Chapter 70: Expressing Love Amidst a Full House

Chapter 70: Expressing Love Amidst a Full House

"Xi Jiang Yue" (a classical Chinese musical piece)...

Xia Fu's lowered lashes trembled slightly, and her usually calm eyes momentarily surged with emotion.

That was the last time they met.

It was a day in mid-December, with heavy snow falling outside.

Outside the Cheng family estate in Hongnong, a patch of withered bamboo was planted. The bamboo stalks were bent under the weight of the snow, lying on the ground like small hills.

Her guqin table was positioned right by the window. She had already practiced seven times, and it was almost Hai hour. She couldn't bear to stop.

He sat beside her, dressed in a thick off-white robe with silver bamboo motifs embroidered along the edges, making his pale, aloof face appear exceptionally noble and handsome.

She didn't dare to look at him too much. His dark eyes were penetrating, as if a single glance from him could see through everything.

The fire in the charcoal stove by her feet was dying down. Cheng Mingyu, with a sigh, took a few pieces of charcoal from the iron bucket beside him and placed them into the stove. The stove immediately hissed, and the flames leaped up.

"Are you still playing?"

Xia Fu knew he was growing impatient, but she pressed her lips together and secretly smiled where he couldn't see, then nodded.

"Yes, I feel like something's off with my playing. It's missing something..."

"Master Cheng," she suddenly turned her gaze, her eyes as clear as autumn waters, softly gazing at him.

"Could you play a section for me to listen to?"

Earlier, he had casually strummed a few notes, and it sounded exceptionally beautiful, with an effortless, natural grace. It was the same set of strings, so why was the difference so vast? She wanted to hear a full section, and of course, she wanted to hear an entire piece, but she didn't dare to say so.

Gathering her courage, she stood up and moved aside, standing gracefully there, as if "forcing" him.

Cheng Mingyu glanced at her guqin, secretly unimpressed.

"If you like 'Xi Jiang Yue' so much, next time I'll bring the strings and play it for you."

Upon hearing this, a warm, lingering sensation blossomed in Xia Fu's heart.

She had heard that Master Cheng was exceptionally skilled in music and owned a one-of-a-kind Jiao Wei Qin (a highly prized ancient Chinese instrument). Such a person, using the finest strings, playing her favorite "Xi Jiang Yue"—just the thought of it made Xia Fu feel as if she were floating.

She stood by the window, lowering her eyes, holding back her joy as she nodded gently at him. "Mm, I see."

From the corner of her eye, she noticed he remained standing motionless. Xia Fu's gaze secretly drifted upward, and suddenly, their eyes met.

He was looking directly at her, as if asking why she was still hesitating.

Xia Fu's eyes darted around before she remembered the "main matter" between them. Flustered, she tapped her head, gathered her skirt, and hurried to the bed, her cheeks burning.

She had been so engrossed in playing the guqin that she had lost track of time.

It was so late, and he still had to return.

Xia Fu secretly pinched herself, walked to the four-poster bed, and noticed the interior was illuminated by the lanterns. Her face immediately flushed, and she quickly turned back to blow out the lamp.

Cheng Mingyu, who had been following her, almost bumped into her as she turned back.

He quickly turned aside, watching her hurriedly blow out the lamp, her clumsy movements making it seem as if they were engaging in a clandestine affair.

He shook his head helplessly.

Once the lamp was out, the room fell into darkness, and they both felt more at ease. Used to the dark, they easily found their way to the bed.

This time, he lingered longer than usual, the source seemingly inexhaustible, one stream after another soaking their clothes and bedding. She shyly covered her face in embarrassment.

He always reached the depths effortlessly, trying to control himself, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. Later, when she thought back on it, she was utterly mortified. Long after he left, she curled up in the covers, thinking, next time, next time she must be more reserved.

The next morning, she woke up feeling rather listless from exhaustion.

She thought it must be because they had stayed up late the previous night.

She had practiced the qin late, and he had taken his time, so they stayed up past midnight.

