Spring in the Hall of Paintings

At this bustling temple, filled with devotees and incense, Yun Wei not only encountered Ce Ling but also crossed paths with the Secondary Concubine of Prince Gong and Prince Qing’e before leaving with Lady Fucha. The Secondary Concubine took the initiative to strike up a conversation, and Lady Fucha, not daring to be impolite, exchanged pleasantries with her. When Qing’e saw Yun Wei, he smiled and asked, “Miss Tongjia, how have you been?”

Yun Wei remained indifferent, unwilling to engage with Qing’e further, and replied coolly, “All is well.”

Qing’e couldn’t help but feel disappointed. The Secondary Concubine of Prince Gong, however, was quite pleased with Yun Wei’s demeanor. She remarked, “Lady Tong, perhaps you aren’t aware that there’s a spring on the hillside of this temple. Legend has it that it was left by an immortal, and drinking its water is said to be a blessing from the gods. Many people believe in its miraculous powers. I see you’re looking a bit frail, likely worried about Master Tong accompanying the Emperor on his expedition. Why not have your daughter fetch some of this spring water as an act of filial piety?”

Lady Fucha intended to decline, but the Secondary Concubine took her hand and, not allowing her to refuse, led her toward the abbot’s meditation room. “I’ve long heard of your profound understanding of Buddhist principles. Let me take this opportunity to seek your guidance.”

“Miss Tongjia, there’s a saying: ‘Filial piety moves the heavens.’” The Secondary Concubine glanced at Yun Wei and then addressed Qing’e, “I wouldn’t feel at ease letting her go alone to fetch the spring water. Our royal residence has long-standing ties with the Tong family. Qing’e, accompany Miss Tongjia on this task. Lady Tong and I will wait in the meditation room.”

Lady Fucha forced a faint smile and said, “Since the Secondary Concubine has spoken so kindly, you should go fetch the water for your mother.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Yun Wei and Qing’e left together, while Lady Fucha and the Secondary Concubine sat in the meditation hall drinking tea. Lady Fucha remained silent. The Secondary Concubine sipped her tea lightly, the enamel and tortoiseshell nail guards on her fingers catching the light. Noticing the tranquility of the room, with only a maidservant present and older attendants guarding outside, she sighed and said, “You, too, are a mother. Qing’e has been fond of your daughter for some time and has pleaded with me repeatedly. I find Miss Tongjia excellent in every way, and she’s well-matched with Qing’e. Since Miss Tongjia is a candidate for the selection process, and knowing the strict discipline of the Tong family, I felt assured. I only took this unconventional step to avoid tarnishing her reputation. Please, Lady Tong, don’t hold it against me.”

Lady Fucha was both displeased and caught off guard by the Secondary Concubine’s blunt approach. She hadn’t expected her to be so direct and tried to decline, saying, “Miss Wei is not a good match for the Prince.”

The Secondary Concubine smiled knowingly and replied, “I’ll be frank today. First, I hold Miss Tongjia in high regard and want to avoid any unforeseen issues. Second, my stubborn son insists on marrying her and no one else. He’s been pestering me to the point where I had no choice but to request an audience with the Empress Dowager.”

Lady Fucha’s hand trembled as she held her teacup, and she couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve already involved the Empress Dowager?”

“The Empress Dowager hasn’t explicitly expressed her opinion yet, but she has taken note of the matter. Qing’e may seem reserved, but both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are quite fond of him. He has a promising future and may rise even higher in status someday.”

The Secondary Concubine placed her teacup down and continued with a pleasant smile, “I was once a selected candidate myself, so I understand how much you love and care for your daughter. Miss Tongjia is graceful, composed, and strikingly beautiful. She and Qing’e are a perfect match, in my opinion. Yes, I’m speaking as a mother advocating for her son, but they truly complement each other. A sought-after daughter is a source of pride for ordinary families. But for a girl like Miss Tongjia, who is a candidate for selection, it’s a different story. You know how things work, Lady Fucha—those in the palace will not tolerate even a hint of impropriety in a selected girl.”

Lady Fucha, despite being well-versed in societal rules, realized that in the face of absolute power, she had little to say. A single word from a noble in the palace could determine Yun Wei’s fate, regardless of any plans or strategies. From the Secondary Concubine’s implications, it was clear Yun Wei wouldn’t be disqualified from selection. However, if another suitor emerged and added to the complications, the Empress Dowager would not show leniency, even if Yun Wei had done nothing wrong.

