Unpredictability and Serendipity of Fate
Jingyuan-
As Crown Prince Jingyuan exchanged morning greetings with the Empress, he took in, inhaling a deep breath, relishing the delicate aroma of the chrysanthemum-infused tea that filled the air. Its floral essence blended with the subtle scent of sandalwood incense burning in the corner of the reception chamber. The exquisite porcelain teacup, adorned with intricate yellow peony patterns, felt smooth and warm in his hands, providing a comforting sensation. With each sip, the tea’s refreshing flavor danced on his tongue, enveloping his senses with a profound tranquility. This serene state of mind would serve as a shield for the impending, unwelcome yet unavoidable conversation awaiting him in Royal mother’s foyer.
Empress mother, sipping her tea, asked him a question nonchalantly, as if it had just come to her mind, as if this was all impromptu and spontaneous, even though he knew she had been eager to bring up the subject for days. “Jingyuan, what qualities would you like you future wife to possess?” She went on, “I heard you’ve removed Consort Shao from your nightly rotations for a month, and I won’t question your decision. Unfortunately, this comes at a difficult time, as the royal doctors have advised your favored concubine not serve you during her first trimester of pregnancy. I’m curious to know if there are specific traits you desire. I know you treat your wives well, but it would be wonderful to see you find someone who captures your heart and keeps you satisfied.”
He did not believe in specific traits or frivolous sentiments, such as capturing his heart or satisfying him. He took personal amusement in his mother’s opinions. While he did not have a favorite among his six wives, if he had to choose one, it would be his second wife, Consort Shao Wan. However, even she had not captured his heart. He treated all of his wives equally, spending fair amounts of time with each, regardless of their family name or social status. As for his desires, how could anyone fulfil them when he had yet to discover what they were?
He remained silent, understanding that his opinion held no weight in this matter. His mother had always chosen suitable candidates for him in the past, without considering his thoughts. However, he knew her actions were not meant to be inconsiderate or dismissive of his feelings. She understood his introverted nature and knew that discussing his wives or future wives held no interest for him.
Today, though, she surprised him with unexpected news.
The Empress mother informed him the Grand Princess had recommended her newest servant as his next concubine. “According to your aunt’s letter, this girl possessed both cleverness and beauty, making her a fitting addition to your family. She might lack sophistication since she came from a common background. She will receive the title of a fourth ranking concubine and be the lowest status in your harem. This would prevent any accusations of favoritism, as I know others will learn that your aunt is sponsoring her. The Dragon Boat Festival will be an auspicious day for her to enter the palace and begin serving you.”
Precisely like that.
In that moment, he realized the sheer unpredictability and serendipity of fate. The conversation took an enthralling turn, capturing his attention. If he had been alone, a smile might have graced his face. The memory of the girl, dressed up as a boy, who had left a red sticky plum handprint on Jingyuan’s forehead that day, replayed in his mind vividly. This wasn’t the first time he had thought of her, as she possessed an intriguing charm. He’d met many women, but she stood out, captivating him and sparking an unusual desire to make her his next concubine.
“I trust Royal mother to know best and it would be impolite not to accept Grand Princess’s recommendation.” Jingyuan responded in his usual unemotional way, but there was a subtle undertone of excitement in his voice that caught the Empress off guard, causing her lashes to flutter, and her eyebrows arched in surprise at her son’s oh so, minor yet noticeable enthusiasm.
Her voice rose a few octaves as she spoke. “Well, now! Jingyuan, it’s unusual for you to show interest, so I’m delighted! This child, whoever she may be, has earned your aunt’s affection, and in return, your generous aunt has offered her a substantial dowry. I will take charge of the preparations for her arrival and ensure that she is well-prepared for her new position. It is of utmost importance that she feels welcomed and valued in our household.”
With that, the conversation came to a close, and Jingyuan couldn’t help but feel a stirring, an unexpected sense of anticipation for the Dragon Boat Festival. The prospect of having this unique and intriguing woman by his side filled him with a newfound excitement, and he couldn’t wait to see how their relationship would unfold.
Widow Lang Bi-
“Furen, may I have a few moments of your time? I’m Commander Bai. Based on your property registration, you have been living here for fifteen years. I was hoping you could provide some information about your neighbor, Wang Gao.” Lang Bi was not surprised to see someone inquiring about her difficult neighbor.
