Chapter 39 This is spring fever!

"Just as His Majesty predicted."

As dawn broke, Ling Feng presented the assassin's confession.

"The assassin was quickly identified. She had hidden medicine in her clothes and, seeing that she could no longer conceal it, was preparing to commit suicide by poisoning herself when she was caught by my Imperial Guards."

She then cried out that the Prince of Huaiyang was not human, nor were his men. They had swindled her family's land, causing her parents to die in poverty and illness. Because of her beauty, she had been sold to the music bureau, ostensibly to learn the arts, but in reality, she was being bullied and taken advantage of.

"Her younger brother, who was not yet ten years old, went to the government office to appeal for justice, but was falsely accused. During the interrogation, he stole an official's jade pendant and died mysteriously in prison."

Xiao Xun leaned against the sachet, listening to Ling Feng's words, and quickly scanned the confession: "This Prince of Huaiyang always used singing girls and dancers to avoid trouble, but he never thought that one day he would fall into this trap himself. Since this matter exists, you should send someone to investigate whether it is true or not."

He handed the confession back, closed his eyes, and pondered for a while. "It might not be false. This person said that his parents were dead and he had no brothers. He was all alone and more likely to disregard life and death, thus making him vulnerable to manipulation. One wanted to take the opportunity to seek justice, and the other wanted to take the opportunity to create chaos. Both sides got what they wanted and used each other."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I have already sent people to investigate."

"Alright. Remember to send another message to Chang'an: something has happened at the Huaiyang Prince's residence. The Minister of the Imperial Household and the Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud have been ordered to investigate. This is a serious matter, and their return to the capital will be delayed for a while."

Ling Feng agreed, took his leave from the East Garden, and muttered a few words as he went out:

"I haven't seen the Grand Master of the Imperial Stud since early this morning. Where did that fellow go? Could he really have gone off to the Music Bureau with the Crown Prince for some fun?"

Xiao Xun leaned against the armrest, not replying, but just rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

Last night, after Lin Yu left, Xiao Xun asked Gongsun Zhao, "Did you invite Cui Heng?"

Gongsun Zhao nodded: "Thanks to Your Majesty's foresight. The victims of the snow disaster in Huaiyang Kingdom have all been properly resettled, and the envoys sent by the court will return soon. This morning, I happened to be in the Prime Minister's residence, helping to check on the resettlement of the victims. I heard that the King of Huaiyang is going to hold a grand banquet tonight, and that Your Majesty has also invited several scholars who are guests in the residence. I understand Your Majesty's intention, so I took the liberty of inviting Prime Minister Cui to attend the banquet as well."

"Your Majesty, do you know that this Cui Heng is even more of a sycophant than we previously imagined? He was thrilled to receive my invitation and has been mentioning it to everyone he meets. In less than half a day, even the dogs passing by the government office know about it," Gongsun Zhao said with a simple smile.

He explained in detail: "Therefore, everyone in the Huaiyang Prince's Mansion knows about the banquet, including the disaster victims and refugees who are registering their identities there. Those who are interested might guess that this banquet is a farewell feast, and if they don't act now, they will miss a great opportunity."

"Coincidentally, Cui Heng, in order to curry favor and flatter, even brought dancers from the Music Bureau to perform. He said that the guests in the Huaiyang Prince's mansion were so busy with the snow disaster that they missed the Nuo opera on New Year's Day, and they were making up for it today."

"You mean this is my will?" Xiao Xun's expression was indistinct in the lamplight. "The Grand Master of the Imperial Stud is becoming more and more aware of my intentions, and he is both brave and resourceful."

Gongsun Zhao could hear the hoofbeats of horses dozens of miles away, but unfortunately, he couldn't discern the underlying meaning.

He smiled shyly and said modestly, "It was just a wild guess, a gamble, but I didn't expect to actually guess right."

Xiao Xun patted his shoulder: "You are so capable, can you help me solve a thorny issue?"

Gongsun Zhao cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please give your orders. I will do my utmost and even die for you."

"For now, we don't need to die."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Zhao's pupils contracted and his steps faltered.

Ling Feng found the weary Gongsun Zhao in the stables of the Prince of Huaiyang's mansion.

The Grand Master of the Imperial Stud wore a brocade hat and sable fur coat, which were covered with fine bits of grass.

He was carrying a handful of spring water and pouring it into the manger.

He saw Ling Feng from afar and beckoned him over to ask about the interrogation that night.

"Still bringing it up? What are you doing, slacking off and hiding in the stable? I've been busy all night." Ling Feng yawned and kicked the bucket of water at his feet.

Ta Yun snorted at Gongsun Zhao in annoyance.

