Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

I’ve said before, I know the secrets within the palace, including his, hers, and also theirs.

Yuwen Xiu’s secret seems extremely clean, neat and short in comparison to others, if it isn’t just ‘Yuwen Xiu is not Yuwen Xiu’ these six words?

Yuwen Xiu before the age of seven loved to accompany my Imperial Sister in having fun the most, making my Imperial Sister cheerfully laugh, taking my Imperial Sister to tour around, it can be said that the relationship between them are built on a deeply run friendship formed in childhood. Hearing Imperial Sister say that at that time, Yuwen Xiu had even said such words like marrying her as his only wife, one can see just how sincere their relationship was.

I quietly wipe my sweat. At this age, children sure mature too fast.

Now speaking of Yuwen Xiu after the age of seven.

That year, Yuwen Xiu who had originally been frequenting the palace was suddenly said to have fallen critically ill, extremely worrying Second Uncle and Yuwen Xiu’s mother. Father Emperor sent out the palace’s best imperial physicians to see him, but everyone’s answers upon returning were just the one: your majesty, Seventh Gentleman is in critical condition, but is also a condition unheard of, this subject has looked through many medical books to find nothing on it, please forgive this subject’s incompetence.

Imperial Sister was of course extremely anxious, her little hands clenching onto Father Emperor’s sleeve as she vigorously shakes it, “Father Emperor, I want to go see Seventh Brother, I want to go see Seventh Brother.”

Father Emperor is also full of approval, “Alright alright alright, tomorrow you can come with me to see Xiu-er, tomorrow, tomorrow morning we shall go.”

But the result was the few us dumbly staring at layer and layer of thick curtains, because as Second Uncle has very apologetically, very sadly said: “This illness of Xiu-er’s had come so suddenly, we didn’t pay much attention at first, but now several maids by his side have all caught the illness, your majesty, Princess, it is best for you all to keep a distance.”

Since Second Uncle has already said this, what else can we do? Unfold our arms, a fruitless venture.

A whole party of people returns to the palace dejected, Imperial Sister was occupied with thoughts every day as she rests her chin in hand, asking me, “Ah-Lan, you think Seventh Brother is better yet, when will I be able to see him?”

I widen my eyes, looking right at her, a freshly made osmanthus cake stuffed in my mouth, “Ah?”

Imperial Sister casts me a glance, letting out a faint sigh, “Ai~, you don’t understand, silly child.”

I feel shocked, silly child, a five-year-old girl, my older twin sister, actually called me a ‘silly child’?

Fine, I admit I am beyond this world.

Continuing with the topic, it is said that Yuwen Xiu was critically ill for a good few months, in the end, good news finally came, it is said that a divine physician amongst the commoners stepped up to treat him, and was said to be very clear and logical, extremely qualified. Second Uncle, with the belief that a dead horse can be cured like a living horse would, seizes this life-saving straw, unwilling to let go. That divine physician had also happily agreed, but the condition being to bring Yuwen Xiu up to the mountains to go through medical treatment, and that Second Uncle mustn’t be surprised once he’s been cured.

Second Uncle very decisively agreed right there and then, but half a year later, when he sees the Yuwen Xiu before him, who was so fat that his features have blurred, Second Uncle who had always been so strong and firm, cried.

Ai~, a pretty son sent out, only to take back a huge meatball half a year later, who wouldn’t cry if they were in his shoes?

Ultimately speaking, Yuwen Xiu came back with a body healthier than ever, just that he turned into an invincible fatty. But being fat is not a problem, under Second Uncle and Yuwen Xiu’s mother’s hard work, Yuwen Xiu uses a year’s time to slowly slim down before our eyes, and the five features from his young days became even more beautiful, even more lovable.

Up to here, that is what supposedly what happened on the surface.

