Mix Emotions

An attractive couple sat silently in pavilion. The woman was charming, while the man was attractive. Side by side, the two matched each other well, making a painting out of an ordinary scene. The Go board in between them had dots of white and black arranged systematically into a pattern.

His strong eyebrows arched in question looking at the board. Noticing his gaze, Mu Qing also looked down at the board. Her doe like eyes widen in unconcealed horror. 'Stupid! How could I forget!'

In truth, his sudden appearance made her forget what she was doing previously before. Before he had came along, she was playing Go by herself. However, she was bored soon after and started making pictures out of the black and white pieces. She was in the middle of making a...pig.

Her eyes squinted and she laughed sheepishly, "Hehe...I was just bored. Don't mind it."

'Damn it! There goes my cool beauty image.'

Hu Feng stared at her long and hard, as her face redden in embarrassment. Her eyes were cast downward, hoping that he would stop, and her ruby lips were slightly bitten. For some inexplicable reason, he wanted to extend his hand and pet her on the head. Perhaps this feeling came from that fact that she made him curious about her after the Empress Dowager encounter, or better yet, the fact that she never bothered him. Whatever it was, he didn't dwell on it nor did he act upon it.

Hu Feng was more than use to women throwing themselves at his feet. He never had any interest in them because he knew what they wanted was reputation and bragging rights. He was also too far busy to care for the fairer gender. Adding to it, Hu Feng prefered having one woman for life, if not then he could, and would, definitely go without. He, himself, witnessed that way his Imperial Father had treated his Concubine Mother.

He had long expected for this woman to show herself. In his heart, Hu Feng had long sentenced her to death because he knew that she would try to act sly and seductive to gain his favor. She would be just like any other woman in high class society, scheming, egotastic, and vindictive. On the rare occasion, the all knowing Emperor Hu Feng was wrong. From the reports of Gu Chi and Ke Ying, it seems like Mu Qing was safe. Well, she was safe for now. While he is curious about her behavior, he was too detached to normal human emotions to care.

Inside his head, a million thoughts ran across his mind, while Mu Qing secretly peeked at his stone cold face.

Her small hand was put against her lips and she coughed just a little, "Your Highness, if you don't mind then shall we play a game?"

He nodded.

She arranged the pieces back in their place, and he motioned for her to go first. Thus, the pair entered a long battle.

---------------------------------------

Gu Chi and Ke Ying looked expectantly at the two. They secretly gave each other a fist bump. Indeed, only the Empress was beautiful enough to match the Emperor.

The Go pieces were no longer arranged in neat rows. They were now all across the board, defending or attacking for the spaces remaining.

Mu Qing placed her white piece down with a tap. "Your Highness, Mu Qing is having trouble planning your birthday. May I ask you a question?"

He looked at her.

'I will take that as a yes, your royal Ice Cube. Could have at least answered me.' Her smile twitched slightly in annoyance.

"May your Highness excuse my incompetence, but what dishes do you like?"

His long fingers placed a black piece down on the board, defending against her attack. "It does not matter."

Mu Qing's smile twitched even more. She had spent countless days planning the banquet, but the person in question doesn't even care? How much effort had she spent trying to pry for information? Normally, Mu Qing had patience and tolerance to spare. After all, you can't be a cold beauty if every little thing makes you mad. Yet, she felt a little frustrated right now.