Chapter 64: Sending Away
Locust trees were planted on both sides of Zhuque Street. After exiting the palace from the Right Yamen Gate, the locust leaves on both sides swayed in the wind, the rustling sound endless.
Washed by a burst of heavy rain, the mud and yellow dust on the ground were all washed clean.
The rain was still drizzling, but the entire street took on a brand-new look.
Zhao Yiyi opened the carriage window a crack, craning her neck slightly to gaze at the streets and alleys, counting the verdant locust trees passing by one by one, recognizing the road from the palace gate to her old friend’s home.
Because it was still drizzling, the carriage moved extremely slowly. However, the pedestrians on the roadside walked hurriedly, carrying various items as they rushed along the street.
A few wisps of fine wind poured in through the crack in the carriage window. Zhao Yiyi felt a bit cold. Before she could shrink back, she heard Prince Yan whisper, “It’s cold today. Royal Sister-in-law should close the carriage window tightly. If you really want to see the scenery outside, put on an extra layer of clothing.”
Zhao Yiyi turned her head to look and saw him riding a horse parallel to the carriage. He wore a bamboo hat on his head and a plain round-collared robe. The wet marks on his clothes were conspicuous.
“Why aren’t you wearing a straw raincoat?” Zhao Yiyi lay on the window looking at him, her pink fingertips toying with the window lattice, lowering her eyes to watch the small splashes kicked up by the horse’s hooves. “You’ll get wet in a moment; be careful not to catch a cold.”
Prince Yan laughed heartily a few times, turned his head to look at her, and raised the corner of his lips lightly. “Royal Sister-in-law forgot? A few days ago Chen-brother wore a straw raincoat and met Royal Sister-in-law by the Dragon Pool, and was even disliked by Royal Sister-in-law for looking ugly.”
Zhao Yiyi was stunned for a moment before remembering that a few days ago it was also raining lightly like this. She went to the Dragon Pool to pick lotus pods and met Prince Yan entering the palace for an audience.
Prince Yan didn’t hold an umbrella but wore a straw raincoat, walking toward her.
In the misty drizzle, the crimson-robed gentleman had smiling eyes, water dripping from his straw raincoat. She had jokingly said, “The straw raincoat is too bulky; you look better in official robes.”
Prince Yan also replied with a few sentences, and they passed by laughing and talking just like that.
Unexpectedly, he still remembered.
Zhao Yiyi smiled helplessly and said warmly, “It was just a remark. Besides, even if it doesn’t look good, would you rather get rained on?”
Mancao dug out an outer robe and draped it over her shoulders. Zhao Yiyi happened to be a bit cold, so she gathered the outer robe and tied a knot deftly with her fingers.
Prince Yan’s voice was clear and moist, his eyes gentle, answering her softly, “It’s just a few steps. The rain is weakening now. Royal Sister-in-law rest assured; it’s no harm.”
It was really cold outside. Glancing a few more times at the ward walls facing the street, Zhao Yiyi finally shrank back into the carriage, instructing in a muffled voice, “After the banquet disperses later, I want to return to the ancestral residence to ask the neighbor about a few things regarding zither making. I won’t return to the palace this evening.”
Prince Yan paused, then responded, “Alright.”
Because it was a small gathering of old friends, the banquet was set in the flower hall.
As soon as Zhao Yiyi entered, everyone smiled in unison, standing up to bow. “Niangniang finally arrived; you kept us waiting.”
“The rain was too heavy today; it was inconvenient to come out. It is my fault.” Saying so, Zhao Yiyi was led by the attendant to sit. Before she could sit firmly, a cup of wine was served.
The host of the banquet, Lu Lingqiu, laughed, “Elder Sister arrived late, so punish with a cup of wine, alright?”
Zhao Yiyi agreed with a smile, taking the wine cup from her hand. “Since I’m late, naturally there is no reason not to be punished.” After speaking, she raised her head and drained the wine cup in one go.
Smelling the wine, it didn’t seem strong, but upon entering the throat, it felt burning, searing all the way from the tip of the tongue to the stomach.
Putting down the wine cup, Zhao Yiyi couldn’t help covering her lips, turning her head to cough lightly twice.
Lu Lingqiu had an apologetic look on her face and handed her a cup of warm water, whispering, “Moisten your throat first.”
Zhao Yiyi nodded. Just as she reached out to take it, a pair of leather boots with dark pine and bamboo patterns appeared before her eyes. Following Lu Lingqiu’s “Elder Brother,” she looked up blankly.
It was Lu Xianshan.
Lu Lingqiu covered her lips and laughed, “Elder Brother, you are late too. One cup isn’t enough; it has to be three!”
Everyone laughed in unison, hurrying to pour three cups of wine as if boisterously urging him. Lu Xianshan smiled helplessly and agreed.
Zhao Yiyi was a bit stunned. Although they were all people who had played together in childhood, she didn’t know Lu Xianshan would also come to this banquet today. Looking around at the people at the banquet, about half were women and half were men. He alone occupied the greater half of the elegance among the men.
She couldn’t help recalling her childhood. Because of her aunt, the Lu siblings often visited the Zhao family. Her grandfather liked Lu Xianshan very much, once sighing with emotion, “With a grandson like this, what worry does a man have about having no successor!”
