I must say this is one of my favourite chapters, love how Liu Fu Ling and Yun Ge can communicate without words, how adorable they generally are with each other, and how she trusts him completely, implicitly. Most of the pivotal characters made an appearance in this chapter,\n\nLiu Bing Yi carried two old hens as he pushed the door open. His voice was heard before his presence felt âPing Jun, Iâve got two old hens for you to stew tonight.â Meng Jue sat by the cradle playing with the child, upon seeing his excitement, he said teasingly âThe saying is true then â a person is complete with a son, you even speak with twice as much vigour compared to a everyone else.â Xu Ping Jun took the hens, though complaining, sweetness filled her heart âIâm done with my confinement; thereâs no need to keep eating such nourishing foods. If we ate like this every day, weâll eat ourselves poor.â Liu Bing Yi noticed that although Meng Jue was smiling, there was sadness in his eyes that he just couldnât get rid of, so he shot Ping Jun a look. Xu Ping Jun hurriedly carried the child on her back and went into the kitchen.\n\nAs Liu Bing Yi scooped water to wash his hands, he said âThe market was rife with gossip about you and Huo Cheng Jun today. I heard you went to the rouge stall with her, causing a group of women to stare at both of you. What exactly are you trying to do? If you continue to associate yourself with Huo Cheng Jun, Yun Ge would definitely ignore you even if youâve found her. You canât actually believe that she would be willing to be your concubine right?â\n\nMeng Jue just looked at Liu Bing Yi quietly. Liu Bing Yi felt his blood freeze at Meng Jueâs leveled gaze, smiled as he asked âWhy are you looking at me like this?â Meng Jue asked âBing Yi, Iâm going to ask you something, you must answer truthfully.â Liu Bing Yi saw Meng Jueâs solemn expression, thought for a while before saying âAsk away!â\n\nâHave you ever accepted an embroidered shoe from a girl when you were young?â\n\nLiu Bing Yi froze for a moment, then burst into laughter âHere I am thinking you were going to ask about the rise and fall of our dynasty and you ask me this?â\n\nâYouâre sure? You havenât forgotten?â\n\nLiu Bing Yi shook his head, smiling âWhen I was young, I was always hiding. Indeed, I travelled quite a bit, and met many people but I most certainly have not accepted a girlâs embroidered shoe.â\n\nMeng Jue lowered his head and sighed.\n\nYun Ge was muddleheaded but how could he make the same mistake! How could he forget that there was someone who bore a resemblance to Liu Bing Yi. Liu Fu Ling ascended the throne when he was 8, as head of state, he created a huge stir each time he left the palace, let alone going to Xi Yu? He really couldnât imagine him going to Xi Yu, let alone make the connection that the childhood friend Yun Ge couldnât forget was Liu Fu Ling, not Liu Bing Yi.\n\nLiu Bing Yi asked with some bafflement âMeng Jue, why is your expression so strange? Could it be that you really wished that Iâve had accepted some girlâs embroidered shoe?â There was a trace of bitterness in Meng Jueâs smile as he said âIndeed, I wish that the person who took the embroidered shoe was youâ But, it wasnât Liu Bing Yi but Liu Fu Ling. When Huo Cheng Jun informed him that the girl the Emperor had brought to the palace was Yun Ge, he figured the person in the carriage that night was most probably Liu Fu Ling, but he just couldnât think of why Yun Ge would be by Liu Fu Lingâs side. Yun Ge might have been captured by Liu Fu Ling, mistaken as an assassin, or be rescued by him, but no matter what, Yun Ge wouldnât have followed Liu Fu Ling to take up residence in the palace. It all made sense now. Yun Ge had always treated Liu Bing Yi differently, even when she mistook him for someone else; now that she actually has met the person she has been thinking of, how could she bear to see him disappointed or sad?\n\nAs he flashed back to the Princessâ residence, the scene where Liu Fu Ling tasted her dishes, Meng Jue felt a rush of cold air through his heart. He got up to leave. Liu Bing Yi said âMeng Jue, you havenât answered me. What exactly are you trying to do? If you donât draw the lines of your relationship with Huo Cheng Jun clearly, Iâm not going to help with your search for Yun Ge any longer.â Meng Jue didnât even look back as he answered âIâve already found her; you can stop your search. As for my dealings with Huo Guang, you'll have your answer within the next few days.â Liu Bing Yi, surprised, asked âYou found her? Where?â Meng Jue didnât give him an answer, merely opened the door and left.\n........................................<wbr></wbr>........................................<wbr></wbr>.......................................\nA few months ago, the name Meng Jue might not have rung a bell; after today, Meng Jueâs name will be like Huo Guangâs, known amongst all. A month ago, Huo Guang recommended Meng Jue for a court position and beseeched the Emperor for a title, submitting a few vacant official titles for consideration, but the Emperor gave Meng Jue the title of Jianyi Dafu (advisory counsellor), an title that wasnât even included in the first hundred official positions. Everyone felt this sense of malicious joy, knowing that this Meng gentleman was close to Miss Huo; just imagining Huo Guangâs anger at the Emperorâs action was more than enough. As for the wise officials that have met Meng Jue, they lamented at how this manâs talent is now condemned to be wasted at his new position all because of a power struggle between the Emperor and his subject.