Picking Up The Brat

The Xinjing manor's garden was illuminated by purple lights. The orbs gathered above the sleeping girl before they got sucked into her body covering it with the same purple lights. A strong wind swirled around her as everyone watched with shock.

Some were quick to hide behind the pillar to protect themselves from the strong wind as they feared something dangerous was going to happen. The wind also pushed Zhao Li Xin a few steps back but the Mong brothers stood in front of him to protect him from any danger.

The wind became stronger as it swirled around before it abruptly quietened down without warning. A few people were curious as to what was happening but a shock wave blew up the place before they could think farther.

The weak ones were thrown a few meters away and only the strong cultivators like the King Palaces, the Mong brothers and Zhao Li Xin remained in the same position. However, they had to create a barrier to protect themselves from the blast. 

The shock wave disappeared as fast as it came leaving the garden wrecked. It looked like a hurricane had passed through but the sleeping girl remained untouched. The bluebell flowers around her withered and turned to dust. Zhao Li Xin pushed the Mong brothers away and anxiously run to her. He was relieved to see she remained unhurt. 

Her moving finger startled Zhao Li Xin. He carefully touched her hand like it was the most fragile thing he had ever touched and her finger slightly hooked into one of his. Zhao Li Xin overwhelmed with relief.

"Ri Yi…" Zhao Li Xin whispered into her ear. "Ri Yi, wake up…"

Lory's eyes felt heavy. It was hard for her to open them. She called faintly, "Xin..."

Her voice was weak but Zhao Li Xin could hear her. He pulled her close to him, "I'm here..."

He softly caressed her cheek as Lory struggled to open her eyes. Her eyebrows furrowed for a while before she managed to open her eyes slowly. The first thing she saw was the face of the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He had sharp eyes, a straight nose, thin lips, a strong jawline, and a nice chin. It was a sight to drown in.

Zhao Li Xin was worried when she did not make a sound. Another surge of anxiety filled him. She was a normal person and she had slept for almost a week. "Ri Yi, are you hurting anywhere…? Do you recognize me?"

"Fu fu fu… I know you…my Li Xin…" Lory was half-dazed when she said it but her words hit Zhao Li Xin's heart like an arrow freezing him.

The Mong brothers were confused by there lord's weird reaction. Mong Yi nudged his brother, "Is Miss Luo awake?"

Mong Ki nodded, "I believe so…"

Mong Yi was confused even more, "Why is the lord's reaction weird?"

Mong Ki frowned, "Isn't that his normal reaction when he is with Miss Luo?"

Mong Yi felt stupid and smiled with relief, "Hehehe… you are right!"

Zhao Li Xin carried Lory to his room and asked Jin Hao to check her condition while he watched closely.

Jin Hao finished his check-up and asked them to feed her light food as her body was still weak. Lory didn't understand why everyone, especially Zhao Li Xin, was fussing over her. Zhao Li Xin's eyebrows knitted together whenever he looked at her and kept asking if she was alright. Lory didn't feel unwell but she felt dizzy from all his questions but she decided to pacify him.

When Girsha told her she had slept for six days, Lory was stunned as she thought it had only been two days. This made her understand Zhao Li Xin's worry. She felt bad for letting him go through it. It was also the reason she let him hover over her.

Lory was eating the porridge in bed while Zhao Li Xin sat on the arhat chair drinking his wine while watching her like a hawk. Lory couldn't help but feel she was forgetting something.

Mong Yi knocked on the door softly and entered the room with a tray when Zhao Li Xin allowed him to enter.

Their was a three-layered bamboo box steaming with smoke on the tray. Mong Yi knew it was her favorite dish and Jin Hao allowed him to serve her the ones that were filled with veggies.

Lory's eyes bulged as an epiphany hit her. She shrieked, "JIAO ZI!!

Mong Yi smiled proudly and opened the box, "Yes, it is!"

"I need to pick up Jiao Zi!"

"But the Jiaozi (dumpling) is here…" Mong Yi was confused as to why Miss Luo looked agitated.

Lory didn't have time to explain. She pushed the small table away and got up from the bed. "That brat is waiting for me!"

"What brat?" Zhao Li Xin held her waist as she stumbled from standing too fast. He didn't think Lory knew anyone apart from the people in his manor. He was sure about this since he had been stalk…ahem, watching her for a while.

"The brat I met in my dreams. She needs my help!" Lory was anxious.

