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The sun was high, the skies were clear and the gentle wind rustled the old but well kept banners hanging from the eaves of the Puqi Shrine. Birds chirped peacefully and the occasional sound of sweeping could be heard from within the shrine..Xie Lian, in his favorite white robes was humming softly as he wiped the dust off a carved wooden table.
It was a good day.
Outside the shrine, the ground was shaking for a very different reason. “You again!” Mu Qing snarled, his foot cracking a loose tile as he stomped forward. His robes flared like an angry gust.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Feng Xin added, already rolling up his sleeves like a man moments away from committing murder. “You better not be up to anything shady!”
Leaning against one of the trees outside the shrine gate, Hua Cheng gave them both a slow and lazy blink. He had one hand tucked behind his back, the other spinning a small silver butterfly between his fingers.
“Ah? Didn’t know you two were part of Shrine’s new guard dogs” he said with a grin that could slice.
Mu Qing stepped forward. “We’re just making sure you’re not corrupting His Highness.”
Feng Xin grunted. “You’re too close to him all the time. It’s suspicious.”
Hua Cheng tilted his head, looking at them with mock concern. “Too close? Should I move in, then? I’m thinking living with him"
Both men looked one second from exploding.
(Inside the shrine)
Xie Lian wiped the last speck of dust from the altar.. placing a clean incense stick into the holder. He patted his hands and smiled proudly. “There, all done!”
From outside, faint shouting echoed in. Xie Lian paused..blinked and Tilted his head. “…Was that Feng Xin’s voice?”
He walked toward the door, only to freeze as a loud crash echoed outside. A peach blossom tree branch slammed to the ground.. broken in half. Xie Lian rushed out, slippers slapping the wooden floor.
“What in the heavens is going on out here?!”
Hua Cheng stood a few steps away, his hair tousled artfully, his sleeves ruffled and a slightly scratch on his cheek which definitely didn’t exist five seconds ago. Mu Qing and Feng Xin froze mid motion, looking like kids caught throwing punches at recess.
Xie Lian gasped. “San Lang?! You’re hurt!”
Hua Cheng immediately looked pitiful. “Gege… they attacked me… I was just waiting for you…” he sniffled.
Feng Xin’s eyes bulged. “He’s lying!”
“You attacked him?” Xie Lian turned toward them. “I told you both already.. San Lang is not to be harmed! How could you just-”
“Your highness” Mu Qing gritted out. “He provoked us! He said we were!-”
“No. I don’t want to hear it” Xie Lian said firmly, placing himself in front of Hua Cheng like a protective shield. “San Lang is my guest. You both should know better.”
Behind him, Hua Cheng took this moment to slowly cling onto Xie Lian’s sleeve like a child. His cheek pressed against Xie Lian’s arm.
“Gege… I’m so scared…” he whispered.
“Ahh, it’s okay..” Xie Lian instantly turning to him with concern, patting his head and gently wiping the nonexistent wound. “You’re safe now. I’ll protect you.”
“Always?” Hua Cheng asked with a soft smile.
Xie Lian returned the smile. “Always.”
Mu Qing and Feng Xin stared at the scene in horror. That cold smirk forming on Hua Cheng’s lips while still hugging Xie Lian’s waist made their blood boil. _
Xie Lian made Hua Cheng sit on a bench while he brought out bandages and flower shaped candies as a treat. Hua Cheng obediently opened his mouth as Xie Lian fed him one.
“I'm sorry for what they did” Xie Lian said gently. “I didn’t even hear anything.. You didn’t fight back, did you?”
“I didn’t lift a finger, Gege” Hua Cheng said innocently. “Though I did dodge Mu Qing’s sword once… or twice…”
“LIES!” Mu Qing glared. Xie Lian shot him a look. “You attacked with your sword?”
“No, I!- It was just for dramatic effect!” Mu Qing choked on his defense. Feng Xin groaned into his hands. “I’m gonna throw up.”
The mischief glint in Hua Cheng’s eyes only got brighter the more Xie Lian petted him and handed him another sweet. “I think I need to stay here for the night” Hua Cheng added, head resting against Xie Lian’s shoulder now. “For safety.”
“You can stay as long as you want” Xie Lian said, not missing a beat.
“Gege is too kind~” Hua Cheng whispered while hiding a devilish smirk behind Xie Lian’s back as he gave a peace sign to the furious duo.
Mu Qing’s eye twitched. Feng Xin muttered. “This guy..."
