Chapter 31 Part1 (1/2)

Besides Liu Fu Ling, my favourite character is Liu He. He is so ridiculously over the top but yet still human, and not just a caricature. Liu He's backstory is revealed here and a lost long childhood connection dug up. Huo Cheng Jun starts to craftily make her way into the palace.

Liu Fu Ling is such a cute boy with an apricot I really can't wait to see the boy who will play him. Can I just say how much I love the scene where Yun Ge threw water at Liu He? It is such a Yun Ge thing to do, and only she'll be able to get away with it.

Update: CHAPTER COMPLETE.

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When news spread that Liu Fu Ling had summoned Liu He to the capital, all the court officials expressed surprise, confusion, and even found it funny. Was his majesty finding Chang An too boring? Was that why he had summoned this clown to entertain himself, and everyone else in the process? Some meticulous court officials still had some hopes for Liu He, and felt that although this person might be muddleheaded in trivial matters, he would still have the sense to be clearheaded about such a big matter. Of course he couldn’t accept this summons from his majesty, he should fake an injury to postpone this, then this whole matter will be over.

To their surprise, they heard that not only did Liu He accept the summons; he was even rus.h.i.+ng preparations to enter the capital, on the surface telling everyone “I want to quickly enter Chang An to pay my respects to his majesty”, but in secret he was heard to have grabbed hold of the officials who read him his summons, incessantly asking them where the best ladies in Chang An were, which gentlemen were the best at eating, drinking and entertaining, which dance houses had the most talented women. All those court officials shook their heads and sighed, their hopes truly quashed. Those eunuchs who accompanied the court officials to read the summons immediately reported everything to Huo Guang upon returning to Chang An. Of course this person wasn’t an upright gentleman, but when they talked about the ridiculous things they witnessed in Changyi, they shook their heads as they spoke. Huo Yu, Huo Shan and Huo Yun were laughing at his anecdotes but Huo Guang’s expression was solemn.

The day Prince He of Changyi was due to arrive in Chang An, Chang An was bustling like the people were celebrating a festival, thousands of people vacating the streets just to catch a glimpse of the Prince of Changyi. The beautiful Madam Lee was already a legend among the womenfolk. Prince Changyi was her grandson, it is said he was a rare beauty, tender and romantic. This was the first time Liu Fu Ling had summoned a border prince to the capital since ascending the throne, so everyone wanted a glimpse of his face. Of course, Liu He didn’t disappoint; he used a way no one had even thought of to let everyone in Chang An remember him. Even after twenty, thirty years later, when the Emperor, Empress, Huo Guang were all buried under the sands of time, never to be mentioned again, there would still be white haired ladies telling their grandchildren about the time they saw Liu He.

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Around 5 to 7am, when there sun had yet to rise, there were already commoners taking their places at the city gates, making sure they got the best spot. Around 7 to 9am, imperial guards dressed in armour and carrying swords came to maintain peace.

From 9 to 11am, a group officials slowly came streaming in, just before noon, officials who were of the third grade and above were already at the city gates; exactly at noon, Grand Marshal, Chancellor, Generals all arrive; then at the end of noon, Liu Fu Ling arrived at the city gates in the company of eunuchs and palaces maids. At 9am, the sentinels had reported that Prince Changyi was 40li[1] away from the city gates. He would have arrived at 1pm, latest. Yet Liu Fu Ling stood on top of the palace gates, waiting from the end of noon to 2pm, but the Prince of Changyi had yet to make an appearance. Then, under the advice of the officials, Liu Fu Ling went to the side of the city gates to rest. Liu Fu Ling was still fairly understanding, even summoning Huo Guang, Tian Qian Qiu, Zhang An s.h.i.+ and officials who were getting on in age to the city gates, allowing them to sit and wait while drinking tea. The other officials could only stand ramrod straight under the hot sun in their official robes, continuing their wait. At 3pm, there was still no sign of the Prince of Changyi. The commoners at the side could still sit while waiting or search vendors selling food and drink, chewing on their rice biscuits as they talked amongst themselves while waiting, but the other officials could only wait despite the dryness in their throats, the rumbling in their tummies and the numbness of their legs! The only thing they could do was to inwardly curse the Prince of Changyi as many curses as they could think of. At 5pm, the sun was already starting its descent but the Prince of Changyi still hadn’t arrived. From the earlier bustling excitement among the commoners, it slowly became quieter and quieter until silence fully fell on that place. No one had any energy left in them to create noise or sounds of excitement.

