Xin Lan went back to combing Lingxi's hair as though nothing happened.
"Have you figured out how you gave yourself away?" Lingxi asked closing her eyes as she relaxed further.
"Yes. Back then at Fengyin Hall when you pretended Shen Ruihua hit you, you had tapped your thigh twice and I reacted to the signal subconsciously. That's what gave me away", Xin Lan answered.
"How did you manage to infiltrate Channing Palace?"
"I didn't intentionally. I was randomly chosen among the new maids to attend to you in Channing Palace", Xin Lan explained.
"Randomly chosen?" Lingxi thought opening her eyes slowly.
"Who chose you?"
"Chief Steward Bo", Xin Lan answered.
"Chief Steward Bo? What a random choice?" Lingxi commented.
"Before leaving New Moon, Your highness said just in case of anything, you needed someone of your own in the palace so I gladly accepted the role", Xin Lan added.
Lingxi raised her hand and she stopped combing her hair. She patiently waited for what Lingxi had to say.
There was a short pause before Lingxi spoke, "my next target is Eunuch Go"
"Does your highness want me to handle it?" Xin Lan asked.
"You should do it in an easy way. Do you understand?" Lingxi asked.
"I will make sure you see him on time" Xin Lan understood the message.
"Continue", Lingxi instructed.
Xin Lan continued combing her hair.
Xin Xie walked into the same atmosphere she met before she left with some clothes in her hand.
"Your highness, I've prepared the clothes"
"Help me change, then"
*****
Lingxi was sitting by the mirror as Xin Lan helped adorn her hair with tiny pieces of red rubies to match her outfit.
"All done!" Xin Lan smiled as she placed the last hairpin on her hair.
Lingxi touched it, satisfied with her look.
"His Highness won't be able to take his eyes off you", Xin Lan commented in contrast to her previous demeanor a moment ago.
Lingxi stood up. She wore a flowing white robe that was lined with red at the edges. Long white silk drapes that deepened into red hung gracefully from her sleeves.
"His Highness is waiting for you", Xin Xie reminded her.
Lingxi was about leaving but paused. She looked at the table and found that the handkerchief she had made the previous night was nowhere to be found.
"Xin Xie, did you see my handkerchief?" she asked.
"No", Xin Xie answered.
"I didn't see it either", Xin Lan denied too.
Lingxi thought for a while. Although she was sleepy the previous night, she could clearly recall leaving it on the table before going to bed.
Had she taken it to bed with her?
She went to the bed and raised the pillows to search for it.
As she raised the blanket to search for the handkerchief, her mind flashed back to He Yu who had been clutching the handkerchief the previous night.
She went on to meet him.
[Sifeng Inn]
Meanwhile.....
The carriage wheel had to be fixed so He Yan and Qin Yan along with the escorts had to spend the night at an inn.
They were having breakfast in the inn.
Qin Yan was the first to wake up and get ready. He was standing outside the inn viewing the environment while the others ate.
"Qin Yan, how about you join me for breakfast?" He Yan called out to him from inside.
Qin Yan did not answer at first but went to meet him anyway.
"Please sit", He Yan gestured to the seat in front of him.
Qin Yan, for once, let go of his sword and placed it on the table.
He Yan looked at the sword and reached to touch it but Qin Yan placed his hand on it before he could touch it. Qin Yan's gaze was unmistakable.
He Yan understood that his sword was off bounds.
"Your sword..... it's quite unique", He Yan complimented.
Qin Yan did not answer him and he continued, "the markings on the sheath are peculiar"
Qin Yan's sheath was dark with silver markings that produced a wave like pattern. Beneath the sword was written 'without a trace'.
"....without a trace.....what an interesting phrase. Do you mind telling me the name of this sword?" He Yan asked.
"I do", Qin Yan gave a direct response.
He Yan who was directly cut off could only adjust his posture to regain his composure.
A waiter came over and poured tea for both of them.
"What would the both of you like to eat?" he asked.
"Anything light", He Yan said.
"Okay", the waiter nodded and turned to Qin Yan.
"Nothing", Qin Yan said.
The waiter nodded and left.
"It seems your appetite is not good in the morning", He Yan observed drinking his tea.
Qin Yan was completely still with his eyes constantly observing the environment.
He Yan was not put off by his indifference.
"I've noticed that you always observe every environment you are in. Like earlier, you were viewing the environment outside", he paused to see Qin Yan's reaction.
There was none.
"From what I've observed of you so far, you don't seem like someone who would appreciate nature or beauty", he added, "Are you afraid of being attacked unknowingly?"
[Songhai Hall]
"Commandary Princess Anning, I feel very glad with you joining me for breakfast today. I was worried you might not agree", Consort Feng said as Ling Long poured the tea.
"Your highness invited me for breakfast. How could I refuse?" Sang Xue'er answered.
"I especially had the chef make you some rice congee, try it", Consort Feng said giving a plate of congee she personally served.
Sang Xue'er accepted it, "thank you, Consort Feng"
She tasted a spoonful of the congee and paused halfway before continuing and setting it down.
"Rice congee is more prominent in the southeast. Although it may not match up to the taste you are used to, I hope it's close", Consort Feng said.
"The congee tastes very much similar. There isn't much difference", Sang Xue'er replied.
"Then I'm relieved" Sang Xue'er set her spoon down, "did Consort Feng invite me just to have breakfast?" she asked.
"Of course not", Consort Feng answered and signaled Ling Long who soon returned holding a small lacquered tray with a jade bracelet on it.
"My foolish son behaved improperly at the banquet and made fun of Your Grace's feelings. I would like to apologize on his behalf", Consort Feng apologized, "consider this an apology gift"
Sang Xue'er did not respond as Consort Feng took the bangle and reached for her hand.
However as she tried to slide the bracelet onto her wrist, she withdrew.
"Does Your Grace not like the gift?" Consort Feng was concerned.
"It's not that", Sang Xue'er did not dislike the gift.
"Then, what's the matter?"
"I have been raised in the military and I've been raised to understand one should be held accountable for one's own fault. I cannot accept Your Highness's apology", Sang Xue'er explained.
"Your Grace is right. My son was the one who behaved improperly. He should be the one to apologize to you. Ling Long", she called.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Ling Long answered.
"Go fetch that brat for me. It's already this late and he hasn't gotten up yet, how ridiculous", Consort Feng ordered.
"Yes", Ling Long went on to call him but He Xuan was already approaching them.
He strode towards the table and bowed, "greetings, Mother"
"So you do know manners? What time is it? How can you wake up this late? Are you expecting me to starve while waiting for you?" Consort Feng scolded.
"Calm down, Mother", He Xuan responded as he walked behind her and massaged her shoulders.
"You are already aging, any more anger from you and you might end up having wrinkles", he added infuriating Consort Feng.
"You..." she reached to spank him but he dodged and sat down instead.
"Look at you - can you stop embarrassing yourself in front of Her Grace?" Consort Feng commented.
It was then He Xuan noticed Sang Xue'er, "Your Grace, you're here"