Lu Lingqiu nudged Zhao Yiyi from the side, laughing, “Elder Brother, you haven’t seen Elder Sister Zhao for a long time. Are you about to not recognize her?”
The two had indeed not seen each other for some time.
But not the two years Lu Lingqiu thought; calculating carefully, it was only a dozen days. Yet neither said much, just following her words and responding to each other.
After nodding to each other and saying hello, a moment later, everyone finally arrived. The manor’s maids also served various fruits and pastries, laying them out one by one on the tables, then prepared newly opened green plum wine and tea before bowing and retreating.
Lu Lingqiu had been married for three years and had a child just turning two at her knees, currently toddling around the flower hall on two short legs.
When the child with sheep-horn braids passed by, everyone couldn’t help reaching out to tease her. She ran a circle and arrived at Zhao Yiyi’s side. Unknown if she was tired from running or curious, she actually grabbed the armrest of the grand master’s chair with both hands, looking up at Zhao Yiyi.
She was born fair and clean, with delicate features, wearing a turquoise pleated skirt—a little fairy who walked right out of a painting.
Zhao Yiyi had always liked clean children. Feeling a bit of affection, she bent down and reached out, picking her up and placing her on her lap.
Lu Lingqiu laughed from the side, “Elder Sister be careful. she is very naughty. She was just disciplined by her father yesterday, and today she’s back to her old ways.”
“I think she’s quite good.” Zhao Yiyi smiled slightly, pinching the little girl’s soft cheek. The little girl shyly avoided it, shrinking into her arms, grabbing her dark-patterned silk jacket tightly with both hands, wrinkling the hem.
“Auntie.” The little girl quietly raised her head and called out softly.
She hadn’t spoken just now; this “Auntie” was called clearly and obediently.
Zhao Yiyi teased her again, “So you can talk.”
The little girl was unconvinced. “I can, I can!”
Indeed, as her mother said, she was restless and naughty. After sitting on Zhao Yiyi’s lap for a moment, her eyes rolled, and seeing Lu Xianshan, she hurriedly reached out, “Uncle, Uncle!”
She didn’t know many words, so she could only call out constantly, urgently urging Lu Xianshan to come and hug her.
Hearing her shout several times in a row, everyone couldn’t bear it and said involuntarily, “Quickly go hug her; who can stand this voice?”
Lu Xianshan came over as told, reaching out to the little girl. Zhao Yiyi leaned forward slightly, handing the child into his hands. As soon as she was in Lu Xianshan’s arms, the little girl complained it wasn’t soft and comfortable enough, fussing to go back to Zhao Yiyi.
Lu Lingqiu glared, shouting angrily, “Behave yourself!”
Roared at by her mother, the little girl shrank her body, eyes wide and watery, instantly daring not speak.
On the street outside the manor, a column of black-clad knights rode over. The leader wore a white robe with crimson lining, a jade crown binding his hair, and a gold belt at his waist. As the fine horse galloped, his clothes fluttered, that patch of crimson moving with the wind, causing pedestrians on the road to look sideways.
The streets washed by a heavy rain were brand new. The horses galloped past, leaving no trace of yellow sand, only the vigorous figures of that column of men and horses entering the eyes.
At the heart of a ward, the group abruptly reined in their horses. The horses’ front hooves raised, mixing with the afterglow of the distant setting sun, refracting rays of golden light on the horseshoes.
Seeing the person coming, Prince Yan was instantly stunned. “Royal Brother!”
Gu Zhen dismounted with a usual expression, threw the horse whip to a personal guard beside him, and asked indifferently, “The Empress hasn’t come out yet?”
Prince Yan replied, “Not yet. It’s just twilight; I estimate it will be soon.” Glancing at the Emperor, he asked softly, “Royal Brother’s trip, is it to pick up Royal Sister-in-law?”
Having already arrived outside this manor, this sentence was obviously superfluous.
Gu Zhen nodded and said in a deep voice, “Zhen will pick up the Empress to return. There is nothing for you here; you may go back first.”
Prince Yan was stunned, responded “Yes,” and was about to leave when he was stopped again.
“By the way, the Rouran army returning to court is on the way. Go check the Guanzhong militia register these next few days to prepare for reception.” Gu Zhen’s voice was faint, staring at him intently, a layer of frost condensing in his phoenix eyes.
Pausing, he added, “Since you need to check the militia, stay at the Western Suburbs Camp these few days to avoid the trouble of going back and forth. As for escorting the Empress, Zhen has my own arrangements.”
At this point, the eyes with which the Emperor looked at him already carried a hint of pressure.
Taking a deep breath, Prince Yan cupped his hands and responded, “Subject-brother accepts the order.”
Since childhood, things Royal Brother set his sights on could not be touched by others. Even looking a few more times would make him unhappy.
The reason Royal Brother had let him escort her continuously was because his identity was suitable, and Royal Brother himself couldn’t get away. More deeply, it was because she was unwilling.
Presumably, Royal Brother had endured for a long time, only breaking out today.
