RMACAUH Chapter 77

Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Entering the Palace 2 Main Text(Story) Ending…

Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Entering the Palace 2 Main Text(Story) Ending…

A family of three rode in a carriage from the South Palace Gate to Shibapu, the most famous area in Kyoto.

This place was bustling with traffic, with various shops concentrated here. Small merchants would also bring some homemade snacks or daily necessities to sell and exchange for some silver.

Having been in Kyoto for so long, Yin’er had never officially gone out to play, so he found everything novel and curious.

The guards and eunuchs in plain clothes closely followed behind their little crown prince, afraid of losing sight of him even for a moment.

Feng Yue walked relatively slowly. Wei Xiaofeng held his arm and observed his face from time to time. “A-Yue, are you alright? If you’re tired, let’s find a teahouse to sit down, have some tea, and watch the prosperity of this street. It’s also very interesting.”

“Let’s walk a bit further ahead and find a teahouse to rest.”

“Okay!”

At this time, the guards had chased after Yin’er and disappeared, leaving only Yuan Gonggong by their side.

They held hands tightly, like an ordinary couple, just a drop in the ocean of all living beings.

“A-Yue, I’m thirsty. There’s a sweet wine shop ahead. Shall we go in and sit for a while?”

“Okay, let’s go.” Feng Yue looked at Wei Xiaofeng’s relaxed expression, feeling very happy. He allowed Wei Xiaofeng to lead him by the hand as they entered the sweet wine shop one after the other.

Wei Xiaofeng looked around the small shop. It was simple, clean, and full of the atmosphere of life.

“What would the esteemed guests like to drink?”

The voice sounded a bit familiar. Wei Xiaofeng subconsciously turned his head and was stunned on the spot. “Zhu Yi?”

Zhu Yi was startled and was about to perform a salute, but Wei Xiaofeng, fearing that it would attract the attention of malicious individuals, stepped forward and helped him up, quietly saying, “No need to salute. His Majesty and I left the palace quietly.”

Zhu Yi covered half of his face with a light veil. His temperament was very different from before, and he looked much more mature and steady.

“It’s been a long time. When did you open this sweet wine shop?”

“Three years ago, with my husband.”

“Your husband?”

Zhu Yi quickly called over a man who was serving regular customers at the counter and introduced him, “His name is Zhou Qi. Zhou Qi, this… is my most sincere friend from my youth.”

Mentioning this, Zhu Yi’s expression was somewhat ashamed. The past was like smoke, and sometimes it was both funny and sad to think about.

Wei Xiaofeng looked at Zhou Qi, who had a very proper appearance and a tall, sturdy build. He couldn’t help but wonder and quietly pulled Zhu Yi aside. “Isn’t he working as a manager in a bookstore?”

Zhu Yi covered his mouth and chuckled, but he was also inevitably embarrassed. “He isn’t.”

Wei Xiaofeng suddenly understood. “Ah… did you divorce the previous person?”

Zhu Yi nodded.

Zhou Qi was a proactive person. Seeing that this was his husband’s old friend, he brought two servings of the sweet wine shop’s signature drinks and fruit snacks, as well as some trendy drinks. Yuan Gonggong went to pay, but he refused to accept the money.

Seeing that many customers had come to his shop and that business was very good, Wei Xiaofeng was embarrassed to keep him talking, so he let him go. “Go ahead and get busy. His Majesty and I will leave after we finish eating. When you have time, I’ll invite you into the palace to play.”

Zhu Yi respectfully bowed and went to work with his husband.

Wei Xiaofeng happily sat back down next to Feng Yue, tasted their shop’s drink. It was sweet but not cloying, with an excellent taste.

Feng Yue rarely saw him having friends. Now, seeing him so happy, he said, “This trip out of the palace was very worthwhile.”

“Yes!” Wei Xiaofeng sighed. “I haven’t seen Zhu Yi in many years. Actually, I wouldn’t say we had a very good relationship before. We always had many rough edges with each other. But seeing each other again after so many years apart makes me feel especially close. Those rough edges from the past have become childish and ridiculous. I’m happy for him that he’s living happily.”

They played until very late before returning to the palace. Feng Yue ate very little for dinner. Yuan Gonggong brought the medicinal soup as usual. Feng Yue’s mood visibly dropped after returning to the palace, and he stubbornly refused to drink it.

