Chapter 23. You and I, husband and wife, are one.
Only a fool wouldn't object; what kind of ridiculous suggestion is this?!
But soon, Shimi made a new discovery and gave him a meaningful look. "I remember you suggested to me last time that, in order to prevent you from doing anything improper to me during the next blessing, I could tie you up beforehand. Now, you want to tie me up again. It's clear that your heart is getting wilder and wilder."
Her sharp and incisive words did indeed cause his expression to change drastically. But with his experience, how could he be stumped by a young girl? His forte was to ignore her, so he straightened his sleeves and turned to go to the main hall.
Shi Mi persisted, chasing after him and shouting, "Lu Min, what is the Dragon-Binding Vine? Can I see it for myself?"
He didn't speak, but walked to the silver basin and put his hands into the water.
Shi Mi was quick-witted. He took a handkerchief, draped it over his wrist, and asked, "Since it's called a 'vine,' it must grow on trees, right? And it can even bind dragons. That sounds amazing."
Seeing her eagerness to learn, he stopped being coy and took the handkerchief from her wrist to wipe his hands, casually replying, "It was given to me by a Taoist I met during the attack on the Jing Dynasty. Although it's called vine, its material is hard to identify; all I know is that it can change its thickness and size at will according to the shape of the object it's bound to."
"Is it really that amazing?" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in admiration. "It is indeed a wonderful thing. Why don't we use it tonight? You drink first, and I will extend your life. With this treasure, you don't have to worry about losing control at all."
He refused without even thinking, saying, "I was just talking nonsense, why did the girl take it seriously?"
Shi Mi's face immediately darkened. "You are the Grand Tutor, only slightly less than a golden word!"
He laughed indifferently, "It's rare to be absurd, but it's harmless."
At this moment, the palace official stood outside the door and reported: "The chef has already delivered the evening meal to Qianshuiweizi. Please, Your Majesty and Your Highness, move to your quarters for dinner."
Shi Mi was still very unhappy about being fooled, and turned around and said, "I'm not going. I still have two pieces of hemp rope to finish twisting, and I'm very busy."
The official was confused by her words and looked blankly at the Grand Tutor, "My Lord..."
Lu Min changed to a gentler tone, and said with his hands behind his back, "This solitary building is nothing more than a speck of grass in the Jiuzhang Prefecture. Don't you want to explore the area and see if there's anything else of interest elsewhere?"
Shi Mi was not stubborn; he entered Jiuzhang Prefecture to investigate the situation and should not waste such a good opportunity because of this slight displeasure.
"Let's go then," she said, taking a step forward and gesturing to him.
However, Jiuzhang Prefecture still bears the marks of the Yu Dynasty everywhere. For example, the patterns on the brackets under the eaves are all swallows carrying spring, which are the favorite of the Yu people.
The people of the Yu Dynasty had a high aesthetic sense, and the names of every palace and pavilion were elegant and fitting. The so-called Qianshuiweizi was actually a magnificent palace, named for its gleaming green bricks and the gold leaf curtains hanging inside.
Shi Mi stepped into the palace and was amazed by the layout before him. He joked, "I bet there's also a Wanshan Enclosure."
Lu Min said, "It's not called Wanshanweizi, it's called Wanshansonghe. It's a beast training ground. If you're interested, you can have them take you there next time."
She turned back with a smile, "Don't you want to take me there yourself? Newlyweds shouldn't be apart. You said you'd let me be with you all the time."
She made no attempt to hide her words, and they reached the ears of the officials and attendants. Although the well-trained servants acted as usual, the Grand Tutor's carefully cultivated air of aloofness was about to be greatly affected here.
Sure enough, he straightened his back even more, as if to maintain his dignity, and said coldly, "Please take your seat, my lady."
Shi Mi smiled, bent down to take off his soft shoes, and climbed onto the couch.
This couch is not high, only a little over a foot high, but it is extremely large. It is more like a platform than a couch. A thick velvet carpet is laid on it, and a dining table is placed on the carpet. Pillows are stacked on both sides, so one can eat while lying down.
