Liu Qi POV
When I finished, I immediately inspected Yi Ji’s reaction. I cannot say if she met or exceeded my expectations as she just merely looked ahead and continued walking.
“Is that so?” She said in her usual, calm voice.
“… Is there no problem at all with this?” I felt a little awkward and could not help but to ask directly.
Yi Ji looked at me and stuck her hands in her sleeves as she replied, “To be honest, young mistress’s way of doing things is a little conceited.”
“Is that so?” I responded weakly. I understood what she meant and when I thought about it, what she said does have some truth in it.
“But,” Just as I was about to indulge in regret for my actions, she turned the conversation on its head, “But young mistress is indeed not yet ready to take over as the Governor of an entire state. Being an Administrator first is a good thing.”
Hu… I heaved a sigh of relief when she finished.
“I was thinking that it might have been a bad choice but I’m relieved at what you said.” I said as I looked at the sky with my hands at my back, “When I go to Jiangxia, I have a lot of things to learn and do.”
“I think it’s fine.” Yi Ji said as she too looked up at the sky, “As young mistress said, Cai Mao has lost her standing. It will be difficult for Lady Cai alone to prop up the second young mistress so there’s no need to worry too much about Xiangyang.”
“Yes.” I nodded. I do not know when it began but the notion of conflict with Lady Cai seems to have diminished.
Is it because I have matured? Or is it because I feel that I have already won from what has just happened? Or could it be that I trusted what Liu Cong said?
I do not know. But the me now is only thinking about how I can improve my abilities to accomplish greater things.
“Yi Ji, come with me to Jiangxia.” I said as I made my resolve and looked at Yi Ji.
“That’s fine, I am more or less young mistress’s retainer anyway.”
“Oh~ I see~” I said, doing my best to sound as calm as possible and not let my elation show.
Yi Ji has never said such a thing before after all. Of course, this is also partially due to the fact that I have never asked.
“But,” Yi Ji said as she raised her sleeve and held her chin with it, “It’s best if we leave Wen Ping here for the time being. No matter what, there must be someone here to observe the situation.”
“Un, un.” I nodded. What she said makes sense. Not having Wen Ping come along makes it a little lonely but I must keep the big picture in mind.
“Elder sister!”
Wu!
Just then, a tender voice came from behind. When this voice entered my ears, I could feel my hair stand on end.
“It’s the second young mistress.” Yi Ji turned around to look and whispered to me but I knew who it was just from the voice alone.
“I know.”
*Ta* *Ta* *Ta* *Ta*
The sound of light footsteps came closer and closer until they stopped. Then the one behind the footsteps spoke, “Elder sister.”
“What business do you have?” I coldly asked.
“Young mistress, watch yourself. We’re in public.” Yi Ji hurriedly whispered to me when she heard that my tone was not too appropriate.
“Un.” I nodded and restrained myself. My emotions and thoughts are a mess right now and her presence is only worsening things. Irritation filled my heart and it showed through my speech.
“I should have said everything that needs to be said before.” I did not turn back and suppressed the frustration I felt as I replied again, “May I ask what business you have?”
Ah… Liu Cong opened her mouth but no words came out. She did not leave either and just as I was beginning to feel really irritated at her timidity and say some nasty things, she spoke up before me.
“I, I have something to say to elder sister.”
I turned back and saw that Liu Cong was withdrawn and she held her hands in front of her chest with her eyes closed.
“Something to say huh…” As I looked at Liu Cong, I could largely guess what she wanted to say, “I’m sorry, I’m very busy so it will have wait for later.”
And because I knew what she wanted to say, I said these words and turned to leave.
“Ah, elder sister.” She yelled out from behind. I continued to walk ahead and did nit turn back. Yi Ji looked like she wanted to say something but refrained from doing so probably because she saw how unhappy I was and merely followed behind me in silence.
*Ta* *Ta* *Ta* *Ta*
Usually, Liu Cong would have been stopped by my cold shoulder and she would have stood rooted to the ground. But this time, I could hear her footsteps chasing after me.
It was light but it made me feel irritated.
I know what she wants to say. The last time she tried to explain herself was not the first time she tried to do so. But I do not wish to listen to her.
“Umm… I have something to say regarding the flower garden!”
What? Why have you started blabbing on your own all of a sudden?
As I listened to her words, her footsteps gradually got louder until she caught up to me.
“Don’t say anymore.” I said, suppressing the rage which burned inside me.
“No, I must make things clear to you this time!”
But for some reason, things were different this time. The more I rejected her, the stronger Liu Cong responded and the more she tried to catch up to me.
“I did indeed tell father about the flower garden but I never thought that father would get so angry then!”
“Don’t say anymore!”
In my eyes, the scene from back then played out before me.
I saw father and the soldiers with spades and shovels in hand digging up the garden. I was crying and wailing. Probably only 10% of what I felt back then still remains in my memories but it’s almost enough to make me collapse.
“Elder sister! Elder sister!”
