Meng Yunxiu participated in the selection for the position of Director of Palace Archives. After a series of evaluations, the results were announced in mid-June, and as expected, she was appointed to the post. Before moving out of the Eastern Palace, she invited Zhenzhen to her room and said, "There is something I have been pondering, and I feel I should explain it to you."
She then led Zhenzhen to the writing desk, picked up a brush, and wrote down two names: Zhang Yunqiao and Meng Yunxiu.
As soon as Zhenzhen saw the characters "Zhang Yunqiao," she said, "Isn’t this Imperial Physician Zhang’s name?"
Meng Yunxiu nodded, then dipped her brush in ink, crossed out the character "Meng," and wrote another "Zhang" beside it.
Zhenzhen’s gaze shifted between the two names, and she suddenly understood. "So, Sister, your original surname is Zhang. Are Imperial Physician Zhang and you siblings?"
Meng Yunxiu replied, "Imperial Physician Zhang’s uncle is my father, so I am his cousin. My mother passed away early, and my father remarried. I was only six at the time, and my stepmother couldn’t tolerate me, often mistreating me. Seeing that my cousin served as an imperial physician and frequently visited noble households, my father asked him to find a good family to adopt me. My cousin had once treated a concubine of the Crown Princess’s father, surnamed Meng. When she learned of my situation, she asked my cousin to send me to the Qian residence, where I was adopted. From then on, I took the surname Meng and grew up in the Qian household."
Zhenzhen smiled and said, "So that’s how it is. No wonder I felt you looked somewhat familiar—it turns out you share a resemblance to Imperial Physician Zhang’s portrait."
Meng Yunxiu observed her expression closely and asked, "You’ve never met Imperial Physician Zhang?"
Zhenzhen shook her head. "I have long admired Imperial Physician Zhang’s reputation, but he disappeared a long time ago, and I’ve never had the chance to meet him."
Meng Yunxiu continued writing, adding three more characters next to Zhang Yunqiao’s name: "Liu Mingchu." She then asked Zhenzhen, "Do you know her?"
Zhenzhen looked at the unfamiliar name and replied blankly, "No, I don’t."
"She was a palace maid from the previous dynasty and once served as the Director of Palace Catering in the Bureau of Palace Provisions," Meng Yunxiu explained.
"Ah, so she’s Official Liu!" Zhenzhen exclaimed with delight. "I’ve heard many stories about her, but I only learned her name today."
Meng Yunxiu then asked, "Have you heard about her story with Imperial Physician Zhang?"
Zhenzhen answered truthfully, "I’ve heard a little in the palace. It’s said that she and Imperial Physician Zhang fell in love, later fled the palace, were pursued, and were eventually executed at Grand Preceptor Qi’s residence."
"Yes, she was my sister-in-law," Meng Yunxiu said. "After I entered the Qian residence, my cousin would visit me whenever he came to the Qian household for medical consultations, so we grew close. The women of the Qian household often had opportunities to attend palace banquets, and sometimes they would take me along. When Official Liu learned I was Zhang Yunqiao’s sister, she would seek me out and give me many pastries. When I was twelve, my adoptive mother took me to Lingyin Temple to offer incense. Upon arrival, she suddenly had a maid quietly take me to the nearby Tianzhu Scripture-Reading Monastery, where I met my cousin and Official Liu, who were waiting there. My cousin said they were about to leave Lin’an and feared it would be difficult to see me again, so they had asked my adoptive mother to allow them to bid me farewell. At that time, Official Liu was already pregnant. She joyfully told me about the names my cousin had chosen for the child. She said if it was a boy, he would be named ‘Zhang Zheng,’ with the ‘Zheng’ meaning ‘unyielding iron will.’ If it was a girl…" Meng Yunxiu paused here, gazing intently at Zhenzhen before continuing, "she would be named ‘Zhenzhen.’"