Now everyone felt that since they had already waited the whole day, if they still didn’t see this Prince of Changyi, wouldn’t they have wasted the whole day? No one was content to just give up! Of course, there were also people who ‘respected’ the Prince of Changyi for making his majesty wait! With almost ten thousand people standing at the city gates but not a sound to be heard towards the end could only be described as eerily strange.

Just when the rays of the setting sun fell upon everyone, forcing them to squint in order to see the west, a melodious, lilting music travelled through the crowd. Accompanied by the music, a group of people walked along the roads winding to the city gates in the slight glow of the sunrays. With the music also came a vague, barely there aroma, like a hundred flowers blooming at once, marking the return of spring. Eight pretty maidens, with flower baskets in their hands walked slowly while throwing dried flower petals. Behind them were eight burly, bearded men, carrying a huge pallet on their shoulders. Although they were burly men, but because they were walking behind the maidens, even their steps took on an air of gracefulness. On the pallet there were a few girls with hair piled high on their heads and held together by golden pins playing various instruments for the man behind them. There was another pallet behind them but this time, the pallet was carried by eight tall, beautiful Hu maidens.

A man was propped up on the pallet, with a maid lying on his knee. The man’s head was bowed as he played with a lock of her hair, the other hand holding a cup of red wine from Xi Yu. He wore a headdress made of purple-gold jade, and a purple robe, a belt of white jade at his waist. His eyes were dark and bright, his lips like begonia, his looks prettier than most women by half, but his sharp brows added an air of handsomeness, so that no one would mistake him for a woman. His eyes swept the crowd; his lips curved in a smile and his eyes brimmed with his tenderness. Every girl his gaze brushed across felt that his gaze was meant for them alone, their hearts beating faster. That gaze bespoke of tantalizing unknowns. All the men present wanted to smash their head against the wall, realizing that this man is living the life a true man should life. Many playful, naughty boys who saw Liu He resolved in that instant to study hard, brush up their martial arts so that they could rise to be powerful officials next time. Only then could they have power, money and beautiful ladies, and become a man like Liu He. When Liu Fu Ling walked out of the city gates and saw the scene before him, he finally realized why Liu He took close to a day to cover a distance of 40li. All the officials reverently welcomed the Prince of Chanyi to Chang An as one.

When Liu He saw Liu Fu Ling standing in front, he quickly ordered the Hu maidens to stop, hopped off his pallet and rushed to kowtow to Liu Fu Ling. “Your subject didn’t know that your majesty will be here to welcome your subject and bows in thanks to your majesty for your favour. The roads were rough, it wasn’t an easy journey and thus we were delayed. Your subject seeks your majesty’s forgiveness.” Liu Fu Ling mentioned for him to rise “We are one family, no need for so many formalities.” Huo Guang, Tian Qian Qiu and other officials came forward to pay their respects and ask after Liu He. After the formalities, Liu Fu Ling and Liu He walked side by side, talking as they walked. The officials that have stood for a whole day could finally leave.

Liu Bing Yi left home early and after suffering the whole day without food, he now doubled over in hunger, holding on to Meng Jue’s arm, he said weakly “Next time you want to punish Da Gong Zi, remember to call me. I’ll definitely help with the planning, giving money and strength and everything I’ve got.” Meng Jue must have known this would have had happened, given his long friends.h.i.+p with Da Gong Zi, since his face was a picture of calm. When he saw Liu Bing Yi’s expression, he suddenly laughed “Da Gong Zi and I are friends, but shouldn’t you be calling him ‘Uncle’? Then wouldn’t I then be your….” Liu Bing Yi interrupted “Don’t joke! Based on your words, since Da Gong Zi called his majesty ‘Uncle’, and Yun Ge calls his majesty ‘Ling Ge Ge’, then what should you call Yun Ge? We should just call each other whatever we wish, without taking in the familial relations! The imperial relations are numerous and confusing. Furthermore, I don’t have the right as yet to call Da Gong Zi ‘Uncle’. “ Meng Jue smiled, not replying. Liu Bing Yi asked “Meng Jue, have you managed to figure out why his majesty summoned the Prince of Changyi to Chang An?”

“No.”

“Why didn’t you object to the Prince of Changyi coming to Chang An? Aren’t you afraid of what might happen?”

