CHAPTER 9

"The King does not give his approval. The princess must marry the Lord of the house except young master Luo becomes a palace official." The palace messenger explained to Yen and the others.

"I don't want to be a palace official." Luo protested. He hated royals and politics and still couldn't understand why Zhan, his twin became a Minister.

"His Majesty expects a response from Lord Gu in three days as the palace exam will take place five days from now. He has been offered the position of Minister of entertainment, in charge of all art and cultural work in writing, singing, acting and overseeing the courtesan house. He must only prepare a captivating dance with the princess to pass the exam." The messenger completed. He bowed at Yen and Lei and left without a response.

"We can do this Luo, it is simple. What do you think?" Han asked happily, ignoring his clouded look. He was not having the idea and Yen understood, he knew all of his brothers and what they disliked.

"Give me some time princess Han, I'll discuss with my brother." Luo replied coldly, making her smile disappear. Why wasn't he excited to do that for her?

 -At the hallway

"Thank you for the dresses Young master Lin." Clea said as she bowed to Lin after spotting him walking with Lee from the meeting room.

"What dresses?" Lee asked in a chill tone, curious and jealous at the same time. He envied her, two of his brothers liked her so he thought.

"She did something for me and I rewarded her."Lin explained as he paused to face Clea. She was cute and petite but he wasn't attracted to her.

"I've asked the chef to prepare you a buffet for lunch." He completed. Clea was excited; she was going to have a noble's meal.

"Well, I have a favor to ask her. She owes me." Lee said as he paused to face Lin.

"Excuse us." He completed pulling Clea to his side. She was shocked at his behavior but she knew she owed him one after he saw *them* kissing.

Lin turned around leaving them as he did not want to get in trouble with Yen. Everyone saw how he treated her but no one dared to speak.

"What.. do you want me to do Young master?" Clea stammered unsure of what Lee, a young Gu master would make her do since they were all impulsive and unpredictable.

 -At the stable

"You don't have to marry her Luo. We just need to convince her that she's not in love with you. That would be a better way to sort things out." Mhu advised Luo who was lifeless throughout the horse riding session.

"Easy for you to say, she called me husband earlier this morning." Luo whined frustrated by the entire situation.

"She needs something to distract her. We can set up a meeting with a courtesan to make her madly jealous." Yi suggested, handing over his horse to a servant.

"Or we can do it the other way around! That way she wouldn't have anything against us." Mhu suggested evilly. He was tired of having her around but Yi didn't welcome the idea, he hated it but still kept his cool.

"We should set her up." He completed causing Luo and Yi to stare at him. They both didn't want to go that far.

"That's cruel. We can make her see how Luo really feels instead. If she cares about him, she wouldn't want to force him." Yi said, lightening up the mood and protecting her.

"Whatever decision you make, act fast. If Lord Yen takes the matter up himself, you wouldn't have a choice." Mhu concluded leaving the two brothers.

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He led her to a room after he had blindfolded her. She wasn't sure what to expect.

"Wait here." He ordered as he left her. She was curious, what was he going to make her do?

He sat on a chair behind her after bringing someone in and pulled her to sit on his laps. She was shocked by his sudden movement as he pulled off the blindfold.

"Young master!" She exclaimed trying to get up from his laps which she was seated on. There was a painter waiting for Lee's order to start painting. He was stunned by the scene mostly because of the fact that Lee asked for a marriage portrait.

"Don't move." He ordered pulling her in and staring at her. He was curious to see how they would look together.

She was embarrassed, not sure what to do but she was mostly scared about Yen finding out. He had been acting possessive over her but what if he got super mad? Still she had no choice since she agreed to do whatever Lee asked her in return for him going to the party with Lin.

"Start painting." He said to the painter positioning himself to face her directly with her on his laps. He posed by placing one arm on the arm rest and resting his chin on his fingers while staring at her lips seductively, holding her waist with his other hand while she just sat scared not able to look him in the eyes.

  -At the main house

She walked in quietly to avoid being caught by Yen but she was greeted by Lei and Yen on his way back after seeing her to the door.

"My Lady… Lord G…Gu." She stuttered seeing the tall figures before her.

"Goodnight Yen." Lei said to Yen ignoring Clea as she had other matters that bothered her mind. Yen was surprised she called him that; maybe she was scared of what he would do to her if she disobeyed him.

"Prepare my bath." He ordered walking away; he needed to relieve his stress. Clea was relieved, she feared that he would scold her when he found out she wasn't inside..

He dimmed the lights as she stepped into his room. She wanted to inform him his bath was ready. She was scared thinking there was an assassin in the room.

"Lord Gu? Are you there?" Her voice echoed in the barely lit room. He slowly approached her from behind and leaned forward when he got to her, lowering his head to bite her earlobe.

Flustered, she jumped in surprise and fear knowing it was him, Lord Gu. He pulled her in, unfastening her belt and taking her top off to reveal her perky boobs.

 -In the garden

He watched her scold the flowers like they were humans, he found it funny.

"What are you doing?" He asked from afar giving her time to clean her tears.

"Who's there?" Han asked not looking up from her handkerchief as he approached her.

"Gu Yi.' He replied standing in front of her. He liked seeing her below him as he was taller.

She drew back scared of him; she recalled their encounter at Luo's house and was still embarrassed.

"You're wearing the right pair of earrings today."Yi said to lighten her mood.

'Yeah…" She whispered hiding her shaky voice. A tear rushed down her cheek.

"You've been crying, you'll get a headache." He said sad to see his beloved like that, he held her chin up. Han was swayed by his act but was confused as to what feeling she had and why he cared. He hated seeing her like that, the one who made him laugh.

"I'm fine." She lied drawing her face away as she looked to her side to see Luo watching them from afar. He looked at her differently, she could tell.

#Was this all a setup?# She thought afraid of what would happen.