40 Chapter 40
I just want to keep Prince Su in my house, to see his face every day.
First came the "armory case," and then the "exchange" with the Northern Rong at the state banquet. Xie Yutang handled both major events beautifully. If some people had previously criticized the princess for entering officialdom as a woman, now everyone had changed their tune and changed their opinions.
Just one day after the “sparring” at the banquet, more than a dozen groups of people of all kinds had come to visit under various pretexts, but Xie Yutang had them all sent away by his men, except for one person.
When Huaijin handed over Helou Wulan's visiting card, Xie Yutang was playing chess in front of the chessboard.
The post, written in delicate, elegant calligraphy, stated: "I am deeply grateful for the kindness of Prince Su who saved me from the brink of death. As A-Shan is still recovering from her injuries, I have specially dispatched Princess Helou Wulan to pay my respects and express my gratitude."
Every word and phrase was so compelling that it was impossible to refuse.
It was the dead of winter, and braziers were placed all over the hall. Incense burners on the table emitted wisps of smoke, which were blown away by the newcomer. Xie Yutang put down a black chess piece without looking up: "Commander Guo sent someone early this morning to invite Prince Su to the Southern Sixteen Guards for military training. He probably won't be back until dark. Princess, your timing is inappropriate."
Guo Shouzhen was the commander of the Imperial Guards, which were divided into the Six Northern Armies and the Sixteen Southern Guards. On the day of his "sparring" with Ashan, many military generals from Da Yan were present. These generals were much simpler than the civil officials; after the competition, they surrounded him, more enthusiastic than students in a private school. The emperor tacitly approved of this, and Guo Shouzhen received an imperial edict early this morning, inviting him to the military camp for guidance.
He Lou Wulan didn't stop what she was doing. Instead, she sat down at the low table opposite her, straightened her skirt, and then gracefully said, "I've come to see Your Highness."
Xie Yutang paused, her fingertips holding the white jade pendant apprehensive, and looked up at her.
He Lou Wulan said, "The Crown Prince is His Highness's man. Isn't thanking His Highness the same as thanking the Crown Prince?"
These words were quite flattering. Xie Yutang smiled, put the chess pieces away in the white porcelain jar for the time being, and glanced at the various brocade boxes that had been brought into the room: "I dare not accept such a generous gift from the princess. It would be better to wait for Prince Su to return and personally understand the princess's intentions."
Xie Yutang picked up the purple clay teapot resting on the small stove beside the table: "I'm afraid the princess's visit at this time is not just to express her gratitude."
The other party got straight to the point. He Lou Wulan, his purpose exposed, didn't mince words and said frankly, "Yesterday's sparring was truly精彩 (wonderful/exciting), but after much thought, there's something I don't understand. It's not a big deal, but I've never been one to tolerate doubts, so I'm taking this opportunity to ask Your Highness in person—"
"Did you already plan this result of one win, one draw, and one loss before it even started?"
Their eyes met, and the room fell silent; even the smoke from the incense burner seemed to slow down.
Xie Yutang raised her lips and pushed away the tea that had been poured. The red nail polish on her slender white fingertips was like a butterfly fluttering its wings. "Although it is a friendly competition, it also involves the feelings between the two countries. As the referee, I naturally have to be fair and impartial. How could I have such great supernatural powers to calculate the outcome of the competition?"
"Because this is the best outcome."
He Lou Wulan didn't mind being rebuffed. "We provoked first. I originally thought Your Highness felt hopeless and wanted to use a soft approach to achieve your goal. Later, I discovered that the Crown Prince's strength was actually above A Shan's, and he was fully confident of winning the competition. However, Your Highness cannot allow Da Yan to win completely, lest it damage the face of Bei Rong and cause further complications in the hard-won peace agreement."
"But Da Yan cannot afford to lose. If the Northern Rong run rampant on our territory, how can the Emperor maintain his dignity?"
"Therefore, a draw is the best outcome for both of us, especially... the final defeat of Da Yan is a victory in itself. It will not harm the harmony between the two countries, but it will also demonstrate the magnanimity of Da Yan as a superior nation, and it will even make Bei Rong owe you a favor."
"Killing three birds with one stone, truly ingenious."
Xie Yutang took a sip of tea, and despite the praise, he showed no pride: "I didn't know that the princess came here specifically to praise me."
"Your Highness, as a woman, possesses literary and martial talents that are no less than those of men. I'm sure Your Highness's ambitions extend beyond the position of a mere attendant."
