Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Shaoyin had not expected Xiao Yu to ask that. After a brief moment of stunned silence, she gently shook her head at him. “I stopped loving him long ago.” Then she added, “The things of the past are like a dream I awoke from long ago. They’re already very, very far away from me.” Bright light bloomed in Xiao Yu’s eyes, like sunlight glinting across rippling water beneath a gentle breeze, scattering fine golden ripples across the surface. His lips moved, as though he had some joyful words he wanted to say, but he did not voice them immediately. He only smiled and said, “Sister, do you still remember saying that you would make me a bowl of milk tea?” How could she not remember? That day in the palace, feeling guilty toward Xiao Yu, she had taken the initiative to invite him to the Xue family home to admire the plum blossoms. She had said she would be his guide, and that she would personally make him a bowl of milk tea so he could taste the flavor of Shuobei. Only, after that day, she had fallen into the water and then been confined in Zichen Palace, delaying the matter for some time. But because of that delay, quite a few plum blossoms had now bloomed in the rear garden of the family home. Shaoyin smiled and asked Xiao Yu, “Does Your Highness want to try some milk tea now? If you do, I can make a bowl for you right away. After you drink it and warm yourself up, I’ll invite you to admire the plum blossoms in the rear garden.” “No. You’re ill, Sister, so you should rest quietly and recover. How could I trouble you now?” Xiao Yu looked at her, the smiling eyes seeming to hold a glimmer of shining hope. “After you’ve recovered and your health is better, I’ll come to bother you again. I’ll ask you to show me the plum blossoms in the garden and make me a bowl of tea.” In the past, whenever Shaoyin saw Xiao Yu, she would feel irritated because he always loved following her around. She had believed that Xiao Yu would disturb the time she spent alone with Xiao Heng. Because of that, she had possessed very little patience with him. She had never properly observed Xiao Yu as a person, nor had she ever properly thought about him. But after she had long since let go of her feelings for Xiao Heng, Xiao Yu was no longer, in Shaoyin’s eyes, the boy and young man who had once caused her annoyance. She was grateful for his kindness toward her and toward the Xue family, and she could also see the many admirable qualities in his temperament and character. Perhaps because Xiao Yu was cheerful by nature and possessed a sincere, innocent heart, whenever she met and spent time with him, Shaoyin’s usually gloomy state of mind seemed to relax a little. It was as though the sunlight in Xiao Yu’s nature could also cast a few warm rays into her heart. Sometimes, she even found herself unable to resist exchanging a few playful jokes with Xiao Yu, just as she was doing now. A faint smile touched Shaoyin’s lips as she deliberately asked Xiao Yu, “What if, by the time I’ve recovered, all the plum blossoms have fallen?” Xiao Yu replied, “When the plum blossoms fall, the winter jasmine and magnolias will soon be blooming. After that, spring will bring the fragrant peach and plum blossoms; summer will bring ponds full of lotus flowers and pomegranate blossoms as bright as flames. When autumn comes, there will be the fragrance of sweet osmanthus, and maple leaves red as rosy clouds. After a few snows have fallen, the plum blossoms will bloom again.” “Life is long, and every season has its beautiful scenery.” Xiao Yu smiled as he looked at her. “I can wait slowly, until I can admire it all together with Sister.” Shaoyin suddenly thought of what Helan had said—“Life is long.” At that moment, as she gazed into Xiao Yu’s clear, pure eyes, she could not help becoming somewhat dazed. For a while, she said nothing. Xiao Yu had always been worried about Sister Xue’s health. Seeing that Sister Xue seemed to be acting strangely and had fallen silent, he assumed that she was feeling unwell. He did not dare disturb her any longer and decided to leave so she could rest in peace. Xiao Yu rose to his feet, apologized to Sister Xue for troubling her today, and asked her to return to her room and rest as soon as possible. When Shaoyin saw that Xiao Yu was about to leave, she stood as well. After thinking for a moment, she smiled lightly and said, “How could I let Your Highness return empty-handed? I’ll break off a few plum branches and give them to you. Consider them my thanks for saving me that day and for coming to see me today.” The two of them walked outside the hall to the wintersweet tree. Shaoyin raised her head and saw a branch bearing many wintersweet buds. She rose onto her toes and reached out to break it off for Xiao Yu. But she was weak and powerless from her illness. Even after using all her strength, she could not break it. Xiao Yu, standing beside her, reached out and gently snapped it off over her shoulder. When they had met outside