaches him, says to him ¡¯ Prince Li, you are gonna be okay...¡¯ The Little Prince Li closes his eyes, and the dream is ended there.


    The eyes of Prince Li are opened slowly. He looks to the roof and recognizes the ce as his own room.


    ¡¯Ah...right, I has return already. What a weird, after these years to see that dream again...¡¯ It was a piece of his childhood memory. Because of the mischief and hatred, the teen first Prince and his ally nned to get rid of him by burning him alive in the pce. Thankfully, a general knew the n and rescued him on time. ¡¯Now I remember the general who rescued me was HuaMuTan¡¯s father, General Hua...¡¯. Prince Li is thinking if the dream is a bad omen or the opposite? Then he turns his head and startled to see ShuangAi is asleep beside him. For a moment, he just embracing the situation, he looks to ShuangAi gently and smiles. His beloved woman is beside him now, and knowing that she is asleep after taking care of him all night makes his heart jumps happily. Prince Li raises his hand, willing to stroke ShuangAi¡¯s head but at the same time, Aunt Tong enters the room so he puts down his hand right away to hide his intention.


    "Prince Li, you has awaken, thanks gods!"


    The voice of AuntTong is also awakening ShuangAi, she looks to Prince Li, she relieves and then right away pulls his left hand to check his pulse.


    "LiGe, you awake...let me check your pulse...hm...your body is still weak, I think there still have some residues of poison in your blood, but it won¡¯t harm as long you¡¯re not using your power for a while."


    ¡¯Its quite a strong poison,...Luckily it was me who took the stab. if HuaMuTan was the one who stabbed...she might not make it.....¡¯Prince Li looks back to ShuangAi,


    "...How about HuaMuTan? Is...she alright?"


    ShuangAi and Aunt Tong startled a little when they hear it.


    "MuTan Cie is alright,...she is resting in her room." ShuangAi ds that Prince Li at least has a little attention to HuaMuTan.


    But Aunt Tong gives an unpleasing look,


    "Don¡¯t waste your energy to think about her, she is no more but a bad luck... "


    "Aunt Tong, it¡¯s not nice to talk like that.." ShuangAi tries to remind Aunt Tong politely,


    "I am telling the truth...Not for too long since she came back to this house, she already bring disaster to Prince Li!" says Aunt Tong intensely until some water spilled out from the new basin of water she puts. "And I really can¡¯t understand why my Prince Li still insist bringing her back here?!" She stares sharply to Prince Li, like scolding her own son for taking a very bad decision without asking her permission first. Prince Li has treat her as her own mother, so it makes Prince Li feels uneasy.


    "Of course LiGe must bring her back. She is his wife after all...right, LiGe?"


    ShuangAi stares to him, expecting a word support from him.


    ¡¯Actually I am also having a little regret to pick up HuaMuTan back now. My life will be more peaceful without the presence of HuaMuTan¡¯. Prince Li sighed, he feels sad seeing ShuangAi even bes more excited to push himself closer to HuaMuTan.


    "I...just need her stay alive so I can figure out this mystery..st night its so clear that somebody want to kill HuaMuTan so badly. I want to figure it out who they are." He is hoping the exnation can calm Aunt Tong and also makes ShuangAi understands that there is nothing can be happen between him and HuaMuTan.


    "But it supposed to be her own problem. Beside her enemies can be more than one, she offended too many people I heard.. I think it¡¯ll be better if she doesn¡¯t stay here..."


    "Okay, already...Aunt Tong....please don¡¯t be too noisy, Li Ge just awake. I think he needs a peaceful moment for now..."


    ShuangAi gently pushes Aunt Tong to be out of the room while Aunt Tong still continue her words,


    "You will regret if you let her stay here longer..."


    ShuangAi closes the door, and sighed. She turns around and seeing Prince Li tries to get down from the bed, he feels very weak so ShuangAi instantly gives her hands to help him stands.


    Having ShuangAi very close to him makes him want to tease her,


    "Its okay. Thanks, ShuangMei...well now, I want to put on my cloth...maybe you want to help me for this also?" He smiles teasing her.


    ShuangAi takes off her hands and steps away as her responds to the tease.


    "Don¡¯t be silly LiGe, its MuTan Cie you need to ask, not me!"


    As a maiden, she knows her manner so she turns her back to give time for Prince Li put on his own cloth.


    "HuaMuTan? I doubt she can help...She probably never put on her cloth by herself. She always be served by servants..." Prince Li smirked hearing his own words.


    "You never know, Li Ge! You and MuTan Cie has been married almost for a half of year and I heard that you even never give a chance for her to sleep with you in one room right? Its not a healthy marriage if you keep doing that..."


    Prince Li sighed. As ShuangAi said, from the first night of married until now, he tried so hard to avoid that situation, sleeping with HuaMuTan? Hah! Never in million years. Especially after that incident, there was one time, HuaMuTan used the wicked way, trying to drug him with an aphrodisiac in his ss. Thanks to Aunt Tong who purposely dropped the ss from his hand that HuaMuTan¡¯s n became fail. Since that day, Prince Li boldly swore to HuaMuTan that he would never sleep with her forever.


    Prince Li has finished to put on his cloth. He looks to ShuangAi with sad look,


    ¡¯ShuangAi, why do you want me to be with that HuaMuTan so badly...???¡¯


    Prince Li approaches ShuangAi slowly. Now he stands behind ShuangAi, and speaks softly to her,


    "ShuangMei,...you know since beginning, I don¡¯t have any feeling to HuaMuTan..."


    Surprising that Prince Li at her behind, ShuangAi turns back and sees Prince Li


    stared back to her intensely.


    "You know ShuangMei, I..."


    The situation makes ShuangAi feels ufort coz she knows she doesn¡¯t want to hear what Prince Li says furthermore, so she interrupts his words,


    "Akh, Li Ge,...you should rest a lot. I¡¯ll go first to check MuTan Cie..."


    She pushes away Prince Li and then walks to the door, but when she reaches the door, she gets a little bump with Princess Xixi who just barged inside the room,


    "QIWANGGE, YOU MUST ARREST HUAMUTAN RIGHT NOW!"


    Her words gives a puzzled looks on everyone¡¯s face in the room.


    "XiMei, what are you talking about?"


    Prince Li asks, ShuangAi steps away to let Princess Xixie closer to Prince Li and ready to hear the further exnation.


    "She was trying to poison FangFang!"


    "What??" ShuangAi and Prince Li look to each other in confusion.


    "Are you sure about it, Princess Xixi?" Princess Xixi sat on the chair and hit her hand on the table to express her anger.


    "Of course, I am sure, ShuangAi Cie... she was using a poison dagger to poison FangFang...Luckily I saw the dagger by myself...so her n was fail..."


    "A poison dagger?" Prince Li put in his mind, ¡¯ Can be it the same dagger that stabbed him? Why HuaMuTan keeps it?¡¯


    "How is FangFang now?" Prince Li asks


    "FangFang is alright. Thank gods, my brother was also there and saved her...but it not the point! The most important is YOU MUST ARREST HUAMUTAN RIGHT NOW, QiWangGe!"


    Princess Li sighed, he doesn¡¯t know if he must believe Princess XiXi or not. If this is the past HuaMuTan they were talking about, he would immediately arrested HuaMuTan with dly. But...the HuaMuTan he metst night makes him doubt a little bit...beside a poison dagger? There is a chance for that HuaMuTan took it to find the killers? or maybe to hide the fact of the killers? Either both of the reasons, Prince Li can¡¯t find any reason why she must use it to poison FangFang?


    ShuangAi is also can¡¯t believe it, but she worries about FangFang,


    "Maybe we should go to check FangFang first"


    "Yes, you¡¯re right...lets go..ugh..." The body is still too weak, so Prince lI sudden feels dizzy when he tries to walk fast.


    "LiGe, just wait here! I¡¯ll check FangFang and let you know soon"


    "Okay,..."


    ShuangAi goes out from room in rush while LiGe back to sit on the chair, to rest his body.


    But as a princess, Princess Xixi gets used to get what she demands so she easily be impatience if her demand is not be fulfilled immediately.


    "Well, what are you waiting, QiWangGe? Send your officers to arrest her right now!"


    "We must check it first, XiMei."


    "But what else to check? I can be the main witness here and also my brother...you must hurry, QiWangGe otherwise that evil woman will get rid of any evidence including that dagger..."


    Princess Xixi doesn¡¯t stop to keep persuade Prince Li to arrest HuaMuTan. She is so noisy that makes Prince Li more dizzy.


    "Come on...QiWangGe...you must arrest her...it for FangFang¡¯s safety also..."


    "That is enough, XiXi!!"


    From out of the room, Prince FengEres and scolds Princess Xixi once more time,


    "You can¡¯te and disturb QiWangDi with your non senses...look! You make his condition worse!"


    Seeing Prince FengEr, Prince Li tries to stand up and greet him politely.


    "QiwangDi greets SanWangGe"


    "Its okay, *Wei Di...no need to stand up; you still too weak....here sit down" Prince FengEr right away helps Prince Li to sit


    "Thanks, SanWangGe"


    "I am still angry to you SanWangGe...coz you defended that evil woman!! QiWangGe, you must believe me!"


    "Okay, that is enough....you can¡¯t be here any longer...wait at out side! Your SnaWangGe need to talk privately with your QiWangGe, okay!" Prince FengEr gently pushes away Princess Xixi until be out of the room and then closes the door behind her, lock it so not letting her to enter the room.


    From outside, Prince Xixi still angrily shout to demand her brothers to open the door for her,


    "Let me in...San Wang Geeee!!"


    But Prince FengEr ignores his sisterpletely, Princess Xixi knows better that her third brother won¡¯t let her in, so she gave up, she just gave him warning,


    "Find, if both of you not letting me in, I¡¯ll report this to FuWangter! I¡¯ll go now!!"


    Then she went from the ce with angrily.


    Prince FengEr is drinking the tea calmly while Prince Li seems worry with Prince Xixi¡¯s threat


    "Is it okay to let Xi Mei go like that? She seems pretty angry?"


    "Its okay, let her be!! She won¡¯t dare...That silly girl doesn¡¯t know what she is talking about.. don¡¯t listen to her non sense!" Prince Li feels more calm hearing Prince FengEr¡¯s words so he is also sit apany Prince FengEr who has pouring him a ss of tea.


    Prince FengEr looks to Prince Li while he takes the cup and drinks it.


    "So, do you want to arrest HuaMuTanter?


    "If SanWangGe is talking about HuaMuTan poisoning FangFang? I don¡¯t think its true also..."


    Prince FengEr startled to hear the responds, he speaks his mind,


    "Ooh, so you do trust HuaMuTan is innocent? Well, that¡¯s unexpected...I thought you hate her?"


    "Oh I do. I still can¡¯t forgive what she had done...but this time , it seems that not right if she purposely poison FangFang after herself is almost be poisoned with the same dagger...


    " Hm, is that so...?" The Prince FengEr pours another tea, but this time in a very quick movement, he adds the antidote in the cup and then he serves it to Prince Li again.


    "Or maybe you have finally open your heart to her"


    Prince Li didn¡¯t notice it, he just takes it and drinks it. The Prince FengEr said distracts him,


    " Of course not....SanWangGe, don¡¯t you forget what happened to me?..She was the one who forced me to marry her, she is also the one who pushed away ShuangAi from me, she hurted my family and she threatened me with Queen GrandMother¡¯s power and all this year she did everything to subdue me...that evil woman MuTan!!" In his anger, he put the ss harshly. Reciting all these reminds him again the HuaMuTan he hates so much. Prince FengEr just listen to him and feels pity on his seventh brother. Inside his mind. he thinks


    ¡¯Does he know that this HuaMuTan is different now? Maybe its better for him not to notice it...¡¯


    But without they realize ,TanTan actually has arrive in front of Prince Li¡¯s room and can hear all Prince Li¡¯s words.


    TanTan is almost knocking the door but she holds on her hand when she hears Prince Li¡¯s words.


    ¡¯So he hates HuaMuTan that much...I don¡¯t know why but I feel hurt when he describe HuaMuTan like that. I know he doesn¡¯t talk about me...¡¯. TanTan sighed and then decides to knock the door.


    The knocking stops their conversation,


    "Come in" Prince Li guesses that it might b ShuangAi who return to tell about FangFang. But it surprises them when they see HuaMuTan enters the room.


    "Why do youe here?" asks Prince Li coldly, he feels unease after realizing HuaMuTan must be heard what he said just now.


    "Ie to give this to Prince FengEr" She took out a paper and gives ot to Prince FengEr.


    Prince FengEr folds out the paper and sees the drawing, it is a drawing of the dagger that she just made.


    "Wow MuTanMei...you are good in drawing..." Prince Lies closer to see the drawing as well,


    ¡¯Is that a poison dagger which stabbed me?¡¯


    He looks to TanTan confusedly,


    "Why do you give that drawing of dagger to Prince FengEr?"


    "Because not like someone else, Prince Feng Er kindly offers to help me find the trace of those killers"


    TanTan¡¯s words somehow makes Prince Li upset,


    "But I am the one who hurt because of that dagger, to save you, remember!"


    Prince Li and TanTan look to each other intensely in anger. Prince FengEr smiles to ease them,


    "Okay...okay...we can solve these mystery together, you don¡¯t mind if I help right, Wei Di?"


    Prince Li nces to Prince FengEr,


    "I¡¯m sorry to bother you with my problem, SanWangGe... I know you are busy with the royal task from FuWang"


    "Its alright...in factter, I need your help also about my job."


    "Really? what can I help you?"


    TanTan feels its not her position to hear their problem,


    "Well, I don¡¯t want to bother both of you. If you excuse me..."


    "No, don¡¯t go MuTan Mei. This is also including you!"


    "Me?"


    "Her?"


    Both TanTan and Prince Li give the respond in the same time, so it makes them look to each other confusedly.


    "Yes, both of you. Here is the problem. FuWang tasks me to prepare the grand banquet in the pce for celebrating Queen GrandMother¡¯s birthday in few monthster. And I want to make Queen GrandMother satisfy with this banquet. You know how hard to please her right?"


    As the most non-favorite grand son, Prince Li feels nothing he can do to help Prince FengEr,


    "I think I can¡¯t help you in this, SanWangGe, you know how the Queen GrandMother treat me?" He nces to TanTan, ¡¯thanks to this woman, I be the wood on Queen GrandMother¡¯s eyes¡¯


    "The opposite, my brother.... you will be the best part of the banquet... you and MuTanMei..."


    "Me? But what can I do?" TanTan is also confused for the idea...


    "Its easy, MuTan Mei. I know you are good in ying guzheng and WeiDi, you are good in blowing flute...so I want both of you performing ying music together for Queen GrandMother."


    ¡¯What? guzheng....no way!¡¯


    "I think its a bad idea...." Prince Li answers boldly. In the same time, Tantan agrees with him


    "I think so too...I can¡¯t y..."


    "Oh Non sense....I am afraid both of you can¡¯t refuse it coz the idea actuallyes from Queen GrandMother herself. You know her most desire is to see both of you in good term?!..."


    Prince FengEr stared seriously to Prince Li,


    "And she clearly said to me, to make sure the Prince Li willing to join sincerely, you know what happened if you reject it right, Wei Di?!"


    Prince Li sighed deeply. ¡¯It is an order not a request actually!¡¯ He nces to TanTan and then looks back to Prince FengEr,


    "Very well, if that what Queen GrandMother wants, this LiZhouWei will try his best"


    ¡¯What? He is epting it? How about me?¡¯


    "How about you, MuTanMei? You know


    Queen Grand Mother even said that she missed your performance in the past..."


    "I...can¡¯t..." But her words is being interrupted right away by Prince Li,


    "Of course she will join too...I promise that we will give the nice performance in Queen GrandMother¡¯s banquetter"


    "That¡¯s good! Well, you both may use your time to practice from now...and don¡¯t worry about the killers, I¡¯ll help you to find them. Now, I will excuse my self to give you time to practice..."


    "Thank you so much SanWangGe, let me escort you..."


    "No need, you need to take a rest, Wei Di...how if MuTan Mei escorts me out?"


    "...ve...very well...this way" TanTan moves nervously till she almost stomps herself and falls. Thankfully, Prince FengEr is beside her so he can easily holds TanTan¡¯s shoulders and helps her stand still again before both of them finally leaving the room.


    Prince Li just look to both of them leaving, he feels confuse in his mind,


    ¡¯As I remember in the past Prince FengEr never talks or even pays attention to HuaMuTan before. Why now I feel that SanWangGe suddenly pay a lot attention to HuaMuTan?¡¯. He can feels that his heart is unease about that thought.


    Meanwhile as escorting Prince FengEr out, TanTan is being silent coz she is busy thinking in her mind,


    ¡¯How can I tell him so I no need to do the performance. I can¡¯t imagine if I performter...I can¡¯t y guzheng...i don¡¯t know how...¡¯


    "MuTan Mei..? MuTan Mei...!"


    The calling makes TanTan back to her conscious, she realizes that they have walked until the gate of Li Mansion.


    "Then I will excuse myself, thanks for your escort, MuTan Mei" Prince FengEr greets politely.


    "Ah, San WangGe? I need to tell you something before you go..."


    "What is it?"


    "Well, you see..about the performance...the problem is..I have forgotten many things in the past, including how to y guzheng...so I don¡¯t think I able to perform...can you just find another performers?"


    ¡¯She lost her memory? So that¡¯s why she acta so different than in the past? Hm...it bes more interesting...¡¯


    Prince FengEr pretended to be troubled with TanTan¡¯s request,


    "Hm...I am afraid I can¡¯t! Oh well, still have a lot of time...just keep practicing... who knows your memory wille back from ying guzheng...right?" Prince FengEr smiles to ease her.


    TanTan responds with smiling back to him while she answer it in her mind,


    ¡¯I doubt it a lot...ha...ha...ha ...¡¯


    "Don¡¯t worry, MuTan Mei...everything will be fine eventually..." Prince FengEr then ride on his horse and then goes away.


    TanTan sighed deeply, when she back to inside house, she meets ShuangAi.


    "MuTan Cie, you looks troubled? Are you worry about FangFang? I had checked her...and she is fine now. You know Princess Xixi told us that you poisoned her but I don¡¯t believe it, right?"


    TanTan realizes that Princess Xixi must be already told to everyone about the ident but in the wrong way.


    "No...its an ident, Fang2 idently touched my poison dagger....but its not important anymore...ShuangAi, can you y guzheng?"


    "Guzheng? yes I can...why?"


    "Good, then I need your help! Please teach me how to y Guzheng..."


    *Wei Di: the short for little brother LiZhou*Wei (little brother *Wei)

 Chapter 20 The Practice of Guzheng 1

    "ShuangAi, can you y guzheng?"


    "Guzheng? yes I can...why?"


    "Good, then I need your help! Please teach me how to y guzheng..."


    ShuangAi still feels unbelievable hearing that HuaMuTan asks her to teach HuaMuTan how to y guzheng? The reason why ShuangAi feels like that coz the past HuaMuTan who grown up like a princess had a high talent in ying guzheng,


    ¡¯Is her amnesia can make her forget her ability too?Its too bad...¡¯


    "Sure, MuTan Cie...I can teach you..."


    "Wonderful, thanks ShuangAi"


    TanTan ds, but she still worry and upset precisely for what just happened,


    ¡¯How can he just agree like that without asking me first!!¡¯


    "Do you want to start practice today?"


    "Yes, but first there is something I need to talk to your beloved brother!" TanTan then back to Prince Li¡¯s room and ShuangAi follows her coz she can see the upset look on TanTan,


    ¡¯It can¡¯t be good...¡¯


    Meanwhile after TanTan escorts Prince FengEr out from the room, ManQi appears to give his report about dagger to Prince Li.


    "So she still keep it..ter take the dagger secretly to the government office and keep it safe there. I don¡¯t want any ident to anyone happen again."


    ¡¯Beside it dangerous to let HuaMuTan having a poisonous dagger¡¯ Although he knows the ident of FangFang this time isn¡¯t purpose, but Prince Li is still can¡¯t trust HuaMuTan easily.


    "Okay, Master but how if she find out?"


    "I¡¯ll deal with itter"


    At that time, TanTan barged into the room, she looks upset and Prince Li seems know what she wants to say, so he just drink the tea and ignores her. TanTan hits the table, being upset to see Prince Li still calm like that.


    "Why do you agree easily about the performance!!!"


    ShuangAi just stands close to the door, thinking whether she need to stop their quarrel or not. But she decides to hear what the problem is first.


    "How can I reject it?! You heard by yourself. Its your beloved Queen GrandMother¡¯s wish..."


    "So what? You suppose to hear my opinion first! You know I had forgotten everything, I even forget how to y guzheng!! How can I y in the performanceter? especially perform with you???"


    ¡¯Performance? Queen GrandMother? oh, that¡¯s why MuTan Cie asks me to teach her y guzheng¡¯ ShuangAi seems start to understand the situation.


    In other hand, Prince Li stares to TanTan sharply,


    ¡¯Does she really forget to y guzheng? but didn¡¯t she always proud with her ying in the past?... Beside its not like we can reject the offer easily....she should know it. Didn¡¯t she always use QueenGrandMother to force me do what I don¡¯t want??!"


    "Do you think I like it, to perform with you, HuaMuTan? I don¡¯t, okay! But I don¡¯t care you can or cannot y it, you still have to do that performance... its the order!" respond Prince Li coldly.


    "You...!!" TanTan can¡¯t believe what she hear, this man just forces her to do what he want without considering her opinion..."So you don¡¯t care if we give a bad performanceter in front of Queen GrandMother and maybe will get punishment??"


    Prince Li smirked to her,


    "Ohh of course I care, but in her eyes my reputation is already bad, thanks to you. So why I should care it more...I already get used to be punished, but you...I wonder what punishment she will give to her beloved granddaughter here..well, I don¡¯t mind if you want to run away from this order..."


    ¡¯What?! Me, LangTanTan running away?¡¯


    TanTan feels she must ept the challenge, "Fine! I don¡¯t afraid...I¡¯ll do what I can...just don¡¯t me me if we both get the punishment for humiliate the Queen GrandMotherter!... Come, ShuangAiMei, I want to practice guzheng now!!!"


    TanTan gets out from the room immediately and after that sudden ShuangAiughs a little, it confuses Prince Li who still upset.


    "Why are youughing, ShuangMei?"


    "No...it just funny to see that usually it was MuTanCie who forced you to do something with her but this time, it is you LiGe...who forces her to do something with you...what an odd..."


    From outside, TanTan who is still upset, realizes that ShuangAi is not following her, shout calling her toe,


    "ShuangAiMei,e on...we can¡¯t wasting any more time!!"


    "I aming, MuTan Cie!" answers ShuangAi, she looks to Prince Li again,


    "Don¡¯t worry about FangFang, I has checked her. She is fine. And now excuse me, I think I need to be a guzheng teacher for your wife now..."


    ShuangAi smiles teasing him and then leave the room.


    Prince Li is startled for the words of ShuangAi. ¡¯Its nothing than just for obeying the wish of Queen GrandMother...¡¯. He decided to stop thinking about the performance furthermore. He looks to ManQi who just silent, waiting for a new order.


    "ManQi, find out why Minister Hua is in the town...His presence on that night is too coincidence with the killers..."


    "Alright, Master." ManQi goes to do the order. After he left, Prince Li feel tired but he also feels light, no more pain. He touches his chest, and thinking,


    ¡¯Is the poison has disappear by itself?¡¯


    He shakes his head, ¡¯Its impossible...perhaps I need a fresh air¡¯


    He then decides to take a walk and maybe checking FangFang¡¯s condition.


    The next day, in other side of Li Mansion, XiaoRue has bringing HuaMuTan¡¯s guzheng out from where it kept and put it in front of HuaMuTan. They are in the inner garden, where there is a small pavilion that usually be used by HuaMuTan to y guzheng. TanTan is waiting for ShuangAi who return home to take her own guzheng. Yesterday they could not start the practice because there is only one guzheng in the house.


    "XiaoCie, it has been so long XiaoRue doesn¡¯t listen your y...XiaoRue misses it so much...XiaoCie¡¯s yst year in the pce sounded so beautiful and everyone there was amazed with your y. " XiaoRue blows some dust from the guzheng, it indicates that HuaMuTan herself has been not ying it for a very long time.


    "I am afraid, I don¡¯t remember that anymore XiaoRue"


    TanTan stares to the guzheng in front of her. Seeing the antique guzheng in front of her somehow makes her feels a belongings. She then touches and tries to pluck it a little bit, in the way that she remembered from the chinese drama. The sound of guzheng sudden awakes some memories inside TanTan¡¯s mind.


    A sh of memory urs, she bes a little HuaMuTan, sitting beside a beautiful woman who is ying the same guzheng..


    "Mommy, I want to y it..."


    The woman who she called ¡¯Mommy¡¯ smiles to her gently, which makes TanTan¡¯s heart feels warm.


    "Sure, TanEr..e sit here, let me teach you..." The woman takes little hands of HuaMuTan and guides it to y guzheng, She is also exining patiently and slowly, "Here, your left hand must put here, and your right hand like this..." Not too long after they y together, another manes approaching them in a military uniform, he looks like a general...


    "I thought I heard the angels are ying music from heaven...turns out those are my wife and my daughter..."


    "Husband, you¡¯re home..."


    "Daddy..."


    "How¡¯s my TanEr..? Are you behave well to your Mom?" The man raises up little HuaMuTan and carries her on his arm.


    "I am learning guzheng with Mom"


    "My TanEr is really smart..." He kisses little HuaMuTan¡¯s cheek.


    "Is everything okay, Husband?" the womanes closer but she looks worry.


    "I am afraid what you¡¯re suspecting turns right...but we need to be careful about it. After the next battle, I¡¯ll find the way to report it to the King..."


    "Just....just please be careful, husband"


    "XiaoCie..."


    "XiaoCie...XiaoCie?"


    TanTan sudden back to the reality. TanTan realizes that she is seeing the childhood memory of HuaMuTan with her parents... She wonders what her parents talk about? Is that happened before their death? Is that means that their death was not an ident?


    "Are you okay, XiaoCie?" XiaoRue seems worry that TanTan didn¡¯t respond for her calling just now.


    "Yeah, I am fine..." TanTan once again looks to the guzheng,


    ¡¯Look likes this guzheng can triggering the memories of HuaMuTan in this body, I wonder if I continue y it, will I gain more memories?¡¯


    "XiaoCie, Miss ShuangAi is here..."


    XiaoRue helps ShuangAi to prepare her guzheng.


    "I am sorry for make you waiting too long, MuTanCie..."


    "Its okay, ShuangAiMei...its me who bother you to teach me ying guzheng..."


    "No, MuTan Cie. Actually I am too shameless to teach you. You might not remember but MuTan Cie, you are known as one of the best guzheng yer in the city. Everyone knows that Queen GrandMother loves to hear your guzheng ying."


    ¡¯Wow, HuaMuTan you gives me a huge pressure here...¡¯


    "I wish I can remember to y." TanTan sighed.


    "Sure, I believe you can, MuTanCie...lets find out..." Shuang Ai starts to exin the basic of ying guzheng. Somehow it feels familiar for TanTan so she doesn¡¯t find any difficulty to understand it. Its weird for TanTan, considering that she doesn¡¯t have any talent in music in her own life. She remembered when she was a child, and there was an assemble performance in her elementary school. She couldn¡¯t y her melodica in harmony like others so in the result, she became burlesque for audience. It wasn¡¯t a good memory for her.


    "Now I think you ready to y a song...let me show you a song and you can follow meter, MuTan Cie"


    "Okay"


    TanTan watches ShuangAi ys her guzheng smoothly, and the song is also familiar for TanTan, so she immediately join in ying it.


    While she concentrates to y it, shes of memoriese again in her mind. Now TanTan knows more about HuaMuTan. The guzheng is inherited from HuaMuTan¡¯s mother, Princess LiShuiXian, and that time was also herst moment with her parents. TanTan suspects that the reason of their death was something that HuaMuTan¡¯s father wanted to report to the king. HuaMuTan was actually having a happy and normal childhood before she lost her parents, but after that she felt very lonely and be spoiled by her Grandma, Madam Hua. Her lonely was usually be expressed by ying this guzheng. TanTan sees the shes of moment when HuaMuTan yed this guzheng emotionally.


    Without she realizes, TanTan has ying another melody which surprises ShuangAi and XiaoRue. They just stunned and watches TanTan ying.


    The melody brings TanTan to another memories, this time she sees the moment when HuaMuTan met Prince Li.


    It was also when she yed the guzheng in one of pce pavilion, suddenly Prince Li appeared and it stops her ying.


    "Please...continue...I just across this way and wonders who y such a nice but sad melody" But HuaMuTan doesn¡¯t have mood to continue her y,


    "Is there anything I can help you, QiWangGe?" She observes Prince Li.


    "So you know me? I am sorry to bother you." Prince Li feels sorry.


    "Its fine...but why did you say that my ying was sad melody. Wasn¡¯t obviously I ying a happy rhythm?"


    "I feel the sadness in the rhythm...it likes you feel trapped in such a beautiful world?"


    Prince Li¡¯s words are actually pointing out exactly her feeling but the high pride of HuaMuTan doesn¡¯t allow her to admit it easily,


    "No...I am not. I am HuaMuTan, why I should feeling be trapped!"


    Prince Li squints his eyes, giving a look like saying, ¡¯so this is the famous arrogant HuaMuTan¡¯ but he still responds politely to her,


    "Well, in that case...forgive me for I am mishearing it"


    Then someonees to them, it is Prince FengEr,


    "I wonder what took you so long, now I see... you has meet MuTan Mei, Wei Di...",


    "SanWangGe" HuaMuTan greets Prince FengEr politely.


    "Is he also mesmerized with your guzheng, MuTanMei? You know Wei Di, even QueenGrandMother praised her for her y..."


    "San Wang Ge praises MuTan too much."


    HuaMuTan doesn¡¯t try to humble, she obviously feels pleased with the praise.


    Its so clearly that HuaMuTan gives different treatment toward those princes. TanTan can see HuaMuTan respects Prince FengEr more than Prince Li, ¡¯Maybe because Prince Li has been known as the weakest prince among all?¡¯


    "Hey, why don¡¯t you show your y also Wei Di? MuTan Mei, you should listen to his flute y...both of your y will be amazing together"


    "I don¡¯t think MuTan Mei want to do it with me"


    "Its not true...what SanWangGe said makes me curious to hear your y too..."


    Prince Li doesn¡¯t have any reason to object the offer, so he takes out his flute, and start to y the melody, the same one HuaMuTan yed, so HuaMuTan can immediately sync it with her y.


    Their y, both HuaMuTan and Prince Li are unexpected ying in harmony. The more they y, HuaMuTan bes embracing the moment. For the first time she is really enjoying ying music with someone. TanTan can see that is the moment when HuaMuTan felt in love with Prince Li. What is so weird, that TanTan even can feel the pleasing feeling that HuaMuTan had. And the memories stop until there.


    When the y finishes, XiaoRue can¡¯t stop herself from keep pping so hard,


    "XiaoCie,.... its so beautiful"


    ShuangAi is also agree, she nods her head happily,


    "Its true, MuTan Cie. It seems that you are not forgetting your skill at all."


    But TanTan doesn¡¯t hear their words, she just freezes seeing her own hand. She is also surprise to herself, the feeling she just have is felt so real.


    Then suddenly FangFanges approaching TanTan, she is apanied by Prince Li.


    "Wow, YangMu .. your ying is so beautiful...Isn¡¯t it, YiFu?"


    "Yes...its beautiful" Prince Li doesn¡¯t sincerely says it because he feels suspicious again to HuaMuTan,


    ¡¯Turns out she can y as good as in the past...isn¡¯t that mean she doesn¡¯t really lost her memories, what a liar woman...¡¯


    TanTan surprised to see Prince Li, especially after that kind of memory...suddenly she feels embarrassed to be praised by Prince Li.


    And then TanTan sudden bes afraid,tely everytime she drawn into HuaMuTan¡¯s memories; she can feel what HuaMuTan felt, her sadness, her anger and including her feeling toward Prince Li. If it continues like this, will she still be her own self?


    ¡¯No...I am LangTanTan...these feelings are not real...these feeling are someone else¡¯s not mine!¡¯

 Chapter 21 The Practice of Guzheng 2

    "It seems that your memory has recover, HuaMuTan?" Prince Li stares to her fiercely. But TanTan doesn¡¯t scare, she stares back to him and answers him calmly,


    "...although I forget everything, it seems my body still remembers the way to y guzheng..."


    "Hm..is that so...then we ¡¯really¡¯ should not worry about the performance..." It isn¡¯t a relieve expression, but it has a critical tone in his voice. Its saddening TanTan a little bit, maybe its because she still influenced by the memories. She just silent.


    "Then why don¡¯t we try to hear both of you y, Li Ge, MuTan Cie?" An innocent ShuangAi doesn¡¯t notice anything, she just thinks it is the right time for them to practice also,


    "Yes YiFu...FangFang also want to hear your y..."


    Although FangFang pushes him over with the request. TanTan can see Prince Li doesn¡¯t have mood at all to y, but he seems troubled to reject the request, so TanTan talks to FangFang,


    "...I am sorry, FangFang...it seems I can¡¯t y anymore...I feel so tired."


    "Are you okay MuTan Cie?" ShuangAi looks worry, maybe HuaMuTan has exhausted from ying guzheng,


    TanTan smiles, she feels thankful for ShuangAi¡¯s concern.


    "Its okay, I just want to rest now..."


    But beside TanTan, FangFang pulls TanTan¡¯s hand, begging,


    "But...FangFang wants to see YiFu and YangMu ying together..."


    "FangFang! Stop it!" Prince Li feels unhappy to see FangFang acts like that.


    TanTan pats FangFang¡¯s head and smiles to her,


    "I am sorry FangFang but wait for next time okay? I am promise I will show you my y again,..."


    "With YiFu too...?"


    TanTan nces to Prince Li, " Sure FangFang...if he doesn¡¯t mind..."


    FangFang looks confusedly to Prince Li,


    "Do you mind, Yi Fu?"


    ¡¯Ow, great...now she is using FangFang to force me?!¡¯ Prince Li still stares to HuaMuTan angrily.


    "Not now, FangFang!...you see, your YangMu and I need to recover our healthy first. You are also just healed from sick...so let us don¡¯t bother YangMu and back to your room, ok?!"


    Although Prince Li tries to talk softly but FangFang can hear the stern tone from her YiFu, so she stops continue begging, and answers in a poor mood,


    "Alright ,YiFu..."


    TanTan looks to Prince Li angrily, she doesn¡¯t happy to see FangFang¡¯s spirit gets down coz of his words. But she can¡¯t say anything as Prince Li has taken FangFang away.


    ¡¯He should not throw the anger to FangFang like that...how hard is it to say ¡¯maybe next time¡¯ or ¡¯i don¡¯t mind¡¯? What a narrow hearted man!¡¯


    "MuTan Cie, coz you are tired, I think our practice is done for today. Please have a rest..."


    "Ah....yeah, I am sorry, ShuangAiMei... and thanks once again for teaching me today..."


    "Its fine. I don¡¯t do much although. You are more than ready for the performanceter, I believe Grand Queen Mother will pleased with your y like before...too bad I can¡¯t be there to see it too..."


    "You praise me too much, ShuangAiMei..."


    "Its true, you may ask XiaoRue as well, isn¡¯t that right, XiaoRue?"


    Xiao Rue nods her head,


    "Yes,Miss ShuangAi...XiaoRue still rememberst year when XiaoCie performed in the pce... XiaoCie was so beautiful in her red silk cloth...XiaoCie looked like a godness..."


    "What will you wear for this time, MuTan Cie?"asks ShuangAi.


    TanTan widens her eyes, ¡¯Right, about the cloth; I should prepare a cloth for performance too...?¡¯


    "I don¡¯t know...XiaoRue, do I have another cloth that can be wear to performter beside that cloth?"


    "No, XiaoCie...usually XiaoCie would make a new cloth for any events or even for an important performance like this, Xiao Cie never wear the same cloth twice..."


    ¡¯Is that so...what a waste...but this is an important event and in front of the royal family, perhaps I also need a new cloth?¡¯


    TanTan speaks her mind,


    "Should I make a new cloth?"


    "MuTan Cie, if you want to make a new cloth, I can apany you to the shop. We can go to my regr shop in the town to get the best tailor..."


    ShuangAi offers her help, she is really enjoying moment when she bes close with HuaMuTan like a sister and so does TanTan,


    ¡¯ShuangAi has helped me a lot and so far I can feel her sincere...she really can be the best sister anyone have, what a pity HuaMuTan couldn¡¯t see it.¡¯


    "In the town?...Sure, lets go shopping tomorrow..." TanTan smiles thankful to ShuangAi,


    ¡¯This is can be also my chance to look around the town and hopefully not only finding the right cloth but also any clue about the killers¡¯


    After ShuangAi returns home, TanTan back to her room, apanied XiaoRue. She is willing to observe the dagger one more time but it surprises her that she can¡¯t find it at the ce she hid it,


    "XiaoRue, did you move the dagger?"


    XiaoRue shook her head nervously,


    "No XiaoCie, I wouldn¡¯t dare..."


    ¡¯Then who?¡¯, TanTan looks to the window where anyone can easily enter the room,


    but since the ident at moon festival, Prince Li has strengthen the guard of the mansion...the high possibility is someone in the mansion to take it..


    "XiaoRue, did anyone know that I keep the dagger?"


    "Xiaocie said that XiaoRue couldn¡¯t tell about it to anyone, so no one knows...Aaah!" XiaoRue sudden recited the moment she met ManQi,


    "ManQi knew, XiaoCie...when I brought back the dagger to this room, he sudden came out and tried to take the dagger from me....but I didn¡¯t give him a chance, XiaoCie..."


    ¡¯ManQi! That Prince LiZhouWei again...it must he who took the dagger without my permission!¡¯


    In anger, TanTan rushes out the room, she speeds up her pace angrily to find Prince Li but she can¡¯t find him at his room. TanTan looks around the room, ¡¯Can be he hide the dagger in here? No...he must hide the dagger in somewhere else I can¡¯t find out...¡¯


    Coincidence, Aunt Tong entering the room to clean the room. She surprises to find TanTan in the room. She asks in her aware,


    "Why are you here, young Madam?"


    But TanTan asks her back directly,


    "Where is Prince Li?"


    "Why do you need to find him? If you want, I can sent your message to himter" Aunt Tong feels its not necessary to let this evil woman disturbs his young master¡¯s time.


    "JUST TELL ME, WHERE IS HE?!"


    "I won¡¯t tell you if you rude like that, HuaMuTan. Don¡¯t you think this old woman will afraid to you like other servants." Aunt Tong looks to TanTan sharply.


    TanTan shocks, she is angry right now so she feels right to shout to this Aunt Tong, forced her to say where Prince Li is but then she realizes what she did, it same like how HuaMuTan acted.


    TanTan sighed, then she bows her body


    a little to Aunt Tong to express her regrets, gives a gesture of apologising.


    "Please forgive my rudeness, Aunt Tong. I just in hurry to ask an important thing to Prince Li. May Aunt Tong be kind to tell where he is right now?"


    The way TanTan respond shocks Aunt Tong more, she doesn¡¯t expect that HuaMuTan would bow her body to her. As a senior servant, its an embarrassing if she letting her master to bow down to her, its impolite if she lets HuaMuTan keep bowing to her. In her confusion, she bows back to HuaMuTan, she also bes stutter to answer,


    "Eh...no...please arise...Young Madam I..can¡¯t ept it...hm...Prince Li...he..is at study room..."


    TanTan lifts up her head and smiles to Aunt Tong,


    "Thank you, Aunt Tong" She doesn¡¯t wait any longer to rush away to study room, leaving Aunt Tong who still puzzled,


    "Did HuaMuTan bow to me just now? That evil woman even apologised to me??? Am I seeing a ghost..."


    At the study room, Prince Li is busy listening Uncle Tong about house business and also discussing about the present he need to prepare for Queen GrandMotherter.


    "So Young Master...shall I sent a golden flowery vase or a golden longevity tree for the Queen Grand Mother¡¯s birthdayter?" Uncle Tong put both pictures of the present on Prince Li¡¯s table.


    Every year, Prince Li always asks Uncle Tong to prepare the present. He doesn¡¯t have any opinion about the gift because he knows no matter what he gives can¡¯t bepared with other princes¡¯ gifts.


    "Both of options are good, I believe your choice, Uncle Tong. Just choose it for me...."


    "Brak!" Suddenly TanTan just barged in the room angrily, stopping the conversation. Prince Li and Uncle Tong look unpleasing to her.


    "WHERE IS THE DAGGER?!"


    Prince Li immediately gets what happened, ¡¯So she found out already...¡¯


    He gestured Uncle Tong to leave the room. Uncle Tong obeys but before he goes out, he still be able to greet TanTan politely and then closes the door of the room.


    After there are only two of them in the room, TanTan feels more free to express herints.


    "GIVE ME BACK THE DAGGER!"


    Prince Li sighed, he tries to keep focus reading the report book from Uncle Tong, so he doesn¡¯t need to look at TanTan, but he still answering her,


    "The dagger is at the safe ce now, you don¡¯t need to worry about it anymore"


    TanTan hits the table to get Prince Li¡¯s attention. She felt be ignored and she is very upset about it.


    "But you don¡¯t ask my permission to take that dagger! You stole it from me!"


    Prince Li looks at TanTan finally,


    "Stole from you?? The dagger is at my house... and also please remember, I was the one that stabbed with that dagger! So its my right to take and investigate that dagger..."


    "That¡¯s...." TanTan can¡¯t argue about it, because what Prince Li¡¯s said is make senses, "But they also want to kill me! I also want to investigate them by myself!"


    "With what? Don¡¯t you think its better give this problem to me, who has authority to sent the officers in this town to search?? But you, what can you do? Begging to your uncle? or to Queen Grand Mother about itter on her birthday?"


    "I... I have my own way!" But in her mind, she knows she can¡¯t defeat Prince Li about this...sudden she just remember Prince FengEr, "I had ask Prince FengEr to help me investigate it!"


    "Yeah, sure...Prince FengEr is now busy with the job to arrange the ceremony for Queen Grand Mother, do you think he really have time to help you..?"


    "You....!!!" TanTan bes so so so mad, not to the Prince Li but more to herself coz she just realizes how powerless she is. As Prince Li said, for now, she doesn¡¯t know how to begin the investigation. Her face bes as red as a tomato.


    Somehow Prince Li feels so please to see TanTan reacts like that, he enjoys the victory coz for many years he must subdued himself to this HuaMuTan but this time he able to take control on her. He smiles mocking her,


    "Believe me, the dagger is more safe with me than with you. So why don¡¯t you just focus thinking how to please your Queen Grand Mother with your performanceter...Don¡¯t disturb the investigation about dagger furthermore..."


    TanTan stares to Prince Li fiercely as she can,


    "Fine! You may have the dagger but you can stop me from what I want to do, I will keep investigate it and maybe will find the truth before you!!!" Then she just turns and goes out from the room, closing the door hardly.


    She stops and stands facing the front of study room, she makes her mind,


    ¡¯Just see! I am lost for now. But I won¡¯t give up. Mom won¡¯t let me give up, right Mom! I¡¯ll find a way to investigate the killers faster than him! Well...first, I need to make another drawing of the dagger... thankfully I still remember the shape¡¯


    Then TanTan makes her steps to her own room.


    Meanwhile in the room, Prince Li is thinking TanTan¡¯sst words, frustrated about it. He sits and strokes his own hair.


    "What is she nning to do?Aakh.... Really, I can¡¯t take my eyes off from her now...So frustrated!!"

 Chapter 22 Shopping in the town

    The next day, TanTan is ready to go to the town with ShuangAi and XiaoRue. In the morning, she thought that Prince Li will once again doesn¡¯t allow her to go out from the mansion. But actually TanTan doesn¡¯t care. With or without Prince Li¡¯s permission, she will keep going anyway. Turns out that Prince Li has gone since morning to the government office for some business. So TanTan can freely goes out from the house this time.


    ShuangAi takes her to arge shop in the town, maybe thergest. It has a luxury decoration and seems a shop for vip clients, seeing the types of their customers. What makes TanTan weird is the reaction of the workers there when they meet her. They sudden treat her too polite, but their looks seem scared and nervously, it likes TanTan is a super vip client who must be treated carefully.


    "Its a huge privilege to have you here, Miss Hua...Please...please..e.."


    "What cloth you want to make this time, Miss Hua? We will immediately make it soon. Like usual, give us a week and I am sure the cloth will done and satisfy you...please choose the material you like....Hey, immediately bring the best material we have..."


    They even ignored ShuangAi who obviouslyes with her...ShuangAi just stands there waiting. TanTan doesn¡¯t like what she sees, so TanTan calls her to close by her,


    "ShuangAiMei, what do you think with this silk?"


    When she calls ShuangAi friendly to ask her opinion, it startled everyone in the shop.


    ¡¯HuaMuTan is kind to ShuangAi? Aren¡¯t they enemy?¡¯


    ¡¯Is that a new evil trick of HuaMuTan to humiliate ShuangAi?¡¯


    ¡¯Will we see another drama scene here today?¡¯


    Those looks are clearly saying their minds but TanTan doesn¡¯t care. Shees to buy cloth with her friend, what is a big deal?


    Then there is a familiar voice calls her but not in friendly,


    "HuaMuTan, why do you force my ShuangAi Cie with you here, Hah? Are you nning any evil to her? Come, ShuangAi Cie...its dangerous to be with her. Its more safe to be with me!"


    "Princess Xixi,...its not what you think..." ShuangAi tries to exin but Princess Xixi already pulls her away from TanTan.


    "Don¡¯t you think I don¡¯t know your evil deed, HuaMuTan. Aren¡¯t you trying to humiliate her just because you are more wealthy than ShuangAi Cie? Don¡¯t worry, ShuangAi Cie...just choose the material you like, I¡¯ll buy it for you.."


    "No...no...it¡¯s not me who want to buy but MuTan Cie..." ShuangAi still trying to exin, but Princess Xixi quickly cut her words,


    "So you are boasting about buying an expensive cloth in front of ShuangAi Cie, hah? Do you think you can attract QiWangGe with those cloth?? Don¡¯t dream about it... No matter how nice cloth you put on, QiWangGe won¡¯t fall to you!! He has ShuangAi Cie who ten times more beauty and having a prettier heart than you!!"


    "No...Princess Xixi...please stop! You are wrong..." ShuangAi bes nervous for not able to stop Princess Xixi talking bad to TanTan.


    TanTan just rolled her eyes, ¡¯What an annoying princess...so quick to make her own conclusion without checking first what really happens¡¯


    People around them start whispering to each others. TanTan nces angrily to them and sudden they bes afraid and try to ignore them. They are afraid to be punished by TanTan, or by HuaMuTan precisely.


    "Princess Xixi...Ie here just to buy a cloth okay, not to make any trouble. ShuangAiMei here is helping me to choose the cloth and I don¡¯t force her toe. Please listen to her until finish!"


    Princess Xixi wants to argue back but ShuangAi stops her and exins as fast as she can,


    "Princess Xixi...what MuTan Cie is truth, I am the one to take her here so I can help her to choose cloth for the performance..."


    Princess Xixi attracts to thest word,


    "Performance? What performance?"


    ShuangAi feels she must exinpletely beside it is not a secret right?


    "MuTan Cie will perform her guzheng y with Prince Li¡¯s flute yter in the banquet of Queen GrandMother¡¯s birthday, so she need a new cloth for the performance.."


    "What??!!" Princess Xixi widens her eyes, "I don¡¯t hear about it, it must be you who force QiWangGe to perform with you...Are you threatening him again with Queen GrandMother¡¯s decree?"


    "What? Of course not..." TanTan just want to deny the usation but then they are interrupted by another familiar voice.


    "What¡¯s going on here?" Because the argument between Princess Xixi and HuaMuTan has bes show to everyone around them. It attracts Prince FengEr who also has a business with the shop. He is d to meet HuaMuTan again, but observing the situation, he then looks to Princess Xixi sharply,


    "XiMei, are you giving MuTan Mei trouble again?"


    "No, SanWangGe, listen...do you know that HuaMuTan has forced QiWangGe to perform with her in Queen GrandMother¡¯s birthday banquetter?? You need to save QiWangGe from this.


    "Hm...I am afraid I can¡¯t do that, Xi Mei"


    "But...Why? Don¡¯t you the one who is tasked to arrange the banquet?"


    "Yes indeed, and its also because it was me who asked them to performter, beside it is the wish from Queen GrandMother herself."


    TanTan so d that Prince FengEr is here to give an exnation which can be listened by Princess Xixi. After hearing that, Princess Xixi¡¯s face burns of the humiliate, she throws her anger to her brother,


    "I hate you SanWangGe...you always be on her side! Just see, HuaMuTan...I wish the performance will ending badly so you will get punished by Queen GrandMother... Come on, ShuangAi Cie...I don¡¯t want you also got bad influenced by this woman!"


    "But I..." ShuangAi looks at TanTan regretfully. TanTan nods her head, gesturing that she understand if ShuangAi want to apany Princess Xixi. TanTan knows ShuangAi want to calm Princess Xixi, its out of her kindness.


    So ShuangAi follows Princess Xixi away, leaving TanTan and Prince FengEr, while XiaoRue just stands nervously beside TanTan.


    "It seems I must apologize once more time for the unpleasing attitude of my sister, MuTan Mei. She is actually very friendly if you know her closer." Prince FengEr smiles sadly to TanTan.


    "Its okay. I am not putting her words in heart. Princess Xixi seems always misunderstanding me all the time. But maybe it also coz my past must be had been so bad to her? I really don¡¯t remember..."


    "To be honest, you are...really different than who you are in the past, MuTan Mei, but in a good way...XiMei just don¡¯t know it yet."


    One of the worker, who seems the head of the ce dares himself to interrupt, the business must goes on...


    "Hm..excuse me Miss Hua...then which material you want to use to make cloth for the performance? I believe maybe this yellow phoenix golden silk..or this shining flourish purple silk with transparent golden list ?"


    In her modern life, TanTan doesn¡¯t have any experience to pick colour because she is so simple, she doesn¡¯t care about the colours for her cloth as long itsfortable and cheap. So it quite difficult for her to choose,


    "Take the purple one. It suits you more..." Prince FengEr suggests,


    TanTan looks to Prince FengEr, confirming the choice, and Prince FengEr smiles," You will be more pretty with that colour, trust me."


    "Okay, I¡¯ll choose the purple one. And XiaoRue can you take over from here?...I want to get fresh air for a while. Lets meet at mansionter" TanTan gestures to the worker so he can deal with XiaoRue about the rest of cloth.


    "But XiaoCie, its dangerous to be alone...let XiaoRue apany you after deal with the cloth¡¯s order"


    Actually TanTan want to use the time to explore the town, finding the clue..but she feels better if she does it alone so she can move freely. She is thinking the way to ensure XiaoRue but Prince FengEr has giving the better idea,


    "Don¡¯t worry XiaoRue. I will apany your XiaoCie and send her home safelyter. Beside my business here is also done. How about that, MuTan Mei?"


    ¡¯Having him is not bad, beside doesn¡¯t he the one who promise to help me find the killers....and also has the antidote. I can investigate him while finding another clues too. For now, I just can trust my instinct that he is a friend¡¯ so TanTan decided to ept hispany.


    "Very well, Its a honor to be apanied by Third Prince."


    "Its my pleasure too" As a gentleman, Prince FengEr gestures his hand to open the way for TanTan. Both of them walk away from the shop and XiaoRue just stares at them with worry but then she must focus with the shop worker toplete the cloth order.


    When TanTan and Prince FengEr at outside, TanTan looks around to see any iron shop. Prince FengEr catches her looks and curious,


    "Are you looking for something, MuTan Mei?"


    TanTan looks to him and sighed,


    "I tell you the truth, I want to search about the dagger from any iron shop. Do you know a good ce to start?"


    "The dagger? oh that dagger....I thought you can leave that problem to me and be rx, MuTan Mei?"


    "Well, I cannot rx as long I can investigate it myself. You will help me right?"


    Prince FengEr lifts up his eyes and smiles to her, in his mind, he observes her,


    ¡¯This HuaMuTan is so independent, she doesn¡¯t really want to rely on my help...interesting, I wonder until when she finally gives up, maybe I can apany her game for a while..¡¯


    "Of course, I will help you MuTan Mei. You can keep my words..."


    "Very good, so where can we start?"


    "Hm...this town is not really my domain, actually it would faster if we ask QiWang Di to help us..."


    "No! Please don¡¯t! ..." TanTan objects it suddenly, it surprises Prince FengEr,


    "Why?" Although Prince FengEr seems to know the real reason, he pretends to be fool about it.


    "Well, I just don¡¯t want to bother Prince Li for now....this morning I see he is busy with his official job...so we better try to find it by our own...I¡¯ll report to himter" TanTan tries to lie smoothly but Prince FengEr can see her nervous when she talks, but still he epts her words


    "Hm...okay...if that so, lets we ask the main area of making iron ce in this town...Maybe from there we will know more clues"


    "Yeah, good idea...lets do it!"


    TanTan rushes her steps until she doesn¡¯t see a horse chariot on her way.


    "Watch out..." Prince FengEr holds her wraist to avoid the horse chariot, and with so, it ends by TanTan is being hugged by Prince Feng Er closely.


    "Are you okay?"


    TanTan startled, not because of the horse chariot but because of the closeness between her and Prince FengEr¡¯s body. She can see Prince FengEr¡¯s face closer and he looks so charming, TanTan suddenly feels shy and frees herself from Prince FengEr¡¯s hug as he also lets go his hands.


    "O..yeah..ehm...I am okay...let¡¯s ..let¡¯s just continue walk, shall we?"


    TanTan bes awkward and so she walks faster ahead, while Prince FengErughs happily to see her reaction and follows her slowly and even corrects TanTan¡¯s misdirection.


    While in the government office, Prince Li is dealing with a criminal who got arrested with some unique weapons. The criminal is a burr who idently took some illegal things from a caravan on the way, not far from this town, BaoZhi Town. The design of the weapons which stolen by him are having characteristic of Han people¡¯s weapon, their enemy. But the material of the weapon is simr with the iron stones which only can be mined in this country, which is a huge question in Prince Li¡¯s mind,


    ¡¯Why Han People can use this material to make the weapons? Unless.. someone in the country has sell the materials to Han People....?¡¯ But the problem is that all the iron stone mine is owned and be in surveince all the time by the kingdom, themon people is forbid to take that iron stone freely especially to make a big amount of weapon. It only can be used in military of this country. It arranged like that because the iron stone in this country is so special. The iron stone is more stronger than themon iron stone at other country, which is also one of the military power to defeat Han people in the battle. So it is a treason crime for anyone who sells the material out from country especially to Han People.


    "Its a huge problem. It might involve someone powerful in the pce! So don¡¯t leak about this to outside and investigate it carefully!" Prince Li gives a clearmand to his officers. ManQi is there too listening themand.


    "Why else we know from the caravan he burr in? Are they still there or already move?" Prince Li asks ManQi,


    "I had checked itst night with some officers. The caravan has disappear. There is no trace to find them anymore. It seems that they already know we areing after them and hide their trace."


    "Well, they must be hide in this town...search to everywhere but don¡¯t be noticed too obviously. We must catch the caravan to find out is there a lot of weapons like this as this thief said!"


    "Yes, Master"


    The other officers leave the room to do the order, meanwhile Prince Li holds ManQi behind to ask another thing.


    They move to other room, which seems as the safe for evidence things. ManQi takes out carefully the poisonous dagger and Prince Li observes it carefully, On the dagger de, there is a small symbol of simple clover flower,


    "This dagger is also be made by our iron stone but the design, its not Han people¡¯s design either our design, although its familiar to me, wonder when I ever see this design...But seeing the situation, this dagger and the case of weapons might be connected to each other..."


    "If that so Master...do you think HuaMuTan is also involved in this case somehow?"ManQi looks to Prince Li confusedly.


    "We don¡¯t know yet..." Prince Li gestures ManQi to put the dagger it in safe ce again. "We don¡¯t know..." Prince Li repeat the word with many questions running in his mind, but it seems the answer might can be found if he investigates HuaMuTan more deeply.

 Chapter 23 Iron Place 1

    TanTan gets clue about the iron forging ce, it is not too far from the town sides by walking. On the way, TanTan is thinking how to dig more information from this Prince FengEr. But Prince Feng Er seems a sociable person, he opens the conversation first.


