Chapter 29: He desperately craved lovemaking (Here comes the synopsis...)
Lin Yuan's female workers were, to put it mildly, barely satisfactory.
When her mother chatted with strangers, she would always begin by proudly mentioning that she and her blacksmith father had known each other since they were young.
This aroused envy among those who were unaware of the situation.
After Lin Yuan learned to read and write, she realized that they had never achieved prominence. Therefore, the "wei" in her mother's words meant something as small as a bean.
When Qin began learning needlework, her father, the blacksmith, began learning blacksmithing.
Having been convinced since childhood that she would be a blacksmith's wife, she was determined not to care about female workers.
Blacksmiths usually work shirtless, so even the most beautifully embroidered clothes are useless to them.
Forging iron requires strength, so Qin Shi preferred to spend her days working around the stove.
The steam rising from the stove is more beautiful than the cloud patterns on cloth.
When it came to their daughter Lin Yuan, it was naturally impossible for her to marry another blacksmith.
Iron is now all controlled by the government, and blacksmiths are rarely seen anymore.
She is very likely to marry into a family that grows mulberry trees and raises silkworms.
Therefore, Madam Qin paid special attention to Lin Yuan learning needlework.
She specially sent three bolts of silk from the bottom of her trunk to Ah Yin's mother, asking her to come and teach her.
Ah Yin's maternal grandmother, although she passed away many years ago, is said to have worked as a maid in the palace.
As a palace maid, her needlework skills must have been exceptionally high.
However, although Lin Yuan did not have a blacksmith who was her childhood sweetheart, when it came time for her to learn needlework, she began to learn to write with Lin Yu.
She touched the cloth with her ink-covered hands, leaving behind black specks.
At first, she deliberately embroidered under the dim light of an oil lamp.
Firstly, it makes her appear diligent; secondly, if her mother looks over, she can say that the black dots on the top of the cloth are newly embroidered swallows, and the black dots on the bottom of the cloth are two gray carp.
The large black dot in the center of the cloth is a huge, stubborn rock, while the smaller ones are a black dog and a raccoon hiding in the cracks of the rock.
Perhaps the description was too vivid, even vaguely depicting the outline of a magnificent landscape, which made the mother, whose ears were ringing from being bombarded with questions like "only three bolts of cloth were collected," "not even a single flower was learned, yet three zhang of paper were wasted," and "is there any pattern simpler than flowers and grass?", arouse her suspicion.
As for Lin Yuan herself, her brother would praise her for her writing.
If she embroiders flowers, her mother will scold her.
After weighing the two options, she naturally preferred writing.
In the end, it was the father who persuaded the mother not to give away the other three bolts of cloth that were kept at the bottom of the trunk.
“Our A-Yuan is so beautiful, and so lucky.” Lin Wu squinted, mimicking the half-blind fortune teller at the market, and laughed, “I think she’s destined for a noble life. Why would she need to grow mulberry trees, raise silkworms, reel silk, or weave cloth?”
These words, coupled with the neighbor's comment that "entering the palace is also possible," made Lin Yuan hug her father's neck and smile sweetly.
In the second year after entering the palace, she witnessed the silkworm-rearing ceremony of the most noble woman in the land—the Empress—and was astonished.
In the fourth year after entering the palace, she looked at the belt in front of her in a secluded room in the Jiaofang Palace and sighed.
Xiao Xun's voice still echoed in my ears.
"You ruined my belt, shouldn't you buy me a new one?"
Lin Yuan withdrew her hand from his waist.
Xiao Xun turned his back to her and said, "You can go out now. I'll change my clothes myself."
Lin Yuan felt as if she had been granted a pardon, as she no longer needed to be helped to change her clothes.
As she took her leave, she wondered how much Xiao Xun had actually drunk.
Are you out of your mind? The old belt is right next to your feet, why are you taking measurements?
Why does it have to be measured like this?
Her palms and fingertips were still burning hot, as if you could still feel the warm skin beneath her loose undergarments.
Aside from herself, she had only ever touched her own mother.
But that skin is different from my mother's.
My mother's waist and abdomen felt heavy and soft, like freshly fermented wheat dough.
Xiao Xun's waist was completely free of any excess fat. Even with her eyes closed, she could feel the tightness and undulations there through the thin spring dress, just like the rhythm of her heartbeat.
She didn't feel as comfortable as if she were embracing her mother; it was unbearably hot.
There was also a strange feeling, as if something was pressing against her, like the dragon head on the jade belt hook, but the belt was clearly no longer there...
