Nineteen, Fragrant Morning

  April twelfth is my birthday, since the news that Xuan Ling wants to celebrate my birthday spread out, the threshold of Tongli Palace was almost trampled. From the noble empress to the humblest maid, no one did not come to congratulate me and present rich gifts. Although Huafeng is not on good terms with me, this superficial exchange of courtesy is also done with great skill. Even the attendants in the palace, Shanggong and Neijian, also came through the palace staff to curry favor with me. The people in the harem are best at flattering those in power and trampling those who have fallen out of favor. Since I was newly promoted to Guibin and pregnant, I naturally enjoyed unlimited glory.

  "With a spring breeze and swift horse hooves, I can see all the flowers of Chang'an in one day." My delight is roughly like this.

  In this way, I came and went, smiling and responding, but couldn't help feeling tired and bored. Several times, I wanted to go to the Taiye Pool to take a boat ride and clear my mind, but Liuxiang and Huanbi stopped me, saying that the wind on the lake was strong and it wouldn't be good if I caught a cold. Thinking about it, they were right. In April, there were no lotus flowers in the pool, only the carved railings and jade steps rising from the Fragrance Pool, which, although exquisite, lacked their natural beauty. After several times, I too felt lazy to go out again.

  The day before the birthday, Xuan Ling personally led the congratulatory gifts: a gold foil embroidered quilt, a five-color same-heart knot plate, a pair of mandarin ducks with golden brocade, a pillow with a pearl that shines at night, a green velvet cushion cover, two dragon-shaped incense holders, four pairs of fine gold chopsticks, a set of Wugou silk clothes, three pieces of fragrant embroidered handkerchiefs, and a box of jade cream. Eight pieces of each color of the latest palace satin, and a small exotic tribute toy.

  I was young, and the king's favor towards me was still strong. I lived in a palace of gold and jade, surrounded by splendor and luxury. My heart was filled with joy, but what brought me even more joy was the thoughtfulness of Xuan Ling. He said with a smile: "I read 'The Legend of Flying Swallow' a long time ago, and I've always wondered if Emperor Cheng really gave those treasures to Flying Swallow. If Emperor Cheng could give them to her, then I can certainly give them to you too." So he ordered people to search for these treasures, just to see me smile.

  I smiled and said, "The names of these things I have only seen in history books, and thought they were just rumors, but unexpectedly there are such things in the world."

  He draped a crimson cloak over me and said with deep feeling: "Wear this tomorrow and you will surely captivate all who lay eyes on you."

  A silver-purple peacock-tail patterned crimson gauze dress, with each feather shining with a dark blue light in the sunlight. The light is dim, but under the sun, it must be dazzling. I couldn't help but laugh: "Why bother to captivate all living things, just being content with captivating Fourth Brother alone is enough."

  He pretended to be extremely angry and laughed loudly: "I have already fallen for you."

  It wasn't until nightfall that they counted the congratulatory gifts sent by each palace and mansion, when Zhen Xiu said: "Only Qinghe Wangfu didn't send any congratulatory gifts."

  It's been a long time since I last heard this name, and I haven't deliberately thought about it. Now that I suddenly hear it again, it's related to my birthday, but I don't think much of it. I continue to write at the desk, saying in my mouth: "The six kings are free and easy, naturally they won't care about these vulgar customs."

  "Your humble servant has heard that Your Highness is a man of extraordinary actions, never doing things by halves; when you do act, it's always with astonishing results that exceed people's expectations."

  I took up my pen and dipped it in ink, thinking back on past events, I couldn't help but smile and say "Is that so?" And with that, the matter was settled.

  The birthday banquet was held in the Chonghua Hall of the Shanglin Garden, where the halls and pavilions were magnificent and the scenery was beautiful. Drinking wine and having a good time while admiring the picturesque view was a delightful pleasure. The only drawback was that the Chonghua Hall was far from the Taiye Pond, with no water views to behold.

  This day is my stage, whirling among the imperial consorts and noblewomen, dancing like a butterfly. The hall is filled with people's shadows, all of whom are showing me only one expression, overflowing smiling faces. I don't care how many of these smiling faces behind are sincere or curses. Those who are sincere can share this joy with me, while those who curse, my glory and pride will only make them more uncomfortable, which for me is already a very good revenge against them.