If anyone listened attentively to He Lou Wulan's words, they could discern their profound meaning. She stared intently at Xie Yutang, but he calmly sipped his tea without even a twitch of his eyebrow.
Undeterred, she continued to bait the waters: "Market Supervisor, does Your Highness have someone in mind?"
The key focus of the peace talks between the two countries these days has been the selection of the border trade supervisor. Opening border trade is a mutually beneficial arrangement for both countries. What kind of business is traded, and what transactions are discussed, will all be coordinated and communicated by the border trade supervisor. There is considerable room for maneuver, both overt and covert, and if someone is determined, even arms and gunpowder are not out of the question…
Several factions in the Da Yan court wanted to push their own people to the top, especially Lin Tan, who missed out on the position of the escort envoy and was determined to get the position of the trade market supervisor. The Crown Prince was also unwilling to give an inch, and they argued incessantly every day, which gave the emperor a headache. A few days ago, he complained to Xie Yutang that he didn't even want to go to the morning court.
He Lou Wulan's intention was to lend Xie Yutang a helping hand.
And she actually does it.
Although the competition for the position of supervisor of the border trade was fierce, it involved the diplomatic relations between the two countries. If the person that Lin Tan or the crown prince were pushing hard for could not be selected if the Northern Rong did not approve of him, then he would be completely powerless. On the other hand, the person that the Northern Rong favored would have great influence with the emperor.
Moreover, He Lou Wulan dared to negotiate terms with her like this, so he must have been extremely confident, and there might be some inside information that she didn't know.
"What does the princess want?"
Intelligent people can understand each other with just a tap, and He Lou Wulan genuinely appreciates Xie Yutang's straightforwardness at this moment.
“Su Lu”.
He Lou Wulan said slowly and deliberately, "A mere guard in the princess's residence can be exchanged for countless benefits from the trade market supervisor." She paused, looking at Xie Yutang meaningfully, "Your Highness, please don't tell me you want a beauty but not the throne."
Xie Yutang seemed genuinely amused, laughing for a while: "The princess is right, he's just a guard in my household, so why is the princess so determined to have him? Could it be that you are the one who would risk everything for a beauty, even the throne?"
"Yes, I am not Your Highness, and I have no grand ambitions. I just want to find a handsome young man I like and live my own little life."
"I heard that this Prince Su serves His Highness very attentively, making the bed, fanning him, and washing and combing his hair in the morning. He does things that other men are unwilling to do with care and consideration."
"With our background, it's not like we can't afford to support an idle person. I was thinking of keeping Prince Su in the house. Putting everything else aside, just looking at his face every day would be very comforting."
He Lou Wulan chattered on and on, still not quite finished, so she leaned closer, lowered her voice, and spoke as if they were sisters having a private conversation.
“Your Highness gave him to me, and I will certainly remember Your Highness’s kindness. If Your Highness wishes to taste the flavor of the Northern Rong men, once the trade is established, you are welcome to come to my camp and take a look at whichever one you like.”
These words were bold and outspoken, very much in the style of a woman from the grasslands.
Xie Yutang listened with great interest, raising an eyebrow: "What the princess says is absolutely right. I also like to have such a handsome, considerate, and good-serving young master like Su Shizi in my room. The Trade Supervisor is nice, but what does he matter compared to my happiness?"
He Louwulan choked on his words.
Princess Ning'an, even though she knew she was talking nonsense, still talked back to her seriously, truly impervious to reason.
He Lou Wulan's smile gradually faded, and he finally revealed his true intentions: "Even a pearl covered in dust is still a pearl. Now that even the dust is gone, who knows how many people are eyeing it? Does Your Highness think you can still possess this treasure for a few more days?"
Although the bed-making, fanning, and morning washing and grooming I just mentioned were just jokes, in the eyes of others, Su Lu's behavior as her bodyguard or male concubine was truly absurd.
Regardless of his status as the heir of the Prince of Muqing's mansion, his casual display of strength alone is enough to attract the covetous eyes of various powerful figures—Guo Shouzhen, the former commander of the Imperial Guards, and Helou Wulan, the current Princess of Beirong, are two such examples.
With so many people wanting him, even if Su Lu's heart is with this side, it depends on whether Xie Yutang has the ability to keep him.
Xie Yutang smiled slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Princess."
