The Last Queen of Peacelava

CHAPTER 21

Jiang Li came out of his room as he intended to scatter the ashes he had brought from Havocia. He looked around to make sure that no one saw him carrying ashes.

Jiang Li crossed paths with Zhang Pei in front of the palace, just then Zhang Pei wanted to enter the palace. Zhang Pei accidentally nudged Jiang Li and made the bag of ash he was carrying fall down.

"I'm sorry, I accidentally nudged you."

"It's okay."

Jiang Li groped her hanfu and looked for the pouch she was carrying.

"Have you lost something?"

"No."

"I'm like I just saw you, are you a new student here?"

"Right, I just came today."

"What's your name?"

"Jiang Li."

"My name is Zhang Pei."

"Zhang Pei?"

"Have you seen me before?"

"No. I've only heard that you also have half-stealth blood like me."

"Where are you from? I've never seen you in Longyou country."

"I am not of that land, I am of Peacelavia."

"Alright, Jiang Li. It's good to see you."

Jiang Li only smiled then Zhang Pei left her.

Jiang Li searched through his fallen pouch, then Ji Nian came and saw a pouch in front of him. Ji Nian took the pouch and was about to open it.

"Wait!" Jiang Li stopped.

"Don't open it!"

"Why can't I open it?"

"Because the bag is mine. It would be rude if you opened the bag without permission from the owner."

"What's in this bag?"

"You don't need to know!"

"Yes, I don't think this is important to me. Take it!" Ji Nian threw the pouch at Jiang Li.

"What are you doing here, Jiang Li?"

"I was just looking around this palace. If I may know where Xin Qian's daughter is? Why didn't I see him from earlier?"

"Why are you looking for Xin Qian's daughter?"

"I have met everyone in this palace, but not the Princess."

"Princess Xin Qian did indeed spend her time alone, she didn't really like the crowd."

"You seem to know a lot about the Princess."

"Of course, because I grew up in this palace with the Princess. He always made the people with him smile."

"Ji Nian, are you here?" Master Lin approached the two of them.

Jiang Li who was afraid that if his plan was known to master Lin, he immediately hid both of his hands backwards.

"Master, I'm sorry if I made you wait" said Ji Nian.

"It's okay, Ji Nian. Jiang Li, come with us to make a statue," master Lin asked.

"But, Master. I-" Jiang Li's words were interrupted.

"Jiang Li, you will be very happy with this job," said master Lin.

Jiang Li then followed master Lin as well as Ji Nian, he secretly hid the pouch inside his hanfu.

They arrived at a place in the middle of which there was a fountain. There were also a lot of students who were learning to make sculptures, the Masters also helped them.

"You can learn to make sculptures now" said master Lin.

Ji Nian sat down and started making sculptures, while Jiang Li was still standing and confused as he did not know what to do.

"Master, what is the purpose of this sculpture-making exercise?" asked Jiang Li innocently.

"Jiang Li, this is just an ordinary exercise. The goal is that you have experience in making sculptures. Don't you like this exercise?"

All the Masters laughed at Jiang Li's words.

"What is Master laughing at?"

"You and Zhang Pei both dislike this exercise. Are you actually brothers?"

Jiang Li was surprised because suddenly master Lin asked like that. Master Lin laughed again.

"Don't take my words seriously, Jiang Li. If you're brothers, you should be from the same country, right?"

"Yes, Master."

*****

Xin Qian was in the garden in front of her room, she was planting some pretty flowers. Zhulong came with the usual attitude, which was to walk while jumping around. He then brought a rose for Xin Qian to plant.

"Thank you, Zhulong."

"Xin Qian, aren't you bored if you have to be in the room all day?"

"Why am I bored? I felt calm when I was alone. Away from the crowd really makes me happy, Zhulong."

"Xin Qian, do you want to know something?"

"What's that?"

"I just played with Lani in Zhang Pei's room."

"really?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"You're not ignorant of Lani, are you?"

"Of course not. We'll be good friends and we'll be as close as you and Zhang Pei."

Xin Qian paused for a moment then smiled at Zhulong's words.

"Xin Qian's!"

"What's up, Zhulong?"

"I also saw a knight walking with master Chen. I think he's the new student in this palace."

"It's good that there are more and more disciples in this palace. That means a lot of people who want to fight together to protect the Peacelavia."

"But, Xin Qian. Don't you feel worried?"

"What is there to worry about?"

"What if one of them is a demon in disguise? They're gonna destroy this country slowly."

"That's impossible, Zhulong."

"But, Xin Qian. Nothing is impossible in this world, you say it yourself."

Xin was silent and like he was thinking about something.

"If that's true, I will fight whoever wants to destroy this country. I was born and raised in this country, everyone's happiness is here. I can't let that happiness just vanish."

"Xin Qian, I will protect this country with you."

"Thank you, Zhulong."

"Xin Qian's!" call someone from behind.

Xin Qian stood up and then turned her head. His hands were still dirty filled with dirt, he was also still carrying a small shovel and a flower.

"Yahujana?"

"You're gardening?"

"I just planted some flowers in a pot, Father."

"Xin Qian, I just want to tell you that tomorrow is a good day to perform the ritual of worshiping the heavens. I want you and everyone gathered in the throne room tonight."

"All right, Daddy."

Zhulong swiped her fur at the King's feet, then the King carried the cat with pleasure.

"You're accompanying Putry gardening right now?" King Arlo kissed Zhulong.

"Zhulong, I think Father now loves you more and more," Xin Qian said with a smile.

"That's right. Zhulong is a friend of my daughter, I must love her too" the King replied.

King Arlo lowered Zhulong back and left Xin Qian's room.