Oh no, she's about to get a sty.
—Hmm, I've been staring at a needle for several nights now.
My eyes were already bloodshot from staying up all night.
While Xiao Xun was away, she had already retrieved all the scattered pearls and jade, but one piece of white jade with a dragon and phoenix pattern was missing.
Although she was meticulous, she wouldn't remember exactly what His Majesty's belt looked like; this was something she tricked Wang Fu into saying.
Of course, when she tried to get information out of him, she said that His Majesty had accidentally broken his belt while changing his clothes yesterday. She thought that since she had nothing else to do during the day, she could help him mend it.
After saying those words, Lin Yuan felt uneasy, afraid that Wang Fu would ask another question, such as why it wasn't sent to the weaving workshop, or why it had to be this belt, and whether His Majesty needed it. — She couldn't answer that either.
Fortunately, Wang Futian had a good temper. He didn't ask any questions, his face was kind, and he even gave Lin Yuan some helpful advice:
It doesn't matter if the white jade is missing. The white jade is carved with openwork dragon and phoenix patterns. If Lin Yuan can embroider dragon and phoenix patterns in that position, it should be able to pass for the real thing.
Lin Yuan rubbed her forehead, feeling a pang of heartache. The eunuch Wang was getting old; his eyesight was probably failing, or his mind was not working very well, which was why he could come up with such a convincing fake.
Not to mention, jade carving and embroidery are worlds apart, and Lin Yuan's embroidery is even more completely different.
After feeling sorry for the eunuch Wang, Lin Yuan immediately felt sorry for herself.
The eunuch Wang must have seen too many precious gems, so much so that he was blinded by the dazzling array of beautiful things and didn't care about a piece of openwork white jade. Therefore, he couldn't understand the anxiety and despair she felt when she asked the question in a roundabout way, which is why he uttered that "should" that came from who-knows-where.
His Majesty's white jade belt has been lost. Shouldn't Eunuch Wang have someone thoroughly investigate it?
Could it be stolen by the palace servants who are cleaning?
After she left yesterday, she asked the palace maid who served tea to send a pot of hangover soup to Zichen Pavilion. The palace maid who served tea is also a suspect.
If she found that piece of white jade, her anxiety of the past two days would finally be relieved.
Repairing is always much simpler than embroidering.
During the day, she was preoccupied with that piece of jade, grinding ink, serving tea, and handing out books. Her gaze lingered on the brick pavement, under the table, on the carpet, under the seat, and around the incense burner.
She even managed to get information out of the palace maids who served tea.
The palace maid serving tea jumped three feet high, her eyes widening like cowbells, and she clutched her sleeve tightly.
A delicate aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted over along with her voice: "Who dares to embezzle imperial supplies? Don't they want to die?"
...
Outside the Tingquan Courtyard of the Huaiyang Prince's Mansion.
Lin Yuan's gaze was fixed on Xiao Xun's face, so she didn't notice that the belt she had made was tied around his waist.
Because he was supporting himself on a rock with one hand, and his wide sleeves fluttered in the wind, the embroidery on one side of his belt could be vaguely seen.
The jade belt hooks, shaped like dragon and tiger heads, are surrounded by rubies and sapphires. In fact, the emperor's belts were all similar in shape and very similar, making them difficult to distinguish.
Of course, Lin Yuan was too ashamed to explain.
Looking in that direction, the scene at midday became vivid in my mind, and my fingers and ears involuntarily burned.
When she delivered the mended belt to Xiao Xun that day, he was holding a pen with a white jade handle and couldn't help but touch his forehead.
"Where is this..."
Lin Yuan thought to herself, "As expected, Xiao Xun's eyesight is normal; he's not easy to fool."
So she racked her brains but couldn't come up with any other ideas. She was about to tell everyone about losing the piece of white jade when she heard Xiao Xun ask, "Embroidered, a worm... a caterpillar?"
His Adam's apple bobbed, and with a hesitant expression, he asked with difficulty, "Are you being reborn in fire?"
Lin Yuan, while brushing aside her hair which hadn't fallen down, touched her burning ear tips: "They are two plum blossoms."
"Oh." He seemed to realize something and breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief, but then she saw Xiao Xun looking thoughtfully at the plum blossoms. "I understand."
The words she had just swallowed came back to her throat. She rubbed her hands in her sleeve, about to explain that the crimson ones were plum petals, the dark red ones were stamens, and the faint white ones symbolized ice and snow.