Meng Jue said blandly “This decision has nothing to do with me, he has his own plan, I merely didn’t object.”

Liu Fu Ling planned the banquet to welcome Liu He into the capital, it was held in Jian Ning Palace, lending an air of familiarity as compared to the grandness of Wei Yang Palace. As this was a private imperial family banquet, there were a limited number of people invited. The Emperor, Prince of Changyi, Huo Guang, Tian Qian Qiu, Zhang An s.h.i.+, Liu Bing Yi and Meng Jue were among those.

When the other officials noticed Liu Bing Yi and Meng Jue among the guests, they were first surprised, then remembered the words his majesty said the night they bravely fought with the Prince of Central Qiang, and understood his majesty wanted to raise Liu Bing Yi and Meng Jue up. Some officials after understanding his majesty’s intentions were prepared to start drafting a missive to request his majesty to promote the duo. As it was a family banquet, everyone came not wearing their usual court robes.

Huo Guang didn’t bring his wife, only attending with Huo Yu and Huo Cheng Jun, Tian Qian Qiu, Zhang An s.h.i.+ and Liu Bing Yi had wives but all opted to attend alone. Incidentally, Liu Fu Ling also attended the banquet alone; the Empress didn’t make an appearance. Huo Cheng Jun was a woman, so she couldn’t speak as she wished. Huo Yu didn’t dare to do so either with his father around. Huo Guang, Tian Qian Qiu, Zhang An s.h.i.+, Meng Jue and Liu Bing Yi were all careful, meticulous people who wouldn’t speak unless absolutely needed. Liu Fu Ling was naturally quiet, not an Emperor good with words and entertainment. A whole hall filled with people, but only Liu He was talking and laughing, the more he talked the more depressed he got, finally reaching his limit and complaining to Liu Fu Ling “Your majesty, is this what a banquet looks like in Chang An? First there are no beauties, second, no fine wine, third, no song or dance, and here I was still longing every day for the romantic tales I’ve heard of Chang An. This is too boring!”

Liu Fu Ling lowered his eyes to the wine cup on his table and Yu An hurriedly bowed to say “Your highness, besides the tribute wine served tonight, there is also the most famous ‘Zhu Ye Qing’ wine in Chang An. Although it isn’t the best wine ever but it can still be considered ‘fine wine.’ “ Liu He scoffed “Just by hearing your words I can tell you’re someone who doesn’t drink. Wine is meant to be drunk, not admired by its name alone. With a beauty in my embrace, interesting gentlemen as drinking partners, melodious music to my ears, then wine would have taste. What is this now? What difference does this wine have from pure water?” As Liu He spoke, he poured the wine in his cup to the floor.

Yu An stood there, troubled. Of course he knew what a banquet was supposed to be like. He too had witnessed the extravagance of the late Emperor’s banquets, but his majesty never approached beauties, or liked such banquets, so in the past ten years the palace hadn’t specially trained songstresses or dancers to accompany officials for entertainment and drink. If there were any big grand banquets, the song and dance would be entrusted to the Ministry of Rites. For normal, small banquets, all officials knew his majesty’s preference and no one dared to protest. Tonight though, he was faced with such a p.r.i.c.kly issue. Where was he supposed to find someone in such a short notice? He could only smile and apologize “Your highness, it is your servant who didn’t plan properly.” Liu He stopped talking but unhappiness was written all over his face. Liu Fu Ling said “I see you’ve brought many maidens with you on this journey. I’ll bend the rules and permit them to accompany you to drink.”

With a wave of his hand and a vague air of respect, Liu He said “I thank your majesty for your kindness, but your subject was afraid that he had spoiled them and they would behave impudently so I’ve only brought two maids with me into the palace. The rest remain outside, by the time they come in, this banquet would have ended. Let us just make do with what we have!” Although he said ‘make do’, his expression didn’t even help. He held his wine cup, heaved a long sigh, his face one of sadness and loneliness. Liu Fu Ling must have had an extremely good grasp on his temper because his brow didn’t even knit when dealing with Liu He. His face remained bland, if he had questions then he asked; if not he didn’t say a word. No matter what, Liu Fu Ling was the head of state, which means even the mighty Huo Guang didn’t dare to go against Liu Fu Ling in front of everyone. This Prince of Changyi was truly the most famous ridiculous prince.

