A Tempest Confined in a Bottle
Crown Prince Jingyuan-
From his desk, he got an insightful glimpse of distant lands far from the capital. Rural villagers worked in abundant rice fields, while a newly appointed magistrate radiated with happiness in the spacious courtyard of his home, sporting a wide, ear-to-ear grin. His joy perhaps stemmed from the pride of having his portrait sketched by an artist with an extraordinary talent for capturing one’s likeness as if gazing into a mirror. Along the northern border, the bustling town came alive at night, its streets adorned with stunning women, illuminated by twinkling stars and vibrant city lights. On the southern coast, diligent fishers pursued their trade, while lively markets buzzed with people engrossed in their daily routines.
To most people, these visual depictions may seem ordinary or even pleasing, as the sketches were truly works of art. However, Crown Prince Jingyuan saw something much deeper. He saw the darkness lurking beneath the paper’s surface. He noticed the hardship of the people and recognized of the ugly sides of humanity.
Distressing were the images of his subjects toiling relentlessly in the rice fields, their weary faces etched with hardship and their bodies worn down by the scorching sun, and their suffering did not escape his notice. He could not ignore the blatant signs of corruption in the newly appointed magistrate chosen by the Emperor. The magistrate’s extravagant jade belt and his lavish home with an excessive number of servants than warranted and the gold and gemstone rings on his fingers were clear indications of his likely exploitation of his position for personal gain. How else could the man, with his more than most but a modest civil servant’s salary alone, afford him such indulgences?
He felt outraged by the many pictures of the bustling city nightlife. Amidst the alluring women adorned with makeup and provocative clothing, Jingyuan recognized the unmistakable signs of youth, despite the veil of makeup and ostentatious dresses. He knew from looking at their dimpled hands and full-rounded cheeks. These young girls were too innocent to engage in such adult activities, suggesting the underage girls were forced to work, sell themselves in the sex trade against their will and the drawings depicting a story of fishers returning from their expeditions with a bountiful catch for the market. However, only a small portion of their haul was displayed in the stalls. This suggested that high-ranking individuals were imposing illegal taxes and taking a share that did not belong to them. These taxes never made their way to the capital, and those in positions of influence, appointed by the Emperor to ensure the safety of the citizens, seemed to act with no oversight and instead pursued personal gain draining their vitality like parasites feeding off the already weakened. In doing so, they betrayed the empire.
The people, who would one day be ruled by Jingyuan from the Dragon Seat, needed Jinghua just as much as Jingyuan did, for these very reasons.
Without Jinghua, these truth-revealing views would have never reached the capital, nor would they have scattered on Jingyuan’s desk. Despite being seen as a worry-free frivolously carefree prince with a wandering spirit, Jinghua played a crucial role as the discerning eyes and ears for the Emperor and Jingyuan, without seeking recognition for his efforts. Nothing escaped his younger twin’s eyes and through his detailed drawings chronicling his travels, he unveiled illustrations that were both pleasant and grievous, which the Emperor and Jingyuan would never witness from within the palace walls.
Jinghua embarked on his extensive journeys, often absent for years, accompanied only by two companions: his loyal assistant and guard, Li Jie, and his childhood friend, Qing Yuan, the eldest son of the Left Prime Minister. Despite his wealthy background in the Shao household, Qing Yuan had no desire to inherit his father’s legacy. Instead, he remained devoted to the Crown and distanced himself from his family because of his differing values. Together, the trio seamlessly blended into their surroundings as they ventured through various locations, ensuring their true mission by order from the Emperor remained undetected. Occasionally, Jinghua’s familiar face would give them away, but his detached demeanor led some to dismiss him as a disgraced prince. They underestimated him and reasoned that why else would a legitimate heir be sent to such remote places where nobody else wanted to go? However, these foolishly naïve individuals failed to grasp that Jinghua, under his air of nonchalance, he possessed a sharp perception that allowed him to discern any attempts at deception or hidden truths. He could not be fooled, for Jinghua saw through the facade and exposed the reality of every situation.
