东宫 Eastern Palace: Full of Roses with Fragrance Overflowing the Entire Courtyard (Part 3)

I felt very sad, and my illness was getting worse and worse. My mother and sister-in-law entered the palace to see me. I forced myself to talk and laugh with them. My mother dismissed the servants, and then quietly said to me, "You don't have to worry about Shan Niang. Which man does not like beautiful women? Besides, she is now a widow and an inauspicious person, so His Majesty would not have any affections for her. "

My body was weak and my clothes were soaked in sweat. I was too lazy to talk and my mother was talking nonstop, trying to advise me, but her voice seemed close yet far. Before, there was only a tree trunk outside, but now it has grown into a tree with peaches. I am very thirsty and I just wanted to drink a cup of ice water. Although there is ice in the palace, since I am sick, A'Mu forbids me to drink ice water. 

When I thought of A'Mu, I felt there was a fire burning my heart and internal organs, and it felt very uncomfortable. My mother noticed something was wrong, she reached out to hold my hand and was shocked, "What happened to you? Your face is so red; are you having a fever again?"

I just felt very annoyed, what does Shan Niang have to do with me? As soon as she came back, even my mother came to persuade me to be more open-minded. Everyone thinks that A'Mu likes Shan Niang, and even if I felt unhappy, I could only bear with it. I've been married to A'Mu for ten years, but I can't make up for the days that Shan Niang has been here.

I send off my mother and sister-in-law. The sun was going to set and every day at this time, I would have a high fever, so for dinner I had a light meal. After drinking a bowl of corn soup, and knowing that I have to drink a big bowl of bitter medicine afterwards, I felt even more sick. At this time Yao Niang came inside and her expression did not look good. I couldn't help but ask her, "What happened?"

Yao Niang had repeatedly said that nothing was wrong. I thought of my mother and sister-in-law who had came here today. I thought maybe they were trying to hide something from me, so I dismissed Yao Niang and called A'Chan to come in for questioning. A'Chan was timid so as soon as I asked her, she knelt down and sobbed while saying, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I don't dare to tell you. Yao Niang has said whoever dares to tell Your Highness, they will be beaten to death."

Although Yao Niang was very strict and all the palace maids were afraid of her, she would not say anything like beating someone to death. My heart leaped, but I pretended to be calm and asked, "Even if you don't tell me, do you think I won't beat you to death?"

I would never say such words. Through the copper mirror, I could see my own face. I've been ill for so long that my face was so thin and it was quite frightening. A'Chan was obviously afraid of me as she was stuttering.

It turns out that A'Mu took Yuan Shan to the Wangxian Palace that was outside the city. That palace was the closest temporary imperial residence to the city, so it was convenient for the royal family to go hunting. In the past, I used to go there with A'Mu. Right now it was already very late and he still hasn't come back yet. It was obvious that he was going to stay there for the night.

I didn't know how I felt about this, but I stood up and called out A'Yu in a loud voice. She didn't come in, but Yao Niang came instead. She quickly opened the curtain and bowed to me, "Your Highness, what do you need?"

Yao Niang doesn't usually address me this way and I could hear from her tone of voice that she was reminding me of my identity, but I could not bear this anymore. I said in a loud voice, "Bring my clothes, I am going out of the city."

Yao Niang raised her voice, "Your Highness, it's already late."

"I am the Empress." Even in extreme anger, I have not forgotten my privilege. "Bring the seal and send my order to General Chen to open the Jiade Gate."

Yao Niang still wanted to say something, but I called out to A'Yu, who was like a small bird bumping into the curtain as she entered while holding my clothes in her hands. Yao Niang fiercely glared at her. A'Yu was never afraid her because A'Yu was someone who would act willfully with me since childhood. She hurriedly helped me change my clothes. Yao Niang knelt down and tried to dissuade me. She cried as she talked, as if going out of the city at night would be a rebellious act. I clenched my teeth and ordered the palace maids beside me, "Look after Yao Niang and don't let her say anything she's not supposed to say."

The palace maids were already so scared that their complexions have changed. As soon as I said this, they immediately took Yao Niang away.

I took the seal out of my makeup box. As I held the cold seal in my hand, I could feel the golden carved words on the seal as if it was implanted on my palm. When I left my palace, there was a carriage already prepared below the stairs. Before I arrived at the Jiade Gate, General Chen had already rushed over. He bowed to me and I handed the seal to A'Yu, who passed it over to General Chen. He examined the seal, but hesitated for a moment, and said to me, "Why must Your Highness leave the palace at this time?"

I revealed a bright smile and said, "His Majesty is staying in Wangxian Palace today. I want to go there and surprise him."

General Chen was someone from my father's generation. Ever since A'Mu was a child, he was already the general of the army. He has watched A'Mu and I grow up so that is why he would hesitate for a moment when he saw this situation. Seeing that I had only brought a few palace maids, he said, "It is cold at night and it is a remote place. I shall send some people to escort Your Highness."

I knew he was not at ease. The position of general was only given to a cautious person. General Chen, who has been in this position for decades, was trusted by both the late Emperor and A'Mu. However, I am going there to catch an adulterous act, not plotting a rebellion, so how can I reject to this? I smiled and said, "Very well then."

General Chen sent Deputy General Guo to send me off. He set up two groups of army. The horses were very fast as if we are going to the Wangxian Palace at the speed of lightning. Not long after, we arrived at the Wangxian Palace gate. Because A'Mu was here, the army was stationed. Someone from the palace gate called out and General Guo was about to answer, but I raised my voice and asked, "Is the person speaking General Wei?"

When General Wei heard my voice, he was startled. He immediately ordered someone to light up the torches. The torches near me were bright and he could see me clearly from the palace gate. He hurriedly ordered people to open the palace gate and lead a group of people to greet me.

I said to him, "Don’t disturb His Majesty. I will go to his palace residence myself."

The large group of people stayed outside the palace gate. The deep palace was made of layers of walls. I passed by some palace residences and tall palace gates. Gradually, the noise outside the palace gate became more and more distant and quiet until only the sound of blowing wind and insects chirping in the grass could be heard.

