Chapter Forty-Six: Setting Out for Nanping

Update time: June 15, 2013

The next morning, Lian Yue, still deep in sleep, was gently shaken awake. Bleary-eyed, she opened them to find Lan Shui standing at her bedside, her face adorned with a cheerful smile.

Seeing her, Lian Yue felt a surge of joy; after all, she had worried Lan Shui might change her mind. Now, with Lan Shui here, her heart was at ease. She called out sweetly, “Sister Lan.”

“It’s already late,” Lan Shui said. “Once you’ve washed and dressed, we’ll be on our way.”

Lian Yue turned toward the window. Sure enough, the sky outside was already pale with dawn—the hour was indeed late. Had Lan Shui not woken her, she would likely have overslept and become the subject of teasing again.

She cast a sideways glance at Zi Zhu, standing nearby with sleepy eyes. How had this girl become so lazy? But then Lian Yue remembered that Zi Zhu had stayed up late packing last night, and a hint of regret crept into her gaze for having just scolded her.

Zi Zhu, startled by Lian Yue’s glare, found her lingering drowsiness vanish instantly. Yet, the apology in Lian Yue’s eyes left her confused.

Had Zi Ling been present, she would have understood immediately. Since Zi Ling could see through it, how could Lan Shui, who had been with Lian Yue since childhood, not grasp the meaning? Understanding is one thing, but she absolutely could not explain it to Zi Zhu; Lian Yue was far too proud.

Lan Shui, noticing Zi Zhu still standing motionless, spoke up: “Why are you just standing there? Go and help your lady wash and dress.”

Zi Zhu hurried to comply, handing Lian Yue a dampened brocade towel she had already prepared. Lian Yue freshened her face and rinsed her mouth, then sat before the dressing mirror.

At fifteen, Lian Yue was in the bloom of youth—her skin like ice and jade, smooth as cream. She was lovely by nature, her cheeks soft as apricots and her lips like peach blossoms. A touch of powder rendered her dazzling, impossible to look away.

Lan Shui gazed at the maiden in the mirror, momentarily lost in thought, before gathering herself. She reached out, swept Lian Yue’s dark hair behind her, and fashioned it into a simple single-coil bun, then nodded in satisfaction. “You’re becoming ever more beautiful. Today we’ll be in the carriage all day, so this style is simple and won’t easily come undone. If you don’t like it, I’ll change it for you.”

“No, no,” Lian Yue answered quickly, delighted by her reflection. “Anything done by Sister Lan is perfect.”

Zi Zhu, pouting, protested, “Miss, you’re so biased. As if the styles I make are never to your liking.”

Lian Yue knew she was only joking and replied, “How can your skills compare to Sister Lan’s? Every time, it’s wrap and unwrap, undo and redo, and after several tries, it’s just barely acceptable.”

Lian Yue’s words were true, though it was only when Zi Zhu had first been assigned to her by Meng Chuchen. Now, Zi Zhu’s skills were much improved, but recalling those earlier days brought a blush of embarrassment to her cheeks. “Miss…”

Lian Yue and Lan Shui exchanged glances and laughed together.

“What’s so amusing?” Zi Ling entered, circling around the screen, her eyes bright with delight at seeing Lan Shui. “Sister Lan is here—now that you have her with you, I can truly be at ease.”

“Sister Lan, look! Ever since Zi Ling married, she’s become more and more like a housekeeper, always fussing, always worrying!”

Lan Shui listened with a smile, her gaze drifting to Zi Ling’s belly before she asked, “How is your health lately?”

Zi Ling softened as she realized Lan Shui’s attention, “All is well!”

Lian Yue, however, suddenly remembered her eldest sister and her expression dimmed. The others noticed and wisely let the matter drop.

Zi Ling moved to the wardrobe and took out a long silk dress embroidered with golden threads. She and Zi Zhu helped Lian Yue dress, then from the jewel case atop the vanity, Zi Ling chose a hollowed orchid jade hairpin and set it diagonally in Lian Yue’s black hair, adding a few matching pearl flowers for decoration. A pair of sapphire and pearl earrings completed the ensemble. These were all prepared the night before, chosen by Zi Ling to suit Lian Yue’s tastes.

Lian Yue admired herself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction. “All right, let’s go, lest my brother grows impatient.”

Though she had shortened her dressing time as much as possible, by the time she entered the front hall of the Yue residence, her father, Yue Zhanpeng, her elder brother, Yue Lingjun, and Meng Chuchen, the second brother of Yi Guorong, were already waiting. Before Lian Yue could apologize, Yue Zhanpeng instructed the servants to serve breakfast.

After eating in the side chamber, Qingfeng came to report that everything was ready. Lian Yue, Yue Lingjun, and Meng Chuchen followed their father to the main entrance.

Perhaps because parting was imminent, Yue Zhanpeng was not as sorrowful as usual when facing Lian Yue and Meng Chuchen; instead, he was more like the doting father Lian Yue remembered from her childhood.

