After awkwardly greeting father, I returned back to my room with Chen Mu's clothes draped over me.

Laying on my bed, I muffled a scream that wanted to burst out from my chest.

We were almost there.

As much as I love my father, I couldn't help but feel bitter that he came in the wrong time. Father should have delayed for at least ten minutes so we could finish what we started.

"Miss," Xiao Yu came in with wide, triumphant grin on her face, "do you still want to go back to the Western Border."

I pouted and glared at her.

"Miss, did you do it?" Xiao Yu nudged me, wanting to know the juicy details.

I gritted my teeth and ignored her.

"Miss, I still can't get over how you quickly ran to the master's chambers without changing your clothes and on bare foot, too." Xiao Yu laughed, clutching her stomach.

"Miss, it might be that you have truly fallen in love with the First Prince!" Xiao Yu dreamily stated.

Fallen in love?

Not yet.

I like him though, very much.

And I'm willing to take a step further.

"Xiao Yu, do you know why father came?" I asked Xiao Yu, changing the topic.

"I heard from one of his men that the problem regarding the rebel groups in the Western Border has been solved so the General Bai came to report to the Emperor." Xiao Yu said.

"The General Bai came to the Chen Manor to thank the master for supplying the daily ration of the soldiers. He will be heading to the palace later on." Xiao Yu added.

"I see," I nodded in understanding.

"Miss, another letter came." Xiao Yu took another one of those rolled scented paper.

I opened the letter and it was another invitation but this time, it was from Prince Mo Li.

"Xiao Yu, who's Prince Mo Li?"

"Prince Mo Li?" Xiao Yu paused for a moment, "oh, he's the master's cousin. The only son of Prince Mo Chen, the Emperor's brother."

Ahh, another new character?

"Xiao Yu, how did you know about the relatives of the Emperor?"

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Miss, while sewing negligees for you, I have been studying the master's family tree to help you in times like this."

"Xiao Yu, I haven't said this before but I'm so proud of you." I clapped my hands in admiration.

"Miss, what did the invitation say?"

"Prince Mo Li is inviting me to their Manor in the Southern Border. He's celebrating his birthday in a week." I stated, rolled the letter and added it to the pile of other invitations I have received in the past days.

"Miss, are you not going to attend?" Xiao Yu queried, "You might want to take a mini vacation. Southern Border is known for their hot springs."

Hot springs?

That sounds tempting.

"I don't know yet. Let's see."

I still have to talk to Chen Mu about it.

Xiao Yu nodded.

"Miss, do you want to eat your breakfast already?"

"No, I'll wait for the First Prince." I shook my head.

Xiao Yu's face brightened up hearing my words. She's obviously happy that both her masters are in a good relationship. If the masters are happy, the servants are happy as well.

While waiting for Chen Mu, I started reading another romance novel. By the time I was finished with the novel, it was already past noon.

I summoned Xiao Yu into my room, "Xiao Yu, where's the First Prince?"

"Miss, the First Prince left with the General Bai. They went to the palace." Xiao Yu informed me.

I sighed in disappointment.

"Xiao Yu, help me dress up. Let's go to Ying Yi."

Xiao Yu helped me dress up in a black dress with white linings. As we were about to head out, Housekeeper Nu blocked our way.

"Madam, please bring with you at least one guard."

"Housekeeper Nu, we will only go out to eat. We will be back in an hour, no need for a guard." I retorted.

"Miss, pleas-"

"Okay, so here's what we're going to do. Xiao Yu and I will be eating at Ying Yi. In an hour, if we still haven't come home, send guards to that restaurant." I smiled and before Housekeeper Nu could speak, I dragged Xiao Yu out of the manor and headed to Ying Yi.

While waiting for our usual order, Xiao Yu excused herself to go to the comfort room. I was left all by myself. I lazily stared at the window, amusing myself by counting the passing crowd.

Just then, a familiar person made her way in front of me.

Isn't that Ming Shu?

She looked a bit different, but I can tell that it was truly her. She was dressed up in a fluffy outfit commonly used by noble ladies who are from a good background. Even grander than the dress I was wearing.

I smiled, seeing that she's doing well now. But the smile was wiped away quickly when I saw the jade hairpin that was stuck in her hair bun.

That's the jade hairpin the Dark Shadow has given me!

No wonder we couldn't find it, it was with you all along.

I quickly stood up and rushed outside, pushing my way through the crowd.

"Excuse me." I dodged the rushing people going the opposite way and saw Ming Shu turn to an alley before disappearing. I was able to get to that alley and frowned when I saw no one around.

Where did she go? This is a dead end.

"Surprise." That was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness.

[[ Back in the Chen Manor...

"What do you mean your mistress is gone?" Chen Mu asked, his forehead creased.

"When we went to fetch her at Ying Yi, we only saw Madam's personal maid." Housekeeper Nu frantically informed his master.

"What about the guards?"

"Madam refused to have guards with her." Housekeeper Nu was regretting not having the guards secretly follow their female master.

"Bring everyone with you. Find Bai Fan."

Housekeeper Nu bowed his head and quickly went out.

"Riu, come out." Chen Mu summomed his shadow guard.

"Your highness." Riu kneeled in front the imposing man.

"Where are the shadow guards I've assigned to Bai Fan?" Chen Mu he took off his outer coat.

"Your highness, you dismissed them earlier when you and her highness were..." Riu cleared his throat, not wanting to continue what he was supposed to say.

"Hmm..." Chen Mu spread his arms as Riu slipped his black outfit and handed him his mask.

Riu couldn't help but shiver. If their master is scary when he's angry, he's a lot terrifying when he's eerily calm.]]

|| Hello,

As for the confusion caused by the last chapter, as the author I feel the need to explain Bai Fan's actions.

As I have mentioned earlier, Bai Fan's main goal aside from avoiding death in the hands of the protagonists, was to have her own family, live a peaceful life and she wants to try that with Chen Mu.

Chen Mu, besides General Bai Long He and Xiao Yu, is the only person she trusts, she can depend on and feels comfortable being with. Add up the nudging of everyone around them, example, the Royal Concubine and the expectation of producing an heir since they're already married.

Bai Fan never experienced romance, even in her past life so she has no idea how it works. But Bai Fan likes Chen Mu, she acknowledges that feeling and she's willing to nurture that feeling into something more.

I hope this helps. Thank you for reading and leaving comments. It was fun reading them. We're ranked at #12 in the fantasy genre as well, yay lovelies ♥ ||