Chapter 13 (1/2)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Helpless

“Lady Consort, the wind is strong here, your body is weak, please may you return to the palace.” Palace maid Miao Ye feebly voices out, anxiously looking at the beautiful person before her as she gently persuades.

The words lightly drifts past her ears, not at all transmitting to her head, Yao Ying unconsciously nods her head, but does not make a single move, only looking down from the palace walls absent-mindedly.

Silently letting out a sigh, Miao Ye no longer says anything more, standing behind Yao Ying as she quietly watches this doted consort within the inner palace, brows locked in a knitted position, deep in her heart, mixed feelings with all sorts of ups and downs welling up. Since Consort Ying first entered the palace, she has been serving her by her side, many matters seen in the eye, but understood in the heart, it is just unfortunate she is unable to speak her own mind, if not, she would definitely advice this stunningly beautiful girl, worldly matters cannot be forcibly pressed, only by letting go of others can one let go of oneself.

……

The pa.s.sing of time is like a grater grating at Yao Ying’s patience and faith, gradually generating an emotional turmoil within, could it be that he really isn’t coming? Lightly, she shakes of such absurd thoughts in her heart, telling herself, news of him returning to the Capital had already been sent to her this morning, there is no way he won’t be coming……blindly making all sorts of disorderly thoughts on one hand, whilst comforting herself on the other, she holds such complex emotions as she quietly waits.

Miao Ye looks at Consort Ying’s face noticeably pale and weak, considering that she is already a pregnant woman, she grits her teeth, intending to walk up front, she shall pull Consort Ying away no matter what, just as she was thinking this, she suddenly sees Consort Ying’s eyes widen, the originally beautifully shaped lips forms an even prettier curve, her face suddenly turning gloriously radiant, brilliant and moving, Miao Ye had actually froze, unable to respond in any way.

“Miao Ye, he’s come, let us quickly return to the palace and await for him.” Smiling so sweetly as she turns back, dazzling all the maids and eunuchs behind her, Yao Ying joyfully speaks, the smile on her face s.h.i.+ning with deeply moving innocence. Not waiting for others’ reaction, Yao Ying walks down from the stairs of the palace platform, leading the way towards the direction of Jing Yi Palace.

Miao Ye hurriedly follows after, the words calling out for Consort Ying to slow down had yet to leave her lips, when the one half jogging in front, Yao Ying suddenly halts her steps, turning back around, actually wearing somewhat of a worried look, Miao Ye was puzzled, when Consort Ying’s doubtful voice travels to her ears: “Am I looking really ugly right now?”

Seeing Consort Ying ask this with such seriousness, Miao Ye honestly answers: “Not ugly, this servant has truly never seen anyone who is more beautiful than Lady Consort.” Also, because the wind had already dishevelled her hair slightly, it even more shows another side of Consort Ying, pa.s.sionately poetic.

Unfortunately the palace maid’s response did not give her the slightest bit of confidence, her hand reaches up to gently stroke her hair, Yao Ying orders: “Quickly return to the palace, I need to tidy up my appearance.” Turning around, she immediately increases her speed as she heads towards the inner palace.

A girl will doll herself up for the one she loves, this phrase is not at all wrong. Thinking this, Miao Ye hurriedly follows behind.

Waves of faintly fragrant incense smoke drifts around in the air, heavily luxuriant, as though inviting people into deep intoxication, the entire palace hall because of the withdrawal of the palace maids and guards alike, opens up into an emptier, quieter, darker s.p.a.ce. Lou Che enters the inner chambers of Jing Yi Palace, his brows locked in a crease, the usual faint smile hanging on his face. Towards the inner chambers, with a tone neither urgent, neither slow, neither loud, neither quiet, he calls out: “This subject Lou Che greets Lady Consort, may Lady Consort forever be safely at peace.”

