The Shadow

Laoshi Hua's body shiver when a warm breeze blew over her. Mama Jin was confused then she concluded that Laoshi Hua must not be feeling good. This was because the weather was still summer and not reach fall or winter yet.

"Is Laoshi Hua not feeling good?" Laoshi Hua gave a slight nod. "Nubi will go brew more relaxing tea and later will ask for a medicine from the Imperial Doctor."

Laoshi Hua shook her head, "No need. Tea and medicine will not help. You can leave."

"Yes, "Mama Jin said. Laoshi Hua rests her head on her hand. Last night, she had a dream of her sister. Her sister came back to haunt her for not doing her job properly. Her sister grieves for her daughter that had gone off on the wrong path.

She was scared that she had failed the most important mission that was given to her. What to do? What must she do to stop this calamity from happening? What must she do to stop Li Bai Xue from turning into a devil?

She sighed to herself before opening her eyes. A shadow moves at the corner of her eyes on the top of a tree. "Who there!?" No answer. So Laoshi Hua uses some Wind element and the shadow came into view. However, it did not emit a single sound as it dropped to the ground from high above. This went unnoticed by Laoshi Hua because she was shocked by something else.

'That dress!' The person was wearing a green dress. It was exactly the one that her sister had. It was bestowed by the Emperor to her sister on their birthday.

"Who are you? Where did you get the dress?" Laoshi Hua wanted answers, not silence so she stepped closer to the person was sitting on the ground with her back facing her. She did not expect a smoke bomb to go off. The person quickly escapes and Laoshi Hua misses her chance.

***

Li Lu Ling looks at all the dresses to choose from. She did not know which one would be able to attract his attention and stop her from shining. At last, she finally settles down to a light purple dress with a darker shade of purple on the sleeves.

ChongEr and Su Lan help her with her preparation. A silver bell hairpin put into her hair. She had light makeup on to match the dress. Smiling to herself, she twirls around and left the Spring Manor. She entered the royal carriage with pride.

Just on the road she and Da Gongzhu happen to walk the same path. So she came out only to see beauty. Li Fu Ling heart clench in jealousy. Li Bai Xue was wearing a light blue dress with a light green jade hairpin that fit her dress perfectly.

"Da Jiejie," Li Fu Ling said as she tries to hide the jealousy from coming out. She doesn't think she did though because her voice tremble.

"San Meimei," Li Bai Xue said.

"Da Jie should go first. LingEr will go after Da Jiejie since you are the oldest and the Da Gongzhu," Li Fu Ling said. She knew that Zhu ge like girls with big hearts.

Li Bai Xue naturally smiles and said, "Alright. Seems like San Meimei is sensible." Li Bai Xue enters her carriage and went first. Li Fu Ling followed behind.

Laoshi Hua was already inside the hall. She too was wearing a light blue dress. So when Li Bai Xue enters the Hall many eyes fell on them. They couldn't help but compare the two together. Li Fu Ling was not even noticed because she walked behind Li Bai Xue. She looks ahead instead though because she didn't want anyone to think she was any weaker than her.

'Zhu ge look at me as well.' She wishes but then sighed silently in defeat. Li Bai Xue was still the prettiest one here even if she had doll herself up as pretty and as to his liking.

***

Li Fu Ling slowly walks to the garden. Throughout the entire banquet, she tries so hard not to bit her lip and have a look of hate toward Li Bai Xue. Zhu ge had left early because Li Bai Xue also left. When the guest of honor left, no one has interested anymore and also left.

Nobody even got to see the special performance perform. Zhu ge would have loved it.

"Gongzhu it late now. Gongzhu shouldn't be walking around this late," Su Lan said.

"You dare give order to me," Li Fu Ling said. Su Lan got on the floor.

"Nubi dare not," Su Lan said.

"Good. As punishment you shall kneel there until I come back," Li Fu Ling said.

"Yes," Su Lan said. She dare not fight with her lady as she was scary when mad. Su Lan kneels there as ChongEr assists her.

