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>

东宫 Eastern Palace: Chapter 17

Why do men always have this type of behaviour?

        I was not willing: "Yesterday you kissed me so many times, I don't owe you anything." Li Cheng Yin pulled apart his clothes showing me the scar on his stomach: "Then what about this? How are you going to repay me?" I looked at the scar, couldn't help but sighed: "The assassin stabbed you, it wasn't me that stabbed you." "However I saved your life! If I didn't push you away, the assassin would have hurt you instead." I don't have any other way to refuse because what he had said was the truth, however I was still reluctant: "What do you want then?" "Next time when you go to Ming Yu Fang, bring me with you."

       I was surprised: "You.....you....." I said in a very loud voice: "The Crown Prince wants to go to the brothel!"

        This time Li Cheng Yin quickly covered my mouth: "Stop shouting! Stop shouting! I only wanted to go see, I am not doing something bad!"
　　

        "We were still locked in here, if we still can't get out, how can we go to Ming Yu Fang....." I sighed: "The Great Empress Dowager is not going to lock us here until the new year right? Li Cheng Yin said: "Don't worry, I've got a plan!" The plan that he came up with was a rotten idea, me pretending that I was sick.
        
        I can't pretend to be sick.

        Ever since being in the Capital, I was only sick once, telling me to pretend to be sick, no matter how hard I pretend, it won't be believable.
　
        Li Cheng Yin told me to pretend to faint, I don't think I can do that, the moment I tried I couldn't help but to laugh, after Li Cheng Yin got angry and said: "If you can't do it, then I will do it!" When he did pretended to faint, it was quite realistic, fainting on the bed motionless. I shouted out the window: "Someone come! The Crown Prince has fainted! Someone come......" After shouting for a few times, the doors of the palace hall were finally opened, a lot of people came in, the palace maids urgently went to get the imperial physician, even the Great Empress Dowager knew about it.
　
        The imperial physician examined his pulse, the result was that Li Cheng Yin's pulse wasn't stable.
　　
        We were starving for this long, of course his pulse wasn't stable. However the Great Empress Dowager didn't think that way, she thought that Li Cheng Yin was exhausted, even though she was being disrespectful, she didn't want to lock us up ever again.
　　
        I was brought back to the Eastern Palace, Li Cheng Yin wasn't that lucky, he had to constantly go to the temple, because tomorrow there is a ritual.  Even though I went back to the Eastern Palace, I was still busy because the Emperor wanted me to host the ceremony instead of Noble Consort Gao.

        The new year was the busiest time, very tiring, not fun at all.
　　
        I was mostly worried about the ceremony, although there was Yong Niang and Noble Consort Gao helping me, however these unnecessary and elaborate writing took me a long time to memorize, also there were many feasts and ceremonies to attend.

        Every night I was so tired, I could fall asleep while just sitting there removing my makeup, also every morning when the sky was not even bright yet, Yong Niang would bring a group of people to drag me out of bed to get dressed. Before when there was an Empress, I didn't feel this way, however now I felt that my life was very bitter. Everyday I see countless people that I know and don't know, receiving respect from them, eating food without tasting the food, there were female officials saying lucky phrases, seeing boring dances, hearing other people talking endlessly.
　　
        During feasting, the only day that was fun was the fifth of the first month of the lunar year, it's a day where married women visit their parents, also the imperial family had invited all the princesses to the feast. The main table consists of two of the Emperor's father's sisters, the next table had a few other princesses who are Li Cheng Yin's aunts. Princess Ping Nan greeted me with wine, because I am the Crown Princess, although I am younger, however there is no Empress in place, so I became the main female host of the feast.

　　I drank some wine, I wanted to stand up, Yong Niang went over to support Princess Ping Nan, who is Pei Zhao's mother.
        
        Pei Zhao doesn't look like her at all.

       I started to look for Princess Luo Zi, I have never noticed her before, after all the imperial family had a lot of princesses, I don't see them often, in my eyes all the princesses look the same, all wearing long clothing. This time because of Pei Zhao, I cautiously pay attention to Princess Luo Xi, she's quite pretty, with graceful posture, even Princess Ping An and her looked quite alike. Yong Niang helped me find a person to write a three verse poem for me, then I memorized and recited it during the feast. Princess Luo Xi also recited a poem, there were a few words that I didn't recognize. Everyone was praising me saying that the poem that I had written was the best, Princess Luo Xi was second place, I felt that Princess Luo Xi was a women that most men likes, a descendant of the imperial family, gentle personality, multi-talented, matches well with Pei Zhao.
　　
        I wasn't happy this new year, maybe because I was too tired, even I didn't see Li Cheng Yin for so many days, I heard him and Zhao Liang Di have reconciled again, like two people dripping more grease into honey. I wasn't excited for anything, only excited for the fifteenth of the first month of the lunar year as it was the Lantern Festival.
　　
        What I like most about the Capital was the Lantern Festival there.
　　
         Ten miles of lanterns, nine layers of watchtower gates, fireworks in all directions, seven star tiered tower, being happy together, to go and to return, peace: This was the Lantern Festival in the Capital. There were a few days left until the Lantern Festival, people were busily hanging the lanterns on the streets, these lanterns were very unique, different colour and design, with wonderful craftsmanship. Also all of the well-known fireworks that night would be happening at the top of the seven tiered tower because it was really tall and half of the Capital city would be able to see the fireworks. That night the four main gates of the Capital city will be opened so that people can go and see the lanterns. San Yin mountain is a place where people go to seek luck in marriage, it is said that the temple at San Yin mountain will bring marriage to people which are predestined by fate, however if unmarried men and women go to the temple and pray on the night of the Lantern Festival then it will not be effective. If a woman is already married, they should go with their husbands to go see the lanterns to pray for the new year. If a woman is not married but they have a true love, then this would be considered a private meeting between two lovers which are permitted based on ceremonial rites.

        Last year when it was the Lantern Festival, A'Du and I went to the San Yin mountain to look at lanterns, even losing our shoes. I heard that night there were thousands of shoes left behind, the people sweeping the mountain gave those shoes to the poor people, using a few big carts to carry the shoes.
　
        This year I decided that I will wear boots and use leather strings to tie them onto my legs, so that I wouldn't lose my shoes again. It will be crowded and lively, so I must go there and see!
　　
        On the fourteenth of the first month of the lunar year, the feasting has finally came to an end, I finally don't have any duties, can go back to Eastern Palace and sleep, saving some strength for the Lantern Festival. However when I fell in a deep sleep, Yong Niang woke me up again.

        I yawned and asked her: "What happened now?" "There's a talisman found under Xu Bao Lin's bed, it is said that it is a witchcraft object, it has Zhao Liang Di's birth date written on it, right now Zhao Liang Di has taken hold of Xu Bao Lin, waiting outside of the palace hall, Crown Princess please deal with this." I was tired and angry: What's the big issue? A talisman and you're making a big fuss out of nothing, the new year is not over yet! Xu Bao Lin is not that foolish, also would this talisman be able to curse Zhao Liang Di to death? Zhao Liang Di is still alive and well!" Yong Niang told me: "Witchcraft is prohibited in the Imperial Palace, Crown Princess you must have not known, ten years ago Chen Zheng used witchcraft to curse the previous emperor, as a result was forced to commit suicide and the whole family was executed. When the country was first formed, Empress Wu had used witchcraft on Consort Xu, as a result she was demoted to the status of a commoner, even her son cannot be bestow with the title of a prince........" My head was hurting, I don't like it when Yong Niang talks about things that happened hundreds of years ago, I got up and let the palace maids help me get dressed. Yong Niang said: "Xu Bao Lin's witchcraft matter is strange, Crown Princess must be careful, and don't fall into a trap." I straightforwardly asked her: "What do you think I should do?" Yong Niang said: "Before you could've allowed the Empress to deal with this matter, however now there's no Empress, also right now is the lunar new year celebration, we should not deal with matters that will bring us misfortune. I think we should allow the Crown Prince to deal with this matter." I did not say anything, I felt that if I let Li Cheng Yin deal with this matter, Xu Bao Lin would be the person that will be punished.

