Spring in the Hall of Paintings

“Fourth Sister, what did you put in the tea? Fourth Sister…”

Yun Wei felt drowsy and weak. Yun Lan personally held her up, her face showing reluctance. “Sixth Sister, I’m sorry. I will make it up to you in the future—I promise.” Yun Wei couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed into Yun Lan’s arms. She shouldn’t have come to visit and console Yun Lan, let alone speak so much about the benefits of becoming the legitimate wife of a prince. Yun Lan—her fourth sister—was determined to go down a dark path without turning back.

Yun Lan carefully placed Yun Wei on the chaise lounge, bit her lip, and reached out to loosen and remove Yun Wei’s clothing, then dressed herself in them. Yun Wei was half a head shorter than Yun Lan, making the qipao ill-fitting, but Yun Lan had no other choice. Today was her last chance before entering the palace. Once inside, her fate would no longer be hers to control. She gently stroked Yun Wei’s face and murmured, “Sixth Sister, I would never be happy marrying any of the three princes. Becoming their wife would only lead to misery. If I were to marry someone else, I would accept it, but the Eighth Prince and the others… their fate is even more tragic. I don’t want a desolate old age. Besides, Yinzhen and I love each other deeply—I cannot give up. Please forgive me, Sixth Sister. I promise I will take good care of you in the future.”

Yun Lan covered Yun Wei with a silk quilt. Yun Wei’s delicate and fair skin looked soft and peaceful in her unconscious state, as if she were merely asleep. Ever since the matriarch had spoken those words, Lady Guo Luoluo had kept Yun Lan under strict watch, not even allowing her to leave her room. Yun Lan had pleaded, but no matter what she said, Lady Guo Luoluo refused to grant her request to see the Fourth Prince.

Today was the day Yun Wei had planned to visit the temple to offer incense in gratitude. Yun Lan had gone to great lengths to have a maid summon Yun Wei. Yun Wei was a disciplined person who valued the honor of the Tong family, and Yun Lan could never understand why someone usually so clever was so rigid in this matter. To Yun Wei, the Tong family’s reputation was sacred and could not be tarnished. She had tried earnestly to persuade Yun Lan, but her words had no effect. Yun Lan was trapped by the fear of a miserable fate. There was so much she wanted to say, yet no one to confide in. She was in agony. She refused to repeat the tragedy that awaited her—exile, disgrace, the stripping of her noble status. Her descendants would not regain their position in the imperial clan until the mid-Qianlong era. The thought of it sent shivers down her spine. This was her final gamble.

She placed a thin, gauzy hat over her head to conceal her face. Taking one last look at Yun Wei, she murmured, “Sixth Sister, are you leaving already? You won’t stay just a little longer?”

“Oh, I won’t delay you from offering incense. Since you’re so filial, perhaps the Buddha will grant your wish for Second Uncle’s safe return.”

Yun Lan answered herself. Beside her, her personal maid, Shishu, turned pale as she stammered, “Miss, you… you…”

“You will do as I say,” Yun Lan whispered sharply, gripping Shishu’s arm tightly in warning. “If you ruin my plans, I won’t scold or punish you—but I have my ways to make you wish for death rather than life.”

Shishu trembled, fully aware of Yun Lan’s ruthlessness. “I understand, but if the Old Madam or the Mistress finds out, I will be beaten to death. Please, Miss, have mercy on me!”

Yun Lan helped the kneeling Shishu up and gently patted her arm in reassurance. “Don’t worry—I will protect you. And in the future, I will bring you prosperity. Shishu, I remember your brother knows a lot of people. Tell him exactly what I have instructed you. I want the entire capital to know that I, Yun Lan, have a way to prevent smallpox.”

Shishu’s teeth chattered. “Yes, yes, I will follow your orders. Please, Miss, remember my loyalty and save me.”