\n\nUnexpectedly, at court today, it was this advisory counsellor, an official excluded from the first hundred official positions, the person Huo Guang personally recommended â Meng Jue who grandly listed 20 charges against Huo Guang:\n\nAs a high ranking official, although he has acted with restraint, he hasnât managed to control his family- that was charge number one.\n\nA servant of the Huoâs- Feng Zi- used the Huo name to bully others, raping a Hu woman who was a wine seller â that was charge number two.\n\nMistress Huoâs relatives relied on the Huoâs power to force the prices of rice up, buying at low prices and reselling at high ones, oppressing others to seek higher profits â that was charge number three.\n\nHousekeeper Wang fought for the right of way with court officials, not only flouting the edict that commoners were to give way to officials, but also instigating his subordinates to beat up court officials on the very street. That was charge number four.\n........................................<wbr></wbr>........................................<wbr></wbr>.......................................\n\nThe important thing was: these were charges that even court officials couldnât remember once the dust had settled; maybe if they thought harder, everyone could come up with one or two charges; but while it was trivial to them, the commoners lapped it all up and felt each charge keenly.\n\nWhat were the commoners scared of? They didnât care who was to be a Grand Marshal or a General, they were only afraid of officials abusing their power for their own gains, to bully and deceive them. Meng Jueâs image of working for the best interest of the common folk, not bowing to power, and his uprightness, coupled together with his impeachment of Huo Guang at court spread his name far beyond the boundaries of the court, and onto the streets of Chang An. Everyone rejoiced, for finally here is a truly righteous official, a just judge addressing their grievances.\n\nWine seller Hu regained her freedom, and started to sell wine again. There were long queues at her shop, not only to buy her wine, but also to hear her tale. One was a pretty widow from a foreign land, the other a bully who relied on the Grand Marshalâs power to bully others; the tale was said to be vividly painted. Someone penned her story into poetry, driven to inspiration under the influence of wine, and soon it was sung all over various tea and wine houses across the city.<blockquote>\n\nâGeneral Huo of high fame\nHe had a slave called Feng Zi Du by name\nRelying on the general's full power\nFeng ogled a Hunnish maiden, wine house flower\nThe Hunnish maiden was only fifteen;\nAlone she served out wine when spring was green\nHer long gown girt with double girdle by the side\nHer vest adorned with lovebirds and sleeves wide,\nJade from the Blue Field in her hair did appear;\nA pair of Roman pearls behind her ear\nHer two tresses were so charming and fair\nThat in the world they stood without compare.\nOne tress was worth five million coins even then;\nTwo of them worth much more than ten.\n"Who would have thought a captain of the guard\nWould drop in and pay me his high regard!\nHis silver saddle has a dazzling sheen;\nHis carriage waits with a canopy green.\nHe comes forward to ask me for clear wine\nI raise jade winepot by the silken cord fine.\nHe asks me then for delicious dish;\nI offer him on a golden plate sliced fish.\nHe gives me a bronze mirror of renown\nAnd tries it to tie it to my red silk gown.\nBut I would rather have my red silk torn\nThan let him stain my body humbly born.\nA man would always love a second wife;\nA woman should love her husband through life.â [1]</blockquote>\n\nThose who have seen Meng Jue would then sing praises of Meng Jueâs words and manners after a retelling of the Hu maidenâs humiliation â it was his uprightness that bought her freedom while others remembered Meng Jueâs wit and elegance at the banquet thrown at the Huoâs residence. Who else was as distinguished as him? Meng Jueâs exceedingly good looks, impeccable speech and manner, righteous disdain for wealth and power made him the ideal man of countless maidens across Chang An.\n\nAccompanied by the melodious voices of songstresses, through brothels full of beauties, Meng Jueâs fame spread with the song out of Chang An, and even to the desert.\n........................................<wbr></wbr>........................................<wbr></wbr>.......................................\nHuo residence, study.\n\nHuo Yu couldnât contain his exasperation: ââGeneral Huo of high fame. He had a slave called Feng Zi Du by name. Relying on the general's full power. Feng ogled a Hunnish maiden, wine house flowerâ, Father would you look at this! This Meng Jue is playing with us Huos! How can this be tolerated? I bet the song sung at these wine houses is part of his ploy too; does he really believe that if he has the Emperor on his side, we will not do him harm? Humph!