Three years ago during the Lantern Festival, a heavy downpour extinguished the enthusiasm of young nobles for their nighttime lantern viewing.
Yuanxi hid in Seventh Concubine’s room, contentedly finishing a bowl of Eight Treasures Noodles, feeling warm all over and thoroughly satisfied and delighted. These Eight Treasures Noodles were Seventh Concubine’s own creation, made with eight precious ingredients simmered together for the broth, then combined with colorful noodles made from buckwheat, corn, lotus root starch and other ingredients. Not only beautiful to look at but delicious to eat, though making them once required not just considerable effort, but also cost Seventh Concubine several months’ allowance. Yuanxi ate so eagerly she nearly swallowed her tongue, laughing as she said, “In my opinion, all the dishes the head chef made for today’s banquet combined couldn’t compare to this bowl of noodles you made, Concubine.”
Seventh Concubine watched her innocent and satisfied expression, her nose tingling with emotion. Today was her fifteenth birthday, her coming-of-age ceremony day, which should have been her most important day, yet it had passed by so quietly and unnoticed. But Yuanxi’s eyes sparkled brightly as she laughed, “Father mentioned at the banquet that it was my birthday, and said he would give me a gift. What do you think it might be?”
Seventh Concubine saw the anticipation in her eyes and couldn’t bear to disappoint her. She took out a butterfly kingfisher jade hairpin from her bosom and solemnly inserted it into Yuanxi’s hair, putting on a smile as she said, “This is a gift from me. From today onwards, Yuanxi is a grown young lady who has come of age.”
Yuanxi happily touched the hairpin in her hair, looking left and right in the bronze mirror, then tilted her head to ask, “Concubine, what exactly does ‘coming of age’ mean?”
Seventh Concubine lovingly stroked the top of her head, saying gently, “It means from today onwards, you can marry and become someone’s wife.” She suddenly paused and turned her face away, secretly wiping away tears.
But Yuanxi didn’t notice her unusual behavior, only blushing as she secretly wondered what kind of person she would marry in the future. Outside the window, rain pattered steadily. Yuanxi lay by the windowsill, propping her head on her hands as she gazed outside. Tonight the chancellor’s residence was lit with eternal lamps, various silk lanterns swaying and flickering in the misty rain like brilliant stars in the heavens. For some unknown reason, a figure emerged in her heart—faint, unclear, untouchable, seeming nearby yet feeling distant when she reached out. Thus, for the first time, fifteen-year-old Yuanxi felt a melancholy in her heart that even she herself didn’t understand.
But she didn’t know that beyond this curtain of rain, in the small alley behind the western gate of the chancellor’s residence, someone stood quietly in the rain holding an oil-paper umbrella. The first month’s wind was still somewhat harsh, constantly lifting his black hair tied with a square kerchief, dampening it with rain that fell in strands onto his shoulders. Cold rain slowly climbed up his trouser legs, making his whole body feel stiff. He could no longer remember how long he had been standing there, only stubbornly gazing and waiting toward the direction within the walls… The rain grew heavier, beating the lanterns under the eaves until they flickered bright and dim, like his heart swaying in this wind and rain, rising and falling without finding anchor.
From within the courtyard walls came the sounds of children playing, young ladies shouting at their maids to light flower lanterns. He listened for a long time but couldn’t hear the voice he most wanted to hear. Just then, with a “bang,” fireworks for the Lantern Festival burst in the distance, illuminating the sky in brilliant colors, only to quickly dim under the rain’s assault. He stared blankly at those fleeting fireworks, finally understanding that the person he was waiting for would never come again. He lowered his head and smiled self-mockingly—even with constant longing in dreams and waking, it remained unattainable; everything was merely wishful thinking.
He walked away dejectedly until he disappeared beyond the alley. The lonely silk lantern under the eaves continued swaying, and only the desolate rain threads of that day remembered this story of devoted waiting. Across the changing years, under similarly cold and urgent rain, Yuanxi had An’he put away the umbrella and urgently pushed open her room door herself, repeatedly searching through her wardrobe and continuously rummaging through trunks and boxes, but couldn’t find the book the young tutor had mentioned. She buried her head in thought for a long while, finally calling Nanny Li in to ask, “Do you still remember three years ago when the young tutor sent me a book called ‘The Peach Blossom Fan’?”
Nanny Li’s expression became somewhat strange, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at her. Yuanxi immediately sensed something was wrong and hurriedly grabbed her hand, asking urgently, “Where is that book now?” Nanny Li sighed and hesitated for a long time before finally saying, “I saw that book contained only lewd words and suggestive content, truly unsuitable for Miss to read. I was afraid that if Miss read it, she might develop improper thoughts, so I took it upon myself to secretly put it away!”
