As Da Ying watched Wen Wan leave her pavilion, an evil smile appeared on her angelic face. Who was Wen Wan to stop her. Whatever she wanted, she would get it, including Liu Xi Feng.
Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi immediately rushed over to her. "My lady, should we teach her a lesson?" Ban Shiang was the first to suggest. Just seeing that two faced woman made Ban Shiang's blood boil. With one word, she would silence Wen Wan.
Da Ying put her hand up, "Let her be arrogant. She only has so long." Da Ying was not offended or angered at Wen Wan's warning. She was rather amused. This made her want to take Xi Feng away from Wen Wan that much more.
Wen Wan did not head back to her room but her mother's. The moment the doors were closed, she slammed her hand on the table and started fuming. "Wan'er, what's wrong with you?" Empress Mei Wu asked concerned. Wen Wan looked. "Mother, I hate her. I hate seeing my father's useless daughter,"
"Wan'er, be patient. We've already watched over her for a while now. She is no threat to you. Why are you getting so worked up?" This calming technique of her mother only made her angrier. "Mother, you must take care of her immediately. I don't care if she is useless, I hate seeing her ugly face," Wen Wan had to admit, if Da Ying wasn't more beautiful that her, she would not be this irritated. She had always been praised for her goddess like face. Now that she had Da Ying competing with her, she could not take it.
Empress Mei Wu sat down and patted Wen Wan's hands lightly. "Okay my good daughter, I will do as you wish," Empress Mei Wu whispered something into Wen Wan's ears. The moment Wen Wan understood what her mother wanted to do, she sneered evily.
Who knew Wen Wan would be so eager to put her plan into action. Early morning, she had sent her maid Yin'er over to Da Ying's Thousand Lotus. Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi rolled their eyes the moment they saw Yin'er's shadow. "Wen Wan gongzhu has invited Da Ying gongzhu to go shopping with the rest of the ladies this afternoon. Inform her," Yin'er rudely relayed the message. Ban Shiang was about to give Yin'er a piece of her mind when Bai Zhi held her back. "Tell Wen Wan gongzhu that I will inform my lady. If she declines, we will let you know," Bai Zhi replied back. Yin'er didn't even reply back as she quickly turned away. She had already delivered the message, whatever they did next, she didn't care. It would be better if she didn't show up.
Ban Shiang turned towards Bai Zhi. "Why didn't you let me teach that stupid girl a lesson?"
"Ban Shiang, remember what gongzhu said. Do not create unnecessary problem. It'll be more difficult for us in the long run," the sensible Bai Zhi reminded Ban Shiang.
When Da Ying got the news, she wasn't surprised. "Gongzhu, are you going to go?"
Da Ying calmly said one word, "Going."
"Gongzhu, you clearly know this is a trap. Why must we go?" Ban Shiang anxiously asked.
"Simple. Liu Yi will be there which means that Liu Xi Feng will be there,"
As predicted, the moment Da Ying arrived at Wen Wan's place; Yueli, Yu'er, Liu Yi and Liu Xi Feng were there. She had expected Liu Xi Feng to be there. There was no way Wen Wan would not invite Liu Yi, her future sister-in-law. However, she was not expecting an extra person…Qin Xie De. Seeing him from afar, she felt awkward. She didn't know how to act or what to say in front of him.
On the other hand, Yueli and Yu'er didn't say anything when they saw Da Ying but their face showed their dissatisfaction. Of course they would have said some nasty words if their crush Xie De wasn't there. They could only swallow their dissatisfaction.
"Jie jie," Wen Wan walked over to Da Ying, holding onto her arm. "I'm glad you came. It's been a long time since you last shopped with us,"
"En," Da Ying smiled sweetly back at her.
"Since everyone is here, let's head out," a cheerful Wen Wan said.
When they got outside, a spacious carriage, enough to fit them all was waiting outside for them. On each side of the carriage door stood Xie De and Xi Feng. The two gentlemen held onto each girls hands as they stepped on the stepstool and into the carriage. One by one, each girl went in. Yueli and Yu'er could barely contain their excitement. To hold Xie De's hand was a dream come true for them. Sadly it was not a wish for Da YIng.
Da Ying was the last one. The only one Xie De was looking forward to holding hands with. Even if it was a few seconds. Slowly Da Ying made her way towards the two men. "Da Ying gongzhu, it's been a while," Xie De greeted her.
