Seeing that he was recovering from serious injuries and exhausted from the long journey, his complexion was extremely poor, yet his eyes shone with excitement, Li Weiying felt a pang of sympathy: "Your father treats you this way, yet you still go to such lengths to consider his feelings." Qu Zhixiu paused, the ink unconsciously seeping into the paper: "He is my father. Even if he doesn't like me, he is still my closest relative. Being born his son, I had no choice." A hint of worry crossed his brow, "There is no choice between us either, no room for maneuver." Li Weiying put the pen away, hung the map he had drawn on the wall, and stood there looking at it again and again: "Since we are now at odds, you shouldn't linger here. This entanglement doesn't seem like the way to treat a hostage."
Qu Zhixiu couldn't catch his breath and tried to calm his anger before saying, "At first, I thought you were a spy sent by my second brother, so I beat and scolded you. Later, I found that you were really smart and beautiful, so I also liked you a little. But you are persistent and always thinking about others, so I couldn't help but have evil intentions and always wanted to see you in a sorry state. It is only right that you hate me and despise me."
Li Weiying smiled, "You're a sensible person, that's good. I won't see you off then." She turned her face away, refusing to look at him again. Qu Zhixiu was furious and smashed the furnishings in the room to pieces at her feet. She said calmly, "They're not mine anyway, I won't care. Be careful your father hears of your mischievousness and causes trouble. Also, don't keep making that face and annoy me. Instead of bickering here, go check on the defenses. My father's troop deployment is extremely meticulous; don't be careless." Qu Zhixiu sneered a few times, "Fine, let me see the Heavenly Dynasty's army. You stay put, you'll be useful in the future."
***
The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, separated by the Milky Way. Her slender hands deftly move, busily weaving at her loom. All day she weaves, but nothing is finished, tears falling like rain. The Milky Way is clear and shallow; how far apart are they? Separated by a mere stream, they gaze at each other, unable to speak.
Gaochang receives little rain, and the palace grounds, besides those with Han-style flying eaves, also feature many flat-roofed buildings. As usual, Li Weiying climbed onto the rooftop platform and sat in an armchair to cool off. Half of the platform was covered with a trellis, where bunches of grapes were drying. Gaochang's summers and autumns are sweltering, only slightly more comfortable in the evenings. After sitting for a while, she rose and looked around; the palace was dotted with lights, and she could almost hear bursts of laughter and chatter.
Today is the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the Qixi Festival, a time for praying for skill in needlework. Many women stroll arm-in-arm with their lovers, or boast of their needlework skills under the moon, or pledge their vows to the heavens and earth. But I, atop this high tower, gaze at the vast, distant stars. The Milky Way is wide; even the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl can meet. My love and I have been separated for two years, yet I haven't seen him even once. Though I possess celestial robes, to whom can I wear them? And to whom can I tell the hundredfold sorrow in my heart?
All around, laughter and chatter filled the air, but here, a desolate chill permeated the atmosphere. The gentle night breeze, which everyone else seemed to enjoy, instead brought a bone-chilling cold to the touch.
Enough, enough, Huan Lang, I have waited far too long, and I can no longer bear the torment of this longing.
The servants were instructed to set up an incense table, filled with jade platters of melons and fruits, and also placed a golden goblet on it.
After a long and solemn silence, she took out a spirit stone from her bosom, placed it in the golden goblet, struck a flint to ignite it, and said earnestly, "Heaven, I, Li Shi, sincerely pray under this moonlight. In the past, I failed to recognize Huan Lang's feelings for me and wasted his deep affection. Now, I use this spirit stone to express my faith, wishing that Huan Lang will return safely to see me, and that we may be together forever."
The spirit stone burst into blazing flames, burning bright red in the pitch-black night.
If you cannot see the deep affection I cherish, then please give me everything at this moment.
Standing silently, a thought stirred within me, and I suddenly turned around—
He stared at it for a long time, then calmly turned back.