Once his voice steadily travels in, the long curtain is suddenly lifted by someone, a beautiful women in palace attire slowly walks out, her clothing originally of the world’s most luxurious brocade, the most skilful needlework, if worn by others, the clothing will definitely display its glory, but when worn by Consort Ying, it actually appears even more peerlessly beautiful, such beauty that overturns states and cities.

“You’ve finally came.” Her tone carrying complain, as though blaming, as though happy.

Indifferently sweeping his eyes across the person before him, Lou Che’s tone is as calm as still water: “This subject has but only left the Capital for three days.”

“Three days?” As though feeling hurt by Lou Che’s coldness, Yao Ying’s light, tenderly pretty voice slightly quivers, “These three days have been longer than that of a year ah~.”

Declining to comment, Lou Che remains silent, solemnly standing near the doors of the inner chambers.

Unease and dejection rapidly flas.h.i.+ng by the face, and with another change, a sweet smile replaces the fleeting expressions, Yao Ying sweet and delicate voice calls out: “Che, come in and take a seat.”

“This subject dares not to act rashly, Lady Consort is expecting a child, it is best to take good care of your body. Now that I see Lady Consort is safe and sound, this subject’s heart is put at ease, and hopes to request my leave.” Lou Che pays his respect, intending to turn around and leave just like that.

“Wait.” A tenderly desperate voice suddenly sounds, even Yao Ying herself was surprised, she heartbreakingly says, “Do you think that I used mild illness as a reason to cheat you back? Are you mad at me? I really did not lie to you.” Each word like a sob, with unlimited desolation, wanting to restore some of the things she has gradually lost.

Attentively staring at that sort of face that one cannot help but to be moved by[1], Lou Che loosens up his expression a bit, gently consoling: “I do not blame you, nor am I mad at you……” It is just that he is regretful, why did he have rushed back when they were outside Qu Zhou City?

Hearing his answer, seeing his expression like a stranger to her, she does not feel relieved, and instead feels even more sorrowful, softly saying: “Do you already not care anymore? Towards everything regarding me, do you not care at all now?”

His feelings moved by such soft voice of hers, Lou Che bitterly smiles: “You are already pregnant now, don’t think too much, just take care of yourself.”

“Why do I have to take care, why? Why do I have conceive the child of a man I do not love……?” Her emotions had almost come cras.h.i.+ng down, because of the suspicions and jealousy held in for a long time, the longing endlessly torturing her exhausted heart, in this moment, she loses the reason that she had dressed up for, neglecting any sort of manners or bearings, not caring for the appearance she had just tidied up, Yao Ying let loose the tears and weeps aloud.

Shocked by the situation before him, Lou Che’s brows tightly knits together, walking up front, he looks at Yao Ying whose face is already filled with tears, saying: “Ying-er……calm down, I need to talk to you.”

Aware of her own impropriety and distress, Yao Ying was also rather embarra.s.sed, taking in a deep breath, the sounds of weeping gradually comes to a rest, an upright bearing stands presently as she calms down her strained heart, tenderly looking at Lou Che, waiting for him to speak.

After signalling for her to sit at the settee, he takes a seat nearby, his face of such radiantly warm elegance, showing indistinguishable emotions as he says in a low tone: “In future when your child is born, if it’s a boy, it may very possibly become the next generation of monarch……” Ignoring Yao Ying’s expression of complexity, he continues explaining his a.n.a.lysis, “I believe you should be able to sense, just how much the his majesty loves you, not caring for other people’s perception, three thousand worth of doting love all on you alone……”

“But I do not love him.” Hurriedly cutting off Lou Che’s words, Yao Ying shows inexplicable panic.

“His majesty’s magnanimity towards you is already something that has never happened before, don’t continue to persistently go on like this anymore.” As though advising, as though reproaching, Lou Che throws out such words that harbours chilling implications.

Tears uncontrollably rolls down her face once again, Yao Ying smiles, such smile that looks even more sorrowful than that of her tears, “If he truly is infinitely magnanimous towards me, why not let me go?”

