Chapter 12: Blessings in the Air
To soothe his beloved daughter's nerves, Lian Zheng spared no expense in purchasing a pomegranate blossom and bird-patterned silver incense ball for Lian Heng.
This exquisite antique from the Tang dynasty was a marvel of craftsmanship. Both decorative and functional, it doubled as an incense diffuser. The ball was composed of two hemispheres with a movable clasp that allowed it to open. Inside the lower hemisphere were two concentric rings and a golden incense cup, all connected by symmetrical pivots. The outer ring was fixed to the inner wall. The entire ball was adorned with intricate honeysuckle vine patterns, with interwoven flowers spreading their petals gracefully. Birds were carved into the design—some turning their heads, others spreading their wings or fanning their tails, as if they were soaring amidst the blossoms. The delicate carvings made the piece appear both elegant and ethereal.
"How beautiful! Master, how much silver did this cost?" Lu Qiaoqiao, who happened to walk in on Lian Zheng, was instantly captivated by the silver ball. She cradled it delicately in her hands, her long lashes fluttering as she examined it from every angle, utterly smitten.
Lian Zheng smiled. "What's silver compared to this? As long as Heng'er stops looking so troubled, it's worth any price." Then, more seriously, he added, "Heng'er, don't worry. I've already increased security to ensure your safety."
Lian Heng was touched. She poured her father a cup of tea. "Father, as much as I love incense and perfume, this is too extravagant. My room already has two Song dynasty pieces."
"Those don't compare to this. Go on, take it," Lian Zheng said, taking the silver ball from Qiaoqiao's hands and giving it to his precious daughter.
Noticing Lu Qiaoqiao's longing expression, Lian Heng chuckled. "Since it's mine now, I'll give it to Third Mother. Don't be mad, Father—it's for my younger brother. I'm just helping out his mother!" With that, she handed the ball to Lu Qiaoqiao.
Lu Qiaoqiao widened her eyes in disbelief. "Heng'er…"
Lian Zheng patted his daughter's shoulder and laughed. "You've always been so considerate! I was worried you might resent your Third Mother. Alright, let's head to the main hall. I want to introduce you to the new guards."
In the main hall, four people were already waiting—Yun Zixing, Di Yun, and two burly men in dark clothing. When Lian Zheng and his daughter entered, all four stood and bowed.
"These are brothers Qiao Zhen'nan and Qiao Zhen'bei. They're very skilled," Yun Zixing introduced.
While Lian Zheng assessed the Qiao brothers, one of them winked at Lian Heng—a gesture teetering on inappropriate flirtation with a minor.
Lian Heng stifled a laugh. If she had truly been a naive young girl, she might have been entranced by this strikingly handsome man. But her thirty-plus years of life experience and a heartbreak that cut deep had made her immune to such charms.
"Heng'er, from now on, Yun the Constable and the Qiao brothers will be in charge of your safety," Lian Zheng declared. Then, turning to Di Yun, he said, "Di Yun, I trust your aunt's innocence, but to silence gossip, you'll need to temporarily step back from guarding Heng'er. That said, you're family, so visit your aunt often."
Di Yun's face darkened for a moment, but hearing Lian Zheng's warm tone and being addressed as "Di Yun" for the first time, he bowed. "Thank you, Master Lian."
Lian Zheng invited Yun Zixing and the Qiao brothers to dine, leaving Di Yun behind.
"Xiao Shan!" he called. A servant quickly entered with a tray. Lian Zheng opened it to reveal a thick stack of silver notes.
"Di Yun, I'm deeply grateful for your life-saving assistance to my daughter. Please accept this 2,000 taels of silver as a token of my gratitude."
"Master Di, please accept it," Xiao Shan urged, holding out the tray.
Lian Zheng chuckled. "Call him 'Young Master Di'! As Third Madame's nephew, he's family."
Xiao Shan blushed and curtsied. "Young Master Di!"
But Di Yun remained motionless, his usual warm and confident expression replaced with a stoic one.
"Young Master Di!" Xiao Shan's arms began to ache from holding the tray.
