Falling into the water
The willow tips are pale, tinged with a goose-yellow hue.
Two people were resting in a small octagonal pavilion by the stream.
One of them was dressed in a blue robe, with his sleeves rolled up and sitting low. One could vaguely see honeysuckle on the hem of his robe, and he wore a pair of cloud-patterned shoes. He was clearly a man who did not like to show off.
She lowered her head, her expression unreadable, but her slender white wrist moved swiftly, carefully crushing the tea cake, sifting out the tea powder and putting it into the pot, adding mint and cinnamon. Her movements were fluid and graceful, and the fragrance that escaped mingled with the chirping of birds in the mountain stream, adding a lingering charm.
"Oh no, it's overflowing!"
Xie Lingxi finally raised her eyes, glanced at her, and said calmly, "Water boils when it's steaming, and overflows when it's too full. This is the perfect time."
She scooped up a cup and handed it to her aunt, saying, "Please have some, Auntie."
This nonchalant, indifferent demeanor made Shen Wanqing break out in a cold sweat: "Third Sister, we've been waiting for two whole hours! Even the birds in the forest are going home by now, why hasn't he arrived yet?"
The girl before her was none other than her beautiful and talented niece, Xie Lingxi, the legendary third daughter of the Xie family, whose poems were said to astound guests from all over the world.
In reality, she had never been close to this Third Sister, and Xie Lingxi's willingness to grant her wish today was an unexpected surprise.
Two hours is nothing, it's just empty talk. She would be willing to wait a whole day!
"Auntie, don't be anxious. Good things in this world can't be rushed."
While Xie Lingxi spoke, she secretly pondered: This Princess Jing'an has always been extremely domineering, so it is not unusual for her to do this. Moreover, her elder sister's marriage must not go wrong in this lifetime.
Snow leaps over red plum blossoms, like specks of blood coughed up, imprinted on Xie Lingxi's flawless first half of life.
This first mark is from the fact that the eldest sister, Lingguang, married the wrong person and died while pregnant.
Suddenly, a bird's cry rang out from afar. Looking over, a noblewoman dressed in fine silk and adorned with pearl hairpins walked slowly towards them.
"Madam Xie, I've been so busy today that I forgot the time. I'm sorry to have troubled you to wait here for so long!"
As she spoke, without a trace of apology, Princess Jing'an was helped to sit down by several maids, and then exclaimed with a mixture of joy and anger, "How are you serving me? This stone bench is so hard and cold, I can't stand sitting on it at all!"
Seeing this, Xie Lingxi paused for a moment, then personally took a finely embroidered handkerchief and handed it to the princess, saying, "It was our oversight; Your Highness is very forgiving."
Madam Xie quickly chimed in, respectfully taking out a set of fine Xiuyan jade teacups: "Third Sister often tells me that she heard the Princess Consort loves tea, so she specially chose this secluded courtyard, using clear spring water and morning dew to carefully brew it."
A few cassia leaves floated in the white jade cup. The princess swirled the cup. "It's a fine cup of tea. And this gentleman is—"
He then changed the subject, feigning surprise: "Could it be the eldest daughter of the Xie family, my future niece-in-law?"
Before her stood a beautiful woman, dressed elegantly, yet her words were sharp: "Your Majesty is joking. Lingguang is my elder sister. When did she become the niece-in-law of the Marquis of Yongyi's household?"
Who doesn't know that the hateful playboy who's been pestering Xie Lingguang, with his terrible behavior and utter incompetence, is none other than the nephew of this very lady!
In her previous life, it was the pressure exerted by the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion that ruined the life of a pitiful girl.
My father and uncle had a falling out when they were young. After my father passed the imperial examination and the whole family moved to the capital, my uncle suddenly fell ill and died. The two families lost contact and never spoke to each other again.
But in her heart, she often remembers the friendships she shared as a child.
In her previous life, Xie Lingxi suddenly caught a cold and developed a persistent high fever. By the time she woke up, the situation was already irreversible.
"Although my uncle passed away early, the Xie family of Chenliu still exists. My sister's marriage will naturally be arranged by my family. Your nephew is truly the most outstanding, and we dare not presume to be worthy of him."
It's a ghost!
Princess Jing'an felt a sense of absurdity; her nephew had actually provoked a girl from the Xie family of Chenliu.
Didn't you previously swear that it was just a coincidence that we shared the same surname and that your family had no power whatsoever?
The Xie family resides in Chenliu and has been prosperous for hundreds of years. To this day, the family boasts numerous outstanding members and has extensive connections throughout the court and the country. The "beautiful-bearded" man in purple robes in the court is the current patriarch of the Xie family.
