Memory of Love" 爱之记忆"، Chapter 2
After finishing dinner, Yue Mei's room was enveloped in a serene quiet, illuminated by the warm glow of flickering candles. She walked slowly toward the door before sitting unevenly on her bed, lost in thought, a faint smile gracing her lips.
A knock echoed through the room, followed by her aunt's voice, "Yue Mei, are you asleep?" Yue Mei opened the door, answering with a smile, "It's you, Auntie. I was waiting for you and haven't gone to bed yet. I even ate 1,253 nuts." Her aunt laughed joyfully, surprised by the peculiar specificity of her snack count.
Entering the room, her aunt walked to the bed where Yue Mei sat. Yue Mei patted the bed beside her and said seriously, "Sit here. I want you to comb my hair." Her aunt complied gently, and the two sat together as her aunt began to comb Yue Mei's hair in soft, soothing strokes, creating a warm, comforting moment.
Breaking the silence, her aunt spoke gravely, "Regarding marriage, Yue Mei…" She took a deep breath before continuing in a steady but firm tone, "Marriage isn't just about sharing daily life and having fun. It's a huge responsibility. You'll have to adapt to someone else, meet expectations, and face challenges that may be difficult."
Yue Mei tilted her head, attempting to grasp the deeper meaning behind her aunt's words. She looked at her aunt with curiosity, her expression reflecting her effort to understand.
Her aunt continued seriously, "I want you to know that marriage also means enduring hardships and dealing with problems. Not every moment will be joyful, and you'll need to make sacrifices."
Smiling confidently, Yue Mei replied, "I'm strong. I can handle difficulties, Auntie." Her aunt's tender gaze reflected her care, as she continued brushing Yue Mei's hair with visible affection.
Yue Mei looked up at her aunt and asked earnestly, "Auntie, can the person I marry live here? I don't want to leave you." Her aunt hesitated before answering gently, "My dear, you can't. You'll need to live in your husband's house."
Yue Mei paused, her face clouded with sadness. "But I don't want to leave you and Uncle. I want to stay here." Her aunt explained softly, "You can visit us whenever you like."
Overjoyed, Yue Mei exclaimed, "Really? Then I'll visit you every day!" Her aunt smiled warmly, "Of course, you're welcome anytime."
Yue Mei hugged her aunt tightly and said lovingly, "You're the best, Auntie. I love you so much." Her aunt's face showed a mix of concern and reluctance as she said, "It's late, Yue Mei. Tomorrow is a long day with all the preparations for your wedding."
Yue Mei released her aunt slowly and replied, "Alright, Auntie. Good night." Returning to her bed, she watched as her aunt left the room, her expression a blend of worry and tension.
The silence after her aunt's departure was short-lived as her maid, Lang Jing, entered hurriedly and cautiously. After ensuring the room was empty, she closed the doors securely. Turning to her mistress, she whispered, "My lady, the area is clear. You can leave now."
Yue Mei, now dressed in black with a mask covering her face, nodded calmly but firmly. "Very well. I'll go. Take care of the rest. I'm counting on you." She moved toward a corner of the room, her steps measured. The atmosphere was tense, and even her faint breathing was audible.
Beside a large painting on the wall stood a meticulously carved dragon sculpture, gleaming in the candlelight. Yue Mei placed her hand on the dragon's head, turning it to the right. A soft creak from a hidden mechanism was followed by the sound of heavy movement as the painting slid aside, revealing a secret door.
She walked purposefully toward the passage, but before disappearing inside, she turned to Lang Jing and said seriously, "Take care of everything here. I'll return before dawn." Lang Jing nodded reassuringly.
Yue Mei stepped into the narrow, dim corridor, leaving behind the faint whisper of wind seeping through cracks in the wall. The painting slid back into place, sealing away the secret.
The corridor was dark and damp, lit only by faintly flickering torches along the stone walls. The cold, musty air carried the scent of decay.
