Chapter 2

HHYL Fanfic chapter 2

The Palace had always been a confusing place for anyone who was not used to the many vast and winding corridors. Even for some maids, sometimes they still could lose their ways. In the Royal Palace, there were countless palaces for the concubines and the Royal families. Each palace had theirs name and their own characteristic. The higher one's status was, the fancier their palace would be.

For an Empire as flourishing as Datong, needless to say about the magnificence of the palace. As far as the eyes could see, the many extravagant buildings surrounded by vast courtyards with beautiful gardens were spread everywhere.

For this kind of grandeur place, even for a Princess from a small country, who used to live in a palace, would be exceptionally shocking.

Counting the days, Princess Xiang Wen entered the palace for almost a month already. She was placed in the Ruby Palace. A nice palace with many roses, if only was spring, the whole palace would be all red when the roses bloomed. --The very reason it was called Ruby. Alas, it's winter. So, there weren't many flowers to be seen but the winter peony. Moreover, Princess Xiang Wen was never keen of any flowers. She had no interest or whatsoever in flowers and the likes. She was more interested in martial arts, but her father firmly was opposed to her idea. As a Princess, she was expected to learn all sort of boring things such as sewing, knitting and so on. – Which she had never been good at. Her wet nurse even gave up on her after she dramatically turned a beautiful silk to a rag by her poor sewing skill. But, at the very least, she still possessed her Royal bearing graciousness.

Sighing heavily, she strolled around the Ruby Palace. Her cherry blossom colored lip pouted slightly. Coming from a small country, she really was taken lightly by the Emperor. All she knew about the Emperor was coming from her seven maids, which she brought from her country. The maids also heard the telltales from the other Palace's maids. The story was all about the Emperor's accomplishment during his reign. What a boring story. So what if after this Emperor reigned, the Empire flourished more than the previous and previous and previous dynasty? What's the big deal of it? As far as she was concerned, her father was the most outstanding ruler she had ever known. Their small country could withstand the assault of many surrounding countries all thanks to her father. Her father was the best strategist.

So boring........

She threw her glance to the gate, tempted to go and see what the other palace looked like. She whipped her head to the palace direction, seeing none of her maids was there to stop her, she swiftly glided out from her palace, began to roam in the Royal Palace, without even changing her casual attire to a formal one.

She happily walked about, leisurely, enjoying the magnificent palace as well as comparing it to her country's palace. Surely this Datong Empire was showing off their superabundant wealth. Even in the winter, you wouldn't see any barren land. The only thing that would serve as reminder that it was winter was the icy cold winter breeze.

Princess Xiang Wen shivered a little as the gentle cold breeze brushed her rosy cheek. The mysterious fragrance it brought pique her interest. She strolled further to the source of the fragrance.

In front of her eyes, there was this incredible luxurious garden with a layer of greenery covering the posh lotus pond behind it. In the middle of the Imperial garden, a long and winding corridor, which was also covered by a layer of greenery, led to a magnificent pavilion. The Pavilion itself was built on the middle of the posh lotus pond, covered from people's sight, to the point of only the roof of the pavilion could be seen from afar.

Princess Xiang Wen had never seen such heavenly like setting. The scenery in front of her seemed so absurd, so unworldly; it made her feel like she was a goddess in a heavenly garden. Captivated by the celestial garden, she stepped further in the corridor. Looked all round, absorbing the sumptuous scenery, she didn't realize there was someone in the pavilion.

The person in the pavilion looked at her in all curiosity. His sword like brows slightly frowned. Their eyes met, but Xiang Wen didn't look away, instead, she stared back at him intensely. As the fearless Princess she has always been.

The winter wind blew softly, fluttering the transparent curtain on the pavilion, and bringing the lotus fragrant to the air. The exceptionally handsome face in this pavilion was like a God descended from heaven.

That handsome person was Lord Lu. The Emperor's most beloved person.

Lu Cang arrived at this pavilion an hour prior. For whatever reason, Jing called him to the palace again. Learning from his past experience, Lu Cang didn't dare to defy him for fearing his humiliating punishment.

