Memory of Love"爱之记忆" Chapter 1
In Prince Liu's courtyard, as the sun tilted toward the horizon, its golden rays touched the ground and reflected off the solid stones, casting an aura of calm over the place. The entire family was present, their heads bowed in reverence as they knelt before the majesty of the imperial decree. The air was heavy with the scent of incense rising from the grand censer in the center of the courtyard, enveloping the space in a tranquil haze.
Amidst this gathering stood Eunuch Hu, an elderly man with a blank expression but a voice laden with the weight of time and experience. A group of guards surrounded him, holding their weapons with constant vigilance. His resonant voice rose for all to hear: "Attention... to the family of Prince Liu, the adopted daughter, virtuous, pure, of high moral character, chaste, beautiful, and well-mannered, having reached the age of marriage, is hereby granted the title of the Third Princess and chosen to be the consort of the Third Prince by imperial decree. End of announcement. Princess Liu Yue Mei, accept the decree."
As Eunuch Hu finished reciting the decree, the family responded in unison with expressions of gratitude: "We thank His Majesty for his benevolence." Yet, their faces betrayed a mix of tension and unease, as the unexpected decree had left them stunned.
In that moment, Yue Mei slowly raised her head, her gaze a blend of astonishment and confusion. Her wide, glistening eyes searched the eunuch's face, trying to grasp the situation. Her first steps toward Eunuch Hu were heavy, as if she carried the burden of a decision she didn't fully understand.
As she walked, her ornate silk gown's hemline caught under her feet, causing her to stumble and fall onto the hard stone ground. The sound of her fall echoed in the courtyard's silence, making everyone pause momentarily. The only sound that followed was Yue Mei's quickened breathing as she tried to compose herself.
Slowly lifting her head, she found herself close to the ground, her face smudged with dirt. Yet, she began to laugh softly, addressing Eunuch Hu in a lighthearted tone: "Uncle, I can't get up, haha." Her maid, Jing Jing, rushed to help her, lightly scolding: "I told you the gown is too long, Yue Mei." Once on her feet, Yue Mei approached Eunuch Hu to accept the decree, her small hands trembling slightly as she said, "Thank you, Uncle. Aunt, I'd like to go back and play now."
Her aunt looked at her warmly, her eyes filled with affection. In a gentle voice, she replied: "Alright, you may go, but be careful not to fall again."
As Yue Mei left the courtyard, Eunuch Hu continued conversing with Prince Liu and his wife, a hint of regret on his face. He spoke in a calm voice: "Your Highness, I tried my best, but this is His Majesty's will."
The prince let out a deep sigh, his expression heavy with burdens: "I understand, Eunuch Hu. It is fine."
The prince's wife interjected, her tone laced with worry, her eyes flitting between fear and confusion as she clenched her hands: "But why did the emperor choose her? He knows her mental health is fragile."
Eunuch Hu lowered his head in respectful regret: "I do not know, Your Highness. I only carried out the orders. I shall now take my leave."
Prince Liu responded calmly, masking his inner turmoil: "Thank you, Eunuch Hu, for your efforts. Escort him out."
As Eunuch Hu departed, the family remained lost in thought, grappling with the uncertainty of the young girl's future—a girl who bewildered everyone with her childlike smile and the inner struggles she kept hidden.
The atmosphere in the family hall was heavy with tension. The couple sat side by side, each lost in their thoughts, trying to make sense of the imperial decision that had placed them in a difficult position. The prince's wife, overwhelmed with worry, spoke anxiously: "She cannot bear the weight of such a life. I'm so worried for her."
The prince sighed slowly, trying to maintain composure: "It is His Majesty's decree. We cannot oppose it. Even as his brother, my opinions hold no sway. We must abide by his will."
His wife could not suppress her fears and replied with a voice full of pleading and pain: "She... oh, she lost her mind over these years. She has suffered so much, and we don't know how she'll manage this marriage."
She placed her hand on her forehead, trying to collect herself, her mind swirling with endless concerns. The prince understood the depth of her anxiety and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, offering quiet reassurance: "Calm yourself, my dear. I will protect her. I won't fail my late brother."
She looked at him with eyes full of confusion and sorrow, knowing he was trying to ease the tension, but the unease lingered in her heart.
Suddenly, Yue Mei burst into the hall like a little storm, darting toward her aunt with a playful lightness, seeking a hiding spot. Her face was a mixture of excitement and innocence as she whispered softly between breaths: "Shhh, Auntie, don't tell Jing Jing where I am... okay?"
Moments later, she noticed her aunt's tear-streaked cheeks. Concern flickered across her face as she gently wiped the tears away, asking with a worried voice: "Auntie, why are you crying? Who upset you?"
She turned sharply to her uncle, her eyes flashing with childlike determination: "Did you make Auntie cry?"
Stepping toward him with a steady stride, she seemed ready for confrontation. Her uncle stammered in defense: "It wasn't me, really. Tell her, dear."
Her aunt intervened softly, her voice warm and soothing: "It wasn't your uncle, Yue Mei. A small bug flew into my eye, and it watered."
Yue Mei scrutinized her aunt's expression, searching for the truth. "Really...?" she asked firmly.
Her aunt nodded decisively: "Yes, truly."
With a childish pout, Yue Mei declared: "We will avenge this bug, Auntie. I'll make sure to kill this evil insect!"
Her aunt chuckled warmly, brushing off the seriousness: "You silly girl, you can't kill it, haha."
Yue Mei settled beside her aunt, speaking with playful determination: "No, I can. I'll do it for you."
Pulling out a small white stone from the folds of her gown, she raised it triumphantly: "Look, Auntie, I found this stone in the water pond by chance. Jing Jing helped me pick it up. Isn't it pretty?"
