starry night
The money issue was eventually resolved, but the way it was resolved left people feeling uneasy.
That day, the Crown Prince stepped forward in the court and said he wanted to share the emperor's burdens, proposing that all officials donate their salaries. He spoke earnestly, saying things like "for the country and the people" and "unable to bear seeing his uncle and sixth brother in trouble," every word of which was reasonable and sincere.
Prime Minister Cui was the first to respond, immediately pledging the largest sum, saying that he and Prince Duan were family and he couldn't bear to see him in trouble, so he had to do his part. Seeing this, the other ministers, whether willing or not, also expressed their support. In this way, the money for repairing the dam was raised.
The Emperor was overjoyed and praised the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Cui in front of all the officials, saying that they were sensible and mindful of the big picture. As for the "linked gate" method proposed by Ling Yuan and Xuan Gui, it was glossed over in a lighthearted manner.
When he returned from court, Ling Yuan didn't say much, but Yan Shu could guess what was going on from his expression.
"Is it still about the money?" She poured him a cup of hot tea.
"Hmm." Ling Yuan took the teacup. "Today, the Crown Prince proposed donating his salary, and Prime Minister Cui took the lead, with all the officials responding."
Yan Shu paused in his movements. This move, a strategic retreat, was truly brilliant. It solved the money problem, gained favor with the Emperor, and made them appear selfless.
"That's good," she said softly, "at least the project can continue."
Ling Yuan glanced at her: "You're quite open-minded."
"What can we do if we don't want to open?" Yan Shu pushed the tea and snacks towards him. "They made a brilliant move; we have no choice but to accept it."
That's brilliant. They came up with the idea, put in a lot of effort, but in the end, the credit went to someone else. And you can't say anything about it, since they did seem to have helped a lot on the surface.
"We need to be even more careful from now on," Ling Yuan said, taking a sip of tea. "They've gotten too cocky this time; they'll only be more ruthless next time."
Yan Shu nodded. She understood this principle. A man like Prime Minister Cui wouldn't be satisfied with such a small victory.
---
The matter of the money was thus resolved. The Ministry of Works received the funds, and preparations for the Qingfeng Gorge project could finally resume. Although construction couldn't begin before spring, at least the project schedule wouldn't be delayed.
The weather was unexpectedly fine that night. After several days of snow, the sky had finally cleared. The night sky looked as if it had been washed clean, and the stars shone exceptionally bright.
Yan Shu had been cooped up indoors all day and wanted to get some fresh air. Ling Yuan happened to return from his study and saw her standing on the veranda gazing at the sky. He asked, "Want to go for a walk?"
"Okay," Yan Shu turned to look at him, "I'll just stand in the yard for a while."
Ling Yuan took a cloak and draped it over her shoulders, then helped her slowly walk into the courtyard. The snow hadn't completely melted, shimmering faintly in the moonlight. The crabapple tree had long since lost all its leaves, and snow clumped on its branches, occasionally falling with a soft thud.
"Look," Yan Shu pointed to the sky, "that's the Big Dipper."
Ling Yuan looked in the direction she was pointing: "You recognize the constellations?"
"I recognize a few." Yan Shu leaned against him. "When I was little... my father hired a tutor to teach me these things."
Actually, she learned it while doing research at the museum. Back then, she often stayed up late organizing materials, and when she got tired, she would look at the stars outside the window. She never expected it would come in handy.
"That's Vega over there," she pointed to another bright star, "and that one opposite is Altair. The line in the middle is the Milky Way."
Ling Yuan looked down at her: "You still believe in these legends?"
"I don't believe you," Yan Shu laughed, "I just think it's beautiful. You know, the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl only meet once a year, how pitiful!"
"If it's true, one day is enough," Ling Yuan said calmly.
Yan Shu looked up at him; his profile was exceptionally clear in the moonlight. "Your Highness knows about this?"
"I don't know." He looked away. "Just saying."
Yan Shu smiled, snuggling closer to him: "Then, Your Highness, do you think one day is enough?"
Ling Yuan was silent for a moment, then tightened his arms around her waist: "Not enough."
A sweet feeling welled up inside her, and she steered the conversation back to the stars: "Look at that brightest one, that's Sirius. The ancients said it signifies war and is an ominous sign."
"Nonsense," Ling Yuan scoffed. "They're just stars; what do they have to do with human affairs?"
