- Chapter Start –

Li LianHua opens his eyes, just a crack at first in case he's overslept and at risk of being blinded by sunshine, and then all the way when he realises he hasn't. It's early enough that only a bit of sunlight has found the window, painting a narrow strip on the wooden floorboards.

Once again, there are two hands wrapped around his left arm and a long, hard body plastered along his back.

It's funny, he muses sleepily, how new acts become habits so quickly.

Like Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing crowding his bed when there's a larger, perfectly good one upstairs.

Like Di FeiSheng spooned up behind him when he's so wary, suspicious and distrustful of everyone.

Like Fang DuoBing curled around his arm, in danger of falling off the bed when he's always enjoyed a large and luxurious bed by himself.

Yes, it's funny. And funniest of all is how soundly they all still sleep like this.

- o –

Half an hour later…

Lotus Tower gets its first visitors of the day when all three occupants are already awake, but still sitting up in bed. Di FeiSheng's hand is pressed to Li LianHua's back, and Fang DuoBing's to his chest when they hear a happy bark followed by a polite knock on the door.

"Come in!" Fang DuoBing calls.

Di FeiSheng grumbles that it's too early and Li LianHua grumbles that they're not decent - all three are still in their innerwear with their hair down. As soon as the door opens, Hulijing bounds in, followed by Zhan YunFei carrying a covered basket. The latter blinks at them and turns on his heel, intending to leave right away.

"It's alright, Zhan-ge," Li LianHua says. "We're almost done."

"Who says we are?" Di FeiSheng counters.

Fang DuoBing doesn't say anything, but his stomach gurgles at the appetising smell wafting from the basket.

Zhan YunFei sets it down on the table, takes a seat and proceeds to stare at the hilt of his sword. Hulijing doesn't see the need for such tact and sits near the bed, eyes on the trio and tail wagging. He doesn't do anything more until Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing stop the flow of Qi and remove their hands from Li LianHua.

"Hulijing, deserted your new mistress already?" Li LianHua chides as a wet nose presses against his hand, seeking pats. Hulijing also does the same for Fang DuoBing and even Di FeiSheng who looks a bit surprised.

"Breakfast," Zhan YunFei says simply, nodding at the basket.

"Did xiaoyee ask you to do this, Zhan-huwei?" Fang DuoBing teases. "It means you're a part of the family already!"

- o –

As soon as they're washed up and dressed, they sit down to crispy fried scallion pancakes, chicken congee and a pot of hot tea prepared by Fang DuoBing.

"I heard that the Divine Healer paid a visit yesterday," Zhan YunFei remarks.

"He promised to drop by everyday," Fang DuoBing says, sneaking a large piece of pancake to Hulijing which must be the only reason why he doesn't bark when they hear voices outside.

Zhan YunFei leaps to his feet at once, but the other three are unconcerned.

"Do I smell pancakes?" Su XiaoYong exclaims as she enters with a few paper wrapped packages hanging from her arms, followed by Guan HeMeng.

With a shared glance, Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing quickly help themselves to another piece each.

"Guan-xiong, XiaoYong, do join us for breakfast," Li LianHua invites without batting an eye. "Let me introduce you to an old friend of mine – Zhan YunFei, Dragon of the Martial Arts World. These two friends are Guan HeMeng, the Divine Healer with Needles, and his adopted sister, Su XiaoYong."

After exchanging greetings, Su XiaoYong holds up her arms.

"The smaller packets are for herbal tea, and the larger packets for herbal baths. Fang DuoBing, stop eating and take them from me!"

- o -

Just like yesterday, Guan HeMeng selects another tonic from Tianji Hall's collection and holds it out.

"I'm a physician too," Li LianHua protests. He makes a show of going through the basket only to accept the same bottle. "I choose this one."

Guan HeMeng's eye twitches.

After the tonic is downed and the offered sweet by Fang DuoBing accepted with a smile of thanks, it's time for another acupuncture session. Li LianHua doesn't protest, not with the memory of Fang DuoBing and Di FeiSheng's wet eyes still fresh in his mind.

"I'm glad you saved Yun BiQiu," Guan HeMeng says after sticking half a dozen needles in Li LianHua's neck.

