Xuanji Returns to the Capital
As time goes by, the one-year deadline set by Xuanji is approaching.
Li Yi knew that Pei Gong's attitude was crucial in welcoming Xuanji into the mansion. He carefully chose an opportunity, prepared generous gifts, and personally went to Pei's residence to pay his respects.
Inside the study, the air was filled with the sweet scent of sandalwood. Li Yi, with a respectful demeanor, first inquired about Pei Gong's health, then discussed recent court events, subtly expressing his gratitude for Pei Gong's guidance. As the atmosphere grew more relaxed, Li Yi subtly shifted the subject, his expression revealing a perfectly measured hint of unease and frankness:
"Lord Pei, I have come here today not only to pay my respects, but also to discuss something else... I am quite nervous and unsure whether I should speak of it."
Pei Gong stroked his beard, his eyes sharp, already discerning his desire: "Nephew, please speak freely."
Li Yi lowered his head slightly, his voice slow and deliberate: "It concerns my wife, Pei. Since the last... incident, my wife has become increasingly melancholic, and the atmosphere at home is often tense. Although I have tried my best to comfort her, the effect has been minimal. If this continues, I fear it will not be good for my wife's physical and mental well-being, nor is it a good way to manage a household." He paused, observing Pei Gong's expression, and continued, "I have considered that perhaps a gentle, well-educated woman is needed to assist her. Firstly, she could manage the household affairs and share the burden of trivial matters, allowing my wife to recuperate in peace; secondly... perhaps she could alleviate my wife's melancholy and bring harmony to the home."
He did not directly mention Xuanji's name, but instead packaged the act of taking a concubine as a helpless measure for the sake of Pei's family and for the peace of the household.
Pei Gong listened silently, his expression somber. How could he not understand the unspoken meaning behind Li Yi's words? The treachery and shrewishness he had witnessed firsthand that day had already deeply disappointed him in his belief that Pei Shi could fulfill her responsibilities as the matriarch. If word got out that there was unrest in the Li family's inner quarters, it would ultimately damage the Pei family's reputation.
After a long silence, Pei Gong slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of weariness and resignation: "Alas... it is a misfortune for our family to have such an arrogant daughter, causing my nephew considerable distress." He looked up at Li Yi, his gaze sharp, "Taking a concubine is not impossible. However, the choice must be made carefully. She must be someone we know well, gentle in nature, and dutiful. We must not introduce any troublemakers who might disrupt our family."
This statement is both an agreement and a warning.
Li Yi made up his mind and immediately bowed, replying, "Master Pei's teachings are correct. How could I dare to be careless? The person I choose will be gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and strictly abide by etiquette. He will never dare to cause any more trouble and will prioritize harmony within the family."
"Hmm." Pei Gong nodded slightly, said no more, and picked up the teacup beside him.
Li Yi tactfully rose to take his leave: "Thank you for your understanding, Master Pei. I will certainly handle this properly and will not cause you any further trouble with such trivial matters."
Stepping out of the Pei residence, Li Yi's lips curled into a cold smile. The biggest obstacle had been removed. Now, all that remained was for Xuanji to return.
That year, Xuanji and Li Yi occasionally exchanged letters.
Li Yi usually sent people to deliver the letters to her lodgings along the way, inquiring about her safety and providing money for her expenses. Xuanji's replies were even shorter, just a few words to report that she was safe. Sometimes, she would even include one or two impromptu poems written during the journey, in which only mountains, rivers, sun, and moon were mentioned, without a trace of romantic feelings.
She traveled under the name "Yang Che," and her poems were also passed down under this name.
Even she herself did not expect that Yang Che's poem would quietly drift back to Chang'an as merchants and scholars copied it, and gradually spread among literati.
That afternoon, Wen Tingyun was in his study organizing letters and poems from friends. He had been feeling uneasy lately. Xuanji had been away from the capital for almost a year, and although he had written to let him know he was safe, the distance was too great, and news was scarce. There was also no word from Li Yi, which left him with an indescribable worry.
Several newly acquired copies of poems lay scattered on his desk, submitted by his disciples for his critique. He casually picked one up, his gaze sweeping over it wearily. At first, he was indifferent, but soon his eyes were firmly fixed on several poems.
Signed as Yang Che.
The poem titles are: "Wanderings in the West: On the Road to Longxi", "Staying Overnight at Ruiying Temple and Hearing the Bell", and "Looking Towards Dunhuang".
His brows furrowed, and his breathing slowed. His fingertips unconsciously traced the ink on the paper, as if he could touch the rough winds and desolate moonlight between the lines of poetry.
"Dust and sand obscure the sun, clouds turn yellow over the Longxi region, and a lone wheel crushes the ancient battlefield."
I occasionally hear camel bells to identify caravans, and sometimes I see vultures perched on rocky hills.
My heart soars to the boundless ocean, my body, like a tumbleweed, is free to roam.
Do not say that Dunhuang is a thousand miles away; where the smoke and dust end, lies a fairyland.
