Chapter 92 Hoping for a New Marriage, All Worldly Matters Are Cast Aside, Only the Hope Remains…

Along the Lingnan Road, a bitter wind and rain lingered and persisted.

Cen Heng stood silently outside the miasma forest, his face still covered in blood. He remained expressionless.

He slowly looked up at the sky, which was as dark as ink, shrouded in mist, and he had no idea when dawn would break.

"Chixuan... let's go."

Hearing the words of persuasion, Cen Heng mechanically replied, "Fine."

He bid farewell to the two cenotaphs lying quietly deep in the malarial forest, turned around, and headed straight back to Bianjing against the wind and rain.

The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease; the tree may wish to rest, but the wind will not cease.

He intended to conceal his talents and accept the punishment of exile to Lingnan, hoping only to bring peace to his mother and younger brother for the rest of their lives.

It should have been seen long ago that there is no kinship in the imperial family, and little room for those who crave power.

How could he not know? His elder brother, the Emperor, was cunning and ruthless, and never tolerated the slightest threat. Yet, he clung to a sliver of delusion, hoping that blood ties could overcome the power struggles, hoping that yielding would buy him a chance at survival.

It wasn't until the sudden pursuit on the Lingnan Road that he awoke from that illusory hope. Every inch of his body that had survived was etched with a piercing clarity; Heaven had spared him, not to allow him to live a life of mere survival.

There's no need to hide from this grudge any longer; this hatred can only be avenged with blood.

He no longer wished to use the pseudonym Ying Bumei.

In the past, he concealed his talents and hid his brilliance, hiding in the Taoist sect. He almost forgot the weight of the name Cen Heng, forgot that he was originally a prince of the imperial family with the bearing of a dragon and the phoenix, not an unknown Taoist priest living in the mists of the world.

"Should I not sleep?"

Su Jinxiu was sitting by the window of the Zuichunfang pavilion, her fingertips twirling silver thread as she sewed a cuff for Yusheng. Upon hearing this, she paused, the needle almost piercing her fingertip, and looked up at Yusheng opposite her in surprise.

"He...is coming back?" Su Jinxiu's voice was filled with disbelief and disorientation. "Didn't he already go to Lingnan?"

Yu Sheng took a half step closer and lowered her voice to a whisper: "Sister, don't make a fuss. I'm telling you this secret because I know we're old acquaintances. Since you know Cen Heng's real name and his true identity as a prince of the imperial family, there's no need to hide these things from you."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the bustling city outside the pavilion, her expression complex: "This Drunken Spring Pavilion may look like a decadent brothel, but it was actually his mouthpiece and spy planted back then. In the past, Sister An was in charge of it. Although I am not very bright, with her careful guidance, I can now manage to take over this business and continue to do things for him."

Su Jinxiu nodded slowly, without saying another word. Since it was a grand plan they had devised, it was neither appropriate nor necessary to ask further.

However, she was filled with indescribable worries.

Cen Heng's past concealment of his talents and willingness to become a Taoist priest was a forced act of forbearance. Now that he has broken free from his slumber and returned, it is certainly not merely to save his life; a bloodbath is likely to erupt in Bianjing.

Su Jinxiu was always clueless about the power struggles in the court. She only knew that Cen Heng's return might bring unexpected changes, so she wanted to ask Wen Shiqin to find out the truth and explore the depths of this turmoil.

But once she returned to the Feng family mansion, she was so busy preparing for Wen Shiqin's birthday that she completely forgot about this question.

A few days later, after the birthday banquet at the Feng family mansion ended and she bid farewell to the elders and guests, Su Jinxiu took Wen Shiqin's hand with a smile in her eyes.

The two walked leisurely to the open space behind the mansion, bathed in the soft moonlight of the courtyard.

A servant had quietly set up a table there, with several baskets of tobacco on it. When the two arrived, the servant lowered his head and stepped aside.

Su Jinxiu took his hand and led him toward the hexagonal pavilion with its pointed roof on the side of the field.

Just as she settled down on the stone bench in the pavilion, Su Jinxiu suddenly turned to the side and gently covered Wen Shiqin's eyes with her hand. A few rays of moonlight leaked through her fingers, falling softly on his eyelids.

Wen Shiqin was slightly taken aback. Just as he was about to ask, "What are you doing, sister?", her other hand gently pressed against his lips. He heard her smiling voice in his ear: "Don't worry, you'll know in a moment."

He didn't ask any more questions, but simply tilted his head back slightly, following her lead. Su Jinxiu turned her head and gave a wink to the servant waiting outside the pavilion. The servant understood, quietly retreated to the center of the open space, and lit the fuse of the first firework.

"Alright." Su Jinxiu slowly removed her hand from his eyes.