“Do you think his majesty is unaware of your very doings? Me coming to your palace, could he possibly not know of this? Yet he has never once blocked us, do you know why? He is waiting, waiting till you come to understand, waiting for you to let go of your stubborn persistence. Such magnanimity like this, not every man is able to achieve.”

Tears hanging on her face, she attentively thinks through his words, upon recovering herself, she harbours a thin trace of resentment, sadly asking: “For what reason are you persuading me like this for today? Is it for me? Or is it for yourself?”

Sighing, Lou Che’s elegantly handsome face reveals a thin smile, “It is for you, and also for myself.”

“For me?” Yao Ying softly croons, “You are doing this for yourself……your heart is not here, what are you thinking about? Where has your heart gone to?” Each word questioning, her heart feels as though it is cracking, the questions does not seem to be directed at Lou Che, but is directed towards the reality that she herself could never bring herself to face this entire time.

“Ying-er,” A soft sound of gentle calling, Lou Che stands up, “Rather than clinging onto the past, why not take a good look at reality, the person in your eyes is no longer me, it has not been for a long time.” Making a sudden turn, he walks towards the outside, his walking pace showing no signs of faltering.

Frozen on the spot, Yao Ying could not even muster up the courage to call out, distractedly watching Lou Che’s leaving figure, her mind in a blank state, muttering the words: “You no longer care for me? Will you no longer care for me anymore?”

The open and deserted s.p.a.ce carries her voice into Lou Che’s ears, unable to stop himself from looking back, towards the lost soul, he says: “As long as you are in the palace, I will look after you to the end.” No longer looking back anymore, he resolutely leaves, no longer able to hear the gracefully mournful cries within the palace, perhaps even if he is able to hear it now, it will no longer make its way deep into his heart……

With hurried steps, he heads towards the entrance of the palace, eager to return to where his heart lies as soon as possible, he has come to understand many things, and also let go, thus feeling more relaxed than ever before.

A burst of sharp bell ringing sounds, rippling out to every little corner within the imperial palace’s courtyard, Lou Che’s steps comes to a halt, raising his head in slight surprise, this act of alarm is using the “imperial bell”, unless in times of utmost emergencies, it is not to be used, why would it be sounding right now?

Having not yet thought of anything, quick and fragmented footsteps had already chaotically approached, numerously complicated figures of palace maids and eunuchs all looking a mess, a panicking figure walks up to Lou Che crying out: “Not good, Lady Consort Ying is going through miscarriage……not good…….”

Upon hearing this, Lou Che freezes on the spot, his brows lightly twitches, his face holds a thin layer of chill, thinking to himself, Gui Wan is only escorting her brother, there shouldn’t be any problems, once again turning back to look in direction of the palace, he purses his thin lips, helplessly sighing as he heads back towards the palace……

This choice has made it impossible for him to leave the palace for seven days, that is until the shocking news reached the Prime Minister Estate……

No matter how many hundreds of unwillingness and hate is harboured within the heart, right now it is all of no help, this is what Gui Wan is thinking as she lies in centre of the bed. Right now, her body has no strength whatsoever, even speaking is met with great difficulty, forget resisting, she helplessly watches the sweet and charming girl before her, loosen her hair ribbon, remove her earrings, fiddling around with her entire face, and even rubs on some sort of sticky substance onto her face.

After all the ha.s.sle, that sweet and charming girl looks from left to right, saying in satisfaction: “All done.”

Hearing this, Ye Li approaches, attentively looking over Gui Wan, he reveals an expression of wonder, immediately lowly laughingly say: “Mo Na, bring the mirror over.”

Mo Na immediately grabs a mirror and holds it in front of Gui Wan’s face. Upon looking into the person in the mirror, Gui Wan is rendered speechless, the appearance of the person in the mirror has gone through a complete change, extremely ordinary, with a pale complexion, looking just like an ordinary weak and sickly woman, her heart sank, thinking to herself, if she is to leave the city looking like this, she is only afraid that no one would even think she is the Prime Minister Madam.

