东宫 Eastern Palace: Chapter 18

       I quickly covered his mouth: "Lower your voice!" At this moment Yong Niang knew that Li Cheng Yin came, she was worried that I will argue with Li Cheng Yin again, so she went into the palace hall. The moment she peeked inside, she saw that I was clinging onto Li Cheng Yin like a crab, even our clothes were a mess, also I was covering his mouth, because Li Cheng Yin was lifting me from my bed, both of his hands were on my waist.........I was like a monkey climbing onto a tree, anyways our postures were quite ambiguous, making it quite suspicious......The moment she saw us, she was so shocked that she quickly disappeared.
   　
        I was so angry, last time it was A'Du, now it was Yong Niang, why do they always come in during these types of moments?
　　
        Li Cheng Yin was quite enthusiastic: "Hurry and get up, I prepared clothes for you. There is no better chance to go out than to go out on the day of the Lantern Festival." I thought him and Zhao Liang Di had already reconciled, so I forgot about this, never have I thought that he would still remember what I had said before.
　
        He really did prepare a large bag of new clothes, I have never seen Li Cheng Yin wear ordinary people's clothing, so I felt there was an indescribable awkwardness. However it doesn't look that bad, it's just that this is not what he usually wears. "Do you want to wear a fake mustache?" He excitedly took out the fake mustache from his bag: "This way no one will be able to recognize us." "Do you want to wear black clothing?" He excitedly took out some black clothing for me to see: "That way flying onto rooftops would not be a problem." "Do you want to bring some narcotic drugs?" He excitedly took out the drugs from his bag for me to see: "This way it would not be a problem to overturn a few people.".........I cannot deal with this, Crown Prince, you are going to a brothel, not going out to set a fire and kill people.......I couldn't help but said: "Just bring enough money." I haven't finished talking, Li Cheng Yin took out a pile of gold money from his bag, this can buy the whole Ming Yu Fang.

        I put on men's clothes, afterwards Li Cheng Yin kept on laughing, when I threatened him that if he keeps on laughing then I wouldn't bring him there, he finally restrained himself from laughing.

        When I was about to tell A'Du to come with us, Li Cheng Yin didn't want to bring her. I said: "If A'Du is not by my side, I wouldn't get used to it." Li Cheng Yin's facial expression has changed, said: "It's enough to have me by your side." "But what if......." "You don't believe that I can protect you?" I sighed, last time who was the one that got stabbed by the assassin, stabbed to the point that he was hovering between life and death, almost not able to survive........However thinking about that moment made me felt guilty, so I never mentioned it again. I secretly told A'Du using hand gestures, A'Du understood what I had meant, she will follow us closely.

        Li Cheng Yin and I left Eastern Palace and disappeared without a trace. Yong Niang thought that Li Cheng Yin and I were still in the palace hall, also no one saw us leaving. I was quite happy because I get to go out of the palace and have fun, even if this time there was a Li Cheng Yin, I was still quite happy.
　　
        After leaving the Eastern Palace, we discovered that it was raining. Raindrops were dripping down our faces, ice cold seeping into our bones. I couldn't help but worry that if it rains heavily, then all the lanterns would be extinguished. Last year it was raining heavily, although the shops on the street were still hanging the lanterns, however it wasn't as bright as the moon, it would've been more fascinating if the lanterns were still lit on.
　　
        The flagstones on the ground were quickly being moistened by the rain, the horse steps were creating sharp sounds. All the leaves on the willow trees on both sides of the street had all fallen to the ground, the branches were like strips of messy hair, covering the shops on both side of the street, inside the shops faint yellow lights were lit on, the street that was not to far away were hanging a variety of lanterns. Tomorrow will be the Lantern Festival, the restaurants will be packed with people, the carts on the street will be like water flowing in and flowing out. The Capital will be bustling with noises and excitement compared to before the Lantern Festival.
　　
        We got off the horse as soon as we had arrived in front of Ming Yu Fang, a young men pulled the horse's rein, helped us bring the horse to the back stable.
　
        That night Ming Yu Fang was especially bustling with noises and excitement, upstairs and downstairs were filled with people. Our bodies were both half soaked in water, the moment Wang Da Niang saw me, she was so happy that she was unable to contain her happiness, she was about to shout out, fortunately I stopped her: "Da Niang, help us get a room to change our clothes, it is this young man's first time here, a little shy." Wang Da Niang saw Li Cheng Yin's appearance, her eyes were very sharp, as soon as she saw the pearl on Li Cheng Yin's hat, her eyes were smiling too: "Of course of course, two young men come this way." When I was about to go upstairs, I asked Wang Da Niang: "Where Yue Niang?" "There was a guest that just came, so Yue Niang went to play some songs for that guest." I felt that was quite rare, last time when she was suffering from lovesickness, even though I am her friend, she only played two songs for me, her expressions were as if she was dispirited. Yue Niang was not only famous in Ming Yu Fang, but also famous in the Capital, even if it was the usual high officials, she wouldn't act pretentious towards them, even the last time when Pei Zhao came, she didn't take him seriously. I couldn't help but curiously asked: "Which guest is it to have this type of ability?" "Who else?" Wang Da Niang's eyes were smiling: "It was that guest from last time, making Yue Niang constantly think about him, he came again." Oh?!