    "So what will you do if you find out the owner of the dagger, MuTan Mei? You know its dangerous to fight with them by you alone."


    "I will find a way to catch them all, and the most important is to ask them the reason they want to kill me..."


    "Maybe someone paid them to do so,...the dagger seems belong to the assassins, someone must be have a deep grudge to you. Can¡¯t you remember who might be?"


    ¡¯Yeah, right....HuaMuTan¡¯s enemies are so many, from where I can start? I even don¡¯t have all her memories yet...if I must think the most possibly candidate who hates HuaMuTan so much, it will be....¡¯


    "I don¡¯t know....maybe Prince Li?"


    TanTan speaks out her mind...


    Prince FengEr widens his eyes to hear such answer, andughs so loud...


    "Wei Di? Hahahaha...No way...howe you suspect your own husband? Didn¡¯t he hurt for protecting you from the assassins?"


    ¡¯That¡¯s what make me so confuse about him...he suppose to be the best candidate of my enemy but he protected me...¡¯


    "Yeah, you are right, SanWangGe...but I don¡¯t remember anyone else who have grudge to me...Remember, I had forgot everything..."


    Prince FengEr stares at TanTan and thinking,


    ¡¯Poor HuaMuTan...she had really forgotten some strong enemies around her....¡¯ He then feels want to help her more,


    "Do you trust me if I tell you about some your enemies in your past?"


    "Who? Your sister?"


    "Hahaha, yes she is one of them but believe me, she is really not harmful... at least she never hides her hatred in front of you right? She is just a honest girl"


    "That¡¯s true, I can see that, so who do you mean my enemies?"


    "Let see....MuTan Mei, you are actually so famous and fiercely before...no one dare to against you because you are Queen GrandMother¡¯s favourite, you know about this right?"


    "Yeah...and then...?"


    "But it is also the reason why some people put jealousy to you in the pce..."


    "Someone in the pce?"


    Prince FengEr nods, then he exin about the royal family. The King of Li Country, Li LongWei has many concubines and theypete to each others for King¡¯s and Queen GrandMother¡¯s attention. The highest position now of course be hold by the present Queen, who is also the mother of the present crown prince. In the past, it was so clear to everyone that the arrogant HuaMuTan hates the Queen and the other King¡¯s concubines. Almost all the King¡¯s concubines even the Queen herself ever had conflict with HuaMuTan but with Queen GrandMother¡¯s protection, HuaMuTan always could escaped from their evil schemes. Beside them,


    there is a crown Prince, Prince LiLongYi who had grudge to Hua MuTan.


    "Even the crown Prince ??!! But why???"


    TanTan looks to Prince Li confusedly.


    Prince Li just looks back to her and smiles,


    "Its because you are too pretty, MuTan Mei"


    The answer is puzzling TanTan, but Prince FengEr doesn¡¯t continue his exnation as they also has arrived to the ce they aim.


    "Ah, that is the ce..."


    In front of them, there is an area where they can see so many men forging irons around. The ce is known as Iron ce, for mostly the main activity there is forging iron. It is also where one of the mass production of weapons be made in the town.


    Although TanTan wants to ask Prince FengEr more, but she keeps it,


    ¡¯Right now we better focus about the dagger¡¯ So TanTan starts to ask one by one the cksmith at the ce.


    TanTan shows the picture of dagger she bring to everyone she asks but none of them seems ever see the design, some even rudely rejecting to give any information. So far it can concludes that the weapon is made in this town or any town nearby, big possibility that ites from the capital city.


    TanTan feels down for the result of her investigation. In the break time, she sits in one of simple noodle restaurant and sighed deeply. Prince Li orders 2 warm noodle bowls and he prepares the chopstick, giving it to TanTan,


    "Here, its better for us to refill our energy first before we continue"


    Smelling the aroma of the noodle, TanTan¡¯s stomach is triggered of demanding to be filled, so she takes the noodle gratefully and eats it all.


    The way of TanTan eating absolutely not as elegant as HuaMuTan¡¯s eating way but it refreshing for Prince FengEr...so Prince FengEr enjoys seeing TanTan eating, he himself even doesn¡¯t touch his noodle at all. From all his observations about TanTan, he concludes that this HuaMuTan is no longer same like the past HuaMuTan, but he doesn¡¯t care, even the oppositely he bes more attracted to this HuaMuTan than the past one.


    After TanTan finishing her noodle, suddenly a ss of water has been served in front of her, by Prince FengEr.


    "Ehm....thanks..." TanTan drinks it all, then she realizes Prince FengEr¡¯s noodle is still full,


    "You don¡¯t eat, SanWangGe?"


    "Oh...gosh...I am too mesmerized by your way of eating...till I forget to eat mine" Prince FengEr smiles, he is clearly throw a flirt to TanTan.


    In his surprise, TanTan put a suspicious look to him.


    ¡¯This Prince must be a yboy for he can flirt it so boldly...¡¯


    Prince FengEr seems aware of the suspicious from TanTan, so he immediately correct his words,


    "Please don¡¯t angry to me, MuTan Mei. What I mean is your way of eating is so different than before..."


    "Oh...I hope I am not humiliating you, SanWangGe?"


    "Of course not, I even like your present way of eating...." Prince FengEr seems couldn¡¯t not hold himself from not flirting TanTan,


    ¡¯Again with the flirt...¡¯


    Suddenly Prince FengEr looks around and pull his body closer to TanTan, gesturing he want to say something carefully, not for be heard others. So TanTan confusedly close to him,


    "MuTan Mei, its notfortable if you keep calling me SanWangGe here...you know its better for we keep our real identity here...maybe by that, we can get more cluester, so why don¡¯t you call me just FengGe, I¡¯ll call you TanMei..."


    TanTan looks around, she realizes thatpare with other customers of that noodle restaurant, both her and Prince FengEr¡¯s appearances might quite stand out than others. Some people around them also nce to them in curiosity looks.


    ¡¯Maybe its not bad idea...if we too stand out, they perhaps won¡¯t tell us anything like some cksmiths just now¡¯.


    "Very well, FengGe... but what do you think should we do next?"


    "Well ,suddenly I feel very hungry so if you don¡¯t mind, wait for me finishing my noodle first?" Prince FengEr smiles apologizing to her.


    TanTan doesn¡¯t mind, while the Prince FengEr eating, she still can observe the road, checking if there still any iron workshop they don¡¯t go yet.


    Then suddenly her eyes catch some mysterious 2 men, they seem checking around to make sure not be seen anyone before another man join them and three of them turn to a very quiet alloy. They look so much suspicious for TanTan,


    "FengGe...I think we should go now..."


    Without waiting Prince FengEr¡¯s respond, TanTan has rushes to the quiet alloy where those men aim.


    "Wait...TanMei..."Prince FengEr just can put the money to pay TanTan¡¯s and his unfinishing noodle and follows TanTan.


    Behind the wall, TanTan carefully eavesdropping those men who talking in front of an old little house. When Prince FengEr arrives, she gestures Prince FengEr to keep silent and listen.


    One of the man who looks more clean and tidy in a ck cloth seems is the leader, while the other two who have dirtier and rude figure maybe the subordinates. The leader talks to one of the subordinates who is quite fat and has more longer beard,


    "Are you sure everything is ready? Nothing left..."


    "Of course, the weapons are all in the safe ce. We has move it all after that ident! None left behind. You can trust me!" The beard man hit his chest to ensure his leader.


    "Be quiet! You are too loud, fool!" The other man who is skinnier hit the beard man rudely.


    "Hey, how many times I told you...Don¡¯t hit my head!!"


    "What...you want to fight??!!"


    Those both men are acting like two fighting clowns in the circus.


    "Enough..." The leader lower his voices "Now take me to the ce, I want to check it by myself before I can report it to the High Master..."


    Those other two men lead the way for their leader and they go to other way, headed to the woods. TanTan keeps following them, while Prince FengEr holds her arm to stop her for a while,


    "TanMei, I don¡¯t think its a good idea to follow them like this? Why don¡¯t wee back and report all these suspicious things to Wei Di, so he can send soldiers to catch those men..."


    ¡¯Giving this lead to that Prince Li so he can figure it first than me? No I won¡¯t let it happens!¡¯


    "Are you scare, FengGe? You may return if that so....coz I will keep investigating them, maybe they can lead me to the killers..."


    TanTan just continue walks, she speed her pace so she won¡¯t lost those men.


    Prince FengEr just sighed,


    "What a brave but careless girl..." But he is also keep apany TanTan.


    Those men stop at a small old lodge which seem not inhabitated for long time. They aware around before they enter the lodge. TanTan watches them quite far from behind the trees.


    "Now what do you want to do, TanMei?" Prince FengEr observes TanTan, he wonders what act TanTan will take in this kind of situation?


    "I want to check inside the lodge..."


    "Hm, It seems difficult, we can¡¯t just barged in there and they won¡¯t leaving the lodge without any guards." Prince FengEr observes the condition and exin it calmly to TanTan. Too calm, as it likes he exins about how to choose good vegetable in the market.


    And somehow it irritates TanTan,


    "I know that...!" She keeps thinking, ¡¯If only I can distract those three men from there!¡¯


    She looks around the woods, she notices one area is having a hole, like abandoned natural well but not too deep and then she looks to Prince FengEr, calcting...


    "FengGe, can you make a fire?"


    "Its not hard but why?" Prince FengEr looks to TanTan confusedly...


    TanTan smiles begging him and then exin her n to him. While listening her n, Prince FengEr just smiles and put some thought in his mind,


    ¡¯What an interesting n...she is quite smart and bold¡¯


    In a few minutester, TanTan throws a stick of fire at the front of lodge, the fire is just big enough to make the smokes enter the lodge...


    Those men inside the lodge are surprised ande out immediately to put off the fire. The leader speaks out their mind,


    "Why suddenly there is a fire here?"


    "Look!" The beard men pointing to in the woods not too far from the lodge, where it seems some fire on an area.


    "There is a fire!" The skinny men tells what they see about.


    "Both of you check it there, if you see anyone there. Just kill them, don¡¯t leave any witnesses!" The leader gives a clear instruction..


    "Roger!" Both men then went to the burned area, where they see the fire just burning some bushes, they move closer to the burning bushes and then suddenly the ground they stand breaking down, they fell into a hole. Coz the hole is not too deep so after that, TanTan and Prince FengEr throw some burned bushes and close the hole with some big woods to make them busy deal with the fire and the smokes.


    Then TanTan asks Prince FengEr to rule the leader out long enough while she will be inside the lodge to check. Although Prince FengEr still thinking its a high risked n, but he had agreed to help TanTan so far.


    So Prince FengEr purposely make a gesture from far and it sessfully attracts the leader to chase him. Now its the right time for TanTan to check the lodge. Knowing she doesn¡¯t have much time, she immediately enters the lodge and she sees many wooden boxes which filled by a lot of weapon with an unique designs. There are daggers among them but it is not simr with the poison dagger she investigates about. TanTan is disappointing but she still takes one of the unique designated dagger with her, in case she need it to fight those men on the way back. When she goes out from the lodge, in the front door, she meets those two men which has escaped from the hole, full of dirt and messy faces coz of the fire and smokes.


    ¡¯Damn it! I know that hole can¡¯t hold them too long, but I don¡¯t think they can so quick to return back...¡¯


    "Who are you!!!" the beard man shocks to see a womanes out from the lodge,


    "Lets catch her" The skinny man takes movement right away to grab TanTan but TanTan manages to avoid him and run away to the woods.


    The beard man and the skinny man ready to chase her, then suddenly a fierce voice stops them,


    "What is going on here!!!..."


    They turns back and shock to find their High Master is there, a cool auraes from a ck clothed man with a mask covered almost all his face, the same mask of the man who threw his man into the cliff for notpleting his order.


    Both of the men are trembling scare and they are kneeling down by themselves,


    "Hi..high Master...please forgive us...."


    "Yee...ah...please let us catch that woman....we will kill that woman right away...no one will know..."


    "...That woman isn¡¯te alone, is she?"


    "We..we don¡¯t know..."


    In the sh, the High Master has killed those both men in a cool hand.


    Some ck-clothed men suddenly appear behind the High Master,


    "Get rid of these fools and remove all the weapons immediately...don¡¯t let anything left..."


    "Yes, Master!" Those ck-clothed man instantly do his order.


    Meanwhile TanTan keep running and running till she fell down from stumbling a rock. When TanTan tries to stand up, she hears a fighting noise from near. When she finds the source, TanTan sees Prince FengEr is fighting with the leader who chased him down. TanTan stunned coz from their movements, its so clear that Prince FengEr is more powerful than that leader.


    ¡¯Is that Prince FengEr actually has a high martial skill?¡¯


    In a few minutester, Prince FengEr manages to immobilize the leader, cornered him by using the leader¡¯s sword.


    Prince FengEr looks so fierce and different than usual,


    "Now tell me, who is your Master?! What do you want to do with the hidden weapons?! Tell the truth, then I Prince LiFengEr will spare your life!"


    The leader who feels can¡¯t escape anymore,ughs nervously when he recognizes the Prince FengEr¡¯s identity,


    "You can¡¯t defeat our Master...he is more higher than you...Ughh"


    Suddenly from nowhere, a small poison arrow stabs the leader¡¯s neck, it kills him right away. Prince FengEr only can feels someone who shoots it has runaway from the trees, he wants to chase him but TanTan¡¯s voice holds him.


    "SanWangGe...is he dead?"


    "I am afraid so..." Prince FengEr takes the poison arrow to observe it furthermore, he then looks at TanTan, "lets return to Li Mansion,TanMei. Its not safe if we stay longer here..."


    TanTan can¡¯t argue about that, she nods but suddenly she feels pain at her ankle, TanTan seems had twisted her leg when she stumbled just now...


    "Auch..."


    "What happens?" Prince FengEr seems worry right away,


    "I think I strain my ankle just now....but its okay, I still can walk..." TanTan exins.


    "Let me see..." Prince FengEr kneels down to check TanTan¡¯s ankle. But Somehow the position of Prince FengEr makes TanTan feels awkward.


    Prince FengEr looks up to TanTan,


    "Its not worse, but still you can¡¯t force to walk...let me carry you back to iron ce, we can treat your strain there..."


    "No...its okay ,no need to carry me...just borrow your hand to lean would be enough..." The image of being carried by Prince FengEr is too humiliating TanTan,


    "Ok" Seeing that TanTan feels awkward, Prince FengEr doesn¡¯t want to force her too much so he lets TanTan holding his arms and walk together slowly until they reaches the iron ce again.

 Chapter 24 Iron Place 2

    A few hours ago,


    Prince Li takes some officers to search iron ce, to find any clue about the illegal weapons. While asking about the illegal weapons, Prince Li also use this chance to ask about a dagger with clover symbol,


    One of the cksmith listens to Prince Li¡¯s question confusedly,


    "Its strange,...why everyone today has interest to find such dagger?"


    "What do you mean? Has someone else asking about dagger with clover symbol?" Prince Li asks curiously


    "Yeah, just now there is an elegant man and a beauty woman asking about the same dagger. The woman even shows me the dagger picture..."


    Prince Li thanks for the information, and then he is thinking about what that cksmith said.


    ¡¯A beauty woman with dagger picture? Could it be HuaMuTan? But she came with who? An elegant man? Her partner in crime?...¡¯


    ManQies suddenly to report,


    "Master, we have questioning every cksmiths but no clue yet."


    "Hm, the thief we caught clearly said that he sees the caravan entering this ce...they must be having a good hiding ce around here..."


    Sudden a little boy shouts along the way,


    "There is fire...fire in the woods.."


    Some people take the action immediately to check the fire.


    "Let us help them too" Prince Li stands immediately and go with ManQi and other officers.


    In a short time, they arrive to the lodge and put off the fire. The old lodge has burned all. When the fire has been extinguished, the people has returns coz nothing can be seen from a burning old lodge. But Prince Li and his men still there to check the ruin, coz Prince Li thinks,


    ¡¯This lodge can be a perfect ce to hide...does someone burn this lodge purposely to cover something?¡¯


    Unfortunately they don¡¯t find anything.


    Out of the lodge, Prince Li walks and observes around. ManQi who also observes the other sides suddenly sees someones out from the woods. When he recognizes the figures, it surprises him. He immediately gestures Prince Li to see it too,


    "Master, look..."


    He widens his eyes for what he sees, Prince FengEr is walking with TanTan so closely and carefully, they walk out from the woods.


    ¡¯What a coincidence! When I am looking about the illegal weapons. and here I meet her again...?" But he also wonders why Prince FengEr can be with HuaMuTan. He rushes to approach them.


    Prince FengEr and TanTan also surprise to see Prince Li and his men there. They actuallye back coz they notice the fire. Prince Li greets Prince FengEr politely.


    "San Wang Ge..." He gives an unpleasing cool look, seeing how TanTan walks so closely with Prince FengEr. No matter what, HuaMuTan is known as his legal wife so it can¡¯t be good to be seen intimately with other man. He is thinking it might be bad for PrincE FengEr¡¯s good name also.


    It seems Prince FengEr knows what he is thinking so he exins immediately


    "Wei Di, good to see you here. Ah, please don¡¯t mistaken us, MuTan Mei sprained her ankle so I help her walking...but you are here, so now you can take care of your wife..."


    Smoothly Prince FengEr pushes TanTan¡¯s body to Prince Li. Without he realizes, Prince Li has taken her with his hands.


    Ufort with the position, TanTan frees herself and tries to hold the pain.


    "Its okay...I can walk by myself"


    But Prince Li keeps holding her arm,


    "What happened? Why are you here with San Wang Ge?" he asks curiously.


    "Isn¡¯t it obviously? I aming here to find a clue about the dagger..." TanTan exins,


    "By dragging the Third Prince with you?? How bold and careless you are! You can put him in danger!!" Prince Li doesn¡¯t care if ManQi and the other officers are looking to them when he scolded TanTan loudly. Actually in his mind, he feels once again this HuaMuTan is so dare to put herself in danger after being saved by himst time...Is she really careless or trying to take an attention from these situations?!"


    ¡¯He doesn¡¯t concern at all about my safety but the Prince FengEr¡¯s safety? Great...¡¯ She feels upset, but can¡¯t reply his words for she did use Prince FengEr as a bait to rule the enemy. It gives an unpleasing silent between them.


    Prince FengEr feels regretful about it,


    "Wei Di, please don¡¯t be angry to MuTan Mei. It was me who willing to apany her voluntarily ...Now why don¡¯t we sit down and talk about it. You will really want to listen what we had found, WeiDi."


    Prince Li seems unsatisfying with Prince FengEr¡¯s exnation, he stared sharply to TanTan,


    "Fine...Lets talk at home!" Left hand of Prince FengEr keeps holding TanTan¡¯s arm while he uses his right hand to whistling, calling his horse.


    The horse is obedientlying nearby Prince Li. Then Prince Li gestures TanTan to ride on the horse.


    TanTan confused with his attitude,


    ¡¯Why does he kindly offer me ride with him if he so mad to me?!¡¯


    "Just ride on...or do you want to bother SanWangGe again to help you walk?" He says sharply.


    At once, TanTan catches the reason,


    ¡¯He cares about Prince FengEr¡¯s reputation. He afraid if there will be a bad rumours between me and Prince FengEr?¡¯


    TanTan doesn¡¯t want that happen also so she obeys to ride on the horse, but the pain on her ankle makes her a little bit difficult to ride on by herself. Suddenly Prince Li carries her up on the horse and then sit at her back. It startled TanTan till she bes speechless and just sit obediently. He looks back to Prince FengEr,


    "SanWangGe, let¡¯s meet at Li Mansionter...I want to know everything that happened here..." He turns to ManQi,


    " ManQi, assist Third Prince!"


    "Yes, Master" ManQi gestures obediently.


    Then Prince Li and TanTan leave the area.


    Prince FengEr keep watching they go with undescribed look till ManQi speaks to him,


    "Shall we go now, Third Prince?"


    "Oh yeah...sure...ah, don¡¯t forget ask your officers to bring over one dead body in the wood...maybe it will be useful for the investigationter"


    "I understand, Third Prince"


    And like that, ManQi forwards Prince FengEr¡¯s words to some officers, then he is also taking his horse and assisting Prince FengEr back to Li Mansion.

 Chapter 25 Back to Li Mansion

    On the way back to Li Mansion, TanTan just stay silent for she is adjusting her feeling. After eptingst HuaMuTan¡¯s memories, she started to feel weird everytime she is being close with Prince Li. While Prince Li just silent and focusing riding the horse.


    When they arrive at Li Mansion, Prince Li without any expression helps TanTan to go down from the horse.


    XiaoRue, Aunt Tong and Uncle Tong who notice the arrival immediately gather at the front gate. They feels surprised seeing TanTan goes home with Prince Li. More over, XiaoRue notices TanTan mutters pain a little when she steps down of the horse.


    XiaoRue right away approaches TanTan,


    "XiaoCie, your leg...?"


    "I¡¯m okay...just a little sprain..."


    Prince Li nces to her but doesn¡¯t say anything. He just walks passing TanTan and gives clear instruction to Aunt Tong,


    "The Third Prince willeter. Aunt Tong, prepare a dinner. He might eat hereter..."


    Aunt Tong obeys the instruction and directs to the kitchen. The dinner with the Third Prince is something usual happen in Li Mansion because Prince FengEr is a regr guest in this house. Aunt Tong even no need to ask about the Prince FengEr¡¯s favourite menu.


    While Uncle Tong just stands beside Prince Li, waiting any orders.


    "Let¡¯s XuaoRue take XiaoCie to the bedroom" XiaoRue slowly holds TanTan¡¯s arm to help her walks, but then Prince Li stops her and stares sharply to HuaMuTan,


    "No, you muste with me to the guest room...I still have many things to ask you!" Prince Li gestures her to follow him to the guest room.


    TanTan sighed,


    ¡¯Alright, lets finish this interrogation quickly, beside the guest room is nearer than my bedroom. Its not bad also if I can rest my leg for a while over there...¡¯


    She then assisted by XiaoRue walks slowly to follow Prince Li, who entering the guest room with Uncle Tong.


    In the room, XiaoRue immediately assists TanTan to sit on one of the chair. While Prince Li is also sit on the other chair and drink the tea which served by Uncle Tong.


    After sit withfort, TanTan just opens her sock and shoe right away and pull up her dress to see the condition of her sprained ankle.


    Showing a bare foot for a woman in this ancient time is not an elegant manner of a high ss. In their tradition, a woman only can show it to their parents or their husband so it surprises Prince Li and others in the room, it also makes he almost choked up from drinking tea. he coughs and rebukes TanTan,


    "uhuk...uhk...What are you doing, HuaMuTan?!"


    TanTan gives a confused look,


    "Why? I am only checking my sprained foot...is that forbidden?"


    "You should do that in more private ce...! Don¡¯t you feel shame if you show it here?..."


    TanTan still confuses with the reaction of Prince Li, she looks to XiaoRue who also feels ufort with TanTan¡¯s act.


    "Am I doing something wrong?"


    "XiaoCie, ady is usually not showing her foot easily....she only can show it in bedroom, in front of parents or... husband.."


    TanTan looks around and notices Uncle Tong who stands beside Prince Li politely looks to other way. He seems shy to see part of TanTan¡¯s bare foot.


    ¡¯What a weird tradition...¡¯ TanTan put on her sock and shoe again, but before she does it, Prince Li still be able to nce at her ankle which has bes red and swollen caused by the sprain. ¡¯Her ankle seems really got sprained...but does she purposely let me see it to make me sympathy to her? No...it seems not like that¡¯. He remembers in the past, HuaMuTan never stops to take his attentions, fromining many things till pretending too weak or faint to stop him meeting ShuangAi and it repeated too many times till it made him felt sick about it... But this time, he feels different...because this HuaMuTan didn¡¯tin at all about her sprain since they arrive till now or force him to treat her sprain well. She even listened to him about not showing her foot anymore. Once again he convinces, ¡¯It is a different HuaMuTan...¡¯


    Prince Li instructed Uncle Tong to leave the room before he can ask TanTan furthermore,


    "Now before the Third Prince here, tell me the truth, why do you drag Prince FengEr to go with you to the Iron ce?!"


    ¡¯So the interrogation has starting hah...¡¯


    TanTan tries to calm herself by taking a breathe deeply one time, she then answers,


    "I didn¡¯t drag him, like I said, I went there to find the clue about the dagger... It was Prince FengEr himself who offered the help, you can ask XiaoRue about it."


    "Is that true, XiaoRue?"


    "Yes, Prince Li...this morning, we went to the town with Lady ShuangAi to buy a new cloth for XiaoCie¡¯s performance, at there we met Prince Li and Princess Xixi...." Then XiaoCie told the rest of story how Prince Li helped TanTan from his sister and then offered the help to assist TanTan,


    Prince Li listens it with full attention,


    ¡¯Hm...from her story, it seems that HuaMuTan really didn¡¯t arrange the meeting with San WangGe purposely but its a coincidence they met...but she had nned to go finding clue alone anyway, so if she didn¡¯t meet SanWangGe, did she still boldly goes alone put herself in danger?¡¯


    He still stares to HuaMuTan when XiaoRue finishes her story,


    "Now you know that I met the third prince in coincidence. And I did go there to find the clue ,nothing else..." TanTan adds,


    "...Then what clue do you find?" asks Prince Li sharply.


    "...So far, I don¡¯t find anything about the dagger yet..." There is a disappointing tone in her voice, and coz he also didn¡¯t find any clue about the poison dagger, for once Prince Li feels he can trust HuaMuTan¡¯s words this time. he just confused about one thing,


    "But why did you and Prince Li be at the woods?"


    "That¡¯s..." TanTan continues but sudden she is interrupted by someone who just enters the room, Prince FengEr.


    "I can exin that for you..."


    "SanWangGe" Prince Li stands to greet him, Tantan also want to stand to greet him politely but Prince FengEr immediately stand beside her, gestures her to keep sitting,


    "No need to stand,..MuTan Mei, its okay. How¡¯s your ankle?"


    "Its fine. Thanks, San Wang Ge" TanTan sits back, but Prince FengEr clearly can see from her look that TanTan still feels the pain.


    "Hm,...Wei Di, you should give MuTan Mei treatment first for her ankle before questioning her..." Prince FengEr gives a little scolding tone to Prince Li.


    ¡¯Somehow SanWangGe treats HuaMuTan differently¡¯ Prince Li feels unpleasing with this development, but as usual he listens to Prince FengEr¡¯s advice coz for Prince Li, SanWangGe is like his closest brother he had. He is indeed closer with Prince FengEr than other princes. Even their mothers were also the close sisters in the harem pce. So Prince Li looks to TanTan,


    "You¡¯re right, SanWangGe...HuaMuTan, you may return to your room now to treat your ankle"


    "No,...I want to stay, l also want to involve on this investigation!"


    "Don¡¯t be stubborn, HuaMuTan! You can¡¯t help anything than bringing yourself in danger...!"


    "But I had already involved just now, I know about the weapons so I have right to know!"


    "What do you mean?!" Prince Li stares to her curiously, "What weapons?"


    "Wei Di, Maybe MuTan Mei is right.... maybe she need to stay.... Well, I think you need to listen first what happened..."


    Prince FengEr then recites how they followed the illegal weapon smugglers and ended at the woods. Knowing it was HuaMuTan who checked in the lodge, Prince FengEr looks to TanTan,


    "You has entered that lodge? Then what did you find in the lodge?"


    TanTan remembers that she had taken one dagger from the lodge. She takes it out from her saving pocket in her dress and then shows it.


    "What I saw was many wooden boxes which filled by a lot of weapon with an unique designs like this dagger..."


    Prince FengEr who stands closer to TanTan, reaches the dagger and examines it. He is surprised because he recognizes the material and the dagger right away. Prince Li alsoes closer to see the dagger.


    Prince FengEr looks to Prince Li,


    "This...?!" Prince Li just nods, it seems he knows what Prince FengEr want to say.


    "Few days ago, we caught some thieves who also smuggled this kind of weapon the simr design, the simr material..."


    "Its a very serious case, Wei Di"


    "Yes, that¡¯s what I thought too, I think I should report it to the pce immediately..."


    Both of Princes seems has ignoring TanTan who really lost and confuse, ¡¯What actually matter with the weapon? Why it bes the serious case? Isn¡¯t it just a weapon???¡¯


    Prince FengEr seems deep in his thinking, when suddenly he said,


    "Don¡¯t report it yet, WeiDi...I think it isn¡¯t right time if we don¡¯t have any clue who is behind the weapons.."


    "Why, SanWangGe? This is huge and important...*FuWang must to know it..."


    "Coz the culprit might be someone in high position in the pce, it can be anyone beside FuWang. If you report it now, it just make them aware and get rid of any evidences or even fireback you before you can catch them!"


    "How can you be sure about it, SanWangGe?"


    Then Prince FengEr retells thest words of the enemy leader he fought before he died.


    "Someone is higher than you?..Hm..."


    Prince Li spectes in his thought,


    ¡¯Who could be? Although the third Prince FengEr is known as yful prince but his status is quite higher than anyone in the pce, everyone knows that he is still one of the favourite sons of the King...except...yeah, there are 2 persons that can be considered having higher status than the third Prince... so if the words they heard is truth, than the suspects can be between...¡¯


    "Isn¡¯t the Crown Prince higher than the Third Prince?" TanTan suddenly mentions it, she wants to join in the conversation. Although she doesn¡¯t understand how important this case yet, but she gets the main line of the case here, there is an smuggling illegal weapon happened and the culprit is someone¡¯s position which higher than the Third Prince. Its not too difficult to guess...


    Prince Li and Prince FengEr are surprised, coz TanTan speaks out their mind...yes, the crown Prince is the strongest suspect but they still doubting the Crown Prince would do such a treason? Isn¡¯t he will be the future king...why would he betray his own kingdom?


    "It can be another person beside him..."


    Prince FengEr say it carefully, there is an doubt in his tone.


    Hearing TanTan¡¯s voice reminds Prince Li that it would be better if HuaMuTan doesn¡¯t involve too far in this case, beside there is another person he suspects all the time, the one that has close family rtionship with HuaMuTan.


    "I think it¡¯s time for you to go back to your room, HuaMuTan....XiaoRue, take your XiaoCie go..."


    "NO!" TanTan knows that Prince Li means to stop her from continuing the investigation, but she has a feeling that this case might have a connection with her killers too at least she can start from here "Let me stay and help... SanWangGe, you said to me before that I have enemy in the pce. Can¡¯t it possible that my enemy and the culprit behind this case is the same person? In that case, don¡¯t we have the same enemy to look for?"


    "Well...I did say that...But it just none other than a spection, Mu Tan Mei?"


    Prince FengEr actually also.doesn¡¯t want TanTan to be in danger situation again.


    Prince Li adds to make TanTan give up her mind,


    "Listen, your enemies are indeed a lot, HuaMuTan! Howe you be sure that they are the same person? Do you have any proof of it? No right? So why don¡¯t you just stay in your room while we¡¯re doing our job!"


    " Its true that right now I don¡¯t have anything to proof it but I believe my guts!" The same guts she has all the years she study aboutws and crimes.


    "What a ridiculous is to trust your guts?? You just throw yourself in a danger, don¡¯t expect that you can be saved over and over again!" Prince Li is triggered to mock TanTan in anger.


    "Well, I won¡¯t ask to be saved by you againter...!"


    "Fine! I won¡¯t save you again for the next time!"


    The condition between them bes so intense that Prince FengEr feels to calm them,


    "Alright...WeiDi, MutAn Mei, I think we can continue discuss it. Why don¡¯t we have dinner first now? You know this all things make me feel so hungry!"


    "Very well, like SanWangGe said, let¡¯s continueter...Let¡¯s move to the dinner room..." Prince Li once again listens to Prince FengEr¡¯s advice, he stands and gestures to allow Prince FengEr walks "SanWangGe, please...."


    But TanTan just keep sitting on her chair, it weirds Prince FengEr,


    "Won¡¯t you join also, MuTan Mei?"


    TanTan widens her eyes, she looks to Prince Li. Since the first day she back to Li Mansion, she never had a dinner together with Prince Li. They always eat in their own room.


    "Can I join the dinner?"


    Prince Li seems still upset to TanTan, but he doesn¡¯t want to object Prince FengEr so he just answers shortly.


    "Sure..."


    TanTan can see Prince Li is not sincerely allow her to join the dinner so she is guessing because it because Prince FengEr¡¯s offers just now. Although TanTan is also upset but she is too, doesn¡¯t want to reject the offer of Prince FengEr. It just TanTan doesn¡¯t want to feel awkwardter, so she suggests something else,


    "Can FangFang join us too?"


    Prince Li looks to her curiously while Prince FengEr smiles to her,


    "Wah, sure...I already so long not seeing your little girl, Wei Di...let her join, the more is merrier.."


    Prince Li sighed,


    "Very well...if she doesn¡¯t have dinner yet, she may join as well..." Then he instructs a servant to call FangFang.


    "Do you need anything else?!" Prince Li asks her in the sharp tone.


    "No...Its enough...ugh" Once again when TanTan try to stand, she feels the pain on her ankle. Prince FengEr reacts worry, he actually want to help TanTan, but he knows the manner not to touching TanTan especially in front of Prince Li, her husband.


    "XiaoCie, be careful.." XiaoRue immediately assists her walk slowly.


    Seeing TanTan¡¯s condition, Prince Li feels ufort coz sudden he feels sympathy to TanTan but he doesn¡¯t want to show it,


    "Just walk slowly. We¡¯ll wait for you at the dinner room..." Prince Li talk softly then gestures Prince FengEr again to walk directing the dinner room, where is not too far from the guest room.


    In other ce, in a one cave of hill. The ck-clothed men is busy to put many wooden boxes inside the cave.


    Their leader standing with his right man watches the work,


    "Make sure no one knows the existence of these weapons. Prince Li has restricting the inspection at this town¡¯s gate. We can¡¯t deliver these weapon to Han country right now... Wait until I find the way to pas through the inspection."


    "What about the girl at the woods, Master? Should we kill her?"


    The ck shadow leader, with his silver ck mask raises his hand, gesturing his objection to the idea,


    "Don¡¯t worry about her! I¡¯ll take care of her by myself...Just focus to keep these weapon unseen..."


    "Yes, Master!" The right man then goes to check the work, while the ck mask busy in his thinking,


    ¡¯HuaMuTan...although you seems has forgotten past, still once again you put your nose in my business...if continue like this, maybe I really should have to send her away to her mother...too bad...¡¯


    *FuWang: the calling of the king¡¯s children to their father.

 Chapter 26 Dinner 1

    When they are going to the Dinner Room, Prince FengEr observes how Prince Li keep walking beside him, but sometimes nces to TanTan and seems thinking about something,


    "Wei Di, are you worrying about MuTan Mei?" he teases him to find out what his thought.


    "What? No....I am thinking someone else to be suspected..."


    "Who?"


    "Minister Hua..."


    "HuaMuTan¡¯s uncle?" Prince FengEr also nces to TanTan, "You don¡¯t think she is also involved right?"


    "I don¡¯t know..."


    "Well, we don¡¯t have any evidence yet. Its too early to say..."


    "You¡¯re right"


    Prince FengEr doesn¡¯t say anything else, although in his mind, he believes that HuaMuTan is innocent but he doesn¡¯t want to share that thought with Prince Li.


    "YiFu..." At the entrance of the dinner room, FangFang approaches them happily. When she sees Prince FengEr with them, FangFang suddenly behaves as she had been taught, she greets Prince FengEr politely.


    "FangFang greets *San Wang ShuShu.."


    "Smart FangFang...how are you? Shushu d to see you again after a long time..."


    Prince FengEr pats her head and FangFang seemsfort with him. Not too long, TanTan and XiaoRue have catching up them. When FangFang sees TanTan, she dly hugs TanTan.


    "Yang Mu..."


    And coz of the pain, TanTan mutters pain,


    "Ugh...." but TanTan holds it, letting FangFang keep hugging her. She tries to smile to FangFang.


    "FangFang, don¡¯t do that...your YangMu is in pain...her ankle is hurt..." Prince FengEr pulls FangFang from TanTan.


    "YangMu, your ankle is hurt?" FangFang looks worry,


    TanTan smiles and pats her head,


    "Yes, FangFang, but only a little bit so don¡¯t worry...."


    "Let FangFang helps YangMu..." FangFang holds TanTan¡¯s hand, leads TanTan slowly entering first to the dinner room,


    Seeing the view of what happened makes Prince FengEr widens his eyes, he asks Prince Li softly,


    "Since when FangFang bes so close with MuTan Cie, didn¡¯t she afraid of her after the burning incident?"


    Prince Li just sighed,


    "Many thing has changedtely in this house..." then he gestures the Prince FengEr to enter the room first before him.


    In the room, Aunt Tong and the other servants have waiting for them,


    Aunt Tong and the other servant do their duty to give the best service, they don¡¯t wasting any time to disy the dishes on the round table. The food is delighting TanTan although she doesn¡¯t feel want to eat a lot. Also she feels right to call FangFang join. During the


    dinner, she can keep busy taking food for FangFang so she doesn¡¯t need to talk too much with both of the princes.


    Prince FengEr is the one who do talking a lot and make the dinner quite alive. He praises Aunt Tong for the food like usual, then recalling every time he visited the house, he always satisfy with the food. Indeed Aunt Tong responds gratefully to Prince FengEr.


    While in other eyes, TanTan is really acts like a mother to FangFang. She cuts meat into pieces for FangFang and makes sure that FangFang is eating enough as she is also eating her food. Same also with FangFang¡¯s attitude toward TanTan. Even although FangFang doesn¡¯t like carrot, but she eats carrot that be offered by TanTan. It surprises Aunt Tong a lot.


    As Aunt Tong did, Prince Li also doesn¡¯t take his eyes off from TanTan, it looks like he keeps monitoring every TanTan¡¯s movement. Both of Prince Li and Aunt Tong are having the same feeling,


    ¡¯FangFang can¡¯t be that obedient if she doesn¡¯t likes the person so much. What on earth did HuaMuTan do to make FangFang likes her that much? beside...


    the way HuaMuTan eating is also has changed... in the past, HuaMuTan is a food picker, she doesn¡¯t like to eat together especially with children like FangFang and the past HuaMuTan¡¯s eating way much elegant than now¡¯


    "MuTan Mei, you keep feeding FangFang...Don¡¯t forget to make yourself eat also..." Prince FengEr shares a meat piece in TanTan¡¯s bowl.


    TanTan surprised, she thanks to Prince FengEr while Prince Li just keep looking,


    "Thanks San Wang Ge" She eats it to show her grateful.


    Seeing that, FangFang also follows.


    "FangFang also want to give YangMu..."


    She takes another meat piece onto TanTan¡¯s bowl.


    "Thanks FangFang" She also pretending to enjoy eating it to make FangFang happy, "Hm, yummy.."


    FangFang is so happy. She then looks to Prince Li innocently,


    "YiFu have to give YangMu also..."


    Surprise with FangFang¡¯s request, TanTan looks at Prince Li who has been looking to her.


    "I had enough eating meat, FangFang... look, you are also almost finish, why don¡¯t we finishing the eating and then take a rest..."


    "Are you already tired, YangMu?"


    "Yes, I need to take a rest earlier so my ankle can recover fast"


    FangFang seems doesn¡¯t want to left, she still want to be with TanTan, She gives a begging look to Prince Li,


    "Hmm... YiFu, can I sleep with YangMu tonight?"


    Prince Li gets upset easily somehow seeing FangFang bes closer with TanTan.


    "What? No! You should sleep at your own room!" Letting FangFang alone with HuaMuTan? It can be dangerous...right?


    The objection makes TanTan unpleased, ¡¯Does he think I still will harm FangFang?¡¯,


    FangFang still begging to Prince Li,


    "But why YiFu? YangMu¡¯s ankle is hurt, I want to apany her...Please Yi Fu...I want to sleep with YangMu..."


    Prince Li can¡¯t find any reason to object her request so he looks to TanTan, giving a warning eyes, giving a clue for TanTan to object FangFang¡¯s request.


    "Well, I don¡¯t think your YangMu¡¯s let you sleep with her?!"


    "YangMu, can I?"


    Although she felt threatened with Prince Li¡¯s stares, but this time she decides to ignore it and even feels d if she can upset Prince Li by not obeying him.


    "Why not? I am d if FangFang can apany me...but FangFang, you must finish your food first."


    "Okayy..."


    FangFang immediately finishing her food. After that, HuaMuTan and FangFang, apanied by XiaoRue excuse themselves and back to HuaMuTan¡¯s room.


    Prince Li just stares angrily to them walking out from the room,


    ¡¯That woman purposely against me!!!¡¯


    He drinks water and put the ss with harsh to show his anger.


    Prince FengEr sees Prince Li¡¯s anger and tries tofort him,


    "Calm down Wei Di, I think you don¡¯t need to worry...don¡¯t you see MuTan Mei just now treat FangFang nicely. She won¡¯t harm FangFang again."


    Prince Li sighed to calm himself,


    "Do you think that HuaMuTan can change easily? We both know how she is in the past..."


    Prince FengEr answers to him carefully,


    "Well, so far I see now...she is quite different...Now...now...don¡¯t thinking too much....Suddenly I want to have a drink...Why don¡¯t we have a drink before I return to my ce? We can continue talk about the case while enjoying this night clear sky view..."


    "Ok, but why don¡¯t you stay over here, SanWangGe...I see the time is already toote to do a long journey. I¡¯ll ask Aunt Tong to prepare the room for you restingter. You can return tomorrow."


    "If not too bothering you WeiDi...this big brother feel grateful..." And then both of them walks out to find a right ce to have a drink and enjoying a night view.


    In TanTan¡¯s room, XiaoRue helps to massage her ankle for a while with massaging oil. FangFang want to help but TanTan doesn¡¯t allow it, she insists FangFang to get ready to sleep at inside part of the bed.


    "Is it hurt?"


    "No..auch....not really FangFang..."


    "How can YangMu¡¯s ankle get hurt?"


    "hmmm... YangMu is trying to catch bad guys today but unfortunately they are stronger than YangMu and get escaped..." TanTan feels giving this kind answer will surprise FangFang. She likes to see FangFang¡¯s surprise look, its cute.


    But hearing TanTan¡¯s answer, XiaoRue is the one who bes worry,


    "XiaoCie, please be careful with XiaoCie¡¯s body. XiaoCie had hurt on XiaoCie¡¯s back and now XiaoCie¡¯s ankle...XiaoCie got too many wounds since XiaoCie forgotten things..."ints XiaoRue in worry. She is so worry about TanTan until she doesn¡¯t care if her XiaoCie scolds her for her bold words. But TanTan doesn¡¯t upset with her words, she knows XiaoRue being noisy coz concerning her condition.


    "I will be careful next time, don¡¯t worry!"


    After finishing massages, TanTan even thanks to XiaoRue before she goes out from the room. TanTan prepares the nket for both her and FangFang.


    "YangMu supposes to tell YiFu..let YiFu catch the bad guys... YiFu is strong, he won¡¯t lost to any bad guys..."


    ¡¯Yeah...like he will help?¡¯ TanTan smirks for her own mind, but she immediately says to FangFang,


    "Hm...but I am afraid your YiFu is too busy to help me,..."


    "YiFu will help you. FangFang will tell him to help you..."


    "No..no...no...FangFang...don¡¯t do that...please.." Otherwise Prince Li will think that she, TanTan influences and using FangFang for no good.


    "Don¡¯t you worry, FangFang. I also can be as strong as your YiFu...You know, Me and your YiFu are havingpetition right now, who will catch the bad guys first will be the winner. So don¡¯t ask him to help me...coz it would be a cheating..."


    "Hm...alright!"


    "Now, lets sleep well tonight okay...." TanTan kisses FangFang¡¯s fore head andys her own head.


    "YangMu?"


    "Hm...?"


    "Can you sing for me again? That song?"


    TanTan surprised, she doesn¡¯t expect FangFang had conscious and remembering that song at that time.


    "Do you like that song?"


    FangFang nods, "I want to hear it again"


    "Okay, I¡¯ll singing for you" TanTan repeats the luby song for Fangfang, patting her shoulder till FangFang feels asleep.


    *SanWang ShuShu: Uncle Third Prince.

 Chapter 27 The Night with Masked Man

    Today night¡¯s sky is indeed clear and it giving a wonderful twinkling stars. In one side of the Li Mansion, two men are enjoying the wine and the view,


    Prince FengEr sips his wine ss and gives a satisfy look,


    "Hmm, I like how you keeps your wine, WeiDi...never disappointing me..."


    "..." Prince Li doesn¡¯t respond. He seems drawn in his own mind.


    "Wei Di? Qi WangDi!"


    Hearing his name is called, Prince Li has conscious back and looks to Prince FengEr.


    "I am sorry, SanWangGe...I don¡¯t listen.."


    "What is in your mind? Try to share it with your big brother here..."


    "..."


    "You worry about the case, don¡¯t you?"


    Prince Li surprises that Prince FengEr can guessing right, maybe it clearly seen from his look?


    "For all these years, Han Country try to conquer ournd but they never sess coz our weapon is better than them. But if they can ess and make weapons as good as us, or even better...I am afraid..."


    "That¡¯s why you keep thinking who is the culprit behind these all?"


    "..."


    "The battle problem is actually not our problem...its the crown prince¡¯s problem. If he or someone else beside him is indeed the one who we are looking for, that means he digs his own hole! He is so hopeless..."


    Prince Li understands what Prince FengEr means. Among the princes, the crown prince actually the most arrogant but fool prince. He is easily hot blooded and always thinking that violence is the best way to solve the problem. Very different with thete second prince...


    Suddenly Prince Li says,


    "I miss Er WangGe...in the situation like this he knows what to do..."


    The Third Prince suddenly swings his mood after Prince Li mentioned about thete second prince. He bes more serious and drinks all wine in his cup.


    "You know, Er Wang Ge would be telling us to leave this problem to him so he can take care of it...but Wei Di, he is no longer here..."


    "Yeah, you are right SanWangGe...he is no longer here..."


    Its been years the second prince has been passed away. He died in one of the battle against Han Army... It was the hardest battle...at that time the King sent the second Prince and some princes to protect the border from furious attack of Han People. The princes saw it as the opportunity to gain the King¡¯s vour to be a crown prince. Only the third prince, Prince FengEr and the seventh prince, Prince Li didn¡¯t want to join at that time. When the battle finished, they got a shock news that was telling the second prince couldn¡¯t make it, killed by enemy in the battle. It became the biggest sadness and regretful for both of the princes to lost their best big brother without they had any chance to protect him. In other hand, the first prince was granted the title of the crown prince for sessfully protecting the border.


    For Prince FengEr and Prince Li, they realized something dirty y maybe happened during the battle, for the first prince they know hated the second prince so much. In fact, if the second prince still alive, he would be the one who deserved to get the title of crown prince than the first prince. But they don¡¯t have any clue, just a spection.


    Remembering the second prince makes Prince Li drinks a lot, many many times.


    He starts to be drunk, so he bes more expressions.


    "I will catch those bastards!! This time I will not disappointing Er WangGe! No matter is it the crown Prince, Minister Hua or anyone...If I find out they had a deal with Han, I will kill them by my own sword !!"


    "Hmm...including HuaMuTan?" Prince FengEr who seems having higher tolerance of alcohol asks him curiously.


    "HuaMuTan...? That woman...makes me confuse...you know SanWangGe...she has changed... a lot.... I don¡¯t know what her evil scheme this time....But she makes my heart ufort...that evil...HuaMu...Tan"


    Prince Li then fall asleep in his drunk.


    "Hmm, it seems you has known that this HuaMuTan is different...maybe you also start attracting to her, Wei Di...?...Like I do....?"


    Prince FengEr drinks hisst wine cup and then left the ce.


    A few minutester in TanTan¡¯s room, TanTan still watching FangFang falls asleep. Then she feels thirsty after singing luby a lot. She slowly gets down from her bed to drink water, but unfortunately there is no water left in the table. She must go to the kitchen to fill the water. Feeling her ankle¡¯s pain has reduced, TanTan decided to go out from the room and take some water to drink.


    At outside of room, her instinct tells that she is not alone.


    "Who is there?"


    She looks around and shocks to find a shadow manes out behind the tree, a man with a ck mask.. The same man who helps her out from the woodsst time, is looking at her.


    Feeling aware, TanTan stays back,


    "What do you want?"


    "Don¡¯t worry, Ie not to harm you..."


    The ck maskes closer and shows the dagger to TanTan. TanTan recognizes it as the poison dagger she is looking for,


    "The dagger..?! Its yours? You...!!"


    "Yes, but I am not your killer! It just at that time, one of the killer managed to use it back after I protect you with that dagger. So it is useless to investigate it anymore, HuaMuTan!"


    "But..who are you? Why do you help mest time?"


    "I am nobody...Ie to warn you that you should not investigate the dagger anymore...or involve with me any longer or you will be in more dangers than you are already right now...Do you understand?"


    The ck mask man then takes out TanTan¡¯s hand and put a small bottle in the hand.


    "What is this?" TanTan confusedly look to the ck mask man.


    "For your ankle...it will remove the pain immediately...."


    "How do you know?" TanTan widens her eyes, she puts full attention to figure out the face behind the ck mask, but the ck masked man immediately turns around.


    Before the ck masked man tries to left, TanTan stops him with the question.


    "Wait....if i can¡¯t investigate from your dagger, how can I find out about my killers...Do you know who they are?"


    The ck mask man has jumped to the top of tree, but he turns to TanTan and says a clue,


    "Your enemies maybe closer with you without you realize...don¡¯t trust anyone around you... You will know more in the pceter..."


    Then he left, leaving TanTan in puzzled. She looks to the small medicine bottle in her hand.


    "Can I trust him? Is he actually an enemy or a friend? He knows my ankle is hurt...is that means he keep watching me all this day? Is he actually near?"


    Thinking too many questions in her mind makes her forgetting her thirsty. She returns to the room and decides to use the medicine to proof if the ck mask is actually a friend or an enemy.

 Chapter 28 The Night with Masked Man addition

    @@


    In a hill, not so far from Li Mansion. The silver mask man is standing there waiting. Not too long another ck shadow manes, he kneels down, greeting his master. The silver mask asks him,


    "Do you find their hiding ce?"


    "Yes, Master. They brought the weapons into a cave, and then guard it by around 3-4 of their men in shift.


    "Hm...right now the weapons cannot going anywhere...keep eyes on them and report immediately if you get any information of when they want to deliver the weapons...Put some of our men to guard around the border. We don¡¯t want to let those weapons delivered to Han....and...assign 1 bodyguard around HuaMuTan to follow her everywhere secretly, report about anyone who meets her...but don¡¯t let Prince Li knows your men existences."


    "Yes, Master" the other ck shadow excuses himself and then left.


    The silver masked man keep staring to below hill...where he can sees some mansions, Li Mansion is one of them.


    Sudden the other ck shadowes out from woods.


    This time the ck shadow just stands behind his Master,


    "Master, allow me to speak?" The voice describing that the man behind ck shadow is an elder.


    "What is it, old man?"


    "HuaMuTan is indeed an attractive woman but she is like the thorns of rose...you might hurting yourself if you willing to take her, beside she has bes somebody¡¯s rose."


    The silver mask man suddenlyughing,


    "Well...thanks for the reminder, Old Man... but don¡¯t worry, I know what exactly I do. HuaMuTan might bes as an important key more than you think and she has value in our big nter..."


    The old ck shadow sighed,


    "I hope so...I hope you don¡¯t forget of your duty. Look, this city also this entire country need you to protect them from those rotten root."


    The silver masked man once again throw his sight to the city,


    "You are right! I can¡¯t wait to destroy all those rotten root who has suffering the kingdom these years...many innocent bloods has been stated and I swear I will pay back their blood..." @@

 Chapter 29 Morning with Honesty.

    The morning seemsing so quickly. TanTan opens her eyes and seeing a little hand on her face. She removes the hand slowly and wakes up,


    ¡¯O yeah right! FangFang has sleepoverst night¡¯


    She observes FangFang who still in deep sleep, hugging her doll, xiaomei. TanTan smiles, she uses her finger to touch FangFang¡¯s cheeks over and over, ¡¯So cute...¡¯


    Then she gets up slowly from the bed. When she stands, she just realizes something. She stomps her feet many times and feels so happy coz not having pain anymore.


    ¡¯Wow, that medicine is really good. Maybe that silver mask isn¡¯t bad guy who after all¡¯


    In the same time, XiaoRue enters the room with a new basin of water. She surprises to see TanTan standing,


    "XiaoCie...be careful...your ankle...?!"


    TanTan smiles, she answers XiaoRue by showing that she even can jump now.


    "Waah, XiaoCie....your ankle is healed, XiaoRue is so d..." Although she feels a little bit confused for its quite recover fast.


    The noise of their voices has awaken FangFang,


    "mm...Mommy?" she looks to TanTan in her half sleep.


    "Good morning sweet girl, do you have good sleep?" TanTan approaches FangFang and stroke her hairs.


    FangFang stroke her eyes and now in full awake, she smiles and hugs TanTan


    "YangMu...Good morning...", she sees XiaoRue and greets her too.


    "XiaoRue Cie...good morning"


    XiaoRue smiles to see the view which so rare to see in the past, ¡¯XiaoCie and FangFang now are really looks like mother and daughter...who thought they can be like that before?¡¯


    "Good morning, FangFang XiaoCie"


    "Well, if you already wake up, why don¡¯t we clean up ourselves and have a breakfast together outside..." TanTan


    "Emm" FangFang nods firmly and then she jumps from the bed, washes her face and hands immediately. And then TanTan helps her to clean up. XiaoRue prepares their clothes too.


    When they are ready, theye out from the room. FangFang doesn¡¯t forget to bring her xiaomei with her. Then they meet Aunt Tong who actuallyes to check FangFang.


    "Good Morning Aunt Tong" TanTan greets her happily,


    "...eh..good morning, Madam..." Aunt Tong clearly not get used to be greeted friendly by HuaMuTan, she continues


    "Ie to take FangFang XiaoCie for a breakfast..."


    "I want to have breakfast with YangMu,..."


    "But FangFang,st night your YiFu has instructed me to pick you back after you wake up...so you won¡¯t bother Madam furthermore.."


    ¡¯That Prince again...How deep is the trauma HuaMuTan gives to him till he so not trust me hah?!¡¯


    "FangFang doesn¡¯t bother me at all, Aunt Tong. We n to have breakfast in the garden together...bring the food there...and why don¡¯t youe join with us?"


    Aunt Tong surprises with the offer, she bows a little bit, gesturing her apologize,


    "I will bring the breakfast to the garden"


    TanTan holds FangFang¡¯s hand and with XiaoRue, they direct to the inner garden where FangFang ever fell down there before. When the breakfast arrived, in a few minutes, they already enjoying to eat a simple hot chicken porridge as the menu. Aunt Tong just observes them silently.


    Not too long after FangFang finishing her food, she ys with her xiaomei to wait for TanTan but then she feels bore.


    "Can we y something YangMu?"


    "What do you want to y?" TanTan just finishes her food and now enjoying drinking her tea,


    "What can you y, YangMu?"


    "Well..." TanTan tries to think, but she doesn¡¯t know any child games, especially ancient child games. She looks around the garden, she sees a wooden swing.


    "Do you want to y swing?"


    FangFang shakes her head, "Not today..."


    She then got an idea,


    "I want to hear YangMu y guzheng again..."


    "Guzheng?" TanTan thinks, for today she can¡¯t think to do anything else to find the clue.


    ¡¯The silver mask said I will get the clue in the pceter....maybe I better to practice guzheng as well...¡¯


    "Very well, lets y guzheng in pavilion"


    TanTan then asks XiaoRue to take out the guzheng and they prepare to go to the pavilion.


    In pavilion, there still have the tracks of some empty cups and couple of wine bottle. Beside the table, Prince Li is also still in his deep sleep...he even in dreaming,


    He is chasing a woman who looks like ShuangAi but he only can see her back,


    even though he calls ShuangAi many times but the woman doesn¡¯t give any reaction.


    At the same moment, TanTan and FangFang who just arrive at the pavilion, surprise to find Prince Li sleep alone there. Seeing the condition of the ce, TanTan guessing thatst night Prince Li must have a drink with someone, maybe with Prince FengEr?


    FangFang wants to wake Prince Li,


    "Yi..." but TanTan shoos her, coz she can see from Prince Li¡¯s face...¡¯It looks like he is having a bad dream...¡¯


    Prince Li is murmuring something in his dream, TanTan walk closer to hear him, but suddenly...


