Star: in which ZiWei was named after more than a flower
ZiWei knew it was a trap. Of course she knew. But what could she do? She was but a palace maid. And by the tone and bearing of the eunuchs the empress sent, she knew that if she declined, all of ShuFangZhai would suffer physical harm. She couldn't let that happen. Besides, even the palace was a lawful place, surely? She walked as steadily as she could, hoping that she gave an air of confidence even as her insides quivered in fear.
As they crossed the threshold, however, an unexpected voice stopped them.
"ZiWei guniang."
She looked up to see the eunuch who had been with the emperor the night of the weiqi game. "Lu gong gong."
The eunuch glanced at the others who flanked her. His expression did not change, but his tone seemed to gain in authority. "Where is ZiWei guniang going?"
ZiWei was not given an opportunity to answer.
"On order of the empress, to KunNingGong for questioning." The other eunuch answered severely.
"Ah, what luck! HuangShang has sent me to ShuFangZhai to ask for ZiWei guniang as well. I'm afraid you'll just have to tell HuangHouNiangNiang that she will have to wait her turn. Unless NiangNiang would like to come to YangXinDian as well of course. ZiWei guniang, come along now."
ZiWei followed XiaoLuZi as quickly as possible; she wondered if her expression showed her relief. "Thank you Lu GongGong," she said earnestly once they passed out of earshot.
"For what do you wish to thank me? HuangShang really has summoned guniang for an audience."
"Oh."
The eunuch spared her a look. "ZiWei guniang's talents are most impressive. That HuangHouNiangNiang should take an interest is not unexpected."
"GongGong?"
But the eunuch would say no more.
ZiWei frowned to herself. She wasn't so naive that she couldn't think of the implications of an emperor taking interest in a palace maid. It had been her greatest fear, really, the one flaw in ErKang's plan she didn't think she should point out. ErKang was impulsive enough where she was concerned that she was sure he would do something foolish. And she convinced herself that she could ensure that the emperor would not misunderstand. Besides, despite everything, despite knowing it was foolish and dangerous, she really did want to meet her father.
She bit her lip. Maybe she was worrying needlessly. Maybe the emperor just wanted another game of weiqi. Maybe it was all pure and she was being too cautious. Maybe…
They had arrived.
"Ah ZiWei."
She rose from her curtsy, "HuangShang."
XiaoLuZi coughed lightly, "HuangShang, HuangHouNiangNiang had also asked for ZiWei guniang's presence for questioning."
"Oh?" The emperor looked at the eunuch sharply.
"She sent five eunuchs to fetch ZiWei from ShuFangZhai; they had just reached the doorway when nucai arrived."
"I see." the emperor waved a hand and XiaoLuZi departed after bowing.
"ZiWei."
She noted that his voice was kind again.
"HuangShang," she dipped another curtsy.
"Zhen would like to know more about your mother."
Her heart started to race, "HuangShang?"
"Zhen expects that zhen sees shadows of her in you. Did she compose other songs?"
ZiWei did not trust her voice and merely nodded.
The emperor did not seem to mind the break in protocol. He nodded towards the guqin that had been set up, "show zhen."
So she did. The familiarity of the tunes steadied her. The emperor proved an attentive listener. She glanced up briefly and fought a blush at the intent way he was studying her. He was her father, she reminded herself. Although...a part of her couldn't help but wonder how he had looked at her mother.
She wasn't sure why she included a more esoteric piece. Perhaps it was the thought of her mother that influenced the movements of her fingers. It was a beautiful song, the last one her mother had taught her shortly before her death. ZiWei thought it a magical song; the notes conjured up not just the imagery but also the sounds and smells of a passing spring rain shower. Caught up in the memory of her mother's patient manner as she taught her the correct fingerings, ZiWei missed the emperor's sharp intake of breath.
When the last note faded, ZiWei folded her hands demurely in her lap.
"Did your mother name you?" The emperor broke the silence.
ZiWei blinked. What an unexpected question. "Yes. After the flowers that bloomed at the time of my birth."
"Ah." The emperor was quiet a moment before saying, "if Zhen asked you to serve Zhen at YangXinDian, would you be willing?"
"HuangShang?"
"Zhen should perhaps ask XiaoYanZi. From what LingFei says, XiaoYanZi fairly begged for you to be brought from XueShiFu. Your relationship cannot be simple."
"GeGe is most kind. She had asked the Fu family to look after me."
"Oh?"
ZiWei thought that the truth, even if it was just a portion of it, would be best. "GeGe is magnanimous. We are sworn sisters...and despite my lowly status, GeGe takes her vows seriously."
"It can't be."
"HuangShang?"
"You are no mere peasant. With your gifts and talents, you must come from a 书香门地."
"I…"
She was saved from explaining when the emperor continued, "tell Zhen, did your education include any teachings of the celestial heavens?"
