GD Chapter 50

The Crown Prince’s expression turned somewhat awkward. He feigned concern and said, “Oh no, what should we do? How about this, tomorrow, I’ll compensate your family with a new plank. I’ll have Shan Yin go to the Imperial Workshop and pick,  out the best one for you. Does that sound good?”

Su Xinghe glanced at him. “Please, I beg you not to get involved. Can you do that? If you compensate my family, and they find out you broke the plank by lying on my bed during night duty, do you even care about your reputation?”

The Crown Prince replied, “My reputation isn’t important. We’re all men here, who doesn’t know who?”

Though they understood each other, for her, it was utterly humiliating. They saw each other in the palace every day, and now, even after returning home, he acted like a greedy cat. Making such a scene, what would her sisters-in-law think of her? What would Su Xinghai think of her?

She was on the verge of tears. “Did I run into a curse or something? In the middle of the night…” She stared gloomily at the collapsed bedding, feeling as if the sky itself had caved in.

The Crown Prince let his sleeves fall and asked, “The ‘curse’ you’re talking about surely you don’t mean me?”

She looked at him expressionlessly, her face clearly saying, What do you think?

The Crown Prince chuckled awkwardly. “Well, maybe it’s for the best. I told you to sleep on the bed in the first place, but you wouldn’t listen.”

Su Xinghe shot him an annoyed glare, bent down to pick up her clothes, and pushed the door open to leave. She spent the night in the side room instead.

Bad news travels fast. By the next day, the entire Su family had heard about the broken bed plank. When Su Xinghe entered the front courtyard, her parents looked at her with faces full of unspoken words. The Crown Prince had yet to arrive, and Mrs. Su glanced outside before turning to her daughter.

“Don’t tell me you’re too embarrassed to come out and face people?” she teased.

Su Xinghe hesitated before responding, “Who’s embarrassed?”

Mrs. Su gave her a knowing look. “Tsk… Didn’t they say there was quite the commotion in your courtyard last night? Everyone goes through this when they’re young, no need for the men to be shy about it.”

Su Xinghe feigned ignorance. “Are you talking about the broken plank? I don’t know how it happened. Must’ve been old, it was the one Xiaoxing used before, right? That was over ten years ago… The moment I sat on it, it just broke on its own.”

Mrs. Su scoffed. “Nonsense. That plank was newly made. Even if there were two of you, it wouldn’t have broken.”

Su Xinghe stuck to her story. “Well, I have no idea. All I know is that it collapsed. I was supposed to be on night duty for His Highness, but in the end, I had no choice but to move to the side room and make do for the night.”

A mother could never be easily fooled about what happened in her daughter’s room. Mrs. Su remarked, “Your bed is big enough, how could there not be space to…” Before she could finish, Master Su shot her a sharp look that immediately silenced her.

“You old women are always thinking about these improper things!” Grand Academician,  Su Xinghe scolded, flicking his sleeve and striding off toward the Western study.

Su Xinghe gave her mother a reassuring smile before quickly following her father. Once inside the study, he gestured for her to close the door. Turning to face her, he asked, “Have you heard about Prince Minxing gathering grain outside the capital?”

Su Xinghe nodded. “The Crown Prince mentioned it. From what I heard, after ten days, he only managed to gather thirty thousand shi of grain, barely a drop in the bucket compared to the needs of the northern and southern wars. The Crown Prince said he gave him some advice, out of brotherly concern, but I was skeptical at the time and didn’t ask too much. Has there been news from the outer provinces?”

Su Yujin let out a cold snort. “Do you know what kind of advice he gave? He told Prince Minxing to conscript wealthy households in the name of the court; those unwilling to send their sons to war would have no choice but to ransom them with grain. It’s an effective method and raises supplies quickly, but how is it any different from oppressive rule? That schemer knows exactly what he’s doing, he only passed the message through word of mouth, leaving no tangible evidence against him. If the emperor decides to punish someone, Prince Minxing alone will bear the consequences.”

This wasn’t the first time the Crown Prince had played such tricks. No matter how ruthless his actions were, she wasn’t even surprised anymore. What puzzled her was, “Did Prince Minxing really go along with his suggestion?”

