Chapter 198: Epilogue

Chapter 198: Epilogue

Regardless of the court officials' speculations, the Emperor's decree is final and immutable.

At the beginning of September, Crown Prince Xiao Yan, accompanied by his brothers and the following ministers and royal family members, bids farewell to His Majesty at the Zhengyang Gate and sets off for Pingcheng.

His attire, as always, is elegantly simple, now changed to narrow-sleeved, form-fitting clothes for convenience. As he has not yet come of age, he only uses a jade hairpin to tie his hair.

But under the faint morning light, those following him suddenly realize that the Crown Prince, once the subject of the court's pity for his frail health, now resembles the rising morning sun - dazzling and sharp, showing no signs of frailty.

Since the Emperor is not participating in the autumn hunt, the consorts naturally cannot accompany. Jiang Hui, seated in front of her dressing table, gets her hair dressed by Qiuqiu and Wanmen, waiting to receive the visit and salute from the other consorts at Fengyi Palace.

Wanmen inserts a nine-phoenix pearl and silk step-shake into Jiang Hui's hair, softly asking, "Aren’t you worried, my lady?"

Jiang Hui touches her reflection in the mirror, eyes clear as a stream, and smiles, "This is His Majesty's test. I must not intervene. Besides, Yan'er won't disappoint me."

Qiuqiu applies the vermilion floral makeup, then presents the lip rouge to her, stepping back silently. Qiuqiu understands that if the Crown Prince makes even the slightest error, those responsible will not be spared.

The scent in the Mingluan Hall has changed, no longer the formerly sweet and subtle agarwood but now a more austere yuhua fragrance.

The consorts, however, pay it no mind.

They sit in their respective places, silent and respectful.

Jiang Hui addresses the Virtuous Consort, seated below her, "The daughter of the Zhou family that you mentioned last time has been approved by His Majesty. Once they return from the autumn hunt, the imperial marriage decree should be issued."

Hearing this, Consort De's eyes sparkled with joy, gratefully saying, "Thank you, Empress."

Jiang Hui smiled at her, exchanged a few words, and then gestured for everyone to disperse.

At the end of September, the hunting party returned as scheduled. The courtiers, led by the Eldest Prince Xiao Lang, presented the emperor with elk antlers and some of the hunt's spoils before returning to their respective residences to rest.

Observant individuals would notice a subtle shift in the courtiers' attitudes towards the Eldest Prince.

Perhaps due to the exhausting journey and the turn of the cold weather, the Third Prince, Xiao Xin, fell ill shortly after returning to the palace, diagnosed by the imperial physician as having typhoid.

This bout of typhoid was fierce but ultimately did not claim the Third Prince's life. After lying in bed for a week, he bounced back as lively as ever.

"The Third Brother has depth and potential; if utilized well, he truly is a rare wise prince," Xiao Lang said to Jiang Hui.

Jiang Hui did not argue with her son's assessment, merely asking, "And if he cannot be controlled?"

Xiao Lang winked at his mother, smiling, "How could that be?"

In October of the sixteenth year of Jianzhao, the emperor issued a decree appointing the eldest prince, Xiao Lang, as the Crown Prince and bestowing the title of Principal Consort to He Jinru, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Punishments.

In November, the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Treasury, Zhou Yunniang, was granted to the Third Prince as his consort, yet the Third Prince was not immediately titled as a prince.

In April of the seventeenth year of Jianzhao, the Crown Prince was married.

Jianzhang Palace.

Approaching the hour of Xu, the night deepens. The brocade curtains embroidered with auspicious clouds smoothly drape down, and Jiang Hui sits outside the emperor's sleeping chamber, staring blankly at the hanging scroll by the desk.

This was a birthday gift from Huayang to the emperor, meticulously painted in fine brushwork depicting four figures: Xiao Sheng, Jiang Hui, Xiao Lang, and Xiao Jing.

As the intense fragrance of mugwort gradually faded, the Chief Physician Li Deqing from the Imperial Medical Bureau emerged from the inner chamber and bowed to Jiang Hui: "Empress, after this session of moxibustion, the Emperor's sudden fainting spells may be alleviated."

Jiang Hui nodded and inquired in detail: "Using this method, can the Emperor's daytime drowsiness and difficulty sleeping at night be cured?"

Li Deqing bowed deeply, cautiously replied: "This humble servant is incapable; the illness can only be alleviated, not cured."

Jiang Hui fixed her gaze on his official hat for a moment, then asked: "When did it become severe?"

Li Deqing, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, answered softly: "It started in early April of the sixteenth year of Jianzhao."

Early April of the sixteenth year of Jianzhao... No wonder he suddenly brought up the bamboo dragonfly.

Waving her hand to dismiss him, Jiang Hui rose and walked towards the inner chamber. Sheng An stood by, respectfully bowing upon her approach.

Jiang Hui asked softly, "Has His Majesty fallen asleep?"

Sheng An bowed his head: "He just drank a soothing decoction and has gone to sleep."

"You may leave; I will keep watch here."

Jiang Hui nodded, sending Sheng An away, and sat carefully at the bedside, examining Xiao Sheng's sleeping face.

During the day, he was prone to excessive sleepiness, often falling asleep suddenly and uncontrollably, or even collapsing; at night, he struggled to sleep, frequently waking from nightmares, and once asleep, it was hard to rouse him, often feeling numb, unable to speak or move.

Now, to be able to sleep, he had to drink the soothing decoction.

Jiang Hui knew that if she wanted her and her son's future to be free of any unwanted accidents, she should take this opportunity to end the Emperor's life.

But she also understood that for the Great Zhou, Xiao Sheng was a good Emperor.

For her son's sake, she should take the Emperor's life immediately; for the Great Zhou's sake, she should keep him alive.

"Third Brother..."

Jiang Hui gently touched Xiao Sheng's face, her voice wistful and sorrowful, yet her eyes remained calm.

Besides, how could His Majesty be so unguarded?

She sat for a long while, tucking Xiao Sheng in properly, lowering the bed curtains, before finally leaving the inner chamber.

After the carved incense ball hanging from the bed curtains gradually ceased swaying, the person on the dragon bed gently wiped away the water droplets from his lips, curved his lips slightly, turned over, and finally fell into a deep sleep.

*

In the first year of Zhanghe, April, in the south of the Yangtze River.

On Mount Qinghen in Huai'an, there is a Taoist temple called Qinghen Guan, said to date back to the Jin Dynasty, quite famous in the Jiangnan region.

