going to do some third person head hopping in this chapter because i thought it would be interesting to give different character perspectives on the situation so it might be a bit jarring and rough
"QI RONG!" a voice shouted, interrupting the prince's screams of "YOU LOWLY PEASANTS" and "YOU FUCKING PIECES OF SHIT". for the past few minutes, he had been whipping and kicking like a madman, causing many civilians, including some children, to get injured. mu qing had stood at the side, a young man and young woman at his side, supporting his arms and preventing him from collapsing from the injuries.
he looked to the side, finding xie lian and feng xin, who was cradling the child, standing right in front of him.
"qi rong! what do you think you're doing!"
"cousin crown prince! you've come! see how i took revenge for you on both the little piece of shit that fell from the castle and this lowly servant!"
the look on qi rong's face was ecstatic, almost crazed, as if he was a child presenting what he just drew to his parents. xie lian's expression, however, was not nearly as pleasant. his handsome features twisted into a deep frown, and his eyebrows were furrowed, frustrated.
"qi rong! first you drag this innocent child down the street and now you beat up my trusted servant to this degree!"
while all of this transpired, feng xin stepped towards mu qing and reached out a hand, suggesting that the civilians should let go.
"don't worry, i'm trusted by his highness, he'll be fine with me," he said in a low voice, not daring to interrupt xie lian and qi rong's argument.
mu qing was gently pushed into feng xin's support, where he was propped up on one shoulder.
"the fuck happened here?" feng xin whispered.
"i-" mu qing hesitated. "it's.... a long story."
feng xin raised an eyebrow, but didn't bother inquiring further. after all, as a servant, you just take orders, no questions should be asked.
"COUSIN CROWN PRINCE! DIDNT YOU HEAR THE BOOING FROM THE CROWD? IT WAS ALL BECAUSE OF THIS CHILD!" qi rong shouted, his face desperate for approval from this beloved cousin crown prince. but to mu qing, those all sounded like faraway whispers. his head was throbbing, and even in the grip of feng xin, he felt like he was about to fall.
"it was not this child's fault! he didn't fall on purpose!"
in the commotion, the child clung onto feng xin's robes even tighter, even though he didn't like feng xin. however, his eyes were glued on the injured mu qing, who wouldn't even spare him a glance. instead, his gaze was focused on the bloodstained floor.
since when was the floor bloodstained?
"and don't you dare bring up mu qing! he saved a life!" xie lian said firmly before qi rong could even speak.
"well he should've just let the child fall to his death!"
"QI RONG!" xie lian shouted, losing his hard gained composure, and felt his spiritual energy flare up. seeing the terrified expression of the child and the panic in the crowd, xie lian took a deep breath and closed his eyes. he tried forcing a smile on his face, but that only made him look more terrifying.
"letting him fall to his death would only be more inauspicious."
qi rong pouted, slightly calming down, though reluctantly. he knew that what xie lian said held reason to it, but he couldn't quite let go of his anger and accept what xie lian was saying.
