More and more women guests arrived. Groups of lavishly dressed Madams gathered in clusters of three and four, drinking tea and conversing. The numbers of young ladies also grew, those who knew each other well drawing together to talk. Among all the female guests present, there was not one who did not come from a noble or high-ranking official’s household — the least distinguished were from families of minor officialdom.

Molan seemed to have spotted someone she knew, rose with a smile, and went over to strike up conversation with two elegantly dressed young ladies. Lian Jie’er turned to Minglan with a smile. “Your sister certainly has a gift for making friends.” Rulan watched Molan laughing and talking among the crowd, her mouth pulled down in displeasure. “Not everyone has the knack of making herself at home instantly with strangers.”

Minglan looked over and saw Molan among the circle of noble girls — smiling broadly, slipping in a charming remark whenever there was an opening, clearly trying hard to ingratiate herself. Minglan shook her head inwardly. If one is not part of the same circle, all the flattery in the world cannot buy genuine friendship.

Lian Jie’er’s branch of the family was a smaller side line, and she knew few of the nobility well. She also had no patience for hollow pleasantries, so she stayed with the two Lan sisters.

“What a pity the weather is so cold — there is thin ice on the ground everywhere. Otherwise we could go for a stroll in the garden. The Marchioness who passed on was from a great Jiangnan family, and so the garden here was designed in the Jiangnan style. In spring when the flowers bloom, it is simply beautiful.” Lian Jie’er looked wistfully out the window, as though she were desperately longing to go outside.

Minglan glanced at the white expanse outdoors, curled her toes against the cold, and said to Lian Jie’er with a smile, “You are one of the family — when can’t you come? Wait until the weather warms.”

Lian Jie’er shook her head and made a small suffering face. “Princess Pingning runs a tight house — even we relations who have set up separate households find it difficult to come. And lately she has been receiving distinguished guests quite often, so she does not usually let us into the gardens.”

Rulan, who had been quietly sulking, caught these words and perked up. “Can it be the Princess Jiacheng? There is talk outside that the Princess Pingning and the Sixth Prince’s Consort are on very close terms.” Lian Jie’er put on a look of exaggerated mystery. “I did not say anything, mind you. — Oh my, speak of the devil and the devil appears.”

At that very moment, the matron outside announced that the Sixth Prince’s Consort and Princess Jiacheng had arrived.

Princess Pingning went out first to receive them, and all the seated women guests immediately rose — some following her out, others remaining politely in their places to wait. The two Lan sisters and Lian Jie’er, tucked in their corner, attracted little attention and idly watched the scene unfold.

Before long, a brilliant procession of brocade-and-jewel-adorned women swept into the hall. At the head, a handsome and well-rounded middle-aged woman was exchanging warm words with Princess Pingning; behind her, surrounded by an entourage front and back, came a young girl. Minglan knew at once: this was the Sixth Prince’s Consort and her daughter.

The Sixth Prince’s Consort was fair-complexioned and pleasingly plump, dressed in a great red gold medallion embossed brocade jacket — she appeared quite amiable. Many female guests clustered around to pay their respects. Minglan then looked over at Princess Jiacheng: the young girl had an exquisite, willowy figure, an air of distinguished nobility, and a beguiling pretty face with the lightest dusting of rouge and powder. Minglan could not help but smile and say quietly, “The Princess and the Princess Pingning do look somewhat alike.”

Lian Jie’er patted Minglan on the shoulder and exclaimed in delight, “You put it perfectly! That is exactly what I always felt, but I could never quite say what it was!”

Princess Jiacheng was about fifteen or sixteen — the most luminous, just-blooming age — and was surrounded by seven or eight noble girls chatting with her, like stars gathering around the moon. Now laughing sweetly, now teasing playfully, she carried herself with great social ease — and indeed bore a resemblance to Princess Pingning of six or seven parts.

Minglan then looked back at Princess Pingning: she had poured all her warmth into the Sixth Prince’s Consort, the two of them as close and familiar as sisters, and everyone else was rather left to one side. Rulan, who had been stewing in silent displeasure, let out in a low voice, “What a shameless flatterer!”

