"Wang Bo, holding this dagger, issuing orders is equivalent to..."
A shimmering moat separated the social classes. Upon entering the solemn palace gates, the atmosphere suddenly became heavy and oppressive. The palace maids passing by were cautious, heads down, staring at their feet, hurrying along without daring to look left or right.
The majestic palace with its red walls and golden tiles exudes supreme royal dignity, and even the air is filled with an atmosphere of extravagance. The allure of power, status, and money is amplified here.
Jiang Yanhui, dressed in brightly colored court robes, stood out conspicuously on the wide white marble avenue. As the only prince in the dynasty, his crimson robes with four five-clawed dragons symbolized his unique status.
Jiang Yanhui prefers dark colors, mainly black.
Wearing brightly colored clothes made her already beautiful features even more radiant. Her long, upturned eyes were so captivating that they made people blush and their hearts race. She truly shone with brilliance.
Knowing that Jiang Yanhui disliked dealing with civil officials, the emperor specifically instructed her to come after the court session when he delivered the decree.
Out of respect for His Majesty, Jiang Yanhui entered the palace early and waited for a while in the warm pavilion, led by a eunuch.
After a short while, Fanglan, the head palace maid of His Majesty, came to deliver a message, requesting Jiang Yan to come to the palace for an audience.
Jiang Yanhui remembered that before Fanglan left Beijing last time, she was at least extremely healthy, if not slender. How come she had gained more than a lot of weight when they met again, and there was a faint trend of her continuing to gain weight?
Fanglan smiled adorably, patting her plump belly without any hesitation, "This old servant isn't afraid of being laughed at by Your Majesty, but a person's condition changes every year. Before you even realize it, your body is already showing it."
As she spoke, Fanglan gave a thumbs up, which was both a compliment and her true feelings. "But this old servant thinks that Your Majesty has not changed at all. You are still as dashing as before."
Fanglan was a servant who had served the Emperor since childhood. When the Emperor was still a princess raised by Consort Shu, Fanglan was often taken care of by the two princesses together. Therefore, Jiang Yanhui was much more polite to Fanglan.
Jiang Yan replied, "Serving His Majesty is hard work, but Aunt Fanglan should also take care of her health."
Fanglan readily agreed, her smile growing even wider. "This old servant was hoping to serve His Majesty for a few more years, so I will certainly take good care of myself. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
After the officials left, the magnificent palace appeared empty, with only the echoes of footsteps reverberating in the hall.
The emperor, working at his desk, had a furrowed brow, with five or six scrolls of memorials lying beside him. The air in the hall was thick with the calming fragrance of incense.
Because he had to see Jiang Yanhui after the court session, he didn't have time to change into his everyday clothes. The magnificent and solemn court robes were like an invisible iron chain, binding him firmly to that dragon throne that destroyed emotions and desires.
The emperor, who held a high position, possessed supreme power, yet also suffered from boundless loneliness.
Hearing footsteps, Jiang Jingyue looked up, his worries turning into a smile. He casually gestured for Jiang Yanhui to rise and take a seat.
Jiang Jingyue put down everything she was doing and carefully looked at her younger sister whom she hadn't seen for many years. With the concern of an elder sister, she asked, "You must be feeling well after your long journey?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything is fine." Jiang Yanhui smiled slightly.
The last time Jiang Jingyue left the capital, he was full of vigor and ambition. Now, there are several fine lines between his brows and faint dark circles under his eyes. It seems that being an emperor is not an easy job.
"That's good. I was just thinking of having someone take good care of your residence in the capital, but who would have thought that the eunuch who came back said that the servants in your residence are vigilant and dare not slack off, and the residence is well managed."
Seeing that the elders' conversation inevitably veered back to marriage, Jiang Jingyue sighed and said, "The Prince of Jiangbei's residence needs a male head to manage things. Over the years, I haven't been able to interfere much while you were in Lingzhou. Now that you're back in the capital, tell your elder sister what's on your mind. Is there someone you like?"
Jiang Yanhui's mind was filled with Ah Chou's big eyes.
They did it again after waking up last night. Ah Chou slept soundly and didn't wake up at all when Jiang Yan left.
Now that the sun is up, I reckon people should be waking up.
Jiang Yan regained her composure, neither confirming nor denying, and changed the subject, saying, "Your Majesty, I have witnessed a great deal of local customs and traditions along the way. The prefectures and cities have developed rapidly in just a few years. In some places, I can hardly recognize where I am. Everywhere I go, I can hear people praising Your Majesty for your diligence and love for the people, and many popular poems have been passed down."
