The tassels of spring light squeezed into the square-shaped window, and the curtains brushed across the table. A pear flower in a blue and white beauty vase on the table stood in all directions, just like the quiet and good tea girl and tea son.
"Aiya, my head hurts. " Bad boss, it must be you who hit my head again…But don't hit me so hard, it hurts…" Song Xiaoli was dizzy, but when she woke up, she felt that she couldn't move her whole body. Exhaustion spread like smoke, and the back of her head was burning with pain.
"Xie 'er…are you awake?" In the midst of her confusion, she could only hear a woman's gentle and caring voice. From time to time, she would even reach out to stroke her forehead, and a wisp of fragrance floated out of her sleeves.
" It hurts so much…" Xiaoli groaned weakly. Her eyes were gradually smeared with a ray of light, so piercing that she couldn't close her eyes. She gradually lifted her eyelashes.
"Mother, Biao Younger Sister seems to be injured badly.”A man leaned over and said gently. His voice was like the bamboo in the valley, rustling through the wind and clear.
" Oh…" Xiaoli felt her eyelids grow heavy, and everything around her felt strange.
However, the sound in her ears was exceptionally clear. She couldn't help but feel suspicious. Was that man calling her cousin? She unconsciously took a deep breath, but she could not help but choke when she smelled the thick fragrance of the water.
The man became more and more concerned, holding her cold hand tightly. Xiaoli felt a warm current seeping into every fine line on her palm, warming her heart and mind, but she could not help but feel tired and fell asleep again.
"Rong Ruo, your cousin seems to have…fallen asleep again.”the woman asked doubtfully.
"Sigh, it seems so. Mother, then let's go out first. Let her recuperate. I'm afraid her injuries are not light.”Rong Ruo replied worriedly.
"He's been unconscious for two days. He doesn't eat or drink.”The woman's face was full of worry as she spoke to herself and gently left the room.
"The doctor has already treated him and said that there is no serious problem. He will be fine after a few days of rest. Mother, you don't have to worry too much." Rong Ruosui bent forward and supported the woman. However, it was difficult to hide the worry on her face.
"Savage Shadow, Dark Fragrance, you two take good care of Biao Young Lady.”Rong Ruo looked worriedly at the bed, frowned and sighed, then turned to the two servant girls guarding the bed.
" Yes, Young Master…" Savage Shadow and Dark Fragrance nodded and replied.
"If you are tired, let the servant girls in the residence take your place.”When she closed the door, Rong Ruo did not forget to look back and say something.
" Um…" The two girls looked at each other in surprise. She thought that the young master was not only handsome, but also had a good temperament. He was kind and caring to the servants. She couldn't help but feel warm. The fear of strangers that she felt when she first arrived also lessened.
Rong Ruosui quickly followed and helped the woman out of the Cold Fragrance Pavilion. They passed through the Lushui Pavilion, turned a few corridors, and arrived at the meeting hall of the Ming Residence. A middle-aged man was sitting on the seat of honor. Although he was slightly plump, one could tell that he was burly and muscular when he was young. He was dressed luxuriously and had an extraordinary aura. There was an inviolable aura between his eyebrows.
He was the master of this mansion, Nalan Mingzhu.
Rong Ruo helped Madam Jue Luo into the hall. Although Ming Zhu's expression was normal, there was a faint sense of uneasiness.
"Mother, please sit." Rong Ruo adjusted the Qing Mo pillow on the chair and helped the woman sit down before standing respectfully in front of Ming Zhu.
" Ma, this matter..." Before Rong Ruo could finish her sentence, Ming Zhu made an interrupting gesture.
"Rong Ruo, Ma just returned from the palace and learned that the emperor's injuries are light. After the treatment of the imperial physician, there are no major problems.”Ming Zhu said.
" Then…" Rong Ruo wanted to say something but stopped.
"The Emperor has already stopped pursuing this matter, so I believe that the Ming Residence will not be implicated. Moreover, the emperor had always been understanding, the fault of a beast would not involve people. However, the words that came out of his mouth…Sigh, forget it. "You just have to take good care of your cousin. Don't leave any root cause of illness. When the time comes for the election…" Before Ming Zhu could finish her sentence, the woman hurriedly coughed and interrupted her with a strange look in her eyes.
" Cough cough…" Madam Jue Luo covered her mouth with a handkerchief.
Ming Zhu understood, and her expression changed drastically. She immediately stopped talking.
