Spring of the Blade - Chapter 74

Chapter 74

A simple embrace, the feel of soft jade and warm fragrance as she leaned into his arms—though it was but a fleeting touch, strictly restrained by decorum, he felt he could die without regrets in this lifetime.

In terms of etiquette, this was highly improper, and Qingyuan did not know where she had found such daring. Perhaps it was because this man was him; he had offered his chest for her to lean on during her most aggrieved moments. To others, he was a man rotten to the bone, but to her, he was the only warmth in this frigid world.

His heart thundered against his chest; she heard it clearly. Commander Shen might have kept an impassive expression on his face, but surely his heart was already churning with towering waves! She leaned against the hollow of his neck; in the darkness, neither could see the other, only feel the waves of heat rolling off them. The room had become a giant cauldron, steaming them until their minds grew numb and every limb felt as if it were melting.

He lowered his head, his cheek brushing against her forehead. One hand rested on her shoulder, then traveled downward, finding her hand and interlocking his fingers with hers. At this moment, he was certain: she had him in her heart, too. She was simply too honest, too prideful, surrounding herself with walls that made it impossible for anyone to get close. She didn't realize that at fifteen or sixteen, a girl was at the age most entitled to go back on her word. If only she had come to him that day and said she didn't want to marry Li Congxin, and asked him to think of a way, he would have prepared the wild geese and gone to the Xie residence to propose that very night. But she refused to say it. She thought that was simply what marriage was—even if she didn't like Li Congxin, she had to fulfill her promise.

Why bother? She didn't understand; marriage wasn't necessarily a life of resentment like the couples she had seen. There was also a kind of life lived in sweet harmony, and in the future, he would naturally let her know.

He had once heard his father say that a wife is like a mirror, reflecting different kinds of light. If you love her dearly, she will shine brilliantly; if you despise her, she will be covered in dust, and no amount of wiping will ever make her bright again. He had seen noblewomen in their thirties with faces full of sorrow, and he had seen peasant women in simple linen clothes who looked radiant and soft. He thought then that no matter how great the storm in the future, he must keep his wife safe and sound—a thought that grew even more intense after meeting Qingyuan.

Ferocious as a demon, yet deeply affectionate—only Shen Che and the Emperor knew his many facets, and they all inexplicably felt he must have taken the wrong medicine. If he was mad, so be it; when he held her in his arms, he could ignore everything else.

Qingyuan gently shook his hand, "We’ve known each other a long time, haven't we?"

He gave an "un" sound. Outside, the torrential rain poured down, and he closed his eyes amidst the sound of the rain, "Perhaps we knew each other in a past life."

"Let’s not talk about past lives; let’s talk only of this one. Since we’ve known each other so long, is there anything that cannot be said plainly?" Her voice was like honey, coating him tightly, "There is a good saying: 'too much is as bad as too little.' What do you think?"

He understood in his heart. Given the string of strange actions she had taken today, she likely already knew the truth.

Someone from Shen Che’s quarters had come to find her, so what else was there to say? With Fangchun’s goldfish-like brain, she had probably spilled everything within two sentences. Yet, they both stubbornly kept up the act, as if whoever spoke first would lose. A low, soft chuckle vibrated in his nasal cavity, "Does the young lady have something she wishes to say to me?"

Qingyuan was somewhat annoyed, barely suppressing her temper as she said, "I want to hear you speak. Anything at all is fine." She shook him again, "Speak."

He pondered for a moment, mumbling as if slightly intoxicated, "You smell very good, and your waist is very soft."

This was blatant molestation. Qingyuan gritted her teeth in anger, but unable to strike him, she could only continue to coax him, "Don't beat around the bush with me. Say something else—is there anything else?"

He thought about it again, "The Emperor has issued an edict ordering me to mobilize the Imperial Guard stationed in Jiannan Province. This battle must be won; it cannot be lost. If we cannot take it, it will surely require me to go personally."

Qingyuan was startled, "Are you going yourself?"

He said yes, and the hand caressing her shoulder and back slid down in a graceful, seductive trajectory, replying languidly, "I have spent ten years in the military camps. I have participated in countless battles, large and small, and I am familiar with how the Tubo people wage war."

Qingyuan could only stare blankly. War was a matter of life and death. She had previously felt that the battlefield was far removed from her, but after encountering that gang of ruffians on the road back from Bihui Temple and watching that servant die before her eyes, she knew how terrifying it truly was.

"On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes..." she stammered, "Aren't you in charge of the Palace Imperial Guard? Why do you have to fight?"

