Чистое сердце в нефритовом сосуде

Глава 57

Zinuo hugged me back, then pushed me away a little, and took a step back, saying, "Sister, stand there properly so I can have a good look. You won't be able to see it after it's taken down."

I stood still as instructed and gave Zinuo what I thought was a flirtatious look, which successfully made Zinuo look both amused and exasperated.

In my memory, the coming-of-age ceremony for women in ancient times was quite complicated, involving several steps and the participation of respected elders. My coming-of-age ceremony was simply completed in Zinuo's hands, but I didn't feel regret; on the contrary, I felt it was even more precious.

After changing back into men's clothing, Zi Nuo reluctantly put the dress away. I snatched it from his hands and said, "This is my most precious treasure."

Around 9 AM, someone came to say that someone from the Second Prince's residence was looking for me. I roughly understood what it was about, so I followed the man to the gatehouse. A man with a mustache who looked like a steward handed me an exquisite purple wooden box, saying it was a birthday gift from the Second Prince. I accepted it and thanked him.

Back in the room, Zinuo was still waiting there, asking me what had happened. I had no choice but to tell him that I had been arrested again at the Second Prince's residence a few days ago, and that his household already knew our identities. Zinuo's face darkened, and I understood that he was angry that I hadn't told him back then.

After sending Zinuo away, I opened the box and found a dazzling eight-treasure glass hairpin inside. I gently picked it up; its shimmering light was truly beautiful. This is far too precious! Even if it were given to me, I wouldn't need it. As I was about to put the hairpin back, I noticed there was another layer in the box. I opened it and found several exquisite trinkets neatly arranged inside: a red coral bracelet, tortoiseshell earrings, a gold-inlaid jade butterfly hairpin, an amethyst and diamond hair ornament… eight pieces in total, each one extraordinary. Beside them was a neatly folded, beige-colored lace paper slip, indicating which item was a birthday gift prepared for me in which year. Looking at these carefully chosen gifts, I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to suppress the inexplicable sadness that welled up inside me.

I locked the purple wooden box and put it in the cabinet. Not long after, someone came to report that someone from the Third Prince's residence was looking for me. I was quite surprised, but I still went to the gatehouse again, and then I saw that it was Nightingale who came. Nightingale didn't say anything, just placed a small, gilded lacquer box in my hand and left. I smiled wryly and took the box back to Yixinzhai.

I understand Shen Tingxuan's intentions, but what about Shen Zexuan's? Opening the box, I saw a purple jade phoenix-shaped hairpin lying on red brocade, five smooth, round pearls dangling from its beak—quite alluring. There was also an irregularly shaped jade pendant, entirely emerald green, with intricate carvings. I closed the box again and placed it in the cabinet.

The gifts I received today are truly exhilarating! In just one day, I've become rich! It's a pity those treasures will just have to lie in the shadows.

That evening, Zinuo and I found Song Zhixuan and Lin Zhao, and we went to the garden to admire the moon together. Shen Haoyu and the others had not yet returned, so Yinyan mingled with us, and Yuying followed them into the palace.

The group sat around the stone table, eating the mooncakes that Yin Yan had brought and entertaining themselves.

Lin Zhao picked up her chopsticks and gently tapped her wine cup, then sang in rhythm: "A quiet maiden, so beautiful, awaits me at the city corner. I love her, but cannot see her, I scratch my head and hesitate. A quiet maiden, so lovely, gives me a red reed. The red reed shines brightly, delighting in the maiden's beauty. She brings me tender shoots from the pasture, truly beautiful and unique. It is not the maiden herself that is beautiful, but the gift from the beautiful woman."

I listened with a broad smile, a knowing grin on my face: "Brother Lin Zhao, who is this song for? It seems the thank-you gift from the Dongjun merchants has somewhere to go."

Lin Zhao blushed: "Don't talk nonsense. I learned it from someone else who sang it well when I went out this time."

Song Zhixuan nodded with a smile, indicating that what Lin Zhao said was true and that my gossip was completely unfounded.

“Since that’s the case, we should sing appropriate songs on the Mid-Autumn Festival night. Aren’t you just making things seem like a misunderstanding?” I protested. Then, thinking that everyone was in high spirits today, I decided to join in the fun and asked Zinuo to play the flute for me. We sang Teresa Teng’s “Wishing We Last Forever”: “When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup to ask the blue sky. I wonder what year it is in the celestial palace. I want to ride the wind and return, but I fear the jade towers and crystal palaces are too cold at such heights. I dance with my shadow, how can it compare to being in the human world? The moon turns through the red pavilion, shines low through the painted windows, illuminating my sleeplessness. There should be no resentment, yet why is the moon always full when we are apart? People have sorrow and joy, separation and reunion, just as the moon has its phases of waxing and waning. Nothing in this world is perfect. I only wish that we may all live long and share the beauty of the moon, even though we are thousands of miles apart.”

When the song ended, Lin Zhao's mouth dropped open, while Song Zhixuan looked extremely surprised. After a long while, he said, "Beautiful lyrics, beautiful music!"

Yin Yan seemed to be in a daze, murmuring, "Such a beautiful melody..."

That night, Song Zhixuan also risked his life to keep the gentleman company, rising up to dance with his sword while reciting: "Frost descends and watermarks recede, revealing distant isles in pale green scales. The effects of the wine gradually wear off and the wind softens, whistling softly, my tattered hat clings to my head with affection. How to celebrate this festival? Let's just drink a cup of clear wine to bid farewell to autumn. All things in the end are but a dream, let it be, for even the butterflies will grieve for the withered flowers tomorrow."

