步步惊心 2 CH.2 [FanFiction]

    Approaching the school gates reminded me of when I first awoke in Eighth Prince's Manor; It didn't feel familiar, nor did I feel comfortable.
    I entered my classroom and the first thing I noticed was all the letters and notes sitting on my desk. Surprisingly, I still knew where I sat before. Everyone's heads were turned towards me. To them, I've only been gone for a week at the most, but to me I haven't been here for centuries.
     I finally cracked a little smile and everyone clapped and cheered for me. I let out a little laugh and walked over to my seat as I was bombarded by classmates asking me how I was, where I went, if i felt better, what happened, did it hurt. I slowly answered all their questions and as they began to leave, I thought of Yu Tan, I thought of Qiao Hui, Eunuch Wang, and all the other servants who I once worked alongside with. I thought of how they all used to come running to me too when something happened.
    Then someone approached me and hugged as though I knew who that person was.
    "Aiyo ! Zhang Xiao ! You've been gone for so long !" She pulled away and I took a long time to study her face. She was one of my friends here at school, but I couldn't remember her name. It has been such a long time for me that I forgot most the modern people's names. She shot me a look,"Zhang Xiao ? You can't remember me ? I'm Chen Bi Yu, your friend. Remember ?" I continued to look at her. She let out a sigh.
"Don't tell me the accident caused you brain damage. Xiao Xiao ah, I'm Bi Yu. You have to remember me. You can't just forget me like that. I came to see you at the hospital, but the doctor said you were in a deep coma. I didn't realize it was this deep."
    Chen Bi Yu ? Sounds familiar, but I can't quite make out who she was, so I went along with it. I grabbed her hands softly.
    "Bi Yu, I was just so happy that I was able to come back here and be with all you guys again." I lied. if I can choose to be anywhere, I would choose to be back in 4th Prince's arms, I would choose to go back and be Maertai Ruoxi the head tea servant, I would go back to the carefree 16 year old I used to be.
    Bi Yu's smile came quick and wrapped her arms around me again. "Xiao Xiao, I'm so glad you're back now ! I missed you so much !" I said nothing, but simply hugged her too.
    The teacher came in and also welcomed me back, then went straight into her lessons about the keys to making jewelry look attractive. She began by sketching out a blue print with our suggestions of decor then eventually had us all design a piece of jewelry for anywhere and anything. I started to think of 4th Prince's gentleness towards me and the way he protected me against the arrow that day at his manor. I also thought of when I asked him to marry me and that thought brought a smile to my face. How did I make such a silly move to just to be rejected within the next few seconds. Moments later, I picked up my drawing and a very familiar item was drawn neatly and beautifully on paper; 4th Prince's Magnolia Hairpin. I examined the picture, I even included the smallest details in it. My heart began to ache again. Bi Yu snatched the drawing from me and studied it. Her face cringed up in a disgusted look.
"What is this ? Some kind of hairpin ?" I nodded. "Oh..." She had a helpless expression.
"It's a Magnolia Hairpin."
"Magnolia ? Since when did you like Magnolia... And hairpins ?" She let out a little laughter.
"Every drawing needs some kind of inspiration and a story for it to be drawn out, only then can it be considered true." Bi Yu looked at me in a confused manner then a smile appeared on her face.
"Xiao Xiao ah, you speak so weird now." I looked to her and smiled.
"Really ?" She nodded. I took my paper back and examined it again.

4th Prince, if I was to return to the Qing Dynasty again, what would we be doing now ? Drinking tea as you look over some documents, or discussing some imperial matters as we stroll in the garden ?

Professor Li came by and picked up my drawing. "This is... A Hairpin ?"
"Magnolia Hairpin." I replied. I felt like if she was going to question me, I was ready to answer against anything.
"Student Zhang, can you please tell me why you chose to draw a Magnolia Hairpin from pearl necklaces ? And diamond bracelets ? Why didn't you draw those instead ?"
"Everything has a meaning behind it. Every artist draws from inner feelings and imaginations."
"You were thinking of Magnolias while drawing ?"
"Actually, I thought back to the Qing Dynasty. Kang Xi's Fourth son YinZhen took the throne after Kang Xi passed away, and YinZhen was renamed Yong Zheng. This was his favorite flower, the Magnolia flower."
Professor Li looked surprised, but impressed. "You admire history ?"
"Of course."
"I think diamonds will be the best gem for this hairpin. It'll add a glistening effect to it."
"Diamond is not bad, but I prefer Jade."
"Jade ? Why ?"
"Jade was rare and precious back in the Qing Dynasty. It also symbolizes love, power, desire, and courage. Yong Zheng had an undying love for his younger brother YinXiang, although he was not his real blood brother. Prince Yin Xiang was often bullied at a young age because of his mother's death; Consort De, who was also 4th and 14th Prince's mother was assigned to watch after 13th Prince, thus their brotherhood began. Many people feared his power and rule because he was truly powerful and strong just like an emperor should be. Besiddes him, I don't think any other Prince was more fit for this position. He only desired nothing, but the throne and one day to follow in his father's footsteps to become the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. He also had more courage than one can ever imagine. This is why I chose Jade to represent Emperor Yong Zheng's favorite flower."
    She nodded impressively and held up my drawing to the class. "Fellow students, I want everyone to please take a look at Zhang Xiao's drawing. It has a hint of simpleness, along with history, but is also lovely at the same time. Simple should be everyone's goal. Although it's not something too eye catchy, the meaning behind it is beautiful and is a good way to bargain. Don't ever overdo a design or your jewelry will turn out looking like nothing, but a pile of dung." She turned to me,"You put a lot of thought into this didn't you ? See me after class, I have an offer to make you. You'll like it, I promise." She set the picture back down and smiled at me approvingly, then moved on to another student's drawing.
    Bi Yu turned to look at me again, so I looked at her too. She sent me a sheepish smile which I did not understand.
"What's wrong ?" I asked her. She shook her head.
"Nothing, it's just... I'm going to create something simple too now. I originally thought that adding many effects will make it more likable " She erased her paper clean and began to draw again. I just smiled and looked back down at my drawing.

