Chapter 3 Three of us were young back then

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At dawn, at the Taoist temple.

The rain and clouds have just stopped.

Wang Yuying lay in bed and ordered her lover for the night, General Jing Ye, "Aye, it's almost dawn. Go and turn off the lamps, just leave one on."

Jing Ye scurried off the bed and obediently extinguished several lamps, leaving only the tall oil lamp closest to the two of them.

The faint candlelight flickered.

Seeing that Wang Yuying had casually thrown her robe and skirt on the ground, he squatted down to pick them up, folding them as he asked, "Did you make this robe yourself?"

It's different from the usual style.

Wang Yuying rolled her eyes at him: "It looks too ugly outside, you can't wear it out."

Jing Ye loved it when she glared at him, as if they were back in the past. He grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, and silently folded Wang Yuying's clothes, placing them on the side table where she could easily reach them.

There was still half a pot of wine left on the table. Jingye asked her, "Do you want to drink more?"

"Bring it here." Wang Yuying shifted her position. Jing Ye, carrying the wine, crawled onto the bed. She was covered with a thin blanket, while he, bare-chested, subtly wrapped his arm around her back and gently embraced her.

Wang Yuying noticed his little trick but didn't bother to expose him. She took a couple of sips of her drink, and Jing Ye, smelling the pungent aroma, smiled and asked, "Shudaozi?"

"My nose is still sharp," Wang Yuying replied with a smile.

Jingye sighed, "The general used to love drinking this the most."

Wang Yuying nodded. Shaodaozi was her father's favorite northern liquor, and he had introduced it to the younger children as well. Playing the Qiang flute, drinking strong liquor, and watching the sunset over the yellow sand had become memories of their hometown.

But my father said that the real northern liquor is Mengdaolu, not Shaodaozi.

He fell in love with Shaodaozi (a type of strong liquor) when he was young, thanks to an old soldier from northern Xinjiang who said that it was so cold in northern Xinjiang that only drinking this kind of liquor could warm him up by making his heart burn.

Wang Yuying wondered how cold it could be. But when she actually went there, she was met with freezing temperatures and realized how harsh it was; she was so cold that she lost her menstrual flow.

Wang Yuying pressed her tongue against her cheek, the strong liquor still in her mouth, like a red-hot blade going down her throat.

A moment later, she glanced at Jing Ye and saw that he looked quite eager, even swallowing a mouthful. She knew he also liked this drink, and since they had already kissed, he shouldn't be disgusted, but the spout of the teapot, like a man's, couldn't be shared. Wang Yuying didn't offer Jing Ye any wine, changing the subject instead: "What are you doing now? General Guangwei? So majestic."

Jing Ye blushed, lowered his head, and whispered, "It's just a nickname, I—"

His words abruptly stopped as someone entered the courtyard.

Wang Yuying understood and pursed her lips to suppress her smile.

It was Eunuch Qingfu who arrived, leading a group of imperial guards. In the courtyard, he announced in a shrill voice, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Jade Capital's Wondrously Serene Immortal Master, receive this decree—"

As Qingfu spoke, he saw the faint light in the bedroom go out and could hear Wang Yuying blowing out the candles.

He was momentarily speechless, but he continued reciting the poem, bowing and smiling broadly at the people inside: "Immortal Master, please take over His Majesty's poem."

His Majesty has always missed her.

"I'm asleep," Wang Yuying said lazily. "Let's talk about it when I get up in the morning."

She lifted her eyelids to examine the chest she was pressing against. Jing Ye's bronze chest muscles were as firm as two mountains, strong enough to run a horse. He was initially awkward, but with a little guidance, he learned quickly and was very eager to learn. Moreover, young men were far more wonderful than Wang Yuying had imagined, so she had no interest in dealing with Xu Heng.

Qingfu was still calling her "Master Miaojing" outside, telling her to go out and receive Xu Heng's letter. Wang Yuying couldn't help but think of the origin of this Buddhist name. Back then, he disliked her for her fiery temper and noisy personality, and wanted her to be as quiet and virtuous as his other beloved ladies.

This is undoubtedly a humiliation.

Now that she's not saying anything, what else does he want?

"Okay, I'm coming!" Wang Yuying shouted out the window with a frown, making no attempt to hide her impatience.

Qingfu waited for a while longer. The weather was stuffy, and sweat beaded on his forehead. The only consolation was that the rain had stopped in Fuyou Mountain, so he wouldn't get wet no matter how long he waited.

The door creaked open, and Wang Yuying slipped out, quickly blocking the crack. Qingfu, seeing her disheveled hair and loosely draped, unfastened shirt, immediately turned his back; even as a eunuch, he dared not look!

Qingfu turned away to hand over the letter, but Wang Yuying snatched it, turned back to her chamber, and slammed the door shut. Qingfu hurriedly turned back: "Immortal Master, there are still some rewards from His Majesty, among which..."

