Liu Jue rose early in the morning. Sishu brought warm water in a silver basin for him to wash his face, saying: “My lord drank himself into quite a stupor last night. I’ve prepared some sweet soup for you — a bowl in the morning will settle your stomach nicely.”
Liu Jue thought back and suddenly asked: “How did I get back?”
Sishu pressed her lips together and smiled: “You were carried back, of course. It seemed to be people from the Fourth Prince’s residence.”
Liu Jue made a noncommittal sound. After washing his face, he drank his soup while his eyes lingered on the portrait hanging on the wall. He said to Sishu: “Have someone mount this painting and send it to the Fourth Prince’s residence.”
After a moment, as Sishu went to fetch the painting, Liu Jue reached out and stopped her: “Go call Liu Ying first.” After Sishu left, Liu Jue studied the portrait carefully once more, thought for a while, then took up his brush at the painting table and copied out another portrait of Gu Tianlin — except this one had a different pair of eyes painted in. The two portraits were almost identical, save for those eyes.
After a while Liu Ying came in. Liu Jue handed him the newly copied portrait: “Have this mounted in the same style as the one on the wall and sent to the Fourth Prince’s residence. If anyone asks, say it’s being returned to its rightful owner.” He then took down the original portrait from the wall, studied those eyes once more, and handed it to Liu Ying: “Burn this one. Do it discreetly.”
Liu Ying took the painting and left.
Liu Jue calculated the days — only a month remained until Zili married Gu Tianlin. He very much wanted to see how the Fourth Prince would declare himself to A’Luo.
That day Chancellor Li once again gathered the entire family for a meeting. A’Luo and the Seventh Madam still sat in their usual seats at the far right end. Chancellor Li said: “It’s been three months since A’Lei married into the Eastern Palace. The Fourth Prince’s grand wedding is in the seventh month — half a month from now. A’Lei sent word from within the palace that the Crown Prince, in celebration of the Fourth Prince taking a bride, is hosting a banquet in the Eastern Palace, and has sent an invitation specially so A’Lei can see her family, whom she misses. This time, First Madam, Yumei — you two should take A’Fei and A’Luo along. A’Fei, Deputy Minister Cheng has just been transferred to be Deputy Minister of War. Once the Fourth Prince’s affairs are settled, Father will arrange for you to marry.”
Qingfei’s face flushed with shy delight as she said softly: “Whatever Father decides is fine.”
Chancellor Li laughed heartily: “With two daughters of the Li family now settled, Father’s heart is truly at ease — fortunate that A’Luo is still here to keep her father company.”
A’Luo promptly answered obediently: “That’s right, A’Luo will just stay and keep you company forever, is that all right?”
Chancellor Li smiled: “A daughter grown cannot be kept by her mother’s side forever. A’Luo is nearly fourteen now — once she comes of age, I daresay the threshold of this chancellor’s residence will be worn down by suitors coming to ask for her hand.” Several of the wives laughed along with him.
Had she not seen through Chancellor Li’s true face — a man selling his daughters for glory — this moment, the harmony in the great hall of the chancellor’s residence, might truly have passed for a warm and happy family scene.
This was Qingluo’s second time entering the palace. The imperial palace held no allure for her anymore. Qingfei, however, could not hide her delight — she hadn’t seen that graceful, accomplished top scholar in a long while.
The Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace sat in a valley to the east of the great hall; before their weddings, all the princes resided in halls scattered throughout this same valley, facing the consorts’ palaces from a distance. In half a month, once the Fourth Prince’s grand wedding took place, he would move out of the palace — his new residence had already been built. The newly married couple would remain in the palace for another half month before moving into their new home, and the Crown Prince’s banquet now was mainly to observe the custom of expressing the reluctance between brothers at this parting.
A’Luo didn’t know how the Crown Prince and Zili actually felt about each other — no one had told her. But most of what she’d read and heard suggested that in families like this, brothers born of different mothers usually held more suspicion and guardedness toward each other than genuine affection. She had seen the Crown Prince before — truly an outstanding figure among men — and Zili was no less impressive; both were prime specimens. If only Zili were a bit more mediocre, that would have been better. A’Luo only hoped that whatever relationship existed between Zili and the Crown Prince was the good kind — or at least free of hatred and suspicion.
