Even though the issue of the tiger tally remained, the East Palace* made no further moves against her, so Cui Xi put it from her mind in order to focus on new year preparations. Glad of something to distract her, she spent three whole days in the kitchen, and when it was all done, she threw herself on the floor of her room and groaned.

 

Xiao Yu laughed at her.

 

“Thanks again for your help. I wouldn’t have been able to do it all by myself,” she said.

 

Xiao Yu flopped down beside her and then helped her into the chair in front of the mirror.

 

“I’ll have Jian and Dun help bring up water, A’Xi. You should take a good rest.”

 

Xiao Yu hugged her around her neck, and then exuberantly ran away to run the errand. Su Rou hovered in the background, smiling.

 

Cui Xi laughed softly, shaking her head.

 

Once she had bathed and carefully dressed herself with Su Rou’s help, she had both Xiao Yu and Xiao Hei come in to her room.

 

“I have new clothes for both of you,” she said. “And I want you to wear them for our meal tonight.”

 

Xiao Hei blushed, and Xiao Yu clapped her hands in delight when they saw the clothes laid out on the table. Xiao Yu slowly shook loose the blush pink silk dress, something far finer than she was used to and Cui Xi pretended to look elsewhere as the girl wiped her joyful tears away.

 

“Do you like it?” Cui Xi asked, smiling.

 

“I like it! I like it!” Xiao Yu cried.

 

Xiao Hei, on the other hand, clutched the dark blue robes he was holding, the cloud pattern on the belt and curling around the shoulder and collar suiting him perfectly. He had owned good clothes, but never a set gifted with as much warmth or sentiment. Although it was not silk, the Mistress had chosen a very fine weave of cotton cloth and it was supple and practical for ease of movement, perfect for someone who practiced martial arts.

 

“I thought about buying you silk, but decided this would be more useful,” Cui Xi said apologetically, misunderstanding his frozen expression.

 

He shook his head.

 

“Xiao Hei gives many thanks to you Mistress! This is more than Xiao Hei deserves,” he said, his voice a little rough.

 

“You are my family,” Cui Xi said simply. “I wanted us to be happy passing our first new year together,” she said. “But I have some other things for you as well…”

 

At this, Xiao Yu broke into tears again and Cui Xi burst out laughing.

 

“A’Xi this is too much!” she bawled. “I can’t believe it!”

 

“Why is it so hard to believe? I have never considered you anything other than my family. These are just small things…”

 

Taking two small elongated boxes, she handed one to Xiao Yu and one to Xiao Hei. With trembling fingers Xiao Yu drew out a silver hair pin decorated with blush coral flowers hanging down in a string and Xiao Hei received a silver hair crown decorated with clouds. The corals had come from the chest brought by her Master, while the hair crown was something that Cui Xi had commissioned from Cang Ru Shan.

 

Giggling with excitement, Xiao Yu ran to the mirror to shove her pin into her bun, while Xiao Hei’s ears reddened when the Mistress set his crown around his high ponytail and pushed the pin through.

 

“Come. Change your clothes and then we will serve the dishes,” she waved at them.

 

When Xiao Hei returned and sat down at the low table, Xiao Yu and his Mistress were already setting plate after plate on the table. He had never seen anything like it and did not recognize some of the dishes. His Mistress explained as they set each plate down. There was a whole fish dressed in hot oil, soya sauce, shredded ginger and Chinese chives; meat and vegetable dumplings; chicken stewed in soya sauce with mushrooms, oxtail and carrot consommé, spicy tofu with finely minced pork, long noodles, three different steamed vegetables, spicy pepper shrimp that had been coated in a crispy batter…and those were just the main dishes. There were also a number of sweets: lotus seed paste filled pastries pressed with flower patterns, tongyuan* filled with black sesame cooked with taro root in a sweet soup, a brown sugar new year cake spotted with red dates that had been sliced and fried, snowy white steamed buns with warm and sweet red bean paste…Living in the northwest, he couldn’t recall ever seeing or eating such food in his life.

