Chapter 116: Encounter at Huan Sha City
At mǎoshí (5a.m – 7a.m) on the first day of the third lunar month, the sun had jutted above the trees, forecasting that today was going to be a nice day.
After bidding farewell to everyone in and out of the house, as well as the villagers in town, the two carriages, carrying a group of seven adults and two infants, headed towards the North.
If they took the main road to Feng Cheng, the imperial city, they had to cross four cities and thirteen towns.
From the countryside, then Fan Luo City, the first rest point was at Huan Sha City. They arrived at wǔshí (10am-1pm), so Lin Si Yao requested the driver to find a restaurant nearby for lunch.
"Shifu! Shiniang!" Before anyone had gotten off the carriage, a familiar voice sounded from the doors of 'Xue's Liquor Shop'.
"Shifu, Shiniang, I know you guys will pass by today." Tian Da Bao smiled, stood and took Lin Long from Bai He. He winked at his innocent junior sister, then lifted his head to smile at the approaching Situ Yun.
"Da Bao, we haven't seen you for months. You look taller. You really have become an adult now." Su Shuilian smiled as she observed the slender young man in front of her. He had matured, it was as if one of her children had all grown up.
"Auntie, don't be fooled by his appearance. Actually, the blood clot in his head hasn't dissolved completely. He still has his moments." Situ Yun sniggered, placing his arms around Tian Da Bao's shoulder.
In front of Lin Si Yao, Situ Yun didn't dare to joke and call Su Shuilian as 'beautiful sister' anymore. He hadn't forgotten the strict punishment he got last time when he enraged Si Ling! He had to collect horse dung! And then, he had to bury them to make some fertilizer. His Senior Uncle had tortured him for the whole three days. He's now learned to behave.
"Alright, don't linger at the door." After Lin Si Yao had arranged the carriage, he gathered with them. Taking Lin Xiao in Su Shuilian's hand, he pulled her into the restaurant.
"Oh! Shifu, is that..." Tian Da Bao was teasing and nudging Situ Yun behind Lin Si Yao. All of a sudden, he strode toward Lin Si Yao, pointing at a girl sitting by the window.
Lu Wan'er! Lin Si Yao squinted. He shifted his gaze to Tian Da Bao, as if warning, 'Don't (you) dare make trouble!'
'Of course, not!' Tian Da Bao nodded. He was no longer the careless Tian Da Bao, who would do anything without thinking. Moreover, Shifu and Shiniang didn't pay attention to her, it was not his place to cause trouble!"
Bai He asked the shopkeeper for a private room. However, they didn't have any available rooms. Begrudgingly, they seated at the two tables by the south window, which were, coincidentally, next to Lu Wan'er's table.
Su Shuilian was focused on the twins. She didn't notice the other.
However, right after they seated, Lu Wan'er noticed Lin Si Yao. She had yearned for this man, but he was also the culprit to her foolishness and punishment for half a year.
Lu Wan'er had almost broken the pair of bamboo chopsticks in her hand. Right, she got her mind back. She had recovered well. She wasn't a fool anymore. And, she couldn't return to Fan Luo City where she was forced to leave. This city had no place for her to dwell. If she returned, either she was forgotten, or someone would dig up her humiliated past. If so, she would rather stay in Huan Sha City, where no one could recognize her as the Eldest Young Lady of the Lu Family.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she was about to start her new, more glorious life...
She happened upon the man who was crueler than the devil.
"Guye, we checked out. The waiter said that they fed our horses too." Bai He came back from the counter, and reported to Lin Si Yao.
"Mn, then we'll depart now." Lin Si Yao nodded. Seeing that Lin Long and Lin Xiao were held by Situ Yun and Liang-momo respectively, he stood up and helped Su Shuilian to stand up. They were about to leave.
"Ah!..." Liang-momo walked behind Lin Si Yao and Su Shuilian when she felt something hinder her leg. She stumbled and Lin Xiao flew out of her arms.
It happened so fast. Situ Yun and Tian Da Bao were walking behind Liang-momo, quickly conversing with each other. They lifted their heads when Liang-momo screamed and caught the glimpse of this dangerous situation. Luckily, Lin Si Yao acted fast. He lifted his right arm even before turning his body around and caught Lin Xiao.
Pah*!
*(Slapping sound)*
Receiving a sharp slap to the face, Lu Wan'er almost stumbled. Su Shuilian had slapped her.
She was truly infuriated this time.
"Miss Lu. For what reason must you harm my son?" Su Shuilian coldly gazed at Lu Wan Er, whom Situ Yun had pinned to her chair. She had lost her chance to escape. Su Shuilian stopped Lin Si Yao, who was about to take action. It was her job to repay a woman's grudge.
"What reason? Ha, how eliquate! Blame your husband! One year ago, why did he ruin my reputation and hurt my dignity?" Lu Wan'er stoked her reddened face. As she knew she couldn't run, she dropped all pretense. Her jealous eyes shot toward Su Shuilian. She (SS) wasn't a tender girl with good virtues. Otherwise, one year ago, she (LW) wouldn't have fallen into this situation, unable to return to her own home.
"Last year? What did he do? Even if he did something, you are not allowed to hurt my kid. The children are innocent." Su Shuilian was astonished and almost looked back at her husband, Lin Si You, who was standing silently by her. However, she quickly shook off those trivial thoughts to focus on dealing with Lu Wan'er.
"Haha... children are innocent? Then what about me? Am I not innocent? I just loved him too much. Ah, perhaps you don't know this. Hahaha, it doesn't matter if you know now, your husband and I had a night neither one of us will forget." At first, Lu Wan'er just wanted to aggressively attack Su Shuilian with her words. But when she saw that the other was clueless of what had happened, she changed her mind. Lu Wan'er deliberately tried to sabotage their relationship by misleading her grudge with ambiguous words.
Su Shuilian was stunned speechless. A sting in her heart stopped her from continuing talking. A night? With A Yao? Did he perhaps used to like Lu Wan'er?
"Don't overthink." Lin Si Yao frowned, pulling her into his embrace and holding her tight. He talked to her in a low tone. It would have been better to let him handle this right from the start. Prevent all of these troublesome things.
"Hay! Da Bao, didn't you say that you knew that story too? Tell me! Seems that auntie had forgotten what happened last year." Right when Lin Si Yao shot a deadly glare at Lu Wan'er, Situ Yun spoke with a sneer.
Auntie? Who did he call auntie? Me? Hearing that, Lu Wan Er was enraged as she glared at Situ Yun who was winking at Tian Da Bao. Although Lu Wan'er had wasted one year of her youth because of Lin Si Yao, she was just sixteen years old. Moreover, what her family had the most was money. Whatever rejuvenating powder, nourishing cream, all of them were applied on her face. Other people would think that she was at least two years younger than her actual age! With her youthful appearance, how could anyone dare call her auntie!