4th Prince... Have you forgiven me yet ?

After school I remained seated in my desk. Everyone began to leave one by one, but Bi Yu was still seated next to me.
    "Zhang Xiao, you're not leaving for home yet ?" I shook my head.
     "Not yet, Professor said she wants a word with me first." Bi Yu nodded. I got up from my seat and walked over to Professor Li's desk. She looked up at me and smiled.
    "Zhang Xiao, I know you just recovered from your accident recently. It's your first day here again, how are you feeling ? Better ?"
    "I feel better than before Professor."
    "Good then. I have something to offer you if it's not too soon for you. I know you just got back, but after hearing and seeing how much thought and time you took in that drawing, you made me suspect that you might be the one for this."
    I was surprised,"For what ?"
    "It's a jewelry convention. It's when all the jewelry companies come together and meet up.... I would rather say brag though. They brag to one another and they also become friends and get partnerships. The President and Manager of Chow Tai Fook has been contacting our school. They said they're willing to take in one or two students for experience."
    "What does this have to do with me ?"
    "Are you willing to be the chosen student ?"
Those words sent a chill up my spine. I was shocked, but happy at the same time. "Me ?" Professor nodded. I thought for a while longer.
    "When is this convention ?"
    "In 2 days."
Two days...
    "I appreciate the fact that you asked me first, but can you make time for me to ask my parents ? I want them to know before agreeing."
    "Zhang Xiao, as long as you can get back to me on the day of the event. I only have two passes so hurry."
    "Thank You Professor."
I headed straight to a supermarket to look for loose tea leaves. Those tea bags won't cut it for me, I liked the fresh taste of the tea leaves. I liked the feeling of a new beginning, or the feeling of being cleaned. Tea bags weren't bitter enough, and didn't have that taste I was used to.
    I entered the market and began to search all over for loose tea leaves. It was nowhere in sight, so I asked a worker that was nearby.
    "Excuse me, do you guys happen to have any loose tea leaves here ?"
    "Loose tea leaf ? Uh..." The young man looked confused then took his leave and told me he'll return shortly. I waited and waited and imagined the taste of brewed tea again. I thought of how the tea felt against my tongue, and in my mouth. How it overwhelms me with the feeling of pleasure, calmness, and peace. He came back and told me they don't carry loose tea leaves in the market.
    "No loose tea leaves ? How is that possible ?"
    "I'm sorry miss. My manager and I searched the entire store and we don't carry it at all."
I nodded and left the store. I also visited dozens and dozens of stores, just the same way, no one carried loose tea leaves.
    I got in my car and turned on the engine; I sat there and thought continuously to myself: Why doesn't anyone carry loose tea leaves ? Why is it so hard to find now ? It was the most precious leaves in back then, why aren't any in the modern world ? I thought and thought, then finally, it came to me. Old Beijing. They have to have it in Old Beijing.
    Old Beijing looked the same way it did when I was Maertai Ruoxi and tried to throw myself in front of 4th and 13th Prince's horses in an attempt to come back here. The buildings really aged by this time and there were more vendors than it did on the streets back then. The red lanterns still hang on the lines above, connecting from house to house. The inns that were once owned by some of the best cooks in town were now transformed into more modernized restaurants.
     I got the chance to peek inside one of the restaurants and it was too different. The store was lined with red cloth and the squared tables were changed to round tables. The chairs became individual instead of one long bench and the workers were dressed in modern clothes; they were no longer in ancient dresses and wearing a fancy head gear of some sort. There was now menus; the only thing left original was the exterior part of the store, It still had it's old gray color to it.
     I walked into a little shop and found myself some Jasmine and Pu Er Loose Tea Leaves. Satisfied, I also bought a couple new clay teapots. Brewing Loose tea leaves in a different pot will have a different outcome and since I was used to clay pots, I'd rather stick to that instead.
     I got home and brewed the tea leaves immediately. While it was on the stove, I went to my room to change out of my clothes. I took out the picture of 4th Prince's Magnolia Hairpin and studied it. When I close my eyes, I can almost smell the cherry blossoms of the palace, and I can almost feel those awfully high shoes again. If I was to return again, would I feel happier ? Is there any way I can return ?
     Thinking about how to get back to the past, suddenly made me think of when I was dying to return to the future. The passion I had back then to come back, was the same passion I had now to return again.
     The tea was as I expected; it was calming, and peaceful. After the first gulp of tea, I was brought back to the days where I was still sitting on my bed in 8th Prince's Manor asking my servant Qiao Hui to pour me more and more tea. I miss her, I miss 8th Prince, I miss Yu Tan, Kang Xi, 13th Prince, 14th Prince, 10th Prince, Jie Jie, and my 4th Prince. The one that originally took my soul away, did he refuse to return it back to me ?