Seals - 21.1

Finding out that there were seals on Cong Shi Hong, Fan Zhu Xia's mind couldn't help but ponder about it. Her mind wandered and thought of countless possibilities.

Was there something he was hiding?

Did she make a mistake in trusting him?

Was he a spy? But then if he was, then why would he get himself beaten up so badly in the first place?

Or was it just nothing but an intricate ploy?

Or maybe the seal served an entirely different purpose.

Maybe it was placed on him to conceal his identity and protect him from harm.

But then, why didn't he tell her in the first place? If he knew there was a seal on him, anyone who thought more deeply upon it would think that it was suspicious.

Thinking further on it, Fan Zhu Xia also wondered on who placed the seals on him in the first place. After all, though she may not be good at it, she could at least detect the basic seals of concealment and transformation but the fact that she didn't was just a testament on how high the level the seal was.

As her mind whirled, Fan Zhu Xia felt the carriage's movements come to a gentle stop and before long, they heard Min Sheng's voice echo from the outside.

"Masters, we have arrived. You may now disembark and make your way to the Young Miss' courtyard by foot or would you like this servant to have a palanquin be prepared?"

"That won't be necessary, we can walk."

After responding, the carriage door swung open and Fan Hui Zhong alighted from the carriage before he turned back and reached his arms back in and carefully took the unconscious boy from Fan Zhu Xia before handing him to Min Sheng who was waiting just a step away from him and as soon as he was done, he then turned around again and helped Fan Zhu Xia go down, making sure that she doesn't accidentally fall or slip.

As soon as her feet were planted stably on the ground, Fan Zhu Xia gave a murmured thanks and gestured for one of the guards to help Chun Hua come down as well before she was led away by Fan Hui Zhong.

Before long, they arrived at Fan Zhu Xia's courtyard and the two children were settled into one of the previously empty rooms which was quickly setup to contain two beds separated by a silk screen as well as a dresser, a small table with two chairs on either side as well as a couple of braziers to keep the room warm.

Seeing them peacefully resting, Fan Zhu Xia nodded in approval and gave Chun Hua some instructions before following Fan Hui Zhong out of the room.

"Father, what do we do now?"

Looking at his daughter fondly, Fan Hui Zhong then replied, "You, my dear daughter, are going to take a rest first. Father will go and make arrangements to have someone send some food in for you and after that should go and take a nap. Leave the rest to Father. Father will take care of everything."

Seeing the look that Fan Hui Zhong was giving her, Fan Zhu Xia felt her heart warm. The concern and worry in his eyes was obvious and any thoughts of disagreeing with him left her and all she could do was give him a small smile and nod meekly.

After all, Fan Zhu Xia knew that if she had to trust anyone to help her with taking care of things, it would be her father; Fan Hui Zhong.

Letting out an inward sigh of relief at seeing his daughter acquiescence so quickly, Fan Hui Zhong then escorted Fan Zhu Xia to her room and had someone her other maidservant; Chun Tao who was currently overseeing the renovations to the small outer building in her courtyard.

As soon as she arrived, Chun Tao immediately gave a bow of respect and greeted Fan Hui Zhong.

"Greetings, Lei Wangye. Is there something this humble servant can do to assist you?"

"You are my daughter's other maidservant right? Chun Tao, was it?"

"Yes, Master."

Nodding, Fan Hui Zhong then spoke in an authoritative voice and said, "Now that you're here, go and take care of your Young Miss. Also have someone prepare some food for her, I don't think she's had any lunch yet."

"Right away, Lei Wangye. Any other orders aside from this, Master?" Chun Tao queried.

"No, that's all for now. You may go. You're Young Miss is inside her room."

"Then please excuse this servant." With another low bow, Chun Tao then hurried off to go to Fan Zhu Xia.

After making sure that Chun Tao knows what to do and will serve Fan Zhu Xia properly and make sure to take care of her needs, Fan Hui Zhong then made his way to the outer room which was serving as the receiving hall for guests and started giving out orders.

The few servants who was there for the ongoing renovations on the courtyard's small side building had to halt their work and execute Fan Hui Zhong's instructions first.

One of the servants who was quite fast on his feet was assigned the task of informing the current patriarch of the family and asking him to come.

Of course, the moment Fan Hui Liang heard that his older brother was asking for him, he quickly disregarded whatever he was doing beforehand and hastily went to the Blooming Phoenix Courtyard.

Arriving at the receiving hall, he saw his older brother alone, sitting at the main seat while calmly drinking tea with his eyes closed.

Feeling curious as to why his brother summoned him, Fan Hui Liang asked, "Brother, is there anything you need from me?"

Seeing that his younger twin took the initiative to ask, Fan Hui Zhong started explaining.

"Fan Zhu Xia helped two children while she was out earlier, a young boy and a little girl. Brother, I want you to take a look at the boy. I found some seals placed on him when I first checked."

Hearing that, Fan Hui Liang's brows furrowed into a frown before giving a serious nod as he said, "I understand. Where's the boy now?"

"Follow me."

Arriving at the room where the children are, the two brothers immediately made their way to where the boy was with Fan Hui Liang standing just beside the bed while Fan Hui Zhong stood a couple of steps back, leaving his brother ample room to move.

Looking at the sleeping boy, Fan Hui Liang took a moment to gather himself before he reached his hand out to hover on top of the boy's body and let his qi flow down and envelop the boy.

Watching his brother examine the boy, a look of pleasant surprise shone in Fan Hui Zhong's eyes the moment he saw the the color of his brother's qi which was a deep blue with hints of vibrant navy.

So his brother was already at the peak level of the Heavenly Sky Realm!

A proud and satisfied smile slowly spread in Fan Hui Zhong's face as he thought of how much his brother has grown. Before when he had taken over as the patriarch after their father got seriously injured, his brother; Fan Hui Liang wasn't motivated with cultivation. He was more of a scholar than a military man, preferring to wield a brush rather than a sword even though he was just a talented as Hui Zhong in it.

It would seem as though his decision to leave and put his brother in charge was the right thing to do after all.

Caught in his musings, Fan Hui Zhong almost missed the changes in Fan Hui Liang's expression if he didn't hear his brother's sharp intake of air.

Concerned, his eyes narrowed as he took a couple of steps forward to stand beside the stunned Fan Hui Liang.

"Brother, what is it? Is something the matter?"

With a complicated look in his eyes, Fan Hui Liang stared at his older brother for a minute, trying to organize his thoughts before he opened his mouth to speak.

"Older Brother, do not be alarmed, there isn't anything wrong but there is something strange about the boy."

Seeing that there wasn't anything wrong based from his brother's calm expression, Fan Hui Zhong let his worries go and instead curiously asked, "Then what made you so startled?"

"Well about that, it's because when I started examining the seals on the boy I noticed that the qi signature on it seemed a bit familiar..."

"Then do you know who it belonged to?"

Just as Fan Hui Liang was about to open his mouth to answer, the expression on his face suddenly morphed into one of alarm and horror as he turned around to look at a certain direction as he burst out and said one word that shook Fan Hui Zhong's core.

"Father!!!"