Chapter 50 (1/2)

Chapter 50: Insults and Mockeries

They were close. Nan Xun could see how bashful Jun Huang actually was feeling, and Jun Huang could see the tenderness Nan Xun hid under his steely expression.

Jun Huang suppressed the unfamiliar feelings in her heart and took a step back, b.u.mping into the table behind her. Nan Xun quickly pulled her in and bent his head bent down to ask, ”Does it hurt?”

Leaning against Nan Xun's chest, Jun Huang's breathing grew erratic and her usual composure was long gone. She didn't know what to do, so she just let Nan Xun hold her.

When the clerk came back from his trip to the storage room, he was surprised to see his two customers being within one another's personal s.p.a.ce. Jun Huang quickly pushed Nan Xun away and focused on something else, her cheeks red. Nan Xun looked away after throwing Jun Huang a glance.

This was a rare chance for Jun Huang to indulge herself in shopping. She bought one of almost every item sold in the store. Nan Xun teased her for doing so. She shrugged and said it was Qi Chen's silver she was spending. Nan Xun snorted and didn't comment on that.

When they left the store, the sun was setting. Jun Huang looked at the dim lights on the street, her heart suddenly soared. She turned to Nan Xun with bright eyes and a soft smile. ”Thank you for your help today. It's about time for dinner. If Your Highness is willing, what do you say I buy you dinner and some drinks at a tavern?”

Nan Xun was looking off into the distance. In the end, he shook his head and sighed. ”Sorry. I have matters to attend to now. We will see each other again at a later time. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to share a meal. You should go now. Come on. I'll walk you back.” He left for Prince Chen Manor before Jun Huang could say anything.

She didn't have a choice but to follow. However she still felt a little lost. It was difficult for a woman to invite a man to dine, yet Nan Xun had turned her down.

The streets were bustling with activity. This was a prosperous city. Had Western Que not been destroyed, would it be this lively as well? She couldn't help but wonder about that from time to time.

When they reached the manor, Qi Chen was standing by the gate. Jun Huang cursed under her breath. It was too late for Nan Xun to leave. Qi Chen had already seen them and was coming this way.

Qi Chen looked at Nan Xun with a polite but distant smile. ”This is a surprise.”

”I ran into gentleman Feng on the street and saw that his servants were carrying quite a lot of things,” Nan Xun met Qi Chen's eyes and said openly. There was no trace of guilt on his face. ”This is the imperial city, however it is late. There are many people who may see them as the perfect target. I decided to accompany gentleman Feng to keep him safe.”

He was so convincing Qi Chen thought he was probably telling the truth. Even Jun Huang was almost compelled to believe his words.

Sometimes she felt that maybe Nan Xun was simply being polite and didn't really care for her at all. Now, when she looked up at him, she saw a handsome face with no warmth. This was a man who would never be hindered by anyone nor anything in the mortal world. This man would always be above all others. Always cold and collected. She felt the urge to ask if the affection she felt in the past was real, and if their entanglement today really happened.

But Jun Huang wasn't the princess of Western Que anymore. She was gentleman Feng Baiyu. She had to always keep in mind the family and country she had lost. How could she let anything stop her from reaching her goal? She had to let her past self die. She must never open up to anyone again.

Nan Xun looked aside and noticed the undercurrent of emotions in Jun Huang's eyes. Suddenly he felt his chest tighten. He didn't know why exactly. He only knew there was something he had to clarify. Before he could say anything, however, Jun Huang had turned back into the usual Feng Baiyu. Always so very distant to everyone; it was like there was nothing tying her to the world.

”Thank you, Your Highness, for walking me back.” Jun Huang cupped her hands and bowed. ”It's late. You should return soon. It's cold and humid at night. Take care not to get sick.”

Nan Xun balled up his hands into fists and couldn't stop them from trembling. He closed his eyes to cover up his feelings. When he opened his eyes, he was again the war G.o.d of Northern Qi, and Jun Huang was only an honored guest dependant on another prince, waiting for a chance to get her revenge.

He didn't say anything. He didn't have anything to say, either. He took his leave with his pageboy. Dust flew up from the tail of his robe and danced in the lamplight.

The pageboy had been serving Nan Xun for many years. He could clearly see that Nan Xun was brooding. On their way back he remained silent for fear of angering his prince further.

Jun Huang looked away from Nan Xun. Qi Chen slowly opened his mouth and said, ”Brother Feng appears familiar with Nan Xun. Did you know each other from before?”

Jun Huang smiled a little. ”When I traveled around I once ran into a group of bandits. If not for Prince Nan's help, I would have died before reaching Northern Qi. We didn't really know each other. I just owe him a favor. Rest a.s.sured, I know where to draw the line.”

Qi Chen nodded. ”That's fine, then. Brother Feng must remember, however, that Nan Xun is not the upstanding sort. You have to be careful when you're with him.”