The Princess And The Lord

time moves slowly as you float in the ocean, Lory lies lazily on the hammock with her eyes half-open, she looks at the window hearing the sound of the waves hitting the ship outside, and feels the sea breeze touching her skin with a salty taste she can almost feel on the tip of her tongue. Lory then awakens by a high-pitched dolphin voice.

Curios, Lory then got out of the hammock, he walked towards the window, he leaned against the window and crossed his arms on the window frame, it turned out that not only the dolphins were swimming on the side of the boat, but he also saw the whale jumping from the sea and when his body fell to the surface of the sea, the water splashed into the air, it was a beautiful sight to behold. 

"What are you thinking?" Zhao Li Xin suddenly came from behind, she placed her hand on the window frame as she locked caged Lory inside his embrace.

Lory leaned the back of her head against his hard chest and smiled, "I thought you were cultivating inside your ring" 

"I was, and guess what, I got my breakthrough," there was a slight excitement hinted at in his husky voice. 

"Really, that's good news" Lory was happy for him, she had heard from Zhao Li Xin, that it would be difficult to get a breakthrough when people reached the level of Sage, even Huo Long reminded Zhao Li Xin of this problem as well.

The usually indifferent Zhao Li Xin also showed his excitement and a bit of relief, "It turns out that after I fought Lazarus and Lao Min Na, they accidentally conditioned my body for a breakthrough, now I am at the core stage just a little near the peak stage." hiding his happiness, he actually felt a little frustrated by his slow cultivation, Zhao Li Xin never struggled to cultivate but who knows when he reaches Sage level his development significantly slows down to the point of bothering him.

Although Huo Long had warned him beforehand about future difficulties, but he couldn't help feeling frustrated, moreover he found he was clearly unable to match Lazarus' strength, Zhao Li Xin was afraid he didn't have enough time to save Lory, luckily Lazarus's violent attack cleared the blockage in several critical points in his body and smoothed the passage of his blood vessel, as a result, it increased the speed in absorbing Qi into his body so now his cultivation speed was even faster than before. 

"Congratulation, who knows it was a blessing in disguise!" Lory then pecked his cheek lightly.

He returns the kiss in the same way "Thank you.."

The trip to the Liang Zu Kingdom was going smoothly, the weather was good and there was no storm or rain blocking their path, so they arrived at the Liang Zu Kingdom much earlier than they expected.

First, they arrived at the port not far from Sun Jan city and decided to rest first in Sun Jan city, Yang Xi Ying then invited them to stay at her residence but Zhao Li Xin didn't like living in someone else's house so Lory had to refuse her Yang Xi Ying's kind offer, Yang Xi Ying didn't mind it, she already expect it since she quite understands about Zhao Li Xin's temperament.

In the end, Zhao Li Xin bought a small manor near the main road as requested by Lory with a reasoned it was closer to the city hustle and bustle, but the real reason was that the manor was close to Yang Xi Ying Family Manor so it would make Yang Xi Ying easier to visit her.

Beside the manor wasn't that bad even though compared to any manor Lory had lived in, this was the smallest Manor she had ever lived in, but it got a large garden with a giant pond connected to the river outside, the place was also covered with colorful wild carnations and leafy trees.

It may seem to most people the garden looks messy and disorganized but Lory likes the natural look of the garden, she is already planning on adding a small garden table under the tree, a shade, a swing on the tree, and a small furnace and then lighting up the garden with a lot of small crystal chandelier hanging on the tree, in short, it would be like an outdoor lounge for her.

When it came to decorating the Manor everyone listened to Lory more since Zhao Li Xin never paid attention to any of that and he also gives the whole authority to maintain the house to Lory, Lory herself only decorated the bedroom and garden as she pleased while left the decoration the main hall, study room and dining room as usual 'cold and conservative' because that place was usually used for accepting guest and subordinates so Lory didn't want to make Zhao Li Xin and the other uncomfortable even though she knew Zhao Li Xin wouldn't mind her, but this was what was called 'respect' between the couple.

Late at night while Zhao Li Xin spent her time in the ring cultivating, she needed to stabilize his Qi after he got a breakthrough, Lory used this opportunity to relax in the garden, she lay on the wooden couch cover with cushion and small pillows, Lory then wrapped herself with a knitted blanket while playing Chinese chess called 'Go' with Girsha, unfortunately, she lost again and again. 

[Dammit!] Lory waved her hand in the air and cursed exasperatedly.