He Lou Wulan didn't expect a few words to provoke Xie Yutang. She didn't want to drink the tea. Her gaze swept around the table. The black and white pieces on the chessboard were shiny and smooth, clearly having been played with by someone often. As for the movement of the pieces... the women of the Northern Rong had never been interested in these complicated and troublesome things.
Just as she was about to look away, she suddenly noticed the jade pendant at Xie Yutang's waist. Although this princess of Beirong was not skilled in chess, her eyesight was exceptional. Even from a table's distance, she could clearly see the details of the jade pendant. It was a plain piece of jade, without any inscriptions, with only a few lines carved on the top.
He Lou Wulan had only seen something similar once before—the jade plaque of Tuoba Xiu, the crown prince of the Northern Rong.
This is something only the royal family of the Northern Rong possessed.
It couldn't possibly be Xie Yutang's; as for who gave it to him... it's self-evident.
He Lou Wulan's mind raced, but her expression remained unchanged. To outsiders, it appeared as if she had merely glanced at the jade pendant briefly before subtly looking away.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, He Lou Wulan turned and took his leave.
Xie Yutang stared at the chessboard in front of him, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of his cup, lost in thought. Hearing a noise behind him, he turned around and saw Woyu rummaging through the pile of gift boxes sent by Helou Wulan, holding a gilded teapot with a camel-shaped knob in her hand, and making an exaggerated click of her tongue.
"That princess is too fond of our Prince Su. This gold pot is pure gold! When the two countries exchange gifts during peace talks, I have never seen the Northern Rong be so generous."
Woyu thoroughly examined the golden pot, inside and out, fearing that it might contain a note or some hidden mechanism. As soon as Su Lu touched it, a coded message would suddenly pop out, luring him to the Northern Rong.
"How can she be so blind? Can't she see that the young master already belongs to the young lady?"
While inspecting the chessboard, Wo Yu complained, speaking with self-righteousness. Xie Yutang's fingers, which were touching the edge of the chessboard, paused slightly, and he coughed.
Woyu assumed the room wasn't warm enough and that her young mistress was cold, so she temporarily put down the golden pot, stoked the charcoal fire in the brazier to make it burn brighter, and went to pour tea for Xie Yutang. She was still preoccupied with Helou Wulan's blatant poaching of her mistress.
“Our young master Su is good at serving people, but he only treats Miss Su like this. She wants him to make her bed, fan her, and wash and groom her in the morning. Does she deserve it?”
"Miss, you don't know, that day not only He Lou Wulan, but many women were staring at the young master's face! Not just his face, but his waist, shoulders, legs, and wrists were also being stared at!"
Woyu grew angrier as she spoke, as if her own prized cabbage was being eyed covetously by a group of pigs. Filled with righteous indignation, she offered Xie Yutang some advice:
"Why don't you just tie the young master to the bed next time, and leave some marks on his body, so they can all see clearly whose side the young master really is? Anyway—"
Wo Yu turned around, holding the teacup, and saw the person standing in front of her. The rest of her words got stuck in her throat. She kept saying "anyway" for a long time but couldn't come up with anything. Instead, the teacup fell straight from her frozen hand.
The well-defined fingers firmly caught the teacup, preventing it from shattering and the tea from cooling.
"cover."
A warm and pleasant voice rang out, and Woyu blankly handed over the lid she was still clutching in her hand.
Su Lu placed the teacup upside down and presented it to Xie Yutang with his jade-colored fingertips. It was an ordinary action, but the way he did it made it impossible to look away.
He Lou Wulan was full of empty talk, but one thing he said was true—keeping such a young man at home, putting everything else aside, just looking at his face every day is quite comforting.
As the year draws to a close, the chill in the capital intensifies, and the first snow seems imminent. When Su Lu returned from the Martial Arts Division, he took off his cloak and draped it over the rack in the outer hall. He still carried a chill, but Xie Yutang, who had been cozy in the warm room for a long time, found it exceptionally refreshing, like fine snow on a mountain peak, pleasing to the eye.
He listened to every word Woyu said, but did not interrupt or refute it. He didn't even make a sound to hint at it. He probably thought Woyu had turned away too early and hadn't finished saying the rest of "anyway". When he reached for the teacup, a hint of regret flashed in his eyes.
Xie Yutang's lips curled slightly, then quickly disappeared, and he said in a calm voice, "You're back?"
He hummed in agreement: "I've been practicing all morning, I'm a little thirsty, I'll come back for a cup of tea." He paused, then added, "I still have to go back."
She answered every question, word by word.