"Not yet full."
A soft call. The stars in the sky seemed to fall heavily.
Her body trembled slightly, and she held her breath and remained motionless.
"Take another look, it really is me."
Before she finished speaking, she had already rushed over and thrown herself into that familiar, warm, and strong embrace.
We embraced tightly, almost suffocating, but I would not run away.
This moment has come too late; I only regret that I didn't hold him enough.
Your shoulders, your burning heartbeat, are the reliance I've been searching for my whole life.
Li Weiying cried, "You said you'd return in a day or two, but I've waited two years." Huan She was already in tears, kissing her face repeatedly, saying haltingly, "I'm sorry... I'll never... I'll never leave you again... never again..." Li Weiying pulled him to sit under the grape trellis, but Huan She had just said, "Be careful of this trellis," when several sections collapsed. Huan She steadied them with his shoulder, protecting her as he walked away, then kissed her soft, tear-stained face again.
Li Weiying looked up at him and saw that he was even more haggard than when he was injured while wandering in the desert. His dark and thin face was covered with black mud and ash, and tears streamed down his face. She gently stroked his thin face and asked, "Where have you been all this time?"
Huan She stared at her blankly for a long time before finally smiling contentedly, his eyes shining. "I've been to so many places, and I've finally found you." He couldn't help but lower his head to kiss her again, but Li Weiying immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to meet his kiss. They lingered for a long time, then smiled at each other, savoring the sweetness of their reunion.
He said, “I had just arrived in Hejing and rescued Alaya when I heard that Heshuo had fallen. I was in a hurry to go back to find you, but Hejing had also fallen. Baqitu and Luokebu escaped. Alaya was originally injured, and I protected him. Then we were captured by the armies of Gaochang and the Turks. We were first sent to Wuban, and we saw an opportunity to escape, but soon we were captured again as prisoners and taken to Jiaohe. I was injured at the time and could not leave.” Li Weiying exclaimed, “You were in Jiaohe?” Huan She was stunned: “Yes, yes, at the Jiaohe Duke’s Mansion. I rubbed sesame for several days. The most infuriating thing was that one night I had just rested when I was woken up and rubbed sesame all night, saying that a madman was in a hurry to get it.”
Li Weiying held his hands in her arms, where deep and shallow cuts still remained. She wondered how much blood he must have bled and how much pain he must have endured while playing mahjong. Holding his scarred hands tightly, she thought, "Huan Lang, no, please don't get hurt for me again." Huan She, unaware of the reason, continued, "I couldn't bear this suffering any longer. Having familiarized myself with the layout of the manor, I secretly took Alaya and slipped out. He returned to Yanqi, and I continued searching for you everywhere. I captured many prisoners in Yanqi—Wuban, Yancheng, Longquan, as well as Chuyue, Chumi, and the Turks—but I couldn't find you anywhere." Though he didn't say it explicitly, one could imagine the hardship and anxiety he must have endured in his search.
"I... I regret it so much! Why did I leave you alone in Heshuo! And when I think back to how the Turks forced us to make weapons for the war against Yanqi, the weapons I forged with my own hands were used to kill you... Weiying, I regret it so much!"
Li Weiying nestled in his arms, "Huan Lang, all the weapons you used recognized me; they couldn't hurt me at all." Huan She hugged her tightly, "Luckily you're unharmed. So you were in the palace. I really should have replaced Zhao Jie earlier." Li Weiying asked, puzzled, "Why?" Huan She said, "I went back to Dahai Village. The government came to arrest Zhao Jie to make him work as labor. Zhao's son is so weak, and he's an only child. I'm afraid he'll be exhausted to death, so I took his place." Li Weiying said anxiously, "But do you know how heavy this labor is?"
