I felt more freedom

Xiana stood straight and took a step back from Licheng. "Say something," she said.

"What do you want me to say?" Licheng asked.

"That you will not treat me coldly. You will trust me and will see me as a friend. We both fight with each other, but we both know how we need each other. I want to know the truth about me, my past life, and my current life from you. Licheng, if I get angry with you, it will be tough for you to make me happy," Xiana asserted.

"I did not fight with you," Licheng said and walked ahead of her.

"Do not lie. You were playing a cold war with me since yesterday," Xiana stated and went after him.

"I never did that," Licheng said and descended the stairs along with her. "I heard love beats everything. You gave up easily on Zhi Yawen," he muttered. "Is it true you wanted to get married because it was your parents' dream?"

"Did you never ask your sister? How we women are taught from a young age that one day we will be married off and then we will bear the offspring of our husbands," Xiana said.

"I think royals have more pressure of getting married at a very young age," Licheng stated, "irrespective of the genders."

"I agree, but women in general, have more pressure," Xiana stated. "I have learned martial arts because of my pertinacity. I was the eldest daughter of the Yu Royal Family, so I was taught to be a good wife to my future husband most of the time. I do love Zhi Yawen. I wanted to marry him and wanted to have a life with him. But in just two days of my stay here, I felt more freedom. I hope you are getting me what message I want to deliver to you."

Licheng realized that Xiana was also a mysterious woman. Behind that open outlook hid a woman who wanted to explore the greater horizons of her life. She once again intrigued him.

He halted after he descended all the stairs and turned to look at Xiana. "You are confused about love, Xiana. I do not think you are in love with him. It is impossible to stay away from the person whom you love. You should think about this one more time," he advised her.

"How come you know about love more than me? You have not even fallen for anyone?" Xiana chuckled.

"You are right. But you have not either fallen for Zhi Yawen. You may like him. Well, I am happy that you will be with me," Licheng did not want to stretch the conversation about her love life.

"Xiana, I want to ask you once more are you sure of this decision? I had made up my mind to let you go after some time," Licheng stated.

"I am sure. My decision is firm this time," Xiana replied.

"Your mother is not well, I heard," Licheng said.

"She will be fine after Father will speak to her. I know my Mother. Primarily, she was concerned because my marriage broke which is considered inauspicious in everyone's eyes. She is the one who taught me to keep the promise first above everything." Xiana recalled when she was young and she asked her mother why fulfilling the promises was necessary.

"Fine then," Licheng said. "I will not give you troubles during your stay here. Forgive me for my behavior." He pursed his lips together and waited for her response.

Xiana smiled at him and showed him her pinky finger.

Licheng gazed at her with inquisitiveness.

"Promise me you will never treat me coldly. I saved your life in the previous life, so you must treat me gently. Accident happens and you have no control over such things," Xiana said.

Licheng curled his fingers and hooked his pinky finger with hers. "I promise, Xiana," he passed a smile to her.

Empress Yunxian saw them from the corridor's one end and furrowed her brows together. It was clear to her that her son was mesmerized by Xiana. She was informed of what happened in the Emperor's chamber and how Xiana decided to stay by Licheng's side.

"It seems Crown Prince Licheng likes Princess Xiana," said Madame Yujin, the wife of the Emperor's second brother. "He listens to Princess Xiana more than he listens to his mother," she asserted.

Xiana's eyes landed on the Empress and the smile on her lips started disappearing. Licheng noticed it and looked in the same direction as hers before pulling his hand back. "Mother," he mumbled.

"Your mother's expression does not look good," Xiana said. "You failed to win your mother's trust," she stated.

"I tried hard," Licheng muttered.

"I go back to the manor. You should go to your mother," Xiana said and went in the other direction. Licheng went to his mother and bowed to her. He greeted his first aunt as well before returning the gaze to his mother.

"So, it is true, the Crown Prince has got a scar on his lovely face," Madame Yunji said. "It is said that the next king should not have any kind of deformity on him." Her remark angered Empress Yunxian.

However, before she could reprimand her, Licheng said, "It will vanish soon, First Aunt. I am not surprised to see that the First Aunt did not change at all," he said with a tiny smile on his lips.

He returned his gaze to his mother and continued, "Mother, how are you? I hope you have forgiven me."

"Is it true that Princess Xiana will not leave?" Empress Yunxian asked without answering Licheng's question.

"The words spread fast in the palace. This is what annoys me the most here," Licheng did not give a straight answer.

"If the Crown Prince loves his mother, then he will never marry Princess Xiana. If he wants me to forgive him, then he has to send Princess Xiana back," Empress Yunxiana asserted.

"Forgive me, Mother," Licheng said and lowered his eyes, "that is not possible anymore. I take my leave." He took a step back and headed in the same direction from where Xiana had gone.

"Your Majesty, Crown Prince Licheng needs to be controlled before he does something which creates a trouble for him," Madame Yunji stated. Empress Yunxian balled her fists and wondered how she would do that. She had no control over her eldest son.