At the Imperial Palace:
In a chamber adorned with golden pillars and intricate carvings, the dim light of oil lamps cast shadows on the walls. Yue Mei entered confidently, the scent of sandalwood and ancient incense permeating the air, enhancing the grandeur of the room.
At the center of the chamber sat the emperor behind a luxurious blackwood desk, adorned with gold and gemstones. His gray hair glinted in the light, his piercing gaze taking in every movement.
Yue Mei knelt, bowing her head in respect. "I greet Your Majesty."
The emperor raised his hand slowly, motioning for her to rise. "Dispense with the formalities. You've arrived on time as usual."
Standing gracefully, Yue Mei met his gaze and asked seriously, "You summoned me, Your Majesty."
The emperor chuckled deeply, the sound resonating through the room. "Thank you for your efforts. Without the Red Robe Wing under your command, the mission wouldn't have been completed so precisely."
Bowing humbly, Yue Mei replied, "There's no need for thanks, Your Majesty. The Red Robe Wing is at your service. But may I ask the reason for this sudden gratitude?"
The emperor rose and stepped away from his desk, studying her intently. With a sly smile, he said, "You caught me. I require your assistance for a special task."
Intrigued, Yue Mei stepped closer. "Regarding the Third Prince?"
The emperor stopped by a large window overlooking the palace gardens and answered firmly, "Yes. You guessed correctly. I suspect he's plotting something."
Yue Mei listened attentively, her expression respectful. "Very well, Your Majesty. But I've never met him. Provide me with the necessary details."
The emperor approached her cautiously, his voice tinged with warning. "The essential facts won't escape the leader of the Red Robe Wing. But be careful. He's clever and skilled at concealing his intentions. Watch him closely and report his movements to me."
Bowing once more, Yue Mei accepted her orders. "As you command, Your Majesty."
The emperor gestured for her to leave. As Yue Mei exited, she paused at the door, glancing back with a slight smile. "And congratulations to the prince on his upcoming marriage."
The emperor's ambiguous expression lingered as he replied gravely, "Be cautious of him."
With that, Yue Mei resumed her steady steps, disappearing into the palace's dim corridors.
On the Wedding Day...
Yue Mei sat in front of the mirror, wearing her red wedding dress, which reflected the sunlight through its intricate golden embroidery, giving it a regal touch of elegance. Her hair, adorned with golden ornaments and sparkling jade stones, flowed gracefully over her shoulders. Around her, the maids worked quietly, adding the final touches.
The reflection of her aunt appeared in the mirror behind Yue Mei, her features a mixture of pride and suppressed sorrow. In a voice choked with unshed tears, her aunt said, "My dear, you look so beautiful." Yue Mei turned to her, their eyes meeting in a moment of warmth and affection. With a gentle smile, she replied, "Thank you, Auntie." Her aunt lifted a trembling hand to softly touch Yue Mei's cheek, her voice tinged with longing. "If your mother were here, she would be so happy for you."
Yue Mei's eyes shone with a blend of happiness and nostalgia. With quiet confidence, she said, "Mother is already happy because she is always with me." Her aunt smiled tenderly at the profound simplicity of her words. She then brought out an object wrapped in luxurious silk and carefully unwrapped it to reveal a gleaming green jade bracelet.
"That's true," her aunt said, taking Yue Mei's hand gently to place the bracelet around her wrist. "Look, this is your mother's jade bracelet. I've kept it safe all these years for this special moment. It's said to hold spiritual power. Your mother inherited it from your grandmother, and now it's yours. Treasure it, Yue Mei, as a memory of her." Yue Mei raised her hand carefully, tracing the bracelet with her fingers as she gazed at it in awe. "It's so beautiful. Auntie, will it give me superpowers?" she asked with playful curiosity.
Her aunt chuckled softly, her laugh filled with love and memories. "I don't know. You might discover that one day."
At that moment, a maid entered the room, bowing slightly and announcing with respect, "Your Highness, the auspicious hour has arrived."
