Chapter 42 Forty-two Red and Purple Flowers in Full Bloom
At this time, Wang Yuying thought most about her father, who often emphasized the importance of maps when he was leading troops into battle.
How wonderful it would be if my father were alive to see this picture.
Wang Yuying couldn't help but glance at the ceiling.
Xu Heng saw this, remained silent for a moment, then slid his long index finger across the map back to the capital, pointing to a training ground in the city: "From now on, you will train here with Instructor Chu. He and Chief Han are both highly experienced veterans who have weathered many storms. You must study diligently and as your seniority increases, I will be able to promote you."
Wang Yuying nodded: "Your Majesty is right."
They fell silent, and a long silence followed.
Xu Heng's Adam's apple bobbed: "When are you going to look for a residence?"
"I plan to go back to Xisuo and then go see Fang Ya." Wang Yuying took the opportunity to say goodbye to Xu Heng.
Xu Heng nodded slightly, watching Wang Yuying until she was out of sight, before putting away the map again and sitting down to handle government affairs.
After leaving the Imperial Study, Wang Yuying realized that she had to pass through the Ministry of War to get back to the West Palace. Her attitude towards Xu Heng worsened, and she cursed him inwardly for making her take unnecessary detours.
The wind didn't change direction; on the way back, the white veil of the veil no longer lifted, but instead scratched her face. Repeatedly, until the itching became so bad that Wang Yuying removed the veil and held it in her hand.
She bypassed the Ministry of War, and as she turned a corner, she unexpectedly saw Zheng Yangzhi walking on the same road. Wang Yuying was going west while he was going east, and he slowly approached her.
Zheng Yangzhi was still wearing his official robe, but the color had changed from purple to scarlet, and the pattern embroidered on the robe had changed from a tall crane to a short-legged white pheasant.
He was demoted.
Looking further into the distance, Wang Yuying saw that Zheng Yangzhi had come from the direction of the Court of State Ceremonies, and the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies was a fifth-rank official in scarlet robes. Based on her understanding of Xu Heng, she was almost certain that he had found an excuse to arrive late to save the emperor and demoted Zheng Yangzhi to the position of Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.
Wang Yuying had just heard from the Ministry of War officials that, in accordance with the Emperor's will, aristocratic families were to reduce their slaves and private armies were to be strictly investigated starting last night. Was Zheng Yangzhi's trip to Tonghua Temple to protect the Emperor worthwhile?
Or does he, like himself, have ulterior motives?
Wang Yuying wanted to ridicule Zheng Yangzhi, but she was afraid he would play the victim, so she gritted her teeth and kept silent. She moved to the right to create some distance, intending to pretend she hadn't seen him.
"Immortal Master," Zheng Yangzhi called out, taking three steps at a time to cross the stone path and stand before Wang Yuying. As if guessing what she had originally intended to say in a mocking tone, he answered with his eyes, his gaze filled with regret, redemption, and love, but without a trace of remorse.
Wang Yuying lifted her eyelids and looked Zheng Yangzhi up and down, not paying much attention to the color of his eyes, only thinking: This person looks even more alluring in red.
Zheng Yangzhi took out a small white jade gourd-shaped bottle from his sleeve. The bottle seemed to be extremely thin, and when the sunlight shone on it, one could see that the ointment inside had reached the neck of the bottle. Zheng Yangzhi said, "Seeing that the Immortal Master's eyes are red and swollen, this ointment will not only immediately reduce the redness and swelling, but also moisturize the skin." He looked at Wang Yuying, his eyes sparkling, "I'm using this now too."
Wang Yuying sighed inwardly, a reminder that he was still covered in wounds.
She looked around. There were guards at the gates of the Ministry of War and the Court of State Ceremonial, and eunuchs occasionally passed by. She estimated that news of her conversation with Zheng Yangzhi would soon reach Xu Heng's ears, but since Zheng Yangzhi didn't care, she didn't care either.
Wang Yuying raised an eyebrow and refused: "No need, my eyes will be fine in less than half a day. You should keep them for yourself. With so many injuries on your body, I'm afraid it won't be enough."