  The grand congratulatory words were finished, and the guqin, se, and other instruments began to play a clear and elegant melody. The dancing girls rose to dance, the singing girls sang with enthusiasm, and everyone enjoyed the delicious food and wine, all in high spirits. Today's singing and dancing beauties were all newly selected into the palace, each not yet sixteen years old, with small and simple faces, without any seductive charm, so as not to overshadow the true meaning of the music and dance. The young girls wearing colorful silk clothes sang and danced, especially delightful to watch.

  This was the first time Mei Zhuang had attended such a grand banquet since her illness, and she looked much better, only slightly thinner, with a more subdued complexion, like a quiet lake on a windless day, sitting silently at the table drinking alone.

  Nowadays, Mei Zhuang is no longer the proud and carefree person she used to be. The glory and honor are fleeting, like the changing times of the past thirty years, nothing is permanent. She probably understands this too, so even if she rises again, her personality becomes more introverted and low-key, as if she doesn't want to attract attention anymore.

  Only I know how the flames of indignation and depression are burning fiercely in her heart.

  The wine had reached the halfway point, and even the singing and dancing were starting to feel tedious. Having seen many people, he alone did not see Qinghe Wang Xuancan in his seat, nor did anyone know where he had gone. Xuanling just smiled and said: "This sixth brother has once again gone who-knows-where."

  I also don't want to pay attention to him, he is just an uncle-like figure to me. Even if he's the only one who has witnessed and understood my hidden heartache, even if he has a little bit of unspoken feelings for me, I can only pretend to be ignorant and unaware, just like how I treat Wen Shi Chu.

  In the mountains, there is a fragrant peach blossom. I am not the peach blossom that blooms in solitude in the mountain valleys, but rather the cherry blossom from the heavenly pool at the edge of the emperor's garden, plucked and held in hand. Famous flowers have their masters, let alone people! Both are unchangeable; nor is there any power or need to change them.

  In the midst of sorrow and loss, I always recall the serene sunset at Tonghua Pavilion and the last lotus flowers in the summer night lake. The sweet fragrance that bloomed too fiercely and was about to wither away seems to still linger on my nose.

  In a daze, I saw the bustling crowd and the legitimate wife of King Yunnan, He Shi, sitting alone in a corner with a gloomy expression but not saying a word. I walked up to her and asked softly: "Is the king's consort unwell?"

  She saw me and looked slightly embarrassed, forcing herself to lower her voice: "I'm so sorry, my heart is aching again with this old illness."

  I nodded in understanding, and under the pretext of changing clothes, I pulled her hand to a secluded side hall where no one was around and helped her sit down. He Furen apologized, "Happy birthday, Your Highness, I've ruined your fun."

  I smiled and said gently, "Your Highness shouldn't say that, who doesn't have three disasters and six diseases? It's all right after taking the medicine." I asked again, "Does Your Highness usually take Tianwang Baixin Dan?" She nodded in agreement. I immediately beckoned to Liu Zhu to go get the medicine, saying, "Your Highness just wait for a moment, the medicine will be brought over right away." As I spoke, I personally poured warm water and had her drink it down.

  She was half grateful and half flustered, "The Labor Goddess's jade hands, I really don't dare to accept."

  "I said, 'Outside the palace, I am the king and you are my subject, but inside, we are close relatives. Where does it make sense to talk about labor or not? The king is at war outside, and you should take good care of yourself.'"

  I was suddenly drawn to the shallow red dot between her eyebrows, which was exactly the same as my own "peach blossom makeup". I couldn't help but wonder: "Is this makeup style also popular outside the palace?"

  She smiled quietly: "Nowadays, the palace and various places are popular with 'beautiful pear makeup' as beauty, not only can they imitate the beauty of their majesty, but also seek harmony between husband and wife. What a wonderful story."

  Although I am proud of myself, when I hear such words, I naturally feel pleased and satisfied.

  The medicine was brought over quickly, and after taking it, Princess He's complexion did improve. She smiled and said: "I've often heard that Your Majesty is the most favored by the Emperor, but I didn't expect you to be so easy-going. No wonder the Emperor likes you this way." The King of Runan is naturally cold and distant, but his queen is an extremely kind and gentle person, which made me look at her in a new light.

  As they chatted, it turned out that Princess He's body was originally robust and healthy, but she had developed a chronic illness after giving birth to the crown prince. As someone who is also pregnant, I couldn't help but get excited talking about children, and we talked for a long time, hitting it off immediately.

