Chapter 89: Molten Lava

Aji walked and walked with no signs of ever stopping. Changyi quietly followed her. He did not seem like he would say anything even if she were to walk all the way to the south.

They walked from the barren mountain tops to the lowlands with dead trees covered in snow and ice. Aji's feet were getting tired from walking, but the person behind her still had not said a word.

"Do you have nothing to do?" Aji sneaked a glance at Changyi.

"I'm not trying to get rid of you, I'm just afraid of keeping you from your work. We've been walking around for a while now, why don't we go back?" Either way it was hopeless to run away today…

"Walk some more."

His calm reply made Aji choke back everything else she had wanted to say, and just kept on walking. She felt both awkward and bored, so she shook some branches as she walked by a tree. The snow loosened and fell onto the head and shoulders of the one behind her. He did not dodge it, so when Aji turned around, she saw him covered with snow.They stared at each other and Aji broke out in laughter.

"Your Highness, I really didn't mean to do that. I thought you were so mighty and powerful that nothing could touch you." Changyi coldly patted the snow off of his shoulders while Aji grinned at him.

Seeing her smile, he paused a bit then softened his gaze. The person in his memories rarely smiled like this in front of him, but if she were to display some happiness, her face should look similar.

Changyi's eyes turned deep and reminiscent, and Aji's smile grew awkward. Not knowing what the jiaoren was seeing in her again, she rubbed her face and continued to walk forward.

"Your Highness, how much further do you want to go? I want to go back to the inn."

"Walk some more." Still the same words. Aji sighed and took another few steps.

"There! Walked some more. Can we go back now? Great mighty lord master?"

"Keep going."

Aji could not take it anymore, so she turned around to glare at Changyi. But looking at his cold face, "cannot beat him" flashed across her mind. Then she thought back over the past few days. The feeling of being constantly watched and being bullied right now overwhelmed her with frustration. Aji immediately sat onto the ground with her legs crossed.

"No! I don't want to." She broke the broken pot and crossed her arms too.

"No more walking."

"Okay, then sit for a while." Changyi lifted the bottom of his robe and sat down too. He closed his eyes and started to meditate. Aji stared at him at a loss.

This fish...

How was he this stubborn? Almost shamelessly...

Aji looked around and suddenly saw some steam swirling up from deep in the forest. She took a sniff and said, "Okay, you sit here. But I'm getting cold. There is a hot spring over there, I will go soak for a bit." Aji stood up. Changyi opened his eyes, but Aji spoke again before he could respond.

"Does Your Majesty want to come and soak with me?" Her bold invitation startled him and he lowered his gaze.

"Go by yourself."

Aji understood, and curled her lips into a smile. He was just so so after all. She walked in the direction of the steam while taking off her outer robe and throwing it onto the ground. Changyi looked at the robe. It was like a boundary that he was not allowed to step over.

Aji did not hear his footsteps behind her and felt amused. Had she known this jiaoren was so prim and proper, she would have used this to her advantage long ago.

But she did not plan on running again today. His senses were too keen. If he were to find out that she did not undress in the spring and went fleeing again, then she would have really destroyed all of her chances. Plus she was too tired from all the walking and felt lazy. Might as well avoid him for a while and relax in the spring.

Aji walked through the mist and saw three little pools had collected at the bottom of a ditch. She felt the water in each one and picked a favorite, then undressed herself and sat inside.