The Princess And The Lord

Zhao Li Xin was in a deep conversation with the Red Vermilion Palace King, Bei Li Yan, in his study. Bei Li Yan was also twenty-five years old like Zhao Li Xin and was unmarried. He was an androgynous beauty that could seduce both men and women. He always wore red robes with the vermilion bird embroidery on his sleeve to show his identity as a Palace King. While Zhao Li Xin was considered indifferent and cold, Bei Li Yan was more outgoing, flirtatious, and mischievous. He was a free-spirited man that no one could control that is until he met Zhao Li Xin.

"The Huang siblings are looking for Milord everywhere. They are quite meticulously," Bei Li Yan smiled seductively. Zhao Li Xin didn't answer. He sipped his wine with a bored expression.

"About the Liangzu princess, we have uncovered an important matter about her," Bei Li Yan was used to Zhao Li Xin's indifferent reaction and chose to continue his report without worry. He put his wine cup on the table, "Turns out the princess is the niece of the current Emperor. She is the daughter of the previous Emperor who died young."

"The current Emperor didn't kill her?" Zhao Li Xin frowned. In such situations, the emperor would have killed the previous Emperor's offspring to avoid chances of rebellion. The other thing he could do was to marry her off to a small foreign country to keep her at bay. It was bizarre that he chose to keep her alive and close.

"She wasn't just kept alive. Rumor has it that the Emperor even treats her better than his own daughter. Isn't that amazing?" Bei Li Yan was skeptical about the situation. He was also annoyed that there was something even he couldn't dig out, "We still don't know the reason he gives her special treatment. The innermost circle could be the only ones who would know the reason."

Zhao Li Xin remained placid as his hand fiddled with the glass in his fingers. It seemed like he was in deep thought but it was hard to judge since his expression was always the same. Bei Li Yan also went quiet and continued drinking his wine.

Zhao Li Xin stopped fiddling with his glass and glanced at Bei Li Yan, "Watch Huang Zi Feng closely. I think he knows something important."

"I have already done that, Milord," Be Li Yan nodded respectfully and smiled charmingly.

"What is the news about my jade placard?" Zhao Li Xin lazily leaned back.

"That old man is the one who carved that jade fifty years ago for a noble family outside this continent. However, he will not tell us who is the person is. He seems fearful of that person. We wanted to force him to reveal more but he works for Miss Tang so we didn't push him too much," Bei Li Yan probed Zhao Li Xin's reaction. Tang Mei Yi was the only woman who had associated with Zhao Li Xin for years. Zhao Li Xin didn't seem to favor her but he also didn't resent her as he did others. There was a rumor she could become the Hei Shen Sect future madam, but Mong Yi recently spat on the rumor. He said Bei Li Yan had not met the real future madam.

"Since when did we need her permission to do anything?" Zhao Li Xin was annoyed. He didn't understand why his people worried about Tang Mei Yi's reaction. He was slightly nice to her because her master and his master were friends. There was nothing more.

Bei Li Yan realized he had angered the demon lord. He bowed deeply at Zhao Li Xin, "Apologies, Milord. We will proceed with our plan to gain more information."

Zhao Li Xin wasn't pacified by the apology. He hated that his people thought he had a secret relationship with Tang Mei Yi. He worried this rumor would reach a certain woman in his manor. He didn't want her to misunderstand him or worse keep her distance from him because she thought he already had someone else. His wild imagination made him feel anxious like he never felt before.

Bei Li Yan was confused as to why his lord's face kept changing from upset to worry to anxious then back to being upset.

It was the first time Bei Li Yan had seen Zhao Li Xin being too expressive. Bei Li Yan was dumbfounded by the scene. The two were immersed in their own thought when someone knocked on the door. The door was opened by Mong Ki before Zhao Li Xin could ask them to go in. Bei Li Yan frowned as he knew Zhao Li Xin hated being disturbed when he was in the middle of a conversation.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Milord. They told me to bring you more wine…" Lory looked behind her but the Mong brothers were no longer behind her. She cursed the two men for leaving her in an awkward position.

Bei Li Yan recognized Lory as the same woman standing next to Zhao Li Xin the last time they were at Jiang Wei Imperial Palace. He had wanted to investigate her more but Zhao Li Xin kicked him away before he could properly talk to the infamous lady.

Zhao Li Xin's gloomy face lightened up. He rose from his big chair and walked towards her. He took the tray from her hands, "You should leave this menial job to the servants."

'Am I not a maid anymore? It's so confusing'.

"It's fine. I got nothing to do anyway. I'm sorry to bother your meeting. Please excuse me…" Lory bowed respectfully at Zhao Li Xin and Bei Li Yan.

