Chapter 65 [VIP]

Chapter Summary: The Past.

Yu Jing received the letter early the next morning. She woke up and called A Yu in. A Yu dismissed the others before taking out the letter and handing it to Yu Jing.

"Your Majesty, this was delivered from the General's residence last night," Ayu whispered.

Yu Jing took the letter. Although there were no words on the envelope, Yu Jing knew it was from Xie Xuan. After all, he was setting off for Youzhou the day after tomorrow. After unfolding the letter, Xie Xuan's strong and powerful handwriting came into view.

Magpie, tomorrow after court, I'll be waiting for you in the Mist Spring Courtyard behind the corner gate of the Imperial Garden.

Yu Jing put the letter back in the envelope and then tucked it into the drawer. Her thoughts were inexplicably complex. She didn't want to part with Xie Xuan, but more than that, she feared he would get hurt on the battlefield. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; she knew he would return victorious, but the thought of the numerous old scars on his body made her imagine him injured. Yu Jing reached out and touched her chest, feeling a dull, heavy sensation.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!" Ayu asked with concern when she saw Yu Jing clutching her chest.

Yu Jing waved her hand: "It's nothing. By the way, I need to go to the Imperial Garden this evening."

"Yes, this servant will make the arrangements in advance." Ayu bowed slightly in response. Yu Jing had read the letter and said she was going to the Imperial Garden. Ayu could naturally guess what she was going to do.

"Xie Xuan, what brings you here?"

Han Qingzhou saw Xie Xuan accompanying Xie Jin to court, took a few steps forward to him, and whispered.

"Qingzhou," Xie Xuan greeted Han Qingzhou.

"Are you going to Youzhou tomorrow?" Han Qingzhou asked, even though he already knew.

"Mm." Xie Xuan nodded with a smile.

"Youzhou is bitterly cold, so bring plenty of warm clothes. It's still hot now, but it will get cold soon," Han Qingzhou advised.

Xie Xuan looked at Han Qingzhou: "Don't worry, I know the border better than you do. Why are you being so indecisive today?"

"I was just worried about you!" Han Qingzhou said, gently punching Xie Xuan's chest. Xie Xuan pretended to wince in pain and raised his hand to cover his chest.

As the two were chatting and joking around, Xie Xuan felt a gaze fixed on him. Following the gaze, he met Su Siyang's sharp and scrutinizing eyes.

Han Qingzhou noticed Xie Xuan suddenly stop and followed his gaze. Although he was slow-witted, he could still sense the strange atmosphere between them. As for why, he could guess to some extent, but he didn't want to get involved. After all, knowing too much about palace secrets was never a good thing.

Su Siyang stood at the head of the table, dressed in a purple robe, his posture upright, though he looked noticeably thinner and more haggard. He glanced at Xie Xuan briefly before quickly looking away, then spoke to the person beside him.

"Gentlemen, you may now prepare for court," Xu Xinshu announced as he led several eunuchs in.

The crowd immediately quieted down, returned to their positions, and filed in.

The matters discussed at this morning's court session had actually been agreed upon beforehand. Although ice was used in the hall, the weather was still hot, and everyone was drenched in sweat after standing for only a short while. Xie Xuan hadn't attended court for some time, and his body felt sticky from the sweat. The matters were quickly concluded, and Qi Jin, also feeling hot, soon dismissed the court.

Xie Xuan and Xie Jin were about to go to the training ground when a familiar voice sounded behind them after they had only taken a few steps.

"Thank you, sir."

It was nearly 9 AM, and the sun was blazing, its intense light filtering through the eaves and scattering across the jade floor, creating a soft, shimmering glow. Xie Xuan turned around, and Su Siyang stood a short distance away, watching him calmly, just as before.

"Greetings, General Xie." Su Siyang greeted Xie Jin as he slowly approached.

"Lord Su, you are too polite."

"General Xie, there are some things I wish to discuss with you privately. I hope you will understand."

Xie Jin glanced at Xie Xuantong and Su Siyang with some doubt. He had never known that Xie Xuantong and Su Siyang were so familiar with each other. Although he was puzzled, he still replied, "Alright, then Xuan'er will go to the training ground first."

"Yes, Father, take care." Xie Xuan responded, watching Xie Jin until his figure disappeared from sight before turning back to Su Siyang, "Lord Su, is there anything you need from me?"

"There are some things I'd like to discuss with Lord Xie. Would you mind having a word with me in private?" Su Siyang spoke politely, but his expression was extremely indifferent and distant, even carrying a hint of provocation, showing no sign of friendliness whatsoever.

Xie Xuan knew that even if he refused, what Su Siyang wanted him to know and hear would eventually reach his ears, so he might as well be open about it.

"Then let's go, Lord Su." Xie Xuan stepped forward calmly, his steps conveying a sense of taking the initiative.

Su Siyang looked up at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The two walked to the corridor. Xie Xuan glanced around and, seeing that the place was secluded, turned around and dismissed the people next to him: "Lord Su, if you have something to say, please speak frankly."

