Chapter 20 Reunion Let's bury that eavesdropping dog.
"Hey, with a beautiful woman by your side, how can you speak so vulgarly and without any restraint, Young Master Li?" An old pine tree behind him swayed, and a pile of pine needles fell.
"Wang Wude, if you don't show yourself, I'll cut down this tree!" Li Shimin sneered.
"Alright, alright, calm down. Ouch, my legs are numb, don't chop anymore..."
Changsun Qingjing felt deeply ashamed and resentful of this man's rudeness. She feigned composure and asked Li Shimin, "Young Master Li, what is this Wang Wude to you?"
"Just a falconer! Insignificant, worthless. He has no relation to me whatsoever." Li Shimin glanced at Wang Wude and said casually to Changsun Qingjing, "I was careless in falling for this scoundrel's trick today. I'll trouble Lady Changsun to choose a place for me to bury this scoundrel immediately!"
Li Shimin declared righteously, “I have not made a private betrothal to anyone. I have been engaged to Lady Changsun since childhood. Now that my fiancée’s family has suffered misfortune, she has repeatedly avoided me to avoid being a burden; to take care of her disgraced adoptive father, she was willing to abandon the comforts of Daxing and travel south to the malarial lands. How can I, a dignified man, sit idly by and sever ties with such a virtuous woman? Wouldn’t that invite ridicule? I understand the principle of acting expediently in times of crisis, so I disregard conventional etiquette, reaffirm our engagement, and will protect her at all costs…”
Wang Wude spat out the pine needle in his mouth and snorted coldly: "I'll believe you this once. Ah, your confession just now was more sincere than the lyrics of a Hesheng opera. Teach me a few words sometime! I always thought you liked gentle and virtuous ladies, but who would have thought you would admire such a bold and reckless wicked woman."
Changsun Qingjing pouted and shouted angrily, "What kind of lowly people are you, to be so insolent!"
"Ouch, isn't that exactly what 'lust makes you lose your mind' means?" Wang Wude complained, rubbing his calf where he had been kicked.
Wang Wude coughed a few times feigning an attack, then bowed to Changsun Qingjing with his hands clasped in a gesture of respect: "Lady Changsun, I, Wang, have always been straightforward, as your husband has always known. Today's events did not stem from my intention to pry into your private affairs. It's simply because my friend has been distracted and prone to rashness and anger these past few days while searching for your whereabouts. Since you are dressed as a man, I was genuinely worried for my friend, so I secretly observed the situation to protect him. As for what happened later, well, it's all because this tree grew so awkwardly, like a coiled dragon. I took advantage of the situation to conceal myself, and my body became stiff and numb, as if I were rooted to the tree, unable to leave..."
His half-truthful words and feigned actions made both Changsun Qingjing and Li Shimin roll their eyes at him. Wang Wude said seriously, "However, Lady Changsun, please rest assured, I really didn't hear clearly what you said or did just now, and I absolutely won't reveal a single word to a fourth person. I was just rambling, please forgive me, Lady Changsun." He then bowed again.
The young couple, who had just made their vows, felt guilty and, since Wang Wude had promised not to tell anyone, they let the matter drop for the time being.
Wang Wude began to use his business acumen, asking Changsun Qingjing, "Does Lady Changsun like parrots? The parrots from my Linyi region are large, beautiful, and intelligent. You can ask him if you don't believe me... If Lady Changsun likes them, I'll send them to your residence in Chongde Lane!" He then glanced at Li Shimin.
Qingjing lowered her head, smiling silently.
Wang Wude pressed further, "Does my wife lack any brothers? Any cousins? Any male cousins?"
Qingjing asked in surprise, "What does it matter to Young Master Wang whether I lack brothers or not?"
"My lady, please forgive my bluntness. While I've been helping search for you these past few days, I've heard about the Gao family's current situation. I've considered that your family has few men, and Mr. Gao is a gentle and refined man; no one in the family is skilled at the mischievous acts of a 'lowly son-in-law' during the wedding procession. To repay Lady Changsun's kindness in not killing or burying me, I will surely gather a group of young heroes from the Five Mausoleums on the day of Li Shimin's wedding, pretending to be your cousins. When the groom is urging us to prepare the dowry, we'll block him outside the door and make things difficult for him. The elders say that the more the groom is harassed, the more respect he will receive from his wife in the future. Lady Changsun, if you want to give the groom a hard time, just give the order, and we'll all rush in and..."
