The palace bright red gates were opened. Only four imperial guards remained up front, keeping watch for the invited guests, and those who didn't look like they were. From outside the gates, one could see that the Imperial Palace was far more illuminated than town. The quantity of lamps used should have been enormous. Its majesty had become more marked when the lights reflected upon the gold on the wall; it gave the place the appearance of Heaven's Gates, but Pamella and the other three were unaware that they were entering the Devil's Den.

As soon as Master Weng showed his invite two the guards, and they were granted entrance, what received them inside was a ghastly sight to behold. There were many tables lined at the activity center of the Imperial Palace. All adorned with different colored peony flowers; from reds, to whites, to blue hued, all giving out an amazingly intoxicating smell. The tables shined like precious jewels in Pamella's eyes as she looked over them. There were steamed Chinese dumplings topped with some mysterious dark sauce and chives with sesame seeds, grilled red peppers in a sweet and sour garlic sauce that both made ones mouth water, and eyes cry out from the spiciness that emanated from them, fire roasted whole pork like the ones made during Christmas parties at her island; a metal pole trough the mouth that came out through the pig's ass, closed up in a carbon filled chamber, just to make the outer skin extra crispy and smoky. Other than that, there was roasted spicy chicken and duck, and braised lamb in fragrant pepper spice oil. On other tables there were Pamella's favorites; sweets. She loved every kind of sweets. Back at Beijing, she would eat coconut cream sweet bread, red bean paste filled bread, egg custard tarts and honey butter steamed cake. Luoyang didn't have all the sweets that existed in modern times, but in front of her laid a vast variety of confections with nuts, dried, and fresh candied fruits, and most important...SUGAR!

Drooling, Pamella thought,

Time to dig in~

-          ?!

She was ready to pounce over the food, only to be stopped by a hand at the back of her neck, pulling at the fabric of her top garment.

-          What the...

As she looked back over her shoulders, Xián Leng, as if reading her mind, had acted before her; seizing the possible humiliation and embarrassment a "drooling monkey" could make by ravishing, in bestiality, the banquet.

Xián Leng adverted her glare, as if he hadn't been the one that had pulled her clothing. Yet the funny irony remained, because his hand wouldn't let go of her. He then faced to her with a stern, but tranquil expression.

-          You already ate two street sweet buns on your way here. Wait... Or your stomach would hurt.

How does he know if my stomach would hurt?! It isn't...

-          It's not like I was going to eat them all! Just two, no. Maybe four. No. Maybe...

Xián Leng pulled her back from the table of food harshly, making Pamella trip, and bump into someone so much taller than she was. To be honest everyone except the women in the party, were all taller than her.

Other than being handsome, even pretty enough to dress and paint the face like a woman, 's body was smaller than the average men she's encountered on her time there. Master Weng was the same stature as her, and Hei Bao was practically almost the same height as Xián Leng. This person on the other hand was probably a foot taller than Xián Leng; maybe for him wouldn't make such a difference on the eyesight angle, but Pamella had to look up as if she was a tiny insect ready to be squashed.

The person whom she unintentionally bumped to stop her from falling was a man she had seen before. At his side it was that other man with the fan that had come bring the invitation to Master Weng.

Pamella gazed at them baffled, ignoring the annoyed whispers made by the five, apparently, high ranked woman that surrounded them before she almost made one of the two gods like men fall like a fruit from a tree. The man held unto her with a firm grip, that if Pamella's imagination didn't played games to her, it became painfully tight. She tried to free, and get up herself, but to no avail, the man would continue to grip on her. He easily lifted and straightened her up, and even after she had acquired the graceful appearance with which she entered the Imperial Palace, the man would still grab hold on her wrist.

Noticing this, Xián Leng's blood began to boil. He didn't understand why he was both getting flustered and angry at the same time; face hot, stomach having butterflies, but also, the wanting to draw out his sword to cut those hands on Pamella's loose. He gripped his hands harder; piercing through the already red flesh, that started to draw out blood. To Xián Leng's ignorance on the "soul contract" he was in with Pamella, the feelings that were either from embarrassment or shyness, originated themselves from Pamella. The person holding her wouldn't let go of her, and he was looking at her with penetrating, bloodshot eyes. She was at a loss of words with such scary, yet intriguing eyes.

Why do all men in this World look like the ones on lìshǐjù?! Can't my blood pressure be at peace for just one second?!

The situation was getting more awkward. Just as the tightening intensified, Pamella cried out in pain, and Xián Leng not ready to wait and see what other barbarities came from the man, went in between the two and literally teared the man's hands off Pamella. He pulled her towards, and at the back of him, using himself as a shield. He inquired in a respectful, but not so friendly way,

-          We are terribly sorry for such rude mishap. MY partner was feeling a little faint headed and she accidentally tripped on her own footing. I ask forgiveness in my name for her.

