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墨書 Inktalez
One night, for some unknown reason, I suddenly recalled a phrase I had seen long ago, as if in a past life: "The splendor of the world is the strife of life, evoking both awe and fear." The struggles of women in the imperial harem unfold in the most magnificent and grand place of this world—the emperor's palace, the closest place to the emperor himself.
Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had not entered the palace and how things would be with Brother Sima now. Once I entered the palace, I naturally could no longer be as naive as before, still pondering who Brother Sima truly was. Upon entering, Head of the Family and Yun Ying repeatedly reminded me that the person named Sima Rui was the Current Emperor. My ignorance of history gradually began to clear away like layers of fog.
The surname of the Eastern Jin royal family is Sima. Thus, Brother Sima must also be of royal blood. I suspect Yun Ying has known this for a long time but has never told me why. From Brother Sima's innate aura of authority, he must surely be a prince or someone of similar stature. I should ask Yun Ying to find out if there is a handsome and charismatic prince just like Brother Sima. Heh, then I could ask him for help on how to get me out of this palace; it’s so boring here.
I have to listen daily to various scandals about the Consorts vying for favor. Today, Consort Wang deliberately danced in the Imperial Garden and was coincidentally seen by the emperor passing by; that night, he favored her. A beauty from an ordinary background even set up a swing near the White Flower Grove where the emperor frequently appeared, swinging under the scorching sun while singing sweetly. The emperor praised her voice as melodious as a lark and personally brought her down from the swing, favoring her that night... Various tricks and schemes abound; these women truly... Is this not a tragedy for women in this era? Relying on men, who are seen as heaven and earth—the only gods.
After several days of hard work, I finally completed this month's tasks. Little Seven had already found someone to move around in the palace for me. However, I still haven't told him my true identity as a woman—not because I'm intentionally hiding it from him, but simply because it's not yet time to reveal it. He believes that I am just here to serve for a while, and knowing his intelligence, he would surely have doubts. Yet his unconditional trust in me is a sign of respect for a master; I know that even if he has suspicions in his heart, he won't investigate further. This is Little Seven, who has always followed me like family.
Feeling inexplicably restless, while Yun Ying was napping and Xiao Quanzi was out looking for companions to play with, I decided to take a walk alone, choosing those secluded and inconspicuous places. I certainly did not want to encounter the currently favored Wang Dieyi or Huan Shuangshuang—not because I feared their mockery or ridicule but because it was best to avoid unnecessary trouble. Moreover, having just provoked an unknown Little Benefactor, I couldn't believe he would let me off after what happened last time. So for my own safety, it was best to keep a low profile.
I turned left and right for quite some time, observing increasingly unfamiliar scenery and increasingly desolate buildings until I began to understand—I had become hopelessly lost. With a bitter smile, I resigned myself to trying to find my way back; even asking a eunuch or maid would do. But the surroundings were eerily silent; not a single figure was in sight.
Just as I pondered what to do next, I suddenly heard beautiful flute music coming from nearby—serene and profound—more enchanting than when Brother Sima and I faced challenges together. Forgetting my lost state, I followed the sound in search of its source.
As I walked on, I arrived at an unusual house; it seemed strange that such an ordinary-looking dwelling existed within the palace grounds. Confused, I pushed open the door and saw from afar a solitary figure standing beside a courtyard—a man with his back turned to me. The haunting flute music flowed from his lips and fingers, captivating my lost self.
I stood there dazed for quite some time until my thoughts began to drift away. His silhouette became somewhat blurred in my vision—a truly ethereal figure—but sadly tinged with sorrowful notes from his music. However, this was normal; in this era, nine out of ten men were talented yet unrecognized, living in melancholy until their end.
He must have his own reasons for living alone in such a remote and quiet place.
Lost in thought, his flute music suddenly ceased as he abruptly turned around upon noticing my unexpected presence. Surprised at seeing me there, he coldly asked, "Who are you? Who allowed you into my house?"
Another icy man! Yet his deep blue eyes held an unmistakable melancholy that could not deceive me; they were all outwardly indifferent yet inwardly fragile people—why were there so many hedgehogs around? Since arriving in this era, two-thirds of the men I've encountered have been like this—truly—
I ignored his unwelcoming tone and took it upon myself to admire this rather nice courtyard; although devoid of any flowers or plants, at least it was clean.
