This was undoubtedly the cavalry general and second princess of Nan Rui. I had heard that the people of Nan Rui loved raising animals, but I didn’t expect this imposing general to have such a cute parrot; I thought an eagle would suit him better.
On the second day after the Xi Liang and Nan Rui caravans arrived in Yan Feng, the Qi Emperor held a banquet in the palace to welcome the guests, and An Jin was also in attendance. I didn’t need to attend the feast, so I took Yuan Xiao home to check on my elder brother’s progress in mechanical arts. Near the end of the banquet, I took Yuan Xiao to Xuan Wu Gate to wait for his return.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Xiao suddenly shook its head and ran off, refusing to come back. I guessed it was lured by the aroma of meat bone soup and quickly chased after it with Que’er. Following it through several alleys, we reached the Jing De Gate, which had a view of its double-eaved hipped roof.
There were jade pools on both sides of Jing De Gate, with a white marble corridor in the middle, traditionally reserved for distinguished guests and royalty. Any unauthorized entry meant certain death. A row of guards stood in front of the corridor, with attendants inside. Elegantly dressed nobles conversed, apparently the distinguished guests from Xi Liang and Nan Rui. Several small carriages with vermilion doors and canopies were lined up outside, seemingly waiting to transport them.
Yuan Xiao, lacking any sense of crisis, rushed into the circle of guards, causing a commotion among the nobles.
Que’er said nervously, “Madam, perhaps we should hide…”
As I hesitated, I saw some guards about to strike with their spears and rushed to stop them, only to be blocked. I noticed Yuan Xiao frolicking next to a noble, who was pinching its ear.
It had come to find him. I felt heartache; I had raised it for years and cared deeply. Was it still not enough compared to its original owner?
Que’er tugged at my sleeve. “Madam, Yuan Xiao seems fine. We should retreat.” The guards ordered us to back away and leave Jing De Gate.
As I glanced at Yuan Xiao rolling on the ground, I heard a soft call. “Thirteen?”
