chapter 6

In the twentieth year of Jing Shou, the child between Zhou Chengyi and me was almost four years old.

We lived in a Bamboo Forest.

The forest was lush and fragrant, rarely visited by people, silent and secluded, with only the sound of wind rustling through the bamboo.

The small courtyard in the forest was clean and tidy, and in the cage, we had recently raised a few Chicks.

Inside the Bamboo House, Zhou Chengyi was cleaning fish-he had caught them from the river early in the morning, saying he wanted to steam them for our son.

Our child was named Zhou Luming.

“Deer call gently, eating wild apples; I have honored guests, playing zither and flute.
Playing flute and zither, carrying baskets, those who cherish me, show me the way of Zhou.”

Zhou Chengyi no longer wrote those words I couldn’t understand. Sometimes he held my hand, sometimes Minger’s, and wrote on paper-

“A river of pines and bamboo, scattered as they please, with homes hidden by clouds.
After snow, sparse plum blossoms, sometimes two or three appear.
Compared to the road along Taoyuan Creek, the scenery is fine, not competing for abundance.”

He would smile by my ear, explaining the meaning of each line in detail.

The hands that once held pen and sword now also clean fish and kill chickens, washing up to make soup.

He wore a blue robe, his posture upright, like a green pine or bamboo in the forest, elegant and refined.

The once sharp and somber Crown Prince Grandson now loved to smile, and when he did, he was charming and graceful.

He could hold our child with one arm, and with the other, still practice calligraphy, cook, or wield a sword.

I had learned much too-I could raise chickens, grow vegetables, and even sew clothes for Minger.

After the fire at Chonghua Palace four years ago, the Crown Prince Grandson was declared dead. After Emperor Jing wept bitterly, he ordered the execution of everyone in the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince was given a cup of poisoned wine, and the officials close to him did not escape their fate.

It seemed that only Zhou Chengyi and I survived.

Amidst the raging fire, he pried open the secret passage in the bedchamber and took me away.

It felt like a dream.

Four years later, Minger could call us “father” and “mother” in his childish voice, and I was pregnant with another little one. Chicks clucked in the courtyard, and orioles sang in the forest.

But I knew, those memories were not dreams, nor would they ever become the past.

Zhou Chengyi taught Minger to read and practice martial arts.

He taught him to aspire to the forest and springs, yet hold the halls of power in his heart.

He taught him that the ruler, in times of trouble, must be willing to die for his people; in peace, must give his all; for the world belongs to the Son of Heaven…

He had not forgotten.

I knew, because sometimes, distinguished guests would visit the Bamboo House.

Besides Chen Yan, there was Ling Shao, who had disappeared after the incident years ago.

Later, two other people came. I did not know them, but they were very emotional-elderly men over fifty, who knelt before Zhou Chengyi as soon as they saw him.

He had not forgotten. He would stand in the Bamboo Forest, gaze into the distance, tall and proud, still the awe-inspiring Crown Prince Grandson.

If I called to him, he would turn and look at me, his demeanor gentle and warm again.

Now that I was pregnant, he did everything-at night, he would even heat water to wash my feet.

After Minger fell asleep, he would hold me in his arms, kiss my forehead over my slightly rounded belly.

Those four years were the most peaceful and joyful of my life.

But later, I did not know what winds blew through the court. I heard Emperor Jing was ill again, and now Prince Jin was regent, Prince Han was restless with his army, Prince Qi was best at winning hearts, and those fox-like old princes and other royal sons all kept silent, watching and waiting.

In March, Prince Qi was demoted to commoner by Emperor Jing for forming factions and seeking personal gain.

Zhou Chengyi began to leave the Bamboo Forest, sometimes gone for ten days or half a month.

To care for me, he somehow found a maid to help wash clothes and cook for Minger and me.

He was at ease, because in the Bamboo Forest, he had arranged for Hidden Guards.

But I was uneasy, because when he occasionally returned, I noticed that the clever, pretty young maid always blushed and stole glances at him.

Minger called her Sister Ah Huan-a sixteen-year-old girl, her cheeks rosy as peaches.

Once, when Zhou Chengyi returned, she was especially excited. Not only did she heat water for his bath, she even helped me bring clothes to him while he was bathing.

When I found out, she was already wiping tears from her red eyes as she came out.

After Zhou Chengyi finished bathing, his expression was as cool as ever. He pulled me onto his lap, his palm resting on my belly, and after a while, he whispered with a smile by my ear, “Your belly is getting bigger. Ah Wen must give me another son.”

I was a bit displeased: “I want to have a daughter. Why must it be a son?”

“Girls are delicate, always needing protection and care, so worrisome-better not to have one.”

His tone was calm, but I frowned, unhappy: “I want one. I can protect her. Ah Wen would give her life to keep her safe.”

Zhou Chengyi’s eyes tightened: “Don’t say such things. If Ah Wen wishes, I will do everything to protect you and our three children. How could I let you lose your life?”