ZiWei shook her head, "No, HuangShang."
"Hmmm...have you heard of 紫微斗数?"
"Only that it is restricted for imperial use."
"Yes." The emperor agreed easily, "ZiWei is the North Star, zhen's star."
ZiWei wasn't sure how to respond.
"Zhen had asked the astrologers to help pick the best day for XiaoYanZi's confirmation. They had foreseen company for zhen's star, bringing good fortune."
ZiWei felt obliged to fill the silence, "GeGe's return to HuangShang's side is fated then."
"Yes...as is, Zhen believes, your presence."
"HuangShang?"
"The astrologers saw two stars gathering close."
"HuangShang…"
The emperor held up a hand, "so Zhen asks you again, would you be willing to serve at YangXinDian?"
"What would my responsibilities be?" She asked cautiously.
The emperor seemed pleased at her reply. "XiaoYanZi is 大大咧咧 but you are of a more detail oriented disposition."
"ZiWei knows the palace operates on certain sets of rules. ZiWei has no wish to break those rules."
The emperor laughed, "yes, very much unlike XiaoYanZi."
"GeGe is a free spirit." ZiWei agreed easily.
"She is not how Zhen would have thought to expect for YuHe's daughter."
"HuangShang?"
"YuHe was…" the emperor paused before settling on, "gifted. Intuitive. Sensitive. Like you."
ZiWei froze at the compliment.
"Yes, Zhen sees so much of her in you...perhaps it's heaven's will, a chance for Zhen to make up for broken promises."
"HuangShang…" ZiWei started to protest but fell silent again at his raised palm.
"You are not YuHe. Zhen knows this. Despite how much you look like her. Despite the fact that you play her song."
ZiWei's eyes widened.
"It would be easy to suspect, as I'm certain HuangHou does, that the Fu family purposefully found you and trained you with the explicit purpose of attracting my attention."
ZiWei's heart beat rapidly.
"But..." the emperor's voice was again gentle, "that song...she was composing it when Zhen first laid eyes on her. Zhen was the first to hear its final form when she completed it. She had teasingly told me that she would play it for no other."
ZiWei clenched her hands to still their shaking.
The emperor's eyes seemed to refocus on the present, on ZiWei. "Your mother did not name you solely for the flowers."
"HuangShang." It was all happening so fast.
The emperor could clearly read the truth in her expression. "Zhen is curious though, how XiaoYanZi came to be embroiled?"
"XiaoYanZi saved me," ZiWei at last answered, "we saved each other, really."
"Oh?"
It was easier to tell this story than speaking of her mother.
"Ah." The emperor sat back in his chair at its completion.
"XiaoYanZi did not mean to...to lie. She was simply overwhelmed." ZiWei felt that it was necessary to protect her sworn sister still.
"As you are?"
"Yes." It was easy also to admit to her current feelings.
"Was it her idea to have you brought into the palace?"
"Not exactly."
"Oh?"
"XiaoYanZi feels much remorse and guilt, but I had told her to channel such feelings into being a good daughter in my stead."
"You would give up the chance to be a princess?"
"ZiWei cares not for titles nor riches. ZiWei only wished to complete mother's dying wish."
The emperor was staring again, reminding ZiWei that she needed to be completely honest.
"I was curious," she admitted, "and wished to meet HuangShang...but I could not let my selfish whim bring harm to the people I have come to care about."
"The people you have come to care about…"
It was difficult not to blush under his scrutiny.
"Whose idea was it?"
"ErK..." she caught herself, "Fu da shaoye."
But he had heard her mistake. "Ah."
He looked thoughtful. "Zhen cannot take away XiaoYanZi's title; not without admitting that a mistake has been made."
ZiWei understood the need to preserve face, especially in such a sensitive manner.
"And so Zhen asks you again. Will you serve at YangXinDian? It is unfair to ask it of you given who you are...but it would afford you some protection in this palace. And, in time, Zhen can certainly appoint you to ErKang if it remains your wish."
"HuangShang is most generous."
"Dear child…" the emperor sighed, "Zhen has broken many promises, has 辜负了 many young ladies even when it was never Zhen's intent. Rarely is Zhen given a chance to make up for it."
"And my duties?"
The emperor smiled a little at her question, "to keep Zhen's study and papers clean and organized. You seem a careful sort."
"Then ZiWei obeys."
"Very good."
ErKang had heard about the night of weiqi. He was at once proud and worried. And so, when he saw that it was ZiWei who stood mixing ink at the emperor's side, he froze before relieving EMing of his position as guard.
"ErKang."
"HuangShang." ErKang bowed.
"ZiWei tells me it was your idea to send her into the palace."
He glanced at ZiWei, who tried to smile at him in an assuring manner.
