Chapter 5, Breaking the Cage to Fly the Goldfinch

He took away my doodle of the returning wild geese

Brother Yi, I know that in this world, apart from my parents, you are the one who treats me the best

"He is not a fool, Princess." Aunt Xi gently tucked the loose strands of hair behind my ears, her voice carrying a faint tremor: "He went to see Her Majesty early this morning and spoke with her. He intends to return to Suzhou to gather the strength of the Xiao family army in preparation to assist the Empress Dowager and the new Emperor in regaining control of the court. Her Majesty held him tightly and cried for a long time."

Yuwen Zhao repeatedly called out: "Someone, someone, quickly go and inquire with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where has the ice shadow satin cloak of Princess Xianfeng gone? Find out who is being negligent, and first take them away to receive a few dozen lashes before anything else."

She then turned to Xiao Ru and said: "I will have the imperial physician come to provide treatment shortly. You must return to the palace immediately and attend to your duties properly, without wandering off even a step."

I sat at the vanity in a daze, recalling the argument I had with him there yesterday, as well as the kiss that lingered on my forehead, leaving me in a daze for quite some time. I softly said, "Brother Yi, it must be because you were angry with me that you left, right?"

Aunt Xi closed the door and added a bit of frankincense to the bronze incense burner shaped like a mythical beast, then said: "How could Young Master Xiao be angry with the princess? Most likely... he is angry with himself, right?"

Everyone in the palace knows that I am extremely fond of that cat, yet no one knows that I secretly get up in the middle of the night to tug at its ears, tap its head, and mischievously comb its thick fur with a fine-toothed silver comb

This lunch was only shared by Yu Wen Zhao and the two of us, mother and daughter. Although it was not as lavish as yesterday's, both host and guests enjoyed the meal. Perhaps the roles of host and guest have already been reversed; he is the host, and we are the guests. The situation of the cuckoo occupying the magpie's nest has already become a settled matter

I am certain that I did not cry, I have long made up my mind to live on with a smile from now on, to face myself and to face Yu Wenzhao with a smile

Ah, you girl, you actually still remember this matter? I merely mentioned it casually that day, but I have long forgotten it.

"Yes, yes, we will definitely listen to the little princess about everything..." Yu Wenzhao promised proudly, and then instructed someone to prepare lunch, naturally including a portion for me

Aunt Xi has come over, took my hand, and gently said: "Princess, don't be like this, Young Master Xiao will return."

I gazed at myself in the mirror, feeling that my features were quite beautiful, yet I did not realize how much I resembled my mother. My mother's innate grace and tranquility, with my exuberant temperament, I fear I could never learn in a lifetime

At this moment, Xiao Ru arrived, stumbling and nearly causing Yu Wen Zhao, who was slowly walking from Qian Yuan Palace, to lose his balance.

A chill ran through my heart, and suddenly I jumped up, turned around, and rushed towards Xiao Caiyi's room

Mother was both angry and amused: "Silly daughter, do you think being someone else's daughter-in-law is a fun thing?"

Do not spoil the child too much. The mother wore an expression of helplessness, her eyes reflecting the autumn shadows, with a faint hint of sorrow.

My brother Yi, who has strong and powerful arms! My brother Yi, who has a spirited and radiant smile!

Yuwen Xie still frequently entered and exited the palace, moving between the Huixue Palace and other palaces. However, he no longer disturbed me.

I was puzzled, tilting my head in confusion as I gazed at Aunt Xi.

Thus, that cat both feared and loved me; when it was annoyed, it even once scratched the back of my hand with its claws

I feel someone pacing behind me, the sound of heavy footsteps. I chuckle and say, "I am not going out, just walking around in this palace, where could it be cold? When I have some free time, I will go play at Uncle Yuwen's house, and then I will wear a cloak. I am just afraid that my mother will never allow me to leave the palace!"

But now, I am wearing the most innocent smile in the world, teasing my cat with a silver hairpin

I walked to the intricately carved rosewood door in front of me and suddenly realized that something was missing

But what I think of more often is the snow situation

As autumn ends, do the geese return, and when spring arrives, can the geese come back

"What happened?" The mother, startled, hurriedly sat up, causing the plain floral woven blanket that covered her to fall to the ground, revealing her delicate and slender figure

With a pair of bright red coral bead bracelets on my wrists, I gently lifted the hem of my snow-white floral dress and slowly stepped out of the house

That is the cat given to me by Yu Wen Zhao, said to have been brought over from Persia. It has extremely long pure white fur, glossy and smooth, and its two bright eyes are of different colors: one is a light greenish-yellow, while the other is a deep blue, almost black. When I first saw it, I felt that although the cat was beautiful, it was also strangely unsettling, and I did not like it at all.

