Mu Yuchengs Abkommen

Kapitel 81

Xiao Quanzi looked at me with heartache, as if he knew I was lying to him to put his mind at ease. Tonight is too unusual.

He didn't ask, and I didn't say anything.

Actually, I was filled with questions. Logically speaking, I had no direct conflict with that old man, so why did he look at me with such deep hatred?

Moreover, why was he so determined to take me to Later Qin to see him?

Was he sent by his master, or did he come on his own?

The chances of Yuwen Ruojian sending him are slim, because he knows his own limitations. Although we owe each other nothing, I never want to see him again in this life. He made Qingci leave Junjin and leave me, and I cannot forgive him.

If he came all this way without telling his master, what was his purpose?

After thinking for a while, I still couldn't find an answer, and it was late at night and I was exhausted; well, I figured I'd already decided not to go, so there was no point in dwelling on it. What business is it of mine, An Jin's business?

After thinking it over, I asked Xiao Quanzi to turn off the light, yawned, and wearily climbed into bed to continue my sweet dreams.

Xiao Quanzi stood far away, gazing at me for a long, long time. Finally, she sighed softly, turned, and left.

The next day, I got up very late.

Before I even opened my eyes, I heard Shao Shao come in with a happy expression and call me to get up, saying that she had something fun and interesting to show me.

Still half asleep, before I had even fully opened my eyes, he forcibly pulled me up and made Xiao Quanzi dress me in a simple white robe, wash my face and rinse my mouth, and then personally styled my hair into a neat and tidy hairstyle.

I looked at myself in the mirror and thought I looked pretty good, so I casually complimented him: "You really are good. In the future, if any woman will let you spend your whole life styling her hair, how happy you will be."

His face flushed slightly, and he whispered, "If Mom likes it, Shao Shao will be her hairdresser for the rest of his life."

I turned around and tapped him on the head. He's grown taller; I have to stand on tiptoe to reach him now.

She laughed and said, "What are you saying, little brat? I'm your mother, and this place is going to be your future wife's residence."

His face turned as red as a tomato, but he still hurriedly said, "Why not... Shao Shao is..."

"Let's go, let's go." I interrupted him before he could finish speaking, and then led the way out of the palace.

Unbeknownst to them, a profound look flashed in his eyes.

He stretched ungracefully, then basked in the sunlight, feeling quite comfortable.

"Aren't you leaving yet? Weren't you going to take me to see something fun?" I turned around and gave him a slightly wicked smile.

I'm leaving. I will never love anyone else again; I can only let my feelings wither away. Like a purple-blue iris, I quietly open my slender stamens and silently, joyfully, grow old.

To maintain a detached and indifferent heart amidst this chaotic world is to watch those silvery sparks rise and fall in the darkness.

In the very end, who will be there to watch the gentle flow of time with me?

------Excerpted from An Jin's diary.

The seamless, azure sky was dazzling and captivating.

When I arrived at Jingyang Palace with Shao Shao, I saw the familiar, somewhat tanned face with a relaxed smile. I then realized that the fun things Shao Shao had mentioned were the things Thomas had brought from various places.

Shao Shao picked up a doll-like object and said to me, "Mom, this looks like the doll you were talking about, but it's not as well-made or as pretty as the one from Junjin. What do you think?"

I nodded silently.

Thomas, with his somewhat sapphire-blue eyes, looked at me with a smile, then said in Sanskrit, "So you're one of the emperor's women too. But you seem quite special; you know even more than I do. For example, you even understand our language. Who exactly are you?"

I smiled faintly and didn't answer. I've lost count of how many times I've answered the question, "Who are you?" In the end, it's always An Jin who remains, a woman named An Jin. Learning many languages in modern times isn't strange at all. If he weren't from India, I probably wouldn't know them either. And English—every modern person knows it; there's nothing surprising about it.

Shao Shao couldn't understand our conversation and could only look at us with a puzzled expression.

Seeing the faint sadness on my face, Thomas guessed, "Are you unhappy because you're trapped here?"

Seeing his curious expression, I said coolly, "Put away your curiosity. Not everyone can look forward to a story."

For some reason, I suddenly remembered a quote from Eileen Chang: "She was a bird embroidered on a screen... even in death, she remained on the screen."

