Love Sword

21

After sitting in there for a short while, the still hyperventilating Xiang Ning drifted into a small nap.

The resounding of loud knocks woke him up from his slumber and he was stupefied to see that he is still sitting in the bathtub. How long has it been? Did he miss the banquet?

'Hey! Xiang Ning! What are you doing in there so long?'

The shouts of He Chang from the outside began to grow louder and louder. Don't know if it is Xiang Ning's hallucination or not but he felt that the shouts were accompanied with a trace of panic and worry.

'I'm going.' He said back loud enough for the people outside to here.

The banging and shouting paused immediately.

Xiang Ning wrapped himself in a white outer bath robe and walked outside. He Chang threw a bundle of clothing into his arms.

'Quickly change and put on that cloak over there as well.'

After saying that, our mean bodyguard left the room. The inside fell into a state of silence again. Not wanting to wreck his brain over what He Chang is thinking, Xiang Ning quickly slipped himself into the white simple robe provided by He Chang.

He then grabbed the white cloak from the bed and put it over himself as well.

He walked out of the room to see He Chang waiting outside. Although the prince is less appealing like before, his natural beauty cannot be denied.

Without the rouge, those lips are showing a lush pink color. The white robe on his body made his charm become more innocent and untainted. He looks like an angel from heaven.

He Chang pulled the hood of the cloak down further to cover the prince's face before pulling his hand as he moved forward.

Xiang Ning had no objections as he followed his own bodyguard without any questions.

Suddenly they stopped and his body was abruptly lifted and put onto the back of a horse. He turned to look at He Chang mounting the horse behind him as well and the horse began to trot out of the inn, towards the center of the city.

'Chang'ge. Where are we going?' Xiang Ning asked curiously.

Not receiving a reply, he looked forward again with a sad look.

The black horse stopped when it came to a quiet lake near the suburbs of the city. This area at this time when everyone would go and enjoy themselves in the city, is quite deserted.

He Chang got off before helping the prince get off as well.

Xiang Ning walked towards the lake and pulled his hood off. The cold wind brushed against his face gently as he stared at the stars reflected on the water surface.

He Chang walked to his side, and to Xiang Ning's surprise, there was an incredibly beautifully decorated lantern on the left side of He Chang's hands.

'It is beautiful! Where did you get it from, ge?' Asked Xiang Ning excitedly, forgetting about how this man had made him cry just a moment ago.

Seeing the joy on the little man's face made He Chang's heart melt a little, although it was unknown to him, it still melted it.

He silently handed the lantern to the prince who took it with an amazed look.

'Is this one for me?' He asked

'I thought you'd want to float a lantern.' Said He Chang shortly.

'Yes! Thank you, ge! But what about the banquet?' Asked Xiang Ning.

'I already told the crown prince that you aren't feeling well. Going to the banquet, you won't be able to float a lantern.' Said He Chang.

Xiang Ning smiled and thanked He Chang.

'Wait, why is there only one?' Asked Xiang Ning.

'Do you want to float two lanterns at the same time?' Asked He Chang with an amused glint in his eyes.

'No! I meant you. Are you not going to float one?' Asked Xiang Ning.

He Chang's face grew grim in a matter of a few seconds.

'I don't like these kind of things.' He said curtly while taking a step back.

Xiang Ning pouted

'Ge, why don't we share this lantern and float it together?' Asked the prince.

'No, I don't want to. Just float yours.' Said He Chang, his face growing even more gloomy.

Not wanting to put He Chang into a bad mood, Xiang Ning could only reluctantly sit down on the cold snow and make a wish for his sister's and He Chang's happiness before pushing the lantern onto the cold lake.

He turned his little face to the side and was mesmerized by a beautifully unique rock sitting on the side of the lake.

He walked towards it and was about to pick it up when He Chang grabbed him by his wrist.

'Let's go back.'

Xiang Ning felt a little lost.

'Wait, ge. Let me grab that rock first, it is so beautiful.'

He Chang did not reply but simply picked up the prince and put him back on the horse before galloping away.

———

It was midnight, the lively city is currently sleeping but the beautiful lanterns are still lit on the streets, lighting up the place.

In He Chang's bedroom beside Xiang Ning's, there was an odd silence.

The bed was empty and He Chang, who should be asleep by now is sitting on one of the stools by the table in the middle of the room.

He dropped a stone onto the wooden table, this is the beautiful sparkling stone that Xiang Ning had wanted to take with him but was cruelly rejected and brought back to the inn against his will.

'Come out.' Said He Chang.

The empty room remained unmoved.

'I said come out.' Repeated He Chang.

Thud!

A small figure dressed in dark blue dropped itself right in front of the sitting He Chang.

The person does not look like an assassin, nor someone dangerous. He is covered head to toe with dark blue and only his clever eyes and dark hair tied in a ponytail could be seen.

'What are you doing here?' Asked He Chang through clenched jaws.

The small masked figure laughed, the young childish voice showed that this person is not an adult at all. Maybe just about to slip into his teenage years.

'Brother Shan, why so harsh towards this little brother? This little brother is terribly hurt!'

To Be Continued...