Tian Qian Qiu and Zhang An s.h.i.+ only lowered their eyes and concentrated on eating, shutting the outside world out. Meng Jue was full of smiles as he tasted his wine. Huo Guang seemed troubled, seemingly miles away. The whole hall was only filled with Liu He’s sighs. Huo Cheng Jun suddenly rose and kowtowed to Liu Fu Ling. ‘Long live your majesty, your subject Huo Cheng Jun knows a bit of song and dance. If his highness doesn’t mind, your subject is willing to perform a dance to entertain your highness.” Liu Fu Ling had yet to say anything before Liu He happily replied “Fine.” Liu Fu Ling nodded, acceding to her request.

Liu He smiled “A dance without music is like a dish without salt. I wonder what dance are you planning to dance?” As Liu He spoke, his gaze slanted towards Meng Jue, his face full of smiles. Huo Cheng Jun smiled at Liu Fu Ling “Your subject has heard that your majesty is good at playing the lute and flute and would audaciously request for your majesty to play an accompaniment on the flute.”

Everyone’s eyes were on Huo Cheng Jun; Meng Jue’s expression was even more complicated. Liu He froze, then immediately started to rub his hands in glee. “Good suggestion. Your majesty, your subject would like to submit an audacious request for that too. I’ve only heard of your majesty’s talents but have yet to truly see them for myself, please accede to your subject’s request.” Liu Fu Ling didn’t even express surprise, only smiled blandly and told Yu An “Bring my flute to me.” Then he asked Huo Cheng Jun “What song would you like?” “Zhe Yao Dance [2] song” Liu Fu Ling nodded in agreement. After Huo Cheng Jun bowed to express her thanks, she rose gracefully.

Today she wore a robe of pure white, the skirts and sleeves for every special, wider and more billowy than a normal robe. The colourful silk belt at her waist with b.u.t.terflies and flowers embroidered on it was the only colour on her clothes. Her waist was already slim, yet in contrast to the wide skirts and sleeves, she only seemed weak and pitiful, creating images of the beautiful but weak b.u.t.terfly. Everyone who looked at her couldn’t help but to take pity on her.

While everyone was still engrossed in her beauty, the melodious sound of the flute slowly wafted in, bringing everyone to a fantasy world. At the low parts, the flute was like the spring breeze blowing over flowers, at high parts, it was like an angry sea pus.h.i.+ng a rush; wrapping around everyone like a thousand webs, strong like a thousand horse stampede. It was like a bright moon s.h.i.+ning through the pine trees, only the moonlight, not the moon could be seen. Then it was like a clear stream flowing through rocks, only the water, not the source could be seen. The flute sound wrapped itself around everyone, absorbed in the music, but not the musician.

When Liu Fu Ling reached the song’s climax, Huo Cheng Jun suddenly flung her wide sleeves out, her long sleeves dancing in the wind like a live snake. Then everyone realized the secret behind her sleeve. There were pleats hidden in her sleeves, multi-coloured b.u.t.terflies embroidered within white pleats of her sleeves. At this moment when her sleeve was twirling in the air, the pleats opened, and all the ‘b.u.t.terflies’ looked like they were flying in the air. As the pleats opened and closed, the b.u.t.terflies appeared then disappeared, in unpredictable movements. Everyone felt the sound like a thousand horse stampede, or the raging waves in their ears, and the b.u.t.terflies ascending and descending in the sky around them. The dazzling array of colours made them dizzy, and every time a ‘b.u.t.terfly’ flew then descended, they felt the sense of weakness and fragility keenly.

Everyone seated were extraordinary people, but now their breath were first taken away by Liu Fu Ling’s amazing flute sound, then their souls captured by Huo Cheng Jun’s dazzling dance, they couldn’t catch a breath from such glorious display of beauty. As the flute music slowly calmed, everyone seemed to have seen the full moon slowly rise. The slight breeze softly blew across the pines, the soft moonlight falling through the gaps of the pine trees and onto the rocks, reflecting the clear stream gurgling its way across the rocks.

Huo Cheng Jun slowly became more graceful as the music calmed, her sleeves slowly dancing across her body, flying or lowered, curled around or curved up, floating in the night sky, various never-ending forms and poses. Her body, was bent forward or backward, tilted left or right. Her waist was bent or stretched or curved or uncurled, a slim graceful waist, flexible like it was boneless, forming graceful poses. They then understood why it was called ‘Zhe Yao Dance’. The flute was nearing the end of the score, like the wind called back to the vacuum through the pines, or waves cras.h.i.+ng. Huo Cheng Jun raised both her arms, smiling, like she was flying in the midst of the waves cras.h.i.+ng around her, and accompanied by a flight of b.u.t.terflies.

