Chapter 50: Parting

Chapter 50: Parting

After several days of heavy snowfall, the sky unexpectedly cleared today.

Several birds perched on the bare branches outside the latticed window, chattering noisily and shattering the quiet.

Chen Shuoan cozied up in the warm blankets, sneaking a stretch, then buried his head back under the covers.

This was Yuan Rang's bedchamber, and he was almost used to staying here.

Chen Shuoan's body felt fresh and clean—someone must've given him a wipe-down last night. His head barely hurt, and he actually felt refreshed and full of energy.

He nuzzled the soft, warm cotton mattress, then suddenly remembered—today was the day the Sixth Prince was heading out to Pingshuo.

Chen Shuoan immediately bolted out of bed, wondering if he could still catch him before he left.

He'd been restless last night and dozed off before Yuan Rang got back. Today was his final chance.

Chen Shuoan quickly threw on a fur cloak and rushed out, anxious, yelling for Jili.

"Young Master Chen?"

The door opened, and in came Chun Cui.

Chen Shuoan asked her excitedly, "Where's His Highness? Is he getting ready to leave?"

Chun Cui smiled, laying out his change of clothes, and said softly, "His Highness left early this morning. Since you were sleeping so soundly, he didn't have the heart to wake you."

Chen Shuoan was about to rush out but stopped at her words.

"He's already gone?"

His smile vanished, and his brows furrowed tightly, like he hadn't quite caught what Chun Cui said.

"Yes, that's right."

Chun Cui grabbed an outer robe and came over to help him get dressed, not saying another word.

Chen Shuoan felt a knot of frustration in his chest. He started blaming himself for oversleeping and not getting up early, and missing his chance to say goodbye to Yuan Rang.

Seeing his furrowed brows, Chun Cui figured he was upset and said softly to comfort him, "Young Master Chen need not worry too much. You'll see each other again someday, right?"

Chen Shuoan stared blankly at the shiny floor, a wave of reluctance swelling in him—getting stronger and more painful by the second.

He took a deep breath, his eyes getting blurry, and mumbled in reply, "Mm, I know."

Tears as big as beans rolled down his pale cheeks, hitting the ground with a heavy, lingering echo.

I can't help blaming myself, and I can't help missing him either.

The deep winter chill hung in the air, and even the heated floors that ran all night couldn't shake this bitter cold.

That evening, Chen Shuoan snuck into Yuan Rang's bedchamber, pacing nervously around the desk where Yuan Rang usually sat.

Then his eyes landed on a letter tucked under the inkstone.

Only one corner was weighed down; the paper was thin and soft, fluttering slightly as Chen Shuoan moved.

He moved closer, picked it up, and carefully unfolded it.

The letter was short, and the style fit Yuan Rang's cold, reserved personality perfectly.

Chen Shuoan couldn't help but smile as he read it.

It had the address where he'd be staying long-term—short and to the point, easy to spot.

"Today I travel far to Bozhou, Pingshuo. Sorry I couldn't say goodbye in person."

"Though I'm reluctant, there may be other reasons."

"Hope Shuo'an writes to me often."

"Knowing you miss me, I'll wait for your letters."

Chen Shuoan clutched the letter and flopped onto Yuan Rang's bed, smiling with his brows curved and eyes bright.

He folded the letter neatly and tucked it into his clothes. After moping all day, he finally felt a bit better.

He rolled around on the bed, kicking his feet and waving his arms happily against the sheets, until his right hand bumped into something hard under the pillow.

Feeling it, Chen Shuoan realized it was the New Year's money pouch he'd snuck to Yuan Rang yesterday—it was still here.

New Year's money is supposed to ward off evil—but if the kid didn't take it, how could it ward off anything?

Chen Shuoan sighed to himself, pulled out the red pouch, and decided he'd hand it to him in person next time.

————

After the Spring Festival, classes at the imperial study started up again.

Outside, the ice and snow were starting to melt, leaving wet patches on the blue-green bricks and making the whole path slick.

Qin Zhonglian was sprawled over his desk, his handsome eyes lazily drifting outside, watching the sparrows fly around in pairs, then letting out an annoyed "tsk."

Yeah, he wasn't reading the classics at all—his mind was totally on what was happening outside.

Next to him, Zhang Chenggong watched Chen Shuoan, who was buried in his writing, and seemed lost in thought.

Li Wei poked Zhang Chenggong's arm and said in surprise, "Well, damn—this is a real eye-opener. Is Shuo'an planning to hit the books and become a big shot for the country someday?"

Zheng Yuanzhi leaned in too, reading out loud slowly: "This morning I had chive buns with green onions, and at noon I had braised beef..."

Zhang Chenggong: "...You writing a menu or what? Planning to open a restaurant and be a chef when you leave the palace at eighteen?"

Chen Shuoan shot back, "That's dumb. I'm writing a letter to His Highness the Sixth Prince."

The others looked at each other, took a deep breath, and put on serious faces to check it out.

After reading, Qin Zhonglian rubbed his forehead and gave his verdict with a pained look: "What the hell is this? Total garbage."

Li Wei thought it was hilarious and praised him, "It's all just everyday stuff, but Shuoan's sincerity will definitely make the Prince happy."

Zhang Chenggong nodded too, sighing that he'd witnessed real love and was about to cry over their beautiful romance.

Then, as if something hit him, he asked curiously, "What do you usually write to His Highness?"

Chen Shuoan raised his chin, pointed at the paper in front of him, and said proudly, "Isn't it obvious? I just write about what I eat and funny little things that happen."

Zheng Yuanzhi cracked up: "So you really sent His Highness a cookbook."

After class let out, Zhang Chenggong sat back in his chair, staring out the door at the clear blue sky and sighing. "Our birthdays are all around the same time; once we turn eighteen, we'll have to leave the palace to find official posts. Have you all figured out what you want to do?"

Zheng Yuanzhi, brimming with patriotic ambition, said, "I plan to study at home for six months, then sit for the imperial exams to land a local government position."

"Above all, I hope to do practical things for the people, lightening their heavy burden of land and grain taxes. I can't do anything about natural disasters, but I'll do everything I can to shield them from man-made ones."

Qin Zhonglian nodded approvingly and added, "My dad wants to send me to the imperial patrol camp in the capital, but I'm not interested. Instead, I'd like to guard the frontier."

Li Wei and Zhang Chenggong hadn't given it much thought yet.

So the group turned to Chen Shuoan and asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Chen Shuoan, thinking about his teaching background, spoke hesitantly, "I want to start a school..."

The group was stunned. "You want to start a school?!"

Aren't you gonna ruin those kids?!

Chen Shuoan calmly shook his head and leisurely defended himself.

"As long as you keep the right mindset, a low degree won't hold you back."

Please call me Master Chen from now on, thanks.