Chapter Twenty-Five: The Imperial Guard

  As mentioned earlier, I sneaked out at midnight to steal some food, but unexpectedly ran into a mysterious man on the most convenient escape route. Who is he? He actually dared to loiter in the palace at midnight.

  That man walked out of the dark shadow, through the dim light in the palace, I carefully knocked on this fearless outsider, a Chinese man, about one head taller than me, under twenty years old, round eyes and nose, baby fat not yet faded, this appearance looks quite familiar, but for a moment can't remember where I saw him before. Looking again at his outfit, a red straight-collared long shirt, black silk thread embroidered with cloud patterns on the cuffs, a black belt with an animal head inlaid, too dark to see what fierce beast it is, the ceremonial knife at his waist has been pulled out some, cold light flashing by, I only then realized I was in trouble.

  "Who are you? An assassin?" I shielded the chicken in my arms and stuttered out my guess.

  "Do I look like an assassin? Where does it seem so?" He hesitated for a moment, his hand still gripping the hilt of the knife, and asked in puzzlement.

  "Within the palace, it's not allowed to privately store weapons, if you're not an assassin then who are you?" I tried my best to pretend to be fearless, took a deep breath and asked shakily.

  He detected the terror in my voice and asked coldly, "It seems that you are familiar with the rules of this palace, so why did you sneak around everywhere at midnight?"

  I don't know who he is, dressed like this and carrying a sword. A man, could it be the legendary imperial guard? But this attire doesn't quite match, which imperial guard dresses up like a wealthy young master? Maybe he's a eunuch sent out by his lord, just returned from an outing and didn't have time to change clothes.

  I was actually unable to come up with an answer to the question of whether he was a eunuch or a guard, but then I thought about it and realized that the answer was right in front of me. So, I turned my gaze to that mysterious triangular area, and indeed, one look would tell whether he was a eunuch or a guard!

  That mysterious sword-carrying man, seeing my gaze fall on his lower body, suddenly became enraged, hurriedly covering himself with both hands, his old face turning red as he scolded, "What are you looking at? I ask you, which palace's slave are you, to be so ignorant of the rules?"

  Seeing him so furious, I really feel amused and a little scared.

  It's infuriating just looking at it, isn't the answer obvious? I suppose you're some noble's favored attendant, otherwise how would you dare speak so loudly.

  Alright, at this moment, the emperor's favorite is not around, and I'm the one who made a mistake earlier, so I'd better admit my fault first to avoid causing trouble for Mu Yan.

  I curtsied low and forced a smile, saying "This humble servant deserves to die for offending Your Excellency."

  It's better that this didn't get out, I hadn't even finished speaking when he suddenly jumped up and shouted, "Who told you I'm a cuckold?" After saying that, he let go of the "answer" with both hands, puffed out his chest, and fully revealed the "answer".

  Although the night was dark, he had already walked to a bright place. Moreover, with his straightened body, I saw it very clearly. Indeed, I guessed wrong, he wasn't a cuckold.

  This is awkward. Who would have thought that a big man like him would be shy?

  Roar, I've been in the palace for only three months, from the emperor to the eunuchs and palace maids, almost everyone has been offended. Today, I've also offended this mysterious person, it seems that the future will be even more difficult.

  I added a few smiles, walked up to him, smelled a hint of alcohol, grabbed his sleeve with one hand, and coquettishly said, "Sorry, sorry, sorry, it's my fault for being ignorant and making a mistake. Sir, please don't mind me, this lowly servant who has never seen the world. I'll definitely treat you well in the future, okay, okay?"

  He saw my blushing red face, a silly smile on his face, and the hand that couldn't stop shaking, and he couldn't get angry anymore. He raised his hand to pull open the sleeve of my clothes and asked in a cold voice, "What's your name? Which palace are you from? Didn't your master teach you any manners?"

  Looking at his cold face, but the anger gradually faded away, and he felt relieved in his heart. He smiled and replied, "I'll report to this big brother, my name is Manya, I'm Zhou Shaoyuan's maid from Lingbo Temple, just entered the palace for a few months, don't understand the palace rules, hope big brother will help me more in the future."

