A Single Tie Of Long Hair Seals A Lifelong Commitment - Chapter 86

What surprised Chen Liangyu was that during the preparations for the Fourteenth Princess’s conferment ceremony as a concubine, the diplomatic envoy carried a generous gift back to Northern Yong, explaining to Zhai Jiyan that Great Lin had no available princesses to marry. Zhai Jiyan, despite knowing that Great Lin had an elder princess who was still unmarried, readily abandoned the request for marriage.

Chen Liangyu said, “Zhai Ji gave up so quickly on seeking a princess of Great Lin for the Emperor of Northern Yong, which can only mean that his original objective was not this.”

She pondered for a moment.

“He wouldn’t expend so much effort just to send his full sister to a foreign country to be a concubine, unless there’s a follow-up move. He wants to use the Fourteenth Princess for something.”

Northern Yong doesn’t establish a Crown Prince. Zhai Ji has been contending with the First Prince for the succession for many years. Since escaping Great Lin and returning to Northern Yong, his prestige in the military and the court has risen significantly. He was once held hostage in the enemy country, yet he brought back the Yin and Yang three scrolls of the He Clan’s Art of War, and he personally commanded troops on the border. The First Prince of Northern Yong has gradually been losing ground. Sending his sister to Great Lin for a marriage alliance would undoubtedly add another chip to his bid for the throne. But it seems to be more than just that.

Chen Liangyu stated with certainty, “Zhai Ji must have another agenda. But what could it be?”

Xie Wenjun said, “I finally have a few days of free time, away from court affairs, to spend some time alone with you, yet your mind is restless, your thoughts are either in the Northern Border or somewhere else. You’re always like this.”

“When I was in the Northern Border and elsewhere, I often thought of Your Highness,” she said. Although they had never spoken of possession or loss, Chen Liangyu felt a very strong sense of having recovered something she had lost.

Xie Wenjun said, “Thinking of me? General Chen, which part of me are you thinking of?”

The reckless words came so suddenly that Chen Liangyu choked. She instantly released Xie Wenjun, turned her head, and coughed violently a couple of times, a flush spreading from her neck up to her earlobes.

Xie Wenjun patted her back to help her calm down. “Still so easily teased. Why haven’t you improved at all? Your face turns red just from a few words.”

A lantern flower in the corner had matured early. When the fluff was blown by the wind, Xie Wenjun lifted her hand and brushed it away before it could land on Chen Liangyu’s tightly bound black hair.

After her coughing subsided, Chen Liangyu said, “I choked.”

“You are not this way when the candlelight is extinguished,” Xie Wenjun said, crossing her arms over her chest, tilting her head with a half-smile.

The more Chen Liangyu looked, the more familiar Xie Wenjun’s posture of crossed arms felt. She grew up in the harsh cold of the Northern Border. In the past, she would naturally wrap her arms around her chest when she felt cold in winter. The weapons in the military camp were also heavy, and sometimes she would relax this way when tired from training. Over time, she developed the habit of crossing her arms over her chest when idle.

It was crystal clear whom Xie Wenjun had learned this stance from.

Chen Liangyu turned her head to look outside the archway. The guards at the gate stood straight with their backs to the archery range, motionless like scarecrows. There was a stretch of unpaved road between here and the archway. Xie Wenjun’s voice was low, so logically, no one should have heard it.

Xie Wenjun said, “Everyone outside the gate is my personal guard. They won’t reveal the fact that we came here today.”

Chen Liangyu said, “In broad daylight. Does Your Highness have nothing else to do? Just to tease your subject a few times?”

“Of course not.”

The flush on Chen Liangyu’s face had faded considerably. She had indeed been choked by the cold wind just now. Now, a very faint, rosy blush had crept up to her brows again, making her look like she had just reapplied makeup.

Xie Wenjun’s gaze flickered. “I don’t know what Zhai Ji intends to use the Fourteenth Princess for, but I want to do something to you.”

As soon as the words fell, Chen Liangyu felt cool fingertips brush across her cheek.

