Being Set Up

Xiao Qi couldn't believe she had fallen for Zhao Xing's cheap trick of playing sick. But she knew she really couldn't do anything to her because of how much her master treasured the little brat. She could only hold in her anger, they were no longer in Little Merchant Valley, if she really offended her the master wasn't too far for her to reach.

In a few days Zhao Xing would be leaving for her Noble Princess manor. She felt excited, and prepared herself. She couldn't even concentrate on reviewing her lessons.

"Zhang Zhengyang, you know what, this is one place I'm going to miss once I leave."

"The study?"

Zhao Xing nodded. She didn't like to study in the first place. In the manor only Zhang Zhengyang's study that motivated her to read. Now that she'd be going to her place, she would have the freedom she needs, and wouldn't care about looking at these boring books or worry about not having anything to do, she'd be free as a bird. At least that was what she thought.

"You'll have your own study, you could also fill it up with books you like." Zhang Zhengyang said as he busied himself.

"It's not the same" Zhao Xing rolled her eyes. How would he understand the feeling of someone who hates studying?

"You've been reading those books so many times, is there anything particular about it?" Zhang Zhengyang asked.

"No, nothing particular. I'm preparing an exam. Once I return to my world, I have to take midterm exams if I don't get good grades my mother will…" Zhao Xing knew he wouldn't understand and what she said might only confuse him. "Never mind continue with your work."

'In the end, read your book and prepare to go to your mansion in a few days.' She thought to herself.

Then she thought of another thing she wanted to talk to Zhang Zhengyang about.

She turned to the man that sat not so far from her, who was immersed in his own world, with a light frown, as if he were perplexed.

Zhao Xing pursed her lips wondering whether she should say it or not.

"Zhang Zhengyang…"

"Um?" His eyes slowly lifted his head and stared at her.

Zhao Xing still hesitated, but she knew the Crown Prince was currently busy, so she didn't hold back anymore, "Like I once said, even if we aren't close, at least we've been through a lot, and can be considered friends right?"

Zhang Zhengyang seemed a bit puzzled. He put down the memorial in his hand, and supported his chin with one hand, "What do you mean?"

Zhao Xing sighed and went straight to the point, "In the future if you like someone you can just tell me no need to hide it."

"Is it about Xiao Qi?" The Crown Prince said as his lips slowly arced making his already gorgeous eyes turn into a crescent shape.

Zhao Xing shook her head inwardly admiring his handsomeness.

'Truly the heavens are unfair, and gave this human trafficker such good looks. While innocent girls like myself…sigh.'

She quickly snapped out of it and explained, "Yes, Sister Qi is indeed a beauty, she's intelligent and trustworthy. It's normal for someone to fall for her..."

"I thought I told you, Xiao Qi and I have no such relationship."

Zhao Xing didn't believe him so easily. "There's no need to hide it. I understand, in this era, people care a lot about status, in fact even in my era it's not easy for certain rich families to allow their kids to marry from the low society. Don't worry as long as there's a will, there's a way."

Zhang Zhengyang: "…"

Seeing she was so immersed in her own ideas, he didn't bother explaining any longer, he returned to what he was doing.

"Zhang Zhengyang, I'm talking to you, how come you're ignoring me?"

What she was saying was meaningful, she hadn't gotten to the most important part yet!

"If you like her you shouldn't create too many misunderstandings, does Xiao Qi know that you like her? If she does and sees you treating me this way she would surely feel sad. No girl wants to see their man with another girl. With your good looks, is it any wonder she would never feel secure? Always feeling like someone is going to snatch what belongs to her…"

The more Zhang Zhengyang listened to her, the more speechless he became. Where did she get all these ideas from?

Does she really think Xiao Qi acts like this because she was jealous? Xiao Qi was indeed jealous, but for other reasons, and not because of this.

He didn't want to listen to her nonsense, he couldn't even concentrate on the memorials his imperial father had specially asked him to go over anymore.

"Zhao Xing, come here."

Zhao Xing who kept blabbering, immediately stopped when she heard him. His expression didn't look good, so she hesitated whether she should go to him or not.

"Zhang…Zhengyang I'm only saying this for your good…" And also for herself, ok? If Zhang Zhengyang didn't explain things correctly, then once she leaves for her mansion along with Xiao Qi, she was sure that petty lady would find many occasions to get back at her. She only wanted peace, and wanted to avoid as many troubles as possible. In addition to this she didn't want to be that person that separates two lovers.

