In the heavenly private room of Hua E Lou, Song Zhen woke up groggily and suddenly slapped his thigh: "Who ordered the Great Frost Cake? Don’t you know… hic… I don’t eat sweets? Take it away!"
Xie Yujin said calmly, "It was the moon."
"…"
"The moon?" Song Zhen rubbed his eyes. An attendant brought clear water for him to wash his face and whispered, "Young Master, another day has passed."
"So soon? I haven’t had enough to drink yet."
"Young Master should return soon to avoid worrying the Prince."
"Why would he worry about someone my size?" Song Zhen patted him away. "Step aside."
The table had clearly been tidied, elegantly adorned with two peony branches, their delicate leaves glistening with water droplets.
He turned to Xie Yujin with suspicion. "Have you encountered something lately? Why are you soaking in this tavern all day like me? Drinking day and night—how many days has it been?"
Xie Yujin loosely held a wine pot, leaning back on the couch with his long legs stretched out. Apart from his slightly disheveled appearance from the hangover, his expression betrayed nothing.
"Nothing."
Definitely something.
Song Zhen didn’t voice this thought, knowing it would be pointless to Xie Yujin. As an idle young master without real authority, he likely couldn’t help much anyway. Moreover, if Xie Yujin didn’t want to talk, he wouldn’t pry.
"Fine. Call me whenever you feel like drinking again—I’m always available." Song Zhen hesitated, glancing at his attendant. "I can’t stay much longer either. I’ve been loafing around here for three or four days. At most, I’ll keep you company until dawn. Once day breaks, even if I don’t return, my father will send someone."
Xie Yujin closed his eyes to rest. "I’ll head back too."
"Perfect." Song Zhen ordered a few dishes. Xie Yujin waited until all the dishes were served, had them as breakfast, and then took a carriage back to his residence.
When Xie Yujin arrived at his mansion, his gaze fell upon withered branches and leaves buried under thick snow. It was not yet time for new buds to sprout. The estate stood dark and gloomy, like a giant maw with fangs bared at the sky.
Since his rebirth, he had rarely returned home.
At this time, the Guo Gong Fu felt cold, devoid of any trace of Song Zhiluan.
He felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Perhaps it would improve after they married.
The old steward of Guo Gong Fu, following Xie Yujin’s instructions, had purchased a batch of ready-made clothes, all placed in the bedchamber. They were uniformly bright and vivid in color—their Marquis’s preferences were becoming increasingly hard to decipher.
Xie Yujin changed into a richly vibrant red robe. Not yet of age to wear a crown, he tied up his hair, strapped on his sword, and adjusted his armguards.
The old steward’s eyes lit up at the sight. "Marquis, you look splendid in this attire! This is how a young man ought to be—full of vitality."
Xie Yujin gave a noncommittal hum and instructed him to prepare the carriage.
"Where is the Marquis heading?"
"Hua E Lou."
"Hua E Lou? Didn’t you just return from there?" Perhaps because Xie Yujin’s flamboyant dressing today resembled a frivolous young nobleman, lacking his usual steadiness, the old steward couldn’t resist asking.
Receiving no reply, he recalled the Marquis’s past deeds and broke into a cold sweat. "Yes, I’ll make the arrangements at once."
Xie Yujin didn’t answer because he was lost in thought.
It was common knowledge throughout the Imperial City that Song Zhiluan enjoyed drinking and merrymaking at Hua E Lou.
If he waited there, he would eventually meet her.
Since his rebirth, he had not yet seen her once.
On the chessboard, emerald pieces glowed with a delicate green, serving as the white stones, while ruby pieces, carved into coiling dragons and phoenixes, acted as the black stones. Song Zhiluan idly twirled one between her fingers.
Zhinu approached and cast a glance toward Yunu seated opposite Song Zhiluan. "Your Highness, Imperial Academician Xu has arrived."
Understanding the cue, Yunu departed together with Zhinu.
Xu Yaochen took the opportunity to sit across from Song Zhiluan.
Song Zhiluan tossed her chess piece into the pot and smiled toward the sunlight. "I trust you've been well since we last met."
