"Xue'er, how is she?" Lin Xingjin asked with a low tone. His eyes lowered, completely masking the sorrow from within. Hong Cha had known he would ask. No matter how she tries to show goodwill and tame him, he will still search for the original master which is Zhao Xue. Her plan is quite risky and there is a huge chance she will fail. Well, if it wasn't because of her laziness, she wouldn't have the need to sacrifice too much for the finale. However, it will be worth it since she can have a rest in the new world she will enter.

  "She is fine. In fact, Nian Xiaoyuan has been giving her his attention. It's always about her, isn't it?" Hong Cha finished burning the joss papers and stood up. The female lead's halo really can't be underestimated. "Prince Brother, you wouldn't like it if Nian Xiaoyuan heard about this. I already used my authority to cover you up but it's not enough. Those soldiers are loyal to Nian Xiaoyuan. And since he trusts me, I was able to bring you out."

  "How did you earn his trust?" his brows furrowed a bit. He is suspicious of how she was able to take him out of prison. A guard led his way and the other soldiers didn't cause a fuss.

  "I will be his concubine too. Remember the man I was waiting for in the Yangtze River? It was Nian Xiaoyuan." she rubbed her arm as if nervous. Her cheeks went slightly pink. "It's not hard to love him. Nian Xiaoyuan is more reciprocating and he knows what women want. But, in the first place, he doesn't belong to me yet I belong to him now."

  "Cha Hua, why did you help me then? I... I had your father killed, removed your stable life, and-" he was about to say more when Hong Cha took his hand and placed another satchel with the same design as before.

  "Yes, I hate you but we shared a moment that I had cherished once. That fateful night, you didn't see me as a little girl or a nuisance but a woman. And, you protected me from Nian Xiaoyuan when we were younger. No matter how I try to hate you and ask for your death, I can't bring myself to speak to them out loud." she lifted a faint smile with her crescent eyes a bit tearful. "Prince Brother, let us say I'm a fool. To you in the past, to Nian Xiaoyuan in the present. I have no one else now than Nian Xiaoyuan. Please do not harm him back that is why I am asking you to leave Zhou immediately and leave Zhao Xue to him. She's his only happiness."

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  "I'm afraid I can't." Lin Xingjin thought. Zhao Xue must still be waiting for him. She must have been forced to marry Nian Xiaoyuan.

  The marriage was grand and Zhao Xue became the empress of Zhou. On the same day, Nian Xiaoyuan ascended as the new emperor. It took some days before he visited Hong Cha again. She was not even granted the title of a concubine, even worse than a bedroom maid.

  "Kong, you peeping creep!" Hong Cha shouted just as Nian Xiaoyuan reached the door.

  "Little Master should hurry! Big Master is on the way here!" Kong keeps saying. Hong Cha picked a brush and threw it to where Kong was flying. The door opened on time. Kong evaded the brush and it hit Nian Xiaoyuan's forehead. Hong Cha gasped in shock.

  "Oh my... I didn't mean to." she hurriedly went out of her hiding spot behind the folding screen. Hong Cha had just finished taking a bath with a tube and shorts. Kong peeped at her when she was dressed which got her annoyed. She nervously touched the reddened forehead of Nian Xiaoyuan. "Does it hurt? Should I call a physician in? Are you dizzy?"

  "It's fine." Nian Xiaoyuan helplessly smiled. Is she worried? He finds it amusing. Nian Xiaoyuan held her hand down and lowered his gaze. Oh, she's wearing these strange clothes again. But he must admit, it suits her very well. Nian Xiaoyuan placed his hand on her slim waist and squeezed it. She flinched in surprise. "You never went out of the palace after the wedding. Did something upset you?"

  Hong Cha evaded his meaningful gaze. She shook her head and leaned on him. "Nian Xiaoyuan, why did you suddenly come here? Is Zhao Xue troubling you again?" Hong Cha changed the topic on purpose. She heard him hum but could picture his malicious grin.

  "Kong, where did your little master go during the wedding?" he suddenly asked and lightly touched her exposed back. Hong Cha unconsciously trembled from his cold hand. She just felt the temperature dropping fast.

  "Big Master, Kong had told you days ago that Little Master went to the grave."

  "Hear that, little girl?" his tone went deep, full of unrestrained charm and deviousness. Nian Xiaoyuan held her jaw and made her look up. Hong Cha felt fear in her heart to see his eyes icy cold.

  "Can't I visit my father's grave?" Hong Cha broke free from his hold. She can guess he already knew what she did. What will he do? Destroy her?

  Hong Cha decided to distract herself for a moment until things calmed down. However, Nian Xiaoyuan wouldn't let her go easily. He pulled her close to him and caught her lips. Hong Cha gladly reciprocated in an inexperienced way. She is not used to his skillful movements yet. Nian Xiaoyuan pushed her on the bed as he remained on top of her.

  "Little girl, I never got angry at you in this way." he swiftly removed any obstruction covering her. Nian Xiaoyuan touched her shy pink petals. As soon as he did, the fragrant camellia blossom scattered. His body started reacting quickly. Nian Xiaoyuan leaned down and bit her nub with force.

  "Ow!" Hong Cha grunted in pain. He really seems angry. She relaxed a bit when he stopped biting. "Nian Xiaoyuan, that hurts. Can't you treat me any better?"