As Jin qing expected, she heard the clicking of beads and the swish of heavy cloth the very next morning.

If what Yu Qi said was right... Well, Jin qing wanted to be underneath Tian Xiang's protection as soon as possible without making it too suspicious.

This was going to be tricky. She knew Shen Feng's mother was a master at the things she was about to try and was worried that she might see right through her plan. 

Jin qing was about to try herself some manipulation.

She had never tried to purposely manipulate someone, but she has been a victim to a master for most of her childhood. If only she can just replicate what Gui Fei did to her but with a few tweaks and on a lesser scale...

After all, Gui Fei's intention for her was to scare Jin Qing into submission.

Jin qing didn't want that with Tian Xiang. She wanted to earn his respect and trust.

But how was she going to do that? She has never been too good at such things, manipulating other people's thoughts and emotions.
Jin qing knew she needed to try.

Unlike yesterday when she had to guess if it was Yu Qi the person that came down, she knew as a fact that Tian Xiang was the one visiting her this time.

Jin qing needed to take advantage of the fact that Shen Feng isn't here to distract her from any physical pain and get herself underneath even more protection. The only reason why she wasn't dead is because of the man that is walking down the stairs now, and so she needs to make sure she stays in his favor.

"Good morning Tian Xiang." Jin qing called out without looking up, even before he had even appeared in visible view by the door.

"How did you know it was me?"

"Who else except for Shen Feng would visit me?" She asked, tilting her head. "Oh, right. Huan le. But I heard the unusually heavy cloth, and assumed it was you."

"Li Huan Le, the woman's a genius." Tian Xiang stood in front of the cell and watched Jin qing as she braided the strands of hay. "She managed to fool an entire country and it's people, build connections-"

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

"Hm?"

"And the fact that she betrayed her own country just because she saw a better opportunity in another." Jin qing finally looked up and set the braid down "What makes you think she won't do that here?"

"You're talking as if everyone is like Gui Fei for Shen Feng."

"No, not everyone." A small smirk played on her lips "It's just that their actions and motives seem relatively similar, don't you think?"

Tian Xiang frowned, and Jin qing can practically see the shift in his eyes as he processed what she just said. "What are you implying? And my question remains the same, why are you telling me this."

"And so does my answer." Jin qing answered simply "What did I say last time? Don't you remember? I hate her almost as much as I hate Shen Feng and his mother and I want her dead." Jin qing tilted her head "But here is my question, why are you here? I'm pretty sure you didn't just come here because you were bored and wanted a chat."

"Of course not." Tian Xiang answered, "I came here to offer you a deal."

Jin qing didn't expect that. Was her plan working so well that she's already getting out of this cell? Or is she just an idiot and is giving herself too much credit? She knew Tian Xiang won't be as easy to fool than Xi Jian. "Oh? What is it?"

"I'll get you out of this cell, if and only if you help me with court matters."

Nothing Jin qing wasn't used to. This is exactly what she wanted. But this was far too easy, she had expected and planned for this stage to be much more drawn out over a longer period of time. "Be more specific." She mused "Just saying court matters is quite a general perspective. Care to narrow down a few things?"

"How about," Tian Xiang sighed "Making sure Gui Fei and Huan le doesn't start planning a rebellion behind my back?"

"And why would I want to help you?"

"Because if I get overthrown, The Wei will be overrun with Shen Feng's violent methods and you'll most likely be dead."

That struck Jin qing harder than she would have liked, and she saw no flaw in his logic. "And what am I to gain from this? You said that I would be able to get out of this filthy cell that looks too much like my old prison in the Liang... But if I was outside, wouldn't I still be under constant watch?"

"Do you want to get out or not?" Tian Xiang asked, seemingly starting to get impatient "Do you want to live for their execution or not? I'm trying to help you and help my kingdom at the same time."

though the second option was very tempting, Jin Qing's main focus was to get back to the Wei where she can assist them in winning this war. "You have a fair point." She struggled to her feet, her knees nearly buckling and giving away from her weight. "When do I leave? You're also going to need a valid reason why I'm out and about to Gui Fei and her son. I'm not too sure if you have noticed, but they aren't as stupid as you think or hope."

"I'll say I guarantee you the safety you needed." Tian Xiang said matter of factly "I'm sure you're starting to grow weary from Shen Feng's tricks and wants it to end."

Jin qing was slightly doubtful, as that was hardly a legitimate reason. But Jin qing didn't say anything as she saw how his eyes were shining "Alright. Though you will grant me my safety, yes? It would be difficult for me to walk around knowing that Shen Feng can still harm me at any time."

