Chapter 144 Mother and Daughter Reunited This woman has never been emperor before…
Days slipped by quietly amidst the swift needlework; the old locust tree leaves in the courtyard outside the window turned yellow and fell again, until they were covered with a thin layer of winter snow. This little courtyard seemed to have been forgotten by time and isolated from the world, with only the ever-burning oil lamp and the increasingly magnificent dragon robe bearing witness to the passage of time.
Xiu Niang was unaware of the changes taking place in the outside world.
At this time, historical generals led their armies to conquer cities and seize territories, and the name of the Prince of Songyang was at its zenith. She was completely unaware of the magnificent scene of beacon fires and banners obscuring the sun.
She simply sat in front of the embroidery frame day after day.
Wei Zhongxian didn't come often, but each time he did, it was like a cold wind blowing into this enclosed space, bringing invisible pressure.
When he first arrived, the dragon robe's embroidery had only just begun, depicting a sea of clouds and cliffs. He stood with his hands behind his back, carefully examining the embroidery, which was already showing signs of grandeur. A look of satisfaction appeared on his face, and his tone still carried a hint of coaxing: "Master craftsman's skill is truly divine. Look at the momentum; it's already extraordinary. Keep up the good work, and that person will surely be delighted. Your good days are yet to come."
On his second visit, the dragon's body was already taking shape, its golden scales shimmering. His gaze lingered for a moment on the majestic dragon's head, then fell upon the phoenix tail feathers that were just beginning to be embroidered beside it. A hint of imperceptible urgency crept into his voice: "Good progress. But... time waits for no one, master craftsman. The opportune moment is almost here." He gave Xiu Niang a meaningful glance. "I eagerly await the day to see this phoenix soaring through the heavens."
The third time, the fourth time... the intervals between his visits became shorter each time.
The main design, featuring a dragon and phoenix intertwined, was now complete. The phoenix soaring above the dragon was increasingly clear and striking, possessing a breathtaking and presumptuous beauty. Wei Zhongxian's face had lost its initial composure; a hint of anxiety lurked deep in his eyes. Though his tone remained calm, it now carried a clear urging:
"Master, how much longer?" He traced the dazzling phoenix feathers with his fingertips, his voice deep. "The important event is approaching, and this auspicious robe is one of the keys. We must not miss the appointed time."
Each urging was like an invisible whip lashing at Xiu Niang's heart. She could only work day and night, her eyes bloodshot, her fingers pricked countless times by the needle, which she would then wrap with fine cloth and continue embroidering. She felt as if she was not embroidering with silk threads, but with her own lifeblood and lifespan, weaving this dragon robe.
The journey was not without its challenges.
On a stormy night, a sudden gust of wind blew open the loosely latched window, causing the candlelight to flicker violently and nearly igniting the precious silk threads on the candle holder. Xiu Niang was terrified and rushed over to protect the dragon robe, while the two servants frantically closed the window and steadyed the candle.
That night, Xiu Niang's heart pounded for a long time, filled with lingering fear. If the water had really flown out, she dared not imagine the consequences.
On another occasion, a rare tourmaline bead used for the phoenix's eyes was in short supply, and a matching one could not be found immediately. Production nearly came to a standstill. When Wei Zhongxian learned of this, although he did not directly reprimand him, the servant who delivered the bead the next day was pale, and his fingertips were still trembling slightly. Xiu Niang knew that someone must have been severely punished for this.
She became even more cautious, as if walking on thin ice.
Finally, on that winter solstice morning, as the first pale rays of sunlight pierced through the window paper and fell on the frame, Xiu Niang cut the last thread.
She staggered back two steps, staring incredulously at the artwork before her.
The complete dragon robe was displayed quietly in the morning light, exuding a breathtaking beauty.
The bright yellow satin background exudes a majestic aura, upon which a five-clawed golden dragon winds its way, majestic and noble. Each scale shimmers with a cold yet restrained golden light, and its eyes, adorned with jet-black pearls, are as deep as an abyss, looking down upon all living beings. However, what truly captivates the heart is the phoenix coiled and soaring above the dragon!
Its wings were spread out to the extreme, covering the dragon's body in a protective yet almost controlling manner.
