On the third day of February, the weather in the capital was still cold and gloomy.
“His Highness has returned to the residence.”
With the herald’s announcement, the people of Prince Qing’s mansion bowed to greet him. They watched as Duke Jin’an, returning from the morning court, stepped inside, followed closely by a palace attendant holding aloft an imperial edict that symbolized a direct command from the throne.
“Your Highness, when will you depart?”
Inside the main hall, Duke Jin’an removed his cloak and spread out his hands for the palace maids to change his court attire for travel clothes.
“We’ll set out after noon,” said Duke Jin’an. “We’ll join forces with the troops of the Imperial Guard and the Guanxi Army.”
Garments were removed and replaced one by one. When the broad belt was fastened around his waist, Duke Jin’an waved his hand, signaling the maids to withdraw.
“Your Highness, Lei Qianjun and the others will come together with the Guanxi Army,” the attendant said quietly.
Duke Jin’an smiled slightly and nodded.
“They’ve had a hard time wandering outside all these years,” he said.
The attendant smiled and answered but dared not say more. He watched as Duke Jin’an took a box down from the shelf and drew something out from within.
It was the item he had brought back from Lady Cheng’s house that day – something he had cradled like a treasure the whole way home, only to lock it away as soon as he returned.
At some point, it had been placed into a long scented pouch and now hung at his waist.
“Your Highness, what is that?” the attendant couldn’t help but ask.
“A gift I got in exchange for two bird whistles,” Duke Jin’an said with a smile.
Two bird whistles?
The attendant’s eyes widened.
“Where’s Prince Qing?” Duke Jin’an asked as he straightened his clothes and strode out.
After playing all morning and washing up, Prince Qing was now sitting before a low table, eating heartily, and paid no attention to the person who had just sat down beside him.
“Liu Ge’er.”
Duke Jin’an reached out and gently brushed his hand over the boy’s head.
“I am going away for a while – about half a year, maybe a full year before I return. Be good at home, don’t be afraid. There are plenty of people here to take care of you.”
Prince Qing mumbled twice in reply – though of course, it wasn’t in response to anything Duke Jin’an had just said.
“Liu Ge’er.”
Duke Jin’an glanced around – all the palace attendants and maids had already withdrawn from the hall. He reached to untie the scented pouch at his waist and took out a small bamboo tube.
“Look, this is what she gave me.”
This time, Prince Qing looked over and immediately reached out to grab it.
Duke Jin’an quickly lifted it out of reach.
“You can’t play with this – it’s too dangerous,” he said with a laugh.
But Prince Qing refused to give up, clinging onto him with both arms.
Laughter echoed through the hall.
Sitting up straight, Duke Jin’an watched as Prince Qing was distracted by something else and stopped paying attention to the bamboo tube. He let out a quiet breath and fastened the pouch back onto his waist.
“Your Highness, it’s time to leave,” came the reminder from the attendant outside the door.
Duke Jin’an rose to his feet and looked at Prince Qing, who was being helped up by several palace maids.
“Please don’t worry, Your Highness,” said the eldest of the palace maids with a smile. “We will take good care of Prince Qing.” She turned to the child. “Your Highness Prince Qing, say goodbye to the Duke.”
Prince Qing ignored her, his head lowered as he played with the wooden ball in his hands.
Duke Jin’an stepped forward and drew him into an embrace.
Yes – this was the kind of person one wanted to hold close. Someone dear, with whom one could feel at ease, or rather, someone one trusted so fully that one could bare the softest part of one’s heart and chest to him… and to her.
“I’m going now,” said Duke Jin’an, giving a gentle pat to Prince Qing, who was already wriggling impatiently to be let go. Then he released him, turned, and strode away.
In February, the Desheng Pavilion was as warm as spring.
Along its finely decorated corridor came the soft rustle of clothing, a faint sha-sha sound that soon came to a stop.
“Sister?”
Chun Ling looked in confusion at Lady Zhu, who had halted mid-step.
