Promise
After returning home from the Wen residence that day, Li Yi stood with his hands behind his back by the railing of the bamboo pavilion, gazing at the surging sea of clouds in the distance.
After the Wen family's previous attempt to arrange his marriage, he knew that if he followed the usual procedure of asking a matchmaker, the Wen couple would never agree to let him take Xuanji as a concubine. This path was doomed from the start.
As Li Yi pondered this, his trusted servant quietly stepped forward and handed him a secret letter. Li Yi opened it, his face instantly darkening – the letter detailed Wen Tingyun's recent frequent invitations to the sons of the Xu and Sun families, among other prominent figures, to his residence. These gatherings, ostensibly elegant, were in reality a veiled attempt to select a husband. In particular, the third son of the Xu family, though born out of wedlock, had won Wen Tingyun's favor and was even considering marrying him as his principal wife.
His fingers tightened, crumpling the letter in his hand. A strange, inexplicable anxiety welled up inside him. The Xu family? The son of that scholar Xu, whom even the Hanlin Academy had to bow and avoid? Did he even deserve it?
He suddenly looked up. That day at the Wen residence, Xuanji's slightly raised chin as she played the zither, the glint in her eyes as she discussed poetry—all spoke of how this woman was different from ordinary young ladies. What did she want? He recalled the line from the poem, "Do not envy the mandarin ducks perched on painted beams, but ride a crane to see the world," and a sudden realization dawned on him. Yes, she didn't want a luxurious nest, but a carefree retreat; not a gilded cage, but freedom. What could the Xu family offer her? Nothing more than yet another exquisite and respectable cage.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He couldn't wait any longer, nor could he bear to watch her be promised to such a mediocre man. And so, an unprecedentedly bold plan suddenly took shape in his mind.
In the warm spring of March, the bamboo grove beside the mountain path was lush and verdant. Li Yi, having learned that Xuanji was going to Xuanqing Temple to fulfill a vow, waited for her at the bamboo pavilion halfway up the mountain. Seeing Xuanji ascend the steps, he stepped forward to greet her, his gaze intense yet his tone calm: "Junior Sister Xuanji, I have something to tell you."
Although Xuanji had her doubts, she still followed his instructions and entered the bamboo pavilion. A mountain breeze blew by, and the copper bell at the corner of the pavilion rang out with a clear and melodious sound, echoing the distant sound of the pine trees. She saw a scroll of her recently written poems spread out on the stone table, with a few lines of elegant annotations added beside the ink.
Li Yi picked up the celadon teapot, pouring the emerald tea into the cup with a gentle, clear sound. “Last year at the Qujiang Poetry Gathering, your poem about peonies, ‘Why must a beauty belong to a nobleman?’ is still being recited by scholars in Chang’an today.” He pushed the teacup in front of her, his gaze clear and bright. “Such talent should soar to the heavens, not be confined to a small courtyard.”
He poured her a cup, and seeing the emerald green tea reflecting her clear, bright eyes, he slowly said:
“I know you have lofty aspirations, which are not worthy of ordinary men, and you would never want to be a caged canary. That is why—” His voice deepened, each word carrying immense weight, “If you are willing to marry me, I promise you, you will not be ‘Li Yi’s concubine,’ you will first and foremost be ‘Yu Xuanji.’”
Seeing Xuanji's eyes flicker slightly, he continued, "My Li family's backyard is not a cage, nor a forbidden garden, but your poetry studio. You can compose poems, paint, and wield your brush here, and I will not interfere in the slightest."
He stood up, the mountain breeze ruffling his wide robe sleeves, and his tone became increasingly solemn: "I will shield you from the storms of the world, the open and hidden attacks, the rumors and gossip. You only need to focus on doing what you want to do, writing the poems you want to write, and seeing the people you want to see."
Finally, he gazed into her eyes and spoke each word as if making a vow: "I, Li Yi, here swear to heaven and earth, and also to you, Yu Xuanji: I will never restrain you in the slightest by worldly etiquette or the rules of the inner chambers. We are free to come and go as we please. If one day you feel unhappy by my side, I will personally open the door for you, present you with a travel gift, and let you leave, without ever lingering over a single word."
