"Emperor Cheng Yi Xing wants the hand of your daughter Li Xue...." The man said with deep voice and his shoulders risen up like a clown but one girl butted in and caused havoc.

"Oh no, he wants Li Xue's hand to be cut." Dumb sister asserted in disgust.

***

The mother walked hurriedly towards her and pinched Dumb sister in the arm,"Shush down,"she muttered to her. Her eyes were burning like a fire, Mother never expected that lass Li Xue to be so lucky to marry an Emperor.

She was unaware of which position she will get, that angered her even more and filled her heart with jealousy. The woman always prepared the best for her children by sending them to the most prestigious school and she expected them to have a better fate than Li Xu in return.

"I don't believe she will become a noble consort. Maybe she will be a concubine or perhaps lower than that," The woman thought to herself while she eyed Li Xue.

On the other side, Li Xue was not expecting the proposal of the Emperor this early when she hasn't done the things she wanted yet.

Li Xue planned on traveling across the country, meeting with commoners to talk about their everyday life, eating the delicious food from the streets to the fanciest restaurants.

She started to plot on how to decline the offer and live happily ever after in the manor along with sweet Bai Zheng and her funny sisters. She enjoyed teasing them; even though her family is dysfunctional, in the end of the day she found that she loves them no matter what.

Li Xue knew that the palace means trouble and death that is the main reason she wants to avoid it, every person that has healthy mind would know that too, except those power hungry who gamble their life away. Her thoughts were interrupted by the familiar voice.

"Such joy has been bestowed to us by the Emperor, may he live long and be successful," Father laughed heartily.

Father gazed towards Li Xue, "Li Xue what are you waiting for, hurry up and accept the scroll." He ordered her.

Li Xue had no other choice but to accept the scroll at the moment because if Li Xue didn't accept that meant defying the Emperors orders, which results in immediate death.

Looks like she has to push further off her plans, on the day when the both parties will meet, Li Xue thought.

She gave a deep sigh and got up to take the scroll, the moment she was on her feet Xue could feel eyes boring into her back which made her feel even more awkward.

On the instant that she took the scroll on her hands, the room flooded with many betrothal gifts, from silver plates to golden hairpins, jade necklaces, to rare books and money.

The eyes of the Twins and Mother sparkled brighter than stars when they noticed the beautiful things, they had already set their eyes on some of them.

Xue was a person that if she can't keep the things to herself then she better throw them away rather than see others wearing her things unless she willingly wants to give them. But this time neither of her family members talked or asked her which she really appreciated.

Li Xue wanted to give them whichever gifts they wanted but this is another issue, they are the betrothal gifts of the „marriage" she never approved of and wasn't even asked of her opinion.

"I received them so that means they are mine now, I can do everything I want with them. Is that right Father?" Li Xue spoke while she twirled a lock of her hair around her fingers.

He was flabbergasted by her question, but replied with soft tone,"That's right my daughter, they are yours." He was curious, what was the point she wanted to make by saying this. Maybe the reason is that she doesn't want to share them with her sisters. Silly child, he thought.

"His highness is preparing a banquet before the wedding which will take place at the capital. Meanwhile the wedding will take place the next day they will be back to his country."

„And of course you all are invited too as the most prestigious guests of the happy fest." The envoy continued with firm tone, he bowed once more and left the manor to go back to the Emperor to tell him the „known" happy news.

"I will take my leave, Father." Li Xue broke the silence.

He replied with a smile on his face,"Go on, Li Xue." Mother wanted to say something but he told her to walk with him because he had a beautiful necklace for her and dispersed the sisters by informing them that tomorrow he will buy everything they will like.

Father knew their minds were restless and that they were jealous of Li Xue so he took advantage of their weakness towards pretty things to make it up for them.

In the other side Li Xue already left the Manor with Bai Zheng, but before doing so she gathered a few men to help her carry the luxurious things. She paid them tenfold the price to protect her from the street hooligans too, which they gladly accepted.

