Chapter 42 - Your freedom is in my hands

"Where am I?"

Ronglou woke up in an unfamiliar bedroom. As she sat up, she noticed that she no longer wearing her red robe.

"That's right, I was drowning at the north lake of Guang Town." Ronglou tried to recalled what happened after that. Flashes of memories invaded her mind.

She recalled that someone jumped in the lake to save her and then... she saw someone that looks exactly like the Crown Prince Xu Fengxin. After that, she felt something touched her lips.

Almost instantly, she touched her lips. "My... my... my first kiss..." Her eyes widen at the realization. Her very first kiss was stolen. Even in her first life, this kiss was dedicated to Xu Fengxin. To nobody's surprise, he didn't kiss her at all. Yes, he was that stingy. Not only did he not consummated their marriage, but even a mere kiss also was not given.

She almost thought that she was some sort of Holy Saintess of the Xu Kingdom than an Empress. The Emperor had kept her innocence very well! For goodness sake, take it! She doesn't want it! She bit the blanket in distressed, she had forgot the main issue at the moment.

In regards to her past life and Fengxin, she easily gets sidetracked. As she was wallowing with madness, the sounds of steps could be heard from outside.

Ronglou looked at the door, waiting for her benefactor to come. Since he saved her, she owes him one in this life.

To think about it, she had now gotten a kiss. Although that person didn't have any romantic intentions, it was still a kiss none the less. Had she become this pathetic? Sigh. What could she do about it? All in her life, she just wanted to be loved and be touch by the man she loves.

When the door opened, she saw a young man dressed in a light blue robe. His hair was neatly placed. She didn't recognize the person but somehow he felt familiar to her. She could see why she thought that it was Fengxin. His eyes had the same gaze, it was cold and unnerving. He looked like a scholar, with a thin body and structure. He wasn't particularly handsome but was neither ugly. It could be said that he looks average. If he didn't have the same gaze as Fengxin, she wouldn't look twice at him.

"You're awake." He spoke.

"En. Did you save me?" She asked.

The guy walked closer to her bed. "Yes, what are you going to reward me, Miss Yu?"

Hearing her name, Ronglou's heartbeat went fast. So he knows her. "Who are you?"

"Me?" Bai Fangzu waved his hand in front of me. "I'm nobody. Just a regular scholar."

Ronglou's brows furrowed. She doesn't believe that. "How did you know me? When this is the first time that I met you."

"Indeed. This is our first. But how could I not recognize you when your painting is all over the kingdom." Bai Fangzu sat down on a chair next to the bed.

Remembering those painting of her in the bulletin board, Ronglou felt like a headache was coming. She cupped her forehead and slowly massage it.

"The whole Kingdom is looking for you. It was said that you were kidnapped. For what I could see, You aren't? Unless you just escaped and was strolling around?" He chuckled. That was so unlikely. He bet his money that this woman ran away. Why though? She could become the next Crown Princess, why not take it?

Ronglou sigh. She knew that he was being sarcastic just now. As if she could read his mind, she smiled. "My life is my business. I only wish for my benefactor not to divulge my location. As for your reward, My father can help you if you wish to enter the Court and serve the Emperor. Most scholars are like that anyways, they want to enter the Court to raise their status.

Bai Fangzu smiled in return. "As your benefactor, your freedom is in my hands." He said this and he leans close to hers. Their faces were only an arm apart.

He had to admit, this woman was indeed the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Especially now that her eyes were open and was now looking at him. As he observes the fluctuations in her eyes, his smile went bigger and wider.

Ronglou confirmed that this guy was not an ordinary scholar. If he does enter the Court, the Emperor would surely benefited. But why didn't she saw him in her previous life? She had been into the Court, she even sat down next to the Emperor. Although she was a mere Empress and should not be allowed into Court, the Emperor Xu Fengxin had given her a special privilege.

That too wasn't easy! She had to prove herself, not only to Xu Fengxin but also to all his officials. It took her a year to gain their trust and acknowledgment.

Looking at her benefactor's eyes, she didn't understand what he wanted. Since she doesn't know him, she can't foresee what's going to happen.