"Did you enjoy?"

Sitting comfortably in the carriage as it trotted along the path back towards home, Feiyun spoke as she tilted her head up slightly, her eyes gentle and warm as she stared into the deep blue abyss.

"Mmh... I expected nothing less."

Leaning closer for a little taste, Tianhuo replied in a hush whisper, his eyes fixed onto hers. Those round, intelligent eyes could bring cities to crumble and fall before her, hiding so many secrets that even Tianhuo didn't know what else he could expect from her.

Using the other hand of his, he lifted her chin and swooped in slowly. The two locked together as his tongue ravaged her sweet mouth, not stopping for a breather until a moment later.

Pulling a part for a quick breather, Feiyun's appearance of flushed red cheeks and misted eyes were igniting a fire within Tianhuo and he could only restrain his urges.

" Tired?.."

Trying to change the topic to keep his minds off the urges. Feiyun shot him a helpless naughty look as she gasps for air, this man, was he asking if she was tired from the kiss or from everything in general. Such misleading words.

But without any delay Feiyun smirked as she nodded, her eyes flashing with deadly intent,

"Mmhn, this is only just the beginning. That's right, how about Ruyi?"

Just as her words finished, Ruyi's voice sounded from outside the carriage. Sounding more serious than before although it still held traces his foxiness.

"Princess needn't worry about it. I went to check and there are some worrying matters. But it is not safe to discuss this here. "

Feiyun frowned slightly in thought. Tianhuo simply observing his smart little princess, how could he ever get tired of his princess's ever changing expression.

"FeiQin."

"This one is here."

FeiQins clear voice sounded from outside. A trace of happiness and excitement. A brief moment of warmth flashed through Feiyun's eyes, after all FeiQin was the first person she met in this place and was also the previous Feiyun's close friend that she even regarded her as sworn sisters.

"How is it?"

FeiQin's voice became slightly happier as she replied,

"Yueliang Pavillion is ready. Master just needs to give the order."

The corner of Feiyun's lips curled, her amused expression cause a small smile to unknowingly appear on Tianhuo's lips.

This little lioness preferred to do the hunting than to count on the help of others. If his little lioness want to play, he would let her run wild and free, after all with him behind there's no way he would let her get hurt.

"Tianhuo... The revenge we seek, I won't rest with letting those fools have a quick death. Layer by layer only then will they suffer so much that death becomes their only saving grace."

Pulling her closer into his embrace, Tianhuo simply nodded and hummed in agreement.

Somehow when faced with those resolute eyes of hers, he felt he could leave it to her.

After witnessing the play she presented to him. To think that she managed to pull off such a big scheme in a span of a few hours. Even playing by ear when unknown variables popped up, she actually spun it into a plot only she could tell.

If Tianhuo didn't watch from the start to finish with his own eyes, there was no way he would believe she pulled such a stun off with such little time to prepare.

Alas, this lioness of his was truly fearsome. Willing to protect him and help him take his revenge even when he didn't ask her to, his heart ached slightly as the unknown feeling crept over him. When had he ever experienced such warmth before he met her.

"Master. We've arrived."

The carriage came to a slow stop as the driver announced their arrival. Without delay Tianhuo and Feiyun alighted and made their way to Tianhuo's study room for discussion.

The room was simple and clean. Fragrant smell of light incense filled the air, well lit by the large sliding doors that remained open to allow air and light into the room. Just outside was a peaceful and quiet garden with a small lotus pond.

In the middle was a grand desk made from the precious red-rose wood, on it sat a neat pile of scrolls and a set of ink and brush.

It stood surrounded by shelves of scrolls varying in thickness and material. Some older while others fairly new.

One look at the room and Feiyun could already feel the majestic commanding atmosphere. This was the place that Tianhuo had spent most of his time in before he met her.

Planning and strategizing and even suffering from his attacks of the LanJing Lotus poison that stained his eyes blue.

Tianhuo had stiffly felt Feiyun's change and glanced towards her slightly wondering what could have upsetted her.

"What's wrong?"

Gently reaching out to her, his cool fingertips lifting her small chin, bringing her eyes to meet his own which were filled with a sense of gentleness and worry.

"...nothing... Just, this room makes me think of the pain you had to go through before."

Seeing her eyes downcast with sadness, the long lashes of hers slightly moist, Tianhuo could only pull her into his embrace once again leaving a kiss on her forehead, he did not know what to say but he knew he hated that sadness in her eyes and only after a long while did he respond,

"It's ok, doesn't hurt anymore."

Feiyun chuckled softly into his chest, her arms wrapped around his waist. Of course, she could tell that she had made him stumped for words.

"I know, now that I'm here if you still hurt then I have failed as your wife."

Hearing her arrogantly declaring her statement, Tianhuo finally relaxed only to meet her smiling eyes once again. His heart slowly calming down as he followed her to the tea table at the side.

As they settled down to the side, Butler Zhao tactfully prepared some tea and refreshment for them and left the room. As experienced as he was he knew that Tianhuo would only come to this room when he had work to do, and now that even the Princess Consort was here, this matter was not going to be small.

In the silence, Tianhuo quietly sipped his tea only when he place it down did he finally speak, his eyes and tone serious.

"Ruyi."

Having appeared from the shadows, Ruyi knelt quietly in front of the pair. His foxy demeanor was hard to conceal and his pair of smiling crescent eyes revealed nothing as he responded with glee,

"Here! Should I start with the good news or the bad?"

Although he was Tianhuo's best friend he still respected Tianhuo as his master and separated personal and work affairs. Though recently, he had found that Tianhuo was not as intimidating with heavy pressure and dominating aura as compared to the past before Feiyun had appeared.

