Lost of face

"Why should I? The view here is so beautiful it's a waste to not appreciate it longer"

Ming Shu looked at the young man who pretended to be carefree in front of her. He was probably afraid that whoever was chasing him was still around.

Sitting beside him, Ming Shu took out the food she brought for his breakfast from inside the basket. The smell of steamed dumplings filled the air, and even Ming Shu couldn't help but salivate, to say less from Si Yifeng.

The two looked at the dumplings and then to each other. In a second a war with chopsticks started. Wolfing down the dumplings in front of them, both didn't spare a word or a glance to each other and just concentrated on the food. Here and there their chopsticks met and one would rob the other of a dumpling.

It was not until the dumplings were nowhere in sight that they went back to their noble selfs.

"*cough* thanks for the food. What does the other bag has?"

Ming Shu was grateful that the Prince chose to overlook her lack of self-control when eating. Just remembering how she rudely stole dumplings from a Royal and sick on top of that. Ming Shu furiously blushed.

Being a foodholic was one of the few traits that she couldn't change even after she became Empress. The official events were like a torture to her. She forced herself not to eat anything the whole night so that she wouldn't expose her shameful behavior in public.

Si Yifeng looked at the girl by his side with great curiosity.

'Did this girl turned silly from eating so much?'

He coughed one more time to get her out from her reverie, "the bag?"

Ming Shu's face turned all red from Yifeng's call. She held her face in her hands and quickly turned to the other bag. 'Oh dear, how many shameful sides will I show the Crown Prince today? I totally lost face'

"S-Sorry. This bag has male clothes inside. Is from my Elder Brother so it my be a bit big on you, here see if it fits"

Si Yifeng took the clothes and kept looking at Ming Shu. They stared silent at each for a minut until Ming Shu couldn't take it anymore.

"Do you need anything else Yifeng-ge ?"

"... won't you turn your back?"

...

"... you'll exchange here?"

"Or what else?"

Ming Shu only pointed to a few trees that were a bit away from them in response. This time was Si Yifeng blush. He was so ashamed that he ignored the pain he felt and quickly escaped behind the trees.

Seeing the desperate escape Ming Shu felt that they were now even, as they both exposed shameful behaviors.

Recovering from his embarrassment, Si Yifeng moves from the trees with a renewed poise, it was a shame that it didn't worked on Ming Shu anymore. All that she could remember looking at him now was the boy wolfing dumplings.

Feeling that she still held the previous scene on her memory, Yifeng tried to desperately save his image. He was royalty okay? He should be remembered by his handsomeness or his nobleness, not how he rudely ate.

"Xiao Shu thank you for the clothes. I promise to repay you in the future"

"Good"

'Shouldn't this little doll say that I don't need to? My sister clearly influenced her in the wrong way'

***

In the Imperial Palace, Princess Jinghua was oblivious how her Older Brother labeled her as a bad influence. She was painting a canvas for her weekly assignment.

"Atchoo"

Rubbing her small nose, she couldn't help but curse.

'What bastard is talking about this Princess. I bet is that annoying brat complaining to her sister. Tsk, just you wait, later I will humiliate you with my painting'

With a renew fire in her eyes, Jinghua took the blank canvas at her side and discarded the ruined one. This time for sure she will produce something better than Ming Shu!

***

"Yifeng-ge, I think you should go back to the Si Manor. I'm sure whoever is hunting you is gone by now"

A dangerous flint passed through Si Yifeng's eyes, but he quickly covered it with an amiable smile. Unfortunately for him, the murderousness release momentarily by him was felt by Ming Shu.

"How do you know I was the prey and not the hunter?"

Ming Shu innocently tilted her head.

"Judging by your injuries Yifeng-ge could only be the prey. Or else you are a terrible hunter Second Young Master"

Hearing her analysis Si Yifeng has the urge to hide in a hole. Majesty. Where is his majesty?!

"Cough, cough. Good analysis Xiao Shu. But I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to tell if they are here or not. They are very experienced"

'You are doubting this Lady's judgement?! Humph. Since you mocked be, don't blame me if I play too'

Making a realization face, Ming Shu clapped her hands if she had just found something big.

"Hoo, a powerful group is chasing you Yifeng-ge. I bet you have a secret identity..."

Si Yifeng became stiff. The murderousness was released again and the amiable smile in Yifeng's face dropped in a fast pace.

Ming Shu pretended not to notice the abrupt change and looked like she was pondering on the answer.

"... I bet you are a secret disciple of an Elder on a famous Martial Arts Sect! Did I get it right?"

Like a wave the murderousness receded and his body relax. Putting the amiable smile again, he knocked her head.

"Xiao Shu stop daydreaming. Tell this Elder Brother if you brought anything else for him to pass his time"

"...no. Yifeng-ge I still think you should come back with me. Master Si must be worried about you. If you are concerned about the people looking for you, you can put a cape that covers your face and we can pretend you're my attendant or something. I doubt they would force the Li General's granddaughter an inspection. What you say?"

Si Yifeng pondered about Ming Shu's proposition. She was right, no one would question her easily and the one's that were looking for him, even if they worked for someone with a higher power than Li General, they couldn't easily reveal it. Nodding his head in agreement, Yifeng couldn't help be glad for the fact that the one who found him was this clever little girl.