It's dark... Completely dark... Where am I... Is anyone there... It's as if I've fallen into an endless black hole... Without a way out... What is happening... Can someone help me...

“Head... My head...” I gently brushed my head that I didn't recall having it... I thought I'm headless? Whose memories is this? There's as if a flash drive was inserted into my mind, filling up the memory of this body that I owned presently.

“Liu Lixue, the first daughter of Liu, one of the richest and distinguished families in the government. She surprisingly had the exact same name as me. She's taken advantage of her stepsisters? Thus, she committed suicides on the reason that her beloved ‘fiancee’ had an affair with her sister?” I observed the memories of the past owner... shall I take vengeance for her? I smirked loathful of those nasty stepsisters. This might even be more satisfying and entertaining than those boring dudes in my past life.

“Then, I shall gladly help the owner of the previous body, Liu Lixue to have her vengeance as the gratitude for letting me be in control of your body,” I swore with my hands by my side.

My eyes wildly scanned for a stream water source to wash up this body that has been dirtied from running away from tumbling a few times. She committed suicide by sinking into a super deep lake and ended up in this creepy forest. I can't believe that she would die for such a jerk that was full of frauds and for that, I'm going to avenge her by let them pay for what they've done triples.

“This wounds on her body haven't healed yet from the beating she got caused by her wicked stepsister and now it was worsening. This body now is too weak for me to use the recovery power.” She mumbled slowly as her reflection reflected on the clean water of the shallow stream. “Manteon, Coltion, Endrea, Paltesia and Nirwia would do.” My collected murmurs were followed by searching for those herbs in the surroundings. This herbs located near the water source, so, I might get lucky and found it right away.

“Ah... I'm so lucky today.” I found all of the herbs nearby and quickly collected it. This would do for now. “Blaze, come forth.” I summoned my familiar. “Geez, master. I was just resting from all the time-travel.” He, the Eternal Phoenix commented, yet he still obeyed my command. “To hell with the geez. I need you to guard me while I'm refining a pill.” I plainly answered before pulled out refinery pot from the space-saving ring. Most rings had their own limit of the stored item but mine was the Sacred Phoenix Feather Space-Saving Ring and scarcely like the name, I made it by plucking one of Blaze's precious feather. That irritating bird whine for essentially a year even though it grew up shortly after I pulled it.

“Yeah.” He responded as he stared at my every motion, this thing positively doesn't understand the meaning of guarding, does he? I ignored him and started refining my tremendous pills to treat all the injury and heal all the scars especially on her face. I usually practised acupuncture using the silver needles in order to heal any type of wound but this one needs the herbs as they might leave some scars if it was normally treated without a healing property like these useful herbs.

“Focus, Liu Lixue... Focus...” I desperately need to focus now on refining this pill as one simple innocence error will blow this place away. Yet, this pill will require about five minutes to be flawlessly prepared.

***

*beams*

The bright golden beams radiated out of my pot, indicating that it was completed. I opened the cover and spotted ten brown coloured pills in it. The quality is good--- its in twelfth grade. There are twelve grades of a pill quality. I swallowed two of the pills and the injury started mending by itself. “Master, someone is lying there,” Blaze reported while pointed at a man leaned unconsciously against the tree. I took my silver needles box and approached him. I tried to check his pulse to make certain he's still breathing and checked for his deep wound. He's stabbed in the vital point at his back with some black poison that caused his blood to turned black. Lucky him, I still have the pills, but... how do I feed him? I didn't want to be accused as a molester or something like that. I placed the pills in my mouth and transferred it to his mouth as if I was giving a CPR, causing my first kiss to flee away. He better repay me later.

I wiped away his blood by tearing up a piece of my clothes to bandaged it up. I began my acupuncture session, based on his wounds, it would take about three days for him to fully healed. Finally, I'm finished with treating him. “Master, why are you helping him?” Blaze inquired of me as I rarely helped others without anything in return. “No reason. Blaze, you'll need to fly to the main mansion of Liu.” I ordered as I struggled to move him onto Blaze.

