The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

Under the trees' canopy, Xinyi sat leaning against a trunk away from the filthy farmland. Her mood plummeted after Nianshi's explanation of why they traveled in time; Because of her strong emotions mixed with her uncontrolled power. Now, she was sulking because she couldn't go back to Kaos time whenever she liked.

Xinyi hated herself missing asking Kaos for information. If she only knew they would meet him in the past, she could have readied her questions before he disappeared. She knew there was no point sulking over it but she couldn't stop herself from feeling down.

Nianshi wished to help her but he also knew she had to deal with this problem once and for all. So, he'd wait until she was ready.

While the Hutyuns waited for her decision by obeying and going back inside the ball as not to make things worse for them. However, they had confidence she would accept them because ever since her return, her meeting with Kaos was now in their memories. They were in fact the flowers lying on the ground with the chameleon.

While Ming was Xinyi's opposite. His mind was full and couldn't wait for explanations but… Nianshi was not willing to answer while Xinyi was in this state.

"Governor, I suggest you talk to her first to make her feel better than asking me these questions."

Ming agreed and believed this was the proper time to talk about their misunderstandings. So, he sat beside the slouching Xinyi. "Hey! Will you listen to me for a while?"

"I have a name and it's not hey," said the long-faced wife without looking at him.

'Oops!' Oh my, he felt his treading in murky water. He tried appeasing her by showing his dimpled smile and said. "Sorry, it was only a remark. Anyway, Xin-Yi," he mentioned the name carefully, "can I speak to you now?" Yet, his smile didn't reach the sad wife. Poor Ming.

"Okay," said Xinyi though depressed. Her mind was full about what Kaos said concerning the Hutyuns and this place but she could still hear Ming.

Before continuing, he heaved a deep breath, hoping she wouldn't react negatively. "I would like to apologize for what I said on our wedding night and for sending you to Anjing Pavilion. I wished I could turn back time to change it…"

That 'turn back time' phrase made her even more depressed and blurted with a rigid tone. "Say directly what you want to say. Don't go around the bush."

Ming wanted to flare up with her impatience, however, knowing he was at fault so he calmed himself. "Fine, but allow me to finish first. I said I'm sorry about everything I told you during our wedding night. It was all a misunderstanding and misjudgment on my side because I didn't know your true situation in your family. And I added to your misery. I'm sorry."

"The truth is I don't hate you, but it's your father, the prime minister..." He explained in detail about the argument and receiving the imperial edict without his consent. But he didn't tell her about his misconceptions of her appearance. He still had his pride as a man for she might think his change of heart was all because of her beauty.

Xinyi felt he said it sincerely, so she listened with great attentiveness.

"I'm also sorry for speaking about the etiquette lessons. I won't force you if you don't want it. I admit I was really wrong about you..." He paused thinking what to say more but decided to end things in a good note with lesser words to avoid more misunderstandings. "We started badly, and I wished to make things right between us." And faced her. "How about starting all over again? You will live in Nufang pavilion so we can be near to each other…"

Xinyi interrupted him again but she was lively this time. "No, I want to live in Anjing pavilion. If you're sincere, you must let your people clean Anjing pavilion. Next, give me servants…" She cut short and bit her lower lip. "Ah no, I don't want any servants. Just give me back Gu Dai." She continued stating her demands not realizing she was no longer depressed.

While Ming didn't care how many she would demand as long as she was in her usual self again and didn't dare to interrupt her.

"I want you to provide me a big allowance so I can buy the things I want. I want to remodel Anjing so provide me your best gardener and workers. I want to make it big so the animals have a place to stay. I want to bring someone to live with me and you're not allowed to say no…"

Ming's ears perked up and cut her. "Who might that be? I have the right to know as the Lord of the house."

"She is Lifen Ma, another lady, not a man. More questions? I still have more things to say." Her mind was on the roll so didn't want any interruptions.

Ming looked up, wondering if she was referring to his mother. 'Of course, the ring is now with her so this is really Ma but why is she calling her informally?' He decided to ask her mother later. "No more. What else?"

"No etiquette classes. Just give me books. I will learn it myself. I, also, want a library of my own. Give me my own carriage so I can buy my own books."

A satisfied smile cracked up on Ming's face. He thought with his mother's guidance Xinyi would learn proper etiquette with no hassle and with ease. So, one problem out of the way. Next, the books, he would love to provide those to her since he wished to have a smart wife, not just someone knitting scarf, embroidering at daytime, and playing musical instruments. So, all of her demands were not considered demands for him. Rather, these were pleasing requests from her. In fact, he was proud she asked for books and to know her desire to learn.

While they talked, Nianshi was also happy that his master was fine now.

Until Xinyi stated her last demand. "You are not allowed to go to Anjing without my permission."

"What?!?" Ming shouted, filling the woodlands with his voice. What the heck? As her husband, this one was totally a no-no. He wouldn't mind traveling to Anjing from his residence every day but to ask for her permission first was perfectly trampling his pride as the man and Lord of the house.

"I'm your husband? Why do I need to ask for your permission? And I owned the place. I have the right to go in anytime I like."

Xinyi had seen she was in the advantage. So she was calm as she got up and dusted her dress. "Suit yourself. If you won't meet my demands, I'd rather stay in the cave. Hmph!" And turned her back on him but inside...

'Haha, now I got you. I will have my way now, you jerk. Hoho, this is exciting. I feel good. I can live freely on my own with plenty of cash to spend myself and no worries. Yeah, making you do what I ask feels so good. Hahaha!'

If she could jump and dance with glee now, she would do it, but she wouldn't dare to be rude while he hadn't given his full approval yet.

Unknown to her, Ming had a plan as well. 'Hehe, I can say yes to you now but I have my ways. Anyway, who can stop the Lord of the mansion? And there are other methods to go in even if you'll use your animals or these Hutyuns to stop me.' He laughed secretly.

Gosh, the two were finding ways to outsmart the other. Who would prevail in the end?