[You lose girl, remember to massage my feet and prepare my bath, I want vanilla-scented oil with jasmine flower, capeesh!] Girsha squints his green eyes.

[You can ask the maid to do that, you know?] Lory is reluctant to serve the needy birds. 

[You think I would let any humans touch my precious body…?] he raised his beak arrogantly.

Lory snort in disdained [You are very high maintenance, did you know that?]

[I know, and I worth it!] he replies confidently

Lory pushed the chess away from her and clicked his tongue angrily, Lory didn't understand she lost against Bei Li Yan, then she lost against Jin Hao and now he lost against Girsha…. A freakin 'bird, ain't birds supposed to be dumb, that's where' Bird brain 'comes from the right. But why can't she win against him, is it because Girsha is too smart or she is too stupid? She hoped it wasn't later. 

Lory was once the top scorer in her world, even with her busy schedule he never fell from fifth place, he was an exemplary student if only she wasn't absent too many times, Lory was sure he wasn't stupid but after he met Zhao Li Xin, Yang Xi Ying, Jin Hao, and the others she is not sure anymore [Do you think, I should continue my study?] Lory is worried that she had become stupid. 

[Would that make any difference…] Girsha mocked her.

[.....] Lory was irked [You old and you mean!] she yells in anger.

Girsha sneer deepens [I know and I don't care…]

Lory got exhausted after bickering with Girsha she lifts her feet on the couch then place a pillow under her head and pull the blanket to her chest, the scent of carnation filled the air, Lory feel calmed and peaceful, but not for too long suddenly a figure came in the garden, Lory rose from the couch in reflex, her whole body become vigilant in instant, however, lory didn't feel any threat from the mysterious figure and somehow the figures look very familiar.

When the figure walk across the garden the light from crystal lampion illuminated her and Lory could see the figure clearly and she was shocked "Xi Ying, what are you doing this late?" Lory was half scream. 

Yang Xi Ying pouted her red lips in indignant as she walks towards Lory "If I don't leave, I might kill somebody" she grumbled.

"Huh?" Lory perplexed, at the same time tensed body gradually relaxed. Lory wants to ask how she could sneak inside her Manor while the place is highly guarded with shadow guards, it was dawned on her that the shadow guard must know it was Yang Xi Ying who came, that's why no one is stopping her.

"Come on, have a sit?" Lory invited Yang Xi Ying to sit across her couch.

Yang Xi Ying's eyes widened when she saw the comfortable place, her mood was quickly lifted, Yang Xi Ying then stepped onto one of the chairs opposite Lory, she plops to the chair then enjoying the beautiful atmosphere around her, unlike other places, there weren't many rules inside Hei Shen sect, Yang Xi Ying did not need to mind her manner because no one dared to say anything and both Lory and Zhao Li Xin were two very carefree people.

Lory saw yang Xi Ying's mood  slightly better then she throws a fur shawl toward Yang Xi Ying laps and later poured warm tea for her "Where is Li Mo Zhen anyway?"

"There is a bit of trouble in the Jiu Yun sect so he met his subordinates, I don't think he will come back before dawn." Yang Xi Ying accepted the warm tea happily, she could smell the aroma of ginger, honey, and lemon mixed with the tea, it was an unusual drink for her, but after a while, she became quite fond of this tea. 

"Oh ... so why are you mad" Lory poured herself another hot tea and then leaned her back lazily on the sofa.

Yang Xi Ying sipped her tea gracefully and then sighed, "It's because of Gu Lian Fu, do you remember him?" she wasn't sure Lory remembers the man because she also almost forgot him until he gave him a serious surprise. 

"Gu Lian Fu?" Lory frowned as she tried to recall her memory "Gu Lian Fu - Gu Lian Fu .... no, who is it?"As expected Lory forgot about him. 

"Do you remember the man who bothered us while we are shopping, the man I used to say was my childhood friend and he was also one of Tang Mei Yi fans…. A guy with an 'Oh, I'm so nice' face, that annoying man who tried to propose to me as a pity?" Yang Xi Ying tried to jog Lory's memory.

Lory finally remembered, she clapped her hands and exclaimed, "That 'Self-Destruct' man!" Lory's eyes were sparkling with excitement, she couldn't wait to hear what another 'self-destruction' he pulled today. 

"Did you know that man married my half-sister!" Yang Xi Ying widened her eyes in disbelief.

Lory's almost spit her tea, her eyes bulged widely the beautiful purple eyes seem almost fall from their socket "He did WHAT?!"