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>

东宫 Eastern Palace: Chapter 13

I wanted to pick up the knife, he brushed away the knife causing the knife to be rolled away. I was so angry that I wanted to slap him, but he reached out and grabbed my wrist, the rims of my eyes were heating up and said: "If you don't want to save her, then hurry up and go away, I don't want to see you ever again!" Gu Jian looked at me and sighed, said: "Don't worry, I will go and save her."I used an excuse to send people out of A'Du's room, then I waved in the window to tell Gu Jian to come inside. Gu Jian jumped inside from the window without a sound, carefully examining A'Du's condition. He said to me: "The person that caused the injury was very harsh, almost destroying her acupuncture points." My heart was trembling, he said:" But I have a way to save her." He looked at me once, "But if I save her, then how would you repay me?" I hurriedly said: "You are saying this at this very moment. If you save A'Du, then I will give you as much money as you want." He said: "I want money to do what? You are belittling me." I asked: "What do you want?" He laughed: "If.......If you kiss me." I was so angry that I wanted to faint, why do men like to nibble mouths?

        Li Cheng Yin was like that, even a high martial artist Gu Jian was like that too.

        I bit my teeth, stepped forward to block his shoulders, tiptoed and furiously nibbled his mouth.

        I didn't expect that he would push me away, suddenly asking me: "Who taught you this?" I was confused: "What?" "Before you would only kiss my cheeks, who taught you?" His complexion changed, "Li Cheng Yin?" I was scared that he would not save A'Du, so I did not argue with him.

　    His complexion became even worse: "You let Li Cheng Yin kiss you?" Li Cheng Yin is my husband, I can't let him kiss me? I was actually afraid of Gu Jian, scared that he would become angry and go kill Li Cheng Yin. His whole body was tense, so he could become crazy anytime, also his gaze was very hard to look at, furiously glaring at me.

　　I couldn't hold it any longer, loudly said: "You said it yourself, that time I waited for you three days three nights, it was you who did not come. Don't say that I didn't remember anything, even if I did remember anything, we probably wouldn't be together anyways, I already am married to another person. You can agree to save A'Du, but if you don't agree, then I would not force you to save her. However, if you want me to betray my husband, then I will never be able to do that. We Western Liang women, although we are not like Central Plain women who would die for their husbands, but I am now married to Li Cheng Yin, he is my husband. No matter what happened to us before, we have no feelings for each other." Gu Jian hearing this phrase, moved one step backwards, I could feel that his eyes were fuming with fire, an indescribable......... sadness? However, I was already ready to be harsh to him. I was saying all this to let Gu Jian know that Li Cheng Yin treats me well, even if he doesn't treat me well, for the sake of Western Liang I will marry him, he even pushed me away in a dangerous situation, I shouldn't betray him.

　    I said: "You can go, I would not beg you to save A'Du again." He laughed: "Xiao Feng.......This is how you repay me." He reached out his hands to support A'Du, and placed his palms on her sleeveless garment, helping her heal her injury.

       Gu Jian was still healing A'Du even when the sky turned dark. I was sitting by the door, scared that someone will come in and interrupt them. However, I haven't slept for days, I was leaning on the side, almost falling asleep. Gu Jian walked out,  I asked him: "How was it?" He faintly said: "She didn't die." I went inside seeing A'Du there, her complexion was way better than before, I let out a sigh of relief.

        I thanked Gu Jian three times, he didn't say anything, only taking out a package of herbal medicine and giving it to me: "You said Li Cheng Yin is suffering from a serious injury, this medicine can help treat his injury, take it and give it to him." I don't understand why he was suddenly so kind, perhaps I had a suspicious look on my face, he suddenly laughed coldly: "What, are you scared that I would poison him?" I was busy putting away the medicine: "If he recovers, I will thank you again." Gu Jian coldly laughed once, said: "No need to thank me, I am not that kind. I will wait until he recovers, then I will use my sword to kill him, I have never killed someone that cannot resist my powers, once he recovers, then it would be the moment he gives up his life to me." I gave him this look: "I know you wouldn't do that, once he recovers, I will invite you to drink some wine." Gu Jian did not argue with me anymore, turned around and left.

        Even though I said that, I still gave the medicine to the imperial physicians to examine the medicine, they took out the medicine and smelled it, looked at it, but they don't recognize this medicine, and they don't dare to give it to Li Cheng Yin. I hesitated for half a day, allowing some people to apply the medicine on their arms. Asides from a cold feeling when applying the medicine, there were no side effects. The second day I tried the medicine on my skin, I couldn't see any problems with it. I felt relieved a bit, this Gu Jian is someone with exceptional martial arts skills, so he must have some type of powerful medicine, this medicine might be some good stuff. The third day I quietly went in and applied the medicine to Li Cheng Yin's wound.
　
        I don't know if it was Gu Jian's medicine or the imperial physicians' medicine that was effective, but on the fourth day at dusk, Li Cheng Yin's fever was gone.
　
         His fever was gone, so everyone let out a sigh of relief. I was advised by others to return and sleep, I slept but not too long after I was awakened by Yong Niang, said: "Crown Prince's condition had worsen." I hurried to Li Cheng Yin's place, when I arrived there were a lot of people, the imperial physicians saw that I was coming, cleared the pathway. I went to the bedside, I could only see that his complexion was pale, breathing very rapidly, the wound was leaking out yellow water, he was still unconscious.