Zheng Yangzhi held the jade bottle in his right hand and chuckled to himself.
Wang Yuying was about to walk past Zheng Yangzhi when Zheng Yangzhi suddenly spoke up again: "Just now, inside the Honglu Temple, I inadvertently saw several former generals of the Western Expeditionary Army leaving the Ministry of War. Now, seeing the Immortal Master's almond-shaped eyes filled with peach blossoms, I dare to guess that you cried because of the great joy and sorrow of reuniting?"
Wang Yuying remained silent, her lips pressed together.
Zheng Yangzhi continued slowly, "Three years ago, the Immortal Master was expelled from the capital, and the whole world knew about it. But these people didn't care at all. They didn't even send a message, let alone visit Yuqing Temple. Communication was cut off. Although we have resumed communication now, the Immortal Master stayed away when he was in trouble and came to claim kinship when things were peaceful. No matter how deep the relationship is, it can't be that deep. It's not the kind of friendship that comes when someone is in need."
As Zheng Yangzhi put the porcelain bottle back into his sleeve, he kept his eyes fixed on Wang Yuying: "I'm not saying this to stop the Immortal Master from reuniting with his family, but I'm worried that the Immortal Master is a person of deep feelings, and if he pours out his heart again, he might get hurt. It would be better to test him with only three parts of his feelings, and keep seven parts to protect himself."
Wang Yuying neither confirmed nor denied it.
A moment later, he walked straight past Zheng Yangzhi.
Zheng Yangzhi stood there for a moment, watching them go, then turned and continued on his way.
After Wang Yuying returned to the West Palace, she told everyone about moving out of the palace and asked Chu Ying, Juan Xue, and Shuang Tian to come with her. She also showed everyone the talisman. Everyone was delighted, especially Chu Ying, who, upon hearing that she could move freely on the streets in the future, had already started counting down the days until the relocation.
"I'll do it as soon as possible." Wang Yuying didn't want to disappoint everyone. She asked Juanxue and Shuangtian to pack up the west wing and their luggage first, while she and Chuying went to find Fangya. She deliberately chose the Guanghua Gate on the south side to leave the palace. Although she had just gone out yesterday, when she passed through the palace gate and showed the talisman to the guards, Wang Yuying couldn't help but jump for joy. After taking back the talisman, her hand trembled twice.
"Shall we look for a house in the south?" Chu Ying asked.
As Wang Yuying answered, she looked around and said, "I'll look to the south and the north."
The north of the city has mountains and water, with beautiful scenery, while the south of the city has a prime location and is bustling.
The Chu family lived in the north of the city. Chu Ying was afraid that if they lived too close, she would be locked up at home again, so she quickly replied, "Then the south is better."
Wang Yuying smiled. After three years of wandering the mountains, she had grown tired of the scenery. She also preferred the lively atmosphere of the south. After so many years, simply strolling through the streets made her very happy.
The two women went to the real estate agent at dawn to inspect the properties, specifically choosing three-courtyard houses in the south of the city. They inquired about the ownership of all the houses from their relatives and neighbors. Wang Yuying took a liking to the second house, but she still went on to look at two other properties. After bidding farewell to the agent, she conducted her own investigation in private.
After having lunch at a restaurant outside, Wang Yuying and Chu Ying went back to find a real estate agent and bought the second house they had seen that morning.
Wang Yuying, the real estate agent, and the seller went together to buy the deposit certificate, signed four copies of the official contract, and after checking that everything was correct, the seller handed the house over to Wang Yuying.
However, paying taxes and obtaining the official deed required going through the government, which would take another half a month to a month—Wang Yuying wasn't in a hurry, as she had originally planned to move in first. Since everyone's days off were different, the housewarming banquet would have to wait until the Double Ninth Festival holiday, just in time for the official deed to be processed.
After finishing everything, it was nearly 30 PM. Saying goodbye to Fang Ya, Wang Yuying leisurely turned towards the back street, walking alongside Chu Ying. Wang Yuying tiptoed closer to Chu Ying's ear and whispered, "Help me shake my tail clean."