Waiting for Jing for almost an hour, Lu Cang could only sip his tea and try to enjoy the scenery. As far as his eyes could see, a vast pond of lotus, swaying by the breeze with its mysterious fragrant. Frequently, he would look at the corridor, expecting Jing to appear soon, but this long and winding corridor, covered by thick greenery, thus hidden from people's sight, was showing no sign of Jing's appearance.

This pavilion was indeed built exclusively for him and Jing. --- Jing knew that Lu Cang disliked being watched by the courtiers, thus he ordered them to build this absurd secluded pond within the Imperial Palace, not too far from Jing's Royal bedchamber.

Therefore, when he saw a blurred white shadow from the corridor, he quickly stood up, thinking it was Jing. But very soon, he realized, that the shadow definitely wasn't Jing as it was smaller and lithe. The light footsteps it produced was not from a skilled martial artist, more like because of the light body weight.

That blurry white shadow turned up to be a beautiful young girl. Her eyes were big and round, lit up by a strong fire. --- Her eyes that met Lu Cang's didn't fall back a bit, instead, they looked at Lu Cang without hiding its curiosity. Her face had a spell of lively beauty. This young lady had the same youthful beauty brimming with all feminine charm as Xi Zhen. So much that Lu Cang couldn't help but reminded of Xi Zhen.

A fit of nostalgic feeling filled Lu Cang's heart. "Miss... By any chance, are you lost on your way?" He gently asked this young lady. Smiling as not to make this young girl afraid.

Judging by her appearance, this young lady ought to be one of the recently entered the Palace's maiden. Her simple casual white robe was not as exquisite as those concubines. Also, Concubines were not allowed to freely go out of their palace. Furthermore, for her to wonder to this place, that could only be meant one thing, she was new to the Palace. --- Jing forbade anyone but Lu Cang to get close to this pavilion without his permit.

Xiang Wen slightly startled, never expected that Lu Cang would talk to her. Cautiously, she watched Lu Cang's expression. After deciding that Lu Cang didn't mean any harm, she nodded.

"Yes... I entered this palace a month ago. I don't really know my way yet..."

As expected, she was new.

"Where are you come from?" Lu Cang inquired more while looking anxiously at the end of the corridor. Clearly he didn't want Jing to come now and see this poor young lady. Only heaven knew what kind of punishment she would receive if Jing happened to come now.

Cheerfully, Xiang Wen answered him, without noticing Lu Cang worried tone. "I come from the East, the Xiang country."

Ah... So, this girl was one of the Princess of Xiang's maids. Last month's war spoil.

"I see... Then, you must quickly go back to your palace now. Everybody must be waiting for you anxiously. And then again, you shouldn't be here. This is not a place for you to freely come and go." Lu Cang urged her to leave quickly.

Xiang Wen stubbornly questioned Lu Cang's words. She didn't understand why such a beautiful place was not to be enjoyed by everybody.

"Why so? You are here, so why can't I?"

Indeed, this young lady resembled Xi Zhen, her lively and bright attitude. And her curiosity.

Lu Cang hesitated for a while, as he didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only urge her to leave again. "In any case, you have to go back now, I will help you to ask the palace's servant to show you the way. I am not familiar to this palace too..."

Lu Cang quickly dragged this young lady out from the Pavilion. At first, Xiang Wen resisted, but upon seeing Lu Cang's concerned face, she gave in and stamped her feet as she walked to show her protest. Lu Cang slightly smiled for her childish act.

Before she left with an eunuch, she turned her head and asked Lu Cang about whether Lu Cang would be there again tomorrow.

Lu Cang pondered for a while and gave her the most honest thing he could think of. "I don't know yet." How would he know if Jing would call him or not tomorrow. That devil always did things according to his own will without considering Lu Cang's feelings. Moreover, it was dangerous for this maid to come to this place again.

With a deep frown on her face, she nodded. "Hope to see you again...." She practically skipped as they left.

Back to the pavilion, the devil was already there with his sour expression.

"Where have you been?!" Jing coldly asked. His eyes all stern as he pressed for Lu Cang's answer.

"Errr... I was... Just went out there..." Lu Cang couldn't think of a proper reply.

Jing sighed. "Forget it. Let's go!" Jing suddenly jumped and hugged Lu Cang on the waist, half dragging him to come along.