"Greetings to the Duke of Lan," she coldly replied back. He let out a soft chuckle. He didn't mind this cold attitude of hers. He was used to it. Xie De put his hand out for Da Ying to hold for support. Once again, she made him chuckle. She had actually turned her head towards Xi Feng, completely ignoring Xie De's chivalrous action. "I'll have to bother you Young Master Feng," Da Ying sweetly smiled at Xi Feng, placing her hand in his. "Are you feeling better?" he asked.
"Much better, thank you,"
As Xie De watched this 3 second conversation, his face turned green. How long have these two known each other? How come he hadn't known about it? Just thinking about how sweet she was to Xi Feng, Xie De badly wanted to punch Xi Feng a few times.
The carriage soon arrived as it parked at the end of the streets. Once again, each girl was helped down by Xie De and Xi Feng. Xie De wasn't going to make the same mistake. The moment he saw that Da Ying was going to ignore him again, he reached forward, grabbing her hand. Da Ying surprisingly looked at him as if about to scold him. "Let me help you down," he sweetly said holding her hands tight. To feel her tiny hands in his palm, Xie De felt a bit happier.
The city streets were bursting with people. The lively music and cheerful chattering made the girls burst with excitement. It had been such a long time since they had been out. To see so many shopping stalls and people made their inner childish heart content. Compared to the palace, the streets of Southern Han was like freedom. Freedom where married couples could hold hands, kids could run around and woman could laugh as loud as they wanted. A dream only a royal member could dream of.
The four women led by Wen Wan were mainly interested in jewelry only. Xie De and Xi Feng were following closely behind. At every shop, they would stop and look at hairpins. "Xi Feng'gege, does this look good on me?" Wen Wan held up a pearl hairpin, placing it in her hair. She looked innocently at Xi Feng, waiting for an answer. "It looks very good on you,"
Yueli and Yu'er were also eager to get their crush's attention. Each of them grabbed a hairpin and did the same thing towards Xie De. "It matches you two very much. Does Da Ying gongzhu have one she would like to buy?" Xie De shifted his attention to Da Ying. Da Ying had just been standing at the side, not looking at the hairpins once. She had no time for these childish goods. "None of these suit me,"
"Oh?" Xie De walked over to the stall surprised. Every hairpin looked good. He imagined them in her hair. All perfect. Da Ying watched as he picked up a simple jade hairpin from the bunch. "Young man, you have good eyes. That is made of the finest jade," the shopkeeper said. He wasn't lying. It may be simple and overlooked by women like Wen Wan but the jade quality was remarkable. "I'll take this one," he tossed a silver ingot at the shopkeeper.
Xie De turned to Da Ying. She didn't know what his intentions were. If she did, she would have reacted. Maybe she secretly knew his intentions...it was just she didn't want to admit it. Maybe she had secretly wanted that hairpin.
Da Ying's eyes never left Xie De's face, even as he leaned over, placing the hairpin in her hair. Matter of fact, she felt her heart skip a beat. "This one suits you," he looked down, meeting her eyes.
"Thank you for the gift but i don't deserve it," Da Ying quickly removed the hairpin, stretching her arm to him. "I don't want it. It is yours now. Do as you please with it," with that, Xie De walked away from her. The whole time, Yueli and Yu'er were watching with envy. They were both thinking the same thing, why wasn't it them?
After about an hour, Wen Wan made a stop at a dress shop right across a tea house. "Cousin, young master Xi Feng, us girls are going to try on some dresses. Can you wait for us at the tea house?" Wen Wan asked innocently. The two men understood her meaning. They were probably too shy to shop for dresses with them around. "Okay. We'll be in the front. Hurry so we can have lunch after,"
"Okay," Liu Yi held onto Wen Wan's arm as the two of them went into the store first.
Back at the tea house, Xi Feng and Xie De were sitting at the table right outside the tea house. Now that it was just the two of them, Xie De could finally ask his question. "Eh, Feng, how did you meet Da Ying gongzhu?" he tried not to sound so anxious but Xi Feng could read it all over his face. Xi Feng let out a teasing laughter. "Brother Xie De, we only met by accident once. Don't worry, I'm not taking her from you," he put his hand on Xie De's shoulder, reassuring him that he had no intentions towards Da Ying.
