"Maiden Murong."
"Murong Chi!"
"Murong jiejie?"
The maiden was enjoying her peaceful time alone under a tree near the imperial academy. However, she couldn't concentrate on reading anymore because of a nuisance. Her eyebrows twitch and annoyingly closes the book she's reading.
"Young master Xu, please don't bother me."
The young lady wears a rose-pink long dress matched with a pair of snow-white shoes. Her hair is kept in a simple bun without any hair ornaments. Her lower face is concealed with a veil, only revealing her beautiful almond-shaped eyes. The aura around her is solemn. Definitely that kind of aloof and well-behaved classmate that you don't want to bother.
However, Xu Zhengming will always be Xu Zhengming. Whether he's sixteen or twenty-three years old, he's always thick-faced, insensitive, and reckless. With a cheerful face, he asks Murong Chi, "Do you really enjoy studying? You spend your free time reading old books."
She sighs silently. Trying to sound mature, she told the young man in a low and graceful voice. "Please mind your own business."
"But I don't have a business to mind!" Xu Zhengming exclaims as he lay down the green grass.
If the adult Xu Zhengming is high-spirited as to have enough energy to run as much as he could while being chased by women, the teenage Mingming is more energy than he could climb all the trees inside the imperial palace and run in the fields, and spare some to pester Murong Chi.
"Not my problem." Maiden Murong opens her book again and looks at the last page she was reading.
"Murong jie!" Xu Zhengming calls.
Her eyes narrowed out of annoyance. "Will you stop calling me that?"
"Chi'er?" Xu Zhengming beams a wide smile.
Upon hearing him call her like that, her eyebrows knitted. How can a mere new acquaintance call someone in an intimate way? They just entered the palace about a month ago to study, and they're not close friends on top of that.
"Fine, fine, Maiden Murong it is." Xu Zhengming raised his hands to show defeat. He then added, "Don't get offended, Maiden Murong but are you usually this mean to yourself? We're not getting any younger so we should enjoy it as much as we could. When we grow up into fine adults someday, it would be unacceptable for us to act young."
"Well..." Murong Chi thinks about it.
What he just said is an undeniable truth. Murong Chi knows that but what can she do? She should act mature, elegant, graceful, and loveable to be worthy of other people's praises. However, the mentioned behaviors are the complete opposite of who she really is deep inside. Before the Xue clan adopted her together with a number of foster children, she's always free-spirited, a cheerful child, extremely outgoing... but things are different now. She believes that if she became the chosen destined highness, her poor biological family would be benefited and will be free from poverty. To achieve that, she has to grow into a fine lady. A lady that is to be looked up to, a role model... she has to be the empress of the next generation.
"The teachers aren't around. There aren't many people here too. You can stop being so tough with yourself. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
No matter how Murong Chi tried to suppress her amusement, her almond eyes still betray her. She finds it amazing how this young man can see through her. It's so surprising how he could choose the right words to say to convince her and let her guard down. How did he know that she's actually just pretending to be mature? That it's all just an act?
Behind her face veil, she smiles excitedly. Though Xu Zhengming can't see her lovely smile, her eyes curve upwards and that lets him know she's pleased.
She hesitated but said her thought anyway, "Actually... I've always wanted to go in the woods near the north-western gates." Murong Chi then looks at him with eyes full of excitement. "Let's go hunting rabbits and rainbow pheasants!"
Xu Zhengming didn't see it coming. The young lady actually wants to go outside the imperial palace. He didn't even think that he could go near the palace gates.
The teenage Mingming forced a smile, "Outside the imperial palace walls? Maiden Murong, we can't go that far. You know we need to get the grand empress dowager's permission before we can go out."
"That's not a problem. Let's sneak out." She closes her book once again and puts it aside.
Xu Zhengming isn't sure about the idea. "Sneak out? What if someone else knows?"
"No one will know unless you tell others." She rises on her feet and fixes her dress.
"Maiden Murong... I think that's a little risky." Yes, Xu Zhengming wants to fool around, do silly things, and enjoy freedom but he never thought of secretly crossing the imperial palace walls.
"You're actually afraid of doing so?" Her excited expression suddenly turns into a disappointed one. She clicks her tongue thrice as she shakes her head slowly. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I thought you're as bold as your words."
Her words clearly trampled his pride as a man. He can't lose his face in front of a lady, right? But the risk is just too great. If worst comes to worst, he won't be able to finish his studies inside the imperial palace. He couldn't afford to waste this rare opportunity because being able to enter the imperial palace to study is a chance that not everyone can attain.
"Young master Xu."
"Xu Zhengming."
"Xu-didi?"
"..."
