The banquet ended later in the evening. Everyone had taken their leave. The banquet had really wore me out.
"Juan'er, would you like to go on a stroll with me? The night is still young." The emperor said.
"Aren't you not afraid of giving me false hope Hui'er? Aren't you afraid you will leave me heartbroken? I know that you don't love me. Why are you doing this?" I asked
"To give you closure Genji." He said.
"Closure? What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"You will soon find out. We will be going to the capital tomorrow. For this night, just for this night, let's forget everything." He said.
"But the duke is here. There are many eyes watching us. I don't want to hurt the duke. I may not love him. But, I see that he treats me well." I said.
"Genji, you are a good person. Like gold, shiny and tempting. People value gold but people also use it for evil. Genji, I want you to see me as a friend, a brother. I also want you to know the same way I would do anything for Li juan, I would do anything for you too." He said.
"What if I want more than that?" I asked looking into his eyes
"Genji, I don't want you hurt. Trust me. Let me out of your heart. Let's just enjoy the night." He said.
Feeling tired of arguing with him, I nod my head.
He takes my hand and leads me to the market. We buy some wine then decide to settle down on the mountain where he took me before.
Laughing, I put my head on his shoulder.
"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Yes. I was such a stubborn and naughty child. Mother will chase me to grandma's palace. I would always hide behind her" he said.
"You must love your grandma very much."
"I do. But now her health is failing. Enough about me. Tell me about you." He said.
"What do I tell you? Well, my family was a loving one. My mother was the strict one. I would always hide behind father." I said.
"You don't have anyone special that you miss back home?" He asked.
"Nope. At home, I was what you call a lover of sexy men. I was very childish." I said and he laughs.
"You are still childish. But am sure you will change soon." He said.
"What do you mean?"
"Genji, the life of a royal is complicated." He said.
"Didn't someone beg me to forget everything just for this night? Let's drink. We are two strangers tied down by fate. You promise to be here for me. I promise that I will always be there for you too" I said.
"What if I can't always be there? Genji, I don't want to promise you anything I can't keep." He said.
"Hui'er, if you had not loved Li Juan, if we had met each other earlier, would you have loved me?" I asked.
"Yes. You are a nice and funny girl. Attractive and shiny just like gold. If we had met earlier than this, I would surely love you the same way I love Li Juan." He said smiling sadly.
"Well, that is enough for me. Thank you. Let's drink as our final goodbye. From this day on, we are nothing but strangers Hong hui. We will go our separate ways with no regrets." I say lifting my cup with tears in my eyes.
"No regrets. We will have no regrets after this. I am fortunate to have met you in this life Genji. I hope you can live a peaceful life here." He said.
Drinking my cup, I place it down as he hugs me. I start to cry... This goodbye was just too painful.