In just a few days, the capital had been utterly transformed. The breath of the New Year drifted through every square inch of the city. From the Nanxun Gate northward, colorful silks fluttered along both sides of the three-mile-long Imperial Street. Usually, the authorities patrolled strictly, and with princes and high officials passing through constantly, the street was frequently cleared, leaving no room for vendors. Now, however, the Imperial Street was packed with colorful stalls erected by merchants. There were so many headdresses, pearls, emeralds, collars, and boots—a riot of floral patterns and ornaments—that it looked as if a dye shop had been overturned, spilling all the world's colors onto this single street. At first glance, it was chaotic to the point of being eyesore, but then, wasn't the New Year exactly that? A chaotic festival where events came rushing at you one after another.
I lowered the curtain and turned back into the carriage with a smile. "I’ve spent several New Years in the capital, but why does it feel more boisterous than ever before?"
Master Wei was practicing her hand seals, a sight I hadn't seen in a while. Hearing me, she looked up and smiled. "If Azhi likes it, we shall come for a stroll this afternoon." Although Daoist Master Tancun had set her seal's duration to half a month, I wasn't sure if it was natural healing or some secret method she had used, but in just five days, she had already recovered about forty percent of her usual cultivation. Unfortunately, she still couldn't manage meditation or internal cultivation, so she had to settle for practicing these minor techniques.
Perhaps I was overthinking, but ever since she had fallen ill and injured before my eyes, she always seemed exceptionally fragile to me—like a stray snowflake outside the carriage, or a single bamboo leaf swaying in the wind. Yet, the end of the year was the busiest time, allowing her no rest. I had tried to force her to rest a few times, but I found I couldn't quite bring myself to be so insistent. When would this endless consumption of her spirit by official affairs ever reach its end?
On the day of the "reunion," we naturally had to stay for a "joyous" meal. Old Mrs. Xia had already prepared a bustling spread of home-cooked food. I had intended to politely decline at first, but Zhu Yixin was already sitting intimately with Grandma Xia, arm in arm...
Old Mr. Xia said cheerfully, "We country folk don't have many formalities. Please, make yourselves at home." I could only maintain my composure, smoothing my skirt as I took my seat.
Shortly after we began eating, Wei Qingming walked in with a hurried pace, her face full of smiles yet brimming with apology. She clasped her hands repeatedly in greeting. "Some urgent matters required my attention. My apologies for the rudeness." The old couple naturally said it was no matter and urged her to sit. Her acting was truly consummate; after accompanying them for a few cups of wine, she put on an air of filial devotion, appearing as if she were sitting on pins and needles out of concern for her brother. She stood up, insisting on personally bringing food and soup to her brother's bedside. I had to suppress a laugh; I suspected it was quite the opposite—she was likely going there to make sure her brother couldn't swallow a single bite in peace...
A-Li hurriedly said, "His meals are always prepared separately and were sent over long ago. Auntie Qian is looking after him; there is no need for the young master to go."
Master Wei kept muttering "I shall return shortly" and hurried out. Naturally, I had to play the role of the "virtuous wife," excusing myself from the table to follow her.
In Wei Qingshan's room, the small table had been cleared of brushes and paper. A bowl of porridge and several side dishes sat there. Having lived here for many years, the food was placed according to habit, so he could slowly pick up the food himself without needing assistance. Auntie Qian was pouring tea for him. Seeing the guests, she gave the same explanation as A-Li, but she couldn't withstand the tearful and determined insistence of Young Master Li’s biological brother to show some brotherly care. Moved, the auntie stepped out to let the brothers have their time together.
Once she left, Master Wei naturally stopped acting. Wei Qingshan didn't speak either, calmly and leisurely continuing his meal.
Wei Qingming pulled over a chair and gestured for me to sit. Seeing her calm expression, I knew her anger had dissipated. I was happier than if I had been the one to stop being angry; I skipped over to her side, letting her rest a hand on my shoulder as I sat down.
She took a seat casually by the writing desk and said to her brother, "I originally intended to take you back to the capital, but since you live comfortably here, I find it agreeable as well. There is no need for the hardship of travel. If anything happens, send a letter to Manager Wu at the Ding family silk shop in town; tell him it is bound for Zhaozhou."