  He listened to my answer, his face getting increasingly ugly, muttering under his breath, "Zhou Zhaoyuan, Lingbo Temple, Manya?"

  I saw the doubt on his face, and interrupted to ask, "What's wrong, big brother?" But he still ignored me, muttering to himself as if possessed. I waved my hand in front of his eyes, but there was no reaction. I poked his arm with my finger, and unexpectedly, he burst out laughing, laughing uncontrollably, laughing so hard that I was stunned on the spot.

  "What's wrong, big brother? What are you smiling at?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

  "Hahaha........." He didn't answer my question at all, laughing with his head thrown back and forth, occasionally using his hand to pat his chest to catch his breath, then continuing to laugh loudly.

  I really can't stand his inexplicable behavior, so I mustered up the courage and said in a low voice, "Big brother, are you okay? If you're fine, then I'll leave."

  Before I could even turn around, his laughter stopped and a stern voice came, "Come back!"

  "Ah." People under the eaves of a house cannot help but lower their heads, and I hastily responded accordingly.

  He suppressed a smile and pointed at the cloak on me, raising his eyes to ask, "What's inside?"

  Good heavens, has he discovered it? Whether to take it out or not is a good question. If I take it out, all my efforts tonight will be in vain. If I don't take it out, this man in front of me doesn't look like a kind person, and he still has a knife in his hand.

  I'm just a weak woman with only the strength to tie up chickens, how can I compete with those who hold knives? Humans are the chopping board and I'm the fish meat, do I still have the right to express my opinion now? If you want to bring it out, then bring it out.

  I pulled open the cloak, a gust of cold wind poured in, freezing me to shiver, while that chicken, in the cold wind still had its "elegance" intact, making people infatuated.

  However, the man had a look of disdain and puzzlement on his face, with furrowed eyebrows, and asked in confusion, "You sang just for this?"

  "Yes, I stole this from Shang Shi Ju... the head of it is still untouched, if big brother is interested, feel free to take it."

  Damn it, I'm such a coward, I actually handed over the hard-won chicken with both hands just to get away quickly.

  "Haha, Umanya, you've got your comeuppance today. If my old man finds out, who knows what he'll do..." He held up the chicken in one hand and pointed at me with the other, laughing uncontrollably.

  How did he know my surname was Wu? I don't think I mentioned it before. And who is the old man in his family? I don't remember knowing any old man in this world, could it be another "old acquaintance"?

  I was quite perplexed, but I didn't dare to speak rashly, and carefully asked, "May I ask which respected elder is your father? Does he know me?"

  "Hahaha, you forgot? Haha, you may be able to forget, but my old man is absolutely unforgettable! At his age, he's still being chased around the courtyard by a young girl, and that little woman even said she wants to...hahaha" He was laughing so hard he couldn't speak anymore, bent over and clapping his hands in laughter.

  Old man? Being chased by me all over the yard? Who is that? Ah, could it be? This world can't be so small!

  I thought of an answer and was shocked to the point of breaking out in a cold sweat. What a coincidence, I hope it's not that clever. I stuttered and squeezed out a few words, "What is your honorable surname, big brother?"

  "You want to know what my old man's surname is, but it doesn't matter, as it happens we have the same surname, Chen. Dongchen." He replied with a nonchalant expression.

  What's the point of talking, just say the key words, it's not that Chen who treated me at the Zhou residence, who else could it be? I'm doomed, I'm dead, who would have thought I'd run into that old man's son here, what to do? Stealing may not be a capital offense, but those people I've offended in the past might just "take advantage of my illness and take my life", sigh, looks like this time, I can only follow God's arrangement.

  Thought of this time will definitely die, can't laugh anymore, twitched a few times on the face, lost all energy.

  "Oh, what a coincidence! Like father, like son? No, this is called avenging one's father's feud. Do whatever you want."

  I wore a helpless expression, looking up at this avenger who I didn't know how would deal with me, thinking to myself, hopefully he can give me a quick end. But that hand suddenly tightened and pulled me along, until we reached the depths of night.

  "What are you going to do?" I asked with my hands clasped together in front of my chest, questioning the avenger with a tone that was somewhat surprised and more fearful.

