Chapter 51 Wooden Hairpin: A willow hairpin, a gift for my beloved.
Yan Baizhang spent three to five extra days traveling from Chong'an to Linxia.
On that day, it was agreed that Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun would first lead the army to Linxia to meet with Prince Shen, while he would select a hundred soldiers to patrol the various passes and key roads in the southeast.
Gao Guan greeted him at the camp gate, quickly walked a few steps, and helped Yan Baizhang dismount.
Yan Baizhang dismounted and spat a few times.
"Willows everywhere, catkins flying all over the sky, I've almost eaten my fill along the way." As he spoke, he spat out the catkins that had drifted into his mouth.
Willow catkins filled the air, especially along the willow-lined banks of the stream, where they drifted into the water and gathered into patches of white.
Gao Guan walked ahead, crossing the training ground, and led Yan Baizhang into the main tent. "This area has the most willow trees, and right now is the time when the willow catkins are at their peak. In another month or two, we won't be eating the catkins anymore."
"It won't take more than a month or two before we have to move."
On one wall of the central command tent hung a map covering the entire wall. Chen Liangyu marked some circles and boxes with a red pen and was analyzing the terrain, water flow, and wind direction with a group of generals.
Hearing them talking, Xie Yuan almost ran out. Before Yan Baizhang could pay his respects, Xie Yuan bowed first.
"Military Advisor Yan, I have met you."
Yan Baizhang hurriedly returned the greeting, "Your Highness Prince Shen is too kind. I have met Your Highness Prince Shen."
Xie Yuan stretched out his right hand and made a "please" gesture, "Military Advisor Yan, please come in quickly."
"Uncle Yan."
Chen Liangyu followed behind Xie Yuan, and only spoke after the two had finished their pleasantries, "You're back."
Yan Baizhang responded to her, paused before the map and stared at it for a while, then picked up his brush and added a few places. After pondering for a moment, he added another layer of ink to the circles and frames that Chen Liangyu had circled, saying, "These places need more troops."
After explaining the key points of each troop deployment location, Yan Baizhang turned to Xie Yuan and said, "Your Highness Prince Shen, the deployment in Linxia still needs to be entrusted to you."
Xie Yuan said, "Don't worry, Military Advisor Yan."
"Liangyu, come with me to deploy troops elsewhere."
The last key passage was in the canyon bordering Linxia in the northeast corner of Cangnan. After Chen Liangyu finished setting up all the formations, he led his horse and stopped with Yan Baizhang by the river. The soldiers in his entourage took out water jugs and fetched cool water.
Chen Liangyu took the water bottle and took a sip, his throat moving as he made a "gulp" sound.
She stood still and looked around in all directions again.
The sealing of the pass connecting Chong'an, Cangnan, and Linxia effectively imprisoned the southeastern region, blocking all southward advances and resembling a separatist warlord regime.
She found a shady spot under a tree to rest, walked a short distance away, and cut off a small piece of willow wood to play with.
As I was playing, an idea popped into my head.
She sat on a rock by the water, drew a short dagger from her waist, and began to peel away the bark. With focused attention, she cut away the bark piece by piece, and soon the small piece of wood began to take the shape of a hairpin.
Feeling that a single wooden stick was too rudimentary, he flipped the dagger and used the tip to carve lines on the end of the hairpin, carefully polishing it.
Yan Baizhang asked her, "Have you made up your mind? To support Prince Shen?"
“Uncle Yan, I have no choice but Prince Shen.” Chen Liangyu picked up a few pebbles, rubbed them in his hands, and polished the burrs on the hairpin. “I can’t possibly bow down to the people who killed my parents!”
Yan Baizhang's eyes showed some heartache and reluctance; he felt guilty.
He had always regarded Chen Liangyu as someone as talented and prudent as her father and brothers. Perhaps it was because she had been strict with herself since childhood and rarely went astray, but gradually, he began to expect her to meet the standards of Chen Yuanqing and Chen Linjun without realizing it.
She did indeed grow up to resemble her father and brothers.
The same fearless spirit, the same unwavering commitment.
When Chen Liangyu asked about her parents like a lost child, he suddenly remembered that she was still quite young.
So she's still so young, that's why she's so young.
"What's next?" Yan Baizhang looked up and sat down on the rock next to her. "What are your plans for the future?"
"Wait! Wait for Yongdu to say that I am abusing my power, harboring treacherous intentions, and plotting treason! Wait for them to come and kill me, His Highness Prince Shen, and the princess."