Having finished speaking, he said no more, only pushing the warm tea in his cup towards her, awaiting her decision. The rustling of the pines in the mountains seemed to echo his earth-shattering promise.
Half a month later, at the Bamboo Rhyme Pavilion, a secluded spot in the back garden of the Wen family mansion.
Spring sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled patterns of light. On the stone table sat a pot of tea and two plain cups. Xuanji sat quietly to one side, his expression serene.
Footsteps echoed along the cobblestone path. Li Yi, dressed in a pale white robe, stepped calmly into the pavilion.
"Junior Sister Xuanji." He bowed respectfully, his tone gentle. "I heard that you have something to discuss with me. May I ask what it is?" He sat down opposite her, his gaze naturally sweeping over the tea set, and poured himself some tea.
Xuanji came to his senses: "Senior Brother Li, I can agree to what you mentioned earlier, but I have two conditions."
Li Yi was overjoyed, but remained outwardly calm: "Please speak, junior sister."
“First,” Xuanji’s voice was clear and steady, “I require a one-year period. From the date of this agreement, I will travel outside the capital within one year. My destination and whereabouts will be entirely up to me. Senior brother, you must not interfere or inquire, you only need to prepare sufficient funds and reliable servants. During this year, I will only be Yu Xuanji, not a member of the Li family.”
A look of surprise flashed in Li Yi's eyes; this request was indeed unexpected. He pondered for a moment, not answering immediately, but tapping the edge of the stone table lightly with his fingertips.
Before he could think it over, Xuanji continued, "Secondly, before I enter your residence, you must personally write a letter of release from your concubine and hand it to me."
"A letter of release from concubinage?" Li Yi's fingers, which were tapping on the table, suddenly stopped, his face showing astonishment. "Our status is not yet determined, and the betrothal ceremony has not been held. How can you talk about 'releasing' me? What are you talking about, Junior Sister?" He almost laughed, finding the idea utterly absurd.
“That’s precisely why we need to be prepared.” Xuanji’s tone was cold and clear. “If you, Senior Brother, truly respect my name ‘Yu Xuanji’ and are not lustful as you say, and have the courage to keep your promise of ‘freedom,’ then you shouldn’t be afraid of this piece of paper. Otherwise, if it’s just empty talk, why bother talking about it anymore?”
The pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo leaves.
The letter from the clan chief he had received five days prior flashed through Li Yi's mind. That day, the candlelight flickered in his study as he unfolded the letter and read it carefully; each word was like a knife's edge.
"...The Pei family is a crucial link between our clan and Hedong. You have only been married for a year, and your position is not yet secure. You must not make any mistakes that would give others a handle to use against you."
The patriarch's stern tone still echoed in his ears. Yes, he and Pei had only been married for a year! His wife was not yet pregnant, and if he were to rashly bring Xuanji into the household at this time—no matter what pretext he gave her—it would undoubtedly anger the Pei family and openly violate the patriarch's strict order to "consolidate the foundation."
Meanwhile, inside the small pavilion of the Wen residence.
A year! She requested a year's absence! — Li Yi's heart skipped a beat. This was perfectly... averting the greatest risk and the clan leader's prohibition for him! A year later, his foundation in the court and within the clan would undoubtedly be more solid than it is now. At that time, welcoming Xuanji back to the mansion would be easier to explain to the clan leader.
He looked at Xuanji again, his gaze becoming unfathomable.
She was still there, stubbornly waiting for his answer, like a kitten with its claws outstretched, unaware that the most "outrageous" condition she proposed precisely aligned with his deepest, most ulterior motives.
After a long, suffocating silence, he slowly exhaled, his breath carrying a deliberate display of tolerance and magnanimity, a result of being moved:
"A year of travel... Junior Sister, you have such ambitions, which makes me... look at you with new eyes." He agreed to the first point first, his tone quite emotional. "Very well. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. I will arrange the money and servants properly, so you will have no worries and your trip will be smooth."