What really happened in the shadows is, I actually get along quite well with the crazy consort, one crazy and one a fool, our interaction cannot be considered boring. She was always like Madam Xiang Lin, constantly repeating to me, Yun Ze prince this this and this, this this and this, and I too, would very meaninglessly accept all those this this and this, this this and this. (Madam Xiang Lin is a character from author Lu Xun’s The New Year Sacrifice, who loses her sanity after the loss of her child, and constantly tells and retells the story of her child’s violent death)

Amongst them was, “Qi-er’s entire body has not a single little mark, so smooth and snow-white. But, that is except for one place.” Speaking up to here, she would cover her lips and softly laugh, those always obscure eyes lighting up with motherly love, “On Qi-er’s bottom ah, there is a red birthmark the size of a thumb, spotting it when I’m not paying attention, sure makes me think it looks like a little flower.”

And so I knew, on that deceased Yun Ze prince, Su Qi’s bottom, there is a flower-like red birthmark.

And then, and then?

And then that year I followed everyone to Mount Qi Yun at the age of nine, after I unintentionally saw Yuwen Xiu’s white and tender exposed bottom, I knew, Yuwen Xiu’s huge change in personality, Yuwen Xiu’s indifference and aloofness towards Imperial Sister, Yuwen Xiu’s complete lack of knowledge about everything, is not because of a strange side effect from his illness, but because Yuwen Xiu, is simply not Yuwen Xiu.

Oh lord, I know far too much, how dangerous.

I leisurely take a sip of tea, looking at the tiny waves on the surface of the tea, once again sinking into deep thoughts.

I feel a little suspicious, it seems many things have went through changes during this time I was out of the palace. Yun Zhan’s visit, Father Emperor under attack, Consort Mo’s death, Seventh Brother’s words……

I hold the teacup tight, Consort Mo’s death, Father Emperor’s attack. What does this mean? Is Yuwen Xiu, or perhaps I should say Yun Ze, preparing to make a move?

Ah, my head hurts so much, scheming indeed isn’t suited for me, as expected, I am more suited to be a kung pao chicken. (Kung Pao Chicken or Gong Bao Chicken is named after Ding Baozhen a governor with the title 宫保 / gōng bǎo – palace guardian. To be a guardian or to guard, Ah-Lan means to say, she should only sit and watch, nothing else.)

I nod, agreeing to my own thoughts, what shady schemes overt schemes, it all has nothing to do with me ah. I finish the cup of tea, getting up and preparing to get back to bed and sleep, but hear Xi Xi speak to someone outside: “[Older] Sister Ling Zhi please wait, I’ll go see if Princess has gotten up yet.”

I raise my brows, Ling Zhi? What, is Eldest Cousin back?

“Princess, why are you up so early today?” Xi Xi pushes the doors open and enters, face full of surprise as she says this.

I rub my temples, “Slept too much, head hurts.”

Xi Xi comes over and considerately checks my forehead, “No fever, it’s presumably from stuffiness, this servant shall brew you some concoction to relieve the stuffiness later.”

“En.” I nod, “Is Ling Zhi out there?”

“That’s right ah,” Xi Xi neatens out my collar for me, “Lady Ling Zhi says Eldest Gentleman is currently at Yu Xiang Pavilion, sending her over to relay a message to Princess, telling Princess to hurry over.”

I don’t understand why, “Did he say what for?”

Xi Xi shakes her head, “Didn’t say.”

“Oh,” I get up and head out, “Let’s go then.”

When leaving the doors, Ling Zhi was dutifully waiting outside, and upon seeing me step out, she carelessly smiles, “This servant greets Princess.”

I formally reply: “Greetings Sister Ling Zhi.”

“Haha.” Hearing my words, Ling Zhi immediately clears her blissful servant fa?ade from before, red lips hooking up into a huge grin, “I say Princess, you sure are the more loveable one in this palace, greeting other people will only receive a look as though half a box of powder was slapped on their face, so boring.”

I shyly smile, not saying a word.

“I say Sister Ling Zhi, still have the time to chit chat? Eldest Gentleman should have something to say about this later.” Xi Xi coldly follows up.

Ling Zhi’s charming eyes rolls up: “I say Xi Xi, how is your patience getting worse and worse, at this rate, should Mu Yi marry you in future, he’ll have difficult days ahead ah.”

