Chapter 130
The Western Wind Palace is located in the south of the city, leaning against the Shan Mountains, facing the Peach Blossom Fragrance Creek in front, adjacent to the Western Frontier Camp on the left, and connected to a dense peach blossom forest on the right. The scenery changes with the seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, each with its own unique beauty. It is indeed a picturesque place, beautiful and magnificent, known as the first scenic spot of Western Wind. The city of Western Wind is rich and prosperous, and the construction of the palace is also extremely luxurious, the golden square in front of the main gate is even more dazzling, although it's not made of real gold, but polished with beeswax, shining brightly, a beauty to behold.
The usually solemn and dignified square was filled with a strong fragrance of cosmetics, as more than 200 beautiful young girls in bright clothes and adorned with flowers followed the Seventeenth Prince Jiang Hua to the Golden Square. The prince wore a dark green brocade robe with a high crown on his head, adorned with emeralds, and had five or six colorful perfume bags tied around his waist. He wore a pair of golden boots that matched his bright eyebrows and white teeth, making him even more eye-catching than the girls below.
He came swaggering down the street, naturally attracting too many people's attention. The men and women of Xifeng City, young and old, all followed behind him from a distance, craning their necks to watch. In no time at all, they had surrounded the Xifeng Marquis' residence, making it impossible to get in or out. The officials of Xifeng, big and small, rushed to the scene, flustered and frightened, none of them knowing what new, outrageous idea this overlord, who had been rampaging through Xifeng City for a year now, had come up with, and they were all afraid that his sudden whim would offend the powerful prince inside.
The master of the Western Wind City, Mong Tian Hong Ze, rushed over in a panic, still wearing the silk embroidered shoes that women wear indoors. It's clear that this sixty-year-old old city master had heard the news and ran over in a hurry. The shoe was extremely small, and the poor old city master dragged half of his foot on the ground, not feeling any discomfort. Like a vicious dog pouncing on food, he rushed to Jiang Hua Wang's face, almost crying out: "Your Highness, didn't you go to Xi Yuan Dao Tai's place to supervise the construction of the army barracks two days ago? How, how did you come back?"
Jiang Hua Wang waved his hand generously, standing on the high platform, frowning and said: "Is Xiyuan Daotai's place also a place for people to stay? There is no wine house, no brothel, this king wants to find one or two girls to sing songs but can't find them. Dao Tai is a dull and uninteresting person, this king gave him face and wanted to use troops to make fireworks, he was shocked and half dead. This king stayed there without interest, so I came back early this morning."
Marquis Montaigne's forehead was sweating profusely, and he secretly thought that the fireworks made in the furnace of the soldiers' camp were probably the only ones in the world today. It's hard for Dao Tai to be over ten years old and still have to suffer from such stimulation. It seems that someone will be sent to comfort him with some wild mountain ginseng later, after all, he was driven away by himself in order to welcome King Xuan's arrival.
The old city master panted heavily, forcing out a smile, and smiled bitterly at King Jianghua: "Now, what does the king want to do? So many women are arranged at the gate of the palace, what kind of style is this?"
The 17th prince frowned and said angrily, "You guys stop talking about dignity all day. My third brother is here, I want to give him some gifts, what's it got to do with you? Go and do your own thing, don't come here to bother me!"
She kicked away the hands of the lord of Mengtian City, who was holding her ankle from below, and stood on the high platform, standing against the wind, and said: "Since ancient times, women have been lowly and humble, and those who are criticized by the world are even more so. Now is the time to change our fate. Who says that women are without talent or virtue? In history, there are countless examples of women who are not inferior to men, from the female emperors of old to the flying generals of today. The king's palace is where I, the war god of Qin, have protected the country for over a decade. If you can gain recognition today, and one day fly up to serve me, the blade of Qin, it will be an honor that will shine through the ages, and your name will be remembered for eternity."
As soon as the words fell, the onlookers burst into a fit of laughter, and even those women dressed in bright clothes and playing with their hair couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh, the scene was chaotic.
