The Place Examination was imminent. Hua Liuli returned to the Hua Family Estate accompanied by several boxes of things.
Watching the servants unloading several large boxes from her sister's carriage, Hua Changkong couldn't help but tease, "Every time you enter the palace, you bring so many things. Are you planning to empty the Empress Dowager's private treasury?"
"What are you saying? There's a saying, 'When the elder gives, one does not dare refuse'. The Empress Dowager gave it to me, so of course, I have to bring it back," Hua Liuli instructed the servants to bring one of the boxes into Hua Changkong's courtyard, "This is a congratulatory gift from the Crown Prince for your successful examination. I brought it back for you."
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness," Hua Changkong arched his hand in the direction of the palace, "It seems that you get along quite well with the Crown Prince. Even the congratulatory gift he gave me, he entrusted you to bring it back."
"I've been eating and drinking in the Eastern Palace recently. I've gained a little weight," Hua Liuli rubbed her cheek, which left red marks on her fair skin, "Don't call me for lunch later, I'll eat out."
"Why are you going out right after you've returned?" Hua Changkong directed the servants while expressing concern for his sister, "Aren't you supposed to take care of your health? Going out and walking around, aren't you afraid of getting sick?"
Hua Liuli glanced at Hua Changkong and said in a low voice, "Third Brother, you better focus on your studies."
"Young girl, going out and having fun," Hua Changkong poked Hua Liuli's forehead with his hand, "Did you make plans with someone?"
"Jiamin Junzhu wants to visit Young Lady Du, and I have some acquaintance with Young Lady Du, so I'm going along to see her," Hua Liuli instructed her attendants, including Yuan Yi, to bring the prepared gifts, "I heard that Young Lady Du was raised by Grand Tutor Du, and with Grand Tutor Du's serious illness, she must be feeling distressed."
Hua Changkong nodded, "Then be careful on the way."
Hua Liuli went back to her courtyard and changed into a simpler outfit. When she came out, she saw Yao Jiamin was already waiting outside the entrance of the Hua Family Estate, "Why are you here so early?"
"Is it bad to be quick?" Yao Jiamin pulled Hua Liuli into the carriage, "Let's go."
During the time they had spent alone in Shoukang Palace, they often discussed which storybooks were more interesting and they even went to the imperial garden to catch butterflies and fish. Their relationship had become much closer.
"I thought you don't get along with Young Lady Du?" Hua Liuli asked, "I didn't expect you to take the initiative to visit her."
"It's not that we don't get along, we just have different personalities," Yao Jiamin said, "My cousin has been holding books since she was three or four years old, and she never lets go of them. She also has a strong sense of morality and justice. When we were young, if any of us did something wrong, she would lecture us for half an hour. Who can bear that?"
"But apart from that, she always accommodates us, her cousins. We might find her annoying, but we don't want her to be trapped in a state of sadness," Yao Jiamin frowned, "My cousin is not very close to her parents, my aunt and uncle. If Grand Tutor Du really passes away, I'm afraid she won't be able to bear it."
Hua Liuli fell silent. Her grandfather had passed away early due to severe injuries sustained on the battlefield; her grandmother had also passed away early. She didn't know how the younger generation interacted with their grandparents, but she could understand the feeling of being unable to help someone important who was approaching death.
Seeing her silence, Yao Jiamin tried to console her, "We are the younger generation, and we are girls. We don't need to go into Grand Tutor Du's room."
"I wasn't thinking about that," Hua Liuli forced a smile and shook her head, "I just remembered something from the past."
Yao Jiamin looked at Hua Liuli, her mouth moving faster than her brain, "What happened?"
She immediately regretted asking. It was obviously not something good. Why couldn't she control her own mouth?
"A few years ago, there was a man in the military camp who had a beautiful singing voice. Every Mid-Autumn Festival or New Year's Eve when we gathered together, everyone would urge him to sing a few songs," Hua Liuli said, "He said that in his hometown, young men would use singing to propose to the girls they liked."
"Has he... found the girl he likes now?"
"Before he joined the army, he already had the girl he liked. She said that she would marry him after the army defeated the Jinpo Bandits," Hua Liuli turned her head and looked at the gemstones embedded in the carriage, "We won the war, but that girl didn't wait for him to return."
"He..."
"He was shot by a stray arrow from a Jinpo archer while protecting several children who were escaping. When the Hua family soldiers found his body, there wasn't a single piece of good land on him," Hua Liuli sighed. "There are many things in the world that can be redone, but life only comes once."
"When you die, you really have nothing left."
Yao Jiamin fell silent, feeling a lump in her throat. She looked at Hua Liuli and couldn't bring herself to ask. How many stories like this played out in the military camp every day?
She seemed to understand why her father, who only knew luxury and indulgence, became much more frugal after escorting grain and supplies to Qinghan Prefecture.
Some scenes could only be truly understood when witnessed firsthand, for they were truly heart-wrenching.
When they arrived at the Du Family Estate, Yao Jiamin still felt a bit sluggish. She walked ahead wearily and handed the invitation card to the gatekeeper. Soon, maidservants and old women bowed to invite the two inside.
As soon as they stepped into the Du Family Estate, Hua Liuli sensed a heavy atmosphere. There seemed to be a faint bitter medicinal scent lingering in the air. The servants and attendants all had solemn expressions, without any trace of a smile.
The one receiving them was the weary-looking Madam Du. Upon hearing that the two Junzhus came to visit her daughter, Madam Du forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your concern, noble Junzhus. My daughter caught a cold a couple of days ago and has been bedridden. Please come again later."