When they arrived at the city, Xue told the carriage man to go on the streets of the poor commoners because she was still unfamiliar and didn't know who lives where.

After quarter minutes they arrived, Li Xue ordered them to set up a small tent in the city outskirts and sat down on the golden chest which was the main piece of the treasures and she put a table in front of her along with a wooden chair.

Some people gathered due to the sight of a rich lady and her guards carrying unimaginable riches of the country. They were in awe but with a hint of anger as why is she promoting her wealth on the streets, what can she profit from doing so.

Xue interrupted the gossip and shouted,"Call your neighbors and your family, everyone that suffers or is poor or sick will get a gift from me." While she played and twirled with her clothes.

Everyone at the place started running from little children to eldery. And in less than ten minutes all the folks uninvited or not, that lived there or not, rich or poor, tall or short, old or young; gathered around Li Xue.

„Please make a line according to the matter as who came earlier," she suggested. That would make the things easier than the people being scattered around Xue, not allowing her to breathe properly.

The guards were ready to disperse them but the people were fast that they immediately made a long line, one after one.

In the spotlight there was an overweight man who was stinking in riches of the life, yet he was fighting with the poor people for the first row, in which case he won in the end because he paid guards with him to keep the people away.

He came in front of Li Xue and put his leg on the chair,"What do you have for me lady," he said as he gave her a wink.

„What you have for me, I have for you" unbothered Li Xue replied.

The greedy man pondered what to say, while a sweat dripped over his forehead „Erm I have brought nothing Miss."

Li Xue gave a big laugh, „Exactly, I have nothing for you" she said.

The folks who were gathered, started to laugh and mock the rich guy.

„You bastard!" the man slammed the wooden table down as his ego was hurt, he ordered his men to cause a havoc, beat up Li Xue and steal her treasures. But before Bai Zheng took countermeasures, in the scene entered a Royal Guard.

„What is going on here?" he asked with his deep ringing voice. The Guard was armored from head to toe along with his heavy sword on his side, he was sitting on a brown steady horse that had hints of white.

The Royal Guard had several men along his side too, who quietly followed him cautiously to not do something wrong which would make their head roll off.

He was clearly a man in his thirties, eyes sharp as an arrow companied with a short beard which complimented his looks overall. He didn't look as rough as the other guards who were there too with him.

„My Master wanted to award the poor with money but this man entered the scene and wanted the money for himself." Bai Zheng explained with strong tone, he got so tense when the Royal Guard joined the little party between the arrogant man and Li Xue.

Li Xue thought to herself, Ohoho my little Tiger is threatened by the potential love rival. She snickered.

„You can leave Mister, you clearly aren't on the level of these commoners or you want to get imprisoned?" the Royal Guard said as he jumped down off his horse.

The rich man stomped his feet, „Hmph, I will take my leave. But if this lass dares to mock me one more time then she will get beaten up." He added.

The man shouted to his Guards that they will return to the manor and they left after making such unnecessary havoc.

„Miss are you alright, you are not hurt anywhere are you?" the Royal Guard asked Li Xue.

„I am good, he didn't even touch me. Thanks for your care, Hottie." She replied with a dashing smile.

Ah I did it again, she mentally punched herself but yet again who could resist complimenting handsome men.

„Miss I am sure you are mistaken, my name is Li Jing." He introduced himself and he greeted with fist palm.

Li Xue slightly bowed while trying to hold back her laughter but then she got lost in thoughts. This seems like a Déjà vu to me or I am mistaken, I'm sure this has happened before.

The silence was long and exhausting but at the exact time the man ran towards Li Xue. He catches her and he spins Li Xue around his arms.

At the moment everything was in slow motion for Li Xue, she started drooling at such close sight of his face. Li Jing was even more handsome up close, she analyzed the scar on his cheek. Li Xue didn't see that before because it was light scar, didn't go in deep on his face.

