Senior official Jang's Palace

Another banquet in honour of the peace treaty, Huá had scoffed enough times at Jun Wu's fake attempts to show how hospitable he is to ghosts. Huá knew the truth: Jun Wu was just scared of him; he once again sat by himself drinking wine while Zìxìn talked to MíngLóng a little far from him, while YànQīng stood beside him, dutifully observing everyone.

Wind Master entered through the gate with a scowling Water Master behind, who was dragged to this banquet. ShuîYuê had many things to do other than attending some stupid banquets, but Yìfēi never listened to her and dragged her best friend here.

Xiàn Fèng instantly went over to his two friends a smile on his lips, "Took a while Yìfēi," he said looking at Yìfēi, "I am surprised to see you here," he added looking at ShuîYuê who just crossed her arms, Xiàn Fèng chuckled at her face, "Why do you hate banquets so much? He questioned curiously.

"She fell in front of the stage for a singing competition at school, been this way since then," Yìfēi revealed as ShuîYuê shot daggers at her.

Xiàn Fèng grabbed their hands, "There's a play going on, let's watch it."

They stood near a stage senior officials sitting in chairs while some watched the play and others chatted among themselves, ShuîYuê honestly found the play boring, Senior official Jang had also arranged a small show in the open ground of his Palace, ShuîYuê dragged Yìfēi and Xiàn Fèng there who immediately hurried to where she was taking them, a performance by some people ShuîYuê didn't know what to call them but they were pulling stunts easily while entertaining everyone.

The Crown Prince entered the main hall, and everyone immediately bowed to him; senior official Jang rushed to him, "His Highness is here."

GuānYû gave him a polite nod, "Father is busy so I came in his place."

Senior official Jang nodded his head, "Yes, yes, please enjoy, Your Highness," he clapped his hands as maids offered wine, GuānYû took a glass with a slight nod at Senior official Jang before he talked to a few other officials, there weren't many people invited, just fifteen Senior officials, all four ghosts, elementals, and all of the junior officials of the first ranked senior officials were present.

"Your Highness handled South rebellion very smartly," Senior official Wu praised trying to make up for the punishment he had suggested for Jīnyú.

GuānYû simply gave him a nod before he noticed Ghost King watching some loud dance performance. Excusing himself, he walked over to the group of people huddled close to see the dance performance.

ShuîYuê, however, had more interest in the musical instruments being played, she never got a chance to learn any instrument. Some ladies were playing pipa, and a man sat in the centre playing a guqin's beautiful subtle melody made ShuîYuê feel weird; it gave her some stupid solace in this crowded ground; a louder performance was being performed at the same time, which had many people's attention.

When they finished playing the soft tunes ShuîYuê opened her eyes clapping her hands as the artists looked at her surprised they were so engrossed in playing their instruments that they hadn't noticed someone was listening to them, the only person listening to their surreal music, "Very beautiful," ShuîYuê said giving a small bow to the group.

"Young lady, why would you come here and listen to our music? Everyone is watching that loud dance performance," the oldest lady among them questioned.

"I like this music more," ShuîYuê answered simply as the ladies giggled among themselves; ShuîYuê couldn't figure out why they were laughing; she wondered if she had said something stupid or funny.

"Don't tease the young miss," the man playing the guqin scolded.

"Master, she likes our music more than that wonderful dance performance. Is she all right in the brain ?" The same lady asked with a giggle.

Their Master, who looked to be in his fifties, shook his head in disapproval, "Don't mind them," he said to ShuîYuê.

"How long have you been playing?" ShuîYuê asked curiously observing the different instruments near them.

"For twenty years," He replied standing up from his seat.

"Ohh wow, that's long!" ShuîYuê couldn't help but get all starry-eyed.

"Probably your age," one of the ladies commented, putting her pipa in the box carefully.

"Are you leaving ?" ShuîYuê asked watching them pack.

"Yes, we were hired for some soft music, but since no one's interested, we are allowed to leave," Their Master explained as ShuîYuê stared at his guqin longingly; she wanted to hear more.

"But I am listening," she reminded trying to stop them from leaving.

