You cannot marry her [Bonus chapter]

In the late evening, Jia Li left with Chen Xi to train herself. Chen Xin advised Jia Li it was risky for her to go out every day and suggested she should make a place to practice in the palace only.

"I don't want to show anyone that I have started working on defense skills," Jia Li said. "One has to walk to reach this place, so that will also add to my physical strength," she added.

Chen Xin agreed with her. "The Crown Princess didn't need to hide from her rivals about this, in my opinion," he asserted.

"What do you mean?" Jia Li inquired.

"If the people know that the Crown Princess has started getting trained, they will definitely build their trust in her. Indeed, the enemies be troubled and it will become easier for the Crown Princess to notice her enemies," he stated.

Jia Li liked his suggestions. However, she believed in working in silence for a while. In the evening, she would learn from Chen Xin while in the early morning, before the sun rose, she would practice in her manor.

They finally reached the place which would be Jia Li's training ground. They were greeted by the towering shoots of the bamboo. The ground was cool and shaded. The evening rays of the sun filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled light on the ground.

Chen Xin handed the wooden sword to Jia Li and told her they would begin practicing with it first.

"Her Royal Highness's outfit isn't suitable for her to train. If she allows me, I will bring a better outfit for her which makes it easier for her to get trained," Chen Xin asserted as he saw Jia Li folding the long sleeves of her dress.

"I will be thankful if you bring such an outfit for me," Jia Li asserted.

"May I?" Chen Xin stepped up to her and asked for her permission to fold her sleeves.

She allowed him and forwarded her hand to him. Chen Xin took out the black ribbons from inside his waistband and wrapped them around her sleeves. After he was done, he lowered her hands and took a few steps back.

"Watch me carefully. The stance is what we begin with. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bend your knees. Distribute your weight evenly between both legs. Keep your back straight and relaxed," Chen Xin explained to her and showed her how to do that. Jia Li copied what he did when he stepped up and helped her make her stance perfect.

Next, he asked Jia Li to focus on the grip. "Keep your dominant hand closer to the sword's guard and the other one slightly further along the handle. Keep it firm, but not tight," Chen Xin pronounced and gazed at her hands which were on the wooden sword.

After that, Chen Xin asked Jia Li to imagine her target. "We will start with the basic strikes and the movements used accordingly. A horizontal strike is the basic one. Keep your motion fluid and smooth," Chen Xin stated and showed her the same.

Jia Li tried to keep up with the basic technique he taught her. Her foot movements were not steady and she would stumble at any random moment. Chen Xin realized she needed to work on her feet and legs as well.

"The Crown Princess needs to do some leg and foot exercises," Chen Xin pronounced.

"I understand," she said and kept working on the horizontal strike.

~~~~~~

Xianwu looked at the wine jar and shook it. Plonking it on the table, he stood up and went out of the private room after sliding the door open.

It was evening and probably the sun had sat down. He saw the female servants lighting the corridor with lanterns and went ahead. He reached the stairs which led to the first floor.

"Lee Xianwu!" A voice stopped him. When he turned to look, he saw the Governor's son in front of him.

"Yu Chen!" Xianwu smiled to see him and they walked toward each other.

"What are you doing in this inn without a woman?" Yu Chen queried.

"Shouldn't I ask the same?" Xianwu questioned him back. "You took time to return this time," he stated.

Yu Chen hung his arm around Xianwu and they both descended the stairs. "In my maternal home, many things happened. That's why I was away for four months," he proclaimed.

"Were you lonely without me?" Yu Chen asked.

"Not at all," Xianwu answered.

"Aish! As a friend, you should have missed me," Yu Chen stated. "You drank wine without me. That's bad," he complained.

"When did you return?" Xianwu questioned.

"In the day," Yu Chen answered. "I didn't know I would encounter you here," he muttered.

"You know that it's a peaceful place for me," Xianwu said.

"Hmm. Did you pass the exam this time?" Yu Chen inquired.

"I failed," Xianwu replied. They both were now outside the inn. Yu Chen withdrew his arm from around Xianwu's shoulder and they turned to face each other.

"Why do you fail the exam intentionally? Don't you want to work?" Yu Chen asked him with a worried look on his face.

"You know my answer," Xianwu replied.

"General Lee will stop pestering you after you qualify for the exam. You can even shift to your own place," Yu Chen suggested to him.

Xianwu chuckled at his response. "Not possible in this birth. You know well how my father uses me in everything then," he asserted.

"Your father is loyal to the royal family. Why do you suspect him?" Yu Chen asked.

"Because I know what he is!" Xianwu stated and walked ahead. He told Yu Chen not to take about Lee Shimin since that name used to give him headaches only.

"I heard someone conspired against the Emperor. Do you think the Crown Princess is suitable to handle such a position?" Yu Chen wanted to know his friend's opinion on that.

"She is capable enough, but she doesn't know how to fight. Though, the Crown Princess succeeded in stopping the attack on the Emperor. She was the one who asked the Empress's bodyguard to keep a close check. So, I think doubting her isn't the solution to this new arising problem in the royal family," Xianwu expressed his thoughts.

"I saw her once. She is pretty. Father was saying the Grand Empress Dowager might ask for my hand for her," Yu Chen stated.

"You should refuse then," Xianwu asserted.

"Why?" Yu Chen frowned.

"Because you judge women based on their looks," Xianwu replied.

"Aren't the women the same? Well, for me at least, they go for handsome men rather than the beauty of the hearts. Will I look good with the Crown Princess?" Yu Chen asked him.

"Not at all! You cannot marry her. I will not talk to you if you say yes to this proposal," Xianwu warned him.

"Eh? What kind of request is this? Don't you want your friend to see the husband of the most beautiful woman of the Empire?" Yu Chen arched his brows at him.

"No!" Xianwu loudly said and walked ahead of him. "I will see you tomorrow," he said and waved at Yu Chen.