Chapter 11

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Mei Li woke Jiang Liu who was sleeping soundly beside her. The girl was still young, at that age where one should be sleeping long.

Last night, Mei Li was once again afraid that she would scream again from her nightmare. But she could not bear to let Jiang Liu, who had been running around all day with her on duty to still be bothered in this resting hour. Hence she had to restrain her drowsiness which persisted until dawn.

It was only right before sunrise when she finally urged Jiang Liu to get up, knowing that Chengyi and Jingxuan would leave for Fengtai early in the morning,

After freshening up, she thought the two men had not gotten up yet. But when she pushed the door, she found that they had already finished doing some quanfa[1] at the courtyard, their thin clothes dripping with sweat.

Both of them panted slightly and paused their attacks when they saw her come out. Jingxuan’s servants attentively brought two basins of water for them to clean, and a change of clothes.

Mei Li was a little embarrassed but thought it would be too awkward if she would just retreat back to the room, so she only bowed her head and pretended she was just taking a walk.

Fortunately, a guard brought breakfast soon and she followed to help set the meals.

Later, Chengyi had already changed into a new robe and stood silently under a tree, once again looking in trance. Although he was still reluctant to speak, his dejected look when she first saw him had dissipated a lot, and there was already some brilliance in his lonely eyes.

It still hurts Mei Li thinking about the battle with the Dzungar. He really did give his life with that war. In fact, in the past two years, Chengyi-ge had lived harder than her. That even though is not imprisoned, he is the one who is actually not free.

“Let’s eat?” She called him softly. But because of what she was thinking, her unprepared voice reflected her sorry, she even choked up a bit.

She used to think that Chengyi’s heart was harder than Jingxuan. She never realized that she never really knew people’s hearts.

Because of what happened at yesterday’s dinner, Jingxuan’s entourage did not dare mess around this time. They brought whatever they wanted. The camp’s cook deliberately mixed several plates of cold dishes[2], but Jingxuan this time only touched the steamed buns.

Mei Li ate slowly and noticed him. Thoughtlessly, she moved the pickled vegetables near Jingxuan because she thought that it’s better compared to the mixed vegetables near him. Jingxuan only looked at her coldly. She lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze.

Would he think that she was deliberately flattering him again? But it was not what she was trying to do. The differences between them are too heavy and it was best for for them to ignore each other. Why did she become reckless again?

Fortunately, Jingxuan did not say anything and ate half of the pickled vegetables and two more steamed buns.

After the meal, Chengyi ordered the soldiers to lead the horses. Mei Li also got up and hurried to find her coachman.

But then, Chengyi patted the saddle of a horse and said, “Hurry up.” Motioning for her to ride with him.

Mei Li hesitated for a moment. She thought about the bumpy experience when she came here post-haste. But this is Chengyi-ge initiating. So she just nodded.

Mei Li sat in Chengyi’s arms[3] Their horse’s speed was not too fast. And with the warm and gentle spring breeze, it did not take long when drowsiness invaded her, especially since she was not able to get a good sleep last night. Unconsciously, she clasped her arms around Chengyi until she found a comfortable posture and fell into a deep sleep.

Jingxuan became suddenly aware that he could no longer hear Chengyi’s horse behind him so he looked back. He could see that Chengyi had fallen far away behind so he impatiently pulled over and wait for Chengyi to catch up. It was only when he was close that he realized that Mei Li has been sleeping in his arms.

“Troublesome.” He frowned and cursed.

Chengyi ignored him and continued moving in his pace. Jingxuan’ two attendants could only follow slowly as one of them was also riding with Jiang Liu. Besides, they could not run in front of Chengyi.

“She…” Chengyi said while looking down at Mei Li who had her arms exposed. Her sleeves were pulled back when she hugged him so he can freely see her old burn and new arrow wound. “She must have suffered a lot.”

Jingxuan pursed his lips and remained silent.

“Despite everything….” Chengyi continued. He can now notice the fatigue in Mei Li’s pale little face, there’s even a faint black shadow under her eyes which made her look haggard and weak. “You should treat her better. After all, she once liked you.”

