Chapter 98 - 98. Departure II

Third person POV

Meiyun was fully healed but that accident left a big scar across Meiyun's back. The moment he recalled this memory, guilt hit his heart as he stared at Meiyun's gentle smile that she showed him that day. He didn't notice that he was staring until she lifted up her eyes to look at him. He jolted and immediately turned away his head in embarrassment then he thought that it was impolite of him to do that. So he slowly turned his eyes to peek at Meiyun and saw her still looking at him.

Meiyun smile brightly at him and mouthed ' be safe' before she bowed her head to him. Qiyi lightly nodded his head and turned his head away again to hide his red face but it had a different meaning to Meiyun. She gripped on her clothes to refrain her tears from falling down. She thought that he really disliked her until he didn't want to look at her anymore, she regretted that she acted like they were close.

She lowered her head and stared at her boots in shame, she get ahead of herself and was so happy that he finally look at her direction. She didn't want to be greedy or anything else, she just really hope that he would be safe and sound when he was on the mission.

Weisheng finally mounted Xiao Hei and reluctantly left Xu residence. Qiyi and Qier mounted their horse and Qier turned around his body to wave his hand to Huayun. Seeing his little brother unwillingly parted with his lover, he decided to see Meiyun's reaction to him leaving.

He turned his head to the side and looked at Meiyun over his shoulder, his hand froze when he saw tears silently flew down Meiyun's face. He tightened his hand on the rein after he saw the sad smile on Meiyun's lips, he wanted to jump down from the horse and take her in his embrace but he remembered his responsibility as Emperor's bodyguard. Then a deep voice suddenly disturbed his thought.

Weisheng: " Not gonna comfort her?"

Weisheng had been aware of his two bodyguards' relationship with his future wife's bodyguards. He didn't want to meddle with their personal life nor love life because it wasn't his place to interfere. But he really supported them to pursue their beloved woman as he had treated them as his own brothers even though he never show it. Qier's relationship with Huayun went smoothly but unfortunately not for Qiyi.

There were too many misunderstandings between the two of them that make them drifting apart from each other. And this time Weisheng have to wake Qiyi up from his hestitation. But Qiyi's response to his question before mad him side to Meiyun.

Qiyi: " No."

Weisheng: " You will regret this."

Qiyi didn't reply to him, he just stared at Meiyun and turned his head to look at Weisheng before he shook his head. Weisheng sighed and decided to not pursue Qiyi anymore. Meiyun quickly wiped her tears so no one knew that she was crying but no matter how many times she wiped her tears off, the pain in her heart seems like wouldn't disappear.

Xu Tingfeng approached them and ruffled Meiyun's hair, he smiled at her and spoke in a voice that Meiyun could hear.

Xu Tingfeng: " There is still many good fishes in the ocean."

Xu Tingfeng lifted up his fist in front of Meiyun's face, Meiyun stared at him and showed her toothy smile before she bumped her fist on his fist. Hong er turned around and saw they were fist bumping, she laughed and jokingly said.

Hong er: " Why did father and Meiyun become all buddy buddy?"

Xu Tingfeng: " Ahahaha, it is nothing. Just me encouraging a kiddo in distress, right Meiyun?"

Meiyun: " Aye, sir!"

Meiyun saluted to Xu Tingfeng and laughed out loud. All of them infected by Meiyun's contagious laugh and laughed too. Then Hong er remembered something.

Hong er: " Father, I will depart to capital today."

Xu Tingfeng: " Why so sudden?"

Hong er: " The selection is only a few days away and even if I travelled in high speed, it still need two or three days to arrive at capital."

Xu Tingfeng: " Hhmm, fine. Pack your things and depart after having lunch."

Hong er: " Yes, father."

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Hong er said her goodbye to everyone after she ate her lunch. She mounted Xiao Bai and departed with Meiyun and Huayun. They travelled in high speed and only took a rest when the horses were tired and thirsty. The Xu residence in capital had got the news that Hong er would arrive there in 2 or 3 days. They prepared everything that was necessary for the selection like clothes and accessories but they didn't choose the most beautiful or the most expensive things because they didn't Hong er to be the spotlight and selected as Long Shangu's bride.

And exactly as what written on the letter, Hong er arrive at the Xu residence in 3 day at midnight. They directly guided Hong er to her room to rest and packed her luggage for tomorrow's selection. The selection went for 3 weeks and all participants live in the palace for the time being.

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The next morning, Hong er woke up and do her morning practice until 5 AM then take a bath to prepare herself for the selection. Hong er didn't use any make up and dressed up like her usual white casual clothes. She thanked the servants in the Xu residence and walked out of the main gate just to see an annoying smug face that she wished never see again. Hong er showed her fakest and brightest smile she could make to Eunuch Zhu that stood in front of her carriage even though he couldn't see her face because of her mask.

Eunuch Zhu: " Are you ready, My Lady?"

Eunuch Zhu said with a smirk on his face.

Hong er: " Yes, I am. Thank you for asking."

Hong er lightly bowed her head. Eunuch Zhu felt like he was above the prestigious Xu family when he saw Hong er bowed to him. Actually Hong er was just being polite to him but he took it as she was afraid of him.

Eunuch Zhu: " My, my, you are welcome My Lady."

Without another word, Hong er get into the carriage that was prepared for every participant and silently sat down. Meiyun and Huayun walked beside the carriage in their cautious mode. Meanwhile, Hong er was thinking how to lose the selection but didn't bring any shame to her family.