"Mother, you have stayed at Biao Younger Sister's place for a long time today and must be tired. Rong Ruo will help you back to your room to rest.”Although Rong Ruo was aware of the unusual expression on Ma Erniang's face, with his filial and gentle temperament, he was soon worried about the health of Madam Jue Luo.
"Ma, then Rong Ruo will help Mother back to her room.”Rong Ruo respectfully cupped her hands at Ming Zhu, then helped her mother up and slowly walked out of the hall.
"Sigh, Ruo 'er, I, Ming Zhu, have been avoiding any further involvement with the Imperial Family for my entire life. I have been careful in everything and every step I take. Only then have I been able to ensure the wealth and safety of the Nalan clan over the years. This time, the Emperor's horse crashed into my Ming Residence's carriage. Could it be an ominous omen from the heavens?”Ming Zhu's eyebrows were tightly knitted together as she clenched her fists and slammed them on the coffee table.
In the evening, Rong Ruo personally carried the food basket and came to the Cold Fragrance Pavilion.
He gently knocked on the door, and the thin shadow opened the curtain. He called out to Young Master Biao and quickly welcomed him through the door.
"Shuying, is Biao Young Lady still asleep?”Rong Ruo asked with concern.
"Yes, I am. Young Master, he hasn't woken up since you and Madam went out.”Dark Fragrance was worried, but she replied respectfully.
"Alright, I understand. You and Shuying can go down and have your meal first. You must have been tired all day. Your miss has me.”Rong Ruo squeezed out a smile.
" Yes…" Savage Shadow and Dark Fragrance left the room.
Rong Ruo put down the food basket and walked to the bed in small steps. She couldn't help but look at this cousin she hadn't seen for three years. She looked very different from the little girl she had seen three years ago. She looked even more delicate and lovely. Although she looked sickly and haggard, her pair of eyebrows that were wrapped in smoke and water revealed the unique spirit of Jiangnan people.
Just as Rong Ruo turned her body to look carefully, Song Xiaoli suddenly widened her eyes and stared at him. Rong Ruo was slightly surprised and stepped back, but she could not hide her concern and hurried forward.
"Cousin, you're finally awake." Rong Ruo's face that had been tense for two days finally relaxed at this moment. It was just like the banana trees outside the Cold Fragrance Pavilion, blooming in the rain and returning to life.
" You are..." Xiaoli began to size him up in confusion. The man standing in front of her had handsome eyebrows and eyes. He was gentle and elegant. For a moment, she couldn't describe him in words. She only felt that the world was lacking in words. She couldn't describe him except for the words " eyebrows and eyes like a painting ". Especially his eyes, they were as deep as a pool of autumn water. It was as if only the occasional fall of the apricot fan could cause his slightly watery halo.
However, his hair accessories, his clothes, and his actions were all very strange. Half of his head was shiny, and there was a long braid on his shoulder. The tassel hanging on the braid was exquisite. He wore a brocade white robe and a dark blue robe with wide sleeves. He was elegant and had a scholarly aura. His actions were extremely polite.
She then shifted her gaze to the two women standing behind him. They were looking at her with their heads lowered. They were dressed in heavy pea-green clothes and a water-green gown. They gave off a feeling of the water and the sky in Jiangnan. They were gentle and amiable. Xiaoli lay on the fragrant jade pillow and looked around for a moment, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity. She carefully observed her surroundings. Everything was decorated in an extremely classic and luxurious manner…Where exactly was this?
"Cousin, I am Cousin Rong Ruo. Do you still remember?”Rong Ruo looked at her infatuated look and her heart sank. Could it be that the past had been thrown away? He quickly went forward and said anxiously.
"Hmm?" Xiaoli quickly came back to her senses and looked at him with her bright eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you still feeling uncomfortable? I'll call the doctor immediately." Rong Ruo looked at her foolishly for a long time and became even more worried. He was ready to go out and call the doctor, but Xiaoli quickly stopped him.
"No need, no need. I'm fine. But…where was this place? Why am I here? "Aren't I in class…" Xiaoli looked puzzled as she read to herself and looked around again.
"This is the Ming Residence. You crashed into the carriage and have been unconscious for two days.”Rong Ruo replied softly.
" Oh... but..." Xiaoli seemed to understand but also seemed to not understand.
