Spending the Night in the Mountains
On the imperial pathway.
Xiao Chengyi had just emerged from the main hall when Zhao Shi’an, the Duke of Rong, followed behind him.
“Prince Su, please wait.”
Xiao Chengyi turned and saw who had called out to him. He merely gave a slight nod.
Zhao Shi’an cupped his fists in salute. “This old man has come specifically to apologize to Your Highness. My daughter, Zhao Shu, is young and ignorant of proper conduct. She offended Your Highness, and I’ve already punished her severely.”
Throughout his speech, Zhao Shi’an made no mention of the newlywed Princess Consort. Instead, he watched Xiao Chengyi with a probing gaze.
“The Duke of Rong certainly ought to put his household in order.”
The dark golden flowing patterns on Xiao Chengyi’s bright red official robes shimmered in the morning light, making his expression appear even colder.
“Your Highness is truly magnanimous.” Zhao Shi’an paid no mind to his words. Stroking his beard, he smiled and continued, “Next month is the Mid-Autumn Festival. This old man will host a banquet at my residence and has specially prepared some Zijin Spring wine. My daughter will personally serve Your Highness wine to apologize for her offense.”
“Miss Xueyan, the capital’s finest dancing courtesan, will also be present. This woman possesses unparalleled beauty, yet Your Highness is the only one she cannot forget. Her feelings are entirely sincere.”
He deliberately paused before adding, “This old man will certainly make all the necessary arrangements. I guarantee Your Highness won’t be disappointed.”
“Oh?” Xiao Chengyi responded noncommittally.
Seeing that Xiao Chengyi had not refused, Zhao Shi’an smiled smugly.
“I’ve heard that Your Highness is rather dissatisfied with the Princess Consort. Your Highness is in the prime of your life, with the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix. It’s only fitting that you have several wives and concubines. If a wife is not virtuous, simply cast her aside.”
“This old man has served as an official for thirty years, and I understand all too well that in the ever-changing imperial court, when one prospers, one’s allies prosper alongside him. If we could form an alliance with Your Highness, it would surely be worth far more than thousands upon thousands of troops!”
Xiao Chengyi stopped walking.
“Fine wine and beautiful women. Your Grace has gone to such great lengths…”
A trace of mockery flashed through his dark, unfathomable eyes. He slowly turned around, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
“This prince is very interested.”
After leaving the imperial palace, Xiao Chengyi did not return to his residence. Instead, he ordered his attendants to fetch his fitted training clothes, then mounted his horse and rode straight toward the military camp on the outskirts of the city.
He had spent consecutive days working at his desk and had not personally attended training for quite some time. After practicing archery for half an hour, his clothes were soaked with sweat. He simply removed his upper garment, revealing his lean, powerful chest. Old scars crisscrossed his bronze-colored skin, and the movement of his muscles only accentuated his masculine vigor.
Just as he was about to pick up his bow and shoot again, he suddenly stopped.
On a bluestone slab beside the archery targets not far away sat several bamboo containers. Silk cords of different colors were tied around them, making them particularly conspicuous.
Why were such effeminate things here?
“Guards!” he commanded sternly. “Drag away whoever has been drinking wine while on duty and…”
“Your Highness, please investigate! This isn’t wine. It’s milk tea!” Several Black-Armored Guards hurriedly dropped to their knees. “It’s Overlord Tea bestowed upon us by the Princess Consort.”
Xiao Chengyi’s brows moved slightly.
“Overlord Tea?”
He casually picked up a bamboo container. A layer of sweet, delicate osmanthus fragrance rose from the milky-white liquid. There was indeed no smell of alcohol.
He picked up another container and detected the sweet-and-sour aroma of hawthorn.
“Commander Guan drank it too!” The personal guards hurriedly brought up someone they hoped would save their lives.
“Every time Commander Guan goes to Grand Madam Rong’an’s residence to arrange the guards’ duties, he brings some back. The Princess Consort can’t make very much, so we brothers share it to satisfy our cravings…”
“Your Highness, please calm your anger. This milk tea really is… exceptionally delicious.”
