Chapter 6

On the day of the Qixi Festival, the Grand Princess arrived at the banquet with Pei Mingjue.

Our families met in the central courtyard. My brother received Pei Mingjue and escorted him to the outer hall, while Mother sat with the Grand Princess in the inner pavilion.

“This is my eldest daughter, Li Shuyun,” Mother said by way of introduction. “She has read a few volumes of poetry and classics. She is quiet by nature and always conducts herself with discretion.”

Li Shuyun’s cheeks reddened. Lowering her eyes, she offered a graceful bow, every movement gentle and dignified.

Her illness had largely cleared by the previous day. She had risen before dawn to dress and apply a light layer of powder, and she truly did look radiant.

The Grand Princess did not say much. She took a sip of tea and merely said, “Rise.”

An awkward silence fell. Mother quickly smiled. “And this is my second daughter, Li Xiaoman.”

At those words, I stepped forward. Before I could bend my knees, someone caught me by the wrist and held me upright.

I raised my head and met the laughter in the Grand Princess’s eyes. “You silly girl. When did we become strangers?”

For some reason, my nose abruptly stung. I understood that the Grand Princess was defending me in the face of Mother’s favoritism.

Although my mind had been clouded at Jing’an Temple, I knew that she had stayed by my side and cared for me through the night.

She had even spared me embarrassment the next morning. Rather than see me off herself, she had sent only the elderly attendant.

“It is my honor to enjoy Your Highness’s affection.” I insisted on completing my bow. “But I am your junior. This is only proper.”

The Grand Princess laughed. Mother’s face stiffened. I turned my head and saw Li Shuyun’s nails digging into her palm around the handkerchief.

Just then, my brother spoke from beyond the curtain. “Your Highness, the breeze by the pavilion carries the fragrance of lotuses. Perhaps we might board the boat and admire the flowers.”

The pleasure boat drew up at the bank. Pei Mingjue helped the Grand Princess aboard, then turned and naturally offered me his arm.

I reached out without thinking. Beside me, Li Shuyun extended her hand as well. I turned toward her, and we both froze.

The next instant, she hurriedly pulled back. Losing her balance, she panicked and grabbed the hem of my robe.

With a splash, we both fell into the lake. Icy water flooded my mouth and nose.

“Yun’er!” Mother’s anguished scream came from the shore. Two more splashes followed as two figures leaped into the lake at once.

My brother swam straight toward Li Shuyun. The figure in red caught me securely in his arms.

I slept for a long time, my body cold and heavy. Drifting between sleep and waking, I heard fragments of conversation.

“She swallowed some water, but it presents no serious danger. She did strike her head, however. The blow may have affected her mind, and her memory is likely confused.”

The voice sounded old. I thought I had never heard it before.

“…The Li family still has not come? Their eldest daughter must be a priceless treasure for them to show such shameless favoritism.”

Someone slapped the table, jolting me awake. I struggled and moaned, slowly opening my eyes.

Two people hurried to sit beside the bed. The Grand Princess frowned, calling anxiously, “Xiaoman?”

I said nothing. My throat ached dully. Pei Mingjue, who stood nearby, turned sharply and summoned the physician.

“Just as I said before.” The physician took my pulse. “Blood has pooled inside the young lady’s head. I fear she has suffered some loss of memory.”

Silence swallowed the room. The Grand Princess lifted her eyes and watched me for a long while, then suddenly took my hand.

“Xiaoman.” Her hand was small, her palm damp with sweat. In a warm voice, she said, “I’m your mother.”

I was silent for a moment. My lips parted. “…Mama.”

“Yes, Mama is here.” The Grand Princess smiled, tears filling her eyes as she gathered me into her arms. “My darling, Mama is here.”

The embrace was so warm—fragrant and soft, yet strong enough to withstand anything. Strands of hair at the hollow of her neck brushed gently against my face.

“Mama.” I clung to her and buried my face against her chest. Every grievance inside me surged free. “Mama, I was so scared.”

I wailed like a newborn infant, unable to speak, capable only of pouring out my feelings through tears.

The Grand Princess held me, trembling from head to toe. At last, she wept too, kissing my eyes again and again.

Our tears mingled. In that dazed moment, I felt as if I truly were her child, newly born after a terrible ordeal.

When I had exhausted myself, I hiccupped against the Grand Princess’s chest. She stroked my face, then said abruptly, “Xiaoman, you have lost your memory, so you probably do not remember.”

She gestured toward Pei Mingjue. “This is your elder brother.”

Pei Mingjue’s face instantly darkened, his expression unreadable. “Who wants to be her brother?”