YCY - 4

Chapter 4: When Will I Ascend to the Blue Clouds?

“Miss Han?” A soft laugh came from behind me.

I widened my eyes, my heart skipping a beat as I froze in place. Who was it?

“Are you Han Baiqing’s daughter?” This time, the voice was clear—a childlike tone. I exhaled deeply and slowly turned around to see a boy standing in the shadows, two heads taller than me.

Leaning against the rockery, I murmured softly, “Who are you?”

“Miss Han!” “Miss Han!” Muffled voices called out, and dim lanterns began to light up in the dark garden.

A pull on my arm startled me. I frowned and turned my head. “What do you want?”

“Do you want them to find you?” The boy’s voice whispered lightly. “Or do you want the crown prince to realize that Miss Han overheard everything just now?”

My heart jolted, and my eyes widened. What should I do now?

“Miss Han!” “Miss Han, don’t be afraid! We’re here to escort you!” The voices drew closer.

Clenching my fists, I thought quickly: If these eunuchs find me, it’s like telling the crown prince that I witnessed his violent act earlier. That would surely leave a mark in his mind and make his cunning mother even more determined to eliminate me. Rather than that, I should leave this courtyard and escape from Zhuiyue Tower.

With resolve, I crouched and slipped into the bushes. “How ungrateful of Miss Han to flee alone,” a melodious childish voice teased behind me. “Are you really Han Baiqing’s daughter? You don’t seem like one…”

Without looking back, I ran until I left the courtyard and reached the lakeside. Listening to the gentle lapping of the water and watching the gauzy curtains fluttering in the breeze at the pavilion nearby, I finally felt my racing heart calm. Catching my breath, I turned and softly said, “Thank you.”

By the light of the palace lanterns near the shore, I finally got a good look at him. He had flirtatious peach-blossom eyes, distant mountain-like brows, and lips that seemed perpetually poised to speak. His teeth were like pearls, and his face was as smooth as jade.

Only two words could describe him: Trouble .

His gaze was hazy, with a shimmering allure. Leaning his head, his dark green hair spilled over his embroidered robe. “Heh, the little girl is quite clever,” he said smugly. How dare he call me a little girl when he was still just a kid himself! I rolled my eyes and crouched on the ground.

“You sure ran fast,” he said, squatting before me and staring intently. Those captivating peach-blossom eyes were mesmerizing.

Beautiful trouble, a calamity in the making . When he grows up, he’ll surely have women throwing themselves at him, surpassing even the legendary Pan An. Who knows how many hearts he’ll break!

I glanced up at him and asked indifferently, “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

“What do you think? Who am I?” he retorted, suddenly squatting down and cradling his head, grinning at me.

His crescent-moon-like eyes were seven parts alluring, ten parts enchanting. I pulled my gaze away, cleared my throat, and scoffed, “Probably some minister’s brat who sneaked out of the banquet to catch crickets.”

“Brat?” His eyes widened in indignation, glaring at me. “How dare you, a mere slip of a girl, speak so disrespectfully to this hall !”

This hall? Could he also be one of King You’s sons? Great—out of the tiger’s den, into the wolf’s lair. Biting my lip, I dropped to my knees. “Your humble servant, Han Yuexia, pays respects to Your Highness.” Sneaking a glance under the faint light, I noticed the embroidered python pattern on his white brocade robe. Clearly, his status was noble—he wasn’t lying.

“Haha~ Hahaha” His unrestrained laughter echoed above me. I cautiously raised my head to see him laughing so hard he was nearly doubled over.

Laugh all you want, basking in your parents’ glory. None of Youguo’s princes are worth much!

“Ah, look how timid you are, little girl!” He rubbed his stomach, patted my head, and said wistfully, “If General Han knew his precious daughter knelt at the feet of a captured hostage, I wonder what he’d think?”

Hostage? So he’s the young prince of Qingguo? I stood up, staring wide-eyed at this boy of about ten. Taking a deep breath, I carefully asked, “Do you… hate my father?”

“Hate?” He snorted. “Why would I hate him? This place is far better than Qingguo.”