Fortunately, Jiang Hua Wang had encountered such situations countless times and was not embarrassed at all. He said seriously: "Bring out your best skills, don't disappoint my expectations?"
"Your Highness!" A woman in the front row, dressed in pink, suddenly called out in a delicate voice. This woman had a full head of hair adorned with eight treasures and intricate flowers, and despite the chilly weather, she had unbuttoned her collar to reveal a large expanse of snowy skin. Her eyes sparkled brightly as she cried out: "The special skills of us sisters can't be brought out just anywhere, especially not in this grand hall! If there's no opportunity, how can His Highness experience the intoxicating flavor within?"
As soon as the woman finished speaking, more than 200 beautiful women burst into loud laughter, pushing and leaning on each other's shoulders, forming a magnificent sight.
Jiang Hua Wang's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he nodded in agreement, muttering to himself: "This is indeed a problem. Miao Er, your Moonlight Flute performance was exquisite and unparalleled. I must think of a way to get Third Brother to try it out."
Another burst of loud laughter suddenly erupted, startling a large flock of water birds on the creek to take flight, with the sound of flapping wings ringing in my ears.
Qin's flames wore a long white robe and walked out with a calm expression.
"Seventeenth brother, what are you messing around with again?" Qin Zhiyan said in a low voice, slightly furrowing his brow.
His voice was not loud, but it seemed to stop the previous chaotic scene like ice and snow, even those charming women also put away their smiles, looked up at the man standing on the steps of the palace gate, wearing a white robe, with warm eyes but filled with indifference and detachment.
Is this the war god of Qin?
Although most of the people in the city were lucky enough to see Qin Zhiyan's true face on the day he entered the city, when he took off his heavy armor and stood before them wearing a light robe with a sash, it still made all the Western Wind citizens feel a little dazed for a moment. For ten years, King Xuan had fought against the Xiongnu dozens of times, quelled the rebellion of the six kings, eliminated the southern tribes, and whenever there was a disaster or famine year, he would definitely contact the major tribes to provide relief and distribute grain. The Flame Character Camp was the most solid monument in the hearts of the Qin people, no matter what kind of chaos, as long as the big flag of the Flame Character Camp was raised high, it could give everyone confidence and lead the Qin people through all disasters.
For Xuan Wang, the Qin people did not show the same kind of reverence as they would to Jiang Hua Wang or even the King of Qin, but rather a genuine respect. At this moment, seeing his pale face, without any adornments, standing in front of everyone in a white robe, all the Qin people, after a brief moment of astonishment, simultaneously knelt down on the ground and loudly shouted: "Greetings to Xuan Wang!"
Qin Zhiyan nodded at the civilians to dispense with the formalities, then turned his head and continued to face Jiang Huawang, saying: "Seventeenth brother, what are you getting up to again?"
The uniform and harmonious please-accept-my-greetings voice made Jiang Hua Wang slightly stunned, upon hearing Qin Zhiyan's voice, he hastily said: "Third Brother, I've come to give you gifts, how is it? These are all carefully selected for you. You can keep them all or choose some that catch your eye."
Qin's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice: "Stop messing around. You're a prince, how can you behave like this in front of the common people? Where did you bring these women from? Take them back to wherever they came from." After speaking, he turned around and was about to return to the mansion.
Jiang Hua Wang was shocked, took two steps forward and blocked Qin Zhiyan's path, saying: "Don't go, Third Brother, I've brought them here with great difficulty. You don't know that several madams of brothels have already hanged themselves on the other side. Where do you want me to send these women?"
Qin's face was slightly angry, and he said in a low voice: "Then take her back to your palace, don't send her here."
"Third brother, I'm already fully equipped, my younger brother's concubines are more numerous than the emperor's, and they're not even needed. Third brother, don't be so clueless about romance, as the saying goes, 'after three years of being a soldier, even a mother pig becomes a heavenly beauty.' You've been a soldier for ten years, and you don't even have a single concubine to warm your bed in the manor, yet you still treat that monkey-like woman like a treasure. My younger brother can't bear to watch this, so he's come to help you out of kindness."
