Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 17

The mountains were quiet and peaceful, as if cut off from the world. No matter how chaotic the world became, the turmoil could not reach this place.

Puyang took a deep breath, her body and mind relaxing completely.

Wei Xiu was brewing tea in the courtyard. On the low table before her, a Go set was also prepared. There were no other guests beside her; it was as if she had been waiting specifically for the princess.

Puyang smiled the moment she entered. “I didn’t expect that Sir and I would have such a tacit understanding.”

A gentle breeze swept through the mountains, surrounded by ancient, rustic trees. In the courtyard was a low table with tea, a game of Go, and a cultured scholar. The mere thought of such a scene was enchanting, let alone for Puyang, who was now a part of it.

Puyang walked over and sat down opposite Wei Xiu. Wei Xiu smiled at her, took a teacup that had been warming in hot water, and placed it before Puyang before filling it with tea. After they both took a small sip, Wei Xiu finally spoke. “Seeing Your Highness’s natural and composed expression, I know the past month has been quite favorable for you.”

It had indeed been favorable.

Her new mansion, the place she would live in the future, was under construction. The Ministry of Works dared not be negligent, dispatching numerous artisans to work on it simultaneously. It would likely be more or less complete in another two months.

Besides that, regarding the matter of donations, although she had not stood in the open and clamorously demanded that the princes and nobles contribute, she was the one who had initiated it at court, and she had also sent people to build momentum among the common folk. When Chancellor Wang heard that his own granddaughter had started it, and given that it was truly a good deed, he also helped fan the flames, making things proceed even more smoothly.

Thus, even though she did not publicize it, the common people knew that it was this seventh imperial daughter who had performed this good deed. And because she never brought it up herself, it added an air of mystery, like one who “does good deeds without seeking recognition.”

“Just as you said, Sir, everything has gone smoothly.” Puyang smiled, not forgetting to seek some credit. “I personally selected the mansion. It has a bamboo grove inside—dense, lush, and so verdant it seems to drip with color. Though not as vast as your grove here, it has a charm of its own.”

Wei Xiu listened to her attentively. Puyang’s enthusiasm grew. “I’ve had a courtyard built beside it, about the same size as this thatched cottage. I hope it will be a comfortable place for you to live, Sir.”

She completely ignored the fact that Wei Xiu had previously told her she had her own residence in the capital.

Wei Xiu naturally declined politely. “I have already sent people to tidy up my residence in the capital. Your Highness need not trouble yourself.”

She must still be angry about that “golden house” comment. A whole month has passed, and she’s still not over it. What a temper. If it were anyone else, Puyang would have just let her be. If she didn’t let her be, would she have to coax her?

But Wei Xiu was different. Ever since learning she was a woman, Puyang not only respected and cherished her talent but also felt an inexplicable fondness for her, along with a degree of curiosity and admiration—how could a woman like her achieve so much? With these factors combined, Puyang was exceptionally tolerant toward Wei Xiu. If I have to coax her, then so be it. Who else but Sir am I relying on? Besides, my comparison was inappropriate. I forgot that the “golden house” is more a symbol of romantic love between a man and a woman. On reflection, it was far too flippant.

Puyang said gently, “What are you saying, Sir? With me in the capital, how could I let you live alone? Besides, if I have an urgent matter to discuss with you in the future, I would have to send someone to find you in an emergency. Wouldn’t that be troublesome?”

Her tone was as soft as water—the warm, flowing water of a river in spring, with gentle green ripples, full of tenderness. Her words covered every angle and were indeed reasonable, yet her tone made Wei Xiu feel that the princess was purely coaxing her.

Wei Xiu frowned slightly.

When she had asked the princess where she would be housed, it was merely a reminder that she still lacked a place to stay and ought to move out of the palace. The imperial palace was fine, but it was ultimately inconvenient.

She had never intended to live in the future princess’s mansion, but Her Highness seemed to have misunderstood something.

Wei Xiu wondered if she should offer an explanation.

However, seeing that she seemed to be thinking about something, Puyang assumed she was still unable to back down gracefully. After a moment’s thought, she let the gentleness in her eyes dissipate, becoming very serious. “What are you hesitating for, Sir? If a crisis were to occur, not a moment could be wasted. Rather than you living far from my mansion, it would be better and more convenient for you to move in.”

She said it as if it were truly for official business.

But Wei Xiu was extremely perceptive. She immediately saw through it: the princess was indeed thinking of official business, but there also seemed to be a strong desire for her to live with her.

But what the princess said was reasonable, and furthermore, she was already considered the princess’s retainer. It wouldn’t be right to refute her too strongly, so Wei Xiu agreed. She thought it better to acquiesce and put the princess at ease than to object and cause her displeasure.

Only then was Puyang pleased. “In that case, I am relieved.”

Having settled the matter of where to live, they set up the Go board. The sky was high and the air clear, and the melodious songs of birds in the mountains created a truly leisurely and pleasant atmosphere. Both were in high spirits, placing their stones as they talked.

The beginning of a Go game is about laying out the board. Both of them were deep strategists and also proficient in the art of Go, so they started the game with ease, placing one stone after another while speaking of other matters.

“I hear that His Highness the Prince of Jin encountered some trouble with the disaster relief?” Wei Xiu asked.

Puyang was not at all surprised that she knew of these things despite being in the mountains. She had long suspected that Wei Xiu must have a group of people at her command.

