Yirong had just returned to Duke Qiao’s Mansion and hadn’t yet passed through the pendant gate when an unfamiliar maid approached to help her along. The maid leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “Young Madam, someone from the palace passed along a message. It was Empress Dowager Cui who asked you to visit your mother. You don’t need to worry.”
Her footsteps faltered. She fixed her gaze on the maid’s face for a moment before shaking off her hand and striding silently toward the main courtyard.
It was dusk, with pomegranate blossoms glowing like embers along the path. Yirong entered the main courtyard. A maid lifted the emerald beaded curtain, revealing a room filled with cool air. Yirong forced a smile onto her face, walked up to Madam Chen, and called out softly, “Mother.”
Madam Chen smiled. “You went to see your mother? How is she doing? If there’s any medicine or tonic that’s hard to find, just send someone to let me know.”
“My mother is still the same as always,” Yirong replied. She knew her smile looked strained and quickly lowered her eyes.
A flicker of conflict crossed Madam Chen’s face. She patted Yirong’s hand.
Yirong gripped Madam Chen’s withered, aged hand in return. Pretending to speak casually as she bowed her head, she said, “Did one of my sister’s maids come to the mansion to mention this? It was thoughtless of me as your daughter-in-law. I should have sent someone back to inform you first.”
Madam Chen gazed down at Yirong’s head and said slowly, “I caught a glimpse of them. They were two strangers to me. I’m getting old, and with all the medicine I have to take every day, I need you all to look after me. I don’t even recognize people from the palace anymore. Good child, you must visit the palace often to keep Empress Dowager company on my behalf.”
Yirong’s nose stung, and she softly agreed. A wave of guilt washed over her, mingled with shame. Her mother-in-law, Madam Chen, hadn’t liked her at first, but she’d never mistreated her. Over time, she’d grown kind toward her, and Empress Dowager Cui had always been especially fond of her.
She didn’t dare imagine how heartbroken and furious they would be if they learned of what had happened between her and the Emperor.
After chatting a little longer, Madam Chen said, “You’ve been out all day. Go back and rest.”
Yirong rose to take her leave and returned to the small courtyard she shared with Cui Cheng. She sat on the daybed, and Shui Zhi asked, “Young Madam, shall I set the table for dinner?”
Yirong waved her off. She watched as the three maids in the room bustled about, her mind completely blank.
The Emperor’s influence could so easily reach into Duke Qiao’s Mansion.
She felt like she couldn’t breathe. Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, she undid her clothes and glanced down. Overlapping fingerprints marred her skin in a patchwork of red and pink—impossible to hide.
Yirong stared blankly as she dressed again. What on earth was she supposed to do?
She had no idea how many of the Emperor’s spies were watching her in the mansion or who they might be.
As night began to fall, in her daze, Yirong overheard Shuilian telling the other two maids that she had visited her ailing mother and was in low spirits. Shuilian sent them off to have their dinner. Soon, the room was empty. Yirong hugged her knees, watching as the sky grew darker and darker until lamps were lit one by one.
He wouldn’t let her go, even though he had stormed off just now…
Yirong gazed quietly into the distance, but the night scene in the courtyard seemed like a blur of floating colors, impossible to make out clearly.
She didn’t know how much time passed. Lamps were lit in the room, and moments later, Cui Cheng entered, calling out as he did, “Where is everyone? Where did they all go? Rongrong, why are you sitting here all alone?”
He strode over to the daybed by the window and sat beside her, pulling her into his arms.
Yirong trembled all over. Just as she was about to speak, Cui Cheng said, “Rongrong, why is your right cheek so red?”
He gently touched her face. “Did you bump into something?”
She smiled. “It doesn’t hurt at all. I must have rubbed it on the carriage.”
Changing the subject, Yirong asked, “Did Master Wu come to the mansion this morning with some urgent matter?”
“His mother fell ill suddenly and needed money for treatment. He used to work for our family, so I took someone to the clinic to check on them. She’s doing better now.” Cui Cheng examined her face closely, his gaze soft with concern. “Does it really not hurt? Let me have someone fetch some ointment to rub on it.”
Yirong had checked herself in the mirror before getting out of the carriage. The red mark from her own slap had faded considerably, and no one in the mansion had noticed it since her return. Looking into Cui Cheng’s worried eyes, her own began to burn. She buried her face in his shoulder and burst into sobs.
Cui Cheng grew anxious. “Does it hurt that much?”
She shook her head, choking back tears, and managed to say, “No.”
If she felt guilty in front of Madam Chen, then facing Cui Cheng was like a knife twisting in her heart. She regretted dragging him into it out of a moment’s spite in front of the Emperor, and she felt she had wronged him terribly…
She wept uncontrollably, her body shaking with sobs. Cui Cheng touched her face and asked urgently, “Rongrong, what on earth happened? Tell me. If someone bullies you, I’ll go sort them out for you!”
