"Aren't you dissatisfied?" Huo Lian asked, Su Ci stood up and walked towards her.

"What do you mean?"

"You were once a child with huge martial potential but because of the special ability that allows you to withstand Huo Lan's flame to a certain extent, your freedom was sacrificed and you even lost your potential," she said to check out her thoughts on this, ever since they returned Su Ci has been friendly towards everyone and receiving accolades but she has never seen contempt in her eyes.

"I wasn't sent with Huo Lan because of my special ability but because I wanted to even though sect madam was reluctant to send me with her," Su Ci responded, she couldn't understand what Huo Lian is getting at.

Huo Lian moved a step forward.

"So you forgoed your position as the first guardian of the flame sect and the many skills you would have acquired to sacrifice yourself for the sect?"

"Yes and if I have to do it again, I will do it gladly," she answered and flashed a smile then she left the room to continue her training, Huo Lian turned back after the door closed, biting her bottom lip.

She has been regarding Su Ci's presence as a threat to her position as the third guardian. Back then, three children were selected and trained from young to become guardians and they were Su Ci, Huo Qiang and Huo Mei.

The flame sect has always had three guardians so she was only included because Su Ci became Huo Lan's personal guardian but now that she is back and her martial skills are improving rapidly, she can't be sure she will be able to keep her position.

"I will never become a mere disciple," she said to herself resolutely.

********

In Ruyi pavillion.

Just like it was in Nanxiang, the Ruyi pavilion became more popular than any brothel in the capital.

They had customers from all over the capital and farthus it became more competitive to have the chance to drink and be entertained by the girls especially Hua Meixiang who remained the gem of Ruyi Pavilion.

This time, Madam Ju left her to take charge of the pavilion while she takes care of the things pertaining to the fourth prince affairs.

A carriage surrounded by bodyguards suddenly pulled up in front of the pavilion, a servant boy acted as a stool to help the minister alight the carriage.

He flapped his sleeves and folded his hands behind him before entering the pavilion with his guards standing guard at all sides, the girls were alarmed by the entourage as soon as they saw him so one of them went to call Hua Meixiang.

"Respected elder, please hold on," one of the ladies said to stop the minister from going in any further.

"What is it, young lady," the minister asked with a lopsided smile on his crinkled lips.

"Ruyi pavilion is not a place you can enter without permission and your bodyguards are not allowed in," the girl answered but the minister suddenly broke into a peal of hysterical laughter while they wondered what was so funny about what she just said.

One of the guards suddenly unsheathed his sword and was about to slash her but a knife suddenly struck his arm, causing him to drop the sword.

The lady was still in shock when the other guards unsheathed their swords, the prime minister looked up to see a lady in flowing green dress and a white veil on her face descending the stairs with a little boy behind her who he could guess is her bodyguard despite his young age.

"There is no need for commotion, just state who you are and what is your motive for coming to Ruyi pavilion," the young lady said as she now stood in front of him, she glanced at the guard who has his arms pierced with her guard's knife.

"You are really bold, how dare you injure the prime minister's bodyguard," another guard raised his sword against her but the prime minister held his hand up, signalling the bodyguard to halt.

"Miss, what is your name," with her mannerism and boldness, one would think she is the said madam Ju.

"I am Hua Meixiang, please forgive my rudeness," she said in a soft tone, bowing her head in apology.

"Tell Madam Ju I would like to see her,"

Meixiang smiled.

"There is no need for that, I will lead you to her immediately but please tell your guards to stay behind since we can't possibly hurt the prime minister right in Ruyi Pavilion," she responded.

He signalled his guards to stay behind then followed Meixiang up the stairs while her bodyguard stayed behind to keep an eye on the prime minister's guards.

They soon got to the room where madam Ju is but they could hear the strings of zither being plucked inside the room.

"Madam Ju, the prime minister is here to see you," she announced from outside.

"Let him in,"

She opened the door and gestured towards the room for him to enter then she took her leave after.

The prime minister walked through red curtains before he finally saw her seating on a seat with a zither on the low table in front of her, her vermillion lip widened in a mesmerising smile as her fingers elegantly controlled the tune of the zither.

The prime minister took his seat in front of her.

"What does the prime minister think about this tune I am playing,"

He chuckled lightly.

"Still as the night, desolate as death..."

She halted the tune then placed her hands on the strings to calm the vibration then she raised her gaze to meet the prime minister's.

Her eyes were as sharp as a sword and her smile...he really can't tell what kind of person she is.

"Seems like you were already expecting me," he remarked, noticing the teapot and two cups on the table.

"How could I have known that an important guest as yourself was going to visit my lowly Pavilion," she placed the zither aside.

"Even after what, madam Ju did to my son?" he didn't plan to speak indirectly.

"So that is what prime minister is here for, I was indeed expecting someone but it was your son and not you,"

"Madam Ju, even if you have the backing of the emperor it is not wise to make me an enemy," he leaned forward with a threatening gaze on his eyes, rather than cowering her lips formed an arced smile.

"Oh-oh, does the prime minister plan to take revenge in broad daylight?" no hint of fear could be seen in her eyes even though she is a mere entertainer.

He flapped his sleeves and leaned back on his seat while she poured him tea then passed it to him.

He took a sip of the tea and shook his head in appreciation.

"I am not here for revenge but to ask you about the people my son was looking for in Nanxiang, resulting in him offending you,"

She gently placed the cup on the table after taking a sip.

"This is the capital, not Nanxiang so even if I was the one who hid them do you think I will risk bringing them with me to the capital?"

"You can just state where they are,"

"Your son was blinded by his arrogance that he failed to judge clearly whether or not he saw them enter Ruyi Pavilion, I suggest prime minister returns and ask him clearly again," she boldly responded, not caring whether or not she is offending him.

He laughed once again.

"If you change your mind then you should send a message to my manor, for now, I will take my leave," he stood up, aggressively slamming the teacup on the table then she stood up after him.

"Please let me escort you,"

He raised his hands.

"I will not trouble madam Ju," he refused then walked out of the room.

Minutes later, Meixiang entered the room.

"Madam Ju," she called as she took her seat opposite her.

"I thought the foolish son was going to come but it turned out to be the father that came, interesting," Madam Ju remarked.

"If he digs into Ruyi Pavilion in Nanxiang, he might find something," Meixiang said with worry written on her face.

"There is no need for us to worry about that, even if he suspects something he won't be able to get evidence since our associates know better than to open their mouth," she said.

"We already found the person they are working with, his name is Nergui and I found that he is a subordinate of the first prince of the Manhu tribe," Meixiang informed.

Madam Ju stood up to walk around the room while pondering on the information.

"Why would the first prince of the Manhu tribe want the fire element grass, this issue is not so simple, send the message to the fourth prince," she ordered.

"I will do so immediately," she said then she left while madam Ju pondered more on the issue but she already knows the fourth prince won't pursue the it because he doesn't want to concentrate on things that might distract him from his plan unless he knows it is connected.

Note: the Manchu tribe refers to the Mongolians as used early in the story, I didn't have much knowledge when I started writing but I don't want to disrespect the Chinese history so please think of the places mentioned in the period world and Tang country as fictions.