    Continue in his dream, Prince Li is getting closer with the woman, but suddenly there urs another shadow who then stabs that woman from the front. Prince Li just can shout out from his dream,


    "Nooo..." He opens his eyes and with instinct grabs hand who nearby him.


    He is surprise that he is grabbing TanTan¡¯s hand. He takes off her hand immediately, with a little harsh and its unpleasing TanTan.


    "YiFu, are you okay?" FangFang also looks to him worrily.


    Prince Li now has fully awake, XiaoRue hase and put the guzheng, make it ready to be yed. Confusing to see the Guzheng, he looks to TanTan, demanding exnation.


    "FangFang want to hear me ying guzheng...so I thought why not practicing also for the performanceter here...Do we bothering you, Prince Li?"


    TanTan knows that he doesn¡¯t have any reason to cast them away.


    "No..." Prince Li answers shortly. He just awake from his drunk so his head is pain with a hangover effect. He stands to left but FangFang grabs his hand,


    "YiFu...don¡¯t go...let we hear YangMu y together..."


    "I am sorry, FangFang...but YiFu is now so thirsty...I want to go to find water to drink..."


    "Let me take water to YiFu..."


    "No..no need...Fangfang??!" Without listening his words, FangFang is already run to fetch water...


    Worry if FangFang can fell down again, TanTan right away send XiaoRue to go,


    "XiaoRue, go follow FangFang...make sure she doesn¡¯t fall down..."


    "Yes, XiaoCie....FangFang...!!"


    And then XiaoRue chases FangFang away, leaving TanTan alone with Prince Li.


    Prince Li starts to walk away...


    "Is it so hard for you to stay just for a while, waiting for FangFang back? She is taking water for you..." Although TanTan also doesn¡¯t want to be with Prince Li alone, but she feels at least Prince Li can appreciating what FangFang is doing to please Prince Li.


    Prince Li looks back to TanTan, sighed...


    He also doesn¡¯t want to disappointing FangFang, so he agrees to wait. But together with this woman, he doesn¡¯t know what to say... everytime he with HuaMuTan alone, there were only argues and quarrels.


    TanTan feels the same, but then she realizes its a good chance to clear about their rtionship now...


    "Look, I like to say something..."


    Prince Li doesn¡¯t respond it,


    "Fine, you don¡¯t need to say anything, just listen to me okay..."


    ¡¯What does this woman want this time?!¡¯ Prince Li looks to her without saying anything.


    "I think after these days, I understand how much you hate me because the past me who force you into this marriage..."


    "...." , ¡¯Its true, but why you bring it up something that so clear?¡¯ Prince Li still doesn¡¯t speak out his mind, he just stared to TanTan sharply.


    "And I know you actually has strong feeling toward ShuangAiMei not to me..."


    Prince Li is really puzzled with TanTan¡¯s words, but he bes unplease when TanTan mentions about ShuangAi,


    "Ok, stop this non-senses! What do you want to say, HuaMuTan?!"


    Then TanTan boldly answers,


    "I want to fix it! I have changed...If you so hate with this marriage, lets finish it...Let us divorce...! I ¡¯ll let you free, you can be with ShuangAiMei as you want..."


    "..." Prince Li widens his eyes and even let his mouth open like a fish, for long times, he is expecting those wordses from HuaMuTan but right now he doesn¡¯t prepare himself to hear those words, it seems unreal but then heughs...harshly...and bes angry. He approaches TanTan angrily,


    "Don¡¯t mock me, HuaMuTan!! You want to divorce? How can you do it Hah?! Our marriage is the granted decree from the king...and you know so well, having divorce without the King¡¯s approval means death punishment!"


    TanTan widens her eyes as well,


    ¡¯I don¡¯t know that!! Is it really difficult to divorce in this era?¡¯


    "I...don¡¯t know...but I mean what I said...


    I¡¯ll do something about it, don¡¯t worry....maybe I can ask the King himself and exining that we are not the right couple and get their approval..."


    Prince Li squints his eyes,


    "What is your n, HuaMuTan? Suddenly you close with ShuangAi, with FangFang and now you want to divorce... what is your real purpose?!" Prince Li hits the guzheng out of his anger.


    TanTan doesn¡¯t like it, she pushes Prince Li at her front, to take his hand off from the guzheng. Prince Li lost his bnce and fell sit on the floor, feels dumbed.


    "I already say it! I want to fix my mistakes! Now I realize that this marriage is wrong, you should marriage with ShuangAi Mei and be happy. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t be in between you and ShuangAiMei anymore...Isn¡¯t that what you always want?!"


    At the same moment, FangFang and XiaoRue has return with the water. FangFang confused to see her YiFu sit n the floor of pavilion in front of TanTan,


    "YiFu, Why do you sit there?"


    Prince Li feels shy and gets up immediately, he then just walks away without saying anything.


    "But ...YiFu....you don¡¯t drink the water yet..." FangFanh shouts, expecting Prince Li toe back but he doesn¡¯t.


    XiaoRuees closer to TanTan, almost whispering,


    "XiaoCie...what happened? Does XiaoCie make Prince Li angry again?"


    "He is the one that makes me angry! I kindly want to give what he wants...why he must mad to me?!"


    "What is that you want to give to him, XiaoCie?"


    "A divorce" TanTan answers lightly.


    "XiaoCie! You can¡¯t divorce with Prince Li...its its..forbidden.." XiaoRue shocks to hear the answer, while FangFang has approaches them and hears the word,


    "YangMu, what is a divorce means?"


    TanTan suddenly feels guilty to FangFang, ¡¯oh right, if i divorce with Prince Liter, I won¡¯t be able to be FangFang¡¯s mother anymore...its too bad..¡¯


    "XiaoCieee..." And seeing XiaoRue so worry makes TanTan feels a little regret has mentioned that word to them.


    "Alright...alright...I just say it, I am not really do it right now..."


    "You should be careful to say that word next time, MuTanMei." Prince FengEr suddenly walks entering the pavilion... He seems also hear the word.


    XiaoRue and FangFang like usual greet him politely.


    "FangFang, Shushu want to talk with your YangMu, can you y with XiaoRue for a while?"


    "Yes, SanWangShuShu" FangFang obeys and XiaoRue is also looks to XiaoCie. Seeing TanTan nods, she takes Fang Fang ying around the pavilion.


    Prince FengEres closer to TanTan, smiles...


    "Just now I wonder why Wei Di passes through me with anger face...now I understand why" He sits beside TanTan, plucking the guzheng a little bit,.."You know, Its not easy to get divorce from a marriage which be granted by the King himself..."


    "Is it really impossible?" TanTan asks, she feels maybe Prince FengEr can help her about it.


    "Well, its not impossible only are you sure want to do it, MuTanMei? Don¡¯t you care about your reputation? A divorce can be the most humiliating thing happen in a woman¡¯s life. People will mock you for entire your life..."


    ¡¯Really? That bad? Do I too rush taking a decision...but I really don¡¯t want to live in this status anymore...I want to be free...¡¯


    TanTan sighed, she then speaks out her mind.


    "Maybe its better than have to live with a husband who doesn¡¯t love you"


    "But as I know you love WeiDi so much?"


    "Well, not anymore right now..."


    Prince FengEr smiles hearing that answer,


    "Then if that so, perhaps I can help you..."


    "You have the way?"


    "Yeah...there is a way....if your performance is sess and please the Queen GrandMother so much. Every year she always granted one wish of the person who gives the best present she likes most."


    "I can try that...Thanks for the idea"


    "Hmm...what¡¯s your n if you sessfully divorced from your husband, MuTan Mei?"


    "I don¡¯t think until that yet...maybe I will return to my old house and live peacefully there?" TanTan wonders will her GrandMa epting herter?


    "And how about your killers? Don¡¯t you want to look for them anymore?"


    TanTan sighed again,


    "I do...but what can I do? they are in a darkness and I have no clue at all...I just can let theme to me, to get the more clues?"


    "Or.., maybe...you can stay in my house until you find your killers before you can return to your old house..."


    "Really ? Ah...wait...no, I can¡¯t do it"


    Sudden TanTan remembers someone in her mind,


    "Why?"


    "Your sister hates me, remember? I don¡¯t want to argue with her all the time"


    "Maybe she won¡¯t hate you anymore after you divorce Prince Li..coz the reason she hates you is also this marriage"


    "Yeah maybe you right!"


    "So will youe to my house in the future?"


    "Okay, I will..."


    A promise has made and it please Prince FengEr so much,


    "Now may I apany you to practice guzheng?"


    "Okay...but don¡¯t you busy with your job?"


    "I still have time..e, let me hear your ying..."


    "...okay...please don¡¯tugh with my bad ying"


    "Hahaha, I doubt it very much"


    TanTan ds to have apanion like Prince FengEr. He is a good listener and also fun to talk with. Then TanTan starts ying the guzheng.


    In other side, Prince Li stops walking in the hallway when he hears the guzheng sound. He turns around and see the pavilion from far. Seeing TanTan so close and friendly with Prince FengEr makes his heart feels ufort.


    ¡¯That woman!! Is she nning to divorce him so she can manipte SanWangGe? Is that why she change? Because I am no longer her prey? But SanWangGe? No...I must protect SanWangGe from that evil woman! HuaMuTan, don¡¯t you think you can always get what you want! You had destroy my life but I won¡¯t let you did the same thing to my brother!!!¡¯

 Chapter 30 A Guest at the morning

    ¡¯...I won¡¯t let you destroy my brother¡¯s life like you had destroyed mine, HuaMuTan!¡¯ Prince Li decides to return back to the pavilion, but before he walks, Prince Li sees Uncle Tong approaches him in hurry. In polite way, he reports


    "Young Master, Minister Hua is here, asking to meet Young Madam HuaMuTan"


    ¡¯Minister Hua!¡¯ Prince Li bes stern suddenly after hearing that name, he then nces to the pavilion and takes a decision,


    "I¡¯ll meet him now. Uncle Tong, you may tell HuaMuTan as wellter"


    "Yes, Young Master"


    Prince Li walks passing Uncle Tong. Smelling something from his young master, he coughs as the sign.


    "Uhm...Young Master, I think it would be better for you to clean up first before meeting the guest..."


    Prince Li stops, he then realizes his body is full of alcohol smell... with an awkward look, he changes hismand,


    "I..I¡¯ll change my cloth,...let Minister Hua wait a little bit...remember to call HuaMuTanter after I meet Minister Hua first..."


    Then Prince Li rushes to his own room, leaving Uncle Tong sighed.


    Everytime TanTan ys the guzheng. she gains some memories of HuaMuTan. This time is no different. When she starts ying the guzheng, she sees shes of memories again.


    It was the night of the wedding, TanTan can feels how crashes her heart when HuaMuTan found out Prince Li rather slept at his study room than with her. The memory moves to when HuaMuTan shared her problem to Minister Hua whoter gave her a drug for Prince Li but it ended with figured out by Prince Li.


    Then it jumps after that moment, in pce, Hua MuTan tried to find mInister Hua, toint about the drug. Coincidence she saw Minister Hua in a room secretly with a pretty woman, they looked so intimately close and discussed about something. HuaMuTan just could seen the back of the woman who being hugged by Minister Hua. Somehow she knew she supposed not to see the view, so when they noticed her presence, the woman shout, "Who is that?!!"


    The memories stop until there...it jumps to other pieces of memory...


    In other side, at guest room...Minister Hua stands facing at outside of the door. He seems enjoying the sound of guzheng. It reminds him of his past when he teaches Princess LiShuiXian ying guzheng when they were young... he recalls that memory with a yearning, how he misses her so much.


    "I hope I am not making you waiting too long, Minister Hua" Prince Li¡¯s words awaken him from his gaze of the past. He enters the room with Uncle Tong .


    Minister Hua greets him politely,


    "No..not at all, please forgive this old man for intruding you so early..."


    Prince Li stared at him sharply,


    "May I know what brings you here looking for my wife, Minister Hua?"


    "Well, this...I have something to tell Young Lady HuaMuTan..."


    Minister Hua smiles regretfully but it even makes Prince Li feels unpleased.


    He gestures Uncle Tong to go and he sits on his chair harshly.


    "Then let we wait for her toe here..."


    After that, a silent moment fills the room. Both of them still can hear the sound of guzheng,


    "It seems Young Lady has practicing hard for the Queen GrandMother¡¯s birthday banquet."


    Minister Hua looks at Prince Li and smiles,


    "I heard the performance should be yed by Young Lady with you together, Prince Li?"


    Prince Li also smiles back although not with his eyes,


    "Don¡¯t worry about us, Minister Hua. We will ready for the performanceter"


    "I hope so, I believe Prince Li and Young Lady will give an marvelous performance which able to please Queen GrandMother."


    The sound of guzheng has stop, which means Uncle Tong has announces the arrival of Minister Hua to TanTan at the pavilion,


    ¡¯Uncle Hua? Just now I got a weird memory about him...what a coincidence, now I can meet him?" TanTan excuses herself to Prince FengEr, wonders if he want to join her,


    "Its okay MuTanMei,...I think I want to be here for a while" he smiles.


    Its obviously Prince FengEr doesn¡¯t want to meet Minister Hua, TanTan wonders why? ¡¯These both princes seem have some grudge with Uncle Hua?¡¯


    But TanTan doesn¡¯t have time to ask about it furthermore so she just follows Uncle Tong directing to guess room. She also doesn¡¯t forget to ask XiaoRue apany FangFang back to her room coz FangFang looks sleepy.


    When TanTan arrives with uncle Tong, at once she can feels the cold atmosphere in the room.


    When Minister Hua sees her, he smiles softly and greets her politely,


    "Young Lady...please forgive this old man to bother you..."


    Maybe because of the memories she got just now, she feels aware toward this uncle Hua...she nces at Prince Li who clearly unpleased with the situation.


    "Its....its okay, Uncle Hua. May I know what brings you here, Uncle?"


    TanTan asks while she is walking to the chair, she gestures Minister Hua to sit with her,


    "Now my wife is here....please tell us what do you want to tell, Minister Hua!" Prince Li asks but not in a questioning tone, but more in amanding tone which a little surprises TanTan.


    Then Minister Hua answers slowly and carefully,


    "Actually, Prince Li...I would like to speak with Young Lady alone for a while.."


    Prince Li bes upset to hear it, but he holds it. He thinks something evil n must he has with HuaMuTan and there is no chance that he will leaving them alone this time. Prince Li sudden smirks to TanTan,


    "There is no secret between us, husband and wife...right, wifey?"


    TanTan squints her eyes to Prince Li,


    ¡¯This Prince must be dying to know what Uncle Hua¡¯s purpose toe here...well, its better for he to know also...I don¡¯t want to have any misunderstanding againter¡¯


    "Its right, Uncle Hua. You may speak here now, in front of both of us..."


    Uncle Hua nces to TanTan, then speaks,


    "Very well,...Ie here about the present for QueenGrandMother..."


    "Present?" Both of TanTan and Prince Li ask in the same time,


    Minister Hua looks to TanTan, sighed.


    "Maybe Young Lady doesn¡¯t remember anymore but before you lost your memories, Young Lady ever asked my help to find the finest present for Queen Grand Mother"


    "Is that true? I..don¡¯t remember..."


    "Its alright, Young Lady. But as your wish, I had ordered a special glowing jade flowers statue for QueenGrandMother. Ie here to tell you that its has done and ready to be delivered."


    Minister Hua stops and it confuses TanTan,


    "Is there any problem, Uncle Hua?"


    "Well, it is not a problem actually...just the present is too valuable, I prefer that the statue to be kept here first and also Young Lady can see the statue before its being sent to the pceter. So Ie to ask your opinion, Young Lady?"


    TanTan doesn¡¯t see any problem at all,


    ¡¯It just a statue right? Beside I curious to see the statue...but...¡¯ TanTan looks to Prince Li and figures out the suspicious eyes on him toward Minister Hua.


    "Well, there is no problem for me...but to keep the statue here...what do you think, Prince Li?"


    Prince Li surprises that TanTan asks for his opinion also. Beside he is thinking, ¡¯Why does Minister Hua want to send the statue here, not directly to the pce? Is it that simple for HuaMuTan to see? Well, as long as the statue here, I can observe it furthermore...¡¯


    "Its up to you, wifey..."Prince Li smiles to her, and it pisses TanTan a little, ¡¯I ask his opinion, he just throw it back to me..¡¯


    "Ok, if Prince Li doesn¡¯t object, then send the statue here so I can see it, Uncle Hua"


    Minister Hua smiles,


    "Very well, I¡¯ll send it soon, but I need Prince Li¡¯s help about the delivery..."


    "And what is that?" Prince Li squints his eyes again. Minister Hua exins,


    "Because the jade statue is now at outside of town andtely Prince Li has restrict the border of this town, everything that enter the town need to be examined. But the statue is too precious to be seen by many people so I hope we can have a permission to pass the border examinationter"


    "A permission to pass?" Prince Li once again squints his eyes, "No...but I¡¯ll give you better... I¡¯ll give my men to guard the statue delivery." With that he hopes he can figure out more behind this request.


    There is no objection from Minister Hua¡¯s look.


    "Its wonderful. I am grateful for your help, Prince Li"


    While TanTan looks confusedly to Prince Li, thinking why he is so kindly offers his help.


    "Now, it is settled. Is there anything more?" Prince Li looks to Minister Hua sharply.


    "No..there is none..." His words are interrupted by ManQi who suddenly enters the room. He seems want to report something urgent. ManQi is also surprise to see TanTan and Minister Hua in the room. He greets Minister Hua and TanTan but he bes hesitated to speak.


    "What is it, ManQi?" Prince Li asks him directly. ManQi juste closer and whispers to him,


    "Master, the thief we caught was found dead, poisoned this morning."


    It gives a surprise look on Prince Li.


    Seeing the condition, Minister Hua feels its time for him to back off.


    "It seems you are busy...so I won¡¯t bother you any longer. Please excuse me..."


    Minister Hua greets politely to excuse himself. Before he responds to Minister Hua, Prince Li thinks fast and thenmands ManQi in whispering,


    "I¡¯ll go to the prison but ManQi, I want you to stay and observe them"


    "Yes, Master" ManQi goes as he is ordered, while Prince Li tells Uncle Tong, who keeps staying there, about his leaving to prison for a while. He then looks to Minister Hua,


    "I am sorry I must go right now but ManQi here will apany you to go out..."


    "Let me walk you out as well, Uncle Hua."


    No matter what, this Minister Hua is her elder so TanTan offers herself to show the manner to elders.


    Prince Li just looks to TanTan suspiciously but he doesn¡¯t say anything, he just nces to ManQi before he goes out with Uncle Tong first in hurry, leaving ManQi with TanTan and Minister Hua.


    "Please this way, Minister Hua" ManQi leads the way. TanTan and Minister Hua are just following him.


    During the way out, Minister Hua likes to walk slowly and, he politely asks TanTan¡¯s condition. He feels bad for TanTan couldn¡¯t regain her memories.


    "I heard your ying just now and it reminds me to your Mom, yOung Lady. She is also as good as you in ying Guzheng."


    "Is it?..." TanTan feels attracting to know more about HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom.


    "Well, you can mark my words coz this old man who teaches Princess LiShuiXian, Young Lady¡¯s Mom to y guzheng and in fact I was also teaching you as well in the past..."


    "Really?..." TanTan widens her eyes, it seems Uncle Hua is the closest rtive for HuaMuTan...is that why she so fond to this man?


    "It means you are my teacher. Uncle Hua. Please forgive me for being rude not remember it at all..." TanTan bows to show her regretful,


    "Its okay, Young Lady...its not your fault to forgetting many things."


    "Then...may I ask Uncle Hua to see my practice andter can give me some advices in ying guzheng?"


    "Sure...its my pleasure, Young Lady. Unfortunately I still have some business to do today. Maybe I can visit you tomorrow to see your ying"


    "Thank you, Uncle Tong...I hope you can tell me more about my Momter. Who knows it can help me to regain memories.


    At the same time, when Prince Li reaches the front door of Li Mansion, he met Prince FengEr.


    Prince FengEr wonders,


    "What happened, Wei Di? Why in rush?"


    "If you want to know, SanWangGe... Come with me, I¡¯ll exin youter..."


    Prince FengEr guesses the urgent thing has happened and it must connected with the case of the illegal weapons.


    "Ok ,Ie with you..."


    Then by riding a horse, both of them go together to the prison.


    Not too long after that, without TanTan realizes, they also have arrived at the front door of Li Mansion.


    "Well, its time for me to go..."


    "Farewell, Uncle Hua" TanTan greets him politely. ManQi helps to guide him to his chariot But before Minister Hua ascends in, he turns around and looks to TanTan carefully, with a little sadness,


    "I really hope you live happily with Prince Li...Is..everything really okay?"


    TanTan sees Minister Hua confusedly,


    "I am...really fine, Uncle Hua...thanks for your concern."


    "Please....don¡¯t hesitate to ask my help anytime you need..."


    "I will, Uncle" TanTan answers politely.


    Then Minister Hua enters his horse chariot and then go.


    TanTan nces to ManQi, she can help herself to not curious for the urgent news ManQi brought,


    "ManQi, tell me what news you told to Prince Li just now?"


    ManQi surprised to be asked directly, so he just answers shortly.


    "There is a small problem in a prison, Young Madam"


    "Hm...a small problem hah?"


    TanTan could not believe a small problem can make Prince Li so hurry.


    "ManQi, is it connecting with the illegal weapon case? Oh, Just tell me...coz I am also involved in this case, I think I have right to know"


    ManQi seems hesitated to tell, but TanTan stared him sharply. The Prince Li tells him to observe HuaMuTan but not to keep a secret from her, so he tells TanTan about the case and the death of the thief.


    TanTan spectes again in her mind, which is almost simr which what Prince Li has in his mind just now,


    ¡¯There is a mole in the prison officers...maybe the enemy is really has strong influence in the government ces. Same like in the modern time, that means we have a corrupt police. Looks like the bureaucrat system here is as awfully as in the future..."

 Chapter 31 A Distraction

    After knowing things that happened from ManQi, TanTan excuses herself and back to her room with be followed by ManQi. when TanTan be inside the room, she starts to think about all that happened,


    ¡¯Someone wants to kill HuaMuTan? - Why?¡¯


    ¡¯Someone is trying to send the illegal weapon to the enemy of this country? - Same guys?¡¯


    ¡¯In the shes of memories, The mysterious woman with Uncle Hua? - Who?¡¯


    ¡¯The secret that HuaMuTan¡¯s parents know? - What is it?


    The silver mask said HuaMuTan¡¯s enemy is someone in the pce? The smuggler in the forest also said his boss is someone higher than the third Prince? Once again - same guys?


    All those thoughts make TanTan exhausted coz there are no answers just questions...


    ¡¯I can¡¯t just stay at here like this...there are so many answers need to be looked¡¯


    Lately the killers also don¡¯t show up again, is that because they don¡¯t dare to attack her as long she is at Li Mansion?


    Its good, but that means also she doesn¡¯t have clue anymore...


    "Ugh, I wish I can see that silver mask again...there is so many things I want to ask about..." TanTan speaks out her mind although no one listening in the room.


    "Maybe...I need to find a way to contact him? Isn¡¯t he being around?" TanTan stands and opens the door. She is nning to call out the silver mask, who knows if he is really really around. But what a surprise for TanTan to see ManQi still stands at outside,


    "Is there anything you need, Young Madam?" ManQi asks her innocently.


    "No...but why are you here, ManQi? Don¡¯t you suppose to apany Prince Li to check the prison?"


    "Prince Li orders me to protect you Young Madam"


    ¡¯protect or watch over?¡¯ TanTan wrinkles her forehead, indicating she is unhappy a little bit.


    "What a kindness your boss has but I don¡¯t need to be protected !!" TanTan protests.


    At the same time, XiaoRue has finishing her job and want to report to TanTan,


    When TanTan sees her, she immediately pulls XiaoRue¡¯s hand and closes the door in front of ManQi.


    Inside the room, TanTan peeks to outside, making sure that ManQi doesn¡¯t overhear them. Xiao Rue is a little bit puzzled with the action,


    "XiaoCie, what¡¯s wrong?"


    TanTan looks to her, thinking...then smiling widely to XiaoRue.


    "XiaoRue, I need your help..."


    Around half of hourter, XiaoRuees out with a blushed face and nervous. She nces to ManQi who feels a little bit surprise seeing XiaoRue¡¯s face. He approaches XiaoRue closer, worrily.


    "Is anything wrong, Miss XiaoRue?"


    "I..I think I just see someone in a ck cloth sneaking out from the other room ...I saw it from the window just now" TanTan seems stutters to say...her eyes are showing fear.


    ManQi thinks fast, his priority is guarding HuaMuTan, so he want to walk inside the room.


    "What about Young Madam, is she okay?"


    XiaoRue holds his arms,


    "Yeah...yeah...XiaoCie is sleeping just now...I don¡¯t want to bother her...Please hurry, you must check FangFang XiaoCie¡¯s room. The man might go there to harm her also...I¡¯ll be here to guard XiaoCie"


    ManQi peeks a little to inside room, TanTan seems sleeping on the bed, full covered by a nket,


    ¡¯So XiaoRue is saying the truth, if that man isn¡¯t aiming here, it means that man is not a killer, maybe a thief...¡¯


    Seeing XiaoRue so panic and crying to him, ManQi makes a decision,


    "Okay...just scream out if that man back to here again!" Then he left...


    "Is he left?" TanTanes out suddenly and it shocks XiaoRue a little bit...


    "Y...yes, XiaoCie..."


    TanTan throw a bundle bag to XiaoRue,


    "Good! Don¡¯t waste any time, let¡¯s go before hees back!"


    Then in a short time TanTan and XiaoRue has getting out from Li Mansion, unnoticed.


    ManQi doesn¡¯t manage to get the man. He checks FangFang¡¯s room but only finding FangFang sleeps peacefully. ¡¯There is no sign of any intruders? Either if the man has a very high martial skill or...¡¯ In his suspicious, ManQi returns to TanTan¡¯s room, just to figure out that the room has empty.


    "Damn, Master will pissed knowing this..." Sudden heughed to himself, "I never thought that I can easily be tricked by that naughty girl!"


    ManQi then flees to find where TanTan and XiaoRue go,


    ¡¯They must be not too far...I better just follow them secretly to find out what are they going to do...¡¯

 Chapter 32 A Roast Honey Chicken

    At a middle day, a main street in BaoZhi Town is always crowded with a market atmosphere. It seems another busy day for all street merchants. Among their customers, there is a young man looking around with full interest in his eyes meanwhile beside him, there is his friend with full of fear and nervous look. They look so contrast to each other but what looks same about them is that they acts femininely.


    The nervous friend pulls herpany aside the street,


    "Xiao Cie...XiaoRue doesn¡¯t think this is a good idea! Why do we must go out in this way???" XiaoRue shows herself who has changed into amon man, a cloth hat covers her long hair and the big size of the brownish cloth covers her slim feminine body.


    While in front of her, TanTan has also turns be amon man also in. her blueyish cloth. Her hair has tied rolled up and like XiaoRue , her extra cloth quite covering her slim body although cannot covering their small bodies.


    "Sstt, call me *XiaoGe..not XiaoCie...and and you are *XiaoTi, okay....we are in disguise...wearing like these will enable us to act easier..." TanTan exins, "Last time when I went with Prince FengEr, people seemed hesitated to tell anything...now I wonder if we wear like this, maybe we can dig more information..." Now they both look like twomon travelers.


    "But Xiao...." Coz TanTan stares sharply to her, XiaoRue immediately fix her words, "XiaoGe... where does XiaoGe want to start?"


    ¡¯Good question...¡¯ TanTan looks around the street and sees a restaurant with an opening balcony , "Well, why don¡¯t we have lunch first for now..e on" She pulls XiaoRue to that restaurant.


    TanTan feels a little nervous to enter the restaurant as this is also her first disguise as a man. A servant boy cheerfully wees them,


    "Wee, young masters....is it only two of you?" TanTan nods and cough heavily to pretend as a man. The servant boy seems don¡¯t care about their look. ¡¯No matter whoes, they are customers¡¯ its his motto. The servant guides them to an empty table at the first floor but TanTan shakes and purposely speaks heavily,


    "We want to eat upstair"


    The servant boy wrinkles his eyebrow a little bit when he hears TanTan¡¯s voice but he doesn¡¯t care about it either, he smiles widely to know TanTan¡¯s choice because upstair means extra price.


    "Sure...sure...please this way..." Then the servant boy guides them upstair and TanTan immediately choose one empty table close to the balcony. After they settle to sit, the servant boy starts asking their orders.


    For a woman whoes from future and being kept at Li Mansion most of the time, TanTan doesn¡¯t have idea about the food that served on a big restaurant like this. TanTan looks at XiaoRue, ¡¯XiaoRue could not change her voice, her voice is too soft...so if I ask XiaoRue to order, we will be found out as women easily¡¯


    "What do you have here?" TanTan asks the servant boy carefully.


    The servant boy is excited to be asked. He immediately exins all the menu that they have while he also pours some tea on the table to them.


    "And our trademark dish here is a roast chicken with honey...Young Masters will regret if you both never taste it"


    The servant boy did his job very well coz TanTan and XiaoRue¡¯s stomach be noisy and demanding those food.


    "Okay, give us the roast chicken with honey and some vegetables..."


    TanTan decides and the servant boy responds cheerfully,


    "Alllrighhht, please wait! It will not too long..."


    After the servant boy left, XiaoRue dares herself to speak in soft,


    "XiaoGe...this is the biggest restaurant in this city and the menu that you order is the expensive one...Is it too wasting?"


    "Its okay...lets enjoy the moment for a while" TanTan brings some HuaMuTan¡¯s money that she believes enough, beside of that, why she can¡¯t enjoy the time for a while. She recites that either inside Li Mansion or outside, she never can really enjoy her meals until finish.


    The purpose of TanTan to choose sit at the balcony so she can observe the street widely. TanTan is thinking from where she can start to find more clues or maybe the way to contact the silver mask.


    ¡¯If the silver mask really watches over me then should I make any scenes to force him toe out?¡¯


    In the middle of her thinking, suddenly there are noises from the street, exactly below the balcony where they are. Turns out there is a scene, ites from the three big and fierce men surrounding a skinny woman. They are not looked friendly at all as they give threaten gestures. But the woman seems not afraid, although one of the man has pulls her front cors, the biggest one exactly.


    "Don¡¯t you think because you are woman...we will let you go?!"


    While two others skinnier men just make sure no one steps in to their problem and supports their big brother.


    "Yeah, You ruin our business!! Big Bro, give her a lesson..."


    "Please calm down....we can talk nicely about it" The woman seems in a hard situation, she tries to free herself but the grip is too strong while the people around are too scare to help her.


    TanTan who dislikes bullying, feels upset to see that scene,


    "Look, XiaoTi....that woman is in danger!" She stands up from her seat and goes to the balcony, considering should she jump or not? It looks not too high from there.


    "Now, give back our money or you will get the consequence!" The big fierce guy keeps threatening the woman...but she just smirks,


    "How can I return the money that not yours...you cheated other people with your trick!"


    The situation bes worse, her words make the big guy more furious and almost to hit her face if a roast chicken doesn¡¯tnds on his back head hardly.


    "Auuch, what is this...?" He looks down to see what hits him he takes it confusedly. "A roast chicken??? Who so dumb daring throw this to my head!!!" He turns around to search the culprit. Coz of that he lets go the cor of the woman. She falls down on the ground weakly.


    "How dare you three dumb big men bully a weak woman?!!" TanTan shouts angrily from the balcony, announces her interfere. While XiaoRue tries to calm her down but she doesn¡¯t sess at all, she just can stare around in worry. In fact, she almost want to cry,


    "XiaoCieee...."


    TanTan observes the big men,


    ¡¯They are not different than a bunch of scumbag...I can handle them...¡¯


    "Don¡¯t worry, XiaoRue...I can handle them...You stay here..."


    All her life, she likes to watch or read heroic stories. Now when she is in disguise as a man, somehow she feels over brave and enjoy the moment to be a hero. TanTan jumps from the balcony, andnds not smoothly although she manages to stand firmly atst. Now she is in front of those three men.


    "Who do you think you are, little rascal! Dare to intrude my business!" The big guy is more scarier when TanTan faces him closely.


    "You attack weak woman, that¡¯s my business...I can sue you for the violence"


    "Sue me? ha..ha...ha.haha.." The big guyughes, those two his followers alsough, then suddenly,


    "SUE THIS!!!" The big guy is wafting his fist to TanTan.


    "Watch out" The woman bumps TanTan down tp avoid the fist, in the same time she manages gripping the guy¡¯s leg and


    ended by that big guy lost his bnce and fells down. Those two followers immediately help their big brother to stand


    Taking this chance, before TanTan reacts, the woman pulls her hands and gestures her to run,


    "Go...!!!"


    Seeing TanTan and the woman run through the crowd, the big guy very pissed up. He scolds his followers,


    "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT! CHASE THEM NOW!!!"


    "Right ,big brother!!" They then run chase them down.


    While XiaoRue who left behind immediately goes down from restaurant and hopes can chase them also. But unfortunately, the servant boy holds her to pay the chicken. It takes a while to finish the payment. When she goes out from the restaurant, she just manages to see those two scumbags chasing down her XiaoCie and a stranger woman.


    "XiaoooCieee???!!!" XiaoRue tries to call out them but without XiaoRue realizes, the big guy still at there, standing behind her,


    "Are you a friend of that little rascal Hah?!" He walks closer to XiaoRue.


    "I...I..." XiaoRue shocks, she feels intimidated and terrified. Her legs freeze suddenly. She can¡¯t move or run.


    "I see you just now beside him at the balcony...Now pay back for your friend!"


    The big guy pulls XiaoRue¡¯s cor, and she responds with shouting a feminine shout...


    "Kyaaa!" obviously her voice clears out her real gender.


    "What? Is this a joke? You are not a man but a girl!!" Suddenly The big guy¡¯s eyes changes into a lust when he is also almost see the inner cloth of XiaoRue from pulling the cor.


    "Maybe you really can pay back to me, pretty boy! Haahahahaha!" He hugs XiaoRue in force and try to harass her


    "No...let me go!!" XiaoRue is so terrified,


    "Bukkk!" Suddenly there is a hard hit sound from the big guys¡¯ back and it makes him fainted at once. XiaoRue who has freed from that big guy¡¯s hug surprises to see ManQi now stands in front of her. ManQi smirks to her,


    "What a nice cloth you wear, Mr. XiaoRue!"


    "ManQi!" XiaoRue feels more relieved than surprised to be caught by ManQi.


    At that moment XiaoRue right away pulls his hands, gestures him to follow her, to chase TanTan,


    "XiaoCie is in danger....hurry, we must help her!!!"


    *XiaoGe: Little Big brother.


    *XiaoTi: Little brother

 Chapter 33 Gambling Time 1

    A skinny guy with tiny beard on his chines angrily from the edge of alley, looks around but can¡¯t find what he looks for.


    Another skinny guy with sleepy eyes who alsoes angrily from another edge of the same alley and neither him can find them.


    They meets in the middle of alley,


    "Well, do you see them?" the skinny sleepy eyes asks first,


    "No...you, Er Ge?" the skinny tiny beard asks back,


    The skinny sleepy eyes just shakes his head...suddenly he kicks a giant tilting wooden board beside him,


    "I can¡¯t believe we lost them....that woman must be a street rat!!"


    "ErGe, what should we do now? TaGe must be very angry right now.."


    Oppositely with his furious scary face, it seems the skinny tiny beard is more coward than his brothers, while the skinny sleepy eyes seems a little bit depended on.


    "Lets try again at another ces....and then we go back to tell TaGe..."


    The skinny sleepy eyes left the alley followed by the skinny tiny beard.


    After they left, two figurese out from behind the big tilting board,es out two figures, the woman that those skinny men look for and followed by TanTan.


    The woman clears her cloth from dust,


    "I think we safe for now..." She looks to TanTan, and sudden sheughs widely,


    "Hahaha....thank you Young man...I never see someone willing to sacrifice an expensive roast chicken to help other person...Hahaha...I like it!"


    It seems she is very entertained by TanTan¡¯s impulse action.


    Being remembered about it, TanTan did regret a little bit to throw that very good vour chicken. That woman seems can see it, so she hit TanTan¡¯s back shoulder friendly,


    "Don¡¯t worry about it, I will pay your kindness...I, QingQing, never forget anyone who has good or bad to me!"


    TanTan observes this QingQing carefully. From her simple cloth, TanTan guesses QingQing is a woman who grows in the street, maybe even a traveler and she seems older than her, maybe around twenty fifth. Somehow she likes this QingQing¡¯s friendly act.


    QingQing still quiet, expecting an introduction from TanTan,


    "Well? I already tell my name...what¡¯s your?"


    TanTan wonders does she figure out her true gender? TanTan adjusts her voice again,


    "Ehm,..I am sorry,..... I am...Tan...Lang." TanTan gives her hands to shake.


    QingQing narrows her eyes a little bit, indicating she feels a little confused to see TanTan¡¯s gesture but then she smiles,


    "...TanLang...Hm nice to meet you..."


    QingQing punches her palm hands together, to show themon way to greet one traveler to another traveler. It makes TanTan realizes the greeting way in this time is different...QingQing must thinks she is weird young man now...


    TanTan immediately changes her gestures, mimicking QingQing to greet her again correctly.


    But QingQing seems amused,


    "You must ever traveled far, to learn the greeting way of the yellow pale people...It¡¯s so rare to see it..."


    TanTan can¡¯t answer it, she just canugh,


    "Now, what can I help you to pay your kindness, Tan *Di?"


    TanTan feels relieved that her real gender is not found out yet, although she wonders that she is really good to fool people or people at this ancient time really easily be fooled by the appearance? No matter what, TanTan feels can trust this QingQing, so she quick thinking,


    "Actually I am looking for some information...about someone...who wears a silver mask...maybe you know?"


    "A...silver masked man?...hm...well I don¡¯t know about him but...maybe I can take you to a ce where you might find what you are looking for! Come...follow me!" QingQing leads the way, carefully she observes the way front of them, to make sure those skinny men don¡¯t return to search them. After she feels sure, she gestures TanTan to follow her again. TanTan decides to follow this QingQing, coz finally she feels that she can start to find clues from somewhere, its better than she wandering around with no lead at all...although in her heart, she prays that nothing happened to XiaoRue who she left behind at the restaurant.


    ¡¯She supposed to be okay, right?¡¯


    In other side, When XiaoRue urges ManQi to go with her chasing the skinny men down. ManQi pulls back XiaoRue¡¯s arm.


    "Hold on, let¡¯s we wait here..."


    "But...XiaoCie..? She is in danger! We must hurry..."


    XiaoRue seems still panic so ManQi holds both her arms to calm her down,


    "Calm down, those men you mentioned about, they might return to report to their boss here..So let¡¯s wait here okay!"


    Listening ManQi, XiaoRue being calmed a little bit. ManQi sudden realizes that he bes so close with XiaoRue, he lets go his hands awkwardly.


    "Ehm...l¡¯ll take care of this big man first..." ManQi immediately focus to tie the big fierce man who still fainted with any rope he finds from merchants around.


    "Okay..." XiaoRue is also bing awkward with ManQi¡¯s attitude.


    Meanwhile TanTan follows QingQing to one mansion. She looks to the te of the front door, it written ¡¯The house of Gamble¡¯.


    ¡¯Gambling house?¡¯ TanTan wonders can she get any information from here? She is hesitated to enter, as she knows it is one of illegal ce that she shouldn¡¯t involved.


    QingQing looks to her, ensures her,


    "Come..."


    When they want to enter, at the same time, those two skinny guys aree from other alley, the skinny tiny beard notices them,


    "ErGe...look! It is them!"


    And TanTan is also noticing them, QingQing sees them too so she pushes TanTan entering the gamble house.


    "Quickly! Don¡¯t worry they won¡¯t dare to go in!" TanTan and QingQing finally enter the gamble house, they passes two big men that guard the ce. TanTan sees how QingQing and one the guard nod their head a little bit to each other. It seems they know each other.


    While those skinny guys try to enter also but being blocked by the guards. Although the skinny tiny beard try to threaten them but it doesn¡¯t work. The guards are much fiercer than them, they don¡¯t hesitated to punch both of them right away and throw them to the street.


    "See what I mean! Come, we¡¯ll be sate inside..." TanTan feels relieved after seeing that and then goes inside the gambling house following QingQing.


    Those two skinny guys finally give up and decide to return, reporting to their big brother. But what a surprise when they find their big brother has been tied at a pole on the street.


    "TA GE !!!"


    "WHO DARES TO TIE OUR TA GE LIKE THIS!!!"


    The skinny sleepy eyes gives an anger look to around, but the people just try to avoid them.


    Then a finger knocking on his shoulder,


    when he turns to see who is that, a punchnds on his face. In a second, ManQi knocks them down and ties them as well. Then ManQi interrogates them,


    "Speak! Where are two women that you chase!!!"


    The skinny guys looks puzzled,


    "What two women?"


    "We only chase one women..."


    ManQi scolds them hardly to scare them,


    "DON¡¯T PLAY WITH ME!!!" ManQi takes out his sword to threaten them but those guys still look confused, then XiaoRue pulls ManQi, whispers to him that TanTan is also in disguise as a man. Manqi now understands what makes those guys confused, he changes his question,


    "Ehm...I mean where are the woman and young man that you chased? SPEAK OR I WILL CUT YOUR TINY BEARD!!"


    The yell sessfully makes the skinny tiny beard scare deadly,


    "Nooo...no..my tiny beard....they..they entering the house of gamble.....we couldn¡¯t enter there...."


    "The house of gamble?" ManQi widens his eyes, ¡¯This HuaMuTan really good in adding more problem!¡¯


    "Its true...you can find them there now..., Now please release us...we has told you what you want to know!"


    ManQi smirks to them,


    "Sure, I will release the ropes when we arrive at the prison..."


    The skinny tiny beard starts to cry,


    "What?! No..I don¡¯t want to go to jail agaiiinnn..."


    The skinny sleepy eyes starts shouting out some impolite words for kids,


    "Release us...you...S***, F*** you!!!"


    The big fierce guy who is their big brother, their boss just conscious and doesn¡¯t realize what happened.


    "Huh? What?.....where am I?"


    Some officers has arrived and ManQimands them,


    "Take them all to thew office!!"


    XiaoRue holds ManQi¡¯s hand,


    "How about XiaoCie?" she asks in worry.


    "Don¡¯t worry, Prince Li will take care of herter" ManQi smiles. In his mind, he wonders what his master¡¯s reaction when he knows that HuaMuTan has entering the house of gamble... Somehow he feels amused with this condition.


    *TaGe: the big brother


    *ErGe: the Second brother


    *Di: little brother

 Chapter 34 Gambling Time 2

    For the first time in her life, TanTan is actually in an ancient gambling house. Compare with the scene she watched from the movie or series, the ce is more clean and tidy. Its almost like a modern casino. Each of area has different game and people who y at there are various, from themoners till the riches, but mostly thest types that mentioned. The only thing TanTan cannot hold is the smokes, it makes the ce smells odd and disturbing for her. She also notices something about the ce, that is the freaky atmosphere of every single table, be surrounded by an addicted yers who in highly enthusiastic to y.


    TanTan follows QingQing, passing the tables hardly, its like going through the waves of people. When TanTan passing between two tables of games, one of the yer in her right side seems won the bet and in reflex raising his hand gesturing his victory and identally pushes TanTan onto the other yer at the other table. The one who be bumped by TanTan identally changes his bet unwilling, from ¡¯SMALL¡¯ writing circle area to ¡¯BIG¡¯ writing circle area on the table; right before the bookie gives sign to stop betting. The man is shocked and right away turns around in anger,


    "You....IDIOT!!!" He pulls TanTan¡¯s cor harshly. The man who having a dense beard and thick eyebrows stares fiercely to her. When TanTan bes so close with that man, she can smell alcohol from his mouth.


    "I am sorry, it is an ident!" TanTan nces around to ask QingQing¡¯s help but QingQing seems also has difficulty to approach TanTan for many people between them.


    At that moment, the bookie of that table has open the shaker and announces the numbers of the dices, the result of the bet,


    "Its 6-5-6, ¡¯BIG!!"


    The man who just now almost want to hit TanTan suddenly stops when he heard the result, heughs loudly and releases TanTan, he even hugs TanTan¡¯s neck friendly,


    "Hahahaha....I won, little man...you bring me luck...finally I won..hahaha"


    TanTan tries to release herself,


    "Ehm...I congratz you of winning the bet, but I must to go..." She almost freed but the man once again hugs her neck,


    "Don¡¯t so fast, little friend...bet for me again, I already lost a lot ...so you must bring me luck again...so what do you say? ¡¯Big¡¯? or ¡¯Small¡¯?"


    ¡¯This man is so drunk...¡¯ TanTan scared because the drunkard¡¯s action is usually unpredictable, but she can¡¯t free herself for now,


    "Come onnn!!!!" The man bes impatience....shaking TanTan harshly as the bookie start to countdown the time of betting,


    "ugh..tight...too tight..ugh..." TanTan tries to hit his arms, giving a sign that her neck is getting hugged too tightly.


    "What?? Tight? Oh you mean small??...OK, LET¡¯S TRY SMALL THIS TIME !!!" He puts his bet on ¡¯small¡¯ writing circle area. And the bookie once again announces the result of betting,


    "1-3-1, SMALL!"


    "Wooo..YEAHHHH!!! As a victorious yer, the beard man shakes TanTan¡¯s shoulder in extremely excited.


    "Oh man...you¡¯re really my bird luck!!!"


    TanTan is also shocked for herself, is she really that good in betting?


    "Lets do it againnn!!"


    TanTan bes extracted into the game, as she wonders can she be lucky again for the third time, and it does!!!


    Even QingQing who is already stands beside TanTan is also surprised coz until the fifth time, all TanTan¡¯s betting are correct and the bookie looks nervous a little bit.


    "Well,what this time, little brother??" The beard man who now has release TanTan¡¯s neck, asks her for the sixth time and smiles widely to her.


    "Ng...try ¡¯small¡¯ again?" TanTan shows her teeth, smiling unsure...hoping her luck still remains.


    "REALLY?...OK! I¡¯LL BET ALL MY MONEY, TO ¡¯SMALL¡¯, HEY BOOKIE!!"


    TanTan surprised, she tries to stop the beard,


    "Ng...I don¡¯t think its wise to bet all your money...?"


    "You are too green, little brotherrr... In gambling, you need to dare bettingrge!!! ISN¡¯T THAT TRUE ALL???" That question is be responded agree yells andughs by other yers. Seeing the luck of TanTan, the other yers are even deciding to do the same bet like the beard, in fact almost all yers bet in ¡¯small¡¯ writing circle area. It makes the bookie looks nervous to hesitate opening the dice shakers.


    "OPEN IT....OPEN IT...OPEN IT..." All yers be impatient and corners the bookie to open the shaker immediately, which he does it and he announces the result in a weak voice,


    "Its...s...small..."


    Suddenly there is a loud excitement yells from all yers who won including TanTan and the beard,


    "HAHAHAHAHA...SEE. HE IS MY LUCKY BROTHER!!!" The beard man pats TanTan¡¯s shoulder hardly many times, showing his excitement.


    The bookie now feels in trouble because the money he must pay to the yers can make the house lost a lot, it cause a noisiness for every yers who had won demanding their money and it bes attracting other yers from other tables.


    QingQing tries to reach TanTan in the crowd, she shouts to TanTan in the noisiness,


    "I think we better go now..."


    "What???" TanTan can¡¯t hear her clearly.


    "I said...We better leave now!!" QingQing repeats her words,


    At that moment, A loud gong sound suddenly urs and it calms all at once.


    The soundes from the upstairs, where everyone can see a beautiful woman is standing in the middle wide area of stairs hitting the gong which is disyed at that area.


    TanTan can hear some people around whispering the name of the beauty,


    "Its Lady FengHuang...what a beauty..."


    "Ooh, Lady FengHuang shows up...its my lucky day able to see her today..."


    TanTan can see how famous she is as the owner of the ce, this Lady FengHuang...especially in the men¡¯s eyes.


    QingQing sighed, she hits her forehead by herself, gesturing her fear...


    "Oh No...its toote!"


    "What do you mean??" TanTan confused.


    "She is not happy!" QingQing shakes her head, "It can¡¯t be good...you¡¯re suppose not make her angry!...."


    "Who?" TanTan doesn¡¯t really need the answer as she can guess that the one who QingQing mentioned is this Lady FengHuang.


    TanTan observes this Lady FengHuang. She is maybe in thirties? TanTan is not sure for the woman¡¯s face is covered by heavy make up. What she sees is that Lady FengHuang is so alluring with her open shoulder dress, showing her beauty corbone until part of her boobs. Her hair is tied in an unique way but so attractive. But what¡¯s more attractive from thisdy is her eyes, sharp as a cat eyes. She is looking around and stop when she sees TanTan and the others around the table.


    "It seems something interesting just happened in that table, gentlemen?"


    The bookie is immediatelyes to Lady FengHuang and reporting what just happened. It seems the bookie is mentioning about TanTan and the beard as Lady FengHuang suddenly stares sharply to them, while QingQing seems trying to hide her face.


    "Oh,...I see these two gentlemen havee here with a luck goddess. What a waste if you are just ying a small game. How if I invite both of you to y the bigger game with me?" Thedy gestures TanTan and the beard to going upstair for the bigger game. The offer is too good to be passed by the beard and it seems the beard has fallen to the beauty easily,


    "Sure...why not? Right, little brother?.... We can¡¯t disappointing this beautydy..."


    QingQing shakes her head, trying to give a clear clue that it is a bad idea to continue...but the beard has pulled TanTan¡¯s arm to join him going to upstair, whether TanTan is willing or not.


    QingQing whispers to TanTan,


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find the way to help you!"


    TanTan hopes QingQing really does what she said as she keeps following the beard and the beauty into a big room upstairs.


    The room has a flourish fragrance and full of purple colors anywhere. There is also some sweet incense which TanTan doesn¡¯t familiar with. The room might be a private room as there are two bodyguards standing at the door. They close the door slowly. The beauty then sitting on her long chair while she gestures the beard and TanTan to sit in front of her, separated by a long round marble table.


    The beard sits infort, and pulls TanTan to sit also. The beauty gives signal for the pretty girls to serve drinks to the beard and TanTan, who so insisted to put the ss in TanTan¡¯s hand.


    "Please drink...its our special wine! You won¡¯t find it at anywhere...its my special treat as a special prize for your winning just now..."


    The beard seems not suspicious at all, he even feels so ttered to have drink with the beauty, he seems knowing Lady FengHuang¡¯s famous name as well,


    "What a lucky I am today...to have drink this special wine with Lady FengHuang, the phoenix of this house...Hahahaha" Then he drinks it. "Aah...what a good wine...Hahahaha"


    TanTan widens her eyes, seeing the beard finishes drink it.


    ¡¯Really...this man is dumb or what? How can he just drink it like that? Did he not afraid to be drugged?¡¯


    Lady FengHuang noticed that TanTan doesn¡¯t drink yet,


    "Oh...looks like this young man doesn¡¯t like my wine? What a pity..." She gives a disappointing face which makes the beard suddenly force the drink cup into TanTan¡¯s mouth,


    "Don¡¯t be silly...he just shy..e on little brother, drink it....don¡¯t humiliate me!"


    "Gulp!" With that force from the beard, TanTan finally drinks the wine unwilling. She stares angrily to the beard but the person seems doesn¡¯t notices it at all.


    The wine in her mouth tasted sweet but strangely makes TanTan feels hot immediately. Her faces quickly bes red as tomato. TanTan tries so hard to keep her mind clear, fighting the effect of the wine.


    Lady FengHuang seems satisfy,


    "Now I want both of you to listen carefully..."


    TanTan starts to feel dizzy, maybe because she is not a heavy drinker. She can easily be drunk with a low level alcohol.


    "There are two things I hate most to be happened in my gambling house....One of them is a noisy yer..."


    TanTan looks to the beard man, who also showing the same symptom and finally fainted first, while TanTan still can hear Lady FengHuang¡¯s voices,


    "...and the other is..... a very lucky yer"


    And then suddenly her body feels weak and all seems goes around, and then all bes ck as TanTan has also fainted.


    Lady FengHuang smiles evilly seeing TanTan and the beard has fainted by her drug in the wine.


    "So...stupid... Guards, take everything from them, and take off their clothes. I want them to be naked on the street as the punishment for making trouble in my ce..."


    "Yes, Lady!" The guards start to take them, when suddenly a man, one of her bookies enters the room in rush and nervously.


    "Lady FengHuang, its bad!"


    "What is it?!" Lady FengHuang seems upset for the interruption.


    "Prince..Prince Lies...The seventh Princees" The bookie reports nervously.


    The report is surprising Lady FengHuang a lot, there is a shocking but happy look on her face. She sudden going to the makeup table, looks to the mirror and yell to the servants,


    "Hurry ,give me the best dress!!! And fix my hair....QUICKLY!!"


    All servants do the order quickly, while the bodyguards looks confused for the changing condition,


    "Lady FengHuang ,how about these people? Should we throw them out now...?" They mentions about TanTan and the beard.


    Lady FengHuang throws a powder ce and yells to them although then she is still focus checking her face in the mirror,


    "NO! YOU IDIOT....KEEP THEM IN THE OTHER ROOM FIRST! DON¡¯T LET THE PRINCE FIND OUT ABOUT THEM...!"


    "..Ye...Yes, Lady FengHuang!" Those bodyguards immediately move TanTan and the beard into the other room, beside the private room. They are leaving TanTan and the beard on the floor then locking the room.

 Chapter 35 Gambling Time 3

    Back to thew office few hours ago...


    Prince Li and Prince FengEr just finished investigating the dead thief in the prison.


    The result of the investigation is that the thief was poisoned from eating the food that be delivered by unknown. One of the guard easily to be bribed by a mystery old man, who imed to be the thief¡¯s grandfather. The bribed guard has been punished but beside that, Prince Li didn¡¯t get any more clues.


    "The culprit is smart enough to cover their trace..." Prince Li shares his opinion to Prince FengEr in his office.


    "The enemy this time is not easy...you need to be more carefully...WeiDi" Prince FengEr warns him.


    "Yes, I know..." Without saying loudly, both of princes actually has the same opinion about the culprit, they don¡¯t now sure who but obviously someone with a strong power, mightes from the pce background.


    At that moment ManQi has return to thew office, he enters the Prince Li¡¯s office with XiaoRue.


    Both of the princes surprised to see XiaoRue,


    "What happened?" Prince Li has suspecting about something must be happened to HuaMuTan again, same also with Prince FengEr.


    XiaoRue exins how HuaMuTan took her out from the house and disguised as man and then how they involved to fight with the scumbags who had been put into the prison. Then ManQi continues exining that from the scumbags¡¯ information, HuaMuTan is at the house of gamble right now.


    "The house of gamble???!!!" The ce ManQi mentions giving a shocking look on Prince Li¡¯s face while Prince FengEr also surprised but can¡¯t hold hisugh on it. Prince Li then stared unpleasing to Prince FengEr¡¯sugh,


    "Fuh...uhuk...I¡¯m sorry, Wei Di... But thank goodness that MuTan Mei is safe from those scumbags...now you just need to pick her up from there...it is easy for you right?" Prince FengEr smiles and pats his shoulder softly, but somehow Prince Li can feel the mocking in his smile.


    ¡¯That woman!! Why does she need to always find troubles!!! From all ces she can go, she purposely choose to hide in that ce!!!! Really...really a troublesome...¡¯, he sighed a very long sigh,


    "Maybe I should just leave her there..."


    He speaks loudly and it surprised all,


    "You don¡¯t mean it right, Wei Di?" Prince FengEr widens his eyes.


    Without any words, Prince Li walks out from his office, followed by others. At the door of thew office, Prince Li turns to Princr FengEr, "Do you want toe along, Prince FengEr? I can use your help there!" Prince Li smirks to him.


    "No...I am sorry WeiDi but I must return to continue my job...you know, duty calls..." Prince FengEr smiles regretfully.


    "I know you would say that!" Prince Li rides on the horse,


    "ManQi! Remember, if I don¡¯t return in a hour, don¡¯t hesitate to bring all officers to attack that ce!" Prince Li looks to him fiercely.


    "Yes, Master! I will! Don¡¯t worry..." ManQi tries to answer seriously although he also deadly hold back his smile.