"Oh?" Li LianHua raises an eyebrow. "So you no longer blame him for getting the last of my Yangzhouman?"

"That was your decision, not his." Guan HeMeng's calm demeanour doesn't change, but his cheeks turn the faintest pink. "I meant during his trial, when you revealed how he gained Jiao LiQiao's trust and tricked her. But as for him stabbing you-"

"It was necessary since she had one of her spies following him," Li LianHua quickly cuts in. "Wait. When did he tell you all this?"

"Oh, it's all over town," Su XiaoYong replies, noting Guan HeMeng's discomfited look. "'Li XiangYi's triumphant return' and all that."

The corners of everyone's lips turn down at once, even Hulijing's.

- o –

"Guan-xiong, I do appreciate your concern and house calls, but you don't have to come here everyday. I can't afford to pay the bill," Li LianHua jokes when his three visitors get up to leave.

"I can," Di FeiSheng, Fang DuoBing and Zhan YunFei chorus in unison.

"Did I mention payment?" Guan HeMeng looks irritated. "I didn't even say anything when Fang DuoBing brought you to my place a month ago."

"Oh, that's right." With a sheepish smile, Fang DuoBing reaches for his purse. "How much do I-"

"Fang DuoBing doesn't owe me anything," Guan HeMeng interrupts, not even looking at him. "But if Li LianHua really wants to repay me, he can repair my hard earned reputation by staying alive for as long as possible!"

Lips pressed thin, he turns on his heel and sweeps out before Li LianHua can open his mouth. A worried Su XiaoYong calls out goodbyes and hurries after him.

"Well," Li LianHua says into the awkward silence, "that's the Divine Healer for you. Such a dramatic man."

"I will scold him for you," Di FeiSheng says and leaves without waiting for a reply.

- o –

"Guan-shengyi."

Guan HeMeng and Su XiaoYong turn around.

"Di-mengzhu?"

"The bicha poison was triggered yesterday afternoon," Di FeiSheng says without preamble. "Li LianHua said that it used to hurt in the past, but yesterday he didn't feel any pain at all."

Guan HeMeng goes very still while Su XiaoYong looks from one to the other.

"What does that mean?" Di FeiSheng demands in a harsh voice.

Guan HeMeng sighs, eyes briefly closing.

"Despite the tonics and the Qi from you and Fang DuoBing, Li LianHua's body can't hold on for much longer. I would estimate… no more than four days."

- o -

When Di FeiSheng returns to Lotus Tower, Fang DuoBing is handing the packets of herbs to A-Li who promises to get the herbal bath ready before lunch. There's another visitor in the form of Qiao WanMian, sitting at the outside table with Li LianHua.

"Di-mengzhu." Qiao WanMian offers a polite smile.

"Qiao-guniang." Di FeiSheng glances around. "Where's Xiao ZiJin?"

"At Tianji Hall. I told him to wait for me there."

"And he agreed?" Fang DuoBing joins them, also looking around as if expecting to see Xiao ZiJin peeping at them from behind a tree.

"He's trying to regain your trust, A-Mian," Li LianHua says with a smile.

"It'll take a lot more than that after all the stunts he's pulled," Qiao WanMian scoffs, but there's a tiny smile on her lips.

She takes her leave half an hour later and promises to drop by again in two days. She also promises not to let anyone from Baichuan Court accompany her.

"Except for Yun BiQiu since you didn't chase him off yesterday," she says.

Fang DuoBing waits unitl she's out of sight before turning to Li LianHua.

"Your herbal bath is ready. Make sure you soak for at least an hour."

"I will stand guard," Di FeiSheng says with a glint in his eye. "Fang DuoBing, that's enough visitors for today. Chase away anyone else except for Wu Yan, I'm expecting an update on what's left of the Jinyuan Alliance."

- o –

By the time Li LianHua emerges from the tent, he feels warm and sleepy. Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing are waiting for him in front of Lotus Tower along with Madam He and He XiaoFei.

"He-tangzhu, He-guniang," Li LianHua greets.

"How are you, Li-shengyi?" He XiaoFei asks. "YunFei declined to come with us."