After a few comforting words, Yun Lan stepped outside. The older maids and servant girls standing guard were all trusted followers of Lady Guo Luoluo. They were gossiping and snacking on melon seeds, unconcerned with the person they believed to be Yun Wei walking past them. In their eyes, Yun Lan’s future as a prince’s wife would also bring them honor. As for the figure of ‘Yun Wei’ leaving, they paid little attention. After all, the Third Household was not necessarily inferior to the Second Household. Perhaps ‘Yun Wei’ was just covering her face to hide her envy—just like their cousin had, who had reportedly smashed a great deal of porcelain in anger upon hearing the news.

Yun Lan’s palms were sweating as she made her way through the crowd. This was the boldest thing she had ever done in this ancient era. She climbed into the carriage that had been arranged in advance, knocked lightly on the carriage wall, but remained silent, afraid that the coachman might detect something amiss. The carriage left the Tong residence, surrounded by several strong men serving as guards—men arranged by the Fucha family for Yun Wei. Yun Wei had only brought her maid, Lu Yi, when she went to Yun Lan’s room, but Yun Lan had tricked her into leaving. Everything had gone smoothly.

Midway through the journey, Yun Lan finally spoke in a low voice, “Don’t go there. Change direction to Lingyin Temple.”

“Miss, your voice…” The maid inside the carriage, Amber, finally noticed something was wrong. “You’re not… you’re not our young miss…”

Amber tried to call out, but Yun Lan swiftly covered her mouth. “I’m Yun Lan. Don’t shout, understand?”

Amber had no choice but to nod. Yun Lan didn’t trust her, so she gagged her with a silk handkerchief and bound her wrists. Amber struggled, but she was no match for Yun Lan.

“I won’t hurt you, and I won’t harm Sixth Sister either. I just need to meet someone—someone who will decide my happiness for life.”

When they arrived at Lingyin Temple, Yun Lan stepped out of the carriage and instructed, “Wait here.”

She quickly entered the temple, which wasn’t particularly bustling with worshippers. On this date every month, Yinzhen would come here to pray and recite scriptures. He had once brought Yun Lan here before—this temple was his sacred refuge.

Yun Lan confidently approached the meditation room and, upon seeing Yinzhen’s guards, let out a sigh of relief. Heaven had not abandoned her. She lifted her veil and said, “I wish to see the Fourth Prince.”

“I will inform him at once,” the guard replied.

Having served Yinzhen closely, these attendants understood their master’s mind to some extent. In no time, Yinzhen stepped out of the meditation room.

Yun Lan gazed at him, utterly entranced, as if he were her only world.

Yinzhen instinctively averted his eyes and said in a low voice, “Why are you here?”

Yun Lan’s heart sank. She knew Yinzhen was not as resolute as she was. If Emperor Kangxi decreed her marriage to another prince, Yinzhen wouldn’t dare defy him. The joy that had just lit up Yun Lan’s face faded into a bitter smile. Her once bright, clear eyes dulled with disappointment as she stared at Yinzhen.

“Yes, I shouldn’t have come. What was I thinking, wanting to see you one last time? I’m such a fool—the biggest fool of all.”

She turned to leave. After all her efforts, was this all she would hear from him? Her heart twisted in agony.

But before she could take another step, Yinzhen grabbed her arm.

Fury flashed across Yun Lan’s face as she said, enunciating each word, “Fourth Prince, let go of me.”

“Yun Lan…” Yinzhen called softly.

The disappointment in her eyes made his heart ache. The unshed tears in her eyes trembled but refused to fall.

“Listen to me,” he pleaded.

“Listen to what?” Yun Lan glared at him, then let out a cold laugh. “Are you going to congratulate me? You give up without even trying? Yinzhen, I despise you.”

Yinzhen tightened his grip on her arm.

Dressed in a deep red gauze robe, Yun Lan looked like a burning flame, fierce and untamed. The fragrance on her was different from usual, cleaner and fresher. In that moment, Yinzhen finally realized—he didn’t want to lose her.

He gently placed his calloused fingers over her eyes and murmured, “I cannot give you the title of primary consort. I fear that in the future… you’ll regret it, that you’ll blame me.”