“Today…” Lady Zhu hesitated for a moment, then turned around. “I won’t be seeing any guests.”
Chun Ling stared in surprise.
“Sister?” she said quickly. “But – Young Master Qin is here too.”
Lady Zhu had already started walking back the way she came.
“In seven days, the Ministry of Rites will begin the examination trials,” she said, glancing once toward the private room at the end of the covered bridge. “How could one indulge in pleasure at a time like this?”
What the hell’s it got to do with you!
Chun Ling fumed inwardly.
You clearly want to see him – otherwise, when Madam mentioned who was coming, would you have rushed to change clothes before even finishing your makeup?
And now you’re pretending otherwise!
“Sister,” she hurried to catch up, her eyes wide and glistening. “But… what if he came especially to see you?”
“Nonsense!” Lady Zhu snapped, brows arched in anger.
Chun Ling quickly lowered her head, looking timid and chastened.
Seeing her like that, Lady Zhu softened her tone.
“Don’t speak carelessly like that – it could tarnish his reputation,” she said.
Chun Ling lifted her head and nodded.
“Sister, you’re really good to him,” she said.
Lady Zhu smiled.
“In our line of work, there’s always a mix of truth and falsehood,” she said. “But at least when you face this guest, you must make sure your feelings are real. Even if it’s an act, act it truthfully – so that you’re worthy of the money he pays.”
Chun Ling nodded, watching as Lady Zhu walked back inside. The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by disdain.
Acting – do you think you’re the only one who knows how?
Besides, your act is far too fake!
Watching the door close, Chun Ling’s eyes flickered for a moment before she turned and hurried toward the covered walkway.
She slid open the door – the sound of laughter and conversation from inside the private room rushed out to meet her.
“…No matter what topics they assign, current affairs will surely be among them…”
The voice trailed off as the door opened, and the young scholars inside all turned to look at her.
Chun Ling knelt down, timidly.
“Lady Zhu says she won’t be receiving guests today,” she said.
Her words drew murmurs of dissatisfaction from the room.
“We finally managed to come out today – we were looking forward to some music and relaxation,” one of them said.
“Lady Zhu bids you all good fortune in the examinations,” Chun Ling said, bowing. “After the imperial exams are over, she will gladly offer songs and dances for your enjoyment.”
The young men in the room laughed.
“Lady Zhu is quite the strict teacher.”
“As expected of Lady Zhu— – her heart still aspires to the true path of learning.”
A bunch of self-centered idiots!
Chun Ling sneered inwardly.
She lifted her head and, amid the chatter and laughter, realized that the gentleman she sought was nowhere to be seen. Startled, she looked around.
By the street-facing window, Qin Shi’san-lang sat holding a wine bowl, gazing out through the lattice as if he hadn’t heard a word of the conversation inside.
“Come look at this,” he said suddenly, pointing outside.
The others gathered around, peering down at the street – where a detachment of imperial guards was marching past. Behind them came the royal procession of carriages and horses.
“It’s Prince Ping!” someone said.
“Today, Duke Jin’an is setting out for Maoping Road as the Emperor’s appointed pacification envoy,” Qin Shi’san-lang said. “His Majesty has ordered Prince Ping to see him off.”
“That’s right – Duke Jin’an requested to go to Maoping Road himself.”
“Who would’ve thought that the Emperor’s pet princeling actually had the guts for it?”
Had the guts?
Qin Shi’san-lang gave a cold laugh. Did they really think that pampered princeling had survived and basked in imperial favor all this time just because of his pretty face?
“…To share His Majesty’s burdens and bring comfort to the people – His Highness sets an example for all…”
As those words reached his ears, Qin Shi’san-lang laughed again.
For the Emperor? For the people? Who would believe that? It was nothing but self-interest. Clearly, the Emperor’s sudden illness that day had frightened him – he must have realized that imperial favor never lasts, and now he was desperate to earn himself some credit to cling to.
