步步惊心 Bu Bu Jing Xin

步步惊心/
Startling Surprises with Every Step

Written by Tong Hua

Chapter 1

Translated by Plushie and Hoju

 Translation Notes

This is my first time translating anything like this, so please forgive any grammar mistakes, typos or
translation errors that may occur. I have tried my best and am still learning. ^^”

For those who don’t know, there is more than one version to this novel. I am translating from the
Taiwanese version of the book, as it is the version I own in hardcopy. Others who are working on
the other chapters are using the revised version online. Besides the usage of traditional Chinese,
there should not be any difference between my hardcopy and the revised version of the novel
online.

I’ve also utilized some of Hoju’s translations for the beginning portion of this chapter. So thank you
Hoju! You are awesome! ☺

Reading the footnotes is also highly recommended. Hoju and I have tried to explain some of the
terms and historical context to our best efforts. I know some are kind of long, but I’ve added
interesting information that I thought you all may want to know (though some may be pretty
useless info as well…..XD) Hopefully you will learn more about the Qing Dynasty and some of its
customs. I know I did. So enjoy!
 Chapter 1

It is now the height of summer, and the green color in front of me feels downcast, unlike the fresh
green of early spring that signified that the good days were just beginning and made everything feel
bright and cheerful. It could be because I know the season’s splendour has already reached its peak
and what lies ahead is only a steady deterioration.

This feeling of melancholy is the same as how I feel now. It’s already the tenth day since I’ve been
here in ancient times, but I still feel as if it is all just a dream. I feel like I am only waiting to awake
up in modern times and am not really in the forty-third year of Kangxi’s reign1. I’m still that twenty-
five year old, single, white-collar professional, Zhang Xiao and not this thirteen year old Manchurian
girl, Maertai Ruoxi.

Ten days ago, after I got off work, I did not pay attention to the traffic as I crossed the road. By the
time I heard the crowd’s screams, it was too late. I felt myself flying towards the sky, yet I could see
the physical half of my body still dangling from the truck. In the midst of terror and intense pain, I
lost consciousness, and when I awoke again, I was already on the bed of this body’s previous owner.

According to the servant girls, I had fallen down the stairs to the loft and was unconscious for a full
day and night. As for this “condition” where I lost all my memories upon awakening, the doctor said
this was due to excessive shock and with careful nurturing I would slowly recover.

After walking only a short while, sweat can already be seen on my forehead. Next to me, jie-jie’s2
maidservant, Qiaohui, whom jie-jie had brought with her from home when she married, urges me,
“Second Miss, let’s go back. Even though it is past noon, the heat from the ground at this time is the
most harmful. Your body still hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

I answer her acquiescently, “Alright. Jie-jie should be done reciting her Buddhist scriptures by now
anyway.”

My name is now Maertai Ruoxi and this older sister I acquired is Maertai Ruolan, the second wife3
of a rather well-known figure in Qing history: Prince Lian4, also known as the Eighth-prince5, Yunsi.

1 1704 AD.
2 elder sister
3 Orig.侧福晋 ‘ce fujin’. ‘Fujin’ is the Manchurian word for wife or madam. ‘Ce’ means ‘side.’ ‘Ce fujin’ is ‘the wife who
dwells in the side room’. In comparison to regular concubines, being a ‘Ce fujin’ is still a highly regarded position in the
household as both 嫡福晋 ‘di fujin’ (First wife) and ‘ce fujin’ are officialised by the Ministry of Rites, and their names are
added to the royal book. You also can have more than one ‘ce fujin’.
4 Original word used:亲王 ‘Qin Wang.’ The ‘Prince’ (Qin Wang) here is not the same as being called a prince by birthright,
but rather, it could be translated as “Prince of the first rank” or “Prince of the blood.” It is a peerage title granted to male
descendants in the royal family, and is the highest rank in the Qing peerage system. The first 4 ranks are usually given
solely to direct male descendants of the Emperor, though exceptions are found. There are a total of 12 ranks for the
imperial line. Because it’s an official title, I will be using Prince here with an upper case P.
5 Original word used: 阿哥 ‘A’Ge’. In the Qing royal family, a young prince who has not yet been bestowed any title is
known as A’Ge. Most of the time, the princes are not referred to by their actual first name (not even by the Emperor
himself) but rather, their number then the word A’Ge. So as the 8th son, Yinsi is known as the Eighth A’Ge. I will continue
to use the word prince (with a lower case p) here rather than A’Ge for easier reading.
Currently however, the Eighth-prince still has not been bestowed the title of ‘Prince’ and is only a
‘Duo’luo’bei’le’6. Furthermore, he has not yet forced to change his name to avoid taboo against
Emperor Yongzheng’s name, so he should still be called Yinsi7.