Huan She smiled wryly, "I've heard about it, but people say there are many Yanqi laborers in the palace... Otherwise, how could I possibly fly over these high walls to find them? This truly kills two birds with one stone, it couldn't be better." He rubbed his eyes, closed them briefly, then squinted again, smiling as he stared at her, "So I was right, you really are here." Li Weiying looked at his eyes, which were full of reddish-brown blood vessels and deeply sunken, "Your eyes?" Huan She hummed in agreement, then rubbed his lower back with his hand, "I'm hunched over digging in the wells and canals every day, it's dark down there, and the smoke from the candles is terrible. Luckily it's still night, if I saw the sun I would definitely be crying. You think I was crying for you just now? No, actually my eyes hurt."
Li Weiying hugged him: "You are, you are, you say you are, I am your Lide Hasniwit, your most beloved little lover, you cried for me." Huan She cried out: "You knew all along!" Li Weiying gently shook his shoulders: "I know everything, you love me so much, don't even think about lying to me anymore. I burned my spirit stone for you, don't you want my heart?"
Huan She was overjoyed: "Yes, yes!" He smiled foolishly: "This spirit stone... it really works. You, do you have another one... can you give it to me?" Li Weiying took it out of her bosom and gave it to him. He stared at it blankly for a long time, his expression complicated.
"By the way, why are you staying here, eating and living so comfortably? You don't act like a proper person at all!" Huan She asked. Li Weiying thought that was a long story, so she said, "I'm being held captive here by the little prince." Huan She exclaimed in surprise, "How has he treated you? I'll take you away right now." Li Weiying said anxiously, "There are so many people watching outside, how can you force him? He's gone to the Western Turks now, and he won't be back for a while." Huan She thought for a moment, "Alright, you have another month to complete your forced labor for Zhao Jie. If I escape, it will cause his whole family to be arrested and imprisoned. I'll definitely find a chance to take you out, don't worry, I'll never abandon you again." He hugged her and said.
"Zishen, Zishen!" someone called from downstairs, and Huan She responded. Li Weiying looked at him intently. "Your name is Zishen?" Huan She was a little shy. "It's the name I was given at my coming-of-age ceremony. I'm of low rank and position, so nobody usually calls me that." Li Weiying said, "You're Zishen?" Huan She was even more embarrassed. "When I first came down to the well, it was so deep and dark. People asked me what my name was, and I just blurted it out."
Li Weiying smiled while tears streamed down her face.
You're the one twisting hemp rope, you're the one digging wells and canals, it's you, it's you, it's all you.
Huan Lang, it turns out you've always been by my side, silently watching over me, protecting me, cherishing me, and loving me.
Huan She panicked a little, "If you don't like it, I'll choose another character." The urging from downstairs grew even more urgent: "Zishen, what's taking so long to repair!" Huan She hurriedly said, "I'll go first, then come see you again." Li Weiying grabbed him, "Huan Lang, what other names haven't you told me?" Huan She kissed her, "Does that mean I have to tell you if my uncle calls me a brat or a stinky little Lang?" He laughed and hurriedly went down from the rooftop.
Li Weiying smiled again and again as she watched his retreating figure before going down to her own room. A servant asked her, "Madam, has the grape trellis been repaired?" It turned out the servant had noticed the trellis was tilted and, too lazy to fix it himself, had been caught by Huan She and his men passing by on their way back from the well. Li Weiying frowned and said, "It's getting worse with each repair. Punish him by making him come back tomorrow for a major overhaul."
*
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PS: On December 4th or 9th of the 13th year of Zhenguan (639 AD) (according to the New Book of Tang and the Zizhi Tongjian) or the Old Book of Tang, Emperor Taizong of Tang officially issued an edict to attack Gaochang.
The line "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl are far apart" is from a Han Dynasty poem; the author's name is unknown.
