One Life To Another

Chapter 02

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In the palace of Emperor Jiang..

It is a beautiful evening...

The emperor Jiang Huān is standing near the window which is facing the royal garden. He is a nature lover, so every evening after the work of the royal court ends, he comes here to calm down his mind that was messed up during the royal court on that day.

Suddenly, he felt some kind of a slight movement behind him followed by swift footsteps. And the next second, a man wearing all black stood behind the Emperor with his head bowed down.

"Your Majesty..", the man adressed in a low voice.

As if the Emperor was expecting his visit, he nods slightly even without turning to look at the person. His eyes were still glued to the peach blossoms in the royal garden, the way they moved to the slightest breeze so elegantly....

Then Emperor woke up his voice, giving attention to the matter at hand.

"How is the prince?", the Emperor asked in a deep voice that can send shivers down the spine of even the most trained soldier, the typical voice of a great general.

"Your Majesty.. His highness is doing very well. Except he.... ", the man trailed off, struggling to find words.

"What is it?", the Emperor's voice was a bit restless.

"Ah- Nothing serious, your Majesty. His highness is always getting into trouble with Gū Xuě Chēn. This time too they ended up in Mrs. Liú's house..", the man ended his report, bowing slightly.

"These kids..", the Emperor sighed and again drifted his attention towards the blossoms. "It's alright. Just keep an eye on them. You may go now. ", the Emperor dismissed the man in black. The man disappeared, just the way he came.

The Emperor's thoughts again started to become disarrayed. It's not a new thing to him. Each day after the daily report from his spy, his thoughts will be drowned in sorrow. He was desperate to have a loved one by his side. But nothing can be done. The Emperor's handsome face showed a painful smile as he shook his head and continued to stare at the dusk taking over the sky.....

In Grandma Liú's house..

The two little kids who ran away from their punishment are now eating watermelon at their grandma's house. Their faces are stained with the red colour juices of the watermelon.

Grandma Liú is now sitting near the two fast eaters, cutting the watermelon so the kids can eat them easily.

"Let me tell you Ah-Chēn, you should not hate that little girl. She is a pretty little lady. I met her once and-"

"Hold on grandma!" Grandma Liú's words got cut off in the middle by Xuě Chēn who still had a mouthful of watermelon in his mouth.

"That girl! She is a rotten pumpkin! She always hides that little puppy whenever we are around. She never let us play with that cute little puppy.", he said pouting.

"Ah-Ān loves it too much, yet she refuses to let him play with it! Isn't she evil? 'Shān Xián'! Meaning her name is kindhearted! I tell you, she is nothing like her name, so unkind!" Xuě Chēn's angry childish voice almost made a hole in grandma's ear.

"Ah-Chēn! She is younger than both of you! Is it good to bully a little MèiMèi?", Grandma Liú asked as she put the already cut watermelon pieces into the bowl in front of the kids.

All along Hé Ān was silent. He was still thinking about the broom that Aunt Gū threw at them and the poor frog.

Xuě Chēn looked at his little DìDi who was silent all this time and was eating watermelon in a very serious manner. He then wiped his hands on his pants oblivious of the daggers thrown from his Grandma's eyes due to his behaviour.

Then he turned to his DìDi and took his face into his own little hands.

"Ah-Ān, Gēgē is sorry, okay? I never meant to pull you into this trouble. Gēgē is at fault, Okay?" The 12 year old's smooth pitiful voice made Grandma Liú look at him with wide eyes. She thought to herself, "when did this little brat learn how to sweet talk?!"

It's actually very true. Chēn never talks that sweetly to anyone, but his DìDi is the only exception. On the other hand, Hé Ān is long used to this sweet talker. Soon after he apologizes, another trouble will find them soon. But most suprisingly,  little Ān likes it very much. To him being with Xuě Chēn is everything.

"It's okay Gē, no need to say sorry. It's this DìDi's fault.", he said pointing to himself. "Not able to save Gēgē from that broom", little Ān finished pouting and looking at his Gēgē with puppy eyes.

Seeing this scenario, grandma Liú was thinking to herself, "Seriously? These brats are doing this again? Don't they get tired of this? ". No matter how many times this drama happens infront of her, she will never get used to the cringe by these two little troublemakers. She got up and went to the kitchen and came back with the snacks she made herself for Mr.Shin and the Gū family. And guess what?

The drama is still on going!

"Now now, enough with this drama! You two should get going now. Mother won't be angry anymore, it's been a few hours now. Ah-Chēn, here. Take these snacks and give them to uncle Xin and mother. Also take care of little Ān. Ah-Ān, don't fall into your Gēgē's traps anymore. And wash your mouths and hands before you go, you two. Ah-Chēn! Don't wipe your hands on your pants! Hurry hurry and wash up!", Grandma said chasing the two little boys here and there like little chicks.

The two little troublemakers hurried to the back of their grandma's house and washed their faces and hands with a basin of water placed there. After about two minutes, they returned wiping themselves with the clean towel given by their grandma.

"Grandma, we will leave now. Take care of yourself, okay? Don't wash your hair in the evening, don't eat cold food, don't eat too much sweets and don't work too much. Okay? Resting is very important, you know?", Xuě Chēn said in one go like a monk chanting a long sutra. His words warmed up her heart like the rays of sunshine on a fine summer day.

"We will visit you again soon, okay? Eat well and sleep well grandma. If you need anything send our secret pigeon, okay? We will come to you as soon as possible, okay?", little Ān too started to say taking after his Gēgē.

Grandma Liú's eyes got a little watery by the warmth of the two little kids. This kind concern and affection is so hard to find in the mortal world, you can only find it from little kids.

"Hǎo la, Hǎo la. Alright my kids. I will surely take care of myself. You two should also take care, alright? Now hurry back!", grandma said lovingly.

After a warm hug the two bid farewell to their beloved grandma and hurried their way back home....

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