Chapter 26: How Long Will You Keep Me Locked Up? p3
The next day, in the morning, Fu Tangli had just groggily opened her eyes when she heard the faint sound of a zither coming from outside. She was instantly awake, put on her clothes, and, following the sound, pushed open the window to look.
Outside the window was a vast expanse of water. The reeds were a hazy green, the white dew about to dry. A thin mist rose from the water’s surface. A breeze blew, and the reed catkins drifted in the mist, like spring snow falling between heaven and earth.
On the distant bank, Zhao Shangjun sat alone, playing the zither. He wore a wide-sleeved long robe, his hair bound in a high topknot. White cranes danced gracefully around him. He was like an immortal by the water.
The sound of the zither was intermittent, first following the waves of the water, the green mountains in view, the empty wilderness echoing. Then, the melody suddenly rose, chasing the flowing clouds in the sky, with the intent of riding the wind for ten thousand li. A white crane soared, its cry piercing the long sky, startling several birds from the reeds, which flew past the water’s edge.
Zhao Shangjun seemed to sense that someone was watching him. He stilled the strings and looked over.
From a distance, their eyes met, but they couldn’t see each other’s expressions clearly.
Fu Tangli lowered her eyes and closed the window.
After washing and dressing, a maid came to ask for instructions. “Breakfast is ready. May I ask, My Lady, if you would like to dine with His Highness in the front hall?”
Fu Tangli very sincerely declined. “May the Celestial Worthy grant immeasurable blessings. I am of mortal flesh, full of worldly air. I will not disturb His Highness’s cultivation.”
The maid smiled and withdrew without another word.
Fu Tangli had breakfast in her own room.
Her palate was light, and she had always been picky about food, only eating rare delicacies. After being tormented by Zhao Shangjun last night, she was actually still angry.
But today’s breakfast was very suitable. Lotus seed and bird’s nest soup, rouge rice oil, almond milk tea, tofu buns, and so on, were all light and vegetarian dishes, fragrant and clear. She tried a few bites, and the taste was quite good.
The maids in the Prince of Huai’s residence were clever and quick-witted. “Yesterday’s cook was a Daoist from Yuanzhen Palace. He’s used to making vegetarian feasts and doesn’t know how to be flexible. I also said, nowadays, the young ladies in Chang’an all consider plumpness to be beautiful. Who wants to eat that clear soup and plain water? It makes one look sallow, which is very bad. So, we changed the cook today. This one is from the Apricot Blossom Spring Rain Tower. He’s very good at making these small dishes. My Lady, please try them and see if you like them.”
The Apricot Blossom Spring Rain Tower was the best restaurant in Chang’an. Its patrons were all princes and nobles. A single meal there was enough to cover half a year’s expenses for an ordinary family.
Fu Tangli’s expression was composed. Hearing this, she only said, “I can eat anything. How can I be so precious?”
The maid would not believe it and continued to be attentive. “I have heard that My Lady grew up in Weizhou. The food in the west is different from that in Chang’an. His Highness has already sent people to Weizhou to find a local cook. It’s just that the journey is long, so My Lady will have to wait for some time.”
Fu Tangli put down her jade chopsticks, dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, and sighed softly. “For my sake alone, to go to such great trouble, it truly makes me uneasy.”
The maid smiled. “His Highness has instructed that My Lady should just stay here at ease. If you need anything, it will be provided.”
A slight flicker in Fu Tangli’s eyes. She just nodded and said no more.
After the meal, Fu Tangli said the room was stuffy and she wanted to go for a walk.
The maid asked for the Prince of Huai’s permission, and after getting his approval, she immediately got busy. She took out a pearl-trimmed purple sable cloak and draped it over Fu Tangli, and also brought a hand warmer, a ruyi incense burner, a warm water bowl, towels, a horsetail whisk, and other items. Fearing it might rain, she also brought a purple bamboo and jade-handled umbrella. A group of seven or eight people surrounded Fu Tangli and went out.
The building where Fu Tangli lived was built by the water. In front of the courtyard were a few apricot trees, and by the window was a patch of reeds. Wutong trees and banana plants were scattered along the path, with jagged Taihu rocks here and there. The pavilions were half-hidden, each with its own form, elegant and with a celestial air.
The two white cranes lived on the bank. Seeing Fu Tangli come out, they flew over and circled twice. They probably recognized her and were very displeased. They cried out twice and flew away again.
