Sneaking in the Night

When she returned to the courtyard, she slammed her fist on the table. "Qin Xie De…you dare threaten me?" The atmosphere around her had turned icy cold ever since she was approached by Qin Xie De. "Gongzhu, as long as you order it, I'll kill him," Bai Zhi said.

"No need. He's a much more difficult opponent than I imagine," for the first time, Da Ying felt an obstacle in her path. She had never actually fought with Qin Xie De, but the fact that she was not able to detect his presence could only mean he was highly skilled. Just thinking about it drove her crazy, she needed to find a way to test him out. The night was not young anymore, she decided to put the matter aside and take a rest. After all, her main goal had been accomplished tonight.

It was the middle of the night, Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi were sleeping in the room next to Da Ying's. Da Ying was sleeping peacefully on the bed, both her hands held together, lying on her front. Her peaceful sleep came to an end soon. Her eyes opened when she heard the sudden sound of footsteps. The person entering her room had a tall and sturdy body shape; it had to be a man. With just one glance, Da Ying could tell he was using the Flying air technique to move around unnoticed in her courtyard. Even Da Ying had to admit, she was impressed; sadly his light steps and speed could not go undetected by her.

She quickly closed her eyes when she saw in the corner of her eyes, the figure coming towards her. She reached into her sleeves and slowly waited for him to be within arm's reach before making a move. With a fast and swift move of her wrist, the silver needle in her hand flew towards him. His actions were just as fast as her needles, as if he knew she would make a move. He slightly moved to the right, barely missing the needle. The speed and power of the needle was not little, it traveled far and hit the wall furthest from Da Ying. He reached out to grab her wrist. Da Ying turned her body to the side, avoiding his sudden attack. Da Ying, who was on her side turned towards the silk red drapes hanging on her bed. She reached her arm to grab the drapes, pulled it down and wrapped it around his hand that attempted to attack her once more. The drape caught his hand and she quickly wrapped the material around his wrist a few times. She then used the momentum to pull herself up into a sitting position. Still grasping onto the drape, she attempted to kick the man but he moved back a few steps. This time, it was the man who circled his wrist a few times on the cloth, shortening the distance between the two. Da Ying had no choice but to stand up and try to counter him, she would not let this person leave so easily.

The two of them stood face to face in the dark. Da Ying could not make out who the other person was. The only thing binding them together was the drape. "Who are you?"

"It hasn't even been a full night since we last met yet you've already forgotten about me?" his voice sounded hurt, as if she had wronged him. That voice...she was sure she had heard it before. It sounded so familiar. Seeing her stay silent, the man's smile that was hidden in the dark couldn't stop itself from turning into a pout when he realized, she really didn't know who he was. He tugged roughly on the cloth, trying to close in the distance between the two even more. Da Ying countered by putting one feet firmly in front and tugging it her way too. Without warning, he loosened his grip and unraveled a few inches of the cloth off his wrist. The sudden movement caught her by surprise, she began to lose balance as her hand let go of the cloth, about to fall backward. Before her bottom could touch the ground, she felt his arms wrap around her waist. She didn't get a chance to even blink when he used his strength to pull her up towards him, pressing her body next to his. Da Ying quickly put both her palms on his chest and tried to push him away. The more she tried to push him away, the tighter his hold on her was. He made a bold move, his lips leaned next to her ear. She felt goosebumps on her skin when his hot breath hit her skin. "Gongzhu was just at my Northern Liang Palace not too long ago. Did you forget about me already?" That voice…of course it was none other than Xiao Yuan. Her face turned a shade darker as she looked up at him annoyed, "I'll give you two seconds to let go or you'll be meeting with my silver needles." He immediately let go of her. "Okay, okay," he raised his hands up in defeat. Dodging her needles a moment ago was already hard enough. If she really did throw needles his way, he may not be able to dodge all of them in the dark.

Da Ying walked over to the table and lit the candle. The flame produced a small light, just enough for the two to see each other. Xiao Yuan's face finally lit up, the smile on his face. She looked at him from head to toe; he was still in his robe from this evening. "It is so late at night, what is Prince Xiao doing here so late in my quarter. And dressed like that…if anyone was to see you….how would you explain yourself,"

"Aiya…if that was to happen, then I would just marry you," he shrugged his shoulders amused. Da Ying on the other hand did not find it amusing; she crossed her hand and leaned slightly on the table. "You are too reckless. Marrying you is not a problem but what would Jie You think if she saw us together?" Xiao Yuan's lips curved into a smile. He slowly took two large strides her way and looked directly at her face. "What are you doing?"

"Are you jealous?" this sudden conclusion of his made her want to truly applaud him. His imagination was really too good. "Knock it off, what are you really here for?" Seeing that she wasn't playing along with him, his mood turned slightly for the worst. "Nothing, I just came here by chance," he lied through his teeth. Without being asked, he made himself at home and sat on the stool next to her. Seeing her non-amused look, he finally gave up. "Fine...I wanted to see you," Hearing his response, she gave him a dirty look. "You've seen me, you can go now," she pointed her finger to the door. He sighed once more, "Don't you want to know why I'm here?"

"Why?" she figured he wouldn't leave unless he said what he wanted to. She would just let him be and send him on his way. "I'm heading back in a few days, come with me," he said genuinely.

"Go back with you? Don't expect me to agree to be your concubine. No matter how low my status is, I will never be a concubine," Xiao Yuan stood up and faced her. For the first time tonight, he was looking at her with the most sincere look. "As long as you agree to marry me, I'll cancel my marriage with Jie You," his whole purpose for tonight's visit was to find out how she felt about him. Since evening when she spoke up in front of everyone, giving way for him and Jie You, he felt his heart being pricked. Some part of him wanted her to ask him to choose her. Xiao Yuan had thought it through before coming to her quarter. Marrying her was worth letting go of his revenge on Jie You. If he missed this chance, he was afraid he would regret it for eternity.

"Seeing how fast you change heart, I'm actually feeling quite pitiful for Jie You…" she smirked, half sarcastically. Da Ying didn't know what he was playing at but in her mind, he was just playing around with her. When he heard her sarcastic answer, he laughed lightly; covering his disappointment with a playful expression. "Do you really see me as such a fickle man, I'm hurt," he placed his hand on his chest, pretending.

"Prince Xiao, you better not mess this up. I've worked too hard for you to ruin this. If you're done fooling around, please leave,"

"I'm curious about you... before I leave, can you at least cure my curiousity?"

"Fine, if it's something I can answer, I will,"

"How did you convince Jie You? I really can't figure it out, I've made an attempt twice yet failed, but you…" he wanted to applaud her.

"Secrets can't be hidden forever, it can come back to haunt you." He understood her meaning. But her vague answer only made him more curious. He wanted to ask her what secrets she uncovered but knew better, she would not tell him no matter how many times he asked.

"Answer one last question. Why are you helping me instead of your mei mie?" Da Ying wanted to laugh out loud when she heard his question. Why else would she help him? "Sister? I hate her just as much as you do; seeing her live a life full of regrets and pain satisfies me."

"Looks like I didn't make a wrong choice befriending you,"

"One's enemy is another person's friend. If you are done, I bid you good night,"

"I'll go if you want me to," he gave her one more meaningful before leaving.