“Drinking a container the day after standing night watch really does leave us feeling refreshed and invigorated.”
“The Princess Consort is as beautiful as a celestial maiden and has the heart of a bodhisattva. Only someone like her is worthy of our prince!”
The soldiers all chimed in, one after another.
Although Xiao Chengyi held the noble rank of a commandery prince and maintained strict military discipline, these Black-Armored Guards had accompanied him on campaigns across the north and south. On the battlefield, there was no distinction between superior and subordinate. Having shared sweat and blood, they had long since become comrades who would risk their lives for one another.
Even during ordinary training, the soldiers knew that he was fair in his rewards and punishments, so they did not feel overly restrained around him.
Without saying a word, Xiao Chengyi turned and walked toward the riding grounds.
Sure enough, he spotted the broad-backed, powerfully built commander of his personal guards, who had just finished practicing mounted archery. Guan Shuo was holding a bamboo container and tilting his head back to drink heartily. His usually honest-looking face wore an expression of complete satisfaction.
When Guan Shuo saw the prince suddenly appear, he instinctively tried to hide the bamboo container against his chest.
“What are you hiding? Afraid I’ll drink your tea?” Xiao Chengyi stepped forward. “Explain yourself clearly to this prince.”
Guan Shuo swallowed audibly.
“The Princess Consort specifically instructed us not to let you drink it. She said you have an old injury in your throat.”
Xiao Chengyi’s stern face betrayed no emotion, and Guan Shuo was nearly breaking out in a cold sweat.
“Grand Madam Rong’an tasted it herself and said it was good. She specifically instructed the Princess Consort to teach the kitchen maids how to make it and ordered people to deliver tea to the training grounds every day. Everything after that was arranged by Grand Madam Rong’an!”
“Your Highness, just look at the name she chose. Overlord Tea! Doesn’t it sound wise and mighty? Isn’t it particularly well suited to us? Hehe.”
Xiao Chengyi stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the evening breeze stirring the sweat-dampened hair on his forehead.
How could that noble young lady from the Marquis’s residence, notorious for mistreating servants and being arrogant and willful, possibly lower herself to show consideration for soldiers and become close to military men?
She must have offended him that day and become afraid he would retaliate. She was merely pretending to be virtuous to win people over.
A cold, mocking smile curved his lips.
“Commander Guan, come spar with this prince. Let me see whether drinking tea these past few days has made you even the slightest bit more domineering.”
“Ah?!” Guan Shuo’s pupils abruptly contracted.
How could he possibly win? Every time he sparred with the prince, he ended up in a worse state than if he had been beaten with a military staff.
Before Guan Shuo could recover from his shock, Xiao Chengyi had already closed in on him and mercilessly slammed him hard onto the ground, leaving him unable to get up for quite some time.
By evening, the Black-Armored Guards escorted Prince Su back to his residence.
They had barely passed through the hanging-flower gate when they saw several older female servants carrying vermilion-lacquered wooden boxes toward the rear courtyard with cheerful smiles. The young maids gathered around them, chattering excitedly.
“What’s all this commotion?” Xiao Chengyi stopped and asked.
The managing nanny hurriedly replied, “They’re mosquito-repellent sachets sent from Grand Madam Rong’an’s residence. The Princess Consort personally blended more than a dozen medicinal herbs for them. They’re much more effective than ordinary incense.”
“The Princess Consort instructed that every maid and older female servant should receive one. They’re being distributed starting with the first-rank servants and working downward, so everyone has been waiting for them.”
“Every other word out of your mouths is ‘Princess Consort.’ Since when did Prince Su’s residence change masters?” Xiao Chengyi threw out the remark.
Seeing the prince’s displeased expression, everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
Standing nearby, Guan Shuo secretly rubbed his aching waist and back, remaining awkwardly silent.
