Chapter 23 "It's a good thing you're a widow!"...

After the first draft of "The Record of the Southern Expedition" was completed, Chen Liangqing wrote a preface for it and asked the emperor to review it. He then discussed the matter of the stele inscription with the official in charge of erecting a stele to commemorate the achievements of the Southern Expedition. His shift ended a little later than usual.

The guests inside had been waiting for him for a long time. When they saw him, they called out softly, "Second Brother."

"What brings you here, brother?" Chen Liangqing took off his turban, sat down opposite Chen Liangzheng, and asked gently.

"It's nothing. You've been busy these days, and I haven't spoken to you in a long time since the spring hunt."

Although he was busy, Chen Liangqing showed no signs of fatigue. His demeanor remained as calm and composed as ever. He personally burned incense and brewed tea to entertain his elder brother.

Chen Liangzheng briefly discussed politics with him before deciding to get down to business. He took out a jade-green sachet from his sleeve, looking apologetic, and said, “My mother told me that the servant in your room found this on your pillow. She is curious and wants to know who gave it to you.”

Chen Liangqing was a scholar and a Taoist, and he was not troubled by worldly affairs, which made his parents very proud. After he came of age, he did not say a word about marriage. His wife, Liang, thought that he was still picky and had high standards, so she did not mention it much. However, in the past two years, she has become somewhat restless and often asks the people serving him about it.

The sachet was clearly for a woman's use; its fragrance was peculiar and intoxicating. Madam Liang had some doubts and summoned her capable eldest son, entrusting the matter to him.

Chen Liangqing glanced at it indifferently, showing no sign of being offended, and continued to pour tea smoothly.

“It was a gift from Princess Yongning,” he said.

"I see." Chen Liangzheng took the tea, the rising steam concealing the complex expression on his face.

The answer did not surprise him.

In fact, when Chen Liangzheng saw this sachet at his mother's place, he was greatly surprised. The stitching of the sachet was nothing special, but the scent was rare and unforgettable. He had smelled it once before, when it was near his wife's ear.

Emerging from his mother's room, Chen Liang felt as if he had lost one of his seven souls. Upon regaining his senses, he realized that Zhao Ying and Chen Liangqing were absolutely impossible; neither of them were the type to overstep boundaries.

He subtly inquired and learned from the princess that the incense was made by Princess Yongning and that she had given her a box of it.

There were many rumors about Xue Mingyao and Chen Liangqing, and Chen Liangzheng felt it was a difficult situation, so he hurriedly came to inquire about his second brother's feelings.

Chen Liangqing spoke with an air of integrity, as if he were referring to a colleague who had given him a book. Chen Liangzheng paused for a moment, then asked, "You usually refuse gifts from young ladies, so why did you accept the princess's and keep it by your pillow?"

"I discovered that this fragrance can help me sleep, so I placed it on my bedside," Chen Liangqing said calmly.

Chen Liangzheng thought for a moment, "There are quite a few incense balls in the sachet, which can be burned in the incense burner."

Chen Liangqing nodded, "That's right."

Chen Liangzheng took a sip of tea, still looking at him.

"no need."

Chen Liangqing gave him an explanation that wasn't really an explanation.

The room was filled with the scent of a woman's homemade perfume, which was disturbing and quite inappropriate.

Chen Liangzheng pondered for a moment, as if making a decision, and carefully chose his words, saying, "Second brother, if you really have such feelings for Princess Yongning, I can understand. Although her actions are somewhat outrageous, her friendship with the princess shows that she is innocent and pure-hearted, and she may be suitable to be a wife. You are not young anymore, and it is time for you to get married. The most important thing in marriage is to marry someone you love. I can help persuade your parents and make plans for you."

Chen Liangqing's hand holding the teacup tightened slightly, and the tips of his fingers turned white before slowly returning to their normal color.

