Chapter 3: Seeing Each Other But Not Hearing Each Other (3) The Meng Family’s Subterfuge…
It was Mid-Autumn Festival, the lights were dim along the banks of the Luo River, and a full moon hung like a golden scale in the purple night sky.
From that day on, Meng Xuanli was often confined to her inner chambers, learning rigid rules, reciting difficult poems and books, and brewing elaborate teas, never once setting foot outside the courtyard. This time, thanks to the princess's invitation to a banquet, she was finally able to venture out for some fresh air.
The carriage meandered along the banks of the Luo River and stopped at the pier, which was bustling with young men and ladies from aristocratic families.
A cool, refreshing river breeze, laden with moisture, blew across my face. Fortunately, a thin veil covered my lips and nose, blocking out the faint, fishy odor.
The night breeze was gentle, ruffling the pearl earrings on her ears. With a slight bow, she took the hand of her maid and stepped onto the gangplank leading to the pleasure boat.
The boat swayed softly with the waves, and a maid came up to greet them with a smile: "Greetings, young ladies! The princess has been waiting in the cabin for a long time."
Meng Xuanli smiled and nodded, Meng Xiuyu nodded proudly, glanced around, and said casually: "Lead the way." After that, he stretched out his hand, intending to let the princess's personal maid support him.
The maid was startled for a moment, then lowered her head and led the way: "Girls, please follow me."
Meng Xiuyu snorted coldly, grabbed Meng Xuanli's wrist, lowered her voice, and said threateningly: "There are many people coming today. When you see them later, don't talk or walk around without thinking. If you let the cat out of the bag, I'll send you to..."
Meng Xuanli broke free from her grip, smoothed back her windblown hair, and whispered, "Sister, instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself. I heard that Master Pan is coming today, too."
Meng Xiuyu's eyebrows were raised, and she was about to explode when she heard the melodious sound of stringed instruments in the cabin, and a wisp of clear song drifted out: "Where is the person? A pale moon behind the curtain seems to illuminate my face..."[1]
The anger on her face suddenly disappeared, and she left Meng Xuanli behind and hurried into the cabin following the sound of music.
Meng Xuanli raised his eyes, a hint of deep meaning flashing across them. Seeing the maid leading the way looking at him with a smile, he could only smile back, lightly moving his steps, and followed her inside.
The cabin felt like a fairyland, with palace lanterns hanging high and flowing clouds overflowing with colors, like a dream. On the table, exquisite porcelain plates and wine cups were placed, and even the jade vase contained freshly picked autumn chrysanthemums.
Meng Xuanli was about to look away when he heard the sound of curtains opening.
She listened carefully, and suddenly recalled the old days in Xuzhou. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, she would make lanterns and sell them to the neighbors. She would exchange some money for cakes and wine, and then sit alone by the stream, praying devoutly under the bright moonlight.
"Everyone."
On the main seat, Princess Changning, her cheeks slightly tipsy, stood facing the breeze, holding a white jade wine jug. She smiled and said, "On this Mid-Autumn Festival, a gathering on a painted boat, how can we not have poetry to liven up the atmosphere? How about a 'Flying Flowers' song to pay tribute to the bright moon?"
Everyone at the table responded happily.
"Mr. Ji is quick-witted and well-known in the Eastern Capital. Why don't you be the wine order officer?" The princess looked at him with a smile.
Ji Changgeng was a man of outstanding talent and reputation in Dongdu. He was also very romantic and suave, and was always the focus of the girls in the boudoir.
At this beautiful moment, he smiled and spoke aloud: "The spring river tide reaches the sea level, and the bright moon rises with the tide. Tonight, the moonlight is as quiet as water, so I choose the word 'moon' as the key word..."[2]
Meng Xuanli rested her chin on her hand, her eyes fixed on Ji Changgeng. She wasn't very well-versed in poetry, literature, and calligraphy, so seeing such a learned man display his talent filled her with both envy and admiration.
After finishing her tea, Meng Xuanli glanced over and was surprised to find Meng Xiuyu had disappeared. She looked around and felt the cabin was stuffy and hot from the incense, so she simply stood up and quietly walked outside.
The palace lanterns in the corridor cast a golden glow. The rouge-colored silk dress she wore today, like falling peach blossom petals, seemed out of place in this golden glow.
