I felt myself being pressed against someone else's back.
A sudden urge to vomit but I held it in.
One step. Two step. I chuckle.
I feel myself slipping down but being pushed up again.
I open eyes, immediately overwhelm by an enormous headache.
"Miss, are you feeling better now?" Xiu Ying take the wet and cold cloth away from my head. She passes me a hot cup of tea.
I accept the tea, pushing myself up from the bed. Trying my best to harness my memories, I can't seem to recall anything. "Ugh.. Did you bring me back to the manor, Xiu Ying?"
My neck and shoulders are as sore as an old granny's back. I could only remember drinking the Red Daughter Wine from yesterday. What else did I do that exhausted me this much?
"About that.." Xiu Ying hesitates to speak, "One of the female embroidered uniform guards dragged— I mean brought you home. The commander informed Master and Madam Yuan about your presence in the restaurant. They weren't very happy upon hearing you snuck out as a male and seeing you drunk."
I smack my forehead, "He what?!"
That soulless bastard! He knew I was a female this whole time?
His tattletale is the cornerstone of my death!
I bite down on my bottom lip, "What will I do now? They'll punish me for sure!" I get up, pacing back and forth. Where are you, technology, now that I am in a predicament? I cry silently inside.
Maybe I can pretend to be sick?
I shake my head. No, no, no. What if they invite the doctor to check me out, only to expose my lie?
I groan, "I guess I can only face my fate."
**
"I had told you to not cause any trouble. And yet you don't listen! Look what you have done now. The Brocade-clad commander's son, Xu Kai, has to tell his guard to carry you into the Manor. You-You lose the honor of the Yuan family!" He sat in the chair, shaking his head in denial.
Madam Yuan smirks; she turns around and pats Xi Ning's hands. Xi Ning expresses her concern to me through her eyes.
I laugh awkwardly, "Father.." I saunter behind him, massaging his back. "Don't get mad. Don't stress too much. It will force your breath to quicken and your blood pressure to rise. Look, I'll write a letter to him expressing my fault."
Master Yuan slaps my hands off his shoulders, "I don't care. Scrub his clothes or beg him for pardon, but you need to obtain his forgiveness for your insolent behavior. Xu Kai is not someone to mess with."
Madam Yuan interrupts, "And you will be restricted from going out for a month. Your diet until then will be strict as well. Had you caused more ruckus, we could've locked you up in the woodshed. So be grateful."
"Mother!" Xi Ning says in horror; she disagrees with the statement. "You cannot do that!"
My jaw drops, "What?!"
I guess that is better than being locked up in the woodshed..
What will I do in a month?
By the time I return to my room, an ingenious idea pops up in my mind. If I cannot exit the manor, I can use my craftiness within the manor.
How about I write a story? I have no idea how to write in ancient Chinese, however.
Perhaps I can invite a writer to assist me in writing it. Aha!
I chuckle silently and hold up a piece of white paper. Nodding with enthusiasm, I tell Xiu Ying, "Quick, Xiu Ying! Request the presence of a pedant."
And so came the birth of a new story named Fifty Shades of the Embroidered Uniform.
Of course, it is based off a classic hit from America in the 21st century!
"Ah, yes," I nod to his statement. "Do make him grab her by the hand and stare at her intensely, will you? He'll mutter 'I love you. I love your smile. I love your mouth that opens wide like that of a fool.' Make sure to depict the way his eyes glimmer with lust.""This.." the pedant sigh briefly before continuing. "Yes, Elder Miss."
I snatch the final booklet off the pedant's hand, "Finally!" I smile happily to the pedant, who expresses his sense of relief with a dutiful nod. "Finished product!"I want to thank Xiu Ying, who managed to help me convince Yuan Zi Yan's parents that inviting a pedant to "teach me" will somehow serve as a torturous method for me.
This marks a whole month since I have been stuck here. Sure, writing again has lift some weights off my shoulders but life is not the same. I forgot my privileges in the 21st century: when I can go out to wherever I want, where I can see my parents whenever I want.I slowly drift back again into pessimistic thoughts.
I was about to leave until I see a hydrangea on the corner of my eyes. It is lying within a small box next to his vintage arithmetic calculator."No way. Hydrangeas!" I point to the box in surprise.One of my top favorite flowers when I was studying botany. I
Following the introduction and history of the villages, we took a trip to examine the village's conditions. In order to reason with the Yuan family, I had Xiu Ning tell Madam and Master Yuan that I am paying pardons for my unfortunate deeds in a temple. They seem to be satisfied at the fact that I am asking for forgiveness and saving the Yuan household's face.One thing I am fine with is the fact that Madam and Master Yuan can care less about Yuan Zi Yan's whereabouts. That is convenient and easygoing!
"Take a look at this." Li Shi Zhen hands me a catalog with ancient Chinese words I cannot comprehend."I cannot read-" I pause before continue, "I don't favor reading. I usually meticulously observe my evidences." I subconsciously laugh to express my incongruous emotions.Xu Kai's eyes are shoot
We had our dinner by sharing a wild rooster. Li Shi Zhen said that he caught it in the wild, but by the looks of it, it was Sir Xu who hunted the rooster.All of the tents as well as the bonfire is set up now.Xiu Ying insists on preparing the sleeping tent as comfortable as possible for me whil
When everything seemed quiet and everyone seems to have fallen asleep, I sought to finally join too.After some time, I hear ruffles and the shuffling sound of bushes. My eyes immediately open and the sound of swords clashing surprise me, causing me to stand up."Miss, do you hear that?" I nod,