Off to the Temple
The prince woke up that morning feeling refreshed and invigorated. He dreamed about the melodious sound of a flute. It was a very sad song but towards the end, he felt an undeniable hope that could give rise to the people who listened to it.
It was like someone who longed for something, only to give it up once that person had it and selflessly wish the other person a life full of happiness at the expense of her own.
"Did you hear the sound of a flute near this prince's courtyard last night?"
"This servant slept until late, but was not able to hear anything, your highness."
He must have dreamed about it then. Thinking about the lady who has long since invaded his dream, she must have visited his dreams to soothe him.
With this thought, the prince felt lighter.
"Your highness, the visit to the temple at the end of the month was confirmed by the abbot. Should this servant make an advance arrangement?"
"En." As he would set for the border the following month, his father, the emperor, ordered him to pray to the temple. He didn't really care but he had to show filial piety by following without questions.
Going to the hall where he would be eating with the concubines, he thought to himself that this kind of routine was really bothersome.
Once he took his position at the head of the table, he then ordered them to start the meal.
Quietness prevailed since the prince didn't want to be bothered while eating. Once done, the cefei, Chu Yanyan, relayed reports concerning the estate.
The prince was silent throughout the conversation as if everything had nothing to do with him. Shifting his eyes around, he found a vacant seat.
Noticing where he was looking, Chu Yanyan, kindly explained: "Your highness, that is the seat of concubine Bai. She is embarrassed by her appearance so she doesn't really show herself to people. Hoping for the prince's understanding."
Not bothering to answer, he finally ordered, "Ask that concubine to prepare. She will accompany this prince to the temple at the end of the month." With this, he stood up and left.
For him, that concubine's attitude of not bothering anyone else was quite good. At least on the trip, no pesky woman would dare bother him. This concubine was quite good.
To the others who remained, however, the hideous woman suddenly became an eyesore.
Chu Yanyan who, a moment ago was like a blooming flower, now looked like she ate a fly.
The concubine who was the subject of all the hatred in the harem was now fiddling with her herbs. This became a habit especially when she was poisoned. To her, these life-saving plants should be cared for very well.
As she busied herself, a steward came over delivering an order for her to arrange all that she needed as she was to accompany the prince.
Upon hearing the date, she can't help but blanch. At the end of the month? Then what would happen to her if the poison flared up?
A week passed by from then but the shadow of the prince was not seen in the estate. She was supposed to try and ask the prince to change his mind but seeing as he was not even here, she had to give that thought up.
"Yueyue, what should we do? Tomorrow you will be leaving with the prince, what if your poison acts up while you are traveling." The little blob felt like it lost a lot of its vitality just by worrying and it seemed to have suddenly aged a thousand years.
"It's okay Bao'er, If that happens I just have to hold it in till we get to the temple. Besides you're there to help."
Without a choice, the little blob had to resign to its fate.
The next day, three carriages departed from the estate. There are a couple of soldiers in horseback surrounding these three carriages as they make their way to the temple.
Ying Yue sat with her maid Xiao Hua who was much more tensed than her.
"Milady, you have to tell this servant the moment you feel unwell." They have brought the black lotus with them but she still cannot help but worry since she saw how her mistress suffered every month.
"Don't worry Xiao Hua, your mistress is quite resilient."
The temple was in the southern part of the capital. By horse, it would take them six to seven hours to reach there. They were estimated to arrive in the evening.
To Ying Yue who only saw the capital and the mountain, this was actually quite exciting. The southern part was known for producing rice thus they passed by an endless line of rice paddies.
The air here was different, it was quite humid but very refreshing.
The birds seemed to dance as they hunt for fish in the rice field. Ying Yue felt very refreshed as she relaxed her mind and drifted off to sleep.
A gentle pat woke her up a while after. She unwittingly slept through the whole journey. As she woke up, instead of the refreshing feeling she felt earlier, she felt like a heavy rock fell onto her own person. She felt fatigued and cold.
She knew what this meant. Her poison was about to flare up.
When they disembarked, she waited patiently for the prince to dismiss her. When he did, she unsteadily made her bow then left for her designated room.
The prince stared at her disappearing back. He felt a hint of familiarity that he could not point out. Have they met before? He suddenly had the urge to know that quiet concubine.
As Ying Yue made it to the room, she pulled her veil off panting. Her face was wet with cold sweat as her body started spasming from pain. She needed to bear with it a bit more. When the midnight strikes, she would be able to take the black lotus. Just a little bit more.
As Xiao Hua saw and knew what was happening to her, she hastily helped her mistress to the bed, taking her robes off and helping her change to something more comfortable.
Amid the unbearable pain, Ying Yue felt up along her right shoulder. When she felt the protruding scar, she rubbed it as if by doing so, it would help her stay strong and not give in.
As the people and the animal inside her room were tensed, the prince was walking back and forth inside his room.
Earlier he thought it was just a fleeting urge, but until now that urge didn't diminish at all, it became much stronger instead. Giving up, he made his way to the concubine's room.
The place was eerily quiet, he was about to turn back when a maid went out with a basin of water.
Clearing his throat he ordered, "Announce this prince's arrival."
Xiao Hua was lost on what to do. Seeing the imposing face of the prince, she hastily went back to ask her mistress what to do.
"It's okay Xiao Hua, take the prince inside then go boil some tea." In a very weak voice, Ying Yue answered.
Xiao Hua's eyes suddenly became red. "But milady, you can't stand up now or you will be too weak to handle the black lotus later, or worse you might vomit blood again." Remembering her mistress vomiting blood one time when she moved her accidentally, made her heartbreak.
"I'm okay Xiao Hua, remember, this mistress of yours is strong. Now go and do what I ask so the prince could leave earlier."
The maid made her way out, trembling. As if someone had died and the prince was at fault.
The confused prince got inside and made himself comfortable. The young lady made a bow to him but didn't speak so he assumed that the girl must be mute or just not comfortable enough to speak to other people.
"This prince wanted to ask if you know how to play an instrument."
Ying Yue could only nod while biting her lips as to avoid leaking a sound.
"Play for this prince." He ordered.
As Ying Yue slowly made her way towards the zither resting at the side of the bed, the prince was observing her. The familiarity was too strong that he can't help but scrutinize her little movements.
She looked too stiff was what he thought. The way she walked was excruciatingly slow that he thought morning might arrive before she could play.
Fortunately, it didn't take her all night before she started to play.