Sorrrrrry for the slacking. But school started again and I'm already 3 weeks behind HAHA! But on the brightside, while I am doing my papers, I usually slack off and write this instead. So. TA-DA~

Chapter 10: Been So Long

They had arrived early in the morning by carriage. A small funeral had been held at the capital but it was the job of Tong to bring the ashes back to be buried beside with his ancestors. Tong had been holding up slowly, his face growing wearier by the end of their four day trip. With every city they stopped in, or every road side break they had, there was nothing but honor and praise for Ling Cao and the things he had done for Wu. It was just a shame that Tong had to bare a straight face the entire time, holding back his tears and his shared sentiments about the man he respected the most.

Xiang Wan had been by his side the entire time, as Xi Won of course. She had to remember her place as the male best friend. Only standing a distance away and making sure he did not break. The words of Xiao Qiao had been playing in her mind throughout the trip but she chose to push it as far as she could. For now, it was not about her and what she felt. It was about caring for a man that lost his father. It was a feeling that she knew once before.

Yuhuang was a small city, not known for much other than Ling Cao and his family. The Shen's had slowly faded away from the map after the death of Xiang Wan's father, with them only being known for their family business of cloth weaving. Xiang Wan's younger brother, Xi Wen was the head of household and ran the family business with great honor. He was amazing for his age, and surely the most respected business man in Yuhuang. "Yuhuang is very different now." Tong said softly when they got to the gates. The Prefect of the city, Lord Ma was there to greet them.

"Master Ling, we have been expecting you." He bowed, "I am sorry for your loss. Your father was a prize to our city." Tong bowed in returned, something he had been doing all week. "This must be your guest."

"This is Shen Xi Won of the Shen household." Tong told him, prompting the Prefects eyes to grow round.

"Is there something wrong?" Xiang Wan raised an eyebrow, "I have not been back to my city in many years, but I do not suppose much has changed."

"That my lord, is something for you to see." He pointed towards the city, "Please, you must be tired from your trip Come to my estate and we shall prepare food and beds for the night."

"I think I will visit my family first." Xiang Wan suddenly said, she had not planned this earlier, but the words of Prefect Ma gave her an unsettling feeling. "Is that okay with you Tong?"

"I'll be fine." He nodded, his eyelids drooping, "I will be resting at Prefect Ma's home then." She bowed to them as they walked off with their luggage. Xiang Wan took a deep breath and went through the shortcut path she had ran through as a child when she was running late for class. It lead to the back gate of the Shen estate, where her room was conveniently located nearby.

The back of her home still looked the same, with the rusted back gate and dull colored walls. She could hear the familiar sounds of her nanny Xing Li cooking in the kitchen. Following the sounds of the pattering pans, she made her way into the kitchen and stuck her head in. Xing Li had grown older in the past ten years, but she was still the same as ever. With her tall stature but gentle features, she was Xiang Wan's best friend. "Who are you?" Someone screamed from behind her, prompting everyone in the kitchen to pause and stare. No one seemed to have recognized her as panic ensured.

"Get the guards!"

"Protect the children!"

"Call Master Shen!"

"QUIET!" Xing Li shouted, forcing everyone to stop in their tracks. "Are you all fools?" she snapped at them. "Prepare a room, call Lady Shen home!" she opened her arms and walked towards Xiang Wan, "Tell her, Master Xi Won is home."

---
Tong walked over to the guest bed and flopped straight down. He had not gotten much rest for the past few days and it was nice to finally be in a semi-secluded area. His family had moved closer to the capital after the war, only leaving the ancestral burial grounds in the city. The city had not changed much though. It was a small, industrial town, known for the famous silk worm habitat where the most beautiful of gowns could be created. They thrived during the warm days, and suffered during the cold. But other than that, it was a small, quiet city that took pride in their master and unique stitches. A small knock was heard from the door and Tong sprung up from his bed. "Come in." the doors opened and a beautiful young maiden peeked her head in.

"Gong Ji?" her voice, tender and sweet as her big, beautiful eyes blinked at him. "Is it really you?" the door flew open.

"Jing Yi." Tong stood up in defense, making sure there was a table lengths between them. Ma Jing Yi was Prefect Ma's prized daughter. She was three years younger than Tong, but acted like a child. She was beautiful, considering the genes she spawned from but she was very special. All their lives, Jing Yi had professed her love for Tong and he had a few good years of avoiding her when they moved.

"I'm so sorry about your Father."

"Thank you." He took a step back when she stepped forward.

"I'm a changed girl now, Gong Ji. I know how much you like calmer women."

"Of course." Tong said, tongue in cheek.

"There'll be a banquet tonight. You will attend right?"

"Of course." He smiled meekly. "But I'm tired right now so…"

"Of course!" she squealed, "I have to get ready, oh my goodness!" she ran out, leaving the doors wide open.

"Crap, did I just agree to go with her?" Tong asked himself, "I'll introduce her to Xi Won…"

---

Xing Li and Lady Shen could not believe their ears and eyes as they listened to Xiang Wan's tale of joining the Wu army. Shaking their heads, Xing Li grabbed onto her hands, "You are so stupid, child!" she exclaimed.

"Well, that Ling boy is a very good man." Lady Shen smiled.

"What are you saying?" Xiang Wan snapped.

"Your mother is saying, that you've taken a liking to the young man."

"I have not." She gave a disgusted look. "I wanted to prove to him that I was better than him."

"And accompanying him here does this how?"

"I was…here to see you." She ended sarcastically. "I'm not having anymore of this conversation." She got up to leave but was quickly forced back down.

"Your brother can't know you're here."

"Why?"

"Because you are still the heir to this estate." Xing Li explained, "Your little brother has down a good job in running the business, this would just drive him insane."

"I haven't seen him for ten years…does he not know I'm a girl?"

"There are some things that your father wanted to keep forever." Lady Shen rolled her eyes, "God bless that mans soul."

"So what? I can't stay in here, I have to back to Gong Ji." She noticed the strange looks, "Stop looking at me like that!" she scolded them.

"There is a ball tonight to welcome back Gong Ji."

"Only him?"

"No one remembers you child." Xing Li laughed, "Which is perfect, you should go to the party as Xiang Wan."

"That makes no sense." She crossed her arms, "Xi Won and Xiang Wan are engaged, it'd be weird for one to show up and the other to…" she paused and repeated what she said in her head. "What did I get myself into?" she sighed, defeated.

"Don't worry, with a little help of your dear Xing Li, I'll get everything set up." Her smile was unsettling to Xiang Wan. "Mistress Shen, you can finally take your little girl to the ball. As a girl." She said proudly. Both Lady Shen and Xiang Wan looked at each other. This will not bode well, they telephatically agreed.

Thanks again for all the suppot!