"Aunt, Cousin has always been in good health. How did she become so severely ill?" Yao Jiamin stood up and said, "I'll go take a look at her."
"Jiamin Junzhu," Lady Du called out to Yao Jiamin, "Wait until Xiuying recovers a bit before you go in. I'm afraid she might infect you before recovering from her illness."
Yao Jiamin froze and turned to glance at Hua Liuli. In an instant, she understood what her aunt was worried about.
It was well-known that Hua Liuli's health was weak throughout the entire capital. If something really happened, the Du family couldn't bear the responsibility. Yao Jiamin pursed her lips and said to Madam Du, "Aunt, I'll just go in and take a look."
Seeing that Hua Liuli showed no intention of going in with her, Madam Du breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Hua Liuli with a gentle expression and said, "General Wei mentioned you when she visited last time. How have you been adapting during your time in the capital?"
"Everything is fine," Hua Liuli asked about Du Xiuying's condition a few more times. After learning that it was just a common cold, she put her heart at ease.
Madam Du had a gentle personality. Although she wasn't familiar with Hua Liuli, she always managed to find a topic to keep the atmosphere in the room from becoming cold.
"Madam," a maidservant dressed in aqua-colored attire walked in and respectfully said, "The esteemed guest you requested has arrived."
Madam Du glanced at Hua Liuli, and Hua Liuli immediately said, "A distinguished guest has arrived. As a junior and a friend of Young Lady Du, I hope Madam to receive your guests."
"I apologize," Madam Du smiled apologetically to Hua Liuli and stood up to greet the guest.
Soon, Madam Du led in a Taoist priest, followed by two Taoist disciples. They seemed untainted by the mortal world and exuded an air of authority.
"Fushou Junzhu," the Taoist priest saw Hua Liuli and greeted her with a Daoist salute.
"Abbot Qinghui, greetings," Hua Liuli returned the gesture.
"Abbot and Fushou Junzhu know each other?" Madam Du was surprised that Hua Liuli actually knew the most famous Abbot Qinghui in the capital.
"I had a brief encounter with Fushou Junzhu at the Taoist temple," Qinghui sat down on a chair and then turned to Madam Du, saying, "Madam, I am an outsider and possess no ability to revive the dead or heal the sick. Madam truly overestimated me."
She had heard of Taoist priests selling fake pills claiming to grant immortality and had encountered Daoists who boasted of their ability to give divination. So, facing a Daoist like Qinghui who was so straightforward and honest, Madam Du didn't know how to react for a moment.
Hua Liuli glanced at Madam Du and felt that her facial expression had frozen.
"Life and death are fated, and fortune lies in the heavens," Qinghui shook his head and said, "Old Master Du is a learned man who has always agreed with my views."
Madam Du was stunned for a moment before saying, "Abbot, is there really no way?"
Qinghui shook his head, "Madam, although I don't possess the means to extend life or revive the dead, I do know a bit about feng shui. If you don't mind, I can take a look at your residence."
"Then I shall trouble you, Abbot," Perhaps due to Qinghui's honesty, Madam Du actually had more trust in him.
"Shall we begin now?" Qinghui turned his head and looked at Hua Liuli, "Junzhu, please join us."
"Abbot, I'm an outsider, wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to be present?" Although Hua Liuli didn't believe in such things, she understood that it might be inconvenient to have an outsider involved.
"If it were someone else, it would indeed be inappropriate, but Junzhu is different from others," Qinghui smiled and made a gesture of invitation to Hua Liuli.
"Abbot, forgive my rudeness, but why is Fushou Junzhu different from others?" Despite being exhausted these days, Madam Du's curiosity was still present.
"Because Junzhu and I have a connection in the Dao," Qinghui smiled mysteriously.
Hua Liuli: "..."
Thank you, excuse me, goodbye.
Seeing Hua Liuli's refusal, Qinghui chuckled and his wide sleeves moved without any wind, it was as if he were a celestial being descending from the heavens, "I was just joking, Junzhu, please don't mind."
Hua Liuli curled her lips and said, "Abbot, you have a good sense of humor."
Qinghui didn't wander around the Du Family Estate but instead took out the architectural plan of the estate and gave some instructions.
The general idea was about which trees to plant, which flowers to avoid, and the addition of a few more windows here and there. Hua Liuli listened absentmindedly, waiting for Yao Jiamin to come out.
At this time, a few maidservants entered and spoke something to Madam Du in a low voice. Not sure what the maidservants had told Madam Du, but Madam Du apologized with a guilty expression, "Please excuse me, Abbot and Junzhu. Please wait a moment while I go and come back."
"Madam, please take your time," Qinghui picked up his teacup and took a sip. After Madam Du lifted the curtain and left, he turned to Hua Liuli, who was sitting across from him, and said, "Junzhu, do you believe in fate?"
"Abbot, what do you mean by that?" Hua Liuli smiled and asked.
"After birth, everyone's fate is predetermined, but Junzhu is different. However, your fate is not fixed, and you can even influence those around you," Qinghui smiled and said, "People like you, if you focus on cultivating the Dao, will achieve great things."
"Abbot, I've heard that when someone is lying, they often use small actions to cover it up," Hua Liuli smiled, "In just a few words you said earlier, you scraped the tea leaves in your cup five or six times with the lid."
Qinghui was stunned, then chuckled lightly, "Junzhu, you truly are the daughter of two great generals. You have sharp eyes."
After being exposed by Hua Liuli, Qinghui no longer pretended to be mysterious. He put down his teacup and smiled at Hua Liuli, "I thought that Junzhu would enjoy being praised for her extraordinary background."
