Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 50

When Sir was in her wheelchair, it was impossible to tell how thin she had become. The robes that normally fit her perfectly now hung on her, absurdly loose. When Puyang lifted her, she simply curled into her embrace, neither struggling nor speaking, exuding an air of indifference and rejection.

Puyang pressed her lips together, looking down at her. Sir was always meticulous and extremely conscious of the flaw in her legs; she would never be careless enough to fall. A flash of anger crossed Puyang’s eyes. If she hadn’t heard from her steward that Sir had returned from an outing seemingly distressed, and hadn’t come over, unable to rest easy… if she hadn’t lingered at the door and entered upon hearing a strange noise inside… would Sir have been left alone to struggle helplessly on the floor?

Sir’s body was soft, carrying the fresh, natural scent of green bamboo, faint and filling her embrace. She kept her eyes closed, cold and distant, yet Puyang could sense a vulnerability beneath that aloof barrier that kept everyone at a distance.

She was like someone lost in a fog, a forbidden place that barred Puyang from entry. It seemed Puyang could never enter her heart. No matter how hard she tried or how much goodwill she showed, Wei Xiu remained unmoved, strictly adhering to her role as a strategist. But whenever Puyang felt dejected by her rejection or hurt by her coldness, she would always remember that dream—Sir drawing her sword to take her own life on the desolate city wall. Dejection and sorrow were nothing compared to the fear of that moment. No matter what, she would never let such a scene happen again.

After placing Wei Xiu on the bed, Puyang sat beside her and called out, “Sir.”

Wei Xiu turned her head away, unwilling to speak further.

Puyang inevitably fell silent for a moment. To avoid annoying Sir, she knew she should leave, but she truly couldn’t rest easy. “Just now, outside the door, I heard a strange noise from the room. A Rong and the others were all waiting outside, but no one entered. This must be a rule you set. You are strict with your subordinates, and they dare not disobey you, which is of course a good thing. But what if something were to happen to you in the room? What then? A situation like today’s…”

Wei Xiu’s eyes snapped open, a cold light within them. Puyang stopped mid-sentence. She didn’t dare to meet that distant, sharp gaze. Her heart was wounded, and for a moment she didn’t know what to say or do, feeling only that all her efforts had been in vain.

Perhaps her concern was simply superfluous to Sir. Puyang lowered her gaze and said calmly, “I have overstepped.”

Wei Xiu turned her head away again, casting aside Puyang’s love and hurt like a pair of worn-out shoes. It was as if Puyang’s affection was not worth a single coin.

As much as Puyang adored her, she would not debase herself by clinging on after such a blatant rejection. She stood up, ready to leave.

Wei Xiu had a sudden realization.

The trip to the Chen residence had not been fruitless. At the very least, it let her know that there was someone in the capital who remembered her brother’s face. It let her know she needed to act with greater caution. And it let her know she could not seek outside help; she could only accomplish this task alone.

Love had too many variables, yet it was the most intoxicating thing. She was living on borrowed time; there was nothing she couldn’t afford to lose. Since the Princess held such deep feelings for her, why not make use of them? Only by making the Princess more compliant could she gain another layer of assurance.

She could not afford to lose.

The hand hanging at Puyang’s side was suddenly grasped. Her body stiffened. She was getting angry.

What was the meaning of this? Just moments ago, Wei Xiu had casually trampled on her sincere feelings, so cold she wouldn’t even speak a word. Why stop her from leaving now? Puyang had her pride. She had never been wronged in her entire life; even before her death in her past life, she had looked down on the world, unhumiliated. She liked Wei Xiu, cherished her, and felt for her, but that didn’t mean she could be manipulated without limit. She liked her, but she also had her dignity.

Puyang turned back and saw Wei Xiu looking at her. Her refined and handsome face wore its usual calm and collected expression, but her eyes, which often held a gentle look, seemed uneasy, though she was trying her best to maintain her composure. The hand holding hers tightened bit by bit, then, as if realizing what she had done, she quickly let go and clutched the bedding beneath her, looking very flustered.

When had Sir ever looked so flustered? Puyang’s heartstrings were easily tugged, and she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anticipation. “Does Sir have any other instructions?”

A flicker of helplessness crossed Wei Xiu’s eyes. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she restrained herself and gave a faint smile. “It is nothing. I have troubled Your Highness today.”

Completely different from her earlier dishevelment, distance, and coldness, she had returned to her usual self.

Anticipation turned to disappointment. Puyang gave a small, self-mocking laugh. She lowered her head and said, “It was a small effort. Sir need not trouble herself over it.”