"Biao Younger Sister, you have just recovered from your illness, don't think too much. When the injury on your head has recovered, Biao Younger Brother will accompany you to slowly recall. You've been lying on this bed for two days. You must be hungry. Hurry up and tidy yourself up and eat something.”Rong Ruo looked at Xiaoli with a look that she could not bear to resist. Xiaoli shivered and nodded obediently.
" Come, let me help you..." Rong Ruo looked at her obedient appearance and smiled to herself. He helped her up and slowly walked to the round table made of carved rosewood.
"Biao Younger Sister, look, Biao Younger Brother specially instructed the chef to make Jiangnan's side dishes. Quickly try it.”Rong Ruo said as she swiftly opened the food basket and brought out all kinds of side dishes, filling the table.
"Ah, it's indeed Zhejiang cuisine, and it's my favorite. " There's glutinous rice and lotus root, West Lake vinegar fish, preserved vegetables and braised pork, and wine balls, and…" Xiaoli took a deep breath, and the fragrance assailed her nose. She was instantly energized. Without waiting for Rong Ruo to call her, she sat down, picked up the bowl and chopsticks, and started to eat with all her might. She wolfed down the food.
"Slow down. Be careful not to choke." Rong Ruo grinned and slowly sat down. Xiaoli ate like a whirlwind, and Rong Ruo actually watched with relish, her eyes overflowing with love.
In the palace, the Emperor was resting on the couch in Yangxin Hall due to the shock he received.
" The Grand Empress Dowager has arrived…" Eunuch Li called out from outside the hall.
The Emperor opened his eyes and woke up. He straightened his clothes and went up to welcome him. The palace maids and eunuchs stood in two rows and escorted the Empress Dowager into the palace. Although the Grand Empress Dowager was old, she still looked spirited and graceful. One could vaguely see the shrewdness and ability of her youth. She slowly stepped into the hall. Under her gorgeous and complicated clothes and hair accessories, it still could not hide the wisdom that was difficult for ordinary people to see between her brows.
Kang Xi quickly went forward to greet her." Imperial Grandmother, good luck." Royal Grandmother, didn't we just have lunch together this afternoon? Why did he not forget to visit his grandson at night?”
"Royal Grandmother is worried about you." The Empress Dowager took the Emperor's hand and looked at him lovingly. Then, they sat down next to the scarlet silk and leaned on the bright yellow gold cushion.
"Royal Grandmother, your grandson is fine. Look, I can even ride a horse and shoot arrows.”The Emperor patted his chest proudly.
"Hehe, you're already the ruler of a country, yet you're still so naughty. Right, is the girl from the Ming Residence alright? I heard that he was injured badly. Did you send a doctor to take a look? After all, it was my fault. Look at you, you're training a horse and not riding it. You picked that Ferghana Imperial Horse and have an extremely strong personality. Why do you prefer to ride that?”The Empress Dowager pretended to be angry, but she gently patted the Emperor's hand and couldn't hide her concern.
"Grand Tutor Ming Zhu just came and said that everything is fine. Royal Grandmother, don't worry. Grandson has already sent someone to deliver the best medicinal herbs.”The Emperor smiled and turned serious.
"Yes, your grandson has grown up and is more clever when doing things. This Ming Zhu was a talent. In the future, she might have to rely on him for matters in the court.”The Empress Dowager looked at Kang Xi meaningfully.
"Yes, I understand." The Emperor replied thoughtfully.
" It's good that you understand…" The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor's expression and nodded in satisfaction.
The Ming residence was already lit up, and the interior of the residence was actually brighter than during the day.
In the Flowering Cottage, Nalan Rongruo was sitting in front of her desk, writing something with a brush. At this moment, he subconsciously touched the teacup on the table and raised it to his mouth before feeling that the cup was empty. Rong Ruo's brows furrowed as she pulled herself back from her book.
" Tingming…change the tea…" Rong Ruo called for a while but no one came. She was suspicious. Usually, the tea would be changed to hot tea before it was cold. Today, it was so cold. Could it be that she was slacking off somewhere?
Rong Ruo gently shook her head and stopped writing. She stood up and stretched out her arms. Looking at the crescent moon outside the window, she suddenly thought of her cousin's picturesque eyebrows and suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia. They had just parted in the evening, and now she actually missed him a little, her footsteps unconsciously walking towards the Leng Xiang Pavilion.