Yuanxi felt both angry and anxious hearing this, but since it had already happened, blaming her would be useless. She could only bite her lip corner anxiously and ask, “What about now! Where is that book?” Knowing she was in the wrong, Nanny Li hurried back to her own room to retrieve the book, saying, “Though I didn’t give it to Miss to read, I’ve always kept it carefully, not damaging it in the slightest.”
Yuanxi quickly had her and An’he stand guard outside while she sat by the window to carefully read the book. It contained devoted love, dynastic upheavals, worldly vicissitudes, unfulfilled desires, and ultimately only the solitary lamp and ancient Buddha, with both lovers forgetting each other. As usual, it had the young tutor’s comments and annotations written in small characters. Yuanxi read with complete absorption until the end, her eyes inevitably reddening with sighs and sorrow for the characters’ fates. Just then, she saw the final line the young tutor had left at the end: “Wanwan: Worldly affairs have always been turbulent; only true feelings and sincere hearts are most precious.” Beside this line were several ink blots, as if the writer had hesitated for a long time before making up his mind to continue writing: “I will wait for you to grow up. If you also have feelings, throw a branch of red plum over the western gate wall on your coming-of-age Lantern Festival. If I can secure an official position next year, I will definitely come to the chancellor’s residence to propose marriage. No matter how many difficulties arise, I will certainly marry you as my wife.”
Yuanxi stared blankly at those words as shock, heartache, bitterness, and helplessness all surged into her heart at that moment. Though she was married, she had been naive and ignorant, only knowing she must admire her husband, feeling secure when protected by him, blushing and her heart racing when kissed by him. But only at this moment did she truly understand what love was: the sweetness of meeting, the longing after separation, and the heart-piercing pain upon discovering loss. She slowly closed her eyes, letting tears flow slowly from her eyes, understanding that she only had the right to grieve at this moment, like that red plum waiting on the branch that ultimately withered away, missing its blooming season, everything seeming untimely.
Just then, Nanny Li’s voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: “My lord, you’ve come!” Yuanxi started in alarm, quickly hiding the book inside her desk drawer and guiltily smoothing her disheveled hair. At this moment, Xiao Du had already pushed open the door, smiling as he said, “I bought you some famous hibiscus cakes from Dingtai Abundance. Come try them and see if you like them.”
He took out a paper package and placed it on the table, unwrapping it as a sweet fragrance immediately filled the room. “These hibiscus cakes are little sister’s favorite. Every time I go out on business, she begs me to buy some for her. I’m not always willing to buy these girlish treats.” After speaking, he looked at her expectantly, waiting for praise. Only when he saw her face clearly did he ask somewhat puzzledly, “Were you crying just now?”
Yuanxi immediately felt guilty and quickly grabbed a piece of cake to put in her mouth, saying vaguely, “I was just too absorbed in reading. The ending wasn’t very good, so I couldn’t help feeling a bit sad.” Only then did Xiao Du smile, saying, “What’s worth shedding tears over those made-up stories?” His gaze suddenly grew heavy, as if recalling some distant past events, and he said slowly, “Only after seeing truly irreversible cruelty does one understand what real sorrow means.” Yuanxi stared blankly at the expression of pain on his face that she had never seen before, momentarily forgetting her own troubles.
Xiao Du came back to his senses and saw her dazed appearance as she nibbled the cake. His heart suddenly stirred, so he smiled mischievously, “You got cake crumbs on your face.” Yuanxi snapped back to attention and immediately felt very embarrassed, frantically raising her sleeve to wipe. Xiao Du found this increasingly amusing, casually hiding a small crumb and dabbing it on her face, then leaning over to gently bite it away with his lips, pressing against her face as he said softly, “Let me help you instead.” Before Yuanxi could react, he had smeared another piece on her lips. Seeing his suggestive smiling face getting closer and closer, Yuanxi panicked greatly and suddenly retreated backward. Xiao Du’s face stopped an inch in front of hers, his eyes carrying an inquiring look. Not knowing how to explain, Yuanxi simply stuffed the unfinished hibiscus cake in her hand into his mouth, saying righteously, “If you want to eat, take it yourself. Why do you need to eat mine?”
Xiao Du’s mouth was stuffed full, and he was both amused and exasperated by her actions. Just then, urgent knocking suddenly rang out from outside the door, and Zhou Jingyuan’s voice called from outside, “My lord, something has happened!” The two looked at each other, both alarmed. Xiao Du wiped his mouth and shouted toward the door, “Come in and speak!”