Zhenzhen was stunned and, after a moment, asked, "The same ‘Zhen’ as mine?""Yes.Meng Yunxiu pointed to the character "蓂" on the paper and explained in detail: "This '蓂' is from '蓂荚' (Míngjiá)." The Míngjiá is an auspicious plant recorded in the Bamboo Annals. It produces one pod on the first day of each month, fifteen pods by the middle of the month, and from the sixteenth day onward, one pod falls each day until all are gone by month's end. In shorter months, one pod withers but does not fall. Thus, one cycle corresponds to a month, so the Míngjiá is also called the 'calendar pod.' Legend has it that this auspicious plant appeared during the reign of Emperor Yao and only grows under rulers of great virtue. Official Liu was born on New Year's Day, and Grand Tutor Qi named her 'Auspicious Beginning'. Later, when she was presented to the late emperor, it was likely meant as a compliment to his virtue. As for 'zhēn,' it is the seed of the Míngjiá, which is why my cousin named Míngchū's daughter 'Zhenzhen' (meaning 'little origin' or 'little leader')."
Zhenzhen had also asked her mother about the meaning of the character "蒖" when she was young. Her mother had only told her it was the seed of an auspicious plant but never explained it in such detail. Now, hearing for the first time that Imperial Physician Zhang and Official Liu's daughter bore this name, she felt her thoughts in turmoil. She stared at the name Liu Míngchū for a long while before saying, "My name being the same as Official Liu's daughter's is probably just a coincidence, isn't it?"
Meng Yunxiu said, "I thought the same when I first heard your name. However, the more I look at you, the more I see a resemblance to Official Liu. Later, I inquired about your birthday and found it roughly matches the expected due date of my cousin's child. This name is extremely rare, and if all these points align, it might truly be a once-in-a-millennium coincidence."
"Impossible!" Zhenzhen firmly rejected the unspoken implication. "I was raised by my mother herself, living with her for over a decade. She passed away a little over two years ago—she was not Official Liu."
Meng Yunxiu hesitated, weighing her words carefully before speaking gently: "My adoptive mother was a very kind woman. She treated me as her own, cared for me meticulously, and allowed me to grow up carefree in the Qian household. Although she was not my birth mother, in my heart, she is my mother. Our love for each other does not diminish because we lack a blood connection."
Seeing Zhenzhen still silent, Meng Yunxiu gently guided her to sit down and continued: "I say this not to drive a wedge between you and your mother's bond, but only to share what I know about the origins of your name. Of course, it's possible you have no connection at all to Imperial Physician Zhang and Official Liu. But if you ever wish to learn more about them, you might consider what I've said and seek out others who know more."
Zhenzhen nodded. "I understand. Thank you, sister, for patiently telling me all this."
Meng Yunxiu smiled faintly. "I will soon be leaving the Eastern Palace, and meeting in the future may not be very convenient. That's why I wanted to tell you everything I've recalled these past few days. If you ever have questions or wish to explore more details, you could seek help from the Crown Prince. Although your status is not yet formally settled, everyone knows he is your future husband—the one most worthy of your trust and reliance. If anything arises, you might discuss it with him."
Zhenzhen recalled that Meng Yunxiu had also once been a candidate for the Crown Prince's consort. Yet now, she spoke of Zhenzhen's relationship with the Crown Prince without a trace of jealousy, which moved Zhenzhen. Worried that her own arrival had forced Meng Yunxiu to leave, she asked, "Sister, did my coming to the Eastern Palace make you feel uncomfortable, prompting you to leave?""Of course not." Meng Yunxiu immediately denied, then explained, "Although I respect the Crown Prince, I have no romantic feelings for him."
After a moment of contemplation, Meng Yunxiu confided in Zhenzhen with sincerity: "When I was young, I admired a married man, but marrying him would hurt the person I respected most, and I didn't want to marry anyone else I didn't like, so I let the days drift by. Later, when the Crown Princess married into the Eastern Palace and asked me to accompany her, my adoptive mother had already passed away, and I had no attachments. Seeing the Crown Princess afraid of life away from her family, I agreed to accompany her as a maid, originally intending only to serve. Later, the Crown Princess decided to take a concubine for the Crown Prince and wanted someone trustworthy and easy to get along with, so she recommended me to the Crown Prince. In truth, I had no such intention, and then those incidents happened... Fortunately, with your guidance, I now have a suitable place to go and a new purpose in life. I will live well from now on. Thank you, Zhenzhen. Take care after we part."