        I was very curious, pulling Wang Da Niang with me to go see. Wang Da Niang seemed to be distressed: "This......guest is drinking wine in the room upstairs......so we can't break any rules....." I tried all methods, but Wang Da Niang wouldn't allow me. She's been doing business here for a long time, so she doesn't want to damage the reputation of Ming Yu Fang. She treated us very politely, giving us one of the bigger rooms in Ming Yu Fang, also giving us two sets of clothing, telling two servants to help us change into those clothing, then she went out to prepare our feast.
　　
        I was scared that they will know that I am a woman disguised as a man, so when Wang Da Niang left, I forced the two servants to leave, changing the clothes by myself. Li Cheng Yin quietly asked me: "What do you plan on doing?" I foolishly smiled at him: "What do you mean what do I plan on doing?" "Don't pretend to act stupid, I know you want to go and see who is that guest!" "Of course! Yue Niang is my sworn sister, what will happen if she gets tricked by a bad man? I must go and see!" Li Cheng Yin said: "Do you even understand what is considered a bad man?" What do you mean I don't understand? Of course I know!

        I pointed at his nose: "You think I don't know?! Men like you are bad men!" Li Cheng Yin's expression was hard to look at: "Then who is a good man?" Of course someone like my father would be considered a good man, however if I mentioned my father, he would definitely continue to bicker with me, so I thought of an idea and said: "Someone like the Emperor would be considered a good man." Li Cheng Yin's expression were even harder to look at, as if there was anger building inside him but he can't express it, however he cannot say that his own father was not a good man, so he stopped arguing.
　　
         I brought him outside of the room, walking through the hallway, seeing if anyone was nearby, then I pulled him into another room.
　　
        The room did not have any lights on, it was pitch-black, five fingers cannot be seen even you reach out your hand. I reached out to grab Li Cheng Yin's belt to tie and lock the door.

　　 The moment I wrapped my arms around Li Cheng Yin, his body suddenly froze, however he didn't push me away, allowing me to touch him everywhere. However I searched his body, but I couldn't find the item I was looking for, he finally couldn't help to but to ask me: "What are you doing?" "Sh! Didn't you bring some fire wool? Take it out and let me use it." Li Cheng Yin took out the fire wool and placed it in my hand, apparently angry at me, however he was always angry whenever he was with me, so I didn't really care, I lit the candle on the table using the fire wool, then said: "I will disguise myself to go and look at Yue Niang's guest." Li Cheng Yin said: "I want to go too!" I opened the chest, taking out something while telling him: "You can't go!" "How come you can go, but I can't go?!" I took out the blush powder and placed on the table, and then I smiled at him: "I will dress as a woman, are you able to go?" Li Cheng Yin suddenly felt deflated, however the moment I sat in front of the mirror feeling confident that he wouldn't go, Li Cheng Yin suddenly said: "I will also disguise myself as a woman and go!" I 'bang' fell from the bed to the ground.

       
        I had hurted my butt. Li Cheng Yin pulled me up, however my butt was still in pain.

        Li Cheng Yin said: "Anyways I want to be with you." I was speechless: "I want to go to see that man, why are you going?" "Didn't you say that Yue Niang has a beautiful appearance that captivates everyone?......" I was so irritated that I wanted to spit out blood, I knew that Li Cheng Yin was a rascal, never thought that he would be this much of a rascal, just to see Yue Niang's beautiful appearance, having this kind of determination, even not hesitant about disguising himself as a woman. If he dies with some kind of disease, he will still act this way even if he's a ghost. I glared at him: "Fine, come here!" "What are you doing?" I was staring at the mirror and laughing: "Of course helping you put some makeup!" You don't have to say anything, Li Cheng Yin's handsome face would still look good as a woman.