Xiao Caiyi has left, but my life goes on

"You all continue to tidy up," Aunt Xi instructed the palace maids, without responding to me, and directly pulled me back to my room

Returning Wild Geese Painting, Returning Wild Geese Painting

Thus, I immediately held it in my arms, calling out countless times "good uncle," and then repeatedly asked people to make a beautiful and warm nest for my precious cat. During mealtime, I would first serve a portion of my favorite dishes for the cat to eat

From this perspective, as a daughter, I have much more freedom, because I would never pose a threat to the status of the Yuwen family. If I indulge a little, and act a bit willfully, it would actually ease the minds of the Yuwen family significantly

Mother also knows how to timely remind Yu Wenzhao that I am just a little girl who has been spoiled and does not understand things

I silently tread on the fallen leaves, walking towards my bedroom. The rustling leaves are equally noisy under the sunlight, their sound in my ears is a constant annoyance, as if something is missing.

I have never dared to dress too ostentatiously, allowing Aunt Xi to tightly bind my increasingly ample bosom, carefully maintaining the youthful innocence of an underage girl

Yuwen Zhao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, yet he could do nothing about it. He could only bitterly smile at his mother more than once, saying: "This child, indeed, resembles a sharp-tongued cat!"

Where is Brother Yi? I hurriedly asked as I turned my head.

But this was given to me by Yuwen Zhao

Aunt Xi quietly followed behind me, like my shadow, watching me with a gaze filled with concern and affection

But if I had known, would I have stopped him? God knows how much I long for a valiant army to descend from the heavens and smash the iron chains that bind our family, the Yu Wen clan, into pieces

"Qiqing, stop!" Mother suddenly stood up and shouted sternly

It felt as if a fine needle had pricked my heart, and I suddenly recalled the unusual dryness on my cheeks in the morning

One cannot help but think that the appearance of Xueqing is clearly that of a bud waiting to bloom. Before it has even opened, it is brutally plucked by someone, violently crushed, and then trampled into the dust, rolling in filth, losing all its original grace and splendor. As time passes, Yuwen Xie naturally loses interest.

On October 22, the Empress issued a decree, bestowing the title of Phoenix upon the Third Princess and granting her in marriage to Yu Wenqing, the third son of Yu Wenzhao. I can finally, for the time being, cease to worry that this absurd father and son duo will extend their claws towards me

I was taken aback and looked up, only to find that I had been forcefully pulled to my mother's side, nearly tumbling over.

Yuwen Zhao suddenly realized, shivering slightly, and said: "Indeed, I actually didn't think of that. I must quickly isolate Princess Xueqing."

He is a fool, I said resentfully. Didn't we agree long ago that it would be remarkable to find a way to get rid of the groom before the wedding, so that he wouldn't be able to touch me?

Yuwen Zhao walked over, frowning and said: "If you are sick, then you are sick, why make such a fuss! You blind servant!"

He loves his mother, and in the future, he will likely come to love me as well. However, we are merely his beautiful dolls; he will be pleased to see our graceful performances both on and off stage, and he will allow us to make some small movements within his line of sight. The harem must inevitably distance itself from politics, much like a statue elevated high for worship.

And the mother called out to Aunt Xi: "Xiyan, quickly take Qiqing to wash her hands, soak them for a while with soap pods and wine, hurry up!"

Mother had never been so stern and imposing before, and for a moment I was stunned. Yu Wenzhao was also quite surprised and came over to comfort Mother, saying: "What happened?"

In the room that was so tidy and clean it made me uneasy, two palace maids were tidying the bed, carrying the quilt and mattress outside to air them out. The brocade cover and the inner lining of the quilt were thrown on the ground, seemingly prepared to be sent to the laundry room for cleaning

But I am not a cat; I am merely a little girl who cautiously restrains her brilliance

I often play the role of a clever and obedient little girl, seizing every opportunity to navigate between the Yu Wen father and son.

Yuwen Zhao indeed did not take it to heart, he patted my head and said: "You child, your voice is both loud and clear, it can be heard half a mile away, can this still be considered a whisper?"

