Escaping/Leaving.

“Is that everything?”. Staring at the items in Zhen Zhen's hands, Xi Xhen questioned. Actually, just a while ago, Xi Xhen came up with an idea– and that idea was for her to escape from the crown prince's mansion. And to be fair, she was able to execute her plan right now, since it's already evening.

“Yes, Young Mistress. I've packed all your properties, including accessories”. Zhen Zhen immediately replied since she was certain.

“Great. I can't continue to stay here like this…. That Monster Crown Prince is really mean, even on our first meet. I really dislike him a lot. Hmph”. Xi Xhen sincerely admitted before she scoffed. Just thinking about Li Yun was making her angry. “Tsk…. Because he's so handsome, does he think I would fall to his feet and comply with his silly order? I am done with this nonsense! Although I came here just yesterday, I'm already tired!”. Xi Xhen furiously added, letting out all her frustrations.

After calming down, Xi Xhen later admitted, “Thank goodness that I secretly bought a little Manor behind my parents' back, if not, where would I even go?”. “I can manage my little manor, compared to this place. The crown prince and I both don't accept this marriage, right? So, why still pretend? I should leave him”. Xi Xhen announced.

“Exactly!.... That's right, my tough Xhen Xhen. Whatever you decide, just know that I will always stand by your side”. Lilie assured Xi Xhen with sparkling eyes.

“Thanks Lilie''. Xi Xhen greeted Lilie before she faced Zhen Zhen and concluded, “Since that's everything, let's head out”.

After Xi Xhen's order, they all came out from the manor.

Xi Xhen carried Zhen Zhen on her back and leaped out from the mansion’s walls effortlessly– no one even noticed her. On the other hand, Lilie was able to fly, so she was able to pass through the walls easily.

“It's super nice, now that I'm outside this damn mansion!”. After Zhen Zhen had gotten down from Xi Xhen's back, Xi Xhen announced loudly since she was already outside the mansion’s premises.

“Yeah, it's very much better now that we're out here, Young Mistress”. Zhen Zhen supported what Xi Xhen had said– with a smile.

Inside the Crown Prince's Mansion,

It hasn't been up to 10 minutes since Xi Xhen left and Li Yun returned.

Li Yun’s face was expressionless as he watched his so-called injured bodyguards. In fact, his face darkened because he saw how badly they were injured. To Li Yun, his bodyguards were pathetic!.

“We…. We are really sorry, your Highness.... We deserve death!!!”. The bodyguards admitted their faults. Currently, they were all being tortured by Li Yun…. Li Yun enjoyed torturing them because they had failed him! If they were not able to bring down a mere lady, then what are they capable of doing?!.

“Forgive us, your highness. She was really strong”. The bodyguards pleaded again.

“Pathetic!”. The bodyguard's words angered Li Yun even more– that it caused Li Yun to unleash his powers against them, thus making it extremely difficult for them to move or even breathe well.

At some point, the bodyguards started coughing out blood, while still pleading for Li Yun's mercy.

Anyways, Li Yun snapped his fingers, and immediately he did this, it caused an impact against the bodyguards. In no time, their bodies flew up in the sky before it landed roughly on the ground.

The bodyguards were now twice hurt and injured all over.

“Get out”. Li Yun turned his back against them as he ordered.

On the other hand, the bodyguards didn't dare to wait. Even though their bodies were bruised all over, they quickly stood up and cowardly ran away.

In no time, Li Yun ordered Zu wan to go bring Xi Xhen to him.

Zu wan obeyed Li Yun and left to bring Xi Xhen. After some minutes, Zu wan returned empty handed.

“She's gone, your highness”. Zu wan said to Li Yun with his head bowed low. Plus, his one knee was on the floor as he reported the situation to Li Yun.

After listening to Zu wan’s report, a smirk appeared on Li Yun's thin lips. “Did you really think you could really escape me, my princess-consort? Interesting”. Li Yun muttered, and even though this was evening, his red eyes were dangerously piercing!.

Chin Yun's pavilion,

Zaya had heard from the other maids that the crown princess consort had run away, so she hurried to Chin Yun's manor with excitement.

“Young Mistress, I bring good news. I heard from the servants that the Crown Princess Consort is gone. She ran away”. Zaya happily reported to Chin Yun.

