A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated 1

53

Thanks to the service readily available at the Residence though, immediate treatment was given to her. Under Ze Yin and Yangfeng's care, Pingting slowly got better again.

After couple days of rest, Pingting was able to sit up again. Her big cry had done her good as her chest was no longer always in pain, and although she was very sick, she recovered faster than previous times.

"You're looking better," said a voice from a familiar figure on the other side of the blinds. Yangfeng came in, laughing. "The doctor says that you'll be able to get out of bed in two days. My, you sure scared me."

"Come, sit here." Pingting patted a spot beside her on the bed.

Yangfeng sat before taking out a hairpin to which she carefully inserted into Pingting's hair. Studying her, she said, "This is what the King gave Ze Yin, I didn't look that good wearing it so I'll give it to you."

Pingting checked herself in the mirror that Yangfeng brought. "Did you bring it to me deliberately?" Pingting paused again, asking, "Does the General know where I come from?"

"He didn't ask," Yangfeng replied. "As long as you're my friend, he will protect you, but..." The face that was slightly plumper saddened. "He's about to lead his troops out of the capital."

The atmosphere was suddenly gloomy like heavy clouds covering the sun in summer.

Pingting took the mirror out of Yangfeng's hands, put it on the bedside table, but didn't say anything.

Yangfeng said, "We were always close. I didn't lose to you in qin, but I am absolutely inferior to you when it comes to scheming."

Pingting forced her lips into a smile, "You were always arrogant. When did you humble up so much?"

"I'm just a little clever, someone who lives among walls, surrounded by her husband's people whether it be in Petal Cottage or in the General's Residence. When it comes to military affairs, you are the one who represents all women." Yangfeng's deep black eyes drilled into Pingting before softly asking, "Why does the Bei Mo King suddenly want Ze Yin to regain military power? Ze Yin isn't greedy for money or fame unless Bei Mo is in big trouble. He wouldn't sacrifice everything and bring me here, despite his oath. I don't understand, Pingting, can you tell me what's going on?" Yangfeng stressed on every syllable.

Life outside the window was full of life, but the room was a deathly quiet.

Pingting was silent; her head was bowed.

Yangfeng's inquiring eyes blazed towards her head. Sometime later, Pingting appeared to be tired as she lifted her head and leaned on a soft pillow. With a wry smile, she said, "Chu Beijie fell into a trap, and was forced to leave his sword. He vowed not to attack Gui Le in the next five years. Dong Lin's King wants to conquer all lands, and since Gui Le is currently an impossible feat, it's natural that he'd change his target. Basically, does this means Dong Lin has already started to attack Bei Mo?"

"Yeah," Yangfeng frowned wearily, "These days, Ze Yin is always talking about Chu Beijie, Dong Lin's best general, the Duke of Zhen-Bei...these days people call him the Demon King from the depths of Hell. A lot of people have already died in his hands."

Her eyes stared into Pingting and then her lips slowly rose into a soft and flowery smile. "Don't worry, we don't have any control over men's things. I really don't understand why they're always trying to expand the King's territory. Is having a lasting impression really that important? Ze Yin is going soon so I want to spend some more time with him these days." She stood up, her hands pressing gently against Pingting's shoulders. "You've only just gotten better, so lie down a bit more. If it gets boring here, ask some the maids to go outside and pick some flowers for you. If you have any problems, send someone to find me."

Yangfeng left through the bead curtain. The sudden tinkling sound seemed to upset Pingting as she frowned.

It seemed like there was a huge trap in every direction, one that people could not escape from.

And it was something terrible.

It seemed that the green grasslands refused to be Pingting's paradise. Around four, before sunrise, a tired figure stood quietly next to the window.

The birds and flowers that danced in the sunlight were long gone, and if you went out with just a candle, the flowers looked more like claws, reaching out for their oblivious prey.

Yangfeng's husband had already left for his journey and Pingting, who was deep inside the Residence, heard the servants whispering about how the big, heroic generals were all leaving at the same time but many wondered how likely the success would be.

Don't even think about it.

Pingting shook her head. She gazed at the undistinguishable grasslands and at the bright moon but then suddenly squinted in pain.

"Let's swear to the moon, never turn our backs on each other."

That person said to the moon, in his unwavering rich deep voice. Her heart raced as she thought of him, her hands were clutched at her chest, and she bit her lips.

Don't think about it, but she couldn't forget. Back then when, she thought, when we swore to the moon, you owed me and I owed you.

She was feeling depressed when she saw a light flickering towards her in the distance. Pingting watched its red light beckoning closer, but she only realised who it was only when the lamp was very close.

"Why are you still awake?"

Yangfeng hadn't expected that someone would be by the window and she jumped back in surprise. "I should be the one asking. Why are you still awake?" She broke into a laugh, "Don't tell me I'm a failure as a hostess and that I failed to meet the needs of my guest?"

Pingting walked out of the door and eyed the maid who was accompanying Yangfeng curiously. She took her arm and led her inside.

"We haven't had time to catch up for a while now, so as a guest, I'll be holding onto my hostess today."

The two sat on the bed together and looked at each other fondly. "Burning incense this late?" Pingting asked.

"He's been gone for a couple of days already, but I just can't fall asleep until late at night." Yangfeng sighed quietly. She leaned on a pillow, half of her face covered by the soft cotton. She gazed at Pingting with a child-like face, "You mustn't laugh at me."

Pingting couldn't help but smile at this but she didn't dare make a sound either.

"I said, you mustn't laugh." Yangfeng saw her smile so she got up and pinched Pingting.

"There's nothing wrong with missing your husband, so why does it matter whether I laugh or not? I heard that some famous generals always promise their wives to write a letter home every day to stop them from worrying all the time. I'm not wrong, am I?"

Yangfeng's white face flashed to a bright red, "You're still laughing? If you mock me anymore, I'll be going."

But Pingting bit her lip to hide her laughter and Yangfeng knew that it was a lost battle. She flashed Pingting an evil glare and lay back down again.

Crisp laughter flooded into the room like the sound of a stream gushing down a mountain.

The two seemed to be back in the past where they would laugh all the time. Yangfeng broke the nostalgic atmosphere by sighing. "I haven't laughed like this since becoming the General's wife."

Just one sentence and all memories were put away again; Pingting stopped laughing and lowered her head in silence.

Yangfeng hesitated for what seemed like ages, when she gently asked, "Will they meet on the battlefield?" The biggest problem was finally touched upon, causing the air to feel heavy.