 

Cui Xi had no idea what traditional New Year looked like having grown up in Canada and just randomly made her favourite dishes. She didn’t think that Xiao Yu or Xiao Hei would really mind. She paused looking at how beautiful everything was and for a moment missed her cell phone. This would have been a perfect picture. She hesitated for a moment, then gestured for Xiao Yu to help her serve the dishes.

 

But before they started to eat, Xiao Yu went to the corner of the room and retrieved three large multi-tiered food boxes that she had set aside earlier. Cui Xi sighed ruefully– Xiao Yu knew her too well.

 

Xiao Hei watched as the Mistress took a single portion of everything, filling each bowl, and carefully set them inside two of the boxes. The third was filled with sweets. Once she was done she put the boxes to the side, then she let Xiao Yu serve herself and Xiao Hei before finally serving herself. Although Xiao Hei was a little surprised, he already knew that the mistress was setting aside food for that person.

 

“Mistress, do you wish me to send this to the Seventh Prince’s manor?” he asked, hastily swallowing a mouthful of rice and setting his bowl down, already half-standing.

 

“No, that’s not necessary. Perhaps he will come by before he enters the Palace. I wasn’t very hopeful that he would come today, so be at ease. We will send the boxes to him after the meal. Have Su Qing send the other box to Master,” she gestured to the box containing the sweets.

 

Cui Xi frowned at the thought of her Master. Although he had returned just before the New Year, he had sent a letter saying that he was ill and in fact had forbidden her from seeing him. She couldn’t help being haunted by Gu Jia Er’s words, but if he didn’t want her to see him, then there wasn’t much that she could do. Master…I hope you’re alright…

 

If Xiao Hei noticed the look on her face, he didn’t comment, but only picked up the box to pass to Su Qing, who was already waiting. Having already given the others their gifts earlier in the day, Cui Xi had also given them a night off so that they could return to the Master’s manor or visit their own families as they wished.

 

After Xiao Hei reseated himself, they ate, laughed, and drank, and then the last two boxes were sent off to the Seventh Prince’s manor before they turned the desserts. Since there was only the three of them, what was left of the main dishes were distributed to the rest of the servants in the pleasure house who were delighted by the unexpected gifts…good meat and fish were hard to come by for them and they remembered this bit of good will from the Cosmetic Goddess. Apart from the servants, choice bits were also sent to Miss Lian, Miss Hong’er, and a box of sweets had gone to the children at the temple.

 

Later that night, Cui Xi and Xiao Hei stood out on the balcony quietly watching the street below. Although a few imperial carriages had passed by, none had stopped. The breeze gently swung the paper lanterns that Cui Xi and Xiao Yu had hung. The night was crisp and beautiful.

 

Xiao Hei was sitting on the railing, leaning up against the pillar with one leg stretched out in front of him holding his saber over the other bent knee. Cui Xi stood against the rail, both hands in front of her, with her fur collared cloak tied at her throat. Her face was slightly flushed with the wine, but that did not prevent her from pouring herself a little more.

 

Xiao Hei had stopped drinking hours ago and was quietly alert.

 

He anxiously watched his Mistress, taking in her wistful eyes and bitter smile. Even though his heart twisted in his chest, he said nothing. Although, when Xiao Yu came out, they exchanged glances.

 

The Mistress looked a little pitiful, drinking alone at the railing.

 

“Look! Snow,” said Cui Xi, reaching out a hand to catch a flake.

 

The sky was slowly filling with it and she was suddenly reminded of the home to which she could never return.

 

She didn’t realise that she was crying until a tear hit her hand.

 

“Don’t think too much, A’Xi” said Xiao Yu, seeing that she was in a strange mood.

 

Cui Xi shook her head and smiled, taking another sip of the grape wine she had specially bought for herself. It was true…she could always start again if things got too hard.

 

Sometime later, Xiao Hei helped Xiao Yu carrying the Mistress to bed. She had drunk herself into a stupor, muttering in a strange language. Letting Xiao Yu care for her, he slowly backed out of the room and vanished quietly into the night to see his brother.

