AEOGA CH68

On the fifth day of the eleventh lunar month, twilight was falling.

Thick layers of snow covered the palace paths, and crystal-clear icicles hung from the eaves. Fortunately, the snow had stopped for a rare respite; otherwise, even getting around would have been an issue.

Wrapped in thick winter clothes, Hua Yan wore a heavy cloak over his shoulders and held a hand warmer in his arms, continuously exhaling puffs of white vapor.

“This weather is just too cold,” Hua Yan said, his voice trembling as he shivered from the frost, his cheeks flushed red, showing just how frigid it was outside.

Fu Xinian, who was walking along the same path, saw his state and stuffed his own hand warmer into Hua Yan’s arms: “Take mine as well.”

Hua Yan pushed the hand warmer back: “Why would I hold two? To burn me to death and freeze you to death? We’d better reach His Highness’s palace sooner to warm up.”

When the two arrived at Chongxue Palace and stepped inside, they immediately felt a sudden, cozy warmth—as if it were a completely different season from the outside world.

An evening banquet was set up in the main hall, with fruits, dishes, and wine already laid out on the tables. Lu Xuechao and Xie Chongjin sat side by side at the head seat.

Taking off his cloak, Hua Yan handed his hand warmer to a palace servant and rubbed his hands together: “It really is warmer here at Your Highness’s place—just like summer. I was nearly frozen to death on the way over.”

Fu Xinian smiled lightly: “‘Green-tinged freshly brewed wine, a small red-clay stove. As evening comes and snow impends, could we share a cup or two?'”

Lu Xuechao said: “Inviting you all over was precisely to drink and celebrate together. Take your seats.”

After performing their greetings, the two sat down. Seeing that the others had not yet arrived and the hall was quiet, Hua Yan started the conversation: “To think the Tanhua and I arrived the earliest—it makes us look particularly gluttonous.”

“You two live closest to Chongxue Palace, so what’s so strange about arriving early?” Xie Chongjin shut down the topic in a single sentence.

Hua Yan tried to find another topic: “His Majesty’s Zichen Palace is farther than ours, yet you arrived even earlier than we did. I didn’t expect His Majesty to care so much about His Highness the Empress.”

Xie Chongjin: “Naturally you wouldn’t expect it. Imperial power aside, I have been at Chongxue Palace all along and never left.”

Hua Yan, who had only wanted to liven up the atmosphere: “…”

He felt that no matter how tactful or quick-witted a person was, they couldn’t handle such an upfront answer.

Fortunately, before he could feel awkward, Lin Chanzhi and Wang Yiming arrived. Moments later, Liu Yansheng and Shen Hezhou arrived together as well. With more people present, the atmosphere in the hall naturally became lively.

Hua Yan looked at two remaining empty seats: “Noble Consort Liu’s Cuiwei Palace is the farthest from here, yet you’ve all arrived, while Helian and Young General Qin haven’t shown up. They wouldn’t miss His Highness’s birthday banquet, would they?”

Ever since the Mid-Autumn Festival, those two had acted strangely and rarely showed their faces. Once winter set in and everyone stayed indoors, they met even less.

Liu Yansheng said: “How could they fail to give face to His Highness the Empress? Just wait a moment and they should be here.”

Speak of the devil. Just as Liu Yansheng finished speaking, Qin Yulong strode in and bowed to Xie Chongjin and Lu Xuechao.

Hua Yan looked out toward the palace entrance: “Young General Qin, where is Helian? Didn’t he come with you?”

Those living near each other had all come together—like Hua Yan and Fu Xinian, Shen Hezhou and Liu Yansheng, and Lin Chanzhi and Wang Yiming. Qin Yulong and Helian Xi lived right next to each other, yet he had come alone.

Taking his seat, Qin Yulong nodded with an unreadable expression.

He had actually wanted to come together with Helian Xi. Ever since that night, Helian Xi had stayed inside his palace, refusing to show his face, and once winter arrived, he had started hibernating in earnest, never stepping out again. With His Highness’s birthday today providing a rare opportunity, Qin Yulong had set up a watch on Feiquan Palace, planning to step out whenever Helian Xi did so they could meet on the way and chat.

Qin Yulong was even more straightforward than Xie Chongjin. Xie Chongjin possessed sharp perception, and his bluntness was a deliberately trained reflex to reject unwanted affection. Qin Yulong, however, was naturally thick-skinned and straightforward; manufacturing such a chance encounter had already consumed all his thoughts.

