Peach Blossom

  In early April, when the pear blossoms were in full bloom, I was still recovering from my injury and not supposed to move around. With a two-month pregnancy, my body felt increasingly lazy, so I spent most of my days lounging on the couch, either sitting or sleeping to pass the time. Xuan Ling would occasionally come to keep me company, but only to tell me some interesting stories to make me laugh, as per the imperial physician's orders, he wouldn't stay overnight in my palace. However, all sorts of gold, jade, silk, and other playthings were constantly being sent to my palace, and Xiao Yunzi would often joke: "If the emperor's gifts keep coming, not only will we servants have a hard time carrying them, but even the palace won't be able to hold them all." So I picked out a few special favorites to keep and enjoy, and distributed the rest according to rank among the empress, consorts, and concubines. The remaining items were temporarily stored in the Qinglv Pavilion.

  It was a fine day, the weather was bright and clear. She had just washed her hair and it was still damp, so she casually coiled it into a loose bun, securing it with only a pair of crystal hairpins that were about an inch long. She applied some ointment to her scar using the medicated cream given by Ling Rong, and as usual, covered her face with a thin layer of silk gauze. The silk gauze was dense and soft, able to block out dust and wind, yet did not obstruct her clear view, making it perfect for use as a veil.

  I ordered the imperial concubine's couch to be moved under the pear tree in the back hall, and sat sideways on it, embroidering a baby's bellyband. The base color was crimson red with apricot yellow, and I embroidered a pattern of pomegranate flowers opening into hundreds of seeds. Every stitch and thread was filled with my joy at becoming a mother for the first time and the tender feelings in my heart for the child in my womb. After embroidering a few stitches, I couldn't help but curve the corners of my mouth into a happy and peaceful smile... As I embroidered, I felt tired, so I looked up to see that the pear blossoms were blooming like white clouds, with deep and shallow snow-white flowers reflecting off the luxurious red silk dress on my body. The red and white colors were bright and beautiful. Occasionally, the wind would blow by, and the delicate flower petals would gently fall onto my clothes, like clean frost and snow covering my body, making my mood also feel clean and peaceful.

  With this little unborn child in my belly, I feel joyful and soft-hearted, even the colors of the clothes I wear are bright. In the past, I liked light and elegant colors, but now I like pure red, that kind of unhidden joy. The soft silk sleeves flow down from the imperial bed to the ground, like a thin mist dyed red by the sunset glow.

  Wine can dispel worries, but at this moment it's a help to excitement for me. I called out to the servant, "Go fetch wine!"

  "Ah, the pear blossoms are in bloom," said Yilian with a smile. "I know Your Ladyship's wine craving has arrived. A few days ago, you were injured and couldn't drink, but now that you're better, let's loosen up a bit - this is last year's pear blossom wine, brewed and stored in a celadon vase for exactly one year until the other day. Please, have a taste, Your Ladyship."

  Facing the pear blossoms that are as clear and pure as jade, drinking "Pear Blossom White" is really quite fitting. I raise my cup and drink it all in one gulp.

  She smiled and left, leaving me alone to pour myself a drink, enjoying it by myself.

  The palace is quiet, the flowers bloom and fall without a sound, it's a rare tranquility in this fleeting life. After several cups, I finally drank slowly, the wine's warmth gradually rising up my body. Lethargically turning over, I close my eyes to nourish my spirit.

  There were light footsteps approaching me, a man's footsteps. I didn't need to think about it, I knew it was him. Besides him, which other man could enter my palace? On purpose, I didn't get up to greet him and continued sleeping, wanting to see how he would react.

  He nodded silently, waved his hand to let her retreat, and sat alone beside me. The gentle breeze came, blowing down the pear blossoms like rain. Suddenly, a pear blossom fell on my brow. I heard him softly exclaim "ah", warm breath rushed towards me, his lips touched my brow, lightly kissing away the fallen petals in silence.

  He lifted the veil covering my face, and kissed from between my eyebrows down to my lips, sending the flower petals into my mouth. The pear blossoms after being chewed were a refreshing sweetness that filled my mouth. He lowered his head and kissed my shoulders and collarbone, the slight coolness of the flower petals making my skin itch. I couldn't help but open my eyes and laugh softly: "Fourth Brother loves to bully people..."