“Stop saying anymore!! I don’t want to listen to all the stories you came up with!”
Her yells broke the last bits of restraint I had and I went into a frenzy and yelled at her.
It looked like this worked as she got a shock and stopped trying to catch up. As I looked at Liu Cong who stared at me, her tears should probably flow soon.
Hu… This ought to–
“No! I have to say it!”
Wu!
Just as I thought that she was going to given up, she raised her head and met my gaze with eyes that were filled with tears. This gave me a shock as I never expected the day when Liu Cong would yell back at me would come so quickly.
“When I saw elder sister’s back from before, I felt that I ought to pluck up my courage.”
I cannot believe that an action of mine actually served as an inspiration for her.
“It’s true! It’s true that what I said resulted in what happened. But I can swear that I did not intend to bring harm to elder sister!”
“You think I’ll believe you?! You liar!”
Uncle has tried to get me to listen to Liu Cong several times now. It’s not as if I do not understand where he is coming from but I am unable to do it. Someone has to take responsibility for this. And clearly, this someone should be Liu Cong.
“I won’t believe you whether or not what you say is true!”
From the very beginning, I have never wanted to change my perception of this.
“Young mistress…”
“What!” Yi Ji tugged at my sleeve but I was enraged and shrugged her off.
Ah… Just then, my gaze shifted away from Liu Cong and I realised that a lot of passers-by were looking at us.
Ahem. My cheeks began to burn and I cleared my throat before taking some deep breaths.
“Elder sister, will you be willing to bet with me?”
Un? Liu Cong’s expression did not waver when I looked at her. Instead, she seemed to be even more resolved and obstinate. When I looked at her, I felt like it was I who had to step back. This, was the very first time I have ever seen Liu Cong like this.
“W, what bet?” Though I was feeling terrible and had no interest in the bet she was proposing, I still caved in to her pressure and asked.
“This is it.” She said as she reached into her sleeve and opened her palm, revealing several seeds.
“This is?”
“Elder sister, both you and I cannot approach flowers right?”
“And so what about it?”
That particular flower garden was the only place where I could get in contact with flowers…
“But we could touch the flowers in the secret flower garden right?”
“As I said before, so what about it?” I really had no patience for this but Liu Cong revealed her true intent immediately.
“I will grow flowers just like the ones in the secret flower garden, flowers we can touch.”
Eh?! How could something like that actually happen…
“Don’t be silly…”
“If I succeed, can elder sister forgive me?!”
“Wu…”
Liu Qi POV
When I finished, I immediately inspected Yi Ji’s reaction. I cannot say if she met or exceeded my expectations as she just merely looked ahead and continued walking.
“Is that so?” She said in her usual, calm voice.
“… Is there no problem at all with this?” I felt a little awkward and could not help but to ask directly.
Yi Ji looked at me and stuck her hands in her sleeves as she replied, “To be honest, young mistress’s way of doing things is a little conceited.”
“Is that so?” I responded weakly. I understood what she meant and when I thought about it, what she said does have some truth in it.
“But,” Just as I was about to indulge in regret for my actions, she turned the conversation on its head, “But young mistress is indeed not yet ready to take over as the Governor of an entire state. Being an Administrator first is a good thing.”
Hu… I heaved a sigh of relief when she finished.
“I was thinking that it might have been a bad choice but I’m relieved at what you said.” I said as I looked at the sky with my hands at my back, “When I go to Jiangxia, I have a lot of things to learn and do.”
“I think it’s fine.” Yi Ji said as she too looked up at the sky, “As young mistress said, Cai Mao has lost her standing. It will be difficult for Lady Cai alone to prop up the second young mistress so there’s no need to worry too much about Xiangyang.”
“Yes.” I nodded. I do not know when it began but the notion of conflict with Lady Cai seems to have diminished.
Is it because I have matured? Or is it because I feel that I have already won from what has just happened? Or could it be that I trusted what Liu Cong said?
I do not know. But the me now is only thinking about how I can improve my abilities to accomplish greater things.
“Yi Ji, come with me to Jiangxia.” I said as I made my resolve and looked at Yi Ji.
“That’s fine, I am more or less young mistress’s retainer anyway.”
“Oh~ I see~” I said, doing my best to sound as calm as possible and not let my elation show.
Yi Ji has never said such a thing before after all. Of course, this is also partially due to the fact that I have never asked.
“But,” Yi Ji said as she raised her sleeve and held her chin with it, “It’s best if we leave Wen Ping here for the time being. No matter what, there must be someone here to observe the situation.”
“Un, un.” I nodded. What she said makes sense. Not having Wen Ping come along makes it a little lonely but I must keep the big picture in mind.
“Elder sister!”
Wu!
Just then, a tender voice came from behind. When this voice entered my ears, I could feel my hair stand on end.
“It’s the second young mistress.” Yi Ji turned around to look and whispered to me but I knew who it was just from the voice alone.
“I know.”
