Chapter 3

Capital of the Xiang Empire, 1479

The capital was quite noisy today, a little more than

usual. People filled the streets like a flowing

river, and the markets were open, their owners

yelling for others to come see and selling their

goods. Some argued over prices, but the ones

wealthy enough to pay gladly handed the money

over. Laughing children pushed through, running

around and playing their fun games. The sky

was a clear blue, with only few fluffy clouds here

and there, and the day was sunny and a bit

hot.

Lihua groaned slightly with each step she took.

"Aigoo.!" She whispered, stopping and looking

around, before letting out a huff of disbelief. No one

had even bothered to help her! What kind of

people are they? Are they not usually supposed to

help when they see a lady struggling to carry

something? She began muttering very colorful

curses-which she'd learned froma sailor or two

while buying some fish from the dock-and

continued her tiring walk. A careless kid suddenly

bumped into her and she said, "watch where you're

going The boy, who looked around

seven or eight, stuck his tongue out and made an

ugly face at her, then ran away.

"Yah! Come back here!" She yelled, and stomped her

foot like a child. She huffed again, and

just as she turned around, a masculine voice spoke

from behind her.

"A lady shouldn't be speaking that way."

"Huh?" Lihua blinked, and turned to face whoever

was behind her. Her eyes landed on a man. A

very attractive one. Dark, dangerous eyes, sharp

jaw-line, soft-looking lips curled up in a

devilish smirk, hair darker than the night-

She shook her head slightly, snapping out of it, and

gave him a glare. No! She refused to be

attracted even in the slightest toa stranger.

Someone she didn't even know! But could you

blame her? The man looked like he was carved by

the Jade Emperor himself! Apparently, her

hostile face expression caught him off guard slightly.

She realized she wasn't the only one who

was startled by him. She could hear women squeal

and giggle as they stared at the handsome

man.

But what she didn't notice, was that he too was

scanning her appearance, memorizing every

small detail.

His smirk fell.

His piercing eyes studied her from head to toe. Pale

skin, long thick dark hair, plump pink lips

and a round face. There was this fire, along with a

glimmer of innocence, in her doe eyes, a fire

refusing to die down. A fire that awakened the

sadistic beast inside of him.

At that moment, he wanted to break her.

He didn't understand what this strong urge was. The

urge to ruin her, to see that feisty flame in

her diminish and her innocence stolen-

"Who are you? And why don't you mind your own

business?" Her angry voice yanked him back

to reality and he tilted his head slightly, before

frowning in distaste. "Honestly, people these

days! They never seem to realize that some things

are none of their concern. Don't go sticking your

nose in other people's business, alright?" She sighed,

pointing a finger at him and tsking.

She will pay for her words later, he thought darkly,

ignoring what she said. "What is your name?"

His smooth voice sent a small chill down her spinne.

It wasn't a pleasant one.

"My name?" Lihua raised a brow and crossed her

arms defensively, "yah, just what are you

trying to do? I don't give my name to strange men."

She tsked. Then realization hit her and she

gasped. "Oh my! Oh my goodness! I shouldn't be

here speaking with you. I have to go.

Grandfather is gonna kill me.. I might as well write

my will now." She mumbled the last part

under her breath and walked away, completely

forgetting about the man.

He just stood there, watching her as she walked

away.

Another man walked over to him and bowed

respectfully, before asking, "are you alright, Your

Majesty?"

"Yes." He said softly, watching as the girl

disappeared into the crowd. "Yes. I'm alright"

Lihua soon found herself standing in front of the

open palace gates. Nobles and officials went in

and out, few of them bumping into her and not even

apologizing or sparing a second glance.

The nerve of them! How dare they? She kept her

mouth shut, even though all she wanted was

to give them a piece of her mind and teach them

some manners.

She was about to walk in when one of the two

guards stepped forward and asked, "who are

you, and what is your business here?"

I am the one who will shove a shoe down your

throats and my business is my own.

But of course, she had to make a good impression

for her grandfather so she spoke calmly, "my

name is Wu Lihua, and I am the granddaughter of

Wu Zhao Lin. He is ill at the moment, so I

have come to deliver the herbs instead of him."

The guards looked at eachother for a moment

before looking back at her, and giving her way.

Lihua proudly walked through the wooden gates

and looked around in amazement. People were

everywhere. Not commoners, but important, rich

people of course. Court ladies, nobles,

ministers.. anyone with a high rank or anyone who

works in the palace.

"Wow." She whispered.

Although she was amazed, she felt lost. She didn't

know who to ask or who to give the herbs to.

Damn, I should've asked grandfather. Or that man.

Surely, he would know. Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!

Biting her lower lip, Lihua spotted a busy-looking

man writing down notes and counting money.

She walked over to him and said, "excuse me." he

didn't look up. She cleared her throat and

repeated, "excuse me." He still didn't look up.

She frowned and snapped, "yah!"

"Eh? The middle-aged man looked up at her and

raised a brow. Is he deaf or something?! She

cleared her throat again and spoke, "I am Wu Lihua,

granddaughter of Wu Zhao Lin. I have

come to deliver the herbs"

"Ah yes, yes. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Wu. I

am Official Chun. I take care of most

palace matters around here." He forced a small

smile, "just put them over there, and the

servants will take care of them." He pointed to the

wall and Lihua nodded and did as he said. She

groaned slightly as the weight of the herbs was

finally lifted. She stretched her arms and

aching back. "Ah." she sighed in relief. "I have

survived. That was hell." Her work was done

here. "Now I can finally go back home. I bet Aunt

Biyu has made some delicious lunch!" She

grinned and giggled to herself, walking to the gates.

Then she heard Official Chun call her.

"Miss Wu! Wait!"

She froze a little, slowly turning around with a

confused look. "Excuse me?"

"Forgive me for calling you in such an improper

manner," what? "But I just remembered. Your

grandfather, Sir Zhao Lin, was supposed to meet the

emperor, but since he is not here, you are

required to meet His Majesty instead." He explained

nervously.

Oh, screw my life.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***