Unawaited Return

The carriage came to a gentle halt in the center of the main court of the Royal Palace. A second later the carriage's door opened and Xia Zhentao elegantly exited, not a hair out of place and his demeanor as always befit of Xia Principality's prince regent, closely behind him was Xia Beilian who stepped onto the stone pavement with just as much grace as his father, the both of them standing in the sheer heavenly garden, as if they were two immortals about to enter the Heavenly Emperor's Jade Palace.

"Regent Xia and Prince Xia! What a surprise!", the soothing quiet of the court was disrupted by this sudden call originating from the palace's main court directly in front the Xia father and son.

Xia Zhentao smoothly turned his head to face the person who had suddenly greeted them, the same courteous smile on his face he had when dealing with Lei Mingxing during their journey here.

"Pleased to see you as gallant as ever Crown Prince, we apologize for paying such an impolite sudden visit," saying this, both Xia Zhentao and Xia Beilian bent their backs in a slight, apologetic bow, cupping their fists.

The Crown Prince, Lei Jiahui, waited until they had completed the bow, a crowd of servants dutifully behind him, as he watched them with an equally polite and satisfied expression. He perfunctorily waved his hand.

"Do not worry Regent Xia, My Lord Father has instructed me to tell you that our palace is always open to you and your son. But what brought you here?"

Straightening his back again upon receiving Lei Jiahui's forgiveness, Xia Zhentao parted his lips again with a friendly expression on his face.

"To tell you the truth, Crown Prince, my son and myself had originally only planned to pay Flowing Lotus City a visit, to soothe the muscles in preparation for my son's impending advancement, when during our temporary stay in Sprouting Lily Town we encountered an unexpected surprise, " Xia Zhentao took a small step aside, opening a clear view to the carriage still standing behind him.

Xia Beilian had also caught his father's subtle hint and positioned himself next to the carriage's door with his hand gracefully stretched out.

A second passed before the soft shuffling sound of a person could be heard from inside.

The pale yellow fabric of her skirt spilled out of the dark carriage first, making it difficult for her to take the step down from the carriage, but despite this, no hand came to lay on top of Xia Beilian's. 

No, instead the person inside just grabbed her skirt, slightly revealing her ankles in the process, before exiting the carriage with one smooth motion like flowing water while clutching the door's wooden frame. Her long, ebony black hair followed her movement in an enchanting wave that captured the attention of anyone currently standing in the courtyard.

Even Lei Jiahui couldn't help staring, breathless for but a moment, until the girl raised her head again and coldly met his gaze.

"Second Sister!", Lei Jiahui unconsciously exclaimed with a face as if encountering a ghost, some of the servants behind him also cried out 'Second Princess' in fright.

But Lei Mingxing seemingly couldn't care less, only greeting him with a small bow and a courteous: "Eldest Brother."

The moment the words left her mouth, the servants that had followed Lei Jiahui fell into a commotion, destroying the last bit of tranquility still left in the courtyard with their hurried and excited whispering. Some even discreetly snuck out of the group, speeding away as fast as they could.

Probably to alert the other family members of her return, Lei Mingxing thought mockingly, although she didn't whether she was making fun of herself or her other family members.

However, Lei Mingxing wasn't the only one who paid attention to the servants. Lei Jiahui audibly cleared his throat, raising his hand and motioning the servants to shut their mouths and keep quiet, his eyebrows already knit in faint displeasure. But he soon smoothed the small wrinkles again.

"You have my utmost thanks, Regent Xia and Prince Xia, for finding and escorting the Second Princess back home after her sudden disappearance," Lei Jiahui bowed slightly, trying his best to keep his expression calm, "My Lord Father will surely want to thank you as well but this long journey must have exhausted you, we have already prepared a courtyard for you to stay at, if you would please follow Eunuch Sang."

With a quick wave of Lei Jiahui's gorgeously embroidered, long deep blue sleeve, a smaller-statured man in red robes and a black hat stepped out from the now quiet servants, bowing deeply in greeting at Xia Zhentao and Xia Beilian, remaining in this bow, waiting for their response.

"Thank you, Crown Prince, we gladly accept the offer," Xia Zhentao agreed with a sincere tone, before turning to the silent Lei Mingxing and bowing, " Goodbye, Second Princess."

Lei Mingxing was only able to force out a brisk 'Goodbye' in response, less bowing than nodding her head, avoiding the Xia father and son's gazes, only staring at a bush of especially grating white peonies a few meters in front of her.

With that Eunuch Sang straightened his back and began leading the way through the flower gardens, Xia Zhentao and Xia Beilian elegantly strolling behind, soon disappearing into the perfectly groomed 'natural' landscape.

With their noble guests gone, Lei Jiahui's face fell, gaining a shade of iciness and anger, quite the opposite of the heroic immortal image he always pursued to embody. 

He stared at Lei Mingxing, unmoving, clenching and unclenching his jaw, his dark green eyes narrowed. 

But contrary to her behavior with the Xia duo, Lei Mingxing did not avert her eyes, instead meeting his gaze head-on. 

There was not a hint of fear or shame on her face from beginning to end, after a while her lips even curled into a curve of mockery, angering Lei Jiahui even further but also dumbfounding him in the process.

Since when had Lei Mingxing become so unruly and arrogant?!

Before Lei Mingxing could continue with her silent ridiculing of Lei Jiahui and enrage him any further however, Lei Jiahui just motioned for two guards standing a bit further away to come over.

"Take her back to her courtyard and make sure she stays there," he ordered with a harsh tone, whirling around to leave with a proud 'hmph', his head held high and robes fluttering behind him. The crowd of servants hurried closely to follow him.

Lei Mingxing only let out an unamused chuckle looking at Lei Jiahui's dignified back. But ultimately, she also had no other choice but to start walking in the direction of her old courtyard unless she wanted to be dragged there by the guards.