If one puts it nicely, jie-jie’s nature can be said to be gentle and virtuous, and if put not so nicely, she
is weak and unwillingly to strive for anything. In an entire day, she spends at least half of it doing
nothing but recite Buddhist scriptures. I suspect she is not very favoured. At least, in the ten days
that I have been here, I have never heard of the Eighth-prince coming to see her. However, based on
these ten days, I can also tell she is very caring towards her younger sister. From food and drink to
clothing, nothing is too big or small for her to think about, for fear that I would be uncomfortable. I
sigh silently. If I am unable to go back, then in this place and age, she is the only person I can depend
on, but as I think about Eighth-prince’s fate in the future, I feel that this support is not that reliable.
However, that is still many years in the future, and I cannot worry about it for now.

Sure enough, when I return to the house, jie-jie is already there and is sitting by the table eating
some refreshments. As she sees me entering the house, she says in a light scolding tone, “You didn’t
even think about the heat beating down on your head.”

I walk forward and sit down beside her. With a smile, I answer, “I’m not that delicate. Besides, after
going out for a little stroll, my body actually feels less heavy than it did a few days ago.”

Examining me carefully, she says, “Your complexion does look a little better. But right now, the heat
is the deadliest. Don’t go outside again at this hour.”

I answer her offhandedly, “I understand.”

Dongyun comes in carrying a washbowl and while half-kneeling, she waits upon me as I wash my
hands. I laugh secretly and think to myself, “Understanding is one thing but whether I actually
follow it will be left up to next time.” Qiaohui brings a towel over and helps me dry my hands. She
then picks some amber-coloured ointment for me to apply over them. Its smell is fragrant and
sweet, but I do not know what it is made out of.

After cleaning my hands, as I am preparing to decide which of the sweets to eat, a strange feeling
comes over me. I look up, seeing jie-jie has been watching me, my heart suddenly skips a beat. As I
return her gaze with a questioning look, she suddenly broke into a mild laughter, “You were always
so lively and naughty that you never listened to father’s words. Now that you took a fall, it actually
changed you for the better. You are actually much calmer and well-mannered now.”

Feeling relief, I look down at the sweets again, asking smilingly, “Does jie-jie wishes me to continue
to be a troublemaker?”

6 多罗贝勒 ‘duo’luo’bei’le’, often shortened to ‘Bei’le’, is a peerage title that can be bestowed to those within the royal
family. It is the third rank in the Qing peerage system for the imperial line.
7 All of Kangxi’s sons had the word ‘Yin’ in it. Yongzheng’s brothers all had to change this word to ‘Yun’ in their names to

avoid taboo when Yongzheng became Emperor.

Jie-jie picks up a piece of my favourite dessert, the hibiscus cake, and passes it to me, “There’s only
half a year left until the preparative concubine selection event8. It is for the better that you are
becoming more mannerly and proper. How can you afford to keep staying wild and mischievous?”

