The Guzheng of The Moon

XXII

~FLASHBACK~

"According to the agreement with the Shicuan Kingdom, I will match you with their youngest daughter" Emperor An said.

"Are you in no hurry? I'm not eighteen yet, Dad?"

"Omong empty! A good opportunity like this is unlikely to come a second time" Emperor An replied.

Free to refuse, An Cheng Li would not be able to resist the Emperor's orders. Even if he could, Cheng Li would not. It is common for the heir to the throne to be engaged or married for political gain. For the continuity of the kingdom.

He would rather leave without arguing with his father again. Yeah, this is the best.

"Are you getting married, brother?" xiaoli asked curiously.

Cheng Li rubbed the top of his sister's head. "It's not a child's business."

"I thought you were going to marry that girl" Xiaoli said.

Cheng Li raised next to his brows, puzzled. "Where's girl?"

"I followed you a few days ago, but Brother didn't want to play with me. So I followed you. Then there, near the river Brother met a girl, didn't he? Do I need to tell Dad this?"

"Well...." It seems Xiaoli caught him when she met Hwa Nai. "So far from trouble, my brother. Stay out of trouble."

"Always, I'll be nine years old" Xiaoli said with a frown.

"Not ten years."

Gu Hwa Nai, the same age as Cheng Li. Beautiful, yet Cheng Li had no special feelings for the girl. Regardless he knows who Hwa Nai really is. First princess of Yuhan Kingdom. And unfortunately, the An and Yuhan Kingdoms have never been on good terms, never will be.

Clearly the girl was crossed off the list of potential consorts of the Kingdom of An. No problem, inner Cheng Li. There was no feeling for Hwa Nai. He just said what the girl wanted to hear. It was easy for him to say love if Hwa Nai wanted it.

"I think I'll give you a little present for my future empress."

"Just ignore your sister!"

******

Hwa Nai chose her best clothes. He wanted to go to the river again. He wanted to meet Cheng Li again. It might just be an empty wish, but she wanted to look a little beautiful.

"So you're going to see that rancid boy again?"

"He's not a kid. He's a year older than you" replied Hwa Nai.

"Sad... Father won't let you out of the palace again, if he finds out," Gu Zheng said.

"Therefore you must shut up" said Hwa Nai.

Gu Zheng let his older sister leave just like that. It is not a sin to seek happiness in a cold palace. For a while he would let it. As long as Hwa Nai smiled broadly like earlier, punished by his father even Gu Zheng was willing.

"Just see if he made her cry" Gu Zheng murmured. "I'll make sure to flatten the An Kingdom with the ground."

******

"Listen, Yuan Yue Bi. You'll meet your future husband in a moment. You have to be sweet in front of her" said Empress Shicuan who was none other than her mother.

"Why?"

"Because he will protect you one day," said Gua Lin as she stroked Yue Bi's hair.

"Do I have to part with you, Mom?"

"Sweet child, it seems rushed. But His Majesty has given his word. You are six years old. But you'll learn to be a good empress there."

"Alright," said Yue Bi obediently.

Yue Bi opened the window of her carriage. He pulled out his head and his hands. Because now autumn of course a lot of leaves fall. Some of them fell on his palms.

"I like spring the most."

"Of course, I also like spring the most. Because at that time, I had you. That's why my daughter is as bright as the moon in spring. So soothing."

Yue Bi grinned widely then hugged her mother tightly. "Can't you stay there too?"

"If you stay, who will accompany Your Majesty? Mom won't leave you now. This will only be the first meeting for you."

"really? Thank goodness then."

Yue Bi further tightened her embrace. And buried his face deep in his mother's lap. The smell of a mother and she loved it.

******

Cheng Li saw the accompaniment of the horse carriage entering the palace delivery. It seems that the candidate has arrived, faster than expected. Taking care of Xiaoli already made her quite a hassle and now added another snot little girl.

