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Chapter 40 - A little talk

The eunuch that send to visit Duke Yan is from the Dowager. She miss him and request that he should visit her during the lantern festival. The Duke naturally agree. Before he leaves he stop and look at Er Yin. She bow deeply to him. 

"The dowager also request that you follow Duke Yan into the palace. She wants to talk to you."

Er Yin continue to bow but she is perspiring with the thought that the dowager wants to speak to her. She wonder what have she done, was it because of the time when her identity as a female is known to the public? 

That day, the Duke only take 4 soldiers with him including Er Yin. Luo Ming is complaining that he is left behind again. Er Yin promise him she will bring back some pastries for him and the others. He still sulky at the gate as he watch the group ride away and he kick the sand under his feet. 

The entourage arrive at the palace gates. Their horses are lead away by the imperial stable boys. They are welcome by the eunuch who lead the way. The walk is never ending. Going up the stairs , going down the stairs. Walking pass gardens and mini pathways. They greeted the emperor and empress separately. Lastly they follow the eunuch to the palace where the dowager resides. Finally they see her in the gardens. There is a lady Hong playing her GuZhen along with two more ladies. They bow to the dowager and talk for awhile. Finally she ask the Duke to go take a walk with Lady Hong. Everyone watch them walk away. The other two guards and the ladies are told to follow the eunuch. Only the dowager and Er Yin stands alone in the pavilion. Er Yin dare not state at the majestic old lady with white hair that is pin up with golden hairpins that are emboss with flower designs. The largest piece of art work is a hairpin that is made with semi precious stones that form a shape of a peacock. The grand dame had powder her face to cover her winkles but unfortunately the powder are fading off and the corner of her eyes shows the deep lines. She have a pair of red lip that seems to be dry and chipped. 

"Do you think they will make as a couple?"

"Your majesty, i am not a good to judge for relationships. Therefore i cannot give you my opinion." 

"Hmm... i hope it works out for him. He is after all not a young man anymore."

The dowager sits down and look at Er Yin. 

"How old are you?"

"I am soon, to be, in my thirty."

"Hmph, that is so old. As old as my grandson! What have you been doing!"

Er Yin bow deeply and start to perspire.

"Don't you know the woman's duty in this society!"

"Yes, your majesty, i ...know."

"And..."

"I am afraid that i am delicated to serve my nation this life. I have no other desire."

"Oh... now ... that sounds pleasant. For awhile I have been listening to the complaints of Lady Hong Ying Ying. That girl says that my grandson is surrounded by woman in camp which is far away from the capital. She is worry, now that i know how you think, it is silly of her. "

She smile as she take a slip of her tea. She look at Er Yin. 

"What do you think of my grandson?"

Er Yin is perspiring through her uniform and still bowing she is thinking if she should tell the truth or lie. After awhile, she decided to mix truth and lie together. 

"He is ... handsome in his own. He is quiet and he talks about you very often. He miss his parents. He wish for a big family when he listen to us talking about our families. He is an honest and sincere man of his status. It is my honour to serve him this life."

"Is that all? Do you, like him in a special way?"

"Your majesty, i am just an ordinary farmer girl who happen to be a solider. There is no possiblity for me to like a man who is high up."

"I am glad you think this way. He is a member of the royal family. His blood is important as well. He needs to have children with a noble lady. If in future he is allow to have concubines, they are also from noble born. This is to ensure the pure blood of the royal family."

Er Yin understands what the dowager is saying. Thus she continue to bow in that position till she ask her to stand straight up. The dowager stare at Er Yin as she continue to sip her cup of tea. 

"You do have delicate features. Unfortunately you have dark skin and unrefined manners. Continue to serve as a solider for my grandson. Soon you will earn your richness and fame. If you wish to get marry... i can help you to find a suitable man of your status."

"Your majesty. Thank you for your kindness. As i said i have no desire to marry nor want to marry."

"Hmm so be it. I hope you remember this conversation. Don't think of climbing up the society by sleeping with my grandson."

"Your majesty, please be ensure that i will not think that way. I am bond with him as he is my master. Nothing else."

"Hmm good. I am ensure by your words now and i have to talk to Lady Hong. That silly girl is worrying for nothing." 

Er Yin bow again. While the Duke and Lady Hong who is walking in the garden is watching his grandmother and his assistant. He is hoping that his grandmother will not say somethings that is ridiculas that scare Er Yin in someway. Looking at Er Yin's face, he knows that his grandmother had said something that probably have make one person feel depress. 

The Dowager excuse Er Yin and watch her walk away. Her eunuch who served her many years walks up to his master. Bowing low he stands beside her to await for any instructions. 

"No need to bow. Stand up straight. I know it's painful to keep bowing. We are not that young anymore"

The eunuch smile and stand up straight. He change the cold cup of tea for a warm cup. 

"That girl, is the one that my grandson have personally enter the palace to ask me for help."

"Oh is that tall girl. She is a frank one."

"Yes and i hope she is saying the truth. If she did not make herself a name in military works. I won't want to talk to her because of her low born status. However because my grandson make a fuss about her. I have to know who is she."

"So what does your majesty thinks..."

"If i am an ordinary citizen, she can be a good bride. Unfortunately she is a ... farmer born."

"She will take years to climb up the ranks in military."

"Yes but i suspect, my grandson will make it happen fast for her. He seems to like this girl. Hmm i will let him have his way. However he can never marry this girl. Never, this life time." 

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