"Ehh??Where to??" Lu Cang confusedly asked as he clearly couldn't guess Jing's action.

Jing halted his step and looked at Lu Cang. "Where else?My chamber of course. Or do you prefer to do it here?"

Lu Cang's face turned red at once, redder than the lotus. "But... We just did it 8 hours ago... Why you..." Lu Cang recalled last night's love making session. As usual, they spent almost the whole night, to the extent that Lu Cang almost couldn't get up this morning.

"So?" Jing kissed him lightly before continue. "It's all your fault. Last night you were so seductive. When I remembered about it, it was up again. Come on. I can't hold back any longer."

Lu Cang stunned at this selfish answer. How could he blame his own freakiness on Lu Cang. While still in his confused state, Jing already brought him, half flying, to the Royal bedchamber.

The magnificent imperial bed was witnessing their hot love as they twisted and turned about on the bed.

An hour later....

Lu Cang, laying haphazardly on Jing's Royal bed, was reduced to his completely powerless state while Jing, like always, refreshed and all lively. It was as if during their love making session, Jing was sucking out every bit of Lu Cang's life force.

Jing gazed at Lu Cang's body, his habitual action, which always successfully made Lu Cang blush from head to toe. Most of the time, when they had finished with 'this' life force draining exercise, Jing would carefully wipe his honey colored sweaty body, so gently that sometimes his attentive action would arouse Lu Cang.

"Xiao Cang... Move in and stay here, alright??" Jing whispered seductively on Lu Cang's ear and pulled the still laying limply on the bed Lu Cang into his bosom.

Lu Cang tried to resist from his arms in no avail. He mustered up all his power and resolutely looked into that hypnotizing's eyes.

"No!"

A simple but firm reply.

Jing knitted his perfect brows in a tight frown. "Why not?" He tilted his propped head.

Lu Cang's pair of stern eyes were unyielding as he blurted out his reasons. "You know why. The very same reason why I dislike coming to this Royal Palace freely."

Just a little while ago, those pair of big eyes was still filled with hazy lust, but now, they were totally clear and bright. Shining brightly like a star in the winter sky. Jing had the strong urge to kiss him.

"Nghh...." A moan escaped Lu Cang's throat for this kiss.

Lu Cang had refused Jing's idea to have him move in to the Royal Chamber quarter. The reason was very clear as well as reasonable. : Lu Cang couldn't stand the eyes of the courtiers on him. Their accusing's eyes, their despising's eyes, their cold and full of hatred eyes. Jing knew this, so he built that luxurious Pavilion to make Lu Cang willingly stay with him. But this as stubborn as a mule Lu Cang wouldn't yield that easily.

The second reason was: staying in the Royal Palace meant Lu Cang was part of the harem. Lu Cang would definitely loath this idea to the extreme. Even more, holding the highest status among those resentful concubines was not something a man could be proud of. He insisted on the military forces just to maintain his pride as a man. --- Despite being Mu Yue's second in command, Jing never allowed Lu Cang to go to the expedition with Mu Yue.

"If you stay here, I can be with you every day. More importantly, no one can harm you." Jing tried to convince Lu Cang with his honey sweet words and his lethal smile.

Lu Cang looked away so not to be affected by his persuasive words. "The most harmful one is you. If I stay here, I won't be able to live until the next winter."

Jing slapped Lu Cang's head slightly. Annoyed by his implication. "You are just being impossibly stubborn."

"And we are together every night. So, it can be counted as we stay in the same place anyway."

Jing suddenly grinned. What Lu Cang had said just now made him extremely excited. He thought to himself, --Therefore, if I'm not coming every night, would Lu Cang consider the idea of staying in the Royal Palace?

"What?! What kind of scheme do you have in that clever mind of yours?" Lu Cang asked anxiously when he realized the suspicious smile, no, grin on Jing's beautiful lips.

"Nothing..." Jing's mood was brightened up by this very idea. He could only think of a way to make Lu Cang yield to him.

Lu Cang eyed him with his full of doubt eyes. Not even half believing in Jing's words. Every time Jing smiled so mischievously, Lu Cang couldn't help but be anxious. Suddenly, that Xi Zhen like maid flash in his mind.

