The Princess And The Lord

Lory, Yang Xi Ying still followed by Mong Ki, Mong Yi, and few other shadow guards. Yang Xi Ying leads Lory to cross the red bridge into a small man-made island with a small pavilion on the center than she leads Lory to ride a small boat than take them to reach the other side of the garden, this place is a lot quieter and desolated compare to the other sides.

"That is the plum tree," said Yang Xi Ying "This tree is very old and stops blooming since a long time but the owner of this place didn't replace this tree with new Plum tree" ​​

"I think we both know why?" Lory stares at the tree with green leaf, without any flower bloom on it.

Yang Xi Ying maid come with Gu Qin on her hands she handed over the Gu Qin on Yang Xi Ying hand than she sits in front of the tree, she takes a deep breath while closing her eyes to calmed her minds than her finger start to pluck the strings and sweet melody float in the air, it was a calm and gentle sounds that can shooting anyone heart.

Lory sits on the grass while hugging her knees, what a melancholy sound she though. She wonders what kinda song is this her limited knowledge about art is even lesser from her understanding of common sense in this world but it didn't change the fact the music is a treat for her ears.

After hours a middle-aged man about fifty years old approach them, Mong Ki is the first one to notice him Mong Ki become vigilant although he didn't feel any threat from that strange man he didn't want to let her guard down. The strange man didn't pay Lory and the Mong brother's attention his eyes fixed on Yang Xi Ying who's immersed in her play.

Lory stays quiet she sees heartache and longing in that man's eyes so she's not bothering him, her eyes back to Yang Xi Ying again. The music played for another hour until the sun turns to dusk and the cloud hinted with velvet red then the music stop and everything become silent, the strange man still on a dazed than gradually his sense return to him.

He stares at Yang Xi Ying deeply "Someone eventually pays attention…" he said with a solemn voice.

Yang Xi Ying raised from the grass than she bows gracefully "My name is Yang Xi Ying and is not me who first notices you're riddle" Xi Ying shifts her gaze at Lory who also raised from the grass.

Only Than the old man glance at Lory but Lory didn't realize it because she busy patted her dress from the grass when Lory looking at him the old man already shift his glance from her.

"I promised to myself I will only give this place to someone who can solve my riddle….someone who might understand why this place exists and perhaps love this place as much as I do," he said with disheartening expression.

"Mister, the reason I'm here is not to take this place from you," said Yang Xi Ying "The truth is I wanted to stopped someone who wants to buy this place," she said earnestly.

Her honesty bring smiles on the old man face "You mean that greedy woman Tang Mei Yi" he scoffed "Don't worry, even if he gives all the money in the world I would never give this place to that vile woman"

Yang Xi Ying sigh in relief "Thank you, that's all I need" she genuinely grateful.

The old man becomes more satisfied, honesty and dignity is something rare in this world most people only pretending to own this quality.

"Miss Yang I already make a promise so I need to fulfill my promised but the problem is there are two people who solved my riddle but only one who can inherit this place" The old man gives complicated expression.

"Its easy" Lory said suddenly "Just give it to Miss Yang," Lory said casually.

"Wait the minute, I can accept that!" Yang Xi Ying rebuke "It was Ri Yi who notices the painting first!"

"Yes, but the one who understands the poet on the painting and knew the location of this tree is you" Lory remind her "And after all, I don't like running a business, I don't have a knack of it nor the time" Lory wave her hand carelessly look uninterested.

"Eh, you can't do this!" Yang Xi Ying stomp her feet angrily, she owed Lory too much if she takes this too how could she ever repaid her debt to her.

Lory laughs at her "I just did" she shrugged her shoulder casually.

The old man hears they bickering can't help burst to laugh out loud since he build this place many people try to buy this place from him, some do it fairly others try in underhand method, this place no only make a lot of money but also gather the information and rumor of all Sun Jan noble family because a lot of young noble family gather in this place and young people can't hold they're tongue especially when they were drunks.

The owner of this place sometime used this information to get pressed the noble family when they give him a hard times, this is the ultimate reason why Tang Mei Yi want this place so bad, this place would provide her money and crucial information which family she needs to get close after her fall out with Hei Shen sect she need to rely on another source and this place suits her needs sadly the owner is an eccentric, she didn't know how to find him in the first place.

Lory and Yang Xi Ying stop bickering when the owner laughing so hard "Good….I like both of you" he tries to hold his laughter while the two girls stare back at him confusedly.

"It been a long time since I laugh this hard…..thank you…." His eyes turn gentle.

"Mmm…you're welcome" Lory awkwardly said.

The old man smiles amiably at Lory than he gazes to the tree behind them "This the place I used to meet her, also the same place when we parted…." he said with bitter smiles.

"She must be very beautiful" Yang Xi Ying murmured to herself but the old man hears her.

"She is but compares to my wife she's not that beautiful" the old man chuckles.

Lory and yang Xi Ying stunned it was mind-boggling for them, the old man understand what these two ladies thinking then he continue "I met her when I already married and have children, I didn't mean to but it happened" he said with an inexplicable expression "She is a songstress who coincidently past this city and we met by accident, our position and background can't be more different, she understands and so am I but we can't choose who we love"

"Did you married her?" Yang Xi Ying curiously asked.

The old man shakes her head "No, we never said anything about love…our status is so different she can't even become my concubines and yet I offer her to be one…."

"She said no, isn't she…" Lory tilted her head.

The old man smiles bitterly "She does…she said I couldn't give what she wanted"

"What does she wanted?" Yang Xi Ying asked again.

"I don't know, I thought she want the position as my legal wife but she said that's not what she means, until the end she never told me what she wants …its always bugging me….what does she want from me?" the old man mutter in a quiet voice.

Lory and Yang Xi Ying exchanged meaningful gaze, the old man notice they're subtle reaction "Do you know what she wants?" he said with pleading expression that make them feel sorry for him.

Lory sigh "What else a woman wants from her loved one"

"She wanted all you're loved just like she gives all her love for you" Yang Xi Ying adds in "But both of you too late to met you already have a wife and child so it's impossible for you to fulfill her wish"

"That's why she didn't tell you, she doesn't want to burden you and she didn't want to force you to leave your family for her" Lory heaved a deep sigh.

The old man eyes become wet his chin trembles only know he understands what his lover thinking, why she always looking at him with sad smiles, she never asked anything she never said how much she loves him, maybe she knew there is no future in their relationship but still…

"She's such a fool…" The old man rests his forehead on the tree trunk weakly.

Lory and Yang Xi Yin didn't say anything they're heart aching for the old man, in this world how many people could marry their love one it's even lesser for someone to have happy ending in their relationship, especially for an influential family.

Suddenly two men arrived to come out of nowhere, they're different clothing and temperament was too obvious makes lory giggles slightly, Zhao Li Xin approach her as if she's the only human that exists in his eye.

"I come to pick you up," he said quickly before Lory could complain.

"I see it…" Lory smiles happily.

While Li Mo Zhen calmly walks toward yang Xi Ying with a warm gaze "Are you done…?" he asked softly.

"Hm.." she nodded her head with shy smiles.

The old man watches the two couples exchanged gaze, he smiles faintly 'So they are the lucky one' he makes bittersweet smiles.