By the painted hall's south wall we meet; For a moment, trembling, I lean on him, so sweet.
It's hard for me to come out; let you caress me without doubt."
But Jiang Xuesui changed the lyrics to:
"I urge you to drink deep tonight; before cups, don't speak of tomorrow's plight.
Treasure the host's sincere heart; wine is deep as love's art.
Worry that spring nights are short; don't complain the golden cup is full of port.
Encounter wine, just he-he; how long can life be?"
Without any affectation, her voice soared, stirring the dust from the beams.
The ladies were captivated, applauding and praising her quick wit.
Xie Nongyu had to admit defeat and gave the zither to Jiang Xuesui.
*
The Crown Prince, sent by his mother Empress Sun to pay respects to the Grand Princess of Chu, passed by the corridor under the western pavilion. Hearing the singing, he marveled that a songstress could sing Wei Duanji's lyrics—truly extraordinary.
He felt a desire to rescue her from a life of entertainment.
He ordered his attending eunuch to find out who had sung "Buddhist Dancers" today.
After paying respects to the Grand Princess, the eunuch reported, "Your Highness, it wasn't a songstress. It was Eldest Miss Jiang."
The Crown Prince had long heard of Jiang Xuesui's talent and regretted never meeting her, but going to the western pavilion rashly was improper.
Just as he was pondering, an observant young eunuch reported, "Your Highness, Eldest Miss Jiang is about to leave. Why not go to the front gate and see if you might catch a glimpse?"
At the front gate, Jiang Xuesui, holding the zither case, first boarded a green phoenix-canopied carriage, followed by Wen Yuan'ai.
The Crown Prince came out and saw only the profile of Wen Yuan'ai as she was about to enter the carriage. He was stunned by her beauty.
Seeing the beautiful lady drop a handkerchief, the observant young eunuch picked it up and presented it to the Crown Prince.
The handkerchief was embroidered with two chubby cats in double-sided three-variant embroidery—one tiger-striped, the other tortoiseshell—both adorable and silly.
The Crown Prince assumed the owner of the handkerchief was Jiang Xuesui.
From then on, he kept her in mind.
*
Back in the main room of Jiangxue Residence, Jiang Xuesui cut the half-finished zither bag for Wen Qiao into shreds.
Knowing she had returned, Wen Qiao came to check the calligraphy practice sheets she had done this month.
Entering the room, he saw the shredded pieces of the zither bag beside the sewing basket.
He also heard Hailan urging Jiang Xuesui not to be so angry, and the talk indicated that the bag was meant for him.
A vague unease stirred in his heart.
Hearing the maids outside announce, "The eldest young master is here," Jiang Xuesui turned and saw Wen Qiao standing there. Yu Ming was busy preparing tea to serve him.
"Yu Ming, no need for tea. He has someone named Xie to provide him tea now. The tea of us Jiangs is not worth serving him—I'm not worthy."
Yu Ming still brought the tea tray, offering the finest Dahongpao to Wen Qiao, then nodded toward Jiang Xuesui. "Our young lady was bullied again by Princess Shanyang at Marquis Lin'an's Mansion. The eldest young master came at a bad time—you've stepped right into the line of fire."
"I'm afraid I'm the one who displeased her." Wen Qiao took a sip of tea.
"You have some self-awareness. It is you who angered me." Jiang Xuesui's face was red with rage. "Usually you treat me like a sister, and if I so much as touch your zither, you show disgust. Yet you give your most precious zither to Xie Nongyu, whom I dislike most. Knowing how I've been rash, fighting and quarreling with her, you must hate me for ruining your good marriage match."
"I have never only treated you as a sister." In his urgency, Wen Qiao blurted out his true feelings, instantly regretting it and fearing Jiang Xuesui might misunderstand.
But Jiang Xuesui, in her anger, heard it as "I never treated you as a sister" and grew even more furious.
She had recently developed a rash with spots and had just drunk a bowl of dark red medicinal broth.
Seized by a storm of emotions, her stomach churned painfully, and she vomited the medicine.
Wen Qiao thought she had understood his words and was vomiting blood out of shame, anxiety, hatred, and anger.
His spirit nearly fled.
Yuanyuan must think I'm not worthy of liking her either, he thought bitterly.
"I've known you for over ten years, calling you 'brother' all this time in vain." Jiang Xuesui felt deeply wronged but forced herself not to cry in front of Wen Qiao, her eyes and brows reddening.
Seeing her young lady had soiled her clothes, Hailan ignored whatever the quarreling cousins had just said and ordered the maids to bring clean clothes and set up a screen in front of the couch where her young lady sat.
Knowing her young lady well, Hailan knew she wouldn't go back to her room to change until she had finished bickering with the eldest young master.
Though it was improper to change here, since the eldest young master was like a brother to Suijie'er, there was no need for too many taboos.
Wen Qiao turned his back and quietly listened to Jiang Xuesui's sarcastic remarks.
When he heard that Xie Nongyu claimed he gave her the zither, Wen Qiao thought of He Lanlin receiving her pendant.
"You can give away your pendant freely, so why can't I give away my zither?"
Jiang Xuesui, having changed her clothes, jumped off the couch and walked quickly with bare feet.
Hailan hurried after her, putting her embroidered shoes on.
Stopping behind the screen, Jiang Xuesui said, "To whom did I give a pendant? Say the name. Don't slander me without proof."
"Xiao Lin."
Jiang Xuesui froze. "What kind of pendant?"
"The one you love most."
"So that's why I couldn't find it—he picked it up." Jiang Xuesui sneered, turned back, cut up the fan case she had made for He Lanlin, then tore off the golden qilin she wore around her neck under her outer garment, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it.
Hailan panicked, and called for Yu Ming and Jinping to stop Jiang Xuesui while she picked up the golden qilin and wrapped it in a handkerchief.
"Young lady, no matter how angry you are, you can break any expensive item, but this golden qilin that wards off evil cannot be stepped on. If you do, you'll have nightmares again tonight."
"Because of that 'golden jade' talk, everyone thinks Xiao Lin and I are a match. He forgot to return my pendant, so people suspect I like him, thinking I'm as reckless as someone who casually gives away zithers." Jiang Xuesui's voice was cold. "Which zither did Xie Nongyu get from me?"
"Golden Sound and Jade Resonance."
Wen Qiao's eye twitched. "I traded that zither for something else, but not with her. I don't know how it fell into her hands."
Jiang Xuesui was startled. If she had truly wronged Wen Qiao, she would be unforgivable, and no apology could suffice.
"Brother, what did you trade the zither for?"