The heavy clouds had dispersed, and the spring sun was warm. The daylight was quite fine today.
Fu Tangli strolled along the stone path, through a long corridor, past a small pavilion, and then saw a clear pond and a small bridge, with wisteria vines hanging down. Her posture was leisurely as she looked at the surrounding scenery and made casual conversation. “This courtyard is really big. I haven’t seen the gates or walls for a long time.”
The maid followed closely behind, and the one in the lead came forward to answer again. “This is a summer villa. Only pavilions and verandas were built, with no surrounding walls to block the view. It’s open and connected, so it’s more comfortable to live in.”
Fu Tangli stopped, raised an eyebrow, and showed a slight surprise. “In that case, aren’t you afraid of thieves sneaking in?”
The maid’s face was full of reserve. “This is the Prince of Huai’s territory. With His Highness here, to deter scoundrels, what is there to fear?”
It seemed the servants in the Prince of Huai’s residence were as proud and self-assured as their master. This was not a good thing.
Fu Tangli pursed her lips and smiled, then changed the subject.
After walking a little further, the maid was a little reluctant and advised, “We’ve been out for a while. My Lady, why don’t you go back and rest first? If His Highness comes over later and doesn’t see you, it won’t be good.”
Fu Tangli was not angry. She smiled and nodded, and turned back.
Back in her room, Fu Tangli had nothing to do. She ordered the maids to prepare tea and tea utensils and set to work herself, grinding the tea powder. Then, she had a maid go and invite the Prince of Huai over.
By the time Zhao Shangjun entered, Fu Tangli was sitting by the window at a low table, brewing tea. When she saw him, she looked up and smiled. “Daoist Master, the new tea is fragrant. Would you like to drink a cup with me?”
Zhao Shangjun did not answer. He brushed his lapels and sat down calmly.
The water in the tea kettle was boiling. Fu Tangli scooped a spoonful of Dragon Garden Victorious Snow tea powder into it. The powder was tossed about by the hot steam, releasing a raw and slightly bitter fragrance.
“I was late that day. You brewed tea at Changfeng Pavilion, but I didn’t get to drink it, which was a great regret. Today, I am inviting you for tea. Consider it an apology.” Fu Tangli’s voice was soft and gentle, as if she were making casual conversation, completely different from her cautious and constrained manner yesterday.
Zhao Shangjun’s expression was still placid. He leaned against the window, and the daylight from outside fell into his eyes, giving a fleeting illusion of warmth.
Fu Tangli sat cross-legged on a cattail cushion, her waist straight, her chin slightly raised, her movements elegant. When she smiled, her posture was also graceful. “Actually, this is your family’s tea. But since you said that with you here, I should consider this place my own home, I won’t be polite. I’m borrowing flowers to present to the Buddha. You won’t laugh at me, will you?”
Zhao Shangjun finally spoke, his tone ordinary. “Since I have said it, it naturally counts. Whatever is in my residence, you can consider it your own. There is no need to be reserved.”
Fu Tangli lowered her eyes and lightly bit her lip. She had always been proper and graceful. When she occasionally made such a gesture, it showed a particularly moving charm. “Mm, but when I’m at my own home, I don’t have so many people watching over me, with someone staring at me all the time. I can’t even have a moment of freedom. It’s very uncomfortable.”
She complained, half-jokingly, half-seriously, “What is this? Not to mention a master, I’m not even a guest. At most, I’m a prisoner.”
Zhao Shangjun said coolly, “They are just servants attending to you. If you don’t like them, just have them withdraw.” He raised his hand and made a gesture.
The maids on the side immediately lowered their heads and bowed in unison, then withdrew.
Only the two of them were left, sitting opposite each other.
The Dragon Garden Victorious Snow tea powder gradually dissolved in the tea kettle. This tea was named “Victorious Snow,” and its color was light, just a pale amber. Fu Tangli sprinkled in mint, plum, and dried tangerine peel, then added a small pinch of fine salt, stirred it with a jade pod, and, when it was ready, poured a cup.
“This is something I’ve recently learned. I heard that the scholars and refined gentlemen in Chang’an are fond of this nowadays. They grind the tea leaves into a powder and brew it into a tea soup, saying the flavor is richer. I find it novel. Would you like to try?”