Perhaps the little princess had helped softened his stone-hearted friend who use to have his guard up all the time.

"Hoo... Then let's start with the good news."

Cutting in softly, Feiyun smirked as she gradually brought a teacup to her lips. Her eyes resolute and shining with anticipation.

"Oh, princess does know her things."

Ruyi's mouth curled into a mischievous smile, though genuinely he was in a good mood to relay the good news,

"Good news is that this one have infiltrated the Emperor's study. But the odd thing was that the protector of the palace seemed to have gone, not a trace left behind. I skimmed through the entire palace yesterday and couldn't find his soul or shadow anywhere."

Feiyun only continued smiling softly while gently blowing her tea, Tianhuo listening attentively by her

side, twirling the little teacup on his hand, his eyes hard to read and no one knew what he was thinking.

"And the bad?"

Feiyun continued nonchalantly as though what they were discussing was about pastries and cakes.

Upon hearing Feiyun ask for the bad news, Ruyi's expression stiffened and his smiling eyes grew even more deeper, yet it held no warmth and only the traces of cold blooded murder and seriousness.

"I found a small passage at the back of the Emperor's study. Long time ago it used to be a secret passage for the Emperor to use in emergencies...but I found traces of blood at the entrance and when I opened it..."

Ruyi paused for a moment, the shiver apparent as goosebumps spread over his body and the back of his neck, while his face frowned deeply in disgust,

"The stench of rotting blood was very strong also I could hear the sound of someone deep within but I didn't manage to enter as I was not sure of the passage. Ah, I also found this near the entrance,"

Ruyi reached into his pocket and pulled out a small little shoe. Its design were simple with a small butterfly and flower embroidered onto it.

Silence ensued as Feiyun stared at the small shoe on Ruyi's palm. Her mind quickly pulling the facts together.

Those small shoes could belong to only a young girl aged between 4-9 years old. Judging by the quality used to make the shoe it seems the young girl was just a commoner.

After a long moment, Feiyun glanced towards Tianhuo her eyes were serious as she observed him, waiting for his decision.

"Ruyi, that shoe find out who it belongs to."

Having given his order, Ruyi was about to get up when Feiyun called for FeiSha. How could his foxy ears allow him to miss the plans of the little princess, if anything she was a master of craftiness, he would whole heartedly hear and learn from her- the black bellied idol of his.

"Here."

The silent shadow of FeiSha appeared quietly by Ruyi's side. Kneeling in front of Feiyun, her head bowed low.

Ruyi had raised his eyebrows, this little lass was truly talented for her age. Given a few more years of training and nurturing she would surely be a power to behold. Even with his strength, he could feel that the little girl before him would be a tough opponent to beat. Just what happened to take away the innocence of such a young girl?

"Send a squad to check on which families have reported missing children. Not a single one to be missed. "

FeiSha merely nodded her head once after recieving the orders and left. Ruyi quickly following with a slight disappointment in his eyes.

Although to others she may have appeared normal, but to someone like Feiyun, how could she miss the ice cold killing glint that fleeted through FeiSha's eyes.

For a little girl like FeiSha who had to live life on the edge of a cliff, being sold and tortured before she could even crawl or speak such a turn of events definitely pressed the sorest and most painful memory of FeiSha.

Seeing this, Feiyun could only sigh softly her willow like eyebrows gently creased together.

"What's wrong?"

A cold but gentle finger touched Feiyun's chin, bringing her eyes to meet his own.

Feiyun stared for a brief moment before her lips bloomed into a sweet and gentle smile, her chest growing warm upon seeing the worry hidden deeply within the cold blue.

---Palace of the Rising Sun---

*Whip*

"Argh! M-mercy.."

Under the cover of dim candle light, a bloodcurdling scream repeatedly cried out for mercy. Each time the screams of the young girl sounded followed by a sharp whip lash.

After a few more lashes, the once delicate face of the young lady droop to the side, her life ceasing to exist as the light in her eyes slowly dimmed.

"Useless! Can't even take a few beatings!"

Within the dark room, Prince RuoFeng sat heavily on the golden armchair in his room.

His handsome features twisted in anger, black hair draped all over his shoulders. His always neat clothes where slightly loose, leaving his chest exposed, heaving up and down in anger and frustration.

The Eunuch at the back stood quietly, his face pale as he watch the 6th badly disfigured body being dragged out blood and innards trailing along. The cold sweat droplet sliding down his temple as he quickly patted it dry with his handkerchief.

"What's the old fool been up to recently?"

Upon hearing the arrogant voice filled with traces of murderous aura, the little eunuch quickly stepped forward with his hands in front.

"R-repying to your Highness, t-t-this one does not know, only knows that after the daily court affairs, his majesty had been locked up on his study the past week. "

"Hmp! Useless!"

Flourishing his sleeve, Ruofeng's allowed the eunuch to retreat back to his place. His eyes narrowed in thought as he rested his chin upon his right wrist.

Under the dim candle light the pale face splattered with droplets of blood seemed like a devilish demon.

Amidst his thoughts, a flutter of feathered wings sounded as a pigeon flew in through the windows with a little note tied to its leg.

Seeing this, Crown prince RuoFeng waved for the eunuch to leave before approaching the little bird.

Upon the note were a few words that made his lips bloom into a smile turning the bloodied face even more chilling. His tongue grazed across his lips, taking in bits of the blood but he did not feel the least bit disgusted.

"Good. Then let the game begin."

!

-Aerus