HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 58: Would You Climb the Tower with Me?

Chapter 58: Would You Climb the Tower with Me?

Shen Xihe turned around at the hanging flower gate and saw Xiao Huayong sitting at the stone table with his back to her.

He wore a heavy black cloak with a luxurious white fox fur collar, his black hair completely bound up in a jade crown. He was surrounded by blooming osmanthus trees, their fragrance filling the air.

On this cloudy day, the sun hid behind cotton-like white clouds. The gentle, unobtrusive sunlight fell softly upon him, making even his seated silhouette appear like a painting.

A breeze stirred, scattering delicate flower petals. Shen Xihe caught one that drifted toward her as she walked toward Xiao Huayong.

This seemingly frail man was like the osmanthus flowers – pure as untouched dust, with a fragrance that carried far.

“Princess.” Tianyuan saw Shen Xihe and bowed first.

As Xiao Huayong stood and turned around, Shen Xihe had already reached him. She performed an elegant curtsy.

“Princess… *cough* *cough* *cough*… too formal…” Xiao Huayong steadied her first, though he seemed very weak, and withdrew his hand after conveying his meaning. “Princess… please sit.”

Shen Xihe sat across from Xiao Huayong. The wind was cool today, and she too wore a cloak, though hers was much thinner than his.

After not seeing him for several days, Xiao Huayong’s complexion had grown even paler, almost translucent. His gentle eyes lacked their usual luster, his half-closed lids making the tiny mole at the corner of his eye appear even more languid and graceful.

Just as Shen Xihe sat down, servants brought tea and snacks – jade dew balls, sweet winter cakes, and rice brocade…

The last plate served was rice brocade. Xiao Huayong’s lowered gaze fell on it: “The Double Ninth Festival approaches… *cough* *cough*… I fear I won’t have the strength to celebrate… so I ordered these made in advance… *cough* *cough* *cough*… rice brocade, to share with the Princess… consider it an early celebration…”

Rice brocade was a flower cake that every household in the capital ate during the Double Ninth Festival.

During the Double Ninth Festival, even in the Northwest, there was a custom of climbing heights. The capital was even more lively, with drinking chrysanthemum wine, eating flower cakes, wearing cornel, wearing chrysanthemums, and climbing heights all being essential activities.

In Xiao Huayong’s physical condition, drinking wine and climbing heights were impossible, and even flower cakes had to be eaten sparingly.

“Climbing heights doesn’t necessarily mean climbing mountains or towers,” Shen Xihe said softly. “I was weak since childhood. Every Double Ninth Festival, my father and brother would accompany me up to the city wall of the Northwest Border…”

On one side they could see the common people celebrating joyously within the walls, with lanterns and decorations; on the other side was the vast desert, solemnly and majestically keeping foreign barbarians at bay.

Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an would find different ways to please her. On days when other young ladies could freely gallop on horseback, they were always so careful, afraid she would become melancholy.

One year during the Lantern Festival, Shen Xihe caught a cold, but she had already made plans with Shen Yun’an to see the lanterns. Shen Yueshan forbade her from going out, and she became stubborn and unhappy.

Shen Yun’an set aside his dignity as heir and, on the day she recovered, knocked on every household’s door, begging them to light lanterns that day. He took her up to the city wall to see the entire city lit up with lanterns just for her, finally cheering her up.

These memories were sweet just to think about.

“From the Imperial City walls… *cough* *cough*… one can see all the capital’s splendor…” Xiao Huayong said. “If by the Double Ninth Festival my health is decent… *cough* *cough*… would you climb the tower with me?”

Shen Xihe had just returned from those distant memories. She smiled faintly: “Yes.”

She also wanted to experience what it felt like to stand on the city wall, though she most wished to do so with her brother.

Having prepared himself for rejection, Xiao Huayong was overjoyed when Shen Xihe agreed immediately and began planning the arrangements in his mind.

Standing to the side, Tianyuan looked helplessly to the heavens.

What happened to only being better for one day?

Xiao Huayong did not attempt to hide his joy. Shen Xihe composed herself: “What instructions did Your Highness summon me for?”

What instructions? He just wanted to see her.

Tianyuan listened intently, wondering how his master would cover up this lie.

If he didn’t say something that made the visit worthwhile to Shen Xihe, it would be impossible to get her to come again next time, and it would also severely diminish her regard for Xiao Huayong.

Xiao Huayong had originally prepared other things to tell Shen Xihe, but the fleeting look of yearning in her eyes just now made him change his mind: “With the festival approaching… *cough* *cough*… does the Princess wish to see her family?”

Shen Xihe looked up, staring at Xiao Huayong.

Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an guarded the Northwest and couldn’t leave without imperial orders. This was why when Shen Xihe’s life hung by a thread in Linxiang County, Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an, who cared for her so deeply, could only send letters and people to check on her.

Too many eyes were on Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an. If they secretly left the Northwest, someone would immediately cause unrest and expose their dereliction of duty. Emperor, You would seize the opportunity to purge the Northwest.

“Your Highness…” At this moment, Shen Xihe felt somewhat grateful to Xiao Huayong. Whether there were feelings or not, he had been thoughtful toward her.

“I can ask His Majesty for a decree of grace…” Xiao Huayong smiled warmly at Shen Xihe. “*cough* *cough*… though only for one person.”

This was an enormous favor. For Xiao Huayong, it might just be opening his sick mouth to speak. Emperor You would want to show his favor to Xiao Huayong – his son rarely asked for anything in over ten years, so he would certainly agree.

But it was different for Shen Xihe. She needed to see Shen Yun’an, to tell him her thoughts and learn more about the people Shen’s family had planted in the capital.

If she accepted this favor from Xiao Huayong, she might find it difficult to repay him.

After careful consideration, Shen Xihe still decided to owe this favor: “Zhaoning thanks Your Highness for your consideration. I wish to see my brother.”

“Since the Princess agrees to climb the tower with me… *cough* *cough*…” Xiao Huayong showed a satisfied smile. “Asking for a decree for the Princess is nothing…”

“No, climbing the tower with Your Highness is just a small matter…”

“Asking for a decree is also just a small matter… *cough* *cough*…” Xiao Huayong interrupted Shen Xihe. “For you and me, they are both small matters, yet for you and me they are both precious… *cough* *cough* *cough*…”

After speaking, Xiao Huayong began coughing violently. Tianyuan quickly handed him a cup of water.

Shen Xihe had never met someone like him before, someone who showed you his utmost kindness yet never sought anything in return, someone whose intentions were completely imperceptible, showing pure and refreshing kindness.

His kindness was just right – impossible to reject yet leaving no burden on one’s heart.

People who could achieve this could only be of two types: the purely good, or… those who thoroughly understood human nature.

The former inspired shame and the latter inspired fear.

She stared steadily at Xiao Huayong, wanting to know which type he was.

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