Chapter 16: No Courage Without You

I don't do anything. Continue to splash water at him: "Who told you to tease me. You deserve it."

The fourth master couldn't dodge. Clothes soaked. Pretending to be angry, he asked, "Look at it. Now I'm soaking wet too. What to do."

I got up from the tub. Droplets of water slide down your body. I held out my hand. Slender fingers unbuttoned his shirt and belt one by one. Take off his robe. My 'lips' 'kissed' his: "Wet. Just change it."

The fourth master's throat tightened. Hugged me and 'kissed' hard. When I was 'lost' in his 'kiss'. He has stripped himself of his clothes. Step into the tub. Wrapped his arms around me defenseless......

Warm water. Cold fingers. Fiery 'chest' and 'lips'.

After the affair. The fourth master dried my body with a cloth towel. Carry me to the 'bed'. Put your arms around me. Gently 'kissed' my forehead.

I asked him softly, "Fourth brother. Why did you come all of a sudden?"

The fourth master hugged me tightly: "You girl refuses to come back for a long time. I'm going to pick you up."

"You just ran out. Isn't it okay to be in Beijing?"

The fourth master smiled: "It's okay. I was ordered to come out of the palace to pick you up."

"By order." I didn't expect that.

The fourth master smiled warmly: "Yes. I didn't expect the Emperor to order me to pick you up."

"It's weird......"

"Maybe it's because I haven't been 'meddling' much in government politics recently. Concentrate on the Buddha's path. There's a lot of trouble in Tibet. The DPRK and China are 'chaotic'. Several brothers are busy. I'm the only one who looks 'pretty idle'. Therefore the emperor summoned me to the palace to the extreme. Let me hurry up and pick you up."

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

The fourth master complained to me: "It's going to be the New Year soon. You said you shouldn't go back?"

Oh, yes. It's New Year's time again. But what's so good about the New Year. I'm not alone.

"Chinese New Year. What's good. You're hilarious. A family of hundreds of people, large and small. I'm the only one who has to live by myself. It's better to stay in Zunhua. It's better to be cleaner." This thing. I used to think it was a little bleak. But I never complained. Now it's spoiled by the fourth master. Even such words are spoken.

That's it. I've actually regretted it a bit. This is the case for the fourth master. I don't feel good in my heart.

The fourth master hugged me tightly: "I'm sorry...... It's just that I really can't be with you." He changed his words: "But. . . I'm afraid of a different year this year. Huang Ama has already spoken. This year's Taihe Hall banquet. I'm going to get you along too."

"I. But I am not a courtier. Nor is it a royal noble. I'll figure out what's going on."

The fourth master patted me on the shoulder: "You are now the only Gulun princess in the Qing Dynasty. He has a life-saving grace for the emperor. Let you participate in the banquet of the Taihe Palace. I can't say it enough. What's more. The royal grandmother is gone. Huang Ama is distressed that you have nowhere to go for the New Year."

He...... I feel sorry for me. I'm close to the fourth master. Said lightly: "All these years. I have been spending the New Year with my grandmother. Now. She's gone......"

"So. I'm going to get you back quickly. Otherwise. It's time for the New Year. There you are. I'm afraid I'm going to feel even more uncomfortable."

I closed my eyes. Nodding. Don't want to say that anymore. Instead, he asked, "Fourth brother. When the hell did you start liking me?"

"I don't know."

"You don't say it."

The fourth master looked at me resolutely. smiled helplessly: "Maybe it's the first time I've seen you. On the prairie. You lie by the lake with your eyes closed. Thirteen or fourteen years old. A somewhat wide pink-colored, satin-finished, ancient robe slightly reflects the white moon color. Pale pink 'lips', small nose with 'meaty' nose. A pair of heroic eyebrows frowned. The corners of the closed eyes seem to be ready to fall tears at any moment. At that time, I only felt a pain in my heart. But back to camp. Think again about your countenance. It's clearer. The heroic eyebrows are frowning, which makes people feel distressed. The little nose with some 'meat' on the nose is very delicate. And those eyes...... If those eyes are open; What kind of 'wave' light will flow?"

I pouted, "Fourth brother. You were really 'obsessed' with my beauty at that time."

The fourth master smiled: "You girl. If only I fancy your looks. How can I not let you go until now. I was born and raised in the palace. What kind of beautiful 'woman' has never seen. Compared to them. Your complexion has faded a little. It's just that I've never seen a woman. ...... as fresh as you"

"Then when the hell did you like me?"