"Why should I pretend to be someone I'm not when I'm perfectly fine as myself?" Hua Liuli restrained the smile on her face, "What is the purpose behind your probing words, Daoist?"
Qinghui smiled and stood up, bowing to Hua Liuli, "Please forgive me, Junzhu. I have no ill intentions."
Hua Liuli remained silent. She heard footsteps approaching from the corridor outside and took out a handkerchief, lightly coughing a few times to cover the corner of her mouth. Then she saw Madam Du entering with a box, and from her manner, it seemed to be a special gift prepared for Qinghui.
Hua Liuli stood up and apologized to Madam Du, "Madam Du, when I entered earlier, I noticed an interesting pomegranate tree in the courtyard and wanted to take a look. Please forgive my rudeness."
"Princess, there's no need to be so polite. Your mother and I have known each other for a long time. You can consider this place as your own home," Madam Du smiled and asked a maidservant to escort Hua Liuli outside.
In her heart, she understood that there was nothing particularly interesting about the pomegranate tree, and Hua Liuli was merely finding an excuse to leave so that she could have a detailed conversation with Qinghui.
The weather was gradually becoming warmer, so standing in the sun in her spring attire made Hua Liuli feel a bit hot. She extended her hand to shield herself from the sun and moved to the shade of a tree.
In her view, the Du family was quite interesting. Old Master Du was a principled man, and his granddaughter, raised under his guidance, had inherited his character. However, Madam Du believed in seeking divine help and even invited Taoists to treat Master Du's illness.
Fortunately, Qinghui wasn't the kind of fake Daoist who only cared about money; otherwise, it could have caused a lot of trouble.
After a while, Yao Jiamin returned with her eyes reddened. It seemed she had been crying.
"Are you okay?" Hua Liuli walked over to her.
"I'm fine," Yao Jiamin sniffed, "I mentioned to Sister Du that you were here, so she kept urging me to leave. She even made me stay in the sun for a while before coming to find you, so as not to pass on any illness to you."
As she said this, she glanced at Hua Liuli with a hidden meaning, "Fortunately, you're a young lady. Otherwise, I would have suspected that Sister Du has a crush on you."
In the past, whenever she went out to play with her sisters, Du Xiuying was always critical. The last time when she saw her with Hua Liuli outside the music hall, Du Xiuying felt that she was a bad influence on Hua Liuli.
Clearly, she was very sick, but when she heard Hua Liuli was with her, she forcefully sat up from the bed. She kept saying how Hua Liuli was weak and young, asking Yao Jiamin not to bully her.
Who was really bullying whom?
Who exactly was bullying the other?
Yao Jiamin didn't know whether she was crying out of sadness or anger.
Ever since she met with Hua Liuli, she hadn't gained any advantages. People always saw her as the one causing trouble, while Hua Liuli was like a blooming innocent and helpless white lotus, fragrant and delicate.
Soon, Qinghui also arrived in the courtyard. He still had that air of superiority, but the young disciple accompanying him now carried a wooden box. When he saw Hua Liuli standing in the shade of the tree, he stopped and turned towards her, "Fushou Junzhu, there will be a ceremony tomorrow at Bihuan Temple, I sincerely invite Junzhu to attend."
"Abbot Qinghui?!" Jiamin was shocked to see Qinghui, "Abbot, greetings."
"Greetings, Young Lady," Qinghui returned the gesture.
"I wonder if I can come to the ceremony tomorrow?" Yao Jiamin asked eagerly.
Qinghui looked at Hua Liuli and said, "Young Lady is a friend of Fushou Junzhu. If Fushou Junzhu is willing to come, Young Lady can accompany her."
Hua Liuli: "..."
Abbot Qinghui, how obsessed are you with me joining the Daoist sect?
"Please rest assured, we will come on time," Yao Jiamin said, seeing off Master Qinghui. She turned to Hua Liuli and said, "That's Abbot Qinghui, the most famous Daoist in our Great Jin. He only invites those with fate to his ceremonies. You must go with me tomorrow. If you don't, I'll tie you up and take you there."
"Are you sure?" Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow.
"Just go," Yao Jiamin grabbed Hua Liuli's sleeve, "You are the moon, you are the flower, you are the most beautiful woman in our Great Jin. I called you sister, so take me with you, okay?"
After several days of being together, Yao Jiamin had already forgotten the fear she felt when Hua Liuli wielded a sword to kill the abductors.
"Fine," Hua Liuli sighed, "Come and pick me up tomorrow."
"Okay, okay," Yao Jiamin took Hua Liuli to bid farewell to Madam Du. After the two boarded the carriage, she continued to talk about the greatness of Abbot Qinghui to Hua Liuli.
"Even if an imperial princess invites him, he might not show up. But this time, he personally invited you to attend the ceremony. You should feel happy about it."
"When my mother and I went to Qinghui Temple to pay respects, there were no other worshippers in the temple, not even on the way to the temple," Hua Liuli doubted whether Yao Jiamin was deliberately exaggerating and praising the position of Abbot Qinghui.
"Are you saying you went on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month?" Yao Jiamin looked at Hua Liuli suspiciously. She suddenly remembered the rumors about the Crown Prince and Hua Liuli circulating in the palace a while ago, but the rumors disappeared quickly, and she almost forgot about it.
Seeing Hua Liuli nod, Yao Jiamin was dumbfounded, "Daring to go to that temple to pay respects on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. Indeed, you are General Wei, different from other ordinary people."
Hua Liuli felt that something was off about Yao Jiamin's words.
