As they all stood there, the intensity of the situation rose tenfold, and the air was inundated with a tense, awkward atmosphere. Each person donned their own helpless expression, and wore it messily.
Suo Han was clearly anxious; however, that anxiety came with a side dish of "I've already lost, what's the point?"
On the other hand, Tao Hua's dish had a completely different flavour. Though it looked similar to Suo Han's, his was spiced with desperation, and that was directed at Shan Si.
But Shan Si remained unreadable, his expression fighting between two separate realities. Judging by the movement of his jaw, it was clear he wasn't sure which option was the right one to choose.
As for Weng Jing, he wasn't scared. Such was typical of a man who felt he was immune to any and all consequences. Tao Hua wasn't sure why, but if he had to guess, it had something to do with whatever reason he couldn't open his eyes.
That was another thing he'd have to write down for later—to ask Shan Si.
Though Weng Jing wasn't scared, he was offended, and such was obvious in how he crossed his arms and glowered ahead at the final issue.
The pouting old man. He slumped his shoulders forward, disappointed that his plan had blown up entirely. How unfortunate for this scheming man that not a single soul in that room was physically hurt.
Mentally, perhaps.
"Well…! You raise a boy, call him your kin, teach him all you know…from the sword, to the bow—even cultivation!" Wan Mie sadly moaned. "And this is what I get in return? This ancestor will just have to hope, just maybe—""
"Take him to the bath," Shan Si ordered.
Wan Mie raised his eyebrows, every bit of his sad man act washing away entirely.
"Are you deaf? Take Weng Jing to the bath. I'll join you shortly after." Shan Si waved his hand, finally coming to a quick decision.
Every part of Tao Hua dropped at his declaration, and he wasn't sure how to look at Shan Si seriously, but Shan Si merely continued without offering a returning glance in his direction.
"Coat the walls with water and make it humid. Make sure every bit of wood is soaked wet."
"Excuse me?" Weng Jing stared at Shan Si. "Baths? What threat is that? Is His Highness so eager for company that he's willing to bathe with those he deems lower than--"
With his hand, Shan aggressively positioned it closer to Weng Jing, enough that Weng Jing nearly writhed with disgust. "Not another word."
It was clear he wasn't in the mood to hear either man speak, as even the threat of Weng Jing's teeth wasn't enough to scare Shan Si's hand away. In response, Weng Jing's nose wrinkled, and it was as if Shan Si's attitude was completely out of left field and unnatural.
"I don't care how entitled you think you are, Weng Jing, or how special the history of this palace deems you, but I made myself clear three days ago." Shan Si lowered his hand, darkness looming over him as he spoke. "At least I thought I did."
The corners of Weng Jing's eyes creased, studying Shan Si, and for once, he addressed him directly. "You can't kill me."
"I can't; that would be too kind," Shan Si replied. Lifting his head, he announced. "No one is to touch the new boy or associate with him, not until he's been granted a name. If any of you think you're above these orders, drop by the Ancestral Hall tomorrow and you can see for yourselves what happens when you disobey."
Jerking his head toward Shan Si, Tao Hua's face warped, completely ridden with disbelief and hurt. What did he mean by "not allowed to talk to him until he had a name?"
Was he a pet or something?
"Take him, Wan Mie," Shan Si shook his head, already disinterested in the snorting Daoist Master.
"His Highness really did wake up too soon." Weng Jing mockingly smiled. "Ordering Master around as if she doesn't have—mmmf!?"
"Shhhhh." Wan Mie had reached his hand around Weng Jing's face, planting his hand firmly on his mouth, and gripping it so tight his black gloves pinched his skin. "Orders are orders, Daoist Bastard. Don't worry, I'll make sure this time between us is memorable!"
"W-Wait!" Tao Hua interrupted, shaking off Suo Han's hold. He dashed toward Wan Mie and Weng Jing, but Shan Si placed a hand against his chest. When Tao Hua hopelessly glanced up at him, he witnessed the face of a man who wasn't pleased with the situation.