Is that the tear of Xiao Caiyi

"Has he left? Where has he gone? Has he moved back into the prince's palace again?" I asked anxiously, yet I knew it was absolutely impossible

Mother nodded, and when she turned around and saw me still standing there in a daze, she exclaimed in exasperation: "You dead girl, why aren't you going to wash your hands? Oh, and then take a bath, strip off all your clothes and burn them!"

I dropped the cat and gave Yu Wen Zhao a hard push, pouting and saying: "What do you mean by just being sick? That is my sister"

Upon taking a closer look at me, he smiled and said: "Now that your emotional illness has improved, you indeed look much more spirited. You resemble a smaller version of Xiao Wanyi, truly a beauty in the making! Your temperament, however, is lively, unlike yours, which is so quiet it makes one feel heartbroken"

Suddenly, I hate myself so much, hate myself for sleeping so deeply, so soundly, that I didn't even notice when Xiao Caiyi shed so many tears, nor did I open my eyes to comfort him for a moment

Aunt Xi helped me with the floral decoration, displaying a very delicate and pleasant smile: "Princess, you resemble our Empress more and more."

The clear one from the Yuwen Zhao family is naturally my fiancé, Yuwen Qing

I harbor a deep-seated hatred for the ruthless flower thief, yet I dare not reveal a trace of my anger, instead quietly making arrangements in the shadows

Holding the quilt and thinking for a long time, I still could not understand. Fortunately, after washing up, that strange feeling was gone. I only applied some moisturizing pollen to my face and then asked Aunt Xi to help me comb my hair

The palace maid, frightened, hurriedly knelt down and said: "Young Master Xiao has already left this morning, so Eunuch Liu ordered us to tidy up the room."

The long wind howls as it crosses the water, the returning wild geese continuously reflect against the setting sky

Aunt Xi sighed sorrowfully, her brows resembling distant mountains: "Because he hates that he cannot help the princess. If the princess marries the third son of the Yuwen family, Young Master Xiao... will have his heart broken."

Turning to grasp Xiaoru's hand, I said: "Xiaoru, let's go, take me to see, I am looking for the imperial physician to treat my sister! Which blind fool dares to refuse to dispense medicine, I will beat him up and throw him into the gutter!"

Has he already left the capital? I suddenly felt weak all over. Has Xiao Caiyi also left?

And the nauseating voice of Yu Wen Zhao was still faintly drifting over: "This child seems to be a bit late in maturing, it would be good to teach her. Eventually, she will..."

She can already recognize me, yet she is as thin as a skeleton, her lifeless big eyes still hold a terrifying emptiness, but she is now able to continuously shed tears

I once secretly wore the attire of a palace maid and visited twice when night fell

Thus, Yuwen Zhao admired and even indulged my charm, yet the lust and desire in his eyes were always directed towards my mother

Because he directly took in Du Guipin, who was my father's most beloved concubine during his lifetime

I stared at him, spreading my five fingers and making a grabbing motion on his arm: "You send her away, or I will grab you! Otherwise, you can send your Qing'er over to me to play with!"

Yuwen Zhao coughed a few times and said: "This is not indulgence; it is only proper. These trivial matters of food, clothing, and daily necessities are not taken to heart by the servants. If we do not discipline them, how can we expect them to regard our feelings in the future?"

Last night, Young Master Xiao visited the princess's room and stayed for a very long time. However, the princess was in a deep sleep and was unaware of it. Aunt Xi lowered her head and pointed to the writing desk by the window, saying: "He also took away a painting that the princess made yesterday."

And today, it is already afternoon; where is Brother Yi?

Mother snorted and said, "Keeping it in the palace will always bring disaster. First of all, Qi Qing is restless and cannot help but run around, getting into all sorts of trouble. What if it gets entangled in something minor? Furthermore, Xie Er is not a good person; if Xue Qing is not bullied by him, it wouldn't have come to this point!"

I adjusted the embroidered silk ribbon at my waist and said: "How have I been spoiled? Mother, look, the other day, Jiangnan sent the ice shadow satin made from snow silkworm silk as tribute, saying it was for me to make a cloak for spring and autumn, but it has not been made for me yet. Have I ever complained about it?"

Before Xiaoru could react, she shouted loudly: "Someone, take Xiaoru back to the Huixue Palace!"