â\n\nHuo Guang showed almost no expression as he read the poem, then he smiled and praised it âProper arrangement, comfortable cadence, a good poem indeedâ Huo Yu was stunned âFather?â Huo Guang looked at him, sighed and shook his head âIf only you had half of Meng Jueâs intellect, I wouldnât be in want of such a son-in-law.â Huo Yu clenched his fists, his heart full of anger, his lips unable to refute Huo Guangâs words. Huo Shan said âUncle, your nephew has a way to quietly dispose of Meng Jue, but for sisterâsâŚ.â Huo Guang cut Huo Shan off, his eyes full of derision âGet rid of Meng Jue? Are you planning to do it openly? Or secretly? If you choose to do it openly, Meng Jue is an advisory counsellor, according to the late Emperor âan official not included in the first hundred officalsâ, even the Emperor himself canât simply decree his life or death, and even more so now that he has the Emperor backing him in secret. No matter how fast your âopen methodâ may be, if the Emperor refuses to let you make a move, what more can you do? If you choose to do it secretly, now the whole world knows that Meng Jue has offended the Huos, if he meets with a mysterious death, we Huos will be forever known as traitorous, evil court officials who murdered the good and wise. The Emperor is looking for us to make mistakes. If we first lose the hearts of the people, sinking ourselves in sin, we are ruining the very foundation of this house. If the foundation is ruined, how can the house stand?â His words shocked Huo Shan and Huo Yun, although they werenât happy, there was nothing they could say. Huo Yu started angrily âWe canât do this, nor that, does that mean weâre to sit back and not do anything?â\n\nHuo Guang replied sternly âOf course there are things you can do. First, make sure you each discipline your respective houses. If I hear of such ridiculous things happening again, I will punish whichever house that servant came from.â\n\nHuo Yu, Huo Shan, Huo Yun exchanged looks, bowed their heads and answered âyesâ unhappily.\n\nâSecond,â Huo Guang pointed to the poem on his desk, âSuch talent resides among men; I am at fault for not noticing him earlier. Go find him, treat him well, and raise him up to an important position so that he may fully display his talents.â Huo Yu refused to speak, Huo Shan and Huo Yun replied âYour nephews will see it done.â\n\nâThird, the next time you see Meng Jue in court, be as polite as you can. If I see any of you creating a fuss, the least youâll be getting is being punished according to the rules of this house, in severe cases, Iâll see that you are punished according this countryâs laws.â All 3 remained silent. Huo Guang let his disappointed gaze brushed across all three of them before abruptly slamming his hands on the desk, voice full of reproach as he said âHuo Yu?â Huo Yu felt his blood run cold as he met his fatherâs gaze, stood up immediately and replied fearfully âYour son understands.â Huo Shan and Huo Yun quickly stood as well, bowed as they said âYour nephews understand too.â Huo Guang looked at them, finally allowing his face betray to signs of fatigue; sighed and waved them away.\n\nAs the three walked out, they ran into Huo Cheng Jun. As Huo Cheng Jun bowed to her three brothers, Huo Yu harrumphed âYour good taste!â; his expression cold as he left with a flick of his sleeve. Huo Shan, Huo Yun brushed her off and hurriedly made their exit. Huo Cheng Junâs eyes filled with tears, and bit her lips to keep them from falling.\n\nShe opened the door quietly, only to see her father with his eyes closed in a state of repose, his thin face hiding signs of fatigue. In a matter of days, her fatherâs white hair seemed to have multiplied, the greying hair on his temple made him look much older than he really was. Her heart filled with regret, sadness, distress, she treaded softly behind her father, and helped him massage his temple. Huo Guang didnât open his eyes, only smiled and called âCheng Jun?â Cheng Jun answered âFather, if youâre tired, why donât you just lie down for a bit?â Huo Guang smiled âOnly my heart is weary. Cheng Jun, surely youâve heard of what has happened recently. Donât take them to heart. This only happened because Father was too careless, not settling things properly.â For the past few days, Cheng Jun had only faced her motherâs reproachful gaze, or her brothersâ cold, hurtful words; upon hearing her fatherâs words, she couldnât contain her tears as they fell, drop by drop.\n\nHuo Guang sighed, pulled Cheng Jun to his side, making her kneel in front of him like a little girl as he wiped away her tears. âSilly girl, why do you cry? You are a Huo, able to marry whoever you choose. Iâll definitely pick a good one for you.â Huo Cheng Jun wept on her fatherâs knee, unable to contain her sorrow âFather, Iâm sorry.â Huo Guang gently brushed his hands over her hair, smiled and said âSilly girl, why are you sorry? You liking Meng Jue shows your good taste. Meng Jue just doesnât have the good fortune to marry you.â Huo Cheng Jun cried for a long while, releasing all the sadness supressed in her heart. When she felt better, she slowly stopped the tears.\n\nâFather, what is it you plan to do?â Huo Guang didnât answer but countered âWhat do you think I should do?â\n\nHuo Cheng Jun lifted her head âCultivation of the self, it is better not to do anything.