LOTUS

CHAPTER V: BOUND

After coming to an agreement, they started their search for the herbs. Bei Wei who’s out for a hunt is annoyed at being held back to do what she initially planned. However, she could not reveal to this man her uncommon hobby. She tried to brush him off a while ago but her plan backfired miserably.

And now, they are walking through the forest with no goal at all. She realized the situation she got herself in and reprimanded herself for such a stupid decision. What irks her more is the arrogant smirk Ru Quiang had on his face after they sealed the deal.

“The nerve of this man” she thought to herself.

On the sidelines, Ling Hua and Hei Xue followed their masters while keeping a close eye on each other.

Hei Xue still couldn’t understand the sudden change in his master’s attitude but he has no plans of getting his tongue cut off yet. So he kept his mouth shut. Also, it remained a question to him how these women did not recognize the crown prince. Almost all the women who breathes in the capital vie for his majesty’s favour.

 On the other hand, Ling Hua who’s trying to act collected struggled to keep a straight face, deep inside the happenings between her master and the strange man has stirred her maiden heart. She blamed herself for such disrespect that befell her master, however she could not explain why she did not shoot the man the moment everything happened. It was an unknown sight for her and she only stood there like the rock her master was leaning at that time, unmoving.

“Maybe even the rock was shocked at the turn of events.” she thought.

The four of them continued their aimless journey, waiting for someone to finally break the farce.

“we-”

“you-”

Ru Quaing and Bei Wei  said at the same time and the both of them looked at each other.

“You should rest here, we will be the ones to gather the needed herbs. After all you are wounded” Bei Wei suggested trying to make a chance to run away.

“You are right , but I can’t just leave two defenseless ladies deep in the forest” Ru Quiang replied, fully knowing the other side’s intention.

He can see the question playing in her eyes but he ignored it.

“I beg your pardon but my servant right here is fully capable at keeping me safe, there is no need for you to worry yourself.”  She retorted tilting her chin upwards in a defiant display.

“Is that so?” he said raising an eyebrow

For a second she saw him look down at her lips.

Embarrassment crept up her spine and she tried her hardest to not show it.

However by the smirk on his face, she knew she failed.

They both know what he was trying to say.

“The audacity of this man” Bei Wei thought to herself, biting the corners of her mouth.

She took a deep breath and smiled raising the corners of her mouth which didn’t experience such an action before.

 She saw them take a step back, even Ling Hua.

“It is our fault after all that you are injured, please accept our way of apologizing.” She lied through gritted teeth.

 Seeing that he was not responding, she took the chance to tug Ling Hua’s robe and motioned for her to follow her.

The two men did not stop them so Bei Wei took large steps dragging her poor servant behind.

Ru Quiang who was stunned by the display did not have the time to stop them and before he knew it, the two women were out of sight.

He could not bring himself to follow them though, without a word he shook his head and walked the opposite way.

Hei Xue who came back to himself followed suit even more shaken at the sight his witnessing, the crown prince is smiling widely!

“Shouldn’t we follow them young master?”

He was answered by a wave of his master’s hand.

“Let’s head for the capital” the crown prince announced a smile still plastered on his face.

He nodded his head and followed the command.

“We will meet again”

Nothing could have prepared Hei Xue for his master’s remark. Not the years in the battlefield or the twenty- two years he’s been alive.

The crown prince that he knew to be cold and stoic, just vowed to see a woman again.

He felt pity for all those women who poured their hearts out to win the crown prince’s heart.

After two days, Ru Quiang reached the capital and he was welcomed with the admiration of the citizens both young and the old.

They sang for their beloved crown prince who continuously lent a helping hand to the commoners and protected their lands from the Southern empire.

For five years, the prince set off on a journey and trained in the most dangerous places of their empire to improve his skills, and as they gaze at him, they can see how mighty he has become.

Though he donned a stoic and cold appearance, the ladies couldn’t help but swoon at the fine man before them. The nobles though not in the streets, has been preparing their daughters to be at their best to hopefully catch the prince’s attention whenever they get the chance.

The crowd that gathered to welcome their prince made way for his horse to pass and in no time, he was back at his home , the palace.

As Ru Quiang stepped on the palace gates, he immediately recognized the face standing awaiting his return.

“Welcome back your Majesty” His father’s eunuch bowed low and greeted him. He signalled for the eunuch to rise.

“Your father awaits in the ancestral hall” the eunuch relayed the command.

Without wasting time, Ru Quiang walked off to the ancestral hall’s direction and face his father.

All the while, he can sense someone watching his every move.