The old matron came to rouse her, and Xia Fu finally got up, still preoccupied with their appointment two days later. She didn't eat much breakfast and didn’t think much of it.

The weather was cold and the roads slippery, so the old mistress didn't make her go to pay her respects to the family elders.

She spent the day resting in the courtyard.

The next day, it was still snowing, and she burrowed deeper into the covers, even more unwilling to rise.

Looking forward to the arrival of the third day.

On that day, the heavens took pity at last, and the skies cleared.

When the old matron came to tend to her, she mentioned,

"Today, the family head has gone out, saying there's trouble at the estate and he needs to check on it."

A pang of disappointment hit her. Would he stand her up?

This feeling lingered until the afternoon when she suddenly vomited violently, thinking she had come down with something. She drank some hot water and warmed herself in the covers, but it eventually alarmed her mother-in-law, who, being prudent, brought the family doctor to check on her.

She glanced at the doctor and froze.

Then, as the doctor took her pulse, all she heard was "pregnant," and her mind went blank.

The old mistress wept with joy, hugging her and exclaiming,

"Good child, my dear, we've finally conceived, finally conceived, you won't have to suffer anymore..."

No more pain...

Xia Fu stood frozen in shock.

Even now, she couldn't describe how she felt at that moment.

She was held in the old mistress's arms, resting on her thin shoulder, and after a long pause, she smiled, "It's a happy event."

The north wind blew fiercely all night.

She sat at the qin table, staring at the moon gate, where snow-laden bamboo branches blocked the path he would have taken. She waited from the agreed-upon hour of Xu until Hai, her knees numb. The old matron who usually attended to her, heartbroken, wrapped a blanket around her and held her in her arms,

"No need to wait, the family head won't come."

Hot tears fell on the qin table, shattering into droplets.

"Once you are pregnant, we will never meet again."

"Very well, once I am with child, I will certainly not disturb the family head anymore."

Nineteen years had passed.

The familiar yet unfamiliar melody, like silk threads, crept into her limbs and bones, entwining around her heart.

Xia Fu shut her eyes tightly.

On the stage, Cheng Mingyu had already tuned the qin.

Princess Minglan turned toward the qin platform upon hearing he would play.

Apart from her feelings for this man, Cheng Mingyu was a master of music. His public performance on the qin was a sensory delight.

How could she miss such a grand occasion?

The female official repositioned the dining table, and Cheng Yian had to turn with her. In that brief moment, she glanced at Xia Fu across the room, who sat unmoving with the Yunnan King.

The opening notes were simple. Yet, the difference between a master and an ordinary person was clear. With just a few notes, Cheng Mingyu played with such fluidity that the melody glided past the ears like a wisp of smoke, effortlessly capturing everyone's heartstrings.

With just the opening, he displayed his natural brilliance.

Truly, a heavenly sound.

This was a well-known piece, celebrated by generations of music masters as one of the top ten famous compositions. It told the story of two childhood sweethearts who nurtured a secret love for each other. Before they could inform their parents and arrange a marriage, an imperial conscription order arrived, and the man, with his pack on his back, headed to the battlefield. Before leaving, the two pledged their love in a bamboo grove, promising to remain faithful for life. Unfortunately, three years later, news came that the man had died in battle, and the girl was given in marriage. Five more years passed, and the once impulsive youth had risen to become a great general.

When he returned home in triumph, the person he loved was already married. The once lively and graceful girl, now with a scarf wrapped around her head and a bundle in her arms, was working in the fields.

As their eyes met, only tears fell.

All the regrets were woven into the continuous wind and the gentle drizzle.

Cheng Mingyu did not express this sorrow with excessive grief. After the opening, a series of flowing notes followed. It was as if green bamboo swayed before one's eyes. Under the quiet window, the tea in the precious cauldron cooled around one's fingers. The qin's melody seemed to traverse mountains and rivers, carrying a faint sense of coolness and regret, easing the intense summer heat within the hall.

Princess Minglan's gaze lingered on those hands.