"When I first saw it, it was different. Later, I couldn't help but get close. I really find myself in love with you......" he stopped. I thought about it for a moment before saying, "I really found myself in love with you. It was about the time of the forty-seventh year. That evening. You're coming out of the snow. Dressed in a bright red 'colored' palace dress. Dressed in a snow-white cloak. Cheeks are pink and cold. The tip of the nose is red. Push open the door and see a room full of people. Some were stunned. Just standing in the snow. On your head is the hairpin I gave you. All of a sudden, it made me miss it so much."

He reminisced about the New Year's Day. I also remember that day. Listen to him and say, "At night in the Taihe Temple. I always feel relieved. We're so lively here. But you're alone. I'm not at ease. Thirteen too. The two of us snuck out under an excuse. Run to see you. I saw the fireworks rising in the sky in your small courtyard from afar. Gently push open the 'door' and see you sitting alone in the courtyard. Drinking wine. Singing. So beautiful. But it's so poignant. That picture. It hurts in my heart but I can't bear to break it."

The fourth master said this. Keep your head down. Pick my chin. Looking me in the eye: "That's the time. I found myself feeling a fear that I had never felt before......"

"Fear."

The fourth master nodded: "Fear. I was staggered. Don't dare to go along with your own heart and embrace you. But I'm afraid. If I can't hold you in my arms. I'm going to lose you forever. Such a feeling. After that, I pondered it carefully. Only then did I understand the original. I've been in love with it before I know it. Unconsciously, I fell into it."

Those in the past. The minutiae are actually not calm. But the fourth master spoke quietly at this time. It shows a bit of gentleness and tranquility. Such a long-lasting affection is really emotional. It gives me extra peace of mind.

I hugged him tightly. Send your own 'lips': "Fourth brother. See you at the beginning of the year. It's been 10 years now."

The fourth master kissed me lightly: "Yes. Decade. I've loved you for ten years too......"

Decade. How long it is. We've been through so much. This feeling goes all the way. We don't even know how to talk to each other. Decade. And how short-lived. Flash. I have gone from a thirteen-year-old girl to a twenty-three-year-old girl. Accidentally. My age. Having entered the passage of the twenties again.

The fourth master may have felt the ups and downs in my heart. The warm palm rubbed my smooth back: "Don't think about it so much. Get a good night's sleep. Remember. I said it. I hope you don't fear anything anymore.' Jade'er. I'm here. Don't be afraid of anything."

"Good. I'm not afraid of anything......"

I close my eyes. Sleepiness is coming. I heard the fourth master coaxing me softly: "My good 'jade'. Don't be afraid. Don't cry. Stay with me forever. Never leave me......"

I feel a wetness on my lips in my sleep. Frowning and opening his eyes. I saw the bright smiling face that the fourth master had never had: "When I opened my eyes, I saw you in my arms. I don't want to kiss you. I can't believe I'm not dreaming."

I put my arms around his neck in a daze. Squinting slightly and kissing his 'lips': "It's really like a dream......"

I responded. His 'kiss' is deep. But there wasn't much 'excitement'. Instead, it is gentle and affectionate. It makes me more and more reluctant.

After a 'kiss'. The fourth master pecked my lips lightly: "I'll accompany you to clean up your things. I'll take you home tomorrow."

He said take me home......

He said......

Take me home......

Such a simple sentence. It made me burst into tears. Look at him with a smile: "Okay. Take me home......"

The fourth master gently 'kissed' away my tears: "Good. Don't cry. You cry. My heart is going to break."

I stopped my tears. Smiled and nodded.

The fourth master put his arm around me and sat up. Pinch my nose: "It's cold outside. You wait. I'll ask Lan Yue to fetch water to wipe your face."

Such a fourth master. Who will believe it? Lan Yue brought warm water. He personally wrung a cloth towel to wipe my face. and helped me get dressed with his own hands. Hold my hand and walk to the dressing table. I evened my face with pearl ointment. I even took a snail for my thrush......

Although he can't comb his hair in such a complicated style. But he carefully combed my hair with a grate. Lan Yue wants to take the hair comb in his hand and comb my hair in a bun. The fourth master waved his hand: "No need. That's fine. Anyway, there are no outsiders. Don't comb that cumbersome hairstyle and toss her."

