Chapter 13 Entering the Capital.
Chapter 13
Two years later.
Summer has arrived again, and Shen Suining, who is always most afraid of the heat, traveled a long way from Yuquan Villa to Qianji Pavilion. His hand was almost broken from waving the fan. Only after seeing the carrier pigeons everywhere did he finally catch his breath.
Before she even stepped through the gate, she exclaimed breathlessly, "Xingli, I haven't received a letter from my older brother for two months. Did you deliberately hide the letter under the birdcage again?"
Shen Suining pushed open the door of the Qianji Pavilion's Archives.
The Letter Storage Tower was empty. Xing Li, who was supposed to be on duty, was nowhere to be found. Only Xun Zong was standing in front of the letter box.
"Uncle Xun, why are you here? Where is Xingli?" Shen Suining walked in and saw Xun Zong's pale face and an open envelope in his hand.
"What's wrong? Didn't you come to get a letter from Father? Why do you look so pale?" Shen Suining immediately became a little nervous. "Could it be... could it be that something happened to my elder brother?"
"Young Master, rest assured, the young master is fine. It's just that this letter..." Xun Zong calmed himself down and handed the letter to Shen Suining. "It's from the imperial court, it seems to be... an imperial edict from the Emperor."
...
When Shen Suining arrived at Biyueyunju with the imperial edict, Shen Yan and Madam Shuyu were sitting side by side with solemn expressions, as if they had known in advance.
Madam Shuyu looked very unwell, and Shen Yan stood beside her with a worried expression, anxious and at a loss for what to do.
Shen Suining rarely saw Shen Yan so helpless, and she gloated, "It's true what they say, what goes around comes around. Today it's Father's turn to make Mother angry?"
She placed the letter on the table between the two of them, and Madam Shuyu said irritably, "Stop being so glib. Do you think your father is like you?"
"What's wrong? Everyone looks terrible. I just ran into Uncle Xun and thought something had happened to my brother."
Shen Yan remained silent. Madam Shuyu glanced at him and said, "The Emperor has sent a secret decree, ordering your father to come to the capital."
“Isn’t that a good thing? It’s been so many years since Father has been back, so it’s like a return to familiar places,” Shen Suining said, her face beaming with excitement. “I’ve never been to Huadu before, so I can go with Father.”
“Ningning, don’t be silly,” Shen Yan finally spoke. “The Emperor has secretly ordered us to come to the capital. We don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. You should stay at home and not go anywhere for the time being, in case your father doesn’t come back…”
Madam Shuyu quickly interrupted, "You mustn't say anything unlucky."
Shen Yan opened his mouth, then hesitated several times before saying something, "In the end, it's my fault for dragging you all down with me."
“We’re family, why are you talking about being implicated?” Madam Shuyu held Shen Yan’s hand. “Don’t worry, even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you.”
"..." Shen Suining couldn't stand it anymore. "Father is fine as he is, but why is Mother so hesitant today? Father is just going to the capital, not to a den of dragons or tigers. Besides, if you're really worried about something happening, why don't you just tell Father not to go?"
Before Madam Shuyu could speak, Shen Yan said, "If Father defies the imperial decree and refuses to go, it will probably cause even more trouble."
“Then let’s go,” Shen Suining decided immediately. “Mother is not feeling well and cannot travel long distances. I will go with you. In case anything happens, with Mother at the manor, the two of us, father and daughter, working together, will surely make it back.”
Madam Shuyu remained silent, but Shen Yan felt a sense of relief, saying, "Ningning is becoming more and more like your mother back then."
"Alright, stop praising her," Madam Shuyu interrupted in a deep voice, looking at Shen Suining, who seemed somewhat ignorant of the world. "Do you know that among the founding generals who helped the emperor establish the empire, apart from your father who retired early, none of the others met a good end? Since ancient times, emperors have been suspicious and their temperaments are unpredictable. Your father has already changed his name and left the court for so long, yet he suddenly sent a secret edict summoning your father to the capital without any warning. Who knows what kind of trap is hidden under this secret edict?"
Shen Yan and Shen Suining both stared intently at Madam Shuyu, their eyes unblinking, leaving Madam Shuyu bewildered. "Why are you looking at me? Did I say something wrong?"
“Well, no,” Shen Suining paused, “It’s just that I’m a little surprised to see Mother so hesitant and timid, since Father usually says these things.”
"Ningning, your mother is not joking with you."
“I know, Mother, you’re worried that Father’s trip will be fraught with danger, but as I said, I’ll go with him,” Shen Suining smiled. “While Father’s martial arts may not be invincible, he has at least fought for the Emperor. You always say I’m lazy and don’t like practicing, but in the last two years, even Feng Yu is almost no match for me. If Mother is still worried, I’ll send more people along, including some from Jishetang, Bifengtang, and Linrongge. If all else fails, I can send a message to my elder brother by carrier pigeon and have him come to meet us. At the very least, with you at home, you can provide timely support. So, what is there to worry about?”
Lady Shuyu opened her mouth, remained silent for a long time, and finally shook her head, got up, and walked out.
...
On the day of departure, people from all the branches of Shuyu Manor came down the mountain to see him off. The large and impressive procession made Shen Suining feel as if he was going to war with his father, not to the capital.
Madam Shuyu, who came to see them off, looked worried. Shen Suining stepped forward to comfort her, "Don't worry, I brought Fengyu and Sister Miao with me, Uncle Xun is with us too, and people from various branches are secretly protecting us. Nothing will happen."
Madam Shuyu's lips moved, as if she wanted to say something auspicious, but the words that came out of her mouth somehow turned into: "Don't cause trouble for your father."
