Lei Xing blankly looked down at the box. She thought for a bit then concluded that it would not be a good idea to take a gift from a foreign prince. So to avoid the unnecessary trouble of the accusation of a clandestine affair, she smiled and said, "It was nothing really. Honestly, the person who wanted to do a good deed was my younger sister, I just stepped in to help her with a better plan to avoid the trouble. So it's really can't accept this gift but I accept the sentiment though. Thank you..."

Prince Rui knit his brows then explained, "Regardless of the reason you chose to step in, you still did it. And it was not only that, I heard from the servants talking that day that you gave out the money from your own personal savings as well..."

Seeing Lei Xing's complicated expression, he quickly came to a realization and clarified, "It doesn't mean anything special. it's just in our country, a good deed must be repaid and you do not express gratitude without of token of some sort. A gift is necessary to show sincerity. Therefore, I chose this on the way."

Lei Xing could understand the need of having to repay someone and so was feeling a bit conflicted. Then she thought of an idea and took it with a smile, "In that case, I will accept it...Since the good deed stemmed from sister's own good heart, I think it makes the most sense for her to have it..."

Prince Rui nodded, "It's yours and you can do with it as you will."

Lei Xing thanked him again, then handed the box over to Ah Jin to have it sent over to Xiao Ting.?After that, the two of them awkwardly remained there with nothing to talk about, both looking in the direction Princess Nalan and Molin left in, waiting for their return.

The two finally returned with servants trailing behind with food that Lei Xing was glad to see. Molin also rushed up to Lei Xing to thank her for her good deed and even fervently apologized for not having a gift to give. Then he wanted to run off to go get something, but Lei Xing quickly stopped him saying she did not need one. But he continued to insist saying it cannot be overlooked.

In the end, Lei Xing offhandedly mentioned that she has always wanted a bouquet of flowers but never received one. Molin quickly picked up on the hint and quickly rushed off to go pluck a bouquet for her from the surrounding garden. Then he ran off holding the flowers, after collecting an arm full. After a short while, he returned with a properly arranged bouquet, tied with a thin piece of blue silk, which he must have torn from a larger piece of cloth as it showed signs of tearing. Then he proudly presented it to her.

Lei Xing received it with a smile and thanked him. Thus the gifting session ended amicably.

Lei Xing let out a slight sigh of relief as they finally sat down to eat, Molin's reaction had convinced her on the validity of Prince Rui's claim earlier, and her guilt over accepting the gift quickly disappeared. It was not that she was full of herself and thought that every man who came across her would be attracted to her. It was just how this scenario played out in the stories she read. Not to mention, his insistence, coupled with his sister's behavior painted a certain image that begged to be misunderstood.

During the meal, Princess Nalan dominated the conversation along with Molin, she occasionally asked Lei Xing questions so she did not feel left out.?It was a cheerful meal until when Prince Yi arrived to join the group, the atmosphere suddenly plummeted. Molin glared at him, Prince Rui ignored him, Princess Nalan seemed at a loss and was looking at her brother, baffled at his behavior. While Lei Xing glanced around, feeling uncomfortable, her eyes then met with prince Yi's, so she gave a half-smile and lightly bowed her head. Prince Yi smiled back and did the same, then took the seat that no one offered, with an aloof expression.

Lei Xing inwardly sighed.

{...Well, this is going to be a fun group -_-)...}

After a few moments of observing the awkward atmosphere, Princess Nalan recovered and assumed the role of the gracious host and asked Prince Yi if he had eaten. He responded with a simple, "En" and picked up his teacup and sipped on it while looking off to the side, showing he was not interested in a conversation. Princess Nalan got the hint and went back to eating. They finished the rest of the meal in awkward silence.

After they finished, the awkward silence remained. Eventually, Princess Nalan got fed up and turned to Lei Xing, "So where are we going today?"

Lei Xing blinked and went, "Huh?"

"Did you forget you're supposed to be showing me around? Where do you like to go?"

