Chapter 40 Forty Years Old, Like a Man's Heart Fading Away
The emperor's aura was imposing and inviolable. Jing Ye glanced at the corner of the emperor's dragon robe out of the corner of his eye. Only he in the whole world was worthy of wearing it, and he was able to wear bright yellow.
Jing Ye raised his head, looked directly into Xu Heng's eyes, and showed no intention of backing down.
“General, your armor is cold and heavy, it won’t do you any good for the Immortal Master’s health. It’s best to let go sooner rather than later.” Xu Heng said, wrapping his arm around Wang Yuying’s waist and taking her away without a word. The moment he touched Wang Yuying through her clothes, Xu Heng’s right arm instinctively tightened, his five fingers spreading around her waist to hold her tightly. But inside him, there were invisible needles, constantly pricking his heart.
Before the other two generals and soldiers, Xu Heng still held his head high and solemnly ordered, "Return to the palace."
*
When Wang Yuying woke up, she was still on her bed in the west wing. Besides Juanxue, Shuangtian, and Chuying, there was also a female physician surnamed Hong from the Imperial Pharmacy guarding her bedside.
It's the same person who hired Juanxue before.
"Immortal Master, you're awake!" Everyone was overjoyed.
The female physician Hong said, "Master, your dizziness and vertigo are not due to the superficial tissues of your body, but rather to the shock that has affected your mind. This is what is known as the 'stunning of the spirit.' The Ling Shu says, 'When the spirit is agitated, the Qi is disordered; when the Qi is disordered, the orifices are blocked.' The gallbladder meridian is being stimulated."
Wang Yuying tried to sit up, supporting herself with her hands, and Juanxue and Shuangtian rushed to help her. Wang Yuying first bowed to Doctor Hong, and then leaned against the headboard: "Thank you, Lord Hong. It's been four years, but you still relieve my worries."
Doctor Hong smiled and said, "Immortal Master, you don't need to be so polite. Actually, it's only been two years since we last met."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuying immediately understood that the illness she had suffered two years ago had been taken care of by this female doctor. However, she was in a daze at the time and only remembered a few officials from the Imperial Hospital, not this female doctor, Ms. Hong.
Wang Yuying bowed again: "I am so sorry, I was unconscious at the time and did not know of your kindness. Now that I know, I will definitely repay you."
"No need, no need, you flatter me, Immortal Master." Doctor Hong hurriedly waved her hand, "It's just a small matter, it's what I should do."
She was sent by the emperor to take care of Wang Yuying. Seeing how ill she was, she was so sad that she shed a few tears. She thought to herself that it was really miserable for a woman who was rejected by the emperor. She was left in Yuqing Temple for three years without any regard for her. Only when she was about to die was a royal physician called. Moreover, there were many strange things about her illness.
But now things are different. Consort Jiang has fallen out of favor, the emperor has changed his mind, and the immortal master has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.
The female doctor, Dr. Hong, said softly, "When you fainted just now, I dared to take your pulse. Your pulse is strong when you feel it deeply and long when you feel it superficially. It is completely different from the weak pulse you had two years ago."
Wang Yuying was happy to hear that her health was improving day by day. Xu Heng had previously given her many treasures, and Ming Juanshuang took out a few to thank Doctor Hong.
When Dr. Hong took her leave, Wang Yuying sat on the bed and watched her go. As soon as the door closed, she glanced at Juanxue and said, "Speak, what is it?"
I could hardly contain my anger when I saw the snowflakes.
Juanxue stepped forward: "Congratulations, Immortal Master, Jiang Shuren is dead!"
Shuangtian was also happy. Chu Ying had just arrived and had only heard a little bit of the past from the two maids, but she was happy for Wang Yuying.
Wang Yuying, however, remained unsmiling: "How did he die?"
"Of course it was His Majesty's decree. Last night, Eunuch Qingfu brought a white silk ribbon and a bottle of poison to the Yeting Palace, and gave Consort Jiang a choice between the two. Consort Jiang, however, only insisted on seeing His Majesty, saying that she would refuse to accept it if His Majesty did not come. In the end, she had both of them added to her body when she died. I heard from the palace servants in the Yeting Palace that her body looked terrible when it was carried out."
"His Majesty didn't go, did he?"
Wang Yuying's tone didn't sound like a question, but Juanxue still answered: "Yes, His Majesty would never pay attention to someone like her again. He didn't even go there! It's said that before Consort Jiang died, she would sometimes denounce His Majesty and sometimes cry about her years of affection for him. It seemed that she was still somewhat confused until her death. Anyway, in the end, her wailing could be heard throughout the entire Yeting Palace."
