The Princess And The Lord

Of course, they are relaxed because two of them are already married and one of them already found her soulmate so what should they worry if they displeased the Queen dowager? what the royal family could do? kill them? expect to be a war then.

The old palace maid greets them with a polite smile, because of their identity they don't have to queue to enter the villa. Ming Yue Yin already wears her empress Ming demeanor, she looks calm, aloof, and distant at the same time just like any other royalty would behave. Lory and Yang Xi Ying exchanged a glance and smile, they amazed how fast ming Yue Yin changed her attitude, even her voice sounds different than she normally is

The other guest surprised when Lory and the other enter without getting in line, they murmured to each other as they try to guess their identity.

One of the noble ladies whisper to her friend "Who are they?"

"I don't know, I never saw them before," said the lady friend.

"I don't think they are from here," said the other lady, the aristocrat family circle is not big so it's impossible for them not knowing someone.

"Are they princess from another country?" the lady got anxious after they realize this possibility, compare to a princess an official daughter like them would render to nothing, they worry their change to become prince consort would be decreased.

The old maid lead them to the garden near the man-made lake, the place is illuminated by the countless red lamp and a small round table is arranged neatly, she could smell the peach blossom scent floating in the air and the sound of the water splash. Few wide lotus lanterns are floating on the lake it make quite a romantic ambiance, too bad Zhao Li Xin is not here with her.

_________________________________

Somewhere outside Ping Yi villa, a dark figure standing on the talest branch of the tree, his dark eyes fixed coldly on the enormous villa. All of the sudden another black-figure appears below him "Young Madam has safely entered the Ping Yi villa, milord" Mong Ki cupped his fist firmly.

"And the other…." He asked vaguely.

Mong Ki is clever enough to understand his Lord words "Our shadow guard have surrounded the Ping Yi villa, we can immediately break in if we feel something strange, and Ling Zi would send flare when young madam is in danger" Mong Ki elaborated the plan carefully knowing Lory safety is the top priority.

Zhao Li Xin clicks his tongue in annoyance as he complains "It would be better if that stupid man not fainted, how is he?"

"Master jin is taking care of him right now" Mong Ki report.

"Useless!" Zhao Li Xin snort in upset, then he looked over his shoulder "Don't let you guard down"

"Yes Milord!" he replies firmly before his figure disappear.

Zhao Li Xin's turn his gaze back to the luxurious villa, hundreds of red lanterns of every size make the villa look vibrant and lively, with his keen sense he could hear the bustling sounds from inside the Villa.

Zhao Li Xin's expression grew tense as his heart pointed like a drum, he subconsciously balled his fist, is hard for him to calm the anxiety that grew in his gut because he knew what kinda people inside that place. Zhao Li Xin didn't have much to hate in this world but he also didn't have much to dislike, if he has one it would be the royal family, only Ming Yue Yin who has a special relationship with Lory that he feel her existence is....tolerable.

Zhao Li Xin grew up in the dark side of the palace, he saw too many schemed, betrayal, and hatred in one life. He saw the ugliest side of human beings at a young age and it deeply ingrained in his memory.

Zhao Li Xin had witnessed how women inside the harem would scheme at each other to raise their position, to maintain their position, to gain the emperor favor, there is no limit to their action, they would not hesitate to lie, cheated, and killed to get what they want. the young Zhao Li Xin has learned from an early age that no one inside the palace has clean hands.

Zhao Li Xin's repulsion to women is not without basis, in a certain way he is quite traumatized by what he had witnessed when he was a child, that's why he becomes merciless toward women that because he warry of them more than men. Unlike men women are good at enduring pain, they are patient, stubborn, and relentless, Zhao Li Xin never thinks that women are weaker than men so when he face to face with a woman, he would not be gentle.

"I should never worry when you are around isn't it, Lord long Ming" Yuan Shao suddenly jump on the branch next to him.

"Of course, if not I will not send my wife to the beast lair" Li Mo Zhen also suddenly appear on another branch.

