c41 (2/2)

*****

Ming manor

In the bright night, the summer breeze blew as behind the winding corridor was the reception that laughters were coming out from. In the large courtyard there were many flowers that were swaying and the air was filled with floral scent. It is unfortunate that the figure under the moon could not wait to leave immediately. The feet that did not step out was because of the pleading that mother gave during the afternoon thus it had no choice but to stop.

Ming Ze folded both of his hands around his chest and stood at the corner of the winding corridor. He stood there for a long time and although he did not leave, he was refused to walk toward the bustling reception. Actually if he comes or not, no one will care about it. It has been so many years and mother have not yet seen through it? In this Ming residence, there was no position for both mother and son. What is she fighting? What is she s.n.a.t.c.hing? And one what basis? She treated him like a puppet, like a tool and will not care about his feelings. She only thought about herself. The most ridiculous thing was that she overestimated him. He is nothing to this family.

–Her safety, to me, is more important than anything else.–

That sentence that Qing Feng spoke during that rainy night sounded in his mind again. The brilliant eyes and flowery smile that she gave under that lightning made Ming Ze smiled lightly, she was still luckier than him. At least she has loved ones that is worthy of her to protect. When he was on duty today, he followed the Emperor and Prime Minister Lou to the Imperial Gardens and saw the incident by the sidelines. Don’t even talk about the Palace, in whichever large manor, who wouldn’t have seen such “accidents” before. It was that when Qing Feng finally left like she did, it made Ming Ze felt pity.

“Ming Ze.”

A male voice behind him sounded with a hint of excitement, Ming Ze’s sharp brows knitted and continued to lift his foot and leave. The only person who will call him in this family is only him. And he did not want to speak “nonsense” with him.

Just as he was about to leave, a tall figure quickly block his route and stood in front of him. Ming Jian familiarly smiled, “So difficult to be back home, let us brother have a drink?”

Ming Ze knows that this time he was not able to ignore him since Ming Jian came to him head on and plainly replied, “I am on duty tomorrow.” Finished saying, he turned and leave.

Grabbing Ming Ze’s shoulder, Ming Jian sighed, “Ming Ze, we are brothers…”

Brothers? Ming Ze slap away his heads and coldly replied, “I do not have this good fortune.” He cannot afford to claim that! Ming Ze walked past him indifferently, obviously he did not want to continue speaking with him. Ming Jian could only sigh heavily.

Ming Zhu, the third miss of the Ming family, came out to look for Ming Jian and saw Ming Ze unable to recognize his good intentions and spoke loudly, “Elder brother, why do you be bothered about him? He is only a child from a lowly concubine.”

Ming Ze back stiffen as he strode towards the door and walked away quickly.

“Ming Zhu!” Ming Jian coldly scolded, Ming Zhu curled up her lips and gave a look of disapproval but she knows that if she continued, her elder brother will get angry. Pulling tightly on Ming Jian’s arms so that he will not chase, Ming Zhu said, “All right, I will not continue. Mother has been nagging about why you are not back yet and grandmother must be anxious due to the wait. Hurry up and don’t bother about him. If you are late, dad will be angry.”

Ming Ze had already left without a trace and little sister kept dragging him. Ming Jian was helpless and could only follow Ming Zhu to the reception pavilion. Ai. Today is grandmother’s (paternal) birthday, he needs to think about what explanation to give to help Ming Ze excuse himself.

*****

Chens.h.i.+ (Modern timing: 7 – 9 am)

The main doors of each palace and hall slowly open and a new day begins. Lan-er was instructing the palace maids to clean up the courtyard and prune the flowers and also looking at Fu Ling’s room. Usually on normal days this time, Fu Ling would have woken up and prepared to attend to her Mistress was.h.i.+ng up. But till now there was no movement from her, should she go and call her? Just as she was pondering, the doors of the main house suddenly open and Qing Feng slowly walked out.

Qing Feng was dressed in an icy blue dress and there was a green jade ornament hanging at her waist. The white jade buyao on her hair was moving along with her elegant steps. Even though her hair was at knee length, coupled with her dress, it was like a cool breeze blowing gently. Only when Qing Feng walked to the middle of the courtyard, the palace maids then recovered themselves and knelt to greet her, “May your Ladys.h.i.+p have innumerable safety.”

Qing Feng did not see all the servants kneeling on the floor but reached out to pick a peony, which withered even with intensive and meticulous care, to play. Qing Feng softly said, “All withdraw.”

“Yes.”

“Lan-er.” Lan-er only retreated two steps when Qing Feng call for her softly. She was not unable to step forward, “This servant is here.”

Qing Feng looked at her for a long time and did not speak. Lan-er was bewildered and quietly looked up and just at the same time saw a half weltered peony floating down and landed beside her feet. Qing Feng faint voice sounded again, “Instruct the people to uproot all the peonies in the courtyard.”

“Your Ladys.h.i.+p!” Lan-er was shock and quickly continue, “Your Ladys.h.i.+p, the flowers cannot be uprooted!” Not to mention that this flower was the favourite thing of Imperial Concubine Shu, but the Emperor’s effort behind the flowers made no one dared to touch them!

“Why not?”

“This is… This is the Emperor’s intent.” Qing Feng slightly bent her body and the light touch of fragrance that accompanied her pressured Lan-er that she was unable to continue with her words.

“Specifically chosen for Imperial Concubine Shu?” Qing Feng reached her hand out and lightly held Lan-er’s chin to raise her head up. Seeing the panic in Lan-er’s eyes, Qing Feng’s lips lightly curled up as she said softly, “Take a good look at the name that the Emperor bestowed this hall. This is no longer Shu Yun Palace and there is no longer a whoever Imperial Concubine Shu. Lan-er, you have to remember that you are a person in my palace. What the mistress order you to do, you just do it. This is what a good servant should do. Understand?”

Feeling the cool fingertips pinching her chin, even though there was not much force and Qing Feng bend down to do it, Lan-er for the first time saw her mistress face this clearly. That slowly white skin was a jade and her forehead wound was covered with some makeup. Light rouge on her red lips made her overall colour look good. Being so close to look at her, the scars on her face was not obvious at all and all her attention was attracted to that pair of bright eyes. Normally mistress would put on a cold look but today there was a smile on her face. Lan-er however was even more scared that usual, “This servant. This servant understand!” Finish uttering those words, Lan-er could then hear the trembling voice of hers.

Slowly retrieving her hand back, Qing Feng did not make things more difficult for her, “Get up then.”

“This servant will go and find people to… Uproot the flowers.” She have to rush to tell older sister Xiao! Lan-er did not dare to delay and got up hurried from the ground. She only knelt for a while but she felt her legs weakening.

With her hands clutching her chest, Lan-er hastily ran out and almost knocked into Xia Yin, who was delivering breakfast. Xia Yin had to turn sideways in order to escape from her. She was just about to tell her off but Lan-er was already gone far away. Did this girl met something evil early in the morning?

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