………
"One should dwell nowhere and let one's mind arise; the ancient bell shakes and stars fall like rain."
"Now I stand beyond a thousand peaks, still transing Buddhist scriptures by the cold lamp."
………
His brushstrokes are bold and expansive, and the atmosphere is no longer the delicate and melancholic style of Chang'an in the past. In particular, the open-mindedness and autonomy of "my heart follows the boundless sea, my body is like a weed that stands on its own" pierced his eyes.
An almost impossible idea exploded in his mind like a thunderclap.
He stood up abruptly, his movement so sudden that he knocked over a stack of books on the table, which scattered to the ground with a clatter, but he didn't notice. His fingers trembled slightly as he picked up the page of poetry again, his gaze fixed intently on the two characters "Yang Che".
It's... a secret...
Who else but her could possess such poetic talent? Who else could, amidst a life of wandering like a weed, generate such a spirit of self-reliance and such a yearning for a paradise?
An extremely complex emotion instantly gripped Wen Tingyun.
His gaze fell once again on the lines of poetry—"My heart follows the boundless ocean."
In April of the eighth year of the Tianqi reign, Xuanji returned to the capital.
A dusty, blue-curtained carriage silently entered Yanxing Gate. Inside, Xuanji was still dressed in men's clothing, but the resolute and desolate look in her eyes from a year ago when she left the capital had been replaced by a quiet, weathered expression. Her gaze swept over the familiar street scene outside the window; everything seemed the same, yet it felt like a lifetime ago.
She's back.
He carried with him a wealth of experience, a bag of poems, and a promise he had to keep.
The carriage did not go directly to the Wen residence, but instead went first to a secluded inn in the south of the city. This was a place Li Yi had arranged beforehand, intending to avoid being seen.
Not long after settling in, a regular knocking sound came from outside the window. Zhao An cautiously opened the door, and a man dressed in gray with a sharp face stood outside. He was Li Yi's trusted aide. He respectfully handed over a sealed letter and said in a low voice, "Young Master Yang, my master has learned of your arrival in the capital. He instructed that you rest here for the time being and not to worry about anything. Once everything is arranged, my master will come to see you in person."
In addition, he handed over a square sandalwood box, about a foot in size: "Young Master Yang, the master instructed that the contents of this box are the fulfillment of a promise made in the past. Please inspect it yourself."
After saying this, he bowed deeply again and quietly withdrew.
Xuanji's gaze fell on the carved wooden box. He reached out, gently unfastened the copper clasp, and lifted the lid.
The box contained no extra decorations, only two items lying neatly inside.
At the top was a letter written on Xuelang paper, with no writing on the cover. Below it was a slightly thicker official contract, made of sturdy paper, with clear red seal marks visible on the edges.
She picked up the letter first. Unfolding it, it was indeed Li Yi's handwriting. The handwriting was still steady and powerful, penetrating the paper, but the content was extremely brief:
"No way."
This is a fine book, and I entrust it to you for safekeeping.
Also attached is the land deed and house deed for Yongyefang Xiaozhu. Though the property is meager, it can provide shelter from the wind and rain.
Hope you... feel at ease. "
There was no signature or date.
Xuanji's fingertips felt slightly cool as he gently placed the page aside. Below it was the very book he had mentioned, "The Good Book."
The paper was of the finest official mulberry paper, the ink a deep, dark black. The handwriting on it was different from the casual tone of his earlier text message; it was meticulous, upright, and rigorous regular script, carrying an undeniable formality.
Li Yi, a person who established a good book collection.
My concubine, Yu, comes from a respectable family and is well-versed in etiquette. She has served me without fault. Now, because she has her own aspirations and does not wish to remain in this household for long, she wishes to leave and live elsewhere to make a living. Considering our past friendship, I hereby graciously grant her permission to return home immediately, as she sees fit.
From this day forward, Ms. Yu is free to marry as she pleases, and has no further connection with the Li family, nor any regrets whatsoever. To ensure there is no future evidence, this document is hereby established.
Signed by: Li Yi (signed and affixed with red fingerprint)
Witness: Wen Tingyun (signed in ink and affixed with a vermilion fingerprint)
Established on [Date] of the Tianqi Era
Each word was clear and cold, yet weighed a ton. Her gaze fell on the witness—"Wen Tingyun." Her master's name and his fingerprint were prominently displayed after Li Yi's. He actually... had invited his master to be the witness? The calculations and compromises involved stirred a complex bitterness in her heart.
She took a deep breath and picked up the last document. It was indeed a land deed and property deed, with clear terms and explicit ownership. It was for a two-courtyard house located in Yongyefang, southeast of Chang'an City, and the owner's name was clearly written as "Yu Xuanji".
He did indeed keep his promise, and even more.
She placed the wooden box at the bottom of an inconspicuous old trunk by her bedside, locked it, and hid the key close to her body.
The inn's rooms were simply furnished, yet clean. Xuanji opened the window, gazing at the majestic palace walls silhouetted against the twilight in the distance, feeling neither sorrow nor joy.
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