"You grew up on the border since you were young, so you don't know about these taboos in the capital. Do you know which day is the memorial day for Empress Gonghui?"
Hua Liuli shook her head.
"It's the sixteenth day of the first lunar month," Yao Jiamin sighed, "When Empress Gonghui passed away, the Third Prince was still very young, and the Emperor had not yet proclaimed him as the Crown Prince. Later, when the Third Prince was established as the Crown Prince, the Emperor posthumously honored the birth mother of the Crown Prince, Consort Hui, as Empress Gonghui. Over the years, to commemorate his birth mother, the Crown Prince would light a fortune lamp for her in that temple on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, praying for her next life to be free from disasters and to live a happy life."
"After the Crown Prince turned fifteen, there were often officials or young ladies pretending to coincidentally meet him, which made the Crown Prince furious. Even the Emperor issued an edict to reprimand them. Since then, no one dares to go to the temple on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month to avoid crossing paths with the Crown Prince."
"Are you suggesting that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had lit the fortune lamp in the temple in memory of Empress Gonghui?" Hua Liuli's expression became extremely strange.
"Who else could it be for?" Yao Jiamin rolled her eyes, "The Crown Prince doesn't usually believe in gods or Buddhas, but he would break his usual habit when it comes to Empress Gonghui. Don't spread these words around. If the Crown Prince finds out I've been talking behind his back, I'll be done for."
"Don't worry, I won't mention these things to anyone," Hua Liuli couldn't help but retort, "But His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not a grudge-bearing person. Even if he finds out that you said these things, what can he do? Don't portray him as some sort of demon."
Yao Jiamin: "I..."
Facing Hua Liuli's serious gaze, Yao Jiamin swallowed her dissatisfaction. But she really wanted to roar. What part of the Crown Prince doesn't resemble a demon?
The biggest joke in the world is that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doesn't bear grudges.
That person, he never keeps these things in his heart because he writes them all down in his little notebook.
"Fine," Yao Jiamin took a deep breath, "You're beautiful, whatever you say is right. As long as you take me to the ceremony tomorrow, everything will be fine."
Under the torment of Hua Liuli's spirit, Yao Jiamin finally learned to bend and stretch.
In the Imperial Palace, Emperor Changlong looked at his son in front of him, "Speak up, why aren't you attending court tomorrow?"
"There will be a ceremony at Abbot Qinghui's Taoist temple tomorrow. Erchen wishes to go and light a longevity lamp for Father Emperor," the Crown Prince bowed and said, "Praying for the blessings of the immortal gods to protect Father Emperor for ten thousand years."
"Speak the truth," Emperor Changlong threw down his brush, his face stern. Facing this troublesome son every day and still having to live for ten thousand years, it wasn't a life of comfort but of suffering.
"Erchen just wants to go out and take a look. Erchen heard that Father Emperor's future daughter-in-law will also be going," the Crown Prince shamelessly said, "As the saying goes, one must establish a family before pursuing a career. Father Emperor should at least let Erchen establish a family."
Unable to marry the girl he desired, he had no interest in anything else.
Emperor Changlong stared at the Crown Prince for several moments before gritting his teeth, "Wait until you have the ability to pursue that girl, then talk about a daughter-in-law."
Back then, he only threw a few teasing remarks at Wei Mingyue, and she broke a stone stool in front of him. Now his son has set his sights on her daughter. He didn't know if she would break the royal table right in front of him.
Children are a burden indeed.
Emperor Changlong waved his hand in annoyance. "Go away, don't bother Zhen."
"Erchen takes my leave," the Crown Prince exited Chengyang Palace with a smug smile, taking a few silver bills from Emperor Changlong's private treasury along the way.
An emperor who doesn't have a shameless son relying on him for a living is not an emperor.
"Little sister, what's wrong with you?" Hua Changkong came out of the study and saw his sister sitting in the courtyard, gazing at the moon in the sky and lost in thought. He worriedly asked, "Did something upset you today?"
Hua Liuli turned her head to look at him blankly, "Third Brother, you were right before. Reading too many books is bad for the mind."
"What's going on?" Startled by Hua Liuli's serious tone, Hua Changkong sat down beside her, "Come on, tell your third brother."
"Ah," Hua Liuli sighed but remained silent.
She remembered the night of the Lantern Festival and the following day at the temple, with the melancholic Crown Prince.
Perhaps there wasn't a girl he desired, only a child who lost his mother at a young age, holding onto memories of his mother. While everyone was celebrating on that lively night, he stood alone on the high viewing platform, wrapped in thick clothes, the cold night breeze blowing, silently witnessing other people's joy and reunions.
Thinking of the little Crown Prince, standing on the windy viewing platform, desperately tiptoeing to catch a glimpse of the lanterns and revelry outside the palace, Hua Liuli felt her heart ache.
She sighed and said to Hua Changkong, "Third Brother, can you help me deal with those books in my courtyard?"
Having read too many books, she thought she had seen through the intricacies of love, hatred, life, death, and separations. In reality, there was no logic to it all.
People's sorrows and joys do not necessarily align, since each person's life follows a different path.
"In the past, whenever you used to secretly read these storybooks, you were punished to copy. How did you suddenly come to this realization?" Hua Changkong grew even more worried, fearing that his little sister had experienced some sort of trauma.
"I feel like I should treat the Crown Prince better," Hua Liuli nodded, "Even better than before."
"Huh?" Hua Changkong looked bewildered. What does that have to do with the Crown Prince?
He stared at his solemn and earnest little sister, cautiously asking, "Little sister, are you not planning to raise male companions anymore?"
