It was nearly dusk when they ascended the mountain.
Accommodation at the Li Mountain Imperial Palace was limited. With the numerous officials and female attendants in the entourage, quarters were assigned such that officials below the third rank had to share rooms – either two to a chamber, fathers and sons or brothers together, or even four to five people in one room.
As for the women’s quarters, the young ladies from Xiangxiang Academy were housed in the Xiangluan Pavilion. Teng Yu’yi and her elder cousin resided in the innermost chamber of the east corridor. After Du Tinglan arranged their belongings, she walked to the window and gazed outside. Beyond lay a garden leading to the hot springs, where palace maids gracefully wove between flower beds. While most flowers in Chang’an City had already withered this season, Li Mountain still displayed a rich, lovely landscape. Du Tinglan leaned against the window and took a deep breath. The cool evening mist gradually filled her lungs, seeming to clear her thoughts in an instant.
Suddenly she heard Teng Yu’yi say softly, “Elder Sister, help me close the window.”
Du Tinglan assumed her younger sister wanted to change clothes and casually closed the window. However, she noticed her sister mysteriously fiddling with something by the bed. Upon approaching, she discovered her sister held a very long strand of hair, apparently intending to tie it to the bedpost.
This hair strand was made of more than ten long hairs linked together, connected by knots in between.
“What are you doing?” Du Tinglan didn’t understand at first, but comprehension dawned instantly. She lowered her voice, “Are you preparing against the person who tried to harm you?”
Teng Yu’yi first glanced around, confirming the doors and windows were tightly shut, then listened carefully to ensure no one was in the corridor. Only then did she unfurl the hair strand, tying one end to the bedpost and the other to the horizontal beam of the screen. She whispered, “I’ve been thinking – that night when I went to stop the young Daoist at Zhixu Pavilion was a spontaneous decision. Even if that person had cut my sash beforehand, they couldn’t have predicted whom I’d meet along the way. If they intended to sully my reputation, this approach would have been meaningless. So perhaps we should consider a different perspective about that night’s events – maybe this person didn’t think it through so thoroughly, and only wanted to steal my sachet at the time.”
“Steal your sachet?”
“All my items use the same incense – besides rose, I added two other ingredients. This formula is my creation, impossible for others to replicate. While it initially smells of rose, there’s a subtle blend of other exotic fragrances. That person might have wanted to know my incense formula but couldn’t ask directly, so they resorted to theft. Spring Silk and Bi Luo habitually tie my sashes with auspicious knots that are extremely difficult to untie. That night, the person took advantage of sharing the same table to discreetly approach me, but couldn’t undo the knot on the sash. Fearing discovery if they took too long, they switched to quietly cutting it with a sharp tool, but I left my seat before they could finish cutting through.”
Du Tinglan gasped in realization, nodding, “No wonder you said this had nothing to do with your maids. If Spring Silk and Bi Luo had ulterior motives, why would that person need to act personally? The two maids would have already revealed the formula. Thankfully they didn’t succeed – if that person learned the detailed formula of your incense, they could cause much more trouble later. They could simply plant small items carrying your signature fragrance near men to tarnish your reputation… No, beyond these boudoir tactics, there might be other unimaginable, despicable schemes.”
Teng Yu’yi casually took out a packet of powder, smiling, “Since that person went to such lengths, it would be remiss of me not to properly repay their kind attention.”
Du Tinglan asked, “What’s that?”
Teng Yu’yi cheerfully weighed the embroidered pouch in her hand: “This is called Hundred Flowers’ Bane. I had Duan Fu procure it a few days ago. Once someone comes in contact with this powder, they’ll develop persistent itchy rashes on their face and body. Within a month, their appearance will notably deteriorate. The drug’s effects are subtle – the affected areas look like ordinary eczema, and even the Imperial Physicians won’t be able to diagnose it properly.”
She smiled slightly, “If she dares to sneak into my room tonight to steal my belongings, I’ll let her experience the power of Hundred Flowers’ Bane. As soon as she approaches my bed, she’ll touch this hair strand tied to the bedpost. When the hair breaks, the small mechanism behind the screen will scatter the powder from the sachet. The powder will disperse in the air, causing her to be poisoned without realizing it.”
She covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and said to Du Tinglan, “Elder Sister, quickly take cover. I’ve taken the antidote but you haven’t – be careful not to get splashed by the powder.”
While speaking, she loosened the silk cord securing the embroidered pouch slightly, went behind the screen on tiptoe to place the powder packet on top, then produced a small wooden mechanism from somewhere and connected it between the hair strand and the pouch.
Du Tinglan watched her sister complete all this with widened eyes: “Where did you learn these techniques?”
Teng Yu’yi paused, turning to look at Du Tinglan: “Are you going to scold me, Elder Sister?”
Meeting her younger sister’s bright, clear black eyes, Du Tinglan couldn’t help but feel both amused and distressed: “How could I scold you? I just feel, I just feel…”
Suddenly she remembered how their aunt had passed away too early – neither their aunt nor elder cousin could truly replace a mother’s presence. Their uncle was busy with military affairs, and A’Yu had long grown accustomed to handling everything on her own.
Du Tinglan’s heart softened, and her tone gentled accordingly: “Just remember this – no matter what you do, Elder Sister will always stand by your side. Although this method is… as long as it works, that’s what matters. Better to catch this villain early, so we won’t have to worry constantly.”
Teng Yu’yi led her elder sister to sit at the table: “With this opportunity of staying together at Li Mountain, that person will surely be unable to resist making a move. Tonight when the women go to the hot springs, Xiangluan Pavilion will be empty. That person might take the chance to return. The palace servants aren’t yet familiar with us, and it’s nighttime – as long as that person dresses similarly to me, they won’t arouse suspicion even if they enter my room. I want to see if they have any accomplices.”
“How will you see? Do you need to keep watch? But the mountain has strict guards, and Duan Fu can’t follow us to the women’s quarters.”
“I’ll have to do it myself. I’ve already thought of a way. Look, Elder Sister – these are face masks for a disguise that I had Master Cheng prepare before we came up the mountain. Once applied to the face, they can completely change one’s appearance. The Hanyao Palace’s hot springs have pavilions specifically for ladies to rest. Tonight when I leave the hot springs, I’ll have Spring Silk wear my cloak and pretend to be drunk, resting in the pavilion by the pool. She’ll cover her face with a handkerchief, saying she needs to sleep. Meanwhile, I’ll wear Spring Silk’s clothes and come out. Elder Sister, you just need to help cover for me then.”
Du Tinglan considered – Spring Silk’s figure was similar to her sister’s, and with her as the elder sister watching over things, others probably wouldn’t be suspicious. Even if something unexpected happened, they could improvise.
Just then, they heard a palace servant outside saying: “Lady Du, Lady Teng, the Empress has arranged dinner at Yixia Pavilion. Please come to the table early.”
***
The women’s evening meal was personally presided over by the Empress.
When the young ladies came forward to pay their respects, the Empress’s gaze lingered meaningfully on Teng Yu’yi for a moment. Throughout the meal, Teng Yu’yi occasionally felt gentle attention from the head of the table.
Teng Yu’yi secretly raised her eyes, only to find the Empress allowing palace maids to serve dishes before her, her expression dignified and gentle, as if she had never looked down the table at all.
Perhaps it had been her imagination.
After the meal, palace servants conveyed the Empress’s message: “After the tiring journey up the mountain by carriage, the ladies must be weary. After dinner, you may go to the spring forest for a relaxing bath. Those who don’t wish to bathe in the hot springs immediately may accompany the Empress to Danlin Hall to watch the Nanzhao Kingdom performers’ character dance. Additionally, there is a polo field in the palace – all the young lords who came up the mountain will be playing polo there later. Our dynasty has never forbidden women from practicing horsemanship and polo, so any interested ladies may go watch. In short, you need not restrict yourselves to one form of entertainment tonight.”
The women bowed in acknowledgment.