And then moved downward.

Chen Liangyu, having practiced martial arts for years, had a very nice physique to the touch beneath her long robe.

The delicate hand stopped at her chest, her palm gradually perceiving the increasingly fast heartbeat beneath her ribcage.

Xie Wenjun leaned her ear closer, silently listening to the heart’s rhythm.

The sunlight poured down like molten gold shattered into fragments, splashing onto the eaves, and diagonally into the pavilion.

This person had two faces: one in the bright day and one in the crimson silk curtains. Her affection was like a nocturnal animal, only traversing the dunes and thickets in the hazy, dim moonlight. In the daytime, she was always as dignified as a righteous gentleman.

Xie Wenjun, however, didn’t want her to be a righteous gentleman.

She wanted to make the subtle intimacy between them clear under the light of day.

Xie Wenjun raised her eyes, her gaze lightly sweeping to Chen Liangyu’s pupils.

In Chen Liangyu’s focused gaze, the struggle and the look of intense restraint that Xie Wenjun expected did not reappear. Instead, she asked, contrary to her usual behavior, “Does Your Highness want to test if your subject has improved here?”

The eaves of the archery pavilion were wide, and several wind-blocking curtains were rolled up with silk ribbons underneath the eaves. Chen Liangyu had a few green leaves still pinched between her fingers. With a flick of her finger, as if plucking a flower, the leaves instantly turned into sharp blades and shot out, tearing the silk ribbons. The curtains dropped down, shielding three sides of the archery pavilion.

Chen Liangyu grabbed Xie Wenjun, pressed her against the pavilion pillar, brushed the stray hairs from her face, and looked at her seriously. She was not in a hurry to kiss her. “Your Highness, I feel as if I have lost you ten million times.”

The arms wrapped around Xie Wenjun’s waist tightened, pressing her closer. Chen Liangyu lowered her head, her cool lips brushing past Xie Wenjun’s ear. She could feel Xie Wenjun’s body stiffen for a moment, and then the arms wrapped around her neck tightened even more.

After a short while, she heard Xie Wenjun say, “If you don’t like it in the daytime, there’s no need to force yourself.”

Chen Liangyu laughed at her insincerity and contradictory feelings. “At the side hall of the Southern Preserve Hunting Grounds, didn’t Your Highness already force the issue?”

“If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again in the future.”

“I like it.”

Chen Liangyu inserted her fingers into Xie Wenjun’s hairline from the temples, placing her palm behind her head. “As long as it is Your Highness, I like it all.”

Xie Wenjun’s throat tightened, as if she was considering something. When she finally spoke, she was uncharacteristically hesitant, “You, you said…”

“If you wish, we can also go to the mountain valley, to the waterfront, to the village alleys, the open fields, the sand willows, or the farmlands. You choose whether it’s day or night. Wherever you want to go, whatever time you wish, I can satisfy Your Highness.”

The corners of Xie Wenjun’s mouth twitched, as if there was something else, she urgently needed confirmation of. Chen Liangyu, impatient, lightly covered her lips with hers. The moment they touched, it was like a spring breeze caressing a peach branch, embracing and entwining in affection. The kiss was very long, so long it felt endless.

For the considerably long years in the past, Chen Liangyu could not distinguish whether the uncontrollable feelings she had for Xie Wenjun were love or desire. If it was desire, it seemed to be more than that; if it was love? It felt unreal, and also very strange—at least she thought it was strange. In fact, she was more afraid that Xie Wenjun would find it absurd and bizarre, so she repeatedly scrutinized her feelings, repeatedly approached a conclusion, yet retreated and denied it time and time again.

It was only at this moment that she realized that the love deeply hidden and cherished in her heart finally had a tangible warmth.

The light and flowing skirts fluttered as the breeze swept by. Both of their breaths were slightly disordered. Their noses touched, gently rubbing. Chen Liangyu said, “Does Your Highness truly have nothing else to tell me?”