"..." Shen Suining's lips twitched, and he was speechless. He simply cupped his hands and bowed to Madam Shuyu to take his leave.
Standing next to Madam Shuyu, Shen Yan couldn't help but point out: "You are clearly more worried about Ningning than anyone else, yet you deliberately say things that she doesn't like to hear."
“Ningning is doing well. In the past two years, she has become more and more capable of handling things. Actually, I feel very reassured with her by your side.”
"Then why don't you praise her more?"
Madam Shuyu smiled slightly and said calmly, "As the next head of the manor, you can't just listen to praise. Too much praise will make you complacent. If I were like you and only knew how to say nice things, Ningning would probably be spoiled."
"Yes, Madam, I understand your good intentions," Shen Yan said with a smile, offering his compliment.
After gazing at each other for a long time, Shen Yan reluctantly said, "I'm leaving, my wife."
“Go on,” Madam Shuyu said, straightening Shen Yan’s clothes. “Keep an eye on Ningning. That child has a fiery temper; don’t let her always cause trouble.”
"good."
The two kissed goodbye and got into the carriage. Shen Yan couldn't help but lift the curtain and wave goodbye until he was out of sight before reluctantly closing it.
Shen Suining, who was riding in the same carriage with him, couldn't stand it anymore and said with disdain, "He's already so old, and he even got teary-eyed when saying goodbye to his wife. Aren't you ashamed?"
Shen Yan wiped his eyes and sighed, "Your mother has only a few bad points, but you've learned them all perfectly. You don't even know how to say comforting words."
"Is comforting useful?" Shen Suining retorted. "Look at my mother. Ever since she found out you received the secret edict, I've been trying to persuade her every single day. But in the end, she still worries."
Shen Yan was speechless, and not wanting to dwell on the sadness of parting, he changed the subject: "Why didn't you ride in the same car as Feng Yu?"
"Miao Wei is in her car. You know that Miao Wei stays in the mountains all year round and never goes out. Besides studying mechanisms and hidden weapons, she loves to make medicine and poisons. It's a long journey, and I have to ride in the same car with her to test the poisons and medicines for her."
"You've thought of everything." Shen Yan nodded in approval.
More than half a month later, the group finally arrived in Huadu.
Since it was a secret imperial decree to enter the capital, it was not appropriate to make a fuss about it. Shen Yan had Shen Suining and the others stay at an inn, while he went to visit an old friend, Xie Chang, a founding father of the dynasty and former prime minister.
Mr. Xie is nearly sixty years old and has no wife or children. After retiring from his post, he found a secluded villa on the outskirts of Huadu and named it Yizhu Garden. He spends his days writing poetry and painting, and occasionally three or five students come to visit him, so he is not lonely.
When Shen Yan visited, Xie Chang was holding a brush and trembling as he painted bamboo.
The doorman led Shen Yan into the mansion. Upon seeing his old friend with gray hair, Shen Yan could not hide his excitement and stepped forward, saying, "Your foolish younger brother, Qin Yanzhi, greets you, elder brother! I wonder if Brother Xie is still in good health?"
Yanzhi is Shen Yan's courtesy name. His original surname was Qin, and his given name was Yan.
Xie Chang's hearing and reaction time were not as good as before. Hearing the voice, he looked up in a daze. When he saw who it was, his paintbrush fell onto the table.
The sixty-year-old man was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing his old friend again. When Xie Chang saw Shen Yan, he tremblingly stepped forward, held his hand, and remained speechless for a long time.
Both of them had red eyes and looked at each other in silence.
After a long pause, Xie Chang finally instructed his servants: "Prepare fine wine and food. Today, I will drink to my heart's content with my brother Yan!"
While Shen Yan was gathering with old friends at Yizhu Garden, Shen Suining and his party stayed at an inn.
After driving the carriage for so long, Shen Fengyu was so tired that she could barely straighten her back and collapsed onto the couch, drifting off to sleep.
Just as Shen Suining helped Miao Wei sit down, she saw this and grabbed the wooden tea tray on the table and threw it at her.
"what!"
"Take care of Sister Miao."
Miao Wei is different from the others in Shuyu Manor. She is blind and does not know martial arts. She has been raised on the mountain since childhood and has never left the house.
Therefore, upon hearing Shen Suining's words, Shen Fengyu rubbed her face vigorously and propped herself up to sit up.
Miao Wei quickly waved her hand, "Don't worry about me. Feng Yu, you should rest."
"Look, Sister Miao said there's no need to take care of you," Shen Fengyu said weakly to Shen Suining. "But you, young master, were repeatedly told by Madam to keep an eye on you before she left."
Shen Suining rolled her eyes at her and said, "Go to sleep."
"Hey." Shen Fengyu responded and fell down, her breathing becoming even instantly.
Shen Suining sat down on the stool next to her, poured two glasses of water, pushed one to Miao Wei, and took a big gulp herself.
The climate in Huadu is much worse than in Yangzhou. Although it is cooler, I often feel thirsty.
“Ningning, you don’t need to stay with me,” Miao Wei said gently, with a smile on her face. “The way you two are doing this makes me feel a little uncomfortable.”
"Then... shall I go out for a stroll?" Shen Suining was secretly delighted. "If I see any special spices or medicinal herbs along the way, I'll bring them back for you."
"Okay, come back soon."
Miao Wei had just finished giving her instructions when she remembered something else and added, "Ningning, remember to bring some astragalus, ophiopogon japonicus, and schisandra chinensis when you come back."
There was no response.
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