Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 6

A faint mist of water vapor filled the room. Wei Xiu had just finished bathing, her damp black hair seeming to shimmer with moisture as it draped down her back. She was wrapped in a snow-white undergarment, which was soaked through by the water from her hair, clinging to her body. Her legs were infirm, so she steadied herself against the wall to retrieve a dry cloth to dry her hair. The cloth was placed a little far away; as she leaned over slightly to reach for it, her loose robe slipped, revealing skin as fine and smooth as congealed fat, as fair and unblemished as the first snow of winter.

A droplet of water trickled down from the tip of her hair, landing on her beautifully shaped collarbone. Her skin was so smooth that the droplet, like a delicate and fragile young maiden, soon slid into the deeper recesses. That deeper place, now touched by water, was like a snow-capped peak melting in early spring—damp, and perhaps possessing the warm, gentle touch of jade. The white robe, wet, had become somewhat transparent, clinging to her skin. The vermilion buds on the peaks were faintly visible, and Puyang could almost imagine their shy, tender pinkness.

Puyang’s eyes were wide, watching with an unwillingness to look away. The crack in the door was indeed small. She held her breath, not daring to make a single sound.

This was a Wei Xiu she had never seen before. He had always been gentle, elegant, and handsome, like a willow in spring or the moon in autumn—free-spirited, detached, and transcendent. But the Wei Xiu at this moment…

Puyang’s gaze was glued to the half-concealed expanse of her chest. Faintly visible, it was all the more alluring. When the peerless beauty who had once captivated the capital did not wear his clothes properly, he was unexpectedly this soul-stirring, a complete departure from his warm, jade-like image. Holding her breath, Puyang’s gaze shifted slightly upward, to Wei Xiu’s jaw, carved as if from jade. Higher still were her moist, crimson lips, and above that, a fine, straight nose and a pair of long, narrow phoenix eyes.

In contrast to the allure of her disheveled clothes, her expression was extremely serene and composed. Her lips were pressed together slightly, her eyes lowered. She retrieved the cloth. Her legs were inconvenient; standing with support was manageable, but moving was exceedingly difficult. Yet no matter how difficult, she showed no sign of panic, proceeding through the steps with perfect order. As if realizing her state of undress, she straightened her robe and tied the sash.

Half alluring, half ascetic—the fusion of the two created a beauty that was even more breathtaking.

Puyang didn’t know if she was more shocked that the famous Young Master Wei, who would shake the capital twelve years from now, was a woman, or if she was simply stunned by the beautiful sight before her. She stood rooted to the spot, watching, dazed, through that narrow crack in the door, not daring to make a sound.

A series of hurried footsteps startled Puyang back to her senses.

It must be the maid from before, returning. Puyang quickly tried to leave, only to find there was nowhere to hide behind her. Her injuries prevented her from moving quickly; if she tried to force herself into hiding, she wouldn’t make it in time. In a flash of inspiration, she quickly took a few steps in the direction opposite the footsteps, then turned around, feigning that she had just been walking this way.

Just as she had composed herself, the maid appeared. Seeing her, Puyang gave a slight nod.

The maid was carrying a bucket of hot water. She looked at Puyang with some surprise and said, “Honored guest, are you looking for my Young Master?”

Puyang was now about five paces from the door to Wei Xiu’s room. To an onlooker, it would seem as if she had just arrived. Hearing the maid’s question, she smiled and replied, “Indeed. Is Sir in his room?”

The maid walked quickly to the door, set down the bucket, and curtsied low to Puyang. “It is truly unfortunate,” she said respectfully. “The Young Master is currently indisposed. If the honored guest has a matter to discuss, this servant can relay the message.”

Puyang, of course, knew Wei Xiu was indisposed; she even knew why. Looking perfectly innocent, Puyang smiled gently and said, “Since he is indisposed, I will simply come back later.”

After speaking, she couldn’t help but glance at that very dear crack in the door before turning naturally to leave.

Once she had rounded the corner, she stopped and, concealed by a pillar, looked back.

She saw that the maid did not enter immediately. She waited outside for a moment, then bowed toward the door, picked up the water, and went inside.

She must have finished dressing inside, Puyang thought to herself.