It was still hot, but not quite midsummer. Cicadas chirped intermittently in the distant trees, and the sunlight was so intense that it was almost blinding when it shone on the leaves. Su Siyang stared blankly at the flowers and trees swaying in the wind for a while before lazily raising his eyelids. He didn't look at Xie Xuan, but seemed to be recalling something.

He remained silent for a long time, and just as Xie Xuan was about to urge him on, Su Siyang's calm voice rang out.

"The first time I saw her was in Yong'an Lane. She was standing under the jujube tree, dressed in a simple, moon-white dress. She was holding a stick and knocking down jujubes. Her armbands were snow-white, but they were still not as white as her hands."

"She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, both then and now. Later, we practiced calligraphy, composed poems, painted, and admired fireflies together... I promised her that I would marry her after I passed the imperial examination, but after I passed the examination, she entered the palace and became His Majesty's Consort Shu."

At this point, Su Siyang gave a wry smile.

"But so what if she's an imperial concubine? In this palace, no one can stop us. She says she loves me, and we're in the Cining Palace..."

"Enough!" Xie Xuan interrupted.

"Lord Su, I have no desire to know about your past." Xie Xuan's voice was deep, clearly indicating that he was somewhat angry.

Su Siyang looked at Xie Xuan's noticeably paler face and sneered coldly: "Xie Xuan, I entered the palace because she is still unmarried, but how did she ultimately treat me? If she can treat me like this, one day she can treat you the same way."

"Lord Su, if this is all you wanted to say to me, then I'll take my leave." Xie Xuan interrupted Su Siyang with a cold face, then turned and walked towards the training ground without looking back.

Su Siyang took a deep breath and stared at Xie Xuan's back until it disappeared. It took Su Siyang a long time to recover. When he was saying those words, his hands were tightly clenched in his sleeves.

"My lord." Qinghong stepped forward after Xie Xuan left and said. He noticed that Su Siyang's expression was not good and called out with concern, "My lord! Are you alright?"

Su Siyang gently shook his head: "Let's go."

Xie Xuan is about to go to the border. The barbarians are coming in with great force. This battle is dangerous, and it is hard to say whether he will be able to return.

Xie Xuan stopped after turning the corner. Every word Su Siyang had said felt like a needle piercing his heart. He felt like he couldn't breathe. He knew Su Siyang had a past with Yu Jing and the others, but knowing was one thing, and hearing Su Siyang say it himself was quite another. Xie Xuan stood under the corridor for a long time before finally walking towards the training ground.

When Xie Xuan returned to the training ground, he was completely listless. Xie Jin noticed this and asked, "Why are you so absent-minded after talking to Su Siyang?"

"No...nothing," Xie Xuan denied. Su Siyang's words kept echoing in his ears, making Xie Xuan feel uneasy. Time passed quickly on the training ground, and soon the golden sunset filled the sky.

"Father, you should go back to the manor first. I'll stay in the palace for a while before going back," Xie Xuan said to Xie Jin.

Seeing that Xie Xuan was acting strangely that day, Xie Jin said with some concern, "Alright, then you should go back to the manor early."

"Yes, Father, don't worry." Xie Xuan nodded in response.

"Ayu, which of these two outfits do you think looks better?" Yu Jing pointed to the two outfits on the shelf and turned to ask Ayu. After seeing Xie Xuan today, she didn't know when she would see him again, so Yu Jing thought she should wear something nicer.

After thinking for a moment, Ayu pointed and replied, "This servant thinks that the Empress Dowager would look even more radiant in that Water Red Robe."

"I think so too." Yu Jing smiled and reached out to touch the dress. The color of the dress reminded her of Jinzhu Village. "You can do my hair and makeup."

"Yes," Ayu responded and stepped forward. The ice inside the hall was melting, and the dripping sound filled the inner chamber. Yu Jing felt inexplicably uneasy listening to it.

Ayu styled Yu Jing's hair into a beautiful double-bun hairstyle and adorned it with a red magnolia flower. Ayu also added a kingfisher feather butterfly to Yu Jing's hair. Just one flower and one butterfly, simple yet very charming.

"Your Majesty, would you like to wear these earrings?" Ayu asked, holding up the red earrings that the Old Man of the Moon had given her. She didn't know where Yu Jing got these earrings from, but judging from the material, they seemed to be made of agate, so she naturally assumed that Xie Xuan had given them to her as well.

Yu Jing stared at the earrings for a long time before finally saying, "Let's change to a different pair."

"Yes." Ayu did as she was told and changed into another outfit.

Ayu's makeup for her was exquisite: slender, long eyebrows, skin like solidified cream, a light blush on her cheeks like peach blossoms, red lips and white teeth, and a pair of kingfisher feather butterfly earrings that swayed gently with her movements, as if they were about to fly away in the blink of an eye.

"The Empress Dowager is so beautiful." Ayu adjusted the position of Yu Jing's hairpin and praised her while looking at Yu Jing's face in the bronze mirror.

Yu Jingyi looked in the mirror, smiled, stood up, and said to Ayu, "It's about time, let's go."