On the lush mountain path, two sturdy guards in dark attire led the way for a lady in a celestial water blue brocade dress, supported by a young girl in goose yellow, followed by two maids with women's hairstyles, carefully descending the mountain.

Midway, they stopped at a mountain cottage to ask for water.

The wooden door creaked open slightly, and a woman in plain dress peeked out. Her beautiful face and demeanor, however, made it clear she was no ordinary village woman.

"May I help you?" the woman asked, cradling a basket in her arm with candles peeking out from under the blue cloth, seemingly on her way to the temple.

The maid stepped forward and said, "Madam, my mistress would like some water to drink, could we trouble you for some?"

She took out half a coin from her purse and offered it to the woman.

The woman glanced behind her, saw that the visitors were not bandits, and smiled, "Of course."

She opened the wooden door fully, inviting everyone inside, yet declined the half coin.

"Madam, are you going to Qinghen Guan to offer incense? There's a Master Zhang there, his divinations are very effective," the woman said as she led them to a table, picking up a teapot to go out, "The tea is a bit cold; I'll brew a fresh pot."

"Wanwan, what's happening? Who's here?"

Suddenly, a man's voice came from the adjacent room, followed by a man dressed as a hunter emerging. He carried himself with an imposing aura, like the woman, not resembling an ordinary hunter.

This was a simple mountain cottage with a dining area serving as the guest space, lacking the walls and screens of a grand estate. Thus, those sitting inside could easily observe the man's appearance.

The woman in the celestial water blue brocade dress appeared momentarily startled but quickly regained her composure. The two maids by her side exchanged surprised glances and simultaneously lowered their heads.

The young girl in goose yellow asked, "Mother, what's wrong?"

The addressed woman smiled and said, "Nothing."

The woman brewing tea replied to her husband, "Just some pilgrims passing by, asking for water."

She returned with the freshly brewed tea, pouring a cup for each guest.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the woman stood up to take her leave.

She bowed and said, "Thank you for your hospitality. I apologize for the intrusion and will take my leave now."

She gestured to the maids to leave the silver money and led her entourage out of the door.

The man in the courtyard, sitting under the eaves weaving a bamboo basket, followed etiquette and did not intentionally look at the female guests' faces. Still, he inadvertently glimpsed the woman at the center, surrounded by her attendants.

"Wait a moment—" he stood up, his eyes slightly bewildered, "Madam, have we met somewhere before?"

Hearing this, his wife hurried over to support him, carefully examining his expression. Seeing no signs of headache, she turned to their guests and apologized: "My husband injured his head when he was younger and sometimes speaks out of turn. Please forgive any offense."

The guest smiled and said, "It's no trouble."

Without responding to the man, they left the small courtyard with their entourage, continuing their descent down the mountain.

Chen Xianyu, whose name was engraved on the small jade pendant, had long since shattered it and thrown it into the pond.

"Wanwan..."

In the courtyard, a man dressed as a hunter murmured to himself, shook his head, and continued weaving his bamboo basket.

Down the mountain, two horse-drawn carriages with cyan-grey tops waited on the road, surrounded by a circle of guards in dark clothing.

A girl in goose-yellow clothes, assisted by her maid, climbed into the rear carriage and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Aunt Qiu Kui, please tell Huayang, what just happened?"

Qiu Kui smiled and said, "Your Highness, I was reminded of a story about the eighth Miss Shen from Jiangnan, whose fiancé died. She decided to live a monastic life in the mountains, unexpectedly content with a simple life of plain food and tea, living like a village woman."

Meanwhile, a woman in a dress of sky-blue brocade climbed into the frontmost carriage, lowered the carriage curtain, and sat beside a man who was resting.

Perhaps awakened by her boarding, the man opened his eyes, paused for a moment, and suddenly asked, "Hui'er, are the peach blossoms on the mountain in full bloom?"

"Hm?" Jiang Hui was momentarily taken aback.

Xiao Sheng gently plucked a peach blossom petal from her shoulder and softly said, "Look at this."

Jiang Hui looked at him and suddenly smiled, "Yes, in the human world, April's charm fades, but the monastery's peach blossoms are just beginning to bloom."

-

End of the text.

——

And that's a wrap!

Thank you for your support, everyone!

In the end, neither the male nor the female protagonist fell in love with each other, haha.

His Majesty admired Huihui from a distance, through a lens of yearning and an idealized image, but as a typical emperor, he wouldn't devote himself completely to love someone, nor would he compromise his own comfort for another. To him, liking someone was the deepest emotion he could offer. However, from the initial superficial liking, through Huihui's three heartfelt challenges and their daily interactions, his affection did gradually grow.

And Huihui held a youthful fondness for His Majesty. She respected him as the emperor, cherished the memory of her teenage years with Third Brother, but precisely because Xiao Sheng was a great emperor, she couldn't fall in love with him.

In the future, there might be sporadic side stories released. Currently, the plan is to write about Huihui's teenage years.

If there's anything else you'd like to read, feel free to comment, and I'll consider writing it.

Side Story: The Events of the Green Field and Vermilion Bridge - Part 1

"Chen Yuan, are you up to it?"

In March, when the grass grows tall and orioles sing, a girl in a bright red pomegranate dress leaned against the wall of Princess Chengping's western courtyard, earnestly asking a young man outside, who turned his horse to look back at her.

Behind the girl stood a tall locust tree, its branches and leaves spilling over the wall, the white locust flowers nestled in varying shades of green, gently embracing the girl in red.

"You just wait," said the young man, standing tall in his ivory-colored tunic, a white jade flute hanging at his waist, his features clear and bright. He smiled and waved at the girl in red, "I'll show you tomorrow at the Chongwen Academy."

"What do you mean by 'you just wait'?" the girl glared at him, slightly displeased, "My name is Jiang Hui, not 'you just wait.'"

The boy chuckled lightly, leading his horse closer to the base of the wall, and looked up at her, "Wulan's branches, Wulan's leaves, doesn't that sound nice?"

Jiang Hui plucked a bunch of locust flowers, shaking them in her hand, "Chen Yuan, 'Wulan' is about Duke Hui of Wei, whether in praise or criticism. What does it have to do with me?"

She threw a few petals at the boy, disdainfully saying, "Besides, I don’t like vines like Wulan that climb and grow on others!"

Chen Yuan, unbothered by the petals she threw, gently brushed the locust flowers off his shoulder, pondered for a moment, and nodded, "Indeed, Wulan doesn't quite suit the princess."

