Wandering Songs at the Ends of the Earth

Chapter 26

On a moonlit night, the two men, each clutching a wine jar, drank heartily and chatted merrily. Xingge, though his eyes were glazed with drunkenness, felt surprisingly clear-headed. Many memories swirled in his mind. He looked up at the moon...

"Why are there two, two, two moons today?"

"Hehe, you're getting drunk!" Jiu Ru felt a little dizzy.

"Oh, so you're already drunk?" Xingge smiled faintly. "They say that when you're drunk, you can have whatever you want. I want to see my father, my mother, Aunt Wan, and... and my grandpa and grandma, and... and Xiaodou... why... why aren't I here!"

Jiu Ru stared intently into Xing Ge's drunken, red eyes. "Do you resent it?"

Xingge froze, tears welling up in her eyes in an instant. "Resent...resent what?! Resent that they all...don't want me! They all...all left me?!"

Jiu Ru reached out to wipe away Xing Ge's tears, but Xing Ge turned her face away and chuckled, "Let me, let me get drunk and feel good all the time!" Then tears streamed down her face.

Jiu Ru gently pulled the person into her arms. The person in her arms was slightly startled, then buried their face in her shoulder and wept uncontrollably. Jiu Ru patted their back softly and murmured.

"I'm here! I'm here!"

It turns out that when you feel sorry for someone, your heart really does ache!

Xingge didn't know how long she had cried. She felt lightheaded, her mind wandering, her vision blurring. She saw smiling faces, sometimes near, sometimes far, floating in the breeze. Was it Aunt Wan? Was it you? She reached out, her fingers warm. Heh! So being drunk really does allow you to see! So real, so warm…

As Jiu Ru carried the drowsy Xing Ge on her back, she strolled slowly along the flower-lined path, her steps a little unsteady, but her heart was filled with joy! Looking closely at her profile, her flushed, drunken face was so close, her long eyelashes unwavering, casting a lovely silhouette beneath her eyes. Tears still lingered at the corners of her eyes, yet a sweet smile played on her lips… Suddenly, she understood why her deep and wise father had been so unwise towards her mother. It turned out that protecting one's beloved was so warm and sweet; no one would ever let go!

Before dawn, Jiu Ru heard something fall on the door. Opening the door, he saw Xing Ge, dressed in a red robe, with his hair loose, carrying the "Li Sao" on his back, sitting under a tree and waving.

"Quickly put on your outer robe, I'll take you to a nice place."

After galloping for nearly a quarter of an hour, the steep cliffs came into view, piercing the clouds.

"This is Yunya Danfeng." Xingge turned back with a smile, then turned and sped towards the summit.

Can one see the cloud-covered cliffs and crimson peaks stretching a thousand miles? With a light laugh, he gathered his strength and followed.

By the time the two reached the summit, dawn was breaking in the east.

Xingge stood facing the wind, saying, "People say that at 'Cloud Cliff and Crimson Peak,' one can see the whole world and overlook the entire land. As for whether one sees the world or the land, that depends on one's own heart! I have watched countless sunrises and sunsets here alone, and you are the first one to watch the sunrise with me!" After saying this, he sat cross-legged on the rock, placed his zither on his knees, turned his head and smiled at Jiuru, "I will play a tune, will you like it?"

Jiu Ru was slightly taken aback. Was that fleeting glint of anticipation in his dark eyes?! Then, the gentle strains of the zither began to rise, carried by the wind, swirling and entangling like silk. Before her eyes, a vast scroll seemed to unfold: verdant peaks, vast plains, pristine snowfields, surging oceans, the bittersweet experiences of life, love and hate, all beckoning her, like a surge of heat rising in her heart, stirring her tranquil thoughts… Jiu Ru was stunned. "Journey to the Ends of the Earth"!

When the music ended, Xingge gently put down his zither, walked alone to the edge of the cliff, and stood there silently.

My heart is in turmoil as I gaze at the red figure on the cliff edge. Is it an invitation for me to travel the world with you? We've been side by side for two years, but is what you still see of the martial world?! That figure is silent, its clothes fluttering like sails, its black hair soaring wildly into the sky, as if it were about to ride the wind and fly away at any moment!

He stepped forward steadily, gripped Xingge's wrist tightly, and said calmly, "Let's survey the world together!"

Xingge's heart sank suddenly, but a relieved smile appeared on her face. She turned her hand to grasp the palm clasped on her wrist and chuckled softly.

"Our wish will come true! Look how beautiful the sunrise is!"

The rosy clouds illuminate the sky, and the sun leaps out of the sea of clouds. How beautiful it is to watch the sunrise with you!

