Secrets of the Blossom

Chapter 2 🔞

Zong Zheng Lihan stares at his nephew in amusement. "So, what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Huai En returns his gaze cooly, as if the man doesn't know why he had come here today. "Tell me where Xue Lianqing is." Huai En doesn't really expect the man to actually tell him, but he hopes to surprise him enough that he makes a mistake.

"What makes you think I know where the girl is, for all I know she died with her family." Zong Zheng Lihan says, but there is a look in his eyes that says otherwise.

"Isn't this your province? You really don't know what goes on under your own watch?" Huai En goads the man, hoping for a reaction.

Unfortunately, Prince Shen had been born into this world of politics and intrigue. He laughs and claps his hands in a childlike manner. "Such impertinence, you really are bold Zong Zheng Huai En. I know why my brother is doing this, he wants vengeance on the emperor and that family. Tell me though, why do you blindly follow his orders? You are grown now and can make your own decisions."

"I'm not interested in discussing my reasons with you." Huai En says.

His uncle's tone becomes serious. "You may not believe this, but I have no desire to fight with you or your father. Your father and I were actually close when we were young, and I respected your mother a lot. However, I will not stand by and watch him ruin our country over some twisted revenge scheme. Why don't you stay here tonight and think it over? We can talk more in the morning." Zong Zheng Lihan motions his men forward and Huai En knows this isn't a request.

His uncle's men escort him to a room, and Huai En finds himself locked in. This doesn't concern him. His men know where he is. Not to he has confidence in his own abilities, his uncle can't hold him here for long if he wishes to leave. That is why he walked into his residence without fear. For now, though, he is willing to stay here. If his uncle will not tell him what he needs to know, maybe he can find a servant that will.

"Mom, Dad, I'm home. Xiao Yu, your brother is back." Xiao Bao calls as he enters the courtyard. This is his signature call whenever he returns from a trip. The family and servants file into the courtyard to greet him.

"You rascal," his mother chides, pulling him into a hug. "You were due back last week."

"What sort of son do I have, that spends months at a time running around the country when he should be home with his family helping to run their business?" His father adds.

As soon as his mother steps back, a little girl of ten hurls herself into Xiao Bao's arms with a cry. He picks her up into a tight hug. "Xiao Yu, you've gotten so big while brother was away. Soon I won't even be able to pick you up."

The little girl, who acts like a little adult most of the time, cries and pouts in her brother's arms. "Don't leave me again." She says. "Stay here with Xiao Yu from now on."

Xiao Bao gives her a smile. "Okay, I won't leave again." He thinks this is all too true. He has failed in his quest to find his own person to marry, and the time agreed upon with his parents is almost up. Soon he will have to give in and agree to marry the person of their choosing. For some reason, he sees a flash of Huai En's beautiful cold face in his mind. He smiles at the little girl and says, "I have a gift for you, a wonder from the western world. Not even the princesses in the palace have such a toy." Xiao Yu gives a delighted clap of her hands at this.

At breakfast the next morning, his mother lays a hand on his cheek and frowns. "You are hot, have you been taking your medicine?"

Xiao Bao thinks back, it's been a busy few days since they first crossed paths with Huai En, he realizes he really has forgotten to take it. "Of course. I'm just tired from the trip." he lies.