The Legend of Moonflower

Chapter 38 - Epilogue

A/N: Last Chapter!  If you are interested in a LWJ mafia heir story and escort WWX, you can visit www.sinagami.com. 

Childish giggles sounded from the cabinet and Wei Ying put a finger to his mouth and waved the attending eunuch and servant away. The two had come in search of him, frantic when they couldn't find the fifth prince.

"Now where did A-Yuan go?" he asked, loudly.

An answering giggle was quickly muffled.

"Could he be under the table?" Wei Ying said, looking beneath the table. "Or maybe on the bed?"

He made a show of searching on the bed when he saw the cabinet door peep open.

Then he let out a big sigh. "I can't find him anywhere. I better tell his majesty that A-Yuan is missing."

The cabinet door flew open at the mention of the emperor and Lan Sizhui came jumping out of it. "Royal mother, I'm not missing!"

Wei Ying laughed joyously, picking up his son and twirling him around until the worried frown on the boy's face was replaced with laughter. He placed the five-year-old prince down and took his hand. "A-Yuan, what did your royal father say about hiding?"

"A-Yuan is only supposed to hide when he is in danger," he repeated, face serious and in deep thought. In these moments where the little prince became focused and contemplative, Wei Ying thought he looked exactly like the emperor.

"So why did A-Yuan hide this time?"

"Li gugu wanted me to take a bath," he pouted. "A pup can drown in a bath."

Wei Ying's eyebrows raised in surprise and concern. "Where did A-Yuan hear that?"

The fifth prince looked down at his feet and mumbled his response. "Servants said my royal brother... the third prince drowned."

Vexed at the idle chatter of servants, Wei Ying made note to speak to the supervisor of the household department. This topic was not surprising to him considering news of Xue Yang's recent death had reached Gusu. The former harem omega's body had been found floating in the pier early one morning. It wasn't odd for Xue Yang to be seen around the pier where most of the family business was conducted. People knew to leave the crazed omega alone as he wandered, some that were kind-hearted stopped and left sweet treats for him.

Witnesses stated they had seen the omega the day before he was found. He was kneeling on the pier and looking down at his reflection in the water. They said he was talking to his reflection and some said they heard him mention the emperor and the third prince. In the end, no one could say for sure if he had fallen in himself or if he was pushed.

"A-Yuan," Wei Ying said, crouching down to his son's height. "Sizhen was pushed into the water by bad people. Those people are no longer around to do A-Yuan any harm, your royal father has made sure that you are safe. I will also not let anyone harm you."

"A-Yuan is safe?"

"Yes, your royal father and I will protect you."

"Royal sister will protect me too!" A-Yuan stated.

Wei Ying grinned widely. The first princess definitely had a soft spot for the young prince, she doted over him more than she did with the fourth prince. "Of course she will," he agreed. "Shall we go and see your royal father? I believe your royal sister is with him now."

"Yes, please," A-Yuan said, happily. Even in his excitement the fifth prince still remembered the palace rules. Instead of running off like most children would do, he reached out to take Wei Ying's hand and walked with him calmly through the palace. A-Qing and Eunuch Wen were waiting for them just outside of the door and fell into place behind them. The sun was beginning to set and the air was turning colder. Servants were lighting lanterns along the corridors.