"Yeah, I still clearly remember it. Shifu was a married man, shameless as she was, even knowing that fact, she continued to intrude. That night, I heard that she had finally received her retribution and...."
"Shut up!" Lu Wan'er shrilled, cutting off Tian Da Bao. She pointed at Lin Si Yao and Su Shuilian, scolding. "Just you wait!" Then, she wiggled out of Situ Yun's grip, almost tripping as she ran towards the exit of the restaurant.
"Lady! Lady!" Lu Fu was Lu Wan'er's maidservant. She had been silently watching everything. Previously in fear, coming to her senses, she called out to her lady as she chased after Lu Wan'er.
"Eh? Turns out, she's Lu Wan'er, the rumored eldest Young Lady of the Lu family, said to be possessed and crazy?"
"Really? She's not crazy anymore?"
"Well, crazy or not, we'll never know. Plus, even if she recovered, what if she relapsed again?"
"True that. I heard that the Lu's only have that one daughter. Unfortunately, she had turned crazy, else one could have enjoyed her family's wealth for the next three generations!."
"Tch, possessed or not, it's not for you to judge. Remember, in the past there were so many fine young men waiting in front of the Lu Family's house. I heard she was with a different man everyday. And none of those dates were repeated with the same man for a whole year!"
"For real!? So why didn't the Lu family choose someone to marry her yet? There should be some people who wouldn't mind her craziness!"
"How would you know that the Lu's didn't have such thoughts?"
"Why not? No one wanted to marry her? Even if she's crazy, her husband will still inherit the Lus' properties."
"Oh, you are clueless of the latest news then. I heard from a relative who's working for the Lu's in Fan Luo City. Recently, their situation is getting worse every year. Especially last year, their business was at an all time low, and their houses would be broken into regularly. All the Lu Family now is just an empty house."
"Really? No wonder..."
"Perhaps the Lu Family had offended some deity..."
"That's why I told you, it'd be better to find a normal girl and settle down. Life would be tough, but you can work to a better end together. If you married to become Lus' son-in-law, not to mention your dignity, there is a fear of bankruptcy! Moreover, you have to take care of a mentally incapitated wife. Would it be worse to you then?"
"Yes yes yes! What this brother says does make a lot of sense..."
"Yeah, this kind of thing, I've actually thought about last year. Haha... If I had chosen to be a member of the Lu's, you wouldn't have a chance to speak to me today..."
"..."
-----
"I think after this, no man would want to marry Lu Wan'er."
"Right, who asked her to not stay content with her own life and disturb my Shifu and Shiniang!"
"Oh, but it's us who came and provoked the other. No matter what, it's Huan Sha City. The Lus' private house is here."
"Tch, if Shifu and Shiniang wanted, let alone Huan Sha City, they could build a private house in any city!"
"Make sense! That's why..."
"She dug her own grave!"
"Hahaha..."
-----
Bidding farewell to Da Bao, they got into the carriages.
"Last year..." Su Shuilian put Lin Xiao to bed. Lin Long was playing alone. She lowered her voice as she asked Lin Si Yao. Though she hadn't understood the whole conversation between Da Bao and Situ Yun in the restaurant, she had a rough idea.
"Right. I shaved her head and scared her until she became crazy. I didn't expect she would recover that fast." Lin Si Yao nodded and admitted. If Shuilian hadn't pulled him back, he wouldn't have minded to allow the other to remain dim-witted for another three years.
"A Yao!" At this moment, Su Shuilian was speechless. She had been jealous in vain. The man in front of her wasn't some sort of tender man! He wouldn't let anyone who peeved him, slip away unscathed.
"Scared? I don't know mercy and I don't pity beauty." Lin Si Yao hugged her tight, asking lightly. He was always like that. If others do not offend him, then he won't offend others. But if they provoked him, he would pay back a hundred fold. No matter if the other was a man or woman. Of course, it was an exception when he was paid to kill or save someone.
"You always treat me and our kids well, don't you? Then it is fine." Su Shuilian smiled and replied. He had continuously spoiled her. Whether it was good or bad, as long as she did it, he would tolerate it all.
"Right, you got me in your hands..." Lin Si Yao nibbled her smooth, fair neck, mumbling softly.
Chapter 117: The Stormy Night at Imperial City
Luckily after the incident with Lu Wan'er, there wasn't another unexpected event on their way to the Imperial City that could delay their trip.
By noon, during the fifth day of the third lunar month, they arrived in Yue Kui Town. This small town is the closest to the entrance of Feng Cheng.
"We will rest here for a while. After lunch, we'll depart." They drove to a restaurant that looked somewhat clean. After they got off, Lin Si Yao asked the driver to park there.
"Waiter, a pot of hot tea," called Situ Yun.
"Right away." When the waiter saw the customers filling two tables, he couldn't help but grin. Agilely, he brought two teapots to the tables. Moreover, he gave each table a plate of sunflower seeds, Yue Kui Town's specialty snack.
"I assume you're from somewhere else? You must have come to the Imperial City to celebrate the Emperor's birthday?" The waiter hurled the tablecloth over his shoulder, and happily started a chat with them.
It wasn't rush hour yet, so except for Lin Si Yao's group, there were just two or three other people at this restaurant.
"Oh right, I heard that the Imperial City would be very lively and bustling at the Emperor's birthday. That's why we've come from very far away just to join the celebration!" Situ Yun smiled. Among these people, he was the youngest. Thus, he had to work a lot! Ah, there were the twins, who were younger, but they couldn't talk yet, thus excluded.
"Haha, sir, how spirited! Anyway, it's the fiftieth birthday of the king. It should be more exciting than the previous years." The waiter paused when he reached this part. Then, he acted mysteriously by lowering his voice and covering a side of his mouth, "I heard that the Emperor wanted to find a husband for the most favored Third Princess. Haha, little brother, you seem to be a dragon and phoenix among the sea of humans*. You can go and try tomorrow. If you get lucky and get selected, don't forget this restaurant!"
(*人中龙凤 /rén zhōng lóng fèng - a giant among men (idiom))
"..." Situ Yun was speechless. He turned to look at Su Shuilian who was covering her smile. Lin Si Yao didn't wear any emotion but his eyes flashed with a glint of humor. "Do I look like someone who wants to live with my in-laws?" Situ Yun was vexed. He was just thirteen, thirteen years old! It wasn't his turn to talk about marriage yet!
"Accept fate," Lin Si Yao spat out two words.
"Uncle!" Situ Yun resentfully glared at Lin Si Yao. "I'm going to order food." wuwuwu*, if only Da Bao were here. Then, the waiter would try to match him, not me.
