LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 43: Lantern Festival

It's Lantern Festival. The Emperor gives you a day off to attend the festival with your friends as appreciation to your hard work. The festival brought crowds of people and countless decorated lanterns, making the night bright as day. Acrobats and songs, sales pitch from the vendors fill the streets. The night unveils like the finest dress.

Shi Lian: Miss! Look! So many people!

Yin Yin: The lantern there is really pretty.

Hui Xin: Let's go check out the other side. It's boring here.

Your attention is on the lively streets just like everyone else. However, the crowd was so huge that you get separated with your friends. You try to look for them, but it's impossible in the rush of people. Someone pushes you and you fall forward into someone's chest.

Fu Heng: Are you all right?

Fu Heng's voice surprises you from above.

Xiu Ying: [Smiling] I'm fine. Thank goodness you're here.

Fu Heng: That's good then. I'll take out of this crowd first.

He tugs your arm and shields you through the people. No one can crash into you now. You can feel the warmth from his hand on you arm. You raise your head and see Fu Heng's strong figure in the lamplight. Fu Heng lets go after bringing you out of the crowd. He stares at you in silence.

Xiu Ying: I was out viewing the lanterns with the girls but we lost one another.

Fu Heng: Stay here. I'll help you look for them.

You realize that Fu heng is dressed in casual clothes. He must be out on a mission.

Xiu Ying: [Blurt out] Don't worry Lord Fu Heng. You need to take care of your own duties first. I'll do it.

Fu Heng: No worries. You stay here.

You stop trying to convince him as you see his face turn serious. He warns you to be careful, and disappears into the crowd.

Xiu Ying: It's no use waiting here. I'll look for them myself. [Look up at the tall restaurant]It's best to look for people from tall places. I'm too smart.

You look for your friends from the top of the restaurant, but the first person you find is Fu Heng. He seems to be after someone, but you notice that Fu Heng has been targeted by someone instead. Your face flushes. You rush downstairs and dash towards Fu Heng's direction. Several huge guys close in on Fu Heng from all directions. You run up to him quickly and grab his arm at nick of time.

Xiu Ying: [Playing coy] I'm here! Sorry, I forgot about you while I was having fun. You been looking for me long?

Fu Heng: [Blinks and catches on] Not at all, let's go over there.

You hold Fu Heng's arm and leave. The men stop immediately in their tracks. Both you and Fu Heng let out a sigh.

Fu Heng: Thought I told you to stay put.

Xiu Ying: You got matters to attend to. I can't trouble you. [Smugly] Plus, I have just helped the great Lord Fu Heng.

Fu Heng: [Sighs] The mission today is about the assassination attempt during the hunt. His Majesty asked me to investigate the matter without alerting anyone. So, thank you. It would be really tough if I was found. Do you know who those people work for though?

Xiu Ying: Are they with the Crown Prince? I know that His Majesty suspects the Crown Prince.

Fu Heng: Yeah. If you know that, then why are you still so close with him?

Just then, a blast came from the sky, and exploded into beautiful firework. You raise your head and just happen to see into Fu Heng's clear eyes. So, Fu Heng never likes the Crown Prince. That's why he quit his honorable position as the First Royal Guard when the Crown Prince became emperor in the last life.

You just remember. That every time when Fu Heng saw you with the Crown Prince in the last life, his eyes were cold like ice. Probably Fu Heng thought that anyone who was with someone vile as the Crown Prince would be just as bad. You would be laughing if the timing isn't so terrible.

Xiu Ying: There are a lot of things beyond our control. As for my relationship with Crown Prince, it's not what you think.

Fu Heng: [Looks less tense] I won't ask you about your life. Still, I hope that you stay away from the Crown Prince. Don't get yourself in danger.

At this point, both of you and Fu Heng hear Shi Lian calling your name.

Fu Heng: It's late. You should go back to the palace. I got other business to attend to. Goodbye.

Fu Heng turns serious again. He leaves right as he finishes speaking. You yell to the three girls and wave at them while smiling. You run towards them.