Meng Xuanli followed the light and walked towards the bow. Here the view was wide, the lights were dim, and there were no people coming and going.
She was about to climb up the railing when she heard harsh words floating on the wind:
"Whose girl is that?"
"Why? Are you interested?"
"She has bright eyes and a nice figure... Tell me, who is she from?"
"The second daughter of the Meng family."
"Oh...it's her..."
"Have you decided on a family yet?"
“I’ve never heard of it.”
Meng Xuanli frowned and turned around, and saw the young man in the crimson brocade robe walking towards him and handing him a glass of wine.
She didn't want to take it at first, but after a second thought, she took it: "Thank you, sir."
Just as the wine cup was about to her lips, her wrist suddenly lost its strength, and the amber nectar spilled all over the other person's robe.
Meng Xuanli covered his mouth in shock, "Oh! Master, please forgive me! I was clumsy and couldn't hold it firmly. I stained your clothes. I am truly guilty of this!"
She spoke with fear, but her eyes were clear: "I wanted to offer you a glass of wine, but who knew..."
The young man in red had already been sulking with anger, but upon hearing her self-blame, he put on a smile again: "No, no, it was an unintentional mistake, my sister."
He took a step closer and asked, "Excuse me, sister, have you promised to marry someone?"
Before Meng Xuanli could speak, his companion called out from behind, "The prince sent someone to look for you. He said there's something urgent!"
Upon hearing this, the young man in red hurriedly picked up the empty cup and bowed hastily: "Sister, let's talk again another day! I'll go first!" After that, he disappeared in the depths of the lights.
Meng Xuanli looked at his back, a barely perceptible sneer appeared at the corner of his lips, and he cursed in his heart: It's so vulgar to talk about a woman's figure and appearance as soon as he opens his mouth.
Who is your sister?
Pooh.
She turned around, leaned on the railing, looked at the lonely moon, and sighed deeply.
She didn't know how long it took, but the chill wind bit her bones, causing a dull ache in her forehead. She reluctantly turned around, about to return, but when she looked up, she encountered a figure darker than the night.
Meng Xuanli's heart suddenly skipped a beat. He rubbed his eyes hurriedly and murmured, "Is that a human?"
When she looked closely, she saw that it was indeed a person, and a chill instantly crept up her spine.
She was so frightened that she held her breath, holding on to the cold railing with both hands, and moved slowly and with difficulty towards the light beside her.
When did this person stand behind her?
There was not a sound at all.
Could it be... a monster in the water?
Meng Xuanli hurriedly moved to the dim light of the palace lanterns, and then she heard a man say, "I'm sorry for disturbing your enjoyment, young lady. I'm being rude."
Hearing the gentle and polite voice, he assumed it was an unintentional mistake. Meng Xuanli's tense heart relaxed slightly, and his grip on the railing gradually lost its strength.
The night breeze ruffled her hair. She took a hesitant step forward and asked with a hint of curiosity and caution, "I wonder who you are...?"
"What?" The man hidden in the shadows, his eyes as deep as a cold pond, the corners of his lips curled up slightly, "After not seeing each other for a month, you don't recognize me?"
He was dressed in black and almost blended into the shadows. How could she tell him apart?
Meng Xuanli's face flushed with embarrassment. "You... Prince? Why are you here alone? Where are the servants around you?"
Lu Guanque did not answer but asked: "What about you? Why are you here?"
"It's a bit stuffy in the cabin, come out and get some fresh air."
Lu Guanque's brows seemed to be a little depressed, and he said in a low voice: "I feel the same."
Meng Xuanli looked at his figure, and the threats from his father and elder sister roared in his ears - the prince must not be allowed to know about the substitutionary marriage before the marriage.
However, such deception and deception are ultimately not what a gentleman does.
Meng Xuanli saw that he was so weak. If he suddenly knew the truth in the future, he would be so angry that the consequences would be unimaginable.
Her heart was boiling like boiling water. After thinking it over again and again, she finally decided to tell the truth.
"Bang--!!!"
Before he could open his mouth, a deafening, sharp noise suddenly came from the second-floor pavilion, as if something heavy had collapsed.
Meng Xuanli looked up in shock, but the second-floor corridor was deserted. Suspicion welled up in her heart, and she heard Lu Guanque's deep voice say, "Let's go up and take a look?"
