Song of the Bright Moon Chapter 36

Tonight, the Cui residence was destined to know no peace.

Hearing that a thief had entered the household, Cui Wenyin was also startled, no longer daring to wander outside, and hastened back to her own quarters with her maid.

But the more one fears something, the more it arrives.

She had just returned to her inner chamber when she saw the window wide open, rain blowing in. She thought to herself that her maid was negligent, careless to such a degree—tomorrow she would surely scold her for it.

As she stepped toward the window to close it, she suddenly noticed on the floor a muddy footprint, broad as a fist.

So large a foot—it could only belong to a man!

“Ah—mmph!”

She had only uttered a sound when a large hand suddenly reached from behind and clamped tightly over her mouth. “Don’t make a sound!”

A man’s voice, deliberately low, sounded above her head. Cui Wenyin’s heart pounded like a drum, her face drained pale with fright. How wretched her luck!

“Sixth Niangzi Cui, I am no villain, and I do not wish to harm you. If you do not cry out, I will release you at once. Agreed?”

The voice seemed oddly familiar to her, as if she had heard it somewhere before. But she was far too tense at this moment to recall, so she could only nod in compliance. “Mmph, mmph!”

True to his word, the hand released her.

Cui Wenyin hastily raised her sleeve to wipe her mouth hard. When she turned back, in the bright candlelight she saw the tall man before her, his face covered with black cloth—and she froze on the spot.

Though his face was covered, those peach-blossom eyes, brimming with tender feeling as if even for a dog—she would never mistake them. She blurted out in shock: “It’s you!”

Xie Wuling had not expected this little lady to recognize him at a glance.

He rubbed his hand awkwardly on his clothes, then cupped his fist toward her. “I did not know this was your chamber before I came in… I was being pursued outside, and seeing the room empty, I only slipped in to hide a while.”

Though he was of a ruffian background, he still knew well how much maidens of the inner chambers prized their reputation. His face showed some shame. “When those men outside have gone, I will leave at once. I will not overstay.”

Cui Wenyin stared at his disguise, eyes round. “You’re the thief?”

Beneath the black cloth, Xie Wuling’s handsome face twitched. “I’ve no interest in taking a single coin of your household’s property. I came only to carry off my wife tonight.”

Cui Wenyin understood.

Not stealing goods—stealing people?

That word had barely popped into her mind before she felt it indecent, hurriedly discarding it. Looking again at the man before her, her willow brows knitted. “You came to look for Madam Pei?”

Xie Wuling’s thick brows furrowed as he solemnly corrected her: “Jiaojiao is no Madam Pei—she is the wife I, Xie Wuling, carried home in a grand red bridal sedan and bowed to Heaven and Earth with!”

Cui Wenyin had also heard some rumors of what had happened at dusk.

In fact, ever since she told Cousin Jin where Shen Yujiao was and returned to her own courtyard, she had been mulling it over.

The more she thought, the more it felt like she had gotten it wrong. If Lady Shen had truly been forced to marry Xie Wuling, then in the inn that day—dressed in crimson, her makeup radiant, speaking gently and smiling with the waiter—she had not looked the least bit like someone coerced…

But with her kind of family background, how could she forsake the place of a noble clan’s matron and willingly marry a lowborn thug?

Cui Wenyin puzzled over it endlessly. Now, seeing Xie Wuling daring to climb over walls in the middle of the night, her brows furrowed tighter. “Xie Langjun, you had better leave quickly. I just came from the guest quarters—Madam Pei and Lord Pei have already retired. Even if you had three heads and six arms, you could not possibly take her away. Besides, it’s pitch dark and raining outside. You can climb a wall, but how could she?”

Xie Wuling rubbed his nose. “There’s a dog hole by the back wall.”

“You expect Madam Pei, a noble lady of a great clan, to crawl through a dog hole with you?”

At that, Cui Wenyin only felt it absurd. Putting herself in that place, she couldn’t help feeling indignant for Shen Yujiao. “Why would you humiliate her like that?”