Jiang Hua Wang shook his head and said, "Third Brother, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but your taste is really poor. That kind of woman can only be considered slightly good-looking, where is there any charm? The places that should be big are not big, the places that should be round are not round, she has no flesh on her bones, and is as thin as a stick. A gust of wind could blow her away. It's fortunate that you still treat her like a treasure and defy Father Emperor with her. Come take a look at the women I've selected for you, each one is a gem in their own way. You're the great Prince of Qin, what kind of woman can't you have? Why must you be fixated on this kind of worn-out flower?"
"Shut up!" A clear voice suddenly rang out, Qin Zhiyan's face turned gloomy as he stared at Jiang Huawang. His usually warm and calm eyes blazed with a hint of anger, looking at the brightly dressed Jiang Huawang, he said in a low tone: "Don't let me hear such words again, I'm only saying it once, you must remember."
"Lower the drawbridge, shut the gate! Send off the guest!"
The heavy vermilion gate creaked shut, and Jiang Huawang was locked outside. He looked stunned for a while before reacting and pounding on the gate with all his might, shouting: "Third Brother! Third Brother! Open the door!"
Montan Hongze let out a slow breath, secretly thinking "good danger", turned around and ordered the soldiers of the prefecture to disperse the crowd, looked at Jiang Hua Wang who was causing trouble, and sighed helplessly. How did Xifeng become the fiefdom of this ancestor? If I had known earlier, I would have spent less money to be an official in the northern border. The old man with a long sigh returned to his mansion with a frightened heart.
Qin's face turned gloomy as he turned around, just wanting to walk back, when he suddenly saw Qing Xia sitting in a bamboo chair wearing a white robe and a snow-white fox fur cloak, quietly gazing at him from under the second gate's corridor, her eyes calm and serene, with a hint of silence that didn't match her temperament.
I don't know when it started, but she's become less and less like the woman I first met in the Imperial Mausoleum - that sharp-tongued, piercing-eyed woman who was full of energy. She rarely laughs out loud now, rarely speaks with abandon, and rarely teases herself with reckless humor. After going through so many life-and-death struggles, so much slaughter, and so many difficult choices, she's finally worn down those sharp edges of hers.
He slowly walked in front of Qing Xia and said softly: "Don't take his words to heart."
Qing Xia shook her head, a gentle smile playing on the corners of her mouth, but she didn't say anything. Qin Zhiyan saw that her face was pale and her hair ends were slightly yellowish, his heart ached, and he asked gently: "Yima, are you cold?"
"Not cold," Qing Xia shook her head, suddenly stretching out her arm to hug Qin Zhiyan's waist, leaning her head on his body, and softly said: "Just a bit sleepy, want to sleep."
Qin's flames slightly lowered his head and smiled: "Then go back and rest."
"En." Qing Xia said in a low, almost inaudible voice, as if she had already fallen asleep. Qin Zhiyan looked at her pale face, stretched out his arm to pass through her legs, and with one swift motion, he scooped her up into his arms, striding towards the bedroom without any regard for the subordinates around them.
Qing Xia leaned against her chest, still wrapped around his waist, and buried his face in his clothes, like a kitten.
As soon as the door opened, Da Huang's angry roar sounded, and Xiao Bai Beast faced Qin Zhiyan with bared teeth and claws, its small body jumping up and down, but it was too timid to dare to come closer.
"Take this little thing to the kitchen and stew it into a soup." A soft voice suddenly rang out, like gentle breeze and fine rain, but the words that came out were icy cold. The originally fierce Da Huang suddenly let out a whimper, his voice weakened, his two long ears drooped down, his small eyes warily staring at Qin Zhiyan's back, shrinking away to a corner of the room, hiding under the cabinet, staring at everyone with wide round eyes.
