Author Angel Chua

Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong'er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography

Ask for Wisdom (05.28.2021 edited)

A man felt he has lots of time to waste in the world, but now he isn't sure if this is still true. Feeling cold and a bit anxious about the Prince of Liang advance deposits to the apple of his eyes, he went in a journey to the Woolong mountains and promised to be back after seven days to find himself and ask for an advise.

The man arrived in the Woolong mountain to ask one master, the one who taught him for almost a year out of his wounded heart and spirit.

"You came, it must be urgent." The master sitting in a Zen position started to speak first even if he is not looking at him he must have sharp senses and felt the man's presence, and the master did not move.

"Yes master, it is I, and it will be a short visit."

The Master replied: Short visit, why do you have saddle good for a week? Yuwen Yue on his cold eyes did not speak.

The Master asked: Have you found her?

Yuwen Yue inhaled and gently said: "No master I have not."

The Master confronted him: Then why are you here?

Yuwen Yue looking far at the vast mountains: "I came to find myself."

The Master gave him a muse and inquired: "This time, did you lost yourself again?"

Yuwen Yue told the master honestly: "I think so."

The Master replied: "Then you have found someone."

Yuwen Yue on a short cold answer: "Maybe.."

The Master concluded: "Maybe its a yes and maybe it's a no."

Yuwen Yue not definite but he asks: "Master you told me an Ode once:

*Her artful smiles, with its alluring dimples. Her beautiful eyes are so clear. The unadorned upon which is to paint. What does this mean?"

*The Master said, "Very few go astray who comport themselves with restraint."

*The Master said, "The gentleman wishes to be slow to speak, but quick to act."

*The Master said, "Virtue is never solitary; it always has neighbors."

Then the Master finally said: "Yue learns a lesson and understands them ten times. Go away you are not doing what you need to do and come back and explain ten times of what you understood."

Yuwen Yue on his journey from the Woolong mountains was cut short when the Master suddenly sent him home to find his path of happiness. Yuwen Yue cannot hide the sparkle in his eyes that finally made him realize, it is time to set his heart into goodness, free of bad intentions.

Back to Xue Fu, a little town in Southern Liang, Yuwen Yue lived a humble life, with no trace of aristocracy and Zuo as his distant spy not living in one roof, occasionally report to him once in a while paved their way to scout the place and espy the culture of people and its government.

Once again, like what happened after the tragic frozen lake incident, he was able to successfully blend into the Liang people without being suspected of his high position.

Yuwen Yue was so good at it that he was able to slip from the cunning and smart Xiao Ce and bypass Xiao Yu's astute royal spy leader of the Southern State.

After his meeting with Zao Baocung from the thousand caves, he went back to Qinghai Palace and studied lots of literature and poetry of his own Empire. Yuwen Yue also resumed on his princely duties, and his Father put a decree to accept the Throne, but he wrote his Father to give him ample time to adjust and know his subjects and his royal family very well before taking it over.

The King of Qinghai little by little admiring his Son's attitude towards the Eastern Throne increased his confidence that his Son would be able to become a good King, would unite the political bones with its sage tribal leaders, deprived of Patrilineal leadership.

He expects that his son would achieve many accomplishments than what he has done to the Empire.

Yuwen Yue also visited the Wei state on his metal mask when the invitation was passed to her stepmother Queen Zhejue to attend the proclamation of the selected crown princess of Wei.

Learning about the ally between the Wei Emperor and her stepmother, Yuwen Yue became distant and quiet thereafter. Not mention when he first saw Chu Qiao at the Wei grounds walking like a real princess, his cold heart skipped a bit. Yuwen Yue thought how did this happen?

And did Yan Xun after the frozen lake tragedy used her again to bring more gains to his advance his troops? Yuwen Yue had lots of questions in his mind that he is not able to talk or even look at any other people around other than to Chu Qiao.

No matter how Yuwen Yue would like to speak to her and come for a quick chat, the Wei crown princess was heavily guarded as if she will disappear at the moment.

Yuwen Yue controlling himself have to be distant, looks cruel and cold on his metal mask careful for his actions. He knows people are looking at him because of his Poe Yue Jian Sword and Zuo Zong behind his back, he is a complete attention grabber.

Even if the Sixth Prince of Qinghai Ra Zhun often reveals his face to the crowd as they socialize to shift the nobles attention such as the Wei Palace concubines, Yuwen Household, Wei Valve masters, Shrine Elders, and other political parties present except for Liang and Yanbei, you can always see that fascinating eyes towards Ra Yue.

Yuwen Yue's eyes following Chu Qiao like a dog and many of the people on the crowd did not really notice it because of his metal mask face.

He thinks his mask is really working to his advantage, but Chu Qiao on her usual keen and sharp senses felt his stares directed towards her and suddenly felt wary about him.

While Yuan Song took her hands and he let her feel as they walked together like a real couple.

But Yuwen Yue could not help himself as he sensed that cold rebellion on air, he thinks Chu Qiao loathes being paraded to the nobles.