He said. Laughing and pinching my nose. His eyes were full of ridicule. I pouted to meet his eyes. How much he spoils me......

All day. We pack our things together. Warm and simple for lunch. It's time for dinner. Finally everything is ready to stop. We can leave for Beijing the next day.

The fourth master sat on the 'bed'. Hold me in your arms: "Let's leave early tomorrow morning. It's too late. I'm afraid that there will be heavy snow on the road. That's not good."

I buried my head in his 'chest' and nodded: "You can leave when you say. Didn't you say you were going to take me home. When do you want to take me away. Just take me away."

The fourth master smiled and hugged me tightly: "I can take you away whenever I want."

I nodded with my eyes closed. Listen to his satisfied laughter. Asked him softly, "Fourth brother. Didn't you say you wouldn't come to me?"

The answer of the fourth master......

I don't know what to say. It's just completely different from what I imagined. Although I can't say it either. In my imagination. What exactly would he say to me?

His sigh. As if from an ancient aria: "I thought I was proud enough. Proud enough to hold your heart and wait for you to come back. Wait for you to come back to me obediently. I thought at least. I should keep that pride alive. But when it comes to the Mid-Autumn Festival. I can't help but urge you to go back in that way. You're good. He did not even obey the decree. I have no intention of going back to Beijing."

The fourth master seems to be a 'yin' wanderer singing an aria: "I can't wait for your feelings. Far more tormenting than I thought. It's going to be so hard every day. Buddhist scriptures are also good. Cultivation is also good. Gradually. Nothing calms me down. Can't help it. I went to Huang Ama and pretended to mention unintentionally that it was time for you to go back to Beijing. I took the errand that Huang Ama asked to pick you up.' Jade' ice. My 'jade' ice. Do you understand. No matter where you are. I'll find you. You can only be by my side. In my arms......"

I nodded. Wrap your arms around his waist hard: "Fourth brother. I'm real. I want to escape......"

He heard me say that. My body stiffened. Then sigh helplessly: "I knew ......"

"I'm sorry. But I don't want to lie to you......" I bit my 'lip': "The imperial grandmother is gone. I was almost disheartened. You're busy with those things in the shadows. The thirteenth brother was confined in the mansion. I don't have anyone in the palace to rely on. But I still have to face so many open and secret battles. I'm really tired. I'd love to get out of the way completely. Get out of the way completely. Although Zunhua is not as prosperous as Beijing. The palace cannot be compared with the palace. But it's so peaceful here. It's really peaceful. Every day. I can play with Hui'er in peace. Accompany her to make trouble. I'm not worried about whether anyone is waiting to push me into the water by the lotus pond. Don't worry about who's going to say something 'messy' behind their backs. You see. I can sleep peacefully. ...... eating"

I thought about what was going on in my heart at that time. Sorry to say to the fourth master: "I'm sorry. Fourth brother. I know that too. I'm sorry for you like that. But I really ...... I really didn't have the strength at that time...... Don't have the courage to go back...... If you don't come to me. If you don't come to pick me up. I may never have the strength or courage to go back again......"

Where did I still have the courage to go back to that city. Where did I have the courage to walk back to that palace. Beijing. Forbidden city. Palace......

This decade. They give me too much, too much. Okay. Bad stuff doesn't matter. Several partings of life and death. Several times the situation has changed......

It's all there. In the old me. It's something you can't think of. But now. Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. These things really happened to me. My heart aches. The scars on my body really remind me. It's not a dream. It's all there. It really happened to me. It's something I've really experienced......

The thick Forbidden City. Now it is still carrying such a heavy decade as me. How do I get back...... How can you stand with your back straight and stand in that red wall and yellow tile like before......

I do not know. I really don't know. I even dreamed back in the middle of the night. questioning the rights and wrongs of what he has done in the past ten years......

When you are restless. I always think of the sentence that the master of idiocy said, "A thought becomes a demon. One thought becomes a Buddha. There is goodness in the heart. and became a Buddha by himself". There is goodness in the heart. and became a Buddha of his own. But. How many things there are. I really did it with all my good intentions. At least one thing. A large part of it is out of my 'selfish' intentions... Nian 'Yu' Yao's miscarriage......

Sometimes I can't help but laugh at myself. has already done. There was more blood on his hands than that. Why do you have to be so obsessed with this......