The two men gets taken into the hall of the main mansion... Everything is left the same as it was, unlike the Ying Household. The carpets and the curtains are all laid out in display, some maids walk around carrying trails with water or fruits walking hurriedly and music is heard from somewhere in the building.
Hua and Pei looks at eachother with confused thoughts -Why is everything so... Normal?- asks the younger -It's the opposite of your home... Looking at this house I wouldn't think that there's a war out there, just what happened here?- he draws closed to the other one, feeling uneasy.
-Stop with the nonsense!- echoes the voice of the old Lord Feng as he walks toward the main hall, a servant behind him -But My Lord, it's the young Lord- he says but the other doesn't allow him to finish -I told you we won't accept any more... Uh?!-
He enters the hall and stops -My eyes are deceiving me... If it isn't actually my son!- he laughs with a cup of liquor in hand, walking faster toward the other men -Oh Young Lord Ying- is here too! And this... Girl? Ah nevermind- he shakes his head, deciding not to ask any further for the moment -Come come, we were just having a banquet now!- he says and drags them down an hallway
-Ah dad... Can't we have a few minutes alone? I wanted ro greet you properly and tell you what happened in the past few months...- Hua smiles awkwardly but the father waves his hand as if his words were just an annoying fly.
-Don't worry, I know you love parties! Anyway, what brings you guys here? Shouldn't you be at the Palace?- he asks
Hua and Pei looks at eachother before proceeding -That's exactly why we should talk, alone. Father-
The man stops for a second but then smiles again and pats his son's shoulder -Stop being a killjoy, my son! Come have some fun with your old man, we can talk after-
...
What welcomes them is something unexpected if one thinks about what historical period they're in... Food at every side, wine and liquor pouring like rain, beautiful clothes and joyful music.
Hua hesitate and stops on the door, Lord Feng turns to look at him confused -What is wrong my dear? Does your foot hurt from the journey? I'll call someone to massage it with your favorite oils, wait here for me...!- he says but the son grabs his sleeve and yank him back -What is the meaning of all this?!- he shouts -What's the meaning of this abundance? Have you at least shared all that with the commoners?!-
His voice quickly becomes the only sound in the hall, since everyone stopped their doing just to listen at his yelling.
The father rises an hand and shakes it above his head -Go on everyone, don't mind my son... He's just tired, go on- he says and goes back into the hallway, closing the doors behind him.
The enraged expression on his face is so unusual for Hua, making him squirm in fear and cling to PeiZhi -Let's go to my study then and talk since you wish it so much, didn't know that a few months as a guard and you became a saint- says the old man as he leads the way.
...
Once inside the study, Hua takes a few purposeless decorations and give them to the their little girl to keep her busy before facing his father -So? What is it that you wish to tell me?- asks Lord Feng -Dad... Can you explain what's happening first of all?- he sigh and then sits down -We travelled a lot and saw so much destruction and famine, yet there is none here... We went to the Ying Household too and it... Wasn't like here, at all-
The older man sighs too -It's nothing that weird as you think my dear son... I've always been welcoming to everyone and played my cards well while offering hospitality before the war. Now those people who love our family are repaying me... I'm not happy to say this, especially in front of you PeiZhi, but you get back what you give...-
PeiZhi clenches his fists -My father never hurt anyone, what are you trying to say?-
-I'm not saying she was bad or rude, but he never showed much kindness to others- he rises his shoulders helplessly
-You mean he never tried to earn merits by licking their as...- -Enough! We get the point Ge- stops him Hua before he says something he will regret
-Young man, open your eyes. Your father have more enemies than you think! Just look at all the marriage proposals he refused for your sister... Look, I cherish the long friendship I have with your father and because of that I tried to warn him many times before... Even now! I told him that if he decided to cooperate with the new Emperor he would be falling in poverty, but instead he has chosen to give away what little he had left!-
Hua who was holding back PeiZhi lets go and stares at his father with wide eyes -W w what do you mean...? You... What did you do father?- he asks worried by his words
-I did what I had to ensure my family's wellbeing- the younger man widens his eyes -Excatly what...?- the father crosses his arms -My sweet Hua, your older sister gave birth recently and I was trying to get another of your sisters married. I needed resources to survive, I couldn't let them alone and had to do anything in my powers to make it through... You understand that right?-
He shakes his head -I don't think I do... The child surely needed help but... Kneeling down for that man?! Obeying to his orders?! No, not that!- he shouts in tears -I don't even want to imagine what you had to do for you to be still this wealthy and notorious to this day!-
The father reaches an arm out to grab him -Hua'Er...-
-No, stop!- he shrugs him off -Tell me, tell me exactly everything you did for this disgusting Empire!- he stands his ground against the father, finally realizing that he actually never knew the man in front of him completely... Behind all his sweet smiles and pampering, was actually hidden a selfish coward. He didn't even knew his father could get angry to begin with.
-What they asked, everything... I handed over the guilty or the innocent, whoever they wanted. I turned a blind eye if the people in the village accused themselves or if they killed eachother. I shove them away if they clinged to my robes asking for food. I closed my doors if they yelled behind the gates, searching for help or justice... I couldn't give them anything or we would have been taken over, your sisters would have died or gotten raped by this animals!
I called forth the troupes from the palace to help protect us! But the situation grew unstable, the people out there were feral knocking on my door so we had to kill them all! Those soldiers remained here and even some important members of the Palace came to visit us, praising me for being one of the few father still capable of providing for his family! They helped me, they gave me money and food and told me to never interfere with their doings... So I did exactly that, I did it all for our family! Now that you're back...-
-ENOUGH!!!- Screams Hua, looking to the ground as heavy teardrops falls on the wooden floor -Father you... You break my heart...- his voice getting stuck in his throat -I... Cannot believe that a person as good as you could become like this... You killed innocent peoples and even... Children... I... Cannot accept that!- he yells but just a whisper comes out
He reaches an hand toward the little girl looking at him worriedly -She... She is just like one of those hundred of victims who you slaughtered, you own so much... Yet you couldn't spare a single coin or bowl of rice for them- the little girl hugs him -Dad... Let's go away, don't cry anymore...-
-D dad...?- the old man takes a step back and looks at the three with disbelief -What does that mean?-
-She's my daughter, and I regret allowing her to meet a failure of a man such as you! You're not worthy to be her grandfather- he holds her hand and turn away
-Wait...! What's happening?! I almost found you a good wife into the Royal Palace, you can't go around playing house with a beggar kid-
-She's our daughter now, not a beggar kid. I have no intention to go back to the palace either-
-You two... I allowed you to play around since you were young, but now it's time to think about...- but the man doesn't even listen to him -Think about what?! The future? Do we even have one?! Surely not here! I prefer to be out in the streets with them than into that palace where blood runs more than water!-
-You left the Palace?!- gasps the man
-Yes, yes we did... We're criminals now father, would you like to hand us over too?-