Zhang Zhengyang didn't mind her words and had his hands stretched out towards her. Zhao Xing had no choice but to step forward.

Zhang Zhengyang dragged her by her arm closer to himself until they was only a bit of gap between them.

"…!" Zhao Xing's heart skipped a beat and her mind went blank, she froze in place.

Zhang Zhengyang eyes stared deep into hers, those dark eyes seemed to stare into her soul.

"Is this close?" He asked in a low voice.

Zhao Xing didn't know how to respond. Never had she been in such a situation before.

Zhang Zhengyang pulled her by the waist as he let go of her arm, this action seemed to have awakened Zhao Xing.

She quickly pushed him away.

"Are you crazy?!" Her voice raised a little, she almost punched him just now.

Her face was red and her heart beat fast, it was unknown whether it was because she was flustered or because of the sudden anger that welled up from within her.

Zhang Zhengyang chuckled, making her angrier.

"What was the meaning of that?!" Her eyes turned fierce as she stared at him.

Zhang Zhengyang feigned serious as he shrugged, "I was only showing you that I dared to get close to you without fear of what my subordinates may say."

'Subordinates?'

Zhao Xing suddenly felt a something close to killing intent from behind her. She slowly turned her head.

"Master…" Xiao Qi's voice sounded dull. But to Zhao Xing she felt that voice suppressed thousands of feelings, especially rage.

She was clearly addressing her master, but her eyes were dead set on her.

Zhao Xing: '#$%^&*'

How dare he! He actually set her up.

Beside Xiao Qi, Xiao Chen was also there, his expression was much calmer than the person next to him. It seemed they came to discuss matters with the Crown Prince.

Xiao Chen bowed and excused himself dragging Xiao Qi along with him.

'How come they left just like that?'

Zhao Xing turned back to Zhang Zhengyang, with a questioning look.

"Zhang Zhangyang, you…"

She knew he didn't take the few months they knew each other to heart, but he didn't know this man actually hated her to this extent.

"Do you know what you just did?"

"I just proved to you that there was no hidden relationship between the two of us."

"…" Here she thought people of this era would be more conservative. What a nice way to prove it to her!

The big study suddenly felt too small to contain the both of them, Zhao Xing took her things and walked away, feeling as if she had been taken advantage of.

Zhang Zhengyang watch her leave with a triumphant smile. He didn't know why he did what he did, but he didn't care.

With what happened, she wouldn't dare think that he and Xiao Qi were a thing anymore.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chen had dragged Xiao Qi as far away as possible.

"Let go." Xiao Qi wined.

"If I do I can't guarantee you won't head back in there." Xiao Chen refused to let go.

"Who wants to head back in there?" She said angrily. "Do I want to watch the master make out with that girl?"

"…" Xiao Chen was speechless at how direct she was, and finally let her go.

Xiao Qi looked at him and rolled her eyes. "That girl is really something, came out of nowhere and suddenly seduced the master. She better not have any secret agenda, or else she'll have to deal with me."

"I don't think Grand Tutor would have any hidden agenda. She really cares about the Master. The time when we were in the south she worried a lot about Master's safety, the time when the carriage was attacked, she wasn't afraid of the dangers that may lay waiting for her, and still wanted to check on the prince, isn't that why she got herself injured? I think you should treat her better in the future"

Xiao Qi had also heard about the assassination attempt but details about it were kept secret. But she managed to get some information concerning what happened, and that was, Zhao Xing hadn't really saved the Crown Prince. It was just an accident. Yet the Crown Prince blew the matter up once he arrived the capital. If Zhao Xing didn't cast a spell on her master, she didn't know what else she could have done to make him go to such lengths to integrate her into the high class society.

"Treat who better? What spell has she cast on you all? Were you all drugged? How can that selfish little thing care about anyone?" She paused and thought for a moment. "Xiao Chen, where does this girl even come from?"

"I can't disclose this." Xiao Chen replied, making Xiao Qi grimace.

"No need to tell me, I already know." She said as she walked away.

Xiao Chen: "…?"

Xiao Qi stopped and turned to him. "She came from the pits of hell."

Xiao Chen shook his head as a small smile formed on his face.

"Xiao Qi, wait for me."