One of them would have to say it eventually. If Xie Wenjun was unwilling to be the one to break the silence, then she would be the one to declare her feelings. She was open and honest, visible to the bright sun.

“Yes,” Xie Wenjun said.

“What is it?”

“Arranging a marriage.”

Chen Liangyu’s breathing momentarily halted. Getting married? So direct!

Xie Wenjun said, “I felt this matter should be discussed with you first.”

“I have no objection.”

Chen Liangyu suddenly adopted an extremely serious expression, solemn and composed, as if the matter they were about to discuss concerned the rise and fall of the dynasty. “This is no child’s play. Shouldn’t we sit down to discuss this, rather than lie down?”

Xie Wenjun considered for a moment. “We can also discuss it lying down.”

“There’s nowhere to lie down here; the ground is cold.”

Chen Liangyu adjusted Xie Wenjun’s slightly loose cloak, re-tied the sash, and lifted a hand to slightly smooth Xie Wenjun’s somewhat scattered hair. Her gaze kept darting around, wondering what kind of golden phoenix crown would suit her. Xie Wenjun would surely possess a unique and dazzling grace when dressed in a bridal gown.

But what should she wear?

The bridal robe would have to be exactly the same as Xie Wenjun’s. There would be some subtle differences in the headwear. Three tails for a Phoenix, two tails for a ‘Huang’ Empress. An Elder Princess’s wedding crown usually has a three-tailed phoenix crown. Her own crown would need to have one less tail.

Chen Liangyu meticulously calculated in her mind, and only after embracing and fondling the other for a while longer did she agree to sit down and talk properly.

Xie Wenjun sat down first on the nanmu chair in the archery pavilion, and Chen Liangyu immediately sat opposite her. The two people who had been inseparable just a moment ago suddenly became as formal as two envoys negotiating a treaty.

Xie Wenjun said, “Has Chen Xingqian’s engagement been settled?”

“Not yet.”

“Why? Is he still holding out?”

Chen Liangyu’s eyes shot up. “What did Your Highness say?”

“I said, Chen Xingqian is also an infatuated soul,” Xie Wenjun said. “A-Li, the person he likes, unless the world turns upside down, it’s absolutely impossible this lifetime. Chen Xingqian has such fine looks, inherited the Marquis title, and is a new favourite at court. How can it not make people wonder that he has remained wifeless for so many years?”

“Your Highness should not make wild guesses; this is not a matter for jest.”

Xie Wenjun’s eyes were as bright and clear as suspended pearls, completely confident. “Why are you nervous? It’s just you and me here. Am I making wild conjectures, or is Chen Xingqian fooling himself into thinking the matter is completely concealed?”

Chen Liangyu was stunned.

“It seems my guess was correct.”

Chen Liangyu quickly reviewed the past events: Empress Mother had personally made a pair of shoe insoles and entrusted them to her, but the shoes were casually taken by Xun Shuhang. After that, the Supreme Emperor issued a decree of marriage, and Empress Mother and the current Emperor hurriedly completed their wedding and then went to the feudatory of Linxia.

No one else knew about this matter except for her and Xun Shuhang. She was certain she had never mentioned it to anyone. Not even her Second Brother himself knew. She only realized her Second Brother’s feelings for Xun Shuhang at the Prince Shen’s Residence in Linxia.

But most likely, neither of them knew the other’s feelings.

Chen Liangyu recalled the last time the two of them met was on the day of the Empress’s enthronement ceremony. Chen Xingqian knelt among the civil and military officials, along with other court officials, welcoming the Empress out of the sedan, watching the Emperor, dressed in the dragon robe and crown, descend the east steps to welcome her into the inner hall, after which the Emperor and Empress went together to the Temple of Ancestors, performing the rites.

After this, Chen Xingqian became even more cautious. Even at home, he would avoid mentioning Empress Mother as much as possible, and there would never be any inappropriate behavior.

How did Xie Wenjun figure it out?

“Prince Shen’s Residence in Linxia,” Chen Liangyu said, her tone utterly certain.

