Good people are always blessed.
Chapter 73, Good People Are Always Blessed by Heaven
As the sun set that day, the flower-picking team returned home laden with their harvest.
I finally saw a glimmer of color return to Mr. Tao's face.
I couldn't help but feel happy, thinking to myself, "Yu'er, big brother, look, Mr. Tao and I aren't on the battlefield, but we're still fighting hard—of course, Mr. Tao deserves the most credit."
Over the next two days, under Mr. Tao's guidance, the side courtyard of the imperial palace was transformed into a huge pharmaceutical workshop.
Piles of flower petals were crushed to extract the juice, which was then mixed with strong liquor and cold medicine and boiled repeatedly until it turned into a thick, ink-like lac that exuded a chilling aura. Soldiers lined up and carefully dipped their arrowheads into the cooled liquid. When they were lifted out, the sharp, cold iron was coated with a dull, eerie sheen, ready to dry completely and become deadly weapons.
Looking at the mountain of poisoned arrows, I felt as if I could already see the dawn of victory.
Before I could even figure out how to safely deliver these poisoned arrows to the front lines in Bozhou, a bolt from the blue struck me, leaving me stunned and speechless for a long time—my uncle had arrived.
He really came.
Two completely different thoughts surged and clashed in my heart, almost tearing me apart: one was wanting to rush into my uncle's arms and act like a little girl, even though I could no longer wipe my tears and snot on him like I did when I was a child; the other... wanted to run away and hide underground as soon as possible. My uncle kindly let me leave home to see the world, but I ended up seeing a battle.
However, no matter how much I hesitated, my uncle still arrived as scheduled.
When I woke up that day, I had just finished washing up when the maid came to call me and told me to quickly change my clothes and go see someone.
My heart skipped a beat, and I vaguely guessed who it was. Remembering that my uncle was always unconcerned with formalities, I didn't bother with dressing up. I grabbed a simple, elegant lake-blue dress, slipped on my shoes, and ran out. I was in such a hurry that I almost bumped into Lady Fan and her son Liu Che as they were walking out of the main hall.
"Princess Zhao." Consort Fan wore a stiff smile, her tone indifferent, her gaze lingering. Beside her, Liu Che was held firmly in the arms of a guard. Because his mother was present, he didn't dare to rush over as usual, but secretly winked at me, his little face full of excitement.
I breathed a sigh of relief—judging from the child's appearance, he seemed to be in a good mood and hadn't encountered anything unpleasant.
I quickly stepped aside to greet her, but Lady Fan didn't intend to chat any longer. She lifted her skirt and left with her attendants. I composed myself, strode into the main hall, and immediately saw my uncle sitting at the head of the table.
He wore a plain white robe, so simple that it had no superfluous decorations. His hair was loosely tied up with only an ebony hairpin, which made him look even more refined and reserved. At first, he lowered his eyes and frowned slightly, as if he was deep in thought about important matters, and a sense of detached tranquility surrounded him.
He only slowly raised his eyes when he heard my footsteps. The moment his gaze fell on me, the sharpness and depth hidden deep in his eyes melted away instantly, leaving only an unyielding gentleness and tenderness.
"Uncle!" I couldn't hold back any longer, I shouted and ran over with my arms outstretched.
My uncle stood up from his seat and caught my energetic hug. His chest throbbed as he let out a hearty, deep laugh that warmed my heart: "You little troublemaker, look at you, you've recovered quite well."
The moment he said that, my tears welled up instantly. I blinked hard to hold them back, then looked up at him and forced a smile as I argued, "Uncle, I'm not a troublemaker! Big brother always says I'm very useful, it's true! Also, please don't blame big brother for what happened to me, it was all my own fault that I got hurt, it has nothing to do with him!"
"Alright, alright, I don't blame anyone, Uncle doesn't blame anyone." Uncle gently stroked the top of my head with his warm hand, soothing me. He then held my shoulders, steadying me in front of him. He looked me up and down carefully, his eyes full of satisfaction, and then chuckled, "Little Xi has really grown up a lot."
I hastily wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes, and looking at his still handsome features, I couldn't help but smile: "Uncle hasn't aged at all."
As soon as he finished speaking, my uncle and I burst into laughter, and my earlier anxiety vanished instantly.
But I'm not flattering you; my uncle really doesn't look old. Even standing next to my dashing older brother, you can see the age difference, but the profound sense of maturity he exudes is far beyond what my brother can match. It's not the inherent authority of someone in a high position, but rather the gentle and insightful wisdom gained from years of experience. It's a unique demeanor honed by battlefield experience and court life, giving people a sense of security.
"Uncle," the laughter subsided, and seeing that my mother and Aunt Xian were not present, I couldn't help but ask cautiously, "Did you really come all this way because of me? And His Majesty... is he angry?"
