Because of what Li Yue said, Qingping was on edge the whole day, both afraid that Li Yue would really write a letter to Baima Temple, and afraid that Xie Wenzhao would really become a monk.
Qingping didn’t have much goodwill toward Xie Wenzhao in her heart—instead, ever since Meng Fu married into the Xuanping Marquis Manor and was always neglected by Xie Wenzhao, Qingping disliked him. But Qingping also clearly knew that Meng Fu was the Xuanping Marchioness; her glory and disgrace were tied to the Xuanping Marquis Manor. If something happened to Xie Wenzhao, the madam would also not have a good time.
It was just that the madam seemed to have been suppressed for too long in the past—now that she was exploding outward, everything she did followed only her own will, with no consideration for consequences.
Rationally, Qingping knew the madam acting like this was no good. But emotionally, she hoped the madam could be a little happier. Besides… although the madam scolded the marquis and provoked the old madam, it seemed there hadn’t been any serious consequences either.
Qingping truly couldn’t understand this world anymore.
Another two days passed, and Li Yue’s monthly matters finally ended. However, when thinking about having to endure this every month from now on, His Majesty felt it must be that he had committed too many sins in his past life to be made to suffer this retribution.
That sentimental mood of Xie Wenzhao passed, and he never brought up becoming a monk again. As for the matter that night when he was forced by Hua Xiaoling, he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone either. After all, that matter, if spoken of, truly would not be very honorable. Even if he had the intention to become a monk, he still wanted to save face. If others knew he had been forced into a panicked escape by a mere young woman, how could he still face anyone?
Xie Wenzhao really did not want to see Hua Xiaoling again. Yet he also didn’t dare voice his thoughts in front of the old madam. Fortunately, at least for the next half a month or so, he wouldn’t have to see Hua Xiaoling.
Xie Wenzhao had always felt that Sun Yulian was the person in the marquis manor who understood him best. He also knew that Sun Yulian harbored deep feelings for him. In order to keep her from sinking deeper, he had always intentionally avoided too much interaction with her.
Back then, Sun Yulian’s father committed a crime that angered the late emperor. Losing his life was one thing, but even the women of the household were sent off to become official courtesans. Sun Yulian’s father was a close friend of the old marquis. When they were young, Xie Wenzhao and Sun Yulian had played together for several years—barely enough to count as childhood sweethearts. So Xie Wenzhao pulled strings everywhere to redeem her and bring her back home, thinking to find her another path in the future.
Xie Wenzhao never had the intention of taking Sun Yulian as a concubine. After marrying Meng Fu, he was always despondent because of the matter with Meng Yu. He would often drink alone in the pavilion in the garden to drown his sorrows. One night, Sun Yulian saw him and came over to drink with him. In the end, they both got drunk, and somehow ended up sleeping in Xie Wenzhao’s room. The next morning, when the servant pushed open the door, they saw the two of them lying together with disheveled clothes. Xie Wenzhao clearly knew that nothing had actually happened between him and Sun Yulian that night. But outsiders might not think so.
Sun Yulian didn’t force him to take responsibility. But Xie Wenzhao accidentally overheard the maid beside Sun Yulian say that she was harboring thoughts of death. Xie Wenzhao had no choice but to take her into the household and make her his second concubine.
Back then, he had already told Sun Yulian that he couldn’t give her what she wanted—he could only let her live out the rest of her life in peace.
There truly were many women in his rear courtyard, but aside from Qu Hanyan, none were what he really wanted. And even Qu Hanyan was just a bit of consolation for when he missed Meng Yu.
After Xie Wenzhao’s illness got a bit better, he went to Sun Yulian’s place as per their previously agreed schedule. He did have some pity for Sun Yulian, and that line she said about becoming a nun still moved him somewhat. He thought that if the household servants found out he stayed in Hua Xiaoling’s place for nine days straight but neglected Sun Yulian, then Sun Yulian’s days in the manor probably wouldn’t be good. And Sun Yulian was a sensitive person—she would surely overthink.
Moreover, Xie Wenzhao didn’t want Hua Xiaoling to get too arrogant or too comfortable. He wanted Hua Xiaoling and the household servants to know that he only went to Linglong Pavilion because he was forced to—he didn’t have even the tiniest bit of affection for Hua Xiaoling.