"Hmph…. She should better run far away. In fact, she doesn't even deserve my crown prince! And if she never returns, I'll finally get my chance of becoming the Crown Princess Consort forever!!! Hahahaha". Chin Yun declared and was feeling extremely excited. Although she wished for Xi Xhen's death, this was also acceptable to her.

“Yeah, Young Mistress.... I don't think the crown princess consort would ever come back again. Plus, if we eventually find her first, and do something to her, I bet she would never return for sure”. Zaya suggested before she picked up a combing tool and used it to gracefully comb Chin Yun's hair.

Meanwhile, after hearing what Zaya had said to her, Chin Yun didn't reply back. Instead, she was staring at her reflection in the large wall mirror.

Outside the crown prince’s mansion, a little far away from the nobles' mansions, the other side of the city was filled with mostly commoners who roamed about. To the commoners, this place of the city was more like their den. Though male and female nobles also make use of this street road.

But compared to the expensive nobles estates, the commoners had more freedom in this simple street, which was called “HuangLiu”. A city named after the first emperor of the empire.

Moving on, this was the Empire's lantern festival. Many people, including nobles and commoners, were happily discussing with each other. Not only that, people were selling lanterns and different flavoured traditional baked cakes.

“Wow…. This place is much better to me! It's so lively! This should be the first time I'm seeing so many people celebrating together!”. Xi Xhen announced with sparkling eyes. Soon, she breathed heavily as she passed through the short wooden gates of her secretly purchased little-manor.

After Xi Xhen entered, she greeted the elderly caretaker, who took care of the manor for her– this whole time. Xhen Xhen was kind enough to hand the lady some silver, before the lady left.

“Mmm, my new house is much better, and I think I already smell freedom. Yah!!!”. Xi Xhen exclaimed. “Don't just stand there Zhen Zhen.... Come inside, let's have some fun already”. After saying this, Xi Xhen then rushed inside the manor, leaving both Lilie and Zhen Zhen behind.

To be fair, Xhen Xhen was feeling really comfortable here compared to that crown dude’s mansion.

“Understood! Young Mistress”. Zhen Zhen giggled as she replied to Xi Xhen. In no time, she entered the manor with the bag which was in her hand.

“Count me in too!”. Lilie flew inside the manor after saying this…. Plus, she didn't bother to open the door and simply flew right through it.

“Sure Lilie, Zhen Zhen”. Xhen Xhen replied from inside.

Inside the crown prince's mansion,

"I've found out where she's located, your highness". Zu wan reported to Li Yun through a mind-link communication.

Anyways, after hearing Zu wan’s report, Li Yun teleported himself all the way to Zu wan’s location.

Xi Xhen's little manor, HuangLiu street,

Although Xhen Xhen had settled in her manor, she still decided to practise her martial arts skills before she'd head outside to have fun. Actually, she noticed that she hasn't been training herself lately, compared to when she was actually in her father's mansion.

Plus, Lilie decided that she'd begin to mentor Xhen Xhen about magic– tomorrow.

Anyways, Xi Xhen practised with her sword and whip for many minutes until she became tired. It took a little while before she finally decided to rest. “Pleasant rest”. Xi Xhen muttered as she then sat down on the pavement. She also cleaned the sweat which was on her face.

It was already past 6pm. And this was the perfect time that Xhen Xhen made a decision to step outside and join the lantern festival.

“Young Mistress, please wait for me, I'm coming too!”. Zhen Zhen announced, as she was trying to catch-up with Xhen Xhen, who was clearly in the lead.

Xi Xhen, Zhen Zhen and Lilie– all headed to the closeby busy markets. It was really busy with a lot of people, because of the lantern festival. Everything happening here was so lively to watch.

Suddenly, Xi Xhen's eyes met with a new building she didn't notice before. “Huh. This wasn't here before, right? Maybe they opened it recently? Ooo....”. Xhen Xhen said and halted. Soon enough, she became busy staring at the newly opened entertainment house.

“Whoa…. Interesting! I wonder what it would be like there”. Xi Xhen muttered before she instantly grabbed Zhen Zhen's hand and returned to her little manor.

Some minutes later,

“Ahah.... Finally done. Now you can blend in with me just fine”. With a satisfied face, Xi Xhen announced. Actually, she forced Zhen Zhen to wear a young noble robe.

Soon after, they went back to the closeby busy market again.

“But, Young Mistress, what is the reason for this? Why am I wearing a male robe like you?”. Zhen Zhen didn't understand what was in Xi Xhen's mind, so she went ahead and asked.

