Drunken Lotus: Fated With The Rogue Hidden Dragon.

Gifts and Favors (3rd)

 another part of the city, back at the Golden Pheasant Restaurant, Fan Hui Zhong was catching up with an old colleague of his, Wu Zheng He, a general of Thunder Vale Country and also the older brother of the current empress; Wu Li Hua.

"I must say Zheng He, you and my brother did a good job in keeping the peace of our kingdom. You two really did give invaluable help to Old Fa Chung." Fan Hui Zhong said with a laugh and even Wu Zheng He couldn't help but smile wryly at how casual Fan Hui Zhong was in referring to the emperor.

"Of course, any help that we could provide to Imperial Brother-in-Law is something that would not only benefit us but also the citizens."

"True, that is true. I've personally seen the effects of your efforts. Even the quality of life in the small villages in our outer territories has seen a lot of improvement."

Startled, Wu Zheng He couldn't help but ask, "I take it that you spent a lot of time in the outer territories?"

Looking at the elegant man who had a more gentle and scholarly air rather than the intimidating and oppressive atmosphere of a warrior sitting across from him, Fan Hui Zhong could sense Wu Zheng He's curiosity.

"En. I actually lived in one of those small backwater villages that was right at the edge of our territory and even bordering the Abyss Valley Mountain Range. That village is so small that practically everyone knew each other and there were very few people who actually passes by there due to it's location."

Understanding lit Wu Zheng He's eyes before he laughed and said, "No wonder no one's been able to figure out where you went off to this past couple of years! Who would think that someone with your aura and reputation could be found in one of those small villages..."

Shaking his head with a smile, Wu Zheng He shot Fan Hui Zhong an admiring look and sincerely praised, "You really are one-of-a-kind my lord. To be able to blend in and hide in plain sight is something not everyone could do!"

"Speak for yourself! It's not like you find it hard." Fan Hui Zhong retorted good-naturedly as he gave Wu Zheng He a pointed look to which Wu Zheng He only replied with a slightly sheepish smile.

"It's a gift." Wu Zheng He joked to which both of them laughed at.

As they drank tea and ate, despite the amicable atmosphere and continuous conversation, there were still times that Fan Hui Zhong's mind would appear to be somewhere else which only made Wu Zheng He think of one thing.

"Is Lei Wangye thinking about his daughter?" Wu Zheng He asked when Fan Hui Zhong drifted off again.

In response to this, Fan Hui Zhong only smiled slightly before nodding and replied, "En. I was just thinking about what she was doing right now. I just can't help but feel worried since I know that this is Xia'er's first time at the capital."

"I'm sure she'll be fine. I did see Min Sheng accompany her and I also sensed that the guards you had escort her where all top-notch."

"I know that nothing life-threatening could possibly happen to her without me finding out but what if she gets bullied? You know how some brats are, always thinking that they're high and mighty just because of their families and backgrounds! People don't know who she is yet! What if they do something? Or worse, what if my precious daughter attracts unnecessary flies? I should have asked Li Jie or Xian Liang to accompany her..." Fan Hui Zhong said in a voice filled with worry as he trailed off while a dark gloomy look showed on his face, especially at the thought of the line of potential suitors.