Down to Business (IV)
The smile that was on Hui Lan's face slowly disappeared and was replaced with a distant smile, "First prince?"
Although there was a helping hand in front of her, she decided it was not alright for her to take it. Hence, Hui Lan supported herself without any problems.
The hand that was left hanging in the air was slowly retrieved back by the owner.
Hui Lan brushed off the few leaves on her robes before standing to her tall height. Meanwhile, the first prince held his hands behind his back and was looking in another direction.
On the other hand, Hui Lan's mind was racing as she thought of what to say. If she remembered correctly, the Empress had never had any interactions with the First prince before in her entire time in the palace. From this owner's memories, First prince, Shen Min Tian was an aloof figure who was always indifferent to others.
Very much like Emperor Yang Long, the first prince was like another calm before a storm. He was the type of person, she, no, the person before her would not dare engage herself with.
Her eyes looked from the corner as she bent down slightly towards the direction she had come from, but there was no other figure in the woods.
...Feng Furen must have hidden herself...sigh, that was good.
But what was most concerning was what was she to do with this situation, she was announced as sick earlier but now here she was. Moreover, she wondered...when did the first prince see her?
...Why was it that all the princes were so close to her secrets ah? Oh heavens...
With that on her thought, Hui Lan was the first to break the distance between each other, "First prince? May Bengong ask why are you here?"
First prince, Shen Min Tian slowly turned to look at the Empress in front of him. His height was pretty much close to the Emperors and as he was much taller than the Empress, he had to look down at her petite figure.
Hui Lan subconsciously bit part of her rosy lips as the other person was looking down at her and turned her head away to cover her thoughts.
...The other thing that she wanted back was her tall height and some heels! How come that this body was much smaller than her original height. Maybe if she could at least be somewhat up to pair to these tall guys in this period.
Hui Lan did not know that her natural gestures had caught onto someone's attraction.
Nevertheless, Prince Min Tian finally opened his lips and spoke to the Empress for the first time, "May this prince then ask, why is Niang Niang here?"
Hui Lan's face that was facing the other direction was now replaced with a straight face. Here we go again with answering a question with a question, not that she did not use it herself, but having it being used on her was truly annoying. Nevertheless, as Hui Lan returned to answer the first prince, a small harmless smile was placed on her face, "Bengong, cough cough," Hui Lan quickly covered her mouth as she coughed.
However, there were only endless coughs coming from her. With one hand, she raised it in front of her as if to tell the first prince to wait. To that, he did wait and seemed to act as if there was so much time left to spare.
Slowly, Hui Lan's coughing began to become calmer, "Sorry about that first prince. Bengong just wanted some fresh air and it seemed I must have stranded too far off."
"Oh?" The First Prince nodded his head silently.
Hui Lan liked that the First prince's response was rather short and smiled before asking politely, "What about you, first prince?"
However, little did she see that the first prince's brows were slightly furrowed before it disappeared just as fast.
"This prince just wanted some air and happened to see you fall. Since you are alright, you should head inside. This prince will also take my leave." Not only did he speak of leaving, but he had also turned around coldly and left the lady in white behind.
Hui Lan's fake smile finally disappeared from her face.
...This first prince seemed to have shown some discontent in the end, but was she mistaken?
...However, thinking about it again, he...wasn't too scary like she had thought.
...Nevertheless, it would be best to not get herself involved with someone like him either. There was that feeling…
...At least, he had not seen anything much other than that, so that was good.
In the end, she could only sigh before heading her way towards her own palace, such was what the other person saw from afar.
First Prince, Min Tian could not help but smirk, "That smile...how fake." Nevertheless, the image of the figure dancing while the leaves parted ways for her was still pictured into his head.
...But that feigned emotions, how annoying.
The first prince's figure that had been on the palace rooftops then vanished into thin air and he was nowhere to be seen.
Meanwhile, Hui Lan, who had been walking in the middle of the palace's pathway, was pulled into one dark corner.
"Shh, it's me." A familiar voice came from beside Hui Lan.
"Niang?" Hui Lan spoke to the person beside her as her eyes began to adjust to the darkness.
"En. What did the first prince say?"
Hui Lan took a brief moment to think about her interaction with the first prince before summing it up just as fast, "Nothing much ah,"
"Hm, I wonder what he was doing out here at night. He does not reside in here nor does he seem to have any official business here...nevertheless, he wouldn't tell anyone about night nor would you for it would be even more suspicious if either of you did." Feng Furen slowly summed up what would most likely happen. "Good, then that should be enough for tonight, let's go back to your palace."
"Alright."
...
Soon, the two figures made their way back into Kunning Palace under the dark corners of the palace and in no time they made their way inside the Tearoom from the backside. Both were concealed from the watchful eyes of the palace.
After watching Hui Lan get back into the tearoom, Feng Furen was then settled, "I'll see you tomorrow, rest now child."
Hui Lan nodded and watched as Feng Furen���s figure disappeared into the night.
After the elder had gone, Hui Lan turned around and stretched her arms high up in the air. A big yawn was also released as she made her way towards her bed.
...At least, she hadn't made herself suspicious.
...Nevertheless, tomorrow was also going to be another busy day...it was better for her to sleep than think of useless things...
.
.
.
Morning came faster than lightning.
Su Rong came to knock on the door as usual and like usual, there was no response from the person inside.
...Sigh, sleeping in again.
In the end, Su Rong opened the doors to the Tearoom and made her way inside.
The curtains to Hui Lan's bed were still hovering around the bed, seeming as if the person was still sleeping.
The court lady did not think much and placed the water bowl down on the tea table before making her way to open the curtains.
As she opened the curtains, Hui Lan was still wrapped underneath the blanket like a baby.
...Was it that cold yesterday?
"Hui Lan ah, it���s time to wake up ah. The Royal architect and court lady Han would be here soo-" Su Rong's sentence was cut off after pulling the blankets down.
!!!
The Empress was missing!
A bad feeling was creeping up her back which led her to check whether or not there was still some money in the spot that she had hidden it in.
To her expectation, one box was missing.
Moreover, there was a small note inside the spot where the treasure box should have been.
...Gone out, come after you have finished talking with the architect. I'll be at the medicine house.
Immediately, a whistle tone was blown from Su Rong and a few seconds after, Su Juo appeared in front of her.
"Go to the medicine house. I'll follow after I've finished."
Su Juo nodded and quickly left.
Su Rong could only message her temples.
...Hui Lan ah, Hui Lan, so that's why your eyes were sparkling when you saw how much money you had.
...Sigh, she could just only hope that this friend of hers would be causing any trouble out there for there was already enough trouble inside the palace.
...Hui Lan ah, please...