Chapter 20 (1/2)
CHAPTER TWENTY
Such Pity
So the crystal piece given by Zheng Liu in the secret pa.s.sage has such use, Gui Wan holds up the crystal piece in front of her eyes, once again looking outside, the view of Jing Ye back courtyard actually becomes perfectly clear, as if it is right before her, secretly astounded by this, her eyes circles around the courtyard, suddenly stopping at a certain spot in it. Her calm and pleased smile somewhat fading, lowering the crystal piece, she turns her head and says: “Your majesty want to bet on this?”
“Could it be that this is insufficient for a bet?” Fine slender hands, maintained like that of a woman’s, rests on the banister, Zheng Liu lifts the corners of his lips, revealing three points of playful pondering, “Or is Madam afraid?”
Gui Wan’s carefree and easy-going bearing weakens, eyes gazing back to the courtyard, her heart is hesitant at this moment, clearly aware that Zheng Liu wants to strike her down from the inside (psychologically), she originally should be tackling this with a very indifferent, calm, cool and bright outlook, so why is it that when she sees Lou Che with Consort Ying, she senses fearful heartbeats, finding it difficult to answer back.
Giving rise to an unconstrained smile, “So you really are afraid? Such clear luminosity like the moon, so it too have times of gloom that are difficult to avoid?”
Her eyes meets with his cold sharp ones, “Gui Wan is just a mere mortal being, how could I possibly compare to your majesty’s ethereal bearings.”
A laugh like the spring breeze, once again an appearance of overflowing gentle warmth, “Rest a.s.sured Madam, I am also one who is loving towards fragrant jade[1]……should Madam not want to play this bet, I will definitely not force you.”
“Your majesty’s aesthetic mood today is at its fullest, Gui Wan would never dare to sweep away your majesty’s high spirits, moreover this bet was suggested by your majesty, even if Gui Wan has courage as big as the skies, I would still not be able to oppose the prestige of heaven.”
Even if she manages to avoid it at this moment, could she possibly avoid it her entire life? Not to mention, if this diabolical cunning Emperor is unable able to make this bet right now, he will definitely thinking of other insidious ways, rather than facing Zheng Liu’s unpredictability, it is better to observe the definite happenings within this Jing Ye.
Under the watch of Zheng Liu’s deeply inspecting eyes, Gui Wan once again raises the crystal piece, turning her head, she gathers the view of that courtyard, such that is as familiar to her as her own home, under the little piece of crystal.
……
Magnificent light overflowing, pouring in beautiful colours, within this thin and clear crystal, it actually appears to reveal another world, long drawn out feelings mixed into the tranquillity, that ethereal elegance of tender beauty, that handsome refinement of warm radiance, there is also those ties that cannot be cut off, all that is being reflected within this crystal, and subsequently transferred into Gui Wan’s gazing eyes like water.
Finger loosens, followed by the falling of that magnificent light, not even raising half a noise of clear sound, and it has already shattered into little pieces, just like millions of stars spilling across the floor, the brilliance had not yet shown any progress, and has already faded to nothing……
Zheng Liu harbours a smile as he watches this scene, sharp coldness condenses within his eyes, yet his voice sounds a lot gentler, deliberately ridiculing: “Looks like between my Consort Ying and Minister Lou, feelings are indeed difficult to control……”
After a long while, no reply could be heard, turning his head, more sinister statements wanting to escape from those thin lips, yet that very moment his eyes looks to the side, all further comments were choked back. That innocent expression, face still carrying a smile like that of light clouds, head slightly turned sideways, seeming to be thinking about something, with no sorrowful demeanour, yet such appearance makes him sense a great amount of sorrow flooding out from within her, utterly arousing people’s pitying hearts.
Zheng Liu contains a playful laughter, raising a brutal yet absolutely joyful expression, “To this very moment, I have only just realised Madam truly is a heart moving beauty.” His finger outrageously stroking the side of her fair face, quietly saying, “What I love most is broken beauty, only in the most extreme occasion of shattered despair, would people feel there is no way to look away.”
Gently warding off his malicious tenderness, her eyes lightly closes, once again opening her eyes, with an outpour of loveliness, “Your majesty’s deep love and concern, Gui Wan really dares not be worthy.”
“Has Madam forgotten you lost the bet? To so boldly reject me, could it be you truly disregard your life as such?”
“How could Gui Wan possibly dare to disregard my own life like this,” Facing this evilly tender and unpredictable demon, the slightest loss of sense of propriety will give him the chance to grasp onto your weakness, “The things your majesty disregards, other people could regard it as a treasure.”
