HXC Chapter73

Shen Yanqing had completely vanished for two months. Ji Jue submitted a memorial to the new emperor, requesting that the Shen family’s name be cleared. At the same time, he announced Shen Yanqing’s death and established a burial mound for his clothes and belongings. For a time, the people in the capital who had once disparaged Shen Yanqing felt guilty. In the academies, students once again began reciting Shen Yanqing’s highly praised poetry.

 

It rained all day on the day the burial mound was established.

 

Yi Zhi inscribed the tombstone for his friend, and colleagues like Wang Lingzhi and Lu Chen went to pay their respects. Shen Yanqing’s parents were heartbroken and his mother even fainted in front of the burial mound.

 

Even Ji Jue and Jiang Yunyu went to see him off.

 

Yet Ji Zhen, who was Shen Yanqing’s male wife, did not appear.

 

He was still in Jizhou, as if staying there could bring him closer to Shen Yanqing. He was naturally happy that the emperor had cleared Shen Yanqing’s name but he still couldn’t accept Shen Yanqing’s passing. Thus, he was unwilling to see him off.

 

Seven days had passed since the one-month period was up. Today, his elder brother wrote to him to urge him to return to the capital again. After careful consideration, Ji Zhen decided to go back to the capital to bid farewell to his elder brother and Jiang Yunyu and then set off on his journey again.

 

Everyone else could give up the search, but he could not.

 

If he couldn’t find him in Jizhou, he would go to farther places. He was willing to travel across the entire Great Heng Empire.

 

On the night he returned to the capital, the fine rain was incessant with moss growing on the damp streets. Ji An sat in the carriage and was half-asleep while Ji Zhen looked at the small alleys of Jizhou that he had walked through many times, imagining the traces Shen Yanqing had left there.

 

Even before the emperor had cleared Shen Yanqing’s name, the people of Jizhou still held him in great respect. At that time, Shen Yanqing must have put in a great deal of effort to earn such praise.

 

Thinking of the people calling out “Lord Shen,” Ji Zhen couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile but after the fleeting joy came an infinite emptiness.

 

Shen Yanqing had also yearned for Ji Zhen in this very place. The same location carried the same profound longing.

 

Two people in two different places with an unseverable longing.

 

After returning to the capital, Ji Zhen secretly went to see Shen Yanqing’s parents.

 

Father Shen was no longer an official, and the two elders seemed to have aged by more than ten years. Mother Shen’s hair was streaked with a lot of white, and her once dignified expression had been replaced by sorrow. Ji Zhen only dared to stop and watch from a distance, afraid that his appearance would only stir up more sadness for them.

 

Although the entrance to the Shen Mansion was clean again, no one came to flatter them anymore.

 

From now on, when people mention Shen Yanqing, they would only say with regret, “Oh, that top scholar who passed all three levels of the imperial exam, he died young. What a pity, heaven truly envies a genius…”

 

Ji An softly called out, “Young General, Young Master, the farewell party is about to start soon.”

 

Ji Zhen finally came back to his senses and lowered the curtain of the carriage, then returned to the mansion.

 

When he told his elder brother that he wanted to continue searching for Shen Yanqing, Divine Physician Sai was also present. His elder brother was originally unwilling, but then Divine Physician Sai said something to his elder brother, which made his elder brother change his mind.

 

When Jiang Yunyu learned that he was leaving the capital and with his persuasion being fruitless, he decided to host a farewell party for him.

 

The three of them sat at a table, drinking and reminiscing about the past with laughter mixed with tears.

 

“These past few years have been like a dream.” Jiang Yunyu stood up. “I often feel like I’m still the young marquis, until I remember that I’m already a general. Then I have to ask myself, am I General Huaiyuan or General Zhenguo? Sometimes, when I wake up, I even forget whether I am in the capital or in the Northern Desert.”

 

He asked Ji Zhen, “Don’t you think it’s funny?”

 

Ji Zhen was a little drunk, his cheeks flushed slightly and he said with a smile, “It’s funny, so funny…”

 

How was he any different when it comes to distinguish between reality and a dream?

 

He had to carefully consider what day it was everyday he woke up, only to find that even the emperor of the Great Heng Empire had changed.

