Chapter 6

Cui Yu gave me his address. He lived quite close to the Jiang residence.

The nearer the water, the easier to catch the moon's reflection.

And this lovely moon would be mine.

Mother returned from having her fortune interpreted and found us chatting happily. She gave me a quiet, knowing look.

Seeing how late it was, Cui Yu clasped his hands and took his leave.

Watching him go, Mother said regretfully, “Miaoli, I'm afraid Master Cui won't do.”

“Why not? I think he's very good.”

“Not his character. He's the Cui family's third son, born to a concubine. After his father died, the lawful wife favored the other two sons, gave them all the property, and drove him out. Yet of the three brothers, he is by far the best scholar.”

Mother sighed softly.

“Your father says he has an excellent chance of placing high if he sits the examinations this time. But Madam Cui will never let him reach the examination hall.”

12

No need for regrets. With me here, anything could change.

Two nights later, Madam Cui sent thugs to break Cui Yu's arms under cover of darkness.

I had already brought men to lie in wait in the alley. We caught the whole lot.

Still shaken and deathly pale, Cui Yu looked at me in astonishment.

“Miss Jiang, what are you doing here?”

I made up an excuse.

“Tiaotiao won't move. I wanted you to look at him and happened to meet these villains.”

Tiaotiao was the kitten with the broken leg.

Clenching his fists, despair in his eyes, he bowed.

“Thank you for saving my life, Miss Jiang. Let's go and see Tiaotiao first.”

All the way back, Cui Yu was silent, weighed down by his thoughts.

Once there, he lifted the kitten from its bed, examined it carefully, and breathed out.

“It's fine. Just deeply asleep.”

“…”

I had thought the cat was dead. It had frightened me half to death.

In broad daylight, it had been a wild horse, springing onto my stomach on three legs and nearly sending me to meet my great-great-grandmother. How could it eat dinner, turn all four paws to the sky, and lie there without moving?

Apparently, it was sleeping like the dead.

Cui Yu was about to leave when I stopped him.

“Master Cui, your lodgings aren't safe. Why not stay with us for a while?”

“Please don't misunderstand. My father has always valued talent. We were lucky to stop those thugs today, but who knows what might happen next?”

He lowered his eyes and considered for a moment, then nodded.

“I'll never forget your kindness, Miss Jiang. In the future…”

I nearly interrupted. Why wait for the future? He could repay me with himself right now.

The words reached my lips. I swallowed them.

Never mind. Once he was living in our house, there would be plenty of chances.

Father did not scold me when he heard. Instead, he sympathized with Cui Yu's unhappy circumstances.

Mother put him in Maple Leaf Courtyard, a most conveniently situated place. To reach the front hall, he would have to pass my courtyard.

So I kept watch every day. Either I leaned by the window playing the zither or spread out paper to paint, the very picture of cultivated elegance.

The music drifted on the wind. Whenever he passed, his steps slowed.

When I opened a painting, I deliberately sent someone to invite him over, saying I did not understand a brushstroke and wanted his advice.

Poetry and books gave me further excuses to draw closer.

With each visit, we grew more intimate.

Even Tiaotiao kept running to Maple Leaf Courtyard to cling to Cui Yu and refused to come home.

13

Today, Tiaotiao had vanished again. Certain he was hiding in Cui Yu's courtyard, I went to look.

The door was closed.

I was about to knock when something heavy fell inside.

My heart jumped. Thinking the cat had knocked over his books or belongings, I hurriedly pushed the door open.

Instead, Cui Yu was on the floor, his muscles rigid, his cheeks burning red.

I went to help him. He suddenly leaned over me, pressing a kiss to my lips.

The moment he recognized me, he seemed to come to himself. He stumbled back and slapped his own face.

“Forgive me, Miss Jiang! I never meant to…”

One look told me he had been drugged, and powerfully.

Who was wicked enough to try to steal my handsome scholar?

His gaze was unfocused, his reason fading. He had bitten his lower lip until a faint trace of blood appeared.

“Please… go outside. I beg you. There's already someone in my heart. The woman I love is Miss Jiang. Please leave me alone…”

Miss Jiang?

My heart missed a beat.

I stroked his burning cheek and coaxed softly, “Master Cui, which Miss Jiang is it that you love?”

He murmured as though dreaming.

“Miss… Jiang Miaoli. She's like a fairy descended from heaven…”

I swallowed secretly.

“You said you wanted to repay me. Then why not give yourself in marriage to Jiang Miaoli?”

He looked up blankly and repeated in a low voice, “Marry… Miaoli? Could I?”

I bent and kissed his forehead.

“Yes.”

“I approve.”

A night of trembling beauty, of pearls on the verge of shattering; spring spilled through the quilts.