Gongsun Zhao wiped his face, exhaling white breath: "His Majesty suddenly told me last night that Ta Yun has been itchy and restless lately, and is not obedient. He asked me to take a good look at it and take good care of it. I guess it's because it's not used to the water and soil. In the past few days, it was the eunuch Li, who was brought by His Majesty, who took care of Ta Yun. How could he know anything about horses? So, I changed the water in Daye Marsh to spring water drawn down from Nanshan to try it out."

Ling Feng frowned, his yawn clearing away any tears: "His Majesty hasn't ridden a horse these past few days. Why did you suddenly bring this up last night?"

"How would I know? But His Majesty always speaks his mind and never hides anything." Gongsun Zhao used a ladle to fetch water and fed it to Tayun while recounting the events of the previous night.

Ling Feng listened with increasing interest, all sleepiness gone.

"So it was you who invited Cui Heng?" Ling Feng recalled the events of last night, crossed his arms, and muttered to himself, "No wonder. When I saw that assassin attack Master Lin's younger sister yesterday, and His Majesty intervened, I was thinking, something's not right. It's so strange. It shouldn't be like this."

"That assassin wasn't exactly a master; he just picked someone easy to kill. What's so strange about that? It just so happened that Miss Lin had gone into the waterside pavilion. Luckily, His Majesty acted quickly." Gongsun Zhao said, then squinted, recalling yesterday's scene, and sighed, "Ah, that was fast indeed!"

He absentmindedly held the water ladle, one hand resting on Ta Yun's head.

Ta Yun was clearly agitated. He shook his head and knocked over the water ladle, splashing water all over Gongsun Zhao's body.

He hissed and gasped, speaking to Ta Yun: "Really, the water we drank in the Imperial Garden used to be spring water from Nanshan Mountain, right? How come the water east of Nanshan Mountain is different from the water west of Nanshan Mountain? Oh right, what's that saying again? 'Oranges grown south of the Huai River are sweet oranges, but grown north of the Huai River they become bitter oranges.' How come the water is the same?"

Ling Feng brushed the water off Gongsun Zhao's fur coat, lowered his head and smiled, saying, "Let me tell you what's wrong with this horse."

"Go away, go away, this is a task His Majesty entrusted to me. You don't know anything about horses."

Ling Feng scoffed at him: "Some things are only clear to laymen. Besides, my relationship with Ta Yun is deeper than yours."

He raised an eyebrow at Ta Yun as he spoke: "Don't you think so, Ta Yun?"

Ta Yun tilted his head back and snorted.

Gongsun Zhao thought about it and agreed.

Ling Feng was the Minister of the Imperial Household Department, and he spent far more time in Weiyang Palace than he did.

Especially during the days of Qu Qingchuan's rebellion, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department, as the commander of the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Stables, led the most elite soldiers and was said to have been guarding His Majesty day and night.

Ta Yun is His Majesty's favorite steed, and for Ling Feng, isn't he someone he sees all the time?

Gongsun Zhao initially worked as a horse feeder in the imperial garden, but he had to serve hundreds upon hundreds of horses there, and the emperor's carriage was never his turn. Later, during a horse training session, he unintentionally gained the emperor's favor and appreciation, becoming a slightly higher-ranking official under the Grand Steward, holding the position of Steward of Household Horses with a salary of 600 shi (a unit of grain), but he was always assigned to external posts. His contact with Ta Yun was indeed only ten days to half a month after he returned to the capital.

Horse breeders know that, like people, each horse has its own temperament and preferences.

"Then come and see what's going on with this Cloud Stepping technique?" Gongsun Zhao asked with some skepticism, stepping aside to make way for Ling Feng.

Ling Feng did not approach. He crossed his arms, propped his chin up with one hand, and examined the majestic yet unpredictable Akhal-Teke horse before him. After a while, he slowly said, "I understand. Once New Year's Day is over, it will be spring."

Gongsun Zhao was completely bewildered.

Ling Feng suppressed a laugh and pointed out, "This horse is in heat."

"What?" Gongsun Zhao was shocked.

After a while, he patted his head and said, "No wonder Ta Yun always seems to have no appetite. Why didn't I think of this?"

He stroked the horse's mane and said affectionately to Ta Yun, "Oh, it's not even warm yet, and you're already thinking about love?"

Ling Feng clenched his fist and pressed it against his mouth, but even that couldn't hide the wide grin that stretched to his ears: "Maybe, there was someone I was already longing for."

Gongsun Zhao suddenly realized, but without turning around, he continued speaking to Ta Yun: "Tell me, are you thinking about 'Grey Wind'? If I had known, I should have brought Grey Wind along when I came to Huaiyang Kingdom this time. Maybe by spring, we'd even have a cub."

After saying that, he looked at Ling Feng with a smile and said, "I wonder how you know so much. It seems that our Minister of the Imperial Household is also missing his betrothed wife at home?"

