14. Suspicion Arise

"Your Majesty! Royal Guard Lui Xian has returned. He seeks an audience with you."

Wu Luan was very pleased to hear that he was back. He left his petitions scattered on the table and ran to the inner hall wanting to see him. It had been two months since he disappeared. And the monarch had sent a lot of officers to investigate his whereabouts.

"Hurry let him in." He ordered his eunuch, his voice dripping with so much excitement. He fixed his robes and then waited.

Lui Xian hurriedly walked in and knelt on one knee as he folded his one arm saluting to Wu Luan. He was dressed in a blue-white robe with his hair set up in a pony. He did not raise his eyes to look at the other person but all he could do was to calm his heart that was beating very fast.

It felt like it was the first time meeting him. And he was afraid to realize that he may be dreaming. After all, it had taken him nearly a month to return home.

"Your Majesty, this servant has returned to serve you...." Before Lui Xian could speak another word Wu Luan had already taken a few strides towards him. The monarch reached for his arms before letting him rise. He then dragged him to sit on a cushion.

"There is no need for that. How is your health?"

That one question made Lui Xian feel content for it was his first time to show concern for him. The first time he has touched him. The first time they were in such close proximity.

"This servant feels alright but is Your Majesty's health at its best?"

Wu Luan moved to his seat and then looked at him. "It's always at its best. Tell me what has been happening to you all this time."

Lui Xian knew he would ask this and he had already rehearsed what he was going to say. But right now when he's now in front of him, words seem to not come out and all he could do is think a little harder as images of what had happened flashed through his mind.

The moments he was overjoyed while celebrating in the forest. The time when he was attacked and ended up in Qiu Yu village and also when he met Feng Shao and the others. The little time he spent at that village seemed so light compared to being in his presence, speaking with him.

"I'm worried I would be taking so much of your time if I tell Your Majesty everything."

"It's alright. You should continue."

"I was attacked during the hunt, and then I stranded in a village.." Lui Xian talked of everything in detail. And Wu Luan had his full attention and he would tap his fingers on one side of the throne's armrest.

"You've suffered a lot. Go rest for tonight and report back early in the morning."

"Many thanks to Your Majesty."

He gave the last bow and walked out gracefully, looking at the very familiar surroundings he had missed too much.

"Xian!!" He had forgotten the one person he has been close to for such a long time.

"Your Highness." He greeted and then joined him.

"... Where have you been, leaving me here alone. I have missed you." Prince Rushan spoke as he attempted to hug Lui Xian who dodged easily as if it was an everyday thing.

"Do you have to be that mean? I have not seen you for sixty-one days. Be good to me or I will tell on you to Imperial brother."

Lui Xian could not help himself but give a small smile as he patted his head.

"You have many friends so why miss me?" Rushan didn't answer. He took Lui Xian's hand and headed towards his palace.

In front of the palace, a cherry blossom tree flooded the ground with its flowers. And it was quite obvious that the prince had demanded for it to be left alone. He liked drawing the tree with its leaves like that.

Without further ado, the two friends hurriedly entered inside.

"Take a seat. I want to show you something." Rushan guided him to a cushion in the sitting space in his palace. He then rushed to his small office. Where he then went to his own bookshelf and took a book before reaching for a paper hidden inside.

Lui Xian watched his friend excitedly leave the room. And he brought back a piece of expensive paper.

"Look at this. I received it a month ago." Rushan handed the parchment to him.

He carefully opened it and his eyes opened wide with shock. On the paper, there was some good writing and a lovely painting of a peach blossom branch in red drawn at one side of the paper.

What shocked him was the contents that were written on it. The Prince has reached such an age already. Of course, he had, they were only far apart by five years. It's just he sees him as a little brother rather more than a friend.

Looking at the letter for some time, reading through it some more. Lui Xian felt happy for him.

It was written with lots of affection and this reminded him of himself when he had written one like that.

"Did you reply to them?" He asked while handing back the letter.

"Not yet. I don't know what to tell them. I don't know who they are. But still, I like it so much. Can you help me?"

"I don't think I can help you with this one. You have to figure it on your own. It would not be right to the person who wrote this one to you."

"Right."

Lui Xian looked at his downcast posture and had an urge to cheer him up.

"What have you been doing during my absence. I guess you have been wasting money in the capital."

"... No I have been helping Imperial Brother to search for you. He seemed worried and he had sleepless nights."

"Worried? I doubt that."

"I am telling the truth. Anyways have you met any friends during your flight?"

Rushan observed how his friend seemed to have to be thinking of something, that gradually brought a smile on his lips, that rarely curves up at only one specific somebody.

"The people at the village I stayed at were fun. Especially Hexiu. She had an easy-going character. And there is one who seemed to hate me. No, he hates me for no reason. And sadly he is the person I spent most of my time with."

Sigh.

"H.....he seems to be a jerk. But Xian who would have ambushed you and let you return so easily. What is their motive?" Rushan couldn't stop himself from asking his friend.

"Maybe I was used as a diversion. Maybe they've already accomplished what they sort to do these past two months. They calculated everything accurately. Starting from the hunt, luring me out of the capital. Leaving me alone for some time then attacking me once again to move us a little further away to buy more time. But what is happening? Everything is so peaceful and all this is confusing as hell."

".... I hope these days don't go away." Rushan spoke as he looked out in space.