12 12. Just trust

"I think I don't trust her that much anymore," Chao Shen admitted to Hui while they are on his study that night when he gave Lihua a task to do.

"Why did you say so?" Hui asked rather surprised. He has been with this young man since he is little. He can tell from observation who are those he trusts and those who he doesn't. Seeing how his young master and that maid Lihua been throughout these years, he is sure that the relationship between these two is strong and founded in trust.

"I can't pinpoint the reason though," he said in deep thought. "When I received the news about the Blood Princess, I hesitated to inform her right away. I only told her about it when I personally confirmed it."

Hui thought about what he said deeply before he answered, "would this servant be bold enough to say my thoughts about this matter?"

Shen nodded, he desperately needed to talk to someone about this. It has been bothering him for days now.

"The time you received the news about the Blood Princess is the time she refused to tell you the reason behind her actions, am I right?"

Shen nodded again.

"I think you did not inform her about it because you want to get even with her. She not telling you anything so you hide this from her."

"That's what I thought as well," he agreed to what Hui told him.

"So, what is it then?"

"When I told her about the news, she is not even surprised or excited. She even told me that the information might be false. I saw that she is very confident in her opinion. When I saw her reaction, I even doubted my own ability to confirm that kind of information."

Hui, who is now closely observing his young master, suddenly felt worried for him. This is the first time he saw him doubt himself. This young man is indeed not a saint or something but being the first son of the Prime Minister's household, he is always confident about his ability. But right now, seeing him in deep thought about a girl...

"Maybe, she is also doing some work regarding the blood princess that's why she was able to say that. We both know that she would always do hard work when you give her a job." Hui tried to console his young master. "I am sure, she will explain everything later on, like what she always did in the past."

Shen deeply considered the words of Hui. Yes, there have been times in the past where he also doubted Lihua's loyalty but she was able to explain everything later on. He took a deep breath before speaking, "you are right. I just need to wait for her to explain everything."

Hui finally smiled when he saw that Chao Shen relaxes his brows and soften his expression. After a while, he asked where is Lihua.

"I sent her out to scout the parameter of the Holy Mountain. She will be back in the morning."

Chao Shen slept soundly that night. The moment he decided to trust Lihua, his mind was at peace and finally had no problem sleeping. He never thought that his trust will be tested again that morning when he went out early to meet her in the city gates. He did not only see her enter the city gates with a man, but he also saw how carefree and happy she was. She never gave him those bright smiles before. Who would be that man? What is his relationship with her? And why is it they are that close?

Chao Shen's mood did not change when he returned in his manor. Lihua used the back door of the mansion to keep people from asking her where she went. Lihua did not go to Shen's study hall that morning. She knew that he is in a foul mood. It is better to avoid him until he cools off. But her strategy did not work. Her delay just made him angrier. Hui asked for her before lunch. The young man even asked her why she did not report immediately to the young master.

"He is upset. Why would I go to my own doom?" Lihua answered Hui. Though the young man understood his point, he still did not approve her actions.

"Still, what you did just make him angrier."

Lihua noticed the cold and deadly aura coming out of Chao Shen's study hall. He looked at Hui, asking if she can avoid it. Hui, just shook his head and motioned him to move forward. Lihua took a deep breath before moving forward.