Longing for Love (Twice Reborn) - Chapter 56

In the twentieth year of Jiahe, deep autumn, the Phoenix Pavilion inexplicably caught fire and was reduced to ashes in the blaze.

At that time, Juchen had just returned from Jiangyang when an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager promoted her to the position of Chief Archivist, temporarily overseeing the Phoenix Pavilion. Along with the promotion came a mountain of official documents piled on her desk. From then on, Juchen lived a life of burning the midnight oil in the Phoenix Pavilion.

That night, after days of relentless work, Juchen dozed off at her desk. She had no idea how long she had been asleep when she was abruptly awakened by a sound like boiling water roaring in her ears.

The acrid stench of burning filled her nostrils. The temperature around her was steadily rising.

Bleary eyed, Juchen lifted her head from the desk to see thick black smoke billowing before her, flames flickering everywhere. A sudden chill ran down her spine as she realized she was already surrounded by fire. Inhaling the smoke left her weak and dizzy. With a desperate struggle, she collapsed to the floor, watching helplessly as documents fell into the flames, instantly fueling the inferno that licked at the darkened beams above.

Even now, Juchen still couldn’t recall how she had managed to escape the fire that day.

Faintly, she seemed to hear a loud crash, followed by a sliver of moonlight as if from the mortal world streaming through a broken door and landing coolly on her forehead.

When she regained consciousness, Juchen found herself reclining on a daybed, the familiar, melodious voice of a woman reaching her ears.

She opened her eyes to see the familiar, delicate face of Princess Xuyang hovering over her, shaking her urgently. “A-Chen, A-Chen?”

Earlier that night, at the hour of Hai, the Phoenix Pavilion in the central palace had suddenly caught fire, thick smoke billowing into the heavens.

Princess Xuyang, frantic with worry, had rushed into the palace, fearing that Li Juchen might have met with disaster.

Fortunately, Heaven had eyes rain had begun to fall halfway through her journey. Braving the downpour, the princess arrived to find Juchen disheveled and unconscious at the entrance, seemingly having just escaped the flames.

Princess Xuyang rushed forward, gathered her up, and helped her into her own palanquin.

When Juchen opened her eyes, her gaze was unfocused, drifting aimlessly for a while before gradually settling on Xuyang’s face. The princess took her hand and anxiously inquired about the details of the fire.

Juchen was not entirely sure herself her consciousness had been hazy at the time. But when Xuyang asked if she had escaped on her own, Juchen instinctively glanced at her arm, vaguely recalling leaning against a broad shoulder.

Yet if someone had rescued her, she shouldn’t have been left alone at the entrance. The eunuchs who later arrived to extinguish the fire had only found her slumped by the door, with no sign of anyone else.

Perhaps it had been sheer survival instinct that drove her to crawl out at the last moment. The thought still sent a shiver down her spine.

Xuyang comforted her, “Don’t be afraid. Having survived such a calamity, great fortune must await you.”

Juchen gave a slight nod when suddenly, a faint, ethereal song drifted from nearby. She turned toward the window and peered out, spotting a small boat gliding leisurely behind the weeping willows by the rear garden pond. Two men sat aboard one playing a flute at the bow, the other holding an oar and singing loudly.

The song rose like a gentle breeze, floating upward and gradually drawing the attention of more dashing young men, who emerged gracefully from the rear garden. They gathered by the pond, each holding a different instrument, and began to play in harmony with the melody.

The interwoven music was enchanting, and the handsome men each with striking features and noble bearing left Juchen momentarily spellbound.

Belatedly, she asked, “Where is this?”

What greeted them was Xuyang hesitating for a long while before clearing her throat awkwardly, “Crane Manor.”

Juchen opened her eyes to look at her.

Though the Liang dynasty had liberal customs where visiting courtesans was commonplace, this privilege was largely reserved for men. Since the Empress Dowager came to power, women’s status had risen significantly, and the Eastern Capital gradually saw establishments catering to noblewomen emerge.

Crane Manor was the most famous among them. Of course, it didn’t house white cranes, but rather beautiful male companions for entertainment.

Princess Xuyang was practically a regular at Crane Manor.

Though Juchen had an unrestrained personality, she disapproved of indulging in pleasure seeking and had often admonished Xuyang about it.

Yet here she was, bringing her to such a place it felt almost deliberately provocative.

Xuyang pouted, “I’ve been quarreling with Yuan Zheng lately and really don’t want to go home.”

