Chapter 69 [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Returning to Beijing.
Xie Xuan returned to the capital, arriving just before the New Year. It had snowed for several days, and the weather was bitterly cold. Accompanying Xie Xuan to the capital was a messenger from Youzhou on an urgent journey of eight hundred li.
"The barbarians launched a night attack, which the newly appointed general Ye Qinyan failed to detect, resulting in heavy casualties among the garrison. The situation in Youzhou is now quite dire."
As Ayu whispered these words to Yu Jing, Yu Jing was eating a piece of fish in vinegar sauce. Upon hearing this, he paused, then turned to Ayu and asked, "Is there any news from the Imperial Study?"
Ayu hesitated and shook her head: "There has been no response since the message was sent to the Imperial Study. I wonder what His Majesty's intention is."
Yu Jing pondered for a while. He realized that the others were unreliable, and with the war in full swing, Xie Xuan and the others would likely be returning to Youzhou soon.
The fact that Xie Jin and Xie Xuancai encountered such an incident after returning to the capital from Youzhou will significantly boost their prestige, both within the army and in the capital.
"Have you prepared everything I asked you to?"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant has prepared everything." Ayu whispered.
“Then let’s find an opportunity to send them out secretly.” Yu Jing paused for a moment, “as soon as possible, they might be going back to Youzhou soon.”
"This servant understands," Ayu replied and withdrew.
Tomorrow is the New Year's banquet. Even if the war is intense, Qi Jin should let Xie Xuan and the others go after the New Year. Firstly, his word is law, and he had already issued an order. Secondly, they have been traveling a long way, so it would be good for them to rest.
But Yu Jing hadn't expected that the imperial decree ordering them to return to Youzhou would be issued early the next morning. Yu Jing was trying on her New Year's Eve banquet attire when she heard the news. Hearing A Yu's words, she turned around in surprise.
"really?"
"The imperial decree has been issued, ordering General Xie and Lord Xie to depart immediately. I suppose Eunuch Xu has already arrived at the General's residence by now, there's no doubt about it."
It seems the situation in Youzhou is much more severe than imagined. Yu Jing pondered for a moment: "Have the things been delivered?"
"It was delivered to the General's residence last night, and Lord Xie has already received it."
“They can set off now…” Yu Jing said, then continued, “Alright, Ayu, prepare the carriage, I’m leaving the palace.”
Ayu immediately understood, curtsied, and turned to leave. After Ayu left, Yu Jing glanced at the clothes she was wearing, raised her hand, and took them off: "Change into that Shuihua Zhu outfit, comb your hair into a simple bun, and wear that red agate hairpin."
"yes."
"Your Majesty, the carriage is ready." Ayu rushed in and called out. She saw that the palace maid had already combed Yu Jing's hair and was putting on a hairpin. Ayu took two steps forward, reached out and took the magnolia hairpin from the palace maid's hand, and carefully put it on Yu Jing.
"I've had someone inquire, and it turns out that Lord Xie is still in the manor and hasn't set off yet."
"Let's go." Yu Jing stood up and walked out.
When the palace gates opened, Yu Jing shivered from the wind. She knew it was cold, but she hadn't expected it to be this cold. The snow was falling heavier than in the past few days, swirling and fluttering like goose feathers. A path had been cleared through the snow in the courtyard, and Yu Jing followed it to the carriage. The carriage swayed and rocked its way out of the palace. Perhaps because she hadn't slept well the night before, Yu Jing felt somewhat unwell.
After passing through the palace gates, the streets outside were even quieter than inside the palace. It was the beginning of the year, and with such heavy snow, everyone was naturally reunited with their families. Yu Jing lifted the bamboo curtain that had fallen by the window and peeked out. There were few pedestrians, and they all seemed to be in a hurry.
They arrived at the General's Mansion shortly afterward. The carriage stopped in a small alley a little further away. Ayu sent someone to call Xie Xuan. Yu Jing felt uneasy and didn't want to wait in the carriage, so she got off.
The alley was wide, and next to it was someone's yard, with a jujube tree growing there. However, all the leaves had fallen, and thin streaks of snow had accumulated on the bare branches. Yu Jing moved her umbrella aside and looked up. The white snow and the brown branches looked as if they had been drawn with a brush.
When Xie Xuan came out, this was the scene she saw: the sky was just beginning to darken, and snow was falling softly. She looked up at the sky; her long, fair neck was a similar color to the snow, and the bright red of her sable cloak was striking. The fur of her sable cloak swayed gently from side to side in the wind. Her expression was calm and serene.
"Queque." Xie Xuan stopped and called out to Yu Jing. It had only been a few months since they last met, but it felt like several years had passed. In the unbearably cold military tent, on the battlefield where swords clashed, he had thought of her countless times. Now, standing in front of her, his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of his chest.
Yu Jing's heart skipped a beat. She looked down and saw Xie Xuan standing at the alley entrance, not holding an umbrella. He wore a long, narrow-sleeved black robe and a white jade crown. He seemed to have lost weight, and his features were sharper than before. He also looked more profound than before.
Xie Xuan ran up to Yu Jing and called out to her again with a smile, "Que Que".
