Chapter 5

Avoiding the guards eyes, I climbed the backyard wall. After going through a big circle, I was finally at the generals backdoor. The generals mansion was ablaze. Beside the sound of the fire, it was deep silence.

I stared at the backdoor for a long time. If I went in and came face to face with a killer, I wouldnt be able to collect Lu Hai Kongs body but will also give up my life. Its not worth it.

My thoughts took a turn and I remembered that at the east of the generals mansion, theres a doghole. That place is hidden. Even if there are still killers in there, they wont find me.

Its just that after all these years accepting the human ideology, I felt that crawling through a doghole, is not a glorious thing. Going again today, I dont even know if my body can still pass through the doghole.

But when I found the doghole, I discovered that there was already someone in the doghole. The one, whom I wanted to collect his corpse; Lu Hai Kong. Half of his body was outside the wall, the other half was still inside the wall. I didnt feel embarrassed and mused: It seems that I really can get past the doghole.

However, now its not the right time to express my feelings.

When Lu Hai Kong heard my voice, he slowly raised his head. His always clean face was blood stained. His always translucent eyes, is now like dust. A vast gray. He absent-minded stared at me. Without any emotion, like a puppet.

I knelt down. In the flickering firelight, I saw that a side of his right eye has been burned. I cant differentiate between the whites and the eyeball. All was muddy.

Hes stuck in the doghole. Its such a ridiculous sight. But I couldnt find it amusing.

I stuck my hand out. But something made me hesitate to touch him.

Lu Hai Kong.

He didnt respond. Hes only blankly staring at me. I blinked. I dont know why my heart hurts. I repressed that feeling and gently poked his forehead.

Are you still alive?

Yun Xiang.

His voice was weak.

Im still alive

It doesnt sound like an answer, but more like a question hes asking me.

The inexplicable feeling in my heart got stronger. I couldnt help myself from touching his head. Not light, not heavy I patted his head. His hair felt sticky. I guess he mustve escaped from a pool of blood. Losing your family overnight is a cruel thing for a ten year old.

Im still alive.

I stared at him. His black left eye slowly reflected my image and his right eyeIm afraid that he can never use it again.

He looked at me for a moment before asking: Did you come here to save me?

Originally I came to find your corpse.

His eyes darkened and he nodded.

But now Im here to save you.

I grabbed his hand and asked: Are you tightly stuck?

He seemed to not dare say a word, blankly staring at me. Before he could say something, I felt his body being pulled back inside. It seems like on the other side of the wall, someone is pulling at Lu Hai Kongs legs, dragging him back inside. Lu Hai Kongs eyes got bigger looked at me. He was so scared that he couldnt speak.

I hugged him tightly, not letting go. On the other side of the wall someone said: Theres someone outside helping him.

Lets cut his legs. So hell never be able to escape again.

There are still two people on the other side of the wall! They actually want to slay Lu Hai Kongs legs. My heart quivered. I suddenly got an idea.

Father! Quickly bring the Xiang Fus1 guards. The killer inside want to cut Lu Hai Kongs legs.

Its Xiang Yes2 daughter.

That ruckus causing devil? The two killers were quiet for some time then one said: Withdraw!

Victory came too sudden. I didnt think that my name will be more useful than my fathers name. After suppressing a chuckle, my face darkened again The killers are so afraid of me. What for image do I have in the commoners hearts?

Theres no time to think more. I ruthlessly pulled Lu Hai Kong. Grabbed his hand and dragged him in the direction of Xiang Fu.

For now, you go hide at my place.

Lu Hai Kong stopped walking. In the air filled with smoke, he quietly said: Yun Xiang, I cant go to Xiang Fu.

Why? Are you afraid that my father wont protect you?

Lu Hai Kong looked at the ground and didnt answer me. Hes now obviously a dirty kid, but strangely, I felt that his mind is more complicated than my mind, which also has the memories of hundred years of living as a cloud spirit.

He was silent for a long time before saying: Yun Xiang, Im going to go outside of the capitalonly outsideneed to go outside.

Hes spoken with such a strong voice. He must be determined. I intuitively felt that hes hiding many things. I also felt that from this moment on, Lu Hai Kongs life will change. Moreover, I also felt that my time to choose has come. Go back to Xian Fu or go with Lu Hai Kong to the outside the capital? I looked up at the sky. Suddenly Ive a strange feeling.

Emperor Li, so youve been waiting here for me! If Ive drunken the soup of oblivion, this life, I wouldve been a normal Xiang Fu young miss. If Lu Hai Kong wasnt t delayed by me for five years at the nether world, he would now be the same age as me. Two people who are engaged, falling in love with each other. Miss Xiang Fu doesnt have the heart to leave the generals young master full of hatred, will go with him to the north. She willingly abandoned her comfortable life, only following the generals young master. So the first act of the play little wife chasing husband is staged like this, at this bad time.

Lu Hai Kong mustve thought too much after seeing my sorrowful look. He turned and began walking in the opposite direction.

Yun Xiang, till we meet again.

Hearing a ten year old say such a deep sentence, after the trauma, my heart missed a beat. I scratched my head irritably and muttered softly: Alright, alright. I admit defeat. Ill not change fate again. Besides I need to avoid having to receive punishment again after I go back.

But it didnt seem filial if I just go. So I picked up a burned wood and casually wrote on the wall: Father, your daughter eloped with a gentleman. Dont lose spirit and take care of your body.

After finishing writing, I didnt care if father Song will find this secluded doghole with the words above, I threw away the wood and run to catch up with Lu Hai Kong. I ran till I was in front of him. I bent a little and said: You walk too slowly. A little later the killer will be chasing. Come up, Ill piggyback.

The person behind me didnt move. I turned around and saw him looking at me with a horrified expression. I wondered why: Come ah.

