Chapter 263 - Foundations (1/2)

The next day, a rejuvenated An Hao arrived at Zou representatives' manor to retrieve his human package, Prince Rui.

After lamenting and spending time with Xiao Ting the day before , An Hao was now feeling much better about this assignment. So he patiently waited for the Zou siblings to finish their farewell, while he glared back at Molin, who had been glaring at him since he arrived.

It was clear that Molin was still sore about their past encounters. An Hao was honestly a bit disappointed that Molin was not coming along, after all, he was so easy to rile up which meant that he was great fun to tease.

”Nalan, you have to be careful with your actions, be mindful and wary of everyone around...and Molin, you be sure to watch her and caution her.” Prince Rui ordered as Princess Nalan rolled her eyes and Molin resolutely nodded, bowed his head and said, ”You can count on me!”

An Hao snorted when he heard this and the three people instantly turned their gazes at him and An Hao promptly coughed and looked away while stifling his laugh.

{...Talking as if you have a great track record...You'll probably lose her on the first day hahaha...}

Prince Rui turned back to Princess Nalan and resumed, ”Nalan, be sure to -”

”I know, I know it all. I'll be fine, it's not my first time on my own~ You be careful too. Say hello to everyone...And I'll see you when I get back.” Princess Nalan interjected, smiling at her brother as she grabbed his arm and walked him out the door, ushering him along. After some fretting and advising, Prince Rui finally departed with An Hao and the prisoner - the evidence of Bao Zhun and the Chun siblings' actions in tow.

Princess Nalan let out a sigh of relief and then went back in with Molin following.

”Okay, Nalan. Now that's it's just us, don't think you can misbehave...For your own safety, you have t-”

”I have to go pack up!” Princess Nalan swiftly interrupted and then raced off to her room before Molin could start a lecture. As she entered her room, a maid came in after her and said, ”Princess, I another letter has come for you.”

Princess Nalan took the letter with a smile and then said, ”You are dismissed.” The maid bowed and Princess Nalan promptly opened the letter and then chuckled as she read the contents.

Princess Nalan had never thought of herself as someone who would enjoy poetry, but these ones composed by Prince Yi were...different. His spoke of bravery, alliance, and romance somehow mixed into it. She did not fully understand them but she enjoyed them.

This whole thing had all begun from the day of his injury.

He had forgotten his sword here, so Princess Nalan had wanted to send it over and apologize again as well inquire about his injury, but Prince Rui refused and insisted that she send a servant. So Princess Nalan chose not to argue and sent a little note along with the servant apologizing for the wound again and a general 'I hope you are okay' message.

To her surprise, he responded with a message of his own and asked after her welfare and added a little poem that he said came to his mind as he thought of their short battle that day.

She was flattered and so she responded and somehow they had started exchanging letters since then. She got at least one letter from every day, each containing a little poem,

Princess Nalan naturally kept this hidden from her brother and Molin. She smiled and sat at her desk and prepared the ink, thinking of what sort of response to write. She also tried to match his words with haphazard poetic attempts of her own.

Prince Yi was clearly more well-read than her and had a finesse with words that she truly did not have. But still, he appreciated and praised her awkward work and even sometimes gave her pointers to elevate her work.

No one had ever praised her literary skills before. Frankly, she was a hopeless cause and she knew it. But she was finding this letter exchange process to be somewhat gratifying.

It was different but still, a bit exciting.

***

”Okay, so here's a pass...you have to be back before sunset and you have to take guards with you...The Emperor's orders, not mine.” Lei Xing added before Princess Nalan could begin to argue.