The night deepened, and the lamplight was faint.
Cai Zhaoji and Ding Hui drank together, and for reasons unknown, they found themselves from the main hall all the way to the corridor, facing a pond within the Marquis of Bai Ma’s estate. Their conversation gradually became more open.
But in the end, it all returned to a profound silence, with only the murmuring sound of dewdrops falling into the pond.
Both women carried burdens in their hearts.
Ding Hui leaned against a pillar in the corridor, weeping and calling out incessantly,
“A mistake, a mistake…”
Lady Liu had once been her maidservant, a woman she envied.
Who could have imagined that she would come to regard Lady Liu’s son as her own, yet ultimately it was a mistake. Ang’er was filial and always kept his own mother in his heart.
As for Cai Zhaoji…
Distinct from her usual dignified and polite demeanor, her eyes were hazy with wine. Hearing Ding Hui’s words, “a mistake,” Cai Zhaoji also softly murmured,
“Did… did I make a mistake?”
She had given so much to Brother Yu. It was precisely because she had given so much that on the day Brother Yu got married, her heart was filled with a thousand conflicting emotions, making her feel restless, as if a hundred claws were scratching her heart, as if she were about to lose Brother Yu.
“Perhaps this isn’t a mistake? After all, I… I am his older sister!”
Uttering another soft sound, Cai Zhaoji leaned against the corridor and, in her soft murmuring, fell asleep…
As if her sleepiness were contagious, Ding Hui also slumped over and fell asleep in the corridor.
A cold wind blew… It dried the tear stains on their cheeks but could not blow away the thoughts in their hearts.
Just then…
“Huh?”
Lu Yu, returning from the Princess’s estate, saw the scene in the corridor and, driven by curiosity, hurried over.
Wasn’t this Sister Zhaoji? Who else could it be?
Madame Ding was also asleep here…
“Why are you so drunk?”
Lu Yu shook his head, helped Cai Zhaoji up, and looked at the flush of wine on her face. “Sister, Sister…”
He called out twice, but there was nothing but the smell of alcohol.
It was hard to imagine that Cai Zhaoji, a renowned talent, had become like this.
“Sister Zhaoji, Sister Zhaoji, how much did you drink…”
Shaking his head again, Lu Yu carried Cai Zhaoji on his back and headed towards her chambers…
The night was deep, and it seemed that due to the day’s busyness, not even a servant could be found in Marquis Bai Ma’s estate late at night.
He finally found a cavalryman on guard and instructed him to help Madame Ding to a side room and also to notify the Prime Minister’s estate to send maids.
After doing this, Lu Yu continued carrying Cai Zhaoji towards her chambers.
Cai Zhaoji was very light, and even Lu Yu’s slender frame could carry her.
Of course, men are often like this; they can’t lift two bags of flour weighing twenty catties, but they can easily carry a girl weighing over forty kilograms.
Cai Zhaoji’s chambers were elegant. She disliked bright red and green, or golden splendor.
She preferred elegance, tranquility, and freshness. Therefore, her residence was in the most secluded part of Marquis Bai Ma’s estate, which, of course, meant it was remote.
Now, at night, as he walked along, Lu Yu couldn’t find a single maid.
“Finally arrived.”
Lu Yu murmured softly, carefully settling Sister Zhaoji onto the bed, covering her with a light yellow quilt. On the bedside table was her beloved orchid, emerald green and crisp.
Cai Zhaoji had a childhood nickname, Lan’er…
“Sister Zhaoji, how can you drink so much? If it weren’t for me seeing you, you might have caught a chill in the corridor tonight.”
Lu Yu murmured again.
He then carefully closed the window to prevent the night wind from entering and thoughtfully placed a wooden basin outside the bed. Having drunk so much for the first time, she would likely feel unwell and vomit.
After doing all this…
Lu Yu prepared to leave…
No matter what, he had to find a maid to take care of Sister Zhaoji.
At the very least, he had to inform Da Qiao and ask her to come over; with her here, he could be at ease.
“Thump!”
Lu Yu turned around and took a step forward… about to leave.
Unexpectedly.
At this moment, he felt his wrist being grabbed by something, tightly gripped.
A soft murmur followed closely.
“Don’t… don’t go…”
Ah…
Lu Yu was startled. When he turned his head again, he saw Cai Zhaoji’s hazy, drunken eyes open, her cherry-like small mouth opening and closing as she stared at him.
“Sister?”