The nobles raised their brows at her, also heard gossips spread on the air, rumors about her past track record as the former low maidservant of the Yuwen household.

Yuwen Yue twitch his palms while Zuo Zong said to his ears: "Your Highness, what is wrong with you? I have never seen you twitch your hands until today."

And on the eve of the engagement, Yuwen Yue started to disguise himself. He started to walk like one of the palace guards and used the same uniform carrying the Poe Yue Jian Sword on his side. On his face is the metal mask making him hard to identify.

When he reached the crown princess palace, he put down his mask and walked like the usual Yuwen Yue, the heir of the Eyes of God. Yuwen Yue knows the Wei palace very well and does not need any lead and this worked for his advantage to see Chu Qiao.

Whatever is the consequence, he is not afraid and would want to seize Chu Qiao to end this show. Save her from this cold-blooded Empire. Yuwen Yue being a rule breaker at the moment did not think of any and made himself dull exposing him to more dangers.

Just to see her again, He went inside the Wei princess palace and broke several royal guards necks.

After that fateful night, Yuwen Yue woke up on Wei palace bed like nothing had happened, but he remembered his last scene with Chu Qiao when suddenly Zuo Zong greeted him: Your Highness, is there something wrong?

Yuwen Yue told him: "Did you just…"

Not yet finished with his inquiry, Zuo told him: "I followed you, your Highness, because you look like a crazy Prince of Qinghai earlier who breached the Wei crown princess palace."

And the Zuo Zong really impressed with his master brother Yuwen Yue continued to talk like he is rewinding the past scene earlier and a corner of a smile in his face, said: "You walked like you know all the routes of this palace and then broke some necks just for the Wei, crown princess. I wonder are you planning to steal her and start a war at her engagement tomorrow?"

Yuwen Yue suddenly back to his senses he straightened his back and told him: "No, I was just…making some fun tonight testing the Wei crown princess if she is really into the Wei crown prince because it seems she is looking for someone and not really happy at her engagement."

Zuo Zong gave him a sly smile and said: Really? I heard she is a low maidservant that rose from the ranks with the help of her master Yuwen Yue.

Yuwen Yue was unable to hide the truth to Zuo who is very clever and needs no more explanation he finally admitted on his cold eyes and sad face: "I was just … looking into maybe a chance of finally saying goodbye to her."

Zuo not buying his master's words he further said to him: Really Your Highness?

Is this how you end your tragic story?

After you came to the frozen lake to show yourself in front of your rival and having a dull mind after all warning of this Yue Qi, your former bodyguard whom I heard really looks like me?

Tell me… Zuo on his teenager mind was making his Master admit he is after Xinger whom he can finally confirm that Xinger was the selected Wei crown princess of the moment.

Yuwen Yue stopped making some funny excuses and did not answer him back is like a cold YES to Zuo. Zuo told him: Master brother, whatever happens, I would not let the frozen lake happen to you again, and myself end up like Yue Qi.

Everyone knows You are better than that but you disregarded it all, and Yue Qi was just brave to walk this selfless with you. If I can bring back time, I would think first of your safety and defy your orders, but with Yue Qi, his loyalty is never a question.

Zuo suddenly brighten his eyes and told Yuwen Yue: "What if we do a role play? Say I am Yue Qi and make this Empire go crazy?"

Yuwen Yue suddenly gave him a cold laugh and said: enough, we are on a business trip and tomorrow is a big day, who knows I might decide at any moment to kidnap THE WEI CROWN PRINCESS? With an emphasis on the end of Yuwen Yue's sentence.

Zuo Zong on his smiley eyes he said: I am all the way with you, but maybe I can never understand how Yue Qi would have done everything to keep you both.. but then eventually meets his sad ending."

Yuwen Yue on his calm but cold face remembers Yue Qi and their last stand at the frozen lake two years ago. And then remembered Chu Qiao again, she drew her Canhong sword to him where he slipped a few times on his sword fight with her, he thinks she became better and had been practicing her martial arts very well until he was momentarily distracted by another woman of the same face and age.

Yuwen Yue confused inside his metal mask face, one cannot distinguish who is the real Chu Qiao. He was caught off guard but safe because of Zuo's smart moves.

Back to Xuefu Street, Yuwen Yue calmly walked and saw the Old lady but none of that beautiful face he was looking for. He came in and asked: Old lady, where is your chef today?

The old lady replied: "Oh, she is on vacation leave today. Come back tomorrow." Yuwen Yue on his cold eyes politely bid his goodbye to the Old lady, but the old lady started to look at him as a silent suitor, a man whom he feels have good intentions with her when suddenly came back to the old lady and said: "Can you tell your chef, I will be out for a while too but I will be back after seven days?"

The Old lady suddenly confirmed her thoughts said: "Oh, where are you going?"

Yuwen Yue simply replied on his casual cold voice: "I will be meeting someone but I will have to trek mountains to reach their place."

