Four Seasons Brocade – CH 164

Chapter 164 ☆、

Ah Wu’s condition improved considerably by the second day. She could walk a few steps while holding onto the edge of the table, and she could barely manage to take care of herself. At least when she went to the bathing room to change clothes, Chu Mao no longer had to carry her. She mostly went to the bathing room while Chu Mao was handling matters in the front courtyard, so he could not hear her.

At lunchtime, Ah Wu ate a whole bowl of bird’s nest porridge, a lion’s head meatball, and two small steamed buns with fresh meat before rinsing her mouth contentedly. Then Chu Mao carried her outside to bask in the sun and listen to him chant scriptures. Ah Wu thought that His Highness Prince Qi was actually quite suited to the look of a high monk.

Ah Wu glanced sideways at Chu Mao, who was intently chanting scriptures. Sunlight cast a thin golden halo around his hair, gilding his already handsome and refined face with a holy glow, inspiring both reverence and a desire to profane him.

Ah Wu’s heart skipped a beat, unsure how to profane someone with such a divine appearance but a devilish heart.

Ah Wu looked at Chu Mao more closely, noticing that his features seemed more defined than those of others, making him exceptionally handsome. They said that a woman’s eyes were like autumn waters, but in Chu Mao’s eyes, Ah Wu saw as if they were a thousand pearls, their light shimmering. When he looked at you intently, it made your heart and liver pound. His fingers, holding the prayer beads, were long and warm, his palms burning hot. His nails were long, clean, and neatly trimmed, perfect for playing Weiqi or wielding a sword.

Unbeknownst to Ah Wu, Chu Mao had already finished reciting a passage of scripture, paused, and smiled slightly at her. Chu Mao was perfectly suited to this small, gentle smile; it possessed a captivating charm, making you wonder about his true intentions. But when he laughed heartily, revealing a set of bright white teeth, he appeared radiant and luminous, making one feel incredibly fortunate to have him smile like that.

Chu Mao leaned forward slightly, casting a shadow over Ah Wu’s head. She sensed something was wrong. Her fingers, however swiftly and deliberately, moved to her chest, mimicking the gesture of Xi Shi clutching her heart, thus avoiding Chu Mao’s kiss and simultaneously indicating a headache.

“What’s wrong? Did you eat too much?” Chu Mao asked, putting down the scripture.

Ah Wu cursed inwardly, “You are the one who ate too much! I am clearly feeling unwell, not having a stomachache.”

“I am bored lying in bed all day, and my chest feels tight,” Ah Wu said in a coquettish tone.

“Shall I take you for a walk in the garden?” Chu Mao suggested.

Actually, Chu Mao had been incredibly busy these past few days, and no one knew what major event had occurred. However, from Lu Ruoxing’s reports, Ah Wu had noticed that Chu Mao had met with quite a few people in the past two days. Of course, these meetings were all squeezed in whenever possible. As for Ah Wu, Chu Mao never delegated any of his services to others. Sometimes he would rush over to feed her her medicine and then leave just as quickly.

A few times, he even came specifically to ask Ah Wu if she wanted to go to the bathing room to change. Ah Wu was too lazy to pay him any attention.

So, Chu Mao’s suggestion to take her for a walk was quite unexpected for Ah Wu. Ah Wu frowned, saying with difficulty, “I am tired.”

Chu Mao smiled. “No, I will carry you.”

Ah Wu thought to herself, “Who wants him to carry me?” She was not incapable of walking now, yet Chu Mao acted as if she were helpless, needing to be carried even to eat. Ah Wu said she could walk, so he wanted to save her energy.

“No, it’s just that my chest feels a little tight. Your Highness, perhaps you could find me a couple of books to cheer me up?” Ah Wu said.

“What kind of books do you want to read?” Chu Mao asked.

Ah Wu’s eyes could not help but glance at the eaves of Shuangjian Tower, her hint quite clear.

“You are feeling a bit better now; do not read. How about I have Wen-Mei and the others play cards with you?”

Ah Wu pouted and looked at Chu Mao, saying nothing.

“How about letting Mei-niang sing you a song?”

Ah Wu, seeing that Chu Mao was definitely not going to let her see the books and paintings in Shuangjian Tower, felt uneasy but could only nod. “Would it not be inconvenient for Your Highness to go to the South Garden to invite Mei-niang at this time?”

