Xinya stood in front of her grandfather and observed him carefully. But from his expression, she could not make out what he was thinking. He was too calm and in control of himself and his emotions, making it impossible for her to even speculate the reason why he had called her to meet him all of a sudden when it had been just some time ago when he had disowned her beloved brother.

Zedong noticed his granddaughter's cautious gaze and his lips arched up slightly as he poured himself a cup of chrysanthemum tea and sipped on it slowly, enjoying the slightly sweet taste.

"Do you want some tea, Xinya?" He pointed at the cup and raised his brows, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

"No, grandpa. I am fine. Thank you." Xinya still did not dare let her guards down.

All of a sudden, the old man had called her to his study room and this was something that had never happened before. Nobody but his trusted servant, her father and her brother, Zhelan had been allowed before. She was the first lady ever to step inside the room and Xinya was alert and prepared.

"You do not have to be prudent around me, child. I will never harm you." Zedong sighed and placed his cup back on the table.

Xinya did not speak a word and glared at him. His previous actions when he had disowned Zhelan were etched in her mind and her fury was yet to dissipate when he had called to meet her in private. In such a situation, she could not stop herself from showing her anger and resentment and Zedong chuckled softly.

"I understand your bitterness and disappointment and I have called you here to clarify some matters." Zedong stood up and folded his hands behind his back. Even though he was older than her, he was still filled with vigor and his tall stature towered over her easily.

But Xinya did not cower in his intimidating presence and she stared back at him with equal intensity much to Zedong's astonishment and delight. The lady in front of him was more courageous and capable than he had assumed her to be, he realized and his smile widened.

"You must be hating me for what I did to your brother but I have a reason behind it."

"What reason?" Xinya intervened right away, not caring if her actions were irritating the old man or not. Her respect for him had deteriorated the moment he had disowned her brother.

Zedong frowned in displeasure and gave her an unimpressed look but it had no effect on her.

"You will find out in the future, Xinya. Be patient. I called you here to discuss something else." Zedong did not reprimand her for her outrageous and impudent behavior and expressed his thoughts instead. "In a few days at the Annual Spring Festival, I will declare you as my heir, the heir to the Xie clan. Make the necessary preparations for it."

Zedong's tone was commanding, leaving Xinya no room for objections. She just stared at him blankly, utterly dumbfounded by his unexpected words. Never had she envisioned him to make her his heir, not when their kingdom followed the law of patriarchy.

"Grandpa....I...I..think I am hallucinating." Xinya shook her head in disbelief and the old man chortled on seeing her shocked expression.

"You are not, Xinya. You heard it right. I will make you my heir but..." He stopped suddenly, his eyes turning serious all of a sudden. "It is only until Zhelan returns."

Xinya's frown deepened. She could not comprehend what the old man was thinking and what he was trying to achieve.

'Has he lost his sanity? What is wrong with him today?' She wondered.

"Neither have I lost my sanity nor there is anything wrong with me today. You can stop doubting me, Xinya." Zedong replied, startling the lady for a moment until she realized that the old man had listened to her thoughts.

"Did you have to do that, grandpa?" She questioned, annoyed by him totally.

"I just wanted to find out what you were. How am I wrong? Also, what use is my power if I cannot employ it when I want to?" He stated innocently and Xinya had no words to rebuke him. She scoffed and turned her head away from him before she focused on him again, pushing away her frustration for the time being.

"Did you not disown Zhelan? What do you mean that I would be your heir until he returns, grandpa?" Xinya was skeptical. She could not apprehend the old man's ploy and she was mindful and suspicious as it involved not only her but her brother too.

"Do you think I would give up on my grandson just like that?" Zedong let out a smile of ridicule and shook his head. "I am not that heartless, Xinya, not towards Zhelan at least. He is my pride and the future of the Xie clan lies in his hands."

"Then....Then... why did you..."

"I will not allow anyone to tarnish my reputation, Xinya, not even Zhelan. He had to be punished for what he did and I did exactly what was expected of me in the situation I am in. You will find out the truth in the future and I am certain you will be grateful when Zhelan returns. Until then, prepare to be my heir."

Zedong sat on the cushioned chair and poured himself another cup of tea. "You may leave now, Xinya. I still have other matters to attend and.." He looked at her with his gaze filled with warning. "I hope our conversation today remains a secret. Nobody, I repeat no one is to find out about it. Otherwise..." He leaned forward, his face turning sinister and dark. "It will do no good for Zhelan."

Xinya just bowed at him without saying a word and departed from the room, walking along the open corridors in trance. Her grandfather did not seem that loathsome anymore and she smiled faintly when she understood his intentions finally.

'Zhelan, I will do everything in my ability to protect all that belongs to you. Just...' Her smile slipped and her eyes turned downcast as she looked at the fountain in the garden. 'Return home safe. I will wait for you until then.'