Chapter 15 Fifteen A solitary figure, haggard and forlorn.
Wang Yuying raised her hand and touched Jing Ye's chin: "Go to sleep."
The two fell asleep in each other's arms. After a while, Wang Yuying turned her back to him, and Jing Ye, having fallen asleep, unknowingly let go of her.
At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), Jing Ye woke up as usual, quietly got up, and Wang Yuying turned around to look at him. Jing Ye smiled, his voice softer than a bandit's: "I'm leaving, you can sleep a little longer."
Wang Yuying didn't turn over again, only closing her eyes. After Jing Ye finished dressing, he turned to leave, but couldn't help but glance at her again. Wang Yuying's sleeping face was so beautiful, with red lips, fair skin, and black hair spread out like silk. He couldn't bear to turn away, so he stayed in that position, backing towards the door, his face full of smiles, his tender gaze always fixed on Wang Yuying's face.
After Jing Ye left, Wang Yuying went back to sleep and didn't get up until Chenshi (7-9 AM).
The sky was bright.
She fends for herself in the backyard. The small cubicle next to the bedroom serves as the kitchen. She bakes a flatbread, slices it open with a knife, and spreads her homemade perilla sauce on it—that's her breakfast. As she eats, Wang Yuying looks out the window, thinking that the osmanthus flowers will bloom in a few days, and then she can make osmanthus sauce. She glances at the water vat; there's less than half left.
After she finished eating, she picked up a carrying pole and a bucket and went up the back mountain to fetch water—being left to fend for oneself meant having to do everything herself.
Actually, Jingye had asked her about this when he boiled water for her to bathe her last time.
If she says she needs to cross mountains and fetch water, without her having to ask, Jingye will definitely help her carry the water every day without stopping.
Wang Yuying lied to him, saying there was a well in the temple and she would dig it there—deep down, she didn't think she would stay with Jing Ye for long, didn't want to rely on him, and didn't want him to interfere too much in her life.
Jingye choked for a moment, then swallowed the rest of his words.
There's a small door in Wang Yuying's backyard. Once the lock is opened and the tangled iron chains are untied, you can exit directly. It's a steep uphill climb, quite a while, with vines hanging on both sides.
Wang Yuying took a break midway through the journey. Looking up, she saw clouds near and mountains far. Two or three birds flew over from behind the mountains. If she calmed down, she could hear the sound of the wind in the distant forest.
Wang Yuying continued walking uphill, and once the terrain was completely flat, she entered the bamboo forest behind the mountain.
There was a stream in the middle, winding and babbling, and everyone in the temple drank from it; the water was pure and sweet. The moss in the forest was slippery, and the morning mist was thick. Before Wang Yuying even reached the water source, the hem of her robe was already soaked.
As she carried water out of the woods, she bumped into two girls who were younger than her.
The two women had also come to fetch water. Wang Yuying remembered them; the one with round eyes was called Baoyi, and the one with a mole on her lip was called Fuyi. Upon seeing Wang Yuying, the two women fled into the bamboo grove like mice before a cat.
Wang Yuying just laughed it off.
These two nuns were the abbot's personal disciples. When Wang Yuying first entered the temple, the abbot ordered the two to assist her in familiarizing herself with the temple's daily life. Perhaps they had been bribed and were intent on harming Wang Yuying.
The two women led Wang Yuying into the bamboo forest and then disappeared. It was winter, and the fog in the bamboo forest was several times thicker than it is today, so thick that one could not see their own hand in front of their face. After groping around for a while, Wang Yuying finally figured out that the bamboo forest was arranged according to the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams.
Fortunately, Wang Yuying had followed her father in military campaigns since she was a child and knew how to break through enemy lines. She was not trapped and managed to get out of the bamboo forest in a quarter of an hour.
She went to the abbot to seek justice, but unexpectedly, the two nuns, being wicked, filed a false accusation and turned the tables on her. They hugged the abbot and cried, accusing Wang Yuying of bullying and evil deeds.
Wang Yuying communicated with the abbot, who reprimanded Fu Yi and Bao Yi, but did not actually punish them. Before long, many rumors about Wang Yuying bullying the weak spread in the temple, including slanders against her character and the Wang family.
