The emperor's wife chapter 27

That bastard, he had medicine all along. He tricked me. I looked angrily at him. He whistled and a black horse came running to us. He went up and reached his hand out for me. I hesitated. It felt wrong sitting on a horse with him. It wasn’t proper.
“Grab my hand. Do you want everyone to know that you sneaked out?”
The temple wasn’t that far away but the ride felt really long. We didn’t say anything during the ride. I felt his calm heartbeat against my back. I was sitting in front of him. It felt relaxing listening to his heartbeat. I didn’t dare to look up at him so I kept staring in front of me.
Until now I never really looked at the side of the road. I was always rushing to do something. Now I saw that there are plenty of flowers by the side.
I thought I lived a good life but now I realized I missed plenty of things. Simple things like this are happiness. If it wasn’t today that I had nothing to do, I wouldn’t be admiring flowers.
I saw a bee on the flowers and don’t know why my mouth just turned into a smile. Seeing the bee, I thought that life was really beautiful. Life need to be cherished. How can people just murder another person? Especially my Sweet Corn. Thinking about Sweet Corn I was sad again. Would I ever get over this pain? They say time heals everything. How much time will it take me to heal from this wound?
We arrived at the temple. He helped me down. Everyone was still asleep. Suddenly he handed me a flower. I looked at him surprised.
“Don’t be sad anymore. You were looking at them smiling, so I picked one for you.”
I didn’t know what sort of emotion was on my face. I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.
“You don’t need to look at me like that. It doesn’t mean anything. Go in now, before they wake up.”
I walked to the door and looked back once. He was still standing there, looking at me. Our eyes met for a moment before he broke off the contact. Swiftly he mounted his horse. Seeing his departing figure made my heart throb a little.
I walked into my room finding Lian Er angrily sitting at the table.
“Do you know how worried I was?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Do you think sorry will make this right? I couldn’t go look for you, I couldn’t call the guards and I could only sit here. What if something happened?”
“I’m sorry.”
Wait, something isn’t right. Why do I feel like I’m facing my mother? I’m her master; I wasn’t supposed to feel so. When has Lian Er become so noisy?
“Why are you in my room?”
“Yesterday was one month ago since Sweet Corn have passed away. I figured you couldn’t sleep, so I came to accompany you. Can you imagine my surprise when I couldn’t find you here? I searched the whole temple. It was an agony waiting for you. I thought something happened. If you didn’t come for another hour I would’ve told the guards.”
I embraced Lian Er.
“Thank you for being here when I most needed someone.”
“I didn’t do anything. But I’m happy you’re in a better mood. You’re even picking flowers.”
I smiled and smelled the flower.
“I’m going to plant it.”
“Why do you need to plant it, when they grow in the streets?”
“This one is special.”
I was surprised to hear myself say that. When did it become special?
“That Young Master gave it to you, wasn’t it? Miss, don’t be ridiculous. You can’t fall in love with him. You’re married.”
“When did I say that I love him?”
“Look at your expression holding that flower. Can you swear that you don’t have any feelings for him? Please, let’s go back to the palace before trouble starts.”
“You’re crazy. I didn’t fall for that bastard.”
I wasn’t so sure anymore. Did I fall for him? Curse Lian Er. Why make me think about things I don’t want to think about? I rushed her out of my room. I stared at the flower in my hand. I wanted to throw it away but ended up planting it.
I took out the knife. The knife is really beautiful. It must’ve been really expensive. Why did he give me this knife? Is it just because of my sword fighting skills? He could’ve given me any knife. Why give me on that’s so expensive? Maybe it’s because he’s rich, he doesn’t value money. But he doesn’t seem to be that kind of person.
To avoid thinking too much, I went to sleep. Sleep didn’t come fast. It took a long while before I fell asleep.
When I woke up it was already dark. Because it was hot in the room, I opened the window. Outside I saw a man’s back. Tall, with his hands on his back, staring in the distant. It was dark. I couldn’t make out the color of his fine, dark clothes. He seems to be looking at the half moon.
I ran outside thinking it was Yun Wen. He’s the only man who will come here at night. Why is he standing there? Why doesn’t he come in?
When he heard my footstep, he turned his face to look in the direction of the sound. I froze in my tracks when I saw that side profile of his.
The gentleman standing there with such an elegant posture ,staring at me with those clear, black eyes, made my heart go crazy. The man slowly turned his body around. We are now standing face to face. Without betraying any emotions, that handsome face kept looking at me.
A clear, yet familiar voice said: “Long time no see.”