After Meng Yunxiu left, Zhenzhen tried to ignore what she had told her, but those unforgettable words and the doubts they brought were like the fierce winds of this season, striking her unexpectedly and uncontrollably.
One day, as she poured freshly brewed tea for the Crown Prince, he casually mentioned that the project to channel spring water into the Eastern Palace was progressing smoothly. The chosen water source was on the foothills closest to the Eastern Palace and was expected to be operational by early next month at the latest. Lost in thoughts about Official Liu, Zhenzhen absentmindedly let the tea overflow from the cup. Only when the Crown Prince gently tapped the table did she snap back to reality, hastily wiping the table and apologizing.
The Crown Prince asked gently, "You've been distracted these past few days. Is something on your mind?"
Seeing his gentle gaze fixed on her, Zhenzhen suddenly remembered Meng Yunxiu saying that he would be her future husband, the most trustworthy and reliable person. Her face flushed, and after lowering her head in thought for a moment, she finally asked him, "Your Highness, do you know Official Liu?"
"Official Liu? Wasn't she a palace maid during the late emperor's reign?" the Crown Prince said. "I saw her when I was a child."
"Do I look like her?" Zhenzhen pressed.
The Crown Prince smiled. "I was just a young child when she served the late emperor. She left the palace many years ago, and my memory of her is very vague. I can't recall what she looked like. Why? Did someone say you resemble her?"
"Yes..." Zhenzhen hesitated. "And they said Official Liu's daughter was also named Zhenzhen."
She then recounted what Meng Yunxiu had told her. Under the Crown Prince's questioning, she shared her entire background and the situation with Qiu Niang, including the family upheaval, Cheng Yuan taking Qiu Niang away, and showing her Qiu Niang's grave. Finally, her voice grew weak as she said, "When I was at Prince Yanping's residence, Yin Qi's wet nurse told me about Official Liu, saying she was executed by private punishment at Grand Tutor Qi's residence, and Yin Qi witnessed it. That was over a decade ago. So, she couldn't be my mother, right?"
"Hmm, Official Liu couldn't be the mother who raised you," the Crown Prince replied calmly, but then posed a question that struck Zhenzhen as unsettling: "But have you ever considered that the mother who raised you might not be your biological mother?""Impossible!" Zhenzhen immediately denied vehemently, "My mother is the best mother in the world. She cared for me meticulously as I grew up, working from dawn till dusk every day to ensure I lived a comfortable life, yet she couldn't bear to let me do any household chores. When I was little and fell slightly ill, she would hold me day and night without sleeping, and once even risked her life to save me from a fire... How could someone who isn't my birth mother love me like that?"
The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, her eyes reddening. The Crown Prince came over to guide her to sit down, poured a cup of tea for her, and comforted her gently: "I'm not saying that's necessarily the truth, but since you asked me that way, perhaps you also have some doubts in your heart. The points Meng Yunxiu raised—maybe we can try to investigate them and see what the truth really is."
Zhenzhen remained silent. The Crown Prince continued, "I know it's hardest to face such matters calmly when they involve someone you care about. I was no different back then—the moment I heard Wang Muze's words, I instinctively wanted to avoid them, refusing to think deeply or investigate, yet unconsciously chose to believe the worst conclusion. As they say, when you care, you become confused. So, regarding Meng Yunxiu's speculation about your origins, you don't need to choose to believe or disbelieve it now. I will help you verify it. We'll only believe conclusions supported by evidence, alright?"
After a moment of thought, Zhenzhen finally nodded.
"After Cheng Yuan took you to see your mother's grave, have you been back?" the Crown Prince asked.
Zhenzhen replied, "I rarely have the chance to leave the palace. On the rare occasions I do, someone accompanies me, so it's inconvenient to go. On my mother's birthday, death anniversary, Qingming Festival, and Zhongyuan Festival, I secretly pay my respects to her in the palace, facing the direction of her grave."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Then tomorrow, I'll take you out of the palace, and we'll go pay respects to your mother together."