She wasn’t listening to the music or looking at the person—just those hands. Pale and slender, with distinct finger bones, the fingertips moved over the qin strings with ease, like a celestial being playing a game in the mortal world. A light pluck, and the colors of spring emerged.

Her gaze drifted upward to the crimson robe, adorned with a crane emblem. No one could wear an official robe so elegantly. He seemed born to be a clothes hanger, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The summer official robe, made of lightweight satin, fit him perfectly, clearly outlining his tall and refined figure.

The wide sleeves moving with the strings were like the wind in the forest, the rain in autumn, a vast mist over the Fuchun River, strolling leisurely.

Recalling why she had been captivated by Cheng Mingyu at first sight.

He possessed a natural beauty, unpolished, restrained and ascetic, like the snow on a mountain peak, the pine on the snow.

Many years had passed, and this man's charm was like a fine wine from a deep alley, becoming more captivating with time.

His qin, like the man himself, was not wild or unrestrained, but rather, it was the restraint pushed to its limit, with a light pluck, enough to stir the soul.

Meeting Cheng Lang was a lifelong mistake.

Princess Minglan laughed at herself mockingly.

Someone had lifted the bead curtain, allowing the women to clearly see that ethereal figure.

The hot summer wind swept in through the open hall, unable to melt the frost between his brows. In the plucking of the strings, there was a sense of profound understanding and calmness, as if he knew this was a solitary cry that would receive no response, a love that had come too late and remained unspoken, yet he could not help but retrace his steps, pouring it all into the qin.

The performance was so exquisite that one could hardly detect any trace of technical mastery, as if every note was born for him.

Shi Heng's wife, who has always admired Cheng Mingyu's calligraphy, remarked to Lady Qin beside her,

"A man like Cheng Mingyu is only suitable for idolizing. Which woman could calmly be his wife? No wonder he's a widower."

"Isn't that so? As long as Cheng Mingyu lives, the phrase 'peerless elegance' can only be applied to him."

Even Cheng Yiqiao, Cheng Mingyu's daughter who spends the most time with him, is completely captivated by her father,

"Elder sister, do you know what the greatest fortune of my life is? It is to be born as Father's daughter."

Cheng Yixin laughed, "It's also my greatest pride."

Since "Moon Over the West River" is a well-known melody, it means all skilled players present have played it. Kong Yunjie, the Minister of Rites, never opened his eyes from start to finish, even lightly tapping the table with his fingers, keeping time in his head, yet thinking, what does my nephew have to compare with Cheng Mingyu?

Lu Xusheng, who used to dislike the pretentiousness of scholars, was genuinely impressed by his father-in-law today.

Just as martial artists reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship, his father-in-law's skill with the qin is otherworldly.

Cheng Yiyan, behind him, pulled on his sleeve and whispered,

"What do you think, Shen Zhi? Having such a father-in-law, do you feel the pressure?"

Lu Xusheng calmly pointed towards Cheng Yian above,

"Look, everyone is listening to the qin, only she is being distracted. It seems my An An doesn't fall for this. An An still prefers someone like me, but you, brother-in-law, are different. With such a father, I think you are the one under immense pressure."

Cheng Yiyan smiled bitterly, for the first time admitting defeat in front of Lu Xusheng.

After speaking, Lu Xusheng looked towards Cheng Yian. Even he was captivated by his father-in-law's qin music, why did Cheng Yian seem so troubled?

Cheng Yian was probably the only one not paying attention to the music in the entire hall. For whom this tune was played, Cheng Yian had a suspicion.

Her father on the qin stage was completely absorbed in his instrument, but what about her mother?

She noticed Xia Fu's hands clasped together, her fingertips always covering the string of coral beads, without ever looking towards the stage.

In the atmosphere of a clear moon and gentle breeze, with magpies startled and cicadas chirping,

One sat at the qin stage, everyone else entranced, only he was sober.

One sat silently at the high seat, completely detached.

A wave of sorrow suddenly welled up in Cheng Yian's heart.

The Yunnan King had heard Xia Fu play the qin. If it was just a guess before, today, with Cheng Mingyu's performance, everything became clear.

