21 The Guo Residence (1/2)

XieRong couldn't believe it.

The Duchess Chin was her aunt.

XieRong hadn't even known that she'd had an aunt. Or an uncle.

Her mother never spoke to her about her family or past and whenever XieRong would bring it up, a look of regret would enter her mother's eyes, so she would end up changing the subject. Over time she completely avoided the subject altogether. XieRong had only known that she had a grandfather from what little her mother decided to share with her from time to time but now she would have an aunt, an uncle and cousins!

She couldn't wait to tell FeiHong. However, first she had to make sure her aunt didn't find out who she was before reaching Guo pavilion.

XieRong found FeiHong learning how to fight from some of the cultivators with the eighth prince and young lord Bai while the others ate lunch and watched.

”FeiHong, I have something to tell you, come here.”

FeiHong excused herself and went to XieRong who was standing in a remote corner of the camp.

”FeiHong, I just found out that the Duchess Chin is our aunt. I don't want her to find out we are her nieces until we are safely inside the Guo Residence. In her presence you must always hide your Phoenix ring, understand?”

”I understand, Jie.”

”Isn't it great, FeiHong? Now we have Old master, Hui Nuo, Hui Zhen, Grandpa Fa and now an aunt and uncle too.”

XieRong hugged her sister.

”Jie, what about grandfather Guo? Jie is always worried that he will not accept us and exclude him when Jie lists our family. I think it's because Jie doesn't want to accept him.”

XieRong flinched as if she'd been hit. She quickly changed the subject.

”FeiHong, let's go practice martial arts, okay? This time, Jie will join you.”

XieRong wasn't ready to face her feelings towards the Old general Guo yet.

Qianhe city was small and quaint, a huge contrast against the bustling, noisy capital.

”This lady never asked. BaiHua, where in Qianhe city are you heading?” Duchess Chin asked looking out of her window, looking to see if anything had changed in the few years she had been away.

This time, FeiHong was in the carriage with XieRong.

”We are heading to the Guo Estate.”

”Oh, what a coincidence. This lady is heading there herself. Why are you going there, if you don't mind this lady asking?”

”Actually we have something to deliver to the Old General Guo.”

The duchess smiled as she turned to look at XieRong.

”The Old General Guo is this lady's father. You can hand over what you want to deliver to this lady and this lady will make sure to give it to him.”

”This miss is extremely sorry duchess, but we were asked to give it personally to the Old General. If the duchess doesn't mind can we travel with you?”

”Of course this lady doesn't mind.”

XieRong and FeiHong quickly told their goodbyes before while the duchess bought some more gifts for the Guo family.

It took a quarter Shi Chen before they had finally arrived at the mansion.

The mansion was huge with beautiful craftsmanship on the pillars. The floors were furnished to perfection and the corridor of the manor gave view of the flourishing green garden with a variety of flowers which also had a small koi pond.

XieRong felt knots in her stomach. She held FeiHong's hand for comfort.

”Jie, calm down. You're not going to have your spirit roots tested.”

”FeiHong is right BaiHua, this lady's father may look scary but he's just an overgrown child. You'll see,” the duchess said as they were lead to the main hall.

”HuiLiang greets father,” the duchess said, bending her knees and curtseying.