Chapter Seven: Heart's Destiny Secretly Set
As dusk settled, the vermilion gates of the General's Mansion gleamed warmly in the afterglow of the setting sun. Huairou walked slowly along the cobblestone path, her skirt brushing against the newly grown moss on the steps, making a soft rustling sound. The lanterns under the eaves were already lit, their dim yellow light swaying gently in the evening breeze, casting her shadow long and short. She had remained silent all the way back from the academy, her mind replaying that long-held thought.
"Huairou, is something on your mind?" Her brother Qi Yu's voice came from the direction of the flower hall, tinged with concern. He was on leave today, dressed in a dark-colored casual robe, pruning the branches of an old plum tree. Seeing his sister looking distracted, he put down his silver pruning shears and took the handkerchief handed to him by a maid to wipe his hands.
Huairou looked up and saw her brother's gentle gaze, her heart stirred slightly. She followed Qi Yu into the flower hall, dismissed the servants, and personally poured a freshly brewed cup of Yunwu tea, pushing it in front of him. Amidst the wafting aroma of the tea, she hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke: "Brother Qi Yu, I'm going to tell you a secret, but you mustn't tell anyone else."
Seeing her solemn expression, Qi Yu couldn't help but smile: "Do we in Huairou have secrets too?" He sat down in the rosewood armchair as instructed, tapping the armrest with his fingertips, and waited patiently.
The cicadas chirping outside the window rose and fell, making the room even more tranquil. Huairou lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her cheeks. She pondered how to begin, finally deciding to speak frankly: "Huairou met the Seventh Prince by chance, and we formed a slight bond." She paused, her voice soft yet firm, "In the future imperial examination, I wish to be the Seventh Prince's study companion, and I hope my brother will grant my request."
"The Seventh Prince?" Qi Yu repeated softly, his hand holding the teacup pausing slightly. The clear, green tea reflected his thoughtful expression. He naturally knew the Seventh Prince, Yunji—the prince who was practically invisible in court. Given Huairou's academic abilities, she could easily have been a tutor not only to the Seventh Prince, who was her age, but also to the older Second Prince. But he didn't immediately respond, only asking gently, "But why did you choose the Seventh Prince?"
Qi Yu was five years older than Huairou and had been serving in the court for three years. He passed the imperial examinations the year after graduating from Qingshan Academy, and although born a scholar, his martial arts training from a young age led him to a military post. Now working in the Ministry of War, he was well aware of the political situation at court. He knew the power struggle for the crown prince was fraught with undercurrents and didn't want his innocent younger sister to be drawn into it. However, he also understood that while Huairou appeared gentle, she was actually quite shrewd, and there must be a reason she brought this up.
Seeing that her brother didn't immediately object, Huairou felt somewhat relieved. She knew that persuading him to help wouldn't be as simple as just being charming. She gathered her thoughts and began to speak slowly and deliberately: "The Second Prince, as the eldest son, is arrogant and eccentric. The Fourth Prince appears gentle, but is actually distant and not someone you can confide in. The Thirteenth Prince is young and spoiled, and I'm afraid he will be difficult to get along with." She raised her eyes, her gaze clear, "Only the Seventh Prince is humble, has a calm temperament, and finds solace in poetry and books."
She paused briefly, observing her brother's expression. Seeing him nod to continue, she continued, "Although I come from a military family, I am still just a woman. I only wish to focus on my studies and find a good match in the future. Father and brother hold military power in the court, and the position of crown prince is still undecided. If I were to rashly accompany the popular prince as a student, it would inevitably arouse suspicion, making people think that the Guo family intends to take sides." Her words were clear and logical, quite unlike the insights of a young lady from a sheltered family.
Qi Yu gazed at his younger sister, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected that this sister, who had been so pampered since childhood, would possess such keen insight into the political situation. The last rays of sunset shone through the carved lattice window, casting dappled light and shadow on her moon-white dress. She continued, "The Seventh Prince, Yunji, lost his mother early and is far removed from the power struggles; at most, he will be a leisurely prince. My sister and I are best suited to study and learn calligraphy together, and it will not bring any criticism to the family."
This analysis was reasonable and insightful, taking into account both her own situation and the interests of the family. Qi Yu pondered for a moment, then finally said nothing more. He knew his sister was stubborn and, once she made up her mind, it would be difficult to change it easily. However, as her elder brother, he still had a responsibility to point out the pros and cons.
“Huairou,” he said, his voice lowering slightly, “Since you have thought things through, your brother will no longer object. However…” He hesitated, then sighed softly, “This matter should have been told to you by your father and mother, but now that things have come to this, it will only be a year or two before we tell you in advance.”
Upon hearing this, Huairou sat up straight. Seeing her brother's solemn expression, she knew that what he was about to say must be of great importance.
