Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

For his own future.

And for the sake of the people he wanted to protect.

Feng Ao Kuai sipped the tea calmly, thinking about the few things that he had to do. For him, this kind of complicated calculation was very easy and could be handled within moments.

"Ao Kuai," Old Master Nan called again.

"Yes, Grandfather?"

"I hope you can maintain this righteous heart like what you have done so far." Old Master Nan wouldn't want to see the repeat of the past again. Seeing his own descendant blinded by greed and the power presented on the court, he felt heartache.

He trusted Feng Ao Kuai more.

But he was still worried.

Feng Ao Kuai paused for a moment. He knew that his grandfather didn't want him to be like his uncle when he entered his muddy water.

"I know, Grandfather. I'll be careful." Feng Ao Kuai smiled.

"Alright, now let's play another game."

"Okay."

…

<Not long distance away, Nan Hua's location>

The day passed by quietly.

Looking at the familiar road, Nan Hua knew that they would reach the Capital City within a few incense sticks of time. She glanced at the side and saw that one way or another, Prime Minister Lan was dragged by her grandfather to 'tutor' Feng Ao Kuai.

At the other side, Emperor Yang Zhou was talking with Long Qian Xing about some matters.

The two of them were close.

Many people were clear that Long Qian Xing was someone supported by Emperor Yang Zhou. But in public, the two of them still acted nothing more than master and subordinate. No one would be able to point fingers to the way the two of them interacted with each other. 

Nan Hua silently took out a cookie that Long Qian Xing handed to her at night and ate it while riding the horse.

"Miss, please be careful on the road." Chu Yue looked at Nan Hua worriedly.

Nan Hua nodded.

It was nothing for her to control the horse with one hand. She looked at the bags of cookies that Long Qian Xing handed to her. There were many of them and she couldn't eat all of them.

He had said that she could share it with the others.

Too long would only waste it.

"Chu Yue, you share the two bags at the back with Si."

"Yes, Miss."

Chu Yue knew that the two bags contained a lot of cookies that Long Qian Xing handed to Nan Hua. However, the amount was indeed too many. It was even more so considering that Long Qian Xing always gave a new one to Nan Hua at night.

She silently slipped away and walked towards Nan Si, who pretended to be a normal soldier under Nan Hua.

"Si, this is from Miss."

"Cookie?" Nan Si looked at the bag and then looked at Chu Yue in confusion. As an assassin, he would not eat this type of food because it could easily make him gain weight. With him having to maintain his performance, it would be best for him to eat food that could sustain his figure the most.

"Young Master gave her too much, so Miss can share it to others." Chu Yue took one of them and ate them. She commented, "Miss Long is really a good chef."

Miss Long?

Nan Si faintly recalled the young woman who had been using the kitchen lately in Long Qian Xing's area. She was in charge of cooking and because of Long Qian Xing's order, she was busy making several types of cookies lately.

He took one of them and bite it quietly.

The taste was not bad.

…

<Fei Yang Kingdom's Capital City>

As Nan Hua had expected, they reached Fei Yang Kingdom's Capital City within a few incense sticks of time. Looking at the sun's position on the sky, it was still considered afternoon but already long past the time for lunch.

Emperor Yang Zhou called the high ranked generals forward.

"Your Highness," Nan Hua and Long Qian Xing greeted formally.

"You may return first, General Xing." Emperor Yang Zhou knew that Long Qian Xing's grandmother had long wanted her grandson to come back. But Long Qian Xing kept on staying at the frontline for some reasons.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Long Qian Xing cupped his fist and walked away. 

Emperor Yang Zhou then moved his gaze to Nan Hua. "General Jun, you have no place to stay in the Capital City. Stay in the Imperial Palace for the time being."

Stay in the palace?

Nan Hua was surprised. She might be called princess by her people and also claimed as such because it was the best identity that suited her. But this doesn't mean that she was a true princess.

"Your Majesty, would it be appropriate?" Nan Hua asked, still putting the same polite posture.

Emperor Yang Zhou looked at the young woman in front of him. If he hadn't known her real identity, he would have been amazed by her strict posture that was in accordance to Fei Yang Kingdom's etiquette.

"There's nothing inappropriate. I would like to request your help in some matters. The place designed for you will be located far away from mine, so no one will talk about this." Emperor Yang Zhou was calm. "There are other princesses in the palace in the past too."

Nan Hua blinked her eyes.

She had the feeling that Emperor Yang Zhou wanted to tie her to the Imperial Family through granting her the title of a princess.

There were indeed some women in the history that was granted the title of princess for some reasons. But Nan Hua didn't think that this would be appropriate for her, considering that this identity might not stay forever.

But for now, she will just accept this.

"I understand. Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Nan Hua saluted politely.

Emperor Yang Zhou nodded and turned around. "You can go there after you have enough fun walking around."