    Then the Prince Li leaves thew office. After he is gone, ManQi and Prince FengEr still looks to the front and both of them seems so sad and give a pity look,


    "I am feel so worry for Wei Di...ManQi, you really have to help himter..."


    "Oh...I will, Third Prince....don¡¯t worry...I will..."


    "What a poor WeiDi....I hope he will be okay...."


    "Yeah..."


    XiaoRue seems doesn¡¯t understand the reactions. Is the house of gamble a very bad ce? She speaks out her mind to ManQi,


    "What happen? Is that ce so bad? Will Prince Li and XiaoCie be okay???"


    ManQi and Prince Li look to each other and can¡¯t hold theirugh any longer,


    "Yeah...its very bad for Prince Li...but don¡¯t worry XiaoRue....your XiaoCie will be fine" Prince FengEr ensures XiaoRue and then he excuses himself, he borrows a horse from thew office to return to his ce.


    While XiaoRue still confused with Prince FengEr¡¯s reaction, why does heugh just now?


    She asks ManQi fiercely,


    "Tell me what is so funny with you and Prince FengEr?! Is XiaoCie really fine?"


    ManQi smiles to her, pats her shoulders softly likeforting a little child.


    "Well, you heard by yourself just now. Prince FengEr said she will be okay...don¡¯t worry!"


    XiaoRue still not sure for she confuses about one thing,


    "But...why he also said that the ce is bad for Prince Li?"


    ManQi keeps his smile but giving a pity look,


    "Well, let¡¯s say...its bad for Prince Li because he is too handsome..."


    ManQi then enters the office again, preparing the officers as what Prince Li has ordered him to do,


    XiaoRue who still not satisfy chasing ManQi,


    "Waiit...exin to me more...I don¡¯t get it, Why Prince Li can be in trouble because of his handsome look???"

 Chapter 36 Gambling Time 4

    When Prince Li arrives at the front door of the house of gamble. He sighed again, and then enters the ce with a heavy steps.


    The guards seems surprised to see the prince arrival, they greet him politely but hesitated to let him enter the ce.


    "Don¡¯t worry...Ie here not for official business but...I like to see Lady FengHuang..."


    One of the guard immediately enter the house, announces the arrival of Prince Li, which be continued by one of the bookie to report it personally to Lady FengHuang. Not too long, the guard has returns and then lets Prince Li to enter the ce.


    When he enters the ce, one of the bookie recognizes him and shouts,


    "Prince Li!!! Its the Seventh Prince!!!"


    All sudden bes silent for its so rare to see the Seventh Prince in the house of gamble. Especially all people in that ce know how exactly the Prince Li¡¯s feeling about gambling. He hates gamble so much.


    Prince Li can see the fear and curiosity mixes up on every faces but he doesn¡¯t care. One of the servantes down to wee him.


    "Please follow me, Prince Li. Lady FengHuang has waiting for Prince at her room..."


    Prince Li really doesn¡¯t want to be in one room with Lady FengHuang,


    "Why doesn¡¯t shee down here to meet me..? I¡¯ll wait here..."


    "This...?" The servant surprised for Prince Li rejects to follow her as what Lady FengHuang ordered,


    Prince Li makes clear his purpose toe in front of all people there.


    "Tell your Lady toe down and meet me here...I just want to ask a simple question then I¡¯ll go...I won¡¯t bother her too long"


    The servant immediately returns to the room and then not too long, the servantes back again,


    "I¡¯m sorry, Prince Li but Lady FengHuang said she feels unwell so she can¡¯te down but she can answer your question if you¡¯re willing to meet her in her room... If not, the Lady said she is afraid that she can¡¯t help you anything...please forgive us!"


    ¡¯This Lady! She is ying with me as usual...¡¯ Prince Li once again sighed,


    "Fine..." He then ascends the upstairs following the servant into the private room.


    The strong fragrance of the room is really makes Prince Li ufort. When he enters the room, suddenly the servant who escorted him has closed the door behind him. Somehow Prince Li feels like a trapped animal. There is no one in the room except a beautiful woman whoys down on the long seat, drinking a tea, she is showing openly her shoulders, half top of her boobs, some part of her upper sexy thigh. She is sitting in a very alluring position which every pervert man will let their drool flowing out by seeing her. But not to Prince Li, he is strict to the ancestor¡¯s morales teachings of how a proper woman should behaves. For him, an example of an alluring woman is like ShuangAi, who is very concern about her cloths and not easily showing her body parts to anybody.


    Prince Li turns his back because he feels shame to see the body of Lady FengHuang, but its what makes Lady FengHuang likes him more. She smiles, talking with her most sweet tones, trying to seduce the Prince,


    "Ah what dream I havest night makes My Prince purposelye alone to see me?"


    Prince Li coughs to clear his mind and keep focus in the midst of the incense,


    "I am sorry to bother you, Lady FengHuang...but Ie here just to ask about a young man who came here today... the young man who looks small like a girl?"


    "Oh..a young man? Hm...there are so many young man whoe and go in this ce." She takes another cup of tea, pouring the tea, putting the tea pot on the table side andes closer to Prince Li... "Its hard for me to help you if you don¡¯t give me any specific clue....but since you already here, Prince....why don¡¯t you have a drink with me?" She offers the tea cup to Prince Li with alluring moves, purposelyying her body on him.


    Prince Li takes the cup politely but he immediately put the cup back to the table, he steps away from Lady FengHuang, trying not to stand nearby her, almost causes Lady FengHuang lost her body bnce...


    "No..Thanks, Lady FengHuang but I really need to find that young man...he...is really important to me..." Prince Li exins.


    "Then try to describe him to me...!" Lady FengHuang is a little upset for her seducing movement doesn¡¯t work as usual... She stands behind the metal incense burning pot and puts some powder without Prince Li noticed it....while she keeps looking at Prince Li.


    Prince Li tries so hard to describe HuaMuTan¡¯s appearance, "Maybe... his eyes are a little bigger, his nose is small and his lips like..." Suddenly he feels so hot... He cannot focus to continue his words, because he feels strange,...


    "Aiyaah, Isn¡¯t it very hot here, Prince Li?"


    Lady FengHuang walking foward him, lower her dress top and touching her corbone, once again trying to seduce him.


    "Prankkk!!"


    At that moment, Prince Li can¡¯t stand straight...he identally drops the tea pot from the table and it breaks on the floor, giving a loud noise which can be heard till the room beside.


    ¡¯...I knew it...Its a bad idea toe here...this woman...really!!" He knows that he might has been drugged without he realizes, he must escape from there before toote.


    "Well...if you can¡¯t help me...then excuse me...I think I need to go now..." As he steps to go out, but Lady FengHuang manages to hug him from behind tightly,


    "No...please don¡¯t go, my Prince...Look at me...look carefully... "


    "Let me go..I warn you..."


    Prince Li¡¯s view is not focus right now but he tries to take off Lady FengHuang¡¯s hands from him.... and when he turns and sees Lady FengHuang, he startled for he has hallucinating her as someone else...he screams,


    "You??...you drugged me....let me go or..."


    "Or what? You will arrest me?" Lady FengHuangughs naughtily..."hihihi...Oh Prince, you know how much I love you...my heart has been caught by you so long...I know deep inside your heart....you want me too....right, My Prince?..." Prince Li blinks his eyes hardly, tries to keep focus, but he keeps seeing Lady FengHuang as someone else,


    "No...I don¡¯t ..want you....I...you..." But now he keeps looking her like being hypnotized, the lust kicked out in him. The drug haspletely works.


    "I want....you..."


    "Yes....I am the one that you desire...my love... Come...lets go to the bed..." Lady FengHuang leads him to the bed, let him sit on the bed..."You know ...for so long, I want you so much Prince Li...Last time that wicked woman has stole you from me...but this time...no one can steal you again...you are mine...Prince.." Lady FengHuang touches his face and willing to kiss him.

 Chapter 37 Gambling Time 5

    The minutes after TianTian and the beard man being left by guards. Suddenly the door is opened slowly and QingQing enters the room. She approaches TianTian, wakes her up by pats her face softly many times.


    "Hey...Xiao Ti....TanLang....wake up"


    TanTan opens her eyes,...in a minute, she gains her conscious back.


    "Qing..qing?"


    "Come quickly, lets go...ehm...should we take him or not???"


    While being pulled up by QingQing , she looks around and notices the unconscious beard guy beside her.


    ¡¯Damn this beard! Coz of him, I was drugged!¡¯


    She actually wants to leave him as her punishment but...as she thinks twice, this guy didn¡¯t do anything wrong that deserved to be caught here...


    "Yeah...let¡¯s wake him up and go..."


    "Okay..."


    "Prankk!!"


    As QingQing wakes him up, TanTan sudden hears the breaking noise from room beside, she goes to find out. The door of the room beside is opened a little bit, TianTian can hear Prince Li¡¯s voice...


    "You??...you drugged me....let me go or..."


    ¡¯He got drugged too...?!!¡¯ TianTian peeks through the door, she can see how Lady FengHuang seduces Prince Li and takes him to the bed...


    Somehow the view is familiar to TanTan...and more than that something inside her feels upset,...without thinking, TianTian took a metal thing she can reach, which is the burning incense pot and then...


    "Bukk!" The unexpecting hit is sessfully makes Lady FengHuang faints at once on the floor...


    "That¡¯s for drugging me just now!!" TianTian feels satisfy for her small revenge. Now she is in front of Prince Li who just stares to her oddly,


    "Are...you okay?? Come...let¡¯s go before that woman gets conscious!"


    Getting no respond from Prince Li,


    TanTan pulls his hand out from the bed and walks direct to the door, but suddenly Prince Li pulls TianTian¡¯s hand to make her closer to him and...he kisses her so intense...


    "Mm...!!!" TanTan feels a big shock of the Prince¡¯s action. She pushes him hardly, forces Prince Li to release his mouth from her.


    TanTan feels angry for the action, she ps the prince hardly...


    "Are you crazy!! I am not ShuangAi!! WAKE UP!"


    But the drug is still kicking on, the Prince feels mad for TanTan¡¯s p so he pushes TanTan to the wall beside the bed,...His eyes fix on TanTan¡¯s eyes...


    "I know who you are, HuaMuTan...and... I want you..." Prince Li looks like a beast who can¡¯t think clearly right now.... he starts to kiss TanTan again, this time on her neck, on her corbone...and continue... while TanTan tries so hard to push him away, to be freed from him...


    "No...stop it...wake up...Prince Li...LIZHOU WEI!!!" But Prince Li doesn¡¯t listen to her, he keeps kissing her...his hand takes off her hair pin, causes her long hair looses down.


    ¡¯No...This man is out of his mind....No...I must do something...just...don¡¯t me meter...¡¯ In quick thinking, TanTan moves up her right leg, give a hard kicking as she can to the middle area between Prince Li¡¯s legs.


    "Ughh!!" The pain is unbearable for any man, Prince Li is suddenly lost his power and shrinking down to protect his private thing, which hurt coz the kicking...


    TanTan feels guilty a little bit but she still need to throw her anger.


    "You...You deserve it!!" TanTan then looks at tea cup on the table which still full. She takes it and flushes it to Prince Li¡¯s face, "WAKE UP!!"


    The pain and the flush of tea seem quite effective to return back his consciousness. TanTan doesn¡¯t realize that she just gives an antidote which is in the tea. Its part of Lady FengHuang¡¯s trick. She needs it to make her stays conscious while she knew that Prince Li wouldn¡¯t drink it.


    Then QingQing and the awaken beard man enter the room to find TanTan but they are confused for what they see,


    "What happens here?"


    At the same time a girl servant looks rushing going upstair to report something to Lady FengHuang, she shocks to see TanTan and others...and seeing Lady FengHuang faints on the floor...


    "Aahh, KILLERSS...!!!" She screams.


    "Oow...we got busted!" Seems what QingQing says exining the situation correctly.


    The beard man who seems still puzzled for what happened looks to TanTan in confusion.


    "Wait!! You are a woman????"


    TanTan just nces annoyed to him.


    Not too long after that, some officers seems heard the scream andes up from downstairs. They surround TanTan and others from getting away, then a familiar voice shouts,


    "HOLD ON!!! ManQi walks through the officers, surprises to see Prince Li¡¯s condition and approaches him in worry immediately


    "Are you okay, Prince?"


    Prince Li shakes weakly, he gestures ManQi to help him stand and walk. But before they walk out, Prince Li gives hismand weakly,


    "Arrest... them all...! Bring them to the court ...to be ...questioned..."


    Some officers looks confused, one of them dare to ask,


    "Ehm Sir.... the young Madam too??"


    He stares sharply to all, especially to TanTan,


    "YES!...take Hua MuTan too..."


    "WHAT?!!" TanTan can¡¯t believe it, that Prince Li dares to arrest her?! Does he do that to take revenge on her? What a small hearted man!!". But she can¡¯tin as Prince Li and ManQi have walking away.


    The officers do the order, some of them have taking QingQing, the beard man and the unconscious Lady FengHuang. But others are hesitated to take HuaMuTan...


    Seeing their reactions, TanTan sighed,


    "Don¡¯t worry...I can walk by myself!" TanTan still feels upset but she decides to cooperate for now. Beside its not bad to go to thew office, maybe she can gain more information there. So the officers just politely escort her together with the others to thew mansion.


    TanTan nces to QingQing and the beard man. Now as they are already know her true identity, what will they thinking about her? QingQing just looks at her strangely while the beard man still looks confused.


    People inside and outside the house of gamble who witness what happen start to make their own stories... The famous one is that HuaMuTan once again makes a trouble in the house of gamble because being jealous to Lady FengHuang who they already know always trying to seduce Prince Li. The news even till reaches Physician Huang and ShuangAi¡¯s ce.

 Chapter 38 At a Court Place Law Mansion

    Arrives at the Law Mansion, the ce makes TanTan remembering of one favorite drama that watched her Mom every weekend, its about a justice judge who solved all cases in thew office. Everyone who has trouble can plea by hitting a giant drum which be put at the front of the gate.


    ¡¯Hm...so the drum is a real thing? I always thought its just an added essory...¡¯


    But its not something TanTan need to think about right now. As they enter the front yard, it¡¯s surprising that the officer separates TanTan from others.


    "Wait...where do you take them to?" asks TanTan curiously.


    One officer exins to her,


    "They will be in jail for a while until Prince Li ready to start the investigation..."


    "How about me? Shouldn¡¯t I have to go with them too?"


    The officerughs nervously to TanTan,


    "You are kidding Young Madam...who would dare to put you in jail..? No, Sir ManQi instructed me to assist you to a guest room. You can wait and rest at there....please...this way!" Then the officer politely assists her to a one simple room inside part of the house.


    "XiaoJieee" TanTan is surprised to see XiaoRueing out from the room, wees her with worry....she feels relieved that XiaoRue is fine but TanTan also feels guilty for leaving her behind at the restaurant...


    "I am d you are okay, XiaoRue!"


    "XiaoRue too, XiaoJie...XiaoRue ds that XiaoJie is fine now..." XiaoRue checks TanTan¡¯s condition. She notices the red marks on TanTan¡¯s neck. She bes worry,


    "XiaoJie....did that bad guys hurt you....those red marks?"


    When TanTan realizes about the red marks XiaoRue mentions about, her


    immediately bes red as tomato and she covers her neck right away with her hand.


    "Its..its..nothing..!" She immediately enters the room, be followed by XiaoRue who still curious about the marks.


    In other room, Prince LiZhouWei is sitting on the chair, examined by a physician. The result of examination is not too serious,


    The physician tells that Prince Li just got drugged by a strong aphrodisiac which fortunately has been neutralized sooner. Now he just need to take a rest for a while, and so his lower part which being hurt by TanTan.


    After the physician leaves the room; ManQi, as a man, he feels sympathize to what Prince Li had been through, but he still confused about how Prince Li got hurt in that area? Was it Lady FengHuang? But how could a Lady FengHuang who crazy about him did such a thing? Or maybe HuaMuTan who did it? But why? Was it because she so jealous and angry to Prince Li so she gave such a punishment...its..its too cruel!!¡¯ He can¡¯t hold his curiosity, so he dares to ask,


    "Master...what is actually happened in the room?"


    But Prince Li keeps silent. There are two reasons why he keeps silent. First, he is too shameful answering that question. How can he say that he just almost harassing HuaMuTan and ended with kicked by her?!?


    Second, he is still shocked to himself coz ording to the Physician¡¯s information, the drug Lady FengHuang used is a type of aphrodisiac who can give a hallucination, the person who gets drugged will hallucinating his lover or the most person who he desires most. Prince Li always believe that he loves ShuangAi, he admires her so long....but... why on earth did he hallucinate that woman, HuaMuTan?!!


    ¡¯No...no...no...no...no...no...no...no....NO!...It can¡¯t be right!!¡¯


    His mind rejects the possibility that he has been attracted to her all these time.


    ¡¯You are sick, LiZhouWei! Remember she is the woman who had destroy your life!! A selfish woman who just want to control you all these months! No way you can have a feeling to her!!"


    "Master...? MASTER!" Didn¡¯t get any respond makes ManQi worries that the drug¡¯s effect still remains so ManQi feels need to call him loudly. Its awaken Prince Li from his thought,


    "Ah...ehm...what did you say?"


    "We already put them in jail for the further investigation. Do you want to start it now?"


    "How ¡¯bout HuaMuTan?"


    "She is resting in the guest room, like your order."


    From beginning Prince Li didn¡¯t really mean to put TanTan in jail, he just scared her a little bit.


    "And...is Lady FengHuang conscious already?"


    "Yes, she wakes up.... badly."


    What ManQi means that when Lady FengHuang is conscious from the hitting, she bes hysteric right away,


    "Aaaakhh, why am I here???...Let me go...Prince Li...Guardss...let me go...!!!


    Its worrying the beard a lot, as they are neighbours. The jail contains two big rooms, one room is across to another.


    "Lady FengHuang, calm down...It will be fine....!!"


    "Don¡¯t tell me to be fine...Its ridiculous that I, Lady FengHuang can be in this terrible ce...who was actually ruined my n!!!" She recited what happened and then she notices another figure who be in the same room, a woman who turns back from her, likes trying to hide from her. But the back is so familiar for Lady FengHuang to recognize her right away.


    "QINGQING!!! Why on earth you can be here??!"


    QingQing turns and forces to smile to her only blooded sister in this world.


    "Hi, Feng Jie..."


    LadyFengHuang approaches her, angrily looks to her,


    "Don¡¯t ¡¯hi¡¯ to me...what did you do this time??!"


    "Well...please calm, Feng Jie...let me exin our condition right now...."


    So QingQing exins the situation, including who fainted Lady FengHuang and how did they end in the jail...


    As the respond of QingQing¡¯s story, Lady FengHuang can¡¯t hold her scream any longer,


    "Aaaaagghh, that wicked woman again!!! HuaMuTan!!! She always trying to separate me from my Prince...!" She nces fiercely to QingQing, "And you...its all your fault!!! Why did you take her to the house of gamble, Haaah?!"


    "I am sorry, Feng Jie...but how do I know that she pretended as a man to fool me??!! I just repaying my debt...You the one who always taught me not to have debts with anyone right?"


    "I did but that woman is the exception!!!"


    "Come on, don¡¯t be mad okay, Feng Jie... beside didn¡¯t you too overboard a little bit, FengJie...using drug on the Prince? Didn¡¯t you aware with the consequence like...the condition now??!!"


    "My n supposes to work if there is no interfere of that wicked woman!!" Lady FengHuang is hard to admit her wrong. Her n to make Prince takes responsibility of her has ruined and deep in her heart, she is actually scared coz she knows that Prince Li won¡¯t forgive her easily for what she did...


    The beard man who has listened them from beginning just observes them in confusion,


    "Hey, I don¡¯t understand, why do you hate that girl? She seems nice to me..."


    But those women choose to ignore himpletely.


    Back to TanTan¡¯s room, XiaoRue still wondering what happened so TanTan finally tells her but not in detail, she stops at when she managed to save Prince Li from that Lady FengHuang.


    TanTan also wonders and asks XiaoRue back about Lady FengHuang,


    "XiaoRue doesn¡¯t know too much about her, XiaoJie...but after listening XiaoJie¡¯s story. XiaoRue remembers that in the past XiaoJie ever mentions that name..." XiaoRue tried to collect her old memories, "Aha, right! In the Crown Prince¡¯s coronation party; Lady FengHuang ever became one of the main dancers and..."


    "And what happened next?" TanTan asks although she can guess the end of XiaoRue¡¯s story isn¡¯t end well.


    "Emm, because she was too close with Prince Li ,XiaoJie you purposely ruined her dress with wine and humiliated her till she runs from the room right away at that time." XiaoRue ends her words in small voice, wondering the respond of TanTan after heard about it.


    ¡¯O great...another HuaMuTan¡¯s love rival?


    TanTan sighed, ¡¯And this time I might cause her a problem more than just a ruined dress¡¯


    "XiaoJie, now what will happen?"


    "I also want to know..." As aw student, TanTan quite interests with thew procedure they will have in this ancient time.


    An officeres to TanTan¡¯s room to announce the same news, that Prince Li want everyone to gather in the court ce right now.

 Chapter 39 The Deal 1

    Escorting by an officer, TanTan and Xiaorue head to the court room. In the way, they see Lady FengHuang, QingQing and the beard man, also escorted by another officer to the same ce. Each of the party are surprising to see one another, especially Lady FengHuang who clearly unpleased to see TanTan. She throws her face and tries to walk ahead from TanTan.


    "Wait!" As a reflex ,everyone stops and looks to TanTan, confusedly, including XiaoRue, ¡¯What is XiaoJie want to do?¡¯


    A worse scenario has drawn in her mind.


    TanTan notices that officers in this ce seems still respect HuaMuTan as their young Madam, so TanTan boldly asks them,


    "I like to speak with them for a while!"


    The officers look to each other, unsure. One of them dare to speak,


    "But...Prince Li order us to take them immediately..."


    "It won¡¯t too long!" TanTan uses a sharp tone, which makes the officers finally listen to her, they step aside, giving space for TanTan to meet others...


    Lady FengHuang is in the front of the others so she thought that TanTan woulde to her first and probably p her. She felt have to defend herself, so she covers her face,


    "Don¡¯te...HuaMuTan...I warn you..."


    But TanTan just walk passing her, she approaches QingQing,


    "Are you okay? I am sorry to put you in this condition even though you had tried to save me before..."


    QingQing widens her eyes, she doesn¡¯t expect HuaMuTan would shown a grateful attitude like this, she likes it and smiles,


    "I am fine...but..." She nces to Lady FengHuang, "My Sister...she..."


    This time TanTan who gives a surprise look, she widens her eyes and right awayparing QingQing with Lady FengHuang¡¯s faces. They are not too alike, but still having some simr face parts. What makes them so different is about their choosing appearance. QingQing is much more casual than Lady FengHuang who looks mour. TanTan giving a questioning look to QingQing...by pointing to Lady FengHuang like wanna to say,


    ¡¯She is your sister??!¡¯


    QingQing understands the look so she just nods rifies what TanTan asked.


    TanTan sudden closer to QingQing and whispers to her,


    "Anyway..is she the one you said can help and give me any clues? For the one I am looking for?"


    QingQing once again nods her head, this time she gives a regretful look,


    "But unfortunately I didn¡¯t know that you are HuaMuTan...so I think my sister won¡¯t help you..."


    TanTan observes Lady FengHuang again, feeling unsure that this woman can help her to find the silver mask...


    Lady FengHuang starts to feel annoyed, so she approaches HuaMuTan in upset,


    "HuaMuTan,what are you talking to my Young sister?!"


    TanTan looks to Lady FengHuang. She personally doesn¡¯t like her unfriendly attitude but TanTan feels she might gets something useful from her...so she smirks to her,


    "Calm down...I don¡¯t want to fight with you, Lady FengHuang....I want to make a deal with you..."


    Lady FengHuang narrows her eyes, with suspicion she asks,


    "Deal?...What deal?"


    "Well...I can¡¯t speak it loudly,e here..."


    TanTan talks to Lady FengHuang and QingQing with soft voice till the beard man beside them can¡¯t hear them clearly. Moreover, the officers who stand in front of them,


    One of the officer looks to them in worry,


    "Should we report about this to Prince Li?"


    Another officer shakes his head,


    "Not wise, my friend... don¡¯t you know our young Madam? You will end horribly."


    "Yeah, you¡¯re right..."


    Both of them remember of any stories about HuaMuTan that they heard, one of them was when HuaMuTan punished an officer for telling bad news about her to Prince Li. That officer was being beaten badly and chased away from the city forever. So they decide to keep silence and hoping that their silence can protect their job.


    After TanTan finishes exining her ¡¯deal¡¯, she asks again to Lady FengHuang,


    "So...do we have a deal?"


    Lady FengHuang seems trouble to make decision, but QingQing urges her,


    "Its not a bad deal, FengJie...just ept it..."


    Somehow after listening about TanTan¡¯s ¡¯deal¡¯, Lady FengHuang can¡¯t hold a strange feeling she has,


    "Why do you want to make that ¡¯deal¡¯ to me? You know I don¡¯t like you ,HuaMuTan...and that ¡¯deal¡¯ seems weird for me...are you really willing to do that to your husband?"


    TanTan sighed,


    "If this is about Prince Li...don¡¯t worry...I don¡¯t care about him anymore, your helpter is more important to me... so if you take the deal, I add the bonus that I won¡¯t disturb you with Prince Li anymore next time..as long...you also don¡¯t force him with the wrong way again..." Lady FengHuang still feel weird but TanTan rushes her, "Lady FengHuang, There is no much time to think, deal or not?!"


    "Fine...I take it..." Lady FengHuang presses her doubt feeling coz the deal actually really a good catch for her. She just wonder that this HuaMuTan really can make it happen or notter.


    "Okay, QingQing and..." TanTan just realizes that the beard man still standing beside, trying to hear them, "this man..."


    "TaGou...that¡¯s my name" The beard man introduces himself shortly suddenly,


    TanTan continues,


    "And..TaGou here..can be the witnesses of our deal, you can¡¯t break the dealter..."


    "Don¡¯t underestimate me HuaMuTan! I Lady FengHuang always keeps my promise even though with someone like you...!"


    "Hey, how about me? Do I need to involve in your deal too? I got nothing there..." TaGou finally speaks his own mind.


    The officers feels its already too long for letting HuaMuTan gets her chatting time with others, Prince Li must have waiting for them right now. So one of the officer asks TanTan politely,


    "Young Madam,may we go now? We are afraid that Prince Li has waiting for you and others..."


    "Just a minute..." TanTan nces to TaGou and whispers to him sharply,


    "Don¡¯t worry, as long as you cooperate with us...you can get free also but if not, you will deal with prison problem alone, how ¡¯bout it?". Actually TanTan just bet on herself about this TaGou, he seems not a bad guy, just a heavy drunker. Hopefully he chooses to join in their deal.


    "Well...I have no problem with jail anyway...beside I don¡¯t do anything wrong..."


    TanTan can¡¯t think anything else to convince him coz he is right...he just a victim here and can be a strong witness who ruin their deal.


    "Ah, please...handsome man, won¡¯t you be a hero for a day to save this weak woman. I will be so...so...so..grateful.." Lady FengHuang steps forward, approaching him, seducing him with her sensual body and her begging face.


    "I am in!" TaGou doesn¡¯t need time to think coz from the beginning he seems already attracted by Lady FengHuang.


    With a victory face, Lady FengHuang walks passing TanTan,


    "That¡¯s how to deal with man..."


    and then TaGou follows her like a loyal bulldog while TanTan and others also following behind, they are walking, be escorted by the officers again.

 Chapter 40 The Deal 2

    Not too long, TanTan and others arrive in one room. The officer reports about their arrival, ManQies out and let all enter except XiaoRue. Although she feels a little upset but she is still waiting outside. Then when TanTan enters the room, TanTan notices that the room is not the primary court ce like the one she ever see in the movie. It just a regr office room, and in the room, Prince LiZhouWei has waiting for her and others. And also there is an old man who wears some kind an official uniform, ¡¯Who is he? Is he one of Prince Li¡¯s assistant in thisw mansion?¡¯ TanTan assumes that Prince Li as the leader of this town must have a lot of official assistants to help him rule.


    In fear, Lady FengHuang, QingQing and the beard man kneels down to Prince Li and that old man while TanTan just gestures politely but then she stands beside them, observing around calmly.


    ¡¯This is not a real court room...does he call us just for an interrogation?¡¯ TanTan doesn¡¯t need to wait for the answer coz right at that moment Prince Li exins the purpose of the meeting.


    "I think all of you know why are you all being called here!" Prince Li stares sharply to everyone, especially to TanTan. He continues,


    "I don¡¯t want to extend the case so why don¡¯t we just go to the point! Lady FengHuang!!" He shouts her name in sharp tone, "DO YOU KNOW YOUR WRONG?!" It is making Lady FengHuang shocks and nervously respond,


    "Prince...please please forgive me...I just..."


    "HOLD ON!" TanTan unexpectedly stops her words. It surprised everyone and they all look at TanTan.


    "I want to know what are our status here? Are we criminals now? What is the case?" She asks boldly to the Prince .


    ¡¯What is this woman talking about?! Wasn¡¯t she the reason of this investigation!!¡¯ Prince Li nces to TanTan in curiosity,


    "HuaMuTan, it¡¯s not your turn to be asked...please silent and wait for your turn!"


    "No, I won¡¯t silent because before you judge someone, don¡¯t you need to rify the case first so we all understand the reason why we are here?!"


    Everyone on the room, especially LadyFengHuang are puzzled for HuaMuTan¡¯s attitude to Prince Li.


    "I am the one who has authority to ask here..HuaMuTan!" Prince Li feels irritated for TanTan obviously try to disturb the intterogation.


    "Well, there is no investigation unless you exin the case first..." TanTan stands firmly for her words.


    The old man who keep silent since beginning, sudden chuckle a little bit. Prince Li nces to him with upset, the old man coughs to cover his chuckle,


    "Ehm..I think Young Madam is really curious about the reasons, Prince Li. Maybe you should exin to her so this investigation can continue..."


    TanTan observes the old man, and seeing how brave he speaks his opinion to Prince Li, he might be not an ordinary man. TanTan also observes the respond of Prince Li. Somehow he shows respect to this old man. He just silent staring to the old man but saying nothing.


    "Fine..." He looks to HuaMuTan, "Like I said before I really don¡¯t want to extend the case but coz you really want to know the case...I¡¯ll tell you...," he sighs and continues,


    "You!" He points to HuaMuTan, "And You!" He points to QingQing, "had make a chaos in the street, in front of the restaurant...and then with this guy.." He points to TaGou, "You all also make a scene in the house of gamble...disturbing the public ces like that is enough to be the case!!"


    "Its ridiculous! It wasn¡¯t us who started it first!" defend TanTan right away, but she then continue asks "And then what is Lady FengHuang¡¯s wrong?"


    Prince Li seems embarrassed to continue exining it, coz its about his own dignity.


    "She knows for herself what is her wrong!"


    And TanTan notices it easily, that¡¯s why she pushes him to speak out,


    "Well, she doesn¡¯t...right, Lady FengHuang?" TanTan winks to Lady FengHuang as a sign, Lady FengHuang just can nod her head uncertainly.


    TanTan continues,


    "For the trouble we caused at street and in the gamble house, you should know that we are not the one to med coz we aren¡¯t the one who started it...there were some scumbags who schemed people on the street, QingQing in fact should be rewarded for discovered their evil scheme....Ta Gou and I didn¡¯t do anything wrong than just yed in the gamble house, you know, the ce where everyonee there to y their luck...?"


    TanTan smirks to Prince Li,


    "And for Lady FengHuang, if you can¡¯t exin her case...that means no case at all and we all suppose free to go now..."


    Everyone in that room, listened her and then thinking all her words seems make a sense especially Prince Li who stares to TanTan in suspicious and thinks, ¡¯Since when this woman bes so good in giving an argue?¡¯


    But he doesn¡¯t want to lose,


    "ording to the report I got, you and..." He nces to TaGou.


    Realizing that Prince Li wanna to mention his name, he proudly says it,


    "TaGou...my name is TaGou...it means..."


    But Prince Li interrupts him,


    "TaGou, I heard that both of you were captured by Lady FengHuang, she even drugged both of you...was it right, TaGou?!"


    TanTan and Lady FengHuang nces to TaGou, hoping he doesn¡¯t change his mind. TaGou just winking back to them,


    he then said,


    "I am sorry but I think you got the wrong report, Prince Li...Lady FengHuang didn¡¯t do anything wrong to me."


    Prince Li surprises to hear it, he gives a questioning look to ManQi and ManQi just rises up his shoulders a little bit gesturing he has absolutely no idea.


    Prince Li asks again to TaGou,


    "I ask you one more time, TaGou! Did you won quite some amount of money at the house of gamble?"


    "I did! Thanks to XiaoDi...eh...I mean to Young Madam HuaMuTan...I am sorry, Prince Li...I didn¡¯t know at that time...she was very good to disguise as a young man..."TaGou so nervous to miscall TanTan...afraid that Prince Li unhappy for he had being closed with TanTan in man disguise.


    Prince Li doesn¡¯t concern about it, he focus to his question,


    "But you didn¡¯t get the victory money, right?"


    "eh...that¡¯s right..." Being remembered about the money makes TaGou doubting a little bit,


    Prince Li continues to lure his mind,


    "Because Lady FengHuang didn¡¯t want to pay and coz of that, she drugged you so she didn¡¯t have to pay the money!"


    "Well...that..."Ta Gou is thinking for what Prince Li said gives out a right point. TanTan sees what is going on so she interrupts TaGou before he says anything wrong.


    "The money were just being dyed to be paid, right, Lady FengHuang? Actually Lady FengHuang only asked both of us to wait for a while before getting the money" TanTan exins, she gestures Lady FengHuang to follow her words.


    "That¡¯s true...I will give the money...right away when we return to my ce!" Lady FengHuang smiles widely to ensure TaGou, who smiles back to her.


    "Brak!!" Prince Li hits his chair to show his upset. Everyone are nervous to see it. "HuaMuTan, don¡¯t you think I won¡¯t dare to punish you for keep disturbing this investigation!!"


    "How did I disturb this investigation? From the beginning there is no case to be investigated!" TanTan doesn¡¯t feel afraid to Prince Li, she even enjoying this procedure.


    "You...!!" Prince Li can¡¯t say anything more as TanTan and other insists there is no case. The old man seems amused with the situation, she smiles to Prince Li,


    "If...no one gives any charges, should we close this investigation, Prince Li?"


    Actually at the beginning Prince Li didn¡¯t too care about this small investigation, he just want to punish Lady FengHuang who had drugged him and threaten HuaMuTan to not doing any troubles again. He didn¡¯t expect that HuaMuTan had plotted with others to humiliate him.


    He stared angrily to HuaMuTan,


    "We are not done yet...I still need to charge Lady FengHuang!"


    "For what usation?" TanTan challenges him boldly.


    Prince Li feels ufort to tell it actually but he just doesn¡¯t want to lose to TanTan,


    "For drugging me..." he answers shortly.


    "Ooh? Do we have a witness by the way Prince Li?" TanTan widens her eyes, pretending to look dumb and it makes Prince Li upset more.


    He stands in upset,


    "Don¡¯t pretending fool, HuaMuTan. You saw what happened!!"


    TanTan sudden turns to Lady FengHuang and asks her like a defender in a court,


    "Lady FengHuang, do you have any grudge with Prince Li till you were trying to harm Prince Li?"


    "Of course..I don¡¯t have any grudge and I wouldn¡¯t harm Prince Li !!" Lady FengHuang feels the question is so weird and very opposite with what she feels to Prince Li.


    "You hear it, Prince Li? Lady FengHuang has no reason to drug you anyway..." TanTan smiles victorious to Prince Li.


    "Sure she has, she...!!" Prince Li stops, its too embarrassing for him to expose Lady FengHuang¡¯s feeling toward him directly from his mouth. So he just can continue, "...has a reason. After all you, HuaMuTan... don¡¯t deny what you saw in that room!!" He stared to TanTan sharply


    Looking to Prince Li¡¯s eyes, TanTan suddenly feels embarrassing to remember what exactly happened in that room, but she knows that she can use what happened to argue back so she throws her eyes to the floor, gathers her courage and bes speaking very carefully,


    "...If what you mean that you were almost attacking me in that room but then I stopped you by kicking..."


    "STOP!!" A loud shoutinges from Prince Li who also suddenly rushes to TanTan and covers her mouth to stop her from continue her words.


    "Kicking?" The old man and others in the room are curious for the continue words from TanTan but Prince Li keep covering her mouth,


    "Its nothing!!! Excuse us for a while..." Prince Li pulls TanTan far away from others, leaving all staring at them in puzzled.


    Prince Li then whispers to Tantan,


    "As a woman, are you not feeling shameful to tell them about it?!"


    "Mm..mmm" TanTan stared to him as Prince Li doesn¡¯t take off his hand from her mouth yet. Prince Li notices it and then frees TanTan¡¯s mouth. TanTan whispers back to him harshly,


    "You are the one who pushes me to speak it loud! Then as you want, I can tell them everything in detail..."


    As a high-dignity man, Prince Li finally gives up by TanTan¡¯s threat, but he can¡¯t bare his confusion for TanTan¡¯s deed,


    "Ok, what do you want HuaMuTan?"


    TanTan immediately gives her answer,


    "Release all of them, no charges at all or I will tell them of how I make you consciousst time..."


    Prince Li actually already knows TanTan¡¯s answer and he can do that rather than letting everyone knows how he can be drugged so easily by woman and also be conscious in a shameful way. Prince Li just confused of what is the reason she lets them free? Does she make some kind of deal with them?


    In curiosity, he asks again...


    "What had you done, HuaMuTan? Why did you defend these people after they kidnapped and drugged you?! What deal do you have with them huh?!"


    "Well, its my own business, but don¡¯t worry...Lady FengHuang had promised not to force you again in the future...its part of the deal..."


    TanTan releases herself from Prince Li,


    but Prince Li still want to know more so he pulls TanTan¡¯ hand to stop her walk


    "Wait...what??"


    What everyone sees is that Prince Li and TanTan seems having an argument between a couple so it makes all notfort to see. The old man is the one who speaks to clear the situation,


    "Ehm...Prince Li, should we pursue this investigation or...?"


    Prince Li realizes of what he and TanTan look like in front of everyone so he release TanTan¡¯s hand immediately, and clears his throat before he speaks,


    "No...everyone may be released and go home now! There are no charges on them...for now!"


    The old man narrows his eyes, to Prince Li and then to HuaMuTan, he speak humbly like a wise man,


    "Very well, as yourmand Prince Li...everyone..." He looks to each of person in that room, and smiles "is free to go now..."


    A happiness faces drawn on Lady FengHuang, QingQing and also TaGou. They walk out and d there is no punishment on them. HuaMuTan also smiles happily approaching others at outside while Prince Li just stands and stares to TanTan at the door sharply.


    The old man approaches Prince Li,


    "You have a quite interesting wife, I see, Prince Li...she has changed a lot than she was before..."


    "Do you think that too, Mr Shi?"


    "But it is a good change..."


    "I doubt it....she is nothing but a trouble maker"


    "Well, my duty is done here..so if I may go..." Mr Shi excuses himself but before he goes, he has a time to recite this puzzling words and he purposely says it to Prince Li...


    "...A pure gold needs to be sharpened first before it can shine...what a hard work to do for the owner..."


    Mr Shi then also excuses himself to TanTan before he goes. TanTan just gestures back politely to pay his greet but wondering in her heart about who he is. But she doesn¡¯t want to find out now as she needs to talk with Lady FengHuang before she goes,


    "Lady FengHuang, before you go I want to speak with you...."


    Although LadyFengHuang still doesn¡¯t like TanTan especially after seeing the closeness between her and Prince Li just now in the room but Lady FengHuang starts to see TanTan in different way, she respects that TanTan as a woman can won in argument with Prince Li.


    "What is it?" Lady FengHuang asks,


    "Although I defensed you just now but it doesn¡¯t mean I agreed for what you have done! You still need to apologize to me and pay the money that I and TaGou deserved to get!"


    TanTan has prepared if Lady FengHuang got angry or attack her again, but unexpected, Lady FengHuang just smirks and says boldly to her,


    "I don¡¯t need to apologize for what I did...The house of gamble has its own rule, which in this case...the yers can¡¯t won too much, even more than the host..."


    "What kind of rule is that?! Its unfair!"


    "Too bad, nothing is fair about gamble...well, don¡¯t we have a ¡¯deal¡¯? So if you insist want to get the money...I can give you it as a ¡¯deal¡¯ for your help today but that means you can¡¯t get any information .. so do you want money or the information?"


    "You...wicked woman!" TanTan had a little bit regret has helped Lady FengHuang,


    Lady FengHuang smirks to her,


    "Well, take your time.e to find me when you have decide it..e on QingQing!"


    But QingQing doesn¡¯t move from her position beside TanTan,


    "Ehm..actually I think I will stay with HuaMuTan for a while, FengJie..."


    "What?" Lady FengHuang widens her eyes.


    "She has helping us, FengJie, don¡¯t we need to keep her promise....beside I still not paying my debts yet to HuaMuTan...so I¡¯ll stay with her till I help her to find the information that she needs..?" She looks to TanTan, "If Young Madam HuaMuTan doesn¡¯t feel troubled?"


    TanTan surprises for QingQing¡¯s request,


    "No..not at all" She can see how different QingQing from her sister, so maybe she can be a big helpter.


    "Fine! Whatever....QingQing, you never listen to your own sister and now you give side on your sister¡¯s enemy huh! What a nice sister you are!!" Even though Lady FengHuang feels upset but she knows that QingQing did that just to save their dignity to fulfill their promises. In their family, nothing is more important than keeping the promise they say. So even though she doesn¡¯t like QungQing to be with HuaMuTan but she still can agree of QingQing¡¯s choice.


    Then Lady FengHuang notices TaGou still stands in front of them, waiting for her. Lady FengHuang asks him harshly,


    "What do you want? the money too?"


    TaGou shakes his head,


    "Although I do care about my victory money...but I prefer my reward that you promised if I helped you..." He rubs his hands and looks to Lady FengHuang with lust.


    Lady FengHuang just smiles to him with some meaning...


    "Sure..e with me...lets go to the gamble house to get your reward.."


    Then TaGou follows Lady FengHuang go out from the ce like an insect which flies into a venus-trap nt.


    TanTan look to them in worry, she then asks QingQing,


    "Will he be okay?"


    "I am afraid he will going to the same trap my Sister made like before...but don¡¯t worry, my sister is not a killer.... The worse scenario that can be happened is that he might be left naked outside the house gamble." QingQing tells to TanTan honestly. TanTan sighs,


    "Well, can¡¯t help him again...I hope him luck this time"

 Chapter 41 Agreement 1

    What a relieve feeling XiaoRue has when she sees TanTan goes out with others. Coz TanTan seems still busy talking with Lady FengHuang and others, XiaoRue decides to wait. Not too long there is ManQi, walking not too far from her, so XiaoRue approaches him to get the information,


    "Mr ManQi, what is actually happened inside? Did Xiao Jie get any trouble?"


    ManQi looks to her and chuckles,


    "Your XiaoJie is really giving a big trouble this time..."


    "Really? Did Prince Li punish her?" XiaoRue looks to him in worry.


    "Well, on the contrary, she sessfully defeats Prince Li and making him upset..."


    "defeats him?..." XiaoRue thought like in the past, HuaMuTan might just threw her emotional easily and then ended being felt humiliated or even got punishment from the Prince although till now as XiaoRue remembered, no one dared to give any hard punishment to her XiaoJie as HuaMuTan always using the name of the GrandMother Queen as her shield, this time maybe not too different.


    "ManQi!" Hearing his name is called by Prince Li, ManQi turns back to approach Prince Li who is also just walking out from the room. But before that, he has a time to pat XiaoRue¡¯s head and says, "Don¡¯t worry, Young Madam is fine..."


    XiaoRue feels a little surprised and a little bit upset for ManQi treating her like. a child. XiaoRue observes that Prince Li seems busy instructs some orders to ManQi, perhaps also asking him to prepare the horse to return to Li Mansion.


    "XiaoRue.." TanTan calls her and XiaoRue immediatelyes approaching TanTan.


    "XiaoJie, are you okay?" concerns XiaoRue, that is responded by TanTan¡¯s smile,


    "I am fine..." TanTan gestures introducing QingQing to XiaoRue,


    "This is QingQing. She will stay with us for a while..." As their agreement, TanTan and QingQing feels it is okay to call each other by just names.


    QingQing smiles to XiaoRue, gestures politely and says,


    "Please take care of me for a while, XiaoRue..."


    XiaoRue observes QingQing and has a little bit worry for she recognizes QingQing as the woman who started trouble at the restaurant,


    ¡¯Will this woman be okay to stay with XiaoJie...?¡¯ XiaoRue feels uneasy but she just can smiles responding to QingQing.


    Then she turns to TanTan, asks


    "XiaoJie, so are we going home now?"


    The sky began to be dusk, yet TanTan doesn¡¯t feel to go home nowq...she still want to find any clues coz she feels getting nothing useful till now so she turns to QingQing,


    "QingQing, tell me exactly how can you help me to find the clue that I need...? Is there any ce we can go now to get clues?"


    "XiaoJie, you don¡¯t nning to go again right?" XiaoRue already feels panic with TanTan¡¯s request to QingQing.


    QingQing is also surprised to be asked directly like that. She is willing to help TanTan but not that instant, especially not after getting out from jail just now.


    "Wow, calm down, HuaMuTan...I don¡¯t think we should go now...why don¡¯t we take a rest first and call it a day? We still have time tomorrow, right?"


    TanTan shakes her head as she thinks,


    ¡¯I am not sure I can get out freely againter...not after I made him mad like that...¡¯


    She looks to QingQing seriously, repeating her question before...


    "QingQing,...are you really know any ce we can ask? I prefer to go now to find any clues..."


    QingQing wonders what rushes TanTan, but she really can¡¯t fulfill TanTan¡¯s request, so she shakes her head


    "I can¡¯t think any ces for now, HuaMuTan. At first, I thought my sister can give you the clues coz she has many connection with the underground people..."


    "The underground people?" The word attracts TanTan, she widens her eyes and focusing to QingQing¡¯s exnation,


    "That¡¯s how we call to some people who being in some secret organizations..."


    TanTan puts her thought,


    "Beside the connection your sister have, where can we usually find out about these underground people?"


    QingQing knows the answe, she just feels unsure to tell but looking to TanTan¡¯s demanding eyes, she decides to tell TanTan,


    "...There is one ce...but that is very dangerous...I won¡¯t suggest you to go there by yourself..."


    "Where is it?" TanTan is too enthusiastic with the information till she didn¡¯t realize that a figurees closer to her and has listening her mentioning about the underground people. That figure suddenly takes TanTan¡¯s hand and shows his anger face,


    "Where do you think you will going, HuaMuTan?! Finding more trouble than you had now?! Come with me!!!"


    Seeing Prince Li captures HuaMuTan makes QingQing and XiaoRue be silent and just letting Prince Li takes HuaMuTan back to the room.


    Prince Li releases his hand on TanTan harshly, pushes her to sit and uses his both hands to block TanTan standing up again.


    "What is your intention, HuaMuTan?!"


    "What do you mean?...let me go now...!"


    But Prince Li keeps gripping the chair firmly, he stares sharply to TanTan, threaten her...


    "I heard it just now, you are looking for the underground people?!... Are you nning to use them to do your evil deed this time?!! Just forget it! They are not the people who you can control like in the pce or at your house! And also I won¡¯t let you do that !!


    TanTan stared back to him angrily,


    "I don¡¯t looking for them to do evil...!! I told you I won¡¯t harm anyone!"


    "If not, why do you want to meet them?!"


    "Its my own business...Nothing to do with you!!"


    For a second, they stared to each other...


    and somehow Prince Li feels a litte bit disappointing with TanTan¡¯sst words but he can see the pure intention from TanTan¡¯s eyes which he never see before.


    Prince Li releases his hands from the chair, stands aside from TanTan,


    "You are not nning to harm ShuangAi or FangFang anymore?"


    TanTan confuses with the question. It is like the Prince want to get a clear confirmation from her again, she feels upset about it,


    "Of course, I won¡¯t harm them! ShuangAi is my friend and FangFang is my daughter...how could I harm them!"


    Prince Li still staring on her sharply,


    "Are you nning to harm anyone else? One of your enemies?"


    "How many times I need to tell you. I am not nning to harm anyone...!!Do you want me to swear here?....I swear not to harm anyone or I won¡¯t mind to get anyw punishments!" TanTan stands firmly raising up her right hand, like if she stands at the court ce. which confuses Prince Li.


    ¡¯She seems honest this time... her eyes are also looking honest, those eyes are different from in the past...¡¯


    Prince Lies closer to TanTan.


    "Then tell me the truth, why on earth do you want to meet the underground people? Don¡¯t you know that they are dangerous people?!"


    "Dangerous?" TanTan is curious how dangerous they can be.


    "Mostly they are criminals, and some of them are the cold-blooded killers and rebels...do you think you can handle them? Didn¡¯t going to the gambling house teach you any lesson?!"


    TanTan notices that her distance to Prince Li just a step far. She starts ufort with that closeness. But what Prince Li said, she heard it as a concern, its not usual to see Prince Li worry about her? TanTan asks too be sure,


    "Do... you worry about me?"


    Prince Li is startled with that question and he answers TanTan right away but somehow he can¡¯t look to her so he turns back from TanTan,


    "No...I am not worry about you! But I am worry that you can bring troubles to Li Mansion with your careless actions like what you didtely!! Either I like it or not, your status is still my wife, the young madam of Li Family, the Royal Family so you must concern about your actions!"


    ¡¯Yes...I am not worry about her...it justtely her impulse actions caused many troubles and it can effect Li Family as well..." Prince Li makes his mind clear about it.


    TanTan thinks about the Prince¡¯s answer,


    ¡¯So he just worry about me dishonor of surname Li as part of the Royal Family?¡¯ TanTan understands that people in this ancient time seems care a lot about their family¡¯s good name, and that¡¯s why the women especially can¡¯t be too free with their actions. The past HuaMuTan who grew with the ancestor¡¯s teachings must understand this very well that she managed to do her evil deed behind her wless courtesy. But TanTan, she is not from this ancient time. How can she being restricted to do what she want to do?


    ¡¯But I can¡¯t always offend this man if I still want to get any chance finding cluester...¡¯ As the result of her thought, TanTan sighs before she answers,


    "You are right, Prince Li...I have forgotten a lot things including my manners as a young madam of Li Family...I admit my wrongs, so please forgive me and don¡¯t worry, I will behave as good Li Young Madam for now."


    Unexpecting TanTan to drop the argue so soon, Prince Li has lost word to say. He just stares to TanTan curiously while TanTan gestures politely to excuse herself,


    "Well, if nothing else...please excuse me" TanTan walks to the door, but Prince Li stops her by holding her hand,


    "Wait, where are you going?"


    "Where? I return to Li Mansion of course...isn¡¯t that Li Young Madam¡¯s duty is to stay at home?!" Although TanTan seems cooperate so well, there is a sarcastic tone in her words about being Li Young Madam, which being noticed by Prince Li. Somehow Prince Li still suspicious toward this TanTan¡¯s obedience manner. So he keeps holding TanTan¡¯s hand,


    "Then as a good husband, its my duty to make sure you go home safely... let¡¯s go!" Same like TanTan¡¯s...although the words seem nice but clearly there is a sarcastic tone TanTan can hear in them.


    "What...wait! I can go home by myself..."


    Prince Li pulls TanTan and they walk out from the room together. Prince Li instructs ManQi to assist XiaoRue and others to go home after them while he forces to hold TanTan up to his horse, ignoring that TanTan keeps noisy, insisting to go home alone. Then Prince Li rides his horse away, leaving everyone who just seeing Prince Li and TanTan go with confusing looks.


    QingQing is the one who speaks out her thought first,


    "I don¡¯t know that Prince Li is so caring to his wife? I thought he hates her?Is that just a rumour?"


    XiaoRue and Manqi just look to each other, they don¡¯t know how to answer QingQing coz they are also confused with what they saw. It is so opposite than in the past when Prince Li who always rejected and tried to stay away from HuaMuTan, who is trying everything to be close with Prince Li.

 Chapter 42 A new friend or rival?

    Lately XiaoRue and ManQi feel their master too often leaving them behind but they get used with it. ManQi looks to XiaoRue,


    "Well...its time for us to return also..."


    "That¡¯s right..."


    ManQi smiles, his horse is ready also, so he offers the ride to XiaoRue,


    "Come, let me ride you back home..."


    XiaoRue almost takes the offer if QingQing doesn¡¯t suddenly interrupt them,


    "Hey, how ¡¯bout me?!" asks QingQing, she felt being ignored after no one answered her question before.


    ManQi gives a questioning look to XiaoRue. XiaoRue understands it and exins,


    "XiaoJie said Ms QingQing will stay with us for a while...so I think I will return with her"


    ManQi observes QingQing more detail,


    from QingQing¡¯s appearance and remembering her status as a sister of Lady FengHuang, ManQi is guessing that QingQing has a quite good martial skill. ¡¯Maybe I don¡¯t need to worry leave XiaoRue with her¡¯... he thought.


    "Very well if that so..." ManQi immediately ride on his horse.


    "Hey, handsome guy...won¡¯t you offer me a ride too?? Why your threat is so different?" Although their style are not same but QingQing is really Lady FengHuang¡¯s sister. Once they have interest in someone, they don¡¯t feel shame to show their liking openly. Actually QingQing had observed ManQi for a while just now and Manqi¡¯s appearance coincidentally is QingQing¡¯s type.


    But ManQi doesn¡¯t respond it at all, he just ride away and leaving them. While XiaoRue is a little bit surprised to hear how QingQing called ManQi.


    "What a cool respond...!!" QingQing immediately turns to XiaoRue,


    "Hey, do you know that guy? I think he is Prince Li¡¯s right hand, isn¡¯t he? Will we meet him again in Li Mansionter? What a lucky I am..." QingQing without hesitated folding her hands around XiaoRue¡¯s hand, "XiaoRue...let¡¯s be good friend okay and tell me more about that handsome man.."


    XiaoRue feels ufort with the questions, she wonders what makes she feels uneasy to talk about ManQi?


    "I am not too close with him...so I can¡¯t help you...I am sorry, Ms QingQing"


    XiaoRue tries to release herself from QingQing¡¯s holding,


    "Ah...its okay, and please just call me QingQing...I don¡¯t like to be formal...and I really wanna to be friend with you...beside both of us has the same job to help HuaMuTan right? Let¡¯s go...I can¡¯t wait to arrive at Li Mansion and meet that handsome guy again...". Once again QingQing holds XiaoRue¡¯s hand and pulls her to walk again,


    The holding is so tight so XiaoRue just give up and follow QingQing to walk. During the journey, QingQing is quite talkactive asking XiaoRue about ManQi about his background, his friends and even his favourite food but XiaoRue can¡¯t answer any of those things.


    "Hm...you really don¡¯t too close with him hah? Although both of you work together to the same masters and in the same ce? What an odd...you really don¡¯t know anything at all?"


    Somehow XiaoRue feels uneasy and sad about it, ¡¯Its true, I don¡¯t know anything about ManQi...¡¯, but finally she says,


    "I know some..."


    "What is that?" QingQing put all her ears to listen,


    "I know that...he is very skillful in martial art and...he is good in cooking medicine" In her mind, XiaoRue recited the moment she and ManQi cooked medicine together for XiaoJie, he was so kind and very helpful at that time.


    "okay...and else?" QingQing asks more,


    "That¡¯s it." XiaoRue answer shortly.


    "That¡¯s it?" QingQing widens her eyes,


    "Oh well, it seems i need to find out by myselfter..."


    Not too far from them, there is a *mantou-seller, QingQing sudden stops XiaoRue,


    "Ehm...I remember that I didn¡¯t eat anything yet since morning....I think I want to buy some man-tou...do you want some too XiaoRue?"


    "No...I am good!"


    "Okay, please wait here...I won¡¯t too long..." QingQing right away approaches the mantou seller while XiaoRue just observes QingQing buying mantou from across.


    Without anyone noticing it, The mantou seller actually secretly hand over a small piece of paper to QingQing. At a glimpse, they looks to each other like giving a secret code and then they acts like ordinary mantou seller and a buyer. QingQing secretly keeps the paper safety in her pocket and then she returns to XiaoRue and shares a mantou to her.


    "Take it XiaoRue...consider as a friendship gift from me as a new friend or...maybe coworker right?"