Unsure, Tao Hua's mouth ran dry, challenging Shan Si's gaze with pinched brows and an unhappy complexion.
"Don't get involved." Shan Si gently pushed Tao Hua back. "Weng Jing had this coming for a long time. It's just court politics and nothing more."
Thrashing about in Wan Mie's grip, Weng Jing tried to turn and retort Shan Si's comment, but all he could muster was a few muffled words before Wan Mie clamped his fingers against his cheeks.
"Honestly. You've been a royal pain in the ass—for both me and Our Lord. A fortuitous miracle that it took this long. Truly." Wan Mie shoved him toward the changing room. Lifting his head, he beamed an irked smile at Tao Hua. "See? I knew you'd come in handy. Thanks, Rabbit's Foot!"
"…" Tao Hua turned back to Shan Si just as Wan Mie happily pushed the muffling Daoist Master out of sight. Grabbing hold of Shan Si's hand, he tried to rip it off as he shouted, "If this is about me, then why don't I have a say?!"
But he didn't offer Tao Hua an answer, and that was enough to cause him to loosen his grip on Shan Si's hand, his own flopping at his sides.
"I don't get it…" Shan Si murmured in what sounded like genuine anguish, staring at Tao Hua with a conflicted expression. But he didn't finish that statement; instead, he removed his arm and regarded his focus elsewhere. "Suo Han."
"Hm?!" Suo Han jolted, removing his gaze from Tao Hua and whirling it toward Shan Si. "Yes?!"
"You're to bring him to Qian Jue, and he'll be in her care for the evening," Shan Si began, just as all the life seemed to drain out of Suo Han entirely. "When you do, recite the phrase, 'Without standards, no boundaries are set.' She will understand."
Suo Han remained smiling; however, that smile dwindled and hollowed out.
"Once he's been transferred over, you're to return to the Martial Hall posthaste. Do you understand?"
Raising his hands toward his chest and picking at his nails, he finally replied, "Y…Yes, sir—Lord Shengkai. This lowly servant follows…"
"Qian Jue is a capable woman, Tao Hua; she'll handle you with care," Shan Si said, still refusing to look in Tao Hua's direction. However, he'd entirely earned Suo Han's undivided sympathy instead at the mention of his name.
"Instruct Li Zhou to bring Qian Fei to Fang Jian, Suo Han. If she protests, have Li Zhou stay there until she's fully accepted her duties. Don't let her distract him again. Understood?"
All of these reminders, and the name he'd been mourning for the last three days, yet Tao Hua couldn't seem to find it in himself to care. All he felt was regret and confusion. It was true he didn't enjoy having Weng Jing around, but regardless of that fact…was any of this necessary?
And why bring him into the bathhouse? What punishment was he going to exact on the Daoist Master?
"But! My Lord, you know Consort Fang--" But Shan Si just glared a warning at him. Relenting, Suo Han bowed in response. "Y-Yes Lord Shengkai. This lowly servant apologies for his poorly conducted impudence…i-it won't happen again. Consort Fang will be warned."
Just as Suo Han placed his hand on Tao Hua's back, preparing to move him toward the exit, Tao Hua met Shan Si's eyes angrily. Truth be told, even if Tao Hua didn't want to admit it, Shan Si and the current emperor of Zhonglai were beginning to mesh.
But before Suo Han turned Tao Hua toward the exit once more, he witnessed a flash of genuine emotion on Shan Si's face.
"We'll talk this evening."
That was the last thing Shan Si had said before leaving the pair in the main entrance of the Martial Hall.
Tao Hua lowered his head, resisting the urge to let out all his emotions then and there. But, as per usual, the man wasn't subtle, and was easily caught by his servant.
Reaching his hand up to Tao Hua's shoulder and opening the door with his other, Suo Han softly said, "Tao Hua is a pretty name…I think it suits you."
That was the first time Suo Han had directly addressed him personally; however, Tao Hua couldn't seem to appreciate it as much as he would have this morning. All he could think about was the last of Shan Si's expression before he had turned away.
Why did he look so miserable?
Chapter end.