A/N: Apologies in advance. This might contain grammatical errors, wrong spellings, etc. I don't have time to edit this chapter as my schedules are packed 😩
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That Night, Lin Feiyi encountered the same reoccurring dream again.
In the vast courtyard of the imperial camp, there comes a menace named Mu Shuang'er
Alcohol had consumed her whole body that she and her buddies she met on the military dared to be presumptuous.
"Hahahaha," Loud roars of laughter echoed through the quiet night.
Icy wind blowing through the leaves, making them rustle.
The moon hung up high with velvet blanket of stars spread across the sky exquisitely.
The moonlight pours down, embracing the grand courtyards of the palace.
If it weren't for the brightly lit stone lamps decorated in the sides of the cement path, these bunch of presumptuous drunkards wouldn't trip.
The whole camp is quiet as most residents are asleep.
"Captain Mu! You're definitely amusing! You managed to crush those annoying bastards under Captain Heng's team." The fatty man dressed in a military armor named Wu Guan, slapped Mu Shuang er's delicate back.
That force was definitely not weak, making her back almost break.
She endured the pain in silence and secretly glared at the reckless Wu Guan.
She was hit by an arrow few months ago. Although it shows signs of healing, it still doesn't fully recovered and still has to be careful when tending.
'This bastard! Dare he hit the Young Miss of the Mu family!'
"Brother Wu Guan is right! You definitely did something to uphold us your brothers some justice!" Added Wang Qian. His eyes glittering with gratitude and admiration towards Mu Shuang'er
Liu Dongfang, the only quiet and collected man standing with his back straight, observed his teammates.
He was the only one who didn't drink much, reason why he was still able to assist Mu Shuang'er whose about to kiss the ground with her face in every step she takes.
Her teammates kept praising her, making her feel as if she was promoted by the emperor to be Highest of them all.
"Of course!" Mu Shuang'er agreed to all the compliments she'd been receiving. She felt handsome and great hearing them.
She raised her chin, looking proud and overbearing, "I'm the greatest, most smartest and most good-looking man in the whole Nancheng city."
Mu Shuang'er was actually the beloved youngest daughter of Major General Mu. She snucked into the imperial camp dressed as man to experience what it is to be a soldier, and to follow Qin Wang-Her ultimate crush.
They all went silent after passing by Qin Zichen's study.
The lights to the study were on which means Qin Wang is still awake and probably doing his late night duties.
They dare not show their presumptuous behaviour from a while ago as they pass by the study, fearing to see their own heads on the floor.
Qin Wang is known to be a cold and bloody tyrant.
He dislikes too much noise, and of course being bothered.
I mean everybody does! But Qin Wang's brain circuit just works differently than other people. If you annoy him, OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!
Everybody was careful, unlike Mu Shuang'er. She'd like it more if Qin Zichen notices her.
Her heart couldn't help but race just Imagining him standing in front of her.
Recalling what happened in the camp this morning after he demonstrated some of his incredible techniques to fresh batches of armies recruited.
He looked strong, manly, and dashing showing off his moves. His strict and deep voice filled with immense authority ringing throughout the camp, making all who hears it tremble.
Her flushed face, looking like a steamed shrimp.
The alcohol is trying to overpower her systems-saying she should barge in towards his study and ran to him to cling to him.
She couldn't help but remember the first time she saw him...
As a child, The empress dowager had always find her adorable. The empress dowager would always request for her presence from time to time, collecting envy from the imperial princesses and princes.
One day, the empress dowager asked her to live in the palace for a few days to accompany her friend Princess Jieyu, who throws tantrums because she wants to see her friend everyday.
Princess Jieyu is a naughty and playful girl just like her. They love to play pranks and trick to the servants, earning them the reputation of 'Daredevil sisters'
Mu Shuang'er played hide and seek just as the princess requested.
Princess Jieyu started counting and Mu Shuang'er started running around to look for possible places to hide from.
Princess Jieyu is excellent at playing this game that she always finds Mu Shuang'er all the time.
Mu Shuang'er decided to look for a more effective hideout. Until she had gone far from Princess Jieyu's courtyard without noticing.
She had gone to another courtyard, and now she doesn't know how to get back to Princess Jieyu's courtyard.
Mu Shuang'er is not really that cowardly but, the desolated courtyard makes her scalp numb, and her body hairs rise.
The morning light does not shine in this courtyard.
The walls are cracked with crawling weeds covering the entire place.
The weeds on the ground are not maintained well that they grew taller than her.
