Hangyi and the Zhao Clan

Rapid foot taps, fingernails bitten and head spinning. To say Li Jie was doing well was an overstatement. He looked back at his retreating hometown with a sorrowful look on his face, the carriage he was being escorted in was moving from side to side violently. 'The Zhao clan, out of all the clans to stay at and serve, she chose the Zhao clan.' He anxiously thought.

There was at least one upside to the whole journey. He was alone inside the crimson and gold carriage. The driver up front worried about the journey to Hangyi to even converse with Li Jie. He stared out the window with bright eyes and started whirling, completely forgetting that he was kicked out from home.

"Dumpling, dumpling, dumpling." He chanted absent-mindedly. The driver looked back to see what was up through the small carriage window by the driver's seat. He and Li Jie looked at each other's eyes for a second. A feeling of awkwardness settled among them. Li Jie was quick to smile and wave his hand before focusing back on the window.

He paid attention to the vast lands as they traveled deeper and deeper into the midlands. A soft sigh left his lips as they formed into a pout. "Do you hate me mum?" He softly questioned. A sickening feeling twisting in his stomach as he searched for an answer. He was far from a great kid, but to be sent to a clan known for their blood thirst and hunger for power, was so peculiar for a mother to do.

He closed his eyes and decided to sleep. The half a day journey would be too boring to stay awake for. The driver looked back and smiled to himself, continuing the now peaceful journey to Hangyi.

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"Oh Heavenly Lords." Li Jie muttered to himself in awe. This was something straight out of a story. Hangyi had to be the most beautiful thing in this world. Vast amounts of water with lotus flowers and lily pads floating on them. There were large Chinese pavilions housing couples having dinner. However, what caught the young boy's eye was the large purple and gold palace before him. Li Jie laughed and started jogging, his wide, excited eyes taking in all his surroundings.

His ponytail swung from side to side as he did the same. Some civilians looked at him weirdly as others looked at him fondly. His luggage was tucked under his arms as he sped up walking towards the palace. The letter and pass of acceptance both in his left hand. Once he reached the gate, he gave the pass to the scary looking guard to look at. Li Jie noticed the guard's name tag.

'Liang.'

There was no sign of a surname. How unfortunate. The pass was handed back to him and he entered, joining the hundreds of young people entering. He squeezed his way through before coming to an isolated place within the palace. The crowd had disappeared and Li Jie had no idea where he was shoved into. He walked around aimlessly trying to relocate his past steps.

His head was down and he didn't notice the young man in front walking with a stack of books. The troublemaker accidentally walked in and collided with him, causing both their stuff to drop. "I'm so sorry." Li Jie began, looking at his accidental victim in the eyes. The man before him was truly stunning. He had long white hair, beautiful ice blue eyes. The young man smiled and lifted his stuff. "It's no problem."

"What's your name?" Li Jie asked, a hand extended with a large grin plastered on his face. The other man shook his hand and replied. "Zhao Chen."

He wished the ground would swallow him then and there.