Lu Yu responded. Who would have thought… with some unknown strength, Cai Zhaoji pulled Lu Yu back, pulling him to within an inch of her.
Uh…
Lu Yu subconsciously swallowed, feeling that the atmosphere was a bit… a bit… intoxicating!
“Sister…”
He spoke again, but Cai Zhaoji held up her index finger.
“Who wants to be your sister!”
As the words left her mouth, Cai Zhaoji’s lips pressed directly onto Lu Yu’s lips!
Completely gone was… the restraint of the world’s most talented woman from the daytime! Gone was the dignity and elegance of the head of the Imperial Academy in front of others!
She tightly embraced Lu Yu…
She kissed Lu Yu madly and passionately on his lips, his face, his neck.
Her love for her younger brother had reached its peak.
In her drunken state, she even realized that the moment of fire was about to arrive!
What she couldn’t do when sober, what was confined by worldly norms…
Instead, in this deep drunkenness, it was fully displayed and released…
The constraints of siblinghood and ethics!
At this moment, in this drunken haze, they turned into a wisp of smoke and vanished without a trace.
At this moment… Cai Zhaoji only felt that her love for this younger brother was passionate, joyful, wantonly unrestrained, and also deep…
At this moment, she only felt that what she wanted to express was fully released…
Like sweet dew falling from heaven, she completely released herself, completely accepting!
…
…
That night, Cai Zhaoji was drunk, and because she was drunk, she had a dream… a strange dream!
In her dream, she seemed to be living in an era where her younger brother Lu Yu did not exist!
She grew up, experienced her father’s exile, experienced returning to her hometown, experienced the death of both parents.
When a girl turned sixteen, at the age of coming of age, after the capping ceremony, Cai Zhaoji officially ended her life as a maiden and became a woman waiting to be married.
In her hometown of Yu County, whenever the neighbors mentioned potential husbands,
She would lower her head, saying neither good nor bad.
At this age, Cai Zhaoji had already begun to experience unspoken desires, but she also had her own plans and did not wish to marry too early.
The Iron Bottom River by the north of Yu County was a place she often went to play…
Here, the water was as clear as a mirror, flowers bloomed on both banks, and the scenery was beautiful.
One summer day, Cai Zhaoji came here alone again. She sometimes played in the water, sometimes picked flowers, sometimes recited poetry and sang loudly, until she was tired.
She sat in a place facing the river.
Suddenly, a small boat rowed onto the river. The one poling it was a young man a little younger than herself. He wore a scholar’s robe, tied his hair into a topknot, wore a large, round bamboo hat, and was covered in sunlight. He was singing a love song as he slowly approached.
Phoenix, oh phoenix, return to your homeland,
Soaring across the four seas, seeking your mate.
The time is not right, with no one to guide,
How could I have known today, to ascend this hall!
There is a beautiful lady in her chambers,
The room is near, but the person is far, tormenting my heart.
By what chance can we entwine necks and be a pair of mandarin ducks,
Why do we flutter and soar together!
Phoenix, oh phoenix, come perch with me,
To be your mate and consort forever.
Our feelings are in harmony, our hearts are united,
Who knows that we meet in the middle of the night!
With both wings spread, we fly high,
Do not stir my feelings, lest you make me sad.
Hoo…
Hearing this, Cai Zhaoji stood up and murmured softly,
“Isn’t this Sima Xiangru’s ‘Phoenix Seeking Phoenix’?”
She was captivated by the beautiful singing. She stood up, looked up at the boat, and gazed for a long time.
Unknowingly, the boat had drifted close to Cai Zhaoji.
This young man was extremely handsome, with a straight nose and square mouth, and an air of scholarship about him…
Cai Zhaoji, watching him, blushed…
“Elder sister, is that Yu County city ahead?”
The young man asked loudly from the boat.
“It is!” Cai Zhaoji replied.
“Are you from the city, elder sister?” the young man continued to ask.
“Yes.”
“Then I wish to inquire about someone from you!”
“Who do you want to ask about?”
“She is the daughter of the great scholar Cai Yong, the renowned talented woman Cai Yan, Cai Zhaoji…”
As the young man spoke, Cai Zhaoji’s heart rejoiced.
Seeing that this handsome young man was looking for her, her heart leaped.
So she asked, “Why are you looking for her?”
