Spring and Autumn's Dream Chapter 2

Xiang Bao woke up at the crack of dawn, her pillow flooded with her saliva, which was a downright disaster.

In summary, Xiang Bao was actually a hardworking and diligent girl. Why? Because she was a girl who had very ambitious dreams and people who had ambitious dreams should never be lazy. That was a mantra that Xiang Bao would always say.

Jumping off the bed, Xiang Bao happily hid the silver hairpin that she had slept with in her hair the whole night, under the pillow. But after thinking for while, she decided that it was inappropriate and so, took it out. The last time she had hidden Osmanthus cake under her pillow, Chun Xi had eaten them. Even till this day Chun Xi still refused to admit it! Hide it under the bed? Hide it behind the mirror? Not appropriate, not appropriate, they're all not appropriate.

She looked East, West, everywhere but she just did not know what to do with this treasured hairpin. She was frustrated.

"Xiang Bao, Xiang Bao……" Chun Xi's voice drifted in from outside the door.

Xiang did not even have enough time to hide the hairpin in her clothes and Chun Xi had already pushed the door open and walked in.

She distractedly looked at gorgeously dressed Chun Xi, she was out of her senses looking at Chun Xi, "You……."

"It's pretty right? Sister Zi Fei's servant girl helped dressed me up," Chun Xi was feeling proud.

"Oh……." Zi Fei's servant girl's esthetic point of view has always been different from the norm.

"Oh right, Gan da niang said that she wants you to go to the city, I was actually supposed to go but I'm learning how to dance from sister Zi Fei so she let you be the one to go."

"Go for what?"

"Gan da niang had spent a lot of money to bring Baihua Fang's lady Qiu Xue over to Liu Jun Zui. Qiu Xue is Baihua Fang's top lady and I even heard that she might even be three times more beautiful than lady Mo Li. Such a big guest, of course, has to have a servant girl serving her."

"Xiang Bao will not be going anywhere." Mo Li's voice suddenly drifted in, carrying a taste of coldness.

Chun Xi froze as her face started to turn white.

"Sis?" Xiang Bao walked towards her, smiling happily like a spoiled kid.

"But Gan da niang said……" Chun Xi said, summoning up her courage.

Mo Li raised her hand and with a 'pa,' slapped Chun Xi, leaving a clear and distinct handprint.

Chun Xi was stupefied, on her not-so white face was a handprint which looked brilliantly red. It was a little funny.

"If there is any problem, ask Gan da niang to come here herself, there is no need for you to open your mouth." Mo Li's voice was very cold.

Chun Xi ran away, crying.

Xiang Bao blinked, standing with an innocent face.

Mo Li turned towards Xiang Bao, her eyes gentle, "Why is your hair so messy?" She pulled Xiang Bao towards the mirror.

Xiang Bao obediently sat in front of the mirror and let Mo Li comb her hair.

"The outside world is very messy, sis will protect you."

Xiang Bao tilted her head, nodding before laughing, "En."

That was when Mo Li smiled. The King of Yue, Gou Jian had just succeeded the throne not long ago and the king of Wu had already dispatched troops to invade. How could she possibly let Xiang Bao go out at a time like this?

"Today, there will be two people who are coming to see me. One of them is called Wen Zhong while the other is called Fan Li. Help me stay in the front and look." Mo Li said after combing Xiang Bao's hair.

Xiang Bao obediently replied before turning to leave.

Walking out the courtyard, she met Chun Xi whose half side of her face was swollen red. Chun Xi fiercely glared at her while Xiang Bao sighed, sis really was too hard on her.

Xiang Bao had just arrived at the hall when someone ordered her, "Xiang Bao, go and serve tea to Lady Zi Fei."

Xiang Bao took the tea and went towards the west household. When she arrived at the door, she heard laughter coming out from inside. She immediately peeked in through the door's crack.

Inside the room, lady Zi Fei was wearing a very skimpy cloth, swaying her hips and dancing gracefully. The atmosphere was very intimate.

"Ye~ let Zi Fei help you ma.s.sage your back alright?" Zi Fei beautifully said.

"Okay. Only Zi Fei is so considerate ah."

"Then… Ye must not forget to regularly come to Zi Fei ah……"

"I don't dare to forget, don't dare to forget……" the middle aged man laughed loudly.