Jiang Jingyue could tell that Jiang Yanhui's words of flattery were a deliberate attempt to interrupt, but he still felt comfortable hearing them.
Knowing that she didn't want to talk about marriage, he didn't press her for details. After a few words of casual conversation, they started talking about Lingzhou.
I stayed for an hour, and they served tea three times.
The news of Lingzhou's current situation from Jiang Yan Hui put Jiang Jingyue in a great mood. He glanced at the sky outside and said with lingering enthusiasm, "I haven't been this happy in a long time. Stay and have lunch with me today."
Fanglan, who was pouring tea, smiled and reminded him, "Your Majesty, you and the Prince are having a very pleasant conversation, which makes this old servant happy. However, since you are inviting the Prince to stay for lunch, should this old servant go and invite Your Highness here?"
I hadn't planned to chat for long, but it turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant, and I forgot that I had already arranged to have a meal with the noble lord.
Jiang Jingyue pondered without expressing his opinion, while Jiang Yanhui stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I appreciate your kindness, but I have not been back to the capital for a long time and there are still many things to attend to at home, so I will not disturb Your Majesty and the Noble Lady's meal."
"You~" Jiang Jingyue pointed at Jiang Yanhui and smiled, "Stay in the capital until spring and go back, wander around and have fun, and spend more time in the palace talking with me."
"Your Majesty, I obey your command."
The palace, which had been bustling for a short while, fell silent again. Jiang Jingyue stared at Jiang Yanhui's departing figure for a long time, unable to come back to his senses. His figure overlapped with that of Jiang Yanhui when he volunteered to go to Lingzhou ten years ago, only now he was much taller.
I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
Jiang Jingyue put down the brush he had picked up. “When I was fourteen, I was fostered by Consort Shu. At that time, Yan Hui was only three years old. The fair-skinned little girl liked to follow me around and call me ‘Royal Sister.’ She would stick to me wherever we went, or she would cry and we couldn’t soothe her.”
Lost in his memories, Jiang Jingyue wore a serene smile. Fang Lan also recalled the adorable appearance of the famous Jiangbei King when he was a child, and couldn't help but smile as well.
"At that time, I wondered how there could be such a clingy younger sister. Out of respect for Consort Shu, I had no choice but to coax and pamper her, and as a result, our relationship grew deeper and deeper."
The struggle for the throne was extremely dangerous; one wrong step could lead to total defeat. My greatest worry at the time wasn't my own fate, but the loss of Consort Shu. If I failed, how would my other sisters treat the young Yan Hui? Would they label her as one of my cronies and find a pretext to imprison her in the dark and dreary Zongren Mansion?
Fanglan's eyes were filled with tears. "His Majesty is kind and benevolent."
Jiang Jingyue sighed, "Not long after I ascended the throne, Lingzhou was in dire straits. Just when I was at my wit's end, Jiang Yan came back to me. At only sixteen years old, she earnestly asked to go to Lingzhou..."
Jiang Jingyue couldn't continue speaking; any further words would only bring him unbearable guilt.
——
Today, the weather was fine and sunny. Several birds were perched on the branches of a tree in the courtyard, chirping incessantly, which woke up Ah Chou, who was half asleep.
She yawned lazily, rolled over comfortably in her blanket, and slept very soundly.
Partly due to exhaustion from last night, and partly due to the reassurance of knowing this was the Jiangbei Prince's residence.
Touching his empty side, he opened his eyes and paused for a moment before remembering that Jiang Yan was to enter the palace to meet the emperor today, and probably had already left early.
Ah Chou rubbed her messy hair in annoyance. She should have gotten up earlier to serve Jiang Yan Hui when she went out. But then she thought that Jiang Yan Hui didn't want to wake her up because she cared about her, and her heart felt sweet.
The water in the basin was warm, and the tray on the table contained what looked like clothes prepared for him. Ah Chou knew in his heart that it could only be Jiang Yanhui's order.
With a cheerful mood, Ah Chou gave himself a good wash and grooming. Having slept well and been nourished, his complexion was rosy and radiant. The autumn-colored clothes he had prepared were very suitable for the late autumn atmosphere. In his hair, he wore a white jade hairpin that Jiang Yan had given him. The overall outfit made Ah Chou look delicate and beautiful.
Ah Chou fiddled with the pearls hanging from the hairpin a couple of times, then shyly pursed her lips.
The road was bumpy and chaotic, so it wasn't advisable to wear valuable jewelry. Ah Chou was afraid of losing it, so she kept it close to her body. Now that she could finally wear it, she was overjoyed.
