See you again
*
The snow had stopped when they left the palace. Xiao Zhouyan mounted his horse, with Wei Yi following closely behind.
"General, the lady..." Wei Yi hesitated before speaking.
"Speak," Xiao Zhouyan said coldly.
"Madam has gone to Wangyue Pavilion."
Xiao Zhouyan abruptly pulled on the reins, and the black horse reared up with a long neigh. His expression changed drastically, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.
"Who let her go?" His voice was terrifyingly low.
“Madam went there herself.” Wei Yi lowered his head. “You said that Madam is free to come and go in this Marquis’s residence.”
Xiao Zhouyan said nothing more, spurred his horse, and headed straight for the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence.
The Moon Gazing Pavilion is located at the deepest part of the Marquis's mansion, surrounded by a plum grove. At this time, the plum blossoms are just beginning to bloom, and their subtle fragrance wafts through the air.
Xiao Zhouyan stood in front of the pavilion, his heart pounding. He had built this place ten years ago and had never allowed anyone to set foot here.
The door to the pavilion was ajar. He gently pushed it open, and the wooden door creaked open.
***
Xu Qingyao's curiosity was piqued.
After Yuejian withdrew, she walked alone westward along the covered walkway. The snow had stopped, and the setting sun had turned the glazed tiles of the Marquis's mansion golden.
Wangyue Pavilion is a three-story building nestled among several old plum trees. Xu Qingyao pushed open the door and was surprised to find it unlocked.
The first floor was simply furnished with only a few tables, chairs, and bookshelves. She climbed the stairs to the second floor, where weapons and armor were displayed, and border maps hung on the walls. Xu Qingyao's fingers traced the bloodstains on a piece of chainmail.
The third floor is an art studio.
Just as I was about to push open the door, a deep voice came from behind me.
"What is Madam looking for?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingyao withdrew her outstretched hand. Turning to face him, she noticed he was standing at the top of the stairs. Her eyes darted around nervously.
“I…” Xu Qingyao swallowed hard.
Damn it, why do I feel like I've been caught stealing?!
Xiao Zhouyan slowly approached, each step feeling like he was stepping on her heart, making it pound.
With nowhere to retreat, she was encircled in the man's arms in a small space.
Xiao Zhouyan looked at her, his eyes seeming to devour her inch by inch. He raised his hand and gently touched her face: "What does my wife want to know? I can answer any of those questions, except here... it won't do."
Xu Qingyao's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest, but there was a hint of annoyance in it: "Why can't we go in here?"
He gazed at her for a moment, then his chest trembled slightly, and he smiled with great restraint: "Are you angry with me, Qingqing?"
“You…” Xu Qingyao choked with emotion.
Does she have it? No, she doesn't!
"Stop changing the subject, you haven't answered me yet." Xu Qingyao tried to seize the initiative.
“Of course you can see it, but not now,” Xiao Zhouyan said with a wry smile. “If you see it now, you might be even more annoyed.”
After all, no one wants to be someone's dream girl.
Xu Qingyao suddenly had a sudden inspiration and wanted to trick him: "All of this is about me."
"yes."
Xiao Zhouyan readily admitted it.
"Qingqing is so clever," Xiao Zhouyan exclaimed. "Now you definitely can't see it."
Xu Qingyao: I despise you.
"Fine, I won't look then." Xu Qingyao snorted, slipped out from the side while he wasn't looking, and left without looking back.
*
On New Year's Eve, Xu Qingyao got up very early.
Xiao Zhouyan was summoned to the Ministry of War by an urgent military report last night and has not returned yet. She had breakfast alone in Tingxuexuan and was thinking about how to pass the time on New Year's Eve morning when Yuejian hurriedly came in to report.
"Madam, the old lady has returned to the manor! She is currently settling in at Songhe Hall."
Xu Qingyao paused, her teacup still in her hand.
[Don't be nervous, host. What's that saying again? "An ugly daughter-in-law always has to meet her in-laws."]
Xu Qingyao manually muted the system microphone.
Xiao Zhouyan's mother, Guo Muxue, had only caught a glimpse of the elegant and aloof noblewoman at the last wedding ceremony, but she had been deeply impressed by her.
It is said that this old woman was away from home worshipping Buddha most of the year and rarely returned home. Unexpectedly, she suddenly returned on New Year's Eve.