"Ye's heart must be thinking of sister Mo Li right……" Zi Fei pouted, a look that says she was discontent. Following, she laughed lightly, "But I wouldn't blame Ye, Mo Li is our Liu Jun Zui's leading lady. She is very beautiful but her temper is a little weird. Sometimes, even Gan da niang has to give in to her!"

"No, no, my heart only has Zi Fei……" the middle aged man hurriedly said.

"Zi Fei doesn't believe you….." her sweet voice flirted back.

Xiang Bao secretly laughed, her body gave an involuntary tremble, her arm full of gooseb.u.mps. Using that kind of voice to flirt, what a terrifying skill.

"Brother Shao Bo, have you ever such seen brazen peeping act?" A ridiculing voice suddenly sounded out from behind Xiang Bao.

Xiang Bao turned her head and saw that the person who spoke was a nicely dressed young man who looked about eighteen or nineteen. The weather was obviously carrying a touch of coldness but in his hand was a feathered fan. He had a look that said that he was outstanding and confident. Looking at those amorous looks, it was obvious he was an unfaithful playboy.

Looking at half of Xiang Bao's face, the man went into a daze. He had heard that lady Mo Li was a beautiful woman so maybe she was………….

"You are?" The young man asked politely, keeping away his previous ridicule.

"I'm a servant who's bringing water and what are you trying to do? Standing behind so sneakily and secretively," Xiang Bao said, not at all embarra.s.sed that she had gotten caught peeping.

Looking at Xiang Bao's full face, the young man choked a little, "I am here to look for lady Mo Li."

"Oh? Who are you?" Xiang Bao put the tea aside, hugging her arms.

"Don't be so talkative, just take us to her," the young said with furrowed eyebrows, looking at the arrogant servant girl.

"Lady Mo Li is not seeing anyone today," Xiang Bao shook her head, wanting to look down on this young man but it was too bad that she was short. She could only raise her head high.

"Why?"

"Our lady is waiting on someone."

"Waiting for who?"

Waiting for who? Xiang Bao touched her chin, thinking before she said, "Two people called Wen Zhong and Fan Li."

The young man laughed infuriatingly as he gracefully raised his slender and beautiful hands. Pointing at his own nose, "I'm called Wen Zhong", then he pointed towards the white-clothed man beside him and said, "He is Fan Li."

Xiang Bao's mouth twitched, looking at the white-clothed man, her face of indifference vanished, "It's you?!"

"We meet yet again, lady Huo Shui," the white-clothed man smiled.

"Lady Huo Shui? You know each other?" Wen Zhong looked left and right in doubt.

"We have met once." Fan Li was reminded of the incident by the streets, looking at the dazed girl in front of him, his lips couldn't help but lift up.

So he was called Fan Li…..Xiang Bao happily looked at him, "I'll bring you to see sis."

"Sis?"

"I'm Mo Li's sister, Xiang Bao," she introduced herself.

"Then we'll have to trouble Lady Xiang Bao," Fan Li nodded, laughing.

"Wei wei, why are you ignoring me?!" Wen Zhong waved his feathered fan around, unwilling to be left out.

"Follow me," Xiang Bao lowered her body, a rare act.

"Okay," Fan Li followed.

Wen Zhong had completely been left out.

Past the decorated door was a small courtyard that was filled with melodious music. Mo Li was sitting in the middle of the courtyard, playing the zither.

Xiang Bao wanted to open her mouth to speak but saw Wen Zhong very dazedly standing at the entrance, looking at Mo Li who was playing the zither. He didn't even realise that the fan on his hand had fallen to the ground.

"Sis, they have arrived," Xiang Bao sounded out, laughing.

The melodious music stopped and Wen Zhong who was in an intoxicated state turned to look at Xiang Bao, "Rough person."

Xiang Bao laughingly whispered to his ear, "And what about my sis?"

"Beautiful person," Wen Zhong whispered back.

Xiang Bao proudly said, "My sis is very doting on me."

"So?" Wen Zhong looked at Xiang Bao with doubt.

"If you offend me, my sis will have your head," Xiang Bao laughed with a 'hei hei.'

Wen Zhong's mouth twitched and politely said, "I was rude to young lady." He dared not be angry.

Xiang Bao had a face full of villainous victory.

Mo Li did not listen to their whisperings but Fan Li had heard them clearly and he could not help but laugh.

"Xiang Bao, what are you guys talking about?" Mo Li stood up and walked over.

