5 #5: Time For Fun

(Jia Li's P.o.v)

The second I heard the emperor decree I felt slump. There was absolutely no way to escape from decrees. Only great people who have done deeds worth of a nation are only given a chance to escape from marriage by suitable reason only.....

I don't have any other option but to drink and let out my sorrow.... Lihua took me to the Pond Pavilions, where you could enjoy drinks alone, no need to be accompanied by servants.

"Sis...One more glass... please? please?", I begged my sister who seemed reluctant to give it to me.

"You mustn't drink this much! you already had 5 bottles... It is amazing how you haven't yet puked...", Lihua said as she got up for stretching herself..

"At least get me a glass of water, I feel I might just die.... Help me Lihua", I said in a daze.

Lihua went towards the corner to ask servants to get water, I saw the opportunity and took a glass and drank it in a single go. I went on walking looking down, jumping on one stone to another till I finally saw him, my man, the one in my novel, the one in my paintings, Qing yuan.

He was sitting with a another lady, it hurt me. No matter who that lady will take I have no problem. But Qing yuan is mine. I jumped over to protect him. He is always mine... I fell asleep then. I have no proper memories of it.

By the time I woke up, I was in the crown princess chamber, with my sister. I got up and dressed up properly. Sadly, the crown prince had to sleep alone, as his wifey was busy with me. Obviously he disliked it, so he immediately took Lihua to a private trip, leaving me to go back home.

On the way to the carriage, a blind man probably bumped into me. He was seriously so big. Probably a court official, he looked at me as if he knew me. I got up. I behaved rudely. What can I do? I was having a real big hangover then.... It was so painful already.

After coming home, I took a nap, a massage, a bath, re-read all of Qing yuan's novels as I dreamt about him, ate, and sneaked out to meet my book mates. Apparently, yesterday's general, had come to give betrothal presents along with his mother. But who cares? Anyway I will get married in my life, It doesn't matter who or how they are as long as I have my books, I don't need a man to satisfy me!

In the street, there are five noble houses, the Huo's, the Peng's, the Wu's, The Yu's and the Feng's.

My best friends are Wu Nuo and Feng Qi, the Yu's daughters are smaller than me, so I never really knew them and the Peng's daughters are just too much beautiful and lady-like that they never hang out with us.

They are always like, 'see my embroidery, the empress liked it', 'see my dance skills, all men swoon for it', 'see my beauty, all men stare at me'..... Uh! I can't stand it. Though you must have self confidence and pride in your skill and work, it was just too much that made all of us sick of them.

Though, to say, they are not actually lonely. They just hang out with much richer people like the concubines of the emperor, the empress and the Duchess of the state Wen etc. They even have some coattails so I guess they are loved? well at least people look up to them...

But we three are the best of friends. Our circle also includes our maids, but sadly, due to their work, they usually stay busy. Though we can manage a few times where we all can meet. That is now! I had been waiting for over a month for all our schedules to be free(Mine is free, just theirs needed to be matched up). Finally, we could meet to discuss about romance novels and bl novels!!!!!

Bl novels were first written by a girl name Luna, her name was different from all of us, she had yellow hair and blue eyes. She would speak about funny things like flying metal, something called 'movie' and 'phone'. It would often be mentioned in her novels. This was 50 years ago, her descendants, write bl novels exclusively.

We all, praise her as our goddess who brought upon us happiness. I jumped over walls and wore a veil to cover myself. I finally reached our meeting spot.

"Hey Guys! I am here!", I called out as all came and we began discussing the novels, our favorite characters and whatnot. It was a pretty long time, So we all played games and truth dares, etc

We played a game, where I lost. So, as a penalty I must dress up as a man and buy an erotic novel.

"What! No way! I won't go buy any erotic books!", I said.

"Are you sure? If you don't do it then I shall tear up this picture of Qing yuan's limited edition.", Wu Nuo said.

"Of course, you must go, get the book and keep it with you for three days.", said Feng Xi giving me a dress and money.

"But what if someone will recognize me buying it, can I say it was a penalty?", I asked.

"No way!!", both of them shouted.

"Just say you bought to learn how to please your partner, Qing yuan also used the same excuse when his fiancée saw him buying that book.", said Feng Xi.

"Fine....", I agreed for the sake of my Qing yuan.

I went over bought the book, everything was well and good till then, when the blind old uncle from today morning came and pushed me into a corner, as if he was my lover and saw me cheating. When inquired about the book, I just blurted out the same excuse and ran away.

I was sleepy. I successfully won my Qing's painting, but I had no energy. I bid them farewell and came back to my room, I couldn't recognize it anymore, it was filled with costly silks, new furniture, some ornamental plants, new shelves and new windows, some heavy boxes of jewelry, perfumes.....

Hmm.... This is what they have given me as betrothal presents, there is not even a single book. I wonder if that is how they want me to be, I shall not yield!

Well, I think this much fun is enough, I slept as soon as I touched my bed. Sweet dreams huh.....