Just then, a sharp "whoosh" pierced the night sky, followed by a burst of intense golden-red fireworks that spread across the inky black canvas like a peony in bloom. Before the golden-red afterglow had even faded, several more fireworks rose into the air. Emerald green ones resembled fluttering willow leaves, pinkish-white ones were like peach petals scattered across the sky, pale purple ones looked like drooping wisteria, and there were also shimmering blue ones, like shattered stars, layer upon layer, cluster upon cluster, weaving a magnificent celestial tapestry across the night sky.

Fireworks fell softly, carrying tiny sparks of light that filled the eyes of the two people with a dazzling display.

Later, upon returning to Tinglan Cottage, he found several garments laid out, including riding clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, all exquisitely embroidered and meticulously tailored to his measurements. There were also elegant writing implements to his liking, with his beloved mythical creatures from the Classic of Mountains and Seas vividly depicted on plain paper.

Finally, Su Jinxiu picked up her pipa and played the "Three Variations on Plum Blossom" that she had specially learned for him, its elegant melody lingering in the air.

Wen Shiqin stood there, watching intently and listening with rapt attention. He felt a surge of joy welling up inside him, overwhelming him.

When the music stopped, he crawled forward on his knees and pulled Su Jinxiu, who was sitting upright on the mat, into his arms. His voice trembled slightly with extreme joy: "Sister... these were all prepared for me?"

Seeing her nod, her eyes filled with tenderness, Wen Shiqin was overjoyed and stammered, "It's so beautiful! It's so beautiful! My sister is the best to me! I... I'm so drunk!"

Unable to contain his excitement, Wen Shiqin lowered his head and showered her forehead, cheeks, and lips with light kisses, as frequent as woodpeckers pecking at their prey, their breath carrying the sweet scent of wine.

"Alright, alright!" Su Jinxiu's cheeks were burning from the kiss, and she smiled as she pushed his shoulder away.

Wen Shiqin, however, refused to give up. A smile lingered on his lips, and his tone was extremely intimate: "Sister, how do you understand me so well? The clothes you gave me fit me perfectly, the jade ornaments are elegant and understated, and this handwritten book is a thousand times, ten thousand times better than those vulgar gold and silver jewels!"

"Others give me gold ingots or jade discs, which I'm thoroughly tired of. Only my elder sister knows that I prefer these elegant objects!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Qin felt a surge of warmth in his heart, remembering all the thoughtful gestures Su Jinxiu had prepared for him. He immediately decided to reciprocate with a touch of elegance to reward the beauty.

The two rode out of the city and arrived at Moon Nest Beach, a place they had not been able to visit together in the past.

The night was as dark as silk, the moonlight poured down, and the beach shimmered like scattered silver.

Wen Shiqin untied the mooring rope and poled the small boat, which carried the two of them, and slowly glided into the clear lake.

The oars gently rocked the boat, breaking through the shimmering waves, skimming past the willows hanging over the bank, passing the painted bridge inscribed with poems, the water gurgling, and the scenery was breathtaking, as if one were in Wulingyuan.

Reaching the middle of the water, having taken in the beauty of the lake and the moonlight, Wen Shiqin moored the boat. He helped Su Jinxiu lie down on the soft couch in the boat, and he himself moved to sit beside her. He took off his cloak, carefully wrapped it around her shoulders, and pulled her into his arms.

Looking up, one sees a sky full of stars, their twinkling lights falling onto the river's surface, reflecting the shimmering waves. It's serene and gentle, and all around is so quiet that only our breaths can be heard.

Nestled in his warm embrace, Su Jinxiu suddenly remembered what she had heard at Zuichunfang and softly asked Wen Shiqin for his opinion.

After hearing this, Wen Shiqin pondered for a moment, then sighed knowingly, "He still returned. This Fifth Prince has always been ambitious, and in the end, he was unwilling to settle in Lingnan."

Su Jinxiu looked up and gently pinched his cheek: "You actually knew he was a prince of the imperial family?"

"Of course I know." Wen Shiqin nodded, his fingertips stroking her hair. "Given the current situation, I should resign from this official position as soon as possible. Otherwise, when brothers quarrel and turn against each other, I might be caught in the crossfire."

He paused, his brows furrowing slightly: "When the court is in turmoil, it will inevitably force me to choose a lord to serve. If I choose the wrong side, then when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken, and the trouble will be considerable."

Wen Shiqin lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, his tone urgent yet expectant: "Resigning from office is of utmost urgency, and getting married is even more urgent. Sister, how about we move the wedding date forward? After we get married next month, we can leave this place of trouble together."

Su Jinxiu tilted her head back and placed a gentle kiss on his chin, smiling sweetly: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

The lake was calm, the boat rocked gently, and the two continued chatting, nestled together.

Su Jinxiu brushed her fingertips across the shimmering water and said gently, "The baby in Shexiang's womb should be born in less than two months. I had some free time recently, so I embroidered a few pairs of little tiger-head shoes for the child, adorned them with small gold bells, and also made some swaddling clothes and pom-pom hats, hoping that he will be dressed neatly and adorably when he is born."

Hearing this, Shi Qin's eyes flickered slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke: "You brought this up with me... does that mean you also have your own thoughts about it?"