        The imperial physician said: "The Crown Prince's lungs has been damaged, the wind going into the veins was extremely dangerous." I don't know if it was the medicine that I applied to the wound that was the problem, but everyone was panic-stricken, the Emperor had sent some people here, but the imperial physicians were unable to do anything as they couldn't think of any possible method. My heart had calmed down, sitting in front of the bed, holding onto Li Cheng Yin's hand, his hand was very cold, I placed his hands in my hands and used my warmth to warm his hands.
　
        The imperial physicians were still discussing, I could care less about them. As the night passed by, there were lesser people in the palace hall, Yong Niang gave me an outer clothing. I was by Li Cheng Yin's bedside, without blinking my eyes watching him.
　　
        He is very handsome, the first time I saw Li Cheng Yin, I thought he was very handsome. His eyebrows are dark and concentrated, straight nose, snowy white complexion like white jade. However, his fair complexion was not like a woman, his fair complexion was like a refined person, not like Western Liang men who are rough, he was like the Central Plain water, Central Plain mountain, Central Plain capital city, like warm and gentle air.
　　
        I remembered something, facing towards Yong Niang said: "Tell someone to release Zhao Liang Di, and let her come and visit the Crown Prince." Although Zhao Liang Di was demoted to a status of a commoner, but I got used to calling her Zhao Liang Di. Yong Niang wrinkled her eyebrows, said: Right now there is a big situation happening in the palace, Zhao Shu Ren's [1] situation involves the Empress......I think if we don't have the Emperor's decree, the Crown Princess should not....." I got angry, faced towards her: "Right now Li Cheng Yin is injured, he favors Zhao Liang Di the most, why can't we let Zhao Liang Di visit him? Also, isn't Zhao Liang Di innocent? Since Zhao Liang Di is innocent, why can't we let her visit Li Cheng Yin?" I gave her a serious look, she immediately told someone to bring Zhao Liang Di.

        I haven't seen her for a long period of time, Zhao Liang Di got skinner. She was originally a well-rounded beauty, but now that she got skinner, and also her status now is a commoner, she could only wear ordinary hairpins and clothes, she seemed very pitiful. She bowed to me, I faced towards her and said: "The Crown Prince's wound is very serious, so I brought you here to visit him." Zhao Liang Di suddenly lifted up her head and looked at me, the inner corners of her eyes already had tears. Her crying like this made my throat ache, said: "You go in and look after him, but do not cry." Zhao Liang Di wiped her tears and lowered her voice: "Yes." She went inside and kneeled in front of Li Cheng Yin's bed, even arriving there she was still crying, crying to the point my heart felt bothered. I went out the door, and sat outside by the doorsteps, lifted up my head and looked at the sky.

        The sky was dark like black silk, covered by stars.
　
        I felt I was a pitiful person, like an unnecessary person.
　　
        At this moment, a person came over and bowed to me: "Crown Princess." His body armor was creating a sharp and clear sound, very pleasant to hear. At this moment, I actually didn't wanted to see anyone, but Pei Zhao had saved me quite a few times, so I shouldn't ignore him. I gave a faint smile: "Pei General." "The wind at night is very cold, Crown Princess sitting by the door."

        It was actually quite cold, I used my outer clothing to wrap myself, asked Pei Zhao: "Do you have a wife?"
　　
        Pei Zhao was startled: "I am not married yet."
　
        "You Central Plain people pay particular attention to parent's commands, believing in matchmaking. We Western Liang people, if we find someone we love, all we have to do is hit a pair of wild goose, wrap it with cloth and bring it to the lady's family, this would be considered proposing a marriage, as long as the lady agrees, the parents cannot stop the marriage. Pei General, if you marry someone in the future, you have to marry someone you like. If not, you will hurt your own heart, and hurt the other person's heart." Pei Zhao did not say anything.

        I lifted up my head to look at the stars in the sky, cannot help but sighed: "I miss the Western Liang." Actually I know myself that I don't actually miss Western Liang, it was just that I felt very terrible right now. If I felt sad, I would always think about Western Liang.

        Pei Zhao's tone of voice was very gentle and warm: "Here is very windy, Crown Princess should go back inside." I felt dispirited: "I am not going inside, Zhao Liang Di is inside, if Li Cheng Yin regains consciousness, he would not want to see me interrupt them. Right now he is still unconscious, let Zhao Liang Di stay by his side and take care of him. If he knows, his wound would get better quickly." Pei Zhao did not say anything, he turned his body and moved two steps backwards, standing beside me. I don't feel like talking to him, putting my hands underneath my chin, If Li Cheng Yin recovers, knowing that Zhao Liang Di is innocent, he would be very happy. At that moment, then Zhao Liang Di can restore her original status, and at that moment I will once again be the person that people dislike.

        At least the person that Li Cheng Yin dislikes.
　　
        My heart was confused, drawing on the ground with my foot nonstop. I don't know how much time had passed, Yong Niang came out, quietly said to me: "Letting Zhao Shu Ren [1] stay there for too long is not good, I already sent people to bring her back." I let out a sigh.

        Yong Niang must have know what my heart was thinking, quietly whispered in my ear: "Crown Princess don't worry, I was inside the whole time, Zhao Shu Ren did not say anything, only crying." I'm not even worried what she had said to Li Cheng Yin, because even if she didn't say anything to Li Cheng Yin, Li Cheng Yin would still like her.
　
        Pei Zhao had bowed to me: "Now is a very crucial moment, Crown Princess please take care of yourself." I stood up and said: "I am going inside." Pei Zhao bowed to me, I turned around and walked through the palace hall door, the wind blowing through, I could feel the coldness, but before I couldn't feel it. I suddenly remembered something, it was because Pei Zhao was standing beside me, blocking the wind for me.

        I couldn't help but turned around to look, Pei Zhao was already at the bottom of the stairs. He probably didn't think that I would look back, so when he was looking at me, I turned around and we were both staring at each other, his expression was like he was uncomfortable as if he thought he did something wrong, but he quickly moved away from my gaze.

