This one is one with the most edit up to date. I had lost count of how many times I turned back and edit this chapter thanks to a certain character. By the way, Christianity has the same pronounciation with “chicken belly call” (Ji Du Jiao) so that’s the reason for their moment of miscommunication.
Anyway, here you go folks~
Chapter 6 Mandarin Ducks and Butterfly Dream
Fragrant Sky Restaurant located at the business street in the capital, was a four-storey building, with high walls and upturned eaves, had a magnificent imposing manner, all its customers came with resplendent horse carriages while immaculately dressed up. No wonder it was known as the capital's number one restaurant.
Xie Zhao Ying brought me inside, the waiter upon seeing us approached us while smiling, "Oh, is this not Second Young Master? You had not come for such a long time already. Please, do come upstairs."
Xie Zhao Ying was very familiar with the building, raised his gown lower hem, drizzly and voluminously walked upstairs.
He sat inside the compartment facing the streets. Xie Zhao Ying opened the menu book and started reciting, "Koumo Mushrooms Fat Chicken, Medical Cherry Meat Mountain, Sliced Duck Meat with Sea Cucumber, Roasted Arrowhead Corm, Stewed Tofu, Smoked Bean curd Silks, Boiled Mung Sprouts…."
I hastily stopped him, "There are just two of us, two meats, one vegetable and one soup are enough already."
Xie Zhao Ying obviously was used to being extravagant as he said mindlessly, "They are just a few dishes, this elder brother of yours can still afford it."
That waiter quickly praised him at the side, "Second Young Master is a very famous generous person. Last time he threw one thousand gold, monopolised the Qiong Cui Queen of Flowers, even Zhao Little Marquis could only swallow his saliva at the side."
I stared blankly at the triumphant Xie Zhao Ying, absolutely not of admiration but pitying Xie Patriarch. He was an esteemed person but didn't know where he did wrong that produced this spoiled son. No wonder he wanted to sell out his third daughter into the palace.
I asked, "Who is Zhao Little Marquis?"
Xie Zhao Ying smiled and said, "Zhao Ce is the Empress' nephew. We were acquainted since small. In the past, when we were accompanying the Crown Prince in his study, he would pour my ink while I would nail his wooden stool, together would suffer the teacher's plank; when grown up, I stole his Queen of Flowers while he stole my antiques, when return home would receive family punishment."
I remembered Yun Xiang told me a bit about the Zhao family so I asked, "This Zhao Little Marquis should be a playboy as well?"
Xie Zhao Ying said, "Not really, although he is unreasonable and rude, thick skin and pervert, his literacy is very good. When you are free, try read the Shengjing chapter in the Annals of the Qi Country, it was written by him."
I was surprised, "He…. He…. He believed in Christianity?"
Xie Zhao Ying didn't understand, "The chicken belly calls? How does the chicken belly call?"
I got choked and spurted onto the whole table, "I heard wrongly, it is I who hear it wrong!"
Xie Zhao Ying was very persistent, "The chicken belly calls?"
I hastily asked, "What about that Queen of Flowers?"
Xie Zhao Ying smiled, "What do you think about her? You think she is just a beautiful prostitute for unconstrained night? Actually, that Young Lady Liu is my friend's beloved. That friend of mine is usually at the border, has no way to redeem her freedom, so I just give him a little help."
I smiled, "Using family money to act as a justice hero, how can you not be generous?"
Xie Zhao Ying suspiciously stared at me, "What happened until you become like this, so cunning and shrewd?"
When he asked that, I was so shocked that a ten thousand years of cold sweat appeared. This was a feudal society, I as a soul that borrowed someone else body if exposed would be become a demon nailed on a wooden stake and burned to death.
Right at the moment, the waiter entered to send in the food.
I took a look, the plates and bowls were only half of my palm size not sure it was because stingy or conservative. The originally empty large table was quickly filled up, making me felt as if I'm eating Korean dishes. No wonder Xie Zhao Ying recited so many dishes earlier.
However, the dishes looked delicious, they smelled nice and were of my taste, so I happily gobbled them up.
Xie Zhao Ying elegantly took a green vegetable and ate it slowly. Watching the way I ate ferociously, he stared and said, "Slow down or you may choke yourself."
