Chapter 68 First Snow: "How about I celebrate the birthdays of the Nineteenth Prince tomorrow?"

"General Han, please come in!" Cui Xiangzhu walked out of the imperial study with a smile and invited the man in. He secretly rubbed his hands together as he watched the door close again.

That child looks so pretty.

For half an hour, Cui Xiangzhu stood guard outside the door, occasionally hearing laughter coming from the imperial study. The child was still small and had a wet nurse with him. He had just noticed that the child didn't look like a newborn; he must have been about ten days old.

"If it's a newborn, how could I dare to take it out to be exposed to the wind?" Thinking this, the head eunuch chuckled helplessly at his own foolish thought.

squeak--

The door opened again, and Cui Xiangzhu turned his head, "This old servant congratulates General Han!"

Han Jiqing felt a little dizzy. He was holding a baby still wrapped in swaddling clothes in his arms. The baby looked fair and tender. He chuckled and said, "Thank you, Eunuch Cui."

He looked down affectionately at the baby girl in his arms. "The child is still young, so we won't stay outside any longer. Today, we came to show Her Majesty and received a jade bracelet and a gold lock from Her Majesty."

As he spoke, a young eunuch entered from another side door, carrying a brocade box. Cui Xiangzhu hurriedly said, "Then General Han, please hurry back to your residence. Don't let the little princess catch a cold."

"Farewell."

The head eunuch chuckled, "This old servant will see the general off."

"Thank you, Eunuch Cui."

Inside the imperial study, Yao Ruyi watched as the emperor, who had just seen Han Jiqing off, began reading memorials again. He didn't pay any attention and picked up a book of poetry and prose to read himself. Recently, Wang Qianshan had been busy composing and discussing poetry with Li Wenjing and hadn't been paying much attention to him, but even so, he still needed to read more.

Given their current relationship, he felt that Gu Huizhou shouldn't allow him to take the imperial examination again in seven years.

No, there are still six years left.

Thinking this, Yao Ruyi looked up and glanced furtively at the man sitting on the dragon throne, but unexpectedly, they made eye contact. He smiled guiltily and lowered his head to continue reading his poems.

But soon a shadow appeared on the book, flickering back and forth.

"What are you thinking about? You seem so guilty seeing me?" Gu Huizhou reached out and snatched the book away, then placed his hand in Yao Ruyi's palm. "Hmm? What is the Nineteenth Prince thinking about?"

Yao Ruyi stammered, "It's nothing. I'm just very pleased to see His Majesty so diligent in his duties."

"Heh, relieved?"

"Um."

Gu Huizhou looked at the serious-looking man with a somewhat complicated expression, then smiled, "Don't try to fool me."

Mushroom lowered his head guiltily. How could he have seen through his lie so easily? He had spoken so sincerely, "I didn't."

"explain."

All right.

Yao Ruyi's gaze first fell on the pile of memorials on the table in the distance, and then met the emperor's probing and playful eyes. Her expression was unfocused. "I want to take the imperial examination next year."

"When have I ever stopped you from taking the imperial examinations?"

He doesn't remember? Yao Ruyi's face lit up with joy, "Then I'll go next year!"

"Hmm," Gu Huizhou knew what he was thinking. Now that this stupid mushroom was entirely his, why should he care about these things? Besides, he was in his court, so why would he be afraid that the person would run away?

"Yes, I'll go next year."

The two, each with their own thoughts, readily reached an agreement. Yao Ruyi was pulled to sit on the dragon throne at the table. This was not the first time he had sat on the dragon throne, and he did not notice anything amiss. He frowned slightly as he watched Gu Huizhou holding him and still trying to review the memorials by the dim candlelight.

Let's see tomorrow.

"Tired?" The man smiled and pulled her into his arms. "You can sleep now. I'll carry you back in a bit."

Gu Huizhou has been like this ever since he returned from the Xishan Palace. During the day, he and Thirteen and Fourteen are plotting something, and he only starts reviewing memorials at night. "You haven't slept in a long time."

He paused in his reach for the folded document, then said, "I am not sleepy."

"You're sleepy."

"I am not sleepy."

When Gu Huizhou was talking to someone, he reached out and pinched the flesh on Yao Ruyi's wrist. His gaze was both smiling and tired, and the red flesh in his eyes was visible, but he still remained stubborn.

Yao Ruyi sighed, "Your bruises are getting worse and worse, it doesn't look good."