Ling Feng smiled and turned his face away.

He gazed into the distance towards the East Garden: "So, we'll have to endure this unpleasant eating for who knows how long. The assassination attempt in Huaiyang has spread, and we won't be able to return to Chang'an anytime soon." He patted Gongsun Zhao heavily on the back, "You, just stay here and serve him."

He stood with his hands in his sleeves, watching as Gongsun Zhao got back to work.

All I could hear was a constant chattering.

Gongsun Zhao asked if they should find a new mare from the stable to comfort Ta Yun's longing for Hui Feng.

After a while, Gongsun Zhao shook his head and denied his own idea, muttering to himself, "Marco is not easy to fool."

A horse's nose is extremely sensitive. If you change to another horse, even one that is the same color, small, and of the same breed, as long as its scent is off, it won't catch your eye. Instead, it will backfire and anger Ta Yun. When this Akhal-Teke horse gets angry, it's not as simple as overturning a water ladle or kicking a bucket.

—Why don't we take Ta Yun to the market and see if it will find a more handsome partner on its own?

He muttered a sigh. He couldn't understand how such a majestic, awe-inspiring, and proud Akhal-Teke horse, the king of horses, could have fallen ill from longing.

"Serves you right for being in your mid-twenties and still not finding a wife."

Ling Feng sighed softly, his mind drifting back to the days of Qu Qingchuan's rebellion.

When news of Qu Qingchuan's uprising in Shuofang County arrived, the Imperial Guards and the Tiger Warriors stood ready in the Weiyang Palace. All the gates of Chang'an were closed, the air thick with tension, and swords were drawn.

Qu Yang had already claimed to be ill, and the Grand Marshal's residence was like an iron barrel, with not a single whisper heard.

He remained inactive, while his court officials openly and covertly took sides.

Many people were filled with unease, speculating whether the Grand Marshal and General would use the Tiger Tally and Bamboo Tally to forge an imperial edict and mobilize the fearsome Changshui Xuanqu Hu cavalry to confront the Imperial Guards of Weiyang Palace, thereby forcing the emperor to abdicate.

Just like fifteen years ago.

At that time, Qu Yang, as the Commandant of the Changshui School, led a vast army, but he was not facing the emperor.

It wasn't him who forged the imperial edict to mobilize troops, but the crown prince.

At that time, behind the Crown Prince were the guards of Changle Palace and Beigong Palace under his command, the soldiers of Siqi Garden, the civilians of Chang'an who had been temporarily armed at the Crown Prince's call, and the prisoners of Zhongdu.

Dark clouds loomed over Weiyang Palace, and autumn thunder rumbled from the horizon.

Xiao Xun stood in front of the map of the territory, looking at the military formation diagram that he already knew by heart.

"Ling Feng, you personally lead a few elite troops to Shanglin Garden."

He turned to Ling Feng and said, "Protect someone for me. No matter what happens inside or outside the palace, keep her safe."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Ling Feng obeyed the order, then asked hesitantly, "Whom are you protecting?"

When Hu Bing's iron cavalry and the sound of swords and spears reached them, Ling Feng and his elite troops were in Shanglin Garden, facing the undulating distant mountains and the rippling blue waves. They listened to the roars of tigers and wolves, the howls of lions and the bellows of elephants, and watched as the autumn waters gradually turned to frost, the lotus flowers withered, the osmanthus blossoms fell, and the plum blossoms budded. Occasionally, they wondered if the woman named Lin Yuan who lived on the mountain was looking at the same scenery.

His Majesty said that it was "the love of my life".

On this day, Ling Feng left the East Garden, and Lin Yuan was holding a fox fur coat, requesting an audience in the East Garden courtyard.

Watching Ling Feng emerge from afar, she shook her head at the door, frowned, and sighed softly for a long time. Her heart clenched.

She put down her fox fur coat after entering the house, and hesitated in the outer room.

Through the half-open door and the screen, only a shadowy figure could be seen leaning against the couch, its long, thin frame stretched out by the glass.

"Is there anything else?" a hoarse voice came through.

"Your Majesty, the Princess Consort said you were injured yesterday. How badly were you injured?" Lin Yuan said, bowing deeply. "Last night, I thank Your Majesty for saving me."

"It was the right thing to save you, you don't need to feel bad about it." Xiao Xun paused, "It's just a minor injury."

"May I see how Your Majesty's injuries are? I am truly worried."

Feeling uneasy, she wanted to turn around and go to the other side of the screen.

"No—" Xiao Xun called out to her, but his words were drowned out by a dry cough. "No need to look."

Lin Yuan saw the figure behind the glass screen sit up, half of the brocade quilt fall to the ground, and the cuff of the inner garment peeked out from under the brocade robe. It was white with what appeared to be a patch of crimson on top.