Xie Wuling frowned. “How am I humiliating her? I only want to bring her home.”

“Home? What home?”

Cui Wenyin’s brows pinched tighter. “Leaving aside that you could never take her from the guesthouse in the first place—even if you did, where would you bring her? The moment she disappears, with such a commotion, do you think Lord Pei wouldn’t guess it was you? How could Jinling City ever allow you to remain after that?”

“I’ll take her away from Jinling at first light tomorrow.”

“You make it sound so simple. Do you not know the Book of Rites says: ‘If one is betrothed, she is wife; if one elopes, she is concubine’? Spiriting her away from my family’s estate in the dead of night—where would that leave her reputation?”

“…”

The Book of Rites again. Always the Book of Rites.

Why did all these noblewomen love to parade their learning so?

Cui Wenyin saw he stayed silent, not knowing if he had understood or not. But looking at him—drenched all over, with the corner of a red inner garment faintly showing beneath his black cloak—she suddenly recalled this was a man whose wife had been stolen from him on his wedding day.

And, in some way, she herself was implicated. She sighed, trying to persuade him: “Xie Langjun, I know not what bond lies between you and Madam Pei, but her husband has already found her. Soon she’ll be taken back to Luoyang, to continue as the pampered wife of a great household. Why must you go on entangling her?”

“What do you mean, entangling? She’s my wife. For Laozi to bring my own wife home—heaven and earth themselves sanction it!”

“You—you… how could you…” Cui Wenyin, hearing him call himself ‘laozi’ with every sentence, was both shocked and indignant. After a long moment she finally managed to choke out: “I’ve spoken kindly, why must you answer with coarse words!”

Xie Wuling was baffled. Where had he spoken coarsely?

Looking again at this young lady’s flushed, indignant face, he suddenly understood—it must be that word “laozi.”

Jiaojiao too had once told him that such self-address was improper, but she had never reacted as strongly as this Miss Cui.

In his heart Xie Wuling thought, sure enough, his own Jiaojiao was the best.

Drawing a deep breath, he did his best to restrain his temper. “I meant no offense, truly. Only the things you say are too unpleasant to hear. I’ve already told you, Jiaojiao is my wife. Once a woman marries her husband, would she so casually abandon him?”

Cui Wenyin faltered, then shook her head. “Husband and wife are one; they should share weal and woe.”

“Exactly! Since Jiaojiao has married me, I will spend my life with her. How could I betray her, and hand her over to another?”

“But… she was first Lord Pei’s wife.”

Cui Wenyin lifted her face. “Do you even know who she is? Her grandfather was the famed Chancellor Shen, once the emperor’s tutor. Lord Pei’s father was Chancellor Shen’s student, and also bosom friends with her own father. Because of this bond, at her full-month banquet, Lord Pei’s father gifted a jade ruyi and formally betrothed her to his legitimate son. All of Chang’an knew—Lady Shen was promised to the Pei family. Even when a princess admired Pei Shouzhen, she dared not plead with His Majesty to break that match. How could you—are you mightier than a princess?”

Hearing all this talk of chancellors and imperial princesses, Xie Wuling felt as though he were listening to a storyteller’s tale.

An emperor’s daughter—she was like the stars and moon above the sky: familiar in name, but far too distant to even think of.

But now this Sixth Miss Cui was saying that even a princess admired Pei Xia, and yet Jiaojiao’s marriage could not be broken for her sake.

A suffocating sense of disparity welled in his chest—like a sheepskin raft pricked with a hole, its swelling air leaking away little by little.

Cui Wenyin, seeing him fall silent, guessed he must finally be realizing the gulf between them. Her tone softened. “She fell into misfortune this time, and for your care she is surely grateful. But if you continue to pursue her, that gratitude will only turn into resentment…”

“She wouldn’t.”

Xie Wuling spoke lowly. “Jiaojiao would never think of me that way.”