The imperial study fell silent for a moment. Gu Huizhou, his face expressionless, seemed lost in thought. He looked at Yao Ruyi, whose features were delicate and whose face was fair and rosy, and suddenly asked, "Am I not good-looking?"

"I didn't say you weren't pretty, but now that you have dark skin, you don't look as good."

"You don't like it anymore just because it doesn't look good?"

Yao Ruyi remained silent; that wasn't what he meant either. He could sense that Gu Huizhou cared a lot about appearance. But it was precisely because of those few seconds of hesitation that Gu Huizhou suddenly stood up.

The man suddenly grabbed Yao Ruyi and hugged her tightly, startling her so much that she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, exclaiming, "What are you doing?"

"Go back to sleep."

Gu Huizhou paused at the door of the imperial study, as if pondering some important matter. "What if I become unattractive and the Nineteenth Prince no longer likes me?"

How could he think that way? He didn't like Gu Huizhou because he was good-looking.

No, it's not just because he's good-looking.

"I won't."

These words made Gu Huizhou laugh, and he breathed hot air into the mushroom-shaped ear as if gritting his teeth, "You'd better not."

Having said that, he kicked open the door of the imperial study, picked up the person, and walked down the palace road without any hesitation, returning to his bedchamber.

At this moment, the thirteenth and fourteenth on the roof chuckled. The two slowly jumped down from the roof. The thirteenth shook his head and said, "It has to be our little nineteenth. I told His Majesty so many times this afternoon that he should take care of his health, but His Majesty never listened."

Fourteen nodded in agreement, casually brushing the dust off his clothes. "Listen to you? Why should I listen to you?"

"It's all for His Majesty's own good."

Fourteen sighed deeply, "Zeng Ran and Wang Qi's families have all disappeared without a trace, and we can't find any clues. How can His Majesty be at ease? He has barely slept in the two days since returning from the Western Hills Palace."

Thirteen's smile faded. "Any news from Fifteen or Sixteen?"

"Never."

Thirteen snorted lightly, "His Majesty is focusing on military plans today, and this matter is inextricably linked to the Xiao Kingdom. It has been a year since the ceasefire, and I think the Xiao Kingdom is once again considering starting a war."

"Now that the Princess has married General Han and given birth to a daughter, why would the Xiao Kingdom..." Fourteenth Prince was somewhat confused. Wouldn't it be better if the two countries were at peace? Years of war have left neither the border people nor the imperial court with any good days.

“The Crown Prince of Xiao Kingdom has been gaining more and more power lately, and he is almost able to replace the old emperor of Xiao Kingdom. The Princess was originally a female general who could go to the battlefield in Xiao Kingdom, but now that the Princess has married far away to our Yun Kingdom, only the Crown Prince of Xiao Kingdom has connections everywhere.”

"That man is a madman."

After Thirteen finished speaking, he secretly glanced in the direction that Gu Huizhou had just walked away in.

If we're talking about madmen, their Emperor is no less so. Now that the Xiao Kingdom is preparing for war, isn't the Emperor no different? The two are planning a final battle, determined to settle the score even in death.

Fourteen listened to him finish speaking and then fell silent. Finally, he sighed and said, "Go on, you go back to sleep tonight. I'll stay here."

Thirteen was taken aback. "Aren't you sleepy?"

Fourteenth scoffed, "You'd better go to sleep. The darkness under your eyes is even greater than His Majesty's. In Nineteenth's words, you're hideous."

"You're the ugly one!"

Fourteen didn't argue with him. They had ranked them by looks back then. Twelve was the most handsome and was assigned to the brothel. He was second only to Twelve, and then Thirteen.

But now that there's a little 19th, they have to move back a bit.

"Alright, let's go."

Thirteen touched his nose and muttered, "Thanks, brother."

The two smiled at each other, then turned and ran off in opposite directions.

As the year draws to a close, the streets are becoming increasingly lively. Even the thriving crops in the fields bring joy. Just past noon, people who have finished their meals are looking for a moment to rest. Only the restaurants remain packed.

The waiter was busy running around, and even in the winter, he rolled up the sleeves of his cotton coat above his elbows.

He had been wearing the cotton-padded coat for quite some time, and it was covered in patches. It was probably drafty and let in the wind, but he was still sweating profusely while wearing it.

Seeing a dark brown carriage slowly pull up outside, he wiped the sweat from his brow and quickly approached with a smile, "Oh! President Baili, would you like to stay in the private room upstairs today?"

"There are quite a few people today, but we always reserve that private room for the president."

