16 The Boat Lord Over General (1/2)

WEI LI LIAN

PRINCESS LE-ANNE

LADY QUEENS' MANOR

The dark sky was dazzled by countless stars. Soft music filled the air while the background noise of the Imperial City night life could be heard from afar. During the day it had been hot but now a chilly wind was invigorating their bodies. Le-anne yawned tiredly and started massaging her wrists. This was a habit that would have caused Mistress Kei to scrunch her nose and curse at her for being unlady like.

”Are you sure you do not want to take a sip?” Mistress Han prodded.

”Alcohol is not good for my skin.” The princess pushed back the jar that contained brewed wine.

”Ohww... be careful.” She chastised. They were sitting on the kitchen rooftop and gazing at the beautiful stars.

”The person playing that piece is quite skilled.” Princess Le-anne's body swayed to the rhythm of the tune. ”My mother was amazing. She was one who didn't sing songs to lull me to sleep but preferred to play the guqin.” She sighed, trying to get rid of the ache in her heart. There was a big pit that she wished she could get rid of, but to this day, it was still eating her alive. Nothing was big enough to replace her mother.

Mistress Han rubbed her back in understanding.

”I know how your mother must feel,” she said with compassion, and Princess Le-anne looked at her with confusion.

”Her name is Dao,” Mistress Han said before taking a sip. ”She had just turned seven when I sent her away.”

'Mistress Han has a daughter?'

”Aaa...” The princess was speechless.

”It was the only way. I'm a courtesan and so were my Mother and Grandmother... You know how poorly we are treated by the society. I could not bare to let the same fate befall my daughter.”

”Where did you send her?” Le-anne said, finding herself sympathising.

”The palace,” she said and looked up at the sky. ”If she does well for herself, they will bestow the court lady title on her, then she won't be considered a low borne anymore.”

”Palace maids are palace women who belong to the emperor, this means she will never get married.”

”I know.”

At that moment, Princess Le-anne realised that she could never understand her. The world was just like that, many people were in pain one way or another and they were just trying to survive, to go on.

”I also know that you have your eye on the palace. You are going to use the Summer Festival dance as your gateway, aren't it?” Mistress Han reclined backwards and lay her back on the stoney roof.

”Yes.” Le-anne did not deny it. Mistress Han was intelligent enough to put two and two together. How much she knew or suspected, she had no idea and neither did she wish to find out.

”The one who desires the crown must bear the weight,” her mistress said, exhaling. ”Please look for my Dao when you get there.” Mistress Han reached for Le-anne's hand and kneaded it with her fingers.

Princess Le-anne didn't respond, not agreeing nor rejecting. The future was hazy, so unknown; whether she would do well in the palace or not was not definite. In spite of all expectations, men propose but God can dispose.