Chapter 37: Painting
After returning to the house to rest for a while, Cao Song sent someone to inform that Chu Yue and Xie Xiao had arrived.
Sun Wei had never seen Xie Xiao in his previous life.
However, Xie Xiao's death had caused a sensation. As Sima Jun's princess, Sun Wei had heard all the details, even if she hadn't experienced it herself.
Xie Xiao, the only son of the late Marquis of Changyang, Xie Kun, was sixteen years old. Last year, during the Battle of Kuaiji, the Northern Army led by Xie Kun fell into a trap set by the rebel general Kong Qi. Xie Kun ordered his men to break out of the encirclement. Cowardly by nature, Xie Xiao panicked and fell from his horse. While trying to save him, Xie Kun was struck by several arrows and died instantly.
Sun Wei once wondered why the Northern Government would protect such a timid person and even leave the position of Grand Commander to him?
There were many different opinions at the time. Some said that Xie Xiaosui was timid but smart, and some said that he grew up under the care of the generals of the Northern Palace. But after Sun Wei learned about it, he felt that they had not hit the nail on the head.
All matters of secret cannot escape the word of profit.
All the generals of the Northern Army were cultivated by the Xie family, and each one was considered a retainer of the Xie clan. They knew full well that if someone outside the Xie family were to take command, the Northern Army would be in turmoil. A new emperor brings new ministers, and at that point, the family business they had worked so hard to build over the years would be in jeopardy. The safest option was to continue supporting a member of the Xie family as the Northern Army's commander.
But for the imperial court, Xie Xiao's weakness actually made it easier to control him, which was a good thing.
Therefore, no matter how hard Wang Han and his ilk tried to pry Xie Xiao away, he was still elected as the Grand Commander.
Therefore, before yesterday, most people were looking forward to Xie Xiao's mourning period ending and taking charge of Beifu again.
Except for a handful of people who still want to seize the Northern Palace.
As expected, Chu Yue and Xie Xiao came to the palace to ask for an audience.
When they saw Sun Wei, they bowed respectfully. Servants filed in and presented him with many gifts.
"Thanks to the princess's help yesterday, I was able to escape a disaster." Xie Xiao said, "Today, I have come to express my gratitude. I hope the princess will accept this modest gift."
Xie Xiao has a handsome face, and a teardrop mole at the corner of his eye makes his phoenix eyes look particularly delicate.
But he always kept his head down and spoke very cautiously.
Sun Wei suddenly thought of his younger brother Sun Qiao.
When Sun Qiao was bullied by the eldest son of the Sun family, he gritted his teeth and hid his grievances in his heart. Back then, he was always like this, shy and cautious.
"It's just a small favor, Young General. You're really too kind," Sun Wei said gently. "I heard that in October, Young General's mourning period will be over. When the court confers the title, Young General will be the Marquis of Changyang."
Xie Xiao hummed a low "hmm" and said, "That's right."
Chu Yue glanced at Xie Xiao, then took over the conversation and said, "Princess, you are right. By then, the Major General will take over the position of Governor of the Northern Prefecture."
"I've long heard that the Xie family is full of talented people. Their reputation is well-deserved." Sun Wei praised, and then looked at the gifts and said, "I appreciate your kindness, Young General. I have inherited the teachings of my ancestors, and my family's knowledge can only be used to assist the country and the people, not to be exchanged for money or property. I absolutely cannot accept these gifts. Young General, please accept them."
Xie Xiao was stunned for a moment, showing surprise, and couldn't help but look at Chu Yue.
Chu Yue hurriedly said, "Your Highness, your words are wrong. The Young General's gift wasn't anything vulgar like money or silk. It was just a token of his appreciation. Please accept it, Your Highness."
Sun Wei smiled and looked at Xie Xiao.
"If the young general really wants to give me a gift, there's no need to spend so much money," she said. "I want to ask the young general for something. I wonder if he would be willing to give it to me."
Xie Xiao said, "I don't know what it is. Princess, please tell me."