Detainees: During the late Sui Dynasty, war broke out all over the country, and the Central Plains were in chaos. Many Han Chinese were forced to flee to Gaochang and the Turkic lands. After the Tang Dynasty unified the country, the court paid a lot of ransom to redeem them from the Turks, but Gaochang refused to return them (Gaochang's population had increased several times compared to the previous dynasty, but it still needed more labor). Instead, the Tang court detained these refugees, calling them "detainees," and subjected them to heavy labor, which greatly angered the Tang court.
Last weekend I went out for sashimi and oysters, though I didn't eat much. I was still writing "Fu Lin" until 3:40 AM, and then I got gastroenteritis, with stomach cramps all day. On Tuesday, I wrote "Qixi Festival," and I was so excited after finishing that I couldn't sleep all night and caught a cold. Plus, my gastroenteritis hadn't gotten better, so on Wednesday I started having a splitting headache and feeling nauseous. This afternoon I ate two bites of noodles and threw them all up. I barely ate anything for dinner, and I wrote from 8 PM to 11:30 PM, feeling dizzy. If anyone still complains after all this, I'll vomit half a mouthful of blood, go see the plum blossoms with a maid, and die right there in front of you.
Chapter Twenty-Four
24. 【Qikou】
The next evening, Li Weiying went up to the rooftop early to wait for Huan She, but instead, another worker arrived after a long wait. When asked where the men who had come to repair the scaffolding the previous night had gone, he replied that the wells and canals had been dredged, and most of the workers had been reassigned to other heavy work. Li Weiying was horrified. Had she been separated from Huan She again? Seeing her changed expression, the worker asked, "My lady, what's wrong?" Li Weiying bit her lip hard, trying to calm herself. She convinced herself that since Huan She knew she was there and had promised to take her away, he would definitely find a way to come back to her. Huan She was so affectionate and capable; surely she trusted him? Thinking this, she smiled with relief and gave the man the fruits and cakes she had originally prepared for Huan She. He left happily.
Tomorrow, afternoon.
A guard came and led Li Weiying away, saying that Qu Zhixiu had returned. Li Weiying was startled, so fast, but then she remembered that Huan Lang was with her, so she had nothing to fear. Calmly, she followed the guard to Qu Zhixiu's room, where she saw a large white jade vat. Qu Zhixiu was completely submerged in the water, with only his head and hands above the surface. At this time of year, Gaochang was extremely hot, especially in the afternoon. Even in government offices, many officials would disregard etiquette and work while submerged in water vats. As soon as Qu Zhixiu saw Li Weiying enter, he abruptly stood up from the vat, and she quickly closed her eyes and turned away.
Qu Zhixiu laughed heartily, and servants rushed over to wipe his clothes. After the servants withdrew, Qu Zhixiu said with a smile, "The Tang princess fears me like a rat or an ant." Li Weiying frowned, thinking to herself, "You really haven't changed." Qu Zhixiu turned her shoulder to face him, scrutinizing her carefully. "Your expression is different today. You're not even angry that I'm teasing you like this." His eyes gleamed. "Have you actually changed your ways?" A smile appeared on Li Weiying's lips, but she still didn't answer.
Qu Zhixiu released her, scoffing, "Don't be so smug. We haven't even seen a shadow of the Tang army; they've probably all perished in the desert. Heh, it's a shame I bought so many horses from the Turks. Each one is a top-quality horse, ready to fight the Tang army." Li Weiying casually chuckled, "Defending the city is already difficult enough; as for open field battles, forget about it." Qu Zhixiu was furious. He forcefully dragged her out of the room, took his guards, mounted his horse, and rode away from the palace, heading northeast out of the city.
They galloped at full speed, and fortunately, Li Weiying was a good rider and tried her best to control the horse, barely managing to keep up with Qu Zhixiu. Even so, after traveling more than thirty li to the Chishi Mountain section under Ningrong's jurisdiction, she was panting heavily. Qu Zhixiu nodded: "Not bad, you still have some of the style of the Li family of Wuchuan." Li Weiying stood on her horse, patted her chest, and looked quite proud.