The Place Examination was imminent. Hua Liuli returned to the Hua Family Estate accompanied by several boxes of things.
Watching the servants unloading several large boxes from her sister's carriage, Hua Changkong couldn't help but tease, "Every time you enter the palace, you bring so many things. Are you planning to empty the Empress Dowager's private treasury?"
"What are you saying? There's a saying, 'When the elder gives, one does not dare refuse'. The Empress Dowager gave it to me, so of course, I have to bring it back," Hua Liuli instructed the servants to bring one of the boxes into Hua Changkong's courtyard, "This is a congratulatory gift from the Crown Prince for your successful examination. I brought it back for you."
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness," Hua Changkong arched his hand in the direction of the palace, "It seems that you get along quite well with the Crown Prince. Even the congratulatory gift he gave me, he entrusted you to bring it back."
"I've been eating and drinking in the Eastern Palace recently. I've gained a little weight," Hua Liuli rubbed her cheek, which left red marks on her fair skin, "Don't call me for lunch later, I'll eat out."
"Why are you going out right after you've returned?" Hua Changkong directed the servants while expressing concern for his sister, "Aren't you supposed to take care of your health? Going out and walking around, aren't you afraid of getting sick?"
Hua Liuli glanced at Hua Changkong and said in a low voice, "Third Brother, you better focus on your studies."
"Young girl, going out and having fun," Hua Changkong poked Hua Liuli's forehead with his hand, "Did you make plans with someone?"
"Jiamin Junzhu wants to visit Young Lady Du, and I have some acquaintance with Young Lady Du, so I'm going along to see her," Hua Liuli instructed her attendants, including Yuan Yi, to bring the prepared gifts, "I heard that Young Lady Du was raised by Grand Tutor Du, and with Grand Tutor Du's serious illness, she must be feeling distressed."
Hua Changkong nodded, "Then be careful on the way."
Hua Liuli went back to her courtyard and changed into a simpler outfit. When she came out, she saw Yao Jiamin was already waiting outside the entrance of the Hua Family Estate, "Why are you here so early?"
"Is it bad to be quick?" Yao Jiamin pulled Hua Liuli into the carriage, "Let's go."
During the time they had spent alone in Shoukang Palace, they often discussed which storybooks were more interesting and they even went to the imperial garden to catch butterflies and fish. Their relationship had become much closer.
"I thought you don't get along with Young Lady Du?" Hua Liuli asked, "I didn't expect you to take the initiative to visit her."
"It's not that we don't get along, we just have different personalities," Yao Jiamin said, "My cousin has been holding books since she was three or four years old, and she never lets go of them. She also has a strong sense of morality and justice. When we were young, if any of us did something wrong, she would lecture us for half an hour. Who can bear that?"
"But apart from that, she always accommodates us, her cousins. We might find her annoying, but we don't want her to be trapped in a state of sadness," Yao Jiamin frowned, "My cousin is not very close to her parents, my aunt and uncle. If Grand Tutor Du really passes away, I'm afraid she won't be able to bear it."
Hua Liuli fell silent. Her grandfather had passed away early due to severe injuries sustained on the battlefield; her grandmother had also passed away early. She didn't know how the younger generation interacted with their grandparents, but she could understand the feeling of being unable to help someone important who was approaching death.
Seeing her silence, Yao Jiamin tried to console her, "We are the younger generation, and we are girls. We don't need to go into Grand Tutor Du's room."
"I wasn't thinking about that," Hua Liuli forced a smile and shook her head, "I just remembered something from the past."
Yao Jiamin looked at Hua Liuli, her mouth moving faster than her brain, "What happened?"
She immediately regretted asking. It was obviously not something good. Why couldn't she control her own mouth?
"A few years ago, there was a man in the military camp who had a beautiful singing voice. Every Mid-Autumn Festival or New Year's Eve when we gathered together, everyone would urge him to sing a few songs," Hua Liuli said, "He said that in his hometown, young men would use singing to propose to the girls they liked."
"Has he... found the girl he likes now?"
"Before he joined the army, he already had the girl he liked. She said that she would marry him after the army defeated the Jinpo Bandits," Hua Liuli turned her head and looked at the gemstones embedded in the carriage, "We won the war, but that girl didn't wait for him to return."
"He..."
"He was shot by a stray arrow from a Jinpo archer while protecting several children who were escaping. When the Hua family soldiers found his body, there wasn't a single piece of good land on him," Hua Liuli sighed. "There are many things in the world that can be redone, but life only comes once."
"When you die, you really have nothing left."
Yao Jiamin fell silent, feeling a lump in her throat. She looked at Hua Liuli and couldn't bring herself to ask. How many stories like this played out in the military camp every day?
She seemed to understand why her father, who only knew luxury and indulgence, became much more frugal after escorting grain and supplies to Qinghan Prefecture.
Some scenes could only be truly understood when witnessed firsthand, for they were truly heart-wrenching.
When they arrived at the Du Family Estate, Yao Jiamin still felt a bit sluggish. She walked ahead wearily and handed the invitation card to the gatekeeper. Soon, maidservants and old women bowed to invite the two inside.
As soon as they stepped into the Du Family Estate, Hua Liuli sensed a heavy atmosphere. There seemed to be a faint bitter medicinal scent lingering in the air. The servants and attendants all had solemn expressions, without any trace of a smile.
The one receiving them was the weary-looking Madam Du. Upon hearing that the two Junzhus came to visit her daughter, Madam Du forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your concern, noble Junzhus. My daughter caught a cold a couple of days ago and has been bedridden. Please come again later."
