Chapter 49

  I picked up the bell and shook it gently three times, and the lights on the stage suddenly went out. The whole world was plunged into darkness again. It wasn't until then that everyone came back to their senses, and sighs of varying degrees could be heard in the darkness. Kangxi suddenly praised: "What a wonderful Moonlight Dance!" The people below him all loudly echoed his sentiments.

  I bowed my head in the dark and said to Kangxi: "Min Min Ge Ge wants to sing another song!" Kangxi sighed: "The song is still on the dance floor, can it be better?"

  I smiled and said: "How dare I say it's better! Just hoping to make Mr. Wan smile!"

  Just then, I heard two ringing sounds coming from the table and asked with a smile: "Your Majesty, can we start now?" Kangxi hastily said: "Begin!"

  I picked up the bell and shook it twice, the sound of the bell had just fallen, the drumbeat started, and the hundred lanterns lit up slowly rose with the drumbeat. The central lantern was as big as a millstone, gradually getting smaller towards the surroundings, and the outer ones were only the size of a fist. When the lanterns rose to the high sky, the curtain in front of the stage fell rapidly with a loud drumbeat. In an instant, what appeared before everyone's eyes were branches of red plum blossoms in full bloom. There was a gentle breeze blowing, and the branches swayed with the wind. Some petals even floated down slowly with the wind. In the quiet night, a faint fragrance floated around. Although everyone knew that the plum blossoms on the stage couldn't be real, they still couldn't help but sniff lightly. Someone whispered: "It's really the scent of plum blossoms!"

  The flute sound gradually rose, the voice getting higher and higher, thinner and thinner, until it reached the clouds, suddenly falling back, and suddenly inaudible. The crowd's heart suddenly felt empty, just as they were about to lose hope, they saw a beautifully dressed woman wearing a large red cloak with white rabbit fur trim, holding a green umbrella, walking towards them from the depths of the plum forest. Her figure was light and graceful, her body slender and elegant, her beauty radiant. The flute sound started again, she walked while singing:

  True love is as vast as the grassland

  Heavy wind and rain cannot stop it

  There will always be a time when the clouds disperse and the sun comes out

  Ten thousand feet of sunshine illuminate you and me

  True love is like plum blossoms blooming everywhere

  Cold snow can't cover up

  Just in the coldest

  Blossoming at the branch tips

  See spring walking towards you

  Snowflakes fluttering, north wind howling

  The sky and earth are one vast expanse of blue.

  A solitary plum blossom

  Proudly standing in the snow

  Fragrant for one person alone

  Love what I love, no complaints, no regrets.

  This feeling stays in my heart forever

  Deep sorrow is hidden within, yet sorrowful but not hurt, with high and clean will, like a red plum blossom that has gone through wind and snow, although it has withered, it still stands proudly on the branch.

  As the singing voice faded away, the lanterns hanging in the air went out one by one, and the lights on the stage gradually dimmed. The sky began to snow, and pure white snowflakes fluttered down, swirling and dancing with the singing voice in the air. Minmin stood proudly among the red plum blossoms, a perfect blend of human beauty and floral elegance. The pure white snow and vibrant red plum blossoms formed a crystal world of white snow and red plum, and Minmin was the most breathtaking sight in this entire world.

  The soft singing gradually subsided, as if it had vanished into thin air. All the other lanterns went out, leaving only the middle one shining down on Minmin and Plum Blossom. She threw away her umbrella, tilted her head back, and gazed up at the snowflakes floating gently in the air. Under the lamplight, her face was as pale and translucent as jade, with a hint of a smile playing on her lips, her eyes misty, her expression desolate, and she slowly reached out to catch the snow.

  In an instant, the lights went out and the sound disappeared. In the darkness, all that was left in front of me was her figure, like a child, going to catch snowflakes, with a mixture of sadness and joy. Her sensitive emotional expression strongly hit my heart. Many years ago, I also wore a big red down jacket and caught snowflakes. My thoughts were filled with memories, and for a moment, I was stunned.

