Chapter 13: A Monkey Entered the Room

Zhao Meng replied with a feigned seriousness, "Little Taro is unhurt, but I know someone who is. Little Princess, come here, let Uncle apply some medicine for you."

The pale little girl lifted her skirts and bolted away in a flash. Little Taro stood rooted to the spot, stamping her feet. "My Lady! My Lady, you mustn't run off!" Thinking of the gruesome, jagged bloody gashes on her mistress's feet, she tugged at Zhao Meng's sleeve. "Uncle, my Lady's feet are covered in wounds. Look at this..."

Zhao Meng shook his head. "Little Taro, the Little Princess does not wish for me to apply the medicine."

Little Taro shook her head vigorously. "That won't do, Uncle! What if my Lady is left with scars?" Her mistress was a delicate treasure, a golden branch and jade leaf; what would happen if she were permanently scarred?

Zhao Meng chuckled and produced a small white jade vial from his pocket. "Take this and apply it to your little mistress. The Little Princess will certainly not be left with any scars. Off you go, she is waiting for you outside the door."

The flushed little girl was hiding behind a large pillar, wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead. She let out a soft breath; she had escaped a calamity.

Uncle Zhao was the most eccentric and terrifying person in the General's manor. The little girl both respected and feared him—respecting his remarkable medical skills, and fearing the bizarre, uncanny nature of his methods. She would never forget the time Uncle Zhao, in order to save a life, had sliced open a man's skull.

That blood-soaked, horrifying image had become a shadow in her heart. She never ventured to the backyard unless absolutely necessary, terrified of witnessing such a gruesome sight again.

Little Taro stood panting before the little girl. "My Lady, let's go."

The little girl clutched her skirt with her right hand, nervous and coy, unable to look Little Taro in the eye. This left Little Taro baffled. "My Lady, what is wrong?"

The little girl fidgeted and whispered, "Little Taro, I'm sorry. I forgot about you." Little Taro couldn't help but laugh; she had thought it was something serious. Her mistress was truly just a child. Without another word, she took the little girl's hand and headed straight for the kitchen.

The little girl stared at Little Taro's back in confusion, unable to hold back any longer. "Little Taro, why aren't you speaking? Are you angry?"

Little Taro nodded. The little girl grew anxious. "No, listen to me, I... I... I..." She stuttered for a long while, unable to finish her sentence.

Pfft! Little Taro burst into a giggle. Realizing she had been teased, the little girl reached out with her small claws to pinch Little Taro's soft waist. "My fair maiden, this young scholar offers his greetings."

"Where do you think you're fleeing to, you rake? Prepare to meet your end!" Little Taro instantly dove into character. The two of them played their silly game, chasing each other and giggling all the way.

As the lanterns were