Su Yujin sighed, “What other choice did he have? Money and grain are indeed hard to gather. Those wealthy households only care about themselves, no one wants to make sacrifices. Meanwhile, the army is on the brink of starvation, desperately waiting for court provisions. But the imperial treasury is empty, with no funds to allocate. What else could he do? For now, the immediate crisis has been dealt with, but once he returns to the capital, the Emperor will likely hold him accountable.

“Yesterday, while discussing taxes with Gui Fohai, I took the opportunity to speak in his favor, hoping the Emperor would understand how difficult grain collection is and spare him some blame. These past two years, even collecting taxes has been a struggle, let alone expecting the people to bleed themselves dry.”

Everything was still in the Crown Prince’s hands. If he instructed local officials to submit a report against Prince Minxing, then the entire empire would soon be talking about how a royal prince had mishandled such an important duty.

Su Xinghe could only sigh. “If Prince Minxing had even half of the Crown Prince’s cunning, he wouldn’t be so easily led by the nose…”

Su Yujin smirked. “But wasn’t that the very reason he was considered a viable candidate in the first place? He’s difficult to manipulate and won’t be easily controlled, just like Prince Jianping. But someone like him has his own advantages. He stays moderate, keeps a low profile, and for now, no one pays him much attention. As long as the Emperor remains in good health, it’s only a matter of time before the Crown Prince and Prince Jianping wear each other down. When that happens, winning without fighting is still a victory.

“Besides, the palace situation is growing more unpredictable. With Empress Huo Yan getting involved, this might just turn into an opportunity for us.”

Su Xinghe nodded. “Once the New Year is over, we should arrange for that Cavalry Commandant to meet with his relative. As long as the siblings talk, we’ll have a formal connection to introduce ourselves.”

Just as they finished speaking, a servant announced from outside that the Crown Prince had entered through the back courtyard.

Su Xinghe hurried out of the study to greet him at the second gate, only to hear the first thing he said to Mrs. Su: he was going to compensate the Su family for the broken plank.

He took full responsibility, though his words were more suspicious than reassuring. “It was me, all me. I wasn’t careful and ended up breaking the bed.”

Mrs. Su immediately turned to look at Su Xinghe, blinking at her in amusement. See? You don’t even know how to lie properly. You’ve been exposed!

Su Xinghe’s mind went blank, and for a moment, she felt like she might faint on the spot. Hadn’t she told him not to make things worse? And yet, here he was, digging her into an even deeper hole.

Well, at this point, she might as well go all in. With a resigned nod, she admitted, “Yes, the two of us worked together to break the plank.”

That word “worked together”was just ambiguous enough to be downright scandalous.

The Crown Prince  with a perfectly straight face, echoed her words, “That’s right, exactly.”

Mrs. Su and Master  Su exchanged awkward smiles and quickly waved it off. “It’s just a plank, what’s the big deal? It was meant for a girl’s bed anyway. If it’s broken, we’ll just use it for firewood. And hearing such a loud crack on the first day of the new year? Sounds like a good omen!”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince finally felt at ease. A good omen indeed, he thought. That sound was loud enough to shake heaven and earth.

Master Su, on the other hand, couldn’t bear to hear another word about that wretched plank. He turned his head toward the dining hall, just in time to see Su Xinghai’s concubine approaching. She knelt in greeting and reported that breakfast was ready and would soon be served to the Crown Prince.

To show his sincerity in blending in, the Crown Prince insisted on dining together with everyone. So, the group sat around the dining table in the hall, each scooping coix seed porridge from a shared bowl and holding a small cornbread bun, eating alongside various pickled side dishes.

Since Su Xinghe hadn’t been home for the traditional New Year’s Day family meal, a special sweet soup was prepared today to make up for it. The soup contained two-colored glutinous rice dumplings, garnished with red and green candied shreds. Su Xinghe was served a bowl, and since the Crown Prince was half a son-in-law of the family, he got one too.

According to tradition, the second day of the new year was meant for visiting relatives and paying respects. When Su Xinghe was younger, she used to accompany Su Xinghai, riding in a carriage from house to house delivering New Year’s greeting cards. The Su family had so many relatives that they usually didn’t even go inside, just offering formal greetings at the door. This way, they could visit over a hundred households in a single day.

Su Xinghai had already changed into formal attire, preparing to head out. Even though he was now a high-ranking official, he still followed the old customs. In a few years, once his son was old enough, the responsibility would pass to him, and Su Xinghai wouldn’t have to go himself anymore.