“Sure but while on tight or you'll regret.” He then flew us as ordered. I could sight the mansion from afar in this high air as I held the man tightly to avoid him from fallen down.

***

“Lixue? Is that you?” A woman asked me and according to the past memories, she is my birth mother. Her tears rolled down her clean face, proved that she's truly missed her.

“Mother. It's me, Liu Lixue.” I hugged her tightly, how fortunate was her to possess two caring and loving parents even though she additionally had two stepmothers and five stepsisters.

“Maid, please called the lord here!” She requested as her hands caressed my face full of love. “I'm glad that you're home at last.” She's clearly worried about us. “Lixue, you're finally back.” My father said. “Yes, father,” I answered. “Father, mother, I'm afraid that I need to take a rest first after all the walk.” I lied in order to bring that man in to treat him and let him rested. “Of course.” Their answer was synchronizing to each other. “Blaze, followed me,” I instructed him. “Blaze? Is that the Eternal Phoenix?” Her mother asked in awe. “Yes.” “My lord, who is that?” My mother whispered too loud, that I can't even say that it was a whispered. “Our Lixue has grown up.” He teased and smiled endlessly. I just ignored their teasing and walked to my room. Blazes real figured is so big that I need to use some mana to minimize him a little to make sure he can get through the door.

“Ah... so comfy,” I uttered as I laid my exhausted body on the bed. Blaze put the man beside me, on the bed. Oh, right. That's the only place where he can lay down.

“Good. You should be a little Phoenix for the time being.” I advised, as I laid him and started to draw out the poison that infecting his nerve system. The Rummete poison, a deadly and pricey poison. What had he done that he was badly injured?

*knock* *knock*

I promptly covered his body with the sheet and shut the bedroom curtains. “First Miss!” A young girl rushed to my side and hugged me as she whines on my clothes. “Who are you?” I inquired as I skimmed through my memories to find this little girl. “First Young Mistress, I'm Chen Ting Ting, your humble servant.” Few of my memories instantly catches some of her names, she's kind and innocent, not mischievous. “Ah... I recalled you... What are you here for?” “I'm here to help miss to take a bath.” “I see... then, I'll be in your care,” I said as I asked Blaze to watch the man using my eyes or else I'm going to have him cooked.

*clank*

“Huh? What is that sound? That looks like it coming from your bed, Young Miss. Let me go and take a look.”...

______________________________________________

Thank you for spending your time here. May your day blessed and be happy always~

Sara Rose.

“No! No need!” That silly maid of mine nevertheless overlooked my words and sighted an unconscious man with his chest indeliberately exposed laid on my bed comfortably.

She promptly attempted to scream to her heart content typically like how others would react, however, I knocked her out with a single thump on her back that was enough to make her unconscious for a few minutes. Good grief, presently I had to take a bath by myself because my maid blackout being knocked by me.

I, who obviously knocked her out, covered in a single material, placed my careless maid on the seat before stepping back into the bath. It's lucky that I managed to shut her up before she attracted others that would obviously generate more troubles than it already had. I'm so sorry little maid, but I'm kind of desperate here.

Eh--- Blood? Where did this come from? I checked her body to find out her nose was the one that spurted blood. Why did she have nose blood? For some reasons, I feel like I've accomplished something terribly improper.

“Blaze, why don't take care of him properly?” I sighed heavily, it's hardly been a day since I time travelled here but I already expected to deal with problems...

“There's something odd about him. His temperature is increasing abruptly.” Blaze reported as he kept his gazes strictly on the stranger. His attires apparently seems suspicious...

“Increasing?” I strolled to examined his injured body as I've already finished with my bath.

“Blaze, you withdrew first. I need somebody to take care of this maid. I can't conceivably allow her to be like this.”