"Just put it in the yard!" Wang Yuying interrupted Qingfu as he read the list through the door.

Let them fend for themselves in the yard; birds will carry them away, cats will snatch them, and whoever wants them can take them.

Qingfu suffered repeated setbacks and thought that even if the emperor came, it would be like punching cotton. He was filled with resentment, just like always.

He had a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, but he had no choice but to patiently bow and force a smile, even though Wang Yuying on the other side of the door couldn't see him.

After Wang Yuying sat back on the bed, she slowly opened the letter. Jing Ye stayed close to her, hoping that the already slightly bright sky would immediately turn dark again, so that she wouldn't be able to see the words on the paper even after turning off the light.

He suddenly changed his behavior and snuggled into Wang Yuying's arms.

Wang Yuying looked at the man in her arms; he was tall and imposing, and she couldn't hold him tightly. She couldn't help but laugh as he tickled her.

"Stop it." She stopped him in a voice only she and Jingye could hear.

Jingye seemed to be playfully teasing each other, but in reality, he didn't miss a single word in the letter; he wanted to see it all.

He had a basic understanding of literature. Although he didn't understand the meaning of many of the allusions Xu Heng used, and didn't recognize some of the characters, he could guess the general content—Xu Heng was reminiscing about the past with her, subtly suggesting that she return to the palace.

Even with Jing Ye's limited understanding, he could tell that Xu Heng's calligraphy was excellent, with strong, elegant strokes and a square, graceful style. His writing was also good, with easy-to-understand and moving phrases. Thinking of this, Jing Ye stared nervously at Wang Yuying.

Never before have I felt such resentment for not having read enough books, resentment that "the world's talents are divided equally between His Majesty and the candidates," and resentment that I am just a rough and uncultured man.

Jingye suddenly said haltingly, "Outside... there are envoys coming to summon me."

The sound was so soft that only he and Wang Yuying could hear it.

Yes, he's right outside! Wang Yuying thought to herself, why did Aye's voice suddenly become so low and weak?

It was a bit too literary, and also a bit...it gave her goosebumps.

Wang Yuying looked down at Jing Ye and found that his cold, hard features were all drooping, and his face was bright with grievance and unease.

Did you deliberately let her see it?

Jing Ye tightened his grip on Wang Yuying's waist, buried his head in her chest, as if silently asking: Will you go back?

She understood and slapped back at Jingye's narrow, strong waist.

This feels so good, I couldn't help but rub it a couple more times before I said, "Don't worry, even if his ancestors for eighteen generations came to summon me, I wouldn't go back."

"What if His Majesty forcibly seizes it?"

"He doesn't have that chance." Wang Yuying sneered. Three years had passed, and she had learned her lesson. The edict of deposing her and the letter of divorce were given together, and she was banished from the capital and forbidden from entering the city.

"Wait and see." She rose and replied to Xu Heng with a poem in response. The poem was filled with sorrow and regret, but it clearly stated that if he wanted to summon her again, he must reinstate her as empress.

A year after she was deposed, Xu Heng had already established a new empress. He coveted the mask of being a holy emperor, a mask he wore in front of the late emperor and empress dowager, and in front of the people. He couldn't take it off, so naturally he couldn't agree to her request.

She wrote quickly, her handwriting messy, not intending to waste any more time on Xu Heng. Jing Ye, however, had somehow appeared behind Wang Yuying and embraced her across the back of the chair.

Qingfu had been standing there like a stick for a long time. The door was tightly closed and the curtains were drawn shut, so he couldn't see anything. He could only smile apologetically and ask, "Immortal Master, have you seen the music collection that His Majesty gifted to you?"

Wang Yuying first whispered in Jing Ye's ear to stop his nonsense: "Wait until I finish writing, then wait outside."

Then he shouted through the window in response to Qingfu, "Wait a minute!"

Jingye obediently let go, and Qingfu outside also responded with a drawn-out "Okay."

After finishing writing, Wang Yuying opened the door a crack, tossed the reply to Qingfu, and turned to leave. Qingfu was taken aback: "Immortal Master, aren't you going back?"

Wang Yuying pretended to wipe away tears: "Everything I want to say is in the letter. Your Majesty will understand after reading it."

After saying this, he turned around and closed the door. Qingfu was uneasy, but he could only exchange pleasantries and take his leave with the guards.

After they had gone some distance, Wang Yuying whispered to Jing Ye, "You should go back quickly, it will be completely light soon, and then it will be difficult to travel."

Jing Ye was filled with longing and felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this, but he still obeyed Wang Yuying and left.

As he reached the door, he couldn't help but turn back: "I'll come see you again tonight."

Wang Yuying pondered for a moment, then winked at him: "Okay."

Jingye pushed open and closed the door, leaped onto the roof, and jumped as if extremely joyful. He also seemed very happy as he flew across the eaves and walls.

