Chapter 55
Xuan Shu walked slowly into the courtyard and stood quietly behind her. Song Qianzhao turned around suddenly when she heard the footsteps.
"It seemed like a wild cat just ran by."
She pointed to the rockery and said.
"They have their own shelter from the cold in the palace, and the eunuchs won't drive them away." Xuan Shu handed over the fox fur coat. "It's you, my dear, who should be more careful. You're more susceptible to colds after drinking. Put it on."
Song Qianzhao stared at the fox fur coat in front of him, a moment before he came to his senses and was about to stand. Perhaps it was because he had been squatting for too long, and the alcohol was taking its toll, but the moment he stood up, he felt dizzy. The snow was slippery, and he stumbled and fell forward.
Xuan Shu hurriedly reached out to help, but was unable to steady himself and was knocked to the ground by Song Qianzhao.
They both fell into the snow.
Song Qianzhao's nose hit his shoulder hard, and her eyes suddenly turned red with pain, and her mind was in chaos. In the chaos, she could only hear the sound of a strong heartbeat.
She slowly raised her face and met his eyes. Xuan Shu's face was slightly dazed, even a little unnaturally stiff.
Those usually bright eyes were now filled with drunkenness, staring at him intently.
All was silent, save for the rustling of falling snow. Glittering snowflakes adorned his dark, sword-like brows, and even his eyelashes were speckled with frost.
Song Qianzhao slowly raised his hand.
The boy's fingers were as slender as jade, and there was a faint aroma of wine on his fingertips.
She stretched out her fingertips thoughtfully and gently touched his slightly cold cheek.
Xuan Shu's pupils shrank slightly as he saw him lean in closer, his face slightly tipsy. His warm breath carried the refreshing aroma of wine. Seeing those fingers about to move again, he hurriedly grabbed his wrist, his heart pounding. "First...get up first."
The man who had poked his cheek blinked blankly, becoming even more drunk.
"Get up from me..."
Song Qianzhao looked at the snowflakes in his hair, then came back to his senses, replied vaguely "OK", and struggled to stand up.
Her steps were unsteady, her body swaying, and she was filled with confusion. She had always prided herself on being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, so why was she so out of control today? Even her thoughts were becoming dull.
She managed to stand firmly and was about to reach out to help the person on the ground, but she gasped because of the pain in her ankle.
Xuan Shu couldn't possibly expect him to help him up, so he stood up on his own. Seeing him hunched over, he immediately understood: "Twisted your ankle?"
He brushed off the snow on the fox fur, put it on him, and then held his arm: "Go inside first."
She leaned on Xuan Shu's support, tiptoed on her injured right foot, and limped forward. When she reached the stone steps and was about to lift her foot, she suddenly felt her body lighten - she was picked up by the waist.
Xuan Shu held the person firmly in his arms, but he felt something was amiss—the person in his arms had a slender waist, unlike that of an ordinary man. He was puzzled, but he didn't think too much about it, simply thinking that this beloved minister was naturally thin.
After passing through the corridor, Xuan Shu carefully placed the person on a chair in the hall.
Song Qianzhao stared at Xuan Shu half-squatting and half-kneeling in front of him.
He helped her take off her shoes and socks, held her feet with one hand, and said gently: "It will hurt a little, but it will heal faster if you come back in time."
Song Qianzhao didn't know whether she responded or not. She just stared at him intently and forgot to blink.
He held her foot steady with one hand and her ankle with the other. After a slight "click" sound, Song Qianzhao couldn't help but let out a soft cry.
"You are quite patient." Xuan Shu looked up and smiled slightly.
At this time, Zhang Yan came in and reported: "Your Highness, the voices opposing Lü Jian in the court have become much weaker."
"Done?"
Zhang Yan nodded and looked at Song Qianzhao. "Lord Song has defied all odds and even challenged my grandfather in court. The ministers have all witnessed his sincerity in serving the country and the people. Furthermore, the military situation at the border is urgent, and we have urged our colleagues to prioritize the soldiers and the people. Furthermore, after the imperial edict, supporting Lü Jian would appear to be just as magnanimous and sincere as Lord Song. Not supporting Lü Jian would mean that all you care about is Li Shufeng."
"Congratulations, Your Highness!" Zhang Yan was very happy.
Although court games involve many calculations, sincerity can also move people's hearts.