Xia Fu was also fond of playing "Moon Over the West River."

Cheng Mingyu wasn't just celebrating the emperor's birthday; amidst the bustling crowd, he was conveying his secret love for Xia Fu.

Such a figure, such grace, wielding great influence and authority.

For a moment, the Yunnan King felt the urge to give in. Noticing Xia Fu's knuckles turning white and tense, he reached over, holding her cold, almost trembling hand, and whispered in a voice only they could hear,

"Ah Fu, if it comes down to it, you can take a concubine, and I will accept it."

Xia Fu was startled, her cheeks flushed as she wrenched her hand from his grasp, turning her face away to ignore him.

The piece entered its final section, with three heavy notes, transitioning from the initial high-pitched and intense grandeur to a restrained and controlled tone, until the final note was plucked, all regrets fading like soft moonlight sinking into the sea of clouds.

As the piece ended, the music's echoes lingered in the air.

For a long time, no one in the hall made a sound.

It was the Crown Prince who first clapped, and aside from the imperial family members, everyone stood up to bow and pay their respects to Cheng Mingyu.

Cheng Mingyu placed his hands on the strings, his emotions gradually calming, and he stilled the strings, bowing to the Emperor.

The Emperor, still immersed in the melody, applauded with a smile,

"What is this called? 'The guest's heart is washed by flowing water, the lingering sound enters the frosty bell.' Today's Cheng Mingyu is unmatched in grace, truly opening my eyes!"

Cheng Mingyu humbly deflected the compliment, then carried the Jiao Wei Qin off the stage. When handing the strings to the eunuch, perhaps because the Jiao Wei Qin was quite old, one of the strings snapped and struck his finger, and a drop of blood slid down the back of his hand. The eunuch was startled, assuming he had mishandled it, but Cheng Mingyu calmly pressed the wound and signaled for the eunuch to step back.

This action was caught by the Yunnan King, who curled his lip,

"Why did that string snap on the back of his hand? He might as well have just slit his throat."

Xia Fu shot him a glare.

The Yunnan King chuckled awkwardly, "Just kidding, just kidding."

The female official rearranged the dining table, and Cheng Yian, seeing Princess Minglan lost in thought, became worried.

"Your Highness?" she gently tugged at Princess Minglan's sleeve.

Princess Minglan glanced at her and smiled wryly,

"An An, I’ve really moved on now."

Cheng Yian was still somewhat incredulous, having seen her so infatuated earlier, fearing she might fall back into her old ways and pursue her father once more.

"Have you really moved on?"

Princess Minglan subtly glanced at Xia Fu and said softly to Cheng Yian,

"Because his heart is set on someone else."

Cheng Yian was shocked, not daring to look at her mother across the room, and stammered, "You could hear that in his music?"

Princess Minglan did not respond.

Only those who have suffered understand the sting of bitterness.

Cheng Mingyu's music echoed with the ache of unrequited love.

In the past, she had thought he was solely devoted to the nation and its people, incapable of romantic love. Princess Minglan had loved him openly, but now that she knew his heart was set on someone else, holding on would be futile.

When the conch shell's sound was sent to Northern Qi for Princess Mingyue, perhaps she too would find solace.

The moonlight shines on the dark canal, but his heart is not like hers.

The banquet buzzed with activity again, with officials coming in small groups to toast the Emperor. Cheng Mingyu silently stemmed the bleeding, and a eunuch, taking the opportunity to pour him a drink, whispered something in his ear. Cheng Mingyu's expression changed, and he cast a glance at the Empress Dowager seated above.

At that moment, the Empress Dowager also ceremoniously lifted her cup to the Emperor. Seeing the Empress Dowager's gentle demeanor, the Emperor grew more and more unsettled. Sure enough, not long after, as the banquet was in full swing, a eunuch abruptly showed up at the doorway.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Huang Zheng, the head eunuch of the Eastern Depot, seeks an audience."

Huang Zheng is loyal to the Empress Dowager.

