Chapter 1, The Horse Treads on Spring Mud, the Divine Spirit Soars (1)

Once, Zhu Shouqian curiously asked her: "Since Aunt Mingming knows that I am taking you out, why do you still need to change your outfit?"

Zhu Shouqian's eyes lit up, and he stammered, "I, I would like you to help me!"

Jinxi then slightly turned her head to glance at the young man, her gaze shifting to the hand pressing down on the book. She said nothing, but with just that one glance, she emanated a subtle authority

Zhu Shouqian noticed that Jin Xi's tone had softened, and he hurriedly bowed and made a gesture of respect, saying flatteringly: "Jin Xi, you may not know, but you are still considered my family. Your victory is equivalent to my victory! Li Jinglong has merely shot one more arrow than I have. Could you help me out?" Zhu Shouqian chuckled, "As long as you are willing to take action, they are no match for you!"

Zhu Shouqian's mother and Jinxi's mother are biological sisters, both daughters of the former general Xie Zaixing from Huaixi during the reign of Emperor Hongwu. The Emperor granted the elder sister in marriage to Zhu Wenzheng, the Emperor's own nephew, while the younger sister married the fierce general Xu Da under his command. After the passing of Zhu Wenzheng and his wife, Zhu Shouqian was taken in and raised by Emperor Hongwu and the Empress.

The Emperor and Empress took pity on him for losing his parents at a young age, showering him with extra affection. In terms of imperial favor, Zhu Shouqian far surpassed the current legitimate princes. He had never endured such humiliation, and upon hearing Jinxi's words, he struggled desperately.

Since then, Zhu Shouqian became attached to Xu Jinxu. To the people of the Xu residence, the two thirteen or fourteen-year-old children were merely innocent playmates, completely unaware that Xu Jinxu, who had lived on the mountain for ten years, possessed martial arts skills. Meanwhile, Zhu Shouqian, the Prince of Jingjiang, who had always been arrogant and domineering due to the favor of the Emperor and Empress, had been thoroughly subdued by Jinxu's combination of soft and hard tactics. Xu Jinxu's personal maid, Zhenbei, firmly believed that Zhu Shouqian was forcefully dragging the young lady out to play, without the slightest suspicion that it was Jinxu who was compelling Zhu Shouqian to accompany her as she explored the entirety of Nanjing.

Taking a deep breath of air mixed with the scent of earth and grass, Jinxi chuckled and said, "Pretending to be obedient in the mansion all day is so boring, it could drive one to death. Tie Zhu, thank you so much!"

Zhu Shouqian, despite his arrogance, shook his head: "The Heaven-Defying Sword is hidden in the inner treasury, and even the Emperor is reluctant to use it. As for the Cloud-Cutting Blade, its whereabouts are unknown; this matter is beyond your brother's capabilities."

Jinxi caught a glimpse of Zhenbei as she exited the room. Upon hearing her footsteps fade down the embroidery building, she suddenly jumped up, seized the boy's ear, and twisted it hard, scolding, "You dead iron pillar! Not keeping your promise! What will we do if your parents find out!"

Jinxi tilted her head to look at him, and suddenly swung the whip: "Cousin, watch Feilan take revenge for you!" The horse galloped away into the woods.

"Then I don't want the sword anymore. You must take me out to play ten times this month!" Jinxi thought proudly that the Cloud Sword was in her hands, and there was no way Zhu Shouqian could obtain it. She merely wanted to take advantage of her father, Duke Wei Xu Da, being away from home to sneak out and have some fun. She happily stretched out her arms and waved them in front of Zhu Shouqian, while her eyes remained fixed on the crowd beneath the trees ahead.

The most formidable sword in the world is none other than the Heaven Reliant Sword. Li Bai once wrote in a poem: "How can I obtain the Heaven Reliant Sword, to cross the sea and slay the great whale!"

At this moment, Jinxi seemed like a different person, brimming with vitality, her bright eyes sparkling with light, a hint of anger mixed with playfulness, lively and spirited

Jinxi cast a weak glance at Zhu Shouqian, and he jumped up: "Why are you being so nagging just because I took my cousin out for a meal! When have I ever not brought her back safely!" Without caring about Zhenbei, he grabbed Jinxi's hand and walked out.