Di Yun sighed. "Thank you for your kindness, Master Lian. Protecting Miss Lian was my duty—no thanks necessary. Lord Han has already assigned me new tasks. I must take my leave." He clasped his fists in a farewell gesture, then turned to go.
After a few steps, he paused and looked back at Lian Heng.
"I'll make time to investigate the truth behind the beyond-the-shore Manluo Incense. Don't worry."
Then, he strode away.
Lian Zheng watched him go, a look of curiosity in his eyes. "What incense? That boy refuses 2,000 taels—enough for him to save up for over a decade! Quite remarkable."
Isn't it just?
Lian Heng smiled faintly.
From then on, Lian Heng's security detail grew from two to three.
The Qiao brothers were silent and diligent, staying a strict ten paces behind her at all times, always alert. They even tested her food with silver needles before meals and inspected her room for hazards each night before standing guard outside.
Their commitment extended even to her bathroom breaks, maintaining a discreet yet constant distance, ever-ready to defend her at a moment's notice.
In stark contrast, Yun Zixing was carefree and lackadaisical, often flitting about the estate, sometimes striking dramatic poses with his flowing hair, eliciting dreamy sighs from the maids.
By the second night of having professional bodyguards, Lian Heng was on the verge of tears.
It wasn't heartbreak over a man's betrayal that pained her the most, but rather the incessant shadowing by her ever-loyal guards.
Two.
Two hulking men.
For the first time, Lian Heng truly understood Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi's words:
"Life is dear.
Love is dearer.
But freedom—freedom is dearest of all."
No wonder so many have quoted this poem over the years—it's the absolute truth!
Deprived not only of freedom but also of joy, she felt the weight of their seriousness amplifying her sense of danger.
"This is unbearable! When will this nightmare end? Who is stirring up trouble in our household?!" Lian Heng cried out to the heavens before collapsing into her nanny's comforting arms.
"Don't cry, dear," Nanny Luo soothed her gently, as if consoling the baby she once cared for. "Look, the sky's filled with beautiful lanterns!"
Indeed, the night sky was aglow with drifting Kongming lanterns. One after another, their radiant flames floated against the dark velvet sky—brilliant, warm, mesmerizing, and dreamlike.
Peace washed over Lian Heng as she drifted into sleep, comforted by the glowing lights.
The next day, during her morning walk, she noticed a spent lantern hanging on the ancient pine at the estate's entrance. Was it one of last night's that had burned out and fallen there? Or had someone placed it intentionally?
She asked Qiao Zhen'nan to retrieve it.
The lantern was exquisitely crafted, made of fine bamboo and coated with premium Xuan paper. Painted on its surface was a snow-covered plum blossom, beneath which was a tiny seal in carved script.
"This is the work of Li Puti, the master lantern artisan!" Lian Heng exclaimed in surprise.
"What's so special about Li Puti?" Nanny Luo asked, perplexed.
"Li is the most renowned lantern artisan in the capital. His limited-edition lanterns are prized works of art, fetching up to ten taels each—around a thousand modern yuan! Only the wealthy and influential can afford them!"
"Wow, and there were dozens of them last night! Who but our Lian family would have the means for such extravagance?" Nanny Luo marveled.
But Lian Heng frowned in thought.
She had noticed something even stranger.
Hidden within the centers of several plum blossoms were tiny words. So small, they were almost impossible to spot.
When pieced together, they formed a single sentence:
"Wishing Lian Heng safety and happiness."
Who had sent such heartfelt blessings?
"Jixiang, search the area for more lanterns like this one!" Lian Heng quickly ordered a young servant.
Before long, Jixiang returned with several more lanterns—some damaged, some intact. Without exception, they were all Li Puti's works, and every single one bore the same wish:
"Wishing Lian Heng safety and happiness."
Who could have been so thoughtful?
Raising her eyes, she spotted Yun Zixing, his mischievous gaze fixed on her as he playfully arched an eyebrow.
"Girl, if I told you I sent them, would you believe me?" he teased.
She pressed her lips into a smile and shook her head. Then shook
it again, this time resolutely.