Chapter 41 Chapter 41 "Why did they kiss again?!"...
Hearing the noise of someone waking up in the room, she came in through the curtains, handed her a cup of tea, and said with concern:
"Miss, are you awake? You've been gone for half a year and you've become so thin."
Xue Yuanyin finished his tea and put down the teacup. After hearing this, he touched his face and said:
"No? I'm living well in Quanyang County."
She didn't want to talk about the past anymore, so she interrupted Fuzhu and said, "Prepare some water for me. I want to take a bath."
Fuzhu responded and turned to prepare water.
When Xue Yuanyin had finished packing and had just laid down on the bed, Uncle Wei came outside the yard and bowed, saying:
"The Marquis told the young lady that he would go to the palace to meet the Emperor in three days to discuss the affairs of Quanyang County."
She responded, "I understand. I'll go to the front yard to see my father later."
Uncle Wei retreated immediately.
Xue Yuanyin stood up, and Fuzhu picked out her usual clothes. Her fingertips paused on the androgynous clothes, and she said without changing her expression:
"I won't wear these anymore, so pack them up and put them at the bottom of the box."
Fuzhu was a little surprised and said, "What does the girl want to wear? She is going to meet the Marquis..."
Xue Yuanyin opened the closet and glanced at the pretty dress that had been put aside for some time. She raised her eyebrows slightly and said:
"So what if he's angry? I don't care!"
She picked out a favorite apricot yellow shirt and put it on, then sat in front of the bronze mirror. Regardless of Fuzhu's surprised look, she said:
"Put your hair up for me. Dress it the same way other high-class ladies dress."
Why do we have to wear men’s clothes and pants when walking outside day and night?
She never deliberately used makeup to alter her features, and no matter how she dressed, she still looked like a girl. Everyone tacitly called her "Xue Ling" out of respect for her and the Xue family. Who didn't know she was a girl?
Fuzhu was stunned for a moment, then responded with a curved lip: "Okay!"
Xue Yuanyin watched Fuzhu's deft hands tying her hair into a bun. As the golden pearl hairpin was put on her, her mood brightened.
I couldn't help but think that after living an ordinary life in Quanyang County, I felt a sense of discomfort when it suddenly became rich.
It seems... extra pretty.
Xue Yuanyin stroked the pearl on her earlobe. Actually, she had pierced ears, but she didn't wear them often before. But now she decided to wear whatever she wanted and no longer care what her father said.
Fuzhu put the last hairpin on her and said with a smile, "Miss, take a look. How do you feel?"
Xue Yuanyin looked at herself in the mirror. The girl in the mirror seemed like a completely different person, with a vitality between her eyebrows and eyes that had never been there before.
She smiled and said, "Excellent! Your skills are still fresh."
After saying this, Xue Yuanyin stood up and went to the front yard alone to meet his father.
Xue Chang was sitting at the head of the central hall, drinking tea. Upon hearing her arrival, he put down his teacup and raised his eyes to see the pretty dressed woman in front of him. His brows furrowed.
"Why are you dressed like this? Who are you going out to meet?"
Xue Yuanyin bowed slightly, then said slowly:
"Father, I'm not going anywhere. I just dress this way because I want to."
Xue Chang's face darkened slightly, and he obviously disagreed, but he didn't have time to argue with her about this.
He asked a few questions in a deep voice, and Xue Yuanyin answered them one by one. His expression improved slightly, and he nodded:
"You've done well, and you've won some credit from the Eastern Palace. Now, if His Majesty wants to reward the Eastern Palace, he will definitely bring Prince Yu's party with him."
Xue Yuanyin frowned slightly. She didn't like this statement and she didn't intend to take any credit.
It's just that I don't want to see the flatterers get away with it.
But she was too lazy to argue, as she and he had never agreed on anything.
Xue Chang said coldly, "You left the palace with the chariot team without permission before, which should have been recorded as a fault, but since you have done a good job, I will offset it. But in the future, you must not act on your own. You must consult me or His Royal Highness the Prince of Yu in advance. Do you understand?"
