Taming Tyrants I

Arc 1: Beauty and the Beast (10)

"Supposedly, the two are for Prince Brother but it is fine for Sixth Prince to have it." Hong Cha explained shortly. She made enough to fill half three satchels and kept one full pouch for herself. It is fortunate the system is willing to give her the recipes she was asking and some books for embroidery. She thought she needs merit points. But seems like the system is not asking for it. The only disadvantage is that she has to learn it, not the usual systems where you can exchange for abilities with merit points. "Can Sixth Prince give this to Prince Brother?"

Lin Siji is about to agree when someone coughed. Nian Xiaoyuan snatched the satchel for Lin Xingjin. "Miss Hua, right in front of my face, you are courting another man while I am courting you?" his tone sounds unhappy. Nian Xiaoyuan is an arrogant man from the start. He never accepts failure and not once did he retreated or failed a war. This made him the Grand General after his father. It is his pride keeping him impatient when it comes to Zhao Xue. And now, Song Cha Hua dared to show him how sincere she is for Lin Xingjin but he is the one courting her! What does this mean?

"Head Minister, Prince Brother is a friend of mine. What's wrong with it? Cant a girl gift candies for someone she sees as her brother? A friend as well?" Hong Cha knew he'd be affected. His uncontrollable pride and unwillingness to be defeated are the factors feeding his evil brain for planning schemes. If she trampled over his pride too much, she will surely regret what will he do. "Forget it. Since Head Minister Nian doesn't want me to do so, I will not."

She turned her back and furiously left. Nian Xiaoyuan snorted. He stuffed the satchel in his sleeve pocket as if it was for him.

"Yuan, that is for Seventh Brother." Lin Siji reminded. Is Nian Xiaoyuan really jealous? Or was it his pride again?

"So what? Lin Xingjin can live without this." he snorted in return.

"Are you serious in courting Imperial Tutor's daughter?" this question made Nian Xiaoyuan silent. Lin Siji tilted his head slightly. He and Nian Xiaoyuan both experienced hardships in the borders. They can call themselves friends. Thus, he understand Nian Xiaoyuan better than anyone else. Seems like his friend is uncertain if he is serious or not.

"Does it matter? Whether Im serious or not, it is enough to get what I want. You know me. I never like losing and if I lose, the worse will come." Nian Xiaoyuan smiled deviously. Zhao Xue is is his. She will never be Lin Xingjin's.

Hong Cha took some time strolling around the busy marketplace before returning at dusk. She brought out an umbrella when it rained. Upon passing a pavilion outside her courtyard, she stopped to see her father drunk with a prince.

"Sigh, my second disciple, I thought you will live better than your senior brother. Look at you. So drunk and miserable." Song Yue jeered, barely keeping his eyes open. Lin Xingjin silently drank another cup of intoxicating wine while pondering. "Look at your senior brother now. Before, I thought he will not surpass his father but he actually did! Even more than that, no woman can hurt his heart. But it seems you two are still different. Who is this girl you are saying?"

"Its..." Lin Xingjin is about to speak when he heard a thud. Song Yue had fallen asleep. "Someone in! Carry Master back to his quarters."

He ordered and eunuchs arrived. Lin Xingjin filled the cup again. His brows furrowed to notice a person sitting across him where Song Yue sat once. He raised his head and was stunned to see Hong Cha. She didn't speak but took the vial and poured wine for herself.

"I never knew Prince Brother will be this intoxicated with wine?" Hong Cha took a sip. It actually tastes good but for her body, its not great if she drinks too much. In Song Cha Hua's memories, Lin Xingjin never got drunk. She was able to see him in banquets years ago before he left to aid Lin Siji at the borders in five years time. He owed her five years which he gave to Zhao Xue. What a sad life the villainess has.

"Cha Hua." Lin Xingjin called out. She looked up but he is not even gazing to her. Hong Cha went to his side and had another measly taste to the cup of wine.

"Prince Brother, I just remember. Where were you seven years ago? You just suddenly left when I was eight. Its difficult to be lonely, ah." Hong Cha smiled bitterly. She stared ahead the pavilion as the rain poured vigorously.

"Southwards. Grand General conquered miles of lands and my sixth brother was there to help him. However, Grand General never notified the palace that he returned to the capital. The enemies took advantage of his absence. I was supposedly travelling with Master when the news arrived. Master appointed me to help out. It was too sudden that I was not given a chance to bid farewell." Lin Xingjin's peach blossom eyes became dazed.

In those years, he was just eighteen and never had an actual fight. His mother was the most favored concubine of the emperor. In order to keep him safe, she shielded him from the treachery of the palace. Thus, Lin Xingjin was not accustomed with violence. However, he quickly learned how to survive at the border. It turned him coldhearted in few years. He then met Zhao Xue during the war. She escaped her family and cured those that had wounds. Her unusual character and skillful methods made him interested to her.

"I see. I bet Prince Brother spent his time with Miss Zhao Xue over there." Hong Cha broke his reminiscence. She placed the cup down and turned to Lin Xingjin. "Prince Brother, did we love the wrong person?"