Before going to sleep, Jiang Yanhui said that if you are bored during the day, you can stroll around the scenery of the mansion. It wasn't that A Chou was fond of the autumn colors, but rather that she was curious about what kind of scenery the mansion where Jiang Yanhui had lived was.
As soon as I stepped out of the house, the red cypress tree in the yard greeted me with a smile, "You look younger than me, so I'll call you 'little brother,' you don't mind, do you?"
Ah Chou quickly shook his head.
Hongchun is Jiang Yanhui's head maid. Judging from her decisive and efficient way of directing the other servants yesterday, she is straightforward and speaks her mind. She can manage the courtyard and its surroundings in an orderly manner and serve Jiang Yanhui well. A Chou has a natural fondness for her.
"Before leaving, Wang Zun specifically instructed that you should have a meal after you get up before taking a stroll."
Hongchun's tone was completely normal, but Achou's ears turned red.
It was wonderful to be cared for and loved by Jiang Yanhui, but A Chou was shy and easily blushed when outsiders said it.
Seeing how innocent she was, Hongchun smiled even more and took the initiative to arrange, "You go inside and wait. The kitchen has everything prepared. I'll have them serve you."
Ah Chou nodded sullenly and fled into the house.
Just as Hongchun had said, three servants soon came in carrying trays of light and nourishing medicinal dishes. A Chou glanced at them and the temperature that had just dropped rose again.
Embarrassed, he filled his stomach and, not daring to stay in the courtyard any longer, hurriedly went out for a stroll.
It's no exaggeration to say that every step in the Jiangbei Prince's Mansion is a scenic view. Every detail reflects the builder's aesthetic sense and wisdom. Even the most obscure corners have interesting designs, preventing any sense of abruptness or emptiness.
As they wandered around, they forgot the way back. Ah Chou stood there, observing the surrounding buildings, unable to discern any direction, and stood there blankly.
After waiting for a while, he saw two servants traveling together. They were quite far away and didn't see him, so Ah Chou had to jog to catch up with them.
This pursuit led them to Uncle Wang, who turned out that the two servants had come to find him.
A Chou was unsure of his status in the Prince's mansion, so he respectfully performed the junior's etiquette.
Wang Bo, who had been listening to the servant's report with a stern face, softened his expression when he saw A Chou. He dismissed the servant, walked up to A Chou, and asked kindly, "Good child, are you lost?"
Ah Chou nodded, then suddenly realized that Uncle Wang might not know that he was mute, so he pointed to his mouth to avoid Uncle Wang thinking he was being impolite.
"Good boy, I can see it."
Time has left its mark on Wang Bo, but one can still vaguely see from his posture how respectable and glamorous he was when he was by the side of Consort Shugui. Every move he made exuded elegance and composure from the inside out.
"The weather is nice today. I've set out tea in the pavilion at the front. Why don't you come and sit with me?"
Ah Chou certainly wouldn't refuse Uncle Wang's suggestion. He vaguely felt that most of the reason Uncle Wang treated him kindly was because of Jiang Yan Hui, and perhaps the special invitation was to have something to say to him.
Thinking of this, Ah Chou perked up and, with his keen eye, imitated Jiang Yan Hui's behavior by helping Uncle Wang. Uncle Wang patted the back of his hand with a smile.
Tea was being brewed inside the pavilion, its delicate aroma refreshing and invigorating.
Ah Chou noticed that there was a pond in front of the pavilion, and a red maple tree was planted inside a stone enclosure along the edge of the pond.
The red maple leaves in late autumn are truly as red as fire, resembling a burning sunset from afar, a rare splash of vibrant color in the desolate late autumn.
Ah Chou first helped Uncle Wang sit down, then knelt on the cushion opposite him, her soft eyelashes drooping, and she tugged at the hem of her clothes somewhat awkwardly.
"Are you from Lingzhou?"
Wang Bowen's gentle tone eased A Chou's tension, but A Chou didn't know how to answer Wang Bowen's question, since A Chou himself didn't know which place he belonged to.
Fortunately, Uncle Wang did not intend to know where Ah Chou was from. He then said, "I could tell when you came back that the King values you. You worked hard taking care of the King in Lingzhou."
Ah Chou shook her head hurriedly, taking care of Jiang Yan Hui was not hard at all... Well, at first it was a bit difficult to serve her in the house, but later Ah Chou really liked staying by Jiang Yan Hui's side, so it wasn't hard at all.
“I’ve watched Wang Zun grow up. Once she sets her mind on someone, her stubbornness won’t change easily.” Uncle Wang sighed and said solemnly, “Wang Zun has had a tough journey. Please treat her well and don’t let her get hurt.”