"That goes without saying." Tian Xiang agreed "I can't have someone working for me get hurt now can I?"

"I'm not working for you, Tian Xiang." Jin Qing reminded him "We're technically working together in this case. You're helping me by making sure I don't get hurt or injured, and I help you by making sure those three aren't planning a rebellion." she gestured at the lock in front of her "Free me?"

Tian Xiang took out the metal keys from a pouch and selected one. The key hovered in front of the keyhole, and he looked up at her "Before I do that, promise me... swear to me on a few things."

"Within reason."

"First, you won't take advantage of your newly found freedom to try and escape-"

Jin qing burst into laughter, interrupting him mid-sentence. "That's like handing candy to a child and telling him not to eat it! Do you really think I can promise something like that? I am many things, Tian Xiang, but I try not to have a promise-breaker be one of them."

Tian Xiang sighed, clearly, he already knew she was going to say that. "I know. It would be impossible for me to ask you not to start thinking of ways to leave. But think about it, if you leave, there's going to be no one here to catch them. And I know for a fact that if those three combine their strengths-"

"Nothing good." Jin qing interrupted him again. She didn't like how he seemed to be gaining the upper hand in this conversation, but she'll make do. "How about this, I swear I won't actually make an escape attempt until I can tell you for sure if they are planning anything behind your back."

"Will you stay and help me crush their rebellion?"

"Oh, no." Jin qing rolled her eyes "I'll give that honor to you. But don't worry- I'll stay here long enough to make sure you have the time and the resources to suppress it. I do want the Wei to win the war after all."

"Is it even worth it?" Tian Xiang asked "Is it even worth helping the Wei? I'm sure you know how idiotic the emperor there is."

Jin qing knew that very well, but she had a plan for Xi Jian. "I know, but I have called the Wei my home for many years. I won't betray them for anything in the world." She lifted up her arms to show him the cuffs on her arms and the lock that was still on the door. "Care to release me now? These cuffs have been on me for goodness knows how long and they're starting hurt a lot more than they should have."

With a soft chuckle, Tian Xiang unlocked both the doors and the restraints himself and lead Jin qing outside.

As soon as Jin qing can breathe in the fresh air, her mind instinctively told her to make a run for it. She knew she wouldn't make it too far with the number of injuries on her and the guards surrounding the palace.

Tian Xiang started walking "I have prepared you a room, and that's where you'll be staying, where you'll be free to move about."

"Under supervision, I suspect."

"Of course, but only to some extent." Tian Xiang looked back slightly "After all, I do want you to succeed in what you're doing."

The smug shine in his eyes made Jin qing very uncomfortable. She knew this wouldn't be as easy as it seems. "This isn't much different than my time as the Xue Xian. I'll be alright."

"I know you will." Tian Xiang nodded "Shen Feng is out and won't be back for another week and a half. Would you be able to do anything by that time?"

Jin qing picked at the rags she was wearing, shivering a little despite the warm summer heat "We'll see."

"I would like a definite answer."

"And I won't be able to provide one, as I have not started on anything."

They crossed into a square courtyard after stepping over some stairs. The center of this building was a patch of grass with a single tree and a few flowers in the center. The sides were rooms, all plainly decorated much to Jin qing's comfort.

Why, this place looks like my old room in the Wei before Xi jian moved me to the palace.

She noted the guards that were stationed right outside of her walls, and the single entrance this place had. Placing an amused smile on her face, Jin qing looked up at Tian Xiang "Well this is quite the nice place you're giving to someone who is still technically a prisoner."

"A prisoner belongs in a cell, but you do not." Tian Xiang answered, "And so, therefore, you aren't one."

"Then what am I?"

"A guest underneath my protection."

This is exactly what Jin qing wanted, protection. But why did she feel so uneasy? This was far too simple for her to be suddenly free from that prison cell. She looked up at Tian Xiang, and a sense of worry passed through her.

Why is he so difficult to read? I can't tell anything from him, and this bothers me. I've heard stories about how clever and crafty he can be, am I falling into his trap without knowing it?

Hello!
It's me again :3

Soooo I probably won't be updating next week.

Life's (and highschool) has been tough and I've been relying on prewritten chapters lately.

Sooo to take some pressure off my time, I won't be publishing next week so I can plan and try to drag myself out of writers block.
(Can you imagine? Writers block at such a time? Yeah me neither)

Sorry! And I'll see you all in two weeks :3