“Your Highness, please.”
Although a calling card had been sent in, the timing was hurried and by the rules it was somewhat impolite. But with Cui Zixu’s standing being what it was, even if he had truly come to the door without a card, the Duke’s household would still have had to receive him well.
The Duke of Zhenguo still had the business of Yu Qiuzhi and Yu Shutang to deal with and could not free his hands, so he sent Yu Shuhuai as the household’s representative to receive Cui Zixu and to make his apologies for him.
“I have come without warning and truly disturb your household. It is only that there is a literary gathering at Baiguo Garden today, and they say we are to enjoy the flowers of all four seasons. The red camellia and the winter plum are there, but of the ten flower paintings only the plantain lily and the osmanthus are missing. I heard that the Duke of Zhenguo’s household happens to hold these two flower paintings by Master Xie of the previous dynasty, so I have come to ask for them.”
Lending paintings and calligraphy between ducal houses was a common thing, and it was not as though they would not be returned. Cui Zixu had mentioned the loan in his calling card, and the Duke of Zhenguo had allowed Yu Shuhuai to handle it himself.
Master Xie’s two paintings were certainly good, but they did not reach the extreme value of something like the “Admonitions of the Court Instructress.” Yu Shuhuai agreed readily. “Kept long in a box, a painting only gathers dust. Master Xie’s paintings are stored in the household’s book pavilion at present. Please sit a while in the flower hall, Your Highness, while I fetch them.”
Cui Zixu waved a hand without the least airs. “No matter. I will go with you, Second Master Yu.”
Past the inner gate they entered the inner quarters of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household. As they walked slowly along the long covered corridor, what suddenly broke into Cui Zixu’s view was a stroke of gardenia yellow in the snow.
A girl in a pale yellow cloak was squatting in the snow, reaching out a fingertip to tease an orange cat, her lips curving in a small smile now and then.
【Eleventh Master He and Second Master Qi both have their hearts set on Fifth Miss Feng. They found out that Fifth Miss Feng likes the crab-roe biluo from Madam Mo’s place in the West Market, and this morning the two of them cornered Fifth Miss Feng at her morning meal in the East Market without planning it together. Nanzhi, guess what happened next?】
Yu Nanzhi put out a wicked hand and gave Daju’s head a hard rub. “Out with it. You dare leave me hanging? Hm—”
【Of course Eleventh Master He and Second Master Qi came to blows, but neither of them got anywhere with Fifth Miss Feng. They were both beaten out of the place by the fighting maids at Fifth Miss Feng’s side…】
Yu Nanzhi was planning to write this into tomorrow’s little newspaper, and for a moment did not notice that Daju’s shape was growing more and more indistinct.
She finally sensed something wrong. Coming to herself with a start, she turned her head and looked up. Yu Shuhuai was coming along the corridor toward her, and behind him was a young man, his hair bound in a jade crown, a silver-grey fox-fur cloak trailing to the ground and swaying with his steps, noble beyond words.
He raised his lids slightly, and the snow-bright eyes beneath the thick lashes seemed to drop a careless glance at her.
It was frighteningly quiet in the snow.
Yu Nanzhi froze.
For the second time she sighed from the heart: no wonder every young lady in Chang’an went chasing after the Prince of Qinghe [1]rushing to him the way ducks rush to water (qū zhī ruò wù, 趨之若鹜) (Idiom), to crowd after something in an unthinking flock jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3253951_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3253951_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
With that handsome face alone, even if one day he were penniless on the street, he would not starve to death selling his face.
And she herself would be glad to hand over a few copper coins then for a look at the jade lord’s face.
“Second Sister, it is cold out here. Why aren’t you warming yourself by the fire in Cuiwei Hall?” Yu Shuhuai’s voice cut in abruptly, his words full of concern.
“It was too stuffy inside, so I came out for a walk.”
The simple answer left Yu Shuhuai without words, but on reflection it made sense. The business of the Eldest Miss and the Third Son was not over, and by coming out Second Sister also avoided the oppressive air inside Cuiwei Hall.
Then, at the lowered edge of Yu Nanzhi’s vision, she glimpsed a length of silver-grey hem.
The man was walking slowly toward her.
Yu Nanzhi kept her eyes down.
