Waking up in the morning, Peizhi feels a empty spot side him... He quickly seats up feeling around to confirm the other person's absence and then rushes outsithe room.
Just down the hallway he spots the Hua with the little child, walking hand in hand in the garden... The girl looks quite curious and keeps asking questions, eager to receive answers with a smile on her face.
After some time Hua turns around and finally notices the presence of the other man, he smiles warmly and approach him -Have we woke you up?- Peizhi shakes his head and pass an arm on his waist, dragging him closer -No, but you scared me quite a bit. I don't want to lose you from my sight, not a single moment. Especially here, my mother...-
He says but stops midway with a sigh -It's ok, I know what to say so she won't have a crisis- whispers the other cupping his face -Let's go ahead breakfast now that you're awake, afterall we need to leave soon-.
...
-What do you think your father will say?- asks peizhi -Uhm... I'm not entirely sure, they always loved me and never pushed me to do much unlike you and Lai'Er... I think he will be neutral about us- smiles Hua
Peizhi lets go of his breath -Hopefully, seems like things have been going oddly well lately so maybe you're right- he says, stealing a glace to his own parents
-I mean, it's not like he doesn't know about us after you told I'm yourself back then...- laughs Hua -True, but he doesn't know we left the palace nor what came after- he sighs but the younger man grabs his hand -I know how kind my father is, don't be so nervous... It will be fine-
Before he could say something back, the two elders approach them and offer some pouches with a bit of food -It's not much but... It will do for the trip till the ol'Feng house- smiles the man between a cough and another.
And just like that, after a few brief farewells... The family of three leaves the once luxurious manor, going by the road like poor travelers.
...
By evening they finally reach the other town... Not a single person in sight, causing quite a few goosebumps on Hua's skin -It's... Quite different from your town- he says to the other man while looking at the empty streets and messed up market stalls.
Everything is a mess, the food stalls are torn apart and the useless objects such as vases and baskets are on the ground shattered. Most of the houses have lost their doors and non light shines inside them -Just what happened here...?- he asks while hugging himself.
No life is left into the town, everyone either left or died. It's obvious... To see his childhood and youth being destroyed like that surely is painful, he feels the tears rolling down and looks at his lover...
"PeiZhi went through the same thing just yesterday yet he decided to bear it all alone, I wish I knew of this pain before so I would have been able to console him and ease his pain... It's... Worse than I thought, to think a mere town could mean so much to one's heart" he thinks, looking around and having glimpses of his past memories around those same empty buildings.
-Don't be scared mom... Dad- says the little girl, tugging on his clothes. Hus looks toward her with a bitter smile -I It's fine, I'm alright...- he grabs her hand and hiss her up in his arms, hugging her tight -Pei, do you think...?-
He shakes his head -I see some light down the road, your house is still intact. But I fear it's the only one left with life in it now...-
They rush toward the manor and see the gate tightly shut with a couple of guards standing in front of it -Go back! No more beggars or any of the likes will enter the Lord's house!- they yell
-But I'm not a beggar...!- replies Hua -Tz, doesn't look like it- mocks him one of the guards, the man widens his eyes in school for the mockery... He never received such insultes before, all he ever knew was adoration and gazes full of lust for him.
For a moment he finds himself looking down at his clothes, he didn't pay it any attention since leaving the Palace but now he feels incredibly ashamed. Used to wear the best silk, red lips and smooth hair... He was desired by everyone, women or men. He was the main core of everyone's gossip and now what? He was being called a beggar? Living off of wild berries with the face covered in mud.
He didn't even had time to stop and think about how low he fell, how much his life changed... He shivers, instinctively covering himself with his arms -No I really... Am not a beggar- he whispers, not even his past arrogance is with him now. his resolution fails him as reality hits him all at once.
He was the most spoiled man to ever exist and now he was a criminal on the run... Rolling around in the dirth and hiding from others while trying to survive.
He looks to his side and notice the child looking at him worriedly along with PeiZhi, his eyes full of compassion. He understands him, he too have left everything behind to run away with him... Peizhi situation might have been different as he was never a spoiled man but still he threw his life away for him.
Let's not mention ChangLai, she was meant to be a married woman living a comfortable life and yet she was now a soldier who killed enemies with those same delicate hands she used for serving tea.
Looking at those two he remembers one important thing, he has a family now. One who doesn't care how beautiful he is nor how elegant, they just want him to be beside them. Yes, he might have fallen quite low and his life is absurd, something he never experienced nor thought about.
But that's what he chose for himself and for the people he loves, so he will still go through it.
He tighten his grip on the clothes "Why the heck am I ashamed in front of two arrogant men?!" he thinks "My husband is here with me and he loves me, same goes for my kid so who cares about dirty clothes! I can always take a bath laterz there's a damn war going on for god's sake!".
-I'm Hua Feng, the son of the House's Lord! Now open up those damn doors and let me in!- he orders with a shout