Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 18

Puyang looked at Wei Xiu in disbelief. Sir had been speaking to her, luring all her attention away, while her hands showed no mercy, launching a massacre. This was clearly premeditated.

Wei Xiu, however, was perfectly composed, saying faintly, “That depends on Your Highness’s vigilance. It is the same with all things. If Your Highness loses focus on one thing by attending to another, you cannot blame me.”

Puyang had been a little angry at first, blaming Wei Xiu for being insidious and showing no quarter. But hearing her words, she fell into contemplation.

All her paths were blocked, defeat was certain—a complete rout. Puyang sighed and said, “Thank you for the lesson, Sir.” She picked up a stone, the slight purse of her lips revealing an irreconcilable stubbornness and dominance. “Sir, please finish this game with me.”

To know defeat was certain, yet not forget to struggle before the end, to reclaim lost territory—the princess’s character was indeed resilient. Wei Xiu naturally had no reason to refuse. The two of them set aside all distractions, gathered their focus, and concentrated on the game.

Puyang’s desperate counterattack was not a reckless, unplanned slaughter. Like a brave warrior cutting off his own wrist, she sacrificed a portion of her lost territory, chose a section that was not yet in complete ruins, and began to build a new formation, one piece at a time, unhurried and composed.

Wei Xiu did not dare to be careless. She placed a stone, then looked at Puyang, seeing her solemn expression, her mind entirely on the game. She could not help but sigh. The outcome of this game had been decided long ago. The princess’s struggles would only delay the inevitable collapse, yet she still did not give up, still strove to turn the tide. Not only that, but her face showed only concentration on the game, without the slightest hint of shame, anger, or resentment.

Even in defeat, she carried herself with immense grace.

It was impossible not to develop a favorable impression of such a person. A faint smile touched Wei Xiu’s lips, and her mood improved considerably.

In the end, Puyang’s efforts to turn the tide were not in vain; her defeat was at least not so unsightly. Considering the state of the board earlier, this was already a rare achievement.

When the game was over, Puyang moved her slightly sore shoulders. Looking up at the sky, she saw it was time for her to return to the palace. Wei Xiu wanted to see her off, but she could not rise, so she began to maneuver her wheelchair. Seeing this, Puyang took the initiative to walk behind her, placing her hands on the handles of the wheelchair.

The maidservant standing in the distance had already come over. The princess was both a guest and a “lord”; how could she be allowed to perform such a task? The maidservant hurriedly tried to take over, but Puyang waved her away, steadfastly holding her ground behind Wei Xiu and pushing the wheelchair herself.

For someone of the princess’s status, to show such respect was a great act of condescension.

Wei Xiu lowered her gaze to her own knees. The wide hem of her robe had already covered her legs completely, but she still unconsciously pressed her hands down on them, smoothing the fabric of her outer robe. She said with feeling, “My legs are useless. I have troubled Your Highness.”

Puyang recalled the speed at which her maids usually pushed her. She was a bit clumsy at first, but after a short distance, she mastered the rhythm. At the same time, she kept an eye on the path ahead to prevent the wheels from hitting any small stones and causing a jolt. Hearing Wei Xiu’s words, she said naturally, “Between you and I, Sir, there is no need for such formalities.”

Wei Xiu’s hands on her legs tightened slightly. She sighed inwardly and said with a smile, “All beginnings are difficult. In these early stages, Your Highness must not be too aggressive. What you have done this past month has been very good.”

When one has no power, one’s methods must be gentle, not overly forceful. The rise of one power will inevitably harm the interests of others. Puyang was still a sapling; if she clashed too much with others, there was no guarantee she would not be broken.

Puyang said, “I understand this principle. Sir, please rest assured.”

To put it bluntly, while her status as a princess hindered her progress, it was not without its advantages. On the matter of initiating the fundraising alone, if she had been a prince, she would have likely already aroused the wariness of the other princes, who would have thought she was trying to win the hearts of the people.

Seeing that she understood, Wei Xiu said no more.

Outside the gate, a sedan chair was already waiting.

Wei Xiu said, “It is getting late. Your Highness should return to the palace now.”

The princess’s residence would take at least two more months to complete. Although Puyang’s movements were not restricted, she could not be running up to Mount Mang all the time. She looked at Wei Xiu, feeling a slight reluctance to leave.

Her time with Wei Xiu was very pleasant. Even losing at Go was a thoroughly satisfying experience.

Puyang bowed to Wei Xiu. “I will come to see you again in a few days, Sir.”

Wei Xiu also bowed in return. “I shall await you with an empty seat.”

Puyang boarded the sedan chair and departed. Only when the chair had vanished down the mountain path did Wei Xiu signal for her maidservant to push her back inside.

A servant had already cleared the table in the courtyard. The pot and cups were placed on a tray and carried away. Only the Go board remained, the pieces on it untouched, preserving the final state of the game.

