Lianfeng and Shi Meng disagreed. Shi Meng refused to believe it—it had to be a clerical error. The magistrate, Mr. Wei, was someone he respected, an official he had always admired. Without Mr. Wei, he couldn't be where he was. He couldn’t accept the idea that the man he looked up to might be responsible for the massacre of his tribe, his family, and his people. He hovered over the documents again and again, gripping the edges as if the words might mean something else if he looked close enough.

  But Lianfeng was certain. The more she reread the documents, the more convinced she became. Something was wrong. Something didn't add up. Every instinct in her screamed that Mr. Wei was involved.

  Neither could sway the other. In the end, they reached a compromise—they would return to Jinggu.

  Lianfeng made an excuse about visiting her hometown, claiming it might help recover her lost memories. Shi Meng, still caught between doubt and loyalty, took his annual leave.

  One way or another, they would find the truth.

  Wu Hi and the two princes walked Lianfeng to the carriage. During her time at the Palace, she had grown used to the two princes bickering, their endless questions, and the way they stuck to her side like shadows. She had become a big sister to them. Now, she was leaving them behind.

  When they reached the carriage, Lianfeng turned around to face the three, "So, this is it," she said.

  "When would you return?" Xian asked.

  "As soon as I can."

  "But it's possible that your memory won't return," said Fei.

  "I would return in 6 months if I can't remember anything," she said. That had be enough time to deal with that bastard.

  Xian tried to smile, but his lips wobbled. “Six months? That’s barely anything.”

  Wu Hi sighed. “Say your goodbyes. She has to leave.” She glanced at the sun, which now stood level with the palace rooftops.

  Lianfeng opened her arms and hugged the twin princes. She smiled at Wu Hi and boarded her carriage. It was a simple, unadorned carriage with space for two people. She raised the curtain and said, "I will be back, don't worry."

  The trio nodded at her with bittersweet smiles. In the distance, she could see Prince Yan watching from behind a tree. She gave him a little nod and put the curtain down.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "Let's go," she said to the stable boy.

  The rattling noise of the carriage filled her ears as she exited the Palace. She glanced one last time at the Palace gate. I will be back.

  With that, she closed the curtain and her eyes.

  When they arrived at the port, Shi Meng had boarded the ship. He was waiting, standing on the deck. Lianfeng quickly got her ticket and boarded the ship.

  Shi Meng greeted her, "Greetings, Ms.He. Fancy seeing you here."

  Lianfeng felt some animosity in his tone but didn't pay much attention. "I am heading back to my hometown, Jinggu. What about you?"

  They had to maintain distance in the capital. Prince Yan had been growing suspicious of them.

  "I am heading back to my hometown, Jinggu too. What a pleasant surprise!"

  They continued to chat on their journey. Lianfeng felt that Shi Meng had some animosity with her. After they arrived at Jinggu, they went to greet the magistrate, Mr. Wei.

  "Uncle Wen, Aunt Li," Shi Meng shouted with glee, waving his hand.

  The guards faces lit up with smiles when they saw Shi Meng.

  "Meng, you are back," the woman dropped her spear and embraced Shi Meng.

  After a moment or so, they finally noticed Lianfeng who was standing quietly, waiting.

  Aunt Li glanced at her and offered her a smile. Lianfeng smiled back. She then asked Shi Meng with a smile, "Who is she?"

  "She is my friend. Her hometown is Jinggu too. She recently returned and has no family, so I invited her to stay with us."

  After hearing Shi Meng, Aunt Li tried to take Lianfeng's bag, "Let me take it."

  "No, Aunt I can carry it." Lianfeng protested.

  "Aiyoo, you are our guest. If you don't let me take the bag, people will say we do not know how to treat our guests."

  Lianfeng gave in and they were taken inside. Uncle Zhou shouted when they reached the main courtyard, "Shi Meng is back and he also brought a girl back."

  Lianfeng gave a glance to Shi Meng which he didn't notice. They think I am his lover? Seriously?

  The house was splendid, the roof was made of black tiles and the walls were made of brick. The house was painted in pastel orange. A girl about Lianfeng's age came out running.

  "Brother Meng, you are back," she said, breathing heavily, stopping right in front of Shi Meng.

  "Clam down. Take a breath."

  The girl's eyes darted to Lianfeng who was wearing a smile.

  Shi Meng noticed it and introduced them, "This is my friend, Ms. He. This is my little sister, the magistrate's daughter, Wei Jing."

  Shi Meng said to Lianfeng, "I will go greet uncle first. You should freshen up."

  Lianfeng nodded and Shi Meng left.

  Aunt Li said, "Come on, let me show you the way."

  Aunt Li took Lianfeng to a medium-sized room. It had a bed shrouded by a curtain, a wooden cupboard, a set of teacups with a kettle on a table, and a mirror with a small drawer beneath it. The room was a bit dusty.

  Aunt Li said, "Shi Meng didn't tell us he was bringing you or I would have had the servants clean it up. Settle in first, I will have the room cleaned later."

  "Thank you," Lianfeng replied.

  Aunt Li left Lianfeng alone. After setting her clothes in the cupboard, Lianfeng sat down to relax. The daughter, the maids, the servants, and the guards. The guards didn't act like guards. Interesting.. I wonder what their connection to Wei Zheng is.