Chapter 49: Beauty and the bodyguard
The soldiers gathered around the little fire so that they can have a moment of rest. Qin Fuhua was drinking a cup of tea in one of the tents that they had temporarily put while Suyin rested in another right across from his.
"It scares me..."
The last three words Qin Fuhua had said before he had left the carriage had been echoing in her head since he had said that. Did the cold-hearted Prince's voice tremble? Suyin shook her head, trying to regain herself as she slapped both of her cheeks.
"Han Suyin. Get a hold of yourself." She spoke to herself, closing her eyes as she slapped herself the second time. It was getting to her head and she didn't want those words to echo in her mind. The main priority to why she's here is to protect her friend from a dangerous man.
Aside from drinking his cup of tea, Qin Fuhua was watching Suyin the whole time, raising his eyebrow when she hit herself a second time. What was this woman thinking of? After gulping tea, he slowly put down the jade cup on the small little table in front of him.
With the rest of his men rested as they all laughed and conversed, Weizhe got up and walked into the tent of Qin Fuhua, lowering his head. "Prince, we should move soon before the sun goes down." He offered his advice to Qin Fuhua. Without moving a gaze away from Suyin who was trying to stay focused on her mission, the Prince turned to him.
"I suggest we use the home that we often use here." He whispered to the Prince's ears, leaning close to the Prince as he nodded in agreement.
"I suggest we do that, too. Do you think we will make it by nighttime?" Qin Fuhua questioned, getting up to dust himself with a stern tone. Weizhe nodded his head, "Yes, Prince."
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The men walked for a couple of miles, taking a rest here and there while Suyin constantly nodded off, her head bobbling which made her wake up every time the carriage hit a rock or bump on the road. Suyin was still in the bridal outfit so the veil kept slipping down whenever she nodded off.
Qin Fuhua was sitting outside of the carriage, holding the halter of the horse to control the horse's way. As they arrived up a hill away from the isolated road lay a little cottage house with endless fields of flowers and greenery around the place. It was the only home right in the heart of the land and there was a little river that ran from the north side down to the east. With the home in sight, the men began to set up their camp not too far from the home to allow Qin Fuhua to have his privacy.
Suyin was too tired to even notice that the carriage stop, but it suddenly stopped. She was still dozing off, tired from the trip although she felt like she didn't do anything.
"Hey." Qin Fuhua called outside of the carriage, calling her to get out. There was no response, so Qin Fuhua turned his head around to look at the entrance which was covered in red cloth (so he couldn't see inside). He furrowed his brows, "Did you hear me?" He called for her again, entering in the carriage as Suyin's head was going to fall to the ground.
Suddenly catching her head with his arms, she suddenly looked up to see Qin Fuhua's face, which made her wake up immediately and jump out of his arms after staring at him in the eyes for a few seconds.
"Ah! I-I'm sorry!" She called out, placing her hands together as she rubbed them together.
"Ahem." He fixed his voice, trying to avoid eye contact with her. "We are home." He uttered before he left the carriage.
Home? Suyin stopped rubbing her hands, taking a peek outside of the curtains. She could hear the sound of the water flowing near her. Where was she at exactly? She got up and got out of the carriage.
There was a small wooden home that seems to have been made a long time ago. A couple of feet away lies a river that flowed through the back of the home. Behind the river was an endless stretch of mountains and a large field of greenery with red, blue, and purple small patches of flowers. Suyin's had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
"My father and grandfather used this home before war broke out." Qin Fuhua suddenly walked next to her. A look of awe was written all over Suyin's face. This was something out of a painting or something! Suyin turned to Suyin, her eyes focused on him at the moment.
Qin Fuhua had his hands behind his back, leaning to the left of her ear so only she could hear. "And it is true, this is a true home that I've never shared with anyone, ever."
Suyin turned her head away, trying to avoid his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat when he said that. His voice was soft and pleasant to the ear for the first time, but was he faking it in front of the others? Suyin couldn't tell, but she shouldn't let her emotions get to her now.
