The Guzheng of The Moon

XVIII

The Emperor's decision reaped the pros and cons. Too rash. Moreover, by making Yue as the sole candidate and Princess Xiaoli was only considered as a royal guest. Those who opposed the Emperor did everything possible to prevent the marriage from taking place.

But it was not Gu Zheng his name if such a thing was able to dampen his intention to propose to Yue. He has prepared everything. In fact he doubled the guard around the Yue residence to prevent the worst possible.

Just one more day, Inner Gu Zheng.

So far Gu Zheng felt Princess Xiaoli had not done anything meaningful. The girl even brought a gift directly from An Kingdom as a sign of congratulations.

"Suspicious, right?" qi Zi asked. "The girl cannot be silent. Especially brother. This marriage is definitely an insult to their kingdom."

"An Cheng Li was not a generous Emperor."

"Like you," Qi Zi said.

Yes, the Kingdom of An and the Kingdom of Yuhan are like water and oil. So too with the emperor. "He's coming."

"Of course he will come, you yourself sent a special invitation to the man," Qi Zi said.

It was actually very uncomfortable to accept Cheng Li as a royal guest. Disability is the most basic reason. "Yes, let's see. If until the man drew his sword, then at that time this wedding party will be a funeral for Emperor An as well."

"It's fun! There won't be a wedding like your wedding, Your Majesty. Full of tension!"

"The rest I leave everything to you. I want to rest before the main event starts."

"Are you going to date her again?" qi Zi exclaimed at Gu Zheng.

"Hm, just like that," Gu Zheng replied in passing.

"Hopefully succeed, Young man!"

******

"He what?" tanya Yue made sure.

"Your Majesty the Emperor is already waiting for you, Miss Yue."

What else does that man want? thought Yue. How could an Emperor be so relaxed. While he was busy confused with everything about this sudden marriage.

"Now?"

"Yes, Miss."

Not wasting any more time, Yue rushed to the west gate as per the Emperor's orders. It is not usual for the ladies not to follow behind him. Suddenly being escorted everywhere somewhat made Yue uneasy.

He had to turn far enough to get to the west gate. Yue did so to avoid Princess Xiaoli. He was afraid that the Princess would cross paths with him along the western corridor, while Princess Xiaoli's residence was in the western pavilion. Yue was just trying to avoid the sneers and cold gaze of the princess.

Arriving in front of the west gate, Yue stopped under the shade of an oak tree. He noticed that many people were coming in and out of the palace through the gate. The west gate became the only gate that was freely passed by anyone, especially the merchants and the palace suppliers.

Yue had been invited here several times by Aunt Hwang. Just helping the old lady. A yearning for her aunt suddenly ambushed.

Yue circulated his gaze, just in case his aunt passed through that gate. Usually at this hour, her aunt would supply food to the palace.

"No Aunty, no Gu Zheng," murmured Yue.

"Miss, you're so pretty. Play with me for a minute."

Yue noticed a beautiful girl standing beside him. "I'm sorry, but I have an appointment with someone."

"Hm, what a pity. I want to play with you for a while."

The girl beside him was arguably tall. Yue had to look up while talking to the girl. Somehow there was a sense of familiarity when he noticed the face of the girl.

"Do I know you, Miss?" ask Yue.

Yue fell silent and then flinched. "Gu Zheng!"

Gu Zheng smothered Yue's mouth and pulled her behind the oak tree. The man also squeezed her and made sure no one was watching them.

"You ... you .." said Yue.

"I thought your surprised face was also very sweet" whispered Gu Zheng.

"What do you do with clothes .. women?"

"disguise. Especially indeed. I used to do it while touring the city with Yu Dong," Gu Zheng replied.

Yue had seen the Minister of State Finance once from a distance. Although it was not very clear, Yue was very sure that the man was also as handsome as Gu Zheng. Also as tall as Gu Zheng. He could imagine, as Gu Zheng disguised himself as a woman and walked side by side with Yu Dong. Surely they are very harmonious and envious of other couples.

"I ... cannot say anything," said Yue who was still shocked.

"Come, we'll enjoy today. There are no guards. There are no servants. Freer. Today I'm just going to be Miss Gu and you're Miss Hwang."

"So, there's no Emperor?"

"No. We'll just be the people in general."

A smile adorned Yue's lips. For some reason when Gu Zheng said that they were just commoners he felt happy. It meant that he only needed to be Yue the ordinary girl. Unostentatious.

"So where are we going? Are we going to nullify the rogue merchants or the bandits?"

"Dating. Only dating. Whatever our feet will go. As long as you don't get lost and you always go hand in hand with me, that's enough" Gu Zheng said as he rolled his eyes.

"Hm, but I don't think the men will stay silent when they see you, Miss Gu. How about you get kidnapped because it's too .. unusual?"

It was heavy when Yue was about to say the word 'beautiful'. It's not polite. She was female but Gu Zheng was even more beautiful than her. Unfair, inner Yue was annoyed.

With a pouting face Yue followed Gu Zheng's footsteps. He swore to hear the man chuckle. What's so funny? inner Yue.

"Just calm. To me you are the prettiest," whispered Gu Zheng as he equated his footsteps with Yue.

Enough with one sentence was able to make Yue's heart beat become unreasonable. He glanced at the man through the corner of his eyes and then smiled faintly.

"Because we're both women, it doesn't matter, when I hold your hand like this? People will just think we're friends."

Yue nodded obediently. Again he felt ashamed. The Emperor's large hand clasped his hand tightly. He had never felt the big hand of a man before, except his uncle. After all his uncle did not count because at that time what his uncle did was pat his head gently every time he cried when he was a child.

As an adult, Yue had never even been close to any man. He was surrounded only by male customers in his shop. Luckily they were polite even though most of them were bandits.

"I ... Can you come back home for a minute?"

Gu Zheng did not immediately reply. Afraid his request would offend the Emperor. "I also want to meet your uncle and aunt. I want to propose to you directly to them."

Yue Smile. He did not expect the Emperor to say that. Wait for. If Gu Zheng wanted to meet his uncle and aunt, did this mean that the man asked for a dowry? thought Yue.

Yue bit her lips hard. How much is a dowry for an emperor? thought hard.

*****

"I told you, we'll meet again. This is a sign of fate" Xiaoli said.

In particular Xiaoli even poured tea for two cups. Rarely does he do anything like this. Well, let's just say because this time the mood is very good. Beyond anything.

"So, what do you want?" ask Xiaoli. "I hope we both profit from this deal."

Tbc....