Chapter 129: The Flowering Season
The next day, during the intermediate hours of the night.
Xiao Yi walked out of the straight gate and saw Xi Hou and Lu Chou whispering suspiciously in a corner. He strode over.
The two were talking so earnestly that they didn’t notice him.
“Tie Ya said he saw the General inspecting the palace gates. He might have been on duty all night.”
“It seems Tie Ya knows too, and is covering for the General.”
“Is he good at keeping secrets?”
“You should worry more about the people around the Empress leaking it.”
“We two must keep it a secret,” Xi Hou said. “You were too careless. As soon as I saw you put the Phoenix Crown in the General’s office, I knew you knew about this matter…”
“General Xiao!”
Suddenly, a shout was heard. Xi Hou and Lu Chou turned around and, seeing Xiao Yi, were astonished.
Wang Yan hurried over and said, “The Empress requests your presence.”
Xiao Yi had not slept all night and was very drowsy. He ignored the request, finished his official duties, sent someone to deliver the imperial decree of abdication to Wang Jun, and then returned to his office to sleep.
He woke up in the afternoon, and Wang Yan was still outside the door.
“What are you doing here?”
“This old servant has no other errands and is waiting here for the General’s orders.”
“Take me to Tai Ping Palace…”
As a royal nunnery, Tai Ping Palace was reasonably well-maintained. It was only separated from the Imperial Palace by a lake. The vermilion walls were high, and the front hall contained two Buddhist chapels from which the chanting of nuns could be faintly heard.
Xiao Yi did not enter, but went directly to the living quarters at the back that served both palaces. Although far less grand than the palaces, they were neat and simple.
After looking around, he instructed, “Add carpets and dressing tables, repair the window frames, and move two plum trees into the courtyard.”
“Yes, the General is thoughtful. Shall we check on the Empress?”
Xiao Yi did not show favoritism. He went to the Empress’s residence, separated by a courtyard wall, and said, “Also, place a bronze mirror and a wardrobe there, so that no one thinks the Lord has mistreated the former dynasty’s royal family.”
“Yes.”
After familiarizing himself with the environment, he personally arranged for guards, selecting Sun Zhong of the Third Command of the Imperial Guard’s left wing. He chose Sun Zhong precisely because he was incompetent, making it easier for him to arrange for Li Hanmei’s departure later.
This matter was purely born out of his desire to do so and was unrelated to last night.
The day passed like this. By the time he returned to Xuanwu Gate, it was evening. Xiao Yi washed up and hesitated for a moment. He did not go to see Li Hanmei and returned to his office to rest early.
He thought to himself that their identities were too different, and it would be difficult for them to be together often in the future. Moreover, by his habits from his previous life, a night of mutual pleasure followed by parting was a common occurrence.
However, a small matter made him feel some pity for Li Hanmei, and that night, in his dream, he recalled this small matter again.
The plum branches under the cliff were just in full bloom when he was about to pick them, but she caught his hand.
“Don’t.”
“Hmm?”
“I don’t like it that way.”
He then stopped his action.
She, however, moved closer and asked, “You’re not eager for sex, is it because you don’t like it?”
“With these things, both parties must be comfortable.”
“Can these things be comfortable?”
“When the time is right, naturally.”
Xiao Yi then understood that she had been taken advantage of as a young girl, and even though she was empress, in certain matters she only knew of crude force and fear.
However, he understood what pleasure was.
Thus, the plum blossoms bloomed even more profusely, their beauty lingering.
A night of passionate dreams.
After waking up, Xiao Yi rubbed his face with snow. As usual, he went to the drill ground to inspect and train the troops. In the cold weather, he worked up a sweat until a messenger arrived, asking him to go to Kaifeng Prefecture for a discussion.
Upon arriving at the main hall of Kaifeng Prefecture, Wang Pu had already returned, dust-covered, and announced loudly, “The Lord has arrived at Gaomen Village outside Kaifeng City!”
“Will he enter the city today?”
“No, for these few days the Lord will oversee state affairs in Gaomen Village and will ascend the throne upon entering the city on the first day of the first lunar month!”
“Really?!”
Everyone in the hall, including Wang Jun, was greatly excited.
Wang Pu, unable to contain his elation, asked, “Do you all know what the state’s name will be?”
“What is it?”
Xiao Yi thought, it’s “Zhou.” It’s a foregone conclusion. He was unenthusiastic.
“Excellent! King Wen and King Wu of Zhou established the empire with benevolent governance, their 800-year dynasty serving as a model. ‘Zhou’ carries the omen of virtuous leadership!”
Wang Jun, assuming an air of command, made arrangements nonstop, intending to bring the civil officials to Gaomen Village, indicating that as long as Guo Wei stayed in Gaomen Village for a single day, the central government would be there. Afterward, he began making arrangements for the enthronement.
Xiao Yi was not assigned any tasks. His only responsibility was to quickly move the two palaces to Tai Ping Palace.