These words couldn’t be said outright; they could only be interpreted by others. To emphasize his dislike for Hua Xiaoling, those past nine days, Xie Wenzhao always waited until the old madam’s people urged him a few times before he would get up and go to Linglong Pavilion. But now, even before the day had fully turned dark, he would voluntarily go to Qiuxiang Pavilion where Sun Yulian stayed. Occasionally, he would even have the servants deliver some jewelry or a few bolts of precious fabric to Sun Yulian. With this contrast, the entire household could indeed tell that Xie Wenzhao didn’t like Hua Xiaoling.
Hua Xiaoling wasn’t very bright, but Xie Wenzhao’s behavior was so obvious, and the servants were secretly gossiping behind her back—it was impossible for her not to catch some wind of it.
She didn’t understand—what right did he have! She had learned to read and write, and practiced martial arts and zither music for Xie Wenzhao. What right did he have to not show her any kindness, and yet put on a completely different face for Sun Yulian!
Hua Xiaoling felt this was very unfair. She believed she worked harder than any other concubine and didn’t deserve such treatment. First, she ran crying to Li Yue, but after hearing two lines, Li Yue told her to get lost. So she rolled over to the old madam, hoping the old madam would stand up for her. Though the old madam liked Hua Xiaoling best among the three concubines, this bit of affection was nothing compared to her longing for a grandson. So she completely ignored Hua Xiaoling’s complaints and even scolded her.
When Hua Xiaoling returned to Linglong Pavilion, she finally understood: asking anyone was useless. Playing the zither and writing poetry was useless. Acting cute and feigning silliness was useless. When dealing with Xie Wenzhao, only fists could do the talking.
She just didn’t believe she couldn’t win over Xie Wenzhao.
The old madam saw that Xie Wenzhao was tactful this time, and felt somewhat more at ease in her heart. That sentence Xie Wenzhao had said about becoming a monk had indeed given her quite a scare. Now seeing him send jewelry and cloth to Sun Yulian, it seemed he had given up on the idea of becoming a monk. She only hoped that Sun Yulian’s belly could live up to expectations and get pregnant as soon as possible.
The old madam had been tormented these past few days by the household accounts. Xie Wenzhao giving things to Sun Yulian was another large expenditure. Thinking of how that day Xie Wenzhao had sworn so righteously that “these things aren’t what I want,” the old madam really wanted to throw the account book into his face and let him take a good look—does he want them or not, really? Fortunately, these past two days Xie Wenzhao was still considered obedient, so the old madam hadn’t called him in front of her to scold him again.
The old madam still sent servants daily to Jixue Courtyard to find out what Meng Fu had done. She knew that hearing it would probably upset her—but she just couldn’t control herself.
What followed developed exactly as the old madam expected. After hearing the maid’s report, she felt like she had eaten a bowl of pepper stir-fried with Sichuan peppercorns—completely numb. How could Meng Fu be living so freely and unrestrained? What gave her the right to be so carefree and unburdened!
Because Meng Fu hadn’t touched the marquis manor’s silver, the old madam had no way to say she was in the wrong. She finally realized the terrifying part of this matter—was she going to have to keep managing things until the day she died? It was going to kill her!
She began to regret having taken back the housekeeper authority from Meng Fu that day.
Meng Fu’s happiness should have been hers!
But now, it was too late to say anything. There was no way she would voluntarily bow her head to Meng Fu.
Qu Hanyan had thought deeply for several days and still couldn’t lower her pride to curry favor with Meng Fu. She simply changed her strategy: since Xie Wenzhao wanted to become a monk for the sake of that unattainable person in his heart, why shouldn’t she work harder to make Xie Wenzhao fall in love with her? Fall in love with her the way he loved that person in his heart. Qu Hanyan inexplicably felt that this should be easier than trying to please the madam.
She had learned many methods of winning men’s hearts at the brothel. Most men who frequented brothels were lowly creatures—the colder you were to them, the more they wanted to have you. Previously, Qu Hanyan had acted this way in front of Xie Wenzhao. But what Xie Wenzhao wanted to obtain from her was actually because of another woman. Qu Hanyan realized that if she wanted to make Xie Wenzhao fall in love with her, she had to let him see a side of her that was different from that woman.
Qu Hanyan immediately began to take action. But recently, she didn’t know why, seeing Xie Wenzhao even once was harder than ascending to the heavens. Sending her maid to invite him always ended up with Xie Wenzhao’s little servant brushing them off.