“How could she not? Now that she’s going back, she must return spotless. If word spreads that she tangled with another man in Jinling, how could she hold her head up? A flood of spit alone would drown her.”

Cui Wenyin cast him a glance. “I can see you… likely have feelings for her. But if it’s truly for her good, you’d best leave at once. From now on, act as if she never existed, and may each of you be well.”

Xie Wuling was silent for a long time before saying, “I can tell—she does not wish to go back with that Pei fellow.”

“What of wishing or not wishing?”

Cui Wenyin replied, “He is her husband. Once a woman is married, she follows her husband and later her son. How can she not obey?”

At this, her gaze drifted toward the misty rain outside the window, her eyes a little unfocused, her voice lowering into a murmur: “For people like us, love… is the least important thing.”

For noble-born women choosing a husband, the first concern is whether the two families are properly matched. Then, whether she can manage the household after marriage and stabilize the inner quarters. After that, to bear children quickly. If she gives birth to a legitimate son, her position as mistress of the house is secured. — As for whether there is affection with the husband, that is but a luxury. If it exists, it adds luster; if not, so long as the marriage bed yields heirs, it suffices.

One cannot demand both status and devotion. How could such good fortune exist? Besides, men are fickle—love is as fleeting as morning dew.

“Go, quickly.”

Cui Wenyin pricked up her ears, listening to the sounds outside. Turning back to Xie Wuling, she warned: “You must not head toward the guesthouse. There are elite soldiers there, and hidden guards as well. If you go, you will certainly be caught!”

She could not reveal too much, and could only try her best to warn him.

Xie Wuling knew she meant well. He cupped his fists in thanks. “Forgive the disturbance.”

Cui Wenyin stepped aside and dipped in courtesy. “You are too polite.”

When she lifted her head again, she saw only a dark figure flash nimbly past the window. In the blink of an eye, he had leapt out and vanished into the boundless rainy night.

Cui Wenyin stood staring outside for a long while. Then her gaze fell on a muddy footprint on the floor. She drew a kerchief from her sleeve and crouched down, wiping it away bit by bit.

As she wiped, somewhere deep in her chest there suddenly rose a long, forlorn sigh.

She did not even know what she was sighing for.

Perhaps for Lady Shen’s ill-fated destiny, or for Xie Wuling’s misplaced devotion. Or perhaps for herself—that in this lifetime, she would likely never encounter a man who could be so devoted to her.

What maiden does not harbor spring dreams?

Only, once married, the maiden becomes a wife— and the dream is over.

—

The next morning. The autumn rain had just ceased, but the sky was still pale and gray.

When Shen Yujiao opened her eyes, she stared blankly for some time at the grass-green silk canopy embroidered with persimmon calyx patterns above her head.

Once she recalled all that had happened yesterday, she raised a hand, pressing two fingers against her forehead, and slowly sat up from the bed.

She could not help but feel puzzled. Last night, hadn’t she been planning to wait for Pei Xia to return and speak to him about the matter of her safety? How had she fallen asleep so soundly?

Ah, yes—after her bath last night, a maid had brought her a cup of calming tea.

After drinking it, drowsiness had overtaken her. She had thought to rest on the bed for a short while, but unexpectedly, that nap lasted until morning—

What kind of recipe did the prefect’s household use for their calming tea, that it should have such strong effect?

Rubbing her forehead, she suddenly remembered something, and quickly glanced toward the side of the bed.

It was smooth and flat, with no sign of anyone having slept there.

So last night, Pei Xia had not shared her chamber?

That was true. Back in the old estate, unless it was the first or fifteenth day of the month, they had slept separately. And now, with her carrying a child, at least for the next half-year, there would be no need for them to share a bed.

For some reason, Shen Yujiao felt a quiet sense of relief deep inside.

After sitting silently on the bed a while longer, she lifted the quilt and rose. Walking to the table, she poured herself a cup of water and drank.

As she finished, faintly she heard the voices of two maids conversing outside the window.