This time, Wang Yuying didn't go to the abbot; instead, she gave Bao Yi and Fu Yi a severe beating. Wasn't she lying about hitting them? Well, let's make that a reality!
That day, the abbot came to the backyard to plead for the two disciples.
Wang Yuying scoffed. This was exactly like Xu Heng. When Jiang Mei spread rumors about her, Xu Heng vaguely served water. But when she retaliated against Jiang Mei, he stepped in to defend her and advised her not to hold a grudge against Jiang Mei. As they talked, he remembered Jiang Mei's life-saving grace.
Wang Yuying angrily flung her sleeves and said, "I will insist on making a fuss!"
Xu Heng looked at her as if she were an enemy, cold and defensive, disgusted and tired: "Don't be so unforgiving and aggressive."
Wang Yuying laughed, a laugh as cold as Xu Heng's reflection in her eyes. Not to mention that she had also saved Xu Heng, he could have stopped her much earlier, but he insisted on waiting until Jiang Mei was wronged before stepping forward.
He didn't feel pain when the stick hit Wang Yuying, but he really felt pain when it hit Jiang Mei.
Wang Yuying couldn't help but wonder if, during the days when she was fighting the rumors and engaging in verbal battles alone, Xu Heng was secretly glad that it wasn't his Mei Niang who was in the eye of the storm.
She couldn't make that assumption; the thought alone caused her excruciating pain.
She felt that Xu Heng looked at Jiang Mei with pity and trust, just like he used to look at her.
Wang Yuying ignored the abbot's pleas for leniency. After that, whenever she encountered someone trying to help another, she would beat them without hesitation. Anyone who bullied or insulted her would be beaten by her without mercy.
She wasn't afraid of the abbot going to the government office; even if he went to the highest level, it would only mean appealing to the emperor. She had already slapped him before, and she would slap the heavens as well.
A person with no attachments has no weaknesses and is willing to risk everything.
Wang Yuying didn't know if the abbot had gone to the city to complain, but afterwards all the nuns in the temple avoided her, and no one dared to approach the backyard anymore.
Finally, it's quiet.
But Wang Yuying was hurt again later. When she went down the mountain to buy meat, she bumped into the abbot leading and helping her disciple down the mountain. Even though they were still some distance apart, the abbot hurriedly used his body to block his beloved disciple.
Wang Yuying's vision blurred, and the abbot transformed back into Xu Heng. He was still protecting Jiang Mei, looking panicked and acting hastily, standing between her and Jiang Mei.
Every time Wang Yuying got angry, she would turn around and leave, but Xu Heng would catch up with her, try to comfort her, and apologize by explaining his predicament.
She was so naive back then, so clueless, such a fool! She actually believed that Xu Heng still chose her and loved her. Later, she found out that while he was making up with her, he was secretly compensating Jiang Mei.
He actually felt guilty towards Jiang Mei, which is why he was able to reconcile with Wang Yuying and continue to be with Jiang Mei.
When he agreed to Wang Yuying's request to abandon Jiang Mei, there was a hint of barely suppressed pain in his eyes, a pain of parting.
She just couldn't understand it back then.
In the end, their love faded away, and they became bitter enemies. However, his affection for Jiang Mei grew stronger and stronger over the past three years. Although she heard that Xu Heng's new empress was not Jiang Mei, Wang Yuying believed that he did so for the sake of his reputation—a wise ruler shouldn't favor a foolish one.
Every time she thought of this, the sarcasm on Wang Yuying's lips grew stronger.
The two Taoist nuns avoided her like the plague, but Wang Yuying acted openly and honestly, doing whatever she pleased. She carried water into the courtyard, locked the door, and isolated herself from the world. After filling the water vat, she practiced swordsmanship for an hour before cooking lunch.
After eating, take advantage of the good sunshine to wash and dry the clothes.
After finishing her work, she would move the recliner into the yard, cover her face with a handkerchief, and take a short nap. When she woke up, she would read and then cook dinner. Her days passed in an orderly fashion, and she didn't feel lonely. When she was in a good mood, Wang Yuying would hum a little tune.
