Chapter 58 The Pavilion Lost in Mist, the Moon Lost in the River (Part Two) All things in this world are beyond our control…
What truly captured her attention was the pattern embroidered on the front of the purse—
A clump of verdant bamboo, growing sideways, consists of only a few stalks. The bamboo leaves are sparse and elegant, its posture graceful and its branches slender and upright, displaying a rugged and unyielding spirit. Beside the bamboo, two lines of poetry are embroidered in a slightly dark blue silk thread: "Spotted bamboo branches, spotted bamboo branches, tear stains convey longing." The handwriting is delicate and refined, clearly the work of a woman.
This pattern! This poem...
It was clearly embroidered on her most beloved ivory fan during the early summer of her fourteenth year, when she was bored in her boudoir and spent more than half a month on it!
Those two lines of poetry are taken from the Yuefu poem "Bamboo Branch Song".
But that round fan was clearly lost on the Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day) that year.
She sent people to search for a long time, but in the end she had to give up in disappointment.
How could it... have fallen into his hands?
Instead of seeking an opportunity to return it, he embroidered it into a purse and wore it at his waist every day...
Countless questions and speculations surged up like a tidal wave, making her gasp for breath and her fingertips turn icy cold.
That day outside the meditation room, she clearly heard his voice, steady and firm, as he made a promise to the bewildered Zhao Ning: "I, Xiao Mo, hereby swear that even if I die on the battlefield, I will never let you suffer the pain of a marriage alliance."
"There are many things in the world that one cannot help but do. For example, the emperor has to deal with the beauties offered by noble families and clans. For example, a girl may yearn for mountains and wilderness, but is confined by the many palaces."
Xiao Mo's voice was as calm as the water of an ancient well. His gaze fell on a pair of swans playing with their necks intertwined in Qujiang Pool. The swans' bright feathers made the blue waves appear even more tranquil.
He paused, a hint of almost imperceptible melancholy creeping into his voice, "For example... some secrets can only be buried deep, never shown to others, and can only be savored alone in the quiet of the night."
He suddenly turned to her, a dark current seeming to surge in the depths of his eyes. His voice was low, but each word was clear, "The palace walls are majestic, and the courtyards are deep. If you feel stuffy and uncomfortable here, I... have a way to take you away."
Ye Yixiang's heart tightened suddenly. She looked up at Xiao Mo, whose face remained gentle and calm, as if his earth-shattering words were just her imagination.
Xiao Mo's gaze swept across her face before quickly turning away, a faint smile curving his lips. "I drank a few too many cups today, and the alcohol made me talk nonsense."
"His Majesty has been busy with state affairs lately, and it is inevitable that he has overlooked some things and neglected the young lady. If the young lady is concerned, she is free to visit him at Xuanzheng Hall at any time." He changed his tone, which was usually calm and indifferent, and even carried a touch of just the right amount of loneliness.
In Qujiang Pool, a pair of swans gracefully parted the water, leaving behind ripples that gradually spread and eventually disappeared without a trace.
Xiao Mo's gaze swept almost imperceptibly over the artificial hill hidden among the reeds not far away. His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly for a moment before returning to calm. He said gently, "The road here is muddy after the rain and difficult to travel. Why don't I take your small boat to the Lotus Garden on the other side? The path there is dry and the scenery is much better."
Ye Yixiang glanced in the direction his gaze had indicated and immediately understood. He must have also noticed the "strangeness" behind the artificial hill, and this action was both to avoid suspicion for her and to avoid suspicion for himself.
This was the perfect excuse to leave. She nodded slightly: "Thank you, Prime Minister Xiao."
Xiao Mo stepped onto the light boat first, his robes billowing as he swept past the gunwale, his figure graceful and elegant. Chun Tan followed carefully, the small boat swaying gently. Ye Yixiang took a deep breath, lifted her skirt, and stepped forward. The boat swayed slightly as her toes touched the water, and she leaned forward a little—
A long, strong hand reached out just in time and firmly grasped her forearm. The palm was dry and warm, with just the right amount of strength, providing an undeniable sense of support and instantly conveying a sense of security. Once she was steady, the hand immediately released her, as quickly as if it had been a mere accidental touch.
"Excuse me." Xiao Mo took a half step back, his voice calm and unwavering.
"It's alright, thank you, Prime Minister Xiao." Ye Yixiang thanked him softly, but a strange feeling arose in her heart from the brief contact and the shock brought by the purse earlier. She walked into the cabin and sat down, with Chun Tan serving her at her side.
The small boat glided away from the Zhaoshui Pavilion. Xiao Mo did not enter the cabin, but stood alone at the bow, personally taking the oar. The long pole entered the water, breaking through the blue waves. The shimmering water reflected the sky and clouds, and also his straight back, showing a unique kind of solitude in this summer afternoon.
A gust of wind swept across the water, bringing coolness and lifting the light veil hanging from the edge of the night-blooming jasmine hat. The veil billowed in the wind, suddenly slipped off its hook, swirled and drifted onto the water, where it was instantly soaked by the blue waves and sank to the bottom.
Ye Yixiang glanced back and saw the pale white color quickly swallowed by the pool. A strange emptiness filled her heart, followed by a sense of relief. Let it go, like some old stories that shouldn't be delved into, or some quietly changing state of mind.
To dispel the sudden dullness and to avoid those unsettling topics, Ye Yixiang found a way to start a conversation: "Just now in the pavilion, I saw Prime Minister Xiao seemingly reading 'The Art of War by Duke Wei'?" She glanced at the scroll he had casually placed on the stone bench.