He put down his teacup. “Brother, what you say is inappropriate. Marriage requires compatibility in terms of social status, age, character, and so on. The princess is a second-time bride, and I am not suitable for her. If I were to marry her, even if it is not against etiquette, it would still be against etiquette, not to mention it would bring shame to the Chen family.”

After hearing his words, Chen Liangzheng's thoughts became even more complicated.

"Is that really what you think?" he asked.

Chen Liangqing nodded.

"I understand." Chen Liangzheng couldn't help but ask again, "You are indeed interested in her, aren't you?"

Chen Liangqing tapped the tea tray lightly with his finger and said calmly, "It's not important."

Having said all that, there was no need to ask any further questions. Chen Liangzheng rose to take his leave, somewhat melancholy. Just before he left, Chen Liangqing called out to him, "Brother, have you told the princess about the sachet?"

Chen Liangzheng shook his head, "I haven't told her yet."

"Then let's not say any more."

Chen Liangzheng agreed, "Are you afraid she'll tell the princess?"

Chen Liangqing said, "It's not worth mentioning, so let's not complicate things further."

Before leaving, Chen Liangzheng returned the sachet to his younger brother.

Chen Liangqing held the sachet for a long time, then untied the ribbon, took out a delicate incense stick, and burned it in the small stove.

The study, with its tightly sealed doors and windows, was quickly filled with a rich fragrance. The scent clung to clothes, permeated the skin, blended into breath, and slowly seeped into the lungs and heart.

......

At the Xue family's martial arts training ground, a red-tasseled spear twirled in mid-air.

"The princess has been in a bad mood lately," Green Branch whispered to Qi Zhao, "so she's been practicing martial arts a lot."

Qi Zhao stood ramrod straight, expressionless. "Yes, it was the same back in Xichuan."

Xue Mingyao followed her husband to Xichuan, but within a few months, Xichuan went to war with the neighboring Wuxi Kingdom, leaving her a widow. Cen Zongjing died a tragic death, and with few family members remaining, he was buried on the spot. After arranging the funeral, Xue Mingyao wanted to return to the capital, but General Xue forbade it. He argued that Cen Zongjing had died for his country, and his body was barely cold; how could his widow rush back to her family home? What would his soldiers think? What would the high-ranking families in the capital think?

Xue Chongyi gave a strict order, stating that Xue Mingyao must remain in Xichuan to guard Cen Zongjing for three years before returning. Xue Mingyao was indignant. A husband only observes a one-year mourning period after his wife's death, and even then, it's not long. But a wife must remain for three years after her husband's death—it's too unfair. Moreover, Cen Zongjing had benefited immensely from this marriage. She didn't love him. After seeing the corpse, she shed a few tears of sorrow, but couldn't cry anything else.

She didn't take a single penny of the hefty compensation for Cen Zongjing's death, distributing it all to those who were even remotely related to him. Those people beamed with joy, promising to offer incense and sacrifices during festivals and ensuring that General Cen would never suffer any injustice in his life. She also organized a grand funeral for him, having one of his nephews become his heir, and conducting a full forty-nine-day memorial service. On the day of the funeral, the entire city's populace carried the coffin for miles, their cries echoing through the air.

Xue Mingyao believed she had done everything she could for this marriage that had lasted only two hundred days, but Xue Chongyi criticized her for being heartless, immoral, and unethical. He questioned her, asking if she would act the same way if he died. He repeatedly declared that if she returned without permission, he would personally escort her back.

Xue Mingyao had no choice but to begin her widowhood in Xichuan. Accustomed to wealth and liveliness, she felt bored no matter how she stayed in the remote Xichuan. Just then, Qi Zhao was sent by Xue Chongyi to help her with the funeral arrangements. Xue Mingyao would ask him to accompany her to practice shooting and archery whenever she had free time, until she met Xie Qinglang, which brought an end to the situation.

Green Branch instructed Qi Zhao, "Don't mention Xi Chuan, and don't mention that person either."

Qi Zhao responded, remaining silent as a brick. Green Branch grew tired of standing and found talking to Qi Zhao boring, so she leaned against a half-height stone tablet at the edge of the field to watch the princess practice her spear technique.