Looking at his tearful wife, he asked, “Did something happen in the palace?”
Yirong didn’t answer. Tears streamed down her face, soaking the front of his shoulder and chest. Cui Cheng tightened his hold on her shoulders and said, “Is it because of your mother’s condition? Rongrong, I’ve told you before—if you’re worried, you can just have her move into the mansion. It’s no trouble at all.”
As he spoke, he patted her back gently with his other hand. It was the first time Cui Cheng had seen his wife cry so heartbrokenly. Considering how she had lost her father at a young age, and with her mother both mentally unclear and in poor health, he imagined the hardships she had endured. Full of pity, he kissed her tear-streaked eyes and murmured reassurances.
It was a long while before Yirong’s crying finally subsided.
“Feeling better now?” He looked at her as she turned her face away, trying to sound lighthearted.
A maid entered quietly with a basin of water and a clean cloth, setting them aside before withdrawing at Cui Cheng’s gesture. He picked up the warm, damp cloth and pressed it to Yirong’s face.
Once Yirong had wiped her face clean, her voice hoarse, she said, “My mother still won’t move into the mansion. She lives more peacefully on her own.”
She stood up, rinsed the cloth again, and used it to help Cui Cheng wash his hands. “Have you had dinner? If not, I’ll have them set the table.”
Cui Cheng didn’t answer. Instead, he cupped her face in his hands. “If you’re worried about your mother, bring her to live in the mansion. No one will disturb her, and no one will say anything about it.”
Yirong’s eyelashes fluttered, and she shook her head. “Thank you for your kindness, Chenglang… but really, it’s fine. She’s been doing a bit better since settling in town. Let her rest quietly there.”
He smiled. “All right then. Next time I’m off duty, I’ll go with you to visit her. I’ve been so busy lately that it’s been ages since I last saw her.”
Yirong pressed her lips together in a smile and nodded.
Sorrow lingered in her eyes; no forced smile could hide it. Cui Cheng touched her face and asked, “Want to go out for a stroll? Let’s head out tonight and have some fun.”
Yirong whispered, “Now?”
Cui Cheng lowered his voice too. “In a bit, once it’s fully dark.”
“Without telling Mother? Just sneak out?” Yirong hesitated.
“Rongrong, whatever you do, don’t say you don’t want to go. You lie down and rest for a while first. I’ll have dinner and then we can head out.”
She couldn’t help but smile, though her stomach rumbled with hunger, she had no appetite. As he suggested, she climbed onto the bed. Lying on her side, she watched Cui Cheng’s hazy silhouette behind the screen, her swollen eyes beginning to sting again.
He had always been so good to her.
Yirong watched him for a long time before letting out a silent sigh.
After the watchman’s first round, they both changed into clothes suitable for going out. Hand in hand, they left Guanxian Courtyard.
Cui Cheng led Yirong along the lesser-known paths in the mansion, noticing the stiffness in her palm. He chuckled, “Don’t worry, Rongrong. Your husband used to climb walls and sneak out dozens of times as a kid. No one will spot us.”
She laughed. “And you’re proud of it!”
Grinning, he pinched her fingers and led her along like thieves, taking all sorts of side paths and alleys in the mansion—even ducking into a thicket of rosebushes to avoid a servant woman patrolling with a lantern. After a stretch, they reached a low wall. Cui Cheng scooped Yirong up and set her on top of it.
It was Yirong’s first time doing something like this. Trembling, she clung to the top of the wall and urged him softly, “Husband, hurry up.”
Cui Cheng laughed at her timid expression, then vaulted over effortlessly. He held out his arms. “Rongrong, jump down.”
She squeezed her eyes shut and leaped toward him. He caught her steadily but teased, “You’re heavier than I thought.”
Yirong pinched him and pulled away. Cui Cheng hurried after her, wheedling apologies.
The street behind the mansion housed the family servants. Yirong and Cui Cheng kept their heads down, afraid of being recognized, and didn’t slow until they had walked a good distance. Then they looked up at each other and smiled.
The alleys here weren’t bustling. Cui Cheng pointed to a vendor ahead hawking sugar cakes. “Smells good. Want one, Rongrong?”
Yirong patted herself down and whispered, “Chenglang, I forgot my pouch. Did you bring yours?”
Cui Cheng blinked, then patted his waist. “I forgot too.”
She burst out laughing. Seeing the hint of embarrassment on his handsome face, her heart suddenly felt calm.
“Alright, no more staring at other people eating. Let’s just walk around the area.” Suppressing her laughter, she tugged at his sleeve.