"Prepare gifts, I'm going to pay my respects." Xu Qingyao put down her teacup, feeling uneasy.
Although Xiao Zhouyan kept her elopement a secret very well, claiming to be sick and not receiving guests, nothing stays hidden forever. Perhaps this mother-in-law is trying to get an explanation for her son.
Yuejian quickly prepared several gifts: a pair of exquisitely embroidered knee pads, a box of top-quality agarwood, and a Bodhi seed bracelet that Xu Qingyao brought back from the Western Regions.
Songhe Hall is located on the east side of the Marquis's Mansion, in a quiet and secluded environment.
As soon as Xu Qingyao stepped into the courtyard, she smelled a faint scent of sandalwood. Several unfamiliar maids stood under the eaves, and upon seeing her, they quickly bowed.
“The old lady has just finished her rest…” an older nanny said with difficulty.
"Let her in." A cool female voice came from inside the room.
Xu Qingyao straightened her clothes and walked into the inner room alone.
To her surprise, the interior furnishings were extremely simple, not as luxurious as she had imagined.
Guo Muxue was sitting on a low couch by the window. She had changed out of her plain clothes and only had a white jade hairpin in her hair. She looked completely different from the jewel-adorned noblewoman at the wedding banquet.
"Daughter-in-law greets Mother." Xu Qingyao performed a proper bow.
"Get up," Guo Muxue's voice softened. "Come closer so I can see you."
Xu Qingyao looked up and finally saw her mother-in-law's true face.
She was around forty years old, with beautiful features and a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes, which did not make her look old but rather added to her charm. Most surprisingly, she bore a striking resemblance to Xiao Zhouyan, especially her slightly upturned phoenix eyes.
Guo Muxue was also sizing her up, her gaze sweeping from her hair bun to the hem of her skirt, finally settling on her face: "She's even more beautiful than in the portrait."
Xu Qingyao didn't know how to respond, so she presented the gifts: "I heard that my mother is a Buddhist, so these..."
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness." Guo Muxue took the string of Bodhi seeds, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "These are blessed items from the Jokhang Temple?"
“Mother has a good eye.” Xu Qingyao nodded. “It was a gift from the King of Gaochang.”
Guo Muxue stroked the Bodhi seed and suddenly smiled: "My son has good taste." She gestured for Xu Qingyao to sit down next to her, "Don't be shy. Although I am his mother, I am also the one who doesn't interfere the most."
Xu Qingyao relaxed slightly and sat down at the other end of the low couch. A maidservant served tea and snacks, and Guo Muxue waved for everyone to leave.
She took off a white jade bracelet from her wrist. "This should have been given to you a long time ago."
The jade bracelet was pure white with a trace of blood inside. It was shaped like a phoenix with outstretched wings, and it was clear at a glance that it was a treasure passed down for many years.
"this……"
"A token passed down from the Xiao family to the eldest daughter-in-law." Guo Muxue pulled her hand and slipped it on her wrist without explanation. "It should have been given to you the day after your wedding, but... you know..."
The jade bracelet was slightly cool, yet it fit Xu Qingyao's wrist surprisingly well. Guo Muxue nodded in satisfaction: "It really suits you." Then she took out a brocade box from under the table, "These are belated gifts for you."
Inside the box was a set of ruby jewelry, exquisitely crafted and priceless. Xu Qingyao quickly declined, saying, "Mother, this is too precious..."
"Keep it." Guo Muxue pressed her hand down. "My son grew up in the military and doesn't understand women's feelings. You'll be wronged if you stay with him."
Xu Qingyao felt a surge of warmth in her heart and suddenly understood where Xiao Zhouyan's clumsy tenderness came from.
The two chatted about everyday things. Xu Qingyao discovered that Guo Muxue, having shed her elaborate attire, was articulate, knowledgeable, and even spoke fluently about the customs and culture of the Western Regions.
"Did your mother go to the Western Regions?" Xu Qingyao asked curiously.
A complex emotion flashed in Guo Muxue's eyes: "I went there when I was young." She seemed unwilling to elaborate, and instead asked, "How did Zhou Yan treat you?"
Xu Qingyao's face flushed slightly: "General... has treated me very well."
"That's good." Guo Muxue sighed softly. "That child has never been good at expressing himself. He has ten parts in his heart, but only says one part. But once he has decided on someone, he will never leave them, even in life or death."