“…I heard the fighting was truly frightening…”

“…Ah, how reckless…”

“…It’s already the hour of Si, and still not awake…”

It was too far, the words broken and indistinct.

But that last line must have been about herself. So Shen Yujiao put down the cup and cleared her throat slightly. “Attend me, bring water for washing.”

The two soft voices outside paused for a moment, then quick footsteps approached.

Two maids lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing Shen Yujiao standing at the table with a teacup in hand, they quickly saluted and said softly: “When did Madam wake? This humble pair was just waiting in the corridor. If you wished for tea, you need only summon us. How could we let you trouble yourself?”

“It was only a trifle.”

Shen Yujiao spoke lightly, moving to sit at the bedside. Seeing the two still looking anxious and flustered, she herself felt a bit dazed.

These past months, living adrift outside, she had been forced to grow accustomed to doing many things alone. Now, returning to a life where every step—dressing, washing, even rinsing her face—was attended to by servants, she found herself oddly unaccustomed to it.

Still, she adjusted quickly enough. A few more days, and she would be used to it again.

Soon the maids brought warm water, cloths, and salt for brushing her teeth, then, after serving her through her washing, they presented a set of jade-colored garments embroidered with silver butterflies in subtle patterns.

One glance told Shen Yujiao that this outfit, along with its matching accessories, had been chosen by Pei Xia.

He had always favored colors of elegance and restraint—jade pendants, hairpins, silk sashes.

As for Xie Wuling, he was the complete opposite—loving the bright reds and purples, the vivid and flamboyant. The clothes he bought for her were almost all embroidered with luxuriant peonies, lotuses, koi fish; the ornaments, always golden and dazzling—

When he gave her that pair of golden leaf earrings, he had even patted his chest and promised:
“Once the yamen issues year-end pay, I’ll have a big gold bangle made for you, solid gold, this thick. You’ll wear it for New Year and be the envy of everyone.”

But in Chang’an, if a noble young lady were to wear a heavy, thick gold bangle and flaunt it about, she would surely be mocked as vulgar and tasteless.

Xie Wuling…

At the thought of that man, Shen Yujiao’s lashes lowered, and she drifted into distraction again.

The two maids exchanged glances. One of them gathered her courage and softly called, “Madam, would you like to change clothes?”

Shen Yujiao came back to herself, the corners of her rosy lips lifting in a small curve. “Mm.”

She stepped behind the screen, letting the two maids attend to her dressing.

She had wanted to ask where yesterday’s wedding robe had gone, but the words reached her lips only to be swallowed back. There was no point in asking.

“Where is Young Master Pei now?” she asked.

“Replying to Madam, Young Master Pei went to the ferry to see off honored guests.”

The maid bowed her head while fastening her sash. Because her belly was showing, she dared not tie it too tight. “Before he left, Young Master Pei instructed that if you woke before he returned, you were to take breakfast first. When he comes back, he will escort you to pay respects to our Madam.”

Since she had stayed the night in another’s household, it was only proper to greet the mistress of the house.

Shen Yujiao inclined her head. “I understand.”

Once the sash was tied, the maid carefully straightened the skirt hem and smoothed every last fold.

Together the two maids lifted a bronze mirror before her. “Madam, how do you find it?”

Shen Yujiao looked at the woman in the glass, clad in an elegant jade-colored gown. As the saying went, “clothes make the person, a saddle makes the horse.” Once the robe was on, it was as if she had returned to those grand mansions of noble houses, resplendent with banquets and luxury.

“It’s fine.”

Only, it felt a little unfamiliar, like moonlight on water, beautiful yet illusory.

She gathered her thoughts and walked slowly to the dressing table. “When did he come back last night, and where did he sleep?”

The maid behind her, combing her hair, answered, “Young Master Pei returned at the hour of the Dog. Seeing that Madam was already resting, he didn’t wish to disturb you, and so slept in the room next door.”

Shen Yujiao gave a quiet “oh.”