There were also palace lanterns hanging in a staggered pattern on the roof, shielded from the wind by silk gauze, illuminating the room with a shimmering, watery glow. The palace was warm, and outside the huge, open windows with straight lattice windows, the night was thick. The palace attendant poured sake into a gilded cup, and the sake rippled slightly, reflecting the stars in the sky.
“Jiuzhang Mansion is more pleasant than the Grand Tutor’s Mansion.” Shimi raised her cup and clinked it with his. “Let’s stay in Zhongdu and not go back to Baiyujing.”
He lowered his head and took a small sip. When he looked up again, he glanced at the official, who quickly waved his hand and sent all the servants in the hall away.
Only when they were alone in the vast palace did he slowly respond to her, "The palace of Qianyu is naturally more luxurious than the residences of officials. But this is not a place to stay for long. Once the construction is completed, everyone must leave."
Shimi couldn't understand it. "Isn't Zhongdu already well-built? Why continue with large-scale construction, and why are you personally overseeing it?"
Regarding this issue, the explanation could only be touched upon briefly: "Precisely because it is so good, someone discovered another use for it. This city is unsuitable for habitation; it shouldn't even exist in this era. I was ordered to come here to oversee its construction because of my poor health, and more importantly, to avoid the emperor's wrath. Now that the city is finished, why don't you return? Are you perhaps planning to become a mountain king?"
Ah, actually, that's exactly what I was thinking, but I just couldn't say it out loud.
She tactfully changed the subject, talking about the unsolved mystery surrounding him, and said in a low voice, "Do you think this bone poison might have been administered by Emperor Shengyuan? Throughout history, young talents have often died young, and the longer they live, the deeper their cultivation becomes, making them difficult for ordinary people to control. The Yan Dynasty has already been established, and with a sharp blade at his side, the emperor's heart is not at ease. You were most useful for ten years, helping him unify the world. After ten years, he can do without you, so you were discarded after your usefulness was over."
He listened to her analysis of cause and effect, which was very logical and reasonable, but she overlooked the most important point—time.
"I was poisoned four years ago, when the Yan Dynasty was sweeping across the four kingdoms. Although our achievements were outstanding, victory was not guaranteed. If I had died then, it would have been of no benefit to the Yan Dynasty, and His Majesty would not have taken that risk. So, young lady, you should think about it again. Besides the king, who else would want to harm me?"
That makes things even harder to guess. This person has countless enemies, and there must be many who want him dead. Even he himself is unsure who poisoned him, let alone this unexpected stranger.
Shaking her head, she decided to give up, but still couldn't help but offer him a few words of comfort, "Although you're hated by many, you're lucky and your life isn't meant to end. If you can't find the real culprit, then don't bother looking for him. Why waste your brainpower on it? Fourteen years ago, you were too weak and inevitably fell victim to schemes. Fourteen years later, you're tall and strong, so let him try again!"
Therefore, one should be open-minded. Even if you suffered for four years, constantly on the brink of life and death, you shouldn't think about revenge. Especially now that you've been reborn, and the journey has been much easier, you shouldn't hold grudges.
Lu Min smiled faintly and took another sip of wine. The strong liquor was easy for him to accept; after all, he had the memory of the taste, he just lacked the physical adaptation.
He picked up the teapot, intending to refill her cup, when she suddenly blurted out, "Do you think it's possible that your donkey didn't die of illness, but was poisoned?"
He fell silent, pondered for a moment, and finally told her under her expectant gaze, "The scientific expedition is for those who are twelve years old, and the poison is for those who are thirteen years old."
She deflated and reluctantly conceded, "I came here to drink, not to investigate a case. Who started this? Was it you? Say no more, and you'll have to drink three cups as punishment."
She took the wine jug and poured wine into his cup, which he accepted. Before he knew it, several cups had passed, and his head began to spin. He watched the stars outside, seemingly rotating in an orderly fashion. He propped himself up on his elbow, his voice slowing, "Will the lady be of assistance to me tonight?"
The initial plan was to try the Dragon-Binding Vine, hence the two-pronged approach. Now that the binding has failed, and combined with the effects of alcohol, it poses a significant risk to those who are deluded.
So he declined, saying, "Tomorrow, or come find me when you feel tired."