Who could have known the other party wouldn’t budge for the longest time? Thinking carefully, Qin Yulong realized Helian Xi was still deliberately avoiding him—if Qin Yulong didn’t leave first, Helian Xi wouldn’t make a move. Seeing that delaying any longer would cause him to miss the appointed time, Qin Yulong had no choice but to set off first.

Helian Xi must still have not forgiven him, which was why he refused to be alone with him.

Hua Yan was utterly bewildered; what kind of grudge was this that hadn’t healed after months?

Right after Qin Yulong arrived, Helian Xi followed closely behind. Though he had publicly claimed to be bedridden for months, Helian Xi showed no signs of frailness; clad in fire-red attire, he was as vibrant, striking, and handsome as ever.

From the moment he entered, Qin Yulong’s gaze locked onto him without shifting away for a single second.

Helian Xi bowed, his youthful voice clear: “Helian arrives late. May His Majesty and His Highness forgive me.”

“It matters not,” Lu Xuechao said gently. “You have been unwell; has your body recovered?”

“It was merely a catch of cold, unsuitable for going out into the wind. After resting in the palace for a few months, I have fully recovered; otherwise, I wouldn’t dare come over and risk passing any lingering illness to Your Highness.” Helian Xi wasn’t lying—his mood had been sullen, and paired with his first experience of Changli’s harsh winter after coming from Xifeng, he had indeed fallen ill due to acclimatization issues. However, with a strong constitution, it was nothing serious; staying indoors was primarily due to a sickness of the heart.

“It is good that you are well. Sit,” Xie Chongjin said. “Everyone has arrived; let the banquet begin.”

Yun Luo nodded and announced loudly: “Let the banquet begin!”

With this call, everyone could pick up their chopsticks, and the prepared music, dances, and theatrical plays could proceed.

Banquet arrangements in the palace were supposed to be managed personally by Lu Xuechao as the Empress. However, as the guest of honor, there was no reason for the main subject to arrange his own birthday banquet. This event was neither prepared by the Directorate of Palace Attendants nor handled by Noble Consort Liu who managed the inner palace; instead, Xie Chongjin himself had carved out time from his busy schedule to manage every detail.

Though it wasn’t lavish, it wasn’t overly simple either. The Music and Dance Bureau had prepared performances, and a folk theater troupe had been brought in to perform plays.

Helian Xi sat down. Qin Yulong looked at him with an expression of wanting to speak, but the other didn’t spare him a glance, fixing his eyes entirely on the stage performance.

He could only retract his gaze and absentmindedly watch the play.

This was a new play, titled The Emperor and Empress’s Public Trial at the Yamen, depicting the scene where Xie Chongjin and Lu Xuechao presided over the case at the Qiuling County Yamen.

Xie Chongjin had only found out when reviewing the program list that his public trial with Qingshu had been adapted into a play and performed among the populace, becoming immensely popular. Having been controlled like a marionette for years, seeing someone portray him on stage for the first time struck him as amusing, so he had selected this performance.

On stage, the play reached the scene of Madam Liu’s wrongful accusation. The actor playing the Emperor sat high in the courtroom, speaking with resonant force: “In the second year of the Xichao era, in the sixth lunar month, Madam Liu reported to the authorities that she was defiled by Li. The verdict ordered Madam Liu to marry Li as a concubine. Based on what law? How is it that We were unaware?”

The actor playing Magistrate Zhang said in trembling terror: “A gentleman fulfills the beauty in others! Madam Liu lost her chastity and had no further prospects, so this lower official brought them together for… for Madam Liu’s own good!”

Cracking melon seeds, Hua Yan said furiously upon hearing this: “Bah! What twisted logic is that? The victim becomes the guilty party, while the lawbreaker gets justified!”

Compared to Hua Yan’s righteous indignation, both Qin Yulong and Helian Xi stiffened at the same time.

Qin Yulong felt bitterness in his heart—how was he any different from that criminal who defiled someone’s purity? He ought to stand trial as well. His Majesty and His Highness showed him mercy out of old friendship, but that was unfair to Helian Xi.

Helian Xi lowered his eyes, his thoughts unknown.

“Magistrate Zhang is indeed learned, even knowing that a gentleman fulfills the beauty in others,” sang the actor playing the Empress. “Yet do you know the full line is: ‘A gentleman fulfills the beauty in others, not their evil. A petty man does the opposite‘?”