"Xie Xuan, are you still in Youzhou..." Yu Jing's words were cut short as his lips were sealed. His lips were hot, lingering and passionate. It seemed as if all the words he wanted to say were contained in that kiss. Snowflakes fell heavily, and the umbrella in Yu Jing's hand landed on the ground with a soft "thud."
After the kiss, Yu Jing stared intently at Xie Xuan, breathing softly. Xie Xuan also looked down at Yu Jing, raising his hand to touch her face; his hands were calloused and rough.
"I received the clothes you sent yesterday, and I will wear them close to my skin."
The small coat made of mink fur that Yu Jing gave to Xie Xuan was the warmest thing to wear next to the skin.
"Your Majesty, thank you, Your Excellency."
Ayu's slightly flustered voice came from the alley entrance.
Xie Xuan quickly lowered his head and kissed Yu Jing, whispering, "Wait for me to come back."
Yu Jing didn't respond, watching Xie Xuan's figure disappear into the snow. This was probably the last time they would meet so peacefully.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." After Xie Xuan left, Ayu stepped forward, picked up the umbrella that had fallen to the ground, and held it over Yu Jing. She then reached out and brushed the snow off Yu Jing's shoulder.
"It's alright, let's go." Yu Jing looked at Xue and helped the person next to her into the carriage.
After returning to Cining Palace, Yu Jing declined the New Year's banquet, citing illness. Drinking and talking with a large group of strangers was quite tiring, and besides, if she went to the New Year's banquet, she would inevitably run into Su Siyang. It would be better to stay in the small kitchen with A Yu and roast sweet potatoes, peanuts, and taro.
My dear Queque, all is well in Youzhou, don't worry! Take good care of yourself, I miss you!
...
Most of the letters Xie Xuan sent back from Youzhou were to report that she was safe and sound, and to remind her to take care of herself. At first, Yu Jing would reply, but later she stopped. Ayu found this strange, but dared not ask anything, only noting that Yu Jing's personality had become increasingly sullen and quiet. Most of the time, she would stay in the palace reading, or go for a walk, sometimes spending more than an hour in the pavilion in the Imperial Garden.
However, Yu Jing became even more concerned about the affairs of the previous dynasty, as if he had returned to the past.
"His Majesty has been secretly selecting men from the military camps recently, sending many to Youzhou under the guise of transporting provisions," Ayu reported cautiously.
"I understand."
Yu Jing responded. Ever since Qi Jin spoke to her last time, Yu Jing had felt that Qi Jin was not as simple as he appeared. Now, thinking about it carefully, Qi Jin must be grooming someone to replace the Xie family. The Xie family is currently too powerful. If they return victorious from Youzhou, their positions will only rise higher. Xie Jin is currently a second-rank official, and Xie Xuan is a fourth-rank official. If they rise further… Since ancient times, the thing that monarchs fear most is someone whose achievements overshadow their own. It seems that not only Xie Xuan, but the entire Xie family will be mired in trouble.
Thinking of this, Yu Jing felt a chill run down her spine. When she first possessed Sheng Hua, she had underestimated everything. She would eventually see the real imperial palace—a filthy, chilling, and blood-soaked palace.
At the end of June, news of the great victory in Youzhou reached the capital. Yu Jing was not surprised at all; in fact, she breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't bear the days of waiting for news in the palace, which felt like an eternity.
The cicadas outside the window were making a lot of noise, and the ice pot inside the hall was melting in the ice water, occasionally making a "crackling" sound.
"Your Majesty, this is freshly made plum juice from the small kitchen." Just as Ayu finished speaking to Yu Jing, a palace maid brought in the plum juice. Ayu quickly gave the maid a wink, and the maid, unsure what to do, heard Yu Jing hum in agreement. The maid respectfully placed the plum juice in front of Yu Jing.
Transparent ice crystals swayed in the white porcelain bowl, two plums sank to the bottom, and some dried osmanthus flowers were sprinkled on top, emitting a faint sour smell and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus.
Yu Jing picked up the white porcelain spoon placed beside her and said, "Ayu."
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ayu replied.
"If Xie Xuan sends any more messages, ignore them."
Ayu looked at Yu Jing in surprise, and after a long pause, she replied, "Yes."
"Also, if there is any news about Xie Xuan in the future, there is no need to inform me."
"yes."
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Xu has arrived."
"Let him in." Yu Jing took a sip of the plum juice. The plum juice from the small kitchen suited her taste perfectly. It had a strong plum flavor but wasn't too sour, with a hint of sweetness.
Xu Xinshu entered and first glanced at Yu Jing, who was in the superior position: "This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Yu Jing looked up questioningly.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty is overjoyed by the great victory at Youzhou and wishes to host a banquet in the main hall tomorrow to welcome General Xie back. We request Your Majesty to make the necessary preparations."
"I understand."
"If Your Majesty has no further instructions, this servant will take his leave."
After Xu Xinshu left, Ayu asked, "Your Majesty, are there still clothes for Shuihua Zhu prepared?"
Yu Jing's preference for Shuihua Zhu was common knowledge throughout Cining Palace. Only Ayu knew the reason, which is why Ayu spoke up after Yu Jing's conversation with her. After all, she couldn't truly fathom Yu Jing's thoughts.
"No need, change into a butterfly-wing blue outfit."
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