(*crying sound)
Situ Yun helplessly wiped his face of fake tears. He stood up and headed to the counter, "Whatever you recommend, bring it out to serve."
It wasn't a big city anyway. It was good enough that this small restaurant in a small town had meat. For each table, they had braised beef sauteed with some seasonal vegetables and a bowl of rice. It was a more than satisfying meal for the hungry.
When they were just about finished with their meal, a group of people entered the restaurant.
A bearded man wearing black garments led this group. As soon as they got in, he screamed and yelled at the waiter to quickly bring out liquor and food.
Following close behind him was a couple, a handsome man and a beautiful woman. They were in their forties, wearing luxurious clothes, moving elegantly.
Walking behind them were a man and a woman wearing bodyguard uniforms.
"Why are you standing idle? Hurry, bring me food!" The bearded man shouted at the petrified waiter.
"Lu Qing!" The man in fancy clothes frowned.
As soon as the bearded man heard his name being called, his face subsided. He then sternly ordered the waiter in a low tone. "Waiter, bring me food! Now!"
"Right away. Please, take your seats. This little one will go to ask the chef to bring your food immediately."
As soon as those people entered the restaurant, they occupied the biggest round table in the room. The waiter had never seen the restaurant so packed with customers at times other than rush hour. Finally, he got a hold of himself and replied before happily running to the kitchen.
"Uncle, I recognize that bearded man. He's General Lu Qing, the infamous general of the Blood Union." Situ Yun seized the chance and muttered to Lin Si Yao while pouring him more tea.
"Mn," Lin Si Yao nodded. He didn't expect the Blood Union to send someone to Da Hui, especially during this time. Anyway, he didn't know their purpose. Were they here to avenge the Twelve Blood Knights? Or just to stir up people's minds in the capital? They shouldn't be here for the Emperor's birthday celebration tomorrow.
"It doesn't matter to us. After we're done here, we depart." Lin Si Yao told him coldly.
Situ Yun nodded. He was curious, but that was not their priority. Their mission now was to escort Shi Niang and the twins to Prince Jing's mansion.
------
Prince Jing's Mansion was situated in the east end of Tian You Street. It's the most crowded and liveliest street in the Imperial City. Tian Bao Street, just one block down from the palace, was quite quiet.
Previously, Prince Jing's Mansion was called Ming Mansion, the mansion of Liang Zuo Ming, Liang Xuan Jing's father. From the beginning of Da Hui Empire, they had regulated that: To reduce extravagance and waste, when a son inherited his father's title, he would need to change the mansion's name and use the same mansion. If the mansion had been used for two generations, and the current generation had merits in the military, they would be permitted to build another or expand their mansion.
Prince Jing's mansion had its name changed once. Thus, as long as Liang Xuan Jing's children had any big contribution to the imperial court, they would be able to build an additional mansion. This way, they didn't need to change the name of Prince Jing's Mansion, which had been used for two generations already. And, Liang Xuan Jing's other relatives could stay in the old mansion.
Unless they bought some other houses by using their own names.
Liang En Zai was just seventeen years old this year, so he did not have many merits. However, not only had he inherited the Wangye title recently, but he also received permission to build a new mansion by the Emperor. Wangye Xiang, who was one year older than him, with the same compliments for his talents and appearance, didn't share such glory.
Many rumors had been spread out after Liang En Zai had received his reward – the permission to build his new mansion. But gossip did not stop there...
Most of the nobles and officials guessed that the Emperor wanted to let the Third Princess, his most favorite daughter, marry Liang En Zai. Of course, only the involved persons knew the truth.
The carriage drove into Prince Jing's Mansion and parked by the area where horses could be tethered. "Guye, the Prince's mansion has strict regulations. All carriages have to stop by here. You can choose to use the sedan chairs or walk. We've prepared the sedan chairs. Guye, please..." The driver looked at Lin Si Yao who wore a dark face. He just followed the Prince's mansion's rule. He didn't dare to violate the rule.
"Then we should use the sedan chair." Su Shuilian pulled Lin Si Yao's sleeve, nodding to the driver.
"Thank you for your understanding!" After Su Shuilian agreed, the driver bowed, then drove the carriage away. He needed to feed and shower his horses. The porters were waiting for them with four soft sedan chairs.
"Tch, tch, this Prince's Mansion has too many rules. It's already complicated just to enter the door." Situ Yun shook his head when he saw that. When he came here to invite the imperial doctor, he didn't take the main entrance. He jumped from the roof and followed a maid who delivered tea to find Wangye Jing's study room. That's why he hadn't experienced the complicated etiquette of aristocratic people.
"Younger sister, brother-in-law, I'm sorry I didn't come to welcome you." Liang En Zai's friendly greeting sounded from the front. Walking towards them, he had naturally heard Situ Yun's words. He smiled and explained, "Our grandfather had set this rule. It is difficult to omit. Sister, you sit in the sedan chair! Brother-in-law, would you like to take a walk with me?"
Lin Si Yao shot Liang En Zai a meaningful look. The last time they met, Liang En Zai didn't call him brother-in-law at all. What's wrong with him today? Wanted to provoke him? Or was it unintentional?
Although he thought so, he didn't ask further. After Su Shuilian and the others got on the sedan chairs, he and Situ Yun walked with Liang En Zai as they headed towards Prince Jing's Mansion's main hall.
"These days have been very unusual here. Spies may have infiltrated." When they walked past the waterfall pavilion, Liang En Zai's lips finally moved.
Although the waterfall was loud, Lin Si Yao heard Liang En Zai's warning.
"Am I their target?" Lin Si Yao asked without lifting his head.
"Unsure. I had found two but they bit their tongue before I could ask anything. I'm not sure if there are any more." Taking advantage of the noise caused by the waterfall, Liang En Zai briefed the others about the current situation of Prince Jing's Mansion.
"For the Twelve Blood Knights?" Lin Si Yao pondered while frowning. "Could it be true that the Twelve Blood Knights are just a distraction?" It was to attract the real military power out of Da Hui so they could capture them without any obstructions.
"Could be. I couldn't manage that much. Just be careful! I will send more people to protect En Xu." Liang En Zai reminded Lin Si Yao because he was worried about En Xu and the twins, who were vulnerable and couldn't protect themselves.
"No need, Situ Yun is here. More people and it'll be too conspicuous." Lin Si Yao shook his head. He had seen the imperial guards in the Prince's Mansion. The chief guard was said to be the strongest, but he couldn't stand one strike of his. That kind of guard, he would rather not have; more people meant more trouble.
