The Twin Palace is divided into two parts, left and right. My elder brother lives on the left and I on the right. After my brother and I turned ten, we moved out of Mother's Qiwu Palace and were granted this Twin Palace.
Normally, we shouldn't have been granted a separate palace before we came of age. But Father was really annoyed that my brother and I always interrupted his intimacy with Mother. So with a wave of his hand, he sent us out of Qiwu Palace. Of course, that wasn't the main reason. The main reason was that Mother had given birth to a younger brother and a younger sister for us. There was no way she could let the four of us tear down her Qiwu Palace.
My third younger sister is named Yong Xiyao. She is two years younger than me and is extremely lively and mischievous. My fourth younger brother is named Yong Zizhen. Although he is five years younger than me, he is extremely smart and studious, and is hundreds of times more obedient than my twin brother.
I was lying in bed when I suddenly thought of the free day tomorrow. I pondered that if there was nothing else to do, I would go and play with Lord Qi Yuan. I just didn't know whether he would go to Shanglin Garden with Father and the others or stay in the palace.
I've always admired Lord Qi Yuan. However...
Alas... I sighed, turned over and fell asleep. But at night, I had a strange dream. In the dream, I was watching Lord Qi Yuan and my brother having a sword - fighting match in the garden. Suddenly, a hidden arrow flew over. From my perspective, the arrow was clearly aimed at my brother. But somehow, when it got closer, it suddenly turned towards me. Lord Qi Yuan was shocked and lunged towards me. Seeing this, my brother unexpectedly stabbed Lord Qi Yuan with his sword. Lord Qi Yuan's eyes showed pain as he hugged me and fell. I was greatly shocked and looked at my brother, but he gave a strange smile and transformed into Yu Chi Cheng. I woke up in a cold sweat, startling Shui Fu, who was dozing while keeping watch.
"Princess, what's wrong?"
I was breathing slightly heavily with my chest heaving. Shui Fu immediately got up to wipe the sweat off my face when she saw this. I looked at her, gradually calming my racing heart, and asked, "What time is it?"
Shui Fu thought for a while and then said, "The fourth watch has passed."
I nodded and waved her away. Then I lay back in bed. This time, I stared at the ceiling but just couldn't fall asleep. In the middle of the night, a tune played on a Qiang flute came from somewhere. I could hear the desolation in it and felt a bit heart - ache. I must still be in a dream. Otherwise, why would I have such a strange feeling?
I gradually fell asleep to the tune, and this time there were no more nightmares.
...
When I got up in the morning, my brother had already gone to Shanglin Garden with Father and the others.
The huge Twin Palace seemed so empty without my brother's boisterous laughter. I was left alone, sitting in front of the dressing table. Although the maids were coming in and out, serving me attentively, I still felt bored.
Shui Fu was behind me, putting a glass hairpin in my hair. I looked at myself in the bronze mirror and said, "Go and find out which guards are going to Shanglin Garden today."
"Yes." Shui Fu gave me a knowing smile, handed what was in her hand to another maid and left.
Seeing that the maids behind me were about to turn my head into a hedgehog with all the hairpins, I pulled out a bunch of gold and silver hairpins and said, "Just do a fishbone braid. The simpler, the better."
The maid behind me replied softly. I then started to play with the silver dressing box on the dressing table.
Before long, Shui Fu came back, smiling brightly. "Princess, Lord Qi Yuan is staying in the palace today."
"Really?" I suddenly perked up. "Hurry up then! Once you're done, we'll go and play with him."
Shui Fu pursed her lips and smiled, showing two dimples. She stepped forward to replace the previous maid and braided a loose fishbone braid for me. Then she casually pinned a few fluffy hair ornaments in different places and put a pendant chain on my forehead.
At this time, I was wearing a light - blue strapless long dress with a plain light - yellow sheer outer robe. After such a dressing - up, I looked quite charming.
I gave myself a smile in the bronze mirror, then got up and pulled Shui Fu out of the door.
As soon as we stepped out, I pulled Shui Fu and asked, "You've been out for so long. You should have asked where Lord Qi Yuan is patrolling today, right..."
...
Following the place Shui Fu had told me, we wandered around for a long time. Finally, at a turning of a forest path, I saw a corner of Lord Qi Yuan's robe. I was too familiar with the long sword on his waist. As soon as I spotted it, I discussed with Shui Fu how to have a chance encounter with him.
Shui Fu said, "Why doesn't the princess pretend to be playing around with me, then run backwards and accidentally bump into his arms?"
My eyes lit up. "This is a great idea!"
Shui Fu smiled. "Then, princess, let's start."
So a pretended play - fight began. I happily ran backwards, making gestures to Shui Fu as I ran. "Come on! Hurry up and catch me!"
Then with a "bang", I successfully bumped into someone's chest. I heard Shui Fu let out a surprised cry. I thought to myself that this girl was really good at acting. I looked up embarrassedly, but saw Yu Chi Cheng's teasing face.
I was shocked and quickly stepped back, shouting, "Why is it you!"
Yu Chi Cheng stood there proudly with his hands behind his back. "Why, Xige said yesterday that you didn't want to see me, but today you're throwing yourself into my arms?"
My face instantly flushed red with shame. I said anxiously, "Aren't you supposed to be in Shanglin Garden?"
Yu Chi Cheng nodded and said leisurely, "Oh, it's like this. I felt a bit tired when I got up today, so I told Father and Mother that I wouldn't go. Then Uncle asked someone to accompany me for a walk in the palace to take a rest."
I immediately looked at Lord Qi Yuan beside him. I saw that he was standing quietly with his head down, looking expressionless. I couldn't help but feel regretful in my heart. I scolded myself for forgetting that if there was an honored guest, Lord Qi Yuan would most likely be accompanying him on the inner side.
Seeing my angry face, Yu Chi Cheng couldn't help but chuckle. He reached out to hold my hand. "Xige, it's been three years since we last saw each other. I've brought you some gifts this time. Come with me to Huiyang Palace to get them, okay?"
I suddenly trembled all over. I tried to shake off his hand but couldn't. I didn't want to lose face in front of Qi Yuan, so I forced a smile. "Hahaha, this is so embarrassing. Although we're brother and sister, there's no need for this. Besides, there's nothing we don't have in the Great Yong. I think we should just skip the gifts."
For some reason, as soon as he mentioned the gifts, I remembered the box of caterpillars he had sent me two years ago. I felt a wave of nausea.
Hearing this, Yu Chi Cheng firmly squeezed my hand and said with a smile, "This won't do. I've brought them all the way here. If you don't accept them, aren't you looking down on me?"
I endured the pain but still forced a smile. "Hahaha, then thank you, Brother Yu Chi."
At this time, Qi Yuan said from the side, "If that's the case, I'll escort the prince back to the palace now."
Yu Chi Cheng smiled. "Don't be in a hurry. I haven't seen Sister Xige for a long time. I heard a few days ago that Sister Xige was ill. I was going to visit her today. Unexpectedly, we met here by chance. Since Sister is feeling better, let her accompany me for a walk in the palace."