"Well?!" The emperor did not sound pleased.
"Cheng was trying to…"
"You had selfish motivations."
ErKang could not deny such a statement of truth.
"You dared to lie."
ErKang immediately knelt, "HuangShang! Cheng had no intentions of keeping the truth from HuangShang. Cheng only wished to…"
"You only wished to protect ZiWei."
"I…"
The emperor's expression grew less severe. "You know Zhen well. But ErKang, do not forget that Zhen also knows you. You were never one to act on impulse alone. And so, Zhen must ask...what are your intentions towards Zhen's daughter?"
ErKang looked up sharply, "HuangShang?"
The emperor raised an eyebrow, "was that not the goal of your plan? For Zhen to realize that Zhen had made an error?"
ErKang did not know how to respond.
"ZiWei will remain at Zhen's side as a maid. Zhen cannot give her a title so soon after recognizing XiaoYanZi."
"Cheng understands...cheng will also rest easier knowing she is under HuangShang's protection."
"Hmm. Yes." The emperor turned back to his state papers and ErKang returned to his post.
Still, ErKang couldn't help but watch ZiWei. He never doubted that the emperor would enjoy her company. He just never expected for the emperor to see the truth so quickly, nor for the emperor to recognize ErKang's attachment. HuangShang had made no promises, but ErKang was hopeful. Even though the emperor had issued a warning of sorts. Still...at least now he didn't have to hide his affection for ZiWei. And even if he couldn't speak to her as freely as he would had she remained at ShuFangZhai, he could at least see her more regularly. Such a thought made him smile.
ZiWei must have felt the weight of his gaze because she turned towards him briefly with flushed cheeks. Still, he saw the shy smile on her face before she bent her head again. His own smile broadened. Yes, he was very proud of her. And even though she did not yet have a proper title, she was where she should be. It would only be a matter of time before his visions for their future would become reality. He could be patient.
There were rumors, but that was to be expected. ZiWei shrugged them off easily enough; she had certainly heard worse things said about her and her mother back in JiNan.
XiaoYanZi, however, was much less forgiving.
"I can't believe they would insinuate that you're some form of bait. As though HuangAhMa is so easily swayed by a pretty face!"
ZiWei hid a grin even as she subtly pushed the plate of sweets towards her sworn sister. "Ah, so you're more upset about their underestimation of HuangShang than the tarnishing of my honor?"
XiaoYanZi took a pastry in hand and absentmindedly took a bite, "hmmp."
ZiWei smiled more openly, "I appreciate that you're upset on my behalf, but they're just words. What's important is that HuangHouNiangNiang has no reason to pick on either of us now and LingFeiNiangNiang has no reason to misunderstand us. The other concubines may speculate, but they won't go too overboard."
XiaoYanZi made a face, "HuangHouNiangNiang isn't doing anything to stop the wagging tongues though."
"Don't talk with your mouth full," ZiWei admonished gently, "HuangHouNiangNiang cannot overturn the emperor's decision; it doesn't mean she has to like it. The Inner Palace is nominally under her command after all."
XiaoYanZi frowned but did swallow before replying, "She just doesn't like me and by extension, you."
"You must admit that you didn't exactly help matters by challenging her authority."
XiaoYanZi rolled her eyes, "I hate bullies."
"Hmm...But remember, XiaoYanZi, you're HuanZhuGeGe now. You are and will remain, even if you hate the idea, a woman of the palace."
"Urg. I thought the point of having HuangAhMa know the truth was to have us return to our proper places."
"Are you really complaining?"
XiaoYanZi put her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her palms, "it's nice having a father. And it is nice to have plenty of food and not to have to worry about shelter. With ErTai's help, I've even been able to send things to LiuQin and LiuHong so that the folks at DaZaYuan are well looked after too. Did I tell you? They've bought a building and are going to open an inn."
"How wonderful!" ZiWei beamed.
XiaoYanZi nodded before whining, "but school is soooo hard! And JiShiFu is such a demanding master. And...and I hate it when HuangAhMa frowns at me."
ZiWei made a sympathetic sound but offered encouragement, "XiaoYanZi, I know you are clever enough to learn. You saw no point in making any effort before because you assumed that you would return to being a commoner. But as things stand…"
"I'm stuck." XiaoYanZi said petulantly.
"HuangShang mentioned that our appearance was foretold in the stars."
"Do you really believe that?"
ZiWei shrugged, "there are enough unexplainable things in life. Our meeting for example...I choose to believe that it was no mere coincidence"
"Hmmm...and you and ErKang's meeting too?'
ZiWei blushed.
XiaoYanZi's earlier ill mood was forgotten as she declared, "it's adorable."
"XiaoYanZi!" ZiWei protested.
XiaoYanZi just grinned unapologetically.
"Just wait until you fall in love."
