Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 6: Finding Direction

[Shi Han Jun]

"Is everything ready?" Han Jun asked as he sauntered toward the carriage parked outside the palace entrance. Wei Mian Feng was by his side, carrying a heavy red box in both arms.

"Yes, Third Prince," he replied as he struggled with the box.

"But..." Wei Mian Feng started to say.

"But what?"

"Do you really need two whole carriages full of things?" By now they had exited the palace gates.

"Nonsense! Are you trying to tell me what to do?"

"No! I wouldn't dare! Forgive me for not thinking before I spoke," Wei Mian Feng said hurriedly.

Han Jun stopped. Mian Feng bumped into him. He glanced at Han Jun who was staring at him. "I didn't mean to offend you I–"

Han Jun started to laugh. "You don't need to get all nervous, Mian Feng! I was just teasing you."

"Eh...he...he?" Mian Feng laughed awkwardly. He was getting uncomfortable and started to squirm.

Han Jun took out his white fan, and with a flick of his wrist, the fan spanned out. "Let's go," he said as he strutted away, fanning himself.

"Where are we going to go?"

"Not sure yet. You decide."

"Your Majesty..."

"I have no clue where to go. Why don't you pick a direction we should go?"

"But–"

"Hurry up, Mian Feng. We don't have all day."

Wei Mian Feng sighed. "Let's head to Yong Ping City."

"Sounds good to me," Shi Han Jun said.

A line of imperial guards stood on both sides of Han Jun's carriage as they waited to escort the prince. Behind them were two full carts of Han Jun's things. Mian Feng put down a mini-stair step for Han Jun, who stepped on it and entered the royal carriage.

"Set a course for Yong Ping City," Mian Feng ordered. The procession slowly moved away from the palace. After a short bit, Han Jun pulled aside the curtain that hung over the carriage window and called, "Mian Feng!"

Mian Feng, who was walking by the carriage window, replied, "Yes Third Prince? Do you have any orders?"

"Take me to Jiu Hua Lou."

"Your Majesty!"

"Do as I command!"

Mian Feng sighed then turned to the carriage driver, "Third Prince wants to go to the pleasure house!"

The carriage changed its direction and started toward the pleasure house.

Along the way, a crowd started to gather on both sides of the street. As they stared at the carriage, they cheered: "Hail to the Third Prince! May he live forever!" I wish they would not say that. If they knew who I was as a person...they would know I am not worthy.

At last, the carriage stopped in front of the pleasure house and Han Jun parted the cloth that hung at the carriage's entrance and descended. Once on the ground, he started toward the door. Glancing up, he caught the name of the pleasure house: 楼花九 . His guards started to follow him. Around him, people were murmuring.

"What is the Third Prince doing here at the pleasure house?" He heard one person ask.

"Is he also here to entertain himself?" Another questioned.