Although Situ Yun wasn't as strong as himself, Si Tuo, and the others, he was the strongest among the younger generation in Feng Yao Court. It was the reason why he replaced Da Bao, after discussing with Xi Chong. Shuilian and the twins were his weakness. They could not afford to make any errors.
The others didn't matter to him.
"Okay, it's up to you. Oh, right, when we go to the palace to meet the Emperor on the eighth, you should be careful while in the palace."
Liang En Zai thought of the current Emperor. Although on the surface, he has a good relationship with his father, the Emperor is a sly character. His father was a frank and honest man, that's why he could be close to the Emperor. But he himself is different. Although the Emperor outwardly showed his appreciation to him – with his new title and the military power from his father, but also the Emperor's promise to let him build his own mansion when he was eighteen years old.
With high praises, he became the focus of the Imperial City. Even some of The Knights' operations were leaked. He was afraid that the Emperor would catch on.
Thus, after the event of the twelve Blood Knights, to conceal The Knights' existence, he had selfishly revealed Lin Si Yao to the public eyes. He thought that with Lin Si Yao's infamous title of the God of Slaughter, the Emperor wouldn't want to see him. However, he had failed to read the bizarre character of the Emperor.
However, no matter what scheme the Emperor had, Lin Si Yao wasn't a reckless man. He should be able to avoid the Emperor's trap.
"Emperor's birthday tomorrow... Was the Blood Union invited?" Lin Si Yao suddenly recalled the people he met in the restaurant in Yue Kui Town.
"Of course not. Why would we invite them here? Is there any problem?" Liang En Zai asked, slightly bewildered. Lin Si Yao never talked about useless things. Something must be up.
"On the way here, we saw some people, possibly from the Blood Union."
Liang En Zai frowned. The noise from the waterfall was subsiding so they no longer continued to talk. They then switched to some irrelevant topics. Soon, they arrived at the main house where Liang Xuan Jing and his wife resided.
Chapter 118: Substitute
The sixth day of the third lunar month was a very busy day in Feng Cheng – The Imperial City. It was the birthday of Da Hui's Emperor. Today, the Emperor would ride a roofless carriage around the city and greet his citizens in Feng Cheng.
This year was especially loud, as it was the fiftieth birthday of the Emperor. Following their old custom, by the end of the second lunar month, Feng Cheng had already become lively and bustling. However, this year, since the first month, refugees from the North Desert, the border between Da Hui and Blood Union, had stormed into Feng Cheng. The citizens in Feng Cheng were so annoyed; they complained a lot. The Emperor had ordered the officers to use their soldiers to capture the refugees who made riots in the city by early February.
Perhaps the Emperor had worried that the joy of his birthday would be reduced; thus, by the end of the second lunar month, he made a special announcement: On the next sixth day, the Third Imperial Princess of Da Hui Empire would come to Swan Pavilion and throw the embroidered ball to choose her Fuma*.
(驸马 / Fùmǎ: the Emperor's son-in-law)
This breaking news had stirred Feng Cheng's citizens' enthusiasm. They heard that the Third Imperial Princess was both beautiful and talented, with great morality. She was the daughter the Emperor loved the most.
Ever since then, not only people in Feng Cheng, but also in the two adjacent cities, Jin City and Xiu City, and the six, big and small, towns in the middle. All of the young and eligible bachelors swarmed to Swan Pavilion with great expectations for the sixth.
It was a Heaven-given chance that could make an unknown, poor man become a member of the royal family and enjoy endless wealth in just a blink of an eye!
It was such an enticing chance. Who didn't want to try his luck? All they needed to do was to sway and push through the crowd, throw their arms into the sky, and grab the embroidered ball to become a Fuma. No one wanted to miss such an opportunity.
---
"What? Xi Yue?" Su Shuilian almost jolted up from her seat.
"Yeah, Long Xi Yue will choose the Fuma on behalf of the Imperial Princess. It's an open secret circulating the palace." Feng Cai Yun sighed. By the afternoon, she came back from the Empress Dowager, where she confirmed the rumor.
"Why? Didn't they say that the Emperor never lies or jokes?" Su Shuilian hurried to ask. "He announced that the Third Imperial Princess wanted to find a Fuma. Why did he change to Xi Yue?"
Long Xi Yue, like her, was also a transmigrator. Su Shuilian hoped that her life wouldn't be decided so casually like that.
She was such a generous and straightforward girl. How could she let an embroidered ball decide her marriage? If... if a rogue caught the ball, did that mean she would become his wife?
How could the Emperor of Da Hui Empire be so muddleheaded? He said it was the Third Imperial Princess. And now, he changed to Long Xi Yue... Was it true that the women were so helpless in their own fate and marriage? They had to follow through with the Emperor's jokes?
Su Shuilian remembered Suzhou in the time of the Republic of China. Although at that time, most people had to get arranged marriages, especially rich families like the Su family... At least the man and the woman would have time to meet before their wedding. She would be able to know who her husband would be, the man who would accompany her for the rest of her life, and how he was.
But now, the man who would live with Xi Yue for the rest of her life would be decided by an embroidered ball. Once she threw it, she could never get it back. To Xi Yue, a woman who said she came from a more open-minded society, where they could decide their own marriages, this was such a cruel thing to her!
"Because the Emperor doesn't joke, Long Xi Yue is to replace the Imperial Princess. To find a Fuma is something that can't be changed, no matter what." Feng Cai Yun sighed.
"Is there no other method?" Su Shuilian looked at Lin Si Yao, who was sitting silently, and Liang En Zai, who was enjoying his tea.
"Big brother..." Su Shuilian furrowed her brows. This was a solemn discussion. Even if they couldn't come up with a solution, he still shouldn't display such a hurtful attitude!
"She chose it herself. Everybody should be responsible for their own choices." Liang En Zai put his cup of tea down at her plea, his face cold when he spoke.
"She chose it herself?" Su Shuilian was astounded, looking at Feng Cai Yun. Didn't she just say that she was forced to do so?
"Yes, it's true. Because Ouyang Xun made a wrong diagnosis, the Emperor jailed him. Long Xi Yue voluntarily came and begged for his mercy. The Emperor thought of this idea to test her faithfulness. It helps her show her loyalty and her filiation to Ouyang Xun." Liang En Zai explained disdainfully. "Hmph, just a woman. It doesn't matter whom she marries! No matter what, she will get married with the ceremony for a Imperial Princess. That is already an honor!"
"Liang En Zai!" Someone seized Su Shuilian's line.
Hearing him, Feng Cai Yun slammed the table in anger. "Don't act like you're so noble and virtuous! If you have the ability, save Doctor Ouyang Hun! Let's see if Xi Yue will still agree to marry in such a manner!"
"None of my business!" Liang En Zai stood up, brushing his shirt nonchalantly, and left the room.