â Huo Guang just contemplated Huo Cheng Jun upon hearing her words, not saying anything for a while. Huo Cheng Jun grew uneasy âFather, Iâm truly not trying to help Meng Jue. Although he brought a list of 20 charges against the Huo family, he didnât dare to underestimate a generalâs power â not a single one of those charges were directly related to Father. Fatherâs only error was the inability to discipline your subordinates. As long as Fatherâs reputation isnât truly damaged, no matter what happens, we Huos can be redeemed. Everyone is looking at the Huo family now, in the eyes of the people, no matter what we do, theyâll only pick at our mistakes. If someone makes use of it to cause another commotion, Iâm afraid they might directly implicate you this time. Therefore, we shouldnât punish those who rebuke the Huo family, but treat them with kindness, showing others our tolerance, at the same time restructuring the Huo residences. After all, the Huo family is like a big tree attracting wind â our fame attracting criticism, and weâre also known as the thorn in the Emperorâs eye, if we donât discipline and restructure, even if not for Meng Jue today, should something else happen in future, surely there will be someone who would stand up to it.â\n\nHuo Guang heaved a long sigh, held Huo Cheng Junâs shoulders and said âWhy are you born a woman? If you were a man, I wouldnât be half as worried.â\n........................................<wbr></wbr>........................................<wbr></wbr>.......................................\nWei Yang Palace, Xuan Shi Hall.\n\nA room of warmth, a room of delicate fragrance, a room of laughter.\n\nYun Ge had a rug made of sheep wool half draped across her body, lazing on the pallet as she talked and laughed. Liu Fu Ling sat close to the fire at the bottom of Yun Geâs pallet, not using a couch, but rather choosing to drape white tiger fur skin on top of the carpet, half leaning against the side of her pallet. In his hands he held a pair of tongs, using it to record the time by hitting it against the stove.\n\nYun Ge originally wanted to tell him the story of how she met a Queen of Xiao Rou Zhi [a tribe, part of the Yuezhi tribe that didnât move to the west]. The Central Plains have seen many Emperors since Yan Emperor and Yellow Emperor, but never a female Emperor, so Liu Fu Ling was intrigued when he heard that Xiao Rou Zhi had a female Emperor. Alas, Yun Ge was an incorrigible chatterbox, she started talking from the time she left the Peacock River, it has almost been a day and she still hasnât reached the part where she entered the Xiao Rou Zhi tribe. She just had to talk about the people she met along the way, what newfangled toys she bought, what delicious food she ate, if she continued at this rate, it would be the new year by the time she actually got to Xiao Rou Zhi. Liu Fu Ling had no choice but to set a time limit for her, when it came to irrelevant parts, he would use the tongs to count the time, when the tongs stopped beating on the stove, she would have to quickly move on to the next part.\n\nAs she heard Liu Fu Ling increase his speed, she started talking faster and faster; but no matter how fast she spoke, she couldnât finish her story, getting so agitated she sat up and grabbed Liu Fu Lingâs shoulder. Pressing his shoulder down so he wouldnât beat the tongs, she rushed through her story âYou have no idea how pretty the songtress was, how moving her voice, the moment we heard her sing, we forgot we were supposed to hurryâŚ.Ah! Stop beatingâŚ. Stop it⌠You have to listen to this part⌠Itâs very fun⌠Even my third brother stopped to listenâŚâ\n\nLiu Fu Ling remained expressionless, raised his hand to continue to beat when Yun Ge frowned and released all her words in one breath âHer skin whiter than sheep, her waist suppler than willow, when she saw us she trailed behind our camels singing. Even our camels stopped to listen, I gave her a tael of silver but she said she only wanted a glimpse of our Ah Zhuâs face. Donât you think sheâs weird? Why would she even want to see Ah Zhu? She isnât even a manâŚ..â âAi ya!â Yun Ge exclaimed, she just couldnât finish it in one breath, her hand gripped the pallet as she started gasping, but her other hand refused to release Liu Fu Lingâs shoulder. âHowâŚis⌠this telling a story? It seems moreâŚlike..IâmâŚrunningâŚfor life.â\n\nLiu Fu Ling was worried that sheâd start coughing, when he saw that she was just breathing a little heavier, he let go of that worry. As she saw Liu Fu Lingâs arm start to lift again, Yun Ge showed him her sad face, how can someone be this heartless!! In the end, she decided to slide off her pallet onto the floor, gripping his shoulders with both hands. Now that there is someone blocking him, he couldnât beat the stove any more, ha!\n\nLiu Fu Ling took one look at Yun Geâs face, merely said âMove aside.â She shook her head, resolute. Liu Fu Ling just looked at a point behind her, expressionless. All of a sudden, Yun Ge smelt something odd, turned, then finally realized her woollen rug had somehow slid to the edge of the brass stove, and was being burned black. Fire embers looking like they would leap up any moment. She was going to start searching everywhere for things to grab in her anxiety when Liu Fu Ling just passed her the water bottle he held in his hand. She took it and quickly poured it over the flames; with a sizzling sound, black smoke bloomed â the whole room was now filled with the stench of burnt sheep wool, and a puddle of water.