The imperial residence was grand but not ostentatious, exuding an air of quiet dignity befitting its owner. Red lanterns swayed gently in the afternoon breeze, and the scent of incense drifted through the air, mingling with the subtle fragrance of the blooming peonies in the courtyard.
Feng Jiao Xue stepped through the open gates the guards letting her through easily per the emperor and the crown prince’s commands. They did not dare question her.
She walks in an steady steady pace as she made her way to the main hall. She had visited before under the guise of the night to heal the crown prince but this ti, she ca with a favor to ask.
As expected, the crown prince was inside, reclining lazily on a cushioned chair by the window, sipping tea. The sunlight cast a warm glow over his regal yet relaxed figure. Liang Feng was dressed in deep blue robes embroidered with silver clouds, his long hair half-tied giving him an air of effortless nobility. He glanced up as she entered, his lips curving into an easy smile.
"Jiao Xue," he greeted, setting his cup down. "I thought you’d be too busy celebrating your victory. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
Feng Jiao Xue inclined her head slightly. "Your Highness."
Liang Feng sighed. "Spare the formalities. You know, I’m starting to think your only calling that to tease ."
A ghost of a smile flickered across her lips. "Its called being polite. Where’s Han Qing?" She looked around for the known permanent shadow of the crown prince."
"I sent him to investigate sothing for . Tea?" He offered as Feng Jiao Xue sat down.
"Thank but, I didnt co here to have tea. I need a favor."
He raised an eyebrow. "I figured. You don’t seem the type for idle visit. What kind of favor?"
Feng Jiao Xue sat across from him, her expression composed. "I need you to claim that it was your healers who removed the burn scar from my face, Zang Shi, to be specific."
A beat of silence passed before Liang Feng let out a low whistle. "That’s not the request I was expecting."
She remained calm. "Would you refuse?"
Liang Feng leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I wouldn’t refuse you, Jiao Xue, but I have to admit I’m curious. Why go through such lengths? You could have said you healed naturally, or that you found so rare dicine. Almost yesterdays ago, you where my sweet, shy and soft little sister and, not that I’m complaining, your suddenly... this. I just want to understand this version of you more."
Feng Jiao Xue t his gaze her eyes unreadable. "I don’t want unnecessary attention. If word spreads that I was able to heal sothing that was supposedly permanent people will ask too many questions. There are plenty of people that are obssessed with looks as much as there are those obessessed with power. So will dig too deep. If your na is attached to it no one will question it. I just don’t want to be bothered. Not until I solidify my backings"
Liang Feng chuckled. "So you’re using as a shield?"
"Yes," she admitted without hesitation.
He laughed, shaking his head. "Cold as ever. Fine, I’ll play along. But if I’m going to be roped into this we’ll need to make it believable."
Feng Jiao Xue inclined her head slightly. "That’s why I asked for Zang Shi."
As if on cue, a voice spoke from the doorway. "It seems my na has been called before I even stepped inside."
The old refined healer walked in. Zang Shi carried himself with quiet confidence, his long sleeves fluttering slightly as he entered. He looked at the crown prince and bowed before his eyes landed on Feng Jiao Xue and bowed as well with just as much respect.
He turned his keen eyes toward Feng Jiao Xue. "I had assud you sought for a dical matter. This... is not what I expected."
"I wouldn’t waste your ti with deception," Feng Jiao Xue said evenly. "But I need your help with this."
Zang Shi studied her for a mont before exhaling softly. "If it is your wish, I will not refuse. You have done us a great favor by healing our master. However, it would have been easier if you had consulted before having your scars removed. Or at least, tell the details to not leave any holes in the story we want to tell."
Liang Feng smirked. "So you’re willing to go along with this?"
Zang Shi is known to be steadfast and honorable as well as stubborn. He hates mal practice more than anything else, specially when it cos to dicine.
Zang Shi gave him a look. "Your highness, I would never falsify a dical claim under normal circumstances. However, young miss Feng Jiao Xue is not asking to lie about healing her. She is asking to take credit for sothing already done. There is a difference."
