Familiar faces

"Everything is going to be alright now" If only Fu Hua could believe this himself, he would gladly be able to rest this nervous feeling inside him. But for some reason, he felt afraid of this endeavour.

"You are from the royal palace? Are you not a kid? I thought there were no kids at the royal palace?" Fu Hua coughed to remind the other of his presence as well.

The guard at the noble's entrance straightened pretty much instantly, his eyes serious as he looked in front of him. If Fu Hua caught a hint of embarrassment, he did not say.

"The permit has been received and is being reviewed inside right now. Esteemed guests can wait in the guest quarters or they can wait in their rented place till they are being called upon" the guard announced.

Fu Hua saw the other's fervent wish for them to return to their lodgings and for him to escape this humiliation but this was not going to be possible.

They had not rented a place yet so it was no surprise that the party chose to wait in the guest quarters.

"Esteemed guests should call if they need anything" the party addressed Detective Song insisted of Fu Hua and Xiao Lan. it was understandable as well since no one knew Xiao Lan was anything more than a kid and Fu Hua was wearing slave attire.

Detective Song was pulled asked by one of the head guards and Fu Hua by another. He knew this was about to happen so Fu Hua complied.

Xiao Lan looked ready to kill someone, his face red with worry and Fu Hua passed him a 'wait' motion. Maybe they should play it out because this thing seemed so random.

"So, you are a slave? You look to be in great condition to be a slave" ho, so this was the game that side was looking to play?

"My master is very gratuitous to me. He provides me with all my necessities" Fu Hua replied, his voice prideful. Everything considered, Xiao Lan was a good master, maybe even among the most gracious, you could ever find.

"And yet he does not let you go. Do you not feel trapped there?" The soldier asked, finally leading Fu Hua inside the secluded chamber he knew that had been coming up. Fu Hua had been in this situation too many times undercover to be taken by surprise.

"If you are asking then I shall tell you that I don't mind being a slave" Fu Hua saw the other side trip over thin air and he let out a small laugh. How amusing.

"Y-You don't? You will be the first" the soldier looked lost all of a sudden and Fu Hua let his amusement bleed out into the open.

In actuality, he had already guessed what the other side wanted from him.

They had hoped for an easy target they could control and kill another noble. These were the people of the resistance and someone who had made it their mission to make an equal society.

They had ideals but no actual means to achieve them. Full equality was never possible so they really should reconsider their options first. Not that Fu Hua minded much since it was advantageous to him.

"Part of the resistance? I suppose if you are approaching me then you have a plan in progress as well. Mind letting me in?" the guard looked torn, his eyes shifting away from Noah.

But even he had realised that he had no other choice but to agree with the slave. If Fu Hua chose to tattle, then their lives would come in danger.

Especially since the other side belonged to the royal family. It would mean having their existence's proof being spread to other noble's as well.

"Don't worry. You will have an ally in me as long as you leave my young master and his companion alone. He had been the only one to be kind to me" the other looked relieved at his words.

Fu Hua was led further inside and he decided to map the area inside his mind for later. He would surely like to come back and have a look as well.

"Sir, we have brought him here" the guard knocked on the door and Fu Hua felt that it was far too fancy to belong in the military.

To his eyes, it looked like a noble's resting quarters but he could not be sure. He tensed without being aware once the door opened and he stepped inside.

"Welcome. Are you the person-. Close the door" Fu Hua felt shock go through him as he took in the person in front of him. He had not expected the other to be here.

"You all are dismissed" the air had gotten weird and even the guards recognised it as well. They left but not before giving a doubtful look to Fu Hua.

As soon as the door closed, the other took out a talisman and slapped it onto the door of the place.

"Sir, I-you-we. Were you not supposed to be dead?" the other person had kneeled, not being able to look Fu Hua in the eye. There was a feeling of guilt that surrounded the other as well.

"I was dead but that was just because they erased all records of me being alive. You need not worry about me for the time being" Fu Hua paused as he took a seat and signalled for the other to stand up.

The other just went from one military pose to another which brought a sigh out of Fu Hua.

"Relax a little. I am no longer your general and you also seemed to have made a name for yourself." the other flushed and Fu Hua chuckled.

His second in command was still easy to fluster it seems.

"I, you, please stop teasing. But if you are here then his highness is here as well? That is the only way I can think of you being alive" the other asked, his eyes begging for answers and Fu Hua sighed.

"This has nothing to do with Xiao Lan unfortunately. Rather, it was Xiao Fei who pardoned me for some favours. Currently, I am babysitting his younger cousin so that's that. I would appreciate it if you do not harm him" the other gave a nod of agreement.

"No harm shall befall the young prince. But if I may ask, what is the purpose of your visit here? It cannot be a simple stroll after all" the other knew Fu Hua too well and he had read him right now as well.

Fu Hua took in a deep breath and told the short version of their purpose to the noble. Their party already had a censored version prepared in advance, so all they had to do now was to advertise it out.

"I understand. I shall do everything in my power to assist you then" the other sounded so determined that Fu Hua felt almost bad for his deviation. He had not wanted to be a burden for the other side but it seemed as if he had ended up as a burden anyway.

"I shall go now. Can you give me any tips to deal with your family head?" Fu Hua asked the other who was all too happy to oblige. He looked proudly back at Fu Hua, his eyes shining as he did so.

"He is a pig and one who enjoys watching the other side suffer. As you know, I marrier in this family but my wife died without a child so he just ignores me most of the time. Oh, and praise him a lot. He liked that" Fu Hua nodded, taking in all the advice the other was giving him. He knew this all already.

"Thank you for your cooperation. I shall see you soon then" the other gave him a nod of acknowledgement back and Fu Hua shook his head.

The other had not changed much and it had been nice to see him as well. Now that this had been taken care of, Fu Hua had a much-needed course of action prepared inside his mind.

When he met Xiao Lan next, he discussed his plan with the other and although he did not look happy, Xiao Lan agreed with him. Detective Song was let out at the same time as well but he looked a little roughed up.

Fu Hua did not ask because everyone had their secrets. Detective Song was allowed to keep his as well.

And then they face the noble family head, his clean face and pressed clothes presenting him as an image of a dignified ruler.

But they all knew he was anything but dignified.