Chapter 201: Moonlit Oath, Undercurrent Rises Again

The moonlight in Shufangzhai always carries a warmth, filtering through the branches of the crabapple tree onto the bluestone slabs, like a layer of broken silver. Ziwei, draped in a moon-white cloak, clutched a freshly embroidered purse, the warmth of the silk thread still lingering on her fingertips. Erkang stood in the corridor, the hem of his dark formal attire swaying gently in the night breeze, his gaze fixed on her.

"It's late, why aren't you sleeping yet?" Erkang's voice was particularly clear in the silence, with a subtle tenderness. He walked forward and naturally helped Ziwei to straighten the collar of her cloak. His fingertips accidentally brushed the side of her neck, and they both shrank as if burned.

Ziwei hid the purse behind her, her cheeks flushed. "I couldn't sleep, so I wanted to finish embroidering this purse." The moonlight shone on her eyelashes, casting a faint shadow. "Why are you here too?"

"I was thinking about you at home, so I couldn't help but come over to see you." Erkang took out a jade pendant from his arms. The warm mutton-fat jade glowed softly in the moonlight, and there was a word "Kang" engraved on it. "This is what my mother left me. She said she wanted to give it to her future daughter-in-law." He stuffed the jade pendant into Ziwei's hand. The warmth of his palm made Ziwei's heart skip a beat.

Ziwei bit her lip and handed over the purse behind her: "I... I also embroidered something for you." The purse was made of lilac satin, embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water. The stitching was intricate, and it was obvious that a lot of thought had gone into it. Erkang took the purse, and his fingertips stroked the mandarin ducks' wings, a smile in his eyes that seemed to overflow: "Ziwei, no matter how many obstacles there are in the way, I, Fu Erkang, will marry you in this life."

"Erkang..." Ziwei's eyes were red, and tears fell like pearls with broken strings. "I believe you." She stood on tiptoe and tied the purse around Erkang's waist. Her movements were so gentle as if she was afraid of breaking some treasure.

At that moment, in the imperial study, the flickering candlelight cast a half-bright, half-dark shadow on Qianlong's face. He clutched a memorial in his hand, but for a moment he lay unturning, his gaze fixed on the moonlight outside the window. Fulun stood below, his back straight, a slight bead of sweat on his forehead.

"Fulun," Qianlong suddenly said, placing the memorial on the table, "has your eldest son been going to Shufangzhai often recently?"

Fulun's heart skipped a beat and he bowed quickly: "Your Majesty, my son...my son is in love with Princess Mingzhu, and we are in love with each other. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me." He lowered his head even lower, but his heart was in turmoil.

Qianlong laughed, his laughter particularly clear in the quiet study. "What crime do you want to forgive? I think Fu Erkang is a good boy, both civil and military, and he is also filial to you." He stood up, walked over to Fu Lun, and patted him on the shoulder. "I have already made up my mind about Mingzhu's marriage. If your boy is sincere and treats her well in the future, I will make it happen."

Fulun was surprised and happy, and he knelt down and kowtowed immediately: "Thank you for the grace of the emperor! My son will definitely live up to the emperor's high expectations and the princess's love!" His voice trembled. He didn't expect the emperor to be so open-minded.

Qianlong waved him away and stood alone by the window, gazing at the moonlit Forbidden City, a smile playing on his lips. In this life, it would be better if children had fewer setbacks and more fulfillment.

Meanwhile, in the small kitchen of Shufangzhai, a bustle of activity ensued. Yongqi emerged from behind the stove, his face dusty and grimy, his nose stained with black ash. He clutched a charred plate of dim sum and said to Xiaoyanzi with a bitter expression, "Why are these Jiangnan dim sum so difficult to make? I followed the recipe, but why are they so mushy?"

Xiaoyanzi laughed so hard that she fell backwards, pointing at his nose: "Look at you, you've become a little cat! With your skills, you'd better not learn how to make pastries, otherwise you will burn down the kitchen of Shufangzhai." She was wearing a light green short jacket that was convenient for her to move around in, holding a piece of freshly baked osmanthus cake in her hand, biting it with sweet taste.

Yongqi put the burnt pastry aside, came up to her and grabbed a piece of osmanthus cake: "Who said I can't do it? I will definitely do it well next time!" He bit the cake and looked at Xiaoyanzi with bright eyes, "By the way, let me show you something." He took out a jade pendant from his arms. The jade was warm and there was a small orchid engraved on it.

"This is..." Xiaoyanzi took the jade pendant and stroked the pattern on it with her fingertips.

"This is what my mother left for me. She said it can ward off evil spirits." Yongqi scratched his head, his ears slightly red. "I'm giving it to you. You carry it with you from now on. It's like I'm by your side protecting you."

Xiaoyanzi felt warm in her heart and stuffed the jade pendant into her arms, but she was harsh in her words: "Who needs your protection? I am so good at light work, I can run faster than anyone else when encountering danger!" Although she said so, the next day the palace maids found that there was a red rope around the princess's neck, with an orchid jade pendant hanging on it, which she treasured very much.

