The conversation took a long time, Hei Shen members who worked there as servants and guards didn't dare to eavesdrop on their conversation even the slightest, they only watch them from far away just incased the young madam need anything. however, they can't stop feeling curious when they saw Shin Jiu's face beamed with excitement for a second then frowned on the next, then later he lowers his head seemingly wiped the corner of his eyes.

Meanwhile, the young madam's expression remains calm throughout the conversation, sometimes she would pat Shin Jiu's hand as a comforting gesture, then after they finish their conversation, both of them become silent. Shin Jiu looks downcast while the young madam drinks her tea and gaze to the scenery with a serene gaze. The contrast of their behavior make other people curious, but no one dares to ask.

​​

Lory peeks a glance at Shin Jiu, the boy still looks depressed, Lory lets out a long sigh. she already filters the gruesome part to make a proper story for a kid, unfortunately, it seems her story is still too much for Shin Jiu to take in. 

Lory want to accompany him longer but unfortunately the housekeeper told her that princess Youya and Second Mister Sanguan has arrived.

'Sanguan Wu Ci' Lory raised her eyebrows slightly, she rubs her lips with her finger while contemplating then later the corner of her mouth faintly curl "Send them to the main hall"

"Yes, young madam" the housekeeper bow his head before he left.

"Master, I will come with you" Shin Jiu instantly awaked from his stupor after they hear the royal family and sanguan family want to meet Lory, both of them have bad relation with Long Ming and Hei Shen sect so it's impossible they visit with good intention.

Lory patted Shin Jiu head dotingly "It's fine, just a few noble kids want to play together"

"Master, you cannot underestimate them" he pouted his mouth, unlike other people he never saw Lory behaved in front of a noble family, in Shin Jiu's eyes Lory is too softhearted and honest to meddle with the Royal family.

"Milord and Hei Shen King palace were not here so I will come to protect you!" his eyes blaze with determination, he heard the rumors that princess Youya is a cunning woman and Sanguan Wu Ci is an arrogant man, how could he left Lory alone to face them and why everyone in Hei Shen sect let this happened, why Zhao Li Xin allowed this to happen.

Lory's eyes crinkled then a smile bloom on her face, she feel warm and amused at the same time "You want to come, be my guest" Lory open her arms and laughs. There's no shred of nervousness or worry in her eyes.

In the main hall, princess Youya accompanies by two of her personal maidservants and two guards to keep her safe, while Sanguan Wu Ci who sits across from her was also guarded by two experts, this is expected since no one sane enough to visit Hei Shen territory without bringing any protection.

while they are waiting, princess Youya and sanguan Wu Ci change made a brief small talk to maintain their courtesy, but inwardly they both stunned that they visit the Tie shan manor at the same time, but they don't appreciate this coincidence, because they both think that the other presence would spoil each other plan. 

A few minutes later Lory came, and she accompanies by her maidservant Ling Zi and Shin Jiu, Lory wears black and white hanfu similar to Long Ming robes except her robes embroidery with large bluebell flower on her wide sleeves and small bluebell flower vines coiling on top each other on her skirt, although the flower is unique and beautiful, but no one has seen the flower before so it gives a sense of mystery just like her

The maid combed her hair into a bun and adorn her hair with jade and crystal hairpin to make her look more mature. Lory then gracefully waltz into the room, she didn't walk too fast or too slow she moves fluidly across the room with a faint smile plastered on her face, she stops two steps before she reaches Princess Youya, she gathers her hands in front of her stomach then bow her head gracefully "Welcome to Tien Shan Manor, It's a pleasure to have her highness visit us" she calmly said.

Princess Youya surprised how calm and poised Lory is, although she had seen lory performance during the banquet, however at that time she thought Lory might have boost confidence from Ming Yue Yin and Yang Xi Ying, unexpectedly her noble aura didn't diminish whatsoever without her friend presents if not it feel more grandeur than before.

"The pleasure is mine, Young Madam Zhao" She called her by Long Ming's real name.

Smiles remained in her face, Zhao Li Xin's identity was not a secret so she's not surprised a lot of people know about him, at least it told Lory that Princess Youya has learned her homework. Lory turns her gaze to Sanguan Wu Ci "We meet again, second master sanguan" she greets him respectfully without showing hostility.

