Love In The Forbidden City (Completed)

Chapter XXX -The Finale End (Revised)

The next day, One Sided was practicing sword in the garden, while his concubine played the seven-string zither to motivate him. His steps and movements gained in speed as the rhythms became rapid. Suddenly, one of the strings snapped and his concubine apologized in fright.

One Sided frowned at the bad omen but still, he spoke to his concubine softly, "It is not your fault." As he saw the movements of the grass surrounding the three-tiered water fountain, his voice raised a dozen octaves higher. "Who is sneaking over there? Come out!"

I walked out from behind the fountain. "The weather is so cold, but your temper is so hot."

One Sided let down his sword. "Ruo Xi, if you want to watch the show, you don't have to hide." He made an eye gesture, signaling his concubine to leave.

I approached him and brought a handkerchief to his face. He leaned closer like a flighty young man as I wiped his sweat. He smiled so joyously as my fingers touched his skin.

"Your fingers are icy cold. Let us go inside and put on more clothes," he said.

I nodded and allowed him to walk me to my chamber. I wished that the Almighty God could spare me more days to enjoy the serene life here, but I knew that I had almost walked till the end of my life. I sighed. When the fuel ran out, the lamp would be shut off.

Carefully, One Sided led me to my bed. I gave him a weak smile as I reclined on the soft blanket. Upon seeing my feeble state, One Sided was so furious that he hit a couple of his servants, scolding them for being slacked in searching for good doctors. I told him to cease his effort because everything was predestined. I comforted him to take everything easy. Somberly, they left me to nap. Soon, I had a dream. I saw Ice Face. I was so delighted that I darted towards him but when I wanted to hug him, he morphed into a whiff of smoke and vanished. Fourth Prince, Fourth Prince, I kept yelling. As soon as I woke up, I wrote a letter to him. 

I was sealing the envelope when One Sided walked in. "Ruo Xi, I had asked the servants to prepare your favourite meal -- chicken in sugar and vinegar. I had also invited the kingdom's most renowned zither player. He will be here by tomorrow."

I smiled and thanked him. Holding his hand, I placed the letter in it. "Please send this to the emperor. Must be fast. Real fast. Then he'll see it by tomorrow, and he'll come here, and I'll see him three days later."

One Sided would always get furious when he heard the emperor's name, but today he patted the back of my hand and agreed with my request instantly. On the third day, despite my fatigue, I rose earlier and adorned myself. After applying lipstick, I sat in the lounge and waited for Ice Face. My head ached when the sun was hanging high in the sky but I waited. My eyes could barely open when the sun climbed down the hills, but still, I didn't see even the tips of his nose. 

Tears streamed down my eyes.

"Second Miss, you are still waiting for the emperor?" Qiao Hui asked anxiously.

"He's still unwilling to forgive me. I've just realized how much he hates me. He doesn't even want to meet me for the final time. No, maybe he doesn't hate me. He might think that I'm just someone who doesn't relate to him. He no longer cares about me."

"Second Miss, do not think like that. Perhaps the emperor is being delayed by work."

"Right, he'll still come," I said, but my tone was doubtful. 

Qiao Hui nodded, registering some confidence in my mind. 

I sat in the lounge for the entire night, not daring to lie down even though my body couldn't take the exhaustion anymore. I didn't dare lie down because I might ruffle my headdresses. But the morning arrived and he hadn't come. I was disappointed and brought out my wood chest.