\n\nYun Ge held her nose âYouâŚâŚ.You saw all that and you didnât move the rug away?â Liu Fu Lingâs eyes twinkled with laughter even as his face didnât betray any emotion âI wanted to use the tongs to move it aside, but you refused to move.â\n\nYun Ge stared at Liu Fu Ling, agape. So now heâs saying it is her fault?!\n\nOutside the hall, Liu Shun held his breath as he peeked in. Liu Fu Ling dragged Yun Ge out, ordering Liu Shun as he passed âTake care of the mess as quick as you can.â Liu Shun bowed his head âYesâ Yu An saw that the Emperor and Yun Ge were about to leave the palace, quickly ordering huge cloaks to be brought over. A cloak made of red fox fur, and one of black fox fur. Liu Fu Ling took the red cloak first, made sure it was wrapped snugly around Yun Ge before reaching for the black one, draping it on himself. The pair walked slowly along the walls of Xuan Shi Hall, aimlessly, as they wished. When Yun Ge caught a glimpse of the nearby Palace Gates, she suddenly stopped and seemed to be deep in thought. Liu Fu Ling followed her line of sight, looked outside the palace, âDo you want to go out for a walk?â Yun Geâs expression took on a tinge of sadness âI heard Big Brother and Xu Jie Jieâs child is born, they once said I was to be the childâs aunt.â Liu Fu Ling asked âThis Big Brother of yours is the one you mistook for me - Liu Bing Yi?â\n\nYun Ge nodded.\n\nLiu Fu Ling thought for a moment, then handed out orders âYu An, prepare the carriage. We are to leave the palace.â Yu An took a look at the skies, feeling like he was in a difficult position. The skies were dark, to hurriedly leave the palace like this wasnât appropriate; but to persuade the Emperor otherwise was even more inappropriate; he could only order for the proper arrangements to be made.\n\nYu An disguised himself a coachman, driving the carriage himself âEmperor, where to?â Liu Fu Ling said âLiu Bing Yiâs house.â The hand Yu An raised to crack his whip paused and gave Qi Xi, who was at his side, a pointed look. Qi Xi quickly nodded, indicating he will watch his step.\n........................................<wbr></wbr>........................................<wbr></wbr>.......................................\nWinter, was dark early, and cold. Xu Ping Jun had prepared food in advance, stoked the fire of the Kang (bed-stove); her family of three sat on top of it. The moment the door closed, all the cold was shut outside! Her son was on the Kang, sleeping soundly. Liu Bing Yi had an old cotton jacket draped over him, sat by his sonâs side, reading Sima Qianâs âRecords of a Grand Historianâ (Shiji), analysing the good and bad of Liu Cheâs policies. Xu Ping Jun was sprawled on a little table on the Kang, holding a pair of chopsticks, practicing her writing on the sand, reading it silently as she wrote, deep in concentration. Liu Bing Yi stole a look at her sometimes, she didnât even notice, Liu Bing Yi just shook his head, laughing.\n\nSuddenly, a knock sounded at the door, Liu Bing Yi and Xu Ping Jun exchanged surprised glances. On such a cold wintry night, everyone would be trying to avoid the chill, seldom would they go visiting, who could it be? Liu Bing Yi made a move to get up but Xu Ping Jun had already jumped off the Kang. She wore her shoes, smoothed out her skirts then rushed to open the door asking âWho is it?â, as she opened the door.\n\nOutside, a man and a woman stood side by side, looking extremely wealthy. The man wore a black fox fur cloak, the woman a rare cloak of red fox fur, one reserved, the other smiling, one cold, one warm, there was dissonance yet a strange sense of harmony. Xu Ping Jun opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Yun Ge smiled and winked at Xu Ping Jun, turned to Liu Fu Ling and said âI must be eating so much that my figure has changed. Even my sister does not recognize me!â Tears filled Xu Ping Junâs eyes as she grabbed Yun Ge in a hug. She was so afraid she would never have the chance to right the wrongs she had done in this life when the Heavens graciously sent Yun Ge back into her life. While Yun Ge expected surprise when Xu Ping Jun saw her, she didnât expect such an intense reaction. Touched, she laughed âFor someone who is a mother still behaving like a child, how are you going to raise your child?â Xu Ping Jun quietly wiped her tears away, held Yun Geâs hand and dragged her into the house. âBing Yi, Bing Yi, look whoâs here?â\n\nLiu Bing Yi put his book down, lifted his eyes and saw Yun Ge. He was about to rush off the Kang to greet her when he noticed the man behind her. Stunned, his face changed as he jumped off barefoot, grabbed Yun Ge and Xu Ping Jun and pushed them behind his ramrod straight back. Liu Bing Yi merely continued to stand, quietly assessing Liu Bing Yi. Liu Bing Yiâs breathed heavily, his eyes full of distrust.\n\nA strange, tense atmosphere filled the room. Xu Ping Jun and Yun Ge looked first at Liu Fu Ling, then at Liu Bing Yi, not understanding why two people who just met for the first time seemed to be at each otherâs throats, why Bing Yi seemed like he was going to fight to the very death for them.