Su Xinghe, full of enthusiasm, announced, “I’m coming too!” and eagerly tried to board the carriage, only to be yanked back by Mrs. Su.

“You’re a grown woman now,  what are you going around paying New Year’s visits for? We have an important guest at home. Stay put and behave yourself.”

And so,Su Xinghe was successfully held back. But just then, out of nowhere, Princess Xialing emerged from some hidden corner, stepped forward, and took Su Xinghai’s arm.

“I’ll go with you,” she offered cheerfully.

Everyone was stunned. Even the Crown Prince was taken aback. Standing under the eaves, he raised an eyebrow and asked,

“You’re a princess of the imperial family, what business do you have tagging along on someone else’s family visits?”

Princess Xialing spotted the Crown Prince and let out a playful “Oh?” before smirking. “Second Brother, you’re here too? If you can crash their family’s reunion dinner, why can’t I go visit with Su Xinghai?”

There’s no reason with a widow eagerly seeking a second spring in life, no matter how much you argue, it’ll be useless.

Su Xinghai had long grown weary of her relentless pursuit. The moment he saw her, his face turned cold. He had already repeated the same words countless times, but they never made a difference. Today, with the Crown Prince present, he took the opportunity to formally cup his hands in a respectful bow.

“Your Highness, please bear witness for me. I have a wife and family, and I have never harbored ambitions of currying imperial favor. I hold no improper thoughts toward the Princess. Over the past month, I have mistakenly received her excessive kindness, and I feel utterly unworthy. If His Majesty ever questions this matter in the future, I ask Your Highness to clarify on my behalf, one wife is enough for Su Xinghai. I will never take another.”

The Crown Prince nodded in approval, though inwardly, he found his younger sister’s persistence quite embarrassing. Forcing a cow to drink by pushing its head down, what’s the point of a woman reducing herself to this?

Princess Xialing’s expression, however, remained indifferent. In her mind, just as a chaste woman fears a persistent suitor, the reverse must also hold true.

But then, Su Xinghai turned to call his timid wife. “Hexian, just leave the child with the wet nurse. Come with us.”

Hexian hesitated for a moment before softly replying, “Oh,” and lifted her skirt as she descended the steps.

When she reached the carriage, however, she made no move to step onto the footstool. Instead, she looked up at her husband with an affectionate gaze and murmured, “Hai-ge, my skirt is too narrow. I can’t get up.”

Without a word, Su Xinghai scooped her up effortlessly and placed her inside the carriage.

Oh ho,Su Xinghe thought to herself, this quiet woman knows exactly how to make a statement when it counts.

In that brief moment before she boarded, she had shot a glance at Princess Xialing. Su Xinghe didn’t know if anyone else noticed, but she definitely did.

Perhaps this is a woman with a will of her own. If her husband wavers, she might be ruthless enough to sever ties. But as long as he remains firm, she’ll fight to the death to protect her place.

With a sharp crack of the whip, the carriage gradually rolled away.

Su Xinghe lifted her skirt and stepped inside the house. After taking a few steps, she glanced back, her mother, though clearly feeling awkward, still maintained her manners as she made small talk with Princess Xialing.

“Your Highness, Happy New Year. Since you’re already here, why not come in and have a seat? Have a cup of lotus seed tea.”

Princess Xialing’s lips curled into a cold smile. Though she remained courteous to Mrs. Su, she simply replied, “Since he’s busy, I won’t go in. I’ll visit another day.”

After all, she was a princess, she might lose face, but she wouldn’t lose her composure. With that, she turned proudly, boarded her carriage, and departed in a huff.

Mrs. Su entered the house with a worried frown. “She’s still His Majesty’s beloved daughter. If Su Xinghai offends her like this and she goes to complain before the Emperor, what will we do if he decides to punish us?”

Even Master Su found himself at a loss this time. He had no choice but to formally cup his hands toward the Crown Prince.

“The Su family harbors no disrespect toward the Princess, as you’ve seen with your own eyes. But Su Xinghai is not interested, and we cannot force him. Moreover, his wife has been a dutiful daughter-in-law since the day she entered our home. She respects her elders, gets along well with the family, and has done nothing to warrant reproach. She is a properly wedded wife, married under formal rites, having paid respects at our ancestral hall. She has committed no wrong, surely, we cannot send her back to her family just to make room for the Princess?”

