Chapter 63
As the gentle and colorful evening sunlight poured onto the green gauze window, reflecting feather-like light, the slim white porcelain vase held a cluster of green bamboo, swaying occasionally as the wind brushed through the window crevices, causing the flowers to tremble and dance like a graceful beauty.
Zhao Heng suddenly put down the book in her hand as she sat by the window desk and looked at the man in front of her who was grinding ink, "Xie Tinghuan is getting married."
"Who?" Li Wenjian absentmindedly responded, putting down his ink stick and picking up the silk cloth on his desk to wipe off the ink stains on his fingertips, staring at her puzzled.
"The daughter of the Marquis Xie, and the niece of Concubine An," Zhao Heng reminded him.
"Oh." He shifted his gaze away from her face, silently trimming the paper on the desk with a knife, his voice soft, "I can't remember what she looks like."
"You know, I never pay much attention to these things," he added with a hint of indifference in his tone.
With countless state affairs to attend to and no intention of having someone by his side, he naturally wouldn't invest much attention in women.
"She is interested in you," Zhao Heng looked up at him.
Li Wenjian, upon hearing this, looked at her again, a casual smile on his lips, appearing gentle and clean, "Ah Heng, I am not interested in her."
"Why are you smiling?" Zhao Heng asked.
Li Wenjian shifted his gaze away from her face, stacking the trimmed paper neatly within her reach, his voice calm and steady, "If you hadn't come into my life by chance, I would still be alone."
"I disturb your peace," Zhao Heng raised her chin, asking, "Do you regret it?"
"I don't regret it," Li Wenjian shook his head, a shallow smile in his eyes, "Meeting you was a fortunate thing."
He often thought, if he and Ah Heng had met in a different way, it would have been so much better if it were on a beautiful spring day.
Zhao Heng lowered her eyes lightly, her ears slightly blushing.
"I want to attend Xie Tinghuan's wedding."
Li Wenjian looked surprised.
"Before in Lin'an Pond, she was the one who tried to push me into the water, and later at Fengming Terrace, she set fire outside the house and attracted the Imperial Guards," Zhao Heng said, looking at him.
When she was dealing with Ruo Zhen at Fengming Terrace, it had just rained, so how could it suddenly catch fire?
It was midsummer at that time, the hottest period of the year, and very few people were coming and going in the palace. If she wanted to investigate, she could quickly find out who had passed by Fengming Terrace during that time.
Coincidentally, Xie Tinghuan had passed by that day, and even if she didn't understand, she understood.
Li Wenjian, after hearing this, suddenly realized, "You never mentioned this before."
"I didn't even think about such a trivial matter," Zhao Heng said. "If Concubine An hadn't told me today that she was getting married, I would have forgotten about it."
"So, you still want to witness her wedding? Why?" Li Wenjian asked.
"Just wanted to make things difficult for her," Zhao Heng said. "The last person she would want to see on her wedding day is me."
"Ah, I also have some business to attend to at Marquis Xie's residence, so why don't we go together," Li Wenjian suddenly suggested.
"You're going to the Xie residence?" Zhao Heng blinked in confusion, as she had heard that Li Wenjian rarely attended the banquets and weddings of officials.
Li Wenjian explained calmly, "The people who tried to kill us at the Ling Yuan were mostly Western barbarian slaves. Xiao Silang traced them and found out that these Western barbarian slaves were bought into the capital from the northwest years ago. At that time, these bought Western barbarian slaves were taken to a pear plantation called Xi Yuan."
"Are you saying the owner of the plantation is from the previous dynasty?" Zhao Heng suddenly understood.
Li Wenjian furrowed his brow, "Xiao Silang found out that the master of Xi Yuan had previously been involved in human trafficking business, and after the emperor issued a decree prohibiting the buying and selling of Western barbarian slaves in the second year of Xuanhe, he switched to growing fruit trees, but secretly continued to engage in the trafficking of Western barbarian slaves."