Looking at the small beast's timid and fearful appearance, Qing Xia couldn't help but laugh silently. In the past, Chu Li had also beaten it a few times, and afterwards it became a well-behaved house dog. It seemed that this habit hadn't changed yet. Thinking of Chu Li, her heart suddenly ached, and the woman slightly furrowed her brow, feeling bitter in her heart, forcing herself to swallow down that feeling.
"Brother," Qīng Xià lay on the bed, gently tugging at his hem and softly calling out.
Qin's flame was about to leave, seeing her calling herself, and sat down on the bed again, asking softly: "What's wrong?"
"You shouldn't have driven away all the people who brought the 17th prince just now."
Qin Zhiyan didn't expect her to say that, and smiled faintly, saying: "Seventeenth brother is still young and naive, he's been spoiled since he was little, don't take him seriously."
Qing Xia shook her head and said, "You don't have to hide it from me. I've been poisoned, and with your temperament, you wouldn't be wasting time in Xifeng City like this if everything was fine in Xianyang. It's definitely because something went wrong in Xianyang. In the past, I was the princess of Southern Chu, and my relationship with the Crown Prince of Qi was unclear, which almost caused a huge disturbance on Bailu Mountain. The King of Qin would not agree to you bringing me back to Xianyang. Even if Jiang Hua Wang is acting strangely, he's still covering for you. If you accepted those 200 women, it means you don't have the kind of deep affection for me that people think, so as to avoid being criticized by others when we return to the capital using me as an excuse. You should appreciate this careful consideration."
Qin's gentle smile listened to Qing Xia's words, and after she finished speaking, he said in a low voice: "In these years, have I not been attacked and criticized? Even if you weren't here, they would find other excuses. Don't worry about these things, I will handle them properly. Instead, you should rest well and recover from your injuries. You like to look at maps of mountains and rivers, don't you? When you're better, we'll go to all the famous mountains and great rivers one by one, how's that?"
Qing Xia nodded, just about to speak, when suddenly a loud crash was heard from outside, startling the big yellow dog which jumped up and crashed heavily into the cabinet.
"What's going on outside?" Su Zhi's eyebrows rose slightly as he said in a low voice.
"Your Highness!" Lianzhou panted, clearly having just run over, and reported: "King Jianghua brought dozens of women with him, setting up ladders on the north side to climb over the wall."
Even someone as gentle and calm as Qin's flame would be overwhelmed at this moment, let out a long sigh and said: "I'll go take a look first, you rest for now."
"Alright," Qing Xia said with a hint of a smile, "You can go now. He's eaten iron weights and has a heart of stone. Don't bother him."
Qin's flames reluctantly got up and walked out the door. Qing Xia leaned against the headboard, looking at Da Huang who was energetic because his master had left, the smile on his face gradually faded away, only to reveal a hint of inexpressible desolation.
At night, the deserted palace suddenly became lively, with over a hundred beautiful young women appearing out of nowhere. The entire palace seemed to be filled with the fragrance of cosmetics and perfume. Box after box of silk, satin, rouge, and powder were carried in for three hours, yet still not all had been brought in. Although Qin Zhiyan had already said that these women were free to go home if they had families, few were willing to leave. He then ordered the unmarried generals in the Flame Camp to choose their wives freely, as long as the women did not object, and this finally put his mind at ease a little.
The host of Xifeng City, who was frightened to death today, went to Qingxia's room for a walk. The room was warm and cozy, full of the smell of medicinal soup. Qingxia sat on the bed, with a large wooden basin in front of her, and the quilt had been lifted into it. She was half-wet, her hair disheveled, and she was rolling up her sleeves, struggling hard against the big yellow thing swimming in the basin.
Qing Xia saw Qin Zhiyan and hastily called out: "Quickly, quickly come over and help me."
Qin's flames walked over with a smile and said: "What are you doing?"
"I'm giving it a bath." Qing Xia panted and said: "It refused to budge."
Suddenly, Dahuang broke free from Qingxia's magical claws and stood in the water basin, frantically shaking off the water on his body. Water droplets splashed onto Qingxia and Qin Zhiyan, covering their heads and faces.