The study was brightly illuminated by candlelight.
Xiao Chengyi sat upright at his desk, with military strategy documents piled half a foot high before him.
“Your Highness, this subordinate needs to go to Grand Madam Rong’an’s residence to conduct an inspection.”
In the past, Guan Shuo had never needed to report such routine matters. Today, however, he felt it would be wiser to say something.
Xiao Chengyi’s brush did not pause. Only a faint hum of acknowledgment came from him.
“Would Your Highness like to come along? Grand Madam Rong’an hasn’t seen Your Highness for several days, and she keeps taking her anger out on this subordinate.”
Without even raising his head, Xiao Chengyi replied, “Endure it.”
A moment later, a voice suddenly sounded outside the study.
“Miss Bihan is here! What is this? His Highness is busy with official duties and mustn’t be disturbed.”
“It’s a sachet specially made for His Highness by the Princess Consort. She wasn’t comfortable entrusting it to anyone else, so she specifically ordered me to deliver it.”
The candle flame suddenly flickered.
The strong, vigorous brushstroke inexplicably veered off course, leaving an errant line as the ink spread into a dark blot resembling a black cloud.
“Come in and report.”
There was a moment of silence outside the door. Bihan entered, performed a respectful greeting, and placed a sachet on the desk.
“All the others were hurriedly made by the embroiderers, but the Princess Consort embroidered this sachet for Your Highness with her own hands. It’s quite special.”
“The Princess Consort specifically instructed me to tell Your Highness that because you have an old throat ailment, you must be careful when using fragrances. She personally selected every medicinal herb in this sachet. Carrying it with you can repel mosquitoes and other insects while also calming the mind and helping you sleep.”
The sachet resting on the desk was made from the finest indigo-blue Hangzhou satin. However, the embroidered pattern on it was another matter entirely. The stitches were crooked and uneven, and it was impossible to tell whether the creature was a cat or a pig. One eye was larger than the other, its legs resembled four pillars, and several tufts of fur stuck out in a disheveled mess.
Xiao Chengyi was momentarily stunned.
“Did the Princess Consort embroider… a pheasant?”
Bihan looked somewhat embarrassed.
“It’s… a qilin[1]A qilin is an auspicious mythical creature in Chinese folklore, often depicted with dragon-like and deer-like features. It symbolizes good fortune and virtue. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3614829_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3614829_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.”
Xiao Chengyi: “…”
Such hideously strange embroidery was truly something he had never seen before. It was indeed very special.
Guan Shuo leaned over curiously to take a look and burst out laughing.
A sharp glare shot toward him, and he forcibly tightened his facial muscles to suppress his laughter.
In truth, Bihan was secretly feeling rather nervous herself. She also thought that the sachet was far too unsightly to be presented to anyone.
But her young lady was not ashamed of her poor embroidery skills. Instead, she had said that being ugly was precisely what made it good. Only something ugly would leave a lasting impression.
The sachet gave off a fresh, crisp herbal fragrance, mingled with the refreshing scents of orange peel and mint, along with a faint bitterness from mugwort leaves. The fragrance was soothing and invigorating, dispersing some of the inexplicable restlessness in his heart.
As Xiao Chengyi enclosed the sachet in his palm, the unconventional embroidery brushed against his fingertips, producing a peculiar sensation.
“Leave it there,” Xiao Chengyi said indifferently.
“Your Highness, this servant will take her leave now.” Bihan cautiously asked, “Does Your Highness have any message for the Princess Consort?”
She waited for quite some time, but there was no response. Only the soft scratching of the wolf-hair brush against the paper could be heard.
Bihan and Guan Shuo exchanged a glance before silently withdrawing.
The autumn rain continued without pause for several days, and the chill grew increasingly severe.
The bells of Liandeng Temple rang through the misty rain, sending layer upon layer of echoes across the empty valley.
Beneath the eaves of the temple courtyard, a slender figure stood facing a motionless figure in a monk’s robe, forming a tranquil silhouette.