“Yes.” He flew into my self, dozed back at his natural spot. I shut the bed curtains, concealing his body likewise. I wiped the blood from her nostrils away in order to make it less unusual, of course... as I'm fearful that someone would freak out if I deliver her out with blood. I understood that I'm committing nonentity wrong, but once again, I sense guilt in my guts as if I'm performing something bad.

Later on, I strode out of the room to call for an individual to put her to be rested with the reason that she's too weary. I hastily closed the entrance and strolled to my bed in order to examine the mysterious guy. I sat on the bedside, right beside him and rapidly sealed the room with a magic barrier and also creating it soundproof. I'm afraid that someone might hear myself operating with a guy on the bed. It will absolutely create bizarre rumours.

Just as the bird told me, his temperature was rising abnormally, sweating and breathing heavily... This is... aphrodisiac scents? I shortly rummaged through my pills boxes to find something to ease him...

I acknowledged it now! I make a huge mistake of not remember the side effect of the healing pills from the natures. Simply explained, the user would have an intense sensual desire identical aphrodisiac. That's the reason, my body temperature too didn't seem to decrease even with a cold bath that I took earlier... This--- what do I do?

Out of blue, my fragile body was heaved, shoved onto the bed forcefully. How the hell did he even manage to be awakened from his slumber after ate those pills that have a strong sleeping effect? I clearly chose the wrong pills to heal myself even though the pills instantly healed me, the side effects were working too fast. I need to escape from this before the real nightmare approached me.

I attempted to rose from his strong gripped, yet, he clasped it even stronger than before, obstructed me from leaving him. The side effects were influencing my body, the cold night no longer stands cold to me...

His hot and heavy breath hit my face, giving me the cold chills down to my black bone in the steamy night. This is bad, the aphrodisiac is boosting his and my sensual arousal...

Without a single warning, his soft lips pressed onto mine, passionately intertwined his tongue with mine... I urgently gasped for breath after the startling kiss we exchanged...

His every motion swept me melted... unable to move or even run away from his warm brace... I can't think of anything else... my head is as blank as a paper... the luminous moon in the gloomy darkness evolved the witness of the passionate night we shared together... between two strangers that confronted by accidents... merged in together without an intent...

***

The glistening shine of the sunrise compelled my eyes to gradually unfolding its views. The only vocabulary I able to comprehend this period was discomfort. My body was aching inadequately even with a slight move. Minor bruise appeared evenly allocated on my white skin. I, who currently turned into stone pinched myself in the face but the undesirable results were the one I obtained. I'm not dreaming! That man, he suddenly awakens from his sleep and treated me, his saviour like a one-night stand girl. I'm definitely going to find him! He stole my first kiss and also my ‘v’ card!

“Aaahhh!!! I'm going to chop your head off!!!” I screamed, releasing my tense to the fullest as there is a barrier that would certainly block any noises from breaking out.

Despite the aching, I rose up from the bed after collected my scattered sane back like a rational person which actually meant after banged my head countless time to the wall. That poor wall almost collapsed from the strong slam it received despite doing nothing wrong.

I straightened up myself along with the room condition by cleaning it up, left with no clue. I sighted a green jade bangle with a golden token engraved Weiyuan... Weiyuan? Who is this? I skimmed through all the memories of the past owner yet not a single recollection was found about this name. I wore the bangle on my wrist and the token on my clothes before clearing out my room to discover more about my ‘deeply beloved’ sister. I grinned meanly alone like an insane being.

***

“Tingting, you're the only one I could rely on and trust for now. I'm a little lost after the incident, could you please tell me about my past self?” I patiently aimed to pry into my origin, dug out some extra information for my flawless vengeance.

“First Miss, you're the angel of the mansion, being talented, beautiful and kind. All the servants, maids and housekeepers, including me, admired and deeply fond of you. However, your favourable blessings caused you to be the victim of your stepsister's jealousy. The third prince clearly can't differentiate between the real jewel and glass. ” She muttered intentionally slow to prevent being eavesdropped by the others.