Walking to the Green Water Pavilion, he could hear the noise from the Cold Fragrance Pavilion across the gurgling water. Rong Ruo was full of doubts, thinking that the Ming residence had always been quiet, so why was it so noisy today? Along the way, there wasn't a single person, but why? He quickened his pace.
Not long after, they arrived in front of the Leng Xiang Pavilion. The noise became louder and louder. Rong Ruo knocked on the door, but no one came to open it for a while. Rong Ruo simply pushed open the door and saw that the servant maids and servants in the room had surrounded him three layers inside and three layers outside. They even shouted wantonly from time to time, so excited that no one noticed him. Rong Ruo frowned slightly and patted Ting Ming, who was at the outermost area. Ting Ming waved her hand and did not turn her head. She continued to look at the movements inside with fascination, shouting and cheering from time to time.
"Tingming, what are you doing?" Rong Ruo was a little impatient, so he shouted.
At this moment, a maid accidentally turned her head and caught a glimpse of the young master. She was so frightened that she retreated to the side. The other maids sensed that something was wrong and turned their heads one after another. When they saw Rong Ruo standing at the side with her hands behind her back, they quickly lowered their heads and retreated to the sides, their hands hanging down in fear.
As soon as the people dispersed, Rong Ruo saw her cousin sitting at the Go table and playing with a servant who was guarding the door. She was so engrossed that she did not notice him. Rong Ruo thought to herself, how can you be so engrossed in Go? Even the illiterate Ting Ming was so excited? What exactly was her cousin doing…Rong Ruo had a pile of doubts, like a pile of stones.
"Cousin." Rong Ruo walked up and called out. When the servant who was playing chess with Xiaoli saw the young master, he was so scared that he rolled off the bed. He stood on the ground with the servant girls and servants in the room, his face full of fear.
"You guys go out first, I have something to talk to Biao Young Lady.”Rong Ruo said solemnly. The servant girl seemed to have received amnesty. She heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly retreated.
"Cousin, you came just in time. How about we play a game?”Xiao Li was in high spirits as she blinked her big watery eyes and said. It was obvious that she did not notice the rules of the Ming Residence. The Ming residence had always been rich and courteous, and the family rules were extremely strict. There would never be a master and servant playing in the same room.
Rong Ruo composed herself and could not bear to reprimand her younger cousin who had just recovered from her illness. Seeing her innocent and playful appearance, the word rules was no longer in her heart.
"I didn't expect Biao Younger Sister to also be good at chess. Although the night is already late, since Biao Younger Sister has such an interest, Biao Older Brother will have a hand chat with you. Hei Zi will go first. Cousin, please." Rong Ruo cupped her hands and Xiao Li actually clapped her hands and laughed.
"Hahaha, this isn't Go. I'm playing Gomoku.”Xiaoli giggled.
"Gomoku?" Rong Ruoxuan twirled the white chess piece between his fingers and looked at her in confusion.
"Yes, it's Gomoku. Have you never played it before? Let me teach you." She proudly swept the black and white pieces on the chessboard and said excitedly.
"Please enlighten me, Biao Younger Sister." Rong Ruo saw her cousin's careless behavior and was shocked at first, but she could not help but be influenced by her straightforward nature. She also put down her previous serious and quiet expression and cupped her hands.
"Cousin is too polite. Let's spar.”Xiaoli covered her mouth and smiled. She felt that his diction was very interesting, so she imitated him.
Xiaoli turned sideways and taught Rong Ruo how to play Gomoku step by step. In a short while, Rong Ruo won a few games.
"I'm not playing anymore. I've already beaten Master. What's there to play?”Xiaoli pouted, spread out the chess pieces, and sat on the bed in a fit of pique.
"If you are willing to bet, you must admit defeat, Younger Biao Sister." Rong Ruo could not hide her smile. Looking at her cousin's naive and lovely expression, she could not help but laugh and deliberately took advantage of it.
"Since that's the case, I'm not a shameless person…You win.”Xiao Li's beautiful eyes narrowed, and she stood in front of Rong Ruo with a face full of unwillingness.
"The loser will be punished.”Rong Ruo's smile grew wider and she pretended to be thinking. She looked at her from time to time, which made Xiaoli panic.
"You can't punish me to do the menial work of fetching water and chopping wood.”Xiaoli hurriedly interjected, but she cupped her hands and begged, looking very pitiful.
"Heh, to think that you could think of such a despicable move. Cousin had a good question that matched the scenery. Presumably, it would not be difficult for cousin who was known as the 'Jiangnan female Hanlin'.”Rong Ruo's smile was as long as a stream.
