Chapter Text
The hot days dragged on one after another. The summer, always pleasantly warm, has become unbearable. People of Bian hid in their houses and those who had work to do paused in the shadows to escape the burning air for a moment.
Baili Hongyi believed that renovation should be completed quickly, but he was not heartless. The decision has been made and the work stopped for a few days.
Liu family’s manor was surrounded by the forests on the north and west side. It was not too dense, but even those trees scattered loosely provided a pleasant coolness. They were also a great place to find peace during a lonely stroll.
Leaving the house, Baili Hongyi took his way through the garden, enjoying the view of the well-kept flower beds, then went down to the path that led through the brush. Soon he was surrounded by trees, so tall he had to look up to see their branches. He walked the well-trodden path that creaked dry grass beneath his feet. The smell of sunburnt leaves hit his nostrils. It was nature that called for the rain that didn’t want to come. Even the birds stopped singing, tired of the fruitless search for food.
In this silence, devoid of the noise in the treetops, Hongyi heard the certain sound very precisely. The creak of a taut string and the subtle ringing of an arrow slicing through the air. He felt a shiver somewhere near his spine. That noise, ominous, never bode well. He paused and held his breath, listening. Another draw of the string and another snap, this time ending in a thud as the arrow hit the target. The rustle of footsteps, then silence again.
Without thinking long, Hongyi walked in that direction, trying not to make any noise, and only twigs crackling under his feet betrayed his presence.
In the distance, among the trees, a purple dress flashed.
*
Liu Maque held the bow to her face. For a moment she felt her hands tremble slightly. She took a deep breath, then let it out, trying to push away all the bad memories of the morning. She drew her bow and released an arrow that missed its target and went straight into the brush.
"Damn," she cursed under her breath. She drew another arrow.
„I'm worried, A'Que.. The way you acted yesterday..”
Cousin's voice buzzed in her head like an intrusive fly. Maque's hand tightened on the bow's wood.
„You are an unmarried woman from a noble family and you shouldn't behave like this.. What would people say? Isn't that the gulf in your chances of getting married?”
„I don’t care”, it was Maque’s own words, „Why exactly are you so insistent? Is marriage the only choice I have?”
„We women don't have much choice," Liu Ran said, "You are under our uncle's care for now. But what will happen when the uncle dies? Have you thought about it? Who will take care of you then? What if you are left without home? You will be much safer with a husband.”
"I can damn well take care of myself”, Liu Maque thought as she drew her bow and this time plunging the arrow into the center of the shield hanging on the tree trunk. Then she released one more, then another and another, all of them hitting the target one by one. But even that couldn't shake off pitch-black thoughts. She was angry and unhappy. Because of a fate that was unfair. Her own helplessness. And even because the cousin she always treated like a friend seemed to take the wrong side.
Preoccupied with her own distress, she didn't even notice the man standing a few yards away, staring at her uncertainly. Only when the last arrow stuck deeply into the target, and she, panting heavily, leaned down, that she saw his bright clothes contrasting with the green of the forest.
Liu Ran's husband always dressed in a distinguished manner, not flashy, but still in a way that emanated his high birth and position. Now, living in the countryside, he rarely wore a putou, unless they were on their way to town or someone visited the house but his hair was always in order, neatly styled. He didn't speak much and rarely smiled, but Maque heard him and Ran laughing sometimes as the couple walked back to the cabin after dinner or as they were walking in the garden. It looked like her cousin’s husband wasn’t as unpleasant as she had thought of him at first. However, there was still something about him irritating. Perhaps it was the feeling of being constantly judged by his critical eye. He always exuded a sense of superiority that was completely unbearable.
There was a stern gentleness on the man's face now and Maque pursed her lips in anger. Despite this, she grasped the gown with one hand, the one that wasn't occupied with the bow, and made a negligent bow in his direction. Baili Hongyi replied a polite nod as he walked over and stood beside her without saying a word.
"Are you going to reprimand me?” Maque said, breaking the awkward silence, „..Baili Erlang sir," she added hesitantly after a pause.
"Reprimand? Why?”
Maque looked at the man searchingly, but saw no hint of malice in his eyes. He looked surprised.
"Uncle always says that this kind of hobby is not appropriate for women. Embroidering. Arranging flowers. Drawing.” she enumerated sarcastically, “He looks kindly at these. A woman is a woman, he says. And a man is a man. Everyone should know their place." she finished lifting one finger up and pretending her uncle's deep voice.
Lights of amusement appeared in Baili Hongyi's eyes.
"My uncle is a good man." the girl continued, "He has a heart of gold, but he’s a little.."
"Old-fashioned", Hongyi entered her word.
Maque laughed, looking at him with curosity.
"You are the last person I would suspect of such cruel words, sir."
"Why?" Hongyi shrugged, "Nowadays, when the country is ruled by a powerful empress, you have to be very conservative to keep these things so strictly separate."
Maque smiled and nodded. The man might have been an egocentric, but he was definitely not stupid, she thought.
