The Liang Household

After coaxing his brother to calm down Liang Delun let out a breath. It was hard for him to imagine what this person did when he wasn't around. Sure, he heard stories, but those had to be embellished, no matter how poorly he thought of Liang Wenqian he couldn't believe that he was that much of a monster. He took stock of the room and raised his hands in a friendly gesture.

"My brother has had a little too much to drink," he said with a charming smile. "Please let me make it up to all of you." He then turned his handsome face towards the innkeeper, "A round of drink for everyone here, my treat."

The innkeeper still not ok with Liang Wenqian's behavior was easily charmed by Liang Delun. Like Liang Wenqian, Liang Delun had his own gossip throughout the town, but unlike Liang Wenqian all this gossip was positive. It was rumored that Liang Delun gave all his pocket money to a poor family at the outskirt of town when he was a child. Another time he was said to have paid a sickly mans doctor fees for two whole years so that his family was able to survive. He was known to have a good personality and a heart as generous as a saint. There wasn't a family around that didn't hope their daughter could grab his attention.

"Come on Wenqian, no reason to stick around here any longer, lets spend the night having fun instead of all this." Liang Delun did his best to appear unaffected by the idea of spending time with his brother. It was hard though. He turned towards the servant Liang Wenqian had kicked. "Make sure he gets home safely," he said to Li Li. His eyes passed over Fen Hua, a feeling of familiarity hitting him before he turned away with little interest.

Fen Hua felt herself blush once again. She had never had such a dramatic affect because of a man before. She felt flustered and shy and very unlike herself. She watched as the two brothers left the inn. When they were gone a sudden realization hit her, she belonged to the same household as he did...as a slave. Fen Hua wasn't someone that would daydream about the impossible happening. She didn't believe there was a chance that this handsome man would fall in love with the lowly slave that she was. She felt a loss for what never even was.

"So that is the person you warned me about," Fen Hua said turning to Li Li, who had already helped Da Chen up. "He is quite the monster isn't he."

"It's best not to say those kinds of things here," Li Li chastised. Da Chen was holding the side of his stomach wincing a little with every breath. He most likely had a few broken ribs.

"I don't care," Fen Hua said heatedly, "that type of person doesn't deserve discretion."

"I don't care about him stupid," Li Li snapped, "I'm worried about you." She glanced sideways around the inn. A few sets of eyes lingered on this table. Fen Hua understood then, she supposed every villain had his minions.

"Can we leave this place tonight?"

"Can you travel Da Chen?" Li Li asked in such a gentle voice it made Da Chen force the pain down to comfort her.

"Don't ya worry bout me none," he said giving her a smile, "you know me, I've been through worse than this. A few hits aint gonna set me back." He patted Li Li's hand with his own.

Fen Hua could see that the older lady had watery eyes. She understood then that this love between the two was far from one sided. Why they didn't choose to act on it she didn't know, but was happy they at least had some solace together at a time like this.

Because Fen Hua could see that Da Chen, although trying his best to hide it, was in a lot of pain and traveling tonight was unlikely. As much as she wanted to leave this place and get away from the whole event that had happened, she wasn't a selfish person and would never insist on something like that.

"Lets get him upstairs," she said standing up to help him stand.

He gave her a sideways glance and pushed her hand away. "Silly girl, didn't you hear what I told Li Li? I'm alright. A good night's sleep will see me good as new."

Fen Hua allowed him to be stubborn. It wasn't her place or right to call him on his lie.

When the three had made it up to the room Fen Hua wasn't able to sleep. This last night at an inn reminded her of her first night with these two, staring at the ceiling wondering what was in store for her.

The next morning when Fen Hua woke from her fitful sleep, Li Li was already awake and ready for the morning. She put a finger to her mouth to hush Fen Hua, gesturing towards Da Chen. Fen Hua understood and quietly rose, she washed her face and rubbed some of the salty paste they used on their teeth before following Li Li out of the room.

"I put some powder to help him sleep in his drink last night after we came up here," she let out a heavy breath. The weariness in her eyes seemed never ending. "I want to let him sleep a little longer. After that I found a friend who is willing to drive us the rest of the way to the household for free. It was sheer luck that a slave from a neighboring house was sent here on an errand. He needs to finish his business then he will take us."

Fen Hua felt relief wash over her, until that moment she hadn't realized how worried about him she was. "Good, I'm glad," Fen Hua said. She rubbed Li Li on the shoulder, hoping that it offered her a little comfort.

Li Li put her own hand on Fen Hua's giving it a small squeeze before bringing it away from her shoulder. "No need to worry about this old hag," she said a worn smile on her lips. "Let's get something to eat and then prepare for the last of our journey." They started to take a few steps down the stairs before Li Li stopped and turned back to Fen Hua. "When we get to the manor don't speak of what you saw last night. If the Second Young Master were to find out we talked about it...." she left the words hanging there, choosing not to frighten Fen Hua too much. Fen Hua was easily able to grasp what she was saying. This home she was heading to was staring to feel more and more like a nightmare.