Yue Mei stood slowly, trying to steady her breathing, her heart filled with anticipation. Her aunt stood beside her, lifting the intricately embroidered red veil and placing it gently over Yue Mei's head. As the veil fell, the world before Yue Mei turned to shades of red, leaving only the sound of her racing heartbeat.
In a nervous whisper, Yue Mei said, "Auntie, I'm scared. I don't want to leave you."
Her aunt murmured soothingly, "Take care of yourself, my dear. I wish you a peaceful and happy life."
Yue Mei took a deep breath, looking at her aunt through the veil, her lips curving into a delicate smile. The presence of her aunt reassured her, but her aunt, hiding her mixed feelings of fear and sorrow, worried about Yue Mei's future—especially since no cure had yet been found for the madness that plagued her.
At that moment, her uncle entered the room with steady steps, though his expression betrayed inner tension. Approaching them with a warm smile, he said, "My beautiful girl, you look stunning." Yue Mei laughed softly, rushing toward him for an embrace. "Uncle, you're here!"
After a moment of hugging, she stepped back, her face radiant with joy. Her uncle looked at her and, in a calm voice, said, "My wife, I need to speak with Yue Mei alone. Everyone, please leave." At his wife's gesture, the maids and the aunt exited, leaving the room quiet.
Sitting quietly on a chair nearby, her uncle spoke in a low voice, "Yue Mei, did you meet His Majesty two days ago? Why did he summon you? Was it something important?"
With steady confidence, Yue Mei replied, "Don't worry, Uncle. It was just a simple gesture of gratitude for our efforts."
Sighing deeply, her uncle's eyes were filled with concern. "Yue Mei, you must be cautious." Taking a step closer, Yue Mei reassured him with a calm voice, "Uncle, I chose this path because I lost my parents unjustly. I lived a life filled with suffering that drove me to madness. But thanks to you, I'm here today. Without you, I wouldn't have come this far."
Her uncle listened with deep sadness, his voice heavy with grief as he said, "You approached His Majesty as the head of the Red Robe Pavilion, but if your true identity is ever discovered, it could mean your end. I can't bear to lose you; you are all I have left of my brother."
With a serene smile, Yue Mei replied, "I will reclaim what's mine and my family's. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to me. Trust me."
Unable to persuade her otherwise, her uncle knew he had to accept her decision. Smiling sadly, he said, "I trust you and will support you with all my strength. And I'm happy that you're getting married today. You've grown up, my little girl."
Yue Mei expressed her deep gratitude. "Uncle, you raised me as your own daughter, kept my secret, and cared for me. I owe you my life." As she spoke, she knelt to show her respect and appreciation.
Her uncle quickly helped her up, smiling warmly. "Don't say that. You are my daughter. Now, stand up." Holding her hands, Yue Mei replied, "Yes, Uncle." He smiled at her fondly, saying, "It's getting late. The ceremony will start soon." Yue Mei eagerly agreed, "Yes, let's go, Uncle."
...
The wedding ceremony was carried out perfectly. The celebration was grand.
In the bridal chamber, decorated with red fabrics, fragrant incense, and a table filled with delicious dishes and special wedding wine, Yue Mei sat on the bed, upright, waiting for her husband. Her stomach growled from hunger due to the delay. Grumbling softly to herself, she said, "Ugh, my stomach hurts from hunger. Why is he so late? When will we eat?"
Glancing at the table adorned with sumptuous dishes, she mischievously thought, "Maybe I can sneak a small taste before he arrives. Auntie won't notice if I take just one piece."
Quickly, she stood and approached the table, picking up a pair of chopsticks hesitantly. But before she could bring them to her lips, she heard approaching footsteps. Freezing instantly, she whispered, "He's here..."
Hastily, she returned the chopsticks to their place and turned to head back to the bed. Suddenly, she stumbled, squeezing her eyes shut, bracing for the fall. But at the last moment, she felt a strong hand gently catch her waist, stopping her from hitting the ground.
To be followed in the next chapter............