Recently, Yu-ji got to know Qing Feng in a whole new level. Never knew that such a cold heartless man that he was before, one who treasured words spoken as though it worth gold, now nagging at every single thing that she does and acts like a nanny.

Unable to withstand the contrast behaviour and the never ending gossips of the two of them, she dragged Qing Feng to a hidden storage room to have a private conversation.

"Yu'er, why did you bring me here?" Qing Feng asked softly towards this precious water-like lady in front of him.

"Can you please stop calling me Yu'er? Address me like the usual, Yu-ji Gu Niang." Yu-ji corrected him.

"No. You are my woman. From now on, you are my Yu'er." Qing Feng stubbornly argued.

"Whatever, this is not the main point of this conversation. Anyways I have something important to tell you."

"My ears are for you my Yu'er."

"I know that night was an accident and both of us are victims. So, from now on, let's pretend that that night didn't exist. You and I have no relations and therefore, please revert back to the usual way of interaction that we used to have.

Hm ... you can continue to treat me like an idiot and look down at me with that disgusted eye that you always have. And I shall avoid you as much as I can, not wanting to dirty your eyesight with such a lowly servant like me."

With the intention of wanting to put a clear line between the two of them, Qing Feng's eyes shine dangerously with the thought of her not wanting to be part of him.

"No and never! I am not going to agree to this. How can we pretend that night didn't exist? I will not agree to it ever. And I want to clarify that I have NEVER once look at you in such a belittling way before."

"YOU! ... ugh ... I as a woman, who is obviously on a losing end, chose not to purse responsibilities from you. Yet, you still want to hold onto this like a little Gu niang?" Yu-ji shouted at Qing Feng with unbelievable tone.

"YES. You are my woman now. I am also your man. I need to be responsible towards my actions and remember that I am going to repent on my mistake until you forgive me."

Staring at Qing Feng's unwavering decision, Yu-ji cough out with a beyond believable action of his.

"I don't care, from now on, stop bugging me if not, I will hate you!" Yu-ji throw her hands up in the air as a sign of desperation.

"NO! I said I will not do that!"

In the midst of argument, Qing Feng grab hold of Yu-ji's shoulders roughly, afraid that she will disappear from his reach.

"Qing Feng ... can you be more sensitive towards someone you raped? I just need some space and I honestly do not want to see you at all. The sight of you reminded me how you destroyed a part of me unwillingly."

Pushing him away with a huge force, unknowingly pressing against the wound Qing Feng received from Jae-in. Giving a sad and guilty look towards Yu-ji, with the mention of destroying a part of her, Qing Feng back down slowly.

"I understand. I shall distance myself from you, but I will not give up."

With that, Qing Feng left the storage room, giving her the desired space while holding onto his wound that reopened.

*

*

*

"Qi Yuan!" Jae-in called out his name as she enter his study room.

Knowing her purpose for visiting him, he stop his chess game and welcome her.

"You have come."

"Did you know about it?" Jae-in angrily asked.

It is a rare occasion to see Jae-in being so angry and this anger is directed to him.

"Yes, I do. I knew it a few days ago."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"I believe you are smart enough to find it out yourself."

Staring at disbelief, Jae-in felt hurt that Qi Yuan hid such a big thing from her, instead of telling her the truth just to cover up the mistake of his subordinate. Feeling betrayed, she looked away with sadness.

Noticing the drop in mood, Qi Yuan then realised that Jae-in misunderstood his words.

"Jae-in, I do not mean that way. What I meant was, such a serious thing happened to someone you held so dearly of, I ... I just thought that it is best for you to find it out yourself rather than me telling you. After all, I have to be considerate towards Yu-ji's reputation and I don't think she wants you to know as well."

"I am not going to forgive him."

"I know. If you want, I can punish him severely until he can't stand up."

"No, I have gave him what he should receive, I am referring to Qi Zheng."

"Oh ... Qi Zheng."

As Jae-in is now in a composed state, Qi Yuan lead her to the nearest chair and pour her a cup of water.

"No worries, we have a chance to deal with him. There is an upcoming royal banquet and all nobles and officials will be present. I heard a Xuan ambassador has been invited."

"Will Qi Zheng be there?"

"Of course, and I bet he is going to move his next chess piece during this royal banquet. Afterall he is a very impatient man."

"Good. That's all I need to hear."

Seeing that Jae-in is determine to get revenge on him, Qi Yuan smiled as this is the first time he has a comrade that is not under him, working with him towards the same target. Jae-in look at Qi Yuan and realised that she missed out something.

"Oh right, by the way Qi Yuan, I am going to leave Xuan Kingdom once the banquet is over."

The cup that Qi Yuan held onto slipped through his fingers, landing onto the floor. Not expecting such strong reaction from Qi Yuan, Jae-in stared at the shattered glass.

"You are leaving? Where to? Why is it so sudden? Is here not to your liking?" Qi Yuan questioned anxiously.

"No, the problem is not you and not this country. You have been doing well in taking care of me for the past few months, till the point that I felt so ashamed of receiving them without reciprocating. It's just ... just that, I have my own life goals and path to head on."

"Then, where do you want to head to next?"

"Xuan Border."

Qi Yuan's brow frown with the name being said, showing his disagreement.

"Jae-in, I am not trying to dissuade you from going but, there is no way you can just pass the Kai border... I mean Xuan border because that is the most heavily secured area and no commoners can pass through there without a token of approval."

"Is there any other way for me to get there?"

As Qi Yuan ponder upon the various possibilities to get that token, his eyes shine with brightness.

"Yes there is one way, however you will need to bring me along for this trip."

"No can do, I am not going to let you join me for this trip, afterall we have different destination."

Jae-in shot down that suggestion immediately. She do not want to impose any more debts towards Qi Yuan.

"The Xuan Kai border is not an ordinary border that can be easily access, only with the imperial token which only the princes of Kai is able to hold them, other than that, I do not think you can pass through there."

Looking away to think about his suggestion despite the unwillingness to let him join her once more, she finally give in.

"Let me think about it."