While Chenglie turned to change his clothes, Xing groaned lightly, clenching her abdomen.
"What is it?", Chenglie asked with concern.
" Don't know, my lower abdomen and back had been hurting for sometime. Even my legs feel like its cramped. ",she said with creased eyebrows.
"Let's go see a doctor", Chenglie said to her flustered and walking towards her. Xing shook her head saying no. She then looked at the half naked man with a firm chest before her and the man looked like an immortal with impeccable body and charm.
Call me whatever! But when I see a beauty in front of me, I admire them!
She grabbed him by the arm, " How come a lowly guard like you look so pale like you've never seen the sun, and how come the legendary assassin 'Snow Wolf' is not having even a single scar on his body", she asked surprised.
"I'm always careful because someone had told me not to die", he chuckled and wiped her hair with a towel. Guess he should hide the scars on his back from her.
" That's right, you are not allowed to die before me. You'll have to die at least a day after me"
" Not on the same day as you?", he asked surprised.
" No, you'll have to bury me and you'll have to grieve at least a day for me before you die because you left me alone for ten years", she said firmly. Chenglie could not make anything out of her odd request. She met him only yesterday after long and she is already talking about her burial? He remembered how she looked worried not knowing the burial rituals for her mother yesterday. Guess her mother's death had affected her too deep.
"Is that so?", he hugged her and kissed her forehead. She suddenly looked at him intently for a moment and asked, "Do you think we are related?". Chenglie's face paled, what the hell is his girl saying now?, " What?... Why?", he then composed himself, "We have different mothers and my father is definitely not your father. So I don't really care otherwise". But he couldn't help but feel a bit troubled. What would he do if they are closely related? Screw this! It doesn't matter! There were Emperors who had married their half sisters in the past!
Seeing his troubled expression she shrugged, " Never mind, I just had a feeling that's all".
He nodded and asked, "Speaking of which, did your mother happen to mention your father's name?". Suddenly Xing came to a realisation her mother didn't mention and she did not ask her mother either. She grabbed his shoulder and shouted, " How are we going to find him? How can I be so dumb? Did mother tell you anything?".
He smiled, "She didn't tell me anything, but you are with this great Huang Shengli. There's nothing I can't do. Fret not" he said patting his chest. He then let her down from the tree branch and told her to change her clothes.
That's when he saw the glaring bright red spot on the robe she's wearing.
"Xing! There's blood, did you hurt your leg?", he asked in panic.
Xing saw the blood and checked herself. Ok, this is odd. Just then Chenglie got to her and started checking under her robes.
She yelped and pushed him, " Where are you looking?"
" You're bleeding between your legs. Why? How did you get hurt? Let me see…", he stepped closer.
Xing backed "Stop right there" she ordered, "Let me think, I think mother said something about this sometime before".
Chenglie froze. His beloved is hurt somewhere and he's not allowed near her. "What did your mother say?"
Xing was thinking deeply to remember what her mother had said. That day mother made her sit beside her and said she would say something important. And then she remembered her mind muting her mother as usual when she would lecture her and started thinking about the book she'd read that day. She could only remember bits and pieces of information like, being a woman…. Bleeding was normal…. Natural… And then she probably explained what to do when that happens and obviously she didn't listen.
Why didn't I listen to my mother?, Xing worried for the first time in her life. Also she knew women bleed during childbirth and after as she is used to attend women during childbirth, but why am I bleeding? Ah! Xing! You really should have read the medical books Lady Shaoyao gave you instead of all those novels!
"What?", Chenglie's shout brought her back.
" Ah! I think, Mother said that it's normal for a girl to bleed and it's something that should happen."
" You think...?", he took a deep breath, "Xing! How is a person losing blood nothing..? Did she tell about any medicine you can take? Never mind! Hey, listen to me, let's go to a doctor", he said walking closer.
"No, don't touch me", she said taking a step back immediately which even surprised herself.
Chenglie got mad, "What's with you suddenly, you were fine till now?"
"I don't know, okay! Just don't come near me", she was jumpy like a little rabbit.
"Fine then", he stomped "Just tell me what to do" he said irritatedly. She's obviously hurt, why won't she let me near her?
Suddenly an idea dawned on Xing, " Let's go to the Heavenly Flowers Palace. Lady Shaoyao is there. She's a woman. She'll know what to do. I'll have to say goodbye to her anyway"
" Fine then, change your clothes. I'll stay far away from you while you are hurt as an imbecile", he sulked. You'd rather go to that place than accepting my help?
Seeing the sulky Chenglie made Xing smile and she changed her clothes. Guess his 'Male Pride' got hurt because she refused his help. Cute!
They both then went to the Heavenly Flowers Palace with Xing sitting on the horse and Chenglie walking holding it's reins.
