The empress turned pale. “I didn’t. If you want me to admit guilt, bring out the evidence.”
“Empress, be careful not to let me catch you. Otherwise…” The emperor laughed softly. The empress steadied herself, thinking it was impossible for him to find evidence, and turned away, deathly pale.
Outside, pear blossoms reflected in the window, with delicate petals on the blue gauze. The wind swayed, shadows moved, and butterflies rested while swallows returned, indicating it was near dusk.
The light silk curtain rolled gently, the pearl screen dimming, with the trace of dragon’s saliva in the copper incense burner just extinguishing. The dark fragrance crumbled softly in the air, dispersing like smoke, shrouding the quiet autumn hall.
Under the seven-stringed zither, the merchant’s music resonated, resembling rain at the horizon or snow in a gorge, captivating the departing soul. A delicate finger swept across the strings, producing sounds like falling pearls on a jade plate, whispering and murmuring with a slow, lingering charm.
Hao Li trembled, biting his lip tightly. His fingers grazed the cold air, unable to grasp anything. The clear moonlight shimmered on the ground, like tears flowing endlessly. A dried blood-stained tear mark left only a faint, smoky purple trace.
“How is she?”
Xiao An whispered, “Qiu Fei had been poisoned, but it has been resolved; however…” His eyes flickered, avoiding Hao Li’s gaze.
“However what?”
“It seems Qiu Fei is getting close to the Crown Prince.”
Hao Li took the item from Xiao An, narrowing his eyes. Xu Qiu’er, what are you doing? Do you think Long Han Jie is that simple?
“Send a message to Guan Yue to watch Qiu’er closely.”
“Yes.”
The border’s spring was late this year. Misty white dew condensed into frost, and remnant snow lingered along the eaves and roadside, lightly tinted with crystal-like desolation. Windless, the spring remained cold.
In the early morning, the border’s pine and cypress trees, though green, felt frigid. A thin mist twisted in the air, creating an eerie, ghostly essence.
Xu Qiu’er lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes casting a dark blue shadow in her eyes. After a ripple, everything remained traceless. Gently biting her lips, the pale color revealed a subtle blush, like rouge beneath snow, exuding a unique charm when she smiled.
Misty and hazy, thoughts of someone fragmented in the mists.
On this snow-white morning, as spring arrived without warmth, under the thin sun, white dew was about to dry.
“My Lady, please.”
“Qiu Fei has arrived.”
Today was the Second Prince’s birthday, and she had unexpectedly become the main character. Xu Qiu’er entered the main hall, seeing Long Han Jie and Qing Ya seated above, Xu Qing’er with the First Prince below, and other concubines on the left. Xu Qiu’er wondered if her presence was superfluous.
Candlelight flickered red, and pearl curtains flowed purple in the warm and cozy Xuan Qing Hall. Xu Qiu’er approached Xu Qing’er, intending to sit below her to show respect for the Qing Concubine. However, a young servant near Long Han Jie quickly guided her, “Qiu Fei, please be seated above.”
Xu Qiu’er smiled at the young servant, realizing he had offended two people. She took a seat beside Long Han Jie, who asked, “Feeling better?”
“Much better,” Xu Qiu’er replied with a faint smile.
“Your Highness,” Qing Ya said, “I heard my sister can play music. May I request she perform for the prince’s birthday?”
Long Han Jie turned to Xu Qiu’er, who stood up. “This concubine will prepare.”
Discussions began among the guests about the unusual privilege of the Crown Prince’s principal wife performing at the Second Prince’s birthday, especially since the Crown Prince did not object.
Xu Qiu’er knelt elegantly at the qin, purifying her hands and burning incense before she began to play. The music flowed gently, like a stream emerging from a deep ravine, stirring emotions with its soft, silk-like sound.
Long Han Jie sat upright, listening intently.
The stream gradually thickened and deepened, murmuring and winding through nine curves, creating sounds like breaking crystal.
Fish swam in the stream, playing, resting, and occasionally leaping, generating sparkling light and crisp water sounds.
As the water flowed beyond its peaks, the momentum increased. Cavalry charged, water splashing like wind, with waves surging three zhang high, fierce and unrelenting.
Suddenly, a wrong note interrupted the music, leaving lingering echoes.
Sandalwood smoke drifted through the bamboo curtain, creating a delicate atmosphere enhanced by shadowy bamboo.
“Excellent! Truly a song that should only exist in heaven, rarely heard on earth. Qing Concubine’s words were not false,” Long Han Jie applauded.
Qing Ya lowered her eyes, while Xu Qing’er glared at Xu Qiu’er, thinking, “Keep dancing, let’s see how long you can continue.”
“Bring wine.”
Xu Qing’er stepped forward respectfully, “The wine prepared for Your Highness today is brewed from fresh fruits, rich yet not too strong. Would you like to try?” She poured a small cup from a fine-necked jade bottle and offered it to Long Han Jie.
The amber-colored wine had a light yet lingering scent, subtle and alluring.
Long Han Jie hesitated at Xu Qing’er’s earnest expression, not wanting to disappoint her. He accepted the drink and gulped it down.
The wine slid over his lips and tongue, smooth and delicate, with hints of orange, pear, rose, and peony—intoxicating and fragrant.
“Not bad,” Long Han Jie smacked his lips. “I’ve never tasted anything like this before.”
Xu Qing’er smiled lightly. “It’s just ordinary wine. Yesterday, I soaked roses in it overnight and added a bit of lychee chrysanthemum dew for a unique flavor.” As she spoke, her bright eyes briefly seemed to capture the light around them.
The flickering candlelight softened the room, creating a sense of haziness. Long Han Jie sat facing Xu Qing’er, his drunken gaze fixing on the flowers, which appeared even more beautiful. At that moment, he realized that such stunning beauty was unparalleled.
The young woman stroked the qin, laughing softly, her brow hinting at subtle pride and coldness. When she smiled, she was captivating, like a red plum emerging from white snow.
Xu Qing’er and Long Hanxie chatted happily, often laughing. Xu Qiuer’s demeanor was elegant and calm as she casually plucked the qin strings. Whenever she heard Long Hanxie’s laughter, she glanced up, sweeping him with a gentle gaze before lowering her head again, a shallow smile passing over her lips. Throughout, Xu Qiuer never looked at Long Hanxie again. Xu Qing’er’s autumn-water eyes followed Long Hanxie’s figure, seemingly oblivious to Xu Qiuer and everything else.
“Enough,” Xu Qiuer said, stopping the qin. As she was helped up, her lowered head concealed her thoughts. The ministers understood that the Crown Prince was warning Autumn Concubine about the embarrassment of performing in front of so many court officials.
“Qiuer has worked hard.” Long Hanxie poured a cup of wine and brought it to Xu Qiuer’s lips, eliciting a smile as he showed his care for her.
Knowing she had just recovered from a serious illness and had been playing the flute and qin, he was now even feeding her wine.
Xu Qiuer took the cup and drank, reddening her clear and elegant eyes.
“Your Highness, this concubine wants to ask something of my sister,” Xu Qing’er stood up.
Long Hanxie raised an eyebrow, “Go ahead, Qing’er.”
“This concubine wants to ask how Autumn Concubine sent people to trick me to Leaf Concubine’s palace and how I was whipped. Even if I am just a lowly Liang Di, what right does the Crown Prince’s Autumn Concubine have to whip me? Please, Your Highness, seek justice for this concubine.” Xu Qing’er bowed and knelt, her gaze fixed on Long Hanxie.