“I see... don't worry... I've some gifts specially prepared for them when we will meet again...” I mumbled as we stepped into the main house where my father summoned me to early this morning. Exceptionally, something smells fishy.

“Greetings, father, mother, stepsister and the Third Prince.” I greeted each of them soon as I stepped into the tense room.

“Lixue!” My mother rushed to my side. Now I know that something is simply fishy as I smell something rotten in here, hmm? Rotten heart?

“What did you summoned me for, father?” I inquired of him that was lost in thoughts, maybe still recalculated things in his mind alone.

“Lixue, the Third Prince wished to annul your engagement and betrothed to your third sister instead.” He explained the mind disarraying topics that would obviously

“I'm sorry sister please don't blame Wu Cheng. It's my fault for loving him.” She launched her pretentious acts, wept in front on the Third Prince, desperately attempted to earn his sympathy. That's overreacting, you know? Moreover, I'm clueless of who is the real victims here.

“It's not your fault. You're too kind with someone as vicious as her. Liu Lixue, I would give you anything you want but you need to break this engagement.” Wu Cheng, the third prince or clearly, a fool, offered a great and extremely favourable deal that I intended not to waste it even a bit.

“It's a deal then. I wished for five thousand gold coins, a good residence and also a pure jade. If you can't agree with this, I won't annul the engagement. Oh, and if you broke your promises, I'll simply do this.” I stabbed the table with the dagger hidden behind my hand and that pressured kind smile on.

“What?” All of them was jaw-dropping on the floor by the unexpected statement coming from someone who would actually make an effort to commit suicide because her fiancee eloped with her own stepsister.

“Sure, don't go back at your words and came begging on your knees for me then.” Wu Cheng replied with his overconfidence answer, proud of the wealth he acquired.

“Oh, really?” I inquired as I threw my ‘special’ handmade silver needles accurately on his vital point positioned on his leg. He immediately flopped onto his knees without his own awareness.

“Oh? Third Prince, why are you on your knees? It hasn't even been a minute and you've already begged for me?” I asked sarcastically. It's funny how the others got their jaws dropped again.

“What's this? Why can't I move? You vixen! What had you done to me?!” He screamed at me that could possibly clean my ears worth for a few years. I snickered funnily... Vixen, huh?

“Your Highness, what can this weak little girl like me could do to you? I'm not strong nor brilliant compared to your highness, I too wouldn't dare to make you kneeled like that.” I played with my words. This is pretty amusing... let's just wait until that thing takes effect...

“You! What did you do to Wu Cheng?” My third stepsister, Liu Changying angrily interrogated me. Wu Cheng tears rolled down his cheek, still trying hard to resist the unavoidable pain.

“My little sister, rather than interrogating me... shouldn't you find a physician for your loved one? Looks like he's one much pain that he even dropped his precious tears here.” I gently hide my sarcasm with that angelic gentle smiled on. Liu Lixue was too kind to let you go easily after bullied her much, but sadly, I'm not as forgiving and as kind as that angel who others favour much.

“I'm afraid that I have to excuse myself first to the royal jade palace. Please excuse, father, mother and may Third Prince would be able to stand again.” I left the catastrophe place. Finally, I successfully annulled my engagement but now, I want to be more strong in order to propose the sweet vengeance of mine to work like a miracle.

“Tingting, prepared a carriage. We're leaving for the royal jade palace.” I ordered as my minds still calculating some info that I received earlier. Thank goodness that these games won't be a boring mission.

“Yes, First Miss.” She hurried to accomplished her given task. Now, not only the engagement was annulled but also given some goodies that will absolutely make me rich! That ignoramus was too ridiculous to assume anything with that brain of his sunken into a ridiculous, addicting love.

