The Times Spent in Pretense

Those who served the crown prince all knew this: During the days near the Lantern Festival, he would not be in a good mood, so much so that he would succumb to insomnia all night.

However, when the crown prince had returned to the palace last night, he slept for many hours to the surprise of others. It pleased the servants around him so greatly that more than half of their worries vanished.

Every year on the sixteenth of the first month, the crown prince traveled to a Daoist temple situated in the suburbs of the capital. And he would light a Flame of Paradise for Empress Gonghui. In the past, there had been a dishonest and corrupt person who wanted to curry favor with him, and tried to meet him at the temple “coincidentally.” But in the end, that person failed to flatter the crown prince, and instead offended him. The rumors gradually spread around, and now, every sixteenth of the first month, no one would dare come to that Daoist temple.

Hearing voices outside the temple, the servants of the Eastern Palace thought to themselves, baffled, Who has so much courage to come here?

But once they had a better look at those people’s identities, the servants retreated in succession.

“General Wei, Commandery Princess,” said the crown prince, gaze wandering to Hua Liuli. He invited the two to enter. “Have you two come to burn incense too?”

Too?　

Hua Liuli felt somewhat awkward. Never had she expected that the crown prince, who even dared to sneakily eat food during a ceremony thanking the Heavens, would be this superstitious.

“This humble general has brought my daughter here to thank the gods for their fulfillment of a promise.” Wei Mingyue still recalled that in the year she had left the capital, the crown prince had touched her abdomen with care, worried about the child’s scared expression.

When the crown prince had been young, he quite trusted Wei Mingyue and her husband. Therefore, even after so many years apart, she was still close to the crown prince. “That year, this humble general led troops to battle while pregnant. And in this temple, I told the gods that if they answered my wish, and my child could be born safe and sound, I would personally return to thank them.”

Looking at the hands of the Hua family’s servants, the crown prince noticed the multitude of things that were required to thank the gods. And he knew that General Wei had been telling the truth. “General Wei, there have been changes to the staff since then, so you may not be too familiar with the priests. I will lead the way.” The crown prince turned around and made for the temple’s interior. “You’ve been away for more than a decade. General Wei has worked hard these past many years.”

“Life has actually been tolerable. Although it’s somewhat difficult living at the border, its customs and scenery are distinct from those of the capital.” General Wei faced Hua Liuli. “It’s just that this child has suffered. Ever since she was born, she has accompanied us in living in the bitter cold.”

“Mother, Qinghan Prefecture is a great place,” said Hua Liuli with a smile, eyes transforming into crescents. “I didn’t suffer at all.”

The crown prince averted his gaze from Hua Liuli’s form. He walked to the main entrance and noticed a female visitor entering. Two Daoist priests came out to welcome her.

Hua Liuli received a stick of incense and saluted the statue of the Three Pure Ones. Offered the incense as a sacrifice, inserting it into the censer.

She didn’t know much about Daoism and Buddhism and so forth. When she saw that her mother wanted to discuss Daoist theories with the priest, she made for the temple’s side door.

Outside the temple spanned a courtyard, limestone slabs lining the ground. On both sides of the courtyard sprouted flourishing ancient trees, adding a great deal of ethereal quality to this Daoist temple that sat between mountains.

Sunlight at the start of spring in the afternoon sprinkled upon the tree leaves, leaving behind speckles of light resembling stars in the sky.

“Commandery Princess,” said the crown prince, who had followed her out. “There are tables and chairs on the side. We can have a seat there momentarily.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Walking around clusters of flowers, Hua Liuli noticed a stone table and chairs concealed by trees. Just as the two of them sat down, a Daoist priest came over with tea and fruits.

In the air was the dim scent of incense, and once in a while, a Daoist priest would pass through, the atmosphere serene to the max.

“The weather at Qinghan Prefecture is nasty, unsuitable for crops to grow. Since Commandery Princess has stayed there for many years until now, you must have suffered greatly.”

Which Daoist priest was reciting scriptures proved anyone’s guess, his volume fluctuating from high to low, like the white clouds rolling through the horizon.

“Although Qinghan Prefecture can’t compare to the capital, this official’s daughter did not suffer much from childhood until now.” Hua Liuli shook her head. “Every year, His Majesty would dispatch people with army provisions there on schedule. Not to mention, bestow us many things. Since I am the youngest in my family, my family members all spoiled me. And because I was the daughter of two important generals, the civilians in the city were very affectionate toward me.”

Her sincerity caused him to laugh. He shook his head and sighed with emotion. “Commandery Princess, I am the crown prince. Shouldn’t you be complaining that Qinghan Prefecture is too difficult to live in? That from a young age until now, you’ve found it hard to endure? That way, I would place the Hua clan in even higher esteem.”

“Am I really supposed to talk like that?” she said, resting her chin on her hand. “Is it too late to start over?”

