Ren Yupei was Gone 1

Surely, Ouyang Xueqing didn't know anything until the next morning.

Having been socializing and smiling elegantly for the entire afternoon, she was so exhausted that she simply laid on her bed and quickly fallen asleep.

Her mind was filled with tomorrow's agenda when she would go with Ling Xiaochen to receive the information about Mo Yujian.

It's been almost three years…

Almost three years, yet the event seemed to have happened just yesterday. She could still remember the taste of despair and the pain all over her body, and the white robes that had suddenly descended and saved her from the brink of death.

His fluttering jet black hair, those aloof and calm eyes, that mask with black lightning strike, it was imprinted so vividly on her mind that sometimes Ouyang Xueqing wondered to herself why she couldn't seem to forget about him?

Unlike those ministers of Imperial Father that she had met a few times on certain occasion yet still didn't remember any of their faces nor names, it was completely different when it came to Mo Yujian. His every movement, every words he said…

Was it because he was her life savior that she couldn't seem to erase his image until she had gone to repay this huge favor? After all, she didn't like the feeling of owing someone, moreover this was a life debt ah! Such a huge debt, how could she ever repay that?

That's why, she would surely fight for a way for them to meet once again.

Yes, that must be why she was so persistent on him.

Yet, in the deepest recess of her soul, it was as if his figure was carved slowly, gradually and firmly. Until he became a part of her memory that was unforgettable.

No, it was like…a memory that was hidden deeply inside her was slowly emerging?

Before Ouyang Xueqing could think deeper about it, she couldn't fight back her sleepiness again and fell into a deep and dreamless slumber.

***

Throughout the year, Ouyang Xueqing had made a business agreement with Ling Wenfu regarding information. He would provide her with an extensive search on Mo Yujian while she would give Ling Xiaochen every information there is to know about An Zhengnan.

So far, their cooperation had been progressing smoothly.

Ouyang Xueqing had always used the excuse of visiting Ling Xiaochen's house to evade suspicions about her behavior. Every month on the fifteenth, she would receive a report concerning Mo Yujian.

At the first few month, there were nothing that they could find about him.

The human mainland was huge. How could they search for a specific human in the sea of millions? It was not until two months ago that Ouyang Xueqing got some good news.

There was indeed a man named Mo Yujian.

He existed! He was real and didn't use a fake name.

Moreover, her doubt had been cleared completely.

The man that had rescued her from the deranged beast, the man that kept on plaguing her mind for three years, the man that she had to repay this favor to, he was indeed a human.

At the first stroke of dawn coloring the horizon, Ouyang Xueqing had risen and prepared herself eagerly. She almost couldn't sleep last night from the excitement.

The thought of knowing more about Mo Yujian pumped her spirits so much that she didn't even realize that Ren Yupei wasn't by her side. Usually, the two of them, Ren Yupei and An Zhengnan, would escort her to the main palace hall to greet the Emperor first and then guarding her everytime she went out of the palace.

Yet, Ren Yupei was nowhere to be seen.

It was until Ouyang Xueqing had prepared to board her carriage that she habitually turned back to where Ren Yupei had used to stand and wait on her. She was stunned when she found an empty space without him anywhere.

"An Zhengnan." She looked around in confusion. "Where's Brother Ren?"

An Zhengnan, coachman of the day, pursed his thin lips and flipped his hair exasperatedly. He had been waiting for this question so he could answer it smoothly with no problem. "He was gone since early before sunrise.���

"What?" Ouyang Xueqing widened her eyes. Her round and inky pupils stared adorably. Her face was covered by a light green mask as usual. "Where did he go?"

"I don't know." An Zhengnan lied. But, if he had told the Princess that her Brother Ren was exiled to the Ghost Town because of her, then there would surely be problem. And he hated it when she made a fuss, especially when it came to Ren Yupei. "It was The Lord's order."

Ouyang Xueqing nodded with a tinge of doubt. Why did something seem fishy? Yet no matter how she thought about it, everything's alright. It was not the first time that Imperial Father ordered Ren Yupei or An Zhengnan around. After all, they were The Emperor's trusted subordinate.

It was expected that they couldn't keep staying by her side all the time.

"Well, okay then. Brother Ren will surely return early to fulfill his promise right? I haven't even receive a birthday gift from him yet." She pouted sulkily as she stepped onto the carriage with An Zhengnan's help.

An Zhengnan scratched his head awkwardly. Now, he didn't thought of the answer to this. How could he break the news for her that Ren Yupei wouldn't be around for at least half a year?

Yeah, better let her find out by herself, An Zhengnan nodded to himself.

He settled himself onto the front seat and pulled the reign of the horses. The carriage whirled out of the palace to the main street. Ling Xiaochen's house was merely fifteen minutes away from the palace. It was a cozy and comfortable manor painted mainly in white and green.

In front of the Ling manor, Ling Xiaochen was seen standing around and waiting.

Ouyang Xueqing raised one of her eyebrow when she saw this.

What kind of wind is blowing today? This is the first time for this young lady of the underground black market to greet her at the front door. Or is it…

She glanced sideways at An Zhengnan and discovered that his movement seemed somewhat stiff and he didn't dare to look directly at Ling Xiaochen. She grinned wickedly. So…something did happened between them huh?

"Xueqing, I have been waiting for you for some time ah!" Ling Xiaochen complained as soon as Ouyang Xueqing stood in front of her, yet her eyes never seemed to leave An Zhengnan.

Ling Xiaochen seemed anxious, sad, yet eager to meet him. Is this how a lady in love would feel?

So complicated, she thought.

"Waiting for me? Are you sure?" She teased.

Ling Xiaochen coughed lightly. "Well, truthfully I'm not. Can you please leave me with—"

"Princess." An Zhengnan butted in. "I will wait for you somewhere else. Please notify me when you are ready to leave, okay?" Without waiting for her answer, An Zhengnan disappeared faster than the wind.

Ouyang Xueqing gaped. For the fearless and unruly An Zhengnan to avoid someone to this extent, he sure have met his match!

She raised her thumb at Ling Xiaochen speechlessly. Then, she remembered what Ling Xiaochen had whispered to her during the birthday banquet and her ears reddened slightly. "Xiaochen, was you've done to him, was it that terrifying?"

Ling Xiaochen's shoulder dropped and aura of gloominess surrounded her. Her former vigor and eagerness vanished at the man's diminishing back. "It's over…" She mumbled dazedly.

"What's over?"

"My life…" Ling Xiaochen whined.

Ouyang Xueqing: "…" Are all woman in love as unreasonable as you? She shook her head exasperatedly. "It was just a kiss, okay? An Zhengnan seemed…shy."

Right, before the event of her birthday banquet started, An Zhengnan had gone to fetch Ling Xiaochen.

Ouyang Xueqing didn't know how it went and suddenly, Ling Xiaochen said that she had kissed him at the spur of the moment. As expected of Ling Xiaochen!

She couldn't expect any less from her. Even her way of chasing after her love was bold and domineering. She would surely learn from her in the future!

Kiss and chase firmly, Ouyang Xueqing noted in her mind.