A City Swept by Wind and Snow GL - Chapter 6

◎Thus, even in a corner as dark and hellish as this, she would not feel cruelly alone.◎

The next evening, Xue Qianxun only went to the Xianyin Stage to play a single piece. The audience cheered like a tide, yet she remained cold as ice. Zhao Si, the second son of General Zhenyuan, still did not understand her temperament. He spent a fortune trying to buy a smile from her, but Xue Qianxun ignored him entirely. With a single call of “Danmo,” she returned to her Yingsue Pavilion.

Zhao Si left the stage in frustration, teeth gritted with resentment. Yet, mindful that she was affiliated with the Zhuang King, he could only endure his anger. He immediately sent men to the owner of Chunjiang Courtyard, Jinse, to wreak havoc—smashing tables and chairs in a violent rage.

Jinse, however, dismissed all others, curling up in a corner of her bed while holding her medicine bowl, calmly sipping as she let them destroy her possessions. When one man broke the last embroidered stool and reached for a painting of plum blossoms on the wall, Jinse suddenly lifted her head and said slowly: “Tired, are we?” A faint smile swept over them.

The men had intended to hit her, but at that moment, they noticed the little white fox at Jinse’s side. Its eyes glowed with a terrifying, ravenous light, causing all of them to shiver in fear.

Jinse added: “If you’re tired, please leave.”

It was as if a spell had been cast. None dared linger; they scrambled down the stairs, jostling each other, and once outside Chunjiang Courtyard, they regained their composure, grumbling and returning in a horde to the General’s mansion. Since no one had been hurt, they all lied to earn their reward. Zhao Si, hearing that Jinse had “endured” their violence, was somewhat surprised. But he soon reasoned that it must be because he, as the General’s son, could not be compared to others in rank. His pride swelled, and his arrogance grew further.

After the General’s men left, the young women of Chunjiang Courtyard peeked out one by one, forming a line outside Jinse’s room. At that time, Jinse was staring at the plum blossom painting on the wall, lost in thought. Hearing the soft, chaotic footsteps, she turned and smiled gently: “Don’t be afraid. It’s alright now.”

The girls’ anxiety turned to relief. They poured into the room, chattering excitedly. The little white fox curled on Jinse’s lap, sleeping almost to the point of bubbling over. Later, those who had envied Xue Qianxun carefully began to grumble before Jinse. Hearing this, Jinse immediately threw herself back on the bed, pulling the quilt over her face. “Tired,” she murmured.

Seeing Jinse weary, the girls reluctantly left.

In the corridor, Huahua, always outspoken, exclaimed: “Xue Qianxun is really lucky. The Zhuang King favors her, and our ‘boss’ takes even better care of her!”

Ruyu added: “Our boss treats everyone well. She doesn’t force us to do things we dislike.”

Someone whispered: “But don’t you think Xue Qianxun is a bit too much? She won’t even perform her art. What else can she do at Chunjiang Courtyard?”

Ruyu quickly said: “She also paints.”

Another sneered: “She sells at most one painting a year. The ink-and-wash works she paints daily, she won’t even give away. Who among us hasn’t been refused?”

Ruyu responded: “She only gives paintings to one person. We shouldn’t have asked in the first place.”

The other person laughed coldly: “Of course. Sycophancy. If I were the boss, she would give only to me.”

Huahua quietly calculated: “Speaking of it, Xue Qianxun’s price this year has gone up several times compared to last year. One painting earns more than we make in a whole year!” She couldn’t hide her envy.

“Her work is good,” another said, “but I can’t see why it’s better than other masters. Her exclusivity? It’s all bluff. It’s only because of the Zhuang King’s favor. Why is he so indulgent?”

Someone else sneered ironically: “You think the Zhuang King spoils her? Not really. He has seen plenty of women throwing themselves at him. This icy beauty is novel. But if she continues to push everyone away, she’ll have a bad ending. The Zhuang King isn’t patient forever. Beauty alone isn’t enough. Once a new favorite comes along, she’ll be set aside. Stories like this—noblemen and courtesans—happen throughout history.”

The first speaker, satisfied, laughed: “You’re sharp-eyed. Indeed, who the Zhuang King loves most is uncertain.”

Ruyu exclaimed: “Don’t say that! I believe the Zhuang King loves Xue Qianxun. She’s beautiful, talented, and has a quirky temper…”

“Quirky is a virtue?” several asked in unison.

Ruyu defended: “Quirky, yes, but not at all annoying. She’s inherently pure and kind…”

Before she finished, the others were laughing uncontrollably.