He mounted his horse, smiling at Jiang Hui, "Let me think about it and get back to you."

Then he rode off towards the street corner. Halfway there, he turned back and called out loudly, "See you tomorrow!"

Jiang Hui waved at him, then turned to climb down the ladder from the wall, but suddenly heard a voice from behind, "Sister, who were you talking to?"

A seven-year-old boy in brocade, clutching a peachwood slingshot, stood under the locust tree, looking up at his sister with curiosity written all over his face.

"I was talking to Chen Yuan. He's off today and just happened to pass by on his way to accompany Lady Chen to the Pulu Temple for incense," Jiang Hui replied while climbing down the ladder backward, handing her basket full of locust flowers to Ping'er, as Qiu Kui and Wan Song adjusted her skirt. "Ah Yun, why did you change your slingshot again? It was different yesterday."

Jiang Yun immediately showed off his slingshot to Jiang Hui, proudly saying, "Third Brother made it anew!"

Jiang Hui pinched his cheek, "The Third Prince is really spoiling you."

Jiang Yun wasn't upset; instead, he went to hold his sister's hand, grinning, "Sister, are you picking flowers for making pastries? The peach blossom cakes you made last time were delicious!"

"Yes, Ah Yun, help me wash the locust flowers. I'll be there as soon as I change."

Having dispatched her clingy brother, Jiang Hui went back to her room to freshen up and change clothes.

At this moment, the chief maid Ping'er, who usually managed everyone, had taken the heir to the little kitchen. Wan Song relaxed a bit and quietly asked her mistress, "Princess, why did the Heir of An Guo suddenly start talking about 'Wulan's branches, Wulan's leaves'?"

Sitting in front of her dressing table, propping her cheek with her hand, Jiang Hui idly fiddled with the jewels and velvet flowers in her makeup box. She was not yet of age to wear long hairpins and elaborate head ornaments.

Hearing Wan Song's question, Jiang Hui raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, just celebrated his coming of age and received his courtesy name from our uncle. Excited, he wanted to think of a courtesy name for Chen Yuan, who, inspired, decided to think of one for someone else."

His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, named Xiao Yan, was given the courtesy name Qingping by the Emperor, symbolizing a peaceful and prosperous age. These days, the Crown Prince, in front of the courtiers, still called himself 'I,' but among them, he started referring to himself as 'Qingping.'

Thinking of this, Jiang Hui chuckled softly and whispered to Qiu Kui and Wan Song, "Just watch, the Crown Prince will be over this novelty in a couple of days. Tomorrow at the Chongwen Academy, he surely won't use 'Qingping' anymore!"

About this matter, she had even made a bet with the Fourth Prince, Xiao Xu. If he lost, he had to give her the ruby headpiece newly made for the Consort Li; if she lost, she would host the next visit to De Yi Tower.

However, she couldn't find out who won right away the next day at the Chongwen Academy.

This was because the Crown Prince had to attend court at Taiji Hall first, then return to the Eastern Palace for scripture lessons, and in the afternoon, assist the Emperor with state affairs. He usually arrived at the Chongwen Academy around the hour of Wei, sometimes not showing up at all if too busy. Chen Yuan, summoned for his talent and much younger, was still permitted by the Emperor to study at the Academy.

As the Emperor had no grown princesses and not many princes, Jiang Hui and Jiang Yun, once of age, studied with the princes. It was still early, and Master Lin hadn't arrived. Chen Yuan turned around, placing a black lacquered box on Jiang Hui's desk.

"Princess, look." He smiled, pushing the lacquer box towards her, indicating her to open it.

"Ah, you really brought it?"

Jiang Hui was somewhat surprised and about to open the box when Jiang Yun, sitting at the back, couldn't wait and loudly exclaimed, "Sister, let me open it! Let me open it!"

He stood up from his desk and hurried over to Jiang Hui's side in a few quick steps. Although he didn't know what was inside the box, children don't really care; he just liked being the first to open it.

The fourth prince, who had been dozing off beside Chen Yuan, was awakened by Jiang Yun's shout. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he turned and caught a glimpse of what was inside the box. His drowsiness instantly vanished, and he excitedly exclaimed, "A musket!"

This exclamation attracted the attention of the fifth prince, who had been fervently writing at the back, and the third prince, who was sitting next to Jiang Hui across the aisle, drawing them all to gather around Jiang Hui's desk.

"It's not a real musket. It's carved from elm wood, just for show, not for use," Chen Yuan explained to everyone.

Jiang Hui, undisturbed by the others, held the wooden musket with admiration, praising, "It's so well-carved, almost indistinguishable from the real thing!"

After admiring it, she generously passed the musket to the fourth prince, who had been eyeing it eagerly as if about to snatch it, laughing, "Your Highness, no need to rush!"

Jiang Yun, standing beside, tugged at Chen Yuan's sleeve, clamoring, "I want one too!" The fifth prince looked envious but perhaps prioritized his unfinished calligraphy and hurried back to resume his writing.

Jiang Hui, slightly puzzled, looked at the third prince, who still stood by her desk, and asked, "Your Highness?"

The third prince, Xiao Sheng, pointed at Jiang Yun and calmly said, "I was just about to inquire if Ah Yun's slingshot is effective."

"It works well, very well!" Hearing the third prince's question, Jiang Yun nodded vigorously, "Yesterday, I even shot down two birds with it, Brother!"

"That's good," the third prince smiled and returned to his seat.

At this moment, Chen Yuan, having calmed Jiang Yun, said to Jiang Hui, "I lost our last poetry matching game, princess, and you haven't yet said what you want."

Poetry matching involved taking lines from various poems and combining them to form a new poem. Sometimes during leisurely afternoons, the princes, their royal relatives, and their study companions would play this game, with poetry matching being one of the favorites. However, the winners were usually Chen Yuan and Jiang Hui.

"Isn't it this wooden musket?" Jiang Hui asked, pointing to the closed lacquer box.

"No," Chen Yuan replied, still half-turned towards her, awaiting her answer.

Jiang Hui twirled her braided hair, wrapped around her left hand, in thought. After a moment, she suddenly said, "You're going back to Yu State in August for the provincial examinations. Could you look for some interesting things there and bring them back for me?"

"Is that all?"

"That's all."

"Alright."

Chen Yuan smiled and agreed, then straightened up in his seat – Master Lin had already stepped into the room.

