Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 5

Since he knew her identity, yet still avoided seeing her, it was clear he was unmoved. If she hadn’t known that he would eventually enter the world of politics, Puyang might have believed he was truly a hermit who disdained vanity and was indifferent to fame and fortune.

She was the Emperor’s most favored princess. When she was five, her mother, the Empress, passed away. Her father, the sovereign, pitied her youth and feared the palace staff would be neglectful in her care, so he moved her from the Empress’s residence in Zhengyang Hall to the Hall of Containing Light, which was separated from his own Hall of Proclaimed Virtue by only a single wall, so he could look after her more closely. For more than a decade, her conduct and bearing were all influenced by the Emperor, and her temperament grew more and more like his. Among all the imperial princes and princesses, the Emperor doted on her the most. This was known throughout the realm. The Emperor had discussed matters of the court with her on more than one occasion, and any time she offered counsel, he was certain to take it to heart. There were many things that the Prince of Zhao and the Prince of Jin, the two most powerful princes at present, could not accomplish, but she could.

For this reason, many people in the capital schemed to use her as a connection. It was only a pity that she was not yet married and lived deep within the palace, with very little contact with court officials, which forced them to shrink back in disappointment.

With Wei Xiu’s meticulous nature, upon learning he had saved a princess, he would surely have investigated which one she was. She had been assassinated and her whereabouts were unknown; the Emperor would certainly be furious and would have dispatched men to conduct a thorough investigation and search for her. The matter of Princess Puyang’s assassination was likely no longer a secret. It would not have been difficult for Wei Xiu to discover her identity.

To know she was the Emperor’s most favored princess and still act as if nothing had happened. Puyang couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Had Wei Xiu never thought of using her status to his advantage? With her recommendation, no matter whose patronage he wished to enter, he would be highly valued. Even if he just wanted an official post, it would not be a difficult matter.

Thinking of her past life, how Wei Xiu had been summoned three times and had refused three times, even turning down the position of chancellor, Puyang furrowed her brow and silently struck through the thought of him “wanting an official post.”

Or was Wei Xiu waiting for the right moment? Or perhaps his current disposition was peaceful, and he had not yet considered entering the world of politics? In the coming years, would some event occur that would compel him to emerge from his seclusion and assist the Imperial Grandson?

That wasn’t right either. That room full of books, and the grand, insightful annotations within, had already revealed his ambitions. If his heart were not concerned with the state of the world, why would he observe its major affairs? His body was in the mountains, but his heart was in the mortal world.

For a man whose heart was in the mortal world to remain so steadfastly unmoved upon meeting her—why was that?

Surely it couldn’t be that he had already set his sights on the Imperial Grandson and was just waiting for him to come of age?

Puyang thought it over and over but could not find an answer.

People are always more curious about things they cannot fathom. Moreover, to know oneself and know one’s enemy is the key to victory. If Puyang wanted to win Wei Xiu over, she naturally had to understand him better.

The clothes the maid had brought were neatly folded on a nearby table. After a moment’s thought, Puyang propped herself up and stood. Since she couldn’t figure it out, she might as well go and probe him a little.

A recluse, with nothing to do on ordinary days, would do little more than read, play the zither, or engage in pure conversation with others. If they had a hobby, they would focus on their passion, perhaps writing a book, composing music, or even opening a school and taking on disciples. Wei Xiu also had a hobby: he liked to brew wine.

When Puyang arrived, he was in the middle of burying a jar of freshly brewed fine wine in the earth.

Puyang thought of the jar of bamboo leaf green wine that had been unearthed from the bamboo forest earlier and said with a smile, “Sir must be a lover of wine?”

“It cannot be called love,” Wei Xiu said. A maid brought water for him to wash his hands, which he then dried with a towel.

If it couldn’t be called love, then what was it? Puyang waited for him to continue, but he said no more.

There was a couch to the side. Wei Xiu invited her to sit and had someone serve a cup of sweet cheese.

The sweet cheese was fragrant and sweet. Puyang took a sip and found the taste not bad. Wei Xiu sat in his wheelchair, holding a cup of tea. He took a small sip, then cradled the cup in his palm.

“How have your injuries been these past few days?”

“Sir’s medical skills are brilliant. I am already mostly healed,” Puyang replied with a smile, speaking from the heart. She had suffered two stab wounds, one on her abdomen and one on her back. Neither was shallow. To be able to recover so quickly was a great testament to Wei Xiu’s medical expertise.

Wei Xiu smiled. When he smiled, his long, phoenix-like eyes would curve slightly, giving him an air of gentle elegance.

Looking at Puyang’s complexion, he said, “If it is convenient for you, perhaps you would allow me to check your pulse.”

He was the one treating her injuries, so Puyang naturally did not mind. She immediately extended her hand. Wei Xiu placed the teacup in his hand on the table beside him and rested his right hand on Puyang’s wrist.

As he took her pulse, his head was slightly lowered, his expression focused. He wore his hair in a meticulous topknot, revealing a smooth forehead. His eyebrows were long and narrow, sweeping back toward his temples. He had a high, straight nose, and his lips were a vivid red, looking fresh and moist. Puyang looked at him, thinking how truly handsome this person was. If he were to enter officialdom, his looks alone, to say nothing of anything else, could help him rise swiftly through the ranks. Her gaze shifted downward and fell upon his disabled legs. Without the flaw of his legs, Wei Xiu could truly be called a perfect man. Puyang couldn’t help but stare at his legs for a moment. When she moved her gaze away, she met Wei Xiu’s eyes, which held a hint of a smile.