The Emperor frowned, "I am hosting a banquet. Any matters can wait."

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Huang Zheng is the most reliable in handling affairs. He wouldn’t interrupt unless it were urgent."

The Emperor replied with displeasure, "Empress Dowager, the envoys are present."

But the Empress Dowager would not yield.

Her eyes made it clear: if the Emperor refused, she wouldn’t hesitate to cause a scene.

The Emperor restrained himself, "Let him in."

Moments later, Huang Zheng entered with someone, bowed, and then pointed at the Yunnan King.

"Your Majesty, the Yunnan King has deceived the throne and stolen another man’s wife. I request Your Majesty's wise judgment."

The moment these words were spoken, the entire hall was stunned.

The Emperor glanced at the Yunnan King and his consort, then at Huang Zheng, immediately grasping the situation. He said sternly,

"What nonsense is this!"

Huang Zheng pulled the kneeling man to his feet, "Your Majesty, the Yunnan King's consort is not named Xia Lan, but Xia Fu. She was Cheng Mingyou’s wife, not the Yunnan King’s consort."

Cheng Mingyou looked up under the dazzling lights, his gaze locked onto Xia Fu beside the Yunnan King, his eyes filled with longing.

"Fu Er..."

Below the stage, Cheng Mingyu stared at Cheng Mingyou’s gaunt face, his expression icy.

The Eastern Depot’s men had secretly arrived at the Cheng family estate the night before, forcibly bringing Cheng Mingyou back to the capital under the Empress Dowager's decree. The shadow guards had pursued them relentlessly, and the news reached the palace just as Cheng Mingyou arrived.

The Empress Dowager’s plan was to sever ties between the Yunnan King’s palace and the Lu Duke’s mansion, and also to deal with the Cheng family.

The Empress Dowager said nonchalantly,

"Your Majesty, let Cheng Mingyou come up and identify her. If it’s a mistake, it’s just a misunderstanding—no harm done. If it’s true, we shouldn’t ruin a marriage, should we?"

Cheng Yian was seething with anger, looking at Xia Fu across from her. Xia Fu remained calm, offering her a reassuring glance.

The Yunnan King’s lips curled into a cold smile. He stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager,

"Empress Dowager, your words leave me baffled. My consort is from Miaojiang; we’ve known each other since we were children. How could she be someone else's wife?"

The Empress Dowager smiled,

"That’s precisely why we need to clarify this. Cheng Mingyou, step forward. I’ll support you."

Cheng Mingyou, following the Empress Dowager's order, slowly stood up and walked up the steps step by step.

It had been over twenty years; he and Fu Er had been separated for more than two decades.

She looked just as beautiful as he remembered... Cheng Mingyou’s eyes welled up as he murmured to Xia Fu,

"Fu Er, I'm sorry, it's my fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone at home back then..."

Xia Fu sat upright, slowly shifting her gaze toward him. Whether it was the passage of time that had blurred his face beyond recognition, or because she had long since erased this person from her mind, she could no longer remember his appearance.

Cheng Mingyou felt like a complete stranger to her.

Fleeting, fragmented memories flashed through her mind—laughter, some sweet moments—but now, they stirred no ripples in her heart.

Xia Fu's expression was unnaturally calm.

As he ascended the first step, moving closer to Xia Fu, the Yunnan King rose with a menacing grin, cracking his knuckles as he barred Cheng Mingyou's way.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager immediately frowned. "Yunnan King, do you dare to defy my command?"

The Yunnan King disregarded the Empress Dowager's words and unceremoniously kicked Cheng Mingyou down the steps.

Everyone was taken aback, stunned by the Yunnan King's boldness.

The Empress Dowager's face darkened as she abruptly rose to her feet. "Yunnan King, how dare you behave so insolently!"

The Yunnan King turned leisurely, bowed to the Emperor, and then offered a smile to the Empress Dowager.

"Empress Dowager, as the nation's mother, surely you grasp the principles of human ethics?" He pointed at Xia Fu and said,

"What man in this world would willingly let others meddle in his wife's affairs?"

