Clouds dotted the sky and the cold wind blew with force.

Many people were gathered in front of the mausoleum that had been erected for the soldiers who lost their lives in war.

At the head of the group, the crown prince stood with Li Yong beside him. Xu was also standing beside Li Yong while clutching her lute.

Indeed, Xu was about to play the flute for the burial rites that was about to be held.

The people gathered were mainly military personnel, and General Li and Ming were also among the crowd.

Ming was accompanied by a soldier who was constantly whispering to him.

Yui Mei observed everything from the sidelines.

This place was already outside the Hundred Blossom Palace, so what was a court lady like Yui Mei doing here, one might ask. The reason was no other than the person beside her, the one who took her along with him.

 

“Hm, hm, what a nice day we have here. If the weather is bad, it will give a gloomy atmosphere, but having too much sun would be quite a mismatch to the solemn mood. Yes, this much is right.”

 

A eunuch was talking to Yui Mei, and it was no other than Du.

As for how they ended up in this situation —

The news that Xu wanted to play for the burial rites reached the emperor’s ear, and he then declared that it would be better for Xu to play in the frontlines rather than secretly behind the scenes. The emperor then prepared the stage for her to do so.

Yui Mei also heard about it from Xu herself, but even if she wanted to do so, the venue was outside the Hundred Blossom Palace. She already accepted that it would be impossible for her to attend, when Du suddenly approached her on the day of the rites.

 

‘Ack, everything this guy does is bad for the heart!’

 

He suddenly appeared while she was busy cleaning, and she was forced to accompany him willy-nilly.

Du was different from Libin; he would often do unimaginable things so it was quite terrifying.

Yui Mei stared at Du, before speaking out.

 

“….Won’t His Majesty the Emperor participate in this event?”

 

Du smirked in reply.

 

“Nope, he won’t. If the Emperor comes here, it’ll turn into a huge fan fare, right? Xu just wanted to mourn for her lover, and the other soldiers who lay in sleep with him will just be collateral beneficiaries. This much is fine. And yeah, in case you’re wondering, he does have a nominal representative.”

 

He then pointed with his chin towards the crown prince.

What an attitude— if it’s an ordinary eunuch, wouldn’t he be captured and dragged out already for blatant impudence?

Moreover, this place was teeming with people related to the military.

And yet, wonder of wonders, nobody would even meet the eyes of this emperor doppelganger of a eunuch. 

It was precisely because of that that Yui Mei had a feeling that people were awkwardly averting their gaze, eyes darting around anywhere but here.

 

‘Eh, wait, don’t tell me this obvious disguise is already widely known within his circle?’

 

Then, could it be that Yui Mei’s current position was that of a poor greenhorn involved in this sneaky business?

 

‘Aren’t I quite pitiful?’

 

Yui Mei quietly sighed.

 

“Set that aside, and don’t move your eyes away from that, alright?”

 

Du said seriously.

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

Yui Mei nodded.

Indeed, Du didn’t take Yui Mei with him out of the kindness of his heart; she was here for work.

As for the job — she had to observe a certain person.

It was the soldier that Ming took with him.

He was Dong, the amnesiac guy currently residing in Ming’s house.

Ming was trying to calm and assure Dong, who was embarrassed for his out-of-place presence in this event, that he could stay here. 

 

“Don’t you wanna see the number one lute musician of the capital?”

 

That was what Ming told him when he took Dong with him, so it was understandable that the man was confused to see that they were in a mourning ceremony for someone else when they arrived at the venue.

 

However, Dong was also the star of the show.

 

This event was actually a test whether Dong would be able to recall who he really was. 

Yui Mei’s role was to be the ‘first-aid kit’ in case something happened to Dong.

 

And so, in this venue filled people who had with various thoughts swirling in their minds, Xu, who was standing beside the crown prince, stepped forward and sat down.

 

“This humble woman will now begin.”

 

Xu was finally well enough to play the lute once again.

______
T/N: I’m SO, SO, SORRY I made a huge blunder at the end of chapter 197!! Huhuhu, arrggghhh!! Fixed it now.. Sorry to those who had been spoiled because of that T.T…..but shhh, thank you <3