"Really... I'll be infuriated to death by him." Feng Cai Yun took a sip of tea, shaking her head, sighing.
"Mother, my big brother..." On the surface, it seems that Liang En Zai has no concern for Xi Yue as he made such cynical remarks. But his provoking words hinted at his actual mood; he cares a lot (about the situation).
So why did he act differently from his thoughts?
"Who knows! Just like his father's stingy character!" Feng Cai Yun spat out. Then, she remembered that Liang En Zai wasn't the biological son of Liang Xuan Jing; he was Liang Xuan An's son. She turned to Su Shuilian, smiling embarrassedly. "I'm saying that his character is just like your stingy father."
---
"You apparently mind it a lot. Why don't you take some action?" Lou Xia Er helplessly watched the indifferent Liang En Zai occupying his garden's octagonal pavilion, drinking his apricot blossom wine.
"What action? Who knows if it's the trap set up by the palace?" Liang En Zai helped himself to a second tumbler of apricot blossom wine and replied in a husky voice.
"Trap?" Listening to him, Lou Xia Er paused for a while. Then, he shook his head, laughing and sighing. "Are you afraid that he would change the result? He said that Long Xi Yue would throw the embroidered ball instead of the Third Imperial Princess. But if you get the ball, the Third Imperial Princess will be the one who marries you. And, if you don't catch the ball, some lucky guy will catch it and Long Xi Yue will be his bride?" The man in the palace would probably do that. What he liked to do the most was to see people live miserably. Especially when Liang En Zai, the one he had targeted, didn't like his Princess.
"Yeah," Liang En Zai snorted glumly. He directly lifted the wine jar, pouring it into his mouth.
"Sigh, drinking like this, you're just wasting my good wine." Lou Xia Er's heart twinged, looking at the bottle in Liang En Zai's hand. It was his treasure he had stored for three years! This love-sick moron didn't know how to savor good wine.
"Truth be told, the Third Imperial Princess isn't bad. You should marry her, then marry Long Xi Yue as your concubine." Lou Xia Er patted Liang En Zai, who was lying on the table after finishing the bottle. A jar of wine couldn't make him drunk. Lou Xia Er had known him since they were kids. He was well aware of his tolerance.
"Go away!" A croaky voice snarled from the table. Lou Xia Er smiled like a kitten successfully stealing some fish. "Tch, tch. Who always has a grumpy face when I bring up Long Xi Yue. Turns out..."
"No one would ask if you're mute even if you don't talk." Liang En Zai stood up with a dark face, walking out of the octagonal pavilion.
"Are you leaving? So tomorrow..."
"Talk later." Liang En Zai waved his hand, but he didn't turn his head back. Slowly, he walked out of the main door of Prince Xiang's Mansion.
Lou Xia Er frowned as he watched his lonely back walking away. He didn't know what his friend would choose to do tomorrow. Would he just watch the girl he loved get married to someone else? Or, would he stand up and marry the Imperial Princess, who he didn't love, which would give Long Xi Yue a chance to choose the one she loved?
It was a tough choice... It was difficult because no matter what he chose, Long Xi Yue would never be his wife...
---
Everybody gathered at Prince Jing's Mansion's dining room early in the morning of the sixth. Sitting around a red circular sandalwood table, which could host about sixteen people.
"Big brother, are you sure you're not going to catch the embroidered ball?" Yesterday, she and Feng Cai Yun had discussed for a long time to come up with a method in which Liang En Zai would catch the ball. Coincidentally, Liang En Zai was around the same age as Long Xi Yue. Moreover, they knew each other. If they couldn't stop the fact that Long Xi Yue must throw the ball, it would be the best solution they currently have.
However, Liang En Zai refused to do so; he headed back to Iris Courtyard without looking back.
"How about letting Yun'er catch it! Yun'er is skilled in martial arts. He must be able to catch that ball!" When Su Shuilian noticed Situ Yun, an idea suddenly popped up in her head.
Situ Yun almost spat out his steamed rice that he was wolfing down. Feeling pitiful, he cocked his head towards Su Shuilian. He really wanted to say, "It's not my business."
He was just thirteen years old this year! And, the Third Imperial Princess was already sixteen, while Long Xi Yue was seventeen years old. But the most important thing was that, Situ Yun, he himself didn't want to get married yet! Could the waiter's words at the restaurant in Yue Kui Town really become the truth? Wuuwuuwuu...
Someone else wanted to cry even more than him, but he was trying to maintain an emotionless face.
"Is that... not okay? At least, I believe in Yun-er's character..." When everyone heard her suggestion, they all turned and gazed at her as if they had just heard an awkward joke.
But she had seriously thought it through. It was better than allowing Long Xi Yue to marry a stranger. Even though Yun-er was young, his ability wasn't less than a grown-up man.
Liang En Zai was their best choice, but he denied it. She could only force Situ Yun onto the stage now.
"Uncle..." Situ Yun looked at Su Shuilian beggingly, but he couldn't make her withdraw her idea. He couldn't help but turn to ask Lin Si Yao for help.
"Actually, it's a good alternative." Elder Wangye Jing, who had kept silent, suddenly spoke up. And, he agreed with Su Shuilian's proposal, causing everyone else to become speechless.
"Letting our man seize the embroidered ball is also a rescue plan." Liang Xun Jing continued indifferently. This sentence was for a specific listener to allow him to process his words.
"That's right. After getting married, we can let them divorce." Feng Cai Yun clapped her hands, nodding in approval.
"I'm not..." Situ Yun wanted to speak for his freedom; his right to get married. However, Lin Si Yao patted his head. "Someone's livelihood is in danger. Tolerate it for now!"
Chapter 119: The Everchanging Imperial Palace
Eventually, Situ Yun was driven to a drastic alternative by Su Shuilian and the others. He had to go save Long Xi Yue, whose future could be robbed by some random stranger otherwise.
As for Liang En Zai, he finished his breakfast in two or three bites. Then, he silently walked out; no one knew where he was heading.
"En Zai... He's strange these days. It's not quite true that he doesn't care about Xi Yue." Feng Cai Yun lifted her chin, looking at Liang En Zai disappearing, mumbling.
"It's his way of showing concern. You women only think about catching the embroidered ball to save Long Xi Yue, and what would happen afterward?" Liang Xuan Jing said faintly. Although Liang En Zai wasn't his biological son, living together for seventeen years, he understood his son more than his real parents.
Had he not known Liang En Zai's true feelings, he would have agreed with his daughter's proposal.
"After that?" Feng Cai Yun and Su Shuilian exchanged looks as they didn't understand what the Elder Wangye meant.