“I drink these medicines every day, but they don’t seem to be of much use. They’re also so bitter that they make me want to vomit. I won’t drink it today. I want to sleep.”

“Your Majesty, that’s not allowed! You still have to take the medicine. It’s all top-quality medicine, which is particularly effective for replenishing qi and blood.”

“I said I won’t drink it, so take it away!” Saying that, he flipped over onto the couch, pretending to sleep.

In fact, Feng Yue was very sad. There were countless loving couples in the world. Now he had obtained everything, but when he opened his palm, it was still empty.

Having been reborn this time, he had changed everyone’s fate, but he still couldn’t escape his own ultimate fate.

If he had known, why would he have provoked Xiaofeng again in this life? If he hadn’t met him, he would surely have found his own lifelong love and lived a long life together.

He couldn’t face the day he left, leaving behind a mess, a scene of devastation and sadness, leaving Xiaofeng to guard his remaining years in solitude. How cruel would that be?

Feng Yue’s breathing gradually became heavy, and the tears that quietly slipped down soaked the pillow.

*

Yuan Gonggong was helpless and quietly sent a palace servant to find Wei Xiaofeng. On that end, he had just coaxed Yin’er to sleep, and now he had to coax Feng Yue to take his medicine.

“A-Yue.”

Hearing Wei Xiaofeng’s voice, Feng Yue wiped away the tears on his face and turned around as if nothing had happened. “Why did you come over?”

Wei Xiaofeng sat down by his bed, looking worried. “You’re not taking your medicine again?”

“No…” Feng Yue denied, letting the truth slip: “I was thinking of taking it later. I’m not not taking it.”

Wei Xiaofeng smiled brightly. “I knew A-Yue wouldn’t act like such a child. I had Yuan Gonggong reheat the medicine. It’ll be delivered soon. I’ll feed you, okay?”

Feng Yue leaned on Wei Xiaofeng’s shoulder, feeling a little comforted in his heart.

Before long, Yuan Gonggong brought the medicine over again. Wei Xiaofeng took it and spooned it out little by little to feed him.

He was very obedient when Wei Xiaofeng fed him the medicine, wasting not a single drop and eating it all.

Finally, Wei Xiaofeng put a candied fruit in his mouth to dispel the bitterness, took the warm cloth, wiped his face, and then sent all the palace servants who were serving in the bedroom away.

“Stay with me tonight?”

Wei Xiaofeng helped him lie down, tucked him in, and then lay down next to him as usual. In fact, it had only been a day or two since he had slept with him.

Feng Yue reached out and held him tightly in his arms. Wei Xiaofeng listened to his heartbeat, feeling extremely at ease.

“Xiaofeng, what if, I mean what if… I leave you and Yin’er one step ahead, what would you do?”

Wei Xiaofeng’s heart contracted into a ball, hurting so much that he almost couldn’t breathe, but he still raised his face and scolded him lightly, pretending to be relaxed. “What nonsense are you talking about? Nothing like that will happen. We’ll be together forever.”

“There’s nothing absolute in this world. Who can say for sure?”

Wei Xiaofeng wanted to give him an encouraging smile, but he tried several times and couldn’t smile. His eyes were so sore that tears couldn’t stop flowing.

“If that day really comes, I’ll accompany Yin’er first. When he grows up and has something he cares about in his heart, when he has someone he loves, I’ll come and accompany you.”

Every breath Feng Yue took seemed to carry a knife. “Can’t you just live well?”

“I am living well. Everyone has different views on the meaning of living. I saw an ending with you in a dream. Actually, I don’t regret it, really, A-Yue… I love you.”

Feng Yue kissed his eyebrows, his lips, and murmured in a hoarse voice, “I know, I know your feelings for me, because my heart is the same as yours. I love you too, Xiaofeng.”

They embraced each other tightly and fell asleep, having already prepared for the cruelest judgment from heaven. Even if they were separated by life and death, their hearts would always be together. In heaven and on earth, in the blue sky and the yellow springs, no one could separate them.

Three days later, the Ministry of Rites submitted a document from the Nanjiang King, stating that they wanted to offer a thousand-year-old treasure from their clan in order to obtain the protection of the Great Yuan Emperor.

That afternoon, Feng Yue and Wei Xiaofeng, dressed in ceremonial robes, summoned the Nanjiang King to an audience in the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

The Nanjiang King wore a red and black patterned garment, gorgeous, complex, and grand. The silver ornaments sparkled as he moved.

