Tan Hua - Chapter 3

The Emperor bestowed the Qilin Mansion outside the palace as the bridal residence for Crown Prince Jun Qiyu and Crown Consort Song Liqing, arranging the grandest of ceremonies.

Song Liqing, dressed in magnificent attire and ceremonial headdress, bid farewell to his father at the mansion gates.

Song Qing, reluctant to part, had admonished him for a long time, his face filled with worry.

Smiling to reassure him, Song Liqing said, “Father, don’t worry. You can continue leading troops into battle, and His Majesty has dispelled any concerns. Everything is well.”

“We are all happy, but what about you?”

This question caught Song Liqing off guard. He raised his lips and said, “I… I like His Highness the Crown Prince, and… I am very happy!”

How could Song Qing not see through his forced smile? “But His Highness only sees you as someone driven by self-interest, manipulating political schemes. He harbors prejudice against you, and in the future…”

Song Liqing took a deep breath to ease his bitterness.

“With His Highness showered in endless favor, indulging in a somewhat arrogant temperament, and having spent so many years in the Western Regions, he is still young at heart, wild and reckless. After our marriage, I will guide him well. One day, he will understand right from wrong, appreciate my sincerity.”

With hope in his heart, Song Liqing mounted the spirited horse adorned with red flowers, firmly believing they could revive their old affection and reconcile.

Song Qing’s words faded amid the festive sounds of gongs, drums, firecrackers, and cheers.

“You’ve always been so sensible; I’ve never had to worry about you. But you’re too sensible, always living for others, never considering yourself. My child, you’ve made everyone happy, but you’ve only shortchanged yourself…”

…

They knelt in the Taihe Hall, receiving the blessings of their courtiers.

With their names inscribed on the golden plaque, they entered the bridal chamber with candles and flowers. What should have been a moment of joy was clouded by a shadow of unease for Song Liqing. Anxiously, he waited until late into the night.

The red candles burned, tears of wax flowing endlessly, yet Jun Qiyu did not appear.

As Song Liqing pushed the door open, a maid immediately approached, ready to serve.

“Your Highness, what orders do you have for this servant?”

Song Liqing asked, “Do you know where His Highness the Crown Prince is? I want to find him.”

The maid hesitated for a moment before replying, “His Highness is… in the Pleasure Pavilion.”

Song Liqing did not know where the Pleasure Pavilion was in the Qilin Mansion.

“Very well, I will go find him.”

“Oh! Your Highness!” The maid hurriedly said, “After dealing with the guests, His Highness will naturally return to the room, and Your Highness is tired too…”

Song Liqing turned his head and looked at the maid, puzzled. “Why are you trying to stop me?”

“I…”

The maid stammered, unable to give a reason, and could only lead him to the Pleasure Pavilion. The place was brightly lit, with a signboard hanging on the door bearing the words “Seize the Moment” in four characters. The fragrance lingered, but there were no other guests.

Covering his nose, Song Liqing disliked the overwhelming scent.

From inside the room came unfamiliar music, played on instruments Song Liqing had never heard before.

The candlelight cast the shadows of two figures on the window. One danced gracefully, while the other embraced their waist, drinking a cup of wine, accompanied by laughter and banter.

Song Liqing knew the laughter belonged to Jun Qiyu. Even separated by the window, the scene was unbearable. He didn’t know what filthy scene was playing out inside.

“Did the Crown Prince instruct you to stop me?” Song Liqing asked casually.

The maid knelt down timidly and said, “No, His Highness said if you wanted to go, you should go. He instructed us not to obstruct… It was my own idea. On the wedding night, His Highness and that Western region enchantress were indulging in pleasure, which was simply unbearable to witness. They left you aside, and I didn’t want the Crown Consort to feel unhappy. Out of sight, out of mind…”

Song Liqing thought to himself that this “Pleasure Pavilion” was indeed aptly named, with its four characters crooked and twisted, and its freedom and looseness. It was clearly written by Jun Qiyu.

“You’re considering my feelings.” Song Liqing pulled her up, “Get up. What’s your name?”

The maid replied, “Xiao Di.”

“Xiao Di, thank you. Later, you stay outside and don’t let anyone approach.” Song Liqing continued, “Today’s matter with the Crown Prince, you must keep it confidential and not spread it outside, especially not let His Majesty hear about it, understand?”

“Why?” Xiao Di didn’t understand. “It’s the Crown Prince’s fault…”

“The Crown Prince’s reputation is important. He is the heir to the throne, the future ruler of the country. We cannot leave behind a stain of misconduct.”

After explaining, Song Liqing pushed open the door.