It seems that the imperial edict should be able to reach Jing'an Prefecture.
There is also an old general who is looking forward to it.
Xuan Shu's mood brightened when he heard this. He turned to Song Qianzhao and said with a smile, "I've been thinking about the meal you owe me, so don't forget it. I'm going to fast and retreat for half a month in a few days, so I won't be able to eat it. How about I pay you back in a few days?"
Although drunk, Song Qianzhao still remembered the incident. Her usually calm demeanor was somewhat different now because of the drunkenness. "Of course... I will remember. I will definitely treat Your Highness to the best meal. Eight Treasure Duck from the south of the city... Shad Sashimi from the east of the city... and..." Suddenly, she burped, quickly covered her mouth, and mumbled incoherently, "Just wait until I sober up first... Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't even be able to hold my chopsticks."
Xuan Shu looked at the drunken Song Qianzhao, a smile flashing in his eyes: "I'll be waiting."
Then he turned around and signaled the eunuch to prepare sobering soup.
…
Lü Jian had been suffering greatly recently. If only he could get a definite answer from the capital, even if it wasn't his will, it would be better than being in suspense and enduring this repetitive torture day after day.
"Is there any new news from the capital?" Lu Jian asked the steward in the mansion.
"My Lord, the latest news is still about Zhang Yan's memorial."
"Grandfather, don't be anxious," the little granddaughter advised softly, "Since Zhang Yan has submitted the petition, there will probably be a result soon. It will only take ten days. Besides... Grandfather doesn't have much time left to regret..."
Lu Jian looked at the worry between his granddaughter's brows and sighed inwardly.
"Qi'er, at your grandfather's age, what difference does it make whether you live a year longer or a year less? If you could fight on the battlefield, even if you only have one year left, it would be better than wasting ten years in this house. But... you're still young, and a girl, so it's natural that you don't understand a man's ambitions."
"Let's not talk about that. Since that year, I have repeatedly submitted petitions to the Eastern Palace to appeal for justice. It was not until I saw a glimmer of hope that I could get to the Eastern Palace. So..."
As he was speaking, a loud shout suddenly came from outside the courtyard:
"The imperial edict has arrived—"
After hearing this, Lu Jian suddenly jumped up from his chair. His agility was not at all like that of a seventy-year-old man!
His eyes flashed like lightning, and the kind expression he had when talking to his granddaughter just now disappeared in an instant, and instead he looked like a domineering general on the battlefield!
The imperial edict has arrived, it must be good news!
If the court had no intention of employing him, why would it have come here specially to convey the imperial decree?
Lu Jian led dozens of people from the entire mansion out in a line and knelt on the ground.
"I, the guilty minister Lu Jian, respectfully listen to the imperial edict!"
The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven and Succession, proclaims: "I believe in the security of the state through culture and the steadfastness of the nation through military force. The northern barbarians are now rampant and invading our territory, causing me great concern. You, Lü Jian, are a man of distinguished rank and wit, and I hereby appoint you General Commander of the Three Frontiers, commanding the troops of the three frontiers. I hope you will triumph over the enemy and enhance our nation's prestige. This is my decree!"
After the eunuch finished reading the decree, he immediately put on a fawning expression: "Lord Lu, will you accept the decree?"
"I bow to thank the Emperor for His Grace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!"
Lü Jian's hands trembled slightly. After fifteen years of trials and tribulations, he was finally able to don his armor again and fight for his country. At this moment, even a veteran who had experienced many ups and downs could hardly suppress the excitement in his heart.
The eunuch delivering the imperial edict said soothingly, "Lord Lu, the emperor still relies on you. Moreover, the military situation at the border is extremely urgent. Although the Yunshao Festival is approaching, we hope you will set off for the capital as soon as possible after the festival. The emperor wants to see you."
Lu Jian wiped away the tears that had streamed from his eyes and said solemnly, "Your Majesty's grace is so great that I am ashamed. Please rest assured, eunuch. Now that the imperial edict has been issued, I will return to the capital immediately after the festival to express my gratitude in person. I also thank you for your hard work in delivering the edict in this freezing weather. It must be very tiring."
"How dare I say it's hard to work for His Majesty?" The eunuch waved his hands quickly.
According to convention, the local county magistrate must be present when the decree is announced.