        Zhao Liang Di is Li Cheng Yin's heart and the apple of his eyes, even not knowing the whole situation, he would definitely be angry, and then Xu Bao Lin would be in trouble. Xu Bao Lin was quite pitiful, Li Cheng Yin doesn't like her, last time when I visited her, she was crying, now that this type of matter had happened, she won't be able to give an explanation to defend herself. I thought and thought, I couldn't bear to do so.

        Yong Niang saw that I wasn't saying anything, said: " Crown Princess this is a complex situation, you should not get involved in this situation. I said in a loud voice: "What do you mean I should not get involved? Letting Li Cheng Yin deal with this matter, I will not allow that to happen!" Yong Niang wanted persuade me, I fixed my clothes and said: "Tell Zhao Liang Di and Xu Bao Lin's to come here." Every time when I give out a Crown Princess presence, Yong Niang would have no other way. Yong Niang knows all the palace rules, also she's a very well educated person, so she never disrespects me.

        Zhao Liang Di saw me, bowed out of respect, I politely told Yong Niang to help her get up, after I told her to sit down.
　　
        Xu Bao Lin was still kneeling on the floor, her cheeks and eyes were red as if she just had cried.
　　
        I asked left and right: "How come no one is helping Xu Bao Lin get up?" The palace maids do not dare to disobey me, hurriedly helped Xu Bao Lin get up. I started to talk nonsense: "Today's weather wasn't bad........Two of you came here to give new year greetings?" This phrase caused Zhao Liang Di's complexion to turn red and white.
　　
        Based on the rules of the Eastern Palace, during the lunar celebrations they are suppose to wear special clothing and bow to me, however for the past three years Li Cheng Yin was afraid that I would mistreat Zhao Liang Di, so he never allows her to be alone with me, so this rule was abolished. As a result, Zhao Liang Di must have thought that I was mocking her. Actually I was just busy with the lunar year ceremonies, only able to go back to the Eastern Palace when the sky was dark, I don't have strength to argue with them.
　　
        Yong Niang quietly told me, at that time I noticed that Zhao Liang Di's expressions were not good, I thought that it was because I was treating Xu Bao Lin to politely, so I comforted Xu Bao Lin with a few words, then went and take a look at the talisman.
　　
        The talisman is an item that brings misfortune, so it was put on a tray, when the palace maid had brought the item, Yong Niang didn't allow me to grab the item. I looked at the birth date that was on the item, but I couldn't find any clues. I thought of a question and asked: "How did you suddenly remembered to go to Xu Bao Lin's place and search under her bed?" The moment I asked this question, Zhao Liang Di's expressions suddenly changed.
　　
        It turned out Zhao Liang Di's pet was suddenly missing, the palace maids were searching everywhere, someone saw that the pet had went into Xu Bao Lin's courtyard, so Zhao Liang Di's palace maids went in and searched. Xu Bao Lin had said that she didn't see any pet, Zhao Liang Di's palace maids were not convinced, so they kept on searching, never thought that the pet was not found, but this witchcraft item was found.
　　
        Zhao Liang Di said: "Crown Princess please investigate." I asked Xu Bao Lin: "Where did this item come from?" Xu Bao Lin kneeled again: "I don't know, Crown Princess please investigate." "Get up first." I don't like it when people constantly kneel down, then I told Zhao Liang Di: "There's always a reason for something to happen, Xu Bao Lin doesn't have any reason, why would she use witchcraft on you? I think this matter is not that simple........" Zhao Liang Di faintly said: "There's evidence, Crown Princess's words, are you planning to side with Xu Bao Lin?" She was saying it impolitely, with an aggressive gaze. When I was about to say something, Yong Niang had already said: "The Crown Princess just wanted to observe carefully, she is not trying to side with anyone, Zhao Liang Di please speak cautiously." Zhao Liang Di suddenly left her seat and bowed to me, said: "I will quietly wait for Crown Princess's investigation on this matter, only hoping that the truth will come to light, and then Crown Princess will give me an explanation." After she continued to say: "I will take my leave now." I didn't finish speaking, but she had turned and left abruptly.
　　
        Yong Niang was angry, said: "How can she be so ridiculous?!" I understand Zhao Liang Di's dislike towards me, anyways I don't like her either.
　　
        Xu Bao Lin was still kneeling there and looked at me. I sighed, and went over to help her get up, asked her: "Tell me what actually happened today." Xu Bao Lin was panicking, Yong Niang told someone to give a cup of tea to her, slowly she told me what had happened.
　　
        Apparently Xu Bao Lin lives in a remote place, the past few days was the lunar new year celebration, they were bestows with items. These items weren't important to me and Zhao Liang Di, however to Xu Bao Lin these were rare items. Xu Bao Lin has a gentle personality, the two palace maids that I had sent to Xu Bao Lin weren't bad, Xu Bao Lin had shared the pastries with them. Items that were bestowed by the Emperor cannot be shared with anyone, so the doors of the courtyard were locked, preventing people from seeing.
　
        At that moment Zhao Liang Di's people suddenly came knocking on the door, they hurriedly put away the pastries and opened the door. Zhao Liang Di's people entered the courtyard and searched everywhere, Xu Bao Lin felt guilty, Zhao Liang Di's people were impolite, quickly argue back when they don't get along, Zhao Liang Di's people are the type of people to finish something once it has started, creating a mess in the room, never thought that the pet was not found, however there was a talisman found under Xu Bao Lin's bed. Zhao Liang Di's people went back and reported to her, Xu Bao Lin's two palace maids were detained. When Zhao Liang Di saw the talisman, her whole body was trembling with anger, brought Xu Bao Lin to see me. "I really don't know where that object had came from." Xu Bao Lin said with teary eyes: "Crown Princess please investigate this matter......" How can I investigate this? Each of them have their own side of the story, I am unable to investigate this, however this object obviously did not came out of nowhere. I asked Xu Bao Lin: "This object was underneath your bed, you don't have any idea who put it there?" Xu Bao Lin thought that I was questioning her, suddenly she kneeled down: "Crown Princess I know I am an unlucky person, however I don't strive for favoritism, I don't dare to curse Zhao Liang Di......." I could tell that she was scared, quickly said: "I don't mean this way, I just wanted to say that for someone to put this object under your bed without anyone noticing was not easy. You were at your place the whole day, also the two palace maids were with you, did you notice any suspicious people going to your place, or did you notice any clues? Hearing the words that I said, she slowly calmed down, thinking if there are any clues left behind.

       She thought for a long time, in the end she told me: "I couldn't think of any suspicious person....." Forget it, this Xu Bao Lin was just as clueless as I am.

        I used kind words to comfort her, also telling her to go back first.  Xu Bao Lin believe but also doubt the things I had said, I told her: "After some time has passed, the truth will come to light, there is nothing to be afraid of, we'll talk about this after the festival is over." Seeing that I was taking the matter seriously, she bowed to me and then left.

