A City Swept by Wind and Snow GL - Chapter 13
◎“I only want the very first one of mine.”◎
Xue Qian was ultimately redeemed from Chunjiang Courtyard by Prince Zhuang, He Qishu. Upon hearing the news, the emperor immediately summoned He Qishu to the palace, teasing him privately: “Little Shu, your son has already begun learning to walk. Sooner or later, he’ll have to establish his mother as consort. Yet, I never expected that among hundreds of beauties in your residence, you would choose a woman from the floating world.”
He Qishu bowed lightly and smiled faintly: “Your Majesty laughs at your younger brother for no reason. I have never said I would marry her.”
Still, this action stirred quite a wave both inside and outside the court, especially among the beauties of the Zhuang Prince’s mansion, who panicked as if facing an imminent battle, fingers itching for action.
Yet Jin Se still insisted on running Chunjiang Courtyard, though she was extremely dissatisfied with He Qishu’s orders. So when Xue Qian was about to be taken away, Jin Se leaned against the screen, forlorn, her eyes fixed on Xue Qian packing her things.
Seeing her strange expression, Xue Qian asked: “Hey, what’s with that look?”
Jin Se replied solemnly: “I’m thinking… how will you react when He Qishu’s son calls you ‘mother’?”
Xue Qian blushed, irritated: “I’ll tear your mouth off!”
Jin Se smirked faintly: “Once you enter the Zhuang Prince’s mansion, don’t start opening a massacre over jealousy, okay?”
For reasons unknown, Jin Se, a prominent figure in the Xiaoyao Sect, continued to help her. Initially, Xue Qian was wary and confused, but gradually she came to trust Jin Se completely. Yet she did not know how to ask about the things Jin Se was hiding.
Xue Qian paused for a moment, then smiled lightly: “Thank you.”
Even without Jin Se’s warning, Xue Qian would no longer impulsively hire assassins. Four years ago, He Qishu had flawlessly carried out the “Demon-Slaying Order.” During that shocking massacre, Xue Qian lost the most important person in her life. To kill He Qishu, however, would be far more difficult than she imagined. Others could never be fully relied upon.
Noticing Xue Qian’s sigh, Jin Se asked with a smile: “Thinking of something?”
Xue Qian forced a bitter smile: “Nothing, just thinking of an old friend.”
Jin Se’s expression changed slightly, her face briefly turning pale—but Xue Qian had already turned away and did not notice.
“Jin Se, do you really know astrology?” Xue Qian asked without looking back, casually yet earnestly. “If you truly understand the stars, please help me…”
“I hate astrology!” Jin Se frowned, cutting her off. “My life is my own, not the heavens’. Such distant, intangible things cannot dictate a person’s fate.”
“But…” Xue Qian turned her face, speaking seriously. “Someone once told me, on the star map of my fate, there is a brilliant companion star. She was born on the same day as me, and will fade with me at the same time.”
Jin Se was startled. “Who told you that?”
Xue Qian replied: “An astrologer in our family.”
“Hm.” Jin Se murmured, a trace of melancholy in her voice.
“Because I remembered that: my companion star would fade with me. That’s why, no matter what, I had to survive. As long as I live, she will too. But four years ago, I saw her heart pierced and fall into the icy lake. How could she survive? Jin Se, if you truly understand astrology, can you tell me… where is my companion star? Is she still shining?”
Jin Se smiled faintly: “Rather than looking up at the stars, it’s better to look at the path under your feet. I do not believe in divination. What I said yesterday was only to deceive He Qishu. Don’t ask me again.” She lightly pushed Xue Qian, saying, “He’s waiting outside for you.”
Only then did Xue Qian notice the faint sound of horse hooves. Outside the Yingxue Pavilion, He Qishu approached slowly on his blue steed, the rising sun casting golden rays over his broad shoulders.
Xue Qian’s heart sank as she hugged her jade zither, moving toward the light. Jin Se suddenly followed swiftly, wrapping her arms around Xue Qian’s shoulders from behind, whispering: “Xue Qian, if your previous companion star is gone, would you accept a new star that comes near?”
Xue Qian’s heart tensed. After a moment of silence, she bit her lip: “I only want the very first one of mine.”
“Only… the very first one?… I… understand.” Jin Se repeated softly, her arms trembling slightly. She smiled and a warm, tickling breeze brushed Xue Qian’s ear: “Very well. I’ll tell you, so you can be at ease: she is here.”
