"We are not selling this house. Young man maybe you've got the wrong address." Old Feng spoke whilst sitting on a stool under the tree. He supported his back on the trunk and looked up at Lui Xian.
"No Granpa I have been told to come here. Lady Hexiu mentioned that she had found a room for me to stay."
"You mean Lan're sent you here. Come sit. Xiao Feng, prepare some tea. We have a guest."
Lui Xian took his seat beside the old man and started chatting with one another. They talked of trivial matters such as state affairs and silly gossips. They were getting along very well.
"You!" His attention was drawn away by that remark. He felt that the voice was familiar. And so he raised his head to look at the disdainful man he had met not too long ago.
"What are you doing here? Oh, you are following me." Lui Xian stupidly accused standing up as well to look at the other man. The accused could only frown with disdain feeling his head aching after listening to so much nonsense.
"Is he an idiot? Why would I follow him to my home."
"Xiao Feng you know each other. Come join us." Old Feng made him sit beside Lui Xian who kept staring at him as if he had found something interesting or it was the excitement of getting to live with the one who had his secret.
"Grandpa, what is he doing here?"
Although the way Feng Shao spoke was a little rude, Lui Xian didn't take it to heart. Even though he felt that the other didn't like him a little bit, he still showed a small smile. It was as if he was saying I don't like you either.
"Xiao Feng you shouldn't talk like that. Xiao Lui will be staying here for some time. You should treat him well." His grandfather explained trying to make them get along.
"What?"
'This isn't real. We can't let him stay here. This is all I have, letting him live here is a huge risk but how can I explain everything to grandpa.' Whilst he was still in his thoughts the other two men continued with their conversation.
He watched them laugh nonstop. It has been a long time since he last saw him this happy. Well beside when he gets drunk.
Later Feng Shao dejectedly showed the other to his room. "What do you want? As I have promised I will keep your secret it's not like I would go telling everyone that you are being chased for goodness knows what. You can leave tomorrow morning." He whisper threatened to Lui Xian who was looking at him with amusement.
"... Oh but no I am going to stay. Even the Old man agreed." He interjected. Feeling happy after seeing his disappointment.
'I thought he said he heard everything. It doesn't seem to be the case.' Lui Xian felt relieved. No one but himself knew that he had those feelings for the Emperor. He had hidden them quite well otherwise how would he persevere all these years. His life depended on staying in the palace. If his secret gets out, then everything will end.
Feng Shao exited the room angrily and slumped the door shut. He didn't even want to be in the same space with him. It felt too suffocating. 'Now I have to stay with him every day. If only grandpa knew who he is. But I don't want to cause him stress.'
"ughhh." He sighs while he went to his room lighting up a candle. He sat on a small table and took up a book and wrote something on it. Every night he liked to write notes on the various illnesses he has treated over time. And also draw some herbs which he used for treatment.
In Wu palace, the monarch paced back and forth in his flashy robes. His hands were put behind his back. He looked at the floor his headpiece staring at the ceiling.
Wu Luan was very agitated after knowing that his trusted guard had gone missing all of a sudden.
"Have you searched every nook and corner of the forest?" He spoke to the man who was currently kneeling in front of him. The royal guard lowered his head knowing that it was partly his fault that he had not supervised the hunt like he was supposed to.
"Your Majesty, my men and I have spent two days searching for him and we have found some clues of him struggling in a brawl with someone. It seems like he was chased and targeted then fell into a pit but when we checked we found no trace of him."
"You should find him. He better be alive."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I have a top-secret mission for you. And no one should know about this. Come a little closer the walls have ears."
The royal guard did as he was told. After some time he saluted and started to make his way out.
"Lan ..."
"Yes, Your Majesty?" He turned to look at him.
"Nothing."
When Lanzhu was outside he looked back at the door he had just exited and sighed heavily. "You could have told me your worries, Your Majesty. You know I will always be there for you." He looked at the servants at the door and turned to leave.
He was worried for him, after all, he is the only friend Wu Luan had managed to keep since childhood.
"Hey did you hear his voice just now? Royal Guard Lan sounded so sad. His Majesty is lucky to have him as his friend. One he is handsome, two gentle and he also excels in martial arts. I would love to be his wife." One of the servants who were at the back spoke to her companion.
"I prefer to be his concubine." The other added before they were reprimanded by their senior.
"Shush... be careful of what you say. You ignorant girls."
Even though he had gotten far away he still heard everything.