Among the young ladies from Xiangxiang Academy, more than half chose to go watch polo. The Empress waited expectantly at the head table for a while but was surprised to see Teng Yu’yi unhesitatingly choose the hot springs. She felt mixed emotions – this child currently had no interest in Yu’er, but at least this confirmed that Lady Teng had no other man in her heart, otherwise she wouldn’t show such complete disinterest in the polo field where all the noble young men would be.
After leaving Yixia Pavilion and counting heads, only a small portion of classmates chose to go to the springs, led by Wu Qi, followed by the Teng Yu’yi sisters, Li Huaigu, Liu Siniang, Zheng Shuangyin and others, adding up to about ten people.
The ladies linked arms and returned together to Xiangluan Pavilion to get their things.
Du Tinglan and Teng Yu’yi had already decided to go to the hot springs, so everything in their room was ready. They made a show of returning to their room, then came out with Spring Silk, Hong Nu, and other personal maids.
As soon as they emerged, they encountered Wu Qi and her servants. With her spirited personality, Wu Qi had finished preparing first.
“Shall we go ahead?” After waiting a while without seeing others emerge, Wu Qi suggested proactively.
“All right.”
Tonight the palace was filled with people everywhere – besides palace maids and eunuchs, many ladies were passing by engaged in conversation. Over there, several young noble sons were busy having servants check their polo equipment, presumably preparing for the upcoming game.
Passing by a pavilion, Wu Qi suddenly twisted her ankle.
“Ouch!” She cried out in pain, collapsing against the railing.
Du Tinglan and Teng Yu’yi exchanged glances – Wu Qi’s face had changed color, seemingly a serious sprain.
“Are you all right?” Du Tinglan bent down to help check, asking with concern, “Should we find an Imperial Physician?”
Wu Qi shook her head and was about to speak when a young lord happened to pass by. Hearing Wu Qi’s cry of pain, he looked over and hurriedly walked towards them.
Teng Yu’yi had seen this finely dressed young man just that afternoon – he was the one who had been staring at her intently during their journey up the mountain.
Sure enough, Wu Qi pouted pitifully: “Elder Brother, I’ve twisted my ankle.”
Wu Yuanluo crouched down to look, but realizing his sister had grown up and it wouldn’t be proper to examine her directly, he simply rested one arm on his knee and lowered his gaze to look near Wu Qi’s foot: “You’re too careless. Does it hurt badly?”
Wu Qi’s expression was distressed: “It hurts terribly. Elder Brother, think of something – I still want to enjoy myself on the mountain for a few days. If we don’t massage out the bruising, it will swell up tomorrow.”
Wu Yuanluo paused: “Imperial Physician Yu is also in the palace, but it would be discourteous to send subordinates. Wait here, and I’ll go personally to request his presence.”
As he rose, he clasped his hands and bowed to Teng Yu’yi: “I trouble both ladies to help watch over my younger sister.”
With his gaze lowered in greeting, his manner was proper and dignified – quite different from his annoying stares that afternoon. Teng Yu’yi searched her memories and vaguely recalled hearing of Wu Yuanluo’s reputation in her previous life. He was known for his eloquence and had been called a child prodigy at age four, but beyond that, she couldn’t remember anything else.
At this moment, another group passed by, including Lin Chengyou, who stopped in his tracks upon seeing this scene.
He first looked at Teng Yu’yi, then at the young lady who had supposedly “twisted her ankle,” and finally at Wu Yuanluo, quickly guessing what had transpired.
Lin Chengyou thought to himself, surely Wu Yuanluo wasn’t deliberately using this as an excuse to talk to Teng Yu’yi? Otherwise, it was too coincidental – Wu Qi twists her ankle just as Wu Yuanluo appears.
Teng Yu’yi didn’t engage with Wu Yuanluo’s request, while Du Tinglan hadn’t decided how to respond. Wu Yuanluo’s request was reasonable – this was a busy area with people coming and going, and Wu Qi was an unmarried young lady. Moreover, it seemed inappropriate to ignore a classmate who had twisted her ankle. As Du Tinglan was considering her response, Wu Qi spoke again: “Elder Brother, this is Lady Teng who led us to escape through the peach grove at that time.”
