HXC Chapter56

Following a catastrophic natural disaster, the Great Heng Empire suffered severe losses. The economy was sluggish, and a series of bad events occurred. It was expected to take a very long time for the country to recover to the peaceful and prosperous era before the epidemic.

 

Shen Yanqing’s unauthorized return to the capital was a grave offense. However, the emperor, in consideration of his meritorious service in controlling the epidemic, forgave his transgression. He was not demoted but was instead punished with a six-month suspension of his salary, which was a minor penalty. As for Lu Chen and the head of the Imperial Medical, they all received various awards, including promotions or monetary prizes. In addition, an imperial edict was sent to the Wang Mansion. The emperor praised Wang Lingzhi as a heroine of her time and bestowed upon her the title of “Princess Yingyun.”

 

Upon hearing that her son’s only punishment was a suspension of his salary, Mother Shen breathed a sigh of relief. “Losing gold can ward off disaster. Thankfully, His Majesty still remembers your hard work.” She then said tearfully, “You must promise Mother that you won’t rush to the front of such matters again in the future.”

 

Father Shen also sighed, “For the past six months you were in Jinzhou, your mother and I couldn’t eat nor sleep peacefully. Although I know you did it for the people of the world, you must also have pity on your parents’ hearts.”

 

“It’s Son’s fault for making Father and Mother worry.” Shen Yanqing said.

 

After comforting his parents, Shen Yanqing walked out of the courtyard, covering his mouth and coughing a few times. Yu He immediately presented a cloak. “My Lord, the weather is getting colder. The physician told you not to catch a cold.”

 

Shen Yanqing didn’t refuse and quickly tied the cloak. He then said softly, “I met Princess Yingyun in the market today.”

 

Yu He didn’t know why he suddenly brought up Wang Lingzhi and was about to ask, but Shen Yanqing seemed to be talking to himself as he continued, “Let’s go back to the main courtyard.”

 

For the past six months, Shen Yanqing and Ji Zhen were not there, so the main courtyard, without its two masters, seemed desolate. The servants cleaned it every day, so it was always spotless and tidy.

 

However, when Shen Yanqing returned to his main bedroom the day before, the first thing he noticed was that the box originally placed on the dressing table was gone. Without even taking a break, he summoned the servant who cleaned the room to ask about it. Only then did he learn that Mother Shen had visited and had taken the box with her after seeing the pink jade inside. Fortunately, the other items were still there, having been put away in a cabinet.

 

To others, the items inside were probably just some worthless trinkets, but Shen Yanqing was obsessed with them, holding them and refusing to let go. He carefully stroked each one and finally put the colorful string that Ji Zhen had once cherished on his own wrist.

 

He sat down and surveyed the main bedroom, each corner vividly reminding him of Ji Zhen’s presence.

 

Ji Zhen liked to half-lie on the couch to read stories and eat candied fruit. He also once stood by the window with a smile, reaching out to catch the cold rain falling from the eaves. And on that lavish marriage bed symbolizing a harmonious union, countless times Ji Zhen sat cross-legged, waiting for him to fall asleep, his head nodding from sleepiness but refusing to go to bed first.

 

Gradually, the memories brimmed with happiness, yet the more beautiful they were, the sharper the deep, bone-deep ache they stirred.

 

He also couldn’t forget how the warmth and admiration that he could have easily obtained were gradually replaced by resentful eyes, scalding tears, a cold back, and a posture of rejection. The laughter and joy faded, replaced by a sudden rush of sorrow and grief.

 

For the past six months, he often thought that one couldn’t have both power and affection. If he could have been decisive and given up one, he wouldn’t have fallen into the painful situation of losing both. A person who is too greedy is destined to lose both.

 

Fortunately, now, he finally had an unshakeable decision in his heart about what was more important.

 

Shen Yanqing gently stroked the soft, colorful string on his wrist, as if he could touch the warmth of the person who once owned it.

 

His lovesickness was too deep. He slowly closed his eyes, able to only seek an empty happiness in a fleeting dream.

 

—

 

 

 

The atmosphere in the military tent was tense.