Her father, brothers, and cousins all hold important positions, which means they are not people she can afford to offend!
The princess pondered, hoping fate was playing a cruel joke on her. She gave an awkward smile, about to say something, when a splash startled her from her reverie. A commotion erupted from the front courtyard: "Ah! Young Master Lin!"
"My lord has fallen into the water! Come quickly and help!"
"Hurry up, in case anything happens to the young master, we'll all lose our heads!"
"..."
The front hall was in complete chaos. Not only were the maids and servants running around like bees and ants, but even the noble ladies were pushed aside, covering their faces and letting out loud sighs.
Finally, someone seemed to wake up from a dream: "Aunt! Second Sister has also been swept into the lake!"
The second younger sister here is none other than Qixia, the county princess newly appointed by the emperor a few days ago.
His father was a decorated military strategist. One day, upon returning to the capital, the emperor bestowed upon him the surname Yan and held a banquet in his honor. His mother, originally from a prominent family, was now granted the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree, which elevated the entire family to new heights, making them the new elites of Chang'an.
If such a person falls into the water, there are those who would be eager to try to save them.
But the spring waters are turbulent, and even in the mirror-green lake, there are undercurrents surging beneath.
The guards, bound by ropes, stripped off their clothes and plunged into the lake without a second thought. Fortunately, they were experienced and pulled out two dripping wet young men and women every now and then.
"My daughter...you're really suffering..."
Madam Yan pushed through the crowd, sobbing like rain. Her fingernails were stained with nail polish, and the veins on the back of her hands bulged out.
The young woman beside her, oblivious to right and wrong, blurted out, "How did Second Sister's clothes end up in the hands of this filthy thief?"
At this moment, the onlookers gasped. The two men's outer robes were tangled together, and their hair covered their faces, revealing a hint of affection between them who were going to stay together for the night.
Suddenly, someone among the group of women let out a sneer, causing another disturbance.
"It's quite a coincidence, isn't it? The county princess was all smiles yesterday, inviting us for tea, but today she's lying pitifully in a puddle. She's truly a case of 'the person is more withered than a flower tomorrow'—"
"Outdated stuff!"
The speaker was Cui Yi, a young lady from the Cui family. She was always forthright and spirited. Yesterday, Qixia had set up a trap for him with her arrogant attitude, and today he was like a drowned rat, inevitably getting a scolding from her.
A noblewoman covered her mouth and said, "Ayi, this is not the time to talk about these things!"
Cui Yi, disregarding all restraint, shouted, "Sister is right! Who is this scoundrel who dares to harass the county princess?!"
Princess Jing'an rushed over from the pavilion and heard these words.
This Cui woman!
Her face darkened, but she dared not lash out. Faced with a mess, she cried out, "Quickly, call a doctor!"
Xie Lingxi arrived shortly after, quietly observing the farce. She exchanged a glance with Cui Yi, and a subtle smile appeared on her lips: "Your Majesty, please don't be anxious."
As soon as he finished speaking, a doctor carrying a medicine box appeared before everyone.
"Look, here they come."
This banquet was organized by the Xie family. Seeing the two youngest sons of officials lying stiffly on the ground, Madam Xie was so frightened that she almost lost her soul. However, her third daughter remained calm and even smiled leisurely. When did she become so bold?
Xie Lingxi, enduring her aunt's worried gaze, squeezed her hand reassuringly, "It's nothing." She looked at her brother, who was arriving late, and asked, "Why are you only arriving now?"
Xie Lingjun, the legendary "most outstanding talent in Jiangzuo," never imagined he would one day do such a despicable thing. "Do you really think it's easy to push that kid into the river without anyone noticing?"
Yes, this is Xie Lingxi's first move after her rebirth.
He first feigned weakness towards Princess Jing'an, then added a verbal threat, actually using a diversionary tactic to push her beloved nephew into the lake, thus maneuvering with the noblewoman and achieving a "good marriage".
The Lady of Qixia County was certainly not innocent. Others might not know, but Xie Lingxi, having died once, naturally glimpsed some secrets—
Three years after Xie Lingguang's death, a silk handkerchief was found among her belongings. Written in blood, it revealed that Lin Jun had initially fallen in love with the Princess of Qixia, but Qixia was unable to conceive. The two secretly plotted to abduct Xie Lingguang and have a child with her.
After Xie Lingguang's death, he married Qixia. Every year on the anniversary of Xie Lingguang's death, he would take his wife to pay respects. People would say that their love was "as deep as the sea and as long as the sky."
The surroundings were in complete chaos, and if you listened carefully, you could also hear a woman wailing.
In any case, after today, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the couple would find it difficult to extricate themselves from the situation and would not have time to cause trouble for Xie Lingguang for the time being.