*

In the afternoon, when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince came to the Chongwen Academy, after everyone had paid their respects, the fourth prince raised his eyebrows at Jiang Hui and took the lead in asking, "Big brother, did Father say whether we're going to the summer retreat this year?"

The Crown Prince, with his majestic aura and handsome features inherited from the Empress, replied to the fourth prince, "Stop worrying about it, little brother. Father already said we're not going. Even if you ask me to speak on your behalf, he won't change his mind."

"I won!" Jiang Hui laughed heartily and said to the fourth prince, "Bring me the Consort Li's headpiece tomorrow!"

"Alright, alright, I know," the fourth prince waved his hand, showing no intention of reneging on the bet, and listlessly flopped back onto his desk, perhaps upset over losing the wager or because the Emperor really wasn't taking them to the Qingning Mountain Villa this year.

The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to Jiang Hui, asking, "An Ning, what did you two bet on this time?"

"Nothing much, just guessing whether you would refer to yourself as 'Qingping' today," Jiang Hui replied with a smile.

"I see," the Crown Prince wasn't upset and whispered to Jiang Hui, "The locust flower cakes were good; Yuer really liked them."

Since the Crown Prince hadn't come to the Chongwen Academy at noon, Jiang Hui had sent a portion of the freshly made locust flower cakes to the Eastern Palace. Yuer, the Crown Prince's eldest legitimate son, was just over two years old. He had lost his mother at birth, and both the Emperor and the Crown Prince doted on him greatly.

Jiang Hui's eyes lit up, and she whispered back, "For your portion, big brother, I added two extra spoons of rock sugar."

The Crown Prince coughed softly, nodded at her, and returned to his seat.

Side Story: The Events of the Green Field and Vermilion Bridge - Part 2

In September, at the autumn examinations, Chen Yuan became the youngest Zhuangyuan in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty, at just fourteen years old.

The An Guo Duke's residence threw open its doors for a grand feast. Only as dusk approached did Jiang Hui manage to board the carriage to return home with Princess Chengping.

Chen Yuan rode on horseback alongside, escorting them all the way to the princess's residence, where Princess Chengping invited him in to sit for a while.

Once inside, the maids and servants discreetly withdrew, leaving Jiang Hui and the Heir of An Guo alone to talk.

The doors and windows were wide open, letting in the evening breeze carrying the fragrance of osmanthus. On the table in the flower hall, a celadon vase held several Yaotai Jade Phoenix flowers.

Jiang Hui gently touched the snow-white, slender petals of the Yaotai Jade Phoenix, then opened the wooden box Chen Yuan brought. Inside, it was filled with various items: accessories for the head, playthings for the hands, and popular storybooks from Yuzhou, everything one could think of.

At the bottom of the box, she found a jade pendant carefully wrapped in silk.

"What's this?" Jiang Hui unwrapped the silk and examined the circular jade pendant closely.

The jade pendant was milky white, smooth to the touch, and translucent. It was strung with a red cord, and each side was engraved with tiny characters.

Jiang Hui traced her fingertip over the slightly raised characters, puzzled, "Xian Yu, Wan Lan?"

Chen Yuan watched her with a smile and explained, "My father said that since I passed the imperial examination, he would give me a courtesy name for easier socializing. Xian Yu is the name he chose for me."

"Xian Yu..." Jiang Hui looked up at him and softly said, "Admiring fish from the bank, better to retreat and weave a net... It's a good name."

Since "Xian Yu" was Chen Yuan's courtesy name, the meaning of "Wan Lan" was not hard to guess.

Jiang Hui asked him, "Last time I said I didn’t like Wulan, so you thought of this?"

"Does the princess not like it?" Chen Yuan moved to take the pendant back, "Then I'll think of something else."

"No, let's keep this one," Jiang Hui stopped him and carefully wrapped the pendant in silk again, placing it back in the box.

In truth, she didn't particularly like or dislike it, but seeing Chen Yuan so eager to choose a name for her, and considering their betrothal, it wouldn't be right to hurt his feelings by outright refusal.

After a few more words, Chen Yuan got up to leave. Although they were betrothed and the doors were open with maids and servants standing guard outside, it was getting dark, and it wasn't appropriate for them to stay alone for too long.

Jiang Hui escorted him to the entrance of the flower hall, waving goodbye, "Chen Xian Yu, see you tomorrow."

The last streak of twilight faded from the sky, and the night slowly enveloped the entire Princess Chengping's residence. Lanterns swayed gently under the eaves, casting a warm yellow light.

The jade pendant engraved with tiny characters was placed back in the wooden box, which was then locked inside a sourwood dressing table carved with magnolias.

This was its first encounter with the beautiful girl.

The next time it saw her, the girl sitting in front of the dressing table had grown a bit older, having her long hair combed by her maid.

Someone came holding a lacquer tray filled with hairpins and ornaments, smiling as they said to her, "Princess, all the guests for the hairpin ceremony have arrived, including Her Majesty the Empress."

"Hmm."

With a soft response, a pair of slender hands picked it up, hanging it at the waist of her red moonlight skirt.

That day, it witnessed many people. In the morning, it accompanied her as she entertained guests, and in the evening, it was with her at the archery field, watching her laugh freely, as if bidding farewell to something on the day of her coming of age.

The third time it was taken out, the graceful young lady was still sitting in front of the dressing table. She had changed into a plain dress, gently caressing it, her eyes calm.

"Chen Xian Yu..."

It heard her softly call out a name, and then, it fell from the air, shattering on the hard ground into pieces.

A tiny, almost invisible fragment sprang up from the floor, landing on the table beside a bright yellow imperial edict.

The remaining parts were wrapped in the original piece of silk and quietly sunk to the bottom of the pond, buried in the mud.

It knew it would never see the girl again.

Side Story: To Love a Maiden's Light Laugh - Part 1

When I was sixteen, I felt affection for a man for the first time. He was different from the noble princes who came to the capital, and from the young scholars listed in the spring court roll. If I had to compare him to someone, it might be my father.

I don't mean he looked like my father or that their personalities were similar, but rather, the way he looked at me, always as if seeing a younger sister or a junior. His eyes, filled with melancholy, showed indulgence and doting, but not what I desired to see.

I met him in Jiangnan.

With my father increasingly sleeping during the day, my mother decided we should stay in Jiangnan for a while, until my father's health improved.

So, we settled down in Jiangnan.

I still remember the location of that triple courtyard house. Xuzhou, Huai'an County, West City, Junyi Street, She Liu Alley, with a pomegranate tree in front of the door.

