Killing Two Birds

Each in their rooms, two young men at age twenty and nineteen listens to the report;

"Wei Lan: Fifteen. Adoptive granddaughter of Retired Commander Wei. It's said she was found during one of their soldier training trips when she was six, but her origins further than that is unknown. She moved to the capital eight years ago and became the shadow of her late cousin, Liling. Miss Lan is reserved and stays in her residence the majority of the time. She's also well versed in literat-"

The informants were stopped by a raise of a hand. "She's not married nor engaged?" "No, Your Highness."

Chang Chen and Chang Bo sigh in relief. Since the Wei clan is known for their neutrality and power, having Lan as their main wife kills two birds with one stone: the Wei naturally on their side and Lan. The god-given Lan.

"Have someone look after Wei Lan. Those pesky lowlives will come after her..No one more suited for her than me," Chang Chen orders.

"My brother will go after the girl. Make sure no one is to have Wei Lan, especially him. She is mine," Chang Bo orders.

The coming weeks got lively. The oh-so-feared Wei was desired--or to be exact, Lan, was desired by many sons of ministers. There were constant proposals for her hand in marriage. But Lan doesn't give it attention as she had no intention of getting married.

She stays inside the manor as usual to train while Guang He sits in his office whining every day as he rejects the invitations. Lan is well aware of the situation. It was killing two birds with one veil: gathering the boys into the palm of her hands, and getting a laugh at her grandfather's added work.

"Grandfather," Lan walks into his office, "How's your work going?" She says nonchalantly. Guang He mockingly chuckles, "Did you think I don't know you already took this into consideration before going with that plan."

Lan cheerfully smiles and sat down across from him. Her grandfather didn't keep his smile for long. "Lan'er, I know you're a stubborn lad, and I share your feelings in this..but I didn't bring you home to have a more difficult life."

"Grandfather, no matter what you say, I have to go through with this. Those men sit on those chairs by killing their loyal people..family," Lan softens a bit, "I promise. I won't let you or Uncle get harmed."

Guang He slightly smacks her head, "Girl, did you think I would be worried about ourselves?" He looks softly, "Lan'er, though my blood does not run through your veins, I love and care for you as though you do. We only have you now, and we don't want to lose you to them too.."

Lan looks at her grandfather will a smile," Mm, I know. And I, too, love you and Uncle Jing. I won't get hurt. I won't let you and Uncle be the only family you guys have."

He smiles with approval and pats her head.

"Ah, grandfather, I want to go out tomorrow." Guang He takes a second to think before he agrees, "But is it a good time to go now? Those boys out there may come after yo-"

"Grandfather, you underestimate me again."

"Okay, don't forget your dagger." Lan chuckles and starts running out, "Mm! I will be back in three days!"

Guang He nods before apprehending, then looks up, "HEY!"

Lan switched from her cheerful self to a lady with elegance when her foot stepped outside. Ever since the party, she knew she'd have an audience, so she never wore her training clothes in plain sight nor did she act freely.

Especially since this morning, she knew she was being followed by two. Presumably, spies, not assassins. Assassins would've attacked long ago.

At dawn, Lan wakes up first to head out by herself. She's back in a plain dress and a large weimao hat to cover her being--or rather, the chunkiness of her dress as she wears her training clothes under.

As she starts heading towards the capital exit, Lan takes in the scene. The streets haven't changed much in three years. Placing a hand over her chest to where her valuables are, she smiles. 'How are you doing meimei? Jiejie is out in the capital again..it's the same as last time. There's not much you're missing out, so don't feel bad.'

The capital streets begin to get crowded as the sun wakes. With so many people, Lan dropped her guard a little as no stupid man would do anything in broad daylight.

However, that was proven to be a mistake when someone decided to grab onto her shoulders.

Not having it, Lan immediately grabs the hand and swings the person over to the ground in front of her. Because she's in public trying to not cause a murder scene, Lan calmly takes a step back to ask, "What do you want?"

The man stands up to pat the dust off his [clearly distinguished] clothes and turns around with both hands in the air. "Wow, you are definitely from a military family."

Lan is getting more cautious, so she slowly gets ready to grab her dagger just in case. "What kind of pervert.." The man walks closer, "Hey, I'm no pervert," he leans to whisper, "It's me, Prince Chang Bo."

Lan internally scoffs, 'I guess dignity doesn't run in the family.' But she plays along and took a step back to curtsy dryly, "Your Highness."

Chang Bo pulls her up, "Ay, in front of me, you don't need to go through formalities." He began to massage his shoulder, "Miss Lan, you did a number on me."

Lan curtsied to answer, "Had Your Highness kept decency, you would have not been hurt." Chang Bo laughs in response, "Alright, you got me. For that part, I apologize. I'm sorry."

'Huh, I guess the Yuans' do know what 'sorry' is.'

Chang Bo trying to act weak, "But Miss Lan has injured my shoulders. You owe me on that part, so it's your responsibility to heal it."

'Hah, what logic. What do they teach you in royal school?'

Lan points at the small medicine store in the corner, "Your Highness can go there and get it checked. Send the bill to our household and I will pay for it. Now," she curtsies, "May Your Highness excuse me, I have someplace to be at."

Without giving him more attention, she walks past him.

Chang Bo stood there chuckling, "Interesting."