　　 Yong Niang asked me: "What plan do you have to find out who's the person behind this?" I yawned: "What plan would I have? I couldn't find anything in this matter." Yong Niang did not know whether to laugh or cry, asked me: "Crown Princess how are you going to explain this to Zhao Liang Di?" I rolled my eyes: "I didn't put the talisman under her bed, why do I have to explain to her?" Hearing the words I said, Yong Niang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, talking endlessly to me, I was tired, not a moment later, I had fell asleep.

        I fell into a deep sleep until someone lifted me up from my bed, I was still half asleep, although Yong Niang would frequently tell people to drag me out of bed, it would usually be carrying or supporting me with one hand, unlike this person who's rude.
　　
        The moment I opened my eyes, Li Cheng Yin! Not only did he lifted me up, he also said: "You could still sleep?" Oh no oh no I forgot!

        Zhao Liang Di must have complained in front of him, so he came to interrogate me. I said in a loud voice: "Why can't I sleep?! I couldn't find anything in the investigation of Xu Bao Lin's matter, there's no use in questioning me!" "What happened to Xu Bao Lin?" He looked at me with his eyebrows wrinkled.
　
        Ah? He doesn't know! Zhao Liang Di didn't complained about it to him? I smiled: "Eh.....nothing nothing, why did you come here?" "Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival!" "I know." Nonsense, that's why I wanted to sleep the whole day today, so that I have some strength for tomorrow night, so I can play a game of solving riddles on lanterns.

        He looked at me expressionless, said: "Tomorrow I will go to Zhu Que Lou with my father to greet our people." "I know." Of course I know, every year during the Lantern Festival him and the Emperor would go there to wave to the people, hearing people chant 'long live the Emperor,' although it is to greet the people, but actually standing there for half of the night being blown by the cold wind, fortunately women in the imperial family don't have to go there, or else I will become an ice pole, becoming an ice pole was a small issue, however not being able to see the lanterns was a big issue. He glared at me with an angry expression: "Do you remember what you had promised me?"
　　
        Why was he saying that, accompanying him is like accompanying a tiger, power is hard to fathom. This phrase was the truth, accompanying the Emperor's son is the same as accompanying a small tiger, as well as power that is hard to fathom, I can never guess what's in his mind, I can only ask him: "What did I promise you?" He raised his voice: "You must have completely forgotten! You promised to bring me to the brothel." How can he say that in such a loud voice?

<Chapter 16                                                                                                          Chapter 18>

东宫 Eastern Palace: Chapter 16

      I covered my head with the blanket, I felt very bad. I caused Li Cheng Yin to run away, because I know that he likes Zhao Liang Di. I am not that generous, knowing that his heart does not have me, and letting him take advantage of me. I would rather him treat me coldly like before. Women are actually quite pitiful, at that time he only pushed me away to help me avoid the assassin's sword and I already liked him, if he treats me even better, then I might not be able to leave him. At that moment I will probably be really pitiful, missing him everyday, hoping that he will look at me once, and then I will be like those women that Yong Niang had mentioned, everyday hoping, longing for........I will definitely not be in this pitiful situation.

        I haven't slept almost the whole night, I overslept during the morning, Yong Niang woke me up and I hurriedly prepared to enter the palace. The Great Empress Dowager have been recovering fairly quickly, seeing me she was very happy, even giving me a bowl of her porridge.

　

        I don't know what was inside the porridge, tastes very strange, I ate a bit of the porridge, couldn't help but felt that my stomach wasn't feeling well.

        Yong Niang saw that my complexion wasn't good,  promptly gave me a cup of tea. The stomach pain was difficult to bear, even the tea I don't dare to drink, whispered to Yong Niang: "I want to throw up....." The Great Empress Dowager is already seventy years old, but her ears were still surprisingly good, immediately heard it: "Ah? You want to throw up?" She did not say anything, but a bunch of palace maids came bringing water, handkerchief and incense. The incense that the Great Empress Dowager used was ambergris [1], I always felt that the smell was strange, especially when the incense was very close, once the smell was underneath my nose, I couldn't help but to vomit continuously only vomiting the water. Yong Niang gave me floral water to rinse my mouth, the Great Empress Dowager was worried: "Hurry and tell the imperial physician to come here!" "No I am fine...." I must have caught the cold last night, after Li Cheng Yin left I haven't slept well, sitting there even forgetting to cover myself with the blanket, this morning my stomach wasn't feeling well, I said: "Maybe I ate something bad...."

        "Tell the imperial physician to come here." The Great Empress Dowager was beaming with joy: "Most likely good news, don't feel ashamed! This is a natural process, no need to feel embarrass!  Ai ya, tell the imperial official to come here too, what name should we give this child?...." ....I....I almost wanted to spit out a mouthful of blood.....Never thought that the Great Empress Dowager would be that enthusiastic, thinking that I have a baby, the problem is that I haven't done the thing that will allow me to have a baby.....After the imperial physician's examination, the result was that it was only stomach flu, also eating the porridge triggered the stomach pain. The Great Empress Dowager was disappointed, asked left and right: "Where's the Crown Prince?" "It is almost time for the year end ceremony, today the Crown Prince went to the temple......"

        The Great Empress Dowager immediately strike the table and was in a bad temper: "What temple? Unfilial and lack of offspring! When his father was his age, he already have three sons! He's almost twenty years old, still not a father yet! This Zhao Liang Di is always by his side, still don't have a baby! Also this Xu Bao Lin had a baby, but now nothing! If this keeps on going on, when will I have a grandchild? Will I die without seeing one?"

         Once the Great Empress Dowager got angry, everyone in the palace hall was kneeling down, saying: "Great Empress Dowager please calm down! The moment they said that the Great Empress Dowager was even more angry: " Someone tell Li Cheng Yin to come here! I don't believe in this curse, I don't believe that by next year I won't be able to have a grandchild!"

        The Great Empress Dowager was the same as me, calling Li Cheng Yin by his full name. However, the Great Empress Dowager called him to yell at him, he turned around thinking that I have said something I shouldn't have said, maybe we will argue again.

        Fine we will argue, anyways I am not scared of him.

　　

        I never thought that the Great Empress Dowager would be this vicious and merciless, asking him in an amiable manner: "You finished taking a bath and burning the incense?"

　　

        Taking a bath and burning incense must be done before entering a temple, Li Cheng Yin didn't know what was happening, so he only answered: "Yes."

　　

        The Great Empress Dowager said: "Then good, for the next few days you don't have to eat vegetarian food to clean your soul, besides your ancestors will not care about that. Someone come and bring the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess to the palace hall, without my permission, no one can open the door! I felt foolish, the palace maids were pushing and pulling us, like a swarm of bees pushing us into the palace hall, a 'bang' sound and the doors were closed. I was pushing the door, but it didn't move.

        Li Cheng Yin coldly looked at me, I glared at him.

        He said with his teeth clenched: "Despicable!" I was so angry: "I'm not involved in this! Why are you yelling at me? If you didn't complain in front of the Great Empress Dowager, would she still lock us up?"

　　

        I was so angry that I ignored him, fortunately the palace hall was warm, I sat by the table, bored so I played with my fingers, bending my fingers was more fun than arguing with Li Cheng Yin.

　　

         We've been locked for half of the day, looking at the sky becoming dark, palace maids gave us food and water through the window, before I had wanted to say something, 'bang,' the windows were closed again.

　

        The Great Empress Dowager must have told the palace maids not to talk to us. I was worried, but the food should still be eaten, I was hungry after being here for more than half of the day. I really like two of the dishes, I filled a bowl of rice for myself, happily eating the meal. At first Li Cheng Yin was just sitting there motionless, however maybe because he was hungry and also there was his favorite noodle soup, so he ate the food until he was full.