"Understood!" Chu Ying disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Wang Yuying smiled and continued forward, her pace quickening. Suddenly, she turned onto a side road, weaving through streets and alleys—Xu Heng wouldn't let her live in the west of the city, but that didn't matter; she could simply travel from the south to the west to visit Jing Ye.
Xu Heng's undercover agents could monitor her interactions with Zheng Yangzhi and report on where she owned a house, but they couldn't do anything else.
Wang Yuying remembered what Jing Ye had said: the house at the very back of Yongning Lane on West Street, the one without a signboard.
Having found him, Xu Heng did not rush in. He first found a high point nearby to look out and make sure there were no guards in Jing Ye's house. Xu Heng did not detain Jing Ye again, but he also did not send any soldiers to take care of him.
Wang Yuying did not knock on the courtyard gate, but quietly climbed over the wall and entered.
The door was locked from the inside, but the window was wide open. Jing Ye sat against the headboard, the curtains just covering his hands and part of his profile.
"That fool," Wang Yuying thought to herself, then put her arms on the windowsill and called out with a smile, "A-Ye!"
Jing Ye was completely absorbed in what he was doing. Hearing the sound, he looked out the window and saw Wang Yuying. He was both happy and anxious, and in a moment of panic, he rolled off the bed.
He struggled to his feet, hopping on one leg to open the door. Wang Yuying also came around from the window to the door, and as soon as the door opened, she helped him up. Jing Ye's five fingers immediately slipped between Wang Yuying's, their fingers intertwined tightly, and both of them exerted force.
Jing Ye spoke first, his voice trembling: "How have you been these past few days? How did you manage to leave the palace?"
Wang Yuying raised her chin slightly: "I will live outside the palace from now on."
Jing Ye was delighted and wanted to ask more questions, but Wang Yuying ordered first: "Let me take a look at your legs."
Jing Ye immediately obeyed, using his free hand to lift his robe and roll up his trousers. In order to completely remove the remaining poison from the arrow, his wound was expanded by scraping away flesh and bone.
Wang Yuying was somewhat distressed: "You should go back to bed and lie down."
Without a word, he helped Jingye to the bedside. Jingye hopped on one leg and laughed, "It's just a minor bump. I'm tough, it'll be fine in a couple of days!"
Wang Yuying glanced at the robe that Jing Ye had already put down: "Didn't he already reinstate you to your original position? Why didn't he send someone to take care of you?"
“It’s not my original position,” Jing Ye corrected. “His Majesty promoted Commander Yuan to Grand Commandant, and I was promoted to Commander. People from the camp came, and Zhu Zi and Ding Man also said they wanted to take care of me, but I sent them all away. I’m not used to being served by others; it feels awkward no matter what!”
He didn't care about any of that. He sat on the edge of the bed and said something else: "Yingniang, I have some food here, would you like some?"
Wang Yuying had already noticed the dried meat, salted beans, and wine on the display cabinet. She didn't really want to eat them, but she didn't want Jing Ye to be disappointed, so she took the plate of dried meat down.
"Do you still have strong liquor? Want some?" Jingye pressed.
Wang Yuying immediately stopped her: "You can't drink alcohol right now!"
"I haven't drunk a drop," Jing Ye quickly clarified. "I'm drinking porridge and hot noodle soup every day now. The strong liquor was for you."
Wang Yuying was afraid that drinking alone would tempt Jing Ye, so she refused, saying, "I won't drink today, I'll just have some dried meat."
As he spoke, he pulled over a side table and placed it against the headboard, then put the plate of dried meat on the table.
A neatly folded, almost spotless silk handkerchief was suddenly handed to Wang Yuying.
“I haven’t used it,” Jing Ye emphasized. He still wipes himself with his sleeve, but ever since the last awkward encounter, he has been keeping a handkerchief handy for Wang Yuying.
Wang Yuying paused for a moment, then took the handkerchief and wiped her ten fingers. As the silk caressed her palm, her heart seemed to be soothed as well.
