Chapter 60, Elder Sister, the promise of our childhood, I remember...
Looking out at the night.
Lin Yuan's vision was blurry.
The moon casts heavy shadows.
It's like the rough edges of a silk painting.
Someone tugged at her sleeve, and she started running after them.
As night deepened and fog rose, a gust of wind swept over me, and before I knew it, my face was wet.
I heard barking dogs and shouts from behind me.
He Ji pulled her along and they ran into the woods.
After several twists and turns, the barking and cursing finally faded into the distance.
“Alas, the glass lamp broke, and there happened to be a fortune teller in the crowd who called it ‘displacement’ and ‘disintegration.’ When the people from the Prime Minister’s residence heard this, they chased after us again.” He Ji’s rambling voice came to my ears.
He scratched his head and said, "If you ask me, what's the point of using a glass lamp? It's better to use a sheepskin lamp. It's not only more durable, but it also symbolizes seeing the light of day again, doesn't it?"
Lin Yuan felt a sharp pain in her throat, unable to reply.
She leaned against an old tree and took a while to catch her breath.
She could no longer watch the lanterns or the play. She walked towards Cuiwei Mountain.
After running such a long distance, my steps are a little unsteady.
Seeing this, He Ji quickly grabbed her and said, "A Yuan, the mountain road is difficult to walk on at night. Wait for me, wait for me to go back to the street corner and bring the two horses back."
Lin Yuan opened her mouth, wanting to say that the people from the Prime Minister's residence might not have gone far from the street.
After all, there were 81 lamps in total. Although one lamp was missing, the effort was in vain. But glass was expensive, and the Prime Minister's mansion had 180 people, so they were both focused on practical matters and abstract concepts.
And, she had actually climbed the mountain path under the moonlight, even when the moonlight was dim.
Before he could even finish speaking, He Ji ran off into the distance.
Lin Yuan walked and stopped frequently in the woods.
The wind rustled, and moonlight filtered through the leaves.
Last year, she couldn't sleep for several nights, so she would stroll along the mountain path in front of Lan Yue Pavilion. Once, under the leaves of a phoenix tree, she saw something shimmering in the moonlight. Looking down, she vaguely recognized it as the white jade dragon-turtle pendant on Xiao Xun's jade pendant.
Lin Yuan was stunned for a moment, then shocked.
How could that be?
She joked to herself, "It must be a ghost."
A place of ghosts, feelings of ghosts.
She kicked the thing far away.
The object was kicked far away.
I glanced up casually and saw the jade pendant hanging in the sky.
It's curved, like a mischievous smiling eye.
"Why are you laughing at me? Go laugh at her!"
Lin Yuan turned her back and went into the house.
"Are you making fun of me? Keep your laughter down, it's too bright!"
She stomped her foot, closed the door, and shut the window tightly.
"Hmph, let's see who has the last laugh."
She quickly covered the windows with two layers of gauze and then drew down three curtains.
She didn't get up until the sun was high in the sky the next day.
Upon reaching the main hall, just as I was about to sit down at the table, I suddenly noticed the white jade pendant placed on the table.
An old palace maid suddenly appeared out of nowhere, her eyes fixed on the jade pendant on the table. She began to tell her that when the late emperor's deposed empress jumped into Kunming Pool, she was holding just such a jade pendant in her hand.
As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed at the air, as if the jade pendant had been held in someone's hand for sixty or seventy years to become that curved shape.
The old palace maid whispered in Lin Yuan's ear that when she found the jade pendant early this morning, "it was hanging on a branch of a red maple tree. Isn't that strange?"
Lin Yuan found it strange that she could exert such great force with a single kick.
"Two nights ago, some evil wind blew by, breaking several pine branches. Even the thorns and orchids on the mountain path were broken, but the branches of that red maple tree remained intact. I wonder why?!"
The old palace maid's voice was sinister, making Lin Yuan's hands and feet turn cold.
She picked up the teacup with trembling hands. The tea in the pot was still leftover from the previous day. When she drank it, even her bones felt cold.
She asked timidly, "Red maple leaves? So, why is that?"
The old palace maid rolled her eyes:
"The path is covered with orchids, and the road is gradually winding."
"The Yangtze River flows deep and clear, with maple trees above it."
She chanted two lines to summon the soul, picked up the broom, turned her head, creating a rustling wind that swept away the unseen miasma, and walked away.
The young palace maid who came to deliver breakfast leaned against the door frame, and heard every word clearly.
They walked over, glanced at the old palace maid who had already disappeared, and whispered to Lin Yuan, "Don't listen to her nonsense."
Another palace maid nodded and replaced the tea with a new pot, the steam rising and swirling like clouds of mist.
"Red maple leaves symbolize longing and yearning."
The young women's voices were also soft and melodious; their sighs and harmonies lingered in the air.
"The person is gone, but the longing remains."
"Even though it's across mountains and rivers, we still have to deliver it."
No one dared to touch that lingering, haunting longing again.
Half a month later, Xiao Xun appeared in Lan Yue Pavilion.