At this point, even Kaifeng City seemed spacious.
Having a reason, Xiao Yi entered the palace again…
“Hmph, you’re only coming to see me now.”
As soon as they met, An Yuanzhen threw the clothes in her hand at him. They missed him but filled the air with her fragrance.
She wasn’t truly angry, and soon her eyes twinkled with a smile. She beckoned and said, “Come closer. I want to ask you, after Guo Que’er ascends the throne, will I be the Empress Dowager?”
“It has been decided to bestow the title ‘King of Nanyang’ upon your father. In a while, when no one is paying attention, you will be sent back to Xiangzhou.”
“Will you take me?”
“Probably not.”
“Hmph, I don’t know anyone else. You’ve already replaced all the Imperial Guards.”
“Rest assured, the Empress’s safety will be guaranteed.”
“Then, when I move to Tai Ping Palace, can I go shopping in the streets of Kaifeng?”
“Tomorrow morning, I will escort the Empress to Tai Ping Palace. After that, it will no longer be my responsibility. Your subordinate takes his leave.”
“Who gave you permission to leave? At a time like this, I’m bored and scared. As a palace attendant, you should protect me, shouldn’t you?”
“It is inconvenient for your subordinate to stay in the palace for too long. How about this, let Wang Yan stay and follow the Empress’s orders…”
Leaving Wang Yan in Kunning Palace, Xiao Yi finally went to the West Palace.
In the courtyard, the winter plum blossoms were still in full bloom. Inside the hall, several palace servants were tidying up, and that beautiful palace lady-in-waiting was also there.
Li Hanmei sat upright. Seeing him arrive, she ordered, “You all go out first. Ah Wan, you stay and watch.”
“Yes.”
The palace lady-in-waiting glanced in their direction, left, and closed the door.
Li Hanmei said faintly, “General Xiao, you’re not wearing armor today. Aren’t you afraid I’ll set a trap to kill you?”
“I am willing to die.”
“You are so audacious, daring to offend the current Empress Dowager.”
Xiao Yi saw that although she was still maintaining her regal demeanor, her earlobes had already turned red. He then took off his boots, stepped onto the carpet, and sat down.
“How did this subordinate offend the Empress Dowager?”
“Yesterday, you dared not come to pay your respects.”
With a word, she was in his embrace.
A faint scent of plum blossoms wafted to his nose again.
He first tasted two pieces of Plum Blossom Paste, which seemed to have been mixed with wine. He felt a bit tipsy.
After a while, Li Hanmei took a breath, looked up at Xiao Yi, and her eyes were filled with a deep affection that seemed capable of melting the harsh winter.
“Yesterday, I waited for you all day. But then I thought, I am different from those young maids. Would a woman who presides over the state cling to you? You can rest assured, after a night of pleasure, if you don’t wish to see me again, there will be no further entanglement.”
“Alright.”
Xiao Yi deliberately agreed.
Li Hanmei was indeed not a pampered lady. She asked, “Are things arranged for today?”
“They are.”
“I’ve also made arrangements. Will you stay for the entire night?”
“Alright.”
“Go behind the screen.”
The inner chamber was elegantly decorated, but the luggage had already been packed, making it temporarily cluttered.
The couch was covered with a plain velvet rug, embroidered at the edges with a few half-opened plum buds.
Xiao Yi placed her on the couch and removed her soft-soled silk shoes. This one action alone made Li Hanmei’s eyes mist over.
“It’s too bright.”
“Then, let’s chat until night?”
“Come up.”
Xiao Yi had not slept in such a comfortable bed for a long time.
In comparison, the Dragon Throne yesterday was indeed too hard.
“Comfortable?”
“Warm and soft.”
“Don’t look. I got several bruises on my body last night… What are you laughing at?”
“I’m laughing at how you usually put on airs, but privately you’re like a child.”
“Don’t be impertinent.”
“Who is superior and who is inferior?”
“You’re not allowed to say.”
“Your subordinate obeys.”
“Xiao Yi.”
“Hmm?”
“Come here.”
“Didn’t you want to wait until dark?”
“I don’t care.”
“…”
The winter sun slanted through the paper window, the light gradually dimming.
Xiao Yi saw the smoke from the incense burner rising like fine threads. The scent of plum blossoms enveloped him thickly.
When the moonlight shone, the embroidered plum branches on the screen seemed to move as if in the wind, swaying for almost the entire night, as if about to shed their petals.
Her “fallen horse” hairstyle swayed continuously, like a waterfall, cascading down.
The night before, he had dreamed of plum blossoms in full bloom while drunk. Tonight, he was drunk again.
He dreamed of falling into the clouds, initially feeling a softness, then a wild horse several times tried to throw him off. He followed the wild horse’s rhythm, pressing the waves, riding the waves, using strength and skill to gallop with it across a vast snowy plain, exhilaratingly, until the wild horse could no longer run. It nuzzled him, expressing submission and affection.
