# Chapter 5: Heart's Desire
"Yuanning, Sister Xia Mancheng really doesn't look like a military general!" Weiyang sat in the front courtyard gazebo of the Guangling Marquis Residence, occasionally sipping tea. "He's quite different from the rumors."
Yuanning smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty, one cannot judge a person by appearances. General Xia is the number one fierce warrior of Great Liao—authenticity guaranteed."
Shen Mu chimed in, "Actually, I don't think Mancheng is as scary as you all say. Otherwise, how would he end up playing with Zhonshan..."
Yuanning shot her a look. The lively, chatty girl stuck out her tongue and grinned at Weiyang furtively.
Weiyang gazed at the white jade cup, recalling that face as clear and crystalline as the cup itself, and lost herself in thought for a moment.
Yuanning suddenly said, "Oh, General Xia, what brings you here today..."
Weiyang looked up. Beyond the magnolia tree grove, that careless yet clear and moving voice from days ago drifted over: "Long time no see, Sister-in-law. How have you been?"
"Huh? Mancheng?" Shen Mu had been pouring tea, unable to release the gilded tea scoop in her hand, yet craning her neck to look toward where the voice came from.
"Heh... Shen Mu!" He walked over, turning the corner of the magnolia grove. Dressed in grayish-green civilian clothes, stripped of his military attire, he appeared much thinner, but his delicate features were flushed with a soft pink. "Your Majesty the Queen is here too!" He froze, then knelt on one knee to bow.
Weiyang smiled. "General Xia, please rise. There's no need for such formalities in the future."
Mancheng stood, smiling as he walked into the gazebo.
"Mancheng, we were just talking about you with Her Majesty. The Princess says you don't look like a military general at all!" Shen Mu laughed as she handed him a cup of tea: "Here, try some green tea from Mount Youlian."
Mancheng glanced at Weiyang, lifted the white jade teacup to his lips, and smiled. "Then what do I look like?" After speaking, he set the cup down with a "clack" in front of Shen Mu. "I'm actually thirsty. More please."
Shen Mu pouted and muttered, "Who's ever heard of drinking tea like this? Just like Zhonshan, acting like a barbarian." Though her lips complained, that emerald-green tea liquid still splashed and clattered into the cup. "Good tea should be sipped slowly."
Mancheng drank two cups in succession. "I really can't tell the difference between good and bad tea. They all taste the same to me! By the way, Sister, what does a military general look like to you?"
Yuanning and Shen Mu both laughed.
Weiyang pressed her lips together. "General Xia, you look like a scholar!" The words slipped out, and she immediately regretted them. "Please don't take offense, General Xia. I was just speaking casually."
But he laughed heartily. "How could I take offense?" He pointed at Shen Mu. "Her older brother used to say I looked like a mischievous little monkey who'd snuck into the military camp."
Everyone burst into laughter.
It was late April, and summer was approaching once more. The damp, muggy air carried a breeze so subtle it was barely perceptible, as the magnolia leaves rustled softly.
Weiyang joked and laughed, yet her gaze kept lingering on him. She studied this man suffused with heroic spirit, when suddenly her eyes met his gentle gaze. His eyes resembled autumn water as he gave her a shallow smile. She hastily turned away, yet her heart raced unceasingly.
He set down the white jade cup and said to Shen Mu, "Go on, pour another. This cup is so small—I've drunk several and still haven't quenched my thirst!"
Shen Mu rolled her eyes at him. "My brothers drink from large bowls. If you did, you'd definitely quench your thirst!"
"Speaking of which, I should go inside and gamble a few rounds too, hehe... Has that idiot Peng Hong arrived? When he's around, at least I won't be the one at the bottom." Mancheng shrugged. "Fortunately, Sister Xiuyi hasn't returned yet. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare visit any household for fear of running into her."
Shen Mu burst out laughing. "The Princess Consort will be back in a few days. Then even if you hide at home, she'll come looking for you to see Man Du. Unless you never go home, there's really no escaping her."
"What terrible luck!" Mancheng wore a look of helpless resignation, yet it carried a child's endearing quality. Then he turned to Weiyang with a smile. "When Sister Xiuyi comes back in a few days, please do visit her more often, Your Majesty. She'll definitely like you." With that, he winked mischievousy. "If she says she's coming to Zhongbi Manor, come along with her to visit Man Du!"
Shen Mu giggled. "Sister Queen, he's just looking for a shield! With you there, the Princess Consort will have to hold back a bit when she scolds, just to preserve your face!"
Weiyang laughed involuntarily. "Since General Xia has said so, if I want to visit Man Du in the future, I'll have to find the Princess Consort first. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare enter Zhongbi Manor."
Mancheng was speechless.
