"Older brother!"

The small figure behind the messy desk jumped up and called, her voice as sweet as honey. She was about to run to him for a hug when the man she referred to as older brother sternly warned with his back facing her.

"Wait for me there. I will come over once I am done."

A sharp crackling laughter resounded in the large hall.

"Why so protective? If she becomes my concubine, you don't have to worry about me mistreating her."

Crown prince Ruofeng glanced towards the lithe figure covered in a hood.

His eyes couldn't hide the thoughts of his mind, as he licked his lips, imagining all the things he would do to her. With voice like that, surely her screams must be as sweet as honey as well.

But the man quickly blocked his line of sight. His face was frosted in ice. If his gaze could kill, Ruofeng would have died a hundred times over.

" Your highness, I believe that was never the agreement."

Ruofeng's laughter rang out again. His condescending gaze stared at the man,

"My, what a sweet brother. Yet as far as your sibling bond goes, to lock her away to where even the sun doesn't reach...is too unfair. If it's me, I can let her live a life of luxury and happiness under the sun and gentle wind, pampering her in many different ways."

Ruofeng spoke as he stood up, tossing the mangled girl aside like used clothes as he continued towards the man. Coming just an arm's length away from the man standing firm in front of him,

"Don't you agree? Palace Protector-He LianFang?"

-

The loud sound of a metal tin can that fell from the corner of the bookshelf broke the heavy tension in the air and drew the attention of all the people in the room.

The man known as He LianFang held onto the hilt of the large blade at his waist and narrowed his eyes towards the direction of the sound.

Ruofeng frowned as he squinted his eyes at the dark area hidden behind rows of shelves. He sneered with impatience as he ordered He LianFang to check on the noise.

"Go see."

'probably one of the woman trying to escape. Hmp! Dare to escape, how fun'

Ruofeng's mind was already thinking of all the ways he can torture that woman who dared to escape.

On the other hand, He LianFang had a high level of Martial Arts and could clearly feel a presence from behind the bookshelf.

What surprised him was that he didn't feel it there before which means the person was quite strong but seems to have made a slip up and accidentally revealed himself.

Ruyi on the other hand narrowed his eyes dangerously, if that person attacks, he will definitely step out to draw the attention away. Although FeiXu was strong, she most definitely couldn't beat the man in front of her. Even Ruyi himself was in doubt if he could escape unharmed.

He LianFang inched closer to the bookshelf slowly until he was close to the corner, with sword ready to strike, he instantly turned the corner to look at the only space where someone could be hidden.

Yet what met his eyes made him dumbfounded he nearly dropped his sword. Those fiery and clear watery eyes looking back at him, he knew them.

In that moment, FeiXu quickly pulled down the black cloth covering her face, her mouth was about to call out his name when he quickly brought the other hand up to cover her mouth.

Seeing him with her own two eyes, the tears in her eyes slowly fell leaving a wet streak down her cheek, another falling across his hand that was pressed firmly over her mouth.

She couldn't take away her eyes from his dazzling red hair; the same fiery color as her own. His face had matured much more over the years and was charismatic as though his features were chiseled and shaped by an artisan.

Although he had a elegant and handsome appearance, there was a scar that travel across his left eye vertically down, giving him a more roguish and fierce temperament.

The two stood there completely frozen in surprise. His eyes nervously pleading for her to remain quiet with a small frown.

"Which woman had tried to escape, come bring her to see this Prince."

He Lianfang quickly recovered when the moment was interrupted by Ruofeng's voice, his back stiffened at the voice as he replied with haste

"It was just a rat."

He LianFang quickly reached for her hands, holding it open, his fingers writing quickly on her palms before he gently pushed FeiXu further in, wishing for her to remain hidden.

His eyes held a gentle gaze unlike usual, with quivering lips he quickly pulled away to return to where he came from, only the warmth of her breath lingering within his clenched fist.

