Thirteenth Birthday 1

The sound of flute was flowing through the wind, carrying every note and melody with it. Ouyang Xueqing closed her eyes as she let herself immersed into the harmonious sound her lips and fingers' produced.

The wind around her was breezy and light as it swayed her light blue dress, her slender figure was a sight to behold on top of the roof of Royal Palace.

She let the sun and wind kissed her body freely as she played to her heart's content. The feelings she poured along the melody was so beautiful that it tugged on one's heartstring, making one unable to pull away.

Deep inside her soul, there was a kind of feeling, a kind of emotion that was suppressed. She had been yearning for something, for somebody, yet she didn't know what that is.

So, the only thing she could do to relieve herself of the frustration was to let the flute sang for her.

Let the melody ran along the wind as it carried her whole feeling away.

"You're still playing, Princess?"

A soft voice broke her reverie and she smiled gently. The wind fluttered her hair as she turned. Her face was covered by a light green mask leaving only the left side of her face shown.

However, it didn't diminish her beauty even one bit. In a year and half's time, her chubby figure had slimmed, her baby face was gradually turning into a feminine and gentle beauty that could turned heads and stole hearts.

"Brother Ren, Qing'er has just played for a bit ah!" She purred. Her soft voice was alluring and slightly husky.

Ren Yupei approached her as his handsome face was hidden by the sunlight coming from his back. His silhouette was strong and steady as he offered his hand gentlemanly. "It's been twenty minutes, Princess. Everyone has been waiting for you."

Ouyang Xueqing pouted, even then she still put her hand into his and let him guided her down the roof. "Haven't I said that a banquet is unnecessary?

"Yes, you have said it for seven times. But it's your thirteenth birthday after all."

Ouyang Xueqing muttered under her breath. "It is just a stupid birthday."

"It's the day that the whole mainland must celebrate for the God has sent you to us." He argued.

Ouyang Xueqing's face blushed slightly as she peeked at the man's calm and gentle face. It was a face that was so familiar to her throughout the years. They had known each other ever since she was three years old.

It's been ten years.

Yet, the more Ouyang Xueqing looked, the more she couldn't get enough.

His low voice, his gentle gaze, his gesture, it all touched her heart and flustered her greatly.

She was really shy to admit that she...kinda had a crush on him.

In her eyes, no one was as perfect as him. He was the epitome of the girl's every first love. And well, he was Ouyang Xueqing's first love too.

Yet she knew the man had always treated her like a sister. A sister whom he had to be responsible about.

Responsibility. A task. That's all she was.

Even though Ren Yupei had been so gentle, kind and treated her with respect, Ouyang Xueqing had always felt like a line was drawn between them. He had this armor around him that didn't allow anyone to get close, moreover to get into his heart.

She had always known that there was somebody else in his heart.

Little Song.

She had heard him called her name subconsciously a few times. Each time he was haunted with nightmares, he would wake up with bloodshot eyes and body soaked with sweat, his eyes reddened with tears and despair, yet it carried an intense longing and love that had made Ouyang Xueqing wanted to hug his fragile side.

This side of him that only she knew, that weak and lonely self that only made her fell head over heels with him.

So, even if Ouyang Xueqing knew that her love would be unreciprocated, she had kept mum and stayed on his side continuously.

She was like a shadow. Not noticed but always there. She had said it to him one day, "If you want me to, I will always be with you." which he had only smiled and tousled her hair gently as he always did.

But Ouyang Xueqing knew it was his rejection.

He had more adamantly drew himself away, to put some kind of distance between them. But Ouyang Xueqing was as stubborn as a bull. If he had walked away ten steps, she would chased after him eleven steps and blocking his escape path.

In the end, Ren Yupei was so helpless yet he couldn't do anything to her.

Thus, their relationship had been vague ever since. Ouyang Xueqing with her persistent chase and Ren Yupei with his perfunctory behavior.

"Can I attend with only this dress?"

Ren Yupei rejected swiftly: "No. The Lord has prepared a special dress and a crown for you."

Ouyang Xueqing groaned exasperatedly. "Ugh, Imperial Father was so excessive. I had told him countless times not to do it."

He chuckled at her remarks. "The Lord had always been like that. Loving to his own people, and ruthless to his enemies."

"That's not called loving. It's pampering and spoiling me rotten! Now, confess, what does Imperial Father prepared this year? He doesn't plan to give me a new residence like last year again, does he?"

Ren Yupei's mouth was shut. He wink teasingly. "You shall see."

"Humph!" Ouyang Xueqing stomped her feet. "Can I refuse?"

"Nope." Ren Yupei was amused to see her frustrated expression that he couldn't help but pinch her cheeks gently. "Now, go and change your clothes into a beautiful princess you are. You don't want to make The Lord's effort go down the drain, do you?"

Ouyang Xueqing clicked her tongue as she rubbed her reddened cheeks. Even though she was glaring, her round black eye was shining with glee and bashfulness. "I guess it can't be helped then." She hurriedly turned away and called one of the maidservant to prepare her.

As she walked with airy and elegant steps, she had just realized that she had been coaxed again by him! Humph! Ouyang Xueqing you dork! How can you be so weak against a beauty?!

She chided himself inwardly. But then she lamented about how Ren Yupei had always seem to know what to say and do to make her listen to him willingly.

Instead of a brother figure he was aiming to be, should she say that he's her babysitter?