"I will say this one last time, Empress Dowager. My wife, Xia Lan, comes from Miaojiang. She is the niece of my mother's family and has been my childhood sweetheart. I took her as my concubine, and after my late wife's death, I elevated her to my official consort. If you doubt me, feel free to investigate in Yunnan, instead of distorting the truth here and interfering in your subjects' private matters."

At this moment, Cheng Mingyou, disregarding his pain, scrambled to his feet and eagerly climbed up.

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, I am certain. She is my wife, Xia Fu, not the consort of the Yunnan King!"

"Fu Er, look at me. We first met at the Minglan Bridge in Suzhou. It was raining that day, and you had forgotten your umbrella. I was smitten at first sight and wished to escort you home, but you refused and ran into a shop to hide from me. Don't you remember?"

Cheng Mingyu shut his eyes tightly, then abruptly stood and bowed to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, my clansman has disgraced Your Majesty's birthday banquet. I am deeply mortified. Please entrust him to me for discipline. I will take him back and discipline him properly."

The Empress Dowager seemed to have been waiting for Cheng Mingyu to appear. Hearing this, she suddenly smiled.

"Oh, by the way, head of the Cheng family, if I remember correctly, you should also know Xia Fu. Why don't you come forward and take a look?"

Cheng Mingyu's pupils narrowed sharply. In his peripheral vision, the figure was entirely blocked by the Yunnan King, as if to shield her from view.

Cheng Yian could no longer bear to listen. She stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, even if my mother were alive, she would have no connection to Cheng Mingyou! My mother has already divorced him."

This was what Cheng Mingyou hated the most. He pointed at Cheng Mingyu and shouted,

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, I have been wronged! Cheng Mingyu has monopolized power and forced me to divorce my late wife..."

Before he could finish, a figure swiftly approached and stepped on his throat, forcing Cheng Mingyou to swallow his words. Lu Xusheng straightened his robe and addressed the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, this man is causing a scene in court, showing great disrespect to Your Majesty. I request that he be punished."

Just as the Emperor was about to speak, the Empress Dowager beside him shouted fiercely,

"I dare anyone to touch him!"

The Empress Dowager's expression turned grim as she looked at the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I believe this matter concerns the Yunnan King's palace and is a matter of state. We must handle it carefully and investigate it thoroughly."

"If the Yunnan King's consort is indeed Xia Fu, then she should return to the fourth branch of the Cheng family and become Cheng Mingyou's wife."

Cheng Yian, furious, immediately knelt before the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Empress, the divorce agreement between my mother and Cheng Mingyou is still in the mansion. If the Empress Dowager doubts me, I will have someone fetch it right away."

The emperor could see right through the Empress Dowager's ploy to use Cheng Mingyou to stir up trouble, causing chaos among the imperial faction.

"Empress Dowager, today is my birthday celebration. You've turned a private matter into a public scandal. Are you really investigating the Yunnan King's palace, or are you just trying to oppose me?"

The Empress Dowager smiled, "Your Majesty, as the ruler, shouldn't you step in when your subjects are wronged and forced into divorce?"

At this moment, Cheng Mingyu pointed out sharply,

"Empress Dowager, the divorce agreement between Cheng Mingyou and Xia Fu was personally drafted by his mother, the mistress of the fourth branch of the Cheng family. Every member of the Cheng family can vouch for this. In marriage, it's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words that matter. The marriage was arranged by the mistress, and the divorce was also decided by her. Are you saying a son can go against his mother's wishes?"

The Empress Dowager was visibly shaken.

"The Great Jin Dynasty rules with filial piety. Does the Empress Dowager's actions today imply that all sons can disobey their parents from now on?"

This left the Empress Dowager at a loss for words.

Cheng Mingyou tried to argue, but Lu Xusheng firmly held him down with his foot.

Cheng Yian, relieved, looked at the upright man below and said to the Empress Dowager,

"If the Empress Dowager still doubts me, I'll go to the fourth branch of the Cheng family and bring my grandmother to testify."

