Xiao's Mischief and a Long Night
When Lee Ming noticed everyone staring at him after he caught Xiao, he quickly set Xiao down, shook his hands nervously, and looked away in embarrassment. His elder brother, Yi Ming, standing nearby, smirked subtly at the rare display of care.
As Xiao slowly regained consciousness, he rubbed his temples and asked, "What happened to me? Why is everyone looking at me like this? My head feels so dizzy."
Xiao's memory was blank, leaving him confused about what had transpired. Feng Jiang, watching calmly, replied, "Nothing happened. Don't worry. What just occurred is something we've been waiting for a long time. Now, focus on resting. Together, we must stop the Shi Ling clan from oppressing others. Their dark magic and tyranny need to end. We must plan and act wisely to prevent their evil ways."
Feng continued, explaining, "The Shi Ling clan has joined forces with the Wen Jung clan, which makes them even more dangerous. The Wen Jung clan possesses the powers of the Peacock. They are beautiful yet cunning, wealthy yet greedy. Their desire to rule over the four clans has always driven them to provoke the Shi Ling."
The Shi Ling clan, known for their brute force and love of conflict, had no special powers apart from their expertise in dark magic. Their jealousy and cruelty often created chaos. Feng added with a solemn tone, "If they gain more power, they could become unstoppable. But for now, everyone should rest. We will discuss this further tomorrow."
Feng then wrote a letter to Xiao's family, using magic to send it instantly. He turned to Xiao and said, "Your family has been informed, and you'll be staying here tonight. Now, go to your room and rest. We'll speak in the morning."
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Xiao's Late-Night Antics
Instead of staying quietly in his room, Xiao wandered around the palace, eating snacks and exploring until nightfall. When it was completely dark, he decided to climb up to the roof and jump into the palace gardens below. Just as he was about to leap, Lee Ming appeared behind him.
"What are you doing here?" Lee Ming asked sternly.
Xiao grinned mischievously and replied, "Just having some fun. Want to join me? We could grab a drink and flirt with the beautiful girls in town!"
Lee Ming scowled and retorted, "This is against the rules! It's dangerous to wander at night. Go back to your room!"
Xiao laughed at his seriousness. "Oh, come on! Don't be so uptight. You care about me, don't you?" he teased.
As Xiao walked off absentmindedly, lost in his thoughts, he tripped over a loose stone. Lee Ming caught him just in time.
"You need to watch where you're going," Lee Ming said firmly. "In the dark, you should look ahead or down, not get lost in your thoughts."
Xiao chuckled and replied, "So, you do care about me. Admit it!"
Lee Ming shook his head and said, "This is my territory. I'm not worried about you, but you shouldn't act recklessly here. Now, go back to your room and sleep."
Xiao pouted. "Don't be so harsh! Let me stay in your room tonight. I hate sleeping alone."
"Absolutely not!" Lee Ming snapped. He turned and walked away, leaving Xiao behind. Xiao laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the quiet halls.
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Feng's Warning
Feng heard the laughter and called out, "Xiao! Laughing so loudly at night is prohibited. How dare you roam around here at this hour? You are a guest here, so behave!"
Xiao smiled sheepishly and replied, "I wasn't roaming aimlessly, Elder Feng. I just went to talk to Lee Ming because I was bored. But he chased me away, so I got a little sad."
Feng sighed and asked, "Is your mother's name Yang Shin?"
Xiao nodded. "Yes, but I take after my father. He's a little playful like me, though not as mischievous." Xiao grinned widely as he said this, earning a faint smile from Feng.
"Go to your room and sleep," Feng ordered. "We have an early start tomorrow."
Xiao bowed politely, returned to his room, and lay on the bed. He fidgeted for a while, changed into dry clothes, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
---
A Slow Start to the Morning
By 6 a.m., the palace was bustling with activity. A servant entered Xiao's room and called out, "Wake up, young master! It's morning, and classes are about to start. Breakfast is ready, so please hurry!"
Xiao groaned and rolled over, reluctant to get up. "It's so early," he mumbled. "I'm not used to this."
After much effort, he dragged himself out of bed but stumbled and fell. He eventually made his way to the bathroom, only to fall asleep again while sitting there. By the time he emerged, it was already 8 a.m., and he was greeted with disapproving looks from everyone.