Lory crosses her arms on her chest her expression is calm but stern as she waiting for his explanation, the truth is she never doubts his loyalty but she curious what reason he had to allowed Bai Xue to get close to him.

Zhao Li Xin's heart thumped under lory intimidating eyes, Zhao Li Xin wants to laugh at himself for being cowards. On the other side Mong Liu and Mong Yi also got anxious, they rarely saw Lory got angry and Mong Liu never saw Lory angry so they all feel nervous, people say quiet people are a lot scarier when they angry and that's true.

​​

When Lory is seriously angry she will not get emotional like normal women, she will not curse or spat hurtful words out of anger, she's not thrown a fit or tantrum.

Maybe because she was raised by more men than women in her life so when she angry she adopted their behavior, not to mention all the men around her is people who are on the top of the government, they are general, the king advisor, the chief of national science organization and many more, all of them are not people who easily leaked their feeling to the outsider.

That's why Lory grew up as someone who has emotional restraint.

Zhao Li Xin clasped his hands behind his back then he takes a long deep breath, he waved his hand to sign his subordinate to leave the room, as if they were granted amnesty they bow their head and promptly leave the room. Zhao Li Xin then takes a deep breath and starts his long explanation.

"Sanguan Jin sheng wants to control me, he needs me for something but I'm still not sure why nonetheless he needs me more than I expected, he wants to use that Bai woman to seduce me so he could control me, this Bai woman also the core disciple of celestial immortal sect her master is the Sect Leader of that sect she also Zi Yi Ru elder sister. Sanguan Jin Sheng might annihilate the whole Qin family but the one who hunt my mother and poison me perhaps Zi Quan Mei"

"You want to use her to control Sanguan Jin sheng and investigated Zi Quan Mei" it didn't hard for lory to understand his plan.

Zhao Li Xin smiles dotingly, " My princess is brilliant…"

Lory rolls her eyes "It doesn't take a genius to understand thought is not complicated plan however is involve your biological father and mother also people who hold accountable to whole your suffering, one has to have a strong mentality to follow through this plan" Lory look at him with worry look "Can you do it?"

He moves close in front of her, slowly he caresses her smooth cheeks, and smiles "Is not as hard as you think" he calmly said.

Lory sigh heavily she took his hand from her cheeks then she clenched his hand tightly, Zhao Li Xin's calmness only make her feel uneasy. Her heart grew soft, Lory was mad at him a minute ago but now she worries about him, his dear princess is too kind it make him feel guilty.

"I understand your plan but, I'm not comfortable you being close with other women" Lory pursed her lips, blame her to be petty but she is not comfortable knowing her man close with other women no matter how just their reasons are.

"Are you jealous?" he teased.

She feel annoyed when she saw his smug face so she tilted her head and smile widely "How about I get close to Sanguan Wu Ci to get more information?"

Zhao Li Xin's face turns grim "Apology" he bows submissively.

"Granted" Lory reply sweetly.

Zhao Li Xin rubs his chin while contemplating, Lory purple eyes swept the room she realizes Zhao Li Xin room is not to shabby although is much smaller than his room at Tie Shan manor, the old man gives him good amenity and beautiful woman, obviously he tries to please his estranged Son.

"Is not like I want to get close to that Bai woman, I mean…I can't even if I want to. I don't have that much patient" Zhao Li Xin has a seat on the chair next to her"

Lory rests her head on the top of the chair as she stares at the wooden beam on the ceiling, she agrees Zhao Li Xin is lack patient "Then what would you do?"

"Treat her harshly but give her a little attention once a while" Zhao Li Xin sounds apathetic and cold.

Lory's eyebrows knitted closely "Sound like an abusive relationship, will that work? She looks like a proud – conceited woman"

Zhao Li Xin sneer "That exactly why this will work"

"Oh, why do you think so?" Lory shift her gaze from the ceiling

"A woman like her could handle rejection, the more you pushed her away, the more eager she tries to get my attention, she will do anything to pleased you."

"That….sounds very cruel" Lory feel uneasy, she never fond to manipulated people feeling even so she faces this situation too many times and sometimes for greater good she had no choice, still it gives her a bad after taste whenever she forces in that situation.

Zhao Li Xin knew Lory didn't like a dirty method she is an honest and straight forwards person although she not oblivious to scheming and manipulation and Zhao Li Xin has seen Lory carry herself in front of royalty and noble people so he is certain that Lory has her own fair share against manipulative and cunning people, he just wonder how she felt when she does something against her heart.

He stretches his hand on the table next to him, he opens his arm beckoned her hands to hold his hand, Lory smile faintly she put her palm on top of his hand, Zhao Li Xin holds her hand and he looks at her warmly "Sanguan Jin Sheng order her to get close to me, to gain sanguan Jin sheng and Zi Yi Ru favor she would fulfill their wish because she wants to raise her value in front of Zi Quan Mei, in short, she wants to use this situation to paved her own future so she would everything and she would use every trick on her sleeve to get close to me, this is a mind game where she would use me or I used her…"

Lory sigh "I know….what if she falls in love with you, I mean…for real?" Lory feel annoy by another woman coveting his husband and what make think worst that woman is staying in the same roof as her husband.

"What about it? Should I like her just because she like me?" he asks with a callous look.

Sometimes his apathetic look make her blood run cold, she imagines what if someday he looking at her with that cold eyes how painful it would be.

"What?" Zhao Li Xin sees her apprehensive looks and got worried.

"I hope you will always love me" she suddenly blurts out her thought.

Zhao Li Xin chuckles "Silly, you know I love you before I saw you" he kiss the back of her hand softly.

"True…" her eyes turn crescent and a smile bloom on her face "Even if you stop loving me I will make you love me again"

Zhao Li Xin thought Lory imagination is run wild again, he chuckles while staring how her long bluish hair frames his unblemished pale skin, and her pink lips smile softly at him, she would never understand how beautiful she is in his eyes, what she meant for him, Zhao Li Xin can't imagine a day when he stops loving her for all he knows that his entire world rest inside those enchanting eyes.

___________________

Not long after Lory returns to Tie Shan manor not forget she return her original face to Luo Ri Yi face, only in front of the people who know about her secret lory would show her true self, it gives her a sense of belonging when she takes off her disguised, it make her feel more 'real' like she part of this world and not only a bystander.

Lory surprised when the housekeeper said that Yuan Shao wants to meet her, it's rare but she could guess why he is looking for her. Lory told the housekeeper to bring Yuan Shao to the main garden pavilion and asked the maid to served wine and tea also a few snacks for them.

Lory has sipped her tea while the maid served pastry on the table when Yuan Shao walks toward her. he still has a stoic face and exuded a valorous aura around him just like a great general should be. Yuan Shao cupped his fist and bow his head "Madam Zhao�� he greets politely.

"No need ceremony between us General Yuan" Lory humbly said.

Yuan Shao's expression becomes more relaxed "The truth is I'm not general anymore after I left the Liu Yan Kingdom" he finally finds the chance to correct his status.

"Caused by habit is hard to kill" Lory reply casually, subtly told him is useless to change his nickname, people around her including her are too lazy to remember other people's names.

"I guessed so…" he sighs heavily, 'General' it is.

"Then I just call you master Yuan, please have a seat" Lory stretches her hands to invite him to sit.