  "Ah Xi!" Li Fuquan shouted loudly, I suddenly "ah?!" and he scolded: "What are you thinking about? The emperor has called for several times already!" Kangxi smiled and said: "Don't blame her! I also heard it after a while." I quickly said: "I'll light the lanterns now!" After finishing speaking, I shook the bell in my hand, and the previously extinguished lamps and torches were relit.

  Min came out to pay her respects, dressed in a plain white dress, unlike the bright and beautiful clothes she usually wore. But not only did it not detract from her radiant beauty, but rather 'the most subtle is the most beautiful', making her even more stunningly beautiful.

  Kangxi looked at Su Wan and Guwalgiya Wangye, sighing: "I haven't watched a song and dance performance with such concentration in many years!" Guwalgiya Wangye proudly smiled at his daughter, but repeatedly said: "Your Majesty is overpraising!"

  She stood quietly beside Su Wan Gual Jia Wang, her expression calm and her posture elegant. From start to finish, she didn't even glance at the thirteen once. I sighed inwardly, in just over two months' time, she was no longer that carefree little girl, now she had become a woman who had experienced heartache! Perhaps she had become more charming, but simple joys had already fled from her! Is it true that gems must always undergo painful polishing to shine brightly?

  The eagle prince looked at Minmin for a few moments, then lowered his eyes and fell into deep thought. A faint smile hung on my lips, thinking that the heart of this male eagle might be left on Minmin's body tonight, but could he catch Minmin's heart in the future?

  Kangxi looked at Minmin and smiled, saying: "Come tell me, how did you manage to create those moons and snow?" Minmin glanced at me and smiled back: "At first, the dim blue light and the undulating water waves were created by covering the ground with blue gauze, underneath which were small blue lanterns. The light shone through the gauze, creating a dark blue hue in the darkness. Then, people under the stage used fans to gently blow, naturally creating the sensation of floating water waves. The moon was also made using the same principle: a circular frame was set up with bamboo, covered with pale yellow gauze, and small lanterns were attached around it. The lantern shades were woven with silver thread, but only on the side facing the moon did we use transparent thin gauze, so that the light wouldn't spill out and would be fully reflected onto the yellow gauze, creating a bright full moon in the darkness. To make it rise and fall, ropes were used to secure it, and people controlled it from behind. In reality, I was dancing on a platform built behind the scenes, and the crowd below looked through the moon as if I was dancing inside it. The brightness of the moon had been tested beforehand, and we could adjust it by using more or fewer candles. The red plum blossoms were made with real trees, adorned with high-quality palace silk, which looked almost lifelike in the lamplight. The fragrance of the plum blossoms came from the finest plum blossom extract, which was heated over a flame by someone in a hidden location and then fanned out to spread the scent, naturally creating the illusion of floating plum fragrance. The snowflakes were made from nearly transparent thin silk, mixed with some fine cotton threads, and palace maids lightly scattered them above, using large fans to blow them gently. As the lamplight gradually dimmed, it also helped to make the snow look even more real."

  Min Min spoke in one breath without stopping, Kangxi listened with a slight daze, glanced at me and said: "It's hard for you and Ruo Xue to have such thoughts!"

  Mingming smiled and didn't say a word, I hastily bowed my head and said: "Actually, it's just that the materials are all top-notch, and then practice more, pay attention to the coordination between everyone. To put it simply, it's very simple, these scenes are just throwing money! In the end, whether it's good or not, the key is still Mingming's grade!"

  Kangxi laughed and said, "Even smashing silver must be done to the right point! If I had known you had this skill, I would have let you take charge of the palace banquets and performances." I hastily accompanied his laughter and said, "I only have this little bit of skill, it's just 'Cheng Yaojin's three-board axe', already a donkey's trick is exhausted! Your Majesty shouldn't make things difficult for me! Otherwise, I'm afraid that next time Your Majesty watches the performance and blames me, how can I just change the moon to the sun and Chang'e to a crow?"

