Chapter 113 [VIP]

“Brother, look at the trumpet creeper on the wall, it’s blooming, its crimson color is like flames,” Lu Xuejin said.

Upon hearing this, Xue Yi looked up at the wall. According to the palace servants, this wall was burned last year, and all the plants on it died. This year, the roots that had spread from the soil at the bottom extended upwards, and new flowers bloomed, appearing even more resilient and beautiful as they faced the sun.

"The flowers are beautiful... but they look a bit too flamboyant. Does Changyou like this color?" he asked.

Zhang Lin said from behind, "I didn't realize... that Lord Lu actually likes this trumpet creeper. Well, no... I almost forgot that Lord Lu likes bright colors, but that makes sense. This flower has to bloom at the very top... so that everyone can see it when they look up."

Song Zhao looked at it coldly and said, "Being too flamboyant is not a good thing in the end. The first thing to be burned by the fire is its roots."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xuejin turned her gaze to Song Zhao and said, "Although it's a bit flamboyant, it's only one spring, so there's nothing wrong with being a little flamboyant. If you want to get a closer look at what the sun looks like... you have to get closer."

"Even if it gets burned by the sun because it's close by, if I can see what the sun looks like... it's all worth burning."

Zhang Lin immediately chimed in, "Lord Lu is right... Lord Song and I both prefer to be mediocre. Everyone wants to be like the trumpet creeper, but how many can actually become one? Many fall as soon as they get close to the city wall, unable to bear the weight."

"Lord Song, don't you think so?" Zhang Lin said with a smile.

Song Zhao lowered his eyebrows and glanced at Zhang Lin, refusing to speak to the dough-like Zhang Lin.

Old Master Wei advised from the side, "We've finally managed to get out today, so let's not quarrel again. Today is a spring outing... I've already arranged a boat on the Hao Ri River and have a singing girl from Xia Ma Ling come to play the pipa. We're just waiting for His Majesty to go."

Zhang Lin: "Old Wei is right. The weather is perfect now that it's summer. When the midday sun gets strong, the moisture from the Hao Ri River blows in, and it's incredibly pleasant."

Xue Yi: "I understand... Thank you for your help, Elder Wei."

He and Lu Xuejin boarded a carriage. As they got in, he noticed Lu Xuejin was still looking out the window at the trumpet creeper flowers. Once they were some distance apart, he looked at Lu Xuejin's profile; the fiery red color seemed to him no different from that of the young man.

“I’m looking at that trumpet creeper… and I feel it looks just like Changyou,” he said.

Lu Xuejin turned to look at him upon hearing this, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "I don't think so. Brother, you're showing favoritism towards me... I clearly have a barren and empty heart, how could I have such a vibrant life force?"

Is that so?

He never felt that the other person's heart was dull and empty. Although he had no memories of the past, in the past six months of contact, every time Lu Xuejin worked hard for the people, expressed her political views, and steadfastly moved towards her position and expressed her thoughts, he felt that she was like a trumpet vine facing the sun.

Resilient, bright, and full of vibrant life.

The carriage passed through the palace road of Wei Palace. He watched from afar as the palace slowly unfolded into the depths of the clouds. The entire palace was like a giant womb, producing generation after generation of monarchs like himself, generation after generation of devoted ministers, and all the discernment and treachery. The monarchs and their rebellions were mixed in, forming amniotic fluid around the womb, constantly revolving around the entire palace, slowly passing through the cycle of life and death.

"Brother... what are you thinking about?" Lu Xuejin asked from his side.

He then came to his senses and looked at Lu Xuejin's profile. "Lately... I've been having a lot of worries."

Lu Xuejin: "What is troubling you? If you're willing, tell me, and perhaps I can help."

"I've always felt that it's not a good thing to confide in others... That's a problem only the weak need to consider. People only talk to others when they can't solve their own problems," he said.

"Is that what you think, brother?" Lu Xuejin said thoughtfully, "That's a bit too absolute. Whether or not someone speaks depends on their own will. If we judge solely on whether or not someone speaks, then that person should live alone and have no need to interact with others."

"Brother, is this a deliberate act to distance yourself from me?" Lu Xuejin turned to look at him and asked.

He immediately replied, "Of course not."

He gazed into those deep brown eyes, so beautiful and captivating, and he absolutely did not want to cause her even the slightest sadness.

Those beautiful eyes... I really want to reach out and touch them.

...I really want to keep it to myself.

...He already possesses the entire Great Wei, so why is it still not enough?

"I have already spoken to Changyou... So, can this be considered a sign of weakness?"