  Xuan Ling's eyes were filled with amusement as he scratched my nose and said, "I knew you were faking sleep, but you can't even fake it well, your eyelashes are trembling nonstop."

  "I coquettishly said: 'You know I'm an honest person, and Fourth Brother only bullies honest people.'"

  He carefully looked at the scars on my face and smiled: "It seems to have faded a bit."

  I hastily covered it with my hand and turned around to scold: "Now you've become like Wu Xian and Dong Shi, Fourth Brother don't look."

  Xuan Ling smiled and said, "Have you used the ointment I gave you? After a few days, you'll be as good as new. Your beauty is unmatched in this world, I wonder who can compare to you?"

  A mischievous thought suddenly arose in my heart, and I smiled saying: "Huan Huan has a younger sister named Yu Jiao, who is renowned for her beauty, and is by no means inferior to me."

  "Huh?" Xuan Ling's eyes lit up with interest, and he asked: "Is there someone who can rival Huanhuan? I must take a look."

  "I pretended to be anxious: 'That's not allowed, Fourth Brother will definitely take Sister as his concubine when he sees her beauty! At that time, there will be no more Huanhuan in his heart.'"

  He saw my anxiety, and the playful color on his face became even more intense: "Being able to make you so jealous must mean she's an extraordinary beauty. It seems that I really should take a new concubine. Hmm, what title should I give your sister? Imperial Concubine? Noble Consort? Or should I immediately crown her as Empress?"

  I couldn't help it and burst out laughing, holding my belly in laughter. After a while, I managed to stop laughing and said: "Huan Huan's younger sister is seven years old this year, I hope Your Majesty will also accept her with a smile."

  Xuan Ling made a sudden realization and pulled me onto his lap, biting my earlobe as he said: "You little scamp!"

  I curled up into a ball and hid from him: "Don't mess around, the imperial physician said I need to rest and not move carelessly."

  He laid me down on the imperial couch, leaned over and pressed his face against my abdomen, with a serious expression as if listening carefully. In this warm and intimate scene, he seemed like a loving husband taking care of his wife and children. I couldn't help but stroke the nape of his neck exposed outside his clothes. The flowers are in bloom, I thought, and the years are peaceful, probably just like this.

  The corners of my mouth involuntarily curled up into a faint smile as I softly said, "Now, where can you hear anything?"

  He suddenly got up, hugged me horizontally and spun around several times, dizzying me. He burst out laughing: "Xuan Xuan! You're having our child, do you know how thrilled I am!"

  I "heh heh" laughed, the sound of laughter shook off the flowers like snowflakes flying everywhere, filling the air with fragrance. I tightly wrapped my arms around his neck: "Okay, I'm very happy too."

  He picked up the pear flower petals that had fallen on the pillow, and compared them to my brow: "The white of the pear flowers can be compared to snow, but when they fall between your eyebrows, they seem colorless, showing that your skin is whiter than snow."

  I smiled and leaned against his chest, grasping a handful of pear blossoms in my palm. Indeed, they were delicate and seemed to be nothing. I smiled and said: "The daughter of Emperor Wu of the Southern Song Dynasty, Princess Shouyang, was lying idle in the Hanchang Hall one day. The red plum blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, and one of them fell onto her forehead, right in the middle. The five petals spread out flat, and the shape was very beautiful. The palace maid did not brush it away, and only washed it off with water three days later. From then on, all the women in the palace thought it was beautiful, so they imitated it, making a plum blossom pattern on their foreheads as makeup, called 'plum blossom makeup'. It's just that pear blossoms are too pale to be made into makeup, what a pity."

  Xuan Ling Dao said, "If you want to make up, it's actually not difficult." As he spoke, he took my hand and led me into the back hall, sitting in front of a copper flower mirror. He compared a complete pear blossom to my brow, took a brush dipped in bright red rouge to outline the shape, then used silver powder to dot the stamens, smiling as he said, "What do you think, Xuan Xuan?"

  I looked in the mirror, and indeed my complexion was fresh and beautiful, elegant and charming, surpassing the stiffness of a flower's makeup, and instead adding a soft and enchanting demeanor. I couldn't help but smile and say: "It's good, it's just that the color is pale like pear blossoms, with rouge painted on, yet it seems somewhat unnatural."

  He gazed at it for a moment and said: "I also can't help it, I have to do this. But if it's really white, it can't be made up, so it's hard to satisfy both."