The Western barbarians were a tribe nestled between the Northern Di and the Dongli within the embrace of a hundred thousand mountains. Due to the geographical constraints, the region was very remote and isolated, with little contact with the outside world. Benefiting from the mountainous terrain surrounding them, the Western barbarians lived a prosperous life in a warm and humid environment.
Until the end of the previous dynasty, a severe drought hit, and the skies were filled with continuous fire, leading to a complete failure of harvests.
In order to find solutions to their crisis, many Western barbarians ventured out of the mountains. At that time, the Northern Di and the Central Plains were in a fierce war, and with the appearance of the tall and brave Western barbarians, both sides realized that there was such a courageous race hidden in the mountains.
The two nations fought over the Western barbarians, treating them as resources to be utilized for their own benefit, even mobilizing large armies to force Western barbarians into their ranks.
The Western barbarians, already suffering from natural disasters, were further plagued by man-made calamities and were forced to migrate deeper into the heart of the one hundred thousand mountains.
In the deep mountains, the miasma was heavy, causing both the Han people and the Northern Di people to be unable to bear the pervasive miasma and had to give up.
However, at this time, only one-tenth of the Western Barbarians on the outskirts of the mountains survived the massacre.
After the war, someone took the lead in the business of buying and selling Western Barbarians, transporting them to various places for sale. Most of the Western Barbarians were tall and handsome, and it became a status symbol for wealthy families to have Western Barbarian slaves in their household. All the noble families competed to acquire them.
Many families valued the Western Barbarian slaves for their tall and brave appearance, using them as servants and guards; while more of them treated them as playthings similar to livestock.
In the past, when Zhao Heng was in the Jiang Fu, he had seen Jiang Jin using Western Barbarian slaves for entertainment, locking them in a cage with starving tigers to watch them tear each other apart.
The scene was bloody and horrifying.
"Xi Yuan buys Western Barbarian slaves and then sells them to those who raise death warriors." Zhao Heng fell silent for a moment, her voice slightly hoarse. "As long as we can trace back to the buyer of Xi Yuan, we can find out who sent the assassins. But what does this have to do with Marquis Xie?"
Li Wenjian nodded in approval and looked at Zhao Heng. "The previous owner of Xi Yuan was named Ren Zhongchun, who is Marquis Xie's brother-in-law. After the emperor issued a decree prohibiting the buying and selling of Western Barbarian slaves, Ren Zhongchun sold the Western Barbarian slaves to the current owner. Xiao Silang suspects that Xiyuan is still under Marquis Xie's control and wants to investigate while Marquis Xie is preoccupied with marrying off his daughter."
The Xie family was originally a rural farmer family who rose to prominence with the emperor's grace and had finally achieved their dream life. However, the Xie family descendants had no real talent or accomplishments and had to resort to underhanded means to maintain their extravagant lifestyle.
Human nature is never satisfied, and Zhao Heng keenly felt a chill creeping up her spine, cold to the bone.
Suddenly, Zhao Heng turned to look outside the window at the palace eaves gradually darkening in the night. "Your Highness, we must eradicate these surreptitious creatures lurking in the darkness."
They were the biggest parasites of the dynasty, enjoying the emperor's wealth and the people's support, yet engaging in the most despicable and wicked actions.
"A Heng." Li Wenjian lowered his eyes to look at her, calling her name.
Zhao Heng turned her face towards him, but he held her hand tightly, placing it in his palm. "Let's go to the Xie Mansion together."
He leaned in, resting his chin on her shoulder, his prominent nose nuzzling into her neck. "I will help you to handle that Xie Tianhuan, okay?"
His tone revealed undeniable self-blame and guilt, making Zhao Heng's neck feel warm as she held onto his hand resting on her waist, feeling the warmth of his palm spreading. His body temperature, his voice, the scent on him â everything was causing her heart to beat faster.
*
An Xuzhi had searched Xi Yuan several times but had not found the account book, suspecting that it was being kept by the true owner.
He decided to personally visit the Xie Mansion to see if he could find it.
