Chapter 44: The Stratagem

The smile that had just begun on Liu Chuyan’s lips faltered. Could it be that Xue Ao had called in reinforcements for her? She truly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry—her entanglement with the Duke of Xin could never be washed clean, no matter how hard she tried. By the time she left the palace gates, the rumors about her and the Duke would surely be set in stone.

If things truly unfolded that way, what should she do?

"Your humble servant greets Your Highness, and wishes Your Highness auspiciousness." Xue Zhu had already entered, prostrating himself before the Lady Virtue with a deep bow.

"Mm, rise." Lady Virtue lifted her hand, her eyes drifting from Liu Chuyan to the servant, smiling, "How has the Duke of Xin been lately?"

"His Grace is well in all respects. He instructed me to convey his regards to Your Highness."

"Very good. I wonder, did the Duke send you into the palace for some special purpose?"

Lady Virtue glanced at Liu Chuyan again. She maintained a composed appearance, yet in her eyes was a hint of unease.

"Your Highness, the Duke merely asked me to deliver a letter, nothing more." As Xue Zhu spoke, he handed over a sealed envelope. He tilted his head slightly, catching sight of Liu Chuyan and the others, as if relieved, yet puzzled—they were already in Lady Virtue’s presence, so the Duke’s worries might have been unnecessary. And Second Master—why was he so anxious?

Lady Virtue opened the letter, glanced at Liu Chuyan and the others, nodded slowly, and smiled serenely, "Go back and tell the Duke that Miss Liu and her companions are already with me, and he need not worry. But I can only protect them for two days; after that, everyone must work together."

When Xue Zhu left, he’d only heard that Miss Liu and the others had been summoned into the palace by Lady Beauty, not knowing they had already arrived at Longde Palace. The Duke’s letter was a step behind. Yet, with Lady Virtue’s reassurance, he felt at ease, knelt once more, and said, "I shall certainly deliver Your Highness’s message. Your humble servant takes his leave."

"Mm, go now." Lady Virtue smiled warmly at Liu Chuyan, then suddenly lifted her hand, as if recalling something, and narrowed her eyes, "Wait a moment, Xue Zhu. I’ll write a personal note for the Duke, and you can deliver it."

"As Your Highness commands." Xue Zhu hurriedly turned back and waited, departing only after receiving the letter.

Lady Virtue dismissed the palace maids and resumed the banquet, speaking to Liu Chuyan with meaningful intent, "Chuyan, your plan was quite clever, but I’ve added my own touch just now."

Liu Chuyan guessed that she must have sent some message to the Duke, quickly lowering her gaze, "Your Highness is wise; naturally your method surpasses mine."

Lady Virtue took up a bowl to rinse her mouth, saying nothing more, simply inviting them to eat.

That night, Liu Chuyan stayed in a side chamber of Longde Palace, listening to the autumn wind rustling the door curtains and breathing in a fragrance unlike that of her own Flower Smile Pavilion. The scent was meant to calm the nerves, yet she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She recalled Xue Zhu’s arrival earlier at supper, and her worries grew. If she saw Xue Ao, she’d surely kick him for venting her anger—he hadn’t helped her at all, only pushed her into the fire. But would she dare kick Xue Ao? Liu Chuyan could only vent her frustration by kicking the bedside, squeezing a corner of her brocaded quilt.

She’d only met Xue Tan twice, barely exchanged words, yet rumors had spread thanks to Madam Xue’s deliberate matchmaking. She couldn’t reject Madam Xue and the Xue sisters’ warm invitations to distance herself from Xue Tan, nor could she avoid Xue Ao.

However, another thought struck her. With “grass” on one side and “wood” on the other, Xue Tan just might be her benefactor. This time entering the palace, Xue Ao seemed unable to help her—he couldn’t come and go as he pleased. But Xue Tan, thanks to his connection with the Emperor, moved freely within the palace, even the inner chambers. Perhaps he would help her through this crisis. Was that why Master Xing had called him her benefactor?

It was a pity she hadn’t managed to ask about Xue Tan and Xue Ao’s birth dates when she’d hinted around the Duke’s mansion; she couldn’t calculate their fortune, so she could only guess. It had to be one or the other. Xue Ao certainly didn’t look like a benefactor—more like her nemesis. Better to pin her hopes on Xue Tan.

Since Xue Tan had sent Xue Zhu to Lady Virtue, he surely wouldn’t abandon her—no, them. But perhaps Xue Tan’s willingness to help was due to Xue Ao’s influence; after all, she had once saved Xue Ao’s life and was his benefactor.