In the end, Qu Hanyan had no choice. After finding out that Xie Wenzhao might go to the garden that afternoon, she immediately brought along all her props and tools to scout the area. She finally chose a small pavilion built on a rockery—this was the highest spot in the garden. As long as Xie Wenzhao came here, he would definitely notice her.
Because she had been punished harshly by Li Yue that night, even now she still felt nauseated when she saw a zither. And since she wanted Xie Wenzhao to see a different side of her, this time she prepared a bright red dancing outfit. The hem of the skirt and sleeves were tied with many small golden bells, which jingled nonstop when she moved.
Qu Hanyan was quite satisfied—only the pavilion was a bit small, she couldn’t fully spread out, and there were obstructions on all sides. Xie Wenzhao might not be able to fully appreciate her dance moves. So Qu Hanyan simply had the servants dismantle the railings around the pavilion. She walked a few laps inside, confirming the range of her movements. While she was practicing, she saw from a distance that the madam appeared in the garden. Qu Hanyan squinted her eyes and then saw Hua Xiaoling running after the madam. Qu Hanyan couldn’t help but frown—was Hua Xiaoling crazy? Running in this heat of summer—her brain was probably broken.
Qu Hanyan didn’t take this matter to heart and continued practicing. The cool breeze gently blew, and the red gauze skirt on her body fluttered in the wind. With the crisp sound of bells, the scene was indeed very pleasant to look at.
Qu Hanyan danced toward the edge of the rockery—this was the spot where people below could see most clearly. She rose on tiptoe and spun, leaping as she turned. She spun quickly and jumped high, the red dress on her body blooming like a giant peony. She had great confidence in her dancing and wasn’t afraid at all of falling. But what she didn’t expect was that Hua Xiaoling would pass by the rockery. That wouldn’t have been a problem in itself—what caused the trouble was that Hua Xiaoling liked to shout slogans while running. She didn’t notice at all that there were people on the rockery—Qu Hanyan and several servants.
So Qu Hanyan heard her muttering:
“One two three four five, the marquis belongs to me!
Six seven eight nine ten, the marquis follows home routine!”
Qu Hanyan was so stunned by Hua Xiaoling’s slogan that she instantly forgot she was turning on top of the rockery. She didn’t watch her footing, stepped on her skirt, her foot twisted—
—and she fell straight off the rockery.
“Ah—!”
Qu Hanyan’s mind went blank. She tightly shut her eyes. Aside from letting out a shout, she couldn’t think of anything at all.
She was completely enveloped by the fear of death; for the first time, she felt that death was so close to her. She was still so young—could it be that she was about to xiang xiao yu yun like this? [香消玉殒 — literally “fragrance vanishes, jade shatters”; a literary expression used to describe the tragic death of a beautiful young woman.]
Why did Heaven treat her like this?
In fact, this artificial mountain wasn’t even one zhang high [一丈 = approx. 3.3 meters or \~11 feet]; this height shouldn’t be enough to kill someone. But falling from it would definitely require lying in bed for some time, and might even leave her with a disability. If she landed face-first, that would be even more terrifying.
At this moment, Qu Hanyan couldn’t think of these things. In the brief instant of falling, it was as if she saw her flower-like life heading toward its end.
But in the end, she didn’t fall to the ground—instead, she landed into a warm embrace.
Was it a dream?
Was it Xie Wenzhao who caught her?
Qu Hanyan was even a little reluctant to open her eyes. This embrace was so warm, so strong. This kind of hero saving the beauty scene was something she had yearned for many years, yet had never dared imagine would happen to herself.
She was so afraid that once she opened her eyes, this dream would be over.
Then she heard that annoying voice of Hua Xiaoling nearby say: “What is she doing? Did she faint from fright?”
Qu Hanyan cursed Hua Xiaoling inwardly, let out a soft moan, and only then slowly opened her eyes.
She saw the madam was lowering her head, expressionless, looking at her.
Qu Hanyan was startled, her whole body sobered up in an instant—but it was as if she hadn’t fully sobered up, because the first thing she did upon realizing she had been caught by the madam was to shut her eyes again.
This must be a dream. How could she be dreaming of being caught in the madam’s arms—such an outrageous plot?
Save me!