        I could care less about Pei Zhao's weirdness, I stepped in the palace hall, saw everyone's worried faces, I also had a worried face.
　　
        Li Cheng Yin was still unconscious, the imperial physicians's tone of voice was very soft, but I could understand what they were saying. If he stays unconscious then the situation would not be good.

        I don't know what to do. Li Cheng Yin's hands were pale as if there was no signs of color. I touched his hands, they were still cold.
　　
         I was too tired, I haven't slept for the past few days, I was sitting there saying things endlessly to Li Cheng Yin, I have never spoken to Li Cheng Yin in this manner before, we would just argue with each other.  The first time I met him, what day was it? It was the night of our marriage ceremony, it took the whole night for my veil to be lifted, which made me so bored. The moment my veil was lifted by him, all four sides were very bright, the candle lights were very bright, reflecting on his face, his person. He was wearing a black gown with delicate flower patterns.  A few months before that, Yong Niang urged me to memorize this book with ceremony rituals and standards, nine pages describing the black gown with crimson colour. Five pages on clothes, dragon, mountain, insects, fire, wine vessel; four pages on garments, algae, rice powder, and embroidery. 

        Central Plain's Crown Prince, wearing such elegant and well-known clothes. I remembered when I was reciting the book, it took me a while until I could memorize the whole book, because a lot of the words I could not recognize.

        At that moment I did like him, but he didn't like me because once he lifted my veil, he turned around and left, we didn't even drink the cup of wine together.
　　
        Actually when he left, I let out a sigh of relief because I don't know if I could even sleep with a stranger. 
　　
        Yong Niang was with me the whole night that night, she was scared that I would get angry and miss my family. She kept on explaining to me that the Crown Prince had catched a cold and that he was scared that he might spread the cold to me.

        His cold was three years.
　
        At the Eastern Palace, I felt so lonely.

        I came here alone from a far away place, although I have A'Du with me but she could not speak. If Li Cheng Yin didn't argue with me, I would've felt even more lonely.

        Right now he was about to die, I was thinking about everything good about him. I was digging through thoughts, I was saying things about the past to him, I am afraid if I don't say it to him now, if he dies I will not be able to say it to him again. The good things I thought I would've forgotten, but I did not. I even told him about the times we argued with each other, telling him every single word for him to listen. Telling him that at that time I was very angry, angry to death. I was pretending that I didn't care because in order to win an argument, you just have to pretend that you didn't care, then I would be able to choke Li Cheng Yin to the point he has nothing to say.

        Also the mandarin duck incident, a lot of people were laughing about me, the Empress was teaching me a lesson.
　　

        I kept on saying things to him, but I don't know why, maybe I was afraid, maybe I was afraid that Li Cheng Yin might really die. The night was very quiet, the candle lights were reflecting on the curtain, the inner palace hall was deep and wide, it was dark, quiet, only me muttering to myself.
     
         Actually I was very scared that I would become a widow. At Western Liang, if the husband was dead, then the woman would have to marry the husband's little brother, like Princess Peng Yu from the Central Plains, originally she was supposed to be married to my Father's brother, but she ended up being married to my Father. Although Central Plains do not have these types of rules, but thinking that Li Cheng Yin might die soon, I couldn't help but tremble. If he dies, I would feel even worse than now. I was forcing myself not to think about it anymore, only forcing myself to say nonsense.

        Actually I didn't hate Li Cheng Yin as much as I thought, although he makes me angry sometimes, but for the past three years our interactions with each other was little to the point it could be counted with my fingers. Asides from the times when he would come and find me to cause trouble because of Zhao Liang Di, we actually don't argue that much. At times when we don't argue, I am not used to it.........Also copying books, although I hate copying books the most, however because I have been punished to copy books way too much, right now my writing skills has improved a lot. I have copied a book so much that I could even recite the whole book. Also there was something that I didn't tell anyone, there were a lot of words that I don't recognize in the book, sometimes I don't know how to read a certain word, but I would copy the word exactly the same, no one would even know that I didn't recognize that word.
　　
        Also, Li Cheng Yin's Yin (鄞), the word was really strange, the first time when I saw this word, I thought it was this word (勤).......... I didn't know what this word meant. I heard that people from the Central Plains pay particular attention when creating names, why would they give this name to him?
　　
        Yin Zhou (鄞州) [2]......
　　
        I have been talking to myself for half of the night, when someone tried to talk to me, I was unable to stop, randomly asking them: "Huh? What is Yin Zhou?"
　　
        "The late Emperor was from Yin Zhou.....Zhong Zhou (中州) from the east.......Liang Zhou (梁州) from the south......Long Xing (龙兴) from the ground........so.......I am called Cheng Yin (承鄞)......" I opened my mouth very wide, staring at the man lying on the bed that was on the verge of dying, his voice was very soft, but you could still hear it clearly, he seemed to have regained consciousness. Although his eyes was only half opened, but he was staring at me.
　
        I was staring there blankly, but at last I jumped and yelled: "Ah!" My voice must be very scary because everyone rushed in, the imperial physicians thought Li Cheng Yin's condition had worsen, so they rushed in: "What happened to the Crown Prince? What happened to the Crown Prince?" I used my finger and pointed at Li Cheng Yin, even I couldn't say things clearly, stuttered: "He.......He......." Li Cheng Yin was lying there, staring at me with an expressionless face, the imperial physicians were crying tears of joy: "The Crown Prince is awake! The Crown Prince is awake! Hurry and send someone to report this to the Emperor! The Crown Prince has regained consciousness....." The Eastern palace was jumping up and down, everyone was in a happy state. The imperial physicians have stated that if Li Cheng Yin regained consciousness, his wound would be able to recover. The imperial physicians were all celebrating, everyone was smiling, the people in the palace were celebrating as if it was New Years, spreading the news everywhere. The imperial physicians were examining his acupuncture points and writing prescriptions, running here and running there, like a bee buzzing around. It was the middle of the night and the noisiness made me want to sleep.