The Crown Prince raised his hand slightly in a calming gesture. “There is no need for concern. I have seen everything with my own eyes today. If the Emperor asks, I will handle it.”

That reassurance made the situation feel less dire. Master Su nodded solemnly, still a bit uneasy, but Mrs. Su finally let out a breath of relief.

Having a powerful son-in-law really is a blessing. If the Crown Prince hadn’t been here today, Su Xinghai might not have had the chance to speak up at all. Seeing her brother, Princess Xialing hadn’t dared to act out too much, which made sending this troublemaker away all the easier.

Mrs. Su, now in a cheerful mood, turned to the Crown Prince with a beaming smile. “Your Highness, what would you like to eat this afternoon? Shall I have someone prepare a clay pot of stewed deer tendon to nourish your strength?”

Su Xinghe’s face flushed red, though she wasn’t entirely sure why. Her mother’s excessive attentiveness toward the Crown Prince was truly unbearable. Just last night, they broke the bed board, and today she’s already trying to nourish his strength?

She stole a glance at the Crown Prince, who was smiling reservedly as he responded, “Thank you, Madam.”

She couldn’t help but grumble inwardly. Suddenly, the Crown Prince let out a surprised “Eh?” and said, “What happened to your face? I’ve known you for over ten years, and I’ve never seen you blush before!”

With that, everyone turned to look at her as if watching some rare spectacle. The rosy hue on her cheeks deepened uncontrollably. Flustered, she covered her face with both hands and turned on her heel, retreating to her own courtyard.

As she stepped through the moon gate, she noticed Su Xinghai’s concubine instructing the servants to move the broken bed board.Su Xinghe stood watching for a long moment, a complicated feeling rising in her chest.

Even after being elevated to the status of a concubine, someone who has been a servant for years still carries the habits of one.

Despite her new position, she still lacked the demeanor of a mistress. Just as before, she took care of the household’s trivial matters, handling the kitchen, setting the table, and now, overseeing the dismantling of the bed frame.

She knew every detail of the household inside and out and carried out tasks with practiced ease. Su Xinghe admired her efficiency and didn’t look down on her for being a concubine.

Sensing Su Xinghe’s gaze, the concubine turned and greeted her with a warm smile, “Young Miss.”

Su Xinghe nodded and stepped aside to allow the servants to carry the broken board out of the hall. The concubine rubbed her hands together and said, “I’ll have someone send in a sturdier one later. This board was originally meant for the maids, I didn’t expect…” She trailed off awkwardly before forcing a small, embarrassed smile. “That was my oversight.”

Su Xinghe waved it off casually. If the conversation continued, they’d inevitably circle back to the Crown Prince’s “great achievements” from the previous night.

She studied the concubine carefully and asked, “You originally came from my sister-in-law’s family, didn’t you? These kinds of chores shouldn’t be your responsibility.”

Su Xinghai’s concubine smiled and said, “I was sold to the Song family as a child. I don’t even know where my parents are. I served the young lady ever since, and when she got married, I followed her here. She worried that I would have no support in the future, so she arranged for me to be with the young master. The masters have always treated me kindly, but as long as I can be of help, I take care of things myself. Even though I now share a room with the young master and have a child, I still see myself as a servant and do my best to serve the household.”

A person like this, who remained steadfast despite a change in status, was truly rare. Su Xinghe asked, “With the commotion Princess Xialing has been causing in the estate lately, what do you think of it?”

She replied, “I don’t have any particular thoughts. As long as my lady is here, I’ll stay too. If she ever returns to the Song family, I certainly wouldn’t remain behind.”

So, she had chosen to follow Hexian, not Su Xinghai. Having seen so many cases of wives and concubines fighting for favor, Su Xinghe found such loyalty particularly rare and heartwarming.

The concubine gave a slight curtsy before stepping down the stairs and heading toward the door. Su Xinghe watched her leave, only to see the Crown Prince strolling in at a leisurely pace. Instantly, she felt a wave of despair.

This three-day spring holiday is far too long. It’s only the second day, and I already feel like I won’t survive the rest.

The weather seemed to be shifting, one moment sunny, the next overcast. As he approached, the clouds parted for a brief moment, and golden sunlight bathed him in radiance, making him look almost gilded.

