Chapter Seven, the thoughts of lingering snow and frost in the hair
The wind caused his voice to be intermittent, revealing both worry and an underlying fatigue. "Our army's morale is like the clouds, and the Emperor's strength is unstoppable and difficult to shake. Therefore, some began to think of alternative strategies— they sought the assistance of the 'sorcerer'.
He cleared his throat and smiled as he gestured towards the direction of the Fengxian Hall, "Compared to her, that Princess Danjia is said to be even more stunningly beautiful and exceptionally talented."
I... I would like to take a stroll by the Qinhuai River
He suddenly recalled something, and his heart skipped a beat, causing a change in his expression.
His voice was calm and indifferent, yet it resonated in Xue Wen's ears with a jolt
Your Majesty, Your Majesty ... ... ?
Xue Wen recalled the chaos that ensued when he left, and suddenly felt that the emperor was indeed subtle—was that princess merely extraordinary?
Xue Wen's complexion was more bitter than that of a bitter melon, and he stammered: "Long live, in these times of turmoil, the city is inevitably filled with chaotic troops, for your safety..."
Xue Wen was taken aback—Emperor Zhao Yuan was born in humble circumstances, having fought across the realm for over ten years, yet he was unaware that he actually grew up by the banks of the Qinhuai River in the Tang state
After Emperor Zhao Yuan finished speaking, he turned around and intended to leave
Oh?
Emperor Zhao Yuan stood quietly, not turning back, nor speaking a word. His dark black robe billowed and swayed in the wind, adding an extra layer of solitude to his imperial demeanor
After laughing for a while, he finally restrained his twitching expression. Seeing that people in the courtyard were already arriving one after another with food trays and silver boxes, he knew that the delicacies the princess desired had finally been delivered
He surveyed the imposing and majestic emperor before him, noticing the faint expression between his brows, yet his lips were tightly pressed together, and he closed his eyes with a hint of weariness.
At that time, I was still young, yet I often loitered by the river. I was always eager to watch the storytelling in the teahouses, the singing in the restaurants, and the duels in front of the martial arts schools
The voice of the emperor remained cold and heavy, as if nothing could shake his heart of iron and stone—"This matter is not urgent. By tonight, news from the western front will arrive, and I will personally meet these heirs of the Tang dynasty."
The sound of the mahjong startled Meow Meow, causing it to cry out. Xue Wen rubbed his temples, suppressing both his headache and laughter, and still spoke politely: "I have noted everything the princess said. Since you are still busy... I shall not disturb you any further."
Amidst the howling wind, his voice seemed somewhat distant and vague, as scenes from the past emerged before him, yet they were as vivid as if they were from yesterday
He squinted his eyes, recalling the chaotic, absurd, hazy, and enchanting night of last night—just a single night, yet he felt as if it had been a dream.
The青石 slabs by the riverside, soaked in the passage of time, the ethereal and melodious music and stories drifting from the wine houses and tea shops, the willows on both banks like wisps of smoke, and the little girl selling magnolia flowers in the rain curtain
I trust you were quite pleased with the Danli princess from last night
The attendant showed a troubled expression, glancing towards the highest ridge of the Zhenghe Hall. Xue Wen followed his gaze and immediately spotted a tall black figure atop the soaring ridge.
When I was young, I lived by the Qinhuai River
At this moment, Emperor Zhao Yuan was in a daze
His sharply cold eyes gazed into the distance
Xue Wenluo's gaze fell upon the direction he was looking, which was the area around the Qinhuai River. Even in today's chaotic times, faint silhouettes could still be seen appearing.
Emperor Zhao Yuan cast a sweeping glance, and Xue Wen felt an even greater headache, unable to resist, he could only grit his teeth and solemnly look at his sovereign, "Your Majesty, if you must leave the palace, you must take me with you."
She
At the moment he uttered the last two words, his voice paused and intensified, revealing his apprehension towards the individual bearing that identity
I was merely afraid that you would be reminded of past sorrows, which is why I shifted the topic to beautiful women...! ... I did not expect the Emperor's gaze to be so icy that it could freeze a person into a popsicle
On this day, the sunlight was bright and dazzling, yet the north wind howled fiercely, whipping the remnants of snow and shards of ice from the eaves into a chaotic descent. Light snowflakes fell upon Emperor Zhao Yuan, but as if captivated by the cold and somber aura surrounding him, they did not land.
That woman... has quite a unique temperament
They probably haven't had any food or water for a day and a night now
He entered to pay his respects and, after much difficulty, finally met with the trusted confidant of Emperor Zhao Yuan, "Is His Majesty in?"
Xue Wen simply took a ladder and climbed up step by step until he reached the person, already out of breath
When Xue Wen recalled the moment when the army burst in, the Princess turned around in shock, her face exceptionally pale yet still maintaining a calm and noble demeanor—everyone present held a cup of poisoned tea, as they had not anticipated the army's swift advance and thus had no time to die in martyrdom
Xue Wen called out repeatedly, which finally roused him from his chaotic memories, and his brow, chiseled like a blade, slightly furrowed
Emperor Zhao Yuan remained silent, his dark and deep eyes fixed upon him, devoid of warmth
Do you wish to stop me
He struggled to utter the word "busy," then turned and took his leave, leaving behind a scene of chaos. The sunlight streaming in through the edges of the window paper made the place appear lively and bright.
Xue Wen closed the palace door and stood by the corridor pillar. His usual facade of a well-mannered young nobleman faltered at this moment, as he bent down, laughing so hard that he could hardly catch his breath
The voice of Emperor Zhao Yuan was indifferent and disheartened, yet even the wind and snow could not obscure that clarity
Xue Wen looked into the emperor's puzzled black eyes, steadied himself, and finally voiced his hidden concerns, "Before the army arrived at the Tang Kingdom, I heard a rumor..."
Without waiting for him to express his displeasure, Xue Wen subtly changed the subject. He displayed an ambiguous yet affectionate smile and leaned closer, saying: "Your Majesty, not only is the scenery of Jinling beautiful, but the people are beautiful as well..."
Gazing into the emperor's expressionless, somber black eyes, Xue Wen felt her palms sweating, and silent tears welled up in her heart
After a long while, at https://m.hetushu.com, just when Xue Wen thought he would not speak again, Emperor Zhao Yuan finally spoke up
Xue Wen smiled and said: "Your Majesty, are you not going to take a look? The beauty has already been frozen in the Fengxian Hall for a day and a night!"
As he walked along, he noticed that the soldiers had stood all night, yet their military demeanor remained solemn and orderly, surrounding the entire palace like an iron barrel. In the midst of this profound silence, the cries and panicked flight from the previous night seemed as if they had never existed.
From childhood to adolescence, he and she, how many times have they wandered through the city, laughing and playfully teasing each other
He sighed, yet did not dwell on these matters—the rise and fall of dynasties, the fortunes of the nation and family, have become so numerous over these decades of turmoil that they have rendered one numb
She should be well-fed by now... Oh, and there's her cat named Mahjong
The emperor recalled the rumors and pondered for a moment, "It is said that during these ten days, she personally commanded the defense of the city, which is indeed more courageous than most women."
Emperor Zhao Yuan glanced at him and said, "Is there something you need?"
Xue Wen shook her head and looked towards the central area where the plain white Fengxian Hall stood. Princess Danjia and other members of the royal family were silently waiting in the cold side hall, awaiting their unknown fate
Although Xue Wen's voice was respectful, it carried a hint of teasing.