This back and forth was enough to make one’s heart grow cold. Puyang nodded at her and left. At the door, she stopped, then turned and walked back. She pushed the wheelchair next to the bed, for Wei Xiu’s use when she got up later. The servants dared not enter; it must have been Sir’s order. The reason, surely, was that she didn’t want anyone to see her struggling awkwardly due to her legs. Pushing the wheelchair over would spare her the difficulty later. In the end, no matter how cold her heart felt, she still couldn’t bring herself to ignore her. She placed the crutches she used for support next to the wheelchair, then turned again. This time, she truly left.

Soon, the sound of the door closing announced that the other person had departed. The crutches were within Wei Xiu’s easy reach, and the wheelchair was close by; she wouldn’t have to struggle to get to them. The room was quiet, so quiet it was unsettling. Wei Xiu stared at the ceiling beams, her thoughts and calculations unknown.

Life, after all, was not just about love. Puyang was concerned about why Wei Xiu had fallen and what troubles weighed on her heart, but she also knew with certainty that Wei Xiu would never tell her. It wasn’t that Puyang didn’t feel helpless, but fortunately, in two lifetimes, she had only ever loved this one person. She had plenty of patience to move her.

Within a few days, there was a reaction from the Prince of Jing’s side. Several high-ranking ministers frequently visited the Prince of Jing’s residence, creating a tense and volatile atmosphere.

Most of these ministers were sons of aristocratic families. Other parts of Wei Xiu’s strategy might be negotiable, but allowing the Qiang and Rong to enter official service was like snatching food from the mouths of the great families. Official posts in the realm were limited, and the aristocratic families had long considered them their private property. Having to share them with men from humble backgrounds was already infuriating, but they had to endure it due to the Emperor’s authority. But what were the Qiang and Rong? Mere barbarians, and defeated barbarians at that. It would not be an exaggeration to call them captives. On what grounds could they enter the court and stand in the imperial hall?

But this was precisely the part of Wei Xiu’s strategy that most appealed to the Emperor. He was happy to do anything that could divide the power of the aristocratic families. Once the great families relented, they would inevitably have to cede official posts. Once a precedent was set, it would be followed by repeated concessions.

The aristocratic families might not have realized the Emperor was intentionally setting a trap, but they could see their interests being diluted. Sharing the court with commoners was already a great humiliation; were they to share it with barbarians in the future as well? Naturally, there were many discussions in the Prince of Jing’s residence.

The Prince of Jing had followed the Prince of Jin for many years and was good at acting on his words. But when it came to making his own decisions, he lacked the courage. With the prince undecided and his advisors arguing incessantly, there was naturally no resolution.

“Your Highness, Zhang Qiao has been visiting the prince’s residence frequently.” The Chief Scribe, on the Princess’s orders, had sent men to watch Zhang Qiao. Seeing him fawning at the Prince of Jing’s residence, he couldn’t help but feel anxious. “If he changes his allegiance, wouldn’t all of Your Highness’s efforts be wasted?”

Zhang Qiao, on Puyang’s orders, had leaked the plan for relocating the Rong tribes to the Prince of Jing. He only said that he had overheard Wei Xiu discussing it at the Princess’s residence. Since His Majesty had not yet mentioned the matter, it must mean Wei Xiu had not yet presented the strategy to the throne. The Prince should act decisively, present the plan before the Emperor, and win a reputation for wisdom.

This was an excellent opportunity. If successful, the Prince of Jing would surely gain a reputation for benevolence and virtue. Hearing this, the Prince of Jing was naturally tempted and rewarded Zhang Qiao generously. Logically, Zhang Qiao’s task was complete, and he should have reported back to the Princess, but he seemed to have forgotten all about it.

Puyang smiled. “Chief Scribe, do not be anxious. Following a prince is always better than following a princess.”

The Chief Scribe said with a serious expression, “Why does Your Highness say such a thing? A prince and a princess are both lords. This subject serves Your Highness as my master and has no divided loyalties. Zhang Qiao came from Your Highness’s household and has also explicitly stated his intention to follow you. How can he be so fickle, completely lacking a subject’s integrity!”

Puyang watched him with great interest. This Chief Scribe had followed her for ten years in her past life without a hint of disloyalty. The very last task before her death was one she had entrusted to him, a testament to her trust. In this life, hearing him declare his loyalty, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity and warmth.

“He is different from you, Chief Scribe. You are loyal; he is driven only by profit. Using people is like driving a team of horses. With you, Chief Scribe, I can let the reins hang loose, as I trust you. But with Zhang Qiao, one must use the whip.”

