Zhao Xing continued to talk with Tang Rongyi, and they soon became more and more familiar with each other.
"Eh? Nuo Nuo, where were you?" She had only realized that the little maid hadn't been following them some time after they had entered the manor, but she was still chatting with Tang Tang, so she didn't bother, thinking Nuo Nuo would catch up quickly.
"…"
Seeing her hesitation, she didn't ask further.
"Tang Tang, you were saying?"
Tang Rongyi smiled and continued to speak. "Actually, apart from you there's still another person that holds the rank of noble princess. Maybe you'll have to meet her one time."
"Oh? Who is she?" Zhao Xing asked curiously. She remembered being told she was the only one of her generation. But she didn't know who else was in this rank.
Tang Rongyi looked at her and wiggled her brows playfully.
"My grandmother."
"…" She suddenly had a bad feeling. After meeting Empress Dowager, she suddenly had a fear of old powerful ladies.
"Hehe…" She laughed dryly. If this person would have been her mother's age it would be better. She didn't want to ask anymore, in case she ended up asking what she shouldn't. After all, they had only known each other for two days.
The two of them spent a lot of time talking about various topics so much so that Zhao Xing feared she might end up exposing herself.
When Tang Rongyi left the sun was about to set.
The whole time, she hadn't been disturbed by Zhang Zhengyang. But this didn't make her feel any better.
"Zheng Zhengyang, did you know where I went to this morning?" If he didn't find her, she'll find him, things had to be quickly and efficiently handled.
Zhang Zhengyang was busy, he sat at his table in the study working. But he still put aside what he was doing to listen to her.
"The palace?" He answered nonchalantly.
Zhao Xing pursed her lips, "Aren't you going to ask what happened, who summoned me and why?"
"If you tell me it's fine, if not, it's also fine." Zhang Zhengyang said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Zhao Xing clenched her fists, if she was provoked just a little bit, just a tiny little bit more, she wasn't sure if she would be able to hold herself back from hitting people, even if it was the Crown Prince. He might have been stronger and more skilled than her by far, but she estimated that she had the capacity of ruining that pretty face of his before he knew it. Then, even if he retaliated, she would still feel satisfied.
She calmed down gritted her teeth.
"You don't know right? I'll assume you don't."
She took a deep breath and began, "Let me tell you something, you might be the boss here but, you also must learn not to make it hard for me. When I need help the most, you're either too busy, or not around. Of course someone like you is very busy, especially during this period when you have to assist your Imperial Father while he's unwell, but can't you just…" Zhao Xing, hissed annoyed. If there were phones existing in this world then she wouldn't have to suffer so much when she couldn't see him, she could just give him a call or something.
"It's true that my hands are far and can't reach. Don't worry, in the future just do what the Empress Dowager asks you to do."
'Do I have a choice?' Zhao Xing thought to herself.
"Empress Dowager is too difficult to handle, she already hates me, yet she still wants me to visit her often. Isn't she preparing to torture me? When I went there this morning I had been nervous hoping that I wouldn't say the wrong words. But with a woman like her, I don't think there's a need to worry about what to say! Because she wouldn't let you speak."
"If someone were to hear you, you'll be in big trouble."
"We're in the manor, what should I be scared of?" His words actually scared her, but she still folded her hands, like she didn't care. "Besides is this how to console me? With all I had to go through just so I don't mess up the meeting."
"I don't think you came to only talk about how you were maltreated by Empress Dowager."
Though she was still irritated by how uncaring he acted she still had other things she was worried about. She placed both hands on the table.
"I didn't have time to ask you, but you wouldn't tell me, what are you up to, hm?"
Zhang Zhengyang seemed a bit puzzled.
"I'm planning a lot of things, I wonder which one Grand Tutor is referring to?"
"Of course I'm referring to the banquet, the savior thing and all the rest."
Zhang Zhengyang shook his head, as if having lost hope on the intelligence of a certain young lady that stood in front of his table with fierce eyes.
"You don't need to know."
His answer rendered her speechless for a moment. "What do you mean I don't need to know?" She was directly involved, of course she had to know. If something happened in the future, or if out of ignorance foiled his plans what should he say? There was another reason, if she got too involved in this matter, would it affect her from returning to her world?
But Zhang Zhengyang didn't answer, instead continuing with what he did.
Zhao Xing watched him for a bit, with creased brows, putting both hands on her hip, what was so difficult to say? He could just explain and save her from worrying too much. Acting so mysterious for nothing.
Wait, didn't this mean, that she had come all the way to his study, vented, complained, asked questions, but go no apologies nor answers from him. How could she return to her courtyard like this?
Though she felt unfulfilled, seeing how busy Zhang Zhengyang was, she no longer felt like asking for compensation. Wouldn't it make her look like a peste? He was here working so hard, yet she who had seventy percent of free time in a day came to disturb him with trivialities
'How annoying, he doesn't even care!' She felt like she'd wasted all her time punching air.
Whatever worries she had, she would have to deal with it by herself.
She left without a word.
Leaving the concentrated Zhang Zhengyang alone in the study.
Fourth Prince's mansion.