The one who truly disregards human life, is the one before her who sits high up on the throne right?
“Madam up to now, you are still so eloquent, looks like you have not yet sunk into despair.” How is he to force her into despair? He suddenly has such impulse, wanting to break her wings, wipe away that indifferent smile of hers, and thoroughly destroy that unexposed arrogance and self-confidence within her.
Unable to help himself, he quietly mumbles: “I am but very much looking forward, to see Madam sink into the struggles of despair……”
“Your majesty’s interest truly makes Gui Wan lament, unfortunately I am just a mediocre person, and finds it difficult to share your majesty’s happiness.” That type of extremely cruel pleasure, hearing of it alone, would make one feel three points of chilling fear, that type of biting cold, leaping into one’s heart, completely “freezing” the person.
“Then what Madam has lost in today, what are we to make of it?” A change of plans, once again putting her in a difficult position again, just wanting to once again admire that moment of hopelessness.
A single hand on her shoulder, she pulls up the collar of the tattered clothing, face unchanging, still leisurely calm, “Was it I who lost today?” Eyes making a light turn, locking onto him, “Today can only be considered no lose no win, your majesty, the woman in the courtyard is but your beloved consort, could it be that you have forgotten this?”
Zheng Liu lightly says “So what of it?” At most an important chess piece, how could it affect his feelings?
“The face of the imperial family, even if your majesty does not care, surely many people will about it, for example……Prince Duan.” Having said that, Gui Wan faintly smiles as she watches his face suddenly turn a little gloomy, secretly laughing inside, she continues to speak, “Your majesty, if you wait until Prince Duan comes to care about this face of the imperial family, would that not be intolerable for your majesty then? After all, in the eyes of all in the world, that is but the woman your majesty has fallen head over heels in love with.” (Gui Wan is referring to Consort Ying as an iconic figure in the imperial family)
With Zheng Liu’s Son of Heaven pride, how could he possibly be reduced to the laughing stock of the world?
“Madam’s full display of knowledge[2] right now, looks like you have extremely great confidence in being able to safely leave this place.” His sharp cold eyes flashes, because of her refusal to surrender, his killing intent rises along with his displeasure.
“Your majesty, let me tell you a secret,” A tone of naivety just like that of an innocent girl, whilst Zheng Liu was slightly stunned, Gui Wan leans in towards him, “Just now, there were two people behind the dragon throne, do you believe me?”
Expression turning tense, Zheng Liu seemingly shocked, seemingly angered, coldly saying: “You think such words can fool me?”
“Worldly matters are like a game of chess, your majesty, one wrong step, and all steps shall be wrong. Your majesty is so wise, you should know what is the right thing to do.” Today’s battle has used up her entire body of solutions, just to be able to safely walk out of this palace, it has come down to this, her heart inevitably feels somewhat bleak.
Zheng Liu ponders in silence, staring at Gui Wan’s face, wanting to see whether her words were true or false, remaining in deadlock for a while, he regains his smile, “Interesting, Madam, meeting you in Yu Gan Hall today, I really have benefitted a lot.”
“May Madam remember, we still have a betting deal between us, as for the final price that Madam will have to pay, I can tell you today, it will definitely be your lifelong regret……regretting that you had ever set foot in Yu Gan Hall, because from that very moment, your hands has been tied.”
“Today’s matter, if I hear half a sentence of any circulating rumours, then the consequences will be of heavy losses, it is but not something Madam will be able to afford. You can never ever forget this, be careful of your words.”
Having walked out of the palace hall, that chilly voice seems to still be echoing in her ears, Gui Wan unconsciously wraps her arms around her own body, right when she steps out of that cold and quiet palace hall, with not one person around, a smile like that of light clouds is still hanging on her face, yet from the corner of her eyes, tears are already sliding down.
Mother, you often said, actors wearing masks within the opera play, singing their sorrows, joy, anger, grief, that is all just an opera play, but why is it that, the scene I saw within Jing Ye just now, the two people were embracing, yet the sour feeling within me was difficult to restrain.
Who is to tell me, tears in the play is acting, then what about the tears under the actors’ mask, who is able to look at that? How are feelings to be endured?
Waves of cool breeze tucks in the sweet fragrance of green gra.s.s and leaves, brus.h.i.+ng over the lake, blowing waves after waves of light ripples. Yao Ying stands within the courtyard, such infinitely frail posture, facing the tireless narrative of the person in front.