The moonlight sprinkled on the inky river surface, and a cool breeze blew gently, raising a thin layer of white mist and filled with a strange atmosphere.
Meng Xuanli was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "...Okay."
She carefully held onto the railing and climbed the stairs. Curiosity took over her mind, and she didn't notice that Lu Guanque had already stopped behind her.
The light from the palace lanterns shone around her, as if adorning her with a sacred and radiant aura. Lu Guanque stood in the shadows downstairs, gazing upwards with a deep gaze.
Just as he was lost in thought, a surprised voice sounded behind him: "Master? Why are you here?"
Meng Zhongliang heard the strange noise and came here to follow the trail, but he never expected to run into Lu Guanque here.
Lu Guanque narrowed his eyes, an inscrutable smile forming on his lips: "Lord Meng, you've arrived just in time. There's quite a commotion up there, why don't you go take a look together?"
Meng Zhongliang was filled with suspicion, but he couldn't refuse: "My Lord, please."
The corridor on the second floor was now crowded with guests who had come after hearing the noise. When they saw Lu Guanque and Meng Zhongliang arriving together, they hurriedly made way for them and then retreated downstairs, holding their breath and not daring to speak.
Meng Zhongliang's eyes flashed like lightning, instantly locking onto Meng Xuanli, who was about to quietly leave. He pulled her toward him and, lowering his voice, demanded, "Why are you running here instead of staying in the cabin?!"
"Come..." Meng Xuanli glanced at the closed door, his face showing hesitation, "Looking for my elder sister."
Meng Zhongliang glanced around, but couldn't find Meng Xiuyu. His suspicions grew even stronger. "Where is she?"
Meng Xuanli frowned, thinking about what he had just heard, and the blood color drained away from his face, leaving only a bitter look.
Today, all the dignitaries are on the pleasure boat. Why did Meng Xiuyu make such a big fuss?
Seeing her hesitant, Meng Zhongliang was puzzled, and a sense of foreboding arose. He forced himself to walk calmly towards the door that had terrified everyone and no one dared to open.
Meng Xuanli couldn't bear to watch any longer and closed his eyes tightly.
"Bang!"
The next second, the sound of the door opening was accompanied by a suppressed scream! Meng Zhongliang stumbled and fell heavily to the ground as if he had been hit hard.
The scene before him made his eyes bloodshot, and anger and shame bit his heart like a poisonous snake.
His precious eldest daughter stood leisurely in the pavilion, her hair slightly disheveled and her face gloomy. Beside her stood the bewildered fourth son of the Pan family.
A glance at the two of them in the moonlight told you what had just happened.
"You! How dare you—!"
Meng Zhongliang trembled all over, and climbed up from the ground using his hands and feet. He slammed the door shut and leaned his back against the door panel, as if to block the huge scandal.
He was like a dying fish, his eyes sweeping across the corridor, and finally he crawled on his knees to Lu Guanque's feet, looking extremely miserable.
Meng Xuanli was hiding in the dark. Seeing this, she hurriedly took out her veil and put it back on. She pressed her hands tightly against her chest, trying her best to calm herself down.
But when she raised her eyes, she met Lu Guanque's deep and unfathomable gaze.
That look was not as gentle as it was under the moon just now, but more like the thick white mist emanating from an ancient tomb in the mountains.
That look was as if he had seen through the Meng family's plan to steal the day.
Waves of anxiety washed over, hit, and tortured Meng Xuanli again and again...almost swallowing her up.
Until Lu Guanque's low and calm voice came from outside the door: "Miss Meng, you are really capable."
Meng Xuanli had never heard his angry tone before. He clenched his palms in shock and hurriedly moved aside to make way.
Lu Guanque walked past her, paused, leaned forward slightly, and stared at her deeply with bright yet obscure eyes.
He lowered his voice and said, "It's none of your business. Don't be afraid."
Meng Xuanli looked up, feeling dazed. Lu Guanque's back, interwoven with light and moonlight, resembled a boundless, deep blue sea, vast and desolate, harboring unknown storms.
Her heart suddenly tightened. Would his frail body be so angry that he fainted because of this sudden change?
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References
[1] From the Song Dynasty poem “The First Preface to the Rainbow Skirt: Gazing at the Dawn from the Pavilion” by Jiang Kui.
[2] From Zhang Ruoxu’s “Spring River Moon Night” from the Tang Dynasty
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