 

In his short twenty-three years, he had experienced both laughter and tears and witnessed new life and death, so much that he couldn’t describe it all even if he used every ounce of his ink.

 

Ji Jue just drank in silence. Ji Zhen leaned against his elder brother and called out to him over and over again with tears streaming down his face.

 

Jiang Yunyu grabbed Ji Zhen’s shoulder, and he couldn’t help but want to persuade him to stay again. But when the words were at the tip of his tongue, he remembered the boy’s crazed appearance from the past half-month. In the end, he just said with red-rimmed eyes, “It’s good that you’re going. It’s good.”

 

Ji Zhen raised his wine jug and said, “Let’s drink some more.”

 

He was drenched in the smell of wine. When the jug was empty, Ji Zhen collapsed on the ground, almost unconscious.

 

Jiang Yunyu turned his face away in unbearable sadness. “Go. It’ll save you from turning into a fool again…”

 

Ji Zhen’s face was wet and it was hard to tell if it was more wine or tears. Ji Jue used his sleeve to wipe his face and then carried him on his back back to the courtyard just like he did when they were children.

 

Ji Zhen warm breath fanning against Ji Jue’s cheek as he lay on his elder brother’s neck. He mumbled, “I’ll find him, Gege, you have to believe me…”

 

Ji Jue adjusted his grip to carry Ji Zhen more securely and softly replied, “I believe you.”

 

Ji Zhen sobbed, half-drunk and half-awake, “Actually, you all think he’s dead. Only I, only I…”

 

Ji Jue placed the sleeping Ji Zhen on the bed, took off his shoes and socks, and covered him with a blanket. He gazed at the tear-stained face under the candlelight.

 

No one was more reluctant to let go than him, but since Ji Zhen was living in a dream and refused to wake up, he could only grant his wish.

 

“Zhen Zhen.”

 

He repeated, “I believe you.”

 

—

 

The misty rain fell in late spring.

 

Ji Zhen set off on his journey with light luggage, heading all the way south.

 

Ji Jue sent two assassins to follow him in secret. Ji Zhen didn’t want Ji An to suffer with him and wanted to leave him behind but Ji An patted his chest and swore he would go along. The deep bond between the master and servant was not something ordinary people could compare to.

 

The carriage rumbled out of the capital under the misty rain.

 

Ji Zhen touched the pink jade that he always kept with him. He lifted the curtain and looked at the foggy sky, feeling a peace he had never felt before.

 

The mountains and rivers stretched on, and the wind never ceased. All he wished for was a reunion.

 

Splash—

 

Waves crashed against the shore and a ship docked in the Jizhou area. The fishermen, who had a good harvest, laughed joyfully as they unloaded their boat full of fresh fish. Shen Yanqing slowly emerged from the cabin, guided by a young boy.

 

The dazzling sunlight made him half-close his eyes. The salty smell of the sea kept going into his nostrils. After two months of getting used to the smell, he no longer felt uncomfortable.

 

In the distance, a fisherman’s wife, who was waiting for her husband and son to return, ran over excitedly and hugged her son. When she saw Shen Yanqing’s face, she couldn’t help but shriek, “A ghost, a ghost!”

 

“How can there be a ghost in broad daylight?”

 

The voice of a fisherman who had just arrived was full of excitement. “Lord Shen, it’s really Lord Shen!”

 

Shen Yanqing carefully distinguished the source of the voice and gave a slight nod.

 

Someone waved a hand in front of Shen Yanqing, and he was startled. “Lord Shen, your eyes?”

 

In a moment, a group of people surrounded Shen Yanqing and began talking all at once.

 

There was a white blur constantly flickering in front of Shen Yanqing’s eyes. When he finally heard what everyone was saying, he realized that he had already “died”.

 

His heart was eager to return home. He kept silently shouting Ji Zhen’s name in his heart. Confused, he took two steps forward and said in a hoarse voice, “Please, everyone, take me to the yamen (A yamen was the administrative office or residence of a bureaucrat in imperial China.).”

 

The people drove a donkey cart over and helped him onto the cart board to sit down.

 

“Jizhou is a hundred miles from the capital, My Lord. Shouldn’t you rest first?”