A bright and clear voice transmitted from the outside, "Never think that Xie Second Young Master will ever serve others."
After saying that, the door was opened. A tall, slim man in bright and beautiful clothes entered by himself, had a gentle face, smiling cheerfully, but on a cold day he still brought along an expensive fan, a strong perfume smell drifted to my nose from his fanning action. Behind him was a man in green scholar unlined upper garment, very elegant and gentle. Both of them were similar to Xie Zhao Ying's age, with exquisite clothes and magnanimous bearing, must had received good teachings.
Xie Zhao Ying happily stood up, "Yan Yu, Zheng Xun, it has been awhile."
Their names resembled Korean style, very interesting. The man at the front wearing a glamorous clothes had a pair of phoenix eyes, while he smiled he looked like a fox. Walking at the back was a man of composed appearance, like a well of calm water.
The foxy man saw me and got curious, "This young lady is…."
Xie Zhao Ying introduced, "This is the Prince Han's son. This is General Che Ji, Yu Zheng Xun. This is my Fourth Younger Sister, Little Hua."
The moment that foxy man Prince Han’s son heard my name, he blurted out, "I thought you are a silly idiotic amentia girl?
I sarcastically smiled, "You believe the rumours without confirming. I thought you are an idiot?"
Yu Zheng Xun couldn't stop himself from laughing. Xie Zhao Ying kicked my leg harshly under the table.
Prince Han’s son should had known that he said wrong words for he hurriedly apologised, "This humble one earlier said without thinking and offended Fourth Young Miss, actually got used to mouth speaking without blocking, but had no bad intention. Hope that Fourth Young Miss will forgive me."
I am a little girl who had yet to reach fifteen years old, he actually apologised seriously at me, must be not easy. I picked a chicken leg meat I spurted out earlier and put inside his bowl and sincerely said, "Big Brother Han don't have to blame yourself. Little sister earlier also said improper words and hope that big brother will not mind it."
Xie Zhao Ying's face became ugly a little, I use my eyes to warn him and he tactfully closed his mouth. I quietly stole a look to see Prince Han's son ate that chicken leg meat into his stomach.
Yu Zheng Xun opened his mouth at this moment, "Ah Ying, you had gone for so long. I remember a long time ago you really like to listen to songs of Young Lady Bu Ting from this Fragrant Sky Restaurant. Why don't we call her to sing a few songs then?"
Xie Zhao Ying happily replied, "It is true that it has been so long since I heard Young Lady Bu Ting singing voice. Please invite her then."
The waiter ran to call her, not long, outside the door a short period of small pearls and jade sound, a light fragrance whisked inside. The person who entered with light steps, sat behind a gauze curtain outside. I could only vaguely see a graceful silhouette.
I could only hear the melodious sound of guqin played a few notes and a gentle, graceful and restrained voice sang, "A fine jade flower whistling during a silent cold, leaving behind a light mist. A Northern wild goose, water leaving a filled river. That which is said, don't meet outside the dreams, year after year passing through the yearly springs, an island of cherry blossoms at the end whirling and scatter in grief…."
The lyrics were very beautiful, querulous and plaintive, I listened with keen pleasure racily.
After finished singing, the person behind the curtain turned silent. I turned my head around and then I saw Xie Zhao Ying's face was complicated, it had surprise and happiness, his eyes were glimmering. I already got used to his playboy's appearance. When I saw this serious expression of his, I was quite surprised.
Now I just noticed, that Han King's son and Yu General had disappeared. These two people were too much, leaving without calling me. Now for me, staying was no good, leaving was no good too.
The lady behind the curtain asked, "Sixth Lang, do you still remember this song?"
Xie Zhao Ying turned gentle and soft as he bitterly smiled and said, "How can I forget it?"
It really was a meeting between lovers, I had become the third wheel here.
The girl behind the curtain lamented, "Do you still remember at that time, I cross-dressed as a boy to watch the lanterns with you outside? I accidentally got lost and cried the whole time. In the end was found by the family guards. I would never thought that for the sake of finding me, you searched for me outside the whole night, suffered a cold. When you went home, you had a big fever."
Xie Zhao Ying smiled, "At that time, I thought I lost you and got extremely scared."
