Liu Jue woke up early in the morning. Si Shu wiped his face with warm water from a silver basin and said, “Having been so drunk last night, I prepared sweet soup for you. Drinking a bowl of it in the morning will warm your stomach.”
Liu Jue thought about it and suddenly asked, “How did I return?”
Si Shu pursed her lips and smiled, “You were carried in by people who seemed like they were from the Fourth Prince’s residence.”
Liu Jue gave an ‘oh’. When he had washed his face and drank the soup, he looked at the portrait on the wall and said to Si Shu, “Have someone pack up that painting and send it to the Fourth Prince’s residence.”
A moment passed and Si Shu went to take down the painting, yet Liu Jue reached out to stop her, “Go and bring Liu Ying here first.” After Si Shu had left, Liu Jue looked closely at the portrait and pondered in deep thought for a while. Then he painted another portrait of Gu Tin Lin on the painting table, except he added a different pair of eyes. The two portraits were almost identical, apart from the eyes.
Liu Ying came in a while later and Liu Jue handed over the newly painted portrait to him, saying, “Mount this painting like the one on the wall and deliver it to the Fourth Prince’s residence. When asked, simply reply that this is being returned to its rightful owner.” Then he went and took down the painting on the wall. Looking at the eyes, he handed it to Liu Ying, “Burn this painting. Do it secretively.”
Liu Ying took the paintings and headed out.
Liu Jue calculated the time. There was only one month left until Zi Li married Gu Tian Lin. He really wanted to see how the Fourth Prince was going to confess to Ah Luo.
That day, Minister Li called another family meeting. Ah Luo and Seventh Mistress still sat on the last seats on the right. Minister Li said, “It has already been three months since Ah Lei married into the East Palace. The Fourth Prince’s wedding is in July, there is still half a month left. Ah Lei has sent a messenger from the East Palace to say that the Crown Prince is hosting a banquet in the East Palace to congratulate the Fourth Prince’s marriage. Also, to appease Ah Lei missing her family, he has specially sent invitations. This time, Eldest Mistress and Yu Mei, you two will bring Ah Fei and Ah Luo. Ah Fei, Minister Cheng has been transferred to the Ministry of War. After the Fourth Prince’s matter has passed, Father will let marry.”
Qing Fei’s face flushed in embarrassment and replied softly, “As Father decides.”
Minister Li laughed loudly, “Two daughters of the Li Family will have settled down, Father is really happy. Fortunately, Ah Luo will still be here to accompany Father.”
Ah Luo immediately replied in an obedient manner, “Yes, can Ah Luo accompany you forever?”
Minister Li smiled and said, “When a daughter grows up, she will leave her mother. Ah Luo will be fourteen soon. When you come of age, I’m afraid that there will be so many people who come to propose marriage that the residence’s threshold will be broken.” Several mistresses laughed.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Minister Li’s plan of selling off his daughters for benefits had been seen through, this moment in the main hall of the Minister’s residence seemed to show a really harmonious and united family.
This was Qing Luo’s second time entering the palace. The palace no longer captivated her. Qing Fei couldn’t conceal her happiness for it had been a long time since she had seen the tall and handsome top scholar.
The Crown Prince’s East Palace was located on the valley east of the main hall. All princes lived in this valley before they married, far away from the concubines of the Back Palace. Half a month later, the Fourth Prince will move out of the palace after his marriage and his new palace has already been built. The newlyweds will live in this old palace for another half a month before they move to their new home. This banquet held by the Crown Prince was mainly to follow customs and express reluctance of the brothers being separated.
Ah Luo didn’t know how the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince felt about each other as no one had ever told her. However, from the books and stories she had read before, it was likely that they were not very close. They didn’t have the same mother and after being born, they probably felt more suspicious than affectionate. She had seen the Crown Prince, who was indeed a giant among men; Zi Li was not inferior to the Crown Prince, he was also an excellent person. It would have been better if Zi Li was a little more average. Ah Luo could only hope that Zi Li and the Crown Prince had a good relationship, or at least, not one full of hatred and suspicion.