She could feel his heartbeat, his body warmth because of his strong arms that tightened the gasp around her. Am I in a dream, she mumbled at herself. Xue was too focused on him that she didn't feel the blood dripping off her nose.

„Miss you are not alright, you are exhausted from the sun." Li Jing looked at her with worried eyes.

Bai Zheng interrupted the romantic scene as he snatched Li Xue away from the arms of the big man.

„I will take care of her" Bai Zheng said with a furrow on his face.

He took out a napkin and wiped the blood off, his hands were slightly shaking because he was afraid not to worsen her condition. Bai Zheng looked at her with such loving expression and caring, he was so worried when he saw blood but Li Xue didn't notice anything.

She was just standing still lost in her imaginary world of thoughts; she didn't know what to do and decided to not do anything just in case Zheng doesn't get even more angry. The dream she lasted short. But better something than nothing, she smirked.

In this era handsome men were rare just like the modern times but unlike Li Xue's time here the handsome men were not appreciated. The people acted as if they were just another human beings, what counted here was the title and money.

And if you don't have these two you are just another ugly commoner no matter the face or the talent. Only the ones that were born with a silver spoon in their mouth would have prosperous and nice life ahead even if they don't work and be lazy all their life.

„If the miss allows me, I want to pay you a dinner." The Royal Guard offered, with a fist palm greet.

Zheng replied with a forced smile, „Young Miss has to stay here for the treasure giving and head back home after that because of the curfew."

Li Xue laughed while she put her hand to cover her mouth, „My apologies Mister Li Jing I don't have the time but I hope the fate will meet us again. I am so thankful to you for helping me today. Please take anything you like from my treasures as a token of my appreciation." She said with her calming, sugarcoated voice.

Li Jing laughed, „Miss it's all my pleasure, your sweet words are enough for me. Please call me if you need anything or encounter problems along the way."

„I sure will, thank you once again Mister. And I'm sorry I still have not introduced myself, I am Li Xue. Nice meeting you." she bowed.

„Nice to meet you my Lady, well now I have to go. Take care." Li Jang climbed the horse and left with his guards.

„Little Bai shall we continued?" Xue asked as she still was looking at the silhouette of the man on the horse that was far away.

„I thought you will never ask," he replied with s cold tone.

„Oh look who is jealous, my special super sweet little Tiger I can never forget you. You are my one and only." Li Xue sugarcoated, she came up to him and threw her arm around his shoulders as she giggled.

He was upset but in the end he gave in to her cuteness. But deep inside of him something was hurt, something was on on rage, ready to ravish anyone that wants to harm Li Xue or steal her from him. Bai Zheng was unfamiliar of these feelings, he wondered if it was because she is his Master that he feels these kind of emotions or was it because of something else.

After a hour and half, they finished giving away the money and treasures. Li Xue paid the guards and the maids that attended her also her Bai Zheng to have money to buy presents for their family and beloved ones or have a rich table with random dishes everyday with the money and things that were left.

Li Xue was skipping through the road happily going to the carriage until she bumped into a large man whose body was strong as an mountain. He had a dark tone, short hair and  overworn robes that had holes.

I didn't know there were dark skinned people here, I never read a book mentioning them. Why is that? Li Xue pondered while ignoring the pain she felt when they bumped.

"Who is this," the man didn't even finish his sentence properly. He put his right hand into a fist, ready to hit Li Xue; but the moment he saw her he stopped.

His eyes started to shine brighter than the sun of the day, than the shine of the golden necklaces. They were portraying a gleam of hope that was unmeasurable.

Bai Zheng on the other side was also ready to hit the man but Li Xue grabbed his arm, she signaled him to not do anything. She was curious to see what is going on, what does he want from her by acting like this.

"Follow me," he said, while he took her hand. It was unmistakable that Li Xue and the man never meet before, nor had any connection.

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