The wind is much more colder in here than the other parts of the palace.
There were even broken paper lamps on the ground and one was hanging on the roof with holes on them.
But there was a cherry blossom tree firmly standing on the ground, in contrast with the gloomy ambience of the courtyard
She heard a lot of stories from the servants that there existed a courtyard in the palace where ghosts and other evil spirits resides
The devil ghost living in here is rumored to be the one protecting the cherry blossom tree on why it still looks healthy despite it's not so good environment.
'This courtyard must be it' Mu Shuang'er thought to herself. She couldn't help but rub her arms as she felt chills all over her body after the wind blew harshly.
She then heard a weak sound of a cat meowing coming from the inside.
Though scared, her curiosity led her to go and take a look.
She also heard stories about evil spirits mimicking people or even adorable animal sounds to lure in their prey.
No matter how scared she is she cannot ignore a helpless animal.
She went inside and followed where the sound of the continuous moan of a kitten.
She picked up a thin but long tree stick on the ground.
The grass and leaves rustled under her feet despite her ever careful steps.
She gripped the stick tighter, her face tensed, and her body vigilant.
She lifted the broken flat wooden table and saw a black little kitten taking a shelter under the table.
She was finally relieved and took a deep sigh.
The little kitten looked weak, frail, and timid. But the little kitten was scared by an unknown person's presence that it hissed at her, trying to scare her away.
Mu Shuang'er was unfazed by the kitten's seemingly aggressive response.
Mu Shuang'er smiled sweetly and tried to touch the kitten but it avoided her touch.
Aware of the little kitten's fear, she distanced herself a little a called out in a soft and gentle voice.
Mu Shuang'er: "Don't be scared, little kitten. I have some biscuits for you here!" She said in a cheerful tone.
The kitten felt relaxed seeing that the little girl posed no threat to her.
She took out some biscuits from a pouch hidden in her sleeves and fed it to the little kitten.
The little kitten was a little reluctant to eat the biscuit on the floor. But it soon ate the biscuit given by Mu Shuang'er.
Mu Shuang'er watched the little kitten eat with lovely eyes.
Once she gets back to their manor, she will ask her father to adopt this little kitten.
Just thinking of getting a pet makes Mu Shuang'er happy!
She took out a candy stick out from her pocket to accompany the little kitten to eat
Her happiness was then replaced by shock when she heard a fierce voice coming from a male teenager, "Who are you!?"
She was startled and tried to look at the source of the voice.
She saw a young man, who only looked to be 13 years old
He was taller than her that she has to look up just to see his cold but ethereal features.
The warm sunlight finally peeked through the clouds, shining down on both of their figures.
The cherry blossoms standing tall in the garden, brought a fragrant and enchanting scent to the air-adding sweetness to the little girl's heart.
Mu Shuang'er couldn't help but feel her cheeks heat up. She could also feel her heart beating faster than it's normal speed
She wasn't raised like a normal noble lady in her household like all the other delicate and elegant young ladies in the whole country, as Major General Mu taught her things differently.
She grew up quirky, boyish, arrogant, but cute.
She was thought to read and write by her father at the age 3. She was also thought by him to play with bows and arrows, Horse riding, read classics and political books.
She lacked maternal guidance as her mother passed right after she was born.
She was doted on and loved well by her brothers and her father.
Whatever she wants, she gets it.
Including sneaking herself inside the imperial camp as a man with the help of her brothers.
The big brother in front of her is charming and gorgeous, that she lost interest in the candy in her hand-she dropped it.
Nanny Gu once said that if your heart beats faster than usual, and if you feel fascinated by seeing a certain person, it means you like them.
'So it means I like this handsome brother? Will I marry him in the future?' She couldn't help but giggle at the thought of it.
She flashed him a sweet smile with one of her tooth missing.
She looked at him with eyes glittering like the black blanket of stars in the vast sky.
The round black eyes looked more prominent under the sun's warm light, showcasing the admiration and amazement coming from the bottom of her heart
The boy however, looked unfazed and indifferent from her cuteness and charm.
He sternly told her to get out of his way.
The little girl was perplexed, her eyes flashed with sadness. She couldn't help but purse her lips as if she was about to cry.
Despite the birthmark on her cheek, she was adored by all.
She couldn't understand why this handsome brother is so mean to her.
His enchanting pair of danfeng eyes stared at her coldly, his body radiated an icy and an unfriendly aura.
Spring had come, the weather's less cold than two months ago-But Mu Shuang'er couldn't help but feel her body hairs standing from chills coming from the teenager's icy cold and indifferent demeanor.