"I..I'll go inside to change and talk about the plan." Suyin stuttered, scrambling inside of the cottage home.
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From Suyin's wedding outfit changed into a normal-plain hanfu, Suyin was covered in the colors of a light blue robe with an outer skirt. The house was a one-story home and it was run-down as if this place had a history for years. Suyin was outside, walking around and picking at rocks to throw at the river, trying to kill time while Qin Fuhua talked with his men.
"Miss Suyin." Weizhe strolled down with his scathe scabbard and sword, putting his hands together to greet her. Suyin turned around and smiled, lowering her head to acknowledge him.
"My lord requested to see you."
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"What do you plan to do to save the Princess?" Qin Fuhua questioned. His hair was down with a long, dark purple robe this time. His eyes were still fierce as ever as Suyin sat down to look at him.
Suyin lit a small smile, "I know the whole area of the Palace and practically been in and out since I was small." Suyin pointed up in the air. "If I were to... no." Suyin wanted to go in, but she was sure that his father or even Prince Jianyu would notice her immediately. Qin Fuhua quietly listened. "If I were to dress up as a man borrowing your clothes..."
She closed her eyes, expecting Qin Fuhua to reject her idea immediately, but she opened one of her eyes, expecting him to glare her down with his intense eyes. Qin Fuhua, still calm as ever, continued to listen, staring at her.
Set on her goal right now, she fixed her voice, "Ahem," she tried to act as if nothing happened, "I think I should go later at night to talk to her to warn her about the man since I know where to go exactly. It would be hard for them to see us if we sneak in at night like how I used to do when I was a kid..."
"And if doing all of this don't help the situation?" Qin Fuhua questioned, skeptical about this plan of hers.
"Um... if it all doesn't work out in the end, warning her should help her at least." Suyin's voice grew smaller but confident. Although it may be true that Princess Yanyu may be forced to marry this guy, we don't know the whole story of this. What Suyin intended to do was to talk to her about the situation as to why and how she got tied into this Liwei.
Worried that Qin Fuhua would not go along with her plan since he did not utter a single word after that, Suyin was ready to be rejected for her plans. After all, Qin Fuhua may have a brighter idea instead of hers.
"Hm. Okay."
Those were the only two words that Fuhua said, accepting her plan right away. Suyin's eyes lit up. Did she somehow impress him with her "brilliant" plan? (Actually, Qin Fuhua was not too impressed, but allowed her to use her brains since this was all of her ideas anyways). He got up and slid the front door open, "We leave by tonight, so rest as much as you can."
It was intended that Qin Fuhua was going to follow her no matter what because knowing how reckless she is and how she can't even get out of a situation on her own, Qin Fuhua would have to take care of things.
"W-Wait!" Suyin stopped Qin Fuhua from leaving. As he turned around to look at her, Suyin stood up. "I-Is it okay if I go to the town to go buy some food?"
Qin Fuhua let out a sigh but then nodded his head. Suyin happily squeaked a little because she was going back to town to something familiar for her.
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As the soldiers huddled around the flickering flames of the campfire, seeking solace in the warmth of its glow, Qin Fuhua sat alone in the relative solitude of his tent, savoring the bitter-sweet taste of his tea as he contemplated the weight of his own words.
"My parents never loved me too."
The echoes of those words reverberated through his mind like a haunting melody, their resonance a constant reminder of the vulnerabilities he had dared to reveal in the presence of another.
Yet, even as he grappled with the turmoil of his own emotions, Qin Fuhua remained steadfast, his gaze fixed unwaveringly upon the figure of Suyin who rested in the tent opposite his own.
Meanwhile, across the camp, Suyin battled her own inner demons, her thoughts consumed by the cold-hearted Prince who momentarily cracked to reveal the fragile heart that lay beneath.