“Hahaha…” The young man laughed and then pointed to several wooden boxes behind the boat. “I live in Dunqiu County, Puyang, and my name is Lu Yu! In this chaotic world, a man should focus on his career and have a skill. I have loved calligraphy since childhood, especially admiring the seal script of the calligraphy master Cai Yong. Thus, on several occasions in Luoyang, I stood before the Imperial Academy, spellbound by the vigor of Master Cai’s stone inscriptions, and vowed to learn the master’s skills.”
“However, I’ve tried to imitate it myself, but I never grasped the key, and I’m very anxious. I heard that Master Cai’s daughter, Cai Zhaoji, is residing here idly, so I boldly brought my books and traveled hundreds of miles to seek knowledge.”
Hearing the sincere words of this young man named “Lu Yu”…
Cai Zhaoji was greatly moved.
However, she kept murmuring the name “Lu Yu,” feeling it was somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t recall, and yet it felt incredibly close.
“You say you seek knowledge, but in this chaotic world? Who can still learn stealthily? I think you should go back?”
Cai Zhaoji spoke to test his sincerity.
Who would have thought that Lu Yu would shake his head? “How can that be? Learning cannot be avoided; cultivating oneself is a personal pursuit, so why bother with other things?”
Hearing this…
Cai Zhaoji gained more trust and affection for this “Lu Yu.” She asked again, “So? Do you absolutely have to find Cai Zhaoji? Do you absolutely have to learn from her?”
“Of course, I have this determination!”
“I wonder if she’d be willing to teach you!”
“I think she won’t refuse.”
“That’s not certain!” Cai Zhaoji said, but in her heart, she had already decided to take this young man. “Let’s go, I’ll take you there, and I guarantee you’ll find her!”
As she spoke, Cai Zhaoji rolled up her sleeves, lifted her skirt, and like a swallow, leaped down from the high table.
Lu Yu looked again and saw that this bold woman was already seated steadily in the boat.
“Impressive, a martial woman is better than a scholarly man!” Lu Yu praised.
Cai Zhaoji merely smiled. “What I did is simple. You probably don’t know, but the Cai Zhaoji you’re looking for grew up in the northern lands since childhood, and her personality is much more unrestrained!”
It turns out…
After Cai Zhaoji was born, due to Cai Yong’s remonstrance to Emperor Ling, she was exiled to the northern lands – to Anyang County in Wuyuan Commandery, one of the eight northern border commanderies (this Anyang County is not the author’s hometown, but present-day northwest of Baotou City, Inner Mongolia)!
“She is like a fairy tale from the northern grasslands!”
Hearing this, Lu Yu’s heart warmed, and he looked forward with yearning…
Thus, with a small boat carrying them, they drifted downstream towards Yu County. Cai Zhaoji and Lu Yu finally arrived at the gate of the Cai residence.
Before Lu Yu entered, he thanked Cai Zhaoji. Cai Zhaoji smiled slightly, turned back, and walked towards the Cai residence, disappearing in a moment. Lu Yu was left in a daze.
A woman at the Cai residence received Lu Yu…
Lu Yu knew that this woman was Cai Zhaoji’s aunt, known as Madam Zhao Si. Her elder sister, Madam Zhao Wu, was Cai Yong’s wife. From the time Cai Zhaoji was born, Madam Zhao Si had been her wet nurse.
Even now… Cai Yong and Madam Zhao Si had perished in Chang’an, and the sixteen-year-old Cai Zhaoji was orphaned!
But…
To Lu Yu’s surprise, before he could explain his purpose to Madam Zhao Si, she spoke first.
“My young lady has sent word that she will take you as her student, but this matter will not be settled in a day or two. You must stay here. As you know, we are a widow and orphans. If you stay, you will have to make do with a servant’s room. To outsiders, you can be called a new servant we’ve hired, alright?”
“Thank you…” Lu Yu immediately cupped his hands and thanked her repeatedly.
“Please wait a moment, my young lady will come out to meet you shortly!” After Madam Zhao Si finished speaking, she slowly walked away.
Lu Yu waited excitedly…
After a short while, the curtain was lifted, and Cai Zhaoji emerged from within, smiling.
“It’s you?”
Lu Yu was greatly surprised…
Cai Zhaoji was natural. Seeing Lu Yu’s embarrassed appearance at her sudden appearance, she couldn’t help but laugh.
“What? Don’t I look like the Cai Zhaoji you’re looking for?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Then why don’t you pay your respects to your teacher on the road?” Cai Zhaoji joked.