  I smiled: "It's hard for things in life to be perfect, being able to monopolize one beauty is already a rare thing."

  Xuan Ling also said: "Since it's beautiful, then it's good. Makeup is supposed to be artificial and not seek truth. This makeup, let's call it 'Jiao Li Makeup'?"

  I looked at him with a smile and said: "Fourth Brother has painted it, Fourth Brother has given it a name, how elegant!"

  He also showed a pleased expression and said: "Then I'll order you to recite a poem with the words 'pear flower' in it to add to the excitement."

  In the afternoon, the palace gate was closed, and I gazed out at the pear blossoms. Before I could think much, a sentence slipped from my lips: "The quiet empty courtyard, spring is late, pear blossoms cover the ground, but the door remains unopened." As soon as the words left my mouth, I immediately felt startled, and couldn't help but feel somewhat uneasy, secretly regretting my careless remark. How could I discuss such self-pitying poetry in front of the king? Moreover, it was a lamentation of a fallen concubine's sorrowful situation. Such an abrupt thought was truly inauspicious.

  However, Xuan Ling did not think so, but said: "It's the season of spring, the palace gate is closed, and the pear blossoms are blooming again. Just because I'm sitting with you, how can it be said to be lonely? Although it's a fitting scene, it's not timely, and deserves punishment." He turned his head and saw that there was an unfinished jug of "Pear Blossom White" on the desk in front of the window, so he took it and said: "Punish you with a cup of wine."

  I took it over with a smile and drank a mouthful, looking at his eyes: "It's better to drink wine..."

  "He immediately replied: 'Together with you until old age.' As he spoke, he clasped hands and we drank together."

  He smiled and asked me, "Is it the posture of drinking cross-cupped wine?"

  The palace is quiet, but it's not all desolate. In this desolation, there is still such a peaceful and pleasant time. I am filled with joy and beauty, the lingering effects of the wine have not yet dissipated, and now I drink again, unaware that my cheeks are flushing, reflected in the mirror like flying clouds and misty haze, peach blossoms begin to bloom.

  I leaned on the desk and smiled at him: "I've already recited the poem, it's your turn now. Remember to include the two words 'pear blossom'."

  He thought for a moment, and a sly smile spread across his face as he slowly said: "A pair of mandarin ducks in the quilt, one tree with pear blossoms overwhelming the sea of peach blossoms." (2) I was so embarrassed that my face burned, and I laughed and scolded him, saying: "What a shameless person!"

  He suppressed his smile and said: "What?"

  "At eighteen a bride, at eighty a wife, white hair matching red wedding dress. Only then can it be said that the pear blossoms surpass the peach blossoms."

  He said: "I wish to grow old with you, and your appearance will not change. My hair is white as snow, but isn't it just like a white-haired man matching a red-cheeked bride?" He lifted me up high and gently placed me on the bed. I understood his intentions and shook off his hand saying: "Don't be naughty!"

  He lowered his head, with a growing smile, "Just teasing your sister, now look at how I'll deal with you, this little scamp..."

  I smiled and dodged him, saying: "Hey! Si Lang, why are you so vengeful?"

  He grasped my hands and pulled me into his arms, "A gentleman takes revenge, ten years is not too late."

  Brocade curtains and silk screens half-drawn, facing the pure white moonlight-like pear blossoms outside the window. The dense flowers and willow catkins entwined and danced silently in the air. I vaguely remembered the appearance of the pear flower's stamens, the faint red glow at the center of the petals, its refreshing and elegant demeanor like ice jade. In fact, it was very similar to the apricot blossoms on the day I met Xuan Ling.

  Soft golden sunlight flows gently through the branches of the flower tree, and the white flowers bloom stunningly. The wind outside is silent, the pear blossoms fall silently, and inside the window it is also silent. His movements are gentle and soft, afraid to hurt the weak but thriving life in his abdomen. Warm sunshine falls quietly, a gentle breeze stirs, petals settle, and as I hold him close, I almost want to drift off to sleep, sleeping in this spring that seems like an ocean, pear blossoms like snow.

  It was Rixing who came over after the morning court, and I had just taken my medicine for a peaceful pregnancy and was lazily snuggled up in bed. The sweet scent of the incense lit last night in the room still lingered, and above me hung a canopy with intricate embroidery, dense clusters of bats and flowers that seemed to dance on the fabric, paired with crimson tassels and silk curtains, everything exuded an air of languid luxury.

