Song Ning look at the paper contract that he had drift out. She pick up her brush and remove a few conditions.
"Why?"
"I don't like to hold hands with other men… so out."
"What about this?"
"I don't like to pretend … so out."
He look piss and look at Bing Ming who is trying not to listen. He turn his body to face the door inside and feel the burning glare of his master.
"Seems like you don't like a lot of things."
"I told you i am a person who don't like many things."
"Only like to earn money, am i correct."
She look up and smile sweetly. While he looks like he needs to chomp her down.
"Fine, let me re-do all the conditions."
Two days later he appear at her home with new conditions on the contract. She read it and feel that there isn't any traps that she will fall in. She look at The Third Prince who is looking around in her home.
"Are you sure…"
"Yes Lady Song. I will honour all these that is written down."
"Every action done, there is taels to take?"
"Yes, it is written there, isn't it?"
He smile in a strange wick way and there is a spark in his eyes.
Song Ning look at him and pick up her brush.
"Don't regret this. I might … drain you all of your fortune."
"Don't worry about that. My fortune comes from the palace. As long as they don't collapse, there is nothing that i will worry about. Now Lady Song sign it and stamp it."
She thinks about it and she figure out he is rite about it. The palace won't be running out of money. She dip her brush into the stone ink pad and write her name on the paper. She look for her stamp and press it down. She hand over the paper to him. He smile.
"Great. I will from now on take care of your bother. Big or small issues, whether in school or going to any functions. I will take care of those."
"Fine. You say it so make sure you do it."
"You have been taking care of Song Qin since young. Now you can take a break. I will do the rest."
She look at him and wonder how much Qin'er have tell him about their family situations. In any way, She ask if today there is a need for her. He shake his head and put the paper in his sleeves.
For the next eight days, he did not look for her. She spend her days looking out for him. She even ask the maids who work in the school if anyone is looking for her. Her students also notice their teacher is constantly looking out seems like she is waiting for someone. Song Ning did not hear from him for awhile but when Song Qin return home, he talks about The Third Prince. Song Ning keep quiet and listen to him. After awhile Song Qin sits down and pour a cup of tea. He look at his sister who is strangely quiet.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Hmm no i … i am thinking of my class. What to teach next."
"Oh for a moment i thought that you get into trouble."
"Trouble what trouble. No such thing."
"Speaking of trouble. Lately, i heard from a boy from a noble family that there is a shameless painter in the city. Since the authorities can't find this person here. They have look into other county."
"Shameless? what are you talking about."
"I heard that there is a painter who paints erotic painting. It's against our moral in society! Therefore an arrest is ask to bring this immoral person."
"Do you know who that person is?"
"No. There is no clue who that person is. Man or woman. Boy or girl. How does that person look like. No one knows."
"So how are they going to arrest …"
"Well i assume the Yamen knows what and how to go about it… Second sister why are you perspiring so much?"
"Oh the weather … so warm!"
She pick up her fan and sit down beside him. He pour another cup of tea.
"What is the event that The Third Prince had bring you to?"
"It was the annual meeting for the scholar society that only the elite meet up. He dress me up and bought me there. It was three hours non stop debating about our society. It is an eye opener for me! All my life, i think about this. Debating and a flow of men talking, arguing and to conclude what is best for our society! This is what i dream of doing and The Third Prince knows what i want and what i like! He took part in debating too. I saw how much passion he had. Since he travel around frequently. He saw, he feel what the common people need and want. So i respect him. Even if he doesn't hold any position in court, he have the scholars back him up. He is not a useless prince as what others say. He maybe a flamboyant and maybe a playboy but he sure knows what is going on with this society and what is the remedy that we need!"
That day Song Ning only can hear the word 'The Third Prince' for nearly the whole day. She sign and wonder what he have done to make her younger brother look up to him.
A warm afternoon, she finds The Third Prince standing at the gardens waiting for her to end her class. She walk up to him slowly. He smile and wait for her to walk up to him.
"Your highness."
She bow and look at him again. He smile and using the hand that is free to lightly pat her head. She is surprise with his action and awaits for his instructions.
"Four days later, come with me to an event."
"To where?"
"To the wedding of Lady Wen. She have invited me. I have to turn up and you are my companion."
"Must i?"
"Yes it stated on the contract…"
He smile and for the first time she sees a long dimple on his face. The sun shine down on them and from the umbrella, it somehow makes his face looks pleasant to look at. While for him, he knows that slowly he is trapping the butterfly in his net that he had cast. He have to remain as a harmless person in her eyes.