Wang Yanhui sat beside the Crown Prince, dignified and lovely. However one looked at her, she couldn’t match Qinglei’s beauty. Both possessed a noble bearing, yet the moment she sat beside the Crown Prince, she inevitably made Qinglei look diminished by comparison.
Today was the first time Qingluo had seen Zili and Liu Jue in formal ceremonial dress. Both wore python robes with jade belts, distinguished only by the embroidered patterns and colors of their garments. A’Luo silently applauded to herself — clothes really do make the man; change the outfit and who’d know you were a scoundrel underneath? She let out a small snort of laughter, not quite sure why that phrase had come to mind.
Gu Tianlin had not come — likely to observe propriety with her wedding date drawing near. Qingfei could only gaze longingly, entranced, at her top scholar. Whenever Deputy Minister Cheng’s gaze happened to sweep her way with a smile, Qingfei would clutch her handkerchief tight with excitement. A’Luo reflected that Qingfei’s fate really was better than Qinglei’s.
The Crown Prince said: “Today’s banquet is chiefly to celebrate my fourth brother’s wedding. Yet as the elder brother, I find myself reluctant to part with him.” As he spoke, his eyes reddened.
Zili hastily rose from his seat, his face filled with a look of alarm and unease. A’Luo watched this clearly, and something stirred in her heart — this was absolutely not the Fourth Prince she knew. The Zili she knew should have remained unmoved even if the heavens collapsed before him. That faint smile on his face had almost never left it. When had she ever seen him like this? Could it be that Zili was putting on an act for the Crown Prince to see?
The Crown Prince sighed: “From now on, elder brother will rarely get to hear fourth brother’s xiao playing. Now this valley has only me and a few younger brothers left. Even finding someone to drink and appreciate music with will be difficult.”
Zili appeared deeply moved, his voice even choking with emotion: “Elder brother, if you don’t mind, little brother will often come into the palace to visit you.”
After a good while, the Crown Prince laughed: “Today let’s simply enjoy ourselves — why speak of such things. Everyone here is close family and dear friends, so let’s be at ease. On such a fine occasion, we should have fine wine and joyful music.” He clapped his hands, and court music began to play, dancers moving into motion. The Crown Prince said: “Fourth brother, my future sister-in-law and Lei’er were once both renowned as the two peerless beauties of Fengcheng. Heaven’s arrangement is clever indeed — we brothers have each married a beauty.”
Zili said modestly: “Zilin’s rendition of Autumn Waters is celebrated throughout Fengcheng.”
The Crown Prince laughed heartily, looking tenderly at Qinglei: “That day fourth brother wasn’t present — my future sister-in-law’s rendition of Pei Lan astonished the entire gathering. Truly, elder brother hesitated — Lei’er’s skill with the qin is about equal to hers, but I simply favor Lei’er’s temperament.”
Qinglei lowered her head in shy modesty. A’Luo listened with a sigh — the ancients believed the qin revealed the heart; one piece of music could reveal a person’s very soul. This truly didn’t align with modern sensibilities.
Then Crown Princess Wang Yanhui spoke up: “Since fourth brother missed hearing Qinglei sister’s Autumn Waters that day, why not play it again, sister? Truthfully, I’d love to hear it once more myself.”
The Crown Prince was delighted: “Indeed — Lei’er, ever since the Peach Blossom Banquet, I haven’t heard you play it again. Play it once more today, so fourth brother can appreciate it too.”
Since the matter had been raised this far, Qinglei rose and said: “Allow this concubine to go prepare.” She bowed and stood, escorted by a maid toward the inner chambers. Passing by A’Luo’s table, she suddenly said: “Second sister, third sister, why don’t you accompany your elder sister there?”
