Stop flattering me [Bonus chapter]

Before that strong punch could hit Licheng's face, he caught her fist. Xiana's eyes carried an intense fiery look and they locked with Licheng. She used her remaining strength to move a bit close to his face, but it was impossible.

Licheng left his grip on her fist and shifted it to her wrist. He drew her close and whispered in her ear, "Learn the opponent first and then attack."

Xiana narrowly gazed at him and said, "Don't you think you deserved it? You humiliated me. I am not an emotionless person like you. I miss everything here. I feel annoyed in just one day. My family is worried for me and I cannot do anything. I miss them and you do nothing but create trouble for me," Xiana said and tears formed in her eyes.

Licheng frowned and let go of her wrist. "Follow me," he said and walked ahead of her.

Eunuch Jize bowed to see Licheng when he dismissed him, including the other servants from the chamber. He took the seat and gazed at Xiana, who was standing in front of him.

"Take a seat," Licheng said.

"Servants do not sit," Xiana affirmed.

"They don't always stand either," Licheng asserted.

Xiana sat on the chair but kept her eyes away from him.

"Your father has sent a message regarding your return to the Yu Kingdom," Licheng said. Xiana still did not gaze at him. "I cannot let you go because you are an important person to me," he added.

"Stop flattering me with your words," Xiana said out of frustration. "An important person to you?!" She chuckled and tilted her head to glare at him. "You treat me like trash! You think you are superior because you hold more strength than me," she pronounced.

"You make me do that. If I ask you politely to follow me, you refuse or pretend not to listen to me," Licheng stated. He counted the mistakes she had made till now, which also included infuriating Xuanzi.

"I did not lie about your brother. He is a crybaby. He complained about me to your mother," Xiana argued.

"The Su Empire holds a bigger power than the Yu Kingdom. You must be aware of the fact that many kingdoms have joined our Empire in the past few years. That's why royalty here has a bigger influence on everyone including your kingdom," Licheng asserted. He didn't want to give her a harsher punishment, even though he had given the words to his second brother.

"Licheng, I don't care. I will stay this way. If you cannot handle me, then it is your problem," Xiana stated.

"I am being cautious with you," Licheng said. Xiana knitted her brows together as she was puzzled by his statement.

"I want to treat you tenderly, but you make me do otherwise. I have given you freedom, unlike the other servants. It is not my fault that you accepted my help. I told you clearly not to regret it later. You were the one, who was confident. So, you should not blame me. It was bound to happen." He showed her the mirror of truth, which Xiana would forget frequently.

"I apologize for treating you badly," Licheng asked for forgiveness.

Xiana did not expect him to apologize to her this early. She thought he was full of pride and ego.

"Do you think Zhi Yawen will wait for you throughout his life?" Licheng suddenly asked a question, which bewildered her.

"How come you remember his name?" Xiana frowned at him.

"Just answer me what I am asking," Licheng said.

"I have asked him to move on, but I think he will not be able to. I am also worried about him. My one decision harmed him too," Xiana said with a regretful voice.

"He is after your father's throne. You should not trust such a love," Licheng affirmed.

"Licheng, let's end the conversation here. I forgave you. I hope you treat not only me, but the other servants well in the palace," Xiana stated and stood up to leave.

"I heard you did not eat lunch that day. Have dinner with me. Stay here," Licheng said. He didn't speak about Zhi Yawen anymore because he realized she did not believe his words. He fully understood why she didn't trust him.

Licheng called Eunuch Jize inside and asked him to prepare dinner meals. Xiana did not leave since she was starving. Perhaps, her empty stomach was the reason behind her anger. Eunuch Jize told Licheng it would take another half an hour to prepare the meals.

"Sure," Licheng said and dismissed him.

When the doors closed, Xiana opened her mouth to speak. "Licheng, you know nothing about love. So, never say anything wrong about the man I love," she stated.

"Sure. Don't cry later if you will be proved wrong," he affirmed.

"I have known him for over fifteen years," Xiana argued. She did not like the way Licheng accused Zhi Yawen.

"It does not mean you can read his thoughts," Licheng opined. "We make horrible mistakes of trusting too much sometimes," he said.

Xiana clenched her fists. "I trust him. So, you can stop now," she told him. Licheng nodded at her and turned silent. His duty was to warn her, which he did.

"Call me when the dinner is ready," Xiana decided to leave when Licheng asked her to stay behind.

"I didn't know the day I would reach the Yu Imperial Palace, your wedding would be going on," Licheng said.

"What if I have gotten married?" Xiana asked. "Would you have asked a married woman to accompany you?" She queried.

"Perhaps I have not," Licheng replied. "However, we both were destined to meet, so I would have met you the other way," he said with confidence.

"I do not know whether I should believe you or not," Xiana stated and her brows furrowed together. "You are manipulating my thoughts. I understand you are great in martial arts, but these nonsense previous birth talks are making me madder," she truthfully told him.

Licheng did not say anything to her. He decided to wait for the right time when she would remember everything from the past.