His Excuse

Lan races against the sun to wake. She sits up, leaning on one arm, letting her long black hair flowing down her nightgown. Hearing their miss's presence back home, two maids come rushing in with a tray of a bucket of water and towels, and a selection of her casual dresses and training clothes.

The older maid, Miyu, leads another trusted maid, Chiu, to tend Lan, keeping their heads low as they proceed to their jobs. Lan grew to not interfere with their job despite her efforts years ago to be independent. Miyu stands in front of her, "Miss, why didn't you wake us to tend to you last night?" Lan stands up and walks towards the vanity table, "I got home late last night. I wouldn't want to wake you up for trivial matters."

Miyu brushes Lan's hair, "Miss, you are our master. We should tend to you in any way…(sigh) There truly isn't a mistress like you in this world." Lan giggles, and turns around to wink at her. Chiu shows up at that moment to report, "Miss, the preparation is done. Are you training today?" Lan shakes her head, "No, I need an audience with Grandfather first."

Chiu nods and brings her miss's casual dresses, "Which color today?" "Any."

After getting ready, the sun had risen halfway above the hills. "Grand Master, First Miss wishes for an audience," a servant called out. No response. "Grandfather, I'm home." No response. But then, as Lan stands at the front of the door, it cracks open, revealing Guang He in his casual brown robe. He manually opened the door just to tell her, "You-You stand right there until I say otherwise," and harshly closes the door.

Lan sighs and obediently obliged. She anticipated much.

When the sun reached its highest peak, Lan was still standing there. Then, her Uncle came by with his hands behind his back and walks to stand beside Lan. "Where did you go? Your grandfather was worried sick." Lan leans in to whisper, "Were you worried too, Uncle?"

With a stern face, he looks at Lan and ignores her, knowing his natural reaction to her retort is inappropriate when eyes are watching.

The door opens in front of them, and a servant came out. "Grand Master will now see First Master and Miss." The two walks in, but halfway to Guang He's desk, Wei Jing knew he would deal with Lan first, so he paused his steps allowing Lan to walk ahead.

Lan walks towards and tries to laugh it off, "Heh…Have grandfather been well?" He slams his table trying to withhold his anger despite Lan's cute attempt to laugh it off. The nerve of this girl…What are the chances a grandfather gets a granddaughter like her?

"Three days huh? Where'd you go to yesterday?! Why didn't you let us know? Do you know how much the maid's prep for your arrival since the other day?" Wei Jing kept a straight face while he teases, "Father, you shouldn't make an excuse, and just say you were the one anticipating her arrival." Lan turns her neck to glare at her Uncle; His teasing would add more fuel to the fire.

Lan runs to her Grandfather's side and grabs his arm, "Lan knows her fault. Don't be mad. It's not good for your health." Guang He takes a deep breath. He knows his anger didn't stem from her extended trip, but more of the worry she put him through without letting him know. "..But why were you late? We both know your skills are beyond such miscalculation." Lan shrugs, "Something came up, so it took a while…Ah-", she looks at Wei Jing, "Uncle, what's the scroll for?"

Wei Jing walks up and passes the scroll to Guang He to read. Lan internally smiles, as she managed to change the topic.

"I see...Your first official duty as Commander, Jing. You'll do well." Wei Jing cups his fist and bows. "Thank you, father." Beside Guang He's side is Lan with her eyes lit up. "Uncle, can I come with?" Before Jing could respond, her grandfather immediately answers the question. "No. You, have your mess to clean up. In just four days, those idiots' marriage and companion requests multiplied." It was another excuse. Guang He doesn't want Lan to leave so soon after returning.

"But Grandfather, I can lear-" "No." Lan releases a big sigh. What an opportunity she has to give up. But he's right, she still has other stuff to do for the time being.

"Was there anything alarming, Grandfather?" Guang He shakes his head. "No, other than those pesky boys up there, nothing. They think you're one to stay inside, so your absence was not suspicious."

"What is your plan?" Wei Jing asks. "Hm, who knows. They are full of surprises, I can't assume one direction and plan with that," Lan shrugs. "I heard a rumor of a banquet is being hosted soon when I was out, is it true?"

The men nods. "It's taking place in three days, hosted by the Empress for the selection of young princess's companionship. All ladies of titled families were invited."

"Was I?" Guang He nods. "I didn't give them a reply yet."

Lan nods, "You can reply to them with a yes. I'll go."