By then, spring was in full swing, the willows swaying. I went with Steward Sheng to gather herbs. On our return, I saw him standing alone by the river, playing a piece on a willow leaf.

The tune must have been pleasant, but I don't remember it. All I know is that it sounded melancholic and somewhat painful. I didn't like the pain, but I liked listening to him play that piece.

I asked him, "Sir, what is this tune?"

He seemed surprised to be asked that question. After a moment, he answered, "In this night's song, I heard of breaking willows, so let's call it 'Breaking Willow'."

Here in She Liu Alley, he played 'Breaking Willow'. What a coincidence.

I asked, "Is this a tune you composed yourself?"

Before he could answer, I recited Li Bai's "Spring Night in Luo City Hearing the Flute", then asked him, "Does this tune express homesickness?"

He didn't say yes or no, just smiled, bowed to me, nodded to Steward Sheng, who was dressed like an ordinary housekeeper on the other side, and then said, "I have chores to attend to at home, so I mustn't intrude any longer. Miss, I bid you farewell."

His departure was so brisk and unexpected that it took me by surprise and left a lasting impression.

Since then, every time I went out, I would look for him intentionally. But by the time the summer cicadas were loud, I had not seen him again.

It was when I was invited to the Dragon Boat Festival literary gathering in Huai'an County.

My parents accompanied me there. Although we didn't make a show of it, having stayed in Huai'an for a while, the local influential figures somewhat knew our identity and would respectfully come to pay their respects and present gifts during festivals.

The Dragon Boat Festival gathering was initiated by Lady Shen.

The Shen family had a reputation for integrity, and with Jiangnan's flourishing literary culture, such literary gatherings were common. The one hosted by the Shen family during the Dragon Boat Festival was the most famous in Huai'an and even the whole of Jiangnan.

Gaining fame here wouldn't provide direct help, but it might catch the eye of an influential figure and lead to becoming their disciple or student. Others came not for this purpose, but to make friends through literature and exchange ideas.

I had never been to such a gathering, so I accepted Lady Shen’s invitation to attend with her, sitting in a small pavilion set aside for female guests, to appreciate the poetry and literary works presented.

Before leaving, I asked my parents if they wanted to come with me. The room was filled with Yuhua incense. My father sat by the window playing a bamboo flute, and my mother, deep in thought, told me to go alone, saying she didn't want to join the hustle.

I looked at my father, who then put down his flute and told me, if I returned early from Huayang, to stop by Mingyue Tower and bring back some crab meat lion's head meatballs.

Annoyed, I left the courtyard immediately and was still sullen when I boarded the Shen family's carriage.

However, my mood changed quickly; by the time I sat in the pavilion draped with gauze curtains, I felt cheerful again.

The literary gathering was truly lively.

The presented poetry varied in quality. Whenever an exceptionally brilliant piece appeared, the ladies in the pavilion would point through the curtains and whisper comments. However, they dared not discuss these with me, as my seat was even more honored than Lady Shen's.

After a while, the novelty wore off, and the gathering became boring. I instructed my maid to reserve crab meat lion's head meatballs at Mingyue Tower in advance, fearing it might be too busy later to prepare my order.

Just then, a young man's poem was brought into the pavilion.

The excellent Luo-patterned Xuan paper was handed to me first. Upon reading it, I immediately felt this was the highlight of the gathering. The poem was exquisite, the calligraphy superb, and the poet... well, I didn’t know him yet.

I passed the rice paper to Lady Shen, praising, "The young men of the Shen family indeed live up to their reputation – this poem is said to be written by the ninth young master of the Shen family."

Lady Shen took the paper, glanced at it, and slightly furrowed her brows, quickly masking her displeasure. She apologized in a low voice, telling me it was unlikely to be the work of the Shen family's ninth young master.

I understood then that this was someone else trying to win my favor. However, Lady Shen seemed to be quite discerning.

So I smiled and asked, "Then whose work is this poem?"

That's when I saw him for the second time.

He was the one who wrote the poem for the Shen family's ninth young master.

Lady Shen told me his name: his surname was Gu, given name Huai, styled Yunzhi.

He was the adopted son of Gu Linsheng, the private school master on Taoyuan Street. Known for his talent, he had recently passed the imperial examination and married Gu Linsheng's only daughter. Just as he was ambitiously preparing for the higher exams in the capital, a major incident occurred.

A fellow candidate reported to the authorities that Gu Yunzhi, being the son of an actress, was ineligible for the imperial examination and his candidacy should be revoked.

He initially thought it was baseless slander from envious scholars, but to his dismay, upon investigation, it was confirmed he indeed was the son of an actress.

His mother was a renowned courtesan of the Qinhuai area, and his father, a famous actor from the Qingxi troupe.

Both his parents had passed away early, and owing to previous debts, the infant Gu was adopted by Gu Linsheng, who later even married his only daughter to him.

The official handling the case regretted Gu's wasted talent and, noting that he hadn't intentionally hidden his origins, did not punish the guarantors who helped him on his academic path. They were only fined and stripped of their scholar and candidate statuses, with Gu forever barred from taking exams.

Later, no longer a school master, Gu's adoptive father fell ill, and the private school on Taoyuan Street closed. Eventually, Gu's adoptive father passed away. His wife, consumed with grief and complications during childbirth, died, resulting in a double tragedy.

"Your Highness, it's quite a pity. He now writes poetry for others to repay the debts incurred during his adoptive parents' illnesses," Lady Shen told me.

That's how Lady Shen explained it to me.

I could see that there was indeed a hint of regret in her eyes, but more than that, it was a keen perception of my attitude towards him, merely echoing my thoughts.

However, I didn't mind. There were so many trying to ingratiate themselves with me by guessing my thoughts; why should I care about one more?

After the literary gathering, I had him brought before me.

I told him that it was my first time in Jiangnan, and if he could show me around for three days to my satisfaction, I would give him another chance at the imperial examinations.

He agreed.

Those three days were joyful. We visited many places, sailed on the lake, picked lotuses, listened to music, watched plays, climbed mountains, and sought fortunes.

Finally, standing under the willow tree where we first met, I asked him to play that day's tune again, as I enjoyed it very much.

He agreed again.

The thin willow leaf trembled gently at his lips, the melodious tune flowing away with the river, never to return.

At the end of the song, I said I was very satisfied and told him to prepare for the next examination.

However, he smiled at me and asked, "Miss, apart from this, do you have any reward for these three days of accompanying you?"