Notes:
[1] 庶人 Shu ren- commoner
[2] 鄞州 Yin Zhou- The district of Ningbo in Zhejiang province of China

<Chapter 12                                                                                                               Chapter 14>

东宫 Eastern Palace: Chapter 12

I supported Li Cheng Yin with my hands, half of his body was covered in blood, the wound was continuously pouring out blood. I was worried and scared, he asked me: "Did you get injured?......." He hasn't finished speaking yet and he spit out a mouthful of blood, the blood landed on top of my clothes, I cried and called out his name: "Li Cheng Yin!"

        I have always hated Li Cheng Yin, but I never wanted him to die.
　　
        I pulled his hand, the corner of his mouth was covered in blood, but he laughed: "I have never seen you cried before....Are you scared that you will become a widow?....."

        At this moment he was joking around, I was crying even more, I hurriedly tried to cover the wound with my hand, but the wound kept leaking more blood, I was so scared. A lot of palace maids came in, some of them saw blood and fainted, the palace hall was in a state of confusion. I heard Pei Zhao giving out orders outside, he suddenly came in, it was as if I saw a life savior: "Pei General!"

        Seeing this situation, he immediately ordered people: "Hurry and go find the imperial physicians!"
　　
        Afterwards he came forward, using his hands to examine Li Cheng Yin's acupuncture points. Seeing I was holding Li Cheng Yin very tightly, said: "Crown Princess, please let go of the Crown Prince, I would take care of the Crown Prince's wound."

        I was panicking, Pei Zhao seeing me in this state had calmed me down. I let go of Li Cheng Yin, he took off Li Cheng Yin's clothing and then wrinkled his eyebrow, I don't know what it meant when he wrinkled his eyebrow, but not too long after I knew what it meant because the imperial physicians quickly arrived, around half of the imperial physicians came to the Eastern Palace. The Emperor and Empress came to visit as well.
　　
        I heard the imperial physicians telling the Emperor: "The wound is too deep, the Emperor please forgive us as we are incapable of treating the wound....."
　
        The Empress was already crying, using the handkerchief to wipe the tears. The Emperor's complexion was very hard to look at, I couldn't cry anymore, I need to wait for A'Du to come back.
　　
        Pei Zhao already ordered some people to go chase after the assassin, I wasn't only worried about Li Cheng Yin, I was also worried about A'Du.
　　
        A'Du finally came back at dawn, her injuries were very serious, she was carried by Pei Zhao's people. I called A'Du's name, she faintly opened her eyes and looked at me once. She wanted to lift her hand up, but she didn't have any strength left, only faintly moving her finger. I was looking at where she was looking at and she was looking at my clothes.
　　
        My clothes were covered in blood, all Li Cheng Yin's blood. I understood what A'Du meant, I held her hand, holding myself from crying telling her: "I am alright."

        A'Du felt relieved, she placed a heavy object in my hand, and then she fainted.
　　
        I felt pain, regret, and hatred.
　　
        Li Cheng Yin was injured by the assassin because he stood in front of me, he pushed me to the side, I helplessly watch the long sword go into his body. Also, this person had injured A'Du as well.
　
         This was because of me, before we entered into Li Cheng Yin's place I told A'Du to give me her knife. A'Du went chasing after the assassin without her knife.
　　
         Following me was my A'Du, using her life to protect me was my A'Du.
　　
        I felt sorry for her, it was me that caused all the trouble, causing her to substitute for me to suffer hardship.
　　
        I was crying very hard.
　
        No one consoled me, the Eastern Palace was in a disordered state, everyone was very concerned about Li Cheng Yin's injury. His injury was very serious, he might die soon, A'Du also might die soon. Li Cheng Yin, my husband, will die soon.
　
        I was crying for a long time until Pei Zhao came over and said: "Crown Princess." Afterwards said, "my people said that when they arrived at that moment, they could only see A'Du lying there unconscious and they couldn't see the assassin there, so they could only bring A'Du back. The nine gate is closed securely, so the assassin will not be able to escape. The Yu Lin army is actively searching for the assassin, so Crown Princess do not worry, the assassin would not be able to escape."

        I looked at the object that A'Du gave me, this object was very strange, it was a piece of wood with strange carving on it, I couldn't tell what it was.

        I gave the object to Pei Zhao: "This was given to me by A'Du, it might have something to do with the assassin."
　　
        Pei Zhao sighed, he must have recognized this object. I asked: "What is this?"
　　
        Pei Zhao  moved a step backwards and returned the piece of wood to me, said: "This is a very serious issue, Crown Princess please present this to the Emperor."

        I also thought I should present this to the Emperor, he was the Emperor, he was the father of my husband, he was the person with the most power. Someone tried to kill his son and kill A'Du, he must help us find the murderer.

        I wiped my tears, I let the palace maids go report that I wanted to see the Emperor.
　　
        The Emperor and the Empress were still in the palace hall, the Emperor quickly let me in, I went inside and bowed to him: "Father."
　　
        I barely get to see the Emperor, everytime I see him he would be sitting very far away, it was the first time seeing him this close. I realized he was just as old as my father, the hair on his temples were white.
　　
         He was very polite to me, telling the people on the side: "Help support the Crown Princess to get up."
　　
        I refused the palace maid's support: "A'Du chased the assassin and ended up getting injured, the Yu Lin army saved her and brought her back. She gave me this object,  I don't recognize this object, so I am giving this to your Majesty. This object may have something to do with the assassin." I lifted the piece of wood and tapped it, "Your Majesty please investigate."

