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Chapter 86: Intoxication
At dusk, the number of people entering and leaving Luoyang gradually decreased.
The slanting sun hit the high city walls, the ancient bricks revealing mottled traces of time.
Zhao Yiyi had just taken a step forward, wanting to get a closer look, when in the next instant, her hand fell into a warm, large palm. Gradually, it tightened extremely hard.
“Be careful, don’t trip.”
A mellow voice sounded in her ear. Zhao Yiyi looked down and realized there was a medium-sized stone by her foot.
If she hadn’t been paying attention, she really might have tripped.
Before she could think much, after seeing clearly who was in front of her, her eyes curved into crescents. “Seeing you from afar just now, I only felt the figure was extremely similar. I thought I had mistaken the person, but unexpectedly, it really is Cousin Lu. Did Cousin arrive in Luoyang just now?”
Lu Xianshan held a white steed by the reins. His hair was bound in a putou, his attire neat and sharp, and a long sword hung at his waist. After a moment of dazed distraction, a smile appeared on his face. “I arrived in Luoyang just today.”
Seeing that although the two had brought guards, the fanfare wasn’t large, he knew they were out on a private excursion. After speaking, he clasped his hands in greeting. He didn’t call out ‘Your Majesty,’ but addressed them only as Master Gu and Madam.
The hostility in Gu Zhen’s eyes faded inch by inch. After a long while, a smile actually filled them, and he nodded at the man. “Not seen for months, Recorder Lu’s bearing has not diminished.”
Lu Xianshan also smiled, but said, “Traveling through wind and dust all the way, I feel I’ve become quite haggard. Master Gu praises me too highly.”
Despite his words, there wasn’t a speck of dust on him, and the steed’s coat was white as silk.
After handing their passes to the gate guard for inspection, the group entered the Changxia Gate.
Zhao Yiyi smiled. “I heard A-Chen mention just a few days ago that Cousin was coming to Luoyang. I was thinking that since winter has set in and the weather is getting colder, with the snow falling, the roads would likely be difficult to traverse. I wondered when you would arrive. Today is quite a coincidence.”
Lu Xianshan’s eyes carried a smile. His tall, slender figure was upright, like a sturdy pine in the wind.
He had always been neither humble nor arrogant, possessing an outstanding character. After resigning from the post of Recorder of Wannian, he was now a commoner. Yet even facing the Emperor now, aside from that initial bow, his voice afterward was respectful but not servile.
The setting sun poured down, illuminating the Imperial Street in the center of Luoyang City. The yellow earth, lit by that layer of light, became even richer in color.
“Is Cousin going straight home after entering the city today?” Zhao Yiyi asked him with a smile.
Lu Xianshan shook his head, his voice warm and smooth. “A-Chen made an appointment with me to have dinner at the Southern Market first before going back.” He laughed. “Although we’ve been exchanging letters, it’s been nearly two years since I saw him. I imagine he has grown much taller again.”
Zhao Yiyi said, “He is much taller, reaching about Cousin’s chin.”
From the rows of houses on both sides, curling cooking smoke rose, reflecting against the setting sun in the west. It carried the flavor of returning home at dusk, drifting clouds and wandering horses.
Gu Zhen walked side by side with her, remaining silent the whole time. However, the hand inside his sleeve was clenched tight into a fist; his neatly trimmed nails dug into his flesh, causing a stinging pain.
He finally understood. When the Empress Dowager let that Second Miss He live in the palace back then, Yiyi clearly knew what it meant, yet why hadn’t she said a single word?
Just like that, she had forcibly endured it.
He used to think she didn’t care. Now he knew it was because she liked him.
Because she liked him, she wanted to carefully maintain that fragile balance, terrified that once broken, it could never be pieced back together.
Only those who worry about gains and losses, who don’t receive total partiality, would act with such extreme caution.
Just like him right now. Clearly, the raging fire of jealousy in his heart was about to consume him completely, yet for the sake of their slightly improved relationship, he had to swallow it all down with blood.
Clearly about to be annihilated by jealousy, he had to wear a smile on his face. “You came to Luoyang this time to prepare for next year’s spring examinations?”
Lu Xianshan nodded slightly, whispering, “Precisely.”
A numbness and tickle came from her palm. Zhao Yiyi started, shivering, and subconsciously tried to shrink back, a flush rising on her face.