Weiyang found it even funnier internally: It seems his way with words is rather lacking!
Mancheng grinned foolishly for a moment, then scratched his head. "Please don't say that, Your Majesty. Man Du has missed you countless times. Please drop by Zhongbi Manor whenever you have free time."
Weiyang delighted, "Oh, has Man Du mentioned me?"
"He has. He likes you very much. He often says the bride from Zhuzhou is so beautiful! He also said he wants a sister-in-law as beautiful as you!" Mancheng smiled faintly, gazing at Weiyang.
Weiyang couldn't help feeling a twinge of shyness. Before she could figure out how to respond, he had already risen. After bidding farewell to everyone, he turned and walked into the inner quarters.
Tang Xin nudged Weiyang with her elbow, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Your Majesty, General Xia is just like this—he says whatever comes to mind without considering whether others might feel embarrassed."
Weiyang smiled as if nothing had happened, yet her heart stirred like ripples on water.
"Oh, everyone's gathered here." Qu Zhenlie's wife, Jian Hui, walked over. Her willow brows and phoenix eyes complemented her delicate features. Though nearly forty, she retained an elegant, noble bearing.
General Chang Jinlu's wife, Shu Qin, held the hand of her six-year-old son, Chang Qiongchang, who trailed behind her. Dressed in a blue flower-dotted gown with a white gauze overlay, her face like peach blossoms, she smiled before even speaking. "Her Majesty is being partial, turning down every invitation to our residence while visiting the Guangling Marquis Residence so often. Next time I want to find you, I won't go to Rongxi Garden—I'll come straight here."
Weiyang replied with a smile, "Every time I go to your place, you pull out all sorts of treasures to give me. How could I dare call on you every day?"
Yuanning chimed in with a laugh. "If you say that, Sister, I should be ashamed..."
"No, no," Weiyang quickly protested. "I was just joking."
"Yuanning, Sister, you make things difficult for Her Majesty," Shu Qin giggled coyly. "Since Her Majesty favors your place, I couldn't bribe her away with treasures even if I tried." With that, she settled beside Weiyang and gently squeezed her little son's hand. "Silly boy, hurry and pay respects to Her Majesty!"
The child responded obediently, kneeling down to kowtow properly.
Weiyang pulled him back up and coaxed him. "Don't listen to your mother. When you see me in the future, there's no need for such elaborate greetings."
Qiongchang looked somewhat ill at ease but nodded.
Jian Hui sat down and sighed softly. "Children this young are such a blessing—so obedient. Unlike my unfilial son, who has brought shame upon the Qu family, yet argues about it so brazenly. He's truly enraged his father!"
Yuanning offered counsel. "Jian Hui, Sister, isn't it just a woman from the pleasure quarters? Once Qu Xue tires of her, naturally he'll stop going to her."
Weiyang suddenly realized the situation. Before she could speak, Jian Hui's delicate brows were knit with worry. "Alas, you don't understand. My son is stubborn. Right now he's insisting on marrying that woman from the demimonde! How could his father possibly agree? The father and son argue so fiercely the sky seems to split apart."
Yuanning's expression shifted with sympathy. "This must never be allowed. What status does he have? How could he marry a woman from the entertainment quarter? You must keep a close watch on him!"
Jian Hui sighed repeatedly, nodding silently.
Tang Xin changed the subject. "Jian Hui, Sister, how is your little Sweet Dumpling?"
Jian Hui's expression brightened. "Qu Tian is studying at Lu Tong's place."
"I'd say she's not learning much scholarship. Your daughter has been swept away by that slick fellow Lu Tong." Shu Qin remarked.
Jian Hui smiled. "Her father and I both like Prime Minister Lu. If Qu Tian could marry into his family, it would be quite a good match. I'm just afraid she might end up with Cheng Zhonshan."
"Oh? Isn't General Cheng good?" Weiyang glanced at Shen Mu.
Yuanning also said, "Our Young Miss is quite fond of Zhonshan. Having your Qu Tian step aside for Zhonshan would actually be a good thing, wouldn't it, Shen Mu?"
Jian Hui seemed about to speak when laughter rang out. Cheng Zhonshan happened to enter from outside, walking through the courtyard toward the gazebo. Smiling, he affectingly said with mock seriousness, "Though Young Miss Shen is sharp-tongued and petty, since you like me, I shouldn't just silently acknowledge it. How about I come to propose tomorrow?"
Laughter erupted in the gazebo. Qiongchang cheered and ran over to hug Zhonshan's leg. Shen Mu's face flushed crimson. "You scoundrel, why do you always show up at the worst moments to take advantage of me? Sharp-tongued and petty? Say that again to my brother right now—let me see him cut you down!"