\n\nYun Ge walked out from behind Liu Bing Yi, Liu Bing Yi wanted to grab her back, but didnât manage to, for she was already standing by Liu Fu Lingâs side, telling him âThis is Big Brother Bing Yi, this is Xu Jie Jieâ, then turned to Liu Bing Yi and Xu Ping Jun saying âHe isâŚ..â She just looked at him, not knowing how to introduce him. Xu Ping Jun moved out to stand beside Liu Bing Yi, holding his clenched fist, smiled and said âI have met this gentleman once before.â Liu Fu Ling nodded slightly, âI have yet to properly express my gratitude to madam for showing the way, for I was too much in a rush the last time.â Xu Ping Jun just laughed âYou are too kind. Since you are Yun Geâs friend, that makes you our friend.â\n\nAfter she was done, she looked expectantly at Yun Ge, for the name Yun Ge had yet to utter. Yun Ge shot Xu Ping Jun a sheepish look âHe isâŚ. Is my⌠Ling gege.â Xu Ping Jun froze for a moment, who introduces people that way? A grown man, with no first or last name, itâs not like he was unpresentable! Liu Fu Lingâs eyes filled with warmth and told Xu Ping Jun âCoincidentally, I am a Liu too, sharing your husbandâs last name.â\n\nLiu Bing Yiâs surprise at seeing Liu Fu Ling had ebbed away, as he slowly regained his senses. He knew that since Liu Fu Ling has already caught wind of his existence, he only had to utter the word if he wanted his life. Anything he did right now would be useless, he might as well treat him with frankness. ButâŚ.he looked at Xu Ping Jun and his baby lying on the KangâŚhe would be letting them down, dragging them with him into this dangerous world.\n\nLiu Bing Yi bowed to Liu Fu Ling, put on his shoes, asked Xu Ping Jun to make some simple dishes, set the table, then invited Liu Fu Ling and Yun Ge to sit on the Kang. The heated Kang was warm and toasty; Liu Fu Ling and Yun Ge both wearing cloaks felt warm.\n\nLiu Fu Ling reached out to untie Yun Geâs cloak for her, but Yun Ge laughed as she ducked away âIâll do it. You take care of yourself.â Liu Bing Yi looked at the two of them, his heart filled with surprise, shock, puzzlement, a mix of various emotions. Yun Ge took off her cloak, kicked off her shoes and crawled back to the Kang, sprawling in front of Liu Bing Yiâs son. His little son was still in deep slumber, raising his small hands bunched into fists once in a while, coaxing laughter out of Yun Ge, as she bent over to kiss the sleeping child. âI am your aunt, do you know that? You must remember to call me âauntâ!â\n\nXu Ping Jun poured wine out as she arranged the dishes âHe still has a long while to go before he can talk! Both you and Bing Yi are smart yet can be so muddleheaded at times, he spends the whole day telling the child to call him âFatherâ; doesnât he realize that if an infant were to talk right now, it would scare everyone to death?â Liu Fu Ling spoke up âBring the child to me.â Yun Ge carefully carried the child, moved to Liu Fu Lingâs side to show him the child. Liu Bing Yi continued to stare intently at Liu Fu Ling. Liu Fu Ling bowed his head to look at the child, untied a pendant he always wore and tucked it into the babyâs blanket âWe came hurriedly so we didnât come with presents; let this be a show of our sincerity.â Xu Ping Jun knew that this man wouldnât carry any normal pendant, and tried to refuse the present. Liu Fu Ling smiled at Liu Bing Yi saying âCome to think about it, I should be this childâs elder, there is no need to refuse my present.â Liu Bing Yi took the child from Yun Ge, passed it to Xu Ping Jun. âI thankâŚ. this gentleman on behalf of Huâer.â Yun Ge smiled and asked âIs Huâer his pet name? What is his name?â [Chinese children would have informal pet names and a formal personal name.] Xu Ping Jun replied âWe havenât thought of it yet, so weâve always called him by his pet name.â\n\nLiu Bing Yi turned abruptly to Liu Fu Ling âPlease give my son a name.â, his heart filled with anxiety has he uttered those words, although he still kept a smiling façade. Yun Ge glanced at Liu Bing Yi, then at Liu Fu Ling, remaining silent. Liu Fu Ling thought for a moment, asked Liu Bing Yi âI just casually flipped through the âLost Book of Zhouâ today, and took a liking to the word âShiâ, how about that as a name?â\n\nYun Ge tilted her head, thinking out loud âLiu Shi?[2]â\n\nXu Ping Jun quickly passed the sand box to Yun Ge, asking in a small voice âYun Ge, how do you write that?â Yun Ge surprised, laughed delightedly âJie jie, youâre learning to write?â Yun Ge slowly wrote the word out for Xu Ping Jun, stroke by stroke. Xu Ping Jun quickly committed the word to memory, she didnât know whether it was a good or bad character, only felt that this character was very uncommon. For a commonerâs child to use such an uncommon character, she was worried that not many people will be able to pronounce his name in future.\n\nWhen Liu Bing Yi heard the name Liu Fu Ling gave, he relaxed, worry for the child dissipating, stood up and bowed with great reverence âThank you for bestowing the name.â Xu Ping Jun could feel that Liu Bing Yi really liked this name, quickly carried the child and bowed to express her gratitude. Liu Fu Ling only nodded, not saying anything. Seeing the bamboo slip on the Kang, he asked âWhich part of âRecords of a Grand Historianâ do you like best?