Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 38

The already frigid wind seemed to grow even more desolate in an instant.

A maidservant, fearing the Princess would catch a chill, softly advised, “The cold wind is biting, Your Highness. You should lower the curtain.”

As the carriage drew near, the household steward stood with his hands tucked in his sleeves. Seeing the Princess’s carriage from afar, his expression turned respectful. Puyang glanced out one more time before pulling her hand back from the curtain, letting out a long sigh in her heart.

She felt there was nothing wrong with loving a woman. If she liked her, she liked her. Having lived two lives, she had a broad perspective on such worldly constraints, seeing them as mere societal prejudice. But Wei Xiu might not see it that way.

It was always she who refused to give up. Even if Wei Xiu were to expose the matter to her face, she would not give up hope.

The carriage came to a smooth stop. The door was opened from the outside, and Qin Kun reached out a hand to help the Princess alight.

Puyang stepped onto the ground. The household steward hurried forward, bowed, and said respectfully, “Your Highness attended the banquet in the palace. Did everything go smoothly?”

Puyang said, “Everything went well.”

At the entrance of the residence, guards in armor held their swords, exuding a stern and profound imperial authority that commanded respect at first sight.

Puyang entered the residence with the steward attending by her side, who reported in a low voice on the state of the household that night. Two rows of maids carrying palace lanterns led the way, followed by more than twenty eunuchs.

“Today is New Year’s Eve. The feast I ordered you to send to Sir—was it delivered on time?” Puyang asked as she walked.

The Princess’s “Sir” invariably referred to Wei Xiu, who resided in the small courtyard in the bamboo grove. The steward replied, “It was sent at the end of the yin hour. Sir asked this lowly one to convey her thanks on her behalf.”

Puyang frowned. If she were truly sincere, she would have thanked her in person. Why send someone to relay the message? It showed no sincerity at all. Or was Wei Xiu intentionally avoiding her?

Seeing the Princess’s displeasure, the steward didn’t know what he had said wrong. He served her even more cautiously, not daring to utter another word amiss.

Puyang stewed in frustration for a moment, then her thoughts turned to Xiao Dewen, whom she had seen tonight. There was likely someone in his household instructing him. The Emperor’s eldest son had been far more virtuous and capable than the Princes of Zhao and Jin. It was a pity he died young. He must have made plans for his own eldest son before his demise.

It was better to be safe than sorry. While Xiao Dewen was still in a weak position, she needed to make some preparations first.

A little further, around a corner, was the Princess’s bedchamber.

It was not appropriate for the steward to follow her there, so he took his leave.

Puyang continued forward. Just as she rounded the corner, she saw someone waiting outside the courtyard of her bedchamber.

Her steps paused for a fraction of a second, then Puyang quickened her pace and walked over.

Wei Xiu had been waiting for a while.

After the evening meal, she had taken a lantern and come out alone. Without realizing it, she had arrived at this place. Inside was the Princess’s bedchamber, and to go any further, one needed the Princess’s permission. Thinking that she hadn’t seen the Princess for several days, she decided to wait here for a bit.

However, the Princess had gone to the palace for a banquet. If it ended late, she might stay overnight in the palace. Wei Xiu waited for a while, and just as Puyang arrived, she was about to leave.

The solitary lantern was faint, only able to illuminate the person holding it. In the cold wind, Wei Xiu exuded a hazy warmth, a warmth that seemed to hold a hidden temptation, drawing Puyang closer.

Puyang, with perfect composure, walked up to Wei Xiu. Wei Xiu had already bowed in greeting, so Puyang returned the courtesy and smiled, “The ground is frozen and the sky is cold. Why is Sir here?”

Wei Xiu showed no sign of anything unusual. She raised her head slightly, looked at Puyang, and said, “I came to thank Your Highness for the feast you bestowed.”

Knowing that she wasn’t deliberately avoiding her, it felt as if a knot had been quietly untied. Taking another small step forward and glancing around, Puyang saw no one else and asked strangely, “Why is Sir here alone?”