Suddenly, I choke on the piece of the hibiscus cake in my mouth. I cough loudly as jie-jie quickly
passes some water to me. While Qiaohui busily pats my back, Dongyun hurries to get a
handkerchief. Seeing me recover only after gulping down a couple mouthfuls of water, jie-jie laughs,
“Just as I was saying you were becoming more proper, you do this. No need to wolf down your food.
There’s no one here to steal your cake away!”

I wipe my lips thinking to myself, what am I going to do? Tell her that “I am not your younger sister
Ruoxi”? No, definitely not! A thousand thoughts run through my mind, but I can’t come up with a
single good plan. I can only console myself; there is still half a year’s time left, isn’t there?

I pretend as if nothing has happened and asks her, “Last time, I heard jie-jie say that father is
stationed in the Northwest, and I had only arrived here three months ago. Was it because of the
preparative concubine selection event that father has sent me here?”

“Yes! Father said mother had passed away early, and you don’t listen to a word second-mother9
says. The stricter they are with you, the more unruly you get. Thinking that you at least still listens
to me somewhat, they decided to sent you here early so I can teach you some proper etiquette.”

_______________________________________________________________________

In these past few days, from the moment I finish breakfast, I would immediately go out for a stroll.
After dinner, I would go for a stroll again. This is the only plan I had come up with to work out my
body. Though it is a simple plan, it seems to be working quite well. Unlike the first few days after
gaining consciousness, when I had felt feeble and weak, more and more do I feel that this body is
like my own.

I have also managed to induce Qiaohui to show me the loft where the real Ruoxi fell from. As I was
standing there, several times I had the urge to jump, hoping in a blink’s time I would return to the
present. Nevertheless, I did not, for I was more afraid that not only will I not return to modern
times, but gain a permanent disability instead. Besides, deep in my heart, I had secretly understood
that the probability of the latter happening is much higher. The horrific scene I had seen after losing
consciousness from the car accident was not an illusion. As for how or why my spirit came to into
this ancient person’s body, I have no idea. Since I’m already here, I can only make the most of it.

8
Orig.选秀女 ‘xuan xiu nu’, literally means to choose (‘xuan’) an elegant female (xiu nu). Xiu Nu is basically a title given to
preparative concubines to the Emperor. An event to choose these future concubines is held every 3 years. All
Manchurians under the banner system have to send their unmarried daughters to this event when they are of age. Girls
who are not chosen are usually arranged to marry men in the Imperial family, notable noblemen or sons of high ranking
officials.
9 Refers to their father’s second concubine.
Qiaohui is accompanying me as we take a stroll in a large circle. By the end of our stroll, both of us
are slightly tired. Behind the rockery, there happens to be a fairly flat rock. Qiaohui lays down a
handkerchief on it for me to sit on and I drag her to sit beside me. The sun has just set, so the rock is
still warm. A breeze passes over my face, bringing a slight cooling sensation. It feels very pleasant.

I tilt my head slightly to view the sky above me. The sky is darkening and though it still retains its
crystal clarity, its blue colour is starting to turn black. The clearness of the sky gives the impression
that it is much closer to the ground than it actually is; as if I only need to stretch out my hand to be
able to touch it. This is definitely a sky of an earlier time because in modern Beijing, the only time I
had seen a sky similar to this was when I had stood on top of Lingshan Mountain10. Conjuring up
memories of my parents, I feel a painful sadness in my heart. I am not saddened by my own death,
but it pains me to know that my parents have to endure the agony of having to mourn the death of
their child. It is fortunate that I have a brother. He has always been the pillar in my parent’s life and
knowing he is still around with them, I am slightly comforted.

Just as I am wallowing in my own sorrow, I hear Qiaohui say, “Second Miss, you have definitely
changed.”

Due to often hearing the same words from jie-jie in these past few days, my inclination to become
uncomfortable after hearing them has given away to indifference. I continue to gaze towards the
sky asking, “How have I changed?”