"Aunt, Cousin has always been in good health. How did she become so severely ill?" Yao Jiamin stood up and said, "I'll go take a look at her."
"Jiamin Junzhu," Lady Du called out to Yao Jiamin, "Wait until Xiuying recovers a bit before you go in. I'm afraid she might infect you before recovering from her illness."
Yao Jiamin froze and turned to glance at Hua Liuli. In an instant, she understood what her aunt was worried about.
It was well-known that Hua Liuli's health was weak throughout the entire capital. If something really happened, the Du family couldn't bear the responsibility. Yao Jiamin pursed her lips and said to Madam Du, "Aunt, I'll just go in and take a look."
Seeing that Hua Liuli showed no intention of going in with her, Madam Du breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Hua Liuli with a gentle expression and said, "General Wei mentioned you when she visited last time. How have you been adapting during your time in the capital?"
"Everything is fine," Hua Liuli asked about Du Xiuying's condition a few more times. After learning that it was just a common cold, she put her heart at ease.
Madam Du had a gentle personality. Although she wasn't familiar with Hua Liuli, she always managed to find a topic to keep the atmosphere in the room from becoming cold.
"Madam," a maidservant dressed in aqua-colored attire walked in and respectfully said, "The esteemed guest you requested has arrived."
Madam Du glanced at Hua Liuli, and Hua Liuli immediately said, "A distinguished guest has arrived. As a junior and a friend of Young Lady Du, I hope Madam to receive your guests."
"I apologize," Madam Du smiled apologetically to Hua Liuli and stood up to greet the guest.
Soon, Madam Du led in a Taoist priest, followed by two Taoist disciples. They seemed untainted by the mortal world and exuded an air of authority.
"Fushou Junzhu," the Taoist priest saw Hua Liuli and greeted her with a Daoist salute.
"Abbot Qinghui, greetings," Hua Liuli returned the gesture.
"Abbot and Fushou Junzhu know each other?" Madam Du was surprised that Hua Liuli actually knew the most famous Abbot Qinghui in the capital.
"I had a brief encounter with Fushou Junzhu at the Taoist temple," Qinghui sat down on a chair and then turned to Madam Du, saying, "Madam, I am an outsider and possess no ability to revive the dead or heal the sick. Madam truly overestimated me."
She had heard of Taoist priests selling fake pills claiming to grant immortality and had encountered Daoists who boasted of their ability to give divination. So, facing a Daoist like Qinghui who was so straightforward and honest, Madam Du didn't know how to react for a moment.
Hua Liuli glanced at Madam Du and felt that her facial expression had frozen.
"Life and death are fated, and fortune lies in the heavens," Qinghui shook his head and said, "Old Master Du is a learned man who has always agreed with my views."
Madam Du was stunned for a moment before saying, "Abbot, is there really no way?"
Qinghui shook his head, "Madam, although I don't possess the means to extend life or revive the dead, I do know a bit about feng shui. If you don't mind, I can take a look at your residence."
"Then I shall trouble you, Abbot," Perhaps due to Qinghui's honesty, Madam Du actually had more trust in him.
"Shall we begin now?" Qinghui turned his head and looked at Hua Liuli, "Junzhu, please join us."
"Abbot, I'm an outsider, wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to be present?" Although Hua Liuli didn't believe in such things, she understood that it might be inconvenient to have an outsider involved.
"If it were someone else, it would indeed be inappropriate, but Junzhu is different from others," Qinghui smiled and made a gesture of invitation to Hua Liuli.
"Abbot, forgive my rudeness, but why is Fushou Junzhu different from others?" Despite being exhausted these days, Madam Du's curiosity was still present.
"Because Junzhu and I have a connection in the Dao," Qinghui smiled mysteriously.
Hua Liuli: "..."
Thank you, excuse me, goodbye.
Seeing Hua Liuli's refusal, Qinghui chuckled and his wide sleeves moved without any wind, it was as if he were a celestial being descending from the heavens, "I was just joking, Junzhu, please don't mind."
Hua Liuli curled her lips and said, "Abbot, you have a good sense of humor."
Qinghui didn't wander around the Du Family Estate but instead took out the architectural plan of the estate and gave some instructions.
The general idea was about which trees to plant, which flowers to avoid, and the addition of a few more windows here and there. Hua Liuli listened absentmindedly, waiting for Yao Jiamin to come out.
At this time, a few maidservants entered and spoke something to Madam Du in a low voice. Not sure what the maidservants had told Madam Du, but Madam Du apologized with a guilty expression, "Please excuse me, Abbot and Junzhu. Please wait a moment while I go and come back."
"Madam, please take your time," Qinghui picked up his teacup and took a sip. After Madam Du lifted the curtain and left, he turned to Hua Liuli, who was sitting across from him, and said, "Junzhu, do you believe in fate?"
"Abbot, what do you mean by that?" Hua Liuli smiled and asked.
"After birth, everyone's fate is predetermined, but Junzhu is different. However, your fate is not fixed, and you can even influence those around you," Qinghui smiled and said, "People like you, if you focus on cultivating the Dao, will achieve great things."
"Abbot, I've heard that when someone is lying, they often use small actions to cover it up," Hua Liuli smiled, "In just a few words you said earlier, you scraped the tea leaves in your cup five or six times with the lid."
Qinghui was stunned, then chuckled lightly, "Junzhu, you truly are the daughter of two great generals. You have sharp eyes."
After being exposed by Hua Liuli, Qinghui no longer pretended to be mysterious. He put down his teacup and smiled at Hua Liuli, "I thought that Junzhu would enjoy being praised for her extraordinary background."