Everyone in the inner palace said it was bleak and eerie. When Juanxue and Shuangtian talked about it, they couldn't help but get goosebumps and hug their arms: "Everyone says this is retribution for Jiang Shuren's previous bewitching of the Empress Dowager and bullying the Immortal Master."
"Yes, Heaven has finally opened its eyes and reversed the fate of you, Immortal Master, and Jiang Shuren, restoring justice."
"Congratulations, Immortal Master, your great revenge has been achieved!"
Wang Yuying's face remained expressionless. She struggled to get out of bed, and everyone came to help her, but she waved them off, saying, "I'm fine now." As she dressed, Wang Yuying asked, "You all said Jiang Mei had bewitched the Empress Dowager?"
"I forgot that the Immortal Master doesn't know..." Juanxue hurriedly informed, "His Majesty has already issued an edict to the world, stating that the Empress Dowager is virtuous by nature, but was misled by the Jiang family and Jiang Shuren, these treacherous officials, which is why she hid weapons in Tonghua Temple. His Majesty, mindful of family ties, repeatedly issued imperial edicts, tearfully advising her, but the Empress Dowager remained obstinate. For the sake of the ancestral temples and the state, His Majesty had no choice but to personally lead the campaign. The might of Heaven was unstoppable, the rebels were routed, and the Empress Dowager died in Tonghua Temple. His Majesty is heartbroken, and today he is wearing mourning clothes and suspending court. In the future, she will be buried with the rites due to an Empress Dowager and enshrined in the Temple of the Late Emperor."
As for the rest, the two maids told Wang Yuying that the Jiang family had been completely wiped out and that not a single person was left.
So Jiang Mei was also the last member of the Jiang family, Wang Yuying thought to herself.
The flowers in the inner palace couldn't survive the freezing cold and died.
The weeds at Yuqing Temple survived three harsh winters, only to spring back to life with the spring breeze.
As the saying goes, "A man's infatuation can be explained, but a woman's infatuation cannot." A woman's withdrawal is gradual, still showing lingering affection, while a man's withdrawal is always sudden and ruthless, even leaving women puzzled as to why a man becomes heartless the moment he stops loving.
Jiang Mei is dead. Wang Yuying should be overjoyed, but for some reason, she feels no joy at all, but instead a deep sense of sorrow.
Because their master looked somber, none of the three maids dared to speak, and the silence in the room made it somewhat awkward.
"Immortal Master," Juanxue whispered, "there's one more thing..."
"What? You said it?" Wang Yuying's heart was still cold when she spoke.
Juanxue leaned closer, a smile involuntarily playing on her lips: "His Majesty has dismissed all the imperial concubines in the inner court. Now, only you, Immortal Master, and Her Majesty the Empress remain in the palace."
Everyone could see that the Empress was merely a figurehead, and the immortal masters were the ultimate winners.
"Someone's coming!" Chu Ying suddenly interrupted. She couldn't quite understand what Juan Xue and Shuang Tian had been saying, and her head was throbbing. So she simply focused on the sounds coming from outside the house and even the yard.
Everyone inside immediately perked up.
Sure enough, a knock came shortly after: "His Majesty has arrived!"
The three maids didn't go to open the door; instead, they glanced at Wang Yuying first.
"Let him in."
Having received permission, Chu Ying went to open the door. Xu Heng stepped into the courtyard alone, where the imperial carriage and a group of eunuchs carrying incense and holding canopies were waiting outside.
Wang Yuying sat inside the house, looking out over Xu Heng's shoulder at the courtyard. It had been a long time since she had seen him make such a grand entrance, especially since he was coming to her place.
She withdrew her gaze and looked Xu Heng up and down as he entered the room. He was indeed dressed in plain clothes, with a white jade crown on his head. His round-necked robe was so clean that there wasn't even a dark pattern on it. The only accessory he wore was that half piece of white jade pendant.
She remained completely unmoved, but Xu Heng looked her over with a warm smile and asked gently, "Feeling better?"
Wang Yuying nodded.
Xu Heng immediately continued, "You scared me to death."
There was a hint of lingering fear in his tone, but the next moment he joked with her, "I didn't expect you to be afraid of huge things. How come the Floating Mountain wasn't scared of you?"
“That’s different.” The statues in famous mountains and rivers and Tonghua Temple have a completely different feel, but she didn’t want to waste her breath explaining it to Xu Heng in detail.
Xu Heng, however, was filled with excitement, a thrill of finally accomplishing something great. Since last night, while wrapping up his work, he only wanted to share everything with Wang Yuying: the reorganization of his private army, the promotion and demotion of court officials, and the capture and killing of the remaining Jiang Zemin rebels in various places overnight, taking advantage of their unpreparedness, and so on. He hadn't slept since returning from Tonghua Temple, and this morning, as soon as he finished his work, he rushed to the West Palace.
