Cao Peizhi had been stuck with Yi Changpu talking about the whole situation until it was early dawn the following day. Both Zhi Hao Guo and Min Jian Chu had informed them about what they could find. He had not even been able to return to his tent to check up on Lin Ning. “From what I found, it seems as though the Zhao Empress sent her people to the Ma State, and they took a few hostages, and the Crown Prince of Ma State was out that day. Right now, the Zhao Empress does not know that she captured the Crown Prince of Ma State, so they are trying to play it safe and make a plan to have him escape with their people.” Yi Changpu did not know how things would turn out when they had their crown prince back, but he worried that trouble would surely stir if they just released the Ma Crown Prince without settling an agreement with the Ma Emperor to help them.

“It seems as though you are making plans to take the throne now.” Cao Peizhi could see Yi Changpu was putting more effort into taking the throne from his father. ‘He is taking more caution while trying to make deals with those who hold the power to help him.’

“Hmph, I think it has been long enough now. Father needs to learn to settle down and know that he can never rule forever.” Yi Changpu glanced at his friend, who was more like a brother to him than the second prince.

“Arrgghh! Argh!” Mei Mei could be heard barking and running over to Cao Peizhi, who turned around with Yi Changpu to take a look.

“Mei Mei, what are you doing here?” Kneeling, Cao Peizhi saw her carrying a small basket in her mouth with something wrapped up inside it. Cao Peizhi didn’t know what it was, but he assumed it must be from Lin Ning. He smiled, taking the basket from Mei Mie, who sat down waiting. Looking into the basket, he could see a large fresh bread bun with meat inside it.

“I wish that Xu Meili did the same for me, but she does not seem to show a single care about me.” Yi Changpu was a little sad that he never once got anything from Xu Meili as Cao Peizhi did with Lin Ning.

“You probably did something wrong then.” Cao Peizhi patted Mei Mei’s head, seeing the wolf take the basket once more while running past soldiers around her.

Yi Changpu watched the three-legged wolf run into the crowd, not giving a care about anyone around since her duty was done. “That wolf makes me think of you and Miss Lin.” Yi Changpu said to Cao Peizhi, who started to eat the food given to him.

“Why do you say that?” Not caring to give a peek at his friend.

“If you look at it, that wolf has three limbs like you and is partially… has poor sight.” Yi Changpu did not want to make it sound like he was being rude, but the wolf had one of something related to Cao Peizhi and LIn Ning.

Cao Peizhi never thought about the wolf that had quite a few similarities to him and Lin Ning. “That is true.” Finishing the food, he could still see the paw prints left on the soil ground. “That may be why she does not mind Lin Ning and me. She seems to know those who are in the same situation as her.”

“Yi Changpu!!!!!”

Hearing that loud voice, they did not think that there would be someone who would not address the Crown Prince formally. Both had to turn their attention to see who was calling out to them. Seeing Xu Meili, she did not look too pleased about something. “I see that you are calling me by my name other than addressing me as the Crown Prince. Did you perhaps think about the proposal that I mentioned before?” Yi Changpu went up closer to Xu Meili, who took a deep breath to calm down.

‘You are lucky that we are out in the open. If not, then I would have slapped and punched you right then and there.’ Xu Meili kept her inner thoughts inside. She had heard about the Ma people who were being held hostage by the Zhao Empress. “You have to tell me about the situation regarding the Ma people.” She wanted to know everything that went on to be sure to play a part since her brother supported the Crown Prince; she would do the same while getting her revenge.

Cao Peizhi patted Yi Changpu on the back, wishing him luck while he left to see someone. Both figures watched Cao Peizhi leave which Yi Changpu could tell that he was no longer in the view since Cao Peizhi was too focused on his woman to care for him. ‘I am glad to see that you are happy, though. Your mother would have wanted to see you fall in love and get married. What mother would not want to see that?’ Turning his attention back to Xu Meili, he held a smirk and leaned towards her. “I can see that you could not wait to see me. Did you miss me that much?”

“Quit talking nonsense before I really start throwing punches.” Xu Meili dragged Yi Changpu to his tent to talk about the matter of the Ma people. She wanted to know more and perhaps even think of a plan to make the Zhao Empress lose herself in all the anger once she lost something important.

‘She truly hates and despises the Zhao Emperor and Empress.’ Yi Changpu knew that there was no stopping her, but he kept his smile since he still got to spend time with her while helping her. ‘Do you know that I have chosen you as my empress after I claim the throne?’ He kept the words to himself.

***

Lin Ning had finished making something simple for Cao Peizhi since he likely did not eat anything yesterday. She did not see anything, but she knew by the scent. She only remained in the kitchen, which was enough for her to understand what she could do. Lin Ning had Xia Ling there, but she could sense that she was not focused throughout the entire time. “Xia Ling, are you alright?” Turning her attention to her maid, they washed the dishes that were a mess after cooking.

“Young miss, what is it like falling in love?”

Surprised, Lin Ning did not expect to hear that kind of conversation from Xia Ling, who always did not seem like the type who fell in love. “Oh, is there someone that you fancy at this time?” Lin Ning opened her eyes behind the blindfold, seeing a shade of pink and blue together as if she was still worried and uncertain about it. “How do you feel when they are around?”

Xia Ling let out a sigh, holding an expression that worried about saying a word about it.

***

A/N: Please read author’s note below 😊