Chapter 14 (1/2)
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Scenery Of The Nu Capital
All of a sudden, the horse carriage increases in speed, Gui Wan turns her head, purposely ignoring the tenderness in Ye Li’s eyes as she sets her eyes on the remote setting outside the carriage. The singing that filled the carriage has already come to a stop, but outside the carriage, the carefree singing can still be faintly heard, continuously drilling into Gui Wan’s ear, bringing a distinctive tune to this desolated scenery, causing her to blur into the wilderness here, confused as to where she is.
The carriage maintained its peace, but it is not at all boring. Perhaps it is the singing from before, perhaps it is the returning to his homeland, this type of silent atmosphere is instead spiced with the slightest sense of happiness, making Ye Li incessantly savour it and not break it. He too, appears to be staring at the scenery outside the carriage, whilst his sight lingers on the person besides the carriage curtains from the corner of his eyes.
Just when she almost thought such peace would last forever, waves of voices had already penetrated its way through into the carriage. Gui Wan overlooks everything from the little carriage window, upon seeing the city, she could not help but to be filled with heartfelt praises, so this is the Nu Capital! After staring for a long time, did she finally realise the mystery of this city. The horse carriage hurriedly rushes forward in arrival, only seeing a scene of the Gobi Desert in front, from the outside view, it is but a yellow coloured Gobi barrel, upon closer approach, does one find that it is actually bubbling with the liveliness of people, and only then does one realise it is a natural formed city. Only by looking from beyond the city gates, is one able to see the remarkably vibrant atmosphere inside, a heavily populated city.
“This is my homeland, the Nu Capital, what do you think, how does it compare to the Capital City?” Ye Li suddenly speaks up, questioning her.
Her face that had been fixed up by Mo Na’s hands could only reveal a slight expression, Gui Wan indifferently says with a smile: “A natural fortress, is indeed different from the usual,” After a little pause, does she slowly give her answer, “But compared to the long established air of royalty the Capital City holds, four words, level falls far short.”
Heartily laughing aloud upon hearing this, Ye Li is not at all angered, “You’re right, it is indeed so, the Capital City’s air of royalty, I too, have long yearned for.” Within his accented Han language, the four words “have long yearned for” is spoken with an aggravated tone, causing Gui Wan to lightly frown upon hearing this.
Just when Ye Li’s words of deeper meaning were spoken, the horse carriage suddenly stops, outside the carriage, someone loudly calls out: “Your highness, Eldest Prince has long been waiting up ahead.”
“I have made Brother wait too long.” Ye Li lowly laughs as he answers, in the moment he throws his body forward, he lifts the curtains and leaves the carriage. It is in this moment when the curtain was lifted, that Gui Wan attentively looks into the outside environment, ten steps away, a team of small troop awaits, a man stands in the middle, his clothing distinctively differs from the rest, he must be the Nu Tribe’s Eldest Prince, sweeping her eyes across, Gui Wan is extremely disappointed, this person is tall with a strong built, but has a look of insolence, such appearance is clearly the epitome of a barbarous man, compared to Ye Li’s dignified demeanour, again, using those same four words, level falls far short, she cannot believe these two people are actually brothers.
Ye Li steps off the carriage, he turns and looks into Gui Wan’s eyes, extending his hand in offer of support as she gets off the carriage. Gui Wan obliquely shrinks back, holding onto the carriage’s armrest, her foot stepping on the ground, upon landing, her body felt light, unable to summon any strength, her body shakes, and actually could not stand properly, elbow sensing warmth, Ye Li is already holding onto her, sighing as he says: “Don’t force yourself, your body has not yet recovered.”
She really wanted to throw off his hand, unfortunately her body just have no strength whatsoever, Gui Wan bitterly laughs at herself as she can only let him link onto her.
“Ye Li, who is this woman?” The Eldest Prince who is shrouded in barbarous air calls out in surprise, completely unable to understand Ye Li’s actions. This haughty younger brother of his, when did he have such expressions of tenderness? Carefully inspecting this very frail looking woman, although her figure is graceful, but her looks are average, not even half as good as Mo Na.
Noticing Eldest Prince’s puzzlement, Ye Li does not explain, only greeting: “[Older] Brother, I’m back. This……” Turning to look at Gui Wan, he speaks again, “This is the person in my painting, I have brought her back.”
She’s the person in the painting? Eldest Prince reveals a look of doubt as he sweeps a glance across Gui Wan, he was originally very interested in Ye Li’s extremely treasured painting, but now that he sees the real person, his interest completely disappears, not only does she have not even half a point of beauty, she is also sickly, not at all meeting his expectations of beauties.