"Sigh, you should get more input before spontaneously acting! The Emperor only said that Long Xi Yue would throw the ball instead of the Princess. He didn't say if she was throwing for herself. It's not hard to know what His Majesty is thinking! If the one who catches the ball is a well-educated, well merited man, the princess will marry him. And if the one who catches the ball can't be more ordinary, or with a crooked personality; a person the Princess wouldn't bat an eye at, they would make Long Xi Yue his bride.
"Heavens!"
"Impossible!"
Feng Cai Yun and Su Shuilian both exclaimed incredulously.
Then, what should they do!?
Everybody turned towards Situ Yun one more time.
"Sigh, what I wanted to say was if you want to save her, why don't we just rescue her and take her away? Why do we need to catch the ball?" Situ Yun wiped his face, sighing begrudgingly.
"But Doctor Ouyang..."
"He's only in imperial prison, right? Just go and save him. Why overcomplicate things?" Situ Yun glumly looked at Lin Si Yao. His beautiful sister was not aware, but was it true that his uncle wasn't either? No, he was just enjoying the show. No matter what, in Lin Si Yao's mind, as long as the one in trouble wasn't the beautiful sister or the twins, nobody else mattered to him. Sigh! It was his own calamity for having such an uncle!
"I thought about it, but the palace isn't an ordinary place. There are so many imperial guards, visible and invisible. If we fail, not only Doctor Ouyang, but Long Xi Yue will also..." Liang Xuan Jing shook his head reluctantly. He had considered this method when he was informed of Ouyang Xun's imprisonment. However, no one would dare to take such risks, especially the ones who lived in the imperial city.
"Father, something happened in the palace." Liang En Zai had returned. Leaning against the pillar in front of the dining room. His face held an unreadable expression.
He looked... to be rejoicing... Su Shuilian thought.
---
Someone had rescued Ouyang Xun?
Who could it be?
Everybody exchanged looks.
They did have the same idea, but it was still just an idea. Who had rescued Ouyang Xun before they could take any action?
Liang Xuan Jing walked around the dining room. He lifted head, his bright eyes gazing at Liang En Zai, "Are you sure it wasn't you?"
"No," Liang En Zai answered with open eyes. He actually had that thought, but his rationale told him otherwise.
"So Xi Yue..."
"Disappeared." Liang En Zai admired his cup of tea, preventing people from discovering the emotion at the bottom of his eyes.
"Disappeared? Then..." Liang Xuan Jing paused for a while, "Let me go to the palace."
"Father, the imperial palace is sealed now. People can get out but not get in." Liang En Zai called after Liang Xuan Jing, who was on his way out.
"Sealed?" Liang Xuan Jing frowned, thinking. He guessed, "Could it be the Blood Union..."
"I don't know. Father, has Doctor Ouyang saved anybody from Blood Union's Imperial Family?" Liang En Zai, looking at the glass in his hand, asked slowly.
"How could it be! Ouyang Xun is..." Liang Xuan Jing waved his hand at Liang En Zai's unreasonable question. However, his hand froze in midair.
Ouyang Xun... Blood Union... Heavens! Ouyang Xun was from Blood Union, wasn't he? That year, when the Third Prince wasn't convinced when the eldest Prince got the throne, he had poisoned the other with the Fiery Silkworm. At that time, Ouyang Xun was a refugee from the Blood Union. He volunteered to go into the imperial palace and cured the current Emperor. Otherwise, Da Hui Empire would have had another ruler.
And, from that day onward, Ouyang Xun was kept in the imperial palace. People knew him as an imperial doctor, but actually, he was there just in case the Emperor was poisoned again.
Afterward, Ouyang Xun had never mentioned the Blood Union. And now, after twelve years, people had almost forgotten that Ouyang Xun was actually from Blood Union.
"If the Blood Union saved Ouyang Xun and Long Xi Yue, why would the Emperor seal the imperial palace?" Liang Xuan Jing was at a loss upon realization, "En Zai, who told you this?"
"Xia 'Er," Liang En Zai answered. At Liang Xuan Jing's confused gaze, he explained, "He went to the imperial palace to see the Empress Dowager. It was at the same time the imperial edict was delivered to Hua Rui Building. That's how he knows of this news."
"Then there shouldn't be any wrong information." Liang Xuan Jing could not stop fidgeting before he stood up again. "No... I still have to go there and see."
"Lord..." Feng Cai Yun hurried to pull Liang Xuan Jing's sleeve when he still wanted to go to the imperial palace on such an occasion. "My Lord, En Zai said that the imperial palace is sealed now, why do you..."
"You don't know, I..."
"Father, I'm going with you." Liang En Zai got up.
"En Zai!" Feng Cai Yun looked at Liang En Zai in disbelief. Not only did he not dissuade him from going, he wanted to come along . Was he crazy?
"Don't worry mother, I'll protect him." Liang En Zai said before Feng Cai Yun had the chance to rebuttal.
"Xu'er, your father..." Feng Cai Yun was anxious and at a loss for words. She didn't know what to do. If what they had assumed was true, going to the palace now wasn't different from shoving the sheep into the wolf's mouth.
"Father... A Yao..." Although Su Shuilian didn't understand what they were talking about, she only knew that Doctor Ouyang and Xi Yue were rescued. However, from Feng Cai Yun's reactions, she too became nervous. Su Shuilian turned around, asking for help from Lin Si Yao, who always stood silently by her side.
"I'm going too." Lin Si Yao nodded to Su Shuilian. If her father and brother were going, he had no reason to stay idle.
"But..." Su Shuilian hurried to hold the hems of his shirt. She wanted his help, but she didn't mean he had to go as well. She just needed him to think of a method to prevent the other two from going.
"It's okay," Lin Si Yao smiled, comforting her. Liang Xuan Jing and Liang En Zai had shown that they wouldn't give up until they figured it out. And now, if he asked them not to go, it would be as if he disdained their sense of responsibility as officials. When the imperial family was in trouble, how could they just stand and stare?
"Sigh, now what?" Feng Cai Yun watched the other three leaving. She couldn't help but sigh, "This is why I've always told them to stay away from the matters pertaining to the imperial family..."
---
At mao-shi (5am - 7am), on the sixth of the third lunar month, the twelfth year of Feng Qing Dynasty; the fiftieth birthday of Da Hui Empire's Emperor. The day the Third Princess would choose her husband by throwing an embroidered ball at Feng Cheng – the imperial city. However, the city was not bustling with a lively atmosphere, instead it seemed as if a massive, black storm cloud had covered the entire city in a deadly silence.
Two hours ago, an urgent announcement was spread out from Da Hui's imperial palace. The Emperor's birthday ceremony, the parade, and even the Third Princess's Fuma choosing at Swan Pavilion were canceled altogether. Three urgent announcements were made continuously. They astounded the people who were already gathering on the streets.
