At dawn, the first light crept over the horizon.
Jiang Kui donned a gauzy outer robe over her white undergarment, cinching her slender waist with a snowy sash. Bare feet leaving the gold brocade bed behind, she slipped soundlessly out the carved window without disturbing anyone.
She wanted to investigate just what Xie Wuyan had hidden away in that side chamber.
The previous night, the Crown Prince’s adviser had claimed His Highness was feeling unwell and retired early to the west wing. Thus the Crown Princess had slept alone in the east wing chambers. With Xie Wuyan absent they had neatly avoided the awkwardness of sharing a bed. Jiang Kui felt perfectly at ease, sleeping extremely well.
She had no desire to sleep with Xie Wuyan in the same bed. He likely shared that sentiment. Two relative strangers lying together would inevitably lead to strange atmosphere.
Though this Crown Prince was shrouded in mysteries, always evasive, he did have one merit – he respected her greatly.
If she refused to share his bed that wish would be granted. If she wanted to audit the Eastern Palace’s accounts she could access them. She was allowed to dismiss officials, discipline servants, rectify affairs… He indulged her on everything. The palace denizens believed His Highness utterly doted on the Princess, some even saying he outright spoiled her.
Jiang Kui’s impression of Xie Wuyan had gradually shifted from “possibly harbors sinister designs” to “likely chronically sick”.
So had he really just been passing by when she nearly drowned by Tonghua Gate? The distance between the Eastern Palace and there wasn’t far. Perhaps he had coincidentally walked by and overheard. And that night after the Autumn Banquet he had in truth been on a boat, drinking tea… Although she still found that particular habit rather odd – what kind of person enjoyed drinking tea in the dead of night?
Wait. Zhu Zi’an seemed to share that proclivity.
She couldn’t help mentally comparing Xie Wuyan to Zhu Zi’an again.
Zhu Zi’an was carefree and unrestrained while Xie Wuyan was gentle and refined. Zhu Zi’an smiled often whereas she’d rarely seen Xie Wuyan do so. Zhu Zi’an’s speech was candid in contrast to Xie Wuyan’s clear, cold tone. Other than when injured Zhu Zi’an never coughed in front of her yet Xie Wuyan wheezed constantly.
Even their scents differed vastly. She enjoyed the faint plum blossom fragrance always clinging to Zhu Zi’an while the sandalwood redolence permeating Xie Wuyan’s robes made her somewhat lightheaded.
Though entirely dissimilar they gave her the vague impression there was some elusive quality the two men shared.
What could it be…
Lost in contemplation Jiang Kui wandered the long rear corridor. After circling the vicinity of the side chambers she discovered a small black wood door – an alternate side entrance left half-open without any lock. Wisps of steaming white mist curled out, redolent of pungent herbal scents.
Jiang Kui silently slipped inside the mist-wreathed room.
Within, the sound of flowing water filled her ears. Thick fog obscured sight, emanating from a sunken medicine pool still gushing heated water. The Crown Prince’s sickliness was well known so this was likely where he received treatments. Nothing seemed particularly remarkable about it.
Jiang Kui padded barefoot over the dark wood flooring, passing a bamboo and wood screen, some straw cushions, a zitan wood desk, piles of scrolls, and a row of small leaf-shaped brush holders with writing implements of various styles, some bristle tips still damp as if recently utilized.
By a antique display shelf near the pool her attention snagged on a lone red lacquered wooden case sitting at the very top tier, the intricately grained lid looking vaguely familiar.
It almost resembled…the decorative puzzle box she’d gifted at Qu River on the night of the Qi Xi Festival.
So Xie Wuyan had kept it.
When she’d received Xie Wuyan’s betrothal gifts Jiang Kui wondered whether that puzzle box had malfunctioned. Perhaps there truly was only a spider inside rather than horrors to give him the wrong impression – that her intentions welcomed his regard.
Now facing this red case she was seized by curiosity, hand already reaching out and fumbling to open it. What could possibly be within?
A gentle voice sounded behind her then. “My lady.”
The sudden disruption in the silence made Jiang Kui’s heart skip. Instinct took over as she grabbed the speaker’s collar with a savage twist while spinning around to shove him. Her target staggered half a step, precariously perched at the pool’s ledge where he slipped.
With Xie Wuyan’s balance skewed Jiang Kui overextended herself. Both went tumbling down in a great splash of bright water droplets erupting. She collapsed onto his chest, half sprawled over him with one hand braced at his side and the other clamped around his throat.
Huffing irritably she tossed back her head to glare down at him. The soaked thin garment molded itself to the lovely curves of her youthful body. Beads of water rained down, detonating into a string of crystalline bursts sprinkling his face.
The shallow pool muffled all sound, leaving only abrupt stillness. Instinct brought his gaze up to meet hers. Droplets clung to his lashes, trembling once before sliding away.
Tendrils of mist wreathed upwards through the haze, damp breath mingling between them.
A fleeting intimacy hung suspended in the steamy air.
Xie Wuyan watched her steadily, eyes gleaming bright amidst the wispy vapors – clear water flowing over smooth jade to reflect her visage flickering with fragmented light.
Meekly he said, “It’s me, my lady.”
The girl atop him looked aside with a huffed curse, teeth sinking into her lower lip. “Well now, Xie Wuyan. I’ve finally caught you after you hid from me all day. I’m interrogating you right here and now.” She ground out.