  The King of Runan is the most powerful force behind Empress Hua, and I have always been wary of him. Unexpectedly, today's coincidence brought me a good relationship with He Concubine, and she also showed interest. However, as we continued to interact, she ultimately remained the king's primary wife, and my familiarity with her quietly hid several degrees of reserve. It wasn't until Xuan Ling sent someone to invite me that we agreed to meet often in my palace for casual conversations, only then did I disperse.

  The emperor returned to his seat, and an imperial eunuch came to invite: "The Sixth Prince is waiting by the Taiye Pool with gifts to celebrate the birthday of the noble Concubine, please let Your Majesty and the Concubine go together to view them."

  Xuan Ling smiled: "Lao Liu is always thinking of something, I don't know what he's up to this time. Let's go and take a look together."

  The crowd of people walked along the edge of Taiye Pool, and from a distance they saw that the edge of Taiye Pool was surrounded by high and beautiful silk curtains, which were gently swaying in the wind and looked very good. However, the curtains blocked the view of Taiye Pool, and it was only magnificent, but nothing could be seen.

  The eerie silence all around, I looked at Xuan Ling with a puzzled expression, he also had an incomprehensible look on his face, but was smiling and watching. Suddenly, the sky was filled with thousands of kites, in every color of the rainbow, flying and dancing in the air, dazzling to the eye, making it hard to take it all in. The surrounding area was filled with cries of surprise, exclamations of admiration, and cheers, a cacophony that never ceased.

  Xuan Ling is so devoted to me, and I am delighted in my heart.

  Just as I was enjoying the view, a eunuch suddenly came to pay his respects and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is delighted, please fly a kite to pray for good fortune." As he spoke, he handed me the string - just a formality, of course, as the inner attendants had already pulled it tight, I only needed to pull it once. With a chuckle, I gave it a tug, and the kite soared high into the sky, turning out to be a huge, colorful phoenix, its feathers shimmering brightly, dazzling the eyes. Matching the silver-purple phoenix pattern on my crimson silk dress, they shone together in harmony. Cheers and applause filled my ears, and I couldn't help but smile.

  Suddenly a clear whistle, the embroidered silk curtains surrounding the Taiye Pool "rustled" and fell to the ground. The scene before one's eyes was too unexpected, and all the people who were originally startled by the kite had lost their voices. Such a beautiful scene is generally breathtaking.

  In April, even the lotus leaves were rarely seen, and the Taiye Pool was just a pool of empty blue water. But at this moment, the blue water had floated up with white lotus flowers as white as jade, lightly floating on top. The morning sun shone brightly, and the dew on the flowers refracted the light into a dazzling glow, beautiful like clouds and mist, shining like brocade. The wind blew gently, the leaves were layered, and in the rippling waves, the shadows of people were reflected, also not losing to the beauty of the flowers, let alone with the accompaniment of prosperous times.

  In the distance, Xuan Qing walked slowly towards me, with no instrument in hand, only using his fingers to tap against his lips, playing a tune of "Phoenix in Flight". The phoenix in flight, harmonious and clear, is probably every woman's dream. His playing and melody were also simple and pure, like a gentle breeze blowing across the lake on a quiet day, quietly entering people's hearts. For him, the phoenix in flight was a simple yet persistent pursuit, but for me, it was just a beautiful dream of my youth, not suitable to be indulged in deeply within the palace. On Mei Zhuang's face, I had already seen a glimpse of despair.

  His whistle gradually fell low and stopped when he had slowly walked to the front of me and Xuan Ling, his smile towards me was also faintly calm. The thoughts spent were already enough, so the congratulations from him were just a plain sentence: "Qing with full lake lotus flowers congratulates Wan Gui Niang's birthday."

  I saw him so solemnly celebrating my birthday, and when I thought back to the small portrait of him with a proud expression that day, I had been feeling uneasy in my heart. Nevertheless, in front of others, my demeanor was still polite and proper. "Your Highness has gone to great trouble, this palace is very grateful."

  As soon as the words fell, Xuan Ling burst into a bright and clear laughter: "I just asked you to think of some new ideas to celebrate the birthday of Princess Guigui, I didn't expect you to do so well, even I was greatly surprised." Only then did I feel at ease.

  Xuan Qing's smile was gentle, but his eyes were a bit distant: "Your younger brother is just a wealthy and idle person, and he only understands these things. The Emperor knows this, otherwise he wouldn't have entrusted your younger brother to do it."

  Xuan Ling smiled naturally, I didn't notice any change in expression. Xuan Qing was like this, but actually, he was also concerned in his heart. The son of Yu E's wife was fighting on the battlefield, while he, as the most beloved son of the former emperor, only devoted himself to politics outside and paid attention to the birthday of his elder brother's concubine. It wasn't not sad.

