Getting to Wushin village, Anhe made sure the cute wolf was hidden inside the basket of herbs she carried, covering it up with her scarf so he'd be out of sight to the villagers.
She wasn't completely sure but if everyone finds out there's a unique wolf in Wushin village, what if they hurt the poor thing? She couldn't let that happen so she'll just have to keep it a secret and return it safely back when it gets better.
The street of Wushin village was surprisingly bustling with commoners today, buying different varieties of stuff from different shops which brought about the remembrance of the coming events, lightening both the maidens mood.
"Anhe, spring festival is approaching quite faster than we had expected."
Anhe nodded in agreement with a beguiling smile. "It's not been quite long since we celebrated the new year, time indeed flies over us but leaves its shadows behind.
"See, master Futuan would be so busy for the event with his wife, hopefully we don't have practice today."
They passed a certain bakery shop and bowed respectfully at the old man who smiled at them, he was just done preparing some cakes of different kinds and sizes, catching Anhe's attention as the sweet aroma struck her nostril.
"Anhe, no cakes today?" He asked while she snapped her fingers playfully.
"You know my package Mr Han."
"Save some for me too." Chenguang joined in and a cheerful laughter broke in.
Meanwhile Yin Zhen was feeling slightly embarrassed being hurled in a basket, a supreme lord of the four seas, taken by a mortal and hidden in a basket filled with herbs, it was almost a slap to his face and he couldn't wait to get out.
Making it back to the huge pavilion, Anhe and Chenguang made it past the threshold and into the courtyard after a lot of hesitation.
A lot of youthful faces filled the pavilion, each making a beautiful painting of some sort. Master Futuan was into painting and drawing so he designed a hall where he could easily teach the talented youths of Wushin, to him creativity was life and if one was gifted with the ability to make an outline, why not pass it on?
They were all actively engaged, definitely an assignment from master Futuan and it was just what they needed to avoid too much attention.
"Anhe, you're back."
The amiable voice of a charming boy brought the two maidens back to reality as he walked up to them. Anhe smiled at him, hoping he wouldn't question her much since he was her senior in painting.
"Thought you wouldn't make it back, what took you so long?" He asked, Jinhai was her senior in painting and he taught her most of the things she knows already, not only that he was equally charming, his black hair was tied in a ponytail with a headband around his head, his beautiful brown eyes where equally tricky since most ladies tend to fall for it, he was admired by most painters and was equally master Futuan's favorite, it's just her luck she managed to be friends with him.
"Jinhai, where's master Futuan?" Anhe asked after scanning the area and realized he was absent in the courtyard.
"The imperial court called for him just before you came, you're lucky he isn't around at the moment, he was worried you were actually taking too long on your trip, but it's enough chance for you to sneak the herbs into his room before he shows up."
Chenguang nodded in agreement. "Yes Anhe, go keep it safe In his chamber's." Chenguang secretly made a gesture with her brows for Anhe to leave before she got surrounded. Anhe, understanding her friend's signal, quickly dismissed herself, leaving Chenguang alone with Jinhai.
"What is everyone so busy with?" Chenguang curiously asked while Jinhai rolled his eyes at her, Chenguang barely paints but is enthusiastic about other peoples painting.
"A lot of things, master Futuan assigned each of us a task before he left."
Chenguang giggled in a teasing manner, leaning close to the handsome Jinhai as she whispered. "Learn from me, I escaped using Anhe's trip as bait you see, now run along so you don't end up facing double the punishment."
She walked out after that, Jinhai wasn't technically surprised since he expected a mockery reply from Chenguang, he was equally her senior but her attitude was one he found hard to blend into, she was annoying and he wondered how Anhe tolerates her, this conniving little..!!..
~
Anhe successfully made it to her chamber with the basket, locking her doors while heaving a sigh of relief, she hastily moved forward to drop it on her bed and took off the scarf.
The wolf remained in the basket, obviously looking displeased which added to Anhe's fright as it glared straight at her, if stares could kill, Anhe felt she'd be dead by now. It seems like it didn't enjoy staying in a basket.
"I'm sorry but I had to improvise so no one would spot you, you're free to step out now, this is my room so you're safe here." She explained softly to the wolf.
Yin Zhen scanned the area and her room wasn't that bad, it was more girlish with the pink walls and cottons. With the little strength he had, he got on his four feet and jumped out of the basket.
Anhe watched with interest as it walked around her bed, admiring the beauty of this strange wolf as it flapped its wings but with no intention of flying, she had the urge to paint it cause it looked too majestic to be ignored.
"You must be hungry, I'll return this first and then get you something to eat."
Yinn Zhen watched her leave with the basket of herbs and finally rested on the soft pillow, he was indeed hungry and tired at the same time. It made him wonder what those demons shot at him to weaken him to this extent.
His gaze landed on the structure of her room, the walls were pinkish in color, as well as the cottons, there was a side table where books and collection of paint brushes were kept, not only that but a drawing board as well as the white sheets.
'Is she like some painter?' Yin Zhen inquired to himself but brushed it off, just beside him were books scattered on the bed, getting up to his four feet, he was curious to see what books they are and to his surprise, they were pictures of all kinds of dragon, almost all the books beside him were connected to dragon's which surprised him.
'So many books and they're all related to one thing, is she into dragon's? But the mortals don't believe in the existence of dragons.' he recollected and it was quite disappointing he couldn't question her about it.
Resting on the soft mattress once more, he felt at ease, he hadn't sensed any negative intention from her just yet and hopefully it remains that way.
Anhe darted past the hallway, she'll just keep the basket in master Futuan's chamber's and then find some food for the injured wolf.
"I wonder what they eat, meat?" She questioned herself and thought randomly about it. It's her first time taking care of a unique wolf or just a wolf, she barely knows what they like.
Taking a deep breath, she walked into master Futuan's chamber's.