Chapter 13

You know what?

Here I am again, in my dilapidated bed along with my maids glaring at me with so much love that I could die.

"..."

It was evident that I was thrown out of the palace and it isn't that discreet when it was done. Surely, the smart male protagonist who has the greatest intel knows about my current situation but then he still took me back reasoning one of the soldiers recognized me and thought I'm the lost princess finding her way back home. Tsk.

What a pile of dung.

I stood up and walked outside my courtyard. Whatever they don't care about me anyway. Not even assisting me. Woe is this thy soul of the unforgotten brethren of thou no less...

Silly me.

If only I could meet a person I can use...

Yes, use or someone I can have a deal with. After all, I have this mindset that if someone helps me if I need help then I'll gladly return it twice as much if it's within my current ability. It's called a debt to be repaid and I don't want to be indebted.

Dog hole...

Should I finally enter that dog hole and see what's on the other side of paradise? Fufufu.

Yeah. What is elegance anyway?

"I need a disguise."

Taking a good amount of pulverized soil before I arrived again at my favorite spot and that's the artificial pond. I made sure it's not that sticky once they are combined as it is just enough to play with this face. Oh yes, where did that servant throw those cooled embers?

Search.

Search. Search.

Where is my make-up?

"There you are."

Sometimes whenever they throw the embers everywhere it could sometimes be troublesome when searching even for a piece.

When I look back at the pond I made the same expression as my favorite actor as a child until now.

Ramboo.

I'll mark it just like how Ramboo is probably known as Silvester Stalone did his face. "A little more mark here and there, awesome."

Let me connect my brows like an M.

"Hahaha. Good."

"I'm very beautiful."

Pfft.

Now, off I go to the bunny—dog hole going straight to dog wonderland. "To the crappy adventure!"

"..."

I wriggled like a caterpillar entering the hole of edification waiting to evolve a higher threshold.

"Heh. Evolve my arse."

I wiped the dirt from my clothes but made it dirtier. Well, let's just look around my clothes have never been washed as clean as it should be. This forest, the more I walk deeper the more I find it fascinating.

The trees in this place are full of beautiful verdant leaves and a thick canopy of trees, lovely chrysanthemum flowers.

Is this part of the Imperial Forest for women's chitchat or a hunting forest of the Imperial family?

Why does it feel like I've been walking for so long? It was early in the morning that I walked out of that dog hole and now it's gradually rising at its peak. If I didn't mark the trees and bushes that I've passed by I would have thought I'm going in circles.

Maybe I should go back.

"No! You are mistaken."

Ouuuuuhhhh? My ears must have grown a yard longer. Finally, humans.

I hid my body behind the bushes that's thick and high enough to cover my bent body.

"Haven't you already become one?"

That voice, it's Gu Mei Xiang!

"Isn't it true?"

I can't hear anything from the person she's talking to. Carefully peeking between the bushes I finally saw Gu Mei Xiang disguised in a maid's clothing yet the man was dressed like a fine noble. Albeit, a bit Asian-European style.

Well, even before, I know this is a twisted Chinese setting. Even the ancient places here can't be connected to the original continent of China so as the history of the Three Kingdoms and the Middle Kingdom just a bit resemblance on the architectural construction of the Qin Empire's Imperial Palace and some structures but that's it.

"This is not what this Duke wants."

"You're only the son of the Duke."

"..."

"You think no one knows? But this Princess has credible assurance. Wouldn't you be in a dire situation once they knew what you have done?"

Who is this man? Ah no, he is a young adolescent? Maybe 16? Erm, in ancient China they're considered a man right? So maybe they follow the same rules here.

Whatevah. Yea still a kid in ma byu.

Let's put that aside, watching this young man he seems to be cornered by Gu Mei Xiang with no way to escape.

"If you don't want the people to know what about the incident you know where to find me. After all, committing arson is a grave sin."

"What, what do you want?"

Gu Mei Xiang faintly smiled. "Something that will benefit us. A murderer like you would always watch his back just like how a princess like me should watch her people."

Wow, talk about making a speech.

She stepped closer to him. Man, the close-up shot of Gu Mei Xiang in my point of view is just breathtaking. Who could ever say no to this beautiful lady?

"If your this Princess' aide, such a thing would not occur. This princess will lend a hand and will surely make you the Duke of Suzan. You just need to help me temporarily and this Princess will never forget your efforts."

I frowned. Duke of Suzan?

Dang, it. Why did I even skip the pages? Shvtty. So shvtty. What's more disadvantageous is I easily ignore the events of what I've read unless it's on a mere whim that my brain actually remembered that scene, whatever scene that was. Right now, Duke of Suzan is not part of my brain's whim.

