Chapter 75: Secret Meeting Under the Moon
With matters settled, Xue Sui’s days became leisurely, much like an ordinary woman awaiting marriage, staying in the mansion and preparing for her wedding.
Concubine Xue’s newly assigned courtyard, formerly called “Quiet Serenity Courtyard,” was located next to Li Xiang Courtyard. This courtyard had previously been occupied by the Third Miss and had been vacant for many years. Madam Qian, after obtaining the consent of Xue Sui and Xue Ji, arranged for them to be close to each other for mutual support.
With nothing else to do, Xue Sui renamed it.
“Jade Banquet Residence.”
The four maids newly assigned by the old madams also received new names. The eldest, who was around Xiao Zhao’s age, was named “Hui Zhi,” and the remaining three were named “Hui Lan,” “Hui Quan,” and “Hui Xing” in order.
Xue Ji had been in high spirits for the past two days.
Perhaps it was hearing Xue Qingzhi’s long-lost “I’m sorry” on their wedding night.
Years of neglect were finally compensated, and a smile appeared on her face.
“These names are so elegant, I can barely keep up. Sixth Sister, where did you learn all these skills…”
Her birth mother knew very little about Xue Sui’s affairs.
In fact, she knew nothing at all.
Although Xue Sui would manage things for her and consider her feelings, they were still not as close as ordinary mothers and daughters.
Xue Ji often felt as if there was a barrier between them.
Sometimes she wanted to get closer, to show concern, but didn’t know where to start…
The grown Sixth Miss no longer needed her useless concern.
But Xue Ji had lived her life in a muddle, unable to sort out many things, and like an ignorant child, she let her daughter arrange everything.
Xue Sui casually replied to her.
“Back then, at Old Mausoleum Swamp, I learned embroidery from Master. When I had free time, I would also flip through poetry collections to pass the time.”
Xue Ji smiled, “You are so fortunate and blessed to have met such a good person. Your Master is truly a living Bodhisattva…”
Xue Sui smiled faintly, “Yes.”
Having experienced despair, one’s perspective on many things changes.
Even though every inch of land and every event in Old Mausoleum Swamp had nothing to do with Bodhisattvas. Master often spoke with a cold tone, rarely showed affection, and never smiled throughout the year.
But who says a Bodhisattva must always wear a smile?
Compassion for all beings can also be expressed through a blade.
After the new plaque for Jade Banquet Residence was hung, Xue Sui sat with Xue Ji for a while before returning to Li Xiang Courtyard.
Ru Yi was by the window, playing with Spirit Feather, with several young maids gathered around, chattering excitedly.
Spirit Feather hadn’t been on a mission for several days. It paced back and forth on the windowsill, occasionally pecking at Ru Yi’s palm, making the young girl laugh heartily…
The servants in Li Xiang Courtyard were much bolder in their actions than before. They no longer had to be as reserved or constantly watch others’ expressions.
The Sixth Miss was deeply favored by the Old Madam and had been bestowed the title of “Benevolent Woman” by the Emperor, making her a distinguished young lady in the mansion.
Xue Sui sat down silently, watching them play, her expression gentle but without a smile.
Suddenly, a dark gray shadow streaked across the sky.
It paused briefly over the eaves of Li Xiang Courtyard before soaring up, flying over the heads of the maids. Amidst a flurry of screams, it landed gently on the windowsill, its head touching Spirit Feather’s, as if engaged in an intimate conversation.
“Where did this pigeon come from?”
“It’s black!”
“No, it’s gray!”
Xue Sui’s body stiffened slightly as she stood up, “Mo Ling?”
This dark gray pigeon was named Mo Ling, and it was a pair with Spirit Feather.
Mo Ling was raised by Senior Brother.
Xue Sui sent the young maids away, asked Xiao Zhao to close the window, and retrieved the letter tube from Mo Ling’s leg.
Indeed, it was a message from Tianshu, asking her to meet.
A complex light flickered in Xue Sui’s eyes.
A moment later, it returned to calm.
“Xiao Zhao, bring the ancient book of prescriptions I found in the study the other day. And Ming Ge’er’s medicine box, pack them both.”
–
When leaving the mansion, she brought Ming Ge’er with her and first asked Ru Yi to have the steward arrange for a carriage.
The stewards and gatekeepers of Xue Mansion had now been replaced by people arranged by the Third Madam. When she requested a carriage, one was quickly prepared for her – the most spacious one. The horses looked well-fed and healthy, their coats shiny and smooth, with strong, sturdy legs, clearly well-cared-for steeds.
The gatekeeper lowered his head respectfully when he saw her lift the curtain and smile, attending to her with utmost care.
“Sixth Miss, please be careful on your journey.”
Xiao Zhao watched, unable to help but gasp.