I wasn't offended and generously had my maid give him a pouch of silver. I knew he needed it to repay debts.

He accepted the silver without hesitation but refused my initial offer.

He said, "Miss, I've already enrolled at the Qinghe Temple. Once I settle my affairs here, I plan to go to the mountains and will no longer pursue the examinations."

Then he sighed, looked at me with those indulgent, sisterly eyes, always tinged with melancholy, and said softly, "Miss, you are still young."

He threw the willow leaf he had played into the river and left.

I returned to the courtyard with a stern face, vented my frustration on a pond of lotuses with a whip, and then ran to my father, crying and wetting half his shoulder.

"Father, why is it like this?" I asked.

My father dried my tears, his gaze drifting into the distance, and softly said, "Huayang, this is youthful admiration."

"Youthful admiration?" I lifted my head. "Father, did you experience it too?"

He seemed to drift off to sleep for a moment before finally responding, "Yes."

Concerned, I asked him, "Father, have you taken your medicine?"

He patted my head, smiling, "Yes, I have."

I left the room and saw my mother sitting on a swing, flying a bamboo dragonfly.

At eighteen, my brother wrote to me, asking if I had found a suitable husband. At that time, I was heeding my sister-in-law’s advice to visit Suihua Mountain. I replied, "Brother, don't worry, I'm looking."

Side Story: To Love a Maiden's Light Laugh - Part 2

I indeed was looking for someone.

According to him, the first time he saw me was at Qinghe Mountain.

"You were helping a lady down the mountain and glanced back when stepping out of the Taoist temple. I was standing on the steps in front of the Sanqing Hall and saw you in the crowd. I thought to myself, in this life, it has to be you."

He said the second time he saw me was at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival in Jiangling.

"You were dressed in lotus-colored clothes, holding a skewer of candied haws, standing lost in the crowd. I thought you had accidentally gotten separated from your family."

This is how he recalled the two times he saw me.

"So you just came up to me, grabbed Steward Sheng without a word, and almost got your arm twisted off by him?"

I asked him, laughing.

He rubbed the back of his head, sheepishly saying, "I thought Steward Sheng was a kidnapper."

I laughed so hard I was bending forward and backward, completely amused.

Then, he asked cautiously, "What were you thinking about at that moment?"

"Hmm?" I questioned.

He looked at me and said, "I thought you were really lost, no, helpless, like someone who had been deceived."

I laughed again, for quite a while, before stopping and telling him, "That's a secret."

He stared at me with his bright eyes for a long time, then handed me the osmanthus cake he had been holding in his arms, saying with a smile, "The osmanthus cake from the stone mill bakery is not greasy, eat it quickly."

Actually, it wasn't really a secret. I was just thinking about what my mother said.

When leaving Huai'an, feeling melancholic, I arrived in Jiangling, and suddenly my mother said to me, "Huayang, that's not liking."

I was startled and asked, "Then what is it?"

My mother smoothed my hair and said in her clear, crisp voice, "That's your attachment to your father. You want someone to dote on you, love you, and tolerate you like your father, but you also want more than that."

"But mother, father said, that's youthful admiration," I said, somewhat confused.

My mother suddenly laughed and after a while continued, "Your father isn't wrong, but the person you admire in your youth isn't necessarily the right one."

"Did mother also have someone she admired in her youth?"

I asked the same question, but my mother didn't answer directly, instead telling me about my father's story.

She said, "Huayang, your father was quiet and reserved in his youth. Your grandfather favored others over him, and your grandmother spent her life missing your uncle and aunt. To her, your father was like a kite that needed dozens of loops of string. That's why your father fell for a bold and unrestrained woman."

Suddenly, it dawned on me, "It's mother."

My mother curved her beautiful eyes and gently said, "Huayang, there's the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern fair in Jiangling today. Go with Sheng An."

"Ah?" I was a bit surprised. "Aren't mother and father going with Huayang?"

My mother rubbed my head, saying helplessly, "Mother needs to be with your father."

Oh.

So, I went to the lantern festival with Steward Sheng and encountered him – the one who had almost had his arm twisted off by Steward Sheng.

It seemed that since he had already embarrassed himself in front of me, he shed his airs as a gentleman and started persistently pursuing me.

"Huayang, let father handle him," my father said to me.

Thus, for about ten days, I didn't see him – the one who used to come daily to present treasures to me – and I actually found myself missing it a bit.

After those ten days, while visiting the newly established women's silk weaving workshop in Jiangling with my mother, I saw him again, his face bruised and swollen.

"What a coincidence," he said, looking rather foolish.

Pfft.

Someone couldn't help but laugh.

It wasn't me; it was my mother.

He seemed even more restrained, taking a while before reverting to the etiquette of a noble's son, and formally greeting my mother and me.

"I am Qi Yuezhe, at your service, madam and miss."

"Huayang," my mother whispered to me, "he's quite silly, isn't he?"

"Yes, quite silly," I nodded affirmatively.

The somewhat foolish Qi Yuezhe thereafter followed me everywhere. Initially, he pretended our meetings were coincidental, but later he brazenly appeared by my side, undeterred even by my father's intimidating gaze.

My brother-in-law and uncle had started writing the 'Chronicles of the Great Zhou's Mountains and Rivers.' When I reached Liangzhou, following my sister-in-law's suggestion, I attempted to climb Suihua Mountain.

Naturally, he was right there with me.

As we reached the mountain top at sunrise, I said, "Qi Yuezhe, I have three questions for you."

His eyes, bright and reflecting the sunrise and me, eagerly responded, "Okay."

"If I never settle down, roaming everywhere all my life, will you still follow me?"

He pondered seriously for a long time before answering, "Until I reach the age of thirty, I will follow you without hesitation. After that, I must return home once to explain to my parents, and then I will come back to you."

"By following me all your life, won’t you have your own affairs to attend to?"

He smiled and said, "I told my father long ago that I have no interest in the imperial examinations. I want to understand some things. Why does the sun rise in the east, how can water wheels irrigate the earth, why do the pills in Taoist temples sometimes burst into flames, is the sky round, is the earth square? And also..."

"And also?"

"Also... whether the lady could give me a chance," he said.

I didn't answer him right away, but asked seriously the last question: "I might end up keeping courtesans in the future, can you accept that?"

He looked at me, his face tense, a mix of hurt, anger, and confusion.

Finally, he nodded with difficulty, his voice tinged with a cry, "I'll try."