Again with the quarrels.

Juchen sighed. Perhaps the lingering smoke still clouded her mind, or perhaps today’s near-death experience made her feel life was fleeting and called for some immediate indulgence. Since they were already here. Suddenly, she recalled something she had long heard about. “I’ve always heard Crane Manor’s aged wine is like nectar from the gods, yet I’ve never had the chance to taste it.”

Admittedly, this desire was not unreasonable. After narrowly escaping death, a drink might be the only way she would sleep tonight.

Seeing Juchen wasn’t angry, Xuyang smiled brightly. “Senior Brother’s brewing skills have always been exceptional.”

Lin Zongbai was the true master behind Crane Manor.

The private room was elegantly arranged, with fine wine flowing freely.

Xuyang clinked cups with Juchen, one after another, until the jar was nearly empty.

Only then did Xuyang realize from Juchen’s reckless drinking that she was here to drown her sorrows. The fire tonight had indeed been terrifying a couple of drinks to calm the nerves wasn’t unreasonable.

But this pace was concerning.

Growing worried, Xuyang instinctively blurted out her usual line for entertaining guests, “Drinking like this is dull. Why not find some amusement to liven things up?”

When Juchen didn’t respond, Xuyang tugged her sleeve like a bandit leader recruiting a formidable new member, unable to suppress her grin as she blinked. “Coincidentally, the manor recently cultivated a delightful new companion, originally meant to entice Feng Zhenzhen. But if you fancy him, you can have first dibs for fun.”

Juchen paused, cup in hand, her gaze sharpening not at the offer, but at the mention of enticement.

Feng Zhenzhen was Xuyang’s sister-in-law, the current empress. After the previous empress’s death, the emperor had remarried Feng, who now enjoyed unrivaled favor.

Arrogant and scheming, Feng sought to emulate the Tianxi era by sharing power with the emperor. Yet her political acumen didn’t hold a candle to the Empress Dowager’s. Ambitious but incompetent, Feng constantly stirred up trouble through her family, disrupting court affairs and repeatedly angering the Empress Dowager, straining the imperial mother-son relationship.

Xuyang had never gotten along with Feng Zhenzhen. Though she maintained appearances, she secretly relished their marital discord.

With court tensions escalating and Xuyang deeply devoted to her brother, she feared the Empress Dowager might lose patience and depose him. Her anxiety over her brother’s plight fueled her hatred for Feng. Desperate for the emperor to voluntarily depose Feng to appease their mother and avert disaster, Xuyang was now resorting to extreme measures attempting to lure the empress into committing adultery.

Xuyang whispered softly, “This exquisite person cultivated by Zong Bai bears an uncanny resemblance to someone.” Her smile carried profound meaning. “I guarantee Feng Zhenzhen will be utterly spellbound upon seeing him, unable to control herself.”

Juchen’s eyes widened further.

Leaning closer, Xuyang murmured in her ear, “I asked my senior brother to cultivate a perfect counterfeit modeled after Feng’s youthful sweetheart.”

Everyone knew how obsessively Feng Zhenzhen had adored someone in her youth, even making a spectacle of herself on numerous occasions for him.

After a long moment of astonishment, Juchen remarked, “You’re truly audacious.”

Though Song Mi was currently inspecting border markets far away, if he discovered his niece was backstabbing him like this, he might very well banish her to the ends of the earth with a single command.

Xuyang remained unfazed, smiling brightly. “It’s not the real person what’s wrong with looking similar?”

She then pursed her lips and added, “You bury yourself in official documents all day, surrounded by bookworms, wasting your prime years. Why not summon him for some amusement to liven up your dull existence?”

Juchen fell silent. Noticing her hesitation, Xuyang nudged her elbow. “You’ve always been at odds with him anyway. Don’t you constantly complain that he never properly reads your memorials? Yet with his high position and authority, there’s nothing you can do. Now that we have this lookalike, why not seize the chance to vent your frustrations?”

Juchen felt a stir of interest.

Xuyang continued enticingly, “Serving tea, kneeling in supplication anything to please you would be no trouble at all.”

Serving tea and kneeling in supplication? Juchen imagined the scene and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Seeing her amusement, Xuyang eagerly summoned a servant to bring the man over.

Juchen had always thought Xuyang, doted upon by all, lived a carefree and whimsical life. But in hindsight, she possessed a uniquely clever wit.