Behind him followed two maids with extraordinary temperament, who bowed to Feng Yue and Wei Xiaofeng.

After Feng Yue granted him a seat, the Nanjiang King sat down calmly.

Feng Yue couldn’t tell his actual age. His face looked only twenty years old, but his temperament was not that of a youth. He was steady and restrained, with the noble air and courage of a king.

Wei Xiaofeng felt that this face looked like someone, but he couldn’t remember who it was for a moment.

Who was it?

At this time, Sang Cai was arranged by Yuan Gonggong to serve the wine for the honored guests.

When the Nanjiang King saw his face, his expression faltered for a few moments. Sang Cai keenly noticed his measuring gaze but didn’t dare to casually raise his head to look back. After pouring the wine, he quietly retreated to Wei Xiaofeng’s side.

Recalling the words Yuan Gonggong had said, the Nanjiang King understood everything. The person he was looking for, although not the main one, was greatly connected to the boy standing next to the inner court’s master.

Perhaps that old friend was no longer alive, only leaving behind this trace of bloodline in the world.

Various emotions welled up in his heart. The Nanjiang King raised his head and drank the wine in his cup, smiling sadly, and said, “My Nanjiang has a treasure that only produces a pair every thousand years. Now, seeing His Majesty’s heavenly might protect this vast land and the peace of the people, I am deeply grateful. I now offer this treasure, hoping that heavenly might will last forever and bless my Great Yuan with a century of prosperity and peace.”

With that, he took out a white jade box from his sleeve. The box emitted strands of white cold air, which was especially noticeable in the early summer.

Yuan Gonggong was very excited. He hurried forward, picked up the white jade treasure box, and bowed deeply to the Nanjiang King before presenting the box to Feng Yue on the throne.

“What is this?” Feng Yue found it very novel. Holding the jade box in his hand, he felt a chill, which was a good way to relieve the summer heat.

The Nanjiang King rose and made a bow. “Your Majesty, this is the Thousand-Year White Jade Life-and-Death Gu. There is a pair inside. They are the rarest love Gu from Miaojiang. Once lovers are implanted with this Gu, they will be dependent on each other for life and death, and their joys and sorrows will share the same source.”

Feng Yue subconsciously looked at Yuan Gonggong, seemingly searching for an answer. Only after Yuan Gonggong nodded did Feng Yue understand in his heart, feeling a mixture of emotions.

“I am very touched by the Nanjiang King’s generous gift. If the Nanjiang King has anything he desires, I will do my best to find it for you.”

The Nanjiang King turned his gaze to Sang Cai beside Wei Xiaofeng and said, “I would like to speak privately with that young man. He bears some resemblance to my old friend. I wonder if you would grant me this wish?”

Wei Xiaofeng turned to look at Sang Cai and asked him in a low voice, “A-Cai, if you don’t want to…”

Sang Cai bowed. “Master, I am willing. There are some things I also want to ask him! He comes from Miaojiang and must have countless connections with my mother!”

Wei Xiaofeng nodded. “Okay, then go ahead.”

“Thank you, Master, for granting my wish.” Sang Cai’s eyes involuntarily turned red as he silently followed the Nanjiang King out of the hall.

It was Sang Cai’s first time meeting this man, and his feelings for him were very complicated. He felt a sense of closeness but also unfamiliarity. He wanted to say more, but he didn’t know where to start.

“They all call you Nanjiang King. May I know your name?”

The Nanjiang King was extremely gentle with him, softly saying, “Yin Yilou.”

“Okay…” Sang Cai crossed his fingers, remained silent for a while, and then reacted. “My name is Sang Cai. My mother calls me A-Cai.”

“A-Cai,” Yin Yilou lightly said his name. “Where is your mother now?”

“She’s dead.”

Yin Yilou took a deep breath, suppressing the sorrow in his heart. He lowered his eyes, and his thick eyelashes covered his dim gaze, making him appear extremely melancholy.

“She spent her whole life escaping fate. I think she found her true self at the moment of her death.”

“Who are you… Who are you? What is your relationship with my mother?”

Yin Yilou’s heart twisted into a painful knot. “I am your father, but your mother… never loved me. She escaped from my side, and I never saw her again.”

Sang Cai looked at him. He was of noble status and still incomparably handsome. His tone couldn’t help but become sharp. “Then you must have been bad to my mother, that’s why she didn’t like you!”