But then Xiao Xun's gaze fell on her face, and she murmured, "I understand now, that's why it was a plain handkerchief."
"Huh? What's this 'Supa'?" Lin Yuan was completely confused.
"It's nothing." A smile appeared on his lips. "Leave the things here and leave."
The enigmatic smile left Lin Yuan with no doubt that after she left, the belt would be put away in a high place, or rather, discarded like a worn-out broom.
She felt a little regretful about the beautiful rubies and sapphires, as well as the exquisite jade belt hook.
Of course, she turned her palm over, and it was covered in bloodstains.
In order to embroider those two fiery red plum blossoms, she embroidered over a hundred blossoms day and night, but she still only managed to turn the red plum blossoms into furry insects and blazing fire.
She smiled wryly, having to admit that she lacked talent in some areas.
The two red plum blossoms are no longer as bright as fire.
Even though they are bathed in the lush glow of a tree.
In the East Garden of the Prince's Mansion, Xiao Xun flicked his sleeve and asked the Minister of the Imperial Household and the Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud, who were sitting opposite him, "Have you found any suspicious people?"
Ling Feng bowed and said, “Your Majesty, today I inspected the disaster-stricken areas with the Prime Minister. Under the guise of providing financial relief and loans, we had the disaster victims register at the government office. Those who lost their identities during the snow disaster were also checked by the government and compared with the official register. So far, no suspicious persons have been found.”
Gongsun Zhao said, "Your Majesty, the suspicious thing is that since the Imperial Guards took over the city gates of Huaiyang, there have been refugees entering the city, but almost none have left."
"The refugees rebelled, choosing the day before I arrived in Huaiyang incognito. I suppose the person behind this plot wanted me to see the chaos in Huaiyang so that I would make up my mind to go and govern the prefecture. Now that the plan has failed, they must still be lurking in Huaiyang."
Xiao Xun did not entirely believe what Xiao Jin said, suspecting that he and the Prince of Huaiyang had fabricated this story to absolve himself of responsibility for the initial failure to properly resettle the disaster victims and the untimely distribution of grain.
It wasn't until he met Lin Yu, the strategist behind Xiao Jin, today that he fully believed it.
Gongsun Zhao nodded in agreement: "It seems that the Prince of Huaiyang has made an enemy of someone."
“Yes, we have become enemies,” Xiao Xun said slowly. “Or perhaps, someone wants to use the Prince of Huaiyang and the Kingdom of Huaiyang to test me.”
"Testing?"
Gongsun Zhao lowered his head and pondered the word.
Xiao Xun has been on the throne for more than fifteen years. Under the decree of the late emperor, the vassal states were granted land and territories, most of which were less than a prefecture. Only the states of Huaiyang, Yan, and Yuzhang were powerful.
Among them, the King of Yuzhang was over seventy years old, with countless sons and grandsons, and once his territory was divided, it was no longer a significant matter. After the salt and iron in the country were taken over by the court, the tax revenue of Huaiyang and Yan was greatly reduced. Therefore, in the past fifteen years, apart from five small states that left due to lack of heirs, Quyang did not touch any of the vassal states.
However, when Qu Qingchuan colluded with the enemy and rebelled, he used the pretext of supporting the late crown prince's orphan to borrow troops from the vassal states.
The vassal states were militarily strong, especially the Yan state in the northeast. However, before the five thousand iron cavalry could reach Shangjun, Qu Qingchuan and his rebel army had already been annihilated by the Changshui Xuanqu Hu troops.
However, this has broken the peace that the vassal states had enjoyed for the past fifteen years.
It is not surprising that the feudal lords were all insecure and wondered whether His Majesty might harbor resentment towards the feudal states, just like the late Emperor.
Ling Feng said, "His Majesty gave the Dingbang Bow, which the late Emperor used to quell the rebellion of the princes, to the Prince of Huaiyang. He will naturally have doubts. If he suspects that His Majesty will go to the capital to govern the prefecture, then he will definitely take some action."
Gongsun Zhao couldn't help but ask, "Does the Grand Master of Ceremonies mean that if the Prince of Huaiyang has rebellious intentions and obtains the Dingbang Bow, he will think that Your Majesty wants to leave the country, and thus he will commit... a heinous act?"
Upon uttering those last few words, Gongsun Zhao's face paled, then he suddenly realized and said, "So that's why His Majesty sealed off the Prince of Huaiyang's residence under the pretext of lost items? Is it to sever the Prince of Huaiyang's connection with the outside world?"