"Very well, I have noted it." Wei Qingshan’s dull, sightless eyes shifted slightly, and his face took on its usual friendly smile. He turned and asked, "I haven't had the chance to ask... this Miss Su..."
"She is the one I truly love, not a pretend spouse," she answered without hesitation, her gaze falling on me, calm and tender.
I had almost forgotten that we needed to explain this. My face flushed, and I hurriedly chimed in, "It may sound shocking to the world, but I truly love A-Yun. I wonder if Brother... can give us your blessing?"
During Wei Qingshan's silence, I was restless, while the other party involved was perfectly composed. In truth, we both knew that given the current circumstances, his approval as an elder brother no longer mattered.
The silence wasn't long, but to me, it felt like years. Finally, he smiled and said, "I am a writer of stories, after all; I care little for what is considered shocking. As long as there is true love and devotion, you need no one's blessing."
I felt like crying again, then heard him continue, "This second sister of mine was mischievous since childhood. I wonder how much she has changed now that she's grown. Miss Su... ah, no, Sister Yuzhi, if you can manage her, feel free to keep her under tight restraint."
I couldn't help it and let out a "pfft" of laughter, then suppressed it to solemnly agree. In truth, the current Master Wei was the furthest thing from "mischievous," but her brother didn't know that—and she had, by a rare chance, just behaved quite "mischievously" moments ago...
Master Wei’s expression soured slightly as she squinted at him. "No wonder you wrote Yuan Wumi to be so wicked. Brother, I fear you have some misunderstandings about me."
"Ah—not so." At the mention of stories, Qian Suiyou’s interest was piqued. He shook his head as he spoke, "Characters are characters, and reality is reality. One must not conflate the two."
"Your stories are indeed not very realistic," Wei Qingming said coldly. "Sometimes they are tedious to read. If there is an opportunity, I shall tell you some true tales. You should recover quickly and go out to see the real mountains and rivers. The scenery in hydrological travelogues is just ink on paper; much of it is no longer what it once was."
It was Wei Qingshan's turn to be caught between laughter and tears, even though hearing about exciting real cases was every author's dream...
"Had I known, I wouldn't have written that story," he said, rubbing his forehead helplessly. "The Yin family publishing house was pressing me so hard at the time, I had no choice but to hand over that manuscript... I didn't expect you to still remember it."
Wei Qingming seemed to want to say something lighthearted, but after looking at him for a moment, she lowered her eyes and said softly, "In the future, I likely will not come again. Take care of yourself, Brother. Do not overwork yourself for the sake of writing; it is better to keep your mind quiet and nourish your spirit. If you lack any medicinal ingredients, just send a letter. If any publishing house pressures you too much, tell me that as well."
She spoke sentence by sentence, and her brother responded to each one. Finally, Wei Qingshan smiled and said, "Our A-Yun has become so formidable. It is truly heartening."
His dark eyes faced her directly; they were empty and void of anything, yet they seemed to see through everything. Finally, he said, "A gale does not last the whole morning, and a sudden rain does not last the whole day. Even Heaven and Earth cannot make things endure forever, much less man. Do not push yourself too hard."
He was using the words of Laozi and Zhuangzi to advise her to withdraw in time. But how could she not understand the wisdom of retiring at the height of one's career? It was simply that the affairs of the world never allowed one a choice...
I was lost in a daze inside the carriage when I heard the sound of hoofbeats ahead change. Someone returned and knocked on the wall of the carriage on Wei Qingming's side. She pulled back the curtain with her finger, and Qiao Songlin asked tonelessly, "The Shiying envoys have entered the capital, intending to offer congratulations on New Year's Day. Is this true?"
"It is," Master Wei replied. Qiao Songlin frowned slightly, said nothing more, and turned his horse to continue leading the way.
She answered casually, without a ripple of emotion, but I was completely stunned. Shiying envoys? New Year's Day congratulations? At such a critical juncture where swords were being sharpened? How was this possible... Was it that the Shiying couldn't wait and sent people to test the waters, or were they simply afraid of war and offering great benefits in advance to show weakness? A powerful enemy coming to court should have been a grand opportunity to proclaim national prestige, so why had the imperial court never publicized it, only making it known three or five days before the New Year? Generally, when two countries exchanged envoys, the world would be notified at least half a year in advance...