"I've heard that the young general, in addition to being proficient in martial arts and military tactics, is also a remarkable painter. His paintings of cranes are renowned throughout the capital," Sun Wei said. "I, too, love cranes and would like to hang one in this hall. Could the young general please grant me the opportunity to paint them?"
After these words were spoken, Xie Xiao's eyes lit up rarely.
"That's not difficult," Chu Yue said with a smile. "Changxuan paints cranes with ease, and he can create masterpieces to perfection. There's no need to wait. Why not let Changxuan paint a picture for the princess right here in the palace? Changxuan, what do you think?"
Xie Xiao hurriedly bowed to Sun Wei and said, "I am honored to be able to paint for the princess."
Sun Wei thanked him and then asked Cao Song to prepare paper, pen and painting, and take Xie Xiao to the study.
The study was not far away, and Sun Wei and Chu Yue were still sitting in the hall drinking tea.
Chu Yue took a sip of tea and said to Sun Wei, "Yesterday's assassination was truly thrilling. The young general was already worried, and now he's even more depressed. The princess asked him to paint, which might help him to relieve his stress."
Sun Wei smiled, picked up the cup and took a sip of tea.
"The general is very caring towards the major general. I think their friendship is deep."
Chu Yue said, "Of course. The young general and I have known each other for many years, and soon we will become relatives by marriage, so we are naturally close friends."
Sun Wei asked, "General, you are concerned about others, but have you ever considered yourself?"
Chu Yue was stunned for a moment, and the cup that was at his lips stopped.
"What do you mean, Princess?" he asked.
"The Crown Prince promised General Beifu the governorship. Why didn't the General respond?"
This statement came straight to the point, and Chu Yue was quite unprepared.
"Did Ziheng tell the princess?"
Sun Wei remained noncommittal: "General, do you not know my background?"
Chu Yue knew it of course.
The Cangwu Lu family, masters of yin and yang, were skeptical of their previous reputations. However, yesterday's assassination had convinced him. This Lu family truly possessed true skill.
"I'm sorry, Chu," he said hurriedly, "so the princess has also taken this into account?"
Sun Wei did not answer, but only said: "I would like to ask you about the matter I just asked, please enlighten me, General."
Chu Yue had a complicated expression.
After a while, he said, "This matter is of great importance. Chu has already explained it to Ziheng. The princess should not interfere."
Sun Wei asked, "Shangshu Pushe Wang Han has also visited the general, right?"
Chu Yue's eyes flashed.
"Chu is just a small general, why would the Minister of the Court call on me?" Chu Yue laughed dryly, "Princess, don't joke."
"I have something to say, General," Sun Wei said. "General, you don't support the Crown Prince's conquest of the Northern Prefecture precisely because Wang Han approached you. Wang Han was determined to take over the Northern Prefecture and offered you a high position. You didn't want to betray the Crown Prince, so you declined. However, you also didn't want to be Wang Han's enemy, so you promised him that you would never get involved in the fight for the Northern Prefecture, correct?"
Chu Yue didn't say anything.
Sun Wei continued, "The general is standing by and watching, a move he has no other choice but to make. The young lady from the Xie family is already pregnant. The situation in the Northern Palace is truly dangerous, and one's life could be in danger if one is not careful. The general does not want the child to be born without a father."
Chu Yue finally reacted and his expression changed.
"General, rest assured. The prince is unaware of these two matters." Sun Wei then said, "However, whether my calculations are accurate or not, only the general knows."
Chu Yue stared at Sun Wei with an uncertain expression.
After a long while, he took a deep breath and lowered his voice: "Princess, you can tell the prince, why are you telling this to Chu?"
Sun Wei said, "I have something else to say. It is closely related to the general, so please listen carefully. If you do nothing, you will not live to see your wedding."
"When I was doing divination, I saw a strange vision. A woman in her wedding gown hanged beneath an old locust tree. Her gown was embroidered with twin lotus flowers in gold thread. The locust tree was four hundred years old, towering to the sky and blotting out the sun. I'm new to Jiankang and unfamiliar with the area. General, could you please help me find someone with a four-hundred-year-old locust tree in front of their door?"
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