Just like the majority of men, Xu Zhengming's mind is not capable of the art and science of multitasking. He's lost to his own thoughts and failed to notice the external stimulus.
"Aiyah. What should I call you to make you pay attention to me?" Murong Chi thinks for a while and came up with a name to call him. Behind her veil, a wide smile appears on her lips.
"Ming'er!" She yells.
"Huh?"
"Oh? So you want me to call you, Ming'er?" Murong Chi mischievously pokes him.
"Ah? Wait no, Maiden Murong..."
It's not that he intentionally ignored Miss Murong until she calls her 'Ming'er'. Xu Zhengming's mother calls him by that nickname so it's like his reflex to pay attention if he heard 'Ming'er'.
"Since you're only paying attention to me when I call you Ming'er, then I'll call you Ming'er from now on." She pulls Xu Zhengming's wrist, trying to make him stand on his feet. "Let's go, Ming'er!"
"Maiden Murong..." He looks at the maiden with a troubled face. This young lady looks very determined and looks like nothing can stop her from doing what she wants to. Xu Zhengming is guilty of encouraging this young lady to be easy with herself but he never thought that Maiden Murong is too wild, like an untamed animal.
Murong Chi, "If you feel like I am being rude, you can call me Chi'er too to make it even!"
Xu Zhengming answers, "That's not it... well yes, that's one thing. But still, that's not it! Let's not go beyond the walls."
"Aiyah. No one will see us. Just be watchful in our surroundings and we'll be fine." She winks at him and pulls Mingming again. "This is going to be fun!"
So Murong Chi successfully drags Xu Zhengming with her. First, they headed to the back of the imperial academy first where Maiden Murong hides her bow and arrow which she personally made. Since she doesn't have sharp metal arrowheads, she just sharpened the end of the sticks manually with the use of a small knife, and that will serve as her arrows.
"I'm only planning to use this for self-defense if ever things won't be good for me. It seems I can finally use it but with a different reason." She said as she picks up her bow and arrows.
"Are you sure you made this? This is well-crafted!" Xu Zhengming examines the sharpened end of one of the arrow sticks.
"I know, right? Well, my family can't afford to buy me things like this so I have to make it my own." She beams a smile to Xu Zhengming. Although he can't see her smile underneath her veil, her eyes tell.
"Now, let's go. This way, Ming'er."
"Maiden Murong...!" Xu Zhengming did take some time to get used to how Maiden Murong calls him.
Since then, Murong Chi and Xu Zhengming became friends. They regularly sneak out of the palace. Although it's only Murong Chi who hunts rabbits, pheasants, and sometimes fish, Xu Zhengming patiently follows her wherever she runs to. If she climbs in a tree, he will also climb a tree. If she walks in the river barefoot, he will also walk in the river barefoot and holds two pairs of shoes with both hands.
Whenever they wander outside the imperial palace, Murong Chi can be herself. She's comfortable being herself and she felt that there's no need to put an act when it's just her and Xu Zhengming around. She can laugh without restrain. She can talk without regard for her language. She can move around without minding manners. She's like a bird, the imperial palace is her cage, and the outside world is her freedom.
But of course, to Murong Chi, her ambitions and goals are more important than her friendship with Xu Zhengming.
Inside the imperial palace, she ought to act lady-like. She should be mature, elegant, graceful, and full of wisdom. She treats Xu Zhengming as a stranger whenever somebody else is around. The sixteen-year-old Xu Zhengming, on the other hand, doesn't know why she acts like this but he tries his best to understands her. He doesn't mind it at all. As long as she's willing to be nice to her whenever they're alone, it's fine. In fact, he admires her for being so determined in her studies. Actually, he once tried to ask her about it but it seems she doesn't want to talk about it so Mingming didn't push it through. If she's not willing to talk about it then, he will wait for the time she's ready to share it with him, if that time ever comes.
Xu Zhengming assumed that there must be some reasons why she's tough to herself. With that thought, he also didn't bother Maiden Murong inside the imperial palace. He's worried that he might ruin her plans and her efforts will all be in vain.
Though it doesn't feel good to be denied by one's friend, Xu Zhengming can't stop himself from hanging around with her. He thinks that this young lady is special in some ways. If she wouldn't put her act on, she's actually nice, cheerful, outgoing, resourceful, fun to be with, witty, and pretty serious with her goals. If she's a beauty, then that's already a bonus. She's not the same as any other ladies who are boring, matured, nagger, and elegance-is-life type. In short, to him, Maiden Murong is a rare treasure that he wants to keep for the rest of his life.
At the age of sixteen, Xu Zhengming had his first love.
Then one day, Murong Chi got summoned by the empress to her hall.