Hearing Cai Zhaoji’s words, Lu Yu quickly cupped his hands in a bow. “This student, Lu Yu, pays his respects to Zhaoji… Sister!”
The words “Sister” left his mouth.
Cai Zhaoji’s mind suddenly trembled, and she instinctively felt uncomfortable. “Don’t call me sister from now on, never…”
“Then… what should I call you?”
“Call me Master!” Cai Zhaoji smiled slightly, a inexplicable sense of “sweetness” rising in her heart.
From then on, Cai Zhaoji and Lu Yu spent a lot of time together. Besides studying calligraphy, they chatted freely, played music with great absorption, and visited each other intimately. Gradually… the initial good feelings between the young man and woman transformed into a thread of affection, quietly blossoming between them.
On a summer evening…
A gentle breeze brought a hint of coolness. Lu Yu drew water from the well, and Cai Zhaoji carried water in a pot to water the flowers. They busied themselves happily.
Suddenly, Cai Zhaoji’s hand trembled, and half a pot of water spilled onto Lu Yu.
She was about to apologize.
Who would have thought that Lu Yu, mistaking it for playful banter between them, picked up water to splash back at Cai Zhaoji…
Cai Zhaoji quickly ran away.
Cai Zhaoji, not paying attention, stumbled at a turn. Lu Yu, not knowing the reason, rushed forward and was also tripped by Cai Zhaoji. This time, a bucket of water drenched both of them.
Because it was summer, Cai Zhaoji was wearing a white silk garment. After being doused with water, it clung to her body, revealing her graceful figure, slender waist, long legs, and pointed… completely exposed to Lu Yu’s eyes.
Lu Yu was mesmerized.
“Still looking?” Cai Zhaoji pretended to be angry. “If you’ve seen me completely, how will I get married in the future?”
“Then don’t marry anyone else!” Lu Yu said with a smile…
Cai Zhaoji, however, shyly covered herself with her hands, glared at Lu Yu reproachfully, and then quickly ran back to her room.
Spring turned to autumn. Since the day of the “water splashing,” the romance between Cai Zhaoji and Lu Yu had become an unspoken understanding, needing only the final breach of the thin veil.
And on this day, with the moon rising above the willow trees, melodious zither music drifted from Cai Zhaoji’s chambers, sounding exceptionally beautiful!
Lu Yu was drawn by her music and walked step by step to her room.
Looking through the window, Cai Zhaoji, dressed in a light yellow long dress, sat absorbed, her movements tracing smooth curves that made Lu Yu’s heart race…
Lu Yu listened, as if immersed.
And at this moment, the music suddenly stopped, the door opened, and Cai Zhaoji emerged with a gentle smile towards him, then gestured towards the room, inviting him to enter quietly.
The fragrance within the room was alluring, but Lu Yu knew that this fragrance came from Zhaoji, who was not far from him. At this moment, he could no longer control himself.
And ever since Lu Yu entered the room, Cai Zhaoji could not concentrate on playing the zither.
She suddenly felt a pair of large hands gently resting on her shoulders from behind, and at the same time, a wave of warmth flowed through her entire body, making her tremble.
And those hands had already slid down her rounded shoulders until they overlapped with hers.
The music stopped…
Time flowed quietly amidst their mutual silence.
Tension… excitement, shyness, and… and infinite anticipation, making Cai Zhaoji flustered.
A girl of sixteen, precisely at the age most prone to romantic feelings!
But…
For the first time, a man’s scorching breath was directed at her face, giving her a sense of heavy restlessness.
She was an ordinary woman, and she needed the love of Lu Yu before her!
When their eyes met, and they exchanged a knowing smile,
Even though…
Cai Zhaoji tried hard to avoid his scorching gaze, but in the end… the princess who grew up on the northern grasslands took the initiative to meet Lu Yu’s burning lips.
It was as if a voice was telling her to cherish this hard-won moment!
Two months later, Puyang, Dunqiu County!
In the courtyard of the “Lu” family mansion, guests were aplenty, and the atmosphere was joyous. Despite the poor harvest year, people always invested great enthusiasm in wedding celebrations, coming one after another to offer congratulations to Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji!
Everyone spoke in unison, praising the bride’s immense beauty, making Cai Zhaoji blush to her ears…
Lu Yu felt sweet in his heart, and even his mother was so happy she couldn’t close her mouth!