Qu Hanyan gave herself some mental preparation, then opened her eyes again. What she saw was still the madam’s face. Maybe her mental prep worked too well—this time she felt like she could hear her own heartbeat pounding inside her chest. The sunlight was very harsh, yet the madam at this moment looked more beautiful and moving than ever before. The breeze brushing past the madam’s hair carried a faint floral fragrance—enchanting and intoxicating.
Li Yue furrowed his brows. Even though he had been training his body for some time, Meng Fu’s foundation was too weak. Right now he didn’t have much strength either. He had used a bit of technique to catch Qu Hanyan—and holding her like this was honestly tiring. Why wasn’t this girl getting down? Why was she still clinging to him? Closing her eyes, opening them—what was that supposed to mean? Was she trying to fake injury?
Anyway, from this height, it was impossible to die.
Li Yue directly let go.
Bang—with a thud, Qu Hanyan fell straight to the ground. She was completely stunned, looking at Li Yue with a few traces of grievance in her eyes.
Li Yue couldn’t figure out why Qu Hanyan was looking at him like that. She didn’t hit her head, right? Where did Xie Wenzhao find so many strange concubines?
Li Yue couldn’t be bothered to deal with her. He took his two little tag-alongs—Qingping and Hua Xiaoling—back to Jixue Courtyard and began practicing swordplay.
Qu Hanyan—who knows what she was thinking—actually gave up on dancing for Xie Wenzhao. She dawdled and shuffled her way to Jixue Courtyard. When she arrived, Li Yue was practicing swordsmanship.
Qu Hanyan was instantly captivated by Li Yue.
It was strange. She had seen countless men in the brothel—but all of them added together didn’t move her heart the way the madam did at that moment. (T/N: LMAOO)
The sword light was sharp, the sword aura like a rainbow. Every movement was clean, swift, and unrestrained. The dappled sunlight gently fell on the madam’s body—indescribably charming.
During the first few years after Qu Hanyan was sold into the brothel, she often fantasized about a severely injured jianghu hero barging into her boudoir. She would rescue the hero, let him recover in her room, they’d develop feelings over time. After he healed, he’d take her away from that place, roam the martial world, and they’d become a loving xia couple.
But she had waited for years and never encountered such a hero. And now—it seemed… she saw the shadow of the hero she had longed for all along, in the madam.
If only the madam were a man!
She quickly raised her hand and patted her own cheeks. What was she even thinking?
Li Yue sheathed his sword, took the cup of tea Qingping handed over, drank a sip—then saw someone hold out a long towel in front of him. Without thinking much, he took it and wiped the sweat off his face.
When he lowered the long towel, he saw Qu Hanyan standing in front of him. She asked with a shy expression on her face: “Madam, may I dance a bit for you?”
Li Yue immediately asked: “Did you hit your head just now when you fell?”
Not dancing for that idiot Xie Wenzhao, but dancing for him—what the hell!
—
In the palace, when Meng Fu learned that the Empress Dowager wanted to hold a palace banquet for her birthday, she didn’t find anything inappropriate about it. It was just that those coming to offer birthday wishes to the Empress Dowager wouldn’t only be the noblewomen—there would also be many members of the royal family.
Back when Meng Fu was still in the Marquis Manor, she had also attended all kinds of banquets hosted by princes and ministers, so she had some familiarity with them. But she still worried she might overlook someone—she needed to double-check with His Majesty. If she couldn’t recognize someone when the time came, it would be a little awkward.
But upon meeting with His Majesty, Meng Fu discovered—His Majesty had even more gaps in memory than she did. She actually didn’t need to worry about this at all.
His Majesty said, with perfect confidence and righteousness: “It doesn’t matter if you can’t recognize them. They definitely wouldn’t dare question you.”
Meng Fu thought—well, that’s true.
Li Yue had eaten half a plate of pastries when he suddenly remembered there were two more people he needed to mention to Meng Fu. He put down his chopsticks and said to Meng Fu: “Earlier, Tang Mingqi and Ji Yun both submitted memorials to me. There’s no military activity in the Northern Border lately, so they should return in time to offer birthday wishes to the Empress Dowager.”
These two were relatives from the Empress Dowager’s maternal family and had followed Li Yue at the Northern Border for several years. If Meng Fu didn’t recognize them, it really wouldn’t be excusable.
Meng Fu took note of the names while saying: “I’ve heard people mention General Tang before—they said he’s the most honest and upright, loves the people like his own children.”
“Mn…” Li Yue paused for a moment, then said to Meng Fu, “His eldest son was beaten to death by him.”