c84 (1/2)

Chapter 84: Qi Yu

Talking about this topic, Fu Ling could not help but to think about that cold person…

She obviously could feel that he was actually not an unfeeling person but why did he put on a cold shoulder constantly. The thing that make other at a loss was, what exactly was he thinking about? Fu Ling was so engrossed in her thoughts that she did not find out that someone was walking towards her and did not also realise that there was a big pair of gardener’s shears by the palace road.

These days Ming Jian had been investigating about Ling Shui Alliance and finally found some leads thus at this moment he was rus.h.i.+ng over to report to the Emperor before lunch. Initially he had met a few palace maids in the palace roads and he would usually not pay much attention to them but the female walking over was a little weird. Not only was she carrying a large basket, she was walking very slowly even though she used a single hand to carry the basket and thus it was not heavy. If she continued to walk like that, she would probably take half a s.h.i.+chen (1 s.h.i.+chen = 2 hours) to finish walking this not so long palace road.

Ming Jian walked nearer and found that it was the female officer from the Qing Feng Palace – Fu Ling. Seeing her like she was thinking about something, Ming Ze did not want to disturb her but if she were to walk so distractedly a few more steps, she would have kicked the sharp shears on the road. Ming Qian thought for a bit and decided to give a warning, “Miss Fu Ling, be careful.”

The bright and cool male voice sounded by her side which made Fu Ling stunned momentarily. As she looked up, she saw a face with features about a third identical to who she was thinking about and Fu Ling took a few steps back in shock.

obviously he had scared her so Ming Jian squatted down to pick up the large shears on the floor and place it by the flowers before smiling, “It would be good not to think about things when walking, else it would not be good to hurt one’s foot.”

Not mentioning about not looking when walking, he kindly warned her but Fu Ling was rude about it and thus felt very embarra.s.sed thus she quickly bowed, “Many thanks to Commander Ming.”

Ming Jian lightly laughed, “Miss Fu Ling should not stand in ceremony.”

As Ming Jian entered the Palace in a hurry, he did not change into his official uniform. The casually dressed him had a white jade hanging from his waist. Fu Ling felt that it was familiar and could not help but to look at it a few times.

Ming Jian felt that it was a little strange that Fu Ling did not get up after greeting and when he took a closer look, he was surprise to see her staring at the hems of his clothes. Ming Jian asked curiously, “What is wrong?”

“This jade pendant…” And the one that Ming Ze had was very similar. The difference was that Ming Ze’s one was smaller and it was oval in shaped and tied with a red string. Ming Jian’s piece was hung at his waist and had used a dark green silk knot to tie it to his belt which made the jade white like the snow.

“You’ve seen it before?”

“I…” When Fu Ling’s met Ming Jian’s surprised eyes, she then felt that she had forgotten herself. If she were to say that she did not see before, it would only look suspicious to others. Fu Ling calmed herself down and lightly smiled before she replied, “This was all blame on my tenancy not to look where I walk. Two days ago in Qing Feng Hall, I had accidentally b.u.mp onto Guard Ming and he dropped a piece of jade pendant like yours, which I am unsure if it was broken or not. Now that I have seen you carrying it, I then became curious and took a second glance.”

Fu Ling tried to say it casually as she feared that Ming Jian will sense anything but she did not think that the usually calm and quiet Commander Ming would suddenly stared at her anxiously and said, “Are you saying that, Ming Ze also carried this jade pendent with him?”

Fu Ling did not know why Ming Jian had such an expression and this time only replied, “Yes.”

Fu Ling words just came out when Ming Jian suddenly laughed heartily and seemed to be in a very pleasant mood. Fu Ling wanted to know the origins of the jade pendant and know that it was practically impossible to know it from Ming Ze and since Ming Jian knows about it, she might as well ask, “Not sure if Guard Ming’s jade pendant was broken. Where do you buy this jade pendant? If it was truly broken, it would be idea for me to buy one to apologize to him.”

Ming Jian’s mood was especially good and he smile while he was shaking his head before explaining, “For the males in the Ming family, the Head of the family would gift a jade pendant to him. All the jade pendant comes from the same piece of jade so this cannot be bought outside.” Ming Ze, this kid, even though he refuse to admit it, his heart still cared for his family.

So it was not a gift from others… Fu Ling unconsciously sighed in relieve. Thinking about the words behind the jade pendant, Fu Ling curiously asked, “Was there any special meaning to the words carved behind the jade pandent?”

“At the back of the jade pendant, there are carvings of our ‘words’.”

No wonder his jade has the carving of… Qi (means tall)…” It’s a pity that she did not see the words after that so Fu Ling deliberately only spoke half of it and stopped and Ming Jian indeed straightforwardly continued, “Qi Yu.”

How can Ming Jian not tell that Fu Ling was digging information from him. His own younger brother’s charm was indeed not small. He was only in Qing Feng Hall for a few days and was able to attract a beauty’s interest. Fu Ling had been in the Palace for many years and with regards on dealing with people, her character was also good. Since she was interested in Ming Ze, Ming Jian generously told her.

“Qi Yu…” Fu Ling repeated the words softly. Fu Ling felt uncomfortable under the smiling bright eyes of Ming Jian’s that she coughed lightly and smiled, “Such a precious jade could not be bought outside so one hope that the jade pendant was not broken. Commander Ming should have things to do so Fu Ling would not continue to bother.”

It was indeed quick of her to not want the Monk after receiving the alms. Ming Jian laughed in spite of himself but did not make things difficult for her, “Goodbye.” Finis.h.i.+ng, Ming Jian headed towards the Imperial Study as he did have things to do.

Until Ming Jian had walked far, Fu Ling then exhaled in an upset. What was wrong with her today? To be so impatient to know things about him. If Ming Jian go home and tell him…

Fu Ling smile bitterly, so shameful! “Qi Yu” the two words were repeated in her heart for several times and she suddenly felt that the two words sounded family. Where did she heard it or seen it before?

*****

When it almost Wus.h.i.+ (modern timing: 11 am – 1 pm), Qing Feng had just finished feeding the baby when Fu Ling returned. Qing Feng saw her carrying a big basket and curiously asked, “So fast?” The Inner Palace was not a small place and each and every small palace needs to be delivered, thus it would take at least two to three s.h.i.+chen (1 s.h.i.+chen = 2 hours) to finish and she still need to make a trip to the Cold Palace, unless she had met with some trouble?

Afraid that she would get worried, Fu Ling explained, “The mistresses of each palace empathized with this servants hard work so they had sent someone to retrieve them, thus this servant can come back earlier.” Fu Ling handed the empty basket over to Ru Yi who was standing at the side and walked over to Qing Feng before whispering, “Mistress, come over here.”

Qing Feng hand the child over the Shen Yao and both of them walked to the living room. Fu Ling took the small bag from her sleeves and handed it to Qing Feng.