BXG - 34

◎ Encounter ◎

As the two approached the side garden where the male guests were gathered, they suddenly heard a melodious tune. Qu You found it somewhat familiar and casually remarked, “This melody is exquisite—it’s the sound of a moon lute.”

Gao Yunyue sighed softly, “Your ears are sharp. For today’s banquet, my father invited Chun Niangzi from the Spring Wind and Rain Pavilion to entertain the guests. Who else could play the moon lute so beautifully?”

“Chun Niangzi is here too?” Qu You said with delight. “I’ll find some time to see her.”

“You’re close with her?”

“Of course. Chun Niangzi is my friend.”

Gao Yunyue looked at her in surprise, hesitated for a moment, then finally said, “Is this because of your connection when you struck the Drum of Appeals? You… can call them friends?”

Qu You sighed, realizing that her actions might seem overly progressive for someone like Gao Yunyue, who grew up in a feudal bureaucratic family. “Do you think… this tarnishes my status?”

Unexpectedly, Gao Yunyue shook her head slightly.

“It seems you’ve truly forgotten much. In the past, I was the one who told you I wanted to befriend Chun Niangzi, but you hesitated repeatedly and didn’t dare go.”

“At the time, I read indiscriminately and came across a Tang dynasty work called The Northern Chronicles . One passage left a particularly deep impression on me.”

“‘These girls are raised as beggars or servants in impoverished families. Often, unscrupulous individuals secretly prey on them, and sometimes even daughters from respectable families are sold by their parents for money. Once ensnared, there’s no escape. Initially, they’re taught songs and forced into strict training; any hint of laziness is met with severe punishment…’ Such fates—I couldn’t bear to imagine them.”

Gao Yunyue gave a bitter smile. “Who would willingly fall into such a life? Some are implicated by crimes, others sell themselves to support their families, or are sold by relatives. Some have disabilities or encounter bad people, even seeking revenge. There are many extraordinary women who are powerless to change their circumstances. In earlier dynasties, there was Lady Xiangzhui, who delivered military provisions over a thousand miles. I don’t think associating with them is shameful.”

Qu You gazed at her deeply, thinking that a thousand years ago, besides Zhou Tan, there were also people like this—people who, at the very least, acknowledged that these women didn’t choose their fate willingly.

“The book I lent you—you probably lost it,” Gao Yunyue said, seeing that Qu You remained silent. “I never expected you to be the one to befriend Chun Niangzi first. I’ll send a maid to invite her over later, and you can introduce her to me.”

Qu You smiled and agreed.

When the two returned to their seats, Gao Yunyue’s original spot was next to Lady Gao, but she followed Qu You to sit at the lower end of the table. Lady Gao, resigned, didn’t intervene. After the chrysanthemum banquet, the women were led in small groups to the pavilion gardens to listen to music and admire flowers.

Gao Yunyue guided Qu You to the best seat, pouring chrysanthemum wine while answering her questions: “That one? That’s Princess Jiafu, recently betrothed to General Qi. She used to give you trouble, so avoid engaging with her… The one who just entered is Miss Ning, currently discussing marriage with my brother. But my brother insists on taking the military examination, which has infuriated my father. Speaking of which, he once secretly asked me what foods you liked. I originally thought you’d benefit from this…”

“Oh, the woman beside my mother is Grand Princess Pingxi, and the one sitting demurely next to her is Crown Princess Li. The crown prince is here today too, likely chatting with my father and your husband among the male guests…”

Qu You finally recognized everyone, thankful that she had some understanding of Beiyan’s nobility and official system, which prevented her from being completely lost. She picked up a cup of chrysanthemum wine and took a small sip, just as Gao Yunyue paused: “This person… is Lianxi’s mother.”

She set down her cup and followed Gao Yunyue’s gaze.

Madam Liu was a shrewd and capable woman. Her husband, a court physician promoted through the imperial examinations, held the same rank as Qu You’s father. However, Qu Cheng hailed from a scholarly family and commanded respect even in poverty, whereas Madam Liu’s husband came from a remote rural area. Madam Liu, his wife since his days in the countryside, felt out of place among Bian Capital’s noblewomen.

Most others were accompanied by companions, but Madam Liu sat alone, her face cold as she drank a cup of chrysanthemum wine before lapsing into a daze.

Gao Yunyue shook her head. “In the past, when I was close with Lianxi, my mother often sent invitations to Madam Liu. She was meticulous and cautious in her words and actions, always fearing embarrassment that might harm her husband’s reputation… A person like her dared to confront the Ministry of Justice. Even hearing about it shocked me. My mother hesitated before sending her an invitation this time—I thought she wouldn’t come.”

“To see a parent bury their child is unbearable…” Qu You murmured, walking with Gao Yunyue to greet her. “Madam, may you be well.”

Madam Liu glanced at them blankly, her gaze lingering on Qu You. Recognizing her, she stood up excitedly, her lips trembling: “Lady… Lady Zhou?”

Without regard for propriety, she grabbed Qu You’s hand: “Lianxi was once your friend. I heard… you’re now the wife of Zhou Tan, the Vice Minister of Justice. Please, please seek justice for Lianxi!”

Seeing her emotional state, Gao Yunyue glanced around and quickly escorted them to an inner chamber in the rear hall, closing the door behind them.

Qu You felt tears dripping onto the back of her hand and handed Madam Liu a handkerchief to wipe them away. “Madam, why are you so certain that the capital prefecture’s verdict was wrong?”

Her question was direct, and Gao Yunyue shot her a glance.

