Chapter 120: Night Window Sends Message to Keep Your Promise, Heart Lamp Lights the Way Forward
The night, like rice paper soaked in ink, slowly spread across the Fang residence. The sheep-horn lantern in the study swayed gently in the evening breeze, its light rippled softly across the wall, making the handwriting of "A Brief Explanation of Zen Chess" on the desk even more distinct. Xiaoyanzi was helping Ziwei pack osmanthus cakes into a porcelain box, the icing sugar on her fingertips shimmering like a handful of scattered stars.
"It's so full that it will get damp when you eat it tomorrow morning." Ziwei covered the porcelain box with brocade, and her fingertips brushed across the lotus pattern on the box. "Leave two pieces on the plate. When you get hungry while reading at night, you can eat them." The silver hairpin on her temples shone softly under the light, and the smile at the corner of her eyes had not yet faded. It was obvious that she was still recalling the stories in the temple.
Xiaoyanzi had just slipped the last piece of pastry into the crack of the box when Xiao Jian walked in from the outer room, clutching a wax-sealed letter. His dark cuffs drew a steady arc in the light. He walked over to the table and gently placed the letter next to "A Brief Explanation of Zen Chess." The "Imperial Study" seal on the wax seal was particularly clear in the light.
"From the palace?" Xiaoyanzi's fingertips paused, icing falling onto the brocade like falling snow. Her heartbeat inexplicably quickened as she gazed at the familiar wax mark—this was the first message from the palace since she'd last made the appointment with the Emperor in the Imperial Study.
"Eunuch Su delivered it personally, saying it was the emperor's oral order, asking you to open and read it yourself." Xiao Jian's fingertips touched the edge of the letter, his eyes falling on his sister's slightly tightened jawline, "Don't be nervous, the emperor said he would protect you, and he won't go back on his word." He turned around and poured them a cup of hot tea. In the mist, the brother's eyes were gentle but with soothing power.
Ziwei quickly pushed the porcelain box aside to clear the table, and whispered, "It must be a good thing. Since the emperor has agreed to help me find my relatives, he must have an idea." Although she said this, her fingertips unconsciously twisted the tassels on her cuffs, and there was a trace of imperceptible nervousness in her eyes.
Xiaoyanzi took a deep breath, carefully peeled away the sealing wax, and pulled out the rice paper inside. The letter was made of specially crafted jade-button paper, with a faint sandalwood scent. The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, unmistakably Qianlong's own. She read it softly, her voice gradually brightening with the words: "'On the sixth day of the month, at the hour of Si, we will go to Qionghua Island in the Imperial Garden to enjoy the lotus. I have asked Miss Fang to bring a friend along. I also enclose a bottle of lotus dew to moisten your brush and ink.'"
"Appreciating the lotus?" Ziwei looked up, her eyes full of confusion. "What does this have to do with finding relatives?" She picked up the letter and examined it carefully. Suddenly, she noticed a small lotus mark in the lower right corner. It was almost the same as the pattern on her mother Xia Yuhe's embroidered handkerchief. Her fingertips trembled suddenly. "This lotus..."
"It's Aunt Xia Yuhe's mark." Xiaoyanzi held Ziwei's hand, and the warmth of her palm made Ziwei slowly calm down. "The emperor is paving the way! There are few people appreciating the lotus in the Imperial Garden, which is a good opportunity for you..." She didn't finish her words, but the light in her eyes said it all.
Xiao Jian picked up the small porcelain bottle that came with the letter. The bottle was crystal clear, revealing a clear, refreshing liquid—morning lotus dew. He uncorked it and sniffed it. The fragrance was refreshing, a perfect addition to any brushstroke. "The Emperor is thoughtful. He's using the guise of a lotus viewing event to present a subtle yet engaging experience for Ziwei." He glanced at his sister. "But the Imperial Gardens are crowded with people, so you'll need to be prepared."
"I know!" Xiaoyanzi pulled the peach wood wooden fish pendant from her sleeve pocket and tied it around Ziwei's wrist. "Wear this. The abbot said it can calm your mind. Then you can focus on writing poetry and painting, and I'll take care of the rest." She suddenly remembered something and turned to pull out a copy of 'Jinan Scenery' from the bookshelf. "It has a view of Daming Lake, which Auntie often visits. Take a look at it tonight. Tomorrow we'll go to the lotus pond on the outskirts of the city to practice."
Ziwei caressed the wooden fish pendant on her wrist. The warmth of the peach wood mingled with the delicate fragrance of the lotus dew, and her nervousness gradually gave way to a warm feeling. She looked at Xiaoyanzi's serious profile, then at Xiaojian's calm gaze, and suddenly smiled. "With you all here, I'm not afraid of anything. Even if I can't see the Emperor tomorrow, using this lotus dew to paint a picture of the lotuses of Daming Lake will fulfill one of my mother's wishes."
"You will definitely see it." Xiao Jian handed the porcelain vase to Ziwei, and gently tapped the lotus mark on the letter paper with his fingertips. "The emperor drew this specifically to tell you that he recognized the token." He turned and walked to the window, half-opening it. The pomegranate tree was dimly visible in the night. "I have asked the secret guards to investigate the route to the Imperial Garden. There is a secluded waterside pavilion on the east side of Qionghua Island. I will meet you there when the time comes. I will not let you suffer any injustice."
Little Swallow jumped to the window, leaned against the window frame and looked out. The night wind lifted the corner of her skirt, bringing with it the fragrance of gardenias in the courtyard: "Don't worry, big brother, don't you know my lightness skills? If something really happens, I can fly away with Ziwei!" She suddenly turned around and made a face, "But it will be okay. The emperor said he would protect us. He is the emperor..." Before she finished speaking, she covered her mouth and stuck out her tongue.
Ziwei was amused by her, the blush still lingering in the corners of her eyes, but she looked more relaxed. "Stop joking, let's think about what to wear tomorrow. Doesn't my moon-white dress with a lotus-colored shawl complement the lotus flowers?"
"It looks great!" Xiaoyanzi dragged Ziwei to the wardrobe to look for something. The hem of her skirt swept across the floor, stirring up a gust of wind. "Put on the pearl earrings that big brother gave you last time. You'll look like a lotus fairy in a painting!"
Xiao Jian watched the two figures rummaging through clothes under the lamp, the smile slowly fading from his lips. He folded the letter and placed it in his pouch, his fingertips tracing the wax seal—the emperor's intentions were clear. The next step was to accompany his sister and Ziwei, step by step, to where they should go. The moonlight outside the window pierced through the clouds, falling on the "Zen Chess Explanation" on the desk. The four words "He who guards his heart wins" glowed faintly in the moonlight, like a warm lamp, illuminating the path ahead.
Late at night, Ziwei was already fast asleep, her breathing light as a feather. Xiaoyanzi sat by the window, caressing the wooden fish pendant in the moonlight. In the distance, the night watchman's clapper struck the third watch, a steady, lingering sound. She thought of the abbot's words, the emperor's promise, the pendant on Ziwei's wrist, and the trust in her eyes. Suddenly, she felt her slight fear of the palace melt away, swept by the warmth of the room.
Tomorrow's imperial garden will be filled with the fragrance of lotus breeze and the guidance of the heart lamp.
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