        I helped him comb his hair, put some makeup, placed the hairpin in his hair, then I searched the chest to look for a piece of clothing for him to wear. I looked into the mirror to compare, he looked even more prettier than me!
　　
       Who said he can have such soft and tender skin, the moment he had makeup on, his handsome face became beautiful like a pampered young lady.
　　
       The only thing lacking was that he was too tall to disguise as a woman, not convincing enough to disguise as a seductive woman, however there was enough to see. When we went downstairs, there were some guests looking at us and waving their hands, assuming that we were the ladies that work here. I put on a fake smile, quickly going to the back door, suddenly there was a drunk guest blocking our way, laughing and grabbing my shoulder: "Young lady, come and sit down!" His breath was filled with alcohol smell, making me feel dizzy, I haven't react to it yet, Li Cheng Yin already had slapped him. That person became foolish after that slap, I smiled: "There's.....There's a mosquito...." After that I pulled Li Cheng Yin and we ran quickly.

        We kept on running to the back, then we heard someone shouting from the front: "Ah! Suddenly someone dared to hit me......." In the front there was a guest that was shouting and making a lot of noise, however someone will eventually calm them down. The back of the entertainment house was much more quiet, although the front of the entertainment house have a corridor bridge connected, but now it is used to entertain guests, the sound of music and people talking can be heard through the window. The sound of the rain was soft, accompanying the sound of the music coming from the entertainment house. The courtyard was quiet, the flowers and the trees were scattered, however the flowers have not grown, only dark tree branches can be seen. I ran through the corridor bridge, pulling Li Cheng Yin with me, I felt that it was quite fascinating. Both of our clothes were dragging on the floor, only the sound of the hairpins can be heard. From far away the lanterns were lit on, a hazy red light was illuminated, it seemed very close but yet very far. I felt like I was pulling a stranger's hand, I think this was the first time I had held Li Cheng Yin's hand, I don't know why my ears were very warm. His hand was soft, and warm, grasping onto my fingers. I just didn't dare to look back at him, I also didn't know why I was scared to do that. Fortunately the corridor bridge was short, not a moment later I pulled Li Cheng Yin to a room.
　
        The way this room was decorated was very refined, red candles, a scent of the fragrant filling up the entire room, a red rug was laid on the floor, stepping on the rug was like stepping onto snow as it was very soft. I know that this will be the place where Yue Niang will entertain that guest, so I held my breath and quietly walked for two steps. Through the screen, we could see the wealthy guest sitting there and Yue Niang accompanying him, playing the pipa while singing a song. However half of the screen was covered by the curtain, so we couldn't see the guest clearly.
　　
          At this moment someone's footsteps can be heard, scaring me as I thought it was the drunk person chasing us, it was You Niang and the other dancers. You Niang was surprised the moment she saw me and Li Cheng Yin, I quickly pulled her sleeves, lowered my voice and said: "You Niang, it's me!" You Niang fell back a few steps, a moment later she laughed and said: "Liang Gong Zi how come you are dressed like this, I almost couldn't recognize you." After she looked at Li Cheng Yin who was behind me, said: "Who is this lady, I haven't seen her before." I laughed and said: "I heard Yue Niang's guest had came, I came to see." You Niang laughed and said: "I see." I whispered a few words into her ears, before her expressions weren't that great, however I said: "We are just here to see and then we will leave, I promise that I won't cause any trouble." In Ming Yu Fang, besides Yue Niang, I was close with You Niang, she has a gentle personality, I couldn't help but to annoy and persuade her, she finally allowed us. I excitedly asked Li Cheng Yin: "Can you dance?" Li Cheng Yin must have wanted to spit out blood, however he just asked me: "What kind of dance?" "Singing while dancing." I was only waiting for him to say that he couldn't do it, then I can throw him aside, never have I thought that he would say these two words: "I can!" I was foolish! I was really foolish! He is the Crown Prince, every year of the third month, there is a ritual ceremony that requires the Crown Prince to sing while dancing, I was really foolish.
　　
        I didn't give up: "This is women's type of singing and dancing." "I've seen this a hundred times, it's the same thing." Fine......since it turned out this way, then we will be together.
　　
        The sound of Yue Niang's pipa has finally stopped, inside the room there were other people playing different types of instruments.
　　
        I sighed deeply, I took the fan that You Niang gave me, together with Li Cheng Yin, we followed the dancers.
　　
        At this moment Yue Niang had finally opened her voice, sang the first verse: "Ruler like the heavenly moon......." Yue Niang's voice was very beautiful......beautiful like a pearl resembling a jade........My heart was beating very fast, finally I was able to see what that guest had looked like, dancing while feeling excited and curious at the same time............The dancers were smiling while spinning around, Li Cheng Yin and I also did the same thing as the dancers, at the same time all the dancers had lifted the fan away from their faces, it's only that the moment I had lifted the fan, I was shocked.
　　
        I was really shocked.
　　
        Not only was I shocked.
　　
        Li Cheng Yin must have been shocked too, the other dancers were dancing, however we just froze there.