By the time she walked back to her guest quarters, the sky was gradually darkening. The mountains were always colder than the plains below. It wasn’t very noticeable during the day, but it became quite apparent after nightfall. Gusts of cold mountain wind blew past, making one shiver.

The window was open, directly facing the wind. As the mountain breeze washed over her, Puyang’s thoughts grew clearer.

The Young Master Wei who captivated the capital, Wei Zhongmeng, who was skilled in strategy and had never failed, was actually a woman? This was truly too astonishing. Puyang closed her eyes, and the image of that figure in the wheelchair immediately appeared in her mind. Though physically flawed, her character was incredibly resilient. Those legs that could not walk never seemed to be an obstacle. She would sit in her wheelchair, conversing and laughing, producing endless strategies, never once at a loss. Puyang had detested her for helping Xiao Dewen against her, yet she had always admired her talent.

Such a person was actually a woman. Who could have imagined that Wei Xiu was a woman?

Puyang sighed, still finding it hard to process.

A maid brought her evening meal. Life in the mountains was simple, and the things she used were naturally not as luxurious as what she was accustomed to, but Wei Xiu had not been neglectful. Every meal included fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat. Every day, she also had the kitchen stew medicinal broths to help her recuperate, so that her injuries would heal faster. From this perspective, for someone she had met by chance, Wei Xiu had truly been most considerate.

Her long-held perceptions had been shattered, and it took Puyang a long time to recover. It was not until after her meal that Puyang suddenly had an epiphany. What did it matter if Wei Xiu was a man or a woman? What she wanted was her talent, not anything else. It was even better that she was a woman; now she had a handle on her, and she could do with her as she pleased!

At this thought, Puyang was instantly invigorated.

She had gone to find Wei Xiu during the day to borrow a servant to send a message to the capital. That matter was still unresolved. Puyang looked at the sky; it was completely dark now, with countless stars glittering like the surface of a shimmering lake.

Walking back and forth today and discovering this earth-shattering secret had left Puyang utterly exhausted. If she forced her body any further, her injuries might relapse. After some thought, she decided to rest.

She would conserve her energy and see Wei Xiu tomorrow.

The days in the mountains passed leisurely. Watching the clouds gather and disperse each day, one couldn’t feel anxious even while recuperating. The next morning, Puyang went to find Wei Xiu.

Having stayed here for a few days, Puyang knew that Wei Xiu liked to read in the morning. She went to the study and, sure enough, found Wei Xiu there.

She was holding a scroll, sitting by the window, completely absorbed in her reading. Her black hair was meticulously combed into a topknot, fastened with a small coronet. She wore a moon-white robe with wide sleeves and a broad sash. With her robes fluttering, she looked quite dashing.

Puyang stood outside the door, and for some reason, the scene she had witnessed yesterday through the crack in the door came to mind, sending her thoughts racing. When she came back to her senses, she saw that Wei Xiu had already put down the scroll and was looking over at her with a faint look in her eyes.

It was clearly her usual elegant demeanor, yet Puyang couldn’t help but think of her disheveled appearance. Puyang would never admit she was at fault; this must be because yesterday’s scene had been too shocking. But peeping was not a righteous act, and now she was facing the person herself, so Puyang felt a little guilty.

This bit of guilt was, of course, hidden deep in her heart. Puyang walked in without a change in expression. She smiled slightly and bowed to Wei Xiu as a greeting, and Wei Xiu returned the courtesy.

“I came looking for you yesterday, Sir, but you happened to be indisposed, so I returned first,” Puyang said as she sat opposite Wei Xiu, bringing up yesterday’s matter.

Wei Xiu leaned forward, lifted the copper kettle from the small red-clay stove, and tilted it slightly. Steaming hot water poured out, rushing into a purple-clay teapot.

“I heard about it from the maid. Did you come to see me about something?” Wei Xiu asked as she placed the lid on the pot. After a moment, she took a nearby teacup, lifted the purple-clay pot, and tilted it slightly. The fragrance of tea filled the air.

Every movement was unspeakably elegant. Puyang watched her, paying particular attention to Wei Xiu’s actions today.

“There is indeed a matter for which I wish to ask for your help, Sir.”

Wei Xiu placed the teacup in front of Puyang and made a gesture of invitation. “Please, speak freely.”

