Chapter 7 (1/2)
CHAPTER SEVEN
Inauspicious Calamity
In heaven’s recording of the second year in spring, the case of “Hu Guo Temple” has finally settled, because the case had no empirical evidence, in the end they could only let the matter rest. However rumours circulating, implicated that the matter concerns the Empress, after attesting the case, the Emperor substantially reduced the officials on the Elder Statesman’s side, thus causing the entire court to discuss the matter. In contrast, the power of Consort Ying’s maiden family had been consolidated, under such diminishment, the glory of the Elder Statesman’s Estate is no longer like the past. (Elder statesman refers to the Empress’ father)
“At least the imperial guards have withdrawn from the Empress’ palace, her Empress t.i.tle has also been saved, other than that, she can no longer afford to dream of anything else.” Under such slender jade-like fingers, the newly grown willow shoots leans towards the nose, a gentle sniff, and sure enough, it indeed carries a refres.h.i.+ng breath of spring air, Gui Wan reveals a faint smile of appreciation, letting go of the willow shoot, she turns her head to ask: “Did nothing else happen?”
The housekeeper lowers his head, his speaking tone remains rigid with no fluctuations, reporting as though he is reciting from a book: “Nothing else has happened, these past two weeks, the most discussed matter outside is the case of the ‘Hu Guo Temple’.”
“Once matters have been spread around too much, they would get tired, and everything will be alright again.” Gui Wan laughingly says, Lou Che has indeed kept his promise to her, the Empress t.i.tle has been protected, the back palace has not been thrown into a chaotic mess. Along with the arrival of spring, everything is developing in a good direction. Thinking up to this point, she could even more so feel a strong sense of derangement.
“What about the Empress, did she show any response?”
“No,” The housekeeper calmly speaks, “There has been no response at all, the back palace is already back to the usual.”
Placing the willow branch into the flower vase, casually fiddling with it a bit, Gui Wan feels that the big rock in her heart has been lifted. Half a month pa.s.sed after speaking with the Empress, the matter that has been bothering her so much, seems to have been resolved. The corner of Gui Wan’s lips curves up, was just about to order the housekeeper to withdraw, when suddenly, she once again feels that something is not right, thinking deeper, the Empress is of graceful and restrained character, but once she says something, she would definitely stick to it, like the typical soft on the outside strong on the inside character. She said she would kill Consort Ying, could she really have given up now?
She wouldn’t, she must be waiting……waiting for the best opportune moment, thinking up to here, the image of the Empress’ poignant smile seems to have once again flash before her, without realising, the strength in her hand intensifies, and the willow sounds a snap, Gui Wan suddenly lowers her head, looking at the snapped willow, ah such fragility. Her brows knits together, and she turns around, “Send people to monitor the Elder Statesman’s Estate, once there is any unusual movement, tell me.” The extreme serenity right now, vaguely carries the feeling of a brewing storm, she cannot standby without making any preparations.
Empress-ah, you must not be reckless…….
The housekeeper raises his head, his face showing an unreadable expression, this was the first time she had seen his calm face show a change of emotion, looking at him, she asks: “What’s wrong?”
The housekeeper once again lowers his head, all expressions wiped off his face, his answer short and affirmative: “Yes, I will send for people to monitor the Elder Statesman’s Estate day and night.” This is strange, Lord Prime Minister’s orders this morning, and Madam’s orders right now, is exactly the same, he does not know whether he should say it or not, just when he wanted to open his mouth to say it, he thinks over it again, in the end he just keeps the words in his mouth.
Noticing the housekeeper quietly leave, Gui Wan observes the branches she has just picked from the tree, extending her hand to take hold of them, she could not help but murmur: “It’s already spring now, why is it still so cold?”
The Yan’s gra.s.s is like jaded silk, the Qin’s green mulberry branches hangs low.
“The day the husband thinks of returning home, will be when his wife is heartbroken……” Such clear voice reciting the poem intervenes, mild and melodious, carrying a faint smile like that of wind and cloud.
