Chapter 61: Excessive wisdom will lead to harm.
Upon learning that Ah He was safe and sound, Zong Ying breathed a sigh of relief and temporarily moved to the temple to rest.
Prince Jin didn't seem to have any intention of leaving. If he didn't leave, Xie Xuanlan would not leave either.
The Prince of Jin slowly walked to the stone table under the eaves and sat down. He saw a chess set beside him, picked up two pieces, and asked Xie Xuanlan, "Would Third Young Master Xie like to play chess?"
Xie Xuanlan replied, "Okay, I'd love to learn from you."
So he sat down before the King of Jin and took two pieces from the chess basket.
There was a strange tacit understanding between the two. For seven or eight games, they remained silent, fighting on the chessboard, yet there was no clear difference in who was winning or losing. Finally, after two consecutive games of shogi were tied, the King of Jin sighed, "It seems I haven't made any progress in all these years."
In his previous life, after he got married, he often played chess with Ah Ying. After Ah Ying passed away, he did not dare to sit in front of the chessboard for many years, let alone play chess with others.
Hearing this, Xie Xuanlan smiled indifferently: "Your Highness is delicate and frail, so you should really avoid these tedious things."
The King of Jin did not care about the subtleties in his words. He just watched the chessboard patiently and made his moves calmly.
Xie Xuanlan said bluntly: "Your Highness deliberately kept me here, so if you have anything to say, you can speak frankly."
Prince Jin then spoke frankly, "I've heard that the censors under Prime Minister Xie have begun writing petitions to plead for Prince Huai. Could it be that Prince Huai has been implicated in collusion with Wang Si and bandits, and yet the Xie family still intends to protect him and make him their heir?"
Xie Xuanlan said, "This is my father's idea. I neither agree nor disagree."
The King of Jin asked, "Why don't you agree?"
"Because Xiao Zezhen is stubborn and suspicious, he lacks the virtues of a wise ruler."
"Then why don't you object?"
"Because apart from him, the Xie family has no more suitable candidate, unless my aunt, Concubine Xie, gives birth to a prince as soon as possible, or..."
A black piece fell in front of Prince Jin: "Perhaps Your Highness is willing to marry my sister. My father will be relieved, and so will I."
Prince Jin said coldly: "You know it's impossible."
Xie Xuanlan said, "Then the reply Xie gave to Your Highness is also the same. It is impossible."
The Prince of Jin knew that his passion for the Xie family had led Xie San to misunderstand that he, too, was intent on claiming the throne. He found it difficult to defend himself, so he took a step back and said, "If your sister insists on marrying the Prince of Huai, then after the marriage, by all means, she must quickly give birth to a prince. If anything were to happen, the youngest son would at least be more obedient than the father."
Xie Xuanlan was quite surprised by his suggestion. "Your Highness, you have so many things to worry about. What is your goal?"
The King of Jin's white piece landed next to the black piece he had previously occupied. He said in a gentle voice, "She's awake."
When Cong Ying walked out of the temple, he saw two figures, one black and one red, sitting opposite each other under a tree.
Xie Xuanlan's body was bathed in the morning light, his facial features coated with a layer of translucent luster, his pupils were deeper and his eyebrows were more distant, like a cold red lotus blooming through the frost.
The Prince of Jin sat quietly in the shade of the trees, his wide black robe blending into the thick darkness, his brows were deep and calm, his face was sickly pale and cold, and it was out of tune with the golden morning light in the courtyard. It seemed as if he wanted to merge into the shade of the trees and disappear with the gradually lighter night.
These two people clearly have very different appearances and demeanors.
But from observing the movements of their chess pieces and their expressions when they spoke, Ying found a strange harmony between them, as if they were playing chess in front of a mirror, or like... like father and son and brothers.
Of course they couldn't be father, son, or brothers. Cong Ying shook her head slightly, shaking off this inexplicable speculation.
The two of them looked at her at the same time. Xie Xuanlan pushed the table aside and stood up more quickly, asking her how her rest was and whether she wanted to eat something.
Cong Ying said, "I want to go see Ah He. If Guan Zhu is here, I want to discuss something with her."
The Crimson Cloud Crown Lady had just returned from the mountains, gathering herbs, while Ah He was still fast asleep. Her headache was gone, and the deep frown she had worn before falling asleep had relaxed. She slept long and softly, evidently sound asleep.
Only then did Congying truly breathe a sigh of relief. He tucked in the corners of the quilt for her and walked with Guanzhu into the courtyard, where they talked under the shade of the trumpet creepers against the gray tiles and white walls.
She said to the Crimson Cloud Crown Master, "Perhaps my decision to keep Ah He by my side out of reluctance many years ago was a mistake. As she grew older and became more sensible, she became increasingly unhappy. Whether she stayed with the Jiang family or went to Congshan Academy, neither was a good destination for her... I regret it a little."