“There’s no way you could have stayed so calm and quiet before. In the past, you have always liked
to talk nonstop and would have never been able to stay still in one place. Old Master had always
said you were like an unbridled wild mare. Before your fall, you’d always urge Mistress to recite the
Buddhist scriptures less, and wear brighter coloured clothes. We were so pleased that there was
finally someone here to talk some sense into her, but now you don’t even mention any of it
anymore.”

I glance sideways towards Qiaohui, but she quickly avoids my gaze as her eyes meet mine.

Thinking for a moment, I say to her, “Jie-jie is in a good state right now.”

With her head cast downwards, Qiaohui replies with a quivering voice, “A good state? It’s already
been five years. Others who had come after her all have children now.”

I don’t know how to explain it to her. To tell her that Eighth-prince’s future fate is a tragic one? That
the more emotionally attached one becomes now, the more pain one would have to suffer in the
future? I draw in a breath replying, “Distancing herself from such things may actually be a good
thing for her. Jie-jie is currently mentally at peace and content, I don’t see why that’s a bad thing.”

Qiaohui looks up at me, trying to discern if I am speaking from the heart. Finally, she looks to one
side and says, “But those people in the household –“

10 Lingshan is the highest mountain in Beijing.

I cut her off, “Just look up towards the sky and take in its beauty. You will forget all about those
unhappy thoughts.”

Thrown off by my words, she hesitantly looks up at the sky and then at me, wanting to say
something. Seeing that I am still staring up at the sky, unmoving, she eventually swallows her words
and joins me.

A sudden laughter broke the silence, and from the side of the rockery emerges two figures. The
shorter and chubbier one in front laughs to the other behind him, “This little girl is interesting. Only
a thirteen, fourteen year old girl and already she displays a maturity that does not match her age.
She speaks as if she has already experienced much in life and is worldly wise!”

Seeing them, Qiaohui immediately stands and curtsies to them, “Ninth-prince, Tenth-prince
ji’xiang11!”

Since I have been here, I have not yet seen any outsiders. Therefore, I found myself standing there
dumbfounded. It is only after seeing Qiaohui’s ceremonial greeting that I finally managed to react,
remembering that in this time period, hierarchy still exists and propriety matters. Luckily, I have
previously watched many ancient historical dramas and hurriedly mimic Qiaohui’s example. As a
result of his words, my heart pounds like a drum. I keep forgetting that my age now is thirteen and
not twenty-five.

Looking at me up and down with one hand on his chin, the smiling teenaged boy in front did not
answer our greeting. Observing quietly, I decide that this one ought to be the Tenth-prince and the
one on the side of his rear, the one with a particularly straight physique, must be the Ninth-prince.
Flatly, Ninth-prince says to us, “rise.”

Both Qiaohui and I rose. On one hand I keep thinking to myself: of all of Kangxi’s famous sons, the
first ones I meet are surprisingly not the “Virtuous Prince” Eighth, but instead, the legendary
venomous snake Ninth and blockhead Tenth. On the other hand, I keep going back to what I had
said to Qiaohui, trying to figure out if I had said anything inappropriate. Eventually, I conclude that
it did not seem like I had said anything that was disrespectful, so letting them overhear my words
should not be a concern.

Laughing, Tenth-prince asks, “You are from the Maertai Family?”

‘Yes!” I reply.

Just as he was about to say more, Ninth-prince prompts, “Let’s go, Eighth brother is still waiting!”

Smacking his head, Tenth-prince hurryingly strides past us, exclaiming, “You’re right, I was so busy
watching the fun that I had forgotten about why we’re here. Let’s go go go!”

