#Chapter 2- Red Sakura

"Eldest Miss, we have reached the destination,"The driver announces, as he tugged on the horses forcefully, causing them to skid to a stop.

Xia Yun Xi silently got out of the carriage, and observed her home for the near future. It was a beautiful dainty little home, with four rooms- The biggest was hers, and the other three belonged to her servants.

"Eldest Miss, here are the taels Old Master is giving to you,"He Shao, the driver says as he gently places a bundle in Xia Yun Xi's hands.

"This..."

Xia Yun Xi was at a loss. She felt guilty for leaving her family all of a sudden, and her grandfather's thoughtful actions worsened her guilt.

She slowly gripped the bundle, and bit her lips as tears threatened to fall.

He Shao's expression softened. He was over forty, and he had a daughter the same age as Eldest Miss. Seeing the young girl looking so miserable, he was reminded of his daughter and couldn't help but advise her, "Eldest Miss, please take care of yourself. Don't be too upset over what has happened. Let bygones be bygones."

Xia Yun Xi smiled bitterly, but nevertheless thanked him.

He Shao bowed before her, before galloping off in the wilderness with the carriage in tow.

She watched him leave, before turning to walk into the courtyard of her temporary home. A petite, gentle looking maidservant was sweeping the dead leaves on the ground, wiping the sweat off her forehead with one hand before continuing to sweep again.

With just one look, Xia Yun Xi could tell that this girl was very hardworking. She slowly walked towards her.

"Hello."

The girl, Zi Ya, hearing someone speak to her, was shocked.

This house was located in the suburbs, and was largely empty. Almost nobody passed by this area. Hence, she was surprised and scared to hear a voice.

To add on, Zi Ya was a timid and meek person to behind with.

She didn't dare to lift her head, and she stuttered, "A-Are you a human or a g-ghost?"

Her body was shaking, and the broom had fallen from her hands that had gone numb.

Hearing the extreme fear in her voice, Xia Yun Xi wanted to burst out laughing. This maidservant was simply too cowardly! Moreover, it is the middle of the day. Why would there even be a ghost at this bright hour?!

Hearing no one responding, Zi Ya was even more frightened. She shut her eyes and pulled out an amulet from her robes, before wildly waving it in the space before her.

"I-Im warning you, ghost! Don't come near me! I have a amulet that can hurt you! Ha! You see that? Go away!"

She continued to yelp, waving the amulet more vigorously with each word.

Seeing this hilarious and ridiculous scene, Xia Yun Xi could not take it anymore. She bent over laughing, and let herself loose as tears spilled from her eyes from laughing too hard.

Zi Ya quickly lifted her head, and saw Xia Yun Xi. She paled and immediately bowed before her.

"Eldest Miss Xia, this maidservant is so sorry! I didn't mean to call you a ghost, I-"

"Don't worry, it's alright,"Xia Yun Xi interrupts her, waving her hand.

Relief could be seen on Zi Ya's face, as she felt thankful that the Eldest Miss did not punish her. Her impression of the Eldest Miss instantly improved.

Upon realizing that she wasn't serving the Eldest Miss, Zi Ya panicked and quickly ran into the kitchen to get the plate of sweets she had made for the Eldest Miss this morning.

"Eldest Miss Xia, this is the sweets Zi Ya made for you, would you like some?"Zi Ya says as she politely offered Xia Yun Xi her hand-made sweets. She carefully peeked at Xia Yun Xi as she picked up a sweet and put it in her mouth.

Xia Yun Xi was pleasantly surprised. The sweet was milky and delicious, it was so addicting to eat.

"I love it. How did you make this?"Xia Yun Xi smiles at Zi Ya, and the timid maidservant broke out into a wide grin.

She felt glad that the Eldest Miss loved her sweets.

"Thank you, Eldest Miss! Zi Ya made this using milk and sugar..."

The duo continued to talk for some time, before Zi Ya persuaded Xia Yun Xi to get some rest in the bed.

"Eldest Miss, please get some rest. It has been a tiring journey for you. Brother Mu and Lin Li should be arriving home soon. They have went to the market to purchase delicious ingredients,"Zi Ya informs Xia Yun Xi, as she draws the curtains to make sure that Xia Yun Xi would not be bothered by the sunlight.

"Alright, thank you. You must be tired, go and have some rest,"Xia Yun Xi told Zi Ya, and the latter bows before speedily leaving her chambers.

After making sure the doors were shut and the curtains were drawn, Xia Yun Xi hesitantly grabbed a hand mirror from her belongings, and slowly held it before her face. She gingerly removed the silk mask, and her hand trembled upon seeing her face.

The face's original beauty had been marred over by horrific scars.

Red, blistering, scary.

Xia Yun Xi put the mirror down, and hugged her knees. Anger, regret and sadness coursed through her veins.

She hated Qi Xuan for ruining her face.

She regretted agreeing to the fight. If she hadn't been so arrogant and egotistical, she could have been more wary and researched on Qi Xuan's abilities more detailedly.

She was upset for having to leave her family, and having to be the one experiencing these issues.

Xia Yun Xi gazed up at the ceiling blankly, murmuring, "Heavenly Emperor, why am I the one having to go through this? Why not others? Why me?"

Her heart clenched as she blurted her thoughts, and tears fell from her eyes.

Ever since she was reduced to this pathetic state, Xia Yun Xi realised that she had become extremely weak. She cried a lot,and would often zone out.

She detested herself for being this pathetic and emotional.

Not many knew about it, but underneath Xia Yun Xi's cold and proud demeanor, was a fragile teenage girl.

Shutting her eyes, Xia Yun Xi lay down on the bed and sobbed quietly. Crying soon wore her out, and Xia Yun Xi slept soundly like a baby.

At this moment, the red sakura petal that Xia Yun Xi had picked up and stashed in her coin purse thoughtlessly, had leapt out of it and landed on the floor. The petal shook slightly, before it started to tremble violently, and turn into an enchanting man. He was absolutely gorgeous, having icy blue eyes, a straight nose and full lips. He was wearing a red robe that revealed much of his abdominal muscles, and his silky white hair brushed against his back as he moved slowly, and bent down near Xia Yun Xi....