They entered the garden. The flowering trees were lit by lanterns, the phosphorescent path glimmering, and at night it seemed like a labyrinth. If one wasn’t familiar with the paths, then as Wang Yanhui had said, trying to find one’s own way back while admiring the scenery would not be an easy task. Falling behind everyone else would be embarrassing.
A’Luo walked along, taking it all in, and after a while they reached a fork in the path where a maidservant was already waiting. The First Madam stepped forward and pulled out a riddle slip and looked it over; Qinglei had already called out the answer. The maid bowed slightly and handed over the next section of the route map, which the First Madam kept safely. The group continued forward. After passing two or three more forks, A’Luo noticed quite a few other ladies turning back, no longer continuing on. She guessed they were probably worried about getting back too late, and were content to stop once they had a few route maps in hand.
The First Madam had noticed this too, and glanced at Qinglei, who smiled: “Madam, without entering the tiger’s den, how can we catch the tiger cub? To outdo the others, I suppose we’ll have to keep going.”
The First Madam also said: “I think the Gu family’s young lady and the Wang family’s young lady are both the same — if we give up halfway, the Crown Prince would think less of us too.”
The four continued on, and when they reached one spot, they looked at the riddle but simply couldn’t solve it. The maidservant bowed again and said: “You are still the first party to arrive here, Madam and young ladies” — implying they had already effectively won.
The First Madam smiled: “Very well, let’s head back then.”
However, at the next fork on their way back, the four of them found themselves stuck. The route map they’d been given on the way in only marked the path they’d taken; the maid had pointed them straight ahead toward the next junction without marking any of the other paths. The First Madam raised her foot and started down what she thought was the path they’d come from.
A’Luo only knew their general position was at the bird’s head, but once inside the bird’s body and wings, twisting this way and that, she couldn’t find the way either. The four of them wandered around for quite a while without finding their way out.
Ahead of them were four paths. The First Madam decided on the spot that each of them should take one. Qinglei objected: “What if we get separated and still can’t find our way — what then?”
The First Madam’s eyes widened: “No matter who it is, if you see a maidservant or female official, ask them to guide you.”
So the four of them split up and walked off separately.
A’Luo looked up at the stars — the Big Dipper shone brilliantly, moonlight like flowing water. The flowers and trees were lush, fragrance drifting in the air, like something out of a fairyland. She began recalling the direction they’d come from, glanced up at the stars again, estimated a direction, and set off walking. Just as she rounded a small bend, she saw someone standing ahead.
A’Luo lowered her head and immediately turned to walk back the other way. She heard Liu Jue ask: “Are you lost?”
A’Luo didn’t dare answer, and hurried forward. She heard the wind whistle past her ear, and a figure appeared in front of her. A’Luo buried her head even lower. Liu Jue asked again: “Which household’s young lady are you? Did you get separated from your group?”
A’Luo forced out a low “Mm” in response. Liu Jue said: “Follow me. You’re headed the wrong way.”
A’Luo thought he probably assumed she was just being shy. She forced her voice low again: “It’s not proper for a man and woman to be alone together — young master, just point me the direction, that’s all I need.”
She heard Liu Jue give an “oh” and say: “Follow the direction I came from, and at every fork take the right path. After passing the third fork, keep going straight, and there should be someone there.”
A’Luo hurriedly bowed and murmured a barely audible thanks. She hurried off in the direction he’d pointed, terrified he might recognize her. After walking a bit, just as she was about to sigh in relief, she heard Liu Jue call after her: “Miss, please wait a moment.”
A’Luo wanted to cry but had no tears left for it. She stopped, still keeping her head down. Liu Jue asked: “Did you happen to see the young lady of the Gu household on your way?”
A’Luo shook her head. She heard Liu Jue give what sounded like a disappointed sigh, then continue on his way. This time Liu Jue didn’t follow her. Once A’Luo heard no more movement behind her, she cautiously looked back — no one there. She collapsed onto the ground on the spot; she’d nearly been frightened to death just now. Liu Jue was looking for Gu Tianlin? Wasn’t she back yet? Was Liu Jue interested in Gu Tianlin? A’Luo remembered him giving her flowers before. Regardless, she needed to hurry back now — she still didn’t know whether the First Madam and the others had made it back.