He raised his hand, and the three maids immediately retreated to the courtyard.
Only Xu Heng and Wang Yuying remained in the room. He lowered his arms and took another step closer to her: "Yingniang."
It was a lover's soft murmur, their lips brimming with tenderness. He gazed intently at Wang Yuying, his eyes burning, his chest heaving slightly: "We won."
It was harder than ascending to heaven, but they still won; he was the destined true dragon.
Of course, he still had to tell Wang Yuying that while she was happy, she should remain vigilant and not let her guard down. Xu Heng had just opened his mouth when Wang Yuying interrupted, "Yes, so Your Majesty should keep your promise and allow me to move out of the palace today."
Xu Heng's smile vanished instantly. He had been hoping that if Wang Yuying cooperated today and they could reconcile, he would discuss the matter of reinstating the empress with her.
The two men inside the room faced each other with cold expressions. Xu Heng said, "Are you in such a hurry? Anyone who didn't know better would think there was someone waiting outside the palace."
“Not as eager as His Majesty,” Wang Yuying retorted immediately. “He can’t even wait until the next day to eliminate the root of the problem. Anyone who doesn’t know the situation would think His Majesty is in a hurry to erase something that can’t be seen in the light of day.”
Jiang Mei was also a part of him that he couldn't bear to be seen by others, and he couldn't wait to get rid of her, so how could he possibly see Jiang Mei again? But he was also afraid that if he didn't keep an eye on her, Jiang Mei would fake her death and get away, so he sent Qingfu to go in person.
Wang Yuying couldn't help but smile.
Xu Heng noticed this and suddenly felt a little uneasy: "What are you laughing at?"
"As the saying goes, even a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of kindness. She's someone who would give her whole life for you. How can you be so heartless?" Wang Yuying's words were as cold as the moonlit night in autumn, as cold as fingertips frozen in winter.
Xu Heng frowned. From beginning to end, he only recognized Wang Yuying as his wife. How could Jiang Mei be worthy of that common saying? "Do you know? Before you entered Yuqing Temple, Jiang Mei, through the Jiang family, gave each of the two nuns in the temple fifty taels of gold to deal with you." Xu Heng flicked his sleeve. "Just for this one thing, I cannot forgive her!"
He did it all for Wang Yuying.
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuying completely lost the will to argue with Xu Heng and returned to the original topic: "I want to find a house in the west of the city, close to the West Police Station, so it will be convenient to move things."
“You live in the east of the city,” Xu Heng immediately denied, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “I will make arrangements for you.”
Wang Yuying's mind raced, but she feigned a terrified expression: "I don't want to live near Tonghua Temple!" She glared at Xu Heng, "Don't you think I've scared you enough?"
Xu Heng felt a tingling sensation in his heart and quickly apologized softly, "It's my fault, I didn't think it through." He bowed and looked at Wang Yuying sitting at eye level, explaining with a smile, "The main problem is that there aren't many good houses in the west. So, I won't arrange one for you. You can choose one in the south or north yourself? The location in the south of the city is good, and the scenery in the north is even better."
Wang Yuying rested her elbows on the table, propped her head up with her hand, seemingly deep in thought. After a while, she puffed out her cheeks and said, "Alright then."
To be honest, doing all these kinds of actions at my age is a bit disgusting.
Xu Heng couldn't get enough of her; his heart was filled with affection, especially for her coquettishness and playful reproach, which reminded him of the time when he was a prince and they were inseparable. "Then go and choose for yourself. Once you've chosen, let me know so I can congratulate you on your housewarming."
Wang Yuying smiled at him and said, "Then thank you very much, Your Majesty."
Xu Heng smiled and thought, "It would have been so much better if we had discussed this earlier." He couldn't help but raise his right arm, wanting to put his arm around Wang Yuying's waist.
Wang Yuying deftly dodged the attack with a swift movement of her hand: "Alas, His Majesty hasn't fully fulfilled his promise to me yet!"
And there's also military training?
Xu Heng thought she wouldn't act until she saw the benefit, and that the thorn that had stuck in his heart at Tonghua Temple yesterday had been removed instead.
As long as that's her reason, he's not in a hurry. Xu Heng lowered his hand, used his eyes instead of his index finger to gently stroke the tip of her nose, and smiled: "You'll strike while the iron is hot with me, so come with me."