Ah, what a tangled mess her thoughts were. Liu Chuyan patted her head, determined to focus on avoiding disaster. She couldn’t escape her reunion with Zhao Panyu, and she had to guard against the Grand Eunuch as well. Fortunately, she’d heard that Zhao Panyu’s case was nearing its conclusion; that afternoon Xue Ao had taken him from the Zhao residence to prison.

Now, without her, what would become of Madam Zhao? And Zhao Jiali, who always bullied her—would she still put on airs as the lady of the house?

Most likely not.

Fate’s wheel had turned; she was still lying here safe and sound, while the Zhao family was about to fall apart.

Thinking of this, Liu Chuyan clasped the jade Guanyin hanging from her neck. Heaven cherishes life.

Heaven cherishes life—could it let her meet Brother Jun Cheng once more?

Her grandmother had passed away, her brother perished in a fire, her mother died of sorrow, her father succumbed to exhaustion. Her childhood memories were reduced to a few magnolia trees and Brother Jun Cheng.

Hangzhou was like a wondrous dream, forever existing only in sleep.

But Brother Jun Cheng never appeared even in her dreams. Some said that was a good sign—it meant he was still alive, not like her parents, whom she could only meet in dreams.

He had even promised to marry her, giving her a token of affection. Liu Chuyan placed the jade Guanyin over her heart, feeling a shy flutter in her chest.

Back then, she hadn’t understood marriage, nor the meaning of a token; she had only listened in confusion as Brother Jun Cheng said he would devote himself to her in gratitude for saving his life. When she grew older, she worried day and night, fearing others would mock her. But in truth, only the two of them knew—no one else, not even her great-aunt, who believed the jade Guanyin was a keepsake from her parents. Yet he had vanished, leaving no trace, and she searched in vain.

She regretted not asking him where he was from, though his accent suggested he was from around Jinling. His surname seemed to be Jin. But there were many Jin families in the capital, about ten among the nobility, the most famous being the imperial merchant Jin Zhongheng. The ties between these families were intricate, and she’d lived a secluded life for years, never hearing of a young man named Jun Cheng, not even a similar name.

Yes, he must be twenty by now, with a wife and children. Perhaps his promise to devote himself to her was just a childhood joke—he must have long forgotten her. She sighed quietly.

Thinking of the life-saving debt, she remembered Xue Ao. Both owed her their lives, yet their responses were worlds apart. One was earnest and caring; the other arrogant and sharp-tongued. The contrast was striking—no wonder he was called Xue Ao.

What did power and influence matter? He was still overshadowed by Xue Tan, unable even to marry.

Ah, why was she thinking of that irritating man at midnight? Liu Chuyan tapped her forehead, covered her eyes, listened to the lamp’s soft crackling, and finally drifted to sleep.

Within the palace, the consorts need not greet anyone, for Lady Fengxian preferred not to see them. Thus, when the sun was already high the next morning, Lady Virtue rose, while Liu Chuyan and the others had already spent an hour embroidering flowers in the sewing room.

"The sunlight is splendid today." Lady Virtue, having finished her toilette, glanced at the rainbow light streaming through the open window. "Nuo, have them embroider in the Imperial Garden, and set breakfast there as well."

"Yes, Your Highness."

When Liu Chuyan heard they would relocate to the Imperial Garden, she knew the show was about to begin. Lady Beauty wouldn’t sit quietly—she’d surely take the bait.

Soon, the young ladies who should have been with Lady Beauty followed Lady Virtue to the pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Lady Virtue dined, while the girls focused on their embroidery. In high spirits, Lady Virtue even called for musicians to play strings and winds.

"Oh, the flowers here are so lush and fragrant. Sister, you truly enjoy leisure! And with the young ladies from the Han residence as company, it’s enviable indeed." As expected, Lady Beauty arrived before long. Seeing Han Shujing and the others quietly embroidering, she pursed her lips—Lady Virtue was hardly making things difficult for them, not even as much as she herself would.

Lady Virtue had just finished eating, wiped her mouth, and had the meal removed, leaving pastries for tea, enthusiastically inviting, "Sister, come sit. The sun is a bit warm; have some lotus tea to cool off."

Lady Beauty did not refuse, taking a seat with poise, and had her maid bring two food boxes. "Sister, I just made two kinds of pastries. Please try them."

Yet as the maid opened the boxes, Lady Beauty frowned. "Why are these the pastries? Didn’t I ask for jujube yam cake and lotus-flower osmanthus cake?"

"Perhaps they were in a hurry and took the wrong ones," the maid behind her explained hastily.

Lady Beauty arched her brow, pinching the maid. "Go fetch the lotus-flower osmanthus cake. You’re too slow, making me lose face before my sister."

The maid dared not protest, quickly apologizing and hurrying off.

