A Single Tie Of Long Hair Seals A Lifelong Commitment - Chapter 91

Looking at the sky, this restless night had finally passed. It was estimated that in about half an hour, the big red-crested rooster kept by the temple for dawn announcing would begin to crow loudly. The sounds of the drinking game had also gradually faded. Sure enough, Lin Yin and Pu Ping’er were the most drunk, propping themselves up with their elbows on the table, unable to sit up straight.

They didn’t have much learning, yet they insisted on challenging others in scholarship.

They truly deserved it.

The Zen Inquiry Platform had meditation rooms for temporary rest. Before the Buddhist service began, the monks would sort through the scriptures in the rooms behind the platform. Currently, the rooms were empty, only containing instruments required for the rites, such as wooden fish, bronze bells, handbells, and drums.

Chen Liangyu ordered people to help Lin Yin and Pu Ping’er to the meditation room to rest. She herself swept Xie Wenjun into her arms and strode out of the Buddhist Hall.

Yuan Rong and Dai Qing immediately chased after them.

Xie Wenjun, with her arms looped around Chen Liangyu’s neck, leaned against her shoulder, eyes closed in a light nap, and murmured, “I haven’t had any wine. You don’t have to carry me, put me down, I can walk by myself.”

The Zen Inquiry Platform was at a high point, requiring them to descend stone steps. Stepping out, a cool breeze greeted them.

Chen Liangyu held Xie Wenjun steady as she descended the steps. “This subject is a military general. How can I be tired?”

Xie Wenjun slowly opened her eyes, a pair of rounds, doe-like eyes showing fatigue, sparse and languid. She said, “Although you are a general, you are also a woman. We can just assist each other. If one person unilaterally lifts the other, over time, you will inevitably become weary.”

Chen Liangyu seemed not to hear, as she descended from the Zen Inquiry Platform and walked toward the meditation room in the Yongning Hall.

Xie Wenjun seemed to have gotten thinner again, perhaps due to her constant work at the desk and excessive exhaustion. Holding a living person like this, the weight pressing on her arms was surprisingly less than two of the black iron hammers in the military camp.

The walk from the Zen Inquiry Platform to the Yongning Hall felt shorter than the journey there. Before she even felt tired, they had arrived at the meditation room door.

Xie Wenjun was fast asleep. The palace maid on night duty at Yongning Hall was initially bewildered to see Chen Liangyu carrying Xie Wenjun back, thinking Xie Wenjun had suddenly contracted a severe illness. She tentatively asked Yuan Rong, “Sister, should we send for the imperial physician for Her Highness?”

After receiving the reply, “No need,” Chen Liangyu had already laid Xie Wenjun flat on the bed. Several palace maids then swarmed over to undress Xie Wenjun and remove her boots.

Chen Liangyu stood rooted in the meditation room for a long while. It wasn’t until the palace maid who had just asked Yuan Rong about the imperial physician came over again and asked her, “Great General, is there anything else you require?” that she suddenly realized she shouldn’t be staying there.

She turned and walked out of the meditation room, gently closing the door behind her.

The bronze bells on the eaves of the Buddhist Hall were lightly brushed by the cold, early morning mountain breeze, letting out a few clear chimes.

Standing on the corridor of Yongning Hall, the unique scent of mountain flora and the damp, cold air instantly sobered her, a chill spreading through her body.

Chen Liangyu leaped onto the railing, resting one leg and sitting against the corridor pillar. She felt a strange sensation stirring in her heart. Xie Wenjun was asleep behind the door, and she could see her with just a push of the door.

But the longing in her heart grew like rampant vines.

She desperately craved every moment Xie Wenjun was near her. Her heart hammered wildly in the close proximity. Even though she knew the future was long, she still prayed that the present moment would pass slower, even slower.

Before long, a high-pitched rooster crow punctually pierced the silence, followed by the sequential sounds of chickens crowing from the farmhouses down the mountain.

Looking down, faint yellow candlelight began to glow in the low-lying monks’ quarters. Doors opened with “creaking” sounds, echoing one another. Monks, dressed in simple robes and holding prayer flags, hurried along.

They were heading to the Buddhist Hall for morning lessons.

The sound of a turning door hinge came from behind her. A door to the side room abruptly opened.

Chen Liangyu turned around sharply to see Dai Qing, wrapped in a coat and carrying a lantern, preparing to walk down the mountain. She asked, “Dai Qing, it’s not light yet, where are you going?”

Dai Qing replied, “This servant heard the temple’s rooster crow. There is a small stall selling sugar cakes outside the temple. In another zhuxiang approx. half-hour, the first batch of sugar cakes will come out of the steamer. Last year, when we came to offer incense for Empress Huixian, Her Highness tasted that sugar cake and ate two more pieces. Presumably, the cake suits Her Highness’s taste, so this servant will go buy some more.”

