Ballad of the Desert

Chapter 14: Stargazing

"Bam!" I slam my chopsticks on the table "What is this? A perfectly fine steamed bun, why are you putting weird things in it?"

Hong Gu gave me an odd look and continued to eat her steamed bun "An acacia flower scented steamed bun is very fragrant, and I purposely told the kitchen to do it. A few days ago you got mad when I used acacia flowers to brew some tea. And today this steamed bun has offended you. What did the acacia do to you that the moment you see it, you flip your lid?"

I sit there in silence and stew while Hong Gu keeps eating and ignores me.

It's not the acacia that offends me, it's that I don't want to think about the person standing under the acacia trees.

I lay in bed for a long time unable to go to sleep. I put on a robe and open the door. There are stars outside, and I see a black shadow figure standing next to the Lover's Vines. I startle for a moment before immediately recognizing who it is. I am momentarily speechless.

Huo Qu Bing turns around and looks at me for a few moments before saying "You didn't keep your promise. You said you would come find me in a few days, and til now you still haven't come."

I walked up to him in silence because I don't know how to respond. I look at the Lover's Vines, where one flower is starting to bloom. In excitement I yell out "Look! That flower is blooming, the first flower of the year."

Huo Qu Bing gives the flower a side look "It appears that I'm the first person to see the flower bloom."

I take a deep breath "It smells lovely, can you smell it?"

Huo Qu Bing answered "I missed the flowers blooming last year because I was in Xi Yu. But at least they are considerate, allowing the first flower to bloom for me."

I smiled "I've never seen anyone as full of himself as you, assuming flowers would open just for you! It was just a coincidence is all."

He stared at the flower, like there was a lot on his mind "Sometimes timing is everything. Some things, if it happened one step earlier, everything would be different."

"One, two, three...." I bury my head in the flowers and count the buds. He was so amused he laughed "You aren't planning on counting all those buds, are you?"

I laugh back "If I can't count them, that would make me happier, because it means they are working hard to bloom."

Huo Qu Bing asked "Why are they called Gold Silver Flowers? I see the white which looks like silver, but where is the gold? I play coy "I won't tell you now. Come back in a few days to look at the flowers and you'll see why." He smiled "I'll take that as an invitation then, an invitation from a beautiful woman is one I will definitely not miss." I gasp "You are such a......"

He suddenly grabbed my elbow and steered me outside "Tonight there is a sky full of stars, I'll take you somewhere fun." I hesitated but noticed that he was in a good mood, so I don't have the heart to say no. I quietly follow behind him.

We went to Shang Lin Fan, an Imperial retreat with thirty-six different pavilions and residences on the premises. I ask which one we were going to, and he is amused that I've not been scared out of my wits to be here.

I tell him "If I get in trouble, I'll be taking you down with me." He stared at me "So are you staying we will live together and die together?" I scoff and ignore his crazy talk.

He takes me to Shen Ming Tai (The God's Tower), the highest building in Shang Lin Fan. On top of the tower, one can see the entire Shang Lin Fan and half of the city of Chang An. Stargazing up there is likely comparable to watching the stars in the desert. I think about how the view doesn't have any obstructions and a wide expansive vista, and immediately my heart is intrigued. We flip over walls and safely arrive there. Because no one lives there and it doesn't house any valuables, there is no guard on duty, just the occasional guard walking by on his rounds.