Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 56

Wei Xiu was treating Xiao Dewen as a piece in her game, allowing him to be enterprising and even helping him when necessary to make him appear intelligent and decisive in the Emperor’s eyes. But she could not let him slip from her control.

Puyang, however, was different. She saw Xiao Dewen as a rival, remaining constantly vigilant. This left Wei Xiu rather puzzled. “Your Highness seems to be quite wary of the Prince of Donghai Commandery?”

Regardless of what might happen several years from now, the current Xiao Dewen was still quite green and clearly no cause for concern. Yet whenever a matter involved him, Her Highness acted as if facing a great enemy, occasionally wanting to extend her sharp claws and swat him flat. This greatly surprised Wei Xiu.

Now that she had brought it up, Puyang couldn’t help but cast a mournful glance at Wei Xiu. “It’s all your fault, Sir,” she said, for helping that little brat against her.

How was it her fault? A hint of bewilderment flickered in Wei Xiu’s eyes. She thought it over but couldn’t understand. “What does Your Highness mean?”

Puyang saw her complete ignorance, and since she couldn’t very well bring up matters from her past life, she could only bite her lip and say in frustration, “He’s going to torment me in the future.” She gave Wei Xiu an even more mournful look, thinking to herself, And you’ll help him torment me.

Wei Xiu was even more confused. She felt that something had happened which she knew nothing about.

To speak of things that had not yet occurred would be too difficult for her Sir. Puyang had only mentioned it out of a fleeting sentiment and didn’t want Wei Xiu to think her overly suspicious. Just as she was about to point out some of Xiao Dewen’s improprieties to show that her worries were not unfounded, she heard Wei Xiu say, “I will keep an eye on him. I will not let him harm Your Highness.”

Although she couldn’t grasp a single trace of evidence, it didn’t stop her from taking Puyang’s words to heart.

Puyang was taken aback, then couldn’t help but curve her lips into a smile. Wei Xiu smiled back.

What would become of Xiao Dewen was yet unknown, but the various princes were gradually falling into the trap. The matter of relocating the Rong tribes was slowly getting on track.

As expected, the Prince of Jing couldn’t keep it a secret. First the Prince of Jin found out, then the Prince of Zhao, and finally the Prince of Dai. After that, it was a secret to no one. The matter was debated fiercely in the imperial court. The great clans had likely figured it out as well and wanted to help the princes they supported to bring this matter to fruition. After all, when their chosen prince ascended the throne, they stood to gain even more benefits.

The Emperor intentionally guided them to contend with one another, expanding the dispute. Only then did he relent, entrusting the matter to the four princes and ordering them each to take charge of several prefectures and see the plan through. By this point, the princes had gradually discerned the Emperor’s intentions: he was clearly using their hands to implement this national policy. But alas, they had already taken the first step. If they were to drop the task now, all their previous struggles would have been for naught. They had no choice but to properly manage the prefectures assigned to them, hoping to distinguish themselves from the rest.

By the time this matter was initially settled, it was already the turn of autumn and winter.

The weather suddenly turned cold, and Wei Xiu caught a chill. She closed her doors and declined all visitors.

Puyang, of course, was not considered an outside visitor and came to see her every day.

The weather was cool, and the leaves on the branches had withered and fallen. The scenery in the courtyard no longer possessed the vibrant splendor of spring and summer, gradually being replaced by a desolate gray-white. Only an autumn osmanthus tree in the corner was still in bloom, its rich, sweet fragrance wafting through the air, adding a rare splash of brightness to the late autumn season.

From her sickbed, Wei Xiu could see that osmanthus tree through the side window. She always had someone open the window to air out the sickness in the room and to smell the scent of autumn.

Puyang sat by the bed, watching Wei Xiu drink a bowl of medicine. She promptly handed her a cup of warm water so she could rinse the bitter taste from her mouth.

Wei Xiu was not as averse to bitterness as Puyang, but rinsing her mouth with warm water was indeed much more comfortable.

Puyang took the empty teacup, placed it on a small table nearby, and then took a handkerchief to wipe Wei Xiu’s mouth.

Watching her perfectly natural movements, Wei Xiu felt that having a princess do these things was wronging her. She took the handkerchief and said, “Let the attendants handle these things.”

Puyang just smiled. “It’s no trouble at all.”

Wei Xiu said no more.

Her face was so pale it was alarming, without a trace of color. Her brow was furrowed with listlessness, and she was forcing herself to stay alert to speak with Puyang. “Regarding the matter of the Prefect of Chen Commandery, has Your Highness made the recommendation for him?”

Many people coveted the position of Governor of Qing Prefecture. Puyang had expended considerable effort to make this happen.

