“There’s no need to investigate further—it’s nothing more than some seductive witchcraft.” Bai Chuchu snorted coldly. “We don’t even need to act ourselves. Just drop a hint to Hongxiu; she’ll be even more eager than we are.”
“Yes.” Yuxue smiled, focusing on arranging Bai Chuchu’s cloudlike hair. Seeing how her mistress looked even more radiant under the gleam of the jewelry, her expression turned solemn, unsure what to think. After a moment, she reminded softly, “My lady, you look the most beautiful when you smile.”
“I know.”
Bai Chuchu came back to herself, lightly touched her hair bun, and was very satisfied. She then stood and paced around the room, murmuring as if to herself, “I don’t believe the princess has no tricks. It’s just that we haven’t discovered them yet. But if one looks closely enough—one can always find something out of nothing, isn’t that so?”
Yuxue was startled. The prince will be here soon—why is Her Ladyship still thinking about this? But she quickly understood: Bai Chuchu was instructing her to go stir up Hongxiu. So she nodded lightly, “Yes,” to show she had understood.
Only then did Bai Chuchu smile brilliantly. As the sun sank beyond the mountains and dusk settled in, someone from the kitchen came to report that the meal was ready and asked if it should be served. Restless at heart, Bai Chuchu said to Yuxue, “Go to the front and see why the prince hasn’t come to the rear courtyard yet. It’s already dinnertime.”
“Yes.”
Yuxue was anxious too. She hurried out to the second gate, asked the gatekeeper, and learned that Lin Zhuo was still in his study. With no other choice, she returned to report.
Seeing her mistress’s face pale, she whispered to comfort her, “The prince is busy with affairs of state. Perhaps he’ll dine in the study. Don’t be upset, my lady—please eat first.”
“How can I eat now?”
Bai Chuchu sat sulking on the couch. After a while, when the sky had turned completely dark, she suddenly said, “Yuxue, go to the study and ask Eunuch Xi to put in a good word for me with the prince.”
“This… would that not seem too impatient?” Yuxue hesitated. Xi Le looked easygoing, but he was actually a man impossible to sway once he’d made up his mind.
Bai Chuchu gave a faint, bitter smile. “How can I not be anxious? I’ve waited so long for this chance. I’m only afraid that if the prince keeps himself busy, he’ll end up sleeping in the study tonight.”
“All right. Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll go right now and ask Eunuch Xi to deliver a message.”
With that, Yuxue hurried back to the second gate. After slipping the servants a bit of silver, she finally reached the study, found Xi Le, and explained everything. Xi Le, who liked making friends and currying favor, readily agreed. He went inside, poured a cup of hot tea, and placed it gently on the desk.
Lin Zhuo was reading a letter. Hearing the sound, he raised his head and asked, “What time is it now?”
“My lord, it’s almost the hour of Xu. You’ve been sitting here all day. It’s time to return to the rear courtyard and rest.”
“What would I go back for? It’s already late; I’m too lazy to move. I’ll just rest here tonight.”
Lin Zhuo stretched lazily. Xi Le looked troubled, but after a moment’s hesitation, he forced himself to say softly, “The concubine princess’s maid is waiting outside.”
“Oh?”
Lin Zhuo didn’t bother to ask what she wanted—what else could a maid from Qinghui Pavilion be doing here at this hour? Instead, what flashed through his mind was the passionate warmth of his princess these past two nights. He hadn’t understood before, but upon hearing Xi Le’s words, realization suddenly dawned—he was enlightened.
That request Ruan Mianmian had made on their wedding night—he hadn’t agreed to it, and afterward she’d never mentioned it again. Clearly, she understood well: for a prince to make such a promise was sheer fantasy.
So, two days before she left the manor, she had set aside her shyness and given her all—displaying every charm she possessed, playing the role of a temptress to perfection. Even though he was young, his stamina had its limits; after such intense nights, it would be impossible to sustain that energy two evenings in a row.
That little ploy was amusing, yet it showed Ruan Mianmian’s determination. Lin Zhuo had no doubt—if he were to spend the night with Bai Chuchu tonight, there would be no more intimacy with his princess thereafter.
Rubbing his temples, Lin Zhuo said to Xi Le, “I have morning court tomorrow. I’ll rest now. Send the maid back.”
“Yes, my lord.”
By now Xi Le had done all he could. He nodded and went out to deliver the message to Yuxue. Whatever disappointment the mistress of Qinghui Pavilion would feel was none of his concern.
Qingyun Courtyard was the residence Lin Zhuo had used before his marriage, and his study stood just beyond its second gate. It had a flower hall and bedchamber, all beautifully arranged and very comfortable.
Later, lying on the wide bed, Xi Le lowered the bed curtains and blew out the candles. A faint beam of moonlight filtered through the drapes. Lin Zhuo couldn’t help thinking: I wonder if Mianmian is asleep yet? Probably not. After finally seeing her mother again, how could she not stay up late chatting?
As he thought about this, drowsiness overcame him. His consciousness blurred, drifting along with the thought: It’s not because of your request… but as a young man, I should also take care of my health… hmph, sleeping alone isn’t so bad.
With that final thought, his mind sank completely into darkness, and soon he drifted into dreams.
“Mother, please rest here in peace. Whenever I have free time, I’ll come visit you and my brother.”
On the country road, the luxurious carriage and its escort of guards waited quietly on the distant official road. Ruan Mianmian held Yunniang’s hand, chattering nonstop.
“I know, I know. My dear Mianmian, you’re so capable. If not for you, who knows what would have become of your brother and me? Madam may hide it well, but I know her nature. If we had stayed in the Duke’s estate, she would never have allowed us to live.”
“Don’t be afraid, Mother. It’s all over now.”
Ruan Mianmian hugged her mother gently. It seemed that Yunniang’s time living in the Duke’s manor had left her deeply traumatized. Ever since Mianmian had arrived two days ago, she’d repeated those same words over and over.
“Yes, yes, I’m not afraid. With you here, I fear nothing.” Yunniang smiled. “Go on now, child. You’re a princess now, and the prince is kind to have allowed you to visit so soon. That truly warms my heart. It shows he treats you well—and that puts me at ease. Go back now, and remember: no matter how the prince favors you, never grow arrogant or complacent.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. Your daughter isn’t that kind of person.”
Ruan Mianmian comforted her, thinking silently, Not grow arrogant? I’ve already done that more than once. Now that you say it, it’s a bit late for warnings.
But there was no need to let her mother know and make her worry. Holding Yunniang’s hand, she said cheerfully, “In a few days, I’ll have Jian’er bring Uncle Jiang here to stay nearby. That way, he can conveniently teach Jian’er martial arts.”
Yunniang’s cheeks flushed, her heart filled with both joy and sorrow—joy that her daughter was considerate enough to think of her happiness and even help her with her feelings for the man she liked, unbound by rigid propriety; sorrow because of her own humble status. No matter her emotions, they were destined to come to nothing in this life. All she could do was entrust her hopes to the next.
At last, after much reluctance, mother and daughter parted. Ruan Mianmian climbed into the ornate carriage. As it rolled farther and farther away, she lifted the curtain to look back—her mother’s figure still stood there, alone in the middle of the wide road.
(End of Chapter)