Only now did she see clearly that the silver-grey cloak was finely embroidered in gold thread with many ruyi cloud patterns, glittering.
Exceptionally fine indeed.
“Second Miss Yu, I trust you have been well since we parted.”
Cui Zixu nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Yu Nanzhi’s cloak.
Red plum with red clothes, wintersweet with yellow clothes, she matched them just right every time.
The way he behaved, anyone would think they were on close terms.
Yu Nanzhi grumbled inwardly, but still clasped her hands and bowed with every detail exactly right, not even daring to raise her eyes. “This subject greets Your Highness the Prince.”
Perfectly correct, for fear this fellow in front of her would find the least fault. After all, he had something on her over her standoff with Yu Qiuzhi last night.
At the same time, the voices of Daju and the wintersweet trees finally faded to nothing.
So it really was because of him.
Exactly the same thing had happened yesterday in the plum garden of the princess’s residence.
At this thought Yu Nanzhi curled her fingers slightly and hoped all the more that this walking bad omen [2]plague god (wēn shén, 瘟神) (Metaphor), a person whose arrival brings nothing but trouble jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3253951_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3253951_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); would hurry up and leave, so she could go on gossiping with Daju.
Seeing the air between the two of them at a standstill, and Yu Nanzhi looking rather as if she had been frightened stiff, Yu Shuhuai spoke up to smooth things over. “His Highness has come to the household to borrow Master Xie’s two paintings, ‘Plantain Lily’ and ‘Osmanthus,’ to take to Baiguo Garden.”
“Second Young Master, say again which two paintings?” Hanying had fetched a plate of lotus-thread candy from the kitchen and heard Yu Shuhuai’s words from far off. She charged over fiercely and planted herself in front of Yu Nanzhi. “His Grace already gave those two paintings to my Miss just now.”
Yu Nanzhi nodded, showing that what Hanying said was not false.
Yu Shuhuai could not help feeling awkward. Since the paintings had been given to Yu Nanzhi, they were her private property, and to borrow them one had to ask her first.
“The paintings belong to Second Sister now. Although I am her elder brother, I cannot decide for her. Since Your Highness has a request, you may as well put it to her,” Yu Shuhuai said to Cui Zixu.
Cui Zixu clasped his hands, his tone distant but mild. “I wonder whether the Second Miss could bear to part with them for a day [3]cut away what she loves (gē ài, 割愛) (Idiom), to give up reluctantly a thing one treasures jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3253951_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3253951_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. I will certainly return them on time, and will present some gift of thanks.”
“Your Highness asks, and how would this subject dare not lend them?”
Yu Nanzhi took a step back, her head down, looking thoroughly wronged.
The whistling north wind drew the girl’s figure thinner still. Fine grains of snow hung in her hair like broken jade, and when she lowered her face they slid down the ends of her hair and her lashes and gathered into tiny points of light.
Cui Zixu felt tenderness in his heart and instinctively raised a hand to brush the wind-blown snow from her hair and temples, but in that instant he held himself back, and rubbed the jade pendant at his waist with the pad of his finger instead.
That thought just now had been far too abrupt.
“Se… Second Young Master!”
A loud shout broke the silence.
Yu Shuhuai’s personal page came hurrying up. He bowed to Cui Zixu and Yu Nanzhi and said breathlessly, “Vice Director Feng of the Palace Library has come. He is waiting for the young master in the front hall now.”
In the third month of this year Yu Shuhuai had placed eighteenth in the jinshi examination, and he had taken part in the Ministry of Personnel’s autumn selection in the ninth month. At the beginning of this month he had received the post of Collator in the Palace Library, upper ninth rank, and would take it up after the new year when the court’s seals were opened.
The rank of Collator was low, but it was close to the center of power and was regarded as a “brilliant choice of the scholar world,” very pure and honorable, and the surest springboard for a civil official’s advancement. Vice Director Liu, the chief minister and Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, had also held this post when he entered service.
Feng Yi, Vice Director of the Palace Library, managed the affairs of the Palace Library and was the direct superior of Yu Shuhuai’s direct superior. For him to call suddenly at the Duke of Zhenguo’s household must be on official business.
Yu Nanzhi considered that this Vice Director Feng must be the father of the Fifth Miss Feng that Daju had just been talking about.
