It was Yuyan.
He had been completely lost in Yuehuang's beautiful melody when, all of a sudden, his foot brushed against a fallen leaf. A faint cracking sound echoed through the quiet night.
Yuehuang snapped back to his senses and turned around in shock. When he saw Yuyan standing there, he let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Yuyan Gege, it's you! I was so scared my soul almost flew away. Where were you? What took you so long? I thought you got lost or left already!"
The words poured out of Yuehuang's mouth nonstop, and Yuyan felt as if he were being interrogated. He chuckled and interrupted him halfway.
"Xiao Di, how many questions do you have? At least give me a chance to answer."
He paused, then said lightly,
"Long story short, I went to buy something…"
But he stopped himself and waved his hand.
"Let's leave that aside. First, tell me about your melody. What was that song you were playing? I've never heard such a soothing tune before. What's it called? Who composed it?"
Yuehuang's eyes widened. Then he burst into laughter.
"You're no better than me, Gege," he teased. "Look at how many questions you asked in one breath."
Yuyan coughed awkwardly and looked away, and soon both of them were laughing.
Yuehuang then replied softly,
"That melody is from a poetry I wrote. It tells the story of a mortal princess and a moon immortal. It's called 'Song of the Moon Flower.'"
Yuyan gasped. "Xiao Didi, you write poetry too? I thought you were only a musician. I'm really impressed, you're incredibly talented. A true genius."
He continued seriously,
"You played that song like a beautiful story, but in the middle, you changed the tone and turned it into a tragedy. Most people wouldn't notice it, but I could feel the hidden despair in that melody. It was heartbreaking."
He looked at Yuehuang with sincere admiration.
"Your understanding of emotions and music is remarkable. How can someone so young play a tune filled with such pure love and sorrow? It felt so real."
Yuehuang blushed.
"Gege, you're just flattering me. It's nothing. But I'm surprised you understand music so well. How do you know so much about it? I learned everything from my Aunt Shuangyan and Aunt Chunxiao."
Yuyan smiled. "Xiao Di, can you tell me more about your poetry? What is the story of the Moon Flower?"
Before Yuehuang could answer, his gaze suddenly shifted toward the Red Pavilion.
The lamps of the Yuexi Palace had been lit.
His entire body froze.
Fear and anxiety surged through his veins, and his face turned pale.
"Yuyan Gege… I'm sorry, but I have to leave now," Yuehuang said urgently. "I hope we meet again, but right now, I really must go."
Yuyan frowned.
Sensing something was wrong, he reached out and grabbed Yuehuang's hand.
"What happened?" he asked. "Why do you suddenly look so frightened? Why are you leaving in such a hurry?"
"I… I can't explain right now," Yuehuang whispered. "It's a family emergency."
Yuyan hesitated but nodded. "I understand. But before you go, can you listen to me for a moment? I have something for you."
He began searching through his robes, but Yuehuang was already pulling away.
"Gege, I'm really, really sorry I can't stay. I have to go!"
And with that, he ran.
He rushed down the mountain, darting through the crowded market, dodging people and stalls, leaping over obstacles. Yuyan chased after him, apologizing and paying for the things they knocked over along the way.
At last, they reached the same wall of the Red Pavilion where they had first met.
Yuehuang stopped abruptly.
He looked up, confused.
The bamboo ladder was gone.
Just then, Yuyan caught up, breathing heavily. He stared at Yuehuang in bewilderment.
"Xiao Didi! Now can you tell me what's going on?"
Yuehuang was trembling. "Gege, I don't have time to explain right now. I promise I'll tell you later but please help me. I have to get over this wall. Please, do something!"
Yuyan said quickly, "Xiao Didi, I have an idea. Step onto my shoulders first. Then put your foot on my thigh I'll lift you up so you can climb over the wall."
Yuehuang followed Yuyan's instructions. With his help, he easily climbed onto the wall. Before leaving, Yuehuang turned back and said,
"Gege, thank you so much for your help. I had a lot of fun with you today you're my first male friend. I'll repay you when we meet again."
Yuyan called out, "But how will I find you again?"
Yuehuang thought for a moment, then quickly removed the ribbon from his hair and handed it to Yuyan.
"Gege, I don't have anything special on me right now, but take this. My initial is embroidered on it.
The next time you come to the Red Pavilion, show this to anyone, and they'll bring you to me."
Yuehuang was about to leave when Yuyan held his flute back.
Yuehuang turned back and said, "Gege, I don't have time for jokes. It's an emergency. Please let me leave."
Yuyan replied, "Just give me a moment. I have something to give you. When I left you in the market, I went to buy this for you as a token of friendship."
He let out a small beautiful hairpin that looked like a plum blossom.
Yuehuang immediately refused to accept it, saying, "You don't have to do this, brother. I cannot accept such an expensive gift."
Yuyan insisted, saying,
"Xiao di, this is a token of my friendship. So you don't want to accept my friendship?"
And he immediately started his sad act.
"Xiao di, you gave me your hair ribbon, but you're refusing my gift. You are so mean," he acted sad and pretended to look hurt.
But Yuehuang looked tense as he was in a hurry, so he didn't argue much and took it, saying,
"Gege, you are too cunning. You emotionally blackmail me, but I don't have time to argue with you. So when we meet next time, I will talk to you freely, and I will accompany you to the market.
And your gift is really, really beautiful. This hairpin looks so delicate and intricate. The best part is that it is a plum blossom, which is my favourite flower, so I am really grateful to you, gege.
So next time when we meet, I'll treat you to some food and candy too.
But right now I have to leave, so please take care of yourself, and when you come back next time, let us meet.
"Zaijian." Goodbye.