    XiaoRue doesn¡¯t want to be rude so she takes the mantou and then in the rest of return way, they enjoys eating the mantou together.


    *Mantou= a chinese steamed white bun.

 Chapter 43 Herbals ShuangAis story

    The news of Hua MuTan makes chaos in the house of gamble bes a reason for ShuangAi want to visit Li Mansion. She is sincerely concern about TanTan and Prince Li. Beside she has nned to visit HuaMuTan again after their meeting with Princess XiXist time.


    In her home, a medicine store, she ns to gather some herbals for HuaMuTan. ShuangAi goes to the herbal room, where she meets ChungMei, her father¡¯s second disciple after her. She is busyparing words in medicine books with some herbal leaves on her hand. When ChungMei concentrates about one thing, she is rarely noticing her surrounding. ShuangAi smiles to see her like that and doesn¡¯t want to bother her so she just goes to the medicine drawers to look for what she needs. But she can¡¯t find some herbals so she need to ask ChungMei eventually.


    "ChungMei?" As ShuangAi has thought, ChungMei doesn¡¯t respond at all.


    ShuangAies closer to her and touch her shoulder softly.


    "ChungMei!" ShuangAi calls once more time.


    "WAH!!" In reflex ChungMei almost throwing the books and leaves which on her hands, and it quite surprises ShuangAi also.


    Finally, ChungMei notices ShuangAi, with regretful she says,


    "I..am sorry, Shuang Ai Jie....I didn¡¯t hear you just now..."


    ShuangAi chuckles,


    "You are too deep in your thought like usual, ChungMei..."


    ChungMei sighs,


    "Yeah...I just wondering if these leaves can bebined together or not..."


    ShuangAi smiles, she knows how ChungMei loves to do research and learn medicine so much,


    "Study is good but too much study can also harming your health...take a break for a while..."


    ChungMei stands,


    "I know Shuang Ai Jie...thanks for your advice... by the way, do you need something?"


    "That¡¯s right, I need some herbals but I can¡¯t find them at the ce" ShuangAi tells the list of the herbals, ChungMei listens her fully, then exins regretfully,


    "I am sorry ShuangAi Jie, this morning the herbal you need has used up, nothing left..I used thest pieces of them....."


    "As I thought..." ShuangAi sighs, it makes ChungMei feels guilty,


    "Do you need it now?...maybe I can go to the back hill and find some herbal leaves for you right away..." But ShuangAi doesn¡¯t want to bother her from her study.


    "No...its okay...I¡¯ll go there to get some herbal leaves I need, beside I also need to go out too..."


    "Where are you going to?" ChungMei asks, wondering also for what ShuangAi want to take some herbals, "Do you want to heal someone with brain problem? The list of herbal you make just now all for the brain and nerves"


    ShuangAi is surprised a little bit that ChungMei can figure out it from the list she told. ChungMei is really talented, no wonder Physician Huang epted her to be his disciple.


    "You are so smart, ChungMei... I want to give these herbals to MuTanJie, hoping my prescription can help her to regain her memories back"


    Now its ChungMei¡¯s turn to be surprised,


    "Are you sure about it, ShuangAi Jie? I know that you had told me that she had changed after losing her memories...But isn¡¯t it better just to let her being in her recent condition? You said she had changed much....much better than her wicked old self!"


    What ChungMei said has a good point, but ShuangAi feels its too bad for HuaMuTan for not remembering her feeling toward Prince Li.


    "I hope she can remember her feeling to Li Ge...so they can be happy together... Well, i wont bother you anymore...I¡¯ll go now" ShuangAi feels its time to go, so he excuses herself.


    ChungMei just sighs seeing ShuangAi walks away, ¡¯ShuangAi Jie is too naive...what a poor Prince Li...¡¯ ChungMei is one of many people who witnessed how Prince Li boldly shows his feeling to ShuangAi. Many times ChungMei had tried advising ShuangAi to ept Prince Li¡¯s feeling and being ignored by ShuangAi. But now for ChungMei, its not more important than what she researches so she continue drawn in looking to the medicine bqooks and herbal leaves she hold.


    There is a back hill not too far from their medicine making ce, where people usually takes some herbal medicine¡¯s materials over here. The ce is familiar to ShuangAi so she doesn¡¯t have difficulty to find any herbals she needs.


    After she takes as many as she needs, ShuangAi goes to a river to clean her hands.


    At the river, after sshing some water onto her hands, suddenly she notices something big floating to the river side. ShuangAi is shocked to find out that it is a body. As a physician, she rushes to check either the body is still alive or not.


    When ShuangAies closer to the body, she only sees the back part so she turns the body and realizes it is a man, unconscious with a dark red coloured spot around his belly. Clearly that this man has been stabbed by a short dagger. She checks if the man still showing a sign of living and yes, he still has a pulse and breathe although very weak.


    ¡¯He has swallowing too many water...¡¯


    ShuangAi looks around, there is no body around that she can ask help but she can¡¯t abandon him here.


    ¡¯Hm..if only just now I asked ChungMei to apany me here..." ShuangAi sighs, then she remembers there is an old cabin around, not too far where she usually came with Prince Li when they were little, ¡¯I hope its still there...¡¯


    Although ShuangAi used to help her father to carry the patients at her medicine ce but its still difficult for ShuangAi to do it alone.


    There is no time to consider it, ShuangAi immediately does the first aid action. She makes sure the water can be pumped out from the body, so she pumps a little bit hard to the man¡¯s under chest. There is a reaction of the body, he vomits some water and coughing, he is also gets conscious, but not fully awaken..he opens his eyes a little bit and then closes them again.


    ShuangAi pats his face a little bit hard to make him keep conscious, she shouts to him,


    "Mister, you have to keep conscious so I can help you...Come on..." Noticing the man can hear her and showing a movement, Shuang Ai keeps awaking him,


    "Stay with me...urgh..." ShuangAi tries to make him stand and then step by step she guides the man of the way to the cabin.


    For almost half of hour, ShuangAi finally manages to bring the man into the cabin. Right away, she puts the man carefully on the old wooden bed.


    The man seems has using hisst energy to walk also, so now he is fully fainted.


    ShuangAi knows first thing she needs to do is treat the wound on the man¡¯s stomach. ShuangAi looks to her cloth bundle where she keeps the herbals for HuaMuTan. She needs to use some of them to treat the wound. ShuangAi sighs,


    "Oh well, helping people is more important now. I can gives the herbals for MuTan Jie next time..."


    After she decides it, then she starts the treatment by opening the man¡¯s top cloth to check the wound.

 Chapter 44 Agreement 2

    It is a peaceful dusk in Li Mansion. The servants are doing their chores in quiet. Suddenly there is a loud cry from inside.


    "Nooo! I don¡¯t want to eattt!!"


    It¡¯s FangFang who seems angrily rejecting the food which has been prepared by Aunt Tong.


    At the same time, Prince Li and TanTan has arrived at Li Mansion. When Prince Li goes down from the horse, he offers his hand to help TanTan goes down either. But in anger look, TanTan ignores his hand and goes down by herself although suddenly the horse moves and she lost bnce so she must hold on Prince Li¡¯s hand to avoid falling down. In reflex, Prince Li also holds her both arms to keep her standing. Their eyes meet together but in a secondter, TanTan takes off her hands immediately from Prince Li,


    "I said I can go home by myself! No need to force me everytime!!!"


    Prince Li feels irritated with TanTan¡¯s rejection,


    "And giving you a chance to make another trouble? No, thank you.. don¡¯t you think that you can free to do anything you want, HuaMuTan! Now I see that I really can¡¯t put down my guard on you!"


    "YangMuu...." Suddenly TanTan runs toward TanTan, hugging her from behind. Aunt Tong is chasing her behind and stops when she sees Prince Li and TanTan. She also gives a weird look for TanTan¡¯s cloth, ¡¯What on earth was that woman doing in man¡¯s cloth like that?¡¯


    TanTan is also surprised, she turns to FangFang and pats her head,


    "FangFang, what¡¯s wrong?" TanTan asks.


    Prince Li looks to Aunt Tong, asking an exnation. Aunt Tong says in regret,


    "FangFang XiaoJie doesn¡¯t eat yet since afternoon. I have prepared the dinner for her but she refused to eat..."


    After hearing Aunt Tong¡¯s exnation, TanTan stares to FangFang in worry,


    "What¡¯s wrong, FangEr? Why you don¡¯t want to eat? Are you feeling unwell?" TanTan touches FangFang¡¯s head to check either she is unwell or not, but her temperature feels normal for TanTan.


    FangFang shakes her little head and looks back to TanTan,


    "I am waiting for YangMu...and YiFu..."


    Prince Li is also approaches FangFang, standing beside TanTan, staring confusedly to FangFang,


    "Why are you waiting for us? Is there something you want to say to us?"


    FangFang looks nervous and unsure, she seems afraid if Prince Li scolds her for what she sayster. TanTan calms her,


    "Its okay, you can tell YangMu, FangFang..."


    With a shy look, FangFang downward her gaze and speaks slowly,


    "I just...I just want to eat...with YangMu and YiFu again..."


    TanTan blinks her eyes, ¡¯That¡¯s it? She just want to eat with us?I thought there is something else¡¯


    "You just waiting for us to eat together?" TanTan repeats it to make sure, FangFang nods, she adds


    "But Aunt Tong didn¡¯t let me wait. She even said that YangMu might not go home tonight..."


    TanTan nces unpleased to Aunt Tong. Aunt Tong turns her face to other direction as her guilty respond. But then TanTan smiles to FangFang,


    "Aunt Tong is just kidding with you... You see YangMu has back now right?....well, YangMu also feels hungry right now. Why don¡¯t we go inside and eat together?"


    "YiFu also?" FangFang looks to Prince Li with a naive look makes Prince Li can¡¯t reject her request, he and TanTan nces to each other, as like they speaks through their eyes and agree to put down their argue for a while.


    "Yeah, me too..." Prince Li answers shortly.


    At once, FangFang¡¯s face bes shines with big smile. FangFang is cheerful again and then immediately holds TanTan¡¯s hands to go inside the mansion together.


    "Come..YangMu..."


    "Wait...I need to change my cloth first..."


    TanTan lets FangFang to guide her inside, while Prince Li just looking at both of them. Aunt Tong feels guilt so she approaches Prince Li,


    "Forgive me, Young Master... I heard what happened in the town so I carelessly speaks to FangFang XiaoJie like that...I don¡¯t expect FangFang XiaoJie will so upset with my words..."


    Prince Li nces to Aunt Tong and has a little sighs,


    "Aunt Tong, I know you don¡¯t like HuaMuTan since beginning she came to here but please be careful to speak words about her especially in front of FangFang..."


    Aunt Tong nods to show her regrets, " I know...I won¡¯t say anything careless again next time...but still if this old woman may to speak honest here, I don¡¯t think it is good to let FangFang too close with Young Madam! We never know when her real face will show up!"


    After giving her opinion, she excuses herself politely to prepare dinner.


    ¡¯Her real face huh? Yeah, I should not put down my guard toward her...These all confusing acts of her might be just for temporary...?! For now, I just need to keep my eyes on her..." Prince Li then walks toward the dinner room.


    But not too long ManQi has arrived to at the Mansion and the noise of his horse makes Prince Li stops and turns to check. He is also notices that ManQi rushes to approach him. ManQi immediately gives the urgent report to Prince Li,


    "The First Prince has returned from the battle with a victory"


    Prince Li takes the report seriously coz at once his face turns hard,


    "I see...ok, we talk itter" Prince Li notices another thing, "But why do youe back alone? Where is XiaoRue?"


    "Xiao Rue is a apanying Ms QingQing toe here. She said Young Madam invites her to stay at Li Mansion for a while..." ManQi doesn¡¯t know either this news bother Prince Li or not so he observes Prince Li¡¯s face.


    "That woman really...she even didn¡¯t ask me first!!"It turns out Prince Li is irritated with the news, he enters the mansion with grumpy. ManQi doesn¡¯t dare to say anything else but follows him inside.

 Chapter 45 Agreement 3

    An adventure of the day is really making TanTan starves. But the condition where Prince Li who sits in front of her makes her ufort, although there is FangFang sits between them. The reason of her ufort feeling is because since sitting in the room, Prince Li keep staring on her in suspicious.


    "Do you have anything to say to me, Prince Li?"


    TanTan dares herself to ask before she can tell him to stop staring to her.


    "Isn¡¯t you the one that have to tell me something?" Prince Li asks her back.


    TanTan doesn¡¯t understand but she feels nothing to tell about,


    "I don¡¯t have anything to tell..."


    "Really? In contrary, I think there is a lot thing you need to tell me about. For the start, you haven¡¯t tell me the reason you went to that gambling house?" Prince Li uses this moment to ask her directly.


    "A gambling house? What is that, YangMu?" FangFang takes interest to what Prince Li said.


    "Its nothing FangFang..." in panic TanTan closes FangFang¡¯s ears immediately and stares sharply to Prince Li, "You can¡¯t talk about gambling or work issues in front of a child!"


    Prince Li is not used to eat with FangFang so he forgets for a moment that FangFang can pay attention to their conversation. He clears his throat,


    "Well...then we will talk about itter after eat"


    Aunt Tong like usuales to serve the dinner. Among the food, there is a roast chicken which makes TanTan remembers about the roast honey chicken she didn¡¯t taste yet earlier, what a waste...she regrets it so much.


    FangFang sees how TanTan gazes to the chicken, so she tries to reach the roast chicken, only she can¡¯t before her small hand doesn¡¯t long enough to reach and the position of roast chicken is closer to Prince Li than to them.


    Prince Li notices what FangFang doing,


    "Do you want the chicken, FangEr? Let YiFu take for you..." Prince Li cuts small part of chicken, but FangFang refuses,


    "No...its for YangMu...YiFu, give it to YangMu..."


    Prince Li and TanTan surprise, especially TanTan who doesn¡¯t realize that FangFang has observed her just now.


    Prince Li sudden smirks to TanTan,


    "Ah, I think your YangMu don¡¯t like the roast chicken coz my report told that she even threw the famous honey roast chicken to the swindlers..."


    "YangMu, did you do that?" FangFang wides her big eyes. She really doesn¡¯t understand why TanTan must throw food to the people, isn¡¯t it not polite?


    TanTan nces angrily to Prince Li,


    ¡¯He purposely mentions it now so he can humiliate me in front of FangFang!¡¯


    "I did it only because those men were bad, FangFang...they tried to hurt someone weaker..." TanTan tries to exin it, hoping FangFang doesn¡¯t get a wrong example from her.


    "Really, YangMu?"


    Suddenly two figures enter the room, they had listened just now and one of them decides to join the conversation,


    "Its true....I can be the witness for that..."


    QingQing continues, "You know little girl, your YangMu is a very brave woman..."


    XiaoRue who notices that it is impolite to interrupt someone¡¯s dinner like that, immediately reports to Prince Li and TanTan regretfully.


    "I am sorry...XiaoJie...Prince Li....I actually already ask Ms QingQing to wait outside but she want to tell you by herself that we had arrived...."


    Although Prince Li feels a little bit annoyed with suddening of them both, but he doesn¡¯t want to be shown as a bad host. He just nces to TanTan unhappy, clearly wants TanTan to take her responsibility of her own guest.


    TanTan just realizes she didn¡¯t ask permission to Prince Li first about QingQing, but she had promised to QingQing to let her stay. QingQing seems realizing it too, so she greets Prince Li politely,


    "Forgive me for my intruding ,Prince Li. Young Madam HuaMuTan has kindly inviting me toe here and I feel so grateful but my intention toe here is actually to help Young Madam so I can pay her kindness.


    Prince Li raises his eyebrows, he doesn¡¯t get used to hear someone mentions about HuaMuTan¡¯s kindness.


    "Did your sister agree about this?" In suspicious, Prince Li asks.


    "Yes, she knows it..." QingQing feels nervous with the way Prince Li asks.


    "Hm...is that so?" Prince Li stares sharply to QingQing, and thinking,


    ¡¯I don¡¯t believe Lady FengHuang can easily let her sister to be close with HuaMuTan!¡¯


    The way Prince Li asks QingQing is also irritating TanTan,


    "Prince Li, its me who asks her toe...so you should not interrogate her like that!" TanTan stands up, "Don¡¯t worry, we will not bother you or give any trouble in your mansion, Prince Li...Now if you excuse me....Come QingQing...let me take you to my room..."


    Seeing TanTan want to leave, FangFang holds TanTan¡¯s hand, and looks at her sadly,


    "But YangMu, you promise to eat with me..."


    "That¡¯s right, why such a hurry, wifey? I don¡¯t say anything yet and you should keep your promise well..."Prince Li smirks to her, obviously he doesn¡¯t want to let TanTan goes easily.


    "Aunt Ma, prepare 1 more bowl...let our guest eat with us first...I believe you must be hungry too after what happened today and XiaoRue, you also may leave to eat"


    XiaoRue looks to TanTan who also nods her head to XiaoRue, signs that she can leave the room. But before she leaves, suddenly QingQing stops her,


    "Ah, Prince Li, its very kind for you to invite me, but I don¡¯t want to bother this family dinner time, so why don¡¯t let XiaoRue apanies me to eat and wait until Young Madam HuaMuTan finishes the dinner...right, XiaoRue...let¡¯s go, we can¡¯t bother them any longer..." So before Prince Li gives any respond, QingQing has excuses herself and pulls XiaoRue out from the room.


    Prince Li and TanTan just stare them walk away from the room and then


    TanTan looks to Prince Li weirdly,


    ¡¯Why suddenly he bes so kind just now?¡¯ Not yet finish thinking it, suddenly her belly has giving a loud noise,


    "Wah, YangMu, you must be very hungry...your stomach sounds so loud!"


    It makes Prince Li can¡¯t hold his chuckles and TanTan¡¯s face turns red at once.


    "Ehm...right...lets just eat now..." TanTan sits back and immediately takes her bowl and starts digging the food, and try to ignoring Prince Li who keep staring on her.

 Chapter 46 Agreement 4

    During dinner, TanTan tries her best to eat as fast as she can but the delicious roast chicken makes her hard to achieve her goal. She just keeps grabbing piece by piece of the chicken. Prince Li in other hand also starts enjoying his food with FangFang but sometimes he nces to see TanTan eating so freely. He recites in the past, a high dignity of HuaMuTan makes her mostly avoided the food like roast chicken which hard to be eaten without making her feels embarrassed in front of others. ¡¯The more I observe her, the more I feel this woman is too different than her old self...she seems...no longer is HuaMuTan? Can she be someone else? Could it be??¡¯ Now it urs a new suspicious theory in Prince Li¡¯s mind, that maybe the woman in front of him is really someone else but he feels the theory is ridiculous...why HuaMuTan or maybe Hua Family asks someone to pretend like her? How can they looks so simr? Prince Li thinks the theory he made is too ridiculous, but he has to be sure...he remembers that HuaMuTan has 3 birthmark moles on her left shoulder. Maybe he needs to find a chance to check itter.


    While he is thinking, TanTan has finished her meal and stop eating.


    "Ahh, I am so full.." she tells,


    "Me also YangMu...so full" FangFang touches her belly which bigger than just now, filled by the dinner dishes. TanTan smiles seeing her,


    "Well, we should thank Aunt Tong for the yummy food tonight..." As a mother, TanTan feels need to teach FangFang to always be polite and FangFang listens to her,


    "Thank you Aunt Tong..."


    "That¡¯s right, thank you Aunt Tong" TanTan copies FangFang¡¯s way to say thankyou.


    Aunt Tong who just instructed other servants to pick up the dishes is smiling nervously to FangFang and also to TanTan.


    "Its my job...I am d both of you like it. Now its alreadyte, FangFang XiaoCie have to back to her room to sleep."


    Prince Li nods and TanTan also agrees, "Goodnight, FangFang"


    FangFang seems hesitated to go,


    "Uhm, can¡¯t I sleep with YangMu again tonight?"


    TanTan smiles to hear the request but then she remembers QingQing must has waited for her,


    "I am sorry FangFang...not tonight, YangMu still have a guest..."


    FangFang understands it so she doesn¡¯t push it, she greets TanTan and Prince lI politely before Aunt Tong apanies her walk out from the room.


    As now only left both Prince Li and TanTan in the room. TanTan feels it is the time for her also to leave,


    "Well, I should go too..." she stands and ready to go.


    "Wait!" A suddenmand makes TanTan stop walks toward outside.


    TanTan sighs, ¡¯What else now?¡¯


    "I have a guest waiting, Prince Li...I need to go now..."


    "And I haven¡¯t give a permission to ept your guest in my house, HuaMuTan!"


    TanTan looks to him, feels upset again but she realizes the courtesy in old times can be so troublesome. This time she admits,


    "Well, I know its my wrong not to ask you first...but do you need to be a rude host? I can¡¯t just kick her out and swallow back my words..."


    "..., Tell me first why do you want to invite her?" Prince Li asks. Its weird for Prince Li to see HuaMuTan close with LadyFengHuang¡¯s sister, and also defended Lady FengHuang in thew mansion today, knowing their bad rtionship in the past.


    "QingQing was the one who save me in the gamble of house before ,I just want to repay her favor...that¡¯s it...is it wrong?" TanTan feels a little bit nervous, she doesn¡¯t want to tell Prince Li if she is still looking clues about her killers and the silver mask.


    "Hm..." Prince Li keeps staring on her, examining in his thought, that makes TanTan more nervous, Prince Li is the owner of this mansion so he has full right to ept or reject any guest. And he looks still suspicious to QingQing so she adds...


    "How...how about we make a deal....what should I do so QingQing can stay?"


    Prince Li rises his eyebrow,


    ¡¯A deal? it looks that this QingQing quite important to her...¡¯ He smirks a little bit,


    "Is it mean that you will obey to anything I say?"


    "Just one time and as long its not against human right!" TanTan points out her finger to make it clear. She obviously won¡¯t let the Prince takes benefit of it.


    Prince Li is still staring on her,


    "How can I trust you? You can easily deny the deal."


    TanTan sighs, somehow she feels down knowing that the Prince still doesn¡¯t believe her but she realizes every deal should based on the legal terms.


    "Fine, just give me a paper to sign..."


    She continues in her mind,


    ¡¯Even better if its a divorce paper....¡¯


    "A paper? Why need to waste it?" Prince Li looks to TanTan weirdly then he instructs a servant to call Uncle Tong... TanTan forgets that in ancient time like things like paper is still rare and expensive.


    Not too long, Uncle Tonges into the room and wondering why he is being called. He greets Prince Li and TanTan politely and waiting no more longer, Prince Li exins the situation to him,


    "So...Uncle Tong will be the witness between us. To be clear, I let QingQing stay in here as long you promise to do one thing I ask you to do, right?"


    "That¡¯s...right! But like I said as long its not against human right! Tell me actually what do you want me to do?" TanTan narrows her eyes, staring to Prince Li. Coz she has a little worry that she might digging her own hole.


    "Don¡¯t worry...I won¡¯t force you to do something against thew. But how if you the one who doesn¡¯t do the deal?"


    Now its Prince Li¡¯s turn to be aware,


    "Then I and QingQing will go out from this Mansion...as well that you may divorce meter" TanTan is serious in every her words.


    ¡¯Again she mentions about divorce...


    What¡¯s her game really?!¡¯ Prince Li sees he doesn¡¯t get any lose in this deal, so he agrees with the terms,


    "Fine...Uncle Tong, you heard it? Be our witness"


    Uncle Tong is actually puzzled with the situation, ¡¯Why do they need to go this far just for letting a guest to stay?¡¯ but he doesn¡¯t dare to speak his mind for its not his position to say, he just agrees to be their witness.


    "Ok, now its clear...so can QingQing stay?" TanTan once again makes sure the deal is on now.


    "Yes, she may....Uncle Tong...ask Aunt Tong to prepare a room for Ms QingQing." Uncle Tong ds that he can leave the room, he excuses himself and walks out ,doing the order.


    "And the term you ask me to do?" TanTan still wonders about it, hoping that Prince Li just asks some house chores or something like that.


    Prince Li smirks again.


    "I¡¯ll tell youter...maybe tomorrow..."


    He stands and leave the room, leaving TanTan alone. TanTan sudden realizes something which makes her irritates a little bit.


    ¡¯Didn¡¯t I suppose to go out first from the room just now??! How annoying!¡¯


    But TanTan puts her irritating feeling beside as she remembers QingQing is waiting for her, so she is also walking out from the room.

 Chapter 47 Lets be Honest XiaoRues story

    Back to the moment, after QingQing took XiaoRue out from the dinner room.


    "Ms QingQing....Why did you refuse Prince Li¡¯s offer? Isn¡¯t it not polite toward Prince Li?" XiaoRue is still unbelieved for what QingQing did. As amoner, usually its a quite honor to be invited in a dinner with a prince.


    "I just don¡¯t want to brother them..."


    QingQing walks a little rush and doesn¡¯t pay attention to her front as she is busy replying XiaoRue.


    *Bukk* And that¡¯s why she ends by bumping someone¡¯s back.


    "Auchh...Heyy, watch your step!!!"


    At first QingQing want to angry but she cancels to be upset after knowing who bumps her. It is ManQi who waits for Prince Li finishing the dinner.


    "Aahh, handsome guy.. I am so d that we meet again...Now as I also stay here...why don¡¯t let we know each other closer?"


    Suddenly QingQing tries to gesture her attraction by standing closer in front of ManQi, and XiaoRue feels irritated to see them so close. ManQi raises his hands to hold QingQing¡¯s shoulders and...


    "My name is ManQi...not ¡¯handsome guy¡¯, please don¡¯t miscall me, Ms QingQing!"


    ManQi pushes QingQing away to clear his way and then he looks to XiaoRue who seems unpleased, it worries ManQi


    "What¡¯s wrong, XiaoRue? You looks upset? Is something happen in dinner room?"


    XiaoRue still feels upset, that¡¯s why she just answers shortly,


    "Nothing." She walks away and directs to QingQing, pulls her arm so hard and walk away,


    "Come Ms QingQing...don¡¯t you want to eat...lets go!"


    "What!...Akh...bye handsome...we talkter okkk..." QingQing is in surprise that XiaoRue need to pull her so strongly till she doesn¡¯t have time to fight back.


    ManQi just stands looking to them oddly.


    In his mind, he is giving amon statement, ¡¯women, I never understand them...¡¯ and then he just walks direct to the study room as Prince Li had instructed him before.


    In other room, where XiaoRue serves tes and food for QingQing to eat, with her unpleased face. Although she tries so hard to hide it but QingQing can see and guess it easily,


    "Ah....I think XiaoRue...you are also interesting on my handsome guy?..." QingQing points it out, and it makes XiaoRue startles...


    "What...what are you talking, Ms QingQing...No...I am not..." She sudden bes stutter.


    "Ah, cut the crap, XiaoRue... its okay to have that feeling!...he IS handsome anyway and I am okay with a little rivalry...It makes me more excited to get him, you know..."


    XiaoRue wrinkles her forehead, she really doesn¡¯t get what is in QingQing¡¯s mind, she seems enjoying the situation. She signs, ¡¯Maybe I can¡¯tpete with this woman...she looks so confident...waittt, why I shouldpete with her? I don¡¯t need topete...coz I don¡¯t like...I mean...he is nice... and brave...but...¡¯


    "XiaoRue!! What are you waiting for...let¡¯s eat...don¡¯t just staring at there..."


    A loud voice of QingQing wakes her up from her confusing thought. But she doesn¡¯tfort eating with QingQing


    "I am not hungry Ms QingQing...."


    At the same moment, A loud noisees from XiaoRue¡¯s stomach...it¡¯s embarrassing her and makes QingQing chuckles. She smiles to XiaoRue,


    "See....your stomach is more honest than you..e on, let¡¯s just eat...I hate to eat alone. And please don¡¯t call me miss again...just QingQing..."


    XiaoRue gives up, its hard to refuse a warm friendly treat from QingQing. She sits and starts enjoying the food with QingQing.

 Chapter 48 A Short Nigh

    After TanTan walks out from the dining room, she just rushes to find QingQing and XiaoRue. Finally, she finds them in a guest room, where they also just finished their food.


    "Found you!" Her voices surprise XiaoRue and QingQing. XiaoRue stands in reflex to give a seat for TanTan to sit.


    TanTan smiles to her,


    "Thanks, XiaoRue...you may sit also..."


    XiaoRue obeys and sits beside her, she serves all with the tea on the table.


    QingQing widens her eyes and then smiles to TanTan,


    "You know usual I hate nobles but from the start, I already like you, HuaMuTan... I don¡¯t understand why my sister hates you?"


    "Well, you should ask her about itter... Now QingQing, as you stay here with me...I really hope you can help me!"


    TanTan talks seriously.


    QingQing bes serious too, she stares on TanTan and sighs,


    "Is this about the clues you want? about the silver-masked man?"


    "Of course, it is...what else?! Tell me about the underground people you told before...Can I find any clue from them? Where can I find them?"


    The enthusiastic spirit from TanTan scares XiaoRue and amazes QingQing.


    "Wow...you really don¡¯t want to waste any time, do you? Well, I still not sure its a good idea for a woman like you to go there... besides I confuse about one thing."


    QingQing looks on TanTan seriously.


    "What is it?" TanTan asks


    "You have a great husband who has power in this town to find clues for you, why don¡¯t you ask help to him? Is it easier and safer??"


    "QingQing is right, XiaoJie...maybe XiaoJie have to tell the truth to Prince Li about this silver mask, he can be dangerous for XiaoJie..." XiaoRue hopes her XiaoJie won¡¯t going to another dangerous trip anymore.


    QingQing¡¯s words might true if only the marriage thing is real and if she is really HuaMuTan,


    "I am not sure he will help me. Don¡¯t you know the rumor of our marriage, QingQing? He hates me!"


    "I know it but I think it just a rumor, what I saw this evening that your husband seems has affection on you..." QingQing means about how Prince Li took TanTan home and had dinner with her, really aren¡¯t seen as the hatred acts to do.


    "Well, Prince Li is quite treating XiaoJie differently than before..." XiaoRue adds


    TanTan wrinkled her eyebrows and stares sharply to XiaoRue and QingQing, she doesn¡¯t angry just be irritated with their words.


    "Enough with this nonsense! I can handle my own business without asking for his help! QingQing, you promise to help me, so give me any information I can really use!"


    "Ok...ok, I see, well..." QingQing start exins "I think the silver man you are looking can be one of the underground people, it¡¯s hard to find them openly coz of their secrecy. But there is one ce where they usually gather to do their business..."


    "And where is it?" TanTan urges to know the ce coz maybe this is a chance for her to meet the silver man and ask him clearly about who willing to kill her or HuaMuTan exactly.


    But before QingQing tells the ce, Aunt Tonges and informs that a room has been prepared for QingQing,


    "Let me take you to your room, Ms. QingQing."


    QingQing smiles to TanTan,


    "Huahh...I am so tired right now... why don¡¯t we take a rest for now and continue our talking tomorrow?" QingQing stretches her body and yawns to show her tired.


    Although TanTan really wants to hear about the ce, Aunt Tong is waiting there. She doesn¡¯t want to let Aunt Tong knows what they were talking and then reports it to Prince Liter. So she sighs and agrees with QingQing,


    "Very well, let¡¯s call a day and take a rest. But promise me we will talk tomorrow!"


    "Okay, don¡¯t worry HuaMuTan...beside I don¡¯t have any n tomorrow! Well, good night, everyone!" QingQing excuses herself and lets Aunt Tong lead the way and then she follows Aunt Tong out.


    "XiaoJie,..." XiaoRue is also feeling tired, but there¡¯s something in her tone that sounded unsure. TanTan gives a questioning look to her.


    "Is there something you want to say, XiaoRue?"


    "How long will Ms. QingQing stay here with us?" XiaoRue asks.


    TanTan still looking to XiaoRue, wondering the reason XiaoRue asks about it,


    "I don¡¯t know, XiaoRue...as long as she can help me to find the silver-masked man I guess...why?"


    "Ah...Nothing,.XiaoRue just curious..."


    XiaoRue doesn¡¯t want TanTan to ask furthermore so she immediately changes the topic, "But this silver masked man? XiaoJie, isn¡¯t it dangerous to meet a man like him? How if he is an enemy and hurt you?"


    "No...I don¡¯t think he is our enemy, XiaoRue. Remember what happened in the forest before? If he is my enemy, he would have killed me at that time and many times after that but no..he didn¡¯t...on the contrary, he helped me so I believe he is not an enemy..."


    "XiaoJie maybe right...let¡¯s go back to the room, XiaoJie?"


    XiaoRue decides not to ask anymore, so TanTan just nods and together they back to TanTan¡¯s room.


    While in the study room, Prince Li has an important meeting with ManQi. They are just finished setting a n which based on the news ManQi brought about the return of the Crown Prince. All these years, every time Crown Prince went back from a battle, Prince Li got a report that he always stays for days in a small town beside Iron ce, celebrating his victory by spending his money on wines and women. But Prince Li puts spies around the ce and figures out that every second night, the Crown Prince will disappear to somewhere and back with a huge fortune to fund his own army. For a long time, Prince Li and Prince FengEr suspected that the Crown Prince doing something illegal but they don¡¯t have strong evidence. This time Prince Li ns to find out the proof.


    ManQi seems concern about something, so he dares to speak his mind,


    "Master...do I need to inform Prince FengEr about our n?"


    Prince Li calctes everything in his mind, "No...its fine, let us find the evidence first then I¡¯ll tell him... besides if things go wild, I don¡¯t want to put him in a difficult situation...Just make sure that everyone ready for the n!"


    "Yes, Master!" ManQi gestures to obey Prince Li¡¯smand and ready to walk out, but Prince Li sudden stops him,


    "Ah, ManQi..."


    "Yes, Master?"


    "Put more guards in this mansion while I go to the pce tomorrow and make sure that HuaMuTan doesn¡¯t go out secretly again like before!"


    Inside ManQi¡¯s mind, he also promises himself for not to be fooled again by XiaoRue next time, he feels shameful to Prince Li now,


    "Yes,...Master." ManQi once again excuses himself politely and then walks out.


    After ManQi walks out, Prince Li is busy again with his thought, thinking about what kind of request he can ask from HuaMuTan tomorrow. Without he realizes, Prince Li seems to enjoy to have that thought as he smiles for himself.


    While TanTan herself in her bedroom, hoping that this night can passes quickly so she can continue asking QingQing about the ce.


    In QingQing¡¯s room, after Aunt Tong walks out from the room, QingQing observes the surroundings. And then she opens the window. It seems her room is in the closed position with the back wall, which she can easily sneak out from the mansion. QingQing smiles,


    "Not bad..." She says to herself.


    In another ce, there is a secret room which seems nowhere. The silver-masked man is also setting his n with his old man. Another ck-clothed manes and gives the report to the silver-masked man.


    "So...that useless crown prince has returns hah! Interesting...I believe Prince Li won¡¯t just sit down, right?" He looks to the ck-clothed old man beside him.


    The old man bows to respond,


    "Yes, indeed. I believe he will put on his aware highly or even take a moveter..."


    The Silver masked man sighs,


    "Let¡¯s hope that he doesn¡¯t jump into the tiger¡¯s mouth without good preparation..."


    "And what do you want to do about it, Master?" The old man asks like a teacher to find out if his student giving the right answer or not.


    "As much I want to help him to get rid of that useless crown prince...but it¡¯s not the right time...let¡¯s just wait and observe for now" The Silver masked man has made his decision and the old man nods his head showing that he satisfies with the answer.


    Then suddenly he looks to another ck-clothes man,


    "Do you have any report about HuaMuTan?"


    The ck-clothed man gives him a detail of what happened in the Law Mansion.


    And as a result, the Silver manughs so loudly,


    "Hahaha...She is really a brave woman to able against Prince Li like that, isn¡¯t she so interesting?"


    The old man observes the Silver masked man with a worry look, wondering in his mind how interesting is this HuaMuTan in his Master¡¯s eyes or even in his heart?

 Chapter 49 A Return of the Crown Prince 1

    "LONG LIVE THE KING!"


    A Magnificent morning greeting, as usual, be said in one tone by all who assemble and bow in front of the King.


    All ministers and princes included Prince Li and Prince Feng Er are gathering in a main hall of the pce for a weekly meeting but all know that today meeting is might not same as usual for the Crown Prince has returned.


    The King hasn¡¯t reached his old age yet, but his body is weak and everyone can see his pale face but the eyes are still lively and sharp like an eagle. He gazes to all his ministers and the princes before he starts to give the words.


    "Today, heavenly gods have blessed us for I heard good newses from the borderline..." The king gives nod as the sign for his trusted eunuch to call a special star for today.


    "INVITE THE CROWN PRINCE TO BE PRESENT..." A loud announcement from the eunuch makes everyone look at the figure who wears an extravagant armor of battle suit entering the ce. The Crown Prince walks in high dignity, forward to the middle front of the King. There seem two different looks seen on the faces, impressed looks and irritated looks. Prince Li and Prince FengEr are parts of thest group.


    The Crown Prince bows on his knee to the King as his courtesy, "I am back, Fu Huang, presenting to you a victory for this kingdom¡¯s glory."


    Satisfy to hear the words, the King smiles to Crown Prince,


    "Arise!" The Crown Prince stands and the King continues asking,


    "Crown Prince, you have managed to defeat our enemy and return with a big victory. For the achievement, I reward ten thousands of gold for you and your regiment."


    Responding to the reward, the Crown Prince answers back in high enthusiastic gesture,


    "Thank you for your kindness, *Fu Huang!"


    Minister Hua who also attends dare himself to move forward, gestures a permission to speak and be granted,


    "Your Highness, first of all, allow me to congrats for the victory that has been brought by Crown Prince.


    But the war with the *Han has been happened too long and caused us a lot of lost. Now as we had suppressed their power, maybe it¡¯s the right time for us to offer a peace treaty with them?"


    At the moment other ministers murmur to each other about the idea. Clearly, there are agreement and disagreement responds.


    There is another general who in his fifties age moves forward and permits to speak also. He is a senior general, General Chou who spent years to fight the Han, but now he has been trusted to handle the home affair¡¯s defense.


    "Your Highness, I don¡¯t think what Minister Hua suggests is wise. The Han are the aggressive and cruel tribe. We know that for years they try to take our country, their king is thirsty of power and will never stop to try to conquer us...There so many lives, our brothers¡¯ lives had been taken in this war... Now as they are weak, it¡¯s our chance to make a counterattack and destroy them!!!"


    "But General Chou, how long do we need to do this war?... it¡¯s not only soldiers¡¯ lives we will waste but also the people will suffer coz of the war!!!"


    "But we are not a coward country, Minister Hua!! And we can¡¯t give them a chance to stab on our back, we can¡¯t trust those barbaric!!"


    Their debate is getting intense, causes others murmuring noisily.


    "SILENT!! Ukh..ukh..." The King tries to calm the condition and it¡¯s worked as everyone bes silent. The King looks to an old man, another minister who has been silent since the beginning,


    "Minister Zhang, I like to hear your opinion.."


    Minister Zhang, who already in his seventies age has been honored as a senior minister and a second trusted minister by the King after Minister Hua. He moves forward and bows properly to the King,


    "Your Highness, I believe both Minister Hua and General Zhou have their right concerns for what is the best for our nation. Indeed, we have war too long with the Han and costing a lot...many lives... A peace treaty may be a good way nevertheless we can¡¯t under our guard, a hurt tiger can be dangerous as well, Your Highness."


    "So, ording to Minister Zhang...do we need to keep suffering people with this neverending war?" Minister Hua clearly push the idea of peace treaty so hard, while General Chou keeps standing on his thought.


    "Minister Zhang knows so well what risk we take in that peace treaty, we just can¡¯t trust those barbaric Han!! They are thirsty of blood!"


    Once again the King asks them to calm,


    "Among us, I believe the Crown Prince is the one who had faced the Han for years... So why don¡¯t we hear the Crown Prince¡¯ mind about it?" Everyone is also giving their eyes to the Crown Prince, wondering what the Crown Prince will say coz it may be the main influence for the King¡¯s decision.


    The Crown Prince bows politely again to the King,


    "Fu Huang, for many years my experience fighting with the Han. Every time we fought, we had victory on them but they still can give us the counterattack and trouble our nation. This time is our opportunity to defeat them totally" General Chou nods his head as he agrees to the statement. The Crown Prince continues,


    "We should not afraid to them...We need to conquer them, to let them know that their position is beneath us."


    Some ministers seem to agree with the Crown Prince, while Prince Li and Prince FengEr just look to each other and keep silent. They know its not the right time for them to speak out their suspicious.


    The King seems not satisfies yet with the answer,


    "Alright, let me think about it carefully. We talk about itter. The Crown Prince, you just arrived so you deserve to get some rest. And you return in the right time, there will be a celebration for Your Queen GrandMother and your victorious return makes it more delightful. FengEr, how is the progress of the feast preparation?" The King clearly try to divert the topic.


    As being asked, Prince FengEr moves forward and answers politely,


    "It¡¯s going well, Fu Huang. I won¡¯t let you down"


    "Of course we believe you, my brother. Doesn¡¯t your expertise is to hold a delightful party? Well, I can¡¯t wait for it..." Although the Crown Prince says it in joyfully warm, others can see the purpose behind the words especially Prince FengEr himself. The Crown Prince clearly saying that Prince FengEr hasn¡¯t other great ability than just being a host of parties. He makes sure everyone understand the different level among the princes, he as the Crown Prince is the champion.


    Prince FengEr doesn¡¯t really show upset about it, but he smirks and answers shortly,


    "Thanks for your praise, *Yi Huang Ge..."


    Prince Feng Er purposely didn¡¯t call him with the title of Crown Prince. Some people there might not realize it but The Crown Prince looks to him in unpleasing stares.


    The King pleases to hear Prince FengEr¡¯s answer, and then he turns gazing Prince Li who stand beside Prince FengEr,


    "Li Er, I also hear that you and HuaMuTan will perform in the event. I am d to hear your rtionship is doing well...I hope both you can give a pleasing performance for Queen GrandMotherter."


    ¡¯It seems everyone knows about the performance¡¯ Prince Li sighs in his heart, and he only can answer shortly,


    "I understand, Fu Huang!"


    Hearing about performance makes Crown Prince stares unpleased to Prince Li. The reason is that he still keeps a grudge to HuaMuTan who rejected him in the past and chose Prince Li instead.


    "Ukh..ukh..." The King seems tired as he coughs so badly. So he dismisses the meeting earlier and returns to his room, apanied his trusted head eunuch, Eunuch Jing.


    *Fu Huang = calling for the king from his children.


    *The Han = Han People, an enemy country.


    *Yi Huang Ge= First royal brother.

 Chapter 50 A Return of the Crown Prince 2

    Out of the hall pce, many ministers immediately approach and congrats the Crown Prince except Minister Zheng and General Chou who just walk away from the Hall after giving a proper greeting. But when Prince Li and Prince FengEr walk out from the hall, the Crown Prince speaks louder to Prince Li, purposely, letting everyone can hear them,


    "What a surprise! My little brother is willing to do a performance with his wife...Does HuaMuTan force you to do it? I see you never change, Qi Huang Di...always weak to women huh?!" The Crown Princeughs, "I am just kidding with you...but if you don¡¯t want to do it, seriously, do you need my help to talk with Queen GrandMother?"


    The intention of the Crown Prince is easily seen by anyone. Some ministers smile awkwardly, everyone knows that Crown Prince never like Prince Li especially after he married HuaMuTan. And the Crown Prince knows so well that Prince Li always hate to be called weak to women. It reminds him how the Crown Prince often mocked him when they were little, said that Prince Li was a coward who could hide behind his mother.


    Prince Li clenches his fists to hold his anger. Prince FengEr touches his shoulder to calm him, he says to the Crown Prince,


    "I think you get it wrong because it¡¯s not HuaMuTan who asked it but Queen GrandMother herself, YiHuangGe!"


    The Crown Prince stares in upset to Prince FengEr...


    "Listen, SanHuangDi...I am the Crown Prince! You have to call me properly!"


    But Prince FengEr bows calmly,


    "Ah, Please forgive me,...I am not getting used to calling you like that...Besides, aren¡¯t we all brothers in blood?"


    The Crown Prince walks toward and faces Prince FengEr closely, speaks in a low voice which only can be heard by both princes.


    "I am not the same as you! I am the only son of the empress, not sons of concubines like you! Just wait, when I get my own throne, I won¡¯t let you both easily!" The Crown Prince


    "Crown Prince..." Without they realize, Minister Hua hase toward the princes, greets them politely. Oddly the Crown Prince immediately changes his expression as a nice big brother to be seen by anyone around.


    "Well, I can¡¯t wait for your performance... hopefully you won¡¯t disappoint Queen GrandMother...little brothers"


    After saying that, the Crown Prince leave them, followed by some ministers who clearly still want to lick his shoes.


    "It looks like I have disturbed your conversation?" Minister says it in regret.


    Prince Li narrows his eyes as he puts his aware,


    "No...no at all...Is there anything you want to say, Minister Hua?"


    "Ah, I wish we can discuss furthermore for the gift delivery for the Queen Grand Mother."


    Prince Li recites again about the gift,


    "Right, we can discusster in Li Mansionter..."


    Minister Hua continues asks,


    "Should we return together, Prince Li?"


    Prince Li looks to Prince FengEr. He is still want to talk with Prince FengEr.


    "No...you may go ahead...I will catch up youter, Minister Hua...ManQi, I think you may assist Minister Hua back to Li Mansion first..."


    ManQi who stays beside Prince Li since the Prince went out from the Hall, just gestures obeying his order,


    "Yes, Master.."


    "Very well, I will be waiting for Prince Li at Li Mansion then..." Minister Hua excuses himself and walks away with ManQi.


    As Prince Li and Prince FengEr walk out the pce together, Prince FengEr can¡¯t hold his curiosity about the gift,


    "What does he mean with the gift?" And then Prince Li exins the gift delivery and Minister Hua¡¯s request about the permission and the guards.


    "Oh, I see...well, you¡¯re doing right to put guards with him, considering he can¡¯t be trusted..."


    Prince Li nods his head,


    "I know...there is something fishy about him and YiHuangGe..."


    Prince FengEr stops, he looks around and it seems nobody around them. He sudden gives a serious look to Prince Li,


    "Please be careful, Wei Di...I want you to tell me in firsthand whether you¡¯re doing any danger n!"


    Prince Li smiles to Prince FengEr,


    "Don¡¯t worry, SanHuangGe...Don¡¯t you know me well? I won¡¯t do any reckless n...I will just observe them for now..."


    "QiHuangGe...!!" Prince Li and Prince FengEr look to who calls. It is Princess Xixi, walking rushes toward them. She seems to run away from something or someone. Her face turns red caused by anger.


    "Xixi...what happened?" Prince FengEr asks her when she approaches them.


    Princess Xixi manages to calm her breath, "That...pervert prince!!"


    Prince Li and Prince FengEr immediately know who Princess Xixi mentions about.


    The calling ¡¯Pervert Prince¡¯ is only daring be used by Princess Xixi to call the Crown Prince...


    "Are you okay?"


    "Did he hurt you?"


    Prince FengEr and Prince Li ask almost at the same time out of their worries.


    "I am okay...He just teased me as usual, but I managed to step his foot and run away..." Princess Xixi says proudly


    Prince Li and Prince FengEr look to each other,


    "Step his foot? Xixi...!!"


    "Don¡¯t worry, I already say sorry properly...Besides, he deserved to get it,


    do you know what he said, TaGe..he said as our Mom served FuHuang, I supposed to serve him as well... make me sick to hear it!!"


    It¡¯s no secret that the Crown Prince is a big pervert and he intends to target Xixi since they were teenager, but thankfully Princess Xixi still has vor in Queen GrandMother so Crown Prince wouldn¡¯t dare to take action furthermore than just giving inappropriate teases. But there are ck rumors about how manydies had been the victims of the pervert Crown Prince but there is no evidence nor witness who dares to speak out what the Crown Prince did.


    Prince FengEr once again sighs, he looks sharply to Princess Xixi, he holds Princess Xixi¡¯s shoulders,


    "Xixi...from now, I forbid you toe to the pce..."


    "What..its not fair..!!"


    "Just listen to your brother, XiMei... You are not safe around The Crown Prince!"


    "Ugh...ok, I listen to you QiHuangGe"


    Prince FengEr wrinkles his eyebrows unpleasantly,


    "Somehow I feel that you are her real brother than me...see how she obeys to you more than to me...?!"


    From far they see a Eunuch and some servantse approaching them. They recognize the eunuch as a trusted eunuch of Queen GrandMother so they can guess the purpose of approaching,


    "Prince Li FengEr, I am d I still can pursue you...Queen GrandMother hopes she can see you for a while before you leave the pce..." exined the eunuch, which exactly what they thought.


    "Right, it seems I can¡¯t apany you further, Wei Di..." Prince FengEr raises his eyebrows to Prince Li, indicates signal for a little help. Prince Li nods his head, as he understands,


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll send XiMei home safely."


    But Princess Xixi doesn¡¯t seem to agree with it.


    "No, I also want to meet Queen GrandMa...!!" She gives an intense look, which showing her stubbornness so Prince FengEr gives up,


    "Fine...fine...just stay close with me!"


    He looks to Prince Li again,


    "After I finish here, I¡¯lle to your ceter...just wait for me before you do anything dangerous, WeiDi!"


    "Ok...like I said, I just will observe first!"


    Then they separate way and Prince Li ready to return to Li Mansion.

 Chapter 51 A Busy Day 1

    Morninges as usual in Li Mansion but TanTan seems in her full spirit when she wakes up as she remembers QingQing hasn¡¯t told about the ce yet.


    ¡¯Today I really have to get any clues...about HuaMuTan¡¯s killer...and hopefully...by doing this, I can return and meet Mom again...can I ?" TanTan just realizes she was too focus with HuaMuTan¡¯s killer until she forgets to find the way to return to her real time.


    TanTan suddenly bes spirited low, she really wants to go home but she had no absolute clue of how. But she then supports herself,


    "Come on TanTan, don¡¯t give up!!! There must be a way....a way to return...!"


    "Return to where XiaoJie?" asked XiaoRue while she entering the room, as usual, to bring new water to clean face and feet. XiaoRue seems has listening from outside, her question stops TanTan to continue the words.


    "Its...nothing..."


    But XiaoRue still concerns,


    "XiaoJie, do you miss Hua Mansion?" XiaoRue thought that TanTan might have a homesick.


    "Hmm...I miss my home so much" Although ¡¯home¡¯ that TanTan mentioned is not the Hua Mansion.


    "If XiaoJie misses Hua Mansion, how if XiaoJie wishes it to Queen GrandMotherter? Your Highness might grant XiaoJie¡¯s wish"


    ¡¯Can I grant to return to the future? I don¡¯t think so¡¯ TanTan just smiles sadly to XiaoRue, then she looks to XiaoRue, asking in a doubtful tone,


    "XiaoRue...eh...if...if someone wishes to do something magical thing, like...going to the future...what do you think? Is it possible?"


    TanTan remembers that she never asks XiaoRue about this before because of all things happened.


    XiaoRue rises her eyebrows and then gives a puzzled face,


    "XiaoJie...does XiaoJie want to know XiaoJie¡¯s future? We can go to the temple to read our destiny again like we did every new year if Xiao Jie wants."


    "No...I mean, really really going to the future, live in the future time..." TanTan exins again.


    XiaoRue starts to worry,


    "There is no such thing, XiaoJie... its impossible thing! Ehm... XiaoJie...are you okay?"


    TanTan sighs, ¡¯What am I thinking? I woke up in an ancient world...not in a fantasy world!... But still, that impossible thing seems happened only to me?¡¯


    She goes down from the bed and changes her cloth,


    "I am okay...it just a dream I have, XiaoRue...I was in the future time I guess..." Since the beginning she woke up in this ancient time, she often dreamed about her Mom at night.


    "And is it a beautiful dream, XiaoJie?"


    "Yes, it is.."But unfortunately, she can¡¯t remember the dreams clearly as before. Well, she should not focus on the dream right now,


    " XiaoRue...Is QingQing has awake?"


    XiaoRue nods her head as she pours tea for TanTan.


    "She is showing FangFang XiaoJie martial art practice in the inner yard"


    "Oh..." Her face bes lively and she doesn¡¯t wait for any longer to go to inner yard, "I like to see her too.."


    In the inner yard, QingQing moves so quickly from ce to ce, like she is dancing with her sword. It is lovely to be watched, FangFang by hugging her xiaomei like usual reacts so happily and ps her hands many times every time she feels excited to see QingQing floats on the sky.


    TanTan just arrives and she observes QingQing practicing,


    ¡¯Quick and sharp...QingQing¡¯s martial skill seems quite high" It reminds her of a sword performance in modern time. If QingQing lives in modern time, she can be a sword athlete for Olympic. Hm...I wonder if she can teach me some movements¡¯ TanTan remembersst time she got attacked by the sword, it would be nice if she could fight back with the sword as well.


    As QingQing finishes, FangFang ps their hands so loud, and so TanTan.


    FangFang then notices TanTan and cheerfully approaches her,


    "YangMu..." She hugs TanTan, and TanTan smiles seeing TanTan still hugging the doll she gave


    "Good Morning, FangFang... and xiaomei..." She touches the doll¡¯s nose happily.


    Uncle Tong who also there to apany FangFang, bows politely to TanTan and then reminds FangFang,


    "FangFang XiaoJie, you should greet your YangMu politely..."


    FangFang then stands still and bow politely to TanTan.


    "FangFang greets YangMu.."


    TanTan nces to Uncle Tong and chuckles, ¡¯Uncle Tong seems responsible to teach FangFang manners as well, he quite reminds me of my old strict teacher¡¯


    Uncle Tong widens his eyes,


    "Is there something funny, Young Madam?"


    TanTan smiles to him, guilty.


    "Its nothing..."


    FangFang then grabs TanTan¡¯s right hand,


    "YangMu, let¡¯s y..."


    "Ehm..." Uncle Tong coughs purposely, "I am afraid FangFang XiaoJie have to start her study after this. FangFang XiaoJie, you have promised to me that you will start study after seeing Ms. QingQing¡¯s practice."


    "Uhm..." FangFang clearly doesn¡¯t want to study, she looks for TanTan¡¯s help, swinging TanTan¡¯s right hand and begging, "YangMu...I want to y with YangMu.."


    No matter how cute Fangfang¡¯s look can be, TanTan thinks FangFang should do her study first. Besides, she wants to talk with QingQing privately. So she squits to speak face to face with FangFang,


    "Uncle Tong is right, FangFang...You should study first ok? See, xiaomei also wants to study...as a good big sister, you should apany her right? We can y together afterward..."


    FangFang seems still unwilling,


    "Will you y with me after study, YangMu?"


    "I will, I promise... let¡¯s do the promise finger..."


    To sure FangFang, TanTan ties her pinky finger to FangFang¡¯s and swing them as a sign of promise.


    After that, FangFang bes cheerful again, she excuses herself to everyone and goes with Uncle Tong obediently.


    "You are good with children!... Hah, I wonder why there is a rumor that saying you hated children and always willing to hurt them" QingQing speaks her confusion. This HuaMuTan she meets now is too way different with HuaMuTan she heard about.


    TanTan justughs nervously,


    "Well, never trust rumor..." Now as they are alone, TanTan bes serious.


    "QingQing... let¡¯s continue our talk from yesterday, you promise to tell about the ce?"


    QingQing looks around and then asks them all to sit first on the marble table set nearby.


    "Hm, you really want to know about the ce? Very well, I tell you..." She sighs, "If you want to find any mysterious masked men, the ce I can suggest is at the ck market..."


    "The ck market?" TanTan repeats it and it sounds a right name for a den for the criminals.


    "Yeah, it is a ce where you might find any weird and rare things at any prices,...and meet the underground people, your silver masked man might one of them."


    TanTan hears enthusiastically,


    "Where is it? How can I go there?"


    "Wow, take it easy, girl...you heard me yesterday, right? The ce is not easy to enter...its out ofw kind of ce, you know...not everyone free to enter...you have to be their member or have someone inside. The ce and time are also different every time."


    "So what should I do to enter the ce?"


    "Just wait...my sister has promised to help you, we only can wait for any information from her..."


    TanTan doesn¡¯t please at all, ¡¯Waiting...for how long?¡¯ She is clearly disappointed with the information.


    "So is it? Just waiting..."

 Chapter 52 A Busy Day 2

    While TanTan is talking with QingQing about the ce, at the front gate of Li Mansion, arrived ShuangAi bringing some pack of medicine for TanTan as she nned.