Thirty minutes had passed and the four ladies finally got out of the store. The moment they got out; two scrubby bearded men approached them. "Young ladies are you here shopping alone?" the taller of the two asked in a coquettish voice. "No, we are here with our brother," Yueli who sensed danger quickly blurted.
"Where?" the other man asked. Not believing her.
"They are at the next store," Yueli pointed. The two men turned, it was empty. They both laughed before taking a step closer to the ladies. "Really? I think you are lying to us. Why don't we have a drink and get to know each other. Maybe we can become your brothers." the tall man suggested.
After a few more minutes of trying to get the ladies to have a drink with them, they got annoyed. The tall one pointed at each of them. "I am the leader of the Tiger gang. I've even lowered my status to be patient with you four. Don't say that I wasn't being a gentleman. Whoever I want, I will have," he shouted.
By the time Xie De and Xi Feng realized what was going on, Da Ying had been thrown onto the leader's shoulder while Wen Wan was carried away by the other.
"Help us! Xie De'gege! Xi Feng'gege!" all the girls screamed for help. Xie De and Xi Feng quickly rushed over. The two rugged men had gone separate ways. Xie De and Xi Feng looked at each other before separating ways. One went after Wen Wan while the other towards Da Ying.
***So I've been having writer's block these past few days. And I didn't want to post new chapters that I wouldn't be satisfied with. So I do apologize for that.
***I'll try to do 1 chapter a day if time permits.
***Lastly, I'll for sure post the next chapter tomorrow. I'm sure you all are curious as to who is saving our Da Ying Gongzhu ^_^
Still with Da Ying on his shoulder, the Tiger Gang leader Fung Lu took multiple turns around the alleys. When he was sure he had lost anyone who was trailing him, he made one last turn. He stopped at the far east side of the streets. The far east side of the streets was the furthest area from the people. It was a high crime rate corner. No one dared to pass the east side where Tiger Gang resided.
"Boss," four of his subordinates greeted him. They snickered when they saw a motionless Da Ying on their leader's shoulder. "Boss, should we prepare the room?" one guy boldly asked.
"No need, just be on the lookout. Kill whoever tries to enter." After his order, he stepped into the small cemented house. There was nothing there but a large window, a wooden table and a bed.
He gently placed Da Ying on the wooden bed.
He expected a fearful and timid Da Ying to beg him for mercy but what he got was a fierce and unyielding gaze. In fact, she looked too comfortable. Da Ying had turned on her side, one elbow propped up, holding her head as she smiled at him seductively. "Da Ying gongzhu, why are you not pleading for your life?" he paused to look her up and down once. Seeing that she wasn't scared of him, he could only think of one thing. "Haha...Don't tell me you are actually infatuated." he laughed out loud. Why else would a girl act so calm in front of him. He thought about it once more, Da Ying hadn't cried help once. It didn't seem right. Shouldn't girls who get kidnapped be screaming for their life?
Da Ying laughed in disbelief when she saw his confused look. Wen Wan had actually hired an idiot for the job. What gave it away? The fact that he addressed her by her name. Which idiot would actually be so stupid to give themselves away like that. Da Ying had to admit, if any of her trained men were like this Feng Lu, she would either punish them or kick them out.
Da Ying sat up on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs. "Tell me why I should plead for my life?" she innocently asked. Feng Lu once again laughed, this time flabbergasted. "Are you not afraid I'll kill you? Do you think that acting seductive in front of me will guarantee your safety," he threatened her. He couldn't help but be drawn by her innocent eyes. His feet naturally walked closer to her. "But if Da Ying gongzhu is willing to stay here as my wife, I won't kill you," he "generously" offered. Da Ying rolled her eyes annoyed. "Tell me how much she gave you first?" Da Ying ignored his offer.
"So Da Ying Gongzhu isn't as stupid as they say. You even knew I was paid." he had to give her that much credit. He couldn't stop looking at her beautiful face, it was too mesmerizing. "But it doesn't matter if you agree or not. After tonight, you'll be my wife," he smiled widely. Da Ying was disgusted, he reeked of alcohol and the traces of dark stains on his teeth were already such a turn off for her.