The music inside abruptly stopped, and the dancing paused. Everyone looked at Song Liqing as if he were an unwelcome guest disrupting the atmosphere.

Song Liqing glanced around. Most likely, they were musicians playing Western instruments like the huqin. Only one person stood in the center, dancing gracefully. It was the Western slave brought back by Jun Qiyu.

The Western slave had brownish skin, yellowish hair and eyebrows, and blue-tinted pupils, exuding a strong exotic flavor. He was heavily made up, with large eyes and long eyebrows, wearing a revealing, gem-studded dance costume. He looked like the seductive creatures depicted in paintings. It was no wonder Xiao Di despised him, calling him an enchantress.

When the Western slave saw Song Liqing, he not only showed no fear but also greeted him with a flirtatious glance, challenging him.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince Consort.”

Ignoring him, Song Liqing walked straight to Jun Qiyu.

Jun Qiyu was lying on a chaise longue padded with tiger skins at the moment, still in his wedding clothes, loose and sloppy. His listless expression indicated that his mood had been disturbed.

“Crown Prince Consort…” Jun Qiyu chewed on the title with a smirk before saying, “You’ve come at just the right time. You can come and dance for me. The kind of dance that the Western slave is doing. Oh, and there’s another set of dance clothes here. Wearing them will definitely be charming.”

Jun Qiyu pointed to another revealing piece of attire, not even worthy of being called clothing. Song Liqing’s lips tightened.

“I won’t.”

Jun Qiyu chuckled, “What’s the harm? Let the Western slave teach you.”

The Western slave giggled, “As per Master’s command.”

He immediately demonstrated, swaying his hips provocatively. The gemstones on his dance costume clinked crisply, emitting a seductive charm.

Song Liqing’s expression stiffened further, and he straightened his back.

“I am an appointed newly appointed Imperial Scholar, bestowed by the Emperor to serve as the Crown Prince’s tutor. It’s an official position in the court, not some frivolous role. From your tone, I thought I had already been ennobled and appointed as a prime minister, a first-rank official.”

Both of them laughed, making it particularly grating.

Song Liqing’s breathing was stagnant, and he could only stand there stiffly, allowing them to ridicule and mock him.

“Hey, Song Liqing, do you still want to learn? If you learn it, you can please His Highness. Hm?”

As Jun Qiyu spoke, he lifted his leg and lifted the hem of Song Liqing’s lavish robe, with a frivolous gesture.

Song Liqing stepped back to avoid him, his voice firm and resolute, “I will never learn these vulgar and filthy things that please men.”

“Hmph.”

Jun Qiyu was already furious, standing up unsteadily. He reeked of alcohol, which made it difficult for Song Liqing to keep his eyes open.

He gripped Song Liqing’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze.

“Do you think Hu Nuer is inferior to you? That you’re superior?”

“I don’t.” Song Liqing shook his head. “But I am the Crown Prince Consort recorded in the Jun family’s royal genealogy. I am the person who will accompany you for the rest of your life, your lover… Qiyu, it’s late already. You’ve had enough fun, let’s go back.”

In the latter part, Song Liqing had softened his tone, almost pleading.

Apart from the Emperor and Empress, no one else addressed Jun Qiyu with the term “Qiyu.” He wasn’t used to it because it carried affection, a term only the closest people could use.

“What if you were appointed? Look at you, dull and boring, full of the sourness of literati. How could you compare to Hu Nuer’s understanding and taste? How could you have half of his charm? You, just be a lonely Crown Prince Consort.”

Tears welled up in Song Liqing’s eyes, adding a touch of brokenness to his clear face.

Surprisingly, Jun Qiyu’s fingers slackened, involuntarily releasing him.

Song Liqing’s voice choked with pleading, “Today is our wedding day, the night of the bridal chamber. Let’s go back and spend the night properly, okay?”

Song Liqing pulled Jun Qiyu’s wedding clothes draped over him, helping him put them back on and straightening his collar.

Jun Qiyu suddenly felt a pang of heartache. This was supposed to be his great joy in life as well.

Hu Nuer could accompany him to frolic until he staggered drunk and disheveled, while Song Liqing was the one who helped him tidy up and sober him up. For a moment, Jun Qiyu even felt that this was also good…

But when he thought that this submissive face was just a facade, he felt disgusted. He couldn’t compromise, or he would be controlled and restrained by others for the rest of his life!

“So, you want to consummate the marriage, huh… Where shall we do it?”

Song Liqing was caught off guard as Jun Qiyu pounced on him, causing him to lose his balance and fall backward on the ground, hitting his elbow, which throbbed with pain.

Jun Qiyu, much larger in stature, pinned him down beneath him.