Motives and Speculations - 32.6

"What have you found?"

"Nothing of much worth, Princess... We lack time and resources to dig deeper."

"Useless!" she spat out angrily as she glared at her old servant with eyes filled with immense dissatisfaction.

"So if This Princess understands correctly, you were not only unable to find information regarding those assassins, but you also failed to find out more about that annoying woman and where this new prince heir of Lei Palace came from?"

"This servant is incompetent..."

Angered, Ning Yan Mei could barely hold herself back and the urge to throw the tea cup she was using filled her.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep, calming breath and once again regained her composure. Once she opened her eyes, her emotions were under control and gone was the enraged young lady and a gentle fairy remained.

"Never mind it then. This Princess will inform Father Emperor of this instead... Who knows, it may prove useful so just continue paying attention but don't force it..."

"This servant understands..."

Placing down the now empty tea cup, Ning Yan Mei let her thoughts wander, she knew that today was the last day she'll be spending here in Thunder Cale Country. Thinking about this, she couldn't help but frown.

If it wasn't for that sudden attack during the imperial banquet then she would have undoubtedly chosen to stay here longer and if her safety wasn't compromised then she had no plans of leaving until she's accomplished her goals.

As it stands now, the task her imperial father entrusted her to befriend and get close to the Fan Family and forge good relations with them is not only left unfinished but is in a worse state than before!

She wasn't stupid. She knew that the Fan Family didn't like her and at first, she was confused by the sudden change of treatment towards her, after all, when she first visited their home and had dinner with them, although they weren't particularly close, they still weren't as cold and alienated as their most recent encounters.

Especially Fan Li Jie!

Thinking about his recent cold and distant treatment towards her made Ning Yan Mei feel aggrieved. Before she thought that she still had a chance to get close to him and she could improve her image in front of him as long as she brushes up her sense of existence but who knew that her request to have him be a part of the group sent by the Thunder Vale Country to escorts her back will be thoroughly denied!

Just thinking about this made her already sour mood darken even more.

What she didn't realize is that the reason her request was denied was simply because almost everyone in the Fan Family could see through her impure schemes towards their eldest young master so of course they'll have their guard up against her!

Without another word, Ning Yan Mei dismissed all the servants there and headed back inside her room to rest, after all, she is going back to Spirit Valor Country tomorrow morning.

On the other hand, Fan Yong Rui who's part of Ning Yan Mei's escorts is busy with a whole other thing.

"Second Brother, are you sure you should be drinking right now?" Fan Zhu Xia asked with a smirk as she looked at the young man who was sitting across from her, drinking cup after cup of wine.

"You know Little Xia, I can ask you the same exact question!" Fan Yong Rui retorted back with a laugh.

Smiling mischievously, Fan Zhu Xia replied playfully, "Wine helps me sleep... What's your excuse?"

"Ahh, you..."

Shaking his head, Fan Yong Rui just laughed as he raised his arms in defeat after gulping down his cup of wine.

"Fine, you win... That's my last cup."

"Don't be sad, Second Brother... We'll have a drink when you come back. I'll make sure there's a lot of good wine for you then."

"You better!"

After another round of laughter, Fan Zhu Xia broke the silence and turned to Fan Yong Rui with a serious look on her face.

"Second Brother, remember to be careful, alright?"

Sensing the change in her, Fan Yong Rui put away his playful attitude and turned serious as well.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine..."

"Even if you tell me not to worry, I'll still worry you know?" Fan Zhu Xia retorted crossly, as she rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Should I be touched? I truly feel warm and special with Little Xia's words..." Fan Yong Rui asked with an ambiguous smile, reverting back to his previous self.

Shooting him an apathetic glare, Fan Zhu Xia dismissed his words and ignored his antics without any hesitation.

"Not at all... I would say the same thing to anyone in your position."

"Cold words, Little Xia... Cold words..." Fan Yong Rui said with a laugh.

Seeing him laughing, Fan Zhu Xia couldn't help herself any longer and her lips twitched while her eyes glittered with amusement.

"Ahh... Even so, I'm sure I will be fine. To be completely honest, I'm more worried about what will happen here in the capital while I'm gone."

"Why is that?"

"Well, my people has been going around lately and this was even before the welcoming banquet and they've been finding traces of a couple of people's movements for a while now... I'm not sure if it's related to the attack during the banquet or the attempted assassination on Grandfather but either way, someone's making moves in the dark..."

"Have you told them yet?"

"Of course I did! It's actually one of the reasons why I'll be the one going on this escort mission instead of Eldest Brother. One reason is obviously because that annoying princess is clearly aiming at Eldest Brother but another reason is because this will also be convenient for me to gain more information along the way and investigate some matters relating to the attack during the banquet as well... "

"Investigating? But isn't that a little too dangerous? I heard from Father that there were people sent out to check a couple of leads but they lost contact and now..."

"No traces of them were left." Fan Yong Rui said, completing Fan Zhu Xia's sentence when she trailed off.

"You know and yet-"

"Little Xia, I told you not to worry about it, I'll be fine! Don't you trust Second Brother?"

Instead of answering, Fan Zhu Xia only gave him a pointed look as if sarcastically asking him, "What do you think?"

Shaking his head with a smile, his expression turned serious.

"I will not be placing myself in any unnecessary danger so don't worry. I'll be bringing a couple of my people and they'll protect me from the shadows. I'll just be extending the reach of my intelligence network is all so it shouldn't be that dangerous."

"Fine..."

"But you though... You'll have to pay attention to your safety, Little Xia. Try not to go out alone... Better yet, just stay at home until things settle down to avoid any mishaps."

"I will, I will... You don't have to remind me." Fan Zhu Xia responded with a small pout making Fan Yong Rui chuckle.

"Well you know that I don't want to be that uptight, after all, that's Eldest Brother's job! I'm just saying this because I feel a bit uneasy."

"You should focus more on yourself, you know? I'll be fine since I'm staying home and I am still supposed to be resting so I won't be going out anytime soon..."

Seeing Fan Yong Rui's expression ease a little, she knew that what she just said relieved him of some of his worries, unlike her who was still feeling concerned. 

Unable to help herself, Fan Zhu Xia anxiously added, "Just be careful and come back safely,that's all I ask..."

"Don't worry, I will..."