  As soon as the words fell, the officials below all burst out laughing. Kangxi laughed and scolded: "Look at you, so clever! It's clear that you're lazy and have a whole basket of excuses!" I lowered my head and smiled back: "I don't dare!"

  Kangxi smiled and praised Minmin a few more sentences, then rewarded her with a jade scepter. Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye gazed at Minmin as she kowtowed to receive the reward, then smiled at Kangxi and said: "I think I'll give Ruo Xue something too!" Kangxi laughed and said: "Nothing could be better! This time I've saved myself some trouble - this girl only knows how to wheedle rewards from me, who knows how many good things she's gotten over the years?"

  Su Wangualjia King smiled and took out a jade pendant from his bosom, handing it to the eunuch standing beside him. The eunuch presented it to me with both hands, and I quickly knelt down to thank him. Su Wangualjia King glanced at Minmin and said: "Minmin also has a similar jade pendant! Minmin originally had a twin sister, and when they were born, I was overjoyed and happened to have obtained a beautiful jade, so I specially ordered someone to carve two jade pendants. Unexpectedly, before the pendants were finished, her sister passed away!" After finishing speaking, Su Wangualjia King let out a light sigh. The crowd did not expect that this jade pendant had such an origin, and they all looked at me with surprise and admiration.

  I kowtowed, holding the jade pendant in my hands, and said to Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye: "This jade pendant holds the king's thoughts of his daughter, I really don't dare accept it!" Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye smiled and said: "Since I have given it to you, there is no need to be afraid!" After finishing speaking, he looked at Kangxi, Kangxi slightly smiled at me and said: "Accept it!" I kowtowed again and put away the jade pendant.

  The atmosphere was solemn, and all the brothers were thoughtfully staring at me. I really couldn't figure out what this jade pendant specifically represented? What did Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye mean by doing this to Kangxi? I looked at Minmin in confusion, but she just smiled sweetly at me, her face full of joy! My heart warmed up, and I temporarily put aside my doubts, also smiling sweetly at her!

  As the night wore on, Kangxi was getting old after all and couldn't afford to stay up too late. After instructing the Crown Prince, Li Fuquan accompanied him out first, and Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye also left with them. As soon as they left, the atmosphere at the banquet became even more relaxed. Soro Wangzi and the Thirteenth Prince chatted happily, striking the table and singing from time to time, sometimes in Mongolian and sometimes in Chinese, and when they got excited, they would down a bowl of wine in one gulp.

  He Zhuang Wangzi and Jiu A'ge, Shi Si A'ge were competing with each other. The three of them played rock-paper-scissors while drinking wine, laughing and chatting enthusiastically. Si A'ge smiled as he watched Shi San and So Ying Wangzi, occasionally clinking glasses with them. Ba A'ge, on the other hand, was whispering to the Crown Prince, their heads tilted in laughter. The rest of the Mongolians and the officials who had accompanied them were also drinking and chatting among themselves.

  I huddle in the dimness, gazing at the scene before me. Though I know it's just a foolish fantasy, I still can't help but wish that time would stand still in this moment. There is only laughter, no strife!

  "Sister, what are you thinking?" Minmin asked softly, standing beside me at some point. I looked at them in the bright light and muttered: "It turns out that the flowers of love have bloomed everywhere, but all have withered like this. The beautiful scenery is fleeting, whose courtyard can hold onto it?"

  "What do you mean?" I said softly. "It's just that I'm sighing because you're leaving tomorrow! The joy of our gathering is short-lived!" Minmin sighed and said, "I don't know if we can see each other next year." Both of us fell silent.

  I pulled myself together and said to Minmin, "Go back and sit down, I'll send you a farewell gift!" Minmin asked, "What is it?" I pushed her gently, indicating for her to go back and sit down, while saying, "I promised you last year!" She heard this, looked puzzled, let out a soft sigh, turned around and quickly walked away.

  I found a flute and held it lightly in my hand, beckoning to San Cai, the personal attendant of the Thirteenth Prince. He hurried over, bowed his head in greeting, and I smiled, saying: "Go invite the Thirteenth Prince over here!" San Cai listened, then hastily departed, whispering something in the ear of the Thirteenth Prince. The Thirteenth Prince turned to Crown Prince Soaring Eagle and said a couple of words, then bowed to him before turning around and striding towards me with large steps.

