The two visitors knocked on the door, and Xu Zhen, hearing it, went to see who it was. At the door stood an elderly and a young woman, both dressed in fine clothes, carrying wine, with jade pendants at their waists. They smiled at Xu Zhen, their faces adorned with makeup.
Xu Zhen couldn't recognize them through the heavy makeup, but after studying their figures for a while, she had a guess. Just as she was about to ask, the older woman stepped forward and said in a muffled voice, "Mr. Xu, it's me. Do you remember me?"
Xu Zhen found the voice familiar and paused.
The old woman continued, "Three years ago, I invited you to Chang'an by lamplight. After that, we didn't meet as often. Mr. Xu, it's been a long time."
Xu Zhen recognized the voice-it was the elderly woman who had once invited her into government service!
She exclaimed with delight, "Is it you, Ma'am? Come in quickly." She ushered them inside, and they eagerly stepped in, seeming reluctant to linger outside in public.
The elderly woman was indeed the former imperial tutor. As for the young woman, Xu Zhen found her very familiar. She was the one who had approached Xu Zhen on her first day at the stall, asking if the world could be repaired.
Xu Zhen had felt she recognized the voice then, and seeing her with the elderly woman now, she was even more certain she knew this person.
Xu Zhen carefully observed from behind.
The young woman, sensing Xu Zhen's gaze, turned to look at her. She wore a light pink ruqun, with a belt and hem of intricate silk designs. Her face was heavily painted with white powder, her cheeks adorned with peach blush, and a dot painted between her brows.
Seeing Xu Zhen's gaze, she smiled and asked, "Are you trying to guess who I am?"
Xu Zhen, hearing her speak, nodded, but she had already recognized the voice. If she wasn't mistaken, this was the princess.
Xu Zhen was unsure, given their limited interactions, and her impression of the princess was from a rainy day at the palace when they spoke through the downpour. Back then, the princess was small, with a proud and ambitious demeanor. But now, a few years later, she had grown into a striking figure.
The princess, seeing Xu Zhen's expression, asked, "Did you recognize me?"
Xu Zhen cautiously inquired, "Are you the princess?"
The princess laughed, "Yes, it's me."
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xu Zhen exchanged a few words before inviting them inside.
The earthen house was small, with only three rooms. Recently, Xu Zhen and Xun Qianchun had combined two rooms to entertain guests, leaving the third for sleeping and reading.
After Jiangling entered summer, the weather often turned gloomy, a precursor to rain. Near noon, the sky darkened again, and with light blocked from all directions, the room was dim and needed lamps even in the daytime.
Inside, Xun Qianchun stood up, her white robe draping to the floor, long black hair cascading down her back. She lit the candles and then greeted the elderly woman with a bow.
The elderly woman quickly replied, "Sorry to disturb the King of Zhenbei." She returned the gesture. The candle wicks crackled, drawing the elderly woman's gaze, and she noticed a dark red mark on Xun Qianchun's neck. At first, she didn't realize what it was, but then, recalling Xun Qianchun's relationship with Mr. Xu, her face flushed, unsure where to look.
These two, indeed, had forsaken power for each other.
The elderly woman mused.
No one spoke for a moment.