XiaoYanZi snorted, "Never going to happen."
"Oh?"
"I've lost enough freedom in becoming HuanZhuGeGe."
"It's not really a loss of freedom…'
"So you say. But think about your mother. She waited her whole life and for what? And then there's LingFeiNiangNiang and even HuangHouNiangNiang; they also wait for HuangAhMa." She shuddered, "no thank you. I am determined that no one will have that kind of sway over me."
"It doesn't have to be that way…"
XiaoYanZi shrugged, "maybe not, but I don't think I could ever trust anyone enough to find out otherwise."
"You've been self reliant for too long," ZiWei said thoughtfully.
"And I did just fine, thank you."
ZiWei smiled, "Now if you can just channel such determination and spirit into your school work."
XiaoYanZi made a face, "urg."
"If you do well enough, you may even be able to bargain with HuangShang for martial arts lessons."
"You think?"
"HuangShang is an indulgent father, so I wouldn't discount the possibility."
XiaoYanZi visibly brightened before she tilted her head thoughtfully, "ZiWei?"
"Hmm?"
"You really don't mind?"
"Mind? Mind what?"
"Sharing your father."
ZiWei smiled, "we are sisters. 有福同享，有难同当. Or have you forgotten?"
XiaoYanZi hugged her impulsively, "thank you, meimei."
ZiWei patted her back in return. Yes, some things are surely fated.
"What do the stars tell you?"
WuAhGe looked away from the sky, "ZiWei."
She settled next to him on the bench, "What happened today, with that red ball…"
He sighed.
ZiWei pressed on, certain now that her intuition had been correct. "XiaoYanZi once told me that she is determined never to fall in love."
He was silent before sharing, "For a brief moment in time, I had allowed myself to think that perhaps...but, she will always be HuanZhuGeGe and I…"
"She trusts you, looks up to you, admires you."
"But as a brother. When in reality, I…"
"HuangShang has great hopes for WuAhGe's future." ZiWei reminded him softly.
"I know." his shoulders slumped, as though he felt anew the weight of responsibilities on them. "This trip...none of my older brothers have ever been asked to accompany HuangAhMa on such a trip."
They sat in companionable silence before he sighed, "The stars have little counsel to offer me."
"Because she has long eclipsed them in importance."
He wasn't surprised that she had noticed. "She shines too brightly to be just a star."
"WuAhGe…"
"You need not worry," he interrupted her, "all I've ever wished to do is to protect her. So protect her I shall, even if it's from myself."
She believed him. "But if WuGe should ever find himself in need of a listening ear…"
"I will find you, meimei."
ZiWei smiled sadly even as she stood, "don't stay out too late; we still have a long day of travel tomorrow."
He nodded.
ZiWei turned back in the doorway to look at his lonely figure. It was better, really, that he should become used to such loneliness. Women in the palace weren't allowed to take part in state matters, but it was inevitable that she should become aware of them while serving in YangXinDian. She clearly saw the dedication, energy, and time it took to be a good emperor. No wonder her father delighted in trips such as this one. XiaoYanZi had settled somewhat with the martial lessons the emperor allowed her, but she still complained now and then of the restrictiveness of rules in her new life. It had probably never occurred to XiaoYanZi that no one was more restricted than the emperor.
A touch on her hand made her jump and she turned to see ErKang's concerned eyes boring into her own. She let him pull her down the path to the pagoda. They settled side by side, his hand still holding firmly onto hers.
She made a half-hearted attempt to pull her hand from his grasp, "ErKang...what if someone sees?"
"Let them see."
"ErKang," she protested.
"ZiWei."
He looked at her so intently, she found herself at a loss for words.
"AhMa warned me too, not to be so obvious, but I can't seem to help it. 情不自禁...I used to think it was just a phrase, an excuse for those who lacked self-discipline. But now I find to my chagrin that it is all too apt for what I am experiencing."
"ErKang…"
He smiled ruefully, "I had so looked forward to this trip, knowing that I'd be able to see you, speak with you on a daily basis. I didn't foresee that it would add to my impatience."
"HuangShang won't really make you wait until I turn 28."
"I would wait even if he did."
"ErKang…"
He looked at her so earnestly, "I would."
"I know."
"I do apologize though."
"Apologize?"
"If I offend you sensibilities. It's just that I feel so much that I…"
"It's alright," she was quick to reassure him, "I don't mind."
"No?"
She smiled a little at his uncertainty, "I am not a very demonstrative person, but what you describe, I feel too."
"Really?"
"Really. When you found me in YouYouGu...I knew then that I would not run from you again. I was ready to give up meeting my father but, seeing you standing there, I could not give up the chance to be with you. So, even though it was dangerous and foolish, even though I knew the risks, I let you persuade me to follow your plan."
"ZiWei...thank you."