Her legs were inconvenient, so she always had people with her, either to push her wheelchair or to fetch things and call for people. It was rare for her to go so far alone. Wei Xiu said casually, “Today is New Year’s Eve. I let them stay in the small courtyard to enjoy themselves.”

Puyang understood. Wei Xiu treated those around her very well; it was not surprising she would make such an arrangement.

Inside was her bedchamber. The night was already deep, and it would be improper to invite her in. So Puyang said, “I will see you back, Sir.” As she spoke, she bent down to take the lantern from Wei Xiu’s hand.

Unexpectedly, she brushed against the back of Wei Xiu’s hand. Her hand was as cold as a block of ice. Startled by the cold, Puyang’s hand instinctively flinched. She couldn’t help but look at Wei Xiu. For a moment, Wei Xiu’s eyes darted away, but she quickly and proactively handed the lantern to Qin Kun, who was standing by, and said, “Very well.”

After speaking, she reached out to turn her wheelchair. Puyang said, “A moment, Sir.” She turned to a maidservant and said, “Go inside and fetch a hand warmer.”

Since the beginning of winter, hand warmers had been kept ready in the hall for the Princess’s use. The maidservant went in and returned shortly with a bronze hand warmer. Puyang took it, placed it on Wei Xiu’s lap, and had her tuck it into her sleeves, warming both her hands with it.

Wei Xiu looked down at the hand warmer, her lips pressing together subtly. When she looked up again, her smile was as gentle as a spring breeze. She made a gesture for Puyang to proceed.

Puyang had Qin Kun push Wei Xiu’s wheelchair, and the two of them talked as they went.

“Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Among the common people, there is a custom of staying up all night. In the past, did Your Highness ever keep vigil with His Majesty?”

Puyang recalled for a moment. “Before dawn on the first day of the new year, His Majesty must go to the Circular Mound Altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven. On New Year’s Eve, after the banquet disperses, everyone usually returns to their own chambers to rest.” After saying this, she looked at Wei Xiu. “And you?”

“I am also accustomed to sleeping early and don’t much adhere to customs.” Wei Xiu looked ahead, speaking with a pleasant smile. “Did Your Highness hear any interesting news at the palace tonight?”

Speaking of the palace banquet inevitably brought Xiao Dewen to mind. Puyang hesitated slightly. Seeing this, Wei Xiu knew there was indeed some interesting news. She didn’t speak, simply waiting for Puyang to bring it up herself.

They proceeded along the path without interruption. The night was silent, save for the faint sound of their party’s footsteps on the road.

Puyang chose her words carefully in her mind before speaking: “I saw the Imperial Grandson. He will be nine after the new year. It’s a pity he lost his father at such a young age.” Here, Puyang paused slightly. “Fortunately, he is sensible and well-behaved, and he seems clever and bright. He will surely have a good future.”

Wei Xiu immediately understood the deeper meaning in her words and said seriously, “Your Highness means to say…”

“If the various princes are incompetent, it’s not impossible for His Majesty to establish the Imperial Grandson as heir.” Puyang thought of something and gave a cold smile. “Speaking of which, the bearing and conduct of my several younger royal brothers do not even measure up to the Grandson. If His Majesty doesn’t entertain this idea, then all is well. But once he does, and makes this comparison, it will be difficult to dismiss the thought.”

Wei Xiu fell into thought. The Emperor was nearly fifty; at this age, death would not be unusual. If he were to establish the Imperial Grandson as heir, it would be beneficial to the Princess. Firstly, to ensure the Grandson’s ascension, the princes’ armed forces would have to be weakened and their authority curtailed. Secondly, the Grandson was young and would need support. The best person for that role would be the Princess. In this way, the Princess would hold the reality of regency.

“For such a good thing, why does Your Highness show a hint of sorrow?” Wei Xiu said slowly.

Puyang was caught in the mindset of her past life, her thinking inevitably influenced by it. Hearing Wei Xiu’s words, she had a sudden epiphany. “Sir, you mean…”

The small courtyard was just ahead. They were followed by many attendants. Although they were all reliable people whose lives were in Puyang’s hands, it was better to be cautious with such a secret matter.