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Xiao Zhouyan, still in his court robes, rushed in: "Mother!"
Xu Qingyao had never seen him so flustered. Xiao Zhouyan was visibly taken aback by the sight of the two getting along so harmoniously, but quickly composed himself and bowed to his mother.
"So eager, are you afraid I'll eat your wife?" Guo Muxue teased.
Xiao Zhouyan's ears turned slightly red: "I heard that Mother has returned to the manor, so I came to pay my respects."
Guo Muxue smiled enigmatically, "It's been a few years, and you've certainly learned to speak eloquently." She stood up and straightened her clothes. "You two talk, I'll go to the kitchen to see how the New Year's Eve dinner is going."
After Guo Muxue left, Xiao Zhouyan immediately went to Xu Qingyao's side and took her hand: "Did Mother make things difficult for you?"
Xu Qingyao shook her head and held up the jade bracelet on her wrist: "Not only did they not make things difficult for me, they even gave me this."
Surprise flashed in Xiao Zhouyan's eyes: "This is the Phoenix Blood Jade Bracelet that has been passed down for five generations in the Xiao family. My mother actually..." His voice choked slightly, "...she was very fond of you."
Xu Qingyao gently stroked the jade bracelet: "My mother is a wonderful person, completely different from what I imagined."
Xiao Zhouyan sat down beside her, his expression complicated: "I haven't seen her for three years. Since my brother passed away, she has been chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha all year round. She didn't even return home when I came back from the war."
Xu Qingyao keenly sensed a rift between the mother and son, but considerately refrained from pressing the matter. Instead, she asked, "Are there any important matters in court today?"
Xiao Zhouyan frowned slightly: "His Majesty wants to hold a palace banquet for the Lantern Festival and specifically requested to see you."
Why?
Xu Qingyao had a bad feeling.
"His Majesty has recently taken a liking to a new concubine and has even bestowed upon her the title of Consort Li," Xiao Zhouyan said with a wary tone. "Consort Li has begged His Majesty that you must be present at the palace banquet."
Consort Li? Who is this Consort Li?
[It's the female lead. She returned earlier than us, and she volunteered to become the emperor's spy for Chu Chengjing.]
Qingyao: ...As expected, those who achieve great things don't concern themselves with trifles; they can endure anything. That's the style of a female protagonist. I admire her greatly.
"Hey buddy, do you think it's too late for us to try and get close to the female lead?" Xu Qingyao asked tentatively.
[Success rate: 50%; risks and opportunities coexist.]
Her conversation with the system lasted only a moment.
All she heard Xiao Zhouyan say was, "No matter what, I will protect you."
*
As the morning light of the second day of the Lunar New Year had just spilled over the gray tiles of Zhuque Street, the carriage of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion had already stopped in front of the Duke of Wei's mansion, its wheels crunching through the remaining snow.
When Xu Qingyao lifted the carriage curtain, she saw her second brother, Xu Xiuran, pacing on the stone steps. His bamboo-green cotton robe was billowing in the wind, making him look like a heron eagerly waiting.
"Second Brother!" She lifted her skirt and jumped off the carriage, startling Xu Xiuran so much that he stumbled.
"My little darling!" Xu Xiuran quickly helped her up, his fingertips pausing on the phoenix blood jade bracelet on her wrist. "The Xiao family has even given you their family heirloom?"
He suddenly lowered his voice, "Father is waiting in the main hall. My elder brother specially asked for leave from the Ministry of War this morning to come back..."
Before he could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps came from inside the vermilion gate.
Xu Zhiyuan still had the osmanthus sachet she had given him hanging from his waist, and the hem of his black official robe was covered with unmelted snow mud, indicating that he had just returned to the mansion.
"Yaoyao." He stopped three steps away, his Adam's apple bobbing. "You've lost weight."
Xu Qingyao's nose suddenly stung with tears. Last year, this older brother had seen her off at her wedding. Now, seeing him again, his eyes still held that silent protection.
The charcoal fire burned fiercely in the main hall. Duke Xu Lian of Wei sat upright in a grand chair, the steam rising from his teacup obscuring the emotions in his eyes.
"At least you know to come back."
The tea lid clicked onto the cup, as if to say, "Kneel down."
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