"Why should I pretend to be someone I'm not when I'm perfectly fine as myself?" Hua Liuli restrained the smile on her face, "What is the purpose behind your probing words, Daoist?"
Qinghui smiled and stood up, bowing to Hua Liuli, "Please forgive me, Junzhu. I have no ill intentions."
Hua Liuli remained silent. She heard footsteps approaching from the corridor outside and took out a handkerchief, lightly coughing a few times to cover the corner of her mouth. Then she saw Madam Du entering with a box, and from her manner, it seemed to be a special gift prepared for Qinghui.
Hua Liuli stood up and apologized to Madam Du, "Madam Du, when I entered earlier, I noticed an interesting pomegranate tree in the courtyard and wanted to take a look. Please forgive my rudeness."
"Princess, there's no need to be so polite. Your mother and I have known each other for a long time. You can consider this place as your own home," Madam Du smiled and asked a maidservant to escort Hua Liuli outside.
In her heart, she understood that there was nothing particularly interesting about the pomegranate tree, and Hua Liuli was merely finding an excuse to leave so that she could have a detailed conversation with Qinghui.
The weather was gradually becoming warmer, so standing in the sun in her spring attire made Hua Liuli feel a bit hot. She extended her hand to shield herself from the sun and moved to the shade of a tree.
In her view, the Du family was quite interesting. Old Master Du was a principled man, and his granddaughter, raised under his guidance, had inherited his character. However, Madam Du believed in seeking divine help and even invited Taoists to treat Master Du's illness.
Fortunately, Qinghui wasn't the kind of fake Daoist who only cared about money; otherwise, it could have caused a lot of trouble.
After a while, Yao Jiamin returned with her eyes reddened. It seemed she had been crying.
"Are you okay?" Hua Liuli walked over to her.
"I'm fine," Yao Jiamin sniffed, "I mentioned to Sister Du that you were here, so she kept urging me to leave. She even made me stay in the sun for a while before coming to find you, so as not to pass on any illness to you."
As she said this, she glanced at Hua Liuli with a hidden meaning, "Fortunately, you're a young lady. Otherwise, I would have suspected that Sister Du has a crush on you."
In the past, whenever she went out to play with her sisters, Du Xiuying was always critical. The last time when she saw her with Hua Liuli outside the music hall, Du Xiuying felt that she was a bad influence on Hua Liuli.
Clearly, she was very sick, but when she heard Hua Liuli was with her, she forcefully sat up from the bed. She kept saying how Hua Liuli was weak and young, asking Yao Jiamin not to bully her.
Who was really bullying whom?
Who exactly was bullying the other?
Yao Jiamin didn't know whether she was crying out of sadness or anger.
Ever since she met with Hua Liuli, she hadn't gained any advantages. People always saw her as the one causing trouble, while Hua Liuli was like a blooming innocent and helpless white lotus, fragrant and delicate.
Soon, Qinghui also arrived in the courtyard. He still had that air of superiority, but the young disciple accompanying him now carried a wooden box. When he saw Hua Liuli standing in the shade of the tree, he stopped and turned towards her, "Fushou Junzhu, there will be a ceremony tomorrow at Bihuan Temple, I sincerely invite Junzhu to attend."
"Abbot Qinghui?!" Jiamin was shocked to see Qinghui, "Abbot, greetings."
"Greetings, Young Lady," Qinghui returned the gesture.
"I wonder if I can come to the ceremony tomorrow?" Yao Jiamin asked eagerly.
Qinghui looked at Hua Liuli and said, "Young Lady is a friend of Fushou Junzhu. If Fushou Junzhu is willing to come, Young Lady can accompany her."
Hua Liuli: "..."
Abbot Qinghui, how obsessed are you with me joining the Daoist sect?
"Please rest assured, we will come on time," Yao Jiamin said, seeing off Master Qinghui. She turned to Hua Liuli and said, "That's Abbot Qinghui, the most famous Daoist in our Great Jin. He only invites those with fate to his ceremonies. You must go with me tomorrow. If you don't, I'll tie you up and take you there."
"Are you sure?" Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow.
"Just go," Yao Jiamin grabbed Hua Liuli's sleeve, "You are the moon, you are the flower, you are the most beautiful woman in our Great Jin. I called you sister, so take me with you, okay?"
After several days of being together, Yao Jiamin had already forgotten the fear she felt when Hua Liuli wielded a sword to kill the abductors.
"Fine," Hua Liuli sighed, "Come and pick me up tomorrow."
"Okay, okay," Yao Jiamin took Hua Liuli to bid farewell to Madam Du. After the two boarded the carriage, she continued to talk about the greatness of Abbot Qinghui to Hua Liuli.
"Even if an imperial princess invites him, he might not show up. But this time, he personally invited you to attend the ceremony. You should feel happy about it."
"When my mother and I went to Qinghui Temple to pay respects, there were no other worshippers in the temple, not even on the way to the temple," Hua Liuli doubted whether Yao Jiamin was deliberately exaggerating and praising the position of Abbot Qinghui.
"Are you saying you went on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month?" Yao Jiamin looked at Hua Liuli suspiciously. She suddenly remembered the rumors about the Crown Prince and Hua Liuli circulating in the palace a while ago, but the rumors disappeared quickly, and she almost forgot about it.
Seeing Hua Liuli nod, Yao Jiamin was dumbfounded, "Daring to go to that temple to pay respects on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. Indeed, you are General Wei, different from other ordinary people."
Hua Liuli felt that something was off about Yao Jiamin's words.