Puyang stopped herself in time, signaling to Wei Xiu with her eyes.

Wei Xiu understood. The two of them entered the inner chamber.

The inner chamber was empty. Wei Xiu spoke bluntly, “Control the Son of Heaven to command the nobles. When the nobles can no longer contend with Your Highness, this Son of Heaven should abdicate the throne to Your Highness.”

The Imperial Grandson was the perfect candidate. His father was gone, and his maternal clan was not prominent, leaving no one to restrain him.

“If necessary, Your Highness can secretly assist the Grandson. When the time comes, the Grandson will naturally rely on Your Highness and be used by you.” Wei Xiu explained slowly. Her tone was clearly its usual gentle and clear self, yet it carried an undeniable weight. Reaching this point, she smiled. “What does Your Highness think?”

It was the most direct path. Yet Puyang’s brow twitched as she listened. The course of her actions in her past life was exactly as Wei Xiu had described. At His Majesty’s suggestion, she had also assisted Xiao Dewen. It was just that at the time, she had no ambition to become emperor herself, lacking the do-or-die resolve, which led to her being outmaneuvered in the end.

The light in Puyang’s eyes flickered uncertainly. She stood up and paced back and forth in the room.

Wei Xiu did not press her, sitting calmly and waiting quietly for her decision, as if she already knew what Puyang would decide, and as if, even if the Princess disliked this plan, she had other excellent strategies to offer.

Was this a coincidence, or was it fated all along?

Puyang paced two circles before stopping in front of Wei Xiu. She asked, “Sir, have you had this plan for a long time?”

“Establishing the Imperial Grandson is most convenient for Your Highness’s plans. Firstly, you can suppress him by seniority. Secondly, the Imperial Grandson is young and needs capable ministers to assist him. His Majesty is wary of the great clans growing too powerful, and the various princes all have their own schemes. Thus, Your Highness becomes the one and only person for the role.” Wei Xiu had long seen through the situation. Her analysis was as if she could see the state of the court ten years into the future.

Every word she spoke was like recreating the court of ten years later right before Puyang’s eyes. Puyang stared at her in disbelief. If not for the fact that she had noticed nothing amiss during their time together, she would have almost believed that Wei Xiu, like her, had come from eleven years in the future.

Her sense of regret deepened. Such great talent, and a beauty besides—and most importantly, she liked her. Why, then, would she not agree to be her Prince Consort?

Puyang took a deep breath and said, “If the Grandson’s position becomes secure and he wishes to eliminate me to seize power for himself, what should be done?”

“Then strike first to gain the upper hand. Kill him,” Wei Xiu said decisively, her gaze sharp and cold.

But after saying this, she looked at Puyang with a half-smile and easily promised, “Your Highness, rest assured. As long as I am here, I will protect you and ensure your safety.”

This relaxed demeanor of hers, in Puyang’s eyes, somehow overlapped with the final scene from her past life. Those eyes, usually devoid of sorrow or joy, had been filled with a dark, heavy fury. Her despairing cry, her face contorted in shock and pain—bit by bit, it merged with the Wei Xiu before her.

Puyang blurted out, “What if I die at Xiao Dewen’s hands?”

Wei Xiu had been so full of hatred then. Did she avenge her afterward?

She asked with such urgency and directness, as if she had truly seen that scene, yet her own bright eyes were filled with bewilderment. Wei Xiu was stunned. She thought for a moment. If the Princess were gone, her plans would be hindered, but what did that matter? She would not give up what she wanted because of it.

Wei Xiu said gently, “Naturally, I would avenge Your Highness.” Xiao Dewen, the Prince of Zhao, the Prince of Jin… not a single one of them would be left alive. And the Great Wei would perish after its second generation. And after that? There would be no meaning left in her life. Wei Xiu’s gaze grew even softer as it rested on Puyang, frank and loyal. “When the master is shamed, the subject dies. When the master dies, the subject must naturally follow. After taking revenge, I will enter the Yellow Springs to accompany Your Highness. How does that sound?”