The boy stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the lake. His eyes glimmered coldly, and his lips curved downward slightly. Sent as a hostage to the victorious kingdom, he must be an unfavored prince. Born into royalty, the power struggles in Qingguo’s palace were likely even more perilous.

Thinking about this, I couldn’t help but feel pity for this young prince. “Thank you for earlier. Hi, I’m Han Yuexia. I’ll be six next month.” I extended my right hand warmly, offering a sincere smile.

He paused, raising his eyebrows, and looked at my hand. “Is this your country’s custom?”

“No,” I shook my head and replied brightly, “It’s my own gesture. Shake it, and we’ll be friends.”

“Friends?” He smirked devilishly. “You want to be friends with me?”

“Mm!” I nodded emphatically. In this dark palace, we were both wanderers in a foreign land—we might as well get to know each other.

He narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with amusement and curiosity. After studying me for a moment, he chuckled. “Hmph Quite the silly girl.”

Seeing his smug expression made me irritated. Scowling, I dropped my hand and glared at him. “Fine, if you don’t want to, then forget it!” With that, I turned to leave.

Suddenly, he grabbed my right hand. I whipped around and glared at him fiercely. This beautiful boy laughed coolly, his voice lilting. “Hoho, turns out you’re an impatient little girl!”

Impatient! Impatient my foot! I yanked my arm, trying to break free. Feeling his grip tighten, he sighed. “Don’t get mad—it’s just a joke!” I stopped and shot him a glare.

“This hall goes by Ling Yiran, styled Yunzhi. I’m eleven years old.”

“Styled? Don’t you only get a courtesy name after your coming-of-age ceremony?” I asked, puzzled.

Ling Yiran’s smile faded as he gazed at the night sky, his voice low. “Yunzhi was given to me by my late mother before she passed. After my coming-of-age, I’ll use this style name.”

“I’m sorry—I brought up something painful.” His sorrowful gaze was unbearable to meet. Exhaling, I spoke again, “Yunzhi, my nickname is Qingqing.”

“Qingqing?” He sneered, pointing to the wild grass on the ground. “Like the grass by the lake?”

“Of course not!” I stamped my foot, grabbing his left hand and tracing characters on his palm with my chubby fingers. “Qing, phonetic from ‘mao,’ sound from ‘zao.’”

“The ‘qing’ in the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers?” Ling Yiran sighed. “Han Baiqing truly is loyal and patriotic.”

“No!” I looked up earnestly. “It’s the ‘qing’ in ‘braving frost and snow for you,’ the ‘qing’ in ‘not betraying the Buddha or you.’ It has nothing to do with lords or ministers.”

“Braving frost and snow for you? Not betraying the Buddha or you?” Ling Yiran squinted, leaning down. His once-hazy peach-blossom eyes suddenly became sharp, gleaming with intensity. “Did General Han write those lines?”

Oh no—I let those lines slip in excitement, completely forgetting my situation. I took two steps back, my eyes wide, looking at him innocently. “My mother wrote them. Why?”

“Your mother—the lady who played the zither earlier?” He turned to look at the pavilion.

“Yes.”

Ling Yiran’s silhouette seemed desolate and lonely.

“My late mother was also a talented poet,” he glanced back, half-smiling, half-frowning—it was heart-wrenching. “My mother was also a master of the zither.”

Clouds turn into raindrops, losing their lives in the process. Raindrops fall from the sky without hesitation, yet they always long for their mother.

Silently, I gazed at the horizon where the water met the sky. Quietly, I empathized with his sorrow.

After a long pause, his light laughter dispersed the heavy sadness. “If Miss Han doesn’t return soon, there’ll surely be more commotion in the palace.”

“Ah!” I had completely forgotten. Clenching my small fist, I stomped in place. “How do I go back? Which way?”

He smiled faintly, pointing to the right. “Just follow this path straight, and you’ll soon reach Juyue Pavilion.”

“Thank you!” I grinned, blinking playfully, and backed away quickly, waving to him. “Ling Yiran, nice to meet you! Goodbye!”