First Madam and Third Madam’s expressions shifted slightly. They weren’t worried about Qinglei’s skill with the qin — what worried them was that the sound of the qin might reveal something to a listener’s trained ear. There were plenty of skilled musicians among the guests, and even a slight change in the music’s meaning could be detected. First Madam and Third Madam signaled for Qingfei and Qingluo to follow.
A’Luo understood — Qinglei calling for Qingfei too was just to cover appearances; what she really wanted was for A’Luo to come along. From the corner of her eye, A’Luo caught Wang Yanhui looking over with a smile. A chill ran through her heart — could it be that Wang Yanhui had already grown suspicious from observing Qinglei’s usual qin playing? Rumor had it she was a woman of exceptional strategy — could her suggestion today, that Qinglei play Autumn Waters, carry some hidden motive?
Qingfei and Qingluo rose and followed Qinglei into the inner chamber. Once the attendants were dismissed, Qinglei suddenly swung a slap at her. A’Luo dodged by reflex, but Qinglei’s fingernail still caught her neck, leaving a thin sting of pain.
A’Luo said coldly: “Qinglei, think carefully before you strike — if I walked out there with a handprint on my face, how would you explain it to the guests? Punishing your little sister? Good thing I dodged in time.”
Qinglei’s expression shifted unpredictably. Suddenly she swept her long sleeve and knocked over a vase. She quickly pressed her left hand down onto the shards, and blood immediately welled up.
Qingfei and A’Luo both froze in shock. Qinglei stepped forward and yanked A’Luo, shoving her. A’Luo, caught off guard, nearly stumbled but used a few deft moves to steady herself: “Li Qinglei, what are you doing?”
Qinglei glared at her, eyes brimming with fury and desolation: “My little sister who never shows her talents — you’re just like your mother, unable to shake that courtesan-house habit, scheming endlessly for one stunning moment of glory! The Crown Prince listens to your music, what moves his heart is your spirit, your very self! Do you know how every time I play for him, Wang Yanhui’s half-smiling expression fills me with dread? Do you know that the more the Crown Prince favors me, the more I fear losing him? If I’d simply embarrassed myself back then, at least I wouldn’t have fallen in love with him! But now?” Qinglei’s voice, lowered to a hiss, was sharp and laced with bitter hatred.
Hearing this, A’Luo felt a pang of distress. Seeing the blood dripping frighteningly from Qinglei’s hand, A’Luo turned her face away and said: “No one back then could have foreseen how you’d feel today. Qinglei, you blame me for being useless, but you’ve already married the Crown Prince — even if he chose you back then because of that piece of music, given your talent, you’ve never played Autumn Waters again since, and the Crown Prince still favors you just the same. You truly didn’t need to injure your own hand to avoid this. The state of mind behind Autumn Waters back then and the state of mind of a woman now married to the man she loves are simply different things — in youth one gazes at distant skies and longs for autumn waters stretching to the horizon; now that you’re married, a mood of tender, lingering warmth is nothing improper. You could easily explain that you simply wished to be a small bird nestled close to him, setting aside the heart that once longed to soar. Wouldn’t this kind of self-harm only deepen Wang Yanhui’s suspicions?”
Qinglei stood stunned for a long moment. The fingers of her left hand had been cut deep, blood dripping steadily. Qingfei pressed a handkerchief hard against it, tears streaming down in large drops from fright.
Qinglei suddenly cried out: “Someone! Fetch the physician! It hurts so much!” Outside, hurried footsteps sounded. Qinglei flashed A’Luo an eerie smile: “Everything began because of you — let it end because of you too! Qingfei has seen it all!” As she said this last line, her eyes glared fiercely at Qingfei.
A’Luo felt a chill of goosebumps rise at that smile. Watching Qingfei shudder and lower her head, A’Luo couldn’t help but ask: “What are you trying to do? Frame me? Say I injured the Crown Prince’s consort? My own sister!”
Qinglei’s face had gone pale, and she laughed coldly: “You really are clever.”
Just then a palace attendant rushed in, asking urgently: “What’s happened to Your Highness?” Then, seeing Qinglei’s blood-soaked left hand and the wreckage scattered across the floor, they cried out in alarm. The inner chamber instantly fell into chaos.