Chen Liangyu looked up. The sunlight was not glaring at the moment, and the light was very soft on her face.
"Uncle Yan, you won't abandon me, will you?"
"We'll take care of it. We'll risk our lives to do it."
Suddenly remembering something, Yan Baizhang asked, "Did Princess Jiangning bring out any secret edict? Did she tell you what it contained?"
"I don't know. The princess has the imperial seal on her."
Chen Liangyu examined the wooden hairpin from all angles, finding it barely acceptable.
Yan Baizhang relaxed for a moment, then said, "No wonder. I was wondering why Prince Qi would think of killing a princess first. Let's go back to Linxia and report to His Highness Prince Shen."
She lifted her skirt, wiped the hairpin clean, and tucked it into her clothes.
Counting the days on her fingers, Chen Liangyu realized it had been several days since she had seen Xie Wenjun. She couldn't help but wonder what Xie Wenjun was doing now, and whether she was eating and sleeping peacefully.
A sudden surge of anxiety welled up within her, for reasons she couldn't quite pinpoint. At that moment, all she wanted was to spur her horse and gallop back to Linxia to see her, to be by her side.
The Shenwang Mansion in Linxia is located in the most prosperous part of the city, with flying eaves, bracket sets, carved beams and painted rafters.
A row of well-arranged side rooms is placed in the backyard.
After resting for a few days and regaining her strength, Xie Wenjun intentionally ate more. Dai Qing complained that the tonic prescribed by the doctor was extremely bitter, but Xie Wenjun drank it all without saying a word.
"Quick, Princess, have a piece of candy." Yuan Rong held up the plate, agreeing with Dai Qing's words, "This medicine is too bitter, even I can't stand the smell."
Xie Wenjun picked up a piece of candy, popped it into her mouth, and held it there.
Xun Shuheng wrinkled her nose and said, "The princess's health has improved considerably. Why don't we ask the doctor if we can stop the medicine?"
Xie Wenjun frowned as the bitter medicine hit her, and said, "Sister-in-law Wang, these are turbulent times. Listen to the doctor. Get well as soon as possible, so you don't become a hindrance when something happens."
"You've really gone through a lot of trouble."
Xie Wenjun glanced out the window, then glanced again. As the sun set and the moon rose, she thought, "Shouldn't we be going back today?"
When Chen Liangyu and Yan Baizhang went to set up the defense line, they sent someone to say that they would return no later than today.
Xun Shuheng said, "Military operations are a major event. They said they could return today after deploying the troops, but there's no guarantee that something might cause a delay. It's common for it to be a day or two late."
Xie Wenjun was particularly stubborn about this matter: "She said she would return no later than today, and it will definitely be today."
Xun Shuheng did not refute, but simply ordered the servants to remove the cups and chopsticks from the table.
People were busy coming and going in an orderly fashion, and Xie Wenjun's gaze fell on the hair ornaments on the woman's head.
"Sister-in-law Wang, I see that many women in the Wang residence are wearing the same wooden hairpin."
She noticed the wooden hairpins because they couldn't really be called hairpins; they were simply thin wooden sticks shaved into a plug. She had seen many wooden hairpins at a peddler's stall when she left the palace; some were carved with designs and inscriptions, others with orchids and plum blossoms. They looked novel, so she bought some to play with. Even the finely crafted wooden hairpins cost only ten coins; the servants in the Prince's mansion received generous monthly wages and rewards, so they wouldn't be stingy with such a small amount.
Xun Shuheng smiled and explained to her, "In the Linxia and Cangnan areas, there has always been a custom of carving hairpins as gifts to friends. Originally, carving hairpins was for the friendship between gentlemen, but later it gradually became a custom to carve hairpins as gifts to one's beloved. It has also become a local custom, meaning 'long hair binds the heart of the beloved, and a single lock of long hair seals a lifetime of commitment.'"
"The best materials for wooden hairpins are small-leaf sandalwood and rosewood, followed by boxwood and peach wood. Willows are widely planted in Linxia, and willow wood is readily available, so willow wood is often used to carve hairpins for convenience. However, not everyone is a skilled craftsman. If the craftsmanship is not good, the hairpin may not look like a hairpin. But it is the thought that counts, so we don't have to worry about the details."
A willow hairpin, a gift for my beloved.
"That's quite interesting," Xie Wenjun said. "Sister-in-law Wang, did Third Brother carve a wooden hairpin for you himself?"