Xue Yuanyin lowered her eyes: "I understand."
After the rewards and punishments were completed, Xue Chang motioned her to leave. Suddenly, he thought of something and said:
"Uncle Wei told you, you need to go to the palace the day after tomorrow and tell His Majesty about what happened between you and that kid from the Zhang family in Quanyang County."
Xue Yuanyin suddenly raised her eyes and asked, "Who will you go with to see His Majesty the day after tomorrow?"
"You and the kid from the Zhang family."
Xue Chang thought she was asking him, and said with a gloomy face: "I won't go in with you. I will go back home after you bring you to the palace. Can't you even do such a small thing? Back then, your brother..."
Xue Yuanyin interrupted her: "I understand. Father, I've been traveling so long and have not had my meal yet, so I'm going back first."
She turned and left without waiting for him to speak.
Xue Chang frowned, and was about to get angry and teach her a lesson, and by the way, he also mentioned the guest official and the husband-hunting he had found for her.
But looking at his daughter's thin and frail back, he finally suppressed his anger and said nothing.
Well, it wouldn't be too late for him to check it out for her first. Then he could just let her know and the matter would be settled.
-
The next day, Xue Yuanyin soon heard the news that the Zhang family was going to hold a ceremony to crown Zhang Jingxuan.
It is said that the invitations were sent to many wealthy families in the capital, many court officials and young masters and young ladies were invited, and even Princess Ning Yan received one.
Of course, she didn't receive the invitation.
As his political enemy in the court, the Xue family had never had anything to do with the Zhang family's banquets.
Xue Yuanyin sat in the side room in a daze, feeling a little choked up. Before she could digest the news, Gao Songlin came to visit her. As soon as he entered the room, he used this news to annoy her:
"Have you heard about Zhang Jingxuan's coming-of-age ceremony? It's said that the old man of the Zhang family personally sent letters to Madam Zhang inviting many young ladies of marriageable age from prominent families. Is he considering marriage?"
Gao Songlin picked up a grape from the table and put it into his mouth, wondering:
"Which noble lady does Mr. Zhang want him to marry? You just came back from Quanyang County, right? He's in such a hurry."
Xue Yuanyin was in no mood to care about him and said perfunctorily:
"He has reached adulthood and is old enough to get engaged and married."
Gao Songlin said to himself:
"I heard that the Zhang family picked a maid who knows things for him, but I don't know if he accepted her or not."
Xue Yuanyin raised her eyes slightly, wanting to ask further questions, but swallowed her words back the next second. She just twisted a grape unconsciously, a little absent-minded.
Gao Songlin swallowed the grapes and asked, "Did he give you the invitation?"
Xue Yuanyin was a little annoyed. She dropped the grapes in her hand, propped up her face to look out the window, and said in a daze, "No."
"I haven't received it either, and the officials close to His Royal Highness Prince Yu probably haven't received it either," Gao Songlin said. "I thought your relationship would improve after you two went to Quanyang County. Why are you still so irreconcilable?"
Xue Yuanyin asked impatiently, "What exactly did you come to say?"
Gao Songlin quickly took out a letter and an attached list from his sleeve and handed them to her, saying seriously:
"His Royal Highness Prince Yu wanted to send someone to give you the list, so I stopped by to bring it to you."
Xue Yuanyin took the letter and the list and glanced at them casually. The letter said that he should focus on contacting the Ministry of Rites, the Minister of Guanglu Temple, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War.
The Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple were responsible for controlling the procedures of the Winter Sacrifice Ceremony, the Ministry of Revenue provided the funds, and the Ministry of War, which had always been close to His Royal Highness Prince Yu, who loved to fight, was also included on the list.
Xue Yuanyin didn't have the patience to read on. She just glanced at the names on the list and memorized the task that Prince Yu had assigned to her.
During this month, she had three tasks in total. The first task was to visit the legitimate son of the Minister of Rites and the eldest son of the Minister of Guanglu Temple.
