Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 44

Puyang and Wei Xiu had calculated that the path to installing an imperial grandson was now clear. Among the imperial grandsons, Xiao Dewen was the most suitable. Firstly, he was fatherless. Secondly, he was the eldest. And thirdly, he was not foolish and possessed ambition.

His Majesty was vexed over the succession because his sons lacked talent. If the imperial grandsons also lacked talent, why would he forsake his sons for them?

But Puyang was unwilling to rear a tiger that would become a future threat. Many things were already different in this life. If Xiao Dewen’s cunning also grew more severe and difficult to control, then what should have been a sweet fruit would become a bitter one.

Carrying the Sui Pearl, Puyang returned to her residence and intended to go to Wei Xiu’s quarters to discuss the matter. When she reached the gate of the small courtyard, Puyang’s heart was filled with apprehension.

She had not seen the scholar for many days and truly missed her terribly, but she did not know if the scholar’s anger had subsided. Puyang stood before the gate, took the Sui Pearl from Qin Kun’s hands, and dismissed her attendants.

The anger had probably not faded. How could a woman’s body be casually seen by another? Putting herself in that position, Puyang’s expression turned crestfallen. She clutched the brocade box and paced before the small courtyard for a long time, her gaze frequently drifting toward the yard within.

The courtyard was empty, the doors and rooms tightly shut and silent. Only poplar catkins danced and filled the sky. Today, Puyang was dressed in light robes and simple makeup. If she were to walk among the gently drifting catkins, she would be the most dazzling sight amidst the full spring scenery of the garden.

A gentle breeze rose. Unknowingly, she had stood there for a long while. Puyang sighed. She couldn’t keep avoiding the scholar just because she was angry.

She entered the gate, her steps heavy, her expression solemn. After pausing for a moment in the courtyard, she bypassed the main hall and headed for the study.

The study door was slightly ajar. Puyang stopped and carefully pressed herself against the narrow crack, peering inside. She saw Wei Xiu sitting behind the desk, holding a book and reading. A side window in the study was open, and a cool breeze occasionally drifted in, gently stirring the hair at Wei Xiu’s temples. She sat upright, engrossed in the bamboo slips, seemingly unaware that someone was peeking from outside the door.

Puyang’s gaze lingered on Wei Xiu’s face, and the corners of her lips curled up involuntarily. She remembered that day on Mount Mang, when she had also, through a narrow crack in a door, seen the scholar inside—the mist, the water droplets, damp and hazy. At that time, shock had outweighed admiration. Recalling it now, she feared that the mere ten-odd days on Mount Mang would be unforgettable for the rest of her life. Love’s origins may be unknown, but Puyang was certain it would never fade in her lifetime.

Inside the room, Wei Xiu put down the bamboo slips. Seeing this, Puyang quickly stood straight and knocked on the door.

Wei Xiu’s voice answered from within. Puyang then pushed the door open and entered.

Seeing that it was her, Wei Xiu’s face stiffened for a moment before she bent to bow. “May I ask what brings Your Highness here?”

It was no different from usual. If Puyang’s eyes hadn’t been sharp enough to catch that fleeting stiffness, she might have started to suspect that she had been overthinking things these past few days.

Puyang presented the brocade box. “I have acquired a Sui Pearl of the highest quality, and I wish to gift it to you, Sir.”

“I cannot accept a reward without merit. How could I receive such a generous bestowal from Your Highness?” Wei Xiu’s smile was gentle, but her words were a polite yet firm rejection.

Puyang had said “gift,” but Wei Xiu deliberately said “bestow.” The difference between the two was self-evident. Puyang felt abashed, but this Sui Pearl was truly rare. And for the scholar, the pearl’s value lay not in its worth of ten thousand gold pieces, but in its ability to glow at night. The scholar’s legs were inconvenient; if she used a candle, she would have to fumble in the dark to light it when getting up at night. With this pearl, she could simply cover it with a black cloth to prevent the light from escaping, and then remove the cloth when she needed it. It was extremely convenient.

Puyang explained this idea, then added, “I have two others, though their quality is not as good as this one’s. They should be usable. I will have someone send them over later.”

With that, she placed the brocade box on the desk, presenting the gift in a way that brooked no refusal.

Wei Xiu raised her eyebrows and glanced at it. She saw that although the princess’s expression was resolute, her eyes held a look of anticipation. She was clearly waiting for Wei Xiu to accept it happily, and perhaps even waiting for a few words of praise.

For some reason, Wei Xiu’s heart softened. For so many years, she had forced herself to learn everything she needed, wishing she could use one day as two. She had never relaxed for a moment, never cared for another person, nor allowed another to care for her.

A Rong had been by her side for nearly twenty years, yet she never dared to utter a word in the study about resting early.

She pushed herself bitterly, but only by doing so could she press on with a single-minded purpose. Her life was not her own; her father, mother, and elder brother were all watching her. How could she slacken? Whether it was gentleness or villainy, unless it was necessary for her revenge, everything else was superfluous. She did her utmost to discard all that was superfluous.

But the princess could pretend not to see her rejection, approaching her without a care. She seemed to never fear rejection, living in the light—a complete opposite of herself.

