Bright and early, Zhuo Fan and young Sanzi were heading towards the door and were startled to see someone already there. But that didnât stop him from greeting with a smile.
The exit had guards in place, Soul Harmony experts with mighty auras.
Glancing over, the two men put their hand out, blocking the way.
Zhuo Fan looked at them puzzled as they mocked, âSorry, Sir Gu, youâre the Clan Headâs nephew. For your safety, itâs best you stay inside.â
âOh, I see, now Iâm someone of value, ha-ha-haâŚâ
Zhuo Fan gave a strained laugh, âYouâre taking our safety very seriously I see. He-he-he, why thank you.â
Bobbing his face with a bright smile, Zhuo Fan took young Sanzi back, not thinking of leaving again.
The men held nothing but disdain for the two.
Gu Santong looked bleak, gnashing his teeth, âDamn these bastards, they take our home and now are locking us in!â
âEasy now, young Sanzi. Didnât I tell you already? Yesterday was going to be our last day of leisure.â
With a sinister smile, Zhuo Fan continued, âWhich works best for us. They want to keep us here so weâll use this to see their every move. Once they act and fight with the Flying Cloud manor, weâll be sure to reap the rewards, completing our mission.â
Gu Santong nodded, but that didnât mean he liked it, âWith these cowards, who knows how long weâll be stuck here before that happens?â
âHa-ha-ha, these blokes wonât last long. The more they wait the more dangerous it gets. Theyâre more desperate than us to finish and go home.â
Rubbing Gu Santongâs head, Zhuo Fanâs eyes shone, feeling in complete control of everything, âAll we have to do now is just wait.â
Gu Santong sighed a nod.
[Letâs go back to our cell. Not like I havenât done it in TianyuâŚ]
âDid you come from outside?â
The two were startled by a bright voice. Turning around, they saw the young miss.
First came her unique fragrance, then Shangguan Qingyanâs graceful figure. Seeing Gu Santong, she went for a hug, pinching his cheeks, âYoung Sanzi, did you miss auntie last night?â
Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.
[Hey lady, itâs only been a night, not years. Not even your relatives will miss you.]
[And youâre not close to young Sanzi anyway. Whoâd ever miss you?]
Gu Santong was of the same mind, judging by that cold look, âWhoâd ever miss you?â
Ugh!
That one went straight to her heart as Shangguan Qingyan showed a bitter smile, âYoung Sanzi, youâre still so stubborn.â
âLet go of me! Iâm going back to sleep.â Gu Santong huffed, looking elsewhere.
Shangguan Qingyan was stumped.
[Why is he so cold to me, and angry? Who is he angry at? ]
Glancing at Zhuo Fan, he chuckled, âDonât mind it, heâs just being a brat. I promised to take him out to play, but⌠You know how Iâm now a new man, with the clan worried for my safety. So I have to stay inside for now, and the childâŚâ
âTheyâre holding you here?â
Shangguan Qingyan exploded, âThis is your home and weâre just guests. How can they do this? Thatâs just crossing the line! Humph, Shangguan clan isnât so shameless! Young Sanzi, donât worry, auntie here will take you out.â
Shangguan Qingyan carried Gu Santong as she marched for the door; a woman on a crusade.
Zhuo Fan smirked, enjoying the show that followed.
âYoung miss!â
The two men bowed before Shangguan Qingyan, unlike how they treated Zhuo Fan.
Shangguan Qingyan barked, âWhat do you think youâre doing? This is the Gu household, so why are you stopping the two of them? Are you settling in the role of robbers, taking anotherâs home? Have you forgotten all the values Shangguan clan stands for?â
âYoung miss, pleaseâŚâ
The two bowed again, feeling conflicted, âItâs Clan Headâs order. Weâre just the messengers.â
Shangguan Qingyanâs brow shook, âDad? No way! He clearly said to look after the father and son, to be friendly. He even sees him as nephewâŚâ
âUh, yeah, yeah, it must be that Clan Head was worried for his new nephew that he didnât want him to go out. The town isnât safeâŚâ
âBullshit!â
Shangguan Qingyan cut them off with her outburst, âYou canât lie to me! They have nothing to do with the Shangguan clan. No oneâs after them in Flying Cloud City. Youâre just trapping them here. Humph, I brought you all here and this is what you do? It is my duty to hold the true owner of this houseâs side. Now shove off! Iâm taking young Sanzi and Sir Zhuo for a walk.â
[UhâŚ]
Frowning, the two were very conflicted, indecisive.
Zhuo Fan looked from the side. He wanted Shangguan clan to pave his way, but it wasnât bad making waves and stirring things up either.
Lest some guy from the Shangguan clan wanted to push him around. If he didnât stand out, heâd suffer.
This noise came at the best time, showing everyone Shangguan clanâs young miss was on their side and scaring off some bored chaps looking for trouble.
Zhuo Fan simply watched the show unfold with a hidden smile.
As the situation became tense, a shout came, âCousin, uncle is calling you. The Gu father and son can come as well. â
The two men sighed, the Clan Head finally asked for young miss. It was getting a bit too tense for them, having to choose between duty and respect.
âIâll go see dad and then weâll go out.â
Glaring at them, Shangguan Qingyan hugged Gu Santong as she went, âSir Gu, weâll explain it all to dad.â
Zhuo Fan nodded, walking behind her.
Bam!
Something blocked his view then, knocking into it and stumbling five steps back.
It was Shangguan Yulin.
Zhuo Fan sneered inside.
[Here it comes, making it hard on me. First last night and now today. Heâs clearly looking for trouble.]
Shangguan Qingyan was enraged, holding Gu Santong as she went, while oblivious to Zhuo Fanâs predicament.
Shangguan Yulin watched her go then mocked Zhuo Fan, âStay away from young miss. Wretched social climbers like you two wonât get anywhere.â
Shangguan Yulin left after that.
Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, staring hard at him, then he shook his head.
[Such are clansmen, empty of talent yet full of conceit and petty. While youâre looking after the Shangguan clanâs name, I have a way bigger goal in mind.]
Zhuo Fan shook his head before going as well.
People gathered into the parlor, where Shangguan Qingyan and Shangguan Feixiong were already present. Seeing her dad, Shangguan Qingyan started whining.
âHa-ha-ha, alright, I was only thinking of the twoâs safety. Iâll make sure to berate those insensible men.â
Shangguan Feixiong was a leader after all, easily handling this trifle. Then he turned to Zhuo Fan, âYifan, youâre part of the Shangguan clan now and must shoulder the burden. None of us can walk outside and the task of gathering information falls to you. Qingyan, Yulin, youâll provide assistance in the light and in shadows.â
Shangguan Qingyan lit up, âThen young Sanzi can go outside?â
âOf course!â
Shangguan Feixiong smiled, âI said that they misunderstood my intention. I never wanted to hold the two here.â
âGreat!
Shangguan Qingyan cheered, hugging young Sanzi close. Young Sanzi was also smiling.
Only Zhuo Fan had a calculative lookâŚ
Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.