As he took the book from the table, he caught a glimpse of the jade pendant, smiled lightly, and casually picked it up: "So it was left here earlier."
*
"His Majesty still wears this jade pendant."
Xiao Xun changed into a plain black robe with no visible insignia, and even his crown was replaced with a jade crown typical of young masters.
Just as he was about to call for someone to prepare the horses, Su Chan gracefully walked over, and upon reaching the front of the hall, she lifted her skirt and bowed.
"No need for such formalities."
He glanced at the simple jade pendant at his waist and smiled. "I was just about to go out, so I just tied it on casually. Sister, is there something important that you're here for today?"
"I apologize for my unfortunate timing. Have I delayed Your Majesty's journey?" Su Chan said apologetically.
Xiao Xun smiled and said, "What's the point of talking about delays? It's naturally important that my elder sister comes over."
Su Chan pursed her lips and lowered her eyes: "Your Majesty has been traveling incognito for half a month. I heard that there were rioters and assassins in Huaiyang. I just wanted to come and see if Your Majesty is well."
She did not get up as instructed, but gracefully completed the bow.
"May Your Majesty enjoy good health and long life."
“If you were unwell, you would have heard about it from Prime Minister Su long ago, right? Why would you bring a food box? You should have brought medicine.” Xiao Xun said lightly.
The maids behind Su Chan were carrying six or seven square and round boxes. He raised the corners of his lips, "They smell quite good."
Su Chan smiled and nodded, gesturing for the maid behind her to hand the food boxes to the eunuch in the Xuan Shi Hall.
Xiao Xun turned around and returned to the desk in the Xuan Shi Hall. He raised his hand to offer Su Chan a seat and ordered someone to serve her tea.
He casually said, "Sister, you still remember this jade pendant."
"Yes, I remember. This jade pendant was bestowed by the late Emperor, and several of His Majesty's brothers have them. The one belonging to the Prince of Huaiyang was given to Ajin."
Su Chan smiled and said, "I didn't see Your Majesty wearing this last time. Did Your Majesty visit Ah Jin in Huaiyang and then remember this jade pendant?"
“Yes.” Xiao Xun smiled. “My sister is very meticulous. The dragon has nine sons, and these jade pendants bestowed by the late emperor are all different. This one of mine is Baxia. The one of the Prince of Yan is Yazi, and the one of Xiao Jin is Pulao.”
As he spoke, he picked up a cup of tea, his voice fading behind the steam: "The first prince's tea was Qiuniu."
Su Chan's eyelashes were veiled in mist.
After a moment, she raised the corners of her lips: "I remember back in the North Palace, when I was talking with Your Majesty at night, I was joking around. The late Emperor was farsighted. The Pulao is fond of barking and roaring, but it is timid. It is indeed just like Ajin. Does Your Majesty still remember that when he was a child, he shouted the loudest when he played the game of pitch-pot, but when it came to sword fighting and horse racing, he was silent?"
"Yes. Qiuniu is gentle and loves music. Yazi is fierce, warlike and martial."
Xiao Xun took over the conversation, but only said, "If we talk about it now, the Prince of Yan is very much like this Ya Zi. Xiao Yue is strict in his military discipline. When Qu Qingchuan rebelled, he only led a dozen iron cavalrymen and was able to go straight into the enemy camp. They killed even faster than my Changshui Xuanqu Hu soldiers."
"When I was in Shangjun, I heard about this from my father, and I was shocked." She spoke calmly, but her voice trembled slightly at the end.
Xiao Xun's gaze swept across her face.
"Speaking of which, I met the Prince of Yan once three years ago."
She explained, "My mother was critically ill at the time, and the Prince of Yan came to visit her. If it weren't for the fact that her features bear a three or four-point resemblance to the late Prince of Yan, I wouldn't have recognized her. When she was little, that A-Yue was chubby and looked a bit simple-minded. He followed His Majesty around all day, along with A-—"
She suddenly fell silent.
Xiao Xun didn't take it to heart, sipping his tea and changing the subject: "The Prince of Yan went to his country at the age of six and didn't have much interaction with the Grand Princess. I didn't expect him to be so loyal and righteous."
Su Chan thought to herself, "The Prince of Yan is probably thinking of his father's early death, and he feels sentimental about old friends."
"Old acquaintances".
Xiao Xun sighed softly, gently set down his teacup, and looked at Su Chan, "Back then, I couldn't even visit you. Do you resent that?"
Su Chan's eyelashes fluttered, and she lowered her eyes: "His Majesty has sent imperial physicians, and the medicinal herbs are arriving in an endless stream. I am deeply grateful. Moreover, His Majesty... surely has his own difficulties."
There was a moment of silence in the hall.
"Your Majesty's jade pendant is Baxia. I said back then that Your Majesty would eventually shoulder the responsibility of the country, and you certainly will."
Su Chan raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright.
Xiao Xun pondered for a moment: "It was what my elder sister said when she was twelve or thirteen years old."