He was a little angry. I hooked my arms around his neck, and by habit, pressed my face to his-
“Zhou Chengyi, you are the very best. Ah Wen will make sure they behave and never cause you any trouble.”

Ever since we settled here four years ago, he no longer allowed me to call him Crown Prince Grandson.

At first, I called him husband. Later, when Minger learned to speak and called him father, I had a lapse and started calling him father too.

The result was that his eyes darkened, and he dragged me onto the bed to teach me a lesson.

Later, I cried and promised not to call him that again, but he only teased me by my ear, “Call me if you want, no one will hear anyway.”

After that, I grew bolder and called him by his name. He only raised an eyebrow at me and said nothing, so I often called him that.

Now, being affectionate, I smacked a kiss on his cheek. His brows relaxed, but his gaze grew dark and unreadable as he looked at me.

“Ah Wen.”

His hand slipped under my skirt and grasped my ankle.

I immediately understood and let go of him, waving my hands, “No, no, we can’t. Did you forget when Minger was still in my belly…”

Back then, the Crown Prince Grandson was young and full of vigor. When I was heavily pregnant, he coaxed me, saying it would be fine if he was gentle. But the next day, I started bleeding, which scared me into tears, and he turned pale with panic.

Since I became pregnant again, he hasn’t touched me once.

After my righteous refusal, he pulled me back into his arms, held my hand, and laughed by my ear, “That’s not what I meant…”

When we finally left the room, we happened to run into Ah Huan playing with Minger in the courtyard. I felt a little embarrassed.

Zhou Chengyi, however, was completely calm. Looking at Ah Huan, he said lightly, “You can go back now. No need to come anymore.”

I thought it was because he was home, but when he left again, an elderly woman came instead. Only then did I realize he had sent Ah Huan away.

In the 21st year of Jing Shou, I gave birth to another child, another son.

I was disappointed, but Zhou Chengyi was delighted. He named the child Zhou Heming.

He became even busier, and so did I. With Li Shi’s help, I clumsily took care of the children.

Occasionally, when he came home, I had no time for him, holding Xiao He’er and unable to let go.

Zhou Chengyi grew a little jealous.

Later, I became jealous too, because a beautiful and glamorous young lady began visiting the Bamboo House often to see him.

She called him cousin.

She was the legitimate third daughter of Chen Yan from the Pingxi General’s Mansion, named Chen Litang.

Zhou Chengyi had always disliked other women getting close to him, but the third young lady was an exception.

She smiled as she discussed poetry and essays with him. At the Bamboo House window, her graceful silhouette lingered as Zhou Chengyi wrote on paper-

“When spring returns, the whole courtyard is filled with the east wind, crabapple blossoms spread like embroidery, and pear flowers fall like snow.”

Later, I saw her sitting in Zhou Chengyi’s lap, arms around his waist, full of affection.

Zhou Chengyi leaned back slightly, looking lazy and charming, his fingers gently touching her cheek, his expression wanton.

When she tidied her clothes and walked out of the room, I was in the courtyard holding Xiao He’er. In that instant, I suddenly felt just like Ah Huan that day, flustered and at a loss.

Chen Litang lifted her eyelids to look at me, a smile hidden in her eyes. She then cheerfully came over to tease Xiao He’er in my arms.

She said, “Xiao He’er, Cousin Aunt will come see you next time.”

As she left, she happily patted Minger, who was playing outside.

She was very kind and affectionate with the two children, but from beginning to end, she never looked at me once.

Under the eaves of the Bamboo House, the wind picked up. Zhou Chengyi stood in plain white robes, hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering, looking as ethereal as an immortal.

I only glanced up at him, my grip on Xiao He’er tightening, my eyes reddening as I lowered my head to go inside.

But he reached out to stop me, half-smiling, his voice exactly as it was years ago-

“Are you jealous?”

I glared at him and tried to go inside again, but he snatched Xiao He’er from me and handed the child to Li Shi.

Then he pulled me into the study, closed the door, and held me in his arms.

I struggled to push him away, crying as I did.

Zhou Chengyi let me hit him, then finally grasped my wrists, “Ah Wen, Ah Wen… it’s fake, all an act. I knew you saw, I changed my clothes, I didn’t touch her, just held her for a moment.”

I cried bitterly in heartbreak. He wiped away my tears, his voice low and deep, “You promised to trust me, silly girl. I would never like anyone else.”

“Then, what is she to you?”

“Ah Wen, give me a little more time. Soon, it’s a critical moment now, and there can’t be any mistakes with the Chen Family.”

In his arms, I listened to his strong heartbeat, breathed in his familiar scent, and was inexplicably soothed.

Yes, Ah Wen is a fool. As long as he says so, I always believe him.

But later, he disappeared for half a year.

The Bamboo Forest grew restless. A large group of armored Imperial Guard came to fetch us.

In Taoyuan, I felt as if I were in another world. I didn’t know Emperor Jing had passed away, nor that the New Emperor had already ascended the throne, bearing the name Zhou Chengyi.
The visitor was Ling Shao, now the commander of the Imperial Guard.

The three of us-my children and I-had not packed a single thing, and hurriedly boarded the carriage.