        Ate till I was full....Think......Bored......I was in the palace hall spinning around, finally able to dig some rocks out of a pot, started to play backgammon [2] by myself.

　　

        I didn't know how long I played, no one added anymore coal in the fire pan in the palace hall, one after another being extinguished.

　　

        Fortunately there was another fire pan in the palace hall, I went onto the bed to continue playing, being under the blanket was comfortable, unfortunately after playing for some time, the candle was burned out.

　　

        The palace hall still had some candles, I was shivering when I went to get the candle, as a result after only moving for a few steps, I quickly went back to cover myself with the blanket before getting the candle because it was too cold. Seeing Li Cheng Yin sitting there, I quickly went to get the candle with my blanket, but walking a few steps I couldn't help but to ask him: "Don't you feel cold sitting there?"

        He didn't glance at me once, only saying two words with his teeth clenched: "Not cold!"

　　

        Why was his voice shaking?

　　

        I was holding the blanket in front of my chest with one hand, using one hand to hold onto the candlestick to see his face, the moment I saw his complexion, I was shocked.

        The weather was so cold, but his forehead was covered with sweat and his face was very red, seems like he was having a fever.

　　

       "You have a fever again?" "No I don't!"

　　

        I saw that his body was shaking uncontrollably, I placed down the candlestick, touched his forehead, if he really has a fever then it was good, if he's sick, the Great Empress Dowager definitely would let us out.

　　

        The moment I touched him, he suddenly groaned, stretched out his hand to pull my hand, bringing me to his embrace. His lips were very warm, his body was shaking while he was kissing me to the point I couldn't breathe. He was breathing out warm air on my face, I thought it was weird, but not anymore because he immediately pushed me away, saying with his teeth clenched: "The soup has drugs in it."

        What drug? The soup has drugs?

　　

        How is that possible? The Great Empress Dowager loves her great grandchild the most, she would not give him random food to eat.

　　

        There was still some soup remaining on the table, I went and sniffed the soup, couldn't smell anything wrong with it. Li Cheng Yin suddenly hugged me from the back, blowing into my ears: "Xiao Feng...."

　
        My body suddenly weakened in his embrace, not sure if it was because he blew into my ears or because he called my name.

　　

        He has never called me by my name, also, how does he know my full name?

　　

        Li Cheng Yin turned my face, started nibbling my mouth, I have never seen him this eager, almost wanting to swallow me in one mouthful. His whole body was very warm like boiling water, his head was steaming with hot air.

　

        I finally understood what drug was in the soup.

　　

        Ah!

　

        Ah!

　　

        Ah!

　

        The Great Empress Dowager was being disrespectful!

　　

        The Great Empress Dowager was being disrespectful!

        Suddenly....Suddenly.....Suddenly.....I wanted to spit out blood....I was speechless, I called out to the sky but they won't respond, I called out to the ground but it didn't work........Li Cheng Yin had already ripped open my clothes, also he was nibbling my mouth while pushing me on the bed.

　　

        We were fighting, not a moment later I was at a disadvantage, pushing him against the bed. I was very angry, tomorrow Li Cheng Yin will regret, if his Zhao Liang Di knows about this, she'll bother him, also I will be very pitiful.......I even used eighteen different martial arts moves, however my clothes were still disappearing one by one, Li Cheng Yin was not only taking off my clothes, but also his own clothes, I don't know how men's clothes are taken off, he was taking off his clothes very fast, a moment later he was naked.....Would it be hard to look at? I have never seen Li Cheng Yin not wearing any clothes......Glancing at him and glancing away, suddenly the corner of Li Cheng Yin's mouth twitched, revealing an evil smile: "Does it look good?"

　　

        "Rascal!" I was pointing out: "What's good to look at?! You think I haven't seen that before?! Even though I haven't done that, but I have seen it!"

　　

         Li Cheng Yin did not argue with, but was trying to persuade me, using a gentle voice whispering into my ears, asked: "Then..........do you want to try it?"

        "Ah!"

　　

        I suddenly shouted out: "Se Se [3]!"

　　

        "What Se Se?!"

　　

        "Your Se Se!" I shook his arms: "Think about Zhao Liang Di, you can't let her down! You can't betray her! You like her the most!"

　

        "You are my wife, we are a married couple.....We are not betraying her!"

　　

        "You don't like me!"

　　

        "I like you!" He muttered: "I do like you...." "It's because of the drug!"

　　

        "Even if it is the drug I still like you, Xiao Feng, I really do like you."

　

        I cannot stand this, men are beasts, beasts! A little bit of the drug and they are already like this, throwing his Zhao Liang Di aside, and acting as a small dog in front of me, waiting impatiently and almost dripping out saliva.

        I shook him: "You're a Crown Prince, the heir of the throne! You must restrain yourself! Keep enduring! Calm down! Don't do something that you will regret!"

　   "A single mistake and you will regret forever...."

　   "Yes! A single mistake and you will regret forever! Keep enduring......For Zhao Liang Di.......you must keep yourself pure....."

　　"I don't want to!" He was like a small dog sobering: "You are very cold blooded, heartless, cruel!"

　    My whole body was filled with goosebumps: "How am I cold blooded? Heartless? Cruel?"

　　"How are you not cold blooded, heartless, cruel?"

　　"How am I cold blooded, heartless, cruel?"

　　"You are! You are! You are!"

　　Oh my god......He suddenly nibbled me......nibbling me to death!

　　This is a matter of life or death!
     
        I fiercely bite him, finally grabbing the pillow and using it to hit his head, he was in a state of confusion, unable to guard himself when I strike him with the pillow.

　　

        Thump! He fainted.

　

        He really fainted.

　　

        There was a large bump which was the size of an egg on Li Cheng Yin's forehead, I quickly used the pillow to flatten the bump on his forehead, Yong Niang told me this method when I accidentally hit my head on the door, she told me before that this will help make a bump disappear.

　　

        It was finally dawn, the bump on Li Cheng Yin's forehead still hasn't disappear, however he finally woke up, the moment he woke up he glared at me: "Why did you tie me up?" "For the sake of you to not make a mistake that you will regret later, just endure." I comforted him by patting his face: "Do you need to turn over? I will help you."

　　

        He was sleeping in a stiff position for the whole night, it must be very uncomfortable, but I used the hooks on the mosquito net to tie his hands and feet, so turning his body would be difficult. I used tremendous strength to lie him down on his side that my whole body was sitting on top of his body, my hair was also tied into the mosquito net, I spent half the day and I still couldn't undo my hair.

　　

　　His eyes were burning with fire: "Can you not crawl on my body?"
        

       "Sorry Sorry." I was flustered and my hair was still tied into the mosquito net, when I was able to pull out half of my hair, he started kissing me, first kissing my shoulder and then my neck, as if he was trying to seduce me, making me shiver.

　　

        He was whispering in my ears, trying to persuade me: "I will not do anything bad.......Untie me first......."

　　

      I impolitely said: "I don't believe you!" Arguing with Li Cheng Yin for so many years, I know that it was a trap. I was finally able to untie my hair from the mosquito net, then I stood up and rolled my eyes: "Stay Still!" "I want........"

        "You cannot!" "I want!"

　　

        "You cannot!" He was angry: "Can you be a bit more reasonable?! How can you not understand?! I need to relieve myself!" I stared blankly, that's true, last time at the Eastern Palace I urgently had to use the chamber pot to the point I wanted to cry. I understand that situation, I cannot not let him relieve himself.

