[Channing Palace]
He Yu caught sight of Lingxi's flowing robes as she approached him from the hall way.
He stood up on seeing her and helped pull her chair for her to sit. Lingxi looked around.
They were seated in a small pavilion at the center of the palace.
"Why did you suddenly decide to have breakfast here?" Lingxi asked.
"The morning weather is quite cool. I wanted to appreciate the atmosphere with you", He Yu answered with a smile.
"He Yu....." Lingxi wanted to say something but He Yu interrupted.
"He Yu? That sounds so distant. I'm heartbroken", he said holding his chest dramatically.
"If your heart is broken, you won't be alive. Didn't Xu Yicheng tell you that?" Lingxi asked.
She did not plan on giving into him easily.
"Can Zhizhi really bear to see me die?" He Yu asked in return.
"Why can't I?"
He Yu sighed dramatically, "I don't mind dying at your hands but breaking my heart is too cruel"
Lingxi was not about to put up with him, "everything is always cruel to you. Acting wronged has become your specialty, hasn't it?"
He Yu looked like someone who was caught in the act and straightened up but his expression didn't change, "and bullying me is your specialty"
Lingxi did not believe her ears, "I never knew telling the truth was considered bullying. In that case, it seems I'll have to carry the title of a bully for a long time"
Two servants soon came carrying trays containing different dishes. Xin Xie and Xin Lan helped set them on the table.
Lingxi looked at the table.
The morning breakfast was much more than before.
There were six different dishes - golden sesame cakes, steamed dumplings, lotus seed and red-date porridge, braised pork, tea eggs, and steamed buns. Osmanthus tea was also present.
"Having so many dishes .....I wonder what the occasion is", Lingxi said.
"There is no such occasion. My wife has been losing weight a lot lately. You should eat more", He Yu said serving her some of the porridge.
He placed it in front of her.
Lingxi tasted a spoonful of the porridge, "but I won't be able to finish so many dishes", she commented.
"How would you know if you don't try?" He Yu responded.
He helped cut the pork knuckles into smaller portions while Lingxi tried the other dishes.
He Yu passed her the plate with the pieces of pork he had just prepared.
Xin Xie took it halfway and placed it in front of Lingxi.
Lingxi tried the pork. It was soft, juicy and tender.
"How is it?" He Yu asked.
"It's soft and tender, very juicy", she commented.
Lingxi turned to Xin Xie, "do we have a new chef?"
"No", Xin Xie answered before adding, "why does your highness ask? Is there something wrong with the food?"
Lingxi shook her head in the negative. She tried another dumpling eating deliberately as though she was trying to understand the flavor.
"I've tried some of these dishes before but the taste this time is different. It doesn't seem to be Chef Zhou's cooking", she observed.
"Your highness's observation is correct. His Highness woke up very early at dawn and specially prepared all these dishes for your highness", Chi Yun told her.
He was standing behind He Yu.
Lingxi's attention shifted to He Yu, "you made all of this?"
"It tastes good, right?" He Yu asked with a smile.
"Yes, it's good", Lingxi agreed, "I just didn't know that aside from making tea, you cook as well"
"There are many things Zhizhi doesn't know. When it comes to household chores, there's barely anything I can't do", He Yu responded with a smile.
"When did you learn to cook?" Lingxi asked.
"Eleven years ago when i returned from the Northwest during the New Year, I was poisoned. Due to my health, I had to recuperate so I lived in isolation. I learnt a lot of things to pass away time", He Yu explained.
There was a short pause. He Yu poured her tea.
She drank it before speaking, "I have always wanted to ask you something"
"Go on"
"Regarding who poisoned you, do you know who did it?"
He Yu who was pouring himself tea paused for a second before he continued.
Lingxi noticed.
Even Chi Yun had a slight shift in expression.
"Yes", He Yu answered without looking up from what he was doing.
"Who did it?" Lingxi asked eagerly.
He Yu set the teacup down and met her eyes. His lips parted to answer her.
[Sifeng Inn]
Qin Yan's eyes met He Yan's.
"Never claim to know someone by just observing", Qin Yan answered.
"Am I wrong?" He Yan did not think his observation was wrong, "even right now, you are screening the inn"
"Being prepared is different from being afraid," Qin Yan said and tilted his head slightly to the right.
An arrow flew past him and he caught it right before it hit He Yan.
He Yan's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the arrow, which had missed his eyes by barely an inch.
Blood dripped from Qin Yan's hand onto his sword.
"Does Prince Cheng now understand?" The guards who were eating immediately stood up and drew their swords.
"Protect His Highness!" Ming'an shouted.
Some of them surrounded He Yan and Qin Yan.
Qin Yan dropped the arrow casually and maintained perfect composure but He Yan's mood was not the same.
Ming'an stood in front of him with his sword in hand.
"Your highness, you should leave immediately. Guard Qin Yan, you too", Ming'an said.
Qin Yan picked up his sword and walked past the guards surrounding them. He walked up the stairs like he had not almost been hit by an arrow.
He Yan rushed after him with Ming'an shielding him.
"Guard Qin Yan, I'll entrust Prince Cheng to you", he said turning to the guards, "move!" he ordered.
They all, including him rushed outside to fight.
*****
Inside the room, He Yan was panicking as he heard the sound of clanging of swords.
He was pacing up and down the room with each sound of metal clashing increasing his anxiety.
While he was nervous, Qin Yan was calmly applying ointment on his wound. He bandaged his hand and poured himself some water.
"How can you be so calm while I'm being attacked?" He Yan asked.
"What does Your Highness expect me to do?" Qin Yan asked in return.
"Although I haven't seen you fight, I'm sure your skills are good. I think you should guard the front door, just in case", He Yan instructed.
"I am not responsible for your safety. Your highness, I've told you before, I'm not responsible for your safety. I don't like repeating myself", Qin Yan was not taking orders that were not in his work scope.
"Qin Yan, don't forget, right now, I am not just a prince. I am also your student. If anything happens to me while I'm under your watch, what will happen to you?" He Yan threatened but he did not seem to know that Qin Yan was not one who was moved by threats.
Qin Yan looked up at him, "So you do know you're my student?"