"This garden is a maze, since none of us leaves the pavilion and outsiders are not allowed in, master has activated the maze so we can only enter but we can't get out,"

With a confused expression, she looked around her.

​​

Her current surrounding doesn't seem like somewhere she has walked by before, normally when in a maze, the everywhere looks identical.

"Are you sure he has activated the maze, it doesn't seem like I am circling the same place over and over again,"

"That is how this garden is designed, anyone who enters this maze will see different things so they won't be able to know they are in a maze," the young girl seemed frustrated as when began to rack her brain to figure out how to get out.

"Normally, as long as you are above the field then it is possible to get out of the maze, you said earlier that you are well trained in martial art,"

"It doesn't work on this maze, the only ones who are able to leave the maze is master, young master Feng Shui and Miss Xiaodi,"

She now blamed herself for thoughtless taking a walk but this made her confirm that the blossom pavilion is indeed not an ordinary place.

Whilst they were still thinking of what to do, they suddenly heard a faint breezy sound, they looked towards the direction of the sound then they followed the sound and as they neared the place it is coming from, the louder the sound became.

Not long, they soon arrived at the place the breezy sound was coming from but their faces were filled with a delightful surprise seeing the whirling blossoms surrounding the garden as a young man sprung into the air with a shiny sword that reflected the rays of the sunlight on his face.

"Wow...this is really a magnificent sight," she couldn't help remarking, ever since she started residing at the pavilion, she has never seen him training but now she realised this is where he has been training.

Both were relieved that they have found their helper.

He soon sensed their presence behind him so he grabbed his sword in the sky then descended.

"Miss Meixiang," he pronounced as he wasn't expecting to see her there, he glanced at the girl beside her with a scolding glance.

He could already tell that they couldn't leave the maze which means that she now knows one of the secrets behind why no one can come into the blossom pavilion.

"A'Li why did you bring Miss Meixiang to the garden?" His voice didn't sound like he was pleased seeing her where she is not supposed to be since Meixiang is still an outsider.

"I forgot the maze has already been activated,"

She answered with an apologetic tone.

"You shouldn't blame her, I was the one who insisted on taking a walk," Meixiang interceded.

He simply nodded at her then he cleanly placed his sword in the sheath before walking ahead of them, without any questions asked they simply followed after him.

Before long, they made their way out into the main building of the pavilion.

He stood in front of her then he cupped his hands together before turning to leave.

She sighed as she watched him disappear from her sight.

In Ruyi pavilion, she is the most desired entertainer who is very well respected but in here, she is just an esteemed guest.

It struck her really hard that she doesn't belong here yet and it will take her much effort to fully gain his trust but he was determined to become like her master to him.

She returned to her room with the young lady behind her.

Meanwhile, Feng Shui went to the meditation room, he has something to report but he was worried that he will disturb the fourth prince and Xiaodi meditation so he waited until this time.

He entered without knocking.

"Fourth prince," he cupped his hands together then bowed his head to greet him.

"It seems like I am bound to not meditate properly today seeing as you all have something to report,"

"Sorry for disturbing your meditation, I completed the task you gave to me, all preparations to return to the capital has been completed, I am just worried that we might not be able to meet Madam Ju,"

"How so?"

"Although the emperor has allowed her to leave the palace, she is still somewhat the emperor's woman,"

The fourth prince opened his eyes then calmed his internal energy as he stood up then adjusted his black robe.

"My father just thinks of her as a replacement of my mother, there is no way the queen and the imperial noble consort will allow a woman who is famous for being an entertainer to become the emperor's concubine especially since they have seen how he cares about her, we just have to make sure we don't make our relation with her too obvious and it will be fine,"

He smiled then tapped his shoulder before leaving the meditation room while Feng Shui glanced at the wall separating the chamber before following him out.

"It is rare that you finish meditating before Xiaodi, she must have finally learnt to be patient,"

The fourth prince couldn't help but chuckle, he really wishes that was the case.

"I wish that was that case but she has already left long ago,"

He could only shake his head at how pampered the spirit beast is by her master, he wonders how the fourth prince still entrusts her with serious tasks.

"The emperor's birthday is in one week and the martial hero contest is in two weeks, so we should return to the capital in two days," Feng shui suggested.

"No rush, my imperial father has sent many people to look for me, he has always expected me to attend his birthdays but I never come, still he hasn't given up on finding me so to be careful, we will arrive in the capital on the day of the celebration to avoid being found out,"

"Master, you have invested a lot of time in improving your cultivation and healing but I am worried you might have to go through more when you meet her in the capital,"

"It doesn't matter, even if it is my life, I am willing to give her but I just need her to be safe,"

{The martial hero contest...}

Feng Shui could only sigh in resignation, if there is something or someone his master wants to protect then he must make it his duty.

Meanwhile, in the cave, Huo Lan is still trying to hone her power with the assistance of Su Ci who managed to convince her to stop training recklessly.

Su Ci has always been special from birth, she might not have very special skills or very good cultivation but she has the ability to absorb the flame of the flame sect.

Although she has been using herself as a test subject for Huo Lan, she has also sustained several internal injuries which she has kept hidden from Huo Lan who only cares about passing the test so she can be with her family again otherwise, she will be subjected to this cave forever.

"Su Ci, are you alright? you look really pale," she extended her hand to touch her forehead but Su Ci grabbed her hand aggressively but she smiled after she realised it.

"I am alright, as long as you can pass the test then I will be even better," she smiled warmly then she sighed, Huo Lan then continued trying to control her power after each mind cultivation.

She could feel a metallic taste in her mouth and the urge to cough overwhelmed her, she silently stood up from the lotus position then she walked quickly to a blind spot.

She started coughing really hard and it made her chest wrench in pain.

Dark coagulated blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, she leaned her back against the wall then sighed deeply with her eyes closed.

She placed her hands on her chest then squeezed it tight.