Nianzu reached outside his house and took a deep breath. He walked in and saw Huo Jin was sharpening his sword. Huo Jin saw him and immediately stood up from the wooden stool. "You arrived, Nianzu," Huo Jin said with a smile and went to him. He got the wine smell from him and asked him if he drank.

"Yes. I had to drink as Fei Jing told me," replied Nianzu and asked about Chuntao.

"Sister Chun has gone to the neighborhood house. She will be home soon," Huo Jin replied.

"You should not have let her go alone. In which house has she gone?" Nianzu asked and looked out.

"The house adjacent to us. Why are you worried? Come, sit on it," Huo Jin pushed Nianzu on the stool. "I will bring water for you," Huo Jin said and went to the kitchen. Nianzu kept looking outside as he was worried. He couldn't help but go out of the house.

As soon as he walked out, he saw Chuntao in front of him, who was startled to see him. "Nianzu, when did you arrive? Forgive me. I was at our neighbor's house. Look, they have given us this special sauce and rice cakes," Chuntao showed him the wooden tiffin box which, was wrapped in a maroon-colored cloth. Nianzu carried it for her and grasped her hand.

"I arrived a few minutes ago," Nianzu replied, and they both entered the house.

"Did you have drinks? I can smell the strong wine," Chuntao stated.

"Yes. I could not refuse Young Master Fei," Nianzu replied and let her hand go. Huo Jin came to Nianzu.

"Sister Chun, your husband worries too much for you. I had told him that you are in the adjacent house. However, he did not listen to me and walked out of the house to find Sister Chun," Huo Jin complained to Chuntao, who giggled and took the water glass from him while Huo Jin grabbed the tiffin box from Nianzu's hands.

"Drink it," Chuntao said. Nianzu thanked Huo Jin for the water and drank it. Chuntao took the glass from him. "The hot water will be ready in a while. You then can wash your face and hands," Chuntao told him.

"Okay," Nianzu replied. "Forgive me. I did not want to drink," he said.

"It's fine. You do not need to apologize for this. It is good to drink with friends," Chuntao said with a smile and went to the kitchen.

Huo Jin came near Nianzu and asked him why he had carried a gloomy face.

"I have not," Nianzu passed him a tiny smile.

"Did something happen in Fei Jing's residence? Sister Chun told me that Fei Jing is suspicious of your identity," stated Huo Jin.

"He knows my name nothing more. I have handled it well. There were some noblemen at that ridiculous party. I did not want to go but had to go so that he would not doubt me," Nianzu outrageously said.

"What happened at that ridiculous party?" Huo Jin asked.

"It is not worth talking about," Nianzu stated and looked at the sword in the sheath. "People might be skeptical of you. A commoner does not carry a sword," Nianzu opined.

"Umm… I am in the military, forgot? I have this for everyone. So, I can carry this sword," asserted Huo Jin and smiled. "I wonder when the results will come. I am eager to go back to Luoyang with you," Huo Jin stated.

"It will be declared soon– in a day or two," Nianzu replied. "However, I am afraid that how my father will react if he sees my name. I do not have any idea what Brother Sheng is thinking," he said and knitted his brows.

~~~~~

Sheng Li apologized to Zhu Lin for endangering her life.

"The Crown Prince is embarrassing me with this. I did what a well-wisher of the Royal Family does," Zhu Lin replied.

"You could have lost your life if Wang Hao had not arrived on time. Do not go alone if you ever encounter such a situation. Wait for others. If something had happened to you this time, then what answer would I have given to your father and also to my brother?" Sheng Li scolded her a little, and she ended up smiling.

"I did not tell you a joke," Sheng Li said.

"I know, Your Highness. Forgive me," Zhu Lin bowed her head and then lifted it to gaze into the eyes of Sheng Li. "The way His Highness scolded me made me recall my Elder Brother. The Elder Brother used to scold me whenever I got hurt," stated Zhu Lin.

Sheng Li recalled that Zhu Lin's elder brother lost his life in a war.

"Then, you should not get hurt," Sheng Li asserted.

"Yes, Your Highness," Zhu Lin replied. "Did Prince Wanxi cry when I was in an unconscious state?" she asked.

"He did. He has a soft heart that's why I keep him away from such things. Anyways, I am grateful to you. If you ever need something, ask me without any hesitation. I will give it to you," Sheng Li stated.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"You can call me Brother Sheng. I do not allow anyone except my elder sister Jing to call me that, but I made it an exception for you," Sheng Li asserted.

Zhu Lin was glad to hear that. "Thank you, Brother Sheng, for accepting me as your younger sister," Zhu Lin said and passed him a smile.

"Take enough rest and recover soon," Sheng Li stated and extended his hand out. He brought it near her shoulder and patted it. "Take care," he quickly pulled his hand back and walked out of the chamber.

Zhu Lin smiled. "I never thought that the Crown Prince would act that way. That's why Prince Wanxi respects him the most. He is indeed a great big brother," Zhu Lin murmured.

Sheng Li told Lei Wanxi to go in.

"You talked with Zhu Lin!" Lei Wanxi was astonished because the conversation did not even last more than 5 minutes.

"Hmm. I told her that you were crying like a baby," Sheng Li said and walked away.

"Brother Sheng, why did you do that?" Lei Wanxi complained.. "Now, she will tease me," he said in a low voice.

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