He was drunk, and his appearance was no longer as aggressive as usual. He rested his chin on his hand and slowly turned his head. "I feel weak right now."
Shi Mi, engrossed in eating her snacks, took a moment to say, "You're just drunk; the alcohol's effects are just kicking in. I've told you before, you can't rush things. You drank three cups as punishment. If you can't even handle encouragement, how can you be entrusted with great responsibilities!"
He didn't want to discuss drinking with her, so he kicked aside the small table next to him and leaned over so that his face was almost touching hers. "I've always wanted to ask you, is there a good way to solve this once and for all? Or, if the Puppet Master makes a condition, I'll help him fulfill it."
They're standing so close; it seems she's trying to use her good looks to seduce them.
Unmoved by the delusion, he said "no" and slapped the man's face away.
The drunkard, already swaying and unable to maintain his balance, was slapped by her like that, and the beauty seemed to have been neglected, falling softly and bonelessly to her side.
She glanced down at him, like a heartless ex-husband. "I know you're unwilling to be controlled by others, but one can't be too greedy. There's no such thing as having your cake and eating it too! Besides, Master Yan hasn't made any demands on you yet. His only request was to marry me off to you, to find me a good home. And you, with your petty heart, are always harboring resentment, eager to sever ties with us. What, are you feeling wronged marrying me? Am I not pretty enough, or not smart enough? What have I done to disgrace you?"
She was fierce in appearance but tough inside, staring at him with a menacing look. Originally, she was a straightforward and lovely girl, but he had finally forced her to reveal her true, ruthless side.
He propped himself up, his long hair falling to his sides, making him look somewhat frail.
“Young lady, you misunderstand. I meant nothing by it. I’m just usually so busy with official duties, and I’m worried about making a mistake if I forget the time.” He said, as he slung back onto his soft seat. Reaching for the wine cup on the table, he drifted into a new daydream, “When winter comes, and the plum blossoms outside the window bloom, and the snow falls heavily, I’ll invite you here for a drink again…”
Being a scholar, he still had a penchant for the finer things in life. Shi Mi didn't agree to his suggestion, but he did appreciate it.
"Will you still be here then?" he suddenly asked, holding his wine cup and sighing sadly. "I'm so afraid that one day you'll leave me, and I won't know where to look for you then."
In fact, Ban Yan had the same worry, and so did Madam Xie. They were worried that if they lost contact with the Puppet Master, they wouldn't be able to live even a moment longer.
Shimi has no intention of abandoning him for the time being, after all, she still wants to stay in Chong'an City for a long time. During the Yu Dynasty, Zhongdu was the last line of defense for Baiyujing. When the Yan Dynasty established its rule over the world, Baiyujing was still the capital, which shows that Chong'an City is still a promising and auspicious place.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." She turned her head and smiled at him. "I'm already married here, with a marriage certificate as proof. Are you afraid I'll leave without saying goodbye?"
After listening, he nodded very slowly, then put down his cup, stretched his long arm across the table and grabbed her hand, saying in a seemingly serious but actually feigned tone, "Ami, you and I are husband and wife."
She said, "Of course," and patted his hand cheerfully. But he seemed to have forgotten that the name on the marriage certificate was Lu Xiafang, not Jie Shimi.
Overall, the Grand Tutor was becoming increasingly handsome. She couldn't resist touching his hands a couple more times and noticed that clear veins were gradually appearing on the back of his hands, slightly prominent, strong and powerful. This was a sign of martial arts training; she remembered that Xiao Wu's hands were smooth and flat, as if boneless.
"Lu Min, you are skilled in archery and horsemanship, aren't you? When the Yan Dynasty attacked the four kingdoms, you didn't just deploy troops; you also fought on the front lines."
He gazed out the window, his eyes distant, as if something there was drawing him there.
"The Lu family of Laoyin is capable of governing the country and securing peace, and of conquering battlefields. I was trained in martial arts and archery from a young age, but how could I compare to the exhilaration of personally leading troops? It's just a pity that I was ambushed and, after the age of twenty-three, I never picked up a sword again."
"And now?" Shimi asked. "Picking up your swords again is more important than practicing your drinking. Look at your hands, you've started wielding them again?"
