Chapter Forty-Six: Entering the Prince Xiang’s Residence

Chu Yu walked past her with his hands clasped behind his back. Lingran caught a faint whiff of his subtle fragrance, which instantly sharpened her senses and cleared her mind. She reminded herself once more not to act impulsively and not to make any mistakes.

Just as she thought this harbinger of calamity was about to leave, she heard him toss out another remark: “Did I just hear that Hongxiao said he wanted to invite her to dinner tonight?”

Wu Wei hurriedly nodded. “That’s what he said.”

Chu Yu turned slightly toward the young eunuch and instructed, “She’s no longer needed here; transfer her to serve at the Prince of Xiang’s residence.”

The young eunuch quickly asked, “Sire, when should she go? And what duties should she be assigned?”

“Immediately.”

His lordship didn’t even finish his sentence before striding off. The eunuch, bewildered, dared not ask further about what task she’d be given, and hurriedly followed his master down the mountain.

Lingran was still rooted to the spot.

Wu Wei urged her, “What are you standing around for? Come on!”

“But… but I haven’t packed my things yet.”

“Didn’t you hear His Highness say immediately?”

“I heard.”

“Then why are you still standing there? Waiting for Young Master Hongxiao to send someone to fetch you?”

Only then did Lingran realize that the Prince was deliberately crossing Hongxiao: you say you fancy someone and wish to invite her to dinner, and I’ll make sure you can’t even find her! He calls himself a prince, but isn’t this just childish behavior? Lingran thought, well, that works for me. I was wondering how to handle Hongxiao anyway; perhaps going to the Prince of Xiang’s residence will be better.

Wu Wei kept urging. Aside from a few changes of clothes, Lingran had nothing of value. Since this was the Prince’s order, she’d surely be given better provisions later, and besides, all her sisters were already at the Prince of Xiang’s residence. So she trotted after him.

On the way, she began to inquire about the whereabouts of Biqing and the others.

Wu Wei replied, “The palace has started selecting maidens recently. His Highness ordered them sent into the palace. Let's hope they have a bright future.”

“What?” Disappointment washed over Lingran. She’d thought she could reunite with her sisters, but who would have guessed that the stone-faced Prince of Xiang would send them all into the palace? Once behind those gates, it was as if separated by a deep sea. She felt deflated, like a punctured ball, and said, “Then can I not go to the Prince of Xiang’s residence?”

Wu Wei narrowed his fox-like eyes. “I don’t know why Hongxiao sought you out. With his temperament, if he truly liked you, he’d never say so aloud. But if you’ve offended the new concubine and stay here, it’s as good as a death sentence. Besides, do you think the Prince’s word can be taken back so easily?”

Of course Lingran knew the Prince’s orders could not be altered. Ever since arriving in this ancient world, she’d never known freedom—she had to go wherever others told her to go. The Prime Minister’s residence wasn’t good, but the Prince of Xiang’s estate hardly sounded any better. From the gossip among the kitchen ladies, it was clearly even more complicated than the Prime Minister’s household.

But whatever the case, Wu Wei was always kind-hearted. Though they weren’t particularly close, he’d helped her greatly. Once again, she thanked him for what he’d done that day.

Wu Wei brushed it off. “Those three girls—one lively and adorable, one gentle and calm, one dignified and poised—they were well worth saving. No need to thank me. I’ll be serving as an attendant in the palace myself; perhaps I’ll see them there and can pass on your regards.”

“Really? I’d forgotten you’re stationed at the Hall of Benevolent Wisdom. Thank you in advance! You must keep your word.”

Wu Wei nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m even more eager to see them than you are.”

Lingran rolled her eyes, thinking this man’s incorrigible nature would never change. Let him be. In the palace, he wouldn’t dare flirt with the girls so freely. Then she remembered her past misunderstanding about Chu Yu being a male favorite, and hurriedly asked, “You once said His Highness is cold outwardly but warm at heart. He’s not the vengeful type, is he?”

“That depends on the matter,” Wu Wei replied ambiguously.

“For instance… if someone offends him, would he kill them on a whim?”

“That would depend on whether there’s sufficient cause!” Wu Wei saw how tense she was, recalled the incident of her mistaking Chu Yu for a kept man, and said sternly, “If it’s something like mistaking him for a male favorite, even killing you ten times over might not appease him!”

Lingran’s heart hammered in her chest, but she refused to show her fear and fell silent.

Wu Wei burst out laughing. Only then did she realize she’d been teased again, and she was so angry she wanted to kick him.

Still, chatting with Wu Wei along the way was quite pleasant, and before she knew it, they reached the border between the two estates.

The young eunuch they’d seen on the mountain was waiting by the garden gate. When he saw them, he said, “I’ve already sent someone to inform Concubine Dantai that His Highness has assigned a maid to the other side. She said she’d let Young Master Hongxiao know.”

Lingran thought, since this eunuch accompanied Chu Yu, he must have a high status. She quickly tried to get on his good side: “May I ask how I should address you? Did His Highness say where I’d be assigned?”

“My name is Zigao, a courtesy name granted by His Highness. He didn’t say what task you’d have, but I’ll probably take you to the Third Madam—she oversees all the maids and servants here.” Zigao then turned to Wu Wei: “Young Master Wu, His Highness is at Danzhuai Hall. You know your way around, so please go there yourself.”

Wu Wei grinned at Lingran and waved. “Take care of yourself!”

“You—didn’t you promise when you brought Biqing and the others here that you’d settle them properly? Why are you leaving me to fend for myself?” Lingran was a bit dissatisfied with his partiality.

Wu Wei leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I’ve spent all these days swallowing my pride just to get His Highness to speak to me again. Since you’re not willing to go with me, why should I risk offending him for your sake?”

Lingran wanted to say more, but he’d already hurried off.

“Come along,” said Zigao, tilting his head toward the garden, looking like an old soul in a young body.

Lingran had no choice but to smile and follow him into the garden she’d “longed” to enter.

Zigao turned out to be rather kind-hearted. As they walked, he introduced each place they passed.

It was said that Myriad Phenomena Garden was built at the prime minister’s request as a gift for his son. Its layout was apparently more compact than the Prime Minister’s residence, and each distinctively styled pavilion reminded Lingran, inexplicably, of the Grand View Garden.

For example, the highest point was called “Rising Cloud Terrace.” From a distance, the palace atop it resembled a celestial abode. It was said to be the residence of the Ninth Madam, Lady Chen. The Fifth Madam lived in “Distant Fragrance Pavilion,” surrounded entirely by maple and osmanthus trees, their rich scent wafting on the breeze, enchanting all who passed…

They wound their way through the zigzagging rock paths and artificial hills. Lingran was dazzled by the sights. After navigating a maze-like stone grove, they suddenly emerged before an imposing main hall.

Behind the hall stood a three-story building, connected by a lofty arched bridge that linked the second floor of the hall to the third floor of the building, curving elegantly like a rainbow over a river.

Zigao pointed to the hall. “This is Rainbow Hall, where the Third Madam, Lady Sun, manages household affairs.”

Having made it this far, Lingran decided to accept her fate and followed Zigao through the courtyard gate of Rainbow Hall.

Inside the courtyard, several maids and old women were busily uprooting flowers and plants. Zigao called out, “What’s going on here?”

They all curtsied at the sight of him. Then a woman in a pale pink robe stepped out from the hall, smiling. “What wind brings young Master Lu to us? Our lady was just planning to clear out the spent blooms and replace them with those in season. If His Highness comes by, the sight will surely please him.”