Chapter 7: Love At First Sight(I).

"So I'm not the only one you've given a ridiculous nickname?"Han Shuo asked when Ye Xiwu finally left.

"How is it ridiculous? I call her Chatterbox because she speaks continuously and I call you bunny because you look like one."

"Where and how do I look like a bunny?"

Han Shuo just happened to be standing beside Feng Yuan's wheelchair as he arranged the contents on top of the table. Feng Yuan vulgarly cupped Han Shuo's butt and squeezed it.

"Look even your butt is as small as a bunny's,"Feng Yuan smirked.

"Shameless!"Han Shuo cursed as he jolted getting away from Feng Yuan's grasp,"Just because I agreed to be your attendant doesn't mean you can assault me like that."

"You're my servant your body belongs to me I can touch it whenever I want and however I want."

"I'm not one of those prostitutes you used to touch vulgarly ,"Han Shuo said boldly.

"You're gonna beg me to touch you one day,"Feng Yuan smirked with mischief.

Han Shuo snorted ,"Beg you to touch me? How can I beg a fellow man to touch me?"

"Do you want to go to be a doctor at those martial sects?"Feng Yuan asked changing the topic.

"No I'm satisfied with my life right now."

"Don't you want to get famous?"

"Our sect doesn't learn medicine for fame,"Han Shuo said boldly.

"Really? Then why do you guys go extra with everything if it weren't for gaining fame?"Feng Yuan asked in disdain.

"What are we extra with?" Han Shuo asked his temper slowly rising .

"Wearing snow white robes from spring to winter,carrying white lacquered medical kits and wiping them everytime ,not leaving the mountain before sixteen."

"We mostly stayed at the sect so we could build our bonds as sect brothers."

"What bonds? Have they helped you anywhere? Where are those sect brothers when you were mercilessly kicked out of the sect and became homeless?"

Feng Yuan was sure he had hit the nail on the head. Han Shuo silently swallowed the harsh truth that was pointed out by Feng Yuan. Feng Yuan enjoyed seeing Han Shuo's temper rise so he continued teasing him to keep the fun going.

" Tasting medicine concoctions before giving them to patients ...,"Feng Yuan continued.

"We taste medicine concoctions to earn the patients' trust and assure them the medicine is safe,"Han Shuo clarified.

"What trust? Sounds more like hypocrisy to me."

"How is it hypocrisy? You!..."Han Shuo raised his hand angrily at him almost losing it but then slowly put it down when he suddenly remembered he was the one relying more on the other and not the other way round.

Ministers,scholars,noble men and women entered Taihe Hall,their silk robes and dresses rustling that afternoon. They bowed low , acknowledging their emperor's grace. The air smelled of incense , mingling with fragrant spring blossoms placed strategically around the hall. The emperor sat on a raised dais radiating authority. The two princes dressed in embroidered silks sat to the right. The seating arrangement depended on hierarchy and gender. Men sat to the Emperor's right side while women sat to his left. Those with the highest hierarchical rank sat closer to the Emperor. It was Emperor Feng's 42nd birthday banquet.

Servants brought forth platters of delicacies. Within a few minutes the tables were all adorned with sumptuous dishes: Imperial Roast Duck;a crispy skinned duck,seasoned and roasted to perfection,

Dragon and Phoenix Soup combining chicken(phoenix) and fish(dragon) in rich broth,

Eight Treasures Rice;a sweet glutinous rice dish with candied fruits ,nuts and lotus seeds,

Jadeite Tofu ; silky tofu cubes served with green spinach sauce,

Golden Prawns;prawns coated in a golden batter, signifying prosperity,

Lotus Leaf- Wrapped Sticky Rice;fragrant rice steamed with meat and mushrooms and Assorted Sweets which included intricately crafted pastries,fruits and candied treats. Several jars of floral wines were presented before the guests.

"It's my father's birthday banquet today so I would like you to present my gift to him on my behalf,"Feng Yuan said.

"Why don't I take you there with the wheelchair so you can present it yourself?"

"I'm nothing but a piece of junk why would I waste my time going there?If you go you might see your Shifu and glare at him all you want."

Hearing his Shifu might be at the palace Han Shuo quickly agreed.

"Where is the gift?" Han Shuo asked delightedly.

Feng Yuan gestured him to look under the bed. Han Shuo did as instructed and pulled a rectangular ornate box measuring about 60 cm in length, 30 cm in width, and 20 cm in height.

The box was crafted from aged zelkova wood exuding warmth and reverence,its grain flowing like the currents of the Yellow River.

The lid bore a delicate mother-of-pearl inlay—a celestial dragon coiled around a sun disk.

"You are really good at choosing gifts,"Han Shuo complimented him.

"Take it now."

Han Shuo arrived at Taihe Hall just on time while the guests were presenting gifts to Emperor Feng. He was nervous at first but he finally gained confidence ,dusted his blue robes and entered the hall gaining everyone's attention.

Feng Yiran was into men and Han Shuo just happened to be his type;a cute innocent faced kid that could melt everyone's heart. He couldn't take his eyes off him. He didn't actually imagine that attending the Emperor's boring banquet would land him falling in love at first sight with Han Shuo.

Han Shuo bowed and greeted Emperor Feng respectfully and presented the gift. The box had a silver lock securing it so he handed over the key to the Emperor's eunuch. Han Shuo bowed and walked out in disappointment having not seen Master Chen like he expected.

Since Emperor Feng was eager to see the gift Feng Yuan had sent him, he immediately asked the eunuch to open the box.The box had a crimson silk lining the interior, embroidered with golden dragons and phoenixes. Their dance symbolized harmony and balance.

The silk cradled the sword inside ensuring its safety.The sword's scabbard was made of Lacquered cherry wood, polished to a deep, lustrous black. The lacquer contained powdered gold, hinting at hidden treasures.

Blossoms - cherry ,plum and lotus—adorned the scabbard. Each petal whispered longevity, resilience, and purity.Swirling clouds and waves, etched in silver, encircled the mouth of the scabbard.

Emperor Feng picked up the sword himself and unsheathed it .The sword's blade was slender, its steel infused with rare meteorite iron. Its edge gleamed like moonlight on water.

The hilt featured a carved jade dragon, its sinuous body winding around the grip. The dragon symbolized power, wisdom, and the Emperor's divine lineage.

The guard was shaped like a phoenix, wings outstretched, representing rebirth and prosperity.

Etched along the fuller (the central groove) were verses from ancient texts, invoking blessings upon the Emperor's reign.

The blade's name—Yu Long Jian(Jade Dragon Blade) was inscribed in elegant calligraphy, shimmering with gold leaf.

Emperor Feng proudly showed off his sword and the ministers acknowledged it was indeed a good sword. After the gift presenting session,musicians played traditional instruments , filling the hall with melodious tunes. Dancers performed elegant routines , celebrating life ,love and prosperity. Poets recited verses extolling the emperor's virtues and harmony of the empire.