บท 27: Day out in the city

That night Xing slept well as the thought of Shengli near her made her feel secure. Xing woke up early in the morning as usual and did some stretching exercises. She hadn't practiced sword for more than a week now. Although sword arts come natural to her like breathing, she felt guilty, like not feeding a pet. Also she missed warm milk that morning which reminded her of Haru. She wondered what he's up to and whether he had arranged everything in the city. After cleaning up, she changed into her usual male attire out of habit.

As she was wondering where to get her milk, there was a knock in her window. She opened and there was the smiling Shengli with a jug of warm milk. How thoughtful! , she thought and got the jug and drank the warm milk that tasted just as she likes.

"Finished? let's go", he extended his hand through the window.

"Where?", she asked surprised.

" To train. Are you planning to slack off? It's been a week since you have touched a sword. Come on, let's train together", he rushed her.

"You know, you are perfect and I don't deserve you", she said with a bright smile and jumped through the window and grabbed his arms and they walked side by side.

They had a small training area in their manor and they both trained together. Xing hadn't paired up with anyone except Haru till now. Xing noted Shengli's style is entirely different from theirs as it focused on killing in one strike. Wow! Cool! She thought, Well how many can actually practice with the legendary 'lone wolf'? And he is all mine! How lucky am I, all that handsome face and that firm body is all mine! Ooohoo! Xing giggled in her mind as her thoughts wandered.

" Why are you distracted?", Shengli asked slashing his sword forward. Xing smirked and blocked his sword with hers and gently blowed, pouting her lips in his face. She could see his eyes half closing and his heartbeat rising and she gave a blow that made his sword drop on the ground and pinned his arm on his back while kicking on the back of his knee and in a second he was half-kneeling in front of her.

"You!", he tried to wriggle out of her hold and Xing could not help but smile when she saw his ears blushed red and she bent and whispered in his ears, "Didn't think a single 'blow' could make the legendary lone wolf to kneel!", she blowed in his ears and she could hear his heartbeat rising more. His scent entered her nose and made her feel hot. She wanted to tease him more when she heard a clapping sound behind her.

"You are really good dear, I've never seen this one on his knees before", they heard Lord Feiye's voice by the door. Xing turned to see his face still having bruises from last night.

"Ah! Uncle Feiye, good morning", Xing bowed.

Shengli picked up his sword and got up dusting his cloths.

"Don't stop, continue, it's interesting to watch your sword play", he said leaning on the door frame.

They continued training, Shengli did not go easy on her and she was really fast deflecting his attacks. Feiye watched them silently. So his niece is not only pretty but also really good at martial arts. He wondered, if she grew up in the city with her father, would she have been able to learn martial arts? Would she had turned out different from now? Would she be able to meet Shengli? Or is it possible that she'd be the same wherever she was brought up? He sighed, Whatever! What happened in the past cannot be changed!

After they finished training, they had breakfast and Shengli took her to visit the city. The curious Xing got lost more than Shengli could count. She was worse than a two year old in getting lost.

She wandered around and visited bookstores, weapons stores, gambling spots and liquor stores. Seriously, this girl has no interest in spending her money on clothes and jewellery.

Soon Shengli realised why Haru had kept her money hidden. She gave away gold coins like it was nothing to truly pitiable persons. She gave ten gold coins to a girl who was caught stealing food, after making her carry her books for an hour. The wage for servants was ten silver coins a month. That little girl is set for life, he thought. She thanked her and left happily. She wandered around making bets in GO matches and won always and was politely driven out from some places.

In the end she made more money than she spent which made Shengli surprised. If she makes this much money just for fun, how much more would she make if she seriously wants to make money? He smiled, I have the god of money with me!

He bought sweets for both of them and she ate them happily while walking. One thing Xing noticed while wandering today was that Shengli knew many people. He didn't talk to them but the way they interacted was subtle. From the shop owners to the low level servants in almost every business area he had people. They must be his spies in the capital. Wow! my Prince is amazing! Xing smiled. Also even though she was dressed as a man this guy didn't let go of her hands. Isn't people noticing them? He is not afraid of rumours spreading?

Shengli dragged her into a small alleyway. She gave some of her sweets to him and he ate it . Shengli saw the girl before him stuffing her mouth like a squirrel and smiled. He wondered, she must be directionally challenged because he had lost her five times today.

