Chapter 22; The New Guards

"Not bad," Dai Yu said with a mocking clap, his voice laced with an arrogant smirk. Nan Fang, his patience wearing thin, hastily removed the ropes that had bound them. He loathed Dai Yu's smugness, but said nothing. "Let's go," he finally replied, as Dan Zhang flagged down a carriage for them. 

Ming Huan and Liguan took their seats inside while Nan Fang and Dan Zhang walked alongside the carriage. Dai Yu and Yiangyiang, mounted on horseback, rode ahead. Liguan remembered and reached for her sleeve, searching for the bracelet that had been there a while ago.  Liguan hesitated for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "Brother Huan," she began, her voice soft. "I got these from a jewelry stall. This is for you." She gently placed the bracelet on his wrist, the cool metal a stark contrast against his warm skin. "I hope you like it."

Huan glanced down at the bracelet, its intricate design catching the light, emitting a soft, ethereal glow. He seemed to admire it briefly, but then quickly averted his gaze towards the window, his interest waning as quickly as it had sparked. His eyes, however, were not drawn to the passing scenery. Instead, they focused on a figure walking under the relentless sun. It was his bunny, his face covered with fine beads of sweat. Huan's heart ached for his bunny. The journey was long, and the scorching sun beat down relentlessly on the carriage. Finally, the imperial palace loomed before them, its imposing grandeur both awe-inspiring and intimidating. 

Nan Fang and Dan Zhang followed Dai Yu through the sprawling imperial compound, eventually arriving at the imperial service quarters. 

A head servant, her face etched with years of servitude, emerged, bowing deeply. 

    "Greetings, Master Dai Yu. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He gestured towards the newcomers. 

  "These are the new servants who will be serving Princess Ming Liguan."

Wang Shu, a seasoned servant with a shrewd gaze, slowly lifted her head from her bow. Her eyes scanned the new arrivals, their bodies thin and gaunt, their faces etched with fatigue. She paused on Dan Zhang taking in his delicate features. "All skinny and bony," she thought to herself, a flicker of disdain crossing her face. "But this one has a pretty face."

Wang Shu, her gaze then fixed on Nan Fang, abruptly turned to Dan Zhang, who was about to follow the others.

 "Hey you," she barked, her voice sharp and commanding.  Before Dan Zhang could react, Nan Fang stepped forward, "Go and register at the servant division office. And where you will sleep..." she began, but Liguan interrupted her, her voice clear and firm as she walked in the quarters. "That has been taken care of "

 "Your Highness." Nan Fang and the others bowed deeply, when they noticed the princess. "They are staying in my residence," Liguan declared, her voice soft but firm. "Come with me."

They followed Liguan through the corridors, the click of their shoes echoing in the silence. Yiangyiang, lagging slightly behind, couldn't help but steal a glance at Nan Fang as they entered the residence. His stoic demeanor, his quiet strength, seemed to draw her in.

Yiangyiang led them to a spacious room in the servant quarters of the Cherry Blossom residence.

  "This is your room. Feel at home," she said, a faint smile gracing her lips. 

Dan Zhang, his face alight with relief, responded eagerly, 

"Thank you." Nan Fang, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor as he walked into the room. He didn't even acknowledge Yiangyiang's presence, his indifference a stark contrast to Dan Zhang's enthusiasm. "How rude," Yiangyiang muttered under her breath, a slight frown creasing her brow.

Meanwhile, in the main residence, Liling sat sipping tea as Wang Shu filled her in. "Hmm, a new bodyguard?" Liling remarked, her voice laced with mock amusement. Wang Shu, her expression unreadable, already filled Liling in on the details of the new arrivals.   

  "Make sure to welcome our new servants," Liling instructed, her voice taking on a subtle, almost menacing tone. Wang Shu bowed deeply.

   "Yes, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice devoid of emotion. She then excused herself, her mind already formulating a plan, a plan to ensure that the new servants understood their place. 

Mian, her doll-like face resting on her hands, sighed dramatically. "So boring," she lamented, her voice a soft, melodious whine. Her beauty was striking, a delicate porcelain doll come to life. Button nose, pink lips, eyes like polished chalcedony, her mother's pale skin, and black hair cascading to her waist – she was a vision of exquisite fragility. Ming Chou, her older brother, offered a toothy smile.

 "Why don't you play with me?"

Mian shook her head, her gaze distant. "No, play by yourself." 

Just then, Xianming, their personal maid, approached. "Your Highness," she murmured, as she bent over to whisper to her ears, her words barely audible. Mian's eyes flickered with interest, a crooked smile slowly spreading across her lips. "Hmm, intriguing," she murmured. 

Dan Zhang's handsome features drew more than a few admiring glances. The table groaned under the weight of a feast fit for royalty. "Mm, smells good!" Dan Zhang exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. 

   "Glutton," Nan Fang muttered, his voice devoid of amusement. The others at the table, however, chuckled at the playful jab. 

Wei Dan approached Ming Han, handing him a sealed letter. "Your Highness," he said, his voice low and respectful.

Ming Han's expression shifted as he read the letter, his brows furrowed in concentration. He placed it down with a sigh. "Goddess of Slay," he uttered, his voice carrying a weight of foreboding. "She was assigned to assassinate Mei Xiang, and the mastermind was Empress Liling." Wei Dan added. 

"Any news about Mei Xiang?" Ming Han pressed, 

Wei Dan hesitated. "From the information garnered, Mei is a famous courtesan. Her roots are unknown, but..." he paused, as  Ming Han looked up at him.

 "She often declines invitations from other royals and prominent figures in other countries," Wei Dan continued, "never stayed beyond a day. But her presence here seems way too coincidental to the situation now."

Ming Han pondered the information, his mind racing. "Mei Xiang, Mei Xiang, what are you up to?" he wondered aloud, his brows furrowed in suspicion.

"Oh, I have to go get the wine, brother Nan," Yiangyiang interjected, her gaze flitting towards Nan Fang. She bit her lip, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "How rude," she murmured under her breath, embarrassed by his blunt refusal. 

Dan Zhang, ever the gentleman, rose to his feet. "Ha, let me help," he offered, his smile warm and disarming. He followed Yiangyiang out of the room, leaving the others to their conversation. 

Ehuhng and Liguan exchanged a knowing smile. It was clear to them that Yiangyiang harbored a secret fondness for Nan Fang. However, their smiles vanished as quickly as they had appeared. Ming Mian, stood in the doorway with her maids. 

  "Greetings to Concubine Mother," Ming Mian offered, her mock bow laced with sarcasm. Looking around, her eyes abruptly fixed on Nan Fang. 

   "So, you are the new guard, huh?" she asked, her voice laced with a mocking edge. "What sewage are you from?" Nan Fang remained impassive, but his eyes narrowed, 

   "Oh, you are having dinner without inviting me?" she continued, feigning offense. "How bad of you, Concubine Mother!" she pouted, her voice dripping with petulance. Without warning, she kicked the table, sending a cascade of plates and bowls crashing to the floor. The sound of shattering porcelain filled the room. 

Liguan and Ehuhng remained unmoved, their faces a mask of stoic indifference. Mian's anger flared, fueled by their complete disregard for her outburst. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken animosity.