Qi Yu stroked the celadon teacup in his hand and slowly said, "Sister, you and Lu Binghui, the son of the current prime minister Lu Xian, are already engaged." He paused, observing Huairou's reaction, "My maternal family is related to the imperial family, and my father holds military power. Our titles are hereditary and can be passed down without fail. We do not need to curry favor with the powerful. My family only needs to firmly adhere to the way of the ruler and his subjects in order to last long."
These words, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, rippled across Huairou's heart. She truly hadn't expected that she and Binghui were bound by a marriage agreement. Beyond her surprise, she felt a sense of destiny—the young man in blue robes who shared her interests at the academy had long been intertwined with her fate.
Seeing her in a daze, Qi Yu explained gently, "You are from a military family, and Lu Binghui is the son of a prime minister. He will definitely serve as an official in the capital in the future. Marrying him will not only preserve the friendship between our two families, but also prevent you from getting involved in the power struggle. This is the best arrangement for you as a descendant of the Guo family."
As dusk deepened, a maid quietly entered and lit the candlesticks. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on Huairou's face, obscuring her expression. She lowered her eyes in thought; her brother's words were a reminder that while accompanying a prince to study was feasible, given her background, marrying the prime minister's son and remaining in the capital to be a wife and mother was the right path. This surprisingly coincided with Moli's deepest longing for a peaceful life.
After a long silence, Huairou finally raised her eyes and said softly, "Huairou will heed your teachings, brother." Her voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Seeing how obedient she was, Qi Yu couldn't help but chuckle. He reached out and gently patted his sister's head, teasingly asking, "Tell me, little girl, what can I do to help you?" Such an intimate gesture was rare since he grew up, and Huairou's eyes welled up with tears.
She rubbed her head, which her brother had pressed down on, and said coquettishly, "To become a prince's study companion, besides ranking at the top in the imperial examination, one also needs the prince's personal consent. I just want to meet the Seventh Prince and persuade him to choose me as a candidate."
“I see,” Qi Yu smiled knowingly. “It’s not difficult to see the Seventh Prince. The day after tomorrow, the palace will hold a competition for the princes, and famous ministers and generals can all come and offer their advice. At that time, your brother will take you there to formally pay your respects to him.”
Huairou felt a surge of joy, her heart pounding like a deer's. Her longing of these past days and nights had finally found its resolution, but along with the happiness came a touch of trepidation—how should she appear before him? And how could she win his favor?
At this moment, Qi Yu suddenly said seriously, "However, Huairou, you must remember: the palace is not like home, and you must be careful with every word and action. Although the Seventh Prince seems to be indifferent to worldly affairs, he is ultimately of imperial blood. When you get along with him, you must know your limits and observe etiquette."
"Don't worry, brother, Huairou understands," she replied softly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the sash of her dress. The moonlight outside the window gradually brightened, and the swaying bamboo shadows drew faint ink marks on the ground.
Looking at his younger sister's beautiful profile under the lamplight, Qi Yu suddenly recalled how she used to follow him around as a child, babbling as she learned to speak. Time flies, and that little girl has grown into a graceful young woman with her own thoughts. He felt both gratified and reluctant to part with her, and finally said softly, "Go, prepare well. I will take you to the palace the day after tomorrow."
Huairou rose, bowed, and left the flower hall. The lanterns under the eaves cast a long, slender shadow of her departing figure. Qi Yu sat alone in the hall until the tea grew cold.
Back in her boudoir, Huairou dismissed the maids and stood alone by the window. A night breeze rustled through the crabapple trees in the courtyard, carrying their delicate fragrance. She recalled that fleeting glimpse of him at the Jinxiu Palace—that lonely figure standing beneath the crabapple tree—a figure that overlapped with the face of her son in her memory. This inexplicable longing, like a silkworm spinning its silk, silently entwined her heart.
She took out a mutton-fat jade pendant from the bottom of her dressing case. It was a gift from her father when she came of age, and it was engraved with the words "Peace and Safety." Her fingertips caressed the warm, smooth jade surface, her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts. Her engagement with Binghui, her brother's expectations, and her inexplicable feelings for the Seventh Prince all intertwined into a fine web.
"So be it," she sighed softly, putting the jade pendant back into its box. "Since fate has arranged it this way, let it be." The most important thing right now is her meeting with the Seventh Prince the day after tomorrow. She needs to think of a proper way to be polite while still making him remember her.
The candlelight flickered as Huairou spread out Xuan paper, ground ink, and began drafting his words for the day. He needed to showcase his talent without being overly ostentatious; to express sincerity without seeming contrived. He wrote until the moon was high in the sky.
Meanwhile, in his study at the other end of the mansion, Qi Yu was also not asleep. He stood before a military map, but his gaze was not on it. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound. He was pondering the arrangements for his visit to the palace the day after tomorrow, figuring out how to fulfill his sister's wish without being too deliberate.
As night deepened, all was quiet. Only the crescent moon in the sky silently watched the undercurrents surging in the human world.
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