Seeing her expression look strange, Lu Xianshan asked with concern, “What’s wrong? It’s cold today; it wouldn’t be good to catch a chill.”
Asked by him, Zhao Yiyi’s face turned completely red. Even her breathing became slightly uneven. She glanced at him quickly, lowered her eyes, and said, “Nothing. Perhaps I was blown by the wind and got cold.”
Before her voice fell, using the cover of her sleeve, she didn’t pull her hand away but instead pinched him back with the back of her hand.
Her expression didn’t show it, but her hand spared no effort.
Lu Xianshan didn’t suspect anything. He just looked down at her with lowered brows and said warmly, “Then you should be more careful. Your health…” He didn’t continue the rest of the sentence.
Even if he didn’t say it, how could they not understand?
Gu Zhen secretly hated the childhood friendship between the two, yet he smiled and tightened his grip on her hand, his voice warm as unpolished jade. “Recorder Lu is right. Her health has never been very good. She almost caught a chill a few days ago; she really should be more careful.”
Lu Xianshan’s eyes darkened. A dense, sharp pain suddenly climbed up his heart.
He had long accepted his fate, but it still hurt.
It hurt that the friendship of growing up together couldn’t compare to that person’s short three years.
It hurt even more that the man had her, yet refused to cherish her.
She was clearly so wonderful.
A long time ago, he had asked. She said she liked him from the start, that her heart was set. One look under the pear tree was a look for a lifetime.
When they were young, the elders in the family had teased them about their relationship, laughing, “Those two are quite a match.” The speakers had no intent, and bystanders just laughed it off, but he, the listener, took it to heart and held onto it.
He had thought it would always be like that, never considering a second possibility.
The Son of Heaven personally proposed for her, proposed on behalf of the Crown Prince. The Zhao family’s standing was declining, not as it used to be; no one would refuse this marriage.
The divide between ruler and subject was ultimately a chasm lying between the two of them.
Knowing he should stay far away from her, knowing many things were long destined, he thought that after so long, he should have forgotten. But whenever he saw her, his heart still… throbbed incessantly.
“Traveling all the way from Chang’an, the things Master Gu wanted have been recorded in the ledger. Once I have time to organize them, I will send them to Master Gu.” He looked up at the sky, a clear and handsome smile appearing on his face as he said warmly, “It’s getting late. A-Chen must have arrived at the Southern Market. Xianshan fears he will wait anxiously, so I must take my leave and go ahead.”
Gu Zhen knew the things he spoke of were the current conditions of the Chang’an grain transport routes, so he nodded slightly and expressed his thanks for the trouble.
The pedestrians gradually dispersed to return home. Zhao Yiyi then mounted her horse. As she raised her whip and took the reins, her red skirt moved with the wind, rippling like clear waves.
Although the snow had stopped, the air was still filled with that chill.
Zhao Yiyi held the horsewhip, turned her head, and smiled. “The weather is cold today, and I happen to be heading to the Southern Market as well. Since we’ve met, let me invite Cousin for a cup of wine to drive away the chill and warm up.”
Among the eateries in the Southern Market, the Jade Cuisine Tower was the best, and its “Stone Frozen Spring” wine was superb.
Just as they settled into the private room, snow particles began to flutter down again outside. When the wind blew, it felt extremely cold.
Not only was Zhao Chen there, but Zhao Yuan had also come along. Behind them, Zhao Duanduan, who had rushed over from Longmen, sat in the seat reserved by Zhao Yiyi’s hand.
During the meal, Zhao Chen raised his cup to toast, his face showing excitement. “I haven’t seen Cousin for almost two years. Now that I finally see you today, Cousin must drink a few cups with me.”
After this period of time, the youth had tanned quite a bit, but his face was still handsome and bright as he grinned at people.
Lu Xianshan knew he was showing off that he had grown up and could drink. He couldn’t help smiling. He didn’t brush off his face, but he couldn’t resist saying a couple of sentences. “How old are you? Learn less of these affectations.”
Zhao Yiyi was eating the boiled mutton with mountain herbs. Seeing the interaction between the two, she couldn’t help but add an instruction. “Cousin, your alcohol tolerance isn’t good; don’t mess around with him.” Then she looked up and glared at Zhao Chen. “You aren’t allowed to drink too much either, or see how I deal with you.”