Not caring anymore, Eldest Prince walks up to him, patting Ye Li’s shoulder as he laughingly says: “Good to have you back, Royal Father is waiting for you, and wants to have a good to chat with you.”
Having almost shattered her eardrums due to the Eldest Prince’s thunderous laughing, Gui Wan turns her head, ever since she stepped off the carriage, they have all been speaking in the Nu language, she cannot even understand half a word they say, and only knows that that Eldest Prince’s eyes are presumptuous, looking over her two times, his eyes cold, and even carries disdain, laughing to herself inside, Gui Wan softly sighs, to actually make a show of his feelings so clearly, this person really is a barbarous man.
Signalling Mo Na over, tenderly handing Gui Wan over to her, he quietly gives an order before both Ye Li and Eldest Prince enters the city side by side, the two of them talking and laughing, expressions cheerful, familial affections overflowing from their words.
Mo Na supports Gui Wan as the two of them slowly follow behind, by widening her distance from Ye Li, only then could Gui Wan have the chance to carefully inspect her surroundings, looking all around the place, the setting of this foreign land truly is vastly different from that of the Celestial Empire, after a month of commuting, she has long been in a tired state, now she can heartily enjoy herself, her mood lightens up, temporarily letting go of all her troubles, wholeheartedly touring this place.
Mo Na has spent an entire month taking care of Gui Wan by her side, to see her so relaxed right now, she is also infected by the pleasure, pointing out the local culture and customs as they walk.
The group quickly arrives in the middle of the city, Gui Wan watches as Ye Li greets people along the way, everyone’s faces carries a look of happiness as they greet the two princes, inevitably she was slightly surprised, in the Celestial Empire, the common people practically have no chance of getting to know the imperial family, but here, it seems that everyone knows the princes, after a little pondering, did she understand, this is the Nu Tribe’s distinctive attribute, it is also where this tribe’s unity lies, the vitality of such young ethnic community seems to be completely s.h.i.+ning through in this moment, the Celestial Empire on the other hand, is actually far less than the Nu Tribe in this aspect.
Mo Na gently pulls Gui Wan, signally to sit in the horse carriage prepared at the city gates, Gui Wan reveals a bitter look, she had just gotten off the carriage and she has to get on another one again? Giving Mo Na a slightly puzzled look.
Lightly laughing out loud, Mo Na says: “There is still quite a bit of distance from here to the palace, his highness says your body is not well, cannot ride a horse, that’s why a horse carriage was prepared.”
Unable to refuse, under a state of helplessness, she once again sits in the horse carriage with Mo Na. Ye Li and Eldest Prince mounts a horse, riding at the front in lead, the entire group heading into the centre of the Nu Capital.
Along the way, as if the warm welcome was not enough, fresh flowers are flying in from the sides, thrown towards the pair of princes in the middle, children offering flowers one after another, there are also young ladies publicly ogling at them, even Gui Wan could feel the pa.s.sion of this nation, unable to help but to reveal a smile, this type of solid and sincere support, in the Celestial Empire is practically an inconceivable phenomenon.
Gui Wan was in the midst of savouring the distinctiveness of this nation, when within a blink of an eye, the palace hall was already in sight.
Compared the Celestial Empire’s glamorous imperial palace, the palace here will inevitably appear shabby, but as compared to the Celestial Empire’s completely different structure and style, it still gives Gui Wan a pleasant surprise. In a setup like this, escaping from this place seems to be slightly easier than she had expected.
Gui Wan wordlessly follows Mo Na into the palace despite being in a situation of being pushed around. Ye Li did not show up again after entering the palace, it seems that he does not have the leisurely time to come over, she also felt so much more at ease with this. Upon entering a room prepared by Mo Na, she was so tired after taking a bath that she fell asleep, in a blur, she seems to have felt Mo Na play out her “skilful hands” on her face again.
Her awareness level finally fades out as she has the most peaceful sleep within a month.
