In early autumn, the night suddenly turned cold. Li Ce’s figure gradually disappeared among the fiery red pomegranate trees. On the slender bluestone path, only the faint fragrance of calamus remained, lingering in the breath, like the clear glow of a cold moon. The lotus flowers in the clear pond in front of Mihe Residence had all fallen, leaving a mass of black tangles. Weeds had regrown, and as the autumn wind rose, the courtyard appeared increasingly desolate.

Chu Qiao, dressed in light silk, walked slowly toward the sleeping palace. The wind scattered her long hair, like a flying butterfly, spreading its wings in the air, dancing chaotically.

Mihe Residence occupied vast grounds, with more than thirty connected buildings and pavilions of varying heights, dense with trees, offering excellent scenery. One could imagine how magnificent it was during its heyday. Chu Qiao walked quietly along the serene path. Occasionally, flower-laden treetops would lower their branches, gently touching her brow. Her embroidered shoes were extremely thin, and stepping on the bluestone slabs gave a slight chill. A gust of wind blew in, carrying a faint smell of alcohol gently into her nostrils. Chu Qiao looked up and saw a man in blue clothes standing indifferently under a phoenix tree beneath the second-floor water pavilion, his head slightly raised, gazing directly at her chamber.

“Who’s there?”

The woman’s crisp voice broke the silence of the cold night, startling a line of white egrets above the clear pond. The man turned his head in surprise. Chu Qiao looked at him and was immediately stunned, unable to speak.

This person’s appearance was so similar to Li Ce’s that at first glance in the night, they seemed almost identical.

But in the next second, Chu Qiao dismissed this ridiculous thought, simply because their auras were vastly different, beyond comparison.

The man’s hand rested on the phoenix tree as he stood quietly in the autumn night’s moonlight and flower fragrance. His beautiful face was covered with a layer of faint moonlight, so cold, with a light, elusive melancholy. Like the frost on the eaves at the end of autumn, he quietly looked at her, then slowly frowned.

“Who are you?”

The light and shadows were sparse, and the distant clear pond reflected a dim luster. The man’s voice was extremely cold, like water breaking through ice, flowing quietly without a hint of emotion.

With just one look, Chu Qiao knew this person was extraordinary. She politely stepped forward and said softly: “I am the resident here. May I ask who you are?”

The man seemed startled, with a moment of confusion in his eyes. He sighed and then, as if talking to himself, said: “Oh, so someone already lives here.”

The moonlight shone on the man’s clothes, revealing a transparent, white glow. Chu Qiao knew that at this moment, she should say something and then turn away to avoid trouble. But some words were stuck in her throat, making her unwilling to interrupt the man’s thoughts. She could only remain silently quiet, allowing the cold autumn wind to pass through the leaves, leaving only a rustling sound, like rippling water.

The man walked slowly from beside the phoenix tree, stepping one by one on the stone steps. The breeze came gently above the platform, blowing up the fallen phoenix tree leaves on the ground. Light dust rose, forcing Chu Qiao to half-close her eyes and raise her white hand to shield her forehead.

“This place is backed by Taiqing Pond, and the wind is always very strong. Remember to wear a wind cap when you come out.”

Chu Qiao was slightly startled. For an instant, they looked at each other, but she only saw the deep sea-like profundity and silence in the man’s eyes.

“Thank you. I’ve been out for a while, and the maids are probably looking for me. I must bid farewell. The night is cool and the wind is fierce; sir should also return early.”

Chu Qiao knew there was no need to further inquire about the other’s identity. Even if she asked, he might not tell her. So she politely bid farewell, intending to leave.

Unexpectedly, the man seemed not to hear half of what she said and remained standing in place, quietly looking at her. His voice was like a misty fog: “The Crown Prince must favor you greatly?”

Chu Qiao knew he must be like others, mistaking her for Li Ce’s favored concubine. She didn’t contradict him, quietly gave a bow, and said: “Farewell.”

“But you haven’t answered my question.”

Chu Qiao frowned slightly and turned back to see that he had no frivolous intent, but was very persistently waiting for her response.

“Do you know that if I were truly the Crown Prince’s favored concubine, your current behavior would be very inappropriate?”

The man was slightly startled, then said: “I haven’t returned to the palace for a long time and didn’t know someone was living here. I apologize.”

Chu Qiao replied clearly: “Those who don’t know can’t be blamed. But now that you know, shouldn’t you withdraw, sir?”

