Chinese New Year
In the days following Consort Hui's message, the air in the Cold Palace was filled with a sense of elation. The wintersweet in the corner of the courtyard bloomed even more profusely, its golden petals glistening with morning dew, and its fragrance permeated every corner with the breeze. Every day, Ya Huan would squat under the small peach tree, counting the buds on the branches, murmuring, "When Consort Li's injustice is redressed, the peach blossoms should be in bloom too." Her woven insects became increasingly exquisite, as she said she would collect enough to fill a basket and give to Consort Li, who was about to "see the light of day again."
When delivering meals to Consort Xian, she always liked to sit on the rattan chair under the eaves, holding a peach blossom handkerchief newly embroidered by Consort Rong in her hands, her eyes gazing beyond the palace walls, a faint smile on her lips: "Once the Su family's case is resolved, the Emperor will definitely reinvestigate Consort Li's matter. This child has suffered for so long, she's finally about to see the light at the end of the tunnel." I placed the freshly warmed pine nut cake in front of her, she picked up a piece, took a small bite, and said: "Ah Zhao, do you know that when Consort Li entered the palace, she was a famous talented woman in the capital, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? The Emperor doted on her so much back then, and now that the case has been overturned, she will be able to regain her former glory."
In Consort Su's courtyard, the herbs had already been dried and stored away. She had recently become fascinated with making scented pills, saying she wanted to make some calming scented pills for everyone, so that Consort Li could take them with her when she moved out of the Cold Palace. "These scented pills are made with lavender, mimosa flowers, and cypress seeds, which have the best calming effect," she said gently as she placed the freshly rolled pills into a porcelain bottle. "Consort Li has suffered a lot of frights in the Cold Palace over the years, and she can't sleep well at night. Having some scented pills with her will help her sleep more soundly." I handed her some tissue paper and watched as she labeled each bottle with a name, even including Ya Huan's.
Consort Li's complexion improved day by day. She no longer stared blankly at her old handkerchief; instead, she often tended to the flowers and plants in the courtyard. After we delivered her meals, she would pull us along to prune the withered branches, saying, "When spring comes, we should plant some roses in the courtyard; it will be lively and festive." Once, she pulled a dusty pipa from the bottom of a trunk. The instrument was somewhat worn, but the exquisite patterns were still visible. She sat on the veranda, holding the pipa, her fingertips gently plucking the strings. The intermittent melody carried a touch of warmth. Ya Huan, sitting beside her, listened intently, whispering, "Consort Li, you play so beautifully! When you leave the Cold Palace, you must play the whole piece for us!" Consort Li smiled and nodded, her eyes shining, "Alright, after I move out, I'll invite you all to my palace to hear me play the entire 'Spring River Flower Moon Night'."
Consort Rong was still as shy as ever, but she was much more proactive than before. Hearing that Consort Li liked orchids, she secretly embroidered a picture of orchids, so lifelike that the leaves were fully unfurled and the stamens were fragrant. When she presented the embroidery, she still blushed and whispered, "Consort Li, I... I didn't embroider it well, please don't mind." Consort Li took the embroidery, her eyes filled with surprise, gently stroking the threads: "It's so well embroidered, even more exquisite than the embroiderers in the palace. Thank you, Consort Rong." Consort Rong's ears turned red, but she didn't shy away as before. Instead, she whispered, "When... when you move out, I can embroider even more beautiful ones for you."
Although Consort Hui no longer visited the Cold Palace, she still frequently had Qin Lan send her things. Sometimes it was exquisite pastries freshly made by the Imperial Kitchen, sometimes it was fine silk, and once, she even sent a new pipa string, saying, "I heard that Consort Li's pipa string broke, and I happen to have a spare." Qin Lan told me privately that Consort Hui had been busy helping her father deal with the trivial matters following his exoneration, but she always thought of Consort Li. At night, she would secretly practice playing the pipa by the moonlight outside her window, saying, "Once Consort Li's case is overturned, I want to play a duet with her."
When I relayed Qin Lan's words to Consort Li, she was sitting on the veranda wiping her pipa. Upon hearing this, she paused, her fingertips gently tracing the strings, a faint smile appearing on her lips: "She's still the same as ever, always so stubborn." As she spoke, she picked up a new pipa string and carefully replaced it, "Next time I see her, I'll definitely thank her properly."
On the last market day before the New Year, Ya Huan and I made a special trip out of the palace to buy some New Year's items for everyone. We bought a new velvet hat for Consort Xian, sky blue, which made her complexion look even better; we bought Consort Su a set of exquisite mortar and pestle, which was lighter than the one she was using now; we bought Consort Li a box of fine rouge, peach-colored, suitable for spring; we bought Consort Rong several bolts of new embroidery thread and an embroidery manual with various rare patterns; and we also brought some snacks and fabrics for Consort Hui and Qin Lan as New Year's blessings.