"Fourth Prince, I heard there's a lady that has been conferred the title of noble princess…" Zhao Qing said hesitantly.
"Um. What? You also want a title?" The fourth prince said in a teasing tone. They both sat under a pavilion, seemingly enjoying the scenery, but each having their own thoughts.
The Fourth Prince held Zhao Qing in his arms, and though she felt uncomfortable, she knew resisting would only bring her trouble, in addition to this, she had a lot she wanted to ask him, things she urgently needed answers to.
"Not that…" She still hesitated, she wanted to ask in a way he wouldn't be able to guess why she was asking.
The fourth Prince smiled. "It's fine, one day I'll have you hold the highest and noblest title in the land."
Zhao Qing took deep breaths trying to control her disgust. There was no way she would stay with him for long. She would soon find a way to get away from his clutches. But before then she has a mission she needed to accomplish. The one to be on the throne was the Crown Prince. Her grandfather had told her himself. There was no way around it.
And though her grandfather hadn't mentioned to her the Empress that would stay by his side, she had a feeling deep within that she had the chance and the power to stand by the Crown Prince's side as his Empress.
Fortunately, no matter how beastly the Fourth Prince was, he hadn't touched her. She must keep herself pure for the sake of the Crown Prince.
Her eyes looked into the distance and soon lost focus, "Actually, I just wanted to know who this lady is."
The Prince could sense where she was going and why she had asked. He didn't plan on hiding it from her.
"My second brother brought back a woman from the south surnamed Zhao, she had saved his life and so he told Imperial father, that's how she was rewarded for her brave act." As he spoke, he gently stoke Zhao Qing's hair, making the later shiver in fear. But when she heard him mention the surname Zhao, her eyes widened.
'Zhao, from the south? It wouldn't be her relative, would it?'
"Actually this lady doesn't seem like the person they say she is." He smiled, "She's actually very interesting."
The more she heard the more curious she got.
"How?"
The prince knew she was interested, and intentionally slowed his speech making her eager, "They all say she came from the mountains. She doesn't look like it. I doubt anyone actually believes such a farce. They even had her lie that she had a little brother that died and so on…nonsense."
Zhao Qing heart beat faster.
'Could it be...?'
'There was no way it could.'
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง
appricotblossom
Announcement, anouncement; I've been very busy recently, and my chapters lenght got a bit inconsistent, and so I decided to go back to releasing 1/day. I'll increase the lenght, and try getting deep into the story. Thank you all for your support. If there's anything you want to suggest concerning this story, or anything you think needs improvement, then feel free to tell me in the comments. Have an enjoyable reading time ^ ^
บท 83: Punching Air
Zhao Xing continued to talk with Tang Rongyi, and they soon became more and more familiar with each other.
"Eh? Nuo Nuo, where were you?" She had only realized that the little maid hadn't been following them some time after they had entered the manor, but she was still chatting with Tang Tang, so she didn't bother, thinking Nuo Nuo would catch up quickly.
"…"
Seeing her hesitation, she didn't ask further.
"Tang Tang, you were saying?"
Tang Rongyi smiled and continued to speak. "Actually, apart from you there's still another person that holds the rank of noble princess. Maybe you'll have to meet her one time."
"Oh? Who is she?" Zhao Xing asked curiously. She remembered being told she was the only one of her generation. But she didn't know who else was in this rank.
Tang Rongyi looked at her and wiggled her brows playfully.
"My grandmother."
"…" She suddenly had a bad feeling. After meeting Empress Dowager, she suddenly had a fear of old powerful ladies.
"Hehe…" She laughed dryly. If this person would have been her mother's age it would be better. She didn't want to ask anymore, in case she ended up asking what she shouldn't. After all, they had only known each other for two days.
The two of them spent a lot of time talking about various topics so much so that Zhao Xing feared she might end up exposing herself.
When Tang Rongyi left the sun was about to set.
The whole time, she hadn't been disturbed by Zhang Zhengyang. But this didn't make her feel any better.
"Zheng Zhengyang, did you know where I went to this morning?" If he didn't find her, she'll find him, things had to be quickly and efficiently handled.
Zhang Zhengyang was busy, he sat at his table in the study working. But he still put aside what he was doing to listen to her.
"The palace?" He answered nonchalantly.
Zhao Xing pursed her lips, "Aren't you going to ask what happened, who summoned me and why?"
"If you tell me it's fine, if not, it's also fine." Zhang Zhengyang said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Zhao Xing clenched her fists, if she was provoked just a little bit, just a tiny little bit more, she wasn't sure if she would be able to hold herself back from hitting people, even if it was the Crown Prince. He might have been stronger and more skilled than her by far, but she estimated that she had the capacity of ruining that pretty face of his before he knew it. Then, even if he retaliated, she would still feel satisfied.
She calmed down gritted her teeth.
"You don't know right? I'll assume you don't."
She took a deep breath and began, "Let me tell you something, you might be the boss here but, you also must learn not to make it hard for me. When I need help the most, you're either too busy, or not around. Of course someone like you is very busy, especially during this period when you have to assist your Imperial Father while he's unwell, but can't you just…" Zhao Xing, hissed annoyed. If there were phones existing in this world then she wouldn't have to suffer so much when she couldn't see him, she could just give him a call or something.