She had been expecting it.
This Commander Bai was courteous, addressing her with the respectful term “Furen” (madam). Judging by colors of his attire, he appeared to be a high-ranking official from the Department of Law Compliance. Lang Bi was familiar with men like him. He was not to be taken lightly. His eyes held a penetrating intensity, like that of a hawk, capable of seeing through deception and falsehoods. “I know nothing. I believe he’s gone. The house seems to be abandoned,” she responded, turning away from the officer and his penetrating gaze.
She focused on drying the herbs in her courtyard, trying to avoid getting involved or implicated. That horrific night had left her traumatized, often waking up overcome by heartbreak, still tormented by the sounds of crying children. The image of their terrified pale faces pierced through the darkness of the night, haunting her and, of course, there was poor Meihua. Lang Bi had lit incense and prayed for that poor girl she had sent away with nothing but the clothes on her back.
“He lived here with his wife and children?” Lang Bi couldn’t discern from the commander’s tone whether he was asking a question or making a comment. However, it felt like he was inviting her to engage in the conversation. She chose not to take the bait but offered an ambiguous response, hoping to deflect him. “I’m quite occupied with my life, and I don’t have the time to focus on others. Perhaps you should ask the other neighbors instead of bothering me.”
“I’ve spoken to the other neighbors, which is why I’m here,” he stated, entering her yard without invitation or approval.
As Commander Bai spoke, the occasional sound of paper rustling could be heard as he flipped through the documents in his hands. His voice carried a deep, imposing, and commanding tone. The weight of his presence was accentuated by the heavy thud of his footsteps as his boots strode across the dirt ground with authority.
“According to the neighbors, you had a friendly relationship with his late wife. Madame, I understand your hesitation to get involved, but if you’re staying silent because of fear of repercussions from Wang Gao, let me assure you he is no longer alive. He was killed while attempting to kidnap what we believe was one of his own children.”
Lang Bi abruptly spun around, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at Commander Bai. Speechless, she could not hide her astonishment. Deep down, she felt a sense of relief that Wang Gao was no longer alive. He deserved nothing less than eternal suffering in the lowest level of hell. “The wife’s name was Mèng yáo, Zhou Mèng yáo. Unfortunately, she passed away during childbirth,” Lang Bi revealed. However, as she witnessed the Commander’s face drain of color and his eyes bulging in disbelief, she regretted her words.
Long moments passed before he could regain his voice. When he spoke, his tone was filled with intensity and emotion as he asked, “Among them, was there a sixteen-year-old girl?” He thrust a picture of a young girl to her, saying, “This picture was drawn when she was five. Did you see anyone who looked like her?” Lang Bi recognized the girl in the photograph. Her heart raced as she looked at the portrait in Commander Bai’s hands.
It was Meihua, her neighbor’s daughter and the runaway she had sent away.
She was overcome with a mix of profound emotions – shock, fear, and sorrow all at once.
She averted her gaze, trying to hide the anxiety that came from his penetrating stare. She shook her head in denial, not wanting to reveal anything to the officer. If it had been anyone else asking, she might have told the truth about Meihua’s disappearance. But Lang Bi knew of corrupt law enforcers who would capture escaped girls and force them back into pleasure homes or slavery.
She stood firm in her resolve. “No, there were only young children. The couple had one daughter, a toddler. She couldn’t have been over two or three years old.”
“Are you positive?!” He pressed her, causing a cold sweat to break out across her skin and beads of sweat formed on the hairline of her salt and peppered hair. “I am telling the truth, but if there’s some sort of incentive or monetary reward, I can always lie.” She replied, watching as the Commander’s shoulders dropped in disappointment. He closed his eyes and let out a defeated sigh, sounding like he had lost something important. With a defeated tone, he added, “If anything comes to mind or you remember seeing something, there will be a reward.”
As soon as he departed, she rushed inside and peered out the window to see him vanish into the distance on his horse. His sense of urgency both intrigued and alarmed her. What could be so crucial about locating Meihua? And what had transpired to prompt the Commander of the Department of Law Compliance to intervene?
Bai Yi Bo-
He couldn’t tell his mother about his discoveries because he knew she would hold herself responsible for permitting the woman into A-li’s life.
Zhou Mengyao was a name he hadn’t heard in years, yet it carried significant meaning.
Once a trusted member of the Bai household.