I grabbed one of the palace maids and shouted sternly, "What are you doing? Why have you tidied up Yi Gege's room like this?"

Mother exclaimed, "Is there such a thing? Smallpox?"

Meanwhile, the mother was instructing someone to clean the front yard and also ordering someone to fetch water to wash the ground

Perhaps, if it were not Yan Yuanfeng that I dreamed of at night, or if the smile of Yan Yuanfeng in that dream were not so enchanting, I would wake up, waking to wipe away those tears of a man that Xiao Caiyi had endured for so long without his knowledge

No matter how absurd they may be, they certainly cannot involve themselves with their own daughter-in-law or sister-in-law

Junyu has been promoted from Crown Prince to Emperor, and the Eastern Palace has long been uninhabited. Although Junyu is called Emperor, every day apart from attending court, he is confined to the study to read books, under the pretext of strict supervision. In reality, even my mother is secretly monitored every time she meets him.

Mother pondered, "She must not be left to wander in the streets. If this illness spreads among the common people, it will be troublesome. Moreover, although Xueqing's mother is both stubborn and proud, and does not regard me highly, this girl is still a daughter of the Huangfu family"

Aunt Xi was momentarily taken aback, and indeed, she gathered my inky black hair into two high twists. She then retrieved the jewelry that Father Emperor had awarded me, carefully selecting a string of white jade lotus beads inlaid with sea pearls to adorn the edge of my hair. Additionally, she paired it with several exquisite tortoiseshell and agate flower beads. I wore gold and white jade earrings shaped like a jade rabbit pounding medicine, which further accentuated my snow-white complexion and pearl-like eyes, making me appear playful and charming with every glance.

His last words were spoken to his mother

Yuwen Zhao laughed heartily, patting my shoulder and saying: "You are not only the Phoenix Princess but also the daughter-in-law of our Yuwen family. In this lifetime, there is no escaping it"

At that moment, Aunt Xi took a ribbon to tie my hair as usual. I said: "Please help me style my hair into a bun, a double bun, the kind that is higher, to look more playful."

Mother struggled hurriedly, awkwardly looking at me, and said in a low voice: "The child is still here, you should pay attention to your image!"

Xiao Ru, with her mouth open as if wanting to speak, was already being held by several tall and strong eunuchs, who were half-pushing and half-shoving her away.

"Qiqing is still young, always spoiled, knows nothing, and has a very willful temperament. How could she know what quietness is?" The mother smiled brightly, like the most beautiful scenery in an autumn day.

I blushed and exclaimed, "You are all so boring, I will no longer pay attention to you!" and ran out in a flash

He said, having already pressed that mouth, still smeared with remnants of food, against my mother, while his hands shamelessly reached towards her chest.

Mother's complexion was somewhat pale, her gaze cold and distant, as she said: "Smallpox, that is an infectious disease!"

"Once I become someone else's wife, can I no longer play?" I opened my eyes wide, wearing an innocent expression: "Then I won't be someone else's wife; I will just stay in the palace and be my own phoenix princess!"

Yang Shufei... Yuwen Zhao flashed a hint of embarrassment and disgust, saying: "Enough, send her out and find a place to confine her. If she can be cured, it won't be too late for her to return to the palace."

Aunt Xi, whose birth name is Xi Yan, was originally my mother's personal maid. After entering the palace, my mother arranged for her to marry a deputy general, providing her with a good support. However, shortly after their marriage, the deputy general, in pursuit of his ambitions, disregarded Aunt Xi's pleas and insisted on leading troops to campaign against Anxia, never to return. At that time, Aunt Xi was already in labor and, upon hearing the news, she was heartbroken and cried inconsolably, which caused her to go into premature labor. She managed to give birth to a male child, but he did not survive. My mother always regretted having entrusted her to a military officer for life. Just as I had given birth, she brought Aunt Xi into the palace to recuperate, and she became my wet nurse.

Aunt Xi did not respond, but lowered her head

Where exactly has Brother Yi moved to? I only find it exhausting to listen to that palace maid's hesitant speech, and in my frustration, I grabbed her collar, leaving her so startled that she couldn't utter a word

I turned around in surprise and said: "Uncle Yuwen, how could you eavesdrop on my private conversation with my mother? A grown man should have some shame!"

I remember my second elder sister was in the prime of her youth at the age of fifteen, exceptionally talented and charming. If my father were here, he would surely be selecting the most gentle, considerate, and affluent husband for her.

