Chapter 1- Allies or Foes

Three years...it took three long and bloody years for Northern Liang and Southern Han to finally come to a truce. All for the rights over the Merchant Trading Route.

Why? Control over this route ensured endless funds and access to news/rumors. The trading route was the largest land route that hosted hundreds of businesses, bringing along foreigners from all over the country.

This truce may have been the solution to the three years war but to one woman, it was only the beginning.

***

Southern Han

On the far outskirts of the ghost land Hu'an was a rural village called Dongfu. A once flourishing city, now abandoned. All that was left was those who could never return home. Shelter to captives, prisoners and people in exile.

Within these people was a woman. She could be seen with her back facing the village every morning, looking at the dusty horizon. Direction towards the bustling city.

Her tall and elegant stature was enough to captivate the attention of any man.

Her hair was in a simple high ponytail held in place with a coarse gray sash. Once white yet could not withstand the cruelty of time.

Her clothes weren't any better. She wore a two layered tunic. The first layer was a light brown color, made of poor cotton quality. The outer tunic was made of the same cheap material, but a darker shade of brown. The torn tunic was held loosely by a plain black sash.

She hadn't been standing for too long when two men approached her. Judging by their looks, they were most likely a few years older than her. "Shifu," They both said together before immediately kneeling on one leg.

"Mm…" the woman acknowledge their presence. They quickly informed her of the news they received and waited for her instructions.

"Good! Proceed with the plan. Let Hua Xu know we will be traveling to Northern Liang."

"Yes Shifu." The two quickly got up and rushed to complete their assignment.

When she could no longer see the sunrise, she turned to face the village. She had soft features; round almond eyes, a sharp nose and thin rosy lips. But no matter how beautiful she was, it could not hide the murderous aura exuding from her body.

This woman with heavenly looks was none other than Da Ying, the exiled Princess of Southern Han.

She lifted her chin slightly up to the bright sky, closed her eyes and took one last inhale at the summer breeze. She was leaving, leaving this place she called home for the last five years.

My wait will not be in vain….

***

Six days later

Da Ying entered through the city gates of Northern Liang, accompanied by her four personal guards, Hua Xu, Li Ping, Wu Man, and Tang Wei. Her appearance changed drastically from when she was at Dongfu. Instead of rags, she was clothed in a light purple tunic with a light yellow cloak covering her face. She was careful not to draw any unwanted attention.

The five of them strolled slowly on their horses along the busy streets of Northern Liang's capital, Xu Pei. Hua Xu pulled his horse next to Da Ying, Of all her personal guards, Hua Xu was the most built and charming of the four. His hair was always kept in a top bun and his face was always cleaned shaved, perfectly showing off his chiseled jaw. "Shifu, I've already sent news to the Northern Liang Prince. How about we take a rest first?" He suggested.

"En," Da Ying nodded.

They pulled into the closest tea house. Li Ping, the most conceited of the four had a much more boyish look compared to Hua Xu. Even though he was only 20 years old, his fair skin and big eyes made him look as if he was 15 at most. He got off his horse, grabbed the rein of Da Ying's horse and tied it to the horse pole.

Da Ying swiftly jumped off the horse and entered the tea house first.

The place was crowded, filled with lively music. Loud chattering could be heard from table to table.

A young male waiter walked up to her happily. "Young miss and sirs, where would you like to sit?" He let out a quiet gasp when his eyes met hers. He had never seen such a beautiful pair of eyes.

"Give us an eating room on the second floor." Da Ying spoke with softly. He was dumbfounded for a moment. Her face paired with a voice so soothing...he felt his soul leave. When she didn't hear him answer, she looked at him. "Are there no more available rooms? If that's the case, we'll go elsewhere."

"I'm sorry. I lost focus just now. Let me bring you to our best room." He smiled once again as he led them upstairs.

"Bring your best dishes and wine." Da Ying spoke the moment she took a seat and took off her veil. The waiter quickly went.

"Shifu. Will Prince Xiao be willing to meet us?" Wu Man asked worriedly. Wu Man was the most mysterious and serious of the four. He was about the same age as Li Ping but his looks and features made him appear more manly and older than Li Ping. His tan skin and facial hair only added to his rough looks.

Da Ying was acting calm as she fiddled with the tea cup in her hand. The look on her face clearly told them she was not worried.

"Prince Xiao Yuan won't reject my offer." She spoke in a low and arrogant confidence. All four men had been with her for five years ago. In that time span, they knew their shifu was never wrong in her predictions. Whatever she wanted, it was only a matter of time before she obtained it.