“It’s nearly settled. In another day or two, he should be able to take up his post. Sir, you needn’t worry about this. The most important thing is to rest and recover.”

Wei Xiu nodded, then lowered her head and began to cough. She quickly covered her mouth with the handkerchief, fearing she would pass her illness to Puyang. The coughs were sharp and violent, and an unnatural flush immediately rose on Wei Xiu’s cheeks. Even her lips turned a vivid, glistening red, which only served to accentuate her frail and haggard sickliness.

Puyang quickly rose to fetch her a cup of hot water. She then felt her hand; even under the cotton quilt, it was still ice-cold. Puyang’s gaze darkened. Just as she was about to get up and find a hand warmer for her, Wei Xiu caught her hand.

Wei Xiu looked at her and said, “Someone has already gone to fetch one.”

Puyang froze, looking down to see their hands clasped together. Wei Xiu’s gaze followed hers, and her heart felt as if it had been pierced by something, a sharp, stabbing pain. She quickly let go. The movement was so abrupt it seemed like a deliberate attempt to distance herself. Wei Xiu had a bad feeling and quickly looked up at Puyang, only to see a flash of hurt in her eyes. When Puyang saw her looking, she still managed a faint smile, as if to comfort her, or perhaps to comfort herself.

In that instant, the stabbing pain grew even sharper. Wei Xiu winced, took a deep breath, and said, “Your Highness…”

Puyang silently withdrew her hand, hiding it beneath her sleeve.

For several months now, they had not taken another step forward. It seemed her Sir was still hesitant. Puyang hadn’t been anxious at first. As long as her Sir was here, she had a lifetime to wait for her to see her true heart.

But this time, her Sir’s illness had made Puyang anxious. She wanted to be by her side, to care for her properly and legitimately, not to have to retreat as if facing a great enemy after a simple touch of the hand.

Waiting always made one anxious, filled with both anticipation and fear. Anticipation for the day they could hold hands and face each other, and fear that one of them might abruptly leave midway.

But Puyang was, after all, no longer a girl of seventeen or eighteen. She knew this was not the time to trouble her Sir with such matters, so she acted as if nothing was wrong and said gently to Wei Xiu, “Whatever it is, it can wait until Sir has recovered.”

This only made Wei Xiu feel more guilty.

The more gentle, considerate, and understanding the princess was, the more it highlighted her own despicableness and sinister intentions. Wei Xiu suddenly thought that since that day would come sooner or later, and since she had already decided to use her, why not be a little kinder to her? At least, before that day arrived, Her Highness would be happy.

That would be better than at the very end, when all she could recall was her rejection, her hesitation, her distancing and avoidance.

Wei Xiu felt the heavy weight on her heart lighten somewhat. She was eager to do just that.

Propping herself up with her hands, she struggled to sit up a little more. Wei Xiu looked at Puyang and said, “I have something to say to Your Highness.”

Her expression was serious, her eyes swirling with a tenderness and gentleness never seen before, like a prelude of deep affection. Puyang’s heart pounded in her chest, but she maintained a solemn expression. “Please speak, Sir.”

Only one final step remained. One step further, and there would be no turning back. Wei Xiu’s mind was suddenly in turmoil. Various images flashed through her head; all the kindness Her Highness had shown her since they met spun around and around. But in the end, what fixed itself in her consciousness was that dark night, the sky and earth covered in bl00d, the valley filled with one fallen person after another—all of them her family.

It was as if a bloody hand had clawed open her chest, seized her heart, and was relentlessly tearing it out. Wei Xiu knew she had just been swayed. No matter what excuse she found, she could not hide the fact that she had been swayed. The princess’s gentle, true heart had moved her, captivated her, and that was why she felt guilty, why she wanted to retreat.

The image of her elder brother lying in a pool of bl00d leaped forth. He had lost an arm, brutally hacked off by a sharp blade. She had dragged her own legs, which felt as if they had been severed, through the piles of corpses, searching everywhere.

No matter how many years passed, she would never forget that scene.

“Sir?” After waiting for a long time without hearing Wei Xiu speak, Puyang couldn’t help but call out softly.

Wei Xiu’s gaze focused on Puyang’s face, staring intently. An inexplicable panic seized Puyang, but then Wei Xiu suddenly smiled. Her gaze softened, becoming like a caressing spring breeze—gentle, warm, and carrying an affection that could melt a person’s heart. She said softly, “I am willing to live and die with Your Highness.”

Puyang froze for a moment, then was overcome with boundless joy. Her eyes filled with tender emotion, and the corners of her lips lifted in a smile of soul-stirring beauty.