The Heavenly Flowers Palace is the largest and legal brothel in the entire kingdom that had been in operation for centuries. It is located in the outskirts of Caijing, the capital city of the Western Province. It was privately owned, but they pay taxes like any business institution. They had their own security and rules. Once entered in, everyone's the same and they have to play by the palace's rules and regulations or else they will be accepting punishments. They had three separate Manors, Fortune Manor , Flavour Manor and Fragrance Manor and each Manor had different courtyards. Fortune Manor had different gambling houses. Flavour pavilion has male and transvestite prostitutes and Fragrance Manor had female prostitutes. Each one of them are specially trained. The entire area spanned for many acres, almost as big as the Imperial Palace. They don't do sex slaving and had only willing participants. People really had to work hard to get in there. So naturally there aren't many who can afford this place. But there were many levels of services provided according to one's economic capability. It is said that an entire years worth of earnings can be lost in seconds in this place. Overall it's a place of grandeur and beauty and enjoyment .
Chenglie and Xing got down from the mountain reaching the walls of the Heavenly Flowers Palace.
"Have you been here before?", Xing asked the silently sulking Chenglie.
" No", he replied nonchalantly.
"Are you mad at me?"
"No. Are you still hurting?", he asked worried.
"Yes", Xing made a pitiful face rubbing her stomach. Chenglie's heart melted. "Just bear with it for little more time. We are almost there", he said softly.
"Ok, we'll go in through the side entrance. It's faster since we are meeting the Madame. "
"You know the Madame of this place? Isn't that person a well kept secret like the name of the emperor?"
"Yes, it's true. But I know her and I even have a VIP pass. I can go anywhere free of cost. No money can buy this privilege", she said proudly. Guess Haru didn't tell him everything about her.
Chenglie didn't know how to react to his beloved having an all access pass for a brothel. He kept his silence thinking that would be best.
Soon they reached the side entrance and there were many guards diligently guarding. One came and stopped them. Xing showed a pass engraved with a peony flower carved in High quality jade. Another chubby guard recognised her immediately and ran towards her and scolded the other for stopping Lord Táng and ordered him to be lashed twenty times for not recognising Lord Táng and then apologised to Xing profusely.
Chenglie observing this sighed. Isn't it the same punishment given to servants for angering the Emperor? Just who is she in here?
The guard then lead them both in towards the inner courtyards of the Flower Manor. The sky has already started to turn dark and lanterns were being lit and the busiest time for them have arrived.
Chenglie glanced at the surroundings. All the buildings are built with good architecture and the splendor is not less comparable to the Imperial Palace. The guards were neatly dressed and seemed well trained. Maintaining such place, one should be extraordinary.
The arrival of Lord Táng was spread like wildfire and there were many women with their makeup on smiling and giggling provocatively at her. Chenglie smelled the fragrances of incenses and cosmetics and got reminded of the inner palace he grew up as a child. He also saw Xing smiling and waving and sending kisses to the prostitutes and some giving coquettish glances at him and his head started to hurt.
Soon they reached the Peony Courtyard. It had a separate entrance with a garden filled with different kinds of peonies. There was another building inside this place. Xing got down from the horse and entered the courtyard followed by Chenglie. The unique fragrance of the peonies filled the air. Sensing the hesitant Chenglie, she grabbed his hand and walked in. The maids saw her and giggled. She smiled back at them and they covered their mouth and ran away blushing. Seeing this and all the fragrance around him made Chenglie knit his brows.
One well dressed maid came and greeted her, "Lord Táng, Madam Shaoyao asked you to get in" and gave a weird look at Chenglie by her side with a dark expression.
Am I being treated as her servant? He thought.
"Oh! He is with me", she said with an elegant smile.
Can't she just do the thing she came here for? Isn't she sick? Is it really necessary for her to seduce every woman she sees even now?
Chenglie lost his patience and entered the guest hall of that small house. There an voluptuous woman wearing teal coloured silk robes with her shoulders and most of her back exposed holding a long smoking pipe elegantly stood there. As they entered she put out that pipe and she smiled and walked, no.. floated towards them. She looked little older than thirty and her hair was done in a complicated manner settled with several gold hairpins.
"Xiao Táng , long time no see. You didn't forget this big sister did you?", saying this she gave a light peck in her cheeks.
"Big sis, Didn't I come here last week?", Xing said in a coaxing tone.
Chenglie by her side burned in anger. Really, can no one see him? Also what's with her? She came here to flirt? Did she forget she's bleeding?
"She's bleeding. We didn't know what to do and she refused to see a doctor and insisted to come here. So we are here", Chenglie spouted so they could get to the point.
"Finally", she shrieked, "This big sister was worried for you. Girls your age are bearing children and you were still running around as a boy….",she looked at Chenglie and poked his cheek, "Did you awaken her, naughty boy!" with a mischievous smile.
He pushed her hand away and said, "What are you babbling? What's happening to her? Why aren't you calling for a doctor? Shouldn't she see a doctor?"
Seeing his panicked expression, Lady Shaoyao couldn't help laughing, " Hold your horses boy, it's a good thing" and then she clapped when a maid came in.
"Prepare a herbal bath and make nourishing soup for dinner. Also deny visitors for a week and prepare my guest room"
" Yes, Milady", the maid retreated.
