Chapter 3: Sharing a Bed

Liu Chuyan slowly draped the thin robe that had fallen to the ground over her shoulders, hastily made her way to the window, and pushed it open. The night was deep; no moonlight, only a scattering of stars. Outside, two or three lanterns cast a hazy glow across the courtyard. The pond ran clear, the trees were withering, all splendor faded. From not far off, the steady sound of a wooden fish echoed, striking her heart with every beat, reminding her to find calm.

She lifted her gaze to the distant horizon: the temple stood solemn, pavilions of varying heights, mist swirling thickly, peaks appearing and disappearing in the night.

Legend has it that long ago, on Jiuhua Mountain by the side of Xuanwu Lake, there lived a centipede demon infamous for its evil deeds, spewing venom and harming the villagers and livestock nearby. The Jade Emperor dispatched the Golden Rooster from the Heavenly Palace to vanquish the monster. The Golden Rooster descended to the mortal realm and fought the sly, vicious centipede atop the North Star Pavilion’s peak. In the end, the centipede was slain, but the Golden Rooster, deeply poisoned, fell as well.

The mountain summit, once radiant, was left in ruins. The people of Jiuhua Mountain witnessed the Golden Rooster sacrifice itself for their sake and were deeply grateful. To honor it, they named the temple atop North Star Pavilion "Cockcrow Temple" and offered incense in its memory.

This was Cockcrow Temple—a place signifying the triumph of righteousness over evil. Her rebirth here was an auspicious omen.

Since she had been granted another life, she should not squander this precious chance, hard-won after months of agony.

With this new beginning, she would never allow tragedy to repeat itself. She must plan ahead, protect her innocence, resist her enemies, and most importantly, keep her grandaunt by her side.

Old Madam Han had always enjoyed robust health; why did she pass so suddenly? The cause was unclear—an accident, perhaps. When they returned to the estate from Cockcrow Temple, they passed through a mountain hollow. Suddenly, several large rocks tumbled from above, striking Old Madam Han’s carriage and killing her instantly.

Liu Chuyan, who was usually at Old Madam’s side, had not fully recovered, so she, Lady Rong, and the second Madam of the Han family stayed behind in the temple, thus escaping the calamity.

“Cousin, cousin…” Suddenly, someone crept quietly to the door, calling her in a hushed voice.

“Shuwei?” Han Shuwei was the fourth daughter of the Han family, born to the second Madam. She was fourteen now, but already breathtakingly beautiful, her figure more graceful than many famed beauties. Standing with Liu Chuyan, the two were a sight to behold. The young masters of Wukang Earl’s estate were unimpressive, but the young ladies were each more delicate than the last, especially with the stunning Liu Chuyan as their guest, making their reputation widespread. Han Shuwei had been raised by Old Madam Han herself and always played with Liu Chuyan; the two were as close as one, known outside as "the Twin Jewels of the Han Family."

But now, deep into the night, she had come to seek her, for reasons unknown.

“Cousin, you haven’t gone to bed yet, right?”

“Not yet.” Liu Chuyan opened the door, let her in, and closed it behind them. “Why are you looking for me?”

“Cousin, you don’t know—Lady Rong, the villain, was the first to lodge a complaint and is now crying with the First Madam, saying you pushed her. My mother tried to speak up for you, but Lady Rong claimed my mother’s eyesight was failing, nearly driving her to anger.”

“You live next door to her—she kept you awake with her noise, didn’t she?” Liu Chuyan laughed, guiding her to snuggle together on the bed.

“Good sister, since you know, don’t expose me. I want to sleep with you tonight.” Han Shuwei hugged her waist. “Why are you still so cold? The quilt is as hard as a stone.”

“All right, let’s sleep together.” Liu Chuyan tightly wrapped the quilt around them both and lay down. “It was warm just now, but you brought the chill in with you—let’s sleep together, and we’ll be warm soon enough.”

“Yes, it’s my fault for disturbing you in the middle of the night.” Han Shuwei apologized, but clung to her tightly, displaying the coquettish innocence of a young girl.

Liu Chuyan had been wondering how to spend the first night of her rebirth; as it turned out, Shuwei had arrived, bringing warmth and affection long missed. In her previous life, there had been none of this.

This Cockcrow Temple truly was extraordinary; perhaps it was the Jade Emperor’s mercy that let her live again.

“Cousin, I think Lady Rong Mingxiu truly hates you. You must be careful.” Han Shuwei murmured sleepily.

“I know. I won’t let her bully me. But you must call her ‘sister-in-law.’ If you’re so informal, word will reach her, and she’ll report to grandaunt, and you’ll be scolded.”

“Mm, I’ll just say a few bad things about her here. In front of others, even big brother must give way to her, so I certainly will, too. I’ll treat her properly, don’t worry, good sister.”