“Indeed, it was not smooth.” The Prince of Jin could still distinguish priorities. The disaster-stricken commandery was not far from the capital, and the Emperor was paying close attention, so he didn’t dare to use any tricks. Furthermore, the Emperor had sent Zhang Daozhi along with him. The Prince of Jin hadn’t yet figured out the Emperor’s intentions, so he was solely focused on handling this assignment well and returning to the capital in glory. As for skimming a little “hardship fee” from the relief funds, he couldn’t be bothered with that.

Unfortunately, good intentions alone are not enough to get things done well.

Puyang gloated, “He isn’t capable enough. He made a mistake when first allocating manpower and nearly got a troop of soldiers buried in a flash flood. The people under him became unwilling to listen to him. He went there with the intention of earning merit, so how could he just give up? All this back and forth delayed the real work. Fortunately, Zhang Daozhi was there, so it didn’t turn into a major disaster.”

After speaking, she asked again, “How could Father not know what the Prince of Jin is like? Why did he still send him?”

Puyang guessed that the Emperor wanted to vent her anger for her, or rather, that the last incident had made the Emperor wary. He believed the Prince of Jin to be disloyal and unkind. For the sake of the court’s stability, he hadn’t dealt with him directly, but he was no longer willing to let the Prince of Jin hold power at court.

Wei Xiu thought the same as her. “I’m afraid he also intended to use this matter to test the Prince of Jin’s capabilities.” If he couldn’t even manage a single commandery, how could he manage the realm?

The Prince of Jin and Puyang were enemies. Even if it wasn’t out in the open, after the last incident, their feud was to the death. Hearing this, Puyang smiled and felt the urge to test Wei Xiu again, wanting to see if this twelve-years-younger Wei Xiu possessed the same astuteness as in her past life. “In that case, in your opinion, Sir, how will Father handle this next?”

Clack—a stone was placed, making a dull sound on the red sandalwood Go board. Wei Xiu surveyed the board once more before withdrawing her hand. “This disaster relief was likely His Majesty’s final chance for the Prince of Jin. After this, the Prince of Jin’s power will likely wane.”

“How will it wane?” Puyang asked again.

Wei Xiu smiled slightly. “His Majesty has other sons.” It was still the way of checks and balances. “I hear that the Prince of Jing is on very good terms with the Prince of Jin.”

The first half of the sentence was just as Puyang had thought, but at the second half, she was taken aback. “Sixth Brother?”

The sixth prince, the Prince of Jing, was on good terms with the Prince of Jin. He was always busy helping him win people over, doing so with great dedication. To have him fill the void left by the Prince of Jin, it would be necessary to first make the two of them turn against each other. But the Prince of Jing and the Prince of Jin had always been harmonious; how could they become enemies just like that?

Puyang remembered from her past life that the Prince of Jing had never been rumored to be at odds with the Prince of Jin, not even when he was implicated by him and exiled to a distant land. How could things change so quickly?

Seeing Puyang’s doubt, Wei Xiu stated with certainty, “If there is one person, it must be the Prince of Jing.”

Puyang remained half-believing, half-doubting. In her view, the Prince of Dai was more likely. The Prince of Dai was the fourth son, higher in rank than the Prince of Jing. Moreover, he had always harbored ambitions for the throne, but had been overshadowed by the brilliance of the Prince of Zhao and the Prince of Jin, and thus dared not make a rash move. If His Majesty gave him a chance, he would surely seize it.

Puyang said, “I guess it’s the Prince of Dai.”

Wei Xiu unhurriedly placed another stone. “It is Your Highness’s turn to move.”

Puyang lowered her head to look at the board, while Wei Xiu analyzed the situation for her. A typical analysis would first discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both sides, but Wei Xiu only spoke of the Prince of Dai’s shortcomings. “It’s true the Prince of Dai has ambition, but his character is a bit soft. The struggle for the throne leaves no room for indecisiveness. His Majesty would not like that.”

Father indeed disliked the Prince of Dai, but he didn’t like any of his sons. Otherwise, why in the last life did he bypass his sons and pass the throne to his eldest grandson? Puyang retorted, “But Fourth Brother has managed to maneuver and build some power for himself under the pressure of Second and Third Brother. This shows he is also clever, not as completely useless as you make him out to be, Sir.”

While playing Go and pondering the court’s situation, Wei Xiu remained perfectly at ease. She placed another stone, then smiled. “Why don’t Your Highness and I make a bet? We’ll see who is right.”

Without a second thought, Puyang said, “Alright. The loser…” She paused slightly. What she needed to secure most right now was Wei Xiu’s loyalty and assurance that she would not switch to another camp in the future. So, she said with full confidence, “The loser, in the years to come, must believe whatever the winner says and must not tell a single lie to her.”

From Puyang’s experience, trust was the most crucial part of maintaining a relationship. As for this bet, with her memories of a past life, she was certain of victory.

In the years to come—the stakes of this bet were far too high. For people like them, what was the difference between this and placing one’s life and death in the winner’s hands? Wei Xiu hesitated for a moment. She held a white stone, and after placing it, she looked at Puyang. She saw a soaring spirit in her eyes, as if she feared nothing, as if she would obtain everything she desired in this world. That radiant confidence made Wei Xiu pause.

The wager she had just proposed suddenly seemed like a spell.

She averted her gaze uncomfortably and said, “Your Highness has great courage. Let it be as you say.”

Puyang smiled with satisfaction. She picked up a black stone from the bowl, and just as she was about to place it, she saw that on the densely packed board, every possible path for her black stones had been mercilessly sealed off.

She had already lost.