“When we first met, she was only four years old, and I was eight years old. I had just been chosen by the old patriarch as the next new clan leader. She came to my side as a medicine person. If you want to hear it, I can tell you in detail later, okay?”

“Later?”

“I want to bring you back to Nanjiang. Are you willing to come back with me?”

“I don’t know…” Although he said he didn’t know, Sang Cai already had an answer in his heart.

Yin Yilou reached out and lovingly stroked his hair. “There’s no need to rush at this time. I’ll be staying in the Central Plains for another month. You can tell me then.”

“Then, do you… do you live in the palace? I can ask Master to arrange it.”

Yin Yilou smiled. “No, I have a residence outside the palace. Are you reluctant to part with me?”

Sang Cai pursed his lips and lowered his head, remaining silent.

The father and son stayed in the courtyard for an afternoon, chatting about many strange things in Miaojiang. Sang Cai listened with bright eyes, very interested.

Seeing that it was getting dark, Yuan Gonggong came to invite them, and the father and son stopped there. There would be many more days to chat about these things.

Yuan Gonggong brought Yin Yilou to Feng Yue’s bedroom to implant the Gu for him and Wei Xiaofeng.

Yin Yilou burned a strange incense. The Gu worms sleeping in the cold jade box gradually awoke. Using the incense as a guide, Yin Yilou implanted the love Gu for them from the position of their hearts.

Feng Yue and Wei Xiaofeng only felt a burst of twisting pain in their hearts, and then everything returned to normal, with no further abnormalities.

“I’ll take back this cold jade box. I wish His Majesty a speedy recovery.”

“A banquet has been set up in the palace. It’s not too late for the Nanjiang King to return after the banquet.”

“Then I thank His Majesty for the hospitality.”

After Yin Yilou finished his meal in the palace, Sang Cai personally escorted him to the palace gate before returning.

The palace was brightly lit. Sang Cai’s mood was complicated as he stepped inside. “Master.”

Wei Xiaofeng smiled and went forward to help him sit down, sighing, “Fate is really wonderful. I didn’t expect you to be the Nanjiang King’s bloodline, A-Cai, don’t you think?”

“Yeah.” Sang Cai felt a surge of bitterness, and tears welled up in his eyes.

“It’s a good thing to reunite with family. Why are you crying?”

“If I return to Nanjiang, will we ever see each other again in this life?”

“Why can’t we see each other again?”

“Really?”

“Of course it’s true. When A-Yue’s health improves and there aren’t so many things to do in the court, we’ll take a carriage to Nanjiang to see you!”

“But it’s very far.”

“How far can it be? Back then, when I wanted to see Xilan, didn’t I just go see him? You’re passionate about practicing Gu arts in this life. You’ve learned everything that could be learned from the booklet your mother left you. I know you want to learn more Gu techniques. Miaojiang has what you want.”

Sang Cai knelt down towards Wei Xiaofeng with a ‘plop’ and kowtowed three times. Wei Xiaofeng wanted to help him up, but Sang Cai refused.

“Master, you saved my life. If it weren’t for you, I might have died in a mass burial ground long ago. I originally vowed that I would follow Master for life and serve you well, but now… I’m going to break this promise.”

“Get up quickly.” Wei Xiaofeng helped him up, earnestly saying, “A-Cai, you are a person, not anyone’s appendage, and you are certainly not my slave. You are free. Life is too short. You should pursue your own beliefs. No matter what choice you make, as long as you are happy, I will be happy for you.”

Sang Cai’s eyes were red, and his voice was hoarse. In the end, he just responded lightly. The two talked all night, recalling many past memories, sometimes shedding tears, sometimes unable to help but laugh.

With half a month left before Yin Yilou returned to Nanjiang, everyone saw that Feng Yue’s health was improving day by day.

Feng Yue hadn’t felt so light and refreshed in a long time. Having not wielded a knife or gun in a while, he moved his muscles and bones in the imperial garden in the evening.

Yin’er held the small wooden sword that his master had made for him and accompanied his imperial father, mimicking the moves in a decent manner.

Seeing that Sang Cai would be leaving Kyoto in two days, Wei Xiaofeng had asked the Shangyi Bureau more than half a month ago to start sewing new clothes according to their Miaojiang costumes.