"Sister, I heard Lady Fengxian has developed a taste for lotus-flower osmanthus cake lately, so I learned to make it. When it arrives, try it first for me."

"Very well." Lady Virtue laughed. Such a fool—so easily swayed by a few words. Little did she know, neither the Duke of Xin nor the Emperor liked osmanthus cake, and Lady Fengxian avoided it entirely. Yet she made a show of it; when the others arrived, we’d see how she explained herself. Just then, her cat was brought in, and Lady Virtue took a piece of pastry to tease the white feline in her arms.

"You’ve raised this cat so well, Sister. Is it called U’er?"

"Yes." Lady Virtue buried her head, using its paw as a comb to smooth the cat’s fur. Poor thing, how pitiful you are.

"Xue Qing, I spend all day working, and haven’t visited the Imperial Garden in ages. Seeing it now, I understand your words—just a glance inspires me. Later, I’ll carve out a replica of the Imperial Garden."

"If Your Majesty finds leisure, you could even carve out the whole palace." Xue Tan laughed gently.

The Emperor looked at him. Truly a being descended from heaven—such a man ought to be revered, yet here he was, keeping company with a sullied soul in the garden. The autumn sun blazed unexpectedly, and Xue Tan’s fair face grew flushed. "Xue Qing, there’s a pavilion ahead. Let’s rest there."

"Yes." Xue Tan had already heard voices nearby. This was the place, and the timing was right.

"Brother Emperor!" Suddenly, a figure leapt from behind a rockery, throwing himself into Zhu Youdun’s arms.

"Ah, it’s Youchang! Why aren’t you training with Xue Ao? What brings you to the Imperial Garden?"

The Emperor clearly shared a close bond with his younger brother, scarcely catching him before half-scolding, half-indulgently.

"Master just caught Zhao Panyu to vent your anger, so he had no time to supervise me. I had nothing to do, so I came to see you." The Prince of Xin raised a hand to touch his own forehead. "Brother Emperor, it’s so hot! I saw tea set out in the pavilion ahead, but I think it was your Lady Virtue and Lady Beauty, so I didn’t dare ask for tea and came to bother you instead."

"Lady Virtue and Lady Beauty?" The Emperor paused for a moment, then smacked his head. "Oh, them. They’re mine—what’s there to fear? Come, I’ll take you for tea." In truth, he had no idea who was there, but since the Prince of Xin said they were his consorts, that must be so.

"Thank you, Brother Emperor." The Prince of Xin said this, then turned to Xue Tan with a mischievous grin.

Xue Tan smiled helplessly. Xue Ao, that rascal—why bring the Prince of Xin into this muddle? What was he scheming? But as they moved forward, he could only follow.

Liu Chuyan was startled by the sound of wheels approaching—not expecting Xue Tan to appear in person. What agreement had Lady Virtue made with him? Or what pact? But even more shocking was what followed. She had just threaded her needle when a man dressed in imperial yellow entered the pavilion. His features were handsome, his brow broad, but his lips were thin, his face marked by a sickly pallor, even more frail than Xue Tan.

"The Emperor?" None of them had expected him to leave his chambers and come to the garden.

Fortunately, the Prince of Xin coughed heavily, reminding everyone, and they snapped out of their daze, hurriedly kneeling.

The Emperor accepted their bows, let them rise, and had the Prince of Xin and Xue Tan sit, ordering tea without concern for whose table it was.

The sun must surely be rising in the west today, Lady Beauty thought, glancing at Lady Virtue, who was still stunned. Lady Beauty stepped forward, placing a pastry on the Emperor’s plate. "Your Majesty, I made this myself. Please taste it."

The Emperor was not adept at dealing with women; as she pressed close, he frowned impatiently but ate the pastry, asking, "Who are you?"

Lady Beauty’s smile froze, but since she’d never met the Emperor since entering the palace, being questioned was expected. She approached obediently. "I am Lady Beauty, Rong Mingli."

"Oh," the Emperor showed little interest, urging Xue Tan to drink tea and eat pastries. "Xue Qing, this is quite good—you should try one."

"Your Majesty just ate the jujube yam cake. This one as well—I made it myself," Lady Beauty smiled ingratiatingly, pushing another plate toward Xue Tan. "Duke of Xin, please taste it for the palace. If it’s good, I’ll make it for His Majesty every day."

Xue Tan caught a waft of osmanthus, frowned, but since it was offered, he picked up a piece.

"Don’t eat it!"

Just as everyone was holding their breath, a voice rang out, and someone stepped forward, knocking the pastry from Xue Tan’s hand.

Author’s note: Ah, the author is getting more and more industrious—today another four thousand words updated!