The curve of those brows like that of a new moon, those lips more delicate than that of flowers opening and closing, from time to time, issuing laughter like songs of the birds, such stunning beauty sufficiently softening the hearts of anyone.
Yet why is his heart not affected by this? Lou Che smiles, a little surprised by his own feelings, this woman who has once greatly affected his heart, is clearly exceedingly close to him, yet it feels as though they are as far apart as the ends of the world. Smiling, they have already changed.[3]
In a sudden burst of heartbeats, a beautiful figure charges into his arms, Lou Che lowers his head and looks at that peerlessly beautiful face, knitting his brows, he coldly says: “Lady Consort, what are you doing? Let go.” Wanting reach up to push her away, he finds that she has wrapped her arms around him tighter, for the time being, he actually could not break free.
“Lou Che……how could you be so cruel? Throwing me into this nest of jackals and wolves all alone, not even caring for my life and death, clearly knowing that someone has placed saffron in my medicine, can I not even lean on you now for a bit?”
Such demeanour that makes anyone feel tender hearted, such feelings that are delicate and moving.
Hand increasing in strength, Lou Che seizes her arms, pus.h.i.+ng her away with a foot distance between them, sharpness sweeping past those clear warm eyes, “Lady Consort, since you already know this is a world of deceit and dishonesty, then you should know where to draw the line.”
Yao Ying’s eyes of autumn water, is sparkling with tears right now, seemingly resentful, seemingly melancholic, as she looks at Lou Che, “What is the meaning of saying such?” The tenderness within her voice is actually somewhat shaky.
The handsome young man stands within the courtyard, calmly running his hand across his sleeve, wiping away the creases from just now, exhibiting graceful movements of elegant n.o.bility, carefully eyeing Yao Ying, seeming to be heave a sigh.
“Lady Consort Ying, at the medicine taster court lady just now, I have already found out the one who placed saffron in your medicine is Consort Li,” Blocking Yao Ying’s move to intercept his speech, Lou Che’s voice turns somewhat cold, “At the same time, I’ve found a very interesting matter.”
“What matter?” Her soft and gentle voice also restores its calm as she gracefully asks.
“Do you not know? That’s strange.” Lou Che lowly laughs, “She said, she had once approached you Lady Consort Ying, reporting the matter of the medicine containing saffron, yet you gave her money, wanting her to keep this secret, this medicine, was voluntarily consumed by you.”
The wind suddenly stills, Consort Ying’s ethereally beautiful face still carries unchanging tenderness, but has gained an addition of dull pain, smile spreading, her lips forms a beautiful curve, “It is I who doesn’t want her own child, killing the dragon child, so right now, have you come to condemn me?”
Lightly sounding a sigh, he glances over the scenery of the entire courtyard, the last traces of affections seems to have also melted away throughout these formless years, eyes looking down, he speaks coldly: “Rest a.s.sured, that medicine taster court lady will never speak again. You are perfectly safe, I am warning Lady Consort for the very last time, within the back palace, changes are constant, even if you need to take things into your own hands, you must erase all traces, and save yourself from falling into the subject of ridicule.”
His words seeming to be full of utmost earnestness, teaching the arts of conflicts, yet Consort Ying feels more scared the more she listens, eyes widening, she looks at him thunderstruck, the meaning behind such words, the meaning is clearly……
“From henceforth, I will no longer be able to help you with anything, may Lady Consort take care of yourself.”
No, the only light within her world appears to be diminis.h.i.+ng into nothing, heart hit with a wave panic, she abruptly steps forward, pulling Lou Che around by the sleeves, “Could it be that you have forgotten your past commitment, to look after me all my life……”
“Do you still need me looking after you? Every time I come to this back courtyard, all the palace maids and chamberlain eunuchs are nowhere in sight, nor do I see anyone coming in, Lady Consort,” Grabbing her hands and slowly throwing them off his sleeves, “Your power within the palace, has already reached such unbreakable point, where else would you still require external help?”
The final entanglement has already been cut off, deeply gazing over the woman before him, Lou Che frowns, a shallow smile on his face, the cold air under his eyes preventing Consort Ying from once again coming forward to stop him, in the end, he still turns around and leaves.
Lou Che speeds up his pace quite a bit, eager to leave Jing Ye, only when he sees a palace maid come forth to hold up a palace lantern for him, did he realise the skies were already dark, lamenting his lengthy stay, he turns his head, and looks towards the right in slight surprise, his eyes turns cold, lightly asking the palace maid next to him: “What kind of place is that palace hall?” In the past, he has never noticed it before, directly across this courtyard, there is actually such an inconspicuous palace hall.