Take advantage of the spring breeze
Seeing Zhao Peiming's proud and confident demeanor, people inquired among themselves about his remarkable military exploits, having defeated many with few men. They all assumed he would be promoted, and the next step up would be governor.
The crabapple blossoms were in full bloom, and the spirit of spring wafted on every branch, making the young man appear as brilliant as a phoenix.
Zhao Peiming's hair was tied up in a bun on top of her head, adorned with a shimmering gold and jade dragon crown, secured with a carved silver hairpin, her long hair cascading down. Her brows and eyes revealed a sharp and piercing spirit, her gaze reflecting the colorful satins worn by the various guests.
He had noticed Jiang Heng, dressed in plain clothes and looking out of place, long ago, watching him grind ink on the jade inkstone. His jade-like hands held the ink stick, exuding an otherworldly elegance.
Zhao Peiming had met Jiang Heng before and was deeply impressed. Although he was somewhat uneasy about his lost horse and not daring to face Jiang Heng, fearing that he might punish him on behalf of the Emperor, Zhao Peiming vaguely felt that Jiang Heng was not an unfeeling person and decided to give it a try.
Zhao Peiming propped his face up with one fist and rested the other on his leg. He impatiently pushed away the throngs of guests who tried to get close to him.
Jiang Heng presented his poem with both hands and pushed through the crowd to show it to Xiao Hanjin. However, Xiao Hanjin was busy catching up with guests and didn't notice him at all. Seeing him in plain clothes and sitting low, people crowded around him with disdain, making Jiang Heng seem somewhat awkward.
"Come here and give it to me." It was Zhao Peiming who spoke.
His voice was loud, and when he shouted, the guests quickly moved aside to make way.
Jiang Heng, with a respectful expression, slowly stepped forward, carrying the scroll.
He knelt at Zhao Peiming's feet and said, "Joy and pleasure surpass all, and after the joy, are you satisfied, young master?" Jiang Heng bowed his head and raised the scroll.
"Oh, young master, you've left two for me to choose from. Let me see—" Zhao Peiming raised an eyebrow and examined them carefully.
“No, the former refers to the joy of the feast at that moment, while the latter is a blessing after the feast is over,” Jiang Heng interrupted him to explain.
"Interesting." Zhao Peiming laughed. "Get up and speak to me. No need for formalities."
Jiang Heng only slightly raised his head, his eyes still looking down, his eyelashes trembling slightly, like willows in spring.
"You have a good appearance, so why didn't those old fogies recommend you for an official position?" Zhao Peiming asked teasingly.
Jiang Heng replied with a half-smile, "I believe the Governor-General did not attain this position solely based on his good looks."
Zhao Peiming laughed heartily, pressing his folding fan against Jiang Heng's chin, forcing him to look up. Even the inner shirt beneath Jiang Heng's collar was slightly visible, but he still didn't raise his eyes.
"Go ahead," Zhao Peiming said, removing his folding fan and waving his hand.
Jiang Heng nodded and returned to his original spot to inscribe his poem. He secretly thought to himself that although this governor-general had quite the airs, the jewels on his crown had faded, and even the clothes under his robes were old. He was probably just maintaining the appearance of a young nobleman.
Zhao Peiming beckoned to a servant and asked, "Where did you find that swordsman over there?"
The servant replied, "Reporting to the Governor, this man is named Jiang Heng. He will be coming of age next year. He was stopped at the checkpoint by the Minister of the Imperial Household Department and was introduced by Wang Sheng."
"Jiang Heng? Is he Jiang Zhong's son?" Zhao Peiming asked calmly.
"Indeed, Governor." The servant finished speaking and stepped aside.
Zhao Peiming had met Jiang Zhong a few times and found him somewhat familiar, but the old man had thick eyebrows and slanted eyes, and his appearance was completely different from Jiang Heng's. She wondered who his mother was.
"The most beautiful flower in the town has arrived—" The musician came with his zither after hearing the sound. After everyone had come up, a woman slowly stepped forward.
"This humble girl, Zhiluo, offers you a song, wishing you, Young Master, to overcome countless obstacles and achieve great success." A soft, silken voice drifted over, accompanied by the jingling of ankle bells.