Perhaps sensing her mildness, the maid relaxed a little, smiling softly. “Young Master Pei truly cherishes you. This morning before he left, he even came by your room to take a look at you before going.”

He came this morning too?

Shen Yujiao’s eyes flickered. She thought to herself that this Cui family’s calming tea was truly effective—she hadn’t sensed a thing.

But then, the maid had said “cherishes.”

Cherish? She sneered lightly in her heart. Cherish perhaps meant “respect,” but love… that was another matter.

While her thoughts wandered, her hair and makeup were completed.

Her glossy black hair was arranged into the current fashionable bun among Jinling ladies, piled high like layers of cloud. It was adorned with a pale jade hairpin and a comb set with pearls. At her ears hung two thumb-sized Eastern pearls, their luminous whiteness making her earlobes rounder, her neck seem more slender.

In Jiangnan, elegance and grace were prized; women’s beauty lay in subtlety. Thus her brows were only faintly drawn, a light touch of powder on her face, and a soft wash of rouge on her lips—enough for a complete look.

“Madam, you are truly beautiful,” the maid doing her hair praised sincerely.

The other maid, having set the meal and lifting the curtain to enter, also couldn’t help but exclaim, “Standing beside Young Master Pei, you two are like a pair of flawless white jade figures.”

She recalled how last night, when this Madam Pei had been brought back dressed in brilliant red, that sight had been unforgettable.

The two maids thought the same: a true beauty was stunning whether in light makeup or heavy, each in its own way.

By the time Shen Yujiao had unhurriedly finished a lavish breakfast, Pei Xia returned.

With him came an old physician carrying a medicine chest.

The maids bowed to Pei Xia, while the old doctor saluted Shen Yujiao. “Lin Jun of Songhe Hall pays his respects to Madam.”

Shen Yujiao politely raised her hand. “Doctor Lin, no need for formalities.”

She glanced at Pei Xia, who was dressed in a jade-colored robe like hers. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. Was it mere coincidence, or had he chosen it deliberately?

She hadn’t time to dwell on it. Pei Xia came to the couch opposite her, lifted his robe, and sat down. “Have you eaten?”

“I just did,” Shen Yujiao replied.

“Good,” Pei Xia answered lightly. His gaze swept over her poised and graceful attire, his brows relaxing a little.

Then he turned to the doctor. “I’ll trouble Doctor Lin to take my wife’s pulse.”

“Young Master is too courteous.” Doctor Lin set his medicine chest aside and took out a wrist rest and silk thread.

Pei Xia glanced at the thread and said calmly, “No need for suspended thread. Just take the pulse directly.”

Doctor Lin was a bit surprised. When examining official ladies, he usually used the thread method to preserve their reputation. Yet this gentleman was so open-minded? Likely he was from the North—more liberal than Jiangnan customs.

As the doctor mused, Shen Yujiao also cast a glance at Pei Xia.

Pei Xia met her look calmly. “Direct contact is steadier and more accurate. You’ve suffered much this time; best let the doctor take a proper look.”

Shen Yujiao knew he was always careful and considerate. Her dark lashes lowered. “All right, I’ll listen to you.”

A maid brought over a crescent stool, and Doctor Lin sat down. After a polite “Forgive the trouble, Madam,” Shen Yujiao lifted her sleeve, revealing a slender wrist, white as snow.

Doctor Lin placed his fingers gently on her pulse, focusing with calm concentration.

No one spoke in the room, and for a time, all was still.

Shen Yujiao lowered her eyes, yet she could still feel Pei Xia’s gaze lingering on her.

From her coiffure, to the pearl earrings, to her face, her wrist, and even her waist…

She pressed her lips together without showing anything outwardly, but in her heart she wondered—was it her imagination? Since their reunion, it felt as though he looked at her far more often than before.

Although not as bold, open, and burning as Xie Wuling’s gaze, still… it made her feel strangely unsettled.

“Madam’s pulse flows smooth and even, round beneath the fingers, like pearls rolling on a jade plate—very healthy,” Doctor Lin said.