"HuangShang told me that I was named not for the flower but for the star. ErKang...I wish to tell you, you are my northern star."
The impulse to kiss her had never been so strong. He cleared his throat, "You had looked troubled, earlier."
"Not troubled exactly," she was grateful for the change in topic. She wasn't sure if she truly could push him away if he had decided to do more than squeeze her hand. "WuGe just looked so very lonely."
"Ah."
"You see it too, don't you?"
He nodded, "WuAhGe is not the only one to find XiaoYanZi intriguing."
"You refer to ErTai."
He nodded again. "But ErTai is too used to being WuAhGe's 跟班. Unless WuAhGe explicitly states that he will not pursue XiaoYanZi, ErTai will not acknowledge the matter openly."
"Has he said anything to you?"
"No. ErTai will keep his own counsel. I am also a poor candidate to offer him advice."
At her questioning look, he added, "I can admit that my decisions when it comes to you have not been the most practical."
She lowered her eyes modestly.
"ZiWei…"
She glanced up again; the way he spoke her name was like a caress. She understood her mother now, could relate to the sense of inevitability and lack of control her mother must have felt. It was dangerously addicting.
"And XiaoYanZi?"
She blinked and the moment passed. "XiaoYanZi thinks of both of them on equal terms. They're her 哥们, just as LiuQin had been. It would not occur to her to think of either of them romantically."
"Perhaps that is for the best."
ZIWei nodded but still furrowed her brows.
"You are too kind not to feel for him," ErKang remarked.
"I just...WuAhGe is most capable, but...it's a lonely position, isn't it? Even when it comes to the Inner Palace, HuangShang cannot truly act purely on his own whims. The politics of the Outer and Inner Courts remain connected."
"WuAhGe is no stranger to rules and regulations."
"XiaoYanZi is the antithesis of such a way of life."
"Yes. I've always thought her carefree nature is part of the reason HuangShang favors her."
"Oh?"
"As you noted, all his power does not grant HuangShang unlimited freedom."
"I wonder if it contributed to his attraction to mother as well."
"Hmm?"
"Mother was a means of escape from his responsibilities."
"ZiWei…"
ZiWei shook her head, "I do not say it to belittle the affection he felt for her. The way he treats me, the honest remorse that motivates him to ensure I am well cared for...mother really did matter to him. She wasn't just a tryst in the rain. He is a good emperor, a capable liege, but he is also human. And XiaoYanZi is in the unique position where she is beholden to no one but herself. HuangShang can be simply a father to her."
"As he is trying to be for you."
ZiWei smiled a little, "HuangShang feels like he owes me, owes mother. It is a small difference, but enough of one that he is more careful with me than with XiaoYanZi."
"I've not thought of it that way," ErKang admitted thoughtfully.
ZiWei sighed. "WuAhGe is coming to terms with the true meaning of sacrifice."
"AhMa had asked me," ErKang shared, "what it was that I could offer you. I was angry in my retort, because I knew I didn't truly have the authority to make any meaningful promises. When you left...I knew you were right to doubt me. And yet still…"
"But I returned your regard."
"Only because I declared myself."
ZiWei shook her head, "JinSuo saw the way you looked at me and alerted me. Had I not been preoccupied by other things, I would have noticed sooner. I told you the truth; growing up as my mother's daughter, I knew I had to be cautious. Still...I could not control my heart. I made the decision to leave in part because of it."
"Truly?"
"My presence, my existence, was a threat. The logical answer was to remove myself."
"You are too cruel to yourself."
"I have you to spoil me now."
He heard the teasing in her voice and couldn't help but smile, "yes, you do."
She squeezed his hand, "it's late."
"Yes," he agreed and stood with her.
"You really need to let go of my hand now."
"I know I should…"
She glanced down at their still joined hands meaningfully.
"ZiWei…" he took a step closer to her.
"ErKang." She should step away, but she remembered how safe, how secure, and how exhilarating it felt to be in his arms.
A gust of wind caused the hanging bells to chime and reminded her that they were not in fact in YouYouGu.
"ErKang…"
"I know." He parted from her most reluctantly.
"Good night."
She dared not look back, fearful that she would run to him as she had that fateful day if she did. Yes, she understood her mother now. And, when they arrived in JiNan, she would be able to tell her. It wasn't the originally planned route for this trip, she knew, but HuangShang's whims were not to be questioned. She looked up at the stars before making her way indoors to the rooms she shared with XiaoYanZi.
I thought you were crazy, mother, to send me to BeiJing. But...you named me knowing that the day would come, didn't you? Did the stars tell you that I would not only find my father but also a different sort of future? I promised not to become another XiaYuHe...I know I can trust ErKang to ensure that I wouldn't. He'll wish to pay his respects too. He is a good man, I wish you could meet him...