"We brought lunch so let's not stand on ceremony!" With a big smile, Madam He takes her sister's arm and leads her inside Lotus Tower.

"What happened to no more visitors?" Li LianHua whispers.

"I can't chase away my own family," Fang DuoBing whispers back.

"Those who bring food are exempted," Di FeiSheng adds.

"XiaoBao, stop dawdling and get inside," He XiaoFei calls.

Again, Madam He proves to be a wonderful hostess. She chats brightly as if she's entertaining guests at her own home, but Li LianHua notes her eyes darting around from time to time, seeing everything and missing nothing. He would bet the stash of coins under his rice pot that she could list down everything if asked, right down to the number of cupboards he has.

She even goes upstairs with He XiaoFei to view the upper floor.

"XiaoBao, I know I've said this before, but indulge me," Li LianHua says. "You may not have had the easiest childhood, but you had a mother who loved you and you have a family who dotes on you and have given you the best of everything."

"I know," Fang DuoBing says with a grateful smile which vanishes when Madam He reappears and insists that he return to Tianji Hall with them.

"Your father says he's starting to forget what you look like."

"He saw me just two days ago."

"Don't talk back to your mother like that."

Pouting, Fang DuoBing turns to Li LianHua.

"I'll be back after dinner," he promises.

"What's the rush? Tomorrow would be better," Di FeiSheng drawls.

Ignoring the two of them, Li LianHua waves off the two ladies.

"The weather's nice, A-Fei." He nods at the table placed outside, under the plum blossom trees. "Let's go sit there for while."

"Very well."

They take their time, making a pot of tea and carrying it to the table along with clean cups and some snacks. The breeze soon picks up, playing with their bangs and scattering a half dozen plum blossoms on their table. Di FeiSheng gathers all of them in a small pile in front of Li LianHua.

"I'm sorry, A-Fei." Li LianHua touches the flowers with a regretful sigh.

"For what?"

Li LianHua looks up at him.

"I never intended to give away the Styx Flower, you know? Even though there's no guarantee it would've healed me. But I couldn't see any other way to ensure Minister Fang and his family's safety and good standing with the Imperial Palace. I just wish…"

"You just wish what?" Di FeiSheng reaches for his hand.

"That we had a bit more time. I didn't realise that… ahh, never mind."

"Say it."

"Why? It's too late."

"Say it!" Di FeiSheng's grasp on his hand tightens.

Wincing, Li LianHua shakes his head and looks down. His throat is tight with sorrow, with regret, with everything he wishes he could say… but can't. No,won't because it wouldn't make a difference.

"If you won't say it then I will."

Li LianHua's head snaps up at once, eyes wide and heart pounding.

"No. A-Fei, no. Don't say it."

Di FeiSheng stares at him, eyes glittering and hand gripping Li LianHua's like a vice. Li LianHua can't bring himself to care. What are a few crushed bones to seeing such raw emotion in those eyes?

"I-"

"Li LianHua! A-Fei!"

They both start as Fang DuoBing descends from the air and lands beside the table.

"We have more visitors," he says as the sound of galloping hooves reach their ears.

In a flash, Di FeiSheng is on his feet and standing before the two of them. Two riders come into view, one on a white horse, the other on a brown one.

"I saw them approaching from my window," Fang DuoBing explains. "It's Yang YunChun and Princess ZhaoLing."

- o –

Yang YunChun dismounts and helps the princess down.

"Gongzhu, Yang-xiong, what a pleasant surprise," Li LianHua greets with a polite bow and smile.

Fang DuoBing does the same with an equally polite salute. Di FeiSheng just nods, eyebrows pulled together in a displeased frown.

"Be polite," Li LianHua mutters out of the corner of his mouth.

"I am. I'm not chasing them off," Di FeiSheng mutters back.

"Li-xiong, Fang-xiong, Di-mengzhu." Yang YunChun salutes them all, but doesn't say anything more.

Princess ZhaoLing comes forward with a gracious smile that falters a bit at Di FeiSheng's expression.

"Li LianHua, I have something for you."

She removes a familiar wooden box from under her cloak and opens the lid. Nestled inside is the Styx Flower.

Li LianHua feels his face drain of all colour.

- Chapter End –