"This is my favorite bow," she said, pointing to the beautifully carved weapon in her hand, "I have other, newer ones, but this one is the most comfortable. Featherweight and accurate. I got it from my father before he...", the girl paused abruptly. The splinter in her heart shifted and began to bleed. “Never mind”, she finished, shaking her head.
As if to confirm the words, she turned and walked briskly to the shield, rustling her dress over the bushes. She pulled out all arrows, watching one by one how damaged they were, muttering something to herself, clearly irritated. The moment dragged on and it looked as if the girl had completely forgotten about the presence of the other person. Considering that, Baili Hongyi decided to come back. It was lunchtime after all and everyone knows it's rude to be late for a meal. He remembered the roast duck and cinnamon smell as he passed the kitchen. He had to admit that the hospitality of this home was invaluable.
Maque caught up with him only at the gate to the garden. She apparently run all the way cause she was breathless.
"I should come back too, dinner will be soon," she said more into the air than to him.
Hongyi shrugged as he expected no explanation. They walked in silence through the long garden alleys, then onto the path toward the buildings. And that's where they unexpectedly came across uncle Chang Lei.
"Maque..," he muttered angrily, staring at the bow and the handful of arrows in her hand. “I warned you that..”
The girl's face darkened. Indeed, she should have walked across the back of the garden, and then tossed her gear through her bedroom window unnoticed. Instead, she let herself be caught so easily. All because she decided to accompany Ran’s husband, this strange man. She was angry with herself. Her uncle had long threatened that if he caught her again following this pastime, he would burn all her bows.
"I’m sorry, it's my fault," Baili Hongyi interrupted him suddenly.
The older man gasped in surprise.
"Excuse me?"
Maque froze, waiting what would happen next.
"During our conversation yesterday, Miss Liu mentioned archery. I wanted to ascertain if I didn’t lose this skill so I asked her for help.", explained Baili Hongyi.
"Really?" Chang Lei regarded him suspiciously, but the young man's face radiated such confidence that uncle’s doubts were dispelled in an instant. "That's great!" he said, "The men from our family never avoid the bow. We should make a little tournament before you leave!"
After making sure that Liu Ran's husband also considered this idea a good one, the old man left, very content.
"I’m sorry," Maque groaned, staring after the departing man in dismay, "He won't let it go. I mean, the competition."
She felt remorse for having involved this man in matters that didn’t concern him.
"No worries," Hongyi reassured her. “Everything is all right.”
He isnt’t afraid at all! Is he a skillful archer? Maque wondered but she wasn't going to question him, after all he was a stranger in her eyes. A bit more tame, but still a stranger.
Curtsying politely good-bye, an idea crossed Maque’s mind.
"Baili Erlang?.. Do you.. Do you like music.. maybe?"
Perhaps this was her way of saying thanks, he thought. He nodded in answer.
To be honest, it wasn't entirely true. He rarely listened to music by choice, but always dragged by his wife to plays and shows. Women throwing coquettish glances from behind the curtains and trying to touch him unexpectedly during the dance performance.. no, he wasn't comfortable with that. But Qiniang enjoyed watching these plays and listening to these songs, so he always gave in to her requests and persuasions. Now he thought that whatever this little girl meant, Liu Ran would be happy to see it.
"Got it then," Liu Maque answered and, bouncing slightly, walked away, humming a joyful song.
***
"This doesn't seem like a good idea to me," Liu Ran protested, frowning uncertainly.
“Oh, come on!”, laughed Liu Maque, “He will be delighted!”
"I wouldn't be so sure." Ran murmured. After all, she knew her husband better than her cousin.
"You look beautiful!", exclaimed the younger woman.
Liu Ran assessed her appearance in the large mirror that stood in front of them. She was wearing one of her best dresses and Yunzhi was just finishing combing her hair by attaching an elaborate ornament.
"What about our uncle? Won’t he mind?" Liu Ran grabbed a last resort.
She didn't really know why she was so defensive. She loved music. She still remembered well the concerts at the empress's palace, full of splendor and elegance. She remembered even better the performances she had watched during the holidays in the illuminated and wonderfully decorated streets of Luoyang. Dancers and singers in colorful robes. The sounds of music, joyful, familiar, calming.
Sometimes she wanted to join these performances, but she knew she wasn't allowed to. Uncle Li Xiang thought that such a thing as singing was not befitting a highborn maiden.
So why was she hesitating now? Maybe the whole "seduction" idea suddenly seemed stupid to her. Childish.
"I think we should practice more," she said thoughtfully, "You haven't even had time to show me that magical instrument of yours, how do I know it's going to turn out right?"
Liu Maque shrugged.
"You know these songs, we used to hum them for hours when we were kids. And don't worry about the accompaniment, I know what to do."
Maque turned in front of the mirror, examining her purple dress to make sure it fit well. The case of doubt was definitely closed.
Liu Ran sighed at her reflection.
What will be, will be, she thought.
*** (please listen to the song before you start the next part: https://youtu.be/Rw9la5kqgM0 )*
The music flowed gently, surrounding the listeners like a veil, blurring reality.