He was tall, hands clasped behind his back, leaning forward slightly, with a refined smile on his face. With a warm, familiar tone, he called out, “Xing,” and then teased, “What are you so shy about?”

Su Xinghe couldn’t help but press a hand to her forehead. “I’m not shy. I just have a headache.”

He pretended not to hear and shifted his gaze toward the bedroom, glancing inside. “The place was wrong last night. If we had been in the inner room, we would have gotten things done.”

His words made her flustered, heart pounding as she hurriedly cupped her hands in mock supplication. “My lord, you’ve already made quite the impression in the Su household. Look at how valliant you are, you even managed to break the headboard! You’ve earned plenty of face already. Please, have mercy on your humble servant.”

The Crown Prince’s face darkened. “I don’t like hearing that.”

He schemes against me at every turn, yet he still expects sweet words? Where in the world does he think such good fortune exists? Su Xinghe had already resigned herself to fate. She sighed, “Let’s go back to the palace. My family doesn’t need me to visit relatives and friends for New Year’s greetings, so there’s not much point in me staying.”

The Crown Prince considered it for a moment. “Why don’t we visit Huo Yan’s estate? Didn’t you say you wanted to see General Cao Zhan’s son? We happen to have time today.”

He was clearly up to no good. If he started running his mouth in front of Huo Yan, she wouldn’t just lose face, she’d lose it at the Duke’s residence.

Su Xinghe waved her hands frantically. “Actually, the child was only sent to the Huo estate a few days ago. It’s only been two or three days, going now would be too hasty. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

The Crown Prince looked at her in amusement. “It was you who wanted to go, and now it’s you who doesn’t want to go…”

She nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, I’m the one who said both things. I change my mind every moment, women’s hearts are as unpredictable as needles at the bottom of the sea.”

She had already said everything there was to say, so the Crown Prince decided not to argue with her. In any case, even though things hadn’t gone all the way last night, progress had been made. The person he liked had already been pinned beneath him, and he had even summoned the courage for a daring move midair. When the time came to get serious, he was sure he’d be much more experienced.

His gaze was filled with tenderness as he looked at her, but she remained expressionless, as if she weren’t the same person who had shaken the earth with him last night and collapsed the bed. The Crown Prince felt a little stifled, but at least he had another chance tonight. This time, he wouldn’t let her escape to sleep outside, whether through coaxing or trickery, he had to get her onto the canopy bed.

While scheming in his mind, he kept a calm expression and looked up at the sky. “Looks like it’s going to rain. Last time on the Winter Solstice, the weather was perfect. Yesterday, I held back and didn’t cause trouble, that was already Heaven showing mercy.” He lifted his hand slightly. “Let’s head inside.”

Just as they were about to turn back, a servant, Shan Yin, came in with a report. Princess Xialing had entered the palace to see the Emperor.

The Crown Prince and Su Xinghe exchanged glances. Judging by this, she was probably going to make things clear to their father. Considering Princess Xialing’s temperament, she would never let it go after suffering a setback.Su Xinghe hurriedly grabbed the Crown Prince’s sleeve. “Let’s go back to the palace and check. I’m afraid if she cries and throws a tantrum, His Majesty won’t be able to resist and might agree to grant her the marriage, that would be a disaster.”

There was no time to enjoy the stewed deer tendon. They immediately bid farewell to the Su household and headed straight for Xuande Gate.

The Emperor was in Lizheng Hall. Princess Xialing had arrived at the Northern Palace before them. She didn’t even visit her mother in Fengchu Palace but rushed past Shenlong Gate and barged straight into the Emperor’s bedchamber.

Prince Xin was accompanying their father in a game of chess when he saw his elder sister storm in, her eyes red from crying. He was momentarily stunned, quickly stood up, and called out in alarm, “Royal Sister?”

Princess Xialing didn’t even spare him a glance. “I have something to say to the Royal Father. You, get out.”

Among all the princesses, her arrogance was unmatched. She bossed people around without the slightest regard for their feelings.

Prince Xin had no choice but to bow slightly to his father. “There’s medicine still brewing outside. I’ll go check on it.”

The Emperor nodded, then turned to look at his troublesome eldest daughter. A deep sense of helplessness washed over him.