After washing the dishes, night fell, and I thought I'd bring in the clothes that had been drying before I lit the lamp.
When Wang Yuying returned to the courtyard, she first gathered up her undergarments and trousers. When she took off the unique Taoist robe, she reached inside and touched it; the lining was damp.
Wang Yuying turned her Taoist robe inside out, stood on tiptoe, and draped it back over the clothesline.
The next instant, her gaze turned cold and sharp, shooting towards the back gate like a flying arrow—there was someone standing outside!
She remained motionless, staring intently at the door.
The person didn't move; they just stood there behind the door.
For a long time, the man did not knock on the door. Instead, he lingered outside the door, making some obvious footsteps, as if he wanted Wang Yuying to hear him.
Wang Yuying raised the corners of her lips and let out a sneer that was laced with frost and had a long, drawn-out ending, making sure the person outside could hear it clearly.
There was silence outside.
Wang Yuying withdrew her gaze, continued hanging her clothes, then went back into the house and closed the door, decisively and without any lingering attachment.
She lit three lamps in her chamber, illuminating every corner, making it brighter than the sparsely starlit night sky.
The moonlight, like water, poured over the forbidden palace.
There were few memorials to review today, so Xu Heng finished reviewing them early. Afterwards, he privately discussed politics with Yu Mingzhe, the Minister of Justice, and finished around 5:30 pm.
Minister Yu rose and said, "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
Xu Heng nodded and smiled, "There's no curfew tonight, go back and have a good look around."
Yu Mingzhe did indeed intend to accompany his wife to the lantern festival. Upon hearing the emperor's words, this usually taciturn official actually smiled and took the initiative to tell him, "I was just about to go back and go shopping with my wife. The lanterns are very beautiful; she has been thinking about them for a whole year."
"Is that so?" Xu Heng said softly.
Yu Mingzhe nodded: "The trees are illuminated by thousands of lights, and there will be fireworks in the next two years, which will be very spectacular."
Xu Heng listened silently. He had checked with the Vice Prime Minister, the Minister of Rites, and others, so how could he not know about the arrangements for the lantern festival? He had just been busy with government affairs and had not seen it in person.
Looking at the somber emperor, Yu Mingzhe kindly suggested, "On this auspicious night, why doesn't Your Majesty go on an incognito tour with the Empress and share the joy with the people?"
Xu Heng suddenly thought of Wang Yuying and trembled uncontrollably, a secret joy flashing across his face like a white horse galloping by. Then he realized that the current empress was Wei Shi, and his spirits instantly turned ashen.
He forced a smile: "Never mind, I have other matters to attend to."
Today is neither the first nor the fifteenth of the month, so there's no need to see Lady Wei.
Yu Mingzhe naturally wouldn't force the emperor; he closed his lips, bowed, and took his leave.
Xu Heng sat quietly behind his desk.
After a long while, he turned around, his sleeve brushing against the table with a soft sound.
Qingfu hurriedly stepped forward: "Does Your Majesty wish to return to your palace?"
Xu Heng nodded: "Bring me a set of casual clothes, I'd like to go for a walk outside the palace."
Qingfu's brow twitched, but he quickly brought out a dark blue round-necked robe. Xu Heng changed into it and tied his hair with a sandalwood hairpin. Qingfu also changed into a servant and they left the palace together.
As soon as they reached the end of Zhuque Avenue and the entrance to the market, Xu Heng stopped the carriage: "Don't follow me, I'll stroll around by myself."
"That won't do!" Qingfu exclaimed urgently, "You're all alone—"
The conversation abruptly stopped as Xu Heng raised his hand, signaling for silence.
Qingfu swallowed, and Xu Heng said, "You wait here, I'll be back in a bit."
With pedestrians passing by, Qingfu changed his words, saying, "Master, please be careful."
Xu Heng nodded and joined the crowd on Zhuque Street. The sounds of carriages and horses blended together, the shouts and laughter from teahouses and taverns rose and fell, and lanterns hung high, their lights shimmering like an endless starry river. A family of three brushed past Xu Heng; the little boy, clutching his parents' hands, bent his legs and lowered himself down, while the parents raised their arms in response: "Let's swing!"