“Master, did you personally witness what happened that day? Was Madam Xiao’s fall into the water truly my fault?”
“This old monk would not dare rashly conclude that the Princess Consort was at fault.” The abbot held his prayer beads and returned her greeting with his palms pressed together.
“That year, Madam Xiao came to this temple to fulfill a vow. The Princess Consort was indeed also at the temple, praying for her mother. However, at the time, you were still a young lady of the Marquis’s residence who had not yet reached the age of the hairpin ceremony.”
“Not long after Madam Xiao’s carriage departed, it encountered a violent disturbance caused by displaced refugees. By the time this old monk arrived with the other monks, it was already too late. We were only able to recover Madam Xiao’s remains.”
“All the monks who witnessed the incident that day said that the Marquis of Yongning’s carriage hurriedly departed without offering Madam Xiao any assistance.”
Xia Ruochu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Her chaotic memories were like the countless threads of rain filling the sky, tangled together beyond unraveling.
Master Wangchen was a highly accomplished and respected monk. Old Madam Xiao often visited the temple to listen to Buddhist teachings. He would not fabricate facts.
On the day Madam Xiao met with disaster, the original owner of this body had indeed been at the temple, and the two carriages had departed one after the other.
When the monks arrived, Madam Xiao had still not been rescued, while the Marquis of Yongning’s carriage had sped away in full view of everyone.
From the looks of it, the original owner really had witnessed someone in mortal danger and refused to help.
It had actually happened.
A chill crept upward from the soles of Xia Ruochu’s feet, inch by inch, penetrating every part of her body.
Master Wangchen was highly respected, and Old Madam Xiao frequently visited the temple to listen to Buddhist scriptures. Xiao Chengyi must have learned everything that had been said today long ago. That was why his hatred remained so difficult to dispel.
If Xia Yunxiao had not intervened while he was still alive, Xiao Chengyi would probably have taken his sword to the Marquis’s residence and killed the original owner long ago.
Perhaps that memory had been too terrifying, causing the original owner to suppress it selectively. As a result, a crucial piece of the puzzle was also missing from Xia Ruochu’s mind, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not recall it.
She had braved the rain to come here today, hoping to uncover the truth of what had happened and resolve the resentment in Xiao Chengyi’s heart.
Because Yangyi Hall had already reached the end of its resources.
The money she had left was running dangerously low, and purchasing medicinal ingredients at inflated prices was ultimately not a sustainable solution. Although her promise of two-year supply contracts had attracted tentative interest from several small medicinal herb merchants, they had all backed out within two days.
There was no need to think hard to know that someone had threatened and intimidated them.
If Yangyi Hall went bankrupt, it was obvious whose hands it would eventually fall into.
With circumstances forcing her hand, Xia Ruochu had no choice but to swallow her pride and plead with Old Madam Xiao, hoping to use the prestige and influence of Prince Su’s residence to protect Yangyi Hall.
As expected, she was refused.
Old Madam Xiao even reprimanded her.
“Why are you so stubborn, child? It’s only a small medicine shop. If it’s lost, then so be it. Surely you don’t intend to go into business while holding the title of Princess Consort?”
“Grandmother, you rescued Ruochu from a desperate situation. Could you not also show some compassion to the impoverished commoners living at the foot of the Western Mountains?”
Xia Ruochu continued pleading, “How could Zhao Shu possibly manage the shop properly for the benefit of the common people? To vent her personal resentment, she’ll surely tear this century-old establishment apart, dismantling its beams and pillars until nothing remains but broken timber and shattered tiles.”
Old Madam Xiao remained silent for a long time before finally sighing.
“How could you and I possibly right every injustice in this world?”
“Do you know that the Duke of Rong is descended from one of the founding meritorious officials? Although he holds no real power, he has numerous disciples and former subordinates. Chengyi serves as an official in the imperial court, so it would be unwise for him to openly fall out with the Duke of Rong. That is why, although I dislike Zhao Shu’s flattering and affected behavior, I still allow her to visit.”