The stone tablet is inscribed with the three characters "Shi Gandang," and it is used to ward off evil spirits and protect the home.

Xue Chongyi, having experienced life and death, was a devout believer in gods and Buddhas. Following folk legend, he erected a stone tablet, Shi Gandang, in front of his mansion to protect it. The three Xue siblings disliked it, as such objects were common in village houses and alleyways, and not something rare in the grand mansions of Zhongjing. After Xue Chongyi's death, Xue Xingtai removed the stone tablet and placed it in the courtyard where they practiced martial arts, leaving Shi Gandang's martial spirit to continue its influence.

However, when it comes to kung fu, things are distinct and specific; if someone lacks the ability, even Shi Gandang can't save them.

After Xue Mingyao finished demonstrating her spear technique, she strode over and asked the two men how their spear skills were.

Green Branch clapped her hands and laughed, "That was wonderful! The princess truly lives up to her reputation as a heroine. With a sweep of her spear, she wiped out all the demons and monsters!"

Qi Zhao remained silent.

Xue Mingyao took the tea that Lvzhi handed her, took a sip, and said, "Qi Zhao, what do you want to say?"

"The princess performed quite well," Qi Zhao said slowly.

"to be honest."

"...Princess, your spear technique is all show and no substance. It lacks strength and accuracy. If you really want to learn martial arts, you should first build a solid foundation, starting with horse stance," Qi Zhao said honestly.

"Who said I wanted to learn martial arts?" Xue Mingyao threw the gun at Qi Zhao. "I just like to show off my moves, as long as it looks good."

Qi Zhao took the spear and placed it on the gun rack. This red-tasseled spear was specially made, with an iron exterior and a hollow interior, and it was not heavy, making it easy for Xue Mingyao to handle.

A servant boy approached Xue Xingtai and said respectfully, "Princess, the Prince requests that you return to your room. He has something to discuss with you."

It was nothing more than some advice not to mess with men, so Xue Mingyao didn't take it to heart and leisurely strolled back to her room.

Xue Xingtai sat in the main seat, with a jar of wine in front of him. He drank heartily from the cup, his square face turning bright red.

Xue Mingyao looked at him as if she had seen a ghost.

Xue Xingtai slammed down his cup, let out a burp, and chuckled as he stared at Xue Mingyao.

"Brother, you have nowhere to drink, so you come here to show off your power?" Xue Mingyao said with dissatisfaction.

Xue Xingtai wasn't annoyed at all, and smiled like a flower. "Yao Niang, I knew you were lucky. I remember clearly that when Mother gave birth to you, a rainbow appeared in the eastern sky, unlike when I was born, there was a strong wind and thunder, which Father always said was an ominous sign that would bring trouble upon me sooner or later."

The unusual phenomena at Xue Mingyao's birth were once a source of great amusement for the Xue family. Later, she was "born" as Princess Yi'an and was granted the title of Princess before she was even a year old, further confirming that she was a person of exceptional destiny and good fortune.

Xue Mingyao believed it wholeheartedly, but later she hastily married at the age of sixteen and became a widow in the same year, so she no longer felt that her fate was so good.

"Brother, you're always bringing up things you shouldn't. You said before that widows are unlucky, but what lucky person is a widow?"

"No, no, it's a good thing you're a widow!" Xue Xingtai laughed loudly, touching his nose. "I'm sorry, General Cen."

Xue Mingyao looked bewildered. "What do you mean?"

"Yao Niang!" Xue Xingtai exclaimed, his eyes wide, "I have good news to tell you!"

Xue Mingyao pretended to listen attentively.

The next moment, a few familiar words, reeking of alcohol, reached Xue Mingyao's ears, piecing together an unbelievable statement.

"General Xie Zhuo, today before the Emperor—I ask for your hand in marriage!"

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Author's Note: Yaoyao was stunned [doge emoji]