Xu Yaochen nodded. "It has indeed been quite some time. Your Highness hasn't been seen abroad these days, claiming to be recuperating from illness. Yet your complexion appears radiant—hardly that of an invalid."
Song Zhiluan, who thrived on social gatherings and frequented banquets, had recently rejected countless invitations, sending only gifts in response. This had sparked various speculations among noble families.
"The sun makes me drowsy. Since there's no particularly interesting entertainment anyway, remaining at the estate suits me well."
"Could it be Your Highness is displeased with His Majesty regarding the marriage arrangement?"
Song Zhiluan straightened slightly, feigning ignorance. "Hmm?"
As Xu Yaochen studied her expression, she met his gaze and replied languidly, "Are you referring to Father Emperor's intention to select a consort for me? Certainly not. To be frank, I haven't given the matter much thought."
"Your Highness… might you already have someone in mind?"
"No," Song Zhiluan answered swiftly.
Her quick denial made Xu Yaochen's breath catch, uncertain whether to feel relieved or disappointed. "In that case, perhaps Your Highness could choose someone you favor. His Majesty dotes on you—if you were to propose a candidate, he might consent."
"Father Emperor already has a suitable candidate in mind."
Unlike Xu Yaochen's circuitous manner, Song Zhiluan spoke earnestly: "Xu Yaochen, should the day come when Father Emperor decrees our marriage, would your Xu family rejoice?"
"Naturally, they would."
Song Zhiluan looked troubled. "But I've always regarded you as an elder brother."
Even without marriage ties in their previous life, Xu Yaochen had defied all odds to storm the palace. In this lifetime, she never considered severing ties with him, knowing their destinies were intertwined and they would inevitably stand together. Thus, marriage between them seemed unnecessary.
Privately, she was unwilling to exploit Xu Yaochen through matrimony.
After a brief pause, Xu Yaochen responded, "I understand."
Song Zhiluan murmured vaguely in acknowledgment before changing the subject. "Enough of this. Did you visit today merely to verify my health?"
"Indeed. I also wished to inquire how Your Highness intends to handle the palace banquet on the Lantern Festival."
"The Lantern Festival banquet—is there something special about it?"
Her distant memory of that particular banquet recalled nothing remarkable. By then, the imperial marriage decree had already been issued, and fearing Song Dingyuan's eventual retaliation, she had remained obedient.
Xu Yaochen replied, "Your Highness forgets—His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's consort was selected at last year's Lantern Festival banquet."
Hence, by precedence, it should now be her turn.
Having been of marriageable age for two years while most noblewomen her age were already betrothed, Song Zhiluan frowned slightly, her willow-leaf eyebrows arching in vexation. After a moment, she said, "I shall naturally attend. I can't very well be betrothed without even meeting my prospective consort. Even if I abstained, Father Emperor could still decree my marriage with a single word. Angering him would only bring misfortune upon myself."
Xu Yaochen had initially assumed Song Zhiluan's feigned illness before the Lantern Festival was to avoid the imperial marriage decree. Yet her demeanor now suggested eager anticipation.
Observing her, Xu Yaochen remarked, "Your Highness seems somewhat changed."
When the court first buzzed with news that the Emperor intended to find a consort for Linghuai, the princess was so furious she smashed objects in her manor. For several days, rumors circulated of her drunken escapades in the streets.
During this period, Song Zhiluan grew noticeably quieter, yet her selection of entertainers continued unabated—a silent rebellion of sorts.
But only today did he realize these were merely others’ conjectures.
She was far more composed and serene.
Her fingers traced the golden filigree along the edge of the warm Hetian jade chessboard, the three-petal plum blossom adornment on her forehead accentuating her moonlike complexion. "What has changed?"
"Hard to say."
Having grown up alongside her, Xu Yaochen knew her past self as willful and capricious, her emotions always transparent—whether joy or anger, they were never difficult to decipher. Yet now, seated before her, he found himself unable to grasp her thoughts.
"Has it changed for better or worse?"
"…Better."
Song Zhiluan smiled faintly. "Better is good."
Xu Yaochen had arrived at noon. After sharing a meal, Song Zhiluan had Yunu see him out. Once he departed, she completed the chess game following the manual until dusk fell. After taking her medicine, she instructed Zhinu, "Prepare the carriage. I wish to visit the tavern."