After wiping, Wang Yuying picked up a piece of dried meat and fed it to Jing Ye first: "Open your mouth."
Jingye grinned and opened his mouth wide, revealing his teeth and tongue. Wang Yuying was amused by his appearance and threw the dried meat into Jingye's mouth.
He had already started chewing when Wang Yuying picked up a piece herself, took a bite, and her brows furrowed as her smile faded: "Spit it out quickly, there's wine in it too!"
Jing Ye panicked for a moment and was about to spit, but then suddenly remembered something, covered his mouth with his hand, and spat it out. Then he hopped around to throw away the meat scraps.
"When did you become so bookish?" Wang Yuying asked, noticing that what was hidden on the bed by Jing Ye was an open book that was turned upside down.
She flipped through a couple of pages, and it turned out to be "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. Jing Ye had already jumped back to the bedside, and Wang Yuying turned to him and asked, "Why are you reading?"
Jing Ye scratched his head sheepishly: "I want to take advantage of my recovery to read some books."
If he were educated, not only would he be worthy of Yingniang, but wouldn't he at least stop holding her back?
"I don't want Zhuzi and the others to take care of me. I'm not used to being waited on, and also because they're always making a fuss, so I can't concentrate on my studies." Jing Ye kept recalling the look of surprise on Wang Yuying's face earlier, and said timidly, "It's just that I'm only starting to study in my twenties, and I don't know if it's too late..."
Wang Yuying silently watched Jing Ye, taking in the unease and lack of confidence in his eyes.
After he finished speaking, she suddenly stood up. Jing Ye was tall, and she bent her knees slightly to be shoulder-width apart from him. She cupped Jing Ye's face in her hands, placed both palms on his cheeks, and looked him over carefully before finally fixing her gaze on his eyes. She earnestly told him, "Of course it's not too late. Back then, Duke Ping of Jin wanted to learn at seventy, but he had the same worry as you, fearing it would be too late. Shi Kuang explained to Duke Ping that learning in youth is like the rising sun; learning in adulthood is like the midday sun; and learning in old age is like the light of a candle. It's never too late to start."
A warm current slowly irrigated Jing Ye's heart. He stared at Wang Yuying for a long time, and suddenly noticed that there were tears in her eyes.
Jingye's body reacted before his brain; he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.
They slowly parted.
Wang Yuying removed her hand from Jing Ye's face, lowered it, and turned her head to look at the door.
Jingye stared at her profile, his heart racing, and said in an unusually gentle tone, "Yingniang, you've been squatting for too long, sit down for a bit."
Wang Yuying braced herself on Jing Ye's arm, using the leverage to turn around and sit on the edge of the bed, next to Jing Ye. The distance between them was closer than a little finger, yet Jing Ye still leaned towards her side. After a moment, Wang Yuying silently rested her head on Jing Ye's shoulder.
He was afraid that his shoulders were too high and it would be uncomfortable for her to reach, so he hunched his back and lowered his shoulders.
The two leaned against each other and chatted idly for a while. Wang Yuying didn't want to disturb Jing Ye's studies, so she got up to say goodbye. Before leaving, she reminded him, "Don't eat anything indiscriminately, especially things bought outside. If your wound gets wet with alcohol, it will heal more slowly."
"Then I'll continue eating porridge and noodles." Jing Ye obediently complied.
Thinking of Jingye's limited mobility, Wang Yuying remained silent for a moment before offering, "I'll bring you some food next time I come."
Jingye grinned, knowing that Yingniang would come to see him again soon!
Leaving aside Wang Yuying's farewell to Jingye and her busy move back to the West Institute, let's just talk about Jingye here. He was studying the book word by word, and because it was so difficult, he was sweating profusely as he read.
But he didn't give up, until the sun was about to set and the evening glow filled the sky outside the window.
"General Jing! Aye! It's me, open the door!"
There were seven or eight knocks on the courtyard gate before Jing Ye heard what sounded like the voice of Yuan Wancheng, who had been promoted to Grand Commandant.