Xie 'er's heart trembled. Could this cousin be testing me on purpose? She didn't know the difficulty of his questions, so she had to listen to him before making a decision.
Rong Ruo smiled and said," Use this chessboard as a topic to write a poem,'Ode to the Movement of Fangyuan.' Rong Ruo would like to use this opportunity to create a very easy poem,'The square is the chessboard, the round is like a chess piece. Move like a chess piece, be quiet like a chess piece die."
Xie 'er was secretly delighted when she heard this. This poem was easy to recite. Without thinking carefully, she blurted out," Square is like righteousness, round is like wisdom. Move as if to show off your talent, calm as if to do what you want.①”
Rong Ruo was overjoyed. The little girl in front of her was so stubborn and quick-witted. Every word she said was the infinite circle of the world. She was so beautiful that she couldn't help but feel pain and regret for a moment, as if she had obtained a treasure.
Just as Rong Ruo was staring at her, Xie 'er was leaning on the table tiredly. Rong Ruofang said," It's late today. Cousin, rest well." There was still a long time to go, so they should have a good chat.”Rong Ruo's smile faded as she turned around to tidy up the chessboard. She closed the window and drew the curtain before quietly walking out of the room.
"Remember to rest early." Rong Ruo closed the door.
"Swoosh Shadow, Dark Fragrance, take good care of Miss's rest.”Rong Ruo said to the servant girl waiting outside the door.
"Yes, Biao Young Master."
Rong Ruo slowly walked out of the Cold Fragrance Pavilion, feeling that the moonlight was exceptionally beautiful, so she stood in the pavilion for a moment. The cool breeze brushed the water, and a cold fragrance gently swept the tip of her nose. Rong Ruo followed the fragrance and found that the pear tree in front of the Cold Fragrance Pavilion had already bloomed. If it wasn't for the affectionate night wind inadvertently bringing the message of blooming for them, how could this cold and arrogant pear flower be so attentive? How could it be so easy for people to notice?
" A pear tree falling in the evening wind..." Rong Ruo looked at the pear clouds and snow under the moonlight. Her cousin's innocent and clear face appeared. Her clear eyes seemed to fall into the mountains and rivers of Jiangnan. " Beautiful swaying, a cold fragrance flying on the poem..." Her straightforward and innocent character was also in line with the name of the Cold Fragrance Pavilion, but it matched the snow-like pear blossoms in front of the pavilion, smart and elegant.
Three years ago, her cousin was so shy and gentle, not saying a word. But now, she was different from those women in the capital who wore gold and silver, put on makeup, and pretended to be pretentious. Under this appearance that was as clear as water, she carried a little more spirit, a little more intelligence, a little more innocence, but there was no trace to follow.
A lotus rose from clear water. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, how could he believe that there was such a woman in the world? It should be like Bao Zhao's comment on Xie Lingyun's poem,"Like a budding hibiscus, naturally lovely."②”
Rong Ruo thought about it and forgot the time.
After sending Rong Ruo off, Shuying and Dark Fragrance helped the young lady to sleep. They blew out the lights and went to rest.
All was quiet. The sound of water dripping outside the house became clearer. After making a ruckus for the whole day, Xiaoli finally lay down on the gorgeous brocade bed. She lay on her side and looked in the direction of the scent of the embroidered pillow. The moonlight melted and penetrated through the lattice. On the left side of the embroidered bed was a pair of small tables carved with plum blossoms. On the table were tea bowls and flowers. On the right side of the round table, there were four short stools, all of which were decorated with silver and red flowers. There were also four pairs of feet carefully placed under them. It was an exquisite decoration.
She recalled everything that had happened today. It was like a dream. The magnificent Ming Residence, hundreds and thousands of maids and servants, the secluded and quiet Leng Xiang Pavilion, and the handsome and elegant noble young master Nalan Rong Ruo…
Everything was too unbelievable. She had suddenly become the Ming residence's Biao Young Lady? Becoming Nalan Rong Ruo's cousin? How could this be? Aren't I in class?
Every time Song Xiaoli thought about it, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her head. The Sunken Water Fragrance on the top of the stove curled up and dispersed, releasing a wisp of tranquility. She was sleepy, and her eyelids fell, falling into a dream again.
1. It originated from Li Mi of Tang Dynasty.
2 From the Biography of Yan Yan.
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