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Ling Yiran watched the retreating small figure, his lips curling into a smile. His beautiful eyes narrowed dreamily. “Friends? Qingqing?” After a long pause, he sighed and opened his seductive eyes, his expression turning icy. “Chengbi.”

“Your subordinate is here.” A deep male voice suddenly rang out.

“Did you get in?” The young prince’s eyes darted, scanning the shadows of the trees.

“I did.”

“And the item?” Ling Yiran walked toward the dim path, opening his right palm.

“Here.” In an instant, a rolled-up parchment was placed in his hand.

“Mm, good work.” His clear, childlike voice was chillingly emotionless. He turned and gave a cold glance at the pavilion behind him. “It seems the great chaos in Youguo is near.”

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

With short legs, I sprinted all the way. Outside Juyue Pavilion, eunuchs and maids hurried about. Quanfu frowned, looking left and right, visibly anxious.

Retreating into the flowerbeds, I took a deep breath and plucked a rose. Humming a nursery rhyme, I skipped toward the dazzling palace.

“Master, Master! Miss Han has returned!” A maid lifted her skirt and ran toward me.

“Oh dear, my little ancestor!” Quanfu trembled, his duster shaking, his brows knitted together. “Where on earth did you run off to? Zhuiyue Tower is in complete chaos!”

Hmph, of course it’s chaotic. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince murdered someone , treating a life as if it were worthless.

Innocently pouting, I lowered my head and fidgeted with my fingers. “That eunuch left me at a corridor and abandoned me. I was so scared.” Gripping the thorny rose tightly, its barbs pricked my tender palm, drawing tears. Sniffling and furrowing my brows, I looked at Quanfu. Since that unfortunate soul was already gone, pinning the blame on him wouldn’t cause any miscarriage of justice.

“That useless slave Xiao Lu is utterly unreliable!” Quanfu stamped his foot, his eyes flashing with malice. “I’ll make sure he loses a layer of skin!”

Stop pretending. What’s a layer of skin? He’s already dead, and you’re playing house with me! Fine, I’ll play along to the end.

“Don’t take off his skin, don’t take off his skin! Just scold him,” I tugged at his robe, speaking softly. “Quanfu, here, this is for you.” I handed him a rose.

“Thank you, Miss, for your gracious gift.” He obsequiously accepted the flower, nodding and bowing repeatedly.

Holding Quanfu’s slightly cool hand, I quickened my pace into the heavily perfumed Juyue Pavilion, a wave of nausea rising in my chest.

“Your Majesty, Miss Han has returned!” Quanfu led me to the center of the hall, stepping aside and bowing to report.

Slowly kneeling, I bowed my body and murmured, “Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Oh~ Rise,” the voice from the throne sounded slightly drunk.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” My soft, childlike voice betrayed no real meaning.

“Did you see him?” King You smiled at me, his hand sliding along a beauty’s waist.

Before I could open my mouth, Quanfu interjected, “Yes, but the Crown Prince was busy studying, so we didn’t stay long.”

Suppressing my trembling lips, I inwardly sneered: Studying, huh? Quanfu, you sly fox, deceiving everyone and pleasing both sides. No wonder you’ve risen so high in this cannibalistic palace. I’m impressed, truly impressed.

“Such diligence from the Crown Prince is truly a blessing for Youguo!” an excited voice chimed in. I shot a cold glance at the flatterer.

“Hahaha~” The man on the throne laughed uproariously, wrinkles forming on his gaunt face. “My son works so hard—how proud I am! Our nation is strong, united in purpose. Dominating the south is inevitable! Come! Everyone, drink with me!”

“Long live the King, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand!” The hall erupted in cheers, laughter ringing out repeatedly.

King You embraced the beauty, his gaze cloudy, and waved dismissively. “Quanfu, send this child back.”

“Yes!”

I exhaled deeply, raised my head, and slowly walked toward the door. Suddenly, a figure darted in front of me. An elder in a blue official robe with white hair knelt before me.

What kind of performance was this? Hiding behind Quanfu, I stared incredulously at the man on the ground, speechless for a long while.

The noisy hall suddenly fell silent. From behind me came King You’s slightly displeased voice. “What’s going on?”

