8. Welcoming An Unwanted Visitor

"We are not selling this house. Young man maybe you've got the wrong address." Old Feng spoke whilst sitting on a stool under the tree. He supported his back on the trunk and looked up at Lui Xian.

"No Granpa I have been told to come here. Lady Hexiu mentioned that she had found a room for me to stay." He responded while making his way to greet him.

"You mean Lan're sent you here. Come sit. Xiao Feng, prepare some tea. We have a guest."

Lui Xian took his seat beside the old man and started chatting with one another. They talked of trivial matters such as state affairs and silly gossips. They were getting along very well.

"You!" His attention was drawn away by that remark. He felt that the voice was very familiar. And so he raised his head to look at the disdainful man he had met not too long ago.

"What are you doing here? Oh, you are following me." Lui Xian stupidly accused standing up as well to look at the other man. The accused could only frown with disdain feeling his head aching after listening to so much nonsense.

"Is he an idiot? Why would I follow him to my home." The other man wondered, not minding him one bit. He set the tray he was carrying then started pouring some tea in two cups.

"Xiao Feng you know each other? Come join us." Old Feng made him sit beside Lui Xian who kept staring at him as if he had found something interesting or it was the excitement of getting to live with the one who had his secret.

"Grandpa, what is he doing here?" He couldn't help but ask when he got fed up with his endless stares.

Although the way Feng Shao spoke was a little rude, Lui Xian didn't take it to heart. Even though he felt that the other didn't like him a little bit, he still showed a small smile. It was as if he was saying I don't like you either.

"Xiao Feng, you shouldn't talk like that. Xiao Lui, will be staying here for some time. You should treat him well." His grandfather explained trying to ease the tense atmosphere and also to make them get along.

"What? Why should he stay with us?" He roared, while glaring and pointing at a certain someone. He was furious just at the thought of spending every single day with him.

'This isn't real. We can't let him stay here. This is all I have, letting him live here is a huge risk but how can I explain everything to grandpa.' Whilst he was still stuck in his thoughts the other two men continued with their conversation.

After clearing his mind, he was welcomed with so much laughter coming from the two who were so hooked in their conversation. It had been a long time since he last saw his grandpa this happy. Well beside when he got drunk.

Later Feng Shao dejectedly showed the other to his room. "What do you want? As I have promised I will keep your secret it's not like I would go telling everyone that you are being chased for goodness knows what. You can leave tomorrow morning." He whisper threatened to Lui Xian who was looking at him with amusement.

"... Oh but no thank you. I am still going to stay. Even the old man agreed to it." He interjected. Feeling happy after seeing his disappointment.

"Who are you calling old man? He is my grandpa, please show him some respect." He scolded him spitefully and then chose to ignore him.

'I thought he heard everything. It doesn't seem to be the case.' Lui Xian was relieved. No one beside himself should know that he had such feelings for the Emperor. On the long run, he had managed to hid them quite well otherwise how would he've persevered all this time. His life depended on staying in the palace.

If his secret gets out, then everything will end.

Feng Shao exited the room angrily and slammed the door shut. He didn't even want to be in the same space with him. It felt too suffocating. 'Now I have to stay with him every day. If only grandpa knew who he is. But I don't want to cause him stress.'

"ughhh." He sighed while he walked to his room lighting up a candle. He sat on a small table and took up a medical book and wrote something on it. Every night he liked to write notes on the various illnesses he has treated over time. And also draw some herbs which he used for treatment.

In Wu palace, the monarch paced back and forth in his flashy robes. His hands were put behind his back. He looked at the floor his headpiece staring at the ceiling. His boots already used to the floor.

Wu Luan was very agitated after knowing that his trusted guard had gone missing for so many days. He had gotten the news just after he had returned from the hunt. He didn't believe it at first but after not hearing anything from his men, he began to worry. So he sent his most skilled men after him.

"Have you searched every nook and corner of the forest?" He spoke to the man who was currently kneeling in front of him. The royal guard lowered his head knowing that it was partly his fault that he had not supervised the hunt well. He felt guilty and responsible for everything.

"Your Majesty, my men and I have spent two days searching for him and we have found some clues of him struggling in a brawl with someone. It seems like he was chased and targeted then fell into a pit, but when we checked we found no trace of him."

"You should find him. He better be alive."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I have a top-secret mission for you. And no one should know about this. Come a little closer the walls have ears."

The royal guard did as he was told. After some time he saluted and started to make his way out.

"Lan ..."

"Yes, Your Majesty?" He turned to look at him.

"Nothing."

When Lanzhu was outside he looked back at the door he had just exited and sighed heavily. "You could have told me your worries, Your Majesty. You know I will always be there for you." He looked at the servants at the door and turned to leave.

He was worried for him, after all, he is the only friend Wu Luan had managed to keep since childhood.

"Hey did you hear his voice just now? Royal Guard Lan sounded so sad. His Majesty is lucky to have him as his friend. One he is handsome, two gentle and he also excels in martial arts. I would love to be his wife." One of the servants who were at the back spoke to her companion.

"I prefer to be his concubine." The other added before they were reprimanded by their senior.

"Shush... be careful of what you say. You ignorant girls."

Even though he had gotten far away he still could hear everything they were saying.