He withdrew his hand and addressed the young couple before him. “The child in Madam’s womb is also well. Only, for a pregnancy nearing five months, the belly is rather small. I fear the baby may be somewhat frail at birth. Madam may take nourishing tonics at the proper time—but not too much, lest the fetus grow too large. As this is your first child, the delivery could otherwise be difficult.”

Shen Yujiao softly replied, “All right.”

Pei Xia thanked the doctor and rose to see him out, arranging for a prescription.

Inside, the two maids glanced curiously at Shen Yujiao’s belly, both a little startled—nearly five months already?

When they had helped her change clothes earlier, her limbs were slender, her back thin; from behind, one would never guess she was pregnant.

Before long, Pei Xia returned from seeing off the doctor, holding in his sleeve a prescription for natal medicine.

He did not hand it to a maid, but kept it tucked into his robe.

Watching him walk back slowly, Shen Yujiao’s gaze followed the wide jade-colored sleeve, falling upon the safety-jade token tied at his waist.

She hadn’t noticed yesterday—so he had been wearing this all along?

“Yuniang,” Pei Xia said to her, “would you like to rest for a while, or come with me now to pay respects to Madam Cui?”

“The hour is already late,” Shen Yujiao answered. “Let us go pay our respects.”

She braced one hand on the small table by the couch to rise, but seeing this, Pei Xia stepped forward and reached out to steady her.

Shen Yujiao started slightly.

Pei Xia’s lips pressed into a faint line. “You are with child. It is inconvenient for you to move alone.”

Shen Yujiao was silent for two breaths, then said in a quiet voice, “The months are still early, my belly not yet large. It isn’t that inconvenient.”

Pei Xia: “…”

She waited a moment. Since he still did not let go, she said nothing further, letting him support her.

Outside, though no rain fell, the stone-paved courtyard was still slick with damp.

She felt the long, slender hand holding her tighten slightly—likely afraid the ground was slippery, that she might fall.

The two walked in silence for a while. Shen Yujiao then spoke of Ping’an.

Pei Xia said, “On the road back to the manor, I recalled the matter and have already instructed Jinglin: when the return gift is sent, he is to bring the child back as well.”

Shen Yujiao was faintly surprised. Her lips moved: “Thank you.”

“You and I are husband and wife; there is no need for thanks,” Pei Xia replied. “Besides, that child’s family rendered you a kindness. To me, that is also a kindness. Now that he is an orphan, it is only right that we raise him, guide him, and see him grow into talent.”

Shen Yujiao answered with a soft “mm,” then suddenly asked, “This morning—did you go to see off His Highness the Second Prince?”

Pei Xia did not conceal it: “Yes. The Second Prince’s ship departed today.”

According to the original plan, Pei Xia should have boarded the boat to return with the prince. But he considered there were still matters in Jinling left unresolved, and with Shen Yujiao’s condition uncertain, he decided to remain in Jinling two more days to recover, then return to Luoyang by land.

At parting by the ferry, the two men had agreed to meet again in Chang’an in the twelfth month.

By then, Pei Xia thought, the sordid affairs within his clan would be settled, and he would be free to bring his wife into Chang’an without distraction.

Lost in thought, they arrived at the residence of Madam Cui, the Prefect’s wife.

It was her first time entering this household, and in such a way—staying overnight as a guest. Standing at the threshold, Shen Yujiao felt awkward and ill at ease.

How much did this Madam Cui know of the situation…?

With her current state, and such a murky identity, it was hardly honorable.

Perhaps sensing her unease, Pei Xia squeezed her hand. “Do not worry.”

As he spoke, he bent his gaze with a small smile, as if to reassure her.

Shen Yujiao looked at that smile—clear as moonlight, gentle as spring wind—and was briefly dazed.

She could no longer remember the last time he had smiled at her like this, so tenderly.

Yet whenever he did smile… he was truly handsome.

She withdrew her gaze, lowered her lashes, and stepped into the Prefect’s wife’s courtyard beside him.