"ZiWei, this place should be familiar to you."
"LaoYe…" she could say no more as she stood on the threshold of her childhood home. Dazed as she was, she missed the knowing smiles amongst her companions as they quietly made themselves scarce.
The emperor came to stand next to her. "We will be staying here for a few days."
"But…"
The emperor smiled, "yes, you had sold it. But I could not bear the thought of strangers owning it. The deed is in FuLun's name. Think of it as a dowry of sorts."
"LaoYe…"
The emperor gently wiped away her falling tears, "no crying now. Homecomings are meant to be happy occasions."
ZiWei nodded and watched as her father took out a key for the padlock.
Taking a deep breath, she placed her hand on the door and pushed. The estate looked at once the same and different. She and JinSuo had done their best to keep it clean, but they did not have the finances to spare to ensure its upkeep. Now though...the shingles were whole, the paint gleamed with newness, the shrubbery well trimmed.
"LaoYe…"
The emperor smiled at her, "will you show me around?"
She nodded.
They wandered the familiar paths, each caught up in their own memories, until they reached the pagoda by the koi pond where a guqin had been set up.
"Will you play for me?"
Her fingers trembled as she ran them along the strings, "it's mother's guqin."
"FuLun has always been most thorough."
She plucked a string experimentally. It sounded as clear, as crisp, as ever. It seemed appropriate that she should play her mother's song.
"ZiWei...there is no one else present. Will you call me AhMa?"
His image blurred as fresh tears filled her eyes. "AhMa."
Later, as they knelt at her mother's grave, she couldn't help but say, "Look niang, look who has come to visit."
"Ah YuHe...such a gift you have left me. Not only is our ZiWei so very talented and intelligent, but she is also in possession of such a good and kind soul. Just as you did. I am late in returning, but hopefully your spirit can rest easier knowing that she has safely returned to my side. I will ensure that she knows all the joy that you have been denied." He pushed the incense into the earth before standing.
"Yongqi, ErTai, come. ZiWei surely has things she wishes to say in private."
When they passed out of sight, ErKang knelt next to ZiWei and kowtowed, "It is too soon perhaps to call you mother-in-law, but in my heart, ZiWei is already my wife. I had declared my intentions to her, but I repeat them now with you as my witness. She will be my one and only. In this and every lifetime, FuErKang will always find and care for just XiaZiWei."
"ErKang…"
"I really do mean it," he told her after he had kowtowed two more times and placed his own incense.
ZiWei let him help her to her feet before turning back to the tablet, "this is ErKang, mother. My ErKang. You see, between father and ErKang, I am well cared for. You can rest easy now."
"So this is where you grew up," XiaoYanZi commented as they wandered the gardens, "goodness. And yet you still agreed to live with me at DaZaYuan?"
"You offered me help in a moment of need; I was just grateful to have a roof over my head at all."
"And then that little straw hut! ZiWei, your abilities to adapt amazes me."
"Bi ci bi ci."
XiaoYanZi grinned, "ah, but I upgraded whereas you most certainly downgraded."
ZiWei laughed, "I don't know, the palace seems very much like an upgrade to me."
XiaoYanZi also laughed, "you know very well I meant before that!"
Before ZiWei could respond, however, ErTai made an appearance. "ZiWei, XiaoYanZi, LaoYe is requesting some refreshments. It seems we have some visitors."
"Oh! Of course!"
She kept her head down as was appropriate as she entered the sitting room. Before she could depart, however, the emperor's voice stopped her.
"No, both of you, stay."
"LaoYe?"
The emperor looked much displeased as he gestured at the couple seated in the room, "our visitors have some words they'd like to share."
ZiWei looked in their direction and gasped, "Uncle! Aunty!"
"Oh it is you!" her aunt stood and grasped her hands, "I thought the shopkeepers were lying! Oh ZiWei dear, you don't know how much we worried when you just up and disappeared like that!"
ZiWei tried not to shrink from the woman's touch or cringe at her saccharine tone.
"Right, right," her uncle was quick to add, "but it's good to see you safe and sound."
The emperor's frown deepened and even XiaoYanZi could sense ZiWei's discomfort.
"So...you are ZiWei's aunt and uncle." XiaoYanZi commented, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
"Yes, yes we are."
"How could you let a defenseless girl like her go off to BeiJing with no one but a maid? You're lucky she didn't come to harm!"
"To BeiJing?"
XiaoYanZi raised an eyebrow, "you don't even know where she went?!"
"She left in such a rush…" her uncle seemed more uncertain now.
ZiWei took advantage of their distraction to extricate herself and step closer to XiaoYanZi.
"What do you want?" her sworn sister demanded of her relatives.
"We just wished to ensure that our niece was well."
