Lei Xing focused on admiring the flowers and ignored Prince Yi. She could gather that he knew something of the dowager's involvement in her "accident" and reasoned that perhaps he wanted to validate the information from her. It was also likely that he was trying to goad her into starting trouble. She was definitely not interested in starting any drama and was especially not interested in becoming anyone's puppet to be manipulated.

{...Honestly, I don't why this guy keeps bothering me...Can't he get a clue? I'm being very obvious too -_-)...}

{...*Tch, I know right!... Some people just like to complicate things!... Seriously, would it kill you to just listen? Hmph!...}

{...Are you talking to me?... What's your issue now? I didn't even do anyth-...}

{...*Nothing!... I just agree that it's annoying when people refuse to understand and make it hard for m- You! I'm just annoyed on your behalf!...}

{...I see...Thank you...-_-?)...}

{...*You're welcome!...}

Lei Xing snorted. This bracelet was somewhat amusing. Although she was still skeptical of its words and unhappy with being held hostage, it occasionally had its good moments.

When Lei Xing did not respond for a while, Prince Yi frowned at her disinterested demeanor, but was not discouraged and quickly put on a smile and approached her again, "If you wa-"

"Ahhh!" Lei Xing suddenly shrieked as she speedily turned, bumping into Prince Yi, which caused both of them to tumble to the ground. Prince Yi stared at her face, wide-eyed with shock as he held her. But before he could process what was happening. Lei Xing pushed off him while reciting, "Snake! Snake! Snake! Snake! Snake!..." As she raced out of the flower field towards the carriage, leaving a shocked Prince Yi and Ah Jin behind.

When she reached the carriage, she finally stopped and caught her breath. It was only when she saw the shocked expressions of the guards, who quickly looked away. It was then she realized what she just did. Lei Xing turned to the side, using a hand to shield her face in embarrassment.

She had always had a massive fear of snakes. When she was younger even seeing one in a book or on TV would petrify her, and it would take a while before she unfroze. At least now she could run after years of trying to desensitize herself by forcing herself to watch shows about snakes.

She turned back to the flower field and saw Ah Jin walking towards her, with Prince Yi dusting himself off still standing where she left him.

{...It's not my fault! Snakes are just...Snakes! >_

{...*Hahahahahaha Yes, in your book it definitely is! Hahahahahaha Following you is so much more fun! Who knew you could be this fun! Hahahahaha...}

Lei Xing frowned, feeling aggrieved, it was not her fault. Ah Jin came up to her and asked if she was alright. Lei Xing lightly nodded, keeping her head low and facing away from the guards. She was completely red with embarrassment now.

Prince Yi eventually returned and then held out a hand in front of Lei Xing, whose eyes widened as she inhaled deeply and almost flew off again, but managed control herself and just jump behind Ah Jin, using her as a human barrier.

{...I'm sorry Ah Jin...but, but...I can't even justify it T_T)..}

"Why are you holding that?!" She barked, at her wit's end, it was taking all her self-control not to run off again.

Prince Yi smirked and retrieved the hand, and stroked the head of the green snake wrapped around his arm. He looked at Lei Xing's wide-eyed almost teary expression and thought it was cute and snickered, "It's fine. It's won't bite...Here, touch it." He said stretching the hand towards her again.

Lei Xing swiftly changed locations to behind the carriage, putting more distance between her and this snake master, as she said, "I don't care if it bites or not! Just keep it away from me!... You'll scare the horses!"

{...What sort of weirdo picks up a random snake?! T_T)...}

{...*Hahaha A weirdo with an affinity with snakes...Even it were poisonous, it wouldn't bite him...You, on the other hand, it might just be daring enough~ hahahahahaha...}

{...It's not funny! >_

Prince Yi was amused by her reaction and was enjoying himself with a smile. The three that had gone off returned to see this weird scene. Princess Nalan saw the snake in Prince Yi's hand and excitedly went over to stroke its head and said, "How cute." To Lei Xing's absolute horror. Lei Xing was feeling lightheaded as she watched them casually playing and standing around the snake.

