Protect this woman

Hui Jin and Yi Guan went back to the mansion and seeing that the yard has been wrecked due to the fight earlier, Fu Cheng asked some maids to clean up the mess.

"Your Highness, I will be setting off tonight to report to the palace."

Fu Cheng need to report what happen earlier. After all, they had a long time investigating this assassins and now they're done.

"Alright, be careful."

"I will, Your Highness." Fu Cheng said.

In the mean time, Yi Guan is wondering if the wedding earlier is true or is it just a bait. For some unknown reasons, she feels sad.

Hui Jin noticed her being quiet, so he spoke, "Guan'er, what's wrong?"

Yi Guan regain her senses so she answered, "Nothing." And she smiles.

"Something's bothering you. Let me take you for a walk." Hui Jin wears his mask again ang reach out for Yi Guan's hand.

Yi Guan also couldn't take her eyes off the mask.

"I'll tell you some other time why I need to wear a mask." Yi Guan was waiting for him to say that but she is patient. She knows there is a reason why Hui Jin always wear a mask.

"If things are in line, even if it takes long time, I'll wait for you to open up." Hui Jin somehow feels happy on Yi Guan's response.

"I'm glad you understand." He smiled as they went out from the mansion.

They weren't bothered when they were walking in the streets. Yi Guan thought they're lucky that no one recognized them. But the truth is, Hui Jin's men are everywhere in the city. And their duty is to protect their Highness and their Lady.

This is their first time meeting yet they could understand each other. Even if they don't speak, just one look at each other's eyes, they knew what's on each other's mind. No one knows what they are thinking actually, but for them, they are both thinking the same way.

Yi Guan bought something for Yin Tian. Of course, Yi Guan always have herself thinking over Yin Tian since she is her closest friend, and even treat her as her own blooded sister. No wonder, Yin Tian is both humble ang loyal to her lady because she is being spoiled.

The Prince just follow Yi Guan whenever she go. He would sometimes took a glance at her and examine her face. She is such a beauty that no one would ever compare.

He then thought, 'I must protect this woman with all my life at any cost.'

This is his first time protecting a woman that even a tiny scratch on her, he won't let go of the person that will harm her. He was also confused by his thoughts knowing that he don't feel protecting anybody except his people and his country. But for this woman, he feels different.

As Hui Jin and Yi Guan was strolling along the city, the sun is slowly fading and the sky is getting darker. So they both decided to go home.

While the two weren't arrived yet, the maids in the mansion have already cleaned up and made a meal for their masters.

Fu Cheng didn't wait for the night to come so he set off on the way to the palace. He just ordered the guards there to be alert and report to him if anything happens when their masters arrived.

When the two reach home, the meals are already set in the dining area.

"Your Highness, My Lady, how was your walk?" Yin Tian greeted them in the front door.

"It's alright. I also bought something for you." Yi Guan hand out a white jade hairpin engrave with green butterfly.

"My Lady, this is for me?" Yin Tian hold the hairpin and examine it.

"Of course! You were not with me earlier so I bought you a present." Yi Guan is a very considerate lady that she would even gift her maid such a good hairpin.

"Also, His Highness bought something for Fu Cheng." Hui Jin smiled because of what happen when they were buying gifts.

When Yi Guan had already bought the hairpin, she noticed Hui Jin looking at the shoe stall so she drag him there. Hui Jin first resist to buy a pair of shoes but he couldn't resist her. After all, Fu Cheng is just his right hand but he was more amazed when Yi Guan knew Hui Jin sees Fu Cheng as his brother.

The fight in mansion was quite chaotic but Yi Guan noticed Fu Cheng's shoes almost worn out. So the moment Hui Jin look at the shoe stall, she knew he wanted to buy new shoes for Fu Cheng.

"Anyway, where's Fu Cheng?" Yi Guan ask as she looked around the yard but to no avail, he was nowhere to be seen.

"Fu Cheng had already set off to the palace." Yin Tian respond.

"Oh." The only word that came out from Yi Guan's mouth.

"Then, give the shoes once he get back." Hui Jin approve on Yi Guan's suggestion so he replied,

"Hm."

"You Highness, My Lady, we have prepared you a meal." Yin Tian lead them to the dining area. After they settled down, Yin Tian and the other maids left them alone to eat.

Hui Jin took off his mask first before eating.

They were eating peacefully when Hui Jin spoke.

"Guan'er, are you tired?" Hui Jin asked out of nowhere.

It took several seconds before she answered.

"Today, a lot has happened which is not quite pleasant. I don't know if I would be tired or I would be worried." Yi Guan puts down her chopstick as she look down. Avoiding Hui Jin's eyes.

"Are you worried that they'll harm you again?" Hui Jin also stop eating and face her.

"No! It's not that...." Yi Guan quickly denied.

Yi Guan was actually worried about Hui Jin. She knew that this Prince served the country for many years and has been protecting his people all the time. And now that she get to marry him, she was thinking that she would be a burden on doing his duties.

"I was wondering if....the wedding earlier is just a bait, or..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Hui Jin hold her hand and said,

"Guan'er....I'm sorry for what happen. That wedding is sincere, but it's also a bait." He pause for a bit and then he continues.

"I know you were disappointed that the wedding was interrupted. But I promise you, we will have a grand wedding soon." Yi Guan saw the sincerity in the eyes of the Prince.

She was startled that all of the unpleasant happenings was exactly his plan but he was sincere when it comes to their marriage. She couldn't explain what she feels right now.

Hui Jin let go of her hands and take his chopstick. He then put a piece of bok choy in Yi Guan's plate.

"Eat up."

Yi Guan follow his words and start to eat again.

After several thoughts, Yi Guan had the courage to speak.

"Your Highness..." Before she could continue her sentence, the Prince cut her off again.

"What did you just call me?"

Yi Guan was a bit shy but then she said,

"Hui Jin." The Prince smiled after hearing her calling his name. He find her cute when she's shy.

"Okay. What were you trying to say?" Hui Jin ask as if he hears nothing.

"Uhh..." She was supposed to ask him about how are they gonna tell the Emperor that she is not the second lady. But someone barged in the dining room.

"Report!" It's one of Hui Jin's men.

"Speak."

"Your Highness, the Emperor summons you. Also, My Lady is been summon too."

Hui Jin and Yi Guan look at each other.

"It's getting late. Does the Emperor tells you his reason?" Hui Jin is worried there might be danger if they'll set off tonight to the palace.

"No, Your Highness. But don't worry, the Emperor ask some Royal Guards to escort you on your way." Hui Jin have no choice since it's the Emperor who wants them.

"Alright, we'll be right there."

"Yes, Your Highness." And then he went out.

Hui Jin stands up and help Yi Guan stand up too.

"My Lady, don't worry. If the Emperor asked you about your true identity, tell the truth and the reason. He'll understand."

Yi Guan thinks Hui Jin is very thoughtful. He had just read what's on her mind.

'I was suppose to ask that.' Yi Guan was again, speechless by the Prince.

They couldn't finish their meal so Hui Jin asked some maids to let them finish the food. It would be a waste if they'll throw it.

Yin Tian can't help but feel worried to her lady.

Hui Jin and Yi Guan change to a more formal outfit for they will be entering the Imperial Court.

This will also be the first time Yi Guan will step into the palace so she feels nervous.

Before they set off, Yin Tian speak.

"Your Highness, My Lady, please be careful on your way to the palace." As she said that, Yi Guan hold both of her hands.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine. Besides, His Highness will protect me." After hearing those words, Yin Tian calmed down a bit.

"Alright, we'll get going." Hui Jin help Yi Guan into the carriage as they are on their way to the palace.