House Arrest

Fen Hua felt a wave of relief wash over her, but there was still an overwhelming feeling of doubt inside of her. It couldn't be that easy could it?

"Child," Elder Ruolan asked quietly. She wanted to ask her why she never let her visit, or why she always declined any sort of affection from her, but she felt that it would only scare her away. "This Old Lady is not that kind of person. I thought that she was talking about the Second Miss, and would never have thought Lord Heshing could possibly be..."

"Just let it go now Mother," Zhiqiang said interrupting. There was no point talking about it now. He would handle the mess that woman had made. There would no doubt be severe consequences for denying Lord Heshing, but he would handle it.

Why had his life come to this? He glanced at Fen Hua, that sudden feeling of sadness creeping over him. Why did she always make him feel this way? It really was easier to keep her in her quarters, out of site, but still within his reach.

"Head back to your quarters Fen Hua. I will handle it."

"Couldn't you stay for just a bit?" Lady Ruolan asked, her voice almost pleading.

Fen Hua was actually about to agree. She wasn't sure what the heck was actually going on, or if what they were telling her was true, but the way she had just spoken to her stirred a feeling of hope inside of her.

"Not tonight," Zhiqiang said standing up. His presence turned back into an intimidating giant. His boy like neediness disappearing instantly. "She should head back to her quarters for now."

Fen Hua heard a subtle command in his voice. She didn't think it was wise at this point to argue with him so she stood up.

Lady Ruolan watched her young granddaughter walk away her hand stretched out towards her as if trying to grab her.

"Let her rest now mother," Zhiqiang said.

As much as she loved her son she knew that it was easier to give in to him when he was set in his ways. She had raised him poorly he was used to getting what he wanted and when he didn't...

"Please don't cause to much trouble for Lady Meirong. She is a foolish woman, but she is also the mother of your children. You can not let her foolishness get in the way of your duty as a husband and father."

Baek Zhiqiang knew what she said was true. He could also hear the unspoken death of their son in that message. He nodded his head and left the room.

Fen Hua sat on her bed staring at the wall in front of her. Two weeks had passed since the whole Lord Heshing situation. She wasn't sure how it had been dealt with, but she had yet to be bothered by anyone about it. What she did know however was that she felt much more isolated then she ever had before. A set of guards now stood in front of her quarters, rotating three times a day. Jingfei had been switched as her maid and now an older maid named Tengfei served her. Tengfei never spoke to her unless she was spoken to first. She did her duty then abruptly left.

She did notice that her meals had gotten better, and that various gifts were sent to her quarters through out the days. But it was clear as day to her that she was now a prisoner in this home. She couldn't understand why. If they didn't want to send her off for a marriage, why couldn't she come and go as she pleased? Why did they want to keep her locked in this room?

She was begging to feel stir crazy and panicked. The desire to get out of this place was much stronger now then it had ever been. Before at least she had a feeling that if she really wanted to she could walk out the gates, now she didn't think there was a chance of it.

"Fourth Miss," a voice called out to her. Fen Hua didn't recognize the voice so she headed outside to check who it was.

A young girl stood there with her eyes staring at the ground. She couldn't be more then ten years old and as frail as a twig.

"The Elder Lady Ruolan sent me to ask if you would allow her to visit this afternoon."

Fen Hua puzzled her brows. What did she want? She thought back to that almost pleading voice from that night. The way she almost felt wanted.....

"Tell her that she can come," Fen Hua answered. "Whats your name?" She asked wanting anyone to talk to her at this point.

"I am Shaoqing," the tiny girl answered.

Fen Hua noticed a slight accent to her voice. It was interesting because she knew so little about this world to hear a new accent was somehow exciting to her, but then again it might just be because she was bored out of her mind.

"Where are you from? How did you come to be here?"

Shaoqing looked up at the Fourth Miss in surprise. She hadn't been asked questions like this by anyone in this household. Not even the other servants. She quickly put her head back down knowing that she shouldn't look directly at the Masters.

"I was born in Quin-dong, but my family couldn't afford to keep me anymore so I was sold in the Neutral Territory on the auction block. I was just brought here three days ago."

Fen Hua knit her brows together. She knew that her mom had been bought from the Neutral Territory but didn't actually know what that meant.

"Where is the Neutral Territory?"

"Fourth Miss doesn't know where the Neutral Territory is? It is the one place that every person is taught about from an early age In Quin-dong. Do they not teach you about it here?"

"I was sick for a big part of my childhood," Fen Hua said quickly excusing her lack of knowledge.

Shaoqing nodded her head in understanding. "The Neutral Territory sits in the middle of all the five nations. It borders every nation so that every nation can have access to it."

Well that was interesting. Why did there need to be a Neutral Territory?

"I'm sorry Miss but Elder Ruolan is expecting me back now."

"Oh yea, go go. Sorry."

Shaoqing gave Fen Hua a quizzical look at her strange way of talking and the fact that she apologized, but didn't say anything as she headed off.