"I think so too." Yan Shu nodded. "If stars could really predict good or bad fortune, then I should be seeing stars that represent peace and prosperity by now."
"You saw it?"
"I see it," she said, pointing to her protruding belly, "right here."
Ling Yuan chuckled softly and gently placed his hand on her abdomen. Just then, the baby moved slightly, and his hand paused.
"It can move?" he asked.
"Hmm, he's been quite lively lately." Yan Shu placed his hand on the spot where he was making the most noise. "Did Your Highness feel it?"
The baby's movements beneath his palm were strong and regular, and Ling Yuan's expression softened: "So naughty, he'll probably be hard to manage in the future."
"Then Your Highness must set some proper rules," Yan Shu said with a smile. "But let him make a fuss for a while; it's getting suffocating to keep it inside."
"You certainly know how to speak up for him."
"Of course," she said matter-of-factly, "I'm his mother."
They smiled at each other. A gentle evening breeze carried the fresh scent of snow. Yan Shu placed her icy hand into Ling Yuan's palm: "Warm me up."
Ling Yuan took her hand and tucked it into his arms: "Go back if you get cold."
"Let's stay a little longer," Yan Shu said, reluctant to leave. "Such nights are so rare. Just the two of us, all quiet and peaceful."
She looked up at the starry sky and suddenly whispered, "Your Highness, do you think anyone will still be looking at these stars a thousand years from now?"
"The stars will always be there."
"Where is he?" She turned to look at him. "A thousand years from now, will anyone still remember us?"
Ling Yuan gazed into her eyes: "Why worry about a thousand years from now? Just cherish the present."
Yan Shu thought about it and agreed. Wasn't she herself from a thousand years ago? But right now, she only cared about the person in front of her.
"Your Highness is right." She rested her head on his shoulder. "As long as we're okay now, who cares about the future?"
"Are you cold?" he asked again.
"I'm not cold." She snuggled closer to him. "Let's stand here a little longer."
Actually, her legs were a little sore, but she didn't want to go back. Such a peaceful night, such a warm moment, she didn't know when she would have another like this after tonight.
"Your Highness," she suddenly had a thought, "after the baby is born, how about we come to see the stars every year, just the three of us?"
"good."
"I also need to teach him about zodiac signs and tell him stories."
"You speak," Lingyuan said, "and you speak beautifully."
Yan Shu laughed: "Then what is Your Highness doing?"
"I'm watching you."
This answer warmed her heart. Simple happiness is nothing more than this.
Yan Shu leaned against him, feeling the warmth of his chest. The winter night's chill didn't seem so biting anymore.
"Your Highness," she said softly, "do you think this child is better, the heir apparent or the princess?"
Ling Yuan looked down at her: "Everything's fine."
"There has to be a preference, right?" Yan Shu persisted. "I'd like a princess, someone I can braid and dress her in floral dresses."
"If it were the heir apparent," Ling Yuan paused, "we could teach him martial arts and studies, so he could inherit the royal family in the future."
Yan Shu laughed: "So if she were a princess, would the prince not teach her to read and practice martial arts?"
"Teach," Ling Yuan answered decisively. "My children, regardless of gender, should be proficient in both literature and martial arts."
These words pleased Yan Shu. She thought for a moment, then added, "If it were a prince, I would hope his eyes would resemble yours and his nose mys. If it were a princess, I would prefer his eyebrows to resemble yours and his mouth mys."
Ling Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Why?"
"Your eyes are beautiful and bright. My nose is small and delicate; it would look handsome on a boy's face," Yan Shu said confidently. "The princess's eyebrows should be like yours, spirited and dashing; her mouth should be like mine, delicate and refined."
"Nonsense," Ling Yuan scoffed, but a smile played on his lips.
"That's not nonsense," Yan Shu said confidently. "I've already thought it through. If I'm the heir apparent, my personality should be like yours—calm and composed; if I'm the princess, my personality should also be like yours—resolute and decisive."
"You're all like me now, what about you?"
"Me?" Yan Shu smiled slyly, "I'll just spoil them. You play the bad cop, I'll play the good cop."
Ling Yuan shook his head helplessly: "A doting mother often spoils her son."
"Well, you need to have a son to squander first," Yan Shu said, laughing to herself.
