Chapter Fifty-Five

  It's just after the beginning of summer, and the weather hasn't fully turned hot yet. Kangxi ordered preparations to go beyond the Great Wall. Although trips beyond the Great Wall happen every year, each time I go, my heart is very happy. After all, leaving the Forbidden City means fewer rules and less struggle. Galloping on horseback under the blue sky and white clouds, enjoying the warm sunshine, gentle breeze, and faint scent of green grass, I feel that life is still beautiful and my heart is still light.

  This time, the brothers who went to Mongolia with me were Taizi Ye, Wu A Ge, Qi A Ge, Ba A Ge, Shi Si A Ge and Shi Wu A Ge. Except for occasionally chatting with Shi Si A Ge, I avoided the others whenever possible; if I couldn't avoid them, I would just pay my respects and leave.

  This year, Su Wan Gua Er Jia Wang Ye and Min Min didn't come, only He Zhuo Wang Zi came to pay respects to Kang Xi. However, Min Min did ask He Zhuo Wang Zi to bring me a letter. Before I even finished reading the letter, I was already holding my belly in laughter and fell onto the carpet. The letter said that since parting with Kang Xi last August, Suo Ying Wang Zi didn't even return to his own tribe, instead he chased after her and moved into the palace. The entire letter was about how Suo Ying Wang Zi followed her everywhere, trying to please her, and how she refused him, played tricks on him, and how Suo Ying Wang Zi tried to outsmart her. After reading the whole thing, it seemed like Min Min still hadn't fallen for him, but between the lines, I could sense her admiration for Suo Ying and her unintentional happiness! I vaguely felt that this was probably Min Min's chance at love, and she wouldn't let it slip away because Suo Ying Wang Zi wouldn't allow her to miss out on him! It seemed like I already saw their happiness waiting just ahead.

  Holding the letter, reading it again and again, my mood became exceptionally good. I finally saw a happy scene of mutual affection around me, no arranged marriage, no coercion, no compromise! It was just him and her!

  ―――――――――――――――――――

  After galloping for a while, both men and horses were somewhat tired, so they relaxed the reins and let the horses walk slowly.

  These days seem to be the most peaceful days I've ever had. When I'm not on duty, I often ride alone on horseback across the grasslands, galloping wildly when I feel like it, and lying down on the horse's back when I'm tired, letting it move slowly forward. Many times, just me and my horse, from sunrise to sunset, munching on dry rations, drinking water, looking around here and there, enjoying a whole day of leisure! Yutan smiled and said "Sister spends all day with her horse, it seems like she's becoming more and more unwilling to talk to people!"

  I smiled to myself, thinking that even I didn't know when I became like this! From childhood to adulthood, I was the kind of person who couldn't bear loneliness, always gathering friends and hanging out in groups. When I first started working in Shenzhen, I had no friends around me, and after work, I wouldn't dare go back to my apartment, so I'd hang out at bars. Even when I was living in Belle époque, I needed the girls to keep me company, but still, I'd sigh "so bored!" It seemed like I never learned how to spend time alone. "Time easily casts people aside, green bamboo shoots turn red cherry blossoms," after several cycles of growth and change, I quietly changed too, and started enjoying the peace and quiet of being alone. If I could live out this life in such a peaceful and serene way, that would be my good fortune!

  One day, I was resting with my eyes closed on horseback, when suddenly I heard the sound of horseshoes getting closer and closer. When I opened my eyes, I saw Eighth Prince riding slowly beside me. I quickly sat up straight, remained silent for a moment, then greeted him and said: "I still have some things to attend to, if Your Highness has no other instructions, I will take my leave!"

  He gazed into the distance and asked in a low voice, "Have you really let go?" I felt a faint pang in my heart, but replied calmly, "I have!"

  "Is there someone else in your heart?" he asked. I felt a bit flustered and didn't dare to think deeply about the question, so I just replied lightly: "No!" He turned his head and stared at me for a while before saying: "Next year you'll be of age to leave the palace, do you want to let the Emperor arrange a marriage for you?" I said casually: "Tomorrow's troubles will come tomorrow! Things don't go as people wish, why think too much about it?" After finishing speaking, I bowed and bid farewell. He smiled coldly at the corner of his mouth, nodded, and waved his hand to let me leave. I turned my horse around, raised my whip, and galloped away.