Finally, he dreamed of entering a plum forest, where plum blossoms fell like rain, gently surrounding him.
Snow rustled, falling all night.
After an unknown period, Xiao Yi felt a kiss on his cheek. The soft, delicate person in his arms left, letting out a soft moan as she got out of bed.
He was woken up and, in his sleepiness, hugged the quilt and lay there for a while longer. Thinking that he had to escort the Empress to Tai Ping Palace today, he got up.
Turning the screen, he saw Li Hanmei sitting by the table, pouring herself a cup of wine and drinking it.
“I’m so thirsty. Give me a cup too.”
“It’s all finished.”
Xiao Yi, still drowsy, went over and sat down. Li Hanmei held his head, not kissing him, but gently stroking his back.
“You have to go to Tai Ping Palace today, right?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve made arrangements. I’ll bring you out in a while.”
“Will you draw my eyebrows for me?”
“Okay.”
Xiao Yi didn’t actually know how to draw eyebrows.
But he simply picked up the eyebrow pencil and brushed lightly twice. Li Hanmei looked at his eyes in the bronze mirror and a smile of contentment appeared.
“A long time ago, I imagined this scene, my perfect husband drawing my eyebrows for me in the mirror. I thought this would never happen in my lifetime.”
“My hands are clumsy, I don’t draw well, but luckily your eyebrows are beautiful.”
“You’re so eloquent. How can there be a man like you? Ambitious, handsome, capable, gentle… What a pity, I was born twenty years too early.”
A few tears suddenly fell from Li Hanmei’s eyes.
Xiao Yi was surprised.
He had never thought of her as such a soft woman.
“Why aren’t you happy?”
“No, I’m too happy. I’m very satisfied, truly.”
Li Hanmei held Xiao Yi’s hand and wiped the tears from her face.
She looked at him, her face breaking into a smile, her eyes full of tenderness.
“Having my perfect husband wipe away my tears is also something I’ve always wanted… Alright, it’s time to go to Tai Ping Palace.”
“Okay.”
Facing Li Hanmei’s inexplicable sadness, Xiao Yi felt strange and could only be as considerate as possible towards her.
Before walking out of the hall, he personally draped a fox fur cloak over her.
Xiao Yi said, “I’ll go find an umbrella.”
“No.”
Li Hanmei grabbed him and said, “Before we leave, let’s not separate, okay?”
“There will be plenty of time later.”
“I don’t want to wait.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Exiting the hall, Li Hanmei still held his hand tightly.
Xiao Yi looked ahead at the heavy palace gates, knowing that he would have to let go to cross the courtyard.
Li Hanmei stopped in the courtyard and murmured, “After leaving here, you and I will have to pretend to be lord and subject, enemies.”
“It’s only for a while.”
“I don’t want even a moment.”
“They are waiting.”
“Let them wait.”
Xiao Yi increasingly sensed something was wrong.
The next moment, Li Hanmei leaned softly into his embrace.
“What’s wrong?”
“Let’s just sit here in the courtyard for a while and look at the winter plum blossoms I planted.”
“Alright.”
Xiao Yi held Li Hanmei and sat in the cold snow.
Letting the snowflakes fall, letting people wait outside the distant palace gates.
“If after ten years, I was still pestering you like this, you would surely detest me, wouldn’t you?”
“We’ll find out when the time comes.”
“I don’t want to wait, I can’t wait. How I hate it, you were born after me, and I’m already old when you are born.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Am I very unsuitable for reciting poetry? I’ve wanted to exchange poems with my perfect husband since I was little. I’ve even been Empress Dowager, yet I’m acting like a young girl with you. How ridiculous, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s not. After we leave Tai Ping Palace, I’ll compose poems with you.”
“Can you compose poems? Can you give me one?”
“In a few days.”
“No, now. I want it now.”
“Alright.”
Xiao Yi couldn’t recall a famous piece for a moment. He wiped the snow that kept falling on Li Hanmei’s forehead, and a line of dialogue, not poetry, surfaced in his mind.
“If we were to share this snow today, we would have faced old age together in this life… I only have half a line for now; I’ll complete it for you tomorrow.”
“I like it very much, I really, really like it.”
“If you like it, I know many poems. I’ll recite them to you slowly.”
“No, I’m not greedy. Better to have less than to have poor quality. I only want this half-line of profound emotion, I don’t want three hundred poems.”
As she spoke, a smile appeared on Li Hanmei’s face. She said softly, “Do you know? I originally hated it, hated that my life was wasted, and twenty years were all in vain. But I realized, it’s better to have one night of unforgettable memory than a lifetime of mediocrity.”
“Was there something wrong with that cup of wine?” Xiao Yi got up, wanting to inspect the wine pot.
Li Hanmei held his hand tightly, nestled peacefully against his chest, and whispered, “Meeting you, I am truly so satisfied. I don’t want to put you in danger, nor do I want you to despise me later. Just remember me at my most beautiful…”
