Flowers Bloom from Battlefield

"Princess, may I take a few days of leave?" Fan Lanying asked with hesitation.

Ming Hui looked up. When he looked at the flustered young girl, his lips unknowingly formed a smile. "What is it?"

"My brother took leave for a week. I want to spend this time with him," Fan Lanying answered. Her brother rarely goes home and even if he did, it will only be for a short time. When they were still young, she loved to play with her brother. Because of that, she highly missed her brother. She didn't wish to miss this chance.

"Sure, give me a heads up when you're about to return," Ming Hui nodded.

"Thank you, Princess! I will return soon," Fan Lanying said excitedly. She didn't realize that the eyes of the 'princess' in front of her turned a bit dark. He's sad that she will leave, but he cannot confine her inside the palace and refrain her from meeting with her family. She won't be happy that way.

After talking for a bit, Fan Lanying returned back and Ming Hui drifted his attention towards the book in his hands. He soon put it down and called his fourth brother to come and play with him for a bit.

"Fifth brother?" Ming Xiao is the fourth prince of Ming Kingdom. Despite having reached the age of 18, his existence was always forgotten by the people and even his father didn't care about him. After seeing the court, he had finally chosen to follow after Yan which made him come to know that Ming Hui is a guy. That news nearly made him unable to sleep for the following days after that, especially when he remembered how Ming Hui usually acted.

"Play chess with me."

After letting him know the truth, Ming Hui's actions before him changed completely and it completely fitted his gender as man. It seems all of his previous actions were only an act. Besides, Ming Hui rarely appeared because of 'her weak constitution', so they rarely get to meet him. Though when they do meet, he truly portrayed the image of a cute 16 years old girl.

Looking at the board before him, Ming Xiao wanted to cry. "Fifth brother… your skills in chess far surpasses mine. How can I possibly beat you?"

"You don't have to beat me."

Ming Xiao wanted to cry even more. In the end he suffered defeat countless times after a few hours of playing with Ming Hui. He felt immense gratitude when the people announced the arrival of Soujin. He thought that Ming Hui's demeanor would change…

"Soujin, you're late. Do you have a hangover because of the party?" Ming Hui became even more rude. Usually, Soujin would come uninvited, but since today was a special day and he had become a prince, there was no harm in visiting his 'sister'.

"My alcohol tolerance is good. Why are you in such a bad mood?" Soujin asked, then turned towards the man. "And this Xiao is going to be in our plan?"

Ming Hui nodded. "Yes, he is. Don't worry, he will only carry out some side quests."

Somehow, Ming Xiao felt that his presence was a nuisance for both of them. But what Ming Hui said didn't really bother him since he knows that he doesn't really have much talent for anything, other than his slightly higher birth. He looked at Soujin in hopes of getting out from this place, only for the other party to ignore him.

"It's not really important. I want you to check on my wound."

"Do you think I'm your private doctor?" Ming Hui looked annoyed. "Give me your hand. I need to check your pulse."

Soujin put his hand forward. Ming Hui's brows creased. Then he glared at the other party.

"You have a lot of injuries. What kind of monster did you fight with during the battle?"

"A famous great general," Soujin retracted his hand. "Any medicine I need?"

"No, the one you had is enough. You also need enough rest and no overtraining for a couple of days. Actually, it would be better if you don't touch the sword for 1 month."

"That long?" Soujin face darkened.

"Who told you to have that many wounds in…?"

Ming Hui told Soujin a bunch of things that Ming Xiao could not follow. Soujin ignored the talking Ming Hui as his gaze shifted outside. Sure enough, the eunuch announced the arrival of Jun Min.

"Oh, you're also here, Soujin. And this is?" Jun Min had never met Ming Xiao before, so he did not know about him.

Ming Xiao also stared at Jun Min with a stunned face. He knows Jun Min's name, but the face of this person before him… are you sure that he's a general?

"Ming Xiao, my fourth brother. Don't mind him, he will help us do some menial jobs," Ming Hui changed his explanation again. From Ming Hui's attitude, Ming Xiao got the feeling that this group is really something. Two famous generals, one famous merchant, and one hidden doctor (or rather *cough* manager).

"Oh," Jun Min nodded. "I came to inform you that I will leave for a couple of days to the Jun family territory."

"Don't you have to manage your new residence?"

"I came to ask for help," Jun Min grinned. "I don't really know much about this kind of things so maybe you can lend me some hand."

Ming Hui got the feeling that he was the manager for the three of them after he needs to help them so much. He sighed in defeat and nodded towards Jun Min.

"Don't worry. I will help you manage it."

"Thank you."

"Can't you ask anyone to come in your stead? You seem to be in a hurry," Ming Hui asked.

"I'm the only one who knows that you're a man. Or do you want my follower to know?"

"… Just go then."

Jun Min nodded and left them again. The guard didn't even realize that Jun Min had left, only the eunuch who guarded the place to Ming Hui's chamber knew because Jun Min showed himself to him.

"He's really fast." Ming Xiao could not follow Jun Min's movement at all.

"Soujin is even faster," Ming Hui snorted. "Since you're already here, play chess with me. This fourth brother of mine is truly poor."

Soujin lips curved. "Sure, if you don't mind losing a few rounds."

"You're the one who will lose!"

In the end, Ming Xiao was forced to watch the play where Ming Hui terribly lost all the rounds.