Narrative in the Pavilion
“This matter cannot be taken lightly,” Sarenmandula gripped the letter tightly. “We’ve known about their infighting for a while, but I didn’t expect the news to reach me. Someone is eager for Zhao Peiming to die; should we respond or not?” He glanced at the goat’s milk that had been served, shook his head, and turned to sit beside his attendant. “It’s really strange. These Satar cavalrymen are known as the most valiant and skilled cavalry unit in the Great Zhao Kingdom; they’re practically guardian deities. If they lose their own heads, how will they survive?”
"Oh dear, what if they have a trick up their sleeve? Boss, I think we should just catch them off guard and take care of that flower while we're at it, so they don't end up fattening up the Han dogs and turning on us." The attendant patted his chest.
“Can all Han people be trusted? What if they’re fake? Wouldn’t that make us look stupid?” Sarenmandula asked.
“Boss, what are you saying? We’ve already defeated that cavalry and made a name for ourselves. If this thing is fake, isn’t that corrupt official afraid we’ll march all the way to Tiansong?” The attendant was even more confident.
“…Then you and Char go and investigate! Don’t let the news leak out!” Sarenmandula picked up the silver knife he used for cutting meat and casually wiped it with the hem of his clothes.
The attendant nodded and left, then encountered Liu Chunhua again and hurriedly bowed in greeting.
“Come in!” Sarenmandula said.
Liu Chunhua lifted the tent flap and stepped in. She was dressed in red, with the blue sky behind her. To Sarenmandula, she looked like a beautiful fairy who had peeked in from behind the sky, and he stared at her for a long time, mesmerized.
"Husband, the sand pit in the north has been healed, and almonds can be planted now." Liu Chunhua entered gracefully and sat down next to Sarenmandula. Although the smell was unpleasant, she still smiled.
Sarenmandula looked at her incredulously and said, "The sun must have risen in the west today, my noble princess has smiled at me on her own initiative." He put down his knife, pulled her into his arms, and began to fiddle with her trembling eyelashes, while grabbing her braid with his other hand. "Speak, what do you want?"
Liu Chunhua followed her gaze and whispered, "There are a few refugees who came from the south of Ningyu Gate and have nowhere to settle down, otherwise..."
"Ha, how many? Right now, your Great Zhao is locked in a fierce battle with Qiongju. Who knows how many people are fleeing? Do you think I don't know them? Even if I manage to take in one or two, they'll immediately become arrogant and all come here! If you don't want to see me kill them all, then you'd better not bring this up!" Sarenmandula subconsciously clenched his hands. Liu Chunhua endured the pain and finally fell silent.
Only then did Sarenmandula belatedly let go. Liu Chunhua, with tears in her eyes, got up and walked out of the tent.
Just as she reached the door, Liu Chunhua suddenly stopped, all her previous grievances vanished, and she said in a clear voice, "Those who can survive in Ningyu Gate must all be bold and skillful farmers. You people are, to put it bluntly, just brutes. Not to mention how many hoes you wear out in a year, you plant seeds and then go riding horses and shooting arrows, not caring how many seedlings die of drought." She lifted the curtain, letting the sunlight punish this wicked man for her, "Relying solely on physical strength is not a long-term solution."
Sarenmandula looked up, ready to curse, but the sunlight stung his eyes, so he looked down again. After thinking about it carefully, he realized he had been touched on a sore spot, so he remained silent, slapped his thigh, and regretted it inside.
"Princess, Princess, you are so amazing! You left the leader speechless!" The little lamb, who had been eavesdropping behind the tent, turned around and came to Liu Chunhua when she came out.
“I’m not afraid of what he might do to me, I’ll just try my best,” Liu Chunhua said, glancing meaningfully at the distant hillside. “I have no power or influence, I’ve come from afar to marry into this family, and I’m at the Khan’s mercy.” She suddenly smiled at the little lamb and took her hand. “If the people of Ningyumen are truly accepted here, perhaps you can live in harmony.”
"Though the princess is confined to her chambers, her heart is as vast as the wilderness," the little lamb thought. "But princess, how can you be so sure they'll get along with us?" the little lamb asked, squeezing Liu Chunhua's hand and blinking.
Liu Chunhua found them endearing and waved her hand as she walked up the slope, saying, “There are two reasons. First, we have already done them a favor by accepting them, so they will definitely follow our wishes. Second, although you grew up in Shajiesai, you also have Han blood. Most Han people are very tolerant. For example, you came to accompany me and teach me customs on the instructions of Sarenmandula. I learned to speak with you and wear your clothes, so I was able to blend in with you. We call it ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do.’”
The little lamb seemed to be thinking for a long time before saying, "If that's the case, then why don't we take in a few first, have them dress like us, teach them a few words, let them stay with us for a month or two, and if it works, then we can tell the boss the truth."
Liu Chunhua exclaimed in alarm, "How can this be? If we are discovered or more people rush in, we will all be implicated."
The little lamb laughed and said, "Actually, he's already wavered. He just needs someone to persuade him. The boss cares about his reputation, so it's no use if you try to persuade him alone. Let me get a few people to 'advise' him with me. We'll be able to get it done no matter what."
Liu Chunhua was skeptical, but seeing the lamb patting its chest so confidently, she agreed. Just then, the sound of horses neighing came from the road not far away. The two men looked in that direction at the same time. Two servants were about to set off, leading their horses. They had changed into civilian clothes, hung daggers at their waists, and when they turned around, they saw the two men there. They bowed from a distance, mounted their horses, and rode away into the pale purple mist on the horizon.
