The night was as dark as ink, and all was silent.
Hidden deep within the bamboo grove of the imperial palace, in a secluded pavilion, the lamplight flickered, casting overlapping silhouettes. Soft, indistinct sobbing seemed to linger in the air.
Yun Wan was forced onto the narrow, soft divan, her mind hazy, her delicate face flushed with a faint pink.
A man’s strong arms encircled her waist, his posture domineering, his mature masculine aura enveloping her entirely.
Her robes hung loosely, slipping to the floor, the moon-white and dark gold fabrics tangled in disarray.
Through the latticed bamboo window, the scene inside was faintly visible. The night wind of late autumn rose, rustling through the bamboo grove, and everything faded into the surroundings.
Yun Wan’s eyes grew hot, tears spilling from the corners. Her eyelids half-closed, her expression tender and alluring, she glimpsed the man’s sharp, indifferent lower face in the haze.
Suddenly, in her half-dreaming state, the man halted his movements, and a clear, sharp question rang in her ears:
“What is your name? Which palace do you serve?”
Caught off guard, she met his dark, profound phoenix eyes, and her heart tightened abruptly.
Whoosh—
Everything before her shattered like a mirror, turning into countless cold shards that pierced toward her brow. Yun Wan raised her hands to block them and jolted awake.
……..
Sitting up abruptly from the bed, Yun Wan was drenched in sweat, her face pale. The suffocating sensation from the dream had nearly stolen her breath.
Fortunately, the scene before her was familiar. Clutching her chest, she let out a sigh of relief as the lingering fear in her heart gradually dissipated.
Suddenly, a flash of blue appeared in her vision—a handkerchief.
Turning her head, she met the gaze of its owner and instantly curved her lips into a gentle smile. “A Sui is here.”
The boy called ‘A Sui,’ his hair styled in a two-bun hairstyle, clung to the edge of the bed, revealing a young, delicate face. His watery eyes gazed at Yun Wan, filled with concern:
“Mother, did you have a nightmare?”
His voice was milky and soft, yet his words were clear.
Holding the handkerchief, he stood on tiptoe and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Yun Wan lowered her head, allowing his thoughtful gesture, then took the handkerchief from his chubby little hand and casually dried the fine beads of sweat on her brow.
In response, she ruffled her son’s hair and reassured him softly, “It’s nothing to worry about, A Sui. Mother is fine.”
It was just a dream.
Even though she had been having this dream for five years.
Since her husband’s death and the birth of her son, A Sui, the dream had gradually faded from her memory as he grew older. Lately, however, it had inexplicably begun to recur.
Her fine brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. Meeting her son’s clear gaze, she smoothed her expression, suppressing the unease in her heart, and changed the subject gently. “Why have you come to Mother so early today? Are you hungry?”
As his mother, Yun Wan was well-acquainted with her son’s daily routine. After rising in the morning, A Sui would study for half a shichen before coming to find her.
By then, she would have finished her morning ablutions, and the two would sit facing each other to share the morning meal.
A Sui blinked, a hint of confusion in his eyes. “Mother, it’s already mid-morning. It’s not early.”
!
Yun Wan’s expression froze. Instinctively, she glanced toward the window and noticed the bright sunlight outside, with no trace of morning mist. It was already midday.
Calculating the time, Yun Wan had woken a full shichen and a half later than usual!
A Sui straightened his knees, tucking his hands into his sleeves. “Mother was sleeping deeply, so I didn’t wake you.”
In other words, he had been keeping her company all along.
Yun Wan’s heart swelled with tenderness and warmth. Immediately, she bent down, wrapped her arms around A Sui, and kissed his smooth forehead. “Mother’s good child, so thoughtful!”
Though only four years old, the sensible A Sui felt both delighted and shy about his mother’s affection. After a brief, gentle struggle, he yielded to Yun Wan’s embrace.
