After one week, Xue ZhaoZe finally let Xue Hua to see Xue Han. Poor girl almost fainted when she saw her brother lying motionlessly in the dirty cell.
"A'Han..." she cried, her hands were tight around the bars of the cell.
Xue Han managed to crawl to his sister and held her hands around the bars, "did you get...my message?" he asked. He had asked the maid earlier to help him deliver a message to his sister.
"Xue Liang has a plan," Xue Hua whispered, "tomorrow, we will get you out."
Xue Han shook his head with despair, "Tomorrow is too late..."
"It is the best we can do, but tell me do you really want to meet Hong Chao?" She asked, she knew that Hong Chao would never hurt her brother but Xue Han wouldn't make it to the meeting point in that condition.
"Then, tomorrow it is."
No other words were necessary.
***
There was a voice of sword clash and the guards fell down shortly after. While Xue Liang dragged the unconscious guards inside the prison, Xue Hua appeared with the key and got Xue Han out of the prison. As Xue Hua already arranged the maids and servants not to make a sound when they saw them, and Xue Han's soldiers handled Xue ZhaoZe's soldiers, everything went according to the plan. They half helped half dragged Xue Han through the secret passage located at the back of the palace. There, a horse and one bag of necessities were waiting. Soon, Xue Han was on his way to the abandoned tunnel.
***
Hong Chao took another stroll around the hole. Xue Han didn't show up on time but still he couldn't leave the place. He sighed heavily as his contradictory feelings were surging again; deep in his heart, he wanted to believe that Xue Han had a really good reason not to show up, not because he didn't want to come, but on the other hand, he just wanted Xue Han to be safe and sound, and was willing to let him go as long as it would make him safe.
One more tour, then I will go, he murmured for the tenth time. Luckily, he didn't need to make another tour as a black horse with a rider was coming towards Hong Chao. Seeing Xue Han approaching made Hong Chao's heart filled with happiness. But soon his smile was replaced by a frown when Xue Han got closer. He was so pale, covered in blood, hair so messy...
He caught Xue Han who almost collapsed from the horse. "What happened?" he asked, his hands were holding Xue Han's arms so tight.
Xue Han pushed his hands, "I...I hope you have something... really important to say," he could barely finished the sentence, he was exhausted and full of pain all over.
Hong Chao shook his head, "it can wait, I will take you somewhere to rest first," he said and with a sudden instinct, he brushed their lips in a quick peck. "I knew you would come sugar."
It was too quick that Xue Han couldn't be sure if it really happened.
Without waiting for him to say something, Hong Chao helped mesmerized Xue Han mount the horse back before mounting to his horse, and led the way to Yang Clan with butterflies in his stomach.
***
Hong Chao dragged Xue Han to the first inn he found. He ordered medicine, hot water for bath, clean clothes and food before going into the room.
After having a bath, Xue Han looked better; all the blood and dirt were gone and thanks to the hot water as well as the previous kiss, he wasn't that pale anymore. Although Xue Han said a million times that he was fine and didn't need medicine, Hong Chao didn't listen to him. He forced him to sit before him, removed his upper garment to apply medicine but seeing him half-naked in front him, he already forgot about the medicine.
"What?" Xue Han asked, seeing Hong Chao was looking at him without blinking.
"Y...You are...truly so beautiful," he murmured without noticing what he was saying. He covered his mouth quickly but it was too late.
Xue Han blushed deeply and wanted to cover himself back but Hong Chao held his hand, "let me apply the medicine," he said while helping him turn around. Xue Han didn't resist as he was already busy fighting with the urge to throw himself into the other's embrace.
Seeing the deep cuts caused by the whip on his porcelain skin, Hong Chao's blood boiled with anger. I will make you pay for this, Xue ZhaoZe, he said inwardly, then composed himself before applying the medicine. He was very careful in order not to hurt Xue Han and his careful touches made Xue Han feverish. After he finished, Hong Chao kissed Xue Han's shoulder and helped him to wear his upper garment back.
"Thank you," Xue Han said with a shaky voice, the sensation was too much for his heart.
"Thank you...that's it?" Hong Chao pouted, "how about a kiss?" he joked, making Xue Han run to the other side of the room, feeling embarrassed. Hong Chao smiled at his reaction.
You are too cute for your own good, sugar.
The awkward situation was interrupted by the maid who brought the simple and nutritious congee according to Hong Chao's instruction. After the maid left, Hong Chao forced Xue Han to eat as much as he could before sending him to sleep.
That day, Hong Chao didn't say a word about his findings or plan no matter how much Xue Han insisted. The most important thing for him was Xue Han's recovery. Looking at the sleeping figure, Hong Chao thought that maybe he was cursed, for the first time in his entire life, he had a sweetheart whom he trusted and loved but his sugar kept getting hurt because of him. Still, he had no plan to stay away from him, he would rather stick with him to protect him, if not, die with him.
YOU ARE READING
冤家 - His Destined Love
Fiksi Sejarah[Completed] A tragedy turns two clans from friends to enemies who fight each others for the throne. However, an unexpected incident makes their heirs get closer... What will the heirs do? Will they let go of their past and the greediness of the pre...