The Empress Dowager still refused to let go and said to the emperor, "But the matter of the palace must be thoroughly investigated by Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Xia Fu suddenly stood up and smiled,

"Your Majesty and Empress, there is no need to investigate. I will show you the truth now."

The emperor was puzzled and looked at her suspiciously, "What do you mean, Consort?"

Xia Fu walked around the long table and stood at the steps before the Empress Dowager. She first apologized to the emperor,

"May I ask Your Majesty to allow me to perform a short act?"

The emperor, unsure what she was up to, nodded, "Go ahead."

Then, Xia Fu pressed a ring on her hand, and suddenly, a stunning little green snake shot out from her sleeve, twisting in the air with an incredibly lively dance, and then coiled around the lantern above.

The Empress was so scared that she leaned on her female official, and the Empress Dowager's heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

Xia Fu gently hushed, and the small green snake immediately retreated back into her sleeve. Everyone in the room gasped in shock.

Xia Fu smiled at the Empress Dowager, "I am from Miaojiang. Do you believe me now, Your Majesty?"

The Empress Dowager, still stunned, pursed her lips and stayed silent.

Though the Empress Dowager's antics had really ticked off the emperor, he saw a chance and decided to take down her lackeys.

"Huang Zheng, for ruining my birthday celebration, you deserve death. Guards, take him away and lock him up. He'll be executed in three days!"

"As for Cheng Mingyou, I leave him to you, Cheng Mingyu, to deal with."

"As you command."

The Empress Dowager tried to intervene, but the Emperor stormed out of the banquet in a rage.

Once he left, the Empress and Prince Ning took charge of the situation. Prince Ning ushered the envoys to an adjacent hall to continue the festivities, while the Empress instructed the ladies to stroll around and watch the fireworks and lanterns in the evening.

Qionghua Island has dozens of houses, with pavilions and terraces densely distributed along the pond. Leaving Guanghan Hall, the lush trees provided ample shade, perfect for sightseeing and escaping the heat.

However, the Yunnan King excused himself from the evening banquet, citing his wife's distress.

He steered clear of the crowd, bypassing the Taiye Bridge. Instead, he planned to exit the imperial city through the Sheshan Gate to the north. The banquet was packed with attendees that day, and even though he encountered some ladies on the way, they all kept their distance due to Xia Fu's earlier performance, and no one dared to look at her.

It was the peak of the afternoon, with the sun blazing relentlessly. Xia Fu, frail as she was, quickly grew winded after a short walk.

The Yunnan King escorted her to a pavilion near the Taiye Pond to rest.

The secluded spot ensured they wouldn't be disturbed.

After a brief wait, the Yunnan King saw Cheng Yian catching up and felt relieved. Pointing to Xia Fu, he said to her,

"An An, I leave your mother to you. I have some business to attend to."

Cheng Yian, concerned, hurried over to steady her mother, "You can leave without worry."

However, Xia Fu frowned and asked the Yunnan King,

"Where are you going?"

The Yunnan King didn't look at her and strode forward, "An An, once your mother has rested, take her home. Don't wait for me."

He was hell-bent on making Cheng Mingyou pay.

What kind of scoundrel dares to confront Xia Fu? Isn't he afraid of embarrassing himself?

The Yunnan King returned to Guanghan Hall and summoned a eunuch, asking, "Where is Cheng Mingyu?"

The eunuch at the door cowered at his menacing presence and pointed in the direction of the Taiye Bridge, "He headed in that direction."

The Yunnan King pushed the eunuch aside and strode towards the Taiye Bridge. He pursued him all the way to Chongguang Hall, where he caught up with Cheng Mingyu. Cheng Mingyu had Cheng Mingyou in tow and was about to leave. The Yunnan King called out to him in time,

"Cheng Mingyu, hand him over to me—I'll handle him."

Cheng Mingyu had expected the Yunnan King to come, so he wasn't walking fast.