Jiang Heng had already heard it, and dared not look up. He silently retreated to the inner hall and looked through the small window.
Everyone applauded and cheered.
"As expected of the number one flower, her figure is truly charming and captivating."
"Aren't her peach blossom eyes absolutely stunning? Once you leave Tian Song, you'll probably never find another like them in the entire world."
"How much money can I get..."
"Please, young master, choose a song." A girl dressed in silk and satin served him.
Xiaohan glanced at the table of contents and then picked the one with the best meaning, saying, "I'll take this one, Mu Shenglin."
As soon as the words were spoken, a tune began to play on stage, and Liu Zhiluo, holding her pipa, began to sing softly. The most oblivious thing at this moment was the spring breeze, which rustled through the leaves, the doorframe, and the guests' clothes.
Zhao Peiming felt strange; the way the pipa player lowered her eyes and played the instrument resembled someone very much.
Jiang Heng was startled, fearing that he would be recognized now.
The servant, who had witnessed everything, now realized what was happening and, wanting to amuse everyone, called out, "Where is Jiang Heng?"
The guests were all captivated by the music and did not turn around. But the servants all became alert and prepared to search.
"Don't bother, I just asked that man to do things for me." As soon as Zhao Peiming spoke, the servants all dispersed.
Jiang Heng was puzzled. How could this person be so opportune? Thinking about it, he took a fancy to a book called "The Collection of Flowers and Birds in the Four Seasons," which he could present to cover up his lie.
After the performance, the guests threw gifts as a reward, and Liu Zhiluo left the stage amidst red, green, yellow, and purple decorations, with tears glistening in her eyes.
Seeing that the people on the stage had dispersed, Jiang Heng took the book and presented it to Zhao Peiming.
"Oh, Brother Zhao, what a refined taste you've taken to flowers and birds!" The speaker was Xiao Hanjin, who had just finished bidding farewell to most of his guests and was now joking around.
Zhao Peiming hadn't expected Jiang Heng to present such a booklet, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "I'm in a good mood today. Seeing such a beautiful woman, I'd naturally like to read some fine literature to go with it."
Xiao Han smiled and beckoned Jiang Heng over to collect the reward money.
“These characters are strong and elegant, with a unique style. We certainly can’t write them like this.” Xiaohan praised them and passed the post to Zhao Peiming. “I love this line the most: ‘Holding a sword, riding a horse, singing and dancing, returning in joy and triumph.’”
Zhao Peiming accepted the inscription and nodded, saying, "This line, 'Joyful moments surpass leisure for a thousand autumns,' is also exquisite." He then added, "The brushstrokes are as swift as wielding a knife, quite reminiscent of the style of our army."
Xiao Han said, "Brother Zhao has a good eye. This person was indeed stationed with our army."
Zhao Peiming had already noticed the marks on Jiang Heng's fingers from his unfamiliarity with the sword, so he raised an eyebrow and said, "It seems this young scholar does have some skill. How about we ask him to perform a sword dance to entertain us?"
Xiao Han looked at Jiang Heng, who said, "Please allow me to amuse you two gentlemen with my ugly antics."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Han casually tossed her sword to Jiang Heng, who caught it. However, as he had imagined, the sword was far too heavy, and he feared he would make a fool of himself. Meanwhile, his own Flying Goose Treading Snow sword was safely stored away on one side of the mansion's main gate.
"Get him a lighter one," Zhao Peiming said to the servant. The servant quickly turned and winked at the guard, who stepped forward with his sword. The servant then carefully put away the sword in Jiang Heng's hand for Xiaohan.
Jiang Heng looked up and met Zhao Peiming's gaze, then bowed his head in silent thanks. In that moment, Zhao Peiming was completely satisfied.
Jiang Heng took the sword and, following the moves taught by the soldiers, wielded it as if writing calligraphy, displaying a free and unrestrained style reminiscent of splashing ink on paper.
"Urgent report from the imperial court—" A bell rang outside the door.
Jiang Heng stopped his sword dance and silently avoided the attack.
Upon hearing that it was an imperial edict, the servants rushed to open the door. Seeing the messenger dressed in a red robe, a symbol of good news, everyone beamed with joy and stepped aside to listen.