“Since childhood, my memory has been rather good. It’ll be hard to forget what you said a moment ago.” The crown prince picked up his tea cup in preparation to drink, yet was stopped by Hua Liuli reaching out. “Your Highness, wait,” she said.

Arching a brow, the crown prince looked at her.

“Although we’re in the suburbs of the capital, in the end, it’s not the palace.” Hua Liuli pointed at the teacup in his hand. “It’s better to be more careful about what you put into your body.”

“Thank you, Commandery Princess, for the reminder.” He smiled. Set down the teacup. “I was careless.”

“I simply recalled something all of a sudden and spoke too much.” Hua Liuli raised her head and looked up and down the Daoist temple. “This Daoist temple truly is different from the rest. Why did Your Highness come here?”

“I was just passing through to light a light for someone who had passed away. So that their next life would go smoothly.” Bit by bit, the crown prince’s smile vanished from sight. He looked down, thick lashes trembling a hint. “This is all that I can do.”

Seeing the crown prince so downcast, Hua Liuli thought, Don’t tell me that the person the crown prince liked met an untimely death? In a very tactful manner, she did not pry, quiet as she listened to him.

No wonder Prince Ying and Prince Ning were already planning their marriages, while there was no word of a crown princess consort.

Three years ago, a soldier had died on the battlefield, and his fiancée had rushed over from a far, far distance, bringing his corpse back home.

That woman had been skinny and shriveled. Expression one of numbness. Resolute, she carried the box of her fiancé’s ashes, as though holding her last wish. Hua Liuli had followed behind the woman, sending her off all the way to the city gates, until her back could no longer be seen.

From start to finish, that woman had shed not a tear. Yet, Hua Liuli felt that that woman had already sobbed countless times in her heart.

Love that was cut short because of another’s death proved too sorrowful.

Hua Liuli looked at the crown prince’s gaze, unconscious of the fact that hers carried pity. But as a considerate person, she would not allow him to see it even when unaware of it herself.

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“Don’t be sad. They’re already gone. You need to live on,” said Hua Liuli. “In all likelihood, they want you to live on too.”

“Thank you,” said the crown prince. “I know.”

In the face of life and death, any words proved pale and feeble. Hua Liuli stood and plucked a few stalks of somewhat-dried grass, fingers rolling swiftly. In a flash, she weaved a butterfly from them.

“Your Highness, give me your hand.”

The crown prince spread out his hand, resting it on the stone table. She placed the grass butterfly onto the hollow of his palm. “Your Highness, in Qinghan Prefecture, this official’s daughter heard a story from the elderly. Apparently, there is a type of butterfly in the underworld capable of leading the lost souls there. And it could also help carry the living’s yearning to the soul that said living person was missing.

“Tonight, place the butterfly under your pillow. Perhaps the person you yearn for would hear your kind feelings.” Hua Liuli smiled at him and winked. “That’s why, you need to sleep earlier tonight. Don’t try to stay up.”

This butterfly really wasn’t pretty. The wings’ dimensions and size were asymmetric, the belly fat. He doubted that this butterfly could even fly with such a plump belly.

He closed his hand and stored away the butterfly. “Thank you.”

“Liuli.” Wei Mingyue stood outside the clusters of flowers. How long she had waited there stood as a mystery. That said, her expression proved normal. It did not appear that she had seen the scene just now. “The head priest wants to see you. Come with me.”

“Your Highness, sit here for a moment. This official’s daughter will return soon.” Then Hua Liuli rose to her feet and walked toward Wei Mingyue.

When Hua Liuli reached her mother’s side, Wei Mingyu cupped her hands toward the crown prince before turning to leave.

“Your Highness,” whispered his personal attendant. “Why did your honored self not tell Commandery Princess that you are funding this Daoist temple? It’s impossible for there to be anything wrong with the tea.”

“Good will is hard to come by.” The crown prince picked up the teacup for a sip. All of a sudden, he felt as if the teacup was in a different place after Hua Liuli had left. He reached out and adjusted its position to where it had been before.

Hua Liuli thought the head priest would be old with a head and beard full of white hair. Never had she imagined he would be a young man with delicate features.

“Benevolent Believers, please sit,” said the head priest, personally pouring tea for the two of them.

They sat in a pavilion. It was built on mountain rocks. Should one raise one’s gaze, one would see the scene of the mountain’s base. If there was mist among the mountains now, it would truly appear somewhat like a fairyland on earth.

“Thank you, Spiritual Master.”

“This poor Daoist is Qinghui. The two Benevolent Believers may just call this poor Daoist directly by my title.” Qinghui set a teacup in front of Hua Liuli. “This type of tea was made from dried flowers of all four seasons. It has skin-nourishing and relaxing effects. Drinkable by even those of frail constitutions.”

Hua Liuli took note of his immaculate hands. Fair and well proportioned.

