The Crown Prince's Guard

Chapter 4: the doubt

When Long'Er returned to her home, she found a beautiful woman waiting for her return. Dressed in an elegant white dress robe embroidered with pink cherry blossoms, she perched on the veranda while playing her flute.

At first glance, he might seem like a human. But in fact, he's not exactly like that. Despite looking youthful, she was actually much older than her appearance. Even older than the First Emperor himself, and now the current reign was already on their 23rd Emperor. Regardless, this woman was his mother, his guardian, his teacher, and even his friend. Although they had no blood relation, she was the only family Long'Er had in her life since she was a baby.

"Mother," Long'Er greeted him before sitting beside him. His mother smiled brightly and patted the spot beside him.

"Who came in here?" he asked curiously. Of course he would know, nothing escaped his attention. Long'Er sat down beside him, took off her mask and put it in her pocket.

"Emm," he hesitated,

"that was the man I found unconscious outside. I couldn't leave it in the cold, so I brought it in."

"That's my good-natured daughter" her mother beamed.

"And he's the man from the palace? I noticed he was dressed like one of them."

"I think so."

And Long'Er started telling him how Li Xun was trying to recruit him as his bodyguard, before he politely declined the offer. The woman nodded her head in agreement and her eyes lit up with damage.

"He likes you, and he doesn't seem like a bad guy. What about you, honey? How'd you find him?" Long'Er groaned inwardly.

Sometimes, she wondered if her mother had lied about her true age, because she behaved like an immature young girl.

"Mother," she lightly rebuked.

"He didn't realize I was a woman!" He just laughed at his daughter's embarrassed reaction.

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be very happy when he realizes it."

"Well, he won't know because we won't see each other again." His mother watched him with a serious and thoughtful expression.

"Honey," he said,

"we've discussed this several times before. Since you were born, you have spent the last eighteen years here, in this little hut, far from your kind. I think it's time you go back to human civilization, make new friends and explore the world outside this cage. And now, the opportunity has presented itself to you. Don't you want to grab it, spread your wings, and fly out of this place? "

Long'Er bit her lower lip. Her mother was right - she had always wanted to learn what the outside world was like. Although her mother once took her to a nearby village once in a while, it was never enough to satisfy her desire to study.

However, a part of him knew that he did not have the courage to leave this place he called home. And her mother - how could she survive without her family by her side? He shook his head violently, rejecting the idea of leaving.

"No, Mother. I am satisfied with the way I live now. You're all I need." Her mother gently tidied Long'Er's hair and rubbed her cheeks lovingly.

"My son, don't you want to go back to where you came from?" she asked.

"You're the only mother I need"

"Foolish girl," his mother ridiculed, ruffling her hair playfully.

"Of course, I'll still be your mother. I have claimed this place for a long time, and I never give up. But I don't want to dissuade your family members from showering you with the love they have. Which should have been given to you since you were born. " Long'Er sighed loudly.

"But I'm afraid of my past, meeting new faces, everything .." he admitted.

"Without mom, I don't know if I can do it." Placing her hands on her hands, her mother gave her a reassuring look.

"You can do it. After all, you are the princess I raised for so many years. You are brave, strong, and beautiful and kind" she said proudly.

"And fear nothing, for you are not alone" he continued, his eyes shining brightly. "After all, you have a friend on your side, right?"

The Zhang Wei Residence

The crown prince's cousin, Zhang Wei, stood at the entrance and watched the palanquin carrying his annoying sister-in-law leave his residence. Through a small window, she looks back and gives him a grateful kiss for helping her arrange a date with the prince. Turning his eyes, he turned to Li Xun and nudged him lightly.

"So what do you think?" She asked.

"Hmm?" The prince was playing with his Shih Tzu, who was running between their legs.

"What am I doing?" Zhang Wei snorted and shook his head in disapproval of his cousin. Apparently, Li Xun was more interested in dogs than beautiful women, which was why he had not managed to find a wife.

"Seriously? I refuse to believe a man so intelligent as you would be this simple. Didn't you see how my brother-in-law licked you and tried to lure you along for a meal?" Ignoring him, Li Xun scratched under the dog's chin, which stuck out his tongue and wagged his tail happily. Clearly looking happy for getting all the attention he wanted. He complained to the little boy.

"Your owner is ridiculous. Can you bite it for me?" The dog barked excitedly, before tilting its head while thinking towards its owner.

"Come, are you mad at me?" Zhang Wei turned to him with a frustrated expression, before glancing at his pet.

"And you! Stop giving me that face too. If you dare to bite me, you won't have any snacks for the rest of the week." He took the small one and handed it to one of his aides, hoping that his cousin would not be distracted.

"You know how annoying my sister-in-law is" he continued, refusing to cancel the topic.

"He bugged me for a few months so he could meet you in person. He even threatened to kill me in my sleep!" Li Xun looked at him sharply.

"So you lied to me and made me come all the way here just to cheer him up? And here I thought you were by my side all along." Zhang Wei looked at him with an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I have no choice. After all it was death to me, and being killed by you didn't seem too scary than facing the wrath of a woman. In addition, this is exactly why you should find yourself a wife. ! I'm constantly being chased by women to send them love letters or arrange a date with you. " Li Xun furrowed his brows.

"I haven't found anyone that interests me." Let alone Zhang Wei's futile efforts, even his own mother tried to introduce his future wife. And each time it would result in Li Xun rejecting him.