“That’s good.” Liu Chuyan advised Han Shuwei, though she herself was uncertain how to face Lady Rong—bow and scrape? Stand firm? She could no longer feign that gentle, meek persona. She had always believed in the principle that the innocent need not explain themselves. She never argued with Lady Rong, never clarified. Perhaps that was why matters escalated, eventually harming herself.

For someone like Lady Rong, who only yielded to force, gentleness was useless. If she was fierce, you must be fiercer. Yet Lady Rong had married beneath her station and had her family’s backing; she could play the shrew, but Liu Chuyan could not. If she didn’t wish to accept humiliation, she must always be in the right and act with caution.

Ideally, Lady Rong would ruin herself.

Liu Chuyan smiled. Lady Rong had gone too far; she would not endure insult without retaliation. Where once she believed in harmony, now she lived by the maxim: “If others do not offend me, I do not offend them; if they offend me, I strike back.”

Her heart lightened, the long night gained flavor. She drifted into sleep, dreaming of a warm sun shining upon her, a bright path ahead, obstacles transformed into open roads.

“Cousin, cousin…” Early the next morning, half-awake, Liu Chuyan felt Han Shuwei urgently shaking her shoulder.

“What is it? Are you getting up?” Liu Chuyan, still unwell, had every right to stay in bed. She rubbed her sleepy eyes.

“Cousin, the sky outside is still dim, not even the rooster has crowed. But didn’t you hear the strange sounds?” Han Shuwei, always a light sleeper, couldn’t tolerate any noise, which was why she’d come to Liu Chuyan’s room for peace. But now, woken early by the disturbance, she was quite irritable.

Liu Chuyan frowned and listened carefully. Indeed, from afar came the clanging of cymbals and gongs, interspersed with chanting, growing clearer: “This doesn’t sound like the monks’ morning prayers, but rather a ritual. Who would perform such rites so early, disturbing everyone’s rest?”

“It sounds like chanting for the dead. Has anyone in the capital lost an elder recently?” Unable to sleep, Han Shuwei dressed and called her maid for washing.

Liu Chuyan shook her head. In her past life, she’d simply lain in bed to recover, not paying attention to outside events, and after a moment’s thought, could not recall anything.

“Cousin, though your fever has subsided, you’re still weak and frequently cold. Rest; I’ll pay respects to grandmother—and see what’s happening.” Han Shuwei was well-mannered, but curiosity always tugged at her heart. It was early, with no one about, so she thought a quick peek wouldn’t hurt and, after saying a few words to Liu Chuyan, slipped out.

Liu Chuyan leaned against the headboard, carefully recalling what would happen at Cockcrow Temple and when grandaunt would return home.

Today was the twenty-third of September; grandaunt’s accident would happen on the twenty-sixth. She’d originally planned to return home on the twenty-ninth, but an urgent matter in the household forced her to leave early.

The road from Cockcrow Temple to the estate only offered two routes, one wide and one narrow; the narrow one could only fit a single carriage. Old Madam Han would never choose the narrow path.

If something happened at home, she would have to return—and she herself would never sit still. How could she delay her departure?

“Miss Liu, it’s time for your medicine.” Song Ling attended her, helping her drink and rinse her mouth. Seeing her complexion much improved, she hesitated, “Miss Liu, First Madam caused trouble all night.”

“Yes, I heard.” Liu Chuyan lowered her gaze, still lost in thought.

“First Madam’s trouble would be one thing, but she disturbed Old Madam as well. After leaving your room, Old Madam had to listen to her ramblings. Worst of all, after she twisted the facts, you became the one at fault. Old Madam couldn’t press her too hard and was so angry she didn’t sleep all night. I just heard from my sister that Old Madam was hoping to nap, but the guest hall began the ritual again, and her headache flared up.”

Liu Chuyan had expected Lady Rong to cause trouble, but paid it no mind. On hearing the last sentence, however, she looked up in alarm. “What did you say?”

“Old Madam’s headache has returned.”

“Has the physician been called?”

“Yes, and he prescribed a remedy. The medicine is being prepared now.”

A thought flashed through Liu Chuyan’s mind and then she shook her head: she couldn’t risk grandaunt’s health. If anything were to happen…

But the headache had lasted many years; a few more days before treatment was better than death by falling rocks.

“Miss Liu, what are you doing?” Song Ling watched as she quickly sat up, dressed herself without assistance, and was surprised.

“I’m going to see Old Madam.”

“But you—”

“I’m fine now, I’ll go.” Liu Chuyan paused. “Is Yun Ling in the kitchen preparing medicine?”

“My sister is attending Old Madam; medicine is being prepared by Fourth Miss.”

Liu Chuyan nodded slightly, slipped her handkerchief into her sleeve unnoticed, and glanced around. “Oh, my handkerchief is missing.”

Song Ling immediately searched, but after a round, could not find it and was astonished. “It was here just now—how could it disappear?”

“Song Ling, I’ll go to grandaunt’s room. Find my handkerchief and bring it to me when you’re done.” Liu Chuyan frowned and instructed, then hurried out, leaving Song Ling alone.