There was a week before the next round and Bai Hua didn’t know what to do in the meantime. So, he had taken leave from the Xia brothers the next day saying he’ll be back on the day of the tournament while he had planned to wander around the imperial city playing his zither. He was also curious about the immortal but he was sure he would see him on the day of the tournament.

But bai Hua could not even go further from the gate of the Xia family mansion. He was spotted by the sixth prince Dong Chen who was also going out of the house after spending the night at the Xia Mansion the previous night. He had beseeched Bai Hua to come and stay at his mansion and being unable to decline his request, Bai Hua agreed and got onto the prince’s chariot.

“Brother Hua, you will not be disappointed, I assure you,” consoled Dong Chen who was already on familiar terms with Bai Hua.

“I may not always be able to keep you company but the Xia brothers told me that you are interested in art and literature. My personal collection will not keep you bored for this one week. I hear that you exhausted every book in the Xia family home. Hahahaha.”

“Ah, they told you about it? Little Feng feels sympathetic towards me as I am not a part of the competition and he’s been trying to keep me busy. I believe, he made you take me to your place as well.”

Dong Chen smiled guiltily but said honestly, “Yes, he did make me take you to my place, but I have always intended for you to stay at my place as well. It’s quite lively even without Feng’er. I have a little sister of my own who is quite a handful.”

Bai Hua was suddenly reminded of a girl who was disguised as a boy and was with Dong Chen the other day inside the arena. And then he smiled.

“Poor Feng’er,” Dong Chen continued, “There are rumours already circulating around the city that he made it through unfair means. I have done all I can to block the rumours. I don’t want Feng’er to feel down before the next match.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll be fine. He’s a unique kid. I haven’t seen a fiery kid like him before. You worry too much. You’re spoiling him actually.”

“Ah, I think you’re right. I believe I have been spoiling him too much. He has been sticking to me ever since he was a child. I used to visit the Xia Family home back in their province. And he used to follow me everywhere I go. His brother, Xia Sheng was shocked that Feng’er had taken a liking to me back then. It seemed he was quite an introvert when he was a kid,” Dong Chen said, reminiscing.

“Pardon my inquisitiveness, Prince Chen, but I see some similarities between Feng’er and you. It’s obvious that the Xia brothers look very much alike. But Feng’er and you have a similarity which I am afraid I am unable to point out.”

Dong Chen looked quite surprised when Bai Hua said this.

“Brother Hua, your observation amaze me. Because I know that you’re a good man and because you have saved Feng’er’s life I will tell you a secret. I am not the son of the current king. I am actually the nephew of the king. My parents died when I was just a baby and the king who is my father’s elder brother took me in as his own son. It is a royal family secret. Even I was told this just some months ago by the king who is my royal father now. My mother and Feng’er’s mother are sisters. Though Xia Sheng is also from the same mother he has more of his father’s side of fierceness while Feng’er has taken much of his mother’s sensibilities just like I have taken my mother’s like I have been told by royal father. So, the Xia brothers and I are actual cousins. I am much grateful to my royal father and my current mother who is a concubine of the king. I am her only son and she dotes on me very much.”

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Bai Hua had not expected such a secret behind his simple hunch. But the story that Dong Chen had disclosed to him was reasonable. After all, even if his parents had died he was rightfully a prince, from the imperial Dong family of the East Mainland.

“Your secrets will not be disclosed. Prince Chen, you can trust me to keep it safe.”

“Thank you, brother Hua. Look, we have arrived in my mansion, “ he said as they entered the gates of a mansion which was smaller than the Xia family mansion. “I know it’s not as grand as the Xia mansion but the Xia family is a league of their own. But I hope you’ll be happy here.”

“I am fine even if I don’t have a roof over my head, Prince Chen,” Bai Hua admitted honestly.

The prince thought that Bai Hua must have led a hard life before, looking at his zither and noting the fact that he was just a musician. But Bai Hua had really meant it when he said he was fine without a roof over his head as he had spent most of his time in the godly realm sailing on clouds and sleeping on it most of the time.

They got down from the carriage and entered the mansion. There was an open courtyard inside the walls of the mansion and a young girl was impatiently tapping her fingers on the table with her back to them.

And hearing their entering footsteps, she whirled and said, “Big brother Chen, you only love Feng’er. You left me behind yesterday and went off to make merry at the Xia family home while I was patiently waiting for you!”

“Twelfth Princess, I told you I’ll be back in the morning. It is morning and I am back, aren’t I? You’re just like Feng’er when it comes to being impatient,” Dong Chen shook his head and then turned towards Bai Hua and said, “ Forgive my little sister for her manners, let me introduce her to you. She’s the Twelfth Princess of the East Mainland, Dong Lok. Quite an ugly name she has.”

“Ah. Xiao Lok is the Twelfth Princess? What a coincidence,” Bai Hua said calmly. He was always suspicious of Xiao Lok’s identity and she had not disappointed him.

Xiao Lok had remained rooted to where she was standing the moment Dong Chen introduced her to Bai Hua as if she had been caught of some mischief and had no place to hide anymore.

“Ah, Mr. Hua, we meet again. The circumstances keep changing whenever we meet,” she said guiltily.

Dong Chen was the one who was shocked now.

“Wait a moment. Both of you have met before?!” he asked incredulously.

“Yes, brother Chen,” she said as she came towards them and gave them each a slight bow, “I met him while I was on my travels a few days ago. Remember I had to leave the imperial city to see the ‘outside’ world according to elder brother Ran?”

Dong Chen was truly speechless. He just kept looking at Xiao Lok and then Bai Hua and then Xiao Lok as if trying to make sense.

“Brother Hua, I hope you are not some spy who is tailing the nobles and the royalties of East Mainland,” Dong Chen finally said in a joking manner.

“Brother Chen, now you are the one without manners. I was the one who approached Mr. Hua when we first met. Forgive him, Mr Hua, he’s not as refined as he acts to be.”

And she added guiltily to Bai Hua, “I am sorry to have hidden my identity twice. It was only for precaution. I wasn’t allowed to use my identity while travelling. I hope you will understand and forgive me.”

Bai Hua joined his fists and bowed.

“Greeting, Princess Lok. This humble subject will not take anything to his heart. I am afraid you think too highly of me. I am just a mere commoner. You needn’t be so worried about your actions. It has not affected me in any way.”

“Mr. Hua, you’re too humble. My outside experience was memorable because of your performances. I will cherish them dearly.”

Bai Hua had not planned to meet her again but fate was knitting a different kind of pattern for her. Fate seemed to be working really hard for Xiao Lok and Xia Feng, he thought.