Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 46: Past Two Small
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
The afternoon sunshine was gentle, casting a pleasant glow over the fresh snow and crisp air. Yan Xun sat in the study, turning his attention to the detailed instructions regarding winter tax instruments that had been sent to him. The wind moved through the rice fields three times, as if commanded by her subtle hand at the door, waiting for her cue to close it.
The soft wind carried the faint aroma of incense as Yan Xun continued reading. Suddenly, a distinct scent wafted through the air—one that wasn't the usual court powder, bluegrass incense from Yingge, or bamboo. It was the scent of yellow sand, earthy and sharp, carrying the essence of a blade.
Yan Xun frowned and looked up, curious about who might be approaching. His expression shifted, a trace of amusement flickering across his face as he tried to suppress a smile, his lips gradually curving upwards.
"Stop laughing already," a youthful voice said sharply. A pale-faced young woman, no more than fifteen, stood at the doorway, wearing green leather armor. Her eyes sparkled with a stubborn but mischievous smile as she leaned against the frame with her arms crossed. "It's cold outside."
"When did you come back?" Yan Xun's voice softened, the tension from earlier fading away as his eyes warmed with affection.
"Just now," she replied with a tilt of her head, smiling.
"Why didn't you come in?" Yan Xun asked.
The girl, Du Zhuo Zui, shrugged. "If it's important business, they won't let me in without permission."
Yan Xun nodded thoughtfully. "Did I say that? Well, they should know better by now. I'll have to make sure they don't disobey again."
She grinned, raising an eyebrow. "And yet, here I am, standing at your door. Who would dare defy the great King Yan?"
Just as Yan Xun was about to respond, a young servant, carrying a food box, interjected, "Master Chu, I've told the kitchen to heat this meal over ten times! You can't keep delaying it."
"Alright, alright," Du Zhuo Zui said with a laugh, waving the servant away. "Bring it over."
The servant wiped his brow and hurriedly left the room.
Yan Xun stood, walked over to the girl, and helped her with her cloak. He then turned back to the table as she began laying out the dishes. With a deep inhale, Yan Xun closed his eyes in delight. "What a wonderful aroma. How did I miss this?"
"Your nose is useless," she teased, handing him a bowl of rice. "I'm not reheating this again."
Yan Xun chuckled as he took the bowl. "It's the perfect meal for a cold day."
A fleeting sadness crossed his face, but he nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's hard to keep things warm."
"Thankfully," the girl remarked, shaking her head, "the weather is cold."
"Your feet—are they cold again?" Yan Xun asked, concerned.
"No," she replied with a smile. "The boots you gave me are warm."
Yan Xun nodded approvingly. "You shouldn't be going out so much. Rest indoors."
She sighed. "I'd stay in if I could, but there's too much to do. Only six more months of this, and then we can rest."
Yan Xun's eyes brightened. Outside, the wind rustled the bamboo, and the fresh air filled the room. "Have you seen Mr. Wu?" he asked.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "But I did see Xi Hua. Mr. Wu is in Beijing, handling the winter tax issues, so there's no need to worry."
Yan Xun sighed in relief. "Good. I haven't slept well in days. Once Mr. Wu returns, I'll be able to rest."
"Is everything still calm in the palace?" she asked.
Yan Xun let out a cold laugh. "Have you heard that Wei Shu You is back? I spoke with him today."
She nodded. "Yes, I heard. The emperor held him responsible for the landslide in the Nanji Mountains. He was removed from his post in the imperial capital, but I didn't expect him to return so soon."
Yan Xun put down his chopsticks and took a sip of tea. "He's been involved in so many schemes, and now the palace is buzzing with rumors. Wei Guang has lost credibility, and the elders are displeased with him. The Wei family is trying to hold on, but it seems Mu Hexi, though a weak player, won't last long. Mu He Yunting and Mu He Rong, however, are still forces to be reckoned with. When they return from Xiling, things will become more interesting."
The girl's expression hardened. "We need to handle this carefully. Don't worry—I'll make sure everything is taken care of."
Yan Xun nodded. "I trust you. The things you handle are my biggest concerns."