Xun Shuheng was taken aback by the question, lowered her head and forced a smile, saying, "No." The hint of disappointment disappeared immediately, and she remained as dignified and composed as ever, not forgetting to explain for Xie Yuan, "His Highness's mind is not on this."
Xianyu reminded Xun Shuheng from the side, "Your Highness, it's almost time."
Xun Shuheng also peered outside, as if she were about to greet someone.
Xie Wenjun asked, "Are there more people coming?"
"Someone wanted to see the princess and sent a visiting card a few days ago. Upon learning that the princess was coming to Linxia, they replied two days earlier and should be arriving today."
"who?"
"Grand Tutor Gu's granddaughter, Miss Gu Xie."
The person indeed arrived at the opportune moment.
The servant led the way, bringing the people from Cangnan to the flower hall and serving them tea. "Please wait a moment, everyone."
He then went to report it.
Xun Shuheng moved slowly and joked, "Hanhong Academy is really particular. They say they'll arrive at 7 PM, but they'll never arrive at 9 AM."
The slight smile on her face froze when she saw the face of the person behind Gu Xie.
A gentleman is like bamboo, pine, and crane.
That's Chen Luan.
He stood there, his eyes seemingly reflecting the flickering light of a lantern.
Pupil tremor.
After exchanging greetings, Gu Xie turned around and saw that Chen Luan seemed to be drawn by an invisible thread, his gaze fixed on Xun Shuheng's face, his pupils filled with disbelief and panic.
"Xingqian?"
Xingqian was the courtesy name of Chen Luan.
"Greetings, Princess Jiangning."
Chen Luan's lips parted slightly, but his voice caught in his throat, "Greetings... Princess Shen."
"Second Brother."
Chen Liangyu's voice came from outside the flower hall, temporarily relieving the confusion and panic in the hall.
She leaped in a few steps, saying, "I sent someone to Cangnan to look for you, but they reported back that you had already left. I'm worried about you."
Before she sent troops to Nanzhou, Emperor Xuanyuan transferred Chen Luan to Cangnan County as an academic official.
Chen Luan said, "When you came to see Princess Jiangning, you learned that you were with the princess, so you informed her in advance and brought me along."
Chen Liangyu thanked Gu Xie for her hard work, saying, "Miss Gu Xie, it's nice to see you again."
Gu Xie said, "I have long admired General Chen's name, but I have never met him. Could it be that I did not know when you met me?"
"At the East Mansion's birthday banquet, Miss Gu Xie was truly captivating."
On that day, Chen Liangyu sat at the women's table, while Gu Xie won a literary contest and received an inscription from the old princess. After that, he never showed up again. Although they appeared together at the East Mansion, they never actually met.
Gu Xie smiled and said, "You're showing off."
Upon seeing Xie Wenjun, Chen Liangyu shifted her gaze slightly backward and noticed that Xie was still holding her hair up with a ribbon. Instinctively, she reached into her clothes to retrieve something.
Suddenly, she hesitated.
Xie Wenjun's hairpins and hair ornaments used to be of the highest quality, while the willow wood hairpin in her hand looked rather shabby.
Never mind.
With a thick skin, I took out the little trinket that I had been polishing for a long time. I opened my palm, and there lay a not-so-exquisite wooden hairpin.
The hairpin is carved with an eagle, its head held high, as if about to spread its wings.
That eagle was the eagle-shaped one on the shoulder of Chen Liangyu's eagle-head armor.
The carving wasn't refined; it couldn't have been done by a craftsman. Xie Wenjun's eyes brightened, and she suddenly looked up, "You carved it?"
Chen Liangyu nodded.
"Carved by hand?"
A faint smile appeared on her face, and the gloom of the past few days seemed to dissipate for a moment.
It was always like this; her mood would be swayed by a small thing Chen Liangyu did or a word she said unintentionally. There was a strong possibility that the person who took the wooden hairpin from Chen Liangyu's palm simply took it because she had nothing to use. Chen Liangyu was oblivious to the folk custom of carving hairpins as gifts for loved ones, a symbol of affection.
"Your Highness, please make do with this for now."
There's no other way but to make do for now.
"I only found out after I finished carving that this thing is sold everywhere in Linxia. Since Your Highness likes it, I will go and buy a bunch more tomorrow."
Author's Note: In light of a reader's comment that all my supporting characters are dying, I hereby solemnly declare that Uncle Yan is not dead, and Uncle Yan will live to be a hundred years old!
Thank you for reading this far!
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