With a sharp slap to her cheeks, she sought to get rid of Qin Fuhua's face from her mind, steeling herself against the tide of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Han Suyin. Get a hold of yourself," she admonished herself, her voice a whisper in the quiet solitude of her tent as she fought to regain her composure. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment, not when the safety of her friend hung in the balance.
Unbeknownst to her, Qin Fuhua observed her actions with a mixture of amusement and concern, his brow furrowing in silent contemplation.
What was she thinking, he wondered, as she subjected herself to the harsh sting of her own self-reproach?
Before he could dwell further on the matter, Weizhe's voice cut through the silence like a sharp blade, his presence a welcome distraction from his thoughts.
Rising from his seat with a measured grace, Qin Fuhua turned to face Weizhe, his expression unreadable as he listened.
"I suggest we use the home that we often use here," Weizhe murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he leaned in close to Qin Fuhua's ear, his words laced with a sense of urgency.
With a nod of agreement, Qin Fuhua rose to his feet, his demeanor shifting from contemplative to decisive in an instant.
"I suggest we do that, too. Do you think we will make it by nighttime?" he inquired, his tone clipped and authoritative as he brushed himself off with a sense of purpose.
Weizhe met his gaze with a nod of assurance, his confidence unwavering in the face of uncertainty.
"Yes, my Lord," he replied, his voice steady and unwavering as they prepared to embark on the next leg of their journey.
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As the journey stretched on, the weary travelers trudged through the winding paths, pausing intermittently to rest and recuperate from the tiring journey.
Suyin, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion, found herself drifting in and out of consciousness, her head nodding with each jostle and bump along the rugged terrain.
Despite her best efforts to remain awake, the sway of the carriage lulled her into a fitful slumber, the veil of her bridal outfit slipping down with each nod of her head.
Outside, Qin Fuhua maintained a careful watch over the procession, his steady hand guiding the horse with practiced ease as they ascended a hill overlooking the isolated road below.
And there, nestled amidst a verdant tapestry of rolling fields and blooming wildflowers, stood a small cottage enveloped in the serenity of its surroundings.
With the destination in sight, the men hastened to set up camp nearby, affording Qin Fuhua the privacy he desired amidst the tranquil beauty of the countryside.
Yet, as the carriage came to a halt, Suyin remained oblivious to their arrival, lost in the depths of her fatigue.
"Hey," Qin Fuhua called out, his voice cutting through the haze of Suyin's drowsiness as he beckoned her to disembark.
But there was no response, no indication that she had heard his call. Frowning in mild frustration, Qin Fuhua peered into the carriage, his gaze obscured by the crimson veil that shrouded the entrance.
"Did you hear me?" he repeated, his tone tinged with concern as he ventured into the carriage.
And then, in a sudden flurry of movement, Suyin's head lurched forward, her body swaying dangerously on the precipice of falling.
Reacting swiftly, Qin Fuhua caught her in his arms, his gaze meeting hers in a fleeting moment of shared vulnerability. But before either of them could utter a word, Suyin sprang from his embrace with a start, her eyes wide with alarm as she backed away, her heart pounding in her chest with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"Sorry." Suyin's apology rang out, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she clasped her hands together, the tremor of her nerves palpable in the air.
"Ahem," Qin Fuhua cleared his throat, his tone measured as he sought to regain his composure, his gaze averted from her own.
"We are home," he announced before swiftly exiting the carriage, leaving Suyin to grapple with the weight of his words.
Home? The word echoed in Suyin's mind. She peered outside the confines of the carriage, her eyes widening in wonder as she beheld the peaceful beauty that surrounded them.
A small wooden home stood nestled amidst the verdant embrace of nature, its weathered facade a testament to the passage of time. Nearby, a gentle river meandered through the landscape, its soothing melody a symphony of tranquility that enveloped them in its embrace. And beyond, a majestic panorama of mountains stretched into the horizon, their towering peaks kissed by the azure sky.