Such scenes were scandalous and disheartening to Jingyuan, who was too far away to rectify the situation. Thus, Jinghua, as the second-born imperial son of the Emperor and empress, fulfilled what Jingyuan could not, gaining enemies wherever he went. Many times, Jinghua’s life was threatened, yet his younger brother remained confident and fearless. He would confront those attempting to harm him, challenging them as if saying, “Here I am. Come and get me if you dare,” and up to now, nobody had dared to challenge Jinghua who was known for being unbeatable, having never lost on the battlefield or in a one-on-one fight with a blade or using his bare hands.
His brother was unbreakable, except against Jingyuan. His younger twin bent and yielded to him and he never took advantage of Jinghua’s unselfish nature except once in a while, on a blue moon, and today was one of those days.
Jingyuan dismissed all the servants except for Eunuch Bo. Although his attendant remained silent, his concerns were conveyed through defeated sighs and worry-filled glances. Jingyuan removed his crown and let his long hair flow, securing it with a simple wooden hairpin. To match his unassuming appearance, he exchanged his golden outer garment for a simpler style. He wore a grey and black robe belted with a black cord attached to a fragrance pouch, similar to what other men carried. It was only when he removed his boots that Eunuch Bo spoke up, sounding like his royal mother or one of his nagging wives finally. He advised, “Crown Prince, this is risky and unwise. Going out without guards is dangerous. Please take a few guards and servants to accompany you. If something were to happen to you, aya, it would bring disaster to the world!”
Jingyuan responded, emphasizing the need for secrecy. “It wouldn’t be a secret outing if I brought everyone along. Don’t act as if this is the first time. Jinghua will be here soon and he knows what he must do. But ensure no one follows him inside, and the doors are locked behind him or I’ll send you away and have you assigned to serve Consort Shao for a month.” Just as Jingyuan gave his orders, a voice from outside announced Jinghua’s arrival.
Jinghua entered the room, his footsteps echoing with brisk steps. A smile adorned his face as he crossed the threshold. As he approached his older twin, his eyes fell upon the dress that mirrored his own. Being quick to grasp the situation, protectively, Jinghua clutched his clothing tight to him. With determination in his voice, he declared, “No. I won’t do this.” His hurried steps took him backward, towards the palace entrance, only to find the doors closed, sealing his fate.
“You’ve entrapped me.” Overwhelmed, Jinghua protested, “I refuse! It is impolite to coerce me into such circumstances. I’m your didi, your younger brother. Protect me. Don’t expose me to danger.” He reasoned further, “Royal older brother, we have outgrown these childish games.”
In a desperate plea, Jingyuan begged of his didi, “Jinghua, my only brother just this once. It has been years since I last cast my fishing line and enjoyed a moment of solitude.” To this Jinghua replied, “Don’t give me that line of nonsense. You have twelve other brothers!”
“But only you, my twin, can help me.” Jingyuan ceased his pursuit of Jinghua and instead reasoned with him, using a bit of guilt to make Jinghua waver and understand him. “It has been two long years since I have experienced a moment of freedom without the servants and guards. Thirty individuals monitoring my every move. Can you comprehend feeling not being able to have a moment of privacy even when using the restroom? All I ask for is a few hours to catch my breath. I feel as though I am suffocating. It is time to stop evading the inevitable. Let us handle this situation with dignity, as princes should, instead of running around in circles like a gaggle of young girls.”
His twin brother came to a stop. Jinghua’s small eyes narrowed with distrust. His steps were slow and hesitant, like a disobedience child. He dragged his feet toward his older brother until they were face to face begrudgingly. The two brothers stared at and into each other’s eyes as if searching for something profound within each other’s souls. They engaged in a silent competition, trying to out-stare one another. Then, as if they were the only ones who heard a secret signal, they both extended their hands toward each other.
