Chapter 77 The Wagtail (Li Shimin): My sister has lost weight, what happened?

After the women finished paying for the fields, they bid farewell to their fathers, brothers, and husbands, and escorted their eldest grandson Qingjing, who was hidden by a dark veil, to the brocade weaving workshop.

As the group passed a terrace, they heard the sound of stone chimes from a temple. The leading mecha girl paused for a moment, then clasped her hands together and landed at the end of the line.

Changsun Qingjing was puzzled, so a kind woman explained to her, "Thanks to the late Madam's mercy, Zhang's prematurely deceased son was allowed to be buried near this temple."

“Every time you pass by here, the mother must be very sad,” Changsun Qingjing asked cautiously, trying to empathize with the mother who had several children, using his limited experience.

Hearing Changsun Qingjing's words of pity, Zhang Wuniang calmly stepped forward and replied, "It's heartbreaking, but also a relief. Children from families like ours don't deserve to be sick. Just dragging him around like this exhausted his parents... Now, as parents, we're relieved of this burden, and have more time to care for the living. Occasionally, when we pass by a temple, we think of his adorable appearance before he got sick. The rest of the time, we just forget about him..."

This is all the memories this unfortunate mother has of her child who died young.

When Changsun Qingjing heard someone speak so calmly about the hardships of survival, the bittersweet nature of death, and the personal suffering of ordinary people, he was greatly shocked. He felt that it was a world completely different from his own.

She even had some respect for parents who chose to stay with their children until their dying moments, and for the thief who would rather break into Hanjia Granary at night and turn Luoyang upside down than accept his fate and become just another number in the emperor's unprecedented great cause.

Upon entering the brocade weaving workshop, Zhang Wuniang dismissed all the men outside. The other weavers also stopped their work and greeted the new mistress. The brocade weaving workshop at the Li family manor had a rather mixed population, including male and female weavers who had fled and were hiding there, skilled wives and daughters of tenant farmers and masters under the protection of the Li family, and skilled weavers temporarily hired from Luoyang at high prices.

The only thing everyone agreed on was their curiosity about the new young matriarch.

Zhang Wuniang and several skilled women in charge of weaving and dyeing began to discuss tribute products and fashionable patterns with Changsun Qingjing. Changsun Qingjing smiled and asked her to prepare an ordinary loom for him, some silk, linen and wool yarn, and to select a skilled loom weaver to teach him to weave some simple silk and brown cloth every day.

A commotion arose outside the door. Suddenly, Guoniang pushed through the crowd, knocking a spinning wheel about to fall over. She only said "Forgive me" to the spinning woman before squeezing her way to a jacquard loom that was surrounded by a huge crowd.

"Madam, Madam Changsun, something's not right at the villa..." Guoniang anxiously winked at Changsun Qingjing.

Changsun Qingjing understood, apologized to the woman operating the loom, and together with Guoniang, they avoided the crowd.

"My lady, it's all my fault for not taking good care of him. I don't know where Master Changsun has gone." The young woman could clearly sense that her brother was in a daze and had a bad feeling about his departure without saying goodbye.

Changsun Qingjing asked, "What about the retainers? How could a weak woman like you possibly stop a young man who is determined to travel? Besides, even if my brother rides away without saying goodbye, this place is unfamiliar to everyone, the retainers can find him, so you don't need to worry."

Guoniang glanced at the other ladies who were also watching them with curiosity, and asked awkwardly, "My lady, I asked some farmers nearby, and it seems that Young Master Changsun is heading towards Phoenix Mountain, and his troops are already in pursuit. Should we inform Erlang about this?"

Since it concerned Lady Changsun, Guoniang was afraid of embarrassing her, so she informed this new mistress who valued her first, leaving it entirely up to her to tell her husband whether or not to tell him.

"No need. And don't make a fuss in front of the others. I'll go find my brother myself. Have someone prepare the horses." Changsun Qingjing smiled and bowed to the weaving ladies. "Ladies, spinning and weaving is truly hard work. Today, after the sun sets and all the work has ceased, come to the villa for a drink. Just bring a few coins for wine, a basket and utensils, and any elderly or children who are mobile in your household... I have important matters to attend to at my estate, so I must take my leave now. We will meet again at dusk when work ceases!"

Amidst the applause and cheers of the crowd, Changsun Qingjing hurriedly left the brocade workshop and rode his horse towards Phoenix Mountain.

Although Changsun Qingjing was skeptical about the claim that Changsun Minxing had become depressed and even contemplated suicide due to Lu Fayan's death.

But Changsun Wuji's account, Li Shimin's worries, Guoniang's anxiety, and even Acai's tearful eyes were all vividly present before her. And she herself, by some strange twist of fate, became the only one among the five who had not been able to meet with Changsun Minxing recently.

Various clues made her uneasy.

She spurred her horse and galloped away, leaving the maids protecting her behind.

Princess Teruya stepped over the reviving alfalfa, and the withered yellow grass rose up.