For Pamella, Xián Leng asking forgiveness for her was exaggerating. Sure, they had agreed that she wasn't going to speak, because her voice neither sounded like a man or sounded like a woman's. Then how did she sound? For her, her voice was fine. She didn't need such embarrassing gestures, even if they were common in the time, she was in. Also, she could defend herself just fine without Xián Leng's help, she didn't need to be protected by a "hothead".

Surprisingly both men bowed as well in equal asking for forgiveness; although the taller one bowed with eyes that kept on looking at her. Pamella could swear she had seen does eyes before; their color, and their desire for something, or for someone. She couldn't stop herself from shivering as a feeling of terror raised from every part on her body. Either way, trembling she bowed in forgiveness as well.

After bowing, the man immediately changed his courteous attitude towards them and bluntly approached Pamella, passing avidly Xián Leng over his side. Even his companion was aloof at the strange way of acting of his comrade.

-          I am Zhao Yinheng young miss, and that one over there is my fellow Wang Yin. I see you are not much of a talker...

Pamella to Xián Leng's undoubtful reprimanding glare, interrupted Zhao Yinheng just with a little change in her voice.

-          I can talk... I mean... Speak! Maybe both! I can both talk and speak...

The three men looked at her confused, but then Zhao Yinheng laughed out loud, grabbing the attention of does guests who walked near them. He exclaimed smiling,

-          You're a really strange woman...

And as he decreased the space between them; chests almost touching he leaned and cunningly purring, whispered into her ear,

-          I like that...~

He didn't need for "Wang Yin" to call for him for them to get a move on, because he was already turning, and signaling Yin to follow. As they walked away from the pair, and the group of painful to the ear girls that had invaded their personal space, Dan Xiao asked Hu Tong,

-          Were you trying to blow our cover back there?! What if they recognized us?!

Hu Tong continued to walk while a playful smirk played over his face.

-          No need to be so hesitant. They weren't going to; you know that very well. Our human forms don't assimilate to that of our Beast form. Didn't you see that the guy with armor was more jealous of me touching that Wú Chù Zhī "woman" than paying attention to other things around him.

Dan Xiao stopped on his tracks.

-          Did you say Wú Chù Zhī?

-          I did.

-          How did you know it was him?

Hu Tong gave out a chuckle. Pleasantly feeling proud of himself.

-          Of course, we felines, in the same way as canines, have a sensitiveness to smell. Certainly, Hei Bao also knows its that guy, because he is accustomed to his smell already, but I could remember his smell from our first encounter. As easy as that!

Dan Xiao was taken aback by this new discovered fact.

-          But Tong... Why did you do all that then?

Hu Tong questioned him,

-          Do what? Oh! You mean the whole courting and being shameless to the "lady"? His expression dressed like that made me want to tease the insolent human.

Dan Xiao lowered and moved his head in absolute disagreement with his fellow companion.

As Hu Tong passed by his friend's side, he spoke low something that hadn't escape Dan Xiao, and had made the hair in the back of his neck stand on end.

-          If that man wasn't with him... I would have eaten the bastard...

And with a devilish seductive smile, he licked his lips and finished off with,

-          In so many ways...

Back at the banquet, Master Weng, Hei Bao, and Xián Leng were both reprimanding and trying to console a bent down, hands on stomach, head low, squinting and crying Pamella. Hei Bao asked concerned,

-          Miss Pamella, I still can't believe you ate eight sweets in one go! Just... How?!

Master Weng only lowered his head in worrisome.

-          My dear you cannot go eating like that; especially when you are not in your real body. Your soul, and this body can't handle such energy consumed. Thanks Heavens that it's only a stomachache, it could have been terribly worse if you had eaten the whole table.

Pamella tried to laugh at the funny statement, but she soon began to cry out again.

Xián Leng was leaned on a wall beside Pamella looking at the moving figures of the party; venturing also at the flowered peonies, that with Pamella's cries and cursing, their beauty was transformed into something unpleasant for Xián Leng. He looked down at the painfully looking "woman" at his feet.

-          I warned you, didn't I? PLUS! You neither ate two, or three. You ate EIGHT sweets! In what space of that tiny stomach of yours could you store all that food?!

Pamella glared up at him, pursing her lips. She was sick and this was how he treated her. First, he has fun with women in front of her, not that she cares of course, but then he treats her as a child who needs to show who to talk, and not to talk; what to, and not to do. How shameless can the man be?!

She moved her head back to her slightly bloated belly.

Even in this World my stomach is a mess...Oh yeah, what else isn't a mess here?! Oh~ Now that I think about it, I can go check in the palace for any sign of my body.

