Lianhua had known better than to question her captor but his answer had left her stunned. Shaken she had scrambled into her clothes, grabbed her belonging and dashed off in the direction of the dirt road, all the while wondering why she had agreed to his deal.

According to her maps there was a small town not too far down the road. When she reached there she had wasted no time in booking a room in the local inn. She had ordered a quick meal to be sent up to her room hoping that a full stomach would calm down her rattled nerves, but to no avail.

For the rest of the night, after she had taken another bath, she had been fidgeting, contemplating whether or not she should make a run for it. But as the man’s eyes flashed into her head she had no doubt that no matter where she ran he would find her.

Morning came all too soon, she had fretted the whole night and now there were unimaginable bags sagging under her eyes. After she washed up and changed into some new clothes she went down to the eating hall with the intention of gathering information on the man who owned the property nearby.

She had ordered a meal, stir fry noodles which was her favorite. As soon as she had finished eating she went to talk to the owner of the inn.

“Shifu, may I have a word with you?” she asked the feline spirit as she snuck up behind him. He gave a little jump and turned around to look at her.

“Ai, you scared me there girly.” The man was short and he had a slight hunch to his shoulders and whenever he talked he would twirl the sides of his moustache that hung past his chin. “Make it quick girly I’m a very busy man you know.” He said with a sly smile as his eyes greedy catlike eyes darted around the packed room.

“I know this is none of my business but just out of curiosity, could you tell me about the man that owns the land just south of here?”

“You mean the Wei estate?” Lianhua figure this was the name of the place she wanted to know about so she nodded her head. “I wouldn’t go sniffing around there if I were you girly. The only thing waiting for you there is trouble.”

“I don’t want to know about the place I just want to know about the man who owns the place.” She bribed.

“That’s even worse. I don’t want to get into no trouble girly and the only people who ask about that place and the person who owns it are people who are looking for trouble.” He turned away from her. “I think its best if you get on out of here before someone hears you asking questions about that place.” The man left her with that. Lianhua garnered that taking about the place was taboo around here but she still had to try. The man she met last night could be some psychopath for all she knew.

Lianhua went around to see if she could get answers out of someone else but they pretty much treated her the same way and said the same things.

Dejectedly she went back up to her room to wait it out for she had decided earlier on not to run and return to the hot spring when night fell.

+++++

Xuelang stood on the balcony watching and waiting for the sun to go down. Throughout the whole day his mind had been wondering back to the woman he had found trespassing on his estate.

He had been in a meeting with his father and the council. They had been debating on what should be done about the pirates that had been terrorizing the seas of Donghai in the east, when all of a sudden the conversation had switched to him finding a wife. He had been so angry that he barely uttered a word when he stormed out of the meeting room.

Not wanting to be around anyone, he had left for the Wei estate so he could relax in the nearby hot spring. He had been looking forward to it, but what did he see when he got there, a woman! A woman brazen enough to be relaxing in his private hot spring. All the anger he had been trying to push away resurfaced and he had marched over to her and yanked her unexpectedly out of the water.

He remembered the look of shock that had crossed her features and how she had ogled his body afterwards. When his anger finally receded and he was able to look at the girl properly he finally realized she was naked. He hated to admit it but her voluptuous body had left him speechless. He had immediately released her and taken a few steps away from her.

She had scrambled away from him and even though it was not the time and place he had marveled at the way her ample chest jiggled as she moved. Not wanting her to realize he too had been ogling her body he quickly tore his eyes away and focused on her face, which he had to admit was quite something to look at.

Seeing the chance to have a beautiful woman by his side he quickly devised a plan to keep her for himself. He issued a threat just to give her a scare and after that she was putty in his hands. He made her a deal he knew she wouldn’t refuse and now he was waiting in anticipation for the day to end and moon to come out.

His thoughts were interrupted however when a servant entered his room. “What is it?” he demanded as he turned around to look at the unsuspecting man who just opened his mouth to call him. With his heightened senses he had heard the man when he was coming up the stairs.

“It is getting late, Sir and I was wondering if you would like to take your bath now.” Said the man as he bowed his head low.

“There’s no need, I’ll be going to the hot springs tonight.” He spun away from the man to stare out at the darkening sky. “And hopefully for all the other nights.” He mumbled after.

“What was that Sir?”

“Nothing, just get my robes ready, I’ll be leaving in a minute.” The man gave a firm nod then went out the way he came.

“Well my little lotus I wonder if you will show up tonight.” A small smile lifted the corner of Xuelang’s lips as he turned away from the window to get ready for his bath.