Wang Yan Hui sat dignified and prettily next to the Crown Prince. She was not as beautiful as Qing Lei. Both of them had a noble temperament, yet when she was sitting next to the Crown Prince, Qing Lei seemed inferior in comparison.
Today was the first time Qing Luo saw Zi Li and Liu Jue fully dressed up. Both of them were wearing dragon patterned robes and jade belts, the only difference being the pattern of embroidery and colours used. Ah Luo secretly praised that fine feathers make fine birds, but won’t people still know you’re a bastard even if you changed your outfit? A laugh escaped her mouth and even she didn’t know why she thought of that sentence.
Gu Tian Lin hadn’t come as her marriage date was approaching and her family wanted to avoid suspicion. Qing Fei only stared foolishly at her imperial scholar. Occasionally, Minister Cheng glanced over with a slight smile and Qing Fei would squeeze her handkerchief excitedly. Ah Luo sighed and thought that Qing Fei’s life was better than Qing Lei’s.
The Crown Prince said, “Today’s banquet is to celebrate Fourth Brother’s wedding. Elder Brother is truly reluctant to part ways.” After saying this, his eyes had turned red.
Zi Li hurriedly stood up from his seat, his expression openly fearful. Ah Luo saw this clearly and felt shocked. This was definitely not the Fourth Prince that she knew. Her impression of Zi Li was that if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him, his expression would remain unchanged. The slight smile on Zi Li’s face hardly ever disappeared. When had she ever seen him like this?! Could it be that Zi Li was acting for the Crown Prince?
The Crown Prince sighed, “From now on, it will be hard for Elder Brother to hear Fourth Brother’s xiao melody. Now, there will only be me and a few younger brothers in this valley. It will be difficult to find someone to drink with and enjoy the zither music.”
Zi Li seemed to be extremely moved and his tone was a little choked, “Elder Brother, if you don’t mind, Younger Brother will come into the palace often and visit Elder Brother.”
After a moment, the Crown Prince smiled and said, “Today should be happy, there is no point talking about these things. Those who have come are all close relatives and good friends, so let us be casual. It’s such a fine day, we should drink and have music.” With a clap of his hands, the music and dancing in the palace began. The Crown Prince said, “Fourth Brother, my future sister-in-law and Lei’er used to be called the two talents of Feng City. The heavens’ arrangement is ingenious, for us brothers to marry a beauty each.”
Zi Li replied humbly, “How could Tian Lin compare to the first concubine whose one song, <Autumn Water> was praised throughout Feng City.”
The Crown Prince laughed heartily and looked tenderly at Qing Lei, then said, “Fourth Brother wasn’t present that day. My sister-in-law’s <Fragrant Orchid> amazed everyone. Such a refined nature, Elder Brother really did hesitate. Compared to Lei’er, her zither skills were not inferior at all. However, it’s just that I prefer Lei’er’s frame of mind.”
Qing Lei lowered her head shyly. Hearing this, Ah Luo sighed. In ancient times, the people considered the zither sounds to be from the heart and that with one song, you could tell what a person was like which was truly contrary to the ideas of the modern people.
The Crown Princess, Wang Yan Hui, opened her mouth and said, “Since Fourth Brother didn’t hear Younger Sister Qing Lei’s <Autumn Water>, Younger Sister might as well play <Autumn Water> again. In truth, I also really want to listen to it again.”
The Crown Prince was overjoyed, “Yes, Lei’er, I haven’t heard you play this song ever since you played it at the Peach Blossom Banquet. Let’s have you play it again today so that Fourth Brother can enjoy it.”
At this point, Qing Lei stood up and said, “Please allow this concubine to go and prepare.” She curtsied and being assisted by palace maids, she headed inside. When she passed by Ah Luo’s table, she suddenly said, “Second Sister, Third Sister, won’t you come and accompany sister?”
The expressions of the Eldest Mistress and Third Mistress had changed slightly. It wasn’t that they didn’t believe in Qing Lei’s zither skills, it was just that they were afraid others would figure it out when they heard her zither. Many of those present knew how to play the zither and they would notice if there was a slight change in the zither playing. Eldest Mistress and Third Mistress motioned for Qing Fei and Qing Luo to follow.