He was thankful that the bookshelf was in a blind spot that the Crown prince couldn't see from his angle.

Ruyi who was just a step from exposing himself saw everything clearly. Although he was confused, since nothing happened, he would keep to himself.

"Hmp, dirty place like this and you still want to keep your sister here. "

Ruofeng snorted, his face darkened since his excitement bubble was popped by a mouse.

He LianFang breathed out a sigh of relief and sneered internally,

'thank god this prince only has dirty shit stuck in his head.'

"May I ask why your highness is here today?"

Seeing the unwelcome and caution expression in He LianFang's eyes, Ruofeng snorted with no interest as he played around with the whip in his hands,

"Father Emperor had this prince come to check on the place, to make sure that little lady isn't slacking off."

He LianFang frowned, surely the prince wouldn't be doing such a kind thing for his father since they were subtly having a cold war. A guarded father against the ambitious prince - how can there be any family love in between.

Glancing to his little sister, He LianFang worriedly walked over to her, pulling her into his embrace for a short while before quickly checking if she was truly alright.

"Big brother, I am fine...."

Her honey like voice resounded in the room, soothing on the ears. Enjoying the warmth of her brothers large hands as she gazed at him with bright innocent eyes.

He LianFang couldn't set his heart at ease. He needed to quickly think of a way to get his sister out of this hell hole, the further away from that deranged prince, the better!

But time was not kind, he knew he needed to quickly return to the Emperor's side and could only hesitantly leave the great hall.

He glared at the Crown prince,

"Time is short, this one will return to his duties."

His words may have held just enough respect but his eyes held the true message.

'if you touch her, I will kill you.'

The crown prince Ruofeng sneered at the back that was leaving. If it wasn't for the strength of that warrior, he wouldn't have allowed such disrespect.

But as of now, that man belongs to his father, touching him, surely his father wouldn't let him off lightly. Hence he could only keep the anger inside.

Besides, there was still time to slowly make that little lady into his little play thing.

After a long silence, Ruofeng finally stood up and casually walked over to the messy desk with the figure behind it, fiddling away at herbs and plants.

"Quickly prepare the pill."

Reaching out, her delicate fair fingers reaching out holding a small pill bottle,

"Take it. It's done."

The young lady behind the desk replied coldly, there was no longer that child-like innocent look in her eyes. Her voice was cold and desolate like a 1000 year frozen tundra.

Ruofeng chuckled to himself, as he mocked the young lady, gripping the small pill bottle in his hand.

Leaning closer, he lifted her chin with the other hand, licking his lips dangerous as he whispered,

"Innocent little lady, if your brother know this is who you truly are, I wonder how his face would twist."

"Release me scum!"

Smacking his hands away, the little lady glared with utter disgust. In the face of the Crown Prince, there was only fearlessness in her eyes.

"Such beautiful eyes...it does remind me of a certain lady that married my 4th brother. Hmnnn, now that you remind me, I'll let you go for now, once I have dominated and played enough with her, only then it will be you turn."

His voice resounded followed by his obnoxious laughter as he left the hall.

The girl stood there with fingers clenched tightly until her knuckles paled, her anger was evident as blood began flowing from her palms as her nails dug into the flesh.

------

"Master."

Just as FeiXu and Ruyi's shadow appeared, Feiyun was silently sipping on her plum blossom tea in the small back garden of the study that belonged to Tianhuo, under the gleaming moonlight, her figure seemed to be relax, like a lazing cat basking under the sunlight.

"Report."

Ruyi was just about to speak before FeiXu knelt down with a thud and knocked her head against the floor in a kowtow.

Seeing the solemn look on FeiXu's face, Ruyi swallowed down the words stuck at his throat,

Sensing that something was wrong, Feiyun simply waved her hand.

"Ruyi, you may leave. "

Ruyi nodded his head as he eyed FeiXu with a worried glance and then disappeared.