"You stay here," Li Fu Ling said.

"Yes," ChongEr said. She didn't want to end like Su Lan. Li Fu Ling went into the garden and saw Zhu ge inside.

"Zhu ge," Li Fu Ling called out. She was scared it was a dream. Zhu Shan turned around surprised and then it turns into disgusted. Li Fu Ling was disappointed that it was not a dream. In the dream, he would have hugged her and comfort. He would smile at her. Just as he was about to leave. "Stop!"

Zhu Shan stop, but he didn't turn around to face Li Fu Ling. Her heartaches. "You have something important to say?"

"Zhu ge... Can't you at least just look at me? What so terrible about me? How am I not any better than Bai Xue!"Li Fu Ling said with her whole heart.

"I love her," Zhu Shan said. Li Fu Ling steps backward a few steps.

"But I love you!"Li Fu Ling said.

"Disgusting! A Gongzhu of the country declared love! Does she not want her face no more? A respectful lady would never do such a thing. I will let this slide and pretend it never happens," Zhu Shan said. He quickly left before Li Fu Ling could react.

She dropped to the ground with tears in her eyes. She declared her love for him and he took it as a joke. She was hurt to the core. What was wrong with her? Why love such a guy? Why love him? Why him? She wishes she knew. She wishes she knew!

"Zhu ge~ Zhu ge~ Zhu ge~, "She repeated his name over and over. It wasn't until ChongEr came to find her after she saw Zhu Shan came, did she came back to her senses. 'Muqin!'

***

Zhu Shan enter Emperor Hall. "Zhen greets Emperor," Zhu Shan said.

"En," Li Han Lian said.

"Zhen believes Emperor Li knows the real reason I am here for," Zhu Shan said. Li Han Lian sigh, and put the scroll he was reading down.

In the shadow was someone who was listening to them.

***

Li Fu Ling was in her Muqin room. "LingEr as a lady, you should never let anyone see this kind face of yours. When you become Empress someday you must not let anyone know your real heart or what you are thinking, "Feng Jiu said.

"Muqin... Zhu ge loves her. He doesn't love me," Li Fu Ling said.

"LingEr, Muqin will find a way for you, "Feng Jiu said as she comforted her.

Just then an old lady enters the room. She was Feng Jiu's maid, Mama Gui. "Empress, Minister Feng Fe want to see you."

"Let him in, "Empress said. Mama Gui went out and an old man known as Minister Feng Fe enter. "What is it?"

"A servant of mine overheard the Emperor and Crown Prince Zhu were talking about the alliance. He wants to marry Li Bai Xue in return for the alliance to work," Minister Feng Fe said. Li Fu Ling's heart dropped.

"Muqin! You said that you would help me! You can't back away now!"Li Fu Ling said with panic.

Feng Jiu took her hand and pat it. "LingEr, Muqin will do everything in her power to help you. But I also you to listen to me very carefully. You must not get involved with Muqin way of doing time. Do you understand?"

Li Fu Ling didn't understand how cruel the world was since she was a princess so she agrees right away. She didn't think her Muqin would be so evil.

After she left the Fenghuang Manor, Mama Gui enters the room. "Mama Gui take this pouch money to the outside. You know what to do," Feng Jiu said.

"Yes Empress, "Mama Gui said. She took the pouch of money and left the Fenghuang Manor. She was Feng Jiu's servant from young to old.

So how would she not know what the Empress wants right away and how it should be dealt with. The other person was just unlucky by just being born and blocking the Empress path. Mama Gui was careful in everything she did. She changes the pouch from a golden bag to a rag and hard pouch. She even made sure her voice was a crook.

"Take this to the Emperor in the Xiang Kingdom. He will know when you say the words' lightning in the west and thunder in the east, "Mama Gui said.

She was careful and cautious, but not careful enough because a shadow had been following her from the palace the whole time. This shadow slowly went back to the palace without no one even noticing it.