As the meal ended, Yan Xun reached out, rubbing her cheek with his slender fingers. Her skin was pale and cool from the weather. She blushed, pushing his hand away in embarrassment. "What are you doing?"
Yan Xun smiled. "You've got rice on your face, A'Chu."
A'Chu's eyes narrowed as she saw his finger. His slender hand was marred by his little finger, which had been replaced with cold iron after being severed.
Her expression turned serious as she said, "Next time, don't let Wei Shu You escape."
Yan Xun gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "A'Chu, don't overthink things."
"I won't be reckless," she replied, her voice quieter. "We've waited too long to be impatient now."
The warm afternoon sunshine streamed through the window, filling the air with the scent of spring. Time had passed, and though much had changed, some things—like old wine—had only grown richer with time.
"A'Chu," Yan Xun said softly, "this time, stay with me. Don't leave. Rest for six months, and then I'll take you back to Yanbei."
Chu Qiao looked up at him, her youthful face already showing hints of the beauty she would become. Her eyes, though, held a fierce intelligence. She lowered her head, resting against Yan Xun's chest, and whispered, "Alright."
Yan Xun wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her back. "When we go to Yanbei, it will be midsummer. The grass will be green, and we'll go fire-hunting for wild horses."
Chu Qiao smiled faintly. "Just say the word, and we'll go."
Time passed slowly, and Chu Qiao, resting against Yan Xun, soon fell asleep. Yan Xun smiled, watching her eyelashes flutter in the sunlight.
"A'Chu?" he called softly, but she didn't respond. She had fallen into a deep sleep, trusting that she was in a safe place. Yan Xun carefully carried her out of the study, his tall figure silhouetted in the afternoon light. As they passed, servants knelt in reverence, not daring to meet his gaze.
Later, as Yan Xun's chief servant, A'Jing, approached, he asked, "What happened?"
"She encountered an enemy on the road," A'Jing replied. "The girl rode for three days straight without rest."
Yan Xun frowned. "And the enemies?"
"They were spotted near Huang Cheng, eighty miles outside Liang Shan Town. We're monitoring them. Do you wish to join us?"
Yan Xun nodded. "Yes. Let's take care of it."
As he turned to leave, A'Jing hesitated. "The girl also bought off a few merchants at the mausoleum. Should we deal with them?"
Yan Xun thought for a moment. "If they're useless, get rid of them."
"Yes, my lord," A'Jing replied.
As Yan Xun stepped outside, a cold wind blew from the mountains. A small white bird circled overhead, its feathers catching the sunlight. A'Jing, intrigued, said, "That's a Cangwu bird! It's rare to see one so close. They're known to be curious but are often tamed for their beauty."
Yan Xun watched the bird for a moment before extending his hand. The bird fluttered down, perching delicately on his finger, pecking at his palm with its tiny yellow beak. Yan Xun's eyes darkened.
Without warning, Yan Xun's hand closed tightly around the bird. A sharp cry pierced the air, and the bird fell lifeless to the ground.
"So easily trusting," Yan Xun murmured. "If I hadn't killed you, someone else would have."
A'Jing stared in shock as Yan Xun turned and walked away, his black robes billowing behind him. Snow began to fall, covering the small bird's body.
Though the sun had shone brightly, winter still held its grip. As the sun set behind the mountains, night fell.
Afterthoughts
The interaction between Yan Xun and Chu Qiao in this chapter reveals their deep, complex relationship. Yan Xun's protective nature contrasts with Chu Qiao's determination and strength. Despite their banter, there's an underlying tension that hints at their shared struggles and long history.
One of the key moments in the dialogue is Yan Xun's metaphor involving Mu Hexi and Mu He Yunting, which speaks to the political intricacies at play. The return of Mu He Rong will undoubtedly stir up trouble, and Yan Xun, aware of the shifting power dynamics, is preparing himself and Chu Qiao for the inevitable conflict. The line about the elders "returning to eat meat" is a clever metaphor for their resurgence in political activity after a period of suppression.
The bird scene at the end reflects Yan Xun's growing ruthlessness. His casual killing of the Cangwu bird, a symbol of innocence, demonstrates how he has hardened over time, choosing pragmatism over sentiment. It also foreshadows his future actions and his resolve to crush anything—or anyone—that poses a threat to his goals.