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After Miss Li left, Madam Zheng said to her daughter and Chun Yun, "Our Zheng Family and the Cui Family are both well-known prominent families, with relatives numbering in the hundreds, if not a thousand. I have seen many beauties since childhood, but none can compare to this Miss Li! To speak impartially, her beauty is on par with my son. How wonderful it would be for such two beauties to be companions and become sisters!" Miss Zheng then expressed Chun Yun's earlier speculation: "I also feel that Miss Li does not seem like an ordinary girl from a common family. Her ethereal demeanor and dignified manner are unmatched by any ordinary girl. Although the one surnamed Qin has some talent, how could she compare? I have heard of Princess Lanyang's reputation; they say she is beautiful, kind-hearted, and talented. Looking at Miss Li's appearance, she is almost like Princess Lanyang." Madam Zheng replied, "I have not seen the princess, so I cannot comment. However, those in high positions often have a reputation that may not reflect their true nature. Who knows if she is like Miss Li?" Miss Zheng said, "I find this Miss Li quite peculiar. In a few days, I will send Chun Yun to investigate."
The next day, as Miss Zheng and Chun Yun were discussing Miss Li, they suddenly heard a maid from Miss Li announcing that "my lady will be taking a boat back to Zhe Dong tomorrow, so she has come today to bid farewell to you and the madam." Upon hearing this, Miss Zheng immediately ordered the hall to be cleaned in preparation for the visit. Soon after, Miss Li arrived gracefully, and Madam Zheng and Miss Zheng had already been waiting in the hall. The two young ladies met, held hands, and chatted warmly, unable to hide their feelings of parting; it was truly a deep sisterly bond, reminiscent of a righteous elder brother reluctantly parting from his beloved younger brother or a wandering traveler bidding farewell to a cherished friend.
Miss Li stood up and performed a deep bow to Madam Zheng, slowly saying, "Since I parted from my mother and elder brother and have been residing here for over a month now, my heart longs to return home. I truly do not wish to delay any longer. However, Madam has treated me with great kindness, and my sister has shown me deep affection; this gratitude and bond are like delicate silk threads that are hard to sever. Before I leave today, I have one request of my sister but fear she might refuse; thus, I first explain it to Madam." After saying this, Miss Li showed a troubled expression as if hesitant to continue. Seeing this, Madam Zheng asked, "What is it that requires my daughter’s assistance?" Miss Li replied, "To express my sorrow for my late father, I personally embroidered a portrait of Master of the South Sea which is now complete. However, my elder brother is far away on official duty; as a weak woman, I cannot find an appropriate scholar or gentleman to inscribe words on the portrait. It would be such a pity if it went unfinished. Therefore, I wish to ask my sister to write a few lines for me. The embroidery is quite large and difficult to carry around; moreover, I fear it may seem presumptuous if I bring it along without permission. So today I dared to come here to request my sister’s help in visiting my humble abode—this would fulfill my filial piety while also allowing us to resolve our feelings of parting."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng turned to Miss Zheng and said: "Although Miss Li is temporarily staying with her relatives here as a guest and should not disturb us too much; her request comes from genuine filial piety. Besides, her residence is not far from here; it would not be difficult for her to go quickly there and back." Initially hesitant about going herself, Miss Zheng thought about it again and felt secretly pleased: "This Miss Li has an unclear background and acts hastily; I was worried about not having an opportunity to investigate further. Now that she has invited me to her place voluntarily, isn’t this just the chance I need?" So she said to Madam Zheng: "If it were some trivial matter unrelated to anything important, I would naturally decline. But since Miss Li has such sincere filial intentions—witnessed by heaven and earth—how could I refuse? I think it would not be too late if we go after sunset." Hearing this response made Miss Li overjoyed; she stood up and thanked them: "If we wait until dark to go out, the light may be poor for writing. If you are worried about the distance being too far, although my sedan chair is simple, it can comfortably fit two people. Why don’t we share one sedan chair together? It would be even better if we return together at dusk."
Miss Zheng nodded in agreement: "Sister makes a good point." After thanking Madam Zheng again, Miss Li bid farewell to Chun Yun with reluctance and set off with Miss Zheng in the same sedan chair while several maids from the Zheng Residence closely followed behind.