Glared at by her, Zhao Chen’s heart tightened, and he quickly begged for mercy. “Sister, I haven’t drunk much; this is only the first cup. Besides, Cousin Lu just arrived in Luoyang today; I have to keep him company and have a bit more.”
Zhao Yuan rarely spoke, but he also put in a few good words for him.
A pale green floated atop the liquid. Gu Zhen looked at the amber cup in his hand and suddenly felt that this Stone Frozen Spring wasn’t that tempting anymore.
He tilted his head back slightly. A cup of Stone Frozen Spring slid down his throat, bringing a fiery stimulation.
He shook the cup, and seeing not a drop left, he turned his head to look at his side.
He wanted to see her reaction.
But his Empress was slightly lowering her head, talking to Grand Princess Jiangdu.
“Alright, it’s just a jade pendant. Is it worth remembering until now? Didn’t you get another one given to you separately later?”
Zhao Duanduan frowned and muttered, “How can that be the same? I could have won.”
It wasn’t the jade pendant she wanted!
Seeing her pitiful appearance, Zhao Yiyi’s heart softened. She pinched her cheek and said, “You little miser.”
Zhao Duanduan turned her head awkwardly, staring at a branch of camellia in the corner in a daze.
She had almost forgotten the matter, but among the people escorting her boat today, Jiang Jiayan happened to be there. It instantly reminded her of the old grievance, and anger rose out of nowhere.
“Vice Director Jiang didn’t do it intentionally either.” Zhao Yiyi smiled and said, “It’s not a big deal. Next time there’s a banquet, just win that round back.”
Zhao Duanduan said in a muffled voice, “Sister, I know. I didn’t say anything in front of others.”
The two whispered for a moment before looking up to eat again.
Zhao Yiyi took a small sip of wine. Finding the aroma too rich and the taste too intense, she frowned slightly and put down the cup, refusing to drink more.
Gu Zhen looked at her almost greedily, then drank a full amber cup.
This wine was potent. Two cups down, and in just a fleeting moment, a feeling of intoxication set in.
The beauty in red beside him was talking to someone about the snow in Chang’an.
She didn’t look at him.
Or perhaps she did, but only for a fleeting second.
Gu Zhen felt slightly depressed in his heart. He drank a third cup. When he put down the wine cup, his hand slipped carelessly, making a crisp sound that was a bit too loud.
This time she did look over, but she only paused slightly and said nothing.
“Your Majesty, be careful,” she whispered after a long time.
There was charcoal fire in the private room; it shouldn’t be cold.
But Gu Zhen still felt cold.
Almost crushed by that single sentence, his heart trembled. He gripped the wine pot again, cup after cup, losing count even himself.
With every cup he drank, he glanced to the side.
Fortunately, his alcohol tolerance was good. Even drinking like this, on the surface, he only appeared to have a slightly flushed face.
When they came out of the eatery, the sky was dark, nearing the time for curfew.
It was very cold.
Zhao Yiyi didn’t ride a horse again; she went straight into the carriage to avoid the wind.
Just as she was holding a small copper-gilt hand warmer with cloud and sun-moon patterns, leaning against the carriage wall to warm herself, the carriage door opened in the next instant, and the wind and snow all rushed in.
Seeing the tall, upright figure, she was stunned for a moment before realizing it was Gu Zhen who had followed closely behind her and entered the carriage as well.
“Why isn’t Your Majesty riding a horse?” She scooted back so she could look up at him.
But before she could fully look up, Gu Zhen bent down halfway in the next moment. He gently held one of her soft hands with both of his and rested his forehead lightly against it.
The familiar fragrance instantly cleared his expression a great deal.
But the sour bitterness in his heart couldn’t fade.
“Yiyi.” He buried his entire face down, whispering, “I am so jealous… Watching you talk to him, smile at him, I was truly so jealous, so jealous, yet I had to pretend to be indifferent.”
“I was almost going crazy.”
There was actually a hint of choking in that voice. At the end, he paused for a long time before he could continue the rest of his words.
She hesitated and lowered her head, looking at the man buried in her hand, in a leaning posture. “Your Majesty is drunk.”
Hearing that gentle voice, Gu Zhen suddenly laughed. He rubbed against her palm and nodded. “En, I am drunk.”
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