  Thirteen, with a hint of alcohol on his breath, smiled and said: "You've handled this matter quite beautifully, quite ruthlessly! When we get back, I'll settle the score with you!" I smiled and said: "Mingming is leaving tomorrow, why don't you play a tune for her? This farewell, who knows when we'll meet again, let's consider it a sendoff!" Thirteen nodded, took the flute, and asked: "What should I play? Does she have a favorite tune?" I thought for a moment and said: "Just play that song she sang tonight." Thirteen grasped the flute, pondered for a while, and said: "I didn't intentionally memorize the score, afraid I won't be able to play it all!" I smiled, hummed softly, slowly humming through one verse, and asked: "Can you remember it all now?" Thirteen nodded.

  Thirteen carried the flute and returned, smiling towards the prince to ask for peace, saying: "I want to blow a tune to help the excitement, is it okay?" The prince smiled and said: "What's wrong with that? Everyone knows you play the flute well, but you never easily play for others. Today, it's rare for you to take the initiative, and we can finally satisfy our ears!" Everyone present applauded and cheered.

  Thirteen smiled and stood up, with the flute at his lips, facing Minmin. He nodded slightly, and a gentle, melodious sound flowed out from the flute. Minmin's face changed color as she listened to the tune, staring intently at Thirteen. Thirteen was indeed a master of music, and Mei's noble and unyielding spirit, as well as her deep emotions, were all revealed in the flute's melody!

  Everyone present had a slightly surprised expression, except for the Fourth Prince, Eighth Prince, and Fourteenth Prince, who looked as usual. After all, this was the tune that Minmin had just sung last night, and now Thirteen was playing it, adding a hint of ambiguity to the atmosphere. Before the song ended, Minmin's eyes were welling up with tears, staring fixedly at Thirteen. Sora Wangzi glanced at Thirteen and then gazed quietly at Minmin, his expression calm as water, his eyes firm as iron yet mixed with heartache and pity. I looked at Sora Wangzi, my mouth involuntarily curving upwards slightly - no jealousy! No disdain! Just heartache and pity! What a strange man!

  The tail sound ended, thirteen bowed slightly and started blowing again. Minmin stood up and harmonized with the sound:

  Snowflakes fluttering, north wind howling

  The sky and earth are one vast expanse of blue.

  A solitary plum blossom

  Proudly standing in the snow

  Fragrant for one person alone

  Love what I love, no complaints, no regrets.

  This feeling stays in my heart forever

  The sound gradually subsides, getting farther and farther away, until it can no longer be heard! Suddenly, a thought flashes in my mind: As the sound fades away, the voice disappears, and those with feelings are often tormented by those without. If people were without emotions, perhaps they could truly stay far away from troubles!

  ――――――――――――――――――――

  I stand on the grassy slope, looking at the campsite not far away, with bonfires dotting the landscape and the silhouettes of patrolling soldiers faintly visible. I tilt my head back to gaze up at the crescent moon hanging in the sky, and can't help but let out a long sigh! After the revelry, there's always an extra chill in the air!

  Suddenly hearing a faint rustling sound, I turned my head to see the Fourth Prince approaching slowly. I hastily bowed to greet him and he raised his hand for me to get up.

  The two of them stood silently, and I didn't like the oppressive feeling it gave me. After thinking for a moment, I asked: "Is Prince Wang familiar with Prince Soaring Eagle?" The Fourth Prince said: "Since you've met Prince Soaring Eagle, you should have a general idea about him. He's talented and outstanding, but he's a bastard son, and his birth mother is of low status and not favored by Prince Ilgenaruo. Last winter, many people and livestock died in Ilgenaruo, and this spring they had conflicts with the Borjigit tribe over pastureland. This time, coming to pay respects to the Emperor isn't an easy task, so it fell on his shoulders. However...” He paused before continuing: “It's actually a blessing in disguise; in the future, he'll probably give Prince Ilgenaruo and the Crown Prince headaches!"