　　

        I untied him and said: "Go!" When he finished relieving himself, the palace maids opened the door and came in, when they saw that the ground was filled with clothes thrown on the ground, the palace maids blushed. Seeing that Li Cheng Yin's injury on the forehead, they looked at us in a strange way. They brought water for us to rinse our mouths and wash our faces, helped us change into new clothing, after they left and locked the door.

        I was worried, keeping us locked up.......Li Cheng Yin was also worried, because the food that they brought had drugs in it, he yelled out the window: Great Grandmother.........Do you want to force your grandson to die?" I didn't care, we don't have to eat the food.

　　
        Li Cheng Yin also didn't eat, we lied down on the bed with our starving stomachs, because the bed was the most comfortable place.

　　

        The Great Empress Dowager was very fierce, she didn't even help us change the fire pan.

　　

        Li Cheng Yin was being good to Zhao Liang Di, even though he was hungry, he didn't eat the food.

　　

        However lying on the bed was too boring, at first Li Cheng Yin played backgammon with me, however he kept winning while I kept losing, so he stopped playing with me, saying there was no point in playing. It was the middle of the day, I was so hungry that I didn't have the strength to talk, Li Cheng Yin pulled me and said: "Sing a song for me!" "Why should I sing for you?" "You can't sing?" Li Cheng Yin said: "Then I will go eat the noodle soup." I pulled him: "Fine! Fine! I will sing!" I didn't know how to sing any other song, I could only sing this song: "A fox was sitting on top of the sandy hill, sitting on the sandy hill, looking at the moon. It was not staring at the moon, but waiting for the woman that was tending a flock of sheep.......A fox was sitting on the sandy hill, sitting on the sandy hill, looking at the sun.....It wasn't staring at the sun, but waiting for the woman that passed by while riding on the horse....." Li Cheng Yin didn't like my singing, he didn't let me sing after singing the second verse. We were locked up, had nothing to do and just talking.

　　

        It was so boring, so Li Cheng Yin said a lot of things to me, he have never said so much things to me before. He told me why Eastern Palace was called Eastern Palace, talked about how he was naughty when he was a child, he told me how he used to pull old General Pei's beard. He also told me his favorite nanny passed away last year due to illness and how he felt very sad for a long period of time. He told me when he was young he had fought with Zhong Wang's son. Also his little brother from another mother, Li Cheng Ye, actually likes men. He also told me the reason why Princess Yong Ning wanted to leave home........I never imagined that there would be a day where Li Cheng Yin and I would just lie on bed and talk all day.

　　

        Also never thought talking can be so much fun.

　　

        I told him things outside of the palace, about me roaming on the streets, Li Cheng Yin was not as knowledgeable as I am, he was very interested in listening about it.

　　

        Li Cheng Yin asked me: "Where did you see it?" I wasn't able to respond quickly: "What?" Li Cheng Yin said: "Didn't you say you haven't done it, but you've seen it?" "Oh!" I was so excited that I was dancing with joy when describing about Ming Yu Fang. I was describing Ming Yu Fang as if it was heaven, with beautiful women singing and playing instruments.......Li Cheng Yin's expression was hard to look at: "You went to a brothel?" "What brothel? It's Ming Yu Fang!" "A Crown Princess going to a brothel!" Oh my god, his voice was so loud, people could hear it! I quickly covered his mouth: "Stop being so loud! I just wanted to see, I didn't do anything bad!" Li Cheng Yin glanced at me and vaguely said: "Unless.......you.......then I won't say anything......" Does he want to nibble my lips again?

　　
Notes:
[1] 龙涎香Ambergris- a waxlike substance that is produced inside the digestive system of a sperm whale
[2] 双陆 Backgammon- the oldest type of board game where a player wins when they are the first to remove all their pieces from the board
[3] 瑟瑟 Se Se- another name for Zhao Liang Di

<Chapter 15                                                                                                          Chapter 17>

东宫 Eastern Palace: Chapter 15

        The lights in the city gradually became sparse, the snow was like a thick layer of curtain, gradually covering the sky and the ground.
　　
        Pei Zhao finally put away the flute, he was actually playing the flute for this long. Once he stopped, he couldn't help but to cough a few times, probably because he consumed too much of the cold wind. He was very silly, I didn't tell him to stop and he played the flute for this long, not worried of damaging his lungs. Pei Zhao tried to restrain himself from coughing, faced towards me and said: "It is snowing, I should bring Crown Princess back."
　　
        I could see the snowflakes on his eyelashes, once he blinked it melted.
　　
        I stubbornly said: "I am not going back."
　　
       "Crown Princess....." "Don't call me Crown Princess."
　　
        Pei Zhao did not hesitate, remained composed and bowed: " Yes."
　　
        I felt frustrated, asked: "You like that princess?"
　　
        Pei Zhao was startled, but he didn't say anything.
　　
        I comforted him by patting his shoulder: "I knew you didn't like it! Never thought that you would also be forced to marry someone you don't like. You Central Plain men are pitiful, but I am the same. Even though Li Cheng Yin is the Crown Prince, he still can't have the person that he loves as the Crown Princess, you and him are the same....."

        My words of expression was probably used in a disordered way, so Pei Zhao's expression was uncomfortable. In the end, he only faintly said: "Yes."
　　
        I generously said: "Don't worry! I will treat you for some wine!"
　
        Pei Zhao coughed a few times. I generously told him: "I know someone in Ming Yu Fang [1]! She is very pretty! I could introduce her to you!"
　
        "Crown Princess....." "Don't call me Crown Princess!" I excitedly pulled him: "Go! Come with me to drink some wine!"
　　
        Pei Zhao never thought that I was a frequent visitor of Ming Yu Fang, when he saw my popularity there, he was shocked.

        When Wang Da Niang saw me, her eyes were smiling, grasping firmly to my sleeve: " Ai ya, Liang Gong Zi came! Ladies, Liang Gong Zi came!"
　
        Although Wang Da Niang's body is round, but her voice was clear, sharp and high pitched. A shout and countless ladies wearing red and green rushed here from downstairs and upstairs:"Liang Gong Zi came! Liang Gong Zi why did it take you this long to come? Liang Gong Zi you probably forgot about us......."

        I was escorted by them to go in: "No No........I was only passing by....."
　　
        "Yesterday Yue Niang even said Liang Gong Zi, if you never come here again, we would drink all the fifteen wines that you saved here." "Yes, also on the day it snowed, Yue Niang also left some tea for you to try!"
　
       "Today is snowing again, lets use the snow water to cook the wine!" "Great!"
　　
        It was so noisy that it made me felt dizzy, asked: "Where's Yue Niang? How come I don't see her?"

       "Yue Niang, she is sick!" I was surprised: "Sick?" "Yes! Lovesickness!"
　　
        Lovesickness? "Yesterday there was a wealthy guest that came to drink some tea and listen to some music, after that he left, never thought that Yue Niang would get lovesickness."
　　
       "What kind of person caused Yue Niang to have lovesickness?" "Based on what I saw, it was a scholar with an attractive appearance...."
　
        Hearing this was hopeless, I also heard Mr. Storyteller mentioned in many times in stories that it always involves a young man and a young lady not a young man and a prostitute. Also, Yue Niang is the number one prostitute and has slept with many men, how could she get lovesickness?
　　
        Yue Niang and I are sworn sisters, so I immediately went upstairs to her room to see her. She surely did not sleep yet, only leaning against the bird cage staring at the red candle on the table, not sure what she was thinking about.
　　
       "Shi wu!" I called her by her nickname.
　　
        Yue Niang looked at me, in a dispirited way: "You came?" I asked her: "You really have lovesickness?" "Sister you don't know, he's a god-like person!"