"We're talking about……" Xiang Bao opened her mouth to answer.

"We're talking about milady's playing of the zither!" Wen Zhong hurriedly broke Xiang Bao off and walked, laughing. "Your sister is very adorable and your music is also very touching."

Xiang Bao couldn't stop laughing, this guy didn't dare to offend both sides.

"You are?"

"I am Wen Zhong," Wen Zhong courteously introduced himself.

"Sir Wen." Mo Li nodded her head and then looked towards Fan Li, "Then you must be country Yue's official Fan Li, Sir Fan Li right?"

Fan Li nodded, smiling.

"Xiang Bao, go and fetch some tea," Mo Li said, looking at Xiang Bao.

Xiang nodded her head, turned around and left the courtyard.

Looking at Xiang Bao's retreating back, Mo Li closed the courtyard door and turned to Wen Zhong and Fan Li, "Thank both sirs for coming to meet me."

"The front of the war is intoxicating, why would lady want to meet us at this timing?" Wen Zhong said, waving his feathered fan.

"To make a suggestion," Mo Li laughed.

"Oh?" Fan Li raised his eyebrows.

"I've heard rumours that the King of Wu, He Lu is leading the army to invade personally. The Yue army is being trapped in Zui Li. Mo Li used all means to invite both sirs to make a suggestion."

"Please do bestow your suggestion," Wen Zhong laughed.

"Can sir suggest to the King to gather country Yue's death row inmates to be in the first row of the army and then commit suicide. This would startle the army of Wu and dispirit them of their fighting spirit and then send some more of the inmates in the midst of them. Taking advantage of that, they can take the King of Wu down." Mo Li's beautiful eyes carried a hint of darkness.

Making a brief eye contact with Wen Zhong, Fan Li smiled, "The plan is a good plan but how can lady know for sure that the death row inmates are willing to meet death?"

"Official Fan Li already has a plan no?" Mo Li smiled, "The death row inmates are all bound to meet death but to lay down their life for the country….All sir have to do is to make a promise to pardon their crimes, including their family members and all survivors, would not only be pardoned but also be rewarded. Under these conditions, no one would not want to respond."

Wen Zhong immediately clapped his hands, "Lady does have a good plan."

"Listening to your tone, Lady does not seem to be from the Country of Yue," Fan Li suddenly said.

"I am of the Country of Wu."

"Country Wu?!" Wen Zhong's eyes widened, "Since you're from the country of Wu, why would you still want to…"

"En. It is very hard for us to believe lady unless… lady gives us a believable explanation," Fan Li sounded out, eyes high spirited.

A reason?

That would be her whole life's nightmare.

Mo Li looked at Fan Li and Wen Zhong before slowly opening her mouth, "Because…..I am Yao Li's daughter."

Fan Li and Wen Zhong froze.

Who Yao Li was, not one person in Wu did not know.

"The King of Wu, He Lu killed w.a.n.g Liao and s.n.a.t.c.hed the throne away. w.a.n.g Liao's son Qing Ji escaped the country, he was Wu Guo's bravest warrior. King of Wu He Lu wanted to get rid of that danger and so he had my father use the trick of injuring oneself to gain the enemy's confidence, to a.s.sa.s.sinate him. Although the plan had been successful, to fully convince Qing Ji, He Lu ordered for the death of Yao Li and his wife and children……"

On that day, the sun that was on the verge of setting had rays of light that looked like fresh blood.

Troops of soldiers and horses had burst into the household. Mother had hidden her in a large water jar, where she dared not move.

"The traitor Yao Li has committed treason, his clansmen shall die for him!" someone shouted loudly from outside

"Mother! Mother!….." She heard his little brother cry out.

She hid in the jar, tears dripping down as she looked at her brother who was covered in blood, kneeling by their mother.

She hid inside the jar, not daring to move. She witnessed her mother curling tightly up on the pool of blood, her shoulder stained with a very dark red.

"Impossible! Father would never commit treason! Father would never commit treason!" Her little brother raised his head, crying out at the top of his lungs.

Another swing of the sword.

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"Mother……" Her little brother's voice dipped in extreme grief had suddenly cried out, startling the courtyard's birds.

That kind of scream, Mo Li would never be able to forget for the rest of her life.

"Yao Li is country Wu's hero. He is willing to kill his own wife and children to help make the trick a success for the country of Wu, for the king He Lu. He is willing to do all that just to destroy the obstruction in front of the King, but as his daughter, I would like to see the country of Wu destroyed," Mo Li said as she went back to softly playing the zither.