Zhu Di is merely one year older than I am... Zhu Shouqian muttered, raising his head to see Jinxi's delicate brows slightly furrowed, her gaze fixed upon him, forcing him to swallow back the disrespectful words that were about to escape his lips

Zhu Shouqian felt a surge of warmth in his mind, and a protective instinct arose within him, quickly forgetting the humiliation and embarrassment he had just experienced

At that time, Zhu Shouqian was fourteen years old, while Xu Jinxu was only thirteen years old

Zhu Shouqian regained his senses and hurried to catch up

Jinxī! Jinxī! Accompanied by the sound of shouts, the rhythmic sound of footsteps approached from afar

I..." Zhu Shouqian was at a loss for words. He couldn't even defeat the dandy Li Jinglong, whom he looked down upon, and couldn't help but say in a fit of rage, "Jinxu, I have arranged to compete with them again today. This time, I must win!"

The Heavenly Sword slays the whale, cutting through the clouds to strike the falcon

A carriage was parked at the side gate of the Xu residence. Jinxi gently supported Zhu Shouqian's hand as they entered the carriage. Zhu Shouqian mounted his horse and shouted to his bodyguard: "Hurry, to the outskirts of the city!"

Zhu Shouqian thought that Jinxi's words made sense, completely unaware that since being with Jinxi, there had not been a single instance where he felt her words were unreasonable

"Jinxu, are you ready yet?" Zhu Shouqian anxiously peered into the carriage.

"Young Master, please have some tea!" At this moment, Zhenbei entered while carrying a tea tray.

He fears no one, yet he is particularly afraid of his cousin Jinxi, who is a year younger than him. Despite being fourteen this year and half a head shorter than him, Zhu Shouqian has suffered greatly at her hands

With a gentle flick of the curtain, Jinxi, dressed in men's attire, stepped out. She mounted the horse, affectionately patted its head, and shouted loudly: "Tie Zhu, let’s go! We are going to take revenge!"

Jinxi did not expose him, but smiled and asked, "Where is the carriage?"

"Who dares to look down on you? How strange," Jinxi said leisurely, slowly reclining back on the imperial concubine chair, picking up the book again and reading it carefully, as if there were no one else in the room.

The young man waved his hand impatiently and said, "Forget it, just go!"

Zhu Diqian looked at the open palm of Jinxi and thought to himself, ten times? This month is already half over, and for the other half of the month, I have to go to the Wei Guogong Mansion every day to bring Jinxi out of her home. How should I explain this to my aunt and my cousin Xu Huizu?

As soon as the words were spoken, he felt the world spin and stumbled, landing face down in the snow, his mouth filled with ice and snow, both cold and painful. A foot pressed down on his back, preventing him from turning over. Above him, a clear voice lazily said: "Good-for-nothing!"

Xu Jinxu was slightly taken aback but soon understood, a smile spreading across her lips, her expression exceedingly gentle: "Is it Brother Shouqian?"

"I went? I am not you. I won, what glory do you have?"

At this moment, Xu Jinxu finally released her foot, clapped her hands, and squatted down to look at him: "Brother Shouqian, please don't be angry. Jinxu really wants to go home. When you say that, Jinxu feels very sad."

Zhenbei stood by her side and couldn't help but sigh. How could such a gentle and serene young lady get entangled with a boorish cousin? He bothers her incessantly, coming to disturb her every few days, and each time he forcibly drags her out of the house. Is there ever a time when she returns without complaining of sore waist and aching back? Zhenbei's dissatisfaction with this cousin grew stronger.

Jinxi reclined lazily on the concubine's long bench, her delicate hand idly lifting a scroll to peruse, seemingly oblivious to the words of her maid, Zhenbei. The spring breeze wafted in through the intricately carved wooden window adorned with plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum motifs, causing her blue pleated silk skirt to ripple gently, reminiscent of the soft ripples on a tranquil lake. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, with a few playful strands dancing beside her, illuminated by the gentle sunlight, enveloping her in a warm, pale yellow hue, akin to the lady depicted in Zhou Fang's paintings from the Tang Dynasty: "The delicate fragrance of orchids and musk is sensed with every breath, and the fine silk threads reveal the skin beneath."

