Overdo

The spring breeze remains as ever, lovingly caressing the willows along the embankment. It teases the catkins into a tender yellow, just as the weather turns clear and bright for the Qingming season.

Last year, we wandered the purple paths and green gates; tonight, our spirits linger like rain and clouds. A lifetime of sorrow is spent, all for the sake of a few dusks.

Thirteen

With the Lunar New Year holiday, the Shuangqiao Official Residence grew even more tranquil. Madam Murong, having received a Western education from a young age and spent many years abroad, placed little importance on the traditional celebrations. However, following the usual custom, she hosted a tea party at home after the New Year to entertain relatives and friends, so she personally supervised the servants in cleaning and decorating. When Murong Qingyi returned home and saw everyone bustling about, he followed the corridor to the door of the small western parlor. Weiyi spotted him first and called out, "Third Brother." She then turned to Susu and made a playful face, "Look at Third Brother—he’s completely changed. He used to be gone all day, but now he’s home before the sun even sets." Susu rose gracefully, smiling without a word. Weiyi reluctantly stood up as well and said, "My future sister-in-law, you’re just like Mother, always insisting on proper etiquette. It’s surprising how, despite Mother’s years abroad, she’s become so traditional in this regard." At this, Susu blushed and murmured softly, "Household rules should always be observed." Weiyi grinned and replied, "Hmm, household rules—excellent. So you finally admit this is your home, don’t you?" Lively by nature, Weiyi had grown increasingly familiar with Susu and, since the engagement, had spent the most time with her, so she teased without restraint. Seeing Susu blush only made her beam with delight.

Murong Qingyi reached out and gently tapped Weiyi on the forehead, saying, "I don’t mind if you don’t stand when you see me, but don’t get so lazy that you don’t even budge when you see Mother." Weiyi stuck out her tongue at him and said, "I’m off to practice the piano. I’ll leave this place for the two of you to talk." She stood up and swept out of the room like a gust of wind.

Only then did Susu lift her head and ask with a smile, "Why are you back so early today?" Murong Qingyi noticed she was wearing an autumn-colored brocade cheongsam embroidered with delicate silver-thread patterns, which accentuated her bright eyes and pearly teeth, making her slowly lower her gaze again. He chuckled and asked, "What did you do today?" She replied, "English and French lessons in the morning, and classical studies and etiquette in the afternoon." He let out a soft laugh and said, "Poor child." Susu responded, "It’s because I’m too slow that Mother has to worry so much." Murong Qingyi took her hand and said, "Those are things you’ll need in daily life, which is why Mother arranged for you to learn them. In time, you’ll naturally master them." He added, "It’s the Lantern Festival today. Let’s go see the lanterns."

On the night of the first full moon, the moon hangs above the willow branches, and lovers meet as dusk descends. A faint sweetness stirred in her heart, but she shook her head gently, "I can’t. I still have to practice dancing tonight." He said, "It’s just the foxtrot and waltz. I’ll teach you later." As he spoke, he caught a subtle, elusive fragrance drifting from her neck, lingering faintly in the air. He couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, "What perfume are you wearing?" She answered, "None." After a moment’s thought, she added, "There are sachets of lilac flowers in the wardrobe, so maybe my clothes picked up the scent." But he said, "Those sachets have been in the wardrobe for a long time. Why do I only notice the fragrance today?" He was so close that his warm breath stirred the stray hairs at her temples. Two blushes spread across her cheeks like fragments of sunset by the river, flushing all the way to her ears. She whispered, "How would I know?"After dinner, taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, he indeed went upstairs. Though Susu had some reservations, seeing him dismiss the dance instructor with just a few words, she had no choice but to let him be. The two of them slipped out of the house quietly, and he drove the car himself. Susu asked worriedly, "Are we going out like this without bringing anyone along?" He laughed and said, "Why should we bring them? Nothing will happen. We’ll just sneak out to see the excitement and come back."

The streets were indeed bustling, with people admiring the lanterns and the crowds. Huating Street was adorned with countless colorful lanterns—not only were the shops on both sides decorated, but even the trees were densely hung with lights. Beneath the lanterns, the crowds surged like a tide, creating a scene of such liveliness and prosperity that it truly resembled "the east wind blooms a thousand trees with flowers at night, blowing down stars like rain." Shopfronts vied to set off fireworks, and clusters of sparks lit up the sky here and there, turning the night into a blaze of silver and gold. The flower market was even more crowded. Murong Qingyi held her hand, weaving through the throngs with amusement, cautioning her, "Don’t let go of my hand. If we get separated, I won’t come looking for you." Susu smiled faintly and said, "If we get separated, can’t I just find my way back on my own?" Murong Qingyi tightened his grip on her hand and replied, "No, you must stay with me."

After walking through the flower market, the crowd had made them break into a sweat. He, however, was delighted. "I never knew before how lively the New Year could be." Susu said, "Today is the last of the excitement. Tomorrow, the New Year celebrations will be over." He then remarked, "Look at you, always saying such disappointing things."