"Your Highness, you don't need to personally go to the Xie Mansion. I have made arrangements with Jian Ning, he will assist me," he said.
After the morning court session, An Xuzhi and Li Wenjian walked towards the Changjie.
"Zhou Kuo hanging himself at home, Marquis Xie is probably as timid as a startled bird now, that account book must be hidden in an extremely concealed place," Li Wenjian said with a serious expression. "This trip of yours is likely to be very challenging."
"Your Highness, don't worry about me. I will act accordingly," An Xuzhi said, his steps still light. Then he furrowed his brows and asked, "Is there still no contact from the Second Prince?"
After a moment of contemplation, he added, "I'm afraid that even if he receives your and His Majesty's letters now, he will still doubt their authenticity."
Li Wenjian, of course, was aware of this. He fell silent for a moment before speaking.
An Xuzhi chuckled lightly, his eyes twinkling. "Once things are settled at Xi Yuan, I plan to personally visit the Northern Border."
Li Wenjian looked at the young man in front of him, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart. He harbored a fervent childishness towards himself. He was silent for a moment, then spoke again, "A Lin, I have sent someone to the Northern Mansion."
"Who?" An Xuzhi's interest was piqued by his words as he looked up at him with a perplexed gaze.
Li Wenjian said, "Someone you would never expect."
An Xuzhi lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and suddenly his eyes lit up. "It's her!"
But then he became somewhat doubtful, and asked slowly, "Can she do it?"
Li Wenjian shook his head, gazing at the hazy sky, and said, "I don't know."
*
On the day Xie Tianhuan got married, Zhao Heng took leave of absence from the art academy.
Li Wenjian took out two cloaks he had prepared in advance, wrapped Zhao Heng from head to toe in one of them, carefully tying each ribbon.
He then draped the other cloak around himself.
Both cloaks were made of the same sprinkled golden brocade fabric, shining brightly in the sunlight, like floating fragments of gold.
From a distance, they looked like a pair of luminous jade figures.
The carriage slowly rolled out of the palace, with Zhao Heng resting on Li Wenjian's lap, drifting off to sleep.
They had some business to attend to today, and she knew they might return late into the night. To prevent falling behind on her studies, she had finished all the characters she needed to write yesterday, staying up until almost three in the morning before finally falling asleep.
Now, she was so tired her eyelids couldn't stay open, and Li Wenjian gently rocked her head in his hand, his other hand patting her back to lull her to sleep.
Zhao Heng slept in a daze, hearing the sound of the carriage rolling over the stone road in her dreams and reality. In a half-awake state, she heard rustling noises around her as the carriage stopped.
She still felt somewhat groggy, and as the wind blew open the carriage curtain, Li Wenjian shook out the cloak and covered her completely, blocking her from view. He touched her head gently, "It's time to wake up."
Although his movements were swift, there were still many onlookers waiting outside the Xie mansion who caught a glimpse of the woman sleeping with the Crown Prince's legs as a pillow.
Zhao Heng belatedly realized they had arrived at the Xie Mansion and sat up abruptly. "Didn't you say you'd wake me up when we were close?"
She reached up to touch the hairpin on her head, trying to adjust it as a gold thread with a pearl tassel tangled in her hair and caused a sharp pain, furrowing her brows.
"I didn't want to disturb your deep sleep," Li Wenjian said as he observed her, pressing down her hand and looking at her with sincerity on his face.
He removed the tassel and examined her face with interest, then suddenly raised his finger to lightly touch her lips, smudging the bright red lipstick to a lighter shade.
Zhao Heng remained still, allowing him to fix her makeup.
"Is it not pleasing to the eye?" Zhao Heng's long eyelashes fluttered slightly, her eyes filled with a hint of worry.
"It is beautiful," Li Wenjian chuckled lightly, flicking his finger down her nose, "I don't want them to see you like this."
The carriage was filled with a faint fragrance, enveloping the entire space. She blushed slightly, then leaned forward to peck his cheek before walking away, holding onto the cloak.
The carriage had thick cushions and treasures inside, keeping them warm. However, as they stepped out of the carriage, a chill hit them.
