Chapter Forty-Three
When Cui Lanyin saw Prince Wei’s lips tighten, she remembered how she had offended him last time by bringing up the subject of his being “old.” She hurriedly added, “Uncle, I truly mean that you’re in the prime of your life. Please don’t misunderstand me.”
“Do I look that petty?”
You certainly are! Unfortunately, Cui Lanyin only dared to grumble inwardly. Out loud, she said, “It was my own narrow-mindedness.”
Only after seeing Prince Wei’s expression relax did Cui Lanyin ask, “Uncle, what day is Grand-Grandaunt’s death anniversary? And where shall we go to offer our respects?”
“The twenty-first. We can’t go to the imperial mausoleum, so we’ll pay our respects at the ancestral shrine in the residence.”
After the capital was moved to Yingcheng in the nineteenth year of Xuanning’s reign, for the past three years Emperor Xuanning had sent officials to worship at the imperial mausoleum only during the Qingming Festival. On New Year’s Day, the Ghost Festival, and other such occasions, the rites were performed at the Hall of Ancestral Veneration in the palace.
Only the empresses’ spirit tablets could be placed in that hall. Apart from the imperial mausoleums, the consorts’ tablets could only be set up in their children’s residences for worship.
“After my grandmother passed away, it was always Mother and me who prepared the offerings. When I go to find the chief steward, I suppose I should ask the Office of Ritual Offerings in the prince’s residence about this.”
“There’s no need to make it so complicated. Just burn some incense.”
The third anniversary had already passed. From then on, only the customary seasonal rites were required; there was no longer any need for such elaborate observances on the anniversary itself.
That was true, but Cui Lanyin still said, “It will be my first time meeting Grand-Grandaunt. It would be rude not to prepare a few offerings, wouldn’t it?”
“Mm.”
The word Prince Wei said most often each day was “mm.” After hearing it for so long, Cui Lanyin could distinguish the subtle differences between them. This particular “mm” carried a slight lingering note at the end, which meant he was in a fairly good mood.
That was a good sign. As long as Prince Wei still cared about worldly matters, things had not reached their bleakest point.
Still, a man who had seen through everything yet cared about being called old—there was probably no one else in the world quite like Prince Wei.
As they spoke, it reached mao hour proper. Buyan lightly knocked on the study door from outside.
“My lord?”
Prince Wei somehow produced a black chess piece and flicked it at the door. Buyan opened it, then habitually stooped to retrieve the chess piece before coming over.
Judging by how practiced he was, Prince Wei must usually summon people by flicking chess pieces at the door.
Cui Lanyin very much wanted to say that simply calling “Come in” would be far less trouble.
Prince Wei would soon need to wash and change. Cui Lanyin said to Buyu, who entered behind Buyan, “Bring me an outer robe. We’re going back to Spring Brook Pavilion.”
Aiye and Sangzhi had been waiting and were already prepared. Only Buyan and Buyu were allowed into Prince Wei’s study. If Cui Lanyin had not fallen ill yesterday, the two maids would never have been permitted to set foot inside.
At night, Buyan and Buyu were not allowed to remain in the study either. Whenever Prince Wei needed assistance, he could summon someone by ringing the bell.
But Buyan had told them that ever since he had begun serving Prince Wei, the prince had never summoned anyone at night. The bell had never rung even once.
Thus, when the usual time for Prince Wei to retire arrived and Buyan called for them to leave, Aiye and Sangzhi had no choice but to follow him out of the study.
After Cui Lanyin’s illness had flared up, she had taken her medicine and slept motionless. In truth, she had no need for anyone to attend her. The two maids were simply accustomed to keeping watch, and once they were made to let go, they felt deeply unsettled.
Neither had slept much all night. Since they had no idea how long Cui Lanyin would remain here, they had brought over everything she might need.
The moment they heard Buyu call them inside, they hurried in. When they saw Cui Lanyin chatting and laughing with Prince Wei, it was clear that the episode had passed, and the great weight in their hearts finally lifted.
When they heard Cui Lanyin say that she wanted to return, they wished they had four arms so they could carry her away at once.
Neither of them had imagined that Prince Wei could be so utterly unconcerned with propriety. He had allowed Cui Lanyin to stay, and he had not even avoided her. Surely he could have left one servant behind to attend her. A man and a woman spending the night alone together—even if he was her elder—was simply improper.
