undercurrent
In May of the ninth year of the Tianqi reign, through the efforts of the Pei family, Li Yi was promoted to the position of Principal Clerk of the Ministry of Revenue, a seventh-rank official.
In the summer of the ninth year of the Tianqi reign, Lady Pei gave birth to a healthy baby boy, bringing joy to the entire Li household. Li Yi named his eldest son "Li Chengsi," meaning to inherit the family line.
The third-day celebration was held with great pomp and circumstance, and the Pei family also sent generous gifts. Madam Pei personally visited the mansion and, holding Pei's hand, repeatedly instructed her: "Now that my son has a legitimate son, his position is secure. He must show the demeanor of a mistress and be wary of villains causing trouble."
Madam Pei dismissed the maids and servants serving in the room, leaving only her trusted confidante, Chen Mama, by her side. She then sat down on the couch, took Madam Pei's hand, and carefully examined her daughter's slightly tired yet unusually radiant face.
“My son, you have rendered a great service to the Li family this time by giving birth to a legitimate son. Now your position as the mistress of the Li family is truly secure.” Madam Pei’s tone was gratified, but her fingertips tightened slightly as she looked sharply at her daughter. “However, do not let your guard down because of this. The struggle within the inner quarters is never decided by a single move.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Pei's smile faded slightly: "Mother, now that I have an heir, do you think I'm afraid of that vixen from Qiwu Pavilion?"
"Foolish!" Madam Pei scolded in a low voice, her tone turning serious. "It is precisely because you have an heir that you need to be more careful! Do you know how many families, when the principal wife has a legitimate son, think they can rest easy, only to have the concubine's son take advantage of the situation, and in the end, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children becomes blurred, and the family is in turmoil?"
That Lady Yu, in terms of both appearance and talent, is a top-tier choice, and Zi'an even holds her in high regard. Although she seems docile now, who knows if she's not using this as a pretext for advancement? You manage the household affairs, raise the legitimate son—a thousand and one things to do. If she takes this opportunity to consolidate her favor, or even…one day bears a son or daughter herself, how much dignity will you, as the legitimate mother, retain?”
Madam Pei leaned against the brocade quilt, gazing at the rosy face of the infant in her arms. The cold admonitions of her mother echoed in her ears, and the jealousy and resentment that had arisen in her heart because of Xuanji burned fiercely again, like a smoldering fire doused with oil.
After a year of meticulous work, Xuanji carefully compiled the poems, essays, and notes she had written during her travels into a book. She named it "Westward Journey Notes" under the pseudonym "Yang Che" and had it published by a familiar bookstore. As soon as the book was published, scholars in Chang'an eagerly read it, all marveling at "Yang Che's" powerful writing and outstanding insights, unaware that it was written by a woman.
Recently, Li Yi acquired a Dunhuang painting album.
This album was not something that circulated in the marketplace; it was acquired at a high price from a retired scholar who had traveled with merchant caravans to the Hexi Corridor and was an avid collector of rare treasures.
That night, the Qiwu Pavilion was brightly lit with candles, illuminating the desk as if it were daytime. Li Yi and Xuanji sat side by side at the large rosewood desk, with a thick picture book open between them.
A scent wafted over me, a blend of mineral pigments, old paper, and spices from the Western Regions.
"Where did you obtain this?" A hint of surprise flashed in Xuanji's eyes, followed by a deep sense of emotion. His fingertips gently traced the rough cover, the movement carrying an almost reverent familiarity.
Seeing her reaction, Li Yi was quite pleased, and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "A fortunate coincidence. Knowing that you experienced it firsthand, you will surely be delighted if you see this again." He carefully turned to a page.
Above the page are meticulously reproduced mural images. Several plump apsaras, their robes billowing, gracefully float among the clouds.
“Look at this posture,” Xuanji said, his fingertips already pointing at the figure before Li Yi could speak, “it’s almost identical to what I saw in the Northern Liang cave at Mogao Grottoes. The folds of the skirt are not painted in the style of the Central Plains, but rather influenced by the Gupta style of India, using lines to express dynamism, which is why it is so graceful and lively, as if it is about to break through the wall.”
Li Yi glanced at her and, seeing her sparkling eyes, nodded and said, "Indeed. The colors are also extremely bold, ochre, azurite, cinnabar... the minerals are ground and remain new over time."
Xuanji was engrossed in the painting, then turned to another page, which depicted donors worshipping Buddha. The figures in the painting wore magnificent clothing with intricate patterns, exuding an exotic charm.