No dreams, no fear, she opens her eyes, the sunlight almost touching her, blinking her eyes in discomfort, she finally realises she is lying in an unfamiliar setting, indifferently smiling, Gui Wan sits up, the sense of pain from the drugs has mostly disappeared from her body, and so she could not help but to be in a great mood, her eyes circles around, to find that she is all alone in the room, she fumbles out of bed.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, she looks down to see a snow white sheep wool rug laid out on the ground, Gui Wan’s barefoot lands on the floor, feeling that the wool is perfectly tailored, making one feel as though they are standing on a cloud. Standing up, she carefully inspects the room, although this place is far less elegant when compared to her bedroom in the Prime Minister Estate, it is not short of natural comfort, she can see that the one who arranged this room is someone with skilful hands, could it be the work of Mo Na? Sighing at her own blind and disorderly thinking, Gui Wan turns around and heads towards the windows.
This appears to be the second floor, the window is really big and low, one can practically stick the majority of their body out of it, she half leans on the window sill, bending her body to look down, gaining a panoramic view of a small half of the palace, she quietly observes the view before her eyes, a faint smile harbouring obscurity.
Suddenly a surprised cry sounds below her, she looks over attentively, below is someone with a refined appearance, a face full of shock looking towards her, mouth wide open, but emits no sound, not long after, a small group of people gathers below the window, all who are pointing around, incessantly gibbering, speaking words of the Nu language that Gui Wan has no understanding of, sounds of several sighing were also mixed amongst them.
The clamouring enters her ears, Gui Wan frowns, turning to leave the window, only after a while, did the noisiness outside restore its peace, she was just about to get up, going back to the window to observe the situation, when a burst of knocks sounds.
Gui Wan’s two words of “please enter” had yet to leave her lips, when the doors were already opened, Ye Li grins as he enters the room, a trace of praising and amazement seeming to have flashed by his eyes, “Suo Ge Ta, did you hear the singing of the birds this early morning?”
No longer bothering to show pointless struggles towards this addressment “Suo Ge Ta”, Gui Wan gentle rope in her hair, indifferently saying: “Scent of flowers lingers, singing of birds moving, this is indeed a great place that has the spirit to produce outstanding figures.”
“Do you like this place then?” He asks tentatively.
“Beautiful flowers are planted in the ground, the water is of course great, but are you able to move flowers into to water as companions for the fishes?” Smiling gracefully, she does not answer but asks back.
“That is far too unfair for the little fish, it clearly adores this flower so much.” Approaching a little, Ye Li’s face appears dejected and slightly cold, “Even if the flower is unwilling, I will still move it to the water to try.”
Knowing this person’s arrogant personality, speaking further has no benefits, Gui Wan lightly shrugs, declining to comment, the two of them wordless.
Ye Li arranges his expression, thinking that she is already in the Nu Capital, there is a lot time to change everything from now on, his voice also turns a few points gentler: “You’ve already been sleeping for an entire day and night, the palace has a celebration banquet tonight, why don’t you also come along?”
Originally wanting to reject him, but thinking of Ye Li’s whimsical, one sided personality, words of refusal can only remain sitting in her mouth, Gui Wan submissively nods, raising her head to ask: “What about my things, can you give them back to me now?” All of her belongings has been taken from her, even the clothing she is wearing right now have changed into the Nu’s outfit, she is rather unaccustomed to this.
Eyes circling around her body, Ye Li voice sounds slightly deep: “At the banquet, just wear a Nu outfit. Your things, I will return to you later.”
Softly sounding a cold laugh, Gui Wan makes no statement, casually standing up, she does not care about Ye Li, and looks outside the window, wanting an even bigger sky to be reflected in her eyes.
Standing behind her, Ye Li stands still, unable to turn around, nor is he able to look away, softly saying: “My subjects will definitely be impressed by you, they are bound to be captivated by you,” Suddenly recalling the burst of chattering within the palace just before, he changes his words, “Perhaps there are already those that have been impressed by you……”
His words, drifts past Gui Wan’s ears, she leisurely turns her head back, as though smiling but not smiling, sweetly saying: “All that I want, is not that complicated, what I want, is perhaps just the heart of one person, and also a view of the blue sky.” One fine finger distant in one stroke, pointing to the skies, such action flows freely, carrying the form of soul capturing beauty.
Ye Li uncontrollably looks out the window to where that finger points, a view of light blue reflected in his eyes, yet what he feels is his heart beating painfully fast, gloomily looking at the person before him, his consciousness blurs in this moment, his mouth blurting out a soft calling: “Suo Ge Ta?”
No one answers, emptiness falls upon the room with silence and desolation.
Night time very quickly arrives, the palace is already lit with fire, with waves after waves of singing, the atmosphere is extremely lively. Gui Wan sits inside the room, simply leaving Mo Na to doll her up, after a while, Mo Na finally reveals a look of satisfaction, marvelling: “This is definitely my lifetime’s most satisfying masterpiece.”