Xue Yuanyin put the letter and the list away.
After Gao Songlin finished discussing the serious matters, he began to chat with her about family matters. He looked her up and down and said with some curiosity:
"Why are you dressed like this today?"
Xue Yuanyin glanced at him and asked, "What should I wear?"
Gao Songlin said, "Just a shirt, a jacket, or a bun. You don't dress like a man, but you definitely don't wear skirts very often. At least, I haven't seen you wear any since I met you."
He looked at Xue Yuanyin's outfit again. The girl's cheeks were as translucent as white porcelain. She was wearing an apricot-yellow dress and lovely pearl and jade pendants between her raven hair. She had a charming and charming look that made people unable to take their eyes off her.
This was completely different from the Xue Ling he usually knew.
He coughed lightly and said, "It's just... I'm not used to it. It's quite beautiful."
Xue Yuanyin glanced at him: "Why, Master Gao is interested in me?"
Gao Songlin was about to pick up the teacup on the table to drink water when he coughed violently upon hearing this. He put the teacup down and said:
"Are you kidding? I just think it's rare. Does the Marquis allow you to dress like this?"
Although Gao Songlin rarely asked about other people's family affairs, the entire capital knew a little about the situation in the Xue family - the eldest master Xue was dead, and Xue Chang had no relatives, not even a nephew who could be adopted.
Only Miss Xue was left, and she was forced to change her girlish habits and stand up to shoulder the responsibility of the Xue family.
Xue Yuanyin didn't want to mention Xue Chang, so she curled her lips and said:
"If you don't allow me, then don't. I can wear it if I want."
"That's not like you. I thought you listened to His Royal Highness Prince Yu and the Marquis."
Gao Songlin sat down opposite her, looked her over with a complicated expression, and sighed, "How can I steal the food from your bowl when you're like this?"
After he finished speaking, he reacted and said:
"Oh yeah, we've finished classes, so we don't have to go to the academy."
Gao Songlin ate some grapes. Xue Yuanyin looked at him and said suddenly:
"I'm going to ask you a question, and you have to tell me the truth."
Gao Songlin stopped eating grapes after hearing this, a hint of vigilance appeared in his eyes, and he said:
"What do you want to ask me? Are you attracted to me? I'm telling you, I won't answer anything too personal. We're just friends, and we can't live together..."
Xue Yuanyin rolled her eyes.
Gao Songlin smiled awkwardly: "I'm just kidding, go ahead."
Xue Yuanyin felt her cheeks getting a little hot, and she coughed lightly, pretending to be natural.
"That is, I want to ask, under what circumstances would you men kiss a girl?"
Gao Songlin's eyes widened, the grapes in his hand fell onto the table, and he said in shock:
"You and Zhang Jingjingxuan only went to Quanyang County, how could you kiss each other?! Or did he kiss you? What on earth happened between you two?"
"It's not me! How could it be possible between me and him?!"
Xue Yuanyin hated Gao Songlin's sharpness. While flatly denying it, she put the blame on others:
"It's a close friend of mine. I can't tell you her name because it has to be kept secret. I'm just asking for her."
"...You just returned to the capital, what kind of girlfriend are you?"
Gao Songlin didn't expose her. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Anyway, I can't possibly kiss a woman I dislike, or a woman I have no feelings for. If I'm willing to kiss her, whether forced or voluntarily, it means I definitely have a good impression of her."
Xue Yuanyin's cheeks were slightly hot, and he uttered an "oh" and continued:
"Then do you think this conclusion can be applied to Zhang Jingxuan?"
Gao Songlin: "...you just denied that he kissed you."
After a pause, he said honestly:
"I don't know what Zhang Jingxuan will do. His mind is too unpredictable. But then again, aren't you two sworn enemies? What exactly happened?"
Xue Yuanyin didn't want to face Gao Songlin's questioning, so she picked up a basket of grapes and stuffed them into his hands, then drove him out.
When the room quieted down, she thought about what he had just said, and pulled the corner of her lips slightly, a little self-deprecating.
