Chapter 84
Winter in Luojia was deadly cold, with over thirty refugees crowded in the dilapidated Feng Shen Temple. A group of them had gathered dry wood to start a fire, the only source of warmth in the chilly night.
Wei Wanyu, leaning against the leg of a large Buddha statue, dozed off for a while. Half-asleep, she heard the howling wind and snow, and memories of the bloodshed and scattered bones she had seen on the way, unconsciously brought tears to her eyes.
Opening her eyes, Wei Wanyu wiped away her tears, then lowered her head to look at the child in her arms, gently patting their head.
After losing track of Wang Yanhe and the others, Wei Wanyu joined a group of fleeing refugees heading towards Luojia. Among them was a peasant woman named Liniang, who deliberately tore Wei Wanyu's clothes, tangled her hair, and smeared mud on her face.
Despite Liniang's previously attentive care, they encountered an attack by northern barbarians just before reaching Luojia. Unfortunately, Liniang was hit by a poisoned arrow, and as they journeyed on, lacking food and warm clothing, her wound deteriorated rapidly.
One night, Wei Wanyu brought her water to drink, calling her name several times with no response. She gently shook her shoulder, and amidst the cries of Liniang's child, she collapsed like a stiff clay statue.
Liniang's child, only two years old, cried and caused disturbance all day, making it difficult for everyone. With everyone fleeing for their lives and facing hardships on the road, no one was willing to help care for the child.
Wei Wanyu, not wanting to get involved, initially planned to abandon them and continue with the group. But against her better judgment, she couldn't resist looking back and seeing the child wailing beside Liniang, which stopped her in her tracks. She turned back, picked up the child, and continued on her way.
She had hoped that upon reaching Luojia, everything would be alright. All she needed was to see Ziren, explain the misunderstanding between him and the Crown Prince, and Ziren would send her back to the capital, freeing her from this anxious and fearful existence.
But she was naive. She was now a refugee, while Ziren was a regional military official, making it nearly impossible for them to meet. Fearful of attracting the attention of spies and endangering herself, she had no choice but to wait for an opportunity in Luojia.
Struggling with scarcity and homelessness, during the day, Wei Wanyu begged and relied on the kindness of strangers to survive, while at night, she huddled with the refugees in the dirty and foul-smelling Feng Shen Temple.
Wei Wanyu felt a mix of anger and helplessness, even feeling as if the heavens were punishing her for her luxurious lifestyle of the past fifteen years, now thrusting her into this hellish existence.
She resented her past foolishness, regretting the bizarre decisions she had made. She believed that if she had stayed put in the warm chamber of the General's Mansion, she would be preparing to flaunt her new silk and brocade at the New Year celebrations, instead of facing the current circumstances.
The luxurious and high life of the General's Mansion seemed like a lifetime ago.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the Feng Shen Temple, with hurried footsteps trampling through the snow. A lean group of figures were rushing from the temple towards the government office.
In a matter of moments, more people ran past, and Wei Wanyu's heart suddenly brightened â they were going to distribute porridge at the government office. Gently placing the child's head on some straw, Wei Wanyu picked up a broken bowl lying at the foot of the Buddha and quietly made her way out, trying not to disturb the others in the temple.
But before she could leave, someone suddenly shouted, "Porridge is being distributed at the government office!"
The sleeping refugees instantly woke up and rushed outside. Wei Wanyu was caught in the crowd, feeling dizzy from being pushed around when she suddenly stumbled and fell with a thud on the ground. The bowl she had picked up shattered into pieces.
She looked at the shards of the broken bowl in shock, her eyes welling up with tears.
A figure hurried over, and Wei Wanyu looked up at him.
He was a tall man in his twenties, holding a knife at his waist. Seeing the commotion and her fall, he also noticed her.
Seeing the refugees about to trample over her, the man grabbed her wrist and pulled her under the broken wall.
Tears flowed down Wei Wanyu's face as she thanked him, her tears washing away the dust on her face, leaving behind two white streaks.
The man's icy gaze scrutinized her face, back and forth, causing Wei Wanyu to panic. She tried to remain calm, avoiding eye contact and speaking little, hurrying back into the temple amidst the snow.
But he suddenly grabbed her again, pulling her back.
Wei Wanyu thought the informant working for Ziren had recognized her. As if struck by a copper hammer to her heart, she shouted, "What are you doing?"
He rolled up his sleeves and roughly wiped her face, the rough fabric causing discomfort on her skin. She struggled tearfully, pleading, "Let me go."
As the dust was wiped away, revealing her originally fair face, she looked pitiful.
Seeing her distressed expression, he suddenly smiled, his voice low and mocking, "So, this is where I can find you."
*
At the end of the year, the streets and alleys were filled with people singing the praises of the current royal family's achievements.
In the waning days of the previous dynasty, the tyrant emperor had oppressed the people, leading Li's grassroots uprising that heralded the current Dongliu Dynasty.
Though the bones of the past had long since withered, their achievements lived on.
Many who had lived through those turbulent times had a clearer understanding of these achievements.
Today was different; they could now lead peaceful and stable lives, all thanks to the hardships endured by the Li family.
Zhao Heng walked through the streets and alleys every day, hearing more and more voices speaking in favor of the royal family.
Despite the shadow of the former dynasty's officials committing suicide still looming over the capital, at least there were people speaking up for them now.
"I heard that Tang Meng, although a former military general, was treated generously by His Majesty. His family lives in Zhuque Lane, with a towering main gate that is sixteen feet high, quite impressive."
