Love In The Forbidden City (Completed)

Chapter IV - Peeping and Eavesdropping - Part II (Revised)

In order to prevent me from further embarrassment, Ruo Lan stepped forward. "Ruo Lan trained in an army camp before. Allow Ruo Lan to entertain all princes with Ruo Lan's humble skills."

I perspired profusely as Ruo Lan jumped up the horseback. She looked like someone who could be blown away by the blustery wind. Would she be able to sit on the horseback without falling? My woe was proven unnecessary seconds later when I saw her standing steadily on the bouncing saddle, with her hands stretched to both her sides. A smile tugged at her lips. I had never seen her looking so confident before. Undaunted, she continued to amaze us with her talents. With her left foot hooked to a pedal and her hands gripping the rein, she made an upside-down pose. The princes and I were completely gobsmacked.

"Sister, you're the best!" I cheered as she stepped down the horse. "You're our pride!"

Die Hard Thirteen appraised her, "You look like a graceful sparrow on the horseback."

"Of course, she's my sister!" I mused. "Unlike someone who looks like a pouncing bear trying to control the horse." I flitted my eyes to Pussycat.

The Tenth Prince asked with utmost innocence, "Who are you talking about, Ruo Xi?"

Pussycat smiled at him with pretentious warmth and then without any warning, she stepped hard on his foot. The prince jumped in pain on the pitch, and Pussycat laughed at his discomposure. A sense of relief washed over me as I looked at the couple. They seemed to get along well. Fighting and arguing were the norms in a household to spice up the romance. Though I disliked Pussycat, I hoped their marriage would be everlasting.

As the princes immersed in their joy of teasing the Tenth Prince, the Eighth Bei'Le followed Ruo Lan to the grassland behind the pitch. Their expressions signaled that a big discussion was about to take place. This was the golden chance for me to know their stories.

I tiptoed behind them like a ninja paparazzi. Hiding behind a giant boulder, I eavesdropped.

The Eighth Bei'Le said with a smile in his eyes, a doleful smile, "Throughout these years, you had never stepped near the stable, not to mention riding a horse. Do you know that you looked extremely captivating just now?"

"Ruo Lan's heart is tired. Ruo Lan will never ride again." She clutched her belly feebly.

"Ruo Lan, tell me what should I do to make you happy. It pains me to see you striving to shield your sorrow. Can you not give me one more chance? We have countless days to lead our lives. We can have many offspring. We had lost one but we can--"

"Please speak no further."

"Why can you not forgive me? I cannot accept the cold shoulder you are giving me. You treat me worse than the strangers on the road."

"In that case, Ruo Lan is willing to be a stranger to Eighth Bei'Le." She turned around, preparing to walk away. Her eyes reflected her hollow soul.

The Eighth Bei'Le hugged her from behind, with tears lingering within his eyes. "I do not want us to be strangers. I want to fix our problem. Do you not reserve a tinge of love for me?"

Ruo Lan didn't reply, nor did she struggle to free herself from the Eighth Bei'Le's embrace. Her eyes and expression looked distant.

The Eighth Bei'Le, slowly and desperately, released his hands. Nodding in a dejected way, he said, "I understand now. You do not fight back because of the grievance in your heart. The suffering that you are unwilling to share or discard has become the greatest torture to our relationship." He took a few steps backward. "From today onward, I know that you will no longer look at me with your heart. I will not pursue you further."