By the time we returned to the Cold Palace, it was already dark. We distributed the supplies to everyone. Consort Xian put on her woolen hat and said with a smile, "It's so warm, you've all been so thoughtful." Consort Su took the new mortar and pestle, tried it out, and said with satisfaction, "It's much better than mine. It'll save me a lot of effort when I'm grinding medicine now." Consort Rong looked at the new embroidery manual, her eyes sparkling, and whispered, "Thank you, I... I really like it." Consort Li opened her rouge box, gently applied a little to her cheek, and her complexion instantly became much rosier. She smiled and said, "It looks so beautiful. When spring comes, I can wear it to see the peach blossoms."
On New Year's Eve, the Cold Palace was unusually lively. The Empress Dowager had a large round table brought in, and Consort Su prepared a table full of dishes, including braised fish, stewed chicken, stir-fried vegetables, and various exquisite desserts; Consort Li made plum blossom cakes and jujube paste pastries, filling the air with fragrance; Consort Rong also contributed her skills, making several light dishes, which, though simple, were very delicious; Ya Huan and I put up the character "福" (fortune) and Spring Festival couplets, and also gave everyone red envelopes containing small silver ingots, which Tian Ming had sent through someone.
Consort Hui arrived with Qin Lan, dressed in a bright red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), looking more festive than usual. She carried a large food box filled with various New Year's goods. "I'm just here to join in the fun," she said defiantly, but then laid out the contents of the food box one by one. "These were all made by the Imperial Kitchen; you certainly don't have any like this in your Cold Palace." Qin Lan then grabbed my and Ya Huan's hands, excitedly saying, "Sister A Zhao, Sister Ya Huan, I brought you New Year's gifts!" As she spoke, she took out two sachets embroidered with the character "福" (fortune/blessing) from her bag and handed them to us.
Everyone sat around the round table, raising their cups in a toast. Although it was jujube tea, it tasted like wine. The Empress Dowager Xian stood up, smiling, and said, "Today is New Year's Eve. We, the people of the Cold Palace, are gathered together as one family. In the new year, may we all be safe and well, and may all our wishes come true. I also hope that Consort Li's name will be cleared and she will see the light of day again." Everyone raised their cups, the crisp sound of clinking glasses echoing through the Cold Palace.
During the meal, Consort Hui placed a piece of fish on Consort Li's plate and whispered, "Eat more to nourish yourself. After you overturn your case, you'll have to play the pipa with me." Consort Li nodded and also placed a piece of jujube paste pastry on her plate: "You should eat more too. You must be exhausted from dealing with family matters lately." Consort Rong sat in a corner, holding a teacup, occasionally exchanging a few words with Ya Huan, a faint smile on her face; Consort Su poured tea for everyone, occasionally interjecting a few words, creating a particularly harmonious atmosphere.
At midnight, the sound of firecrackers filled the air, crackling and popping, carrying the festive atmosphere of the New Year. Ya Huan excitedly ran into the courtyard, watching the fireworks bloom in the sky, shouting, "So beautiful! Come and see!" Everyone stood up, walked to the courtyard gate, and gazed at the fireworks, their eyes filled with anticipation. The fireworks burst in the sky, their vibrant colors illuminating everyone's faces and every corner of the Cold Palace.
"The new year will surely be better," Consort Li said softly, her eyes full of hope. Consort Hui nodded, saying nothing, but quietly took her hand. Looking at everyone around me, my heart was filled with peace and happiness. Life in the Cold Palace, though austere, held the purest warmth and the most sincere affection. In the new year, may all grievances be resolved, may all waiting be rewarded with blossoming flowers, and may we all find our own happiness and peace in this deep palace.
After the fireworks faded, everyone returned inside, continuing to chat and eat snacks. It wasn't until dawn that Consort Hui took Qin Lan back. Before leaving, she said to Consort Li, "In a few days, the Emperor will issue the decree. Just wait a little longer; you'll be able to leave soon." Consort Li nodded, smiling, and said, "I'll wait for you, and I'll wait for spring."
When we got back to our lodgings, Ya Huan was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open, and she had fallen asleep on the table. I carried her to bed, covered her with a blanket, and then sat by the window, watching the moonlight outside. The new year had arrived, and spring was not far away. Everyone in the Cold Palace was looking forward to a fresh start. And I, too, would carry Tian Zhao's wishes and the camaraderie of the Cold Palace, and walk on well, living up to every bit of love and expectation.
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