Xihua Gate that day, Shaoyin had already sighed inwardly at how the young boy from her memories had grown into a handsome young man. But now, the reality of it struck her even more deeply. Xiao Yu truly was no longer the little boy who had become flustered whenever she treated him coldly. He had long since grown taller and broader than she was. He was a vigorous, flourishing young man in the prime of his life, advancing day by day toward steadiness and maturity. As they walked out of the small hall, Xiao Yu had deliberately walked on her right. The cold wind was coming from the west today, so he had placed himself in its path to shield her from it. Yet he said nothing, silently doing this for her. Shaoyin did not know what she felt. She did not look at Xiao Yu beside her, continuing to tilt her face upward as she searched for wintersweet branches with more buds among the tree’s limbs. Shaoyin found several more branches, and Xiao Yu helped her break them off one by one, holding them in his hands. At last, when Shaoyin saw that Xiao Yu’s arms were full of flowering branches, a smile curved at the corners of her lips. “When you return, have someone trim the ends of the branches at an angle and place them in water. The wintersweet will gradually bloom.” Xiao Yu agreed, then added with a smile, “I’ll arrange them in water and take care of them myself.” As the cold wind swept past the two of them, it seemed that a trace of the wintersweet’s fresh, sweet fragrance had already begun to drift faintly through the air. “It’s cold outside. Sister, go back to your room and rest.” Xiao Yu took his leave, holding the plum branches in his arms, and asked her to rest peacefully and take good care of her health. Shaoyin also bowed to Xiao Yu in farewell. Only after watching her return to her room did Xiao Yu, outside, slowly walk away with his arms full of plum branches. After Xiao Yu left, Shaoyin sat quietly by the window indoors. Her thoughts were tranquil, as though she were thinking of nothing at all, when she heard her maid Qianyun say softly, “There seems to be something in the County Princess’s hair…” Shaoyin raised her hand and felt around her hair, finding a small wintersweet bud. It had probably fallen from the branch when the cold wind blew, quietly landing on her. Its faint fragrance was still hidden within the flower bud. It had not yet bloomed, yet it had already fallen—it was a pity. Shaoyin looked at the bud in her palm and was just beginning to sigh over it when she suddenly remembered Xiao Yu’s words. She remembered him saying that the plum blossoms would bloom again the following year, after a few snows had fallen. She thought of Helan again. Helan had said that year after year, life in this world stretched far into the distance. For a time, Shaoyin’s heart was filled with boundless melancholy. Leaning against the window, she gazed at the wintersweet tree outside, its blossoms not yet in full bloom. Her mood was deep and quiet, like a still sea beneath the moonlight. Meanwhile, after Xiao Yu left Yurong Court, Xue Ming and Yan Huiniang, who had been waiting outside, hurried forward to invite Prince Chu to stay and dine at the Xue family home. After Xiao Yu tactfully declined, the husband and wife personally saw Prince Chu out of the Xue family home. Only after Prince Chu’s carriage and attendants had disappeared into the distance did they turn and walk back. On the way to their room, Xue Ming thought it over and finally said to his wife, “Do you think Prince Chu has feelings for Ayin…?” Yan Huiniang rolled her eyes at her husband. “Do you only think so now? I’ve thought so all along. Otherwise, with Prince Chu and the Xue family having no relation, why would he secretly look after the Xue family when everyone else was avoiding us like the plague? Of course it was for Ayin, who was still in Shuobei at the time.” Although Xue Ming was glad that his younger sister had lived well in Shuobei and had shared a deeply loving relationship with her husband, Helan, he could not bear to see her constantly sunk in the grief of losing her husband. Even less did he want to see her remain this way for the rest of her life—confined before a Buddhist shrine, copying scriptures and praying for her deceased husband all day, guarding a single lamp as she grew old in lonely sorrow. If Prince Chu truly had feelings for his younger sister, he would be an excellent choice. In terms of character and temperament, there was nothing to criticize about Prince Chu. Moreover, his status as a member of the imperial family could shelter his younger sister from wind and rain, ensuring her a life of honor and prosperity without worry or harassment. Besides, if his younger sister married Prince Chu, she should also be able to avoid possible harassment from the current Son of Heaven. Although the Emperor seemed to have lost interest in his younger sister for now, there was no guarantee that he would not regain it someday. If she remained merely a powerless widow, how could