Chapter 5 Considerations "Giving directions along the way is hardly a favor."...
punish?
Is she to be punished for lying?
Shen Xi suddenly opened her eyes; the cold stimulus made her mind exceptionally clear.
Whether intentional or unintentional, the culprit had already passed her and was moving forward calmly; all she could see was a broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted figure.
Shen Xi clenched her knuckles.
Xie Wenlang, a few steps away, was unaware of the undercurrents between them and accepted the explanation without question.
"I see. I didn't think it through. Xi'er, you've just recovered from your illness. How could you stand here in the freezing cold in the garden? Fortunately, your elder brother is willing to help take care of you."
Xie Chengyan did not accept the favor, slightly lifting his eyelids: "It's just a favor, nothing more."
As he spoke, he glanced sideways at the young woman who was standing blankly under the eaves, unwilling to leave.
Without a word, with just one glance, the young woman who had been gazing longingly at Xie Wenlang a moment ago twisted the handkerchief in her hand, bit her lower lip, bowed to him, and hurried away.
Trying to scheme against Xie Chengyan is hardly a wise move.
Meanwhile, Xie Wenlang, slightly embarrassed by his brother's merciless words, scratched his head, his mind preoccupied with Shen Xi, completely unaware of the commotion behind him.
But Shen Xi witnessed all of this.
My gaze passed over Xie Wenlang and landed on that elegant, slender figure standing with his hands behind his back, as graceful as a pine tree or a crane, and I couldn't help but confirm one fact once again—
Xie Chengyan only showed her any kindness because of Xie Wenlang.
Is this situation ultimately an advantage or a disadvantage for her?
Shen Xi couldn't tell the difference; she just followed her instincts and tried to stay as far away from him as possible.
"Chengyan, you used to hide here in peace and quiet, but your uncle has been looking for you everywhere."
As the sound broke the silence, a person wearing a jade ring at the waist and dressed in fine clothes walked out from the side, stepping on the rustling snow.
The man walked closer, put his hands on Xie Chengyan's shoulders, looked him over, and patted him twice heavily: "Hmm, looks like you haven't let your guard down these days."
“After you returned to the capital, your uncle hasn’t had a chance to sit down and have a proper chat with you. Today we finally have the opportunity. Come on, let’s go have a couple of drinks with your uncle in the front hall.”
Xie Chengyan moved slightly, stepping away from the man's arms, and said in a deep voice, "Uncle."
Xie Wenlang, standing beside him, slumped down and reluctantly called out, "Uncle."
Upon hearing this title, Shen Xi immediately understood.
Xie Wenlang's mother, Xue, was the youngest daughter among her peers in her maternal family, with an older brother and sister from the same mother.
The man whom Xie Chengyan and the other man called "uncle" should be Xue's elder brother, Xue Hongming, the eldest son of the Xue family. As for the elder sister, she was the birth mother of the current Crown Prince, Empress Xue, who was the mother of the nation.
Xue Hongming ignored Xie Wenlang and continued to say to Xie Chengyan, "I have heard about what happened on the border. This battle was dangerous. Although we suffered some losses at the hands of the Northern Barbarians, your judgment of the timing was accurate and your use of troops was well-paced. You have not let me down."
Having anticipated Xue Hongming's reaction, Xie Wenlang didn't join in the fun. Instead, he moved closer to Shen Xi and muttered, "Uncle is still the same. He always favors my older brother."
He disliked listening to Xue Hongming's long-winded lectures to Xie Chengyan, which were so literary and made his teeth ache. Only his older brother could patiently listen to them and would occasionally answer a few questions from his uncle.
For Xie Wenlang, eating, drinking, having fun, and making Xi'er happy are far more important than anything else.
So he turned to Shen Xi and asked, "Xi'er, would you like to go to the horse farm tomorrow?"
"A horse farm?" Shen Xi answered his question, but couldn't help her thoughts, secretly glancing at Xie Chengyan's direction. "Which horse farm?"
Xie Wenlang became interested: "It's the horse farm that the Emperor bestowed upon my elder brother after his great victory two years ago. But my brother had been keeping it a secret and not allowing anyone to go in. I spent the last half month begging and pleading, and he finally agreed to let me go in and ride a couple of laps. I'll take you in with me and see what good things are hidden inside."
Shen Xi smiled and agreed, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
But his peripheral vision still couldn't help but glance at Xie Chengyan.
He stood amidst the white snow and red plum blossoms, his eyes slightly lowered, listening silently without saying much. He didn't seem serious; rather, he appeared somewhat indifferent.
Xie Wenlang just said that Xue Hongming favored Xie Chengyan, which is not hard to understand.
The power struggles among aristocratic families are fraught with hidden intrigues. With his military achievements, the entire Duke's Mansion, along with the Xue family, can continue to enjoy the Emperor's favor and rise to even greater heights.
He certainly has the ability to be favored.
Xue Hongming seemed to have long been accustomed to his nephew's taciturn nature, and continued to ask, "The Northern Barbarians have withdrawn their troops and are currently negotiating peace with our dynasty. There will be no further conflict for the time being, and you will have some free time. How long do you plan to stay in the capital this time?"
Xie Chengyan smoothed out his sleeves, which had been ruffled by the tree branch, and replied calmly, "I will leave whenever the imperial decree commands me to."