I didn't get off my carriage until we arrived in front of the palace hall. A'Yu held my hand as I got off the carriage. I felt quite calm. This high platform surrounded by water was called Qingfeng Pavilion. All four sides have windows. A'Mu was afraid of heat and often lived here when he comes to the Wangxian Palace. I remember living here with him last autumn, back when the moon was like frost, and the reed flowers were like snow. When one or two fireflies flew into the pavilion, A'Mu caught them for me and put them in a glass bottle. Those little flying insects in the blue glass bottle were wonderful as their lights flickered inside and bumped into the bottle walls. But they could not fly out and eventually, they looked very pitiful. I blew out the candles, opened the lid, and released them inside the tent.

The lights of the fireflies were like shooting stars as some fell on the tent while some landed on A'Mu's shoulder. I put my head on his knee and watched the moonlight shining in the window. Some fireflies had landed on my sleeve, but I couldn't bear to catch them with my hands. I don't know why there were no fireflies in the palace. Some people say that the water of the Taiye Pond does not produce fireflies; others say that there were no fireflies because there was no grass; and some say that the late Emperor did not like these insects, so there were no fireflies within the palace.

At that time, I was still curious and asked A'Mu why there were no fireflies in the palace. As for today, I am only glad that it was the late spring and there were no fireflies by the water. If there were, I wouldn't know how I would be able to endure this.

 

I hesitated before turning around and saw that A'Yu had already led a group of people to block the eunuch, who was standing in front of the palace hall. I pointed at that eunuch and asked, "Is His Majesty sleeping?"

 
That eunuch didn't expect me to come here late at night, so he was very frightened and said, "His Majesty.....His Majesty..... " 

I saw that this eunuch was unable to say it, so I pointed to another eunuch and asked, "Where is Shan Niang? Where is she?"

That person could only kowtow and I suddenly felt a killing intent gushing from my chest. I walked up the steps and kicked the door open. The door slammed open as I walked inside. There were candlelights lit in the main hall, but no one was there. As I walked straight to the left, the curtain hung low. When the two servants of the palace saw me storming in, they were frightened and hurriedly knelt down to pay respect to me. I was so angry that I lifted the curtain and said in a loud voice, "Li Mu, you big liar!"

All the people at the table raised their heads and a few of the people looked at me curiously. I saw A’Mu sitting in the middle, surrounded by his close relatives of the royal family. A’Mu’s uncle, Princess Yong'an, Princess Tai'an, Prince Qi, Prince Qin, Prince Han and even my fourth brother, Pei Ji Chang, were all there. Yuan Shan was also there, but she was sitting beside Princess Tai'an and they whispering to each other.

My face seemed to be burning. A’Mu stood up and asked in surprise, "Why did you come here?" The rest of the people people bowed to me one after another. I didn't expect so many people would be here. I felt dizzy and didn't know what to do. 

This was too humiliating. I had brought a group of people to catch a couple committing adultery, but who knew it would turn out like this!

I saw A’Mu walk towards me, getting closer and closer. My forehead was covered with cold sweat and my heart was in a state of confusion. I didn't know how to explain the situation. As I saw him get closer and closer, I felt so anxious that I fainted and fell to the ground.

When I woke up, the silent wind blew the curtains in the palace hall. I don’t know where those people had went and the palace hall was very quiet. There was a candle burning in the distance, but there was no light nearby. The moonlight shined through the wide window, reflecting on the mat like a silver light. A’Mu knelt down beside me with one hand still holding onto my hand. I felt so angry after thinking about the embarrassing thing that I had just done. I just wanted to close my eyes and keep pretending to sleep. However, A’Mu whispered in a warm voice, calling me, “Shi Liu Niang.”

I felt so embarrassed that I did not want to see him, but he pulled me into his embrace. I wanted to push him away, but I couldn’t, so I just let him be. He put his chin on my head and I could feel his warm breath on my forehead. I was angry, but I heard him call me in a low voice, “Shi Liu Niang.”

"What are you doing?" I opened my eyes and asked him in a loud voice. This was a common move I used when I was a child. Seeing me act so straightforward and bold, my father would feel as if he had made a mistake or someone else had wronged his precious daughter. His anger would turn into self doubt, and I would have escaped from getting punished.

A’Mu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Why are you speaking so loudly? It is not like I will eat you up."

I feel guilty, so I replied back, “Then what do you want to say, hurry and say it!"

A’Mu used another way of asking me, “When you left the city today, did General Chen ask you anything?”  

 

I could feel my face burning. The founder of the current dynasty had won this world on his horse's back. At that time, the Empress accompanied him in war for many years and helped him achieve the world. Many empresses of the current dynasty came from a general's family. Many years later, during a critical moment, it was Empress Shen who had lead the army and saved Emperor Shizong. From that time onwards, if the Emperor was not in the palace, then the Empress has the right to open the palace gate with the seal. It was only a hundred years ago that this rule was established. Although the Empress could nominally lead the armies from Kun'an, Qin'an and Sheng'an, she was only a remote leader and never interfered with the military affairs. Today, I left the palace late at night, which was a shocking thing to do.

I embarrassingly said, "I told General Chen that I wanted to see you."

"What a fool." A'Mu reached out and poked my forehead. "You have been ill and you came all the way here. You could have just sent someone to pass on the message, and I'll go back to see you."

I was too embarrassed to say that I came here to catch an act of adultery, so I could only lower my head and say nothing.

A'Mu was in a good mood and started talking to me about other things. "Shan Niang has some worries, do you know about that?"

As soon as I heard the two words "Shan Niang" I felt that I was going to have a fever again. I even felt a faint pain in my temples. I snorted a few times and tried to get along with it. A'Mu lifted my chin up as he gazed into my eyes and asked, "What do you think Shan Niang is worrying about?"

I was very angry. "She is such an elegant person, how can I guess her worries?"

A'Mu said with a smile, "It is hard to guess women's worries." 

I lowered my head and said nothing. A'Mu was a very kind person, and he was considerate to everyone. He was different from the late Emperor, who was stern and indifferent. Most of the ministers in court had been afraid of him. However, A'Mu was not the same as he was gentle to others. All the ministers praised him as a benevolent Emperor. He handles matters in an orderly manner, and the ministers did not dare to deceive him because of his kindness. 

Even I think it's hard to hide something from him at times, such as now.

I changed the topic and tried to talk about other things. A'Mu suddenly lowered his head and kissed me on the lips. I became foolish after being kissed by him. I felt dizzy and short of breath, I could hardly breathe. A'Mu suddenly let me go and whispered, "Breathe in!" 

I gasped for air, almost suffocating. A'Mu patted me on the back and said, "Shan Niang wants to remarry. Do you want to be her matchmaker?" 