she escape the Son of Heaven’s whims? If matters continued this way, she might be forced and humiliated by the Emperor. But if she became the Princess Consort of Chu, the sister-in-law of the current Son of Heaven, then as long as the Emperor cared at all about his imperial reputation, he could not lay hands on his younger brother’s wife. Even if the Emperor were shameless enough to do so, Prince Chu would surely fight to protect his wife—unlike Xue Ming, a brother who had the will to protect her but was always helpless to do so. Since his wife also believed that Prince Chu had feelings for Ayin, Xue Ming said frankly, “It would be wonderful if the two of them could be together.” Yan Huiniang gently shook her head. “It’ll be difficult. My sister-in-law seems unable to move past the grief of losing her husband.” How could she remain immersed in grief over her husband’s death for her entire life? Xue Ming hoped his younger sister could become as fond of talking and laughing as she had been before. He hoped that, for the rest of her life, she would never shed another tear of sorrow. Xue Ming said to his wife, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. When you’re at home with Ayin, persuade her more often. Tell her more about Prince Chu’s virtues and try to bring the two of them together.” Yan Huiniang naturally hoped that her younger sister-in-law would be happy in the future, so she readily agreed. After thinking for a moment, she added with a smile, “Although Prince Chu is two or three years younger than my sister-in-law, they actually look very well matched. If they can be together, it should be a beautiful and happy marriage.” After that, while her younger sister-in-law was recuperating, whenever Yan Huiniang went to Yurong Court to visit her and keep her company, she would often mention Prince Chu. She spoke of how good his temperament and character were, how excellent his reputation among the people was, and how he had helped the Xue family in the past. During this time, although Prince Chu did not visit and disturb Sister Xue while she was recovering, every day he sent someone to deliver various things. Sometimes they were precious tonics; sometimes they were calligraphy and paintings he had written or drawn himself. Whenever someone from the Prince Chu’s Residence arrived, they would ask after the County Princess Yongning’s health and convey Prince Chu’s concern on his behalf. After repeated inquiries and expressions of concern, Xue Shaoyin’s health gradually recovered. That year also came to an end. As the old year gave way to the new, the red talismans bid farewell to the past and auspicious energy welcomed the future, as though all things would take on a new appearance. According to Daqi custom, on the first day of the first lunar month, the Son of Heaven would receive the imperial clan and the civil and military officials at Taihe Palace, accepting their homage and celebrating the auspicious new year with them while welcoming spring and good fortune. That was how things had always been in previous years. This year, however, His Majesty dispensed with all the ceremonies and remained alone in Zichen Palace, refusing to see anyone—not the imperial clan, the civil and military officials, or even the Imperial Harem consorts who wished to offer their congratulations and pray for the Son of Heaven’s peace and prosperity in the new year. The Imperial Harem consorts rarely had opportunities to see His Majesty under ordinary circumstances. Some of the lower-ranking ones could only see him once during the yearly festivals. Thus, on this first day of the new year, when they were required by etiquette to go to Zichen Palace and wish His Majesty health and peace, every consort had put considerable effort into her appearance, hoping to win His Majesty’s favor. Yet His Majesty would see no one—not even Jiang Shu, the favored consort in everyone’s eyes. The consorts had no choice but to pay their respects outside Zichen Palace before leaving together in low spirits. On the way out, someone brought up Wei-shi, saying that it was the New Year and Consort Yi was still confined to her residence in reflection, forbidden to leave. It was truly pitiful. Following that topic, they naturally brought up the County Princess Yongning. Of course, they did not dare say anything malicious about her. They merely asked, “I wonder whether the County Princess Yongning will enter the palace today to wish His Majesty peace and health in the new year?” The consorts had many doubts and worries in their hearts regarding the fact that the County Princess Yongning had stayed in Zichen Palace for several days, but none of them dared mention it directly. They could only speculate inwardly that the County Princess Yongning had become far more capable than before. After returning from Shuobei, she seemed to have accomplished what she had failed to do in the past—successfully capturing His Majesty’s heart. The words Consort Yi had spoken that day had truly become an unspoken