"Welcome" said Emperor An and the Empress.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

It will be difficult, inner Cheng Li. It seemed that little girl was the shy type of girl. It was in stark contrast to Xiaoli's shameless sister. I don't know where her sister is now.

"Is that little girl Princess Yue Bi?" ask Emperor An.

Quickly the little girl stood in front of Emperor An and saluted and went back into hiding. Unknowingly it made Cheng Li smile. Right at that moment he looked at Yue Bi.

At least he knew how to behave, inner Cheng Li.

"So your name is Yue Bi?" ask Cheng Li. "You know who I am?"

Yue Bi shook her head. "Who?"

"Myan. You can think of me as Nian if you want to" Cheng Li said.

Unexpectedly the girl smiled widely at him which made Cheng Li stunned for a moment. Yue Bi was beautiful in her own way. He became curious as to what this little girl would look like when she turned into an adult girl later. Surely many men were willing to give up their lives just to get the attention of Yue Bi.

"You want to take a walk?"

Yue Bi nodded. "By pleasure, Your Majesty."

******

"I thought you were coming again" said a little girl.

"You talking to me?" ask Hwa Nai.

"Of course to you" Xiaoli said. "Better from now on you don't have to wait for my brother anymore."

"Your brother?" hwa Nai was confused.

"Yes, you're waiting for An Cheng Li, right?" xiaoli asked. "Just forget my brother, he is already engaged to the Princess of Shicuan Kingdom. You don't deserve her."

Like being struck by lightning. Hwa Nai's heart ached. "That's impossible. Cheng Li could not have done that. She ... She promised to love me forever. He said he'd marry me too."

"God, you're such a fool. How could my brother marry a princess from Yuhan Kingdom. After all, you're worse than my sister-in-law. Of course my brother would choose him over you."

"I'm just here to say that. So it's up to you." Xiaoli went back up her tag and ordered the bodyguards to leave from there.

The cry of Hwa Nai could not be dammed. Unknowingly her tears fell down her red cheeks. Just yesterday he and Cheng Li made a pledge of loyalty. Is that all a lie?

With tears unraveling, Hwa Nai ran through the cold of autumn. He fell down several times because his blurry eyes were filled with tears. He knew that An and Yuhan did not get along. He really hopes his feelings will make the relationship between the two kingdoms better. But now what?

She doesn't deserve to be a queen now. It has been dirty. "****!"

No kingdom will accept a queen who is no longer a virgin. He was so stupid, so easy to believe all Cheng Li said.

All that was left for him now was death. Yeah, he doesn't want to live anymore. He did not want to humiliate the Yuhan kingdom any more than this.

"Sister!"

"I'm ... really dirty," said Hwa Nai Lirih.

"What do you mean?" asked Gu Zheng. "Let's go home. That's why I'm looking for you. Before I know you have to come back."

"Yes, before I know."

Hwa Nai was blinded by anger and sadness. He stepped his feet towards the cliff of the waterfall. So cold, her heart.

"What are you doing?! Hwa Nai, I warn you, stay away from that cliff!"

"I deserve this" said Hwa Nai Lirih.

"Hwa Nai, we can talk about this well" Gu Zheng said with a frightened face.

"He lied, he ... has taken everything from me" isak Hwa Nai.

"Who? That rotten man? Did he hurt you?!"

"I'm ashamed, I won't be able to face His Majesty again with this filthy body of mine."

"Hwa Nai, please stay away from there! We're going home. Father will not be angry," said Gu Zheng who tried to calm down.

There's only one step left. Hwa Nai glanced at the bottom of the cliff. Hopefully, he would always love Cheng Li with all his heart.

"You must be a wise Emperor, do not be blinded by power. Promise me."

"Sure, sure. I pledge. Come here, please."

Hwa Nai shook her head. He moved his feet and closed his eyes. That's a good-bye to his sister.

"No! Nah! Hwa!"

*T*bc*...