Chasing You (Arcs 1-7)

My Dear Emperor (XVII)

After they were detained, Tu HuaLi glanced at Wu QingJue, "How did you get here, general?"

Wu QingJue, "My emperor, I was led here by a servant that supposedly belonged to minister Su."

Tu HuaLi, "Supposedly?"

Wu QingJue, "Yes, my emperor. They weren't a servant of minister Wu, and they seemed to have wanted me to specifically come here. Their intentions and reasoning behind all of this, this servant is incompetent and doesn't know."

Tu HuaLi, "Their message is clear."

Wu QingJue, "Clear?"

Tu HuaLi, "Keep away, and be aware of Zuo NaLi."

Wu QingJue did not understand how Tu HuaLi picked up on the stranger's message, "Emperor?"

Tu HuaLi pointed to ornament hanging off of Wu QingJue's belt; it was a hairpin that had a single jewel, something that was encased in amber. Wu QingJue hadn't even noticed that something was placed in his belt and felt a little ashamed that he had failed to detect anything. If it was an assassin, he would've been killed already. He had been too careless and needed to be more vigilant the next. Wu QingJue took it out of his belt and looked at it closely, there was a single ant inside of the amber.

Wu QingJue frowned, "An ant may destroy an entire dam¹."

---

By now, Xu XiuLan had already left the premises secretly through the side gate. He had arrived at Yidianyuan de Huaduo already and was inside of his room. His plan of getting acquainted with the emperor would have to wait until later. He did not expect for Tu HuaLi and Tu HeJian to come after him after his performance. If he was caught there with Wu QingJue, it would be very hard to explain to three people. Why he was there to Tu HeJian, who he was to Tu HuaLi, and clearing up the lie to Wu QingJue. At least he had been cautious enough to change his clothes, so Wu QingJue wouldn't be able to identify his clothing articles. It was also by luck that something held him up for he did not see any of the performances today.

The person who caused Wu QingJue to be held up sneezed and rubbed his nose. Maybe it was getting chilly these days... Wait, could he even get sick? Bao Bao shook his head and went on his way to stalk Zuo NaLi.

When Bao Bao had alerted him of Tu HuaLi's and Tu HeJian's sudden arrival, Xu XiuLan knew that he had to leave the area. Xu XiuLan had Bao Bao gauge Wu QingJue's mental strength and found it weaker than his. Xu XiuLan then whispered into his ear, as Wu QingJue had been distracted it was easy to do so without any obstruction. His voice was very soothing and hypnotic, "You did not see me come or go. Your memories of my image and being will be deviated."

Wu QingJue only side eyed him, "Begone."

Xu XiuLan walked away at a quickened pace. It was only after his figure was out of sight, did the hypnotism wear off.

Bao Bao had snooped around to see what was happening at the entertaining area and warned Xu XiuLan that he was most likely their target. He did not understand why the emperor and Tu HeJian would come after him when the event was not even done yet, nor why he wasn't stopped on the way down. But all in all, at least it was a blessing in disguise at their intrusion onto his plans. Now at least they would see the Zuo NaLi in a new light and their impression of him would drop.

Xu XiuLan had only wanted to make sure that all routes of escape was cut off and for them to speed up the investigation on Zuo NaLi and his family. He would make it so that their execution date would come sooner as he needed to pluck the weeds from the root. He did not know if there was still a chance that Wu QingJue would attempt to save Zuo NaLi or not, so he could only worsen their thoughts on each other. It would also better if Zuo NaLi died sooner than later.

Zuo NaLi was given a special aphrodisiac that would've increased intensity in time, as he continued stall and not find release. The aphrodisiac would not muddle his mind, only give him the aching feeling in his lower region. It would be up to Zuo NaLi how he would find his release. But, that wasn't the only thing that Xu XiuLan had Bao Bao place in the tea. His gu had been patiently waiting for food for a very long time and now was the perfect chance for it to grow. Now, Zuo NaLi would be courteously housing and raising his gu.

Xu XiuLan rested against the wall and fell asleep. Today was rather... Very busy for him.

While someone was sleeping chaos descended at the banquet, many couriers and attendants were scourging the scene to find the red figure. They turned over the entire place but could not find a trace of the person, it was as if they were just a ghost. There was only on person who knew who they really were and they were currently getting interrogated by a demon.

The room was filled with intense hostility and the pressure was immense and suffocating. It was almost as if it would be lit on fire if someone turned on a lighter or striked a match. Tu HuaLi, "We ask you once more, who?"

They had been at this for over an incense worth of time, but Tu HeJian did not want to say who. Tu HuaLi had asked Wu QingJue who the 'servant' had been and for him to describe them but he could not find the words to. Only the most basic words came out of his mouth, but it did not feel right for him. He was reprimanded but Tu HuaLi did not give out any punishment.

Instead, he turned over to the one who the songs was for, Tu HeJian. He chose not to answer as he was worried for Xu XiuLan. He knew that the other was weary of others and Tu HeJian saw him as a brother, not for what his body or gener. If he gave away Xu XiuLan so easily, what kind of a brother would he be? What would he think of him then? Wouldn't Xu XiuLan turn to hate him, for giving him up? Tu HeJian, "Emperor, please. I beg of you, let me talk to him first."

The armrest wood cracked. Tu HuaLi's voice dropping to a freezing point, "You leave Us with no other choice."

Tu HuaLi called out, "Wu QingJue."

Wu QingJue knelt on the ground, "Yes, Emperor?"

Tu HuaLi, "Go through all of his list of confidants and detain all of them. Anyone who resists, kill on the spot."

Wu QingJue, "As you order, Emperor."

Tu HeJian's face paled, "Brother, please don't."

Tu HuaLi ignored his pleas. Tu HeJian knew his brother's attitude and sighed as his shoulders drooped, "I will tell you... So please retract your order, brother."

Tu HuaLi, "Wu QingJue, halt."

"Tell Us."

Tu HeJian, "His name is Xu XiuLan... He works for me in one of my establishments."

Tu HuaLi, "What kind?"

Tu HeJian, "The flower house."

Tu HuaLi unleashed his full pressure and Tu HeJian sank down onto knees. His back was soaked with sweat and his breathing became haggard. Tu HuaLi chuckled darkly, "The flower house?"

Tu HeJian looked up without faltering from those piercing but halcyon eyes, "Yes, but he only works there as a yiji²."

It caused Tu HuaLi to relax a little but he still did not like the idea of him being there. Tu HuaLi, "Bring him in."

Tu HeJian could only comply, "Yes, Emperor."

After he left, Tu HuaLi touched the black ring on his finger and his eyes held an unfathomable light as he caressed it. He murmured, "I won't let you go this time, Lan'er."

---

¹An ant may destroy an entire dam: Idiom meaning, 'pay attention to details to avoid catastrophe'.

²Yiji: A high-class courtesan in ancient China that entertained their guests through music and arts. They usually don't sell their bodies and when it is done so, it is usually to private clients.