Chapter 23: The Daoist Master Proposes, the Scumbag Girl Runs Away…
Fu Tangli scrambled to her feet and took two steps, her figure staggering slightly. The maids hurried forward to support her, but she stopped them with a wave of her hand.
“My Lady, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Dailuo and Yanzhi looked at their mistress with concern.
Fu Tangli slowly shook her head. She finally remembered the situation from before. In an instant, a cold sweat broke out, and the lingering effects of the alcohol faded away. She stood there rigidly, her hands and feet ice-cold, her heart pounding violently, as if it were about to burst from her chest.
The twilight had deepened and vanished. The moon was rising, its light filtering through the crabapple-patterned window of soft silk gauze, mingling with the candlelight and casting long shadows. In the Boshan lotus censer, “Spring Tidings in the Snow” incense was burning, its fragrance nearly gone, only a wisp of smoke remaining, hidden in the embroidery of the painted screen, elusive.
“My Lady,” Dailuo called out again.
Fu Tangli closed her eyes, let out a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her gaze was clear. She said in a calm voice, “It’s nothing.”
Her expression was composed, showing no further abnormality. She had the maids change her out of her soaked clothes and had Yanzhi comb her hair, everything in an orderly manner.
Only, as she sat before the dressing table, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and suddenly asked, “Tell me, if the Daoist Master were to learn that everything before was a sham, that I was deliberately catering to his tastes, merely trying to fool him, what would he do?”
Yanzhi thought her mistress was asking her. She was a little bewildered and replied hesitantly, “He would probably be angry, or perhaps sad?”
Fu Tangli was silent for a moment, then murmured to herself, “He would certainly be angry. But a man as proud as him, how could he be sad? He certainly wouldn’t be.”
Dailuo noticed that Fu Tangli’s expression seemed a little off. A vague sense of unease grew in her heart. She dismissed the other servants and tactfully advised, “My Lady, if I may be so bold, you are, after all, already betrothed to His Highness the Crown Prince. Your status is noble and different from ordinary people. If you get too involved with this Daoist Master, over time, it might lead to some trouble and leave behind future problems. In my opinion, you’ve had enough fun. It would be best to stop now.”
“You are right,” Fu Tangli, unusually receptive to advice today, immediately nodded. “It would be best to stop now.”
It was originally just for some idle amusement in the mountains. Who knew he would take it seriously?
Should she explain it to him face to face? The thought flashed through her mind for only a moment before she decisively rejected it. Perhaps it was because she was intimidated by his formidable martial strength, or perhaps it was simply guilt. In any case, she was afraid. It was better not to see him.
She thought it over and over, then sighed softly. “So be it, so be it. In the end, it was my fault. I will change my ways from now on.”
Hearing this, Dailuo was greatly surprised, but also relieved.
Yanzhi loosely coiled Fu Tangli’s hair into a single-coil chignon and inserted a plain gold hairpin at an angle. “My Lady, what do you think? It’s late now, and you’re not going out, so something simple will do.”
Fu Tangli studied her reflection in the mirror, tapped her finger lightly on the surface, and said in a low voice, “Good. Simple. Cut the Gordian knot with a swift stroke. So be it.”
She stood up, her hands tucked into her sleeves, her back straight, and said calmly, “Give the order. Pack up. Everyone is to follow me down the mountain and back to the residence. There is no need to leave anyone at this courtyard. Uncle and Auntie Yan will also come with us.” She paused, looked around, and added, “Pack up immediately. We leave tonight.”
Dailuo and Yanzhi looked at each other. The junior maids were also filled with doubt and uncertainty. The managing matron, Sun-shi, hearing the news, hurried over to persuade her. “It’s already dark, and the wind on the mountain is strong. Not to mention anything else, I’m just worried My Lady will catch a chill. Why don’t we leave tomorrow morning?”
“Pack up immediately. We leave tonight.” Fu Tangli’s face was expressionless. She simply repeated herself, her tone stiff, leaving no room for negotiation.
Her lady had always been gentle and kind, never so severe.
No one dared to say anything more. They meekly agreed and quickly went about their tasks. After about half an hour, all the furniture and belongings were packed up, and they reported to Fu Tangli.
The sedan chair was ready outside the main gate. Yanzhi draped the lotus-gray Kesi silk and silver fox fur cloak over Fu Tangli and helped her out.
Just then, it started to snow lightly again, a fine, damp flurry, with a sticky, unclear feeling. This was probably the last snow of the season.
Dailuo casually took an umbrella and held it for Fu Tangli.
Yanzhi had sharp eyes and recognized it at once. “This umbrella, I seem to remember it’s the one My Lady brought back from Yunlu Temple last time. Should we have someone take it back?”
Fu Tangli was silent. She took the umbrella, walked out the main gate, and looked toward Yunlu Temple in the distance.
The night was too dark, the moonlight hazy. The distant mountains and nearby trees had faded into mottled shades of ink. In reality, nothing could be seen. She imagined the plum blossoms behind Yunlu Temple were already beginning to fall. Only a few scattered snowflakes fell before her eyes, like fleeting glimpses of the past.
“You said the world is vast, and you have no home to return to. From now on, where I am, that will be your home. You said no one loves you. From now on, I will love you.”
