A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated 1

17

Pingting felt rather tired and she was planning to quietly go back to rest in the carriage. Unfortunately, she heard He Su call for her and so she had to answer, "How may I help you, my King?"

She certainly wasn't pretty, but her voice was charming like every word was bouncing of her tongue.

He Su quietly stared at her bowed head, thoughts elsewhere.

"My King?"

"Eh?" He Su came back to his senses and he paused before saying, "You may leave."

Pingting quickly left, handing the box to another person, commanding, "Be careful with it, Master really likes this heavy black thingy." Her learning ability was better than most and though she did know that this was the Precious Heimo Sword, she disliked weapons herself. She always called He Xia's 'darlings' as 'thingy's'.

Master had returned victorious and the King had given him many rewards. Everyone in the Residence would eventually get their share.

The soldiers filled up exactly twelve tables and the Duke of Jing-An, He Mo, sat at the main table, grinning as he heard the compliments from the crowd.

He Xia was drinking a lot of wine too, probably three big bottles in total. Pingting could be counted as one of the important main people of her Residence, but she wasn't present that evening.

Her room was far away from the bustling activity, very quiet. Pingting sat inside, she had lit up a lamp, making a dark silhouette outside.

"Pingting?" He Xia suddenly burst into the room.

Pingting put down her needle, raising her eyes and laughed. "Why is Master here when there are still so many guests?"

"To see you." He Xia took her half-finished Mandarin duck, "They say that no one is perfect, but honestly, I must disagree. You can do everything, not only are you good with song and poetry, but you can even scheme in war. Not to mention your intricate needlework is like a work of heaven."

Pingting giggled, "No one compares needlework to heaven, you know? Quit playing with words." She took her sewing back and did a few more stitches, but suddenly sighed.

"Pingting, has Father told you?"

"Yeah."

"I only just learnt that myself, from Dongzhuo." He Xia saw Pingting's frozen smile, so he chose a chair and carefully chose his words. "Geez my father, he didn't even consult me first."

"The Duke told me that even though I'm not a concubine, my current status is much like one. He says that everyone in the Residence should be calling me "Madam" apart from Master's future official wife, the Marquess."

He Xia saw how Pingting was slowly opening up and his heart began to hurt. "Pingting, do you want to marry me?"

"Do I not suit you?" Pingting whipped her head around, staring intently into He Xia's eyes.

"No way!" He Xia shook his head, suddenly got up and began to pace around the table. "I understand. For the last few years, we studied and played together, even learned how to fight and deal with horses together, but I'm only an older brother to you and you're only a younger sister to me. If you marry me just like that, won't you feel upset?"Seeing Pingting's expressionless face, he tried again, "You're unlike most girls. You have your own opinion. I just don't want you to be upset."

After some silence, Pingting quietly whispered, "If the Duke wants me to, so what can I do? Master should know that the Duke found Pingting on the roads and looked after her like his own daughter. Pingting is extremely grateful to the Duke so if he wants her life, she will give it."

"Back then, who said that they wanted to find the best possible husband or else they would rather never marry and die a long death?"She's usually very clever, so why is she so sappy today? He Xia was already annoyed with Pingting's moans and sighs and the table seemed cracked from his thumping.

The two people were still discussion when Dongzhuo ran in. "Master, please go to the front courtyard. The King has given His Order. Oh yeah and apparently Pingting has to come too."

He Xia asked, "What does Pingting have to do with this Order?"

"Don't ask, you'll know when you get there."

The three people hurried to the front courtyard.

The front courtyard was no longer bustling with activity like before. It was very late into the night, and about seventy or eighty percent of the guests had already left. The remaining ones were extremely drunk and some of them were even snoring, drool falling onto the table.

A man, who was wearing royal service clothes stood there. When he saw them he said, "The King has given His Order: Please may the son of the Duke of Jing-An and Pingting meet him in the Royal Residence." After reading the order, his face broke into a smile, "Please may the son of the Duke of Jing-An also bring the Precious Heimo Sword. The King said so."