“You got a promotion? That’s awesome!” Fan Lanying is truly happy for her brother to get promoted so quickly after joining Jun Min army. Not only he got promoted, he even got a few days off from the army because of his accomplishment.

Fan Ying nodded. Yabei, his superior, may be harsh and the training is arduous, but the rewards are plenty and Jun Min never puts on any airs before them. Other than when he’s giving order during war, Jun Min is truly an approachable young man.

“I feel lucky to get transferred out from that army,” Fan Ying takes a few more meats to eat. He smiled towards his sister.

Fan Lanying nodded heavily. “When I got the chance, I want to become a general like Jun Min and Soujin. They’re my idols.”

“Sure, I support you,” Fan Ying laughed. “What have you been doing during this time? I heard that you didn’t continue on the academy anymore?”

“Nope, I’m the guard for Princess Hui,” Fan Lanying answered proudly.

“You need to be careful, there might be people wanting to hurt her,” Fan Ying said.

“Yes.”

The brother and sister are talking happily with each other. Their mother is listening from the side with relief. She’s glad that things turned out good for her children.

…

Mountain Kingdom

Jun Qing is supposedly working to move the Jun family over to the Mountain Kingdom area. They also bring the soldier’s family over to the land here. Aside from that, Jun Qing is building a wall to separate the Jun family territory with Ming Kingdom.

“Are you done with your work?” Kuina ask from the side lazily. She would often sneak here to avoid the work as an empress because she cannot use her cave anymore after General Hen knows about it. If she hides there, they will surely find her and drag her back.

Jun Qing stared at the princess with helpless expression. He was partially forced to accept her hiding in this place. Although the princess is really smart and has countless brilliance idea, she doesn’t want to be confined inside the palace. Thus, she becomes a naughty princess who would ditch her works to other and hides here.

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“Today part is almost finished. When will they hold your ceremony?” Jun Qing asked back.

“After I get married. Those annoying officials are always pestering me with countless paper or whatever you called that, and ask me to pick one to be my husband,” Kuina is terribly annoyed and doesn’t bother looking at them before throwing them all out.

Jun Qing can imagine it. This little princess is truly stubborn and she’s not one to obey other words easily. Even when she’s supposed to govern the court, she’s here hiding and talking with him. The problem is, she is smart and she knows how to evade things she doesn’t want to do.

“Where do you want to go today?”

“The waterfall.”

Jun Qing face darkened a bit. That place is outside the capital and bringing this little princess around the capital has taken a lot of his energy. And now she wants to go outside? How does she think she can escape the guards?

Seeing Jun Qing expression, Kuina laughed. “I know a secret passage.”

With that Jun Qing relented. Both of them sneaked outside during afternoon and Kuina guide them through the secret passage towards the waterfall. It’s located not far from the capital and Kuina could easily reach that place with Jun Qing followed behind her.

“Look, it’s there!” Kuina pointed happily.

Jun Qing is not really familiar with this place. He had heard the sound of the waterfall, but he would never think that this place would be really beautiful. The light from the sun is creating a rainbow on the waterfall causing an extraordinary view.

“This place is good. You’re really amazing,” Jun Qing smiled.

“Thank you,” Kuina stared to the waterfall. “I often go here with my father and brother when I’m small. We would play around, chasing each other here with my father watching us. But, for a few years, I only come here alone.”

Jun Qing nodded. The two of them have died from the battle this kingdom had experienced and the innocent princess is dragged inside. It’s such a shame that the princess had to be left alone, but in this era where war is common, there are many families like her. She was considered lucky to stay alive and there are people supporting her.

“You’re not alone today.”

“Yeah,” Kuina nodded.

“Why are you bringing me here?”

“It’s dangerous to go here during this kind of times and with you protecting me, I should be alright,” Kuina grinned.

Jun Qing hoped that he didn’t ask that question anymore. In the princess eyes, it seems he’s only a guard who’s helping her. He didn’t really mind though, interacting with this princess has been fun and he hoped to stay here longer.

He detected a presence behind them. “Princess, stay behind me.”

Kuina moved to behind Jun Qing as a few black clothed people appeared. Jun Qing stared at them before attacking those people. In a matter of seconds, everything has ended.

“You should have closed your eyes,” Jun Qing frowned upon seeing the princess is still standing stiffly.

“I have seen a battle before,” Kuina answered as she calmed herself down. She is not really used with blood, but the view from when she is following after Jun Min still remains. “Thank you.”

“Let’s return back. This place is getting darker as times go by. There might be more people attacking you.”

“Okay, I will lead the way.”

“Be careful.”