"You don't have to… we're done. Have you had your dinner yet?" Zhao Li Xin placed the tray on the table and gently glanced at Lory. Bei Li Yan almost shrieked in shock but he held himself back thankfully. He never saw Zhao Li Xin being gentle to anyone, not even to his own master, Tian Meng Ji.

"No, I haven't," Lory replied.

"Let's have dinner then," Zhao Li Xin said softly.

"Okay. Uhm… Master Bei, would you like to join us for dinner?" Lory thought it was impolite to have dinner without asking the guest to join them. Zhao Li Xin didn't have the same thought but he would give in to her if she wanted it.

Bei Li Yan who never been invited for dinner by Zhao Li Xin was bewildered but quickly recovered to grab the opportunity presented to him. He answered with excitement, "Yes, of course..." 

The three of them arrived in the dining hall. The servants had prepared a grand dinner for them. The table for twelve was cover with food that Lory could barely see the table surface. Lory sat next to Zhao Li Xin like usual while Bei Li Yan sat opposite them. It didn't take long for Bei Li Yan to feel like a third wheel.

Zhao Li Xin knew Lory didn't like to eat rice and preferred sweet food, so he asked the chef to prepare red bean soup for her with black mochi on it. He then proceeded to put veggies and roasted duck on her plate to ensure she had a balanced diet. 

Lory was used to Zhao Li Xin treating her like a kindergarten kid. The servants were also used to their lord dotting on Miss Luo before everyone and didn't bother with it. Bei Li Yan was the only one wearing a shocked expression. He was like a deer in headlights.

He looked around to confirm if he was dreaming. The servants looked back at him with understanding. They nodded slightly at him, 'You are not dreaming'.

"Master Bei, are you not eating?" Lory's voice woke Bei Li Yan from his daze. It was the first time Bei Li Yan was flustered before a woman. Fortunately, Lory didn't realize it. "Is it because your cultivation is high? People say the higher your cultivation the less food you need to replenish your energy."

"I was thinking about something. Let's eat..." Bei Li Yan smiled awkwardly and lifted his rice bowl.

Lory tilted her head. She thought Bei Li Yan was Zhao Li Xin's subordinate and was curious about something. She leaned towards Zhao Li Xin and whispered in his ear, "Between you and him, who is stronger?"

Bei Li Yan who has keen hearing because of his high cultivation easily heard Lory words. He was so shocked that he almost spit out his food. He tried to hold it in and coughed loudly. Lory was stunned by his reaction. She immediately poured a cup of tea for Bei Li Yan thinking it would be embarrassing if a cultivator was choked to death by food.

"T…thank…you," Bei Li Yan unceremoniously accepted the teacup from Lory. However, he missed Zhao Li Xin's death glare. Zhao Li Xin was annoyed she worried too much about his subordinate.

'Hump, he should die for it!'

This was the first time Zhao Li Xin found Bei Li Yan annoying. He had the urge to kick him out of his manor. If Bei Li Yan knew what Zhao Li Xin was thinking he would deny Zhao Li Xin's thoughts. 'This is not my fault!'

It took a minute for Bei Li Yan to calm down. Lory felt bad for him and apologized sincerely, "Master Bei, it's my fault. I'm sorry for being rude."

Bei Li Yan's opinion on Lory rose. She was a sensible and modest lady even when she backed by the demon lord himself.

"No…no Miss Luo. I'm was just surprised. You don't need to feel bad," Bei Li Yan carelessly waved his hands. A charming smile returned to his beautiful androgynous face.

"You are so nice, master Bei," Lory giggled softly at his charming smile. Her clear and sweet giggles widened Bei Li Yan's smile. That is until he noticed a certain lord was viciously glaring at him.

'You really want to die, huh?'

Cold sweat appeared on Bei Li Yan's forehead as he felt King Yama would soon visit him. He waved his hands in exaggeration, "But…but, comparing me to Milord is like comparing a turtle to the moon. My talent is nothing compared to Milord. I'm just dirt while our lord's talent is pure... pure like gold."

The servants were awed as they had never seen Master Bei bootlick their lord vigorously. It was like his life depended on it which was what Bei Li Yan actually felt. 

"Li Xin, you never told me you are so talented," Lory looked at Zhao Li Xin in dismay and pretended to be hurt. Her eyes were filled with admiration for the man next to her, "This is not fair. You never tell me anything."

"I will tell you everything you want to hear," Zhao Li Xin's anger dissipated when he saw how she was looking at him. A dazzling smile that could hurt people's eyes touched his lips. 

'Thank God, I'm saved…' Bei Li Yan secretly thanked whoever answered his prayers.