Qin's flames had always been elegant, but rarely so disheveled. Qing Xia couldn't help but purse her lips in a smile as she looked at him, but then suddenly remembered that he shouldn't catch a chill. She quickly grabbed the clean white cloth prepared for Da Huang and was about to kneel up, but didn't want to disturb the wound on his chest. A sharp pain shot through him, and he bent down.
Qin's flames were shocked, and he hastily sat on the bed, tightly holding her in his arms, saying in a low voice: "Does it hurt? I'll go call Mr. Bai Shi."
"No need," Qing Xia grasped Qin Zhiyan's hand, pitifully lifting her pale little face and said: "Just accompany me for a while."
Her eyes were clear and moving, with a rare softness, like a layer of mist unfolding, Qin Zhiyan sat back on the bed, embracing her shoulders with his hands, gently stroking her long hair in silence.
The big yellow wolf crawled out of the water basin, looked at the two with a bad taste, hummed twice, and then fell to the ground with a slap, twisted its fat buttocks, and went out to eat.
"Qin Zhiyan, I've never told you about my family before, have I?" Qing Xia's voice was muffled as she lay in Qin Zhiyan's arms, speaking softly.
Qin's flame nodded and said: "No, then Yima'er tell me."
"My father's surname is Zhou, he is a doctor, and my mother is from Xinjiang."
The man raised his voice slightly: "Xinjiang?"
"Don't interrupt," Qing Xia said: "Right within Xichuan borders, even farther west than Baille Yuan..."
Her voice was very small, but she still bit by bit told everything about her life of wandering for many years. Later, she joined the army and after training for many years, she was selected as a special agent by Military Intelligence Section 9. After being abandoned in Tokyo and having her head cut off, when she woke up, she became the princess of Nanchu. Then there were entanglements with Chuli, unclear involvements with Qian, and absurd entanglements with the Zhuang family. From Nanchu to Xi#, from White Deer Plain to Penglai Valley, by the time she finished telling all this, it was already the third watch of the night. Da Huang lay in a wooden box lined with soft cushions, snoring loudly as he slept soundly.
The room was silent, the only sound being the crackling of the candles. Qin Zhiyan remained silent, holding her tightly in his arms, his grip getting tighter and tighter. After finishing her story, Qing Xia seemed to have exhausted all her energy, leaning against Qin Zhiyan's chest, she let out a soft sigh and whispered: "This story, I've never told anyone before, I know they wouldn't believe me. Qin Zhiyan, do you believe me?"
Qin Zhiyan's voice was slightly hoarse, his eyes were like a lake, rippling with waves, gentle to the point of almost drowning her in them. "Do you remember when I said that no matter what you say, I believe it?"
Tears suddenly filled Qing Xia's eyes, and the crystal clear tears flowed down her cheeks. Qin Zhiyan's voice was like a warm ocean, wrapping around her layer by layer, gradually erasing the fatigue deep in her bones amidst the cold and desolate night. She looked up at him, her eyes fixed firmly on his dark pupils, speaking slowly and deliberately: "Qin Zhiyan, this trip to Penglai didn't change anything, so please don't change either. No matter what you and he said to each other, I just want to tell you that even if I hadn't fainted or been seriously injured back then, I would still have followed you."
"A person's life is always about making choices. That day on the White Deer Plain, I chose you and will never look back."
Qin's flames slowly smiled, with a bright light in his eyes, he knew that the intentional estrangement of these few days had finally been discovered by her. He stretched out his hand and gently stroked her brow and eyes, saying softly: "I'm just afraid you'll regret it later."
Qing Xia smiled warmly, but tears rolled down with her smile. The pale woman raised an eyebrow: "Will you make me regret it?"
"I hope it won't," Qin Zhiyan gently wiped away Qing Xia's tears from the corner of her eyes, saying softly: "I'm just afraid I'm not good enough."