Cough, cough! Zhu Shouqian realized he had let something slip, and he cleared his throat twice to cover it up, then changed the subject, "Cousin, you helped me win. Later, I will gift you a fine sword!"

Orphaned since childhood, he regarded his aunt's home as his own. He clearly remembers last year's Spring Festival, when the Xu family was filled with joy, announcing the return of the renowned young lady Xu Jinxu, who had been sent to Qixia Mountain since childhood. He was extremely curious about this cousin he had heard so much about but never met, and could not wait for the meal, so he barged into the inner courtyard.

Zhu Shouqian, who is accustomed to being carefree, is also meticulous in his own way. He chuckled and said to Jinxi: "In men's clothing, you look like a naive young master who knows nothing of the world. Not knowing your background, Zhu Di and Li Jinglong are not very wary, and they will definitely be on high alert against me. You can take this opportunity to win, right!"

The young man blushed; he was none other than Zhu Shouqian, the grandnephew of the current Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, and one of the first ten princes conferred upon the establishment of the dynasty. He was also the only prince of Jingjiang who was not a direct descendant of the emperor, which already indicated Zhu Shouqian's significant status in the emperor's heart

Zhu Shouqian excitedly urged his horse to catch up: "Jinxi, with your attire, no young master in Nanjing can compare to your handsomeness!"

Seeing Jinxi unmoved, Zhu Shouqian became anxious and paced around the room for a while, before finally blushing and stammering out the truth: "At the beginning of the month, I made a bet with His Highness the Crown Prince, the Second Imperial Uncle, Zhu Di, and that detestable Li Jinglong on a horse race and archery competition, agreeing that the loser would treat them to a meal at Deyue Tower..."

Zhu Shouqian, in a moment of enthusiasm, replied without a second thought: "Alright, ten times it is! As long as you return safely each time and do not give Auntie and your elder brother any reason to complain, that will be sufficient"

Zhen Bei then had the time to bow to the young man: "Please, King Jingjiang An, may the young master rest for a moment."

"Tie Zhu, oh, cousin, remember, I am your cousin, Xie Fei Lan!" Jin Xi used her maternal instincts, forcing Zhu Shouqian to take her out to play over the past year, consistently using this name. Zhu Shouqian was quite perceptive, and the carriage had long been prepared with a change of male clothing.

"Miss, it must be that young master again!" Zhenbei pouted and couldn't help but complain

Jinxi disdainfully curled her lips: "I want to cut the clouds, can you manage that?"

Jin Xi said leisurely: "If you encounter someone looking for trouble and cannot win, are you going to have the young lady of the Wei Guo Gong mansion step in? If this gets out, where will my father's reputation be placed?"

Jinxi still has a half-portion of her demeanor in the boudoir, quietly reading. She has changed into a deep blue narrow-sleeved long robe, with a jade belt cinching her waist. Her hair is tied up with a jade ring and she wears a gauze hat, stepping into thin-soled black boots, exuding a heroic and spirited presence, without a trace of feminine shyness.

Before he could approach, a faint fragrance wafted over, and Xu Jinxu had already turned around. He felt a buzzing in his head, which quickly turned into a blank void. On a face of unparalleled beauty, distinct black and white eyes were embedded, and the delicate brows were slightly raised in confusion as she looked at him. Zhu Shouqian couldn't help but exclaim: "Mother"

He turned his head in anger, and in Jinxi's eyes, there was a look of grievance and sorrow. Zhu Shouqian was stunned for a moment, his overwhelming sadness and anger dissipating, leaving him unable to express his feelings any longer. Thinking of how Jinxi had been away from home for ten years, and that he had hurt her feelings upon their first meeting, he hurriedly stammered an apology: "I am sorry..."

Zhu Shouqian immediately felt the warmth of spring and, regardless of his disheveled appearance, jumped up and said: "Jinxu, you are so beautiful! I will go tell my aunt not to let you leave again!"

As her red lips parted slightly, revealing a set of snow-white teeth, Zhu Shouqian's heart raced. Forget about his aunt's reprimands and his elder brother Xu Huizu's complaints; all of that was cast aside. He felt that as long as he could bring such joy to Jinxi, he would not hesitate to go out for a stroll, even if it meant fishing for the reflection of the moon at the bottom of the water.