{...Ohhh these people are crazy...A panda is cute! A snake is never cute! I don't care even if it has a freaking panda's face!! A Snake is just NEVER EVER cute! >_

{...*Hahaha Don't you think you're overreacting? I'd have never thought you would be so scared of that tiny little t-...}

{...Leave me alone!...}

Molin finally could not help breaking into wild laughter as he looked at Lei Xing hanging behind the carriage while vigilantly staring at the tiny snake, as if it would jump out to strike her at any time. Princess Nalan quickly joined in, and even Prince Rui and Prince Yi were quietly chuckling along. She could also hear the muffled laughter of the guards behind her. Lei Xing was not at all amused.

{...I'm glad I could be your icebreaker, freaking As**oles!! -_-)...}

"Are you going to keep it? If not let me have it!" Princess Nalan said causing Lei Xing to immediately glare at her from her safe distance.

{...If you bring that thing into the carriage, I will MURDER you and then it, somehow...I want to return to the palace right now! I'd rather take scheming witches over snakey ones any day...I don't even know what I'm talking about anymore. Please don't bring it! >_

Prince Yi glanced at Lei Xing who looked like she was about to cry and then said, "It's better for it stay here. The city isn't ideal for it." After saying that, he went and released it at the edge of the flower field and it slithered off, then he turned to see Lei Xing letting out a sigh of relief and snorted.

As they made their way back to the city. Princess Nalan narrowed her eyes at Lei Xing, "Hmm, so you're scared of snakes too?"

Lei Xing frowned, "I'm not scared, I just don't like them near me. They are slimy an-"

"They are not slimy at all, they just look that way." Princess Nalan corrected, "They are actually pretty smooth and cool, nice to the touch! I'll find one for you to touc-"

"No need! I'll just take your word for it." Lei Xing finished with a strained smile.

Princess Nalan looked at her strained smile and then laughed, "You're really cute. Just like how I imagined a younger sister to be...Although you're a bit of a coward bu-"

"I said wasn't scared, I just don't like them." Lei Xing defended.

Princess Nalan pat her shoulder and humored her, "Okay, I understand. You weren't scared...Hm, how about you call me jiejie from now on? Or Nalan jie? Which do you prefer?" She asked smiling at Lei Xing.

Lei Xing was not amused at all. She did not respond and looked out the window.

{...Now they're just blatantly treating me like a child...All this disrespect! At least in the palace, the disrespect is at least on an a.d.u.l.t level...Well, most of the time T_T)...}

When Lei Xing did not respond, Princess Nalan laughed, "Either way, we have to work on your bravery. I'm sure you scream at rats too, don't you? Oh, have you ever tried a rat before? It's quite good. Let me tell you about this one time..."

Lei Xing spent the rest of the carriage ride listening to Princess Nalan's talking about various delectables she had eaten and how good they were. Lei Xing could appreciate cultural differences, but when it came to food there are certain things she just would not do and Princess Nalan's vivid descriptions of the slaughtering and cooking methods did not help at all.

The carriage finally stopped and Lei Xing got down to see that they had stopped at what was known to be the best theatre house in the city. Prince Yi smiled at her, but she just glared at him and looked away. It seemed this was his idea to make up for causing her embarrassment.

After they settled in a booth, they ordered food and wine. The other three also seemed to be trying to make it up to Lei Xing by giving her food, pouring her wine and generally making sure she was as comfortable as possible. Although she did not have much of an appetite thanks to Princess Nalan's sermon, she accepted all their gestures and her mood brightened up.

Although she was still a bit bothered by the fact that the three Zou people seemed to be treating her like a pouting child. She eventually let it go, thinking it was probably a cultural thing with them. They seemed very welcoming, plus she did not mind the special treatment.

Prince Yi quietly sat at the edge of the table outside the cheerful scene, quietly observing the scene, specifically Lei Xing, he looked down at his hand for a while, then his eyes settled back on her.

{...I think I might actually...}