"This was my father and grandfather's home before the war," Qin Fuhua's voice broke through the silence.
For Suyin, the scene before her was nothing short of breathtaking, a variety of colors and textures that seemed to leap from the canvas of her imagination.
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Qin Fuhua's whispered words sent a shiver down Suyin's spine, his proximity both comforting and disconcerting all at once. With his hands clasped behind his back, he leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear as he spoke in hushed tones meant for her ears alone.
"And this is a true home that I've never shared with anyone, ever."
Suyin's heart fluttered at his confession, her pulse quickening with a rush of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
His voice, so soft and gentle, was a stark contrast to the cold demeanor he often displayed in front of others. But was it genuine, she wondered, or merely a facade crafted to deceive?
Turning her head away, Suyin struggled to meet his gaze, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as she grappled with the turmoil of her emotions.
She couldn't afford to let her guard down, not when the stakes were so high.
"I... I'll go inside to change and talk about the plan," she stammered, her words a shaky attempt to regain her composure as she hastily retreated into the safety of the cottage home, the weight of Qin Fuhua's confession lingering in the air like an unspoken promise.
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Suyin's transformation from her elaborate wedding attire to a simple hanfu was a stark contrast, yet it suited her perfectly.
Clad in a light blue robe with an outer skirt, she moved with grace and ease, the fabric fluttering softly with each step she took. The cottage home, though modest and run-down, exuded a sense of rustic charm.
Outside, Suyin wandered aimlessly, her gaze fixed upon the tranquil expanse of the river that flowed nearby. Picking up rocks and casting them into the water, she sought solace in the rhythmic splash of each impact.
"Miss Suyin."
The voice broke through the quietude of her reverie, and Suyin turned to find Weizhe approaching, his scabbard and sword at his side as he greeted her with a respectful bow. Smiling warmly, she returned the gesture, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she awaited his message.
"My lord requested to see you," Weizhe informed her, his tone grave yet respectful as he delivered Qin Fuhua's summons.
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As Suyin sat opposite Qin Fuhua, her heart raced with anticipation, her mind consumed by the weight of the task ahead.
Dressed in a dark purple robe, Qin Fuhua's imposing presence filled the room, his piercing gaze fixed upon her as he awaited her plan to save the Princess.
"What do you plan to do to save the Princess?"
With a small smile playing upon her lips, Suyin launched into her strategy, her words tumbling forth in a rush of excitement and determination.
"I know the whole area of the Palace and have practically been in and out since I was small."
She outlined her knowledge of the Palace grounds and her familiarity with its layout stemming from years of childhood exploration.
But as she began to propose her daring plan of disguise and infiltration, doubt crept into her mind, her confidence faltering in the face of Qin Fuhua's silent scrutiny.
"If I were to dress up as a man borrowing your clothes..." she trailed off, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she awaited his response.
"I think I should go later at night to talk to her to warn her about the man since I know where to go exactly. It would be hard for them to see us if we sneak in at night like how I used to do when I was a kid..."
But to her surprise, Qin Fuhua remained composed, his gaze unwavering as he listened intently to her proposal.
"And if doing all of this don't help the situation?" he questioned, his skepticism evident in his tone as he probed the feasibility of her plan. Undeterred, Suyin squared her shoulders, her resolve unwavering as she articulated her contingency measures. "Um... if it all doesn't work out in the end, warning her should help her at least," she asserted, her voice tinged with a mixture of determination and apprehension.
For a moment, the room hung heavy with tension, the silence stretching between them as Suyin braced herself for rejection. But to her surprise, Qin Fuhua's response was one of unexpected acceptance.
"Hm. Okay,"
With just two words, Qin Fuhua conveyed his acceptance of Suyin's plan, a subtle nod to her ingenuity that she interpreted as genuine approval.
Her eyes shimmered with a glimmer of hope, wondering if she had managed to impress him with her supposedly "brilliant" scheme.