As she twirled, the use of her wide skirts became apparent, slowly opening up as she spun faster and faster, the embroidery within the pleats of her skirts revealed. They were of various flowers. When she first started, it was like spring descending on earth again, thousands of flowers shyly opening up their blooms, but as she spun faster, her skirts opened fully, the flowers in half bloom now bloomed fully, spectacularly. The music slowly came to a close, and Huo Cheng Jun’s body slowly started to fall towards the flower garden from her flight with the ‘b.u.t.terflies’. When the music faded away, her sleeves lowered, and she landed on her wide skirts. The beautiful b.u.t.terflies and the colourful fresh flowers disappeared in an instant; the brilliance that coloured their world suddenly became a simple, white nothing.

Only a frail, weak girl breathing slightly heavily remained, lying in the whiteness.

The whole hall was silent. Liu He was entranced. Liu Bing Yi couldn’t take his eyes off her. Meng Jue’s eyes remained pitch black and unreadable. Huo Guang didn’t care about anyone’s reaction but Liu Fu Ling’s. Admiration was plain in Liu Fu Ling’s eyes as he silently looked at Huo Cheng Jun.

Huo Guang was first happy, silently commenting that he is still a man after all. Then when he took a closer look, his heart grew cold. There was no trace of longing, desire, possessiveness; this wasn’t the way a man looked at a woman. Instead, he looked like he just saw a beautiful sunrise, an exquisitely carved jade piece, purely admiring it for its beauty.

After a while, Liu He clapped and praised “Not wasting this night, Chang An is Chang An indeed! Legend has said Emperor Gaozu of Han’s beloved concubine Madam Qi loved to dance the ‘Zhe Yao Dance’, ‘known as the dance of the curved sleeves and bent waist, the song I desire to return to upon coming home’, I have always longed to see Madam Qi’s gracefulness but after watching Miss Huo’s dance today I fear it might be even better than Madam Qi’s.” Tian Qian Qiu smiled “It is also said that Emperor Gaozu of Han often held Madam Qi in his embrace as he played for her, tears streaming down his face. Today’s flute and dance were excellent, no less magical.”

Liu Fu Ling acted like he didn’t catch the meaning behind Liu He’s and Tian Qian Qiu’s words, only nodding in agreement. “It was an excellent dance indeed. I bestow upon you a white jade ruyi, and two bangles scented with Chinese cedar.” Huo Cheng Jun kowtowed in thanks “Your subject thanks your majesty for your great favour. Your subject doesn’t dare to claim credit; it was only your majesty’s flute was played well.” Liu Fu Ling didn’t add on, only mentioning for her to rise.

The banquet lost its previous solemnness, Liu He was in a chatty mood, first talking to Huo Cheng Jun a little about dance, then with Liu Fu Ling about music. Huo Yu was also someone who loved entertainment, and found many common topics with the Prince of Changyi. They both kept toasting each other while talking. Someone in the crowd would also throw a few lines into the conversation and the whole hall was filled with laughter.

When the banquet was about to end, Liu He was already as drunk as a lord, losing his inhibitions, openly leering at Huo Cheng Jun. She was embarra.s.sed and angered at his unwavering gaze and the pure, hot desire displayed in his eyes, but she couldn’t do anything about it. Huo Guang had no choice but to request an early leave, bringing Huo Yu and Huo Cheng Jun along. Soon after, Tian Qian Qiu and Zhang An s.h.i.+ also requested their leave.

When they saw that Huo Guang, Tian Qian Qiu and Zhang An s.h.i.+ had already left, Meng Jue and Liu Bing Yi were about to request to leave too when Liu Fu Ling said “I will be returning to Wei Yang Palace, walk along with the Prince of Changyi and I.” Meng Jue and Liu Bing Yi replied “We obey.”

In order to make his entertainment within more convenient reach, Emperor Wu of Han had ordered craftsmen to build a suspended bridge for his carriage connecting Wei Yang Palace and Jian Ning Palace. Thus he was about to move from Jian Ning Palace to Wei Yang Palace midair. Yu An lighted the way with his lantern, Liu Fu Ling walked behind him, Meng Jue and Liu Bing Yi followed behind holding on to Liu He who could barely walk by now, with Qi Xi rounding out the group walking at the very end. Midway through the suspended path, Liu Fu Ling stopped, Meng Jue and Liu Bing Yi quickly stopped too.

