Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 118

Wei Xiu never drank. The only time Puyang had ever seen her drink was at their wedding, when they had shared the nuptial wine.

Since she rarely drank, she naturally couldn’t hold her liquor. This was no secret in the palace. Zhou Chen, the son of a commandery princess, was attending a palace banquet; how could his mother not have made inquiries on his behalf? He couldn’t possibly have been unaware.

And yet, he still poured wine into A Xiu’s cup. What was he trying to do?

Puyang was furious. After being angry at Zhou Chen for his lack of tact, she then felt jealous that Wei Xiu hadn’t refused. On the rare festival day when she urged A Xiu to drink with her, A Xiu would never agree.

Puyang carelessly dismissed Liu Si and, feeling sour, headed toward Wei Xiu.

The moment she moved, she became the focus of the banquet. A long train of palace attendants followed behind her, and the ministers’ gazes, whether intentionally or not, probed in her direction.

Before Her Majesty had even drawn near, Zhou Chen noticed. He withdrew the hand holding the wine cup and looked behind Wei Xiu. A flicker of a smile passed through Wei Xiu’s calm eyes as she turned her head.

Puyang had already reached their side.

Zhou Chen hurriedly bowed in salute, and Wei Xiu also lowered her head slightly. Puyang said, “Dispense with the ceremony.” Making a gesture as if to help Wei Xiu up, she placed her hand on the back of her wheelchair and said with a smile to Zhou Chen, “It’s been a while. Is your mother well?”

Zhou Chen quickly replied, “Mother is well, and she specially instructed this subject to inquire after Your Majesty’s health.”

Puyang nodded slightly. Her gaze fell upon the wine cup in Wei Xiu’s hand, and waves of jealousy surged up again, bubbling sourly in her heart.

Wei Xiu, as if completely unaware, said to Puyang, “Minister Zhou’s literary talent is brilliant, and his wit is elegant. I find we get along very well.”

Puyang smiled. “To earn your praise is no easy feat.” Zhou Chen was delighted and was about to speak when Puyang looked at him again and said, “The Prince Consort and I are one, and we also share the same interests. If the Prince Consort says you are good, then you must be good.”

Zhou Chen felt there was a deeper meaning in these words, but after careful consideration, he couldn’t discern any other implication. He quickly thanked Her Majesty for the praise. Then, seeing the wine in his hand and realizing it would be disrespectful not to toast Her Majesty, he quickly raised his cup to Puyang. “This subject respectfully wishes Your Majesty ten thousand years to your domain and eternal youth.”

“Beloved minister, you are thoughtful.” Puyang smiled, then looked left and right. “Where is my wine?” Before the words had fully left her mouth, she smoothly took the wine cup from Wei Xiu’s hand and drained it in one go.

Behind her, Qin Kun was already holding the emperor’s personal wine cup and had even started to present it. Seeing this, he could only silently withdraw it, pretending nothing had happened.

After finishing the wine, Puyang calmly returned the cup to Wei Xiu. She didn’t even look at Wei Xiu, simply handing it over casually, letting Wei Xiu take it smoothly. The gesture was perfectly natural, not the least bit deliberate.

Wei Xiu finally couldn’t suppress a smile. She turned her head slightly and smiled to herself. Not far away, Liu Si was watching them, his eyes clearly filled with an admiration that he couldn’t act upon. Wei Xiu glanced over and then turned back. Puyang, however, hadn’t noticed at all; she was too busy trying to persuade Wei Xiu to move away from Zhou Chen. “That one in the purple robe enjoys painting and has quite remarkable insights. I’ll accompany you to ask for his guidance.” After a pause, she added, “Alright?”

Wei Xiu’s gaze was gentle as she smiled. “For Seventh Lady to accompany me, I could not ask for more.”

When the banquet dispersed, Puyang and Wei Xiu returned together.

The scenery of the Taiye Pool was beautiful. As they proceeded along the path, the view was as picturesque as a painting. Puyang had drunk some wine, and a warmth spread through her stomach, but her gaze was still clear. Wei Xiu, having not touched a drop, was even more clear-headed.

The palace attendants trailed far behind them. When Puyang and Wei Xiu were together, they never liked having people nearby, and Wei Xiu was the same.

The two of them walked slowly, letting the clear breeze brush their faces as bees and butterflies danced about.

“Zhou Chen…” Puyang looked at Wei Xiu, choosing her words carefully, and said in a gentle voice, “He is fond of men. His mother is very worried, but because he is the youngest son, she dotes on him somewhat and cannot bear to force him, which is why he has yet to marry.”

Wei Xiu had a sudden realization. “So that’s how it is.”

Puyang immediately grew nervous. “Why do you say that?”

Wei Xiu said, “The look in his eyes was strange.”

Puyang: “…” She held back for a moment, but still said, “He is not to be trusted. You should pay him no mind.”

Wei Xiu glanced at Puyang, but only smiled faintly and said nothing.

That smile from her made Puyang’s heart flutter in uncertainty; she felt as if her pettiness had been seen through by A Xiu. But she didn’t want to be seen through by A Xiu. When they first met, she was a princess who condescended to recruit a worthy scholar, inviting her out of seclusion. After they married, she was busy contending for the throne and often discussed political matters with her. Now, they had been married for seven years and couldn’t be more familiar with each other, yet she found herself caring more and more about Wei Xiu’s opinion.