        

       "You taught me, men with that appearance shouldn't be treated as a usual guest! Not only did he have an attractive appearance, the way he speaks was out of the ordinary.....Even rare is that he doesn't treat me disrespectfully....." Yue Niang foolishly clasped her hands: "Please heaven, when will I be able to see him again......"

        

        He was not a woman dressed as a man right? I couldn't help, but ask her: "At that time when you recognized that I am a woman, you also said that I didn't treat you disrespectfully, so that is why you knew that I am a woman...." Yue Niang said: "How could he be a woman disguised as a man, I could tell by his presence, he is a man of all men....." I whispered into her ears: "Today I brought Pei Zhao here! Don't you want to get revenge? Do you want to use your beauty scheme as a way to take revenge? His father is the Great General, he is the high ranked General, I heard the Pei family have a lot of power and authority!" Yue Niang shook her head: "That's useless, even if it is a person like Pei Zhao with power and authority, it will not affect him. Also I heard that Noble Consort Gao will become the Empress." "Noble Consort Gao will become the Empress?" "Yes, rumors have been spreading around saying that the Emperor depose the Empress so that he could have Noble Consort Gao as the Empress." I cannot not admit that I as the Crown Princess is a failure, I didn't even know the popular choice for the Empress position. I only saw Noble Consort Gao two times, it was when I had to go see the Empress, I tried to think but I still couldn't remember how she looked like.

        

         I said: "If you could see the Emperor, then that would be good because he could help you with  your worries." Someone in Yue Niang's family was a government official, but was false accused by Gao Yu Ming and her whole family was executed. At that time she was only six to seven years old, luckily she ran away but was later sold to the brothel to sing. For years she has been wanting to take revenge, the first time she told me about her family background, she even cried. I sympathize her, but I couldn't do anything to help her.

        Yue Niang faintly sighed: "I worry that seeing the Emperor would not be of any use........I don't want to see the Emperor......I.......only.......don't know when I will be able to see that person....." Yue Niang really have lovesickness, even not concerned about taking revenge for her family, only thinking about that man.
　　
        I went down to drag Pei Zhao upstairs, Ming Yu Fang have fire pans everywhere, making the place very warm which was not suitable. Yue Niang is the number one beauty in the brothel, once you open the curtains in her room, the fragrant instantly hits you, pulling you inside. Pei Zhao was not used to going to these places, I sent the other beauties out of the room, only leaving Yue Niang here to drink wine with us.
　　
        I was hungry after playing around for so long, Ming Yu Fang's kitchen makes good food, if not I wouldn't have came here. One reason was to talk to Yue Niang, another reason was because the food here taste really good.
       
         Yue Niang was holding onto the pipa and sang one phrase then stopped: "Life will not yearn, but will yearn, hurtful yearn. Body floating like the cloud, heart flying like cotton...." Her voice was in a lazy tone, surely with a lovesickness accent. I looked at Pei Zhao once: "Why aren't you eating?" "Gong Zi you can eat, I am not hungry." I think he had improved, at least he won't answer with one word. I used my chopsticks and pointed for him to see: "This is the most delicious fish meat, it uses Persian spice,  it is not fishy, you're not trying it?" I highly recommended the fish meat, he tried some.
　
        On the way back to the palace, Pei Zhao asked me: "The woman just now, is she Chen family's dependent?" I didn't understand what he was saying, he asked again: "Yue Niang the one playing the pipa, is her last name Chen?" I nodded my head, using this chance to tell him about Yue Niang's family background and describing it in the most pitiful way.
　　
        We could finally see the walls of the Eastern Palace, Pei Zhao stopped, couldn't help but to ask: "Crown Princess, I have something to say, but I am not sure if it is appropriate to say." I dislike it when someone speak vaguely, I said: "Just say it." He stopped a bit before saying: "Crown Princess is pure and kind, Eastern Palace is a place filled with rumors. The Crown Prince is the heir of the throne, so he is in an awkward position. I believe Crown Princess should stop being with Yue Niang this type of person........" I have never thought Pei Zhao can be this dislikable, I laughed coldly: "I know you are all in the imperial family, looking down upon women like Yue Niang, but telling me to not be with my friends, that can't be done! I am not self-centered like you people, looking down at her because she is powerless, not being her friend. I know, Yue Niang is a prostitute. Tonight must have been uncomfortable for Pei General! Don't worry Pei General, I will never bring you to these types of places ever again, you can peacefully be the Emperor's son-in-law!" After that I didn't talk to Pei Zhao for the rest of the way back, he didn't say anything for a long time. I could only hear the horse's footsteps on the snow. The snow kept on falling, the ground had a thin layer of snow, the horse one step one slip, walking very slowly.

       I kept on walking to the south wall of the Eastern Palace, I didn't take much notice of Pei Zhao.
　　
        Many things have changed and out of my expectations because it is almost the new year. The palace have a lot of ceremonies, this year there is no Empress, a lot of things I have to deal with myself, women in the imperial family have to pay respect to the Emperor, host the ceremony......even though Noble Consort Gao is the one in charge of the imperial harem, but her position is just a Noble Consort. Yong Niang told me that a lot of people pay a lot of attention to this ceremony, so maybe the Emperor will allow Noble Consort Gao to take charge of the harem.
　　

　　"Noble Consort Gao will become the Empress?"
     
　　 "I don't dare to say that." Yong Niang respectfully told me. I know she would not randomly say her opinion on this issue, she also told me: "Crown Princess should also not discuss about this issue, this is not what a wife should be concerned about." I also thought that these days I have a lot of worries, I felt that my worries are even more frustrating than worrying about who will be the Empress. For example Zhao Liang Di had deducted Xu Bao Lin's expenses, Xu Bao Lin although honest, however her palace maids are not, very noisy, as a result fell into a trap set by Zhao Liang Di's palace maids, accusing them of stealing things from the storeroom, wanting to kick them out of the Eastern palace. In the end Xu Bao Lin cried in front of me, but I couldn't help her, if you want me to check the accounts book and take charge of this situation, then that's the same as taking my life. I could only comfort Xu Bao Lin, but still those two palace maids still got kicked out of the Eastern Palace, I could only tell Yong Niang to choose two new palace maids for Xu Bao Lin. Asides from these issues in the Eastern Palace, I was also worried about the Great Empress Dowager having the cold. Although her cold was not serious, but everyone in the palace was still worried because she is a seventy year old person. Also last time Li Cheng Yin accidentally twisted his neck and leg while horseback riding and striking a ball with a long wooden mallet, although the injury did not affect the way he walked, but it wasn't too long since his last injury, the Emperor was angry, fiercely scolding him, as a result I don't know what Zhao Liang Di did to trigger him, but he suddenly slapped her. This time he must have scolded her awfully, Zhao Liang Di was very angry to the point she was crying endlessly. Everyone was trying to calm him down, Li Cheng Yin's temper did get better, turned and left abruptly, spent several days alone in his palace hall. 

        Yong Niang advised me over and over again to go visit Li Cheng Yin, I understood what she meant, but I didn't pay much attention to it.
　　
        Never thought that even if I didn't go visit Li Cheng Yin, he would still come to my place.
　　
        That night was still snowing and it was cold, the fragrance in the palace hall evaporated, making me feel drowsy, so I slept early, Li Cheng Yin suddenly came.

         He only brought a palace maid, if A'Du didn't warn me, I wouldn't have known that he went on my bed. I was sleeping very deeply when A'Du shook me awake. I yawned and drowsily looked at him, thinking something was strange: "Why did you come here?" "To sleep!" He wasn't in a good mood, sitting there stretching out his legs, palace maid helped him take off his boots, helped him take off his coat, waved his hand and the palace maid have left. Once A'Du shook me awake, she disappeared even I don't know where she went.

