Returning on a Stormy Night, Graceful Figure and Jade Hairpin
It was June in Golden Mausoleum, early summer, with exceptionally warm sunlight. Around one or two in the afternoon, the official residence was quiet and leisurely, as it was siesta time for all households. Under the bright sun, numerous potted plants clustered around several trees in the garden. The pomegranate trees had bloomed, specks of crimson peeking through the emerald green, utterly captivating.
A few young maids were watering with sprinklers when a burst of laughter rang out. Qiu Luo, the head maid standing by the hammock under the shade, held an embroidery hoop in one hand and a needle in the other, stepping back several paces as she laughed and scolded, "Fifth Master, if you keep teasing, this needle might not watch where it goes."
A man’s clear laughter followed: "I’ve heard of blades having no eyes, but never that needles could be blind. How exactly does that work? Could you embroider a pair of mandarin ducks on my face? Then we’d be a perfect match."
Qiu Luo laughed, "I wouldn’t dare!"
Yu Changxuan lay relaxed in the hammock, his features strikingly handsome and profound. Squinting slightly, he feigned sleep. At Qiu Luo’s words, he opened his eyes, sat up directly from the hammock, and chuckled, "Then show me what you dare to do. I’d like to know, so I can be on guard."
No sooner had he spoken than he lunged forward, grabbing Qiu Luo’s wrist. Startled, she stepped back and instinctively raised her hand, accidentally jabbing the needle into Yu Changxuan’s head with unintended force.Yu Changxuan lowered his head, feigning extreme pain, which startled Qiu Luo into leaning closer and asking, "Where did it prick you? Let me see." But then her wrist was seized by him. Yu Changxuan laughed and kissed her cheek, saying, "You melodramatic girl, you made me bleed this time—you’ll have to make it up to me properly." As they were carrying on like this, a voice suddenly came from behind: "Oh, no wonder we couldn’t find Fifth Master anywhere—turns out he’s here enjoying himself."
Yu Changxuan turned around and saw the two Tao family daughters, Yayi and Ziyi, walking over hand in hand. Both were wearing beautiful Western-style dresses adorned with sparkling beads, like two vibrant peacocks. Before they even reached him, the fragrance of their powder wafted over. Yu Changxuan released Qiu Luo and asked, "What brings you two here together?"
The Tao family’s eldest daughter, Yayi, smiled and said, "What? Did we come at a bad time and ruin Fifth Master’s fun?" Yu Changxuan knew her words carried an implication, so he just smiled without responding. Meanwhile, the younger Tao sister, Ziyi, sneered at Yu Changxuan and said, "In broad daylight, it must be tough for Fifth Master. If it were me, I’d have poked a big hole in you."
Hearing the jealousy in her words, Yu Changxuan laughed. With that laugh, his thick eyebrows arched sharply, exuding a dashing handsomeness, and he said softly, "If it were you, Sister Ziyi, I’d gladly take that big hole you’d give me."
Ziyi pouted unhappily and retorted, "You might accept it, but I wouldn’t. Someone like you, who flirts with every flower and blade of grass—I’m not interested. Save your sweet talk for Jun Daiti! I won’t listen to it."
Yu Changxuan replied lightly, "That’s an unfounded accusation if I ever heard one. Daiti is my elder sister-in-law’s cousin; I only exchange pleasantries with her as family. If even that upsets you, there’s nothing I can do." Ziyi let out a "hmph!" Yayi, worried they’d start arguing again, quickly interjected with a smile, "Fifth Master, are you going to the Xiangxi Hotel to dance tonight?"
Yu Changxuan grinned, "Since I’ve got nothing else to do, why not? How many people have you invited?" Yayi replied, "I’ve called everyone from your staff office. Even if it delays military duties, there’ll be plenty to share the blame—we can’t have Fifth Master standing out alone, after all."
At the mention of "dancing," Ziyi forgot her anger and became excited. Lifting her skirt slightly to reveal her elegant dancing shoes, she chimed in, "Look, I even wore these beautiful dancing shoes. After a round of cards with Second Sister and Sister-in-law, let’s go right away."
Seeing that Yayi had arranged everything perfectly, Yu Changxuan thought to himself that since his father wasn’t home, it wouldn’t hurt to have some fun. While Yayi chatted with Qiu Luo, he glanced sideways at Ziyi standing nearby. Tao Ziyi proudly lifted her chin, pretending to still be upset, though a smile played at the corners of her mouth. Understanding her completely, Yu Changxuan broke into a laugh.The Xiangxi Hotel was a recreational venue frequented by high society. Yu Changxuan and several young officers from the Ninth Army had danced a few rounds with the Tao sisters. These sisters were already renowned social butterflies in elite circles, and Tao Yayi, in particular, captivated attention whether viewed from afar or up close. As soon as the music began, she was whisked onto the dance floor. Seated at the table, Yu Changxuan watched idly when Li Boren leaned over and chuckled, "Fifth Master, which of this pair do you fancy more?"
Yu Changxuan replied indifferently, "Neither strikes me as noteworthy." Li Boren was taken aback and said, "I noticed you've invested considerable effort in Ziyi. How come you're dismissing her now? Could it be that your heart actually belongs to that overseas-educated lady, Jun Daiti?"