“She looks through everyone as if they’re invisible. Every time I meet her, I feel transparent. Does she think she’s superior?”

Rumen, who had been silent, spoke softly: “She does not think she’s superior.”

The others stared in disbelief.

Rumen continued: “In her eyes, others are transparent. She never judged anyone as high or low. How could she compare herself to them?”

The first speaker snorted angrily: “I want to see her in disgrace. I heard she was almost beaten to death her first year at Chunjiang Courtyard. The previous boss’s methods weren’t just hitting and scolding. She was lucky not to see them all.”

Ruyu shivered: “Don’t say that! We’re all unlucky, in our own way. How can you say such things?” Her voice trembled.

Rumen said: “Don’t just envy her. You must admit she has talent. At fourteen or fifteen, only those who saw it firsthand could feel it—how could someone so small have such terrifying authority? At that moment, her aura could make one think she could slay gods!”

“Did she suddenly gain supernatural power?”

Rumen shook her head: “No. But being cornered, she unleashed extraordinary potential. You can’t imagine how a tiny girl could suddenly possess such strength! Even the thugs were stunned.”

“What? She became like a mighty warrior?”

Rumen smiled: “Not exactly. She simply refused to yield and fought with all her might. The thugs didn’t aim to break her, yet she broke her own arm without a single cry. With whip marks covering her body, her teeth chattered from pain—but not a tear fell. Could any of you do the same at fourteen? Or now? That’s why don’t begrudge the Zhuang King’s indulgence. If I were a man, I’d probably like her too.”

As the girls discussed Xue Qianxun’s past, Huahua went silent, lost in thought. Suddenly, she exclaimed: “No matter what, we can’t match her. But from what I know about men, they get bored of the same face over time. Xue Qianxun is cold and uncharming, like a child. Men don’t always want the best—they want the newest, the freshest.”

Ruyu panicked: “Some men love only one woman for life! That’s real love!”

Rumen shook her head, smiling bitterly: “Little squirrel is being foolish—thinking of her Qin Gongzi again!”

The girls laughed as they slowly walked away. Unbeknownst to them, Jinse, even under her quilt, had overheard most of their conversation.

Though she had heard such words before, it no longer surprised her. Yet now, a strange melancholy settled in her heart. Since the West Wind appeared at the Lotus Pond, had Xue Qianxun changed? Would she no longer pay attention to her?

Night grew deep. Better to sleep. Perhaps when morning came, life would return to its usual rhythm.

Dreams were better.

In dreams, there was music—clear, melancholy, sorrowful—streaming through the tall skylight like morning sunlight piercing a bottomless abyss. Nothing could stop it, even in this dark, cold, desolate corner. Jinse listened with peace, the little mouse at her feet telling her who played. Though unseen, she came to know the musician. Even in this hellish corner, she did not feel cruel or alone.

——Of course, she knew it was a dream, so she closed her eyes tightly, wanting to stay within. But the little snow by her pillow kept squeaking. Jinse frowned and opened her eyes, spotting Danmo swaying at the door. When she called her, Danmo disappeared in a flash. Yet the music persisted, slightly different from the dream, but still charming.

Jinse got up and followed the sound, surprised to see it was Huahua playing. Having once given up due to hand pain, had she truly decided to resume practice?

Jinse lightly clapped. Huahua looked back, smiling: “Boss, did I play well?”

Jinse nodded, smiling: “You’re clever.” Then she asked: “Did you see Danmo?”

Huahua pointed outside: “She’s hanging clothes below, isn’t she?”

Jinse thought: “Her steps are fast.” She returned to her room, picked up little Snow, and hurried to the Qiongyu Garden.

At the Yingsue Pavilion door, Jinse gently pushed but found it latched from inside. She went to the window. The hole in the screen pierced by Tang Fei had not yet been replaced. Peering through the gap, she saw only Xue Qianxun, lying on her side, facing the window, eyelashes trembling, still asleep.

Jinse stood in the cold wind for a long time. It felt as if mountains separated them, a deep chill in her chest. She turned to leave, but suddenly heard Xue Qianxun softly say: “Come back.”

Jinse was startled and delighted. Unsure what to say, she reached for the door, but midway heard the voice again: “Qianxun!”

—What? Was someone else inside?

Her arms fell weakly. She wanted to hear more.

Inside came another voice: “I want to see your face.” This time, it was clearly Xue Qianxun.

“Qianxun, Qianxun…” The voice calling “Qianxun” twice—it was Xue Qianxun herself!

