“I will not do anything against the state,” eventually, Jing Wen respectfully said.
The Emperor leaned against his chair, his eyes half-opened, as if about to fall asleep at a moments notice. “In truth, zhen has always been aware of the secret chamber in Hongtian Palace.”
Jing Wen did not find that strange. From what Zhou Aimin had told him, the dungeon was a vast expenditure. To build such a vast complex, countless materials would be required; how could that escape the watchful eye of the Emperor?
“I see.”
The Emperor said quietly, “As for the concubines and servants imprisoned in the chambers… none of their former family remains. Reaching out to Mo Xi was the last option for their clan. Considering that you have dismissed all your servants after they are released, zhen shall grant them to you to be your new household servants.”
Jing Wen opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but did not manage to produce any sound. After a long time, he closed then opened it again. With a deep bow, he said, “Your Majesty is wise.”
The Emperor’s thin lips suddenly curved with amusement. The Jing Wen from yesteryears would have adamantly refused such an offer, but it seemed that he had finally realised the nature of this world.
Abruptly, the Emperor said, “Your capping ceremony was two months ago.” Between his half-closed eyes, he looked at Jing Wen, “Uncle has married too late in his life, spending the prime of his life aiding in the building of the Empire. Zhen shall not let you wait until you are forty before finding you a good bride.”
Jing Wen was finally startled, but still did not say any words. Perhaps it was because the words he wished to say were against the will of the Emperor, or simply because he did not know how to respond.
Upon seeing this reaction, the Emperor was fully satisfied, as if having conquered a piece of territory after great effort. Closing his eyes fully, he waited some time before saying lightly, “Kuo’er would be glad to see his study partner once again. Unfortunately, he has departed to Lingnan (岭南) the day you arrived at the capital.”
Jing Wen respectfully answered, “I have coincidentally met the Crown Prince on my journey to the capital. Your Majesty needn’t worry.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor let the slight smile remain on his face. Dismissing Jing Wen, he watched Jing Wen leaving the hall while casually reaching for one of his documents. Once Jing Wen had left the proximity of the Hall, the Emperor sighed lightly, “Who can remain young forever?”
---
As Jing Wen left the Inner Palace, a palace girl suddenly approached him. The girl was still very young, and her baby fat had yet to disappear from her face completely. With a sweet smile, she said, “Master Jing, Consort Li wishes to see you.”
Jing Wen felt a shiver. When he had served in the Imperial Guard, he had always taken notice to avoid Consort Li. It was not out of the need to respect the boundaries between man and woman; especially the concubines of the Emperor, but because he was genuinely cautious of that woman.
Placing his hands within his sleeves, Jing Wen gently said, “Then I will trouble you to guide me to her palace.”
The palace girl did not utter any unnecessary words. Taking Jing Wen by the hand, she guided him to Changchun (长春宫) Palace. Once they finally arrived, the palace girl spoke in a low voice, “Please enter Master Jing.”
Jing Wen raised his brows. Even Consort Li’s palace girls were unique. While he was blind and required guidance to navigate to the unfamiliar parts of the palace and taking his hand to lead him was understandable, the girl did it so brazenly. Now the master herself is inviting him directly into her bedchambers - was she not afraid of rumours?
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Regardless, Jing Wen was someone more liberal with these sorts of traditions and did not hesitate long before entering Consort Li’s chambers.
Despite its presence in the Imperial Palace, there was a strange vitality in Changchun Palace. While Jing Wen could not see the orchid blooming carefreely by the window, nor the colourful curtains lightly fluttering, he could perceive there was an undeniable playfulness in the palace. It was as though the palace was a boundary that separated the chill of the outer world, preserving Spring within. It was as though Changchun Palace was not a part of the Imperial Palace, but rather, the home of a little girl.
The ‘little girl’ was holding a blue magpie in her hand, gently brushing its feathers with her fingers. She herself was reclined against a bamboo daybed, wearing a pink and blue ruqun (襦裙). The magpie, upon seeing Jing Wen enter, displayed no sign of fear. Rather, it began chirping an exquisite melody.
Consort Li, hearing the song of the magpie, faintly chuckled. Her cherry-like lips opened slightly to give off a laugh unique to young ladies. Though Jing Wen could not see the picturesque scene, he could hear the tenderness within both the woman and the bird.
It was not the first time Jing Wen laid his ‘eyes’ upon Ji Xiaofan (季小凡). Unlike her name (Xiaofang meaning ordinary), the woman could only be described as fictitious, akin to a character out of a painting, or some kind of fox-demon.