With all the things I demanded, I would be able to start a new business. Who knows that I too need to back to the basics of sailing a new business. Anyhow, this would definitely be a new and exciting challenge for me. On top of that, I want to search that man who I could rightfully say, rape me but shortly vanished into the thin air in the morning left his bangle and the token.

I believe that he is from the riches or even influential family, that would benefit my research as the jade bangle must cost a fortune. I need to chop off his head off when I eventually found him. I pretty missed the gadget, technologies and weapons in the modern world. I missed shooting right on someone's head and watched as their head exploded into pieces as my special bullet swiftly passes through their head. Nah, I should focus on this life and dropped the past...

I entered the carriage prepared for me along with Tingting by my side. According to the memories of the past owner, the empress dowager was extraordinarily fond of me and my engagement was the decree from the empress dowager herself. I've noticed something weird this day... I wasn't able to any information about the second prince in any fraction of the mind, yet, none was to be found except for some interesting rumours.

It is rumoured that the second prince was disabled, so... lots of gold diggers can be found stuck in front of the royal palace entrance. I subconsciously sympathized with this prince for all the malicious rumours that were thrown over him.

***

“Lady Liu has arrived---” The voice uttered before I stepped into the Royal Jade Palace--- where the empress dowager resides.

“This humble girl pays respect to Your Majesty, the empress dowager.” I kowtow as a sign of respect toward the former empress that still looks stunning even in her age.

“Oh, my. My little Lixue! Rise, why are you even kowtowing when I told you not to. Here, sit beside your grandmother.” Huang Daxia, the empress dowager cheerily asserted. My father is one of the princes but he gave up his right for the throne and live life as a powerful lord instead. It's said that it's so that he doesn't need to fight for a single throne.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I walked towards the empress dowager and sit as ordered.

“Dear granddaughter, are you really fine? How could the shameless third prince annul your engagement? Don't worry, I'll punish the prince and restore your engagement back.” She assured me while holding my hand, lending me her courageous and warmth. The empress dowager truly fond of me... surprisingly, it feels so comforting...

“It's alright, Your Majesty. He would compensate me well and you don't need to do anything about that.” I tried to convince her. My plan won't be started here and definitely won't end here.

“I apologised, Lixue. It's my fault for making you be betrothed towards the third prince.” She still apologised for something that she didn't even foresee.

“It wasn't your fault, Your Majesty. I'm fine as I too want to annul it. You don't need to blame yourself.” I tried hard to convince her again.

“You're really kind, Lixue. His eyes were probably malfunctioning to chose that girl.”

“Your Majesty, please rest assured. I'll take care of myself and won't let anyone bullied me anymore.” I convinced her again as I warmly hold her hands that is surprisingly strong.

“I'm glad that my Lixue matured from this...” She gently smiled.

“Your Majesty, I'm afraid that I can't accompany you any longer. His Majesty, the emperor had summoned me to the Royal Court for some discussion about my annulment.” I explained, after receiving the hint from Tingting that the time is almost up for her.

“That imprudent son of mine, your uncle... what is he thinking? Lixue, waited for me to get ready. I'll be visiting the Royal Court with you.” She asked her maids to prepared herself to meet her son.

“How could I let you do that, Your Majesty. I'm fine going on my own.” I said, answering all that I could.

“No worries. I'm just visiting my son that I've rarely seen with these old eyes of mine.” She sternly makes her decision.

“You've never age, Your Majesty. With the smooth skin and fascinating beauty of Your Majesty, I'm afraid that my sweetest grandmother could look even younger than me.” I praised her politely.

“My dear granddaughter sure have a tongue sweeter than the candy.” We chuckled together.

***

“Your Highness, Lady Liu is visiting the Empress Dowager and will be heading towards the Royal Court for the Emperor. And I found something interesting when she met the third prince...” He reported like always to his sole master. Why did His Highness suddenly become interested in the First Lady of the Liu? But, that luckily placed him in a better mood.