  Not having run far, he saw the Fourteenth Prince reining in his horse on a hillside, gazing afar at this side. Thinking that if he were to rush up now, with the other's temperament, he would probably be scolded again, so he pretended not to have seen him and rode back to the camp.

  He led the horse back to the stable, and walked slowly towards his own tent. His heart was filled with a bitter and indescribable emotion. As he walked with his head down, he suddenly heard: "Ruoxi! What are you thinking about?" He quickly lifted his head to look, and saw that Prince Huo and the Crown Prince were standing not far away, smiling at him. He hastily bowed to greet them. It was unclear whether it was because of Rouxi or the jade pendant, but Prince Huo treated him differently from others, usually calling him by name, just like he called Rouxi; and repeatedly asked him not to be so formal in front of him, but Ruoxi did his own thing regardless of what the prince said.

  The prince laughed and said: "I stared at you for a long time, but you didn't even notice!" I smiled and bowed my head, saying: "It's this servant's fault, please forgive me, Your Highness!" He sighed and said: "It was just a joke, and I wasn't blaming you. Why are you so cautious and polite? If Minmin were half as good as you, the empress and I wouldn't have to worry so much! Now that you're serving in the palace, there's no opportunity, but when you leave the palace in the future, I'll take you to Mongolia and we can have some fun together. Maybe it will change your temperament!" The crown prince laughed and said: "Now is not the time, the empress takes her everywhere she goes. But next year, she'll be of marriageable age, and the empress should arrange a marriage for her. If you want to invite someone, I'm afraid you can't just invite one person!" Prince Heshuo smiled slightly, but didn't respond.

  Why is everyone so concerned about my marriage, and why does everyone keep reminding me? It's as if they think I'm not anxious enough, and they're all rushing to remind me! Not wanting to say any more, I forced a smile, bowed and took my leave. The prince smiled at me and told me to withdraw.

  As the autumn wind began to rise, Kangxi decided to break camp and return to Beijing. Sitting in his carriage, he thought that next year the crown prince would be demoted for the second time, and couldn't help but sigh that next year's days wouldn't be so easy to pass. He had to muster up his spirit to face this palace storm. Thinking about the possible arranged marriage made him even more worried. What should I do?

  ―――――――――――――――――

  Kangxi 50 years September Changchun Garden

  Kangxi returned from the northern border and directly moved into Changchun Garden. It's close to the residences of all the princes, which makes it convenient for them to come and go!

  Today, I happened to run into the 14th brother and saw that he was not busy, so I called him over and asked him in detail about the situation between the 10th brother and the 10th Fu Jin. Ever since the last time in the Imperial Garden when Kangxi ordered all the brothers to accompany him on a pleasure trip, but the 10th brother claimed illness and did not come, this matter has been weighing on my mind, and I have always wanted to ask the 14th brother for clarification, but there was never an appropriate opportunity. Either I forgot when I ran into him; or when I remembered, it wasn't a suitable time to ask.

  He sneered: "If it weren't for the fact that we've known each other since childhood, I'd really have misunderstood you! Who are you to care so much about someone else's marital affairs? What do you think about all day?"; He said with a smile, still recounting the interesting things he had stumbled upon. As I listened, I thought to myself: they're both straightforward and hot-tempered, can't stand being wronged, but also aren't fake; truly a loving yet quarrelsome couple, living their lives in a lively and noisy way!

  Two people were chatting and laughing, Yu Dan's face was anxious as she ran up to us, hastily greeted the Fourteenth Brother, and looked at me with a desire to speak but hesitated. I restrained my smile and asked: "What's going on?" She glanced at the Fourteenth Brother and stared at me saying: "The former Crown Prince...the Crown Prince...and Wan Sui Ye want Sister! Asking Wan Sui Ye for permission to marry!"