Ah Luo understood that Qing Lei also called out to Qing Fei to cover up and that her main motive was to tell her to go. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Wang Yan Hui look over with a smile. She felt a chill in her heart, was Wang Yan Hui already suspicious about Qing Lei’s usual zither playing? According to the rumours, she was incomparably strategic and for her to take advantage of the situation today to ask Qing Lei play <Autumn Water>, did she have an ulterior motive?
Qing Fei and Qing Luo stood up and accompanied Qing Lei into the palace room. After dismissing the maids, Qing Lei suddenly struck out with her hand. Ah Luo evaded her reflexively, yet her neck was still scratched by Qing Lei’s nails and she felt a slight pain.
Ah Luo smiled coldly and said, “Qing Lei, before you hit me, understand that if I walk out with a handprint on my face, how would you explain it when the guests see me? Were you disciplining your younger sister? Fortunately, I dodged it in time.”
Qing Lei’s expression shifted continuously. Suddenly, she swung her long sleeves and knocked over a vase. Qing Lei quickly pressed her left hand onto the broken fragments of the vase and blood immediately began to pour out.
Both Qing Fei and Ah Luo were stunned speechless. Qing Lei stepped forward, grabbed Ah Luo and pushed her. Ah Luo wasn’t on guard and almost fell, stumbling a few steps before she was able to stand upright, “Li Qing Lei, what are you doing?”
Qing Lei glared at her, eyes filled with rage and desolation, “My younger sister who never revealed her talents, you’re just like your mother. You really can’t change the habits of a woman from a brothel, doing whatever it takes to amaze the world with a single act! If you hadn’t played that song for me, I wouldn’t be living in fear and pain everyday! The Crown Prince listened to your song and what he liked was your mind, yours! Do you know that every time Wang Yan Hui listens when I play the zither, her faint smile frightens me? Do you know that the more the Crown Prince pampers me, the more I’m afraid of losing it all? Even if I became embarrassed back then, at least I wouldn’t have fallen in love with him! But now?” Qing Lei’s voice was low yet sharp, with a bone-deep hatred!
Hearing this, Ah Luo felt very miserable and seeing Qing Lei’s terrifyingly bloody hands, Ah Luo turned her face and said, “At that time, no one had thought about how you would feel today. Qing Lei, it’s useless to blame me now, you’ve already married the Crown Prince. Even if he had chosen you because he listened to the zither, you have never played <Autumn Water>. With your talent, the Crown Prince will still dote on you. In fact, you really didn’t have to hurt your hands to escape this. Your mood during <Autumn Water> that day would naturally be different from your mood now after having married your lover. When you were young, you looked up and admired the endless sky with the autumn water. Now, you’re married, so there’s nothing wrong with having a sentimental and warm mood. You can explain that now you just want to be a timid little bird and have put away the desire to fly high in the sky. By harming yourself like this, don’t you think Wang Yan Hui would be even more suspicious?”
Qing Lei was stunned for a while, the deep cut on her left finger dripping blood continuously. Qing Fei pressed on it hard with her handkerchief, large tears falling out of fear.
Suddenly, Qing Lei yelled, “Someone come! Call the imperial physician! It hurts!” Rushed footsteps sounded outside and Qing Lei sent a strange smile towards Ah Luo, “Everything started because of you, so let everything end because of you! Qing Fei saw it all!” With her last sentence, she glared fiercely at Qing Fei.
Ah Luo felt goosebumps all over from her laugh. She saw Qing Fei shaking, with her head lowered. Ah Luo couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing? Framing me? Saying I hurt the Crown Prince’s concubine? My sister!”
Qing Lei’s face turned pale as she sneered, “You’re so smart!”
At this moment, a palace servant rushed in and asked urgently, “Your Highness, what’s wrong?” Seeing blood dripping from Qing Lei’s left hand and the mess on the floor, the servant let out a high-pitched scream. The palace room suddenly became chaotic.