He has been here. I do not know

Yuwen Zhao had a bit to drink and was somewhat tipsy. Without waiting for the palace maid to bring out the dining table, he embraced his mother while slurring his words and said to me: "Qiqing, you are just as obedient as your mother, there are many like you. If you don't believe me, ask your mother, isn't this nightly indulgence better than with your father, who has long been exhausted?"

No wonder I noticed that my mother's eyes were a bit swollen when I saw her this morning! I looked up and said, "Aunt, you knew he was leaving, why didn't you tell me?"

As soon as the words fell, Yu Wen Zhao behind him laughed and said: "If Princess Qi Qing comes to our house to play, it would be more than welcome. As for your mother, she naturally will not stop it."

Thus, Yuwen Zhao can allow Xiao Caiyi to reside in the palace to accompany me, yet he will not permit Junyu to have too many royal confidants by his side

Mother is directing the palace maids to move the chrysanthemums in the corridor out to bask in the sunlight. She seems to have not slept well last night, with slight redness and swelling around her eyes. When she sees me, she appears somewhat surprised and, touching my hand, says: "It seems you are dressed a bit too lightly? The weather has turned cool; make sure to wear a cloak when you go out in the future"

Xiao Ru said that Yu Wenxie occasionally still comes, but the frequency of his visits has decreased significantly

Yuwen Zhao felt somewhat awkward and said, "Yes, I must tell Xie Er that he absolutely must not get involved with this woman again. But what should we do now? Should we throw her out of the palace?"

I covered my lips and chuckled, saying, "If Uncle Yuwen doesn't help me, I won't become the daughter-in-law of their family"

Aunt Xi no longer has her own flesh and blood, yet she treats me like a treasured jewel, taking care of all my needs—clothing, food, shelter, and daily activities. Even when it comes to styling my hair, it is Aunt Xi who does it for me. I always feel that her hands are light and gentle, and the hairstyles she creates are unique and lovely

I often think about how Du Guipin's charming and somewhat mischievous eyes would appear under the cold gaze of Yu Wenhong, filled with innocence and suffering

Yuwen Zhao saw the injury on my hand and exclaimed repeatedly: "I never expected such a gentle cat would also scratch people. Why not send it away?"

I should have called out, and with Aunt Xi accompanying me, I dashed away in a flash

On a warm winter afternoon, my mother lay languidly on a wooden couch covered with purple marten fur, watching me tease a kitten with a silver hairpin adorned with a broken jade tassel.

It was truly a wonderful dream. Thus, when I awoke at three poles of the sun, I could still feel the smile on my face

The name I gave to the cat is also "Qing'er"

Leaves fall gracefully before the steps, swept away day by day, yet accumulating day by day. Such a disordered and unbearable autumn seems to have no end.

Yuwen Zhao had not yet had the chance to become angry when Xiao Ru had already knelt before her mother, weeping as she repeatedly knocked her head against the white stone floor: "Your Highness, Your Highness, please save the princess, save our second princess!"

Yet I feel a tightness on my face, as if it has just been through a great cry, leaving it dry and parched

However, Yuwen Hong rarely spent the night in the palace

If possible, I wish to be a tiger, a tiger with sharp claws, able to easily pounce on the chest of my enemies, bite through their throats, and rip out their hearts

The outdoor sunlight is splendid, perfectly embodying the crispness of autumn. The tall citron tree's lush leaves have already faded, while a few orange-yellow fruits remain scattered among the high treetops, serving as bright embellishments in late autumn

I, Gege, laughed and said: "I am a princess. Once I arrive at the Yuwen family, you all must listen to me"

In the past, shortly after I woke up, Xiao Caiyi would cling to my side, just like a shadow, watching over me and never leaving my side

Little Ru wiped her tears and said: "The second princess has had many blisters on her face and body since the day before yesterday, and she has been running a high fever. I finally managed to get someone from the Imperial Medical Institute to come and take a look yesterday, and they said it was smallpox. However, many of the necessary medicines are quite precious, and the imperial physician refused to prescribe them, saying that times are chaotic and medicinal materials are in short supply. But our princess's fever has worsened today, and if she doesn't take medicine soon, I'm afraid it will... I'm afraid it will... Wuwu..." But our princess's fever has worsened today, and if she doesn't take medicine soon, I'm afraid it will... I'm afraid it will... Wuwu..."