Lü Jian had been out of power for years, and was also accused of colluding with eunuchs. The county magistrate was usually polite to him, but in reality he was distant. However, considering Lü Jian's connections in the capital, the county magistrate did not dare to be too negligent, and the two sides maintained a delicate balance of non-interaction.
As soon as the imperial edict arrived today, the situation suddenly changed.
Lu Jian was delighted, so he opened the middle door and received the county magistrate. It was not because he had forgiven the past, but because he wanted to show off his power - to let this snob see it.
This county magistrate was only a juren, and he spent a lot of money to donate to become a seventh-rank county magistrate. He could not compare to Lu Jian, a senior official who was favored by the emperor.
"I've heard," the county magistrate said with a flattering smile, "that the court is currently engaged in an endless debate over the position of General Governor of the Three Borders. The grandson of the Minister of Revenue, Song Tianguan, has engaged his grandfather in a heated debate on state affairs, shocking the entire court. People say that Dasui boasts both a wise and gifted emperor and strong-willed officials, and now we will also be adding a commander-in-chief who has fought countless battles!"
Lü Jian, now over seventy, had learned to be humble: "Thanks to the emperor's wisdom."
Just a short sentence, and no further context.
The county magistrate was secretly embarrassed. He had long heard that Lü Jian was a conceited hero, and seeing him today proved it was true. He figured he had been too snobbish in the past, and now he could only bid farewell in embarrassment.
…
Lu Jian presented the imperial edict personally.
He sat alone at the desk, staring at the bright yellow scroll for a long time.
In a trance, the pride of passing the imperial examination as a teenager appeared before my eyes; the heroic years of galloping across the border and defeating the enemy in my prime seemed like yesterday.
Now I am old and gray, and my old friends have shunned me. I have so much on my mind that I don’t know with whom to confide.
…
The night of Yunshao Festival.
Dusk fell and the lights began to come on. The night market in Ru'an City had just begun, and the long street was already decorated with various lanterns, illuminating the bluestone pavement like daylight.
Song Qianzhao was wearing a red robe with a jade pendant swaying at his waist. He was waiting for Xuan Shu at the agreed place.
"Come and have some candied haws!" the vendor greeted enthusiastically.
Song Qianzhao stopped and the corners of her lips lifted unconsciously. She loved this sweet and sour taste the most. Just as she was about to take out her wallet, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Two."
She turned abruptly and met Xuan Shu's smiling eyes. He wasn't wearing a dragon robe today; instead, he wore an indigo-colored gown that accentuated his tall figure. A single white jade pendant hung from his waist, yet it couldn't conceal his aristocratic air.
Xuan Shu walked over, took two strings of crystal clear candied haws from the vendor and handed them to her.
Song Qianzhao took it, the candy coating gleaming amber under the light. She bit one, the sour and sweet taste exploding on her tongue, and she couldn't help squinting her eyes: "Delicious!"
Xuan Shu looked at his lips, which were stained with sugar and sparkled, and his Adam's apple rolled unconsciously. He suddenly reached out and wiped a little sugar residue from the corner of his mouth with his thumb: "It's stained."
Song Qianzhao smiled and said, "Thank you!"
At this moment, there was a sudden commotion on the bridge ahead.
"Someone jumped into the river! Hurry and save him!"
Song Qianzhao and Xuanshu exchanged a glance and simultaneously ran towards the bridgehead. They saw a boy of about seven or eight struggling in the river, while the woman who had jumped into the river let herself sink.
"Follow the wind!" Xuan Shu shouted, and the guards hidden in the shadows had already dived into the river. Xuan Shu then untied his outer robe and threw it to Song Qianzhao, then jumped into the water.
Her heart was beating like a drum and she stared at the figures in the river until she saw Suifeng dragging the woman and Xuanshu swimming back to the shore with the child in his arms. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
The shore was already crowded with people watching the excitement. Song Qianzhao pushed through the crowd and looked closer. He saw the woman and the child with purple faces, lying motionless on the ground.
"Let me do it!" Song Qianzhao knelt beside the woman, bent down without hesitation, pinched the woman's nose, and blew air into her mouth.
"Oh my god! What is he doing?!"
"It's immoral! It's immoral!"
The crowd of onlookers suddenly exploded.
Song Qianzhao ignored her and continued to perform artificial respiration rhythmically. After three attempts, the woman suddenly coughed and spat out a few mouthfuls of river water. She immediately turned to the child and performed the same procedure.