"You're too good," Qīng Xià shook her head, tears streaming down her face, "I'm just afraid that you're too good, and I won't be worthy of you."
Qin's flames doted on her face, smiling and saying: "Fool! You are the treasure given to me by heaven, my only love in this life. The suffering you've endured, the pain you've suffered, it all hurts in my heart. From now on, let me protect you, let your remaining years be calm and peaceful, without any disasters or pains. No matter who it is, no one can ever hurt you again."
Qing Xia's eyes welled up with tears, slowly closing them, and then lifted her head to kiss Qin Zhiyan's lips. The man with the gloomy eyes, the desperate gaze in the raging fire, the tall figure standing upright in the wind and snow, finally shattered at the bottom of his heart. Their acquaintance was a mistake from the start - wrong time, wrong place, wrong identity, filled with too many calculations and strategies. Those tumultuous joys and sorrows had already ground the two people into a thousand holes. Or perhaps Zhuang Dianru was right, they shouldn't have existed in his life. Only by releasing the golden shackles could the white bird spread its wings and fly high, without any burdens or restraints, could he achieve his dreams.
From now on, the two poles of North and South will have no more dealings with each other; merchants will part ways forever.
It's all like this, it's all like this.
On the second day, early in the morning, Yanzi Camp set off to return to Beijing. Qing Xia didn't ask Qin Zhiyan why he suddenly changed his mind. She watched as two little maidservants, Qing Er and Bi Er, busily packed up the gifts given by the merchants and officials of Xifeng City, filling two large carts.
Winter has gradually passed, and the willows of early spring have begun to sprout. The further east you go, the warmer the weather becomes. Six days later, I arrived at Bicheng City, and as soon as I got off my horse carriage, a fast horse came to report that King Qin had urgently summoned Qin Zhiyan back to Xianyang for an important discussion.
Qin's flames slightly furrowed his brow, and he didn't rush back to the capital as King Qin said, but instead stayed overnight at the official residence in Jinxiu City.
Qing Xia's external injury has gradually improved, and the medical skills of the southern border witch doctor are indeed remarkable. If there wasn't still residual poison lurking in her body, she would have almost fully recovered. The city's prosperity is unprecedented, with its commercial prosperity second only to that of Hai City in Eastern Qi. Qing Xia rarely had such high spirits, and as they entered the city, she constantly lifted the curtains to look outside. Qin Zhiyan saw her happiness and after arriving at the official residence, he gave a few orders and took several guards to accompany her on a stroll around the city.
At this time, the sky had already darkened, and it was the most bustling night market in Jinxiu City. Qing Xia and Qin Zhiyan wore ordinary civilian clothes and blended into the crowd, but they still couldn't hide the noble and elegant aura on their bodies. Wherever Qin Zhiyan went, people made way for him and cast sideways glances, which made Qing Xia feel somewhat displeased.
However, before long, a member of the Flame Character Camp suddenly ran over and said that there was an urgent matter in the capital, and Lord Liu from the palace had an important matter to report to Qin Zhongyan.
Qing Xia saw Qin Zhiyan's serious expression and immediately thought of the urgent summons from the King of Qin that morning, feeling somewhat uneasy as she looked at the handsome man in his moon-white long gown. Qin Zhiyan noticed her tension and smiled, taking her hand as they returned to the government office together.
As soon as he entered the gate, a young man with a carefree and elegant demeanor suddenly stepped forward and said loudly: "Xuan Wang, great joy!"
Qin's flames slightly stunned, cupped his hands and said: "Liu brother? What joy is there?"
Liu Daren smiled and said, "You don't know yet, the Great Emperor of Southern Chu has offered 20,000 jin of Southern Chu's finest iron as a betrothal gift to form an alliance with our country through marriage. The Eldest Princess of Southern Chu, Jiayun Princess, is already on her way here and has been chosen for you!"
It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded above her head, and Qing Xia's face suddenly turned deathly pale. Chu Li's voice, like a dreamy illusion, echoed in her ears once again: Even if I die, I will never let you go!
