578 Is this what we call a family?

Xu Zifan looked at the luggage that Feng Lao had decided to take with him on the journey.

“I will miss your presence,” Xu Zifan said and settled on the floor chair. He placed the box which had a green silk cloth wrapped around it. “Jingfei has made the rice cakes and some sweets for you.”

“Where is she? Is she still in the palace?” Feng Lao asked.

“Yes. Her brother has been coronated today, so she decided to spend some time in with her brother and sister-in-law,” Xu Zifan replied.

Feng Lao told Xu Zifan to thank Jingfei for the special meal. “Do you have something to say to me?” He then asked.

Xu Zifan nodded. “Will you be happy seeing Li Hua with Prince Lóng Wei all the time? Do not take me wrong. I only want to know if—” he could not finish his words as Feng Lao interrupted him.

“Xu Zifan, I admire Li Hua. But I also know she cannot be mine and I have completely let go of her from my heart,” Feng Lao asserted. He had told Xu Zifan about this earlier too, but he could understand that as a brother and a friend, he was slightly concerned.

“If you had been in the capital with us, probably you would have found a suitable woman for you,” Xu Zifan said.

Feng Lao smiled a little. “Would you have set me up with a woman through a matchmaking agency?” He inquired.

.....

historical

“Yes. You already have rejected Princess Xiaolian feelings. Li Hua told me how upset Princess Xiaolian was because of you. You should not hurt a woman’s heart this way,” Xu Zifan scolded him.

Feng Lao laughed and said, “Xu Zifan, I stated the fact. I am not the type of the person, who would easily fall in love. You know this well.”

Xu Zifan hummed. “Protect Li Hua and Prince Lóng Wei. They are your responsibility and also take good care of yourself. Sleep well, eat well, and be happy,” he stated.

“I will. Since the truth is out, I am not guilty anymore. However, I do miss my family sometimes,” Feng Lao said and fidgeted with his fingers while looking at his palm.

“The void cannot be filled ever. Perhaps we had to see this side of life too,” Xu Zifan said. “Let’s not be upset before your departure,” he added.

Feng Lao smiled when they heard a voice from the door. “Are you ready?” Huang Xi asked as he walked into the room and stopped a meter away from the floor table.

“Prince Lóng Wei is set to leave. He sent me to bring you,” Huang Xi said.

Both Feng Lao and Xu Zifan stood up from the floor chairs. Two servants walked in and carried the luggage to the carriage.

“There is time for the sun to set,” Xu Zifan said.

“Prince Lóng Wei decided to leave before sunset,” Huang Xi stated.

Feng Lao picked up the box and walked out of the room with Xu Zifan and Huang Xi.

~~~~~~~

In the palace, Lóng Wei was with Xiaoming on the palace grounds.

“How do I look?” Xiaoming asked. “Do I look like a king?”

Lóng Wei hummed. “This Dragon’s robe was made for you only. Don’t you know you were born king?” He amusedly smiled at him.

“Brother Lóng Wei, I still think that you are born to be the King. Please do not deny it. I contemplated the entire night before the coronation and I realized that I lack in many aspects. You grew up earlier than all of us mentally,” Xiaoming asserted.

“You are wrong, Your Majesty,” Lóng Wei stated. “I am not patient like you. Also, I was not ready to give justice to anyone who suffered because of Qiu Zedong. Unlike you, I do not easily accept my faults. That is why I cannot be the King,” Lóng Wei affirmed and he took a step toward Xiaoming.

Placing his hands on Xiaoming’s arms, Lóng Wei said, “Take righteous decisions from now on. No one is happier than me to see you as the King. Have faith in yourself. Lastly, do not ever think that I am superior to the other princes.” He lowered his arms slowly and looked at the way toward the imperial palace gates.

“We should go. Everyone is waiting for me,” Lóng Wei stated and turned to walk ahead. Xiaoming followed him and they soon reached the palace gates.

Every prince and princess was present there. Li Hua and Qizhen had already stepped into the separate carriages. Only Lóng Wei and Feng Lao were on the ground.

“Lóng Wei, are you sure to go without any trained soldiers?” Qiu Mu asked out of concern.

“Yes.”

He bowed to them and looked at them. “I will return soon because it is my home,” Lóng Wei asserted and walked toward the carriage. He stepped inside and a soldier closed the door. Feng Lao into the same carriage in which Qiu Qizhen was present.

Jin Yu stood next to Xiaoming and asked him if he would send some soldiers with Lóng Wei.

“He does not want people to find out and bring attention toward him. He will be safe. Do not worry,” Xiaoming said with a smile.

Jin Yu acknowledged Xiaoming’s decision and saw Li Hua had opened the carriage’s window. She waved at them as they started to move. Jin Yu walked ahead and waved with her both hands to Li Hua.

Seeing Jin Yu doing this, the others copied her.

“Li Hua, we will wait for all of your return,” Jin Yu said loudly and soon the carriage disappeared from their sight.

Li Hua pulled her head in and closed the window. She looked at Lóng Wei with teary eyes. “I turned emotional. Is His Highness not feeling sad?” Li Hua asked.

Lóng Wei nodded at her and quickly came to her side. He sat next to her and said, “I have left the palace many times, but this was the first time I felt they all wanted me not to go. It is a strange feeling. Is this what we call a family?”