The next day, the Crown Prince had Zhenzhen ride in the same carriage with him. Accompanied by several attendants in plain clothes, they left the palace and, following Zhenzhen's directions, arrived at the foot of Phoenix Mountain. After the carriage stopped, the Crown Prince and Zhenzhen alighted. The Crown Prince only allowed two attendants carrying sacrificial items to accompany them, while the rest waited at the mountain's base.
Walking up the mountain path and passing through lush, fragrant woods, they soon saw Qiu Niang's grave nestled among verdant pines and cypresses on a cliff. The two attendants stepped forward to clean the tomb platform and present fresh flowers and fruits. Zhenzhen knelt first before the grave, tears in her eyes, and said, "Your unfilial daughter is late in coming to see you, Mother."
After bowing and weeping for a while, she felt the Crown Prince approach her side. Remembering she should introduce him to her mother, she whispered to the tombstone, "Mother, this is His Highness the Crown Prince..."
The Crown Prince bowed deeply, then knelt on one knee beside Zhenzhen and addressed Qiu Niang's grave: "Aunt, I am Zhao Xi." He then took incense and candles, lit them himself, and burned paper offerings with Zhenzhen, paying his respects with the reverence of a family member.
Shortly after, a woodcutter around fifty years old approached, carrying a load of dry firewood on his shoulder. He observed the Crown Prince and Zhenzhen curiously and asked the Crown Prince, "Are you paying respects to your mother-in-law, sir?"
The Crown Prince smiled faintly and asked the woodcutter, "How did you guess, elder?"
The woodcutter chuckled, "Isn't it obvious? The young lady is crying with red eyes—she must be mourning a close relative. And you, sir, while paying respects, also support your wife. With your talents and her beauty, what else could you be but husband and wife?"
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "You truly have keen eyes, elder."The woodcutter was delighted to hear this and simply set down his load, sitting on a large rock nearby with his legs apart. Taking off his straw hat to fan himself, he chatted with the Crown Prince: "I've lived on this mountain for decades. How come I've never seen you and your wife coming to sweep the grave before?"
The Crown Prince replied, "We've lived outside the area for many years and only recently moved back to Lin'an."
The woodcutter said, "I see. So those who came to offer sacrifices during Qingming and Zhongyuan festivals in previous years were sent by you?"
The Crown Prince replied calmly, "I did entrust people to come and offer sacrifices. I wonder if they did it properly?"
The woodcutter answered, "They were all young men who hadn't even grown beards yet, but they worked quite efficiently. Each time, the weeds around the grave were cleared very thoroughly, so even after eighteen or nineteen years, the grave is still kept quite clean."
Eighteen or nineteen years? Zhenzhen instantly widened her eyes: Cheng Yuan said Qiu Niang died not long after arriving in Lin'an, so this grave should have existed for less than three years. How could it be eighteen or nineteen years?
The Crown Prince clearly had the same question. He carefully examined the tombstone and saw only six characters engraved: "Tomb of Palace Attendant Wu." There were no other dates such as birth or death, but the carving on the stone and the surrounding chisel marks appeared relatively new, unlike something that had existed for many years. After a moment's thought, he asked the woodcutter, "A few years ago, I arranged for someone to erect this tombstone, but I don't know if they completed it on time. Do you know when this tombstone was erected, sir? And have the bricks and stones behind it been replaced?"
The woodcutter said, "The grave has been here for over ten years, but the tombstone was only erected two or three years ago. The brick wall around the grave mound is also newly built, but the large stones on top haven't been replaced."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince and Zhenzhen both stood up to examine the grave mound. Indeed, the bluestone slabs covering it were covered in moss and looked quite weathered, with thick grass and plants growing in the cracks. It truly seemed to have been there for some years, and the style of the grave mound differed noticeably from newer graves built in recent years.
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment, then ordered a palace attendant to give some money to the woodcutter. He also asked where the woodcutter lived, saying they might visit again or call on him in the future. The woodcutter was overjoyed, repeatedly expressing his thanks before taking his leave.
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