Zhou Mengyao had served Grand Princess and was one his mother’s dowery maid who followed her from the palace before becoming his sister’s nursemaid. It was unbelievable but plausible for her to be involved. If Wang Gao had approached and married Zhou Mengyao in secret making them partners in crime, then taking A-li would have been as easy as taking candy from a child even though she was at the palace while countless guards watched them yet saw nothing out of the ordinary when questioned over the days after A-li was abducted.
However, the most puzzling part for Yi Bo was the burning down of the ancestral temple, with A-Li locked inside after they had received the full ransomed amount in gold. How could Zhou Mengyao display such heartlessness and cunning? After all, she had been responsible for caring for A-li since the day she was born. It’s difficult to comprehend how she could either permit or plan such a devastating destiny for the child who regarded Zhou Mengyao as her second mother.
Nine Heavens-
Donghua couldn’t comprehend, nor did he appreciate, why he found himself involved in these predicaments. In reality, he didn’t even want to ask because he didn’t care. Wasn’t his toddler son, who was always on the move and never slept, already too much for him to handle? However, Prince Lian Song had come to him in a panicked state, asking for his help in finding Bai Qian’s missing fan. “Princess Changchang, have you been to the mortal realm recently?”
Her arms extended, her body bent as she bowed, revealing a confidence well beyond her age. Every aspect of her sweet appearance was crafted to charm those around her, from the bright pink frilly goddess outfit to the delicate, matching pink ribbons adorning her hair buns. But the man who was once a rock could see through her facade.
“Greetings, Lord Donghua Dijin,” she spoke with calmness, evading his question with practiced ease. As she tilted her head towards the sky, a pink blush spread across her cheeks and she gave him a playful smile while chirping like a bird, “The weather is perfect for a stroll to the lotus ponds. Changchang would be most honored if Lord Donghua joined us.” When he did not show any sign of interest, her smile faded and she regarded him with the same detachment he showed towards her.
“Princess, mortals possessing immortal artifacts are incredibly risky and go against the laws of Heaven,” he warned, noticing Changchang reaching out her hand. Donghua instinctively retreated and pulled away, careful to avoid her touch.
Although he was immune to her spells, he was well aware of her persuasive abilities and her renowned magical prowess. Despite her young age and incomplete mastery of her powers, he did not underestimate the significance of her extraordinary lineage. She was the offspring of a Black Dragon and a White Nine-Tailed Fox, with her paternal grandfather being the creator of all things, including Donghua himself. Having previously experienced the consequences of getting too close to Bai women, especially considering his wife, Bai Fengjiu, who had defied destiny and captured the heart of the ancient immortal, he knew firsthand what they were capable of.
“The Jade Purity Fan is Mother’s possession, and it does her no harm to have it. Without Mother’s magic, the fan itself holds no special significance.” She said. It would have been more respectful for her to speak with humility, but she chose not to. It would have been proper for her to submissively lowered her gaze, as did the other immortals, but this too she failed to do. In all eight realms and four seas, no one dared to question or defy Donghua’s authority, except for Changchang.
She possessed prideful vanity and audacity. She was fearless and unpredictable, being more like her mother than her younger twin Changying, who was her father’s daughter.
Changying possessed incredible magical powers as a healer and controlled over the elements. She had a silent, somber demeanor and emitted a serious aura reminiscent of her father in his youth. In fact, she even inherited her father, Sky Lord Ye Hua’s distinct fashion sense, opting for a daunting all-black ensemble adorned with the Celestial emblem. However, compared to her twin sister Changchang’s intricate and skilled manipulation abilities, Changying’s powers appeared somewhat lacking in strength.
Changchang was dangerous. Despite her innocent appearance and easy, friendly smiles, Changchang was the more unnerving sibling because of her enchantment spells. With a simple touch, she could manipulate one’s mind and emotions. Coupled with her talent for telepathy and unearthing secrets, her unsuspecting victims became exposed, their secrets laid bare like an open book.
It puzzled him why nobody saw through her deceptive facade. Her innocence was merely a guise, for she was truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Donghua stared down at her, unblinking, his face emotionless. Without a doubt, he knew Princess Changchang would not hesitate to test her powers on him and see if she could bend his will, and he didn’t care who had the fan. All he wanted was silence and a cup of tea alone. Was that too much to ask?