Day 13: “Date Part 1”

'The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.' is probably the best quote to describe how I felt towards the palace. Although, I'm not sure if I could call it 'home', but it sure feels great to go back here…

When I got off the carriage, I saw Zhao Mingxia descends from the palace and greeted the four of us,

"Welcome back general Li, Liao Yan, Qi Mo, and… physician Xun.",

The four of us saluted to Zhao Mingxia, she beckoned her hand for the group to cease the salutations. For the eldest princess to greet us directly can only mean one thing; something is definitely up.

"Physician Xun, how fare you?",

"Thanks to Your Highness and general Li, this subject comes back without losing any limbs.",

Zhao Mingxia chuckled and seemed to be in a great mood. She pulled a handkerchief and wiped the dust on my cheek as she whispered, "I'm sorry for being late to save you…",

My heart skipped a beat for a few seconds, she sounded sincere and unnaturally sweet. However, her words struck me unintelligibly, sorry for being late to save me? In order to send a messenger from Yangjiang village to the palace, it could take at least five days or a week. However, I was rescued within two days, which means she secretly planted a shadow guard to spy on me. Then, I remembered the appearance of the woman dressed in all black and covering her face. That woman looked like a ninja who lurks in the dark, but that's not the main issue here.

"I know what you're going to say, but before that… the queen had called us.", Zhao Mingxia flipped her handkerchief and put it back on her sleeve.

"Why are you doing this?",

"I'll explain to it later…",

I was exasperated by her 'cliff-hanging' explanation, however, I could only lower my head and followed her closely to the queen's mansion.

…

....

"Thank you for answering my call here.", Zhao Baiguang said with a bright smile as Zhao Mingxia and I took a seat next to each other. The servants brought various delicacies, one that you could see in Alice in Wonderland's tea party. I asked Zhao Baiguang if I could eat the pastries, she nodded and handed me the plate of the pastries that I wanted. I'll take the pastries as a payment for using schemes against me.

"What does physician Xun thinks?",

I was too busy with the pastries to listen to their conspiracies, in fact, I don't really want to hear anything about politics. Zhao Baiguang frowned and was about to reprimand me, however, Zhao Mingxia butted in and said, "Physician Xun had just arrived at the palace today and is exhausted, may Your Majesty forgive him.",

"This subject apologize for being unable to focus on the topic.",

Zhao Baiguang wanted to say something but she had swallowed it down and dismissed the two of us. To be honest, I am indeed tired from the five days journey to arrive here.

"You looked exhausted, just take a rest for today.",

"This subject thanked the princess.",

"You don't need to be formal with me.",

"...Thank you.",

…

I feel refreshed after resting the whole day, I didn't even bother with yesterday's conversation with the queen, but I have a promise to keep...

"Physician Xun, where are you going?",

"I want to visit lady Qi Mo's workshop, could you please lend me a horse?",

"Understood.",

I got on the horse and thanked the man, then headed to Qi Mo's workshop. When I arrived, I spotted the palace workers who seemed to be gathering while peeking inside the workshop. When I arrived they quickly greeted me and dispersed. I got off the horse and knocked on the door, I heard a low voice saying, "Come in." and entering the workshop. Actually, this is my first time coming to Qi Mo's workshop, when I said I have barely come out I really meant it. Inside the workshop was pretty messy, it's even messier than Liao Yan's room…

"My God, do you live like this?",

"Oh, it's Jinyun. Come, come, I have repaired the tire for you.",

"You're really a jack of all trades… anyway, is it still in good condition?",

"It's a hell of an expensive bicycle, what do you expect?",

I was delighted to hear my babe is still in good condition. I hopped on the bicycle and it feels like riding a new bicycle.

"Qi Mo, you're awesome!",

"Invite me to your next wedding!",

"Wait, what?!",

Qi Mo who was busy repairing Liao Yan's bicycle asked, "Aren't you going to get married with the eldest princess this December?",

That's still valid?!

I had a complicated feeling hearing that I will get married by the end of December. Besides, what would happen if I accidentally changed the history? Am I going to be my own ancestor?

"You seemed to be surprised, but let me tell you something.", Qi Mo flapped her hand and asked me to beckons to her.

"The eldest princess is head over heels for you.",

"How so?",

"As far as I know, the eldest princess never cared about someone, even her other family members, but when I saw that she secretly send you a shadow guard, means she cared about you so much.",

Isn't it to monitor my movements? But now that she mentioned it, I'm still a junior physician and I'm not the only one who had transmigrated. If she wants to monitor someone, shouldn't it be Qi Mo? She's the real prodigy here, she could create many things and modify something old into something new.

"I hope you're right..",

"Be a good husband.",

"I'm not married yet.",

Qi Mo shrugged and focused back on Liao Yan's bicycle, it turns out, Liao Yan's bicycle was more of in a bad shape than mine. Qi Mo is really going to take a while to repair it. I bid my farewell and thanked Qi Mo, then headed towards the eldest princess's mansion with my bicycle.

I must say riding on a bicycle while wearing a hanfu would be very difficult. It's hard not to let the hem on the feet get tangled by the pedal. I tried to lift up the hem and continue towards the eldest princess's mansion.

When I arrived I saw two guards at the front gate blocking my way. They know who I am, but more importantly, they're mesmerized by my cool bicycle.

"I'm physician Xun Jinyun, I have a promise to meet with the princess today.",

"Sent someone to deliver the message.",

I had to wait a while until Zhao Mingxia appeared in a white hanfu dress. It just happens a wind flew by and tousled her long hair, making her appearance look photogenic. I was bewildered by her appearance, did she always look this beautiful before? Did she cut her hair? Wear a new dress? Or put on new make-up? I can't tell…

"Jinyun, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting?",

Zhao Mingxia called me by my name, she did call me by my name before, but now, why does it sound more sweet than usual?

"I just… want to fulfill my promise…",

Zhao Mingxia blinked and asked dumbly, "Promise?", she averted her gaze elsewhere and suddenly remembered, "Oh, you mean the one to propose to me when you're ready to get married?",

I almost said yes when she recalled the other promise, luckily, I had swallowed that down and smiled, "Did you forget?", I tapped my hand on my cool bicycle and surprised her. It's been on my mind for a while, but Zhao Mingxia always speaks with people by staring at their faces, she barely recognizes the other parts.

"What… is this?",

"Bicycle, I promised to bring you out with this, remember?",

"But, where am I supposed to sit?",

"Right here.",

I tapped the bike's stem in front of me, Zhao Mingxia blushes and glared at me,

"We're not married yet, how can you be so shameful?!",

"Huh?",

Really?

They're okay with two unmarried people riding together on the same horse but not on a bicycle? Is this some sort of ancestral joke that I'm too young to understand?

"What's the difference with riding on the same horse?",

"I guess… you're right.",

"Hop on then.",

Still blushing, Zhao Mingxia sat on the stem of the bike, she accidentally looked at me and our faces were pretty close with our noses kissing each other. I could feel my heart beating fast, or even faster than when I first met Zhao Baiguang. I kept asking the same question in my mind, has this girl always been this frighteningly beautiful? I really can't tell…