Chapter 39: The Princess Consort Has Disappeared

The carriage of Rui Wangfu stopped outside the Chan courtyard at the foot of Mount Wolong. The courtyard was much smaller than those villas in the imperial hunting grounds; most were single-entry, single-exit courtyards, and even the relatives of the imperial family residing in Rui Wangfu only had two-entry, two-exit small compounds. Even the women of families of lower status were crowded together, a few girls sharing a room. Now people came and went, a little chaotic, and even the separation between the inner courtyard and the outer men was not so obvious. Fortunately, it was only a temporary stay for one night, and everyone was genuinely happy to be out playing, so these trivial matters could be endured. Gu Jiu Ling brought Jiu Yue down from the carriage; Emperor Longqing felt unwell and did not come up the mountain, while Xiao Yin went to attend the Empress Dowager. Gu Jiu Ling sat in the inner hall to rest, and Jiu Yue, with several maids and servant women, unloaded the items from the carriage and arranged them neatly. This time, for the Buddha‑worship, the Empress Dowager's meaning was that everyone's heart should turn to the Buddha, without distinction of rank, so whether a maiden was legitimate or concubine‑born, she could come along, and a great crowd of people settled down like this. Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin stayed in the front‑entry main hall, while Su Wanrou resided alone in the rear small courtyard. When everything was tidied, it was also time for the evening meal. Su Wanrou, accompanied by her maids, walked gracefully to the front courtyard, still holding some pastries or similar items, and entered Gu Jiu Ling's warm pavilion. These days, the relationship between the two had quickly warmed up; even Xiao Yin felt it a little strange. The feelings between women are indeed unfathomable, incomprehensible. Previously they were mortal enemies, now they are sweet as honey and oil. "Sister, look what I brought for you?"

Su Wanrou's affected, artificial laugh rang out abruptly, startling Gu Jiu Ling, who was dozing. She slowly rose to her feet, watching Su Wanrou walk in carrying some pastries; the pastries' packaging looked none too refined, more like something bought off the street just to make up the numbers. Gu Jiu Ling didn't mind, smiling as she took them and passed them to Jiu Yue, saying: "Just in time, Wan meimei has come; we can start the meal."

Su Wanrou gazed at the table full of dishes she had never eaten before, her eyes lighting up; although she hated Gu Jiu Ling, the woman's cooking was indeed not bad. "Sister, aren't we waiting for the prince?"

Su Wanrou glanced at the door, a hint of expectation in her eyes. Xiao Yin had not come to see her for a long time; the last time in the palace she had lost face, and she guessed Xiao Yin might be angry with her. Thinking this, her gaze at Gu Jiu Ling grew a touch resentful, then flickered away. Gu Jiu Ling smiled and said: "The prince isn't coming back for the meal; he's gone to the Empress Dowager's place, and later he still has to give blessings to the fallen soldiers of Qi Sha Gu."

This is customary; Xiao Yin each year comes to Mount Wolong's Huangjue Si and must kneel all night in the temple, lighting the Eternal Lamp. The incense at Huangjue Si is very strong, and this night belongs to Xiao Yin and his brothers. Su Wanrou stopped asking, lowered her head to eat. After eating and drinking her fill, she carefully wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then lifted her head—her eyes brimmed with tears, showing extreme grievance. Gu Jiu Ling froze at once, again feeling regret for Su Wanrou; if it were in her era, such a summon‑at‑will acting talent, not becoming a top star would have her bowing her head in shame. "What's wrong, Wan meimei?"

Su Wanrou cried harder, sobbing a few times: "In a while the Empress Dowager will take all the ladies' families to admire the moon behind Huangjue Si."

"Yes, after we finish eating we'll go over," Gu Jiu Ling laughed. Su Wanrou cried even harder: "Last time at the imperial farm, I inadvertently offended the Empress Dowager; now with so many people around, I'm afraid I have no face to show."

Gu Jiu Ling stared, sighed, and comforted: "A fart is just the qi of the five grains circulating; if you let it out by accident, it's natural—don't take it to heart!"

