Thirteenth Birthday 3

Two palms were offered in front of her. Ouyang Xueqing's smile beamed when she caught sight of them. They were her protectors, friends, brothers, and teachers, Ren Yupei and An Zhengnan.

Ren Yupei nodded gently: "Be careful, Princess."

An Zhengnan stared at her face with a raised eyebrow. "Just a little bit of powder here and there can make someone look so different, huh?"

Ouyang Xueqing's mouth twitched as she received Ren Yupei's hand but slapped An Zhengnan's away. She harrumphed sulkily as she rebutted: "Just say honestly that I look more beautiful than usual today!"

An Zhengnan snorted and turned his head away: "I didn't say that." But his ears that was slightly showing through his hair reddened slightly.

Looking at his tsundere behavior, Ouyang Xueqing had just realized that a figure was missing in her banquet.

Ouyang Xueqing punched her fist as she exclaimed: "Aiyah, I forgot. Where is Xiaochen?"

She had been friends with Ling Xiaochen ever since she had a business transaction with her father, the underground black market's boss. Their transaction had been running smoothly and Ouyang Xueqing had just began to receive some good news since last week.

They said that they found some news about Mo Yujian's identity and his whereabouts!

Ouyang Xueqing had planned to go to them to receive their report tomorrow after the banquet. She had to make sure that Ling Xiaochen could act as her shield perfectly and not to let An Zhengnan or Ren Yupei be suspicious and followed her even a bit.

So far, the two of them just knew that she had somehow gave up on searching a man named Mo Yujian when they couldn't even found anything about her in the beast mainland.

They would never have thought that she could have made business transaction with the black market and even found the information about a human.

Better not tell them lest it invited unwanted troubles. She knew that they had a really bad impression on human because of the Great War. Who knew what would happen if they knew that she wanted to repay a favor to a human?

An Zhengnan blinked and scratched his head. "Oh, it seems like I'd somehow forgot about her."

Ouyang Xueqing took a deep breath as she restrained her urge to pull his hair until he went bald. "You say you forgot? How could you forget her?!" She scowled in rage and sympathy on behalf of Ling Xiaochen.

Poor her, she had been harboring feelings for this dense man for almost four years now and Ouyang Xueqing herself had tried to create many opportunities for them to be alone, yet there seemed to be no progress at all.

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Should she blame Ling Xiaochen for her instant stupidity every time she talked to An Zhengnan or blame An Zhengnan for being so dense that he didn't even realize Ling Xiaochen's feelings for him?

"What are you waiting for?" She shooed him away. "Go and fetch her here! I am not going to start the banquet until she arrived!"

"Aye aye princess." An Zhengnan sighed exasperatedly as he hurried to complete the princess' order. It was kinda strange to him that she had always chosen him to entertain her guest but he didn't elaborate further because it was the princess' request!

He had to complete it to the utmost perfection!

Ren Yupei guided her forward and she took her seat slowly and turned to The Emperor: "Imperial Father, is it okay that we wait a moment for Xiaochen to arrive? She is my important friend ah."

Wang Ze smiled and nodded readily. He made up his mind to granted whatever she wanted for today.

Actually, Wang Ze too had always giving Ouyang Xueqing and let her do whatever she wanted. Not limited just today. But it seemed that he planned to level up his degree of pampering today. He had even gave the most exquisite delicacies to her alone and left the three princes hanging.

When Ling Xiaochen came, Ouyang Xueqing nodded as a sign to start the banquet. She sat beside Ouyang Xueqing, seemingly distracted. Ouyang Xueqing blinked in confusion. "Xiaochen, what's wrong?"

Ling Xiaochen jolted slightly and shook her head. "N—Nothing."

"Hmm." Ouyang Xueqing stroked her chin as she contemplated. "Oh right, where's An Zhengnan? Why is he not here with you?"

Ling Xiaochen averted her gaze as she answered: "I don't know."

Hmm, strange. Really strange. Ling Xiaochen looked gloomy while An Zhengnan wasn't seen anywhere. She turned to Ren Yupei who stood behind her. "Do you know where An Zhengnan is?"

"No." He stepped a little closer and offered. "Should I go and search for him?"

"No!" Ling Xiaochen exclaimed as she pulled Ouyang Xueqing's hand desperately. "Don't...don't search. Just let him be."

How could Ling Xiaochen face him now with what she had just done a moment ago? Just thinking about it was making her face burn in embarrassment.

Ouyang Xueqing grinned teasingly. "Is there something I should know?"

Ling Xiaochen clicked her tongue in frustration and glared. "Don't be such a busybody!"

"Ren Yupei."

"Wait, wait. I will tell, I will tell you. Just don't call him here, okay?"

Ouyang Xueqing nodded excitedly. Finally! After a year and half of being matchmaker, the two of them seemed to had made some kind of progress. She asked eagerly. "What happened?"

Ling Xiaochen cheeks blushed crimson and she fiddled her fingers nervously. "I—um—how should I say it…"

"Aiyah, quick! Tell me or else I will die in curiosity!"

Ling Xiaochen then leaned her body forward and whispered a few words in Ouyang Xueqing's ear.

The effect was instant as she gawked and gasped. "What?!"

Her exclaim was loud enough to draw some attention nearby. Ouyang Xueqing cleared her throat as she resumed her elegant smiling face and apologized.

If a glare could kill, Ouyang Xueqing would have died a thousand times over. She grinned awkwardly and scratched her nose. "Sorry, I was just too shock ah! You—"

Ouyang Xueqing's face blushed slightly. The pink was infused with her milky white skin, making her look delicate and exquisite. With the light of the chandelier illuminating the hall, her natural charm was like a wave that trapped everyone in it.