Having a crush...is this possible?
If he really had feelings for her, how could he not send her a letter? Facing the noisy engagement rumors in the capital, he didn't even give a single explanation.
Unless the truth is, Zhang Jingxuan has no romantic feelings for her at all.
He didn't care about her at all.
But it doesn’t matter, isn’t it just becoming distant again?
The first time, she was still young and it took her a long time to adapt. The second time, no matter what he said, she would not take the initiative to provoke him again.
-
At the hour of Mao the next day, Xue Yuanyin followed his father into the palace.
The towering palace walls stand tall in front of us, and the sense of oppression is like the supreme imperial power blowing in our faces, making people unconsciously lower their heads and lighten their steps.
Women of the current dynasty were not qualified to attend court. Even if Xue Yuanyin could support her family, she could only rely on the ability of her future husband to occupy a place in the court.
However, today was not a formal court meeting, and she was dressed as a man, with a man's bun, and was brought in by her father for legitimate reasons, so she became one of the few women in the imperial city who could enter the Golden Palace.
Xue Chang took her to the door and left. Xue Yuanyin followed the eunuch. Before she reached the door of the Golden Palace, she looked up and saw a familiar figure standing in front of the palace door.
Zhang Jingxuan was wearing a dark blue brocade robe with a deer pattern, a forehead band, a black leather belt, and a green jade pendant. He stood tall and straight under the eaves in front of the hall. When he heard the noise, he raised his eyes slightly and glanced in her direction with gentle and cold eyes.
The first thing that came to Xue Yuanyin's mind was that his outfit was quite unfamiliar. This was probably because she was used to seeing Zhang Jingxuan in Qingxi Town wearing low-key cloth clothes, appearing good-tempered and friendly. Now that he had suddenly changed back into the outfit of a young man from a wealthy family, there was actually a sense of alienation that came from his bones.
Then he thought again, how could he still have the nerve to say that the ochre-red brocade robe he wore when he went to Yixianglou was fancy? Wasn't his jingling outfit not more fancy than that?
Zhang Jingxuan quickly looked away, and Xue Yuanyin also looked at him for only a moment before looking away. The two of them tacitly kept a distance from each other and walked into the Golden Palace together.
…
The two men reported the affairs of Quanyang County to the emperor. The emperor felt a little tired after sitting on the dragon throne for a while and announced a reward for the two men.
He said to Zhang Jingxuan, "I remember that you have no official position in the court. Starting tomorrow, you will go to the Secretariat as a proofreader and assist the Eastern Palace. You don't have to attend court unless necessary."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Besides this, you are the son of an aristocratic family, with upright conduct and distinguished appearance, and you have achieved such great success. I have a library left by the previous emperor, rich in classics and elegant in furnishings. It is called the 'Red Moon Palace,' located outside the Imperial Palace, facing north, and adjacent to the East Palace to the south. It is currently unoccupied. I am bestowing it upon you, hoping that you will uphold the virtues of refinement and self-cultivation, and set an example for all."
Although Zhang Jingxuan had already entered the officialdom, he worked under the prince, first serving as a proofreader so that he would not be too busy to handle everything.
The Zhuyue Palace, where the late emperor stored his books, was elegant and dignified, covering a vast area and boasting ample space. Rather than a library, it was more like a small temporary palace. Borrowing books from outside required prior notification to the emperor, and access was restricted to high-ranking officials and dignitaries.
After the death of the previous emperor, Zhuyue Palace became ownerless and returned to the hands of the current emperor. The nobles and powerful families in the capital have been coveting it for a long time.
This time, as a divine gift, Zhu Yue Palace fell into Zhang Jingxuan's hands.
As for Xue Yuanyin...
The emperor hesitated for a moment. "There's no precedent for women entering the imperial court. Apart from gold, silver, jewelry, rare antiques, calligraphy and paintings, is there anything else you desire?"
Xue Yuanyin knew the seriousness of the matter and said that the emperor's praise was a favor and he dared not ask for anything more.