Baili Qingxiao nodded to the waiter, "Thank you."

"This way, please, Chairman."

The waiter was about to lead the way. Their restaurant was next to the Wanyou Chamber of Commerce, and this young master of the Baili family was already a regular customer. Logically speaking, he should know their restaurant like the back of his hand, as if he were at home.

But you can't be careless with such important figures.

"No rush, prepare your signature dishes first, I'll wait for you."

The waiter was taken aback for a moment, then he realized what he meant and said, "Alright, then please have a seat here, Chairman."

"I can stand, you go about your business." Baili Qingxiao waved with a smile. His legs are almost fully recovered now. The Baili family spent a lot of money on his legs, and they never even consulted any famous doctors after his legs were healed.

In Baili Yi's eyes, Baili Wenhan was already a useless person.

Thinking of this, a hint of disdain flashed in Baili Qingxiao's eyes. He and Baili Wenhan were both born to concubines, while Baili Jiang, the third son of the Baili family, was Baili Yi's eldest legitimate son.

"This..." The waiter hesitated. Baili's leg had just recovered recently, how could he let him stand?

"Go about your business." A servant boy next to Baili Qingxiao came up to the waiter and said, secretly pushing a few taels of silver over his shoulder. "Young master is waiting for an honored guest."

"Alright," the waiter felt a warmth in his heart as he touched the silver in his hand, as if his tattered cotton coat had suddenly become as warm as the winter clothes hanging in the best clothing shop in the capital. "Then I'll go and get busy. If there's anything you need, please just give me your orders, Master."

Baili Qingxiao smiled elegantly and nodded, "Go."

The waiter gave a fawning smile and turned to hurry away.

Seeing this, the man turned around and stood at the entrance of the restaurant, looking at the clear sky and glancing towards the city gate from time to time. Many passersby couldn't help but look in Baili Qingxiao's direction. Although Baili Wenhan was no longer with the Baili family, the eldest son, Baili Qingxiao, was now the president of the Wanyou Chamber of Commerce.

The Wanyou Chamber of Commerce rose rapidly in less than a year, second only to the Siyun Chamber of Commerce of the Han family in Jiangnan, and comparable to imperial merchants. If he could marry his daughter to this man, he would be set for life.

Moreover, the third young master of the Baili family had just made a name for himself at the autumn hunt a few days ago, which can be said to have made a name for himself in front of His Majesty. And he is the legitimate son.

The Baili family has two members who are among the most influential young masters in the capital right now.

Just like more than a decade ago, the eldest son of the Baili family still exudes the air of a scholar, with a handsome face and eyes like stars.

Now that I'm thirty, it's a wonderful time.

If I pass the imperial examination again next year and enter officialdom, with Lord Baili in charge of the court, how could my future career be difficult?

"Siwen!"

Upon seeing a carriage approaching from afar, Baili Qingxiao's eyes suddenly lit up. He quickly took a few steps forward. Having not seen her for so long, the man in his thirties felt a little nervous, and his heart pounded wildly.

The man nodded to the coachman; the two had met quite a few times in Jiangnan. "Thank you for your hard work."

"Thank you, young master."

Han Siwen stepped out of the carriage with a smile on her face. She was also thinking of Baili Qingxiao. When she peeked out, she saw a handsome man smiling at her. Han Siwen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Qingxiao."

The woman was wearing a pale yellow jacket today, with white fox fur draped around the collar and hem. Her features were delicate and spirited. "Are you feeling much better?"

"Okay, all done."

Han Siwen nodded, "Alright, don't stand outside anymore, it's still cold in winter."

Although it's not yet the twelfth lunar month, it's almost here. This winter, the snow fell late, but the wind was truly cold. Han Siwen quickly invited him inside; just looking at the man's thin clothes made her feel freezing.

Even in Jiangnan, wearing so little clothing at this time of year will make you feel freezing cold.

"Okay, I'll put on more clothes when I get back." The two of them went up to the private room on the second floor as they talked. When the waiter saw that they had gone up, he hurriedly went to the kitchen to tell them. Soon after, a waiter brought up the dishes.

Han Siwen ate heartily. She hadn't had a proper chance to stop and eat properly during the journey to Beijing. Every year during this period of traveling between Jiangnan and Beijing, she would lose a lot of weight.

"I'm really full." Han Siwen waved her hand. "Thank you so much, Qingxiao, for today."

Baili Qingxiao shook his head, smiling politely, "You're too kind."