Xue Hongming stroked his chin, not bothering to hide it: "His Majesty's temperament is unpredictable, it's really hard to say. Never mind, let's not talk about this. Today, the Crown Prince has come to offer birthday wishes, and we have something to discuss on the way, so we've been waiting for you."
After saying that, he raised his hand and patted Xie Chengyan's back twice, the force of which looked quite strong.
Xie Wenlang finally couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help but remind him, "Uncle, my brother's injury has just healed, please be gentle and don't keep him busy with this and that."
"Are you injured?"
Xue Hongming frowned.
Xie Chengyan said casually, "It's nothing serious, just a superficial injury."
"What flesh wound! Brother, you are..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xie Chengyan suddenly glanced at him, his eyes deep and unfathomable. Xie Wenlang's voice gradually lowered, and he swallowed the last words he wanted to say.
Xue Hongming looked Xie Chengyan over and, seeing that he didn't look like someone who had just recovered from a serious illness, didn't think much of it.
Turning his head, he saw Shen Xi beside Xie Wenlang. His brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again. He scolded Xie Wenlang, "What soldier doesn't get injured? Look at Cheng Yan. How could he be like you, indulging in pleasure all day long, not thinking about making progress, and making a fuss over a little injury or illness? You don't know the seriousness of things!"
Xie Wenlang was unconvinced, but dared not refute it. He just muttered quietly, "I heard that my elder brother was unconscious for a full fifteen days before he was brought back from the brink of death. How come it's just a minor injury or illness in Uncle's eyes?"
Xue Hongming didn't hear clearly: "What did you say?"
Xie Chengyan raised his eyes, not waiting any longer: "Uncle, don't keep His Highness the Crown Prince waiting."
Reminded by him, Xue Hongming, though still disapproving of Xie Wenlang's constant chasing after that young lady from the Shen family, didn't have time to say anything and turned to leave.
Xie Wenlang, however, deliberately peeked over, his voice filled with anticipation: "Cousin Donggong actually came! What about Aunt? Will she come too?"
“Your aunt is a kind-hearted woman who spends her days eating vegetarian food and worshipping Buddha. She hasn’t left the palace for many years, so naturally she wouldn’t come over. She just sent a gift through someone else.” Xue Hongming shook his head, sounding rather disappointed. “I don’t know how our Xue family could raise such a kind person who wouldn’t even dare to step on an ant. She’s just too soft-hearted.”
Shen Xi had heard a little about these things. It was said that Empress Xue was devoted to Buddhism and spontaneously prayed for the common people. To show her sincerity, she refused to step out of the Buddhist hall. All the affairs of the inner palace were managed by the Empress Dowager.
Some even speculate that if the Xue family hadn't been so powerful and influential that the emperor wouldn't have dared to act rashly, the position of empress would have changed hands long ago.
After hearing this, Xie Wenlang turned to her, lowered his head and slumped down again: "Okay, before, only my aunt loved me the most, but I haven't seen her for a long time. She doesn't want to get up and look for me. What's the point of facing those gods and Buddhas all day and night?"
Xue Hongming naturally ignored the children's complaints, giving them a disapproving look. He wanted to say something more to them, but was interrupted.
"Uncle, let's go."
Shen Xi looked in the direction of the voice and saw that while Xue Hongming had stopped talking to Xie Wenlang, Xie Chengyan had already walked a distance. Seeing that no one was following, he turned around and calmly urged him again.
In front of others, he was very good at maintaining his composure, not provoking her for no reason, and not even deigning to linger his gaze on her for a moment, as if it was someone else, not Xie Chengyan, who had just pried open her palm and insisted on blocking her way.
Is it just a facade of calm?
That's fine too.
At least he helped me keep my affair with Shen Wangchen a secret.
Watching Xie Chengyan leave until he disappeared from sight, Shen Xi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
*
Although it was a meeting to discuss matters, drinking and socializing were still inevitable. The Crown Prince had just finalized a major matter and, on a whim, pulled Xie Chengyan into drinking quite a bit.
Xie Chengyan showed no outward signs, and his behavior was no different from when he was sober. His tall figure stood in the cold night wind, somewhat out of place with the brightly lit and festive Xue mansion behind him.
The Crown Prince, staggering drunk, was helped onto the carriage by palace servants. He then lifted the curtain and, slurring his words, exclaimed several times, "Cheng Yan, what a great capacity for alcohol! I admire you! I admire you!"
But he wasn't really sober. Xie Chengyan knew he was somewhat drunk. His thoughts were gradually getting out of control, and the scene of Shen Xi jumping off the cliff kept replaying in his mind, which he couldn't suppress.
He frowned, knowing he couldn't stay any longer, and after seeing the Crown Prince off, he headed back home.
By the time he managed to return to his general's mansion, clinging to the last vestiges of clarity, the moon was already high in the sky.
Perhaps due to the alcohol, the wounds on my body, which had been numb, began to ache faintly, spreading uncontrollably from my fingertips all the way to my internal organs.
A mixture of intoxication and pain assaulted his mind. After a hasty bath, he collapsed onto the bed, accustomed to the same recurring dreams every day.
I witnessed Shen Xi leaping off the steep cliff time and time again.
Resolute, without any regrets.
But this time, the dream changed.
A note from the author:
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In public: Unfamiliar, stranger, uncaring (cold face)
Behind closed doors: Hehe, I dreamt of Xi'er again tonight.
Waiting for the "it's actually good" moment to prove me wrong [sunglasses]
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