Xie Wuyan exhaled under her. “I submit to my lady’s inquiries.”
Jiang Kui made herself quite at home sitting on him, tidying back her soaked locks. Pressing two fingers sternly under his chin she forced his gaze to meet hers, ice in her tone. “What exactly are you doing here?”
“Convalescence,” Xie Wuyan replied.
The cloying herbal stench rising from the pool substantiated his claim.
Jiang Kui arched an incredulous brow. “You truly are chronically ill?”
“Rumors say you…”
“Indeed.” Xie Wuyan gave a slight dip of his chin. “Won’t make it past my rite of passage.”
He admitted it with startling equanimity unlike someone cognizant of impending demise. Jiang Kui searched his tranquil expression. As he returned her stare his eyes lingered softly over her features. He seemed truthful.
All sorts of gossip regarding the Crown Prince’s sickly constitution floated around court, an endless cycle of fabricated and factual accounts. Over the years there were believers in his illness alongside doubters suspecting an act to appear harmless while harboring vicious capabilities. With confirmation at this very moment Jiang Kui was suddenly struck by an unreal quality…and inexplicable sadness.
“Truly?” She asked quietly, easing up her hold a fraction.
“Truly.” Xie Wuyan briefly lowered his gaze before looking back at her. “It’s no secret. Plenty are aware though most remain skeptical.”
“How much longer do you have…” The brutal question slipped out unbidden though she desperately wanted to know.
“Two years. Just under a year and a half if counting precisely.” He answered softly. As if to lighten the mood he added, “It matters not. With my passing, all will go to you.”
Jiang Kui gave a derisive snort, twisting her head away. “As if I care for your inheritance.”
Gradually sympathy bloomed for her frail husband. To her he was merely a vague acquaintance glimpsed a handful of times. Yet hearing someone’s appointed time drew near still struck sorrow.
She loosened her clasp, soggy dress plastered as she settled atop his thigh. Bracing her chin she peered down at him. Adrift the rippling pool, he too gazed back awash in glimmering radiance carving countless gentle shadows over his features.
His scarlet sleeves drifted like rosy clouds through the waters, like scattered beams of light.
Jiang Kui gentled her voice. “What all do you know about the General Estate’s circumstances?”
Xie Wuyan interjected, “My lady, may I please sit up now?”
Only then did Jiang Kui register she still had him pinned under interrogation. Awkward regret flashed through her and she silently gestured consent for him to rise.
Xie Wuyan broke into subdued coughs for a spell before slowly getting to his feet. Slogging through the herb infused waters he retrieved a square white kerchief off a nearby clothing rack and returned to drape it over her shoulders. “Do take care not to catch chill, my lady. You ought to return and change out of those wet clothes.” His murmur floated softly.
Jiang Kui had finally found an ideal opportunity for a thorough solo interrogation of Xie Wuyan regarding all those baffling matters. Like hell she would leave now. Shaking her head stubbornly she happened to glimpse the stubbornness surfacing in Xie Wuyan’s own eyes.
At times he could be especially obstinate in a silent, steadfast and willful fashion, merely meeting her gaze with quiet yet adamant demand she dare not refuse.
Jiang Kui bit her lip, forced to reply, “Then I’ll just change in here… Don’t look.”
Xie Wuyan gave a single nod. He took down a soft dry outer robe hanging off the rack and walked behind the bamboo screen. Back turned he listened to rustling sounds for a spell followed by that clear melodious girl’s voice. “Xie Wuyan, you may enter.”
When he emerged water still dripped from his drenched locks, splashing onto the deep colored soaked scarlet robes.
Seeing the droplets in his hair softened Jiang Kui. She handed over the used square of linen, mumbling awkwardly, “Wipe yourself off too.”
Xie Wuyan accepted the kerchief, messily scrubbing at his head. The messy damp strands scattered limply around his shoulders.
Jiang Kui’s brows furrowed in annoyance. With utmost impatience she moved behind him, ordering him to sit himself down properly on the wood flooring. Then she snatched away the kerchief and proceeded to brusquely dry his hair off…rather akin to tending an injured stray.
Xie Wuyan obediently shut his eyes letting her fuss over him. Seated behind him she radiated warmth, her drifting touch gliding through his hair. Her body was draped in his outer robes.
The clean garment wafted faint sandalwood, each bittersweet breath reaching him like a balmy summer night’s breeze – painfully exquisite in its ephemeral beauty.
Drowsiness stole upon him.
Abruptly Jiang Kui’s motions ceased. The man before her slowly slumped backwards until his head rested in her lap, sodden locks brushing her chin while shallow puffs of air stirred past her ear.
“Hey!” She exclaimed, vexed.
Xie Wuyan didn’t respond, truly having fallen asleep. The mingled smells of herbs and sandalwood permeated him. His vague form seemed to dissolve into the mist blanketing everything.
Jiang Kui called his name a few times to no reaction. Annoyed at having bothered drying his hair at all she irritably flung the used kerchief away.
Half inclined to shake him awake and demand answers she also felt rather sorry knowing he only had a year and a half remaining. Letting the pitiful creature rest would be an act of mercy.
Finally she heaved a sigh, spreading both hands in resignation beneath his sleeping head.
Excellent, Xie Wuyan. Just you wait, she mentally snorted. I’ve got all day here to spend interrogating you.
Author’s Note:
Little Man Jiang: gently brushes unconscious Xiao Xie’s fur
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