Chapter 2: Must Meet Someone

The blazing glow reflected outside the window, presenting an endless expanse of dazzling red.

Liu Shunhua abruptly sat up from bed and ran barefoot out of the room, rushing down the stone steps.

“Quick, put out the fire…” Before she could finish speaking, Liu Shunhua suddenly halted.

Above the blue tiled flying eaves, the crimson sun was rising like a thousand zhang scarlet silk, brilliant as an embroidered screen.

The magnificent morning light swept past the pavilion, falling upon the fresh green of the tall osmanthus tree beneath the corridor, while camellias bloomed vibrantly throughout the courtyard.

It wasn’t a fire.

This wasn’t the Prime Minister’s residence either, but rather… the Liu residence.

Liu Shunhua’s mind was in a daze. Hadn’t she already jumped into the sea of flames? How had she returned to the Liu residence?

The cold stone steps chilled her to the bone, making Liu Shunhua shiver involuntarily.

Was this not a dream?

Fangcao was humming a song as she entered the courtyard carrying a bamboo basket, from which protruded a freshly picked pink peony.

“Young mistress, you’re awake. Why aren’t you wearing shoes? Be careful not to catch cold.” Fangcao placed the bamboo basket under the corridor and began guiding Liu Shunhua back inside.

Liu Shunhua murmured: “Fangcao?”

Fangcao had grown up with her since childhood and had continued to accompany her after she married into the Prime Minister’s residence.

During those three years in the Prime Minister’s residence, to protect her, Fangcao had become sharp tongued, readily placing hands on hips to argue with others at the slightest disagreement, the former innocence in her brows long worn away.

But the Fangcao before her now was smiling cheerfully, her plump face still bearing traces of childishness clearly her appearance from three years ago.

Seeing Liu Shunhua’s dazed expression and unmoving stare, Fangcao anxiously reached to feel her forehead: “Has young mistress had a nightmare? I said you shouldn’t have stayed up until midnight playing with Second Young Lady, but you wouldn’t listen.”

Second Young Lady she meant Tanghua. Tanghua was still alive.

How was this possible? Her younger sister, the former Empress Tanghua, had clearly fallen ill and died within the palace walls.

Liu Shunhua’s head throbbed with pain, her voice choked with emotion, “Tanghua, Tanghua.”

Fangcao looked at Liu Shunhua and said: “Young Master Sun’s wedding Second Young Lady went with Aunt Sun to attend the ceremony. They left early this morning and won’t return until tomorrow. Have you forgotten?”

Young Master Sun’s wedding that was something that happened many years ago.

Liu Shunhua vaguely remembered that at the time, she had been playful and had gone along with Aunt Sun.

The cool breeze outside brought some clarity to Liu Shunhua’s consciousness. Shaking off the chaotic memories in her mind, she asked: “What year and month is it now?”

Fangcao looked bewildered, staring at Liu Shunhua: “The sixth year of Da’an Yuanshi, the second day of the third month.”

A roaring sound filled Liu Shunhua’s mind. The sixth year of Yuanshi she was only sixteen, not yet married into the Prime Minister’s residence.

She had truly returned to three years ago.

This meant that all those events from her previous life hadn’t happened yet, and there was still time to change everything.

Liu Shunhua tightly grasped Fangcao’s arm, “This is wonderful, truly wonderful.”

Though Fangcao didn’t understand what was so wonderful, her young mistress indeed looked much better.

Liu Shunhua stepped out into the courtyard, gazing at every plant and tree, all familiar sights, her heart inevitably stirred.

Eagerly, she passed through the winding corridor and ran toward the study. Through the dense green banana leaves, she spotted her father standing with bowed head beneath the window.

During the early days after marrying into the Prime Minister’s residence, she had occasionally returned home for visits.

But later, those events had occurred, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted.

Especially during her final days in the Prime Minister’s residence, when she had fallen ill and become terribly emaciated.

Not wanting to worry her father, she hadn’t dared to return home. Calculating carefully, it had been nearly a year since she last saw her father.

Liu Shunhua suddenly halted her steps, gazing timidly at her father’s figure.

She hadn’t noticed before, but strands of white had begun to appear in his hair at some point.

As if hearing movement, Master Liu instinctively looked up and spotted Liu Shunhua standing outside the window.

His previously furrowed brow instantly smoothed as Liu Feng set down his brush and smiled at her. “Why are you standing outside, afraid to come in? Did you cause trouble again?”

Unable to hold back any longer, Liu Shunhua lifted her skirt and rushed into the room, throwing her arms around her father as she burst into sobs.
Liu Feng was taken aback but patted her back gently. “What’s wrong? Who bullied our Zhenzhen? Tell your father, and I’ll make it right.”

