The afternoon sunlight was pleasant. After the heavy snow, the air was fresh and clear. Yan Xun sat in his study, carefully reviewing and annotating the winter tax documents that had just been delivered. Feng Zhi had come to announce meals three times but was driven away each time by guard A Jing, so he could only wait outside feeling wronged.
The wind blew gently, and the incense in the burner on the desk swayed slowly. Suddenly, a fresh scent wafted over—not the cosmetics of the palace, nor the orchid incense of Oriole Song Villa, nor the fragrance of green bamboo from the bamboo forest, but a unique smell of yellow sand and soil, even carrying the sharp edge of a blade.
Yan Xun frowned and looked up. Upon seeing the visitor, his eyes immediately softened. He wanted to speak but found it somewhat amusing, so he turned his face away, trying to hold back, yet the corners of his lips gradually curved upward.
“Have you finished laughing?” The visitor appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, still a young teenager, with fair skin and clear eyes. Wearing a set of blue leather armor, the youth looked even more spirited, leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed over the chest. With bright eyes carrying a hint of a smile, yet stubbornly and firmly saying: “It’s cold outside.”
“When did you return?” Yan Xun’s voice was warm as water as if instantly shedding all the sharpness from his demeanor. He looked at the warm and tender eyes of the youth at the door and smiled gently.
The youth also smiled, tilting their head and answering: “Just now.”
“Then why didn’t you come in?”
The youth pouted and disdainfully remarked: “Someone said that no matter how important, no one is allowed to enter.”
Yan Xun nodded: “Is that so? If I indeed said such words, yet they dared to let you in, their intentions are questionable. They truly deserve death.”
“But I’m still standing at the door, aren’t I?” The youth raised an eyebrow: “I wouldn’t dare to break the great Heir Yan’s rules.”
Just as Yan Xun was about to speak, the young servant Feng Zhi, standing behind the youth with a food box, finally couldn’t help but say: “Young Master, Young Master Chu, please stop with the banter. I’ve had the kitchen reheat this meal more than ten times. Could you at least take a bite first?”
“Alright,” the youth grabbed the food box with one hand and stepped in, smiling: “Just for Feng Zhi’s sake.”
The young servant wiped away his sweat and retreated. Yan Xun stood up from behind his desk, came forward to remove the cloak from the youth’s back, placed it on a chair, and then returned to sit at the table. He watched as the youth laid out all the dishes one by one, then closed his eyes and sniffed, saying as if intoxicated: “It smells so good. Why didn’t I notice before?”
“Your nose is useless now. If I didn’t come back, you would starve to death.”
After filling a bowl of rice for Yan Xun, the youth sat down directly beside him and took a big bite: “Rain Lady’s cooking is still the best.”
Yan Xun’s expression changed slightly, showing a rare hint of distress. He lowered his head to look at the youth and said softly: “Was the journey difficult?”
“It was fine,” the youth shook his head: “Just unbearably cold.”
“Did your feet get frostbitten again?”
“No, the boots you gave me are truly warm and comfortable.”
Yan Xun nodded and said solemnly: “In the future, let Qi He and the others handle such tasks. You shouldn’t always be running around.”
“I’d also like to stay indoors and not go out, but how could I feel at ease?” The youth sighed deeply: “Fortunately, it won’t be much longer. In half a year, we won’t have to work so hard anymore.”
Yan Xun’s eyes brightened. The wind blew in through the slightly open window, carrying the serene fragrance of the distant bamboo forest.
“Did you see Master Wu?”
“No,” the youth shook his head: “I saw Xi Hua. He said Master Wu has already entered the capital to oversee the winter tax matters and told you not to worry too much.”
Yan Xun nodded and sighed deeply: “That’s good. I haven’t slept well for several nights, constantly dealing with this matter. With Master Wu here, I’ll save a lot of effort.”
“Is everything peaceful in the palace?”
Hearing this, Yan Xun laughed coldly, unable to hide the mockery at the corners of his mouth: “It’s the same as always. I don’t know if you’ve heard the news, but Wei Shu You has returned. I even ran into him today.”
“I heard,” the youth nodded in acknowledgment: “The landslide at the Imperial Mausoleum on South Ji Mountain—Wei Shu You couldn’t escape blame. I heard he has already been removed from the position of Capital Prefecture Governor, but I didn’t expect him to return so quickly.”
Yan Xun put down his chopsticks and picked up his teacup for a sip: “Your move to pull the rug out from under them was well executed. Now everywhere in the palace, people are saying that Wei Guang deliberately distanced himself, wanting to escape this position. Although the one in Xia Hua Palace hasn’t expressed an opinion, the other elders in the Elder Council are all very dissatisfied with Wei Guang. A few days ago, during the land allocation draft, they collectively blocked the Wei family. Although Mu He Xi Feng is incompetent and Mu He Yun Ting is gone, Mu He Rong Cheng is not to be underestimated. When he returns from Xi Ling, the Elder Council will be lively.”
The youth looked up and said solemnly: “This matter still needs to be followed up. We can’t be complacent. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it properly.”
Yan Xun nodded: “I trust your abilities.”
Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly smiled, raised his slender finger, and gently wiped the youth’s face. The youth’s face was fair as jade, the skin crystal clear and smooth, still carrying the chill from outside. Yan Xun’s fingertip was warm. The youth was stunned, and the face involuntarily flushed somewhat red. Uncomfortably pushing away his hand, the youth frowned: “What are you doing?”