"It's true that my hands are far and can't reach. Don't worry, in the future just do what the Empress Dowager asks you to do."
'Do I have a choice?' Zhao Xing thought to herself.
"Empress Dowager is too difficult to handle, she already hates me, yet she still wants me to visit her often. Isn't she preparing to torture me? When I went there this morning I had been nervous hoping that I wouldn't say the wrong words. But with a woman like her, I don't think there's a need to worry about what to say! Because she wouldn't let you speak."
"If someone were to hear you, you'll be in big trouble."
"We're in the manor, what should I be scared of?" His words actually scared her, but she still folded her hands, like she didn't care. "Besides is this how to console me? With all I had to go through just so I don't mess up the meeting."
"I don't think you came to only talk about how you were maltreated by Empress Dowager."
Though she was still irritated by how uncaring he acted she still had other things she was worried about. She placed both hands on the table.
"I didn't have time to ask you, but you wouldn't tell me, what are you up to, hm?"
Zhang Zhengyang seemed a bit puzzled.
"I'm planning a lot of things, I wonder which one Grand Tutor is referring to?"
"Of course I'm referring to the banquet, the savior thing and all the rest."
Zhang Zhengyang shook his head, as if having lost hope on the intelligence of a certain young lady that stood in front of his table with fierce eyes.
"You don't need to know."
His answer rendered her speechless for a moment. "What do you mean I don't need to know?" She was directly involved, of course she had to know. If something happened in the future, or if out of ignorance foiled his plans what should he say? There was another reason, if she got too involved in this matter, would it affect her from returning to her world?
But Zhang Zhengyang didn't answer, instead continuing with what he did.
Zhao Xing watched him for a bit, with creased brows, putting both hands on her hip, what was so difficult to say? He could just explain and save her from worrying too much. Acting so mysterious for nothing.
Wait, didn't this mean, that she had come all the way to his study, vented, complained, asked questions, but go no apologies nor answers from him. How could she return to her courtyard like this?
Though she felt unfulfilled, seeing how busy Zhang Zhengyang was, she no longer felt like asking for compensation. Wouldn't it make her look like a peste? He was here working so hard, yet she who had seventy percent of free time in a day came to disturb him with trivialities
'How annoying, he doesn't even care!' She felt like she'd wasted all her time punching air.
Whatever worries she had, she would have to deal with it by herself.
She left without a word.
Leaving the concentrated Zhang Zhengyang alone in the study.
Fourth Prince's mansion.
"Fourth Prince, I heard there's a lady that has been conferred the title of noble princess…" Zhao Qing said hesitantly.
"Um. What? You also want a title?" The fourth prince said in a teasing tone. They both sat under a pavilion, seemingly enjoying the scenery, but each having their own thoughts.
The Fourth Prince held Zhao Qing in his arms, and though she felt uncomfortable, she knew resisting would only bring her trouble, in addition to this, she had a lot she wanted to ask him, things she urgently needed answers to.
"Not that…" She still hesitated, she wanted to ask in a way he wouldn't be able to guess why she was asking.
The fourth Prince smiled. "It's fine, one day I'll have you hold the highest and noblest title in the land."
Zhao Qing took deep breaths trying to control her disgust. There was no way she would stay with him for long. She would soon find a way to get away from his clutches. But before then she has a mission she needed to accomplish. The one to be on the throne was the Crown Prince. Her grandfather had told her himself. There was no way around it.
And though her grandfather hadn't mentioned to her the Empress that would stay by his side, she had a feeling deep within that she had the chance and the power to stand by the Crown Prince's side as his Empress.
Fortunately, no matter how beastly the Fourth Prince was, he hadn't touched her. She must keep herself pure for the sake of the Crown Prince.
Her eyes looked into the distance and soon lost focus, "Actually, I just wanted to know who this lady is."
The Prince could sense where she was going and why she had asked. He didn't plan on hiding it from her.
"My second brother brought back a woman from the south surnamed Zhao, she had saved his life and so he told Imperial father, that's how she was rewarded for her brave act." As he spoke, he gently stoke Zhao Qing's hair, making the later shiver in fear. But when she heard him mention the surname Zhao, her eyes widened.
'Zhao, from the south? It wouldn't be her relative, would it?'
"Actually this lady doesn't seem like the person they say she is." He smiled, "She's actually very interesting."
The more she heard the more curious she got.
"How?"
The prince knew she was interested, and intentionally slowed his speech making her eager, "They all say she came from the mountains. She doesn't look like it. I doubt anyone actually believes such a farce. They even had her lie that she had a little brother that died and so on…nonsense."
Zhao Qing heart beat faster.
'Could it be...?'
'There was no way it could.'
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง appricotblossom
Announcement, anouncement; I've been very busy recently, and my chapters lenght got a bit inconsistent, and so I decided to go back to releasing 1/day. I'll increase the lenght, and try getting deep into the story. Thank you all for your support. If there's anything you want to suggest concerning this story, or anything you think needs improvement, then feel free to tell me in the comments. Have an enjoyable reading time ^ ^