Fate is like watching a fire from across the river; you never know what will happen next. Looking at Shao Shao's pure smile, so different from how he is with others, warms my heart every time I see it. I suddenly realize that I, too, can love.

I suddenly laughed, feeling a sense of enlightenment.

Scooping up water, I hold the moon in my hand; playing with flowers, my clothes are filled with fragrance.

Didn't this Zen principle, which I understood long ago, already tell me what to do?

Be a wild, solitary woman. Be a wildflower blooming unseen by the roadside. Zen is the most serene lotus in one's life.

The light carriage slowly drove out of the palace. One palace gate after another opened, revealing red walls, vermilion eaves, and green railings, a glazed tile dragon platform, and a phoenix pavilion reaching the sky.

The smoke curls gently, the dew glistens faintly, where are the peach blossoms?

Spring is in full bloom, and the days are perfect for flowers. It truly is a wonderful day for an outing.

To celebrate the occasion, today I wore for the first time a deep red brocade with gold threads, unlike my usual snow-white brocade. The wide sleeves and long hem of my gown swayed gently, adorned with tassels and mandalas, a white jade hairpin dangling at an angle, and tinkling jade pendants. My makeup was light and even. A slight smile played on my lips, like spring water rippling in autumn, and my eyes, sparkling like crystal, held a faint smile.

Today is the annual National Merchants' Conference, held on the first day of the year. The Emperor, to share in the joy with his people, has made an exception and attended this grand event. This annual open-air merchants' conference in the capital is hosted by Junjin, who holds the position of Chairman of the Merchants' Association. The conference is as grand as a national celebration, with all subjects rejoicing, and the resulting prosperity and excitement are beyond the imagination of others.

This is something that other countries can hardly surpass. It's just that Jun Jin is in the State of Jin, not their own country, so those neighboring countries can only envy him, but can do nothing about it.

Moreover, the uproar caused by the revelation that the young master of Jin Kingdom was a woman was unprecedented in this era.

The woman named Jin created a legend of this era.

I don't understand why he did this, why he suddenly announced in court that he would attend this year's merchants' conference. And not incognito, but as the emperor, the master of the country.

As the president, I absolutely must attend.

Looking at the man who loves me so deeply, I don't understand if his actions are an admission of Junjin's status in the world. No one knows yet that Junjin is actually the predecessor of the Jin Kingdom. My four kings are the four prime ministers, excluding Qingci, who just left me.

However, since he has decided to do this, I will give him a gift in front of the whole world.

It's a gift I can give him to fulfill the promise I made back then.

When I arrived at the venue, it was already packed with people.

As soon as I stepped out of the sedan chair with the Emperor, I saw Xiao Qi, Ge Kong, and Lian, who had been waiting nearby, respectfully nodding to me. Looking at their expressions, I knew they were all ready. Then I greeted them with my eyes.

He led us up the high platform. Behind us followed countless officials and several concubines of high status.

He walked away with me in front of everyone, which was a silent acknowledgment of my status.

He was telling the world, "I am irreplaceable, and I understand."

Upon reaching the head seat, Sima Rui sat directly in the place prepared for him. Seated beside him was the chairman of the conference.

I glanced to his right. The seat right next to him was reserved for his empress or favored concubine. To his right was a long row of seats for those from the court. And to his left, next to the equally empty main seat, were seats for renowned merchants who had traveled from afar to attend the national merchants' conference.

When the emperor arrived, they all stood up and stood quietly, waiting for their leader to appear so they could greet the emperor together.

I paused slightly, then suddenly smiled beautifully. Amidst the astonished gazes of the concubines and court officials, I, dressed in a bewitching red robe, as radiant as the sunset, and incomparably alluring, walked with firm yet unwavering steps to the main seat on the left, and sat down with an air of natural majesty.

Like a clear stream flowing over rocks, like a fairy gracefully moving her sleeves in the wind, like a refined scholar strolling leisurely, before the world, I am as still as a mountain and as calm as still water.

Between heaven and earth, the gentle breeze and bright moon blow softly, while clear streams and fresh waters flow gently into the distance.

Like the plum blossom, proudly standing alone amidst frost and snow, exuding a pure fragrance, I sat there, looking at the people of the world, and smiled gently, beautifully.

