The Palace Stewardess

Epilogue, Glazed Light

With the dust settled, before leaving Lin'an, Zhenzhen went to pay her respects at the temporary resting place of Crown Prince Zhuang Wen on the southern shore of West Lake. That day, Zhao Ai escorted her there. The resting place was originally the Dharma Hall of Baolin Temple. Zhenzhen had assumed that, like other royal mausoleums, the grounds would be densely planted with pines and cypresses, casting deep shadows and creating a solemn atmosphere. However, upon stepping out of the palace carriage, she discovered that the garden outside the hall was spacious, filled with flowers for all seasons. It was bordered by a natural river bend instead of walls. The hall stood against lush green hills, facing the shimmering waters of West Lake. Beside it, beyond a small bridge, several cascading waterfalls flowed. The garden was ablaze with red leaves, brilliant as rosy clouds—an extraordinarily vibrant place, devoid of any gloomy or desolate feeling.

Yang Zicheng came out of the hall to greet her. Noticing her gaze sweeping over the surrounding scenery, he explained, "In the past, I observed that around the Zhanlu Hall, where Crown Prince Zhuang Wen studied daily, only bamboo was planted, without a single flower. I remarked that since His Highness was in the prime of his youth, his residence should not be so austere and suggested adding some flowers. His Highness replied, 'The Zhanlu Hall is meant for studying. Having bamboo around it, with the charm of rustling leaves in the wind, is sufficient. If flowers were planted everywhere, one would spend the day admiring them instead of focusing on reading. However, I do hope that in the future, my final resting place will not be enclosed by high walls or shaded by tall pines and cypresses, making the garden dark, deep, and intimidating. It would be better to plant more flowers, so the garden is filled with vibrant colors and fragrance throughout the seasons, without walls, allowing visitors to bring their families to enjoy the spring blossoms and autumn foliage, sharing joy together. If that were the case, I would surely be delighted even in the afterlife.' The scenery of this resting place now fulfills His Highness's wish. I volunteered to guard his spirit here and recently added more rare flowers, as well as maple and acer trees, enriching the autumn colors even further."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ai asked, "Master Yang, you served the late emperor and His Majesty for many years, earning the trust of two generations of rulers. Even if you aspired to become a Chief Eunuch, your seniority would suffice. Why abandon such a promising future to live a quiet life here?"

Yang Zicheng replied, "I am different from someone like Cheng Yuan; I have little interest in fame, fortune, or sensual pleasures. Too much wealth only brings trouble, and too much power breeds arrogance. A peaceful life like this brings me more comfort and tranquility. Every day, I tend to flowers and plants. When people come to pay respects to Crown Prince Zhuang Wen or admire the flowers, I chat with them, so it's not too lonely. Spending the rest of my days peacefully amidst such beauty—isn't that wonderful?"

Zhenzhen and Zhao Ai entered the hall to pay their respects before the spirit seat of Crown Prince Zhuang Wen. Yang Zicheng guided them through the rituals: offering incense, pouring tea, and presenting wine at the altar. Zhao Ai recounted how Zhenzhen had returned to the palace, been promoted to Palace Commandant, uncovered the truth, and exposed the schemes of Madam Liu, Madam Yu, and Cheng Yuan, asking his elder brother to rest in peace. After completing the rituals, Zhao Ai noticed that Zhenzhen remained kneeling before the spirit seat, seemingly unwilling to leave. He said to her, "You can speak with elder brother a little longer. I'll step outside and wait for you."

After he left, Zhenzhen took out the green plum wine she had brought, poured a cup as an offering to the Crown Prince, and then poured another for herself. She drank it silently and said sorrowfully, "Your Highness, I feel this wine resembles you, so I learned to brew it from Grandma Song. While in Ningguo Prefecture, I drank it every night, even more when I was alone, always hoping that if I got drunk, you would come to see me in my dreams... But why haven't you come? It has been so very long since I last saw you, even in my dreams..."She poured and drank several more cups of wine, and before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face. The autumn wind outside the hall swept through the curtains, chilling her. Shivering, she leaned forward, closed her eyes, and lay prostrate on the floor before the prayer mat. Moments later, someone approached from behind and draped a garment over her. The garment was large and soft, like a warm embrace, gently enveloping her. Sensing this, she opened her eyes and saw that it was the cloak Crown Prince Zhuang Wen had pulled from the clothes rack to cover her after their intimate moment.

Yang Zicheng bent down to look at her and said gently, "The floor is cold, my lady. Please rise."