Xie Wenjun nodded. “That’s right.”

Chen Liangyu rapidly went over everyone and every location in the Prince Shen’s Residence in Linxia in her mind: the flower hall? The bamboo forest? Besides Xie Wenjun, who else could have noticed something?

Xie Wenjun said, “I didn’t notice anything between the two of them. It was you who seemed different.”

“Me?”

Chen Liangyu thought, did she talk in her sleep while sharing a bed with Xie Wenjun and say something she shouldn’t have?

Xie Wenjun thought for a while. “I can’t say for sure. I only noticed that for a moment, your expression was off. Your eyes looked faintly uneasy when you looked at Chen Xingqian and Imperial Sister-in-Law. Chen Xingqian hasn’t married for so many years; surely it’s not just because he’s too busy with court affairs? Recalling your expression at that time, my guess is most likely correct.”

Chen Liangyu was utterly confused and twelve parts bewildered. “She could guess this too… Wait a minute!”

What did Xie Wenjun say just now? Arranging a marriage, or getting married? The meanings of these two terms have subtle differences.

“Your Highness wants to consult me about my Second Brother’s marriage?”

Xie Wenjun nodded. “Who else but Chen Xingqian? Huai’an’s marriage proposal still has to wait for over a decade.”

Chen Liangyu felt wronged and disgruntled. Besides her Second Brother and An’er, was there no one else in the Marquis Xuanguang Residence? Such a grown person was sitting right in front of her. Was Xie Wenjun pretending to be blind, or was she not treating her as a person?

“I…”

The moment she opened her mouth, before any sound could escape, Xie Wenjun interrupted her. “Do you still remember that I have an adopted daughter?”

“Heng Yang.”

From the Heng family of the Southern Border.

When Prince Qi rebelled, she and Heng Zhao, the young Marquis of the Heng family, were both in Yongdu. After Heng Miao imprisoned his father, Heng Jinan, and raised an army in rebellion, Prince Qi dragged Heng Zhao to the battle line and drained his blood for a ritual. Heng Yang was with the current Empress Dowager at the time. Xie Wenjun commanded the Inspection Office and a lieutenant of the Imperial Guard to cooperate internally and externally, escorting the Empress Dowager and Heng Yang to escape outside the city.

Heng Jinan is still being held captive by Heng Miao in the Southern Border. The direct line of the Heng family has been out of power for a long time. Heng Miao, the current head of the Heng family, looks down on lower-status families who try to climb the ladder by marrying into his family, and high-status families find the Heng family’s situation too turbulent and are unwilling to get involved. As a result, Heng Yang’s marriage has yet to be settled.

Chen Liangyu’s expression was complicated. “Allow me to ask, Your Highness, what were you thinking, recognizing Heng Yang as an adopted daughter instead of an adopted sister, given that she is of similar age to you?”

If Heng Yang were to become her Second Sister-in-Law, Chen Xingqian would have to address Xie Wenjun as “Adopted Mother,” following Heng Yang’s lead.

In that case, she herself would naturally be a generation lower than Xie Wenjun.

Xie Wenjun was speechless for a moment when she heard her question. After a long while, she said, “Do you truly not remember whose idea this was?”

“It can’t be mine again, can it?”

“I also really want to ask what you were thinking at the time, making me recognize Heng Yang as an adopted daughter.”

Chen Liangyu recalled it.

The situation was urgent at the time. To win over the Heng family, she considered that an adopted daughter seemed to imply a closer relationship than an adopted sister, and so it was decided. Roughly calculated, Xie Wenjun was less than twenty years old at the time, still waiting for a good match in the inner chambers, yet she so bizarrely became a mother.

Chen Liangyu, though in the wrong, put on a bold front. She straightened up and said, “We can’t judge the events of that time by today’s standards, right, Your Highness?”

“Heh!”

Utterly shameless!

She dug the hole herself, and now she also had to figure out a way to fill it. Chen Liangyu scooted closer to Xie Wenjun, tentatively asking, “Can this matter still be changed?”