The Guzheng of The Moon

XXVI

Three weeks had passed since Yue's departure from the palace. He chose to go with Lai Xin and his entourage. Sure enough, the group was indeed unusual. At first glance it looks like a bandit but also a silk cloth merchant.

Lai Xin brought Yue to the village in the Shicuan suburb. The residents welcomed his arrival in a friendly manner. The village chief Hyang-Grandmother Niu, even allowed Yue to stay together with him.

But lately Yue had not seen Lai Xin anywhere at all. Niu's grandmother said Lai Xin was doing her job. What task does that mean? Robbing? Or trading? Whatever it was from the bottom of the heart the deepest Yue thanked the girl.

Lai Xin was three years older than her, so this was allowed or not because Yue only considered her unilaterally, she already considered the girl like her own brother. Like Ah Mei.

"Ah, again that gloomy face," said Granny Niu.

"Grandmother," said Yue who did not see the arrival of the old woman.

"It's time for you to take your medicine" said the grandmother.

"Grandma's weird, I'm not sick. But continue to force Grandma to take this medicine," Yue said with a smile.

"So you're healthy, what else? Hah, moreover you've been through a difficult time. I think this medicine will help you."

Without refuting, Yue drank the bitter medicine in one go. He frowned when the bitter taste was still there.

"Does Grandma need help?"

"All the homework is done, we can relax for a while now," Grandma Nui said gently.

Hyang Village is located on the outskirts of Lake Hyang. They made this village like it was floating on a lake. Most of the houses and connecting roads are made of bamboo. What a quiet village. As it is now.

Yue sat on the bamboo street while dipping his feet in the lake. Playing his legs forward and backward. Look away at the cliffs that surround the lake.

"I think Lai Xin will be back today."

"Really, Grandma?"

"Maybe it will be late afternoon" Grandma Niu replied.

"I will cook something delicious for Lai Xin and Chang He as well as Hong," Yue said impatiently. His smile was completely full-fledged.

Yue stood up from his place and ran towards the house. That made Grandma Niu laugh.

"Be careful, you can slip."

*****

"Are you sure she's Yue Bi?" ask a girl sitting on a throne.

"Come, Brother. Thirteen years have passed" Lai Xin replied. "I only saw it for a glimpse. The girl holding the golden clasp. Maybe I'll recognize him right away when I meet him and come face to face with him."

"We really failed as sisters, didn't we?"

Lai Xin encouraged the older sister who was none other than the Queen of Shicuan Kingdom. Yuan Hwei Yang always blamed himself for Yue Bi. They only had the belief that the youngest brother was still alive.

When Lai Xin's henchmen reported that they found Yue Bi's whereabouts, Lai Xin herself infiltrated the Yuhan Kingdom. Pretending to be a bandit who was robbing traders, he finally managed to enter the palace despite being imprisoned.

Unfortunately he could not see clearly what his sister looked like now. But Lai Xin was sure that her sister was as beautiful as the moon. As name suggests.

"Stop blaming yourself, brother," said Lai Xin still not giving up on finding her sister.

Who knew that his mother and sister's entourage would be attacked by bandits. If Lai Xin had known, she would have slashed their necks. Once again, destiny has its own way.

From the beginning Lai Xin disagreed as her father betrothed Yue Bi to Crown Prince An. Just during the trip of their second visit, which meant handing Yue Bi completely to the An Kingdom, it turned out to be their farewell forever.

No. gabe. Not forever.

Yes, he would find Yue Bi and bring her back to the Shicuan Sect. It was a promise that was always imprinted in his heart. Also a promise to their dead father.

*****

"Did you find him?" ask Ah Mei on one of the ladies.

"Already, Miss."

For these three weeks Ah Mei was completely unable to calm down. He was worried about Yue revealing his secret. So far Gu Zheng had kept his mouth shut. None of them reveal secrets to each other.

Gu Zheng also deployed some of his confidants to search for Yue's whereabouts. He would find Yue first rather than the man or Emperor An.

Although not completely knowing what Gu Zheng's true purpose was, Ah Mei was sure that the man was not well-intentioned by taking advantage of his current position.

He will retain his current position, however he may. He did not want to return to the Huo family. Back to his father. It never will.

It was beyond belief that the gold flops came from Emperor An further cornered Ah Mei. There is a possibility that Kasiar An knows who the real owner of the gold pin.

But what made Ah Mei so curious was why did Gu Zheng do this to Yue who was clearly the man knew who Yue really was?

"Maybe I can make this my weapon" murmured Ah Mei. "So where's that traitor girl?"

"Shicuan's Limitations, Miss."

"You sure no one's following you?"

"No."

"Send my warm greetings to my dear friend," Ah Mei said as she gave a silk cloth package.

Immediately after receiving it, the lady-in-waiting hid the package under her clothes. Just then a girl rushed into Ah Mei's room.

Ah Mei quickly shook her hand and told the lady to go out. Of course also implicitly told him to immediately go to the Shicuan border.

"We need to talk" Xiaoli said.

"I thought you were back in your kingdom" Ah Mei replied.

"Don't be arrogant, Servant," Xiaoli sighed.

"How dare you call me a waiter!" hardik Ah Mei's.

"You are a servant. The waiter is the waiter. I know you're not that girl. Whether my brother is conscious or not. For sure I know you're not the girl I met thirteen years ago."

"Certainly right?"

It was then that Ah Mei felt her defense shed instantly.

*****

Lai Xin's welcoming party arrived just before nightfall. Right when dinner is almost ready to be served. Not only did Yue prepare food for them, but also the wives whose husbands were traveling with Lai Xin.

Yue felt lucky to be in the middle of them. Whatever Yue would do to repay their kindness. It was nice, like being in his own shop.

"Add up!" yell one of the men.

Yue rushed back to the kitchen after hearing the cry. Assisted by several other girls. That was when Yue felt something strange when the back door opened slightly. "Grandma, is that you?"

"Yue, can you help us?" ask one of the girls.

"Ehm," Yue replied while nodding.

"Gosh, you're this. Have you not taken your medicine? Look, Grandma Niu made it for you. I'm sure he forgot to give it to you because he was too busy. Quickly drink, before he gets angry," said the girl.

"You're right." Soon Yue grabbed the bowl and finished it.

Instantly after taking the medicine, Yue felt tight. It's hard for him to breathe. He even coughed a few times. Just then Yue realized the girl was screaming seeing the blood that Yue spewed out.

His legs were too limp to support his burning body. Yue finally fell on the floor with a loud thump.

"Grandma!" exclaim that girl.

All the people who heard him flocked into the soup kitchen including Grandma Niu and Lai Xin. They knelt beside the bloodstained Yue Yang while checking the situation.

"Yu-Yue took the medicine from Grandma, and then she became like that" the girl sobbed.

Soon Grandma Niu circulated her gaze to the floor and found the thing. The old woman took the bowl of medicine and sniffed it. "Toxic."

"Poisons?" asked Lai Xin to make sure.

"Quick lay him on the bed" said Granny Niu.

Two men came forward to hold Yue's body from the floor and ran small towards his room. Lai Xin looked extremely anxious as well as Granny Niu.

"Hopefully it's okay."

Tbc....