Listening to her father’s instructions, Lian Yue felt her reluctance to leave deepen.

Just as her emotions began to overflow, Meng Chuchen’s voice sounded in her mind, “What is it? Can’t bear to part with me?”

The feelings Lian Yue had yet to fully gather were scattered by his interruption, and she couldn’t help but retort in her heart, “Who can’t bear to part with you? I wish I could stay far away from you. You always pry into my thoughts.” Not quite satisfied, she shot him a glare, only to realize he wasn’t even looking at her, busy talking with her brother and father. Frustrated, she withdrew her gaze.

“Why glare at me? Don’t you pry into my thoughts as well? Fair enough, isn’t it?” Evidently, Meng Chuchen had caught her look.

Lian Yue glanced at him again; he was still in the same state, not paying her any attention. “What about Yaoyao? Did you confine her again?”

Meng Chuchen was silent for a long time. If not for the sense of resignation in his heart, Lian Yue might have thought their special connection had failed.

“Yes. Yesterday she kept insisting on going to Nanping. To avoid trouble for our brother, I confined her.”

“Tch! You’re just afraid she’ll wander out of your sight and flirt with someone else, or secretly pledge herself to another!” Lian Yue mercilessly exposed his lie, poking at his sore spot. She didn’t approve of her second brother’s actions—if you care, say so, and don’t forbid others from speaking when you yourself won’t.

Meng Chuchen, in mid-conversation with Yue Lingjun, heard this private rebuke and his face darkened, even his disguise couldn’t hide it.

Yue Lingjun, confused by his brother’s sudden pause and sour expression, glanced knowingly at his mischievous little sister and understood at once—they must be privately conversing again.

Only Yaoyao or Lian Yue herself could provoke such a reaction from Meng Chuchen. Since Lian Yue was the culprit, the matter must concern Yaoyao. As the elder brother, he knew Meng Chuchen’s feelings well. Glancing at Lan Shui, who was accompanying Lian Yue, he sighed inwardly—why did his brothers have such trouble with matters of the heart?

But Meng Chuchen’s situation was much better; at least there was mutual affection, unlike himself and Lan Shui—he was the dreaming king, she the indifferent goddess.

Yue Lingjun had once questioned his feelings for Lan Shui—was it more familial love, or…? Each time, he quickly dismissed his doubts, only growing more certain of his affection. But…

He sighed, patting Meng Chuchen’s shoulder, though he said nothing.

Lian Yue, who had been watching Meng Chuchen with glee, quieted when she saw her brother’s expression and gesture. She glanced at Lan Shui, who remained unmoved, and resolved to create opportunities for them during the journey—if Lan Shui truly felt nothing, it might help her brother let go. Of course, Lian Yue still hoped for a happy ending for all.

As she pondered how to proceed, Meng Chuchen’s voice sounded in her mind again, “What are you thinking? Father is asking you something!”

“What did Father ask?” Lian Yue quickly refocused.

“He asked if you have enough attendants, or if you need two more maids.”

Lian Yue understood and, feeling a bit guilty, looked at her father, who was waiting for her answer. “No need, no need. With Sister Lan and Zi Zhu, I have enough.”

Yue Zhanpeng frowned, “Isn’t Zi Ling coming along?”

“Zi Ling’s health is delicate, so she won’t accompany us this time,” Lian Yue explained.

Only then did Yue Zhanpeng remember Zi Ling’s pregnancy, which naturally reminded him of his daughter far away in Nanping Prince’s residence. His gaze softened, and he addressed Zi Ling, who stood behind Lian Yue, “Stay in the residence and rest. If you need anything, find Yue Chong.”

The steward Yue Chong quickly agreed.

Zi Ling, surprised by the favor, glanced at Qingfeng and both knelt, “Thank you for your great kindness, Master!”

Yue Zhanpeng waved them up and turned back to Lian Yue, “With Shui’er accompanying you, I am reassured. Yue’er, listen to Shui’er and Jun’er on the road, don’t cause trouble, understood?”

Lian Yue pouted, acting spoiled, “Why does Father always say I’ll cause trouble? As if I’m so mischievous!”

Yue Zhanpeng, in rare good humor, countered, “Aren’t you mischievous? If you weren’t, would you still be my daughter, Yue’er?”

Laughter erupted. Zi Zhu and Zi Ling, fearing Lian Yue’s retaliation, dared not laugh aloud, while Yue Chong’s face was flushed with suppressed amusement. Clearly, everyone agreed.

“Father…”

“That’s right! That’s right!” Meng Chuchen, nodding in earnest, looked at Yue Lingjun and Lan Shui with sympathy, “You two have my condolences!”

“Meng Chuchen!” Lian Yue glared at him, displeased, and threatened, “If you keep this up, I’ll ask Sister Lan to bring Yaoyao along, so she can see all the handsome men and beauties outside!”

Meng Chuchen’s smile froze at her words, but Lan Shui’s simple answer quickly gave him a sense of triumph.

“I won’t go!” Lan Shui replied succinctly.

“But…”