Chapter 110 - First Time Together (2)

She awkwardly smiled towards Ming and stood up to greet her husband with a slight bow. However, what happened next made her gasp in shock as Ming hugged her tightly. She became red from neck to ears, unsure to hug him back.

Though married, he was not affectionate toward her but ever since she came back from the Forsaken Valley he became showy and affectionate. His new attitude made her heart beat faster and confused on what to do with this Ming.

"I was not able to say this back in the cave, but I'm glad you're safe. I was so worried when you left me and went missing." 

The Hutyuns sighed dreamily and became twinkling stars, watching and listening to the couple.

His words reminded Xinyi that they got separated when she ran off with that crazy speed and that she too was worried about him. She also almost died, although didn't have the nerve to tell him about it nor planning of dying either.

These thoughts pricked her heart and mixed in with his touching words, a tear trickled her cheek.  She abruptly pushed him away and looked down at the floor so he wouldn't notice she cried. "Is it just me or is this place dusty? God, I must scold my maid for not doing her job well." 

She wiped the tear with the back of her hand as she mopped her shoes on the non-existent dust on the well-polished floor. Xinyi acted like a young teenager who just had her first crush. 

Ming noticed her reaction but smiled and didn't say a word. Not wanting her to feel embarrassed. He drew a chair for Xinyi to sit and sat across her. Xinyi avoided his eyes, feeling shy of which she didn't know why.

Then, Xinyi remembered the unnatural speed that caused her to stray in the chameleon's mountain and what he said about feeling something different after eating the fruit. "Do you have any idea why did I ran off that fast?" she asked, looking at him.

Ming laughed wryly, reminded of his fault but didn't want to mess up their day with such off-beat topic, saying, "We better ask Master Xionmao about it… and… let's talk about something else. We hardly had time for ourselves." And gave her a sheepish grin.

That smile caught Xinyi off-guard and sweetly giggled… and couldn't keep her hand from reaching his cute dimples but jerked back right away and placed it on her lap as she looked away, red-faced. 

Ming liked the feel of her fingers on his face and dismayed when she brought it down. His hand moved to put it back but recalled she didn't like him being touchy. Thus, his hand went to the chopsticks instead and put some food in her bowl. Both faces were crimson, but no one said a word and enjoyed the moment in silence for a beat.

"So how was your morning today?" He smiled and fed himself with the delicious viand. Xinyi shyly ate in front of him. Even though this wasn't the first time they ate together but surely a first eating face to face with just the two of them.

Xinyi tried her best to eat lady like but then a little later while talking about their childhood and their life before they came to Fengfu, she forgot her shyness. She even put down the chopsticks and began devouring using her bare hands, eating more than usual.

Ming couldn't help but thought of asking his mother to teach her the lady's etiquette but didn't scold her this time.

Then Xinyi remembered what the Panda had told her earlier. She looked at Ming for a minute. He is my husband, the governor, and the owner of this estate. I should tell him the truth about what Xionmao said. I believe the panda won't mind.

Xinyi exhaled. Ming saw her hesitance and concerned about the changed mood. And without thinking, he put his hand on hers. This shocked her a bit, but that touch gave her warmth and security. Hence, she didn't complain and let it be.

"Is there something you wish to tell me?" 

His statement gave her courage and openly spilled out. Ming patiently waited as she explained. He then realized the significance of the caves and the reason men covet those stones became crystal clear but on who had the gull to disturb the long-forgotten cave was still a mystery. That's what they had to find out.

"We should hurry. If what you say is true, then the interested person could be there." He gritted his teeth with the thought someone began infiltrating the caves under their noses this entire time. "He might have done this during the war or while we were on the mountain." Ming felt frustrated as the governor and it even happened in his own backyard.

Although Xinyi liked the current mood and their time together, she knew she shouldn't be too selfish. The situation was too dire to let it be. Thus, they headed out as fast as they could. The invincible Hutyuns followed behind them. 

On their way, Ming secretly ordered some of his trusted soldiers to follow them to the cave. He tried his best to keep the numbers small to avoid attracting the guests. But how much they tried, General Lofey and his companion were too sharp to notice the Governor's soldiers hurrying steps.

In the guest's quarters' tiled roofs, the general and Tyriece watched the running guards a distance from them.

"What's going on? Is there an emergency?" General Lofey whispered to Tyriece, who came early in the morning to escort the general back.

"They seem on alert. Something might have happened somewhere," Tyriece answered.

"Follow them in secret and be careful that they won't notice you." The general had a gut feeling that this had something to do with Mafan. Yet, understood as a foreigner and guest, he had no right to ask or intervene with the city's affairs.

"Oh, my," General Lofey scratched his head. There, he realized he forgot to mention anything about Mafan's name and the caves to Ming. "I hope Mafan has nothing to do with this commotion. If he does, I swear...," he said with clenched fists.