"Semantics," Liang Feng said with amusent, a slight smile on his lips as he teased his old companion.
Zang Shi ignored him and turned back to Feng Jiao Xue. "I will ensure my story aligns with yours but I will not embellish unnecessary details."
"That’s all I need," she replied.
Liang Feng tapped the armrest of his chair. "Well, since we have Zang Shi’s approval, I suppose the next step is to make it public. I’ll ntion it in passing when I et with the court physicians. That should spread the news naturally without seeming deliberate."
Feng Jiao Xue nodded. "That would be ideal."
Liang Feng studied her for a mont before leaning forward his usual playful deanor montarily fading. "Jiao Xue, I understand why you’re doing this, not entirely" He sighs looking at her sadly. "Not as much as I would have wished to, but if you ever need true protection, you don’t have to resort to sches like this. You could just ask ."
Feng Jiao Xue t his gaze calmly. "I know."
A flicker of sothing unspoken passed between them before Liang Feng sighed and leaned back again, waving a hand. "Alright, alright. I’ll take care of it. But you owe for this."
Feng Jiao Xue stood. "You’ll have my gratitude."
Liang Feng scoffed. "Gratitude? That’s hardly a fair trade. How about a "Your the best, big brother Liang Feng.’~"
Zang Shi sighed. "Please do not start bartering favors as if we are in a market."
Liang Feng grinned. "Co now, Healer Zang. This is how Jiao Xue and I communicate. If I don’t tease her, she’ll start thinking I’ve fallen ill."
Feng Jiao Xue gave him an unimpressed look before turning to Zang Shi. "Thank you for your help."
Zang Shi nodded. "This is rely nothing, young miss, I am glad to be of help sohow to you and to my master, his highness."
With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps light against the polished floors before she pause. "Thanks... Big Brother Liang Feng" she mumbled, loud enough for Liang Feng to here before she left.
Liang Feng eyes widenes a fraction before his smile turned sweeter as he watched her leave before exhaling softly. "She’s always been like that. Never asking for more than what she thinks is necessary."
Zang Shi glanced at him. "And yet you never hesitate to give her more than what she asks for."
Liang Feng chuckled. "Isn’t that what brothers do?"
Zang Shi did not respond imdiately. Instead, he turned to gaze at the doorway where Feng Jiao Xue had disappeared. "Perhaps."
’it’s the fact that she rarely asks that’s bothering more’ He knew that Feng Jiao Xue was bound to grow up one day, that she can’t remain the little sister she hoped to keep hidden and safe from his enemies by maintaining distance but....
’Did I keep too much distance that I didn’t even realize that the danger... was already by her side?’
A silence settled between them before Liang Feng clapped his hands together. "Well then, Healer Zang. Since you’re here how about a ga of chess?"
Zang Shi sighed. "If I win, you must drink the dicine I prescribed last ti without complaints."
Liang Feng groaned. "I rescind my offer."
"What offer?" Han Qing asked as he entered the room.
"Nothing, just for a ga." Liang Feng glanced at Han Qing and smiled mildly.
"How was it?" He asked turning serious.
"... It seems that your prediction was right, as always, master" Han Qing handed him a scroll riddled with reports. "The mist disturbed the beasts in the mountain. It won’t be long before they head to our empire once those on the outer side, run out of food." he added grimly.
"So we’re looking forwards for an inevitabe beast tide" Liang Feng solemnly concluded before grabbing Han Qing’s hand where blood was seeping through the bandage.
"Your hurt" He frowned and looked at Han Qing in concern.
"Just a scratched, I encountered a ravaging Fire Bear while returning." Han Qing took back his arm but Liang feng just waved Zang Shi over to heal him.
"Go rest. I’ll stay here today so yu won’t have to concern yourself too much" Liang Feng dismissed Han Qing who reluctantly bowed and left.
"Why must two of the people I care about most not stubborn, secretive and careless cold individuals?" He sighed.
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