"The Imperial Guard under the Palace Department is not just responsible for the Emperor’s ceremonial guards and security; at critical moments, we must also go to the battlefield." He smiled, "Did you think we were all just for show, wearing beautiful official robes and armor just to look good?"

Qingyuan had been led astray by him. Only when she gathered her wits did she realize that Shen Run’s hands were all over her, so she pushed him away, her face blushing.

Her mind was in a whirl. His going to war made her anxious, but what was even more infuriating was his wily, old-fox nature; even seducing him with beauty was of no use. Frustrated, she stood up, "Do you truly have nothing else to tell me?"

Lightning flashed outside. He propped his head up, looking relaxed, and made a show of thinking before saying, "No, nothing."

Qingyuan nodded, "Then act as if I was never here."

He gave an "ah" sound, "Leaving? Since you're already here, you might as well stay the night."

Qingyuan said resentfully, "No. In the future, the Commander will surely have beautiful women by his side, so I won't intrude on that fun." With that, she followed the light from the door and stepped out across the threshold.

The heat of the day had been dispelled by this heavy rain, and the air that rushed to meet her was crisp and cool. Qingyuan stood under the veranda, watching the rain strike the banana leaves with a rustling sound. Although she hadn't managed to trick the truth out of him, her heart felt settled.

The good news tomorrow would surely be that the Chen grandparents had arrived in Youzhou. Since the Xie family ignored her now, she could finally reunite with her grandparents openly and freely, without worrying that the Xie family would falsely accuse her grandfather of kidnapping. As for Shen Run, it didn't matter that he wouldn't admit it now; there would be plenty of time to settle accounts with him slowly in the future.

However, this mansion was ultimately Shen Run’s domain, and the only person who could help her was Fangchun. The next day, she delayed until the Chen hour (7-9 AM) to go to the West Garden. Fangchun had just woken up and had only washed half her face. Seeing Qingyuan arrive, she was greatly surprised and teased her meaningfully, "Young people truly have robust health. Coming over here so early in the morning, why not sleep a little longer? Did Big Brother rush off to the capital again?" As she joked while brushing her teeth, she mumbled incoherently, "I previously lamented that Big Brother was steady, but I was wrong. Look at this running back and forth between two places, just like our Second Master back then... Elder Sister-in-law, what orders do you have for me, that you’ve deigned to visit?"

The maids attending nearby only smiled, and Qingyuan was incredibly embarrassed, "Sister, please stop mocking me. It’s one thing to say this in private, but don't let others hear it. I came this time because I have a matter I need your help with."

Fangchun turned her head to look at her, "What is it? As long as it isn't asking me to prepare a carriage for you to leave the mansion, everything else is negotiable."

Qingyuan smiled, "You worry too much. I only wanted to ask to borrow two people from you to help me find out about the situation outside. My grandfather and grandmother should be arriving in Youzhou today. They have been in Hengtang, and I am worried. Even if the Commander has made arrangements, I fear the old folks won't be accustomed to things. They traveled thousands of miles entirely for my sake, and I want to get word as soon as possible so I can go welcome them."

Fangchun hesitated, "Why don't you ask the Commander?"

Qingyuan gave her a slow smile, "Have you forgotten? You were the one who revealed this to me. How can I ask the Commander? If I did, wouldn't that be telling him that you leaked the secret?"

Caught in a trap, Fangchun let out an exclamation of dismay, but having no choice, she could only agree. She quietly dispatched two young servants to wait outside the gate, telling them to report to the inner courtyard the moment there was news.

Qingyuan was restless. She barely managed to drink two cups of tea before standing up to pace the veranda, waiting for news. The sky had cleared after the rain, and a chill was vaguely rising in the air. The climate in Youzhou was always a step ahead of Hengtang; at this time of year in Hengtang, even after a heavy rain, the sun would still be scorching.

She was anxious and couldn't help pacing back and forth. Fangchun felt dizzy watching her, and resting her chin on her hand, she said, "Just sit for a while. Once people arrive, do you fear they won't come in to report the news?" Compared to the arrival of the Chen grandparents, she was more curious about how Qingyuan had spent these last two nights in the East Garden, so she asked with a cheeky face, "How are things between you and Big Brother?"

Qingyuan understood what she wanted to ask. The people who stood guard in the garden at night had all been dismissed—how could that not lead to speculation? She said awkwardly, "The Commander is a man of honor and decorum; he has been very polite to me." Yet, remembering the back-and-forth they had engaged in over the past two nights, she felt guilty and flushed with embarrassment.

Fangchun scrutinized her carefully. The more she stared, the redder Qingyuan’s face became. Fangchun immediately covered her mouth and stifled a laugh, "I am an experienced person; are you still trying to hide it from me?"