“Just try using it. If it’s truly not good, you can return it to me then.” Perhaps seeing that Wei Xiu remained silent, Puyang didn’t dare to press too hard. She softened her tone, coaxing gently, and as she spoke, she opened the brocade box.

A soft glow spilled out. As it was still broad daylight, it was only a faint layer around the pearl itself. One could imagine what a magnificent, overflowing radiance it would possess at night. Such a priceless treasure, to Puyang, was only precious because it happened to be useful to Wei Xiu.

But this gentle, warm light, falling into Wei Xiu’s eyes, was like countless needles piercing her eyeballs. Such a supreme treasure could probably only be found in the Emperor’s possession. Where it came from was self-evident. How laughable that she had just felt her heart soften.

Wei Xiu felt a sense of shame. It was as if that momentary softness was a betrayal of her parents and elder brother, a betrayal of all those who had lost their lives in the calamity. She began to blame herself, deliberately misinterpreting the princess’s goodwill as a bribe. It was as if only by doing so could she steel her resolve; as if only by doing so could she make the princess seem less innocent, and allow herself to feel no guilt.

Wei Xiu suppressed the surging emotions within her. A smile appeared on her face, her expression clear, her eyes without a trace of gloom, revealing none of her thoughts. “Thank you for Your Highness’s kind intentions, but there is no need for such trouble. I have long grown accustomed to it and feel no inconvenience at night.”

Her words were final, leaving no room for change. The pearl could not be given. Puyang was crestfallen. She bit her lip and looked up at Wei Xiu, her eyes filled with helplessness and affection.

Wei Xiu met her gaze, her expression unmoved. Her line of sight shifted down to see a few poplar catkins resting on the princess’s shoulder. She subconsciously wanted to brush them off for her, but before her right hand could extend, it was gripped tightly by her left.

Since she had been rejected, Puyang was not one to pester. She put the pearl away, setting it to one side, and began to speak of Xiao Dewen.

“This man is extraordinary. He is good at forbearance and scheming. Once he holds power, I fear he will be no better than the princes,” Puyang stated bluntly.

Wei Xiu smiled. “In that case, if I were to follow the trend and enter the Prince’s manor to serve as his tutor, wouldn’t that be an excellent move?” She believed that if she entered the Prince of Donghai’s manor, she could hold Xiao Dewen in her hand and control him, which would be convenient for Puyang’s plans. “However, once the matter is concluded, Your Highness must clear my name.”

She even added a jest. “Once the matter is concluded” meant when Xiao Dewen was no longer useful. When he was useless, the people around him naturally could not be kept. At that time, if her name was cleared, she would be a meritorious official. If not, she would be imprisoned or executed along with Xiao Dewen.

Not a trace of a smile was on Puyang’s face. She suddenly thought, if she hadn’t died in her past life, how would things have ended between her and the scholar? There were too many coincidences in this life; many things faintly hinted at events of the future. For example, what Wei Xiu had just said made Puyang wonder: in her past life, was her own existence a reason for the scholar’s choice of Xiao Dewen?

Logically, it was impossible. They had not even met back then. But hearing Wei Xiu’s words, she couldn’t help but think it. These questions had no answers, but with every coincidence she discovered, Wei Xiu’s importance in her heart grew. In their past life, they were clearly two completely unrelated people. But after being reborn, looking back, she found that at times she hadn’t known, the scholar seemed to have, for some reason, deeply and intimately entangled herself with her.

Puyang lowered her eyes and smiled. “I have placed many people in the Prince’s manor. Xiao Dewen is ultimately weak. Given his cautious nature, he likely won’t step forward until he has a foolproof plan, lest he incur the jealousy of the princes. This actually makes it easier for us to act. As for you entering the Prince’s manor, Sir, there is no need for that yet. However, if Xiao Dewen comes to you, you could certainly feign compliance with him.”

To control a person, one needed to appear to be trusted by them. This was an excellent opportunity.

They had thought of the same thing again. Wei Xiu smiled. “In that case, I can use the pretense of advising the Prince to seek benefits for Your Highness.”

Puyang also smiled, her expression full of understanding and intelligence.

After discussing this matter, there was another that was just as pressing. Puyang’s expression turned serious. “At the latest, by the end of the month, you must make a trip to the palace, Sir.”

Although she had been stalling, she couldn’t delay for too long. The matter of the Qiang and Rong tribes concerned state affairs and could not be postponed. The sooner His Majesty saw Wei Xiu, the sooner his mind would be at ease. If Puyang continued to prevaricate, she feared His Majesty would issue a direct edict.

Wei Xiu had long known this day would come, but upon hearing it was not far off, her heart still pounded uncontrollably in her chest with a heavy, excited blow. She curved her lips into a gentle smile, the bl00d-weeping hatred in her eyes deeply concealed, just as it had been every day for the past eighteen years—hidden in the depths, never showing a trace.

“I am idle all day. Your Highness need only make the arrangements,” she said with a smile. As she spoke, she turned her head to look out the window. From this position, she could just see the courtyard gate. Poplar catkins drifted in the yard. She had once seen someone in light robes and simple makeup walk through them, a person of peerless grace and unmatched brilliance.