 

***

 

It was well past midnight when the Prince finally returned to his own manor. The banquet in the imperial palace had dragged on and then at the last minute he had been caught by two ministers asking him about the northern border.

 

The head steward diligently came out to greet him and the Prince was a little irritated as he had already told the servants not to bother to wait for him tonight. However, the old fellow seemed to have something on his mind.

 

“Ah…Your Highness…what should we do about the food boxes?”

 

“Ehh?” he asked, barely hearing him.

 

“Two boxes were sent from…ah…Xinyue shop, shall we warm them?”

 

“No, bring them to the study,” Zhao Ling Xian said after a pause.

 

When the Seventh Prince entered, he threw his cloak to a maid servant. Then the steward and another servant came in with two large boxes and quietly unpacked the dishes. The steward clicked his tongue and shook his head. The Prince looked at him.

 

“Ah…it’s a pity. I can see that these dishes were prepared with thoughtfulness, but it’s wasted now that it’s cold…”

 

The Prince stared at the little bowls brimming with food. Curious, he picked up the chopsticks in the bottom of one of the boxes and placed a small bite in his mouth. He hadn’t really eaten during the banquet as he had spent most of it busy with other things. He chewed thoughtfully. Even though the food was cold, it was delicious. In fact, it would have been even better hot. He picked at something else, leaning back and closing his eyes. He continued to chew, savouring each bite.

 

The steward blinked and his mouth dropped open. He had never seen the Master eat cold dishes…and in fact, the Master looked like he was enjoying it. The person who had prepared the dishes obviously cared for the Master and he secretly hoped that perhaps there would be a female Master* to run the household sooner than later.

 

However, he was startled out of this daydream by a sneeze and then the clack of the chopsticks being thrown down. The Prince pushed back from the table with a grin on his face. He stood and strolled away. The steward’s eyes bulged.

 

“Your Highness is leaving the manor at this hour?” he gasped.

 

“What? It’s obvious that someone is talking trash about me*. I must return the sentiment with my own heartfelt sincerity,” he chuckled, reaching for his cloak.

 

The steward choked and coughed into his sleeve. When had the Master ever laughed with such good humour over cold dishes! Perhaps the rumours were true…? He fervently prayed that the Master would bring a bride back soon. Whoever the Prince had chosen, just as long as she made him happy, then the entire household would be pleased. The Master had been alone so long that the servants had despaired of him ever settling down.

 

The Seventh Prince noticed the odd yearning look on the steward’s face.

 

“You’re thinking useless thoughts again, old man. Do you miss my Imperial Consort Mother so much? Should I send you back to the palace?” he asked, his tone become haughty.

 

“Oh no, this old servant wouldn’t dare…” the old man waved his hands hastily.

 

The Seventh Prince chuckled.

 

“Murong Bo!” he yelled.

 

“Here!” the young man grumbled. Dammit! Where is Master going now?

 

Hurrying after him, Murong Bo occasionally wished Master was a little less energetic.

 

They rode swiftly, arriving in the street in front of the shop. Tying up the horses, the Seventh Prince moved lightly, hopping up into the balcony level without a sound. He frowned noting that Murong Shi had not appeared and wondered if the boy had disappeared off to the Murong Manor to see A’Yan.

 

Zhao Ling Xian sighed. Leaving his Mistress unprotected…I’m going to have to beat that boy.

 

Standing in the street below, Murong Bo made a face, but stayed where he was as his Master carefully slid the door open and entered the darkened room.

 

Inside, the Prince allowed his eyes to adjust and then he moved quietly into the inner chamber.

 

The curtains around the bed had been dropped and he could see that someone was within. The smell of wine was quite noticeable, and he wondered just how much she’d been drinking. That girl!

 

Raising a hand, he parted the bed curtain and looked down at the sleeping girl sprawled on the bed.

 

What terrible sleeping posture!

 

“Mmmmn” she mumbled in her sleep, turning onto her side with a sigh, flapping the quilt aside.  He went to pull it back over her and then stopped. With a start, he realized that she was nearly naked, wearing a strange dress with the thinnest straps over her bare shoulders. As his eyes travelled over her, he happened to glance down at her hands. Frowning slightly, he stood up to light the lamp for a better look.