Xu Heng turned his head and glanced at the backs of the family of three. Then he saw seven or eight people coming out of the restaurant across the street. They looked like three generations living together. The son already had two half-grown sons, and the parents were still alive.
"Watch out!"
Hearing someone remind him from behind, Xu Heng quickly turned to the side. A young woman who almost bumped into his back hurriedly pulled back the sugar candy in her hand and said with relief, "Thank goodness, you almost got hit."
Xu Heng glanced at his back; there was indeed nothing there.
Before he could fully look away, another young man came running up. He was short and kept apologizing to Xu Heng, saying that his wife had been reckless and had offended her husband.
"It's alright." Xu Heng smiled faintly, watching the young couple walk away. He saw that the two held hands after only a few steps, chatting and laughing.
Xu Heng's gaze slowly moved upwards, and he saw the river of lights again.
"Thousands of lights..." he sighed inwardly, looking down at himself, his shadow stretching long across the bluestone slab.
Xu Heng's mood shifted from gloom to sadness as he walked on in silence. He felt like a stranger from another world who had stumbled into the lantern festival; all the liveliness was separated by an invisible barrier and had nothing to do with him.
Xu Heng's smile returned only when he caught sight of Wang Ji Fried Balls' signboard.
This is a shop opened in Beijing by people from northern Xinjiang. Among the dozen or so kinds of meatballs, Wang Yuying's favorite is the radish meatball made from water radish. She craves it every two or three days and never gets tired of it.
She fell in love with this food first, and then followed him to the northern frontier.
Since he couldn't afford to buy fried radish balls from outside shops, and not wanting her to crave them, Xu Heng figured out the proportions, cooking time, and oil temperature himself, and actually managed to replicate the exact same taste as Wang Ji's radish balls.
He remembered that he tried thirteen times before succeeding, with Wang Yuying helping him along the way. Conditions were tough back then; they didn't have many things, not even a kitchen knife. She used her ancestral three-foot sword to chop meat and peel radishes.
They found joy even in hardship, and neither of them felt the suffering.
Xu Heng remembered spending Qixi Festival with Wang Yuying in northern Xinjiang for several years in a row. Because they didn't have much money, the gifts Wang Yuying gave him were poems she wrote and paintings she painted herself. He was very happy, but he couldn't help but tease her: "You've received these four times in a row. Next year, it won't be just a few strokes and a few lines, will it?"
"No!" Wang Yuying pushed him.
It seemed she had already chosen her gift for next year. Xu Heng couldn't help but lean closer: "What is it? Tell me..."
She always smelled nice, and he would sniff her again and again.
"Guess." Wang Yuying smiled and leaned into his arms. She couldn't keep secrets and couldn't resist Xu Heng's persistent pleading. She quickly revealed that she planned to sew him a belt by hand next year.
Soon after, he was urgently summoned back to the capital to succeed to the throne. In the years that followed, there were arguments and broken promises year after year. Now he is rich and powerful, but he still has not received that belt.
He wanted it so badly, he was itching to get it and his eyes were practically burning with envy.
He really shouldn't have argued with her, held a grudge, and stubbornly refused to back down.
Despite the bright lights all around, Xu Heng was shrouded in layers of dark clouds.
Another young couple walked past him in a blaze of light. The boy stole a glance at the girl, but unlike the other girls, she didn't blush and actually looked back at him, making the boy blush instead.
Exactly the same!
His experience was exactly the same as when he first got together with Wang Yuying!
Xu Heng couldn't help but feel his eyes redden.
He stared intently at the young couple's tightly clasped fingers, his eyes reddening as he watched them chase each other, play, and laugh heartily. The two were so young and determined, believing that their hands would stay together until they grew old, and they never thought of letting go.
Xu Heng closed his eyes and lowered his head, his Adam's apple bobbing. He couldn't look anymore; if he did, he would lose his composure and burst into tears.
As the carriage passed by, Xu Heng retreated completely into the shadows on the side of the street.
Suddenly, he spotted another couple holding hands.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