Chen Liangyu said, “Her Highness has just fallen asleep. She will likely sleep for quite a while. It’s not too late to prepare food when Her Highness wakes up. You haven’t slept all night either, go and rest.”

Dai Qing said, “When it gets light, pilgrims will come up the mountain to worship, and with many people, it will be inconvenient to go buy them.”

Chen Liangyu knew that Xie Wenjun rarely showed her preferences or dislikes. She didn’t realize she was so cautious, even hiding a preference for a simple cake.

Dai Qing said, “Her Highness had no playmates since childhood. When she lived in Yaohua Palace with Empress Huixian, the palace maids, eunuchs, and guards around her were constantly changing. Yuan Rong and I were only later sent by Crown Prince Yizhang to serve Her Highness. Sometimes, even Yuan Rong and I cannot quite grasp Her Highness’s preferences. Anything we think Her Highness might like; we prepare beforehand. Whether Her Highness eats it or not is another matter.”

Chen Liangyu pushed herself off the railing and jumped down. “I’ll go with you.”

Dai Qing was about to suggest she return to her quarters to rest, when Chen Liangyu added, “To learn the way.”

Dai Qing smiled bashfully, immediately said nothing more, and led the way with the lantern.

Walking down the steps, the path to the temple gate was level and smooth. No longer needing to watch their footing overly, Dai Qing continued, “I was worried that after I went to the grasslands, Yuan Rong would be preoccupied with the fish-scale land registry map, and the people serving Her Highness would be inattentive, and no one would even buy a few pieces of sugar cake. If no one prepares it, Her Highness will not specifically instruct us to buy the cake.”

“No worries, I will buy it,” Chen Liangyu said. “Is Her Highness always this cautious?”

Dai Qing said, “Caution is one thing, but Her Highness is more afraid of disturbing the peace of the common people. The sugar cake stall is small, just enough for a family to make a living. But if the Grand Princess loves this cake, and the news spreads, attracting those with a sense of profit, it will be very difficult for the vendor to keep his small livelihood stall.”

“Did Her Highness say this?”

“Having followed Her Highness on field inspections and seen much hardship, this servant understands this principle.”

Dai Qing and Yuan Rong were both female officials who had been by Xie Wenjun’s side for many years, following her on campaigns across various regions, and were highly perceptive of the common people’s plight. Now, they each held female official posts in the court, taking charge independently.

As of today, Dai Qing was about to marry into the grasslands.

Xie Wenjun had put a lot of effort into nurturing them. One leaving was akin to severing an arm.

Chen Liangyu said, “Are you truly set on going to the grasslands? It’s ten thousand miles away. The grasslands are not a land of freedom with green grass and lush willows. Her Highness let you decide whether or not to marry Xiqing, but personally, she hopes you stay in Yongdu.”

Dai Qing said, “This servant sees the current situation clearly and knows the grasslands are harsh. Having been educated by Her Highness’s ‘peach and plum teachings’ and benefited from her instruction, I also wish to repay Her Highness’s kindness. Staying in Yongdu can certainly help Her Highness, but if that day truly comes…”

Chen Liangyu knew what “that day” Dai Qing was referring to. Behind the pinnacle of power lay a path of blood and storm; every step taken was steeped in gore.

Dai Qing said, “To Her Highness, a female official from the Court of State Ceremonial is no match for the cavalry of the grasslands.”

Under the eaves of the mountain temple gate, several simple lanterns hung, painted with elegant lotus flowers.

Chen Liangyu followed Dai Qing, one behind the other, stepping out of the threshold.

It was still early, but vendors were already vying for stalls outside the temple gate. Whoever secured a good spot would profit for the day. By noon, pilgrims would gather, and with smoke and Sanskrit sounds intermingling, the area outside the temple gate would be as lively as a small temple fair every day.

Dai Qing said, “Great General, please don’t worry about this servant, and tell Her Highness not to worry either. After I leave, a smarter and more capable person will serve Her Highness. Xiqing adores me, and I also have good feelings for him. Mutual affection is rare in this world. I am content.”

Not far from the temple gate, they found the small stall selling sugar cakes Dai Qing had mentioned. Pilgrims who had traveled overnight were already waiting in front of the stall. Chen Liangyu stared at the hot cakes steaming in the pot, completely unaware that several people had walked out from behind the heavy red wooden gate of the temple. The person at the head stood beneath the lotus lantern, his cold gaze locked onto her back.

Chen Liangyu took the sugar cakes handed over by the vendor and started walking back. The moonlight was gone, and the sky was brightening, allowing them to see the mountain path.

The sugar cakes were wrapped in oiled paper, slightly warm in her palm.

She saw an old Taoist priest by the roadside, with his eyes covered by a black cloth, holding a fortune-telling banner and fumbling to spread out a Bagua map by the road.

