Farewell 1

After a heart-to-heart talk with Ouyang Feiyang, it was late into the night. She decided to stay in the Royal Palace so that she could bid Imperial Father farewell early in the morning. She was on her way to her courtyard when she spotted a figure standing not far from her abode.

Walking closer, she realized that it was Ren Yupei.

"Brother Ren?" She called out. "What are you doing here?"

"Princess." He bowed slightly and smiled. "Is your dinner fun?"

"Yeah." She giggled. "Grandpa was drunk and passed out in the courtyard. It took four men to drag him inside. Do you need something from me?" She asked curiously.

"Nothing." He shook his head. "I'm just here to bid you goodnight."

Ouyang Xueqing blinked her round eyes whilst her lips curled upward. "Why? Do you miss me already now that I have to go tomorrow?" She teased playfully.

He chuckled. The sound was as soft as she remembered. It was smooth and sweet like chocolates. The crescent moonlight didn't gave off too much light, but it made the man's silhouettes seemed mysterious and intriguing. 

"Princess, how can I not miss you when I have watch over you for nearly ten years long?"

Ouyang Xueqing's eyes softened as she patted his shoulder. "It's okay, Brother Ren. Don't worry, I will be fine."

"I know you will." He nodded gently. His palm outstretched and there, laid a silver jade flute adorned with a delicate and tiny dragon ornament. "Here."

Ouyang Xueqing took it in her hands. It felt warm, the remnant of his touch was evident. "A flute?"

"Yes. It's your birthday gift. Sorry for breaking our promise." He stroked her hair gently. The movement so familiar to her that she was instantly filled with warmth and adoration. Her Brother Ren was still the same as ever. Gentle and considerate.

She moved to hug him, catching him off guard. "Thank you, Brother Ren. I will treasure this forever." She buried her face in his chest as she relished on his warmth. His beating heart. His reassuring pat on her back, as well as the rumble on his chest when he laughed.

"Forever is a little overboard. If you don't forget me after a year, I will be thankful."

She raised her head and pouted sulkily. "How can I forget you?"

After that, they laughed together. This kind of warm atmosphere would surely be one thing that she would miss the most. "Farewell, Brother Ren. Eat well, and be healthy."

"You too." He pinched her cheek and started to nag. "Don't starve yourself, don't follow strangers if they give you food. Don't trust anyone easily especially the males. Protect yourself well. Sleep well and be healthy. Remember that we will always be your home to return to."

Ouyang Xueqing originally wanted to rebuke him for being naggy, even her mother didn't nag as much as him. But when she heard his sentences, her eyes unknowingly welled up in tears. Farewell was hard, but she knew that she could always return to them.

She nodded with a wide smile. "I know. I will return soon."

After she bid him goodbye, she stood for a while as she stared at his diminishing back. The flute on her hand began to chill and she tied it to the sash on her waist. A smile was dancing on her lips as she played on the cute dragon ornaments, full of appreciation of his good taste. When he had completely disappeared into a corner, she turned and shrieked when she saw the shadow standing behind her.

"An Zhengnan!" She cried out loud and patted her drumming chest. "How long have you been here?! Make a sound please. Do you know how scary are you now?"

The man was strangely silent as he stared at her.

"W—What?" She gulped nervously. "Are you here to bid me farewell too? Brother Ren has just left. Why don't you greet us just now?"

He was silent for a few seconds more before sighing. "Do you have to go?"

She blinked at the unexpected question. "Well, yes?"

"Why?"

"U—Um." She moved her eyes around but him to avoid his piercing stare. "As I said, I have been too sheltered. I need to go out to see the world."

"Then take me with you."

She choked on her saliva. "W—What?!"

"Take me with you." He repeated with a sullen look. "Why do you have to go alone? What if something happened to you?"

She coughed awkwardly. "Don't worry ah! I will be fine, even Imperial Father didn't worry as much as you."

An Zhengnan harrumphed and folded his arms. "I'm just afraid that you will drop dead somewhere without anyone knowing."

"Hey!" She glared at him. "Have you had enough? Go back! I need my beauty sleep!" She strode past him, yet her arms were clutched by his strong grab.

"Wait," he muttered.

She turned around grumpily. "What? I don't want to hear another insult!"

"No, I mean—" He groaned and ran his fingers along his hair. It ruffled against the night, the strand was silky soft and with the scarce moonlight, it looked a little like falling stars. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to insult you."

Ouyang Xueqing's mouth gaped wide. Who was this man? This rude and arrogant An Zhengnan was saying sorry willingly? Out of the blue? "Are you sick?" She blurted out uncontrollably which create a scowl on his face.

"You are as annoying as ever."

"I said, no insult!" She puffed out her cheeks, slightly offended. She had to leave tomorrow, yet this block head man had to make her angry until the last second! "Are you done?"

He sulked. "Where is my farewell?"

She said deadpanned. "Goodbye."

He glared at her. If his eyes could kill, she would surely laid upon her own blood right now. "Humph! You are so unfair. Ren Yupei got a hug, but I'm not!"

Ouyang Xueqing raised one of her brows and smirked teasingly. "Oh? Are you jealous of him?"

"No!" He denied wholeheartedly.

"Well then, no hugs for you."

"You—!" He gritted his teeth, irksome at her playful smirk. She was very annoying and very dear at the same time. He knew it was the chance for him to say farewell properly, yet when she saw him hugging Ren Yupei intimately, he just got irritated on his own.

If he could, he would surely follow her, even to the end of the world. But he knew he couldn't.

Lost on his thought, he was startled when she suddenly wrapped her arms around his body and hugged him tightly. The little soft bundle in front of him was petite and fragrance, it tugged on his heartstrings and before he knew it, he had embraced her tightly.

Ouyang Xueqing patted his back like she would to a child. "Farewell, Zhengnan. I will be well, don't worry too much."

"I can't." He mumbled.

She laughed at his remark. "That's your problem then." The sound was soft and melodious against his ear, and he felt the reluctant to let go that was so strong that he was willing to sacrifice everything at that moment just to hug her a little more.

Still, he let go in the end and grumbled. "Don't die."

She grinned. "Sorry, I won't!"

She waved to him cheerfully as she walked into her own courtyard with An Zhengnan that kept on staring at her back. His figure was solemn and lonely against the night. It was as silent and tranquil as it always been, and when she disappeared, he felt a kind of emptiness in his chest that he knew only she could fill.

He lowered his gaze, the warmth of her hug still lingered on his arms. His hands clenched tight as he muttered helplessly. "Damn it, how can I keep this feeling in check?"