Story of Consort Xi

Chapter 7: Still Water Runs Deep

Tightening her cloak, she strolled amongst the forest of plum trees. This night of great snow was also the time of full blossom of the plum trees. The biting cold wind was accompanied by the fragrant scent of plum blossoms. The snow silently landed on the petals, further accentuating the colour of the flowers, just like delicately crafted ruby jewels.

Just two more days to the Imperial Harem Selection. On that day, she will be giving her all to fight for the Emperor's attention and favour in order to gain a position within the Imperial Harem. Even now, father and mother were still unaware of her change in decision, awaiting for her return.

Just last lunar new year eve, she had wished for a love over power and wealth. It seemed like a simple prayer initially, but merely a year later she realised what an extravagant hope it was. It seems like a hope that she will never achieve in this lifetime.

Deep in her thoughts, Ling Ruo was unaware of the presence of another person behind her. Until a deep voice that spoke: "Who are you?"

Nearly losing her grip on her lantern in shock, Ling Ruo turned to look at the person after calming her nerves. It was slender and gaunt old man, wearing a silver-grey cloak that covered the yellow and red robes within. But what gave Ling Ruo the deepest impression was the pair of eyes. Bright and full of wisdom, it seemed capable of piercing into the deepest parts of a well-hidden heart.

Upon seeing Ling Ruo clearly, the man was taken aback. For a moment, he was stupefied on the spot. How? How can they be so alike? The facial features and the demeanor were exactly just like her. Could she be back?

"Fang er..." he mumbled in a trance, holding out his hand to touch the familiar-looking face. But the startled look on Ling Ruo's face jolted him out from his stupor. Merely an inch of distance, but it represented a lifetime worth of distance.

In the end, it's not her... She looked like Fang er, and also step-mother. But she is not them... Sighing deeply within his heart, he withdrew his hand. The disappointment in his eyes were unmistakable.

Despite being spoken very softly, Ling Ruo still caught the words. Fang er. Who is she? And who is he?

A man who is able to freely roam the Imperial Palace, and of such an age. He must be... Ling Ruo's heart skipped a beat once she concluded the identity of the man in front of her. Quickly, she kneeled: "Candidate Ling Ruo sends her greetings to Your Majesty. Peace and grace to Your Majesty."

"You may rise." Emperor Kang Xi gave her a gently smile. For some reason, seeing her face makes him hypnotised. Over the many years, only two other women has had the same effect on him. Drawing a deep breath to calm himself, he walked past Ling Ruo and headed towards the heart of the plum tree grove.

Ling Ruo did not dare to voice out the questions in her mind, nor did she dare to just turn and leave. As such, she quietly trailed behind the Emperor. After a long while, she brought up her courage: "Your Majesty, do you visit this grove frequently?"

Emperor Kang Xi stopped and surveyed the surrounding scenery: "Yes, especially during the nights when I can't fall asleep. When the late Empress was still alive, we used to visit the grove frequently."

"Her Majesty Empress Xiaochengren?" Ling Ruo asked quietly. Despite having appointed three empresses, it was well known that Emperor Kang Xi deeply loved the first Empress Xiaochengren. When Empress Xiaochengren passed away thirty years ago, Emperor Kang Xi fell into great grief and cancelled the Imperial Court for five days to mourn for the loss. Their only child, Yin Reng, was appointed as the Crown Prince when he reached the age of 1.

Emperor Kang Xi nodded. Suddenly, he asked: "Do you know how to play the vertical flute [1]?"

"I know the basics, but I am not proficient in it." Barely finishing her sentence, Emperor Kang Xi clapped once to summon the accompanying eunuch who was waiting some distance away. It was the Head Eunuch Li De Quan, who respectfully passed a jade vertical flute to Ling Ruo.

Ling Ruo received the jade vertical flute. After some thoughts, she decided to play the tune 《Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank》and placed the flute to her lips. The melody of the song replicated the flight of a skein of wild geese in the broad blue sky. The notes of the flute echoed in the quiet grove, drawing the listeners in - as if they were up in the sky watching the skein of wild geese in their magnificent flight right in front of their eyes. Even Head Eunuch Li, who did not understand music, was completely captivated by the tune.

As the last note ended, Emperor Kang Xi opened his eyes slowly. Smiling gently, he said: "You played very well, even better than the Imperial musicians. Not by the technique, but by your capability in capturing the conceptual narrative of the lyrics."

He did not expect the tune to release the pent-up tension in his heart. The inner peace and serenity was something he had not felt for many years. He continued: "You may keep the vertical flute, so that you can play again in the future. It's late now and the sky is now dark. I will send Li De Quan to accompany you back."

Before Ling Ruo could thank and bid the Emperor farewell, he suddenly asked: "Do you want to enter the Imperial Harem?"

After a moment, Ling Ruo smiled, radiant and enchanting: "Ling Ruo wishes to accompany Your Majesty for a lifetime."

Still water runs deep. In this lifetime, there is no turning back...

[1] 箫 The vertical flute is an ancient Chinese instrument that developed from a simple end-blown flute. It is not to be confused with another ancient Chinese instrument笛子 side-blown flute.