He smiled lazily, "From the day I was able to hold it again, I picked up the sword again. Fortunately, I haven't become rusty. After a month, I've recovered about 70 or 80 percent..." He then staggered to his feet, "I'll show you how to wield it."
Shi Mi hurriedly said no need, "You're drunk, it wouldn't be good if you tripped and fell. Let's discuss tomorrow's arrangements instead. You and your officials should all come. I'll reserve the floor with the best view. We can treat each other occasionally, so people won't say that the Grand Tutor only talks about official business and is stingy."
He nodded repeatedly, "We'll do as the young lady says."
Shi Mi reached out and clinked his cup against his, "Here, drink!"
He tilted his head back and downed the remaining half-cup. He seemed to be done for; he didn't speak again, nor could he stand up. He simply lay down on the platform and spent the second night of his marriage.
He awoke at dawn, just as day was breaking. Turning to look at Lu Min, he saw that Lu Min had already opened his eyes, remaining motionless and silent, staring blankly out the window.
The palace lanterns hung high and burned all night, casting halos of light onto the golden bricks, making the palace buildings shimmer with light.
Shimi pulled the blanket over and followed his gaze. "What are you looking at?"
His tone was as hollow as his eyes. "I'm trying to remember how many drinks I had last night."
You woke up so early, and you're already thinking about this? How boring!
Shimi turned to his side and hugged his pillow, mumbling, "Three or four cups, maybe five or six... It's not fully light yet, I'll go back to sleep."
She went to sleep as soon as she said she would, and when she opened her eyes again it was already broad daylight. She slowly got up to do her hair and makeup, ate a few bites of her evening meal, and then followed Lu Min to sit in his magnificent carriage.
This Chong'an City, I wonder what it will eventually become. It was already magnificent and wondrous enough, and now it has been rebuilt with covered walkways in all four directions. The north, south, and west sides are already completed, but the east side is the largest project, with its foundation stone laid today. I heard it will lead to the new Lingzhou in the eastern mountains.
"You said last night that this place is not suitable for humans to live in. Are you suggesting it be for gods to live in?" Shi Mi looked through the car window at the tall and imposing statue in the distance. "The higher it is built, the more it can connect with the gods of heaven and earth. I thought the Yu Dynasty was already very extravagant, but I didn't expect the Yan Dynasty to be just as extravagant."
Some truths cannot be revealed until the very end. Lu Min surveyed everything outside the window without saying a word.
The carriage finally came to a stop. He got out first, then turned back to help her. To outsiders, this was in line with the behavior of a good husband.
The Eastern Divine Path begins halfway up a mountain, higher than the city walls. A wide, smooth road has long been carved out there, and a massive tree grows diagonally from the cliff face, its dense canopy obscuring the path by two or three zhang (approximately 6.6 meters). On the other side, shrouded in early spring mist, only the spires of the city's tall buildings are faintly visible. At the end of the path lies the face of an unknown deity, fallen from the mountaintop, suppressing all within the four seas and eight wastelands.
Lu Min gripped her wrist tightly, as if afraid she might escape through the mist. An offering table had been set up in front of the statue, and a group of officials were already waiting. He whispered to her, "Don't run around. Stand aside and wait for me." He then stepped forward, lit incense, bowed, and led the others in worshipping heaven and earth.
A series of deep, muffled bell tolls, accompanied by the ethereal sound of a handbell, echoed halfway up the mountain, carrying a solemn and sacred air, yet also a suffocating sense of oppression. Shimi had always believed in moderation; everything in excess is as bad as deficiency. Reaching the limit in the path of divinity could lead to demonic possession.
Of course, she dared not speak carelessly; she could only obediently tuck her hands behind her back and watch the ceremony from the cliff edge. The men devoutly offered thanks to the gods, and only after receiving divine permission did they dig the first shovelful of earth. Once the ground was broken, the ceremony was considered complete, and all that remained was to invest more manpower to continue digging and building.
The strategist presented a towel, which Lu Min took to wipe his hands. He then instructed the two generals under his command: "The deadline is one year. I don't care what methods you use or how much labor you put in, but the project must be completed by this time next year."
