It was the height of sweltering summer, with lush lotus leaves flourishing across the lake. A refreshing breeze carried the fragrance of the green lotus blossoms into the waterside pavilion.
Two maids knelt on the floor, fanning from either side. In the four corners of the pavilion, freshly cut ice emitted cool, summer-relieving vapors. Before the daybed hung a crystal-clear bead curtain, behind which lay a woman in a soft goose-yellow palace gown, her face free of makeup. Her dark hair cascaded across her features, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. A faint frown creased her brow, and her complexion was somewhat pale, yet it did little to diminish her delicate beauty. A thin silk quilt embroidered with large rose patterns covered her chest, the pale white threads interwoven with silver strands that shimmered like flowing water in the setting sun.
Her brow twitched slightly as a pair of slender, pale hands stirred. Her eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings before her limpid eyes slowly opened. Chu Qiao felt momentarily disoriented, gazing around in confusion, uncertain of her whereabouts.
"Ah! You're awake!"
The maid, no more than thirteen or fourteen years old, appeared delighted at her awakening. She scrambled to her feet and dashed outside, calling to others, "She's awake! She's awake!"
"Madam, please lie down and wait for the imperial physician to take your pulse," the other maid said, moving to untie the cords on the bed, apparently intending to lower the heavy curtains.
Beneath her was a cool bamboo mat that felt cold to the touch, while her clothes were damp with sweat. A few strands of moist hair clung to her temples. Frowning at the maid, Chu Qiao asked sternly, "Who is this 'Madam'?"
"You are," the young maid replied, puzzled.
Her expression darkening, Chu Qiao carefully surveyed her surroundings and demanded, "Where is this place? Who are you? Why am I here?"
The maid seemed frightened, stammering for a moment before murmuring, "This is the imperial palace. I... I am Qiusui. Madam was brought here by His Highness."
"The imperial palace?"
Chu Qiao's eyebrows shot up as she suddenly recalled a dream she had—a dream featuring an infuriatingly smug face.
Could it be?
She pushed the maid aside, leaped from the daybed, and dashed out through the tinkling bead curtain.
"Madam! Madam, you haven't put on your shoes!"
The maid nearly burst into tears from anxiety, hurrying after her.
Under the fiery glow of the setting sun, with the serene green waters stretching into the distance, Chu Qiao ran barefoot along the ancient corridor, holding up her skirts. In the far reaches of the emerald lake, lotus leaves stretched toward the sky, a vibrant expanse of green. At the center of the water stood an elegant yet rustic structure, built entirely from unpainted square timber, its simplicity unadorned. The natural wood grain was still visible, with concentric rings hinting at the passage of time. The waterside pavilion was open on all sides, lacking railings. The breeze sweeping across the lake rustled through the lush lotus leaves, passing through the pavilion and stirring the layers of green gauze curtains hanging within, making them flutter as if ready to take flight.The long green gauze curtains fluttered in the breeze. In the center of the waterside pavilion, a young man leaned against a square wooden pillar, sitting with his legs bent. Beside his hand lay an exquisite silver wine flask, with no cup in sight—only a few freshly peeled lotus pods, their tender white seeds scattered on the ground like pearls. In his hand, he held a long, emerald-green flute, which he did not play but instead twirled deftly between his fingers, spinning and dancing with grace. A light mist rose over the lake, obscuring the man’s features, leaving only the vivid red hem of his robe fluttering gently in the breeze, like butterflies poised to take flight.
"Madam! Madam…"
About a dozen young women in pink palace attire trailed behind Chu Qiao, carrying shoes, hairpins, cloaks, and other items. Their soft, murmuring voices were as gentle as cotton.
As she drew nearer, the man suddenly broke into a light laugh. His smile was strikingly handsome, like a meticulously colored ink painting—his brows slightly raised, his eyes like willow tendrils. He set down the flute, spread his arms wide, and said with a beaming smile, "Come on, Qiaoqiao, give me a warm embrace after our long separation!"
Thump! A fist struck the man’s chest, and instantly, a pig-slaughter-like scream pierced the serene evening. Chu Qiao grabbed him by the collar and snapped angrily, "Li Ce! What kind of trick are you playing?"
"Ah! Protect His Highness!"
"An assassin! Protect His Highness!"
…
Chaotic cries erupted at once. Li Ce coughed and waved to the people around him, saying, "It’s nothing, nothing. Don’t panic, everyone, step back!"
Only when the suspicious onlookers had gradually dispersed did Li Ce turn a pained face toward the young woman and whined pitifully, "I say, Qiaoqiao, must you always express your feelings for me this way? It hurts."
"What are you scheming? Why did you bring me back?"
Li Ce sighed helplessly, blinking his teary eyes. "Qiaoqiao, is this how you treat your savior?"
Chu Qiao remained unmoved and demanded sharply, "Tell me the truth!"
"I am telling the truth," Li Ce sighed again in resignation. "On my way to escape an arranged marriage, I found you unconscious from poisoning. If it weren’t for saving you, I wouldn’t have been caught and bound by my father and dragged back. Qiaoqiao, I’ve sacrificed so much for you, and this is how you repay me. It breaks my heart."
Chu Qiao stared at him suspiciously, her expression softening slightly. "Really?"
Li Ce immediately raised his hand as if taking an oath. "Absolutely true!"
Frowning in thought, Chu Qiao slowly released her grip and said gravely, "I’m sorry."
