Rebirth of Fa Wei Lan : Volume 2

Chapter 43: The Chen Siblings

It came as a surprise when Chen Hua Lan reached out to me. The invitation she sent had appeared innocent enough. She wanted to invite me to a flower viewing at Chen Mansion. I had hesitated at first until Li Xia received the same invitation.

At our arrival to the Chen Mansion, Li Xia and I were welcomed by the head maid there. While she guided us through the estate, I found the place beautiful. Even though I hate to admit it, Chen Hua Lan's style would have suited Wang Feng's simple and elegant taste.

"Is it only Li Xia and jie-jie?"

The maid had taken Li Xia and me to the main garden where a single large cherry blossom tree grew in the center of the garden of flowers. It had been almost a surreal sight - as if it could only exist only in a painting.

"The miss will come shortly"

The maid bowed and left us alone. Li Xia and I had thought there were others with us; instead,it had been just the two of us in the spacious garden.

"Welcome"

Chen Hua Lan's clear beautiful voice had us turned to her. In a white layering dress, Chen Hua Lan appeared from the corridor, walking toward us like ethereal being. All of a sudden, I was reminded of Bai Sun who always dress in white. This woman, for some reason, reminded me of him. Both had an ethereal sort of beauty –too clean and white to be real.

"Miss Chen... Thank you for inviting us to your home. It's very beautiful here"

Her smiles were gentle and soft, but I couldn't stop the unsettling feeling behind those smiles. The gentler she appeared, the more perilous it felt.

"Are there others joining us today?"

"Hua Lan doesn't like large crowd and prefers a small group gathering... I hope Miss Wang and Miss Fa doesn't mind"

I felt uncomfortable to be called Miss Fa when everyone else called me Wang Fei. I didn't bother to correct her even though I've noticed Li Xi's furrow expression.

"Come, Hua Lan have a light meal and tea prepared for us"

Li Xia and I followed behind her while shelead us further into the garden. When we reached a white stone table, we saw the lovely plates of pastries and tea cups. From the snacks to the plates and cups, everything was perfect like Chen Hua Lan. Everything was sparkling cleanand white. If one is not careful, a touch will stain the pure white plates and cup. Li Xia and I made no move to touch anything while we took our seats.

"Miss Fa"

Chen Hua Lan voice was so soft and hesitant that it made me look at her.

"May I ask if the general is doing well?"

Her question startled me. Without looking, I knew Li Xia was startled too.

"Feng is doing well" I answered carefully. "Thank you for asking, Miss Chen"

She smiled softly and looked down at her hands. Chen Hua Lan's shy and coy appearance would have melted any man's heart. But Li Xia and I were women so her action made us uncomfortable.

"Miss Fa" She spoke again with her gentle voice. "Last time, at the lantern festival, Hua Lan's guards had offended the general... he must be angry still"

I didn't know how to respond, so I kept silent.

"If possible, Hua Lan hopes to find a way to apologize to the general... with Miss Fa help, could you_"