Xiao Mo continued rowing, her voice carried on the wind: "I read it in my spare time. The Duke of Wei, a woman, was appointed to guard the northern frontier for ten years in a time of crisis, preventing the Hu horses from daring to invade the south. Her courage and strategy are truly something that would make later generations ashamed."
Mentioning the legendary female general Ling Chao, Ye Yixiang's eyes lit up: "The spirit of the Duke of Wei is as lofty as the mountains and as enduring as the rivers. People often say that women are weak, but she proved with her iron will that women should not be inferior to men. When the country is in peril, those who can step forward and turn the tide are heroes, regardless of gender."
“What you say is very true, young lady.” Xiao Mo nodded, his tone carrying a rare, heartfelt admiration, but that admiration quickly turned into a deep sigh, and even a hint of barely perceptible contempt.
"But... thinking back to those days, when the northern border was in dire need, the court was filled with officials and dignitaries, how many of them were men who considered themselves pillars of the nation? In the end, it was a princess who had long lived in the deep palace who, as a woman, donned armor and took up arms to guard the country's gate. Whenever I think of this, I feel... a chill run down my spine."
"Xiao Xiang's words are not without bias." She sighed softly, "If a woman has her country in her heart and her ambition is on the battlefield, even if she dies on the battlefield, she will die a worthy death and live a happy life."
“Your insight far surpasses that of many men.” Xiao Mo turned to look at her, his eyes deep. “In this world, women with your breadth of vision and breadth of mind are extremely rare.” He paused slightly, his voice lowered, but each word was clear. “If one day you wish to spread your wings, I, Xiao Mo, may do my utmost to clear away some of the fog that may be shrouded in confusion for you.”
Night's beauty stirred ripples in her heart once more. Xiao Mo's words always seemed to conceal their sharpness, their meaning profound and lingering. She understood that he was implying that he knew of the unquenched flame within her and was willing to be her potential support or...path when necessary.
When he finished speaking, the boat had already reached the shore.
Ye Yixiang stepped onto solid ground with Chun Tuan's help.
"It was just a casual chat today, nothing out of the ordinary." She turned to face Xiao Mo, her tone calm yet firm, "I hope Prime Minister Xiao will not mention it to others, lest unnecessary speculation arise."
Xiao Mo's lips curved slightly, his smile as gentle as a breeze on water, warm yet elusive. "Don't worry, Miss, I know what I'm doing."
Back in the warm pavilion, Xiao Mo's words, "If you wish, you may go see His Majesty," lingered in Ye Yixiang's mind.
Although she did not witness the tragedy of the coup, the vague rumors in the palace and Chu Huaili's unusually busy schedule after ascending the throne, in which he rarely even set foot in Qiwu Palace, made her feel uneasy.
Perhaps... he was injured, and seriously injured, and deliberately concealed it from her by not coming to see her?
Once the thought took hold, it clung to her like a vine. She became restless and finally decided not to wait any longer.
She washed her hands, intending to cook something he would like, but the moment she picked up the knife and spatula, she froze—she had no idea what he liked to eat. In their past relationship, he had always been attentive to her preferences and considerate in every way, while she seemed to have never truly cared about his tastes.
A pang of guilt mixed with bitterness welled up in her heart. In the end, she could only use her own skills to make a few light pastries, prepare two side dishes, and specially stew a pot of warming deer antler and chicken soup. By the time everything was done, the sky was already tinged with crimson.
She summoned Wuluozhu, who, carrying a food box, led the two of them quietly to the Xuanzheng Hall.
Outside the palace, Eunuch Wen Kang was clearly surprised to see her arrive. He hurriedly stepped forward to greet her, saying, "Your Majesty, may you be well! Why have you come in person? His Majesty... is discussing important matters inside. It will probably take some more time. Your Majesty, why don't you return to the palace to rest first? Once His Majesty is finished, this old servant will report to him immediately."
Just as Ye Yixiang was about to speak, a soft and alluring female voice drifted from inside the hall. It was hard to hear clearly through the heavy doors, but the delicate tone of her voice was like a feather brushing against one's heart: "Your Majesty works so hard reviewing memorials, it breaks my heart to see you like this. May I give you a shoulder massage to help you relax?"
The faint smile on Ye Yixiang's lips suddenly froze, her hands, hidden in her wide sleeves, tightened subtly, her nails digging into her palms. So… she wasn't busy with official duties. She was being comforted by a beautiful woman, her words soft and tender.
The woman's voice seemed vaguely familiar, but her mind was in turmoil, and she couldn't think of it for the moment.
Eunuch Wen Kang, being a quick-witted man, immediately stepped forward and explained in a low voice, "Your Majesty, please don't misunderstand. The woman inside is Empress Dowager Duanyu's niece. She just entered the palace a few days ago, and His Majesty bestowed upon her the title of Jieyu. It was merely a token of the Empress Dowager's goodwill, and His Majesty had to consider his reputation. Everyone in the palace knows that His Majesty values Your Majesty the most! Although the investiture ceremony has not yet taken place, Your Majesty's rank is far superior to that of Consort Zhao."
Empress Dowager Duanyu... Ye Yixiang understood.
The Empress Dowager, the former Emperor Emeritus, had provided crucial support during Chu Huaili's coup. In return, she accepted women from her maternal family into the palace—a perfectly reasonable political exchange. Reason clearly told her that this was imperial politics, a way of maintaining balance, and beyond reproach.
However, understanding is one thing, but hearing it with your own ears and experiencing it firsthand is another.
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