"No worries," Li Ce replied with a carefree smile, his eyes crinkling. "I’m used to beautiful women getting handsy with me."
No sooner had he spoken than Li Ce suddenly sprang up like a monkey, pushed Chu Qiao behind the pavilion’s pillar, and resumed his earlier pose, his expression instantly turning melancholic. He whispered urgently, "Stay hidden. It’ll only take a moment."
A gentle breeze drifted by, rippling the emerald lake. Li Ce, in his wide-sleeved robe, raised the flute to his lips and parted them slightly.
Just as Chu Qiao thought he was about to play, she heard only a few awkward, breathy puffs. Yet, from behind her, a melodious flute melody began to drift forth, serene and enchanting, soothing to the soul.Chu Qiao immediately turned around to see a white-haired old man squatting on the ground, playing a flute with an extremely uncoordinated posture while blowing loudly.
Just as Chu Qiao was completely baffled and confused, a chorus of delicate giggles suddenly rang out. She looked up and saw a group of gorgeously dressed young women walking arm in arm under the distant willow trees. Hearing the flute music, they all turned to look, pointing at Li Ce with astonished eyes, clearly captivated by his charm.
Li Ce remained unfazed, calmly maintaining his flute-playing posture with a distant gaze that made it impossible to tell what he was looking at. The gauze curtains fluttered in the wind, making his figure appear ethereal, like an immortal who had descended to earth.
After about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the young women finally dawdled away into the distance. A man waved a red flag twice in the distance, and only then did Li Ce let out a long sigh of relief, saying to the old man hiding behind the pillar, "Alright, alright, stop playing."
The old man, who had been squatting in hiding for so long that his legs had gone numb, stood up trembling, sweating profusely as he said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince..."
"Enough, Master Yu, you may return. I guarantee your son won't have to garrison the southern border. Instead... instead... yes, we'll send your old rival Master Lu's son. Serves him right for not knowing how to play the flute or the zither, and for having an ugly daughter."
"Yes, yes, thank you for your generosity, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The old man hurriedly expressed his gratitude before retreating with the support of servants.
Chu Qiao looked strangely at Li Ce, slightly furrowing her brows as she asked in confusion, "What were you doing?"
"Did you see?" Li Ce's eyes immediately lit up as he said happily, "Among that group of women who just passed by, there was one wearing a green dress. Did you see her?"
Chu Qiao frowned and said, "I was too busy watching you make a spectacle of yourself to notice any green-dressed woman."
"Ah, what a pity, what a pity," Li Ce shook his head regretfully. "She's the daughter of Minister He from the Ministry of Revenue who just returned to the capital. She plays the flute beautifully and is very pretty. The key point is, I've seen her twice and she never gave me a proper look."
"Is it really that unusual for someone not to look at you properly?"
"Of course it is!" Li Ce said naturally. "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Whatever reason brought you to Biantang, it's not easy for you to come here. Today I'll fulfill my duties as host - come, I'll take you out to have fun."
Chu Qiao was immediately taken aback, asking foolishly, "Have fun?"
Li Ce reached out and wrapped his arm around Chu Qiao's shoulder, smiling casually. "Qiaoqiao, don't be so rigid. Besides revenge, besides your grand ideals, besides fighting and killing, there are many other pleasures in life."
A gentle breeze blew, rippling the emerald waters. On the ebony bridge, a man and woman tugged at each other back and forth. From afar, only the sound of their noisy argument could be heard.
"No, I have matters to attend to. I need to leave immediately!"
The man explained impatiently: "You're afflicted with a strange poison - you can't go anywhere for at least ten days to half a month!"
Chu Qiao frowned and said seriously, "My affairs are none of your concern."
"Qiaoqiao, how can you be so heartless? To save you, I abandoned my escape plan and got trapped in this dreadful political marriage. As compensation, don't you think you should accompany me through these last moments of freedom in my life?"
...
"Li Ce, I need to find someone. Will you help me or not?"
Li Ce snorted lightly, "A man or a woman?""...A man..."
"No."
"Don't be so blunt!"
"Anything else, but this is non-negotiable! I can't allow a woman by my side to still have the ability to think of another man."
"What nonsense are you talking? What does that have to do with you?"
"Whatever the relationship, this is an insult to my masculine charm."
A weak groan: "Li Ce, besides women and your masculine charm, can't you think about anything else every day?"
Li Ce immediately defended himself righteously: "Of course I can! I also care about some national affairs and academic issues, such as the population and average quality of women in our Great Tang, as well as the physical structure and composition of women. I'm also determined to use my efforts to improve the social status of women in our country."
Chu Qiao, barely restraining the impulse to beat him up after hearing the last sentence, asked through gritted teeth: "Oh? And how do you plan to improve the social status of Great Tang's women?"Well, this is what I think," Li Ce lewdly glanced around, then said in a low voice: "If all the women in the world become relatives of the royal family, then women's status will naturally be significantly improved."
"Relatives of the royal family?"
"Yes, for example, serving the royal family themselves, or having their daughters serve the royal family, or having their sisters serve the royal family, or acting as matchmakers to introduce beautiful women to serve the royal family, or... Ah! Qiaoqiao! This is my territory, how can you just start hitting me!"
...
As lanterns were lit and night fell, the bustling Tang Capital was filled with noise.
————Divider————
I know these two chapters are too short, I apologize to everyone. I'll definitely write more tomorrow to make up for it.
OpenNovel