Happily, Ah Luo found Liu Ying and asked, “Where is my mother and Xiao Yu?”
Liu Ying replied respectfully, “Has my Lord agreed to let you see them?”
Ah Luo’s eyes widened, “Your Lord is still waiting for me to be in a good mood and make him food. He’s the one lying on the ** unable to move right now, not me!”
Liu Ying suppressed his amusement and took Ah Luo to see Seventh Mistress and Xiao Yu. They walked around the garden, past the courtyard, and through a moon gate. Seventh Mistress and Xiao Yu were sitting in the yard and seeing Ah Luo come in, Seventh Mistress smiled happily, “San’er, is the Young Prince treating you well?”
“Mother, how are you?” Ah Luo walked over quickly and hugged Seventh Mistress.
Seventh Mistress patted her hand, evidently aware of what had been happening in these few days. Xiao Yu pouted and looked bitterly at Liu Ying, “Why are you here again?” Liu Ying seemed to smile, “Did I not bring the Third Miss here?”
Xiao Yu hmphed and ignored him, pulling Ah Luo as her eyes reddened, “Miss, I was so worried about you!”
Ah Luo laughed in spite of herself as she looked at Xiao Yu, then glanced at Liu Ying who was red in the face. She said loudly, “Mother, the Young Prince was injured by a sword, so I will make him something to eat. For that, Xiao Yu, I will write a list for you so go with Liu Ying to buy the things I want!”
Surprise appeared in Liu Ying’s eyes. Xiao Yu glanced at him and blushed, then whispered, “Why do you want me to go with this guy, damn it, he is always stopping Mistress and I from seeing you!”
Ah Luo chuckled and said, “It was not his fault. If you want to blame someone, blame the Young Prince. If he wants to eat what I make, I will need to see how well his appetite is.”
Liu Ying was startled and lowered his head while sighing. His Lord sure had an unfortunate life!
After Xiao Yu and Liu Ying left, the two of them were left alone in the yard. Ah Luo smiled and sat next to Seventh Mistress, putting her head on her lap. She said softly, “What should I do? Mother?”
“San’er, you are not young anymore. I can see that the Young Prince treats you very well, he has you in his heart!”
“But, we will have to return to Feng City. Mother, it was not easy for us to come out.”
If she really married Liu Jue, she would stay by his side without hesitation and never leave or abandon him. However, it would mean that she would have to face all the complications and troubles of Feng City in the Ning dynasty. It would be difficult for her to live a leisurely life like a carefree and wild crane. Ah Luo could not help but sigh.
Seventh Mistress glanced down at her. Then she looked into the distance, “San’er, when mother was trapped within the four walls of the Minister’s residence, my only wish was for you to be happy. Apart from you, I always thought back to the once happy times of romance when I felt sad. Given the rare chance that the Young Prince is so devoted to you, you must not miss this opportunity. Sometimes, I think that life is too short and that there is nothing to complain about if you are able to be with the one you love. If you were to give up, where would you find someone in this world who would protect you and treat you wholeheartedly? Talk to the Young Prince properly, don’t let a moment of willfulness lead to a lifetime of regret.”
From a resentful beginning to when they provoked each other, as incompatible as fire and water, Liu Jue’s vivid expressions came to her mind one by one. It had always been her who refused to believe him and she had tried her hardest to leave Feng City, avoiding both marriage and him. Having come here and not seen him for three years, she did not feel the slightest bit of unfamiliarity with him. He cared about her so much and in a mere few days, she felt like she had been with him for a long time. She could not help feeling touched and was unable to drive away that deep, overbearing shadow of affection from her heart. She was addicted to his affection and thinking about it, she could not hold back her laughter. She loved his occasionally childlike temperament. In the end, she liked bantering with him and felt like she really was a 17 year old.
In these few days, Liu Jue had made her feel safe. It was a sense of security she had never felt before. Only a short while ago, was the image in his heart that of a real man? That kind of imposing manner made her want to halt her steps and stop wandering.
If she did not marry him, would she run away again? She thought about Liu Jue’s sad and despairing expression and a sourness made her chest tighten. She felt extremely reluctant. His figure swayed in her eyes and mind. Leaving him would lead to a bitter lovesickness!
Two thoughts appeared alternatingly in her mind. Ah Luo was in a dilemma. She thought that if she truly loved someone so deeply that it penetrated to her bones, she might not have so many misgivings. She cared about him in her heart and she knew this when she saw him lying there injured and lifeless. Yet, to forgo everything she originally persisted in and follow him still made her hesitant.
Seventh Mistress said, “Having come out for three years, I discovered that the world was so vast. Mother’s mind has opened up and I want to worship Buddha for the remainder of my life.”
Ah Luo was startled and hugged Seventh Mistress, “But I don’t want you to live alone. For so many years, you have been the closest person to me.”