He knew something had happened back at the hidden great hall and FeiXu had obviously been found out but somehow that warrior did not attack. After they had left, FeiXu was silent the whole way back, her expression didn't even give a chance for Ruyi to ask a single word.

"Stand up. Stop kneeling and speak."

Feiyun felt slightly annoyed, she disliked seeing her own people grovel to the ground like that.

But FeiXu refused to lift her head and then with much determination, she slowly reported what transpired within the great hall, word for word with great detail.

Hearing her report, Feiyun had already guessed that the two siblings within the hidden great hall that FeiXu was talking about, had some connections to FeiXu.

"Who are they?"

FeiXu still had her head to the ground.

"He LianFang - the current protector of the Palace, the young lady...is most probably his little sister, He LianEr."

Feiyun narrowed her eyes, her mind pulling together all the facts.

"What is your relationship to them?"

FeiXu paused for a moment, her eyes dimmed down slightly before continuing,

"He was like an older brother to me...and also my betrothed, it was decided by our parents before our birth...I thought he had died in that last battle before our clan was slaughtered and razed to the ground."

FeiXu had never felt so conflicted before, if Feiyun was to go against the Emperor then she will have to kill the one man she loved.

Feiyun felt a headache coming, seeing as to how stubborn FeiXu was and kept her head pressed to the ground. Although FeiXu did not say it, Feiyun could tell that she(FeiXu) loved the man deeply.

She could only ask with a frown.

"What did he say?"

FeiXu flinched, hearing how cold and serious Feiyun was, the chances of her worst nightmare happening seemed to have increased.

"Fu Gong HuaYuan brothel. He wishes to meet at midnight tomorrow. "

Feiyun was silent for a moment, this was a situation she did not expect.

"Master! Let me meet him one last time."

Feiyun narrowed her eyes, FeiXu had always been easygoing, never once asking for much but this time it was a tricky decision.

"No..."

FeiXu finally raised her head in shock, there as great disappointment in her eyes but also a sign of hopelessness that any moment, FeiXu seemed like she could fall into an abyss. But Feiyun merely continued with a playful smirk on her lips,

"Let us go and meet him."

There was a worried frown on FeiXu's face as she shook her head wanting to stop Feiyun. If was fine for herself to go, why did Feiyun have to go too? Although she trusted He LianFang, it was still too dangerous, but before FeiXu could even say a word, FeiQin had appeared from behind, taking a kneeling stance beside her.

Her smiling face was unusually rigid and serious, with one hand cupping the other.

"Master. It might be a trap."

Apparently, FeiQin had already been arrived earlier, and happened to listen to the entire conversation.

Feiyun chuckled, standing up to go nearer to the two, leaning forward, she flicked her finger lightly against their forehead.

"Am I so weak that a mere protector of the palace can capture me?"

Having said her piece, the faint scent of plum blossom followed her as she walked back to the marble table, comfortably sitting back down to enjoy her drink.

"FeiXu, go back and rest."

FeiXu bowed her head, there was uncertainty in her eyes as she quickly retreated. Since Feiyun had already decided, she could not argue against it. If it was really a trap... then she would give her life to ensure Feiyun escapes. Even if it meant killing the man she loves.

FeiQin on the other hand remained behind, now that the two was left alone, Feiyun tossed a jade wine cup towards her, pointing her chin to the chair opposite her, signalling for FeiQin to take a seat and drink with her.

FeiQin caught the cup and only helplessly smiled to herself, before standing up and taking a seat.

Glancing at the jug of Plum blossom wine and the tea pot of plum blossom tea, FeiQin lightly frowned in confusion,

"Err... Feiyun, why am I the only one drinking wine?"

"I still have to work later."

Feiyun replied casually, reaching out for a toast with her teacup. FeiQin could only hesitantly bring the wine cup forward to clink against Feiyun's, and then she brought it to her mouth for a sip.

If people didn't know this was a drink between two sworn sisters, they would assume that FeiQin was bullying her master. How can the follower drink wine while the master drink tea.

