"Here is your dog hole," Li Xuan's words rang in Ruyan's words.
He stood by a tiny opening at the base of the wall, hands clasped behind him, posture upright, as if guarding it for her grand escape.
She froze. Then, slowly, fury crept up her face.
'This stupid servant… looks so handsome, but his head's emptier than a pot!'
"You- you want me to go through this?!" she whispered hoarsely, pointing at the hole that looked barely big enough for a rabbit.
"You wished for it," he replied, waving a hand nonchalantly.
"Haah!" she exhaled, ready to explode.
'Unbelievable!' she thought.
"What? You don't want to go?" the man asked dryly.
"Go?!" she nearly shouted, then quickly clamped her hands over her mouth, darting glances around.
Right. She was escaping, not gathering an audience.
Taking a deep breath, she tiptoed closer to him, planning to whisper, only to realize his ears were well above her head. She tilted her head up. 'So tall, like a tree...hmf'
Li Xuan found her fuming face unexpectedly cute. He tried to keep his expression stoic- until she yanked him down by the ear.
"Ahh—!" he hissed.
"Shhh!" she snapped.
"Look, brother— no, my dear grandpa!" she pleaded, pressing her palms together.
"Who's your grandpa!?" he whispered back, indignant.
She glared. "Will you find a back door? Somewhere unguarded, or-"
Her words were cut off by a sudden shout.
"Who's there!?" a guard barked.
The sound of clanging armor echoed closer.
Ruyan's eyes widened. Oh no, oh no… don't come here…!
But when the guard reached the wall, the place was empty.
---
On the roof of a nearby building, two silhouettes watched silently under the moonlight.
One of them stood tall, arms folded across his chest, a sword sheathed neatly by his side. His face was unreadable as his eyes followed the movements of two figures sneaking into a room below.
"What do you think they'll do in there?"
The man lying lazily on the roof beside him asked, not even bothering to look down.
Xiao Feng turned his head slightly. "I don't know."
"Hmph!" The other man scoffed, sitting up with a stretch before brushing dust off his robes. "You're no fun."
He leaned closer, voice dropping to an eager whisper. "Shall we go take a look?"
Xiao Feng's gaze remained fixed on the courtyard below. "Not yet."
"Tsk." The man clicked his tongue in mock annoyance. "Fine. But you stay here and play statue if you want. I'm going to help our Highness succeed tonight!"
Before Xiao Feng could reply, the man had already leapt off the roof- his figure melting into the darkness, chasing after the path Li Xuan and the girl had taken moments ago.
---
Ruyan thought her heart might burst out of her chest. She leaned against the creaking door, shoulders slouched, breath ragged. So close… she whispered inwardly, remembering how narrowly they'd escaped from the guard.
Her gaze drifted down- to her hand still enclosed in another, larger one. The warmth of his touch burned through her skin, sending a strange flutter to her chest. Startled, she snatched her hand away, cheeks heating.
She sank to the dusty floor, ignoring the thin cloud that rose around her.
"Sigh," she exhaled shakily, half from exhaustion, half disbelief. Only then did she notice her surroundings: broken chairs, torn curtains, the faint scent of wood rot and time.
"Where… is this place?" she murmured.
Before she could gather her thoughts, she remembered she wasn't alone.
He stood by the window, moonlight tracing his sharp profile as he stared down at her, face unreadable. The pale glow made his expression look even more haunting, and Ruyan felt goosebumps rise along her arms. She hugged herself tightly.
"You… what are you looking at?" she stammered, flustered. Why is he looking at me like that?
"You don't want to?" he asked suddenly, before he could stop himself. Earlier, when he'd found her in the garden alone, he had seen her clutching the fallen hairpin, fear flickering in her eyes. Now, as he looked at her again, that fear had been replaced by a sharp, unyielding determination- a will to escape, no matter the cost. Unfortunately…
"Huh?" Ruyan blinked up at him, confusion furrowing her brow. Don't want to what? What does he mean?
He turned away, looking out through the cracked window. His voice was calm but carried an edge. "The crown," he said. "Isn't it what every woman wants?"
Her eyes widened, then narrowed. Who is this guy? He's definitely not a servant… How does he know?
"Your attire," he said simply, brushing a trace of dust from his sleeve.
Ruyan glanced down at her own disheveled dress, then sighed softly. Her lips curved faintly as she looked back at him, a flicker of mischief lighting her eyes.
"What about you?" she asked.
