Please, give me a hand.

Night, at the Serene Study of the Prince’s Residence

Night always carries a certain sense of loneliness. Zhao Chengxian sat in the Serene Study, painting an image of Yu’er. The girl’s charm and resilience were captured vividly on the canvas. Gazing at his freshly finished work, he penned a poem beside it:

“Yu’er’s love, forever etched within my heart,
Countless knots tied for you alone;
In dreams, in thoughts, my soul lingers on you,
Restless, yearning, longing for your return.
The wind blows, raindrops scatter,
Can the past truly fade to dust?
Enduring remembrance, how could we part?
Is it possible to return to the very beginning?”

Ever since Yu’er had left, Zhao Chengxian’s life should have reverted to how it was before he ever met her. Yet his heart could never go back. Everything in the Prince’s Residence now reminded him of Hui Yu’er. He had grown increasingly distant from his three concubines; before, when his heart was empty, he could at least feign attention, but now, even that felt impossible.

Suddenly, someone knocked at the door of the Serene Study. Zhao Chengxian had not yet replied when the visitor pushed the door open and entered. He saw the person was dressed as a eunuch; though the head was bowed so he could not see the face clearly, he assumed it must be Xiao Xizi. Unhurried, he finished the last detail on his painting and asked casually, “Xiao Xizi, what brings you to the Prince’s Residence so late?”

Receiving no reply, Zhao Chengxian looked up, a hint of anxiety in his voice. “Has something happened to Little Crescent?” He could never have guessed that this person was not Xiao Xizi, but the very one who haunted his dreams.

Suddenly, the little eunuch looked up with a grin and said brightly, “I’m not Xiao Xizi—it’s me, Hui Yu’er!” It turned out she had stolen Xiao Xizi’s uniform and belt token, and told the palace guards she had urgent business outside the palace. In the blazing kingdom’s harem, only eunuchs were permitted to leave on errands; palace maids and matrons were strictly forbidden to go out.

Zhao Chengxian stared at Hui Yu’er in astonishment. “Little Crescent, how did you get here?” His eyes shone with surprise and delight. He quickly took a few books from the table to cover his painting, his manner a little flustered, as if afraid Hui Yu’er would discover his secret. Gone was the composed, mature prince; in his place was a bashful young man awakening to love—a sight that would make anyone smile.

Fortunately, Hui Yu’er had no thought to notice what Zhao Chengxian was up to. She hurriedly said, “I’ve come to ask for your help—look at this!” She handed him the book of palace regulations. Zhao Chengxian looked at the booklet, torn in half and the writing blurred, utterly confused as to why it was in her possession.

Reading his puzzled gaze, Hui Yu’er explained, “I borrowed this from Matron Li, who teaches palace rules. I accidentally spilled tea on it. Qiqi told me it was a gift from Princess Hanwu to the Empress Dowager. I panicked, tried to save it, and ended up tearing it. Qiqi said Princess Hanwu’s handwriting is similar to yours, and she was about to take me to find Xiao Xizi. I thought I’d be faster, so I borrowed his clothes and token and snuck out!”

She walked up to Zhao Chengxian, speaking in a pleading tone, “Please, help me—help me, please…” For the first time, Hui Yu’er humbled herself before him. No matter how much Zhao Chengxian had tormented her before, she had never yielded.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Chengxian felt a secret satisfaction and replied with a roguish air, “Little Crescent, so you finally admit defeat to me, hmm?” He was taking full advantage, and Hui Yu’er could hardly deny it now—if he refused to help, she was finished.

Yu’er shot him a look and had to nod, putting on an ingratiating smile. “I admit it, I admit it!” As Zhao Chengxian lowered his head, she muttered under her breath, “I may admit it in words, but my heart never yields!” Zhao Chengxian examined the regulations booklet. The damage was indeed severe; because it was tea that had been spilled, not water, the stains were impossible to remove.

He looked up and said, “You haven’t ground the ink yet. Add a little gamboge when you do—that way, the writing will look aged.” He began to prepare paper. Though there wasn’t time to age the paper, hopefully the difference wouldn’t be obvious after just two or three years.

Yu’er hurried off to the Prince’s pharmacy to find gamboge. Not wishing to be seen, she sneaked around like a thief. In truth, she had entered the Prince’s Residence entirely in secret. After much searching, she found the gamboge and returned to the Serene Study—just as Consort Qin arrived looking for Zhao Chengxian.

Consort Qin knocked at the door, calling, “My lord, I came to see you—may I come in?” She had no idea there was someone else inside. As she was about to push open the door, Zhao Chengxian’s voice stopped her.

He glanced at Yu’er crouched nearby and said, “No need, I have matters to attend to.” Consort Qin felt there was some secret within, as Zhao Chengxian had never denied them entry to the Serene Study before. Still, she dared not force her way in for fear of angering him, and wisely retreated to her own chambers.

Once Consort Qin had left, Yu’er stood and glanced at Zhao Chengxian, remarking, “You certainly have a way with women, my lord!” The words had a faintly jealous, teasing edge, though Yu’er, with no experience in flirting, was unaware of it herself.

Zhao Chengxian, with a wealth of experience, recognized the tone at once and looked at the earnest Yu’er grinding ink. The more he watched, the more endearing she seemed, and he couldn’t resist teasing her further. With a playful smile, he asked, “Little Crescent, are you trying to be coquettish with me?”

“Who’s coquettish? I, Hui Yu’er, am not that kind of woman!” Yu’er denied it flatly. She saw the ink was nearly ready and hurried Zhao Chengxian, “Enough talk—get writing!” Zhao Chengxian shook his head with a smile and began to copy the text.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and those neither young nor old, shower me with gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts—don’t hold back! Let the storm of generosity come even fiercer!