Wei Xiu went over, motioned for the maidservant to stop for a moment, and looked at the game again. The black pieces had been slaughtered, leaving almost nothing behind, but the white pieces had also suffered heavy losses. The princess, knowing she would lose, had not forgotten to tear a large chunk of flesh from her opponent before the end. She truly had a resilient and excellent disposition.

Only such a person could fight their way out of a conflict.

Wei Xiu smiled, clearly satisfied. She personally separated the black and white pieces into their containers, then said to the maidservant, “Go into the capital and send word. There is no need to prepare the residence.”

The maidservant was puzzled. “Is the Young Master not going to the capital?”

Wei Xiu said, “I have accepted the princess’s invitation to live in her residence.”

The maidservant’s expression changed. “In that case, it will be difficult to escape in the future.”

Wei Xiu remained calm. She sat in her wheelchair as the maidservant slowly pushed her. She took a xiao flute from her sleeve—the very one Puyang had given her. The white jade flute against her jade-like hand was an extremely pleasing sight.

“The princess likely still has doubts about me.” Recalling their bet, it was clear the princess had thought she would win and had wanted to use it to secure a promise from her. Wei Xiu lowered her head, looking at the white jade xiao Puyang had given her, and said slowly, “Consider it a way to put the princess at ease.”

Even if she did not honor her promises, by moving into the princess’s residence, she would be branded with Princess Puyang’s mark. In the future, even if she were to serve another, that person would surely never treat her as a true confidante.

Since she had made up her mind, the maidservant no longer tried to persuade her and changed the subject. “The continuous rain has finally passed. Is the Young Master feeling better today?”

Being confined to a wheelchair, her legs unable to move, they had naturally atrophied. Coupled with poor bl00d circulation, her knees would ache terribly in the cold and damp.

This had been happening since the year after her legs were injured, which was seventeen years ago now. Wei Xiu was long accustomed to it. She smiled slightly and said, “It’s nothing.” She then looked at the maidservant. “You’ve had a hard time these past few days.”

To relieve the throbbing pain, massage was necessary. Wei Xiu was well-versed in medicine and knew which acupoints were effective, so she would massage them herself every day, which brought some relief. But it was tiring for this maidservant, who had to fetch hot water for her several times.

Wei Xiu had always been kind to her servants and maids. Hearing her thanks now, the maidservant somehow felt a warmth rise in her cheeks and became quietly joyful. “My life was given to me by the Young Master. How can such a small matter be worthy of the word ‘hardship’?”

Wei Xiu said no more, holding the white jade xiao as she went inside.

Because she had traveled faster than the last time, it was still twilight when Puyang returned to the palace.

The days were gradually growing shorter; autumn was not far off.

Puyang returned to the Hall of Containing Light to bathe and change. After putting on a water-blue ruqun and having a palace maid apply her makeup, she headed to the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue.

The disaster had subsided, a crisis averted with no major catastrophe. Apart from that one commandery, other provinces and commanderies had only suffered minor disasters. The autumn harvest would see some losses, but at least the common people would not lack food for the coming year.

When the people had food to eat, there was no need to worry about them causing trouble. Thus, it would be another year of peace.

The Prince of Jin was still in the region, but from what Puyang had observed, the Emperor would summon him back to the capital in the next few days. As for the disaster area, having Zhang Daozhi there was enough.

She wondered if the Prince of Jin realized that this disaster relief mission might be the last chance the Emperor would give him.

As Puyang walked to the outside of the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue, she happened to encounter the Prince of Jing coming out from within.

Seeing her, the Prince of Jing greeted her, “Is Seventh Lady here to see Father?”

He had a smile on his face and was in an excellent mood, his eyes even holding a relaxed and joyful gleam.

The Prince of Jin, whom he supported, had botched his assignment abroad. Even if he wasn’t frowning, he should at least appear more somber. Why was he so delighted? Puyang was puzzled, but her expression remained the same as usual as she smiled at the Prince of Jing and said, “Indeed. Is Father free?”

The Prince of Jing had just come from the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue, so it was only natural to ask him.

Hearing Puyang’s question, a faint hint of joy seemed to appear in the Prince of Jing’s deep, abyss-like eyes. He said, “Father just finished reviewing memorials and even mentioned Seventh Lady. You should go in quickly.”

Puyang smiled. “Very well. Is Sixth Brother leaving the palace? Please send my greetings to my sister-in-law.”

The Prince of Jing agreed amiably.

As they passed each other, Puyang looked towards the solemn and majestic gates of the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue, the light in her eyes dimming slightly. She then turned her head to look at the Prince of Jing’s rapidly departing back.

Brother Jing just came from the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue, and he is this overjoyed. Could it be that Father said something to him?

At this thought, Puyang had a bad feeling and immediately thought of her bet with Wei Xiu. Could this be a sign?

But, it shouldn’t be so. With the Prince of Dai ahead of him, how could Father bypass him and choose the Prince of Jing directly?