She recalled the cold reception they received on the day she and her mistress first arrived at Xue Mansion.
In such a short time, the changes were truly immense.
–
Tianshu was still waiting for her in the courtyard by the river, planted with mulberry and willow trees.
He was not alone.
There were also Yaoguang and Yuheng.
The sky was already dusk. A square tea table was set in the courtyard, with a roasting rack nearby, emitting the aroma of meat and fruit from a moderate distance.
Yaoguang, as always, was showering Yuheng with attention, his peach blossom eyes seemingly filled with a sky full of stars, pure and fervent. Unfortunately, although Yuheng was friendly towards him, it was like an elder sister to a younger brother, and she would occasionally give him a glare.
Xue Sui sat down, holding Ming Ge’er’s hand. Yaoguang smiled and asked her.
“How is Thirteenth Sister’s dowry preparation coming along? Is there anything you need or are short of? Senior Brothers and Sisters would also like to add some things for you…”
Xue Sui smiled faintly and picked up her teacup.
“A Hongmen Banquet.”
They did not approve of her marrying into Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Yaoguang was speaking ironically.
Yaoguang tutted and turned to complain to Yuheng.
“Fifth Senior Sister, look at Thirteen, she’s already slandering me the moment she arrived, misunderstanding our sincerity…”
Yuheng glared at him, “If you can’t speak properly, then shut up.”
Yaoguang had always been free-spirited and unrestrained in his actions. Apart from the three Masters in Old Mausoleum Swamp, only two people could keep him in check: Senior Brother and Fifth Senior Sister.
With just a look from Yuheng, he became obedient.
He sighed and stirred the sizzling roast meat on the rack.
“Marry, marry. May Thirteenth Sister find a loving husband and live happily ever after.”
Yuheng remained silent.
Operating in Shangjing City was not easy.
It was not easy to meddle with the Emperor’s beloved Princess.
It was even more difficult to dig out and eradicate the deep-rooted corruption of those nobles…
None of them wanted their Thirteenth Junior Sister to put herself in danger by approaching Prince Duan and Ping Le, and by dealing with the forces of the nobles. Yet, they understood her nature. She had left Old Mausoleum Swamp and handed over the Imperial Envoy’s token, prepared to burn all bridges and fight to the bitter end. How could she be swayed by a few words?
And how could she care about romantic entanglements, finding a loving husband, or growing old together?
Yuheng placed the roasted meat onto Xue Sui’s plate.
“Senior Sister will not stop you. If you need anything, just call out, and I will come.”
Xue Sui hummed, took a bite of meat, and a sip of wine, enjoying herself leisurely.
Chatting and laughing with them, it felt as if she had returned to the leisurely days in Old Mausoleum Swamp.
Only Tianshu remained silent, barely looking up.
He didn’t eat either, acting like an outsider, fiddling with a bone-jade bronze mirror by the table.
That bronze mirror had been polished to extreme smoothness. Its handle was forged from fine iron, inlaid with gems meticulously carved from black jade. It was unlike any mirror on the market, but a creation of Tianshu’s skilled hands.
Tianshu’s fingers were exceptionally beautiful.
His knuckles were slender, and due to his excellent health regimen, even his fingernails were a healthy pale pink.
Sitting quietly and focused on his work, dressed in white, his aura was ethereal. Among the thirteen senior brothers and sisters, he was the one who most resembled an immortal or a detached gentleman, as if untouched by the mundane world.
Yuheng glanced over.
“Senior Brother put a lot of thought into preparing Thirteenth Sister’s dowry.”
Xue Sui looked up at Tianshu and winked.
“Then I’ve hit the jackpot this time. This bone-jade inlaid gem mirror is priceless. I wouldn’t trade it for a city, nor for a beauty. No matter what you offer me, I won’t exchange it…”
Yaoguang said with a smile, “When Senior Sister Yuheng gets married, will Senior Brother make another one for her?”
Tianshu ignored him, but Yuheng gave him a playful slap.
“Your mouth can’t be shut even when eating. I’ll have Master arrange for you to marry the pig butcher’s daughter and teach you a lesson!”
The two began bickering again.
Xue Sui watched with a smile, occasionally attending to Ming Ge’er.
Tianshu remained silent, exuding an air of calm.
As Xue Sui and the other two’s conversation gradually faded and dusk settled, darkening the world, the firelight rising in the courtyard illuminated his handsome and ethereal face. Only then was the bronze mirror in his hand completed.
He handed the bronze mirror to Xue Sui.
“Ping An, come out for a walk with me.”
Yaoguang and Yuheng exchanged glances and said nothing.
Xue Sui took the bronze mirror and examined it closely. She gently twisted the handle, and a sharp dagger was revealed hidden within.