Chen Liangyu said, “The abbot of Taihuang Temple is truly benevolent. Buddhism and Taoism have contended for thousands of years, and now a Taoist priest is openly setting up a fortune-telling stall right outside a Buddhist temple.”

Dai Qing said, “They tried to drive him away, but later, when being chased by a young monk, he accidentally fell down the mountain and blinded himself. The abbot pitied his blindness, so he had the monks allocate a small area by the road for him to earn a living.”

Something flashed through Chen Liangyu’s mind. She felt this old Taoist priest was somewhat familiar, so she paused and took a closer look.

This glance revealed something unusual.

Although the old Taoist priest’s eyes were covered with black cloth, his head slowly turned, tracking Chen Liangyu’s movements, as if watching her arrive and watching her go.

The old Taoist priest’s mouth twitched, and his fingers trembled. His expression was as if he was trying hard to recognize whether the woman in front of him was an old acquaintance from many years ago.

After a moment of scrutiny.

“Heh!” the old Taoist priest exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Liangyu tossed the few remaining copper coins onto the Bagua map. The copper coins did not scatter but lined up neatly in the center of the Bagua map.

The old Taoist priest complained, “Trying to put off a beggar?” Yet, his body honestly squatted down to pick up the copper coins and put them into the pocket of his Taoist robe.

Chen Liangyu had only walked a few steps when Dai Qing, who was leading the way with the lantern, suddenly stiffened and was about to kneel.

Looking up, Xie Yuan was standing right in front of them, his hands clasped behind his back.

Xie Yuan moved a finger, silently excusing Dai Qing from the courtesy.

He was wearing a dark robe, a gold crown, and was followed by Yan Feng and several personal attendants, all in plain clothes. The scabbards of their waist-worn swords were wrapped in linen cloth. Clearly, Xie Yuan did not want his identity to be noticed.

Chen Liangyu bowed with cupped hands.

Prayers for blessings and spring plowing were not taking place soon. She had no idea why Xie Yuan was at Taihuang Temple or when he had arrived. Since he appeared at the temple gate early in the morning, it was sufficient to say that Xie Yuan had been in the temple since yesterday.

Xie Yuan’s gaze fell on the packet of sugar cakes in her hands. He said nothing, but his eyes were very cold.

The fortune-telling old Taoist priest by the road opened his mouth, soliciting business from Xie Yuan. “This young gentleman has an exceptional demeanor and distinguished appearance. In this old Taoist’s opinion, you possess the aura of a king. Would you like a divination?”

Xie Yuan ignored him.

Anxious to secure such a wealthy, gold-crowned customer, the old Taoist priest stopped pretending to be blind and said, “If not career, then family is fine too. I see the gentleman is a person of wealth, with a fate of many wives and concubines. Is your household currently in discord, sir?”

Upon hearing this, Xie Yuan raised an eyebrow.

In fact, the phrase “household discord” was wrong. His imperial harem should be very harmonious, with the Empress managing the Six Palaces, and the concubines keeping to themselves, none overstepping their bounds. Yet, he also felt that the blind old Taoist priest was correct; he and the Empress were indeed in discord.

The old Taoist priest saw a chance and tried even harder to promote himself, asking, “The gentleman must have had a rift with your wife, right? Are you very concerned about your wife?”

Xie Yuan paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, “A couple who have shared hardships.” Then he paused again and asked, “When did you and Jiangning get so close?”

Chen Liangyu’s body instantly froze upon hearing this.

The old Taoist priest realized they knew each other, turned to Chen Liangyu, and tried to connect with her. “Why don’t I see that little noble lady? Did she not come with you to worship Buddha?” His tone was familiar, like talking to an old friend.

That sense of familiarity flashed through Chen Liangyu’s mind again.

She finally remembered.

The fortune-telling Taoist priest who had spouted nonsense to Xie Wenjun at the Lantern Festival was this very person. He was older, and with his eyes covered, Chen Liangyu hadn’t recognized him immediately.

It was too late to stop the old Taoist priest from speaking; Xie Yuan had already seized the chance to ask, “Which little noble lady?”

The old Taoist priest twirled his fingers, calculating. “What year was it? Almost ten years ago…” He mumbled for a long time. “It was during the Xuanyuan era. The emperor was not the one on the throne now. I just remember it was the Lantern Festival. There was a lantern fair in Yongdu. This young lady and a little noble lady came to me for a fortune about their marriage, and the little noble lady gave me a gold ingot. She was even more beautiful than a princess.”

Xie Yuan asked, “You’ve seen a princess?” His voice was even deeper.

The old Taoist priest chuckled awkwardly, “No, I haven’t. But I heard that the current Emperor has a princess who is foolish…”

“Silence!”

Chen Liangyu cut him off.