It was truly rude to stare at another’s affliction. Puyang gave a light cough and was about to speak when she saw Wei Xiu withdraw his hand. He said, “The injury has subsided. The prescription should be changed. I will arrange this matter, you need not worry.”

Hearing this, Puyang temporarily set aside her recent breach of etiquette and followed his lead. “I have received a great kindness from you, Sir, and have imposed upon you here for many days. My gratitude is endless. If there is anything you need, I will naturally do everything in my power to help.”

After speaking, Puyang put on a gentle smile, her gaze soft as she looked at Wei Xiu.

Wei Xiu smiled. “I lack for nothing. I appreciate the kind offer.”

Puyang’s gaze froze, but she showed no sign of it, her tone still one of gratitude. “I, too, wish for you a life free of disaster and misfortune, but life is rarely so smooth. You have done me the kindness of saving my life. If I do not repay you, my heart will not be at ease. Why don’t you agree, Sir? Then, should you have a need in the future, it will not be too late to seek me out.”

Her words were earnest, clearly those of a person who knew how to repay a kindness.

Wei Xiu looked at her, smiled, and said sincerely, “Very well, we shall do as you say.”

Puyang had to resist the urge to press her hand to her forehead.

He had agreed, yes, but he didn’t even ask who she was. When he needed something in the future, where was he planning to find her? It was clearly just a perfunctory gesture.

In her past life, Puyang could never see through what Wei Xiu was thinking. The strategies he offered Xiao Dewen were all superior, always achieving victory through surprise and leaving others unable to defend against them. But when the former Emperor passed away, he should have kept the various princes in the capital to be dealt with nearby. Instead, he advised Xiao Dewen to let the princes leave to govern their fiefdoms. The princes had vied for power for over twenty years, only to have their nephew take the throne in the end. Even if they were temporarily suppressed and unable to rebel, which of them was truly convinced in their heart? Letting them go, wasn’t that leaving behind a great scourge? Puyang had submitted memorials on this matter many times, but Xiao Dewen simply loved to listen to Wei Xiu. Puyang truly could not understand what kind of muddle-headed move Wei Xiu had made.

It was the same in this life. He clearly should have seized the opportunity, using the life-saving favor to get to know her. Even if he was not yet willing to emerge from his seclusion, just forming a positive connection would be of great benefit to his future endeavors. Yet he showed no inclination in this regard whatsoever.

His thoughts were deep, and it was difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.

He was twelve years younger, but still just as difficult to deal with. It would have been better if he hadn’t gotten younger. Puyang was filled with resentment. And yet, she had to maintain a careful balance and not appear too familiar with Wei Xiu, so there were many things she could not say.

Puyang’s trip had ended in failure.

The palace must be in chaos. Without news of her, her father would be unable to eat or sleep in peace. She could not stay for too long. Before she returned, she needed to leave Wei Xiu with a pretext to come again.

And her identity—it was best to state it. It was one thing for Wei Xiu to know, but for her to reveal it herself would show her trust and sincerity toward him. She wanted to recruit him, to make him a strategist under her patronage. To do so, she had to be magnanimous, to avoid any suspicion between them.

The wound was still aching, and the pain was worse from her recent walk. Puyang lay down, not moving anymore. If it didn’t tear, and healed at the rate it had been these past few days, she would be able to leave the mountain in three days at most.

Before leaving the mountain, she had to send someone to the capital to bring an honor guard and escorts to receive her. Otherwise, if she were alone and encountered assassins again, she would be in peril once more.

At this thought, Puyang’s eyes lit up. What people did she have at her disposal right now? She could only ask Wei Xiu for help and borrow one of his servants. Since she had to borrow his servant to deliver a letter, she would naturally have to explain where it was being sent and to whom. In this way, she could reveal her identity.

After revealing her identity, their mutual understanding would deepen, and their conversations could naturally become more substantive.

Puyang thought it was an excellent plan, just waiting for the pain in her body to subside before getting up.

It was evening. The sunset clouds on the horizon were like fire, and smoke curled from the thatched cottage’s chimney as the servants prepared the evening meal.

There were not many servants here, and the maid did not attend to Puyang alone all day. She only appeared when delivering medicine or meals; at other times, she had other chores to attend to.

Puyang walked alone under the covered corridor, contemplating how she would phrase her request later.

In her past life, she had recruited many worthy scholars and knew what language was appropriate. But with Wei Xiu, she was not so certain.

To avoid pulling at her wound, her steps were not large, and her pace was not fast. From a distance, it looked as if Puyang was strolling slowly, at ease and leisurely.

Although the thatched cottage was larger than most, with a few extra rooms and a more exquisite layout, it was still just a thatched cottage. It didn’t take long to walk from one end to the other.

As Puyang reached a corner, she saw the maid who followed Wei Xiu standing outside his door. It seemed something was said inside, for she pressed her ear to the door for a moment, then looked around with a hint of vigilance before walking off in another direction.

Seeing her act as if she were guarding against something before she left, Puyang’s curiosity was piqued. After a moment’s thought, she walked over.

Wei Xiu’s door was closed, but only lightly, leaving a crack. Puyang thought for a moment, then peered through the gap in the door.

One look, and her eyes flew wide open.

Author’s Notes:

Princess (shocked): You’re actually a woman?

The lofty scholar (slightly annoyed): You have already seen with your own eyes. Why must you ask again.

Princess: (～￣▽￣～) I have to touch to be sure~~~~

The lofty scholar: ………………Get out.