"Don't be a stranger, come with me to see the little princess in a little while," the woman said with a smile. "I brought back a lot of trinkets from Jiangnan."

"I haven't asked yet, but did you go and take a look before?"

Baili Qingxiao shook his head, "I had a servant send some things over, and I was waiting for you to come back so we could go together."

Han Siwen nodded, "That's perfect." As she spoke, her gaze fell on the legs of the person opposite her. She had brought some medicine from a medical clinic in Jiangnan with her when she returned to Beijing. It wasn't anything special, but with slow rest, it would get better.

"What are your plans for the future?"

Baili Qingxiao was taken aback. He smiled and said, "The Chamber of Commerce is busy. I'm already busy with its affairs all day long." He hesitated for a moment, then his gaze slowly met the woman's eyes. "If I have some free time, I'd like to see how to win her heart—"

"I mean the imperial examination."

The hand holding the cup suddenly paused, then released.

It suddenly started snowing outside the window sometime during the winter. The snowflakes were so big that they took a while to turn into a puddle of water when they landed on a person's hand. The man's gaze as he looked out the window was somewhat complicated.

It seems like I've let go, yet it also seems like I'll never truly let go.

The man clenched his teeth, and Han Siwen could clearly see the suppressed anger in Baili Qingxiao's eyes. She knew what had happened back then; he was the most famous scholar in the entire capital at the time, and if he had passed the imperial examination and entered officialdom, becoming a marquis or prime minister would have been only a matter of time.

Besides, she knew that what he wanted most was to ascend to the throne.

"Let's give it a try during next year's scientific expedition."

Want to give it a try?

Baili Qingxiao shook his head with a wry smile, "Forget it. I'm so busy with the Chamber of Commerce that I don't even have time to spare, how could I possibly have time for scientific expeditions?"

Han Siwen frowned, "Qingxiao..."

"Back then, I was young and impetuous, always thinking that I would achieve great things if I entered the imperial court. But now, thinking about it, I'm already glad I have enough to eat and drink and something to do." He filled his cup with tea, raised his hand, and drank it all in one gulp.

How could this be what he truly thought? Han Siwen remained silent.

"Besides, my leg is all healed now, what more could I ask for?" After a long while, Baili Qingxiao seemed to have convinced himself, and he poured tea for the two of them with a smile.

Han Siwen nodded reluctantly.

Now, after only a year of seeking medical treatment, the chronic illness that had plagued him for over a decade has been cured. If Baili Yi had paid more attention back then, the matter wouldn't have dragged on for so long.

A sudden sense of unease flashed through Han Siwen's mind. What exactly made Baili Yi suddenly abandon his eldest son back then and instead focus all his attention on Baili Wenhan?

"Have you finished eating?"

Taking a sip of tea, Han Siwen nodded, "Yes, shall we go and check on Ji Qing?"

"Okay." Baili Qingxiao got up a little slowly, but that was all, and there was nothing wrong with it. "I just happen to have some trinkets sent back from the north in the car, so I'll send some to the little princess as well."

"That would be great."

The two went downstairs, and before getting into the carriage, Han Siwen suddenly looked into the distance for a moment, at that figure from just now…

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

The sky was getting dark.

Baili Qingxiao was kept at the General's Mansion for dinner and did not leave until nightfall. He also volunteered to escort Han Siwen back to the Han residence.

This made Han Siwen chuckle, "With so many guards following you, and the capital being peaceful right now, why do you still need to send them off?"

"Just take it as my choice."

The two left the general's mansion without getting into a carriage, but instead walked slowly side by side, with two carriages following behind. Hearing the man's words, Han Siwen was suddenly stunned and speechless.

Baili Qingxiao seemed to realize he had misspoke, moved his hand slightly, and hurriedly asked, "Do you know that there are rumors in the city that both the wife and concubine of Minister Li are pregnant at the same time?"

Han Siwen raised an eyebrow, "Li Li?"

"His leg is healed?"

Baili Qingxiao was surprised by her first reaction and turned his face away. "Yes, it's been better for a while now."

Han Siwen suddenly realized what was going on, her cheeks flushed slightly but she wasn't embarrassed. "Li Yunyun has been missing for almost a year, and the sadness is almost over. Li Li just wants to have another child while she still has the energy."

"Yes, I haven't seen Minister Li looking worried much these days."

"With both the wife and concubine pregnant, why should I be worried?"