I felt that I have not breathed. It took me a moment before I could understand what he had said. I could not help but feel sad. I pushed him aside and stood up as I said in a loud voice, "Although you are the Emperor, don't bully people too much!" The more I thought about it, the more sad and angry I felt. I kicked A'Mu, but he didn't avoid it. He was kicked on his leg by me. He frowned and I started to cry. As soon as he saw me crying, he said, "You are the sister-in-law of Prince Zhao and the sister-in-law of Prince Qi, how am I bullying you? In the past if Prince Qi offended you because he was not sensible, he was already punished. Why are you still remembering his fault?"

I stared at A’Mu with my eyes wide open. He was very funny as he told me, "Shan Niang wants to marry Prince Qi. If you don't want to be the matchmaker, I'll let my aunt go instead."

Prince Qi? I felt very embarrassed knowing that Prince Qi was there. I had fought with him when I was young, he even gave me a nickname called “Ye Qiang Wei." It was just that he has been in Yizhou for so many years and I have almost forgotten those grudges from the past.

I didn't know what to say for a moment. A’Mu rubbed his leg and murmured, "My grandfather said that it's not easy to marry a young lady because you have to wait for ten years for her to grow up. It's easy to grow up, but you still don’t know what she's thinking. This is true."

I was so angry that my ears were burning, embarrassed and anxious, I said, "Who taught you to marry!"

A’Mu chuckled and said, "Yes, yes, when my grandfather came to ask me, I made the choice to marry. My grandfather sighed and said that a devil will have its own devil, but he didn't refute my intention."

I was taken aback when I suddenly heard him say those words, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. A’Mu said with a gentle voice, "Shi Liu Niang, I've been waiting for ten years so you should at least give me an explanation."

I felt embarrassed and anxious, “What explanation?”

"What's on your mind?" A’Mu said, "Han Zhi has grown a beard, which is not good-looking at all. Look at me, I don't have a beard; do I look better than Prince Qi?"

A’Mu rarely asked me solemnly and I could only glance at him. I haven’t seen Prince Qi for many years. When he was at the palace hall, I didn't see what he looked like at all as I just recognized him as Prince Qi by his clothes. I don’t know what to say, so I just nodded.

A’Mu was anxious, "What does nodding mean? Is it me or Prince Qi?"

I became angry and asked, "What does this have to do with Prince Qi?"

A’Mu said in surprise, "Of course it does! After you beat him up on the street, didn't he send someone to propose the marriage to your father? As soon as I heard that, I immediately asked my father to appoint you as the Crown Princess!”

I don't know that something like this had happened. I didn't expect that I was snatched by A’Mu. However, what did A’Mu mean when he talked about harming Shan Niang? At this thought, I felt confused. A’Mu was still there pulling my sleeve. "Shi Liu Niang, if you don't say it today, I won't allow you to sleep!"

I felt very confused. When my eyes turned, I suddenly thought of a plan, so I said, "Go and catch a firefly, then I will tell you."

A’Mu began to worry, “In such a season, where can I find fireflies?"

I said happily, "Then I will tell you when you catch it." Anyways, from now till the seventh month, there is still a few months left. When it is around that time, maybe A’Mu will forget about this.

Hearing me say this, A’Mu choked as if he couldn’t believe it. At this time, the wind blew and a tiny light flickered outside the curtain. Suddenly, the light that resembled the stars floated into the room through the bottom of the curtain. It was a firefly, A’Mu was overjoyed, he reached out to catch the firefly and said, "Look! Firefly, now you have to say it.”

I looked at his hand in a hurry. It was indeed a firefly and I didn’t know how there would be fireflies so early. It was flapping its wings, its light flickering, and flying in his palms. I puffed my mouth toward the firefly, with a blow, it flew high and went through the curtain.

A’Mu was in a hurry as he stood up, wanting to catch the firefly. I grabbed his sleeve and refused to let him go. A’Mu suddenly turned around with a smile and flicked my earlobe, "Fool!"

I covered my ears with a smile and then ran to the corridor.

The long hallway faced the wind and the lake bloomed with lotus flowers, surrounded by the sound of frogs, fireflies flying across the body of water, the bright moon in the sky reflecting on the lake. A'Mu chased after me and grabbed my waist. The night wind blew on our clothes as A'Mu held me tight and I didn't feel cold. He said, "When there are fireflies in the seventh month, you'll have to say it again."

I felt confused as I clearly did not say anything, why did he say to repeat my words?

A'Mu was still smiling. There were fireflies flying in the distance, and I felt very anxious, but fortunately A'Mu didn't reach out to catch it. The waves moved in the lake and the scattered moonlight beamed from the sky. I was worried that he would catch another firefly and I hope he would never be able to catch a firefly ever again.

.................

Michelle: Finally a side story that has a happy ending. Even though this is the love story of Li Cheng Yin's son and Shi Liu Niang, but I feel like the author is trying to show what could have been Xiao Feng and Li Cheng Yin's love story if it weren't for the past events. There were suppose to be six side story in total, but one of the side story didn't end up being published. That side story is about Li Cheng Yin's ending, which is about him committing suicide by jumping off the same gate tower where Xiao Feng jumped off from. I also apologize for releasing this very late, but I have been losing sleep and it was kind of hard to balance both translations and real life things. Eastern Palace is my first translation project and it means a lot to me. It is a memorable story that leaves a deep impression to readers. I really want to thank Kri, Sharon and my former editor Nilla for their help. I wouldn't be able to finish it without their help. I also want to thank readers for your patience and support. I have read all your comments, and they were very encouraging. I will see you again in my second project, Heartwarming Decade, which I will update next month.

Kri: Even though it wasn't a happy story for Li Cheng Yin and Xiao Feng, I am glad that there was still a happy story tied to this drama. I still think about Eastern Palace and the drama, Goodbye My Princess, because it was so touching and sad for me and left me with many deep feelings. I would like to thank Michelle and everyone else on this team for allowing me to be a part of bring this story to you. Thank you for reading and for your support and patience!