Standing midair, surrounded by nothingness, everyone felt very at ease.

Liu Fu Ling glanced at the dead drunk Liu He, calling him by his nickname “He Nu, I am going to introduce someone to you. Liu Bing Yi is the grandson of the late Emperor’s oldest son Crown Prince Ju – Liu Xun.” This was completely beyond his expectations, so Liu Bing Yi stood in a daze. This name only appeared in his dreams and memories when he was alone at night, never spoken to anyone, and never spoken by everyone to him. This was the first time he heard it spoken in front of others, and standing on the highest point of the palace no less. When he heard his name spoken from the mouth of the Son of the Heavens, while overlooking the whole of Chang An, Liu Bing Yi felt like everything was too surreal. Meng Jue only smiled “Congratulations.”

This was when Liu Bing Yi snapped out of his reverie, and quickly kowtowed to Liu Fu Ling “Your subject thanks your majesty for your favour.” Then kowtowed to Liu He. “Your nephew Liu Xun pays his respects to Uncle.” Liu He was hanging on to the railings of the pathway babbling nonsense “Beauty, beauty, with such supple waist, if I were to couple with her on the pallet, the ecstasy would be……”

Liu Fu Ling, Liu Bing Yi and Meng Jue all pretended they didn’t hear what he just said. Liu Fu Ling let Liu Bing Yi rise “Over the next few days, there will be subjects submitting their missives in succession praising your talents and abilities then and requesting for your promotion. I will take this opportunity to announce your birth in front of everyone and restore your name. You must be prepared for the coming wave of commotion.” “Your subject understands.” Liu Bing Yi saluted him, tears swirling in his eyes as he bowed. After drifting for close to twenty years, his name was finally restored, his grandfather, father can now rest easy in their graves.

Meng Jue had a different expression in his eyes but when he saw Liu Fu Ling staring at him, he quickly bowed his head. Liu Fu Ling resumed walking once again. Meng Jue and Liu Bing Yi quickly lifted Liu He, now sprawled across the floor, up and followed behind.

Once they crossed the bridge, immediately eunuchs were there to receive them, taking Liu He from them back to Zhao Yang Hall to rest. Liu Fu Ling told Liu Bing Yi and Meng Jue “Both of you may return to your residence!” They both bowed and left.

The moment Liu Fu Ling walked into Xuan s.h.i.+ Hall, he saw Yun Ge sitting on the rooftop. Liu Fu Ling raised his head to ask “Why aren’t you resting?”

“I’m listening to music!”

“Come down quick, I need to discuss something with you.”

“No”. Yun Ge propped her chin up with her hands, staring intently at the night sky.

Liu Fu Ling looked at Yu An, and after Yu An understood his intention, his face lost colour as he stuttered “Your majesty means to climb up to the rooftop? Your majesty wants a ladder?” He was mulling over whether or not he should fetch one when Fu Yu quietly pointed at the ladder propped up against the wall at the side. “Your majesty.” Liu Fu Ling climbed up the ladder, and Yu An was so nervous for his safety that he didn’t even dare to breathe. He watched as Liu Fu Ling walked towards Yun Ge and sat down beside her; only then did he dare to breathe, not forgetting to shoot a Fu Yu a glare.

“What song are you listening to?”

“Zhe Yao Dance song.”

“Is it nice?”

“Very!”

Liu Fu Ling smiled “When did you cultivate so many spies within the palace?” “

You openly sent someone back to pick up your flute. I merely asked out of curiosity, then went secretly to take a peek.” Liu Fu Ling’s smile grew broader “Isn’t someone always praising herself as open minded, beautiful and smart? Where is the understanding? Or the intelligence? As for the beauty….” He shook his head at her “An angry person is nowhere near beautiful.”

Yun Ge burst out in anger “You still dare to laugh? Was the dance by the Huo maiden beautiful?”

“Not beautiful.”

“Not beautiful? I saw each and every one of you watching her so intently! If you lie, I’ll double your guilt!”

“Beautiful.”

“Beautiful? Then why didn’t you keep her here so you can watch all you want?” Liu Fu Ling reached out to hold her hand “I was about to discuss this issue with you.”