And it was as if she was with him again. It was as if he could hear her soft voice humming him a bedtime song again. As if he could feel the gentle touch of her hand on his hair. Her beautiful hands, which he grabbed with his little hand to pull her to play.
"Mom, mom, come, I caught a cricket, watch it jump.
Mom, come, fireworks.
Mom, see, there are kittens."
And she laughed pearly, narrowing her eyes gracefully.
"I'm on my way, Ah-Yi, I'm on my way."
And there were mornings when, with his hair disheveled from the pillow and the remnant of sleep in his eyes, he could cuddle against her fragrant arm. And dinners during which she explained how important the role of good taste is. And evenings with stories and lullabies.
The sounds of music flowed, and always serious Baili Hongyi was suddenly a child again, carefree, happy, surrounded by motherly love. The little orange lanterns surrounding patio on the lake cast a soft light on his face and gilded a tear that ran silently down his cheek.
"Why don't you want to go, mom? Gege has a new horse. It's all black, just a little white patch on its throat, it's beautiful. You MUST see him."
"I'm tired Ah-Yi", the mother extends her beautiful hands to him, which are trembling a bit, "Sit down with me, I'll sing you a song."
Melody. Lyrics. Voice. Slender fingers gliding over the strings.
Before he knew it, his mother was no longer with him.. And pain remained. Pain and despair. Longing. Splinters that couldn’t be removed.
Drowned in memories Hongyi didn't even know when the moon rolled in and hung high in the sky, silvering the velvet with its crescent.
*
As the last chord of the music and the last word of the song played out, uncle Chang Lei jumped out of his chair and started clapping enthusiastically. The murmur of excited voices was heard in the distance, it was the servants who came to listen, attracted by the unexpected performance.
Baili Hongyi sat still, then took a few breaths, clumsily, as if he had just learned to breathe. He tore his hand away from the fabric of his clothes and joined the applause with his natural grace. And only one person noticed the expression of tenderness and sadness on his face before he put his mask of nobility back on. This person with vigilant, watchful eyes, imperceptibly hidden behind the curtain of eyelashes, was now completely confused.
"Erlang! Erlang! Did you like it?" Liu Ran chattered cheerfully, coming closer.
"Very nice," he nodded, fighting the dryness in his throat.
Hearing this, the woman jumped up in joy and cuddled up to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
"Brilliant performance!" exclaimed the uncle standing nearby, "You have such a beautiful voice, my dear Ah-Ran! Like a little hwamei!”
"You make me shy, uncle," Liu Ran buried her face in her husband's shoulder to hide the big smile on her face. She hadn't been this happy in a long time.
"Really nice," confirmed Baili Hongyi, and it wasn't an empty compliment. He indeed liked it.
"Oh, you were great too, my little one!", uncle Chang Lei hugged the girl standing next to him. "Even sparrows chirp beautifully!"
Hongyi saw Liu Maque's hands clench tighter around the instrument she was holding. A blush appeared on her cheeks that could be either anger or shame, or both.
"Interesting musical device," said Baili Hongyi quickly, "What is it?"
Liu Maque looked up at him gratefully.
"It's an erhu," she replied and held out the instrument to him. He took it in his hands gently, as if with some reverence.
"It's beautiful," he said with unmistakable delight, "Ebony. Noble wood.", he touched the resonator body, "Horsehair and..."
"Python skin, yes," smiled Maque seeing his surprised expression.
"Amazing. I've never seen one like this," he muttered.
"He came to me from the far north," said the girl, taking the erhu back and stroking it tenderly, "From the distant steppes of Dongbei.."
"A Manchu family came to this area a few years ago," said the uncle, gesturing for them to sit down and signaling the servants to bring wine, "They were poor nomads, they had only two horses and a cart with a few belongings, but six children. One of the children was very sick, and they came to town for help. We gave them shelter for several months until the child recovered. Ah-Que taught their children to read and write, and they reciprocated and showed her how to play their folk instrument, this one here.”
"They gave me their erhu out of gratitude for our care" added the girl, "It's a very valuable gift."
"I wasn't convinced at first," uncle admitted honestly, "because it's a barbaric instrument after all. But it sounds wonderful.."
"I hope to hear at least one more concert," said Baili Hongyi.
Busy in pouring wine for uncle Chang Lei, he didn't notice the triumphant glance that Liu Maque furtively gave to her cousin. He also didn't see how Liu Ran winked in response.
***
"But you're not lying, are you? Did you really like it? Erlang?" Liu Ran asked for the tenth time that evening.
"Have I ever lied to you?" Baili Hongyi said as he kissed her goodnight.
"Probably," she joked, "How do I know?"
Hongyi did not comment. He lay silent for a moment, as if hesitating.
"Sing me that song again, will you? The one about the jasmine flower." he finally asked.
"Sure," she replied in surprise.
That night he dreamed about a blooming jasmine flower. And about birds. There were peacocks and pigeons. Colorful parrots and golden pheasants. Geese and pink flamingos. And small inconspicuous sparrows.
And when the chirping of the birds died away, he heard music. And there were hands pressing the strings in that dream. Completely unknown.