Her aunt admired the stone, touching it delicately with her fingertips, and said: "Yes, it's beautiful, like a pearl."
Yue Mei placed the stone gently in her aunt's palm, then took out another and offered it to her uncle: "One for you, Uncle... and one for you, too, Auntie."
Her aunt felt a deep sense of gratitude and affection as she held Yue Mei's tiny hand, studying her with loving seriousness: "Thank you for these stones, Yue Mei. They're very beautiful."
Yue Mei smiled warmly, her eyes brimming with joy: "I'll do anything to make Auntie happy."
In that moment, the tension eased, replaced by a warmth that softened the heavy atmosphere. Her aunt's thoughts wandered briefly before she clasped Yue Mei's hand gently and looked deeply into her eyes, her expression serious yet affectionate: "Yue Mei, I need to ask you something important. You're a big girl now."
Yue Mei's face lit up with a smile, showing she was fully attentive. Her aunt spoke quietly: "Do you know what marriage means?"
With innocent excitement, Yue Mei began explaining in her own way: "Yes! It means living with someone, being close friends forever, eating together, playing together, doing everything together, and also—"
Her aunt cut her off sharply: "Stop...!"
The hall fell silent, her aunt's face shadowed by concern. Letting out a deep sigh, she looked at Yue Mei again and explained more calmly: "Yue Mei, you're a smart girl, and I trust you'll listen to your aunt. Alright?"
Yue Mei nodded seriously: "Yes, I always listen to Auntie."
Her aunt hesitated, searching for the right words to convey the gravity of the situation. She said earnestly: "My little one, it's already nighttime. After dinner, we'll talk more about this, okay?"
Yue Mei responded with playful compliance: "Alright, hehe."
Her laughter filled the room, lightening the charged atmosphere.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed in the hall. Yue Mei darted to her aunt's side, finding refuge behind her, and whispered, "She's coming."
The maid, Lang Jing, entered, slightly out of breath from running. She stood before them and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, has my lady been here? I've been searching for her everywhere." Her voice carried a hint of exhaustion.
The couple laughed heartily, their laughter softening the tension in the room. The husband said jokingly, "She's not here. She's definitely not hiding behind us, haha."
Yue Mei emerged from behind her aunt, her brows furrowed in feigned seriousness. "Uncle, you just gave away my hiding spot."
The wife sighed, casting a reproachful look at her husband. "Dear, why did you reveal her hiding place? Oh, Yue Mei, you've had enough playtime for today. Go rest until dinner is ready," she said, her tone light yet slightly chiding, maintaining the calm family atmosphere.
Standing tall and poised before them, Yue Mei adopted an innocent expression. "Uncle, I'm not speaking to you again. Aunt, I'll leave now. Jing Jing, let's go."
Yue Mei headed toward the door, carrying herself with her usual grace, her maid following closely behind. They left the room and made their way to her quarters.
---
Inside Yue Mei's room, the atmosphere was serene. Warm tones adorned the walls, complemented by elegant wooden furniture that exuded tranquility and introspection. The dim light from oil lamps cast gentle shadows on the polished wooden floor. A large table in front of Yue Mei was neatly covered with a pristine cloth, holding a steaming cup of water that emitted soft wisps of vapor.
Seated steadily on a cushioned dark wooden chair, Yue Mei appeared different from her earlier playful demeanor. Her expression was serious, as though she were a completely different person. While her features seemed relaxed, her thoughts raced.
Before her stood Lang Jing, her maid, who spoke clearly: "His Majesty requests your presence. He mentioned in his message that he is grateful for your assistance during his last endeavor."
Yue Mei listened attentively, then replied with determination, "Very well, I'll meet him tonight."
Lang Jing hesitated, concern evident in her eyes, before asking suddenly, "But, my lady, what about the matter of marriage to the Third Prince?"
Yue Mei sighed, gripping the warm cup between her hands to calm herself. "Honestly, I was shocked by His Majesty's decision. Why would he want to marry off his son to a supposedly naïve, insane girl?" Her tone carried disbelief and worry.
Lang Jing took a cautious step closer. "I've heard only bits and pieces about him. It seems his relationship with His Majesty is strained. He was sent to the empire's borders at the age of ten and stayed there for fifteen years, achieving numerous victories against the enemy and earning a high rank. After his most recent triumph, His Majesty summoned him back to the capital."
Yue Mei gave her maid a faint smile as she processed the information. "If he's been outcast by the emperor yet returned after such an honorable victory, it means the emperor must bring him back for appearances' sake. How long has he been in the capital?"
Lang Jing replied promptly, "About two months. His stay is temporary."
Curiosity glimmered in Yue Mei's eyes. "Why temporary? Wouldn't he want to settle in the capital?"
Lang Jing nodded confidently. "He does, but the emperor wants to keep him out of sight. Even so, the Third Prince requested this marriage as a reason to stay longer."
Yue Mei stood, intrigued by the revelation, and began analyzing it. "Interesting. It seems the Third Prince has his own secrets, haha."
Lang Jing looked uneasy and asked hesitantly, "But, my lady, will the marriage truly take place?"
Yue Mei answered firmly, "It's the emperor's order. We cannot refuse, so yes, it will happen."
Lang Jing stepped closer, her anxiety growing. "But, my lady…"
Yue Mei lowered her gaze, attempting to soothe her maid's worries. "Don't fret, Lang Jing. The marriage will only last a few months at most. After that, it'll be over. Let's enjoy it while it lasts, haha."
Lang Jing stared at her, baffled. "What…?"
Yue Mei replied confidently, "It won't interfere with our plans. We'll clear my father's name and uncover the truth."