Aiye brought out a wide-sleeved long jacket and slipped it over Cui Lanyin. With such a large garment covering her, no one would notice the details unless they came close.
After her headache attack, Cui Lanyin’s scalp could not bear being pulled. Though there was no visible bruising or swelling, touching it caused the same pain as an injury to the flesh. Usually, tying her hair loosely in a braid for a day was enough to let it recover.
Sangzhi carefully ran her fingers through Cui Lanyin’s hair, preparing to braid it.
“Put it up instead,” Cui Lanyin said. “I’ll look improper if I go outside like this.”
It was true. In her own courtyard, she could dress however she pleased, but this was the outer residence of Prince Wei’s manor. There were many places to pass through on the way back to Spring Brook Pavilion, and she might encounter the various officials and servants of the manor. Being seen dressed so casually would be undignified.
Besides, she had spent the night in the study. Even if she had been too ill to move, once even the slightest rumor got out, Cui Lanyin’s reputation would be ruined.
“Then I’ll be gentle, miss. Tell me if it hurts,” Sangzhi said, though her hand still hesitated, unable to descend.
Prince Wei flicked a finger, then glanced toward Cui Lanyin.
Buyan had spent enough time in the study to become adept at reading Prince Wei’s intentions. He ventured, “There’s a sedan chair in the residence.”
Prince Wei flicked two fingers again. Knowing he had guessed correctly, Buyan turned toward Cui Lanzhi and said, “Second Miss, you can dress as you normally do. I’ll find a sedan chair for you to ride back.”
“It’s only a few steps away. I’m not that delicate,” Cui Lanyin called out, stopping him. “Don’t go, Buyan.”
Buyan ignored her and dashed out.
“You’re moving to Peaceful Rest Hall.”
“Uncle?”
Cui Lanyin wondered whether she had misheard him and turned to confirm it.
“The imperial physician comes every three days to administer acupuncture. Peaceful Rest Hall is closer.”
Seeing that Prince Wei truly intended for her to move to Peaceful Rest Hall, Cui Lanyin hurriedly refused. “That’s your rear residence, Uncle. How could I stay there? If the physician finds it too troublesome to come farther in, then why not have him perform the acupuncture at my home? My family’s residence is small; wherever he goes, it’s only a few steps away.”
“What are you panicking about? I’m not asking you to stay in Fragrant Peace Hall.” Prince Wei looked straight at her.
Was that really the way an elder should speak to a younger relative?
Cui Lanyin tugged at her braid, accidentally pulling her scalp. She hissed softly, and her mind became even more muddled.
She was probably overthinking it. Prince Wei had only meant exactly what he said.
“But… it wouldn’t be proper.”
“What’s with all these broken rules?” Prince Wei scoffed. “I’ll assign people to serve you later. Peaceful Rest Hall will make it easier for you to handle matters.”
Once Prince Wei brought up official business, Cui Lanyin knew she had indeed misunderstood him. Afraid that he might realize what she had been thinking, she did not even dare look back at him.
“What kind of people are you assigning to me, Uncle? I can receive visitors in the side room where I handle the accounts.”
“I don’t want to be disturbed.”
That was understandable. The side room was directly west of the study, with people coming and going all day. Prince Wei certainly could not tolerate that.
“You still haven’t said what they’ll be doing.”
“You’re going to investigate the accounts. Don’t you need people?”
Cui Lanyin understood. He meant the Linwei guards who would accompany her and lend her authority.
“Didn’t you say they would be given to Lord Bai and Lord Qing, for them to assign as they saw fit?”
“The Linwei under Bailin and the other three have other duties. I’ll transfer another group to you. They are people who must be treated with courtesy.”
The fact that Prince Wei specifically said they were to be treated with courtesy put pressure on Cui Lanyin. He had never said anything like that about the four men under Bailin.
“Uncle, how could people of such standing serve me? I’m afraid…”
“Cui the Bold? Is that all you’ve got?” The contempt in Prince Wei’s voice came straight at her.
Her head had only just recovered from the headache and could not withstand provocation. Cui Lanyin shot to her feet.
“If you aren’t afraid that I’ll slight them, what do I have to be afraid of?”
“Peaceful Rest Hall?”
“I’ll stay!”
Before Buyan could call for the attendants to bring over a sedan chair, Prince Wei flicked two fingers, making it clear that he was annoyed and did not want her to stay another moment.
