Anning’s pov

"Lanzhin." I called out, running a hand through my hair. "If I take full responsibility for everything, would that convince General Gu to let Wanqing go?"

She looked a tad bit surprised but then sighed deeply, "It might work on some level, but General Gu...he will not hold back. To him, you’re nothing but a slave. Replaceable. If you die, someone else will be more than willing to take your place."

The words stung, but it wasn’t as though I hadn’t heard them before. At that moment I decided, if anyone was getting punished. It would be me.

I had caused this freaking mess. I was not going to let Wanqing play princess in shining armor anymore.

As I walked toward the exit, Lanzhin suddenly grabbed my arm. I let out a sigh of frustration, I was in a hurry and her doing this was just going to get me angry.

"When did you suddenly start caring about the consequences of your actions? You have no idea what the young miss has planned." She said, "If you go there now, you would only cause her more trouble."

Potato, potato.

I slapped her hand off my arm, not bothering to control my strength. "This is me trying, Lanzhin."

Before she could say anything else, I was already walking away. My steps were quick and the determination in my heart made me feel giddy.

Giddy to get into trouble, way to go Anning. But it wasn’t my fault!

I was done hiding behind Wanqing. Nine months of building my own small safe haven and still, one mention of her name dragged me back into that fire.

The same fire I had tried my best to avoid.

Part of me hated how easily I was willing to throw myself into danger for her. I mean, she chose to do this.

Why was I even interfering? But I couldn’t answer that question. I just didn’t want to.

After walking halfway through a random hall, I finally realized I had no idea where General Gu’s study was. I bit on my lower lip, frustration bubbling to the surface but I took in deep breaths to calm myself.

I spotted a guard standing in the corner and I immediately reached up to adjust my hair, smoothed my dress and even pushed out my chest slightly. Then, I walked towards him with a small but nervous smile on my face.

I stopped a few feet away from him and when his eyes met mine, his lips curled into a smile.

"Oh, Anning?!" He said, not bothering to hide the surprise in his voice. "What can I do for you today?"

He asked after a few minutes, bowing slightly. When he straightened, I couldn’t help but notice how his eyes left my face and slowly trailed down my body.

Tch, men are truly simple minded creatures. I thought with a mix of amusement and maybe even disgust?

They were easy to read and even easier to use when I saw fit.

I took a step closer to him, brushed a few strands of hair behind my ear before speaking, "Could you point me toward General Gu’s study? It’s quite important."

The guards narrowed his eyes at me. He didn’t respond immediately but when he did, he just threw me a question.

"Is your business with the Master urgent?"

The smile on my face threatened to drop. Instead, I met his gaze without flinching and then replied. "It’s both urgent and important."

After a moment of clear hesitation, he yielded and finally gave me the address I needed. I thanked him with a sweet smile on my face, then continued on my way.

With each step I took, my heart raced faster. This was definitely reckless. But backing down now would make me a coward and guess what?

I did not want to be that coward.

The closer I got to the said study, the slower my feet moved. The area around the study wasn’t heavily guarded, which came as a surprise.

On my way here, I passed only two guards. My stomach churned at the thought of what I was doing.

What exactly was I supposed to do when General Gu got upset? I’m just a slave, a slave he had harassed months back.

One word from him and I could disappear. And maybe even Wanqing wouldn’t be able to stop him.

Reckless Anning urged me to step closer to the door. While, sane Anning warned me to go back.

For a moment, I almost turned back. Forgive me for acting out of character but the fear of dying was real.

But when I thought about Wanqing’s back that had been covered in deep welts, the blood on my fingers and how weak she looked at that moment.

How she had refused to hand me over to the imperial princess and how she had taken a punishment meant for me.

The thought made me continue walking. She protected me, even when I did not deserve it. The least I could do was at least try returning the favor.

I stopped in front of the large door and just before I could announce myself, raised voices drifted through the slightly open door.

Why the fuck was it even open?

Realizing I could be seen like this, I pressed myself against the wall.

"That slave of yours is dangerous, Wanqing. We both know that attitude of hers isn’t normal." I heard General Gu say, his voice echoed through the study.

When Wanqing replied, her voice remained calm but I caught the strain beneath it. "Father, you’re merely overthinking this."

They spoke about that silver haired noble and even said I might not actually be a slave. Which wasn’t possible because I wasn’t from here!

"Stop protecting her. She will only ruin you." General Gu said, his voice growing harsher

I bit on my lower lip when Wanqing spoke again. "I can’t do that."

She’s still refusing?!

"Why?" General Gu demanded. "Explain yourself. Why are you so obsessed with her?"

I stopped breathing at his question and waited for Wanqing to reply.

Wanqing stayed silent for a long moment. The tension in the air made it hard to breathe, even though I was standing out here.

When she didn’t speak, a loud crash filled the air. It sounded like something had broken or rather, General Gu broke something.

"Really? You would place a slave above your own family? Above your future?" General Gu yelled.

"She is under my protection, father." Wanqing answered, her voice steady but edged. "Even if she is troublesome or even rude. She still belongs to no one else but me."

Her words slammed into me like a physical punch. A punch that made my heart skip several beats.

I belonged to no one else but her. Then, why did she leave me for nine months?

My chest tightened with a mix of warmth and confusion. Yes, I was definitely confused.

As I stood there, my thoughts couldn’t help but spiral.

I never asked her to do this. I never asked her to fight for me, to sacrifice her safety, well-being and future. For little old me.

Yet here she was, doing it anyway. For the first time I couldn’t quite understand how she thinks or what she feels in moments like this.

And at that same point, I truly understood that in this place. Your actions had consequences.

I caused the trouble without thinking about the consequences, and Wanqing kept paying them.

For one selfish second, I wished she could go back to wherever she’d been for those nine months. At least she’d be safe and far away from me.

I debated slipping away from this place without anyone noticing. I had to leave, I couldn’t afford to make whatever this was worse.

Just as I took a small step back, the door of the study suddenly opened. Shit.

I nearly screamed but when I noticed Wanqing standing there, I let out a sigh in relief.

Our eyes met instantly and I saw freaking sparks fly between us. A brutal mix of anger, exhaustion and something I couldn’t quite name.

She looked different. Her hair was pulled into a simple bun, her usual cold eyes looked blank now. Just as I opened my mouth to make some excuse, Wanqing stepped out of the study and then slid the door close behind her.

When she took a small, almost taunting step toward me. I was forced to take one back..

"Tiger, what the hell are you doing here?"

I bit on my lower lip, looked down at the floor before mumbling, "I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

Wanqing let out a small scoff and took another step towards me. This time I didn’t take a step back.

"Why? I thought you were done with me?" She asked.