Her voice sounded restrained in tears as she said, "I still remembered I swore beside you when you're sick. Do you still remember it?"
Xie Zhao Ying gently as water said, "Of course I still remember…."
I was very curious, just as he was going to say, he saw me in a glimpse and immediately stopped himself. He couldn't change that gentle expression that made people shivered in time. It was very hilarious so I chuckled loudly.
Xie Zhao Ying with his dark face said, "You didn't leave?"
I innocently replied, "They didn't took me with them."
That lady was surprised and shyly as she asked, "Who is there?"
Xie Zhao Ying hurriedly explained, "It is fine. She is my fourth younger sister. I bring her out to have some fun."
I conveniently dashed to the curtains as I cutely called, "Hello, elder sister."
The person behind the curtain laughed lightly, a white lustrous jade-like hand pushed aside the curtain and a graceful beautiful moon white face appeared.
That young lady has a supple and graceful body, black hair flowing like clouds, had no ornaments. She only had a full bloom peony flower fastened on her hair. With green silk embroidery skirt that was very exquisite, her white like snow skin was fine and smooth and her temperate was mild and delicate like jade. Smooth sharp chin, eyes were like water [apricot/almond], straight nose and enviable red lips, too beautiful as if she was from a painting.
As I was gasping in admiration, Xie Zhao Ying already approached her and personally took her hands. Their eyes met each other, affectionately gazed at each other, the flames of love rapidly blossomed around.
I silently retreated to leave the room.
I would never thought that that beautiful miss suddenly stopped me, "Please wait, fourth younger sister."
I could only stopped myself and stood.
That beautiful miss friendly smiled at me, "It has been many years I had not meet little sister. I never thought that your disease had been cured already. This is a joyous occasion."
It turned out that this beautiful miss was someone I knew. I politely said, "Many thanks for elder sister's care."
Xie Zhao Ying said, "Fourth Younger Sister had forgotten the past. This is Elder Sister Fei Hua."
Ah? She was not just an ordinary singer?
Xie Zhao Ying looked at the beautiful miss and asked, "Is there anyone who know about your outing today?"
That beautiful miss said, "I told them that I went to the mountains for prayer so no one stopped me. Don't worry, with the help of Yan Yu and Zheng Xun, they will not know that I'm meeting you."
Xie Zhao Ying nodded, "That is good then. I'm really worried about you."
The beautiful elder sister tenderly said, "You don't have to worry about me. I'll be good if you are well."
Those two held each other's hands firmly. I felt like if not because of my presence, they would already hug each other.
Three fake coughs from outside the door made those two lovebirds returned to the present. That beautiful elder sister said, "I should return now."
My Second Elder Brother was not satisfied and asked, "When can I meet you again?"
"How long will you be staying this time?"
"I have yet to meet him."
That beautiful elder sister bit her lips slightly, her forehead creased as she said, "I will help you think of a plan. Go and wait patiently. Never ever advance rashly, you have to know the current situation is very dangerous. I heard, other than that person, no one else is allowed to meet him."
"It actually already reached this step?"
"Yes and his body never gets better."
Xie Zhao Ying held her hands and said, "I understand, I will be patiently waiting."
Han King's son interrupted, "Fei Hua, the time has come."
Xie Zhao Ying suddenly stretched out his hands and hugged Fei Hua in his bosoms.
I and the others naturally turned to another place.
After a moment, those two unwillingly separated. Elder Sister Fei Hua was like a weeping beauty as she wiped her tears and said, "I will go first. You have to take care."
Xie Zhao Ying was still holding her hands, he had an affectionate face. The beautiful Miss Fei Hua unwillingly pulled her hands away, put on a face mask and hurriedly walked away.
Watching the whole scene, I really pitied them. Fei Hua although at one look would be aware of her high status, appearance comparable to Xie Zhao Ke and she was Xie Zhao Ying's beloved but for unknown reason they were unable to be united. Two people who were in love with each other but unable to be together, I felt that it was regretful.
After Fei Hua went away, Han King's son and Zheng Xun too excused themselves. I accompanied the depressed Xie Zhao Ying as we slowly went back home.