"You grew up on the border since you were young, so you don't know about these taboos in the capital. Do you know which day is the memorial day for Empress Gonghui?"
Hua Liuli shook her head.
"It's the sixteenth day of the first lunar month," Yao Jiamin sighed, "When Empress Gonghui passed away, the Third Prince was still very young, and the Emperor had not yet proclaimed him as the Crown Prince. Later, when the Third Prince was established as the Crown Prince, the Emperor posthumously honored the birth mother of the Crown Prince, Consort Hui, as Empress Gonghui. Over the years, to commemorate his birth mother, the Crown Prince would light a fortune lamp for her in that temple on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, praying for her next life to be free from disasters and to live a happy life."
"After the Crown Prince turned fifteen, there were often officials or young ladies pretending to coincidentally meet him, which made the Crown Prince furious. Even the Emperor issued an edict to reprimand them. Since then, no one dares to go to the temple on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month to avoid crossing paths with the Crown Prince."
"Are you suggesting that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had lit the fortune lamp in the temple in memory of Empress Gonghui?" Hua Liuli's expression became extremely strange.
"Who else could it be for?" Yao Jiamin rolled her eyes, "The Crown Prince doesn't usually believe in gods or Buddhas, but he would break his usual habit when it comes to Empress Gonghui. Don't spread these words around. If the Crown Prince finds out I've been talking behind his back, I'll be done for."
"Don't worry, I won't mention these things to anyone," Hua Liuli couldn't help but retort, "But His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not a grudge-bearing person. Even if he finds out that you said these things, what can he do? Don't portray him as some sort of demon."
Yao Jiamin: "I..."
Facing Hua Liuli's serious gaze, Yao Jiamin swallowed her dissatisfaction. But she really wanted to roar. What part of the Crown Prince doesn't resemble a demon?
The biggest joke in the world is that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doesn't bear grudges.
That person, he never keeps these things in his heart because he writes them all down in his little notebook.
"Fine," Yao Jiamin took a deep breath, "You're beautiful, whatever you say is right. As long as you take me to the ceremony tomorrow, everything will be fine."
Under the torment of Hua Liuli's spirit, Yao Jiamin finally learned to bend and stretch.
In the Imperial Palace, Emperor Changlong looked at his son in front of him, "Speak up, why aren't you attending court tomorrow?"
"There will be a ceremony at Abbot Qinghui's Taoist temple tomorrow. Erchen wishes to go and light a longevity lamp for Father Emperor," the Crown Prince bowed and said, "Praying for the blessings of the immortal gods to protect Father Emperor for ten thousand years."
"Speak the truth," Emperor Changlong threw down his brush, his face stern. Facing this troublesome son every day and still having to live for ten thousand years, it wasn't a life of comfort but of suffering.
"Erchen just wants to go out and take a look. Erchen heard that Father Emperor's future daughter-in-law will also be going," the Crown Prince shamelessly said, "As the saying goes, one must establish a family before pursuing a career. Father Emperor should at least let Erchen establish a family."
Unable to marry the girl he desired, he had no interest in anything else.
Emperor Changlong stared at the Crown Prince for several moments before gritting his teeth, "Wait until you have the ability to pursue that girl, then talk about a daughter-in-law."
Back then, he only threw a few teasing remarks at Wei Mingyue, and she broke a stone stool in front of him. Now his son has set his sights on her daughter. He didn't know if she would break the royal table right in front of him.
Children are a burden indeed.
Emperor Changlong waved his hand in annoyance. "Go away, don't bother Zhen."
"Erchen takes my leave," the Crown Prince exited Chengyang Palace with a smug smile, taking a few silver bills from Emperor Changlong's private treasury along the way.
An emperor who doesn't have a shameless son relying on him for a living is not an emperor.
"Little sister, what's wrong with you?" Hua Changkong came out of the study and saw his sister sitting in the courtyard, gazing at the moon in the sky and lost in thought. He worriedly asked, "Did something upset you today?"
Hua Liuli turned her head to look at him blankly, "Third Brother, you were right before. Reading too many books is bad for the mind."
"What's going on?" Startled by Hua Liuli's serious tone, Hua Changkong sat down beside her, "Come on, tell your third brother."
"Ah," Hua Liuli sighed but remained silent.
She remembered the night of the Lantern Festival and the following day at the temple, with the melancholic Crown Prince.
Perhaps there wasn't a girl he desired, only a child who lost his mother at a young age, holding onto memories of his mother. While everyone was celebrating on that lively night, he stood alone on the high viewing platform, wrapped in thick clothes, the cold night breeze blowing, silently witnessing other people's joy and reunions.
Thinking of the little Crown Prince, standing on the windy viewing platform, desperately tiptoeing to catch a glimpse of the lanterns and revelry outside the palace, Hua Liuli felt her heart ache.
She sighed and said to Hua Changkong, "Third Brother, can you help me deal with those books in my courtyard?"
Having read too many books, she thought she had seen through the intricacies of love, hatred, life, death, and separations. In reality, there was no logic to it all.
People's sorrows and joys do not necessarily align, since each person's life follows a different path.
"In the past, whenever you used to secretly read these storybooks, you were punished to copy. How did you suddenly come to this realization?" Hua Changkong grew even more worried, fearing that his little sister had experienced some sort of trauma.
"I feel like I should treat the Crown Prince better," Hua Liuli nodded, "Even better than before."
"Huh?" Hua Changkong looked bewildered. What does that have to do with the Crown Prince?
He stared at his solemn and earnest little sister, cautiously asking, "Little sister, are you not planning to raise male companions anymore?"