        I recognized this guest, not only me, but Li Cheng Yin also recognized him.
　　
        Not only do we recognize........Oh God........Someone dig a hole for us to hide inside.......Emperor........
　　
        The dancers beside us were dancing to the music, their skirts were like snow swirling around. However Li Cheng Yin and I just stood there, You Niang was giving me eye signals. I pinched myself, and then I pinched Li Cheng Yin......Is this a dream? This must be a dream!

        Your Majesty.....Emperor.......Why is it you? How can you do this to us?.......I want to dig a hole and hide.........Fortunately the Emperor was worthy to be called the Emperor, because when he saw us froze there, he just drank his cup of tea as if nothing had happened.
　　
        Li Cheng Yin was the first to wake up to reality, pulled my sleeves, and then followed the dancers' steps. This song was especially fast, so dancing to this was very tiring. The moment I turned around, Yue Niang had recognized me, her eyes were wide open, glaring at me, I know that she was scared that I would mess up in front of the guest.

        The first song had ended, Yue Niang stood up and smiled, when she was about to say something, the guest had already said faintly: "This dance is not bad." Yue Niang said: "Why don't we allow the dancers to rest, I will play some songs for you."
 
        The guest nodded his head: "Not bad."

        Yue Niang sighed with relief, the guest reached out his finger and pointed: "Tell those two dancers to stay."
　　
        The guest first pointed at Li Cheng Yin, then pointed at me. I predict that Yue Niang wanted to pass out at that moment, even her smile was forced: "Guest........why do you want them to stay?"
      

       "Their dancing skills are extraordinary, letting them stay to pour some wine for me." No one would dare to not listen to the guest. Yue Niang suspiciously looked at me, I suspiciously looked at Li Cheng Yin, Li Cheng Yin suspiciously looked at the Emperor, and the Emperor..... suspiciously looked at us.
　
        Everyone had left including all the people that were playing the instruments. There were only four people remaining in the room, suspiciously looking at each other.
　　
        In the end, the guest had said: "Yue Niang, go look and see what's there to eat." At this moment Yue Niang was worried, looking at me, looking at the guest. Seeing that the guest was indifferent, and I was winking at her, Yue Niang didn't know what I had meant, she was also scared that the guest would know, so she quickly bowed and left.
　
        I had kneeled down to the ground, not because I was scared, but I was just tired, having to use all my strength in the dance, You Niang's dancers are famous dancers, having to follow their beat was tiring.
　　
        Li Cheng Yin and I kneeled down, the atmosphere of the room had an indescribable strangeness. 

        Would I be punished to copy books again? Just thinking about it made me feel distressed, this time I must be in big trouble, I brought the Crown Prince to the brothel, being caught by the Emperor, if I have to copy books for thirty times, I will probably die from copying books.
　
        However I suddenly thought of something, the Emperor had also came to the brothel, so all of us came to the brothel, so he probably wouldn't punish me by making me copy books.
　
        When I was in my own thoughts, finally the Emperor had said something, he asked: "Yin Er, why did you come here?" I looked at the Li Cheng Yin that was disguised as a woman, the question that the Emperor had asked was quite tricky to answer, if Li Cheng Yin decides to betray me, then I would be finished.
　
        Fortunately, Li Cheng Yin had confidently answered: "Just curious, so I came here to see." The Emperor pointed at me, asked: "What about her?" Li Cheng Yin confidently answered: "She's also curious, so I brought her with me to see." So loyal! I really wanted to pat Li Cheng Yin's shoulder, such a loyal person! With such loyalty, I will definitely repay him for this favour.

<Chapter 17                                                                                                              Chapter 19>