Jinse couldn’t help but listen closely. A faint sobbing followed. Xue Qianxun murmured: “I don’t want you to die… Susha Qianxun…”

Susha Qianxun?! Jinse’s heart jolted. The surname Susha was infamous. Years ago, Zhuang King He Qishu had wiped out the martial leaders of the Susha family with ten thousand soldiers. That event shocked the realm.

Jinse pondered, suddenly sensing firm footsteps behind her—how had she not noticed before? Fearing Xue Qianxun would say strange things in her sleep, Jinse hastily covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and coughed violently.

Startled awake, Xue Qianxun asked: “Is that you, Jinse?” Her feigned coldness could not hide her concern. Jinse called from outside: “Your Majesty.”

Xue Qianxun quickly dressed and got up, unlatching the door. Her eyes first met Jinse’s, smiling, her cheeks faintly red. She then glanced at He Qishu, who met her gaze. “Did you sleep late last night? Your eyes are red.”

Xue Qianxun smiled: “Indeed, a bit late.”

He Qishu entered, sitting in the main seat, slowly fanning himself, gazing meaningfully at them.

Xue Qianxun suddenly asked Jinse: “Why did you come too?”

Jinse coughed and smiled: “I arrived before Your Highness. What do you mean ‘followed’?”

“Hmm… why are you here? Weren’t you still ill?” He Qishu asked Jinse.

Jinse replied calmly: “I came to tell Xue Qianxun who owns Chunjiang Courtyard.”

Xue Qianxun was slightly surprised and scoffed.

He Qishu asked with interest: “Explain.”

Jinse recounted the previous night’s events—the refusal to perform, Zhao Si’s disturbance, and Xue Qianxun’s handling—ending with: “Your Highness, you should be gentle with Xue Qianxun in the future. I hope Chunjiang Courtyard prospers.”

He Qishu laughed heartily: “So it’s my indulgence that spoils Qianxun’s temper? Don’t think I don’t know. You care for her even more than I do.”

Xue Qianxun turned away, murmuring through her lips: “Tattletale.”

Jinse ignored her: “If Xue Qianxun refuses to perform tonight, I’ll let Huahua play at the Xianyin Stage.”

Xue Qianxun said: “Who cares?”

He Qishu asked with curiosity: “Which one is Huahua? The water-snake-waisted one?”

“No, that’s Rumeng,” Jinse smiled. “Huahua is the first of the four sisters.”

“Oh, the first to pay before entering the room! Usually cute and innocent—now she studies elegance?”

Jinse: “When she first joined Chunjiang Courtyard, she studied piano for a year but quit due to difficulty. Now, something has inspired her—she’s practicing again. Just now, she was playing in her room. Quite good.”

He Qishu: “I’d like to hear it.”

Xue Qianxun coldly: “If you want to hear, hurry up—she may be inspired right now.”

Unexpectedly, He Qishu rose, saying: “I’ll go see!” and left.

Jinse thought: Finally gone. She quietly stared at Xue Qianxun.

Xue Qianxun did not look at her, leaning on the table, idly tearing the window screen bigger. Cold wind and snow blew in. Irritated, she muttered: “Where’s Danmo? She didn’t even fix the screen when told.”

Jinse said: “She’s in the backyard hanging clothes.”

At that moment, Danmo, rubbing her reddened hands, walked in to warm herself by the fire.

Xue Qianxun asked: “Danmo, where were you?”

“I was sweeping snow at the Dark Fragrance Pavilion. Yesterday you said it was too thick,” Danmo replied.

“Later, I asked you to fix the window screen first—you forgot?”

Danmo looked confused: “Did I?”

Jinse, carrying little Snow, approached Danmo, smiling: “Yes, in the dream she told you. Some people are extremely talkative even in dreams.”

Danmo, puzzled, smiled and went to fetch the screen from the steward.

Xue Qianxun was startled. Did she speak the dream aloud? Did the Zhuang King hear? Worried, Jinse reassured her: “He Qishu did not hear.”

“Hmm?” Xue Qianxun was surprised.

“But I did. ‘Susha Qianxun.’ If you feel this name is important, keep it in your heart and don’t speak it aloud. Sleep-talk can be fatal for a confidant.”

Xue Qianxun murmured: “Then… thank you.” Before finishing, Jinse coughed violently, gasping. Xue Qianxun quickly approached, her voice gentle: “Is it serious?”

Jinse smiled, shaking her head: “Just a chill—nothing serious. Hmm… recently, I may not be able to care for little Snow. Keep it in your room for now.”

Xue Qianxun was about to refuse, but Jinse added: “Lend me Danmo for a few days to fetch water and help with chores.” She turned, leaving lightly, her intermittent cough trailing in the wind.