Arriving At The Capital - 2.4

"Bai Nian Zu, this is my daughter, Fan Zhu Xia."

Looking proud, Fan Hui Zhong introduced her happily as he strode over and affectionately draped an arm over Fan Zhu Xia's shoulders and guided her closer to the surprised Bai Nian Zu.

Looking at the confused man, Zhu Xia couldn't help but stifle a smile before pulling down her hood to reveal her face which made Bai Nian Zu suck in a breath the moment he saw her features.

When Bai Nian Zu laid eyes on Fan Zhu Xia, he couldn't help but think that just her mere countenance could cause kingdoms to fall and how her enchanting pale blue eyes can root someone in place; looking at his dumbfounded expression, her cherry red lips curved into an amused smile making her look all the more breathtaking.

Stepping forward, Fan Zhu Xia cupped her hands and then bowed as she said, "Xia'er greets Elder!"

Hearing her soft, tinkling voice filled with amusement, Bai Nian Zu snapped out of his daze as he shot a dark look at his old friend, Fan Hui Zhong.

"Ahh, no need to be so formal with me girl. You'll make this senior feel ancient! Besides, I'm a sworn brother of your father so just call me Uncle." Bai Nian Zu replied calmly then coughed as he directed his gaze to Fan Hui Zhong who was shamelessly snickering.

"My daughter's a beauty aint't she?" Hui Zhong boasted while smirking as he patted Zhu Xia on the shoulder making her shake her head wryly as she glanced at him.

"That she is... So much so that she doesn't even look like you!" Nian Zu retorted and grinned when he saw Hui Zhong's face grow ugly making both him and Zhu Xia laugh when Hui Zhong started sulking.

"No need to tease Father, Uncle Zu! I'm actually adopted." Fan Zhu Xia said with a soft smile; her eyes filled with gratitude when she looked at Fan Hui Zhong which wasn't missed by the two men.

Seeing the young woman give his friend a tender look, Nian Zu couldn't help but feel happy for Fan Hui Zhong so he said, "Ahh, fine! I'll stop teasing your father... Besides, you being adopted are just minor details."

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Fan Zhu Xia grew to like this loud, boisterous friend of her father.

"Thank you Uncle Zu!"

Waving her thanks away, Bai Nian Zu then asked, "So what are your plans then?"

"We're going back to see the Fan Family later." Fan Hui Zhong replied with a small grin.

"Does that mean both of you will be staying at the capital now?" Bai Nian Zu asked excitedly as soon as he heard Hui Zhong tell him their plans to see his family.

"Not sure if we'll be staying here permanently, but we might be staying for some time."

Hearing Fan Hui Zhong's answer, the excitement on Bai Nian Zu's face dimmed slightly and a tense atmosphere enveloped them before he shook his head and then smiled widely as he said, "Pah, it doesn't matter if you leave again, the important thing is that you're here now!"

Seeing the awkward silence dissipate quickly, Fan Zhu Xia coughed lightly, drawing the attention of the two middle-aged men.

Beaming brightly up to them, Fan Zhu Xia innocently asked, "Since things are good between Father and Uncle Zu now, can we go get some breakfast?"

Hearing her request, both Fan Hui Zhong and Bai Nian Zu simultaneously burst into laughter making Fan Zhu Xia pout while staring daggers at them which just made the two laugh even harder.

After several minutes, the two finally got a hold of themselves and then Bai Nian Zu suggested a good restaurant that was already open in spite of how early it is and served good food and high-quality tea.

Agreeing to Bai Nian Zu's suggestion, both of them followed him when he told them that he'll also join them.

A short while later, the three of them got out of Bai Nian Zu's beast carriage and followed him as they entered a tall and elegant tea house named The Golden Pheasant and disappeared inside.

Unaware of the attention that their unusual attire drew since both of them were still wearing their cloaks and kept their hoods on, they just ignored most of the commoners that had bustled to and fro in the streets, completely oblivious that most of them were speculating on who they were and why the captain of the city and imperial guards, Bai Nian Zu was accompanying them.

The news of two mysterious individuals slowly spread in the imperial city and no one expected that by the next day, all of them would find out who they were!

While people gossiped outside, Bai Nian Zu, Fan Hui Zhong and Fan Zhu Xia were led to one the tea house's private rooms before they were given a menu to choose from.

Settling down inside the room, both Fan Hui Zhong and Fan Zhu Xia took off their cloaks and sat comfortably and leaving the ordering to Fan Zhu Xia, she started picking numerous dishes without blinking an eye and then inquiring if they have any high-quality spiritual tea available.

