Love In The Forbidden City (Completed)

Chapter XXII - The Emperor's Death (Revised)

Those that weren't related to the funeral included me. I sniggered as I was locked in an empty room with nothing but a bunk, a table, and a chair. There was an en suite bathroom with the simplest necessities provided. I comforted myself that at least I didn't need to witness how the princes competed for the throne. But those cold glints in those beady black eyes had literally sent a cold shiver down my spine. They were as cold as the Breath of Death.

Would ascending the throne change Ice Face, my lover, completely? Plus Ice Face wasn't the love child of his mother. She adored One Sided so much. Would she obstruct his reign? I doubted at first when I heard the late emperor mentioning that he'd like the Fourteenth Prince to ascend the throne. But when I saw Herald Lee's unwilling expression as he bowed in front of Ice Face, I was certain that One Sided was the Choice of the late emperor. But Long Ke Duo, the highest rank of General who controlled all the military power and soldiers in the country also sided Ice Face; the small clan of the Eighth Bei'Le didn't and couldn't dare rebel.

Seven days later, when Ice Face had formally ascended the throne, I was released from my prison. Die Hard Thirteen resumed his freedom as well. When I reached the palace, Die Hard Thirteen came to welcome me, but he didn't look at all pleased. I could see he was behaving himself in a constraint way. Even his tone lacked his usual jubilance and energy. I was later brought to my new residence, which looked as elegant and lavish as those concubines'. 

After bathing, I was supposed to meet Ice Face, but I didn't really want to. 

A sudden feeling of fear and guilt gripped me. With my hair still dripping water, I lay on the pillow. The late emperor loved me like his own daughter but I had betrayed him and saluted Ice Face as my king. This was Ice Face's dream but now his greed had become the chain that was beginning to struggle me. Would I once again lose my freedom? When I couldn't see him, I missed him until I felt like my intestines couldn't function well. But when I had the chance to meet him, I wished I could escape. What did I really want? I thought and thought until my mind drifted far away. I didn't know that I had fallen asleep until someone stroked my hair gently.

He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Why still pretend that you are asleep when you have already waked up? Do you want me to light up the lanterns for you?"

I said without looking at him, "It's fine. I feel better this way."

"As you like."

I heard some rustling sound like someone climbing up my bed, and felt the warmth as he lay next to me. I sat upright immediately. All my drowsiness had been chased away.

"Do not worry. I am just exhausted. Extremely exhausted. I just want to lie down for a while. Not going to do anything. Would that be fine for you?"

He lay down before I could pluck the courage to nod. Looking at his closed eyes, my heart began to pulsate faster in anticipation and in doubt. He was still the former Ice Face. He hadn't changed, had he? At least I was certain that his love for me hadn't changed. After pulling the blanket up to his chest, I lay down next to him. He placed a hand over my chest. My lips curled up at their own will. I had yearned for this moment for a long time. 

The very moment that only belonged to both of us. 

He caressed my cheek and said softly, "Ruo Xi, everything is fine now, even Thirteenth Brother and you are back to my side. But he is acting weird ever since he came out of Queen Bee Forest. I tried to be close to him but he repaid me with overwhelming esteem. I want others to respect me, and even fear me. But Thirteenth Brother is different. I want him to treat me as his Fourth Brother, not his emperor. Same goes to you, Ruo Xi."

"Give him some time. He has suffered long. Who could withstand the loneliness of being grounded for ten years?" I let my fingers fondle along his arm. The way he whispered my name made my heart melt, like how heat made the butter melt. "As long as we will never be parted again now."

We held each other's gaze for several seconds. He drew closer and closer to me. Was he going to... I closed my eyes and waited for his soft lips to seal mine but--

"I think I really cannot sleep yet. I have lots of matters to handle," he said softly.

My heart sank as I saw him putting on his boots. When I didn't want him to kiss me, he forced my lips to his. When I wanted him to be intimate with me, he chose to leave. Perhaps the Qing's man was dumber. I should be proactive. How could I make him stay? Right, I could ask him questions.

Clearing my throat, I asked, "I want to see Yu Tan and my sister. Can I?"

Yu Tan had reached the ripe age. She could be released out of the Forbidden City but she didn't want to. Silly child. There were so many servants who yearned to escape the palace but they didn't have that luck. Now that Ice Face had granted her leave but she chose to stay. 

I definitely need to meet her and advise her.

"Now is not the time yet. When everything is in order, I will arrange for them to meet you."

"Thank you." I smiled heartily and pecked him on his cheek.

He poked my dimple. "I want you to smile like this every day from today onwards."

I smiled again, and suddenly I saw fiery passion blaze in his eyes. He hugged me and laid me down on my bed. I could even hear both of our heartbeats now.

I placed a hand on his chest and twisted the buttons on his cloth. "Didn't you say that you still have some matters to attend to?" I failed to find the courage to unfasten his buttons.

"You really know how to test my patience." He hit my forehead with his knuckle.

"What worries do you have lately? Can you share them with me? Perhaps I can help."

"It is about those accounts and ledgers. Now our treasury is near to empty because of corruption and bribery. I need to think of a way to curb this matter from deteriorating and have to think of how to cut down the country's expenses as well. With the wars rising..." He shook his head.

"Can I have a look at those accounts then? I am sure I know—"

"I will not let you get a glimpse of them. Not even a glimpse."

"Why not?" I pouted my lips.

"Because you are my woman. I want you to enjoy prosperity, not to suffer."

"Then you shall share your workload with the Thirteenth Prince."

"Of course. How will I let him go? I am certain that he is knitting his brows now, thinking hard in his study room. I cannot be so selfish and continue to stay here." Still smiling, he rose and instructed the servants to prepare a bowl of porridge and some steamed vegetables for me. He knew that I was hungry without even needing me to mention it. Such an observant man.

The next night, he came to my chamber as well. "Ruo Xi, do not fret. I do not know why but I could only find peace when I stare into your eyes. Can we hold hands and sleep tonight?"

He looked like a child who was afraid to sleep alone on a stormy night. How could I reject him? I nodded and smiled demurely. I wished the night could be eternal but when I opened my eyes again, the candles were burning low. Streaks of mild sun rays pierced through the window.

Ice Face rose slowly and threw his arms around my waist. "I dreamed about hugging you."

"Did you see this scene in your dream?" I whispered before nibbling at and licking his ear. 

"Do you really want to know? But the servants might hear it. I will not tell you now."

Edited by YvonneKindle