It's spring already, and Prince Jin's pleasure boat is sailing again. As Si Yan's handmaiden, you finally have the chance to leave the mansion and get onboard in a open way. The thrilling experience on the pleasure boat last time still haunts you. This time you can finally enjoy this splendid boat without worry. You walk all the way to the deck. What a rare moment of relaxation in the spring breeze. Although you will soon return to Si Yan's side, you cannot afford to waste such a precious moment.
Xiu Ying: [Murmur] The moon is beautiful tonight. I wonder if the moon in my hometown is a s beautiful as here.
Guard A: [Hurry] Who are you? Why are you here alone!?
Xiu Ying: [Turn around smiling] Sorry, sir. I'm Lady Si Yan's handmaiden, and I'm just looking around here.
Guard A: How could Lady Si Yan have such a...
Although he doesn't finish his words, you can tell he is surprised that Si yan has kept such an ugly handmaiden. What's going on? Everyone is judging others by their looks in this world!
Guard B: Let me tell you, rookie, she is quite a figure here! For several times she almost got... [gesture to slash the neck]
Xiu Ying: (Sirs, can't you talk about me after I'm gone?)
Since the guards are busy chatting, you are about to leave quietly. Suddenly you see a white silhouette flashing ahead. The silhouette quickly disappears. Were it not flashing for a second time, you would have thought you were dazzled.
Guard A: Why are you still here?
Xiu Ying: Sir, I think I just saw a ghost...
Guard A: Nonsense! There is no one like ghost here except you!
Xiu Ying: [Nonsense] His Highness is coming!
Hearing Prince Jin's name, the guards immediately stop chatting and resume their patrol. The river ripples in the wind under the moon. Some lively noise can be heard from a far, but there is only serenity here.
Xiu Ying: (It's too quiet. There can't be ghost, right?)
Thinking of this, you dare not to stay in here for long. As you are about to leave, a hand suddenly reaches from behind and rubs your hair. What a familiar feeling! Your back turns stiff in a instance, and you think you are dreaming.
A man: I think I know you, miss.
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A familiar voice suddenly comes from behind. You turn around in surprise, eyes widen, and see the man in the moonlight.
Xiu Ying: Yin... Yin Zhen?
Yin Zhen: What? You can't recognize me after just a few months?
Yin Zhen smiles at you peacefully, and you are too shocked to believe you really see him at this moment.
Xiu Ying: Is it really you?
Yin Zhen: Who else could I be? A ghost?
Xiu Ying: I really thought you were a ghost... because I never expect you to show up here. No. Does His Majesty know you are here?
Yin Zhen doesn't speak, but suddenly holds you in his arms. Before you can recover of the shock, he already takes you to a remote corner and gently presses your shoulder. The corner is narrow, and you are lying against the wall tightly.
Yin Zhen: Does it really matter if he knows or not?
Xiu Ying: I'm just curious. It's okay if you don't want to tell me.
Yin Zhen: I've racked my brain just to meet you, and you don't even care about me a little bit?
Your heart can't help but tremble at Yin Zhen's deep gaze, and you are overwhelmed by the disappointment in his eyes.
Xiu Ying: No... I just feel that asking too much will only embarrass you if you are not ready to tell me.
Yin Zhen: [Silent for a moment and sigh] I don't know. I've come to Western Liang in secret.
Xiu Ying: [Anxious] Why? His Majesty could be in wrath if he discovered this! Do you have any business here in Western Liang, my lord?
Yin Zhen: So many questions as soon as we meet again? Don't you have anything to tell me after all this time?
The corner is too dark for you to see his face clearly, yet you blush at his gaze.
Xiu Ying: [Slightly lower your gaze] I have so many questions because I'm worrying about you. In fact, I'm... more than happy to meet an old friend in such a remote place.
You can feel Yin Zhen's heart is brightened by your words.
Yin Zhen: Don't worry. No one is gonna find out I'm in Western Liang. I've made my plan carefully.
Xiu Ying: How did you recognize me?
Now that you are wearing such an ugly mask.
Yin Zhen: I can see through you with just one glance, but where did you get this ugly mask?
As he speaks, Yin Zhen reaches out to remove your mask. You hastily grab his hand to stop him, your eyes staring at him.
Xiu Ying: No! What if someone else comes?
Surprisingly, Yin Zhen obeys and stops his action, but his gaze is fixed on your hand. Nervous, you quickly loose your grasp.
Yin Zhen: I can't stay here for long. I'll find you later.
Xiu Ying: [Nod] You must be careful.
Yin Zhen: Sure.
As he says, Yin Zhen reaches out subconsciously, as if he is going to snap on you forehead as usual, but eventually he withdraws his hand.
Yin Zhen: [Smile softly] I'm not going to bully after separating for such a long time.
Yin Zhen soon leaves. As you are about to leave too, a ghostly figure suddenly appears, his feature unrecognizable in the dark.
Xiu Ying: [Alarmed] Who are you?
The ghostly figure is keeping a distance from you, his voice as soft as ghost's as well.
Male Stranger: My Lady, I'm a Dark Guard serving His Highness the Fourth Prince... I'm here in secret to ask you show more concern for His Highness.
Xiu Ying: [Stunned] His Highness?
Male Stranger: When His Highness learned the news of your sudden death in the palace, he... I've never seen His Highness like that. He insisted to see you one last time, even risking to enrage His Majesty. Fortunately he found out that you were alive. Although you survived, you are now in the dangerous Western Liang. His Highness suppressed all his emotion and carefully planned for months only for the chance to meet you in Western Liang.
Your heart trembles at every word he says. Yin Zhen has told you none of these.
Male Stranger: My Lady, you are really important for His Highness, so I wish you can care more about His Highness.