The clear, green tea reflected in the white porcelain cup was a bright and beautiful color. Puyang was quite pleased by the sight. She picked up the cup, blew on it gently, and took a sip. The fragrance of the tea instantly filled her mouth and nose.

Good tea.

Puyang smiled, set down the cup, and began her story. “You saved me, Sir, but I have yet to tell you why I was injured.” Over the past few days, she had carefully analyzed who wanted to harm her and already had some ideas.

“I have two older brothers who are vying for the position of Crown Prince. Caught in the middle, I was unfortunately struck by a ‘stray arrow.’” Since her two brothers were fighting for the throne, her own identity was self-evident.

If it wasn’t stated clearly, they could pretend not to know. Once it was stated, it was naturally impossible not to observe the proper courtesies. Wei Xiu leaned forward and bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Puyang smiled and continued, “I am the seventh child in my family. My Imperial Father granted me Puyang as my fief.”

Puyang, anciently known as Dìqiū, was also the place where the Xiao family had risen to power. To bestow this land upon a princess showed just how much weight this princess held in the Emperor’s heart.

Wei Xiu nodded. “Your Highness Puyang.”

Seeing that she had no intention of probing further, Puyang couldn’t help but feel a little vexed. She had revealed this much, yet Wei Xiu remained so detached. It seemed she truly wanted nothing to do with her.

She looked at Wei Xiu. In the past, she had only known her to be handsome. Now, knowing the truth, she realized that she actually possessed a gentle and graceful charm. It was just that the current era revered literary pursuits over martial ones, and it was fashionable for sons of noble families to apply powder and perfume, taking effeminacy as a mark of beauty. There were plenty of men more effeminate than her, so her appearance had never aroused suspicion.

Even if just for the sake of this beauty, I should be more patient, Puyang told herself, and continued, “My family does not yet know I am here. To prevent my lord father from worrying, I implore you, Sir, to lend me a servant so that I may send a letter home to report that I am safe.”

“Your Highness need not be so courteous. The servants here are at Your Highness’s disposal,” Wei Xiu said very generously.

Puyang smiled. “Then I must thank you in advance, Sir.” She looked around and saw a brush and ink on a nearby desk. “May I also borrow a brush and ink, Sir?”

Wei Xiu was naturally not stingy.

She was going to write a letter, but to whom? She had no token of identity on her person. For a mere servant to gain an audience with the Emperor was clearly harder than ascending to heaven. Puyang picked up the brush, thought for a moment, then looked at Wei Xiu and asked with a smile, “There is a rather difficult matter. I am writing to the capital to ask for aid, but if this letter falls into the hands of the person who wishes me harm, would it not be counterproductive?”

Here, where no one knew her whereabouts, she was relatively safe. But the situation in the capital was still unknown. If the letter she sent was intercepted by her enemy, she would be in danger.

Puyang naturally had a plan for writing back to the capital, but she deliberately sought Wei Xiu’s counsel, wanting to hear what she would say.

Fearing that Wei Xiu would give a detached, perfunctory answer, Puyang quickly added with sincerity, “Besides you, Sir, I do not know who else I can turn to for help. I hope you will help me, Sir.”

Wei Xiu’s hand, holding the teacup, paused. Her deep, dark eyes looked over.

Just then, a maid came to deliver her medicine.

Puyang took her medicine on time every day, but in her haste to find Wei Xiu today, she had forgotten about it. She put down the brush and stood up to take it.

The medicine smelled awful, but it was very effective. The quick healing of her wound was all thanks to this medicine. Puyang took the bowl, silently preparing her taste buds for the ordeal. She lowered her head and took a sip, and her long, willow-leaf brows instantly furrowed.

Today’s medicine was exceptionally bitter, its taste stronger and more difficult to swallow than before.

Author’s Notes:

Princess (acting cute): Sir, the medicine is so bitter.

High Scholar: Good medicine is bitter to the taste.

Princess: It’s even more bitter than before~~~

High Scholar: Required by your condition.

Princess: ╭(╯^╰)╮ Are you sure you’re not doing this on purpose?

High Scholar: There is even bitterer medicine. Would you like to try it?

Princess: ∑(っ °Д °;)っ