Each feather was stitched with a different technique and color of thread—red gold, crimson, sapphire blue, emerald green… interwoven and layered, flowing with an indescribable dazzling brilliance under the sunlight, as if it might take flight at any moment, emitting a clear and melodious cry. The phoenix's head was slightly lowered, its eyes, inlaid with a pair of tourmaline beads, shimmering with light, creating an eerie yet harmonious echo with the dragon's head looking up.
The entire dragon robe perfectly, yet in a way that defies convention, blends masculine majesty with feminine splendor. It possesses both the imposing aura of a ruler ruling the world and an alluring, bewitching charm that could topple kingdoms.
The theme of "Phoenix on Dragon" is no longer a rigid symbol, but has transformed into a visual force that flows through every inch of the brocade, both unsettling and irresistible.
As Xiu Niang looked at her work, her heart pounded. She felt a mix of immense satisfaction from her unparalleled skill and a deep-seated fear and unease.
She created something that should not exist in the world, a scourge capable of stirring up the winds and clouds of the world.
Just then, the courtyard gate was silently pushed open.
As if he had timed it perfectly, Wei Zhongxian walked in as dawn broke. His gaze immediately locked onto the completed dragon robe.
In an instant, all the anxiety, calculation, and malice on his face vanished, replaced by an intensely obsessed, fanatical, and even greedy gaze.
He approached step by step, like a pilgrim walking toward a miracle, his breathing becoming heavy.
He reached out and stroked the phoenix's dazzling feathers with utmost care and reverence, feeling the delicate and intricate patterns, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light.
"Good...good! Good!" He said "good" three times in a row, his voice distorted with excitement. "What a magnificent dragon and phoenix celestial robe! What a magnificent display of phoenix dancing and dragon soaring! Master, you really...you really didn't disappoint us! This is simply...it's the will of heaven!"
He whirled around, his face beaming with uncontrollable elation and boundless ambition, as if he could already see the supreme throne beckoning to him: "With this robe in hand, what great things cannot be accomplished!"
All four cities were captured by those generals. Only Zhuge Liang was able to carve out one city from among them, but Wei Zhongxian had other plans.
After his initial elation subsided, he calmed himself down and looked at the nearly exhausted Xiu Niang. His face regained its usual all-encompassing smile: "Master, you have performed such a remarkable feat. As I said, I will never treat you unfairly."
He paused, then said casually, "A few days ago, my men reported that a family surnamed Wang in Wanping County had a baby boy and celebrated quite a bit. I heard their wife came from the south many years ago, and she's incredibly skilled at embroidery..."
Xiu Niang suddenly raised her head, her body trembled violently, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly. She covered her mouth tightly to stop herself from crying out loud.
Wei Zhongxian looked at her reaction with satisfaction and smiled slightly: "It seems to be good news. Don't worry, old master, as long as you behave yourself and wait for the new dynasty to be established, our family will ensure that you and your daughter are reunited and enjoy all the glory and wealth."
After saying this, he didn't look at Xiu Niang again. He carefully put away the dragon robe himself and placed it in a sandalwood box lined with bright yellow satin that had been prepared beforehand, as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world. He then turned and left quickly.
The courtyard fell silent again, with only Xiuniang slumped on the cold ground, staring at the empty medical scaffold.
When the snow began to melt, the sound of dripping water could be heard from under the eaves, but the old locust tree remained barren and bare, without a trace of green.
Instead of Wei Zhongxian's usual entourage, several unfamiliar guards entered.
They silently made way for her, and there stood a simply dressed young woman, holding a tightly wrapped infant in her arms and leading a boy of about three or four years old with big, bright eyes, timidly looking around the desolate courtyard with bewilderment.
Xiu Niang was sitting on the veranda mending old clothes, with her sewing basket at her feet.
She subconsciously looked up, her gaze sweeping over the woman's tired yet undeniably pretty face, and landing on her slightly rough fingers, roughened by years of needlework—the pads of her thumb and forefinger bore the calluses she knew all too well, the thin calluses left from years of holding needles and thimbles.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
The woman's gaze was also fixed on Xiu Niang's graying temples and wrinkled face. Her lips began to tremble uncontrollably, and the bewilderment in her eyes was gradually replaced by an incredulous, immense shock and longing.
She trembled, tentatively uttering a barely audible, almost broken whisper: "...Mother?"