“The palace never changes,” he thought. He signalled for Hei Xue who was following close behind him to find the culprit. Without even saying a word, his trusted servant understood his meaning and skilfully disappeared.

When he climbed up the steps towards the ancestral hall, he saw his father’s majestic figure. Wearing a golden robe the emperor stood majestically facing him, and he looked directly at his father’s eyes. Though with age, the wisdom and ruthlessness behind them remains unchanging.

“Father” he said with a straight face , kneeling to the floor.

“Rise my son” placing a hand on his shoulder, his father motioned for him to stand.

“You have been away for 5 years and since you are back, it is time to do your duties as the crown prince again.” His father isn’t one to beat around the bush, and everything he do is for the throne. He learned that the hard way.

Ru Quiang couldn’t say no to this, if there is one person who knows the real reason for his journey it would be his father.

He kept silent and let the emperor do the talking.

His father then called for a servant and as quick as lightning one appeared holding a golden scroll. The servant handed it to his father who then  placed the scroll to his hands.

He opened it and read the contents, the only thing that registered through his mind are the words, banquet and bride. In a split moment, a lovely smile flashed through his mind and he felt a pang in his chest.

“It is time for you to secure your spot as the crown prince and find a noble bride, the day after tomorrow is your birthday banquet, it shall be the day you meet the participants for the Lotus Bride selection.” Leaving no room for an argument, Ru Quiang bowed his head and accepted the command. His mind wandering out of the conversation.

“I am happy of your return son” the emperor said, hearing these words, his mood made a hundred eighty degree turn, breaking his trance.

He did not respond and kept bowing, now  a steely emotion on his face.

A sigh was heard from the emperor.

“Then I shall not keep you then, you should rest from your journey.”

Ru Quiang stood straight and said his goodbyes.

Walking out of the ancestral hall Ru Quiang tried his best to control his hate and unclenched his fists.

 Hei Xue who’s been waiting at the huge doors, met him with a serious face.

“Young master, the spy has been caught and held captive. I tried to get information but he refused to cooperate” Hei Xue reported.

Looking at his young master’s mood, he felt pity for the spy.

“It would have been better if he cooperated with me, poor man”

“Let’s test his resolve then” was his master’s only reply.

-          Xue Manor-

A master was torturing his servant putting the poor soul in such agony.

“Master please forgive me, I don’t have any  idea.” The servant pleaded tears forming at the back of her eyes.

“I know that you are hiding something, and you refuse to tell me!” using his chosen weapon he’s not stopping until he gets what he wants.

At this, the servant tried to struggle from her binds and gasped for air.

“What is happening here?” a cold voice made the struggling servant halt and the master of the manor, Xue Chen drop the feather he was using to tickle Ling Hua.

Innocently he tried to hug hhis daughter standing at the entrance of his study.

“Ah Bei’er we were just talking, you see me and young Ling Hua has a lot of catching up to do.” he sheepishly said putting his hands down seeing the disapproving look from his daughter and resorted to untying Ling Hua’s hands to avoid his daughter’s sharp gaze.

Raising her eyebrow, Xue Chen knows his daughter isn’t buying his explanation.

“Ling Hua , what was my father trying to ask you?” Bei Wei knows she can’t get her father to talk so she went straight to her servant.

Ling Hua looked uncomfortable so she directed her piercing eyes to her trusted servant.

“Master wants to know what occurred during hunting that you came back very annoyed.” Ling Hua replied so fast she did not even take a second to breathe.

Hearing this, unwanted memories flashed through her mind like a movie on replay.

Without her knowing, a soft sheen of red colored her cheeks and it didn’t escape her father’s scrutinizing gaze.

Seeing her daughter’s reaction, Xue Chen’s eyes widened like the sun.

“It was nothing” Bei Wei immediately declared and stormed out the room leaving her father like a cold gust of air.

She went to her room and as she closed the door she gritted her teeth.

“that scandalous man” she seethed, as a certain smirking face filled her thoughts.

Back to the other room, Master Xue was still standing facing the door as well as Ling Hua who was still standing at the corner of the room.

She stared at Master Xue as he stood there deep in thought.

“IT!” Xue Chen exclaimed, for a second Ling Hua was startled at the outburst.

“ I-T was nothing, which means something did happen” at this he pointed an accusing finger at her.

Ling Hua regretted the fact that she was still at the presence of Master Xue. And as she saw the master pick up the damned feather again, she tried to inhale as much air as she can before the onslaught.

“Tell me what exactly is IT” Master Xue Chen demanded with renewed vigor.

But Ling Hua’s loyalty lies on her young mistress, so there’s nothing she can do than run for her life.

And run she did.