“A woman ought to support her husband and raise her children. You would do better to devote more of your attention to your husband. Don’t disappoint me.”
Xia Ruochu had no other options.
In this dynasty, where those who wielded overwhelming power could conceal the truth and control everything, who else could she rely on besides Xiao Chengyi?
Only he had dared to lash Zhao Shu in public, giving Xia Ruochu a measure of satisfaction. Even now, remembering the sharp crack of that whip made her heart tremble inexplicably.
She had done so many things and had even used Guan Shuo to pass along news of Yangyi Hall’s current predicament.
Yet Xiao Chengyi still had not come to see her.
He truly did not want this wife of his.
“Young Lady.”
Bihan approached, interrupting her thoughts.
“The personal guards said the rain is too heavy, and the mountain road ahead has collapsed. We can only stay overnight at the temple and see how things are tomorrow. You’ve been exhausted all day. Please go and rest first.”
Master Wangchen also said, “This old monk will have someone prepare a clean guest room in the temple. I must ask the Princess Consort to put up with these humble accommodations for one night.”
She still had to spend the night in these mountains.
Terrifying memories suddenly surged into Xia Ruochu’s mind, and her entire body shuddered.
The cold sensation of being abandoned wrapped itself around her internal organs. The world spun before her eyes, and both people and objects seemed to sway.
The carriage had jolted along for half a day before reaching this ancient mountain temple. Xia Ruochu had already felt unwell throughout the journey but had forced herself to endure it.
When she arrived, the mountains had been filled with pleasant autumn scenery. Now, however, cold winds and miserable rain swept through the landscape. The mournful howling of the wind echoed through the mountain forests, making everything seem bleak and chilling.
It was as though the surroundings were trying to drag her back into those nightmarish days of darkness and despair at Qiyun Temple.
A gust of mountain wind swept cold rain beneath the eaves. Xia Ruochu instinctively pulled her blue gauze cloak tighter around herself. Her forehead was burning hot, yet her limbs were icy cold, and even her teeth would not stop chattering.
No. She would never again allow herself to fall into a situation where she was helpless and at the mercy of others. Since she had escaped with her life, she was determined to take control of her own fate.
Whether Xiao Chengyi chose to intervene or not, she would never abandon Yangyi Hall.
She had used medicinal cuisine to ease the chronic ailments of soldiers who had suffered from injuries and illnesses for years, and to relieve the aching waists and legs of elderly servants worn down by overwork. None of these things had anything to do with her schemes or calculations.
She simply could not bear to see others suffer. That was her true nature.
If no one was willing to help her, she would pawn her hairpins and jewelry and sell her clothes. Even if she were left with nothing but a plain outfit, she would fight the Duke of Rong’s residence to the bitter end.
She would personally visit every medicinal herb merchant and shop. If the trade routes remained blocked, she would go to the prefectural authorities and beat the grievance drum to demand justice. If the prefectural authorities refused to listen, she would submit an imperial petition, even if it meant taking the matter all the way to the Empress Dowager.
Even if Grand Madam Rong’an expelled her from the household, she would drag those arrogant evildoers down from their lofty positions and make them experience what it felt like to struggle in the mud.
If they pushed her too far, she would fight them to mutual destruction. She would set fire to both the Duke of Rong’s residence and the Xia residence, burning them to the ground and dragging them all down to become ghosts alongside her!
A cold wind swept past with a whoosh, and Xia Ruochu shivered violently. Half of her soaring heroic determination was instantly chilled away.
“Yes, I should go and rest.” Her voice was weak as she grasped Bihan’s hand for support.
“Young Lady, why is your hand so cold?” Bihan hurriedly reached out to feel her forehead and was so frightened that she nearly lost her wits. “Good heavens! How can your fever be this high?”
Before Bihan could finish speaking, Xia Ruochu’s body went limp, and she fainted into Bihan’s arms.
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