Wang Yuying was half-believing and half-doubting, but followed Xu Heng out of the western palace. Xu Heng invited her to ride in the imperial carriage, but she refused outright and walked instead. Seeing this, Xu Heng also abandoned the imperial carriage and walked, with the eunuchs carrying the empty carriage following at a distance. Some of the older men who had served the emperor unconsciously recalled that in the first year of the Yuanjia era, the emperor and empress often strolled through the palace like this.
But back then they were always holding hands. Sometimes the Gesang flowers in front of them would attract the deposed empress, and she would let go of the emperor's hand and run to admire the flowers. After a while, she would turn back, and the emperor would hurry to catch up. The two of them would reach out their hands and hold each other's hands again.
Qingfu remembered seeing the deposed empress walking around in circles several times, with the emperor holding her hand tightly and raising his right arm to watch her turn under his arm, a smile on his face.
On this journey, the emperor and the immortal master remained half an arm's length apart.
"I intend to change the reign title," Xu Heng said.
Wang Yuying didn't respond; it wasn't her business.
Xu Heng remained silent. Occasionally, the chirping of birds could be heard. The sun shone brightly, and golden chrysanthemums lined both sides of the road. Only after leading Wang Yuying to the entrance of the Ministry of War did Xu Heng turn around with his hands behind his back and ask her, "This is none of your business, isn't it?"
Wang Yuying nodded.
Xu Heng smiled and introduced Wang Yuying to the Minister of War, the Vice Minister, and the commander of the Imperial Guards, among others. He then arranged for Wang Yuying to first train the Imperial Guards with Instructor Chu, and after becoming familiar with them, to work under a Mr. Han, a clerk in the Ministry of War, gradually accumulating seniority. The generals of the Ministry of War naturally introduced Wang Yuying to the Imperial Guards within the city and also mentioned the large camp in the suburbs of the capital.
After all the generals had left, Xu Heng said to Wang Yuying with a serious expression, "Starting tomorrow, you will go to the palace with the other officials to report for duty. Be conscientious and do not be late or leave early. Although I am the emperor, I cannot neglect public duty for private reasons.
Wang Yuying nodded. "Don't worry, she will be careful and diligent, and will never make a single mistake."
Xu Heng then casually added, "You promised me you wouldn't leave the city, so I arranged for you to be in the Imperial Guard, without considering the main camp outside the capital."
Wang Yuying nodded again, pretending not to know his ulterior motives, but in her heart she thought that apart from not being allowed to go to the camp in the suburbs of Beijing, the instructor Chu and the head of the Han department he arranged were both old men over seventy years old.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Xu Heng noticed her distraction.
"I was thinking of leaving the palace to find Fang Ya after I finished my work," Wang Yuying casually made up.
Xu Heng tugged at the corners of his lips, and after a moment, said softly, "Come with me again."
Wang Yuying frowned slightly. What was she going to do? Hadn't it been agreed that as long as it wasn't in the west, it didn't matter where she lived?
Xu Heng glanced at Wang Yuying, then slowly turned around. Wang Yuying hesitated for a moment before following Xu Heng.
Xu Heng paused in front of a side hall in the Ministry of War where meetings were held, and it seemed he wanted Wang Yuying to go in first.
Wang Yuying glanced at Xu Heng out of the corner of her eye, then reached out and pushed the door open. As soon as the door opened, she turned to him and asked, "Why did you bring me here?"
The side hall was empty; there was nothing there.
Xu Heng turned around, put his hands behind his back, and walked away. Wang Yuying frowned and called out, "Hey, where are you going?"
She glared at Xu Heng's retreating figure and was about to leave when she heard someone call out "Young Miss." She froze, and looking in the direction of the voice, she saw an eunuch leading a group of Zhu Zi and Ding Man, who had fought fiercely at Tonghua Temple, along with four veteran soldiers from the General Who Conquers the West, into a side hall.
Wang Yuying glanced back at Xu Heng, then turned back and stepped into the side hall.
Then the eunuch led in a woman wearing a veil, followed by two palace maids. After the eunuch left and the side hall door closed, the woman lifted the white veil hanging from the veil. Wang Yuying saw the woman's face but felt she was unfamiliar. Could it be... the older sister she played with when she was a child?
Having not seen each other for many years, both had changed a lot with age, and Wang Yuying dared not recognize her. While she hesitated, the woman bowed to Wang Yuying first, and said with a smile as she stood up, "Yingniang, I am Chen Wan!"
That was her elder sister's full name, and Wang Yuying's eyes instantly lit up with envy. Chen Wan had already stood up, and Wang Yuying went forward to help her up.
Chen Wan smiled and said, "His Majesty has kept in mind the childhood friendship you once mentioned to him, and has specially summoned me to the palace today to reunite with you, Yingniang. His divine grace is boundless, allowing us to continue our past bond."
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