Sharon: Although I only came about with helping edit this story near the end, it was quite enjoyable to read the last few chapters before the side stories. The novel's ending was especially sad but I personally liked the drama's ending more, which was both unique and epic, suitable to leave a lasting impression. In the drama's ending, Xiao Feng did more for her country in terms of helping to obtain the promise of peace between her country and the Central Plains country so that future battles would not ensue before suiciding. In the novel's ending, she simply jumped off from a high place again thinking "the love between them two were not meant to be" before ending up dead which had happened earlier before (the jumping off part, not dying) so it was like a repeat. There were times I wished Xiao Feng was a little more stronger in terms of her character, so that there would be less of the self-pity act which was consistent throughout. The author made her character quite weak, it didn't do her enough justice. I was more intrigued by the main story than I was by the extra side stories, which I felt frankly, were not as interesting. But to each reader their own opinions. Overall, it was a nice experience editing and I will try to continue to help out here and there!

<Side Story 5 Part 2

东宫 Eastern Palace: Full of Roses with Fragrance Overflowing the Entire Courtyard (Part 2)

Before she would always call me "Shi Liu Niang,” just like how my family did. Listening to her call me "Your Highness" made me feel a bit sad. She sat with her face slightly sideways, and though she did not seem reserved, but I felt that the intimacy and casualness we had before was really gone.

Lunch was placed in the Hanbi Hall, which was facing towards the Taiye Pond. At this time, new lotus flowers were blooming in the pond. The delicate, yellow lotus leaves were the size of a palm and floated on the glass-like surface of the pond, like the golden dimples on a beauty's cheeks, moving with the wind and waves, as if the dimples were only faintly visible.

I couldn't help but mention about the past, "When Chaoyang invited us to come to the palace to play, several of us sneaked into the Taiye Pool to row, but no one knew how to row a boat. The boat drifted to the middle of the pond and kept circling in the water, but I couldn't move it. Later, an eunuch, who was in charge of the place, had found out and sent a boat to come and row our boat back. I was really worried about being scolded at that time."

The sunlight was shining brightly and the curtain was drawn on the upper floor. The gleaming reflection of waves had shone through the bottom of the curtain, which made Yuan Shan’s face look like white jade. Her eyes reflected the waves of light, like a shining black jewel, but once her eyes turned, it seemed that the pair of bright eyes darkened again, although her tone of voice was still very calm, "Thinking about it, this was ten years ago."

At that time, we were still young and did not understand the size of the world. Apparently, this world would have so many worries.

I asked, "How about we steal some cherries?"

Yuan Shan was stunned, looking at me who was excited. I said, "The biggest cherry tree in the imperial garden is still there." 

Hearing me say this, Yuan Shan covered her mouth and laughed. Before, when it became late spring, we always picked cherries. Although people in the palace were bestowed with cherries every year, those cherries were not as sweet as the ones I have stolen. Thinking about this would always make me feel very happy. I was thinking of ordering someone to bring me some clothes to change into before going to climb some trees. Suddenly, I heard someone whisper outside the curtain. It seemed as though Yao Niang was talking to someone.

I asked, "Who's outside?"

Seeing that she couldn't hide this, she could only come out of the curtain and tell me, "His Majesty has sent people here."

I was stunned and said, "Let him in."

A'Mu had sent an eunuch here, who was holding a gold plate filled with the freshest cherries. The eunuch said respectfully, "His Majesty just saw that these cherries were ready to be picked, so he picked some and ordered me to bring these to Your Highness."

I looked at the plate of big red cherries and sighed. The eunuch saw that I was unhappy, so he hurriedly took a big step forward and said, "His Majesty also said that today, Your Highness is meeting an old friend, so it is inevitable that you wanted to show off your old skills, but Your Highness should not climb trees again!"

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as it was so embarrassing. Yuan Shan naturally heard it, but her gaze was blank as if she didn't hear anything. I could only give up the idea of ​​stealing cherries. I shared the cherries with Yuan Shan and ordered someone to bring some yogurt.

The cherries were very sweet, but I was thinking of something else and only ate absentmindedly. Did A'Mu sent this plate of cherries for me to eat, or were they for Yuan Shan?

Usually I would eat a lot of cherries, but today I didn't eat that much, maybe because the yogurt with cherries were too cold and so was the wind upstairs. During the evening I had a stomach ache, and I couldn't even have dinner. An imperial doctor was sent here. After drinking two bowls of bitter medicine, I fell asleep on the table.

I don't know how long I had slept, but I woke up when I felt someone gently lifting up my hair. As the night was getting dark, there was a candle lit up near the curtain. The shadow of the candle was flickering. I saw A'Mu's face and he was only wearing a robe. At this time, he held onto me with his arm and asked, "How are you feeling? Do you want to drink some hot water?"

"What time is it right now?"

A'Mu wanted to order someone to go and check, but I stopped him and asked, "Why are you here?"

"I heard you caught a cold, so I came to check on you."

I leaned my head on his arm, which made me feel at ease. The night wind was quiet and occasionally, I could hear the sound of the soldiers' armor. I quietly asked him, "Do you still like Shan Niang?"

After a long time, he said, "Why are you thinking about this?"

"Shan Niang's favorite food is cherries."

These were things from the past. Yuan Shan always acted more steady than I did. Chaoyang and I would always cause trouble, while Yuan Shan always tried to dissuade us. The only time she had caused trouble with us was when we stole cherries.

It's stealing, but actually, it was really just picking cherries. However, Chaoyang had asthma and everyone in the palace was always worried about her illness and the moments when she would wear less clothing. It was like facing a big enemy when encountering Ah Jian, the palace maid. Chaoyang didn't like that many people surrounding her and trying to protect her, so on that day, we snuck into the cherry garden with Yuan Shan to pick some cherries while leaving all the servants behind. 

Cherry trees are carefully pruned for easy picking. We easily climbed up the tree and saw all the cherries that were very red, like countless coral beads hanging under the leaves. I sat on the tree picking and eating the cherries at the same time, and then handed over some of the cherries to Yuan Shan, who was at the bottom of the tree. Chaoyang was so brave that she climbed higher than me. The branches and leaves were clustered together, so I could only see her silk cloak swaying within the tree branches. She had tucked the end of her skirt in her belt and stood on her tiptoes, trying to reach the biggest and reddest cherries.

"Be careful!" Yuan Shan raised her head.

"Come up, Shan Niang!" Chaoyang picked that bunch of cherries and turned around, climbing the tree with one hand while holding the cherries with her other hand while teasing Yuan Shan.

I also couldn't stop teasing Shan Niang as well, but she didn't dare to climb up the tree. She just lifted up her skirt with a smile, "You throw it down and I'll catch it!"