The young man awkwardly withdrew his hand, his tone filled with pleading: "Good Jinxi, dear cousin..."

Zhenbei urgently said: "However, the lady and the eldest son mentioned that wherever the young lady goes, Zhenbei must accompany her!"

Thank you, Brother Shouqian, but could you please not tell others that Jinxu can fight? Mother will be unhappy, and Elder Brother will also dislike Jinxu! Jinxu softened her voice, completely unlike the earlier moment when she had thrown the taller Zhu Shouqian to the ground and had been stepping on his back in a domineering manner, now looking at Zhu Shouqian with pleading eyes.

Jinxi looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile, standing in the spring breeze with an appearance that seemed fragile: "Tie Zhu, do you no longer wish to seek revenge?"

Ten times? ! '' Zhu Shouqian was greatly astonished, and his head began to swell. As the Prince of Jingjiang, he had been cherished like a precious treasure by the Emperor and Empress since the early death of his parents, receiving more attentive care than their own son, enjoying every favor and privilege. However, when faced with Jinxi, he felt utterly overwhelmed, with no way to cope at all

In the snow, he saw a slender figure standing under the plum tree, admiring the blossoms. Judging by her attire, he deduced that this unfamiliar young lady was none other than the eldest daughter of the Xu family, Jinxi. Zhu Shouqian couldn't help but smile mischievously at that moment, feeling a playful urge to scare her.

Zhenbei knew that the King of Jingjiang was always resolute in his decisions, and even the lady had to yield to him. Frustrated and anxious, she wished she could immediately report to the lady and the eldest young master to stop him. Zhu Shouqian, upon hearing Jinxi's instructions, resorted to both intimidation and buying small gifts for Zhenbei, employing a mix of hard and soft tactics. Zhenbei could only sigh and call out to the two distant figures: "Your Highness, the young lady is in poor health; please take good care of her!"

"Are you really that confident?" Jin Xi's tone remained calm. At only fourteen years old, she still possessed a childlike disposition. Hearing Zhu Shouqian speak so highly of her, she felt a hint of joy in her heart from being praised by him.

Upon hearing Jinxi call him "Brother Shouqian," he finally understood, but felt somewhat embarrassed, his face turning red as he tried to mask his awkwardness with a stubborn pride. He blurted out information he had heard from a maid at the Xu residence: "What are you so proud of! The fortune-teller said you wouldn't live long since the day you were born. You often clashed with your elder brother at home, which is why you were sent to Qixia Mountain to recuperate. If it weren't for the Spring Festival, they wouldn't have let you come back!"

"You can't even defeat Li Jinglong?" Jinxi detected Zhu Shouqian's anger and shook her head in disappointment.

Zhu Shouqian had already seen from a distance that a shade pavilion had been set up beside the big tree, with guards surrounding several individuals who were either standing or sitting. He couldn't help but resentfully say: "Having defeated Li Jinglong, let that brat treat us. This time we won't be going to Yueyue Tower, but to Yutangchun!"

Jinxi raised her lips slightly, and a hint of mockery appeared in her crystal-like bright eyes. Tilting her head slightly, she uttered, "Who dares to bully the King of Jingjiang of our Ming Dynasty? Go tell the Empress, for she dotes on you the most."

"Why am I in such a hurry for just a meal? Isn't it just that I can't swallow my pride?" Zhu Shouqian said angrily, "I won't mention His Highness the Crown Prince and Second Prince, but Zhu Di always holds his head high and looks at people with those disdainful eyes. He is an elder, so I won't say anything about him. But that Li Jinglong, his father, Duke Cao Li Wenzhong, is a skilled warrior, yet he is just a frivolous young master and dares to look down on me!"

Jin Xi glared at him: "Call him Fourth Uncle! At the very least, you should address him as His Highness the Prince of Yan! Don't let anyone hear you, or it will be reported to the Emperor, and you will be charged with the crime of great disrespect!"