 

Shen Yanqing’s face was pale and he shook his head. The yamen was more than ten miles from the water’s edge. The donkey cart ride was bumpy, which became another hardship.

 

—

 

The carriage rolled over a small stone, making Ji Zhen’s heart feel numb.

 

Seeing that they were about to pass Jizhou again, his heart was pounding as he sat up straight.

 

Ji An leaned against the side of the carriage while dozing and drooling. Ji Zhen felt a little more at ease seeing him like this.

 

There was a tea stall up ahead, so Ji Zhen said, “Stop for a moment.”

 

Ji An woke up with a start, looking left and right. “Did you find Lord Shen?”

 

Ji Zhen smiled. “I’m just a little thirsty.”

 

Ji An wiped his mouth and jumped off the carriage. “I’ll go get some water for you, Young Master.”

 

Ji Zhen also got off the carriage. It had been raining for the past few days, and the ground was very muddy. The wheels of the carriages that had passed were covered in mud.

 

A donkey cart loaded with rice passed by, and the bell attached to the donkey’s ear rang non-stop.

 

This little donkey was a bit stubborn, and perhaps it was in a bad mood, it went on strike and refused to move. The coachman was so angry that he kept pulling its ears.

 

Ji Zhen was fascinated by the sight. In the distance, another carriage was slowly approaching. He thought that so many people were traveling in the rain, and he shouldn’t delay for too long either.

 

“Ji An, let’s go.”

 

The two of them once again stepped onto the carriage. Ji An had filled several canteens with water and said with a grin, “This is enough for us to drink for two days.”

 

The coachman cracked his whip, and their carriage barely squeezed past the one ahead, which was moving too fast and looked very shabby. The window was only covered by a thin curtain, which fluttered up with a gust of wind.

 

Ji Zhen inadvertently looked in through the open curtain and saw a small corner of a blue robe. The person was sitting upright, their face was not visible, and their hands were resting on their legs. From the sleeve, a worn-out bracelet, so old its colors were indistinguishable, was revealed.

 

It was only for a split second and Ji Zhen slowly withdrew his gaze.

 

This bracelet must have been very important to that person, he was unwilling to take it off even though it was so worn out.

 

He touched the smooth pink jade. His heart seemed to be slowly filling up and became soft and delicate again.

 

Suddenly, he felt an intense, overwhelming longing for Shen Yanqing.

 

Ji An gulped down some water. “Is that carriage in a hurry to be reincarnated, why run so fast?”

 

A distant memory was carried to Ji Zhen’s ears by the wind. “Young man, do you have a sweetheart? Buy this colored rope from this old lady, and it will bless you both with sweetness and a long life together.”

 

Ji Zhen’s pupils suddenly dilated. He violently pushed open the bamboo carriage door and shouted like a madman, “Stop!”

 

“Shoo—”

 

The carriage shook violently before coming to a stop. Ji Zhen’s heart was pounding. He looked into the distance, but the carriage was already gone.

 

Ji An was startled and said, “What’s wrong?”

 

Ji Zhen’s ears were ringing, and his eyes were blurry. He struggled to untie the ropes on the horse. He didn’t even have time to put on the saddle and galloped forward while whipping the horse as Ji An asked what was wrong.

 

The light rain soaked his dark hair. The breeze, in the galloping hooves, turned into sharp blades slapping his cheeks.

 

Ji Zhen’s heart was pounding like a drum. He whipped the horse desperately to catch up.

 

In the distance, he saw the wheels of a carriage kicking up mud.

 

He gritted his teeth and charged to the front. He turned the horse’s head, the horse’s hooves rose high and almost threw him to the ground. He had successfully forced the carriage to a stop.

 

The coachman cursed, “Who are you? Are you tired of living?”

 

The overwhelming fear and anticipation made Ji Zhen’s hands and feet weak. He barely managed to get off the horse and stand firm, then staggering forward two steps and staring at the tightly covered carriage door.

 

The person inside seemed to sense his presence and slowly extended a hand.

 

Under the wide sleeve, a colored rope, worn out and faded from frost and rain, was revealed.

 

Ji Zhen’s pupils trembled. He looked up and said with difficulty, “Is it an old friend coming to see me?”