“I understand your intentions, Secondary Concubine,” Lady Fucha said with a forced smile. “It is an honor for Yun Wei to receive your favor.”

“I liked Yun Wei from the moment I first saw her. I’ve always thought it would be wonderful to have such a delightful girl close by, so I gifted her the bracelet. Perhaps it was destiny from a past life,” the Secondary Concubine replied warmly.

Bitter thoughts swirled in Lady Fucha’s heart. She understood clearly that no matter how much face the matriarch of the Tong family had with the Empress Dowager, it could never compare to the influence of Prince’s residence.

Meanwhile, on the way to fetch the spring water, Yun Wei remained silent, her wooden expression likely dampening Qing’e’s spirits. Despite having the woman he admired so deeply beside him, Qing’e remained respectful and refrained from any inappropriate behavior. Yun Wei’s cold demeanor didn’t deter Qing’e; instead, it made him appreciate her even more. To him, Yun Wei’s reserved and self-respecting manner set her apart from the women who sought his favor.

Just a few steps from the meditation room, Yun Wei finally exhaled a breath of relief—they were almost there. Qing’e chuckled softly, “You don’t have to guard yourself against me, Tongjia Yun Wei. The days ahead are long, and I’ve never lacked patience. Like the closing moves of a chess game, victory is assured. Yun Wei, you have nowhere to escape.”

He stepped in front of her, his heated, determined gaze penetrating even the thin veil she wore. Yun Wei’s hand trembled slightly as she gripped the water jug, her voice low. “Must it be me? Prince Qing’e, I have no grand ambitions. I’ve never dreamed of marrying into a noble family. All I wish for is a peaceful, prosperous life, to stroll in quiet courtyards and watch the world change. The Prince’s household is not for me.”

Qing’e’s smile deepened, and his face seemed to light up as he caught the faint fragrance emanating from Yun Wei. Satisfied, he lowered his voice and said, “I, too, have no love for power struggles. I will give you the peaceful, abundant life you seek. We can play chess and discuss poetry and art. Even in the prince’s residence, you can avoid its conflicts. Yun Wei, I will protect you for a lifetime. Trust me, will you?”

“I don’t know.”

Yun Wei was not immune to his words; she was touched but shook her head to avoid thinking too deeply. Qing’e wasn’t deterred. “I am very fond of Nalan Rongruo’s poetry: ‘One life, one love, one soul shared, what need for parting despair?’”

“That’s what all women dream of,” Yun Wei murmured, her cheeks reddening as she brushed past Qing’e and entered the meditation room. Qing’e sniffed his fingertips, lingering on the unique fragrance Yun Wei carried. It reminded him of when he had accidentally supported her earlier while fetching water, feeling her soft skin beneath his palm—a sensation he could not forget.

—

Lady Fucha escorted Yun Wei to bid farewell to the Secondary Concubine, then returned to the Tong residence in their carriage. Once they arrived and dismissed the servants, Yun Wei could tell her mother had something to say. She poured tea for her. “Mother, go ahead. Your daughter is listening.”

“My dear girl, my little Wei,” Lady Fucha said, pulling Yun Wei into an embrace. “How can I bear to let you marry into the Prince’s household? Never mind the prince’s favor with the emperor—the residence is far too complicated.”

“You taught me, Mother, never to panic when faced with challenges and to act with a clear plan. If I am decreed to marry into The Prince’s household, I will not back down. I will make him wholeheartedly devoted to me. Mother, your daughter is not helpless; I simply do not wish to compete unnecessarily.”

“Yun Wei, you must remember that trouble often begins with competition,” Lady Fucha said in a lowered voice, teaching her daughter. “Sometimes, refusing to compete is a form of competition. In the inner court, women vie for power, status, and glory. But what I must teach you is to secure a man’s heart. As long as you master that, you will never lose.”

From that day on, Lady Fucha became increasingly strict with Yun Wei. She began teaching her things she had previously avoided, including matters of intrigue and even unsavory truths. After a long conversation with the family matriarch, Madam Jue Luo, the matriarch sighed, “So be it. This fortune has found its way to Yun Wei. I will have Madam Yang thoroughly instruct her. Our Tong family’s girl must not suffer indignity. If she marries into The Prince’s household, it must be with the emperor’s decree as his official wife.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Lady Fucha said with a bow. Madam Jue Luo helped her up and patted her hand. “Second daughter-in-law, this is a great honor for Yun Wei. We can only accept it.”