บท 17: Found Out

[Night of the banquet? So I was right, someone had been there.] Thinking about it, Da Ying didn't know if she should be relieved that her skills didn't fail her or be cautious of him. His skills are not inferior to hers, it may have even been better than hers, considering he was able to go undetected.

The two of them were still standing very close to each other. If anyone was to catch them at this very moment, they would mistaken the two as lovers. Da Ying raised her head slightly, giving him an icy look. He also stared back at her. Both of them did not have the intentions of backing down first. Thinking that she did not have time for such child play, she was the one to break up the tension. "It looks like Duke of Lan has more free time than I expected."

"I happened to have walked by that night,"

"Oh? I'm curious to know why you were on that path then? You've been in the palace enough times to know that the road you were on...only leads to my Thousand Lotus Pavilion. Don't tell me that you were hiding bad intentions that day?"

"Would you believe me if I said I came with the intentions of saving you?" For the first time, he wasn't lying to her. That night, he was following the assassins, not her. It was by chance he encountered her, the target of the assassins.

"To be able to predict a mishap before it happens, I truly praise you. It looks like I must also thank you for thinking about my safety." her words were filled with sarcasm, clearly not believing in anything he said. Xie De put his hands behind his back and walked past her. They were facing each other, back to back. "Honestly, if I didn't come across you that night, I would have believed that you were the timid and weak Princess Da Ying you portrayed. To be honest, I don't care about your personal life. I only have one question for you…for someone who is so highly skilled, why are you pretending to be weak in front of everyone?"

"The life of the palace… the more attention you attract, the more dangerous it is. Since I've answered your question, I too would like to ask you a question. Why didn't you report me to your aunt, the empress then?"

"I'm not one to meddle in the affairs of others," Hearing his answer, Da Ying couldn't keep in her mocking laughter. If it was anyone else, she would have believed their words, but this man was Empress Mei Wu's nephew. Just knowing that he is related to the woman she hates the most, her doubts in him couldn't be helped but double.

"In my opinion, you are not the kind to be generous and modest. Duke of Lan, you clearly have ulterior motives. If you plan on using this to blackmail me, I'll tell you once…I'm not afraid of you,"

"I have more honor than to threaten a woman. Let me also tell you one thing, I don't care who you offend in the future, but if you dare lay a finger on my people, I promise it won't end pretty." He turned around, facing her back. "I'll kill you if you dare hurt my aunt or niece. Don't think that your father can protect you. If you're smart enough, you would know he would never severe his relationship with me to save you….an exiled princess. Do you believe I won't kill you?" he added. This time, Da Ying turned; they once again faced each other full on. "I believe but for someone who has gone through hell and back, I Princess Da Ying is not afraid of death. I've got a debt to settle,"

He suddenly grabbed both her arms tightly, "Are you crazy? Empress Mei Yun's death was no one's fault but her own. Are you really going to do something so crazy when the evidence was so clear?" With one hard swing, she broke away from his grip and stepped back. "I only believe in my own eyes. I advise you to stay out of my business or else, I can't guarantee your safety either."

"I too can't guarantee your safety if you dare hurt the people I love."