"You alone aren't enough," one of the ladies said as ShuîYuê lowered her head, upset when suddenly they sat down and began to play. ShuîYuê smiled proudly at her convincing attitude, swaying her head as they played a melody she had never heard before; she was humming along as she gasped at how deftly the middle-aged man was playing the guqin, his fingers moved at the speed of light, and ShuîYuê could hardly keep up with his hand movements.

The tune came to an end as ShuîYuê clapped once more, "So calming, you should try out for the royal musicians this year, I am sure they'll select you," she assured brightly.

"I agree," ShuîYuê turned around at the Crown Prince's voice, "I'll recommend your group," he added, looking at the group who went on their knees.

"We'll be most blessed," their Master said bowing his head as GuānYû gestured for them to stand up.

"Would you like a melody of mine? Water Master?" GuānYû asked, turning to ShuîYuê, who nodded her head. He sat down on a chair to play as the musicians and ShuîYuê listened to him with awe. He was almost as good as the Master who had played guqin for twenty years; the small group of ten people clapped as GuānYû finished the melody.

"You are blessed, Your Highness," Old Master praised as the ladies added their generous compliments.

"Thank you very much," GuānYû titled his head to show his appreciation, waiting for ShuîYuê to comment, who was staring at the ground, "Water Master?" He called as she looked up, "Did you like it ?"

"It was very beautiful, Your Highness," she praised as he smiled brightly.

"You know how to play any instrument?" He asked curiously, ShuîYuê shook her head a little embarrassed that she couldn't play anything, "Come here, I'll teach you," he offered as ShuîYuê immediately shook her head, "Trust me you'll love it," ShuîYuê walked over to him reluctantly and with a lot of hesitation she sat beside him.

"Put these on first," he advised, putting some safety clips on her fingers; beginners injure themselves from the sharp strings of the guqin since they don't know how to play it without injuring their fingers, and she didn't have long nails to pluck the strings. ShuîYuê clenched her fingers. These safety clips made her feel like she had long nails, and the first thing she did was poke the table with her index finger before GuānYû started speaking.

"You adjust the strings to your comfort and then begin to play; for starters, Just play these strings," he instructed; she did as told, scowling at the horrible sound that made everyone cover their ears.

"Maybe I should leave," she suggested standing up as GuānYû grabbed her wrist.

"I am not done teaching," he said sternly as ShuîYuê sat down with a huff; coordination of anything never came to her easily; she couldn't dance if her life depended on it; how was she going to play this complicated instrument? Which hated her the second she touched it.

"Start again, but this time only play the first and the fourth string," she did, and it wasn't as bad, slowly she was getting the hand of it, but when GuānYû told her to play it all together, she messed up greatly, even the old master was covering his ears.

ShuîYuê looked at them with apology written all over her face, GuānYû smiled at her as she saw Earth Master approaching them, "Earth Master is here!" She cried trying to get the attention away from her so she could cry in her puddle of shame and embarrassment.

"Good evening, Your Highness," Shù Zìrán greeted bowing her head.

"Good evening, Earth Master. Are you enjoying yourself?" GuānYû asked politely.

"I heard some weird sounds coming from here," she answered, watching ShuîYuê, who sat beside the Crown Prince, her eyes downcast.

"His Highness was trying to teach her she can't play any instrument," that lady said, shaking her head as ShuîYuê pressed her knees together, making herself as small as possible; if she could, she would turn to the size of a rice grain, so they couldn't stare at her with disapproving stares.

"She's learning," the Crown Prince put forth sharply as their Master glared at his student, Shù Zìrán walked over to them.

"I think you should see how to play first," Shù Zìrán commented picking a pipa as ShuîYuê stood up hurriedly so Shù Zìrán could sit and play.

"Earth Master is right," ShuîYuê agreed as GuānYû sighed, staring at her before Earth Master began to play so beautifully. ShuîYuê was sure they had practised before; how could the melodies harmonise so beautifully without ever playing the instruments with each other?

ShuîYuê had decided at that moment she was never going to play any instrument, she would save herself and someone's innocent poor ears if she didn't play any instrument. She was good at painting and singing, and she was satisfied with those.

Slowly many others were drawn to the harmonious tune, and ShuîYuê couldn't help but hum to the song a junior official had begun to sing. This was so perfect that ShuîYuê for once loved being in a party, some junior officials even danced to the wonderful tune of Crown Prince and Earth Master.