11
吉祥 ‘ji’xiang’ is a standard greeting one of lower status uses to greet people with higher status in court. The word
literally mean auspicious and can be translated as, ‘I wish good fortunes, prosperity and happiness to you”.
After they passed us by, I finally lift up my head to look at their backs. Recalling the manner the
Tenth-prince had just conducted himself, I sigh secretly. The history books have not been lying, he
is a bit of an oaf. Unable to contain myself, I begin to giggle at the thought. Just as my grin spreads
across my face, it is unexpectedly greeted by Tenth-prince’s turning head. With my laugh suddenly
frozen in place, my anxiety rises. I don’t know what kind of punishment is given to someone who
laughs at a prince. To my surprise, he makes a funny face at me instead, prompting me to burst into
a fit of laughter. Giving me a final grin, he turns away and begins to chase after the Ninth-prince.

As we return to the house, Qiaohui does not say a word. I am uncertain if she is a bit shaken by what
has just transpired, or is unhappy with my behaviour. I remain silent as well, still surreptitiously
discerning what just happened. If my pitiful historical knowledge is to be trusted, then the Tenth-
prince is sure to have an honest and forthright personality. He will not hold anything back and tell
the Eighth-prince about what just happened. As to how the Eighth-prince will react, I have
absolutely no idea. If one is to take his title as the “Virtuous Prince” as an actuality, then he most
likely would not be a narrow-minded person. However, just to be safe, I should still inform jie-jie
about what has occurred. Just as I finish making up my mind, I noticed we have almost arrived at
the house. Slowing my steps, I tell Qiaohui, “Of course I will always wish the best for jie-jie. Don’t
you worry!” Not waiting for her reaction, I hurry into the house.

Jie-jie is lying sideways in bed, while a young servant girl is kneeling on the floor massaging her legs.
Signalling the servants to stay silent, I sit down on a chair right across from jie-jie. Jie-jie can
definitely be called a beauty: with her sharp chin, and a face one cannot help but love to cherish.
Her skin is also especially lovely, so white and smooth. Under the light her skin looks even more
luminous and translucent, like an exquisite jade. If she exists in modern times, her suitors would
unquestionably be numerous enough to form a company12, if not an entire army.

Jie-jie opens her eyes. Seeing me watching her, she lets the servant girl help her up. After leaning
comfortably on the cushions, she smiles, “You are really much calmer now, to not even say a word
when you return. Just what is so mesmerizing about my face?”

I smile back, saying “If Jie-jie is not mesmerizing, then there must not be many attractive people left
in this world.”

One of the maids brings some water to jie-jie. I watch her take a few sips, before handing the cup
back to the maid. Afterwards, she half closes her eyes again.

I casually tell her, “Just earlier, I met the Ninth-prince and the Tenth-prince in the gardens.”

12Not company as in business company but company as in a unit of an army. A company usually is comprised of 3-5
platoons of men.
Jie-jie waits for me to continue, and noticing that I do not, she opens her eyes. Taking a quick glance
at me, she instructs the maids around the room, “All of you, go prepare a bath for the young miss.13”

As all of the maidservants leave the room, I stand up to sit next to her and begin to repeat all that
has happened earlier. Jie-jie does not speak after hearing me out. Instead, she only stares blankly at
a glass screen, decorated with majestic steeds running on a plain, which stands on one end of the
room. After a long while, she sighs, “Mei-mei14, you really have grown! You are no longer like a
thirteen year old girl, but more like one who took a fall and suddenly matured ten years.” I thought
to myself, “it is truth. Ruoxi has taken a fall and ‘matured’.”

At that moment, a maid comes in reporting, “The hot water and bath is ready now.” Jie-jie gives me
a nudge, “You can now go to take a bath.”

I keep looking at her, not budging from the spot.

She looks at me as well, her eyes somewhat sad and pitiful. She says to me, “You have grown. You
know how to be considerate to your jie-jie now and I am very happy about this. But while you are
here with me, I want you to live your days without too much worries. As long as you don’t do
anything that is too out of bounds, no matter how much you want to laugh and be playful, it’s up to
you.” She straightens the stray hairs by my ears then gently continues, “in the future…….in the
future… when you are in the Palace, even if you want to……you won’t be able to anymore.”

Faintly understanding the meaning behind her words, my mood dampens instantly. I softly reply
her with an “ok”, and then follow the maids for the bath.