In reality, Fuhua's reaction was more cautious, an acknowledgment of Suyin's autonomy in a situation where she was solely responsible for the strategy.
As Suyin's heart fluttered with the possibility of earning Fuhua's admiration, he rose from his seat and effortlessly slid the front door open, breaking the tension in the room.
His words cut through the air with a sense of finality, announcing their imminent departure.
"We leave by tonight, so rest as much as you can," he declared, his tone betraying a hint of resignation mixed with a touch of concern.
It was evident to Fuhua that he would have to keep a close eye on Suyin, for recklessness and her apparent inability to escape from dangerous situations.
Regardless of his own reservations, he knew he had to ensure her safety.
"W-Wait!" she stammered, her voice tinged with urgency as she halted Fuhua in his tracks. As he turned to face her, Suyin rose from her seat, her determination palpable in the air.
"I-Is it okay if I go to the town to go buy some food?" she asked, her words punctuated by a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.
Fuhua couldn't suppress a weary sigh at Suyin's request, knowing full well the risks involved in letting her venture out alone.
Yet, he relented, his expression softening slightly as he nodded his assent. Suyin's face lit up with unabashed delight, a small victory in the face of uncertainty. With a gleeful squeak, she eagerly anticipated the familiar sights and sounds of the town.
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"Do we really have to do this?" Qin Fuhua grumbled, his demeanor as sour as ever, clad in a somber ensemble of all black, complete with a scabbard and sword that hinted at a formidable presence.
Contrasting Fuhua's stern appearance, Suyin exuded an air of elegance, her attire reflecting a delicate refinement as she carried a wooden basket to procure groceries.
Concealing her features beneath a wooden hat adorned with a cloth veil, she moved with grace, determined to maintain anonymity amidst the bustling streets.
"Hush, don't be too grumpy before everyone will think that you are going to kill them all," Suyin chided playfully, her words a whispered reminder to temper Fuhua's sullen mood as they navigated the marketplace.
Suyin's composure faltered slightly as her voice rose in pitch, her laughter muffled by her hands as she casually selected vegetables from a nearby stall.
"How much is this?" she inquired, seamlessly transitioning into a more casual tone, though Fuhua remained unmoved by her antics, resigned to the fact that trouble inevitably trailed in Suyin's wake.
Unbeknownst to them, their presence had not gone unnoticed, drawing the attention of curious onlookers.
"This man is pretty handsome. I wonder why he's a bodyguard," remarked an elderly woman in a hushed tone to her daughter, her admiration tinged with intrigue.
"If he was some nobleman, I'd let you marry her in a heartbeat," she added, her words carrying further than intended, causing Suyin to stifle a laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
Yet, beneath Fuhua's stoic exterior lay a simmering irritation, his gaze sharp as it bore into Suyin's, silently warning her against further mischievousness.
"Ahem," she interjected hastily, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness as she attempted to steer the conversation toward their purpose.
However, any semblance of normalcy shattered as Suyin's gaze fell upon a familiar face in the distance, sending a chill coursing through her veins.
It was the elderly, lecherous man who had nearly assaulted her on the night of her departure from home. Paralyzed by fear, Suyin stood frozen in place, her heart sinking as she grappled with the realization that her past had caught up to her in the most unexpected of places.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Aeriesu
Aeriesu Hello my dear readers!
I apologize for such a delay in my writing. As I mentioned before in previous posts, I am in nursing school right now and the semester that I had JUST finished was really, really hard. I had so many mental breakdowns and I couldn't focus on anything else besides school. But summer vacation is here and one more semester down to go before I finish! With that said, I will do my best to update constantly, but in order to have continuous updates, it's important to know that chapter WILL be short if you would like me to have some decent updates of each chapters in regard to this. I've been trying really hard to write at least 3,000 words (at least 18-20 pages for you readers to read) but it's really hard to get to there at times. All in all, I hope you all are doing well and thank you as always for reading my novel!
A.S.
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