  Xuan Ling walked in alone, having just finished his morning routine and changed into a thin silk robe with gold embroidery, which made him look even more refined and majestic. He saw me sleeping with my hair disheveled and laughed: "You're getting lazier by the day, still lying down when the sun is already high."

  "I said, 'Others follow your and the empress's orders to rest well, but you're finding fault with me instead. I'm so bored lying here all day.' As I spoke, I made a move to get up and pay my respects, but he hastily stopped me, laughing: 'Never mind, just lie back down quietly.'"

  I couldn't help but laugh and said, "This is what Huang Jinbiao said, don't come crying to me later saying I didn't warn you."

  He pinched my nose, kicked off the boots on his feet, revealing blue satin golden embroidered dragon slippers, and lifted up the quilt with a smile: "I'll keep you company for a while."

  I placed a new lotus-colored silk pillow with rose petals under his neck, and lay down beside him, looking at the sock and saying: "This sock is so delicate, it looks like An's craftsmanship."

  He lowered his head and looked carefully for a while, then said: "I don't remember either, it seems to be. Her needlework is not bad."

  I was speechless, so I asked: "Your Majesty just came from where?"

  He casually said: "Go see Shen Ronghua."

  I smiled: "I heard that sister's body is better and can get out of bed. Two people were sent to see me every day."

  He was somewhat surprised: "Is that so? When I went there before, she couldn't even get out of bed to greet me?"

  I was suspicious and uncertain, yesterday when Cai Yue came to ask about my well-being, she said that Mei Zhuang could already get out of bed and walk around, but just couldn't go outside. I thought that because of the confinement issue, there must be some resentment towards Xuan Ling, so I said: "Sister's illness is also relapsing, and it's not easy to recover from the epidemic."

  He grunted and said nothing more. After a while, he said: "Speaking of the plague, I recall an annoying matter."

  I said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, don't get angry first, may I ask if you can tell me?"

  He rubbed the corner of the brocade quilt with his thumb and index finger, slowly saying: "I heard from Empress Jing that Jiang Mu-yi and Jiang Mu-yi treated the epidemic quite effectively, but privately accepted bribes from many palace maids and eunuchs. Those who had money were treated first, while those who didn't were left to fend for themselves. It's really despicable!"

  I pondered for a moment, then said: "A doctor's heart is like that of a parent. Such actions are truly having medical skills but no medical ethics. I am extremely disappointed." I calmed down and said: "Your Majesty, do you still remember the past when they framed Shen Ronghua?"

  Xuan Ling furrowed his brow in distress, yet could only say helplessly: "I haven't forgotten - it's just that the plague is still raging on, and I cannot kill him yet."

  I slightly raised my body and said: "Your Majesty, I recommend one person, Imperial Physician Wen Shi Chu."

  He said "oh" and continued with interest: "Go on."

  "Wen Taiyi treated my sister and the epidemic had a good effect, and I heard that Jiang Muyi and Jiang Mu's prescriptions were from Wen Taiyi. I said softly: "Your Majesty thinks carefully, Jiang Muyi and Jiang Mu are good at obstetrics, how can they suddenly understand the treatment of epidemics? Although medical learners can learn by analogy, but even if they start learning now, they can only enter the door and not master it. Wen Taiyi is actually good at treating epidemic fever."

  Xuan Ling was deep in thought for a long time, then said: "I want to see Wen Shi Chu, indeed as you said, Jiang Mu Yi and Jiang Mu Yi cannot be kept."

  I bowed my head against his chest and whispered, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. However, there's one thing - the epidemic in the palace has shown signs of improvement, and everyone thinks it's thanks to Erjiang. If we were to execute these two for bribery at this time, not only would the people in the six palaces criticize Your Majesty for being overly harsh and neglecting the bigger picture, but I'm afraid the officials outside will also hear about it and it won't be good for your reputation. What does Your Majesty think?"

  "They are both people of the Empress, and I also cannot ignore the Empress and those behind her." He slightly sneered, "If we really want to kill them, there are many ways to do it. It will definitely not be a matter of public gossip."