Wu Yuanluo smoothly turned his gaze, fixing his clear eyes on Teng Yu’yi’s face: “So it’s Lady Teng. When my sister told me about this incident, I was amazed by Lady Teng’s intelligence.”
Lin Chengyou inwardly sneered – next, he would surely say that since Lady Teng had saved his sister’s life, he would find a way to repay her.
Sure enough, Wu Yuanluo continued: “Lady Teng saved my sister’s life—”
Tch, how pathetic. Lin Chengyou raised his eyebrows and suddenly smiled: “Isn’t this First Young Master Wu? The polo match is about to begin – why aren’t you heading over yet?”
Teng Yu’yi looked over at his voice and saw Lin Chengyou watching with an ambiguous smile.
Wu Yuanluo responded: “My sister has accidentally twisted her ankle. I was about to go request Imperial Physician Yu’s presence.”
Lin Chengyou casually removed the jade tablet from his waist and handed it to a nearby palace servant: “Go invite the venerable physician to come take a look.”
Wu Yuanluo’s smile faltered slightly. In all the realm, fewer than five people could summon Imperial Physician Yu with just a jade tablet, and unfortunately, the person before him was one of them.
Lin Chengyou gave Wu Yuanluo a brilliant smile: “It’s no trouble at all, Young Master Wu. No need to thank me.”
Teng Yu’yi took the opportunity to pull Du Tinglan away to take their leave. Although Wu Qi tried hard to hide it, she looked somewhat guilty – Teng Yu’yi had already seen through that she hadn’t twisted her ankle, but was merely trying to help her brother make connections with her.
With Lin Chengyou’s arrival, things were easier to handle – at least she didn’t have to hesitate between quietly observing or directly refusing.
As they passed Lin Chengyou, who had not yet left, Teng Yu’yi was about to pay her respects to him when she saw the Prince of Chun’an approaching from that direction, and her greeting halted.
She thought to herself, that night when he appeared at Zhixu Pavilion, had someone led him there? Could it be related to her? She just regretted being unable to inquire indirectly – if only it were Lin Chengyou, at least she could ask him directly.
Lost in these thoughts, she forgot to continue her interrupted greeting. As the sisters walked a few more steps forward, they came face to face with Crown Prince Gu Xian of Nanzhao.
Although Gu Xian had only interacted with Teng Yu’yi a few times, that night at Prince Cheng’s mansion when they jointly resisted the corpse’s evil seemed to have left a deep impression on him. Before Teng Yu’yi could approach, he already performed a Nanzhao greeting towards her.
“Lady Teng.”
Seeing Gu Xian immediately reminded Teng Yu’yi of Wu Yingying, but after that deep conversation with her father that night, she decided to trust her father this once. So even though she knew where Wu Yingying lived, she hadn’t gone to confront her even once.
Gu Xian was different. Wu Yingying was his aunt in name, and having been in Nanzhao all these years, Gu Xian must know Wu Yingying’s background well. Given the chance, she needed to find a way to inquire indirectly.
With this thought in mind, she returned his greeting very solemnly.
After the exchange of greetings, she and Du Tinglan headed to the hot springs at Hanyao Palace.
***
While Lin Chengyou’s face showed amusement, his heart was full of sourness.
He had thought that since Teng Yu’yi must be tired after a day’s journey by carriage, he would let her rest well tonight and seek her out tomorrow. He had already memorized those three principles and would surely apply them skillfully when he saw her.
But seeing the current situation, it seemed tomorrow would be too late.
He had just managed to get Wu Yuanluo away from Teng Yu’yi when the Imperial Uncle appeared. Teng Yu’yi was so busy observing the Imperial Uncle that she hadn’t even greeted him. And then there was Gu Xian, who also looked particularly annoying tonight.
Then again, Teng Yu’yi’s good qualities weren’t visible to him alone. He wasn’t at all surprised that others would come to like her.
This wouldn’t do – it seemed he couldn’t focus solely on polo tonight. With various activities happening everywhere, who knew if a second Wu Yuanluo might appear? He had to see Teng Yu’yi at least once, at minimum to implement those three principles in front of her.
