Chapter 79 [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Goodbye.
Back at Cining Palace, Yu Jing didn't return to her bedchamber. Instead, she sat down on a chair in the corridor, watching the snow falling gently from the sky. Ayu stood behind Yu Jing, gazing at her face, lost in thought for a moment.
"Your Majesty, it's cold outside. Why don't you go back to your chambers?" Ayu advised.
"How could you be cold while wearing a cloak?" Yu Jing asked softly.
Ayu understood what Yu Jing meant and remained silent for a moment. She stayed by Yu Jing's side, looking up at the falling snow. All around was quiet; the snowflakes fell slowly from the sky, landing peacefully on the ground. Yu Jing reached out and caught a snowflake; it quickly melted in her palm, cool and slightly damp.
"Ayu, the day after tomorrow will be the beginning of the new year, right?"
"Yes," Ayu replied softly.
"What time is it today?" Yu Jing then asked.
"Today?" Ayu asked with some doubt, then replied hesitantly, "Today is February 12th."
It's the twelfth. In half a month, everything will be over. Yu Jing sighed deeply, his breath turning into a small wisp of mist. Yu Jing stood up and walked into the hall, with A Yu following behind. Yu Jing turned to A Yu and said, "You don't need to follow."
Yu Jing continued walking inside. As she passed the dressing table, she saw a red magnolia hairpin and a pair of red agate earrings. She paused for a moment, and upon seeing the earrings, Yu Jing remembered that she still had one thing to do: to arrange for Sheng Hua to meet Su Siyang alone.
The day after tomorrow is the beginning of the year, and Su Siyang will definitely attend the New Year's banquet. See you then. Thinking this, Yu Jing took off her clothes and climbed onto the bed. Although there was a charcoal fire burning in the hall, the bed was still very cold. Yu Jing lay there, feeling the coldness in her limbs. She wondered if Xie Xuan felt the same way when he lay on the ground.
"Knock, knock, knock." There was a knock on the door. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Ayu's voice came from outside.
"Mmm," Yu Jing responded softly. Then came the sound of footsteps.
"Your Majesty, I just received news that Consort Xie knows about the Xie family's affairs," Ayu replied softly, as if afraid of disturbing Yu Jing.
Yu Jing remained silent, and A Yu continued, "I heard that Consort Xie even caused a scene in His Majesty's bedchamber, but she has now returned to Wan Ying Pavilion to reflect on her actions."
"I understand."
It was only a matter of time before Xie Ying found out. She had recently suffered a miscarriage and was weak, so Yu Jing had wanted to keep it from her for her health. Now that Xie Ying knew, there was nothing more to say. She wondered how Xie Ying was doing now.
"Was it His Majesty who punished her?" Yu Jing asked curiously.
"I heard that the beauty herself requested it," Ayu replied.
Xie Ying also had a temper, just like the rest of the Xie family. Yu Jing responded faintly, then lay down and murmured, "I'll go see her tomorrow."
Perhaps exhausted, Yu Jing slept until dawn. The snow continued to fall the next day, seemingly without end. Yu Jing arrived at Wanying Pavilion and saw Xie Ying inside. She dismissed her attendants and called out, "Xie Ying."
Xie Ying turned around slightly stiffly, and the moment she saw Yu Jing, tears streamed down her face. Yu Jing's heart skipped a beat. Xie Ying sat on the couch wearing only a thin robe, her long hair disheveled and loose. She had probably not slept all night; her face was pale, devoid of any color. Only one candle burned in the room, its light flickering. Xie Ying said nothing, but Yu Jing clearly sensed an endless despair and despair. The Xie Ying of the past, though seemingly calm, possessed an inner vitality. Now, she appeared like stagnant water, devoid of any life.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager," Xie Ying called out to Yu Jing, but she did not get up, only glancing at Yu Jing. She knew that Yu Jing would not help her, or rather, could not help her, otherwise she would not have kept it from her like Qi Jin.
"Xie Ying," Yu Jing called her again, wanting to say something comforting, but those words were sealed when she met Xie Ying's eyes. In the end, Yu Jing said nothing, only sitting quietly beside Xie Ying for a while. During that time, Wan Ying Pavilion was eerily quiet. Every slight movement and sound was exceptionally clear. Time seemed to stand still. Yu Jing thought of Xie Xuan's appearance last night, and her nose suddenly felt very sore.
Back at Cining Palace, she happened to arrive just as the Imperial Wardrobe was delivering clothes for tomorrow's New Year's Eve banquet. Knowing she had already decided to see Su Siyang tomorrow, Yu Jing went inside and changed into the red agate earrings before emerging.
A familiar yet unfamiliar voice echoed in her mind. She yawned and said slowly, "But a long time has passed."
"Tomorrow, tomorrow I will take you to see Su Siyang." Yu Jing thought to herself, glancing down at the clothes being held by the palace maids of the Clothing Bureau.
"Really!" Sheng Hua's voice was filled with uncontrollable joy, and she was starting to sound like a young girl.
"Of course, which one do you like?" Yu Jing asked.
Actually, there was no need for such trouble, but Yu Jing thought this was probably the last time Sheng Hua would see Su Siyang, so she softened her heart. To see one's beloved, one should naturally do one's best makeup and wear the most beautiful clothes.
"The one with bright red, royal blue cloud-shaped shoulder, and pearl embellishments."