“Good. Keep up your work.” He requested and the subordinate of him fade, leaving him smiling on his wheelchair. His thoughts flew far from the owner.

______________________________________________

“Her Royal Majesty, the empress dowager and Her Ladyship, the First Lady Liu has arrived---” The aids announced our entrance in front of the majestic openings of the Royal Court. I, along with the empress dowager stepped inside the fussy room.

“Royal mother? I pay respect to the Royal Mother, the empress dowager.” The emperor bows humbly to the empress dowager. This uncle of mine is an obedient son to her birth mother, the empress dowager.

“Rise, my son.” She requested and sit on the seat prepared by the maid.

“Thank you, Royal Mother. What brings you here, to the Royal Court?” He asked before standing up.

“Is it wrong for a mother to visit her child? It's been ages since you've last visited me.” She retorted, conceivably still furious regarding the motive the emperor unaware summoned me when I was spending my time jovially with her.

“Ah... I apologised, Royal Mother. There's been quite a commotion inside the Royal Palace. I would strive my best to visit you more frequently.” He is certainly oblivious that his mother's rage peaked from him.

“It's fine. Tell me, my dear son, the great emperor. Why did you wish to meet my granddaughter, Lixue?” I scarcely silently listened to their discussion, doesn't dare to interrupt the heated conversation. Being a listener is the greatest seat, I guess?

“Lixue, my niece, I deeply apologised for all the trouble the third prince caused you this time.” He sincerely apologised. The current emperor is known for his gentle and kind personality but he's being an emperor is not just on the name. There's still something he keeps from me for sure.

“It's fine, Your Majesty. I already agreed to annual our betrothal and he's willing to compensate me with some goods.” Explained all the things that crippled jerk and I discussed earlier. I wondered what would his current condition be...

The silver needle I tossed was developed from the celestial jade, a relatively treasured jade... the needle was magnificently thin and it's almost invisible to one eye. I dipped the needle in my newest poison which would gradually dysfunctioned the area it touched against. Nevertheless, it wouldn't harm any internal organ... In conclusions, he would definitely be crippled without my assistance. He's too mighty to earn the aids from a fragile vulnerable girl.

“Half of the problems might be solved already but a new one appeared from that. The Royal Family reputation was tainted by his doing and I'm here, hopeless from doing anything.” Hah! I'm right after all. Every single bullet that I shot shall be very accurate despite the other factors.

“Then, did you need my help, Your Majesty?” Please stopped bluffed anything anymore... It's sickening me already.

“You're sharp, my niece. Indeed, but it's a big favour to ask you and I refused to forced you if you don't want to after the betrothal between you and the third prince.” He seriously wanted to meet me in heaven later.

“You wanted me to marry the second prince, am I right, Your Majesty?” Waited for him would cause me to lose ages, it would be better to assert it myself. The second prince was disabled or easily said, had a crippled leg, the only one those arrogant noble girls didn't wish to be engaged to.

Indeed, there were some golddiggers attempted to dig an enormous hole of mine in the palace from the second prince, eventually, those girls were all rejected as the second prince is from the royal. He couldn't wed anyone who is from an anonymous background or an obvious greedy intent. Plus, His Majesty never forced anyone to be married to the second prince and the second prince never had anyone to be called a decent lover.

“Yes...” He unhurriedly answered. It seems like the palace was kind of frantic in order to save their corrupted dignity because of some fools.

Well, I'm practically entangled in it too, so I couldn't really confess that I'm ain't guilty in this. Besides, the second prince might even annul the betrothal right away on which I didn't really mind about.

“My son, how could you pleaded Lixue to be betrothed into our Royal Family again after all the humiliation she received.” The empress dowager was completely infuriated by now. She sure was based on how she raised her voice.

“I understood it well, Royal Mother... but this is our only way out.” The emperor regardless attempted to negotiate with somebody who detested negotiation the most.