"Shuang'er!" Called by a prince playmate of hers.
He was none other than Consort Ling's son, Qin Zichen's brother-Qin Zimo
The boy looked dissatisfied seeing Mu Shuang'er look up to Qin Zichen with admiration.
He had a strong hate towards this older brother of his with the belief that Qin Zichen is a bad child filled with bad luck.
"Shuang'er what are you doing here? Do you know that you shouldn't be here?" Qin Zimo scolded Mu Shuang'er in a childish voice
Mu Shuang'er apologized.
"But the brother right here looks sad! I want to play with him so he won't be alone-" Mu Shuang'er couldn't continue her speech under Qin Zimo's interruption.
Qin Zimo: "You don't have to worry about him! He is a bad child. Anyone who gets close to him gets jinxed! Do you understand!?" Qin Zimo was angry as he explained.
"B-But--" Mu Shuang'er still wanted to refute but Qin Zimo forcefully pulled her away.
She looked back only too see the teenager glaring coldly at them as they walk away.
His icy glares sent shivers down her spine. Nonetheless, it didn't lessen her desire of wanting to get close to him.
"I'm gonna make sure we become closer soon!" She curled her fist and swore in heart with her eyes flashing determination.
She looked back once again and didn't forget to flash him a sweet smile with her eyes curved.
Mu Shuang er's mind was occupied that she didn't notice they already passed by Qin Zichen's study.
"Right! Right! Captain Mu is definitely the most good looking of them all! " They all said in Unison, still trying to hype up their Captain.
Liu Dongfang couldn't take it anymore.
"Y'all shouldn't drink next time! You guys can't even take care of yourselves!" He scolded
His teammates just thinks he's being a buzz kill.
"Tsk! What's wrong with us hyping him!? Captain Mu is not only good-looking and wealthy, but is also brave!" Wu Guan paused, "Of course we want to express how much we admire him!"
Mu Shuang'er couldn't help but join in and agree, "Yeah right! I'm definitely the bravest of them all! I can even prove it to you, Comrade Liu!" She said, annoyed and somewhat slurred.
The moonlight shone onto her red face, showing a charming and feminine face that do no look like of a man's features at all.
Liu Dongfang just sighed heavily and slammed his face onto his palms.
Mu Shuang'er took Liu Dongfang's actions as a sign of not believing her.
She got angry and stomped her feet on grass like a petulant child as she bit her lips with her full upper teeth.
"I show you!" Mu Shuang'er said, flashing them a mischievous smile.
Liu Dongfang was puzzled on what Mu Shuang'er is about to show him.
However, her supporters are of course cheering for her and telling her to do it quickly whatever it is.
Mu Shuang'er straightened her body and immediately ran towards a certain direction that leads to Qin Zichen's courtyard.
Her teammates are suddenly alarmed at what she's about to do.
She walked across the vast courtyard with a wide grin on her face
They saw her trying to barge into his room door.
Two heavily armored and armed imperial guards are guarding Qin Zichen's room with an imposing and intimidating demeanor.
Upon seeing her intentions, they tried to stop her.
"Where do you thinking you're going!" Yelled an imperial guard in a cold voice, enough to weaken one's legs from fright.
However, the one they're trying to scare away is the fearless and unfazed Mu Shuang'er who's desperate to barge in.
"I want to see his highness!" She demanded in a childish arrogant voice.
The imperial guards guarding outside Qin Zichen's room couldn't help but laugh with undisguised mocking.
One couldn't help but sneered, "Who do you think you are for his highness to see?"
The other one then added, "Do you not want your life anymore?! You had the guts, huh!"
Her teammates followed after her with a sense of crisis in their hearts.
They suddenly felt sober seeing Mu Shuang'er and also the impending doom of theirs.
"Captain Mu! This is not bravery! You're seeking death!" Fang Dongli helplessly cried
Mu Shuang'er was angry, "Shut up!" She yelled, her voice ringing throughout the courtyard.
Qin Zichen whose relaxing on the warm tub could hear commotions in the front door. He couldn't help but frown his thick sword-like brows.
"If I were you, I'd leave immediately before His Highness comes here!" Said by the imperial guard.
"Go away!" Mu Shuang'er yelled. Her cheeks are bulging like a squirrel who's mouth is jam packed with peanuts.
She raised her hands and gave both the imperial guards an impactful back slap.
Everyone who witnessed Mu Shuang'er slapping the imperial guards were not only stunned, but frightened.