Taking the mirror away, Mo Na grins, asking: “How is it, my skills ain’t bad right?”

If the skills wasn’t used on me, I would heartily sing my praises, Gui Wan who was thinking of such reply finds that her facial muscles, could not even make out the words, and could only give up, her heart bursting into a sense of being at her wit’s end.

Ye Li walks up to her, taking out a set of commoner’s outer clothing she did not know when he had prepared, and covers Gui Wan’s body with it. He extends his arms to lift her up, and says to Mo Na: “It is almost daybreak, let’s go.” Having said that, he strides out of the room.

Within the dark night, three people comes out to the rest inn’s back courtyard, where four people has long been waiting aside with horses and a horse carriage. Gui Wan is unable to move in Ye Li’s arms, it seems that only her eyes have been granted freedom, unable to help herself from intently looking around, within the dark night, nothing can be clearly seen, and she only knows that there is one girl three men, two young and two slightly older.

The group of people seems to be surprised by Ye Li’s action, but does not say anything, dispersing in a very orderly manner, each making their own preparations.

Ye Li carries Gui Wan into the horse carriage, his gaze fixed onto her, speaking in a soft voice: “The road ahead is going to be hard on you, just endure it for now, hm.” His hand reaches out to gently stroke her face, only to find that it doesn’t feel right, helplessly withdrawing his hand, he tidies Gui Wan’s collar for her, before turning around and jumps out the carriage.

Just a little while later, Mo Na enters the horse carriage, her personality seems to be lively and cheerful as she brightly says: “Guess we’ll be keeping each other company along the way.”

Even if they take a different stance, Gui Wan cannot bring herself to hate her from deep within her heart, besides, a girl with such straightforward personality is practically rare within the Celestial Empire.

Mo Na is quite talkative, in addition to her charmingly moving appearance, her one-sided talking is also not something unexpected, so the atmosphere within the carriage will not get dull and boring. Right when Gui Wan’s thoughts go through a series of fast changes, the horse carriage jolts, starting to get moving.

Silently sighing in lamentation, Gui Wan could neither cry or laugh, could it be that she really has to head to the Nu Capital?

No one answers her soundless question, only the sound of Mo Na’s laughter and the carriage’s wheels reminds her of the cruel reality.

“Are you tired?” At a teahouse not far from Ru Shui City, a man of dignified bearing tenderly asks his wife, although his p.r.o.nunciation is rather stiff, his words are not at all short of any gentle consideration, causing many women resting within the teahouse to be envious, one after another, they all turn their heads towards the direction of the table the man is sitting at.

A high and mighty Nu man with a pale sickly woman, also accompanying them is a charming beauty, no matter how one looks at it, this group just looks rather strange, but seeing that Nu man’s deeply loving expression and actions of greatly attentive consideration, really does touches the people around them, towards such an ordinary sickly wife, his deep affections is so precious.

Lightly taking a drink from the tea that was brought to her lips, Gui Wan gains a panoramic view of the behaviour and actions from those surrounding them, finding it truly laughable, could it be that the people in this world, all has such shallow perception, unable to see the true facts? Sighing to herself, she wells up with worries, how is she to solve the dilemma before her, could it be that she really is going to be forced to go to the Nu Capital?

“Here have something to eat, in a while we shall be entering Ru Shui City.” A sound of reminder enters her ears, Gui Wan turns her head to face Ye Li, thinking how everything had been caused by this person’s very doings, a wave of anger rises within her, unfortunately her voice had been sealed, unable to produce a single sound, and so she can only coldly glare at him.

Half amazed half enchanted, Ye Li deeply gazes at Gui Wan, nearing Gui Wan as he softly says besides her ear: “No wonder why people say you women of the Celestial Empire, be it smiling, be it frowning, all are of flirtatious expressions, even when you’re fired up with anger, you still make my heart beat uncontrollably fast, from now on, don’t let other men see you in such furious state.”