As soon as Zhen BuFeng and the Royal Princes arrived at Li YangHuan's estate, another half day had passed. It was almost late evening, the sky was displaying the last moments of the sun's brilliance for that day. The newly arrived young men were immediately briefed about the situation by the two Ji guards and Jing Mo who had somewhat recovered.
The Crown Prince promptly directed some of the Imperial Guards to guard the vicinity of Liu YangHuan's estate.
Jing Mo intended to borrow a horse to personally guide Zhen BuFeng, but the latter swiftly rejected his proposal. From what he understood, Jing Mo himself did not know the exact location where General Ji ChanFang had been lured into. In normal circumstances, he would not have refused the man's goodwill. Zhen BuFeng could tell that Jing Mo also excelled in martial arts. It was also apparent he was more than just adept, at least in his agility, having traveled such far distance in less than a half normal time. But Jing Mo was clearly fatigued at the moment, which would just be a burden.
As for the location of that barren land, Zhen BuFeng of course knew of it. Being a vice-commander of an army, he knew and remembered all topography of the Empire's territories by heart already.
"Don't you even think of coming along!" Zhen BuFeng widened his eyes at the Second Prince Zhang JunLi, who was already preparing to mount his own horse, wanting to follow.
"An additional help is better, right?" Zhang JunLi stubbornly insisted. His martial arts might not be as good as Zhen BuFeng's or Ji SongLi's, but he had his fair share having engaged in real battles before during his compulsory years in military.
Zhen BuFeng shook his head, "Your speed will just hold me back."
He could not word it any nicer, while wryly throwing a glance at the two Ji clan's guards who were already waiting for him on their own horses.
"JunLi." The Crown Prince put his hand on his younger brother's shoulder, "BuFeng is right. All the three of us combined, cannot assist him for this occasion."
The Second Prince could only grit his teeth in silence.
"Make haste, BuFeng!" Crown Prince Zhang KongJing pursed his lips and nodded towards Zhen BuFeng, "Leave the matters here to me and my younger brothers. I have sent a messenger to ask for aids from my estate and also send some news to the Zhen household. Your most pressing aim now is to reach SongLi and General Ji."
Zhen BuFeng nodded and swiftly jumped onto his steed. Even the Ji guards would likely fall behind him later; how could he afford to also wait for the second Prince, which would ultimately only divide his attention in two? If he still had to keep his own pace to the Prince's, he could not have the hope of reaching Ji SongLi and Ji ChanFang as soon as possible.
The Crown Prince understood and shared his reasoning.
The First Madam Wu JianRui was resting, her ailing health played up again due to her unease. Second Madam Hai FenChu and Meng-momo were also restless and had been running around preparing her herbal medicine with the kitchen servants' aid. Fortunately, He Shan and Sun Chen were also in the estate and could manage the household temporarily.
The two old scholars and Minister Chao's son and daughter were also standing by the front gate. Princess Zhang XiuYa was now standing behind the Crown Prince, her own expression also wary.
"Vice-commander Zhen...," a soft calm voice called Zhen BuFeng.
Zhen BuFeng looked at YuLan who was now walking towards him. Ji LanBai was still inside the estate, accompanying her mother. The Third Prince Zhang GuoFu had stayed inside the estate as soon as they arrived and took note of the situation, him now also assuming a temporary role to manage the servants in Liu YangHuan's estate. Together with He Shan and Sun Chen, the three of them became temporary masters in Liu YangHuan's estate.
Because there were other people around, YuLan called Zhen BuFeng by his formal title.
There was a slight trace of anxiousness in her usually calm expression.
For some reason, Zhen BuFeng's heart ached. He willed himself to give an assured gaze towards her,
"Rest assured and wait!"
Snapping the reign on his horse, he urged the beast to start treading into a run, followed by the two Ji guards.
His face whipped by the wind, he murmured subconsciously - but his voice could no longer be heard by YuLan,
"Please wait! I will be back."
"... I ... will keep SongLi safe... ."
*** *** ***
"YuLan, we should wait inside. It has been a long day." Crown Prince KongJing walked towards her, lightly tapping her shoulder with his fan.
Second Prince Zhang JunLi also sighed in resignation, "Eldest Brother is right. Let us wait, for now... ,YuLan."
Their intimate way of calling her by her direct name did not escape the Princess' and Chao MeiHua's ears.
YuLan stared into the distance for a few seconds longer. Zhen Bufeng's figure could no longer be seen. She finally heaved a silent sigh, turning to head inside the residence with her heart feeling heavy.
