Love Sword

48

Its cold and windy, although its late at night, the strong blows of wind indicates that it is about to rain. It seems that, the rain could be really strong as well.

In the dense forest, two white feet are running and jumping around. The dried leaves, grass, and small branches on the ground have caused small cuts to appear on Xiang Ning's feet.

However, the pain did not stop him. He kept on running without turning back. His small face is littered with worry and fear, the big shiny pair of eyes are glimmering with droplets of tears. It seems like the world is so vast all of a sudden and he is alone with nowhere to go and no one to rely on.

He had escaped from the Jin residence in a haste after a quick encounter with Xie Ting Ting who had nastily taunted and accused him of being a vixen who steals another person's husband.

He did not want to continue on and did not want to be labeled like that. Thinking about it, the tears which were threatening to fall began to flow down his cheeks non stop.

Last Afternoon -

'Eat this, it tastes really good.' Said Jin Shan in a soft tone while picking up a piece of sweet and sour rib for Xiang Ning.

The prince glanced at the rib and silently ate it. The taste is actually really good.

Right then, the doors bursted open causing the two people to look up.

At the entrance, stood a woman whose beauty is unmatched. She is the exact woman who had stood at the altar with Jin Shan back during the gathering of clans a few weeks back. Seeing her, Xiang Ning felt a sense of doubt.

'Shan-ge! What is this?' She screamed, her face becoming pale and green.

Jin Shan's face grew troubled

'Ting Ting?' He muttered

Xie Ting Ting rushed to grab Xiang Ning by his long hair and pulled him off the chair he is sitting on. The strong pain from his scalp caused him to cry out loud yet no one stopped the perpetrator.

'You vixen! Is it fun to go around and steal someone's husband?' Cursed Xie Ting Ting in anger.

She viciously grabbed Xiang Ning's chin and glared at his face.

'Actually so pretty? I wonder of Shan-ge would still like you after you've lost this pretty face!' She shouted while gesturing for her maid to bring her something.

The young maid knew what to do immediately as she pulled out a bottle filled with boiling acid and placed it on Ting Ting's palm. The sight of the bottle caused Xiang Ning to struggle desperately but was to no avail.

Jin Shan stood up and grabbed Ting Ting's wrist.

'Ting Ting, he wasn't trying to steal me away. We were just have a friendly lunch.' He explained.

Xie Ting Ting turned to her fiancé and bit her red lips.

'Shan'ge, I didn't know that you would cheat on me with a man!'

Jin Shan sighed and pulled her shoulders into his chest.

'Shh, don't cry. It really was nothing, how about I gift you a pair of jade bracelets that you like?'

Xiang Ning sat on the ground with messy hair and ripped clothings, watching the two coax and act sweetly towards one another. All this time, Jin Shan did not even look towards him for one second. What is the meaning of this?

At that exact time, any lingering feelings he had left for Jin Shan vanished immediately.

Present -

Xiang Ning continued to run for who knew how long, afraid that if he stops, Jin Shan would immediately catch up.

Until he finally could not go any longer. Only then did he managed to sit down and look at his surroundings. It appears that he is currently in the middle of a forest, with only strong wind and trees. The fatigue he felt from running for so long caused his eyes to droop and he couldn't help but slowly drift off into deep slumber.

———

By the time Xiang Ning woke up, he felt something soft on top of him. He slowly fluttered his eyes open to see a giant white tiger laying on top of him.

He was absolutely horrified, he quickly but very carefully tried to pull himself away from underneath the white tiger but as soon as he made a movement, the tightly shut eyelids of the tiger shot open in an instance.

The tiger posses dark blue orbs, completely abnormal and unique from other tigers in the wild.

It rose up and walked away slowly before standing in front of the petrified Xiang Ning.

The little prince gulped and sat up slowly while looking warily at the tiger in front of him.

As he got up from the ground, the tiger walked forward and lowered its body to Xiang Ning's height. Is it trying to tell the prince to get on its back?

The prince did not know what to do. He would surely not trust this strange tiger.

He could only slowly step back but the tiger, sensing the other's fear, only remained silent.

The tiger circled the prince and made a low friendly grunt as it nuzzled its big head at Xiang Ning's chest.

The prince's heart softened at the sight. He hesitantly but surely lifted his hand to pat the tiger's head which he got a satisfied response from the big cat.

The tiger then pulled away and lowered its body again while nodding its head towards its back. This time, the prince did get onto the tiger's back. Soon enough, the cool morning breeze began to hit his face and his hair violently as the tiger zoomed across the thick forest towards a certain destination.

———

Jin Shan downed the last drop of wine before smashing the porcelain jug onto the wall.

'Brother, why don't you just break off the engagement with Xie Ting Ting if you're not even in love with her?'

Jin Xuan asked while signaling for the maid to bring in another jug of wine.

Jin Shan wiped the corners of his lips, his eyes red from all that liquor consumption.

'Don't pester me.' He said groggily.

Jin Xuan shook his head

'It is your fault the prince ran away. I wouldn't stay and bear that kind of humiliation either if it was me.'

To Be Continued...