        The palace maid took the wood and gave it to the Emperor, I saw the Emperor's complexion suddenly changed.
　
        He faced towards the Empress: "Mei Niang!"
　　
        I just knew that the Empress's name was called Mei Niang.
　
        The Empress's complexion also changed, she suddenly pointed at me: "You! You are framing me!'
　
        I was confused, staring at her. The Empress kneeled down: Your Majesty please investigate, I raised Yin Er with my own hands, I spent my lifetime raising Yin Er, I would not harm him!"
　
        The Emperor did not say anything, the Empress turned around and blamed me: "Who influenced you to do this, suddenly using this method to frame me?"

        I couldn't even read the words from the Central Plains, I couldn't even read what was carved on the wood, I have not seen this object before, so I was only staring at the Empress in a confused state.
　　
        The Emperor finally said something: "Mei Niang, she does not even recognize this object, how could she frame you?"
　　
        The Empress became alarmed: "Your Majesty, you should not easily trust rumors. Why would I want to harm the Crown Prince? I raised Yin Er with my own hands, I regarded him as my own son......"
　　
        The Emperor faintly said: "Own son.......Maybe not."
　　
       The Empress covered her face and shed some tears: "Your Majesty, this phrase is just trying to expose that I have ulterior motives. Although I did not give birth to him, how am I different than a birth mother? When Yin Er was three months old, I brought him to the Central Palace and raised him with my own hands, teaching him how to behave, teaching him how to read......It was me that advise you to give him the title as a Crown Prince, I spent my lifetime on him, why would I send someone to kill him?"

        The Emperor suddenly laughed: "Xu Bao Lin was innocent, why did you harm her?"
　
        The Empress lifted up her face and stared at the Emperor.
　
       " I don't pay attention to anything about the imperial harem, but it doesn't mean that I don't know, you doing so many evil deeds was enough. Why did you have to harm Xu Bao Lin, but also you wanted to get rid of Zhao Liang Di? Zhao Liang Di's father and brother hold massive military power, if Li Cheng Yin ascends the throne in the future, even if we don't give her the title of an Empress, we could still give her the title of a imperial consort. Having them as in-laws, how could you mistreat them? Why are you worried about Li Cheng Yin ascending the throne? What are you afraid of? Are you scared that he would mistreat you? The Empress strongly said: "Why would I be worried?......Your Majesty saying this, I don't understand. "Yes, why did you have to worry?" The Emperor faintly said, "You are just worried that Yin Er might find out how his birth mother died."
　
        The Empress's complexion became dark, she fell to the ground.
　　

        The Emperor said: "You are too eager, what harm can be caused if you just wait for twenty years more? Just wait until I die, Yin Er ascend the throne, give the title of an Empress to Zhao Liang Di, then this would anger Western Liang and he would use force to win over Western Liang. However, this would cause the two countries to become enemies and the two countries would fight until the end. You are creating such a big fuss, using these tricks, is it because when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess got closer, it ruined your plans?"

        The Empress muttered: "We have been a married couple for thirty years, apparently I am this type of person in your heart."
　　

       "It's not that I think you are unbearable, it was your actions that were unbearable." The Emperor coldly said, "It was because you did a lot of malicious deeds. You caused Li Cheng Yin's mother's death I did not wrongly accuse you. You harmed Xu Bao Lin to the point she had a miscarriage, locked up Zhao Liang Di, I didn't question you when that happened, I thought you were doing all this to protect yourself. If Yin Er was not suitable to ascend the throne then he wouldn't be given the title as a Crown Prince. Now you have become crazy even harming Yin Er, I can no longer hold it any longer. Even though he was not your own son, you even raised him, how could you do such things?" The Empress finally shed some tears: "I did not do it........Even if your Majesty does not believe me, but I didn't do it.....I did not get someone to harm Yin Er." My heart was shakened, I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I couldn't believe everything that I heard. The Empress was a noble and kind woman, but apparently she was a woman with a scheming heart. 　

        The Emperor said: "You did all those things, do you really want me to bring out all the witness and evidence, do you really want me to question you in court? If you admit everything, then as a married couple for thirty years I will keep you alive." The Empress's tears were like rain falling down: "Your Majesty, I am really innocent! I am innocent!" The Emperor coldly said: "Twenty years ago, you placed 
poison in Shu Fei's [1] medicine, right now half of the poison is still in the second cabinet. Do you want me to bring someone to bring the poison and allow you to swallow the rest of it?' Hearing the last phrase, the Empress fainted to the ground.

        Everything that happened tonight was like the sound of thunder that was so strong that it was about to explode to the point I became dumbstruck, I felt like I would become foolish.

        The Emperor turned around, pointed at me. I went towards him, and bowed in front of him. He reached out his hand and patted my head, said: "Child, don't be scared, Father is right here so no one will dare to hurt you. When Yin Er married you, it was my idea because I knew Western Liang women are the best and the most real." I was not afraid because his palm was very warm, like my own father's hand. He also looked like Li Cheng Yin, I was never afraid of Li Cheng Yin.
　
        The Emperor told me: "Take good care of Yin Er, he doesn't have a mother ever since he was young, if someone treats him well, he would give his heart out to them." Even if he doesn't tell me, I would've still taken good care of Li Cheng Yin.

        It was everything that happened today that made me scared, I was really scared. Everything in the palace was very scary, people are complicated like the Empress, I never expected that it was her who had caused Xu Bao Lin to have a miscarriage, and pushing the blame to Zhao Liang Di. People's life in her eyes seems unimportant, unimportant than even an ant. Why did she also kill Li Cheng Yin's birth mother, is it because she want to take away her son?
　
        Everything was so scary, I was trembling with fear.
　　
        Li Cheng Yin's injury was very serious, he was still unconscious after three days. I watching over him by his side.
　　
        His wound became worse, he had a fever,  I could only open his mouth and slowly pour the medicine in his mouth.
　
       I felt like he may not live any longer.
　　
        However, I did not shed any tears. At that dangerous moment, he pushed me to the side. If he does not survive, then I would die with him.