" What's going on?" Chenglie asked.
" My dear boy, Xing has become a woman now. She need to rest for a week and you cannot stay with her. Get out", saying this she pushed the confused Chenglie out. She then threw a couple books at him, "Shame on you for not knowing these basic stuff about women at your age. Go read these books", she shut the door.
Shame on me? Chenglie wondered, je was never treated like this before in his life, ever!
The maids filled the bathtub with hot water and various herbs and fragrance were added. Lady Shaoyao sent all the maids out before asking Xing to step in the tub. She removed all her clothes and stood near the tub. Lady Shaoyao saw the 'Wang' mark on her back and sighed.
"That boy, is he your 'prince' ?", she asked.
"Yes", Xing smiled.
"Don't put your heart into someone too much. You might end up getting hurt.", she said with a dark expression.
" What are you saying, big sis?", Xing asked confused. This big sister was never the one who spoke negatively. Maybe she got reminded of her first love.
"Nothing", she washed her hair, "you should really take care of yourself. Love yourself first and don't depend too much on others. You are a woman. You are powerful,intelligent and beautiful. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. You are someone who can move mountains with your eyes and make men kneel before you with a movement of your finger. Never forget that. Never forget you are someone destined for greatness. So always keep your chin up and your hopes high ."
"Sis, why are you saying all this. I'm not that great", Xing got nervous.
Lady Shaoyao laughed, "Only you'd say that. Also more importantly, seeing you here in such situation, your mother.. "
"My mother passed away yesterday. She made me promise to go to the Imperial capital city to find my father. I was on my way when this happened", Xing sighed with her eyes lowered.
Lady Shaoyao lifted her chin with her hand and said, " I am sorry for your loss. But everything will be fine. Going to the big city uh? I always knew you don't belong in this small place. You belong high up. Mark my words, you'll be looked up by all one day, you'll be known not only in this kingdom but also in the other kingdoms too"
"Don't curse me, big sis, I only want a quiet, normal life. Nothing too extraordinary. I don't want to be rich or poor. Not too powerful or too powerless. That kind of simple life", Xing spoke her mind. Somehow this big sis always gave the vibe of a mother and she would talk to her freely. She is like a second mother to her.
Lady Shaoyao kissed her forehead. She thought this girl is too naive to think like she'll be deciding her life. The plans the heavens have for her are nothing simple and she won't be living a simple life even in her dreams. But let her dream for a short while.
After bathing she was dressed in red clothes and Lady Shaoyao taught her everything to be done during these times. Xing listened to her properly. She was then served a nutritious dinner. Lady Shaoyao wanted to listen to Xing's zither playing. As she sat in front of the zither she pleaded to allow Chenglie join them. It's been only a couple of hours but she really missed him.
Chenglie who was forced into the guest room had a hard time brushing of the maids forcing him to let them wash his back. He then changed and listened to the maids gossip about how their madam only allows Lord Táng to stay in her room for days in a row. He lost all his energy thinking why he deliberately spread rumours about Lord Táng's good luck. He must suffer for his dumbness. At least that kept men away from her and protected her from 'that guy' . He comforted himself. That's when a maid came to say he was summoned by her madam.
Chenglie entered the room and his eyes went straight to the beauty sitting in front of the zither. She was wearing bright red silk robes with exquisite embroidery. Her shoulders were visible and her back was exposed. Her gold hair was done in a simple hairdo supported by a couple of blood red jade hairpins with lotus hanging. She was wearing the bracelet he gifted. Her nails were painted and she was wearing gold embroidered shoes with pearls in them. Her face was glowing like a moon washed with milk and her red lips gave a graceful smile looking at him. Chenglie admired his beloved's beauty. No one can compare to her. She looked like a goddess jumped from a painting artfully painted. She had the elegance and pride, like she owns the world. He could look at her forever. "My moon, you are really glowing tonight", he said softly. Xing blushed, while Lady Shaoyao laughed hiding in her sleeves and ordered for good wine. She then sent everyone out and started drinking.
Xing started playing a soothing tune in the zither. Both Lady Shaoyao and Chenglie were mesmerised. The way she played made everything around them freeze in time. The flower scent, the moonlight and the gentle breeze accompanied her playing. They felt like they were floating in the clouds over a flower garden. Her piece ended and they came back to ground. "You would have made a lot of money for me playing like this. It's a shame you are more interested in sword than in arts", Lady Shaoyao uttered.
Chenglie looked at her and smiled with pride but why does he want to hide Xing in a fortress for only him to admire?
Xing said, "Who can sit in one place for this long? It's boring". She had always preferred activities that required to move about more.
After that Chenglie was sent back to the guest room and he left looking at Xing pitifully. Lady Shaoyao continued to drink and she almost got drunk. She then went to bed embracing Xing. After she slept, Xing slowly escaped from her grip to jump through the window to meet Chenglie. She felt bad for pushing him away earlier that day. As she was about to climb the window, she heard the Lady Shaoyao saying, "Use the door, dear". She smiled, "Ok sis" and ran out.