"But why did he set himself on fire at the vegetable market? Has he had enough of life?"
"I don't know, but he said the Crown Prince harmed him, forcing retired officials like him. I don't believe it. After the Crown Prince took over, he reduced taxes, improved public safety, and drove the barbarians in the north back to their homes. What reason would he have to pressure former officials?"
An Xuzhi stood at the head of his horse, listening to the people's discussions, his brows relaxing.
He had heard Jian Ning mentioning that the words flowing through the streets were all written by Zhao Heng. Simple and plain, lacking in elaborate rhetoric and fancy writing, these words recorded the good and bad deeds of the Li family.
The harsh winter wind blew fiercely, lifting his robe and carrying a sense of desolation. He closed his eyes, listening to the storyteller's words, as if he could hear her whispering in his ear.
The once timid and pitiful young girl was gradually emanating a dazzling radiance.
Becoming better and more radiant over time.
After a while, footsteps sounded within the palace gates. He followed the sound and saw Lian Zhou supporting Zhao Heng as they walked out.
The tenth year of Xuanhe had come to an end, and tonight was New Year's Eve.
The remnants of snow on the eaves had yet to melt, while the willow branches outside the mansion had begun to sprout new buds.
They had been together in the Duke's Mansion for the past few days, frequently seeing each other, but never speaking a word to each other privately.
Yes, there were concerns in their hearts, so what was the need for so many words?
So at this moment, when they met outside the mansion gate, he merely placed his hands over his chest and greeted her through the snow, asking, "Aunt."
Zhao Heng raised her gaze to meet his, nodding in return before lifting her skirts and walking past him.
As she passed by him, she seemed to catch a whiff of the crisp scent of pine needles and snowflakes coming from him.
A familiar scent after several years of acquaintance.
"Xiao Silang." She called out to him.
The radiant light of the sky reflected in his quiet eyes, as if he had plunged into a clear pool of water.
"Happy New Year." She smiled at him.
Her smile illuminated her bright face, and he squeezed out a smile in return, saying, "Happy New Year."
*
On this New Year's Eve, the palace city was adorned with festive red lanterns.
This year, the Third Princess was getting married, and Li Wenjian was in Tongzhou, so the Mid Palace felt a bit empty.
Zhao Heng had already decided to have the New Year's Eve dinner in the Mid Palace.
On the thirtieth of the year, Zhao Heng did not go to the Duke's Mansion but personally prepared the New Year's Eve dinner in the East Palace.
She and Xiao Ba personally made many paper-cut decorations, adorning every window in the Mid Palace, and picked red plums to decorate the main hall.
Creating a lively atmosphere, because during the New Year, it should be lively.
The four of them sat around the table for the New Year's Eve dinner. Zhao Heng, with Xiao Ba, paid New Year's respects to the Emperor and Empress, presenting the red envelopes prepared for Zhao Heng and Xiao Ba.
Traditionally, they would stay up late this night, but the Emperor coughed during dinner, so the Empress asked Zhao Heng to take Xiao Ba outside to set off fireworks.
The Emperor reclined on the soft couch by the window, looking up at the dazzling fireworks in the sky, while Xiao Ba laughed brightly, sounding cheerful and lively.
There was also a smile on his lips.
Zhao Heng and Xiao Ba played until late before returning to the East Palace. Perhaps feeling too happy tonight, even after washing up, she still couldn't sleep.
She sat by the window, resting her chin on her hands, gazing at the densely packed stars above. The night air cooled her face, and she suddenly missed the person far away in a foreign land.
What was he doing?
Who was he having dinner with?
Was he also looking at the stars like her right now?
Would he feel lonely celebrating the New Year alone?
In such a festive atmosphere, people seemed to become more fragile and emotional.
At this moment, on this day of family reunion, she suddenly longed to see him.
Even if they did nothing, just quietly drinking tea together, gazing at the stars, would be nice.
She lowered her head and gently stroked her still-flat belly, kicking off her sleepers and climbing onto the reclining couch, taking out pen and paper to write a letter to him.
Impatient to tell him that she was carrying a child of their bloodline in her belly, and that the child was with her, thinking of him.
She held the pen for a long time but only wrote a few words.
- Your Highness, the letter is as good as meeting in person.
Embarrassment lingered in her heart and throat, and though she had so much to say, it was difficult to put pen to paper.
On this quiet night in the deep palace, the lamp suddenly burst with a 'pop,' releasing a faint, lingering fragrance into the air.
She set aside her pen and stood up, taking small scissors to trim the burnt candle wick in the lamp.
The flickering light brightened the room even more than before.
She wrapped herself in a thick blanket, about to return to her seat, when she heard footsteps outside the corridor.
"Lian Zhou?"
Tonight, she had given the palace maids half a day off, and only let Lian Zhou accompany her in the evening, not requiring the others to stay up late.
Why hadn't Lian Zhou gone to sleep at this time?
With no response from Lian Zhou for a long time, Zhao Heng walked towards the door.
Her hand was placed on the bolt when someone pushed open the heavy door.
The wind and snow blew into her face, and the person she had just been thinking about stood in the light, a gentle smile on his lips.
She thought it was her imagination, rubbed her eyes, but his figure was still standing clearly in front of her.
Li Wenjian brushed off the snow on his shoulders, reached out to ruffle her hair, and said, "I didn't miss the chance to spend the New Year with you after all, Ah Heng, may you have a happy and peaceful New Year."
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Author's Note:
Wei Wanyu: Happiness belongs to all of you, I'm still participating in the Transformation Show. **Cries**
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TNote:
Vote, please.