"When Madam Li Chen found out she was pregnant, she kept quiet for a long time. Her long period of grief damaged her health, and the pregnancy became unstable. It was Li Li who asked the imperial physician Wang for medicine to stabilize the pregnancy, which is why the whole court knew about it."

Han Siwen nodded, "I see."

It had been snowing for a while when they were in the restaurant, but now it started snowing again as they walked. The oil lamp in the servant's hand shone with a dim yellow light, illuminating the dark path ahead. Han Siwen frowned and looked down. "Hurry up and get back to the carriage."

"I'm fine."

But the woman wouldn't listen. "You shouldn't be exposed to cold when you're recovering. You're already dressed lightly, and now it's chilly at night. How can you stand it?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Baili Qingxiao smiled and said, "Then you should go back to the carriage. I'll go back after we get to the Han residence."

"Okay, thank you."

Baili Qingxiao smiled, but insisted on watching Han Siwen get into the carriage first before returning to his own.

The two carriages creaked and groaned as they moved forward together, seemingly trying to calm the turmoil in their hearts or something else entirely.

Inside the palace.

Yao Ruyi watched the snowflakes fall in the long corridor of the Cloud Palace and felt happy. It was at this time last year that he met Gu Huizhou on Qinghua Mountain and was able to take human form. He felt that the first snow of each year could be considered his birthday.

He didn't know when he gained sentience, but he could never forget taking human form.

Just then, footsteps sounded behind her. Yao Ruyi looked at the man who had finally returned from the Imperial Study and nodded with satisfaction. "Your Majesty, you're back."

"Why are you outside the palace?" Gu Huizhou frowned as she looked at his thin clothes. "Go back."

"I'm watching the snow, and I'm not afraid of the cold."

Gu Huizhou responded in a muffled voice, but still pulled the person up and covered them with his fox fur coat. "Let's go."

"good."

Gu Huizhou had been wearing the fox fur cloak for who knows how long, and the whole person inside the cloak seemed to be enveloped in the scent of sandalwood, with his fragrance filling the nostrils.

He was wrapped tightly in someone's arms. The man was half a head taller than him. As they walked together, his ear kept brushing against Gu Huizhou's neck. They walked all the way back to the palace like this, which made Yao Ruyi feel a little hot without realizing it.

He watched as Cui Xiangzhu put away the fox fur coat and tidied it up, then shook his head and said, “Your Majesty, from now on, the first snow of each year can be considered my birthday.”

"Oh?" Gu Huizhou walked towards the table. The underground heating in the bedroom was burning brightly. As soon as he entered, he thought of the incident last year when the Pure Mushroom felt it was wrong and set the underground heating on fire.

He couldn't help but laugh, "Then, Nineteenth Secretary, how old are you this year?"

How old am I?

Mushroom thought about it carefully. He had been in Qinghua Mountain for a hundred years, so he should be less than one hundred and ten years old now, "a little over one hundred."

"Then you really are an adult."

Yao Ruyi was dissatisfied. What he wanted to say was not his age, but his birth date. Everyone has their own birth date, except for him.

"I said I would consider the day of the first snowfall as my birthday."

Why?

After Gu Huizhou finished asking, he noticed that the other person looked a little embarrassed. He raised an eyebrow, leaned closer, and asked again, "Why?"

"It was at this time that I took human form."

It was at this moment that he met him. Gu Huizhou seemed to have all the fatigue of the day vanished. He smiled wickedly and reached out to pinch Yao Ruyi's face. "Very good."

He thought it was a good idea, so today would be his birthday.

Seeing the man turn around and sit down at the table to read the documents again, Yao Ruyi asked sullenly, "Is there a birthday gift for me?"

He noticed that people in the palace would give him gifts when someone had a birthday.

Today is his birthday, and Gu Huizhou should give him a gift.

The emperor on the dragon throne raised an eyebrow. "What does the Nineteenth Minister desire?"

This question caught Yao Ruyi off guard. What did he want? He originally only wanted to take the imperial examination, and he didn't lack money, so he really didn't want anything.

Yao Ruyi answered honestly, "I don't know."

Gu Huizhou nodded. He looked at Yao Ruyi, who was slumped over the table opposite him, and followed suit, lying on the table as well. "I don't have time to prepare today. How about I celebrate the birthday of the Nineteenth Prince tomorrow?"

"really?"

When have I ever lied to you?

Upon hearing this, Gu Huizhou noticed a hint of doubt flash in those bright eyes. A pang of heartache shot through him, and he reached out to cover Yao Ruyi's lips. "Really, I'm not lying to you."