They're incredibly well-behaved.
In fact, with careful observation, it is never difficult to discover that his every move exudes the demeanor of someone who has long held a high position. At certain times, or rather, whenever he is not in front of Xie Yutang, this demeanor becomes even more apparent.
A single sparring match made this young man, who was half Hu (non-Han) in blood, famous in the Da Yan court, which always valued lineage and background. And it wasn't just his archery skills that made him famous.
Those old foxes know perfectly well what kind of people can hold high positions, wield great power, and shoulder great responsibilities, and what kind of people are destined to only rely on reckless brute force.
They tried to snatch the person away right in front of Xie Yutang while she was still under her control.
"Would the prestigious Martial Arts Division skimp on your drink?" Wo Yu said, but poured a steaming cup of warm tea and placed it on the table. She glanced at Xie Yutang meaningfully, "I think you just want to—"
"You just ransacked someone's things and you still have the nerve to make a fuss here."
Xie Yutang interrupted calmly.
When Woyu was exposed by her young mistress, and then looked at the gift boxes behind her that had indeed been ransacked, she immediately became obedient. She made a gesture to cover her mouth with her hand and closed the door behind her as she left.
Suddenly, only she and he remained.
The room was quiet.
The incense burner on the table emitted wisps of fragrance. Xie Yutang pondered for a moment, "They are old servants I brought from the Xie family. They are usually spoiled. Please don't mind them, Your Highness."
These words shocked everyone in the capital who knew Xie Yutang. Princess Ning'an was always arrogant and domineering, and she did things according to her own pleasure. When had she ever spoken so gently and softly for others?
Su Lu was slightly taken aback, and the curve of his eyes and eyebrows that Wo Yu had just teased faded a little.
Even when Lian Woyu was searching through things for notes, he was practically telling him outright not to leave, yet his Highness, his master, was still so polite to him.
It always seems to be like this, seemingly close yet not close, seemingly far yet not far.
Every time she pulled the chain around his neck a foot in, she would quickly retreat a foot.
It was like this when I returned from Yingkou, and it's like this again now.
Su Lu lowered her eyelashes and quietly accepted this usual fickleness.
Xie Yutang took out a brocade box from the side of the table, opened it, and inside were three official documents.
His tone was as if he were giving an official business, without a trace of personal emotion: "You are now a favorite in the court, and memorials requesting people have been sent to the Emperor. But since you are on duty in my residence, the Emperor has given me the power to make decisions."
Xie Yutang pushed the brocade box forward: "You can stand higher and farther—this is what I promised you the day I brought you back from Happy Valley."
"Where you want to go is up to you."
She had reviewed all the official documents, and those she ultimately selected were all more prestigious and had a brighter future than the commander of the guards in the princess's residence.
This was a move Xie Yutang had made long ago. After all, the Xie family was a powerful clan, and even a centipede with a hundred legs will not die easily. They still had influence in the court and the countryside. Since Xie Yutang had the idea of revenge and seizing power, she had been secretly cultivating her influence, and she had people in various departments, both openly and secretly.
If he could take this opportunity to send Su Lu away, it would not only consolidate her power over him, but also... give him a chance to break free from his constraints.
He was like the moon in the sky, or the snow on the high mountain.
He was the young King Muqing, who fought his way in and out of the battlefield seven times, and then sat on a mountain of bones to rule the land.
He shouldn't have been confined to the princess's residence, making her bed, fanning her, and serving her mornings and mornings, unjustly bearing the stigma of being a male favorite.
The path to fame and fortune that everyone yearns for, the ladder to heaven, is right before him, yet Su Lu shows no joy. His fingers, hanging by his sides, curl slightly, and his eyelashes droop: "Master, don't you want to choose for me?"
His question was somewhat risqué, yet tinged with a captivating grievance, which stirred Xie Yutang's heart.
Yes, why ask? Just choose for him. Send him wherever there's a shortage of people. He is her vengeful blade. The road ahead is bumpy and long, and she will cut through wherever there is injustice.
Or... force him to stay by your side, domineeringly asserting your sovereignty, that no one can touch him, and if anyone covets him, lock him in bed so everyone can see who he truly is.
Anyway... anyway, he heard it all.
It's not that he's unwilling.
Xie Yutang's expression remained unchanged, but the look in her eyes shifted several times. Su Lu sighed softly, stood up, knelt down in front of her, and said in a very soft voice, "Master, you don't need to worry. Wherever you tell me to go, I will go. Whatever you tell me to do, I will do."
