72 Down to Business (VI)

From afar, a young master dressed in dark teal robes could be seen walking out along with two followers in black robes following behind.

Hui Lan had a smile on her face and as she smiled, the freckles that she had drawn onto her face was also smiling with her. She actually liked coming up with different methods to cover up herself...maybe next time, she could put on some moustache. Nevertheless, after coming out from the medicine house, she flicked her fan open again and gently fanned in front of her like a noble young master.

Before taking a few more steps forward, she stopped to speak, "I haven't had anything this morning...I wonder what is good here…"

One of the followers spoke from behind through their wide hats, "Let's head to Da Fu."

The young master took a short moment to think about that idea and decided in the end that the recommendation was not bad, "Fine, this young master would also like to taste some of the food from there…"

Soon, the three head out among the crowds and their figures were no more.

…

Da Fu

"Welcome young masters, where would you all like to sit?" A young steward diligently walked up to the young master who had just arrived.

"One room for one person...anywhere is fine." The young master in the front replied while looking around the entire place as if valuing the worth of the entire place.

"Alright, young master! Please follow me." The young steward then took them up a few staircases and brought them to a room on one of the top floors.

The young master nodded, "Hm, a good spot to look out at the view. Here, a tip for you." the young master gave out a few gold coins to the young steward before making his way inside the room prepared for him. The young steward smiled widely and put the coins inside his sleeves.

"Thank you, young master! This servant will serve you some food, what would you like?" The young steward followed the young master inside like a baby bird.

"Hm, some nice soup and dumplings for three. Maybe some earl green tea for three as well...that should do. Now, off you go. I don't like my tummy to be waiting for long." The young master gently waved for the steward boy to go on with the orders.

"Yes, young master!" The steward boy replied diligently before leaving the room for the three guests alone.

"Close the door when you leave as well, young lad!" The young master behind the steward reminded him.

"Yes, young master!"

Once the doors were closed and the steward boy was gone, Su Rong immediately went to sit in front of Hui Lan before demanding in a soft voice, "What were you thinking!?"

Hui Lan's eyes became wide as if she had been defamed, "What was I thinking? Nothing." She looked out to the window that was beside her.

"You!?" Su Rong was lost for words. "Why didn't you wait for me ah? I was so worried. Also, you didn't tell me anything beforehand." Su Rong did not keep anything in and directly spoke what she had in mind to her friend.

Hui Lan retreated her eyes from the window and pointed out carefully, "If I had told you that I would be taking the money and meeting up with the physician, would you have let me out?"

Su Rong leaned her back to the chair and sighed. In the end, she could only nod, "So, that was why you asked about the money...it seemed you were also testing me out?"

"Ey, I'm just testing the waters." Hui Lan brushed her fan as she brushed the topic. She should test this tigress out first ah. So scary!

Su Rong could only shake her head silently. Meanwhile, Su Juo had been standing a few distances away and kept quiet. He had seen his sister's claws many times but this was the first time he had ever seen anyone escape away from her claws ah. Maybe next time, he should learn and take notes from Lan jie.

Su Rong then leaned forward again and seriously discussed, "Hui-"

"Ah ah, call me young master Hong from now on." Hui Lan winked before gesturing to Su Rong to continue speaking.

Su Rong rolled her eyes before continuing, "Young master Hong, what are you going to do now? And since we're here, shall we go meet Aunt Feng"

Hui Lan tapped her figures on the table before speaking, "Not yet, I'm sure there are eyes on mother. I'll talk to her later. As for today...I'm going to walk around." She took a brief pause before finally speaking, "And buy a place."

Su Rong's brows became slightly creased, "For what?"

Hui Lan's fingers that had been tapping on the table halted before speaking, "Hm, to sell things…"

"Sell..what...things?" Another feeling was creeping up Su Rong's back as she listened to her friend's tone...so obnoxious...

Seeing the serious face on Su Rong, Hui Lan could not help but giggled before speaking, "Keke, Valuable things."

How long was this friend of hers was going to test her patience?

In the end, Su Rong continued to ask, "Such as?"

However, Hui Lan's answer was..."It's a secret…"

Su Rong slapped the table and got up immediately, "Hu-" but before she could say anything more, sounds of footsteps were drawing closer to them. In the end, she could only return back to the same place.

Hui Lan looked down and covered her face with her hand.

On the other hand, Su Rong was looking at Hui Lan with glaring eyes. Despite those eyes, Hui Lan was simply trying her best to hide her laughter.

Meanwhile, Su Juo observed the two sister's conversation and was taking down notes in his head...he would go and write it after.