The Lord of the Crimson Cloud Crown asked her, "What are your plans for the future?"
Cong Ying said, "I want her to stay at Xuandu Temple for a few days. She might bother the Master. I'll take her back after I sort out my family affairs. As for where she wants to go, I'll find a way."
The Lord of the Crimson Cloud Crown smiled and said, "I'm not asking about her future, but about you."
Cong Ying was slightly startled: "Me?"
The Crimson Cloud Crown Master said, "Ah He is naturally carefree and at ease, able to live in the secular world and beyond. No matter what difficulties she encounters, she can easily figure them out after a good night's sleep. Being shallow has its advantages. But you are too thoughtful, and if you have feelings that are difficult to let go, you may have let them go lightly at first, but they will remain etched in your heart forever, unable to be swallowed or resolved, ultimately hurting yourself and others. Back then, you were reluctant to abandon Ah He, and now you are willing to sacrifice your family for her future. This is all because you are obscuring your inner desires."
This was an evaluation that Cong Ying had never expected. She couldn't help but ask shamefully, "Master Guan, are you saying that I'm too obsessed with appearances?"
"Being self-absorbed is mediocrity, caring for others is wisdom," the Crimson Cloud Crown Master sighed softly, "But Ah Ying, too much wisdom will lead to harm."
The morning breeze carried the distant, clear sound of a mountain bell. The four words, "Extreme wisdom will inevitably lead to harm," gently entered her ears along with the bell's melody, but they fell heavily on Cong Ying's heart. After the Crimson Cloud Crown Lady left, she stood in the shade of the flowers, reciting these words, as if she had finally understood the long-held confusion.
The Crown Master said that she would always choose a path that went against her own heart because of her consideration for others.
But when the time came, the people she cared about were just as unhappy as she was.
Was she wrong? Should she have decided from the beginning to see only herself?
At this moment, a man walked out slowly from the moon-shaped door beside the trumpet creeper. The shadow of the flower slowly moved on his black shoulders and sleeves, leaving a cold fragrance soaked by the flower dew. His face was made even colder and paler by the shadow of the flower, like a precious jade paper with lonely eyebrows and eyes painted on it by the hands of gods and ghosts.
I don't know how long he listened through the wall, but there was no sound at all.
Cong Ying collected her thoughts and bowed to him, "I didn't know His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin was here. Sorry to bother you."
The Prince of Jin made no secret of his overhearing and looked at her intently, "Just now, the Crimson Cloud Crown Master meant that you are too considerate of others and therefore always hurt yourself."
Zong Ying's eyelashes trembled slightly and fell, and she denied it calmly, "The Crown Master and I were not in the mood for idle chat. There was no deep meaning in it. Your Highness, please don't think too much about it."
"Don't feel like chatting?" Prince Jin chuckled. "I think the Crimson Cloud Crown Lady has a clearer view of you than Xie San and I. Many things in the past were only made clearer to me now after she had shown me some understanding."
Some doubts that had been hidden in my heart for a long time gradually condensed into threads.
Cong Ying didn't understand what he said. It was all right to say Xie San, but she felt that she and the King of Jin had only known each other for a short time and didn't really know each other, so where did the "now" come from?
The King of Jin asked her again, "Just now I heard you say you regretted it, but did you regret committing to Xie San for life?"
Cong Ying was shocked when she heard this: "How could it be?"
Prince Jin slowly approached her and said, "But Ah Ying, the time you've been with him hasn't been as happy as I expected."
Cong Ying said, "Nine out of ten things in this world are not as we wish. Compared to natural disasters, man-made disasters, and the worries about my life, I am living a good life now."
The King of Jin considered the word "sort of" carefully, and said with almost certainty: "So, you are not living well."
Cong Ying didn't know what he meant by asking this question repeatedly, nor what he was planning. She felt panic for no reason and frowned in denial, "That's not the case. Besides, what worries me is mostly my own family affairs, which have nothing to do with San Lang."
The King of Jin laughed when he heard this: "It has nothing to do with anyone else, and it has nothing to do with him."
This sounded very strange, as if he had more right to blame Xie Xuanlan than anyone else.
Cong Ying couldn't figure out what kind of mood he was in when he said this. She was confused and raised her eyes quietly, and her gaze met King Jin's.
His eyes were full of questions and doubts, his pupils were too dark and heavy, like a night without dawn, hiding many emotions that were not exposed to the light.
Cong Ying only met his gaze for a moment before she felt a sudden, unexplained palpitation, as if needles were piercing her heart, stirring up a subtle, inexplicable tingling sensation. She disliked this overwhelming feeling, and immediately lowered her eyes. In a gentle yet resolute tone, she repeated, "My current worries have nothing to do with Sanlang... and I have never regretted marrying him."