Jingxuan assented coldly with hum. But he glanced on the scar on her arms, frowned, and looked away. Although it was obvious how irritable he was being dragged in the same speed, he did not urge Chengyi to speed up.

After all, only someone who was too tired can sleep on a moving steed.

When Mei Li woke up, she apologetically loosened her arms hanging tightly around Chengyi’s waist and sat up straight. When she fell asleep, all of her weight had been on him. He must be sore all over because he still had to control the reins.

“I’m sorry.” She said as she rubbed Chengyi’s arms guiltily. “You’ve suffered.” She blamed herself.

Chengyi’s lips arched as he shook his head.

“We are already at the fork of the road between the capital and Fengtai.” Jingxuan suddenly spoke up.

Mei Li understood what he meant so she looked up and smiled at Chengyi. “You need not to accompany me to the capital. You have a very important business.”

Chengyi hesitated a little. The sun was about to set. And although they are already at the main road enroute the capital, there were still many pedestrians. After all, the one would travel are two young girls and heir carriage was left behind for maybe half a day.

“There is an inn in the front. Let her hire a carriage in there.” Jingxuan said as he looked up in the darkening sky. “We also need to hurry up, otherwise, who knows what time we will arrive at Fengtai.”

Mei Li jumped off the horse while Jiang Liu was also led to accompany her. She leaned to Mei Li with a look of displeasure, and cursed that even though the man is beautiful, Qing Wang⁴ was really not very kind.

“Take this.” Jingxuan threw a small bag towards Mei Li. She was shocked but instinctively caught it. It’s quite heavy that the recoil hurt her fingers. She guessed that it should be silver.

Feeling of immense humiliation spread in her heart. What was he doing, sitting on a high horse and casually throwing money at her.

“I have my own money.” She whispered and returned the bag to Jingxuan. Her embarrassment is now being eclipsed with a sense of bitterness which made her sad. So this is how she looked in his eyes. Pitiful.

“Just take it. Okay” He replied in a very indifferent tone mixed with a hint of boredom.

Mei Li bit her lips. Why does she even have to explain to him? After swallowing her explications back down her throat, she forced a smile, withdrew her hand, and bowed to him. “Thanking the prince for the reward.”

“You!” Jingxuan was so triggered that he pointed his whip at her.

Jiang Liu was really afraid of this prince would really hit Mei Li with his whip. His expression now was even scarier than before, so sh shouted, “Princess! Let’s go!” She pulled Mei Li and dragged her towards the inn.

When the two have gone round the bend, Jingxuan sternly told his two attendants, “Watch over them, but don’t let them find out! Make sure they won’t get into danger.” He commanded as if he was cursing, baffling his entourage.

After finishing his order, Jingxuan really felt the surge of anger in him that he had to whip his horse instead. The poor animal hissed and ran wildly.

Chengyi followed him with a blank face.

It was only when he ran for a while that the anger finally subsided. He thought, after Mei Li came out of the cold palace, she still did not know how to recognize black and white, good and bad. She is always asking for trouble.

Seeing Jingxuan slow down, Chengyi also pulled his reins.

“Why can’t you communicate with her well?” Chengyi said monotonously.

“Communicate well? What if she starts to entangle herself with me again?”

“She would not. Not anymore.” Chengyi said almost assuringly.

Jingxuan was taken aback and did not speak anymore.

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Notes:

拳法 (quanfa) some form of traditional Chinese self-defense in the form of punches and kicks, probably the closest term is kickboxing

凉菜 (liang cai) literal cold dishes, like some salads, some raw dishes, and some that are served cold

I believe Mei Li was riding side-saddle (where both of her feet are on one side, princess style haha) in front of Chengyi so the description here was in his arms. Because later she falls asleep and hugs Chengyi, and it’s only possible in this position if she’s sitting in front.

Jingxuan’s title as a prince is Qing so he is called Qing Wang

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T/N: I wonder why I enjoy such frustration and brainrot. Just make up your freaking mind Jingxuan! It was you who can’t distinguish the blacks and whites of your feelings.

Anyway, I have been typing this directly here in wordpress, so if there are any errs, just let me know.

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