"The Emperor issues an order!"
Everyone in the courtyard knelt down, and all was silent.
"From this day forward, the Sa Ta Cavalry will officially be under Commander Zhao's command!" After the red-clad figure finished reading the announcement, he accepted the silver, waved his robe, mounted his horse, and rode away.
The servants cheered and jumped for joy, losing all composure and singing and dancing in their own celebration. Having been in Xiao's household for so long, they knew of the relationship between the two men and were naturally happy for their master.
Xiao Hanjin was somewhat dazed and almost fell when he stood up. Zhao Peiming quickly stepped forward to support him and then shook hands with Xiao Hanjin, saying, "More than three years have passed, and your wish has been fulfilled." Xiao Hanjin's eyes were already red, and he suddenly knelt down, saying, "I, along with three thousand elite cavalry, pay my respects to the Commander-in-Chief!"
Zhao Peiming helped him up and replied, "Brother Xiao, there's no need for such formalities. In the army, we can still address each other as brothers." He then continued, "How are the brothers?"
Xiao Han replied in a trembling voice, "Reporting to the Commander, everything is fine!"
Jiang Heng, hiding behind the screen wall, heard everything clearly. He had spent many days with the Sa Taqi and knew the pain of separation between their generals and soldiers. Now, he was genuinely happy for them.
"It's getting late, Brother Xiao, you should return to the camp to rest for now. I'll rest for a while and then head to the inspection." Zhao Peiming's voice was deep and powerful, reassuring and calming.
With tears in her eyes, Xiaohan bid farewell to Zhao Peiming in the sunset. The servants watched from afar, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Come out," Zhao Peiming said, leaning back slightly.
Jiang Heng stepped out from the side of the screen wall behind him and looked at him.
After a long while, Jiang Heng saluted and said, "I have a request, and I wonder if Your Excellency would be willing to help me."
Zhao Peiming had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but he agreed to let him continue.
"May I borrow a horse from the Governor to go to Banrihua?" Jiang Heng said to himself, "It's not that I don't have a horse, it's just that... the general I borrowed has not shown any intention of returning it." He said this to Zhao Peiming, which sounded somewhat sarcastic.
Zhao Peiming glanced at the servant and gestured for him to bring his own horse over. He then helped Jiang Heng up, saying, "It was my carelessness that I didn't hold onto the precious horse tightly enough. I'll offer my inferior horse as compensation for now. As long as the precious horse isn't returned, this horse will remain at your feet." Jiang Heng's clothes were thin, making his skin even more sensitive to touch. Zhao Peiming touched him but quickly let go.
Jiang Heng looked at the tall, magnificent horse and thought the governor was being modest. Although the horse couldn't compare to a Ferghana horse, it was still a fine steed. So he agreed.
The horse seemed to sense that it was about to be separated from its master, and tried its best to break free. The servant was so frightened that he instinctively wanted to let go, but then he glanced at Zhao Peiming and dared not really let go. He kept calling out "Little Master" as the horse led him around in circles.
Jiang Heng smiled and stepped forward, took the reins from the servant, and half-obeyed and half-controlled the horse as it paced. Then he pulled hard, and the horse stopped.
The servant was somewhat surprised, his hand wiping sweat froze in mid-air. Zhao Peiming, however, found it amusing and said, "Young master, your horse-training skills are remarkable." He then stepped forward and stroked the horse's mane. "This horse is named Chixiao. You can call it, and it will understand."
Zhao and Jiang bid farewell to their servants. Jiang Heng retrieved his sword and walked side by side with Zhao Peiming on the road. A few wisps of purplish-red clouds still lingered at the foot of the mountain, creating a picturesque scene. Reaching a fork in the road, both sensed their impending separation. Zhao Peiming spoke first: "Young Master Jiang will be resting at Banrihua. I will have my troops take a detour for training. If you have the time, I would be extremely grateful if you could offer some guidance on horse training." The wind ruffled the young man's hair, causing his golden ribbon to flutter, creating a striking sight.
Jiang Heng chuckled, mounted his horse, and disappeared into the swirling sand, his voice drifting back from afar: "That depends on whether we are destined to be together."
"We must be destined to be together," Zhao Peiming thought to himself.
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