Since her rebirth, restless nights filled with dreams had made her reluctant to venture out. After this period of convalescence, it was time to emerge—lest rumors spread of her being gravely ill.
For her youthful temperament, staying sequestered in the manor for over half a month was already the limit. She wondered how, in later years, she endured lying bedridden for months on end.
Zhinu arranged the carriage, and they proceeded to Hua E Lou.
As a frequent patron, Song Zhiluan had her own private chamber there. The proprietor, nicknamed Madam Chen, had been a charismatic figure in her youth. After acquiring the property and establishing the tavern, she delighted in recruiting beauties from the commonfolk. As more nobles frequented the establishment, she secured retired musicians from the Pear Garden to train her performers. Being Sogdian, Madam Chen often featured exotic dancers, swiftly boosting the tavern’s renown.
Two entertainers in Song Zhiluan’s Princess Manor had been sent by Madam Chen.
This visit, Song Zhiluan sought undisturbed leisure but made no effort to conceal her identity, bringing only Yunu and Zhinu.
Madam Chen greeted her, "Princess Linghuai, your presence honors us. Forgive my inadequate welcome."
"Rise…"
In the premier chamber, had Song Zhiluan glanced up, she would have met a scrutinizing gaze.
Upon seeing her, Xie Yujin’s pupils contracted imperceptibly, as if rooted to the spot, the cup in his hand forgotten.
The young woman stood unharmed in the main hall, the string of red coral beads adorning her wrist.
If these days of rebirth had felt like a fleeting revival to him, witnessing Song Zhiluan standing before him imbued the world with tangible reality.
She was alive.
After several cups of tea, Yunu ascended to inspect the premises beforehand. Upon exiting, she glanced at the adjacent rooms: the left chamber’s door and curtain were open, occupied by two young women; the right chamber housed a youth seated elegantly with guards beside him. A half-drawn curtain obscured his face.
The Emperor had ennobled five ducal households upon founding the dynasty. The guards’ uniforms and waist sabers resembled those of Guo Gong Fu. It remained unclear which scion resided within.
Song Zhiluan had now ascended with Zhinu and Lady Chen, followed by a group of handsome young men carrying qins or holding flutes. Their grand entrance caused the music throughout the entire tavern to soften slightly.
Whispers had already begun to circulate.
"Princess Linghuai has finally arrived. I can see the gentlemen of Hua E Lou growing impatient."
"Her Highness has acquired many entertainers these days. Heh, though they're called entertainers, who's to say they aren't actually male concubines?"
Song Zhiluan paid no heed to the murmurs and strode directly into the chamber.
Lady Chen and the young men followed closely behind.
Song Zhiluan called out, "Yunu?"
Yunu entered last and stood by her side. "Your Highness."
"Good that you're here. Open the door and draw up the curtains."
Yunu opened the door and fastened the golden hooks on both sides, making the interior of the private room completely visible. In an instant, numerous gazes converged upon Song Zhiluan. Lady Chen exchanged puzzled glances with the others, unable to comprehend her intentions.
With unflinching composure, Song Zhiluan drew a blindfold from her sleeve and said with a smile, "Very well. Now, I shall blindfold myself. All of you, place your belongings aside and scatter throughout the room. I am in high spirits today—the last person I catch shall return to my residence with me."
Even Lady Chen, who was well-versed in worldly affairs, felt her cheeks grow warm at these words. She thought to herself, "After staying in her residence for half a month, Princess Linghuai has become even more of a libertine. To play such games in public—if she were a prince, she would surely face punishment."
Without waiting for anyone to react, Song Zhiluan had already blindfolded herself.
"Here I come."
No sooner had she spoken than she stumbled over her own skirt. Fortunately, someone caught her, preventing her from falling.
Having been instructed beforehand not to make a sound, Yunu and Zhinu did not intervene.
Song Zhiluan grasped this person's hand, her smile initially carefree. But as an intensely familiar scent reached her nose, her expression froze instantly.
That faint, woody fragrance abruptly evoked some unpleasant memories.
She forced a smile once more. "What an unpleasant odor."
"You are disqualified."