Su Jinxiu was taken aback, not expecting him to ask such a question. Just as she was about to answer, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. Through the thick brocade cloak, his palm gently rested on her lower abdomen, his movements tender.

"I don't want children, nor do I like them."

These words left Su Jinxiu even more astonished. Before she could ask any further questions, he continued, "When Miss Lan came to the manor last time, I saw her vomiting so violently that her heart was breaking. I also heard that she couldn't sleep at night and couldn't eat. I don't want you to suffer the pain of childbirth that is so close to death. I can't bear to see you suffer even the slightest harm. If these hardships were to be inflicted on you, even if it were only one ten-thousandth, I would not be able to bear it."

"If all the suffering of pregnancy could be transferred to me, I would wish to have a child immediately. But you are the one who has to go through it all. Thinking of this, I feel my heart tighten and I feel very uncomfortable."

"Furthermore..." He lowered his head, his forehead touching the top of her head, stubborn yet tender, "The two of us together are already perfect. I don't want anyone else to interfere and distract you."

The first half of his story warmed Su Jinxiu's heart, but the reason behind the second half made her laugh out loud. She raised her hand and gently tapped his brow: "Your thinking is quite unique. Everyone says that children are a bond between husband and wife, adding to the joy of family life. But in your case, they've become outsiders to be wary of?"

“That’s just how it is.” Wen Shiqin grasped her hand, becoming even more self-righteous: “I don’t care what the world says. We haven’t fully enjoyed our time together yet, so no one should disturb our peace.”

Hearing his stubbornness, Su Jinxiu felt a warmth and a smile in her heart. Suddenly, she recalled their previous actions, indulging in their desires without any regard for propriety. Thinking of this, her ears turned red.

Just as she was lost in thought, her wrist suddenly tightened. Wen Shiqin leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear, his voice low and sly: "Sister, what are you thinking about?"

Su Jinxiu's cheeks burned even hotter. Just as she was about to dodge, he pressed her shoulder down. His lips were almost touching her earlobe, and somehow he guessed what she had been thinking. His breath was lingering: "Then next time before we do it, I'll wear a contraceptive."

Su Jinxiu's cheeks burned, and she was far from willing to discuss such an embarrassing matter with him. Her eyes darted away, and she quickly changed the subject: "Have you... have you set the auspicious time for your wedding? Shouldn't you prepare the guest list and write the invitations in advance?"

Seeing her avoidance of him like the plague, Wen Shiqin's eyes gleamed with amusement, and he chuckled softly, "Why are you still so easily embarrassed, sister? We've already shared our tender moments several times, why are you still so shy about talking about this?"

Su Jinxiu's ears turned even redder from his words. She glared at him fiercely before he stopped laughing. He stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips, his tone becoming deep and full of certainty: "I have taken care of all the arrangements for the wedding. You can rest assured and do not need to worry at all."

He recounted in detail, his excitement evident: "The six gifts for the betrothal have already been prepared. The gold hairpins, silks, and tea cakes are all of the highest quality. The bridal chamber is furnished entirely according to your preferred elegant style. The wedding attire has also been decided. Yours is a bright red jacket embroidered with gold phoenix patterns, paired with a plain gauze undershirt, while mine is a scarlet silk robe with a jade belt around my waist. The invitations are printed on Chengxintang gold-flecked Xuan paper, and the ink is top-quality Huizhou ink. They will be delivered to the Feng family and relatives' residences first thing tomorrow morning."

As he spoke, he suddenly changed the subject, his eyes softening with tenderness: "A few days ago I said I was on official business, but actually I went to Qingzhou to hunt geese. I mentioned in a previous letter that I wanted to make you the most glamorous young lady in Bianjing, with gifts so plentiful that everyone would envy you. Those geese, with their glossy feathers and soft fur, are all top-quality treasures, and have already been properly stored away, just waiting to add splendor to your wedding day, so that the whole city would know that my wife, Wen Shiqin's wife, is the most precious."

The closer one gets to something beautiful, the more disoriented one feels, and the more ephemeral this scene seems, like a fragile dream.

After returning, the two temporarily stayed at Fengfu Crane Pavilion.

Wen Shiqin didn't sleep all night. His fingertips traced her eyebrows and eyes in the dim light. He propped his forehead up and gazed at her peaceful sleeping face.

"The finest things in the world are not durable; colorful clouds easily disperse, and glass is fragile."

He silently recited the poem, then watched as the moonlight shone on her serene face, its gentle glow making her seem even more unreal.

My heart was filled with both the burning joy of possessing a treasure and a lingering, indescribable fear.

Is Heaven truly so merciful, so forgiving of his past stubbornness, and so willing to send such a wonderful woman to his side?

Author's Note: (Note:)

"The finest things in this world are not lasting; colorful clouds easily disperse, and glass is fragile." (Quoted from Ma Zhiyuan's *Miscellaneous Drama: The Tears of the Jiangzhou Sima in His Blue Robe*)