worry in the consorts’ hearts. What if the County Princess Yongning really was carrying His Majesty’s child? What if the County Princess Yongning really was taken into the palace by His Majesty…? They could not say it openly, yet all of them understood this worry perfectly. After exchanging glances, the consorts all turned toward Jiang Shu and said, in veiled but anxious voices, “Consort Shu, you must decide what we should do!” “What decision?” Jiang Ningyan said indifferently. “I told you long ago that everything must be guided by the imperial heart and placed beneath His Majesty’s wishes. You must remember those words as well.” Unwilling to waste any more breath speaking with the consorts, Jiang Ningyan dismissed them all and returned to Zhaoyang Palace. As soon as she sat down, a palace maid brought her hot tea. But Jiang Ningyan had no appetite for it. She stared at the curling steam above the tea and felt as though hot air was also roiling and spreading restlessly through her heart, impossible to calm. Ever since she had received the news that His Majesty had personally gone into the water to save Xue Shaoyin, Jiang Ningyan’s heart had been unable to settle. She had finally confirmed her own suspicions, and had used Xue Shaoyin to strike at Consort Yi Wei Jinshu, who was always opposing her. Yet after her suspicions were confirmed, what filled her heart was endless fear. During the days Xue Shaoyin stayed in Zichen Palace, Jiang Ningyan had been unable to eat or sleep, constantly terrified and uneasy. Although she had long harbored her suspicions, His Majesty’s concern for Xue Shaoyin had still far exceeded her expectations. During those days, Jiang Ningyan had even feared that an edict naming Xue Shaoyin Empress might be issued. And yet Xue Shaoyin had left. Afterward, His Majesty had not summoned Xue Shaoyin into the palace again. It was almost as though… as though Xue Shaoyin had rejected His Majesty, and as though what Xue Shaoyin had said in Zhaoyang Palace, when questioned by Jiang Ningyan, about her loving marriage with Heir Prince Helan had been true. After five years, Xue Shaoyin seemed to have truly fallen in love with someone else. She no longer loved His Majesty. Jiang Ningyan hoped this guess of hers was true. She hoped Xue Shaoyin no longer possessed even the slightest love for His Majesty, and that she would reject His Majesty’s favor for the rest of her life, until death. And yet she remained deeply worried—worried that His Majesty was still persistent, even though Xue Shaoyin had someone else in her heart. After all, His Majesty’s current behavior did not look as though he had truly let go… In Zichen Palace, the bowl of medicinal broth sitting on the imperial desk had nearly gone cold, yet it remained untouched. Cheng An, who had been standing nearby for quite some time, could not help reminding him respectfully, “Your Majesty, the medicine is no longer hot. You should drink it as soon as possible.” His Majesty seemed not to hear. He continued looking at the book in his hands, occasionally giving a few light coughs. After descending from Jiucheng Mountain before dawn that day, His Majesty had caught a chill. It had originally been only a minor illness, but His Majesty refused to take his medicine properly and did not take care of his health. As a result, his cough grew increasingly severe. To this day, it had not healed, and he had grown thinner by the day. Since the County Princess Yongning had left the palace, His Majesty behaved as he always had only when handling government affairs or receiving officials. At all other times, he often sat or stood without speaking for the entire day. Sometimes he held a book in his hands, yet no one knew what he was reading. It was as though he still retained his outward appearance, while his heart had already withered into ashes. Thus, Cheng An felt that His Majesty’s refusal to care for his health and his allowing the cough to grow worse was practically a form of self-punishment, with more than a hint of self-harm and self-abuse. But if he continued coughing like this, what would happen if it developed into a lung ailment?! Cheng An was desperately anxious, yet there was nothing he could do. Just as he was fretting helplessly, he suddenly heard His Majesty ask in a low, hoarse voice, “How is she?” Ever since he had released the County Princess Yongning from the palace, His Majesty had kept people watching the Xue family. He did not care about his own health, but he was deeply concerned about the County Princess Yongning’s illness and asked about her every day. Cheng An replied, “The County Princess Yongning has recovered. She has stopped taking the medicine as well.” After thinking for a moment, Cheng An boldly added, “The County Princess also seems to be in good spirits. Prince Chu invited her to go out and enjoy herself, and she agreed.” Author’s Note: Emperor: “Weren’t you the one who said you’d closed your heart and locked away love? What, am I the only one who isn’t allowed?”