My laughter sent the morning clouds scattering. After a while, I beckoned him with a finger, "Then follow me for now, but I need to observe you for a period."

He suddenly smiled, took out the osmanthus cake he had been carrying, and offered it to me, "Hungry? The osmanthus cake from the stone mill bakery is not greasy."

"Brother, seeing your letter is like seeing you."

"Don't worry, I'm considering someone."

His name is Qi Qun, styled Yuezhe, nineteen years old, the second grandson of Minister Qi.

Side Story: A Dream of Millet and Startling Swans - Part 1

"Your Highness, are you awake?"

The dawn was breaking, and the eaves bells chimed a low hum in the wind, while the lanterns under the corridor spun and swayed, snow intruding and moistening half the gallery.

A strange yet familiar scent lingered at his nose. Xiao Sheng took a moment to realize it was the fragrance of 'Spring Letter in Snow,' mixed with a hint of medicine.

He immediately sensed something was amiss.

Whether it was Sheng An outside the bed-curtain addressing him as "Your Highness," the faint plum fragrance of the 'Spring Letter in Snow,' or his own clear-headed and agile self this morning, everything felt off.

He covered his eyes with his hand, his fingertips passing over his burning forehead, pausing for a moment before responding, "Mm."

Then the curtain was lifted, and Xiao Sheng saw a young Sheng An.

Sheng An, looking tired with dark circles under his eyes, was visibly pleased to see Xiao Sheng lucid. He instructed An Jing with a few words, then helped Xiao Sheng lean against the bed, wiping his face with a warm silk handkerchief.

After he finished washing up, the sound of greetings echoed faintly from outside. A simply dressed, beautiful woman stepped in.

It was Consort Cheng, of the Wang family.

Xiao Sheng glanced at her, then suddenly lowered his eyelashes, coughing softly.

"Your Highness!" Consort Cheng hurried over, patting his back, then sat on the edge of the bed and tested Xiao Sheng's forehead temperature with the back of her hand, softly saying, "It's good that Your Highness has awakened. Have some millet porridge to warm your stomach before taking medicine. You needn't worry about the Empress Dowager and Hua’er; just focus on recovering."

She added, "Yesterday, His Majesty even sent an imperial physician to check on you. Now that Your Highness is awake, I will send word to the palace shortly."

"His Majesty?" Xiao Sheng was slightly taken aback.

Consort Cheng looked down, speaking softly, "Your Highness fell ill suddenly in August with a strange disease, often in a state of stupor and confusion. You might not know, this year's autumn hunt was delayed due to continuous heavy rains and only ended at the end of October. After the hunt, the Emperor felt unwell with a cold. His condition worsened, so he abdicated in favor of the Crown Prince and became the Emperor Emeritus."

"My father, he...?" Concern showed on Xiao Sheng's face.

Consort Cheng replied, "The Emperor Emeritus is fine, now living in the Worry-Free Palace to enjoy his remaining years. Your recovery will certainly bring him joy."

"Good," Xiao Sheng nodded, "Consort Cheng, you have worked hard taking care of the mansion during this time."

"It is my duty," Consort Cheng shook her head, tucking in the blanket for Xiao Sheng. She then personally assisted him to finish the millet porridge and medicine before leaving with her attendants, allowing him to rest well.

Sheng An then whispered, "Your Highness, when you suddenly fell ill... I took the initiative to stand down and not act hastily, not expecting..."

Xiao Sheng coughed into a handkerchief, and after recovering, said, "It’s alright, you're not to blame."

After drinking the warm water handed by Sheng An, he softly asked, "What illness did I have?"

Sheng An immediately replied, "It started like typhoid, but then you became delirious. Dr. Li said it seemed like you were trapped in a dream, unable to wake up."

"A dream..." Xiao Sheng murmured, then changed the subject, "Is it almost New Year?"

Sheng An affirmed quietly, "In two days, it will be New Year's Eve."

He glanced at Xiao Sheng's calm expression, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "Princess Anning and the Heir of An Guo were married in November."

After speaking, he held his breath and lowered his head.

The wind battered against the tightly closed doors and windows, producing intermittent sounds. The scent of 'Spring Letter in Snow' spread in the heat of the charcoal brazier, like a handful of wet snow.

Sheng An heard his master calmly respond, "I know," and couldn't help but sneak a glance at him, unexpectedly noticing a faint smile on Xiao Sheng's face.

Xiao Sheng said, "Now that I am awake, let's get ready. I will visit the palace this afternoon to pay respects to my father and brother."

Side Story: A Dream of Millet and Startling Swans - Part 2

Despite still recovering from a serious illness, Consort Cheng's King Xiao Sheng insisted on visiting the palace to pay respects. Naturally, he was reminded to take care of his health before leaving.

The next day, many people came to visit King Xiao Sheng at Cheng Palace.

Qi King, Jin King, other royal family members, and the sons of officials... Naturally, this included the Heir of An Guo, Qi Xianyu.

He came with his newlywed wife, Princess Anning.

As it was the festive season, everyone was dressed joyously. Princess Anning styled her hair as a married woman, wearing a silver-white dress with vermilion Twelve-Patch Phoenix Robe and a collar and cuffs trimmed with white fox fur. She sat beside Consort Cheng, chatting with the accompanying guests.

"I was ill and couldn't attend your wedding," Xiao Sheng, leaning on the bed, said to Qi Xianyu sitting beside him.

"Your Highness, your health is more important. This was unexpected," Qi Xianyu replied. He glanced at Princess Anning, saw her smiling without discomfort, and then relaxed.

Consort Cheng noticed his gaze and teased, "Sitting together and yet the Heir is so concerned. Could it be that the Princess is expecting?"

Princess Anning glanced at the slightly blushing Qi Xianyu and shook her head to Consort Cheng, "Not so fast, my sister-in-law, don't mind him."

Consort Cheng covered her mouth with a handkerchief, laughed a few more times, then dropped the subject.

Xiao Sheng watched closely as Princess Anning looked at Qi Xianyu, and he too smiled, "Qi Xianyu, I knew if you ever got married, you would be very clingy. Today I finally saw it. If we play the poetry matching game now, it's hard to say who would win."

"That's not necessarily true," Qi Xianyu replied. "Your Highness, you would have to win over the Princess first."

Hearing this, Princess Anning raised her eyebrows and said with a smile, "Third Highness, recover soon, and then we can have a rematch."