Murong Chi clasps her hands and bows in front of the empress. "Your highness, you called for me?"
"A-Chi!" The empress smiles at her sweetly. She gestured to her, "Come, come closer."
Murong Chi indeed came closer to her. When she's close enough, the empress caresses her rosy pink cheeks.
"How are you doing these days?" She asks with a soothing tone.
However, no matter how gentle it sounds, Murong Chi is still anxious deep inside. She has the idea that the empress didn't call her just to ask how she's doing. Although the current empress that time is a descendant of the Xue clan, they rarely see each other. There must be something more than asking how she is the past few days. Of course, she can't show her nervousness towards the empress so the maiden wears a poker face.
She replies respectfully, "I am doing just fine, your highness."
"I see, you're not bored to death." The empress smiles again. This time, her smile seems to have a deeper meaning. She continues, "How about your studies? You're focusing on your lessons, are you not?"
"I-I'm trying my best to... to earn more knowledge and wisdom, your highness." Murong Chi secretly bit her lower lip. She stuttered! She can't afford to expose her anxiousness but things just don't go her way. She's too nervous.
"Does sneaking out of the imperial palace with a lowly young man also a part of learning?" The empress taps her shoulder and leans closer until her lips almost touched the maiden's earlobe. She said almost whispering, "I wonder how will it benefit you in the future."
Murong Chi's eyes opened widely, her heart is beating fast. All this time, she thought she's being careful enough. She thought no one saw her with Xu Zhengming sneaking out. How much did she know? Does the empress know the identity of this young man? Did she just put her friend in a difficult situation?
Then his voice echoed in Murong Chi's mind. "Maiden Murong... I think that's a little risky."
"Good child, are you okay?" The empress asks. Though her voice is gentle, her face bears an indifferent expression.
By then, Murong Chi realized that she's breathing abnormally fast. She immediately kneels and kowtows in front of the empress.
"Your highness, I've done a grave mistake. I deserve punishment! But please...." She pauses to catch her breath. She gritted her teeth then speaks again. "Please spare my friend. I was the one who dragged him along. He tried to stop me but I am so stubborn. I beg your highness' mercy!"
Seeing her like this, the empress shakes her head out of disappointment.
"Ah-Chi, Ah-Chi... Have you forgotten about your biological family? They're putting all their hopes in you. How will you save them from poverty if you're like this?" The empress rises from her seat. She then continues, "You're only a few steps away towards the throne! Among the Xue clan's orphans, you're one of the lucky girls who made it in the recommendation list. Do you know who's the first one on the list? It's you! If you successfully pass the imperial examination, you'll inherit the Xue surname." The empress walked past her.
She was about to leave her hall but she remembers something.
"Oh, I almost forgot. The long-lost children of the late emperor have been found." She turns her head to look at the still kneeling maiden. "If you won't make any further mistakes, then you'll marry his son sooner or later."
After hearing her last sentence, Murong Chi doesn't know why she feels somehow displeased. Isn't it what she always wanted? To marry the emperor, be the empress, and save her biological family from poverty? But for some unknown reason, she suddenly had hesitations. The courage she can't find a while ago suddenly built up and gave her the urge to speak.
She raises then turns herself to face the empress and kneels again. "Your highness! Can I... can I sneak out for the last time? I promise... I promise to be good after. Please, I beg you, your highness!"
The empress turns her body completely. Her gentle face disappeared and was replaced with disbelief.
"Ah-Chi! Can you hear yourself? Why are you doing this? And you're yelling as well! Is that how you beg for someone's favor?"
"Please, your highness. Just this once. This would be the last, I promise." Murong Chi kowtows once again.
The empress can't stand to see her like this any further. She rolls her eyes and said in a defeated tone. "Fine, fine. I, the whole Xue clan, and the empress dowager have high hopes for you. Don't forget that."
Murong Chi, "Yes, your highness! I'll be forever grateful to you."
For the second time, the empress turns her back on her. "Ah-Chi, get rid of that unnecessary feelings. It won't bring you any good."
Murong Chi slowly raises her head. "What does your highness mean?"
The empress sighs. She can't bring herself to at least turn her head to see the maiden. She's afraid that she'll show insignificant feelings. "Good child, I thought you're smart and mature. Turns out you're so naïve." Her voice is gentle and soothing again. But of course, this isn't enough to calm Murong Chi's troubled heart.
The empress added, "I'm telling you, love is just an illusion."
"..."
Murong Chi doesn't understand what the empress is trying to say. Love? Why is love being mentioned here? She just wants to have fun for the last time with Xu Zhengming. They're just friends... right?
"Don't let it drag you down."