Under the control of the armed guards from Feng Chang's office, people respectfully left the main road orderly, returning to their homes... until the central square of the imperial city, An Bao Street, An You Street, and even the Swan Pavilion... were empty. With the exception of the armed guards patrolling around.
---
"Anything? Still no way to enter?" Liang Xuan Jing saw Liang En Zai approaching and asked hurriedly.
"Mhm. The walls are sealed everywhere. All the gates were closed an hour ago." Liang En Zai said in a frown.
"This..." Liang Xuan Jing was bewildered listening to his son. He couldn't get himself together even after a long time. The palace was sealed on all four sides... All the gates were closed... No one was allowed to get in or get out... no one...
The Emperor would never make such an order! Absolutely never!
No matter what, I have to enter." Liang Xuan Jing muttered determinedly. If not, he would never know the truth. If all of this was the Emperor's order, and breaking in meant he broke imperial order, he would bear all the result. It was still better than doing nothing at all.
"Father..." Liang En Zai wanted to persuade him to rethink his rash decision, afterall, nobody knew what was going on inside. If it was a challenge the man in the palace had set up for the aristocrats and the other officials, whomever dared to break in, would be jailed directly.
However, looking at Liang Xuan Jing's worried face, Liang En Zai swallowed all of his advice. He understood what a man his father was! He was a straightforward man who didn't like scheming and plotting. He would use the most direct way to solve his doubts.
Furthermore, what his father was concerned the most was the people of Da Hui Empire. If the Blood Union had actually infiltrated the imperial palace, if not stopped in time, it meant Da Hui would have to face another perpetual war, like what happened one hundred years ago.
After some consideration, Liang En Zai sighed, "Father, I'll go."
"You're not allowed to go!" Liang Xuan Jing hissed.
"But father..." Liang En Zai looked at Liang Xuan Jing's resolute face. "You don't know martial arts, even if you go..." It was just in vain. The guards would capture him after several steps.
"What about having no martial art? I'm not going there to fight!" Liang Xuan Jing rolled his eyes. Although he knew his son didn't disdain him, he just showed his concern to him, his words just did not hit right.
"..." Liang En Zai didn't know if he should cry or smile. He winked at Lin Si Yao who was standing quietly by Liang Xuan Jing, signaling him to take his father away. Otherwise, the guards would suspect him as a thief climbing over the wall and arrest him.
"I'll go." Lin Si Yao's short response came unexpectedly, immediately after he (LSY) disappeared.
"Son..." Liang Xuan Jing carefully looked at Liang En Zai. "My son-in-law..." had such excellent martial arts? He couldn't even see how the other climbed the wall.
"Father, we should go home and wait for his news." Liang En Zai retracted his gaze, as he replied to Liang Xuan Jing. Although he used to want to ask for Lin Si Yao's help, it wasn't today. Sigh, this time, his sister would drown him with her tears.
Lin Si Yao had only just accompanied him here. And now, he entered the palace instead of them... Hopefully Lin Si Yao will return soon.
Chapter 120: Blood Union's Emperor
The Throne Hall in Da Hui's imperial palace was dead silent in the afternoon. So silent that the sound of a needle could be heard falling onto the ground.
A middle-aged man, wearing a luxurious dragon robe, sat upright on the highest throne in the room. His eyes gazed at the entrance to the hall. No one could see the immeasurable gleam at the bottom of his eyes.
"Your Majesty, all the officials have left the imperial palace." An imperial servant came to the hall and reported.
"Your Majesty, all the gates are closed." A long moment later, another servant came, reporting.
Ok, (you all) retire." The man sitting on the golden throne waved his hand to dismiss the servants after a moment of staying quiet.
"Your Majesty..."
"I said, leave!" The man raised his voice. The two imperial servants kneeling on the ground exchanged looks before bowing and excusing themselves.
"If you are here, why don't you show yourself? Do you need we to welcome you personally?" The man looked at the main entrance to the hall. His cold voice broke the deadly silence in the Throne Hall.
"Can't believe you're still so rude after twenty-four years we haven't met!" As soon as the man said that, a middle-aged couple wearing luxurious clothes slowly entered the hall.
"To the kind of despicable people that don't keep their words like you, it's already an honor that we agreed to send all of my people out of the imperial palace and meet you." The man sitting on the throne was the Emperor of Da Hui. In this moment, facing the married couple that leisurely browsed Da Hui's imperial palace as if it were their own house, he couldn't suppress his anger.
"Tch tch... all I did was send a letter requesting some of your time. Don't act like it's the end of Da Hui!" The man walked into the hall, holding the woman's hand. He chose a chair and pulled the woman to sit with him.
"Say it! What is it this time?" Da Hui's Emperor did not want to waste any time with the man and asked in a straightforward manner.
"Nothing. I just want to visit you, the people you rule, who are living well, and your loyal subordinates..."
"Get to the point!" The Da Hui's Emperor cut off the man's nonsense. "We still remember. Twenty-four years ago, Da Hui and Blood Union signed a treaty. The Blood Union are not allowed to send armed men to Da Hui Empire. You've violated the original agreement."
"Right," the old man frankly replied. "The Blood Union didn't send any soldiers to Da Hui. I didn't violate the treaty."
"Twelve-Blood-Knights!" Da Hui's Emperor said through his gritted teeth, stressing the words. Blood Union's twelve Blood Knights only listened to the emperor. Without the Blood Union's Emperor's order, how could they infiltrate Da Hui without premeditated intentions?!
"Oh, I also want to ask you about that! Last year, my Twelve Blood Knights disappeared into thin air. I don't know where they had gone. I heard that Da Hui found them. Well, on the occasion of your birthday, I come to join the party and take them back." The man smiled, lifted his head to look at the man who was about to explode on the throne. He explained with a sincere voice that couldn't be sincerer.
"You... You..." Da Hui's Emperor was so angry he wanted to vomit blood. He pointed at the man who acted as if everything he had done in his life was all right and just. However, his words and his actions all showed he was an evil-doer.
"What? Did I receive the wrong information? The Twelve Blood Knights weren't in Dai Hui's territory? Then, that's okay, too. My nation didn't violate the treaty as you had accused us." The man didn't even want to look at the Emperor, who was about to erupt on his throne. He talked fast but calm.
"You..." Da Hui's Emperor tried hard to suppress his anger. He retreated his shaking index finger, trying to calm his heart: He had known that extremely malicious man for thirty years, and he had never defeated him in any official war. However, he did have one counter...
"How's your Civet Crown Prince?"
Indeed, this question could become the strongest weapon in history that had stabbed the other directly in his heart.