Zhao Li Xin smile faintly "Our women is not easy to subdue, let's see who foolish enough provoke my wife"

Yuan Shao laugh heartily "My dearest empress is the strongest women in her country, so I don't need to worry, but precaution is a must, the royal family is cruel and sly we can't let our guards down, by the way, my people also surrounded the premises just in case someone stupid enough to hurt my empress"

"I give Xi Ying Qing Shui sword, even facing someone who has one level stronger than her cultivation she would not lose easily" he smiled proudly.

"Qing Shui? You found legendary sword Qing Shui?" Yuan Shao stunned, the word disappeared twenty years ago. how could Li Mo Zhen find it?

"I found transcript about the sword is hidden in an unmarked grave, so I went to look for it…..I thought is a nice gift for my wife's birthday" he said in a casual manner.

"Not bad, I gift Lory a protective amulet when I first met her" Zhao Li Xin sneer smugly.

Li Mo Zhen smile warmly "I heard you did not hold a wedding banquet for your wife, Lord Long Ming that's not nice, even myself give thirty-eight treasure casket for the bride dowry," he said with concern but at the same time, he boasting himself.

"I gift Lory Xin Xen token so she can control the whole Hei Shen sect without my presence" he raised his chin arrogantly.

Yuan Shao: "...…"

'The bar is getting higher, huh' Yuan Shao lament inwardly, it seems he has a long way to go to match these two wives- slaves.

_________________________________

"Ha – choo!"

"Ha – choo!"

"Ha – choo!"

"Someone talking bad about us…" Ming Yue Yin sniffle.

"I guess so" Lory twitching her itchy nose.

"Maybe is because of the pollen" Ming Yue Ying wipe her nose elegantly with a handkerchief.

The three of them gather at the respective table near the Queen dowager and the empress it shows how high is their status, all the other lady stare at them with envy but then they relief when they know Lory and yang Xi Ying is married but they still warry with the unmarried empress.

Ming Yue Yin knows what the other ladies thinking about, she only sighs and rolls her eyes helplessly. Ling Zi served Osmanthus wine for the tree ladies, Lory never fond of alcohol because of the bitter taste but the Osmanthus wine taste mellow and sweet so Lory didn't distaste it, they also serve moon cakes with lotus seed pasted, turn out the party is not so bad after all.

"This place is better than thought, too bad Bei Li Yan is not here?" Yang Xi Ying looks around her and sighs heavily.

"It's your fault aunty because of you he got traumatized and fainted" Ming Yue Ying, pity the famous king palace who knew Lory spell could make a strong and powerful king like Bei Li Yan scared to death, she literally thought Bei li yan die from a heart attack, thankfully Jin hao was there.

"Who would have thought he would be scared with his own reflection" Lory shrunk her neck, she also shocked when Bei Li Yan suddenly faint, she's not expected this, okay!

No one knows that Bei Li Yan trauma towards women is bigger than Zhao Li Xin the difference is, Zhao Li Xin is developed the urged to kill women who try to get close to him while Bei Li Yan developed the urged to control and manipulated women, the two of them need years to learned how to control their urge. The truth is the red vermillion is a sort of therapy for him.

However, when he saw himself as a woman with big bosom and delicate features that similar to him, all his trauma that was buried inside his heart suddenly burst out, Bei Li Yan is too shocked with his own reflection and somehow forgot that it's only an illusion that Lory created for him.

"I hope he's okay…" Lory genuinely feel sorry for him, it's dawned to her that not everyone is acceptable with magic like Zhao Li Xin, for someone who had no understanding about magic or even seen one must be scared when he is put under the spell.

"It's fine, Jin Hao is checking on him right’’." Ming Yue Yin sips her wine in a relaxed manner. 

"And that's what make me worried more…" Lory worriedly says.

"Jin Hao will not miss this chance to teased Bei Li Yan for the rest of his life" Yang Xi Ying let out a long sigh, she could imagine what would happen when Bei Li Yan awake. After months interacted with the King palace, she finally realizes the indescribable fact, that Hei Shen King's palace is very childish.

Ming Yue Yin and Lory let a long sigh at the same time.