The emperor pondered for a moment and said, "I grant you a house in the capital, with a written order that no outsiders may tamper with it. How about this? Fill in your name on the household registration. If you get married, this will serve as your dowry. You can live in it or rent it out, and use it as you wish."
The gift of the Holy Spirit, coupled with the divine command, represented supreme honor. This implicitly meant that if she ever divorced, she would establish her own household and head it, without having to return to the Marquis's residence. With the Holy Spirit's grace, she wasn't afraid of being taken over by a son-in-law who would take over her family and control her.
Xue Yuanyin's heart began to pound. Unlike Zhang Jingxuan, she knew that the emperor favored the prince and that it was truly a great favor for him to give her such a reward.
She immediately kowtowed to express her gratitude with all her heart.
The emperor waved his hand with a tired look, indicating that the two of them could go back, and the eunuch stepped forward to support him.
Xue Yuanyin stood up and thought to himself, it seems that the emperor is indeed not in good health, I wonder how long he can hold on.
After leaving the Golden Palace, Xue Yuanyin was blinded by the light and raised her hand to block it.
Soon the light disappeared. She put down her hand and looked up, only then she noticed that Zhang Jingxuan was standing between the sunlight and her position. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he blocked the sun for her with his body.
Xue Yuanyin wanted to pretend that she didn't notice, but she didn't expect Zhang Jingxuan to turn his head and look at her first. He didn't look away, but paused for a moment on her.
Only then did she remember that she had not dressed up as carefully as he did, but was wearing a long shirt, and only put on a crane cloak when going out because she was afraid of the cold.
This scene seemed particularly familiar. The first time they met in the same place after their initial breakup was at the Imperial College training ground. She was wearing a dusty robe, while he was wearing a brocade robe, a forehead band, a brocade belt, and a jade pendant. He was dressed neatly and in accordance with all etiquette. He was noble and gentle, and he seemed like a world apart from her.
And now, it was the same scene again: she, in her long gown, dusty and dreary, looked like a goose, while he was dignified and unparalleled, calm and composed. In contrast to him, she looked particularly dejected.
She was not like him. If she had not entered the palace as a student, she would not have been able to enter the Golden Palace.
Xue Yuanyin rarely felt embarrassed under his gaze.
Then she felt a little annoyed. What did he mean by looking at her at this time? She and he were on opposite sides of the same coin. They were not friends at all.
She looked straight ahead, not looking at him, and walked past him with a cold face, step by step.
Xue Yuanyin walked to the smooth and majestic white jade steps in front with his back straight, and praised himself in his heart, very good, that's it, not showing any timidity, just like when he first met her in the Imperial College.
Putting on a cold face, maintaining that bit of proud self-esteem, and tacitly forgetting the past ambiguity - wasn't this what he taught her?
She walked all the way to the palace gate, but the footsteps behind her, which seemed to be approaching but not approaching, never surpassed her, nor did he show any intention of speaking to her. Xue Yuanyin couldn't tell whether she was happy or disappointed, but she never turned back, didn't wait for him, and didn't show any fear.
She felt like she had won.
When they arrived at the palace gate, she should separate from him. She would get on the Xue family's carriage, and he would go to the East Palace to meet the prince.
Just like their future paths, they shouldn't intersect again, and shouldn't intersect at all.
But she didn't know whether it was because heaven didn't grant her wish, or if heaven just granted her wish, but Zhang Jingxuan's warm and clear voice rang out from behind her on the long palace road, as if it had passed through layers of fog and called out to her clearly:
"Xue Yuanyin."
-----------------------
The author has something to say: I have run out of manuscripts, so sad. TvT
Tomorrow the couple will be sticking together!!
Remember this Zhu Yue Palace, it will be of great use later in the text.
In addition, I think that in the ancient feudal context, it is too unrealistic to demand that the male and female protagonists be treated equally in terms of rewards. After repeated consideration, I can only give the female protagonist what she wants most, which is not too disadvantageous for her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
