Wang Lei was sitting on his chair when he heard Cheng announcing the presence of Feng Zhi. Wang Lei ordered him to come inside and Feng Zhi entered inside. He walked and stopped in front of him and put documents in front of him.

'These are medical reports of those kids. You wanted me to deliver to you.' Feng Zhi said in a respectful tone and Wang Lei looked up at him.

'I have another task for you.' Wang Lei said

'What I can do for you, Wang Lei?' Feng Zhi asked in the same respectful tone.

'I went to the brothel last night and gather information. I need you to find a merchant and alcohol seller named, Bolin. That could be his fake identity. Find him for me. That is your next mission.' Wang Lei ordered him as he told him the details of their mission last night and Feng Zhi nodded his head in response.

'Do you want me to go right away?'

'No, the ruler of Qi country is coming today. Stay for the function and then go.' Wang Lei said and Feng Zhi nodded his head when there was a knock on the door and Huang Dewei entered inside. That was his time to report on his duty. He bowed down to them as he greeted them. Feng Zhi greeted him back and looked towards him.

'I hope last night was not hard for you? Wang Lei told me that it was a success and you performed your role very well.' Feng Zhi said a little concern which was not hidden from Wang Lei while Huang Dewei smile as he spoke up

'I am glad that mission of successful. I just try my best and did my part.' Huang Dewei responded back humbly.

'Don't be humble and take credit for your work. Am I right, Wang Lei?' Feng Zhi said as asked to Wang Lei who just nodded his head while Huang Dewei's smile deepen. Wang Lei felt uncomfortable about their interaction. He had no idea why? The only reason he could think of was that he felt that there was something more from Feng Zhi's side and he does like that.

'Thank you.' Huang Dewei said and Wang Lei noticed how happy he got that someone appreciated him and that someone was not him. Wang Lei should have said that since Feng Zhi was right that he did a good job but he totally forget about it because of everything else that happened between them last night. Wang Lei felt envy that it was Feng Zhi who made him happy instead of him.

'Well, then I will take my leave.' Feng Zhi said then he bowed down and with a last smile to Huang Dewei he walked out. They were left with an awkward silence. Huang Dewei stood there while Wang Lei went back to read those medical reports. The room was filled with a heavy atmosphere while Huang Dewei looked toward him and then his gaze fell on his hairpin. He was still wearing the hairpin Huang Dewei gave him. Why he was still wearing it? If he rejected him he should stop wearing the gift he gave him? But then Huang Dewei thought that he probably wear it out of respect that it was a gift given to him not because it was given to him by Huang Dewei. He was deep in his thoughts when there was a knock on the door and the person who entered inside shocked both of them.

It was Xin Ying. She entered inside and walked toward Wang Lei but when her gaze fell on Huang Dewei she was shocked. She did not expect him to be here? What he was doing in Wang Lei's office chamber in his personal royal guard clothing. Then it hit her that what if he was Wang Lei's persona royal guard. On that realisation, she was even more shocked and worried. What he was still doing? What if he tells about them to Wang Lei since she had rejected him? What if he took his revenge on her by ruining her marriage? Xin Ying's thoughts were filled with concern and uneasiness as she walked and stopped in front of Wang Lei and greeted him.

'Xin Ying, Emperess. What are you doing here?' Wang Lei asked in a respectful and soft tone and Huang Dewei's heart burned over his tone. He would never talk to him like this. Huang Dewei thought bitterly while Xin Ying looked towards him as she spoke up

'I want to talk to you in private.' Xin Ying said while putting pressure on the word 'private' and Huang Dewei understood who she wanted to be gone from here while Wang Lei just looked towards him. He personally was not in the mood of talking to her neither he wanted to be any ruder to Huang Dewei after last night's incident yet he felt helpless.

'The ruler of Qi country is coming tonight, I will go and help in preparation. I will leave you to have private chat with your wife.' Huang Dewei said as he bowed down and walked out angrily while using the word 'wife' instead of 'Emperess' was a clear indication of their last night's incident and also a taunt to Wang Lei who understood it without wasting a second. He clearly does hold grudges.' Wang Lei thought as he sighed and Xin Ying looked towards him lovingly as Xin Ying's eyes fell on his burned hand. She quickly got hold of it and asked

'What happens here?' She asked concerned and distressed.

'It's nothing. I got burned.' Wang Lei replied as he took out his hand from his grip

'It looks very painful... You should put something on it.' Xin Ying said still in a worried tone

'No, some wounds are meant not to be healed. They are punishment and should be taken as a punishment.' Wang Lei replied

'A punishment?'

'Why did you come here?' Wang Lei asked changing the topic and Xin Ying sighed and slowly spoke up in her honey dripped voice

'You did not come back after that night? I was worried.'Xin Ying said and Wang Lei looked toward her

'I was busy.' Wang Lei replied simply

'I thought that and that's why I decided to come and pay you a visit.' Xin Ying said as she smile and Wang Lei looked at her then sighed. He should just be truthful with her

'Xin Ying, whatever happens between us was my mistake. I did not do it out of love but I simply did it as my duty. Please don't expect anything else from me.' Wang Lei said and Xin Ying shocked looked towards him and she felt deep hurt and pain inside her chest. She was dreaming about her eternal love with Wang Lei, but that dream was broken now. Her heart was broken. Slowly tears formed in her eyes and fell down her eyes. Wang Lei felt guilty