Minglan started, hastily looking around — but thankfully the room was too noisy for anyone to have heard. She quickly steered Rulan further from the center of the crowd, finding a footstool near the wall to sit on. Lian Jie’er followed them over.

Minglan picked a topic and led Rulan into talking about the southern scenery she had seen in Quanzhou. Lian Jie’er had never left the capital and was full of curiosity. Minglan, who had spent much of that time too ill to take things in, didn’t know much herself — and so with both girls pressing her eagerly, Rulan eventually warmed to the subject, assumed a genteel air, and began to describe it in detail. The three girls fell into cheerful laughter, and found themselves quite compatibly matched.

They had just arrived at Quanzhou’s famous street food — turnip and vegetable stuffed buns — and Rulan was describing them with such relish that she nearly had Lian Jie’er drooling, when Princess Pingning’s voice rang out above the chatter: “…the scenery at the theater stage is all set. Let us make our way over!”

The Princess led the way, her arm linked with the Sixth Prince’s Consort, and the stream of young ladies followed after her, laughing and talking as they filed out, leaving the maids and matrons to slowly clear the tea dishes.

Lian Jie’er bounced to her feet, reaching out to pull one Lan sister in each hand. “Come on, let us go watch the opera! This time Auntie has invited the most famous Shuangxi Troupe. Their two productions, ‘The Dark Goddess Pays Her Respects’ and ‘The Drunken Prince Consort Beats Jin Zhi,’ have been setting the capital on fire!”

Minglan was genuinely interested and had just risen from her stool when, as she set down her teacup, a small maid beside her who was clearing up gave an unsteady movement of her hand, tipping a cup of honey-date paste — with very little left in it — directly onto the back of Minglan’s hand.

Minglan let out a soft “ah.” Lian Jie’er could not hold back a sharp scolding. “Clumsy girl! What are you doing?!”

The small maid was only eleven or twelve. Seeing she had caused trouble, she immediately begged forgiveness and knelt down, repeating her apologies. Minglan said helplessly, “All right — thankfully it only got on my hand. If it had been my dress, that would have been a real problem.” She flicked her hand, feeling the stickiness between her fingers, still faintly warm.

The small maid was very quick-witted and immediately offered, “Please allow me to take Miss to the back room to wash up — once you have rinsed your hands, all will be well.”

Rulan frowned. “But what about the opera? If we delay, the curtain will have gone up.”

Lian Jie’er was a devoted opera fan and also desperately eager to be off — she had long admired the Shuangxi Troupe. Seeing both their expressions, Minglan said with a smile, “You two go ahead. I’ll wash my hands and then come find you.”

Lian Jie’er was delighted. She gave the small maid a few more instructions, then pulled Rulan along and left.

Minglan lamented her bad luck under her breath as she followed the small maid out through the back. In a back room, she sat down; the maid quickly produced a basin of warm water, helped Minglan turn up her sleeves and remove her rings and bracelets, washed her hands carefully, then dried them with a clean cloth and helped Minglan put her jewelry back on. It was all done in a short time.

Seeing how efficient and deft the maid was, Minglan was a little surprised. As she smoothed down her own sleeve, she said teasingly, “You’re very practiced at this — as if you wash people’s hands all the time. Could it be that you make a habit of tipping date paste on guests?”

The small maid was very clever and gave a sweet smile. “What a thing to say, Miss — I would never dare.” As she spoke, she kept stealing curious glances at Minglan, and even offered a small compliment: “Miss is so beautiful, and so gentle in manner — just like a celestial fairy.”

Minglan thought to herself: truly a marquis’s household — the quality of even the maids is something else; both their hands and their tongues are quick!

Then the small maid volunteered to guide Minglan: “Please follow me, Miss. Let me escort you. The path is slippery here — it is faster to the theater stage this way.”