His words struck Yun Lan’s heart like a heavy blow.

How could she ever give up on such a man?

Her tears finally spilled over, soaking Yinzhen’s palm.

“Red tears, vermillion tears…” Yinzhen whispered.

Yun Lan threw herself into his arms. “I will never regret it. As long as I am with you, I will never regret it.”

Yinzhen’s body stiffened. He had never imagined Yun Lan would be this bold. Was this what it meant to love deeply?

He savored the feeling of her in his embrace. The scent of her, unlike any other woman, was intoxicating.

Solemnly, he vowed, “I will petition the Emperor for our marriage. I will marry you.”

Yun Lan’s heart settled at last. She had achieved her goal. Nestled in his arms, she whispered, “I will work hard, too.”

Yinzhen raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Yun Lan lifted her head and smiled playfully. “I won’t tell you how, but I will make sure His Majesty willingly grants us marriage. Yinzhen, do you understand? I will marry you with honor, and I will never let you regret today’s choice.”

Her face radiated confidence and joy.

Yinzhen was suddenly struck by the realization—such an extraordinary woman loved him, wholeheartedly and without ulterior motives.

He was deeply fulfilled.

She didn’t insist on being his primary wife; she only wanted to be by his side.

And that, more than anything else, satisfied him beyond measure.

For lovers, no matter how much time they have together, it always feels too short. Yun Lan, mindful of Amber in the carriage and Yun Wei back at the residence, dared not linger too long. She bid Yinzhen a reluctant farewell, their fingers slowly separating. Silently, she mouthed the words: Yinzhen, I will wait for you to marry me.

Yinzhen nodded. Yun Lan hurriedly left. A gentle breeze swept past as Yinzhen bent down to pick up the silk handkerchief she had accidentally dropped. It carried the same familiar scent. He tucked it into his robes, but his mind was soon occupied by the Crown Prince’s words.

Tong Rongxuan was bound to be an important figure in the future. The Emperor had already placed him in charge of the Fengtai Garrison, and it was clear that Rongxuan was the most suitable candidate to replace the gravely ill First Class Duke, Fei Yanggu.

Marrying Yun Lan wouldn’t necessarily secure Rongxuan’s full support, but as long as he could sway Rongxuan toward the Crown Prince—and by extension, himself—that would be enough.

In the 36th year of Kangxi’s reign, the Emperor still held deep affection for his son, the Crown Prince Yinreng. Having personally raised him, Kangxi doted on Yinreng greatly. Even when the Emperor summoned Yinreng to his side from the capital while he was in the northwest, the Crown Prince had failed to hide his inappropriate delight, which displeased the ailing Emperor. Fortunately, Yinreng quickly covered for himself, explaining that his joy came from seeing Kangxi in good health. What the Emperor truly thought of this, no one could say. However, upon returning to the capital, Kangxi treated the Crown Prince even better than before.

Yinzhen harbored no ambitions of seizing the throne—his only goal was to support the Crown Prince and become a virtuous prince of the Qing dynasty.

Meanwhile, Yun Lan rushed back to the Tong residence. She went to untie Amber, but the maid struggled fiercely, refusing to let her touch the restraints. The hatred in Amber’s eyes made Yun Lan’s heart tremble.

Through her muffled sobs, Amber managed to say, “Miss… please… Fourth… Miss… I… just… want to live… Please… give me a way… to survive…”

—

Author’s Note:

*Cough cough,* let me clarify something—Yun Lan is not just cannon fodder. She’s selfish, yes, but she’s fighting for her own future. Also, I personally like a peaceful Qing dynasty setting, but my writing style isn’t as realistic as Liu Da’s, so expect some over-the-top dramatic twists now and then. For those following the story, keep that in mind! Yun Lan is full of schemes and has a strong fighting spirit.

Old Kangxi is the ultimate nemesis of time-traveling women, but Yun Lan is determined to challenge him. And guess what? Even the fame-hungry old Emperor is going to fall for her tricks!