When The Cherry Blossom Fades

.5 my cabbages!?

Rong Xukai groaned, his expression filled with annoyance. He couldn't argue with his grandfather's words, knowing he had indeed been careless in handling the situation. Reluctantly, he nodded and took his position by Han Aeng's bedside, resigning himself to the fact that he would be on watch duty for the time being.

Rong Xukai's initial irritation slowly transformed into curiosity as the hours passed. He found himself captivated by Han Aeng's delicate features, her peaceful expression as she lay unconscious. With each rise and fall of her chest, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity toward her.

His gaze lingered on her face, studying the details he had overlooked before. There was a subtle elegance to her features that he found alluring. Her lips, slightly parted as she breathed, held a hint of innocence that contrasted with her fight spirit he'd experienced.

Lost in his thoughts, Rong Xukai's eyes were drawn to her hand resting on the bed. Without thinking, he reached out and gently took her hand in his, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. He marveled at the warmth of her skin against his.

Suddenly, a faint stir in Han Aeng's body caught Rong Xukai's attention. His eyes widened as he felt her fingers twitch slightly in his grasp. Excitement surged through him, hoping that she was finally awakening from her unconscious state.

"Gramps!" Rong Xukai called out, his voice filled with urgency and anticipation. He gently released Han Aeng's hand and leaned closer to observe her closely, hoping to catch any further signs of awakening.

Refreshed after his nap, Insik rushed into the room, concern etched on his face. "What happened?"

"She moved, her fingers twitched," Rong Xukai explained eagerly, his gaze fixed on Han Aeng.

Insik approached the bed and examined Han Aeng carefully. He placed his hand on her forehead, checking her temperature and pulse. "It seems she's finally starting to regain consciousness. We should give her some space and time."

Rong Xukai nodded, a mix of relief and dread flooding his emotions. He took a step back, allowing Insik to take the lead in attending to Han Aeng.

Insik gently stroked Han Aeng's cheek, murmuring soothing words. "Han Aeng, can you hear me? It's time to go home now."

....

A little afternoon, the trio left Mt Keun and entered the busy market, ready to execute their plan.

Rong Xukai left early, attired in black, as he suspiciously walked around to obtain the patrolling guards' attention. Meanwhile, Insik disguised himself as a poor cabbage seller, pushing a wagon with Han Aeng securely hidden inside. It was a perfect cover for their mission.

They decided it was too risky to bring Han Aeng into the residential areas, considering it would be practically impossible to escape with the tight security. Instead, they opted to create a scene in front of the Amenity Inn, a business run by Aeng's family. The place was monitored, but not as heavily; moreover, there would be enough people gathered to cause a scene and more than enough people to blend into effortlessly.

Insik played his part effortlessly, pretending to be a weak peasant selling cabbages as he made his way to the inn. He managed to sell a grand total of seventeen cabbages, impressing even himself. Meanwhile, Rong Xukai gained much wanted recognition, with two guards constantly keeping an eye on him.

When Insik turned to the street he was waiting at, Rong Xukai marched to meet his grandfather, with three guards speedily following after.

Rong Xukai immediately noticed that the wagon's bulk was significantly smaller than what he had packed. Did his grandfather have a talent for taking a yard when given an inch, or what? "Did you honestly sell cabbages while there is an unconscious girl in your wagon?" Rong Xukai asked, raising an eyebrow.

Insik chuckled mischievously, shaking a small sack of money. "I made a living, nothing wrong with that. She won't mind."

Rolling his eyes, Rong Xukai swiftly pushed Insik out of the way and took the wagon off the main streets. Insik dramatically fell, attracting more attention as he shouted, "Ah, someone! Someone, that man took my cabbages. Help me!"

As the crowd gathered, Rong Xukai picked up his pace, luring the guards into a chase without waiting for backup. He craftily led them to Amenity Inn, where he faked his capture.

"I knew something was not right about you the second I saw you." Two guards waited on either side, their hands gripping their swords as they observed Rong Xukai's actions. "Don't you feel bad for stealing from an old man, young lad?"

Rong Xukai didn't respond but patiently waited for them to make an advance so he could plan his escape. His silence had somewhat annoyed the patient guards trying to reason with him. "Come on, lad, do something. Say something."

The commotion had formed a minimal crowd, including some of the Inn's workers and, of course, a very dedicated Insik.

Committed to his role, Insik pushed his way through the crowd with a loud cry. "Ah, my cabbages, my cabbages! You darn brat, give me my cabbage before I break your kneecaps!"

Break his kneecaps? Rong Xukai stared at his grandfather curiously; either he was too enthusiastic about his role or sincerely meant his threats.

Playing to his grandfathers' tunes, Rong Xukai picked up a cabbage, toying with it before throwing it into the crowd with all his might. The shrieking crowd moved, allowing the cabbage to shatter into pieces as it met the floor. "Here's your cabbage, old man. Come on, take it. I'd like to see you try!"

"You-!"

Just as he had planned, the guards' advanced at his words. He waited for them to come a few feet from him before abruptly kicking the wagon to the guards. Taking the chance to flee at the expense of their shock, jumping over into the walls of Amenity Inn.

The guards followed suit, but Rong Xukai long fled the scene quite comfortably. Along with Insik, who swiftly slipped away from the crowd during the uproar.

This obviously left the wagon with Han Aeng in it unattended. But as the nature of humans would have it, people got curious and crowded around the wagon.

One of the nosy Inn workers couldn't resist and opened the wagon cover, only to quickly slap it shut in shock. She might have been thoroughly shocked finding Han Aeng's body securely placed in it, but she knew more than well not to make a scene - especially since the person involved was her Young Lady.

"We'll keep it till the old man comes for it." In a hast, the Inn worker quickly called a few people and transported the wagon into the Inn.

Onlookers watched.

They shut the doors to their business and closed the gates before gently carrying their Young Lady into one of the carriages and rushing her to the Manor. Treating her in the Inn was outside the question, so much as a fingernail being chipped would cost their lives, and none of them was willing to take the risk.

The rest of the process went surprisingly smoothly, leaving Insik amazed at how quickly everything fell into place.

So much so that even the Royal Doctor and Princess were at Han Aeng's Manor by the time Insik and Rong Xukai returned to Mt Keun.

"That was quite a performance, Xukai," Insik said, a proud smile playing on his lips. "You had them all fooled."

"I never want to see that girl's face again!" Rong Xukai roared storming into the forest again.