A’Luo dusted herself off, stood up, and followed the directions Liu Jue had given. Sure enough, after a while she spotted a maidservant. A’Luo quickly said that Madam Gu — no, Lady Li — and Qinglei and Qingfei might still be in the garden. The maid replied with a smile: “Miss, there’s no need to worry — someone has already guided them out of the garden.”
Back at her seat, she saw the First Madam, Qinglei, and Qingfei talking together, and A’Luo walked over. Seeing her return, the First Madam was quite relieved, having worried she might have gotten lost and caused a stir. After a while, A’Luo saw Gu Tianlin return as well; Liu Jue wasn’t with her, so she had no idea whether Gu Tianlin had run into him or not.
The maidservants continued bringing people back one by one. After a while, the female official announced: “This round’s riddle-solving winners are Madam Li and her daughter.”
The Empress smiled: “Lady Li and your young lady are remarkably clever — come up and receive your reward.”
The First Madam, delighted and surprised, led Qinglei, Qingfei, and A’Luo forward to bow and accept the reward. They heard the Empress ask: “I’ve long heard that your eldest daughter, Qinglei, is a master zither player, and your second daughter, Qingfei, is skilled in painting and calligraphy. But I haven’t yet heard anything about your third daughter.”
The First Madam quickly replied: “Qingluo is still young, not as gifted as her two sisters — this is her first time in the palace.”
The Empress smiled: “Raise your head so I can have a look at you.”
A’Luo, kneeling on the ground, obediently and slowly raised her head. The Empress could only see half of her small face and pointed little chin — delicate and gentle, not immediately striking like Qinglei or Qingfei. She smiled and asked: “What skills has Qingluo been learning at home?”
A’Luo could only answer: “I’ve only just begun learning the flute a few days ago — not very skilled yet.”
As Qingluo raised her head and spoke, someone in the shadows behind Prince Ning let out a soft “Hm?”
The Empress had privately been searching for something to needle the Li family about. Today, Yanhui’s proposed game had gone over quite well with Prince Ning, and everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves — yet the top honor still went to Li Qinglei. Hearing A’Luo mention she’d only just begun learning the flute a few days prior, and having never heard anything remarkable about the Chancellor Li household’s third daughter, a thought took shape: “Rise, then. Play us a tune.”
A’Luo softly agreed, but her heart was racing — should she play well or play badly? By then the First Madam and the others had returned to their seats, and a servant went to fetch a flute. A’Luo stood up, and as the First Madam passed by, she whispered: “Don’t disgrace the Chancellor’s household.”
A’Luo thought, better to be neither too good nor too bad — just enough to get by.
After a while, she played a mediocre tune, then stood there holding the flute. The Empress said flatly: “It seems even a daughter of Chancellor Li’s isn’t necessarily gifted in both looks and talent. You may go.” A’Luo hastily kowtowed and withdrew. The First Madam glared at her and said in a low voice: “Why didn’t you play properly? I’ll deal with you when we get back!”
Deal with me all you want — at least I didn’t stick my neck out! A’Luo thought to herself.
The talent performances for the day had concluded. Palace musicians and dancers performed entertainment. The female officials took the opportunity to collect the flower tokens. Before long, Prince Ning raised his hand to stop the music and dance, and announced with a smile: “The flower tokens have been tallied. The top three, in order, are the Chancellor Gu household’s daughter, the Chancellor Li household’s daughter, and the Grand Marshal Wang household’s daughter. Rewards will be sent to each household.”
The three young women quickly rose from their seats to offer thanks. The First Madam’s expression shifted from cloudy to sunny, breaking into a beaming smile.
After sitting a while longer watching the music and dance, Qinglei suddenly flushed and whispered something to the First Madam. The First Madam smiled: “Have A’Luo go with you.”