Qingyuan had no way to defend herself, "I am telling the truth..."

"I know, I know... A lone man and a young woman living in the same courtyard—the girl in the flower of her youth, and the Big Brother in the prime of his tiger-and-wolf years..."

After speaking, both were stunned. Fangchun hurriedly covered her own mouth, "A sin! I have always respected Big Brother; how could I make a joke out of him!"

Qingyuan sighed, smiling bitterly, "You can’t really be blamed. A perfectly good girl, sent into someone else’s mansion in such a muddled way—not to mention living in the same garden, just the fact that I spent the night in the Shen residence means I will never be able to hold my head high in this lifetime. To be calculated against by one’s own flesh and blood like this... it is so chilling. Our Old Madam did this for the sake of sending me to the Commander to be a concubine... She truly disregarded any sense of shame. It was a waste of me calling her 'Grandmother' for so long."

Fangchun could only comfort her, "You don't need to think about that so much. The Xie family won't speak of this, and our mansion certainly won't spread it abroad. The day you entered the mansion, orders were passed down from the East Garden for everyone to keep their mouths shut. What do you think the master of our house does? If he couldn't even control the servants in his own mansion, he wouldn't be worthy of his heavy responsibilities in the court."

No sooner had she finished speaking than an old servant woman came hurrying along the covered walkway. Reaching the threshold, she bowed, "Reporting to the Second Mistress: the boy heard from the gatekeepers that the people sent to Hengtang have returned. The carriage entered through the Dongping Gate, but the people to be picked up didn't come to our mansion; they went toward Qin’an Street."

Fangchun was utterly baffled, "Why go to Qin’an Street? Does the Chen family have property in Youzhou?"

Qingyuan shook her head, "I have never heard of that..." She paused and asked the servant, "Can you determine which household they entered?"

The servant woman looked troubled, "That, I do not know. Perhaps the Young Lady should wait a moment? I will go out and tell the boys to go and investigate again. As soon as it is clear, I will come back to report to you."

Qingyuan said fine. Watching the person hurry away, she thought for a moment and turned to Fangchun, "I must find a way to go out once. The Commander has gone to the Lulong Army camp. If I slip out quietly and slip back in quietly, would that work?"

Fangchun shook her head vigorously, "Don't even think about it. Orders have been received at all the gates; who would dare let you out at will? Besides, I don't have the nerve. If Big Brother found out, I fear even Shen Che couldn't save me—right now, you are the apple of his eye, his heart's core!"

Qingyuan knew that wanting to go out was simply a fool’s dream, so she had to hold back for the moment and wait until the news was clear. Just as it approached midday, the managing servant woman from the East Garden came over, bowed, and said with a smile, "Young Lady, the Master has returned and is looking for you to have a meal together. You should head back now."

Fangchun stuck her tongue out at Qingyuan. A "burning old house" was truly something—the Commander was currently unable to spend a moment apart from the one he loved. She used to look at him and see a heartless, ruthless man everyone feared, but she hadn't expected a desperate, needy heart to be hidden beneath that indifferent skin. If his enemies outside knew he was this clingy at home, they would probably laugh their guts out!

Fangchun gave a meaningful look, "Hurry back, lest he come to kill you himself and waste the trip."

Qingyuan had no choice. While instructing, "If you manage to find out which house it is, you must send someone to tell me," she descended the veranda and headed for the East Garden.

A maid led the way into the flower hall. Upon entering, she saw him standing by the fish tank in his brocade robes, scattering fish food into the water.

"Went to find Fangchun to kill time again?" he asked with a smile.

A beam of sunlight from outside the window shone on the surface of the water, the goldfish swimming within. Rippling reflections were cast in his eyes, and holding that faint light, there was a tranquil beauty in his gaze.

Qingyuan said an "un" sound, "I was idle, so I had nothing else to do."

In the daylight, she had a dignified air, making it hard to connect her with the bold woman from last night. In any case, he liked whichever version of her she was. In his eyes, only a girl like this was worth loving—with the face of a lady of the house in front of others, and soft as a dumpling behind closed doors, ready to be kneaded and claimed by him however he wished.

However, while his plan was well-calculated, she had her own ideas. Qingyuan said, "The good news you mentioned yesterday—can you tell me now?"

Actually, she should have already guessed, but it was several days earlier than expected, which must have been a pleasant surprise for her. He tucked his hands into his sleeves and said proudly, "Guess, who did I bring to Youzhou?"

Qingyuan looked at him, suddenly finding this man somewhat childish. To save him some face, she pretended, "I can't guess. Who is it?"

