"Xian!"Lui Xian welcomed Rushan who fell into his arms. It had been a long time since they last saw each other. Lui Xian could see some changes in him."Your highness, how are you?" Rushan didn't wait for Lui Xian to continue asking him questions. Instead, he hugged him once again smiling ear to ear. "I didn't think you would come here this early. Did you bring the one you wrote in the letter? I can't wait to see him. Where is he?"The prince was too excited and didn't put in mind the fidgeting behaviour Lui Xian was showing at the side.All he thought of was seeing the beautiful person the other wrote with such detail in their previous letter. When he received the news, Rushan had been extremely happy knowing that he was finally moving on.He knew it was hard to do so but it wasn't entirely impossible."Come on, show me the way to him." The prince demanded in an effort to drag him to a pathway that led to his new quarters. At the sides, various types of colourful flowers had bloome
Summer. When the sun shines brightly throughout the day. Heatwaves after heat waves hit the poor soils of the earth's crust. The trees bear fruits and the grasses lose colour. Rainfall tumble down night after night cleansing the red roofs of Wu Palace and the houses in the Capital. Lightning strikes like a sparkly ribbon being hurled by a brothel dancer. Thunder sounds as if the world is plugging down in pieces. Sometimes it is peaceful and other times it just gets worse. Nevertheless, the days move on longer than usual as each bide farewell never to be experienced again.Then Fall follows. Flooding the world with layers of leaves. The surroundings bit by bit loses their appearance. Flowers wither and green grasses die. Fewer animals appear for a new season is to be born. One with much more torment.That is Winter. Where the unpleasant weather is reinforced with much gloom. The skies are rid of the sun. It fills up with a thin blanket of fluffy white greyish clouds that remain up cover
Meanwhile far away from the palace, on a secluded Island, a vivid image of a man could be seen under a tree just close to the sea. He was sitting cross-legged with an instrument on his lap. The place he was at was very pleasant with a splendid breeze fanning at him. His robes fluttered about and his hair flared in a fashionable manner. His skin had gotten paler after many years of living on the island. He was all alone with only a small hut which he could call his own. The only companion he had, had left him when its time had come. After all, it was only a mere horse and lived quite long.Flowers swayed about emitting a sweet fragrance that brought comfort to him. His slender fingers were put on top of a zither which he would sometimes pluck at its strings producing a calming tune that travelled along the island alarming the small animals that had yet to wake. The weather was still chilly although the sun showed itself brimming with so much light. It touched the man with a soft glow
"Wow." Feng Shao exclaimed. He had just gotten out of the carriage and stepped on Wu Kingdom's soils. His eyes focused on his surroundings. They were sparkling with newfound light as if he was seeing the world for the first time. There was a smile on his face. He stood still for some time only turning and making a fool out of himself. He gained some attention to himself but he didn't mind. Everything at the moment was like a dream.He had last seen something like this when he was still a toddler. The memory is quite hazy for he doesn't remember if his former home was as close as to this. The part he was seeing at the moment was only a glimpse before the whole thing. However, the poor man was already intrigued.The Capital was so big and eye-catching, nothing could grab his attention from all the shiny and beautiful things around him. Although Feng Shao was wearing a veil, he could still clearly see the food stalls at the sides. The many people who passed by whilst cheering on top of th
Qin Su and Feng Shao got along quite well. As he promised, Feng Shao stopped by the tea house to play for the customers. And he would receive quite some money after each performance. His plans were going quite well.After living in the Capital for nearly two months, Feng Shao was now able to purchase a house and he did just that. He made it look simple so that it didn't attract people too much.He was still careful and was beginning to worry about his secret performances. Even though he didn't disclose his identity he felt that he could be exposed. For the Emperor and the General were merely several Zhangs away.After living in the Capital these few weeks he was able to get information on the monarch and his lover. Added to his advantage he could see the palace walls from the house he had bought. It never sat well with him knowing that his enemies were only separated by a wall less than an hour journey. He yearned to go there early however he knew nothing would go as he was planning.A
"Your tea, Your Highness.""General."Qin Su gestured for them destructing them from their stooper. The two nodded at her and reached for it to take a sip. The tea tasted so good. It made them feel as if they were on cloud nine.Behind the screen, Feng Shao was just finishing his first song when he heard Qin Su exiting. He heard the Prince and the General converse in a quietened manner, complimenting him on his skills. There was a time when he almost ruined his tune when he heard his deep voice from inside.How many years have gone by now?More than five years.He hadn't seen him for this long and now when they were this close the hate he was containing in his heart surged up as if it wanted to spill on the other like an acid corroding him into nothing. He still needed to wait. He remembered that right now he wasn't Feng Shao but just Zhang Si who worked in the tea house. But not for too long."Xian. Ah, I forgot to ask on the way. What happened with you and Imperial Brother recently.
After receiving the gold pieces and bidding Qin Su goodbye, Feng Shao returned to his house.It was just close to the tea house. He didn't need a carriage to reach there. The house was surrounded by uncut hedge and from inside the fence, there was a cage that had chicken and in the middle of yard that's where the house stood. It had three rooms, of which one was his room with nothing much so special in it. The other room was for the helper who lived with him. One wouldn't say he worked for him because Feng Shao always did the house chores and even cooked when he was at home. However, the helper only did his part when Feng Shao was away from home. And the other room was left empty. It was perhaps for guests when he had one.After he entered his room, Feng Shao slumped on his blanket getting ready to get some rest. He was tired physically and emotionally. Being close to him like that made it hard to forget that day. Although he had been preaching revenge all along when he was close to ex
Once the Prince had left the room, Feng Shao felt that the air had become a little warmer. Lui Xian on the other hand thought on what they could do tomorrow morning. "Tomorrow I will come with someone to get your measurements. Where should I find you?" He asked watching the veiled person in front of him fidget upon his gaze. Lui Xian eyes couldn't leave Feng Shao's pale hands. He felt that they looked familiar. Although they were now more whiter and more thinner, he couldn't have mistaken."Hmm... we will meet here." Feng Shao whispered now staring at his hands as well. He couldn't let him near his house. He just couldn't. Knowing how familiar he is with his things, his medical tools and so on. It was safer to lead him to the tea house.Lui Xian didn't try to dig deeper. He only nodded and reached for the tea pot to pour himself a cup of tea. He took a sip quietly reminiscing on the taste he had last time. The room was filled with silence.They stayed like that for a little while bef