Chapter 36: Offering Incense

The approach of spring brings a shift in the cold, yet plum blossoms unfurl as snow continues to drift. They fall together upon the wind, and when the sun shines, they do not vanish in unison.

With the end of the year drawing near, the weather grew increasingly bitter. After a few days of respite, the snow began to swirl once more. In the courtyard, however, the plum trees held a hint of spring; clusters of buds gradually unfolded, and it was clear that in a few more days, they would bloom in defiance of the cold.

Yet, in Wu Meiniang’s heart, it remained the dead of winter.

She had been in the manor for over ten days. The wound on her forehead had mostly healed, leaving only a small scab that would fall off in a few days. She wondered if it would leave a scar. Every woman treasures her beauty, to say nothing of a young girl in the prime of her youth.

However, what unsettled Wu Meiniang even more than the prospect of a scar was the attitude of Fang Jun.

Previously, she had been entirely confident in her beauty, convinced that any man would eventually cast aside his defenses and bow before her charm. This included even that wise and martial Emperor in the palace. From the look in Emperor Li Er’s eyes when he first saw her, she knew that this man, who possessed all under heaven, harbored primal desires for her. If only she had been given time and opportunity, she would surely have conquered him.

Alas, she had never waited for that chance.

But Fang Jun’s attitude toward her left Wu Meiniang feeling deeply frustrated. It was because his attitude was... non-existent.

She would not have minded even if he had scolded her with cold words; at least that would have proven she existed in his eyes. But to spend over ten days in the manor while he ignored her completely—what was one to make of that?

Wu Meiniang was deeply perplexed. Setting aside her own exquisite beauty and graceful figure, how could a young man in the prime of his life resist the succulent morsel placed right at his lips? And putting aside the personal decree of the Emperor, how could he dare to simply toss her aside? Was he not afraid of the Emperor’s wrath?

She pushed open the window gently. The sky was just beginning to brighten, and snow powder drifted through the courtyard, casting the world in a gray haze. Wu Meiniang’s clear, bright eyes shifted slightly toward the wall on the east. Beyond that wall lay Fang Jun’s courtyard.

Separated by only a wall, yet she was treated as if she were dirt. Why?

Wu Meiniang bit her red lip, her pretty face filled with disappointment and doubt. Then, she recalled the words Princess Gaoyang had spoken when visiting her before she left the palace, and a chill washed over her.

Could it be... that Fang Jun was truly a... "rabbit"?

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Wu Meiniang felt goosebumps rise involuntarily on her delicate skin. A chill permeated her entire body, as if she had fallen into an icy cavern.

She was not Princess Gaoyang, who had been born and raised in the deep palace; she had heard and seen plenty of the filth and rot within noble households. To be wed to a man who favored the company of men was the most miserable fate a woman could suffer.

It was not merely the prospect of spending one’s youth in lonely, cold chambers. Men who favored such proclivities had often warped their minds to the extreme; they could not be judged by common standards. Such men not only disliked women but viewed them as unclean omens of bad luck. They might harbor a thousand cruel ways to torment a woman, destroying her both physically and mentally with the most vicious methods.

As Wu Meiniang imagined herself suffering such cruel ravages and inhuman torture, her face turned deathly pale.

Most despairing of all was the fact that she had been personally bestowed upon Fang Jun by the Emperor. She was bound to remain by his side for the rest of her life; in all the vast world, there was no place left for her to hide.

Why was her fate so bitter? Having just escaped the wolf's den, had she stepped into a tiger’s lair?

While she was deep in distress, lamenting her tragic destiny, the curtain at her door was lifted from the outside. Qiao'er, Fang Jun’s personal maid, walked in with a light step, her face beaming with joy. "Miss, the Mistress sent me to tell you to change into some warm clothing. We are going to offer incense at Qingyuan Temple shortly, and we must arrive by sunrise!"

"Qingyuan Temple?"

Wu Meiniang paused, then nodded in acknowledgment. She bit her lip and asked, "Will... the Second Young Master be going?"