“Last time, Ah Wu said she sang well, so I brought her to the other courtyard. I thought you’d be bored these past few days, so I’ve already had someone bring her to the mansion,” Chu Mao said casually.

Ah Wu wondered to herself whether Chu Mao brought Mei-niang from the South Garden to use her as a stepping stone or what. Mei-niang had been in the South Garden for quite some time now; if he really wanted to bring someone, he would not have waited until now. It was not like he absolutely needed to use her as a stepping stone. So Ah Wu was not sure what Chu Mao was thinking.

“Then let her come over,” Ah Wu said.

Mei-niang could not enter Bingxue Forest. Chu Mao carried Ah Wu to the Tianguang Pavilion, which was not far from Bingxue Forest. The Tianguang Pavilion, located atop Nine Lions Mountain, had a hollow base where a stove could be lit for warmth. On snowy days, enjoying the snow from within the pavilion was both warm and elegant.

Mei-niang, dressed in simple white robes and adorned only with three jade hairpins, curtsied to Ah Wu while holding a pipa and said, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Ah Wu gestured for Mei-niang to sit and had Wen-Mei serve her tea. “Are you settling in well at the Prince’s Mansion?”

Mei-niang replied, “Thank you, His Highness and Princess, for providing me with a place to stay.”

Ah Wu found Mei-niang’s voice lifeless, lacking the spirit she possessed when singing before. Looking closer at her, she noticed thick eyebrows, well-defined eyes, and a naturally beautiful face. Even with her expressionless face, she remained alluring and refined. However, the world-weary, heartbroken look between her brows added a touch of mystery.

“You are quite beautiful,” Ah Wu said with a gentle smile.

Mei-niang hurriedly put down her pipa and knelt before Ah Wu with a thud, her face pale. “This servant is unlucky and ill-fated. I would never dare to covet what is not mine. From now on, I only hope to win the Princess’s smile with my music; that would be my good fortune.”

Although Mei-niang was Jiang Lianghou’s concubine, she had been tormented by the primary wife since entering the household. If it were not for Jiang Lianghou’s relative care, she would probably be dead long ago. Now, hearing Ah Wu’s words, she feared Ah Wu would misunderstand her.

In truth, Mei-niang felt that Princess Qi did not need to be wary of her. She herself was naturally beautiful, with stunning looks. Besides, seeing how attentive and affectionate Prince Qi had been to her, even reluctant to part after just a few steps, why should she be afraid of someone as unfortunate as herself? But women had always been particularly sensitive about such matters, intolerant of any dissent. Mei-niang, being a woman herself, thought she understood Ah Wu’s feelings.

“How many years have you been in South Garden?” Ah Wu asked again.

“I’ve been in South Garden for four years,” Mei-niang replied respectfully.

“Is South Garden not good?” Ah Wu asked.

These words struck Mei-niang like a thunderbolt. She never wanted to go back to South Garden again. Although she was famous for her music and held herself in high esteem, how could she possibly remain untainted in such a brothel? Singing and entertaining were commonplace; if she encountered a powerful man, she would inevitably be defiled and forced to serve him. Mei-niang naturally refused to be a man’s plaything. Several men had tried to redeem her, but her indenture was not with South Garden but with the First Madam. Her repeated falls and gains were all due to the First Madam’s machinations.

When Chu Mao, posing as Young Master Lin, appeared in South Garden, Mei-niang naturally considered it, but after several attempts to climb the social ladder, she was ignored and gave up. Unexpectedly, things took a dramatic turn. A few days ago, Young Master Lin actually redeemed her, and she learned that Young Master Lin was none other than Prince Qi, Chu Mao.

Now that she had been redeemed, Mei-niang was prepared to gently accompany him. However, since going to the other courtyard, she had not even seen a shadow of Prince Qi until these last two days when she was brought into the mansion. Only now did she realize that her escape from this quagmire was probably thanks to this Princess. Before she came to Tianguang Pavilion, Eunuch Lu had personally advised her that winning the Princess’s favor was her only good fortune; she should not even dream of anything else.

“Though I am unchaste, I still have a pure heart. From now on, I only ask to remain chaste for my deceased husband so that his kindness to me will not have been in vain,” Mei-niang said earnestly.

Ah Wu observed her for a long time. There was not a trace of seductive charm about Mei-niang; instead, she exuded a somber aura, truly as she had said—just a widow.

