Chapter 7: Spring Shade (I)
Yes
He said, what is embroidered on that blue ribbon
Does the young lady still have the energy to concern herself with those outside in her current situation
I was raised by my elder brother, who endured a lot of hardships for me. I have always remembered that without him, there would be no me. Please help me...
However, for him, pain is more bearable than itchiness, so he has come to rely on the sensation of pain when the medicinal powder seeps into his skin
The young lady must have been frightened by the young master
After speaking, she seemed to feel that she should not rashly discuss his private matters in front of his servant, and hurriedly clarified: "I have heard people in the city say that the Grand Marshal is strict with the young master, and everyone has their fears. Is the young master also..."
The old servant did not ask any further, straightened up, and dusted off the dust from his hands
How may I assist you
Hey, sir, please stand up. No... no need to look for clothes. I am afraid that if the young master sees them, he will feel uncomfortable. I am looking for you because I would like to ask for your help.
Miss, it seems you are correct. In Luoyang, even the Emperor within the palace fears the master.
The people inside the carriage remained silent, and Zhao Qian, feeling impatient, turned his hand to lift the curtain with the hilt of his sword
Zhao Qian could no longer endure, "Who are you speaking to? You are speaking to the Grand Master of the Central Secretariat. The Grand Master holds a position of great authority among the subjects. Do you not think that those who are overly powerful are easily broken?"
As she spoke, a hand as delicate as if it had no bones reached out from behind the window. In the hand was a silk handkerchief wrapped around something.
That depends on what the young lady has entrusted me with
I... dare not say
He saw it that day, but did not hit me
Zhao Qian suddenly turned around: "That's enough, if you want to scold me, then just scold me. Why bring women into this? I, Zhao Qian, may not see as far as you do. I accept being captured and humiliated, and I can slap myself for it. Yes, without you, I might have been shot through the heart at Jinshan Pass. I said it before, if you want my head, I will give it to you, but if you want to compare me to women, then come down here and let’s have a fight right here.
The old servant looked up and smiled.
In the eyes of the world, Luoyang is a prosperous and rich city, where scholars engage in literary debates and physicians compete in herbal knowledge. The gentry partake in hunting, with eagles soaring and dogs running in the wild, pursuing deer and chasing game.
He did not mind at all, gazing at the snow dragon sand that was sprawled out and fast asleep in the courtyard, and casually remarked: "Every mortal has their fears, but this does not sound like something a girl of your age would say. The master used to be very afraid of dogs, but now he is no longer afraid. As for what he fears now, truly no one knows."
Where is he now
No matter how splendid the city is, after enduring the ravages of war, it has been abandoned and neglected, only to be revived by those with ulterior motives. Through this turmoil, it inevitably bears the scars of its past. It is only because it has been rejuvenated in the hands of the current inhabitants, appearing youthful, that those living within the city do not easily perceive its flaws
Ah, is it possible
He spoke with great passion, yet there was no response in the car
She hesitated, "If... if there is no money or food at home, let him sell these and exchange them for some rice and vegetables at the western market."
The young master said, that is the family law. So... is it the Grand Marshal
Until he encountered the solitary half-ghost on Tongtuo Street. Fearful of death yet having committed an audacious act. He sought to force her true identity to surface, to discern which power she belonged to in the city and what her intentions were. However, when he believed that torment and humiliation could easily strip away her mask, revealing her fierce nature, he was perplexed to find that, apart from palpable "fear," he could elicit nothing else.
On the sixth day, she finally could not help but call out to the old servant
However, this is also acceptable
Her fingers trembled slightly, and her body seemed to shrink back a little
She hesitated for a moment and said softly: "My elder brother is blind. Before I came here, I had not seen him and do not know if he has returned home. I also do not know if the official has given him the silver money..."
She paused for a moment behind the curtain, recalling his expression at that time. Beneath the still waters lay an undercurrent she could not comprehend, seemingly indifferent yet seemingly deeply obsessed.
Due to several consecutive days without any prisoners, there are rumors that troops will be dispatched to the outskirts for a search.
Why, back in the day, you and I marched north to fight the Qiang, drinking! Those days of blood sacrifices and wagering heads for wine money were truly exhilarating. Now, what good is this city of Luoyang? A few wealthy households wager the heads of beautiful women for wine, and they think they have the thrill of tasting blood on the blade? Killing beauties to accompany their wine, a group of cultured scoundrels who mislead the nation!
People of low status, like Xi Yin, are as easily intoxicated by this seemingly accessible yet fundamentally illusory grandeur as flying weeds and smoke.
Thus, there is always someone who knows how to cover the wounds on their body with fine garments, and there is always someone who can feel the arrival of spring as the ice melts, walking on thin ice, and when crossing the river to the opposite shore, the trembling fear in their legs
Zhang Duo was reviewing a document without looking up: "You have recovered from your injury"
In a moment, the city is filled with wind and rain
The old servant raised his head. "Did you just say that your elder brother is blind?"
Zhao Qian stroked the horse's mane and said, "If Your Majesty decides to launch a campaign to the east, will you go?"
In a moment of silence, a cryptic phrase suddenly emerged amidst the sound of hoofbeats
However, the fate of individuals and cities is sometimes interconnected
Seeing her in distress, the old servant turned away and said, "Go find a set of clothes for the young lady."
