CH. 5 ~ For The Night

Lou Qi Ran climbed onto the horse and Xiao Li supported her until she had settled down. Xiao Li then told the servant who was pulling the horse that they were ready to go. The walk to the nearest town was about ten minutes, and so they started the short walk towards the town.

The town was located outside of Hua Country, and it'll take about a day to get to Hua Country from it. The town was called, Longevity Town, the town wasn't too big bore too small. When Lou Qi Ran reached the town, it was still bustling with people going about their day even though it was cold and becoming dark soon. They wanted to keep a low profile so, if there were to be people who had bad intentions, no one would know their identities nor their location.

So, they walked into the town and towards the inn that they were to be staying in. A servant had already ridden a horse beforehand to inform the inn to prepare enough room to accommodate them. When reaching, they talked to the person who was in charge of leading the way to their rooms and they all settled into their own rooms.

Lou Qi Ran had sat down and called for Xiao Li. "Xiao Li, does everyone have a room that they can comfortably stay in? What about the ones who stayed behind to fix the carriages?"

Xiao Li looked at her Young Miss and nodded her head with a big smile on her face. "They're already settled down and I heard that the wheel is nearly fixed. They just need a few more fixing before it's all done. The servants who stayed behind will be back soon. There's also some guards who stayed behind per your order earlier, so they're safe."

Lou Qi Ran had ordered before they had set off that some guards stay to protect the servants who were fixing the carriages.

Lou Qi Ran nodded her head in satisfaction, and Xiao Li came forward to pour the warm tea they had already brought to the table for her. "Young Miss, are you tired? If you want I can call them to draw a bath for you so you can quickly relax."

Lou Qi Ran lifted her face before taking a sip of her tea. "Xiao Li, what about my parents? Let's go visit them, I want to talk to mother and father before we have to come back to our rooms. Also, make sure to personally check the rooms of the servant and come report to me. Go and tell Gu Shi to come for me, I have a few things to talk to him."

After speaking Lou Qi Ran stood up and began heading out her room towards her parents room. Xiao Li followed behind and closed the door before following after Lou Qi Ran who was already half-way down the hall. Xiao Li can never understand just how fast her Young Miss is to be able to have quickly parted that fast from her. Shaking her head she quickly stepped up to be able to keep up with Lou Qi Ran.

Before entering her parents room, Lou Qi Ran had Xiao Li to call for Gu Shi. And then, Xiao Li knocked to announce her entry before heading off to find Gu Shi.

Lou Qi Ran entered and politely greeted both her parents. "Imperial father and Imperial mother, your daughter, Lou Qi Ran greets you." After saying so she stood up, "I'm sorry for suddenly coming to see you, I just wanted to see how you were."

Her mother stood up and took her hand with a smile to make her sit down. "It's alright. Come, come, sit down with mother and father. We were just chatting about your brother and you. Are you tired from the journey? Did you already eat something? Are you alright?"

Faced with her mother's endless worry Lou Qi Ran smiled a smile that was as bright as sunlight. "Mother no need to worry, you should take care of yourself first before worrying about me. And you should take care of father too, he seems to be sulking now that I came here," taking a quick glance at her father beside them she stifled a giggle, "anyways, don't worry about me I'm not tired and I wasn't hurt. Everything is fine, what I'm worried about is you and Imperial father. Did you guys call them for any refreshments yet? How about any food?"

Her father slightly turned his head at her teasing, and quickly glanced away. Her mother laughed, "No worries, Ran'er. Your father is alright, he's just tired from traveling because of old age. I've already called for someone to serve some food, I was about to come visit you but you were faster. And Ran'er, dear, thank you for worrying about your mother and father. We're still strong don't worry, there is nothing wrong."

Lou Qi Ran nodded her head and squeezed her mother's hand. "Alright then I won't worry. Just remember to take care of you and fathers health. I'll wait here until they bring tea and chat with you for a little more. I still have things to do so I'll leave after a while."

Right when Lou Qi Ran finished talking the servants had brought in some light tea, and snacks.

•••

Lou Qi Ran had finished talking with her mother and father. She had also been fed some food by her mother who told her to eat more for she was too skinny. And so, she ate until she was full, and bid her goodbyes before leaving the room when she saw Xiao Li coming back.

Once they reached her room, Lou Qi Ran sat down and asked Xiao Li when Gu Shi was coming. "Young Miss, I've already spoken to Gu Shi, he's already on his way here as we speak. He had some business to take care of so I had to take some time to find him."

Lou Qi Ran glanced outside the window that was opened and walked towards it. She was on the fourth floor of the inn, and she could see a much more broader view of the town. She also saw the many mountains and hills that were beyond the town. She leaned against the windowsill, and closed her eyes.

{I wish that this moment will last longer, where there's peace and quiet...}

"I wish that too." A males voice suddenly entered her mind.

Suddenly a fuzzy and faint image appeared in her mind.

There was a man who was standing in front of her with his back facing her, as he leaned against a tree. Before she could register it, a female voice had spoken.

"Brother, would you..." the girls voice was very faint, she only heard the front part, "if I asked you to?," and the last part.

The man was turning around but before she could see his face, someone shook her. Opening her eyes, Lou Qi Ran glanced behind her and saw Xiao Li looking at her with worry.

{What a weird image... just who were those two people in my mind? Do I know them?... Never mind, no use pondering over it. Let's just settle down the night here in peace while we are here.}