His words made Lu Xuejin pause slightly. Lu Xuejin looked at him and said quietly, "Of course not. Brother didn't say anything. To say that 'I said it' is to make it seem like I've said it. How can that be reasonable?"

"Is your brother closer to Song Zhao than to me?"

This question stumped him. A certain emotion welled up inside him, nourishing him and making him look down at his palm. He hadn't eaten any candied fruit that morning... Why did a sweet feeling rise in his heart?

They arrived at their destination quickly. Zhang Lin and Song Zhao surrounded their carriage. As he alighted, he was greeted by a pond full of hibiscus and magnolia blossoms. A magnificent boat adorned with silks and satins was moored on the Hao Ri River, and the sounds of sheng and xiao music began to play softly.

Zhang Lin, with his hands tucked in his pockets, said, "Your Majesty... how are you feeling? Speaking of which, I haven't seen Your Majesty fall ill since the Lunar New Year. That Physician Qiu is truly a divine physician."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhao looked at Lu Xuejin. Lu Xuejin met Song Zhao's gaze, her expression unchanged.

He replied, "My body... I feel perfectly normal."

Zhang Lin: "That Doctor Qiu has a very strange temper. Only Lord Lu and Lord Song can persuade him. Speaking of last time... Lord Song, how did things go with that girl? Our Lord Song has always been popular with women. First there was the niece of Prince Bingliang, then the doctor's daughter... and then the little maid in the library."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xuejin paused slightly, as if thinking of something, before saying, "If Lord Song is going to get married, he should do so as soon as possible. My maid came back a few days ago crying... I've thought it over and over, and I believe Lord Song wouldn't be the type to make things difficult for a woman. Let's just assume she's having some trouble thinking... But I've watched her grow up since she was little, and seeing her in tears was truly unbearable. I'm mentioning this here, hoping Lord Song will grant me the honor of conveying your feelings. Does Lord Song know my maid? Her name is Tengluo. She's never had any contact with a man before, but somehow she's taken a liking to you... If you could let me know, I'll go back and comfort her, and hopefully she'll give up on you."

Song Zhao said coldly, "My marriage is none of Lord Lu's business. Lord Lu truly cares about your maid... I admire that. I have never paid attention to her, so please do as you see fit, Lord Lu."

Zhang Lin said from the side, "Alas! Although she is Lord Lu's maid, she is still a maid. How can she be worthy of our Lord Song... Not to mention the niece of Prince Bingliang, if Lord Song is willing... the daughter of Prince Bingliang and the daughter of Minister Qineng are not out of the question. The sisters of Minister Zhili and Minister Jiusi, as long as Lord Song likes them... how could His Majesty not allow it?"

Lu Xuejin: "Although she is a maid, she cannot be treated with contempt just because of her lowly status... I believe Lord Song understands this principle even better. Back when we were in Zhizhang Hall... I remember Lord Song saying these words to His Majesty. I don't think Lord Song would do such a thing. My maid is also a lively person, so I suppose she is not valued by Lord Song, which is why she cried so bitterly."

Song Zhao: "Lord Lu is so kind-hearted, yet he is still indignant at the tears of a maid. Although he doesn't explicitly say that I was the one who did it, his words are full of implications. Other people's maids are naturally not worth looking down on, but if it were Lord Lu's maid... Lord Lu still looks down on other people's feelings, so why is he unwilling to accept that his maid is being looked down on?"

Both of them looked gentle and calm, but their words didn't quite convey that meaning.

Zhang Lin smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, alright... let's get on the ship quickly. My lords... His Majesty has finally come out today, we mustn't spoil his enjoyment."

As Xue Yi listened to the two arguing, his eyes turned to Lu Xuejin. The dagger that Song Zhao had given him the day before was still useless. For some reason, he was reluctant to look at Song Zhao, afraid of seeing Song Zhao's cold eyes.

Lu Xuejin: "Brother... come with me."

He looked at the hand extended to him and, with Lu Xuejin's help, got off the carriage.

A gentle breeze pierced through the illusory reflections of the enormous sun, casting shadows on the boat. The river's surface rippled with beautiful, silken patterns, swaying and drifting towards the distant horizon. The soft strains of a pipa began to play, so gentle they almost lulled one to sleep.

The beautiful melodies pierced people's hearts, coming from ancient rituals. The wind, etched into their blood, howled, traversing the thorny, blazing sun and falling around them, forming a real reflection.

Old Master Wei: "Zaimin...you're not getting any younger, why don't you think about marriage? Even Lord Song, you should also think about your own future."

Zhang Lin smiled and said, "Elder Wei, I'm sorry to trouble you with my affairs. It's too early for me to get married. If I were to get married... what would happen to the girls at Fengming Terrace?"