Vice Director Feng’s business was clearly the more urgent just now. Yu Shuhuai made his choice at once and bowed gravely to Cui Zixu in apology. “Forgive me for leaving Your Highness for a moment. May I ask whether Your Highness will go to the flower hall and sit over tea for a while, or whether I should have someone take Your Highness to the book pavilion?”
The second half of the sentence struck Cui Zixu exactly where he wanted. He said directly, “Official business comes first. Then let the owner of the paintings, Second Miss Yu, lead the way for me.”
Yu Nanzhi’s heart jumped. She raised her head, her eyes wide and round.
How had it fallen on her again?
“This subject…”
Yu Nanzhi bit her lip and was about to say a word or two in her own defense when she heard the cool male voice ask, “Could it be that Second Miss Yu is unwilling to walk with me?”
Whether it was her imagination or not, Yu Nanzhi somehow heard the faintest note of grievance in it.
“This subject would not dare.”
The way out had been blocked. How was she supposed to refuse?
Yu Shuhuai did not dare keep Vice Director Feng waiting long and hurried away, leaving Yu Nanzhi and Hanying alone here to face Cui Zixu. Her heart sank into utter wretchedness, and Daju had to go and make it worse [4]lay frost on top of snow (xuě shàng jiā shuāng, 雪上加霜) (Idiom), to add a fresh blow to an already bad situation jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3253951_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3253951_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
The orange cat, with no self-knowledge at all about his own weight, gave a meow and shot into the crook of Yu Nanzhi’s arm. The impact made her footing unsteady and she tipped backward.
But before she could react, her hand was suddenly gripped. Cui Zixu had caught her slender wrist and pulled her up.
“Careful, Second Miss Yu.”
Cui Zixu knew the proprieties well. The moment Yu Nanzhi was steady on her feet he let go of her wrist.
“Thank you for the rescue, Your Highness.”
Her fingers passed over the place he had held. The feel of it was still there. Yu Nanzhi only felt it grow slightly hot, and quickly put away the odd look in her eyes.
“It cost me nothing.” Cui Zixu’s gaze fell on Daju. “This cat is rather fat.”
Yu Nanzhi gathered Daju closer into her arms. “Daju is only a country creature. He is no match for Your Highness’s cat, with her snow-white coat and her pair of mismatched eyes.”
By the look of her, she was actually afraid he had taken a fancy to this cat.
Cui Zixu’s lips curved slightly, somewhat helpless.
“It is getting late. Please take me to fetch the paintings, Second Miss Yu.” He passed the matter over and started walking.
Yu Nanzhi stared blankly at Cui Zixu’s back and grumbled to herself, “This fellow says go, and he looks like he knows the way to the book pavilion better than I do. What does he need me to lead the way for?”
“Miss, what are you muttering about?” Hanying had been extremely nervous watching her Miss and the Prince of Qinghe trade line for line. The moment Cui Zixu walked off she came right up to Yu Nanzhi’s side.
“Nothing. Let’s see this ‘ancestor’ off first and talk after [5]ancestor (zǔ zōng, 祖宗) (Slang), a wry name for someone who must be waited on hand and foot jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3253951_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3253951_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.” Yu Nanzhi gritted her teeth, stuffed Daju into Hanying’s arms and lifted her skirt to catch up.
They walked to the end of the long corridor, crossed a rockery garden, and at last saw the eaves of the book pavilion. The distance was not really far, but Yu Nanzhi felt as though half a day were being spent on it.
The book pavilion was silent and empty, with only a single lamp lit inside. Yu Nanzhi trimmed the wick brighter, and in an instant it lit half of the girl’s jade face. Holding the lamp, she stepped onto the wooden stairs and led Cui Zixu up to the second floor.
Paintings and calligraphy must be kept away from damp places, ventilated and out of the light, so most of the Duke of Zhenguo household’s shared paintings, calligraphy and rare old books were stored on the second floor of the book pavilion and taken out only when they were needed.
Yu Nanzhi moved among the shelves, her gaze passing over one bamboo name-tag after another hanging beside the wooden boxes.
This should be it.
She was pleased.
The candlelight showed the words “Master Xie, Osmanthus” on the bamboo tag.
Yu Nanzhi took down the box holding the painting and suddenly looked back.
Behind her Cui Zixu had lowered his head slightly, and their eyes met.
References[+]