Chapter Four: A Thousand Blossoms Unfurl by Night

A flurry of hurried footsteps approached.

“My lord, an urgent dispatch from the frontier,” Li Chang announced, presenting a letter.

He tore open the missive at once. There were only a few terse words inscribed:

“The Yué have returned. Cang City cannot hold.”

Lord Jiang crushed the letter in his fist. Li Chang was startled to see his lord’s hand trembling ever so slightly. The Yué… It had been thirteen years. They had finally returned.

That night thirteen years ago was forever etched into his memory. Lord Jiang closed his eyes tightly.

He understood better than anyone the critical importance of Cang City as a military stronghold. It was easy to defend and hard to attack—a bulwark. If Cang City fell, the heart of the north would be laid bare, and the whole region would soon be lost.

The ferocity of the Yué warriors was beyond belief.

“Li Chang, ready the fastest horses. I ride for the border at once.”

“The horses are prepared, my lord, but the lady still awaits your presence.”

Lord Jiang was already heading out, sword in hand. “The soldiers and the people at the frontier await me as well.”

Li Chang hurried after him. Outside, a fine steed was ready. Lord Jiang mounted in one swift movement.

He leaned down and instructed Li Chang, “Tonight is the Lantern Festival banquet—remember to invite the Fifth Miss.”

Li Chang obeyed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. The prince’s figure soon vanished into the dusk, and Li Chang turned toward Ruo Hua Pavilion.

Ruo Hua Pavilion

Mingchu sat atop the southern wall, her legs swinging freely. Beside her, Yuewu nimbly scaled down and landed on the other side.

“Miss, you can come down now,” he called, arms open.

Mingchu shielded her eyes, and with a light leap, the red tassels on her dress fluttered in the air as Yuewu caught her securely.

“Wow, we’ve left the prince’s residence,” Mingchu exclaimed, removing her hand from her eyes and clutching Yuewu’s sleeve in excitement. “It’s so easy—just climb over the wall, and we’re out to play!”

Yuewu crouched to smooth the creases on Mingchu’s pale yellow dress.

“Let’s hurry, Yuewu. I’ve saved up plenty of pocket money—we can buy so many things!”

Just past the narrow alley beyond the wall, the bustling market awaited. Mingchu spun around gleefully, holding onto Yuewu’s hand.

At dusk, the lanterns had not yet been lit. Mingchu dragged Yuewu into every shop along the street.

“Yuewu, look, there’s a clothing shop at the corner. Let’s go in.”

“All right.”

The shopkeeper welcomed them enthusiastically.

“Who are you buying clothes for?” he inquired.

Mingchu pointed at Yuewu. “For my brother.”

The shopkeeper glanced at Yuewu, quietly marveling at the young man’s distinguished bearing.

“Please, have a look at this one—it’s our newest design. See how pure this moon-white color is, and look at the golden trim on the sleeves. Feel the fabric—finest silks from Suzhou and Hangzhou. This young master is already as handsome as a celestial immortal, but in these robes, ah, he’d be a banished immortal indeed!”

The shopkeeper’s words tumbled out in a torrent. Mingchu nodded, clearly pleased. “You speak well, but my brother isn’t from the heavens—he’s mine.”

Yuewu’s eyes crinkled with a faint, gentle smile.

“Brother, will you try this on?” Mingchu tugged his sleeve.

“All right.”

After they left, the shopkeeper stroked his beard in admiration. “What a handsome youth. I wonder if he’s married yet…”

Mingchu and Yuewu stopped at a teahouse for snacks, then at a perfumery, where Mingchu bought three boxes of scented powder as gifts for the nursemaids.

She dashed over to a hairpin stall, eyes alight.

“Yuewu, isn’t this lovely? I like this pink silk flower hairpin.”

Yuewu nodded with a smile and pinned it in her hair.

“It looks wonderful on you, miss.”

One by one, the lanterns along the street flickered to life. Fireworks soared high, illuminating the night like a cascade of falling stars.

Mingchu and Yuewu both looked up at the spectacle.

“Wow, it’s beautiful,” Mingchu breathed, mouth agape in awe.

All around, the streets thronged with people. Mingchu clapped and laughed, her joy eclipsing all the hubbub.

On the Night of Lanterns, the city teemed with revelers. Maidens, wives, and mothers all adorned themselves with silken flowers and willow ornaments, wandering in groups through the lively streets.

Young gentlemen in splendid attire wove among the lanterns. Mingchu soon noticed that every girl passing by would steal a glance at Yuewu—some even looked back after walking past.

Mingchu pouted. “Hmph, no matter how much they look, Yuewu won’t hold their hands.”

Yuewu lowered his head. “What did you say, miss?”

Mingchu fell silent. Yuewu smiled, lips pressed together, and gave her a preserved plum candy.

Mingchu sucked on the sweet, speaking around it. “Since mother died, no one ever brings me out to play anymore.”

Yuewu held her hand tightly, his eyes full of tenderness. How could anyone not feel for a little girl who lost her mother at four?

Beneath the gentle moonlight, fireworks blossomed. Mingchu beamed at him, her smile as dazzling as the night’s display.

The lantern festival continued long into the night. When the moon reached its zenith, Mingchu grew sleepy and stumbled along the road.

Yuewu carried her on his back. Her head rested softly on his shoulder, her chubby hands encircling his neck.

“Yuewu, the nursemaid told me that when I was very little, father used to carry me on his back. But I can’t remember at all. She also said that father loved mother very much. But when mother died, father didn’t come,” Mingchu mumbled, her voice drifting into a dream.

Yuewu carried the sleeping Mingchu back to Ruo Hua Pavilion. After tucking her in, he gazed at her small face and whispered, “From now on, you’ll always have me with you.”

He smiled softly to himself—the name Yuewu was one he had quickly grown accustomed to, just as he had quickly grown used to always being by her side.

The nursemaid entered with a basin of hot water. “Time to get up, miss.”

Mingchu had stayed up late the night before and was reluctant to rise. “Don’t bother me, nursemaid. I’m sleepy,” she muttered, rolling over and sinking deeper into sleep.

The nursemaid grew anxious. How had she drifted off again? “Miss, you have to go to the academy today.”

“The academy!” Mingchu’s groggy mind cleared at once. She sat up quickly, thinking hard. “But nursemaid, the teacher doesn’t arrive until midday. I heard fourth sister say so.”

“Even so, you should get up. Look, the sun is already up.”

“Miss, I have a feeling the prince is taking special notice of you lately. Last night Chief Steward Li came to invite you to the Lantern Festival banquet, but you and Yuewu sneaked out. I had no choice but to say you were asleep. I wonder if he believed me,” the nursemaid fussed as she brushed Mingchu’s hair.

“Let him be,” Mingchu replied.

Her hair was long and silky. The nursemaid styled it into twin buns, leaving two locks to frame her face, making her look even more like a little moon.

“Nursemaid, you’re quite skillful today,” Mingchu said, peering into the bronze mirror.

“Of course. You’re going to the academy today and will meet many people—you must look your best,” the nursemaid replied, carefully pinning a flower in her hair.