The Chief Scribe was moved by her words and bowed. “This subject thanks Your Highness for your trust.”

Puyang gave a faint smile. This trust, was it not also a form of control? It was simply tailored to the individual.

“Then, Zhang Qiao…”

“He will soon receive a rude awakening.”

The advisors each had their own agendas, and the Prince of Jing lacked the ability to control them. He thought everyone’s advice sounded reasonable. Zhang Qiao offered his counsel several times, but not only was he not taken seriously by the Prince, he was even ostracized by the others.

He was perceptive enough. After a few days of this, he immediately realized that the Prince of Jing’s residence, while seemingly thriving, was in fact as precarious as a pile of eggs. The Prince of Jing was not a worthy master! He decisively withdrew, only then remembering that in his efforts to secure a place for himself with the Prince of Jing, he had forgotten to report back to the Princess. Zhang Qiao broke out in a cold sweat. He had been in the Princess’s residence for over half a year and naturally knew she was not as benevolent as she appeared. But on second thought, it was true the Princess was resourceful, but what could she do? She was only a princess. Could she seize the throne?

Zhang Qiao relaxed, passed a leisurely night, and only went to pay his respects under the cover of darkness the following evening. Puyang received him and asked with a smile, “How did it go?”

Zhang Qiao knew he was in the wrong for being late and was genuinely wary of Puyang’s methods, so he tried to make amends. “The Prince of Jing has fallen into the trap, Your Highness. I have another matter to report. The Prince of Jin has learned of this and will likely take action.”

Puyang smiled. “Not just the Prince of Jin, but the Prince of Zhao as well. It seems Minister Zhang looks down on my sixth brother. In that case, how about I recommend you to the Prince of Jin? Or perhaps you believe there are better prospects with the Prince of Zhao?”

Her Highness actually knew the situation in the Prince of Jing’s residence crystal clear! A bead of sweat the size of a bean dripped to the floor. As if shattered by a single blow, Zhang Qiao’s face turned pale, his earlier casual confidence gone. He prostrated himself on the floor, his mind racing through his actions of the past few days. Her Highness had seen through his intentions long ago, so why had she said nothing, allowing him to try and attach himself to the Prince of Jing?

Zhang Qiao trembled with fear. He lifted his head and saw the Princess’s benevolent smile, and a chill instantly rose from the soles of his feet and spread throughout his body. Only then did he realize what a mistake he had made. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Knowing that arguing would be useless, he simply admitted his fault to beg for a chance to live. “This subject is guilty. I ask for Your Highness’s punishment.”

“You are an official of the court, not a vassal of my household. Why be so deferential? Minister, please rise. There is no need for such ceremony.”

If she had scolded him, it would have been one thing, but these words made Zhang Qiao even more terrified. He suddenly thought: Her Highness is only a princess, so why would she have eyes and ears in the Prince of Jing’s residence? What was her aim? Could it be that His Majesty had secretly ordered her to monitor the princes? His mind was quick. In an instant, he thought of how the position of crown prince was still undecided. Could it be that His Majesty had other plans? He was suddenly overjoyed. If that were the case, who could have earlier insight into the Emperor’s heart than Princess Puyang? Not only that, but Princess Puyang was highly regarded by His Majesty. Even if he only attached himself to her, his future prospects would be great.

Zhang Qiao was both fearful and delighted. Puyang watched from her high seat, the corners of her lips curling into a smile, the coldness in her eyes obvious.

She disliked such duplicitous villains. But villains often had some ability, which was why people gnashed their teeth and called them villains. If she wanted to use him, she had to control him and make him follow her with unwavering devotion. Influenced by the Emperor, she did not care whether her subordinates were loyal or treacherous when she looked at them. Loyal officials and treacherous officials alike each had their uses.

Having dealt with Zhang Qiao, Puyang mused that if the Prince of Jin knew, the Prince of Zhao would find out within a day or two. Then, things would get lively. The aristocratic families wanted to protect their own status, but the princes wouldn’t care about that. They would only scramble to stand out before His Majesty. When that happened, the great families would have no choice but to help them contend, carving off a piece of their own flesh in the hopes of currying favor with the princes for greater benefits one day. What came after that was His Majesty’s business.

With this matter half-accomplished, Puyang breathed a small sigh of relief. Qin Kun entered to report, “Your Highness, Sir has returned.”

“I know,” Puyang replied.

The breath she had just released seemed to get stuck in her chest, leaving a stuffy feeling. Puyang lowered her eyes, all her earlier excitement vanishing. She rose, went into her inner chamber, changed into a softer, more feminine dress, and walked toward the small courtyard.