Xiàn Fèng and Yìfēi stood a little far from ShuîYuê watching her lipsync to the song being sung, "She sings?" Xiàn Fèng asked watching ShuîYuê,

"Beautifully," Yìfēi responded, "But you'll never catch her singing."

"It's such a wonderful opportunity to sing, why doesn't she try?" Xiàn Fèng asked confused as to why ShuîYuê wasn't singing when she knew the song.

"She's really shy, Fèng; you might not know, but she's very shy about a lot of things," Yìfēi explained, watching Zìxìn, who was looking a little annoyed for some reason.

"Don't make me jealous Yìfēi, I want to be her friend like you," Xiàn Fèng grumbled as Yìfēi chuckled at him.

"She has already taken you as her friend and I swear she's always looking for pretty girls saying who'll match better with you," Yìfēi informed as Xiàn Fèng laughed.

"She's trying to find me a girlfriend?" He asked amused.

"Yep, she feels it's her responsibility as a friend," Yìfēi said airily as Xiàn Fèng moved his hair out of his face.

"I am sure she'll find me someone amazing," Xiàn Fèng remarked as Yìfēi smiled.

"She'll also find someone who has no criminal record, has three generations of the person's family clean and no association with anyone illegal," Yìfēi informed as Xiàn Fèng snickered, "Trust me when I say this, I have dated a few guys and she has done whole investigations on them before letting me date any of them."

"She's damn protective!" Xiàn Fèng cried with an amused smile.

"She is; I fear for the man I'll date in the future or marry; I am sure if she could, she would do a whole autopsy on him before letting me date if he survives, that is," Yìfēi grumbled as Xiàn Fèng laughed even more.

"Our partners need to be wary of her," Xiàn Fèng remarked as he wiped his tears.

"They'll be going through hell dating us," Yìfēi commented casually.

"What about her? You think she'll date someone?" He asked curiously.

Yìfēi glanced at Ghost King, "I am not sure, YueYue doesn't believe in love, she course agrees that love is there but not with someone she has never met," Xiàn Fèng gave her a confused look, "Like she believes that you are bound to care and love for those whom you have known for a few years, she doesn't believe she can love someone she had never met."

"So she might believe in friends to lovers but not love at first sight?" He asked as Yìfēi nodded her head.

"I guess it's complicated for her; she's not the type to confess and say she likes you; she's quite stubborn about her feelings," Yìfēi said with a sigh.

"I have noticed; I usually express my care and love with words; she's more of the hidden caring type," Xiàn Fèng commented as Yìfēi nodded her head.

"I like to show my love and care with affection or gifts; she's more likely to get rid of someone who's bothering you or solve your problems for you; she's always been this way," Yìfēi said as Xiàn Fèng nodded his head.

"Don't worry, we'll find someone for her," he assured patting Yìfēi's shoulders.

'I think she already has, and I know she knows, but it's her. She's going to ignore her feelings and hide them in her heart,' Yìfēi thought as everyone clapped for the Crown Prince and Earth Master.

GuānYû's eyes searched for her, but he couldn't find her in the crowd, "That was beautiful, Your Highness," Earth Master praised from beside GuānYû, who nodded his head distractedly. She sighed as she stood up he was already peeking over trying to find Water Master who was in the back of the group, "Would you want to play some other ti-"

"Earth Master, a minute," GuānYû interjected as he rushed away; Shù Zìrán stared at him as he found ShuîYuê talking to her with a smile.

"That was good," Ghost King complimented as Shù Zìrán bowed her head in appreciation, her eyes wandering to the Crown prince, "Come inside for dinner," he added before walking away as Shù Zìrán clenched her fingers when GuānYû enthusiastically told ShuîYuê about how he learned the guqin.

ShuîYuê scurried away when Senior official Jang appeared to speak with the Crown prince. She found Xiàn Fèng and Yìfēi at the end of the corridor rushing towards them, "Come on it's time for dinner," Xiàn Fèng dragged them inside as they took a seat on the same adaptable which was put for everyone, "Senior official Jang knows how to set up a banquet," Xiàn Fèng complimented staring at the seating arrangements.