Qiao'er replied as if it were a matter of course, "Of course. This trip is for the Mistress to pray for the Young Master’s well-being; how could the one being prayed for not be there?"

Hearing this, the flicker of joy Wu Meiniang felt at the prospect of seeing Fang Jun vanished instantly, replaced by a faint sense of loneliness. Though she was in the Fang manor, she was an outsider, out of place with everyone, as if completely isolated. She had not even known about a trip to the temple.

Of course, she understood that no one was intentionally targeting her; it was all a consequence of the distress caused by Fang Jun’s attitude. Since he did not favor her, why would the servants hold her in any regard?

Wu Meiniang felt a bitter ache in her heart, but she forced herself to endure it. She smiled at Qiao'er and said, "Wait a moment, Qiao'er, I will be ready soon."

With that, she swayed her slender waist and turned into the inner room.

Moments later, she emerged having changed her attire. She wore a pale green cotton dress with simple colors and a minimalist pattern. A palm-wide sash cinched her small waist, highlighting her slender and graceful figure. Her dark hair was gathered into a bun atop her head, adorned with a single white jade hairpin. A thin, pale-pink silk veil covered her beautiful face, revealing only her elegant, mountain-like brows and eyes as clear as autumn water.

Qiao'er sighed inwardly, "The young lady is truly beautiful..."

Wu Meiniang’s gaze dimmed, but she forced a smile. What use was beauty? Even if she were as lovely as a fairy, that Second Young Master of yours would likely have no interest in her at all.

Qiao'er was young and had not yet realized how much of an impact Wu Meiniang’s presence would have on her own future status; she was not yet of an age for jealousy. She only felt that Wu Meiniang was like a fairy who had walked out of the imperial palace, and since she had been bestowed upon the Young Master by the Emperor, Qiao'er naturally felt inferior.

Seeing Wu Meiniang’s elegant and jade-like demeanor, she was even more impressed. She took Wu Meiniang’s hand and laughed, "Let's hurry out and let the Young Master see you!"

Wu Meiniang smiled faintly and, allowing herself to be led by the hand, stepped out of the room.

The courtyard was bustling with activity. Servants hurried about, preparing items for the journey, and several carriages were already waiting at the main gate.

Lady Lu, supported by her eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Wen, walked out. Seeing Wu Meiniang with the light veil over her face, she smiled, "Meiniang is truly a heavenly figure; she looks beautiful in everything she wears." She was quite satisfied. Regardless, this was her second son’s future woman. Since they had not yet consummated the marriage, it was not appropriate for her to show her face too openly. That she wore a veil showed she was a girl of delicate sensibilities.

Wu Meiniang quickly curtsied and modestly replied that the Mistress was too kind.

Accompanying Lady Lu was another beautiful young woman, graceful and noble, who bore a slight resemblance to Lady Lu. She wore deep purple palace robes and a phoenix hairpin. She smiled at Wu Meiniang, "Just call me Big Sister."

Wu Meiniang quickly bowed, saying, "Wu pays her respects to the Princess of Han."

She was the wife of Li Yuangjia, the Prince of Han, the eleventh son of the Emperor Gaozu and a younger half-brother of the current Emperor, and the eldest daughter of Fang Xuanling.

The Princess of Han also offered a few compliments before taking Wu Meiniang’s hand, laughing, "Let’s share a carriage; we can talk along the way."

It was hard to refuse such hospitality, so Wu Meiniang followed her toward the carriage waiting at the gate. Her eyes, however, darted about, searching for a glimpse of Fang Jun.

Just then, a carriage at the gate pulled away slowly. The driver whipped the reins with a flourish, the tip of the whip producing a sharp crack.

The Princess of Han laughed, "My second brother is truly bashful. He sees his future bride and immediately scampers away."

Wu Meiniang glanced at the carriage; the windows were covered with thick curtains. A wave of bitter frustration washed over her. Did he view her, Wu Meiniang, as some sort of monster to be avoided at all costs?

Once all the family members had boarded, the carriage procession slowly rolled out of the gate and headed straight toward Mingde Gate.