A Chou was confused by what Wang Bo said. It seemed to mean that Jiang Yan Hui had made up her mind about him, but A Chou didn't dare to think too much about it, fearing that she was just being delusional.
However, Uncle Wang told him to treat Jiang Yan Hui well, and A Chou nodded vigorously.
After realizing he was hopelessly in love with Jiang Yanhui, A Chou never thought of leaving her, unless one day Jiang Yanhui didn't want him anymore.
That won't do either. Even if Jiang Yan tries to drive him away, A Chou will still ask for the reason. He won't leave unless it suits his taste.
Wang Bo's gaze fell on the dagger hanging at A Chou's waist, and he asked with a smile, "Was that dagger hanging at your waist a gift from Wang Zun?"
Although it was said to be a gift, Jiang Yan Hui only said it was for him to use as a pillow. But he didn't ask for it back after arriving in the capital, so it must have been given to him.
Ah Chou hesitated for a moment, then agreed.
"This dagger was given to the young King by the former Noble Lady Shu Gui. He has carried it with him for over twenty years, and it holds extraordinary significance for him."
Ah Chou looked down at the dagger in shock. Its appearance clearly indicated that it was no ordinary object, but he never expected it to be so significant.
Like a hot potato hanging at her waist, Ah Chou looked to Uncle Wang for help, not knowing what to do with it.
Wang Bo pressed his hand down. "Since the King has given it to you, then you deserve to have it. However, the King probably didn't tell you that the dagger has another important use."
Ah Chou opened his eyes wide and listened attentively.
"To issue orders while holding this dagger is equivalent to a king issuing commands."
Ah Chou's head buzzed, and he was so surprised that he forgot his manners and stared blankly at Uncle Wang, pondering the meaning of those two short sentences.
"Don't tell Wang Zun that I told you." Uncle Wang blinked.
Ah Chou nodded blankly, drinking the tea he brought to his lips without tasting it, his mind a jumble of thoughts.
What happened next? Ah Chou only responded with instinctive nods, his mind always wandering to Jiang Yan Hui.
As the sun rose high in the sky, its golden rays bathed the earth, and a vibrant red, even more dazzling than the red maple leaves, appeared in the field of vision.
Ah Chou's gaze was fixed on it, her heart pounding so hard it hurt her eardrums. Everything in the world lost its color, leaving only that one bright spot.
Upon hearing a laugh, Ah Chou realized that she had actually stood up. Her ears turned red with embarrassment, but she refused to lower her head, her bright eyes still fixed on Jiang Yan Hui.
"Go, go."
Uncle Wang chuckled, deciding not to get in the way of the young people, and got up to leave.
Without the restraint of having her elders around, Ah Chou skipped and trotted over to Jiang Yan Hui, her big eyes full of curiosity.
"What did you talk about with Uncle Wang?"
Ah Chou thought of what she had promised Uncle Wang, smiled and shook her head, and carefully reached out to touch the pattern on her sleeve. It was really beautiful, especially suitable for Jiang Yanhui.
Ah Chou walked half a step faster beside Jiang Yan, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. His heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton.
If they weren't outside, he would want to hug Jiang Yanhui and kiss her cheek right now.
Ah Chou noticed that the servants in the manor would very carefully avoid them when they saw them, so that they were never disturbed by outsiders on their way back to the main courtyard.
Since they hadn't been carried back in a sedan chair, Ah Chou was happy, but then she remembered how sore and uncomfortable her legs were from walking yesterday. So she boldly took Jiang Yan Hui's hand and pulled her to sit down on the soft couch.
Just as Jiang Yan was wondering what Ah Chou was going to do, she saw him move a stool and sit down next to her, holding her ankle and placing it on his lap, skillfully massaging her calf.
His expression was very serious, as if he were doing something of paramount importance.
Jiang Yanhui stared at him for a while before pulling her leg back. Faced with Ah Chou's puzzled look, Jiang Yanhui simply said, "Instead of wasting time, you should work on your body. Don't come here twice and then be crying and want to crawl away."
It was too late for A Chou to realize what Jiang Yan Hui was talking about. Her face turned as red as an autumn fruit, both ashamed and angry, and she couldn't say anything to refute him.
He could only secretly vow to work out hard so that Jiang Yanhui would never look down on him.
"I can't neglect my calligraphy practice. It's not good to go through all that trouble on the road. Now that things are settled, I'll practice ten characters every morning as usual."
Jiang Yanhui only informed A Chou, without seeking his opinion.
Learning new things is a painful thing, but Ah Chou understands that it is because Jiang Yan Hui values him and is good to him, otherwise why wouldn't she urge others to learn?
Ah Chou touched the dagger hanging at her waist and smiled sweetly.
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