Gui Wan laughingly follows on: “This is definitely my lifetime’s most helpless trip.” Glancing at Mo Na’s look of difficulty, she looks outside the door, from henceforth, she alone needs to face changes, face dilemmas, not to mention leave this place that she does not belong to, no matter how extraordinarily beautiful it is……
They say Nu people specialises in singing and dancing, personally experiencing it today, Gui Wan still feels incessant amazement. Only after stepping out of the palace halls, did she see the palace’s lawn lit with bonfires everywhere, every bonfire is surrounded by crowds of people singing and dancing, regardless of gender. Her eyes circle around the place, spotting the most populated bonfire and also the liveliest, guessing that is where the royal family is, she slowly makes her way over.
Ye Li had already seen Gui Wan since the very moment she stepped out the palace, although he is drinking wine, joyously chatting away, his eyes has always been silently keeping watch of her actions, never once leaving her, deep down, he is wary, he seems to be increasingly unable to let go of her, clearly aware she is a married woman, plus her husband as the Celestial Empire’s Grand Secretary, is set on bringing her back, such actions that originally had political objectives has also been forgotten due to his increasingly drunk state, what’s more fatal is, he has already lost his mind because of her, yet she is not affected in the slightest bit, deep in his heart, he cannot help but to harbour feelings of jealousy and anger towards her husband, could it be that the Celestial Empire’s men are truly this charming?
Sitting in the middle, next the bonfire, is the King of the Nu Tribe, who sees Ye Li’s abnormal behaviour, he follows the direction in which he looking at, his half blind eyes seems to have caught on within a flash, hidden within the firelight in this dark night, he heartily says laughingly: “Ye Li, is this the treasure you had brought back from the Celestial Empire?”
“It is, Royal Father.” Ye Li downs a mouthful of wine, the pungent taste rushes down his throat, yet he is completely unfeeling of it.
“Indeed a rarely seen beauty,” He praises out loud in pleasure, the old Nu King appears as lively as ever, suddenly a chill flashes in his eyes, “But it is still not enough to exchange for our great cause.”
The cold and stern voice gives Ye Li a sudden shock, looking at his father’s face, he is unable to answer, downing another big mouthful, a slightly bitter taste is swallowed down into his belly.
The flames of the bonfire is unable to cover the old Nu King’s voice, all those around them quietens down, following the Nu King’s eyes as they watch Gui Wan slowly walk up, all falling into a moment of breathlessness, in such wild land, when could they ever have seen such exquisite beauty, in this moment of absolute disbelief, Gui Wan had already arrived at the bonfire.
The old Nu King is also full of admiration towards her easiness and calm, laughingly greeting: “Lady’s elegant demeanour surpa.s.ses and is not at all less than the pearls of the gra.s.slands.”
Gui Wan is not surprised by Nu people speaking Han, the Nu Tribe has been ruled by the Celestial Empire for almost two hundred years, the Nu people are all able to speak the Han, although under the revolt of the last Nu king, it is already a stand-alone nation separate from the Celestial Empire, Han language remains as one of the spoken languages in the Nu Tribe. Faintly smiling as she bows, paying a simple show of courtesy, expressing her respect towards the Nu King, Gui Wan gracefully delivers the words: “Nu King’s heroism is also no less than the eagles of the gra.s.slands.” (Eagles are symbolic of strength and heroism in Chinese culture)
Unable to hold back his hearty laughter, the old Nu King’s eyes holds even more appreciation: “As elegant as the clouds, as clean as white snow, as cool as the winds, no wonder why my son is intoxicated by you lady, if I were twenty years younger, I too would definitely not let you go.”
Already accustomed to the Nu people’s boldly unconstrained att.i.tude of enthusiasm, Gui Wan smiles, seeing that the old Nu King’s smile did not reach his eyes, she quietly waits for him to continue.
“Lady is a golden branch of the Celestial Empire, to have come to the Nu Capital, suffering along the b.u.mpy road, makes me feel guilty, but I cannot possibly be ungrateful of you for this.”
Aware that he words holds a deeper meaning, Gui Wan takes a seat on a bench that the servants had just brought over, “Nu King is too polite, although I have received such ‘special care’ along the way, to be able to enjoy the scenery here, I too feel very honoured.”
“I am not speaking out of politeness, my reason for grat.i.tude towards lady, is because lady’s arrival at our Nu Tribe has brought upon us a chance of survival.”