Xi Xi’s face remains unchanging in face of Ling Zhi’s ridicule, saying in counterattack: “This matter of mine is considerably quite some time away, but I believe Mu Er is already going through such difficult days.”

Ling Zhi’s hands grips onto Xi Xi’s cheek, tenderly smiling as she says: “Aiyo-wei, Little Junior Sister, not seen you for a few years and your mouth sure has gotten more formidable.”

Xi Xi pushes at her as she murmurs: “Quit messing, quit messing, Eldest Gentleman will really get angry later.”

Only then does Ling Zhi let go, turning to me, saying: “Princess, please.”

Deep down I really do feel sorry for Mu Yi and Mu Er, no matter what, those two can also be considered sophisticated and hardworking, mature men, but having to face these two, ai~, it really is enough for them to suffer.

I reside in a side palace, and Yu Xiang Pavilion is where this lonely side palace of mine and the lively areas meet. Along my way there, I don’t see the few palace maids and eunuchs, only having Ling Zhi and Xi Xi quietly bickering next to me from time to time. I originally thought I would be seeing that man with a unrestrained figure, but didn’t think it would be a slender girl in a body of peach-coloured clothes.

Beside me, Ling Zhi and Xi Xi looks at one another and withdraws with tacit understanding, I look at the back view of that familiar figure in the pavilion, feeling rather surprised at heart, followed by sudden realisation. Yuwen Rui, you just always know what has been occupying my thoughts.

I lightly walk into the pavilion, Ying Lu was still not aware in the slightest as she sits there on the stone stool, seeming to mutter something under her breath. Upon coming closer to her do I vaguely hear her say: “What is Brother and Gentleman Yuwen playing at, abandoning me here alone, could it be, the two of them went off to see that whatever number-one-beauty princess, heng, this guy sure values beauty and forgets his sister.”

I quietly stand behind her without saying anything, continuing to listen to her moody little thoughts.

“But this Gentleman Yuwen is actually the person that saved Liu Ru Xu? En, haha, haha, how annoying.” She dryly laughs a bit, then says this a little unhappily.

I suddenly want to laugh as I face the back of her head, Ying Lu ah, Ying Lu, how could you be so absorbed in speaking to yourself? How interesting.

“Ai~, it’d be great if Ah-Lan was here.” Ying Lu says and nods her head, “I can tell her this funny little matter.” She suddenly reaches out and smacks the stone table, then pain stricken, she retrieves her hand and rubs it, “Aiyo so painful, it’s all Brother’s fault, that idiot, to actually not tell me where Ah-Lan went.”

After a little thinking, I finally raise my hand, preparing to pat her shoulder, but did not think she would just happen to turn her head at this moment, and then both us came to a pause, blankly looking at one another. I, being a habitual dull blank, whilst Ying Lu’s is an unbelievable dumbfounded blank.

“Ah-, Ah-, Ah-, Ah-Lan?” Ying Lu abruptly gets up, shakily pointing her finger at me as she calls out, water-like big eyes widening in surprise.

I make a rare show of a cheerful smile that reaches my eyes, “Ying Lu.”

“Ah-Lan Ah-Lan!” Ying Lu happily hugs me, both feet constantly jumping, “I’ve finally found you! Ah-Lan, Ah-Lan, I missed you death!”

I return her hug, “I, also missed you.”

“Stupid Ah-Lan, foolish Ah-Lan.” After overcoming her excitement, she pushes me apart and starts scolding, “Where have you gone, why didn’t you come to find me at all, did you know I was worried about you?!”

I say: “I’ve returned home.”

“Returned home? You really-, you’re home is so far, so rural, why did you not tell Brother to send you back?” Ying Lu’s face freezes right after saying this, extremely robotically tilting her head, asking: “Wait wait, you said, returned, returned home?”

I answer: “En.”

“Then why would you be here?” Ying Lu’s expression becomes very complicated, “What you mean is……”

“Ying Lu.” From outside the pavilion, a deep and charming male’s voice is heard, “Truly lacking in etiquette, aren’t you going to hurriedly greet Fifth Princess.”