Igniting the Spark - Chapter 31

Extra:

My name is Pei Yi.

I am a prince, the eighth in line.

Before I began my studies at the age of seven, I lived in the most remote and dilapidated quarters of the palace.

I was often hungry and cold.

Even the young eunuchs bullied me.

In their words, my birth mother was a woman of the lowest status. She only bore me because she happened to receive the Emperor’s favor.

Since my birth mother was lowly, naturally, I was too.

I was still young, but I was angry.

My mother was the kindest and gentlest person in the world-how could she be lowly? And I, just like all of them, had two arms and two legs-how was I any different?

I refused to accept it.

So I often fought with them.

Every time, I ended up battered and bleeding.

Later, when it was time for me to begin my studies, I finally left that palace.

Life outside was indeed much better.

There was plenty of white rice and steamed buns to eat.

And all sorts of dishes I’d never seen before.

I secretly hid two steamed buns in my chest to bring back for my mother.

Then I devoured my food ravenously.

My brothers pointed at me and laughed uproariously.

Immediately after, I was punished by my tutor and made to kneel.

They all said I didn’t understand etiquette, had no princely bearing, and was truly unfit for the stage.

I felt aggrieved-not because kneeling was tiring, but because I didn’t understand them, nor why I was being punished.

What was etiquette? I’d never heard of it, nor did I recognize the characters.

I didn’t understand why eating a few extra bites made me unfit for the stage.

That night, I went to find my mother.

But I discovered she had died.

Those two white steamed buns-she never got to eat them in the end.

Afterward, I moved out of there. They found another woman and told me to call her Imperial Consort Mother, saying she would be my mother from then on.

I didn’t understand, so I was beaten again.

In short, I was beaten many times afterward, and learned many things.

By the time I was fifteen, I won first place in the autumn hunt.

I received no praise or reward.

Instead, my Imperial Father sent me to the Northern Frontier.

This time, I understood-a prince of lowly birth, how dare he outshine his favored Crown Prince and Prince of Chu?

Going to the Northern Frontier suited me fine; I didn’t want to see them anyway.

Before I left, the Nanny who had always cared for me cried and told me that the people of the Northern Frontier were uncivilized, full of unruly folk, ignorant of etiquette and crude beyond measure. Going there would be pure suffering.

I smiled and shook my head.

It was in this Imperial City that I truly suffered.

If I could, I’d never return for the rest of my life.

—

The wind in the Northern Frontier was truly cold.

The climate was harsh, and enemies frequently invaded.

The people’s lives were miserable.

I wanted to help them, but I had no way.

I wrote memorials, but they all sank without a trace.

Thinking of the carved beams and painted rafters of the Capital City, for the first time I wanted to smash them all.

But to smash them, one needs strength.

Suddenly, I felt that coming to the Northern Frontier wasn’t so bad.

At least, it made it easier for me to do many things.

In the days that followed, I spent my time in the Northern Frontier, braving the wind and doing my own work.

After five years, my term was up and I was summoned back to the Capital City.

By then, the Crown Prince and Prince of Chu were already at odds, but still, no one wanted to win me over.

After all, I was still that lowly person in their eyes.

After returning, I heard from the people in my residence that a Benevolent Manor had recently become famous. I thought it was just another way for some noble to seek fame and recognition.

Until I saw those few pages of fable stories.

At that moment, I wondered-was my luck really this good? Was there truly a way for the people to have enough to eat and wear?

I immediately changed my clothes and went to the Benevolent Manor as a student.

After attending a few classes, I was even more ecstatic. I was certain my luck was truly good-this was no legend, but a technology that could be realized.

I secretly put it into practice, while using various means to search for the true owner of the Benevolent Manor.

But I never expected it would be a young girl.

I admit, when I first approached her, my intentions were indeed utilitarian.

But whenever her big eyes looked at me, I found my original purpose again.

Because I didn’t want the light in her eyes to go out.

Her hope was also my hope.

I wanted to protect her.

—

Later, I finally won that war.

Suppressing my longing, I swiftly put the court in order, then brought her into the palace to meet.

The first night, I was so happy I couldn’t sleep.

The scroll of a prosperous age slowly unfolded in my heart, and she was always in that painting.

But on the city wall, she refused me.

Just as I didn’t have the courage to speak, she simply bowed politely.

At that moment, I truly wanted to disregard everything and keep her by my side.

But I held back again and again-I still wanted to be a good person.

I didn’t want to stay in this Imperial City, and letting her leave was also good.

Ten years on the throne, during those ten years, I was cautious with every decree I issued.

Because I always thought, wherever she was, she would hear of it.

I didn’t want to disappoint her.

This year, I learned she had returned to the Capital City.

Yes, I shamelessly sent spies to stay by her side.

Though my original intention was to protect her safety, I couldn’t help but inquire about every place she visited.

And now, she and I are in the same city.

I couldn’t hold back any longer-I left the palace in disguise to see her.

She was a bit thinner, and had grown taller.

Even more beautiful, her big eyes still sparkling.

I hid behind a tree, greedily watching her, not wanting to miss a single moment.

How could I possibly hide my presence in such a state?

Sure enough, before she left, she waved in my direction.

Then turned and walked away, just as carefree as she had been years ago.

Truly infuriating.

I stepped forward to where she had just stood.

On the steps lay a bag of rice seeds, with the Yellow Jade Hairpin I had given her years ago tucked inside.