In the end, the criminal was sentenced to castration according to the law, drawing cheers from everyone.

Hua Yan said with satisfaction: “That’s how it should be! His Majesty and His Highness the Empress were so formidable!”

He looked toward Fu Xinian: “Tanhua, when you judge cases normally, are you also this formidable?”

Before Fu Xinian could reply, Hua Yan answered his own question: “Punishing evil and upholding good, using the law as a sword to cut down all criminals in the world—just thinking about it sounds incredible!”

As the play concluded, it brought down the house with applause. Liu Yansheng said: “I didn’t expect His Majesty and His Highness the Empress to have encountered such exciting events during their trip south. We truly missed out on a lot.”

Having watched this play, everyone held even greater admiration and faith in the imperial couple. As for what Qin Yulong and Helian Xi were reminded of because of it, no one knew.

Xie Chongjin rewarded the theater troupe, who expressed their gratitude before taking their leave, followed by music and dance performances.

After toasts were exchanged, it was time for the presentation of gifts.

Liu Yansheng rose and said: “I have heard that His Highness’s chess skills are superb, and that in your youth, you once set up a ‘Precious Dragon’ chess layout that no one in the world could solve. I also enjoy chess and once set up this layout at home to study it carefully, though regrettably, due to my dullness, I could not solve it. A fine game of chess should be paired with a chess grandmaster; this Linglong chessboard in my possession—made of Huanghuali wood for the board and black-and-white jade pearls for the pieces—is something only Your Highness is worthy of. I wish Your Highness great fortune on your birthday.”

Lu Xuechao said: “Yansheng is very thoughtful. However, the saying that ‘no one in the world can solve it’ is long outdated. In our leisure time in the private quarters, His Majesty and I casually played a few moves and solved it.”

Xie Chongjin had a solid grasp on fundamental noble skills such as the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Back at the Imperial Academy, while Lu Xuechao was the eternal first place, Xie Chongjin was second—and that second place was already at a level of supreme mastery.

When the two were together, playing music together, competing at chess, reciting poetry, and painting were refined pleasures that ordinary people could never hope to match.

When a melody is too high, few can join in, making a soulmate hard to find; when a player has no opponent in chess, they stand alone in defeat; when poetry and painting reach absolute perfection, any addition by others becomes mere scribbling.

When a person stands too high, it feels cold at the peak.

Yet in this world, there was—and only ever was—Xie Chongjin, who could play music in harmony with him, solve his ‘Precious Dragon’ chess layout, finish the second half of his poems, and co-create a single painting with him.

Liu Yansheng was surprised, then smiled: “His Majesty and Your Highness are indeed the ultimate match. With His Majesty playing against Your Highness, this chessboard won’t gather dust like it did in my hands.”

Shen Hezhou glared at him imperceptibly—was he mocking his terrible chess skills?

He hadn’t even mocked Liu Yansheng’s paintings for lacking artistic spirit.

Everyone had their strengths; all-rounders like Lu Xuechao and Xie Chongjin were rare exceptions. While the four arts were required courses for nobility, not everyone could master every single one. For instance, Liu Yansheng was weak in painting, while Shen Hezhou was unsuited for chess.

Shen Hezhou also rose and said: “Since Yansheng gifted a chessboard, I shall gift a painting. This is a birthday painting I created to celebrate Your Highness’s birthday. May Your Highness be like the pine and the crane, blessed with lasting health.”

He ordered someone to present a painting. In the artwork, immortal cranes soared through a snowy pine forest; the white cranes were life-like, and the pine trees stood tall and vigorous—a high-level painting of pines and cranes.

“I know my skills cannot match Your Highness’s master strokes, but having no other possessions, only my paintings are presentable, so I must display my modest skill.”

Lu Xuechao admired the painting for a moment, then had Shuangjiang accept it: “The cranes dance amidst the lush green pine in the snow, gifting you the colors of spring amidst the winter cold. The artistic concept is exquisite; how can you call it modest?”

Shen Hezhou sat down with a smile.

Everyone’s gifts had their own unique features. Lin Chanzhi gifted tangerines he grew himself; Wang Yiming presented a golden statue forged from pure gold; Qin Yulong gave a self-defense bracelet with hidden mechanisms; and Fu Xinian presented rare, isolated poetic works alongside the Four Treasures of the Study, each offering various celebratory wishes.

