Another Lifetime

Chapter 6

She wasn't some weak damsel waiting for her knight in shining armour. She kicked the stranger at his shin and placed her hand on the grip of the sword, brought her head behind in speed, hitting his chin. The martial art master was surprised when the sword was taken from him but was not going to lose to a little lady. He took another sword from his belt to face his opponent.

The weight of the sword pulled her down and she was on the grass rubbing her head. Will power wasn't the only thing needed to wield a sword. She sat up rubbing her head when she heard laughter from her so-guessed-assasin. He was rolling on the ground clutching at his stomach.

She looked at him through narrowed eyes. The hansome face and brown eyes that was piercing her from the time she entered the palace was laughing uncontrollably. Looking at him laugh she couldn't help but laugh too.

Calming down she introduced herself modern style. "I am Lihua..."

" I know."

"And you are..?"

"Long Gengshing."

"You don't look like a guard. So who are you?"

"If you promise you won't bow down and being formal with me then I'll tell you."

"Are you somebody that important?"

"Uhuh."

"Fine. You have my word."

"I am...Never mind. I'll tell you at the end of the day."

"Hey!!That's not fair. You know who I am but I don't know who you are."

"I promise. I'll tell you."

"And why would I believe you?"

He removed his bracelet and gave it to her. "You can keep this till I tell you."

I eyed the white jade bracelet in my hand wondering if it was anything important since he didn't hesitate in giving it.

"OK."

"So why are you outside anyway?"

"I am suffocating with the amount of nobleness in the hall. Why are you here?"

"The same. Everybody there in a pleasant façade though they clearly don't like the presence of another. Girls trying to capture attention of rich young men. Ladies flaunting the wealth of their husbands. It is too...suffocating."

"You seem to have problems with women rather than nobility."

He turned to look at her. Her eyes crinkling at the corners as she chatted on happily.

*************

POV of Long Gengshing

She caught my attention from the moment she entered the hall. She was graceful and she flowed through quiet...like a martial artist. Her expressions were clear and she didn't seem disturbed with her sister.

I've known Lihua for a long time now. I see her in every palace banquet since her father is the prime minister she could accompany him and every time she comes she would hover around my brother. She was a beauty with no brains, talented but with no grace. She is younger than my brother by a few months. They studied together, but after class he would run away. He used to come to me to complain about how the other girls were afraid to make friends with him because of her. But she started behaving like this only after she turned twelve. No one knew what had happened to make her change like that. She just did.

She was jealous of her sister because my brother showed interest in her. Every banquet she would overdress to look better than her, but it only worsened her reputation. Her eyes were always scheming as she enters the banquet hall. But today I saw it clear. Clear, as I remember it when she was five. I don't know if she remembers me. But she called me Shing-ge.

The first time I met her.

She was lost. She kept wandering around my garden. The garden I took so much pride in owning. Father emperor had gifted it to me when I found the hairpin he misplaced. The hairpin was important, momma had given it to him when he was small. He had kept it with him ever since. He was panicking when I entered. He was taking momma out but couldn't find his hairpin. I started searching and gave it to him when I found it. He had gifted it to me then.

Since then I had been taking care of this garden personally.

I was surprised when I heard crying. I went towards the voice and saw a little beauty sitting there on the grass clutching her mini hanfu wiping her tears. I knew at once that she was lost.

"Hey little girl, why are you crying?"

She was startled and looked up at me. "I am lost. I can't find my way to the palace gates. My friend is waiting there."

I knew that it was the first time. My brother as starting his classes and mother had invited the prime minister's daughter to be his study partner. Mother had been laughing and narrating to my father at the child's boldness when she demanded her friend, the maid study along with her.

"I know the way around. This is my home. Come .I'll show you."

"Really! Oh Thankyou! Umm...but who are you kind stranger?"

"I am the first prince! But you can call me Shing-ge!" I stated proudly with my chest puffed up and my hands on my hips. She widened her eyes and bowed down."Your Highness!"

"Shing-ge!"

"Your Highness!"

"Shing-ge!"

"Ok, Your Highness Shing-ge."

I smiled widely, letting her know I was pleased. We talked as I led her through the palace grounds, I left her at the palace gates. She ran and hugged her friend. Her guards had come to take her home.

"Bye Shing-ge! See you next time."

The guards smiled at the girl as she skipped along with the head guard, chatting with him about how she'll join the army along with him." The gates closed as I still stood there smiling like an i***t.

"Yes Shing-ge, Did you like our prime minister's daughter?"

I turned around to see my mother, the empress. The guards bowed their head in respect as I blushed tomato red.

"She's OK." I said as I ran to my garden and sat where she had been sitting some time before.