Xiao Xun sighed softly: "I have indeed lost something."
He raised his eyes and said, "However, helping the Prince of Huaiyang to seal his residence is to lend him a helping hand."
Gongsun Zhao was puzzled, but Ling Feng understood: "Think about it carefully. This is the residence of the King of Huaiyang in the Huaiyang Kingdom. How dare he commit such a treasonous act?"
Xiao Xun recalled that when Xiao Cheng heard his playful remark about "assassins in the mansion," his sweaty face had been marred by a faint smile. He said, "The Prince of Huaiyang has bided his time for so many years; he's no fool. The moment he got his hands on the Dingbang Bow, he sharpened his sword, harboring rebellious intentions. Didn't he fall into my trap? If the Prince of Huaiyang could be so easily manipulated, how could he have escaped unscathed from the Crown Prince's rebellion in the third year of the Tian Shou era? How could he have remained uninvolved when Qu Qingchuan colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country?"
Ling Feng picked up the conversation and explained to Gongsun Zhao, "That person first sent refugees to cause trouble in Cuiwei Mountain. If that plan fails, he will definitely try a second one. Moreover, he will definitely make his move while His Majesty is still in Huaiyang. The people affected by the disaster in Cuiwei Mountain have started singing the Tianbao song, which means that the hearts of the people have been won over, and there is little opportunity for them to cause trouble. So if this person wants to use a divisive tactic again to make His Majesty suspect that the Prince of Huaiyang has disloyal intentions, he will make his move soon. Now that the mansion has been sealed off, the only place to strike is inside the mansion."
Gongsun Zhao hurriedly said, "In that case, Your Majesty should leave Huaiyang Kingdom and return to the palace as soon as possible."
"Whether those who cause trouble come to seek revenge against the Prince of Huaiyang or to test my will, their purpose is to make me see this turmoil."
Ling Feng understood and accepted the order: "Your Majesty, I will increase the number of secret guards and at the same time, order the Imperial Guards to infiltrate the various vassal states, especially Yan and Yuzhang, to observe whether there are any unusual movements or suspicious persons coming and going."
After a moment's thought, Gongsun Zhao also bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty is traveling incognito, and the court is currently on holiday for the New Year. Very few people know that Your Majesty is traveling. This person was able to find out Your Majesty's whereabouts and know the exact date. He must be in cahoots with the court. The Commandant of the Capital Region should also keep a close eye on things. In addition, the defenses of the capital city must also be checked."
"Okay, get it done as soon as possible."
Even though it was already late afternoon, the wine he had drunk from midday until noon hadn't completely sobered him up. Xiao Xun rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit of a headache. As the two were saying goodbye and leaving, he kept Ling Feng behind, saying:
"Oh, right, also send an order to the Prefect of the Capital to investigate a man named Lin Yu."
"Your Majesty is referring to the scholars from the county and state academies who are temporarily residing in the Prince's residence?"
Ling Feng had already used the search for the lost item to get to know everyone in the Prince's mansion. Upon hearing this name, he immediately became alert. "Your Majesty, your interaction with this person today suggests that you find him suspicious?"
Xiao Xun slowly spoke: "There are some suspicious points."
After a moment, he instructed: "Go and find out who is in his family, who are his neighbors, what relatives, cousins, especially his sisters, and his fiancée, or perhaps his childhood sweetheart."
The Grand Master of Ceremonies was stunned for a moment: "Then, should we arrest this person first?"
"Investigate first." Xiao Xun paused. "Then decide whether to arrest or kill."
Ling Feng agreed.
"Remember, conduct the investigation discreetly. Do not make a big fuss, and do not disturb his relatives or neighbors."
After Ling Feng left, the room was quiet.
Xiao Xun recalled the people at the food table.
Lin Yuan's gaze towards Lin Yu was pure and clear, not like that of a man and a woman, but more like that of an older brother or a friend.
But he could also see that Lin Yu's gaze towards Lin Yuan was not like that. Her tenderness and doting affection were evident in her words.
But if the two were truly engaged, how could Master He openly associate with him? And why could Lin Yu act as if nothing was wrong?
He Ji's desire for Lin Yuan and his intention to interfere were so obvious that even a blind man could see it.
Lin Yuan is indeed beautiful and lovely.
The throbbing pain in his head spread throughout his body, and he suddenly felt hot. He loosened his collar, leaned against the armchair, and his fingers involuntarily began to caress his side. It was embroidered by Lin Yuan herself.