After Prince Yan rode away, Gu Zhen waited outside the manor gate for a long time. Until twilight was about to fall, faint sounds of talking and laughing came from the manor, mixed with footsteps approaching from far to near.
Not long after, a group of brightly dressed men and women walked out of the manor, arriving on the stone steps outside the gate.
Seeing the man in the green robe, Gu Zhen’s face darkened abruptly.
He actually didn’t know that this person was also at this banquet.
What a childhood sweetheart!
The purple-clad beauty in the lead held a small girl not very big. The little girl tugged at her collar calling “Auntie” one moment, then leaned back to reach out to the young man not far away calling “Uncle” the next.
Both of their appearances and bearing were outstanding, and the little girl was also born like carved jade.
Walking one after the other, they looked alive like… a family of three.
Truly, very much an eyesore.
Gu Zhen wore a sliver of a smile on his face, but the hand behind his back clenched abruptly, fingernails digging into the flesh, the pain going straight to the heart.
He walked up the steps step by step, arrived beside the purple-clad beauty, and said warmly, “Why coming out so late?” Saying so, he took her hand very naturally.
Everyone was stunned.
Among the group, there were those who had seen the Emperor. Even those who hadn’t, seeing his attitude toward Zhao Yiyi and the intimate state, immediately understood the comer’s identity. Their expressions changed instantly, bowing to greet him: “Bixia ten thousand blessings.”
Gu Zhen said “Rise” warmly, nodded faintly to everyone, then lowered his head to say to Zhao Yiyi, “It’s getting late; time to go back.”
Zhao Yiyi tried to pull her hand back but couldn’t break free.
She could only glare at him, lowered her head somewhat gloomily, and went down the stone steps with Gu Zhen.
Until the two left, the crowd still hadn’t recovered. One person asked in bewilderment, “How did Bixia have time to come pick up Elder Sister Zhao back to the palace?”
Since Bixia came to Chang’an, he had been busy with official duties continuously. It was heard he hadn’t even gone out of the city to play, showing how busy he was.
Everyone recalled the rumors they had heard, all saying Bixia disliked the Zhao daughter, but today…
“It’s getting late; I’m leaving too.” Lu Xianshan nodded to his sister and also mounted his horse to leave.
In the carriage, Zhao Yiyi sat inside unhappily, leaning against the carriage wall, neither sleeping nor willing to speak.
“Zhen saw that you quite like that child,” Gu Zhen rode beside the carriage and said a sentence warmly to her.
Zhao Yiyi propped up her head and said perfunctorily, “Yes.”
Thinking of her eyebrows softening when talking to the little girl just now, Gu Zhen’s expression couldn’t help softening too. His mind subconsciously conjured up what it would be like if they had a daughter.
Most likely, she would look more like her?
Regardless of whom she resembled, he would take her by his side to teach personally, hoping she could be a qualified monarch.
But if she resembled her, seeing that face similar to hers, he probably couldn’t bear to be harsh in discipline.
Hearing the impatience in her tone, Gu Zhen couldn’t help laughing lightly, “How did Zhen offend you again?”
Through the carriage window, knowing he couldn’t see, Zhao Yiyi still looked up and glared at him. “This concubine said no need for Bixia to come, and Bixia promised not to come, yet insisted on coming…”
The more she thought, the angrier she got, twisting the handkerchief in her hand to vent, imagining it as Gu Zhen’s face and rubbing it several times.
Gu Zhen coaxed softly, “You said not to let Zhen send you, to avoid everyone trembling in fear and daring not speak. Now the banquet has dispersed, it’s no harm for Zhen to come pick you up. Don’t be angry; go back and have the evening meal first; we’ll talk about other things later.”
Zhao Yiyi said, “This concubine is not going back.”
Thinking she was throwing a tantrum, Gu Zhen coaxed a few more sentences, adding, “Zhen had people pick some apricots today. The palace servants said they are sweet. Go back and taste them, alright?”
Zhao Yiyi furrowed her brows lightly, turned her head, and said, “This concubine wanted to find someone to ask a few things about zither making today. I didn’t intend to return to the palace originally. I told Ah Qi earlier that I would stay in the ancestral residence tonight. It was Bixia who insisted I go back.”
Looking at the sky, Gu Zhen said, “Zhen will accompany you to ask. After asking, we return to the palace. Come back tomorrow, alright?”
Zhao Yiyi leaned back against the carriage wall, pressing her lips tightly together, ignoring him.
Not long after, the carriage arrived at Guangzhai Ward where the Zhao clan ancestral residence was located. Zhao Yiyi went next door familiarly to find someone to ask about zither making.
Gu Zhen waited outside. Waiting until the sun set bit by bit, waiting until the sky was pitch black, and he faintly heard the sounds of the Martial Guards catching thieves, Zhao Yiyi still hadn’t come out.
He frowned, called someone over somewhat irritably, “You go in and check if the Empress is well.”
Before he finished speaking, Zhao Yiyi walked out.
Seeing him, Zhao Yiyi was slightly stunned, widened her almond eyes, and asked somewhat incredulously, “Bixia is still here?”
Fine. No wonder she didn’t come out for so long; she was just trying to drive him away.
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