I'm finally free!!/ Unknown power

Xi Xhen's face brightened with excitement as she jumped around happily.

"Now that Crown Prince won't ever bother me ever again…. I can't believe that I'm saying this again, but, I'M ACTUALLY FINALLY FREE!!!". Xi Xhen yelled happily.

Zhen Zhen only stared at Xi Xhen with disbelief because she didn't understand why Xi Xhen was this happy after being given this haunted Manor to live in.

"Let's get to work Zhen Zhen…. We don't have all day long". Xi Xhen said with a serious face after she was done being excited.

"Huh, Young Mistress…. What work are you talking about?". Zhen Zhen was confused and asked.

"How about turning a dead Manor into an alive one?". Xi Xhen said before a smile appeared on her fair face. "Let's get going already. And, stop staring at me like that, I'm not a ghost". Xi Xhen added before she grabbed Zhen Zhen’s hand and dragged her out of the old-looking Manor.

"B…. But, Young Mistress…. What if the Crown Prince visits you or calls on you? Remember today is your wedding". Zhen Zhen asked.

"That's not my problem, and he better not dare call for me. I even doubt he will. He gave me an old looking Manor to stay in…. What a ruthless beast. Well, my new manor won't look so bad any more by the time I am done with repairing it". Xi Xhen announced and turned to look at the sky before saying, "There is still a lot of time left until night. And since I'm good at doing everything, repairing my new manor would be a piece of cake to me". Xi Xhen placed her right hand on her chest as she bragged about her skills.

"I know you are skillful, Young Mistress". Zhen Zhen nodded as she admitted.

Xi Xhen was still holding onto Zhen Zhen's hand, and when she almost arrived at the exit gate, she halted as her head started processing.

"What's wrong, Young Mistress?". Zhen Zhen worriedly asked.

"I don't think it's a good idea to use the gate.... I suggest climbing over that wall". Xi Xhen suggested while pointing her index finger at the side wall which was in the other direction.

"B... But, Young Mistress, I can't climb walls. I have never even tried it before". Zhen Zhen admitted, her body shivered between her words. Thinking about climbing the wall was scaring the cats out of her. She was really scared of heights.

"Heh…. That's no problem, Zhen Zhen". Xi Xhen declared with a grin on her face. "Get on my back". Xi Xhen's voice ordered Zhen Zhen, who widened her eyes in disbelief.

‘How can I dare get on your back, young mistress?!’. Zhen Zhen thought to herself and panicked afterward.

"Em, but, Young Mistress, that's improper…. I… I can't, please". Zhen Zhen pleaded.

"We're not in the Xi Mansion, Zhen Zhen. There are no rules for me or you here. So, stop your whining and climb on my back now!". Xi Xhen's voice was a little loud as she ordered Zhen Zhen again.

Zhen Zhen had no other option but to obey Xi Xhen. Actually, she indeed had no other options because Xi Xhen was a stubborn person to reason with.

Zhen Zhen finally got on Xi Xhen's back, and before she knew it, Xi Xhen skillfully leaped up and easily jumped over the tall walls.

Now, both Xi Xhen and Zhen Zhen were outside the crown prince’s mansion.

"Whoa!!!.... Young Mistress, you're amazing! You jumped over the walls as if it wasn't a big deal to you". Zhen Zhen came down from Xi Xhen's back and complimented her cheerfully. She even gave Xi Xhen two sincere thumbs up!

"Of course I'm amazing, Zhen Zhen. And now that I'm not in my parents' mansion, I'll finally get to practise my fighting skills even more. I'll be the greatest fighter in the world!. No more nagging from my parents. Maybe this arranged marriage isn't such a bad idea after all. It helped gain me my freedom". Xi Xhen said excitedly before she headed to the large market with Zhen Zhen.

The market wasn't that close to the crown prince's Mansion, so Xi Xhen and Zhen Zhen had to walk fast to be able to reach there on time.

Soon they both arrive at the market, and after getting all the things that they would need to repair the Manor, they left the market and went back to the crown prince's mansion.

Upon arriving, Xi Xhen and Zhen Zhen entered the mansion the same way that they both went out.

"Thank goodness I am in a comfortable outfit to do this job". Xi Xhen carried the hammer she bought, and some other stuff after she had said.

Xi Xhen and Zhen Zhen repainted the Manor and redecorated it with the items they bought from the market.

After hours of repairing, they were finally done….

"Haa.... I'm exhausted! I'm finally through with this!!". Xi Xhen announced. She was so tired that she even sat down on the floor.

After Xi Xhen and Zhen Zhen’s hard work, the manor was now like a new manor. It didn't look like an abandoned or haunted manor again.

"Well done, Young Mistress". Zhen Zhen cheered Xi Xhen up.

"Hmph! The crown prince shouldn't have underestimated me. I, Xi Xhen, I'm unstoppable!. But, we both need serious bathing". Xi Xhen said, as she scanned her whole body. She was covered with paint and dust, the same as Zhen Zhen.

"Young Mistress, let me help you with your bath". Zhen Zhen offered to help out, just like always.

Thank goodness that there was a tap and a little stream in Xi Xhen's Manor. It looked special to Xi Xhen, and she loved it.

"Just prepare my washing items.... I will have my bath in the stream that's located in my backyard. It's so tempting, I want to try the water out". Xi Xhen ordered Zhen Zhen.

And actually, the stream was transparent and neat even though the Manor looked abandoned just a while ago.

"Sure, Young Mistress''. Zhen Zhen replied to Xi Xhen. She paid her respect before going to prepare Xi Xhen's bathing items.

Xhen removed her clothes. Now she was left with her undergarments and a thin singlet.

After coming out of the manor room, Xi Xhen went to her backyard. She entered the stream and when she was almost in the centre of the stream, she slowly sat down.

"Mmm…. The water is just at a perfect temperature". Xi Xhen muttered and shut her eyes.

Meanwhile, Zhen Zhen came with Xi Xhen's bathing items.... She placed them beside the lake and was about to wash Xi Xhen.

"No need for that Zhen Zhen…. Remember, we're not in the Xi Mansion. Don't worry about me and go have your own bath". Xi Xhen ordered.

Zhen Zhen wanted to persist, but she knew just how stubborn Xi Xhen could be. So she just bowed and respected Xi Xhen's decision. To be fair, Zhen Zhen was feeling stinky and sweaty as well. She went away to take her bath just like Xi Xhen ordered her to.

Xi Xhen was feeling relaxed in the little stream/lake. The stream seemed to be drawing and calling her. How stupid, right? She suddenly smiled as she enjoyed the stream's warm temperature.

Suddenly, a white glow formed in the stream.... It was bright, and it immediately entered Xi Xhen's body.

Xi Xhen felt something like a new energy inside of her, but it was kinda a warm feeling. She was feeling super energetic now. Soon she finished with her bath and got out of the water. Although she wanted to stay soaked in the lake for a long time, her stomach growled with hunger and disagreed with her, so she got out of the lake and headed inside her redecorated Manor.

What Xi Xhen didn't know was that something new had started developing inside of her. An unknown power?

Author Tina Nwuba: Are you awesome readers enjoying this story so far? Don't forget to support this book, so that I'll be encouraged to publish more chapters.