Feeling ashamed of the thought she had just entertained—she must have lost her senses—Cui Lanyin called Aiye, Sangzhi, and Buyu and headed outside.
Buyan said that Cui Lanyin’s headaches had not yet fully recovered and that she should not be made to exert herself. He followed the sedan chair and took her straight to Yi’an Hall. Then he brought out a chair and placed it beneath the covered corridor in front of the hall.
“Second Miss, sit here and rest for a while. Your things will all be moved over shortly.”
What amused and exasperated Cui Lanyin was that Buyu’s first priority had been to move over her few parrots. He deliberately hung their cages right in front of her.
“Second Miss, let them keep you company. I’ll go to the storeroom and see if I can find you a rocking chair.”
Aiye and Sangzhi began saying, “We used to think we were quite useful. Compared to Buyu, we’re not even in the same league.”
Buyu was very modest. “You ladies have your strengths, and I have mine. We each have our own specialties.”
Cui Lanyin nodded with a smile. “Exactly. Aiye’s excellent needlework, Sangzhi’s superb cooking, and Buyu’s thoughtfulness—I can’t do without any of you.” She thought for a moment, then sighed. “I’ve grown so used to having Buyu around. Once I leave here, it’ll take me quite some time to adjust.”
Buyu looked at her expectantly. “I’ll miss you too, Second Miss. If only you could stay here for good.”
Of all the people helping Cui Lanyin move, the chamberlain was the most enthusiastic.
Although he knew it was improper, the chamberlain had no intention of remonstrating with Prince Wei.
Perhaps after seeing Prince Wei disregard the rules so often, he had been corrupted by association as well.
There were only two masters in the entire manor. Prince Wei lived in the front residence, while Second Miss lived in the rear. What was wrong with her staying in Yi’an Hall? Prince Wei had no wife or consort, and the entire rear residence was empty. Besides, he never went to the rear quarters. Even if he gave Second Miss Yifang Hall, it would not really matter.
Before long, Buyu had actually brought over a rocking chair. Since she was already living in Yi’an Hall, there was no point worrying about anything else. With a somewhat resigned, devil-may-care attitude, Cui Lanyin climbed into the rocking chair as soon as Buyu had set it up and made herself comfortable.
She sent Buyu, Sangzhi, and Aiye back to Chunxi Pavilion to sort things out, while she reclined in the chair and played with the parrots.
The eunuch who raised the birds had quite a knack for it. In only a few days, the four parrots besides the gray one had already learned to say “Good fortune” and “Wealth.”
The gray parrot was even more remarkable. It could recite entire poems, and the ones it chose were always strangely appropriate.
After these past few days, Cui Lanyin was certain that the gray parrot was exceptionally intelligent. It understood most of what she said to it. After it arrived, she had named it Grayfeather, and it remembered the name after hearing it only once.
Thinking of Prince Wei, Cui Lanyin coaxed it, “Grayfeather, why don’t you go keep my uncle company? If you can make him happy, I’ll make sure you get the first share of the fruit every day.”
Grayfeather stared at her. “High mountains and flowing water—a kindred spirit is hard to find.”
Was it saying that the two of them were kindred spirits? Covering her scalp, Cui Lanyin burst out laughing. “Go say that to my uncle.”
Grayfeather stared at her. When it saw that Cui Lanyin was serious, it drooped its head.
“Second Miss doesn’t want me anymore.”
The chamberlain happened to be passing by and laughed so hard that he stamped his feet.
There were quite a few people in the manor, and the move was finished in half an hour.
Chunxi Pavilion was small, and Cui Lanyin had never felt that there were too few people while living there with Aiye, Sangzhi, and Buyu. Yi’an Hall, however, was far too large, and the four of them made it seem terribly empty.
The chamberlain consulted Cui Lanyin. “Second Miss, why don’t we employ a few palace maids?”
“Doesn’t Uncle dislike having palace maids around?”
“His Highness said that everything in the rear residence is now under Second Miss’s authority.” The chamberlain decided to explain everything in one go. “His Highness has also instructed that the household affairs and all the internal and external accounts of the manor be handed over to Second Miss. Rest for today. Tomorrow, I’ll find a suitable time to go over everything with you.”
“When did this happen? Why didn’t Uncle tell me?”
