Focus your entire energy

Eunuch Jize saw how cheerful Licheng looked suddenly. "It seems everything went well in front of the Emperor," he said and waited for the Crown Prince's response.

"Xiana has told her father that she wants to stay with me, by my side," Licheng stated. The gentle smile on his lips would show how delighted he was about it.

"I have never seen His Royal Highness getting happy for small things," Eunuch Jize said. Promptly, Licheng wore a serious expression on his face.

"So, where is Xiana?" Licheng asked him. He didn't bother to say anything about Eunuch Jize's statement.

"Princess Xiana isn't in the manor. I thought she would return with the Crown Prince," Eunuch Jize humbly answered.

"Where did she go?" Licheng wondered and told Jize to look for her. "Tell her to come here as I need to tell her something," he commanded Jize.

Eunuch Jize complied with the order and left the chamber to find Xiana.

Licheng went to the patio and then entered the rock garden. He stood near the stream and looked at his reflection in the water.

"The five martial brothers have not returned till now. I should not be worrying for them since they are powerful enough to protect themselves," Licheng murmured and knitted his brows together. He closed his eyes to meditate and also to focus on his Qi (pronounced as chi), the vital life force.

"Did you call for me?" Xiana's voice fell into his ears and he gradually opened his eyes. "I encountered your brothers in my way. Yesterday we defeated Xuanzi, so Yuan asked what kind of punishment should we give to them," she enthusiastically told him.

"So, what did you decide then?" Licheng asked.

"I wanted to make Xuanzi sweep the yard the same way he made me do that through you," Xiana said, "but then I let it go. Xuanzi and I have become friends." She smiled proudly at her little achievement.

Licheng recalled how he told her to stay away from his siblings, but it seems his siblings could not stay away from her, especially Yuan.

"So, why did you call me? Don't tell me your mother scolded you and you wanted someone to complain about it," Xiana said while joking.

Licheng placed his index finger on the center of Xiana's forehead. "Here. You need to focus your entire energy here. Do it every day," he said and pulled his hand back.

"How?" Xiana looked confused.

Licheng grasped her arm and made her stand in front of him. His hands moved to her shoulders and he asked her to exhale a deep breath before inhaling as much as air she could.

Xiana did so and heard him asking her to close her eyes. Gradually her eyes shut.

"What do you feel, Xiana? What kind of sounds do you hear apart from mine?" Licheng asked her.

"I hear a lot of sounds. Water flowing, the birds chirping, the ruffling of the tree leaves," Xiana said.

"These are called distractions. You need to hear the sound of your breathing," Licheng whispered and she opened her eyes.

"And how should I do that? Don't tell me I have to meditate," She said and turned to face him, "because I cannot do that. You told me you would train me." She reminded him of his words.

"I will, but you need to meditate for an hour every day in the place where I will take you," he stated. Xiana agreed with him.

"Licheng, have a friendly sword fight with me," Xiana said with a glint in her eyes. She held his hand and requested him with her doe eyes. "Unless we fight we don't know how much more I need to train myself," she added.

"We will start tomorrow," Licheng said. "Your father is here. You should spend the day with him after he wakes up," he advised her.

"Hmm. You are right," Xiana said and pulled her hands back from his arm. The faint smile that was on her lips slowly vanished, which could not be hidden from Licheng.

"I am upset with my father this time. I hope he does not request me anymore. We cannot either tell him the truth about you since it is supposed to be a secret," Xiana asserted. According to her, if Licheng could tell the truth to her father, then he would not be worried for her. But she also understood Licheng did not want to reveal his identity to anyone.

"I will talk to your father," Licheng stated, "if you allow me to."

"What will you say to my father? The truth?" Xiana inquired.

"I have not decided yet, but I will make him free of worries," Licheng assured her.

"You get angry when a person does not understand you," Xiana said and told him not to meet her father.

"You are wrong about me," Licheng stated.

Xiana turned around and got down. She crossed her arms and rested them over her knees. "I allow you. I hope you convince my father without using any threatening words," she affirmed and looked at her reflection in the water. She could also see Licheng's reflection in the water and realized even his reflection looked pretty. However, she found something strange, and it made her frown.

His left eye was red, and she promptly asked Licheng about it before turning around. He was startled by her sudden question and saw her standing up.

Before he could understand what she was up to, his face was cupped between her palms. "Licheng, your eye is red. Your right eye is perfectly fine. What's wrong?" She gazed at him with a puzzled expression.

Licheng pushed her away as he got nervous with that touch and her close gaze at him. Xiana could not balance herself and fell into the stream with a huge splash of water.

"Xiana!" Licheng got worried and jumped into the water.

Since the water was not deep, Xiana got up on her own and glared at him. Licheng grabbed her arms and apologized to her.

"I didn't mean to do it. You suddenly cupped my face," he said and looked down at her chest. Xiana noticed where his eyes landed and she quickly turned around while placing her arms across her chest.

Eunuch Jize came there after hearing the sound of water splashing along with some servants and asked Licheng if he was fine.

Licheng quickly removed his upper robe and put it over Xiana. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and they both came out of the water.

"Help her change the dress," Licheng told one of the servants.

Xiana tightly held the robe around her and left with the two servants.