Throughout the journey, Xie Zhao Ying didn't say anything, his face shrouded in dark clouds, his eyes had a very heavy resentment in them, with thunders and lightning, a dangerous warning for the livings to stay away.
I braved myself to ask, "Second Elder Brother, who is Elder Sister Fei Hua actually?"
Xie Zhao Ying's face relaxed slightly as he said, "She is Qin Fei Hua, the only daughter of the Minister of Public Works, one of the Eastern Qi twin pearls. The other one is your elder sister, Xie Zhao Ke."
No wonder.
Xie Zhao Ke was otherworldly aloof and cold while Qin Fei Hua gentle and tactful. Both of them were great beauties.
I asked further, "The elders of both family do not agree for the two of you together?"
Xie Zhao Ying coldly smirked and said, "Qin family had the intention to send Fei Hua into the palace."
So coincidence, Xie family had the same intention too.
"Is that why everyone wants to be the Emperor?"
"The Emperor?" Xie Zhao Ying ironically said, "That always sick and without authority in his hand old Emperor? It's not him! After the death of the Crown Prince, there is still the Second Prince personally cared by the Empress, Xiao Li. Fei Hua currently is working in the Empress palace as a female officer. The intention of the Qin and Zhao families were utterly clear."
I said, "Then does that mean, our family and Qin family want to fawn over Zhao family too?"
Xie Zhao Ying just had his beloved one left, his emotion was not good, was quite cynical, opened his mouth to say, "If Née Zhao's power was still not shaken like now, no sooner the royal family's surname will be changed to Zhao."
His voice was quite loud, I was so afraid that I had a cold sweat, taking advantage that this place had small amount of people, quickly dragged him back home.
Upon reaching the door, the servants that were ordered to wait for us outside announced, "Second Young Master and Fourth Young Lady have returned!" And then, a large group of people came out from the inside, the leading ones were Xie Patriarch and Xie Madam.
Xie old man angrily said, "Actually still know how to return?"
This question was aimed at me.
Xie Madam tried to calm him, "Is it not good that she had return. Thankfully that you followed her."
This sentence was aimed at Xie Zhao Ying.
Eldest Brother laughed, "We were all worried that Little Hua got lost. It is good that you had return. Let's eat. Everyone please go inside."
Xie Zhao Ke maybe because that old monk said that I would replace her, she was very happy, it was very hard chance to come that she let down of her cold attitude to hold my arm. I just returned from eating so I didn't have much appetite but she lovingly picked some dishes for me.
After eating, as expected I was summoned by Xie Madam's servant to go to the study room.
The study room was forbidding, the illuminating lanterns hung up, Xie Patriarch's scholarly and refined old face under the light, his wrinkles were clearly visible, I almost thought that I transmigrated again to before the Liberation.
Xie Patriarch loudly shouted, "Kneel down!"
I snorted as I knelt before him, I didn't care that superstitious what-so-called gold underneath girls' knees.
Xie Madam kindly reminded me, "It's not to kneel before your father but to kneel before the ancestors."
Only now did I see a picture hanging on the wall and some offerings before them behind Xie Patriarch. It just that during the daytime I had knelt down. Now I had to kneel down again, the ancestors would feel bored of it too.
Xie Patriarch with sincere words and earnest wishes said, "The words Hui Kong Master said today, do you still remember?"
I gave him a supercilious look, it was not easy to forget that even if I wanted to.
Xie Patriarch said, "Our Xie family, becoming officials, it had been a hundred years. All generations were loyal and upright, produced one Prime Minister, three Generals, as well as two Noble Concubines and three Beloved Concubines. However, we absolutely never had a….."
"An Empress?" I resumed.
Xie Patriarch angrily glared at me, "Never had you who had no manners, rude and unreasonable!"
I was not in the mood, "Father, you cannot blame me on that. I had been retarded for fifteen years. Suddenly someone came and told me that in the future I will become the model of all women, anyone would be scared until arrhythmia."
Xie Madam was on my side as she nodded, "It's true, Master. Little Hua still doesn't know anything, you should had think of her as a two years old child."
Xie Patriarch dispelled a bit of his anger, the face he lost by me today was collected back again. This old man made a face as he said, "Although you had been ill for so long but you're no longer a child. Since that you had been cured, this sort of incident happened today, Xie family have some matters that should let you know earlier."