"Li Wen Xiu!"
Tch, tch, what did the mess look like when the demonic dragon flies over? Like this! Da Hui's Emperor, Li Wen Xiu scoffed as he watched his Throne Hall being wreaked havoc as if a storm had just come by. Unexpectedly, after twenty-four years they hadn't met, the hundred-year humiliation of Blood Union's royal family was still a bleeding wound in that man's heart.
"Xue Li..." The woman sitting next to him had tears all over her face. She hugged the man who had just got himself together after his wrath. "Li... Don't think too much... didn't you say that we found a clue, right?"
The man shuddered awake at her words. He retrieved his evil aura, lifting his head to look at Li Wen Xiu who was sitting on the throne and watching them as if he was enjoying some comedy. Shortly, his eyes resumed their calmness.
"It's our honor that we could amuse you!" That man, no, Emperor Xue Li of Blood Union sneered. He didn't feel ashamed of his destructive vandalizing act at all.
"Much thanks!" Li Wen Xiu felt much better when he could strike the other back.
"Then we can sit and talk nicely about the reason why we are visiting, alright?" Xue Li arched his brow.
"Alright," Li Wen Xiu sighed begrudgingly. What else could he do then? Blood Union was several times stronger than Da Hui. Twenty-four years ago, they had met each other by chance. While he was still a prince, he helped Xue Li find his wife who had ran away in anger. In return, he got a written promise stating that the Blood Union would never invade Da Hui. That promise had helped him secure his Crown Prince position and become the Emperor after the former Emperor passed away.
However, that written promise could be kept only up to twenty-four years. The twelve Blood Knights of Blood Union had sneaked into Da Hui. Although the problem had been resolved, they had become a thorn in his eyes. The twelve Blood Knights represented the power of Blood Union's royal family. Until now, the twelve Blood Nights had never failed a single mission. However, this time, they were buried in Da Hui's territory. It was easy to guess that Xue Li would come sooner or later.
However, he hadn't expected that Xue Li would arrive that fast. Right at his fiftieth birthday when he was about to choose an effective assistant, Xue Li came. He (XL) sent him a letter informing him of his arrival and requesting all irrelevant personnel out of the palace for a secret meeting. The letter indicated that Xue Li would come to find him to solve the debt of his twelve Blood Knights.
---
"So the Emperor and the Empress of Blood Union have come to the palace? Then why did the Emperor didn't treat him with a proper greeting ceremony but instead have a secret meeting?" It didn't sound like their Emperor's style at all. Receiving very brief news from Lin Sin Yao, Liang Xuan Jing and Liang En Zai looked at each other in confusion.
"Father, has our Emperor known the Blood Union's Emperor before?"
"Could they be... some old acquaintances? Anyway, when the former Emperor was still alive, he had signed the treaty with the Blood Union's Emperor, which says they wouldn't trespass each other's territory. At that time, we guessed that our current Emperor could be a good friend of Blood Union's Emperor. Afterward, there hasn't been any dispute between the two nations but there weren't any trading, business either, let alone any gathering between the two Emperors. Except for signing the "No Armed Troop Invasion Treaty," on other aspects, Da Hui and Blood Union weren't different from two real enemies.
"Son-in-law, we troubled you." Liang Xuan Jing talked then patted Lin Si Yao's shoulder, ignoring his own son, who was contemplating with a stooped head. He said lovingly, "Go to your room. Xu'er has been worried about you."
"Hm" Lin Si Yao nodded. Wearing an emotionless face, he walked out of the study room and headed towards Lotus Courtyard where the guests stayed in the Prince's mansion.
Lin Si Yao did not inform the pair of the scene where the Blood Union's Emperor destroyed the hall in anger and Blood Union's Empress cried, comforting him.
Recalling that part, Lin Si Yao tried to press down the strange concern in his heart. He dashed to the guestroom Su Shuilian was staying in. He had made up his mind. On the eighth day, after meeting the Emperor, he would leave the imperial city with Su Shuilian and the twins.
He was used to the peaceful, leisure life in Fan Hua Town. The bustling, luxurious scenes in imperial city made it hard to forget his dark past. He had an urge to bring his wife and children out of here immediately.
"Yes, we'll go home the day after tomorrow." Lin Si Yao hugged the soft, aromatic body of his wife, sighing.
"Okay," Su Shuilian agreed. She missed their home, too. Although Fan Hua Town wasn't as brustling as Feng Cheng, although their two-acre house wasn't as big as the Lotus Courtyard they got in Prince Mansion, although their daily life back there wasn't really convenient like the life in the imperial city, although this place was also her home – her parents' house, but she... still missed home.
Su Shuilian gently pushed the special, small crib, which Feng Cai Yun had ordered the craftsman to make, with both hands. Her eyes were filled with her children's images. When she turned her head around, she saw her dear husband placing his head on her neck, and he refused to move away. She smiled.
"Why are you laughing?" Although Lin Si Yao had buried his head into the side of her neck, he could feel all of her emotions. He asked her, his voice a little husky.
"Nothing," she smiled at him. There was no way she would say romantic words like she was very satisfied with her current life. She would feel too embarrassed to do so.
"Really?" He smiled and didn't expose her. She was really innocent, and all of her mood could be seen on her small face. It was the reason why he didn't want to let her face life alone. Only the simple, peaceful life in Fan Hua Town was the most suitable place for her to live.
Prince Jing's mansion? Ha, even if she were the daughter of the main wife, the first legitimate Young Lady, so what? Who could ensure that the other concubines and their children in Prince Jing's mansion would behave and follow the rule?
They had just stayed one night and Liang Xuan Jing's concubines had brought their daughters to disturb Shuilian. Regardless of their intentions, Shuilian already had a headache when they "passed by" her Lotus Courtyard, let alone the cunning, malicious ones.
"Ah right, A Yao, I've finished your robe for your audience on the eighth. Try it on to see if it fits you or not." Su Shuilian turned around and came back with an azul colored, double lapel robe. She had started preparing his outfit as she knew he had to visit the palace.
"So fast?" Lin Si Yao smiled, receiving the robe from her. It had only been ten days since they were informed to head to the imperial palace to meet the Emperor, including four and a half days they had spent traveling. However, he had never underestimated his little wife. Especially in terms of sewing, her talent and ability were incredible.
"You should wear proper clothing when you see the Emperor." Su Shuilian smiled, gently nudged him. "Put it on. If it doesn't fit, I'll fix it immediately. If she didn't assure that A Yao got a proper gown, her mother would make the biggest tailor shop in the imperial city bring all of their high-quality robes for him to choose.
"You made it," Of course it fits. Lin Si Yao said but still obediently put the gown on. Only this way, would it assure her.