While these thoughts were racing through my mind, Zhu Yixin also came to knock on my side of the carriage. Her flower-like smiling face peeked in along with a few snowflakes swept in by the wind. She said cheerfully, "Ever since we entered the city, everyone on the road has been talking about the Shiying delegation. It's so strange; how come I didn't hear a word of this before I left the capital?" She tilted her chin toward Wei Qingming and teased with a grin, "Master Wei, why don't you tell us some of the inside news you're allowed to share?"
As I listened, I actually let out a helpless laugh, a trace of unutterable bitterness in my heart. She was still so simple, so happy. Yes, what reason was there not to be simple and happy?
Master Wei also gave a small smile and said, "We are only a few steps from home. Can you finish listening on the way, Sister?"
"Then we'll talk slowly at home!" Zhu Yixin laughed and galloped to the front, calling out to Luo Cheng, "Let's hurry back!"
She came and went like a whirlwind, her bright and lively manner thinning the gloom in my heart slightly. Wei Qingming and I looked at each other. Though her gaze toward me was as gentle as ever, there were also a few faint traces of melancholy and pity. She was likely blaming herself again for making me so full of worry and unable to be joyful, causing me to lose that kind of simple brightness.
That look made my heart ache. The emotions I had been suppressing all the way suddenly surged up. I grabbed her arm and threw myself into her embrace. Burying my face beneath her shoulder, I held her tightly with both arms, feeling as though she had grown thinner again, feeling a terrifying fear that one day I would open my eyes and she would be gone... I could only tell myself over and over: I was the one who said we wouldn't be a sentimental, clinging couple; I was the one who promised her that "as long as we see each other for one day, we shall live that day well." No matter how many dangers lay ahead, wasn't she being held safely in my arms right now?
"Azhi, Azhi." She stroked my head again and again. Her voice trembled slightly, yet she tried her best to remain calm and smiling, only repeating, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid..."
But our lips only trembled, unable to say anything more. In the end, she could only kiss me, using this method to temporarily seal away those shadows of fear that followed us everywhere.
The household had received word long ago, and everyone was at the gate to welcome us. A-Wan, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, had finally returned. Her mission was likely complete; she wore a simple, old domestic jacket, her beautiful face radiant and glowing as she chatted and laughed with Aunt Zhong. Muyu led Yanhui and Lanzhao in a graceful bow. Lu Kaifeng and Chief Nie came out one after the other, their first concern being how Wei Qingming's injuries were healing. Lu Lingfeng was seen in a rare blue skirt; since tomorrow was the New Year, her brother probably wouldn't let her wear white anymore. She sized up Wei Qingming for a few moments before leading Xuesu back to the rear courtyard.
That girl Nie Xiaoyan hid at the very back. As we walked past her, she picked at the rocks beside her and awkwardly spat out a sentence: "That lock... I know how to pick it now."
Wei Qingming smiled, nodded, and said "Good," before continuing on her way. Clearly, the young girl had wanted to show some concern for her, but seeing this, she froze on the spot, her eyes wide with indignation. She laughed in frustration, stuffed a small box into my arms, stamped her foot, and cursed, "What kind of person is she!" before running off. Everyone burst into laughter. Seeing these familiar, warm faces, the remaining irritation in my heart vanished. I opened the box and saw that it was indeed medicine for healing; though the gesture was small, it was precious.
"The snow has stopped!" Twelve-year-old Yanhui pointed at the sky and skipped with joy. "The sun is finally out! It's been snowing all the time; it was boring us to death."
A-Ze, the young page at the gate who loved to tease her, said with a grin, "A dog of Shu barking at the sun!"
Yanhui chased after him to hit him, and everyone laughed again. Muyu frowned slightly, about to sternly stop them, but I smiled and pulled her back. "Let them play."
This was the garden she had established for me, and these were the people I cherished most in this world. I wanted the joy here to last for a long, long time, to stay forever.
***
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