Thinking this, he stopped in his tracks: “Ouch, my head hurts so much. I’m afraid I won’t be able to play polo tonight.”
***
The hot springs at Hanyao Palace were exclusively for the use of officials’ wives and female relatives. The bath pool stretched several hundred feet, winding through the entire palace. With flowing spring water and medicinal fragrance mixing with the rising steam, Teng Yu’yi and Du Tinglan had arrived early when the hall was empty except for the two of them. This played perfectly into Teng Yu’yi’s plans. The sisters had just finished setting up according to their original plan when Li Huaigu and the other young ladies arrived. Soon after, the banquet at Danlin Hall seemed to have ended, and many more ladies came to bathe in succession, making Hanyao Palace thoroughly lively.
After a while, Teng Yu’yi secretly glanced around and noticed that several people had disappeared from the bathpool at some point. Her heart stirred, and she quickly said to her cousin: “Elder Sister, I need to go catch a thief.”
There were many people around with watchful eyes, but fortunately, they had prepared in advance. After much effort, the mistress and maid exchanged clothes – Spring Silk disguised as Teng Yu’yi remained in the pavilion at Hanyao Palace, while Teng Yu’yi changed into Spring Silk’s clothes and slipped out stealthily.
She encountered many people along the way, but since Teng Yu’yi wore a perfectly natural-looking mask, passersby merely took her for some official’s maid and didn’t give her a second glance.
Unexpectedly, she met a familiar face coming toward her – someone too eye-catching to miss even in the garden’s dimmer lighting compared to the hall.
Lin Chengyou seemed to be searching for someone, his gaze sweeping through the garden. He passed right by Teng Yu’yi without even a proper look.
Teng Yu’yi breathed a sigh of relief. She and Lin Chengyou were quite familiar with each other, and if even he couldn’t recognize her, others surely wouldn’t either.
However, as she approached Xiangluan Pavilion, footsteps suddenly sounded behind her, and someone said: “What are you sneaking around for?”
Teng Yu’yi was startled at first, then relaxed – it was Lin Chengyou.
His eyesight was extraordinarily keen. She turned back to look at him in shock: “You could recognize me even with this disguise?”
Lin Chengyou listened carefully to confirm no one was around, then pulled Teng Yu’yi to a secluded corner, thinking to himself that while he hadn’t immediately recognized her face, he had known her by her signature fragrance.
He tilted his head to examine Teng Yu’yi: “Can’t you take off this mask? It doesn’t look right.”
“No,” Teng Yu’yi instinctively covered her cheeks.
Lin Chengyou’s eyes flickered as a phrase floated through his mind: Accommodate her.
No matter how strange Teng Yu’yi’s actions might be, he had to go along with them.
He smiled and said pleasantly: “All right, wear it if you want to.”
Teng Yu’yi inwardly made a sound of surprise – Lin Chengyou was acting strange, unlike his usual self. She gave him a suspicious look and cleared her throat to speak when Lin Chengyou suddenly made a show of sniffing the air: “Hundred Flowers’ Bane? No, the antidote to Hundred Flowers’ Bane.”
Now that they were close, that faint medicinal scent emerged from Teng Yu’yi’s breath, so strong that even her rose fragrance couldn’t mask it as it reached his nose.
Teng Yu’yi’s ears buzzed in shock as she looked down at herself, then back up at Lin Chengyou – what was this man’s nose made of? His senses were incredibly keen.
Lin Chengyou was also looking at Teng Yu’yi in surprise. Hundred Flowers’ Bane was a trick for harming others – what was Teng Yu’yi doing with it?
“Teng Yu’yi, are you using Hundred Flowers’ Bane to harm—”
Before he could finish, another well-memorized phrase surfaced in his mind: Must be especially patient with her.
Ah, he had almost lost patience with her again. How could he accuse her of “harming” someone without understanding the reason? How could Teng Yu’yi not be annoyed?
Lin Chengyou had to swallow the rest of his words and said with a smile, nodding: “Tell me, who are you trying to trick? I’ll help you.”