Begging at the lunch table

"Fine." Said the Crown Prince. "Let's have lunch, you can tell me all about it while we eat."

Damn. This prince really refused to let her off.

She could only run pass him as if it'd get her out of her plight.

They sat at the lunch table, Zhao Xing bowed her head, eating silently, avoiding eye contact with the man sitting in front of her.

Zhang Zhengyang was amused by her action, but didn't tease her anymore. Well he wasn't mad, he didn't care as long as she didn't get herself exposed, or did anything that would cause trouble, if she wanted to watch he wouldn't stop her, because he had come to realise, she wasn't the kind of young miss that would stay in her boudoir and do nothing all day. She liked to have fun, walk around and look for adventure. It surprised him that she was even able to stay in this manor without asking to go out.

He wondered how long she would last.

Zhao Xing busied herself with her food. She was wondering how she was going to put forth the matter at hand.

"Grand tutor didn't wait all day for my return just to have a hearty lunch together, right?"

Zhao Xing thought this was her chance, but before she could empty her mouth full of food the prince continued. "Or is it that Grand tutor felt bored eating alone everytime and especially came to ask for me to accompany?"

Zhao Xing almost choked on her food. Who was bored? Even if she was bored, who would go look for someone who would have you choke to death to accompany her to eat?

"So..how far have you gotten on your side with the poison master and all."

The prince smiled at her reaction, but then his smile faded a bit when he heard the question, "There's a rumour about a renowned poison master, but there's no news of anybody meeting him for the past few years. My people are still searching for news related to him, but people aren't sure how he looks like."

The information made Zhao Xing stop eating as she looked up at him. "Really? Wait, no leads? Or even small clues about where he would be?"

Zhang Zhengyang looked at her, his expression didn't change much, but his eyes clearly weren't looking a sane person at the moment.

Zhao Xing felt stupid for asking such question. Of course there weren't any leads, he already said so.

"The information was indeed quick, so for now all we know is he usually likes wearing purple, wears a mask, but has a ghory scar across his neck."

"Isn't that a clue? Send your men to investigate people with such features."

This time the prince didn't hold back and straight up attacked, "I know you're not smart, so I won't explain to you."

"Who's not smart? Who's the one helping you with this task? Why do you even listen to this stupid person, eh?" She said pointing her finger at him, as if preparing for a fight.

Zhang Zhengyang sighed and refused to continue arguing with her. Seeing he ignored her, Zhao Xing was even more angry.

But she calmed down, she had more pressing issues at hand. "Zhang Zhengyang, I've realised the reason for my...lack of knowledge." She said as she tried her best to swallow her pride.

The Crown Prince turned to her with 'interest' written in his eyes.

"It's because I'm always indoors...If I can go around a bit in town I could learn much more."

The prince smiled as if he had seen this coming. "Someone as silly as you, would you learn anything even if they inserted books into your head?"

"You...how can you say that? Zhang Zhengyang, you're taking this too far, I'm just stating what I think would work for me. How would you know I won't learn anything?" She said standing up from her seat.

"No need, if you want to learn anything just ask me, I'll make arrangements..."

"Aiya, who needs that, I already have a ton of homework and exam to prepare for, you want me to sit and learn in this boring place, don't you know that too much stress makes one dull?" If she didn't convince him today, she might not be able to tomorrow.

"I can't allow you out, because I can't leave you out of my sight, it's too dangerous, both for you and for me if anything were to happen."The prince answered, blocking all her arguments.

But Zhao Xing was determined not to give up."Then I can follow you around, wherever you go, you can take me with you, how about it?" She could only resolve to this. At least he did say he didn't want her out of his sight so, this solution should make him feel at ease.

Seeing that the prince still wanted to refuse, she abruptly fell to the ground, and started weeping, "Zhang Zhengyang you're so heartless, after all these two weeks or so that we've known each other, I've always considered you to be a benevolent and kind hearted person...Sob...but today I've seen it...I've seen it all, you don't value friendship. I waited for you, just so we could have lunch together! But when I told you the thing in my heart, my deepest desire you refused me, Zhang Zhengyang, how could you."

Xiao Chen heard the noises, and took a peek, but didn't dare go in. 'Did master bully grand tutor?' he asked himself.

Meanwhile Zhang Zhengyang was really trying to control his desire to roll his eyes. Today he has really suffered. He thought he'd obtain a bit of peace when he came home, who would have thought that after having to deal with fifth miss Chu, he would be attacked once again by the grand master.

He had no choice, lest this lass held a grudge and became unloyal he had no choice but to please her every now and then. With that in mind,

"Fine, but you're only allowed to go along with me." he said he supporting his head with a hand as he felt his head throb.

At his approval, Zhao Xing's cries immediately stopped. And a grin appeared on her lips. It was like the person who was weeping badly just now wasn't her.

She quickly got up, getting ready to thank him, but before she could say a word;

"I don't normally leave this palace with female attendants, so you can't be female."

Ha? Zhao Xing gaped at the prince, as if she'd seen a monster.

"What?" he asked staring her up and down. Making the frightened girl hug herself defensively. Seeing her like this, Zhang Zhengyang felt a bit silly.

'what was this girl thinking?' He then continued to explain, "Disguise as a male attendant, change your name."

Hearing his explanation, she felt stupid again, and dropped the hands that wrapped her body. "Oh..."

I won't be taking you to many places, but if I ever need you to follow me, or I think the journey won't be too dangerous to us, then I'll take you along.

'Hey, that wasn't the deal.'

But Zhao Xing thought this was a huge progress, if she had known this would work she would have tried it earlier.