“Your humble servant Chu Feng congratulates Your Majesty on this great joy!” The old man raised his head, his aged eyes wide with excitement as he looked at the throne.

“Great joy? What joy? Tell me,” King You’s voice suddenly brightened.

“Your humble servant observed Miss Han’s features. She is destined for immense fortune and unparalleled nobility—truly extraordinary!” He bowed deeply again.

“Chu Feng, you’re late to the party. The king already mentioned betrothing her to the Crown Prince—now that’s unparalleled nobility,” someone teased, and the ministers burst into laughter.

“Not so, not so!” The old man crawled to my feet, pressing his forehead against them. “Miss Han’s destiny isn’t tied to Youguo—it’s tied to the entire world.”

The… world ! I instinctively stepped back, eyeing him warily. This old man must be insane.

The mocking laughter abruptly stopped. The hall grew so quiet that only the sound of flowing water outside could be heard.

“Was Miss born on the eighth day of the eighth month, year thirteen of Tianlu, at the third quarter of the dog hour?”

Feeling the gazes of everyone upon me, I squinted and muttered hesitantly, “Yes.”

“Exactly! It’s you!” The old man suddenly grabbed my ankle, trembling all over, and spoke urgently. “That night, I observed the stars. The Purple Star moved, and the Celestial Bureau shifted—a sign of the arrival of a destined ruler’s consort. Tonight, I confirmed it: Miss Han’s broad brow and swirling purple aura signify an extraordinary fate beyond mortal comprehension.” Crawling toward the throne, he exclaimed, “Your Majesty, this is great joy! Great joy!”

Sighing deeply, I glared at the figure on the ground. If you want to flatter the king and earn rewards, fine. But why drag me into it? Mother and I are already walking on eggshells in this treacherous palace. Now this old fool is causing me more trouble—it’s infuriating!

“Wonderful! Wonderful!” King You slapped his throne and stood abruptly, his beastly gaze fixed on me. “Good! Good!”

An ominous feeling surged within me. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead as I held my breath.

King You waved his arm ecstatically, his cheeks trembling slightly. “Chu Feng, Chief Astronomer of the Imperial Observatory, step forward to receive your title!”

“Your humble servant is here.” The old man prostrated himself on the ground.

“I promote you to Deputy Minister of the Imperial Stables, overseeing the Celestial Office, effective immediately!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your boundless grace! Long live the King, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand!”

“Hahaha, rise, my beloved minister!” King You’s booming laughter reverberated painfully in my ears. “Quanfu, take good care of her. If even a single hair falls from Miss Han’s head, bring me your head!”

Glancing sideways at the visibly nervous Quanfu, I inwardly scoffed. Natural hair loss is inevitable. Let’s see whether my hair grows faster or your heads pile up faster, King You.

The hall once again filled with sycophantic voices, congratulations, drinking games, and music. Could such a court really unify the world? Hah, what a joke! With a cold expression, I followed Quanfu out of the hall.

“Miss Han!” The newly promoted Elder Chu ran out holding a wine cup. I disdainfully glanced at him and turned away.

“Miss Han, every word I said is true. However…”

Whatever. I’m not interested! I started walking, but the old man suddenly appeared in front of me, bowing deeply. “Five years ago, besides the movements of the Purple Star and the Celestial Bureau, the Polaris Star also showed slight activity.”

I didn’t understand and didn’t want to hear it. Turning my head to look at the garden, I remained silent.

“Ah, forgive me, Miss. I forgot how young you are—it was rude of me.” He bowed apologetically, then raised his aged eyes to fix them steadily on me. “Your fate remains unwritten. Wealth, glory, honor—all depend on your choices.”

Looking up, I saw the Milky Way thick and thin, stars twinkling, clouds drifting lazily across the sky.

The night was black, tinged with melancholy.

A faint smile played on my lips. I flicked my sleeve and stepped onto the painted boat. Dipping my hand into the cool water, the opulence of Juyue Pavilion gradually faded into the distance.

Wealth and glory? What does it have to do with me?

Fate is like this cool lake water—resting in my hands.