My uncle took my hand and led me to the warm pavilion behind the main hall, where a round table was set up. We sat down facing each other, and he smiled gently, reassuring me with a reassuring tone: "Yes and no—of course I had to come when you were in trouble; but there are some matters of the court that I can take care of on the way. As for him..." He paused, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes, "He won't be angry."
After briefly answering my questions, his expression turned slightly serious: "Xiao Xi, tell your uncle everything that has happened since you came to Bozhou, in detail, without hiding anything."
"Do...do I have to tell him everything?" My face flushed. Did I have to tell my uncle even about my own love for Lan Feiyu? This...
"...Let's not talk about your affair with that Lord Bozhou." The uncle's lips curled up slightly.
As expected, experience counts! Nothing can be hidden from him!
I gave an awkward smile: "Actually, it's not that I can't tell you... But Uncle, I can tell you, but I have to change the subject! I want to hear your story with that 'Third Prince' on the throne! Why do you always call His Majesty 'Third Prince'?"
"Xi'er." My uncle tapped his knuckles on the table. I stuck out my tongue and dared not change the subject. While recalling the events, I told my uncle everything, including the several close calls. My uncle listened with furrowed brows and his gaze became increasingly... making me feel guilty.
Fortunately, someone brought tea and snacks halfway through, which prevented the atmosphere from becoming so tense that I dared not utter a sound.
After I finished speaking, I looked at my uncle with pleading eyes; the words "begging for mercy" were probably clearly visible in my pupils.
My uncle took a deep breath, reached out and patted my head. His tone was helpless, but also filled with tenderness that made my nose tingle: "Xiao Xi, it's really amazing that you survived. God has been so kind to you."
I hurriedly climbed up the pole, grinning, "Right, Uncle? Good people are always blessed!"
But before the smile could last long, his uncle suddenly changed the subject and asked abruptly, "You know about Xie Lian, right?"
Those words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing my excitement and leaving me completely dejected. I silently picked up a new pastry, took a small bite, and nodded.
"Good to know." Uncle's voice remained calm, but carried an undeniable solemnity. "Xiao Xi, your surname is Zhao, and I also chose your name. When I gave you the name 'Xi', I hoped that you could be like the morning light, always bright and warm even when the sky is covered by gloom, and that you could be upright in your conduct and not be tripped up by darkness."
My uncle's words were like a pebble, crashing into my heart and creating ripples. My eyes instantly filled with tears, and I quickly bit my lip to stop them from falling.
Although my mother and Aunt Xian both told me that no matter what my background was, I would always be their precious treasure, hearing my uncle talk about the original intention behind the name and how sincerely he expressed his hopes for me, I felt a different kind of burning sensation in my heart, as if a warm fire was quietly enveloping my internal organs.
Looking at my uncle's calm expression, I nodded heavily, wiping away some tears as I spoke, my voice choked with emotion: "I understand, Uncle."
"That's good then." The uncle said no more, picked up a piece of pastry, and chewed it slowly for a while before asking again, "Xiao Xi, according to you, you are quite familiar with the eldest princess of the Turo Kingdom?"
Huh? Why are we talking about kites?
"I wouldn't say that..." I thought of the sketchbook she left me, and my face flushed again. But facing my uncle, I didn't want to lie, so I stammered, "She seems to be, um..."
My uncle nodded, and I felt like I'd been granted a pardon, so I immediately shut my mouth.
“That’s good.” My uncle looked at me with a beaming smile, but there seemed to be something deeper in that smile. “Come with me to meet this Turo princess.”
"W-what?" I exclaimed, my mouth agape in disbelief. "Uncle, you...you're going to see Yuanzi?"
The uncle chuckled softly and corrected him, "It's not to see the kite, it's to see—Princess Tuluo."
I immediately realized the difference between the two, and my eyes widened. I stammered again, "Uncle, you...you mean, as a member of Eastern Chu...you're going to see Princess Turo? Aren't we going to war with Turo?"
There can't be any mistake.
Yuanzi also admitted that Tuluo controlled Western Shu and coveted Bozhou, with the ultimate goal of invading Eastern Chu from the south. This was clearly a situation of irreconcilable conflict, so how could they still meet?
"Not necessarily." My uncle smiled calmly. At this moment, he was no longer my kind and amiable uncle, but the composed and sharp Queen of Dongchu, the former King of Nanyue who had commanded thousands of troops. "Whether we can avoid war depends on how we negotiate with that Princess Turo. Xiao Xi, since you know her, it saves a lot of trouble. Just say that you are following my orders to invite her to meet us, and that you will also be present."
I can't even describe my shock. I opened my mouth twice, and on the third time, the words finally came out: "It's possible, but Uncle, I don't know how to deliver the letter to her."
"Don't worry about that." After finishing his pastry, his uncle patted the crumbs off his hands and said confidently, "I'll take care of the mail delivery."
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