After she called out his name, she calmly corrected herself, "I meant, Gentleman Yu."
Yu Shun smiled, "Ah, you're still trying to act like a good behaved girl despite the fact you're not very good at it."
She smiled politely at him and replied, "Xinglan knows nothing of what Gentleman Yu is saying. Don't tell me you're not only half-blind but also deaf? Ah, how life is cruel."
Hearing her words, the other man who sat opposite of Yu Shun let out a laugh.
"How entertaining."
Lin Xinglan glanced over where the voice came from and checked him out. The man was dressed in silver clothes, his dark brown hair wasn't tied up, instead, it was let down, it was long but not quite long enough to touch the ground. What almost took her breath away was the golden mask he wore on his face. She shouldn't had relied on her luck, look what she got in return.
It couldn't be more obvious that the fact he was the very same Fu Hanyu Qiang Jingyi had mentioned before.
As a paranoid person, she couldn't help but inwardly panic. No matter how she looked into it, it was obviously she had been taken by the enemy. Somehow they knocked her out and brought her with them but what confused her the most was Yu Shun being together with that man Fu Hanyu.
"Oh look, I made her scared. Do I look that scary?" Fu Hanyu playfully smiled at Yu Shun who clicked his tongue in return.
"How should I know. Don't ask me."
Lin Xinglan built up her courage and asked, "May I know what reason did the two gentlemen bring me here?"
Fu Hanyu turned his gaze towards Lin Xinglan who stood beside the door in an awkward way.
"Taking you as a hostage of course. What are you, dumb?"
She suddenly felt the urge to punch him, only the way he spoke and that smile of his, she already confirmed her suspicion.
He was no doubt the same Fu Hanyu from her past life. Lin Xinglan might not seem surprised but she definitely was, her mind was a mess. She had so many questions but she couldn't expose herself rashly.
Who would had thought that guy also transmigrated to this world? She wanted to laugh so much her stomach would hurt as she would keep thinking of ways he had died to be able to be here just like her.
"Have you ever seen a person who wake up to see they're suddenly in an unfamiliar place without being tied up or anything alike, and have no idea what's going on would think that they're being held as a hostage without confirming? Are you sure you aren't the one who's dumb here?" Lin Xinglan puckered her lips.
Yu Shun raised the corners of his lips, attempting to not laugh out loud while the other man with the golden mask squinted his eyes as his smile slowly faltered.
"Xinglan, is it? What's your surname?" He asked, there was no longer a playful tone in his voice.
Lin Xinglan was startled but tried to keep her calm, she didn't want to expose herself to him but every time she would face him, she couldn't hide her disdain towards him. That was how much he infuriated her.
"Why should I tell you? Since you know my name you have probably already investigated me. Finding out my surname should be as easy as when you found out my forename." That was a lie, she had never told her surname to anyone before in this lifetime. Not even to Qiang Jingyi.
Fu Hanyu stood up and walked slowly towards Lin Xinglan, he wore his usual smile on his face. He halted his step when he came close to her, and because she was much shorter than him, he lowered his head to look at her.
"You know what, I just came to a conclusion that I don't like you. In fact, I really hate your type."
Lin Xinglan didn't back up, she crossed her arms and held her chin up despite being nervous, "I could say the same to you."
They looked at each other's eyes, seemingly having a staring contest, and Yu Shun, who was being ignored for a while, opened his mouth.
"Are you two children?"
Fu Hanyu narrowed his eyes at her before he walked back to his seat to move a chess piece on the board as it was his turn to make a move.
"Dumb woman, where is the last piece of the map?" He asked while not looking at her.
"What map? I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean."
So she was taking because of the map? How she regretted sneaking out, she should had just listened to Qiang Jingyi instead.
"Don't play more dumb when you're already dumb enough. I heard the fourth prince of Qin has feelings for you?"
Lin Xinglan furrowed her brows, "It's not possible. After all, I'm just a commoner while he's prince."
Yu Shun arched his brow in surprise; Don't tell me... It's one-sided?
"How unexpected! Didn't know you were the type to be so cold hearted and dense." Fu Hanyu said but then he stopped when he observed her, "No, wait. Is it possible that you...."
Sending him a death glare, she interrupted him and said, "Don't speak nonsense. I already said I don't know what you're talking about. Map? Is it some treasure map for some treasure hunting?" Then she scoffed, "What are you, 5?"
Fu Hanyu's eyes darkened, "Are you certain you don't want to collaborate with me?"
Without hesitation, she nodded, "Definitely."