"Who agreed to invite you to my wedding?" Li Shimin questioned. "You're just making things up yourself, how utterly unreasonable!"
"Anyone willing to accompany you to the wedding is welcome; I can accompany them. As long as the day is lively and festive, that's all that matters. I've finally found a chance to beat you to your knees and beg for mercy; if I miss this opportunity, I won't get another one."
"What a terrible idea! It's not certain who will kneel down!" Li Shimin was both angry and amused.
The two chatted back and forth, imagining the battle of wits between the bride and groom on their wedding day, completely oblivious to Changsun Qingjing's utterly bewildered expression.
“I don’t like parrots, and I have no shortage of brothers.” Changsun Qingjing was filled with shame and indignation. “You’re just spouting nonsense because you think the Gao family has no one else. If my uncle Xiaoguan were still alive, I would have you all torn apart, tied up, and thrown into the Wei River to feed the fish.”
Wang Wude laughed heartily, cupped his hands, and said, "Please don't take offense, Madam Changsun. We're always so outspoken. You are a woman of great righteousness, willing to follow your adoptive father in his time of need and even sever ties with your fiancé. If my friend didn't respect you, he certainly wouldn't have proposed marriage so rashly; and if I didn't respect you, I wouldn't have offered myself as a son-in-law. If you two had missed your chance, I would have been filled with regret. The current situation, while not exactly a happy one, is a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune. Anyway, remember to send me an invitation if you have any good news. Farewell! See you at the wedding!" With that, he neighed loudly into the woods, and his steed responded, galloping away and soon disappearing into the gray dust.
The young couple didn't exchange any more heartfelt words, but simply rode off one after the other. When they returned to the vicinity of their cramped new house, Madam Gao was anxiously pacing at the gate. When her eldest grandson, Qingjing, dressed in a linen black robe, knelt before her, begging her not to send him away again, Madam Gao embraced her daughter, tears streaming down her face.
“It was your mother’s fault. Your mother shouldn’t have taken it upon herself to send you away.” Her heart was heavy with emotion as she promised her daughter, whom she had just found again, “Our family will never be separated. Even if we go to Lingnan together, we will never be separated again, just like before.”
Madam Gao reached out and gently stroked her daughter's face, which was chapped by the wild wind of Longshou Plain. She then took her hands and carefully examined the bloody marks left from riding a horse that day: "What foolish things have I done to drive you to this state?"
Changsun Qingjing looked up, wiped away his tears, and said happily, "Mother, I have hands and feet, I can do needlework, I can copy Buddhist scriptures, and I can support myself. I can also take care of you like my brother. You can keep me by your side; I won't be in your way."
Gao wiped away the tears she had secretly shed, and took Changsun Qingjing's hand, saying, "Alright, alright... You must also promise your mother that you won't run around anymore. Look, you've made yourself look like a stray cat."
Changsun Qingjing nestled in his mother's arms as he had when he was young. To avoid suspicion, Li Shimin only watched from afar; he was completely an outsider, unsure whether to approach and greet her or decisively leave. Just as he hesitated, Changsun Wuji, who had failed to find his sister, returned on horseback.
In front of his mother and elder brother, Changsun Qingjing slightly raised his hand, pointed at Li Shimin, and said, "He escorted me back." With that, he went straight into the new house and ignored everyone else.
"Madam Gao, Wuji, may I meet with Mr. Gao?" Before the mother and son could even express their gratitude, Li Shimin asked impatiently and solemnly.
...
After washing up, Changsun Qingjing changed into her usual light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). Just as she began packing her books, Madam Gao instructed her to meet with Gao Shilian immediately, telling her that her uncle had important news for the family. Changsun Qingjing then temporarily placed "The Young Swordsman's Journey" under the mirror shaped like a sea beast and grape, and immediately followed her mother through the not-so-spacious corridor.
The new house where Madam Gao's family lived was somewhat small and dilapidated compared to their old mansion. It was also midwinter, and the flowers and plants had withered, making it appear even more dilapidated. Fortunately, she herself had experienced the ups and downs of half a lifetime, including her father Gao Mai's demotion, the death of her husband Changsun Sheng, and being left to fend for herself and her child. Her temperament had long been tranquil and peaceful, and she was content with whatever came her way.