Upon arriving at Miss Li's boudoir, Miss Zheng began examining her surroundings carefully; although there were not many furnishings in the room, each piece was exquisite. The food served appeared simple but was actually rare delicacies. Doubts crept into Miss Zheng's mind but she did not voice them. Miss Li did not mention the purpose of her invitation either; before long the sun began setting in the west. Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Miss Zheng asked: "Where is the Guanyin portrait kept? I would like to pay my respects."
Miss Li replied: "I will take you there right now." Just as she finished speaking, there was suddenly a commotion outside with loud hoofbeats; colorful banners obscured the sky above as they surrounded the courtyard tightly. A maid from the Zheng Residence rushed in anxiously reporting: "Miss! Miss! Many carriages have suddenly arrived outside and surrounded the courtyard! What is going on?" Although Miss Zheng had already guessed part of what was happening inside her heart, she remained calm on the surface. Seeing this situation unfold before her eyes made Miss Li smile reassuringly: "Sister need not panic; I am no ordinary person but rather His Majesty's sister—Princess Lanyang Xiao He. The reason for inviting you here today was indeed at Empress Dowager's behest."
Upon hearing this revelation from Princess Lanyang Xiao He, Miss Zheng quickly stood up from her seat and lowered her head saying: "I am of humble origins with limited experience but know that royal families possess extraordinary grace; seeing your Highness today is indeed an honor beyond measure! However, being unaware of proper etiquette earlier may have caused some rudeness; please forgive me." Before Princess Lanyang could respond further, another maid came forward reporting: "Your Highness! The Emperor has sent Wang Shanggong, Xue Shanggong, and Monk Palace here to pay their respects."
Princess Lanyang then turned back towards Miss Zheng saying: "Sister please wait here for a moment." With that said she rose up and headed towards the main hall. The three palace maids paid their respects before Princess Lanyang before reporting: "Your Highness has been away from the palace for many days now; Empress Dowager has been very concerned about you and specially sent us here for a visit while requesting you return home today. The carriage and escort have all been prepared by His Majesty who also ordered Eunuch Zhao to accompany you back." They continued: "Empress Dowager specifically instructed that you must return home with Miss Zheng."
Upon hearing this instruction from Empress Dowager regarding returning with Miss Zheng together made Princess Lanyang leave those three palace maids outside while turning back into the room saying: "Empress Dowager wishes to see you who is currently waiting in the palace; please do not decline any longer but accompany me into the palace." Knowing there was no way out of this situation anymore made Miss Zheng respond: "I am deeply honored by both your Highnesses’ kindness but as someone of lowly status who has never encountered such grandeur before—I fear making mistakes in etiquette which makes me feel uneasy."
Princess Lanyang smiled saying: "Empress Dowager wishes to see you just as much as I wish to meet you; there’s no need for you to worry too much." To which Miss Zheng replied: "Please go ahead first; allow me time at home to inform my mother before entering the palace later." Princess Lanyang responded: "Empress Dowager’s decree has already been issued ordering me along with you into the palace together so please do not refuse any longer."
Miss Zheng felt anxious saying: “As someone of lowly status how could I dare share a carriage with your Highness?” Princess Lanyang laughed saying: “In ancient times even King Wen of Zhou shared his carriage with Jiang Ziya by Wei River while one of the Four Young Masters during Warring States—Lord Xinling personally drove for Yi Men Jian Hou Ying—so long as one possesses virtue they should not differentiate based on status.” She continued pulling on Miss Zheng’s hand leading them both onto the carriage together.
Miss Zheng instructed one maidservant return home informing her mother while another followed along with herself into palace grounds whereupon they passed through Donghua Gate crossing numerous palace gates arriving outside palace doors whereupon both Princess Lanyang &Miss Zheng disembarked from their carriage addressing Wang Shanggong saying: “Lady Palace Master please stay here accompanying miss Zheng for just a moment.”
Wang Shanggong replied respectfully: “As commanded by your Highness Empress Dowager has already arranged accommodations for miss Zheng so please allow her some time for rest.” After hearing this Princess Lanyang happily entrusted miss Zheng into Wang Shanggong’s care before turning around entering inside meeting Empress Dowager.
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