He had nothing to give A-Cai, hoping that A-Cai could dress nicely on the day he left Kyoto.

Feng Yue bestowed many treasures on Yin Yilou, as many as a dozen carriages, and also arranged for imperial guards to escort him. On the day of departure, the weather was sunny and beautiful. Feng Yue and Wei Xiaofeng walked side by side out of the palace gate to see him off.

Yin’er didn’t understand why A-Cai suddenly had to leave them. “Father, Emperor, why does Uncle A-Cai suddenly have to leave? I caught a lot of little bugs yesterday to give to Uncle A-Cai as a gift. Will he come back in the future?”

Feng Yue gently stroked Yin’er’s head. “Everyone has a home. Uncle A-Cai also has his own home. He’s going back to his hometown now. If Yin’er wants Uncle A-Cai in the future, you can visit his home.”

Wei Xiaofeng’s eyes were red, but he just stared intently at their convoy leaving. Until he could barely see them anymore, tears welled up in his eyes.

After this parting, he didn’t know when they would meet again.

Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves came. Sang Cai was dressed in a bright and noble Miaojiang costume, and the silver ornaments all over his body jingled as he bounced on horseback, shining brightly in the sun.

“Xiaofeng!” He called him by his name from his youth, rather than Master. He pulled on the reins, took off a silver bracelet carved with strange patterns from his hand, and handed it to him. “This is my token for you. If you ever need my help, future generations can come to Nanjiang to find me with this bracelet. If I’m no longer here, you can find my descendants. As long as it doesn’t violate the principles of trustworthiness, we will all do our best to serve!”

“Okay! A-Cai, take care of yourself, you…” Wei Xiaofeng choked up. “You have to be well.”

The words “You have to be well” made Sang Cai shed tears again. Seeing that the team had already gone far, Sang Cai gritted his teeth and drove his horse onward in a swift gallop to catch up.

This time he really left, without looking back.

Feng Yue knew that he was very sad and didn’t know how to comfort him. He just took his hand, silently telling him that this life was long and short, and that he would be with him no matter what happened in the future.

Wei Xiaofeng stood at the palace gate for a long time, and his tears were dried by the wind. Remembering that Feng Yue’s body had only just recovered, he said in a hoarse voice, “Let’s go back to the palace quickly. It’s windy outside.”

Feng Yue handed Yin’er to Yuan Gonggong and took Wei Xiaofeng’s hand. “I’ll accompany you back.”

“Okay.” Wei Xiaofeng smiled lightly, interlocked his fingers with his, and walked into the high-walled red tiles.

“Ah? Father, Emperor! I want to go too!”

“Your Highness, don’t join in on this fun. Your Father is in a bad mood. Let your Emperor accompany him for a while.” Yuan Gonggong coaxed Yin’er with a smile.

Yin’er was sulky. “Aren’t they talking secretly every day enough? Hmph!”

*

Looking at the yellow leaves falling on the palace walls, Wei Xiaofeng sighed softly. “It’s almost autumn.”

Feng Yue thought that in a few days it would be Xiaofeng’s birthday, so he said, “I’ll send someone to Chuting to bring your maternal grandfather and mother into the palace for a short stay, to celebrate your birthday with you. Okay?”

“Really… can I?” Wei Xiaofeng asked softly. “But I’m the inner court’s master now, and my every word and action is being watched.”

Feng Yue felt a pang of heartache and said seriously, “Why can’t you? You are the inner court’s master. As long as it’s not something that harms heaven or reason, you can do whatever you want. Otherwise, what would we want this power and position for?”

“Isn’t this power and position for protecting the country and defending the people?”

“Hahahaha…” Feng Yue laughed heartily. “Ah~ yes, protecting the country and defending the people. Now the world is at peace, the seas are calm, and the rivers are clear. Can’t we just enjoy this glory and peace?”

Wei Xiaofeng smiled brightly and finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Then let’s relax a little.”

“You’ve worked hard during this time.”

“It wasn’t that hard.” It felt strange for him to be so polite.

“In a few days, I’ll take you and Yin’er out of the palace for a walk.”

“Where to?”

“To see… an old friend.”

Wei Xiaofeng immediately understood. “Then I’ll prepare gifts now. Is it still in time?”

“Just prepare some cloth and food. You don’t need anything else. I’ll prepare it with you.” The two smiled at each other and quickened their pace back to the palace.

(End of Main Text(Story))