A lone, alert wagtail, startled by the sound of the horse bells, stopped wagging its long tail and instead darted into the bamboo thicket in response to the rapid hoofbeats.

Like a pebble dropped into a pond, creating ripples, a flock of foraging sparrows were startled into flight by the sudden visit of the wagtail.

When they reached the foot of Phoenix Mountain, Changsun Qingjing saw three familiar horses with their long manes fluttering in the wind, some strolling, some grazing, and some playing.

She dismounted wearily from her mount, Zhao Ye Ji, guessing that the two retainers had already gone into the mountains to search for Changsun Minxing. She felt a little annoyed that her long, elegant dress, which she had prepared for a spring outing, was both pretentious and cumbersome.

Amidst a piercing cry and flapping sounds, the wagtail soared about, and the blinding sunlight streaked across Changsun Qingjing's eyes.

"Is the wagtail lost in the mountains? Is it looking for a riverbank?" Changsun Qingjing wondered curiously. Looking at her cumbersome skirt, she let out a sigh of relief. Without the patience to wait to rejoin her servants, she lifted the hem of her skirt and headed towards the top of Phoenix Mountain. Fortunately, no one noticed her unsightly behavior.

She still doesn't believe that Changsun Minxing would commit suicide because of his mentor's death. Instead, she is increasingly worried that he will become trapped in resentment due to the lack of kindred spirits, eventually developing an illness and shortening his lifespan due to accumulated anger.

Phoenix Mountain is not high. For a young woman like Changsun Qingjing, who spends her years traversing the Zhongnan Mountains and is skilled in riding, archery, and cuju (ancient Chinese football), climbing to the top of the mountain is not exhausting.

"Brother," she tried to call out softly.

Changsun Minxing, with his back to Changsun Qingjing, shrank back and stood stiffly on the edge of the cliff.

“Brother,” Changsun Qingjing slowly approached Changsun Minxing, “Do you remember when we were in Chang’an, we laughed together at Li Shimin’s pretentious poetry? You even promised to correct every new poem I wrote… Why did you go sightseeing instead of seeing me? Without your comments and corrections, wouldn’t Li Shimin be able to surpass me?”

Changsun Minxing ignored her, simply lowering his head. He loosened his grip on the scabbard and lifted his right foot.

Changsun Qingjing was terrified. Between closing his eyes and screaming, he rushed forward to pull the person away. But then he heard the sound of a pebble suddenly falling off the step. The pebble rolled and tumbled among the craggy rocks and pine branches, like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

Two startled wagtails took flight, their long, clear cries piercing the clouds. The lead wagtail, its black and white plumage flapping, soared into the sky, leading the other wagtail, which seemed to be separated from its flock, across the mountains and straight into the valley.

Changsun Minxing withdrew his feet, no longer putting himself in a life-or-death situation.

He instinctively blocked his sister from pulling him.

"Madam Changsun, are you safe and well?" He turned around, waited for Changsun Qingjing to stop, and said with a smile.

Changsun Qingjing, still dazed and displeased, said angrily, "I feel unwell all over, not at all. Must you be so distant with me, brother? Once I'm married, am I no longer my sister?"

"My lady is now the Duke's daughter-in-law, no longer the adopted daughter of the Master of Ceremonies. I was born into a humble family, and my mentor is now at odds with me. I truly do not know how I can face you... I fear being ridiculed for overstepping my bounds..."

"What are you saying?" Changsun Qingjing's voice was frosty. "If the Li family does not treat my brother with respect, then they are being disrespectful to me, and I will not let this go."

“Sister.” Changsun Minxing turned around, retreating completely to a place far away from the cliff. “It was all my presumptuous talk, sister, please don’t take it to heart. My trip wasn’t about leaving without saying goodbye, as you said. I simply wanted to see Changling from the highest point of Beiman Mountain. Emperor Xiaowen of Wei led us, the people of Daibei, back to our homeland in the Central Plains, reviving the elegant language of the Heluo region, which led to Master Lu’s ‘Qieyun’. Now that I’ve come to Beiman Mountain, how could I not come to pay my respects?”

Now that he had explained himself and resumed the habit of addressing each other as brother and sister, Changsun Qingjing let him spout nonsense, treating the despair she had witnessed as an illusion and letting it fade away with the wind.

Changsun Qingjing smiled knowingly: "Brother, I'll take you down the mountain, and we'll go to the riverbank together to see the flocks of wagtails."

“Good!” Changsun Minxing patted his thigh in agreement, feeling a sense of clarity and satisfaction that came after a long silence. “Sister, my mind is made up. Even if I have to endure hardship and perish on ice, I will not fail Master Lu’s entrustment and will complete the commentary on the Qieyun.”

“By the way, I had a dream last night. Taishi Zhou asked you to guard the torch for the Zhou emperor…” Changsun Qingjing said seriously, “Really, I just finished the dream and you came to Luoyang.”