After both of them woke up, the burden on her heart was suddenly lifted, and a smile suddenly appeared in her eyes.
Xuan Shu was about to bump into the boy's eyes filled with smiles.
He knew that she wasn't just smiling at him, expressing her genuine joy at having saved a life, and that he just happened to be standing right before him. However, when those star-like eyes met his, he couldn't help but be infected by them, his heart rippled, and a smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.
"How can you treat a decent girl like this? It's really a disgrace to etiquette and a disgrace to all of us!" A man who looked like a scholar pointed at him with a look of contempt on his face.
Facing the crowd's pointing and criticizing, Song Qianzhao stood up and said, "You keep talking about 'etiquette', but I have a question for you."
"To watch someone die without helping them is the 'propriety' taught by the sages."
"Standing idly by, is this the 'law' a gentleman abides by?"
"Mencius said: 'Compassion is the beginning of benevolence.'"
"If we allow her to drown today because of the difference between men and women, what difference would we make from animals?"
"You accuse me of 'breaking the rules', but you don't know—"
"True 'etiquette' is to respect life!"
"The true 'Dharma' is to protect all living beings!"
"If it was your wife, daughter, or sister lying here today, would you want her to live, or die in chastity?!"
Song Qianzhao pointed at the woman who was still coughing and spoke sternly.
"What's more—"
"I breathed into her, never touching her skin. My heart is as bright as the moon, so how could it be dirty?"
"Instead, you, seeing people's lives in danger, didn't think of helping, but are now making presumptuous comments about innocence."
Song Qianzhao sneered.
"Who dirty whose eyes?!"
"You might as well go back and read the Book of Rites—'When faced with wealth, do not be greedy; when faced with hardship, do not be evasive.' This is the true teaching of our ancestors!"
The scholar's face flushed, he was choked and couldn't speak, he could only point at Song Qianzhao and said: "You...you..."
Song Qianzhao ignored him and turned to the woman who had just woken up. His voice softened: "Why is sister-in-law so upset?"
The woman hugged her child, tears streaming down her face. She was also choked by the gossip around her and her face turned red. She was stunned and didn't know how to respond.
Song Qianzhao took out the purse from his waist and put it into the woman's hand: "Here are five taels of silver, enough for you to settle down temporarily. If you have any difficulties, you can find me at the Song Mansion in the south of the city."
The woman was stunned, her hands trembling as she dared not take it: "This, this is too expensive..."
"Take it." Song Qianzhao forcefully stuffed the thing in and lowered his voice, "If you come to see me, and the servants ask, just say it was the young master of the Song Mansion who sent you here. Remember that?"
The woman nodded with tears in her eyes, and hurried away with her child amid the pointing and talking of the crowd.
Song Qianzhao looked at Xuan Shu, who was soaked all over, and picked up the cloak on the ground and handed it to him, saying, "Put it on quickly, or you'll catch a cold!"
"Lord Song, your method of saving people just now is quite unique. Where did you learn it from?"
Song Qianzhao was stunned. Just as he was thinking about how to answer, he suddenly heard a loud "bang" and a huge golden firework exploded in the night sky.
The crowd immediately cheered and looked up.
Xuan Shu looked up at the night sky. Fireworks of various colors burst into life one after another, lighting up the night sky of Ru'an City like daylight.
The bright light also reflected on the faces of the two people, and Xuan Shu couldn't help but glance sideways at the person next to him.
The young man's handsome profile appeared particularly serene in the moonlight, his red robe making his skin look as white as snow. His black hair, tied up high, revealed a slender, white neck.
Xuan Shu suddenly felt his heart tremble and he looked away in a hurry.
At this moment, Suifeng beside him suddenly screamed at him.
Xuan Shu frowned slightly and turned to look inquiringly.
Any questions?
As soon as the doubts arose in my mind, I knew the answer immediately. I felt a warm and cool sensation at the tip of my nose.
When my fingertips touched it, it was stained with a hint of crimson.
The fair neck that he had just caught a glimpse of suddenly appeared in front of him, and Xuan Shu's ears instantly turned red.
He clearly... has no evil intentions!
"I'll go get a doctor right away!" Suifeng said hurriedly.
"It's okay...it's just that the weather is a little dry. I'll just drink some cold water later." Xuan Shu explained to himself.