Surprised, the attendant nodded and informed them of the different kinds that they have and of its corresponding price.

Nodding lazily, Zhu Xia chose the Spring Jade Spiritual Tea which almost made Bai Nian Zu choke when he recalled the price of her choice and the attendant's eyes widen in astonishment before he asked, "Miss, the Spring Jade Spiritual Tea is the most expensive one we have, are you sure you'd like to order that?"

Fan Zhu Xia just looked at the attendant and her lips slowly curved and her lashes fluttered softly, making her look alluring before she responded in a low, soft voice, "I am quite sure. Is there a problem with that?"

Looking at her with mouth agape, it took the attendant a moment to gather his composure before respectfully bowing and telling then that he'll immediately have their order prepared and the tea sent up before rushing out of the room looking flustered.

Seeing her antics, Fan Hui Zhong just shook his head and looked at her with a doting gaze before asking, "Xia'er did you really have to tease that servant boy just now?"

Giggling slightly, Fan Zhu Xia just shrugged and replied, "I wasn't teasing, I just answered his question!"

Sighing, Hui Zhong just smiled and pitied the man who had the misfortune of encountering his daughter during one of her teasing moods.

The father and daughter duo completely forgot that their companion was completely not used to what just occured and only realized it when he suddenly reacted.

"What in heaven's name was that?!" Bai Nian Zu blurted out as he gazed at his two companions.

"What was what, Uncle Zu?" Fan Zhu Xia questioned, genuinely confused while understanding slowly dawned on Fan Hui Zhong's eyes.

"That! How you acted! The whole scene earlier!"

"That? But I was only ordering our food and drinks..." Zhu Xia replied, looking a bit lost so she turned to face her father who only laughed before patting Bai Nian Zu comfortingly.

"Ahh Brother Zu, just ignore it. Xia'er is just in the mood to tease and that poor servant boy just fell prey to her." Hui Zhong explained the bewildered Nian Zu.

"Then what about the tea?" Bai Nian Zu further questioned.

"What about it? It's just tea."

Looking at his friend, Bai Nian Zu couldn't help but give Fan Hui Zhong a disbelieving look at his reply.

"It's not just tea! It's tea that's worth more than a hundred gold per pound!" Nian Zu exclaimed.

"The price does not matter as long as Xia'er likes it!" Hui Zhong promptly replied as he gave Fan Zhu Xia a doting look.

Just as Bai Nian Zu was about to argue further, there was a knock at the door and when they recieved permission to come in, several attendants came in and started serving several dishes and poured them tea before Fan Hui Zhong dismissed them.

Smelling the delicious aroma of the food, all three of them disregarded what transpired earlier and started eating happily and sampling the different dishes and when Fan Zhu Xia finally brought the tea to her lips, when she drank the Spring Jade Spirit Tea, she felt the spiritual qi in her body react and felt herself absorb a faint spiritual essence from it leaving her pleasantly surprised.

"Father, this tea is quite good! It can even stimulate the spiritual qinin one's body while also directly letting you absorb spiritual essence!" Zhu Xia praised happily before drinking a little more of it as she ate.

"Hmm, does Xia'er like it that much?" Hui Zhong queried, while his mind was already turning with thoughts.

Smiling, Fan Zhu Xia replied, "En. Xia'er likes it."

"Then if Father buys more of this tea for you, will you drink this instead?"

Fan Zhu Xia's expression slowly changed before she vehemently shook her head and resolutely answered, "No! I shall still drink wine!"

Hearing her words, Fan Hui Zhong could only lament and complain in heart why his daughter was such a drunkard.

Coughing, Bai Nian Zu turned to Zhu Xia then asked, "Xia'er likes wine?"

"I don't only like wine Uncle Zu, I love them." she responded seriously, making Fan Hui Zhong's eye twitch.

Barking out a laugh, Nian Zu then told her, "If that's the case, I shall send several jugs of wine from my collection over to you as a gift to commemorate our first meeting!"

"Then Xia'er thanks Uncle Zu for the gift!"

Beaming happily, Fan Zhu Xia pretended not to see her father's sour look and just continued on eating and conversing with Bai Nian Zu.

A couple of hours passed and after they finished eating and exchanging news then Fan Hui Zhong paid for the meal and asked Bai Nian Zu if he can have someone send the two spirit beasts; Baise and Heise over to the Fan Residence later in the afternoon to which Nian Zu immediately agreed on and assured them that he'll send them over safely.

After a wave goodbye, the three of them parted ways just outside the tea house with Bai Nian Zu off to check on his men while Fan Hui Zhong and Fan Zhu Xia went on their way, once again wearing the cloaks.