Sipping his beer, Yu Changxuan remarked carelessly, "Whether it's the Tao sisters or Jun Daiti, such figures are merely for amusement. If one starts investing real effort, it simply isn't worth it." His words drew laughter from the surrounding young officers. Just then, the Tao sisters returned, and Tao Ziyi, ignoring everyone else, tugged at Yu Changxuan's sleeve, exclaiming playfully, "No excuses! You promised to dance with me, yet here you are chatting away. Don't ruin my brand-new dancing shoes!"
As Yu Changxuan stood up, Li Boren added meaningfully, "Fifth Master, remember your earlier words. Tread carefully—if you ruin a perfectly good pair of dancing shoes, who will wear them next?"
Overhearing this, Tao Yayi sauntered over, picked up a plate of milk cake, and fed a spoonful to Li Boren. With a coquettish smile and eyes shimmering like waves, she purred, "Enough of that! If we're going there, let's not forget—your wife wears shoes I've already broken in!"
The double entendre left Li Boren speechless and flustered. Well aware that Tao Yayi was not to be trifled with—and being one of her "favored companions"—and considering her father, the Minister of Finance, was currently at the peak of his influence, he forced a laugh and asked, "I merely meant to compliment Second Miss Tao on her exquisite shoes. How much did they cost?"
Tao Yayi sat down to sip her soda, replying nonchalantly, "Just a trivial sum of one or two thousand. Your praise is too kind, Staff Officer Li."
The other officers, seeing Li Boren put in his place, snickered gleefully. Suddenly, the music swelled again, and Yu Changxuan and Tao Ziyi glided across the dance floor. Amid thunderous applause and the swell of Western music, the scene was one of perfumed elegance, swirling silhouettes, and intoxicating luxury.
By two or three in the morning, Yu Changxuan decided it was time to leave. If he didn't rest soon and failed to wake up the next morning, his father would be furious. As he stepped out of the hotel, a biting chill greeted him, and torrential rain poured from the oppressive dark sky, flooding the streets with several inches of water. His aide-de-camp, waiting outside, hurried over with an umbrella and escorted him to the car.
Inside the vehicle, Gu Ruitong, Chief of General Affairs and Head of the Guards, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Yu Changxuan. "If Fifth Master hadn't emerged soon, I'd have had to storm in and retrieve you. Returning this late—if the Madam found out, every man in the Guards would likely be replaced."Yu Changxuan chuckled, "Someday I ought to let you experience the clingy tactics of the Tao sisters, so you’ll understand my hardship." Gu Ruitong signaled the driver to start the car while laughing, "Fifth Master, please spare me this time. That pair of sisters is more than the average man can handle."
Hearing this, Yu Changxuan laughed heartily, "I know your father keeps a tight rein on you. I won’t play matchmaker for you, lest instead of you toying with women, they end up toying with you—that would be a grave sin on my part."
Gu Ruitong replied, "We wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Fifth Master’s women. If one of them were to become the Fifth Madam someday, we might as well stop living." At these words, Yu Changxuan raised his eyebrows and let out a careless laugh, "For them to dream of entering the Yu family—I’m afraid they lack such fortune!"
It was two or three in the morning, the night serene, with rain pouring down all around. The car’s wipers swept across the windshield as it sped along, splashing water that covered half the window in rivulets. Yu Changxuan, seated in the back, felt somewhat drowsy and had just closed his eyes to rest when—whoosh—the car abruptly braked. Caught off guard, he lurched forward, nearly hitting the front seat. Lifting his head, he asked, "What happened?"
The driver hurriedly explained, "Someone nearly ran into our car, and now they’re blocking the way, refusing to move." Gu Ruitong frowned at the driver, "You have a way with words. I’ve heard of cars hitting people, but never people hitting cars." The driver immediately fell silent. Gu Ruitong peered out the window and asked, "Was someone injured?" The driver quickly replied, "No, no, but it seems she dropped a bunch of things all over the ground."
After a glance outside, Gu Ruitong said, "Fifth Master, I’ll go check." He stepped out with an umbrella and saw a slender girl crouching in the rain, hurriedly picking up something from the ground. The car’s headlights shone brightly on her. She appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen, drenched and shivering, a pitiful sight battered by the wind and rain. Gu Ruitong paused briefly, about to approach, when he heard the car door open behind him—Yu Changxuan had gotten out. Gu Ruitong quickly turned and stepped in front of him, holding the umbrella over Yu Changxuan’s head. "The rain is too heavy, Fifth Master. Please get back in the car."
Without a word, Yu Changxuan walked forward. Gu Ruitong hurriedly followed with the umbrella. Under the glaring headlights, raindrops splashed across the wet ground. The girl, clad in thin clothing, was anxiously gathering scattered silver dollars, muttering to herself, "...six... seven... eight... nine... nine..." She frantically searched the rain-soaked pavement but couldn’t find the last one. Suddenly, a slender hand extended toward her, holding a gleaming silver dollar between the middle and index fingers. Yu Changxuan watched as the girl looked up, then smiled faintly and handed the coin to her, softly saying, "Ten."The bright car headlights shone on her face. The girl lifted her head, strands of soaked hair clinging to her cheeks. Her slightly pointed chin framed a face so pale it seemed translucent, with lips equally bloodless. Trembling uncontrollably, she whispered softly, "Thank you." Her voice carried a clarity that pierced straight to the heart, causing Yu Changxuan to pause in slight astonishment. She reached out, took the silver coin from his hand, then stood up and dashed away into the heavy rain.
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