The sound was very peaceful.

"At last, after a.s.sa.s.sinating Qing Ji, my father returned to country Wu and committed suicide……"

"Lady Mo Li……." Wen Zhong had furrowed eyebrows, his heart stinging.

"I understand now, many thanks to lady," Fan Li said, smiling.

"About these things… please keep them a secret especially from my younger sister, Xiang Bao."

"Why?" Wen Zhong asked puzzled.

"Because she has to remain happy," Mo Li's lips lifted upwards.

That's right, Xiang Bao has to be happy.

All the sad things will be carried by her, she'll help avenge her mother, she'll help look for their lost brother.

Her younger sister Xiang Bao… as long as she continues smiling at Mo Li, everything will be fine.

Wen Zhong looked at the slim fingers, at the lady who had a peaceful expression, his heart suddenly stirring.

"Please so rest a.s.sured, the happenings of today will definitely not be told to anyone else," Fan Li got up to bid his farewell.

Mo Li nodded her head, smiling, "Mo Li shall play a tune to bid both sirs farewell."

The tune melodious, Mo Li watched as they left with her train of thought drifting away.

That's right, her sister Xiang Bao is her only saving grace, she has to be happy.

That day………

She had waited until she had the courage to climb out the jar and upon climbing out, she could only see that the household was covered in blood. Her brother was gone, sister was gone and so she ran to her mother, crying.

But her mother had long lost her breath.

Everyone was gone and only she was alive. In that moment, her heart died.

And then, her mother's lifeless arm had moved a little.

With eyes blurry with tears, she stared blankly as the woman's arm lifelessly hung down the other side, which revealed a pair of ink black eyes.

The woman whose breath had already seized was protecting a little girl whose skin was white as snow.

That little girl's lips parted a little and sweetly, she smiled at her.

That smile dispersed all the haze in the sky.

That smile was from her younger sister, Xiang Bao.

She swore that she would protect that smile for the rest of her life.

Xiang Bao who was carrying the tea slowly hung her eyes down and left the courtyard hurriedly. She arrived at the stables and laid down on a patch of dried gra.s.s with four legs facing the sky. Right beside the the patch of gra.s.s grew a big tree which blocked most of the sunlight.

Her mouth held a long strip of dried gra.s.s as she looked at the sky through the leaves of the tree.

Spring's light was truly brilliant.

Wen Zhong walked out the courtyard and had arrived at the stables, he could still vaguely hear Mo Li's melodious playing of the zither. Looking at Wen Zhong's preoccupied expression, Fan Li could not resist laughing.

"Lady Mo Li……" Fan Li slowly spoke.

"En?! Where? Where?" Wen Zhong snapped out of his reverie, looking in all directions.

"I was saying…..How do you view Mo Li's words?" Fan Li laughed.

"Brother Shao Bo, you have no right to make fun of me, what about you and that Lady Huo Shui?" Wen Zhong shook his feathered fan, asking as he glared at him.

Fan Li laughed but did not answer. His line of sight landed under the big tree beside the stable.

Xiang Bao had a dried gra.s.s in her mouth, looking up at the sky, contented. Sunlight flitted through the leaves and landed on her face, leaving shadows and light.

"She sure is idle," Wen Zhong softly 'henged.'

"Yi? Have you guys finished talking?" Xiang Bao stood up, patting the dried gra.s.s on her body, she walked towards the two.

"En," Fan Li smiled, noticing the the tea that had been spilt all over.

In the year 496, King of Yue Yun Chang died and was succeeded by his son Gou Jian. The king of Wu He Lu led the army himself to invade country Yue. Both armies fought in Zui Li.The King of Yue gathered the whole country's death row inmates and formed a barrack of death row inmates. The front row of the barrack committed suicide in front of the Wu army. The Wu army were horrified at the violent scene and lost their fighting spirit. The Yue army took that opportunity to attack the King of Wu, He Lu. They had cut his leg and in the midst of returning, He Lu had died.

This war was unprecedented and bitter. The Yue army had used thirty thousand soldiers to defeat a hundred thousand of the Wu army. He Lu's serious injury was known far and wide.

This war was called, Zui Li Zhi Zhan. (檇李之战)

After the King of Wu, He Lu died, his son Fu Cha succeeded the throne and became king.