"He even has a performance for dinner, can you believe it?" Yìfēi bubbled as the maids set the plates on the lap tables.

"I guess he's good," ShuîYuê commented distracted by the sight of food.

"Try this," Xiàn Fèng moved a plate to the two girls, who took a bite of the sweet pea jelly with hums of agreement, "Delicious, right?" Yìfēi nodded her head as ShuîYuê took a bowl of fried pounded glutinous rice cakes with brown sugar syrup; ShuîYuê took a bite, tapping her feet at the sweetness.

"Yìfēi, this is perfect," ShuîYuê said, holding her bowl to Yìfēi, who took a bite, followed by Xiàn Fèng.

"It's crispy and sweet, perfect," Yìfēi beamed as the dance performance began after the Crown Prince took his seat across from Ghost King. Senior official Jang had to ask a lot of senior officials for help because of the seating arrangements for Ghost King, neither him nor the Crown Prince could be disrespected by putting their seats beside each other, there would be gossip about who would sit on the first seat so he decided to put them across from each other.

Zìxìn glanced at Yìfēi, who was laughing at something Xiàn Fèng had said; he downed his wine glass as he glared at them; Huá and ShuîYuê were mutually avoiding each other. He didn't know what to feel; she didn't know what to think.

Crown Prince noticed Earth Master sitting by herself, and he frowned in irritation, Wind Master and Fire Master usually talked to each other but they still weren't as close as they were now and it seemed Water Master had joined their group as well since she didn't attend banquets and when she did she was glued to Wind Master's side, he wondered when they became friends and why would they leave out Earth Master sure she was a little reserved but she was nice, better than Water Master when it came to be polite at least, he asked a maid to deliver an extra plate of stir-fried pumpkin flowers to her since she seemed to like it.

Earth Master looked up at the maid who whispered about the Crown Prince sending her a plate to which she had bowed her head slightly and smiled at GuānYû who nodded his head before speaking with senior official An.

Xiàn Fèng nudged Yìfēi to her attention who was whispering some gossip to ShuîYuê. She turned to Xiàn Fèng, who pointed at junior civil official Lingrong and junior martial official Chang, who were both giving each other blushing looks while secretly making toasts to each other from under the table. ShuîYuê noticed the sly smirks on Xiàn Fèng and Yìfēi's faces. Rolling her eyes, knowing well enough that her two friends were going to tease those poor juniors, she accidentally locked eyes with Ghost King before she averted her gaze at the speed of light.

Senior official Wu Yu stood up stumbling a little having drunk too much wine than his wrinkled body could handle, "Elementals are the only ones who are young here other than junior officials," he swayed as his servant held his shoulder in case he fell and ShuîYuê prayed he would fall face first into the floor, she hated him with a burning passion even more after he had suggested that horrible emasculation punishment for Jīnyú.

"We saw Earth Master's talents just some time ago, she plays pipa beautifully, We know Wind Master is a graceful dancer, and Fire Master is excellent with his sword dance, I am today very intrigued to know about Water Master's talents," he added smiling wickedly as ShuîYuê shared a worried look with Yìfēi.

Senior official Jang stood up hurriedly, "Senior official Wu Yu, the dancers still have their special performance saved for last," he said as Senior official Wu Yu shook his head.

"Water Master is very talented with her work; she never attends any banquets. This is a first; we all agree that she presents some of her talents here, yes?" Senior official Wu Yu asked, glancing at his juniors, who all cheered loudly.

ShuîYuê was getting anxious already, She was trying to stay calm as Senior official Wu Yu stared at her, She was sure he was taking revenge on her for not visiting any of the banquets kept by him in the past, she just didn't like parties and social gatherings and knew she wouldn't have fun there, ShuîYuê never did anything that didn't make her happy.

"Water Master please," a junior requested as Senior official Wu Yu smirked at his intricate plan of embarrassing ShuîYuê, who lowered her head bashfully.