With that, he hurried toward the Red Pavilion and climbed down the wall. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Yuyan stood there speechless, staring at the ribbon in his hand. On it was embroidered a single character:
"Yue" Moon.
Inside the Red Pavilion, everything was in motion. Servants rushed about, sweeping the floors, replacing flowers, and hanging new curtains. The scent of fresh candles mixed with fine silk as they prepared for an important event.
Upstairs, away from the noise, two graceful women sat across from each other at a low table, quietly playing Weiqi.
One wore dark green robes embroidered with gold, placing her stones with a calm smile. The other, dressed in lavender and black with delicate golden patterns, watched the board in silence.
Both women shimmered with jewels and quiet confidence, like rare flowers blooming above the chaos below.
The lady in dark green smiled as she placed her stone.
"A-jie," she said lightly, "it seems I'm going to win this game."
The lady in lavender let out a soft laugh, her eyes still on the board.
"Xiao Mei mei, it's too early to say that."
She placed her own piece.
Just then, a servant stepped forward and bowed.
"Madam Xie," he said, addressing the lady in lavender, "all the preparations are complete. The brothel has been cleaned and decorated according to your instructions."
Without lifting her gaze from the board, Madam Xie gave a slight nod.
"You may go."
The servant bowed again and quietly withdrew.
The lady in green placed another stone on the board and lifted her gaze, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Tonight is the Lunar New Year the Spring Festival," she said softly. "City lords, generals, and ministers are all arriving in the capital to honor His Majesty. Tell me, Shi-jie… what are you planning?"
Madam Xie Yueqing's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
"Wenrou Mei-mei, when you already know the answer, why bother asking?"
Both women smiled, and the game continued in calm, thoughtful silence.
Madam Xie Yueqing
the Mistress of the Red Pavilion was a woman both feared and admired. Her beauty was famous throughout the capital, but it was her mind that made even royal ministers wary.
Careful, sharp, and endlessly strategic, she possessed a rare talent for Weiqi, a skill that mirrored her mastery of politics and intrigue. She ruled the First Palace of the Red Pavilion.
Across from her sat Lady Wenrou, no less remarkable. Known for her gentle grace and refined elegance, she managed the inner affairs of the pavilion with quiet precision.
A rare beauty herself, she was famed for her exquisite cuisine and for teaching tea ceremonies to noble ladies.
She was the mistress of the Ninth Palace.
The two women continued their game, both aware that beneath the laughter and music of the coming Spring Festival, something unseen was stirring in the shadows of the capital.
On the other side of the pavilion, Yuehuang slipped in after scaling the outer wall, landing lightly in a secluded courtyard behind the main hall. He paused to catch his breath, his heart racing with unease.
The Red Pavilion felt strangely quiet too quiet for a night of celebration.
Without hesitation, he hurried toward the Third Palace, also known as Yuexi, the Palace of Yuehua.
He moved silently through the corridor, careful not to make a sound.
Yuehua's bedchamber was dark and still, but light glowed from a side room as if someone were inside.
Yuehuang slowly pushed the door open and peeked in.
A woman in a purple and black gown sat before a mirror.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, her figure elegant, her appearance flawless.
She was Lady Yao Xiangling, the mistress of the Seventh Palace of the Red Pavilion.
She possessed two rare talents: one was the art of makeup, said to be so powerful that it could turn even a pig into a breathtaking beauty, and the other was her deep knowledge of traditional medicine.
Yuehuang hesitated at the door, feeling slightly afraid to step inside, but Lady Xiangling had already sensed his presence.
"Come in," she said gently. "Why were you out so late?"
Yuehuang knew his Aunt Yao would not punish him, but he should have informed them before sneaking out.
"Yao Ayi," Aunt yao he said with an apologetic smile, "I can explain. I wasn't sneaking out I just wanted some fresh air and to see the Spring Market."
She sighed softly. "Xiao Yue, I'm not angry. I was just worried about you."
She stood up and wiped his dusty face with her sleeve.
"Look at you your face is covered in dirt. What happened?"
"It's nothing," Yuehuang replied. "But what's going on here? I saw the lanterns of the Third Palace being lit, so I rushed back."
Xiangling's face paled slightly as she wiped cold sweat from her brow.
"Some very important guests are arriving tonight," she said quietly. "A-jie ordered the lanterns of the Third Palace to be lit as well."
Her eyes then fell on the ribbon in Yuehuang's hand.
"What's that?" she asked.
"This?" Yuehuang smiled. "A hair ribbon. I made a new friend today he gave it to me."
Xiangling looked at his bright, unfamiliar smile with mild surprise.
"A new friend?" she teased. "Where did you meet him? What is he like? Tell me."
Yuehuang immediately began to blush. He quickly looked away and changed the subject.
"I'll tell you later. I need to bathe it's almost time for the celebration."
Xiangling could tell he was avoiding the topic.
"Hao'la, I won't ask," she said lightly. "But remember to change your robes before bathing, and stay in your chambers. No mischief. I have to go now."
With that, she hurried away.
Soon after, the lanterns in Yuehua's chamber were lit the sign of her arrival.
A door slowly opened.
A woman in flowing red silk stepped out.
Her hands were as delicate as feathers, her hair like woven clouds, her skin pale as pearl. Unlike other courtesans, she wore no lavish jewelry only a single hairpin.
A long silk veil covered her face.
She walked through the corridors of the Moon Palace like a gentle spring breeze. When she passed Yuehuang's room, she paused for a brief moment then continued forward.
She opened a door.
Before her lay a beautiful garden filled with blooming plum trees beneath the full spring moon. A large pond of pink lotus reflected the moonlight like a mirror of heaven.
She walked to the edge and sat down, dipping her feet into the water, creating soft ripples beneath the glowing moon.
To Be Continued.....