  As a king, the more tolerant and restrained he is, the stronger the explosion will be, because his arrogance and self-esteem far surpass those of ordinary people. My goal has been achieved, I smiled slightly, covered my ears with my hand and shook my head, saying: "What's all this talk about killing, it scares me to death. Your Majesty must not say such things again."

  He patted my shoulder: "Alright, let's not talk about this. On April 12th, it's your 17th birthday, the southwestern war has been victorious, and you're pregnant again. I'll have the Ministry of Rites prepare a grand celebration for you, how about that?"

  I turned around and glanced at him with a gentle gaze, softly saying: "Whatever Your Majesty decides is fine."

  He fell into thought again, slowly uttering two words, "Empress Hua...", but didn't continue speaking.

  I suddenly turned around and said, "Your Majesty has been spending a lot of time with Empress Hua lately, but why hasn't she shown any signs of pregnancy?"

  He was lost in his own thoughts and casually said, "She won't have children."

  I was astonished and said: "I've heard that Consort Hua had a miscarriage before. Was it because of this that she injured her body?"

  He seemed to realize his own mistake and did not respond to my inquiry, but just smiled and asked me about my daily life.

  Xuan Ling quietly accompanied me for a while, then went to see Du Liangdi. I saw him off, and Fang Juan put on her shoes, dressed up, and got up to serve me a bowl of plum juice to refresh my spirit. Only then did she say softly: "Your Majesty, at this time, provoking the Emperor to kill Er Jiang, isn't that a bit too hasty?"

  I sneered coldly: "No rush. I've already told you, last time in the Queen's Palace, someone wanted to push me into colliding with Du Liangdi, although I don't know who it was, but it shows how poisonous their hearts are. Now that I'm pregnant, I'm even more of a thorn in their eyes, a stab in their flesh. The two surnamed Jiang have profited greatly from the epidemic, and they're getting more and more arrogant in the Imperial Hospital. And with Wen Gong being at Shen Ronghua's side, Zhang Mi is an honest person, what if these people named Jiang do something to the medicine? Wouldn't we be sitting ducks waiting for death? It's better to settle this early." The long armor collided with the wrapped branch lotus green flower bowl, making a soft sound, shattering the quiet and sweet fragrance in the room. Slowly, I said: "Actually, the Emperor has also been patient for a long time, if it weren't for the need to use people, he would have killed them already."

  A faint smile played on the corner of her mouth: "Empress Jing's words to the Emperor are timely. However, it also depends on whether Jiang Muyi and Jiang Mu Yi are willing to fall into the trap."

  I smiled: "This is natural, for people like him who are greedy for wealth, as long as someone slightly tempts them with gold and silk to move their hearts. The Emperor only temporarily tolerates them, but they become so arrogant that they forget themselves, which is actually a path to self-destruction."

  Two days later, news came from outside the palace that Jiang Mu-yi and Jiang Mu-yi were killed by robbers on their way home from the palace, and even their heads were cut off and disappeared. The emperor remembered their hard work during the epidemic and specially granted 100 taels of white silver to handle their funeral affairs. He also ordered Imperial Physician Wen Shi-chu to take over the treatment of the epidemic. For a time, both inside and outside the palace spread that the current sage is kind to his ministers, with great benevolence.

  When the news arrived, I was pruning a branch of apricot blossoms that had grown too many side branches under the window, and upon hearing it, I just smiled calmly. At this point, Wen Shi Chu achieved success and fame in this epidemic.

  Note: (1) From the Tang Dynasty Liu Fangping's "Spring Sorrow", the full poem is: The sun sets slowly through the silk window, The golden house has no one to see the tears. The quiet empty courtyard wants late spring, Pear blossoms cover the ground but the door is not open. This is a very outstanding palace lamentation poem. Although having been favored before, it ends up with all sorts of desolation.

  (2) This is a teasing work by Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty, ridiculing his friend, the poet Zhang Xian (990-1078, also known as Ziye). It is said that when Zhang Xian was 80 years old, he married an 18-year-old concubine. Su Dongpo teased: "Eighteen-year-old bride and eighty-year-old groom, white hair facing red makeup. A pair of mandarin ducks in the quilt at night, a tree of pear blossoms overwhelming the sea holly." The pear blossoms refer to the old husband with white hair, while the sea holly refers to the young wife with red makeup. Later, "a tree of pear blossoms overwhelming the sea holly" became an euphemistic way of referring to an older husband and a younger wife.