XiaoYanZi rolled her eyes, "oh please. You must have heard that someone rich had bought this estate and now you want to see if claiming familiarity can gain you any advantages. I've seen plenty of people like you. You disgust me!"
"Why you little...who are you to speak to your elders like this?"
XiaoYanZi stepped forwards, "someone who actually has ZiWei's best interest at heart."
"XiaoYanZi, please, they're not worth it." ZiWei tugged on her friend's hand.
"No." XiaoYanZi said stubbornly, "it needs to be said. They may be your relatives, but they are no true family. Family would not treat you like an outcast, family would not abandon you in your time of need, family would never turn a whole town against you."
"We never…" her aunt made a weak attempt at protest.
XiaoYanZi laughed in her face. "That ZiWei made it to BeiJing at all is a testament to her own strength and cleverness."
"XiaoYanZi, enough." ZiWei said wearily.
"Not until they apologize to you."
ZiWei shook her head, "they told my mother and me that they wanted nothing to do with us. I will respect their wishes."
"ZiWei…" XiaoYanZi's tone spoke clearly of her exasperation.
ZiWei just shook her head before turning to face her relatives, "Uncle, aunty, ZiWei offers thanks for your concern. As you can see, I am well. You can rest easy now. ZiWei sees no reason for you to remain here now that the purpose of your visit has been met."
"You have no authority to tell us to leave."
"But I do." The emperor spoke up at last.
ZiWei could clearly see his anger and tried to placate him, "LaoYe…"
The emperor held up a hand, "No, ZiWei. When I had FuLun purchase this estate for you, I also had him gather information. I did not think they would dare to show their faces."
Her uncle looked between her and the emperor and sneered in disgust, "of course. Just like your mother. But maybe you can manage what she couldn't and actually keep a man."
"How dare you!" ErKang's fists were clenched as he took a step forward.
"Oh ho! My, my ZiWei, you have done well for yourself."
Thump!
XiaoYanZi punched the man with enough strength to cause a nosebleed. "Don't you ever insult her like that again. You are not fit to even speak her name!"
"XiaoYanZi…" ZiWei sounded tired and resigned, "it's alright. It's nothing I haven't heard in the past."
"But…"
"XiaoYanZi, enough." The emperor's voice had a note of finality that even XiaoYanZi heeded.
The emperor stood, "I am the cause for YuHe's fall; ZiWei is my daughter. That she has grown into such a kind and good person is all to YuHe's credit."
"Daughter…" her aunt repeated shakily.
"Yes. And since ZiWei is now with her true family, she will have no further need of your thoughts or worries. Be gone."
"This isn't the end!" her uncle threatened.
"Oh, but I very much think it is." The emperor decided. "ErKang, ErTai, see our guests out."
"With pleasure," ErKang replied.
The emperor turned towards his daughter. "ZiWei, I am sorry for that confrontation."
ZiWei shook her head, "ZiWei is likewise surprised that they made an appearance. ZiWei apologizes on their behalf for their lack of manners."
The emperor sighed, "I am at fault. I did not think of the harm to YuHe's reputation, to your family's good name."
"LaoYe...ZiWei wishes to bid farewell to the past. As LaoYe said, ZiWei is with her true family now."
"Yes...indeed you are. Alright, we have let them spoil our day enough. XiaoYanZi mentioned some new riddles the two of you had concocted? Shall we hear them now?"
ZiWei could honestly say that she wasn't sad to leave JiNan for the second time. After discussion, she had put forth the idea to turn the old Xia estate into a shelter somewhat modeled after DaZaYuan. It would also provide lessons and training in skills so that those who needed new opportunities could find them.
Her relatives did not make a reappearance. She also did not ask about their fate. She had taken the emperor's words to heart. They were strangers who just happened to share blood with her. She might have been saddened to learn that shortly after the emperor's party left JiNan, the regional official arrested her uncle on charges of embezzlement as well as for insulting a member of the royal family. Her uncle protested that they didn't know anyone of imperial blood. He had laughed humorlessly when he was told the true identity of the Ai LaoYe who had purchased the old Xia estate. He was declared insane and passed the remainder of his days locked in solitary isolation. His wife and son were not so lucky; they lost their business and their home, and were left beggars in the streets. Bitter was the pill to swallow when she eventually turned towards the only place willing to give them a warm bed and a warm meal. She looked up at the sign... 雨荷园...Of course ZiWei would name the place after her mother. But she knew better than to try to make note of her relationship with ZiWei. Even the kindest person had their limits. And even if ZiWei was willing to help them, her father surely wasn't. And who would dare defy the emperor? Her son, who was too much like his father and had been much too spoiled, would offend the wrong family for trying to take advantage of a young lady and was beaten to death. It was one irony too many for her and she eventually became a nun to spend the rest of her life in prayer in an attempt to atone for her sins.
There was fairness in the world.
