Anning’s pov

"You can’t refuse her summons. You are her slave." He paused, looking into my eyes. "Do not make me use force on you."

Now, these were the imperial guards I was used to. Arrogant and utterly foolish.

"If Gu Wanqing wants to speak to me, she knows where to find me." I said and tried to step around him.

"Lin Anning!" He half yelled, blocking my path again.

"Look. I’m having a very bad day and I don’t know, you don’t want a slap. Now do you?" I asked, slapping a hand onto my forehead.

"A bad day can be turned around. Just come with me." He said, literally pleading at that point.

"No."

The imperial guard hesitated for a moment before clearing his throat.

"Anning," he said, sounding almost apologetic. "Could you come with me for just a moment? If the gathering does not suit your liking, you are free to leave afterwards."

I blinked at him, my lips curling into a small smile. "You’re actually negotiating with me?"

"Her Highness simply wishes to see you." He says, sounding slightly embarrassed.

I narrowed my eyes at him before eventually sighing. The faster I gave in, the faster I would be able to return back to my room.

"Fine. But if I get provoked even a bit, I’m blaming you." I said, pointing at him with narrowed eyes.

Relief washed over his face almost immediately.

Honestly, I had no idea imperial guards could be this polite and even respectful. All their mocking words and cold gazes, could all that required of them once they got the job?

Well, it was relatively better. Unlike the brute guards in this residence.

I found myself feeling a little grateful toward the imperial princess. At the very least, she knew how to train her people properly.

I walked behind the guard in silence. The closer we got to Wanqing’s chambers, the scenery soon began to change.

The carefully arranged pot plants, unique floor pattern, and the servants that stepped aside once they noticed us approaching.

The whispers that followed behind me, was something I had gotten used to.

"Isn’t that Lin Anning?"

"Why is she with an imperial guard?"

"I think she’s going to see the young miss."

"Do you think she got into trouble again?"

"No, that can’t be right. Anning has changed." The maid who had spoken smiled at me as I glanced her way.

I almost laughed at her words. She thought I had changed?

Well, I suppose I had in a way. Nine months ago, I wouldn’t hesitate to match down these halls and demand an answer from Wanqing.

Nine months ago, I wouldn’t be feeling this reluctant and nervous to see wanqing.

I would’ve felt excited or maybe even terrified.

But now, I just wanted all of this to be over.

I could still remember the last time we spoke and how she ran away the next day, without saying a single word to me.

I stopped walking briefly, making the imperial guard glance over his shoulder.

"Anning?" He called out softly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I’m coming." I responded and resumed walking.

Eventually, we stopped right in front of Wanqing’s chambers. The guardian turned to face me and said, "You may enter."

"I thought we were going in together?" I drawled out, squinting my eyes at him.

I didn’t want to face this alone, just thinking about it made goosebumps form on my skin.

"Her Highness only asked me to escort you here. Don’t keep them waiting." He said.

I looked at the closed door once more before letting out a dramatic groan. "You people are utterly unbelievable."

The edge of the guard’s lips twitched slightly as he said, "You’ll be fine. Just be polite to them."

"I know. I know." I muttered.

I took in a deep breath, before stepping closer to the door and finally sliding it open.

The room right in front of me looked exactly the same. A few things were out of place, but it still looked the same...just brighter.

My gaze slowly dropped to the people seated in the room, I blatantly ignored Wanqing and looked directly at Xiao Qingyue.

The imperial prince looked beautiful as always. Her skin that had now darkened glowed beneath the sunlight.

I bowed politely, then greeted, "Your Highness."

"You actually do have manners." She said, feigning surprise.

"Only for specific people." I responded, tilting my head slightly. "Your new look suits you perfectly. It’s unfair that heaven favors some people more than others."

Qingyue blinked at me, then laughed, her voice echoing through the room.

"Oh?" She asked, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You’re quite sweet with your words."

"I’m just speaking the truth." I responded, shrugging slightly at her words.

"That’s interesting." She muttered, her gaze shifting to Wanqing, who was seated behind her. "Don’t you think you’re forgetting something?"

I knew she would be the one to bring this up. So, I followed her line of sight and allowed my gaze to land on Wanqing.

She sat in a place robe, her legs slightly spread and she looked less elegant than I had remembered. What changed?

She also looks younger now. Her black eyes were clearer and her skin looked more vibrant too.

Our eyes met for a moment, she raised a brow at me but my expression didn’t even change.

"Young miss." I said, bowing slightly.

My greeting came out flat and blank, as though I was just greeting a person in a higher position. It wasn’t as though I was wrong too.

The room suddenly became very quiet after I finished speaking, the tension hanging in the air was something one couldn’t ignore.

Qingyue blinked, her eyes darting between the two of us. "That’s all? And here I was looking for some type of entertainment."

I turned to her and then asked in a soft voice, "What were you expecting me to say?"

The imperial princess pressed her lips into a thin line, turning her head side to side as though she was thinking about something.

For the first time since I’d entered the room, Wanqing finally spoke.

"You have become quite arrogant."