The man was at a loss for words, then laughed and nodded: “Indeed, there is some resemblance.”

Chu Qiao frowned and said: “Sir comes here late at night, speaks vaguely, and is unwilling to reveal his identity. If I didn’t see your noble demeanor and extraordinary bearing, I would likely have bound you as a trespasser. Yet you still linger here. Aren’t you afraid of causing trouble for yourself?”

The man was stunned for a moment, then said: “I’m sorry, longing for someone from the past, I was too carried away.”

“A momentary lapse is fine, as long as you remember to restrain yourself in time. This is, after all, the imperial palace. Tang places great emphasis on etiquette. Being cautious is never a bad thing.”

The man nodded with a faint smile, then gave a slight bow and walked toward the exit of Mihe Residence. After taking just a few steps, he suddenly turned back, pointing at the high eaves, and said: “There’s a string of wind chimes there, covered by dust. If the lady has time, you might have the palace staff clean it. The autumn wind is cool, and the chime sound is crisp and pleasant.”

“Thank you for the reminder, sir.”

The man smiled faintly, his eyes very soft. He nodded and said: “I am the King of Luo.”

The moon had moved westward a few more degrees. The blue garment passed like a floating cloud over the dusty jade steps. Chu Qiao watched as he gradually moved away, her heart growing colder inch by inch.

The King of Luo?

The King of Luo…

When she returned to the palace, Qiu Sui was waiting for her with drooping eyelids, clearly aware of Li Ce’s visit.

“My lady, you’re back!”

Seeing Chu Qiao, the little maid jumped up happily and said: “I’ve prepared lotus seed soup. Would the lady like a bowl before sleeping?”

Holding the warm white jade soup bowl, Chu Qiao suddenly lost interest in tasting the delicacy. She looked up and asked: “Qiu Sui, do you know about the King of Luo?”

Qiu Sui was startled, frowning slightly, and said: “My lady, why do you ask about this?”

“Nothing, just asking casually. If it’s inconvenient, there’s no need to speak of it.”

“Ah, there’s nothing inconvenient, it’s just…” Though the hall was empty, the little maid still looked around, then leaned close to Chu Qiao’s ear and said: “This is a scandalous matter in the palace, and people generally don’t dare to discuss it.”

Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow: “Scandal?”

“Yes, the father of the King of Luo, the King of Lushan, was the emperor’s uncle. When the emperor ascended the throne, the King of Lushan, for unknown reasons, fell ill and died. It’s said that in his youth, the emperor was even more unruly than the current Crown Prince. At that time, despite the remonstrations of the entire court, he defied convention and forcibly married his uncle’s wife. Two years later, the king consort gave birth to a son for the emperor, who is now the Crown Prince. The emperor then established the king consort as the empress. I heard that on the day of the empress’s enthronement, eight senior ministers of the court committed suicide in protest by crashing into Fengming Terrace, but even this didn’t change the emperor’s mind. For more than twenty years, he favored only the empress, making her position in the central palace as solid as steel, with no one able to shake it.”

“So that means…?”

“It means the King of Luo is both the Crown Prince’s royal uncle and his maternal half-brother. The King of Lushan died early. When the empress married, the King of Luo had just turned a hundred days old and entered the imperial palace along with the empress. Until he was twenty, he grew up in the palace alongside the Crown Prince.”

“My goodness,” Chu Qiao lowered her head, sighing lightly, thinking of the plainly dressed noblewoman, feeling a wave of emotion.

“Did the Crown Prince and the King of Luo grow up together in this palace?”

“Not exactly,” Qiu Sui bit her lower lip lightly and said: “The Crown Prince and the King of Luo initially lived with the empress in Yanhua Palace. This Mihe Residence was Princess Fu’s sleeping palace.”

Chu Qiao slightly raised her eyebrow: “Princess Fu?”

“Yes, Princess Fu wasn’t a true princess. She was the granddaughter of General Murong, the old general of the State Guardian. The Murong clan was a great military family in our country. The old General Murong served the country all his life, and all four of his sons died on the battlefield for the nation. The old General Murong also died on the frontier in the last northern expedition. At that time, traitors were at work, and Great Xia’s army broke through Baizhi Pass. Meng Tian, who led Great Xia’s troops, ordered the massacre of our country’s 30,000 surrendered soldiers. To protect the entire city’s people, the already sixty-year-old Lady Murong, along with her four daughters-in-law, led the Murong clan’s family army to resist the enemy and delay time, eventually waiting for the border town’s reinforcements. But the Murong clan was annihilated in this battle. The family’s soldiers protected eleven young masters of the family during the escape. By the time they reached the gates of the imperial capital, only four-year-old Princess Fu remained. The emperor praised the Murong clan’s loyalty and bravery, posthumously conferring the title of State Guardian Duke on the old General Murong, First Class Huarong Lady on Lady Murong, and all the sons were made marquises. And Princess Fu was conferred as Princess Zhangyi, raised in the palace, enjoying the same provisions as the Crown Prince, the King of Luo, and others.”