The two enjoyed their drinks in silence, until Feiyun spoke again, her gaze seemed to carry the faint look of loneliness as she tilted her head up to look towards the moon high in the night sky.

"FeiQin...how is that going?"

FeiQin smiled warmly to herself as she looked at the reflection in her wine cup,

"Mhmm...the kids are living much better thanks to your support."

Hearing that, a gentle smile floated to Feiyun's lips.

"Will you not tell the orphanage?"

Feiyun shook her head lightly.

She calmly reminisce of her past. Although the man she called 'father' had picked her up to train her as his successor, put her under intense training and education, he had given her proper care and allowed her to live a life under a roof, one where she did not have to starve for days.

Even with the harsh training and strictness, he was a much better parent to her than her real parents whom she found out had abandoned her.

Now that she was here, she wanted to give back, since she didn't have the chance to do so before she came over to this world.

It could just be her own ego or selfish need but she felt that those children were pitiful just like herself. Hence she ordered FeiQin to send monthly donations and arranged for doctor check ups to the small orphanages around in the capital.

"Feiyun, those children...are alive thanks to you. "

Feiyun smiled to herself once again. A cold killer like herself, how many lives had she reaped. Could this even count to lessen her sins?

"...Mhmn..."

Feiqin could only hear the absent-minded response from Feiyun and the silence hung in the air once again.

Feiyun's fingers clenched around her teacup, she had brought the teacup half way to her lips but didn't drink, instead she was staring quietly at it for quite sometime, the reflection of the moon was floating gently on the surface.

"Don't you think the world is unfair..."

FeiQin glance at Feiyun who had paused midway, waiting for her to continue,

"People fuck around like rabbits and in the end, it's the child that suffers."

There was a sense of anger and disappointment hidden between her sentences.

Hearing such uncouth words from Feiyun, 3 black lines appeared by FeiQin's head, she didn't know how to answer her.

If people didn't know, they would think Feiyun was the one that's drinking wine. How could Feiyun appear more drunk than herself when she didn't even touch any of the wine.

Not minding FeiQin's silence, Feiyun continued, changing the subject

"How is my sister?"

FeiQin rose her eyebrows in surprise as she silently sipped her wine. Feiyun had not asked about her sister even once ever since the day of the banquet.

"Hmn...since the day of the banquet, she was locked away. Counting the time...it should be nearing the critical period."

Gritting her teeth, Feiyun sighed out loudly. A hint of frustration could be felt. For a long time, the two remained quiet.

Having finished her pot of tea, Feiyun finally slipped a hand into her sleeve, taking out a small pill bottle and stuffing it towards FeiQin.

"This is?..."

"The cure to the drug I injected into her that time. It might not save her life since such a long time had passed but the baby... should be born without issues."

Feiqin was alarmed. She knew that Zhenzhen had previously tried to drug Feiyun with the tea given by the Empress and that Feiyun had gotten her revenge.

Feiyun simply smiled upon seeing her alarmed expression.

"The anger has quelled. The child did not commit any wrong doing."

With a frown, Feiqin could only object.

"Even then, if you allow the child to live, the crown prince would definitely kill him. Life in the palace for an unwanted son of a disposed princess... He wouldn't survive even a single night...it is better he is never born into this cruel world than having to live for a day only to be killed in the next moment."

Feiyun stood up, elegantly making her way back to the study,

"Who said I intend to leave my would be nephew in the palace?"

"You can't be-"

Before Feiqin could complete her sentence, Feiyun had already closed the doors to the study, not intending to hear another word.

'If Master Tianhuo knows of this...'

Feiqin didn't complete her thought as she felt a shiver travel down her spine. He would be pissed indeed. She could only resign to her fate and carry out her orders.

She downed what's left of the wine in the jug, and quickly made her way to the palace where Zhenzhen was imprisoned.

The wine had left her surprisingly clear headed.

--------------------------------------------

-Aerus