Minglan was hopeless with directions and had no choice but to follow obediently. They passed out through the hanging-flower gate. Maids and matrons were hurrying to and fro, and Minglan suddenly felt a prick of unease: all the serving maids and matrons on duty today wore a standard blue-teal fitted vest over their clothes — so why was this particular small maid not wearing one? But it was not her place to ask about another household’s arrangements.

The small maid walked swiftly, supporting Minglan’s arm, turning east and west, the path growing more and more out of the way. Minglan’s heart began to thump with unease. She questioned the maid repeatedly — and each time, the maid would say: “Almost there.”

Minglan looked at the small maid more and more like a child trafficker, but since she had no idea where she was, she could only grit her teeth and endure a little longer. They walked the full length of two covered gallery corridors, and still pressed further on, arriving at the entrance of a deserted back pavilion garden. At last Minglan could bear it no more — she jerked her arm free, spun around, and fixed the maid with a glare. “Where exactly are you taking me?!”

The small maid pointed ahead and said softly, “Miss, look — we have arrived.” Minglan said sharply, her temper flaring, “Arrived where? Since when does a family hang their theater stage in a spot where there is barely a soul in sight?”

Then a light laugh was heard, and a voice said, “Am I not a soul, then?” Minglan was startled out of her composure and looked up quickly. There, leaning against the covered gallery rail with a smile, dressed in brocade robes and a golden headpiece, was none other than Qi Heng.

The small maid, her errand accomplished, dropped a quick curtsy to Qi Heng and disappeared in a flash, leaving Minglan with no chance to call her back. Minglan seethed: that girl ran as if she had practiced the art of swiftness.

Qi Heng smiled with a corner of his mouth, walked over to Minglan’s side, and made an exaggerated bow. “Sixth Little Sister, it has been a long time.”

Minglan was annoyed, and afraid of being seen — she turned without acknowledging him and walked away. Qi Heng panicked and quickly stepped in front of her to block her path. “It is very secluded here — no one will come. And Chun’er is my own maid, so you can be entirely at ease, Sister.”

Minglan heard these words and found them somehow improper. She said coldly, “Master Qi, please conduct yourself properly.”

Qi Heng immediately brightened with amusement and reached out to ruffle her hair. “You little bookworm, playing at formalities with me again. The other day when I came to your house, everyone was there — and you alone did not come out. What was that about?”

Minglan hastily dodged her head away and said as sternly as she could manage, “I was weary from travel, feeling slightly unwell, and resting in bed.”

Qi Heng put on a straight face and scolded her, “You little liar — you have always loved deceiving me. I already asked your brother. He said you were perfectly fine. Two hours before I arrived, you were running around full of energy.” He reached out to pull her ear.

To be sold out by both siblings in a single day — Minglan’s temper ignited. She shoved Qi Heng’s arm aside forcefully and said loudly, “Who do you think you are, the Jade Emperor himself? Just because you come calling, the entire family must come out to receive you? I am one person short and you cannot be satisfied?”

Minglan had pushed with real force, and her small face was flushed with agitation, her snow-white skin so delicate it looked as if it might bruise at a touch. Qi Heng felt a sudden surge within him. He caught hold of Minglan’s arm and leaned in close, his voice low. “I only wanted to see you. You know that.”

His tone was gentle, his meaning tender and lingering.

Minglan nearly coughed up blood. From childhood to now, she had never once given him a kind look or said more than a handful of pleasant words to him — and yet somehow he had gone and composed an entire romantic story for himself in his own mind. She was painfully aware that Qi Heng was still gripping her arm, drawing closer by the moment, close enough that she could nearly detect the warmth of his presence. In a flash of desperation, she made up her mind — she looked down, took careful aim, and planted her foot with full force.

Qi Heng stumbled backward repeatedly, crouching down to rub his foot. Minglan let out a breath of relief and said with proper gravity, “Speak to me normally. And do not manhandle me.”