When his superior came to visit him in the hospital, he quickly jumped into the courtyard. As soon as he opened the door, Yuan Wancheng raised his hand to support Jing Ye: "Be careful, don't fall."
Upon hearing this, Jing Ye firmly held onto Yuan Wancheng's arm.
Yuan Wancheng thought to himself that this kid was still as simple-minded as ever. He asked him a few words of concern and then introduced Zheng Yangzhi and Jing Ye, who had come with him.
Jing Ye was stunned. Yuan Wancheng noticed this, sighed inwardly, and said with a smile, "I just ran into Lord Zheng at the alley entrance. When he heard that you lived here, he wanted to come and visit you."
Yuan Wancheng was telling the truth; he had indeed bumped into Zheng Yangzhi at the entrance of Yongning Alley. His relationship with Zheng Yangzhi was just so-so, and now that one of them had been promoted and the other demoted, he should have avoided suspicion even more, but Zheng Yangzhi insisted on coming along, and Yuan Wancheng had no choice but to comply out of politeness.
Upon hearing this, Jing Ye sized up Zheng Yangzhi. He had no personal relationship with this former favorite of the emperor, and to be precise, they had never spoken. However, having experienced the harrowing ordeal at Tonghua Temple together, they had developed a deep bond of life and death.
Jingye assumed that Zheng Yangzhi treated him the same way.
So it's not unusual for people to come and visit when someone is sick.
Zheng Yangzhi was more articulate than Jing Ye. He first bowed and said, "Yesterday I saw the general fighting bravely against the enemy. His demeanor on the battlefield was truly heroic! I admire him greatly. I was worried about the general when I saw that he was injured. When the Grand Commandant learned that the general had to rest in bed, I became even more worried. Therefore, I took the liberty of visiting you. I hope the general will forgive my abruptness."
Jing Ye returned the greeting with a bow: "It's alright, I don't blame you!"
He was moved by Zheng Yangzhi's words and actions, and immediately regarded Zheng Yangzhi as a friend.
Yuan Wancheng helped Jingye into the house, and Zheng Yangzhi also went to the other side of the empty room to help Jingye. Jingye said embarrassedly, "You don't need to help me. I can jump back in a bit."
Upon entering the room, Yuan Wancheng also noticed "The Art of War" and immediately asked curiously, "Why are you reading a book?"
Jing Ye lowered his head: "I have nothing to do anyway."
Yuan Wancheng smiled without saying a word. He might believe anyone else's answer, but Jing Ye?
He can't even read a book properly!
"Did you ask the acting registrar for it?" Yuan Wancheng pressed.
Jing Ye nodded with his head down, his ears turning red. He and Yuan Wancheng simultaneously recalled a time when they had a drinking contest with the acting chief clerk of the Jingjiao Camp. When they were drunk, they spoke without restraint. The acting chief clerk told Jing Ye to read some military strategy, which would be beneficial for setting up battle formations. Jing Ye disagreed, saying that as long as he could use the formations in battle, that was enough.
“Strange, strange.” Yuan Wancheng smiled with amusement. He would interrogate Jing Ye properly when outsiders like Zheng Yangzhi were no longer present. He also had to ask Jing Ye privately about what happened after he was crippled at Tonghua Temple.
Yuan Wancheng increasingly felt that Zheng Yangzhi was a hindrance, but he did not show it.
Jing Ye had already started chatting with Zheng Yangzhi in no time. Although the emperor did not punish Jing Ye for the confrontation at Tonghua Temple after returning to the palace, but instead promoted him, Jing Ye could sense the sarcastic tone in the phrase "in times of crisis, disregard worldly etiquette and lend a helping hand".
Inside Tonghua Temple, Jing Ye also saw Zheng Yangzhi take a step forward, intending to save Wang Yuying. But as soon as Jing Ye moved forward, Zheng Yangzhi stopped, and he was kneeling when he tried to save her, which didn't seem like romantic love, but rather like a superior.
Jing Ye thought to himself: In fact, Zheng Yangzhi is the real "unconventional in times of crisis", with a broad mind and no selfish motives in saving people.