Zhao Heng had just alighted when Ning Wanzhi rushed over from a corner, eagerly grabbing Zhao Heng's hand. "They said you and the Crown Prince were coming, and I didn't believe it!"
Zhao Heng smiled warmly in response.
As Li Wenjian also descended from the carriage, the two stood together, the sun shining on their golden cloaks, creating a dazzling display of golden scales and intricate patterns.
The people present all respectfully bowed and saluted.
Li Wenjian said, "I am here to attend the marriage celebration of the beloved daughter of the Marquis. Please feel free, everyone."
Whispering filled the air as people wondered why Li Wenjian, who rarely attended his subjects' banquets, had come to the Xie Mansion today.
Just as they were puzzled, they heard Li Wenjian say to Zhao Heng in a casual tone, "Didn't you want to see the plum garden at the Xie Mansion? Go and enjoy yourself, no need to follow me around, it would be boring."
Zhao Heng softly agreed and walked off with Ning Wanzhi into the garden.
Meanwhile, the aunt of the bride, Concubine An, had arrived early at the Xie Mansion.
The various Madams and Misses of the Xie family surrounded her, chatting and gossiping. When a servant reported that the Crown Prince and Lady Liangyuan had arrived at the mansion gates.
The room fell silent, and Concubine An's smile froze on her lips.
Zhao Heng had actually managed to persuade Li Wenjian to come.
As Xie Tianhuan got married, the entire Xie Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, and red silk hung along the roadsides.
Even the Crown Prince had personally come, causing a stir in the court. Those who had initially decided not to attend also came in person, and lavish gifts flowed into the Xie Mansion like a river.
As they wandered through the mansion, every corner was exquisitely decorated, more luxurious than the Eastern Palace. The thought of the lavish gold and jade decorations soaked in the blood of barbarians from the West made Zhao Heng's chest tight, almost suffocating.
Zhao Heng asked a servant to lead her directly to Xie Tianhuan's bridal chamber.
Inside, the room was lit with candles, suffusing everything in a vibrant red hue. The servants wore joyous expressions, and the sounds of congratulations filled the air.
"Lady Liangyuan, the young miss is inside." The guiding maid brought Zhao Heng to Xie Tianhuan's door.
Zhao Heng smiled at her and entered the room, greeted by a chorus of well-wishes.
"Lady Liangyuan."
Xie Tianhuan looked at Zhao Heng walking gracefully towards her, feeling incredibly surprised. Why had she come?
At that moment, the last person she wanted to see was Zhao Heng.
She was nothing but a lowly palace maid who had somehow caught the Crown Prince's favor, climbed from a maid to a noble lady in just half a year. Learning that her aunt had begged the Empress to arrange a marriage for her, it felt like her heart had been ripped out. Even now, she couldn't shake off her desolate demeanor.
Zhao Heng's arrival added a touch of color to her desolation.
Why did Zhao Heng's fate have to be so blessed?
Moreover, she couldn't understand why, despite her anonymous letter to the Crown Prince revealing Zhao Heng and Ruo Zhen's shameful secrets, nothing had happened to her.
Had the letter not reached the Crown Prince's hands?
"Greetings, Lady." Despite her reluctance, she had to acknowledge her status and offer her respects to Zhao Heng.
Zhao Heng felt a sudden chill, realizing she had forgotten her hand warmer. Standing in front of Xie Tianhuan, she felt a bit cold. Luckily, she only intended to say a few words and not linger long. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Mama hurried in from outside, handing her a gilded hand warmer.
"The Crown Prince noticed you had forgotten your hand warmer when you left and was afraid you might get cold. So, he asked me to bring it to you."
A look of surprise flashed in Zhao Heng's clear eyes. Remembering the day Li Wenjian had used an unexpectedly childish tone to offer help to thank Xie Tianhuan.
This person really...
Seeing Xie Tianhuan's bitter expression, Zhao Heng couldn't help but smile wryly at her. "Miss Xie, I hope you're well."