Zhao Li Xin became upset when she mentioned 'dream'. His voice became sharp, "Is she the reason you were unconscious for a week?"  

"She…she didn't mean to…" Lory was startled into a lie. That brat definitely meant to but Lory knew she needed to appease the demon lord or she would need to forget about saving her, let alone leave her room. "She is an innocent child. I promise to help her… Please, I won't do anything dangerous."

Lory was amazed by her own lies. The brat was not innocent and the place she needed to pick her from was dangerous...very dangerous.

Lory never learned to seduce a man but she was good at acting pitifully in front of Fargo and the gang. This was the reason she easily got away with many things. She placed her hand on his chest and her big eyes blinked at him cutely, "Will you help me?"

Mong Yi stood in the corner and watched his lord waver. He sighed inwardly, 'Milord will be lost again…'

"Sure…" Zhao Li Xin maintained his expressionless face but he was celebrating deep down. Lory rarely asked for his help and he had to grab the opportunity to show off before her.

Lory's eyes glinted with joy. She couldn't depend on her and Girsha's power alone if she was to rescue the brat. Although Girsha could use more power then her, she didn't know what they would encounter in that place. She needed someone reliable and strong, and her 'boss' was the best candidate.

"Thank you! I will never forget this!" Lory was grateful for Zhao Li Xin who was always kind to her and pampered her. She promised herself she would one day protect him with all she got if given the chance.

Zhao Li Xin agreed to accompany her to the ancient tomb. He was stunned at first when she revealed her destination but the mist around the infamous ancient tomb had 'coincidently' disappeared mysteriously the day before. 

This elated the people reading for the quest as one could only save the Liangzu princess by entering the ancient tomb. The participants had hesitated at first because of the poisonous mist but it's disappearance lessened there hardship, as it meant they were a step closer to gaining the Emperor's hefty rewards. Some even dreamed of marrying the beautiful princess.

While many were drowning in there greed of obtaining a beautiful princess, another princess sat on a couch by her window frame in comfort. She was covered in a thick blanket and held a mug of sweet lemon tea.

The night wasn't cold but if she didn't cover herself, a certain lord, with nagging tendencies, would scold her nonstop if she did otherwise. The night sky was clear with more stars. A shooting star moved through the sky and Lory took it as a good luck sign. She unconsciously smiled as she remembered the naughty brat.

"Why are you still awake at this hour…?" He reprimanded her but stared at her with gentle eyes.

"I can't sleep. You know I've been sleeping for too long." 

Zhao Li Xin sighed. She did sleep for long. He sat next to her and fixed her blanket. Lory's eyes were glued to the night sky. The night sky always gave her mixed feelings. It filled her with sadness, loneliness, happiness, pain, joy, and loss. It was bittersweet. It hurt sometimes but it also gave her contentment on other days. Whatever the feeling, Lory could never look away.

"Do you miss you're home?" Zhao Li Xin asked.

Lory shifted her gaze with a tilt, 'What does he mean?'

"When I first met you among the bluebell flowers, I thought you were the moon fairy," He chuckled. "Do you know the story about the full moon at midnight and the moon fairy? Being a shy maiden, the moon fairy would only appear in the middle of the night when people were sleeping. It is hard for anyone to see her. Those who are fortunate enough to meet her can steal her shawl and hide it so that she can never return to the moon. If this happens, you can take her as you're bride and you're family will be blessed with good luck for seven generations."

"Isn't that kidnapping?" Lory giggled softly. It was quite a dark story if you ignored the romance undertones. "Wait! Is that what are you are planning to do to me?"

Zhao Li Xin laughed. He didn't admit or deny her accusation. Lory's mouth twitched as she took it as a joke. She didn't suspect that he once thought of kidnapping her but was quick to dismiss the idea when he realized she didn't hold any prejudice against him. Lory was also easy to persuade and he didn't wish to offend her.

Zhao Li Xin held her hand and stared deeply into her eyes, "You… You are not from this world, are you?"

Lory didn't answer but stared at him sadly. Zhao Li Xin pulled her in his embrace and stroked her hair, "Its okay… I don't care who you are or where you are from. I just need you to promise me one thing."

Lory moved out of his embrace and gave him a questioning look.

"Never leave me… Take me with you wherever you may need to go... Can you do that?"

Lory tilted her head as a sweet smile bloomed across her face. She nodded slowly, "Okay…"