But like all parents in the world, no matter how much trouble their child caused, they couldn’t bear to truly blame them. At most, he frowned and scolded her lightly, “Where is your dignity? Why are you making such a scene?” Then, he calmed himself with a sigh and pointed to a stool beside him. “Speak properly if you have something to say.”

But Princess Xialing refused to sit. She clung to her father’s leg, crying pitifully. “Royal Father, I suffered a great humiliation outside. Please seek justice for me.”

A princess of the empire, who would dare to humiliate her? The Emperor was used to her exaggerations and didn’t take it too seriously. “What exactly happened? Explain it clearly.”

Her sobs grew even more dramatic. “The Royal Father knows of Su Xinghai, the Deputy Chief Minister of the Privy Council.. I met him once before and found him to be a good person, so I kept in contact with him. Who would have thought he already had a wife and child? When I went to see him, he put on airs and threw me out!”

The Emperor was utterly baffled. “Who? Su Xinghai? Su Yujin’s son?”

Princess Xialing nodded. “Yes, he’s also the brother of that precious favorite by Second Brother’s side.”

Love again. Princess Xialing seemed incapable of separating herself from the word, making one wonder if she was the reincarnation of Zhu Bajie, doomed to be entangled in romance for life.

The Emperor felt a splitting headache but still had to patiently reason with her. “Since he already has a wife and children, why don’t you just stay out of it? You are a princess of the empire, chasing after a married man only diminishes your own status. If you can’t figure that out yourself, coming to me to complain won’t change anything. What do you expect me to do? Order Su Xinghai to divorce his wife and marry you instead?”

Princess Xialing twisted her body dramatically, as if she were a piece of dough being kneaded. “But I just like him! Royal Father, don’t you pity me? I’m a lonely widow, unemployed and unloved.”

She would’ve been better off not bringing that up. The moment she did, the Emperor’s anger flared. “You still have the face to mention that? How long has it even been since your husband died? And you’ve already caused an uproar throughout the capital! A father is to blame for failing to teach his child, and now I have to endure the shame of the entire empire along with you! Once should have been enough, but now? Now you’ve set your sights on another woman’s husband! Princess Xialing, just how long do you intend to keep making a mess of things?”

The Emperor had always been indulgent with his eldest daughter, so Princess Xialing had never been scolded this harshly before. But even his fury couldn’t suppress her relentless pursuit of love. She blurted out without thinking, “I’ve already been with him! He’s trampled on the dignity of the imperial family, will the Royal Father simply stand by and do nothing?”

Outside, Prince Xin, who had been eavesdropping, couldn’t help but click his tongue. Now that was a trump card. This revelation was even more shocking than the gossip about the Crown Prince breaking a bed at the Su estate.

Would the Emperor really just watch his daughter be taken advantage of without stepping in?

However, too many misdeeds had piled up, and even fatherly love had its limits.

The Emperor’s voice was laced with coldness as he spoke, each word deliberate and heavy:

“The consequences of your own actions, whether bitter or sweet, you will taste them yourself. Have you ever thought about why your mother ended up in her current state? I had hoped you would learn restraint, that you would reflect on yourself. But instead, you have become even more reckless, dragging your name further through the mud…”

By the time he reached the end, his breath was trembling with rage. Pointing at the door, he bellowed, “I don’t want to see you again! Get out! Leave at once!”

Sensing trouble, Prince Xin hurried into the bedchamber, only to collide head-on with Princess Xialing. She was already fuming, and when someone blocked her path, she didn’t even care who it was. With a fierce shove, she sent him stumbling aside.

“Move!”

Prince Xin staggered but quickly regained his balance. Turning his head, he saw Princess Xialing running toward the palace gates, sobbing uncontrollably.

A princess who had been showered with endless affection had likely never suffered such humiliation before. And when a pampered noble like her threw a tantrum, who knew what outrageous things she might do?

Prince Xin let out a faint, knowing smile and shifted his gaze toward the medicine cauldron.

Their father’s migraines had been acting up again lately, requiring constant medication. Normally, court physicians supervised the brewing process, but when the brothers were tending to the Emperor personally, they handled it themselves.

The medicine pot sat atop a charcoal stove, it’s dark liquid bubbling with a rich, bitter-sweet aroma.

Scent is the key to memory. And this scent pulled him back to a crisp autumn nine years ago, to the very same Lìzhèng Hall, filled with the same quiet, same chill. The day his mother lay dying.