        We Western Liang women would cry all day if we were not happy. I already cried so I will not cry again.
　　
        When Li Cheng Yin was still unconscious,  he would mumble something, I leaned forward to hear what he was saying, apparently he was saying "mother," it was like last time when he had a fever.
　
        I also remembered what the Emperor had said earlier, my heart had weakened, Li Cheng Yin was a pitiful person, even though he is a Crown Prince, but he have never seen his birth mother ever since he was a child. The Empress was a person with a malicious heart, if Li Cheng Yin knew it was her who had killed his birth mother, he would be very sad.
　　
        A lot of the imperial physicians were watching over Li Cheng Yin. The Emperor already handed over an imperial edict to depose the Empress, creating shock throughout the imperial court. The imperial edict listed a lot of the Empress's offenses, especially since we don't know whether Li Cheng Yin would be able to survive, the Chancellors in the court didn't take any chances to say anything about the imperial edict. I heard from the palace maids that the Empress's family was very powerful, the government officials that supported the Empress were preparing to oppose the king for deposing the Empress. I don't understand anything that happens in the imperial court, but now I knew that the Emperor cannot do whatever he wants.

        In the morning I would take care of Li Cheng Yin, in the afternoon I would take care of A'Du.
　　
        A"Du had suffered from a lot of injuries, she was also suffering from a very serious internal injury. A'Du's martial arts skills was already good, but this assassin was able to injury A'Du to this level, then this person must be a master in martial arts. When I was applying medicine to the wound, I noticed that the stuff I gave to A'Du were lying around her on the ground nearby. A'Du would always carry the things I gave her in case I might need to use it.
　
        My A'Du, the A'Du that was very good to me. It was my fault for causing trouble for her.
　　
        I saw an arrowhead was lying there, I took the arrowhead and then quietly left.
　
        All the people in the Eastern Palace all went to Li Cheng Yin's palace hall, the garden was deserted, not a single person was there.
　　
        I was throwing the arrowhead in midair, then I was sitting there quietly waiting.
　　
        Not long after, a gush of wind came and Gu Jian quietly appeared in front of me.
　　
        Seeing me like this, he started to ask me: "Who mistreated you?" I knew right now I looked terrible, that day I was crying so hard that my eyes were swollen, also I didn't sleep for a few days, my complexion definitely would've looked bad.

         I told him in a simple way of what happened, Gu Jian silently asked me: "Do you want me to kill the Empress?" I shook my head.

        The Empress had harmed too many people, she shouldn't be alive anymore, but the Emperor would punish her by deposing her and sending her to the cold palace. This type of punishment to this type of person was enough, compared to killing her this type of punishment would make her feel even worse.
　　
        I begged him: "Can you think of a way to save A'Du, she is suffering from an internal injury, she is unconscious: "Gu Jian suddenly laughed: "This is very funny, you are not begging me to save your husband, but begging me to save A'Du . Is it because you don't like your husband,  or do you just like A'Du too much?" "Li Cheng Yin is suffering from external injuries, even a god cannot do anything, it is up to him to see if he can survive. It was because of me that A'Du got injured when she was chasing after the assassin, she is suffering an internal injury, I know you have a way to save her." Gu Jian's face became gloomy: "That's right, I do have a way to save her, but why should I save her?" I suddenly became angry: "You said before that if I encounter any danger, then I could ask you for help, but now you don't want to help me!" Gu Jian said: "Yes, but I did not promise to help you save other people." "A'Du's life is in danger right now, A'Du's life means my life. A'Du got injured because of me, if you don't save her......." I pulled out the knife, placed it next to my neck, "I will die in front of you!" Gu jian reached out two fingers and gently tapped the knife, I didn't grasp onto the knife properly, the knife "shua"fell to the ground.

[1] Shu Fei is the name of Li Cheng Yin's birth mother.
                                          
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东宫 Eastern Palace: Chapter 11

Exactly! Crown Princess was born with this beauty, it wouldn't make sense if she didn't gain the Crown Prince's favour! "Did you not see Crown Princess's red face when she saw the mandarin duck sash, it was as if she was shy..."

          Aiya, if it was me, I'd also be embarassed, the Crown Prince really is bold.... Actually sending servants in broad daylight to give this to the Crown Princess... "He actually went one step further.... Didn't you see when the Crown Princess came back, she looked so disheveled, even her clothes were torn.... Seems like the Crown Prince really was eager... hehe..."

       ......... Hearing the palace maids whispering about it makes me want to shout at them and tell them that this isn't what had happened! My face was red because I was angry! My clothes were torn because we were having a fight! Anyways it wasn't what they were thinking!

        Li Cheng Yin really doesn't like me, he deliberately made me a scapegoat.
　
        I didn't expect Li Cheng Yin to not only make me a scapegoat, but he also shifted the blame to me.
   
On the third day, the Empress called me into the inner palace, after I bowed to her, she wasn’t like the others who would support me, she did not even tell me to take a seat. The Empress was sitting on her seat, and spoke a few words while not paying me any attention. Although the words were spoken very politely, I could tell that she was scolding me.
   
I could only kneel down and get scolded.

This also wasn't something that has never happened before, even before this, she would scold me occasionally, it was usually because I went overboard with the things I did. For example, forgetting about the palace rules in the ceremony, or saying inauspicious words during the ancestor worship. However, it was still the first time where I was to kneel down and get scolded.

