The night was long and awkward since Qi Shi wanted me to sit next to him. Watching performances after performances, I noticed Qi Shi subtly glances to A’Li who’s standing closer to the entrance with all of the other maids and servants. I’m guessing he is interested in her. Suddenly, he leans towards me saying,

“Ah Yun, what’s your maid’s name?”

“Which one?” I ask leaning towards him as Crown Prince Yan turns to look at us weirdly. I brightly smile at him when our eyes met. He continues to glare at me with his callous eyes and focused back on the entertainers.

“The one who performed with you” Qi Shi answers.

“Your Highness! Don’t tell me-” I loudly and abruptly said making everyone glance towards me. As soon as I realized I was causing a commotion, I embarrassingly shrunk in my seat while pulling away from Qi Shi. At first he looked puzzled but then he buoyantly smiles and responds,

“Ah Yun, you’re thinking too much. I just want to know her name for reference”

“Your Highness, let me tell you something” I moved closer to him and whispered into his ear. He pulls back and shockingly stares at me.

“Really?”

“Really” I answer, “Why would I lie to an emperor?”

He smiles like he believes me, but his eye expression shows something else.

~~~

After the banquet and sending guests off, I was already in my bedroom preparing to go to sleep. However, I had to wait for A’Li to fetch a bucket of warm water to refill my water bowl so I can wash my face before sleeping.

A’Li was carrying a bucket a warm water heading back to my residence, passing Qi Shi and his guard strolling the garden. Qi Shi spots A’Li passing by and automatically shouts,

“Miss Feng!” (FYI, he’s calling her by her surname)

A’Li stops and turns around as Qi Shi and his guard approaches her.

“Your Highness Ping,” A’Li bows, “Sorry for not seeing you”

“It’s fine” Qi Shi smiles as he gestures to his guard to leave.

“What is Your Highness Ping doing so late?” A’Li asks, sets the bucket on the ground.

“I couldn’t sleep” Qi Shi answers, “Can you accompany me?”

“I’m sorry, Crown Princess Xiang Yun is waiting for me. I can’t neglect my duties”

He strangely smiles.

“Your Highness Ping, you should go rest” A’Li grabs the bucket and started to leave.

“I heard you’re an expert on martial arts”

A’Li stops where she was and turns back, “Crown Princess Xiang Yun told you?”

“I heard you even beated all the men in Western Liang” he adds.

“Crown Princess Xiang Yun likes to exaggerates”

“If you’re that great, why don’t you join the army and become a general?”

“And die for a country that destroyed mine?” A’Li’s stern eyes displayed hatred as she recalled the past that she had suppressed.

“What?” Qi Shi asks, looking confused.

“Your Highness Ping, please go back to your residence. If you stay out too late and catch a cold, I would to be blamed” she grabs her bucket and speedily walks away.