Eastern Palace

Chapter 35

I teased the kitten and then said, "Meow Meow, do you want to eat fish?" The cat 'meowed' once, using its tongue to lick my fingers again. The tiny bumps on its tongue tickled me so much that I couldn't help but laugh. Holding the cat to show to A'Du, I said: "Look, its eyes are really pretty." A'Du nodded. I told Yong Niang to bring some milk to feed the kitten, afterwards A'Du and I had a long discussion about what name to give to the kitten.

I asked A'Du: "How about we name it Xiao Hua[1]?" A'Du shook her head, I also don't think its good. The kitten's body is pure white, without other coloured fur, it shouldn't be called Xiao Hua. "How about we name it Xiao Xue[2]?......" I've been talking nonstop with A'Du; talking about making a shelter for the kitten, naming the kitten......I didn't even notice when Pei Zhao had left.

However ever since being gifted the kitten, I didn't feel lonely in the Eastern Palace. Xiao Xue is so lively, chasing its own tail for half of the day. In the courtyard, the peach blossoms have withered. Scattered pink petals like snow and floating petals being blown in midair, Xiao Xue would always jump up and try to scratch them with its claws. Although there were already piles of petals on the bridge, Xiao Xue doesn't smell it. If a butterfly flew by, it would be even worse; Xiao Xue would chase after it in the courtyard and jump everywhere, going wherever the butterfly flies.

Yong Niang would always say: "How is this a kitten, it's more mischievous than a fox-spirit." Each day passed by. Everyday I watched Xiao Xue mischievously run everywhere. I saw the flowers in the courtyard blossomed and then withered again; many cherries like purple-red pearls hanging on the branches. I saw the peaches and plums grow into the size of soybeans, hanging underneath the green leaves and branches. Time passed like water in a ditch, flowing out in silence; everyday passed by quickly. During the evening, I often sat on the steps, watching the moon rise from under the leaves. For thousands of years, the moon has been rising quietly, no sadness, no joy, no sound. The day's wind exposing the glassed roof tiles, like a thin layer of silver frost. The galaxy in the sky was quiet with Xiao Xue by my side, calling out 'meow meow.' I touched its velvet neck, holding it in my arms. I was waiting quietly, waiting for the best opportunity to escape from this refined cage.

It was because I was sick, many rites in the Eastern Palace have been simplified, there were many things they don't ask me anymore. In the past, although Zhao Liang Di was in charge of the affairs, I still had to take care of many major events. I have been sick for so many days that I was absent from palace ceremonies. When my illness got better, Xu Bao Lin was sick again.

She was so sick that even medicine was ineffective, but no one in the Eastern Palace seemed to care. If Yong Niang hadn't let the words slip out of her own mouth by accident, I wouldn't have known that Xu Bao Lin was dying.

I don't know why, but I have decided to visit her. Maybe it was pity for her, maybe I wanted Li Cheng Yin know that there wasn't any difference. Or maybe it was to let Li Cheng Yin know that I am still the naive and stupid Crown Princess, not someone who schemes.

Xu Bao Lin still lives in the most remote courtyard, the two palace maids who served her had been replaced. Although the witchcraft situation had ended, Zhao Liang Di still use it as an excuse to treat her harshly. After recovering from my sickness, I was busy with other things, so naturally I have taken less care of her. I regret; if I had known earlier, maybe she wouldn't have become this sick.

She was so thin that there were only her bones left. Her hair has lost its glossiness and the roots of her hair had dried up like matted grass. I vaguely remembered the first time I saw her; at that time in the Eastern Palace, she just had a miscarriage and appeared very miserable. But during that time, her withered expression was still like a fresh flower being hit by the rain, beautifully falling down. Unlike then, she now looked like a chrysanthemum[3] that was destroyed by the wind, and even the last bit of freshness and beauty have withered.