08. He came

A month passed and heat doing the daytime became seriously bad. Everyone would go to their rooms and sleep the worst part of day, only she was outside.

She was not crazy to want to stand under direct sun, so she sat under thick shade of an old three and let naughty wind play with her loose hair. Whole sea of colors surrounded her and the smell of flowers made her feel comfortable and happy.

Chirping of the birds and buzzing of insects as well, but she lived the sounds and found it quite nice to listen to it. If she could live like this, comfortably, she wouldn't care where she is.

There was sound of steps walking and she turned her head and saw older man in simple clothes with few other men slowly walking and talking.

His silvery hair was simply closed in a bun on top of his head and the jade coronet that he wore seem simple bit elegant.

Because heat everyone in the Summer palace wore light clothes, so she didn't wonder much. But she still stood up and bowed as she had no idea who he is. He might be one of main stewards or servants as she could see the others showing respect as well.

In passing the man just glanced at her and continued his walk. She didn't think too much about it and continued doing what she did before.

Sitting under the shade of the huge tree sat a young woman and slowly separated leaves of flowers and only the best were set inside a pot in front of her while rest was set in basket aside.

"Who is she?" Asked the man while sitting with Wen Guifei and drinking cooled plum juice.

"Your Highness that is the Lan girl that my son brought. Soon she will go back to her family." She smiled as she spoke warmly and the man rose his eyebrow.

"She seem strange. Why do I feel something is wrong with her?" He wondered.

She sighed deeply. "That person beat her up so badly that she was uncoclssious for week and almost lost her voice. Now she is slowly getting better, but her voice..." She furrowed her brows and shook her head.

"She still can't talk?" He saw that the girl carefully closed the pot and slowly stood up to bring it away. "If I didn't give her family that sentence... But I had no choice at that time, the evidence was too strong. I know that their family is innocent and the old one found enough evidences to point at many other people that are involved."

"Its good that there is evidence. Her life is hard enough even without it. I wish we could do something for her." Her eyes became watery. "I like this child a lot, Your Highness."

He was about to drink tea but stopped in movement. She wouldn't ask him that, right?

"We can give her honorable name, even if its small. And good marriage. I have few people in my mind." She seemingly didnt see him change his expressions.

"As long its not someone from royal family... You know they hate to get involved." He sighed in relief that she didnt go the way his thoughts went for a moment.

She nodded. "I am really not thinking about that. Your Highness, do you have some ideas?"

He drank some if cooling liquid and felt the heat dissipating a bit from his body. He closed his eyes and remembered his old friend.

"I have an idea, but..."

Now she was really curious. She could see a small smile on his lips. What ideas does he has?

"Let all servants leave garden. I need to speak to the child." He stood up and saw all servants backing off. "No other people should be nearby. My love, you go as well."

"Her voice is not completely back and she is not talkative person on first place. Please forgive her if she can't answer." Her heart shook as she saw him have strange glimmer in his eyes. This annoying old man, who is he thinking about?

As she saw him just waving his hand to leave and walking towards the child she furrowed her eyebrows. Not that man...

"Child, your name is Lan Lian?" He stood not far away and saw her slowly raising her head from flowers and looking at him with her clear eyes.

She went forward and bowed. "Yes..." Her voice was melodic bit it could be heard that she struggled.

"Come with me. The sun is too biting, old man like me can't handle it so well. You are young girl, but my old skin will burn." He walked away and saw her sighing and letting go carefully the flowers deep in shade and following him with bowed head.

Nearby was a big shade from nearby kitchen and he sat down on couple chairs that were standing there randomly. It seems servants liked to rest in their free time in this spot.

Not thinking about anything wrong she sat at the chair he pointed at.

"Here is nice, isn't it?" He pointed at the lake that could be seen to far from their spot.

The view is something she loved enjoying. No wonder Wen Guifei liked coming to this Summer Palace. A small smile appeared on her face when she saw few birds on the glass clear water swimming. Almost like one of those pictures from books she saw before.

But his next words made her listen.

"Here is nice, but I still like more open spaces. When I was younger I would go on horse ride trough endless meadows. Green forests and beautiful meadows. All kinds of beasts here and there and people are much opener as well." His eyes became distant as he spoke.

There was something in his voice that made her feel that there must be reason why he is telling her this all.

"I know your grandfather. You are coming of age in few months, so I have heard." He could see her calmly nodding. How interesting, most females would be shy but this child was calm, too calm. The Lan blood? Her father and grandfather were not better.

"There will be many major changes in the court. Many people would try to connect to your family after this all passes. I fear that even some that hold grudges against your family might move." He furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her. "I want you to get married to the young commander of a family I know. He is now stationed on the north. Of course, I can only recommend him to your Elder, but on end it will..."

He could see her smiling strangely and stopped. That smile....