Chapter 278: Late Chat at Fang Mansion, Laughter and Passing the Light
The evenings at the Fang residence were always filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus. As Qing'er entered the backyard, she saw Little Swallow climbing a ladder up the jujube tree. Her moon-white skirt swept across the branches laden with red fruit, startling a few sparrows into flight.
"Qing'er! You're finally back!" Little Swallow leaned down, clutching a freshly picked red date in her hand, her cheeks flushed by the setting sun. "Try it! This date is so sweet it's almost insufferable!"
Xiao Jian quickly stepped forward to hold onto the ladder, frowning slightly: "Slow down, be careful not to fall."
Qing'er smiled and caught the red dates thrown by Xiaoyanzi. Her fingertips felt the coolness of the peel. "I kept thinking about you in the Cining Palace, and now I see you climbing a tree when I come back. You're still like this." She turned to the maid behind her and said, "Take the almond powder that the old lady gave you to the kitchen. We'll make almond tea tonight."
"Guaiguai long dong! Almond tea?" Little Mosquito emerged from the Moon Gate, holding a freshly baked sesame cake in his hand. "Princess Qing, did you bring any goodies back to the palace this time?"
"You have a keen nose." Little Swallow hopped down the ladder, her movements as light as a swallow. "Go tell your princess that Hero Xiao has returned Princess Qing safe and sound. Shouldn't you give her a beggar's chicken as a reward?"
Mother Fang heard the noise and emerged from the main room, lifting the bamboo curtain. The silver hairpin on her temples gleamed in the twilight. "Is that all you know how to do?" She took Qing'er's hand, her palm warm. "Is the old lady all right?"
"I'm fine," Qing'er sat down next to Fang's mother and described the situation in the Cining Palace in detail. "The Empress asked if you had any rheumatism and asked me to bring this bottle of ointment." She pulled a celadon bottle from her sleeve. "They said it's newly made from the Imperial Hospital and is more effective than ordinary ointments."
Fang's mother took the ointment, stroked the bottle and said with a smile, "It's hard not to think of her." There was warmth in the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
Xiao Jian brought a bamboo stool and sat next to Qing'er, peeling an orange and offering each slice to her lips: "What else did the old Buddha say?"
"She told us to go back often," Qing'er mumbled, holding an orange between her lips. "She also gave me a pair of jade ruyi (likely a Chinese character for "ruby coin"), which I've put in my study." Suddenly remembering something, she nudged Xiaoyanzi's arm. "By the way, the Empress asked how your academy is going, and she wants the Twelfth Prince to go and listen."
Xiaoyanzi, who was demonstrating a new play she'd heard in the Cining Palace to Xiaochongzi, clapped her hands. "Great! Let Yongji learn poetry from Ziwei. It'll surely be more interesting than sitting in front of those old scholars in the palace!"
"You," Fang's mother tapped her forehead, "can't you look forward to something serious?" Having said that, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise.
As dusk deepened, the maids lit the goat-horn lanterns under the porch. The warm yellow light shone through the silken cloth onto the bluestone slabs, reflecting the swaying shadows of the trees. Xiao Zhuozi brought over a low table and placed freshly baked osmanthus cakes and almond tea on it. The sweet fragrance mixed with the sweetness of the osmanthus filled the courtyard.
"Try this," Qing'er handed the teacup to Xiaoyanzi. "I brewed it the way Rong Mama taught me. See if it tastes right."
Xiaoyanzi took a big sip and smacked her lips. "Hmm! Much better than what you brewed before! It seems these ten days were not in vain. I've learned all of Old Buddha's skills!"
Qing'er was amused by her, and the corners of her eyes curved into crescents: "You are so sweet."
Xiao Jian watched them laughing and started laughing too. He reached out to brush away the sweet-scented osmanthus flowers that had fallen on Qing'er's shoulders. "Are you tired? I'll ask the kitchen to make you some bird's nest tomorrow."
"I'm not tired," Qing'er shook her head, her eyes sweeping across the bustling courtyard. Her heart suddenly filled up, "Home is still the best."
Xiaoyanzi nibbled on her osmanthus cake and mumbled, "Of course! No matter how lively the palace is, it's nowhere near as peaceful as the Fang Mansion." She suddenly leaned closer to Qing'er and lowered her voice, "Honestly, the Empress Dowager didn't rush you... huh?"
Qing'er blushed and squeezed her hand: "Don't talk nonsense."
Xiao Jian had sharp ears and heard their whispers. He laughed out loud and said, "The old lady did ask, and I said let it be." This made Qing'er snuggle into his arms, causing a burst of laughter.
The light from the goat-horn lanterns grew brighter, stretching the shadows of the people long. In the distance, the laughter of Liu Qing and Jinsuo could be heard. They announced that the newly brewed rice wine at the guesthouse was ready and they were sending a few jars. Xiaoyanzi immediately jumped up, "I'll get it!" But she was stopped by a servant sent by Yongqi—Prince Rong was afraid she would run out and have fun again, so he had sent someone to bring her back to the palace.
"I know, I know," Xiaoyanzi waved her hand impatiently, "Tell Yongqi I'll be back after I finish this cup of almond tea!"
Mother Fang looked at her and shook her head helplessly: "This kind of personality can't be changed even if you become a princess."
Qing'er looked at Xiaoyanzi's back, then at Xiao Jian who was smiling beside her, and then at the silver hairpin on Fang's mother's temples flashing in the light. She suddenly felt that the so-called perfection was just like this - there were people who cared about, a home to return to, endless words to say, and lingering warmth.
The night wind blew through the osmanthus tree, leaving it covered with fragrance.
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