Perhaps if Jing Wen’s eyesights remained, he would have felt a deep yearning for the maiden that is longed by all men in the world. The girl was nearly thirty, yet had both the air of a shy maiden of sixteen and the wisdom of a century-old sage.
It was precisely due to this beauty that Jing Wen remained calm, the soberest he had been ever since the death of his father. To be recognised as the most beautiful woman in the world meant she not only possessed looks unparalleled throughout the realm, but that she also is capable of managing the attention of countless men in the Great Zhu.
“Please take a seat.” Surprisingly, the first to part their lip was not Jing Wen, but Consort Li.
Jing Wen searched around, yet could not find a chair in the entire chamber. Slightly bewildered, he said, “Lady Li, do not speak nonsense.”
Consort Li looked at him with an indecipherable sensation. Her lips formed a gentle smile as she said, “Of course. What I said was out of courtesy.”
Jing Wen was not familiar with the teasing of Consort Li, but remained calm. He asked, “What does Lady Li wish to see me for?”
Consort Li brushed the magpie with her finger the final time before releasing the bird. “Your sister, has she married yet?”
In this world, women typically become wed once they are fourteen; however, Jing An was a unique case. Due to the favour of Princess Kang, she had delayed her marriage already for two years, and became renown through her skills at the four arts. Partially, the reason why Jing Wen left for Jing village was to prevent her suitors from pursuing her now that she lacked Princess Kang’s protection.
Jing Wen calmed his spirits as he replied, “No.”
“I admire that girl.” Consort Li seemed to have invited Jing Wen to discuss Jing An, but could it be so simple? “It would be a shame to see her ruined by marriage.”
These words seemed like a threat, but Jing Wen understood Consort Li enough to know this was her true feelings. Placing his hands before him, he bowed toward Consort Li, saying, “Thank you, Lady Li, for your praise. I will relay it to my sister.”
Consort Li stifled a giggle. “Sir Jing, what kind of man do you want your sister to be wed to?”
Jing Wen found the question truly strange. Was Consort Li implying that Jing An was someone fit only to marry the Emperor like herself? After some time, Jing Wen still could not decipher the meaning behind Consort Li’s words, and could only answer truthfully, “I have no opinion as to who she marries. As long as there are mutual feelings between both parties, I will not interfere.”
Consort Li’s eyes lit up. “I did not expect Sir Jing to be so extraordinary,” she said full of praise.
“Lady Li over praise me,” Jing Wen forced a smile. Did Consort Li have too much time on her hand? After praising Jing An, she had started praising him.
The magpie that had been flying during their conversation finally seemed to have exhausted its strength. Perching at an inconspicuous part of the chamber, it gently lowered itself, before falling asleep.
The moment the bird closed its eyes, Consort Li spoke, “In fact, there’s a method to ensure Jing An never gets married unwillingly.”
“My sister is still young,” Jing Wen frowned slightly, and the small quantity of Qi within his body began to swirl, which did not go unnoticed by Consort Li. “These sort of things can be discussed later.”
Consort Li grinned, her lips forming a beautiful curve, as if pleased by Jing Wen’s response. “Don’t be hasty. I simply want to take her in as a disciple.”
The Qi in Jing Wen’s body began to relax, though he remained vigilant. Becoming a disciple was not only a process to pass on martial arts, but also to form alliances. If Jing An were to accept Consort Li as her master, it would permanently bind the Jing family with Consort Li, and they would share a common interest.
“I did not know that Lady Li is also proficient at martial arts. Could it be that you are from one of the Sacred Mountains?”
Consort Li laughed, “I am indeed from Mount Longhu (龙虎) - how did Sir Jing guess?”
Jing Wen replied, “Of the people from the Sacred Mountains, none of them are ordinary in appearance. Whether tall or short, thin or fat, or other external features, as long as you come from the Sacred Mountains, then there is something unusual about you.”
“Since beauty is one of the most desirable traits, Consort Li should be one of the more prominent figures at Mount Longhu… In truth, if my sister could learn martial arts from you, Lady Li, I would be rather relieved.”
“Since you know, why did you ask?” Consort Li couldn’t help but give a beautiful smile. “People like you should know the significance of the Sacred Mountains. With my support, a small figure like Mo Xi would not be difficult to deal with.”
Jing Wen lowered his head and retrieved his hands from his sleeves. The white cloth covering his fluttered as he arched his body for a slight bow.
“Because you are too ambitious. Because you are crazy.”