"Water Master, what is your talent?" Senior official Jing asked smiling as ShuîYuê's breath hitched in her throat

Yìfēi patted ShuîYuê's hand who gave an anxious look, Yìfēi was more than worried ShuîYuê didn't have any talent, she could sing but she was never going to do that in public, painting was out of the question since it would take long other than that ShuîYuê had some other talents like reading hoards of books in one sitting and extraordinary skills in avoiding people and relationships, getting drunk on tea and zoning out frequently, other than flirting with maids, Yìfēi was quite sure none of her talents was going to be appreciated here.

"Water Master, Senior official Jing asked you something," Senior official Wu Yu reminded as ShuîYuê stood up with shaky legs, her hands fisting her long sleeves as she spoke something which no one could hear, "We can't hear you," Senior official Wu Yu added craning his ears to listen.

ShuîYuê took a deep breath her anxiety making her nervous, "I don't have any talents," she repeated loud enough for them to hear.

Xiàn Fèng gave a disapproving look to Yìfēi knowing well enough these Senior officials were going to make fun of ShuîYuê and bully her, "Couldn't she lie?" He asked in a whisper as Yìfēi smiled nervously.

Senior official Wu Yu laughed loudly, "Are you playing a joke on us Water Master?" ShuîYuê shook her head, "How could someone not have any talents? Do you only know how to fight and make reports? Even martial officials who only know the language of battle are talented somewhere or the other; how can you, as a woman, not know how to dance or play instruments? They are basic talents which every woman knows, seems like you are quite the defective piece!" He laughed looking around to see no one other than him laughing.

ShuîYuê kept her eyes glued to the floor, she knew her tears would fall if she looked up, "Can the dancers continue?" GuānYû asked placing his wine glass on the lap table as Senior official Wu Yu nodded his head furiously before sitting down and narrowing his eyes at the Crown Prince.

Yìfēi tugged on ShuîYuê's sleeve and purposely spilt soup onto her clothes; she excused herself, leaving the main hall hurriedly; Yìfēi turned to Xiàn Fèng, "I am going after YueYue."

"I'll come too," Xiàn Fèng said as Yìfēi pushed his shoulders down.

"No, if too many of us leave, it'll be noticeable; you stay here and keep the atmosphere bright; I'll go check on YueYue," Yìfēi insisted as Xiàn Fèng nodded his head reluctantly.

Crown Prince noticed Water Master leaving the main hall followed by Wind Master. He smiled at Shù Zìrán who was looking at him before eating some desserts. Yìfēi looked for ShuîYuê, who was hiding behind a corridor under a table, surrounding the area where no guards, Yìfēi crouched beside ShuîYuê, whose head was buried in her arms, "YueYue?" Yìfēi called placing her hand on Water Master's shoulder.

ShuîYuê looked up with glassy eyes as Yìfēi shook her head, "Don't cry," she said, wiping the tears of her best friend whose hands were shaking, "It's all right, it's fine," Yìfēi comforted Patting her shoulder.

"What did I do?" ShuîYuê asked in a whisper feeling humiliated as she recalled what happened some minutes ago.

"You did nothing; he's a moron, nothing else; he was just trying to put you in a spot," Yìfēi assured, gently rubbing ShuîYuê's shaky hands.

"I didn't-" ShuîYuê stopped herself from crying even more.

"Don't think about it, forget it," Yìfēi consoled taking ShuîYuê's hand in hers,
"Come on let's go."

ShuîYuê took a few seconds to compose herself as they stood up, "Fèng is especially saving a plate of your favourite honey chilli potatoes," Yìfēi informed trying to lighten up her best friend's upset mood, who stopped when they neared the main hall.

"I need some time, by myself," ShuîYuê managed to say as Yìfēi smiled at her.

"Fifteen minutes, If you don't return Fèng's going to devour all your favourite dishes," Yìfēi said with a chuckle as ShuîYuê gave her a small nod before she walked away to some stairs and sat down staring up at the sky, Yìfēi entered the main hall as Xiàn Fèng looked up at her, "She's fine, she'll be back soon," Xiàn Fèng nodded his head as Senior officials cheered loudly at the dance performance.

ShuîYuê pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as she stared at her shoes, she felt someone's presence and saw the Crown Prince standing a few feet away, she immediately pushed herself up as GuānYû neared, "Sit down," he told as she looked at him with hesitation, it was rude to sit with royalty at the same place, even earlier when she had sat beside him her chair was lower than him indicating their different status, "It's an order," he added as he took a seat on the stairs.