 

He held his breath, afraid that his rapid breathing would disturb the illusion.

 

The five fingers on the curtain paused, then forcefully pulled the curtain completely open. The person sitting inside was finally revealed. He had refined features and a pair of eyes that were both affectionate and indifferent. In the gentle spring air, the breeze brought the fragrance of bamboo from both sides as well as the freshness of wild flowers and the scent of the earth. The two of them, one sitting and one standing, became a scene of their own amid the season of renewal and the return of spring.

 

They parted on a winter night when the snow fell like flowers.

 

They met again in spring when the flowers looked like snow.

 

Ji Zhen’s vision was blurred by tears. He took a shaky step forward. Shen Yanqing got off the carriage before him and the moment their bodies touched, all the resentment and sorrow vanished into thin air. There was only a deep and profound attachment to each other that had crossed the boundary of life and death.

 

Shen Yanqing crossed his arms behind Ji Zhen’s back and held him tightly. In his overwhelming joy, no words were enough to express it. Only by holding him close could he feel that the other party was truly alive.

 

Heaven does not age, and love is hard to sever. The heart is like a double silk net, tangled with a thousand knots.

 

No amount of hardship or suffering could diminish the two hearts that had wholeheartedly searched for each other.

 

“Shen Yanqing, don’t ever leave me again.”

 

The wind sighed as their hearts fluttered.

 

All past grievances were forgotten. The passing years and long-lasting troubles were finally over.

 

—

 

The scenery is beautiful in Jiangnan.

 

The newly appointed governor of Jiangnan, whose surname is Shen, has a stunningly handsome face, and his male wife is also fair and elegant. When the two first arrived in Jiangnan, they did not reveal their identities and got into a dispute with a local scoundrel who had a history of bullying people.

 

Lord Shen was so skilled that in just a few moves he brought the villain to his knees, begging for mercy. After taking office, he immediately had the scoundrel arrested. This incident became a small, celebrated story in the area.

 

Everyone in the marketplace was saying that this Lord Shen was none other than the top scholar who had passed all three imperial exams.

 

There were many rumors but the harmonious couple never came out to respond.

 

Early this morning, Ji Zhen passed through the market and was given a lively fish. It was another grateful vendor who felt that Lord Shen had governed well and absolutely refused to accept any silver from Ji Zhen.

 

Holding the gilled crucian carp, he ran into Shen Yanqing’s study and held it up while teasing, “Lord Shen, the one who eliminated harm for the people, will be having crucian carp soup tonight.”

 

Shen Yanqing, who was standing at his desk handling official business, looked up and coughed twice unintentionally. Ji Zhen reacted as if he were facing a formidable enemy. He put the fish down and ran over to rub his back, getting fishy smells all over Shen Yanqing. He then grumbled, “I wonder if Divine Physician Sai is really as good as his reputation says. Why are you still coughing after all this time? I should have brought him from the capital.”

 

Shen Yanqing’s eyes were bright as he suppressed the smile on his lips and whispered, “I already drank my medicine today, but my chest still feels heavy…”

 

Ji Zhen anxiously pressed his ear to the other party’s chest. Hearing the strong heartbeat, he looked up and saw Shen Yanqing’s smile. He glared angrily. “You tricked me again.”

 

Shen Yanqing pulled him to sit on his lap and said, “Don’t be mad at me just yet. There’s a temple fair tomorrow. Have you thought about what you want to write on the red silk banner?”

 

Ji Zhen played with the red silk banner on the table, gazed at Shen Yanqing, and nodded firmly.

 

Shen Yanqing picked up his brush as Ji Zhen said in a clear voice, “May all your wishes be granted, may your path be smooth, may you have much joy, and may you be at peace for a long time.”

 

The murmurs in the study continued.

 

“I learned that from a book. If you think it’s not good, Lord Shen, you can write something yourself.”

 

“What did you write? Let me see.”

 

“Why won’t you let me see?”

 

The red silk was turned over but the mischievous Ji Zhen turned it back.

 

There were only six characters on the silk banner.

 

Shen Yanqing had written: “May we be together forever and never be separated.”

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T/N: The end of the main story guys! Don’t leave me just yet, we still have 6 extra chapters to go xD