11 A Pile of Woods, A Piece of Jade

"Hui, have you ever heard of the illegitimate prince of Hai'an?" Li Wei poked her head out from her room into the hallway, stopping Hui as he was about to to into his room. There were so many things she wanted to know. Ever since the conversation in the restaurant, the rumors filled her head endlessly. She was afraid of not being able to fall asleep if she was unable to find out more information.

"Young miss, where did you hear that from?" Hui's back was still faced her, his previously tired eyes suddenly became alert. He didn't expect that she'd ask this question, for not many knew of these rumors.

Li Wei cautiously replied, "I heard from some people at the restaurant this morning. There's also words of the illegitimate prince taking over the throne."

Hui sighed. He knew the young miss was stubborn. If he didn't answer her questions, he wouldn't be allowed to fall asleep. In these years, he knew how the young miss felt for the first prince. It was farfetched, but Hui didn't want to destroy the young miss' feelings so he still informed her of any news he heard about the prince every now and then. "Honestly, I don't know. It's true that there are many rumors recently about second prince."

"How can that be when there's only one prince? Could it be a fake prince?"

"Miss, don't worry about such rumors for we are not involved in royal affairs here in Hai'an. We will soon return to Na'an in a month's time so prepare yourself."

"Yes, Hui, you're right. I'm going to rest for the night, see you in the morning." Li Wei obediently closed the door and returned to her room. When Hui's footsteps became silence, her lips hooked up in a smile.

Of course, she was not that obedient. Knowing Hui's personality, he wouldn't get them involved in dangerous situations. She just wanted to try to get some information from him, but he was not helpful at all. He neither confirmed nor denied the rumors. If he knew anything, he wasn't telling her. She could only rely on herself to find the truth.

Two days later, Li Wei excused herself to the marketplace to buy gifts for Aunt Rin for their return trip next month. She especially remined Hui and San'er not to look for her. From the morning until early evening, she ate and slept at an inn close to the palace. When the sun dipped beneath the horizon, Li Wei stepped off the stairs leading to the inn's entrance. She felt full and happy. If she was able to meet Khan Bojing tonight, she agreed that she'd feel even better.

She happily skipped towards the street but stopped when she saw a cart full of firewood rolling towards her. Ah, it'd be perfect for her plan! "Older brother, how much are you selling these woods for?"

The man pushing the cart soon came into view, although his features were hard to make out due to the minimal amount of sunlight at this time in the evening. Li Wei happily walked closer and asked again, "I want to buy these woods, how much are you selling them for?"

"Hmm... For you, one golden tael."

Her nose scrunched up, why was this pile of woods more expensive than a pile of jewelries? She slipped her lantern onto her arm as she questioned the man with sarcasm, "If these woods are that valuable, perhaps, their ashes will turn into gold?"

"For you, it sounds likely. Perhaps that might happen," the owner's voice returned with just as much sarcasm as hers. He didn't think he'd run into this girl again, but now that they're face to face again, he couldn't help but to make fun of her. This girl was so slow, he had recognized her from afar but she still hadn't recognize him even now when they're less than five feet apart.

Who was he kidding? How could wood turn into gold? "Hmph, you are just annoying as someone I met before!"

He couldn't help it anymore, his long held laughter loudly filled the streets. His facade broke as he moved his face towards hers, pulling off his hood that covered his hair and stopping only a couple inches away. With a teasing tone, he spoke slowly, "I think I might know that annoying person you're thinking about. You met him around this time of day in Ta'lin Village, correct?"

It's that annoying boy again! That woodcutter's son!

Li Wei wanted to cursed, but instead gasped when her eyes met his gaze. His large eyes were as dark as ever, surrounded by long eyelashes. His wavy black hair was the same, falling wildy to his shoulders. In the past three years, he had grown taller. Her head only reached up to his shoulders and she had to tilt her face upwards to look at him. The reason why she didn't recognize him was because his face was now filled with a mustache and beard that covered a large portion of his face.

In front of her, his lips curved upwards into a smile. The smile matched him very well, she admitted. It made his eyes crinkled and shone brighter than before. Tonight, he was dressed in a plain black robes that was clearly worn out. There were patches of different cloths sewn over holes from being overused, but he looked handsome. Li Wei wanted to erase this sudden thought from her mind, but couldn't. He had grown well, from an annoying boy to an even more annoying man.

He stood there silently with his quiet smile, laughter now gone as he took his turn to study her. They didn't know each other's well. At the most, they could only be considered as strangers, but he felt a burst of excitement when he saw her from afar. As if there was a string connected him to her, he could only let himself be pulled towards her. While he had many changes, she looked the same as he remembered. She was a little bit taller than three years ago, her hair had grown longer, and she had developed curves that she didn't have before. Tonight she was dressed in common clothes of Hai'an. She wore a pink long sleeves shirt and dark green pants. On her waist, a money pouch and perfume sachet hung from a black belt. Her long hair was pulled back in a simple braid and her fiery eyes stared right back at him. She wasn't wearing fancy dresses or expensive jewelries, but she was just as breathtakingly beautiful as before, perhaps even more now.

Li Wei felt his eyes studying her but she couldn't say anything since she was studying him too. Out of all people, why did she had to bump into him? "So, the annoying someone that I met in Ta'lin Village, what are you doing here in Hai'an City?"

Another smile immediately spread across his lips at her words. "I'm here to sell woods and make money, of course. But these days I've changed a bit. I don't only sell woods anymore." He strategically turned his waist to the side and his white jade caught her eyes once again.

Her eyes brightened and she suddenly smiled, "Ah, so you've finally become reasonable. I'll take both the woods and that jade!" She was secretly pleased, as she still secretly wanted that piece of jade. Perhaps, the woodcutter wasn't as bad as she'd made him to be. Even if he was annoying, she only needed to buy those from him and leave.

"The woods are free if you buy the jade." He held his face blankly as he waited for her to ask what he knew she'd ask.

"How much are you selling the jade for?" What had changed the man? This was a very good deal! Li Wei's hands reached to her waist and prepared to take out money from her pouch when his answer abruptly stopped her action.

His face was serious, but his words were shameless, "The jade is free if you marry me."

Her small nose scrunched up and her eyes turned dark as she gave him a killing glare. His blank expression was now long gone, replaced with laughter so genuine that his shoulders shook uncontrollably.

He had set his trap and she had fallen, once again!