    When ShuangAi enters the mansion, she directly with Aunt Tong who just want to check TanTan.


    "Good Morning, Aunt Tong"


    Aunt Tong always being cheerful meeting ShuangAi as she already treats ShuangAi as her own daughter,


    "Good Morning, Ai Er...what brings you toe here so early?"


    ShuangAi shows the packs of medicine to Aunt Tong,


    "I bring these to MuTan Jie, and I like to check her wound as well..."


    Aunt Tong sighs,


    "You are too kind, Ai Er...while she...ah it¡¯s confusing...."


    Aunt Tong seems hard to continue her words, there is a pause and it makes ShuangAi asks her as they walk to the inner yard.


    "What is confusing, Aunt Tong?"


    "AiEr...Lately, I feel this HuaMuTan really change...her attitudes, her gestures...like someone else but I am still not sure if she is pretending or not..."


    ShuangAi smiles,


    "I don¡¯t think she is pretending, Aunt Tong. I feel the same too, it might because of her lost memory...but I don¡¯t think it is a bad effect..."


    "Well...I must be honest to you AiEr...if it¡¯s true, I.. do not hate her changes...In fact, I wish she remains lost her memory...she has been good to FangFang..." Aunt Tong looks to ShuangAi, "Although she is still not as good as you..." She still feels what a lose if ShuangAi can¡¯t be a madam in this mansion.


    ShuangAi sighs, she knows what is in Aunt Tong¡¯s mind, and for many times she has tried to exin to Aunt Tong that she will always be a good sister for Prince Li. She loves Prince Li but just as a big brother, nothing else. She wants to reply but they have arrived at the inner yard and seeing TanTan speaking with QingQing at the sitting area.


    Aunt Tong approaches TanTan to tell the arrival of ShuangAi.


    TanTan looks surprised to see ShuangAi,


    "ShuangAi...? What are you doing here?"


    ShuangAi smiles, and giving the packs of medicine to TanTan,


    "Ie to check your wound and I bring you some medicine to help your health and might help gain your memory"


    "It¡¯s very kind of you...thank you, ShuangAiMei" It cheers TanTan a little bit. XiaoRue takes those packs from ShuangAi as her duty.


    "Let me help you with that medicine, Young Madam...XiaoRue,e with me..." Aunt Tong surprisedly offers her help.


    "Thank you, Aunt Tong..." After TanTan nods her head, XiaoRue and Aunt Tong excuse themselves and directs to the kitchen.


    Then TanTan realizes ShuangAi looks to QingQing confusedly after she gave the medicine to XiaoRue. So TanTan introduces them both.


    "ShuangAiMei, this is QingQing, my friend...she stays here for a while..."


    ShuangAi observes QingQing, it¡¯s quite rare for HuaMuTan to make friend, especially amon folk like QingQing. ShuangAi smiles and gestures politely,


    "Nice to meet you Ms.QingQing..."


    QingQing smiles to her as well, only her eyes observe ShuangAi sharply.


    "It¡¯s really nice to meet Lady Physician HuangShuangAi..."


    "You know about me?" ShuangAi quite surprises.


    "Of course, who doesn¡¯t know the famous Lady Physician HuangShuangAi in this town...your skill and generosity are known well...and...also as ¡¯the closest woman¡¯ beside Prince Li, beside you, HuaMuTan, his wife of course..." Something in QingQing¡¯sst sentence actually is spoken to tease TanTan as QingQing looked to her to see any reaction. But it also makes ShuangAi doesn¡¯tfort as she replies,


    "Well...thank you...but the rumor might be too exaggerating. I am not ¡¯that close¡¯ to Prince Li...he is like my brother only..."


    "Ow,..okay..." QingQing doesn¡¯t talk furthermore. She just looks to TanTan¡¯s t look, as she really doesn¡¯t care about it. QingQing is quite disappointing for that kind of respond.


    And then ShuangAi changes the topic by talking to TanTan,


    "MuTan Jie, how¡¯s your wound?" She means about TanTan¡¯s back.


    TanTan bends her body a little bit and makes some other movement to check,


    "I think it¡¯s full recovery now, thanks for your treatment..."


    "Still I need to check it again for sure..."


    But before ShuangAi finishing her words, QingQing interrupts it in an obvious curiosity,


    "Wait...when did you get hurt?"


    TanTan retells the story behind the wound to QingQing shortly, and at the end of the story, QingQing reacts,


    "Wow...you are so brave, HuaMuTan! But who were those killers?"


    She also realizes something, "... Is this why you want to find the silver-masked man? Are you trying to find your killers, HuaMuTan?!"


    "Silver masked man? Who?" ShuangAi takes an interest in it. TanTan doesn¡¯t have a n to telling ShuangAi about it coz with the closeness between Prince Li and ShuangAi, she doesn¡¯t sure its okay to tell her.


    "Hm...well...didn¡¯t you want to check my wound, ShuangAi Mei...Let¡¯s go to my room now...and QingQing, please just help me to find any useful information...you know....¡¯bout the time and ce!" TanTan clearly tries to stop the topic.


    "Let¡¯s go ShuangAiMei..."


    Then she gives a little bit of force to lead ShuangAi back to her room while QingQing just seeing them off.


    "Well...I think I must start to find that information now..."


    At the same moment, XiaoRue just back and surprises to see QingQing alone,


    "Ms. QingQing, where is XiaoJie?"


    "She is back to her room with that Lady ShuangAi..." Then QingQing walks to the way of the mansion front gate.


    "Are you going somewhere, Ms. QingQing?" XiaoRue wonders.


    "Yeah... seeing my sister...I wille back soon...Tell your XiaoJie to be patient for my return, ok...Maybe the end of this day, she can get the information that she wants to hear" and then she walks away


    XiaoRue wonders what information she means but she guessing it has to do with a silver masked man that her XiaoJie wants to find...


    When QingQing walks through the front gate, she suddenly bes exciting as she sees ManQi has returned with a horse chariot follows him, but definitely not Prince Li¡¯s horse chariot. QingQing immediately approaches ManQi,


    "Hi, handsome GeGe... who is the guest you bring home?" she wonders.


    ManQi steps down from his horse as he speaks to QingQing in a low tone.


    "He is a special guest for Young Madam...and please behave well...its Minister Hua..."


    "Minister Hua?" Hearing that name strangely makes QingQing giving a hard look. She nces sharply to Minister Hua whoing out from the chariot. Without everyone notices, QingQing clenches her fist so tightly and she just stands frozen as Minister Hua nces to her as seeing nobody and walks passing by her. QingQing still turns around to see ManQi leads Minister Hua entering the Li Mansion. If there is somebody around, they can see the hatred look on QingQing¡¯s face for a second before she decides to turn around and leave the Li Mansion.

 Chapter 53 A Little Promise

    In her room, ShuangAi examines TanTan¡¯s back wound. The wound seems has healed but leaving a mark.


    ¡¯What a pity to have such mark on woman¡¯s body...¡¯ ShuangAi sincerely feels bad for TanTan,


    The examination has finished and while TanTan puts on her clothes, ShuangAi asks in worry,


    "Just now you are talking about your killers? Are you really looking for them, MuTan Jie?"


    TanTan is silent, she is thinking before can giving ShuangAi proper answer. She looks to ShuangAi. She knows the risk, but TanTan feels she can trust ShuangAi, so she decides to give an honest answer,


    "I...just want to find some information about my enemy...enemies perhaps... I want to know why did they want to kill me...maybe HuaMuTan...ehm I...really did a terrible wrong in the past? I need to know for sure so I can..."


    She pauses, as she continues the words in her mind, ¡¯...fix it somehow and return to the future?!¡¯ She sighs.


    ShuangAi feels confused,


    "What can you do after you find them, MuTan Jie? Isn¡¯t better if you leave this problem to Li Ge..so he can punish them for you..."


    TanTan smirks sadly hearing it and she says again in sarcastic,


    "Maybe not if he is involved..."


    ShuangAi widens her eyes,


    "Oh, no...MuTan Jie...you don¡¯t think Li Ge was the one who wants to kill you.l, do you?. He was almost killed to save you, remember? Besides what reason he would kill you for?"


    TanTan still looking at ShuangAi and raises her eyebrows,


    ¡¯The reason might be for you, silly girl! But ShuangAi is right! He did help me, so I also doubt that he is involved, but still, I don¡¯t want to ask his help...¡¯


    "You really change, MuTan Jie...if in the past, you would not hesitate to force Li Ge to help you..."


    TanTan grins a little bit, ¡¯Jeez...its HuaMuTan who didn¡¯t hesitate...not me..." Then TanTan realizes she is also didn¡¯t have a chance to ask ShuangAi. She knows ShuangAi has a wide knowledge about medicine so she might know some simr case like her?


    "ShuangAi, I know that you have knowledge about medicine and other things like that...so can I ask you something?"


    "Sure, what is it?"


    "Is there any case like me before? I mean, someone who has a lot of changes after losing memories?" TanTan hopes that she might not the only one who pulled into this ancient time.


    ShuangAi takes a while to think, but at the end, she shakes her head,


    "No...losing memory case is rare. In fact, you are my first patient of losing memory..." ShuangAi thought that TanTan asking about it because she wants to know a possibility to gains her memory back so she calms her, "but don¡¯t worry, I and my father are still trying to learn more about your case..."


    ¡¯I am not worried at all about it¡¯ TanTan just can answer it in her mind. As she finishes to clean her up,


    "Thanks, ShuangAiMei...foring to check up on me..."


    "It¡¯s my duty...Please don¡¯t forget to drink your medicine as well and tell me if any changes you fell afterward...the medicine is good to boost your health and hopefully helps you gain your memory back... by the way, have you remember anything yet?"


    Remembering what she sees in HuaMuTan¡¯s memory makes TanTan can¡¯t hold to ask,


    "ShuangAiMei, do you really want me to remember all I¡¯ve done to you and others?"


    ShuangAi startled, well, as everyone had said, the current HuaMuTan is much better than the old one. She must agree to it, but somehow ShuangAi still want HuaMuTan to remember,


    "No...honestly I prefer you for not remembering all bad memories, but still I need you to remember, MuTan Jie...coz..."


    The words of ShuangAi is stopped when they hear knocking and XiaoRue¡¯s voice at the door,


    "Xiao Jie, Minister Hua is waiting for you..."


    ¡¯Minister Hua...Uncle Hua? That¡¯s right...¡¯ TanTan just remember the promise,


    "XiaoRue, tell him I wille to meet him now..." TanTan turns to ShuangAi. In a second, she can see a worried look on ShuangAi¡¯s face, TanTan wonders,


    "ShuangAiMei, what do you want to say just now?"


    "Ah...nothing,..." The look right away changes, "MuTanJie, why does Minister Huae to meet you?"


    "Oh, it seems he is fulfilling his promise to teach me ying guzheng. If you want, you can join also..." TanTan walks out from the room, asking ShuangAi to join with her.


    ShuangAi looks hesitated but she nods and then follows TanTan,


    "Do you know Minister Hua also?" In the way, TanTan feels curious because ShuangAi¡¯s reacted when he heard the name just now.


    ShuangAi just shakes her head, "Not really...I know that in the past, you are quite close to him..." Suddenly ShuangAi stops, it wonders TanTan,


    "What¡¯s wrong?" she asked.


    ShuangAi looks a little bit confused,


    "It¡¯s just MuTan Jie, you ever mentioned something about him to me before you lost your memory...I think you should know it now although you don¡¯t remember it..."


    "What did I say?" TanTan feel weird for ShuangAi looks so serious about it,


    So ShuangAi exins,


    "You return from the pce at that time and when I came to talk with you, you look scared and want to cast me away at first...but after that Minister Hua came to see you but you oddly rejected him and even told me that he couldn¡¯t be trusted..."


    ¡¯HuaMuTan scared to her uncle? Why?¡¯


    TanTan tries to process it in her mind. And then suddenly a small huges from her back,


    "YangMu...Pretty JieJie..."


    Aunt Tong who follows behind FangFang alsoes and gestures politely to them.


    "YangMu, I have done with my study...can we y now???" ask FangFang excitedly,


    With a regretful look, TanTan answers her, "No...I am sorry, FangFang...I have a guest so we can¡¯t y today..."


    A disappointing look urs right away on Fang Fang¡¯s face,


    "But YangMu, you promised!!" she says in a little bit high tone.


    TanTan looks to FangFang in regret,


    "I am really sorry, FangFang. I¡¯ll make it in tomorrow, okay..."


    "But I want you to be with me now!!" FangFang shouts and holds TanTan¡¯s hand and pulls her hard, it surprises TanTan. FangFang behaves like a pampered girl and it makes TanTan feels unpleased a little bit,


    "FangFang, don¡¯t be like this!" Inside her mind, she wonders why FangFang acts too spoiled suddenly.


    ShuangAi can see that TanTan bes upset, so ShuangAi immediately talks kindly to FangFang,


    "FangFang, how if I apany you ying now?"


    FangFang looks to ShuangAi and then to TanTan, and she answers short.


    "Ok," But FangFang seems still sad.


    "Now, be good and wait here..." ShuangAi pats FangFang¡¯s head and then immediately drags TanTan away and whispers to her, trying not to be heard by FangFang,


    "Please don¡¯t be angry to FangFang, I know you don¡¯t remember...but tomorrow is her birthday...and also the day her parents died.."


    TanTan shocks,


    ¡¯So that¡¯s why she like that...¡¯ Now, she feels guilty. She wants to bring FangFang with her but after hearing about Minister Hua from ShuangAi, she considers that she better goes alone.


    ShuangAi continues,


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll apany her until you finish the practice" TanTan doesn¡¯t react anything else except just nodding to her.


    But she then approaches FangFang, squatting at her front and touches FangFang¡¯s cheeks with her hands,


    "Hey, listen...FengEr, I am really sorry that I can be with you right now but I promised as soon I finish practice, I¡¯ll y with you, is that okay?"


    FangFang looks to TanTan for a second and slowly nods her head. And then ShuangAi takes FangFang leave. After that, TanTan continues walking to the guest room, where Minister Hua has waiting for her.

 Chapter 54 A busy day with memories

    On the way TanTan walks with XiaoRue, she hears a lovely melody of guzhenges from the pavilion. It seems Minister Hua is ying it, and the melody is nostalgic for TanTan, she then remembers its the same melody that HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom yed when she was little. The melody gives TanTan¡¯s heart a longing feeling.


    "Nice to meet you again, Uncle Hua"


    TanTan greets Minister Hua who already waiting in a pavilion, sitting behind the guzheng. TanTan observes him more because of what ShuangAi said before,


    ¡¯Is he really dangerous? I wonder what makes HuaMuTan afraid of him? He seems nice to me...¡¯ TanTan feels down a little because she quite likes Uncle Hua who treats her very kindly, differently than others since she reborn. But now she doesn¡¯t sure either she can believe this uncle or not.


    Minister Hua stops ying and standing, greets back to TanTan politely,


    "It¡¯s my pleasure, Young Lady...Ie as my promise to hear your y, shall we start?"


    Minister Hua points to the guzheng which has prepared by XiaoRue and ManQi, gesturing TanTan to sit behind the guzheng.


    "Sure" TanTan finds a right position to sit behind the guzheng and gulps. She is hesitated to start as she doesn¡¯t know what memory she will getter, but she also hopes that she can find more answers in it. Minister Hua notices it,


    "Anything wrong, Young Lady?"


    TanTan answers shortly, "Nothing..."


    She doesn¡¯t want her fear to be seen by Minister Hua, so TanTan takes a deep breathe and then starts to pluck the string of her guzheng.


    *Tring...*


    And as she has drowned into the y, the memories of HuaMuTan burst into her mind again. Some memories about how little HuaMuTan often saw a younger version of Minister Hua talked with Lady LiShuiXian, her Mom. The expression of Lady LiShuiXian always looked sad afterward but HuaMuTan was too little to understand what happened between them but for TanTan, it seemed HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom had a guilty feeling about Minister Hua, but she doesn¡¯t know about what coz the Little HuaMuTan wasn¡¯t able to hear their conversation, just the reaction when her Mom carried her away and left Minister Hua. Little HuaMuTan can see the expression of Minister Hua when they were leaving him, he kept looking to Lady LiShuiXian, full of anger but mixed with sadness, a broken-hearted expression.


    In the other hand, Minister Hua seems also drawn in his mind, he looks to TanTan, but his eyes seem to look at another person in TanTan. In his mind, he reminiscing the moments with LiShuiXian, HuaMuTan¡¯s mother, long time away when both of them still young. He remembered how they both were so close that day...until when that decree came... and LiShuiXian was engaged to his own brother as the King¡¯s reward for his brother¡¯s sess in the battle. He was shocked, he was willing to take her to go, he remembered that day when he holds her hand and asks her,


    "ShuiXian let¡¯s run...with me!"


    But ShuiXian took her hand away from him,


    "I...I can¡¯t...I am sorry, FouQi Ge..."


    "But...don¡¯t you promise to be with me forever...?"


    "I am sorry, FouQi Ge...I have chosen my path...I..choose him....please, just forget about us, it¡¯s my fault...you deserve better than me..." and ShuiXian left. The memory stops there and remembering that unhappy memory makes Minister Hua gives out an intense expression. TanTan stops ys, she looks to Minister Hua and wonders what caused that expression. Meanwhile, Uncle Hua seems doesn¡¯t realize that TanTan has stopped until TanTan calls him loudly,


    "Uncle Hua?"


    Minister Hua back to his conscious, his look immediately change and he smiles back to TanTan,


    "Ah...forgive me...your y is really reminding me to your Mom..."


    TanTan surprises with the memory she just gets and thinks, based on the expression just now,


    ¡¯Is it possible HuaMuTan¡¯s uncle had some hatred to HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom all this time? But what is it?¡¯


    She tries to find out more,


    "You seem so close with Mom, Uncle Hua...what do you think about her?"


    Minister Hua quite surprised to be asked about it, but he calms himself and smiles,


    "Well, your Mom is...the most beautiful and the skillful guzheng yer I ever met" Minister Hua stares on her, thinking about the question, he asks back curiously,


    "Is anything else you want to know, Young Lady?"


    ¡¯Yeah, like do you have any grudge with my Mom in the past?¡¯ But TanTan just keep it in her mind, she knows she needs to be careful,


    "Uncle Hua...you see, I have lost my memory, forgetting many things...including about my own parents...it would great if I can hear about them from...a reliable source"


    Uncle Hua¡¯s eyes keep staring her,


    "Hm...I see...well, there is a lot of things about your parents I can tell about...from where you want to start?"


    "...well, how ¡¯bout from their death?"


    TanTan wonders what the reaction if she mentions it. Turns out TanTan¡¯s words startles Minister Hua a little. He seems to be aware,


    Minister Hua squints her eyes a little,


    "It¡¯s...rare to hear you mention about it, Young Lady...In the past, you usually became upset if anyone around you talked about it..."


    This time TanTan who widens her eyes,


    "Really? Why did I?". It is another new information for her that HuaMuTan didn¡¯t like to talk about her own parent¡¯s death.


    Minister Hua smiles sadly,


    "You seem painful to talk about it... your parents¡¯ death...is an unfortunate event. Your father, my brother, was killed in the battle and your mother... she left you to follow her beloved husband...jumped to the hill for a blinded love....it¡¯s...really tragic..." Uncle Hua looks to TanTan.


    Once again, TanTan feels pity for HuaMutan for the absent presence of her parents when she was too young.


    No reply from TanTan makes Minister Hua continues,


    "And this old man really hopes that you won¡¯t follow her path ever..."


    "What do you mean, Uncle Hua?"


    TanTan asks confusedly.


    "Able to forget bad things in the past is a blessing, Young Lady. Some things are better to be forgotten so you can live without misery anymore...this words I hope you can remember...." Uncle Hua smiles but oddly TanTan feels there is something hidden behind that smile.


    "Well, if you still want to know more about your parents, may I suggest something..." Minister Hua is thinking and saying it carefully.


    "What is it?" Knowing HuaMuTan¡¯s parents more might be useful.


    "Perhaps you still have some of your Mom¡¯s belongings with you? I can tell more about your Mom from them..." The offer seems as an unharmful idea but TanTan wonders is that can be helpful for her? HuaMuTan recalls in her mind, things in the locked big chest, inside her room. Few things look old, but she isn¡¯t sure which one is HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom¡¯s belongings.


    Minister Hua seems can guess what in TanTan¡¯s mind,


    "Ah...how silly I am, you probably don¡¯t remember about your Mom¡¯s belongings either. Forgive this old man, Young Lady...I just thought you might still have a special thing your Mom gave to you and it can help you to remember about her..."


    "A special thing? What thing?" TanTan curious,


    "I am afraid, I am not sure either but... in the past,...you ever came to me to ask about the thing..., you said it¡¯s so important from your Mom and you nned to show it and ask me about it but unfortunately you got the ident and has forgotten about it too..."


    TanTan takes a second to think, ¡¯If what Uncle Hua said is true, that ¡¯thing¡¯ might be brought by HuaMuTan and be in her room right now? But what is it?¡¯


    "I really can¡¯t remember it..."


    "Then why don¡¯t we can figure it out together...maybe I can help you to identify the thing?" The offer is sounded good as TanTan herself doesn¡¯t know anything about HuaMuTan¡¯s belongings but...she looks to Minister Hua, TanTan feels that maybe HuaMuTan¡¯s uncle has another hidden agenda to help her but as she really can¡¯t figure out about the thing without any clues at all, maybe it won¡¯t be bad to observe this Uncle furthermore, to find what thing he is looking for actually.


    "Sure, Uncle Hua...when do you want to do it?"


    "Why don¡¯t we do it right now?" Minister Hua stands from his seat, "If you don¡¯t mind?"


    "I don¡¯t mind..." TanTan then leads him the way to her room.

 Chapter 55 A busy day with memories 2

    When TanTan was ying her guzheng, Prince Li actually has arrived back and right away walks to the pavilion. In the hallway, he could saw Minister Hua and heard TanTan ying guzheng. So he observes them from there while he kept walking.


    ¡¯Her ying technique is as high level as the real HuaMuTan...but I am still thinking that she might not the real HuaMuTan¡¯ Prince Li then recalls his memory for the first time he yed with HuaMuTan. At that time he must admit that he enjoyed ying a song with HuaMuTan in harmony. But after that, after he found out about HuaMuTan¡¯s strong feeling to him. He is reluctant to y with her anymore, especially remembering all the things she had done to imprison him in her cage love.


    He was closing to the pavilion when the y had stopped and he heard TanTan speaking to Minister Hua,


    "I don¡¯t mind...let¡¯s find out together..." TanTan raises from the seat, willing to lead the way for Minister Hua to her room, finding what HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom¡¯s gave to her.


    But before they walk out from the pavilion, Prince Li steps inside and asks TanTan directly.


    "Why do you stop the practice?" Prince Li is calmly entering the pavilion.


    Minister Hua stops and greets him politely, which is being responded by Prince Li with a small nod. TanTan also stops and looks to him,


    "We are done," she answers shortly.


    "Ach, that is too bad...I rush back home so I can see your practice..."


    TanTan squints her eyes, staring weirdly to Prince Li, ¡¯Since when he cares about my practice?¡¯


    Minister Hua seems don¡¯t want to unpleased Prince Li,


    "If that so, maybe we can show it to Prince Li one more time, Young Lady? the other things can wait..."


    TanTan feels annoyed, the one who ys in performance is not only her right? Perhaps it¡¯s the right time for him also to practice along.


    "Then why don¡¯t you join in the y?"


    Prince Li looks to TanTan, he seems to realize the same thought. So he smiles,


    "Okay,...why not?" He takes out his precious flute from behind his pocket cloth for he brings with him anywhere.


    "Why don¡¯t we y the same song we ever yed before in the pce. Minister Hua here can evaluate our y, right Minister Hua?" He wonders if this woman who in front of him still remember or not... He gestures to blow his flute,


    "Shall we start?"


    TanTan feels challenged, but how does she know about the song,


    "You may start it...I¡¯ll follow"


    Seeing TanTan hesitates to start it makes him bing sure that the woman in front of him is not HuaMuTan,


    he smiles,


    "okay..." and he starts to blow his flute.


    When TanTan hears the melody, she feels the yearning to the melody, she lets her hands ying the guzheng, following his melody.


    As TanTan can follow his y, Prince Li is surprised but he doesn¡¯t stop, he keeps harmonizing his y with TanTan¡¯s y.


    In other hands, another memoryes striking TanTan¡¯s mind.


    Another time in the pce and HuaMuTan just walked in the aisle when she saw some young eunuchs brought up a body to another side. The body was covered with white cloth but a hand with a mark of whipped came out of it and it seemed to be a woman body. And behind them, she saw Prince Li Long Yi, the first prince who became the crown prince now, instructed the leader of those young eunuchs.


    HuaMuTan felt disgusted and turned away, but unfortunately Prince Li Long Yi


    "Where are you going, Mu Tan Mei?"


    HuaMuTan turned and looked annoyed to Prince Li Long Yi.


    HuaMuTan did the unwilling greeting, and answered him shortly,


    "I have to return home, Prince Yi...¡¯


    But Prince LongYi blocked her way, holds her hand in force,


    "Not that fast...MuTanMei... let¡¯s talk..."


    "Let me go...I don¡¯t want to talk with you,..." A horror and detestable look have been on HuaMuTan¡¯s face as she tried to free herself.


    "Oh stop pretending...didn¡¯t you said you want to be my woman? I know your ambition! Why do you now...pretending to be ¡¯hard to get¡¯ hah?! What makes you not satisfy...I promised you a crown of queen!!" But clearly, there¡¯s only lust drawn on his face, which made HuaMuTan loather.


    "I don¡¯t interest to it anymore...not with your disgusting hobby. I won¡¯t be one of your scrolls !!! Now let go of me or I¡¯ll tell the King about you and your insane night routine!!" HuaMuTan felt angry but also fear as she knew Prince LongYi is known as a violent man. And her words certainly made him rage, he pushed HuaMuTan to one of the pirs, cornered her by sealed her hands.


    "My patience has a limit, HuaMuTan! You shouldn¡¯t fight me....!!" And with lust, Prince LongYi tried to rob a kiss from HuaMuTan but she kept resisted him.


    "No...no...let me go...!!"


    "PRINCE YI!!!" A sudden fierce calling shocked them. It stopped Prince LongYi to see who called him in that kind of time. Turned out it was Prince Li who interrupted him. Prince Li with no hesitated, he pulled HuaMuTan away from Prince LongYi.


    "Forgive me, *Yi Huang Ke, but I have some urgent thing to say with MuTan Mei..." And without waiting for any respond, Prince Li just took HuaMuTan away, but Prince LongYi pulled his hand and the next thing happened was they fought with their martial skills to each other. Prince Li could win easily but he didn¡¯t want to humiliate his royal brother so he made a move as he was going to fall down but he made Prince LongYi fell harder than him.


    "Ugh...LiZhouWei...YOU!!!" although he was angry the pain made him takes more time to wake up than Prince Li so Prince Li took this chance to pull her hand and took HuaMuTan away, leaving the first Prince.


    Far enough from the ce before, HuaMuTan repels Prince Li¡¯s hand in force as she felt not ease with it. Prince Li noticed it,


    "Are...you okay?"


    HuaMuTan felt odd with her feeling, she was relieved that she could free from the first prince but she also felt humiliated to be helped by Prince Yi who she often underestimated before. Her ego was kicked out from inner her, replied intensely,


    "I...I am fine...I don¡¯t need your help!!"


    Prince Li just smirked,


    "I don¡¯t know what your deal with the first prince! If I may give you some advice, stay away from him...next time maybe no one has a chance to help you..." Prince Li walked away from her after that, but HuaMuTan kept staring on him.


    And in that memory, TanTan can feel her at that moment, how HuaMuTan starts to have a feeling with Prince Li. Her fingers keep ying the guzheng while Prince Li is also keep concentrating to his flute although he nces to TanTan many times.


    *YiHuangKe= first royal brother

 Chapter 56 The plan 1

    As the melody ends, TanTan throws her sight on Prince Li as he does the same.


    For a moment there¡¯s a silence in the pavilion. But then it is broken by Minister Hua who ps his hand,


    "What a beautiful performance...I was captivated with your ying, Your Highness"


    Prince Li is surely not pleased with thepliment, rather that he is more focus to look at TanTan intensely.


    "So...you remember the song after all...maybe we should y another song?"


    There is a disappointing tone in his voice which TanTan catches. It makes TanTan feels awkward, particrly because of the fresh memory she got. She feels that HuaMuTan¡¯s feeling storms in her heart and mind. She does nothing than turning her face from his gaze,


    "No...not now, I am tired."


    TanTan then looks to Minister Hua,


    "Uncle Hua, thanks for your teaching. Maybe we can do it again next time?"


    Minister Hua smiles regretfully,


    "Yes, Young Lady, maybe after I settle up with the Queen GrandMother¡¯s gift delivery. As Prince Li is here, it might the right time to continue our discussion about the gift delivery?"He asks Prince Li.


    Prince Li surely remembers about the request. He answers him coldly,


    "Yes, sure. Let¡¯s talk about it! So the gift will be delivered tomorrow, right?"


    TanTan bes interesting with the topic, she sees an opportunity to walk out from the Li Mansion, although for a while.


    "Can I join too in this delivery?"


    "No...!" The objection directlyes from Prince Li. He stands up, closer to her. He shows his unpleasing respond directly,


    "What are you thinking?!"


    "I...just want to see the delivery by myself... after all, it¡¯s my gift to Queen GrandMother right? Is it wrong to do?"


    Feeling offended, TanTan moves backward from him.


    "Just let my man do that...you better stay nicely here, wifey! Out of any troubles" Prince Li keeps moving closer to her, close enough to see his reflection in her eyes. It nerves TanTan, she can feel her heart beats and she tries to calm down while she pushes him away,


    "Ok..ok...I won¡¯t make any troubles again." She steps away, "Just let me know what time is the gift delivered?"


    Minister Hua answers her politely,


    "It will be tomorrow morning, Young Lady..."


    "And when will the gift be here?" TanTan is curious.


    "If anything smooth, it will be here in the next morning after tomorrow..."


    The curiosity of TanTan makes Prince Li put a suspicious to her once again,


    "Alright, that¡¯s enough... Now, my wife seems to need to take a rest!" Smoothly Prince Li holds TanTan¡¯s shoulders and gestures her to go, he continues talking to Minister Hua,


    "Why don¡¯t we talk about it in another ce?"


    Without waiting for her reaction, Prince Li gestures Minister Hua to follow him. Minister Hua understands the gesture so he politely excuses himself,


    "Don¡¯t worry, Young Lady. I won¡¯t disappoint you with the gift." He and Prince Li then leave TanTan alone in the pavilion.


    "What a narrow-minded man!!.. it¡¯s not like I do any evil n with the gift?!!!" TanTan expresses her unpleased reaction to Prince Li although it couldn¡¯t be seen by him.


    Now that she is alone, she takes time to settle her mind from any memories she got just now... Seeing how Prince Li helped HuaMuTan from this man which is called as Prince LongYi, TanTan bes understand why HuaMuTan finally had a feeling with Prince Li.


    *Deg!!*


    Suddenly her heart beats again when she is reminiscing the memory and then there are many shes of short memories came by, the moments when HuaMuTan¡¯s feeling grew stronger and stronger every time she met Prince Li. It never happens before and it scares TanTan, she screams to the air.


    "STOP!! STOP IT, HUAMUTAN!!! I AM NOT YOU...THIS IS NOT MY FEELING!!! WHY?? WHY DO YOU LET ME FEEL IT TOO!!!"


    "Are you okay?" QingQing¡¯s appear surprises TanTan. She stares oddly to TanTan.


    TanTan quickly calms herself,


    "I...I am fine...!"


    QingQing tilts her head a little bit, smirks to TanTan,


    "You seem to have a love problem, girl? Talking about feeling huh?"


    TanTan looks to her, observing...she doesn¡¯t have anyone to talk about it,


    "If...your heart has a feeling that you don¡¯t want to have, what would you do?"


    QingQing squints her eyes, thinking for the answer,


    "Hm..its never happen to me, I always follow what my heart feels, its always right!"


    ¡¯But this is not my body, it¡¯s even might not my heart...I trapped in this body¡¯


    TanTan sighs,


    "Never mind...are youe here to look for me?"


    QingQing sudden remembers,


    "Yeah, right! You said you want to know when you can go to the ck market? You are so lucky, HuaMuTan coz my sister just sent a message to me, she informed us about the right time and ce to go there! The ce is surprisedly nearby..."


    TanTan widens her eyes,


    "That¡¯s great! When will it be?"


    "Tonight" QingQing answers calmly.


    "What?!" TanTan shocks, "tonight?!!"


    QingQing feels a little bit of regret, she smiles, forcefully...


    "Well, my sister said she paid her debts to you, she didn¡¯t care either how you will use this information..."


    "Great..." TanTan can¡¯t be moreint.


    "So...is this means you won¡¯t go?" QingQing is curious,


    "Of course, I¡¯ll go...!!"


    "Do you want to go somewhere, YangMu?" FangFang who juste to find TanTan overhears TanTan¡¯sst word, she is apanied by ShuangAi who also stares strangely to her.


    "MuTan Jie, where do you n to go?


    Theirs appears surprised TanTan. She believed that they didn¡¯t hear a whole conversation,


    " I mean...I¡¯ll go back to the kitchen, it¡¯s almost lunchtime...I want to find any food to eat..."


    "Me too...I am hungry, YangMu!" As before, FangFang bes more spoiled than usual to TanTan, she hugs TanTan¡¯s hand. QingQing smiles to FangFang, strokes her head,


    "You are right, little girl...I am also hungry...why don¡¯t we eat together?"


    TanTan looks to QingQing, she is actually want to talk more about tonight n but then she looks to FangFang and ShuangAi. As she remembered what ShuangAi told her about FangFang, TanTan sighs again,


    "Very well, let¡¯s us all eat together for now..."


    "Hurray..." FangFang reacts joyfully.


    ShuangAi seems surprised about the time as she remembers something.


    "Ehm MuTan Jie, I am afraid I must go home now...so I am sorry I won¡¯t join this time..." ShuangAi smiles regretfully.


    "Why don¡¯t youe back after lunch?"


    TanTan sincerely wants ShuangAi to stay, especially she didn¡¯t get time to talk more with her today. She wants to ask more about the past HuaMuTan.


    "I am really sorry...but there is a patient I need to check up...it can¡¯t wait..how if I wille back, eat with you tomorrow, MuTan Jie?" ShuangAi is thinking about the man whom she saved from the river.


    She feels worried but also regrets to TanTan.


    TanTan gazes to ShuangAi with respect, ¡¯ShuangAi is really a good doctor, she so concerns with the patient even forbear her lunchtime...¡¯, she nods herself,


    "Ok, but you should remember to eat after you treat your patient..."


    "Sure...thank you for your concern, MuTan Jie" ShuangAi excuses herself.


    Seeing ShuangAi walks out, a sh of memory suddenes to TanTan¡¯s mind. It is a scene where Prince Li held ShuangAi tightly. An unease feeling bursts in her heart. It startles TanTan.


    "Are you okay, YangMu?" FangFang looks worried. TanTan shakes her head to get rid of those memories.


    "I¡¯m fine...let¡¯s go..."


    TanTan res to QingQing when QingQing walks close to her, she whispers.."We talkter for tonight!"


    "Sure...yeah by the way where is XiaoRue? I don¡¯t see her?" QingQing wonders.


    "I think she still preparing medicine in the kitchen, let¡¯s check on her too.."TanTan keeps walking, led by FangFang who so enthusiastic.


    "Oh I see..." QingQing then just walk following them both.

 Chapter 57 Lets cook together

    Back to the kitchen, XiaoRue keeps blowing to keep the fire under the pot. She so focuses that she doesn¡¯t realize someone giving her a sweet ze. ManQi chuckles when a little smoke blew on XiaoRue, makes her coughs a little and XiaoRue hears it. She res unpleased back to ManQi. ManQi gestures sorry,


    "I didn¡¯t mean to...anyway, what are you doing here?"


    "I am cooking medicine for Xiao Jie" XiaoRue answers and them she asks back to ManQi, "What ARE you doing here?"


    "Looking at you cooking medicine" teased ManQi. It easily makes XiaoRue feels shy.


    "No, seriously, what are you doing here? Don¡¯t you suppose to be with Prince Li?"


    ¡¯Ie to see you...¡¯ ManQi smirks and hold those words only in his mind, while he exins to XiaoRue,


    "Ehm...I am looking for Aunt Tong actually..."


    Aunt Tong who stands not so far from them reacts,


    "Is Prince Li want anything, ManQi?"


    ManQi continues,


    "Prince Li has a guest in his study room and they need drinks.


    Aunt Tong immediately understands and prepares the drink as instructed. While XiaoRue feels curious,


    "Is the guest Minister Hua?"


    ManQi nods his head, "That¡¯s right"


    At outside, QingQing stops her step when she hears it.


    "What is it, QingQing?" TanTan wonders why she stops. FangFang is also wondering with her big eyes.


    "Nothing..." QingQing continues walking in the kitchen, followed by TanTan and FangFang.


    TanTan¡¯s voice is heard by others, makes XiaoRue and ManQi noticing them. Seeing ManQi, QingQing back to her flirting gesture. Shees closer to ManQi,


    "It¡¯s been a while I don¡¯t see you today, hand..." ManQi looks annoyed to her, "I mean...ManQi... I really miss you..."


    Although XiaoRue keeps watching how QingQing tries to flirt, she keeps walks to TanTan,


    "Eng...XiaoJie, why is XiaoJie here? In the kitchen? Is XiaoJie looking for me?"


    "Yes, but not looking for you only, we are looking for food...FangFang is also hungry so let¡¯s have lunch together..."


    TanTan smiles. After experiences the unpleasing memories, she really doesn¡¯t want to be eaten alone...


    "oh...alright. I¡¯ll prepare food, XiaoJie and everyone may just waiting in the room..."


    But TanTan doesn¡¯t want to, she smiles and tells everyone there.


    "Hm...I see you still busy with the medicine...why don¡¯t we prepare together, I like to cook some food for FangFang today..." She is also want to please FangFang today with a sweet food that she may remember to make in her future life.


    The weird expressionse from XiaoRue, Aunt Tong and even ManQi.


    "XiaoJie...you..never cook before.." There is clearly has an unsure tone in her voice. And XiaoRue is right, HuaMuTan was never cooked before. As a spoiled granddaughter of Lady Hua, she always is served and never serves anyone else. No wonder, what TanTan says surprise them a lot.


    Even Aunt Tong who is pouring tea in the teapot doesn¡¯t realize that it¡¯s already full, QingQing notices it..


    "Aunt! Watch out the tea..."


    Aunt Tong just realizes what happens, she bes panic, and some tea spilled out to her cloth.


    "Ow, how clumsy I am..."


    QingQing immediately reacts to help Aunt Tong...She grabs any wipe cloth around and hands it to Aunt Tong


    "Let me help you...Is this tea for the guest?"


    Aunt Tong takes the wipe cloth and tries to wipe out the spilled tea right away from her cloth, she just nods hearing QingQing¡¯s question,


    "Yes...yes...they are for Prince Li and the guest...Minister Hua...oh they are waiting, I suppose to deliver them now..."


    QingQing promptly cleans the tray, she looks suddenly get an idea and offers her help,


    "Why don¡¯t I help you deliver this..?"


    Aunt Tong looks unsure to QingQing,


    "This...howe I bother the guest of this house to do it..no...I will have XiaoRue here to do it!"


    "And throwing a chance to have time with my handsome GeGe here? No way... HuaMuTan, XiaoRue...let me do this..."


    QingQing winks her eye, as this is a ying thing for her.


    "Besides, look! The medicine¡¯s fire is almost off...you should watch on it, XiaoRue..." As she said, XiaoRue immediately checks the fire...while TanTan is not sure what to say, she observes that QingQing is obviously doing it coz of ManQi, she can¡¯t see what harmful canes from that. In addition, FangFang beside her is distracting her by begging food and somehow she looks tenser since she steps into the kitchen.


    "YangMu...I am hungry..." She grabs TanTan¡¯ hands more tightly. TanTan wonders why.


    With a quick gesture, QingQing takes the tray and walks out, she looks to ManQi who looks confused to understand the act of QingQing.


    "Come on...don¡¯t you hear what Aunt Tong said, the guest is waiting..."


    Then she walks out first. ManQi is unwilling to follow her, but before he goes, he looks to XiaoRue and notices how unhappy look on XiaoRue¡¯s face.


    "But Miss QingQing...?" Aunt Tong still tries to call back. HuaMuTan calms her.


    "Don¡¯t worry Aunt Tong. She knows what she is doing... Now, would you like to help me to cook food?"


    TanTan realizes that the kitchen is more like Aunt Tong¡¯s territory. She doesn¡¯t want to add more hostility that Aunt Tong already has towards her so she acts politely as she can


    Aunt Tong widens her eyes, she can¡¯t believe what she heard, but as manners, she just obeys,


    "Yes.sure"


    "Will you cook, YangMu?Is it long?" FangFang is so curious, she keeps sticking to TanTan where ever TanTan moves.


    ¡¯Let¡¯s see what I can cook?¡¯ TanTan observes around, she can easily find the ingredients she needs. She tells FangFang, "I will cook fried rice and some sweet food for you. Do you want to help me cook also?" She thinks it will be fun to make a sweet food with FangFang together. She remembers how she cooked with her Mom when she was little like FangFang.


    But Aunt Tong sudden reacts terrified to hear it,


    "No...I think it¡¯s dangerous, Young Madam, to let FangFang close with the fire...and she is afraid of fire since...." She doesn¡¯t continue but TanTan gets what she wants to say, ¡¯since HuaMuTan tried to burn her alive...How can I forget about it...!!¡¯


    TanTan squits in front of FangFang, speaking gently to her,


    "Do you want to be outside, waiting for the food?"


    FangFang shakes her head, she still grabs TanTan¡¯s sleeve tightly.


    "No, I want to be with YangMu..."


    TanTan pats FangFang¡¯s head gently,


    "Okay...but you need to listen to all my instructions. First, you may sit here, far from the fire..." And then TanTan begins to instruct FangFang how to make balls from the flour, helped by Aunt Tong.


    When FangFang seems to understand how to do and starts to do it. TanTan turns to XiaoRue, willing to ask her help too. But she then discovers, XiaoRue is having an unhappy look and she seems to stare nk, freeze like a statue and doesn¡¯t watching the fire at all.


    "XiaoRue?"


    XiaoRue startled, and realizing she didn¡¯t do her work...she feels shame on herself, she sudden swings her fan to the medicine pot faster.


    "I...I am sorry, Miss...the medicine will be ready soon..."


    "Are you okay? You seem distracted...something bothers you?"


    TanTan feels worried, she never sees XiaoRue like that before. TanTan keeps thinking what bothers XiaoRue, maybe...?


    "Is ManQi bothering you?"


    As fast as the wind blows, XiaoRue¡¯s face turns red immediately,


    "No, He is not!!! I am not thinking of him at all...!!!"


    The denial makes TanTan sure about what was in her thought, ¡¯Seem XiaoRue is really jealous to QingQing... it¡¯s interesting. I wonder since when XiaoRue start to have felt with ManQi?¡¯ TanTan smiles.


    XiaoRue clearly doesn¡¯t want to talk about it anymore, she checks the medicine, "XiaoJie, it¡¯s ready..." She turns off the fire, "Now...what can I help XiaoJie to cook?"


    TanTan actually wants to ask her more, but it might be not the right time, as FangFang keep asking when the food is ready. So she is back to her cooking, instructs some jobs to XiaoRue. And then, everyone start enjoying the moment of cooking together, including Aunt Tong.


    ¡¯Not bad...this new HuaMuTan maybe not bad at all..." She is now looking at TanTan with a different feeling.

 Chapter 58 A plan continue

    QingQing keeps walking when ManQi catches her up.


    "Wait, what are actually you doing? This is not your job?!" ManQi takes doubt that QingQing just entertains herself. The reason is that he doesn¡¯t know anything about this woman, except she has good martial skill.


    "Aiyah...so d that you start to put attention on me? It¡¯s fine, I always like to help...you know, showing you my good side?" QingQing doesn¡¯t hold her amused expression at all, she even winks her eye again to ManQi, she continues,


    "Now where is the study room? You should show me the way..."


    ManQi observes the teapot and then QingQing. He can¡¯t think any reason for QingQing to have another agenda except..like what she said. Feeling ufort, he tries to grab over the tray from QingQing,


    "Uhm,...why don¡¯t let me do it? You may return to the kitchen and have lunch with Young Madam and XiaoRue..."


    "Owh, you are caring for me... it¡¯s so sweet, but No...!" She hits ManQi¡¯s backhand purposely, it stings a little. "I can do it, don¡¯t worry...where is a study room, I am guessing that room, isn¡¯t it?" QingQing observes that ManQi doesn¡¯t deny it so she continues walking to the room.


    A few minutes before in the room, Minister Hua was describing the process of the gift delivery. The delivery is actually a simple n. Tomorrow morning, Minister Hua has prepared a horse cart to take an empty chest as the container for the giftter and Prince Li will send two of his officers to guard it. One of them will be ManQi.


    Prince Li was listening carefully. While in his mind, he tried to figure is there any evil n behind this delivery, but he also wonders why Minister Hua is so easily allowed him to involve in this delivery.


    "So, everything has settled. I¡¯ll send my best men to guard this delivery so nothing can go wrong."


    "Nothing will go wrong, Your Highness... You can be sure that...I am d that we can settle it together." Minister Hua smiles.


    The door is opened, QingQinges in bravely. Both Minister Hua and Prince Li surprise a little to see QingQing who doesn¡¯t have any appearance of a servant. ManQi follows her entering the room, noticing Prince Li gestures an exnation from him, he tries to exin,


    "Master, this..."


    QingQing lets herself to continue ManQi¡¯s words,


    "Pardon me, Prince Li...There is a little ident in the kitchen so I am helping Aunt Tong to deliver this tea" She walks and put the tray on the table.


    Minister Hua observes her sharply, while somehow QingQing acts tensely when she pours the tea.


    "You don¡¯t seem like a servant..." says Minister Hua,


    Realizing Minister Hua watches QingQing oddly, Prince Li exins,


    "She is not. This is Miss QingQing, she is HuaMuTan¡¯s friend, who lives here now...for a while..."


    "Oh? A friend of Young Lady? Hm...Have we met before?" Minister Hua keeps staring on her.


    "Perhaps, we met at the gate before...when Sir entered this mansion in this morning, went out for a while..." QingQing answers as calm she can, she covers her tension with smiling to Minister Hua.


    "Ah...I see" QingQing has poured the tea to the cups, she offers one to Minister Hua, which is taken by Minister Hua politely. "Thank you",


    QingQing then pours another and serves it to Prince Li, which is also be taken politely by him.


    Minister Hua then raise the cup, gesturing to make a toast in the air with Prince Li,


    "For the delivery and our good cooperation..."


    Even though Prince Li doesn¡¯t willing it, but he raises the cup and then drinks it up. Minister Hua is also drinking it, while QingQing just standing staring Minister Hua.


    After they drink it, QingQing takes the change to speak to Prince Li,


    "I am sorry but are you doing a delivery?"


    Prince Li answers her politely as he doesn¡¯t want to be rude to the guest in Li Mansion although he feels a little bit unpleased for QingQing intruding their business.


    "Ehm...yes, we have a small delivery to do tomorrow..."


    QingQing seems enthusiastic hearing it,


    "Great....let me join..."


    Prince Li looks at her, oddly.


    "No...you are my wife¡¯s guest, how can I bother you..."


    "But I want to help, you have shown kindness by allowing me to stay here, Prince Li. Let me repay my debts, by helping your job, and I have experiences in this field. Don¡¯t worry about my skill, you may ask ManQi...."


    QingQing looks so sincere and a little bit too enthusiastic about it makes Prince Li wonders,


    "Its a very important delivery, I hope you understand Miss QingQing..."


    But QingQing doesn¡¯t step back,


    "And I am also serious about offering my help...I will help you to make this delivery be sess smoothly as a flowing river..."


    Minister Hua puts interest in QingQing,


    "Why don¡¯t we let this brave woman join, I don¡¯t see any harmful could happen, besides she is Young Lady¡¯s friend. I believe it will please Young Lady as well..."


    QingQing turns and smirks to Minister Hua,


    "You says right...I am doing this for HuaMuTan too...you can trust me!"


    Prince Li has a doubt, he looks to ManQi,


    "What do you think, ManQi? You think she can handle it?"


    ManQi knows that what Prince Li really means is that either QingQing can disturb or has any chance to endanger the process of delivery?


    Seeing there is nothing wrong when QingQing served them the tea, ManQi starts believing that this QingQing doesn¡¯t have any other agenda than having fun with the condition and she is really want to repay HuaMuTan in anyways. Besides if she really has a wicked n, ManQi feels he still can handle her easily. So ManQi nods,


    "Yes, I believe she can..."


    Prince Li epts ManQi¡¯s opinion,


    "Ok then, you may join the delivery..."


    QingQing doesn¡¯t hold to show her excitement,


    "Great..."


    Minister Hua amused with the excitement QingQing has. He is still wondering why QingQing seemed so familiar to him but he realizes he suppose to go now, so he raises from the seat,


    "I think I will go now... Once again, thank you for your kindly helps, Prince Li...Miss QingQing..." He gestures them politely.


    Prince Li and QingQing return the gesture politely. Then after Minister Hua leaves, Prince Li looks to QingQing,


    "Tell me the truth, Did HuaMuTan tell you to deliver the tea and to join this delivery??"


    "Nop, she doesn¡¯t know it. It¡¯s my spontaneous to deliver the tea, you saw it too right ManQi?" QingQing exins


    ManQi nods a little, Prince Li continues,


    "Oh really, and where is HuaMuTan right now?"


    QingQing answers it lightly


    "She is in the kitchen, cooking lunch with FangFang..." But it gives Prince Li a little shock,


    "She...what?" He doesn¡¯t believe what he hears,


    QingQing repeats it,


    "She is cooking with FangFang in the kitchen..."


    Without waiting longer, Prince Li immediately rushes to the kitchen. A panic showed in his face when hees out and it confuses QingQing,


    "What¡¯s wrong with him? what so odd with cooking lunch in the kitchen...?"


    ManQi just smiles,


    "The problem is not ¡¯what¡¯, but ¡¯who¡¯..."


    QingQing still confuses, but ManQi has also gone out to the kitchen, leaving her.


    "Hey, wait for me..." QingQing rushes to catch up ManQi. When shees out, she still can see from far, Minister Hua is walking out to the gate, led by a servant. QingQing just stands and stares on him till their shadows are gone.


    ¡¯Not yet...This is not the right time,...let¡¯s just wait...¡¯ She calms herself with those words in her mind. And then she continues to follow ManQi to the kitchen.

 Chapter 59 A hot rice ball soup.

    Therees out the good vor smell from the kitchen which can trigger anyone¡¯s appetite who passes the kitchen. Prince Li also smells it, and he is slowing down his pace. The thought that if HuaMuTan might harm FangFang in his mind slowly disappear, in his heart somehow he starts to believe it won¡¯t happen again coz HuaMuTan he knows right now is different, but he still needs to be sure. The closer his steps to the kitchen, he can hear the shout of FangFang,


    "Auch..."


    But he stops before getting in, he waits and turns out the shout is followed by a gently scolding.


    "Be careful, it¡¯s still hot! Let me see..."


    Prince Li hears FangFang mumbles painful about her wounded finger coz by touching a hot bowl of rice ball soup.


    "Uh...but I want to eat it now..."


    "You must patient, FangFang...Come, let me see your wound..." Tan Tan¡¯s gentle voice makes Prince Li steps slowly. He watches how TanTan treats FangFang as like mother and daughter supposed to be. He feels amazed at what he sees. Something in the woman he looks at right now makes him can¡¯t stop to stare on her.


    Aunt Tong realizes his presence, she almost calls out his name but Prince Li gestures her not to. Same also with XiaoRue. Aunt Tong obeys and she also drags XiaoRue to step out while Prince Li slowly walks closer to TanTan and FangFang,


    "Now...now...let me give you a magic spell to make the pain disappear..." TanTan holds FangFang¡¯s wounded finger, blow it gently and make a rhyme, "Pain...pain..fly fly away, don¡¯te back again..."


    TanTan smiles to FangFang, "Now it¡¯s done, feeling better?"


    Although it¡¯s a silly way to remove the pain, it seems working for FangFang, she responds it by nodding and smiling.


    "Hm, I don¡¯t know you can do magic too? Is it a healing spell?" Prince Li smirks and his voice surprises TanTan, especially because he talks right behind her left ear.


    TanTan instantly stands up, she turns shockingly and nervous, doesn¡¯t expect that Prince Li can be so close by her.


    "YiFu..." FangFang in the other hand looks so surprisingly happy, she approached Prince Li, shows him what just she did with TanTan,


    "YiFu, look we make a yummy rice ball soup..."


    Prince Li looks to the soup and the kitchen¡¯s condition, many traces of cooking everywhere. Hements,


    "Looks you both were busy here..."


    "We just cooking" TanTan still feels surprised, she wonders what makes Prince Lies to the kitchen at this time, ¡¯Didn¡¯t he busy talking with Uncle Hua? Are they done?¡¯


    Prince sudden asks FangFang,


    "FangFang....are you okay?"


    FangFang and TanTan confuse with the question....¡¯ What is this? Does he think that I harmed FangFang?¡¯


    Prince Li continues,


    "You don¡¯t scare with the fire anymore?"


    FangFang shakes her head, she and TanTan now understand..being in the kitchen, reminds him about the past incident when HuaMuTan almost burned FangFang alive...


    ¡¯No wonder, he immediatelyes here to check if I did the same thing like HuaMuTan did...¡¯ A sadness urs in TanTan¡¯s heart, thinking about it.


    "It¡¯s not scary at all,...it¡¯s really fun, YiFu...we knead the flour..roll the rice ball...and we..." FangFang continues excited to exin what just she did with her YangMu,


    Prince Li wipes some flour powder on FangFang¡¯s face and smiles,


    "Look at you, so messy..."


    Prince Li is also looking at TanTan. Suddenly TanTan feels shy with her appearance that has be messy by flour and sweat.


    TanTan isn¡¯tfort being looked at by Prince Li.


    "FangFang, I think we are done the cooking for today....lets us clean up first before eating this rice ball soup together..."


    "Aah, can¡¯t we eat it right now, YangMu! I want to eat it now..." FangFang is really not patient to taste the rice ball she made.


    Prince Li pats her head gently,


    "Your YangMu is right, FangEr...Let Aunt Tong and XiaoRue help you clean up immediately then we can eat this rice ball soup together in dinner. YiFu is also curious about the taste of this rice ball soup you have made with your YangMu"


    "Okay, YiFu" FangFang obediently goes out to find Aunt Tong and XiaoRue. Although XiaoRue wants to wait for TanTan Aunt Tong asks her toe with her and FangFang. In their way back to the room, they meet ManQi and Qingqing walk together.


    ManQi reflex to ask XiaoRue,


    "Do you see Prince Li?"


    But XiaoRue just passed by ManQi coldly...It confused ManQi...


    "Hey...?!"


    QingQing also asks Aunt Tong and Aunt Tong shortly exins that Prince Li is in the kitchen with TanTan.


    In the kitchen, TanTan gets ready to go out also coz she doesn¡¯t want to stay with Prince Li alone.


    "I think I have to go clean up also...excuse me..."


    "Wait" Prince Li stops her, TanTan wonders what does he want to say?


    Prince Li slowly walk close to her, in a second he already stands in front of TanTan, so close that makes TanTan¡¯s heart starts to beat faster.


    Prince Li keep staring at her, suddenly he chuckles seeing TanTan¡¯s face.


    "Look at you! Messy like FangFang..."


    And then he raises his hand and does the same thing he did to FangFang before. With gentle he wipes a flour mark on TanTan¡¯s cheek. For a moment, there is a silence and their eyes just look to each other. TanTan suddenly nervous and be stiffen, she lost words to say for a moment and Prince Li slowly unconsciously moves his face closer to her.


    Just a little bit for their lips almost touch to each other, a sound of steps and opened door make Prince Li pulls back his motion.


    QingQing and ManQi who enters the room feel awkward,


    "Ehm Master...I am sorry to disturb..." says ManQi.