“Your Majesties... Please rest assured. I accept your suggestion about my second betrothal.” I struggled not to generate any discomforts here, so I reckoned that it would be adequately this way. Anyhow, I'm not honestly bothered by the second prince as he mightn't appear to disturb me or so on.

“Really? Nonetheless, your marriage would be in three days, are you sure about this, my dear niece?” His ebony eyes gleamed with new hopes of colourful fortunes. Is this the emperor or a little kid who barely discern the bright of the futures?

“Are you sure, Lixue? But, your spouse, the second prince was disabled from his great service towards this empire in the ferocious war.” The empress dowager though made an effort to persuaded me not to approve to the emperor's favours.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I would like to be betrothed to the second prince that you mentioned earlier.” However, my conclusion was yet a yes, I've never confronted the second prince, yet I somehow believed that it might be fine just to be engaged to him, someone that I've never met and even barely knows.

“But, is there any specific reason for your intention, my niece?” He looks interested too about my substantial intention which I don't even think that there is one.

“Because I believed in love at first sight and I would love to experience it.” I gleamed reassuringly. I've never encountered him, and I didn't honestly expect anything from him... just a peaceful life, I guess.... though, there's still a possibility of me being single once again.

“If you are so determined about this... then, I would definitely support you, Lixue.” The empress dowager eventually decided to flutter a white flag, relinquished to my difficult decision. I'm infinitely thankful to have someone as caring and as loving as my grandmother in this new world I live in...

“Lixue thanks Your Majesty, the empress dowager for the trust and your belief in me.”

***

“Your Highness? I thought you're going to meet the emperor?” Pei Liang furrowed his eyebrows as his master still gazing at the chaotic scene of the Royal Court.

“I don't think I should anymore.” He grinned, love at first sight? So interesting.

“Eh?” He cluelessly peeked inside the Royal Court, indeed there's a young lady... Lady Liu and there's Her Majesty the empress dowager were attending too. It's quite a rare occasion for Her Majesty to visited any place in the palace and always rested in the Royal Jade Palace.

***

“I just broke an engagement but now I ended up being engaged again? Nevermind, we might even be divorced right after being married or even broken the engagement once again.” I released my tension by playing the zither under the hut where it resides beside the great lake and beautifully bloomed cherry blossoms trees.

On your slender body

Your jade and coral girdle ornaments chime

Like those of a celestial companion

Come from the Green Jade City of Heaven.

One smile from you when we meet.

And I become speechless and forget about every word.

For too long you have gathered the flowers,

And leaned against the bamboo,

Your green sleeves growing cold,

In deserted valleys:

I can visualize you alone

A girl harbouring her cryptics thoughts.

You glow like a perfumed lamp

In the gathering shadows.

We play wine games

And recite each other's poems.

Then you sing “Remembering South of the River”

With its heart breaking verses. Then

We paint each other's beautiful eyebrows.

I want to possess you completely --

Your jade body

And your promised heart.

It is Spring.

Vasts mist cover the Five Lakes.

My dear, let me buy a red painted boat

And carry you away.

“What a great performance.” A manly voice reached out from the top of the cherry blossom trees. For some certain reason, I believe that I've heeded to this voice somewhere... but the crisis is... who is it?

“Who is it?” I glared at the top of the tree. There's indeed a figure in blue attire, with black long shiny hair, rested on the branches. The breeze blew harder, the blooms fall continuously, distracted my real focus. I felt a chilly breath came near to my ears and uttered;

“Aren't you going to chop my head off?” With a soft chuckle at the end of the voice...his figures gone before I could even manage to take a slight glimpse at him. What does he try to imply by chop my head off? Wha--- Does it mean that is the man that I've saved?! And he certainly listened to my grunting? My face was red from all the blushing. How did he rightfully manage to get here? The question marks crammed my head with lots of unanswered quests.

“Is that really him?”

