Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 59

This was Wei Xiu’s second time entering the palace. Fearing she might not know the reason for the summons, Puyang had come specially to wait for her. The area was open and spacious, offering a clear view of the palace gate. Because of this openness, the cold wind howled without obstruction.

Puyang was wrapped in a down-lined cloak. She was as magnificent as an auspicious cloud, as radiant as the Jade of Jing. The closer she came, the more extraordinary she seemed, leaving the Prince of Yuzhang utterly captivated.

It was not until a palace attendant made the introduction: “Your Highness, this is His Highness the Prince of Yuzhang of Great Qi. He has just concluded his audience with His Majesty.”

Puyang performed a curtsy. “May the Prince of Yuzhang have everlasting joy.”

The Prince of Yuzhang hastily adopted a dashing and suave demeanor and returned the courtesy. “I have long heard of the Princess’s great renown. To see you today is the fortune of three lifetimes.”

As he was a guest from afar, Puyang could not be too cold. She smiled and said, “Your Highness flatters me.”

The more the Prince of Yuzhang looked at her, the more he liked her. A beauty such as this deserved to be set against a misty rain and lush green grass. She ought to be married and brought back to his kingdom. He took a small step forward, his crimson-purple brocade robe moving with the wind, giving him a certain dashing air.

Having schemed to meet the Princess, and now utterly smitten at first sight, the Prince of Yuzhang was naturally unwilling to leave so easily. He smiled faintly, warm like a true gentleman, and his words were refined. “The capital of Qi is in Jiangnan, where every sight is imbued with a gentle sentiment. I, Kang, have grown accustomed to the scenery of the south. Upon entering the northern lands, I see the magnificent mountains and rivers, the high sky and sparse clouds, and my heart feels broadened.”

He gazed at Puyang with a smile. “It truly is a fine place.”

It was clearly a posture for a long conversation. Recalling her discussion with Wei Xiu, Puyang also wished to sound out this Prince of Yuzhang, so she too smiled. “Each place has its own charm. Your Highness enjoys the vastness of the north, and I too admire the gentle and beautiful scenery of Jiangnan.”

Seeing Puyang engage in conversation, the Prince of Yuzhang was secretly overjoyed. He made himself appear even more handsome and charming, his speech growing softer. His eyes were fixed on Puyang, striving to conceal his desire to conquer. “Does the Princess also think Jiangnan is wonderful? The charm of Jiangnan is vastly different from the north. The mountains and waters are vast and distant, the lakes and marshes meander, and the beauty of its rivers has been spoken of since ancient times. If the Princess could see it for herself, she would surely wish to stay and never return.”

Puyang had judged countless people; with just this brief contact, she knew what the Prince of Yuzhang was thinking. Noticing the fervent glint in his eyes, Puyang sneered inwardly, but her expression remained gentle. Her every frown and smile was full of spring’s charm. “Hearing Your Highness’s description, it truly sounds enchanting.”

Gaining her agreement, the Prince of Yuzhang was even more pleased and couldn’t help but shuffle half a step forward.

Annoyed by his increasing proximity, Puyang turned her head away and saw a person stopped not far off. Wei Xiu was sitting in her wheelchair, calmly watching them. It was unclear how long she had been there. Puyang was instantly delighted. She was about to go over, but then remembered the presence of an outsider and restrained herself, merely nodding at Wei Xiu.

Wei Xiu had been there for some time. She saw the Princess standing opposite a man, and for some reason, she had stopped, watching them converse from a distance. She saw the Princess’s amiable expression, the man’s barely concealed adoration, and the two of them drawing closer and closer. A strange feeling arose in her heart—sour, and a little painful, as if her heart were being squeezed. The pain was sharp, and accompanied by an immense sense of repulsion, as if she couldn’t bear to see Her Highness speaking with someone else.

Now that Puyang had spotted her, Wei Xiu signaled the servant behind her to push her forward. Puyang watched her approach, as did the Prince of Yuzhang. The two of them stood side by side, and Wei Xiu felt like an uninvited guest who had disturbed others. Her heart clenched, and she found the sight of the Prince of Yuzhang inexplicably jarring. But she was accustomed to burying her joys and sorrows deep in her heart, so she advanced without a change in expression and bowed to Puyang.

Puyang was happy just seeing Wei Xiu, but with an outsider present, she restrained herself somewhat. She then made introductions, pointing to the Prince of Yuzhang and saying, “This is the envoy from Qi, the Prince of Yuzhang.”

Hearing the words “Prince of Yuzhang,” Wei Xiu’s heart sank. She inevitably recalled the day Her Highness had spoken of him with such absentmindedness.

Puyang then introduced Wei Xiu. She did not call Wei Xiu her strategist, for fear of demeaning her. Instead, she said, “This is a renowned scholar of our Great Wei, Sir Wei Xiu. Sir Wei is here today for an audience with His Majesty.”