When Cheng Mingyou saw the Yunnan King approaching, he spat out the gag in his mouth and glared at the two of them, saying hatefully,

"Yunnan King, you can deceive others, but not me. Xia Lan is Fu Er. Yunnan King, do you know what relationship Cheng Mingyu has with Fu Er? Let me tell you, Cheng Mingyu also covets Fu Er and wants to take her for himself. Don't fall for his act!"

The Yunnan King glanced at Cheng Mingyu, who remained expressionless, showing no emotion.

He lunged forward and kicked Cheng Mingyou in the chest, then grabbed him from the eunuch's hands and slammed him hard to the ground,

"You scoundrel, with your despicable character, how dare you think you're worthy of marrying Ah Fu? Not to mention anything else, Ah Fu was mourning for you at home, while you were out there indulging in pleasures. How dare you call her your wife?"

"If I don't make you pay for Ah Fu's sake, I'd be failing her after your audacity today!"

Cheng Mingyou's hands were tied, and he writhed in pain on the ground. His face was pale, drenched in sweat, and he glared at the Yunnan King with defiance.

"You idiot, why are you taking it out on me? Why don’t you deal with Cheng Mingyu? Ask him what his intentions are. Has he stayed single all these years because he's still hung up on Fu Er?"

Fed up with his rambling, the Yunnan King kicked him square in the back of the head, knocking him out cold. With the noise gone, the Yunnan King dusted off his hands and motioned for the eunuch to haul the man away. He then glanced at Cheng Mingyu with a smile,

"Lord Cheng, your performance of 'Moon Over the West River' was quite moving, I must say. Too bad Ah Fu plays it better. And even worse, you'll never hear her play it."

Cheng Mingyu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unchanged, and simply instructed, "Take him out of the palace and handle it."

"No need to tell me," the Yunnan King snorted lightly and left with the man.

Cheng Mingyu waited until he was far away, then immediately turned and headed towards the She Shan Gate.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yian had been keeping Xia Fu company in the pavilion for some time.

"The prince must be dealing with Cheng Mingyou," Xia Fu sighed, lowering her eyes to fiddle with the coral bracelet. "That's just how he is."

Cheng Yian glanced at her wrist, "Mom, where's your snake? Did you tuck it away?"

Xia Fu teased her, "Scared?"

"Yeah," Cheng Yian said with a pout.

Xia Fu went to pinch her cheek, but Cheng Yian giggled and ducked, plopping down across from her.

Xia Fu pointed to the silver bracelet inlaid with turquoise on her wrist, "It's tucked away in here. As long as I don't let it out, you're safe."

Cheng Yian still kept her distance, sticking her tongue out at her.

Just then, a clear voice called out from the waterside pavilion nearby,

"An An."

Cheng Yian recognized it as Cheng Yiqiao's voice and immediately stood up, leaning against the pillar to look over,

"Sis!"

Cheng Yiqiao and Cheng Yixin were also on their way back. The sun was blazing, so they'd stopped to rest and spotted Cheng Yian with the Yunnan King's consort from afar. Maybe wary of the snake, the sisters kept their distance, merely curtsying to Xia Fu from where they stood.

"Our respects to the consort."

With other ladies present, it wasn't proper to approach.

Cheng Yian waved at them, and Xia Fu smiled,

"Go on, say hi. I'll just hang out here for a bit."

Cheng Yian hadn't seen her sisters in days, and since Cheng Yixin hardly ever went out, she was eager to catch up,

"Wait up, I'll be back in a flash."

Xia Fu nodded.

As the sun dipped low, painting the waterside in golden light, Xia Fu shifted from the waterside to the pavilion's table and chairs. The warm river breeze and the sunlight dancing on the glittering water were almost blinding.

The quiet was overwhelming, and Xia Fu found herself replaying the melody in her head, a shadowy figure flickering at the edge of her thoughts.

Maybe it was the drowsiness, but her thoughts grew fuzzy, and she thought she heard someone call, "Xia Fu."

It sounded just like the family head's voice.

Xia Fu thought she was imagining things until a cool scent washed over her, and she spun around to meet Cheng Mingyu's piercing gaze.