Both the guards felt their cheeks burning and numb.
They were so stunned that they couldn't process what was happening.
"Y-You! How could you do this!" The slapped and red-faced imperial guard looked at her in disbelief and hatred.
They tried to pull Mu Shuang'er away, but the frail looking young man is actually so strong that she still stood heavily on the ground and managed to push them all away, making them slip to the small staircase leading up to Qin Zichen's room.
"Don't touch me!" Mu Shuang'er warned while trying to hold her dizzy head.
The imperial guards were so infuriated that they were about to arrest her when they heard a deep and enigmatic voice coming from the inside of the room.
"Let him in." He said in a cold tone, sending shivers to anyone who hears it.
Mu Shuang'er was overjoyed hearing it, while her teammates on the other hand were crying without tears.
They're already saying prayers for the empty-headed Mu Shuang'er to be safe.
The two imperial guards were annoyed but still had to comply with Qin Wang's order.
Mu Shuang'er didnt forgot to stuck out her tongue to tease them.
Mu Shuang'er pushed open the doors, only for coldness and gloominess to greet her.
"Y-Your highness?" Her stuttering and timid voice echoed strangely that she shivered
She kept calling on to Qin Zichen but there was only silence and darkness that greeted her.
All of the courage she mustered to barge in, was now all drained.
This feels like those scenes in a novel filled with scary things that is famous throughout the capital.
She couldn't help but shiver from the thought of it.
From a distance, she could see brightly lit candles flickering behind those transparent curtains.
She took a step and started walking towards the light source.
The floorboards eerily creaking after her every steps.
When she finally reached the brightly lit candles, she could vaguely see a man's figure hiding behind the curtains, chilling in the bath tub.
"His highness must be taking a bath..." She muttered seriously in a low voice then giggled right after.
She then couldn't help but scold and slap her own self because of her hilarious thoughts.
She could smell the enticing and refreshing scent coming from the tub.
She closed her eyes for ten seconds, and then opened them once again, and sighed heavily as if going to do something challenging.
She opened the the curtains, but to her confusion, there was no one in the tub.
She roamed her eyes all over the place, but there was no one.
*Whoosh* The whole room plunged into darkness
A gust of chilly wind suddenly passed through out of nowhere, putting out the brightly lit candles.
Mu Shuang'er was startled and suddenly alerted.
She was still struggling to adjust her eyes after being shrouded with darkness.
She then heard a splash of water fron her back.
Her scalp couldn't help but go numb.
'This is exactly one of those common scenes from Da Lang's horror novels!' She thought to herself while gritting her teeth and crying without tears.
She looked back, only for a strong pair of arms to grab her waist and throw her to the water.
"Ah!" She yelped in immense shock and suddenly felt her head submerged on the water for three seconds or so.
She rose from the waters and gasped heavily as if she ran a marathon for 5 hours straight.
"Ha...ha..ugh..euk!" Water got to her nose that she rubbed her nose uncomfortably. Water also made her eyes a little blurry and irritated.
She then could feel an oppressing shadow looming on top of her head.
She raised her had and met a pair of beautiful, yet gloomy bloody ruby eyes.
It was staring at her evily as if wanting to devour her in the next second.
She trembled under the man's scorching gaze and realized that her back was flat against the golden walls of the bathtub.
A pair of strong and veiny arms kept her trapped that she couldn't make a move.
"Y-your highness." She called in a shaky voice.
She bit her cherry-red lips anxiously, still seeing the man just looking at her silently.
'Why does he have a pair of red eyes? Or maybe it's just because of the lighting?' She thought to herself
But then she remembered the swirling rumours about the former empress who possesses coal black eyes, but would reddened at rare occasions. It alarmed the whole country and accused her of being a demon, who tried to seduce his majesty to make the whole empire crumble into ashes.
Her tied-up hair had unknowingly got messy after all that commotion. Her long hair had already fell to her waist, dipped in the water.
At her current state, her being a lady dressed in a man's clothes is more obvious.
She swallowed nervously after seeing the man's thin lips tilting into a devilish smile.
"Mu Shun." He called in a cold but oddly gentle voice.
She was then taken aback when she heard him say, "Or should I say, Mu Shuang'er?"
"Uh... Uh... Th-that-" She shivered frantically under the man's oppressing cold stare.
She heard the man continued and said, "Wasn't Mu Shun sent to the Buddhist temple for him to reflect after your father punished him? Am I wrong Miss Mu?"
Mu Shuang'er regretted barging into this room. She now felt more sober than ever.
