Oh my God! Liu Lifeng, I’m sorry, Ling’er. Tomorrow your nest might be destroyed by this young prince. Don’t blame Ling’er when you become a ghost—she didn’t mean it!
Let me cry first, to provide some travel expenses for your journey tomorrow, woo, woo!!!!!
[Text: 010 Drunk]
“My head hurts! Who are you?” Dongfang Yu, holding his naked body, called out to the person beside him.
“I, I am… Prince, don’t you remember? You pulled me yesterday and wouldn’t let go; we spent a passionate night together. Has the prince forgotten?” Lan Ling’er said, placing her hand on his body. This had nothing to do with her; if the prince hadn’t been drunk and insisted on sleeping with her, she wouldn’t have lost her clothes.
She needed to teach him a lesson, or he would bully her in the future.
“My lord, do you really want to silence me so easily? I cannot guarantee that I can control my mouth! I would need something substantial to stay quiet. Besides, if this gets out, it will hurt my reputation!”
“Fine! This lord will give you three hundred thousand taels of silver; now quickly disappear from my sight!” In the past, he would have dealt with her harshly, but these were complicated times, and he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. He could not ignore the crimes he had committed.
“Agreed! However, my lord, I have one more request!” She would not betray her friends for money. The bandits in her mountain stronghold were still relying on her. It was her fault for being too talkative, and now she needed to make amends.
“What is it? Speak quickly and then disappear!” He was disgusted and closed his eyes, speaking harshly.
“Go to the palace immediately!” He didn’t know why he trusted her, but he felt compelled. No matter the consequences, he felt that he had to help her brother.
“Greetings to Prince Mengjun! Long live the Prince!” The guards outside the palace knelt as Dongfang Yu approached, knowing his violent temper. They remained silent, cautious not to offend him.
“Rise,” Dongfang Yu said, walking into the palace. The guards stood, confused by his unusual good temper.
“Yipinhong, hurry up!” he called to the little eunuch lagging behind. He turned and grabbed her hand, leading her into the palace.
“My Prince, if the Emperor and Empress see us, what would they think about a prince holding a little eunuch’s hand?” Lan Ling’er teased, adjusting her hat.
“So what? I have nothing to do with you,” he replied, continuing towards Xiuya Palace, the boudoir of Princess Mingyue, named by the current Empress.
Xiuya Palace was quiet, with dust everywhere and the door tightly closed, as if abandoned.
“Knock knock!” Dongfang Yu gently knocked on the door and called softly, “Yue’er, open the door, your brother is here to see you!” He had been busy with official duties and hadn’t visited her for a while, concerned for how she had been.
Dongfang Yu furrowed his brow and called out again, “Brother! Brother!” The door opened softly, and a woman with an extremely pale face emerged, her lips white and fragile like she could be blown away by a gentle breeze.
“Yue’er, what’s wrong? Are you sick again? Why don’t you take care of your health?” Dongfang Yu gently embraced her, stroking her long black hair.
“Brother, tell me, did he become a bandit? Why did he become like that? Please, tell me it’s not true!” Mingyue buried herself in his arms, tears streaming from her deep eyes.
“Yue’er, he is a bandit! Why are you heartbroken for someone unworthy of your love? You still have your brother, Che-ge, and Hong-ge who love you!” He held her tightly, tears welling up in his eyes.
Lan Ling’er stood nearby, watching the siblings with a bittersweet feeling.
“Ahem, this must be Princess Mingyue! Didn’t expect her to be even more beautiful than imagined!” Lan Ling’er interjected, attempting to lighten the mood.
“Brother, who is this…” Mingyue asked softly, looking at the handsome little eunuch.
“She’s called Ruo’er! A girl!” Dongfang Yu replied, sensing Mingyue’s suspicion.
Ruo’er? Didn’t I tell him her name was Yipinhong! How outrageous of that brat to change my name!
Well, never mind. They’re all fake names anyway, and Ruo’er sounds quite nice. She came to be a matchmaker today!
Lan Ling’er bowed slightly, “Ruo’er greets the Princess!”
“He’s a woman?” Mingyue covered her mouth in shock. “No wonder! I always felt something was strange about him.”
Yes! It’s you! You are the one he loves the most. If he surrendered to the imperial court for you, wouldn’t the two of you have a beautiful life together?” Lan Ling’er gulped down a cup of tea. “Ouch, it’s so hot! Why is this tea so scalding?” she exclaimed.
“What an idiot! It’s autumn, and you want me to pour cold water in it!” He admired her beauty but doubted her intelligence.
“Mind your own business! If it weren’t for Mingyue and Liu Lifeng, I would have slapped you and kicked you to play chess with Buddha!”
“No! Don’t call him back! Father will kill him!” Tears streamed down her face. Mingyue covered her chest, crying.
“Princess, may I say a few words?” Lan Ling’er understood her heartache; after all, only women could truly grasp such pain. All the handsome guys and cool men stepped back.
“Ruo’er, no! Absolutely not!” Her heart ached. She shouldn’t have met him or fallen in love. She had not only harmed herself but also him, causing him to become a bandit. Everything started because of her, and she couldn’t let him lose his life!
“Princess, this is between you two. You can’t make this decision alone; it’s unfair to Liu Feng. Change into this and come with me!” Lan Ling’er pulled out a eunuch’s outfit from her clothes and placed it on the table.
“No, I can’t!” She didn’t want to hurt him, never!
“Listen to Ruo’er and change quickly! He really wants to see you, he misses you! Don’t you want to see him?” Lan Ling’er’s words deeply touched Mingyue. Hesitating, she picked up the clothes and walked behind the screen.
She had prepared everything in advance; no wonder she seemed so much fatter – she had an extra layer of clothing! Dongfang Yu secretly glanced at her and smiled.
“He’s over there, go to him!” Lan Ling’er whispered to Mingyue, indicating Liu Lifeng standing on the highest peak.
“I… thank you!” Mingyue gently bit her lip and walked towards him alone.
“Lifeng! Lifeng!” The wind was strong as Mingyue softly called to her lover, her heart now sweet.
“Yue’er! Yue’er!” He finally saw her, the one who had taken his heart. Liu Lifeng ran quickly and embraced her, tears flowing.
Yes! Why aren’t you going?
Lan Ling’er laughed shyly, captivated by his scholarly elegance. She felt she had met her dream lover.
“Women from the pleasure quarters only possess superficial beauty. What is there to see?” he remarked, glancing at the river.
“Hehe! I’m called Zi’er! And you?” she asked, eager to connect. Most men valued physical beauty, but he was different.
“I am Han Yu!” he replied, his gaze flustered yet calming. His voice remained emotionless, unfazed by the chaos.
“Yes! My hometown is far away! Han Yu, why are you here in such chaos?” she thought, noting she wasn’t a local — her home was in the distant 21st century.
“I like the lake water. It’s a pity these romantic figures have occupied it!” Han Yu sighed, sadness evident on his face.
He must have a heartbreakingly beautiful story, she mused.
Lan Ling’er tugged at his sleeve, breaking the silence: “Let’s go see the famous courtesan’s elegance! I’ve never seen one before! We’re fortunate today; let’s not let trivial matters hold us back!”
“Perhaps you’re right!”
Ah, I don’t want to go!” He disliked being pulled along to see courtesans—it wasn’t something a scholarly man should do. He stubbornly held onto a pillar, refusing to let go.