Raised on the teachings of sages, Juchen upheld noble virtues and would never have conceived such a scheme to seduce the empress and disrupt the harem.

Yet, setting morality aside, it was undoubtedly a brilliant stratagem requiring no military force.

Juchen was also curious to see how effective it would be.

—

Outside, the music played incessantly.

In another elegant chamber of the Crane Manor, Song Mi sat at a table, tending to his fire-scorched elbow. As he wrapped his hand in bandages, a faint trace of feminine fragrance lingered on his arm, drifting into his nostrils.

He had secretly returned to the capital, only to encounter a fire at the Phoenix Pavilion shortly after his arrival. Without hesitation, he rushed into the flames upon seeing someone trapped inside. After rescuing the person, he realized it was the last individual he wished to owe him any favors.

Not expecting her to remember this small act, he hesitated before leaving her at a well-ventilated spot near the entrance and departed.

He had urgent business with Lin Zongbai, so after leaving the palace, he headed toward the Yaojin Poolside.

Now, his host was still immersed in revelry. Song Mi waited briefly, disliking the late night clamor of music. Just as he was about to order it stopped, Yuan Ruo returned with a troubled expression, reporting that the commotion was due to Princess Xuyang bringing Chief Secretary Li to the Crane Manor.

“With such distinguished guests arriving, the welcoming music is unlikely to cease anytime soon,” Yuan Ruo said.

Song Mi raised an eyebrow, silently marveling at Chief Secretary Li’s remarkable composure having just survived a fire, he still had the energy for revelry.

“How many people did you call?” Song Mian asked without changing his expression.

Yuan Ruo looked at him in near bewilderment, not expecting this sudden curiosity. “No servants have been summoned yet. It’s just the princess and me drinking together at the moment.”

“Drinking together?” Song Mian pondered for a moment before asking, “Has her wound been treated?”

Yuan Ruo stared at him in confusion again, then bowed slightly and asked him to wait while she stepped out to inquire. Upon returning, she reported truthfully, “I didn’t hear Her Highness mention any injury, nor has she summoned a physician or requested any medicine.”

Juchen was indeed not the delicate type even when feverish, she would tough it out.

Song Mian rubbed the medicine bottle in his hand, recalling the scene in the fire. During their escape, a bookshelf had suddenly collapsed. He had shielded her in his arms, only to be caught off guard by a sharp splinter that left a gash on both their arms.

Though not a serious wound, if left untreated, it could fester and cause considerable discomfort later.

Since only Xuyang and Juchen were in the room, it wouldn’t be too disruptive.

After a brief silence, Song Mian tightened his grip on the medicine bottle and stood up.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Xuyang watched as Juchen continued pouring wine without pause and couldn’t help suspecting she was drinking to bolster her courage.

Xuyang proactively prepared a whip, candles, handcuffs even hemp rope for a full-body restraint.

“…” Juchen couldn’t resist murmuring, “Have you… tried all these?”

“Not really. I mostly just come here to drink or play chess with my senior brother.”

“You haven’t tried them, yet you’re giving them to me?”

“Well, I don’t have a man I despise like you do.”

“Yuan Zheng?”

“Don’t mention him! You’re ruining the mood!”

A tipsy flush had already begun to dust the corners of Juchen’s eyes. She chuckled softly, and Xuyang, noticing a missing shackle, muttered about fetching it before stepping out. Juchen watched her leave before lowering her head to down another cup.

The aged liquor was finally emptied after that last pour. Juchen shook the empty flask, feeling unsatisfied, and took a deep breath, admiring Lin Zongbai’s mastery in brewing.

She turned to call for more wine, but as she stood, her head spun slightly.

Hmm, this wine isn’t just delicious it hits fast too.

The night was quiet, the moonlight outside like silk, casting hazy silver beams.

A short while later, movement sounded at the door.

A figure strode in with hurried steps.

As the door creaked open, Juchen lifted her gaze and saw him push aside the bamboo curtain from afar. The scent of wine lingered in the air, and in her dazed state, it felt as if she had returned to the first time she saw him in her youth.

On that crimson veranda, she had grabbed his sleeve.

He turned abruptly his throat prominent above the curved collar, his jawline sharp and elegant, framing his striking features like freshly fallen snow atop a mountain.

And on that snow, grew the lotus of karma.

The night deepened, the breeze whispering past the table as candlelight flickered red.

Song Mian swept a casual glance across the room before asking in a low voice, “Why are you alone?”