A group of people arrived at the outskirts of the city at breakneck speed. In late spring, the grass at the city's edge was lush and green, stretching endlessly towards the horizon, creating a breathtaking view. The sunlight was not overly intense, casting a pleasantly warm glow, evoking a sense of languor.

Yutang Spring? A newly opened restaurant? Jinxi has traveled throughout Nanjing City over the past year, visiting every well-known restaurant to sample their offerings, yet she has never heard of this restaurant

"Hmph!" A chuckle escaped from Jinxi's lips, "It's just a meal, you can certainly afford it!"

However, the foot that stepped on his back felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and no matter how he struggled, it was of no avail. His face was pressed down, his mouth filled with ice and snow, rendering him unable to cry out. He was merely fourteen years old, his face flushed from the pressure, and tears of grievance welled up in his eyes.

Jin Xi noticed the changing expressions on his face and understood that Zhu Shouqian was in a difficult position. She turned her eyes and softly said to Zhu Shouqian: "Cousin, I see that that kid Li Jinglong is sneering at us."

"Zhenbei, prepare a cup of tea for Young Master Biao." The gentle voice flowed from Jinxi's lips, neither hurried nor slow, yet carrying an undeniable tone of command

Hearing Zhenbei's call, Jinxu turned around and smiled pitifully, appearing as if she had been forced out of the residence by Zhu Shouqian

She was secretly complaining when the door to the compartment was forcefully pushed open. A boy of about fifteen, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, rushed in, panting and striding forward: "Jinxu! Let's go! If we are late, it will be too late!" As he spoke, his hand was already pressing down on the book that Jinxu was reading.

Zhu Shouqian sighed inwardly, "Xu Jinxu, you really know how to put on an act!" He intended to give her a lesson, but with a slight exertion of his hand, a sudden sharp pain shot through him. He released his grip, hopping on one foot and shaking his hand in pain: "Xu Jinxu!"

"Zhenbei, Young Master Biao has invited me to go out to eat Eight Treasures Chicken, and he does not want you to accompany us. Brother Shouqian said he would protect me." Jinxi lied without changing her expression

Zhu Shouqian's parents passed away early; he was only four years old when Zhu Yuanzhang took him in. He possesses only a self-portrait of his mother from her youth, painted before her marriage, and at an age similar to that of Jinxi. After looking at the portrait for a long time, when Zhu Shouqian first saw Jinxi, he almost thought his mother had stepped down from the painting

Upon exiting the city gate, there were already personal guards holding two horses waiting.

With a brilliant smile, a glimmer of cunning swiftly passed through her eyes, and her small face blossomed like a flower adorned with dewdrops.

Jin Xi was overjoyed. After returning home from Qixia Mountain for more than a year, her mother had instructed Zhen Bei to monitor her all day long as she studied, practiced calligraphy, copied texts, and embroidered, which was utterly stifling. She recalled that in half a month, she would be able to openly leave the house and enjoy herself, and the smile on her face could not be concealed, bursting forth in a crisp, melodious laughter like pearls falling on a jade plate.

Zhu Shouqian immediately regained his composure: "I was just caught up in the moment, I got anxious..."

The sharpest sword in the world is said to be the Cloud Cutter. It is reported that the blade is narrow and light, allowing it to be worn around the waist. When drawn, it is silent and swift, cutting through the air with precision, making it difficult for even the most agile and swift hawks to escape the sharpness of its blade

He finally came to his senses; Xu Jinxu resembled her mother, and naturally, she also bore a likeness to his own mother

The young boy rubbed his ears in grievance, his eyes revealing a glimmer of hope: "Jinxu, only you can help me take revenge! I'm just anxious!"

He grew up beside the Emperor and Empress, and everyone in Nanjing knew of this Jingjiang Prince, who, relying on his deep favor from the throne, had always been arrogant and overbearing. People dared not provoke him in trivial matters, and in serious matters, they avoided him even more. When had he ever endured such ridicule? After being subtly mocked by Jinxi with a couple of remarks, Zhu Shouqian's face instantly flushed red as he was about to explode in anger. However, upon seeing Jinxi's extraordinary beauty and her charming sideways glance at him, he softened: "Dear cousin, how could I possibly report this? That would only make me look foolish in front of others"

Alright, go ahead! If you win, I will embroider a sachet for you.