The Old lady feeling truthful on what he said: You go and come back safe, you know she will be fine here and maybe will miss you when you come back. The old lady not looking at him when she said this and was just writing on her table and Yuwen Yue gave a slight smile, like a beam of hope and collateral on his journey, he left.

The Old lady on her sparkling eyes, looked at his back as he walked tall until suddenly gone.

Meanwhile, it has been less than a week after his journey to the Woolong Mountains, and Yuwen Yue came back sooner than expected and on his usual daily morning routine walked the streets of Xue Fu to deliver the parcel. He passed by the usual route and look at the old lady's Kowloon noodle house to see if the fine woman back to her chef duties but he noticed they opened their usual business hours earlier than usual.

He came in and asked the old lady: You opened earlier than usual.

The Old lady replied:" You are back ice-cube man, did you meet your someone?"

Chu Qiao, a fine woman in his eyes, happen to pass by while the two was talking and Yuwen Yue looked at her as if he hasn't seen her for decades.

Yuwen Yue replied to the Old lady but the Old lady looking at his eyes and to Chu Qiao when Yuwen Yue and Chu Qiao's eyes locked for a moment, he spoke: "I just did."

And Chu Qiao heard it, she wants to giggle inside but is he referring to her? She thought maybe he is engaged or happily married and have family abroad so Chu Qiao back to her stern face and walked inside her kitchen.

Yuwen Yue momentarily stopped the moment, now back to the Old lady when the Old lady asked him: "oh, what is the meaning of that? Are you going to visit us less than usual?"

Yuwen Yue shifted his squinted eyes to the old lady and said: "In fact, I am going to visit you more often, and I am here to ask you for your permission."

The Old lady stunned at what he said as if she would have not thought of all the people in the world, this cold man suddenly asking her permission.

The old lady joked: "Be clear with your intentions and who are you visiting here? Do not forget I am a single lady too, always available or is it the tiger beauty inside her kitchen den?" And Yuwen Yue became the laughing-stock of the Old lady being obvious now, he is not visiting for her but the tiger beauty at her kitchen's den.

Yuwen Yue back to squinting his eyes, ride-on on the Old lady's joke he replied: Hmm… let me think for a second, his face became cold and formal.

Then look at the Old lady's face, he squinted his eyes with a slight smile, he said: "My father would be very pleased with you, just to be clear, I am going to visit the Tiger beauty often and be part of her kitchen's den."

The Old lady on her beautiful smiling face approved the cold man's request. Yuwen Yue about to go when suddenly Chu Qiao came out with two baskets on her hands and Yuwen Yue came to help her casually, and the fine woman gave it to him.

Their hands touching each other sent some electrifying sense on her veins.

She managed to make it the usual with this guy, But after not seeing him for quite a while, she is almost wanting to cuddle the cold man.

After a whirlwind event with Prince of Liang who is wounded and resting in his palace, she is still trying to put back the pieces of her life when her royal friend almost in the verge of losing him is not what she expected.

What happened there remained a mystery, as the Crown Prince of Liang has a lot to explain to the Palace. Chu Qiao, just like the olden times, put herself in defense but this time Xiao Ce revealed too that he is skilled.

So they killed more assassins than what they did before in the city of Chang'An hunting grounds.

This time Chu Qiao sharp and leveled up her martial skills while Xiao Ce wounded, this is his first real encounter defending his beauty and himself.

He suddenly triggered a weapon to alert all his spies nearby and his secret army following from the outside borders of Wei rushed him back to the palace.

Sun Di the Viceroy General, explained to King Tang what happened and Chu Qiao was devastated seeing the playboy Prince in this condition, she did not leave his side, not until today.

Chu Qiao told Yuwen Yue: "Will you help me deliver this to the Liang Crown prince Palace?"

Yuwen Yue heard it clear and a bit hesitant but managed his cold face he replied shortly: "Sure."

Chu Qiao happy to hear his approval she said: "Alright here is the payment, and where is your horse?"

Yuwen Yue testing this fine woman he said: "I don't have a horse, I walk to deliver parcels.""

Chu Qiao said: Oh, is that so? We can walk."

Chu Qiao thinks this is going to be a fine day, a little bit longer than usual to be together, with the man she believes, she likes at the moment.

Yuwen Yue took one of her baskets as Chu Qiao hesitated the second and their eyes met and settled some of their feelings in there, they walked out of the Kowloon noodle house quietly walking under the early morning sun.

Two souls walking together on the peaceful grounds of unknown place to many, away from chaos and their empires was the perfect vacation to breed under the spring season of blossoming plum flowers, its scent sending them love on the air, was a breath of fresh air, a budding romance at the perfect moment in time.

Connect to Chapter 49 And it begins, late again

Lookback to Chapter 45 Graveyard of Flowers

Author's note: (*) In asterisk, I borrowed some lines which I sourced it from the Classical readings of Chinese Philosophy Book three, his Kongzi Master dialogue to the Ji Family of the Ancient times of China. Enjoy reading and will continue to move on to the next chapter.