She remembered that before dawn today, the princess had come to find her, took her arm and led her to a secluded place, and tearfully said the words "blood-soaked clothes".

My nose stung, and the crimson blood filled my vision.

Feeling guilty and worried, she lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left yesterday."

“What have you done wrong to me? It is I who have wronged you.” Xiao Xun sighed and said with self-blame, “Your brother must have told you. I had long suspected that there might be rioters causing trouble in the Prince of Huaiyang’s mansion, but I failed to do so that day, inviting you, your brother, and your friends to the banquet and pushing them into danger, causing you to suffer an undeserved disaster.”

Lin Yuan shook her head: "His Majesty intervened in time to save me, so I'm perfectly fine. How could I have suffered any undeserved misfortune? It's you who..."

"I'm fine," he said, then coughed again.

A wave of bitterness washed over Lin Yuan. She went to pour water, only to find that the tea in the pot had already gone cold: "Did Your Majesty not bring any servants with you this time?"

“You know, I’ve never liked having too many people in the house,” Xiao Xun explained softly. “Besides, after Wang Fu was expelled, and after you left, there really wasn’t anyone I liked to be around. If they weren’t served well, it would only cause me unnecessary trouble. As for the people in the Wang’s mansion, they’re undisciplined and ignorant, not as attentive as you…”

Lin Yuan thought of how Xiao Xun had always been alone these past few days, with no sign of Wang Lu, and how Li Shun had only just arrived before the Emperor, and felt a pang of guilt: "I can serve Your Majesty." She pursed her lips and added, "These past few days."

Xiao Xun's brows relaxed suddenly. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Lin Yuan pour tea, pick up the cup, and sip it lightly.

He licked his chapped lips: "Really?"

Lin Yuan hummed in agreement. "After all, His Majesty was injured while saving me, and I feel guilty about it."

“Then, if staying in the East Garden makes you feel better,” Xiao Xun said, seeing her finish her tea, put down her cup, and lean forward to pour water. He swallowed the words “take care of me” and said, “If it makes you feel better, then stay.”

After a moment, she added softly, "Just don't leave without a word again."

"No," Lin Yuan replied crisply. "I will make sure His Majesty is fully recovered before I leave."

"..."

Xiao Xun felt a mix of emotions as he looked at her through the screen: "I don't want you to feel that I'm superior to you, arrogant, and disdainful of others."

"No, no, how could that be?" Lin Yuan said, having already turned around the screen and come to him. She held a jade cup in her hand, squatted down by the couch, and looked up at him.

Xiao Xun took the cup and sighed, "Yes, there's always been someone in my eyes."

Lin Yuan quickly said, "Your Majesty, please have some tea. I just tried it, and it's not too cold; you can drink it."

A smile appeared on Xiao Xun's pale face. He took a sip and said with a smile, "It's not cold at all, it's very warm." He took another sip, "It's very sweet."

Lin Yuan's heart sank lower and lower.

She hesitated before speaking, "Where exactly is His Majesty injured? This morning, the Princess Consort told me that His Majesty was struck by an assassin's silver needle."

She was filled with worry. Xiao Xun's words just now made her suspect that the silver needles were poisoned, and that the poison had spread and damaged her five senses and five tastes.

His face was flushed; was it due to the toxins causing a fever?

His eyes were blurry; was it because of the poison, causing him to have blurred vision and hallucinations?

Even Li Shun rarely sets foot in his room, so why is there always someone in his sight?

She felt cold all over.

These were all symptoms of poisoning, which she remembered clearly. She had drunk the poisoned wine that Qu Yan had sent. When the imperial physician Hua Ren came to examine her pulse, he carefully asked her about these symptoms of poisoning, examining her three times a day for five consecutive days.

"I cut my hand—"

"Where are you hurt?" Lin Yuan asked anxiously, grabbing his hand.

Xiao Xun's other hand, which was holding the cup, trembled, and two drops of tea dripped down his fingers onto the brocade quilt.

Lin Yuan could feel that the hand she was holding was also trembling, spasmodically tense, and she turned around and gripped her hand tightly.

An abnormal heat was transferred to her palm.

Xiao Xun put down his water glass and slowly rolled up his wide sleeves.

Lin Yuan's eyes widened when she saw the injury on her arm, and she gasped several times.

A faint, fine scar lay on her smooth arm.

It was pale, so it had already healed.

It was even more subtle than when Lin Yuan was embroidering plum blossoms and accidentally injured herself with her needle.

You can't see it unless you open your eyes wide.

Xiao Xun coughed lightly, a smile playing on his lips: "Look at this wound, doesn't it look like it was scratched by an eagle in Shanglin Garden?"

"eagle?"

Lin Yuan was completely confused, but her thoughts returned to Shanglin Garden.