    Prince Li feels shy for what he almost did, and now seeing QingQing, he remembers he actually wants to ask something to TanTan,


    "HuaMuTan, Tell me honestly...!"


    "What...what is it?" TanTan obviously feels not gaining full her mind just now. She mes herself to easily follow the moment.


    "Why did you send QingQing to join with the gift delivery?"


    TanTan widens her eyes, ¡¯QingQing joins?¡¯ She turns and looks to QingQing. QingQing just smiles to her, while she whispers ¡¯I¡¯ll exinter¡¯


    "Well? What¡¯s your n?" Prince Li looks to her sharply, very different than the look he gave just now.


    TanTan twists her brain quickly, ¡¯QingQing must have a reason to join it, it can be just for fun? but it might be good also for me coz I can ask her help to monitor the delivery safely...and also uncle Hua...¡¯


    "Is it bad for her to join?" TanTan asks back, "You don¡¯t let me join so I think its a good idea...she can represent me to help to deliver the gift safer...Isn¡¯t it QingQing?"


    "Sure...Just trust me...I will make sure nothing can disturb the delivery..." QingQing relieves that HuaMuTan also agrees with her impulsive action.


    "..." Prince Li seems hard to believe her inly but he chooses to follow the n "I hope so..."


    "Now if you excuse me, I need to clean up my mess" TanTan pulls QingQing to join with her walk out from the kitchen, leaving Prince Li and ManQi.


    ManQi observes around the kitchen to guess what happened, he sees the rice ball soup in a bowl. He can¡¯t help to speak out his confusion,


    "I never know that Young Madam can cook..."


    "Me either, ManQi...I never see she cooks before..."


    Prince Li takes a spoon and tastes one rice ball from the bowl,


    Triggered by his curiosity, ManQi asks,


    "How is it, Master?"


    "... it¡¯s good..." In his mind, the fact that HuaMuTan can cook is new information he knows about this new HuaMuTan, but what makes he surprised is that he¡¯s no longer feel hatred toward this HuaMuTan, but the oppositely, he bes attracted with her. Prince Li doesn¡¯t want to be deeper in his mind about what he feels so he changes the topic,


    "ManQi, let¡¯s back to my room, we must prepare everything carefully for tonight... we already get the ce and the time...tonight operation can¡¯t fail"


    "Yes, Master!"


    Both them then walk out of the kitchen.


    Out from the kitchen, in the other side than study room, TanTan dragged QingQing till to the outer yard if her own room.


    "Wait, HuaMuTan...I can exin..."


    Sudden TanTan stops, turns to QingQing,


    "You better exin...why suddenly you join the delivery?"


    "Because I want to help you of course...


    I heard that this gift is so important for you, and I have many experiences delivering things..so I thought why not, besides... it¡¯s a good opportunity to work beside my beloved ManQi..." QingQing exins,


    TanTan rolled her eyes,


    "As I thought...the real reason is that you only want to be with ManQi..." She sighed,


    "Very well, I am grateful if you can really help me to deliver that gift safely but before that don¡¯t forget you need to really help me with another thing,...tonight!!"


    "Tonight?" For a moment QingQing seems to forget about the ck market meeting tonight, "Ahh yeah..tonight, but are you sure want to do it, HuaMuTan? I must warn you..."


    "Its danger, I know...You repeat it too many times... but I still want to go there, I need to find that masked man, to get any clues otherwise I feel being stuck here forever...so don¡¯t worry about me, just show me the way..."


    "Well, you are brave HuaMuTan...ok, I¡¯ll help you but do you think you can sneak out tonight?" QingQing wonders.


    "I¡¯ll find the way" TanTan smirks

 Chapter 60 ShuangAis Mysterious Patien

    After ShuangAi delivered the medicinal herbs for TanTan, she directs to the cabin in the wood where she left the unconscious wounded man. ¡¯It¡¯s been more than a day, the man should have awake now...¡¯


    She enters the room and suddenly a hand grabs her from behind, locks her in his shoulder while his other hand is holding a sharp-edged wood, pointing to her neck.


    "Who are you?" A voice of man heard so weak but there is a cold and intimidating tone inside.


    ShuangAi tries to stay calm, although the man can hear an intense nervous in her voice,


    "...I am ShuangAi...I am not the one who harm you...I¡¯m the one who helps you out from the river..."


    Seeing the medicinal herbs which are brought by ShuangAi, the man releases her. ShuangAi turns around and can see the man is trying hard to keep standing due to his sick body although he keeps looking at ShuangAi in full awareness.


    ¡¯He looked likes a wounded wolf", ShuangAi thinks.


    Several minutester, the man has lost bnce because using too much energy to move too soon, he almost fainted if ShuangAi doesn¡¯t immediately help him to return back onto the bed.


    "You suppose not to move a lot yet...your body is still too weak!" scolded ShuangAi.


    The man keeps observing ShuangAi, his face is indicating he is struggling to believe ShuangAi or not. Slowly he opens his mouth,


    "Where..am..I?"


    ShuangAi ds that the man seems decides to believe that she is not his enemy,


    "You are in the west wood in BaoZhi Town...I found you unconsciously floated on the river and so I take you here..."


    "Bao...Zhi...Town..?" the man repeats.


    "Yes, BaoZhi Town..." ShuangAi realizes that the man seems unfamiliar with this town name, that means he mighte from far? The cloth the man wore when she found him was looked like a simplemoner cloth with a little different pattern so ShuangAi guesses that this man mighte from the north remote town, she asks to be sure,


    "Where do youe from?


    " I..."


    The man doesn¡¯t answer yet, he looks thinking deeply to give the answer. The condition of the man reminds ShuangAi about HuaMuTan¡¯s amnesia condition. Now she is afraid that this man also has the same symptom. She asks carefully,


    "Do you know what¡¯s your name?"


    The man presses his head very hard with his palms. He looks struggled so much to remember and felt pain.


    "...I...I don¡¯t know...ugh..."


    What ShuangAi afraid about turns happen, the man is really amnesia due to what happened to him, maybe he got too shocked... ShuangAi then sits beside the man,fort him by stroking his back carefully likeforting a child.


    "Sst..it¡¯s okay..it¡¯s okay...you don¡¯t have to remember it now...Now, why don¡¯t let me renew your bandage and you can take a rest then...."


    The man gazes to ShuangAi, but he doesn¡¯t say anything, he just let ShuangAi does she said, somehow he doesn¡¯t be aware anymore to ShuangAi. ShuangAi starts to remove the bandage, she examines the wound that looks still opened but not bleeding anymore.


    "The wound is not bleeding anymore, it¡¯s recovering..." ShuangAi tried to exin the condition but the man doesn¡¯t respond anything than keep observing ShuangAi.


    "Now I will put the medicine...it might stings a little bit..." ShuangAi pours the new herbal medicine to the wound, it stings a lot so ShuangAi worries and checks the respond but the man endures it without giving any voice. Their eyes meet together and somehow ShuangAi feels shy which it¡¯s weird because she never feels like this to any of her patients. Maybe it¡¯s because the man keeps staring on her intensely without any words. ShuangAi just tries to concentrate binding the wound. After she finishes it, ShuangAi stands,


    "Ehm now you may rest, I will prepare medicine for you to drinkter..."


    The man once again checks his bandage, it¡¯s bound very nice. Clearly, it shows that ShuangAi did it professionally. Before ShuangAi stepped out from the room, the man finally responds to her,


    "...thank you..."


    With those words, ShuangAi already feels pleased. She smiles back to the man,


    "Just take a rest, I¡¯ll be outside to cook the medicine..."


    The man looks stunned with ShuangAi¡¯s smile, but ShuangAi doesn¡¯t notice it as she has walked out from the room.


    After the man is alone in the room, he is back to his deep thinking, questioning who he is and what happened to him before, the wound. Some shes of memory burst in his mind, a young man was killed while warned him to keep run. Another man stabbed him with a sword, a man with a fierce and evil look, with a heavy beard and eyebrows but he just can¡¯t remember who the man is...neither who he is. Many soldiers fought, a sh of battle urs and all those shes give the pain in his heades again when he tries to remember and he feels so weak so he decides to close his eyes for a while. At least he knows that he is safe for now.


    While ShuangAi is preparing the medicine, she is also being in her deep thinking,


    "From the condition, clearly this man is stabbed by a sharp things like knife or sword, the question is why?" She speaks out her mind alone.


    There is possibility that this man is a bad person, chased by his enemies especially the reaction he gave when Shuang Ai entered the room, he might be a killer! But somehow ShuangAi¡¯s instinct says the opposite, she can see from this man¡¯s eyes just now.


    "His eyes look fierce but straight, they are not the eyes of a wicked man."


    ShuangAi believes with her instinct, at least she met many kinds of patient and she is easily could see the patient which has bad purpose or not.


    "Well, no matter who he is, my job is to heal him...beside his amnesia condition might be a privilege for me... If I can heal him, it might helps me to heal MuTanCie too..."

 Chapter 61 A Night Journey 1

    It¡¯s evening now.


    FangFang is taking a bath, to clean her up from the traces of flour and oil. Helped by Aunt Tong, she flushes the water onto her body and enjoying her bath time. What is in her mind that she can¡¯t wait to finish bathing and to enjoy dinner time with her beloved adopted parents.


    In the study room, Prince Li used a short time to recheck their preparation for their secret operation which will be done tonight. The operation is connecting with the return of the Crown Prince. They had been watching the Crown Prince for a long time, now that he has returned. They need to act in this opportunity before toote, but they also need to be careful.


    While in TanTan¡¯s room. TanTan is also cleaning up herself by taking a bath, helped with XiaoRue and apanied by QingQing. TanTan purposely asked QingQing apanies her so they have time to discuss furthermore their n to sneak out tonight, to the ck market. TanTan¡¯s simple n is to ask XiaoRue disguises as her and pretending to sleep in the room while she and QingQing sneak out but as they ever fooled ManQi before, she is not sure ManQi will be fooled for the second time. So before she does that, she might have to behave well, not suspected at when they eat dinnerter.


    When dinner timees, Every Li Family members gathers in the dining room. QingQing as the guest actually is invited to eat together but she prefers to eat with ManQi in the other room. TanTan actually wants to ask XiaoRue to find out what ManQi will do tonight so they can n the night escape more detail, but QingQing offers her help right away for that task. It¡¯s clearly unpleased XiaoRue so she also epts the task although she still didn¡¯t admit that she wants to do it because of jealousy. She quibbles,


    "I am XiaoJie¡¯s faithful servant...how can I bother QingQing XiaoJie to do my job?!"


    QingQing smiles, she didn¡¯t prevent XiaoRue to do it, in fact, she encourages XiaoRue,


    "Sure...we can work together..."


    And with that reason, she still chooses to eat in the same room with XiaoRue and ManQi.


    So in the servant¡¯s dining room, there is a rare view. ManQi is eating in the middle, while XiaoRue is at his right and QingQing is at his left. Other servants even gossiping them secretly at their back.


    ManQi tries to ignore them although he is quite d able to eat with XiaoRue.


    But QingQing on the other side keeps throwing questions about what food he likes, what color he likes, what kind of girl he likes... it¡¯s quite annoying for ManQi who used to eat alone, and also he felt ufortable being seen by XiaoRue in that condition.


    "Miss QingQing, I hope you don¡¯t mind I like to eat in peace..."


    "Alright...you may eat, I won¡¯t ask again..." QingQing smiles


    "Thank you"


    And then although she doesn¡¯t talk ManQi still feels annoying because QingQing doesn¡¯t stop staring on him. He tries to ignore it by turning to another side, but then he faces XiaoRue who is so quiet since the beginning. She looks not having the appetite to eat her meal. It worries ManQi,


    "XiaoRue....are you okay?"


    XiaoRue startled a little, she is nervous about how to find out ManQi¡¯s activity tonight. If she asks it inly, he might be suspicious but seeing QingQing is giving gesture encouraging her. She tries to be bold,


    "I need to talk to you..."


    ManQi widens his eyes, he is not expecting thates,


    "Okay,...what is it?"


    "...not now, TONIGHT!! Do you...have any n?"


    "Tonight?" ManQi is still surprised and nervous suddenly.


    Asking for a meeting with a man at night? He doesn¡¯t see that XiaoRue can be so bold.


    Seeing the changing expression of ManQi, XiaoRue sudden feels shy too, she is guessing that ManQi gets the wrong impression,


    "Don¡¯t get it wrong...I...just want to talk... but if you don¡¯t want, it¡¯s okay..."


    "Oh...no...I love too. It just I have a work to do tonight...how ¡¯bout tomorrow morning? I still have time if you like...before I go to the delivery job..."


    ManQi truly feels regret to turn XiaoRue down.


    But XiaoRue instantly responds and diverts the topic,


    "Ah... it¡¯s fine...so you have things to do tonight, with Prince Li, all night?"


    "Yes, it might take all night to be done..."


    "I see..."


    QingQing who keeps observing both of them can¡¯t resist asking,


    "What work will you do tonight...that will consume all night to do? A night investigation...?"


    "Well, its confidential, Ms. QingQing..."


    "Hm..more secret,...aah, XiaoRue, don¡¯t you think a man full of secrets is very attractive?" teased QingQing.


    XiaoRue doesn¡¯t know how to reply that kind of question for her face has turned red.


    "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, Ms. QingQing! I...think I am done here..." She took her food and left.


    "XiaoRue..?!" ManQi surprised, he calls her, hoping she can stay.


    "She never can be honest, huh!" QingQing smirks while she keeps eating her food. ManQi only can give her a sharp gaze, showing that he feels irritated by QingQing for causing XiaoRue walks away. He then also stands,


    "Wait, where are you going, ManQi? You haven¡¯t finished your food!" QingQing touches his sleeve, but ManQi politely move away from her,


    "I am not hungry anymore, Ms. QingQing...excuse me..." And then ManQi walks out from the room, leaving QingQing enjoying the food alone. She is a little bit disappointing,


    "Ah...those both...Now...the food is not delicious anymore..."


    In other dining room, TianTian is quietly eating and aware with the staring from Prince Li,


    ¡¯He observes me all the time, did he suspect anything?¡¯


    TianTian also wants to check Prince Li¡¯s schedule for that night, she just doesn¡¯t know how to start. ¡¯I can¡¯t ask are you busy tonight right? It¡¯s too suspicious...¡¯ Aunt Maes and serves the rest of rice ball soup which TanTan made with FangFang.


    FangFang excitedly asks Prince Li when he eats the soup,


    "Is it delicious right, YiFu? Is it? Is it?" Her eyes are wide like a little puppy. Either TanTan or Prince Li can¡¯t hold smiling.


    "It¡¯s delicious..." Prince Li pauses, seeing TanTan, "I never know that you can cook, HuaMuTan..." There is a suspicious tone in his voice.


    TanTan just startled, looks back to Prince Li, ¡¯HuaMuTan never cook?! Am I being seen through coz of this?!¡¯. She must answer it normally.


    "Actually...I don¡¯t like cooking too often, it¡¯s tiring but...today is special, I did it only for FangFang"


    Prince Li smiles, ¡¯The more I see this woman, the more I sure she is not HuaMuTan...¡¯ and this though pleases him, he talks softly to FangFang,


    "Then FangFang...you should thank your YangMu for today",


    "Yes, YiFu...." FangFang stands and bows politely, "Thank you, YangMu".


    TanTan feels strange, somehow she can see something different with the way Prince Li talks to her and the way he sees her, its softer than usual.


    Then when FangFang finishes her meal, she sudden asks TanTan,


    "YangMu, I want to sleep with you tonight!"


    TanTan doesn¡¯t expect it, she startled,


    "...to...tonight?!" and Prince Li catches her raising the tone, he stares sharply to TanTan.


    FangFang nods, and TanTan calms herself, she realizes FangFang doesn¡¯t want to be alone coz this night is also the night when she lost her parents. She couldn¡¯t dare to reject her but she nces to Prince Li, hoping this time Prince Li can forbid FangFang,


    "Well...if Your YiFu gives permission...?"


    Prince Li smirks and teases her,


    "Since when you need my permission?"


    TanTan only can respond it slowly,


    "...You are the master of this mansion. How could I dare without your permission...?"


    "oh...really?" Prince Li replies.


    "Can I, YiFu?" begged FangFang again.


    Prince Li smiles although he still nces to FangFang,


    "Sure, FangEr....you may sleep with your YangMu..." Prince Li smiles.


    "No...!" It¡¯s spontaneouslying out from TanTan so it surprised FangFang and Prince Li, FangFang sees her oddly and sad,


    "You don¡¯t want to sleep with me, YangMu?"


    ¡¯Usually, he dislikes FangFang to be close with me, why is different now?!¡¯


    TanTan feels in a difficult ce to speak, she thinks quickly,


    "No...not like that, FangFang...It just...*Ugh...ugh ( She pretends to cough) YangMu just not feel well, maybe I am catching a cold...and I don¡¯t want to spread it to you, sweetheart...so it might not the good time to sleep in my room..." She hopes her act can fool FangFang and Prince Li for a while.


    "YangMu sick?" FangFang worries, but


    Prince Li seems amused with TanTan¡¯s pretending as he wonders the reason TanTan tries to reject FangFang¡¯s request. ¡¯She doesn¡¯t want FangFang to sleep tonight, is that mean she has something else to do at night, huh?¡¯


    Prince Li stands, he moves closer to TanTan.


    ¡¯What?...what is he doing?¡¯ TanTan bes very nervous when Prince Li finally stands in front of her.


    Prince Li touches TanTan¡¯s forehead, and when TanTan looks at him, he smirks. TanTan doesn¡¯t expect Prince Li would boldly checking her right away.


    ¡¯He knows...ah, stupid...stupid TanTan...I should know it can¡¯t work...¡¯


    FangFang is curious,


    "YiFu...is YangMu okay?"


    Prince Li turns to FangFang,


    "Don¡¯t worry FangFang...your YangMu just tired...."


    FangFang asks again sadly,


    "So...I can¡¯t sleep with YangMu tonight?"


    Prince Li smiles but he keeps looking at TanTan,


    "On the contrary, you have to sleep with your YangMu. YiFu has a job to do tonight so you can help me to take care of your YangMu...make sure she sleep well tonight...Can you do it?"


    FangFang feels proud to get that kind of task, with energetically she replies,


    "Yes, YiFu...I will take care of YangMu..."


    FangFang smiles to TanTan, and TanTan forces her to smile back, but she troubled in her mind,


    ¡¯No,..if FangFang sleeps in my room, it would be hard to sneaking out...ugh, what should I do...?¡¯


    In another side, Prince Li pleases with what he sees. Unfortunately he has something to do tonight, otherwise he would d to take care of this HuaMuTan by himself.

 Chapter 62 A Night Journey 2

    When dinner is done, Prince Li has immediately left the room. TanTan wonders what makes him so rush but she is pretty sure Prince Li won¡¯t be here tonight. ¡¯He seems to have important work? But working at night, isn¡¯t it dangerous for him? Will he be okay?


    TanTan shocked for what she thought about, she shakes her head,


    ¡¯Am I concerning him? No way...¡¯


    FangFang looks confusedly, she holds TanTan¡¯s hands.


    "Are you okay, YangMu?"


    TanTan realizes FangFang is observing so she tries to smile,


    "I¡¯m fine...let¡¯s back to our room..."


    Both of them walk out of the dining room.


    Arrived in TanTan¡¯s room, they met XiaoRue and QingQing at outside.


    XiaoRue immediately reports what she got, that Prince Li and ManQi would be


    "I know, XiaoRue..."


    QingQing is realizing that FangFang follows TanTan, she is confused. She pulls TanTan away from FangFang for a while and talks secretly to TanTan,


    "HuaMuTan, are you nning to bring that child along tonight?"


    "No...of course not, but I can¡¯t neglect her either..." says TanTan, troubled.


    XiaoRue is also worried, she approaches them also,


    "XiaoJie,...maybe the n needed to be dyed tonight" she suggests.


    But QingQing also reminds TanTan,


    "If you miss it tonight, you¡¯ll need to wait longer for the next one..."


    TanTan doesn¡¯t want to wait, she keeps thinking, no matter what she wants to keep going with her n tonight.


    Fortunately for TanTan, FangFang looks tired and easily sleepy. TanTan purposely recites some boring literature to make FangFang sleepy. When FangFang has fallen asleep, she secretly gets up from the bed and changes a sneaking cloth. After checking again that FangFang has asleep, TanTan tries to go out from the room very quietly. At outside, QingQing and XiaoRue have waited for her.


    "I thought you couldn¡¯t make it..." QingQing teased her,


    "Is it toote?" TanTan worries, the time has passed veryte now although TanTan is not sure about the time, there is no clock or watch to tell the time in this ancient day. But she guesses the time is around before midnight right now.


    QingQing replies,


    "I guess no, usually that kind of meeting will be started at midnight...they don¡¯t want to take any risk! Are you ready to go?"


    XiaoRue watches them, she still worries for her XiaoJie. TanTan knows it by looking at her face,


    "Don¡¯t worry, XiaoRue...I¡¯ll be fine...just please help me to watch over FangFang for me ok?"


    "Yeah, I¡¯ll be with her also..." QingQing adds.


    Without they realize, FangFang isn¡¯t fully asleep. She opens her eyes and notices that TanTan isn¡¯t there so she wakes and finds that TanTan and others are grouping outside of the room and her YangMu¡¯s cloth is weird, she is liked a young man.


    She is overhearing that TanTan seems going to somewhere so shees closer to them, and asks,


    "Where will you go, YangMu?"


    Being surprised that FangFang still awake and heard them, they be awkward and having troubled to respond FangFang, especially TanTan.


    "FangFang!? I...Ah...eh..."


    "It¡¯s a secret mission...!!!" QingQing sudden interrupts.


    "Mission?"


    FangFang, together with TanTan and XiaoRue too are looking at QingQing oddly,


    QingQing continues,


    "Yes, your father has a very difficult job tonight...and your YangMu with me want secretly help your father...so its a secret mission..."


    "Is YiFu in danger?" FangFang bes worried.


    "No. FangFang..." TanTan said


    "YES!" QingQing interrupts her immediately.


    TanTan stares angrily to QingQing, but QingQing doesn¡¯t stop although she is quite scared with TanTan¡¯s look.


    "But...but I and your YangMu will help your father so he won¡¯t be in danger anymore..."


    FangFang seems thinking about what QingQing said, she turns to TanTan,


    "Do..you need to go, YangMu?"


    TanTan struggles. She doesn¡¯t want to lie to FangFang but maybe it¡¯s the way she can go.


    "Well...FangEr...I have to go...to...to help your father...but don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll save your YiFu, ok."


    "But I want to go too...I want to save YiFu"


    "Silly girl, The ce is too dangerous for you...and I...need you to stay so you can protect the house while we aren¡¯t here..."


    FangFang is an obedience girl, she believes what QingQing and TanTan said. She nods and TanTan feels d, she pats FangFang¡¯s head.


    "Be a good girl...and one more thing, let it be our secret okay...I want to make your YiFu surprise so don¡¯t tell him anything...Can you do that for me, FangFang?"


    FangFang nods firmly, TanTan asks XiaoRue to guide FangFang to the room.


    "Try to make her rest again, XiaoRue..."


    "Ok, XiaoJie...FangFang,e...let me read a book for you while we¡¯re waiting..."


    Although having a little hesitated but FangFang follows XiaoRue obediently.


    After they enter the room, TanTan immediately be a focus on QingQing,


    "Let¡¯s go..." and then with QingQing¡¯s guide, they manage to avoid all guards and get out from the Li Mansion sessfully.


    TanTan puts in her thought that QingQing¡¯s sneaking skill is really good, ¡¯QingQing is really skillful like a ninja...even climbing over a wall is a piece of cake for her...is any independent woman in this era skillful like her?¡¯ TanTan wonders.


    "Come, follow me..." QingQing shouts in a whisper. The street was so quiet and it¡¯s dark, TanTan barely can see anything with the help of moonlight. The night sky is actually very pretty with a half moon and twinkling stars.


    "Don¡¯t just stare on the sky, you will lose the wayter..." scolds QingQing as they keep walking to the remote road.


    ¡¯Yeah, it¡¯s not the time to staring stars...¡¯ TanTan looks around, she notices that they are walking almost to outward town.


    "Where are we going? Is it still far?" TanTan asks.


    "Not too far...we¡¯re close...There! We arrive"


    Turning her face to where QingQing aims, TanTan sees a huge ornament ship, full ofnterns which giving a red-yellowish radiant surrounding the ship.


    "The ck market is in the ship??!" It¡¯s a big surprise for TanTan,


    "Yup...it seems like that ...here!" QingQing hands over a red mask for TanTan to wear and she herself is also wearing another same yellow mask.


    Seeing the confusion on TanTan¡¯s face, QingQing exins,


    "We need to wear it if you want to go into that ship, besides that, it also can hiding our identity..e, we need to go inside before it takes off."


    TanTan looks to the ship again. It is still anchored and many people, mostly with entric clothes and all are covered by the mask are embarking the ship. So she wears the mask and then walks with QingQing, closer to the ship. When they go up into the ship. TanTan can see that everyone who enters the ship will be checked by two fierce guards, armed by a big sharp falchion for each. Everyone shows a wooden token to pass through, TanTan wonders if QingQing has it or not.


    "QingQing..." TanTan whispers nervously.


    She points to what she mentions with her gesture and QingQing understands it,


    "It¡¯s okay. I have it...do you think I wille without any preparation?" QingQing¡¯s words calm TanTan although she wonders how QingQing could prepare it nicely,


    ¡¯Maybe Lady FengHuang who gave the token¡¯ she thinks.


    Without any difficulties, both TanTan and QingQing manage to embark to the ship smoothly. Inside the ship, TanTan feels she is in the luxury ancient Chinese¡¯s restaurant. There is a circr stage in the middle, surrounded by many seats, and balconies on each floor. It has three floors like a theatre, only the stage is a circle. TanTan assumes that those upper floors would be served for the VIP clients, seeing from their clothes which more splendid than people wears below.


    But what takes TanTan¡¯s attention is the masked people around, she observes them one by one, hoping she can recognize one of them as the masked man she is looking for. So far she doesn¡¯t find any closer.


    QingQing guides her into a table on the first floor, and then not too long, they can feel the ship has moved. They hear the bell, it¡¯s indicating that the ship has sailed.


    TanTan wonders, now that they are trapped in this ship, can she meet the silver-masked man she looks for?


    ¡¯Perhaps it can be a long night...¡¯ TanTan sighs.

 Chapter 63 The Auction 1

    As the ship has sailed, there is a metal bell ringing, then suddenly the light in the ship is dimmed, the bright light is focused in the middle stage. Some dancers ur to entertain the passengers. Their clothes are so attractive for almost all their body can be seen like the genies costumes. TanTan guesses that the ck market meeting is starting. Seeing how audiences respond to the sensual dance performance, TanTan can see that the guests mostly are the perverts. ¡¯Luckily Ie in a man disguise...¡¯


    But unfortunately for TanTan, there is someone in that room who easily recognizes her. He is the masked man on the second floor, the one who TanTan looks for. Since the beginning, he got the report of his man that TanTan woulde so he can easily recognize TanTan. He smirks when he looks to TanTan.


    ¡¯I thought I had warned that woman but shees into trouble by herself...what a woman...!¡¯


    And then there are two gentlemen who sit not too far from TanTan¡¯s table. They look like ordinary merchants but their eyes are full of awareness and different than other guests, they don¡¯t seem to enjoy the hot sexy dancingdies. TanTan and QingQing don¡¯t recognize them but they are actually Prince Li and ManQi in disguise, wearing the white eye masks. Although one of the dancers gestures a flirted movement toward him, Prince Li just turns away and ManQi feels ufortable,


    "Master, when do we act?" ManQi asks.


    "Not yet... For now, Go and check this ship. If you find anything odd, don¡¯t act impulsive but report to me immediately and prepare the others..." Prince Li orders.


    "Yes, Master" ManQi then walks away to follow the order, while Prince Li keeps observing every person in front of him until he sees that two young man who sits nearby his table. Something about them attracts Prince Li.


    At the same time, a man who seems like a presenter of the ce walks onto the stage, as he starts to speak to audiences,


    "Gentlemen, wee to our exclusive auction tonight...as we know we all can¡¯t wait to see the products tonight...Don¡¯t worry...Our King has brought all good products which will satisfy all of you tonight...But first, please enjoy the taste of our finest drinks to clear your minds tonight..."


    "Yeaaaahhh" A very frenzy replyes from the audience in a highly enthusiastically.


    Hearing the announcement, TanTan can¡¯t hold her curiosity of this ¡¯King¡¯ that be mentioned about...


    ¡¯Could it be the silver-masked I am looking for?¡¯ She turns to Qing Qing to ask,


    "Brother Qing, do you know about this ¡¯King¡¯?", but Qing Qing doesn¡¯t hear it as she is quite enjoying the event,


    The dancers now have walked around, start serving drinks to the audiences and clearly they all act like the prostitutes. Its irritating TanTan, she rejects politely the women whoe try to serve her,


    ¡¯Ok, now this ce is smelled like a luxury brothel...¡¯ She has a bad hunch about it.


    In another hand, when one of the sexy servantses and serves QingQing drink, she tastes it right away,


    "Wow, it¡¯s really a strong wine I ever taste...!."


    "Qing...Brother Qing, you shouldn¡¯t drink too much...remember our purpose toe here!!" TanTan warns her as she asks politely the dancer who serves QingQing.


    "Yeah, didn¡¯t I have to fulfill my promise to you.. have brought you here..e on, try it a little bit, Big Brother...its rare chance to drink this kind of wine..." QingQing offers her cup to TanTan. Although she hesitates, her curiosity makes her willing to take the cup. But then suddenly QingQing sees something on the second floor and stands suddenly "Ah...I think I drink too much...excuse me for a while, brother...I need to go...I won¡¯t be too long..." And before TanTan can call her, QingQing has walking away


    ¡¯What? Howe she leave me alone here!¡¯


    Prince Li looks to that young man strangely, he feels oddly with the gestures of one of them when he interacts with the dancers, makes Prince Li can easily guess that those two weird guests are women, more than that, her gestures remind him to someone,


    ¡¯HuaMuTan?...It couldn¡¯t be...!!¡¯ But he has his suspicions so he stands and moves to the table which TanTan sits.


    "May I drink with you?" The masked Prince Li¡¯s presence surprises TanTan. She doesn¡¯t expect anyone will approach them, especially when she is alone. TanTan observes the masked man who stands beside her.


    ¡¯He is one of the guests, he could be one of these perverted men but he is quite polite...and also why I feel familiar with him?¡¯


    TanTan doesn¡¯t want to attract any suspicious, so she tries to act her best and changes her voice to be more manly,


    "Sure..."


    But Prince Li has a good hearing, he can easily recognize the voice although he is still unsure.


    The masked Prince Li sits beside TanTan and then takes another cup and rises it, gesturing TanTan to drink together. TanTan follows it but when she drinks it, it feels too strong that she almost spits it all.


    ¡¯Howe QingQing able to drink it..??¡¯


    But on another side, the masked Prince Li drinks it all, and smirks to TanTan,


    "Little brother, I see that you are not a strong drinker and also not looking some pleasure here...so what makes youe here?"


    "I have my own purpose..." TanTan surprises that this masked man is quite an observant, maybe...he knows the silver-masked man she is looking for?


    "I am...looking for someone"


    "Oh...who?" The masked Prince Li gestures wanting to know more...


    "A masked man..." asks TanTan carefully.


    The masked Prince Li quite amused


    "Everyone here is wearing masks,... you should be more specific for that, little brother..."


    "Well, all I know he wears a silver mask that covers his eye parts only with long dark hair...." TanTan adds,


    "A silver mask?" Prince Li suddenly remember about the silver-masked man who took HuaMuTan before...he bes more suspicious to this masked woman beside him,


    ¡¯Is this woman HuaMuTan? If she is, how dare she sneaks out andes to this dangerous ce...and how does she know about this ce...except if...she is involved?¡¯ TanTan looks to the masked Prince Li oddly for he pauses. The masked Prince Li realizes it and continue to speak,


    "Hm...It¡¯s still hard to find him here, little brother...I think that I passed two or three silver masked men when I entered this room...but may I know who is he? Is he an important man for you?" Prince Li purposely bend his body forward and closer to TanTan, which makes TanTan uneasy, with the gesture and the question,


    "He...he is my lost brother...!!" In her instinct, she feels need to make an eptable reason when she talks to the stranger.


    ¡¯Lost brother? Ridiculous...since when she has a lost brother?!¡¯ Prince Li wants to ask more but


    suddenly everyone is quiet and gives full attention to the stage as the presenter announces again,


    "Our pleasing audiences, here we start the auction for tonight.. the first item....."


    And rare items are beginning to be presented on the stage, the guests also look enthusiastically starting their bid when they have eyes on any products. So far, the auction looks normal and legal...Some items that presented are mostly antique items which don¡¯t interest TanTan at all. ¡¯But maybe those items are important for other guests, but why all the secrecy?¡¯ She nces to the masked Prince Li beside her who bes so serious watching the auction running.


    Without TanTan knows, Prince Li is also thinking the same thought like TanTan, he knows that this ck market meeting is controlled by the Crown Prince. Every time he returns from any battle, he also brings many rare items, it¡¯s not illegal things but why all must in secrecy, the masks and remote ces? So Prince Li suspects that it should be more than this normal auction...


    In the third floor, exactly a room at the north of TianTian¡¯s seat, unseen by others. There is a man who wears the golden mask, having a secret conversation with another one sitting in a shadow.


    "So exciting...you know I bring a lot of good stuff today...I will get a lot of profit tonight...Hahaha"


    The man in the shadow replies,


    "It¡¯s delightful but you should be careful..."


    "Ohe on...how many times we do this? We never are caught...besides I can¡¯t rx coz I can¡¯t wait to have my own army...!!" The way of golden-masked man talks and acts, clearly telling that he is the crown prince.


    "But you may not forget, Third Prince and Seven Prince, seem still put aware of you..."


    The masked crown prince sudden hits the table,


    *Brakk!! His face bes furious,


    "Don¡¯t mention them!!! Their presence always irritating me... Don¡¯t you see what did they say at outer pce court? They look down on me!! ALWAYS...BUT I AM THE CROWN..." He stops when the man in the shadow gestures him to be quiet. The man in the shadowes out from the shadow, he is the almost full masked man, the same one who sent the shadow man to search something in TanTan¡¯s room. He stares sharply to the Crown Prince.


    "Don¡¯t drop your awareness, My Lord. we don¡¯t want to give any chance to our enemies, do we?"


    Although he still upset, but the Crown Prince decides to hear the masked man. Somehow the Crown Prince doesn¡¯t dare to keep arguing with that old masked man, as he feels reluctant toward that man.


    "Besides..." The masked man continues, "You don¡¯t need to worry about the princes...in a short time, you won¡¯t see them again..."


    The Crown Prince feels pleased,


    "So you are finally starting your evil n...hahaha, you are really evil...but I like it...hahaha..." Heughs evilly, and continue "But you have to do one thing...bring the Third Prince and Seventh Prince to me before they die, I want to make them suffer first and begging of my mercy..."


    "HEY, YOU...DARE TO RUN HAH?!!!..."


    "AAKKH...*Brukk"


    Suddenly a loud noisees from the door in front of the room. The loud shout of a guard that seems has caught someone overhearing the entire conversation. The masked man opens the door fiercely,


    "WHO DARE TO DISTURB??!!"


    a guard who caught a young woman immediately bows on the floor and panics,


    "I am...sorry My Lord...This woman tries to escape from our cage but we manage to catch her back..."


    "She has listened...kill her..." The masked manmands, but the crown Prince interrupts,


    "Wait!!!" He observes the face of the woman. Her eyes don¡¯t show fear, oppositely, she stares like an attacked wild animal, and although she is covered by dirt, it doesn¡¯t hide her exotic beauty.


    "I remember this one, so fierce when I caught her...I almost lost my fingers coz of her biting..."


    "She looks dangerous..."


    "But she is too rare to be killed...her price will be very high...I know some bastards who willing pay extremely higher for a woman like her"


    "My Lord, do you think it¡¯s wise? She has heard us..."


    "Oh don¡¯t worry....she is a Han ve, besides she can¡¯t talk...I had cut her tongue as the punishment of biting my fingers..."


    "...very well, do as you pleased, My Lord..."


    The Crown Princemands the guard to take that woman to the stage,


    "Watch her carefully, she is a very expensive material..."


    "Yes, My Lord..." The guard then drags the woman who still trying to fight back but fails to be free.


    "Well...I think it¡¯s time for us enjoying the main event..." The Crown Prince shows himself in the balcony to watch the auction, gesturing the presenter to start the ¡¯real auction¡¯.

 Chapter 64 The Auction 2

    Minutes before, as ManQi had been instructed to investigate the ship. He went out of the central room of the ship and then stroke around. He figured out numbers of guards in several areas of the ship, especially at the door of the bottom deck of the ship. ManQi tried not to pay attention but his instinct told him, that someone was behind him. So in reflex, he turned and attacked but surprisedly the one who behind him was QingQing. Luckily QingQing could defend herself from ManQi¡¯s attack.


    "Don¡¯t attack...It¡¯s me...!"


    Although for a second, ManQi almost doesn¡¯t recognize ManQi in a man cloth, but then her voice gives him the clue,


    "Ms. QingQing!! What are you doing here???!!!" ManQi shouts in his whisper.


    "Same question to you, Mister...Now I see...This is your secret duty tonight, isn¡¯t it?" QingQing looks calmer than ManQi.


    ManQi stares at QingQing suspiciously,


    "...Do youe alone...?"


    QingQing smirks,


    "Not alone, Ie with my young master..."


    "A young master?"


    ManQi squints his eyes, he is somehow has a feeling that he can guess about who is this young master...


    But then they hear some noisese from the entrance of the bottom deck,


    "Sssttt...!!!" QingQing gives a silent sign and they hide.


    "Move...!! Quickly...!!" A guard screams fiercely and pushes several captivated women out of the deck,


    "Hey, be gentle to them... they can¡¯t have any wound or we will be troubled..." Another guard reminds.


    QingQing observes those captivated women. From the clothes they wear, ManQi and QingQing guess that they are the Han women who are caught from the war. Although they are tidy and clean, they all look so terrified.


    "Too bad, I am not rich...otherwise I¡¯ll buy one or two for me...Hahaha" mocked the fiercer guard, willing to touch one of the women.


    "Hey, stop ying..e on, we need to deliver them quickly..the guests are waiting..." said the other guard.


    Some of those women, begging with their weak voices, begging to be released but those guards even look enjoying their misery looks.


    "It¡¯s useless to begging us, sweetheart.. beside don¡¯t worry...you may be spoiled by your buyerter..hahaha" mocked the fierce guard, touching the chin of one of the women while he is taking out his tongue, wetting his mouth, like a perverted dog.


    The view is enraging QingQing. Unstoppable by ManQi, QingQing throws a small rock from her pocket, it hits the hand of the fierce guard painfully. And the hit like announcing the presence of QingQing and ManQi to those guards. ManQi gazes angrily to QingQing, she acts impulsively and shows their hiding, but QingQing seems doesn¡¯t care about it, shees out bravely, dare those guards fiercely,


    "Keep your filthy hand for yourself, scumbag!!!"


    "YOU...!!!" The fierce guard sessfully angry coz be provoked by QingQing, he and his friend don¡¯t take time to think but to attack QingQing and ManQi directly.


    Seeing only 2 guards so far, ManQi feels he still can handle them. At first ManQi and QingQing can deal with them easily but unfortunately, the noise invites more guards toe helping their colleagues.


    "O Great...it will take longer than I thought..."


    While QingQing and ManQi are busy fightings. In the room, Masked-Prince Li still nces to the masked-TanTan for many times and TanTan notices it, she feels ufortable with the nces from the man beside her who oddly giving her a familiar feeling,


    "Ehm..., brother..don¡¯t you want to start your bid? Doesn¡¯t you want something in this auction?"


    Prince Li smirks, "No...not really, nothing attracts me so far...instead, you are more attracting me than them..."


    TanTan surprises, don¡¯t expect that kind of answer,


    ¡¯What is this man want from me?!¡¯ TanTan makes her own conclusion in her mind, all guests in the ship seems abnormal, maybe including this man too, does he attract to a man? Having goosebumps, TanTan suddenly feels endanger for her fake identity. She then just giving a forced smile to the man beside her.


    The Prince Li smiles, he doesn¡¯t know why he feels want to tease her more, but the next announcement from the presenter makes him back to his purpose.


    As the presenter announces now that the main items will be presented, all guests look so frenzy except of course TanTan and Prince Li.


    "Gentlemen, now let me present the qualified goods..." the words are interrupted by one of the guards who whispers something into the presenter¡¯s ears. The presenter looks surprised but he manages to settle calm. From the cabin, the masked Crown Prince is also indicating something not right, another guard enters his room and reporting,


    "Two guests have interrupted the delivery of the goods...!!"


    The news is enraging the masked Crown Prince,


    "So...some rats dear to interrupt my event..!!!". Sent men to get them immediately...BRING THEM TO ME!!"


    "..y..yes, My Lord...but...how about the auction?" shivering, the guard asks


    The masked man in the shadow advice,


    "Don¡¯t you still have her?"


    "Damn, I actually want to show itst, but now...tells the presenter to show ¡¯that one¡¯ first...!" as the masked Crown Princemands, the guard immediately deliver it to the presenter below.


    So as the order, The Han woman who just now tried to escape, be brought onto the stage. Some lusting starese from the other guests when the presenter describes the goods,


    "She is around 15 years, very young and fresh and....so virgin...this is very rare good...Let¡¯s start from 10 golds..."


    TanTan is shocked with the following event, ¡¯They are selling girls? This is clearly human trafficking!!!¡¯. TanTan observes the captivated woman. Surely she has an entric beauty which makes other guests immediately racing to bid on her.


    "50 golds.."


    "100 golds.."


    Both TanTan and Prince Li are surely unpleasing with the event. Especially when TanTan is seeing a bruise on the captivated girl¡¯s face, it furies TanTan.


    "...150"


    "200..." And as the price keeps rising,


    "500 golds!" Thest voice seems shocking other guests, it gives a pause in the room. Everyone looks to the source of that voice. It is a fat masked man with an eel-shaped mustache, covered with all golden clothes, he clearly is a fat perverted old man, for he keeps molesting one of the dancers as his bid is spoken by his man who stands behind him.


    TanTan feels disgusting when she sees that fat masked man, and she feels so empathy to the girl, especially after she hears the whispers. It starts spreading from seat to seat, until to TanTan and Prince Li¡¯s seat,


    "It¡¯s him..."


    "What a pity...fall into his hands"


    TanTan and Prince Li can hear some of the whispers, it seems that the fat masked man has been famed for his cruel and disgusting hobby, and one thing for sure no woman survived after be brought by him. And the price he bid is so high, makes no one dares to bid for the girl anymore.


    The presenter continues,


    "What a generous man we have here, I see who want to offer more? 500..one, 500...two...500..."


    "501" TanTan opens her mouth, makes all other guests look at her oddly, who is this little guy dare to bid higher than the fat masked man?!


    The fat masked man nces to TanTan fiercely, he smirks


    "Do you think you can win against me, little brother...hahaha...600golds"


    Before TanTan response to the bid, The masked Crown Prince holds her hand and whispers sharply,


    "What are you doing? You can¡¯t bid!!"


    "Yes, I can...I won¡¯t give that poor girl to the perverts like him!!!" She pulls her hand and bid again,


    "601...!"


    The fat-masked man doesn¡¯t want to lose either, he gestures his man to keep bidding,


    "700...!"


    "701...!"


    "800...!"


    "801...!" it¡¯s getting more intense and masked Prince Li decides not to stop her anymore for he thinks he can get benefit from this situation.


    So every time the fat-masked bids a price, TanTan purposely add 1 gold, even the presenter doesn¡¯t have time to intercede them...It pisses the fat masked-man a lot, till he finally speaks for himself,


    "How dare you little wreck...to make that ridiculous bid...!!! You purposely want to fight with me, don¡¯t you! WHO ARE YOU HUH?!!"


    The other guests watch them intensely, the masked Crown Prince observes from above and so the Silver-masked man. It scares TanTan a little bit, but unexpected the man beside her move forward covering her and angry back,


    but then TanTan is thinking fast and response back fiercely andining,


    "And how dare you ask us to reveal our identities...Doesn¡¯t this ce guarantee the secrecy and the right to bid freely" asks TanTan boldly?


    "Hah!! Who do think you are!!! Take off his mask...I want to see your face!!"


    The fat masked man orders his man toe attacking TanTan but Prince Li moves forward and easily defeats them. And TanTan move forward toin,


    "Mr presenter, don¡¯t you need to cast away the unruled guest like him? trying to reveal another identity is crossing thew of this ship, right?" Aren¡¯t we be in danger if our identities are covered easily here???!!! Isn¡¯t it everyone?"


    The noisy whisperse as the respond of that question, TanTan sees that many if guests agree with her. More of all, this is an illegal auction, surely none of them want to reveal their identities.


    "This...Please calm, everyone...." The presenter seems unsure to do, as the fat masked man is the regr guest and loyal customer but the other hand, other guests seem too worried about what TanTan¡¯s just said. So he nces to the balcony, waiting for the next instruction. His gesture is noticed by masked Prince Li, he also observes the way that presenter looks up. The masked Crown Prince who observes from above finally shows himself for a while after noticing the noises, to see who are the troublemaker in his event.


    "Another two mysterious guests make a scene in my event...They really need to get a hard lesson..." The masked crown Prince almost gives a signal to the next action but the shadow masked man stops him,


    "Wait..." he observes carefully to those two mysterious guests that be mentioned. "They won¡¯t go anywhere in this ship, why don¡¯t we see longer...what do they aim for?"


    After seeing two masked men on the balcony, unexpected masked Prince Li speaks out, more to the presenter and to the masked Crown Prince on the balcony.


    "You right, little brother, I think that this ce is so bad, but let us give a chance for the owner of this ce to give their responsibility...I believe they won¡¯t just silent, right?"


    TanTan doesn¡¯t expect that the masked man beside her will help her to speak, she doesn¡¯t care actually about the ce...all she wants is to save that poor girl on the stage.


    "Stop this nonsense..." TanTan moves forward to the stage, ignoring the protest from the presenter, she releases the chain which held the girl¡¯s hands and legs. TanTan looks to the girl who reacts scared to TanTan, so TanTan calms her in a whisper...


    "Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll save with me..."


    When the presenter asks the guard to get rid of TanTan from the stage, the masked Prince Li immediately flies toward TanTan¡¯s ce. At the same time, a daggeres flying from the balcony and hits a guard who almost attacking TanTan. At that moment, TanTan spontaneously looks to the direction of where the dagger came from, a shadow of man looks avoiding to be seen, but TanTan recognizes the dagger as the same dagger of the silver-masked man.


    But before TanTan can observe furthermore, the fat-masked man, on another hand, of course, doesn¡¯t ept her action,


    "Hey, that girl suppose to be mine...!!!"


    TanTan looks to him fiercely,


    "I have bid highest so she is mine, right?!" and she threatens the presenter,


    "Announce the result immediately..!"

 Chapter 65 The Auction 3

    The current situation on the ship,


    ManQi and QingQing are busy handling the guards outside the room while masked-TanTan and masked-Prince Li are on the stage, being the center of attention.


    TanTan bravely forces the presenter to announce the result, but in her mind, she feels screwed. Clearly, she knows the situation isn¡¯t good for her, but the flying dagger just now is proofing that the silver man she looks for is in this ship. Once again the silver masked man helped her but didn¡¯t want to show himself, so... maybe if she is in danger one more time, will he show? It¡¯s risky! But TanTan decided to depend on her luck, besides... TanTan looks to the masked man who besides her now and protects her from the attack just now... somehow she can trust this man to be her ally. So she repeats her demand to the presenter,


    "What are you waiting for?! Announce it!"


    "This..." The presenter is obviously being puzzled with the situation. He is already terrified that the big bosster will kill him for this chaos or maybe be killed by the masked fat man first, who obviously so furious right now.


    The masked fat-man gives a furious ze to the presenter,


    "I¡¯ll pay double for that woman! To announce that woman to be mine... I kill you if you give that woman to him!!"


    While Prince Li is observing the balconies, he knows the Crown Prince must be in this ship, monitoring everything that happens because the original n of the mission is actually to get the clear evidence that the Crown Prince is the master behind this event. By that, besides to demolish this evil event, he also hopes able to use it as a reason, at least to revoke the Crown Prince title. So seeing the situation now, he decides to make it more intense.


    But before he acts, he whispers to TanTan,


    "Do me a favor, little brother!" he hands over a wooden stick with a cord at its end. "When I give a sign, pull it to the sky..."


    In confusing, TanTan takes it,


    "Wait, what do you mean...what is this?..."


    But masked Prince Li doesn¡¯t exin it furthermore, he just says "You¡¯ll see..."


    Then the masked Prince Li attacks the fat masked man even till makes him unconscious. And then as he knows the Crown Prince¡¯s weakness so well, he makes a speech to the audience.


    "Finally, he bes quiet...what a noisy fat man! Don¡¯t we agree about it! And what a lousy event we have here... We are trapped here and forced to watch an inability host to manage his own event. I see that the host may be just hiding now to avoid the responsibility...once again because of hiscking..."


    When the masked Crown Prince hears the words, it sessfully enrages him as Prince Li¡¯s n.


    "How dare him....!!" He rushes to show himself at the balcony before the shadow masked man can hold him up.


    The masked Crown Prince shouts in his rage,


    "You want to know my capability? Very well then...I ¡¯ll show you..." Hemands all his men at first ce to catch masked Prince Li and masked TanTan.


    But before they¡¯reing, the masked Prince Li pushes masked TanTan away and whispering hardly,


    "Now...!!"


    As a reflex, TanTan rushes to the window, bending over her body, passing one or two masked guards who try to catch her. There are one or two daggers flying and attacking those guards, but TanTan doesn¡¯t have time to notice it coz there is a giant masked guard sessfully hits her ankle and makes her fall and her mask is being taken off. Masked Prince Li notices it but he can¡¯te to protect TanTan because his hands are full. "Damn, they are too many...if the sign not being on... where is ManQi at this time...??!!" Suddenly some ck shadow man appears and seems to help Prince Li to defeat the guards. Although Prince Li confuses with their appears, but he won¡¯t reject any helps right now.


    "What?!! Who the hell are they??!!" Ask the masked Crown Prince in anger, and he doesn¡¯t realize that shadow masked old man who sit behind him has secretly leave the ce. He senses danger and had prepare a small boat to leave with his trusted shadow man.


    While the giant masked guard has a chance to catch TanTan,


    "What a pretty boy...but you can run furthermore..." Mock the giant masked guard.


    Then suddenly someone appears and protects her, and he defeats that giant guard.


    "It¡¯s you..." TanTan recognizes it as the silver masked man she looks for.


    "Give me that..." Without waiting for her response, the silver masked man grabs the wood stick from TanTan¡¯s hand and immediately aims it to the night sky through window and pulls its cord. At once, it blows louder and giving a very louder bright red firework.


    Not for long, some men withplete weapons ambush in the room, they seizes and make sure none of persons in the room can escape.


    "...??!!" As the masked Crown Prince realizes that his men have been defeated and he is outnumbered now, he tries to escape, but Prince Li using his skill to jump to the balcony and having fight with him for a while. He manages to remove the golden mask from the crown Prince¡¯s face and other guests who already seized feel surprised to see that the master behind this illegal auction is actually the crown prince.


    "Now everyone here has recognize you, Your Highness..." said Prince Li.


    "You..so what if I am crown Prince...instead who are you dare to fight and ruin my ce!!"


    Prince Li opens his mask and everyone once again feel surprised especially the crown Prince and TanTan,


    "You, LiZhouWei!! Don¡¯t you think it will over...you humiliate me today, I¡¯ll pay youter!!!"


    But Prince Li doesn¡¯t care to listen, he orders his officers to guard the Crown Prince and exins to all guests that he will take over the ship and drive it to the coast immediately. Then he looks for TanTan, and he sees TanTan is with the silver masked man.


    TanTan in other side feel scared to be found out by Prince Li so she grabs the silver masked man¡¯s cloth and whispers, "Can...you take me go...like right now??"


    The silver masked man doesn¡¯t wait any longer as he whistles as the sign for his men to back off from the ship. His men directly obey and all of them get out from the room and jump into the water.


    Noticing that the silver masked man want to escape taking TanTan, Prince Li rushes flying forward the silver masked man, and trying to take TanTan from him but he fails coz TanTan and the silver masked man have getting out from the room and jump into the water...


    "HUAMUTAN!!!" Prince Li looks shocked to see TanTan disappear in the darkness of sea. But he notices that the ship hasn¡¯t too far from the coast so hemands to bring this ship to the coast immediately. Not so long, ManQi and QingQinge joining him,


    ManQi reports that when they were attacked, they also be helped by some shadow man and then followed by other officers after seeing the sign on the night sky.


    And seeing that Prince Li doesn¡¯t feel surprised to see her, QingQing assumes that he already meet TanTan, so she asks,


    "Where is HuaMuTan, Prince Li? Doesn¡¯t she inside the room also?"


    Prince Li also wants to know it as he res to the coast where the ship moves to.


    ¡¯Where does that silver masked man bring HuaMuTan? and why?¡¯ Somehow he feels uneasy to see a man takes away his wife in front of his eyes.

 Chapter 66 - Under the Moon

    <h4>Chapter 66 - Under the Moon</h4>


    "HuuaaAaa...chiuuuhh" Cold feeling making her body chills so much, TanTan can¡¯t help herself for not sneezing immediately. Minutes ago, she justes out of the water.


    Hearing the sneeze, the silver masked man takes off his wet coat and squeezes it first to make it dry as he can. After that, he put it on TanTan,


    "Here, better than nothing..."


    His kindly act gives warmth in TanTan¡¯s heart,


    "...Thank you..."


    Not too long, some ck-clothed mene from nowhere and bow greeting the Silver-masked man as their highestmander. After getting a sign to arise, one of the ck-suited men, an old man who seems as their leader notices the presence of TanTan and then he approaches the Silver Masked man, asking,


    "Master...this girl..? Are you nning to take her along?" There is a worried tone in his words as he clearly disagrees with his own assumption.


    The Silver Masked man nces to TanTan, he didn¡¯t n to take her either. But when he saw the begging look of TanTan just now, he couldn¡¯t help not to bring her. ¡¯Why?¡¯ He shakes and replies to the old man,


    "Don¡¯t worry ¡¯bout her... for now, lead others back and wait for my return...just keep aware..."


    Although the old man seems hesitated, he keeps following the order. He greets politely and then disappears with other ck-suited men, leaving the Silver-Masked man and TanTan alone.


    During the time, TanTan examines the Silver Masked Man. She feels weird for trusting this man easily. She barely knows anything about this man yet she didn¡¯t hesitate to ask him to take her away. ¡¯Well, he did help me many times, he must be not a bad guy...¡¯


    When the Silver-masked man looks at her, TanTan turns her face away, feeling embarrassed to be caught for examining him. To remove the awkward between them, she says,


    "Where...are they going?"


    The Silver Masked man walks slowly closer to her,


    "You don¡¯t need to know." And suddenly he rises up his tone, as a parent scolds his child, "You are so reckless tonight, HuaMuTan! What are you thinking toe to that kind of ce?!!"


    Feeling unfair to be scolded by someone who is not her parents or brothers, TanTan replies,


    "It¡¯s not your business... I have the right to go anywhere... besides I risked toe so I can find you!!!"


    The Silver Masked Man now stands quite closer to TanTan. It gives a weird vibe to TanTan, she felt ashamed for no reason.


    "So...you have found me now...what¡¯s next?" his tone is softened but still have a little bit sharp tone.


    TanTan still feel awkward, somehow she feels troubled to answer,


    "I...i...found you...for..."


    And in reflex, she moves backward as the silver masked man keeps moving forward, and as the result, TanTan loses her bnce and almost fell down if the silver masked man didn¡¯t immediately grab her waist and hugged her.


    For a moment, there is almost no distance between their faces, thanks for the dime light of moon, TanTan clearly can see the silver masked man¡¯s eyes deeply, she notices that the color of eyes is unusual, they are dark purplish. The color is almost undetectable if we don¡¯t see it closer.


    But then the wind blows to TanTan¡¯s body, causing the second sneezing which exactly spurting on the silver masked man,


    "Hua...Hua...Chiuuuu!"