Turning his head, he spotted a vendor selling wontons and asked her, "Are you hungry? I am." Susu knew he said this because he had noticed she might not have been used to the Western dinner and could be hungry. Her heart felt full, like a sail billowing with wind, and she shook her head, saying, "I’m not hungry." But he had already sat down and ordered, "One bowl of wontons." Smiling at her, he said, "Take your time eating. I’ll wait here for you. After the wedding in a little while, we probably won’t be able to sneak out like this to eat."

She whispered, "If Mother finds out we’re sitting by the street eating, she’ll be angry." Murong Qingyi chuckled and said, "Silly, how would she know? Just eat slowly."

The wontons were a bit salty, but she finished them bite by bite. He sat there waiting for her, surrounded by the dazzling brilliance of the lanterns, while silver fireworks bloomed one after another in the night sky, casting his face in shifting light and shadow. Her heart, however, was bright and clear, like crystal shining with light. All he saw was her looking up with a smile—a smile so dazzling it made the fireworks behind her pale in comparison.

In the Shuangqiao Official Residence, the magnolia flowers were the first to herald the arrival of spring. The magnolia trees in front and behind the residence bloomed with countless white flowers, resembling bowls of mutton-fat jade, brimming with the boundless beauty of spring. Shortly after the magnolias bloomed, it seemed like only a few days before the weeping crabapples under the eaves burst into fiery, luxuriant blossoms, filling the air with the depth of spring. Susu sat in a rattan chair, lost in thought. Weiyi came up from behind and tapped her on the shoulder, calling out, "Third Sister-in-law!" startling her. Weiyi asked teasingly, "Has Third Brother been gone for only a day, and you’re already missing him?" Susu turned her face away and evasively said, "I was just thinking about how to say 'spring' in French." Weiyi let out an "oh" and then mischievously drawled, "Suddenly, I see the willow colors at the roadside—"Jin Rui set down the magazine in her hand and smiled, saying, "This little imp has even learned to show off her bookish knowledge. So refined and pedantic—I can hardly believe she managed to recite it. I certainly don’t understand it." Having grown up abroad herself, her grasp of Chinese was far less clear than her command of Western languages. Susu, however, had been cramming classical studies for months and naturally recognized such a simple verse. Her face immediately flushed crimson as she protested, "Eldest Sister, don’t listen to Fourth Sister’s nonsense."

Jin Rui chuckled and remarked, "I really don’t know what they were thinking, arranging for Third Brother to be away on business during their honeymoon." Susu grew even more flustered and said, "Are you teasing me too, Eldest Sister?" Knowing how shy Susu usually was, Jin Rui simply smiled and let it go. Weiyi pulled out a chair and sat down as well, saying, "The weather is so lovely—let’s go out and have some fun." Jin Rui asked Susu, "Will you come? We could go to Qiyu Mountain to see the cherry blossoms." Susu shook her head. "I can’t. I have a French lesson this afternoon." Weiyi chimed in, "Haste makes waste. I think you’re being too hard on yourself." Susu explained, "Last time I accompanied Mother to meet the ambassador’s wife, I nearly embarrassed myself. I still feel deeply ashamed whenever I think about it." Weiyi clung to Susu’s arm like sticky taffy, pleading, "Third Sister-in-law, come with us. It’s more fun with more people. If you want to learn French, Eldest Sister and I can teach you. At the very least, starting today, whenever the three of us are together, we’ll speak only French. I guarantee you’ll learn quickly." Jin Rui also smiled and added, "Let’s go out for a stroll. Staying cooped up at home is terribly dull."

Weiyi, being the youngest, was doted on by the entire family and even dared to act spoiled in front of Murong Feng. Susu knew she couldn’t refuse her, and since Jin Rui, as the eldest sister, had given her approval, she decided to go along with them.

During the cherry blossom season at Qiyu Mountain, checkpoints were set up at the park entrance at the foot of the mountain, with notices prohibiting cars from entering. The three of them rode in Li Boze’s car, and the park attendants, recognizing the license plate, promptly waved them through. The car sped swiftly up the mountain without hindrance. Susu hadn’t paid much attention until they got out of the car, when she asked, "Isn’t it true that cars aren’t allowed in here during the blossom season every year?" Weiyi paused, confused, and said, "Is that so? I’ve been here a couple of times in earlier years and never heard of such a rule." Jin Rui smiled faintly and explained, "Other people’s cars, of course, aren’t permitted. Just be careful not to let it slip in front of Father, or the old man will make us copy the family precepts again as punishment."

The three of them followed the winding stone-paved mountain path, with attendants trailing at a distance—a conspicuous sight nonetheless. Susu, unaccustomed to walking mountain paths in high heels, was relieved that Jin Rui and Weiyi also walked slowly. After a short while, they spotted a pavilion up ahead, and Weiyi immediately cried out, "Let’s rest!" The attendants had already brought out brocade cushions and laid them out. Jin Rui laughed and said, "We’re so pathetic—clamoring to go mountain climbing, and after just this little bit of walking, we already need a break."