Chapter 11: A Season Of New Beginning

The Guqin basked in sunlight by itself. I leaned on the balcony of the now rebuilt Capital Palace. We might have won the war but at the cost thousands of loyal soldiers.

“Will you not play the zither today?” Yao Zhi, now the Emperor asked. It has been weeks since I last touched the stringed instrument. I sighed as I leaned on him.

“Your Majesty I don’t feel like playing such useless instrument, if I learnt better martial arts or arts of weaponry, I could have prevented…”

“Chief Consort, such words do not suit you. I know you feel guilty. But you were at your best.” He lifts my head. “I have never imagined that a female consort could fight so well.” He caressed my wrists.

“I promised to accompany forever on the fateful day I became your wife. How could I leave you behind when you were in grave danger?” I gave a soft smile.

Love or not being near to him is peaceful.

“Chief Consort Hua Yun Xi.” He sighed on my shoulder. “Alas we couldn’t celebrate Mid-Autumn festival in Suzhou.”

“You don’t need to apologise to me, it was not your fault.” I reached for his face. My fingers glided on his cheekbone. I am touching his face for the first time.

“Empress Dowager wants an audience with Chief Consort Hua.” Shi Ren entered inside the room, and suddenly turned herself away when she realised what she walked into.

Yao Zhi tried to stifle his laughter. I distanced myself away from him.

***

“Nai-Nai…” I went running towards her in happiness. “Haizi!” My grandmother exclaimed with open arms.

“How are you my child?” She cooed. “I am quite well Nai-Nai.” I beamed like a toddler who saw her grandma after a long time.

“I have brought you some plum blossom wine.” “Nai-Nai, you brought wine?” I was surprised. I thought she hated it. “It was made by your father.” Her eyes loose it’s shine as she goes deep into her thoughts. Shi Ren enters with freshly brewed tea.

Suddenly Shi Ren bowed. “Sect Elder Guang.” My eyes widened. I knew Shi Ren was an Emei woman but I never my own Nai-Nai being a Jianghu woman. Nai-Nai snaps back to present time.

“Sect Elder Guang.” She chuckled. “I haven’t heard it in long time.” “Are you surprised Yu’er?” She turned towards me. I nodded. “I’m surprised, considering it took less than a month to figure out Shi Ren’s identity.” She slowly unfolded her sleeves. I see the identical flower tattoo on her wrist as well. “It’s beautiful.” I gasp. I had never took a closer look at the delicate flower imprinted on my grandmother.

“Yu’er come closer to me.”

“Hao Nai-Nai.”

“Is the Emperor taking a good care of yours?” She delicately held my hands and gave a soft smile as if she knows the answer.

“Yes, he is very caring.” I blushed.

“Let me take one final good look.” She slowly lifted my face.

“Final?” I gave her a puzzled look. “Yu’er, my sweet granddaughter. You can see, I have aged. I want to return back to my home, faraway in Mount Emei. I want to resume being Sect Elder Guang Ai.” She sighed. “Nai-Nai.” I hugged her tight as tears began to flow. “My silly girl, there is nothing to cry about. I’m just going to be away from political scenario.” “I know Nai-Nai, but…”

She delicately wiped my tears. “Haven’t I told you crying makes thing much worse. Now smile my Meihua bud, smile into the flower you are supposed to be.”

She carefully reached for her hairpins and jewels and slowly began to remove them piece by piece.

“Now these are yours, as it should be.”

She let her silky hair with light greying fall free, I never noticed the length of her hair.

***

It was late evening. I am sitting beside my Guqin, I haven’t touched a single string. “Speak your mind Shi Ren.” I told her. “On what Fu- Jie-Jie?” She asked.

“My incompetency… I don’t deserve these.” I proceed to drop all of the jewellery I got from my grandmother but I stop. “I’ll get Emperor’s opinion.”

“Yeah that would be better.” Shi Ren chimed. She took a breath of relief, as I'm not doing anything stupid.

***

I was drinking alone in my quarters with my back facing the door. “Yao Zhi, how am I looking?” I asked as he opened it as quiet as possible. I was wearing the ornaments of the Empress.

“Yun Xi…” He sighed. Panicked, I started removing my jewels. As I took out my hairpin from my hair, suddenly he held my hand. Accidentally the bejewelled hairpin fell from my hand. I almost wailed but Yao Zhi caught it in time.

“Who told you to remove it…” He breathed. He put that hairpin at its place. “You will never remove them without my permission.” His warm breath tickled my neck. I sucked a sharp breath. I shivered as my surrounding became cold.

“And I give you permission to remove everything you are wearing.” He whispers and removes the hairpin as swiftly as he could. He removes each piece of precious golden metal off my body, piece by piece.

He then pushes me to the nearest wall. My mind stops working. “Chief Consort Hua Yun Xi.” He calls my name huskily. “Yes… yes, my Lord.” My voice trembles. I can’t think what’s going to happen next.

“I will not let you go Yun Mei.” He whispers.

***

(Flashback: Jheng Er)

Yun Mei is wearing her godly clothes. Her eyes are fixed on the Guqin, that she has not noticed my arrival. She meticulously folds her sleeves as her fingertips come in contact with the strings of the instrument.

“How do I face my love?” She begins to sing. I quietly lean on the wall. “Will you forgive me if I disappear without a trace…?”

She removes her hairpin. “I hope you’ll never forget me.” Tears stream down her cheeks.

“Yun Mei.” I yell out her name. Her eyes widen with shock as she stood up. I push her to the nearest wall without thinking. And proceed to kiss her feverishly.

“I know I can’t compare myself with any God up in the Heaven…” I say. “And it is your decision at the end. But can you stay with me tonight?”

She chuckled through her tears, “Shagua, who told you that you are any lesser than them.” She caressed my cheek.

“I have to protect you. I’m sorry.” She gave a small forehead kiss as she vanished in the mist.