Lei Xing nervously smiled, "Um, I don't know...maybe the theatre house? Honestly, I was sickly growing up so I never went out much so I don't really know where will be good..."

Prince Yi glanced at her thinking to himself that must be the reason he never noticed her until recently. He had once wondered why he never saw her at any gatherings before that encounter on the street, convinced that he would have noticed if he had seen her. It also explained why she did not know he was then as well.

"Really? What was wrong with you?... Are you still sickly now?" Princess Nalan inquired.

"I'm better now." Lei Xing responded with a smile.

"I see...so what was wrong with you?" Lei Xing looked at her and was unsure how to answer. Princess Nalan then frowned, "Or you don't want to tell me? I didn't thi-"

"How about going to the flower field?" Prince Yi suggested cutting into their conversation, to the surprise of the others.

Princess Nalan blinked, "Flower field? That sounds good...What do you think?" She asked turning to Lei Xing.

"It sounds great." Lei Xing swiftly responded and looked towards Prince Yi grateful for the interruption, he lightly smiled at her and looked away.

The four then began the journey there with Princess Nalan riding along with Lei Xing and Ah Jin in the carriage while the others were on horses with guards following along. They had initially wanted to ride horses to get there faster but then Lei Xing explained that she did not know how to ride. Resulting in another item being added on to Princess Nalan's tutoring list. Lei Xing sighed.

{...Do I seem pitiful? It's weird people keep volunteering to tutor me on stuff...It's honestly kind of annoying, it's like they're treating like a child -_-)...}

{...*An a.d.u.l.t with no knowledge of the basics is no better than a child..And a knowledgeable child will also be much better than an ignorant a.d.u.l.t...}

"Are you alright? Are you feeling sick?" Princess Nalan asked when she saw Lei Xing frowning.

Lei Xing quickly corrected her expression and responded, "No, I'm fine."

"Being in a carriage is so suffocating. Once you learn to ride, you'll never like carriages again. Don't worry, I'll make sure you are racing before I leave." Princess Nalan said, snickering as she thought of it.

Lei Xing nervously laughed along, feeling a bit worried about her future.

{...Someone can die falling from a racing horse, namely me. I don't want to race T_T)...}

{...*Hahahahahaha Don't worry, I know a remedy to mend broken bones quickly. I change my mind, she's great! Hahahahaha...}

When they arrived and Lei Xing got down to see a landscape covered with flowers of different colors flowing through like a river to the horizon. It was quite a breathtaking sight. Princess Nalan took a deep breath and smiled, then got on one of the horses and speedily galloped towards the horizon. Prince Rui frowned and quickly followed with Molin to ensure her safety.

Lei Xing sighed and enviously watched as the three rode off.

{...She seems so wild and free...If I were like her, I could have gotten on a horse and run off on my own a long time ago with no care or fear of the world...}

{...*You also possess an adventurous spirit, just not an impulsive one. There's nothing wrong with that...}

{...Something else we agree on...}

{...*See, we're getting along! ^_^)...}

{...Haha I guess ?_?)...}

"Jealous?"

Lei Xing turned to see Prince Yi standing beside her, then faced forward, "No, just admiring."

"I could give you some riding lessons now to pass the time." He offered with a smile.

Lei Xing inwardly sighed.

{...Another volunteer tutor -_-)'...}

She smiled and curtly replied, "Thank you but I'd rather just enjoy the view." Then she started on one of the paths in the flower field with Ah Jin following behind.

Prince Yi frowned and looked at her back for a bit, then fell into step beside her. Lei Xing glanced at him then pretended not to notice him.

"I heard you had an accident."

Lei Xing cast him a quick glance, wondering what angle he was working on now and ignored him.

Prince Yi then sighed, "My brother is quite lenient when it comes to his mother. It is unfortunate..."

Lei Xing knit her brows and ignored him, pretending not to understand, running her hand through the flower bed.

{...I don't need any fake sympathy -_-)...}