His words, thinking back on them now, she remembered with extraordinary clarity.
He had also called her “Little Lihua.”
How absurd.
The wind was indeed a little strong, and very cold. She tilted her face up slightly, and the snowflakes landed on her brows and lashes, dampening them.
She stood there for a long time, and finally, with a sigh, she closed the umbrella, placed it by the gate, and left.
***
The sky cleared. The snow on the mountain was melting intermittently. The mountain scenery was all damp. An old pine tree in front of Yunlu Temple dripped dew from its needles, as if its green-gray color were gradually emerging from under the water.
Xuanyan had been waiting at the gate since early morning. His status was extraordinary. With him standing there, none of the Daoists of Yunlu Temple dared to be negligent. They all followed behind him respectfully. Even Qingxuzi had risen early, specially changed into a brand new Daoist robe, and waited with Xuanyan.
The mountain road was long. It was not until the afternoon that people arrived.
Strong, burly guards carried two eight-treasure glazed gold-topped sedan chairs. Dozens of maids attended on either side, all dressed in magnificent clothes and brocade, holding censers, palace fans, horsetail whisks, and other items. Behind them, they carried over a dozen large chests of sandalwood inlaid with gold. Two columns of guards on horseback followed, wearing black iron armor, carrying gold-inlaid sabers, and draped in vermilion cloaks, each one imposing. They all arrived at Yunlu Temple.
Xuanyan went forward to greet them. The two columns of guards dismounted in unison and, with a thud, knelt and kowtowed. “Greetings to Your Highness.”
Xuanyan raised his hand slightly, and the guards withdrew in perfect order.
The sedan chair curtain was lifted, and the Prince of An and the Princess of An alighted together.
Xuanyan cupped his hands in a long bow. “I have troubled you today, Imperial Uncle.”
The Prince of An was the current Emperor Yuanyan’s uncle. He was old and had been in charge of the Court of the Imperial Clan for many years. His status in the Zhao imperial family was transcendent, and he was highly respected. Almost no one in the world could order him to do things. Of course, the one before him was an exception.
He quickly helped Xuanyan up and said kindly, “We are uncle and nephew. There is no need for such ceremony, Fifth Prince.”
The Princess of An, supported by a maid, walked over. Xuanyan also bowed. The Princess of An accepted it calmly, nodded, and smiled. “So many years have passed. Now that the Fifth Prince is to be married, your aunt is very happy for you.”
Despite her words, the Prince of An was still a little worried. He took Xuanyan’s hand, walked to the side, and asked seriously, “Fifth Prince, this is a matter of a lifetime, not to be taken lightly. Have you asked His Majesty and the Empress Dowager for their decision?”
Xuanyan replied nonchalantly, “I have been a monk for many years. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager no longer concern themselves with me much. I will report to them later. There is no need for further complications. It is only because Imperial Uncle is a clan elder that I need you to propose marriage to the young lady’s family. This is a matter of etiquette that cannot be dispensed with, which is why I have asked you to come.”
The Prince of An hesitated for a moment, then asked another question, his words holding a deeper meaning. “Since you have left the secular world, you should be without desire. Now that you have suddenly developed worldly thoughts, do you know what others will think?”
The corner of Xuanyan’s mouth curled up, as if in a smile, but his tone was merely cool. “Imperial Uncle was also present that day and can bear witness. I once made a solemn vow that I have no intention of being a disloyal subject. These years, I have been a Daoist monk, always cultivating a quiet heart. The several times I have gone to war, I was ordered to do so in times of crisis. It was not my wish. His Majesty knows me and uses me, and I only do my best. As for the gossip of others, what does it matter?”
The Prince of An was silent after hearing this. After a long moment, he let out a long sigh. “Alright. In that case, let us do as you wish.”
A little later, Qingxuzi led the way, taking everyone to the Fu family’s villa.
It was close, and they arrived before long. He was very attentive. “Please wait a moment. This old Daoist will go and knock on the door first.”
But Xuanyan stopped him. He was in a very good mood today, not as cold and stern as usual, a faint smile in his eyes. “There is no need to trouble you, Master. I will go myself.”
He straightened his lapels, adjusted his collar, and, feeling that everything was in order, stepped forward. He raised his hand, but then suddenly paused.
Qingxuzi saw Xuanyan standing stiffly at the main gate, not moving for a long time. He was puzzled and went over. “What is it? Is something wrong? You…”
Halfway through his sentence, Qingxuzi suddenly stopped.
The main gate was tightly shut, with a gleaming bronze lock hanging on it, securely fastened.
Qingxuzi felt the atmosphere around them suddenly grow heavy. He thought to himself that this was not good, took two steps back, and said sheepishly, “This is strange. Why is the door locked? Could it be that they forgot?”
The Prince of An and the Princess of An stood a little further back, not understanding. They exchanged a look, their eyes filled with surprise and doubt.
“Bring me my saber,” Xuanyan ordered in a decisive, low voice.
An iron-armored guard immediately stepped forward and respectfully presented a long cavalry saber.
Xuanyan took it, drew the saber, and swung it down, all in one smooth motion. A cold light flashed, and the bronze lock on the door was cut in two like a piece of clay, falling to the ground.
With a creak, Xuanyan pushed open the door.