She stroked his hair bun and pressed her cheek against his plump, baby-soft face until his cheeks flushed crimson like boiled shrimp, then finally released him.
Remembering the day’s important matter, she summoned the servant outside and said to A Sui, “Wait in the outer room for a moment. After I finish washing up, I’ll take you to grandmother.”
A Sui nodded obediently. Before leaving, he carefully picked up the blue handkerchief, folded it neatly, and tucked it safely into his sleeve.
This was a handkerchief his mother had personally embroidered for him – he mustn’t lose it.
The servant brought hot water. Yun Wan washed simply, changed into an elegantly colored Flowing Cloud Dress, then had her personal maid Yue Ya style her hair and secure it with two plain hairpins – the typical attire of a widow.
“Madam, everything is prepared.”
The voice of maid Yue Jian came from outside as she lifted the partition curtain and entered, holding a palm-sized brocade box.
Yun Wan nodded, indicating for her to place it on the nearby table.
In less than half an hour, Yun Wan stood up and hurriedly led A Sui to the old madam’s courtyard.
Cixin Hall.
Passing through the courtyard gate and crossing the corridor, Yun Wan suddenly stopped just before entering the main hall. She turned to her son and asked softly, “Do you remember what I told you yesterday?”
Holding her hand, A Sui nodded seriously. “I remember all of mother’s instructions.”
“Good.”
Yun Wan ruffled his hair, then took his hand and stepped into the main hall, entering the central room.
Inside, rosewood carved chairs and tables stood neatly arranged. A thin brocade quilt lay folded on the sandalwood daybed, while a beast-shaped incense burner on the low table released wispy trails of smoke.
Old Madam Lu, now in her late fifties approaching sixty, had silver hair covered by a forehead band. Dressed in stone-brown brocade robes, she sat upright on the daybed with closed eyes, listening to her maid recite scriptures while slowly turning Buddhist prayer beads in her hand.
Hearing footsteps at the doorway, she slowly opened her eyes. Her upward-slanting eyes still shone with sharp clarity.
Releasing A Sui’s small hand, Yun Wan bowed in greeting. “Your daughter-in-law pays respects to mother.”
Dressed in snow-gray plain clothing, her slender figure moved gracefully. The jade pendant hanging from her waist sash swayed gently with her movements like rippling emerald waves.
Though performing the common curtsy, Yun Wan carried an extraordinary elegance and refinement, beautiful as a painting – hardly appearing like someone mourning her husband’s death.
A flicker of displeasure crossed Old Madam Lu’s clouded eyes as she said coldly, “Why are you so late today?”
Yun Wan lowered her gaze. “This daughter-in-law woke somewhat late this morning. I beg mother’s forgiveness.”
Hearing this, Old Madam Lu immediately darkened her expression, her aged face showing clear displeasure. “A three-year-old sleeping late might be excusable, but you’re already a mother! How can you make such mistakes? If you don’t wish to attend to this old woman, you needn’t come in the future. Spare me such excuses.”
These were severe words. If spread, people would think Yun Wan negligent in her duties as daughter-in-law, failing to properly serve her mother-in-law.
The scripture-reciting maid fell silent, unable to resist glancing sideways.
Yet Yun Wan’s expression remained unchanged as she calmly responded, “Mother’s instruction is correct.”
Having married into the Lu family for seven years and interacted with this mother-in-law for so long, Yun Wan had long understood her temperament. She wouldn’t argue now.
If she truly took the old madam’s words seriously and stopped coming to pay respects, she would only face more difficulties later.
“Typical ‘If I don’t come, you’re unhappy again.'”
Such words she had heard countless times over the past seven years, especially since her husband passed away five years ago, when her mother-in-law had become increasingly harsh towards her.
Yun Wan let it go in one ear and out the other.
Old Madam Lu frowned, slammed the table and scolded, “What kind of attitude is this?”
Yun Wan replied, “The attitude of a widow.”