Sanguan Wu Ci eyes gleamed, he bore his eyes on Lory figure, he can't take his eyes away from her. he subconsciously follows her every moves, her fluttering hair behind her back, and every slight smile she make, it's ridiculous because she is a married woman not to mention she is Long Ming wife and recently they have numerous problem with each other not to mention that her beast was the one that hurting his younger sister, with so many problems between them how could he harbor such a ridiculous thought about her.

Lory was oblivious of their thought, she takes a seat on her respective chair while Shin Jiu stand beside her with a vigilant look, that only make him look cuter. Meanwhile, the maids enter the room they serve tea and pastry to welcome the guest, they bow deeply before they left the room.

"Please…" Lory sends polite gesture to invite the guest to drinks, at the same time she sips her tea elegantly then Ling Zi helps her to put down the teacup, compare how Lory used to behaved her behavior today is like night and day so Shin Jiu can't help to feel perplexed, he wonders if the woman beside him is still his master.

Sanguan Wu Ci also feel lost, his heart feel restless when he faces Lory like this is like the wall between them is getting thicker than ever before, but he can't blame her? after what happened the last time they met it's normal for Lory to keep a distance from him, he also remembered that he had behaved discourteously to help his sister so it's normal if Lory hated him right now.

Sanguan Wu Ci drew a long breath he knows something couldn't be changed and whatever feeling he had right now he had better bury that feeling in the deepest hole in his heart.

If Lory knows Sanguan Wu Ci thought she would say that he thinks too much, she did not hate him because she never likes him in a first-place and if not because Zhao Li Xin matters she wouldn't even remember Sanguan Wu Ci. 

In fact, the reason for Lory treat him like this is simple, she treats everyone the way they treated her. If they throw their weight in front of her she will do the same, if they come using their high status to give her pressure then Lory would use her status to fight back, but if they come to her as a friend then she would treat them like a friend, thus already prove by Yang Xi Ying and Yuan Shao cased.

"So, to what do I owe this honored, to have her highness and master Sanguan visit my humble home?" Lory's eyes gleamed with Playfulness.

Obviously, Lory was being sarcastic but for others, she just being humble and polite so princess Youya can't nitpick her comment. Princess Youya's smile was dry at the same time her eyes twinkle with mirth 'This woman is very interesting' she thought.

For a long time whenever someone brought up Lory name's she can't stop questioning herself 'Who is she?'

"Madam Zhao, I came here because Sanguan Li Ye matter," said Princess Youya. 

"Oh, how is she, I heard she's not that well lately?" Lory plays like an innocent.

Sanguan Wu Ci knows Lory was only pretending, and it's irked him because he assumed that Lory was a kindhearted and gentlewoman so he expected her to be generous and remorseful for Sanguan Li Ye, not because he like Sanguan Li Ye, but because that how women like her should behave.

This the large difference between Zhao Li Xin and Sanguan Wu Ci. For the outsider, Zhao Li Xin is a volatile and cruel man they say he is heartless and killed without mercy, but when he loves Lory, he gives everything for her and he accepted everything of her whether is good or bad, he gives Lory loves and freedom as much as she needs, regardless what other people said or think.

On the other hand, Sanguan Wu Ci is a typical man in this world, although they care or loved someone but they can't help but care about how other people perceive them.

It means Sanguan Wu Ci cannot tolerate women who tarnished his reputation in any way, he doesn't like when women didn't behave the way he wants it to be, he also doesn't like it when women threaten his masculinity and his position as a man and husband.

He is a classic version of the chauvinistic man who thinks women's position is below the men, for some women having an overbearing and arrogant young master is quite endearing, perhaps some women have a natural tendency to be subdued, unfortunately, Lory is the opposite that type of women.

His brows drew together as irritation pricked him "My sister has become a waste now, she barely can't leave her bed ever since, even though my sister can be stubborn and have a bad temper but she didn't deserve this" he indirectly blame Lory for not feeling sorry for Sanguan Li Ye condition.

Calm and poised, she slowly rested her hands on the armchair, she looks sanguan Wu Ci and says: "And you think I deserved it" she tilts her head slightly.

The direct question shut his mouth instantly, Princess Youya saw this and the corner of her lips slightly lifted, she curious how Lory confront Sanguan Wu Ci.

"Have you ever thought what if the victim was not me, even with my position as Long Ming wife your sister dared to humiliate me, she repeatedly insults and slandered me in front of the public, and what make matters worse was that you didn't stop her"