Master Weng had said to Pamella on their way to the Imperial Palace, that when she felt that her soul was about to jump out from her mouth then that's how she would know her real body was near. The uncomfortable feeling of her soul trying to escape would intensify as she got closer to where the body rested. She as well needed to know her limits; her spiritual energy was low enough to not support her entering her own body, and she could disappear into thin air anytime.

Just after she had earlier escaped Xián Leng's eagle eye, she had sneaked to take a peek at the Imperial gardens, near other sections from the palace. History books, and even until the twenty first century, the gardens at Luoyang had been spoken of being remarkable, and she had always wanted to attend one of those Peony Festivals modern China still held at Luoyang, to admire the beautiful flowers all in bloom. Much like a dream come true her present state was. Just time teleported by a necklace and remarkably here she was, skipping like a school girl, and smelling at the flowers. Pamella was feeling really happy because of Xián Leng being all jealous back when they were talking to those men; Zhao Yinheng and Wang Yin. Well, not at all happy but pleased. That perverted Casanova deserved to have his feelings waver. If one thought about it, it seemed rather ridiculous for the things Xián Leng became serious for, or disturbed. As she had said to herself before,

What should he care for? It's not like we are connected by another bond that wasn't the "soul contract".

She also told herself she also, didn't need to pay attention to such insignificant matter; neither her satisfying happiness, or care for his reactions toward were of THAT significance.

As she walked around a loop to the back of the palace, she found herself become heavier; her body that is, but her head was becoming as light as air. She rested one of her hands on one of the walls; trying to level her eyesight to the place she was in. She felt herself spin like a kaleidoscope, and she could swear that she never had smoked any of that weed nowadays is easy to get, but as Alexander once told her, the symptoms she was having, seemed practically about it, but there was no smell of any strange plant being burnt when she was walking around. Either way, she had to coordinate herself to walk back to the others.

I curse myself for being as dumb as to wonder alone. Especially in this wreck of a body that's worse than the one of a wimpy girl!

Bringing herself to the party she went straight towards the sweets table.

Maybe... Maybe all I have is low blood sugar levels. Yeah! That's it! All I need to do is eat these beauties and all will be well!

N.O.T.

Here she was suffering like having a kidney stones, and she has never had kidney stones! She bit her lower lip to stop herself from whimpering so much. She could have used her Qi to suppress her hurting stomach, but that was too much for her, and if she wanted to be productive that night, she needed to conceive the most of her spiritual energy.

She decided to go for her previous plan. Go in and "rest" if the emperor, empress dowager, or that Lord whose name she had forgotten allowed her to, then walk around the place until she felt like fainting. That sounded like a great plan indeed.

Thanks to Master Weng her plan had commenced working.

-          Dear, maybe we can talk with the palace Lords to grant you permission to rest up a bit. I'm sure they wouldn't mind being hospital enough for one of their guests.

Pamella nodded, but Xián Leng retorted,

-          I think it is not wise to leave her alone in a place like this one. What if someone discovers her identity; Wú Chù Zhī's that is.

Hei Bao asked him puzzled.

-          Who would be shameless enough to go in the palace uninvited by the royal family to spy on a young miss?

Hei Bao was to obtuse; he could be wise and strong willed, but there was time when he became to simpleminded.

-          No one knows who dwells inside closed walls; even the enemy could be nearer to oneself without notice.

Pamella waved her hand in obstinacy. She knew he was talking about does guys again; especially the tall, cunning, and dark red dressed one with the Bengal over shoulder. The hurt from her stomach expanded all over her body; given her as well a fever. Plus, she couldn't take more stubbornness than she had already received from them three. She whimpered, clutching her stomach, and giving Xián Leng the most heart wrenching puppy eyes.

-          I am not feeling well Xián Leng, please take me somewhere to rest I beg you. It hurts...

Xián Leng was emotionally destroyed with such plea, and she meant it.

Without waiting for Hei Bao, or Master Weng go ask for some assistance, Xián Leng picked up the feverish Pamella. He surprised her by putting their foreheads together. He exclaimed with wide eyes that showed both worry, and anxiety,

-          You're burning hot!

Pamella limply chuckled.

-          Why... thank you... very much...

Xián Leng didn't have time to decipher what did she meant by the "thank yous". The only thing that was on his mind at that moment was, to get Pamella to a place where he could lower her fever. It wasn't his first dealing with such a problem. Once an army colleague of his became ill during a battle, and lost in the woods, Xián Leng, with what little he knew about first aid during conflicts attended him. HE could lower his fever, and brought him back to his daughter, and wife alive, and sane.

The three of them, plus the slightly unconscious Pamella, arrived to the main hall of the palace where they encountered Empress Dowager He with her young son, Emperor Ai.

Pamella couldn't clearly hear all of them speaking. The only things she could see was a charming little boy with the same worried look as the lady beside him; both dressed in golden yellow and walking towards her in earnest.

Then, everything went black.  

[lìshǐjù]- Chinese for "Chinese drama".