As for the host, what young ladies and princes are so distraught about falling into the water? The Xie family is a renowned family in Jiangzuo, with countless outstanding individuals and three generations of officials in the court. Who would dare to say anything against them?
...
After the banquet, the Xie siblings returned home, each with a faint smile on their lips.
Upon seeing her second brother, Madam Xie burst into tears and repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
After her husband's death, she lived with her children in their hometown in Jiangnan. Xie Xian had come to the capital at the beginning of the year to take the imperial examination. Unexpectedly, she suffered this misfortune. Just when she was at her wit's end, she met Xie Lingxi, who was out enjoying the spring. Like a long-awaited rain after a drought, Xie Lingxi saved her daughter's life.
There was some estrangement between the Xie family's eldest and second branches more than a decade ago. Otherwise, they wouldn't have lost contact until now.
So when Xie Lingxi solemnly promised to help them, she was apprehensive and did not trust her.
The flowers and plants in the courtyard were fragrant and bathed in moonlight. Minister Xie stiffly welcomed his elder sister-in-law into the house, then turned his head and glared at Xie Lingxi.
Thinking to myself: Serves you right for meddling in other people's business!
He then winked at his wife, saying, "I'm really not good at this kind of tender, affectionate interaction!"
Madam Xie came to the rescue in time, taking the First Madam's hand and gently calling her into the room for a late-night chat.
The past year seemed like a grand dream; Xie Lingxi slept in the dead of winter and awoke amidst the blooming spring flowers. Her eyes, like a still lake, reflected the joy and harmony of her family.
Her past life was definitely not a nightmare.
Xie Lingxi returned to the room, and her two maids, Chuntao and Chuliu, immediately surrounded her, chattering: "Where did Third Sister go? She's only just returned, and she didn't let us follow her. Is she injured?"
The two people's concerned gazes warmed her heart. Xie Lingxi lowered her eyes and smiled gently, "It's nothing, I just bumped my head."
The maids were startled by her words and looked her over her exceptionally intelligent head. "I'll go fetch a doctor!"
Xie Lingxi steadied him and asked, "I was momentarily disoriented by the collision. How old are you this year?"
Chun Tao was puzzled, but fearing that she might cause some harm, she obediently answered, "The eighteenth year of Deshun."
Yes, the current Fifth Prince ascended the throne four years later.
She was twenty years old that year.
On the day Yan Ji forced the emperor to abdicate, he ascended the throne with swift and decisive action, even changing public opinion overnight and becoming "the emperor chosen by heaven."
Everyone said that the Xie family was a blessed family, and that an empress had emerged in just a few generations. Little did they know that Yan Ji had ulterior motives when he proposed to marry her.
The second thing Yan Ji did after ascending the throne was to suppress the Empress's maternal family.
Xie Lingxi's father was wrongfully imprisoned, his elder brother died tragically at the border due to the enemy's trickery, and his mother had no way to seek help. She sat at home all day long, and on the day she heard the bad news of her son's death in battle, she froze to death by the well where she was drawing water.
It is said that she died in a wretched state, with her ever-gentle eyes wide open, and the blood and tears that flowed out were frozen into icicles, which makes people think of her son - it is said that after he was captured, his two eyeballs were cut off by the enemy.
Some of the petitions were leaked from Xie Lingxi's room.
Three years into their marriage, they treated each other with the utmost respect. She never imagined that her casual conversation with Yan Ji would become a death knell for her father and brothers.
Yan Ji clearly intended to let her go and keep a beautiful sparrow as a pet.
But as everyone knows, Empress Xie went mad the day her father hanged himself in prison.
She had prayed to all the Buddhas and plotted day and night, and was just a moment away from rescuing her father. But she hadn't anticipated that her father was so resolute and, having just learned that his family had all perished, had long since lost the will to live.
That day, the dew was heavy and the wind was cold. She took advantage of a secret passage to leave the palace, compiled Yan Ji's troop deployment into a booklet, and personally handed it over to the rebels.
The visitor was a young man whose face was obscured: "Has Your Highness made up your mind?"
"Yan Ji is a man of great ambition who has achieved nothing, cruel and inhumane... The country is on the verge of collapse, so what right do I have to serve him?"
The first year of the Dacheng era.
From the moment Yan Ji ascended the throne to the day he was beheaded at Mingtai, exactly one hundred and eighty days passed, a full six months.
That night, Xie Lingxi, dressed in plain white, knelt in the Xie family's mourning hall.
In front of me were several bare memorial tablets, without names.
In the last moment before I closed my eyes, it felt as if I had returned to the day when I came of age, at the spring banquet where I was in full bloom and the plants were lush and green.
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