He paused briefly: "As for the letter to release the concubine..." He seemed to have made a great decision, his voice slow and deliberate, "...I will write it."
Li Yi immediately added, his tone sincere and thorough: "But junior sister, you must know that this matter concerns our reputations, and the notarization must be conducted in absolute secrecy. Before you enter my Li residence, I will give you a letter bearing my personal seal and witnessed and signed by an absolutely reliable friend. With this as proof, can you rest assured?"
Xuanji nodded slightly, her voice still cold and unreadable: "Alright. I hope you will keep your promise, Senior Brother. Once I receive the document, I will prepare my luggage. If I return a year later, and you have not gone back on your word... then I will enter your household."
“Okay,” Li Yi replied, his voice steady. “It’s a deal.”
He stood up, gave her one last look, and then turned and strode away.
Inside the small pavilion, Xuanji sat alone, motionless for a long time.
On this day, Xuanji stood below the hall, dressed in a simple white dress, which made her face appear even paler, but her eyes held a calm that seemed to have burned within. She slowly and deeply curtsied to Wen Tingyun and his wife, who were seated at the head of the table.
Madam Wen's teacup paused in mid-air, and Wen Tingyun unconsciously rubbed his fingers, his gaze falling on Xuanji.
“Master, Mistress,” Xuanji spoke, his voice not loud but exceptionally clear, “Disciple… has made up his mind. Disciple is willing to grant Senior Brother Li Yi’s request.”
"A mystery!" Madam Wen exclaimed, almost standing up. "Do you know what you're saying? That is..."
"Disciple knows." Xuanji's tone remained calm and unwavering, as if stating something unrelated to himself. "Being a concubine is not the right path. Disciple also knows that this decision will betray Master and Mistress's years of teachings and love."
She slightly raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Wen Tingyun's tense face, and continued, "However, Senior Brother Li has promised to retain the title of 'Yu Xuanji,' so he won't be confined to the trivialities of the inner quarters. He has also promised not to be bound by the rules of the inner palace, and if I feel unhappy in the future, I can leave on my own." She paused, "After much thought, I realize that in Chang'an, there is perhaps no one else who can offer such terms. Although Xu Sanlang is good, he is ultimately just an ordinary couple. Under the guise of mutual respect, isn't it also a kind of prison?"
She spoke the last two words very softly.
Wen Tingyun slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups rattle: "Absurd! How can such a light promise be taken seriously? How can one entrust one's life to someone who made a whim! Youwei, you are usually so intelligent, how could you be so foolish in this matter!"
The "safe" path he planned for her was pushed aside by her own hands; she chose a wrong path that he despised the most and found the most unacceptable.
Xuanji seemed to have anticipated his reaction, her face remaining completely expressionless. She bowed deeply once more, lowering her waist even further: "This disciple's mind is made up. It is Youwei's fault for failing Master and Mistress's profound kindness. In this life... I can only repay them in the next."
Her posture was humble, but her tone was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation. Even if a deep abyss and a sea of fire lay ahead, she no longer cared.
Wen Tingyun looked at her lowered head, all the words of advice stuck in his throat. He suddenly understood what a desperate and sincere heart she had given when she asked that day, "May I stay in the manor as a poetry maid?"
Madam Wen rose to help Xuanji up, saying, "Child, think it over again. There's no need to rush into a decision..."
Xuanji avoided her help, slowly straightened up, and looked calmly at Wen Tingyun: "Master once taught me that in life, there are things to do and things not to do. Now, this is what I will do. Please, Master... grant my request."
Wen Tingyun met her gaze, and in the end, all his words turned into a long, heavy sigh.
He waved his hand, his voice hoarse: "Since you chose this path yourself... don't regret it later."
"Thank you for your kindness, Master." Xuanji bowed again. She turned and walked out of the hall step by step with remarkable composure.
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