The basket tipped over with a clatter, thimbles and spools of thread rolling all over the ground.
Xiu Niang suddenly stood up, her vision blurred, and she staggered forward, her withered hands gripping the woman's arm tightly, as if trying to brand her into her very bones to see clearly. "Lan'er? Is it my Lan'er?!" Her voice was hoarse beyond recognition, and tears instantly streamed down her face.
"Mother—!" Wang could no longer hold back. She put down the child, buried her face in Xiu Niang's arms, and burst into tears.
The longing, grievances, and fear that had been building up for over a decade erupted at this moment. The mother and daughter embraced and wept bitterly, their bodies trembling uncontrollably from the intense emotions. Their cries were heart-wrenching, as if they wanted to cry out all the pain of separation over the years.
The boy beside them was frightened and began to wail loudly. The infant in the swaddling clothes was startled and let out a weak cry. This crying, in turn, awakened Xiu Niang and Wang Shi, who were immersed in their joy and sorrow.
They hurriedly separated and then frantically tried to hug and comfort the child.
With trembling hands, Xiu Niang gently stroked her grandson's soft cheeks, then lowered her head to kiss the crying baby's forehead, large tears falling onto the child's swaddle blanket.
"Don't cry, don't cry... Grandma's here... Grandma's here..." She stammered, looking at her daughter, then at her two children, her heart pounding with a mixture of sorrow and joy.
After a while, the three of them calmed down a bit. Xiuniang held her daughter's hand and sat closely together on the wooden bench under the corridor. One child nestled in his mother's arms, while the other curiously tugged at Xiuniang's clothes.
Xiu Niang's gaze lingered greedily on her daughter's face, as if she could never get enough of looking at her.
"Lan'er, how did you... how did you get here? Did they give you any trouble? Where is your son-in-law? Is everything alright at home?" Xiu Niang had a thousand words stuck in her chest, and questions kept popping up one after another.
Wang wiped away her tears with her sleeve, but a relieved smile appeared on her face: "Several guards came to the house looking for me. My husband... he's alright, he's still taking care of the house. Everything's fine, everything's fine..." She paused, as if remembering something, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of excitement and awe, "Mother, you may not know, but the world outside is in turmoil! Something earth-shattering has happened!"
Xiu Niang's heart tightened for no apparent reason.
"What important matter?"
"It's Magistrate Jiang! Magistrate Jiang Ge of Songyang County!" Wang's eyes gleamed with the light that ordinary people have when they talk about a hero's legend. "He's rebelled! He's raised the banner of righteousness, his military tactics are divine, and he's captured five cities in a row! Now his momentum is immense, and the people all say he's a reincarnation of a true dragon, a man destined by heaven!"
Songyang County… Jiang Ge… Rebellion… Five Cities… Reincarnation of a True Dragon…
These words were like a series of cold needles, piercing Xiu Niang's heart!
She suddenly recalled the strange design of that dragon robe—its slightly slender waist, its shoulder width unlike that of ordinary imperial robes; and even more so, the shocking, treasonous "phoenix pressing down on the dragon" pattern! And Wei Zhongxian's urgent yet subtly fanatical attitude…
A shocking truth, like a bolt of lightning suddenly cleaving through the darkness, made her blood almost freeze!
That dragon robe was not prepared for any prince or nobleman!
That was a genuine ceremonial robe made for a woman!
The world needs a dragon robe like this, and a woman who has the qualifications and the courage to challenge the established moral order...
Wang was still immersed in the legend she had heard, rambling on: "Everyone outside says that Magistrate Jiang is a brilliant strategist, yet kind and gentle to people. He's a rare good official. Now he's raised the banner of rebellion because he's been forced into a corner by the court... Everyone is hoping he can succeed..."
Xiu Niang's face was deathly pale, and her hands were as cold as ice. She looked at her daughter's trusting and hopeful face, and couldn't utter a single word.
The people are still praising Magistrate Jiang's righteous deeds and looking forward to the peaceful and prosperous world he will bring.
Only she, Xiu Niang, the embroiderer who personally embroidered that extraordinary dragon robe, knew the truth behind it all.
A tremendous fear gripped her, almost suffocating her.
She instinctively hugged her grandson tighter, while her other hand gripped her daughter's warm wrist tightly.
This is unprecedented – a woman becoming empress!
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