Chaoyang and I exchanged gazes, quickly picked the cherries and then threw them down the tree.

Yuan Shan was hit by numerous cherries, which made her feel dizzy. She laughed while trying to dodge the cherries. Finally she could not help but tuck in her skirt and climb up the tree. "Such good fruits, and you are ruining it like this. I will drag you all down!"

Chaoyang and I were laughing while looking at a even higher place to climb. At this time, Chaoyang shouted, "Oh, no, it's not good! Palm fan, I can see the palm fan! Father must be coming here!"

I was fine, but Yuan Shan was flustered. I didn't know how she slipped while Chaoyang and I cried out in the silence. Yuan Shan had no time to react and could only grab some tree branches. She was about to fall on the ground. Suddenly, someone rushed out and grabbed her waist, catching her gently and skillfully.

I bent down, but I was only able to see Yuan Shan's skirt being blown by the wind, like a beautiful blooming flower. The man's arms seemed to be embracing that delicate flower, holding her in his arms. Yuan Shan was blushing and appeared very shy. The sunlight cast a clear shadow through the tree branches of the cherry tree. I saw her drooping eyes, and her thick long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under the sunlight, which resembled a frightened butterfly. I never noticed that her eyelashes were that long.

A'Mu placed Yuan Shan down. I saw the high palm fan; it was His Majesty who had came.

I climbed down the tree in great confusion.

Although His Majesty dotes on Chaoyang, he was always very serious. Yuan Shan and I were very afraid of him, especially now that we are in trouble again. Yuan Shan and I bowed to pay respect and only Chaoyang still sat on the tree as if nothing had happened, calling out, "Father."

"Who taught you to climb trees?" His Majesty's voice was plain and indifferent, but both Yuan Shan and I could hear the reproach in his voice. I saw her skirt trembling slightly when I glanced at her. His Majesty was a moody person and harsh to his officials. No one in the palace was not afraid of him.

Only Chaoyang had no fear as she said with a smile, "It was my older brother who had taught me to climb trees!"

"That was when you were young; you shouldn't climb trees now that you have grown up." A'Mu gave her a warning glare: "You are still not coming down?"

Chaoyang cutely said, "I also want to jump down, brother catch me."

"Nonsense," A'Mu said. "What if I can't catch you?"

"Brother is so biased!" Chaoyang pouted, "Brother is grown up and knows how to like beautiful ladies now, catching Shan Niang but not me."

Yuan Shan blushed, even A'Mu's face seemed to have turned red. I looked at A'Mu and Yuan Shan. They were standing under the cherry tree; one had a slender body, while the other was as graceful as a butterfly. They looked like a matching couple.

From then on, I knew that A'Mu liked Yuan Shan.

It was a pity that the late Emperor did not fulfill their wish.

"Everyone has regrets, even the Emperor."

A'Mu's voice was quiet. When he said this, the shadow of the candle was reflected on the side of his face. I could feel the distance between us, but I couldn't reach out to grasp him. I just felt that the night was as cold as water, so I couldn't help pulling up the quilt.

"That's what my father said to me." A'Mu did not look at me, but gazed at the flickering halo on the candlelight. "Before you were bestowed with the title of Crown Princess, Father told me a lot things."

"He said I am the Crown Prince who will become the Emperor in the future. You will have many women in the six palaces, but if you have someone in your heart, then it would be different. If you like someone, then I would advise you to treat her wholeheartedly, and don't hurt her heart. A person's broken heart can not be repaired. If you have her in your heart, but she feels heartbroken, then you will feel the same. At that time, I didn't understand the meaning behind his words. As you know, my father didn't have any favoured concubine, and he had very few concubines. I didn't ask him about his past, but whether a man is sad or not, I could always tell. I asked him what to do if the person in your heart did not like you. But he said nothing can be done. Even if you are the Emperor, if she doesn't like you, you can't do anything about it.”

A'Mu lowered his head. I don't know how I feel at this moment. A'Mu likes Shan Niang, I know it, but I didn't know whether Shan Niang likes A'Mu. If Shan Niang doesn't like A'Mu, then there's really nothing he can do about it.

A'Mu suddenly asked me, "What would you do if someone you like doesn't like you?"

I answered without thinking, "Of course I'll use all methods, such as being naughty, kidnapping, or even pestering him, to make him like me!"

A'Mu was obviously surprised. He turned away and said, "Such childish words."

I could not accept this. A'Mu was older than me by a few years, and because Chaoyang and I were good friends in the past, he would always treat me like a child. Ten years of being a married couple, and he had often acted like he was an older brother rather than a husband.

But he will never know that even children will have their own worries.

I will never tell him what's on my mind.

 
The curtain was slightly moved by the night wind and the reflection of the candlelight in the water slowly dispersed. I thought of my younger self. The things that happened at the time seemed like it was separated by the whole Taiye Pond, including the faint fragrance of the misty water, the wind, dew of lotus flowers, the bright moonlight, and the crystal curtain being blown by the wind. It was the cherry rolling around at the bottom of the cup and A'Mu's finger that flicked my forehead as he jokingly said, "If you can't get married, then be my Crown Princess, no one will dare to say bad things to you."

At that time, I was only thinking of refuting A'Mu in a loud voice, "Who said I couldn't get married? I will marry a handsome young man like Han Zhi!"

In the end, I was married to A’Mu. No one laughed at me again and only I was laughing at myself.

"It's late at night, go to sleep,” A’Mu said softly, patting me on the back. I lay back on the pillow and closed my eyes.

Actually if I liked someone, but that person does not like me, I would be too embarrassed to pester him. Usually people that speak with strong words are usually the most cowardly. No matter how you pester or trick them, that person will still not like you back.

At dawn, I had a nightmare, and it was A’Mu who woke me up. I was out of breath from crying, but he took me in his arms and comforted me, "Older brother is here, Shi Liu Niang, older brother is here."

I choked up: "No........"

My older brother had died in the battle against Goryeo. It was a great victory for our country, but for my family, it was a great tragedy.

Although I have many older brothers, I am closest with my second brother. I followed him since I was a child, calling him “Brother" in a childish voice. But when I grew up, he got a position in the palace and accompanying the Crown Prince with his studies. Fortunately, I was able to enter the palace as much as I wanted just to see him.