'You are a harsh man Wang Lei.'Xin Ying complained and Wang Lei regretfully looked down

'I am sorry but I can't force my heart to love you. I can and will give you anything and everything else except my love.' Wang Lei said in a soft yet strong tone

'Who is the reason? Is it Chen Ju?' Xin Ying asked thinking he had feelings for Chen Ju and Wang Lei shook away his head

'Please don't make it harder for me and forgive me.' Wang Lei said as he respectfully bowed down to her and Xin Ying felt even sadder because he was such a good man. He apologises and bows down to her for not loving her. He was an Emperor, he does not have to bow down and ask forgiveness from her, but he was still doing it. Xin Ying cleaned off her tears then stood up and run out of the room. Wang Lei sighed as he closed his eyes. Even though everything was a mess at that moment in his life, but he still wanted to be truthful to Xin Ying. He does not want her to have fake hopes. dreams. and fantasies regarding them which would never come true. Because when those dreams, hopes and fantasies will break later it will hurt her more.

Huang Dewei was busy working with other servants and maids in the preparation of today's function when he saw a maid stop in front of him. He looked towards her who greeted him and he greeted her back when she spoke up in her soft tone.

'The Emperess wanted to see you?' The maid gave him the order and he was surprised but then he nodded his head and just followed her. They stopped outside her room and he knock then entered inside all alone. He walked towards her who looked up and he was surprised as he met her bloodshot eyes. She had been crying.

'What happens Xin Ying?' Huang Dewei asked concerned as Xin Ying run towards him and hugged him which made Huang Dewei baffled and shocked.

'I was wrong Huang Dewei. Wang Lei would never love me and I do not want to be in a loveless marriage. Please accept me back and take me far away from here.' Xin Ying said while Huang was bewildered over the situation that just unheld in front of him. The first thing he found out was that Wang Lei rejected her and second that she wanted to return back to him. How should he break to her that now they were not possible either?

'Xin Ying...' Huang Dewei said as he softly pulled her away from him and created a distance between them.

'But you are the Empress of this nation and you told me last time that you wanted to be here.' Huang Dewei said as he tried explaining to her to calm her down.

'Now I don't want to be here...Let's just run away.' Xin Ying said stubbornly like a child.

'No, you are being over-emotional about your heartbreak. You need to calm down and think about it carefully.' Huang Dewei said as he was still trying to calm her.

'Even you don't want me anymore.' Xin Ying as she breaks down again and Huang Dewei did not know what to do because her crying like this still hurt him because after all, she would always be his first love.

'It's not that, but even you know your feeling had changed. You don't love me anymore and I have accepted that fact. The man you love now is Wang Lei, not me.' Huang Dewei said and Xin Ying looked toward him as she thought for a while like she was deep thinking about something then she cleaned off her tears and spoke up to him.

'You are right. I still want Wang Lei. Would you help me with that?' Xin Ying said and Huang Dewei was taken back from her request

'How I can help you?' Huang Dewei asked unsure where this conversation was heading.

'Keep an eye on him and tell him about his conversation with Chen Ju. I think it is all because of her.' Xin Ying said and Huang Dewei stares at her and even his curiosity also rises. Was she also between him and Wang Lei? But Wang Lei said he does not want him because of his father. But then it was not like a love confession from him. He just said that he wanted him which could just mean sexually. The nagging doubt also took place in Huang Dewei's heart.

'Will you help me?' Xin Ying asked as she put pressure on him and pouted like a child and Huang Dewei came out from his thoughts and then nodded his head. Xin Ying smiled with teary red eyes.

'Thank you Huang Dewei. I am happy that you forgive me for betraying you. I am sorry about it.' Xin Ying sincerely apologised and Huang Dewei just nodded his head because it was not like it was just her fault. His feeling changed too and it was ironic that it was because of the same man.

'Don't apologise. I will help you if I could.' Huang Dewei said and Xin Ying smiled and Huang Dewei also smile. They felt some kind of tension was decreasing between them.

'It is actually nice to be with you Huang Dewei and last time I could not say to you,but I am pleasantly surprised you came up here for me.' Xin Ying said and Huang Dewei just nodded his head

'Well, I thought it was force marriage to you and thought we should still be together, Who thought that our feeling would change.' Huang Dewei explained andXin Ying just nodded her head as she smile.

'So, what were you doing in Wang Lei's chamber. By looking at your clothes, are you his personal royal guard?'Xin Ying asked changing the topic and also because she was curious about his job while Huang Dewei replied as he nodded his head

'Yes.'

'Well, great. That is a good position to be in. I always knew you were talented. I am happy for you but don't tell about us to Wang Lei.' Xin Ying shared his happiness while warning him in the end

'Do you think I am stupid? I don't want to die from Wang Lei's hand.' Huang Dewei said jokingly and on hearing Huang Dewei calling him Wang Lei surprised Xin Ying and Huang Dewei also bite his tongue regretting his mistake

'I mean your husband and his highness. It was a slip of tongue.' Huang Dewei quickly apologised as he bowed too and Xin Ying just smile

'It can happen but don't repeat your mistake. You will receive a punishment otherwise.' Xin Ying said as she warned him in her Emperess tone and he just nodded his head then he said goodbye and walked out of her chamber. They probably don't share the same feelings for each other, but it still felt good being in each other's company. They liked the feeling of still being friends with each other and helping each other if they could.