 

Shielding the small flame, his eyes narrowed when he saw the bandages on her fingers.

 

The little fool had burnt herself in the kitchen.

 

“What am I to do with you, XiXi?” he asked softly, bending down. Bringing the tips of her fingers to his lips, he tenderly kissing each one. Sighing, he sat down on the edge of the bed again and removed a jar from a pouch at his waist. Slowly and carefully, he started to unravel the bandages on her hands.

 

He’d just finished applying salve to her right hand, when he heard a faint creak and looked up to find Xiao Yu’s startled face in the window. He put a finger to his lips, shaking his head, and continued to apply salve to Cui Xi’s other hand.

 

Xiao Yu watched for a moment, then reluctantly backed away, returning to her own room.

 

Although Xiao Yu had moved quite swiftly when he had looked up, the Prince had noticed the three silver needles in the hand she had put behind her back and let out a quiet laugh.

 

So…Murong Shi didn’t leave her completely unprotected.  

 

***

 

“Master, you shouldn’t drink…” Tao said, voice full of reproach. Turning his attention back to his task, he expertly re-tied the fresh bandage onto the Eldest Prince’s arm.

 

Zhao Ling Ye’s breath hissed out as Tao jerked it tight, and he rounded on him immediately.

 

“You’re hurting me on purpose…and it’s the New Year. Can’t I drink a little? I didn’t get a chance to open that jar of nongxiang at the autumn festival and you’re pestering me about it now?” he huffed in irritation.

 

Aaaagh! Such a troublesome Master!

 

Carefully putting down his wine, Zhao Ling Ye sighed and ran his hand through his messy unbound hair, pushing it away from his handsome profile. He ignored Tao’s glare and coughed into his sleeve.

 

Tao expelled a sigh so forceful that Zhao Ling Ye glanced sideways at him, still coughing. He put his head back and closed his eyes. In truth, he felt nauseous and ached all over like he’d been run over by a cart full of cow dung, but he didn’t want to tell Tao that.

 

Master…you only act spoilt when you’re trying to hide how bad you are hurt or how awful you feel. Aren’t you tired of it? How long are you going to hide it from me?

 

“Are you sure that damned plant is going to survive until Yang Ming Xi returns to the capital?” the Eldest Prince grumbled.

 

Tao nodded.

 

The plant that the Master had brought back from the cavern in the South was happily sitting in its own poisonous Gu* pond. After years of futile attempts, they had not only retrieved the plant in its entirety, but had been able to replicate the poisonous soup in which it lived. This time it would survive long enough for Yang Ming Xi to take the root and make up the antidote to cure the remaining poison in the Prince’s body.

 

“There wasn’t much hope, Tao. Even with the poison removed, the meridians can’t be fully recovered. From the reports, it’s clear that Xiyu will move in the coming months. I have no time left now. Send for him now.”

 

Ignoring the command, Tao put a hand to his Master’s forehead.

 

“You’re burning up with fever. It’s no good Master. Please, I’m begging you…”

 

“Tao, my Tao…you know I can’t…” the Prince smiled at him with such a gentle look that the floodgate of Tao’s heart ripped open, but Zhao Ling Ye’s eyes did not see the tormented look on the younger man’s face. He could only stare into the distance, thinking about a pair of fiercely beautiful golden eyes, and how desperately he wanted to spend his time looking into them.

 

With a faraway look on his face, his fingers tightened on the white jade flute in his lap.

 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________

*  The East Palace is the residence of the Crown Prince.

* round dessert dumplings that are cooked in a sugar syrup

* The Prince’s steward, A’Cheng uses 女主人 which can also be translated as Mistress.

* In Chinese culture, it’s common to joke that someone is talking trash about you if your ears itch or if you sneeze.

* 蠱 - Gu poison is made from putting multiple poisonous creatures in a jar until everything is consumed by a single survivor which was assumed to have concentrated/consumed the venom of everything it devoured. In this case, the Gu is actually a carnivorous lily.