Zhou Jingyuan hurried in, first glancing at Yuanxi who was sitting at the table organizing the food box, appearing somewhat hesitant to speak. Xiao Du frowned, “No need to avoid my wife. Speak quickly about whatever it is.” Only then did Zhou Jingyuan say, “News just came that Concubine Wang—she committed suicide in prison!” With a “clang,” the food box in Yuanxi’s hands fell to the floor. She covered her mouth, staring with disbelieving wide eyes.
Rain beat against bamboo waves, surging layer upon layer. Xiao Yunjing stared straight at the green bamboo outside the window, seeming to have aged ten years. He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, saying, “In this lifetime, I have ultimately failed her.”
Xiao Du stood to one side, his heart also heavily troubled, frowning as he said, “In this son’s opinion, this matter is indeed full of suspicious points. I went to see her just today and let her know there was still hope for a turn of events. In such a short time, how could she suddenly despair and commit suicide?” Xiao Yunjing wearily closed his eyes, saying, “Even knowing this, what use is it? She died in the imperial prison of the Capital Prefecture. Now with no one to testify, I probably won’t even be allowed to see her body. If they say it was suicide, it can only be suicide.” Xiao Du’s face showed unwilling expression as he said bitterly, “Are we just going to let this go? Let Concubine Wang die in vain?” Xiao Yunjing stood up facing the bamboo leaves outside the window, saying, “This debt will naturally be settled slowly with them. But now the urgent matter is the situation of the marquis residence and the Xiao family army. You must quickly think of a countermeasure, otherwise…” He suddenly darkened his expression and shouted loudly, “Who’s there!”
Xiao Du’s expression changed. He had always suspected someone was secretly eavesdropping, so he quickly rushed out the door, only to see Xiao Zhixuan wearing a cloak, standing frightened in the bamboo grove. He immediately felt somewhat disappointed, frowning as he said, “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you carrying an umbrella?” Xiao Zhixuan looked aggrieved, saying, “My pet rabbit Little White somehow ran away. I was afraid it would get sick in the rain, so I hurried out to look for it. I lost my umbrella just now. Who knew when I reached the bamboo grove, I heard Father shouting by the window and was scared to death.”
Xiao Du shook his head, “In such heavy rain, what rabbit are you looking for? Where are your maids? Why didn’t you have them search?” Xiao Zhixuan said pitifully, “I was afraid Little White would run far, so I sent them to search other courtyards.” At this point, Xiao Yunjing had already taken an umbrella and quickly walked out from inside, glaring at her as he said, “If a rabbit is lost, it’s lost. What if you get sick from the rain? Hurry back to your room. At your age, can’t you distinguish what’s important?” Seeing her father speak, Xiao Zhixuan was frightened and quickly took the umbrella, obediently walking back quickly. After walking a while, she looked back to see no one following, pulled her cloak closer, and entered another room.
Upon entering, Concubine Cai was organizing various items that had just been moved over. Seeing her, she immediately stepped forward to take her hands, saying, “How did you get all wet? Let me help you dry off quickly, be careful not to get sick.” But Xiao Zhixuan looked at her coldly, turning away and saying glumly, “Mother, I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Concubine Cai’s smile gradually cooled as she asked, “What happened? What occurred?” Xiao Zhixuan looked at her and began crying grievously, “I was almost discovered by Father and elder brother just now. I’m really scared—afraid of how much they’ll hate me if they find out.” She grabbed Concubine Cai’s arm, pleading, “Now that Concubine Wang is gone too, we mother and daughter can be reunited. Let’s not do these things anymore, please.”
Concubine Cai let her lean her head against her bosom, also shedding tears as she said, “Mother knows you’ve suffered grievances, but Mother is doing all this for you! Do you know that when you were only five years old, still the apple of Mother’s eye, I had to be forcibly separated from you? How much Mother’s heart ached. Now, though your father has temporarily softened his heart and allowed us to reunite, Mother’s status is too low. With the slightest misstep, I could lose you again, and Mother truly cannot bear to endure such suffering once more.”
Xiao Zhixuan cried even harder. After a while, she raised her tear-filled eyes and said, “But what use is there in what I’m doing?” Seeing her attitude soften, Concubine Cai gently stroked the top of her head, saying, “Good child, just do as Mother says. There will be results soon.”
Xiao Zhixuan bit her lip and ultimately couldn’t refuse her, reluctantly nodding her head. The two spoke for a while longer before Concubine Cai saw her out. Afterward, she turned back to her room and pulled out the calligraphy practice sheets she copied daily from the cabinet, opening them with satisfaction to admire them, thinking smugly to herself: You don’t know my secrets, but I know all of your secrets—this is my greatest advantage.