Why are you still in the palace so late?

Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden

That night, Hui Yue’er once again wanted to visit the thatched hut to spar with Old Yang. If her skills proved inferior, she would gladly accept him as her teacher, for Hui Yue’er had always believed in learning from those she truly admired. She walked carefully through the Imperial Garden, keeping a close eye on her surroundings for any patrolling guards. She was determined not to bring any trouble to Old Yang.

Suddenly, she spotted a figure she recognized. Though the moonlight was bright, it could not illuminate everything as clearly as daylight. Hui Yue’er wondered to herself if she might be hallucinating. Quietly, she approached. The figure was alert, unaware it was Hui Yue’er. As soon as she touched his shoulder, he swiftly threw her over it—but Hui Yue’er, skilled as she was, landed firmly on her feet. Turning around, she exclaimed in surprise, “It really is you! I thought I was imagining things!” The man was none other than our protagonist, Zhao Chengxian. These two night owls truly seemed made for each other.

Zhao Chengxian hadn’t expected to encounter Yue’er, but then again, Hui Yue’er was hardly the type to be confined for long—it made perfect sense. He regarded her and asked, “You miss me so much you think you’re seeing things? Where are you headed at this hour?” He himself was on his way to the Steward’s Office to ask Xiao Xi about Hui Yue’er’s recent situation, as he hadn’t seen her since the formal meeting days ago. Truthfully, Zhao Chengxian’s thoughts had been with Hui Yue’er from her very first day at the Prince’s residence. At first, he sought to tease her; then, he wanted to test the extent of her talents; and now, he only wished to protect her. Perhaps their meeting was destined by fate.

Hui Yue’er smiled coyly, “Did I ever say I missed you? Don’t flatter yourself!” Then she asked, “Why are you in the palace so late?” Their banter was endless, which kept things lively between them.

Feigning heartbreak, Zhao Chengxian shook his head and said, “I missed you so much, I scaled these towering palace walls just to see you, only to find you don’t miss me at all!” He truly was a clever trickster—if he lived in modern times, he’d surely make a fine comedian.

Hui Yue’er wasn’t fooled. She nudged Zhao Chengxian and said, “Enough with that. You really think you could climb the palace walls? Besides, this isn’t the way to Shouxiu Palace!” She’d already experienced Zhao Chengxian’s mischief and wouldn’t be taken in, but hearing him say he missed her made her secretly happy. Girls, after all, are often contradictory—rarely voicing their true feelings. Even the straightforward Hui Yue’er found herself acting this way, for only when facing the one she loved could she utter such contradictory words.

Zhao Chengxian took her hand and smiled, “So you know this isn’t the way to Shouxiu Palace—where are you headed?” He thought she planned to sneak out of the palace again, not knowing she wanted to spar with someone. Hui Yue’er was stifled by palace life.

Hui Yue’er smiled sweetly and replied, “I’m going to see someone. Do you remember the old man who wrote poems at the Qinse Teahouse? Turns out he’s someone from the palace, though he doesn’t seem to be a eunuch or a guard. I think his identity must be extraordinary!” She’d only met Old Yang twice, but sensed he harbored secrets.

Zhao Chengxian mused—if not a eunuch or a guard, who could he be? Suddenly, he thought of someone and smiled in sudden realization, “I know who he is! No wonder I found him so familiar at the teahouse—it’s him!” Before the age of seven, Old Yang and Princess Feng often brought him and Xuanyuan Ren to play together, but after he was framed, he hadn’t seen Old Yang again.

Growing impatient, Hui Yue’er let go of Zhao Chengxian’s hand and urged, “If you know, just tell me—who is he?” She couldn’t stand vague answers, especially with her strong curiosity.

Zhao Chengxian wrapped his arm around Yue’er and said, “He’s the Emperor’s uncle and brother-in-law—a talented Prince Consort skilled in both civil and martial arts. He is the husband of Princess Feng, the Emperor’s younger aunt. He was imprisoned after being falsely accused. Actually, Princess Feng herself was a gifted woman, known for both her intellect and martial prowess. I heard she once wanted to take the imperial examination, but the late Emperor forbade her because she was a woman. Otherwise, our blazing kingdom might have seen its first female champion scholar!” In the near future, a female champion would indeed appear, bringing him boundless joy—but that is a tale for another time.

Hui Yue’er exclaimed in admiration, “Princess Feng had such presence! I’ll make her my idol. It’s a pity she’s passed away and I can’t witness her brilliance. Come, let’s go see Old Yang together!” She and Princess Feng were cut from the same cloth, breaking ancient traditions and earning respect for their courage and persistence.

Zhao Chengxian stopped Hui Yue’er with a smile, “Let’s not go tonight. There’s a banquet in the palace tomorrow, and Shouxiu Palace will be strictly guarded this evening. You’d better head back.” Hearing this, Hui Yue’er thought it over and nodded. She was fortunate to have run into Zhao Chengxian—otherwise, she might have been punished. Suddenly, she kissed Zhao Chengxian’s cheek and darted off toward Shouxiu Palace. Zhao Chengxian hadn’t expected the kiss and stood stunned for a moment, then smiled as he watched her retreating figure.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and those in between, hurry and shower me with gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Don’t hold back—let the storm rage even fiercer!