Chapter 6: An Old Acquaintance from the East (V)

The incident happened suddenly, and the spring banquet was not yet over. Though Ye Tingyan’s actions were extreme, Song Lan knew it was the result of Yu Qiushi’s excessive pressure. He couldn’t help but feel a little angry.

Seeing him about to speak, Luo Wei quickly stepped forward and whispered, “Your Majesty, the spring banquet is not over. If we summon the imperial physician here, it will only make this matter bigger. This is inside the Forbidden Palace; leaving him alone might not be appropriate. Your Majesty and the Grand Tutor should sit back down, and I will take Lord Ye to treat his wound.”

Song Lan tightened his grip on her hand and said, “Sister, thank you for your hard work. After you settle him, remember to return. The scholars still need to hear our encouragement.”

Luo Wei replied, “Yes.”

After a moment of thought, Song Lan called over a familiar face: “Feng Ying, accompany the Empress.”

The reason he was familiar was that Luo Wei had often seen him before. He was the captain of the Golden Sky Guard whose dagger Ye Tingyan had just snatched, named Lu Heng.

Lu Heng was also one of the Eastern Palace guards who came to ask her to return to the palace on the night of the Citang Incident, a trusted subordinate of the former crown prince.

Later, after Song Lan ascended the throne, she handed over the Golden Sky Guard tokens. Lu Heng naturally transferred to the new emperor’s service. Due to their past relationship, he rose to become the Deputy Commander of the Palace Guards and concurrently commanded the Golden Sky Guard, enjoying great success.

Though under Yu Qiushi’s influence, the Golden Sky Guard currently only handled the emperor’s security and could not handle any dirty work for Song Lan, these men were all loyal to death, trained by the former crown prince.

When Lu Heng looked up, Luo Wei had already concealed her icy expression and smiled at him as usual: “Feng Ying, why do you look so tired today? You didn’t even react when a scholar like Lord Ye snatched your dagger. Have you been overworked recently?”

Lu Heng immediately knelt halfway, bowed his head, and said, “Your servant has failed in his duties.”

Luo Wei curtsied to Song Lan, teasing, “Where is the failure? You protect His Majesty closely, working hard with merit. I am kindly speaking on your behalf to request a few days of leave from His Majesty.”

Song Lan observed carefully and noticed that Lu Heng’s complexion was indeed pale today. Since childhood, he had been selected into the Forest Guard and later promoted into the emperor’s close guard. He trained day and night without much rest. Unless he was unwell, he wouldn’t have let Ye Tingyan snatch the dagger so easily.

Thus, Song Lan said, “Very well, what the Empress says is right. After the spring banquet ends, I will grant you a few days of leave to rest properly.”

While Lu Heng was still expressing gratitude, Ye Tingyan was helped up by a few eunuchs, staggering as he knelt to bid farewell to Song Lan. Song Lan stopped his gesture and said, “I remember that after Tingyan came to Bianjing, he only simply acquired a residence with few servants. You’ve injured your shoulder; how can you manage without care? If the imperial physician finds it unsatisfactory later, stay in the palace for a few days.”

It was rare for outsiders to stay in the imperial city; this was an immense favor.

Ye Tingyan knew that most of this speech was meant for Yu Qiushi’s ears and shouldn’t be taken seriously. Still, he pretended to be deeply grateful and thanked, “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness.”

Though Ye Tingyan’s injury wasn’t fatal, simple hemostasis wasn’t sufficient. Luo Wei summoned a palanquin, originally intending to allow him the rare privilege of not walking. However, he insisted against it. With no other choice, Luo Wei found a somewhat presentable palace chamber nearby in the Western Garden and settled him there.

The Western Garden was now unoccupied by concubines. Apart from the duty eunuchs and a few cleaning maids, there was no one else. The medical officer didn’t know the way and arrived late. Fortunately, upon arrival, he efficiently treated Ye Tingyan’s wound and instructed the palace maids to boil a strong medicinal decoction for him to drink.

After drinking the decoction, Ye Tingyan’s complexion finally improved, and he regained some strength to speak.

Luo Wei initially intended to leave the medical officer there, but he mentioned that Ye Tingyan had old wounds that needed more medicine prepared.

Thus, Luo Wei said, “Leaving Lord Ye alone here is inappropriate. These eunuchs and attendants are palace people, and perhaps the adult doesn’t dare to speak freely. Does the adult have any close friends among the guests? I will send someone to invite him to care for you.”

Ye Tingyan, holding his freshly bandaged wound, weakly smiled, “Thank you, Your Highness. I have a colleague named Pei Xi, a scholar from last year’s list. Though we haven’t known each other long, we get along well. If he agrees, Your Highness may invite him on my behalf.”

Luo Wei agreed and turned, saying, “My maid going to the banquet might be inappropriate. Feng Ying, I must trouble you to go.”

Lu Heng glanced around, seeing everyone in the palace solemn, then said, “Yes.”

As soon as he left, Yanluo beside Luo Wei said, “Just now, the medical officer left behind the palace maids to boil the medicine. Let me check for Your Highness.”

She left with her head bowed, taking all the palace attendants away. Soon, the deserted palace chamber was left with only Luo Wei and Ye Tingyan.

Luo Wei stood up and personally closed a flower window beside Ye Tingyan.

