Villain Lady

"We have taken so much of your time. We'll be taking our leave now," Wei Liuying said with a smile that was hidden behind her veil.     

Shi Mo nodded. "Please come again! I'll make sure that I can tell you every story that I have heard."     

"Many thanks for your offer."     

It didn't take long for the two of them to walk quite a distance away from Shi Mo. Wei Liuying sighed a bit and spoke in a rather loud tone. "He's quite a talkative young man."     

"I think he's only excited because he could get the chance to speak with someone of your rank, Miss," Yang Xian said politely.     

"En."     

"It's already the time for lunch. Shall we return back to the carriages?"     

"Yes."     

Shi Yan would be staying in this village for around a week before making a detour to the west and visited another small village there to sell his goods. It would take him some time before he could return back to Han Shi Kingdom, but it was all worth it for Shi Yan. He loved money a bit too much.     

For the rest of the day, Wei Liuying stayed in the carriage and thought of tomorrow's meeting with Princess Ji Xiaoli. She hoped that the princess was tactful enough to not reveal their real identity because she was sure that Princess Ji Xiaoli knew her real identity.     

"Miss, it's already the time to rest."     

Wei Liuying glanced up and smiled bitterly at Yang Xian, who came into the carriage while bringing a blanket. "You should stop your act when we're alone."     

"We'll never know who's listening. It's better to be careful."     

They were talking in low voice, almost like they were whispering. In the end, Wei Liuying merely mouthed out what she wanted to ask because she was too tired to think of any roundabout way to speak.     

'Tomorrow's meeting with Princess Ji Xiaoli, should I stay with the merchants or stay away?'     

'What do you think, Ying?'     

'I think it'll be better to stay here so that I can have an excuse to speak with her when her husband is picking some goods to buy. Besides, a noble young lady staying in a secluded village was not that uncommon.'     

Yang Xian nodded. 'That'll be a good idea.'     

"I want to rest. You can leave now, Xian."     

"Yes, Miss."     

Wei Liuying looked in Yang Xian's direction for a moment and sighed. She felt that living a life filled with acting was really too tiring. However, to be able to become oneself without the need to put on a mask would be impossible if they wished to survive. Such naïve person would surely be killed sooner or later.     

After mulling for a bit, Wei Liuying pulled the blanket and fixed her position. She needed to sleep.      

Tomorrow would be a brand new day.     

…     

The next day, Wei Liuying woke up early and prepared herself. Shi Yan and his men were already busy when they heard the coming of Prince Kou and Princess Ji Xiaoli. Prince Kou was the current crown prince in Xiong Tribe, so his position was very high here. No one dared to slight him in the slightest bit.     

"Everyone is so busy," Wei Liuying commented.     

Yang Xian nodded and poured the tea once more. His action looked like he was already familiar with how maidservants usually served their Master. In turn, this made Wei Liuying felt a bit awkward because she was not used to be served again. Though, she hid her discomfort and acted as natural as possible.     

"His Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Kou, will come here with his wife. It's only natural that everyone will be busy."     

"I see."     

At this point, Wei Liuying was glad that Princess Ji Xiaoli loved to visit the small village. It would make it easier for them to know her condition without the need to take the risk to enter deep into Xiong Tribe's territory. Despite the treaty, it was clear that they were all very vigilant to each other and would not tolerate having their enemy enter their territory.     

"His Highness the Crown Prince has come!"     

When they heard that, everyone quickly got into position and bowed in respect. They might not be part of Xiong Tribe, but they still needed to pay respect when they were facing the royalty.     

"You may rise. There's no need to be so polite."     

Wei Liuying raised her head and looked at the two people who came. The crown prince was donned in thick fur robe with fox fur around his neck. He was looking at the goods with gleaming eyes. At the same time, there was hint of laughter from the corner of his eyes as if he was feeling happy.     

On the other hand, Princess Ji Xiaoli was still similar to the one that Wei Liuying seen before. Dressed in thick red robe and fur, the color perfectly contrasted her skin and highlighted her beauty. As someone who was so perfectly beautiful, Princess Ji Xiaoli would be able to catch anyone's eyes who saw her.     

In just a short time span, she had grown even more beautiful.     

"It's a great honor for me to have you come here, Your Highness," Shi Yan said politely with great respect. He was smiling at Prince Kou with his friendly business smile.     

"What you brought here are all very great, so I thought of coming here with my wife again," Prince Kou replied. "I heard that you also brought some hunting equipment from Han Shi Kingdom? I'm curious about them."     

"As Your Highness requested before, I have brought it here with me."     

Princess Ji Xiaoli maintained the same smile on her face as usual. She tugged Prince Kou's arm, "I want to take a look at others."     

"Ah, you can go ahead. Don't go too far."     

"I won't."     

Since there were rarely women who liked to see hunting equipment, Prince Kou dismissed Princess Ji Xiaoli without much thought. The servants behind them were divided into two as part of them followed Princess Ji Xiaoli.