“Since young, this poor Daoist has followed Master in devoting oneself to spiritual development. Now that Master has passed away, this poor Daoist has become the head priest of the temple.” Qinghui’s eyes were beautiful, not a trace of the secular world within them. “That year, when General Wei arrived at this humble temple, this poor Daoist had been very young and did not have the opportunity to converse with you. So many years have gone by yet General Wei is still so heroic.”

“Priest Qinghui is overpraising me.” Wei Mingyue sighed. “I haven’t returned in so many years and couldn’t even see Spiritual Master Lian for the last time.”

“Master once said to this poor Daoist that General Wei is a god of war that has descended to the mortal realm. Once born, your fate is to defend the country.”

At such words, Wei Mingyue laughed. It was unclear whether she believed them or not.

“When this poor Daoist learned that Commandery Princess was returning to the capital, this poor Daoist had the mind to pay a visit to your home. But this poor Daoist must keep watch over this temple every day and has very few opportunities to leave.” Qinghui looked at Hua Liuli. “Fortunately, the Three Pure Ones gave their protection and blessings. And this poor Daoist could finally see you in person.”

“Why did you insist on seeing me?” asked Hua Liuli, curious.

“Because before General left the capital, Master forgot to give you an inscribed bamboo stick.” Qinghui pulled one out from his sleeve. Said bamboo stick was extremely old. How old it was proved a mystery.

All of a sudden, Wei Mingyue recalled this: While she had been making her wish in the Daoist temple, by curious coincidence a bamboo stick fell to the ground. However, it accidentally dropped between the cracks of the altar. She didn’t pay it any mind and just went on her way that day, though.

She had never imagined that after all these years, the Daoist temple still kept it.

Wei Mingyue accepted the bamboo stick. But there was nothing written on it. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“This is a blank bamboo stick.” Qinghui shifted his gaze to Hua Liuli. “It means none of the bamboo sticks can shed light on the situation.”

Wei Mingyue’s expression proved unsightly. This bamboo stick had fallen out when she was begging the gods for her child’s safe birth. So what did it mean that it was blank? In any case, it shouldn’t be anything good.

With a bit of force, the bamboo stick snapped into pieces at once. Expression cold, she said, “One can change one’s fate with hard work. I won’t believe in things like this.”

“There will inevitably be accidents.” Qinghui looked at the bamboo stick, a faint smile on his lips. “Practicing Daoism is originally to defy the natural order. This poor Daoist also thinks it’s better not to believe too much in these things. However…”

Qinghui’s smile grew more forgiving and gentle. “This poor Daoist thinks Commandery Princess’ fate is connected to Daoism. Does Commandery Princess want to understand why?”

“Hah?”

“If Commandery Princess is not interested, then this poor Daoist will ask you another time.” Qinghui’s smile grew even more gentle. “Perhaps next time, Commandery Princess will be interested in practicing Daoism.”

Hua Liuli shook her head in her thoughts. No thanks, no thanks, sorry.

“The capital city resembles a deep sea. It appears like a tranquil place, when in actuality, great waves hide among it. General Wei and General Hua are faithful and good generals of Great Jin. This poor Daoist cannot bear to see you two get caught up in quagmire.” Qinghui did not seem like he would insist on Hua Liuli practicing Daoism. He turned his head to take in the scenery of the mountains. “May the two generals take care.”

“Thank you, Daoist Priest Qinghui, for the reminder,” said Wei Mingyue. “His Majesty is the best and wisest ruler in the world. Even when the sea roars, our boat will not submerge as long as His Majesty is around.”

Qinghui saluted them in a grand manner befitting a Daoist priest. “Benevolent Believers protect our country, and have innumerable achievements and virtues. No matter what, the gods will protect you, turning misfortunes into blessings.”

“Thank you, Daoist Priest, for the auspicious words.” Wei Mingyue saluted him.

“Commandery Princess, please take care.” Apparently, Qinghui truly did come over just to deliver a blank bamboo stick. He glanced at Hua Liuli, deep and profound. Then he turned and disappeared from the stone bridge.

Wei Mingyue stared at the bamboo stick lying on the table, a stick that had been split in half. Her expression remained unsightly.

“Mother, a blank bamboo stick could be something good too.” Hua Liuli picked up both pieces. “It’s like His Majesty giving me a blank imperial decree with the dragon seal on it, letting me fill in whatever I want. How great.”

In a careless manner, she threw the pieces of the snapped bamboo stick off the overhanging cliff. Cupped her hands to salute toward the sky while not sparing it a single glance. “Thank you, Heavens.”

Such an action caused Wei Mingyue to smile. She rose to her feet. “That year, I made a wish. Now, I have returned to thank the gods for granting it. My debt to the gods should be settled now.

“And since that’s the case, don’t help me gain any more debts.”

“What debts?” Hua Liuli picked up the cup and drank a sip of the flower-scented tea, tapping a slender finger on the stone table.