183 AN ELDER'S ADVICE

"Well, I hope she really is with Azra. That's the only reason I could be confident that she is all right."

Zoe's shoulders drooped as she turned her back to walk outside of the cabin and come back to Liu's Residence. She couldn't possibly stay here alone. 

To her surprise, Gao Zemin appeared on the doorsteps.

He made a formal bow to her which made Zoe furrow her eyebrows.

"Y-you don't need to do that, Lord Gao." Zoe bowed in response. And so did Lord Adrian who was still waiting for her decision.

"By the way, this is Lord Adrian Liu. Lord Adrian, this is Lord Gao Zemin."

Lord Adrian bowed to him as Gao Zemin nodded his head.

"I'm glad to see you. I haven't formally thanked you yet for saving us before. Forgive me for my apathetic actions then." Zoe made a formal bow to him.

Gao Zemin waved his hands as if telling her that it is no big deal.

"I came here to clean. But I didn't expect to see you here. Where is your friend?" He asked as he put down his bag on a chair.

"I'm actually looking for her. But she left a note saying that she's all right and she was with a good friend."

Gao Zemin rubbed his chin as he contemplated on what she said. "Is that good friend a young man who was a little older than her, wearing his hair in a full updo, his Hanfu in black and always wearing a sheath with a sword?"

Zoe's eyes widened in disbelief. "You described him just perfectly! Have you seen them around, my lord?"

"I saw them once. But that was a long time ago. I hope she really was all right alone with that man. I don't like the last scene that I saw them doing."

Zoe winced in an awkward smile. 'Erin, I'm gonna strangle your neck when I see you.' 

"How about you? Have you been well?" Gao Zemin asked her with his kind eyes as he put down his eyeglasses to take a better look at her.

"You seemed thinner than the last time I saw you."

Lord Adrian who was quietly sitting at a corner gave an eye at Zoe as if he was telling her that she should really be living with them so his family can take care of her.

Zoe's lips curved up at his question. Gao Zemin has been grouchy and ill-tempered with them as she recalled. It really felt sincere for him to utter those words to her.

"I'm fine, my lord. It's probably because I have been treating the Crowned Prince in the Castle -"

Gao Zemin suddenly stood up. "What? What do you mean? The Crowned Prince is sick? But I have heard he was already fine and walking around lately. And why are you in the Castle? Are you out of your mind?!"

Zoe scratched her head as she knew how silly and reckless it is for her to be going there. She glanced at Lord Adrian who seemed nonchalant at Gao Zemin's reaction.

'He's probably thinking that he was just concerned as my uncle.'

She gave an apologetic smile at Gao Zemin who was still flaring nostrils at her.

Gao Zemin knew that they were from outside of Terra as he saw their appearance and clothing firsthand from the moment they stepped foot on the land. 

He took them under his wings even though it is prohibited to allow a stranger in the land, and even gave them their basic necessities and a temporary shelter to live in. He has every right to get angry right now.

If the Castle people would see through their identities, not only they would be punished but Gao Zemin as well. 

Zoe brushed her hair to her side as she thought about an alternative to her coming back to the Castle. After some time, her forefinger shot up in the air.

"I know! Why don't you exchange places with me? The Crowned Prince is better but he still needs to be monitored for complete recovery. You're a skilled physician and way better and more experienced than me. You can go to the Castle and treat him instead." She beamed at him.

"I second the motion!" Lord Adrian also popped up his finger as he imitated her.

Gao Zemin crossed his arms and pondered. "How is the King?"

Zoe gave him a dazed look as he was asking a question that is different from what she was suggesting. 

"I don't have an idea, my lord. I wasn't able to go to other parts of the Castle as the Queen didn't allow me to."

"You already encountered the Queen!" Gao Zemin's hand flew to cup his jaw-dropped mouth.

"You're lucky you're still alive." He uttered unconsciously as his eyes darted away as if he was recalling some incidents where he encountered the Queen's formidable behavior before.

Zoe let out a bitter smile. "I understand what you mean. If the Crowned Prince didn't intervene, I probably would have met my Maker by now… Just kidding." 

She added as she just realized that Lord Adrian was with them, who was now furrowing his brows. 

"She was nice and kind hearted. She even provided a room just for me. I am grateful for her hospitality." Zoe grinned as she spoke. She didn't want to badmouth her beloved's mother and the Queen of this land. 

"If I were you, I would stay away from the royal family. But if you cannot because of your oath of duty, I understand. I am a physician as well. Just stay close with the Crowned Prince. I believe he will not let you be harmed in any way."

Zoe gazed at Gao Zemin who seemed to have a good relationship with Raigon and an ill relationship with the Queen. 

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Listen to your elder's advice.

Not because they are always right.

But because they have a lot of experiences

Being wrong and they are concerned that you

Would not get hurt by the same mistake they made.