The Big Fish

A few days before the engagement banquet, Li Wei wandered the streets with Khan Bojing. Once her identity as his crown princess was exposed, she'd no longer be able to go out as much as she used to.

Khan Bojing had on his fake appearance. From the facial hair on his disheveled face to the worn out coarse clothes, and even down to his walking posture, everything was nailed to perfection.

Walking beside him, she had on a light lotus colored dress. Half of her hair was held by a silver hairpin while the lower half flew freely. The pearl earrings swished and swooshed with each step she took. Above the white veil, her eyes held deep laughter. "Yebai, you look like an old cow eating young grass."

"What can I do? The young grass keeps sticking to me. I can only let it be as it wishes." His thick eyebrows wiggled ridiculously.

"What young grass is sticking to you, you're so shameless."

"Shameless only for you."

Those words caused her to pause in the middle of the street. She sternly called his name, "Xu Yebai, where are we?"

Khan Bojing led her aside, out of the way for other pedestrians. His mood was not least affected by her wariness and calmly said, "Xiao Wei, by this time, the elders from my side would've already visited your house with a marriage proposal. After our engagement ceremony, everyone will know you're mine."

The tips of her ears turned pink. Wordlessly, she pulled him back onto the road. She didn't respond back to him, but her tight hold on his hand didn't let go.

The streets they passed became more familiar as they made a turn. She pointed to a stall in front. "Yebai, this was where I bought the wildflower seeds last time with Yishan."

Nearby, the old grandfather was behind his stall. The little grandson looked up. Somehow, he was able to tell who she was even with a veil. He waved happily, to which she returned his greeting.

When Khan Bojing raised his hand, the little boy ducked behind the table. He quickly glanced at her from the corners of his eyes, speechless, "..."

Li Wei burst out laughing and only shrugged, as if to say, you're on your own.

Located several stalls away was a stubby middle age man who owned a ring game stall. "Come, come play and win a prize for your loved one!"

"Xiao Wei, do you like that?" Khan Bojing tugged her forward before she could reply.

In the stall owner's hands was a silver, peach blossom pendant necklace. The shiny and polished necklace was a captivating sight. A large crowd had already gathered in interest.

Her eyes moved from the necklace to him knowingly. "You want me to think of you when I wear the peach blossom necklace?"

Khan Bojing was pleased she could see through his intentions. He quickly paid for a round. "Boss, one turn this way."

"Sure!" The stall owner handed him three rings. "To win the ultimate prize tonight, you must land all the rings on the top jars. If you lose, you can pay again for a second round."

Khan Bojing smiled to himself. "There's no need."

Li Wei gasped at the rings in his hand. The rings were smaller than the circumference of her wrist. If she were to put the rings directly onto the jars' openings, there was barely space left in between. Not to mention, the jars were a distance away and up on the shelves. The task was set up to be impossible.

"Should we play another game?" She suggested.

Stubbornly, he shook his head. "No, I want that necklace for you."

Khan Bojing stood on the line and silently eyed his goal.

"Boss, one turn this way!"

The bystanders turned to the right where a tall man in blue entered the scene. He walked up to the stall owner and paid. His clothes were common and his actions were normal, but women still swooned as he passed through.

This man was unrealistically handsome, and he knew it. He flashed a smile at the crowd, and many almost fell over. Even the men blinked twice. Was this person heavens' statue or a live human?

The stall owner's business was surprisingly good today. He was more than happy to oblige. "Young lass, do you also wish to gift this to your lover?"

The man pondered for a moment, then his lips curled up. "I want it for her."

The ring twirling around Khan Bojing's finger came to an abrupt stop. He faced the stranger eye to eye. "Say that again, who's your lover?"

The man's smile only widened. "Whatever you want to think of it, it is. How about the woman next to you?"

The people in the crowd moved their head from one side to the other, from the handsome man to the old man. The young lady was beautiful. She was a better match for the young lass.

Li Wei instinctively moved closer to Khan Bojing. "I don't know him."

The stall owner immediately sensed a crisis. He moved in between the two. "Now, young men, you can solve this issue through a fair game. The winner gets the prize."

Without further ado, the stranger smirked and threw the rings, all perfectly landing onto the jars. The crowd couldn't believe their eyes and immediately applauded.

"Amazing!"

"What a spectacular sight!"

"This person is not a human..."

Khan Bojing didn't bat an eye and casted the rings towards the jars with ease. Again, the crowd broke into applause. What night was it tonight? There were miracles right in front of their eyes!

The stall owner's excitement turned into worries. Two winners and one major problem. "I only have one peach blossom necklace..."

"Winner of the second round gets to put the necklace on the beautiful lady," The stranger suggested.

"That..." The stall owner looked at Khan Bojing.

Khan Bojing paid them no attention. He only grabbed Li Wei's hand, pulling her into the other direction.

"What, running away? Scared you'll lose?"

Despite the stranger's taunts, Khan Bojing remained undisturbed. "I never place my woman at stake for anything, not to mention a worthless game."

The stranger strolled over casually. "What if the stakes are heavier than just the dignity this woman? What if it's a whole nation? Would you run away, then, too?"

"Know when to push forward and know when to retreat. Isn't this common sense?" Khan Bojing spoke nonchalantly, but his meaning was quite heavy. He indirectly implied the other man was a fool.

The stranger smiled coldly. "We could be friends, if not for standing on opposite sides."

Li Wei studied the man once again, remembering where she had seen his portrait before. In Khan Bojing's study, at that time in her first life, there was a drawing left on his desk. Three characters were written underneath in black ink.

This was no ordinary man. This was none other than the young emperor of Le'kai, Yi Zhengting.