“Who? Who is here?” Xue Qian’s eyes brightened.
“I’ve seen her. Though she has lost her former dazzling light, your companion star has always guarded you. Weak and lonely, seemingly suppressed by a strong force, but steadfastly shining. As long as you haven’t forgotten her, she will appear…”
Xue Qian shivered suddenly, tears streaming and burning Jin Se’s hands. Jin Se smiled, slowly releasing her. Xue Qian did not know that Jin Se hated astrology because even she could not control the eyes that could see the end points of all star trajectories.
As the carriage carrying Xue Qian drove away, Yingxue Pavilion suddenly felt empty. Jin Se collapsed onto the cold bed, a faint smile on her lips, murmuring: “Good. Gone. From now on, it’s all mine.”
From that moment, the Yingxue Pavilion of Qiongyu Garden was Jin Se’s domain, along with her trained beasts.
The beauties of the Zhuang Prince’s mansion finally exhaled in relief, for indeed, as He Qishu had said, he never intended to marry Xue Qian. She was sent to a villa in the eastern capital near Lingbo Lake—Yaqin Mountain Villa.
Xue Qian felt pleasantly surprised and thanked He Qishu: “Your generosity is immense. A small Qiongyu Garden suddenly replaced with a large Yaqin Mountain Villa. I truly owe you thanks.”
He Qishu replied apologetically: “No need for thanks. Just don’t bear me any resentment.” Without another word, he mounted his blue steed and vanished.
In truth, He Qishu was somewhat afraid of Xue Qian.
Three years ago—in the winter of the seventh year of Huading—one night, a dark object fell at He Qishu’s study door, accompanied by heavy snow.
He Qishu ordered a candle lit and saw a coffin, held aloft by an ugly dwarf, who smiled at him strangely: “There’s a treasure. Do you dare take it?”
The lid opened, revealing a young girl of tender age yet incomparable beauty.
He Qishu frowned: “I am indeed affectionate, but this… is a child, and a dead one at that. Take it away.”
The dwarf laughed sharply: “First, she is a living child, not dead. Second, when she grows, she will be the only one to fulfill your ambitions. But…” He paused meaningfully.
“But what?” He Qishu asked.
“She will first fulfill you, then destroy you!” The dwarf jumped around the coffin, singing: “What do you say? Dare to take her? Dare to take her? The almighty Zhuang Prince dares take this girl? If you have courage, pay. If not, I leave!”
“Pay?” He Qishu said coldly. “Who are you?”
“An astrologer trafficker. What’s it to you?”
He Qishu snorted, turning away: “Zhuang Prince’s residence is no pleasure district. I buy no such treasures.”
“Tsk tsk,” the dwarf sighed regretfully. “I thought I could make a fortune… but you gave me a good reminder: only in the pleasure district can such treasures earn big money.” Before finishing, a whirlwind hit He Qishu’s back. Turning around, the dwarf had leapt away, carrying the coffin.
After that heavy snowfall, Chunjiang Courtyard—the capital’s premier establishment—acquired a peerless zither player, calling herself Xue Qian.
“Xue Qian—” He Qishu gripped the reins, urging his blue steed forward with a fierce wind at his face. He murmured: “If our fates are truly intertwined, if the crossing point of destiny cannot be avoided, then I shall meet it head-on! Xue Qian, whether you destroy me in the future or not, first come and fulfill my ambition!”
At night, Xue Qian lay in a strange bed, restless. She lit a lamp and strolled alone around Yaqin Mountain Villa. She loved water, which He Qishu knew, so like Qiongyu Garden, the villa had a lake formed by spring water. The surface was frozen, but the spring flowed freely. A stone stele near the water bore three elegant characters: Moonlight Spring. The reflections of stars sparkled on the flowing water, illuminating the lonely winter. Xue Qian remembered Jin Se’s words, looked up at the sky, and whispered: “You truly have always been guarding me. Wonderful, my companion star.”
“Guarding you is quite troublesome!” A soft, ethereal voice came from behind, accompanied by the flutter of wings. Surprised, Xue Qian turned to see a sleek black eagle, upon whose back stood a graceful, dragon-like woman. She smiled faintly: “It’s not a good time for a midnight stroll.”