——————
"I trouble Your Highness to grace us with your presence under the moonlight," Jiang Heng said, bowing respectfully.
Tang Yao stepped forward to help him up, gesturing for him to sit opposite her. She then sat down herself and said with a smile, "Young Master Jiang is quite different now that he's an official; his demeanor is even more refined than before." She glanced around the pavilion slightly. "However, Lord Jiang, the most taboo thing in officialdom is developing feelings. If you make a mistake because of so-called friendship, you'll regret it too late."
Jiang Heng remained expressionless: "What the Imperial Concubine says is absolutely right."
Tang Yao tilted her head and said, "I am an old acquaintance of your mother. She has a strong personality and I admire her greatly. Now that she has entered the palace as a musician, it must be hard on her health. If you have the chance, please give her my regards."
"Thank you for your concern, Consort. My mother is being cared for by someone, and I will try to visit her when the opportunity arises," Jiang Heng finally looked up, wanting to address a question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time, "And Consort, do you have any romantic entanglements? Are you troubled by them?"
Tang Yao knew the other party would ask such a question, and replied: "Since I am a Noble Consort, I naturally have some biases when I speak well of you in front of the Emperor. As for emotional attachments, since we were born into this Saha world, we both have them."
Jiang Heng chuckled: "A noble consort is a noble consort. Her love is unrestrained and not controlled by worldly conventions."
Tang Yao narrowed her eyes, looking inscrutable, and said, "Lord Jiang, we're in the same boat."
Jiang Heng remained silent; his love did indeed defy societal norms.
Tang Yao noticed Jiang Heng's hesitation and pressed her advantage: "When...did you start?" Jiang Heng opened his mouth to ask a question back, but Tang Yao interrupted him, "Lord Jiang can fool a heartless person like the Imperial Preceptor, but someone like me who sees a thousand different people every day in the music hall can't do that."
Since Tang Yao already knew the truth but hadn't revealed a word, meaning she had kept it a secret for him for a long time, she most likely came with conditions. Jiang Heng thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent. May I ask—what are your instructions?"
Tang Yao rose and gazed into the distance from the pavilion. The full moon tonight cast a chilling light upon the mountains, which seemed to shimmer eerily in the shadows. She shook her head and said, “My lord, you misunderstand. Although I have become a Noble Consort, I have to fawn over everyone, live with the condemnation of the world, and even bear the favoritism and control of one person, with no end in sight. Even before entering the court, I admired your lofty ambitions. Now that you have found your true love, it should be a cause for celebration. However, the court is not like the outside world; it is teeming with treacherous snakes, eyeing us with predatory intent. If you are not careful, neither of you will be able to escape. I secretly invited you here tonight not to use your weaknesses for personal gain,” Tang Yao turned to Jiang Heng, “I hope you will not lose sight of your original intentions, and from now on, be cautious in your actions, and work together with the General to bring light to the Great Zhao.”
Jiang Heng's heart skipped a beat, and he bowed, saying, "I was rude just now, please forgive me, young lady."
Tang Yao smiled and said, "I'm still used to hearing you address me as 'Miss'; anything else is hard to hear."
Jiang Heng asked, "Young lady, aren't you afraid that you'll find yourself unable to control your emotions after putting yourself into this situation?"
Tang Yao replied, "I didn't give myself a way out; I ruined the whole situation with my own life."
Jiang Heng said urgently, "How can this be done? Miss, you must cherish your life."
“It’s a worthless life, not worth it. You are the one who should cherish your life.” Tang Yao said, straightening her clothes in the wind, and then changed the subject, “Actually, the Emperor also thinks that the two of you are a good match. He ordered someone to write a story, something like ‘The fierce general’s sword enters the Panlong Cave, and the weak civil official’s pen is sure to hide the tiger’s pass,’ and he even gave me a copy.”
Jiang Heng was shocked and somewhat at a loss.
"Haha, young master, don't be nervous. It's a good thing that the Imperial Advisor doesn't know about this. In my opinion, this person has become cold-hearted and ungrateful, so he naturally can't tell the truth. You can continue to impeach each other in court, and I can secretly confuse the public. In this way, we can get away with it," Tang Yao added.
Jiang Heng nodded and pressed on, "But what about the Imperial Concubine? Does it mean: the Imperial Concubine cleverly wins over Han Shuang's heart, while the Imperial Preceptor falls into a gentle embrace?"
These words made Tang Yao laugh for a long time before she replied, "Young master, please don't tease me. I have my own solution." She glanced at the moonlight, "It's getting late. If I don't go back soon, I'm afraid her guards will become suspicious again. If there's an opportunity in the future, please come to the pavilion for another chat." After saying this, Tang Yao lifted her skirt, walked down the hill, and disappeared into the moonlight.
Jiang Heng gazed at the departing figure, wondering if Zhao Peiming had arrived at Bantianhua several days ago and if he was alright. The lingering warmth on his back from that night might not return for months. But then he realized that the pavilion was actually a good place, with a strong enough wind and enough height, and the worry on his face faded.
Zhao Peiming sat on a large rock at the village entrance, pulling a piece of lining cloth from his inner shirt. Embroidered with a silver pheasant, it emitted a faint fragrance—a subtle, almost imperceptible scent, as if he could never quite grasp it. He gazed up at the night sky, hoping to see the messenger return, even if it were just a few words; that would be enough. But the night was long, and only the unmoving stars shone brightly, flaunting their eternity.
A breeze picked up, and Zhao Peiming slowly walked into the house and closed the door.
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