When I was a child, I was not sensible like Chaoyang. I called both my second older brother and A’Mu "brother." Chaoyang called my second older brother "brother” out of kindness. I called A’Mu “brother,” which was not allowed, but no one has ever corrected me, because most adults couldn’t bear to treat an innocent child like that. It was not until I grew up and became a sensible person that I no longer called A’Mu brother.

Although it was A’Mu who was leading the army in title during the war against Goryeo, my brother lead the army as the military governor and died on the battlefield. Since the time when our country was founded, there were almost no princes who have not lead an army. Emperor Taizong fought all the way to establish his position of Crown Prince with his military achievements. All the Crown Princes of our dynasty would personally lead the army.

However, A’Mu was different. The late Emperor had only one son. At that time, the late Emperor wanted A’Mu to lead the army to attack Goryeo. All the officials were in an uproar, so the late Emperor issued an edict ordering A’Mu to only remotely lead the army.

When brother went to war, A’Mu and I left the city to send him off. We didn’t think that parting would turn out to be permanent.

Before my brother got on the horse, he touched my head and said, "Although A’Mu treats you well, don't be willful."

Every time I thought about this, I would feel very sad. The warmth of his palm would slowly warmed my forehead, but I never saw him again. Every time I dream of brother, I feel very sad. Although I didn’t dream of my brother tonight, but I still felt sad. 

After dawn, I started to have a fever. Although A'Mu was not at ease, he still has to attend court, so he summoned the Imperial Doctor. I did not expect that I would be sick for this long. The Imperial Doctor had entered the palace every day and changed the prescription several times. The medicine was very bitter, but it wasn't very effective.

I would have a high fever every time at dawn, but during the day, my fever would get a bit better. I would only feel dizzy during the night, and I wouldn’t have strength during the day. When Yuan Shan heard that I was sick, she often entered the palace to see me and sometimes she would encounter A’Mu. One afternoon, I woke up from my nap and heard Yuan Shan's voice from the front of the palace. Looking out from behind the curtain, I noticed that A’Mu was sitting there. I could only see a part of Yuan Shan’s clothes. Her sitting posture was still very dignified and her voice was clear, like a graceful bird. A’Mu revealed a smile on his face. His expression was different to what I usually see and was one I can't describe. That kind of smile is very proper with restraint. I don't think he has ever smiled at me like that. All along, his smile to me brought a sense of tolerance and helplessness. At times he would reach out his hand to touch my hair, smiling at me for saying foolish things and thinking of silly ideas.

At that time, I didn't think there was anything wrong with that. My brother treated me the same way. However, now I felt that this was inappropriate. We have been a married couple for ten years, but he has never treated me the same way as he did to Yuan Shan. He has never revealed such a smile in front of me. He was different in front of the person he likes.

<Side Story 5 Part 1                                                                                  Side Story 5 Part 3>

东宫 Eastern Palace: Full of Roses with Fragrance Overflowing the Entire Courtyard (Part 1)

The title of this side story is from the poem, Summer Day at the Mountain Pavilion, which is written by Gao Pian, a military governor of the Tang Dynasty. The poem describes a beautiful scenery during a summer day, which you can read it here.

......................

A'Mu came back from hunting and gave me a bunch of wild roses. 

The roses are extremely delicate. When you touch the petals, they fall off one after another. I quickly ordered people to put the roses in the crystal vase. Despite the fact that these roses were grown in the mountains, they are fragrant and unique.

Later in the evening, Yao Niang came to talk to me. Seeing the vase of wild roses, she asked where I got them. Once she found out that A'Mu had given me these roses, she couldn't help but smile, "His Majesty must be joking with you." 

I pretended not to understand what she had said. 

I am the only girl in my family. I have seven or eight elder brothers. My father was forty years old when I was born. Naturally, I am too spoiled. When I was a child, I was playing with boys, fighting mischievously, and doing all kinds of things. Until I was well over the age of 10, I beat up Prince Qi, who flirted with women on the street. This Prince Qi was a very lustful person. Hearing that I was Pei Yu's daughter, he gave me the nickname "Ye Qiang Wei[1]," which meant fragrant and white, but also unfortunately prickly. 

Gradually, this nickname was spread out publicly. Of course, I did not approve of this nickname, but I never thought or expected that my father would be so angry that he thought I would not be able to get married in the future. So he decided to change my temper by locking me up at home and invited several teachers who forced me to learn embroidery and to write while almost boring me to death.

In the end, the late Emperor saved me. When I was fourteen years old, I was betrothed to be the Crown Princess. I heard the late Emperor said with a smile, "Pei Qing, don't worry. Noble ladies always have difficulty getting married, just marry into our family as the bride."

My father almost fainted when he received the imperial decree. Although he was worried that it would be difficult to marry me off, he did not want to marry me to the Emperor's family because the late Emperor only had one son. A'Mu was the Crown Prince, and he would become the Emperor in the future. My father thought that I was not suitable to be even a Crown Princess, not to mention being the Empress.

However, there was no way to resist it, because the late Emperor had already issued the imperial decree. So my father could only invite more teachers to teach me, who reluctantly taught me to become a better person for the position of Empress.

To be honest, I didn't think I would get married to A'Mu because I knew him too well. My second brother, Pei Zhong An, often goes to the Eastern Palace, as he grew up alongside the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince has no other brothers -- only a sister, Princess Chaoyang. The late Emperor loved Chaoyang deeply, so he would often summon me into the palace to play with her. When I was a child, I often saw the Crown Prince and bullied him. I was not his opponent because he was a boy and his strength was greater than mine. We have fought countless times. Countless times, I have put a dead snake and half a mouse into his book bag. Countless times, he would give me all kinds of strange insects in return. Chaoyang always said with a smile that A'Mu and I were natural enemies. Chaoyang and I were really close. We both have no sisters, but Chaoyang always said to me, if she had a sister, she would be like me. Since the late Emperor had bestowed me with the title of Crown Princess, Chaoyang was even more happy, because in the future, we would be able to spend more time together. 

But by the time I got married to A'Mu, Chaoyang was already dead. 

The death of Chaoyang made the late Emperor so depressed that he fell ill for several years on and off. He was ill when he attended our wedding. At that time, he has been ill for a very long time and all the imperial doctors were worried. At this time, I was married into the Eastern Palace. Some people in court said that the royal family taking in a bride was like bringing joy to the commoners. 

I was a Crown Princess for six years before the late Emperor had passed away. After his death, A'Mu  ascended the throne and bestowed me with the title of Empress. Now it was the fourth year of Chengping [2], making it ten years since A'Mu had married me.