The bridal chamber was decorated according to Cai Zhaoji’s wishes…
Elegant, tranquil, fresh…
The bed was covered with a light yellow happy-union quilt. Her ever-present Jiao Wei zither was placed in a corner of the room. A pot of her beloved orchids sat by the sunlit window, emerald green and fresh. The only touch of red in the room was the red veil on Cai Zhaoji’s head.
Impatient people urged, “You two are a match made in heaven. It’s getting late, quickly complete the ceremony and send them to the bridal chamber. You can talk tomorrow.”
In the courtyard… a small table was set up, with two torches lit!
The ceremony officially began…
Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji knelt in the courtyard, surrounded by a large circle of people, with constant laughter.
“First bow to heaven and earth!”
“Second bow to parents!”
“Husband and wife bow to each other!”
As the shout of “Husband and wife bow to each other!” echoed, the people in the courtyard became lively, with everyone exclaiming, “It must be a sincere bow,” and “Whoever bows lower is in charge!”
The two were also generous, bowing three times almost touching each other.
The people in the courtyard burst into laughter.
“Enter the bridal chamber, enter the bridal chamber!”
Finally, the ceremony ended!
After the guests in the bridal chamber departed, only Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji remained in the room.
Lu Yu approached her, gently lifted the red silk from her head, and their eyes met. They smiled faintly, without excessive words; this smile was their eternal vow!
Bridal chamber candles, newlyweds…
All their mutual admiration was sublimated at this moment!
At some unknown time…
Lu Yu’s voice gently drifted out.
“Marrying me, you don’t regret it, do you?”
Cai Zhaoji replied tenderly, “Why do you ask that?”
“I think I cannot bring you wealth and status, and perhaps I will even make you bear worldly prejudice.”
Lu Yu continued.
Cai Zhaoji smiled wryly. “That’s perfect, wealth and status can make people bad, and as for worldly prejudice, a daughter raised on the northern grasslands doesn’t care about that!”
No more words were spoken…
For some reason, Cai Zhaoji couldn’t help but shed a line of tears.
Excitement, shyness, love, mutual understanding…
She couldn’t explain it, but she was clear about one thing: from today on, Cai Zhaoji the maiden disappeared. Her future life required her to share hardships and joys with her husband, Lu Yu!
And at this moment.
With a “swoosh,” a tingling sensation swept through her entire body. Cai Zhaoji seemed to recall something. She suddenly sat up, half-reclining on the bed, and looked at Lu Yu with utter astonishment.
“My wife, what’s wrong?”
Lu Yu quickly asked.
“I… I…” Cai Zhaoji tried to speak but found her throat choked. Her pupils widened, as if… as if her colored contact lenses were about to burst out.
“I… I am your… your older sister?”
“Didn’t you tell me never to call you sister?” Lu Yu retorted…
“No… no!”
Cai Zhaoji trembled all over…
And at this moment, her dream awakened!
…
Hoo…
A long sigh, accompanied by a strong smell of alcohol!
Opening her eyes, Cai Zhaoji stared blankly at the ceiling, murmuring,
“So, so it was a dream… a drunken dream!”
Yes…
It was indeed a dream. Only in a dream could she marry the person she longed for?
“Gulp.”
Subconsciously swallowing, Cai Zhaoji was still savoring this dream, which was warm, happy, joyful, and cast off all worldly shackles…
Cai Zhaoji even thought.
If, if she hadn’t saved Lu Yu back then?
Then… then would Lu Yu, singing “Phoenix Seeking Phoenix” as in the dream, and standing on a small boat, have come to seek knowledge from her?
Would they, as in the dream, have loved each other, understood each other, and stayed together?
Shaking her head…
Cai Zhaoji didn’t know, because dreams and reality were completely different. She realized she shouldn’t think like this. Last night was Brother Yu’s wedding night, and for her to think this way was too selfish, too… too sinful!
Just then…
Just as she shook her head, she suddenly discovered something terrifying!
There was still… still someone lying beside her!
And… and that handsome face, wasn’t it… wasn’t it Brother Yu?
“Ah…”
She cried out in surprise.
Cai Zhaoji subconsciously looked beneath herself…
“Gulp,” her eyes widened, just as… she had realized Lu Yu was her brother in the dream!
“I… I…”
“I…”
For a moment, Cai Zhaoji, the talented woman renowned throughout the land, was… was speechless.
Heavens…
On Brother Yu’s wedding night, instead of entering the bridal chamber, he… slept in her sister’s chambers!
Heavens… oh heavens!
…
…