    As a reflex, the Silver masked man releases TanTan from his embrace. It bes an awkward moment,


    "I am....am sorry, I didn¡¯t do it purposely..." In panic and embarrassing, TanTan tries to look for any clean cloth that can be used to wipe.


    While The Silver Masked Man wipes his face from any unclean liquid which wetting his face. He turns back from TanTan to wipe his mask and also to fix his mask. But he did it very quick before TanTan can see the face behind the mask.


    "I am really sorry...let me wipe it..." TanTan finally tears little part of her cloth and then trying to use it to wipe his face but in reflex, the Silver Masked Man holds her hand strongly, not letting TanTan touch his face. It causes TanTan feels pain,


    "Auch..."


    Surprising that he has unconsciously hurting TanTan. And feeling regret, he releases TanTan¡¯s hand.


    "I am fine...." The Silver Masked Man sighs "I shouldn¡¯t take you here, maybe I am the same reckless as you tonight...you should return now...let me escort you back" The Silver Masked Man turns and gesturing TanTan to follow him.


    "Wait..!" It¡¯s hard for her to finally meet this man, how can he just send her back so quickly? It¡¯s really not fair.


    "I won¡¯t back until I get answers from you!!" shout TanTan.


    The Silver Masked Man stops his walk, he turns and looks to TanTan,


    "What answers you are looking for, HuaMuTan?"


    "About everything...the killers, the enemy you mentioned before, about you... why do you help me? Who are you?" As TanTan doesn¡¯t want to lose any chance, she tries to ask all in her mind as she can. But then TanTan realizes the thing she wants to know most maybe about this man. In this world where she feels alone, she wants someone she knows and she can trust to help her solve all mystery.


    Like reading her mind, the Silver Masked man chuckles and smiles,


    "Rx, HuaMuTan...I can¡¯t give you all the answers now but one thing for sure, I am not your enemy. Oppositely I am on your side. But revealing my identity will also dangerous for your life. You just need to trust me for now..."


    TanTan nces to the eyes, his eyes are looking at her straight. TanTan feels there is no lie in that gaze.


    "Well...you did save me twice, so I can trust you for now...but at least you must give me any clues, I can¡¯t live in the dark, not knowing who my enemies and how they will take my life, it suffocates me..."


    The Silver Masked Man is silent, he seems considering what TanTan said,


    "Your enemies are too powerful, HuaMuTan. One thing you can do right now is stay safely in Li Mansion. Prince Li can protect you for now."


    "Prince Li? Are you sure he is not one of my enemies???" in cynical tone, TanTan asks.


    Her assumption makes the silver masked manughs, "No, he is not your enemy...well, at least not for now... he can be a good friend, trust me...he is just a silly good man who sometimes too stubborn about justice."


    In suspicious nce, TanTan asks again,


    "You seems know him so well?"


    "You can say that..." The Silver masked man smirks, giving more mystery in TanTan¡¯s head but a thought of meeting anger Prince Li and being arrested giving her body a goosebump,


    "Anyway, I can¡¯t go back there...can¡¯t I just follow you back?" TanTanes closer to the Silver Masked Man and holds his hand, as she begs.


    The Silver masked man smiles softly, he touches TanTan¡¯s hand,


    "Not now, HuaMuTan...Li Mansion is the safe ce for you, believe me...and don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be always watching you as well...and if everything has done..." He stops his words suddenly. It seems not the right time to mention it, and then he seems notices somethinging,


    "Ah, what a right time... I think someone hase to pick you up...its time for me to go, see you again HuaMuTan..." And in a blink, he has using his martial skill to disappear in the woods before TanTan can say anything else,...


    "Hey, wait...."As TanTan realizes the silver masked man is really has gone, she shouts


    "It¡¯s not fairrrr!!! Why he didn¡¯t tell me anything useful???, any clue wouldn¡¯t harm you right!!!! What a stingy masked man!!! Now what should I do to find my enemiesss????!!!" TanTan keeps shouting as she is throwing her stress in the air.


    "Huaaa...Chiuuu..."


    TanTan suddenly feels dizzy and lost her power, she kneels down and then sits on the sand.


    "I am so tired..." She feels so dizzy and wants to close her eyes.


    Not too long, some shadowses approaching her. She recognizes them as Prince Li and his men. Thest thing she remembers is the expression on Prince Li who looks panic and shouting her name...HuaMuTan¡¯s name. Not in scolding way, but as he looks so concern about her condition,


    "HUAMUTAN,..."


    And the next thing she feels, isying down on a warmth embrace of someone¡¯s chest.

 Chapter 67 - Birthmark

    <h4>Chapter 67 - Birthmark</h4>


    Like a storm, Prince Li breaks through the Li Mansion with noises. Some servants who in guard are surprised with the sudden arrival of their master.


    "Uncle Tong...Aunt Tong, call a physician immediately... Clean the way!!!" he shouts.


    With a rush, Prince Li brought the unconsciousness TanTan back to her room, andying her down quickly but with gentle. then in reflex, he starts to open TanTan¡¯s cloth which so wet and sticky. Just until her b.r.e.a.s.t¡¯s cover can be seen, Prince Li realizes and feels shame for what he almost did. At the right time, Xiao Rue enters the room with a bucket of warm water.


    "Change her clothes immediately and wipe her body clean !!! I¡¯ll wait outside"


    Prince Li stands up and lets XiaoRue continue to change TanTan¡¯s clothes while he steps out from the room.


    At the outside of the room, Aunt Tong with confusion and scared look tries to understand the situation, she feels guilty for not doing her job well of taking care of TanTan in the mansion.


    "...I don¡¯t understand...Young Madam, she...she supposed already sleep. Please forgive me, Young Master...it¡¯s my fault not to check her carefully..."


    Prince Li shakes his head,


    "It¡¯s not your fault, Aunt Tong....don¡¯t worry, I don¡¯t me you or anyone else in this Mansion...just please do me a favor, make us a warm drink tonight..."


    Prince Li¡¯s words relieve Aunt Tong. Although she still wants to know more for what happened she knows Prince Li wants to be alone so she obeys the order and steps into the kitchen, preparing some warm tea.


    Looking to the moon in the sky, Prince Li now tries to clear his mind for what just happened.


    "HuaMuTan..." This woman really pissed him off for not obeying him to stay at Li Mansion. But at first, he admits that he himself feels amused by her presence at the auction. The unselfish HuaMuTan who willing to save a girl from very has given a strong impression in Prince Li¡¯s heart. But not only that, the way he feels, teasing her...and now feeling fear to see her condition like that... he never has these kinds of feeling to HuaMuTan before in the past.


    He admits that these past days, as he continued observed HuaMuTan...all her acts and reactions toward others are so different than the past HuaMuTan. In this point, he is so sure that HuaMuTan who is unconscious in that room definitely not the same person with the real HuaMuTan... then who is she? and why he is so attractive to her? why she eagerly want to find the killers until being on that ship? What rtionship between her and that silver masked man or with the Crown Prince?


    So many questions he wants to ask...but now he just couldn¡¯t help himself to keep feeling worried about her condition.


    "What a long night..." He sighs. Not too long, ManQi has returns also with QingQing, they take a Han woman who is saved by TanTan with them.


    Prince Li feels weird,


    "Why do you take her here, ManQi?"


    Suddenly the Han woman kneels down and bowed her head before Prince Li, she cries and seems to beg for something.


    ManQi exins,


    "She didn¡¯t want to eat and drink till we agree to bring her back here..."


    Prince Li looks suspiciously to the woman,


    "Stand up and speaks what do you want?!" But the Han woman shakes her head strongly and still didn¡¯t want to stand up.


    QingQing sighs,


    "She can¡¯t talk, it looks like her tongue has been cut before the auction cause she tried to fight back over there but she can write so she has exined what she wants in this paper"


    She hands over a paper to Prince Li.


    Prince Li reads it carefully, in the paper the Han woman exins that she felt very grateful to HuaMuTan who has saved her from the auction. She doesn¡¯t have any family and doesn¡¯t have any ce to go, she also doesn¡¯t have any n except willing to serve HuaMuTan with her life to pay HuaMuTan¡¯s kindness.


    Prince Li observes the Han Woman, ¡¯Having writing ability is unusual for themoners especially for the women...it seems this woman¡¯s identity is not easy as her looks. He can investigate itter. But for now, considering the condition of how they met, Prince Li follows his instinct to believe that this Han woman aims nothing evil toward HuaMuTan.


    "If you want to pay HuaMuTan, you must wait for her agreement...for now, you may stay here...We¡¯ll continue to talk about it after HuaMuTan awake..."


    At that moment, XiaoRue has done with cleaning up TanTan. As she opens the door, Prince Li right away gives her the next order as she notices the presence of od ManQi and QingQing, with the unknown woman she first meets.


    "XiaoRue, guide this..." Prince Li stops to ask, "How do we call you?"


    The Han Woman kneels again, this time to write something on the ground, it read as ¡¯Xing¡¯.


    "So, hm...we call you A Xing, is it okay?" The Han woman nods, then Prince Li continues to give order to XiaoRue, "XiaoRue, guide Miss A Xing to meet Aunt Tong so you both can help to prepare a room for her. She will stay here for now."


    With confusion, XiaoRue obeys. QingQing walks approaches XiaoRue,


    "Let me apany you, I¡¯ll exin itter..." whispers QingQing. Both of XiaoRue and QingQing escort A Xing go to find Aunt Tong.


    Not too long Uncle Tong is also bringing a physician there, which immediately entering the room to check TanTan¡¯s condition.


    Then while waiting for the result, ManQi reports the progress to Prince Li.


    "The Crown Prince and his men have been put in the prison. As yourmand, their cells have been given the extra guards. I¡¯ll stay there too..." ManQi stops as he notices Prince Li is staring into HuaMuTan¡¯s room. ManQi can see a worry look on his Master¡¯s face.


    "Master....?"


    ManQi¡¯s calling makes Prince Li now giving full attention to him.


    "Ah...okay...you¡¯re doing right...just don¡¯t too burden yourself...you need to prepare yourself for the other mission..."


    "Thanks for your concern, Master. I will remember it."


    But Prince Li has not paid attention to him anymore. ManQi realizes its time for him to excuse so he gestures a polite greet before finally he leaves. But even before he walks away, he has a chance to turn and see how fast Prince Li reacts when the physicianes out from the room, so fierce till it makes the physician hard to answer.


    "How¡¯s she? Is she okay?!"


    "Don¡¯t...don¡¯t worry Your Highness... Young Madam is fine... just a small fever, as she gets enough rest and drinks medicine, she will recover soon..." The physician hopes he has exined it well enough before Prince Li shakes his old body again.


    ¡¯Looks like Master is really concern about HuaMuTan...¡¯ ManQi smiles and then he really leaves.


    After instructing Uncle Tong to escort the physician out and ask the servant to prepare the medicine. Prince Li stays in the room, he sits quietly beside TanTan on the bed. TanTanys unaware and unconscious but some times she shows ufortable looks, she shivers and babbles, sweats keeping out beside her face. In reflex, Prince Li takes his handkerchief and uses it to wipe TanTan¡¯s face gently.


    XiaoRue who enters the room surprises to see such a view, she feels shame to let Prince Li wiping her XiaoJie,


    "Master, let me do that,...let me take care of XiaoJie..."


    But Prince Li stares at her sharply,


    "XiaoRue, I still not yet asking your responsibility about how did you let HuaMuTan sneaking out from here...!! I know you are HuaMuTan¡¯s servant but in this Mansion, you should obey all mymand!!"


    XiaoRue shocks as she didn¡¯t expect Prince Li would scolding her at this kind of time. Actually, without being scolded, XiaoRue has been feeling guilty to let TanTan went before. XiaoRue kneels down right away and cries,


    "Master is right, it is my fault to let XiaoJie went without considering the danger...please punish XiaoRue..."


    "I¡¯ll deal with youter but for tonight I don¡¯t want to see you here serving HuaMuTan. Go out and do some reflection for yourself...!!" scolds Prince Li coldly. XiaoRue doesn¡¯t dare to object, she just follows the order, walking out from the room and crying. In the middle of the way, she meets QingQing who want to check TanTan¡¯s condition too. But after hearing what happens from XiaoRue, QingQing turns away, she definitely doesn¡¯t want to hear any more scolding from Prince Li.


    A few minutester, Aunt Tong delivers the medicine to HuaMuTan¡¯s room, Prince Li immediately takes the medicine and uses a spoon to drink it into TanTan¡¯s mouth.


    "Be careful, the medicine is still hot..."


    Aunt Tong warns, so Prince Li blows it first. But because TanTan is still unconscious, it¡¯s hard to make her drink the medicine. Each spoon of medicine keeps flowing out from her lips.


    "Maybe we have to wait till she awake..."


    Aunt Tong suggests but Prince Li grabs the bowl of medicine, drink it in his mouth and with one move, he gives the medicine directly from his mouth to TanTan¡¯s mouth till it been swallowed into TanTan¡¯s gullet. Prince Li¡¯s action surprises Aunt Tong and makes her embarrassing to see so she turns away when Prince Li did it again for the second time till the bowl is empty.


    "Take the medicine, Aunt Tong...I¡¯ll stays here to watch over her..."


    If she didn¡¯t see what happened just now, Aunt Tong may protest about letting Prince Li for not resting. But now she can¡¯t say anything than taking the empty bowl and leaving the room. Outside of the room, Aunt Tong still cannot believe what she saw, she never expects that her Young Master already has that strong feeling toward HuaMuTan. ¡¯Does it mean he has no longer feeling to Miss ShuangAi? Aiyah,...poor Ai Er...¡¯ Aunt Tong just can shake her head while walking away.


    As time passes, the medicine¡¯s effect seems working. TanTan¡¯s face is no longer pale and she seems to sleep peacefully now. Prince Li ds to see it, but now as he feels relief, he observes TanTan closely.


    ¡¯This woman really looks simr to the real HuaMuTan...how can she find her twins so well?¡¯ Then suddenly he remembers about the birthmark of HuaMuTan.


    ¡¯No matter how simr they are, they can¡¯t have the same birthmark...¡¯


    Prince Li feels hesitated, it is his chance to prove his suspicious all the time but taking benefit of a sleeping woman is really not his principle.


    However, his curiosity defeats his dignity. At least after he can prove that this woman is not the real HuaMuTan thenter he can confront about it to her and find what happens to the real HuaMuTan and who this woman really is. So he slowly takes off TanTan¡¯s first cloth, thankfully to see the birthmark¡¯s position, he doesn¡¯t need to take off all her clothes. Prince Li just needs toy TanTan¡¯s head for a while to his chest so he can see clearly the back of TanTan. The position makes him a little ufort, his heartbeat starts to beat faster than usual.


    But then what a shock when he sees clearly the three moles on TanTan¡¯s left shoulder. As they respond, he immediately turns back TanTanying on the bed and then he walks out from the room, running out exactly. He can feel his breaths are unstable. He feels unbelievable, rage and being silly at the same time.


    "It can¡¯t be...she is the real HuaMuTan???" Prince Li still can¡¯t believe what he saw. He was so sure that HuaMuTan inside that room wasn¡¯t the real one, as he realizes he starts being attracted by that woman. But howes she is the real one....the same HuaMuTan who he hated so much in the past... has he be crazy to let himself attracted by that evil woman...


    "Then...all of these....are they just an act?...to get my attention?" Prince Li is still not sure that what happened just an act. The way HuaMuTan changes are too exaggerated... No matter what that exactly had happened to HuaMuTan, acts or real, one thing for sure, Prince Li has realized his own feeling toward HuaMuTan tonight. If these all are HuaMuTan¡¯s n to get his attention, then he has lost and HuaMuTan has won.


    But Prince Li won¡¯t ept the defeat easily.


    ¡¯Well, at least now I know she is truly HuaMuTan, it¡¯s fine...I just need to control myself...I won¡¯t let myself to be attracted by her anymore...¡¯


    After making that decision, he return to the room and close the door quietly.

 Chapter 68 - Another Morning (1)

    <h4>Chapter 68 - Another Morning (1)</h4>


    ¡¯...hik...hik...¡¯


    ¡¯...who?... who is crying?¡¯


    In a dark, TanTan wandering around. Clearly, this is some kind of dream, but she could not resist to find out who sounds so miserable, then she sees a figure, a beautiful woman who she recognizes as Li ShuiXian, HuaMuTan¡¯s mother, sitting and crying so miserable.


    In TanTan¡¯s mind, she doesn¡¯t know how to call her but LiShuiXian just notices her presence. She stares sadly to TanTan


    and although her lips don¡¯t seem moving, TanTan can hear her voice in a sad tone.


    "...My daughter.... my pity daughter...."


    Being miscalled as HuaMuTan, TanTan immediately corrects it,


    "I...am sorry...I am not your daughter... I am LangTanTan...although it seems I am in your daughter¡¯s body at the present..." TanTan feels really trouble to exin it, LiShuiXian reminds TanTan of her own mother...that¡¯s why she doesn¡¯t want to lie to her and her heart feels the pain to see her crying like that.


    LiShuiXian just silent, TanTan can¡¯t guess either this woman really understand what she said just now, she just feels weird to meet HuaMuTan¡¯s Mother in a dream like this.


    "...Tan Er.... please...help her..."


    "..How I can help her?"


    And suddenly another figure appears, running passing through TanTan¡¯s body makes her surprises, for she doesn¡¯t realize that her presence seems like a ghost in this dream. At that moment, TanTan realizes that Lady Li didn¡¯t beg to her, but to the one who passed through her just now.


    The figure is a little boy, his cloth looks like a little prince with a face who is familiar for TanTan but she can¡¯t figure it out yet. The little boy approaches LiShuiXian, pats her hands gently to calm her.


    "...Please don¡¯t cry, Aunty Li"


    "...Poor Taner,...she doesn¡¯t have anyone besides her...I can¡¯t be with her to protect her..." LiShuiXian cries again,


    Before TanTan can respond, the little boy eagerly cheers her up,


    "Don¡¯t worry, Aunty... She still has me... I will always protect her... I won¡¯t let her alone....I¡¯ll promise that I¡¯ll always be with her no matter what happens...!!"


    Hearing such answer, LiShuiXian smiles in sadness...


    "...Thank you...Little Prince..." and then this time she is really looking at TanTan directly, smiling sadly...


    "...TanEr...my daughter...no matter what or when you are always my beloved daughter...I love you...be strong" A warmth and belonging feeling are filling TanTan¡¯s heart, tearse out from her eyes...and she couldn¡¯t stop her mouth to call her in sadness,


    "Mom..."


    And then her eyes be opened, she wakes up from the dream. But although she has back to reality, the belonging feeling seems still to stay in her heart. The way LiShuiXian said, ¡¯No matter what or ¡¯when¡¯?...makes TanTan feels that Lady Li has recognized her not only as her daughter HuaMuTan but also as the real TanTan... A weird thought sudden urs in her mind, ¡¯Is it possible that she is also really her daughter? Through the time...maybe...she and HuaMuTan are really one reincarnation of soul?¡¯


    "No way, It¡¯s impossible!" She speaks her mind.


    "What is impossible?!"


    Thinking so deep makes her ignores who is beside her, watching and asking her coldly.


    TanTan turns and shocks to see Prince Li is sitting on the table which in front of her.


    "Its...nothing...!" TanTan tries to stay calm. Now as she is fully awake, TanTan notices that she is in her own room in Li Mansion, and there are no other people in the room except both of them.


    "...Eng...What time is it?" Thest thing she remembers that she fainted at the seashore.


    "Its almost morning... you got feverst night but thankfully, it¡¯s not too serious..." Prince Li exins but still in a cold tone.


    From the exnation, TanTan concludes that Prince Li had brought her back to Li Mansion and that means, did he stay beside her till now, all night?


    TanTan suddenly notices something else. Now she realizes why the little prince in the dream looks familiar, it is the child version of Prince Li.


    ¡¯What is it? Why I saw the little him in my dream...?¡¯ TanTan can feel that dream wasn¡¯t just amon dream because the feeling is too strong....so is it just because of his presence at her room? or maybe the dream is actually a piece of memory between Prince Li and Lady LiShuiXian? Or all of these just her imaginary so far...??? Besides all of those just a dream!


    "..."


    Seeing TanTan suddenly be silent, and seems drawn deeply into her own thought, Prince Li puts his hand on TanTan¡¯s forehead, checking her temperature, it makes TanTan back to reality.


    "Seems you are okay now..."


    "I am ...fine..." TanTan sudden feels shy, she doesn¡¯t expect a gentle treatment from Prince Li.


    But Prince Li doesn¡¯t look happy,


    "You¡¯re really looking fine after you met your lost brother, huh??!!" There is a sarcastic cold tone in his voice,


    "Lost brother?" For a moment TanTan forgets that she used that reason in the ship before when they were disguised in masks. "Ah...!" She remembers after the next second.


    Surely, the reason is rubbish for Prince Li who know better about HuaMuTan¡¯s family background, there is no other lost brother... TanTan can see that Prince Li is already angry, not only because of her being in that shipst night.


    "I...don¡¯t know what are you talking about..." TanTan tries to ignore him and wakes up from the bed but by not answering the question, it makes Prince Li feels more upset, he walks close to TanTan and not letting her escape at all by blocking her way to wake up from the bed. And he scolds her loudly.


    "Stop pretending, HuaMuTan!!! How dare you against my order and sneaking into that ship. Don¡¯t you aware of any dangers!! Or you are so eagerly want to meet your masked boyfriend!! Who is he!!! What is your n with him!!! Tell me now!!!"


    TanTan opens her eyes widely, she has prepared at once he mentioned about ¡¯the lost brother, to be scolded for her reckless actions to be in the shop but now she feels a little bit odd with the way Prince Li angry to her... he is more angry about the masked man than about she is being in the ship...its almost feels like he is being jealous too... no way! Either way, TanTan still doesn¡¯t know how to exin.


    "I...dodododododon¡¯t know him..."


    Prince Li cuts her words, grabs her hand tightly,


    "Don¡¯t lie! He helped youst time in the wood and now this! Tell me the ))))))) he your subordinate to help you doing your evil n??!!"


    "Auch, you...hurt my hand!" TanTan feels pain for Prince Li seems unconsciously grabs her hand too tight, he then loses it, but still being cold to TanTan. He stands, turning his back to TanTan, trying to settle his emotion back.


    Now TanTan who feels pissed off, for unjustly be used, but she still tries to make sense with Prince Li,


    "I am telling the truth, I don¡¯t know who he is or why he helped me twice... but one thing for sure, I don¡¯t have any evil n to do!! Didn¡¯t I help you in that ship too, to save that poor girl from very!!"


    Before when Prince Li believed that the woman in front of him might not be the real HuaMuTan, he would easily take her words but as Prince Li saw the birthmark of HuaMuTanst night, he felt be deceived once again. It¡¯s also one reason why he became so cold and used her again. And yet he is considering TanTan¡¯s words.


    ¡¯Yes, she did help...and it seems she doesn¡¯t involve with the Crown Prince otherwise she won¡¯t help him to make troubles in the auction before...¡¯


    Prince Li sighs, he lowered his voice but still in cold tone,


    "Then, tell me why did youe into that ship? What is your real n?"


    TanTan feels relieved when he asked but also mixed with confusion for how to exin it,


    "I..."


    Prince Li looks straight at her, he is hoping to hear any exnation from TanTan¡¯s mouth so he can consider his next action toward her.


    "So you really can¡¯t speak the truth...How can you know about the auction or the ck market if you don¡¯t have any rtionship with the Crown Prince!"


    Feeling disgusting to be suspected having a rtionship with that pervert-brutally jerk, TanTan decides to tell the truth.


    "I don¡¯t!!! QingQing helped me with the connection...oh well, why I should hide it from you at this moment... I am looking for clues about my killers...That silver masked man we met...He knows something about them...that¡¯s why I am looking for him!"


    ¡¯Finding her killers?¡¯ Prince Li tries to absorb what TanTan says. He stares to TanTan¡¯s eyes and sighs. ¡¯This woman either having other agenda or too stubborn...¡¯


    Prince Li looks straight to TanTan,


    "Why do you insist to find them? What can you do when you find them? Have revenge on them?"


    TanTan is being silent, she knows nothing wrong in Prince Li¡¯s words, they aren¡¯t intending to mock her, but she can see the concern in the words. It¡¯s just she can¡¯t stop, because...if she stops, then what will be the purpose of her presence right now? Beside since little, she gets used to solving her own problem.


    "Then should I just wait for theme and kill me instead? Don¡¯t worry, this is my own problem...you don¡¯t need to concern about it..." TanTan turns her face, don¡¯t feel want to look at Prince Li¡¯s staring anymore.


    "HUA MU TAN!" shouts Prince Li, it surprises TanTan, he even grabs TanTan¡¯s wrist.


    "LISTEN! YOU ARE MY WIFE! SO YOUR PROBLEM IS ALSO MY PROBLEM! I FIND THE KILLERS SO YOU BETTER DON¡¯T DO ANYTHING FOOL AGAIN AND JUST STAY NICELY IN YOUR ROOM!"


    TanTan¡¯s eyes are widened, she doesn¡¯t expect the response and either Prince Li himself, so they both be silent, just staring to each other¡¯s eyes...asking themselves,


    "What is he talking about?!"


    "What am I talking about?!"

 Chapter 69 - Another Morning (2)

    <h4>Chapter 69 - Another Morning (2)</h4>


    "LISTEN! YOU ARE MY WIFE! SO YOUR PROBLEM IS ALSO MY PROBLEM! I FIND THE KILLERS SO YOU BETTER DON¡¯T DO ANYTHING FOOL AGAIN AND JUST STAY NICELY IN YOUR ROOM!"


    After saying that, Prince Li gets out from the room right away, leaving TanTan who just be silent on the bed.


    ¡¯...¡¯


    ¡¯What was that?¡¯ If he didn¡¯t say it in an angry tone, I might hear it as he was really concern about HuaMuTan?? Since when he considers HuaMuTan as his wife? consider me as his wife?¡¯


    Thest mind sudden makes TanTan¡¯s face blushing, she shakes her head strongly,


    "Stop...its silly TanTan, Prince Li maybe just concerns about his own reputation... he doesn¡¯t want HuaMuTan makes trouble which will drag him alongter...yes...must be like that..."


    TanTan is trying to distract her mind with another thought, she thinks about what she should do after this. She doesn¡¯t get any useful clues from the masked manst time. TanTan feels disappointing a lot... it seems she is not going to anywhere to solve the mystery she has, the dream she got just now is still clear in her mind and it makes her felt more responsible to find the killers of HuaMuTan. Looks like HuaMuTan¡¯s Mom¡¯s wish is the reason why she can be in HuaMuTan¡¯s body...so if she fulfills her wish...can she go back to her time?...


    But she can¡¯t do anything if Prince Li really restricts her acts after this.


    ¡¯Maybe. I need to deal with this Prince...I cannot always sneak out from here easily... either we make a peace between us or I definitely need a divorce right away..."


    The door opens again, TanTan reacts as she thinks Prince Li is back, but no...it is


    a woman which TanTan recognizes as the one who she saved from the ship.


    "Its..you!!" TanTan feels d that the woman is fine, but also confusing to see her here...


    A Xing notices the confusion on TanTan¡¯s face, she greets TanTan politely and then approaches TanTan to give her a piece of paper,


    TanTan takes it and reads it,


    ¡¯My name is A Xing, I am very grateful for Madam HuaMuTan has helped mest time, I own my life to you... as repaying your kindness... I will serve you from now.¡¯


    TanTan surprised, she doesn¡¯t expect she would get another servant, XiaoRue is enough...as a modern woman, TanTan doesn¡¯t feelfortable to be followed by many servants.


    "You don¡¯t need to be my servant...I already have XiaoRue..." TanTan then realizes something..."That¡¯s right, where is XiaoRue?...She supposes to be here to give morning serving..."


    A Xing looks want to exin but hard because of her disability, TanTan notices it immediately,


    "You...can¡¯t speak?"


    A Xing shakes her head sadly, she opens her mouth and shows her cutting tongue.


    TanTan shocks and bes mad,


    "That badass crown prince is really cruel!! I hope he is rotten in jail..."


    A Xing smiles sadly, she then takes a water basket to serve TanTan, she starts wiping TanTan¡¯s feet although TanTan tries to reject to be served.


    "Really, you shouldn¡¯t do this after what happened in the ship...you are free now... where is XiaoRue anyway?"


    A Xing shakes her head, she writes something in TanTan¡¯s palm, 2 words,


    ¡¯angry¡¯ and ¡¯punish¡¯.


    "angry? who?... Prince Li?"


    A Xing nods,


    "and punish..? who is being punished? ... are you saying XiaoRue is being punished by Prince Li?"


    A Xing nods again,


    TanTan stands immediately,


    "What?!! Where?!"


    At the same time, someone rushesing to the room,


    "Oh Good!...you have awake..."


    QingQing smiles relieved but TanTan also can see a worry expression that QingQing tried to hide from her.


    "What¡¯s wrong? Is it about XiaoRue?" TanTan asks,


    QingQing looks to A Xing and confirms her, "She knows?" A Xing nods.


    "Oh well...Your husband is angry to XiaoRue for letting you out..."


    "He can¡¯t do that!! XiaoRue is innocent..!!! Where is she now?!"


    TanTan feels angry to hear it.


    "She is kneeling down in front of the main room right now.." QingQing tells. Hearing that, TanTan immediately puts on her daily clothes and walks out of the room. QingQing and A Xing follow her.


    In the main room, XiaoRue has been kneeling since Prince Li asked her out of HuaMuTan¡¯s room to do a reflection. Uncle Tong whoes there to report, seeing her before entering the room,


    ¡¯Silly girl, she is punishing herself...¡¯


    When Prince Lies back to the main room, Uncle Tong greets to him when Prince Li has entered the room and the first thing he reports is about XiaoRue,


    "Master, she was kneeling down sincest night...and she won¡¯t stand till she gets your forgiveness..."


    Prince Li actually didn¡¯t think that XiaoRue would willing to punish herself. He just intended to give a light warning to her and he can see that Uncle Tong also concerns about XiaoRue.


    "...tell her to return to her room and..." Before he finishes talking, he sees TanTan and othersing.


    TanTan rushes and worries to see XiaoRue kneeling at there, shees to XiaoRue immediately,


    "Are you okay, XiaoRue?"


    "XiaoJie...you already awake? XiaoRue relieves, now XiaoRue can take the punishment with ease..."


    "What are you talking, XiaoRue?!! There is no punishment... I¡¯ll deal with him...!!!" Hearing the loud voice from TanTan, Prince Lies out to respond.


    When TanTan sees Prince Li, she immediately throws her anger, although XiaoRue tries to stop her weakly.


    "What do you think you¡¯re doing! XiaoRue didn¡¯t do anything wrong... besides she is my person, you don¡¯t have any right to punish her!!!"


    "XiaoJie... it¡¯s not like that..."


    "Don¡¯t be afraid, XiaoRue! Now, stand up and go back to your room..."


    "Its.." XiaoRue looks to Prince Li, she still wants to get his forgiveness to feel ease.


    Prince Li sighs,


    "Fine, she may stands but she should be sent back to Mansion Hua right away...!!!" orders Prince Li. Everyone surprises to hear it but Prince Li just turns back to the room.


    "You can¡¯t do that!!!" TanTan in reflex chasing him into the room. QingQing wants to follow also but Uncle Tong stops her, shakes head softly to gesture do not disturb them a signal. A Xing helps XiaoRue to wake up,


    "Will XiaoJie be alright?" asks XiaoRue worry. QingQing looks to XiaoRue who can¡¯t stand well cause her knees to weaken, she leans to A Xing to stay standing.


    "They will be fine...you should care about yourself. Come, I¡¯ll help you return to your room..." QingQing then puts her arm around XiaoRue¡¯s shoulders to help her walks.


    A Xing feels confused either she needs to follow QingQing or stay waiting for TanTan. Uncle Tong notices it and tells her to stay, waiting for TanTan with him.


    In the main room, Prince Li sits right away in his chair while TanTan still angrily shouts to him,


    "You don¡¯t have the right to send XiaoRue away from me!!! Why does she need to go??!!"


    Prince Li nces to TanTan and then answers her in cold tone,


    "She can¡¯t do her job nicely..."


    "She does!! You just purposely did this cause I disobeyed yourmand!!! Don¡¯t you be a shame to throw your anger to a harmless girl!"


    "HUAMUTAN!!!" *BRAG!!!


    Prince Li hits the table beside him very hard, it silences TanTan right away.


    Prince Li walks close to her,


    "If you are saying XiaoRue can leave because of you...you are absolutely correct! Yes, you did mistake and XiaoRue must take the consequence because of it, so do you think your manner right now can helping XiaoRue?! Your manner just confirms me more to send XiaoRue out immediately!!"


    TanTan shocks to hear it. Sudden she realizes she is facing a fierce man who is also a general of many soldiers. His threat sounded really serious.


    ¡¯Maybe I better not to offend him too hard...or I¡¯ll lose XiaoRue...¡¯ TanTan thinks in silence. Prince Li observes her face closely. So close that TanTan surprises when he speaks,


    "So, what are you thinking?"


    TanTan talks softer but she doesn¡¯t want to see surrender easily so she stares back at Prince Li sharply, challenging him.


    "...I know my mistakes, if you are still angry...you may punish me but let XiaoRue keep staying beside me..."


    Prince Li smirks,


    "Oh?? How dare I punish you, the amazing great daughter of Lady Hua...Will you use Lady Hua¡¯s honored name again to suppress me this time?!"


    TanTan tries to remember in HuaMuTan¡¯s memory, ¡¯Did she really do that? Hm. HuaMuTan might able to do that... wait, the power of Lady Hua¡¯s name, why I don¡¯t think about using it before...¡¯


    "Well...if that so, you shouldn¡¯t dare to send XiaoRue back...If you do that, XiaoRue will report all bad treats you did to me to Lady Hua...!!!"


    "...!!" With a short distance between him and TanTan, Prince Li stares at TanTan angrily but he calms himself, turns around from TanTan and sits down


    "Then I¡¯ll prepare myself to hear anyints from Lady Hua...I want to see how will you exin the bad treats I did to you? Did I ever really harm you in this mansion?"


    "...!" TanTan can¡¯t respond that, because she actually wouldn¡¯t dare to report and make worry the old Lady. And as the prince said, she doesn¡¯t have a solid proof that she was treated badly in Mansion Li. Besides didn¡¯t just now she decided to make a deal with Prince Li? So she calms herself,


    "...Prince Li, can¡¯t we make a deal?"


    Prince Li narrows his eyes,


    "What do you want?"


    TanTan takes a long breath, she sits and starts to speak,


    "Listen, Prince Li...I really don¡¯t want to make any more trouble. I mean...I realize how bad the rtionship we have in the past... but I really not who I am before, you can feel ease because I really don¡¯t have any feeling on you...so can we just be friends?"


    "What?" Prince Li sudden giving a cold expression.


    TanTan continues,


    "...I mean, although we are might still married but I ¡¯ll also set you free to do what you want since a long time ago... I won¡¯t disturb any rtionship you have with another woman... Isn¡¯t good for both of us? We don¡¯t need to torture each other anymore..."


    "..."


    Prince Li just silent and it makes TanTan worry, especially because his expression can¡¯t be read easily.


    "I just want to make peace with you...sincerely...and I¡¯ll find out how we can divorce without getting any punishment from the kingdom..."


    Prince Li stands again andes closer to TanTan, his hands hold the armchair where TanTan sits, and he leans closer to her,


    "Are you really serious about what you said?"


    *Deg*


    ¡¯Whytely he always talk closer to me?!! It surprises me all the time...making me ufort and my heart beating too fast too...am I truly scared to him?¡¯ TanTan keeps her eyes staring while she nods slowly, she tries to calm,


    "...of course...I am serious..."


    "What a pleasure offer from you HuaMuTan...but..." He looks straight to TanTan¡¯s eyes.


    *Deg*


    ¡¯This woman makes me mad...she is HuaMuTan, but what did she just suggest can¡¯t be from the past HuaMuTan.¡¯ Prince Li is struggling in his mind. He supposes can agree easily for what TanTan offers but something in his heart doesn¡¯t allow him...he doesn¡¯t want it anymore as he used to.


    "But...what?"


    "I won¡¯t take it..."


    "W..Why? Don¡¯t you hate me? Doesn¡¯t this is what you want all the time, to get rid of me?" asks TanTan seriously, she even half-shouting to him.


    "I don¡¯t....!" Prince Li stops. He almost saying ¡¯I don¡¯t hate you¡¯ but he¡¯s not sure it¡¯s okay to admit it? to this woman? How if she just pretending? But he keeps looking to TanTan¡¯s eyes, it¡¯s so clear and challenging him. He repeats slowly,


    "I...don¡¯t hate you...anymore"


    TanTan widens her eyes, is he saying...?


    Prince Li steps backward, he turns back from TanTan to cover his awkward feeling.


    "..."


    Hearing the words makes TanTan¡¯s heart feels oddly pleased but TanTan guards her mind to keep realistic,


    "But...your acts telling me the opposite!"


    "I...!!" Prince Li wants to say more but there is a sudden shout from outside.


    "Master, Minister Hua has arrived..."


    Prince Li responds right away,


    "Let him enter..."

 Chapter 70 - (70)

    <h4>Chapter 70 - (70)</h4>


    "HOW DARE YOU TO KEEP ME HERE!!!... I am a crown prince, Imand you to release me right now!!!" Although the Crown Prince, Li LongYi keep shouting annoyingly, but ManQi has instructed strictly to the jailer and guards for ignoring every word they hear. They can finally punish that useless perverted Crown Prince for justice. For many years, they try to discover his crime but failed. But this time, they are lucky. ManQi thinks, ¡¯Maybe Young Madam really brings luck for Master anyway...but we need to be on our guard...¡¯


    One of the jailers looks young and nervous when hears ManQi¡¯s instructions.


    "Little Jiao..." ManQi calls his name, he is indeed the youngest jailer in the justice office, although his body as big as the others.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I will stay tonight to guard the jail... so you may dismisster..." ManQi ensures him.


    "I... I need to drink first..." He takes the drink but with clumsy, he falls down and drops entire water on ManQi¡¯s cloth.


    "I am..am sorry Brother ManQi... I..I..."


    The other jailers scold him right away,


    "Look what have you done, little Jiao...?!"


    "So clumsy boy!!!"


    Seeing Little Jiao who so regretful, ManQi calms the other,


    "Stop mad on him...It¡¯s just the water..."


    "I am really sorry..."


    One of the other guards says to ManQi,


    "Brother ManQi, your cloth has wet, maybe you need to change the cloth first?"


    ManQi feels not necessary to change the cloth, but the regretful face of Little Jiao bothering him. Little Jiao has been like his little brother, and it won¡¯t take too long to change cloth, so he decides to change cloth first andmands the others to do their job guarding the ce safely. So everyone returns to their post, leaving Little Jiao alone to guard inside the jail.


    "As the punishment for pouring the water to our captain... now you have to guard that crazy man alone, little brother..."


    "What?...you can¡¯t leave me here alone.."


    Little Jiao looks terrified but it makes two other guards keep teasing him,


    "Don¡¯t be a coward...we¡¯ll stay at outside...no one can enter without passing us first..."


    "That mad prince is harmful actually...nothing than yelling..."


    And then they really leaving him.


    Not too long after that,


    "DON¡¯T YOU THINK YOU CAN WIN AGAINST ME!!! WHEN I GET OUT HERE...I¡¯LL KILL YOU, LI ZHOUWEI!!!"


    The crown Prince LiLongYi still not giving up to yell as much as he can.


    "Don¡¯t waste your voice, Your Highness..." Sudden little Jiaoes closer, but something different, he doesn¡¯t show any nervousness nor fear toward the Crown Prince like before. On the contrary, he smiles strangely.


    "You...how dare you insult me!! You just..." Before Crown Prince finishes the words, Little Jiao shows a metal pendant and it changes the way Crown Prince talks to him, "So...he sent you...finally, now immediately take me out of here..."


    Little Jiao sighs, "Yeah...sure, we don¡¯t have much time anyway... but see here first..." He shows his palm and the Crown Prince confusedly does what he means,


    "Huh?"


    Then Little Jiao blows something on the crown prince¡¯s face and in a minute the crown prince had fainted *Brug.


    "Ah...useless thing...if only YiFu didn¡¯t order me to ....it would be better if I killed you right now...doing a good deed for the world..." With a quick move, he does something with the crown Prince¡¯s face...he changes it to look like one of the guards, it seems Little Jiao is the master of disguise, he manages to do it without any difficulties. Then he acts panic and runs out to tell the guards.


    "The...the crown Prince faints...suddenly...I don¡¯t know why.."


    The guards at the front door immediately respond,


    "let¡¯s check it..." They enter while little Jiao smiles weirdly behind them.


    While not too far, ManQi feels unease to leave, so in the middle of the way, he decides toe back...at that moment he returns to jail¡¯s front, he sees no guards there. His instinct immediately saying something wrong and suddenly, he sees little Jiaoes out with a fainted guard, ManQi rushes to him.


    "What happened?!"


    Little Jiao doesn¡¯t expect ManQi wille this soon, it ruins his n but he stays act innocent,


    "Brother ManQi, The Crown Prince has escaped...and he wounded the others... Now I want to take big brother to the room...but there is still another fainted inside..."


    ManQi responds quick, he wants to check the other brother, so he lets Little Jiao go. But suddenly he stops, he notices something odd about little Jiao


    "Wait!"


    Little Jiao stops.


    ManQi turns around, he faces Little Jiao again, and asks in suspicious,


    "Why you didn¡¯t get harmed at all?"


    "What do you mean, Brother ManQi? You must hurry to help the brother inside..."


    " I ask you again, howe only you who still fine?!"


    Little Jiao knows his acts have been revealed, so he suddenly changes his tone,


    "Ck...no wonder YiFu warned me about you... you too sharp! You are not fun at all...!" And with sudden, he throws some sharp little knives, which can be avoided easily by ManQi...


    Little Jiao uses that chance to escape... although he brought a body he seems not troubled with it, which shows that his martial art is quite strong. ManQi chases him through the roof and manages to block little Jiao around the block of houses. They finally get into a hard fight with the swords.


    In the middle of the attack, ManQi manages to shout,


    "You are not Little Jiao! What did you do to him?!!"


    "That naive man...Well, you can find his body somewhere in your ce...if you found it, send my gratitude to his tomb for borrowing his face...I quite like this one...!!!"


    ManQi feels rage...this man is a cold-blooded killer, he can¡¯t let him escape.


    But suddenly something weird, he doesn¡¯t know when but he got poisoned by this man, the fake little Jiao... He feels weak and dizzy. He falls on his knee and manages to stay conscious.


    "Oh...the effect has started to work I see...well ying time is also done...You are a good fighter, ManQi...hm...lets having duel next time...but if you can surviveter...hahaha..."


    ManQi still tries to attack that man again... this sudden attack manages to tear the man¡¯s left sleeve when he tried to avoid the attack. There is a tattoo of a green snake on his left arm. Getting angry to be attacked sudden, the fake little Jiao gives some shes of sword on ManQi¡¯s body. In a second, ManQi is covered by blood and either the fake little Jiao.


    "See what¡¯ve you done!!! S***, you make me covered with blood...I hate to smell the blood...Aaah, I don¡¯t want to fight again...I need to take a bath..." And just like that, the fake Little Jiao takes the body of the fainted guard and leaves ManQi who almost lost his consciousness.

 Chapter 71 - (71)

    <h4>Chapter 71 - (71)</h4>


    "Greet to Prince Li and Madam"


    Minister Hua greets.


    TanTan still upset a little bit seeing how Prince Li avoiding their conversation. But then she remembers that Minister Huaes as what they had nned before, to deliver the gift for Great Queen Mother. So she cooperates for this time.


    Prince Li looks aware of the presence of Minister Hua,


    "I never thought you wille by yourself so early to handle this small thing, Minister Hua..."


    "Just say that this old man has too many worries ande to make sure the journey can be fluent as it has nned, out of any problem..."


    "What a coincidence...I need to report something important to the Emperor..." Prince Li smirks but he stares aware to Minister Hua.


    "Oh? What would that be? Perhaps Prince have any good news for the Emperor?" asks Minister Hua boldly.


    "..."


    Prince Li doesn¡¯t say anything yet when suddenly ManQi brags in with injured and rushes to Prince Li. Prince Li and others surprise to see ManQi¡¯s condition.


    "What happened?!" asks Prince Li immediately,


    ManQi falls down in front of Prince Li, with thest energy he still has, he reports,


    "Master, I am sorry...I have been reckless ... the crown...he...escape..." And then he faints and Prince Li holds him right away,


    "ManQi!!" Prince Li checks ManQi¡¯s lips, its turning ck, he has been poisoned!


    Immediately Prince Li orders Uncle Tong and AXing to take ManQi for treatment.


    TanTan also heard what ManQi said, ¡¯Did he mean the Crown Prince has escaped? How???!!¡¯ She got shocked to hear it.


    Minister Hua in another side just stands there,menting what happened, he looks so confused, but his eyes tell the opposite.


    "Prince Li, what actually happens to him? Who has escaped?"


    Prince Li nces to him in anger, he kneads his fist very hard. Somehow he suspects that Minister Hua has something to do it with this situation. But he doesn¡¯t have proof about it.


    Initially, he wants to report to the pce about this case, bringing down the Crown Prince and his men, including this minister Hua. But if the main suspect has gone, he knew it won¡¯t easy to convince the Emperor. The Crown Prince will do his best to cover his crime....like eliminates the witnesses...? Prince Li nces to TanTan...


    TanTan also evaluates the situation. By escaping the prison, the Crown Prince has a big chance to escape from his crime... first thing the criminal do after escaping prison usually is getting revenge, so she also nces to Prince Li.


    When they are ncing to each other, Minister Hua in the other hand asks again,


    "Your Highness, from what I see you seem having an urgent problem with your work...why don¡¯t you let my people handle the delivery while you can enlighten me the situation?"


    Prince Li looks suspicious to Minister Hua. Right now ManQi is not able to continue the mission but he can¡¯t just let the delivery goes without his supervision. Minister Hua seems taking this opportunity to act whatever his n.


    The news about Crown Prince arrested has been sent to the pce so Prince Li still need to go to the pce to exin the situation to the Emperor.


    TanTan is realizing that Prince Li looks unwilling to continue the delivery...but why? The Queen Mother¡¯s banquet time ising, if we dy the delivery, then it might be toote.


    "Eh, how if you let me handle the delivery?" TanTan asks it boldly to Prince Li.


    "No!" A very fast and short objectiones out from Prince Li right away, it upsets TanTan a little bit,


    "Why not? ManQi is hurt, but we can¡¯t dy this delivery...there won¡¯t be much time left till the banquet time.... besides it is my gift to the Queen Mother, I want to check it by myself..."


    Minister Hua smiles, he supports the idea,


    "Young Lady Hua is really concerning, maybe it¡¯s better for Young Lady Hua to join, so she can directly check the item and be satisfied with it. Don¡¯t worry about her safety, I guarantee my people will keep her safe..."


    TanTan is a little afraid to see Prince Li¡¯ face bing very stiff and cold. ¡¯This woman...is she really a brainless or pretending?¡¯ Prince Li recites his suspicious before about HuaMuTan might be involved with Minister Hua...


    ¡¯Perhaps..this is a good chance to see her true intention? But how if she is innocent and harmed?!¡¯


    After some thought, Prince Li directly talks to Minister Hua,


    "Minister Hua, I think it¡¯s better for us to dy the delivery things until we return from the pceter..."


    "But..." TanTan seems still object...


    "No ¡¯but¡¯...you still need toe with me to the pce...so we will discuss itter..." The sharp tone from Prince Li stops TanTan for saying anything more, Prince Li continue talks to Minister Hua,


    "I hope Minister Hua can understand the situation..."


    Minister Hua just answer calmly,


    "Sure...I¡¯ll follow what Prince Li says. Let me inform my people to wait and prepare the delivery tomorrow...I think we¡¯ll see in the pce then..."


    Prince Li still aware but he gives a gesture to allow Minister Hua to dismiss the ce.


    "That¡¯s right...see you in the pce, Minister Hua..."


    Minister Hua greets Prince Li and TanTan again before he finally goes out from the mansion.


    At outside of Mansion, before Minister Hua rides on his carriage, one of his servant reports,


    "Master, everything has been settled..."


    Minister Hua smirks,


    "Good...now go to the pce...I am curious how he can handle this!"


    While in the room, before Prince Li walks out, TanTan stops him by reaching his arm,


    "Do I really need to go to the pce with you?" She is considering what can she sayter to the Emperor and others.


    Prince Li sighs, he actually doesn¡¯t want her to go either. He doesn¡¯t want the Emperor and others know about the reason why TanTan could be in the ship. Knowing that his wife secretly sneak out and joining the illegal thing can be a humiliation for him and also for Hua Family. But he feels that he can¡¯t leave her alone for this time. At least in the pce, he still can protect her.


    "Yes, you will go with me to the pce but no, you don¡¯t need to tell anything, just stay quietlyter, I will do the rest..."


    TanTan confused, ¡¯If he doesn¡¯t want me to be a witness...then for what he lets me go there?... But staying here is also pointless, I better follow him and see what can happen there...¡¯ and she remembers something,


    "Does AXing need to go along also?"


    She is one of the victims and also the main evidence for the cruelty of crown Prince in fact, but by the escaping Crown Prince, it seems danger for AXing toe out. TanTan worries if everything gets wrong...


    Prince Li shakes his head, "There are other girls who can testify, beside she also said that she can¡¯t help much for her mute so she rather just stay and serve you..."


    "So like that..." TanTan feels AXing is quite different than an ordinary servant.


    "Let¡¯s go..." Prince Li once again walks out from the room and be followed by TanTan.

 Chapter 72 - (72)

    <h4>Chapter 72 - (72)</h4>


    Nothing more intense than being alone with Prince Li inside the carriage. At first, TanTan didn¡¯t expect that Prince Li would came in and sit beside her. But he did! He didn¡¯t say anything and silently sit beside TanTan when the carriage starts the journey.


    There is a conflict in her mind... the words of Prince Li before somehow has stirring up her heart a little bit...¡¯He doesn¡¯t hate me anymore..is it true?¡¯ She wants to know more, want to ask more but her dignity tells her not to... ¡¯So what if he doesn¡¯t hate me? He might still distrust me..he even doesn¡¯t bother to look at me... TanTan, stop thinking about him...lets focus to where are you going now...the pce!¡¯. TanTan is getting more nervous, she remembers what Silver Mask said (TanTan decides to call that mysterious man that way), that her real enemy is in the pce.. but for now she doesn¡¯t know anything about pce, how can she confront the enemy right away! She hopes someone can brief her things about pce before she arrives there, at least... TanTan takes a peek on Prince Li...


    Prince Li in other side looks so silent, he stares at outside from the window side of the carriage...but he seems notice that TanTan is peeking on him. As he nces to her, TanTan pretends to look at the other side...


    "Do you want to say something to me?" Prince Li sudden asks.


    "...No..." She spontaneous answers but then she corrects it, "...Yes..."


    "Then...speak.." Prince Li looks at her seriously, makes TanTan feels nervous...


    *Grak, suddenly the carriage shakes so strongly, the carriage is stopped suddenly to avoid something and it gives a hard bumps to anyone inside the carriage. And at the moment, TanTan¡¯s body is pushed down and in reflex, she grabs anything to sit firmly. And so Prince Li...only they doesn¡¯t realize that they grab on each other. When TanTan realizes she isying on Prince Li¡¯s chest, she looks up and notices how close her face to Prince Li¡¯s. The hands of Prince Li are almost grabbing TanTan¡¯s shoulder back and both of them are doing nothing than staring to each other.


    "Sorry, Master...there was a goat sudden running on the road and it surprised the horse...Are Master and Madam okay?" The carriage driver reports in panic from outside.


    The voice wakes them up and immediately TanTan moves away and fixes herself to sit properly.


    "..." Prince Li looks at TanTan, "...Are you okay?"


    Not getting used to get that kind of question from Prince Li makes TanTan feels awkward somehow...


    "...yes...I am fine..."


    And so Prince Li givemands to the driver.


    "We¡¯re fine...just continue going..."


    "Yes, master" The carriage start moving again.


    "Then..." Prince Li continues, "What do you want to ask before?"


    TanTan recites again what she had thought, she braves herself,


    "You know I had forgotten a lot of things and I don¡¯t want to create any troubleter...so...can you tell me anything I need to know about the pce, like about the people I will meetter?"


    Prince Li gives a full attention to her now and smirks a little bit, "In the past, you have visited the pce very often...that ce is practically bes your second home... It¡¯s hard to imagine that you had forget itpletely..."


    Feeling offended, TanTan replies,


    "I am really forgetting all about pce...if you don¡¯t want to tell me...then its fine, maybe I will remember as soon as I step in the pce.. but if not, don¡¯t me me if I bring you any humiliation..."


    Prince Li doesn¡¯t reply right away...he is regretting a little bit about what he just said,...in his heart, he had decided to give a chance for himself to know this new HuaMuTan, because although he is a little bit disappointing to find out that the girl beside him now is the real HuaMuTan...he can¡¯t stop himself to keep attracting to her, he means about his words that he doesn¡¯t hate her anymore...


    He sighs,


    "Fine...I tell you..."


    And then it is TanTan¡¯s turn to pay full attention to Prince Li¡¯s words. What TanTan gets from Prince Li is that the present Emperor and Empress Dowager are very fond on HuaMuTan, which makes the others either afraid or jealous to her. Like the most of the royal concubines won¡¯t pleased to meet her in the pce. No wonder if HuaMuTan can have a lot of enemies in the pce. Then beside the third Prince and Princess XiXi she had meet, Prince Li mentions there will be other princes they might encounterter in the pce as the Emperor has six princes in total, but not all of them involved in the kingdom matters like Prince Li and the Third Prince.


    "How about the Empress?" TanTan asks. She remembered that XiaoRue ever mentioned that the present Empress, is also part of Hua Family, she is the cousin of HuaMuTan¡¯s father, so maybe she can be the strong ally of her in the pce also.


    "....The Empress is the person you must aware most..." Prince Li seems be careful to mention it.


    TanTan surprised to hear it, "Why?"


    "...The Empress can¡¯t be trusted..."


    But there is no time to exin furthermore as the horse carriage has


    finally enters the inner hall of pce and stops.


    "We shall go now..."


    Prince Lies out first and then be followed by TanTan. And as she steps out, she is amazed by the view. This is the first time for TanTan to see the pce in real. Even in her modern time, she only sees it in the book or drama series. The gigantic exotic decorative building really amazes her,


    ¡¯Its really different to be actually here than seeing it in the picture or movie....this ce is really ¡¯a pce¡¯...¡¯


    TanTan sudden feels nervous and even almost unbnced to step down from the carriage. Prince Li notices it right away and directly holds TanTan¡¯s hand, helps her to step down,


    "Watch out your step..."


    TanTan feels shy but pleased with the help so she smiles to Prince Li sincerely,


    "...Thank you..." For Prince Li, that is the first time TanTan smiles to him so in return, Prince Li just keep staring at TanTan. He doesn¡¯t aware that he keeps holding TanTan¡¯s hand even though TanTan has stepped safely on the ground. It makes TanTan feels awkward again,


    "Ehm...Prince Li, I am okay now..."


    "Ah...yes..."Prince Li lets go of the hand and trying to act normal, "We should go now..." he turns and starts to walk, TanTan is also ready to follow him but after two steps, suddenly he stops and turns back to TanTan. It makes TanTan¡¯s forehead identally bumps on Prince Li¡¯s lips.


    TanTan in reflex steps backward and cover her forehead with her two handsAhkkh, why suddenly you stop?!" her face turns red and it makes Prince Li feels shy too, as he clears his throat to stay calm,


    "Ehm...I warn you...you must be aware with for your words and actions toward anyone in this pce...Stay close to me until we return...if anyone summon you, just wait for me before you go..."


    "...I understand..." TanTan feels relieved to know that Prince Li has an intention to protect her, it cheers her a little bit.


    "Good..." Prince Li turns again and then walks quite fast that makes TanTan difficulty to match her steps with him.


    "Hey, wait....can you slow down?" protest TanTan.


    Prince Li seems not listen cause there is no reaction at all, but before TanTan protests again...she realizes that Prince Li had slowing his step, till TanTan manages to catch up with him. This small action makes TanTan smiles...


    ¡¯Turns out maybe he is not too bad...¡¯


    This time both of them keep walking till they are arriving at the central hall of the pce, where all the ministers and princes have waiting to do a regr assemble meeting.


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