Hearing Sheng Hua say this, Yu Jing glanced at it, then her gaze fell on the garment: "That one will do."
"Yes," the palace maid replied, carrying the clothes as she withdrew.
Time flies, and the New Year's Eve banquet is here in the blink of an eye. Yu Jing has already dressed up. For some reason, she feels that this year's New Year's Eve is particularly lonely compared to previous years.
Upon reaching the main hall, the sounds of singing, dancing, and string and wind instruments filled the air with lively activity. She emerged wearing earrings, carrying a wisp of Sheng Hua's spirit, making her appear somewhat different from usual. Since this wasn't the first time she'd done this, A Yu was already used to it. She sat in her seat, watching the performances and listening to the ministers' flattering words. Xie Ying, due to her meditation retreat, was absent. Qi Jin, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, seemingly unaffected by anything.
Looking at Qi Jin, Yu Jing felt, for a moment, the cold-heartedness of the imperial family. So-called favor was nothing more than a fleeting moment, vanishing like clouds in an instant.
The Xie family's case is actually pretty much settled. Perhaps because it's considered bad luck to shed blood at the beginning of the year, a decision will likely be made after the new year. That's why Xie Xuan's tribulation will end on February 27th.
As Yu Jing pondered, she suddenly remembered the purpose of her trip. She glanced at the people sitting below and her gaze fell on Su Siyang.
"I've rejected Su Siyang so many times before, and even embarrassed him. Will he still come?" Yu Jing thought anxiously. After all, she had been very cold to Su Siyang before, and now she was suddenly asking him to meet again. If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn't pay any attention to her.
"He will," Sheng Hua said with great certainty.
"Ayu," Yu Jing said, tilting her head with a hint of doubt, "inform Lord Su that I wish to meet with him."
Ayu was clearly stunned for a moment, looked at Yu Jing in disbelief, and asked for confirmation, "Lord Su?"
"Mmm." Yu Jing responded, and A Yu hesitated before replying in a low voice.
Yu Jing sat on the high platform, watching the palace maid pour wine for Su Siyang, watching Su Siyang look up at her incredulously. His gaze was complex. Perhaps it was because the candlelight in the hall was too bright, reflecting in Su Siyang's eyes. Besides disbelief, Yu Jing felt a different kind of joy. So much so that when Yu Jing saw Su Siyang, the image that came to mind was still his gaze in the hall just now.
"What does Your Majesty wish to speak to me about?" Su Siyang's expression was slightly impatient at this moment.
"Let me out," Sheng Hua said.
"Okay." The moment Yu Jing finished speaking, that feeling of being sealed overwhelmed her. It was as if she were imprisoned in a lake, all sounds, smells, and sensations around her becoming faint. Just like last time when Sheng Hua helped her refuse Xie Xuan, she couldn't speak. Yu Jing suddenly understood: Sheng Hua wanted to possess her body; all she needed was her consent. It was the same last time, and it would be the same this time.
Before Sheng Hua could even speak, her eyes were already red. Although she had seen him a few times since returning to the palace, she had never been this close.
Seeing Sheng Hua's reaction, Su Siyang assumed that Sheng Hua was grieving over Xie Xuan's matter and frowned: "If Your Majesty wishes to discuss the Xie family's affairs with me, then please leave."
"Si Yang," Sheng Hua said, his voice slightly hoarse.
Su Siyang stared at Sheng Hua, as if trying to see right through her. He stood there, watching her for a long time. The snow was still falling outside the corridor. Sheng Hua was dressed in magnificent robes and a noble crown, the pearls adorning her garments shimmering. Su Siyang, on the other hand, wore a resplendent purple robe, embroidered with lifelike white cranes. Yu Jing suddenly felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. Sheng Hua was the Empress Dowager, while Su Siyang was a subject. They seemed so close, yet so much stood between them.
"How has Lord Su been lately? It's been cold, so please take care of yourself." Sheng Hua's voice was already choked with emotion as he spoke.
Before Su Siyang could speak, Sheng Hua continued, "May Your Excellency discard the old and embrace the new, so that every day of the new year may bring new beginnings."
"It's getting late. I've had a bit too much to drink, so I'll head back to the palace now." Sheng Hua finished speaking and walked towards the end of the corridor without looking back. She had only taken two steps when Su Siyang's soft, slightly uncertain voice came from behind her, "Queque?"
It is full of tenderness and affection.
After Sheng Hua boarded the carriage, Yu Jing's senses gradually returned to normal. She moved her fingers, which were almost frozen stiff, and with a "snap," felt a warm sensation on her hand. Somewhat dazed, Yu Jing raised her hand and touched her cheek, finding it damp, which surprised her.
"Shenghua," Yu Jing called out to her.
No one answered.
After Sheng Hua met Su Siyang alone, Yu Jing never heard Sheng Hua's voice again. Even after taking off and putting the earrings back on, there was still no response. Yu Jing shook the red agate earrings in her hand, thought for a while, and finally put the earrings and the magnolia hairpin together. In the mortal world, Yu Jing would probably never wear these earrings and magnolia hairpins again.
[Author's Note]
May we cast aside old illusions and embrace new ideas, so that each day of the new year may bring renewal. —Song Dynasty, Zhan Chu, "New Year"
May we sweep away old delusions and attachments, and let go of the past.
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