What a thoughtful and exquisite design!
It could serve as a lady’s cosmetic box and also for self-defense. She wondered how long her Senior Brother had spent making it.
Xue Sui’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Senior Brother, there’s no need for this. It’s not a proper wedding.”
Tianshu looked at her, “Senior Brother has nothing to offer. Ping An, please don’t dislike it.”
“How could I? I absolutely love this bronze mirror.”
Xue Sui smiled faintly, handed Ming Ge’er over to Xiao Zhao’s care, and left with Tianshu through the back door. They walked slowly along the riverbank beneath the willow trees.
The river flowed gently, and in March, the spring breeze rustled the willow branches, making them sway.
Insects chirped at night, and the weather was very pleasant.
Tianshu led a fine horse with a coat as dark as ink. After walking for a short while, he patted its back, “Get on.”
He felt pity for Xue Sui’s previous injury and couldn’t bear to make her walk too much.
Xue Sui didn’t refuse, stepped onto the saddle, and mounted the horse.
Tianshu led the horse, walking slowly ahead.
Xue Sui watched his wide sleeves flutter, his demeanor so noble and ethereal, like a banished immortal, and suddenly couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Senior Brother, you should be a General.”
This seemingly random jest caused Tianshu to suddenly stop and look back.
“Why?”
Xue Sui said, “From the moment I first met you, I had this illusion. Everyone says Senior Brother is skilled in medicine and unparalleled in espionage, but I know that Senior Brother’s favorite subject is military strategy, and he is also skilled in archery, horsemanship, troop deployment, battlefield simulations, and knows ancient generals by heart…”
The Tianshu she described seemed like a completely different person from the Tianshu who presented himself outwardly.
If Yaoguang and Yuheng were here, they would likely be astonished.
Everyone has preferences. Liking sweet zongzi doesn’t mean one dislikes savory zongzi. Why did Junior Sister conclude that Tianshu’s greatest passion was military strategy, rather than espionage and medicine?
Tianshu looked at her quietly for a moment, without speaking.
The hazy twilight cast a veil over his handsome face, subtly concealing the ripples beneath the surface.
A full moon happened to fall onto the clear ripples of the river, creating ripples and lengthening their shadows.
Tianshu was a man of few words.
If Xue Sui didn’t speak, he wouldn’t either.
As they walked along the long riverbank, finally reaching the end, he stopped and looked at Xue Sui.
“The road ahead is fraught with peril. Senior Brother only hopes for your safety, that your heart finds its anchor and your body finds its peace.”
Xue Sui smiled at him, tightly gripping the bronze mirror.
Moonlight fell on the mirror’s surface, making her deep eyes exceptionally bright.
“I will return safely.”
–
This is serious.
The Sixth Miss Xue met with someone under the moon by the riverbank.
After one hundred and eight fruitless attempts, and with their backs aching and legs tired, two scouts finally found a clue and reported it to the Eastern Palace with great excitement.
“Your Highness, the Sixth Miss Xue is acting unusually…”
“Your subordinates have discovered something abnormal!”
“The Sixth Miss Xue is actually having a secret meeting with a man under the moon!”
Li Zhao leaned lazily on a carved wooden couch, a Suzhou embroidery pillow supporting his waist. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest, listening to his subordinate’s report with boredom, not with the furious anger they expected.
He didn’t care who the Sixth Miss was with or what she was doing.
It was just that lately, he had been utterly perplexed by his own body—
Thinking of that Sixth Miss caused his qi and blood to surge, as if burning.
But having contracted the “Love Silk Gu,” could it be that only the “Male Gu” in his belly was restless, constantly thinking about those vulgar things? While the “Female Gu” in Xue Sui was reserved and introverted, never showing any extreme reactions?
Moreover, he couldn’t be with other women, but it was permissible for Xue Sui to be with other men?
Where in the world could such an unfair Gu exist?
That scoundrel must be deceiving him!
Li Zhao narrowed his eyes, rubbed his temples that ached faintly, and waved his hand irritably.
“Investigate further and report back! Next…”
The scout paused slightly and cupped his hands, “Yes!”
Another scout waiting outside saw his colleague emerge dejectedly. He straightened his clothes, stepped over the threshold, and cautiously cupped his fists in greeting.
“Your Highness, your subordinate has learned that Prince Duan has left the capital, heading towards Yun Lu Mountain. He took a troop of elite Imperial Guards, about fifty in number, along with several sorcerers and mages, and some sacrificial items.”
Beyond Yun Lu Mountain lay Old Mausoleum Swamp.
Li Zhao’s expression turned serious, and he summoned Guan Ya.
“Tell Ye Xiao to come see me at the third watch tonight.”
I apologize for the delay today, sisters.
See you at dinner for the second update, mwah~~
