His Lady, Han Ruo

Qiu Ming (4)

The moment he heard the screams, his blood had ran cold. Qiu Ming waited and listened, unsure of what was happening beyond the walls. He could hear that vile old man screaming in fear in the other room. This had never happened in his first life. He feared that it was the consequence of rebirth. Whoever was harassing the tyrant garnered Qiu Ming's praise, however, it had yet to be determined if this person was friend or foe.

"YOU DEMON! HOW DARE YOU!"

Qiu Ming froze.

In his past life, these were the exact same words that the old man had spat at him when he and Ah Ruo were discovered. To think he'd be hearing them now- hours before the actual event would happen. The boy's heart loomed with dread.

The man screamed again and this time, Qiu Ming resolved himself. He grabbed another shard of glass and decided to take a look.

The door to the next room was wide open and instantly, Qiu Ming rushed inside.

What he saw nearly stopped his heart.

A delicate-looking girl was on her knees,weakly supporting her upperbody with her thin arms. Her long and lustrious hair fell over her face like a curtain as blood dripped down her chin. She was visibly trembling, yet the coldness in her eyes could not be mistaken.

It was her

"You fucking murderer, time to die!"

It was then Qiu Ming noticed the elderly woman. Instinctively he lunged forward and stabbed her in the neck. Unlike their master, this woman was old and frail. One stab was enough for her to crumple immediately.

Qiu Ming let go of the shard and stared at the little girl. He felt his heart constrict and he trembled at the thought of what was to come. In a small voice he asked, "Ah Ruo?"

Clear phoenix eyes looked up at him in astonishment. The little girl's lips quivered, seeming to want to say something. Her small face, though covered in blood, looked particularly adorable.

This year, Han Ruo was only 8 years old.

"Xiao Ming..."

Her voice was like a bucket of cold water, dousing him in sudden realization. Qiu Ming couldn't stop the sweet smile that bloomed on his face. He took a few steps forward and was infront of the little girl. She did not retract, nor did she quiver as she did in their previous lifetime. The Ah Ruo infront of him had clear eyes that looked back at him. She was lucid.

Could it be?

Qiu Ming reached out and engulfed her in a tight hug. He felt the small body beneath him and couldnt help but mumur hoarsely.

"My lady, I'm back."

Unconciously, tears had flowed and stained his cheeks. Qiu Ming was one who rarely cried. Life as a soldier had taught him so- and yet when it came to his most precious person, when it came to little Ah Ruo, he couldn't help but feel grief in his heart for all the injustices she had to endure in the past.

"I'm here now." He reassured her. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Small hands gently patted his back and pushed him slightly away. Qiu Ming was momentarily surprised to see the storm in this girl's eyes but her hands gripped his arms tightly, as if afraid he would disappear.

Her voice was soft but Qiu Ming could hear it clearly.

"Why are you here?"

Those words shocked him and he came to a sudden realization. Her lucid eyes were so unlike when he had first met her in the past. It was as if... as if she was not just a child. Slowly, it dawned on Qiu Ming that he had come into the room and seen events that had not happened in his first lifetime. He had initially thought it was because he went against nature but that was not the case. The little girl infront of him clearly had clear and very cold eyes.

"Xiao Ming." Ah Ruo's voice snapped him back to attention. "Why are you here?"

Her hands that gripped his arms unconciously tightened and Qiu Ming winced from the pain. If he thought correctly, then it would seem that his master was very angry. This thought made him burst with excitement and affection. It really was Han Ruo!

"Did I not tell you before? I would follow you to the afterlife. Please allow this servant to say this much."

Han Ruo stared up at the beautiful youth before her. Qiu Ming had always been more attractive than most women. He had an unearthly beauty- a trait truly wasted on a military man such as himself. Yet it was this beauty and warm smile that she was very familiar with. It was this confidence and reassurance that she had grown to love. So when she had done what she did back then, when she had told Liang Zemin how she regretted nothing, it was only slightly a lie.

The one thing she regretted the most was having to drag down her best friend with her.

Han Ruo wanted to cry, but she didn't. Instead, her eyes shone with unshed tears as she looked back at Qiu Ming. She did not know how he had managed to follow her here after death, yet she selfishly felt happier with his presence.

"Xiao Ming, you fool." She smiled bitterly. Her phoenix eyes shone brightly. Qiu Ming felt affectionate and patted her small head.

"Yes yes, I am a fool."

In their stupor, both children failed to realize that they had left the elderly Steward in a daze. Once the old man got a a hold of his senses, he gnashed his teeth in rage.

These demons how dare they!

It was as if Steward Zhao lost all sense. Forgetting that the two children had just killed his accomplice earlier, he stood up shakily and pointed an accusing finger at the two of them.

"You little wenches! You fucking murderers! I'll make sure you rot in hell!" He screamed harshly.

The insults barely dented either child's peace. Han Ruo turned her small body and looked coldly at the old man.

Two lifetimes and still this man was so hideous.

Qiu Ming noticed her annoyed gaze and patted her head.

"My lady, please rest. I'll handle this mongrel."

Han Ruo nodded and rested at the side, her clear eyes impassive.

When steward Zhao heard the boy's words he couldn't help but feel chilled.

This boy is crazy!

"Stop! How da-" Steward Zhao did not know what happened, but his eyes had dulled as a bright red flower bloomed on his chest. Qiu Ming withdrew the sword and flicked it, flecks of blood splattering on the wooden flooring.

The room was a mess.

"My lady." Qiu Ming turned to Ah Ruo, a smirk gracing his lips. "Shall we go?"

Ah Ruo stared at the youth in front of her, almost seeing a remnant of his older self. What was once a rugged and hardened young man turned into a beautiful young boy.

Her lips curled. "Alright."