 

Yelu Qi snorted, “This prince understands the General’s meaning, but this prince also has to consider my Khitan warriors. The Khitan army has no righteous cause. If we win, both sides will be happy, but if we lose and the Emperor of the Great Heng Empire holds us accountable, how should our Khitan people defend themselves?”

 

Jiang Yunyu frowned, “This battle can only be won, not lost…”

 

Yelu Qi raised his hand and said loudly, “Young General, you and I have fought many times. I respect you as a young hero and know you’re brave and skilled in battle. There’s no need for pleasantries. As long as the flag is not lowered on the battlefield, who can guarantee who will win or lose?”

 

Deputy General Lin, who had a fiery temper, retorted, “I’ll guarantee it!”

 

“Brother Lin, don’t get agitated,” Ji Jue said as he pressed down on Deputy General Lin’s hand. After a moment of thought, he said, “I understand Your Highness’s concerns. In reality, having a righteous cause is something people create themselves.”

 

“Please elaborate, Master Qin.”

 

Ji Jue pointed to the capital on the map and slowly said, “In a month, imperial officials will be sent as envoys to Khitan…”

 

The sound of their discussion was drowned out by the fierce wind outside the tent.

 

Whoosh—

 

“Young Master, are you not going to sleep yet?” Ji An trimmed the candle wick and yawned. The wind hit the tent with a crash, and his hand trembled. “The wind in the desert is truly unusual. It’s more subdued during the day, but at night it screams like it’s trying to eat someone. We never heard anything like this in the capital.”

 

Ji Zhen had overeaten today and was still feeling uncomfortably full. He walked along while rubbing his stomach, feeling a bit scared by the strong wind. “Make sure you seal the tent door tightly.”

 

“Hehe, I already have it weighed down with a big rock. Don’t worry, Young Master.”

 

Ji Zhen plopped down on the soft bed and took the tea Ji An poured for him to help with digestion, gulping down a big cup.

 

“Young Master, it’s autumn. Should I add an extra blanket tonight?” Ji An huffed and puffed as he took the thick blanket out of the cabinet and spread it on the bed. “It’s so strange. It must still be chilly in the capital, but it’s as cold as winter here in the desert…”

 

Ji Zhen listened to him mentioning the capital one moment and the desert the next. He placed the empty teacup on the small table. “Why do you always bring up the capital?”

 

Ji An turned around and sat down, scratching his head and asking tentatively, “Young Master, don’t you miss it?”

 

Ji Zhen didn’t say anything.

 

“This desert is nice, but after playing here for half a year, I’ve seen everything there is to see. I still think the capital is better,” Ji An said as he pointed to his own nose. “It’s so dry here, even my nose has bled several times.”

 

Ji Zhen, who was prompted by Ji An’s words, also honestly whispered, “I miss the pastries from Ziyun Lou a little.”

 

In the desert, meals were limited to lamb or beef day after day. Not to mention delicate pastries, there were barely any delicious sweets.

 

Ji An smacked his lips, “Pumpkin cheese, osmanthus cake, and walnut shortbread!”

 

The more he listened, the more Ji Zhen craved them. He immediately covered Ji An’s mouth. “You’re not allowed to say any more, or I’ll send you back to the capital.”

 

Ji An whimpered, “I don’t wanna go…”

 

After some playful banter in the tent, Ji Zhen finally lay down. Soon after, he heard Jin An’s deep breathing from the small couch. He turned over and asked, “Ji An, are you asleep?”

 

The only response was a louder snore from Ji An.

 

Ji Zhen gave up. He lay straight and closed his eyes, and all he could see were the beautiful sights of the capital: blooming flowers and a bright moon, pavilions and waterside retreats, and the peony and brocade robe that he had deliberately locked away…

 

He didn’t dare to think any further. If given a choice, no one would want to leave their homeland.

 

—

 

A crisp autumn breeze swept through, with the sun shining brightly under a clear, cloudless sky.

 

The delegation sent to Khitan was a grand sight. The goods and jewels for the exchange were loaded onto four carriages, accompanied by fifty guards and three envoys, with Shen Yanqing among them.

 

He sat quietly in the carriage. The other two envoys were both older and had prior experience traveling to the frontier. They were currently discussing the details of previous years. Shen Yanqing occasionally chimed in and asked questions about things he didn’t understand. An hour later, the carriage fell silent.