Halfway there, my mind was still in a daze, unable to recover.

Minger asked me, “Mother, will we be able to see Father soon?”

“Yes, you will see your father.”

Father…

Suddenly, I recalled my own father when I was young, seeking a fortune from the Daoist priest Wumi. What did he say about me-

A maiden of noble fate, though lacking in wit, holds herself in high regard.

He was right, but I never thought of myself as a fool.

When the carriage was stopped halfway, I saw the Imperial Uncle of the Pingxi General’s Mansion, Chen Yan.

He was already middle-aged. Once the commander of the Imperial Guard in the palace, he was now the powerful Imperial Uncle Chen, holding military authority.

Imperial Uncle Chen rode a tall steed, leading a large retinue of guards, his expression stern, holding the imperial edict in hand.

The edict read: Chen Litang, daughter of the Chen clan, is the daughter of Imperial Uncle Chen Yan. With generations of virtue and auspiciousness, dignified and virtuous, she is to be established as Empress with the imperial seal…

I understood then. He said he was acting under the New Emperor’s orders, here to escort the two princes into the palace.

Ling Shao refused, stating bluntly that His Majesty had instructed him to personally ensure their safety.

Yet neither he nor Zhou Chengyi could have foreseen that, even now, the Imperial Guard still obeyed Imperial Uncle Chen.

I understood then: Zhou Chengyi had finally ascended to that position, wielding supreme power, but there was still a long and arduous road ahead.

The chaos of the court, the dominance of the imperial in-laws-he would need time to resolve them all.

But I, it seemed, could not wait any longer.

Ling Shao’s eyes reddened as he drew his sword and pointed it at the Imperial Uncle.

Yet he was alone.

I stroked the little faces of Minger and Xiao He’er, pressing my cheek to theirs, kissing them, and, with infinite reluctance, urged them, “Be good, listen well. You’ll see your father very soon.”

Then I stepped down from the carriage and stood before Imperial Uncle Chen.

A fool, standing tall and straight, head held high, addressed the Imperial Guard, Imperial Uncle Chen, and Ling Shao, her voice righteous and resolute: “My sons are the children of the New Emperor, destined by heaven. The Daye Xuan Hall’s high court and bright mirror, the ancestors of the Zhou clan, the Grand Ancestor and Taizong, are watching you at this very moment. Should any harm befall the princes on their way to the palace, not a single one of you here will survive. In death, you will fall into Avici Hell, doomed forever, never to be reborn!”

With that, I knelt and kowtowed to Imperial Uncle Chen, then to the Imperial Guard, rose, and bowed deeply:

“I must trouble you all to escort the two princes safely.”

Imperial Uncle Chen’s face was dark and terrifying. All were silent. I turned and bowed deeply to Ling Shao: “Brother Ling Shao, Ah Wen entrusts the children to you.”

I knew he would do it, even at the cost of his life.

I still remember, back in Chonghua Palace, when Zhou Chengyi was still the Crown Prince Grandson, Ling Shao was still a martial attendant, and I was a silly little palace maid. When I saw him, I would happily call out, “Brother Ling Shao,” and that young man would blush.

Later, I went to Taiye Pond to pick lotus pods. Once, he even helped me carry the basket.

When we returned to Chonghua Palace, he took a lotus bud from the basket, his smile radiant as he told me, “Ah Wen, you were so focused on picking pods, so I picked a flower for you.”

I beamed, holding the lotus as I entered the hall to find a vase, only to be spotted by the Crown Prince Grandson.

He seemed to know everything. Taking advantage of his height, he snatched the lotus from behind me.

I turned to look at him. His expression was indifferent, a cold smile on his lips: “The flower hasn’t bloomed yet. It’s not pretty.”

Then he tossed the lotus aside, and I pouted and cried.

For a moment, the Crown Prince Grandson panicked, gently touching my face and coaxing me in a low voice, “Don’t cry. I’ll pick you the best-blooming flower next time.”

I died on the sword Ling Shao had drawn.

He held me in his arms, his hands trembling as he tried to press against my neck.

The blood was warm, flowing endlessly.

Ling Shao’s tears were warm too.

He wept, “Ah Wen, Ah Wen…”

Before closing my eyes, I gripped his hand tightly and murmured, “I trust him. I will always trust him.”

The Daoist priest Wumi was right. My husband became Emperor, my sons became princes-I truly was of noble fate.

But he was also wrong. Ah Wen was once the daughter of an official’s family.

I never thought of myself as a fool.

Now, I am going back to find my father and mother. They are waiting for their daughter Wen Sheng at the temple fair.

Wen Sheng would ride on her father’s shoulders, holding a candied hawthorn, happily watching the Dragon Maiden parade.

She would let her mother dress her up, and sit atop the float as the Dragon Maiden.

The drums thundered, voices roared, the crowd surged.

But among the throng, never again would I see that sharp, deep-eyed youth in crimson qilin brocade.

His name was Zhou Chengyi.

He was my husband.

Ah Wen will always trust him…