The two generals agreed, saying, "We will absolutely not make things difficult for the Grand Tutor."
Now that the official business was finished, it was time to talk about personal matters. He turned to look at the elegantly dressed lady and said to those around him, "The wedding ceremony was rushed the other day, and we were not treated well. My wife has already prepared a banquet in Fuyao, and invitations have been sent to various households. We sincerely invite the ladies to attend as our way of thanking all our guests."
When the emperor hosts a banquet, his subordinates naturally have to accept. Everyone enthusiastically agreed and expressed their gratitude to the Grand Tutor's wife.
Standing next to the Tiger Guard General was the Chief Justice of the Ministry of Justice. After bowing deeply and straightening up, the Chief Justice whispered in his ear, "Grand Tutor, you've arranged this marriage in a very rushed manner."
The Tiger Guard General had always had a question: "Back when the Ansan Festival, Yanshi caused a disturbance. The city's military commander investigated and found that there was a mansion belonging to the Grand Tutor's uncle in the mansion. There was a young woman there who claimed to be the Grand Tutor's cousin... This is the one."
"Ah..." The prison official touched his forehead. "Cousins... don't talk nonsense. There must be some connection between them. My wife even wanted to act as matchmaker and marry her younger sister to the Grand Tutor. I almost became the Grand Tutor's brother-in-law."
"How much was 'almost'?" the Tiger Guard general sneered. "I was even thinking of arranging for my sister to marry him. I almost became the Grand Tutor's brother-in-law?"
The two argued for a while, then pushed and shoved each other as they headed eastward.
Fortunately, the two places are not far apart and can be reached on foot. Taking the connecting road is much faster than taking the land route, and you arrive in just a few turns.
The sacred site in the east, built between two colossal statues, had a circular sky bridge that was actually a sash around the necks of the statues. When the Yan army first saw such a magnificent structure, they were truly impressed by the imagination of the Yu people, who had transformed architecture into a miracle. No wonder it attracted the scramble of other states.
As they spoke, they ascended the elevated walkway. Shimi, hosting the event, was poised and elegant, behaving with the grace of a noblewoman, her words and actions cautious and polite. She seemed to instantly connect with the wives of the Six Guards Generals, feeling a sense of familiarity upon first meeting.
The private viewing rooms in the Su Pavilion are very large and deep, separated by screens. If a connection is needed, the screens can simply be removed. The people of the Yan Dynasty have always been open-minded and do not adhere excessively to the separation of men and women, especially when both husband and wife are present, or when colleagues gather, they are not considered taboo.
So the screen was removed so that everyone could toast and converse. The wives of the generals were naturally warm and somewhat ingratiating towards the Grand Tutor's wife, but their praise was not superficial. No one said anything about her good fortune, and no one deliberately inquired about the new wife's past.
The wife of the Double Bow Guard General spoke very appropriately. “My humble residence is closest to Jiuzhang Prefecture. If you stand on Rainbow Road and shout, we can all hear you. If you have any instructions, please send someone to deliver them. I am a few years older than you, and I can at least share your burdens.”
The wives of the other five generals echoed their sentiments, their tenderness perfectly measured. Of course, to avoid making the newlywed wife uncomfortable, they quickly shifted their attention away from her and began chatting about everyday matters.
The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, so let me tell you about the old customs of my hometown: how to apply yellow powder to a child's forehead and how to throw zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) into the Miluo River.
As everyone was engaged in lively conversation, the Grand Princess, who was also seated at the table, suddenly stood up. The others were puzzled, but they knew that the Grand Princess was getting on in years and might need to use the restroom or stretch her muscles; there must be a reason for it. They didn't feel comfortable asking, so they remained silent.
With a smile on her face, the Grand Princess slowly walked to the latticed window.
The windows in Chong'an City are not high off the ground, only up to a person's waist. Especially at the shrine, only a simple double-layered railing was installed for better viewing.
Everyone thought the Princess was tired of sitting and wanted to get some fresh air by the window. No one expected that she would suddenly twist her ankle and fall out of the window like a leaf, plummeting down the covered walkway dozens of feet high and disappearing into the thick fog in the blink of an eye.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