  I seem to understand yet not understand, don't know where the blessing comes from, vaguely knowing that it has something to do with who will inherit the throne in the future. Thinking of Minmin, I sighed and said, "It's really everywhere without the struggle for power, but I don't know what Kangxi and Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye are thinking." Then I thought again, maybe Minmin won't even like Prince Soyon! Why am I thinking so much now?

  "Daydreaming, the Fourth Brother said: "Just making wedding clothes for others! Do you really want to spend your whole life alone? Don't give me any nonsense about being filial, it's not like your brain has been eaten away by 'The Legend of Liancheng'!"

  I fell silent for a while, I don't know why, maybe because the scenes from last night were still surging in my mind, emotions outweighing reason, or maybe it was because I felt that someone who knew how to appreciate the beauty of lotus flowers should understand. Slowly, I said: "I'm so tired! All these years living in the palace, every step is a rule, everywhere there are calculations, everything has to be carefully considered and reconsidered! But I'm not that kind of person at all! I just want to leave, to walk far away, to laugh loudly when I feel like it, to cry out loud when I feel like it! To be able to be a shrew when angry, and a gentle lady when tender. Getting married, now it seems, is just exchanging the big prison of the Forbidden City for a smaller one! And who knows if I'll have the same glory as I did in the Forbidden City? Why should I get married?

  Fourth Brother paused for a moment, then said in a calm tone: "Your identity makes it impossible for you to decide these things yourself! The more the Emperor favors you, the less control you have over your own marriage! Take tonight's jade pendant, for example. Although I don't understand what Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye is really after, if the Emperor wants to arrange a marriage for you, he will surely weigh the pros and cons carefully. If you hope to be like other palace maids, being released from the palace when you come of age, I advise you to give up that idea early on. Instead, think carefully about how to make the Emperor arrange a marriage that is relatively satisfactory to you, which would be more practical!"

  I listened in a daze, my heart sinking, as he ruthlessly shattered my last shred of hope with just a few words! It turned out that no matter how hard I struggled, I would ultimately become a pawn! I couldn't help but laugh bitterly and say, "If I don't want to marry, no one can force me!" The Fourth Prince looked at me calmly and said lightly, "Then prepare yourself for the three-foot white silk!" After a pause, he added, "And be prepared to harden your heart and not care whether your death will enrage the Empress Dowager or implicate your mother and siblings!"

  I wonder blankly, will there really come a day when I'll have to sacrifice my own life in order to refuse marriage? Although I've used this as a threat against Eighth Brother before, that was just an attitude, a trick! From young till now, I've never thought of suicide and always looked down on those who do. My parents gave birth to me, raised me with hardship, is it so they can see me end my own life? I feel like everything is in human control, all things have room for maneuver. What's more precious than life itself? Not just for myself, but also for my parents, for the people who love me! Only by living on do we have hope!

  He slowly said: "The palace is the place where you can't afford to dream! Wake up early and think about a strategy. Otherwise, when things come to a head, it will be too late for yourself!" I reluctantly asked: "I don't want to marry, really can't? I won't marry, won't bother anyone, why do they have to arrange a marriage for me?"

  The fourth brother stared at me coldly and said, "Are you unable to understand what I'm saying? Or are you simply unwilling to comprehend? The decision-maker in this matter is the Emperor, and you can only obey!"

  I really don't want to understand? Am I always subconsciously comforting myself that there is happiness ahead? Otherwise, how can this life be endured?

  After a long time, the fourth brother asked faintly: "Don't you have someone in your heart that you'd like to marry? Isn't there anyone who makes you feel like being with him isn't a prison?" I was stunned for a moment, shaking my head. He stared at me for half a while, then turned his head to gaze into the depths of the night, and didn't speak again.

  The two of us walked back in silence, and when it was time to bid farewell, I sincerely said to him: "Thank you, Fourth Prince!" He casually waved his hand for me to get up, then turned around and left.