ShuîYuê reluctantly sat down but she left a stair and sat, the royalty people were very strict about their prestige and social status, "Sit beside me," he told sternly, ShuîYuê groaned under her breath before sitting beside him, "I want to talk to you," ShuîYuê nodded her head slowly, "Not as Crown prince but as GuānYû, just GuānYû," he added as ShuîYuê gulped, did she do something wrong again?

"About what happened inside-"

"It's all right, Your Highness; it's natural for senior officials to tease juniors a little," she interrupted.

"He was bullying you," GuānYû corrected, as ShuîYuê turned her head away, "He won't do it again, I'll make sure of it,"

"Thank you, Your Highness," she bowed her head.

"Water Master, I am not doing this just because I have authority," he sighed as he looked up at the stars, " I am doing it because it's right."

"Your generous help is much appreciated," she replied slowly inching away from him.

"I know you won't show it but you feel humiliated inside," he turned to her as she froze hoping he didn't notice the distance she had created, "There's no need for that, as long as I am there you don't have to feel humiliated ever," he assured as she bowed her head again, "And I also want to ask you something."

"Yes?"

He looked at her as he spoke, "That day when you injured yourself protecting Ghost King," ShuîYuê immediately turned her head away, staring at her shoes, "Why did you put yourself in danger?" he questioned.

ShuîYuê tried to think about it but she couldn't find a plausible or logical answer,
"Why would you save him of all people?" He asked again as ShuîYuê took a deep breath.

"I was too shocked to think anything," she said honestly.

"But why him?" He repeated as ShuîYuê tried to think.

"I don't know, it just happened," she mumbled after a while, GuānYû clicked his tongue in annoyance as he took a few deep breaths.

"You can't do that again; do not ever put yourself in danger," he warned as ShuîYuê looked at him, wondering why he was suddenly saying all this, "I was so scared that you were injured; luckily, you were fine."

"Not luckily, he saved me," she remarked softly as he looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes.

"That's exactly what I am worried about, he can't be trusted, you know that, We don't know his intentions, he's being extremely friendly with everyone," GuānYû pointed out as ShuîYuê thought about it, "I am just scared of you getting hurt," he said taking hold of her hands, "I am worried for you, for everyone, you and everyone here in Heaven are my responsibility, I don't want anything bad to happen to any of you."

"I won't let him hurt Yìfēi, Jīnyú, Fèng or anyone I know," ShuîYuê assured as he held her hands in his warm ones.

"I know you won't, but it's you I am worried about," he scooted closer keeping his voice in a whisper, "I know you are afraid, the first thing you do when you walk in a room is find exists, always sitting near the window, flinching at the slightest sounds or touches, why are you so scared?"

ShuîYuê didn't like how the Crown prince knew all this; only Yìfēi could know all this, no one else, "I am not scared," she said firmly.

"Don't lie to me, you can't lie to me," he replied turning her shoulders to him, "I will keep you all safe it's my responsibility-"

"How will you do it ?" She interjected in a whisper, "You know about yourself... she eyed his sword, "It's not yours, how will you protect everyone?"

"That's for me to worry about!" He snapped as ShuîYuê flinched back; GuānYû looked away for a while, trying to keep his calm, "Look, I only want to protect you all, and I shall do it at the cost of my life."

"You don't have to do anything; everything is fine," she replied, pushing his hands away, "Thank you for your kind help; I should head back inside. My friends are waiting for me," she added, leaving hurriedly. She had to keep her space if he knew these personal things about her, she wondered how he figured all that.

GuānYû sighed as he took out the dried flower he had kept in a handkerchief she had given him the day he had helped her make a fence for fish, "I care for you ShuîYuê, that's why I worry," he mumbled to himself as he held the flower she had given him some days ago close to his heart.

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A/N: On BunBun

Hey guys, I hope you are doing well, the last few month's update schedule was random I apologise for that, but since I have increased the word count immensely I will update twice a month, I can see myself being a bad author but I am sorry, I really can't update so much every week, I hope you'll enjoy these long chapters too, take care and I'll see you later bye bye!!

Word count: 5k