Chapter 7: A Flower Of Lies

It's been a month since I stepped inside this palace as a bride. I stare at my reflection on the mirror as the maid helped me with dressing up.

She had the features of a nobility, why did she chose to become a maid? Something is fishy.

I sighed loudly, and the maid who was now helping with my hair froze. "Con… Madam Consort, is something wrong?" Her voice was laced with fear. "It's been a month, and I still don't know your names. Mei-Mei, what should I call you?" I asked enthusiastically. Her eyes widened. "Furen, are you serious?"

I chuckled. "Okay, then what should I call you?" "Furen, I am Qu, Qu Shi Ren." She nervously introduced herself. "Shi Ren." I whispered her name. Her eyes lit up with joy. "Shi Ren." I called her name again, but this time louder. "Will you like to be my friend?"

She halted. Silence.

"Shi Ren, it would be my pleasure if we could be friends." I coaxed her.

"But I am a maid, Furen."

"Quit calling me Furen. You'll address me as Yun Xi. It's an order." I said in as stern way as possible. I rose from my chair and was about to walk away.

"Wait, Yun Xi Jie." Shi Ren wailed. I paused.

"Hao, that's better." I smirked as I know I won.

***

The sky was beautifully shaded in peach and purple hues and the sun was about to set, and I haven't seen both Yao Zhi and Lord Gu for whole day. Even though this is not the first time it has happened. Their absence makes me sad.

"Fu… umm Yun Xi Jie, I have arranged the Guqin in the Lily Garden as you requested." Shi Ren told. "Hao." I smiled. Indeed, she is hard working.

I folded my sleeves as I settled into my seat. "Do you want me to play a particular song?" I asked as I lightly stroked the strings. She stayed silent.

If someone notices her fingers closely enough, her finger has string marks. Her arm muscles are defined.

Something about her tells a different story than she proclaimed. But I can't ask her, not yet.

I remember Lord Gu teaching, 'A woman's first weapon is her hairpin'.

If she catches it mid-air my doubts would be cleared.

But I have to wait, as patience is the key.

"Okay, if you can't think of a song, I am going to pick a song myself." I announce. I adjust my sleeves one last time, secretly I have placed the spare silver hairpin on my lap.

I start playing the guqin. I can hear her gasp. She sits beside me as she hums the tune. Suddenly my eyes fall on the Mei Hua flower tattoo on her wrist.

I pause and she traces the direction of my gaze. She tries to cover her tattoo. But it's too late.

"Qu Guniang, I know you are a Jianghu nobility. I don't know what is your purpose but you can quit acting in front of me." I scoff as I turn to face another direction.

She again remains silent.

"Don't make me regret for trusting you. You know, when I was Princess, I was used to of doing my things by myself. Yet I allowed you to help me with stuff." My voice cracks. "The only thing I hate the most is betrayal." I sighed loudly.

"Yun Xi Jie." She pleaded. I chuckled, "Did you think you can keep up the façade? Any trained eye can tell you are from Jianghu." I showed her the spare hairpin. "I wanted to test my theory, but I couldn't bring myself to hurt you." I said calmly.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I never knew you cared for me."

"Aye silly girl. You are working for me for a month, I would obviously care for you."

She rubbed of her tears. She was still gasping through her faint cries, "Yes, you are right, I'm from Emei. This is the symbol 'Flower of Lies'."

***

(Fa Jing P. O. V.)

I knocked the door of the medicine room. "Come in." Yu Hai yelled. He was frantically working on a medicine to stabilize my heart, soul and qi.

"Oh Yun Guniang, how are you feeling?" He enquired as he turns to face me. "I am okay." I replied. I took a deep breath, "I am here to talk to you about something."

He froze. "Hao Guniang."

"I guess it's my time to go somewhere else, I have troubled you enough."

"Where do you think you'd go?"

"Yuwei Valley."

His eyes widened with shock. "Yu… Yuwei Valley." He stuttered.

"He is going to try is everything to fulfil the prophecy, even though the prophecy is not about him."

He nodded.

Soon he went back doing his work. "Can I help you?" I meekly asked.

"Wait."

He suddenly pulled my hair. "Long hair might discomfort you." He whispered. His warm breath tickled my ear as he braided my hair.

I sighed loudly. "I don't want to meddle into your relationships, but I consider Jin Jing as my sister. No matter where this is going, I want to stop you right here." I whisper.

"I know what Jing Jin feels about me, I'm not blind to her emotions. But she is sacred to me."

"Then why are you doing this?" I turn to face him. "I don't deserve her devotion." He caresses my face.

"Love isn't easy as it seems." He chuckles.

"Because you love Cian Tou?" I am unsure if it's a statement or a question. He chuckles again. "Even if I love him, he is not mine to be loved. Yun Guniang, not all love is meant to be fulfilled, some are meant to be sacrificed."

"What about you, do you have someone you love?" He nudges. "Ai…" I sigh. "Love is a terrible lie I have been told for years."

***

It was late night in the realm, but I couldn't fall asleep. I sneak into the library.

Nothing can kill Jiang Guan, but I'm sure there is something that can cripple his energy.

"I suppose you are searching for this." Suddenly numerous lanterns light the room.

I froze. "I know what are you up to Fa Jing." Yu Hai says my name. he never addressed me by my name. I stay silent. "I know you are practicing diabolism in secret."

"Yu Hai give it to me." I take out my sword.

He throws away the sutra and grabs my both shoulders. Due to his recklessness the sword falls from my hands. The sword falls with a loud clanking noise.

"You promised that you will cultivate after you regain your strength." He yells. He had never yelled at me no matter how much I have annoyed him in past days.

"Do you have any idea, if something happens to you. I will never forgive myself. Gu Cian Tou will never forgive himself, and most importantly Jiang Guan will never be defeated."

"Why do you care?" I scoff.

Suddenly he clasps my face with his icy cold palm, I had no idea his hands could be this cold. "You have no idea; you are so precious to me." And he puts his lips on mine.

***

(Extra: Yu Hai)

I lean on the wall while watching Fa Jing gently snoring, deep in slumber. Indeed, you have no idea, that you are precious to me. After all you are his favourite, when it should be me.

I prayed to him when I was Hu Tai, now I am by his side as Yu Hai. But he adores you instead.

Even if I actually fall for you, Fa Jing. At least I could take away his precious from his hands, from his care.

And he would feel the pain I felt when he ignored my feelings.