"Jing... do you....." Lu Cang stopped his words halfway as he decided not to ask Jing about a mere maid. How would Jing know about a lowly maid while he couldn't even bother to remember the faces of his countless concubines.

"What's the matter? Just say it if you have something in mind. I don't like it when you keep it all to yourself." Jing knew too well about Lu Cang's habit to keep everything to himself and swallowed his complaints.

"No... Really...Nothing important."

Jing raised one of his brows and looked at Lu Cang closely. --- His Majestic attitude when demanding an answer. Seeing that Lu Cang didn't want to continue the subject, he climbed out of the bed and put on his robes.

"Let's eat. You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

----------

Ruby Palace,

The maids cried out as they saw their Princess step in from the gate.

"Princess......" They all cried out in unison. Half relief, half upset.

Ru Yi, her personal attendant, as well as her most trusted, practically a sister to her, stepped forward. Hands on her waist, fiercely looking at the Princess.

"Where have you run off to, Her Ladyship Princess Xiang Wen??"

Xiang Wen gave them her trade mark smiles. A very cute wide smile which showed her neat white teeth, with her round big eyes shining radiantly. Very adorable indeed. This smile of hers often successfully got her off the hook every time she did her mischief.

"Don't give me that smile! Don't you know how worried we were? You are not supposed to step out of this palace!" Ru Yi admonished her naughty Princess harshly.

"But... I was so bored...."

"It is not a valid reason for you to risk your head!"

In this circumstance, any reason would be useless. Xiang Wen had no choice but to use her secret weapon.

"I am sorry..." She tried her best to look as sorry as she could. Blinking her eyes rapidly for a spell of time to force the tears to flow out.

Ru Yi shook her head. Xiang Wen was their dearest Princess. They attended to her ever since she was born. All of her tricks were of course already well known by them.

"Princess... I beg you... this is not our Xiang Country. You can't be pardoned for everything as you were. You have to watch your step carefully. Datong's rule is not something you can take lightly, understand??" Ru Yi softened her tone.

"Yes... I will remember that...." Xiang Wen nodded her head and lowered her voice to show her sincere apology.

"Alright, now, tell us, where did you run off to with just that casual robe?"

Ru Yi pulled her to quickly enter the Palace.

"Ahh... I was in this veeeeerrrryyyyy luxurious Imperial garden. You won't believe what I saw there...."

All of the initially worried to death maids were starting to smile warmly. The Princess' animated way to tell a story was one of her amusing personalities. She had this tendency to prolong a word to make it more dramatic.

"What did you see, Princess?"

Ru Zao, the one closest to her in age, always interested in her story, asked eagerly.

"A magnificent pavilion in the middle of a large lotus pond. The pond is so large, even larger than this Ruby Palace. The lotus, the garden, and the pavilion, the whole set will make you feel like you are not in this world, like you are in heaven instead of the human world."

The maids gasped in awe.

"I want to see it with my own eyes....."

"It will be impossible, Ru Zao. The celestial being, who resided on that pavilion, said, it is a forbidden place for us human..."

"Princess... you make us more and more curious... What is a celestial being? Who is that??" Ru Zao practically screamed in her excitement.

"Hmm..... I don't really know. But I think he is one of the Royal family..." Xiang Wen recalled the congenial handsome face she met on that pavilion. "But... He said that he is not familiar with the Palace...hmm.... Must be a noble or a lord. The eunuch who showed me the way respected him. Must be a noble." She nodded as if confirming her own thoughts.

"What is his name? What does he look like?" Ru Zhi asked carefully. She did not want her Princess to meet any suspicious characters.

Xiang Wen shook her head. "I don't know his name. I forgot to ask. He is tall, his face is so handsome, even more than my brothers. And looking at his posture, he must be highly skilled in martial arts. His tone when he talked to me, so much like Brother Guang Xiang. I want to talk to him again...."

The maids looked at each other. To be compared with their Royal Crown Prince, Guang Xiang, this person had to be a very nice person. Prince Guang Xiang was her most favorite brother after all. All the more they all wanted to see this man in person.

But...They were not as free as when they were in their own country. They could only swallow their curiosity.

End of Chapter 2.