　　

        I sneezed again, and then slept again, if it weren't for Li Cheng Yin, I would have kept on sleeping.
　　
        I unconsciously gave him half of my blanket, I don't know who helped him take off his clothes, he was only wearing a thin silk clothing. Men bodies are extremely warm like fire pans. The moment he stretched his arm, it reached my neck, then he put his hand behind my back, pulling me into his embrace. Even though it was very warm, but I didn't feel comfortable, after sleeping for a while I couldn't help but say: "Don't breathe on my neck...."

        He didn't say anything, continuing on kissing my neck, like a small dog biting me, biting me very painfully and itchy, couldn't help but to push him: "Stop biting me, if you bite me again I will not be able to sleep." He still didn't say anything, afterwards he blew into my ear, I hate it when my ears feel itchy, a laugh and it will weaken my body, he took advantage of this chance to rip open my clothes, I was instantly awake: "What are you doing?"

        Li Cheng Yin fiercely nibbled onto my mouth, I suddenly understood what he wanted to do, suddenly I kicked him away: "Ah!"
　　
        This one kick almost made him fall out of the bed, the mosquito net was all over his face, it took him some time before he could undo the mosquito net on his face, he glared at me angrily: "What is wrong with you?"

      

        "You want.....this.......this......go to Zhao Liang Di!" I don't want to be Zhao Liang Di's subsitute, even though I like Li Cheng Yin, but I don't like him treating me like this.  

        Li Cheng Yin gently laughed: "You are jealous." "Who is jealous?" I rolled my eyes: "Stop bring this to yourself and having to suffer the consequences!" Li Cheng Yin couldn't help but to correct me: "It's called imagining one's love is reciprocated but it's not!" I always say proverbs the wrong way, but the moment he corrected I was happy: "It's good that you know the love is not reciprocated and that you were thinking too much! Go find your Zhao Liang Di, or Xu Bao Lin, they probably miss you!" "What about you? You don't miss me?" "I have someone that I like!" Even though my heart was aching a bit, but the person that I like doesn't like me, also I was reluctant to admit it: "I don't miss you, whoever you go to or marry a few more Zhao Liang Di, Xu Bao Lin, I don't care." Li Cheng Yin's complexion was hard to look at, before his complexion wasn't like this whenever I mentioned Zhao Liang Di. After a moment, he laughed coldly: "You think I don't know, it is Pei Zhao!" I was speechless, only looking at him. "Don't forget your status, you are a married woman, I know, anyways your Western Liang's customs are ruined, not worried about humiliation, always going out of the palace with Pei Zhao, not even feeling a bit of shame!" I never thought he would know about me going out of the palace, I also never thought he would know that I went out to drink wine with Pei Zhao, I was angry out of humiliation: "You married one woman after another, me roaming around outside of the palace is not something bad, also Pei Zhao and I are innocent......" Li Cheng Yin laughed: "That's true, Pei Zhao doesn't have the guts to do something guilty with you. Also, he is going to marry Luo Xi soon, our princess who is unlike you Western Liang women, really......crazy!" The final words made me very angry, I jumped up to slap him, but he avoid it too quickly, so I was only able to hit his chin. I was so angry that my whole body was trembling: "You are always with so many women, I haven't said a word about that, Pei Zhao and I were only drinking wine, what gives you the reason to speak this way about me? What is wrong with Western Liang women?.......If your father didn't force my father, would my father be willing to marry his daughter off to a very far away place? If you people didn't use your powers, would I still marry you? Our Western Liang men, which ones are not stronger than you? You think I really want to marry you? You really think I wanted to be a Crown Princess? The person that I like is one thousand times one million times stronger than you, you can't even compare with them even with one hair strand......." Li Cheng Yin was very angry, he didn't even wear his cloak yet and he rushed straight out of bed. He kept walking straight to the door, then he turned around and said: "Don't worry! I will never come here ever again, you can go think about that person that is one thousand times one million times stronger than me!" He really was angry, even forgetting to wear his boots, don't know how he would go back without his boots.

Notes:
[1] 鸣玉坊 Ming Yu Fang - the name of the brothel

<Chapter 14                                                                                                                Chapter 16>

东宫 Eastern Palace: Chapter 14

I don't know what time I slept, I only remembered the imperial physicians buzzing around talking to each other, when I woke up I was lying by Li Cheng Yin's bedside, covered by a blanket. My legs were already numb, cannot even move, one movement will cause my bones to crack......I slept too deep, leaking saliva on Li Cheng Yin's sleeve.......Li Cheng Yin's sleeve!

        I suddenly jumped up. The whole night my chin was resting on Li Cheng Yin's shoulder, the inner palace was very quiet, not a single person was there. Li Cheng Yin was lying there already awake, he was staring at me while faintly smiling.

　

        I looked at his expression, I know he is fine now. I used all my strength to recover from the numbness in my legs but my efforts were in vain, I couldn't even stand up, also my waist.......It was daytime, my waist was sore and painful, as if it was ran over my a cart, I will never sleep like that ever again.

　　

         I used my strength, finally able to stand up with the support of my hand, I tried to walk step by step. I didn't know if I should call someone to support me, or I should keep walking by myself. At this moment Li Cheng Yin finally said something: "Where are you going?" "Going back to my place to sleep......" Even my tongue was numb, I almost bit my own tongue while talking.

       "Are you a pig, able to sleep anywhere, you could even sleep lying there like that, I tried to wake you up but you didn't wake up." I restrained myself from rolling my eyes, this person had recovered a bit and he still have this much strength to argue with me.

　

        He patted his bed.

　　

       "What?"

　　

       "Don't you want to sleep? This bed is big enough." His bed was quite big, compared to an ordinary bed Li Cheng Yin's bed was very big, eight to ten people can sleep on that bed. However that was not the main point, I couldn't help but ask: "You want me to sleep with you?"  Li Cheng Yin said: "It's not like you haven't slept here before." That was true.

        I was very exhausted, climbed onto the bed, Li Cheng Yin originally gave me half of the blanket, I was scared that I might accidentally hit his wound, so I reached out and used the blanket to cover his wound. After that I comfortably fell asleep. 

        Afterwards, Yong Niang quietly woke me up, I quietly put on my clothes. Yong Niang quietly told me that the imperial decree of the deposition of the Empress has finally been passed. The Empress Dowager had to come out to appease everyone, the imperial harem is now very calm. 

　　

        Asides from the imperial decree to depose the Empress, there was another special imperial decree which was to restore Zhao Liang Di back to her original status because she was innocent.

        I looked at Li Cheng Yin sadly, he was lying there sleeping. He hasn't woke up yet because his wound was very serious, for the past few days the colour of his face was very pale as if there was no signs of colour, he got skinnier, even the rims of his eyes were black.

        I faced towards Yong Niang and said: "Send someone to bring Zhao Liang Di here to take care of the Crown Prince." This place originally does not belong to me, but I keep coming here for the past few days.

        I didn't wait for Yong Niang to speak, I went out of the inner palace, ordered someone to bring the carriage.

        I returned to my own palace hall, slept as soon as I went inside. I had slept for too long, I looked at myself in the mirror, if I was prettier, would Li Cheng Yin like me?

　　

        Li Cheng Yin had always loved to dislike me, I don't even care, however after what had happened before, I realized that I really do care. Right now he is alive, I hoped he would like me because when he was about to die, I realized that I really did like him. 