The concubines and ministers present, who were kept in the dark and knew nothing about it, were all dumbfounded.

Only Consort Huan smiled slightly, realizing that this was the Xiao Jin he had in mind.

Sima Shao, who had been silently watching the proud woman on the stage from the corner, showed a slight change in expression, and a deep look flashed in his eyes.

Upon seeing me, all the wealthy merchants in the world, as well as everyone from Junjin, stood up respectfully and devoutly, bowing with solemn expressions and willingly saying, "Greetings, Chairman (Young Master)." Their respect for me came from the bottom of their hearts, unlike superficial worship.

I glanced at everyone with a calm expression, nodded quietly, and waved. Everyone quietly withdrew and returned to their seats.

After I was seated, I stood up and, on behalf of everyone present, greeted the Emperor, saying, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Then, everyone in the land knelt down and shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The sound instantly resounded through the sky and lingered for a long time.

Sima Rui smiled slightly and said in a deep voice, "Rise."

171 Calamities

The capital is filled with dignitaries, yet she alone is haggard.

—When Sang Qin quietly disappeared among the crowd on the day of the crusade, looking at the stunningly beautiful woman on the stage, looking at the woman he had always treated well, for some reason, this was the sentence that came to mind.

"My beloved concubine, do you know your crime?" the emperor suddenly asked me, as I bowed slightly. Ever since he said I didn't need to kneel, I had never had to kneel to anyone in the world.

I still remember the serious look on his face when he said those words: "An Jin, no one in this world is worthy of your kneeling. No one is qualified." From then on, he never made me kneel again.

I looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he was talking about, but still said softly, "Your Majesty, I do not know."

He smiled slightly: "You are my beloved concubine, yet you disguise yourself as a man and deceive me outside."

I could tell from his tone that there was no blame at all, only tolerance, as if he were simply stating a fact.

I looked up at him, stared intently for a long while, then suddenly stood up straight, walked up to him, and knelt down respectfully.

He was utterly astonished and got up to help me up.

I stepped back, avoiding him, and whispered, "Your Majesty, no!"

He stood there, stunned.

I, An Jin, feel that humbling myself for something worthwhile will not leave me lacking anything.

On the contrary, I suddenly felt a sense of relief. I had finally fulfilled my promise.

After thinking it over, I closed my eyes, then opened them again, my eyes filled with unwavering determination and resolve: "On behalf of the entire Junjin Kingdom, I am willing to follow Your Majesty for eternity. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, and may the Jin Kingdom never perish."

Junjin represents the economic lifeline of this nation. The Jin Kingdom can no longer appear in the world; its wealth is supreme, unmatched even by a single nation. To obtain such wealth, then, is it good for him?

If you become emperor, I will give you all the wealth in the world.

That promise, I remembered it. In fact, ever since I woke up from that day when I had fainted, I have thought of so many things, so many memories that I cherish but cannot treasure more.

Because loving me means being dragged down to hell with me. I'd rather not have that kind of love. Although I still can't remember why I did what I did back then, why I willingly took the old priest's pill of oblivion, those fragmented memories have begun to slowly come together, piecing together images that are enough for me to know who this person is.

"Xiao Jin..." Sima Rui stared blankly at the person kneeling at his feet. Suddenly moved, tears welled up in his eyes.

Was she doing this to show the world that she had completely submitted to him? Or...?

Sima Rui was deeply moved. He walked towards her step by step with a smile in his eyes. He had waited for so many years, thought for so many years, and loved for so many years. Today, to hear her say these words was enough, enough, enough for this lifetime.

A woman dressed in a blood-red, alluringly beautiful outfit lay quietly on the ground, her face calm and undisturbed, revealing no trace of shame or humiliation. As if born that way, her elegance and composure drew all eyes to her.

Why is there such a woman in the world? Why is there such an unparalleled beauty in the world? Why is there such a woman so beautiful and otherworldly, as if she were not a piece of dust in the world, gently etching an indelible mark in everyone's heart?

In the crowd, an elderly man in gray stared expressionlessly at the woman dressed in red, who was just as handsome as the man he cared about in his memory, dressed in a bewitching red. They looked so alike, even though one was a man and the other a woman. They were so very similar.