Qi Heng looked at Minglan stamping her foot with a childlike air, her small pursed lips a vivid red — and he found himself in something of a daze. He said with complete conviction, “If you were willing to speak to me normally, why would I resort to this?” Minglan said coldly, “Master Qi has indeed made progress. If only you would apply that same dedication to your studies, you might even become the top graduate or second-place graduate in the examinations.”

Qi Heng’s expression shifted abruptly. He slowly straightened up, took a few steps toward Minglan, then stopped. He said in a low voice, “There is no need to needle me like that. I know you are angry. I simply wanted to see how you were faring — it has been nearly half a year.”

Minglan heard the note of hurt in his words, and something in her softened. She knew she could not let her own emotions run away with her; even if she had to put distance between them, she must not make an enemy of him. She steadied her voice. “I am right here. Look as you like.”

Qi Heng looked Minglan carefully up and down. In only these few months apart, she seemed to have changed in a noticeable way — her face as lovely as the reflection of spring light on still water, her eyes as clear as moonlight. He was briefly lost in her, and said with a gentle smile, “You have grown taller. And… more beautiful.”

Minglan paused to collect herself, then stepped toward Qi Heng and said earnestly, “Elder Brother Yuanruo, have you met Princess Jiacheng?”

Qi Heng was taken aback. “I have. Why do you ask?”

Minglan let out a long, deep breath and decided to speak plainly. “Elder Brother Yuanruo is an intelligent person. Could it be that you are unaware of something the whole capital already knows? The Princess Pingning’s intentions — as a son, you should have understood them long ago.”

Qi Heng’s lips moved. His expression shifted several times — from confusion to something close to resolve. He suddenly lifted his head and said, “But I do not wish it. She — I do not like her.”

Minglan felt a profound helplessness. She said gently, “Whether you like her or not is another matter. But you should not come seeking me out anymore. I know you have been close with my brother and sisters since childhood, but we are growing older now. How can you not maintain some distance? If there is even the slightest whisper, the reputation of every girl in my family is finished.”

It seemed Qi Heng had thought something through, for he suddenly broke into a brilliant smile — a smile as beautiful as a blossoming flower, carrying a touch of innocence. He said warmly, “I am not a reckless person. I would never allow such a thing to happen. I know what is right and what is not. It is only that now that your elder brother has entered the Hanlin Academy, I am afraid I will not be able to come to your house so easily anymore.” He lowered his voice. “I only wanted to see you. I missed you terribly.”

Even someone who had been forged as strong as steel in a courtroom could not, when such tender words were directed at her own person, help going a little red in the face. But the iron reality before her left her no choice. Minglan steeled her heart. “Master Qi, please have a sense of measure. I am of little station and a humble family — I am not worthy of your deep regard.”

Qi Heng looked bewildered and lost. “But… I simply like you.” She was so peculiar, so fastidious — well-behaved and compliant in front of others, lazy and stingy in private, never kind to him, deceiving and avoiding him at every turn. And yet he liked her in spite of it all.

Minglan felt a faint bitterness rise in her chest. She forced herself to look directly at him and said with earnest sincerity, “I am asking you, as a plea: whether in public or in private, do not mention me by so much as half a word. Even the faintest breath of gossip — forget Princess Pingning, even the Sixth Prince himself — there is no one in my family with the standing to afford it. Even if it were not Princess Jiacheng, a lowly concubine-born girl like me could never be worthy of you. You have seen and heard the world you live in since you were small — surely you know this is true.”

Qi Heng knew she spoke the truth. The color drained from his face, and his expression fell into defeat.

Minglan hardened her heart and threw one last word onto the fire. “Do not come looking for me anymore. And if we happen to meet, do not speak to me. And if you absolutely must speak, then treat me with proper courtesy. The life a woman leads — how precarious it is. One whisper of rumor, and I am left with only death as my way out. You must remember this.” Minglan looked steadily at Qi Heng, her gaze a silent, intense plea. Qi Heng gave a wooden nod.

Minglan let out a helpless sigh, lowered her head, and turned to go. Qi Heng stood there and watched her back as it grew smaller and finally disappeared at the far end of the long gallery.