“Before you came, did Eunuch Li say anything to you?” Ah Wu asked again.

“I’ve never met Eunuch Li. Before I came, Eunuch Lu gave me a hint, saying that the Princess Consort loves my songs and that this is my good fortune.”

Ah Wu did not know if Mei-niang’s words were true or false, but if they were not, she was truly a rare master of disguise. Therefore, Ah Wu was actually somewhat convinced that Chu Mao had redeemed Mei-niang because of her words. Of course, Mei-niang’s singing was so good that she could use it for other purposes in the future.

“Then sing me a song,” Ah Wu said, closing her eyes to rest.

Mei-niang tuned the strings, her lips parting slightly. “Locked in springtime sorrow, northward flies a lonely sparrow; Autumn thoughts make one sigh, desolate moon hanging high. Lavish door and verdant tower, veil that keeps red peony prisoner; Tears streaming outside the window, blue-green waves rippling as they flow; Painful is the brocade quilt, its fragrance gone and chilling; Hateful is the western wind, its biting gusts are cutting; Mournful is the painted brow, its artist gone and missing; Woeful is the fallen bloom, its petals in mud and scattering. High in the heavens soaring, below the earth in Yellow Spring; How can I, this fortune-poor, cross paths with you once more; Ten miles of heartbreak and despair, before Buddha I utter a prayer; In midnight dreams show your trace, ashamed though I am to see your face.”

The song ended, and Ah Wu had not recovered yet. Wen-Mei, who was serving beside her, was already sobbing. When Ah Wu looked, she quickly wiped her tears. “This servant cannot help but…”

Not to mention Wen-Mei, even Ah Wu’s eye had a tear. The song might not have been particularly good, but sung by Mei-niang, it made one weep, as if experiencing the scene firsthand, lamenting the broken vows and the lonely grave.

“This song is unlike any other. Do you have the sheet music?” Ah Wu asked.

“It’s just something I sang offhand; there’s no fixed tune. Today I sing this tune; tomorrow I might change it,” Mei-niang said.

Ah Wu was speechless; it was the first time she’d heard someone sing like that. “It’s quite wonderful, but there’s a slight flaw. For example, your words ‘槛窗’ ^{(jian chuan)} are soaring high, reaching the clouds, and ‘碧波漫’ ^{(bi bo)} are too short and abrupt. Where’s the ‘漫’ ^(man)? I think you should revise it next time.”

“Please enlighten me, Your Highness,” Mei-niang said.

Ah Wu’s hands were itching. She followed He Chun-Shui in her pursuit of musical excellence, pouring her heart into the zither. She was also very particular about her craft, and she could not tolerate such a flaw in Mei-niang’s beautiful melody. So, without any modesty, she said, “Alright, I will try.”

“Wen-Mei, go to Yulan Hall and fetch my zither,” Ah Wu said, her words flowing freely. Since she was bored anyway, she could not wait to play the melody in her head.

A short while later, Ah Wu saw Wen-Mei return, but ahead of her walked another person—Chu Mao. Mei-niang quickly rose to greet him.

Chu Mao entered the Tianguang Pavilion and patted Ah Wu’s head, saying, “Why did you suddenly want to play the zither?”

Ah Wu was annoyed that Wen-Mei had to ask Chu Mao’s permission for everything; even fetching a zither required his approval.

“The weather is changing; it’s going to snow and wind. Shall I take you back inside? I’ve already asked Wen-Mei to prepare.” Chu Mao bent down and picked Ah Wu up.

Ah Wu did not struggle as usual. In front of Mei-niang, she did not dare embarrass Chu Mao, so she obediently let him carry her.

T/N: I did not translate the song lyrics to match Ah Wu’s comments on the song. When I translate poems (and sometimes songs), I cannot match the rhythm since English words can’t be strung up like that, even in poetry, and to accomplish it would truly be quite a skill. I try to find a rhythm and add rhymes.
So anyway, I left her comments as is. The original Chinese text for the song is as follows: 锁春愁北燕单飞，叹秋思孤月高悬。绮户翠楼，帘笼红芍，泪涟涟槛窗外碧波漫。愁的是锦被香冷，恨的是西风剪剪，悲的是画眉人不见，哀的是花泥零乱。上穷碧落下黄泉，没福怎能够见，十里断肠，佛前修念，午夜梦回羞见君颜。