â Liu Bing Yi hesitated, then replied âOf late I really enjoyed reading about the late Emperor when he was younger.â\n\nLiu Fu Ling nodded slightly, then quietly took in the house and its surroundings. Liu Fu Ling remained silent, so Liu Bing Yi didnât say anything either. Xu Ping Jun felt that Liu Bing Yi was vastly different from the Liu Bing Yi she knew, and gathered that something strange was going on, and so she didnât say a word too. Yun Ge ignored all of them, playing with Huâer, sometimes leaning close to drop a kiss on his face.\n\nThis family might not be rich, but it had a mistress with nimble hands, and thus, filled with warmth. Liu Fu Lingâs gaze fell on every table and chair in the house before finally landing on Liu Bing Yi. Although Liu Bing Yiâs old cotton jacket was obviously old, its sleeves already torn, yet because of Xu Ping Junâs careful mending, she made a darker coloured patch look like it was flowers, carefully embroidered on.\n\nLiu Bing Yi calming took in Liu Fu Lingâs accessing glance. If Liu Fu Lingâs earlier accessing look was to judge whether or not he was worthy to talk to, what was he assessing now? The sad state of the Princeâs grandsonâs life? Probably not. It might be his first meeting with Liu Fu Ling, but he trusted Yun Geâs judgement; and above all, he trusted his own keen sense of discernment. So what was Liu Fu Ling trying to find out? Why did he leave the palace to meet him? Silence descended upon that palace.\n\nYun Ge stretched as she jumped off the Kang, wearing her shoes as she said âItâs late, Big Brother and Xu Jie Jie should be resting, and we should go.â She brought Liu Fu Lingâs cloak over as he stood up. Yun Ge was standing on a step, which made her slightly taller than Liu Fu Ling, so she happily helped Liu Fu Ling tie on his cloak, casually draped on her own cloak, and turned to leave. However, Liu Fu Ling seemed to have read her mind; Yun Ge might be fast, but Liu Fu Ling was faster â he grabbed her by the collar, forced her back, and Yun Ge could only grimace as Liu Fu Ling made sure she was properly dressed. Not a single word was uttered during this lively scene. Xu Ping Jun almost burst out laughing. Once Liu Fu Ling arranged her cloak for her, the two of them walked out of the door. Liu Bing Yi and Xu Ping Jun set them off, saw that the moment Yun Ge pulled the door opened, figures morphed from the darkness to welcome them, helping them onto the carriage. After Yun Ge was on the carriage, she tentatively stuck her body out to wave goodbye.\n\nLiu Bing Yi only locked the door once the carriage was swallowed by darkness. Back in the house, he remained silent for a while. Xu Ping Jun quietly sat by his side, then urged him to sleep after a while âNo matter what happens in future, men must still sleep.â Liu Bing Yi held her hand âLife might get tougher for the both of us in future. Now that it has come to this, I donât see any point keeping this from you any longer. No matter what happens in future, I want you to be prepared at the very least. Do you know who that was just now?â Xu Ping Jun said âThat man emanated luxury, his expression cold, but not because of pride, he alsoâŚ..also seemed very powerful, it was this hidden power within him, unlike the power displays of those court officials. He is no normal person, but no matter who he is, since he is Yun Geâs friend, he is also our friend. Right, Bing Yi, did you see it? His eyes bear some resemblance to yours. Itâs such a big world, yet anything is possible. Unsuspecting people might even mistake you for relatives!â Liu Bing Yiâs grip on her hand tightened, as if he was scared she wouldnât believe him, enunciating each word carefully âHe is my relative, come to think of it, I should call him âGrandfatherâ, my grandfather was the eldest amongst them, he was the youngest, so there was more than a forty year age gap between the two. His surname is Liu, name Fu Ling, the Emperor of this dynasty.â\n\nXu Ping Junâs eyes widened, she felt the world closing in around her; her hands and feet started trembling. In a matter of seconds, cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Liu Bing Yi sighed and gathered her in his embrace. âPing Jun, Iâm sorry, for dragging you down to suffer with me in this life.â\n\nAll sorts of things raced through Xu Ping Junâs mind, first thinking the Emperorâs big brother, wasnât that Crown Prince Li, Liu Ju? Then thought of the violent death that befell his family, then remembered his name was banned to this very day; should Liu Bing Yi and her run away? Where to? Then made the connection that Liu Bing Yi was the grandson of a prince. Royalty?! If I were to tell Mother, she would probably faint in shock over actually marrying a nobleman. Only this nobleman is one Mother would surely shun. Why did the Emperor come? To kill them? Does that mean sheâs now an Imperial Concubine?\n........................................<wbr></wbr>........................................<wbr></wbr>.......................................\nXu Ping Jun felt fear, then absurdity grip her, when she felt as if her foundations were crumbling; she remembered she was still in his silent embrace. Her warring emotions slowly settled down as rested her head on Liu Bing Yiâs shoulders, said calmly âI am willing to be dragged down by you in this life, and for you to do so is my good fortune.