What was that word again? Upright and honest, like the bright moon and gentle breeze after the rain and snow have stopped.
He recalled what he had heard last night: Zheng Yangzhi had been demoted for arriving late to save the emperor, yet he had still led the way in reducing the number of slaves. He couldn't help but feel indignant for Zheng Yangzhi—Lord Zheng didn't arrive late at all! He arrived just in time!
"Why does General Jing read 'The Art of War'?" Zheng Yangzhi asked leisurely.
"This is the only book available in the camp outside Beijing," Jing Ye answered frankly. They were all roughnecks, and this book was for the chief clerk. Besides "The Art of War," they only had "The Thirty-Six Stratagems."
Jing Ye thought that everyone in the court said Zheng Yangzhi was very knowledgeable, so he must be better than the acting clerk. He quickly asked, "Lord Zheng, I have a friend who never went to school. He only learned a few characters and the Three Character Classic when he was about ten years old. Now he wants to study more deeply. What books should he start with?"
After a moment, Zheng Yangzhi opened his mouth, not to answer but to ask, "Does the general know of Wei Yucheng, a famous general of our dynasty?"
Jing Ye's eyes lit up. That was Wang Yuying's most admired general!
"General Wei is a renowned scholar-general. If your friends wish to emulate him, they should not study military strategy, but rather Confucian classics. They can start with the Book of Rites, then read the Book of Rites and the Classic of Filial Piety."
He spoke with great conviction, and Jing Ye believed him without a doubt, nodding repeatedly: "Thank you, Lord Zheng. I will ask you for your guidance again after I finish reading these books!"
*
North of the northern border, a storm swept across the land, whipping up snowflakes as big as goose feathers.
Inside the Northern Di royal court, boxes of tribute prepared to be presented to the superior state this year filled the hall. The envoy knelt on one knee below, reciting the list of gifts one by one in a foreign language.
On the throne at the head of the table, the Northern Di King, sitting with his legs apart, looked very young, handsome, and with sharp features. Half of his brown hair was braided and hung down in front of his shoulders, while the other half was loose and draped behind his head. The headband he wore was inlaid with sapphires and fluorite, which were abundant in the area, and each of his pair of earrings made of animal teeth was also inlaid with a fluorite.
The Northern Di King rested his right elbow on the armrest, his fingers supporting his temples, his eyes slightly closed, as if listening to the envoy's report, or perhaps dozing off.
During a break in the recitation, the envoy secretly glanced upwards—their king used to be extremely attentive to the tribute, personally selecting it each time, but three years ago he suddenly changed his ways, letting his subordinates make the arrangements, and this year he didn't even need to open the boxes to inspect them.
After the envoy finished speaking, the Northern Di king still did not open his eyes, only giving a soft "hmm".
Just as the envoy was about to take his leave, a guard rushed into the hall: "Reporting—Your Majesty, an urgent report from the capital!"
The Northern Di King closed his eyes and nodded his chin, as if to agree.
The guard unrolled the parchment and mumbled a string of words in a foreign language.
The Northern Di King slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of pale gray-blue heterochromatic eyes in his deep-set eyes.
Beside the throne lay a leather trunk used as a tea table, covered with an exquisitely woven cashmere rug. The Northern King slowly rose, his sheepskin boots stepping onto the white fox fur rug. He yanked off the rug, unlocked the trunk, and opened it. Inside, the trunk was full of women's jewelry inlaid with gold and fluorite: hairpins, combs, hair ornaments, earrings, bracelets, and finger garters…
In addition, there was a set of headdresses in the same colors of lake blue, star blue, distant mountain chrysanthemum and wild purple chrysanthemum, but they were not made of fluorite. Instead, they were made of priceless, rich and translucent blue-purple jadeite, and several pairs of bracelets, earrings, jade pendants and thumb rings that could not be made of fluorite.
The Northern Di King carefully inspected the treasures inside the box, then cautiously closed the lid: "Reselect all the tributes and add this box of jewelry." He smiled slightly, "This year, I will personally go to the capital."
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