I had to hold her hands to not lose her! Guess mountains are her forte. I can't help but love you my adorable directionally challenged kitten!

"Xing, I'm using you as a bait" he said in a low tone.

"Oh!"

"Ever since the spring banquet was announced there's been chatters that someone we've been eying for long is going to make a move soon", he looked at her still eating.

"Is it Shihong?", Xing asked licking her fingers. Seeing his surprised look she continued, "It's just that, the other day when we caught that assassin, he told me that the man who contacted him, 'Shihong' was wearing agarwood fragrance . But he did not recognise that smell as I was wearing it. It all smelled fishy but I was in a hurry to leave so I didn't probe further. So I bet this 'Shihong' wants to trap me, right? Wonder what I did to piss him off! But, whatever! one more enemy", she said nonchalantly.

Shengli looked at her surprised, "You really are smart, my girl! But you cannot be this careless! People usually don't like to be used as baits!" Does she even know the danger she is in?

"I know! But I don't mind being a bait, only if, you use me", she said. I trust you won't make me involved in anything more than I can handle!

Shengli felt his heart squeeze and he kissed her, " My girl! I will protect you", he whispered. He felt a bit guilty for hiding things from her as she trusted him this much.

"Fine! Fine! Don't get too close. People may notice", she pushed him and he pursed his lips getting her cold treatment.

"Shihong, huh! Usually Haru thinks about these stuff. Without him, I have to use my brain. It is bothersome. Also, Haru's not involved right? He just got married. Also, do you want me to do anything?", she asked.

"No, Haru's not. I'll take care of everything else " , he said.

"Okay, fine! ", she said and wiped her hands and smiled at him, who was staring at her.

"What?"

" Actually Shi....", he started. I should tell her about Shihong right?

"No need to explain me. Just tell me what to do, if you need me", she said and started to walk. Shengli just sighed and followed her.

This girl! Just what can I do with you? You are too smart and too trusting! Are you really not willing to know about Shihong?

A couple of days passed. Xing's days passed as she trained with Shengli in the morning and looking around the city with him in the noon and in the evening, her father and brother would join them for dinner. Her father walked on eggshells around her and her brother looked like he was forced to be there and Xing did not know how to react.

A couple of days later, Shengli took her to a teashop nearer to the Prime Minister Manor and they were drinking tea. Just then a parade was going on and Xing could hear the people talking.

"That's the daughter of the Prime Minister who was staying in the country side for recuperating. Now that the spring banquet is arranged, she's been brought back", someone said.

"This one with orangish hair looks good. Did you see?", a girl giggled. Xing gave a divine smile making the girl blush and she ran away.

Guess my charms work in the city too!

Xing looked at Shengli confused, "Does father have another daughter?", she asked.

Shengli chuckled and shook his head disagreeing and took her to watch closer.

"That's you", he whispered. Xing understood only then that it was all planned by her father.

A girl in a hat covered in veil got down from the carriage and elegantly entered the Manor. No one could see her face and they all were displeased.

So that's how I can live with my father without losing my old identity too... Xing felt pleased. Now no one can connect her with the Huang young miss as there will be people who had seen both at the same time.

Both of them went back to Jasmine Manor and during dinner that day her father had asked Shengli to join him to visit Xing's mother's grave and Shengli agreed too. Xing felt a bit uneasy with both of them travelling together but they have to resolve whatever problem they have by themselves. So she didn't say anything. Also only Shengli knows where mother was buried as her father told he'll bring Xing and Rijun the next time they visit and he wanted to visit alone this time.

With the 'Spring Banquet' less than two weeks from now, they will have to return soon so they decided to travel in horseback and not in carriages and decided to leave early next morning.

Next morning Shengli brought many books for her to read and told her not to leave anywhere alone and to properly eat and sleep. Xing saw most of the books were old and well kept.

He didn't steal these books from the Imperial Library, did he? Well! Whatever! These books are the ones I've never read.

Shengli also told her that Haru's shop had already been ready to open in the merchants street in the city and that he is already here with his wife. But he'll be busy for a while, so Shengli asked to wait for his return to bring Xing to meet him. Xing agreed and told him to be careful in his words with her father. After all, wounds and bruises will heal but the scar from hurtful words cannot be healed.

Shengli agreed and after promising that he'll return within a week, he left along with her father. Xing went back to her room in her Uncle's manor and started reading the books Shengli gave her and trained with her uncle, who was good with a halberd.