Not long after the food arrived, an eunuch in a dark green knee length tunic could be seen entering the tea house. Seeing this, her four guards couldn't help but grin. "Shifu is truly too good." Tang Wei praised, raising his glass to her. The three naturally followed suit. Da Ying held in her arrogant snicker. She took one more sip of her rose tea before looking the direction of the door. Her eyes met with his. Seeing her for the first time, the eunuch walked over and immediately greeted her, "This eunuch, Chu Gongong greets Princess Da Ying."

"No need for formalities. I only need to know if his highness is willing to meet me." She raised her brow. Chu gongong secretly took a look at her, examining head to toe before replying with a smile. There were thousands of beauties, who has he not seen before. But to have such a confident and noble aura, this was the first. Especially coming from a low status princess. Her status was almost as low as a commoners, he thought.

He had been lost in thought that he almost didn't catch the irritation in her eyes.

"His highness is willing to meet Princess Da Ying but... only Princess Da Ying." Even though he was looking at her, his words were directed towards her four guards who immediately got up outraged.

"Audacious!" Wu Man slammed the table, "How can we leave our shifu in the hands of a stranger?"

Da Ying quickly gave them a side glance, "Wait here for me."

"Shifu!" Tang Wei wanted to refute but seeing her intense stare, he swallowed his words.

"Princess Da Ying will have to trouble Chu gongong to lead the way then."

Waiting outside for her was a brightly designed carriage that could be spotted miles away. "Chu gongong didn't need to go to this extent." Da Ying cringed at the unsightly taste. This was truly too much. Overly distasteful.

"No need to be humble, it was His highness's idea to escort you to the palace properly."

"I will have to thank Prince Xiao then."

Da Ying got into the carriage.

When they arrived at the palace, Da Ying was led into Prince Xiao's private hall. "Princess Da Ying is here." Chu gongong announced in front of Prince Xiao's quarter. One maid inside the room opened the door and bowed, "Greetings to Princess Da Ying. His highness has been waiting." The young maid greeted politely. Da Ying followed her through a door that led to a long hallway. After entering two more doors, they reached his private hall. It was much simpler than she expected.

Once she got in, the maid bowed and closed the door.

What Da Ying saw was a beautiful man dressed in a dark red robe, sitting straight on a low dragon seat. He was staring directly at her.

She had seen a fair share of handsome men in her lifetime but this Prince Xiao was by far the most outstanding. A powerful and noble aura paired with his tan skin, broad shoulders and clean cut face. He was truly the splitting image of what a noble prince should look like. She truly praised him for his good looks.

But Da Ying was not the only looking, he too was examining her.

Xiao Yuan watched her take a step closer and closer. Her head tilted high, filled with elegance yet at the same time giving off a proud atmosphere. Worthy of being a princess, he admired silently.

Da Ying stopped in the middle of the room and bowed slightly, "Princess Da Ying of Southern Han greets Prince Xiao."

"Come, come. No need to stand ceremony. It's an honor to have Princess Da Ying as a guest. Please take a seat." His hand moved to point respectfully to the side table where he had already prepared some snacks and wine.

"Da Ying thanks his highness for his hospitality but I kindly decline. I will only momentarily stay." She was clearly being courteous but rejecting him at the same time. She had no intentions of staying and being his company.

Hearing her decline, he wanted to persuade her to stay. But when he met her eyes, all the words in his mouth left his mind. The attraction he had to her was clearly written all over his face. Da Ying was admiring the man earlier, but if she was compared to him, she was the better of the two. At least her admiration for him was hidden well.

They continued to stare at each other for a moment before Da Ying broke the silence, "I'm sure Prince Xiao has gotten the message I sent. If you are willing to cooperate with me, I assure you that I will be of great assistance in the future." She wasted no time to get to the point.

"Princess Da Ying's letter is quite impressive. I'm willing to join hands with you...but surely you want something big in return. Am I right?" He tried to scout her out.

"I only have one condition." She paused. "That condition is also to your advantage."

He rubbed his chin in curiosity, "Princess Da Ying is making me quite curious."

Da Ying smiled, not quite a smile. "I've heard you have been trying to get my mei'mei (little sister) Princess Jie You's hand in marriage but have yet to succeed." The smile on his face quickly turned into a frown when he heard his most humiliating taboo spoken out loud. Seeing the stern look on his face, her lips curved into a sweet yet sinister smile. She hit his sore spot.

"What if I told you I could make it possible?" She slowly spoke.

A loud chuckle of disbelief escaped his lips. "And how do you plan on doing that?"