  But he asked with a somewhat disdainful tone, "What's wrong with you? Didn't you say I could do as I pleased? Why the expression now?"

  As he spoke, he actually handed over the chicken in his hand to me. I took it with a puzzled expression.

  What's the point of this, do I have to die from overeating before I can leave? Alas, Umanya's youth was short-lived, and her brief life has come to an end. Sigh, Umanya, in your next life, you must become a long-lived old ghost.

  He pulled out a small jug from who-knows-where and sat down beside me, drinking by himself.

  He looked at me sighing at the chicken and laughed, "Hey, I'm telling you, what's with holding onto a chicken without eating it? Don't worry, I have no interest in women who look like you." As he spoke, he actually sized up my figure from head to toe.

  "What's wrong with my looks? Don't you have a good one yourself? Isn't it just a round face, nose flattened and smudged? How dare you criticize others' appearance with this look! Where did your confidence come from?" I gave him a white eye, fiddling with the chicken in my hand.

  "This arrogant fellow, probably can't bear others commenting on his appearance, said with great annoyance, 'You this little girl... you, you've broken the palace rules, do you know that? If it weren't for the fact that I'm letting you off because you teased the old man earlier, I would have dealt with you according to the rules.'"

  "How am I? My words are not even smooth, and you still have the face to scold me. I admit that I stole, and I should be punished for it. But what about you? Are you any better? That wine shouldn't be part of the palace rules for night watch, right? Otherwise, take me back and torture me some more, see how much benefit you can get from it when others ask questions!"

  It's not just provocation, I previously smelled the scent of alcohol on him, thinking it was from his previous drinking that hadn't dissipated yet. But just now, he drank several mouthfuls in front of me! Based on this alone, he has also violated palace rules. I reckon he won't be stupid enough to have me dragged back for punishment, right?

  I'm a person who's careful with words, if someone says something to me, I'll definitely retort. As for those who can win an argument against me, they probably haven't been born yet!

  "You're ruthless, Umanya." He said loudly, his anger still not dissipated, pointing at me.

  After a moment, he put on a smile and walked slowly towards me, squatting down beside me, saying slowly, "Haha, it's only you who can tame the old man in my family. Sigh, I'm Chen Songzhuo, let's consider us acquainted from now on, and be friends in the future."

  As he spoke, he actually stuffed the wine jug in his hand into mine and said "Here, drink up, it's cold!"

  "I dare not!" I handed the wine jug back to him, muttering a sentence.

  What is this guy doing? His mood swings are too big, it's really unbearable.

  "Take it, come on, oh, you're not that petty, are you? Alright, take it then, okay, okay?"

  I can barely take this scene, he's actually imitating my spoiled expression from just now, grabbing onto my sleeve and swaying back and forth. This scene looks like it's going to make me vomit, I've lost.

  "Alright alright, let go!"

  I glared at him and he immediately let go, raising both hands in a gesture of surrender.

  "Chen Songzhuo, right? Give and take, this is for you. Good things are meant to be shared with others." I handed the chicken in front of him, he smiled and took it, tore off a piece, and started eating.

  "Chen Songzhuo, what do you do?" I had always been curious about his identity and now asked without hesitation.

  He patted the ceremonial knife at his waist and mumbled with a chicken leg in his mouth, "This one can't be seen, guard!"

  "Then can you leave the palace at any time?" I continued to ask.

  "Hmm, this... when I'm off-duty, it's outside the palace. What's up, do you have something to say?" He continued chewing on his chicken, turning his head to ask.

  "Oh, then will you help me send letters out of the palace later?"

  "It shouldn't be sold as stolen goods." He glanced at the remaining half chicken, then looked at me and said slowly.

  "This guy is really annoying, and he's still talking about me stealing a chicken."

  He saw the displeasure on my face, looked up and smiled, putting the remaining half chicken back in my hand. He stood up, patted the dust off his long gown, bowed to me and said "The wine is enough, the meal is full, let's part ways here", then took the wine jug and disappeared into the shadows of the dark night.

  What kind of person did I run into tonight? A gust of cold wind cut off my daydreaming, and I hastily ran back to the Lingbo Palace.