ErKang certainly thought otherwise when he saw ZiWei cradled in the emperor's arms. He grabbed HuTaiYi, not minding the physician's discomfort, and fought like a madman to be near her.
How much he wanted to watch and listen to HuTaiYi's assessment! But he knew his responsibility was to ensure her safety so that HuTaiYi could do his job.
The arrival of the guards from Ding manor was a relief. He followed at the emperor's heels as ZiWei was laid on the bed. He had never felt such fear. She had to be alright. She had to be.
Even after he had cleaned and his own wound been dressed, he could still feel the warmth of her blood on his cheeks. He rushed back to her room, his stress level decreasing a little when he saw her steady breaths.
"She's asleep now." the emperor told him.
ErKang nodded, but still felt the compulsion to reach for her wrist and feel her pulse for himself.
"Zhen has decided. What she did...it's sufficient reason to give her the title she was born to."
"HuangShang?"
"Zhen knows you would marry her even if she remained but a maid, would treasure her as she deserves to be treasured. But zhen must also consider your family's standing. Besides, ZiWei has more than earned the right."
ErKang nodded and turned back to watching ZiWei's sleeping visage.
"ZiWei!"
She blinked. The canopy overhead was unfamiliar, but his voice wasn't. "ErKang."
"ZiWei."
"LaoYe."
"Ah, don't you think you should call zhen by the right title now?"
"LaoYe?"
"Don't you remember? We uncovered the truth of the mix-up back in JiNan." ErKang reminded her gently.
"Oh." ZiWei blinked again as realization dawned.
"Well then?"
ZiWei looked at the two most important men in her life and had never felt more blessed. "HuangAhMa."
The emperor nodded, "that's more like it. ErKang, go fetch HuTaiYi, zhen needs to ensure that zhen's daughter is truly well."
"Of course."
"HuangAhMa…"
"Don't move," the emperor helped her settle again, "This is no time for formalities. Your wound still needs to heal. ZiWei...what possessed you to do something so foolish?"
"ZiWei didn't think, only acted out of instinct."
"Zhen has lost children before, it is not an experience zhen would like to relive."
"ZiWei apologizes for worrying HuangAhMa."
"Then you must make sure to recover fully. Zhen is still waiting to play more games of weiqi against you."
"ZiWei obeys."
In the end, her mother's remains were brought to BeiJing and intoned in the imperial tombs as XiaGuiRen. The cover story for her absence from court was that she had been in the temples since ZiWei's birth. ZiWei was, consequently, a true princess of the blood. There were some grumbles from the older officials, but as ZiWei had in fact saved the emperor's life and the Fu family made no fuss about her engagement to ErKang, the emperor had his way.
XiaoYanZi also retained her title, the emperor having identified her as a foster daughter even back in the beginning anyways. ZiWei expected her sworn sister to be disappointed, but XiaoYanZi had just shrugged and admitted that she had grown somewhat used to being HuanZhuGeGe before quickly changing the topic. ZiWei had smiled to herself in relief; she was glad her father would still have XiaoYanZi at his side to help reduce his stress levels even after ZiWei married.
Because married she was. The day of the ceremony seemed to pass in a blur. She felt she did no more than follow orders and softly whispered instructions until she sat upon her marriage bed. The sudden silence had brought her back to reality. The look in ErKang's eyes and, soon enough, the touch of his hands and lips solidly anchored her to the present.
Her eyes opened to fall upon his sleeping face and she couldn't help but smile. She shivered slightly as a draft peaked around the gap in the curtains around their bed. Carefully, she extricated herself from his embrace and made her way to the open window. Rather than closing it, however, she found herself arrested.
The moon shone brightly, but her attention was on another source of light.
"Don't catch cold," she felt ErKang lay a blanket around her shoulders and turned to look up at him with a smile.
"I'm really not so weak as everyone seems to think I am."
"I know." Nonetheless, he pulled at the edges of the blanket to make sure she was adequately covered.
She reached to grab his hand, "ErKang…husband..."
"ZiWei...wife..."
She returned his smile, "I am so very happy."
He bent down to press his lips to hers, relishing in his new ability to do so, "good."
She sighed contently as she let him fold her into his arms.
"What do the stars tell you?" He asked her.
"I do not need the stars to tell me what my heart knows to be true."
He looked down into her eyes, at the love that shined so brightly in them. What could he do but lift her into his arms and make for their bed again?
She shuddered beneath him, but not from any feeling of coldness. She had been right to predict that he would be passionate. She had also been correct in thinking that she was really not so modest in private. Not that ErKang seemed to mind.
"ZiWei…"
She was beyond words and only clasped him to herself tighter.
They lay curled together, their breathing gradually returning to normal. She had never felt so safe than in his arms. She felt his lips press against her forehead and looked up to see him smiling softly down at her.
She was home.