You Are Pretty

He splashed some water over his face and rubbed his temples forcefully; not willing to further ponder upon the earlier scene. With a deep sigh, he left to meet up with the minister of eastern zone, where more and more riots had been taking place lately.

"Please step in, Second Prince." Minister Hao Dao bowed respectfully as Ziran took off from the dragon.

"Any updates on who initiated the riot?" Ziran asked somberly.

"Not till now, but I found out a few scrolls near the Third Marshall's palace. I dare not blindly assume anything before getting enough evidence." Minister Dao replied.

Ziran entered Hao Dao's room, looking around as if appreciating the architecture and decorations, whereas in reality he was taking in every small details with his sharp eyes.

"Do you have the scrolls here?" Ziran asked still staring at something or nothing maybe.

"Yes, here they are." Minister Dao handed over a few rolled scrolls to Ziran. He held them closer to his eyes and examined them for a while, before taking one scroll to sniff it. His persona turned stiff for a while, but it took him less than a second to revert back to his casual self; acting like nothing was wrong.

"You did a good job, Minister Hao. Expect a surprise. Continue investigating." Ziran narrowed his eyes and gave him a polite smile.

Minister Hao took out a glass crystal from his trunk the moment Ziran left.

___________________________________________

"Name your price." Steven arrogantly said, sitting opposite to Wei Yisheng. Yisheng in complete contrast to Steven's bossy attitude elegantly took a sip from the cup of tea placed on the table. He slowly brewed another cup and offered it to Steven with a slight smile on his face.

"Special tea prepared by Master Long. Please." He took another sip from the cup and raised his left hand to indicate Steven to go ahead and try it. Steven continued to glare at the man, causing him to raise his brows curiously.

"Does General Yiseng really think, I am here only to accompany you over a tea ceremony?" Steven rolled his eyes, and picked up the cup only to drop it on the carpeted floor causing the ivory tea-cup to break splashing the tea all over the carpet.

"Oops, sorry, I hope the ever so graceful General wouldn't mind my small mistake, right?" Steven smirked not appearing the least bit of apologetic. Wei Yisheng let out a hearty laugh without any sign of anger. He called over a maid to clear up the floor.

"I wonder, what does the general find so funny?" This time Steven didn't even bother pretending to be polite. Wei Yisheng put the tea cup down and amusedly glanced at Steven.

"You love her." It was a declaration.

"I never knew General Yisheng has a habit of poking his nose into others' business." Steven said in a cold voice.

"I am not giving up on her. It's up to you what the third prince wishes to do and the same works for me." Yisheng stood up from the sofa after stating this, a slight smile still on his face.

"Show his highness out." He ordered his butler.

Steven gritted his teeth and stormed out leaving the confused butler standing there outside the door.

_____________________________________________________________________

Xixi stepped out of the bathroom adorned in the gown and the cape. She twirled a bit, loving the way the fluffy velvet fabric puffed up and asked Riwansa in a sweet voice, "So, am I looking pretty enough to turn heads?"

Riwansa rolled her eyes and said "Very pretty, now would you please wear these jewelleries Milady? Or do you want me to help you out with them?" Xixi pouted lightly and sat down in front of the dressing table. After being done with the jewelleries she went out with Riwansa only to find out two royal carriages waiting outside.

She gave Riwansa a questioning glance who was equally befuddled. Steven peeked out from one of the carriages. "Get up, don't tell me you need me to assist you in that too?" He said harshly.

As much as Riwansa wanted snap at him, she really couldn't do that outside the palace. She mouthed sorry at Xixi and left with Steven.

Xixi was about to go back to the palace, since wasn't really willing to attend the party without Riwansa accompanying her. Her mood dropped a little low. "Hey, get up?" Xixi stared dumbly at Ziran who got off from another carriage. "Get up?" Ziran went a bit closer to her. Xixi obediently followed him to the carriage not wanting to offend a royal. He extended his palm towards her to help her up. She held on his palm for a mere second before quickly retracting hers.

A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes looking at her sitting in the farthest corner in order to avoid him.

"It's pretty cold today. Don't you think so?" He casually asked her. "Yeah." She answered. 'Why is he even talking with me? Isn't he a prince? I have never heard of any prince clinging onto someone, who is obviously reluctant to talk to them.' Xixi thought internally, still not comfortable, being with him within a closed space.

"Want to know an interesting fact about me?" Without waiting for Xixi's response he continued; "I can read minds."

Xixi turned her head at him in horror. "I was just kidding. Don't tell me, you are thinking something bad about me?" Ziran closed the distance between them and stared into her dark amber eyes.

Xixi gulped nervously while looking into his intimidating Zade mauve orbs.

He leaned back slowly and stayed silent for a while. A while later he looked at her seriously and said lightly, "You are looking too pretty."

"Eh?" Xixi tilted her head and asked confusedly.

"Are you deaf or what?" He averted his eyes away, seemingly upset all of a sudden. 

The carriage has already reached the buzzing castle by the moment Xixi was just wondering why his cheeks were so red.