As they walked slowly passing the estate's gates, Zhang JunLi turned his head to the side to talk to his oldest brother. But he suddenly forgot what he wanted to say as he finally could take a good look at Zhang KongJing.
The Crown Prince's gaze was fixed at YuLan's back who was walking in front of them. But that was not what made the Second Prince's blood ran cold.
It was the expression on his usually aloof oldest brother's face; yet now, now there was a trace of insanity in his blood red pupils.
"Time is running out... this body... has to be mine. Why won't this mortal give up?" the Crown Prince murmured seemingly to no one.
"Eldest... brother?" Zhang JunLi uncertainly called.
As Zhang KongJing turned his way, his eyes had turned into the usual deep brown color, smiling his usual relaxed smile. His eyebrows were lifted in enquiring acknowledgement of his earlier call.
The Second Prince was unsure if what he had seen or heard earlier was just his imagination or the trick of the light. He shook his head, "Never mind."
Chao HuiBo followed behind as he also stared at YuLan's back. He fidgeted for a few moments before decidedly walked towards her side,
"Miss... ," he greeted her while maintaining a respectful arm's length away from her,
"There is nothing we can do at the moment but to wait," he paused then added, "If there is anything you require my assistance for... ." He quickly got flustered at the questioning glance YuLan gave him as soon as he voiced his well-intention. He quickly corrected,
"If there is anything the Ji clan requires my assistance for... ."
"I will be at your disposal."
YuLan lightly bowed towards this Young Master who had suddenly regarded her very politely, giving him a small smile in gratitude of his concern. She missed the blush creeping up his face as she continued walking, lost in her own thought.
That glance Ji SongLi gave her earlier that day before he left;
What BuFeng had told her, "Rest assured and wait.";
What the Crown Prince had told her, "We should wait.";
What the Second Prince had told her, "Let us wait.";
What Chao HuiBo just told her, "Nothing we can do but to wait.";
"Why am I only waiting? Why do I have to wait? Who am I waiting for?" She clenched her fists under her long sleeves.
"Wu JianRui always waits. Hai FenChu always waits. Ji LanBai always waits. All the women in this era can only.... wait... ."
Chao MeiHua, who was following her brother closely behind, was flabbergasted at her brother's sudden meticulous speech. Her brother was usually very straightforward, sometimes even considered crude among his peers. Since when did he ever talk very cautiously towards anyone, let alone a female? This would be the first time ever. She could not help to also steal a few glances at the qin player of the Ji family, the one named Bai YuLan.
As YuLan had always lived inside the Ji estate, and Young Miss Ji had always kept her close presence, Chao MeiHua had never really paid any heed to the latter's identity.
But Chao HuiBo's reverence towards her; how the Royal Princes called her by her direct name; how Zhen BuFeng and Ji SongLi were quite familiar with her... .
*** *** ***
Outside the gate, He Shan was still coaxing his old teacher to come inside the residence. They were the only two people still outside.
Liu YangHuan was still staring at the distance.
"Fleeting moments of youth... ." The Old Master shook his head, muttering in a low voice.
"He Shan." He glanced towards his disciple, "Young Master Ji SongLi... . Is he also not your disciple?"
He Shan nodded, "Liu-laoshi is correct."
"You can just call me 'Old Master' from now on." Liu YangHuan lifted his hand in a small wave, "Yourself is already a laoshi in your own right, and I don't have anything left to teach you. I am just an idle master scholar."
He Shan nodded in acknowledgment of his teacher's request,
"Old Master Liu, it is getting late, the wind will not be good for your well-being... ."
Liu YangHuan put his hands behind his back and gazed at the sky, "Such wonderful talented disciples you have, He Shan." He sighed, "Young Miss Ji and Young Miss Bai are also outstanding in the art of music.... ."
He then chuckled, "And that Young Master Ji... if only you could see how the Princess and Young Miss Chao almost melted into a puddle of water when he sang earlier... ."
"Fleeting moments of youth... . Chasing for hearts that are hard to obtain.... ." Liu YangHuan closed his eyes and swayed his head, drunk in his own poem,
"Wind carries the inner voices of women... , while men bravely advance towards danger.... . Only chaos to befall all mortals."
"This old one can just tell," he stroke his beard while nodding his head, "Although vice-commander Zhen is also handsome and popular, Young Master Ji will be the new obsession of Da Lang's young maidens."
"Then as his teacher, you will know exactly how I felt when you gave me the same trouble years ago....," he harrumphed while also turning his head to look accusingly ....
- at no one in sight. He Shan had left him by himself ever since he started his own monologue.