A look of intense anger, tempered by restraint, appeared on Madam Liu’s face. Clenching her teeth, she said bitterly: “Lianxi was deceived by Du Gaojun’s sweet words and married him only to discover his true nature after the wedding! He was already infamous as a womanizer in Bian Capital. Poor my daughter—she actually believed she had won this prodigal’s heart. Just five days after their marriage, Du Gaojun demanded to take her maid as a concubine…”

“When Lianxi refused, Du Gaojun beat her. From then on, it was either abuse or insults. Six months ago, unable to endure it any longer, she finally told me about it…” Madam Liu’s face gradually revealed regret and guilt. “But I… I was concerned about her father’s career and our family’s reputation, so I urged her to endure repeatedly. I never imagined… I’m the one who caused my daughter’s death!”

“The capital prefecture claims that the guard stole something in the middle of the night and was caught by Lianxi. Regardless of why no maids were present, she was disciplined from childhood and always retired to her room by curfew—how could she possibly catch someone stealing? The accusations are riddled with inconsistencies, and the capital prefecture clearly acted out of fear. I haven’t even seen her body—how can I believe them?”

“The magistrate of the capital prefecture is a close friend of Du Gaojun’s father, and the former chief of the penal department colluded with them. I had nowhere to turn for help. Then I remembered that Lady Zhou was once Lianxi’s friend, so I decided to take a chance… Lady, please show mercy and restore justice for my daughter!”

With that, she attempted to kneel, startling both women, who hurriedly helped her up. After much persuasion, they managed to calm her tears.

Qu You held her hand and asked several detailed questions, eventually escorting her out. Gao Yunyue walked with her out of the inner chamber, choosing a shortcut back to the main hall.

On one side of the corridor was a railing lined with roses, while the other side featured white brick walls interspersed with decorative windows. Sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting fragmented patterns of light on the women’s faces.

Gao Yunyue walked slowly and suddenly said, “Today, you asked me to point out those noblewomen and ladies of high standing. Was it really just to find Madam Liu?”

Qu You paused, slightly surprised but remained silent.

“Do you think I didn’t notice?” Gao Yunyue began to grow angry again. “If you wanted to talk to her, you could have said so directly. Why go through all this trouble? I could have brought her to the inner chamber myself.”

“Don’t be upset,” Qu You consoled her helplessly. “Tomorrow, the Ministry of Justice will hear Madam Liu’s testimony. I was just worried that she might refrain from speaking openly in public out of concern for Lianxi’s reputation, so I wanted to ask beforehand. As you know, I… became somewhat slow-witted after falling into the water, and asking for your help wasn’t solely for her sake.”

“I understand—you were just being cautious. But how could you distrust me, Qu Yi Lian!”

Gao Yunyue glared at her, though her expression softened. Before she could say more, a gentle, smiling voice came from behind: “Miss Gao, what’s going on here?”

Gao Yunyue turned to see Ye Liuchun cradling her beloved moon lute, gracefully bowing. “I heard from the maids and intended to visit you after the banquet. Luckily, the feast just ended, and I saw you two passing by the corridor, so I followed. Are you quarreling?”

She hadn’t removed her ornate hairpins or makeup, exuding elegance and charm with every movement. Gao Yunyue stared at her momentarily, while Qu You ran over from behind: “Sister Chun, Miss Gao admires your moon lute greatly and wishes to meet you. Since I’ve offended her, please repay the favor by playing a tune for her. Thank you in advance, Sister.”

Gao Yunyue had been skilled in music, poetry, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, especially excelling at poetry and music. She played the guqin exceptionally well but only performed during intimate gatherings with close friends. After hearing Ye Liuchun play at a banquet once, she was awestruck and had longed to meet her ever since.

She did want to hear Ye Liuchun’s music but didn’t want to appear too eager, so she stubbornly replied, “One of Chun Niangzi’s performances is worth a thousand gold pieces. She only plays twice at banquets. What kind of influence do you have to request a private performance for me?”

Seeing the two bicker, Ye Liuchun couldn’t help but laugh, covering her face. She removed the brocade cover from her moon lute and handed it to a nearby attendant, who took it and stepped back.

“This is no trouble at all—the young lady’s happiness is most important.” She casually sat down on the veranda, holding the lute. After a moment’s thought, she set aside the jade plectrum and plucked the strings with her slender fingers. “Shall I play a piece no one has ever heard before? Would that be acceptable?”

________________________________________

“How is Xiao Bai’s injury healing?”

Song Shiyan held a folding fan. Today, he wore plain silk robes, embodying the image of a refined gentleman. “The medicine prescribed by the palace physicians should be better than what’s available outside.”

Zhou Tan politely expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern. It’s already healed.”

Gao Ze was conversing with another official nearby. Song Shiyan shifted his gaze from those behind him back to Zhou Tan beside him, smiling gently: “Father assigned the capital prefecture case to you. Surely you understand his intentions, right?”

Zhou Tan didn’t respond, instead adjusting his sleeves. The dark green bamboo pattern accentuated his figure, making him resemble a slender bamboo stalk.

Earlier, as the group passed the hundred pots of autumn chrysanthemums under the pavilion, some women peeked shyly from behind their fans while trying to avoid drawing attention.

“You’re a clever man. You know what to do without needing further explanation from me.” Song Shiyan lightly tapped a cluster of roses with his fan, causing fully bloomed petals to flutter down. “Lord Zhou, no matter how loyal you appear, the fact that you were once a disciple of Chancellor Gu is enough. If you aspire to be a pure minister, he will never trust you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, they heard music coming from behind a nearby wall. The two followed the sound and, through an intricately carved lattice window, glimpsed several silhouettes in the distance.

“Marvelous,” Song Shiyan praised with interest. “Such a beautiful melody—Chun Niangzi could never have played this at the banquet.”

Zhou Tan’s narrow eyes drooped slightly, and he faintly heard a familiar song interwoven within the melody. Lost in thought, he didn’t respond.