Taming Tyrants III

Arc 7: Royal Deceit (205)

"To be serious, Hong Family's eldest di always have a mark on their chest. The same as Aunt Hong Qingning." Hong Cha was not lying. Her mother told her she have that unique mark as a proof she is a legitimate child of Hong Clan. She took off her veiled hat and loosened her blouse. She held it close so it won't fall off and uncovered her collar. There was a red camellia flower above her cleavage. "It's been our family tradition and if this mark vanishes, means I'm no longer pure. Ask my Aunt Qingning, she knows this mark."

"W-well, dress up." He turned his head sideways in avoidance after a small cough. Gu Zixing heard her giggle. He keeps his moral high and never indulges with matters like this. That was because he grew up in a good family. His father is doting and faithful, his mother is loyal too and loving, both of them taught him ethical lessons he kept in mind. Yet, this girl kept provoking him. It was a good thing he is not at least affected, except for his embarrassment.

"What's next? As you saw, the mark is still on me. I did my best to preserve my purity. I can't lose it here." She peeked at Gu Zixing while arranging her blouse. He had his head low, his hand pinching his chin as he wondered deeply.

"You didn't show your face to anyone, right?" He asked. Hong Cha nodded as an answer. Gu Zixing thought of an idea and helped her wear her veiled hat. He paused after seeing the red string tying a portion of her hair. "Xiao, no, Miss Hong, come with me. I have a plan and that is to give you a disguise. You must dress up like a man from now on and I'll find a way for us to escape."

"Can I say goodbye to my friends though?"

"Mn. I will send Zhan Miao to escort you to my tent." Gu Zixing agreed nonetheless. He watched the girl hop away with a free spirit, a sigh of relief was woven from his lips. No matter what, he vows he won't do anything to her.

[Author Nee: Really? What if you get drugged?]

He wouldn't dare slander such lively girl.

[Author Nee: You know, you don't want to touch a woman out of marriage but what if you're drugged and she's locked up in a room with you (plus evil laugh)?]

Gu Zixing promised, to the stars, to the moon, he won't taint her.

[Author Nee: You'll get impotent and have an erectile dysfunction. You know that Ancestor Gu? You can't make your sword go hard~]

"I said I won't touch her!"

[Author Nee: I won't write a miracle to make it stand~]

"F*ck you..."

***** (That was just an extra scene)*****

Hong Cha arrived in Gu Zixing's tent and he was arranging a set of clothes for her. He gestured for Hong Cha to step closer and handed her the smallest robe of a soldier.

"I'll stay outside and wear that." Gu Zixing instructed before leaving her behind. Hong Cha puffed her cheeks, he does mind propriety this much.

She took off her clothes and wore the martial suit instead. Hong Cha got troubled with the waistband because her midriff is small.

"Sir Gu?" She called out faintly and popped her head from the tent. Gu Zixing was not far and faced her. He noticed the robe was loose, its sleeves almost hiding her dainty hands and her delicate shoulder outlined from the grey fabric. He quickly shook his head to stop being fascinated. "Sir Gu, I don't know how to wear this. Can you help me?"

"Fine." He heaved a little sigh. Gu Zixing made sure no one is around and entered the tent after. He finally saw the messy state of her waistband. Gu Zixing arranged it proficiently without minding their closeness. He was dense regarding a girl's admiration. Hong Cha kept her eyes on his serious face, unable to extricate herself from being charmed. This guy is beautiful, ah. She can't get enough appreciating his looks. It's a shame he doesn't know how to use it properly and remained clean.

"Sir Gu, are you married?" She raised a question which made him choke. Gu Zixing shook his head carefully and met her gaze. Hong Cha knew it, he knows nothing about romance. She raised her wrist and handed him the wristband. Gu Zixing silently took it, organized her wide sleeve and used the wristband to constrain it. "With how you look, are there no woman that ever get close to you? Or a chance that you've been a reciprocative man?"

"I won't dare, Miss Hong. I respect ladies and I don't want to give them any false hope." Gu Zixing grew up disciplined. He finished arranging both her wristbands and looked up to her face. Gu Zixing pondered for a moment. "You still look like a girl."

Hong Cha turned to the bronze mirror on the side. She untied the string from her hair and gave it to him. Like having a tacit understanding, Gu Zixing accepted the string and tied up her hair to a simple bun. He did it carefully she didn't even feel her hair being pulled. As expected, his touch is the same as his looks and personality.

"Let's fix your eyebrows, if you don't mind. And your lips, hm... Avoid wearing any makeup, alright?" Gu Zixing took a handkerchief and gently removed the powders on her face. He prefers seeing her less seductive in secret. The red lipstick, her painted eyebrows and colored powder on the edge of her eyes, it made her look like an unparalleled enchantress. Without those, she looks refreshing and lovely.

"What's that for?" She grew curious because of the burnt willow branch he holds. It's used for painting eyebrows and he just removed it from her face a while ago.

Gu Zixing said nothing. He lightly dabbed the willow on her eyebrows and made it thick. She looked more like a feminine boy. Gu Zixing was satisfied since she looked more convincing now. Hong Cha mirrors a weakling or a new recruit in the army.

"Miss Hong, try looking emotionless." He made her face the mirror. Hong Cha did as he told, her apricot eyes became slim and sharp and her lips went to a straight line. "That's it. Keep that appearance and you look more boyish."