In the past ten years A'Mu and I had grown up, and I gradually understood that being willful was a privilege of childhood. To be an Empress, one cannot be willful. A'Mu and I have endured hardships together for the past ten years. Coupled with our childhood friendship, we got along with our relatives. Although I have not done a good job as an Empress, I have not made any big mistakes. 

Based on my personality, I was already lucky enough to not make any big mistakes.

Yao Niang accompanied me during dinner. The soup had not been brought to the table when suddenly someone called out, "His Majesty has arrived."

According to the old rule of the palace, the Emperor comes to the Empress’ palace every date with the number five. However, A’Mu and I were a young married couple and we never followed these kind of rules; instead, A’Mu would always come whenever he wanted to.

Before I could stand up, A’Mu had already come inside. The evening sunlight reflected through the window, shining on his tall body. I do not know why, but I suddenly felt that he was a little different today. Perhaps we have been together for too long. I have known him since I was four years old and have been married to him for ten years. I have spent more days with him than with anyone else in this world.

I should have stood up and bowed to pay respect to him. I got up in a hurry, but he pressed down my shoulder and motioned me to sit back at the table. This was also a common thing between us as when I first entered the Eastern Palace, we were already familiar with each other. Whenever I disregard these kind of palace rules, my teachers would teach me a lesson.

When A’Mu sat down, he saw the fruits on the table. He said, "I wanted to have dinner with you, but you have already eaten it."

"It's not finished yet." I ordered people to bring new dishes, cups, and chopsticks. Sometimes at night, A'Mu would drink a glass of wine and talk to me about court affairs. Sometimes, we would not say anything and quietly go to the Taiye pond to row a boat when the palace servants were not around. Today, however, A'Mu obviously had something on his mind. I poured him a glass of wine, and he soon finished drinking it. I poured another cup for him. He stopped his chopsticks and said to me: "There's something..." 

Seeing that he was stuttering, I couldn't help but laugh and asked: "Husband, what's the matter? Is it possible that you want to confer the title of concubine to a certain beauty?" 

A'Mu couldn't help but laugh after he heard me say this. Maybe because of the way the late Emperor had taught A'Mu, he has no interest in beauties. Occasionally, there would be people within the harem who would try to get his attention, but A'Mu was always too lazy to take another look at them and that is why I made fun of him. However, a moment later, he stopped smiling and said to me, "Shi Liu Niang, Princess Zhao is returning to the Capital."

I thought about it before I understood why A’Mu would especially mention about Princess Zhao to me. 

Princess Zhao was Yuan Shan. 

I haven't seen Yuan Shan for ten years.

When a person is young and ignorant, they would always do a few absurd things. When I was young and ignorant, I did more than hundreds or thousands of absurd things. However, A'Mu was different. During his youth, the only thing that was not expected of him was that he liked Yuan Shan.

A’Mu was different from me. From the day he was born, high expectations were placed on him. Although his own mother was of low status, the Empress had no children herself, so she raised him in her own palace. His birth mother died of illness a few years after the Empress had passed way. The late Emperor was indifferent to females, so there was no favoured concubine in the harem. A’Mu does not even have any brothers. All the officials knew that he was going to be an Emperor in the future, and the late Emperor used great efforts in selecting a Grand Tutor [3] for him. Therefore, A’Mu was a calm person and has won many praises from the ministers when he was a teenager.

However, the late Emperor did not like Yuan Shan. After vaguely guessing A’Mu’s worries, the late Emperor had sent Yuan Shan far away to marry Prince Zhao.

At that time, we were still young. I even heard A’Mu say to Chaoyang, "It is my fault that this has happened to Shan Niang[4].”

Childhood sweethearts are indeed unforgettable.

So I thought about it and said calmly, "Don’t worry, I will take good care of Shan Niang."

A’Mu seemed to have a lot to say, but in the end, he said nothing.

At this time, it was already dark, and the palace maids insisted on lighting the lamps. The bright full moon rose, and the bright rays of light scattered on the steps. The candle lights gradually lit up, and the moonlight became brighter and brighter, like a thin layer of silk that was trapped in front of the palace hall. On that evening of early summer, the night wind carried a fragrant scent. A’Mu asked, "What kind of incense is this? It smells like the scent of flowers."

I told him with a smile, "It’s the fragrance of the wild roses."

A’Mu looked at the crystal vase at the bottom of the curtain. Under the dim candle light, the petals of the wild roses drooped like delicate jade. With a touch of his hand, the petals fluttered and fell.

I couldn’t help but say, "Ah." Although this kind of rose was grown in the mountains, it is the most delicate and tender type of rose. Not even one day has passed, but yet the flowers in the vase have already withered.

A’Mu seemed to be quite sorry and said, "Tomorrow, I'll give you some more wild roses."

I laughed and said, "Okay."

A’Mu sat here for another moment, drank some tea, and then returned to Gan Lou palace hall.

The tea set was still scattered on the table. I lifted it with one hand and watched the palace maids pack up the tea box. Yao Niang came and sat quietly beside me.

When all of the servants have left, Yao Niang said, "Now that Princess Zhao is a widow, I'm afraid the reason she is coming back to the Capital is because she has intentions of getting remarried. Your Ladyship is very silly; there is no need to help others prepare wedding clothes.” 

It was very quiet at night. I didn't know there was a bug, which was constantly chirping. When Yao Niang saw that I didn't pay attention to what she said, she became more and more anxious, "Your Ladyship has been in the palace for ten years, could it be that you still don't know people are vicious?"

 
I listened to the bug chirp and then yawned, "Yao Niang, I am sleepy."

Yao Niang saw that I seemed sad, so she held back all the words she wanted to say and let me be.

 
When I went to sleep, the palace maids blew out the candle outside the curtain. I fell asleep on the pillow, thinking about the words Yao Niang had said. The ten years in the palace seemed like a moment that passed by in a flash. When I first entered the Eastern Palace, my father was extremely worried. However, A'Mu treated me very well. His Majesty was already very ill at that time. Although he was still strict to A'Mu, he was tolerant and loving towards me. He often said to A'Mu, "You are married now, so you should try your best to take good care of her." 

A'Mu naturally took good care of me. Chaoyang was very frail, so as her elder brother, he was very considerate of her and others.