Xue Yi sat in the main seat, with Lu Xuejin beside him. The maids brought out exquisite dishes, but he noticed that Lu Xuejin hardly touched the plates and seemed to eat very little on weekdays.

"Speaking of which..." Lu Xuejin overheard Wei Lao and Zhang Lin's conversation and said to him, "My brother mentioned marriage before. After I finish my business in a few days... I'll select some women to enter the palace, what do you think?"

"Brother, take a look first; perhaps you'll find something you like."

He looked at the pastries on the plate. They had been so plump and cute just moments before, but now they didn't look quite right. Although it was he who was pressing Lu Xuejin about his ex-wife, hearing her suggest that she help him find her caused him some inexplicable emotions.

"You only let me see, why won't Changyou see?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xuejin said to him, "I hadn't mentioned this before. It was only after you brought it up that I came up with a solution."

"Look, it's a good thing. My brother is getting on in years... he really should get married."

He couldn't help but ask, "Does Changyou think I'm too old?"

"..." Lu Xuejin, "Of course not, what are you thinking, brother?"

Zhang Lin: "The first thing we talk about is marriage, what's there to talk about... Your Majesty, let's talk about something else. Look at this specially supplied fine wine, made from grapes dried in the western border city. It looks bright and rich, and smells wonderful... I'll fill your cups with this fine wine, wishing our Great Wei endless prosperity... and a glorious future for a hundred years!"

He and Lu Xuejin each had a glass of wine in front of them. He looked at Lu Xuejin's expression as she looked down at her wine glass, as if she was thinking about something. Her face was full of wisdom and elegance. Let alone a hundred years... even if he were to live another life, he might never forget her.

Song Zhao asked, "Is His Majesty still fit to drink alcohol given his current condition?"

Lu Xuejin: "A little taste is fine, nothing serious."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Zhang... In that case, I would like to offer my best wishes and hope that Heaven will have mercy on my brother and that he may live a long and healthy life."

The wine is like crystal, gold, and jade, and my beloved died drunk before the mountain.

Beauty fades with time, and vows are made in vain; a hundred times I yearn to return.

Drunk! Drunk! Drunk! The pipa's melody echoes of bygone years—a resounding lament of an emperor's glorious retirement. We raise our cups to the sun, offering prayers, hoping to one day recount our lives amidst the shadows of the imperial court!

Lu Xuejin drank the wine in one gulp.

Xue Yi watched as a faint blush rose on the young man's cheeks, like a streak of crimson staining his face on a vermilion wall. Suddenly, Lu Xuejin noticed his gaze and turned to meet his eyes.

He saw his own reflection amidst the serene atmosphere. His face was naturally gloomy, handsome yet incredibly pale, as if heaven had borrowed a vessel for him, always heavy and devoid of life.

Lu Xuejin smiled at him, and he seemed to see the most beautiful view from the window.

That window leads to all that is true, good, and beautiful. When one is inside, one has the illusion of awaiting a beautiful judgment. All one's sins are washed away in it. There is only pure and true beauty here. Pure white magnolias and crabapple blossoms bloom silently. He even saw a huge and sacred twin tree.

……beauty.

...beautiful things.

...All the beautiful scenes that had been transformed were right before my eyes.

"Lord Lu seems to have a rather low alcohol tolerance."

He watched as the young man finished his drink and then stared intently at the distant riverbank, which faced south.

As the music faded away, Lu Xuejin fell asleep by the table. She was helped by a guard to the inner room of the boat, and he followed her there.

The rooms on the boat were very spacious, but for some reason, when he stepped into the room, he saw the shadows cast by the sunlight on the door and had the illusion that there was a pool of blood on the ground.

He looked at the clean floor, but felt a sticky feeling in his throat and his stomach churning. He lowered his head and gagged, his palms empty, clearly devoid of anything.

...I must be imagining things.

It's daytime now, and there's nothing here.

He saw Lu Xuejin lying on the small bed, while Song Zhao outside the door was whispering to the guards. He could see Song Zhao's figure by turning his head; Song Zhao's figure was long, and the shadow passed through the crack in the door and came to his side.

"His Majesty had met him once on the ship... He spat blood by the door, and fell seriously ill after seeing him," Song Zhao said from behind him.

"He is currently unconscious... Today is the most opportune time to make a move."

"Your Majesty... Yanli, shall I do it for you?"

Lu Xuejin slept soundly on the small bed, his beautiful face flushed with the rosy hue of drunkenness, like the "Dead Beauty" painting sealed in the national treasury. His eyes were slightly lowered, his cheeks full and snow-white, his skin glowing like pearls, creating a serene and ethereal beauty.

A note from the author: