In the kitchen, Yu Her leaned against the wall and breathed a sigh of relief. What was the matter with her today? Mooning over a complete stranger, indeed! Down girl, she berated herself, you’re the Calligraphy and Qin Queen of Ji Nan, also renowned for her intelligence and level-headedness. It was a wonder she had managed to concentrate on the game just now with him just sitting opposite her, within touching distance...

Yu Her groaned inwardly. What’s happening to me? Well, he isn’t bad-looking-strong jawline, aristocratic chin, bright intelligent eyes, and if he had a moustache he’ll even be more handsome. Those tight fitting clothes had done much to exaggerate his physique. Yu Her felt her cheeks burning. On the other hand, he’s a bit old for me.

There was also something about Mr.Ai that set him apart from his companions (and the young Ji Nan bachelors). It was obvious, the way he walked (or swaggered) and talked. He conveyed an aura of superiority and authority. Like someone born to rule, Yu Her thought flippantly. She also had noticed how deferentially Mr.Ke, Mr.Long and Mr. Fu treated him. At lunch today, they only entered the dining room after him, sat down only after he had sat, ate only after he had taken the first bite. She suddenly remembered what had been nagging her about his clothes. Although the four men’s clothing were made of first grade quality silk, Mr.Ai’s clothes had been more glamorous compared to those of his companions. Somehow, more splendid, more finely woven and covered with more intricate designs.

It wasn’t plain, simple admiration she had seen in his eyes back in the study. There had been something else too. Something intense, something burning, something unbridled...

"Yu Her!"

"Eeeeeeeee!!" Yu Her squealed. Eyes as big as saucers, she turned to face her mother.

"Yu Her, what’s the matter with you? I’ve been calling you ten times and you just stood there like a stump of wood!"

"Uh...uh...nothing..."

"It must have been something otherwise you won’t scream like that."

"Really...Ma, it’s nothing." Yu Her wanted to crawl away.

"Humpf, you look as if you were thinking about something." Madam Xia looked suspiciously at her daughter.

"Hahaha, why yes, Mama, I was thinking...yes, you’re right, Ma. I was thinking about dinner tonight. Thinking about what to cook." Yu Her scrambled away before Mama could ask any more embarrassing questions. Mama’s demure, retiring nature concealed the fact that she was incredibly sharp. She’d die of humiliation if Mama figured out she had been thinking not about something, but someone in particular.

**********

Dinner went smoothly. Yu Her treated Mr.Ai.…correction, the four Beijing visitors to Shan Dong Su Rou, Hong Sao Hai Luo, Nai Tang Pu Chai, Tang Chu Huang Her Li Yu and De Zhou Ba Ji. Mr.Xia brought out a container of Red Sorghum wine much to Fu Heng and Long Do’s delight.

The four Beijing men looked much more comfortable, thanks to Madam Xia who had managed to procure a stash of old but still wearable men’s clothing their size.

"Another game of Wei Qi?" Mr.Xia looked at Si Ye.

"Why yes, of course." Si Ye wished it was Yu Her playing with him. Mr.Xia was an excellent player but was predictable at times. Yu Her’s style was refreshing often with unpredictable moves. Also, she was pleasing to look at.

"No…nobody…(Hic!)…can…can…beat…Si…Si Ye….(Hic!)" Ke Sun slurred. "Let’s…(Hic!)…drink to Si Ye’s…(Hic!)…victory!" Ke Sun never had a strong head for drinking. He’d only one cup of red sorghum wine but it had all gone to his head. His face was flushed and he looked ridiculously happy. He then belched loudly, much to the embarrassment and disgust of his companions.

Fu Heng looked despairingly at Long Do who had a "Why Me?" expression on his face. Ke Sun was making a fool of himself, in front of Si Ye, in front of the Xia family. Why Si Ye allowed a green horn who couldn’t even hold his drink to accompany them was beyond comprehension.

"Why do you say that?" Yu Her challenged.

"Because…(Hic!)…because…Si….Ye….is….(Hic!)…is…mrryghaye…" Ke Sun’s words became an unintelligible jumble.

Si Ye looked meaningfully at Fu Heng and Long Do. Damage control procedure to be initiated at once. They swiftly moved towards him.

They were too late.

Ke Sun suddenly got up. Pointing at Si Ye, he blurted, "Be…because Si Ye is…is your current Wan Sui Ye , the…the Qian Long Emperor! And I’m not bluffing! See! See!" Fumbling with his coat pocket, he pulled out an intricately designed gold talisman that had the words "Ru Zhen Qin Lin" carved onto it.

Yu Her’s eyes became as wide as dinner plates. Mr.Xia fell off his chair. Madam Xia’s jaw dropped open.

Long Do shook Ke Sun violently. "YOU FOOL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Yu Her and Madam Xia scrambled to Mr.Xia’s side. Then immediately, they prostrated themselves before "Si Ye" or rather Aisin Gioro Hong Li, the Qian Long Emperor.

Qian Long looked as if he were about to explode.

"Uh oh," was all a now slightly sober Ke Sun could say.

Keeping his temper in check took every bit of self-control he could muster but Qian Long managed. He had to get rid of this idiot; just the mere sight of this blathering imbecile made his head and his stomach hurt. Through clenched teeth, "Ke Sun, leave now."

"Si Ye, I…"

Qian Long gave him a look that would stop a charging bull in its tracks. "* Now. *"

Ke Sun slunk out of the room.

Qian Long then turned to the three people cowering before him.

"Your majesty, your humble servant ought to sentenced to death…I…your humble servant… didn’t realise His Majesty was here and your humble servant… dared to praise the Ming Dynasty…" Mr.Xia was blubbering and banging his head on the floor.

"Your Majesty...I...I...your humble servant is sorry she…she laughed at you....Your Majesty...." Yu Her’s voice was shaking. She was hyperventilating and didn’t dare to look up.

Madam Xia could not say a word at all. Beads of sweat trickled off her forehead.

"Apology was accepted earlier," Qian Long said amiably. Addressing himself as [Zhen], "My pride and ego are still intact. Now get up, everybody." Any evidence of his simmering rage had disappeared without a trace.

The Xia family remained prostrated before him.

In a more forceful tone, Qian Long said," I said you could get up now. How else am I going to converse with you?"

Slowly, they got up. Yu Her, white as a ghost, clung tightly to Mr.Xia who appeared very, very unwell. Madam Xia looked as if she would faint.

"Be seated." Qian Long signalled.

They sat, eyes wide open and fearful. As if they half-expected Qian Long at any moment to say "Off with their heads!"

In a cordial tone, Qian Long said, "Don’t worry. I have no intention of harming any of you. On the contrary, I have to thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my men so far."

Then his tone became serious, "For your own sakes, you must keep my identity and visit here a secret. Few people apart from those in this room and some trusted people in the palace know about this trip. The less you know the better. If I or my men get any inkling that our cover here has been blown, well, I’m not an ungrateful person, but I can’t guarantee your safety. However, if all goes well, I’ll see to you that you’re well rewarded. Understood?"

Three heads bobbed up and down eagerly.

"Now once again, I am Mr.Ai, a traveller from Beijing. Mr.Xia, you were saying something about Wei Qi?" Qian Long switched to using [Wo] now.

When Mr.Xia did not respond, Yu Her had to nudge him, "Dad, His Majesty..." She blanched when Qian Long looked sharply at her ".... Mr.Ai wants....wants to play Wei Qi..."