Jingyuan’s hand was open and splayed, while Jinghua’s hand was clenched with seething rage that he couldn’t release. Jingyuan’s open hand covered Jinghua’s fist. “Si di, Fourth brother, paper covers rock. Why do you always throw rock? Sometimes you’re too set in your ways. Since I’ve won, you’ll take my place as Crown Prince. I won’t be long.” Jingyuan said. Jinghua yanked his hand away from his brother’s grip. “Dammit, I was going to throw scissors,” he protested. In frustration, he huffed and puffed to show his annoyance, removing his clothes and hurling them to the ground, while Eunuch Bo fussed and rushed to pick up the scattered garments.
“Three hours! Not a minute more,” Jinghua growled through clenched teeth. His face turned red as Jingyuan retorted, “Five hours. Eunuch Bo will take care of you while I’m away, and no one will bother you. If you get bored, tend to the documents on my desk.” Jinghua scoffed at his brother’s suggestion and countered, “Five hours!?” Tense-jawed with an expression full of resentment, Jinghua placed Jingyuan’s crown on his head forcefully. “Four hours, and that’s final! Jingyuan, you have wronged me… Wait! What if one of your wives approaches me, I mean you? I despise every one of them. They scare me.”
Jingyuan’s many wives. How could he not consider such a situation to arise? It would be a dilemma for Jinghua, but his concerns vanished and palpable relief washed over him when the guards arrived with his brother’s horse and addressed him as the Fourth Prince. With no one chasing after him, he could ride away, and the pressure in his chest eased finally. Seeking solace and tranquility, he made his way to the city’s only private fishing spot inside the Bai estate.
Although General Bai was away from the capital for long periods, he cherished the moments spent at home on his property. Sitting on the wooden pier, he would fish, relax with a pipe and a cup of tea, and enjoy the serene atmosphere. It was a place that seemed plucked from the pages of a children’s book or a fairy tale. A gentle waterfall cascaded over a placed rock formation, flowing into a larger body of water. The too small to be called lake yet too large to be called a pond, was crystal clear, shining like jade, and surrounded by fruit trees bearing loquat, peach, plum, and persimmon. Among them stood red flowering dogwood trees, one of which still held the swing once cherished by A-li.
He sat under one of the loquat trees, appreciating his solitude and taking in the gentle sound of the nearby stream mixed with the chirping of birds and the occasional splash of a fish. He found himself lost in the moment, thinking of nothing else, tension leaving his body. It was an enjoyable experience until a shower of loquats rained down upon him and pelted his head. Startled, he glanced up to see a slim figure with a nimble movement jumping down from the tree. The front of his untucked shirt was filled with loquats, and there were damp, reddish stains from fruit. When the person noticed Jingyuan, he came towards him, but the closer he came, Jingyuan saw the boy was a girl, but she was dressed like a boy, with tiny fragments of hay bits stuck in her topknot. “Meihua greets Fourth Prince Jinghua.” The greeting was polite, but her flat expression lacked courtesy. Not only did it lack geniality. Jingyuan would say she appeared annoyed to see him there.
“Oh! Fourth Prince, I didn’t see you lurking about under the tree. I didn’t mean to hit you with those loquats,” she said, claiming to be sorry but showing no hint of genuine apology. “I’m glad you’re here because I realized I forgot something important, and I’ve added it to my list of rules.” She handed Jingyuan a folded sheet of paper. As he unfolded it and read the contents, a grin spread across his face at its unusual contents and what she said next. “Even though you’re the Fourth Prince, during our fake dates, you’re just a man trying to win over a woman. You can’t assert your position as a prince over me, ordering me around, or bully like my boss.”
There was no trace of fear or hesitation in her defiant stare. There wasn’t a smidge of submission in her stance. At that moment, he ceased to be the Crown Prince that everyone feared and approached with caution and lowered eyes because this servant girl didn’t avert her gaze as expected. Jingyuan found the situation just as strange as she, but he found it excitingly odd, and he was eager to taunt Jinghua about his fabricated love interest.