At the beginning of spring and autumn, the English lettuce blooms in the forest, and insects all begin to emerge.
The old servant raised his head and smiled gently at her
The shadow of the copper camel is stretched long, and the catalpa trees by the roadside are sprouting new leaves, while the wind carries unknown tufts of grass.
Having been lonely for too long, at this moment, Zhang Duo really wants to find someone to accompany him in a room, without saying a word, without thinking of anything, quietly together, to tend to each other's wounds.
Who are you talking to
This person has experienced a certain degree of loneliness over the past few decades
Zhao Qian rode a horse to escort him
She recognized her disheveled attire and hurriedly retreated behind the curtain, shyly revealing half of her face.
Five days later
The sound of carriages and horses mingles, as the aroma of steamed rice and cooked meat gradually rises in the wind, softening the somber atmosphere along the Copper Camel Imperial Road
Zhang Tuihan, speak!
Upon hearing this, her expression suddenly brightened.
Hearing Jiang Ling say, today a young man visited the residence, dressed in a white robe and blindfolded with a green ribbon
Zhao Qianyi felt embarrassed and immediately said, "It has been five days; it should have come out by now. Besides, who is the one executing the sentence? They are all brothers with whom we have shared our lives before. It's just for show; they wouldn't be aiming for my life. Do you think they are all like Lord Sima..."
He is not present, and no one dares to enter Qingtan Residence without permission; even Jiang Ling only responds from outside the door
You do not tell the young master, I... I only dare to speak to you.
Xi Yin seems to be such a despicable and ignorant person, unable to recognize poison, unable to hold a knife steadily, illiterate, greedy for trivial amounts of money, unaware of who is using her, and oblivious to the deep whirlpool she has stirred up. All of this is merely to save the life of a "brother" of hers
As the golden crow descends upon Mount Beimang, Zhang Duo's carriage finally departs from the palace city
The embroidery features a pattern of pine waves
Old man
In this situation, Zhang Duo, as the Chief of the Secretariat, was almost never at the residence during the day. Xi Yincai was able to sneak into the drawer to steal medicine, sitting in a corner where the light did not reach, secretly tending to his wounds
What are you doing stuck inside? Come out and ride a horse
He added after speaking, "It seems that the young master is not allowed."
is ... ...
The wounds on Xi Yin's body healed very slowly, and he did not dare to ask him for medicine. He foolishly endured the pain alone, secretly licking the wound on his leg when he was not looking, but the one on his waist had become inflamed, swelling more severely day by day. Fortunately, after the emperor was attacked, the palace was filled with anxiety, and the inner city was also in turmoil. The central army and the imperial guards, shackled and chained, searched the city day and night, their fish-scale armor reflecting the light of the sky and flames. Countless people rushed past the grand doors of various mansions in Yongle, even the carriages of high officials dared not approach.
How to say
The old servant's words made her somewhat embarrassed, but she did not deny it. Unconsciously, she touched the wounds on her body and nodded with a soft "mm." Then she hurriedly pleaded, "Please, old man, do not tell the young master."
The wound on Zhang Duo's back has begun to scab over, and at times it itches intensely
Alright, alright, I am afraid of you... Can you not bring up the past?
The pages of the book in Zhang Duo's hand paused
The old servant lowered his head to look at that innocent hand. "You stole the master's belongings, are you not afraid of being punished again?"
She recalled the scene of him being tormented by nightmares at night, and couldn't help but sniffle
The voice grew increasingly faint, and the old servant quietly awaited her next words, yet after a long while, nothing came.
I don't think so, I haven't grasped enough yet. You need not accompany me for this part of the journey
Have you asked the master?
Not going
In the outer courtyard, apart from the snow dragon sand, there was only an old servant responsible for cleaning. According to the schedule, he would deliver her meals and water from the western window. He did not speak, nor did he ever look at her.
Travelers enjoy their leisure atop the high city, gazing eastward at the fields, looking back to view the gardens. Behind them lies the lush Mang Mountain, while to the south flows the vast Luo River. During the rainy season, the river swells dramatically, and in a single night, it transforms the accumulated beauty of spring into the fruits of autumn.
She was momentarily stunned, recalling the previous night when his bare back, exposed and bloodied, came to mind. She couldn't help but say: "Even the emperor fears the young master, so who is it that inflicted such a severe flogging on him"
Do you think the Prince of Jin truly wants to go to war
This is the incense I stole, I am not very familiar with it, it seems to be... honey wood, could you please pass it to my elder brother and let him see if it is valuable
Did you steal it
You ... ...
Xi Yin lowered her eyelids and said, "I don't think so"
She does not even know who Zhang Duo is. She is unaware of his past, nor does she know his present
The consecutive days of sunshine have warmed the easterly winds, and the new swallows have returned, building their nests under the eaves. The downy feathers of the chicks are warm and tender, just like the women in the room.
The master is not present, and outsiders are not allowed to stay in the residence; this is the rule. If he is looking for you, he may still be outside the door
"What are you saying, speaking of the Jinshan Pass and the difficult battles, you have been captured, forced..."
Zhao Qian quickly closed his mouth, coughed awkwardly, retracted the hilt of his sword, and said with a hint of displeasure: "Forget it, you can take the carriage; you cannot ride a horse"
You are also shy, knowing shame yet lacking courage, what is the difference between you and that woman
I will go find some clothes for the young lady