Falling Snow

Chapter 13

Prince Yang almost thought that it would be a good day, that was, until he heard the news. When he walked out of his luxurious yet birdcage like palace, it was already late morning. General Lin was already waiting for him outside the palace, whenever Yang wanted to see him, he will always come from the army house and wait for him by his palace.

General Lin brought the new soldier with him, what's his name again? Right, Jian. Yang hadn't thought about him much lately, Jian was a amiable person, and him seemed much more relaxed now that he was settled in. As he walked out of the his palace, he could hear the murmurs flying between soldiers and servants, and it just made him more uncomfortable and curious.

"Where do you want to go, your highness?" Lin asked him as he joined them. Honestly, Yang had no idea where he wanted to go, anywhere but the caged palace, he supposed. So he just silently led the way down the alley, Lin and Jian followed. Again, he heard the whispers of the servants and soldiers on the alley way.

"Lin, what are everyone talking about? I hope it's not something I did again." His cursed relationship with the queen was already causing enough rumours, and his father was not happy about it. But Lin just shook his head silently, Yang could tell that what ever happened, it was serious.

"I guess you haven't heard it yet, my prince, but grand adviser Su died in a fire yesterday. His mansion was burned down, along with him inside." Lin said in a sad tone, he knew that Yang held the grand adviser in high respected and trust.

Prince Yang was stunned by the news, he couldn't believe that such a wise man would meet such unfortunate fate. "How could that happened, why didn't anyone put out the fire?" He asked urgently, trying to wrap his mind in it. But General Lin just shook his head gravely.

"No one notice the fire until it was spread all across the hallway. Grand adviser Su didn't like to be disturbed by anyone when he was working." General Lin explained as Prince Yang listened. A silence silhouette of the soldier Jian stood at the cornered of Yang's eyes, and he was well aware that he could hear their whole conversation. But he decided to trust him this time, he had a feeling that Jian was a just and good person, and he planned to trust his instincts.

"Where are we going, your highness. " Lin asked as they continued to walk aimlessly. Yang looked around as he stopped his footsteps. They were in one of those quiet and old alleyway, with cracked brick walls and cobblestones covered by dirt. He had a moment of déjà vu when he saw the willow blossom planted on the side of the alleyway, that he had been here before just recently.

It wasn't until he turned around and faced a back garden on the other side of the alleyway with a big willow tree standing in the middle, that he realized where they were. He came here two days ago and he know beyond the garden was a dancer who dare to lie to him and admitted. Why would he wondered off here, Yang had no idea. But he couldn't help wanting to see her again, not only her dance fascinated him, her words also intrigued him. She was a mystery, but one thing was for sure: she had secrets. Whether it's about the tale of her brother, or something else. Yang knew from experience that he needed to stay clear from secrets, they will only get him into even more messes.

"Weren't we at the Entertainer's Quarters. " General Lin asked Prince Yang with confusion clearly written on his face. "This is where the royal Musicians and dancers live, how did we get here." Good question. Yang haven't told Lin the fact that he had been here before; or how he sorta stole his identity two days ago standing right here. But before he could come up with an answer, a sound of shifting armours broke his thoughts. Both Yang and Lin turned their heads abruptly toward the sound, and they found Jian looking bewilderedly at the building for the entertainers.

Suddenly, Jian realized that he attracted their attention, and he lowered his head in an apologetic dip. "I'm sorry for startle you, your highness. " He said quietly. But the corner of his eyes are still flickered to the direction of the quarter, as if expecting something to happen, or someone. Yang wanted to ask him but Lin suddenly bursts into a laughter.