No Longer Spring - Writings of Yesterday

Into the past II

After finishing my song, I had gone to bed, falling in a dreamless sleep.
I would have woken up late if I was I choosing but, first thing in the morning, I heard a knock on my door. I got up in no time, ready to check who might have been visiting me at such an early hour. None of my past companions would have come like that, if they would even knock, to begin with.

"Sir, Leader Jiang Lao wants to speak with you," one of the disciples sat in front of me, trying not to look at my night robes and disheveled hair. His eyes avoided mine at first, clearly embarrassed.

"Now? Did anything happen?" I asked, looking at him confused.

"I don't know the details, but he wants you there now."

"I'll come, I'll come. Give me a minute to prepare and we can go," I said, already closing the door and putting on my usual white and black robes, combing my hair and tying it as fast as I could.

When I left, the disciple was waiting for me, as if to make sure I was actually going to meet my father, but he shouldn't have been worried. The morning air woke me up entirely, the sunrise promising a new, long day ahead of us. I wasn't going to stay inside now that I was up, not being able to think of anything important that might have needed immediate attention especially from me, unless it was something urgent and unexpected.
I had business to attend, but it was so weird to see the world go on about it's day already.
Even then, many disciples of the Jiang and Ye Kong sect were training already, if not getting lectured by the teacher for remaining behind.
I could hear someone from the guest rooms reciting a religious poem for the Gods as I passed by, while the voice of a smaller child laughing earnestly cut to through.

"You know you shouldn't have woken A-Li* so early. I told you to be quiet! He has yet to learn how to hold a sword."

The disciple that was leading me didn't spare them a glance, even though it was the child of the Leader's friends. Truth be told, he need not even care for that. He had a stern expression and looked to be in distress. I found it to be a little entertaining, seeing him become even more rigid 
as we entered the main house.
Everything inside had golden lines and details, for it was the main color of our Jiang Sect- it resembled prosperity and the sun rays, always there to save the people from the dark. It was supposed to be noble and strong. Easy to trust. Even the main hall resembled the light and so did my father's seat. They were white, golden. Willing to thrive under the high, airy roof.

"Shen Xiao! There you were. I see that you don't follow our guidelines anymore. You'd have normally been here immediately," my father was already waiting on his seat.

"Many things had changed, father," I took a deep breath in, "How come you need me so early in the morning?"

The sect leader made a quick sign with his hand, letting the disciple know that he was dismissed.

"Jiang Fei came and spoke to me about something interesting," he paused, laughing, "He said that you think our Jia Hao is trying to harm and ruin his reputation, so he'd not take the throne."

I was quite shocked. My brother always kept things in between us. I didn't expect Jiang Fei to actually ask about what I had told him given his reaction, but he really went to the wrong person for that.

"I overheard him talking to Yi Ming, that's right."

"You know that you're accusing two people of great importance with no evidence, right?"

"I'm aware. I did not stir any chaos."

"If you don't bring me evidence, how can I trust you? I'd simply believe that you're afraid to lose the throne now that you're alone and see Jiang Fei as a threat," he touched the handle of the seat, looking me up and down, "Jia Hao had always been by my side, boy. You, whatsoever, left when you had the chance."