A’Luo, who had been sitting there growing restless — this kind of performance was really quite tedious — got up to accompany Qinglei to the restroom. A maidservant came to guide the way. They reached a moon gate, and the maid pointed toward a small structure not far off; A’Luo stood outside to wait for Qinglei. After a while, Qinglei came out, and the two turned to head back to the banquet. As they walked, they saw the Crown Prince waiting by the path. Qinglei glanced at A’Luo. The Crown Prince was looking at A’Luo too. A’Luo thought, am I supposed to be the third wheel here? She said with a smile: “Eldest sister, I’ll head back first.”
Qinglei quickly called out to stop her: “We came together.”
A’Luo thought, how could I be this unlucky — can’t even leave first, so where am I supposed to go? She could only answer: “I’ll go admire the moon over there. Call for me when you’re ready.”
Qinglei nodded, blushing. A’Luo went around a side path and, seeing a covered walkway, went and sat there. In her heart she hoped those two would finish their conversation soon and the banquet would end quickly — she’d never seen a banquet quite like this before, and once was more than enough; she had no desire to attend a second time.
Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly felt a numbness spread through her body — she found herself leaning against a pillar, unable to move. She opened her mouth but couldn’t make a sound. She thought, what’s happening? Could it really be some kind of acupressure technique?
A figure stepped into view — it was Liu Jue. He sat down in front of Qingluo, his face full of triumph: “So you’re the third young lady of the Li Chancellor’s household — I finally found you.”
A’Luo glared at him, thinking, how unlucky — you can avoid something once, but not forever.
Liu Jue clicked his tongue twice: “Yes, those eyes — no mistake.” Then he added, sounding fierce: “You made me search so hard! Hmph, you dare attack me, and you still think you can hit me again?”
A’Luo’s heart raced with panic; she glared at him but still couldn’t make a sound. Liu Jue said: “Want to talk, don’t you? But let me warn you first — don’t go shouting and causing a scene. Disturbing His Majesty’s presence would be no small matter.” With that, he reached out and tapped a point on her.
A’Luo opened her mouth: “What do you want?”
Liu Jue tilted his head and thought about it: “Keep you here for two hours, then release your acupoints so you can leave — how about that?”
A’Luo said urgently: “Not today — this is the imperial palace. I was wrong last time, alright? Please, be generous and let me off this once.”
Liu Jue laughed: “Why should I? You knocked me out and even stole my silver — that’s no small matter!”
Just then A’Luo heard Qinglei calling for her, and hurriedly answered: “Eldest sister, I’m coming.” Seeing Liu Jue still hadn’t released her acupoints, tears began welling up in her eyes: “If I don’t go back, there’ll be trouble, and my father will kill me! Ambushing me like this isn’t exactly heroic either — how about we settle this properly some other day?”
Seeing her face flush and grow desperate, Liu Jue softened considerably. He’d spent half a year searching before finally learning who she was, and most of his anger had already faded. He decided not to trouble a young girl further, released her acupoints, and said: “Tomorrow at noon, I’ll wait for you by the river on the south side of the city.”
A’Luo leapt up and dashed off toward Qinglei as fast as she could, thinking she’d worry about tomorrow’s business tomorrow — today, all that mattered was getting home safely.
Liu Jue watched A’Luo’s retreating figure, feeling immensely pleased with himself, already pondering how he’d toy with her tomorrow.
Qinglei had already grown quite anxious waiting, and when she saw A’Luo running up, she glared at her: “Not a word about what happened today to anyone! Or the Crown Prince will be displeased.”
The two returned to their seats, and the banquet ended not long after. This time the First Madam was in high spirits as she brought the three of them home.
A’Luo told Seventh Madam about what happened at the banquet, but didn’t mention that Liu Jue had recognized her — afraid it would worry her. Lying alone in bed, she thought: tomorrow, she couldn’t avoid it either way. If only she could find a way to smooth over Liu Jue’s resentment — that would save her from him showing up to make trouble constantly in the future.