Zhonshan lifted Qiongchang, yet continued teasing endlessly: "Didn't I say I'd come propose tomorrow? Why are you so impatient? I didn't bring gifts today, so it's a bit embarrassing to propose, isn't it?"
"You—" Shen Mu leapt up, bouncing out of the gazebo, grabbing his ear.
Zhonshan immediately relented. "I dare not, Grandmother... I'm wrong."
Shen Mu triumphantly released her grip, waving magnanimously. "Good that you know your mistake. Go to the inner courtyard—they've already been gambling for several rounds!"
Zhonshan rubbed his ear, asking with a smile, "Has Mancheng arrived?"
Yuanning nodded. "He came long ago!"
Zhonshan held Qiongchang, forgoing formalities but wearing a sunshine-bright smile. "Your Majesty the Queen, Sisters, I'll head in first. Sister Shu Qin, I'll take Qiongchang inside."
Shu Qin nodded with relief.
Yuanning said, "Remember to come propose tomorrow."
"Sister!" Shen Mu leapt up and shrieked. "You're making trouble too!"
Zhonshan retreated with laughter. Shen Mu shouted after him, "Dare come tomorrow and I'll cut off your legs!" Turning back to see everyone in the gazebo grinning at her, she huffed angrily, "You're all making fun of me. I'm not talking to any of you anymore!" With a stamp of her foot, she flounced away.
In the western courtyard of the Guangling Marquis Residence stood a lush loquat tree. In Jinjing's maiden chambers, there were also several loquat trees. Each year when the fruit ripened, they hung golden and abundant from the branches like little suns. Yet now, the dark red silk curtains of Rongxi Garden gleamed with a gloomy light. She especially dreaded the approach of night. Though countless palace maids filled that royal chamber, to Weiyang they blended with the rosewood furniture, merging into the flickering, hollow red candlelight.
"Your Majesty the Queen."
Weiyang turned around. The newcomer smiled, his pair of jet-black eyes rippling like water, stirring waves of captivating charm. "I noticed you gazing at this loquat tree in a daze. What, is it that captivating?"
Weiyang felt an inexplicable flutter of nervousness. "N-no, not at all... Is General Xia staying for dinner at the Marquis Residence tonight?"
"No, I'm leaving shortly. If I don't go back, Man Du will be bored stiff. I heard Your Majesty often dines at the Marquis Residence. Does the cuisine at Rongxi Garden not suit your taste?" The evening sun cast gently over his smooth skin, gilding it with a pale golden radiance, making Weiyang's eyes glaze over.
He descended from the corridor and smiled. "The cooks at Ruyi Palace were originally selected by my sister. They specialize in Anqing cuisine. If Your Majesty doesn't care for those cooks, have Zhangzhou replace them."
"That's not it." Weiyang said this, yet she felt the atmosphere carried an indescribable tenderness. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Princess Jinyin went to the Deng Kingdom. Why didn't she take her favorite cooks with her?"
"It's not that she liked them—Man Du is the one who favors them, so they were kept. I won't hide it from you: the dishes at Zhongbi Manor are often delivered from Ruyi East Palace." Mancheng's smile bloomed, innocent as a child.
Weiyang pressed her lips together with a soft smile. "Since Little Man Du likes them, how would I dare replace them?"
"And if I liked them, would Your Majesty keep them for me too?"
"That remains to be seen."
"It seems Man Du is more lovable than I am."
Weiyang's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She lowered her head, words failing to form a proper response. "The dishes they cook are quite delicious. I really like them..."
Another awkward silence followed. Mancheng softly asked, "Is Your Majesty comfortable living here? Do you miss your loved ones?"
Weiyang's eyes grew hot with unshed tears. She fought hard to hold back the sorrow. In this city of Great Liao, she had no family or support whatsoever. Each night she lay within those cold, crimson silk curtains, loneliness and homesickness surged forth endlessly, while Zhangzhou's cold neglect threatened to drive her mad.
Weiyang raised her misty eyes to look at him, about to speak, when a crisp voice arrived: "Your Majesty, you're here." Ying Shan crossed the corridor, striding over directly. Spotting Mancheng, she bowed, then addressed Weiyang: "I've had Suxin take back the pastries that Miss Shen sent."
Weiyang replied with a heavy heart, swallowing the words she wished to speak. She offered Mancheng a faint smile.
Zhonshan emerged from the inner courtyard, calling out, "Mancheng!"
Mancheng cast Weiyang a knowing glance, then clasped his hands in salute. "Your Majesty the Queen, I'll take my leave first."
In the evening glow, he appeared incomparably beautiful and enchanting, causing her eyes to glaze over, her heartstrings to stir, her senses to drift. Weiyang gazed at his retreating figure, unable to look away for a long time.