“Ah--- Why am I thinking about that jerk? I should just concentrate on retrieving his useless head.” I enclosed my face with my hands, what is wrong with me, seriously... If this was the modern world, I would already sue him for all the sexual harassment he resulted in me. Yet, subconsciously... my mind still memorises his chilly touches...

***

“First Miss, what happened? Your face is flushing red, did you happened to catch a fever?” Tingting appeared by my side, pouring the teas into my cup.

“No, I didn't.” My face was even redder than before now that she mentioned it. I sipped the tea in a hurry, struggled to overlook that sly man doing.

“Then, did anything happened when you're playing the zither?” She repeatedly annoyed me with her question that I would obviously never responded to straightforwardly.

“It's just that I remembered something super humiliating,” I answered back with a layered clue that almost unthinkable to be cracked up as I've never opened up that disastrous occasion to anyone before.

“Hmm?” She cluelessly stares past me and it's as if there's a big question mark stamped on her face.

Straight after that, I strolled faster to my estate, the Crystal Jade Mansion. This is where I reside every day. I realized that the past owner was a diligent and hard-working person as she yearns for his appraisal and to capture the attention of the third prince. She excels in knowledge, instrument playing, cookery, singing and almost everything.

Ah, thinking about this just made me wished to murder the third prince right away. However, I wouldn't let him perished easily, that simply wouldn't satisfy my vengeance thirst... he had to suffer for all the things he had done to her. He's really a mood cracker.

“Tingting, do you have the things I asked you for?” I asked. Its reaching noon already...for perfect revenge, I needed power, money and strength or all of my other efforts would go to waste.

“Yes, First Miss... but... what do you want to do with this man's attire and a silk veil?” She asked, still left with a blank space inside her mind.

“Just some simple business. Remember to close my door tightly and if someone would want to meet me, tell them that I am feeling a little sick and was already asleep.”

“Ah--- First Miss must be sick and want the clothes to be thinner so that it would be a little less hot. Sure, First Miss!” She mumbled before resolved with full stamina.

“What is she mumbling about?” I muttered slowly as her gazes looked even shinier and full spirited than usual. Is it because she was tired of served me and wanted some rest? I nodded my head, agreed to my own thoughts.

“First Miss is still thinking about something serious when she's sick. I am honoured to serve her as a servant!” She uttered as silently as possible with her eyes almost dropped the honoured tears for her master.

Eh--- I'm not even leaving yet and she's already that delighted that she even sobbed? I shook my head before wore the clothing with the help of Tingting and reasonably tied my hairs up precisely identical to a young man.

“First Miss, you look so good in that!” She seemed both excited and surprised by my new looks.

“And the finishing touch.” I put on the face veil that made of thin silks.

“Kyaa! First Miss looked like an angel from heaven!” She praised heavily. The suit suited me well with my hair bonded high like a real gentleman.

“Tingting, I will leave now but take care when I'm away. Though, it might not take a lot of time.”

“Do you really need to leave? What if someone tried to assassinate you? If you want, you can take me there too.” She pleaded. I'm not going forever, you know.

“Tingting, if I brought you with me, who would be the one handling the Crystal Jade Mansion?” I patted her shoulders, lending her some courage.

“First Miss... You trusted me so much... I won't disappoint you! However, please take good care, First Miss.” She wept wholeheartedly, so touched by the words I let out.

“Sure.” I jumped out of the window and hopped from the roof to another as sneakiest as possible to avoid being seen or even heard... I feel as free as a bird just like the time when I hunted people when I was a top assassin that everyone wanted to use.

However, my rules would be that the hirer needs to tell me everything and just leave an amount of money at a special place. Then, I started to assassinate the target and finished the job easily.

***

“Your Highness... Does any of the items catch your eyes? You can just ask us to get it for you.” Pei Liang said, following him by his side as his subordinates.

“It's hardly an intuition.” He smiled warmly yet still mysteriously in other sights.

__________________________________________________