During her three years in the Prime Minister’s residence, Liu Shunhua had suffered greatly. She longed to pour out the hardships of her past life to her father but ultimately held back.

It was all just a dream why trouble him with needless worry?

Wiping her tears, Liu Shunhua shook her head, her voice still choked. “I just… feel wronged.”

“Our Zhenzhen is the jewel of the Liu family. Who would dare wrong you?”

The voice was steady, yet tinged with a hint of teasing.

Liu Shunhua looked up to see her elder brother, Liu Huan’an, smiling at her.

Liu Huan’an and Liu Shunhua were born of the same mother and shared about seventy to eighty percent resemblance. Dressed in a stone blue robe without any extra adornments, he possessed a handsome, jade like countenance and striking features that radiated vigor.

Gazing at her spirited brother, Liu Shunhua felt dazed.

Two years after her marriage into the Prime Minister’s residence, her brother had thoroughly offended the Prime Minister’s household because of her and Tanghua, facing relentless ostracism in court.

She still remembered the last time she saw him.

Beneath a tall parasol tree, he sat despondently, drinking alone.

Sparse shadows flickered across his blue robe, making Liu Shunhua’s eyes ache.

Unsure how to comfort him, she simply sat and drank with him, cup after cup, until dusk settled and the world grew dim.

Her eyes stung with tears. “Elder Brother.”

Liu Huan’an had meant to tease her, but seeing her like this, he grew flustered. “What’s wrong, little sister?”

Having cried her emotions out, Liu Shunhua had mostly recovered. To avoid raising suspicion, she adopted her old, playful manner from home and looked up, declaring, “Father and Brother don’t love me anymore. You used to give me lotus seed cakes, but it’s been so long since I’ve had any. Clearly, I’m no longer in your hearts.”

Hearing this, Liu Huan’an laughed again. “You little glutton, so that’s what this is about. You’re a grown girl now, crying over a few cakes.”

Liu Feng also relaxed, soothing her softly, “His Majesty has been unwell lately, and court affairs have kept me tied up. Your brother has been busy too we’ve neglected you. Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to buy some right away.”

At this, Liu Shunhua was reminded of past events.

With the Emperor ill, Prime Minister He was overseeing court affairs. The Prince of Pingyang, already resentful of He’s monopoly on power, constantly challenged him. When the Prince tried to secure a marquis title for his eldest son in law, Prime Minister He rejected the request, deepening their enmity. The ill fated lovers, He Xuanhui and Liu Danrou, were forced apart because of this. And she, by sheer coincidence, ended up married into the Prime Minister’s residence.

Court officials fought among themselves, yet she, a mere nobody, became a casualty. Recalling her past life, Liu Shunhua couldn’t help but sigh.

“What a promising nephew you are, truly living up to your Second Uncle’s expectations all these years.”

The visitor entered directly without waiting to be announced.

Upon seeing who it was, Liu Shunhua inwardly scoffed.

In her previous life, when Tanghua was still the empress, this second uncle had flaunted his connection to her at every opportunity.

Later, when Tanghua lost power and passed away in the palace, with the He family pressing step by step, he was the first to cut ties with their family to avoid being implicated.

During those days when her elder brother was depressed and unfulfilled, this uncle never missed a chance to mock him.

She bowed slightly and said indifferently, “Greetings, Second Uncle.”

Liu Xin gave a perfunctory nod, then turned to Liu Huan’an with a smile. “I heard you’ve been personally appointed by His Majesty as the Assistant Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. When were you granted an audience with the Emperor? Why didn’t you mention it?”

She remembered this appointment of her brother. The county captain he had previously assisted had been promoted and recommended him before the Emperor. Shortly after her brother’s audience with the Emperor, the appointment was issued. When she returned with Tanghua from the Sun family and heard the news, she had pestered her brother for extra pocket money and bought many trinkets.

Anticipating that her second uncle would engage her brother in a long conversation, Liu Shunhua found an excuse to leave.

Liu Huan’an stopped her and handed her an invitation. “This just came from the Changling Marquis residence, inviting us to view flowers at their estate tomorrow.”

At this time in her previous life, she hadn’t been home. She never knew the Changling Marquis residence had sent an invitation.

She suddenly recalled seeing Li Jifang, the heir of Changling Marquis residence, in He Xuanhui’s study.

The Changling Marquis residence likely sided with Chancellor He.

Their sending an invitation now seemed more complicated than mere courtesy.

Liu Shunhua took the invitation and opened it. Her gaze fell on the words “Shangsi Festival.”