Placing down the brush, and turning around, indeed it is Gui Wan who stands by the door, Guan Xiu Wen raises his hand, greeting her: “Madam, what brings you to the west wing?”
Seeing his innocent smile and hearing his incomparably sincere words, Gui Wan steps into the study room, she speaks in a melodic laughing tone: “Why is the future First Ranked Scholar reciting {{Spring Thoughts}}?” Every time she sees Guan Xiu Wen carry this sense of purity that moves everyone around him, she cannot help but to tease him, didn’t think that such childishness nature still exists within her.
Having long been getting the words “First Ranked Scholar” gratingly bring out the shame in him, Guan Xiu Wen freely pa.s.ses by the study desk, saying to Gui Wan: “{{Spring Thoughts}} is originally a great poem, now that it coincides with the spring breeze in March, it carries nothing more but the feeling of being moved by what one sees.”[1]
It vaguely feels as though his explanation is a little far-fetched. {{Spring Thoughts}} is written about a woman’s yearning love as she waits for her husband’s return, how can it be moving by what one sees? Discarding the mixed thoughts in her head, Gui Wan does not think much of it, sitting on the guest chair in the study room, she turns her body, asking Guan Xiu Wen: “The imperial examinations starts next month, have you prepared?”
“Everything has already been prepared,” His smile carries a slight hint of shyness, Guan Xiu Wen modestly replies, “I hope I will be able to pa.s.s with great results.” In front of this woman, he is able to speak out his most honest thoughts, could this have something to do with her being the one who changed his destiny?
From Lou Che she had already known that he is a talent capable of the First Ranked Scholar t.i.tle, without the slightest surprise, Gui Wan’s smile remains unwavered, “Didn’t I ask you whether you were prepared to get into the officialdom?” Her voice sounding ever so relaxed, as though they are having the usual conversation.
Guan Xiu Wen freezes, unable to utter a word for the time being, he gazes at Gui Wan attentively, beginning to open his mouth in reply: “I am already prepared for officialdom, but, I have yet to find something I want to protect.” His voice was light, carrying regret as well as an unknown feeling of loneliness.
This youth is so much like herself, Gui Wan’s thoughts quickly makes a turn, with no firm conviction, the road ahead will be much more difficult to walk ah, such purity like water, would it become an ink stained pool one day? Looking at Guan Xiu Wen with concern, Gui Wan asks: “If one day, you find that your feelings clashes with that of imperial power, what would you choose, what would you abandon?” She does not know why she asks him this question, such question that even she has no answer to, because this youth has no background whatsoever, has no political benefits, under a chanced coincidence, he has also come to know the truth of certain matters, that is why she can ask him this, with no burden, without having to worry about the consequences.
Hearing this, Guan Xiu Wen remains dumbly frozen, not knowing how to answer, what he had seen three months ago, still remains fresh in his memory right now. Other than Gui Wan, no one else knows of this matter, this is the secret between the two of them, it also the key that has changed the course of his fate, countless times has he recalled that scene in his dreams, within the darkness, that woman looking at him, asking, are you willing to leave the performance troupe and follow me? He himself must have been possessed, not knowing her ident.i.ty, and within the backlight, he could not even make out the person’s appearance clearly, yet he readily answers in agreement.
On several occasions, thinking back to that time, he would always feel so puzzled, at that time, what was it that made him agree, was it the fear of death? That is but only a small portion of his reason, exactly for what reason……even now he still does not understand, really does not understand……
Seeing Gui Wan wait for his answer with a sparkling smile, his thoughts stirs, he does not regret his decision back then, if he was given the choice once again, he would still make the same decision, if he is able to face such smile so often. With utmost certainty, he answers: “I also don’t know how I should choose.” Neither of the two answers are right, nor are they wrong, under such situation, there is no value in choice.
A little disappointed, Gui Wan says nothing, clearly knowing that the question is difficult to choose from, yet she still hopes for someone to give her an answer, this answer can at least enlighten her, leaving her to face the chain of events that will be coming her way in future, lightly shaking her head twice, she turns her head to the side, looking out the window, reciting: “The spring breeze is but a stranger, [so] why does it enter the bed curtains?”