Qing Ya sighed in disappointment, and they chatted casually for a while. Feeling a bit hungry, she made an excuse about being tired and left. Xu Qiu’er instructed Ning to give the items to Concubine Qing. Ning looked at the plate with seven fruits—one had already been eaten. She secretly took three for Tao’er, leaving four. Tao’er noticed this and inwardly complained about Ning’s stinginess, realizing their mistress seemed to like these fruits.
Qing Ya thought the fruit looked nice and took one in her hand, returning to Xuanqing Hall. A young eunuch made a surprised sound when he saw what she was holding.
After entering the hall, Qing Ya called for the eunuch to be brought in.
Soon, the eunuch knelt before her. Qing Ya asked, “What’s your name?”
“This servant is Lai Fu,” he replied.
“Lai Fu, have you seen this fruit before?” Qing Ya inquired while playing with the fruit. Lai Fu carefully responded, “This servant once moved things at the palace gate and accidentally scattered some items, which included these fruits.”
Qing Ya thought to herself that Xu Qiu’er’s aunt must have sent quite a lot, but only gave her three – how stingy. Lai Fu added, “This servant was even beaten with a stick because of this incident.”
“Beaten?” This didn’t seem like Xu Qiu’er’s style. Qing Ya sensed something was off and asked, “Who brought these into the palace?”
Lai Fu shook his head and said he didn’t know, but had heard from the internal affairs supervisor that these were a rare special product from Jiangnan, flowering once every ten years and bearing fruit every twenty years. Acquiring just these few fruits had required significant manpower. Nervously, he looked at Qing Ya, afraid to continue.
Qing Ya suddenly stood up and approached Lai Fu angrily. Lai Fu explained that a certain official had warned them not to discuss the fruits, or they would risk their lives. Qing Ya laughed and said she would show him who his real master was.
Lai Fu fell to her feet, begging for mercy.
He confessed that the official had said these fruits were sent by the Crown Prince to please Concubine Qiu, and he had only heard rumors about it.
In Fu Qiu Hall, Xu Qiu’er looked at the four fruits in the white jade plate and told Ning to distribute them among the servants. Ning reminded her these were specially transported from Jiangnan by the Crown Prince. Xu Qiu’er said she didn’t like the fruits and walked into the inner hall, thinking some things were destined and couldn’t be changed by a few fruits.
On the sixth day of the tenth lunar month, King Rong Jun returned triumphantly, and the Emperor held a banquet in his honor. The Old Buddha had gone to Rehe for rest. Hao Li, accompanying King Rong Jun, also wanted to visit Qing Ya. He prepared a gift for her and sent Tao’er ahead, saying he would follow after handling some official business.
When Hao Li entered Fu Qiu Hall with two women dressed as palace maids, Ning was startled. He handed a package to Ning, saying it was wild fruits for her mistress to taste. Xu Qiu’er, seeing Hao Li, was surprised by his darker complexion. He introduced the new maids, Guan Yue and Cang Yue, instructing Xu Qiu’er to keep them close.
After discussing some matters, Hao Li left for the Crown Prince’s palace. Xu Qiu’er watched his back for a long time. When Ning returned with the washed fruits, she found Hao Li had already left.
To her surprise, Xu Qiu’er tried the fruits and found them delicious, eating three in quick succession.
The fate line can only point in one direction, predetermined from the beginning. When the Azure Dragon hovers in the Vermilion Bird’s sky, the Star of Erosion will gradually rise, and no one can stop it.
Five years have passed quickly.
“Your Highness, these are apricots sent by the Prince for you to taste when you’re bored,” Ning smiled, looking at the now plump Xu Qiu’er. Xu Qiu’er laughed and took one, putting it in her mouth, her eyes scrunching up. Ning laughed, while Xiaoju said, “Miss, how can you eat something so sour… could it be that you…” Xiaoju, who had been with Xu Qiu’er for a long time, knew Xu Qiu’er had never eaten anything too sour.
After swallowing, Xu Qiu’er opened her eyes, still feeling the sour taste. She took the tea from Ning to wash it down and said casually, “You’re here.” Xiaoju sighed inwardly, having once resented the Crown Prince’s coldness towards her mistress, but had the Crown Prince not done enough over the years?
Xu Qiu’er stood up, looking at the bamboo forest behind Ruo Qiu Hall. Many bamboo trees were planted in the courtyard, beautiful and lovely, but she had never known she disliked bamboo.
Xu Qiuer listened to Xiaoju’s chatter about the Old Buddha’s birthday and the gift she had prepared.
In Ping Wang Mansion, Hao Li looked puzzled at the hesitant Xiao An. Finally, Xiao An said, “Master, I must speak. Have you fallen in love with Concubine Qiu?”
Hao Li was stunned. Realizing his mistake, Xiao An continued, “What would the late Noble Concubine think if she knew her son was competing for a woman with her enemy?” Hao Li’s eyes shot towards Xiao An, who knelt and urged, “Master, please wake up. Concubine Qiu is the Crown Prince’s wife, Dragon Hanxie’s woman. Have you forgotten how the Empress forced the Noble Concubine to death?”
Hao Li, furious, grabbed Xiao An’s collar and roared, “I told you to stop!”
Yet, Xiao An desperately continued, “Even if I die by your hand today, I am willing. If you continue like this, a great disaster will occur…”
Hao Li didn’t want to hear more and ran out of the study to Lian Qiu Pavilion, where the courtyard was filled with blooming apricot and peach flowers. He punched a tree, sending petals falling like snow, and buried his head in the ground.
He first met Xu Xinxier at six. She was different from others, always with sorrow in her eyes, crying at falling leaves and clouds. Hao Li could barely remember his childhood. The Xu family was destined to be close to the royal family, and Xu Xinxier was fated to marry the Crown Prince. Despite Xinxier’s strength, Hao Li remembered her desperate look, likely resenting his incompetence. However, he couldn’t take risks—too many depended on him. He couldn’t die or be with Xinxier. Tragically, Xinxier died before entering the palace, while he could only watch from afar.
At first, he sought Xinxier’s shadow in Xu Qiuer, but after five years, they merged in his heart; Xu Qiuer had become irreplaceable. He built Lian Qiu Courtyard, hiding his feelings, yet everything felt predestined.
In Ruo Qiu Hall, Xu Qiuer asked casually, “Has the Young Prince not entered the palace?” Ning quickly responded, “Not yet, but he should arrive soon.”
The Crown Prince has sent someone to urge you to hurry.” Xu Qiuer put down her clothes, losing interest. Although the Crown Prince was good to her, a heart deeply wounded would never heal.
At the Old Buddha’s birthday celebration, all descendants were present, but Hao Li was notably absent. Xu Qiuer grew anxious, wondering if something had happened. Her heart raced at the thought. Dragon Hanxie was unusually happy today, even his attitude towards Xu Qinger had softened. He observed Xu Qiuer’s preoccupation since the feast began and thought he should talk to her.
Hao Li arrived late after three rounds of drinks. Xu Qiuer tried to suppress her gaze, avoiding him, but her heart was joyful. Dragon Hanxie noticed her sudden change in mood.
After presenting his gift, Hao Li knelt and said, “Grandson has a request. Please grant it, Grandmother.”
The Old Buddha laughed, “Hao Li, tell me what you want. Your grandmother wants to know.” This grandson, spoiled since childhood, had never actively requested anything before.