Let me think...

Let me remember...

What part was that again? Arson...arson...

Suzan...

Think deeper.

"You, get out."

Crap, I've been caught.

I peered at the young boy who's glaring at me for peeking at their private talk. Looking behind him, I was instantly happy. Great, Gu Mei Xiang was actually gone. Seems I was thinking for too long without noticing they were already finished speaking with each other.

"Tehee~ Li Jia Ying was out! Li Jia Ying has been captured."

The young man frowned at me. "You're the First Princess. What are you doing here?"

So far this is the only person who didn't treat me with harshness at first encounter. Even his eyes held no disgust but confusion. How sweet.

"Play Hide and Seek. Fun! You found me."

I beamed laughing childishly.

"Should Li Jia Ying catch you too? Should Li Jia Ying catch that beautiful sister too?"

"That's not just a beautiful sister,"

He gulped as if there was something stuck in his throat. "It's your sister, Princess. It's the Second Princess Gu Mei Xiang."

And what should I do? Simple, stare at him.

"Ugh. As if you'll understand."

"Sister is bad."

I told him tilting my head looking at him in a somber and saddened expression. This young man, even if he is younger than me he is quite tall as I only reach his collar bone. The cute Asian type of adolescent boy you see in the Takton App. You know what I mean.

"Sister says you're a murderer. Murder is bad. A murderer is a person. Li Jia Ying is a person. Is Li Jia Ying bad too?"

The young man was stunned. He didn't expect me to hear their conversation. A second had passed before he regained his composure and shook his head.

"Of course not."

Aww this cute boy, I want to pinch his cheeks.

"Then you're not a murderer. You're not a monster too. Even if you are, you must have a reason. Sister must have grabbed your mooncake when she lost Hide and Seek!"

Hehehe. Does Autumn Festival even exist in this twisted Chinese setting?

He just gazes at me, well more like in deep thought reminiscing something in the past. Maybe that 'event'. I keep on thinking about what kind of event Gu Mei Xiang and this person are having in the novel. Aiyo.

"You're strange."

I'm not.

"What's your name? This Li Jia Ying! I'm Li Jia Ying. Li Jia Ying is a Princess. Father is Emperor."

If he is the son of the Duke and is introduced in the early events like this he is either one of the helpers of Gu Mei Xiang that may have been a cannon-fodder or a second or third male lead.

Hair like coal, eyes that resemble the dim sky mixed with the lightest color of ash around his iris, and sun-kissed skin evident from his training. Even though he is dressed like a typical noble, the sword on the side of his hip and the scars visible on his hands could mean he has skills in swordsmanship or more than that.

Still, he doesn't give off this strong masculinity. More like a sheep carrying a bucket. Hmm, let's just say he is a gentleman. The boy next door kind of person.

Why can't I remember this handsome softie?!

"Houxian."

Oh, so Houxian is your name.

I've waited.

"..."

"..."

Yo bro, that's it?

"Xianxian"

Nevermind. It's not like we're close friends and again, sometimes I forgot, I'm a fool too.

"You are now my friend, Xianxian."

That shocked face, amusing.

"Whatever Xianxian does you will never be a murderer nor a monster. Li Jia Ying believes Xianxian is not a bad person."

Pwe. Some bullshvt words. Che.

"You don't know anything."

Hah. Look at you saying it coldly but you're ears and cheeks have a tint of red. Your eyes also have a slight sparkle of shyness. Young boys and their hearts. Houxian looks awkward taking compliments.

I giggled. "You're Xianxian, friend! I know you're name, I know you."

"..."

"Li Jia Ying knows best. Sister Gu Mei Xiang is bad. Sister smiles, but sister doesn't like me. Xianxian is not. So you are not a bad person."

Staring at this young lad, I thought about something.

"Li Jia Ying likes cookies but Li Jia Ying can't have one. Li Jia Ying is hungry so Li Jia Yung plays Hide and Seek. Li Jia Ying is not hungry anymore!"

I told him with all my jubilant bearing dancing in circles.

"You've found Li Jia Ying. But Li Jia Ying can't give cookies so Li Jia Ying can only give you this!"

I pulled out, yes, literary pulled out a flower showing off its roots waving it at him. "Xianxian is not a bad person. Xianxian is handsome. You don't need to be afraid."

"Pfft. I'm not a bad person because I'm handsome?"

You could say it like that.

But knowing my time is running out I just pushed the plant on his chest glancing at the sky. "Xianxian should play House with Li Jia Ying next time!"

Our conversation is rushed but at least I've built a rapport. Now I need to leave lest I'll return late.