Su Wanrou's crying stalled abruptly; she lowered her eyes slightly, wishing she could kill the woman before her. She always felt that her earlier lapse of etiquette before the Empress Dowager was this woman's doing, yet she could find no evidence against her. A chill ran through her heart, and she feigned fear, deepening the expression on her face. "Sister, could you take me with you when we go up the mountain to admire the moon later? I… I'm afraid… alone." "We also shouldn't go near the Empress Dowager; I'm afraid so many people will laugh at me."

Gu Jiu Ling nodded with a smile: "All right, I'll take you later; I don't like crowds either, and being before the Empress Dowager inevitably brings some restraint."

"Thank you, sister!"

Su Wanrou rose and made a respectful bow to Gu Jiu Ling; her smile was genuinely innocent and charming. Soon they had finished eating, and outside the Chan courtyard ladies were already walking out, preparing to go up the mountain. The Empress Dowager resided in the Chan courtyard behind Huangjue Si; these people stayed below, and after resting they would go up together to accompany the old Empress Dowager in moon‑gazing. On the mountainside there were moon‑viewing pavilions; the Empress Dowager, together with a few imperial consorts or noble ladies granted titles by hereditary decree, sat in one place chatting, while the somewhat younger women went in groups. The path up the mountain had palanquins to carry people; upon reaching the mid‑slope the palanquins were withdrawn, and everyone began to walk—this is the finest scenery of Mount Wolong, where all kinds of flowers and trees are layered in color, and a moon‑viewing pavilion is built every so often. Standing in a pavilion, gazing far at the lake light and mountain hues, bathed in moonlight it is simply exquisite to the utmost. Along the way Su Wanrou was exceedingly delicate: either the mountain wind was too strong and cold, prompting her to add an outer cloak, or her frail body made her unable to walk, so the distance between her and the moon‑gazers ahead grew ever wider. "Sister, shall we rest in that pavilion over there? I really can't walk any further."

Su Wanrou chose a somewhat secluded moon‑viewing pavilion. "Good!"

Gu Jiu Ling strode toward that side, and Su Wanrou followed a step behind. When she lifted her head to look at Gu Jiu Ling walking ahead, a flash of pride crossed her eyes. What an idiot! After being coaxed carefully by her for a few days, she had fallen for her trick. Moon‑viewing pavilions usually have small tables; Gu Jiu Ling was just about to sit down when suddenly Su Wanrou from behind took her hand and stood at the railing, smiling: "Sister, look over there—what a beautiful view."

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly followed the direction Su Wanrou pointed, but then a sudden rush of footsteps came from behind. Before she could turn, a large hand clamped tightly around her throat, pressing her whole body against the pillar, and immediately a cloth soaked with monghun medicine covered her mouth and nose; she slowly slumped down. The night grew even darker. In the Lan Yue Ting there was a bustling scene; the men had another moon‑gazing spot, and some ladies of status and position gathered around the Empress Dowager to drink and chat, keeping her company in cheerful merriment. Empress Dowager Ning An's countenance relaxed to the utmost; today her mood was truly good. Suddenly a hesitant, sobbing cry broke this harmonious atmosphere, and Empress Dowager Ning An's face darkened slightly. "What's happening? Who is crying?"

She was in high spirits and didn't know which clueless person had disturbed her good mood. The ladies around also froze for a moment; in such a setting, is it proper to be sniffling? The Empress Dowager asked, and Su Wanrou hurriedly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, eyes slightly red, quick‑stepped to Empress Dowager Ning An's front and knelt. "Replying to the Empress Dowager, my Princess Consort has gone missing! Wan er is extremely worried, not wishing to offend the Empress Dowager, and I beg the Empress Dowager to punish me!"

"What did you say?"

Empress Dowager Ning An knew Su Wanrou, the obscure woman the Prince Rui had brought back; this time she actually said the Princess Consort of Rui was missing. The ladies around erupted in an uproar. How could the Princess Consort of Rui, perfectly fine, have vanished?