As soon as Jing Ye left, Wang Yuying lay down again to catch up on her sleep. She never did morning exercises, and no one urged her to do them, leaving her to fend for herself on this isolated island.

Wang Yuying habitually slept on her right side. Turning over, she accidentally pressed down on the paper used for singing ballads. The paper was stiff and uncomfortable, so she picked it up to look at it again. Xu Heng had actually brought up the Northern Frontier, the Ning Prince's Mansion, and their early days in the Funing Palace. She had recounted these events to Xu Heng countless times, in those days of tears and hysteria, recounting them again and again, questioning him whether he had forgotten, whether he didn't remember? If he did remember, why had he changed his heart?

At first, Xu Heng looked guilty, but later he couldn't find any remorse on his face, only annoyance.

"I haven't forgotten, but could you please stop bringing it up? Are you going to keep harping on these old grievances for the rest of your life?"

“You should learn from Mei Niang in this respect; she never brings up the past.”

"Yingniang, let's look ahead!"

He taught her that if kindness is shown for too long, people will feel that she is taking advantage of the situation; and if love is shown for too long, it will dissipate and shift.

No matter how fragrant or sweet the rice is, if you hold it in your mouth for too long, it will become tasteless, and may even taste moldy, making you want to spit it out.

Now that he's eating scraps himself, Wang Yuying couldn't help but laugh out loud, a cold and sarcastic tone lingering on her lips.

She recalled when she first met Xu Heng; he used an alias and a false identity, only revealing his true identity after they became a couple. When her father found out, he privately remarked that she was not a suitable match for him and advised her to think it over.

But Wang Yuying was already deeply in love with Xu Heng at that time.

So her father stopped speaking ill of his prospective son-in-law and, in accordance with Wang Yuying's wishes, facilitated the marriage. On the wedding day, her father practically emptied half of the General's Mansion to take to the Prince of Ning's Mansion as her dowry.

She was naive back then, and she actually moved in, giving Xu Heng everything she had, from the bottom of her heart.

In fact, unlike her family, Xu Heng's relatives and friends had always opposed and resisted this marriage.

Before she knew Xu Heng's true identity, he was always accompanied by a man and a woman. Xu Heng claimed they were his cousins. Wang Yuying later learned that the man was Zheng Yangzhi, the eldest son of Zheng Xiang, who was the nephew of Empress Yuan. Now, he had followed in his father's footsteps and also become a prime minister and a marquis. The woman was a niece of Empress Yuan's maternal clan, sharing the same surname as Empress Yuan, Jiang, and her given name was Mei.

Wang Yuying felt that she had little contact with Zheng Yangzhi, having exchanged fewer than ten words with him in total. Yet, he always harbored inexplicable hostility towards her, constantly badmouthing her in front of Xu Heng, saying that she was not good enough for Xu Heng, and resolutely opposing the two of them being together.

One time, Wang Yuying overheard this. She had a short temper and couldn't stand it. She pointed at Zheng Yangzhi's nose and started cursing. If Xu Heng hadn't stopped her and forcibly separated the two, she would have punched him.

They parted on bad terms.

The next day, Wang Yuying went out on the street to have bad luck and ran into Zheng Yangzhi again. He walked up to her with a stern face and suddenly told her that Jiang Mei had been betrothed to Xu Heng since she was a baby.

She wasn't just Xu Heng's cousin; she was always his fiancée.

"This matter is a done deal, and His Highness has always been aware of it. I might as well tell you that today Her Majesty the Empress summoned His Highness to the palace to discuss the marriage. They are currently choosing an auspicious date, which is estimated to be this year."

Wang Yuying's blood froze instantly. She stared blankly at Zheng Yangzhi, who had a smile on his lips as if to say: "My cousin Mei and the eldest prince are childhood sweethearts. Who are you, a monster, to interfere? You're dreaming."

Wang Yuying shivered from the cold, turned around and ran home. She found her father, who took her to the palace so she could ask Xu Heng about him. She ran so fast in the palace that she didn't even notice her favorite gold hairpin had fallen to the ground, and she couldn't find it anywhere afterward.

She ran into Jiang Mei not far from Kunning Palace. Jiang Mei's face was covered in tears. She glared at her fiercely, then covered her face again and ran away.

She found Xu Heng in front of the Kunning Palace. He knelt stiffly in the square in front of the palace. It was the height of summer, and the sun was blazing. Xu Heng was drenched in sweat, his robe clinging to his back, revealing a wet, round mark, like a seal, which struck Wang Yuying hard in the heart.

Hearing the noise, he turned his head and saw Wang Yuying. A smile immediately appeared on his pale lips.

“Yingniang, I have already rejected them.” He told Wang Yuying that he had made it clear to both the Empress and Jiang Mei that he would not marry Jiang Mei, Yingniang. He would not marry any other woman except for you.

But later, he still brought Jiang Mei into the palace.

A note from the author:

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