After saying this, she took a step back and bowed deeply to the King of Jin: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will take my leave now."
She quickly withdrew, walking hurriedly, facing the gaze of King Jin, as if she was fleeing in panic.
While talking to Prince Jin, Ah He woke up unexpectedly. Xie Xuanlan was accompanying her. It was unknown what the two of them were playing, but Ah He's cheerful laughter could be heard through the courtyard wall.
Just as the Lord of the Crimson Cloud Crown said, her troubles seemed earth-shattering, but in fact, they were all gone after a good night's sleep.
"Sister!" Ah He waved at her from afar, holding something shiny in his arms, "Come quickly, come and see!"
Cong Ying suppressed the chaotic thoughts that had just been caused by King Jin, walked forward with a smile, and found that what she was holding in her arms was a small, pocket-sized bow.
Ah He took the arrow from Xie Xuanlan, drew the bowstring in an orderly manner, aimed at the pear tree ten steps away, and suddenly let go. With a "snap" sound, the arrow blade was firmly nailed into the tree trunk.
"How is it?" Ah He raised his eyebrows proudly, "This is much more impressive than a slingshot!"
Cong Ying praised her a few times and asked Xie Xuanlan, who was standing beside him with his arms folded, "Where did you get this bow?"
Xie Xuanlan said, "In order to coax her into taking the medicine, the Crimson Cloud Crown Master took out the birthday gift that Senior Sister Yiyun had prepared for her in advance."
Ah He was able to hit the target right away, and her confidence in her archery skills soared. She chased after the target and shot at a half-broken clay pot buried in the ground behind the pear tree. This time, she missed, and the arrow grazed the pot. Her shoulders slumped in disappointment, and she quickly turned to beg Xie Xuanlan, "Third brother, third brother, this time I want to shoot that one!"
Xie Xuanlan raised the corner of his lips: "Third brother can't teach that, only brother-in-law can teach."
Ah He thought he was a good guy and fell for it without hesitation: "Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law! I want to shoot that!"
From Ying: "..."
Xie Xuanlan was pleased and instructing Ah He on how to draw the bow. Standing behind her, he said, "Keep your knuckles tight when you draw the string, lower your left elbow a little, and follow the arrow feather to find the target—keep steady, don't waver."
He pulled Ah He's bowstring an inch further behind her ear, not in a hurry to ask her to let go, letting her carefully feel the current sight and strength.
After holding on for a few breaths, Ah He's hands began to tremble and beads of sweat slowly appeared on his forehead.
Cong Ying, mindful of the pain she had just experienced, was concerned for her health. She gently tugged at Xie Xuanlan's sleeve from behind. Xie Xuanlan held her in return and said to Ah He, "Release the arrow."
With a whoosh, the feather arrow broke through the air and smashed the half-broken earthenware jar behind the pear tree.
Ah He jumped up happily: "I hit it, I hit it!"
Xie Xuanlan pointed to another target that was about the same size and distance away. This time Ah He tried to aim by herself. Seeing her swaying for a long time before she found the right position, even Cong Ying was nervous for her.
Finally, the arrow flew out and hit the target. Although there was a slight deviation, it was a great improvement.
Ah He was so happy that he was completely lost in thought. He was eager to show it to Guan Zhu and Yi Yun. Xie Xuanlan said to Cong Ying, "Ah He has good physical strength and eyesight. He is a good candidate for archery."
Cong Ying smiled: "It's rare that she likes it herself. I will find a master to teach her later."
Xie Xuanlan looked at her and said, "If you let someone else teach her, I will have no students. Then you can be my student."
"Me?" Cong Ying was surprised. "I don't know how to shoot arrows."
Xie Xuanlan put his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, intertwining his fingers with hers from the back of his hands, and lifted her arms, making a simple gesture of drawing a bow and a sword.
"This... and this... It's simple, isn't it?"
His gentle and low voice pressed against her ears, like a burst of electric current, causing her heartbeat to accelerate suddenly.
Xie Xuanlan advised her, "A gentleman's six arts are poetry, calligraphy, ritual, music, horsemanship, and archery. You shouldn't be too extreme in your pursuit of perfection. If you master archery, you can also use it for self-defense."
Speaking of self-defense, the first thing that came to Cong Ying's mind was the move he learned from King Jin on Guikuizhang.
He drew a knife from his sleeve and killed him with one blow.
Xie Xuanlan observed her thoughtful expression and suddenly asked with a smile, "By the way, what did the King of Jin say to you just now?"
Cong Ying's body suddenly stopped and she turned around to look at him in surprise.
Xie Xuanlan narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile on his face, his expression lazy and relaxed, as if he didn't mind. But Cong Ying knew that he was not a broad-minded person, and this attitude of concealing the truth made her feel uneasy.