Ah? What? The surviving supporter of the previous dynasty? Secret agent of martial arts? Or was it Xie Patriarch was actually working in National Security Bureau?
Xie Patriarch said, "In every generation of Xie family, we always had a girl enter the palace for matching birthdates. At my generation, originally planned for your Third Elder Sister to enter the palace."
So, it was about this.
"Hui Kong Master had never lied, today what he had said, in the future would really happen."
Stop joking around! I hurriedly said, "Father, this matter was not confirm to happen. Take a look at me, even with the change I will not be confirmed to become an Empress. If even I can become the Empress that just mean that the Emperor has no moral integrity!"
Xie Patriarch must be a loyal to death supporter of the royal family, after hearing what I said, his blood pressure rose up instantly, "Being able to enter the palace to serve the Emperor is your several lifetimes' fortune? If you continue to talk nonsense, you will provoke calamity to the Xie family!"
Several lifetimes?
I already became a nun for eight lifetimes, earnest in Buddha teachings, but Buddha threw me into this awful mess. Becoming an Empress? Wait until I got back my original flesh body, patting my butt as I left, that palace, whoever wanted it could enter it.
Xie Madam warned me, "This matter involves hundreds of Xie family mouths. The matter in the temple today from now on no one can mention it. Also, starting from tomorrow, I will call upon Teacher Song to give you independent lessons, in the afternoon will learn music and needlework…."
A lightning on a bright day occurred in my mind, Xie Zhao Ke's bitter lifestyle was pushed to me? I felt myself like a pig being madly fed before the impending slaughter, after suffering was a sure death fate.
I put both my palms together, hurriedly hug Xie Madam's thigh as I miserably cried out, "Mother, can I not learn them?"
Xie Madam said, "Cannot!"
I said, "I can read and recognise words, can make several poems, know foreign languages, quite good in calculation, also extremely…. Brief understanding in traditional Chinese medicine. I don't have to learn anything more already!"
Xie Madam asked, "Do you know how embroidery and cooking, singing, dancing, playing qin and chess?"
I'm felt disdained, "Every ladies know them, is there any meaning for me to know them too?"
Xie Madam actually was very philosophical, "Men are always interested in new things, after a long time will get bored. The traditional reliable women type is much safer."
Xie Patriarch unconsciously coughed. I silently grinned.
In the end, I was scolded a few more words before being allowed to leave. Yun Xiang waited for me outside the courtyard, I listened to her complaints while going back to my own courtyard.
Yun Xiang suddenly pulled my sleeve. I closed my mouth while my eyes followed her other hand.
At the rooftop, a solitary silhouette was squatting, the dim moonlight elongated his shadow. He was just like a weathered great vulture, fiercely facing the cold in human life.
I moved my arms around, with the strength of nine cows and two tigers, finally managed to climb up and sat beside him.
Outside the wall was a small lane, at daylight there would be unlicensed stallers selling fruits, shoes, socks and others, the wall was not tall, there was never a thievery incident, that was because the Xie family luck was good. Now was very late, the outside was very quiet, it served as background for the sad pitiful form of the person beside me.
I opened my mouth to break the silence, "Second Elder Brother, are you thinking of Fei Hua Elder Sister?"
Xie Zhao Ying was solemn and quiet but there was not a bit of melancholy sad love expression. It was instead like an unbearable sword leaping from a scabbard urgently, just like a wolf preparing to pounce when facing its prey. The current him didn't have the previous frivolous slacker appearance. It was a very [listless/dejected] appearance instead.
I thought to myself, to be able to be loved by Qin Fei Hua this kind of girl, he shouldn't be actually a playboy. Xie Zhao Ying just caused a second class male character transformed into an iron-willed man who had to endure humiliation before revenging for his deep enmity, the Gods really made a fool of him.
While I sighed with deep feeling, Xie Zhao Ying suddenly patted my shoulders. I thought he wanted to express his impassioned love declaration, in the end with his whole face emitting excitement and his finger pointing at a shadow hidden far-off the wall, said, "Look, there is a pair of mandarin ducks in secret tryst!"
I was utterly speechless.