Now, with her elder brother's demotion and departure imminent, and her son still a minor, unable to support the household independently, Madam Gao couldn't help but feel that this strange cycle of fate had begun again, and she was momentarily at a loss. Fortunately, her daughter's escape brought her back to her senses.
Just as she was about to meet Gao Shilian, Madam Gao suddenly gently pulled Qingjing's arm and placed her hands on her shoulders: "Tell your mother the truth, do you already have someone you love? Is it Li Shimin?"
Changsun Qingjing was afraid that her mother would blame her for being unbecoming of a young lady, so she shook her head repeatedly; worried that she would miss her chance, she subconsciously took a few steps back, bit her lip and nodded.
Her mother's expression was very solemn: "Guanyinbi, your uncle is about to discuss important matters in your life with you. Although our family has declined, a good marriage is something that can't be forced. But I still hope that the person who comes to propose is worthy of you. If you are happy, I will be very relieved; if you are not happy, there is no need to compromise. Your brother and I have already discussed it. As long as I am alive, I will take care of you; if I am gone, your brother will take care of you."
Changsun Qingjing hugged his mother tightly, inhaling the fragrance of the wood in her hair. "Don't worry, Mother, I have my own plans, and no one can take my mind away from me."
Changsun Qingjing entered the main hall and met her uncle. After bowing, Gao Shilian told her directly, "Although things took a bit of a turn today, it's good that you're back safe and sound. This is a one-time exception."
"Uncle, as long as you don't send me to your uncle's place, I promise I will never run away again," the girl solemnly promised.
"Hasn't Lord Xiuming treated you well?" Gao Shilian recalled the hastily written note he had just received, feeling puzzled.
Changsun Qingjing shook his head: "My uncle has treated me well. He said that he was used to being lazy and couldn't control Anye, so he let me live with my uncle for so many years. He also said that he felt sorry for my father and uncle's dying wishes, so he let me live in his mansion and let him arrange my future marriage."
"Then why did you run away?"
"Liangyuan is a beautiful place, but it is not a place to stay for long. Even if we go to Jiaozhi together, I only want to be with you."
Gao Shilian's eyes sharpened: "Guanyinbi, it was your uncle who failed to consider this properly."
His expression suddenly softened and brightened: "What I need to tell you today is another important matter. To make a long story short, it's only natural for young men and women to be attracted to each other. I don't know how Wuji, Shimin, and you three usually get along, nor do I see anything out of the ordinary. It seems Li Shimin's admiration for you stems from your dignified character and refined thoughts. In any case, today, the matchmakers entrusted by the Duke of Tang, Dou Kang and Dou Daosheng, also came to 'ask for my name,' and Li Shimin just had a long talk with me. They don't necessarily need to value me so highly. Today..." The late Emperor's nephew and the Duke's beloved son have both proposed marriage to me, and I am truly flattered. Given my current situation, I have no right to refuse such favor and goodwill from the Eight Pillars of State. I am about to embark on a long journey, and I feel that only by settling you properly can I fulfill my duty to your father. Changsun Qingjing, tell me, if your uncle arranges for you to marry the second son of the Duke of Tang, are you willing? If you are unwilling, I will reply to the matchmaker tomorrow. Given the magnanimity of him and his son, I imagine they will not make things difficult for my family. I will then pretend this matter never happened and will not hold you accountable.”
"I will leave everything to my uncle's arrangements and have no objections." Changsun Qingjing had a calm demeanor, as if he had weighed the pros and cons and remained detached from the matter.
Gao Shilian also felt a little guilty: "I'm afraid I won't be able to wait for the Li family to personally welcome you. You should be happy to have a family that controls the Tai'a (a type of ancient Chinese weapon) to protect you."
"Yes, I'm very happy," Changsun Qingjing murmured to herself, her gaze fixed on a willow branch outside the window, occasionally brushed by the wind. Frosty winds blew through the broken leaves, and the withered branches swayed in the breeze.
"When I was young, I always dreamed of becoming a chivalrous knight-errant, roaming the world with a sword, and settling scores with gusto..." Gao Shilian muttered to himself.
"Uncle, me too."
The willow branches did not wither; they were merely lying dormant.
Author's Note: Continuing today. Feel free to bookmark and comment if you enjoy it.
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