The steward came in with a tray of food and quickly left the guests to be with each other.

"Ay, come and eat first, we have a long day today." Hui Lan quickly averted the topic and invited the two Su siblings to join her food.

…

Young master Hong walked out from Da Fu with a full belly looking more with colour than before. Before, the young master had a slightly pale face on, but it seemed after having eaten some breakfast, the young master's colours had returned to his flesh.

Nevertheless, the young master had two followers following from behind with big wide black hats excluding a rather ambiguous air from him.

When the same young master Hong was walking alone, he had already had an immense air of nobility, but with two mysterious people in black following or guarding him from behind, everyone made way for him.

The three caused a buzz among the passerby, but it did not affect the young master's mood in the slightest bit and he simply continued walking while swaying the fan in his hand. He looked as if he was simply taking a stroll in the capital city and looking around different areas. The three went from a busy market place to the end of the road where there were many different officers running around.

"Oh?" The fan in the young master's Hong hand came to a halt, "Why-"

However, young master Hong's question was quickly answered when a loud announcement was heard in the entire area.

"Bixie Arrives!" A familiar sound that belonged to the elder Eunuch Wu was announced in the entire area.

Immediately, everyone quickly bowed down and greeted, "Long live the Emperor!"

Young master Hong and his followers moved quietly into one corner of the road and bowed. However, no words came from the young master's lips.

Nevertheless, who would have known?

After the greeting was done, the sound of a horse trotting haughtily in the middle of the road was heard; clip-clop was the sound made by the polished hooves of the horse.

Slowly, young master Hong glanced at the upright figure who was sitting on a great black horse. He was dressed in a dark navy blue that was almost black and the dragon pattern was dashingly embroidered onto his robes. His high bridged nose revealed his persistent character, however, his deathly handsome face had no smile revealed and his demeanour was solemn. Meanwhile, his hair was tied up neatly into a bun which was head onto his head with a small gold crown with dragon details.

Her eyes followed along with the figure who was on top of the horse coldly. If a stare could kill someone, then it would be hers.

...Shen...Yang Long...it has been a while since I haven't seen you...but seeing you now, has only ruined my mood.

...You seem to never change, the Yang Long in this owner's memories and the one I see now. I do wonder what was underneath this solemn air you express out.

However, a distant smile popped up into her mind, one that she did not request for. It was when this man had met the nameless prince...that wasn't true…? Hui Lan retrieved her eyes away as a mix of emotions was engulfing her feelings.

Having felt a sharp glare coming from his side, the aloof figure turned his face sideways coldly to the crowd. However, those eyes that had been staring at him had already looked away.

In the end, the prominent figure on the great black horse looked away without finding what he had been looking for.

...Weird...he thought to himself.

Nevertheless, from afar, the Emperor dismounted from his horse swiftly yet it was full of grace, such was the heavenly son of Xin Li.

Among the civilians that were gathering around the area, everyone had endless praises that could be seen through their eyes. Hui Lan's gaze followed the figure in the dark blue robes and watched from afar.

Followed by the Emperor, was the left prime minister and the Head of Royal guards, Captain Wei Lin. The three significant figures made their way into a building that looked like a temple of some sort which was guarded by more soldiers outside. Strange enough, the place seemed to have excluded some sort of deathly silence from it rather than a peaceful atmosphere.

"That place...what happened?" those words seemed to have come out from Hui Lan's mouth automatically.

A grandma who was standing beside the young master looked up and down at him before replying, "Haven't you heard about it? Aiya, where have you been ah? Everyone in the entire city knows what happened!"

"Ah?" Young master Hong titled his head.

"Aiyoo, a hundred of people died in that temple. I still remember that this place were fugitives from the past war, but people have said, only their skulls were found. No one knows how they died, but some said, they would from time to time see black dust float in the air whenever the wind blew through this temple. Sigh, such a nice place has turned into a graveyard, young master, you shouldn't stay around here too long ah, let the Emperor solve this. Bixie, he, he would always help us, so return home first. " The grandma did not only tell young master Hong to leave but she already left. A few more people were also retreating from the place.

Hui Lan turned back to look at the abandoned temple. However, as she looked at the entrance, a peculiar feeling was creeping up her spine.

It was as if she was being sucked into the entrance.

Without knowing, the white jade bracelet underneath her sleeves began to illuminate. Hui Lan's head began to probe and soon her gaze was swirling around in front of her.

She took a wobbly step back. Fortunately, Su Rong was there to hold onto her.

As a headache seeped in and grew, a small whisper grew in the back of her mind,

"I'm back."