"Don't worry about me betraying you." The young man's long eyelashes drooped, his fingertips lightly tracing half a circle on his porcelain-white neck, as if brushing against a non-existent collar. "The chains here will always be in your hands."
"Since it's a knife, you can use it however you like, as long as you wish."
The boy she led back from the snowfield, still covered in frost, knelt obediently before her, still choosing to cooperate with her and surrendering himself to her without reservation.
His heart was filled with unknown emotions, and even though he had already made the decision, his fingertips still felt slightly numb. Xie Yutang reached out and gently placed his hand on the boy's forehead.
Even a knife cannot disobey its will.
Su Lu's lowered eyelashes trembled, as if he realized something, and he slowly raised his eyes.
Xie Yutang's eyes were gentle and bright, as if she could see through his thoughts: "It's not that I'm being polite to you, nor am I deliberately sending you away."
"It's because you're different from others, and I want to cherish you."
Making him take on the task of inspecting the gift boxes was not a gesture of politeness.
Placing the document in front of him and letting him choose for himself was not a gesture of politeness.
It's because he's different from others, so we want to respect his wishes and treat him with respect.
The boy's amber eyes trembled, and slowly, a glimmer of light emerged, revealing a pure and radiant joy. All the frost and snow on his body melted away, and he was caressed by the spring breeze, exuding a honey-like sweetness.
He lowered his eyes and smiled.
...promising.
My heart was tossed about by her few words, rising and falling in an instant.
The young man's slender fingers traced across the jade discs in the brocade box, hovering just at the far right.
Xie Yutang's heart sank, but he didn't show it on his face.
Su Lu picked up the document: "Northwest Army Commandant, in charge of military and political affairs. The garrison commander was promoted by Prince Mu Qing. If I go there, I should receive some preferential treatment. If I make meritorious contributions on the battlefield, promotion and advancement will be just around the corner."
Xie Yutang curled his fingers inside his sleeve, feeling somewhat annoyed.
She's made it so obvious, why is he still leaving?
"However, I don't like it."
Xie Yutang was taken aback, almost wondering if he had misheard.
He had always been obedient to her, never uttering a single negative word; this was the first time he had expressed his likes and dislikes so directly.
With a crisp, clear sound, the young man casually tossed aside the jade disc that countless people strive for most of their lives but may never even get to touch, and picked up another one.
"The garrison commander of Taicang Commandery is in charge of local defense fortifications. Wu Xian, the garrison commander of Taicang Commandery, has always been wise and virtuous. He is considerate of his soldiers and cherishes talent. Many capable generals without powerful backers want to serve under him... but I don't want to go."
"The Commander of Dongwu Prefecture is in charge of military and political affairs related to flood control..."
The jade discs in the brocade box were tossed out one by one, like worthless bamboo slips, until only the last one remained.
Head of the Martial Arts Training Division.
An agency under the Imperial Guards, responsible for training the Imperial Guards in the Imperial City.
Even Su Lu, who had just rendered meritorious service to the Great Yan and single-handedly defeated a famous general of the Northern Rong, thus revitalizing the long-depressed Great Yan court, could not be fully trusted and accepted by the Great Yan court because of his Hu (non-Han) bloodline. The official position he was given was high and prestigious, but it was all 80,000 miles away from the capital, and he was not allowed to enter the capital without being summoned.
The position of Director of the Martial Arts Division is the lowest in rank, with no real power or official title, and involves only hard work. Yet, it allows one to remain in the capital, even close to the palace, so close that one can come back for a cup of tea.
In fact, she should have understood this when he turned down countless visits this morning and accepted Guo Shouzhen's invitation to go to the training ground to "give guidance".
Seeing that the boy's choice coincided with his own thoughts, Xie Yutang, who should have agreed immediately, hesitated for a rare moment: "Leaving aside the official rank and benefits of the Martial Arts Division, it belongs to the Imperial Guard, and the commander of the Imperial Guard, Guo Shouzhen, is Lin Tan's man. If you serve under him, I'm afraid..."
Winter sunlight streamed through the window, reflecting on the boy's slightly curved eyes, shimmering like fine white glaze: "With my master here, what do I have to fear?"
“Those local official positions are good, but their importance is nowhere near that of the Imperial Guards.”
The boy's pleasant voice uttered the real reason she couldn't refuse, word by word: "Master, after all this effort, don't you want to have your own people in the Imperial Guard?"
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