Which was probably the wrong move she made as soon as she heard his next sentence.
"Yu Shun, throw her in the prison."
Lin Xinglan widened her eyes in disbelief, they dared to do that to a young girl such like her? But then she was no longer shocked as this was something he would do without guilt.
She murmured, "No matter where or when, you're still so tyrannical and hateful... Hope you suffered a horrible death."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing." She quickly replied.
As followed, Yu Shun took her to the gloomy prison and placed her in a cell room. The prison was hidden behind a wall inside a normal room. Lin Xinglan was quite surprised and her eyes sparkled in awe, it was her first time having to see a real hidden chamber. However they soon turned to fear, she couldn't help but imagine all the gore and torture being held inside such place. What if it was her turn next?
Before Yu Shun walked away, she said, "Yu Shun, why are you doing this to me? I thought we were friends."
He gently smiled, "Little brat, I apologize but think of it as it's your fate. Personally, I have nothing against you but your connection with the fourth prince is a bothersome thing. You're my enemy. I wish we had met in another circumstance but unfortunately... Anyways, behave yourself and that man might let you have it easy."
As he had finished to say what he wanted, he walked off and exited the hidden prison.
Lin Xinglan cursed endlessly, what 'behave yourself and that man might let you have it easy'? It was Fu Hanyu they were talking about! That man knew nothing about being a gentleman, especially towards women.
The place wasn't dark as there were torches against the walls but it was very dirty and had a horrible stench. She wanted to cry over her miserable state. Sitting down in a corner, she embraced herself while trying to take nap. Because, wouldn't time pass quicker if she slept?
Back to Fu Hanyu, he was still in the same place, he looked like he was staring lazily at the chessboard but he was actually lost in thoughts.
Strange... Really strange...
That woman who had the same name as her, at first he thought it was a coincidence since the name was common but as the time had passed when he interacted with her, he couldn't ignore the nagging feeling he had. As soon as he saw her, he instantly disliked her. It was the same dislike as he had towards her. The way she acted, the way she didn't even bother to hide her disdain towards him. It was the exact same as her.
However, he soon shrugged off the thought. He was simply thinking too much, he was probably tired from taking care of that foolish crown prince.
But if she really was that woman... Fu Hanyu let out a laugh, how much more fun he would had then. He couldn't wait to play with her!
Lin Xinglan, who tried to sleep, felt chill running her spine. She suddenly felt a bad premonition, she shook her head and went back trying to take a nap.
The sword cut a black figure across his chest, making him fall to the ground lifelessly.
"If you can't find her and bring her back to this lordship, you can leave your life behind!" A deep voice roared furiously.
The people who stood before the furious man trembled in fear. Their master was really out of control this time! They needed to find the young miss as soon as possible!
They bowed down and began to scatter around to search after the disappearing girl.
The furious man was none other than Qiang Jingyi, his mood was so bad, he didn't bother to conceal his large dark aura. Zaki Yaman, who wasn't far away from him, could feel the thick aura and he couldn't resist the urge to shiver in fear.
It had been an hour after Lin Xinglan had her fun in the capital city and was on her way to the forest.
"Your highness.... I'm sure we will find her."
Qiang Jingyi narrowed his eyes at him, "If not...."
Zaki Yaman gulped and said, "Hearing the report, she found out a way and sneaked out when no one saw her. She went to the busy kitchen and changed her clothes to a manservant's and then having us think that she was just another manservant, she sneaked out from the backdoor and hid herself inside one of the food carriages."
He continued, "A manservant reported that he had seen her trying to go inside the kitchen and stopped her. However, he let her in as little sister had told him she was going to secretly cook for his highness and surprise him. He didn't think she would actually lie..."
He shut his mouth, no longer trying to talk when he saw Qiang Jingyi's black face.
Qiang Jingyi tightly gripped the handle of his bloodied sword, and said through gritted teeth, "Do whatever it takes to find her! I want her back safely!"
"Yes, your highness." Not saying anything further, Zaki Yaman tactfully left.
Qiang Jingyi had come back from the morning court only to find out Lin Xinglan was nowhere to be seen, and Qiang Rong Kai was out for a short mission so he couldn't keep an eye on her. He frantically searched everywhere in his estate but couldn't find her. He was so anxious and nervous, he refused to believe she abandoned him once again.
If it was really like he thought then... No! She couldn't leave him, he couldn't allow it. Absolutely not. Once he found her again....
"Lan, once I find you again, I promise you, I'll chain you by my side." Traces of mercy could no longer be seen in his dark phoenix eyes.
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