Yun Xiang

I grinned: Young man3 , lets elope.

He didnt move, I didnt urge. Finally he stretched his hands and hugged me: Thank you

His thin body was trembling a little. At this time I couldnt help but twitch my mouth: Elopment is fine, embracing is fine. Brat does not take advantage of me in this situation. See where youre putting your hands on.

He felt embarrassed. Leisurely he put his hands on my shoulder and holds my neck. I didnt care anymore. Walking while he was on my back. Lu Hai Kong must be tired. Hid head resting on my shoulder, he mumbled: Yun Xiang protected me. In the future, Ill protect Yun Xiang.

His words reminded me of a decade ago. The generals wife was looking at infant Lu Hai Kong, her gaze as gentle as the sunlight. She said Im older than him. Now Ill protect him, in the future, hell protect me

I turned and looked at the generals mansion, which was in flames. Suddenly I realized that there will be no one anymore, wholl look at Lu Hai Kong with such a gentle gaze.

The gods have an eternal life. They dont understand the hardship of parting, the pain of death. I used the Gods point of view; this is a normal circle yet Im sentimental. But to mortals losing means losing.

This life or eternal life, no one can completely repeat his life, even if its himself.

I suddenly felt that something is strange. Im indifferent to death, but the Lu Hai Kong who isnt crying or causing trouble, is a bit unusual. I turned my head and glanced at the boy on my shoulder, with his eyes closed.Maybe even through his life, I still wouldnt understand Lu Hai Kongs pain from tonight.

The moment the gates opened, I took Lu Hai Kong outside the capital.after leaving the capital for half a day; my brain finally realized what I didnt do right, the night before.

Song my father, looks like I dragged him in a hole4.

I scratched my head and said to Lu Hai Kong: Last night, I was impatient to save you, putting my father in trouble. What I did isnt right.

Seeing my guilty face, Lu Hai Kong exhibits a real shocking face.

Yun Xiang, you dont know anything. Thats why you dare to say that!

Know what?

Lu Hai Kong continued to be stunned. Then he shook his head. In the eye that he still has, I saw a third of helplessness, a third ridiculousness and many more things that I dont understand. He hung his head and took a bite of the bun. Vaguely he said: Nothing, nothing will happen to Prime Minister Song.

This brat said that so assured. My heart felt lighter, although I still dont understand what happened in court.

I and Lu Hai Kong went to the north. After half a month, came the sudden news from the capital that the emperor has died. The new emperor ascended the throne. Surprisingly the new emperor is not the crown prince, but the crown princes uncle, the previous emperors brother, Zhi Hou Wang Ye.

Half of the ministers have been removed. The powerful ones have been removed, exiled to their hometowns or sentenced to death. The only one, who is still sitting tight in his spot, is my father, the prime minister Song Qin Wen. The first one in court who bowed to the new emperor is also my father, Song Qin Wen.

At that time I was sitting with Lu Hai Kong at the roadside stall, resting and drinking tea. Beside us there were people who looked like scholars. They keep sighing.

I dont understand their concern for the fate of their lives, but now I understand the mystery behind the fire at the generals mansion.

Lu Hai Kong silently drank tea; I silently sorted my thoughts. My father, general Lu and the old emperor were three good friends. After some years my father and the emperors brother became even better friends. Hes not so fond of the two other friends anymore.

Old emperor became sick. His brother wants to be the emperor. My father favored the emperors younger brother. But the general supported the blood of the old emperor, Zhi Chi crown prince. Thats why the generals mansion needs to be burned. Thats why Lu Hai Kong wasnt even worried about my words; that Ill cause trouble for father Song, because destroying their family was planned by my father.

My appearance was a surprise to everyone. Thats why the two killers left in a hurry. They werent afraid of me. They only wanted to go back and report to my father. Thats why Lu Hai Kong asked me did you come to save me?

So thats why Lu Hai Kong was surprised when I said that Ill bring trouble for my father. Thats why we were able to smoothly be gone out of the gate. And smoothly walking all the way till now must be because my father is protecting us.

After all, Im still his daughter. After all, he watched Lu Hai Kong grow. And after allhaving to plot against an old friend, his heart will be uneasy. Intentionally letting Lu Hai Kong go, must be because my fathers soft heart.

Staring at him quietly drinking tea, I went back to that night, remembering all his actions. I gave a long sigh.

Former Lu Hai Kong was too small, so he was ignorant. But now hes slowly beginning to understand things; getting smart, getting calm. After experiencing such misfortune, Im afraid hell understand things more deeply now

A thought took a turn in my head. I really want to pull out emperor Lis beard one for one. If todays scene changes it would be so miserable: Xiang Fu Miss will follow the full of hatred young master. On one side young master loves Xiang Fu Miss. The other side because of her fathers action towards the general, he hates her. Love and hate at the same time. Hell sometimes be warm and sometimes be cold towards Xiang Fu Miss. Xiang Fu Miss will lead a life of oppressive feelings. But her heart is still firmly chasing young master.

Little wife struggling to chase husband second act, without a warning, will be staged like this.

Emperor Li, you dare throw more pots of blood! In front of your home must be many dead dogs now! Where did you get such cheap and useless dog blood! How many more miserable scenes will be waiting for me on the road to the north?!

Besidesin the state Im now and the way I and Lu Hai Kong are getting along, will we be able to meet emperor Lis particular taste?

Yun Xiang

Lu Hai Kong finished drinking tea and look up at me: Im finished resting.

I looked at the vast gray of his right eye and patted his head: Lets go.

Worrying is useless. The future will come nevertheless. Compared to me this child mustve a bigger burden. Hes so brave. I cant lose to him.

Comments:

My energy feel drained after translating this chapter. I feel so sad for them both. Emepror Li , do you love melodrama so much?