He invited her to sit in a nearby chair and went to tidy up the wine vessels she had set out. As he cleaned, he remarked, "Though plum wine is sweet, drinking too much can still intoxicate. It’s best to savor it in moderation, not overindulge."

Zhenzhen wrapped herself tightly in the cloak and asked him, "Have you kept this garment all this time?"

Yang Zicheng replied, "That night, after Crown Prince Zhuang Wen passed away, I was tidying the room and folded this cloak, intending to return it to his quarters. But shortly after I stepped out, assassins came after me. Without a second thought, I fled with the cloak, so it has remained with me all these years."

Zhenzhen traced the ruyi cloud patterns along the edge of the cloak, recalling the events of that night, and felt a sharp pang in her heart. After a moment, she said to Yang Zicheng, "Master Yang, after I return from Pujiang, may I come here and tend the flowers with you?"

"No," Yang Zicheng answered firmly. "I am old and nearing the end of my days. This life suits me well. But you, my lady, are young and have much to accomplish. Spending your precious years here would not be something Crown Prince Zhuang Wen would approve of."

He paused, set aside his task, and turned to face Zhenzhen directly. "He admired your vitality and your drive to achieve things. Moreover, look at the flourishing garden around us—it shows he wished for the living to find peace, joy, and fulfillment in their own lives."

Seeing Zhenzhen fall silent, he glanced outside the hall and suggested kindly, "It’s getting late, my lady. Please return with Second Great King. He is still waiting for you."

Zhenzhen stood up, removed the cloak, and held it in her hands. She asked Yang Zicheng, "Master, may I take this garment with me?"

Yang Zicheng did not answer but smiled, gently taking the cloak from her hands. He strode outside the hall, lit it with a candle, and burned it before the incense burner.

Turning to Zhenzhen, who had followed him and was staring at the flames in astonishment, he said, "The past is gone. Let all that happened fade away with this smoke and fire. The sunlight outside is warm—you no longer need to wear this cloak."

Zhenzhen’s lips trembled slightly as she watched the cloak gradually vanish in the flames, and she whispered unconsciously, "Your Highness…"

"His Highness wishes for your happiness," Yang Zicheng said with a faint smile. "Both before and hereafter."

When Zhenzhen emerged, Zhao Ai stepped forward and invited her to board the carriage and return with him. Just then, a young man suddenly rushed over from outside the Lingxing Gate, calling out, "Zhenzhen!" Zhenzhen looked closely and saw that it was A Che.

A Che ran up to her and said, "My master also came today to pay respects to Crown Prince Zhuang Wen. Seeing you arrive, he did not leave immediately. He is now in the pavilion by the northern river bend and wishes to speak with you."

Before Zhenzhen could respond, Zhao Ai spoke first to A Che, "Men and women should maintain propriety. If there is no urgent matter, why engage in unnecessary conversation and invite gossip?"A Che ignored him and continued speaking to Zhenzhen, "The young master has once again requested to resign from his official post. The Emperor did not grant his request but allowed him to take a leave of absence to rest for a while. The young master is returning to Wuyi Mountain tomorrow and very much wishes to see you one more time."

Seeing that Zhenzhen still did not respond, A Che grew anxious and suddenly brought up a matter, "Actually, the young master knows how to swim!"

Zhenzhen was surprised upon hearing this and looked at him intently. A Che then continued, "There is much water in Wuyi Mountain. The young master enjoys tranquility; as a child, he would sit reading for hours on end. Madam worried that this would be harmful to his health in the long run, so she had him learn swimming from the fishermen of the Nine-Bend Stream. Thus, whenever the water temperature was suitable, the young master would go practice. Now he is very skilled in the water and can hold his breath underwater for a long time—many fishermen cannot match him..."

Zhenzhen couldn't help but ask, "So, that night at Gathering Scenery Garden..."

"Yes!" A Che immediately took over, "Many of the garden's landscapes were designed by him; he knows the terrain of the garden like the back of his hand. On the night the lake flooded, seeing the torrential rain, he worried for your safety and immediately went to Gathering Scenery Garden. I followed him, and later it was he who dived in to rescue you. I don't know how to swim, so I waited on the shore for him... Now that he is leaving, wanting to speak his heart to you, won't you go see him?"

After hearing this, Zhenzhen turned to look toward the small pavilion in the north. Zhao Ai sensed something amiss and immediately said to her, "There is only an old regret there; no need to look back."

