43 Truly Foolish

After many days of hiding herself in her courtyard, Da Ying was ready to make her next move. Using the excuse that she would like to go pray, Da Ying made her way out of the palace in a small carriage. With only one man driving the horse and her two maids Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi, they set off on the two day journey.

All three of the women sat in the carriage as they whispered to one another.

"Gongzhu, what are we doing out here?" Bai Zhi asked. She had been with Da Ying long enough to know that the woman only prayed once, on her mother's death anniversary. So to be on this journey meant that they she had something planned. But what...

With her body calmly leaning on the wall of the carriage, Da Ying smiled at her. "Bai Zhi, I was not wrong to pick you and Ban Shiang to be by my side." She praised the two.

After explaining her plans, the two maids nodded, understanding her intentions.

"Halt!" Ban Shiang called out to the driver when she saw the lake to the right of the road. "Her highness would like to take a rest her for a little bit." Ban Shiang continued to speak. The driver unwillingly agreed. He tied the horse to the tree and went to rest at a nearby tree, clearly not respecting the princess he was escorting. Of all people, he had to be escorting the most hated princess. Just his luck, he complained while taking cover under the tree.

Bai Zhi wanted to scold him but Da Ying stopped her. Instead she told them to go rest.

The two reluctantly went.

Da Ying slowly headed towards the lake. Once she reached the edge of the blue lake, she stared into the horizon. "Qin Xie De…" She didn't know why she called out the Duke of Lan's name. She chuckled at her own foolishness.

After a few more short moments of staring, she untied her white cloak, dropping it onto the ground. One foot after another, her feet slowly went into the water.

Feet…knees…waist…slowly she had gone out so far that the water had reached her neck. Then she closed her eyes. He showed up in her thoughts. The night they drank together during the lantern festival. The night he asked her, "There's got to be something you wish for? Don't girls usually wish to find love?"

And then she let the water take over her. Love is not something I can obtain in this life, she closed her eyes. Then she slowly felt her body give in.

Even with her body fully submerged, she could hear the sound of splashes. Someone was coming to her rescue. The person she was waiting for…

He held her waist and pulled her above.

Da Ying gasped for air the moment she was out of the water.

"Da Ying gongzhu, you'll be okay. Hang on." The voice urgently called out to her.

When she came to her senses, it was Lui Xi Feng who came to her. Once he was able to stand, he lifted her up in a princess position. Her arms went to hold onto his neck as her head lay on his chest. He felt warm, she thought.

Xi Feng lightly set her down on the ground. Her body almost fell over. Thankfully she was able to use her palms to hold herself from falling. Then she looked down to the ground. "Why did you save me?" She asked as if he had done her wrong. "Why didn't you let me die?" The grievance in her voice was enough to prick his heart.

"Da Ying gongzhu, have you gone mad? What has gotten into you that you must do this? If I hadn't arrived in time, you would be dead." He started to reprimand her.

"I want to be alone." She said ignoring his questions.

Thinking that she wouldn't do anything crazy, he walked past her; wanting to give her some time to think things through. Who knew that the moment he turned, he would see her running towards the waves once more.

"Gongzhu!" Xi Feng ran with all his might to her. Before her feet could touch the waters, Xi Feng held her by the waist and pulled her away. Da Ying put her hands on his as she tried to break away the lock he made with his hands.

"Let me go. I want to die." She shouted.

"I won't let you. Didn't I tell you that if you have any problems, I am always here for you? So why are you doing this?"

As if she wasn't listening, she began to struggle and push. Suddenly she pushed back with full force, making Xi Feng lose his balance. It would have been easy for him to catch his balance but with Da Ying in his arms, he could not. His body quickly fell onto the ground with a loud thud. The next thud came from Da Ying's body landing on top of his. Her head hit his chest, making him groan from pain.

The two lay there silently for a moment, Xi Feng's arms still holding tightly on her waist. She smelled sweet. A hint of plumeria mixed with the oceanic waves. Nothing he had ever smelt before. It was quite nice.

And then he heard his own heart beating. His immediate thought was, can she hear it too?

With that fear, he quickly let go of her waist. "Gongzhu, are you alright?" He helped her into sitting position.

"I'm okay." She brushed her wet sleeves, trying to do all she could to not blush in front of him. "You must find me pitiful, don't you?"

"Based on the few meetings we've only had, I am not qualified to judge you. You are after all a princess, what rights do I have to judge you?"

"Then do you find me foolish?" She spoke as timidly as possible.

"Foolish...indeed foolish."

His answer made her look up. What she saw was a bright smile on his face. "Truly foolish. If you end your life, you will give those who hurt you the satisfaction. That is true foolishness."

"I…" She couldn't find any words. Her eyes could only follow his. She watched him pick up her cloak and put it around her shoulders.

"We should find a nearby inn before you catch a cold." Xi Feng walked in front of her and helped tie the cloak on her. Just as the two of them were about to walk back to the carriage, they saw the Duke of Lan coming towards them.

Qin Xie De? Da Ying couldn't believe it. But what was with that look? He looked as if he was about to murder someone.