"It's just a small talk," Cong Ying said seriously, "really."
Around noon, Cong Ying prepared to go down the mountain and return to the city.
She asked Ah He to stay with the Lady of the Jiangxia Temple for a few days to continue recuperating while she took advantage of this opportunity to sort out household chores. Since the Lady had promised to teach her archery personally, Ah He, though reluctant to leave her sister, finally agreed to stay.
At the mountain gate, he happened to meet the carriage of King Jin, who was also preparing to return.
Cong Ying was standing on the horse stool, straightening Xie Xuanlan's clothes. She knew that any change in her expression would be seen clearly by Xie Xuanlan, so she deliberately did not look in the direction of King Jin. She lowered her eyes, took off a white hairpin from her hair, and simply tied up Xie Xuanlan's long hair.
Tied hair with delicate hands, such an intimate gesture should only appear in the boudoir, even between husband and wife.
Congying was not a person who behaved carelessly and did not care about details. King Jin knew it, and Xie Xuanlan knew it too.
All three of them knew that this was a deliberate act.
Prince Jin thought that just because he questioned whether Xie Xuanlan treated her badly, she deliberately put on such a loving gesture to protect Xie Xuanlan. This was really too much indulgence.
Congying secretly warned herself not to be distracted and not to look at irrelevant people.
Yes, the King of Jin can only be an irrelevant person.
It was not until the curtain of Prince Jin's sedan chair slowly fell that Cong Ying smoothed Xie Xuanlan's temples, and finally heaved a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Let's go." After sitting down in the carriage and watching Prince Jin's carriage leave in a cloud of dust, Cong Ying finally relaxed.
Xie Xuanlan's attention was always on her, and at this moment he asked, "Did the King of Jin make you angry?"
Cong Ying smiled and denied, "Prince Jin and I are just casual friends. How could he possibly offend me?"
Xie Xuanlan just stared at her without saying a word. His eyes were tender and affectionate, yet also as calm as a sharp blade, as if they could cut through her clumsy cover-up and see through her true emotions hidden beneath the mask.
However, even though he saw through it, he did not question him angrily. The emotions hidden in his eyes were actually something that Cong Ying could not see through.
She suddenly felt very guilty, and her nose felt slightly sour.
In the long silence, only the sound of the wheels rolling by echoed in her ears. It was as if an invisible barrier separated the two of them. Cong Ying didn't like this feeling of loss. Finally, she tentatively held Xie Xuanlan's hand.
Neither was he pulled away nor was he held back.
Cong Ying's lips were bitten until they turned white. She approached him cautiously, like a moth with nowhere to land. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. Under his deep and unfathomable gaze, she raised her head and kissed the corner of his lips.
He let go at the first sign of contact, but didn't move too far away. She was waiting for his decision, whether to accept her advances or push her away out of tolerance.
The clasped hands suddenly tightened, and Xie Xuanlan leaned over and pressed her against the wall of the compartment. His force was so strong that it didn't seem like a handshake, but more like a restraint. Cong Ying could almost hear the sound of her own joints cracking.
The false smiles in each other's eyes had completely disappeared. His eyes were so deep and intense, as if burning with a dark fire, and the fire was a faint trace of resentment.
"You don't need to put yourself in such a difficult position to appease me."
He whispered, his tone still restrained with a hint of gentleness and decency: "You know in your heart that this is not what I want."
"I watched helplessly as your heart drifted towards him, bit by bit, and you fell for him. You were in sync, sharing everything, even deceiving me together. Ah Ying... Actually, I also want to ask, has being with me really wronged you?"
The blunt words tore open the wound bloodily, and Ying shed tears and shook her head.
She said, "Sanlang, I really like you."
But it is difficult to control one's human heart. She could not stop herself from being moved by another person at the same time, and she could not help but feel pity for him.
The choked voice was like broken pearls falling to the ground: "As for the rest, I already feel embarrassed, please... don't ask anymore, okay..."
Xie Xuanlan stared at her for a long time, then held her face in his hands and wiped away the tears bit by bit. He didn't ask again, nor did he dare to think about how many of these tears were for him, how many were for others, how many were out of guilt, and how many were out of reluctance to leave.
He lowered his head and kissed Congying's lips. Both of them wanted to prove something urgently. The fierce entanglement between their lips and teeth almost set fire and devoured their minds.
Xie Xuanlan just managed to stop his out-of-line behavior on the verge of losing control. He closed his eyes and calmed down for a while, then knelt on one knee at Cong Ying's feet, slowly straightened out the messy folds of her dress, then fastened her buttons and smoothed her temples.
The look in Ying's eyes when she looked at him, even if it was just a hint of attachment, was enough to soften his heart.
"I don't want to think about it anymore." Xie Xuanlan touched her face: "There is a long time to come. I will accompany you and wait patiently."
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