A duke of the royal blood, chasing after military merit… wasn’t that a bit too ambitious?
Qin Shi’san-lang narrowed his eyes, watching the departing procession fade into the distance, then lifted his tea bowl and drained it in one go.
“…Duke Jin’an and Lady Cheng seem to be quite close. People have seen his carriage at her residence several times…”
“…Wasn’t her music played especially for him…?”
The room filled with knowing, suggestive laughter.
Qin Shi’san-lang slammed his tea bowl down onto the table.
“I’ll be taking my leave,” he said.
Before anyone could recover from their surprise, he was already striding swiftly out the door.
Kneeling by the door, Chun Ling hurriedly tried to get out of the way but stumbled and fell to the floor. Even so, that young lord didn’t spare her a single glance – he swept past like a gust of wind, his servant clutching a cloak and half-running to catch up behind him.
“What’s with him?” someone inside asked.
“He’s set on winning this time – must be heading back to his books,” another said with a laugh.
The men inside continued their easy chatter, while outside, Chun Ling bit her lip, pressed a hand against the door, and slowly stood up.
What’s with him?
Isn’t it all because you mentioned that lady?
That lady!
Chun Ling lifted her head, fury twisting inside her.
Why won’t she just die already? Why is there no one who can bring her down? How is it that she only lives more and more freely – now even entangled with the royal family!
Entangled with a duke – then what use is this so-called Young Master Qin anymore?
Chun Ling turned her head again, her thoughts dark.
And that Lady Zhu, flaunting her title as the courtesan queen – why is it that she, in all her airs, still can’t catch the favor of any noble or royal patron?
“Hey, what are you still doing here?” someone called out.
Chun Ling snapped back to herself, hastily bowed, and turned to leave. She had only taken a few steps when she heard a commotion ahead. Looking down, she saw several greeters leading a richly dressed young noble into the building, surrounded by a lively entourage.
“Who’s that?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“That one?” A passing attendant overheard, leaned over the railing for a glance, and grinned. “The nineteenth young master of the Gao family.”
“The Gao family?” Chun Ling asked. “You mean that Gao family – the one related to the imperial clan?”
The attendant nodded with a smile.
“The very same – one with the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Consort, and Prince Ping among its kin,” he said with a laugh. “Now that the tiger’s left the mountain, even the young masters of the Gao family dare to come strolling through Desheng Pavilion.”
Still chuckling, he hurried off.
That Gao family…
Chun Ling looked down again over the railing, lost in thought.
…
In Jiang-zhou, February brought endless drizzle.
Cloaked and hurrying forward, Cheng Liu-niang ignored the maid behind her who was running to keep up, holding an umbrella over her head. Just as she reached the main hall doors, she heard a sharp crack from within.
“Outrageous!”
It was First Master Cheng speaking.
“Master, you’ve just taken your medicine,” First Madam Cheng said quickly. “The doctor warned that the end of winter is hard on your health – don’t work yourself into another fit.” She glanced toward the table. “What did Si-lang write?”
“He says Second Brother and his wife have been bullying Jiao-niang,” said First Master Cheng grimly.
First Madam Cheng’s eyes widened.
“Them?” she exclaimed. “They bullied Jiao-niang? Are they mad? Don’t they know that girl is a jinx, someone they shouldn’t provoke?”
First Master Cheng glared at her.
“What nonsense!” he barked.
“How is that nonsense?” First Madam Cheng murmured, lowering her head but still muttering, “It’s the plain truth.”
First Master Cheng ignored her and lowered his head to continue reading the letter, his expression shifting as his eyes moved across the page.
Just as Cheng Liu-niang was about to step inside, another sharp smack sounded from within – First Master Cheng had slammed the letter back down onto the table.
“Pack up our things. I’m going to the capital!” he declared.
To the capital?
First Madam Cheng turned to stare at him in astonishment, and Cheng Liu-niang stepped quickly into the room – both of them equally shocked.