His meeting with Meihua was unplanned, but he was enjoying the unexpected encounter. He thought about correcting her mistake about his identity, but it turned out he didn’t need to. Right before his eyes, he could see the realization dawning on her. She mumbled, tilting her head to the side, her lips pursed and her nose scrunched in confusion. But that confusion turned into recognition as her eyes widened like a frightened deer. She dropped to her knees, her head not quite touching the ground, and her voice trembled as she stammered, “Mei…Meihua apologizes for not recognizing the Crown Prince.”
She was such a peculiar girl. Jingyuan found her perplexing indeed, especially since he had left the palace without anyone recognizing him. “Please rise,” he said, and she stood up too quickly, causing all the fruit from her shirt to tumble to the ground. He overheard her mutter a curse “shit” under her breath as she tried to salvage the scattered fruit hurriedly. Once again, he couldn’t help but think how unusual she was. He observed her with curiosity as he bent down to pick up the plums near his feet. Without warning, she dashed towards him, crawling on all fours with lightning speed, until her head bumped into his, causing him to see stars. She fell back onto her rear with a thud, but got up quickly and rushed over to check his forehead. “Oh, no! Are you okay?”
Meihua-
“Oh, no! Are you ok?” The Crown Prince is dazed and his eyes are out of focus briefly. Reaching out, I stroke his head before pulling my plum-stained hand away when I see a sticky red plum juice, my palm print on his forehead. What the hell am I thinking?! A lowly servant shouldn’t touch his royal head!? Am I looking for a death wish? I must be insane temporarily from hitting my head against his and as I’m watching him gain his lost composure, I’m panicky and wondering if he’s going to have me tied and quartered by horses.
If there’s ever been a time when I wished I could magically vanish, this is that moment. Here I am standing before the Crown Prince, looking at my very worst and wearing pants and a topknot to work with the grand Princess’s mare who is heavy with her first foal. I’m sure he doesn’t care, but I feel the need to explain myself before he has me kicked off the property.
“I apologize for my disheveled appearance, Your Highness. Please forgive me if it seems disrespectful. As a recent addition to the household, I care for the pregnant mare in the stable. It may not be proper since I’m a girl, but wearing pants instead of a dress is more practical because of obvious reasons. The mare chews my hair when it’s down, so I keep it tied up to prevent any bald spots.”
‘Shut up Meihua!’ Why can’t I seem to keep my mouth shut? I’m babble, unable to stop myself from rambling on about things that I’m pretty sure he has no interest in hearing. “I expect you to punish me, which would be understandable in this situation. My terrible appearance and behavior are deplorable, and it would be fitting and well-deserved if you were to have me flogged,” I say, sounding remorseful, all the while hoping he doesn’t take my suggestion. However, to my surprise, he asks, speaking in a mature tone unfitting of his age or his youthful face, “How did you know I wasn’t Jinghua?” In response, I explain, “Answering Your Highness. If I may be so bold to say, there is a distinct look in your eyes that sets you apart from Prince Jinghua. They exude calm, a serene tranquility, like the surface of a placid lake, which the Fourth Prince lacks. And your smile is genuine, unlike Prince Jinghua, whose forced and uncomfortable smile is more of a frown.”
It’s possible that I’ve been holding my breath since recognizing the Crown Prince and finally I let out a sigh of relief when I see I hadn’t angered him, and to my surprise, he seemed to find my observation interesting and asked further, “Then, tell me, what do you see in Jinghua’s eyes?” Without hesitation, I say the first thing that pops into my mind, “I see an unreleased storm. His dark eyes reflect a tempest confined within a bottle.”
“A tempest confined in a bottle,” he repeats after me and then says, “Well, Miss Meihua, you certainly know how to make an impression. I didn’t find your dress or appearance inappropriate or wrong. In fact, I find you cute and even charming. You remind me of someone,” the Crown Prince says, causing my cheeks to flush. Despite knowing they were twins, I can’t help but wonder why I never noticed their handsomeness until now. Suddenly, I feel foolish and embarrassed for pretending to be Prince Jinghua’s love interest, especially since he could effortlessly have any woman he desires. So why has he chosen someone as ordinary and plain as me?