_______________________________________________________________________

After that day, even though I kept thinking that I didn’t say anything that over bounds my station; I
was still concerned. However, after seeing that three days have passed and nothing has happened,
my heart was gradually calmed. Nevertheless, I keep warning myself that I must be more cautious
in the future. Jie-jie is not well favoured and I must not add more trouble for her.

After my afternoon nap, I go to give jie-jie the customary greeting. Noticing all the maidservants
around her looking gleeful, and jie-jie looking apathetic, I cannot help but ask, “What is going on?”

Jie-jie does not respond, but only gives me a faint smile which disappears even before it fully
materializes. Qiaohui happily answers, “Master’s servant has just come to deliver a message. He
says Master is coming over for dinner tonight.” Not knowing what to say at that moment, I could
only just silently sit there. After perceiving my silence and probably assuming that I am nervous, jie-

13 格格
Orig. word: “Ge-Ge” ( ). A Manchurian word for young mistress, or lady. It is a title you would call an unmarried
noblewoman (or before they are bestowed an official title by the Emperor) above a certain rank. It does not mean
princess like it is often used in Chinese dramas and novels. Before they are given titles, daughters of the Emperors are
公主
referred to as “gong zhu” ( ), as the Manchurians have adopted certain Ming customs after they established control
over China. Therefore, as a noblewoman, Ruoxi is considered a “Ge’Ge”.
14 Younger sister
jie smiles at me, “It is nothing too important to worry about.” She then turns to Dongyun instructing
her, “Go and make sure the young miss is dressed up properly. Although it is only a casual dinner
tonight, this is the first time she is meeting the Master. We cannot afford to have her looking
improper for the occasion.”

I did not know anything about ancient hair styling, make up or clothing, so I let the servant girls
attend to me and do all the work. I only have to be an obedient wooden puppet. Internally, however,
my mind was not still for a single moment. Reflecting that in all of the Qing dynasty dramas I have
watched, this Eighth Prince has always been Yongzheng’s archrival. A person, whom Yongzheng
views as a formidable opponent and hates so much that he cannot even rest or eat in peace, is most
certainly no ordinary individual. Secretly, I am actually looking forward to tonight’s meeting. It is as
if I am finally going to meet a beloved idol face to face, and at a private meeting no less.

After all the dressing up has ceased, I finally realise how much women in ancient times had to suffer.
From head to toe, there is nowhere on me that is not tightly bound to the skin by clothing. I am
pretty much wrapped up like a rice dumpling. Regrettably, it also happens to be the middle of
summer, making it extremely uncomfortable. I keep fidgeting in my chair, but the Eighth-prince
refuses to show up, even when the appointed dinner time has already passed. The enthusiasm I had
in the beginning begins to wane, and I become increasingly restless. I get up to snatch a fan from a
maidservant’s hands, and begin to fan myself furiously. Jie-jie furrows her brows, “It isn’t that hot is
it?”

As I am fanning myself, I assert, “If he still doesn’t come, I am going to back to change my clothes.
This is really tormenting!” Barely finishing, I see the curtain lift upwards and three figures enter in a
single file. The man in front is twenty-two to twenty-three years old, with a thin and tall build. He is
wearing moon-white15 robes with an emerald coloured belt tied around his waist and a jade
ornament of the same colour hanging from it. His face is like carved jade and his eyes as bright as
the stars. I compliment him secretly: This Eighth-prince is a bit effeminate, but is undeniably a
handsome man.

Seeing me, he looks to be partially stunned, exhibiting a faint astonishment in his eyes. However, his
expression instantly returns to normal. Holding a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, he moves
his gaze towards my sister. At this moment, all the servants in the room are half bent, curtsying. It is
only then when I realise this that I manage to respond. Following their example, I also quickly bend
down to curtsy. Ai, it seems to me I have not yet gotten used to all this bowing and curtsying
business.