That night, we had a great time and got thoroughly drunk. Just as Lin Zhao, unsteady on her feet, was about to drag Zi Nuo into a duel, our little prince, Shen Haoyu, arrived with his men. I pointed at Shen Haoyu and chuckled, then swayed and collapsed. In my dazed state, someone lifted me up, then a cold towel was placed on my face to wipe it, and then a strangely flavored soup was poured into my mouth.

The broth? Could it be poison? I jolted awake and opened my eyes, only to see Yu Ying walking away with a bowl, and Shen Haoyu sitting to the side, glaring at me with a frosty expression. I thought, all I did was point a finger at you, was it really necessary to react like this?

I scrambled to my feet, a little unsteady on my feet. Shen Haoyu stood up abruptly, pointing a trembling finger at me and yelling, "I made an excuse to leave the palace early, intending to help you with your coming-of-age ceremony, but you've made such a mess of it! You..." Shen Haoyu didn't finish his sentence, angrily flicking his sleeve and striding away.

A gust of wind from the sleeve of his robe swept across my face. With my still-dazed mind, I wondered: What did he just say? Was it to celebrate my coming-of-age ceremony?

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 43

Chapter word count: 3845 Update time: 09-08-06 13:05

The next day, I got up with a groggy head, only to see Yu Ying standing outside my door. When I came out, Yu Ying said, "The young prince wants you to go to his study after you get up."

Remembering that Yin Yan seemed to have drunk quite a bit yesterday, I casually asked, "Where's Sister Yin Yan?"

"Still hungover." Yu Ying uttered these four words, turned and walked away gracefully, and I remembered the madness of last night.

I ran to Zinuo's room, but the door was tightly closed. Yuying must have given me hangover soup last night.

Smelling the smell of alcohol on my body and recalling how Shen Haoyu stormed off last night, I quickly fetched water and washed myself thoroughly, tidying myself up before daring to see Shen Haoyu.

Shen Haoyu was reading a book, and when he saw me come in, he started to give me a hard time. I sighed quietly in exasperation.

"Did you enjoy yourself last night?" Shen Haoyu asked. The question itself was nothing special, but the tone of his voice sent chills down one's spine.

I shrank back slightly and said softly, "I was drunk and behaved inappropriately last night. If I accidentally offended you, please forgive me."

Shen Haoyu snorted coldly and said, "You missed yesterday's coming-of-age ceremony because you were drunk, so don't blame me for not taking it seriously as your master."

I was startled. Had he really prepared for my coming-of-age ceremony yesterday?

Then he said, "Starting today, you should wear women's clothes again. I've already arranged for Yu Ying to help you prepare."

"Why?" I blurted out.

Shen Haoyu glanced at me and said, "Don't worry, I'll still let you stay here and watch over your precious little brother." He added, "If this drags on any longer, you won't be able to pass for a man anymore." Then he blushed slightly.

Yes, even Zinuo's voice has started to change, but mine is still so clear and crisp, and I don't have an Adam's apple... It's really hard on Song Zhixuan and Lin Zhao. How could they suspect that Shen Haoyu and I have some special interest, instead of suspecting that I'm not a man at all?

Although I didn't really want to change back into women's clothes—I was afraid it would feel awkward, uncomfortable, and embarrassing—I still had to change eventually. When I returned to my room, Yu Ying was already waiting outside, carrying a tray with a stack of clothes and a small dressing box.

Upon entering the room, Yu Ying pointed to a light red, flowing, brocade palace dress with subtle floral patterns and said, "This is what the young prince prepared for you to wear yesterday when you come of age. Whether you wear it or not is up to you." I looked at the palace dress; its color was elegant yet festive, indeed suitable for yesterday's occasion. Feeling Shen Haoyu's thoughtfulness, my heart warmed. No wonder he was so angry last night, and his anger hadn't subsided even today.

I reached out and took it, smiling apologetically, "I will wear this today to apologize to the young prince."

After changing my clothes behind the screen, I saw a glint of light in Yu Ying's eyes, and I thought to myself: It should look pretty good.

Yu Ying gently helped me sit down on a stool. She took some rouge and face powder from her dressing box and lightly applied a layer, then carefully drew my arched eyebrows and applied cherry-red rouge to my lips. This was the first time I had ever worn makeup in this era. Looking in the mirror, I saw a face that was even more elegant and beautiful than the one I had seen at Shen Zexuan's residence. Yu Ying styled my hair into a Ruyi bun, placed a tortoiseshell plum blossom hairpin in it, and adorned my temples with two small purple silk flowers. I stood up, and Yu Ying circled me, seemingly quite pleased. Looking at the beautiful woman in palace attire in the mirror, a strange feeling welled up inside me.

I looked left and right, but I still felt uncomfortable. Why did I look more and more like the wife of a noble family?

I took Yu Ying's hand and said, "Sister Yu Ying, can you please not dress like this? You look like someone's newlywed concubine!"

Yu Ying shook off my hand and said angrily, "I've been busy all morning, and you say I look like a concubine?"

Seeing that Yu Ying was angry, I quickly begged for forgiveness. It seems that I should do it myself in the future. I tied all my hair up, looking exactly like a young version of a concubine.

Yu Ying led me to Shen Haoyu's study. On the way, we encountered several rough servants, who were all stunned and guessed whether the princess had sent someone over again. I blushed as I entered Shen Haoyu's study.