"I'll go buy it right away!" Suifeng said and ran away.
"You're bleeding from the nose!"
Seeing this, Song Qianzhao was slightly surprised and walked over immediately.
"Raise your head quickly." As he spoke, he took out a plain blue handkerchief from his sleeve and covered his nose.
His touch made the boy more nervous, and he quickly took the handkerchief and pressed it himself.
Song Qianzhao patted his forehead gently and said softly, "My mother did this when I had a nosebleed when I was little. But if you can wet a handkerchief with cold water, the effect will be better."
Xuan Shu responded vaguely.
Song Qianzhao half leaned over and patted his forehead gently. The faint fragrance lingered in her hair, making his heart beat wildly.
The young man was secretly annoyed. If this continued, this annoying nosebleed would be even harder to stop.
"I'll just look up for a moment." Xuan Shu said somewhat unnaturally.
Song Qianzhao withdrew his hand upon hearing this.
The young man in front of him tilted his head back slightly, a handkerchief covering his nose, his expression showing a rare sense of embarrassment, completely different from his usual cold and reserved appearance. Song Qianzhao couldn't help but chuckle.
Seeing his expression, Xuan Shu also felt that this scene was a bit ridiculous. As their eyes met, he couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating smile.
It was rare for Song Qianzhao to see him smile, and he couldn't help but smile: "Your Highness should smile more often, it's really nice to look at."
Even though he looks a little disheveled at the moment, it can't hide his youthful grace.
Gazing at the bright smile of the person before him, he felt his heart like the surface of a lake caressed by a spring breeze, ripples spreading outwards, and in an instant, a surging wave swept through his chest, enveloping his uncontrollably beating heart, nearly bursting through his chest...
A strange feeling he had never experienced before exploded in his heart like thunder.
A voice clearly warned him that he admired Song Qianzhao.
He actually fell in love with a man!
But the next second, a clearer thought dawned on him: What he cared about was the living soul before him, regardless of gender. He loved her spirit during heated debates in the restaurant, her unwavering determination to promote people based on merit in the court, and her pure and kind nature.
When he thought of this, it was like the sun coming out from the clouds, but he suddenly became timid and didn't dare to meet those smiling eyes again.
The bleeding gradually stopped.
Xuan Shu absentmindedly let go of the handkerchief and wiped the blood from his nose.
"There's still a little here." Song Qianzhao pointed to the bridge of his nose.
Xuan Shu wiped it as he was told.
"Not there, this way—"
He wiped it again, but it still wasn't clean.
"......" The impatient Song Qianzhao finally couldn't help but said: "How about I do it?"
"good."
After receiving the consent, he took half a step forward and wiped away the blood.
The corners of Xuan Shu's lips curled up slightly.
At that moment, an even more brilliant display of fireworks suddenly burst forth from the night sky, and the two of them simultaneously looked upwards. A gilded light poured down, casting a warm glow around them.
Song Qianzhao looked up at the gorgeous sky, and suddenly felt his chest loosen - the straps of his chest were no longer tight due to the violent action of saving people just now, and they slipped down quietly.
Her heart skipped a beat and the tips of her ears instantly burned red.
Xuan Shu sensed something was wrong with him and looked down, only to see the snow-white ribbon fall to the ground. He was startled at first, then a blazing light suddenly lit up in his eyes, and the corners of his lips lifted uncontrollably—so... she was a woman?
His heart was beating like a drum, but he forced himself to suppress his surging joy and pretended to be calm as he bent down to pick up the cloth belt.
Song Qianzhao was extremely embarrassed and bit her lip, not daring to look him in the eye.
Xuan Shu chuckled softly, his voice slightly hoarse: "So..."
"Don't say that!" She interrupted hastily, her voice soft and trembling, as if she was afraid of being overheard. "You...you didn't see anything."
His smile widened, but he nodded obediently and handed the cloth back to her.
"Okay." He responded in a low voice, but his eyes were full of tenderness, "I didn't see anything."
After a pause, he added, his voice so soft that it almost melted into the night wind -
"...My secret will always be a secret."
Song Qianzhao was startled and looked up at him, only to see that he had turned and looked into the distance. His profile was particularly soft in the afterglow of the fireworks, and there was still a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
The night wind blew by, and she suddenly felt that her heartbeat seemed to be faster than before.
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