Day 10: “Oh, Man...”

My mother often said that Liao Yan is a playboy type, those who date him have to be careful lest he gets stolen by another girl.

"Here's your medicine, get well soon, pretty lady.", Liao Yan handed the medicine I prescribed and winked at the female patient.

The female patient blushed and retreated from the clinic. I must say, with Liao Yan here, my work as a junior physician is getting even harder. My ears kept hearing 'look, there are two handsome men at the clinic' rumors that echoed like a willow in the morning.

"Physician Xun, do you have someone you like?", said one of the female patients who waited at the front door.

"Yes.", I replied shortly after I checked the girl's pulse.

"Who is it?", the girl asked curiously.

"The eldest princess.",

The girl and Liao Yan were shocked to hear it. The girl had a disappointed face while Liao Yan rejoiced and slapped my shoulder.

"That's my boy!", he said.

I ignored him and the rest of the disappointed female patients I had since morning. I have a slight headache and had the urge to escape from this forsaken place. Liao Yan and I handled the patient until there's no one else left.

"Hey, are you serious about that?",

"About what?",

"You liking the eldest princess.",

I sighed, Liao Yan is pretty sharp, "Yes.",

"Pardon me, is Liao Yan here?",

Li Xiang, whom I barely see these past few days showed up. She looked like she was in a hurry, Liao Yan who was taking a break had a tired face and stood up, "What's the general's order?",

Hold on, there's clearly something wrong here. Liao Yan usually heads over heels towards Li Xiang, but now why is he acting all cold all of sudden?

"The queen asked us to run a mission at the Yangjiang village.",

Hearing a familiar name, I was reminded of how Liao Yan and I get here. That's it! We were so busy that we have forgotten to find a way to go back!

"Understood.",

"Um, General Li.",

"Yes?",

"Can I join this mission? I promise I won't be a burden.",

Li Xiang was quite surprised and asked, "Why?",

"I left some things at an abandoned building in the village, and I wanted to retrieve it.",

Liao Yan slapped his forehead, we have forgotten about our bike there. But I believe he knew what I'm thinking, Liao Yan gave a slight nod as a sign that he understood what I meant. He also proposed to bring Qi Mo together on this mission. It was not difficult for Li Xiang to understand our plan. She sighed and said, "Very well, but make sure you don't ruin the mission. We will depart tomorrow morning.",

"Understood.",

Although she knew about our plan yet she said nothing about it. She even let us in for the mission, Liao Yan and I couldn't help felt grateful for her.

…

"I refuse.", Zhao Mingxia said sternly as she put down her cup, It was no surprise that Zhao Mingxia would not allow me to go on a mission. I was gifted with knowledge but apparently, martial art was not included.

"If you want to retrieve your belongings just ask Liao Yan to bring it and Qi Mo to bring it.",

"It's a heavy one. The item name was a bicycle.",

Zhao Mingxia tilted her head confusedly, she looked pretty cute this way. Her eyes filled with curiosity and eagerness to know like an elementary schooler studying something new.

"It's light transportation using a pedal to move. If I retrieved it, I will bring you out with the bicycle, how's that sound?",

Zhao Mingxia fell silent for a moment, then she asked, "Didn't you want to go back?",

Honestly, does the plan sound pretty obvious? Besides, it's not like I want to go back right away. If I could, I would either bring Zhao Mingxia with me or break up properly with her. It pains me that she thought I was that heartless to her.

"I have you here, how could I just go back? I would just ask Qi Mo to research the area, even if we do find a way to go back, I would inform you first and perhaps bring you to my world.",

"And if I refuse?",

"Then, we'll settle things straight and I go back home.",

Zhao Mingxia sighed and poured another cup of tea, "It's not like I don't want to go with you. But there are things that… I couldn't leave behind.",

I drank the tea and asked, "Like what?",

"I couldn't tell you now, but… this country needs you.",

What does she mean? This country needs me?

Unlike Liao Yan, I'm not heroic at all. I took a hard lesson to realize it myself, last time I tried to be a hero, I ended up vomiting on someone and becoming a burden. However, the fact that Zhao Mingxia said the country needs me, a total stranger, means the politics behind the curtain are very desperate. She even sold herself to hold a political marriage with me while she shouldn't be.

"Just... what's wrong with the country?",

"It's...",

"Your Highness...", the maid behind Zhao Mingxia suddenly called and whispered something to her. Zhao Mingxia looked at me with a worrisome expression and then nodded her head.

"If I tell you will you help?",

"It depends on my capabilities, if I could, then I would.",

Zhao Mingxia sighed and took a sip of her tea, "I believe you should talk to the empress first, because she's the one who recommended you.",

"I'm not surprised… anyway, what about my permission?",

"Okay, I will allow you only if you promise me that you will marry me by the end of December.",

Yo, what the fuck?

The end of December?

That's like a month starting from now on!

"Why is the princess so eager to get married?",

"You're really asking me that?",

Zhao Mingxia pointed behind me and I looked back, there were several female servants and female strangers I barely knew. Did she mean about my popularity? Am I popular now?

"There won't be anyone to steal me, trust me.",

"How so? You're talented and… handsome.",

"I thanked for being praised by Your Highness, but it's the truth, because I have already told them that my heart belongs to the eldest princess. Perhaps, they're here to confirm it.",

Zhao Mingxia almost choked on her tea, she looked at me up and down, then, she blinked twice as if to confirm I was still around, "Are you serious?",

"The princess can ask the servants, I believe the fact that they're here, perhaps the rumor has already been spread.",

Zhao Mingxia changed her expression a few times and had this expression of 'so, you will marry me?',

"As a modern man, marriage is a great sacred ceremony with high responsibilities, I want to be prepared for such things and make sure my wife and kids would have a great life with me. That's why I need to think about this carefully.",

"Life in the castle isn't as complicated as in your time, don't worry too much about it.",

"It's not a matter of laws, but it's a man's pride…",

In the end, I managed to convince Zhao Mingxia to let me go on a mission without promising to marry her. I actually felt bad for her, since she has been asking for a political marriage like dozens of times, and my answer is always filled with uncertainty. I know that she was also desperate for whatever troubles at the palace. But as a wise man often said, 'life at the higher place is always a treacherous one'. Somehow, I get the feeling that we won't be able to go back...