Jinyi Spring

Chapter 222 Urgent at 1 o'clock

Emperor Jianzhang remained silent for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly twice on the dragon desk.

They had grown up together after all. He knew what Ming Changqing wanted to see—the path that unfortunate woman had walked before her death, the place where she finally stopped, and the starting point for her daughter's rebirth.

In the past, he might have been furious. But now that Xiao Wan was dead, the thorn in his heart softened a bit. He even thought that if it were him, he would probably want to go and see for himself.

What pleased him even more was that Ming Changqing's words implied that he only wanted to see where Yong'an grew up, and his concern was focused on his daughter, without leaning towards the Crown Prince at all.

"Granted." Emperor Jianzhang nodded, his tone calm, without probing or sarcasm. "It's not easy to come back. Take a few more days to rest and be filial to your aunt. You can leave again at the beginning of next month."

Ming Changqing bowed deeply to the ground, "Your subject... thanks Your Majesty."

Both of them understood what that "thank you" meant.

Ming Changqing openly stated the place he wanted to go in order to put Jianzhang's mind at ease.

This emperor was extremely suspicious; the less he said, the more he would suspect that Ming Changqing and the Ming family were doing something behind his back. Moreover, ever since he returned to the capital, spies had been following him.

Emperor Jianzhang then said earnestly, "Get up. You should be thirty-nine this year. Others your age are already having grandchildren. So many years have passed. Look ahead and find a wife to take care of you."

Ming Changqing looked at him for a moment, then lowered his head. "My parents said the same thing. Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring. I will get married, but let's talk about it in two or three years."

Emperor Jianzhang nodded.

When Ming Changqing left the Imperial Study, the sunlight was just right, shining brightly on the golden tiled roof.

Ming Changqing grinned.

No matter how intense the sun is in the capital, it can't compare to the blinding glare of the west. There, the sky is high and the clouds are low, and the wind blows in unhindered from the open fields.

In spring and summer, the meadows stretch as far as the eye can see, with green waves surging to the horizon. Wildflowers, scattered in shades of purple and yellow, carpet the grassland like an intricately woven brocade.

Looking up, the grassland stretches to the horizon, where undulating sand dunes shimmer with golden ripples in the sunlight, like solidified ocean waves on the earth.

As autumn and winter snow falls, the world is a pristine expanse of white, clean and serene, save for the sounds of wind and the neighing of horses. After the snow, the setting sun paints the remaining snow a pale gold and the distant sand dunes a dark red, the white and yellow hues silently gazing at each other in the twilight.

There are no winding streets like those in the capital, no treacherous palaces, only the most straightforward sunrises and sunsets, and the most open sandstorms and starry skies.

After that, he and Wanwan lived there.

Find a place with abundant water and grass, build a few earthen houses, plant a grove of poplar trees behind the houses, and cultivate a vegetable garden in front of the doors.

In spring, ride a horse to watch the ice thaw; in summer, hide under the eaves and listen to the thunder rolling across the grassland; in autumn, gather a basket of wild fruit to make wine; in winter, gather around the stove to bake naan and listen to the wind howling from afar.

When the wind rises and yellow sand sweeps across the sky, they close the door and listen to the sand grains tapping on the window paper, as if someone is gently knocking on the door.

He played the flute, she played the zither. He went hunting in the mountains, she waited for him at home.

In their leisure time, the two would sit side by side at the foot of the earthen wall to watch the sunset. The evening glow burned the entire grassland orange-red and dyed the distant sand dunes golden-red, with the scent of grass seeds and earth carried on the wind...

Even the most divine couple couldn't be more perfect than this.

Thinking of all this, Ming Changqing quickened her pace. Upon returning to the Ming residence, she went straight to Furong Hall.

The elderly couple, Duke Ming, Ming Changli, and Ming Shanyue were all present, sitting around the table, waiting for him to speak.

They dared not let Ming Shanfeng know about the important matters in the family.

After hearing Ming Changqing recount the Emperor's attitude, the old lady snorted coldly, "Ever since you returned to the capital, the Emperor's secret guards have been constantly watching you. Wherever you go, they follow you. Since he has personally agreed to let you go to pay your respects, then go openly and honestly."

Ming Shanyue continued, "On the fifth day, Chenchen will leave the palace. After visiting the clinic, she will go to Baima Village. Second Uncle will go that day, first taking a stroll around the foot of Xiangbao Mountain, then crossing Baicang Bridge, burning some paper money in the woods on the other side of the bridge, and then standing on the hillside where you can see the green reeds. All's fair in war, he'll never expect what you did that day..."

The group discussed in hushed tones for a while, carefully going over the route, the time, and the length of their stay.

After listening, the Duke of Ming frowned, somewhat disapproving. "My second brother and she will have plenty of opportunities in the future. Why rush things? If they are discovered, she will be exposed."

The old Duke glared at him, his voice not loud, but firm, "Why aren't you worried? If I hadn't seen your mother for nineteen years, I would have been frantic with worry. As long as it's done discreetly, no one will find out."

The Duke of Ming, feeling embarrassed, chuckled dryly twice and then fell silent.

In his family's eyes, he seemed to care the least about "love." But who knew that he cherished Xuanxuan deeply, he just wasn't used to saying it out loud.

Ming Shanyue smiled slightly, "Father, don't worry, the plan is flawless, everything will be fine."

Although Ming Changli's eyes were wandering, he still listened attentively.

He was extremely frustrated. Now he wanted Shui Chuchen to see a doctor, but unfortunately she lived deep within the palace and could only come out for one day each ten days. Furthermore, he was surrounded by people, making it difficult to ask her to examine his hidden ailment and leg.

-

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the sky was overcast and light snow began to fall again.

After dinner, Shui Chuchen learned that the Emperor would not visit any of the concubines that night, so she asked Tang Jian to inquire whether her father's headache was any better. If he was still unwell, she asked if she could go and massage him again.

About half an hour later, Tang Jian returned with a smile and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, His Majesty's headache is worse than usual today."

Realizing this was no laughing matter, he quickly became serious again. "Eunuch He was on duty tonight. He had the imperial physician administer acupuncture to His Majesty, but it was no use at all. He was just about to summon the princess when I went instead. His Majesty praised you for your filial piety when he saw that you had sent me to inquire after him."

He chuckled again and lowered his voice, "Eunuch He privately praised this servant for being clever. He also said that knowing the princess was going back to the Feng residence tomorrow, he specifically instructed the Directorate of Palace Attendants to prepare more small gifts for her, and also asked the Imperial Kitchen to make more snacks, candies, and fruit syrups for her to take with her."

Shui Chuchen nodded, noting down He Quan's favor.

He said in a low voice, "Tell Eunuch Chen to invite Eunuch He to the Princess's residence another day so I can take his pulse and give him acupuncture."

Tang Jian flattered, "Princess Yong'an's miraculous acupuncture is unmatched even by the best imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital; even His Majesty praises it."

To make things faster, He Quan specially ordered a carriage for her.

Amidst the falling snowflakes, Shui Chuchen, accompanied by Tang Jian and Shaoyao, arrived at the Taiji Hall in just over a quarter of an hour.

Emperor Jianzhang leaned against a soft couch in the side hall, his eyes closed, his brow slightly furrowed. (End of Chapter)