"Forget it," Xiao Sheng said, coughing into a handkerchief and waving his hand, seemingly resigned. He changed the subject, "Why isn't Ah Yun here?"

"He's been wanting to come ever since you fell ill, talking about it every day," Princess Anning replied, nodding slightly to Consort Cheng before standing and moving closer to Xiao Sheng. "But mother said all of us coming together would disturb your peace. Ah Yun is quite mischievous, so we planned to bring him tomorrow."

She took the seat offered by Qi Xianyu, showed her concern with a few more words, and then left with him.

Consort Cheng escorted them out, walking them to the Hanging Flower Gate that separated the front and back courtyards, watching as they left together.

The snow had been cleared early, but with the continuous light snowfall, a thin layer had accumulated again on the ground.

She saw the Heir of An Guo lean in and whisper something to Princess Anning, who nodded, took an umbrella from a maid, and opened it above her head. Even from a distance, Consort Cheng could see Qi Xianyu's clear smile as he slightly crouched down and carried Princess Anning on his back.

"Childhood sweethearts, a bond since young, how wonderful," she sighed softly with a hint of envy.

Back in the main room, the departure of the guests left the lively atmosphere suddenly empty. Xiao Sheng, leaning on the bed, suddenly chuckled, "It's all the same."

"Your Highness?" Sheng An, standing by, was puzzled. "What's the same?"

"Never mind," Xiao Sheng showed no intention of elaborating and instead instructed, "Isn't Jin King trying to win over hunting officials? Command that his tail be swept clean."

"Yes," Sheng An immediately became serious and nodded in agreement, then quietly left the room.

The doors and windows were closed again, and as the charcoal in the brazier crackled softly, Xiao Sheng coughed a few times, lay back down, and murmured to himself, "Whether she looks at Qi Xianyu or at me, it makes no difference."

Side Story: A Dream of Millet and Startling Swans - Part 3

If the first time Xiao Sheng seized the throne he was cautious and treading on thin ice, then this second time, it almost felt routine.

He clearly knew the temperaments and vulnerabilities of most officials, the defense layout of the imperial city, Jing City, Ping City, and the entirety of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He knew the secret codes of the Jinwu Guard and even anticipated upcoming natural disasters and calamities.

But none of these were reasons for him to be complacent.

Overly detailed information about the future could sometimes blind one's vision. In this place, a slight deviation might lead to more hidden dangers.

Xiao Sheng would not allow himself to make such a mistake.

Therefore, his actions, like the times in the Xi Ning era, were measured and unhurried.

In the first year of Xi Ning, in August, during the new Emperor's autumn hunt, the Jin King was accused of treason and died of poison.

The newly enthroned Emperor, not even a year into his reign, was struck by a poisoned arrow during the hunt and lingered in illness. His son, Xiao Yu, tragically died, and the Heir of An Guo, who took an arrow for him, fell off a cliff and disappeared.

The Emperor Emeritus, residing in the Worry-Free Palace, had to suppress his grief and reemerge to take control of the situation.

*

The first year of Xi Ning, December.

The An Guo Duke's mansion.

After months of searching, the people of the An Guo Duke's mansion finally abandoned the hope that the Heir of An Guo might still be alive, and held a funeral for the prematurely deceased heir.

As he died in the service of his country, the royal family naturally made a gesture of condolence. The old Emperor, unable to attend personally, sent his sons, the Kings of Cheng and Qi, to offer their sympathies.

On that day, heavy snow fell, leaving deep and shallow footprints of the somber visitors.

Xiao Sheng stood in the well-arranged mourning hall offering three sticks of incense for Qi Xianyu, then turned to look at Princess Anning, in mourning attire, expressionless.

She was kneeling in front of the ancestral tablet, burning paper money, the flames flickering in the cold draft, while small pieces of yellow paper fluttered in the air.

The An Guo Duke and his wife fell ill after erecting a cenotaph for Qi Xianyu. The Heir of An Guo's younger brother was seeing off the Qi King — who had just had an argument with the Cheng King in the mourning hall.

At that moment, in the vast mourning hall, there were only Xiao Sheng, Princess Anning, and two maids kneeling behind her.

He stared at the white mourning cap on Princess Anning's head but said nothing.

Princess Anning raised her head and suddenly asked, "Third Highness, do you have any other matters?"

Xiao Sheng walked over to her, crouched down, and gently tossed a few pieces of paper money into the burning copper basin. Then, in a low voice, he asked, "Anning, will you return to the Princess's mansion?"

Princess Anning, seemingly unsurprised by this rather presumptuous question, lowered her eyelids and calmly said, "Your Highness, you should leave now."

Xiao Sheng nodded, stood up, and said his final words to her: "Now, you can do what you like."

Princess Anning looked up at him, only to see the back of King Cheng.

She lowered her head again, threw all the paper money in her hand into the basin, and murmured softly, "Xianyu, he was really arrogant."

*

When the new Emperor ascended the throne, Princess Anning left Jing City.

She took several boxes of books, a green dragon horse, a sword, a zither, two maids, and two squads of guards, embarking on the road to Zhenbei Pass.

*

"Father, are you awake?"

The dawn broke, and the wind caused the eaves bells to emit a deep hum. The palace servants moved silently, bringing the cool scent of Yuhua incense to Xiao Sheng.

"Father?"

The voice was more urgent this time, and then a bitter medicinal decoction was brought to his lips. Xiao Sheng heard Li Deqing's aged voice in reply: "To answer Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus has difficulty sleeping with many dreams at night and experiences full-body numbness upon waking. It is not easy for him to be lucid, especially given the Empress Dowager's condition... The Emperor Emeritus's heart and spleen are unwell; we need to wait a bit longer..."

Xiao Sheng stopped listening to the rest of the conversation. With his eyes closed for a while, he suddenly remembered that his empress, his cousin, the moonlight of his youth, the one he longed to be close to yet doubted, had left this world on this snowy winter day.

"Father?"

The third time Xiao Lang called him, Xiao Sheng gently hummed in response, and he was helped to sit up, leaning against the bed.

"Father, Huayang is hurrying to Jing City," Xiao Lang said softly as he adjusted the pillow for him. "You should see her."

Xiao Sheng glanced at him and said, "Nian'er, open the window."

Indeed, heavy snow was falling outside, covering the courtyard in a blanket of white.

"It's not unlike willow catkins taking flight in the wind..."

He murmured, then said to Xiao Lang, "Burn your mother's burnt-tail zither. Give the ashes to Huayang to take with her as she travels the five lakes and four seas."

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