When he first saw the red plum blossoms, what he actually blurted out wasn't "insect," but... "lip."
It looked just like lips that, though bathed in the glow of the setting sun, were tinged with the colors of the sunset, and were so red they seemed to be dripping with moisture.
Lin Yuan stood before him, feeling embarrassed and helpless because of his half-revengeful, half-teasing remark, "Change your clothes."
He looked down at her, watching her lowered eyes, her face slowly flushing red, even her lips burning like fire. He suddenly felt a pang of regret.
It's unclear whether it was him or her that caught fire.
No, it should be him.
The fire within him was extinguished by strong liquor.
But alcohol can neither make you drunk nor make you burn.
But people can.
Every inch of him was burning, unbearably hot.
The clouds that long for a sunny day turn into rain, and I long for this rain to drench my head.
In his drunken eyes, the spring peach blossom and Lin Yuan's face overlapped, and he coveted the dew in the petals and the nectar in the pistil.
It was cool and sweet, making him fantasize about it countless times and dream about it countless times.
He finally couldn't resist picking it and pulled Lin Yuan into his arms.
Her face was hot, soothingly stroking his chest.
Even through two layers of spring clothing, her body was still cool, seeping into his heart bit by bit.
His chin rested against her dark hair, which swirled in the breeze, lingering tenderly around his neck and cheek.
He stroked her back, her spine, and then clasped her hands down. Those were the soft hands he had wanted to hold countless times.
He held her tighter and tighter, wishing he could meld her into his heart and become one with her.
He wanted to hold her like that forever, lower his head to kiss her, and then let the heavy rain pour down.
He wanted her to remember that he was not interested in male lovers or women; he only loved her.
He loves you, and if she doesn't know, he will let her know, and make her remember.
...But he can't.
His drunkenness subsided somewhat when his hand touched Lin Yuan's waist.
When the scar on his palm pressed against Lin Yuan's hand, causing her to tremble, the fog in his mind also cleared up somewhat.
He cannot.
At least not now.
He wanted to protect her, but he couldn't completely protect her now.
The hatred in Qu Yan and Qu Qingru's eyes, like flames, grew stronger day by day.
If Lin Yuan were to become pregnant with his child, the eldest prince, it would be tantamount to placing her in a position of certain death.
Back when Su Chan was only fourteen years old and her reputation was ruined, forcing her to leave Chang'an, Xiao Xun had already witnessed Qu Yan's methods—she was ruthless and unscrupulous.
So he came up with an outrageous excuse.
But that's alright. He can't be with her in spirit and body, but at least the things she made can stay close to him.
Just like the plain handkerchief she used to bandage his hand at first. For some inexplicable reason, he couldn't bear to throw it away, so he washed it and used it daily, carrying it with him always afterward. Unfortunately, it was just a plain handkerchief without any markings.
He pushed Lin Yuan away and turned his back. The fire within him continued to burn, growing ever stronger with his longing for the clouds and rain that were within reach.
The flames roared, threatening to leap out.
He was losing control; he was afraid of scaring or hurting her.
In that instant as he turned around, he saw that Lin Yuan's eyes were red.
For many days afterward, she would come to Zichen Pavilion early in the morning to serve him, her eyes always red, and she would always avoid his gaze.
And those red lips he had longed for countless times opened and closed for a long time, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Just now, in the midday sunlight, her lips, which appeared exceptionally rosy, opened and closed as if she had countless words to say in greeting.
And indeed, they sent their greetings.
The red plum blossoms in the garden were reflected as nameless flames in Lin Yuan's eyes.
She gritted her teeth and blurted out everything in one go:
"All I see is arrogance, disdain for others, and self-righteousness."
Do you even know me? What do you have the right to presume to know what I like and who I like?
"Yes, to you, everyone else is as insignificant as dust, so you can slander and trample on other people's feelings, their hearts, and their reputations at will, treating them as playthings and jokes, is that right?!"
"Let go of me and let me out."
Intoxicated and in a hazy state, Xiao Xun stared at those crimson lips and reddened eyes, recalling the words Xiao Cheng had spoken.
He released the rocks and held Lin Yuan in his arms.
-----------------------
Author's note: Shouldn't we get more greetings like this? Haha
Will the next chapter bring about forceful acquisition and plunder?
①氍毹: qu shu, a type of woven carpet from the Western Regions.
② Caterpillar: Caterpillar
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