“Sir, look at this clothing,” she said, her fingertips lightly touching the gorgeous foreign-style clothing of the figure in the painting, her tone natural and enthusiastic. “I have seen similar patterns in the Shazhou market. The robes of those Western Region merchants are embroidered with such linked beads.”
Li Yi's smiling and attentive posture stiffened imperceptibly for a moment.
gentlemen?
She just... called him "sir"?
The address was spoken very lightly and quickly, with a tone of intimacy and complete trust. Yes, there was only one person she would call like that. That name, that figure, that presence he could never truly replace, quietly emerged at this moment like a ghost.
An extremely subtle yet sharp chill suddenly pierced Li Yi's heart.
Countless images flashed before his eyes: when she first entered the manor, the light of admiration that unconsciously shone in her eyes when she talked about poetry and literature, which came from another person; when she was occasionally lost in thought, she would look at her teacher with a dodge yet burning gaze.
I hadn't thought about it carefully before, but now I realize that traces of it are everywhere. Now, when he tries to discuss certain subjects with her in depth, he occasionally catches a fleeting hint of correction from her. Although she didn't say it, it clearly draws a line—in the temple of her mind, that highest position is already occupied by someone else.
He looked at her still excited profile, her clear eyes still intently focused on the illustrations, oblivious to the title he'd blurted out and the sudden change in the expression on his face. Even though this rare picture book was something he'd gone to great lengths to find to please her, what she saw and remembered was still the person who had led her into this world.
He also recalled that his teacher had mentioned to his fellow disciples more than once that if Xuanji were a man, his career would certainly not be worse than theirs.
The pleasant smile on Li Yi's lips faded, and a barely perceptible shadow crossed the depths of his eyes. He subtly withdrew his hand, which had been loosely resting on the back of her chair, his knuckles tightening slightly within his sleeve.
He continued her words, but his voice was a few decibels lower than before: "The scenery of Shazhou is indeed unique."
The following evening, Li Yi accepted an invitation from his colleagues to have a small gathering at a tavern in Pingkangfang. Most of the people at the table were old acquaintances from the Ministry of Revenue and the Hanlin Academy. After a few rounds of drinks, everyone became more talkative, discussing recent anecdotes from the court and poems and articles circulating in the streets, creating a lively atmosphere.
Someone mentioned the recently circulated "Red Star Over China" and praised it, saying, "That 'Ms. Yang Che' in Brother Zian's house is truly an extraordinary woman! Her writing is vigorous and her insights are extraordinary. If it weren't for the unfamiliar signature, one would almost think it was the work of some hermit."
Li Yi paused slightly in his cup-holding hand, still smiling, but his tone was a bit more subdued: "It's just some casual writing by my wife in her spare time, you all flatter me."
Another person chimed in with a smile, "Why be so modest, Zi'an? Your wife is exceptionally talented, and what's even more remarkable is that she shares your interests. It's truly something we can only envy—a beautiful woman keeping you company while you study late into the night!"
Everyone laughed and raised their glasses in agreement. Li Yi also raised his glass in response, but there was no smile in his eyes, only a hint of melancholy. "A beautiful woman by your side, sharing similar interests?" It was like a small knife, mockingly piercing his heart.
After the banquet ended and the guests dispersed, Li Yi returned home slightly tipsy. As he entered Qiwu Pavilion, he saw Xuanji mending an old robe for him by candlelight near the window, her profile serene. He stood there for a long time, the anger and resentment in his heart gradually transforming into a more complex, possessive tenderness.
He stepped forward, gently embraced her from behind, rested his chin on the top of her head, inhaled her faint fragrance, and whispered, "Youwei..."
Xuanji paused slightly, put down her needlework, and asked softly, "My lord, have you been drinking?"
"Hmm." He closed his eyes, tightening his grip on me. "From now on... just call me 'My Lord,' okay?"
He was no longer satisfied with the tender embrace; a fire of alcohol, anger, and intense possessiveness burned through his reason. Suddenly, he swept her up in his arms, and Xuanji gasped softly, her hands instinctively wrapping around his neck. The candlelight flickered, reflecting the turbulent undercurrents in his deep eyes.
“My lord…” She seemed to sense his unusual emotions, and her voice trembled slightly.
Li Yi did not respond, but walked straight to the bed in the inner room, his movements carrying an undeniable force. He placed her on the brocade mattress, then covered her with his own body, casting a shadow that blocked out all outside light.
Afterwards, Li Yi held her even tighter in his arms. Even if she had someone else in her heart, he still wouldn't let go.
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