 

Half a month ago, Shen Yanqing had voluntarily submitted a request to join the trip to Khitan, but the emperor denied it. He submitted a second request, which displeased the emperor. It was only after the Third Prince vouched for him that the emperor finally gave his permission.

 

“Minister Shen, you must think this through carefully. Khitan is far to the north, and the people are fierce nomads. If something goes wrong, no one can help you.”

 

Shen Yanqing seemed to not hear the threat or the last bit of pleading in his words at all and calmly replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This minister is willing to accept whatever fate it is, be it life or death, on this journey.”

 

For some unknown reason, Li Muhui said, “When you see Young General Jiang and Ji Zhen, please send them this highness’s regards.”

 

Shen Yanqing smiled slightly and said yes, without showing any emotion.

 

His trip to Khitan displeased his mother. “You just came back from Jinzhou not long ago, and now you’re going to such a distant place again. You didn’t take your father’s and my advice to heart at all.”

 

Shen Yanqing chuckled. “I’ve long heard that the scenery of the northern frontier is beautiful. How could I not go and see it for myself?” He paused as he helped his mother into the house. “Son will be a thousand miles away. I don’t know when I’ll be back this time. Father and Mother, please take good care of yourselves in the capital.”

 

Mother Shen held back her tears and finally grabbed Shen Yanqing’s hand, asking, “Is this for Ji Zhen?”

 

That name was seldom mentioned within the Shen family these days.

 

Shen Yanqing neither confirmed nor denied it.

 

A mother knows her son best. Mother Shen sat down. “People say a daughter can’t be held back when she’s grown, but I think it’s even more so for a son.” She thought of the person who had been gone for a long time and sighed, “I didn’t expect he would truly not return… You genuinely like him, and as your mother, I can’t stop you. When you see him in the desert, say some kind words and bring him back. Tell him… just say that I will never make him kneel in the ancestral hall again.”

 

As she spoke, Mother Shen rose and retrieved the pink jade, wrapping it in a red cloth for Shen Yanqing. “Take this with you as well.”

 

The corners of Shen Yanqing’s lips turned up slightly. “Thank you, Mother.”

 

On the day of his departure, Mother Shen followed the group for a distance, earnestly instructing him, “I heard that the Khitan people can even catch a bear with their bare hands. You are a frail scholar. Don’t be a hero in anything you do, do you remember?”

 

Shen Yanqing nodded. “Son remembers.”

 

For some reason, Mother Shen felt an overwhelming sense of loss and had an endless stream of things to say. “Wear more clothes and add more blankets. When you see Ji Zhen, remember to say kind words…”

 

When her child journeys far, a mother cannot help but worry.

 

His attendant Yu He, who had stayed behind, offered her support. “My Lord, this subordinate will take good care of the Old Madam. Please return soon.”

 

Shen Yanqing gazed at his parents, who were getting smaller in the distance. He pursed his lips several times before silently saying, “Take care.”

 

The mountains rose high, and the rivers stretched long. The world was vast, filled with turbulent waters, while a strong wind swept across, driving the waves with a whistling roar.

 

There was no set date for his return.

 

After a thousand-mile journey, the delegation successfully arrived at the desert post station half a month later. The local officials held a banquet to welcome them, with an endless supply of good wine and delicious food.

 

The wind in the desert was fierce, chilling him to the bone.

 

Shen Yanqing, who was wrapped in his cloak, observed the desert scenery—the red sun and silver moon, the Gobi Desert, and the oases. He wondered how much of what he saw was the same as what Ji Zhen had seen.

 

The place was only fifteen miles away from Jiang Yunyu’s military camp. Was Ji Zhen looking at the same moonlight as he was now?

 

Half a year could change so much. Did Ji Zhen often reminisce about the past? Did he occasionally miss him even a little? Or had he long since forgotten their past, still angry and resentful toward him? If he was still angry, that would be a good thing. He was more worried that Ji Zhen had already become indifferent.

 

All the worries and confusion seemed to no longer matter so much.

 

All Shen Yanqing sought after traveling a thousand miles was simply to see Ji Zhen again.

 

The author has something to say:

Lord Shen: I really miss my wife.