Hua Yan was an even heavier hitter. He stated that he had nothing impressive to present, so he would perform a dance to add to everyone’s enjoyment.

Generally, a imperial consort dancing was meant to entice the Emperor. Hua Yan had no such intention, dancing purely to celebrate the Empress’s birthday, with no eyes for the Emperor at all.

Of course, the Emperor had no eyes for him either.

He danced even better than the palace dancers, leaving everyone admiring and dazzled. Xie Chongjin focused entirely on Lu Xuechao, hardly casting a glance, whereas Fu Xinian stared at Hua Yan’s dance so intently that the wine in his glass spilled over.

He felt his heart falling along with it.

After finishing his dance, Hua Yan offered his birthday wishes: “They’ve already spoken all the auspicious words about good health, intelligence, and prosperity, so I shall wish Your Highness to become ever more beautiful!”

Lu Xuechao smiled: “I shall take your blessing.”

When Hua Yan returned to his seat, Fu Xinian was still staring at him blankly.

Hua Yan asked strangely: “Why are you looking at me?”

Fu Xinian hurriedly retracted his gaze in panic: “I… I didn’t know your dancing was this good.”

Hua Yan said proudly: “Every profession has its specialization. I can’t compare to their dual talent and virtue, but I am a top courtesan of peerless beauty and art.”

…

Helian Xi’s birthday gift was a crane-feather cloak he had crafted with his own hands.

The moment Helian Xi presented it, Hua Yan gasped: “This crane-feather cloak is so gorgeous and exquisite; it definitely wasn’t made overnight. Helian, you haven’t left your palace for months—could it be you were making clothes for His Highness all along? You’re making me so envious.”

Helian Xi turned his head: “There is one for you as well. Staying in the palace was boring, so I made a few outfits—everyone gets one, and I’ll have them delivered to you all tomorrow.”

Shen Hezhou was surprised: “Then many thanks to the Ninth Prince; you are truly clever and skillful.”

Qin Yulong’s eyes shifted—did that mean he had one too?

Lu Xuechao accepted the gift with thanks.

Having received everyone’s gifts, all eyes gathered onto Xie Chongjin.

This was the main highlight, and everyone was curious about what kind of gift His Majesty would present.

Given His Majesty’s deep love and respect for His Highness the Empress, the gift was bound to be priceless and rare in this world.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Xie Chongjin spoke slowly: “Since we have chess, books, and paintings, naturally we cannot lack the zither.”

Hua Yan let out a quiet sigh of relief. Luckily he hadn’t gifted a zither, or clashing with His Majesty would have been awkward.

Xie Chongjin ordered someone to bring forward an ancient zither, presenting it before Lu Xuechao.

Lu Xuechao glanced at the zither, then turned his gaze sideways to look at Xie Chongjin.

“On Qingshu’s sixteenth birthday, I gifted you a zither named the Yearning Zither, originally meant to express my longing where ‘a single day apart feels like three months’, hoping that seeing the zither would be like seeing me, knowing my yearning thoughts.”

Who could have thought they would truly be separated through countless days and nights, with longing knowing no end?

Xie Chongjin said in a low voice: “That meaning was not good.”

Long longing brings long remembrance, short longing brings endless pain; had I known it would entangle the heart so, why met at all in the past?

During the days and nights Lu Xuechao could not see Xie Chongjin, he often played the zither alone, only there was no longer anyone to play in harmony with him. He possessed his own proud bones and never played melancholy or self-pitying tunes like Deep Palace Grievance; he played Wind in the Pines, the melody Xie Chongjin had once joined him in playing.

Playing until strings broke with no one to harmonize, smashing the zither to sever thoughts.

Wishing to entrust one’s heart to the jade zither. With few soulmates, who will listen when the strings snap?

“‘Clear and cold upon the seven strings, listening quietly to the cold pine wind.'” Xie Chongjin mentioned their past memories of playing together, offering a faint smile. “If there is no soulmate present, for whom should the qin be played? Within these silk strings are woven strands of our hair tied together, installed by my own hands one by one, and named the Together Forever Zither.”

“‘Tying our hair to become husband and husband, loving each other with no doubts. If we can stay together forever, why sigh for growing old?'”

“May Qingshu enjoy lasting peace and eternal joy.”

“May there only be remaining together from now on, and no more yearning apart.”