He tilted his head. "Hmm?"
"Don't you princes like to fight for the crown?"
Inside, she shivered. Stupid Ruyan! Why would you ask that!? He might behead you or...ahhh, never mind.
"Your ring," she whispered, eyes darting toward his hand. "You didn't hide your title that well…"
The corner of his mouth curved, just slightly.
He turned fully, the moonlight catching on the cream-and-gold jade ring on his finger. It shimmered faintly, a mark far heavier than gold.
"Who's in there?!" a sharp voice rang from outside.
Ruyan froze, her face draining of color.
Li Xuan, still near the window, muttered, "Not good. They found us."
Ruyan snapped her head toward him. Is he an idiot? Why is he still standing there? And why is he talking so loudly?!
Without another thought, she rushed forward, grabbed his arm, and yanked him toward a nearby cupboard.
Li Xuan followed her movements with quiet amusement as she shoved them both inside and pulled the door shut.
Her hand still clutched his wrist, the other pressed against her pounding chest as she tilted her head slightly, straining to hear.
Li Xuan smirked. Since you want chaos… let me help you.
"What are you doing?" he suddenly said, far too loud.
Ruyan's eyes snapped open wide, glaring at him with enough fury to burn a hole through his face.
Before he could utter another word, she slapped her hand over his mouth, silencing him.
Her heart hammered violently. They were so close now- too close. Just inches apart. If someone found them like this… she didn't even want to imagine the chaos it would cause.
Outside, a man stepped into the room. His eyes swept over the place, landing at last on a soft fold of cream fabric peeking from the cupboard.
With slow, deliberate steps, he approached. He leaned closer to the cupboard. The room was silent except for the faint sound of breathing coming from within.
He drew something from his sleeve, an evil glint flashing in his eyes. Your Highness, he thought grimly, please bear with this.
Outside, the footsteps halted. The door creaked. Ruyan's heart leapt into her throat. For one horrifying second, she thought the handle would turn-
Then silence.
The guard muttered something under his breath and walked away.
Inside the cramped cupboard, Li Xuan suddenly felt his breath quicken. A strange heat spread through his body, as if his veins were on fire. What's going on? His gaze dropped to the girl before him- her flushed cheeks, her trembling lashes, her scent so close it felt intoxicating.
No, Li Xuan. Get a hold of yourself. He blinked rapidly, trying to focus.
When Ruyan looked up, she met his eyes- and found something flickering there. Was that… mischief? What is he planning now?
The air grew still. The only sound was her heart thundering in her ears. I think they left… she thought, cautiously lowering her hand from his mouth.
But the longer he stared at her, the hotter her face became. She looked down quickly, fumbling for words. "I–I think they already left," she whispered, reaching for the door handle.
Before she could pull it open, a strong arm yanked her back. She gasped, and in the next instant, soft, warm lips crashed against hers.
Ruyan's eyes went wide. She tried to push him away, but his grip only tightened around her waist, drawing her closer. Her feet barely touched the ground as he leaned in, deepening the kiss.
What should I do?! Her heart beats went wild. Panic flared in, quickly replaced by rage. That's my first kiss, you pervert!
Without a bit of hesitation, she bit down hard on his lower lip.
"Argh!" he hissed, jerking back.
Ruyan glared up at him, cheeks flushed, chest heaving. She looked every bit like an angry little cat.
Li Xuan blinked- once, twice- dazed. What… just happened?
Xiao Lei crept out of the room like a thief, rubbing his palms together with a sly grin. He kept glancing back at the closed door, a barely contained giggle slipping past his lips.
But before he could take another step, a low voice cut through the night.
"Stop."
The single word was cold and sharp — followed by the unmistakable sound of steel being drawn.
Xiao Feng stood a few paces away, sword unsheathed, its gleaming edge pointed straight at Xiao Lei's neck.
Xiao Lei froze mid-step. His eyes widened, and in a quick motion, he jerked his head aside — narrowly missing the blade's kiss. "You!" he hissed.
"Be honest," Xiao Feng said, his tone level but dangerous. "What did you do in there? And where is His Highness?"
Xiao Lei's grin didn't fade. Instead, he took a slow step forward, ignoring the blade that still barred his path.
He reached out, grasped the tip of the sword with two fingers, and gently pushed it downward. "Don't worry," he said, voice laced with mischief. "They're safe…"
That smile, that infuriating, knowing smile, made Xiao Feng's brow twitch. He knew it too well.