Whether at the beginning or now, she always presented herself as dignified and magnanimous. She didn’t want Wei Xiu to think she was petty or small-minded.

Everyone thought that after two people had been together for a long time, the novelty would inevitably fade, and after even more time, they would surely find it dull. But it had never been like that for Puyang. She felt that after another seven years, or two more seven-year periods, she would still care just as much about Wei Xiu, about her opinions, about her every change in expression.

Puyang peeked at Wei Xiu again. Wei Xiu was looking elsewhere. The spring breeze was warm, willow catkins drifted about, and the view was filled with pleasant scenery. She seemed to be lost in the sight.

But Puyang was lost in the sight of Wei Xiu. The spring breeze was warm, the willow catkins danced, and amidst this pleasant scenery, Wei Xiu seemed to have merged with the spring light, beautiful beyond the mortal realm.

Back in the hall, the two went to change their clothes.

Puyang recalled the various events of the banquet. During the feast, her mind had been entirely focused on Wei Xiu. Only now did she belatedly realize that Liu Si had intended to recommend himself.

Most likely, the ministers had not yet given up and were insistent on having her take a consort. Seeing that direct words were ineffective, they were resorting to circuitous methods.

Puyang quickly and carefully recalled the few words she had spoken to Liu Si, confirming that there had been no ambiguous or tactful language, and only then did she feel relieved. She had no intention of this, yet the ministers were still so enthusiastic. If she had shown the slightest sign of yielding, she feared they would become even more insistent.

Puyang pondered that she had to find a way to resolve this matter. It was truly improper for the ministers to keep meddling in the emperor’s family affairs. Once or twice was one thing, but if it happened too often, even if A Xiu didn’t take it to heart, she would still be saddened.

With this thought, Puyang couldn’t help but reflect on the scene at the banquet again. Had Wei Xiu seen it? She probably didn’t notice, Puyang thought. On the way back to the palace, A Xiu showed no sign of being upset. But then she remembered that day when Qin Kun had reported in her presence that the Chancellor had come about welcoming a consort into the palace, and A Xiu had not shown the slightest displeasure. At this, Puyang’s certainty began to waver again.

Back then, before they were married, A Xiu had even been jealous of the Prince of Langya from the state of Qi. Now, after being together for so long, as A Xiu grew older, she seemed to have become more detached, no longer caring about her so much.

Puyang felt increasingly heartbroken.

She walked slowly out of the hall and looked up at the sky. The sky was a clear blue with wisps of floating clouds; it was still a long time until dark. She went to the bedchamber to look for Wei Xiu.

Wei Xiu had already changed out of her restrictive court robes and was wearing a cyan robe. The brocade was light and soft, suiting her perfectly. Wei Xiu was now thirty, but her appearance was still the same as when they first met on Mount Mang. It was as if youth had never left her.

Puyang immediately thought of how Zhou Chen had been clinging to A Xiu at the banquet, unwilling to leave. A Xiu was so beautiful; no wonder Zhou Chen, despite knowing she was the Prince Consort, still stuck to her.

Seeing her standing at the door, neither entering nor leaving, just gazing at her without a word, Wei Xiu couldn’t help but walk towards her and ask, “Why don’t you come in?”

Puyang’s heart felt sour again. A Xiu clearly couldn’t hold her liquor, yet she let Zhou Chen fill her cup. And she had even said she got along well with Zhou Chen.

That Zhou Chen considered himself a romantic libertine. All day long, he did nothing but affect an air of refinement, flitting about like a peacock to attract handsome young men. His reputation was notoriously bad. He was unwilling to marry, and families of equal standing were unwilling to marry their daughters to him. The Princess of Anyi was so worried she didn’t know what to do and had even come to the palace to ask her to decree a marriage.

How could such a person be worthy of getting along with?

Puyang was in very low spirits, her expression downcast. She glanced at Wei Xiu and said in a low voice, “Today’s banquet was a little tiring.”

Wei Xiu led her towards the bed. “It’s still early. Why not take a short rest?”

Puyang agreed, took off her outer robe, and lay down on the bed. Wei Xiu didn’t feel tired and was about to leave to let Puyang sleep properly, but a hand caught the corner of her robe.

Puyang looked at her. “I can’t sleep alone. Stay with me.”

With her looking so expectant, how could Wei Xiu refuse? She also removed her robe and lay down beside her.

Puyang was immediately satisfied. She turned on her side and leaned against Wei Xiu’s shoulder. Wei Xiu simply took the opportunity to pull her into an embrace, letting her rest in her arms.

Being held like this, Puyang found she couldn’t sleep after all. She reached out a hand to gently stroke Wei Xiu’s cheek, tracing her brows, her eyes, her lips. Her fingertips gently made mischief on her face, tickling her. Wei Xiu opened her eyes and looked at Puyang with a smile.

Puyang withdrew her hand, raised herself up, and gave Wei Xiu’s chin a little bite. Wei Xiu’s breath hitched. She looked down, and then pressed her lips against Puyang’s in a kiss.

It was still early. A short rest was clearly out of the question.