Noticing his growing anger, I smiled sweetly at him and complimented, "Your flute playing is truly wonderful; it drew this lost girl right here! Heh." Continuing with my smile, I asked, "Is this courtyard nice? Do you live here alone?"
"By the way," before he could respond, I continued, "I am Xie Weiying. What about you? What's your name? It's strange, how did you end up here?"
Seeing his bewildered expression, it seemed my rapid-fire questions had left him stunned.
Taking advantage of his daze, I stepped into his room without hesitation. Inside was just as plain as outside, but it was tidy. The room was filled with stacks of books. I casually picked one up to look at: "The Great Learning." Glancing at the others, they were all texts of sages; it seemed he truly was a scholar. After flipping through a few more, I finally found one I recognized: "The Art of War by Sun Tzu." Since I had nothing better to do, I might as well borrow it to read.
"What are you doing?!" a furious shout came from behind me. Without needing to look up, I knew it was him.
He strode over with an unfriendly expression, snatched the book from my hands, and carefully placed it back in its spot. Turning back to me, he said sternly, "Miss, I don't know who you are, but please conduct yourself properly. Entering a stranger's room is not something a good woman should do."
I couldn't help but laugh instead of getting angry. What a pedantic scholar, lecturing me on ancient morals.
"Can I borrow that book? I'll return it after I'm done reading," I asked nonchalantly.
He turned to look at me sharply, as if I were some strange creature. I touched my face to check if there was something on it.
After a long pause, he stammered, "You read... this kind of book?" His tone was filled with skepticism.
I smirked disdainfully. "I've read this kind of book since I was very young. I'm just bored now; all you have here are those poems and scriptures, so I might as well read it again."
He still looked unconvinced. In truth, I wasn't lying; I had indeed read it when I was young in the modern world, though not in this era.
I chuckled at him. "What? Don't believe me? Should I recite it for you?"
With that, I began to recite: "The Thirty-Six Stratagems are divided into six sets. The first set is for winning battles. The first stratagem is 'Deceive the heavens to cross the sea,' the second is 'Surround Wei to rescue Zhao,' the third is 'Kill with a borrowed knife,' the fourth is 'Wait at ease for the labor of others,' the fifth is 'Take advantage of fire to loot,' and the sixth is 'Create a diversion in the east while attacking in the west.' The second set is for engaging the enemy in battle..."
I continued reciting for what felt like half an hour; my throat was dry by then. My memory wasn't as sharp as before. It had been too long since I'd practiced; while reciting, my thoughts wandered and slowed me down. Ignoring his astonished expression, I pushed myself to prove to this pedantic scholar that we women should not be underestimated. We are strong too. However, I knew this had no real significance; thus, I also understood how childish and foolish my earlier actions were!
Looking back at him, he still wore a dazed expression. I walked over and waved my hand in front of his eyes—no response. Waving again brought no reaction either. So, without hesitation, I gave him a firm pat on the shoulder and said, "Hey there! What's wrong with you?"
He pointed at himself and said, "You’re not stunned by me, are you?" There was nothing surprising about it. I was puzzled.
He came back to his senses and said gloomily, "I’m fine. Just now, seeing the young lady reminded me of someone, a past event."
I joked, "Is it a woman you like?"
His face instantly turned red, and he stammered, "Don’t say that, I—I—"
"Alright, after all this time, you still haven’t told me your name?" I urged. "You wouldn’t be so stingy as to not even tell me your name, would you? I’m about to leave; what kind of man is so shy?"
Seeing that I had said this much, he took a deep breath and said, "I am Li Jiu."
I was taken aback. Wait a minute, why does that name sound so familiar? Li Jiu, Li Jiu... where have I heard it before? Just as I was about to dismiss it and ask for directions back, a light bulb went off in my head—Li Jiu! It’s him!
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Li Jiu was the one who had arrogantly provoked the talented woman Mu Wanyan at Spring Garden back in the day! I had heard he disappeared after that; how did he end up in this corner of the palace? I remembered thinking that his name sounded a bit strange when I heard those gossipers talking about him during the challenges at Spring Garden.
I stopped laughing and suddenly said nonchalantly, "Young Master Li, it’s an honor to meet you. I wonder if Young Master Li knows Mu Wanyan, the talented woman?"
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