This brief account made Chu Qiao secretly alarmed. The Murong clan could be considered the modern equivalent of the Yang family of the great Song. She listened intently and asked: “What happened afterward?”

“Afterward…” Qiu Sui bit her lower lip, pondered for a moment, then whispered: “Afterward, Princess Fu died.”

Chu Qiao was shocked: “Died?”

“Princess Fu was the same age as the Crown Prince. They played together since childhood. The emperor and empress intended to bestow special honors on the Murong clan, disregarding their decline. So in the year when the Crown Prince and Princess Fu were seventeen, they arranged their marriage, conferring Princess Fu as the Crown Princess, with her family worshipping at the royal ancestral temple.”

Chu Qiao listened quietly, but inwardly disagreed. The Murong clan was loyal and brave. Although the entire clan had declined, they still held irreplaceable influence and appeal in the military. Princess Fu’s marriage to the royal family could also be seen as a consolidation for the royal family.

“But later, on the very day of the wedding, Princess Fu hanged herself.”

“What?” Chu Qiao’s face changed immediately, and she frowned, asking: “Suicide?”

“Yes,” Qiu Sui’s face also turned somewhat pale as she said in a low voice: “The royal decree stated that Princess Fu died of illness, but having grown up in the palace since childhood, I witnessed everything. At that time, the Crown Prince’s wedding carriage had already arrived at Mihe Residence. The Crown Prince, wearing a bright red brocade robe, and holding a rose-colored ball, followed the ritual officials eagerly into the sleeping palace, but didn’t see Princess Fu. Everyone panicked and searched everywhere. In the end, it was the Crown Prince who first found Princess Fu. Everyone followed him to the rear hall and saw Princess Fu in her wedding dress, hanging from a three-foot white silk rope on that phoenix tree outside the window.”

The night wind blew in, carrying faint moonlight, ice-cold.

“The Crown Prince cried out and fainted. I was with my mother that year, a little flower girl in the wedding procession. My mother and other palace aunties rushed to take down Princess Fu. I was scared and backed away, stumbling on a stone and falling to the ground. Crying for help, I caught a glimpse of the King of Luo in a blue-purple robe under the pomegranate tree at the foot of the stone steps, his face as white as a ghost, standing quietly behind the crowd, looking at that phoenix tree with red eyes, saying nothing, his fists clenched as if about to squeeze out water.”

Qiu Sui’s eyes reddened as she sniffled lightly: “Afterward, all the ritual officials, palace maids, and aunties in the wedding procession were secretly executed. I was spared only because I was not yet nine years old. After my mother died, I continued to serve in the palace, but from then on, I never saw the King of Luo again. He only returns to the palace once a year for the empress’s birthday and rarely goes out. I heard he was sent to Meishan, supposedly to keep vigil for the emperor. In the blink of an eye, it’s been more than six years.”

Chu Qiao nodded slowly, feeling a wave of depression in her heart. Another palace secret? She had seen too many.

“The Crown Prince wasn’t like this before. It was only after Princess Fu’s death that he gradually became despondent. My lady hasn’t seen Princess Fu. She was truly like a fairy, not only of noble birth but also extremely kind to people, with a very gentle character. There wasn’t one of us little female officials in the palace who hadn’t received her kindness. It’s just hard to imagine that such a gentle person would ultimately have the courage to take such a path.”

Chu Qiao shook her head lightly: “How could a descendant of such a loyal and valiant family be as gentle as water? I fear the blood flowing in her bones was boiling. She was a person who would rather be broken jade than intact tile. It’s just a pity that she couldn’t protect herself at that time, nor did she entrust herself to someone capable of protecting her.”

Qiu Sui listened with partial understanding. Chu Qiao patted her shoulder and smiled, saying: “Qiu Sui, do you like the imperial palace?”