It was very polite and respectful, but to Wei Xiu’s ears, it sounded bland and indifferent, as if drawing a clear line between them. She resisted the urge to look at Puyang, instead clasping her hands in a salute to the Prince of Yuzhang. “Your Highness has been in Wei for many days. To finally meet you today, you are indeed as brilliant and benevolent as they say.”

The Prince of Yuzhang was greatly pleased to hear this renowned scholar of Wei praise him in front of the Princess. He returned the salute and said, “Sir Wei thinks too highly of me. I dare not accept such praise.”

“I have heard that Your Highness was praised many times in court by His Majesty of Qi. Among all the princes, only Your Highness has received such an honor. Truly a brilliant young talent,” Wei Xiu said with a faint smile.

The Prince of Yuzhang thought this scholar was his lucky star, speaking so well of him in front of the Princess. He recalled his boundless glory back in his own kingdom and felt both proud and fearful that the Princess would see him as shallow. He hastily tried to suppress his self-satisfaction, and for a moment, his face became quite contorted. The corners of his mouth had already turned up before he quickly pulled them back down, creating a very discordant look. He made a complete fool of himself in front of Puyang. Unaware, he continued, “It is all due to His Majesty’s misplaced affection, which has earned me an undeserved reputation. I am truly ashamed.”

Wei Xiu gave a faint smile, a chilling coldness in her eyes. She turned to Puyang, her tone also respectful. “To make His Majesty wait long would be disrespectful. Does Your Highness wish to accompany me?”

Just a moment ago, the Prince of Yuzhang had thought Wei Xiu was his lucky star, but now his lucky star was about to take the Princess away. He was about to say something to stop them, but the Princess immediately said, “Perfect, I shall go with Sir Wei.” She then turned to him and said, “Your Highness, please feel free.”

The Prince of Yuzhang had no choice but to give up, watching wistfully as the Princess walked away.

After they had walked the distance of an arrow’s shot and the Prince of Yuzhang was out of sight, Puyang said with a beaming smile, “Now that you’ve seen him with your own eyes, what does Sir Wei think of the Prince of Yuzhang?”

Wei Xiu raised her eyes to glance at her, a strange look on her face. Puyang didn’t know what her expression meant. Just as she was about to focus and observe more closely, she saw Wei Xiu meet her gaze and then quickly look away. Her tone was somewhat indifferent. “What he is like, did Your Highness not see clearly just now?”

Getting carried away after two sentences of praise—so frivolous and undignified. How could he possibly be a man of deep schemes and foresight?

Puyang agreed, saying with some regret, “It would be better if he were a bit more brilliant.” So foolish. Even if Great Wei wanted to secretly support him, it would likely take a great deal of effort. After a moment’s thought, she added, “But he is not entirely without his strengths.” He is very good at feigning sincerity. He must have used the same tricks to keep the old emperor of Qi happy.

The old dote on their youngest children. Emperors pitying their youngest sons has led to many disasters that have ruined nations; this is a common occurrence throughout the dynasties. What’s more, the Emperor of Qi was not a ruler who could distinguish right from wrong, making it even easier for him to follow his heart and dote on his youngest son.

As Puyang thought about it, her lips curved into a smile. An idea came to her almost instantly.

Wei Xiu saw the gentle smile on her lips, and a tightness constricted her chest. Unwilling to look any longer, she lowered her head. As she looked down, she saw her own legs.

Unable to walk, confined to a wheelchair. She had to look up at people, her movements were restricted. Covered by the hem of her robes, they seemed fine, but in truth, if she did not massage them often, her legs would atrophy, becoming thin, and her skin would wrinkle, becoming unsightly. She never spoke of this to anyone. She could not expose her weaknesses to others.

But what did Her Highness like about her? Compared to an ordinary person, she could not walk, and she was a woman. How could she have captured her heart? Perhaps it was just a fleeting novelty?

If it was novelty, then it would soon be replaced by other new things.

“Sir Wei,” Puyang called out.

Wei Xiu looked up at her and smiled faintly, indicating she was listening. Her hands, which had been resting on her lap, opened, palms pressing against the legs beneath. Through several layers of cloth, she could vaguely feel the hardness of her knees. Her hands began to tremble uncontrollably, slowly clenching into fists.

“His Majesty summoned Sir Wei to ask about the matter you mentioned to me a few days ago,” Puyang explained softly.

Wei Xiu said, “Only a matter such as this would warrant a summons from His Majesty.”

There was nothing wrong with her tone, and a gentle, faint smile played on her lips. Her face was as if powdered, her lips as if rouged. Her features were soft, beautiful as crowned jade. Yet, her phoenix eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a cold pool, and her straight back stood like a green bamboo, firm and unyielding. These two qualities forcefully diluted the feminine softness about her, leaving no room for doubt.

This was the Sir Wei that Puyang was familiar with, the one she saw every day. But for some reason, she vaguely felt that Sir Wei was somewhat cold, as if unwilling to speak much with her.

The Hall of Proclaimed Virtue was right before them. Wei Xiu gazed straight ahead. There were many people here, so Puyang could not say more. She could only suppress her surprise, planning to address it once they returned to her residence.