“That,” Yan Xun extended his hand, his fingertip bearing a shiny grain of white rice, and said with a smile: “A Chu, you must have been starving out there. It seems I need to properly compensate you.”
The youth was about to speak when suddenly noticed Yan Xun’s finger. That hand was white as jade, four fingers long and slender, but his little finger had been cut off at a section.
The youth’s eyes immediately turned cold. After slowly taking a bite of rice, the youth looked up and said solemnly: “If this succeeds, it will ensure Wei Shu You can never rise again.”
The air suddenly grew still. Yan Xun looked at A Chu’s profile and reached out to gently pat her shoulder: “A Chu, don’t think too much.”
“Yan Xun, I won’t be reckless. I’ll act within my capabilities.” A Chu’s voice suddenly became somewhat muffled. Lowering her voice, she slowly said: “We have already waited so many years. I won’t be so impatient.”
The afternoon sunlight fell warmly through the window lattice onto the two of them. In the air, it seemed one could smell the scent of spring.
Time flies swiftly. The small children of yesteryear had long grown into adults. Outside, the sunlight was bright, and the world had changed, but some things, like aged wine, had only become more fragrant with time.
“A Chu, don’t go out again after coming back this time. Rest well for a while. In half a year, I’ll take you back to Yan Bei.”
Chu Qiao looked up. Though young, her small face already showed the makings of a beauty, with curved eyebrows and eyes, yet unlike ordinary noble young ladies, she had an additional air of martial vigor and the light of wisdom. She lowered her head, resting her forehead against Yan Xun’s chest, nodded slightly, and said softly: “Alright.”
Yan Xun extended his arm, encircling the girl’s shoulders, gently stroking her back.
“When we reach Yan Bei, it should be midsummer, with lush pastures. I’ll take you to Fire Thunder Plain to hunt wild horses.”
“Mm,” Chu Qiao’s voice was somewhat muffled: “We will go.”
Time passed slowly. Yan Xun’s shoulders began to ache, but Chu Qiao still had not spoken. The man lowered his head and saw that the girl’s eyelashes were very long, casting a silhouette under her eyelids, appearing even more beautiful in the sunlight.
“A Chu?”
Yan Xun called softly, and seeing no response from Chu Qiao, he couldn’t help but laugh quietly—she had fallen asleep just like that. Standing up, he carried her horizontally in his arms. Despite Chu Qiao’s usual alertness, she didn’t struggle at all, as if knowing she was in a safe place, sleeping quietly and peacefully. As soon as he walked out of the study, A Jing came forward to meet him. Yan Xun raised his sword-like eyebrows, and A Jing and several servants immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound, only watching as Yan Xun carried the youth in leather armor, slowly walking toward the bedchamber.
After a while, the Yan Bei Heir emerged from the room, and A Jing hurriedly stepped forward.
“What happened?”
“We encountered an ambush on the road. The young lady led people to take a detour through the Lü Ye path back here. Afraid of making the Heir worry, she rode for three days without stopping, and is probably exhausted now.”
Yan Xun’s brows furrowed tightly as he asked solemnly: “What about that group of people?”
“They’re now at Liang Mountain Town, eighty li west of Zhen Huang City. Our people are keeping an eye on them. Heir, shall we take action?”
“Yes,” Yan Xun nodded and walked toward the study with a calm expression.
“Then,” A Jing hesitated slightly, thought for a moment, but still asked: “What about those stone material merchants responsible for the Imperial Mausoleum who were bribed by the young lady?”
Yan Xun pondered briefly, then said: “Since they are of no use anymore, eliminate them as well.”
“Yes, this subordinate obeys the command.”
A cold wind blew slowly from the direction of Cliff Wave Mountain. Yan Xun raised his head and saw a small white bird with not yet fully grown feathers hovering in the north wind. Perhaps attracted by the fragrance on his body, it circled fearlessly above his head, flapping its wings, flying up and down, chirping curiously.
A Jing was slightly stunned, then exclaimed with delight: “It’s a Cangwu bird! Heir, it might be a lost little Cangwu bird. These birds are very intelligent and not afraid of strangers. They are very precious—many people raise them as pets. This is the first time I’ve seen such a small Cangwu bird.”
“Is that so?” Yan Xun responded faintly, extending his hand, looking at the small bird circling in midair, and raising his eyebrows slightly.
The small bird chirped as if very curious. After flapping a few times, it landed on Yan Xun’s finger, gently pecking at his palm with its tender yellow beak. Its jet-black eyes moved lively, appearing very affectionate.
A Jing was greatly surprised and was about to exclaim in admiration when suddenly there was a crisp “crack” sound. Yan Xun’s palm immediately exerted force and tightly gripped. The precious little bird didn’t even have time to let out a miserable cry before falling to the ground with a soft thud.
“Trusting others so easily—if I didn’t kill you, you would eventually die at someone else’s hands.”
The man’s black robe fluttered, his figure tall and straight, disappearing in an instant among the pavilions and towers. A gust of wind blew, and the snow flew, quickly covering the small bird’s body.
Despite the geothermal warmth, the season was still deep winter. The sun slowly set, and the night was about to fall.
Whew, I’m truly grateful to my dear readers for sending so many flowers and diamonds to Winter. They’re all so expensive—one diamond can read several tens of thousands of words. Winter thought no one would send them.
I’m excited, so after finishing my studies, I worked hard to write another chapter and couldn’t wait until tomorrow morning to post it.