  My face is hidden behind a thin veil, with a faint and knowing smile at the corner of my mouth: "Only I don't know how to make the lotus bloom in this weather."

  He gazed at me, his eyes filled with a subtle warmth that was hard to detect: "The lotus root has long been buried, and the warm spring water from outside the palace has been channeled into the Taiye Pool, where flowers will bloom in profusion."

  My gaze swept over his figure, falling on Xuan Ling's body. I said: "Thank you, Your Majesty." My voice was joyful, and my smile was charming. At this moment, it seemed that my life was going as smoothly as I had hoped.

  Thanks to Xuan Ling. Of course, I also understand that Xuan Ling was just a reminder, while Xuan Qing was the one who really put his heart into it. Today's kite is nothing, but lotus flower. Suddenly remembered last August, those lotus flowers that bloomed until the end.

  He naturally remembered it.

  But I can say nothing more, nor do anything. In others' eyes, he is just a nobleman who I only met at the palace banquet, and all his efforts are merely because of Xuan Ling. And what I understand and know, no one else can comprehend or know. So I just gave him a slight nod when my gaze swept past him like a shadow in the wind. He also looked back at me, smiling at the lotus flowers on the lake.

  We have nothing to do with each other.

  In fact, I'm also afraid in my heart. I always remember my identity, because I accidentally discovered the secret of Xu Qing's seemingly non-existent yet existing feelings, and I understand that the affection I yearn for is something he can easily give to his unknown wife. So I pity myself and deliberately keep a distance from him.

  Xuan Qing is different from Wen Shi Chu, as for the feelings towards Wen Shi Chu, because it has always been clear, and never put in mind, to me, it's just like an ordinary leaf on a tree, knowing where it is is enough. When the leaves fall or grow, I don't care much, even if one day he disappears. So there's no need to be afraid, just don't want him to have too many wild thoughts, which are of no benefit to either party.

  Xuan Qing, he is my husband's younger brother, and there will be many opportunities for us to meet in the future. Moreover, he understands me and knows not to bother me. He only comforts me when I am overcome with grief. That's all.

  He was so self-controlled and calm, which made me feel a little uneasy.

  Today, Xuan Lingzhi was overjoyed and said loudly: "The southwestern war has been won, and the army has returned to the capital. I will naturally reward the generals." He turned his head to look at me, with a smile on his face, saying: "Your brother, Zhen Heng, will be appointed as the General of Fuguo when he returns to the capital, and I will grant him permission to marry Miss Xue. What do you think?" Such an honor, I naturally thanked him. Xuan Lingzhi spoke very loudly, and everyone in the room heard it, but with a glance, I saw that Ling Rong's expression changed slightly as she sat beside Liu Shenbi, then immediately returned to her usual calm demeanor.

  Perhaps Ling Rong would understand, the subtle emotions between her and her brother that even I couldn't fathom were ultimately severed within the crimson walls of the harem. Sorrowful, sorrowful, each married off, no need to lament.

  In her heart, she couldn't bear it, but the Empress smiled and continued, "You are already a noble concubine, your father is also a high-ranking official in the court, naturally the women of your household should also have titles. I have already issued an imperial edict, conferring on your mother the title of Lady Pingchang, wife of the third rank." As she spoke, her gaze swept across the carefully made-up face of Consort Hua.

  The mother of Empress Hua was also a third-rank lady, the Lady of He'nei County. Empress Hua had once relied on her imperial favor to ask Emperor Xuanzong to promote her own mother to be a second-rank lady, an honor that only the families of the four consorts were entitled to, but Empress Wang opposed it strongly and ultimately was unable to get the promotion. As a result, Empress Hua lost much face and became alienated from Empress Wang. Now that my mother easily received her edict, she would surely be even more resentful towards me.

  For me, the glory and splendor of this day have reached their peak.

  Looking up, a pool full of lotus flowers, the lotus leaves stretch to the sky with endless green, the lotus flowers reflect the sun with a different kind of purity, the soft ripples gently undulate, revealing thousands of beautiful colors, reflecting the flowing light that changes direction hundreds of times.

  At this point, my life is a resplendent tapestry of purple and red, unparalleled in its beauty.

  Fresh flowers are embroidered on brocade, and fierce fire is boiling oil. Good days are probably like this.

  Phoenix flying, harmonious and resounding: describing a deep and sincere relationship between husband and wife.