He smile, and lifts jie-jie up, and says, “You may all rise!” He then tells jie-jie, “We were delayed by
some things. I still have matters to discuss with Ninth brother and Tenth brother later, so we
decided to come together. Because it was a last minute decision, we did not have time to notify you.”

Jie-jie smiles back, “Not to worry, it’s not a matter of too much inconvenience.”

15Orig. 月白色 ‘yue bai se’, literally moon white colour. The colour “moon white” is not what people usually assume as a
very bright, and pure white color. The ancient Chinese actually viewed the moon as being white with a blue tint. Thus ‘yue
bai se’ is really a colour that is a very pale blue.
After Eighth-prince, Ninth-prince and Tenth-prince all settles down, the maids begin to attend to
their face and hand washing. Jie-jie leaves to instruct the eunuchs outside to send food over. I stay
standing, thinking, “Oh Jie-jie, how can you forget about me?” Ninth-prince remains expressionless
as before and Tenth-prince still retains his ruffian demeanour. Ever since he came in, he would
every now and then take a glance at me. Eighth-prince is still smiling out of the corner of his mouth,
though looking a bit tired, as he has his eyes half closed, resting.

When Jie-jie returns, she informs us, “We may begin dinner now.” Opening his eyes, Eighth-prince
nods. He looks at me and smiles, “this must be Ruoxi right? I heard you were unwell in these past
several days. Are you feeling a little better now?”

“I have pretty much fully recovered,” I reply.

Eighth-prince then says smilingly, “Your body has just recovered; you should stop standing. Sit
down.”

I take a glance at jie-jie, seeing that she has no response, I sit down.

During dinner, Eighth-prince would from time to time laughingly say a few words to jie-jie, while
Ninth-prince would eat in silence. Perhaps it is because we were sitting diagonally across from each
other, the Tenth-prince would, while eating, smile at me at the same time. He looks like he has quite
the appetite. As it is, I barely have any desire to eat due to the hot weather, but with his constant
staring, it made it harder for me to swallow anything. I wonder to myself, if I was like a “lovely
appetizer” to him.

Surreptitiously looking around, and noticing that no one was paying attention, I immediately
glower right back at him. Happily eating and watching at me at the same time, he is caught off guard
by my sudden glare. Flabbergasted, he even forgot to take out his chopsticks from his mouth and
they lay dangling there. I stare at him for a few seconds, finding his dumb expression amusing; I
giggle lightly then look down to eat my rice. As I look down, I inadvertently discover jie-jie, Eighth-
prince and Ninth-prince are all watching me. My heart skips a beat. Not daring to look up, I quickly
eat two mouthfuls of rice only to choke on them. Stooping over while holding on to the edge of the
table, I cough with my head lowered, as I wave to jie-jie to tell her I’m alright. Tenth-prince is
laughing loudly but I didn’t dare to look up at him. Rinsing my mouth as if nothing has happened, I
continue on with dinner, although I can feel my cheeks burning furiously.

Finally managing to sit through the dinner, Eighth-prince stayed for a bit before leaving with Ninth-
prince and Tenth-prince. An old maidservant asks by the door, “Should we leave the door unlocked
for Master’s return?”

Eighth-prince coolly replies, “There’s no need.”

When they left, I immediately jumped up happily, shouting at Qiaohui to quickly assist me in
changing my clothes. Jie-jie smiles while helping to fan me. “Why are you so afraid of the heat? We
are all fine with it.”
I laugh loudly and do not say a word. I think to myself, “Of course you are all fine, all of you are used
to being all wrapped up like rice dumplings from a young age, but I’ve been used to spending the
summer wearing slip dresses.”

Since Eighth and the others have left, jie-jie and I have been quite cheerful, but this cheery mood
obviously did not extend to the maidservants. I pondered for a moment before understanding why.
However, seeing that jie-jie didn’t seem to care, I did not give it any further thought.