â Liu Bing Yi held Xu Ping Jun, gazed at their sleeping son, feeling like there was a huge heaviness on his shoulders. He was no longer alone â in the past he could harbour thoughts of giving up, now he had to be determined to walk forward, not just forward, but make a name for himself.\n\nRoads, are made by man. Surely the Heavens didnât spare his life only for him to wander adrift through life?\n\nXu Ping Jun mentally ran through everything Liu Fu Ling said and did today, trying to guess his thoughts but thought it very difficult. Liu Fu Ling always maintained an expressionless façade; it was hard to determine whether he was happy or angry. Where Liu Fu Ling was hard to read, Yun Ge was easy. Although she couldnât figure how Yun Ge and the Emperor could have met as children, now that she knew even the idle street punk of Chang An could be an Imperial grandson, nothing, she believed, is impossible in this world.âBing Yi, does Yun Ge know your identity? No matter what the Emperor might think, Yun Ge will never harm you.â\nBing Yi said âWhen they first came, Yun Ge had no clue, but seeing how she behaved later on, she probably would have guessed the truth by then.â\n\nYun Ge now is not the Yun Ge of old, Meng Jue hurt her deeply, so she wasnât going to trust anyone so easily from now on. She had once followed him to the graves of Crown Prince Liâs family, piecing that together with todayâs happenings, she would definitely have made the connection that he was a descendent of Crown Prince Li, and also probably figured he was closely connected to the Imperial family.\n\nXu Ping Jun let out a sigh of relief, with Yun Ge around, no matter what happens, they would have time to face it. In the worst case scenario, even ifâŚ. Even if something were to happen, they must protect Huâer. Come to think of it, this must be the reason why Bing Yi specially requested the Emperor to name Huâer.\nHe wasnât begging for his sonâs name, but for his life. There must be a deeper meaning behind this âShiâ character the Emperor had given, explaining why Bing Yi gave thanks so reverentially\n........................................<wbr></wbr>........................................<wbr></wbr>........................................<wbr></wbr>\n\nInside the carriage, Yun Ge happily lay on the cushion, unusually quiet.\n\nLiu Fu Ling looked at her âLiu Bing Yi is an alias, his real name is Liu Xun. The jade pendant he carries and the one on me are carved from He Shi Bi [3], by the same craftsman, causing your earlier confusion. I wanted to meet him todayâŚ..â\n\nYun Ge changed position languidly like a cat, making herself more comfortable, smiled âLing gege, I know you wouldnât harm Big Brother Bing Yi. Enough blood has been shed for this bloody throne; you wouldnât order his death just because he is related to Crown Prince Li. Iâm not worried about that. I just think it is funny, how every time I know a Liu, he is somehow related to the Imperial family? Iâm just thinking what other Lius I know, so as to ascertain which Prince or King he may be, or an Imperial descendent, saving myself from the surprise in future.â\n\nLiu Fu Ling amused, asked âWho are the other Lius you know?â\n\nYun Ge stuck out her tongue âThe one who considers himself the worldâs most handsome, charming, free and unruly man, your ridiculous nephew.â\n\nLiu Fu Ling was surprised âLiu He?â When did Yun Ge meet Liu He? The only time she could have met him was during the hunt at Gan Quan Palace, but if she met him then, she wouldnât be surprised he was part of the Imperial family.\n\nYun Ge thought of Liu He, looked at Liu Fu Ling before bursting into laughter, chortling as she hit her cushion. [4] Liu Fu Ling saw her amusement, and smiled too âNext time I will fulfil your wish, ordering him to perform the necessary greeting the younger generation should, and call you âauntâ when he sees you.â\n\nYun Ge laughed as she vigorously nodded her head, then the figure of the other person crossed her thoughts, stealing all her previous joy away. When Liu Fu Ling saw Yun Ge suddenly burying her face within the rug, he knew she must have been thinking of the past again, though not exactly knowing why. He didnât offer comfort, nor try to distract her, only choose to look quietly at her, giving Yun Ge her own space through the silence.\n\nAfter a long while, Yun Geâs muffled voice travelled from the bottom of the rugs âLiu He secretly entered Chang An, he and Meng Jue are close, and can be considered sworn brothers. Their relationship is held together only by another sworn brother. Meng Jue is wary of Liu He, they arenât completely open with each other, I doubt Liu He really trusts Meng Jue either.â\n\nLiu Fu Ling was slightly shocked but he didnât really care much for what he just heard. If Liu He abided by rules, then he wouldnât be Liu He. What he cared about was Yun Geâs unwavering trust in him, and her desire to protect him. But, Yun Ge, are you only being so nice now so that you may leave without regrets a year later?\n\n[1]âCaptain of the Guardâ by Xin Yannian, Translated by Xu Yuan Chong from "Golden Treasury of Poetry from Han to Sui"\n[2]ĺĽ (shi) means âto flourishâ\n[3] Most legendary and valuable jade in China\n[4] see Chapter 10\n