“Yeah, what's your plan?”. Lilie also asked, as she was also curious to know what Xi Xhen wanted to do.

Xi Xhen didn't reply to both Zhen Zhen and Lilie's questions yet, but as soon as she arrived at the newly built entertainment house, she pointed her index finger towards it as she announced excitedly, “That entertainment house is my plan!”.

“Eh?!”. Both Lilie and Zhen Zhen exclaimed at the same time.

“Let's go and explore that place. We'd have lots of fun!!!”. Xi Xhen declared.

"B.... but, Young Mistress, that place is only meant for noble males!”. Zhen Zhen hurriedly announced.

“Yes, I'm definitely aware of that, and that's why we're both dressed as male nobles”. Xi Xhen simply replied to Zhen Zhen.

"B.... But, that place is where the ladies dance, recite poems and draw. Ladies aren't allowed to enter unless you're one of….”. Zhen Zhen couldn't finish talking because Xi Xhen dragged her inside the entertainment house.

“Ooo…. This is serious, and I love fun like this!”. Lilie muttered before she flew after both Xi Xhen and Zhen Zhen.

As soon as Xi Xhen entered, she was welcomed by various young ladies, who belonged to the entertainment house.

“What a cute young lord”. One of the ladies said, causing the rest to giggle.

After settling in, Xi Xhen ordered some bottles of nice wine…. Yes, only male nobles were welcomed in the entertainment house, and Xhen Xhen fitted in that category.

On the other hand, Zhen Zhen was really nervous. She couldn't even move a muscle because of how scared she was. [Batum! Batum! Batum!]. Zhen Zhen’s heart was beating crazily, as if it was about to come out from her chest.

Zhen Zhen was extremely nervous, unlike Xi Xhen, who was really enjoying her stay here.

Staring at the wine which was on the table, Zhen Zhen raised her eyebrows as she curiously questioned Xi Xhen with a low voice, “Young Mistress, don't tell me you're really going to drink this?”.

‘Yeah, Xi Xhen is going to drink the wine, of course…. Why the heck did she then order for it– if she was not going to drink it?’. Lilie heard Zhen Zhen’s question and thought to herself.

Meanwhile, Xi Xhen didn't bother to reply to Zhen Zhen. “Hmm…. The wine smells nice”. Xi Xhen admitted as she inhaled the wine's sweet scent. It smelled like flavoured flowers.

A few minutes later….

“I can fly! Yeah, woohoo!!!”. Xi Xhen exclaimed, since she thought she was flying.

“Oh no.... Young Mistress, you're drunk”. Zhen Zhen said and was really scared.

“Yep, she's drunk, and that's the problem attached with drinking a lot of wine. Drinking wine is acceptable, but drinking too much is bad!”. Lilie said loudly, even though that no one except Xi Xhen, was able to hear her voice.

‘But another problem…. Who the heck will carry Xi Xhen back to the manor?’. Lilie wondered.

Anyways, Zhen Zhen tried her best to help Xi Xhen back to the Manor, but Xi Xhen was not cooperating at all. In fact, Xi Xhen was really tough for only Zhen Zhen to handle.

Seeing Xi Xhen in this state, Lilie slapped her own forehead and said, “Xhen Xhen, how I wish you had recovered all your powers. Only then would I be able to teleport you back to the manor…. Assuming you have your teleporting power, then I would be able to easily teleport too. But right now, you have to endure it and walk back on your own. After all, it was your own idea that landed you in this situation”.

Anyways, Zhen Zhen successfully assisted Xi Xhen out of the entertainment house.

“Aya!.... Who is that handsome punk that's staring at me over there?”. Xi Xhen asked, while her index finger was pointing at the tall figure– which resembled a tall wall.

Anyways, after listening to what Xi Xhen had said, Zhen Zhen curiously looked at the person Xi Xhen was pointing at, but as soon as she did, she was extremely dumbstruck. In fact, Zhen Zhen didn't even know whether to move again– after she saw the person, who was standing in front of them.

‘Eh, shocking. Why is he here? In fact, what is he even doing here?’. Lilie muttered, as she also saw the person.

“Y…. Your highness!”. Zhen Zhen immediately bowed her head and greeted him. But in the process, she left Xi Xhen, causing Xi Xhen to fall on the floor.

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Tina Nwuba: Pwetty readers, you can kindly support this book by sending gifts, commenting and sharing. Plus, this book is fiction, don't try any illegal action in real life.