Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Three days later,

I arranged to meet Li Si for a private tryst in the little garden.

Li Si lifted his head toward the sky and let out three cow calls. “Moo, moo, moo.”

That was our secret signal. It matched.

As usual, he brought me plenty of clothes.

He had even thoughtfully prepared three undergarments and three inner robes.

They were all made of extremely comfortable fabric.

They felt soft against the skin, and even in summer they would not be stifling or sweaty.

Li Si looked over the clothes I was wearing and said unhappily, “Summer is nearly here, yet you are still wearing a spring dress. Clearly that husband of yours is no good at all.”

Actually, Qingluo had prepared clothes for me. It was just that sometimes my mind felt foggy.

I froze in winter and sweltered in summer, and I did not take very good care of myself.

Li Si did not know that, so he always cursed my husband.

I leaned against his chest and acted spoiled. “Thankfully, I have you.”

Li Si took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

It truly was hot today.

I looked at the beautiful dress in the bundle and hesitated, wanting to change into it.

Li Si took it out and said, “Do not worry. After I got it, I personally washed it for you.”

I happily sniffed the dress. It had been perfumed with my favorite jasmine.

It smelled wonderful.

I kissed Li Si on the cheek and said cheerfully, “I love you the most.”

Li Si narrowed his eyes. “Oh? The most? Then who is second and third?”

Thinking of Zhang San and Wang Wu, I felt guilty.

I quickly changed the subject. “Oh my, it is so hot. I am going to change.”

The outfit Li Si chose was stunning.

The lake-green half-sleeved jacket seemed to lift me gently like a fresh breeze.

The skirt was embroidered with vivid butterflies, and in the sunlight their wings seemed to shimmer.

Li Si gazed at me.

I pretended to dance for him.

Li Si immediately grabbed me and said with a smile, “You. Last time you danced, you nearly sprained your ankle. I knew then that you had no talent for it at all.”

I quietly leaned in his arms for a while.

After a long pause, I finally said, “This dress is beautiful. Take it and pawn it.”

Li Si frowned.

I wanted to say we should part, but my chest felt heavy.

Ah, that powerless, nauseated feeling came again.

Only three days ago, I had broken things off with Zhang San. I had not slept well these days.

Now I had to break with Li Si too. It truly required courage.

Li Si was considerate. With a stern face, he said, “I am not that petty. Even if we part, the dress is still yours.”

I shook my head and silently went into the inner room to change out of the dress.

On my way back, I passed the Garment Bureau where I had first met Li Si.

My steps paused slightly.

I remembered that when we first met, it had been winter.

The steward of the Eastern Palace had forgotten to provide me with winter clothes.

I was shivering from the cold and wanted to buy one at the Garment Bureau.

At the entrance, I met Li Si.

He immediately came forward and draped a cloak over me.

My body warmed, and so did my heart.

I looked at his sturdy build and asked tenderly, “May I ask your name, young master?”

He said irritably, “Li Si.”

At that time, I was already with Zhang San.

Hearing his name, I said in surprise, “Ah, the names of you guards are so plain.”

Li Si expressionlessly laughed twice.

From then on, the two of us began flirting back and forth.

For the whole winter, I had warm clothes to wear.

When spring came, I had pretty dresses too.

Through all four seasons, I lived quite happily.

Thinking that from now on I would have to tighten my belt again,

I wilted.

When I returned to the remote chamber in the Eastern Palace,

I lay on the bed, weak and listless.

Luxiu asked worriedly, “What has been wrong with you these past few days?”

I shook my head and did not want to talk.

Qingluo sprawled by my bed, stuffed a pastry into my hand, and said with gleeful certainty, “It must be trouble with your guard lover.”

They knew I had someone outside.

For the past year, I had relied on them to help me cover it up.

Luxiu fanned me and sighed. “Once summer arrives, hearts grow restless. Even the Crown Prince’s temper is hard to predict. Last night, when I went to play the qin for him, I saw him squatting on the floor washing a woman’s clothes.”

Qingluo said mysteriously, “Exactly. Every time the season changes, the Crown Prince carefully prepares women’s clothing. But I have never seen him bestow it on any beauty. In my opinion, he must put it on and admire himself in the dead of night.”

That was too amusing.

I could not help laughing out loud.

When Luxiu and Qingluo saw me laugh, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Together, they pulled me up.

Luxiu coaxed me. “All right, all right. Do not be sad. What are men compared to us? We received our monthly money today. Let us order a few dishes from the Imperial Kitchen. I will play the qin for you, and Qingluo will dance for you. How about that?”

I thought about it and could not help saying happily, “Would that not make me comparable to the Crown Prince?”

Thinking of it that way, breaking things off with Wang Wu tomorrow did not seem so heartbreaking.

The next day, I slept until the sun was high before going to the little garden.

I thought this time would go smoothly too.

Wang Wu exchanged the secret signal with me.

He held a stalk of foxtail grass and teased me with it. “Baa, baa, baa.”

I laughed so hard that I almost forgot why I had come.

Wang Wu pinched my nose and sighed. “It is truly hard to see you.”

Ah, since I was going to break things off anyway, there was no need for small talk and extra sadness.

So I stated my purpose directly.

But Wang Wu actually refused.

I was shocked.

Wang Wu sneered. “What, now that I refuse to break with you, you have nothing to say?”

Exactly.

The first two separations had gone so smoothly. Why was he the troublesome one?

I could not help saying, “Of my three men, you are the most troublesome!”