"It’s the Chen grandparents who raised you." He laughed heartily, "They have already arrived in Youzhou. I had originally intended to bring them to the mansion to meet you first, before arranging a separate residence for them, but they had already sent people ahead to have things prepared."

Truly, only a person with such foresight could raise a girl as capable and comprehensive as her. The Chen family was not an ordinary family in the past; although her grandfather’s official career had been mediocre, their ancestors were wealthy merchants, and their connections must have been extensive. The fact that the old couple did not wish to rely on others was respectable, and letting Qingyuan marry from the Chen family would not disgrace her.

He watched her eagerly, waiting for her to praise him. Instead, after waiting for a long time, he only received a slight smile from Qingyuan, "I must thank the Commander for this."

Shen Run hesitated. Last night, she had been calling him "Brother" so enthusiastically to pry information out of him, but today, with her family here, she called him "Commander." Did this mean she intended to draw a line between them?

He had a vague sense of foreboding, "Young lady, are you not happy?"

Qingyuan said she was happy, her curved eyes looking truly joyous. She gripped the ivory handle of her round fan tightly, so tightly that her hand trembled slightly. Looking up, she asked him, "Can I go see them now?"

Shen Run said, "They have just arrived and need to settle in. Let’s have our meal first, and after that, I will take you..."

But before he could finish, Mother Zhou entered the garden and stood under the eaves to report, "Master, the Chen grandparents have arrived and are asking to see you and the Fourth Young Lady."

Qingyuan’s heart nearly leaped out of her throat. She had been thinking of them and longing for them, and to her surprise, they had already arrived.

So, without waiting for Shen Run’s permission, she lifted her skirt and ran out. She ran all the way to the front courtyard. Seeing her aged grandfather and grandmother looking travel-worn from a distance, she knelt the moment she entered the door, wailing, "Your granddaughter is too unfilial! To let you both suffer such exhaustion at your advanced age—my death would not be enough to atone for my sins."

Shen Run, watching from the side, gave a long sigh. This was what a reunion of flesh and blood should look like—not like the Xie family’s Old Madam, where a simple hand-holding and cheek-patting sufficed to end it.

The Chen grandmother and Qingyuan wept in each other's arms. The grandfather watched from the side, tears also brimming in his eyes, but because they were in someone else’s mansion, he could not lose his composure. He bowed toward Shen Run, "Commander Shen, our family’s young lady has received much care from the Commander, and this old man is endlessly grateful. Previously, we were in Hengtang and unable to reach her, but now that we are here, it is not appropriate to continue to trouble the Commander. We will take our young lady back now."

Shen Run was slightly stunned, finding that the situation was developing far differently than he had imagined. However, because of Qingyuan, he held the Chen grandparents in even higher esteem. He bowed deeply, "Shen Run has quite a close relationship with the young lady. Since she was in trouble, I was naturally duty-bound to assist with all my strength, so please do not stand on ceremony, Old Master Chen. However..." He glanced at Qingyuan, "However, I and the young lady..."

The Chen grandmother wiped away her tears, bowed to Shen Run, and then smiled, "Many thanks to the Commander for your thoughtfulness in bringing us to Youzhou. On our journey here, we heard some rumors that the Commander is about to get engaged to the daughter of the Mu family. Truly, congratulations, Commander."

If he didn't clarify things now, the consequences would be very serious. Shen Run hurriedly returned the bow, his expression solemn, "Those are all rumors from the streets. Shen Run has very little contact with the family of Prefect Mu, and as for the engagement, it is entirely out of the question."

The Chen grandmother listened and gave a long "Oh," "So it was all a misunderstanding. Since that is the case, our Chen family has always been a respectable family in Hengtang, and the daughter of a respectable family should be handled according to the rules of a respectable family. We will take her back for now. If the Commander has any intentions, please act according to etiquette. From today on, our young lady remains a lady in the inner chambers. If the Commander wishes to propose, not a single one of the Three Letters and Six Rites can be missing, and not a single detail can be slighted. Once your sincerity is proven, it will still require our young lady’s consideration. If she nods, we will then select an auspicious day for the betrothal, and then you may come to welcome her. How about that?"

Shen Run touched his forehead, sweat already breaking out. He suddenly discovered that dealing with a family that followed such strict rules was far more difficult than dealing with the Xie family. But he dared not express anger nor speak a word of protest. He bowed his head and said, "Shen Run will heed the Old Madam’s instructions." Having said this, he looked at Qingyuan, who was eyeing him with open contempt. He gave a sheepish smile and asked awkwardly, "Young Lady, do you like keeping cats? My official courier just had a litter of kittens; in two days, I shall take you to adopt a kitten. How about it?”