Chapter 83: Farewell 2

The next day, Ouyang Xueqing risen early and prepared herself. She didn't brought much of her belonging, only the robes on her body, the silver flute from Ren Yupei, and her light green mask. Even her usual accessories adorning her hair was taken off one by one until there were none remained.

She glanced toward the little Furball curling on top of her bed. "Are you sure you want to follow me?" She asked for the umpteenth times. "The place I'm going is a very, very dangerous one. In here, you can ask Brother Ren or An Zhengnan to feed you everyday, you can even go out to play once in a while."

Furball rolled his eyes. "I told you, no matter where you go, I will follow! Don't even think of abandoning me!" Ever since that day, Furball seemed to be attached to her, maybe because she was the one who woke him up from his slumber. He liked to ride on her shoulder or laid inside her sleeves as she carried him anywhere.

To be honest, she was reassured if she had someone she could talk to in that foreign and unfamiliar place. That's why, she didn't have many objection whether Furball wanted to follow her or not.

She pursed her thin lips. "Fine then! But let me warn you not to be found out by those humans, okay? Especially, don't talk and don't show yourself."

"Okay, okay!" He bounced and slipped inside her sleeves. His round body grew smaller until it could pass as an inconspicuous speck of dust clinging on her sleeves. "I will only stay here and observe!"

She nodded in satisfaction and went through the long and extravagant hallway only to stop at the gate of the main hall. The two guards standing outside saluted her.

"Is Imperial Father inside?" she asked.

"Yes, Princess," came his reply. "Shall we announce your arrival?"

"Yes, please."

The guard complied immediately. "The Princess is here!"

The double doors opened and she stepped in with grace. It was nearly dawn, but she knew that her Imperial Father had always rose before anyone did, and rested after everyone did. He was a just, wise and noble ruler which she adored very much.

As she expected, she found him, sitting majestically on his throne. But there was another person, it was none other than the Crown Prince, Wang Yu. She curtsied elegantly. "Qing'er greets Imperial Father and Eldest Brother."

"Rise," Wang Ze commanded. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," she smiled brightly. "Qing'er is here to bid Imperial Father goodbye. May you always be healthy and well. Don't worry too much, Qing'er will return soon."

Wang Yu which was arranging documents sprawled in front of the table raised his head. "Where are you going?"

Ouyang Xueqing was slightly startled as she wasn't expecting him to care. The Crown Prince in her mind was an aloof and stern character. The sentences they had spoken throughout the years could be counted with her ten fingers, in which more than half of it were just a mere greeting each time they met.

"Qing'er is going on a journey outside, Eldest Brother," she answered swiftly which made him frowned.

He turned to Wang Ze. "You give her permission, Imperial Father?"

Mentioning permission, Wang Ze got a sudden headache. He massaged his temple and sighed. "This silly girl has trick This Lord to agree. What can This Lord do?"

Ouyang Xueqing mused at his sullen expression. "Don't worry, Imperial Father, Eldest Brother. Qing'er will be fine. Then, if there's nothing else, please pardoned Qing'er as she wanted to depart before the sun fully rises."

"Come here." Wang Ze beckoned her to go closer to him. Raising an eyebrow, she trudged forward and were suddenly enveloped in a hug. It was a warm, firm and slightly awkward hug. Ever since she was small, Imperial Father had often carried her around as she too liked to cling on his thigh.

But ever since she celebrated her twelve birthday, the frequency of the hug lessened as Wang Ze started to respect her privacy as a growing woman. She didn't really mind though but she liked how he was always considerate toward her.

She didn't realize that she missed the hug until she felt it again. It felt the same as how it was in her memories. Dependable, strong and reliable. Her arms wounded around his shoulder as she buried her face in his chest. "Farewell, Imperial Father. Please send my regards to Second Brother and Third Brother."

"Be careful on your journey." He grumbled. "Are you sure you didn't need any talisman or life saving artifact?" She chuckled as she had listened to this question for more than twenty times already since yesterday.

Her answer remained the same. "No need. Qing'er needs to learn how to protect herself."

"Well," He stroked her head adoringly. "How stubborn you are."

She grinned. "That's because I learned from the best."

Wang Ze snorted. Ouyang Xueqing turned to Wang Yu who was only watching their interaction silently. She coughed awkwardly and nodded as a form of acknowledgement. "Farewell, Eldest Brother."

"Hmm." He grunted. His arm stretched out. Ouyang Xueqing stared at his palm in confusion as it drew closer. She was trying to guess his intention but never had she thought that he would ever pat her head. "Be careful."

Short as ever. But she still beamed widely. "Thank you, Eldest Brother."

Before Wang Ze could nagged her any further, she pardoned herself and dashed away. She didn't need any carriage as she had planned to meet Uncle Ling near the forest that wasn't far from Ling Xiaochen's manor.

But she was still blocked by these two annoying yet endearing protectors of hers. "Princess." They greeted.

"Brother Ren, Zhengnan." She laughed weakly. "Why are you here?"

An Zhengnan snorted in annoyance. "Can't we send you off?"

Before he could annoy her any further, she hurriedly nodded. "You can, you can. Of course you can." She grinned. "Well, I have said my farewell to you two last night so I guess it is unnecessary now."

Ren Yupei frowned worriedly. "Are you sure you don't want me to tag along?"

She glowered. "No!"

"How about telling me your destination?"

Kill her, and she wouldn't have told him anything. "Nope. It's a secret. Don't bother to find out and don't ever follow me." She warned solemnly. Considering how protective Ren Yupei and An Zhengnan was, it wasn't weird for them to stalk her along the journey which was the last thing she didn't want.