Love In The Forbidden City (Completed)

Chapter XVIII - Ice Face's Garden (Revised)

"I am glad that you are able to get some enlightenment through it," the emperor said.

He went to his writing table and continued sipping his tea; his lips pressed tight, only allowing a faint smile hanging at the corner. The stone crushed on my heart became lighter. Though his anger and suspicion towards Ice Face hadn't reduced, I was certain that as long as Ice Face could constantly visit him and showed his filial, the emperor would soon forgive him. A few days later, the emperor had even announced to pay a visit to Ice Face's orchard.

Several princes and their concubines were invited to enjoy the joyous moment too.

Leading the way through his garden, Ice Face said with a grin, "Father, I was so anxious when I first planted these fruit trees and I watered them thrice a day. But the more I watered them, the more yellowish the leaves became. If it wasn't for Father's advice, I would not know that I had over-watered them. Come, Father, I planted your favourite flower over the field there. Be careful." He placed his hand below a wood arch as the emperor bent slightly to walk past him.

I had never seen him so eager and excited before. My heart blossomed, cherishing his joy.

We meandered through a turf of grassland with white daisies and coursed through pathways decorated by pink primroses. Several princes and their concubines complimented Ice Face for his gardening skills as more flowers of every hue and trees of every height jumped out to welcome them. After unfolding curtains of willow leaves, Kang Xi Emperor was so excited when he saw golden and purple chrysanthemum beaming at him.

Herald Lee asked whether the emperor would like to have some rest, but the emperor shook his head. Bursting out a peal of merry laughter, he said, "I am delighted by the scenery here and I did not feel tired at all. Come, Herald Lee, let us have a stroll at the peony garden over that lake."

When they were out of earshot, I walked towards Ice Face. "Though admiring a son's garden can please a father, tasting meals provided by the son will make him over the moon."

"Ah, I understand your viewpoint. I will ask my concubine to prepare some snacks," Ice Face replied humbly. He intended to have a small talk with me but I hurried away.

I didn't want any servants saying that we were having secretive affairs.

Late in the afternoon, Ice Face's concubine brewed us a pot of chrysanthemum tea. She had even grounded the almond which she'd plucked from the garden and baked some cookies. The emperor was so thrilled because he could taste real homemade delicacies. He beamed until his eyes formed a thin line as he announced to present a yellow Jade cup given by the Myanmar's King to her. This was the very cup that the Crowned Prince stole from the treasury years ago.

"Why the usually talkative Ruo Xi stays so quiet today?" the emperor teased me.

"Your Majesty already has a filial daughter-in-law. Your Majesty doesn't need Ruo Xi anymore," I pouted my lips as I said. Though I tried to stay calm, I couldn't cheat my own feeling. Deep within me, jealousy was trying to overcome me.

Ice Face's concubine quickly said, "I have long heard of Miss Ruo Xi's capability. You take great care of the emperor and the princes. I still have a lot to learn from Miss Ruo Xi."

"Do not mind her," the emperor laughed. "She always likes to joke and plays with words."

I faked a smile and asked for my leave. The towering Demon of Envy in my heart was trying its best to suffocate me. With feet of lead, I plodded to the garden. From behind me, the fallen twigs on the floor cackled, as if teasing me for being so childish and imprudent. The faster I walked, the louder the twigs guffawed. A thought was injected into my mind -- someone was following me. I turned around in abrupt when a hand grabbed my shoulder.

"You are not going to hate me?" Ice Face asked.

"Why should I hate you? Is it because you didn't keep your promise?" I sneered. "But of course, you didn't do any wrong. You are just protecting yourself."

"It seems that you know me very well." His face stiffened, and he walked away.

I cursed under my breath and stomped around the garden, no longer cared about the little flowers on the grassland. So he really wanted to draw a line between us. Fine! I would never look at him again starting from this very second. I kept kicking the grass. The noise when my wood platform shoes ground against the cobbled path muffled all sounds from the surroundings. I couldn't even hear the loud swooshing sound created by the incoming arrows.

Ice Face's son was shooting pigeons in the garden and he didn't see me coming. His ringing laughter muffled the noises that my footsteps were making and all of a sudden, the arrow flew towards me. I watched the pointy edge in morbid fascination. I was frozen in fear. My eyes grew large as the arrow almost pierced my flesh when Ice Face jumped out. The arrow pierced his shoulder blade and biting his lip, he pulled it out. All of the muscles on his face tightened as he tried to stop his bleeding. Pussycat happened to walk past us. She shrieked in shock as she saw the Fourth Prince's crimson palms and clothes.

Ice Face grimaced and looked at his son. "Why are you still standing there? You had frightened Tenth Brother's concubine. Quickly kneel and apologize."

His son did as he was told. "Hong Shi apologizes for Hong Shi's mistake. Hong Shi was too indulged in shooting the pigeons that Hong Shi did not notice the incomers."

"Fine. Go back and wait for your punishment," Ice Face instructed with knitted brows.

The Prince kowtowed again and left the scene.

He was about the age of the Eighth Bei'Le's son, but he wore a more humble expression. I was exultant that he had better etiquette. This showed that Ice Face was a good father. A minute later, Pussycat asked for her leave too, allowing Ice Face and me to have some private time.

I held his hand. "Why did you do this?" I checked his injury.

Luckily the arrow was released by a child, so it merely grazed past Ice Face's outer flesh.

"I will feel more pain if you are being shot," he said calmly before walking away.

Even though he didn't speak much with me now, I felt glad that I still resided in his heart. Smiling feebly, I lifted up the arrow and brought it to my house. Was I a masochist? Blood dripped from the arrowhead but my heart cheered at the red puddle. If it wasn't because of this arrow, I wouldn't have known that Ice Face still cared about me. My mood brightened and I reported to work with a jovial heart the next day. The emperor shared my jubilance.

Ever since One Sided knelt in front of his bedroom that night, trying to plead for his mercy on behave of Die Hard Thirteen and me, he began to favour One Sided. He often asked One Sided to his study and discussed important state affairs with him.

My confusion heightened. Ice Face was the real future ruler of the Qing Dynasty. But judging from the current situation, Kang Xi Emperor trusted One Sided completely. And Ice Face didn't seem to be interested in governing now. He immersed in planting like a writer indulged in writing. How would the tide change the course? Was Ice Face just staying calm to scrutinize the situation? Was he just waiting for that one chance to strike?

He didn't have the second opportunity to rescue himself if he landed in another problem again.

I felt all of the princes were like foxes. All of them were lurking behind bushes in front of a golden den, waiting for that very moment to maim at the fat chicken. Even though describing the emperor as a chicken seemed impolite, I felt this metaphor served his current state.

Edited by YvonneKindle