Flirting openly

Satisfaction was written all over her face. She had gotten his sole attention.

Da Ying took two slow steps forward. "Your country and mine have recently signed a peace treaty. What better way is there than to seal the deal with a political marriage. Even my father, the emperor can't refuse such an offer. All I want you to do is request the marriage between Northern Liang and Southern Han." The tone in her voice was sharp and precise, getting straight to the point. It's not that Xiao Yuan hadn't thought about it but within the four princesses of Southern Han, there was only one he desired....Jie You. The one person who dared to reject his hand in marriage twice.

Now that Da Ying was personally asking him to proceed, he wasn't sure what to think. Xiao Yuan looked the woman standing in front of him over once more. A thought came to his mind. He had to admit, Da Ying's looks were far superior to Jie You's. Sadly her status had been degraded to almost nothing five years ago.

He leaned his back on the seat comfortably before letting out an arrogant smile. "Is Princess Da Ying thinking of marrying me then? Rather bold I'd say." His tone half serious, half joking. His attempt to sound her out was quickly shut down with a simple ridiculing soft laughter. Her laugh even sounded beautiful he had to admit.

"Even if I, Princess Da Ying of Southern Han wanted to marry you, Prince Xiao of Northern Liang, it isn't possible. I am but an exiled princess. My status can't be matched with yours, the future King." Her response, once again baffled him into confusion. What exactly was she wanting, he thought.

"Then may I hear what Princess Da Ying has planned?"

"It's much simpler than it sounds. I need your help to get me back into the palace." All it took was that last sentence and he understood what she wanted. She was clearly using him. Now he felt his pride crumble. She didn't want to marry him, she wanted him to be the bridge for her to reenter the palace. As long as he requested for marriage under the excuse of uniting the two countries, the emperor would surely agree and bring Da Ying back as the scapegoat. When he thought about it, the admiration in his eyes only grew for her. It seems that she had already thought it through already.

He leaned his body forward and placed both hands on the edge, looking closely at her. Who was she exactly? And how could she have thought so far out already?

"How are you so sure you are going to be chosen? After all, your mother the previous empress was dethroned. Do you think that I, the future king would accept such a proposal?" His words were sharp and cruel. Hearing it, she grit her teeth but kept her composure. He already knew what she meant but wanted to see how she would handle the situation.

In his heart, he knew the Southern Han Princesses would not be willing to travel hundreds of miles to marry their enemy. It was simply hell for eternity. No one would send their daughters to suffer. All but one...

In the end, the empress would send Da Ying rather than discord relations with the other imperial concubines. But why was she so willing? That was the question Xiao Yuan was trying to figure out. It didn't take long before his unspoken question was answered.

"We both know Empress Mei Wu would never severe ties with any of the imperial concubines and send their daughter. So that leaves me…" She took a long and slow pause. "But I can promise you, the bride coming back will not be me but Jie You."

"What makes you so sure that I would rather marry Jie You over you? After all, everyone in the world knows that I like beauties." He rose his brow, teasing her as he anxiously awaited her response.

In the last thirty minutes of meeting; she had captured his attention. The first woman to do so.

She was unlike any lady he had ever encountered. She was full of calculations and he could tell just how intelligent she was within this first meeting. It was a nice change compared to the pretentious women who flung their bodies to try to catch his attention.

But he had to admit, he's never liked a woman who was too smart for her own good. It wasn't that he's never met an intelligent woman, but they were much more troublesome.

This woman in front of him was trouble. But for the first time, he wouldn't mind the headaches this woman would give him.

"Your highness shouldn't joke around with me. This is an opportunity you can't risk. Besides...I've already discovered your motive for wanting to marry my mei'mei." Her voice went up a pitch higher, slightly provoking him.

Hearing this, his hands automatically applauded her. Only a few people knew the reason he was dead set on marrying Jie You. She had offended him a few years ago. He would never forget that arrogant and spoiled brat's face for eternity. What she did to him, he would give it back tens fold.

"This prince truly praises Princess Da Ying. Only a handful of people know. I must praise you and your connections once more." Only his personal body guard, him, Jie You and her two maids knew. Even his father was kept in the dark regarding this matter.

Hearing her mention the incident, he felt it was strange, too strange. To be able to catch news of something that happened years ago would require great connections. Just how capable was she to be able to gain such connections.

"Then do you have confidence regarding the second term?"

In her letter, her first compromise was the marriage between him and Jie You; the second was to help him defeat the Chu Clan. "I only promise what I am confident in. If Prince Xiao helps me enter the palace, when my Brother Prince Da Muyan's position as crown prince is restored, Southern Han will surely ally with Northern Liang."

Da Ying pulled out a small box from her sleeve. "I will only leave this behind with your highness as a promise." He curiously stared at her hand. The tiny silver box immediately caught his eyes. Even though it was a simple box, the small carvings shocked him. It was...the Longqi box from the famous Yi Lu Shop. The most famous jewelry shop in all of China. No one knew where the shop originated from but it suddenly showed up five years ago. Powerful women from all over China fought and bid for those goods. Goods that were rare and limited. It was such a secretive place, even the owner was unknown.

He had once looked for the owner but failed. "Longqi box." Seeing that he knew where it came from, she smiled. "Da Ying believes that Prince Xiao will be even more shocked to see what's inside." Da Ying slowly walked over to him. He watched as she took four slow steps up the small stair case to where he sat.

She set the box on the table. Xiao Yuan took the box and slowly opened it to see the dragon seal from five generations ago. A Northern Liang heirloom...lost for almost 100 years now. He had been looking for it since young. Seeing the real thing in his hand at this moment, he didn't believe it.

"Good, good! I look forward to working with you."

"Then I, Princess Da Ying take my leave."

He raised his hand to stop her before she could make her escape.

"It has been a long journey; won't Princess Da Ying stay the night?"

"Princess Da Ying thanks Prince Xiao for his hospitality but I must prepare to return to Southern Han. There is much to do."

The disappointment showed on his face. "I wish you a safe journey."

"Thank you. And I look forward to seeing Prince Xiao within two years." Her words implying that she would get Prince Muyan on the throne by then.

Once Da Ying left, Chu gongong stepped out from behind the hidden door. "Your highness."

"Chu gongong... do you also find that she is too remarkable for someone who has been exiled?" Xiao Yuan asked, still holding onto the seal.

"Replying to your highness, Chu gongong feels that Princess Da Ying really has strong backing. To get the dragon seal that your highness has been looking for ages, she is someone who should not be taken lightly." He was half praising, half warning Xiao Yuan.

"But I think that Princess Da Ying would be a bigger asset to your highness compared to Princess Jie You. Won't you reconsider?" Chu gongong added.

Xiao Yuan sighed. There was no turning back. That option was no longer available the moment he agreed to her request.