Amidst the laughter and playfulness, the baby kicked again in her belly. Yan Shu took Ling Yuan's hand and placed it on her stomach: "Look, he heard us talking about him."
The fetal movements beneath her palm were strong, and Ling Yuan's expression softened even more.
"If he is the heir apparent, I hope he won't be too much like me," he suddenly said.
Why?
"I have a cold personality, and I'm not likable."
Yan Shu chuckled and laughed out loud: "Who said that? I like it very much."
Ling Yuan looked at her with gentle eyes: "If she were to become a princess, it would be better if she resembled you."
"Like me? What's so great about me?"
"You love to laugh," he said softly, "and you look beautiful when you laugh."
Yan Shu felt a sweet warmth in her heart and buried her head in his chest: "Then it's settled. The young master will resemble you, and the princess will resemble me. But their personalities should both be like yours, more composed and steady."
"Whatever you say."
The two smiled at each other and continued gazing at the starry sky. The starlight was exceptionally bright tonight, as if it were blessing the couple.
"Your Highness," Yan Shu suddenly remembered something, "if it were a princess, what name would you like to give her?"
"It's still early."
"Think about it first," she tugged at his sleeve. "I've heard that there's a folk belief that if you choose a name in advance, the child will be safe and healthy."
Ling Yuan pondered for a moment, then said, "If she is a princess, let her be named Xing Wan."
"Xingwan?" Yan Shu's eyes lit up. "Is it taken from 'starry sky' (星汉灿烂) and 'night' (晚)?"
"Yes." Ling Yuan nodded, "Just like tonight."
Yan Shu felt a warmth in her heart: "What if it were the Crown Prince?"
"Come and get it."
She thought for a moment and said, "If he is to be the heir, let's name him Huaiyu. 'Huaijin woyu' (怀瑾握瑜) means 'holding jade and embracing virtue,' hoping he will be as virtuous as jade."
"good."
The two of them nestled together, chatting idly about their child's future. As night deepened, the starlight grew ever brighter.
"Your Highness," Yan Shu said softly, "whether he becomes a prince or a princess, I only wish him peace and happiness."
"Yes, I will." Ling Yuan squeezed her hand. "I'm here."
Those three simple words brought Yan Shu immense peace of mind. Yes, with him here, what was there to fear?
After standing for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yan Shu couldn't hold on any longer; her legs were aching terribly. Ling Yuan noticed her discomfort and immediately picked her up in his arms.
"Oh!" she exclaimed softly, "Your Highness, I've gained quite a bit of weight..."
"It's alright." He carried her steadily into the house. "She'll be heavier in the future."
He settled her on the couch, covered her with a blanket, and sat down beside the bed: "Sleep."
"Is Your Highness not asleep?"
"I still have some official documents to review." He tucked her in. "You go to sleep first."
Yan Shu was indeed tired and fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes. In her hazy state, she felt a warmth on her forehead, as if someone had gently kissed her.
---
The news of the donation spread the next day. Everyone in the streets and alleys praised the Crown Prince's benevolence and the Prime Minister Cui's loyalty. The Prince Duan's and Prince Chen's residences, on the other hand, were largely forgotten.
Xuan Gui stormed over to Ling Yuan, furious: "Uncle! They're going too far..."
"Watch your words," Ling Yuan interrupted him. "It's a good thing that the money has been collected."
"But……"
"No buts." Ling Yuan said calmly, "As long as the project can continue, that's fine."
Hyun-kyu opened his mouth, but in the end, he swallowed his words back.
After Xuan Gui left, Yan Shu came out from the inner room.
"Does Your Highness truly not care?"
"So what if I care?" Ling Yuan said calmly. "They won this round, so we just have to accept it."
Yan Shu looked at his calm profile and suddenly understood. It wasn't that he didn't care, it was that he couldn't afford to care. A small act of impatience could ruin a great plan.
"Your Highness is right," she said softly, "there's plenty of time in the future."
Ling Yuan turned to look at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "You're becoming more and more composed."
"One is influenced by one's surroundings."
"Did you sleep well last night?" he suddenly asked.
"Very good," Yan Shu nodded, "Dreams are always sweet."
A hint of a smile flashed in Ling Yuan's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "That's good."
The snow outside the window has started falling again, fine and scattered, as if trying to cover up the conversation from last night.
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