 
A'Mu and I have known each other since childhood, and there were a lot of things we can't hide from each other. For example, the only person A'Mu loved in his teenage years was Yuan Shan. When I was a child, I actually wanted to marry Han Zhi, the most famous and handsome man in the Capital.

But how many girls in the Capital do not want to marry Han Zhi? After I became the Crown Princess, Han Zhi was the Crown Prince's guest at that time. One time, A'Mu had summoned him into the palace to play a round of go [5] just to let me have a look at that handsome youth, who now had grown a beard, looking like a average elderly man.

After I saw him, I was very disappointed. I said to A'Mu, "Han Zhi's handsome face now looks very ugly with that beard. You can never grow a beard in the future." A’Mu laughed and immediately agreed with me. I don't know if he was being serious, but he didn't have a beard for so many years.

I fell asleep while thinking about these moments of the past and only woke up when it was the morning. The early morning grooming was very tedious. While I was combing my hair, A’Mu ordered someone to bring a bunch of wild roses, which have dew on it, to me. I took the wild roses and placed them in the crystal vase. Yesterday's flowers have withered even more while in contrast, the flowers today were more beautiful and fresh.

"It's so early, where did His Majesty get these flowers?" 

The man sent by A'Mu replied, "This morning, his Majesty went to Chenghui Palace and picked these flowers from there."

I couldn't help but be stunned. Chenghui Palace is a quiet place. It was said that when the late Emperor was still the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, the Crown Princess lived in Chenghui Palace. During the Qin He Era, a fire destroyed many palaces. Some of them were rebuilt but others were demolished and changed into pond gardens. Some of the other palaces, however, were abandoned for some unknown reasons. When I married A’Mu, the Eastern Palace had been renovated and the place where the Crown Princess lived was far away from the Chenghui Palace.

I don't know why, but I suddenly wanted to go to the Chenghui Palace and take a look. Seeing that I was so passionate, Yao Niang had no choice but to accompany me.

Chenghui Palace is not far from where I live. The time it takes to get there by carriage is the same amount of time it takes to cook tea leaves twice. Despite the fact that all the palaces in this area were not badly damaged, the walls still were blackened. The dark blue glazed roof tiles were still shining brightly in the sunlight. There were a lot of pine trees growing in the area with birds flying around. Under the bright sun, it was quite desolate to look at them.

Because A’Mu had been here in the morning, the front of the palace was already roughly cleaned. I walked into the courtyard along the corridor. There were long rose vines climbing on the rockery, and the white and pink flowers were in full bloom. The flower shelf on the other side had collapsed. This place was surrounded by wild grasses, which revealed that there was no trace of any human living here for a long time.

I stood in the corridor for a moment as the cool morning wind was blowing at my clothes. Yao Niang said to me, "Your Ladyship has a smooth life since childhood. Everything has been going well. Up to now, you have never encountered difficulty, so you treat everyone with kindness. But you don't know that the people in the palace have vicious hearts. The late Emperor’s Empress Mingde had been harmed to death by others."

I have never heard of Empress Mingde at all. Yao Niang told me that Empress Mingde was the first wife of the late Emperor during his time at the Eastern Palace.

I stood in the corridor surrounded by the fragrance of wild roses, listening to Yao Niang tell of a story about the deep palace that made me absolutely horrified.

A foreign woman, who married into the palace of the Central Plains as the Crown Princess, was naive and did not know about the dangers in the palace, while there was another concubine who was deeply loved by the Crown Prince. In order to win the position of Crown Princess, the concubine poisoned the Crown Princess.

Yao Niang sighed, "Later, the Crown Prince found out about this matter, so he demoted the concubine to the status of a commoner and then put her to death, but the Crown Princess was already dead."

I said disapprovingly, "But A’Mu doesn't have a favoured concubine."

Yao Niang was so angry that her eyebrows were almost vertical, “Your Ladyship, how can you refer to his Majesty by his name at your own will? You should be planning ahead to prevent something from happening.”

After all, she still taught me to guard against Yuan Shan.

But if a person’s heart has someone else, you can't prevent it.

I faintly said a few words to Yao Niang and picked a bunch of wild roses before turning around to leave.

I placed the flowers into the crystal vase and now, the roses in the vase are squeezed tightly together, which made it very beautiful. A large amount of fresh roses covered yesterday's roses. Although petals were constantly falling to the bottom of the curtains, the fragrance of the flowers is fragrant and they flourish the more you look at them.

Yao Niang tried to persuade me, but I still decided to send someone outside the city to escort Yuan Shan into the palace.

Because she was widowed, Yuan Shan had refused me once. She only came into the palace when I wrote a letter to her in person.

I haven't seen Yuan Shan for ten years. She was born of noble status. Her father is Liang Zhang, who is the Emperor’s son-in-law and has a military rank, while her mother is Princess Yongshou. Yuan Shan was a famous girl in the Capital and also my playmate. A lot of people don't know how Yuan Shan and I became friends. After all, Yuan Shan and I have totally different personalities.

I sat in my palace and watched Yuan Shan slowly walk up the steps from afar. Her figure still looked tall and beautiful, her footsteps were light. The breeze was blowing at her sleeves, which made her look like a cloud that was coming closer and closer.

I could gradually see her face clearly. So many years have passed yet she seemed to not have changed, still so delicate and gentle, like a piece of jade. Because of her widowhood, she was dressed solemnly, but her beauty seemed to be replaced by a restrained brightness, becoming more and more dignified and beautiful.

My conversation with her was a little strange at first, but gradually, it got better. When I asked about the scenery of Qingzhou, Yuan Shan answered very briefly, but it was very interesting. I have hardly ever left the Capital, so I was more curious about other places. Yuan Shan said, "If Your Highness does not mind, I have a few items I brought with me from Qingzhou, which I would like to gift to Your Highness."

Notes:

[1] 野蔷薇 Ye Qiang Wei- Wild rose

[2] 承平 Chengping- The name of A'Mu's reign.

[3] 太傅 Grand Tutor- Along with Grand Preceptor and Grand Protector, Grand Tutor was one of the Emperor's closest advisors.

[4] 珊娘 Shan Niang- Another way of referring to Yuan Shan.

[5] 圍棋 Go- A strategy board game that consists of black and white stones, played by two players. The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's stones. The game ends when one of the players could no longer make a move. Whoever captures the most stones wins the game.

<Side Story 4 Part 3                                                                                   Side Story 5 Part 2>