Outside the window were lush plants that sprouted early in spring. Ye Tingyan’s gaze wandered, and he sighed, “This place is full of flourishing jin flowers, but alas, spring is not the season for these flowers to bloom. I cannot admire the beautiful scenery with Your Highness.”

Luo Wei casually plucked a leaf, closed the window, examined the leaf carefully, and said nonchalantly, “What’s the point of blooming? Flowers that live and die within a day. Glory fades with the morning and evening, preserving beauty but not grace.” [1]

“How can Your Highness and the Emperor be so harmonious and still have such a cold sigh?” Ye Tingyan reclined on the couch, his tone carrying a trace of barely noticeable sarcasm, “Even if Your Highness doesn’t trust the emperor’s grace, you should trust the old friend... the friendship, right?”

Luo Wei suddenly let go, allowing the leaf to fall. Then she raised her head and gave him a smile: “Third Brother, after many years apart, is the old friend well?”

Ye Tingyan reached out to catch the falling leaf, looking at her quietly: “Does Your Highness still remember me?”

Luo Wei gathered her wide court robe sleeves and casually deceived: “Of course. I didn’t speak earlier because I didn’t want to cause more conflict between you and the Grand Tutor. Third Brother, forgive me.”

Ye Tingyan’s lips curved slightly, but his tone remained cold: “Your Highness speaks too highly. In fact, it is I who should thank Your Highness. If not for Your Highness’ benevolence, borrowing the excuse of moving the screen to have the Golden Sky Guard stand beside me, how could I have seized the opportunity to break the deadlock just now? With this slave mark, I would have found it difficult to move in Qiongting Palace. Thank you, Your Highness, for giving me the chance to bare my heart.”

Luo Wei glanced at him meaningfully: “You caught it yourself. No need to thank me.”

After a pause, she asked again: “When you met me on the road, was this what you sought?”

Ye Tingyan replied, “I haven’t seen Your Highness for many years and couldn’t find another opportunity. Forgive me for intruding on Your Majesty’s carriage.”

So this person deliberately wanted to see her.

But whatever she asked, he answered truthfully, not saying anything extra, making her curious.

Luo Wei leaned towards him intentionally: “Third Brother just spoke of old friendships. Why does it sound so distant now? I’m not addressing you as ‘this palace,’ why do you keep calling yourself ‘subject’? Besides, you haven’t been to Bianjing for many years. I thought you had forgotten all about the youthful things in Bianjing.”

Ye Tingyan paused, his tone heavy: “I certainly haven’t forgotten. I wonder how much Your Highness remembers?”

Luo Wei replied, “I remember everything.”

Ye Tingyan responded, “Then it is my honor.”

The last word trembled slightly, which made Luo Wei think.

Though it wasn’t something she cherished deeply, Ye Tingyan clearly hadn’t forgotten her. Since that’s the case, it wouldn’t hurt to follow his words and perhaps use him a bit.

Hypocrisy was now second nature to her.

Thinking this way, Luo Wei continued, “Third Brother...”

Unexpectedly, Ye Tingyan abruptly interrupted her: “Your Highness, please don’t address me like this anymore.”

He had just sounded like an old friend longing to reconnect. She didn’t know what she said wrong to make him change his attitude so quickly.

Losing patience, knowing she couldn’t stay with him for long, Luo Wei turned and walked toward the palace door. After a few steps, she spoke again without turning back: “The last time I saw Lord Ye, we were both still youths. Now, after many years apart, things have changed. When Lord Ye mentioned old friendship, I also wanted to express some concern... What changes have you experienced these years?”

Ye Tingyan watched her back, tightly gripping the edge of his garment. Veins faintly surfaced on the back of his hand, never relaxing.

His voice was light as clouds and wind: “Growing up, naturally there are changes. Over the years, I have drifted with the world, adapting to the times... I don’t know if I’m still the person Your Highness once knew.”

Luo Wei paused, not responding further, only pushing open the door before her.

Unbeknownst to her, fine rain had started to fall outside.

“Fortunately, it didn’t rain when we came. Otherwise, the wound on your shoulder would have caused more suffering.”

For some reason, Yanluo wasn’t outside. Another palace maid went to fetch an umbrella for the Empress. Thus, Luo Wei stood under the eaves for a while, gazing at the rain curtain, and casually recited: “I went east to the mountains, tardily not returning. I came from the east, drizzle falling softly... Clearly it’s springtime, why is the weather so unpredictable?”

The palace maid found an oil-paper umbrella, and together with Luo Wei, they approached the rain curtain. Before leaving, they remembered to close the door.

Ye Tingyan, alone in the room, finally showed a hint of absent-mindedness.

He murmured to himself, finishing the poem: “Since I have not seen, till now three years... Tying the sash herself, ninety ceremonies. Her newness is good, how about the old?” [3]

He finished with a self-deprecating chuckle, asking the empty space before him as if questioning himself: “Her Highness recites ‘East Mountain’ upon seeing the drizzle, could there be old friends from afar missing her?”

No one answered.

The only response was the urgent call from the rain curtain moments later.

“Your Highness, something has happened—”

The Empress hadn’t gone far. He heard a calm “What is it” amidst the pitter-patter of the drizzle.

Ye Tingyan’s eyebrows lifted.