Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Black Letter

“What kind of thieves are they?”

“I have investigated. There is someone who specializes in selling information. Whenever a noble lady spends the night somewhere, they steal valuables. If they come across a beautiful young lady, they take advantage of the opportunity…”

Lin Mu dared not continue, for he noticed Ye Jianxun sitting at his desk, his long index finger tapping rapidly on the surface, one tap after another. His expression was as dark and stormy as if a tempest were about to break loose.

This was a sign that he was about to lose his temper.

“However, I discovered,” Lin Mu said cautiously, “that the Japanese attendant must have accompanied Lady Hou up the mountain to pay respects to the Buddha. She feigned illness at the last moment, so the Young Mistress took her place.”

Ye Jianxun suddenly rose, striking the desk with a fierce palm. The desk shook violently from the impact, causing a lamp at the corner to topple and shatter instantly. Flames sprang up wildly.

Fortunately, Lin Mu was quick and doused the fire with cold water from the room. The study filled with acrid smoke, forcing Ye Jianxun to leave.

But instead of returning to his chamber, he went to the Longfeng Pavilion by Youlan Lake.

Lin Mu hurried after him. Night had fallen, and snowflakes drifted down, leaving dark streaks on his ink-colored robe.

“Lin Mu,” Ye Jianxun said coldly, hands behind his back, “find out what Mei Lingyi was doing around the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.”

“Yes, Young Master,” Lin Mu replied obediently.

That night, Ye Jianxun returned smelling of wine and the chill of snow. Mei Lingxi had just gone to bed but was not yet asleep.

Though lying on her side with eyes closed, she could feel the gaze fixed upon her, as if a tangible presence enveloped her, making her tense.

She was somewhat annoyed. The dagger was placed at the foot of the bed; next time it would be safer to put it by her bedside.

Time passed silently. She did not know how long, until a long, soft sigh came from beside her, followed by a shift in position. The gaze was broken, and her taut nerves finally relaxed.

In prominent families, it was customary to pay respects morning and evening. Because the Princess Consort was unwell, Prince Ning was considerate and instructed Mei Lingxi that she need not adhere strictly to this ritual. Thus, she had been relatively at ease these past days.

That day, Mei Lingxi went to visit Princess Ning, since it was due to her that the princess had fallen ill. It was only right to pay her respects.

She brought with her cloud-slice cakes she had made and arrived at Qingyun Garden, where Consort Liu was still seated.

“Greetings to Mother and Consort,” Mei Lingxi bowed.

Since Mei Lingxi entered, Princess Ning had been scrutinizing her attentively.

Mei Lingxi thought, Princess Ning must have realized she was not Mei Lingyi. She stepped forward with concern. “Mother, is your health any better?”

Princess Ning replied calmly, “It’s nothing serious, just an old ailment acting up.”

Consort Liu wore a long gown of goose yellow, radiant and charming. She appraised Mei Lingxi before smiling. “The Young Mistress seems to have gained some fullness these days.”

Mei Lingxi touched her face and answered, “The dishes at the Prince’s residence are excellent, so I have been eating more.”

Princess Ning said, “I heard from the servants that you have not been sleeping well these days. Are you homesick?”

A warmth spread through Mei Lingxi’s heart as she smiled sincerely. “No, perhaps I have been reading strange tales during the day, which seeped into my dreams, making my sleep restless.”

Consort Liu suddenly asked with feigned concern, “I heard there was a fire in the Young Master’s study last night. Was no harm done?”

Upon hearing this, Princess Ning’s expression tensed immediately. She hurriedly grabbed Mei Lingxi’s hand. “Is Xun’er hurt?”

Mei Lingxi glanced at Consort Liu and replied, “Mother, don’t worry. The Young Master is unharmed; only a corner of the desk was burned.”

“That’s good,” Princess Ning’s expression grew somewhat dazed.

Seeing this, Mei Lingxi did not wish to linger and rose to take her leave.

At that moment, Consort Liu cast a dark glance and said with concern, “I heard the Young Master has been going to the Mooningale Pavilion these past days, always seeking out a girl named Yu’er…”

Princess Ning’s eyes widened in disbelief, her emotions intense. “How could that be? Xun’er has always kept himself pure. How could he go to such a sordid place?”

Mei Lingxi knew Princess Ning could not bear such shocks, recalling the lingering fear from the last time Prince Ning questioned her. She cursed Consort Liu silently, then took the cloud-slice cakes from the box.

She soothed gently, “Mother, please do not be anxious. You know the Young Master best. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding. Please try these cakes I made.”

Princess Ning reluctantly took a bite. The cakes were still warm, soft, and sweet, lifting her spirits.

Consort Liu added, “I only heard this from the servants, so it might not be true. But the Young Master does often return to the courtyard late at night.”

Consort Liu’s knowledge was so precise, clearly she had agents in Luoyu Garden. Mei Lingxi steadied herself and said, “The Young Master is busy with affairs, always thinking of easing the Prince’s burden, so he returns late.”

“No matter how busy, health is paramount.” Princess Ning, who had always cherished Ye Jianxun, said solemnly, “I will ask Xun’er about this. If it is true, I will make sure justice is done for you.”

Such support, whether sincere or not, warmed Mei Lingxi’s heart. Yet, thinking of the lingering scent of rouge on the Young Master, she speculated quietly that perhaps he had not married the woman he longed for, and sought solace among courtesans.

It was understandable.

Mei Lingxi comforted the princess further, showing their close relationship, which finally lifted Princess Ning’s spirits.

Consort Liu, eating the cloud-slice cakes beside them, arched an eyebrow and curled her lips into a cold smile.

*

Leaving Qingyun Garden, Mei Lingxi felt weary and planned to rest. Seeing Biyu return, she asked, “Has the letter been sent?”

Biyu nodded, hesitating slightly as she handed over a letter. “Young Mistress, today I received a letter from the Eldest Young Master.”

“Let me see it,” Mei Lingxi said eagerly, quickly tearing open the envelope. The letter read clearly:

“Lingxi, I have arrived at the Su residence. The person you asked me to investigate is currently working as a carpenter in Qingyuan Town, business thriving.

Additionally, he is betrothed to the butcher’s daughter next door, with their wedding scheduled for March next year.”

After reading the last line, Mei Lingxi felt utterly drained. With a heavy thud, she collapsed to the ground.

Tears fell silently like beads scattering upon the velvet carpet, mournful yet voiceless, just like her elusive, vanished love.

“Miss, what’s wrong? Did the Eldest Young Master say something?” Biyu was surprised by Mei Lingxi’s grief. Had the Eldest Young Master learned she had married into the Prince’s residence and blamed her in the letter?

Mei Lingxi could hear nothing but the sorrow spreading from her heart, threading into her skin.

The curse of fate had sounded: they were now utterly unable to meet again.

Suddenly, a bitter sweetness rose in her throat; before she could hold it back, she spat a mouthful of fresh blood onto the ground.

The crimson drops speckled the snowy white letter like the last rays of winter sunset in Qingyuan Town—tragic yet beautiful.

Then she fainted completely.