Seeing Zhenzhen silent, he extended a hand toward her, "Get in the carriage. First, I will accompany you to escort Madam Ju's coffin back to Pujiang, and then we will go to Mingzhou."

Zhenzhen did not accept his support and resolutely began walking northward.

Zhao Ai chased after her a few steps, calling out to her retreating figure, "Zhenzhen, I also have something to say to you!"

Zhenzhen did not reply and continued toward where Lin Hong was. Zhao Ai had no choice but to stop, watching her walk away, the light in his eyes gradually dimming.

To the north, there was a small river separating the garden from the West Lake embankment. At a bend in the river was a wooden boardwalk that zigzagged several times, extending over the water. At the end of the boardwalk was a small pavilion with a thatched roof. Tall green trees lined the embankment, and beneath the pavilion, the soft blue water reflected the tall, graceful figure of Lin Hong in white robes. He stood silently by the railing under the eaves, gazing in the direction from which Zhenzhen would come. The clear autumn water in his eyes was as tranquil as the shimmering light and tree shadows.

Zhenzhen walked through the sparse shadows of red leaves in the garden, crossed two small bridges veiled in crimson clouds, passed along the boardwalk, and gently approached Lin Hong.

From afar, he met her gaze, and as she drew near, he smiled slightly and bowed in greeting.

Zhenzhen did not exchange formalities and directly asked him, "That night at Gathering Scenery Garden, was it you who saved me?"

"Yes," this time he did not deny it, "I only rescued you from the water. The boat was operated by a group of eunuchs."

"Teacher Lin, I..." Zhenzhen wanted to express her gratitude to him but for a moment did not know where to begin.

"Do you wish to repay this favor?" Lin Hong said with a gentle smile, his tone as soft as a breeze and light rain, "Then I hope it will be with the rest of your life, filling our days and nights together from now on."

Hearing him mention the "tree rings" again, Zhenzhen felt a mix of emotions and lowered her eyelashes to avoid letting him see the ripples in her eyes. After a moment, she raised her head and gazed at Lin Hong, saying, "This is like marking the boat to find the sword, Teacher Lin."

Bathed in his gentle gaze, disregarding the hidden expectations he had previously held, she still firmly replied, "After traversing countless mountains and rivers, the heart you lost back then is no longer by the side of your boat."Zhenzhen bid farewell to Lin Hong and returned to the main hall, but Zhao Ai was nowhere to be seen. Yang Zicheng gestured toward the east: "Second Great King is over there on the bridge."

The small eastern stream was flanked by maples, acers, ginkgoes, phoenix trees, and weeping willows. Upstream, mountain spring water gurgled down, making the river exceptionally clear. The shadows of the trees along the banks were reflected in the water, blending deep and shallow shades of red, yellow, and green on and beneath the surface, like colored glass, radiant and dazzling. A small wooden arch bridge without railings spanned the river. At both ends, maple leaves blazed like fire, ginkgo leaves shimmered like gold, and willow branches swayed gently, creating a scene of breathtaking intensity. Yet Zhao Ai sat dejectedly at the midpoint of the bridge's edge, his feet dangling above the water. He held a few stones in his hand, skipped a couple across the surface, then lost interest and tossed the remaining stones into the river with a splash. He lowered his gaze to watch the ripples beneath his feet, and the soft-footed headwear he wore drooped listlessly, like the damp wings of a swallow.

Zhenzhen walked silently to his side and sat down at the edge of the bridge, shoulder to shoulder with him.

Zhao Ai glanced sideways, then broke into a delighted smile: "You're back!"

Zhenzhen smiled and asked him, "Earlier, you said you had something to tell me. What was it?"

Zhao Ai looked at her with burning intensity and said, "Zhenzhen, I want to marry you."

"Hmm," Zhenzhen avoided his gaze, looking toward the winding stream. "That's no secret."

Zhao Ai's eyes lit up: "What did you just say?"

Zhenzhen repeated, "That's no secret."

Zhao Ai shook his head: "I meant the word before that."

He was clearly referring to the affirmative "Hmm." Zhenzhen chuckled softly: "That didn't have any special meaning."

"I don't care, you agreed," Zhao Ai said joyfully, with a childishly stubborn tone.

This time, Zhenzhen did not argue. She turned her head to meet his gaze, then slowly tilted her face upward, immersing herself in the emerald hues of the mountains and the glassy radiance of the waters, her lips unconsciously curving into a gentle smile.