        However, he only likes Zhao Liang Di.

　　

        I have never been worried about this before.

　　
        I want to eat but I can't eat, I want to sleep but I can't sleep, everyday I would sit there staring blankly.

　　

        Zhao Liang Di had returned to her own courtyard, the Empress Dowager felt that she had been wronged, so she had bestowed her with some precious objects. Also, Zhao Liang Di's father had been promoted to an upper status as an government official, as a result of this more and more people try to please her. Her courtyard became more lively, occasionally I would pass by her place and I could hear laughter, the sound of the guan, and singing coming from the inside. 

　　

        Li Cheng Yin had almost recovered from the injury, even though I haven't seen him, but one time I heard his laughter.

        If he was able to laugh that much, then it was a good thing.

　　

        On the day when it had snowed, two things had happened, the first thing was an imperial decree has been passed in which Princess Luo Zi was to marry Pei Zhao; the second thing was Xu Niang was brought back to the Eastern Palace.

        Pei Zhao's family background was very good, his mother is Princess Ping Nan, Yong Niang told me: "Pei General is about to become the Emperor's son-in-law." I heard Central Plains pay particular to cementing old ties by marriage.

  

        I remembered before I had a dream, which was quite disappointing. After Pei Zhao became the Emperor's son-in-law, he might rise in ranks, if he is no longer the general of Eastern Palace, I might not be able to see him ever again. 

　　

        I don't see Li Cheng Yin often, now I might not be able to see Pei Zhao.

　　
        Yong Niang help arranged a courtyard for Xu Niang to settle down in the Eastern Palace, she said the courtyard was quiet, Xu Niang's health was not good, she should quietly rest for a short period of time.

　　

        I think it was because Li Cheng Yin didn't like her, so Yong Niang picked a place that was far away from the main palace hall. Yong Niang faced towards me and said: "Zhao Liang Di has been cutting the edge vigorously, Crown Princess should avoid." I couldn't understand what Yong Niang was saying, but I understand that she wanted me to avoid Zhao Liang Di.

　

        I wasn't happy in the Eastern Palace anyways, fortunately A'Du has recovered from her injury, I could bring A'Du with me outside and have fun.

　　
        I haven't came out for one to two months, the weather suddenly became cold, it was also snowing, but because it was almost the new year, it was very crowded and lively outside of the palace.

　　

        The street was very crowded, everywhere was completely packed with vendor stalls and peddlers, selling snow willows, selling banners, selling food, selling new year drawings.......sideshows, puppet shows, firecrackers, walking on ropes.......It was really crowded with people. I quite like this liveliness, I have always liked to bring A'Du to these places to look here and there.

        However, I don't know what happened today, I felt so unspirited. Not long after, I pulled A'Du into Mi Luo's wine shop to drink some wine.

        The wine shop was also very lively, from far away I could hear Mi Luo's laughter, clear and loud voice.

　　

        When I stepped into the wine shop, I realized that she was joking around with a certain person, that person I recognize, it was Pei Zhao.

        I didn't expect to see Pei Zhao here, I couldn’t help but stare blankly at him, he probably didn't expect that I would be here, so he stared blankly.

　　

        I saw Pei Zhao wearing a normal gown, all relaxed, I raised my hand to greet him and called him: "Pei Gong Zi." His reaction was really quick, he raised his hand to greet me: "Liang Gong Zi." The wine shop was filled with people, only Pei Zhao's table had empty seats, I impolitely told A'Du to sit down first, then I ordered two jars of wine.

        This phrase how should I say it, using wine to wash out my worries.

　　
        Even if I don't have anything to worry about, but I felt bored, so I drank two bowls of alcohol afterwards, my mood gradually became better.

　　

        I grabbed the chopstick and hit it against the bowl, humming to the song from the Western Liang: "One fox sitting on top of the sandy hill, sitting on the sandy hill, staring at the moon....." A few people were clapping their hands in the wine shop.  However, I was not in the mood, so I couldn't help but let out a sigh. I drank another bowl of wine, started to eat the delicious lamb meat. A'Du pulled the corner of my clothes, I know she wanted me to drink less, but I ignored her. As I lowered my head to eat the lamb meat, I suddenly heard a sound, it was the sound of a flute. I lifted my head to look at Pei Zhao.

        I don't know when A'Du gave the flute to him. With his focused attention, he played a very thin and soft melody.

　

        I dragged my chin, listening to him play the flute.

　　

        This time he was playing a melody of the song that I was singing to earlier, surely he has never heard of this song before because the melody was not smooth, but the tuning of the music was not wrong. He would play a verse and then stop, however after playing the song once, the melody became smoother the second time. This song is suppose to be cheerful and lighthearted, but I don't know why when I listened to this song, I felt sad and heartbroken-ed. 

　

        Pei Zhao played another verse before putting down the flute.

　

        I drank another bowl of wine, faced towards him and said: "Can you help me with something?" Pei Zhao was very polite: " Gong Zi please tell me."  "I never went to the city gate tower before, can you secretly bring me there?"

       The colour of Pei Zhao's face didn't look good, I was talking to myself: "Forget it, pretend that I didn't say anything."

　　

        Never thought Pei Zhao would say: "Secretly going there is not convenient. There is another method, however it may make you feel uncomfortable, which is for Gong Zi to act as my attendant." 

        I suddenly felt awake, clapped my hands and smiled: "This is not a problem."

　　

        A'Du and I pretended to be Pei Zhao's attendants, following him to the gate.

　　

        This gate tower is the Capital's highest place, even higher than the LingLong Pavilion in the imperial palace. This place is the south main entrance of the Capital, so it is being guarded very strictly. Pei Zhao showed his badge, we smoothly went up the city gate tower.

        Standing on top of the city gate tower, the wind was blowing at my face.

　　

        Pei Zhao was pointing for me to see: "This way is the Eastern Palace."

　　

        Whether I was able to see Eastern Palace was not important, I stood on my tiptoes only wanted to see further.

　　

        Standing on such a high place, still Western Liang cannot be seen.

　　

        I suddenly felt disappointed and frustrated, in a dispirited way I asked Pei Zhao: "Do you miss home?"

　　

        A moment later, he said: "I was born here in the Capital, I have never left here before, so I have never felt that way."

　　

        I felt like I was not interested, so I only looked at him once. The wind was strong at top of the gate tower, his gown sleeves were moving slightly. He stood far away from me, the lights at the gate tower were dim, I couldn't see what expression was on his face. I faced towards him and said: "Play a song for me."

        A'Du gave him the flute, he slowly played the song that I just sang.

　　

        I sat on top of the gate walls, humming to the sound of the flute: "One fox sitting on top of the sandy hill, sitting on the sandy hill, staring at the moon....."

　

        I don't know how much time have passed, I stopped humming, however the sound of the flute was still beside me. Hearing this type of familiar melody made me felt relaxed. Even if the top of the gate tower was cold, the bottom of my heart still felt a little bit of warmth, this Western Liang melody is Western Liang's breath. This is the only thing in the big, bustling Capital city that is familiar to me.

        The sky is filled with clouds covering the moon and the stars, only wind hitting our faces, very painful. I felt tired, yawned, leaning onto A'Du.

        The sound of the flute gradually floating like the winter mist, floating in my dreams.

        I was about to fall asleep. 

　

        At this moment, my face felt cold, I lifted my head up.

　　

        It was snowing, countless snowflakes were falling endlessly, I don't know when the wind had stopped, only snow falling to the ground continuously. Sparkling and translucent snowflakes scattered in all directions.

<Chapter 13                                                                                                             Chapter 15>