" A-Xiang, let us go to bed " After everything he went through, who won't be tired? Except who's trying to look fat by slapping his face till it's all swollen and calmly say " Sea admit a hundred rivers "
He took the little troublemaker in his arms and placed him on an already spread straw mat, which he laid on with his side afterward.
He gazed at the little troublemaker, who is busy having a serious discussion with whoever could understand whatever he's saying.
' He's so cute ' If anyone could take time to study his eyes, they could see tiny little hearts glowing in them.
After several incense sticks had been burned, soft snores and even breathing rhymed together; just that it comes from a single person and the other couldn't sleep a wink.
' It is so annoying!!'
he stealthily crept out of the warm embrace of the sleeping troublemaker and out of the rickety of a house to the gentle coldness of the silver cake giving light to every shadow hiding in the dark.
After walking Several li without knowing where his legs where taking him to, he heard a strum coming from a few distance ahead of him. His body moved on its own volition: a step at a time then a huge leap forward, almost touching the sky and bringing down Cheng'e from her hiding place.
The strum kept sounding nearer and the more its melancholic melody struck him in the heart.
Lofty mountains and flowing stopping the motion of the black clouds.
Reflected by the moonlight, on top of a cliff, sat a shadow silently playing a guqin gently placed on a table. Floating side by side, there were two transparent shapeless figures and green lights.... like fireflies around him and where he stands behind a tree, not to far, watching in awe.
' I don't know what to say!'
A little while. A little longer.
The peaceful music stopped abruptly and the shadow was no where to be found; It all happened right under his nose.
' Where did it go?'
A low snarl beside his ears gave him his answer.
He felt all the hairs on his body especially on his neck, where warm breath touched, rose.
' Am I going to be torn by a wild animal? Tonight?'
He gathered all his courage to turn around meeting a pair of blood eyes staring into him. Just a pair of blood eyes; with the rest of its body hidden in the shadows.
The moon once covered with darkness began to glow, the trees began to hum and blue lights surrounded them with two transparent figures appearing beside.
It never passed his fearful eyes, the blood eyes seemed to soften just for a while before, flaring up with overcoming darkness that once again covered the moon and a gushing wind from nowhere blew.
It was gone.
Only the melancholic tune buzzing in his heart.
" There is he" a voice called out bringing him out from his trance.
Several people holding flame lamps ran towards him.
'What are they doing here?'
He made sure to compose himself before walking towards them before they could get to him.
With a smile he asked " What are you all doing here?"
" We should be asking you?" A man asked purposefully tinting it with mockery.
" Yes, at this time of the night?" Another person added.
" If not for me seeing you leave.... what would have happened...aish " an elder amongst them added with worry.
" At least he is fine " a voice interrupted .
Everyone turned to look at that person that spoke and it turned out to be that little Tigeress.
With hands on her waist, she walked through the open aisle they opened for her and came face to face with Shen zhufu.
Her eyes staring daggers at him," Maybe I haven't said this: Curfew starts as soon as the moon comes up "
' Oh'
" I understand "
" Mn" she turned to leave not without adding with a smirk , " If you don't come back home, get ready to be a feast for the wild beasts here"
' Wild beasts?' His mind wandered back to a while ago .....
" uh? Oh-ok"
On getting home, the little troublemaker was still sound asleep which caused a smile to adorn his face. He was careful on not disturbing his little troublemaker and went straight to a quakun bag near the drum.
He brought out an empty frame and a bowl from it.
He took those items and sat where the sleeping baby wouldn't get disturbed.
He placed them to the floor and untied the ribbon used to tie up his hair causing the black silky hair to fall to his back in elegance.
He arranged them in order: the frame atop the bowl with the ribbon placed inside it.
He murmured some spells; Qing hua taught him before coming here.
The ribbon dissolved into water and became hard as jade. Crystallizing the emptiness of the frame.
" Good evening, Lord Shen " A voice spoke from the crystal.
Opening his eyes; he replied with a smile, " Good evening "
A clear smiling image appeared on the now made mirror, " Hmmm... impressive "
He scratched the back of his neck nervously, " Yhhh.... Hahaha"
" So how's things going down there?"
" Good...yes..... Qing hua, I need some help "
" Help with what?"
He carefully turned his neck towards the skeletons surrounding the drum and the sleeping baby ' Should I tell her about them?'
" Lord Shen?"
He turned to stare at her with his face blank, " four coffins and...."
" Wait! Why?" She interrupted him "who died?"
" No one " a small smile tinted his eyes but died " There were once a family of four, just a little while for another family member to be added but....." he turned his neck to gaze at the little baby " but fate never allowed "
Qing hua, " ...."
Shen zhufu, " Say, what happened 200 years ago?"
There was a sigh at the other end.
" But when one's bowels are torn with grief, the strings also break.
Grief in the heart at night is anguish and despair."
' I think she doesn't want to talk about it .... before I forget '
He carefully arranged his words, " I understand you don't want to talk about it, I'm fine with it. " He paused a little bit to see her reaction before continuing, " Help me look up about a drum and....." he went silent thinking about the rude childe and the serial of events after that.
" And What?"
" Oh" He smiled shamelessly, " And I missed you sooo much"
A slight chuckle resounded from the other side.
All through the night, they both talked and laughed.