        At the beginning, she would use these phrases from this book. Anyways, she would say it in one breath and listening to her recite the book makes me feel so bored. Kneeling on the floor for so long made my knees hurt, but I didn't dare to move one bit. Actually she knows that I don't understand the underlying message of phrases from the book. When she finished reciting the book, she finally let out a sigh and said: "You are a Crown Princess, the first wife of the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince is still young and he would cause trouble. You should advise him, how can you let him cause trouble? Not just us from the royal family, but the wife of a common family understands that they must act in a reserved manner........"

        I finally understood what she meant, I couldn't help but to say: "It wasn't me, it was him........."
　　
        The Empress stared at me to interrupt me: "I know it was him that caused trouble, but he was still sick, you still do not understand? What if his sickness becomes a serious illness, then what can be done? You are going to become an Empress in the future, being responsible for the harem. If you act this way, how is it acceptable?"

       I felt angry and ashamed, I felt like I should dug a hole in the ground and hide in there. The Empress was simply scolding me for being shameless, knowing that Li Cheng Yin was sick and.....and......this........this..........Heaven knows! We never did that.......No!

        I felt wrongly accused, I felt I would die from injustice!

         Seeing that I was about to cry, the Empress stopped lecturing me and said: "You may rise!" I am doing this for your own good. The words that were spread around were even more unpleasant to hear. A young married couple should be intimate, however you should do so at the right moment and place. The Central Plains is not like Western Liang, rumors spread around especially in the palace are like a knife that could kill someone."

        My eyes were red: "I cannot be a good Crown Princess, I don't want to be anymore."

        The Empress pretended she didn't hear what I had just said, just telling Yong Niang: "Take good care of the Crown Princess. Also the Crown Prince is still sick, but the Crown Princess is still young and have many matters to deal with so don't let her serve the Crown Prince medicine. Let the Crown Princess copy the book ten times."
　　
        I was so angry that my lungs were about to explode, they are treating me like a fox demon! I finally understood, Li Cheng Yin set this trap to make me feel like I should hide in a hole.

       What mandarin duck? It is even more frightening than a white silk. Copying the book ten times is just telling me to die!
　
       When we returned to the Eastern Palace, I really want to grab a knife and fight with Li Cheng Yin, using this trap on me! However, Yong Niang was watching very closely, arranging a palace maid to help me grind the inkstick. I can only keep my anger and start copying the book. The words were really hard to write, each time I wrote a word, in my heart I would be cursing at Li Cheng Yin. After copying the book for some time, I had already cursed Li Cheng Yin a hundred times.

        At night, I slowly put on my clothes. A'Du heard I was getting out of bed, she sat up, I lowered my voice: "A'Du, give me your knife."

        A'Du didn't know what I was using the knife for, but she still gave me her golden knife. I placed the knife under my clothes and wore a silk clothing over my clothes. If A'Du wasn't here, I could not avoid the Yu Lin army who were guarding the Eastern Palace, so I brought A'Du with me, walking quietly, pushing open the palace hall side doors, crossing the bridge and then going to Li Cheng Yin's place. When we were on the bridge, A'Du suddenly stopped.

        It turns out Yong Niang was holding a fragrant stove and bumped to us.
　　
        This was too unlucky, I forgot today was the fifteenth, Yong Niang would always pray to the moon god at this time. I was thinking if I should let A'Du knock her unconcious or would Yong Niang shout and the Yu Lin army would come and take us back?
　　
        Who would have known that when Yong Niang saw us, she would first stare blankly, and then look at the direction we were going which was to Li Cheng Yin's place?
　　
        I was giving this look to A'Du as a signal to turn around and grab Yong Niang. Who would know Yong Niang would only just sigh, and walked past us quietly?

        I was surprised, Yong Niang walked away a few steps, suddenly turned around and said: " The wind is cold at night, once the Crown Princess finish taking care of the Crown Prince, be careful not to get a cold."

        I held my breath, she must've thought I was meeting Li Cheng Yin personally!
　　
        .......This.....this.......whatever!
　　
        When we arrived outside the palace hall, A'Du pulled me and we jumped softly to the top of the wall. We didn't arrive to the top of the wall yet and suddenly we heard a loud shout: "There's an assassin!" I was startled, all of a sudden there were numerous arrows coming towards us like rain hiding the sky. There were numerous of lanterns and torches lit up all around brightening the place. A'Du stood in front of me to hit the arrows away from us. Not long after I turned around to jumped down from the wall, but I accidentally slipped and fell from the top of the wall.
　
        The wall is so tall!
　　
        I could hear the sound of the wind swept past........This time......This time I could turn into a meat paste.

        I was facing upwards when I fell down, I could see A'Du's panicked face. She flew down to reach me, behind her was a pitch black sky. The stars slowly became white sesame seeds as it became further away and the moon slowly being covered by the palace hall. A'Du wasn't able to reach me because I was falling too fast. When I felt there was no hope left, all of a sudden someone grabbed my waist, caught me while spinning around and around, my hairpin got blown away by the wind leaving my hair messy and in front of my face. I could only see his silver armor reflecting the red flame of the torch. The sparks of the flames were reflected in his eyes while his eyes were looking at me.
　　
        This dream was repeated numerous times.......a hero saving a beauty, him saving me in mid air spinning......spinning.....slowly spinning......The sky was filled with stars that fell like rain.....Between heaven and earth, his two eyes were just gazing at me.....his gaze only had me.....I wanted to faint, I wanted to faint, being held in his embrace, this person is the person in my dreams......My legs reached to the ground. This person had a full body armor, double edged eyebrows, star eyes, impressive looks. Is he that person? That person that always appears in my dreams, the hero that saved me everytime from danger?