*Ta* *Ta* *Ta* *Ta*
The sound of light footsteps came closer and closer until they stopped. Then the one behind the footsteps spoke, “Elder sister.”
“What business do you have?” I coldly asked.
“Young mistress, watch yourself. We’re in public.” Yi Ji hurriedly whispered to me when she heard that my tone was not too appropriate.
“Un.” I nodded and restrained myself. My emotions and thoughts are a mess right now and her presence is only worsening things. Irritation filled my heart and it showed through my speech.
“I should have said everything that needs to be said before.” I did not turn back and suppressed the frustration I felt as I replied again, “May I ask what business you have?”
Ah… Liu Cong opened her mouth but no words came out. She did not leave either and just as I was beginning to feel really irritated at her timidity and say some nasty things, she spoke up before me.
“I, I have something to say to elder sister.”
I turned back and saw that Liu Cong was withdrawn and she held her hands in front of her chest with her eyes closed.
“Something to say huh…” As I looked at Liu Cong, I could largely guess what she wanted to say, “I’m sorry, I’m very busy so it will have wait for later.”
And because I knew what she wanted to say, I said these words and turned to leave.
“Ah, elder sister.” She yelled out from behind. I continued to walk ahead and did nit turn back. Yi Ji looked like she wanted to say something but refrained from doing so probably because she saw how unhappy I was and merely followed behind me in silence.
*Ta* *Ta* *Ta* *Ta*
Usually, Liu Cong would have been stopped by my cold shoulder and she would have stood rooted to the ground. But this time, I could hear her footsteps chasing after me.
It was light but it made me feel irritated.
I know what she wants to say. The last time she tried to explain herself was not the first time she tried to do so. But I do not wish to listen to her.
“Umm… I have something to say regarding the flower garden!”
What? Why have you started blabbing on your own all of a sudden?
As I listened to her words, her footsteps gradually got louder until she caught up to me.
“Don’t say anymore.” I said, suppressing the rage which burned inside me.
“No, I must make things clear to you this time!”
But for some reason, things were different this time. The more I rejected her, the stronger Liu Cong responded and the more she tried to catch up to me.
“I did indeed tell father about the flower garden but I never thought that father would get so angry then!”
“Don’t say anymore!”
In my eyes, the scene from back then played out before me.
I saw father and the soldiers with spades and shovels in hand digging up the garden. I was crying and wailing. Probably only 10% of what I felt back then still remains in my memories but it’s almost enough to make me collapse.
“Elder sister! Elder sister!”
“Stop saying anymore!! I don’t want to listen to all the stories you came up with!”
Her yells broke the last bits of restraint I had and I went into a frenzy and yelled at her.
It looked like this worked as she got a shock and stopped trying to catch up. As I looked at Liu Cong who stared at me, her tears should probably flow soon.
Hu… This ought to–
“No! I have to say it!”
Wu!
Just as I thought that she was going to given up, she raised her head and met my gaze with eyes that were filled with tears. This gave me a shock as I never expected the day when Liu Cong would yell back at me would come so quickly.
“When I saw elder sister’s back from before, I felt that I ought to pluck up my courage.”
I cannot believe that an action of mine actually served as an inspiration for her.
“It’s true! It’s true that what I said resulted in what happened. But I can swear that I did not intend to bring harm to elder sister!”
“You think I’ll believe you?! You liar!”
Uncle has tried to get me to listen to Liu Cong several times now. It’s not as if I do not understand where he is coming from but I am unable to do it. Someone has to take responsibility for this. And clearly, this someone should be Liu Cong.
“I won’t believe you whether or not what you say is true!”
From the very beginning, I have never wanted to change my perception of this.
“Young mistress…”
“What!” Yi Ji tugged at my sleeve but I was enraged and shrugged her off.
Ah… Just then, my gaze shifted away from Liu Cong and I realised that a lot of passers-by were looking at us.
Ahem. My cheeks began to burn and I cleared my throat before taking some deep breaths.
“Elder sister, will you be willing to bet with me?”
Un? Liu Cong’s expression did not waver when I looked at her. Instead, she seemed to be even more resolved and obstinate. When I looked at her, I felt like it was I who had to step back. This, was the very first time I have ever seen Liu Cong like this.
“W, what bet?” Though I was feeling terrible and had no interest in the bet she was proposing, I still caved in to her pressure and asked.
“This is it.” She said as she reached into her sleeve and opened her palm, revealing several seeds.
“This is?”
“Elder sister, both you and I cannot approach flowers right?”
“And so what about it?”
That particular flower garden was the only place where I could get in contact with flowers…
“But we could touch the flowers in the secret flower garden right?”
“As I said before, so what about it?” I really had no patience for this but Liu Cong revealed her true intent immediately.
“I will grow flowers just like the ones in the secret flower garden, flowers we can touch.”
Eh?! How could something like that actually happen…
“Don’t be silly…”
“If I succeed, can elder sister forgive me?!”
“Wu…”