Cui Cheng smiled too. “It’s been so long since we went for a walk together.”
“That’s because you’re busy with official duties. Little Sister and I have gone out shopping a few times.”
The Capital City was thriving. Before long, they reached the market streets, where embroidered banners fluttered and lanterns glowed brightly. Vendors hawked every manner of good. Yirong and Cui Cheng had no money and didn’t want to reveal their identities from Duke Qiao’s Mansion to run a tab, so they could only look.
Cui Cheng chatted with Yirong the whole way, but though she smiled brightly, it felt like a veil of mist hung between them. Her mother’s illness had dragged on for six or seven years now—heart ailments were hard to cure, and there was no point in her worrying.
He just wanted her to cheer up a little.
As they walked, they turned into a secluded alley, dark and unlit. After a few steps, Yirong grew scared and was about to suggest heading back when she heard ambiguous sounds coming from behind a stack of firewood not far away.
She froze for a moment, exchanging a bewildered glance with Cui Cheng.
Grinning mischievously, Cui Cheng scraped a finger along Yirong’s palm. He picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it toward the dark source of the sound. Before anyone could react, he seized Yirong’s hand and bolted. Yirong stumbled after him, her hand gripped tightly in his, running until she was gasping for breath. She paid no mind to whether anyone was chasing them and only came to a halt once they reached a bustling area.
Beneath the lantern hanging over the doorway of a rouge shop, Cui Cheng smiled as he helped her catch her breath. Yirong let out a string of giggles, then pouted at him. “You’re so naughty.”
He gazed at her flushed cheeks. Yirong wanted to laugh, but she felt she shouldn’t be amused by something like this—yet she simply couldn’t hold it back. She and Cui Cheng ended up grinning at each other for quite some time before finally heading back to the residence.
The moment they returned to her room, Yirong’s heart clenched once more. A profound wave of self-loathing surged through her, but she found herself unable to voice either a confession or an excuse about being too tired.
Thankfully, Cui Cheng declared that she was worn out from the day and instructed Shuilian to help her bathe before bed. There was no hint that he intended anything more intimate.
She entered the bathing chamber and met Shuilian’s eyes as the maid helped her undress. A tangle of emotions churned in her heart.
How could she ever completely free herself from the Emperor?
–
The next morning, Yirong rose from bed and stared in shock at the empty side beside her.
Her heart plummeted. She flung back the mandarin duck-embroidered gauze curtain and demanded breathlessly, “Where is he?”
Shui Zhi deftly hooked the curtain onto a small silver clasp and smiled. “Young Madam, you’re awake. The Sixth Young Master was summoned at dawn. He has official business that requires him to leave the capital for a few days. He instructed us servants not to disturb your rest and to let you sleep in. He’ll be back soon.”
Yirong forced herself to show no sign of distress and managed a smile. “Help me with my makeup. I’ll go pay my respects to Mother.”
Madam Chen’s main courtyard was always lively in the mornings, filled with female relatives coming and going. They didn’t disperse until around mid-morning, when Madam Chen recalled a message that had come from her daughter in the palace early that day. She asked Yirong to stay and share the noon meal with her.
Yirong had something she wanted to ask Madam Chen anyway. After a bit of light chatter and laughter, she ventured, “Mother, do you know what sort of official business my husband has been sent on?”
“Your Majesty is traveling east to the Imperial Retreat Palace, so the official roads and surrounding areas must first be inspected by the Imperial Guards. Little Six has simply gone out of the capital for a few days to help with the patrols.” Madam Chen shifted the topic. “In a few days, we’ll be heading to Cuiwei Traveling Palace. The Empress Dowager wants you to accompany her and stay there together.”
Yirong had gone there the previous year as well. She smiled. “Mother, perhaps I should stay behind this time. I’ll wait for my husband to return. Last year, Third Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law stayed home to manage things. It’s been a while since the sisters-in-law have paid their respects to Elder Sister. This year, let me remain in the residence to keep you company.”
Madam Chen took her hand. A smile softened her gaunt features, and a flicker of surprise stirred in Yirong’s heart.
Her mother-in-law’s health had always been frail. In the past, when they attended her while she took her medicine, they would recite scriptures for her or simply wait at her side for instructions. Madam Chen was never harsh with her daughters-in-law, but her condition made it impossible for her to grow truly close to anyone. Lately, however, she had shown unusual concern for Yirong, often taking her hand like this. Could it be because Yirong had been visiting Empress Dowager Cui in the palace so frequently these days, earning her mother-in-law’s approval?
She heard her mother-in-law speak with gentle warmth. “Your Second Sister-in-law has already offered to stay and look after me. You go ahead without worry—the Empress Dowager enjoys your company.”