"You really know how to comfort people." Changsun Minxing clapped his hands and laughed loudly through the woods. "Alright, I'll take it seriously! I won't let down Master Lu, and I certainly won't let down Taishi Zhou, who appeared to you in a dream."

The brother and sister then slowly descended from the summit. They saw birds returning to the forest and the path tinged with mist and haze. Soon, following the sound of voices, they encountered the servants and maids who had come looking for them. A-Cai chanted a few Buddhist prayers, secretly looked Changsun Minxing up and down, before returning to Changsun Qingjing's side.

"It's all over now. Minxing will be alright." Changsun Qingjing gently comforted the timid and delicate girl.

Once A-Cai stopped sobbing from her joyful tears, Guo Niang stepped forward to await Changsun Qingjing's new instructions.

“Guo Niang, in this past month, you once pleaded with the painter to help Erlang and me accomplish the important task of welcoming the emperor, and once informed me in time to save my foolish brother’s life. I don’t know how to be grateful.”

Looking at the old brocade that Guoniang was wearing, which had been tailored by Acai, Changsun Qingjing couldn't help but speak frankly: "I have never known your hardships, but I am very willing to help those in need. I will first reward you with rice and silk as a token of my sincerity. In the future, if you need anything, just say so. My words are as firm as gold and stone, and I never speak lightly. Do you understand?"

Guoniang straightened the jacket and skirt that Changsun Qingjing had bestowed upon her and that Acai had altered, and solemnly replied, "I have remembered what you said, Madam. Once I have met with my family and discussed it properly, I will certainly tell them what they want."

On the way down the mountain, perhaps because of their unity and fearlessness, the group traversed the treacherous rocks as if they were on a smooth path. Some even chattered about their plans for a feast that night.

In January and February, the Li family held a banquet at the manor. This was originally a new custom after Madam Dou took over the management of the Duke's manor, but now it has become the old custom.

The tenants and servants had assumed that since the lady had recently passed away, the feast would be held later. However, the lady had instructed them on her deathbed that the feast should proceed as before. Therefore, although it was said that the estate official had come forward to gather everyone today, everyone knew that it was just an excuse made by the young master, who was in mourning and could not directly host the feast.

The voices of the young retainers and maids grew louder, so Guoniang deliberately coughed a few times to remind everyone not to be presumptuous in front of the new mistress. Everyone then focused on their journey and stopped chatting.

When the group reached the gentle slope shaped like a phoenix wing, they happened to meet Li Shimin and Zhang Houyin, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Li Shimin reined in his horse and released the saddle, while Zhang Houyin rode alongside him.

Seeing that Changsun Minxing was safe and sound, Li Shimin was somewhat relieved and asked Qingjing, "I'm late. You all came over in such a lively manner, why didn't you invite Mr. Zhang and me?"

Changsun Minxing and Zhang Houyin exchanged a bow with their hands clasped together. Zhang Houyin then stepped aside and spoke with the younger men about important matters.

"Shimin, my sister has lost weight..." The boy, who had just recovered from his emotional disorder, suddenly asked, his tone revealing obvious dissatisfaction and accusation, despite his usually polite demeanor.

“She used to have fair skin and a well-proportioned figure, but now she’s dark and thin. Wuji and your aunt must be heartbroken,” Changsun Minxing said. “When my sister climbed Phoenix Mountain to find me, I was really shocked. She was like a completely different person; I hardly recognized her…”

Changsun Qingjing hid behind Minxing and glared fiercely at Li Shimin, his eyes filled with a dagger that seemed to want to cut off his tongue.

"To say something that might offend the Li family, even during the time when Zhili Lang was moving, my sister was never this haggard. Do you even know how to take care of people?" Changsun Minxing pressed on relentlessly. "Our whole family thought you were a good man for my sister to entrust her life to!"

“Speak properly and don’t falsely accuse people.” Li Shimin’s expression hardened, unable to defend himself. “My whole family treats her like a precious pearl. If you don’t believe me, ask Qingjing.”

Changsun Qingjing simply blinked his innocent eyes, looking incredulous.

Changsun Minxing pretended to be stern and said, "It seems that someone has done something wrong and is trying to deny it."

"Yes! What you say is absolutely right, brother!" Changsun Qingjing nodded emphatically.

Li Shimin frowned for a long time, then suddenly realized: "Minxing, did Changsun Wuji teach you to use this trick of fabricating stories and distorting the truth to deceive and scare me?"

Zhang Houyin found the young people's pointless pranks unbearable to look at and hear, so he shook his head and walked away.

Lu Fayan's father, Lu Shuang, was the chief clerk of Gao Yue, so Minxing also belonged to the cultural circle of Northern Qi.

At this time, he was in a state of emotional instability due to his father (Gao Shilian) being exiled and his mother (Lu Fayan) dying.

With the help of his fellow rebels (partners), he eventually figured it out: turning an inwardly conflicting personality into an outwardly conflicting one is just awesome! [winking emoji]