Chapter 850 Wanting to Stand Side by Side

More than a month later.

Master Han and his two companions returned to the capital.

Returning to that long underground palace, Song Chunxue and the Qilin beast with its fully grown beard ran back and forth several times in the mountains outside the capital.

On the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month, light snow fell.

Today, Master Han was in a good mood. He took five short swords from Song Chunxue's box and asked her to agree to one condition in exchange for the Qilin beast.

Lord Zhao asked curiously, "What are the conditions? Besides these, she doesn't have anything else of value on her."

Master Han stared at him. "Are you afraid I'll bully your junior brother?"

"I'm afraid you'll suffer a loss."

Master Han ignored him, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said to Song Chunxue, "Whenever I want to eat potato stew with chicken, you have to make it for me."

"That's it?" Song Chunxue was flattered and bowed with her hands clasped. "Of course, of course. I'll make it for you anytime you want to eat it."

She was overjoyed. "It seems that in Master Han's eyes, my cooking skills are not bad?"

"It's alright, the potato stew with chicken is the best, but when you cook other dishes, can you change your habit of using lard?" Master Han frowned, looking as if he couldn't bear to recall it. "Especially leafy greens like bok choy, they are vegetarian, don't add lard."

Having gotten used to cooking, Song Chunxue hadn't noticed anything amiss.

"Okay, thanks for reminding me. I'll definitely pay attention next time." Song Chunxue accepted his suggestion sincerely.

Lord Zhao hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Standing up for your junior brother?" Master Han raised an eyebrow, his slightly upturned phoenix eyes carrying a wanton and provocative smile. "There's nothing I can do; she is indeed very obedient."

As he spoke, he strode ahead, saying, "Come on, let's hurry back to the fire."

Song Chunxue stared in shock as he took the Qilin beast away.

"Senior Brother, where was the Qilin Beast taken?"

Lord Zhao shook his head, "I don't know, I'll ask you when we're more familiar with each other."

"Hmph," a soft snort came from ahead, "Not familiar enough, huh? Then why should I shamelessly stay at the Zhao residence?"

Lord Zhao hurriedly ran to him, his exquisite hair ribbon fluttering in the wind.

"Master Han, please don't misunderstand. I was just worried that you would get annoyed by my questions. You seem a bit sleepy, so why don't we talk after you've woken up?"

He walked earnestly beside Master Han, saying, "The floor heating in that room is the warmest. The Zhao family has been having some trouble lately, so I would appreciate it if Master Han could stay and keep watch, and not hold it against me."

Song Chunxue chuckled to herself; they really had a good relationship.

Just as she was about to return to her own courtyard, someone came to report that Lord Xie was requesting an audience.

"Go ahead and go find him," Lord Zhao said with barely perceptible sarcasm. "If you insist on going to the Xie residence, I won't stop you, since your heart is entirely with him."

He deliberately feigned disappointment and waved his hand, saying, "Remember to let me know if you're going back to your hometown."

Noticing that the maid had lowered her head even further, pretending not to hear, Song Chunxue felt utterly helpless.

They truly are master and servant; their understanding is remarkable.

It's been over a month since I last saw Xie Zheng, so I should definitely see him and tell him what's been going on lately.

However, this time she didn't openly bring her servants to stay overnight at the Xie residence, feeling that there was something wrong with doing so.

That evening, she quietly arrived at the Xie residence and knocked on Xie Zheng's door.

Upon entering the room, she saw a scarlet robe embroidered with pheasants hanging on a shelf.

"You got promoted?"

Xie Zheng brought her a bowl of sweet tangerines. "Hmm, second-grade."

Song Chunxue picked up an orange to peel and noticed that he had lost weight, but his spirits were much better than she had imagined.

"You must be very busy lately. Have those high-ranking officials given you a hard time?"

Xie Zheng lit another lamp and placed it on the table. He took out a pair of red earrings from his storage ring. "No, even if it's difficult, someone will secretly take care of it for me."

"Lord Zhao?"

"Not only that." Xie Zheng recounted to Song Chunxue what he had observed in the court these past few days.

It's clear he's achieved something, which is a cause for celebration.

"I've been away from the city these past few days, I'm sorry you worried about me..."

Xie Zheng then took out two plates of new kinds of pastries, grabbed one, and held it to her lips.

“The two Taoist priests are taking you away, they must be helping you.” He took out a handkerchief and wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth, a thoughtful gesture. “Knowing you will come back makes me feel at ease.”

Song Chunxue blushed slightly, "You don't need to take such good care of me."

"You're not used to being taken care of like this?"

They were very close, and Song Chunxue could clearly smell the incense on him—a blend of sandalwood and pine, with hints of jasmine and peony, which was very soothing.

This incense won't be cheap.

Since she broadened her horizons, she had smelled all sorts of incense, but none of them had this refreshing quality that made her so happy.

"What incense did Lord Xie burn?"

"I'll get you a box tomorrow," Xie Zheng said, holding her hand and unconsciously rubbing her wrist with his fingers. "The hot spring is really wonderful; it makes my skin so smooth."

"..." Huh? Can you say that so easily, in broad daylight?

She stared wide-eyed as Lord Xie kissed the back of her hand and rubbed it with his stubble.

"hiss……"

"Smack."

She slapped his hand away, saying, "It tickles."

Xie Zheng laughed instead, "I haven't slacked off during the month or so you've been gone. I've gone somewhere to spar and ask Xue for some pointers."

Song Chunxue nodded, and this time she didn't correct him for not calling her Ah Xue.

She thought that he was so busy but still practiced swordsmanship, probably because he wanted to be less controlled by others in the future.

They flew on their swords to a sheltered spot on a mountainside outside the city. A lantern hung from a tree branch, swaying brightly amidst the snow-covered mountains.

They each took out their swords. Wuyou was very affectionate, first circling around Xie Zheng before lightly touching his sword as a greeting.

Song Chunxue grasped Wuyou and laughed in the darkness, "Your sword is so silent."

“Like me,” Xie Zheng laughed, “but he was very happy just now.”

During the formal sparring session, Song Chunxue was quite surprised to find that Xie Zheng had improved rapidly, with faster attack speed and smoother, more fluid movements.

He has put in a lot of effort these days, no less than she has.

Even more surprisingly, Xie Zheng also learned to control a sword.

During the exchange of blows, his swordplay also revealed a hidden killing intent.

"Why are you working so hard? Everyone else is just trying to protect themselves, why don't you go home and rest your body and mind more?"

Song Chunxue noticed the bruises on his body, which must have been from falling while flying on her sword, and found a bottle of medicine for him.

After practicing for an hour, Xie Zheng broke out in a light sweat.

“Someone has to do their best. I can’t bear to wait helplessly for fate to crush me. I believe that human will can overcome nature, and there is still room for the situation and the court to be saved. If we can delay for a few more years, that will allow the people to live in peace for a few more years. Then my efforts will not have been in vain.”

The candles in the lantern had burned out, and the two parents, who had never forgotten their spiritual practice, held each other's burning hands in silence for a long time.

"Tomorrow is the Little New Year, you should go back. I have prepared a small gift for the children," Xie Zheng said, draping a thick fur coat over her shoulders. "Let Sanwa stay true to his original aspirations, so that no matter what the situation is, his path will always be broad."