She raised her head and looked at Seventh Mistress who’s beautiful eyes shone with affection and kindness. Ah Luo thought that Seventh Mistress had now experienced the broadness of the world after leaving the Minister’s residence, where she once had an utterly hopeless heart. If she married Liu Jue and returned to Feng City, Minister Li would never let Seventh Mistress go. Keeping Seventh Mistress in the Minister’s residence would be the equivalent of having an ace card with which he could blackmail her. He could reach out for benefits at any time. It would be unrealistic to take Seventh Mistress away alone. This was the Ning Empire, an ancient era, and the secular society would not allow Seventh Mistress to be away from the Minister’s residence for long periods of time. Ah Luo was in a turmoil, “Mother, you are doing it for me, right? You do not want to return to the Minister’s residence. Yet, if I marry Liu Jue, then you would have to go back?”
Seventh Mistress looked at her affectionately, “San’er, you really are smart. I do not want to go back, and I cannot go back. However, it is true that mother wants to worship the Buddha. After so many years, I just want to stay beside green oil lamps in the temple and alleviate the suffering soul of the person who had died in vain for me. He has always been in mother’s heart. With him accompanying mother, how would I be lonely? Besides, you can still come and visit me often!”
Seventh Mistress smiled mischievously at Ah Luo, “I will live and worship the Buddha in Madam Zhang’s backyard!”
Ah Luo nestled into Seventh Mistress’ arms, “Let me think about it some more. Right now, I cannot decide.”
A member of the black-clothed force came in and with a salute, he said, “Third Miss, the Lord wants you to go over.”
Ah Luo then remembered that while she was chatting with Seventh Mistress, that sick cat had been impatient. She stood up and said to Seventh Mistress with a smile, “Mother, I will go and see him.”
Liu Jue had slept again, then drank medicine and after laying down for a while, he had eaten the pork liver and a series of other dishes. When he asked, he found out that Ah Luo had ordered it. It was delicious and aromatic. After eating, he could not sleep anymore and he waited and waited, yet Ah Luo did not come. With a cold expression, he had ordered his people to bring her over. Feeling restless, he could not help but get up and put on his clothes.
When Ah Luo walked in, she saw that Liu Jue had actually got out of bed and was leaning on the couch, reading. “Why are you out of bed? Go lie down!”
“We have not married yet, but you are already bossing your husband around?” Liu Jue did not move and spoke slowly while raising his eyebrows.
“Then I will not care about you. I should just leave, it was not me who was injured so what did I hurry for. It seems like you have healed well!” Stunned, Ah Luo replied in a sour tone and she turned around as though she was leaving.
Liu Jue leapt up anxiously to hold her. His chest stung with pain, yet he disregarded it and grabbed Ah Luo, falling on the couch together. Ah Luo hit him and he gritted his teeth in pain, “From now on, you will stay by my side and you are not allowed to leave the room by a single step!”
Ah Luo moved and Liu Jue breathed in sharply, “With any more force, my wound will open.”
Ah Luo did not dare to move anymore and she stayed nestled in Liu Jue’s arms. His hug was so warm, just like that of her mother’s and Seventh Mistress’ when she was young. She was greedy for such warmth and was reluctant to relinquish it. Yet, to have to go back? She was really unwilling. She closed her eyes and felt his breathing. She did not say another word but simply stayed like that.
She stayed quietly and Liu Jue was relieved. He thought about the countless times his heart had broken for her in the past few years, the countless times he had been in pain. He was finally able to hold her in his arms. For a moment, he was filled with emotion and sorrow. Using a little more strength, he hugged her tighter as though he feared that she would disappear if he loosened his arms. He could care less about the pain in his chest and was only grateful towards that man’s sword. He regretted not being injured earlier for Ah Luo would not lie in his arms so obediently otherwise. Gazing at the ice accessory hanging by the window, he smiled and said softly, “The ice accessory you gave me is very beautiful. How did you come up with the idea of an icy Ning City?”
Ah Luo refused to admit it, “I was just looking at the begonia flowers that you had rushed to bloom and sent you a small gift to even it out.”
Liu Jue forced a smile. She was still refusing to admit her intentions. He suddenly felt panicked and overcome by feelings, his voice became cold, “Do not even think about running away again. You were able to run away before by taking advantage of the loopholes in the Minister’s residence. Now, you better not have any ideas. Do not even think about it.” Sighing, he softened his tone, “Look up at me, Ah Luo.”
Ah Luo raised her head and stared at him intently. There was a trace of tears in her eyes. In this world, she was truly powerless. At this moment, she thought of the black-clothed men who had attacked and could only feel helpless and weak. Liu Jue gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Ah Luo’s eyes, “Unless I die, believe me, Ah Luo! I will protect you for life.”
Closing her eyes, Ah Luo was unable to stop the tears from falling. “I don’t know, don’t ask me. Right now, don’t ask.”
Pain rippled through Liu Jue’s chest. He looked down at her and closed his eyes, deciding that he could not leave her alone again.
