385 Burned

The air around them turned chilly. An emotionless mask slid over Yu Zhen's face. Calm, composed eyes greeted the people, but this terrified them more. It was never good to see the Crown Prince this peaceful. A terrible storm was brewing. It'd wreak havoc upon pitiful souls—starting with Nanhui.

His fingers curled into fists. But he felt something soft and gentle upon it. Li Xueyue wrapped her fingers around his knuckles and stepped in front of him.

"I'll accept your terms." 

Princess Mengjie let out a dark laugh at the Crown Princess's determination. What a fool! 

The Crown Princess had just bargained away her husband and livelihood. 

She would never get to see him again. The titles she had obtained, the accomplishments she worked hard for, everything would be taken away from her and she would become a nobody.

Exiling a person was an irrevocable matter. 

"Wise decision," Princess Mengjie said and giggled. She hid a large, evil smile behind her hand.

"Brother," she said, turning to him. "Prepare my sword…" Her haughty voice died off when she saw his stormy glare.

Prince Zhaoyuan was furious. No. He was beyond furious. It was the third time that his younger sister had disobeyed him. The first was when she played dirty and the second was when she did not apologize properly.

"A word." Prince Zhaoyuan didn't wait for her to respond. 

He grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward, storming towards the rest of the Princesses. He would make sure she gets an earful from everyone.

"That brat likes to play dirty."

Li Xueyue nodded at Yu Zhen's words. "Yes, I noticed it with the clay plates. It's a miracle that she was able to time her shots so well—exactly when I would be standing under one."

"You're letting her get away with this."

Li Xueyue lifted her head to look him in the eye. "And what do you expect me to do? Publicly punish her in front of everyone?"

"You're right," he suddenly said.

Li Xueyue smiled at his words. It seemed he was changing.

"I will kill her myself."

Or not.

"Yu Zhen—"

"No one will get away with insulting you. I've tolerated enough of this." 

Li Xueyue was conflicted about what to say. She wasn't aware that he had been holding back his anger. "We can't incite a war with Nanhui."

"We can start a war with anyone I please." Yu Zhen found her frightened expression to be humorous. Had she forgotten what his initial status was? He was a Commander before he was a Crown Prince.

"War is horrible," she whispered. 

"Sunshine—"

"Little boys torn from their families, little girls screaming for their brothers and fathers whilst bidding them goodbye, mothers weeping for their sons. Ravaged lands, desolated villages, and a decade of rebuilding."

"So please," she firmly said. "Let me deal with this."

Yu Zhen pressed his lips together. He didn't think she was capable of a fierce glower. There was a spark in her eyes, too bright to die down. It burned like the dazzling sun. 

Standing before him, she wasn't just a Princess. She was also a fighter, one who had gone through many troubles in life. 

In the end, he finally relented. "Come, let's pick your sword."

Li Xueyue nodded. She followed after him, wondering if he even knew her sword preference. She enjoyed wielding saber-style swords that were thin and light, making it easier to quickly dodge attacks. Heavy swords dealt a lot of damage, but thinner swords were meant for striking the body.

"What is this?" Li Xueyue mumbled when he brought her back to their table. There was a long wooden case lined with dense velvet.

"Your sword."

Li Xueyue was perplexed by this. She unclasped the metal lock and opened the lid. A sharp gasp escaped her. She lifted her eyes to him, not believing what she just saw. 

Sitting inside of the case was an iron saber. Its hilt was made of gold and steel, but that wasn't the most important point. 

There was the metal rose sitting at the center of the sword, thorny vines branching into rings around the bottom of the hilt. There was a ruby resting inside of the rose, like a hidden treasure.

"This is beautiful." Li Xueyue lifted the sword from the case. She was surprised by how light it was, despite the decor. 

The rings of thorns didn't interfere with her fingers at all. It didn't even brush her skin. When she rubbed her thumb over it, she realized the thorns were smoothened into round points, instead of sharp ones that drew blood. 

Yu Zhen was mindful of its design. He didn't want her injured.

"Do you like it?" Yu Zhen asked, leaning closer to her. He enjoyed the smile that broke out on her face, whether she realized it or not.

"How can I not?" Li Xueyue laughed as she picked up the sheath. This too was a masterpiece. The sheath was red, with green vines wrapped around it in strategic places. The design was so intricate, that it seemed real.

"I also ordered a bow and arrow for you, but it was hidden on the other side of the palace."

"I think I saw it," Li Xueyue remarked. "I was wandering around last time, looking for a place to practice archery. There was a tent that I came across, but it was closed off."

Yu Zhen quirked a brow.

"The guards said only the Crown Prince was allowed inside. But I showed them your pendant and they parted like the sea."

Yu Zhen chuckled at this. "You're putting my pendant to good use."

Li Xueyue nodded at this. She didn't enjoy using it, as it felt like an abuse of power. But at times, the pendant was a useful tool.

"I will win and bring glory to the sword." 

"I have no doubt you will."

- - - - -

Li Xueyue stepped onto the battlefield. She was confident in her skills. None of the pressuring gazes of the onlookers affected her. She had faced a much larger crowd during the Spring Tournament.

"I hope your servant loaded the carriages already," Princess Mengjie stated whilst advancing towards her. 

The drums went off in the distance, loud and hollow, signaling the start of the competition. The rules were simple. The first person to tap out loses. 

"Are the treaty papers already crafted?" Li Xueyue lightly said with an entertained smile. Despite how young this Princess was, her tongue was quite sharp. 

"Signed and ready to be burned."

Li Xueyue let out a small laugh. She didn't feel like responding anymore. Her attention drifted to the Princess's outfit. To no one's surprise, neither of them wore armor plates, not even a small one to protest their chest. 

Both of them had entered the battlegrounds bare of any forms of protection, except their sword. Except, Li Xueyue didn't change her clothes into something more fitting.

Princess Mengjie certainly did. She wore body-hugging clothes in a style starkly different from Hanjian. She was dressed in short sleeves and pants that reached her knees, making it easier for her to run about.

"An advantage, huh?" Li Xueyue whispered to herself. Of course, the Princess would do anything to be in the lead. 

But that didn't matter to Li Xueyue. Long dress or not, she was determined to win.