No matter how much she likes this man, she still couldn't help but feel her whole body shaking, and her stomach uncomfortably flipping up and down.
And she's blaming it all to the Alcohol! She swore from this day that she will never drink ever again!
He suddenly leans closer, the distance wearing thin.
Mu Shuang'er then realized that he was taking a bath, of course he is naked!
Her palms instinctively leaned on his chest to stop him from leaning further
She could feel the heat radiating from the man's body that burned her palms.
Her ears were reddened in the dark, but the man who had incredible eyesight in the dark could see it.
He chuckled lowly, his chest vibrating.
He drew his lips closer to her ears and whispered in a chilling voice, "How do you explain this? Do you think His Majesty would spare your whole family after deceiving him?"
Mu Shuang'er was at loss for words and doesn't know how to explain nor reason to Qin Zichen.
He was this close to her, of course she panics
She couldn't help but feel the pounding of her quickening heartbeat, like it was a warning bell.
"Ahh!" She softly yelled after feeling his lips gnaw on her earlobes. She could feel his hot breath and saliva wrapping her ears.
"Tell me what is your purpose. You've been following me around." Qin Zichen stared at her coldly with his thick sword-like brows furrowed
"Ah.. I-I just want t-to be..." She kept stuttering.
The man's oppressive aura was making her heart race in anxiety.
She nervously raised her head and those glimmering maroon eyes made in contact with her.
He looked at her intensely, waiting for her answer
She couldn't help her but feel chills down her spine, her body trembled.
She doesn't know whether its because of her soaked clothes or is it because how he stared at her like he was gonna swallow her at any given moment.
"Answer me." His voice growing impatient.
Mu Shuang'er swallowed hard before finally giving a response, "Well... I've always liked you, Your Highness!" She yelled.
She could feel her cheeks heating up. So scarlet, it was maroon
It took her a lot courage before confessing it.
She felt as if rocks pressing against her body had crushed to the floor after saying it. The atmosphere doesn't feel that oppressing as before.
"Oh." Qin Zichen suddenly withdrew a little as if proccessing her words. His face looked a little confused for a second.
The next second, she saw his red lips drew into a devilish smile. His eyes glimmered, looking at her with amusement.
"Is that so?" She heard him ask
Though nervous, Mu Shuang'er shyly nodded.
"Well... That's great." With a flash, their distance suddenly grew thin and Mu Shuang'er felt a soft and hot lips latched onto her lips.
"Humph..." Mu Shuang'er couldn't process what is happening. Until she felt his tongue trying to pry open her mouth.
Mu Shuang'er felt like countless fireworks exploded in her head.
She was trying to imagine what would it be like to be kissed by His Highness. And she never thought he would be this rough.
She just froze in her place like a marble statue.
He grasp her head and forced her to raise her chin to cater to his ferocious kiss.
'I never thought he'd be this aggressive!' Mu Shuang'er thought to herself.
His flexible tongue was thrusting in and out on her mouth like a venomous snake.
He seemed so hungry and eager to swallow her whole, not even giving her a chance to breathe.
Mu Shuang'er felt like she's running out of oxygen. She was hammering his chest with her fists but it won't budge him.
He then suddenly withdrew from her.
Mu Shuang'er panted heavily.
She then saw him grasp his head, as if it was aching terribly.
Mu Shuang'er who's trying to gasp for air, turned her attention to his somewhat pained face.
"Your Highness?" She called in a worried tone.
She noticed that his eye color had returned to its normal black color.
He then looked at her coldly with a confused look.
"Captain Mu!" His frosty voice rang throughout the room.
"What are you doing here-" He was about to ask her but then he seemed to realize something.
"You had too much courage to come and ask for this King's presence yet you had nothing important to report?" Qin Zichen glared at her angrily, "Very well, Captain Mu! Very Well!" He said in a mocking tone.
"You're lucky I'm sparing you just because you save this King's life. Now Get out of here." He leaned his back to the tub and closed his eyes.
Mu Shuang'er was a confused by his sudden change of attitude-especially his eye color.
'Is His Highness possessed?' Just the thought of it makes her shiver.
"Did you not hear me? I said leave."Qin Zichen's irritated tone urged Mu Shuang'er to leave dejectedly.
Sensing that Mu Shuang'er had already left, he sighed in relief.
He stared at the place where Mu Shuang'er was from a while go.
His forehead was scrunched and his lips were pressed into thin line.
"What did I even do? Did I do something bad again?" He muttered to himself