Chapter 39: Secret Meeting
Halfway back, Da Ying stopped. She had already gotten what she came for, there was no use going back. Before coming, she had already planned to be the subject of humiliation but thanks to her destined meeting with Xi Feng, she didn't feel the need to return. She bent her body forward at a 90 degree angle, holding onto her stomach. "Ah," she made a short pained noise, loud enough for Xi Feng to hear. The very next moment, he turn around. Seeing her almost on the ground, he quickly rushed over. His arm linked around hers, supporting her from falling. "Da Ying gongzhu, are you alright?" his voice was filled with sincere concern for her.
"All of a sudden my stomach is hurting,"
"Can you walk?" she nodded her head, assuring him she could do it.
"Don't worry about me; I can go back on my own. Go back to the party," she tried to persuade him. She turned her back, trying her best to walk with a little bit of a limp. Her acting was so believable, it left Xi Feng in a tough spot. He was still looking at the very sick Da Ying walking back on her own, he couldn't help but worry about. How could he trust her to go on her own, especially since her maids weren't accompanying her. What if she fainted on the way back? Ju Yu and Yin'er watched as Xi Feng chased after Da Ying. They wanted to stop him but was a second too late. This news would surely reach Wen Wan's ears by tonight.
The last thing Da Ying could remember was being swept off her feet. Xi Feng had actually ran over to her side, one arm on her back while the other on her thigh as he carried her princess style. She gazed up at him, a shock of horror on her face. What was going on? Wasn't he supposed to be heading back? It was only a stomachache, surely she could go back on her own.
He didn't look at her once; his eyes were focused on the path straight forward. One reason he didn't dare look at her was people this was improper. A man and woman should keep their distance, he had just violated that code. But what could he do? Let her faint?
"Xi Feng, you don't have to. I can walk on my own," Da Ying tried to struggle free.
"I do not feel at ease if I don't take you back. What if you faint somewhere? Do you want me to have that guilt over my head?"
"But…"
"Don't worry; I will only drop you off. It's faster if I carry you anyways," Da Ying didn't say anymore. Judging from his character, he would not do as she said. No use trying to talk to him.
Halfway there, he began to sweat a little bit. Da Ying for the first time felt bad. If it was Xie De carrying her, she would have just laughed and said, "You deserve it." She almost laughed when she pictured the scene. Xie De would be carrying her and scolding her for being careless. And she would be bickering right back at him. Sadly this wasn't Xie De but the very righteous Xi Feng. "If I'm too heavy, you can drop me off here. I'm only a little ways from my palace,"
"It's okay; it's not you that's heavy. The sun is too bright today, making me sweat," he didn't want to make her feel bad. She was actually very light but with most thing, when being carried for too long, you start to lose energy.
Only when they arrived at the front entrance did he let her go. Da Ying straightened her dress and thanked him. "I appreciate your help today,"
"I hope Da Ying gongzhu feels better," with a few exchanges, they said their farewells. The moment she entered the main entrance, there was no longer the sweet and timid girl but a confident woman. She coldly walked into her own room satisfied. There was no doubt in her mind she had reeled Xi Feng in. All she needed to do now was to have a few more accidental meetings with him, become friends and find out more about his father.
Originally Da Ying had planned on having Wu Man listen in on General Ming and Yao Pan Bao's conversation but she realized it may be too dangerous. She would do it on her own. The Yao residence was grand, worthy of being the home of criminal Prime Minister Yao. Dressed in all black, running on top of the roof was a very careful Da Ying. Her steps came to a halt when she found the right room. It wouldn't have been so easy to find if it wasn't for the heavily guarded room. There were at least ten guards blocking the room. She immediately laid on her belly, making sure not to be caught as she dug out one of the roof tiles. It was as Wu Man said; General Ming and Pan Bao were indeed having a secret meeting.
Da Ying watched as General Ming (Ming Bu Fan) took out a white piece of cloth from his sleeve, handing it over to Pan Bao. "Before your father died, he wanted to pass this message to you," Pan Bao unfolded the cloth written in blood. After he read it, he crumpled it up in anger. Da Ying could not make out what was written on the cloth but judging from their next action, she could make a guess...it was about her. "General Ming, are you sure it was Da Ying gongzhu who caused my father and sister's death?"
"Yes, that is why I tried to get rid of her that night but by sheer luck, she escaped,"
"If my father was sure Da Ying gongzhu was the one who did this to him, as his son, I will revenge him. Do whatever it takes to bring both Da Ying and Muyan down."
"That is why I am here? I need your assistance," Ming Bu Fan replied.
"If it's something I can do, I will help you,"
"Da Ying gongzhu's death can wait but I must make sure Muyan doesn't return from battle first. He will return in no less than a month, I must get rid of him. But his army is too strong at the moment. That is why I need to borrow your father's Blood Elites,"
"Okay, as long as you get rid of those two siblings, I will hand over the seal to control our Blood Elites like my father agreed on,"
"I assure you I will get the job done with your help. If this succeeds, in the future, I am glad to assist you. Let's meet again in two days. By then I will have a plan thought out," Ming Bu Fan said.
"I look forward to seeing you then,"
When Da Ying returned, she finally understood the situation. The reason why General Ming wants to take her life so bad was to get control of the Blood Elites. She knew that Prime Minister Yao had raised his own group of assassins, powerful enough to kill their enemy but she never thought Minister Yao would trade his assassins for her and her brother's head. Now that she thought of it, he was quite clever. He knew that General Ming would agree to it. If he had control of the Blood Elites, the army he controlled would double in power. This meant more fame and money for him in the long run.
Da Ying didn't want to sit still but had no choice. When she heard General Ming say he would get rid of her younger brother Muyan first, she was ready to rip him into shreds. If he dared lay a finger on her brother, she would not spare him. But of course, she knew she had to wait. Wait to find out what General Ming has planned. If she acted rash right now, she would alarm the enemy, costing her in the long run.
Da Ying was already feeling anxious thinking about her brother, so why did Wen Wan come over and bother her. Da Ying didn't need to ask why she was here, most likely her reason for being here was to warn her to stay away from Xi Feng. There was no doubt in her mind, Ju Yu and Yin'er didn't tell on her.
"Jie jie, I heard you weren't feeling good?" she quickly made herself at home, sitting beside Da Ying. "I had a bit of a stomachache yesterday,"
"Are you feeling much better now?"
"I'm still feeling nauseous but after a few days' rest, I should be fine," There conversation seemed normal but deep inside, they both wanted to rip each other's heart out. "Jie jie, I heard that Xi Feng'gege escorted you back?" Wen Wan didn't know how she kept such a calm composure. The moment her maids told her yesterday, she flipped out, throwing everything she could see in her vision on the floor. "En," that was all that Da Ying replied with.
"How does Jie jie know Xi Feng'gege?"
"I don't, he just happened to be there when I felt sick," Wen Wan let out a sigh of relief.
"Xi Feng'gege is a good man. He would help anyone out if they were struggling. I hope that Jie jie doesn't get the wrong idea that…Xi Feng'gege has taken a fancy to you," Wen Wan sweetly warned her. Da Ying smiled at her, acting as if she didn't understand the underlining meaning. "Mei mei does not need to worry. Xi Feng has always fancied you, I would not dare think of my future brother in law that way,"
"Good, I hope what you said is true. I'll stop bothering you and let you get back to resting," Wen Wan excused herself. She already came for she wanted to. She was glad Da Ying knew her own place. If she dared to fight over Xi Feng with her, it would not be a good ending for her.
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