Suddenly, she remembered something extremely important.

The second day of the third month, the eve of the Shangsi Festival.

She had to meet someone if she missed this chance, she might never get another.

In her previous life, Liu Shunhua had lived in constant frustration.

Her husband only had eyes for his beloved, her mother in law despised her for failing to keep her son close, and her sister in law looked down on her for being too uncouth for her brother.

In the Chancellor’s residence, she was isolated and helpless, finding every step difficult.

Only her brother in law, He Xuandu, treated her as both teacher and friend.

He taught her to read and write, imparting knowledge even her father and brother never had.

Over three years, she read all the books He Xuandu selected for her.

Through them, she discovered majestic mountains and vast rivers, the waxing and waning of sun and moon, the cycle of seasons, the turbulence of life, and the vicissitudes of the world.

Only then did she realize her life had been that of a frog in a well.

She wanted to break free, to see the magnificent world beyond, rather than remain trapped in domestic squabbles.

He nurtured hope within her amidst the mire of the Chancellor’s residence, like a lotus rising from mud, its bud beginning to bloom.

He Xuandu was the sliver of heavenly light that pierced her dark chamber.

She remembered He Xuandu loved admiring flowers, especially peach blossoms. Every year on the eve of the Shangsi Festival, he would go out to gather a few branches.

Since He Xuandu had limited mobility and rarely went out, this was an excellent opportunity to see him, one Liu Shunhua naturally didn’t want to miss.

Soon, soft rustling sounds filled the eastern wing of the Liu family’s rear courtyard, continuous as rain falling on spring grass.

After changing three or four sets of clothing, Liu Shunhua finally settled on an elegant moon white silk curved hem robe.

He Xuandu preferred simplicity dressing like this might make him glance her way more.

After sending Fangcao away on an errand, Liu Shunhua hurried to the Chancellor’s residence.

In her previous life, after marrying into the Chancellor’s household, she rarely left the compound due to restrictions imposed by the Chancellor’s wife. Whenever she returned to the Liu residence, she traveled by sedan chair. Thus, after three years in the Chancellor’s residence, she remained completely unfamiliar with the surroundings outside its walls.

She only remembered one time when her sedan chair passed beyond the high walls of the Chancellor’s manor. A southern breeze lifted the curtain, and she seemed to catch sight of an ancient willow tree, centuries old.

Following the ancient willow, she arrived at the entrance of the Chancellor’s manor.

With the Shangsi Festival approaching, the streets were bustling with vibrant colors and lively crowds. Half hidden beneath the willow tree, she didn’t attract much attention.

For the first time, Liu Shunhua observed the familiar mansion from an outsider’s perspective.
The Chancellor’s manor was imposing and majestic, with formidable stone lions guarding the entrance and towering walls that exuded grandeur and solemnity. Through the dense ancient woods, layers of pavilions could be glimpsed, their lofty roofs soaring into the sky, opulent and extravagant, inspiring awe in all who beheld them.

Outwardly resplendent, yet inwardly it seethed with sordid schemes and foul corruption.

If not for the chance to see He Xuandu, she would never have set foot in such a place again.

Staring at the vermilion gate before her, the image of that solitary figure surfaced in her mind once more.

Suddenly, she recalled the last time she had seen He Xuandu. He sat in a wheelchair, quietly trimming an overhanging flower branch, and remarked indifferently, “Some vulnerabilities and idle fancies are nothing but superfluous burdens. They should be cast aside when the time comes.”

Vulnerabilities? Idle fancies?

She didn’t know whether He Xuandu was referring to her or to himself, but an inexplicable sense of guilt washed over her.

To her, He Xuandu was like the moon in the sky visible yet forever out of reach.

He always maintained an air of detachment, seemingly without desires or wants, and she could never see through him.

Yet the more elusive he was, the more she yearned to understand him.

She wanted to know what He Xuandu truly sought.

Alas, the twenty year old He Xuandu was already dead, and she would never have the chance to ask.

But fortunately, the sixteen year old He Xuandu still remained.

Liu Shunhua pondered silently, wondering what the sixteen year old He Xuandu would be like.

She waited until late morning but still did not catch a glimpse of He Xuandu.

A sense of loss weighed heavily on Liu Shunhua; it seemed her efforts today had been in vain. Just as she was about to turn away, the heavy sound of the gate opening echoed beside her.

Liu Shunhua lifted her gaze as the vermilion gate slowly swung open. Two young servants escorted someone out.

Countless willow tendrils swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze, rippling with the radiance of spring, their dance captivating and enchanting.

Through the thick shade, she saw He Xuandu.