The little maid showed a moment of bewilderment. She murmured: “I don’t know either. My mother was a female official in the palace, assigned by the Empress Dowager to the father who was the director of the Literature and History Hall, and then gave birth to me. I was born here and have never been outside. I’ve seen the empresses and ladies of various palaces competing for favor and deceiving each other. In my life, the only two masters different from them are you, my lady, and Princess Fu. I can’t say whether I like it or not, but whether I like it or not, don’t I still have to live this way?”

Chu Qiao was slightly startled, then smiled lightly: “You’re right. Whether one accepts it or not, life must go on. Because you haven’t seen anything else, you can only choose to be content with the status quo.”

She lowered her head, gently stroking the little maid’s head, and said: “Qiu Sui, the outside is different from here. You can speak loudly, and walk with big steps. You can go wherever you want to go. As long as you work, you can receive payment and live the life you want to live. Outside, even the wind is free.”

The little maid seemed confused. She murmured: “Then if I don’t want to get up in the morning and want to sleep in, will no one care?”

Chu Qiao laughed: “Of course, but you’ll have your wages deducted.”

“Wow!” Qiu Sui suddenly became excited, grabbing Chu Qiao’s hand, and asked: “My lady, is Yan Bei like this? Is it?”

Chu Qiao looked at her, her gaze so distant, far beyond what a seventeen-year-old girl should have, as if looking through Qiu Sui to something far away, seeing the green evening grass of Yan Bei, seeing the pure white sheep, seeing the sacred snow mountains…

“I don’t know if it’s like that now, because I haven’t been there either, but I promise you, someday, everything will become real, so you must live well.”

Chu Qiao stood up, looking at the densely leaved phoenix tree outside the window, thinking of the desolate man in blue robes.

“Flowers of the phoenix tree for thousands of miles, continuous morning conversations. In the next life, let’s not be born into an imperial family.”

—*—*—*—*—*—*—*—*—

Early the next morning, the sound of escort carriage wheels shattered the sweet dreams of dawn. Chu Qiao didn’t disturb anyone, packed her simple belongings, and boarded the carriage.

Tieyo smiled at Chu Qiao and said: “My lady, the weather has turned cold. There are dry rations in the carriage. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Chu Qiao nodded: “Thank you.”

Tieyo knew her true identity and smiled honestly, saying: “The battles Miss Chu fought in Great Xia have become examples taught in the military academy. My son likes you very much and talks about you every day.”

Chu Qiao looked at the man, slightly startled, and asked: “Your son? How old are you this year?”

Tieyo smiled and said: “I’m twenty-five this year, my son is eleven. I got married at fourteen, and I just had a daughter.”

Chu Qiao was secretly astonished. Fourteen years old…

Li Luo was right, the wind here was indeed very strong. Chu Qiao wore a wind cap and lifted the carriage curtain, feeling the wind howling in, like a windmill. The morning sunlight carried a golden warmth, spilling over the entire Jinwu Palace. The distant pavilions and terraces, the majestic palace, seemed like a magnificent dream, gradually disappearing. The clouds drifted slowly, nestling shallowly together. The garden was full of peach colors, and scarlet and green willows, embracing a pool of clear emerald water. The mist revealed the royal auspiciousness. The marble square was quiet, with only this one carriage slowly moving forward in the morning light, casting a mottled shadow.

Chu Qiao raised her head, looking at the floating clouds on the horizon, remembering Li Ce’s appearance leaning against the begonia tree, her eyes gradually becoming misty.

“May you travel freely by day, eastward in the morning and westward in the evening.”

The carriage moved farther away, finally disappearing among the many palace buildings. Li Ce, unable to rise early, was now standing on a rockery in Lanque Palace. The rockery was extremely high and covered with green bamboo. When the breeze blew, it moved gently. On the mountain was a bamboo pavilion, ingeniously designed and exquisitely built. Li Ce wore a green robe, a gold crown on his head, holding a purple flute horizontally at his mouth. Several times he wanted to play, but no tune emerged.

Above, the clouds were faint, covering the thousands of pavilions below, and in the distance, a line of carriage axles raised faint dust.

“Your Highness,”

A man in blue quickly walked up the rockery, his expression unusually serious, and said in a deep voice: “There’s an issue at the morning court in the front hall. Please go see.”

Li Ce turned around, his face no longer showing the previous gentle calmness. He frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice: “What’s the matter?”

Sun Di’s expression was also serious, his brow tightly knit, as he said word by word in a deep voice: “Something has happened to the marriage alliance princess from Great Xia.”