They teleport back to the Cheng family residence, this time, outside the courtyard behind a pillar where Hao Bai can see them, but no one else. She's preparing her staff for their departure.
"As I said, please pack only the essential items you cannot do without. I have been assured that your safety is guaranteed and you will be provided for. In these uncertain times, it's the best that we can do." Hao Bai looks tired but dignified, and there's a silence when she stops speaking to her staff members.
But then the questions start.
"Mistress, how can we leave you? What will you do?"
"What if we don't want to go?"
"I want to see my family!"
Hao Bai holds her hand up for quiet.
"I know this is an unusual request from me. But you must trust us now, and if we meet again, then surely I will explain myself. It is because I am responsible for your safety, that we have made these arrangements. As for ourselves, we will be leaving here the day after tomorrow."
"But madam, who will cook for you?" The cook asks her, wringing her wrists in agitation.
"I can cook, A-Jing. Now, do as I say. You're leaving in ten minutes. You will be brought back when it is safe." Hao Bai bows to them, causing them to bow back and disperse amid anxious whispering.
When the courtyard is empty, Hao Bai walks towards Wei Ying and Lan Zhan.
"They're scared." Her mouth twists in a frown.
"And they should be," Wei Ying assures her. "You said it yourself: these are uncertain times."
"If you do not mind, I wish to accompany you, to meet your grandmother. I asked Huaisang about her and she seems like an interesting person." Hao Bai says quietly, as if she's only now realising the magnitude of their situation.
"You know our dear friend, Hui Gai? The Demon King? He's scared of her," Wei Ying chuckles. It's good to see Hao Bai thinking about something. He's not sure what that meeting will look like, two powerful matriarchs meeting for the first time, but Wei Ying knows who he will put his money on, if it came to that. No one can beat his fabulous grandmother.
"Why did you tell them your departure is later than it is?" Lan Zhan asks her in a low voice.
"So that we can buy ourselves some time." Hao Bai throws him a warning look not to ask any more sensitive questions.
****************
Ten minutes later, a group of thirty bewildered and anxious men and women are standing before Baoshan Sanren, headed by Hao Bai.
She bows straight away upon seeing the Celestial Immortal, and her staff do the same, learning from her example.
"Welcome to my home," Baoshan Sanren says gracefully. "My grandson said you need somewhere to lie low for a while. Keeping that in mind, there will be certain rules to follow in exchange for your safety, and the safety of those already living here."
"Thank you for giving us shelter. May I ask what kind of rules?" Hao Bai asks, and while her words are deferential, her tone and that sharp glint in her dark eyes are far from it.
Sensing a challenge, Baoshan Sanren smiles dangerously.
Wei Ying shivers. This is just like he imagined it was going to go down. He surreptitiously shuffles more towards his grandmother, pulling Lan Zhan with him.
"There are powerful spells in place further down the mountain. It's not because of you. I value my privacy, and I'm fiercely protective of my wards. Each child that lives and grows here is safe. Our little community works together in harmony, and your people are expected to help us with daily chores. No one leaves, for any reason." Baoshan Sanren pulls a peach out from her voluminous sleeves and tosses it into the air.
Not even three seconds later, it drops into her waiting palms cleanly severed in two. There were no swords, no sharp blades, nothing to show what had happened to them.
Baoshan Sanren maintains eye contact as she bites into the richly sweet fruit, licking her fingers clean after the fact.
A wave of terrified whispers ebb and flow behind the tougher Hao Bai as she bows again.
"I am quite sure none of my people will attempt to leave here. No one will show such disrespect to one who has given us a safe haven. I thank you again." She sounds much less proud now.
"No need for thanks. I would do anything for my family." Baoshan Sanren rings a tiny silver bell and five of her oldest disciples arrive immediately. "Please show our guests to their rooms and where they can freshen up. Then give them a tour of the kitchens and the fields and assign duties."
"Shifu," They bow and carry out her orders.
Hao Bai goes with them to see where they are going.
Wei Ying waits until they are out of earshot before turning to his grandmother, who has turned back into the woman he loves. Not the general defending her troops version.
"That was a neat trick!" he says, watching as Baoshan Sanren eats the other half of the peach. She'd offered it to him but he's gone off them ever since the Queen Mother of the West had approached him in his dreams.
"Wasn't it?" She says gleefully agreeing with him.
She holds her hand out now, and her black sword falls into her palm materialising out of the air. "As long as it puts the fear of Death into them, none of your rats will escape. And even if they do, we are so far from the capital city, that it's a moot point. Still, it's best to be cautious. Hey, you wanna hang out under the peach tree? We haven't caught up in so long!"
Wei Ying wraps an arm around her waist and pulls Lan Zhan along with them.
"Yeah, let's do that. I miss you."
With that, they make their way to where Wei Ying's grandfather is sitting there, a much more solid form than they've seen for a long time. Together, they sit and chat, and wait for Hao Bai to return.
YOU ARE READING
WangXian Forever Book 10
RomanceWei Ying and Lan Zhan must step up to the new challenge that awaits them when they find something that was given to them in secret. What is it, and why is it so dangerous? They embark on a new adventure to find out.
