Chapter 310 - HomeComing (1/2)

Monk Du and his passengers reappeared in a dark bedroom, lightly illuminated by the moonlight coming in from the slits in the windows. Monk Du promptly fell to his knees taking deep breaths, cold sweating, still holding onto Chun Hua's arm, while she stood still, completely out of it seemingly still reeling from the sudden realization of her ”true” value.

Chun Hai promptly knelt down beside Monk Du and asked with concern, ”Are you alright?”

”I'm fine...Just the distance was a bit too much.” Monk Du responded in between ragged breaths.

Meanwhile, Bao Zhun was more concerned for someone else, as he grabbed Chun Hua's shoulders and despite the poor light, he appraised still bleeding large slit on her neck, running end to end. Bao Zhun frowned.

{...That bastard! This is probably going to leave a scar...}

”Does it hurt a lot?” Bao Zhun gently asked but then Chun Hua simply squinted at him as her vision blurred and managed to say, ”I thin-” before she slumped and passed out.

Bao Zhun caught her before she hit the ground but feeling wetness on her back, he immediately panicked and exclaimed, ”She's injured!”

This instantly arrested Chun Hai and Monk Du's full attention as Bao Zhun went down on his knees with her and sat her up so they could appraise the bleeding slash running across her back.

”Go get your uncle!” Monk Du ordered and Chun Hai jumped to his feet, ready to race out but then he stopped in confusion and asked, ”My uncle?”

”Yes, get hot water, clean sheets, and whatever herbs he has in the manor and we'll work from there...” Monk Du said as he ripped open the back of her dress so he could get a better look at how deep the wound was.

Even if he really did not understand, Chun Hai did not ask again and simply turned and ran out the door, grateful that his uncle was safe and that Monk Du had brought them to him. But as soon as he opened the doors and stepped out, Chun Hai realized where they were and understood why Monk Du had been so tired out...He had brought them a huge distance.

Not only had he taken them out of harm's way, he had taken them all the way to Jiu country, to his uncle's manor, to Chun Hai's old bedroom to be exact.

Chun Hai's heart filled as he raced over to his uncle's courtyard to rouse the old man. His uncle obviously must have escaped in time and come here to wait for them, knowing they would come back here.

He burst through his uncle's bedroom doors to find the old man with a sword raised, ready to strike him. His uncle quickly dropped the sword and raced to hug him, ”Oh, you're alive! Thank heavens! I was starting to get worried.” The old man said through silent tears.

Chun Hai hugged him back, happy to be home again before he promptly remembered why he was here, he held his uncle back, ”There's no time for this...Huayan is injured.”

With that announcement, the two swiftly jumped into action and went about gathering what was needed, they no longer kept servants here as after their uncle's wife died a few years back, he decided to move to Zou kingdom to be closer to the only family he had left, his niece and nephew.

But his uncle returned to this manor once every year for a few days on his wife's death anniversary. And it just so happened that this yearly event fell right around the period were the Chun siblings became wanted fugitives - this meant that their uncle had long left Zou kingdom before the news of their activities reached there... Luckily.

Chun Hai could not help thinking about how they really got lucky this time on all fronts. Even though Chun Hai was worried about Chun Hua's wound, Monk Du was here and he was much better than any doctor they could ever find.

Therefore, Chun Hai's relief at being home, far from Long country and Zou kingdom outweighed whatever worry he felt.

She was in good hands...they were in good hands.

***

The next morning Lei Xing woke up in a super good mood. She and the Emperor had spent a lazy day together happy holed up in their palace. It felt really nice to just disconnect from all the trouble and responsibilities for a while and it felt like it had been forever since they have had a day like that.

Although Lei Xing acknowledged that it was her who had been blowing the Emperor off for the last month or so, being too busy with qin rehearsals and other preparations for his birthday as well as other matters. Vacations feel best after a long time working hard, she really was enjoying have a job again, more so one where she was the boss.

Today, it was back to life as usual, by the time she woke up the Emperor had already left for court and Lei Xing went about her morning routine and then went off to see Princess Nalan.

The Emperor had asked Lei Xing to talk to Princess Nalan and try to get confirmation on her departure date.

The Emperor did inform her two days ago about the situation with Prince Rui and during their very brief encounter that day, she did not seem at all excited at the prospects of leaving. It seemed something was bothering her, so as her host, the Emperor asked if there was a problem and she obviously said that nothing was wrong and that she would discuss with the others and get back to him with a date.

But she still had not given a response. He expected that given the urgency of Prince Rui's situation, she would be quick to respond. But that did not seem to be the case so he mentioned it to Lei Xing yesterday and since they were ”friends” perhaps Princess Nalan would find her easier to talk with. Of course, Lei Xing was ready to jump up and go get it sorted yesterday since it was quite a serious matter but the Emperor stopped her and said it can wait till ”tomorrow”.

As far as he was concerned yesterday, everything could be pushed till ”tomorrow” and Lei Xing had little issue with his mantra of the day.