        The arrows flying from all four sides had stopped already. Pei Zhao bowed to me, he placed me to the ground. I just realized that I was still grabbing his arm.  A'Du pulled my hand, carefully examining my body to see if there were any injuries, I felt so embarrassed. The hero in my dream was Pei Zhao? How come I don't know that myself? However Pei Zhao was indeed very handsome, very good at martial arts, but why would it be him? My ears were red, I looked at him again.
　
        This night I am very unlucky, first I bumped into Yong Niang, then I bumped into Pei Zhao.
　　
        Pei Zhao commanded the Yu Lin army and in a flash the army had disappeared without a trace. I don't know what to say at this moment, only saying something without meaning it: "Pei general was indeed impressive with using the army....." "Crown Princess, please forgive us for frightening you." Pei Zhao used polite hand gestures, "We didn't expect the Crown Princess would be on top of the wall, please forgive us Crown Princess."
　　
        I don't blame you, who would've expect it would be A'Du and I climbing over the wall, you thought we were assassins was not very strange. "What is the Crown Princess doing late at night?"

        I wasn't that foolish to tell him that I am here at Li Cheng Yin's place to get even with him. I laughed: "I am not going to tell you what I am doing here."
　　
        Pei Zhao's expression was the same, he lowered his head and said: "Yes."
　　
        A'Du and I walked forward, Pei Zhao suddenly called me: "Crown Princess."
　　
        "What?" "The Crown Prince's palace hall is not that way, but this way."
　　
        I felt so angry from the embarrassment, glared at him furiously, however he was standing there but didn't see the look I was giving him. I only turned around and walked to the way he was pointing.

        I finally arrived outside of Li Cheng Yin's palace hall, I ordered A'Du: "You guard the entrance, do not let anyone come in."
　
        A'Du nodded, she did a hand gesture to tell me to not worry.
　　
        I entered the palace hall, the palace maids on night duty were not asleep, they were playing a riddle game. I walked quietly behind them and went to the inner palace hall.

        I held my breath and quietly walked towards, making no noise at all, suddenly I heard a "hu" sound, the gush of cold wind blew inside faintly making my cheeks hurt. Not before I made a sound, I was spinning around and around and landed on top of the bed, an ice cold knife was placed near my throat, I was afraid if I moved a bit the knife would cut open my throat, I was frightened to the point my whole body was filled with goosebumps.

        I looked at Li Cheng Yin, in the darkness his face seemed as if it was another person, simply a completely different person. He was looking into my eyes very closely. Even in my dreams I would never have thought Li Cheng Yin would carry a knife and being this alert when he was sleeping on his bed.
　
       "It's you?" Li Cheng Yin took away the knife, he lazily asked me: "Why did you come here so late at night, to do what?" "Eh........nothing."  I could not tell him that I wanted to tie him up and vent my anger.
　
         He slightly smiled and glanced once at me: "Oh, I know, you miss me so you came here to see me right?"

        At this moment I finally remembered how he used the mandarin duck to set a trap to frame me and caused me to be scolded by the Empress. I had to copy the book, copy the book! The thing I disliked the most was copying books! I "shua" all of a sudden taking the knife that was underneath my clothes, fuming with anger: "You were right, I was thinking about you!"
　
        He wasn't even scared at all, but laughed: "Apparently women from Western Liang uses knifes to think about people!"
　　
        "Stop with the nonsense!" I placed the knife next to his neck. "Give the knife to me." He moved forward: "You think I would give the knife to you if you tell me to?" "Don't come close......" He suddenly seized my shoulder, I wasn't able to respond and he suddenly nibbled my mouth again!

        That's too much!
     
        He nibbled my mouth very slowly as if he was eating a crab. I have seen Li Cheng Yin eat crab before and can be said to be simply number one at eating crabs. After he finishes eating a crab, the broken pieces of the crab can be pieced together to form a new crab. Compared to a Central Plain lady's embroidery skills, his crab eating skills are way better. I was about to stab him in the back, but I couldn't get myself to stab him. I was afraid that this would cause a war, my father is old and if the Western Liang had to fight with the Central Plains, then my father would lose, the Western Liang would lose. I'll endure....I'll endure.....he nibbled my mouth but my mouth was finally let go. Not before I let out my breath, he started to nibble my neck. Oh no he must be planning to nibble me as if I was a crab slowly eating me up. My neck was itchy and painful, I was unable to describe that difficult feeling. He was nibbling my ears, I hate that itchy feeling. He was breathing under my ears, my whole body became weak, even the knife I was holding was taken away by him. He threw the knife to the side and started to nibble my mouth again.

        I felt something was wrong because his hands were suddenly under my clothes and grasping onto me above my waist. He was grasping onto me to the point I couldn't move a single step. In a moment of desperation, I shouted: "You! You!"

        "Let go of my hand! If you don't let go, I'm going to call A'Du!"
　
        Li Cheng Yin was laughing while saying: "You call her then! I don't mind even if you call all the people in the Eastern Palace to come here, it was you who came to my bed in the middle of the night."

        I was so angry that I almost passed out, that was simply too too too hateful! Any spoken words that came from his mouth was very unpleasant to hear. What did he mean I ran to his bed, I.........I........If I don't jump into the Yellow River then how can I wash away all my troubles?

        As I was about to stab him, a gush of wind rushed inside and in a flash, all of a sudden Li Cheng Yin pushed me by the foot of the bed. Apparently, he pushed me away to avoid an attack, but he couldn't avoid it and was stabbed in the chest by a long sword. I shouted and A'Du rushed inside. The assassin pulled out the sword from Li Cheng Yin's chest. I grabbed the candlelight from the table to scare the assassin and the assassin tried to dodge it. I was already shouting: "Someone come! There's an assassin!"

        The Yu Lin army that were on night duty broke open the doors and entered. A'Du continued to fight with the assassin. Outside the palace hall, you could hear people shouting everywhere. More people rushed in to take on the assassin. At a disadvantage, the assassin went through the window to leave, A'Du followed the assassin out.

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