Love Sword

13

When Xiang Ning got out of his bath, Lan helped him change into the new set of robe.

Lan did not do anything much to his inky hair but just simply let it loose and let it cascade down his thin back naturally.

Xiang Ning was silent the entire time but his eyes still unconsciously scanned the room to look for He Chang. Not seeing the man anywhere, the prince dejectedly looked back down at his hands.

'All done, your highness. You can rest for now, the sunset outside is extraordinary. Your highness should go outside to appreciate the sky's beauty. This one will go prepare your supper.'

Lan stood up with the tray of dirtied clothes and walked out of the pavilion before shutting the doors quietly behind her.

Xiang Ning remained still for a moment before slowly standing up. Maybe going out to watch the sunset can help him forget the bad memories a little.

As soon as he stepped out of the pavilion, he was in awe of the reddish golden sky. As he continued to watch the sun setting away, he did indeed feel his mind at ease.

Lan walked back with a big tray filled with foods but then before she could reach the little pavilion, she noticed that there is no water.

'Aiya, how forgetful.' She muttered before putting the food tray down on a stool in the royal garden before rushing back to the kitchen to get some water.

As Xiang Ning continued to watch the sunset, he saw a tall man walking into the pavilion.

Li Jun paused his steps as soon as he saw our little prince.

Xiang Ning's eyes widened at the hideous silver mask adorning the man's face, it scared him a little but surprisingly, not too much.

As his mind wandered, the man disappeared and reappeared in a flash in front of him. A strong hand grabbed his collar and he was hoisted up in the air.

Xiang Ning flailed around in fright, fat tears streaming down his face.

'Who are you?' Asked a deep voice. The tone was extremely cold and bone-chilling which scared Xiang Ning even further.

'L-Let me go...' were the only words the little prince could force out.

'I asked, who are you?' Gritted the masked man even fiercer than before.

A gust of wind blew and Xiang Ning felt his collar loosen. His whole body fell but he did not collide with the hard ground. Instead, he was embraced in a warm hug around the waist.

Xiang Ning opened his tightly shut eyes and saw He Chang's solemn face. Under the bask of the golden sunset, he looked quite charming. Feeling his heart skip a beat, the prince's pale cheeks blushed a little.

Realizing that he should not be pining for a someone in this circumstances, Xiang Ning regained his senses and turned to look to the side.

The masked man stood to the side, staring at He Chang and Xiang Ning. The eyes that are revealed underneath the mask showed a kind of blood thirst that one would simply shake at a glance and Xiang Ning felt shivers running down his spine.

He Chang, however, stood in front of the man with eyes as threatening as the other. Not backing down at all.

'Who are you?' Asked He Chang.

'That should be my question.' Said the masked man.

'Your question? Daringly stepping into the royal prince of Chang'An's pavilion and causing a ruckus. You still dare to ask such a question like who are we?' Said He Chang in ridicule.

Xiang Ning gulped.

'Prince of Chang'An?'

The masked man's line of sight landed on the shaking Xiang Ning. Don't know if it was an illusion, but the little prince felt He Chang's hand on his waist tighten a little.

Footsteps approached the pavilion and Lan appeared. Upon witnessing the shocking scene, she was at a lost for words. However, her first thing to do was to kneel.

'Your highness, crown prince.' Muttered Lan.

He Chang's eyes dimmed a little at the title of crown prince, his hold tightened around the little prince's waist even further.

'He Chang! What are you doing? Quickly kneel!!' Hissed Lan.

Not even the least bit perturbed by the supreme title of the crown prince of Da Dong, He Chang even smirked.

'Kneel? My master is the prince of Chang'An. Not the crown prince of Da Dong. I see no need to pay respect to someone who is not my master. Furthermore, the dignified crown prince broke into my master's quarters and even harassed my master. He does not deserve my respect.'

'He Chang!' Snapped Lan in anger and panic.

'He's right.' Said Li Jun, his deep voice calm but still cold.

'It is my fault that I walked into the wrong place and even wrecked up chaos. There is no need to pay respects.'

After that, Li Jun walked out of the pavilion swiftly as if nothing had happened.

Lan stood up and ran towards Xiang Ning.

'Your highness, are you alright?'

She had been worried about him ever since she heard He Chang mentioning something about the crown prince harassing her beloved master but dared not say anything. Who'd know what that prince would do to the little Xiang Ning if she were to say something?

He Chang let go of the petite waist and stepped aside to let Lan examine the prince.

'Oh my! You're bleeding your highness.'

When Li Jun grabbed his collar, he had accidentally graze the delicate skin of the prince, causing him to bleed a little.

'Let me go-...'

'Lan! Your ma is here!!' Shouted a young maid who had become friends with Lan ever since she arrived at the imperial palace of Da Dong.

Completely forgetting that she had invited her mother to wait for her outside the palace gates to go have dinner outside together, Lan panicked.

'Tell ma I can't go to-..'

'It's okay Lan-jie. I can tend to the wounds myself. Go and have fun, you haven't met auntie for so long.'

'But your highness..'

'It's okay Lan-jie. Really.' Said Xiang Ning with a reassuring smile.

Lan nodded

'He Chang, look after the prince for me. I'll be back soon.'

As Lan left, Xiang Ning picked up the tray of dinner and slowly walked into the pavilion.

He Chang watched and finally decided to follow the little man inside.

———

'What is it now? Are you seriously telling me you don't want to kill that bodyguard anymore?' Asked the third prince in annoyance.

'Your little minions won't do him any harm.' Said Li Jun.

'Are you underestimating my shadow guards?' Asked the third prince, annoyance bubbling up even further.

'His martial arts is on pars with me.'

Jiang Yulang paused

'There is no way, don't fool around.' Laughed the third prince.

'I met him today and also the prince of Chang'An.'

To Be Continued...