Su Chan gave a soft hum, pursed her lips, and said gently, "Back then, we always prayed that one day, when the sky is clear and the mountains and rivers are peaceful, our old friends and relatives, no matter where they are, can reunite and raise a glass to those who have passed away."
Her lips were slightly upturned, and her eyes were brimming with tears.
Xiao Xun paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Sister, you have a good memory. However, when I said that, I didn't think that I would grow up and not like drinking. I'm afraid I won't be able to hold a glass of wine anymore."
Seeing that he was deliberately avoiding talking about those old stories, Su Chan smiled and said, "Fortunately, in addition to Cangwu wine, I have also prepared peach juice."
The eunuch beside Xiao Xun took the food box from the maid and unwrapped the layers of plain brocade, sheepskin, and sable fur, laying them out on the table.
Su Chan walked to Xiao Xun's desk, and several eunuchs withdrew upon seeing this.
"It's been a while, and the soup has gotten a little cold. I beg Your Majesty to do me the honor of having some pastries, which I made myself."
She picked up her jade chopsticks, served the dishes to the eunuch, and placed a piece of almond cake on the plate in front of Xiao Xun.
"You made it yourself?" Xiao Xun curled his lips and raised an eyebrow. "I was originally planning to do you the honor, but after hearing this, I don't dare to eat it anymore."
Su Chan blushed slightly: "I was not good at cooking before. After leaving Chang'an, my father always said that I was not calm enough and lacked virtue. He kept me in the mansion to temper my temperament." She sighed, "Unfortunately, I can't temper my poetry, books, music and zither. So, I have to learn needlework and cooking."
"I see."
Xiao Xun's voice was calm. She didn't pick up the almond cake, but instead picked up the peach juice, took a sip, and said with a smile, "No wonder, my elder sister is so gentle and virtuous now, she's completely different."
Su Chan smiled shyly: "Your Majesty should say this to my father."
"Thanks for your hard work."
I don't know if I'm referring to the pastries she makes, the way she serves food, or her life over the years.
Her delicate hands caressed the jade chopsticks, her movements slowing down.
"Your Majesty has suffered more than I have these past years. But at least I can talk about my suffering and have someone to confide in. Your Majesty's suffering, however, cannot be spoken of and cannot be confided in."
Xiao Xun drank the peach juice to the last drop.
After a short while, he asked, "Is my elder sister still living in the confinement room?"
"yes."
Su Chan asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, could it be that you've figured out that this peach juice is made by the imperial chef?"
Xiao Xun nodded.
"Didn't my elder sister return to the Su residence?"
Su Chan said coquettishly, "Your Majesty said before that Weiyang Palace is my home. If I had known that Your Majesty would not accept this statement after all these years, I should have written it down in black and white and put my fingerprint on it."
“A childhood handprint probably doesn’t count fourteen years later,” Xiao Xun said, spreading his hands. Su Chan covered her lips with her handkerchief and chuckled.
"I just feel that the Moon Chamber is not spacious enough in Chang Le Palace, and it is far away from other places, which may restrict my elder sister."
"In Weiyang Palace and Changle Palace, there are many rooms. If the Moon Chamber is still not spacious enough, then wouldn't only the Xuan Chamber, the Warm Chamber, and the Pepper Chamber be habitable?"
Su Chan put down her jade chopsticks and bowed in response to the playful remark.
“It was just a childhood joke, how could I take it seriously? These days, I’m staying at the Su residence.”
She bowed gracefully to Xiao Xun, saying, "Your Majesty's concern is deeply appreciated."
After finishing the two cups of liquid, Xiao Xun glanced at the sky.
Dusk arrived, carrying with it falling petals.
I got up and looked down. I noticed that the jade steps under the corridor of Xuan Shi Hall were covered with fallen petals.
They are withered cinnabar plum petals.
“It’s late, the weather is getting chilly and the wind is picking up, sister, you should go home first,” he said.
As Su Chan walked down the jade steps, she suddenly heard Xiao Xun's voice behind her again, "Sister."
"I remember what you said when I was young."
He stood tall and elegant, the sunset glow reflected in his eyes, blending with a gentle smile.
"A word spoken too quickly to be uttered is no joke."
The Xuan Shi Hall was brightly lit.
Xiao Xun found the imperial edict that the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat had drafted more than half a month ago.
"Mandarin ducks fly together, their feathers rustling. They sing harmoniously, glancing at their mates. Chan, daughter of the late Grand Princess of Yangyi and Prime Minister Su Dan, Marquis of Yangxin, was gentle and virtuous, a model of grace and virtue..."
He read it word by word, and then, at the very end of the edict, he affixed the imperial seal.
"At dawn tomorrow, the Imperial Clan Court and the Grand Commandant shall be ordered to deliver this edict to the residence of Prime Minister Su, Marquis of Yangxin, with the imperial seal and ribbon."
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Author's note: Someone, please give her a cup of green tea (just kidding).
Tomorrow I'll finally fill in the gaps in the imperial edict!
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