A few days later, the Fayuan Temple was filled with the lingering scent of incense and the sound of chanting. Xiao Jian, dressed in a long, azure robe and holding a string of Buddhist beads, was accompanying Fang's mother to burn incense. As he finished, he turned to see Qing'er, supporting the Empress Dowager, emerging from a side hall. Her moon-white palace dress was elegant and graceful, and she wore only a white jade hairpin in her hair. Amidst the fireworks, she resembled a lotus flower untouched by dust.

Qing'er also noticed him, paused, blushed slightly, and quickly lowered her head. The Queen Mother smiled and nodded at Xiao Jian, "Is Master Fang here to burn incense as well?"

"Your Majesty, I am here with my mother to pray to the Buddha for the health of our family." Xiao Jian bowed, but he couldn't help but glance towards Qing'er.

The Queen Mother was very astute. She saw this and said to Qing'er with a smile, "Didn't you say you wanted to see the inscriptions in the temple? Let Master Fang walk with you. He is well-educated and can explain it to you."

Qing'er's face turned even redder, but she responded obediently, "Yes, Queen Mother."

The two walked side by side on the bluestone path, lush pines and cypresses on both sides, the air filled with the scent of pine needles and incense. "Princess Qing likes inscriptions?" Xiao Jian spoke first, breaking the silence.

"Well, I like the words above. I think they tell a lot of stories." Qing'er's voice was soft and gentle. "Does Mr. Fang come here often?"

"I come here occasionally. It's quiet here." Xiao Jian looked at her. "I heard from Xiao Yanzi that you understand poetry and can play chess?"

"I only know a little bit." Qing'er looked up at him. Their eyes met, and they both looked away as if burned. Xiao Jian's eyes fell on the handkerchief she had accidentally dropped. The handkerchief was lavender and embroidered with a plum blossom. He bent down to pick it up and handed it back to her: "Princess, your handkerchief has fallen."

Qing'er took the handkerchief and her fingertips touched his hand. Her heartbeat quickened a few beats and she whispered, "Thank you, Mr. Fang."

Xiao Jian looked at her red ears, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously: "You're welcome. If there is a chance in the future, I will tell you about the poetry of Jiangnan. The spring there is more lively than in the capital."

Qing'er lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito: "Okay."

Meanwhile, in the guesthouse, a different scene was bustling. Liu Qing stood in the center of the lobby, her face flushed red. Holding a red envelope in her hand, she stammered to Jinsuo, "Jin...Jinsuo, I know I don't have any special abilities, but I will treat you well. Will you...will you marry me?"

Jinsuo's eyes had already turned red, tears were falling, but she kept nodding: "I do!"

Xiaoyanzi was more excited than anyone else watching from the side. She clapped her hands on the table and cheered: "Great! Brother Liu, you finally said it! Jinsuo, don't worry, if he dares to bully you in the future, I will be the first one to not let him go!" She was wearing a bright dress and holding an apple in her hand, biting it with a crunching sound.

Liu Qing quickly assured: "I will never bully Jinsuo! I will treat her well all my life!" The guys in the slum were clamoring to drink at the wedding banquet and almost blew off the roof of the guesthouse.

Ertai dragged Liu Hong through the temple fair in the capital, carrying bags of gifts: windmills, sugar paintings, and a sparkling pearl flower. "Do you think this pearl flower looks good? It goes perfectly with the red dress you wore last time." He handed it to Liu Hong.

Liu Hong glared at him and said, "Why buy so many things? It's a waste of money!" Although she said that, she put the pearl flowers on her head and secretly raised the corners of her mouth.

"How can it be a waste to buy it for you?" Ertai smiled and helped her put the pearl flower in place. "You look great in it, prettier than all the girls at the temple fair."

Liu Hong's face flushed red, and she reached out and punched him: "You're just a sweet talker!"

In the side halls of Jingren Palace, however, the atmosphere was oppressive. Nanny Li was whispering in Concubine Gao's ear, "Your Majesty, I've had the eunuchs spread rumors throughout the palace, saying that Princess Mingzhu isn't the Emperor's daughter at all, and that Princess Huanzhu and the Fang family colluded to deceive the Emperor."

Concubine Gao tightened her grip on the teacup, a vicious look flashing in her eyes: "Well done. I want to see how these two little bitches can be so proud without the emperor's favor!" She took a sip of tea, the taste was bitter, but she couldn't suppress the joy in her heart.

The news quickly reached Emperor Qianlong. He was reading memorials in the Imperial Garden. Upon hearing Eunuch Su's report, he sneered and placed the memorial on the stone table. "How can anyone else speak ill of my daughter? Spread my words. Anyone who dares to gossip about her will be found out and severely punished!"

Eunuch Su quickly responded, "I obey your order." He looked at the emperor's eyes, which were not angry but frighteningly cold, and sighed in his heart that those who spread rumors would be in trouble.

The moonlight once again filled the Forbidden City. The lights in Shufangzhai were still bright, and bursts of laughter could be heard from inside. However, the candlelight in Jingren Palace was chilling, and a new storm was quietly brewing.