-Mmhn... Mhn...!- The man reaches forward, bending a bit over the table
-Is everything alright my old friend?- reach out Lord Feng to help him
-All good, all good- pushes away his hand HuiZhong -It's just the weather, my friend. Leaving winter and coming into Spring, Ah... When you'll be my age, you'll know what I mean- laughs the older man patting on his own knee, his gaze then leave the room through a window -Already Spring...- he whispers watching as a bird is getting his nest ready for the soon-to-come mating season.
-Your concerns are written on you face, HuiZhong... But I can't blame you. Almost a full year since they took our children away... Almost two since the war began... And even more since the whole world downfall-
-Yes... Almost an year...- the man mutters circling his fingers around a silk hair ribbon -The recent Festival, well recent... It was already a couple of months ago. I hope at least on that day they managed to look back at happy memories and warm their hearts up. All the Fireworks and Food and... Happy New Year's blessings, it all seems meaningless when you know what those kids are facing everyday...-
Master Feng lowers his teacup and stare at the other man. The past year he seems to have finally gained all the wrinkles and white hair that life for so long postponed... Maybe it was for him to still look worthy in the eyes of his young children, or maybe it was his own joy for his daughter that kept him young. But now the years of life, the social shame he faced after ChangLai's murmured marriage with that important man, the war and his beloved daughter's departure... Those years all started to show with more wrinkles.
-Well, today is not a day for sadness... Aren't our son coming back to meet us?- smiles Lord Feng
-Hahaha yeah Indeed! For both to come back home... I wonder what they got themselves into!- smiles again the older man pouring himself some more tea
-If they are like their fathers... Haha. How many nights we sneaked out of the training grounds to waste the night in some brothel?- recalls the past the younger man
-Ah... Old days my friend... Old days, now I'm stuck with an old and mad chicken-
...
-Pei'Ge...? What's with that dark expression you had since this morning?- Hua's round eyes search for his lover's, seated on the horse beside him -Are you worried that our parents will...?-
-No, it's not that... Even if I know they won't approve, I'm still going to tell them, don't worry- he smiles
-Good. Then...? Uhm...-
-Ah... I guess I'm not good at hiding anything uh?- shrugs the older man
-You do, just not from me- sticks out his tongue the young man, mocking him
-Ah what a brat you are... Need a proper scolding, later- tease him PeiZhi -But... What concern me is something I saw during my shift today at the Throne Hall-
-Don't tell me we are losing...? Half of the Nobles at the Sect got sent out to help, it can't be!-
-No, I heard some reports came from the Battlefield. It was all war news and conquered grounds but... My eyes fell on the envelopes of more important matters, which got all stocked up and put aside for a more formal reading later. The problem is that I have spotted my sister's name on a couple of those-
-Uh...- Hua blinks a couple of times before staring down at his reins -M Maybe... It's something good? Maybe she helped in ways we can't even imagine and they wrote to The Emperor for him to cover her in gold-
PeiZhi only nods, not talking for a few seconds -Mhn... That could be...- he mutters with pressed lips, obviously not believing it a bit -Let's just not mention this in front of my father... He will already die on the spot after we tell him about us, no need to trouble his old heart any further-
-Mhn!-
...
-Really? You made it into the Royal Guards? That's such an honour my son!- Lord Feng pats on his son's shoulder -I'm sure we own this young man a lot then...- he smiles toward PeiZhi
-Oh no I actually did nothing, he earned the position himself. After my sister departed he really poured his heart into training, wanting to show off too haha! And then, at the time of the exam he passed with no flaws-
-Oh stop shaming me!- elbows him Hua -It's not like I wanted to show off or anything, you liar! I just felt left out with two War Machines like you guys beside me-
-Haha sorry sorry-
-I see that you grew closer too... It's nice to have a real friend, especially in these dark days. They really look like us My Friend!-
-Indeed, just don't make our same mistakes hahaha- laughs HuiZhong -Like for example... Marrying your mother-
-Father...!- his son's face drops
-Don't worry PeiZhi, she's so mad she wouldn't understand even if I said that straight into her face, mmhn!- he finish the sentence coughing.
-About marriage... How are the women's in the Capital? Still as beautiful as in our youth I hope?- asks Lord Feng
-Ah, right right! Isn't it about time that we marry you off both?
We did talk about that before, didn't we my good friend Feng? We found a couple of suitable candidates-
Hua throw a worried stare at his lover who is sucking his breath in
-Yes, I was just telling your father about one of my daughters who really wants to get married- smiles Lord Feng
Not seeing a good reaction coming from his lover, the younger man tries to interrupt -About that, I was thinking... We live in a modern Era, a time of change... It is not so necessary to get married, look at Lai'Er! Isn't she worth of praises? She pursued her own path and already saved the Throne at such a young age! What a splendid and strong woman-
-Do you perhaps want to marry My Lai'Er, little Hua?- smirks HuiZhong
-My son marrying your daughter and your son marrying my daughter... That's something worth to watch! But you are right, Lai'Er is a very strong woman with a determinated will... You wouldn't stand a chance anyway hahah- laughs Master Feng
PeiZhi rises from his chair and bend on one knees in front of Master Feng within a second, startling everyone
-Uh... PeiZhi?- rise an eyebrow the man, not understanding the situation
-Ge... It's not the right time...- rise an hand the younger one to stop him but Pei ignores him -Let me Marry your Son-
-My what...?- Asks confused the man as the sound of a trail from a passing maid falls and smashes on the ground
-Oh my God... That's gonna be a long day- face palm the younger lover at the awkward situation.