After I lead Yun back to his stall, I saw that Li was waiting with a worried expression. I shook my head at him, silently telling him not to question what had happened. Li understood and handed me a dark blue ribbon. I thanked him and walked back to Fa Family tent while tying my hair.

"Mei-mei, are you ok?"

I wasn't surprised to face Min's worried expression as soon as I entered the tent. I nodded with a small smile.

"Grandfather, Wei Lan caused you trouble again"

"Nonsense, that little girl nearly killed you" Grandfather was clearly upset. "I will speak to Bai Yu about this"

So I didn't accuse Bai Xiao Xue wrongly after all. Everyone saw it the same way I did. Relieved that grandfather wasn't upset with me, I gave a soft smile. When I saw the regal man sitting beside grandfather I felt surprised. I never saw this man before but I sensed that he was not simple. Seeing his eyes on me, I felt in my gut that this man is royalty.

"Wei Lan greet elder..." I bowed my head. "Forgive Wei Lan for causing a scene in the field"

"You performed beautifully, as expected of a fine young lady of the Fa Family"

"Thank you elder for your compliment, Wei Lan still has a lot to learn"

"Since you won this competition, I have a gift for you"

I knew immediately that this man was indeed royalty by his words. When he held out a box, I was confused. I looked at grandfather who nodded gently. So I came over and accepted the box.

Inside the box, I saw a hair stick of a phoenix bird. I was stunned not because if it's sheer beauty, but because it was made with the rarest blue jade. A hair stick like this could only be worn by a princess or someone of noble birth.

"Wei Lan can't_"

"It is yours" The old man smiled and held up his hand to stop me from refusing. "I'm looking forward toward your next competition. Your grandfather told me you're also competing in painting"

I nodded softly.

"That hair stick has a pair, cut from the same 100 years old blue jade" The old man told me gently. "If you win your next competition, I will give you its pair"

Again, I was startled. I wondered why I was given such a precious gift. Then I wondered what rank this old man was to give me such a gift.

"Wei Lan"

My attention went back to my grandfather.

"You must be tired... why you don't head on back. Min, escort your mei-mei back to the lodging"

Min smiled and lifted the tent entrance for me. I didn't argue with my grandfather because I myself wanted to leave. I didn't want to stay where seeing Bai Xiao Xue would upset me. Plus, I was indeed, very tired.

"Mei-mei, are you truly ok?"

I didn't want to lie to Min so I shook my head no.

"That little girl is vicious"

I didn't respond to that and continued to walk along side Min, not really focusing on the path in front of me.

"Mei-mei"

I nearly crashed into a black wall until I realized the black wall was Wang Feng. Suddenly, I was faced with the man who had made me restless these past few days. He was the reason all those bad memories are resurfacing.

"Wei Lan" Li Xia stepped out from behind Wang Feng. "I was so worried. I could not believe that girl actually tried to kill you. Why does she hate you so_"

"It's not worth talking about..." I did not want to explain why I was almost killed. "Miss Wang_"

"It's Li Xia" Li Xia pouted made me smile.

"I'm well Li Xia... Wei Lan thanks you for concern and apologize that you had to witness a horrible side of Wei Lan..."

I felt embarrassed, realizing the Wang sibling witness me slapping Bai Xiao Xue. When a large, warm callus hand touched my neck, I flinched with surprised. Seeing it had been Wang Feng that was touching me, I gasped and pushed at his arm and chest. But he was so much taller and stronger than me; my small fist did nothing to his solid muscles as he cupped the back of my neck with one hand keeping me still as the other rubbed cold gel against my skin. I could feel my face burning red.

"Wang Feng" I pushed at him harder. "Wh_ what are you doing?"

He didn't let go until he finished. I had felt a sting and knew the arrow had grazed my skin. The cold gel had ease the irritation I have felt - but still, I didn't like that he was touching me without permission.

"Wang Feng, how dare you touch me?" I glared at him, unable to control my anger and frustration.

Both Li Xia and Min had been stunned silence by the whole scene. Meanwhile, I felt my face burning more as Wang Feng smile at me despite my anger toward him. He was looking at me like I was a cute child.

"Min-ge" I shouted at my older cousin.

"Y_ Yes" Min was startled when my anger was thrown at him.

"How could you stand there and let some man touch your mei-mei!"

"S_ Sorry"

I was so angry with Wang Feng, at Min, and mostly, at myself for being so affected.

"Wait until I tell grandfather" I yelled at Min.

"M_ Mei-mei"

I was about to rushed back toward the tent, feeling so angry that I wasn't thinking straight. When the same strong callus hand, grabbed my wrist, the other around my waist, my eyes widened. Never in my life, past or now, had anyone touched me like this.

"Calm down Lan" His voice was soft, kind and deep as he spoke against the back of my ear. "Let me apologize to you"

Not only did he call me Lan intimately, but he held me so gently despite his strength. I felt my whole body was about to shatter into pieces.

"D_ Don't touch me" I couldn't stop myself from shaking.

"Don't be afraid" He gently let me go only to cup my cheek with his warm palm.

I flinched and tried to pulled away but his hold was gentle and strong. I don't understand why I couldn't pull away.

"Let me escort you back" Wang Feng hand was still on my cheek, this thumb stroking my skin.

"N_ No need" I pushed at his arms, my eyes refusing to look at his. "M_ Min-ge"

I was truly frightened.

"Wang Feng, enough." Min pulled me away and stood in front of me. "My mei-mei is frightened... can't you see this?"

Min was both troubled and worried.

"I apologize" Wang Feng looked at Min and then at me standing behind Min.

I was gripping onto Min's robe so tightly.

"Keep your distant" Min said firmly.

Wang Feng stepped back, letting Min take me away. The entire time, I didn't - couldn't look at Wang Feng. His actions, words and touch were confusing me. Again, I was face with an emotion that was eating away at my heart.

As Min lead Wei Lan away...

"Feng-ge, what are you thinking" Li Xia gently slap her brother's arm. "Wei Lan is a young miss of the Fa Family. How could you touch her like that? You scared her"

Seeing her brother was still watching Wei Lan as she was lead away by Min, Li Xia slapped his arm again to get his attention.

"Feng-ge, I know you like Wei Lan, but you have to behave properly" Li Xia continues seriously. "Your rank means nothing to the Fa Family. You should know this well... Even now, his majesty is having tea with Master Fa"

Again, Wang Feng eyes were glued to Wei Lan.

"Feng-ge!" Li Xia said with irritation.

"Help me find a way to apologize to her" When Wei Lan was out of sight, Wang Feng finally acknowledge his sister presence.

Li Xia was speechless. Did he even listen to a single thing she said to him? Shaking her head, she walked away leaving her idiot brother alone to reflect.