She pushed the cup of tea in front of Zhao Shangjun.
Zhao Shangjun had been a monk for many years, and his habits were rigid. He usually only drank plain tea. Such fancy things would normally never come before him.
But on this spring morning, with the reed catkins flying outside the window and the gentle, warm breeze, the young lady sat before him, her gaze gentle, with a hint of a smile, as if the very air around them had softened.
He picked up the teacup.
“Today, I am formally apologizing to you, Daoist Master.” Fu Tangli’s eyes danced with a hint of cunning, her voice still soft and slow. “If there were any debts from before, let them be settled now. If you are willing to let bygones be bygones, I will not lie to others in the future, and I certainly will not lie to you.”
She had to add such a condition, let bygones be bygones.
Zhao Shangjun was not a narrow-minded person, but with her, he was unwilling to let it go so easily, as if if he agreed, all that had passed would dissipate with the winter snow.
He put down the teacup, his eyes deep, and said nothing.
They looked at each other for a long moment.
Fu Tangli suddenly laughed again. She raised her index finger and lightly drew it across her lips, probably meaning “let’s not talk about it.” She took back the cup of tea.
“Since you are unwilling, then let it be a debt. This way, at least in the future, when you think of me, you won’t consider me a stranger. I will still have some weight. That’s good too.” She said this so lightly, and drank the cup of tea herself.
How could anyone think she was a virtuous and noble lady? She was clearly a rogue.
The corners of Zhao Shangjun’s mouth curled up in an almost imperceptible smile.
But there was an even bigger rogue.
“Here, I’m craving the wisteria cakes from Zhiwei Xuan in Chongguang Square,” Fu Tangli said with a sweet smile. “May I trouble the Daoist Master to go and buy some for me?”
Zhao Shangjun showed a rare patience for her sudden whim. “Mm, what did you say?”
Fu Tangli didn’t feel there was anything wrong with it. She chattered on, “The wisteria cakes from that place are made with the newly sprouted purple wisteria of early spring. The flavor is unique, and their business is very good. If you go, you’ll probably have to queue. Remember, they have to be fresh out of the oven. If they’ve been sitting for too long and the cakes are cold, the taste will be inferior.”
“Are you ordering me?” Zhao Shangjun raised an eyebrow, one hand on the table, his body slightly leaning against the windowsill, exuding a casual yet imposing authority.
“But you said you wanted to marry me,” Fu Tangli said, tilting her head up, her expression innocent and gentle, the corners of her mouth curled up, revealing a pair of lovely dimples. “Don’t all men try to be attentive to the woman they admire? Before my eldest sister got married, my eldest brother-in-law once traveled for three nights to buy her the last batch of cherries of the season from Shangzhou. My eldest aunt is still proud of it now, praising my eldest brother-in-law for being so caring.”
His Highness, the Prince of Huai, was of noble status, commanded a great army, and his power intimidated all lands. How could anyone make such an absurd request of him?
Zhao Shangjun’s smile was not quite a smile. He said nothing, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
Fu Tangli sighed faintly. “Oh, so I am not worthy?”
She looked at him, calm and composed. Few people in the world dared to look at him so directly. They were mostly afraid of his power and would bow their heads before him. Only she dared, to tease him, to deceive him, and now to order him to run errands. How bold.
But her eyes were clear and bright, like the most magnificent spring light of the season. She was not unworthy of anything.
Although she always lied to him.
Zhao Shangjun smiled faintly. He had been born to a high position, and even such a smile carried an indescribable pride. But in the end, he was willing to indulge her. He stood up, simply tossed out two words, “Wait here,” turned, and left.
Fu Tangli’s body was stiff, her smiling expression maintained. She waited until the sound of Zhao Shangjun’s footsteps had gradually faded before she relaxed, let out a long breath, and covered her chest with her hand to calm her racing heart.
She waited quietly for a while, guessing that he had gone far. Then she stood up, paced back and forth a couple of times, and confirmed that there was no one else in the room. The maids, following the Prince of Huai’s orders, were still waiting outside on the veranda, proper and orderly, with no intention of coming in for the time being.
There was no time to lose. Fu Tangli deftly took off her loose, wide-sleeved outer robe, removed her bracelets, pendants, and other cumbersome accessories, then ran to the window, looked around, lifted her skirt, and without hesitation, climbed out.