When he reached over, stretching out to touch her silky hair, she blocked. Da Ying didn't need to use much effort. All she did was raise her arm to block his hand. She slightly lifted her chin, giving him a deathly glare. "If you can do it, I'll agree to be your wife," Da Ying exerted a little bit of her inner power into her arm, pushing him away with one blow. Feng Lu stumbled a few steps backward. "You know martial arts?" he asked curiously. Just based on the first blow she had delivered on his arm, he could tell her inner strength was no joke. Da Ying brushed her sleeve lightly before getting up. "I'll take you up on your offer. As long as you can inflict one hit on me, I'll be your wife," Da Ying confidently said, spreading her arms out. Hearing her act so cocky, he was pissed off. "Arghh," he angrily charged towards her with one fist aiming straight for her.
A smug Da Ying watched as his fist came towards her. His attack was inches away from her shoulder. One swift turn of her right leg, she moved, missing his fist. He threw two more punches her way but were countered both times. Feng Lu was getting angry. It was one woman, he didn't believe he couldn't even touch her once.
Da Ying suddenly took three steps forward, standing behind him. She placed her hand on his shoulder. He couldn't dodge her in time. In the next second, she had slipped the hand on his shoulder down to his wrist, twisting it behind his back. He couldn't move an inch; Da Ying held the jade hairpin Xie De gave her to his neck. "Do you still want to try?" she asked, giving him goosebumps. When his eyes met hers again, he shuddered with fear. What happened to those innocent eyes he first encountered? There was no trace of innocence; rather it was overpowered by a pair of deep dark deathly eyes. "I promise to leave. Just let me go," he suddenly said when he realized the situation. She had blocked his moves three times and trapped him within her first attack.
That smug smile once again appeared on her angelic face. "If you had pleaded with me earlier, that would have been a different story," he felt the cold touch of the hairpin touch his skin. "I promise I won't show my face ever again," his voice was shaking. [Useless. You are truly a piece of trash.] Da Ying looked down on him.
She leaned over and whispered, "You've already seen my true self. How can I let you go?"
Just as Da Ying was about to stab him in the neck, she saw Xi Feng from the corner of her eyes. [Why is he here?] Da Ying did not plan for him to be here. If it was Xie De, she would have already killed the Tiger leader in a heartbeat but…this was Xi Feng. The one person she was not going to let know her true identity yet.
Da Ying watched from the window as Xi Feng took care of the four men outside, rushing towards the door. Da Ying retracted the hairpin from Feng Lu's neck. She gripped tightly onto his wrist and spun him over to her.
When Xi Feng came in, Feng Lu had his arms wrapped around Da Ying's waist. "Help me, someone help me," Da Ying yelled out.
Xi Feng quickly came to her aid. One hand roughly grabbed Feng Lu by the shoulder. The gang leader who was still in shock from Da Ying's sudden move became flustered when his shoulder met with Xi Feng's hand. Before he could react, Xi Feng had palmed him in the chest, sending him flying a few feet back. Da Ying stumbled a few steps back, trying her best to play the victim. "Are you okay?" Xi Feng gently placed both his hands on her shoulders, looking very concerned. "En," she nodded. "Wait for me. I'll take care of this bastard first," Xi Feng clenched his jaw as he marched over to Feng Lu. That man did not deserve his title of gang leader at all, thought Da Ying. He was merely a useless fool. Da Ying felt satisfied watching Xi Feng do damage on Feng Lu. When the man was left barely conscious, Xi Feng ran back to her. He couldn't help but take a look at her once more, making sure she was really alright. Suddenly Da Ying leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Xi Feng'gege, I was so scared," she started to cry.
"I'm sorry I didn't arrive sooner," he patted her head,truly blaming himself for not taking better care of her .
"It's okay as long as you are here," she softly whimpered.
He let her hold him for a few more minutes, until she stopped crying. When they got back to where the carriage was parked, no one was there...only the carriage. Da Ying wasn't even surprised. Everyone probably headed back to the palace with Wen Wan. Of course Wen Wan's well-being was much more important than Da Ying. Seeing this, Xi Feng tried to create conversation, trying not to make things awkward. "Da Ying gongzhu, it's not…" he didn't finish his sentence when she cut him off. "It's okay, you don't have to make me feel better. Wen Wan is more important than me, I don't mind that no one waited for us," Da Ying made sure to paint herself as a pitiful person.
"That's not what I was thinking," he was at a loss for words. He didn't know what to say to comfort her. The pitiful Da Ying on the other hand felt that this was a good opportunity for her to get Xi Feng to pity her. The more he fell for it, the easier it was for her to befriend him.
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