Wei Lan doesn't know how to read, and didn't know why Luo Wei had given it to him, only believing automatically that everything Luo Wei did was a blessing for him, "I shall obey the young master." Even though referring to himself as 'I' felt awkward, but Wei Lan did finally say it.

Luo Wei then wrote Wei Lan's surname on the page, saying to him, "Wei Lan, look, this is your name." After a moment of thought, he wrote down his own name next to it, "This is 'Luo Wei', it's my name. When you're feeling better, I can teach you how to read, okay?"

Wei Lan made an effort to remember the four characters written on the paper, nodding to Luo Wei, but suddenly felt listless, "Young master, my health is failing and I'm not useful any longer, would you still keep me?"

"I'll find a way to cure you," Luo Wei patted Wei Lan's shoulder through the blanket, "I know you lived a hard life before this, I promise you won't have to live that way anymore."

Wei Lan didn't know what he could still offer Luo Wei. His martial arts were failing and his body was unclean. There wasn't a single use for him, so why would he stay alive? He would rather that Luo Wei offered him death, so long as the death was painless.

"Wei Lan," Luo Wei leaned down, watching Wei Lan's listless eyes, "Your life is mine from now on. I want you to live, is that clear?"

It took a while, but Wei Lan answered, "Yes."

Luo Wei fixed up Wei Lan's messy hair, looking at those deep eyes. That day, when he cleaned Wei Lan up in the carriage, Luo Wei had already discovered how handsome he was. Wei Lan's eyes and brows were pretty, structured by a high bridged nose. His lips were not especially full, but the shape was beautiful. The years of martial arts training kept his body well-built and solid, tempting onlookers even through the patches of scars and marks. Luo Wei sighed. A shadow guard with looks like this wasn't a good thing, it was only going to bring him more suffering.

Qi Zi came back with the soup, "Young master," He said to Luo Wei, "I'll feed him."

"His name is Wei Lan," Luo Wei stuffed another pillow under Wei Lan's neck, propping him up a little higher as he instructed Qi Zi, "He's older than you, so call him big brother if you need to."

Qi Zi quickly changed his speech, "Big brother Wei, let me feed you some soup." Qi Zi wasn't knowledgeable on the goings on of the martial arts world, and had no idea of what Qi Lin Shadow Guards were. Wei Lan's injuries in the carriage that day was so severe that Qi Zi didn't know where to even start. Luo Wei had surprised him again with his medical skills. Qi Zi sympathized with Wei Lan, after all, how someone make a man endure such terrifying humiliation?

Wei Lan was at least cooperative as he ate. After he finished the soup, Twelve came in with a bowl of herbal remedy. After letting it cool for a bit, Qi Zi fed it spoon by spoon to Wei LAn.

"You should sleep some more," Luo Wei watched as Wei Lan finished drinking the medicine, "We have to get back on the road tomorrow."

A sense of comfort took Wei Lan by surprise. The young master wasn't going to leave him. That fact helped him fall fast into sleep.

Ten saw Luo Wei coming out of the wood cabin, and stepped forward, "Does the young master wish to rest?"

They were staying at a hunter's lodge in the forest. The three wooden cabins were built right next to each other, offering rest to hunters who worked for the imperial palace. Luo Wei did not arrange for them to stay at any inns the entire way here, preferring to camp out in the wild in order to avoid Long Xuan's eyes and ears.

"It's late, all of you should get some rest," Luo Wei addressed Ten.

The Secret Guards all had good impressions of Luo Wei. It was true that this young noble received much of the emperor's favor, but he did not posture, instead existing amicably with everyone on the road. Often he'd make little jokes or bicker a little with Qi Zi, bringing some laughter and humor to this group of secret guards who'd long been used to the serious emperor. These days were truly joyful. Ten and the rest of the secret guards said nothing about Luo Wei keeping Wei Lan around, and even offered some of their internal energy for Wei Lan during critical moments. Inside, though, the Dragon's Secret Guards looked down on Wei Lan. They didn't understand why a person like this would still keep himself alive, but their assignment was only to keep Luo Wei safe, and none of them would interfere with Luo Wei's own decisions.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:

Hi all~ sorry for the break... Lots of things happened. For people who have chatted with me privately, you know I do a lot of translation on my phone during work breaks. Unfortunately some guy stole my phone a few days ago while I was just standing on the side of the road waiting for a call. :/ the last few days have been spent trying to get money for a new phone, cancelling everything that was connected to it, and dealing with bank info that was attached as well.

I'm hoping once everything settles that I could sit down and start that website I talked about in the last update. : ) Maybe I will do a few more extra chapters to release on it as well on top of what I'm doing on Wattpad. thank you all for your patience.