41. Exploring the Palace

Nearly two months have passed since returning to the capital. Prince Qing has been highly praised by the Emperor for his meritorious service in stabilizing Xicang, and the court, observing the changing situation, is gradually shifting its favor towards him. Jiu Ru is busy with political affairs, but no matter how busy she is, she always makes time to sit in the South Courtyard every day. Xing Ge seems to have returned to the days when she first came to the Prince's mansion, spending her days either idly playing games at home or making friends with literary and musical enthusiasts with Xiao Ran; everything seems peaceful and serene.

As usual, he went to the South Courtyard, sat in the massage chair, closed his eyes to rest, his face expressionless, but his right middle finger gently tapped the armrest. Xingge was drawing some new thing at his desk, taking in all of this, but remained silent and waited quietly.

"I met my father today at my mother's place. He seems to intend to travel the world before he dies..." Jiu Ru whispered with her eyes closed.

Xingge was secretly alarmed; was he considering abdicating?! After a moment of silence,

"The current situation is favorable for Your Highness. It's time for Your Highness to marry Miss Jiang!" Instantly, Xingge felt a complex and sharp gaze on her face, but she did not look back and remained focused on drawing the blueprints.

Silence. The only sound in the room was the mechanical grinding of the massage chair...

"Your Highness, although we hold military power in the Northwest, without the Jiang family's strong support, I fear it will be difficult..."

"I have my own plan for this matter! Tell me first what good strategy you have to deal with the current situation!" The Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince. If the Emperor were to abdicate now, he would have no choice but to seize the throne by force.

Xingge pondered for a moment, made a silent decision, put down his pen, and walked calmly to Jiuru's side, whispering something to her.

"Your Highness, the Empress's martial arts skills were quite impressive back then, weren't they?" Jiu Ruxin sighed. Since returning to the Prince's residence, Xingge had only addressed him as "Your Highness" again, and now even Aunt Wan had reverted to addressing him as "Empress"! No rush, there's plenty of time.

"Yes, she taught me swordsmanship when I was five years old!"

"Oh, Your Highness, why do you think that the Empress, with her health, passed away less than two years later?!"

Jiu Ru paused in her heart. She had her doubts, but she was too young at the time, and her mother's mood had indeed been quite depressed!

"I have heard that of the two maids who served Her Majesty in the past, one hanged herself after Her Majesty's death, while the other was imprisoned in the Dark Palace by the Emperor. And the one imprisoned in the Dark Palace is still alive! Given the Emperor's grief and anger back then, why would he allow this person to live on?"

Imprisonment in the Dark Palace was a form of private torture within the palace, used to imprison those whom the Emperor did not wish to explicitly pardon but were destined to die. Inside, there was never sunlight, and the food, clothing, and daily necessities were extremely poor! Concubines and palace maids accustomed to the luxurious life of the palace would soon commit suicide or die of illness after being imprisoned. This Granny Li, for some unknown reason, endured such torture for over twenty years yet still survived. Did the Emperor also have doubts about Mother's death?

Singing while walking, one's heart is clear after a long time; one speaks in a voice so low it is almost inaudible.

"This matter is quite strange. If we can get involved with them, it will eliminate a major obstacle. Even if we can't, we can fabricate something out of nothing and buy time!"

Jiu Ru knew that "those two" referred to Consort Shu and the Crown Prince. "This matter is of utmost importance!"

"Therefore, we must send a trusted and capable person into the palace to investigate thoroughly before we can proceed!"

After a brief pause, seeing that the prince remained silent for a long time, Xingge smiled lightly and said, "I am willing to share the prince's burdens."

"No!" Jiu Ru blurted out without thinking. The palace was definitely not a place she could control. If the person who did this was exposed, they would surely be sentenced to death!

"Does Your Highness not trust my abilities, or do you have a better candidate?" Xingge chuckled and returned to her desk to continue drawing.

He stared silently at the person before him for a long time. "Are you really confident?"

Xingge's smile deepened, "Your Highness, do you still remember my promise before the Battle of Tiangou? You haven't even sat on that throne yet..."

Jiu Ru was overwhelmed with emotion, "Okay! I believe you!"

As Jiu Ru was escorted out of the courtyard, Xing Ge watched as the figure in black robes gradually disappeared into the night, feeling a pang of pain in her heart. It had come to this!

Having served as the head musician at the Xianyi Pavilion for over a month, Wanqing was about to retire for the night. She combed her loose black hair, carefully examining her reflection in the mirror—neither beautiful nor ugly, utterly ordinary. This was Wanqing, the musician, recommended by Vice Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Works, to play for the Noble Consort Xian in the palace the next day. Suddenly, she stopped, hastily extinguishing the candle. A moment later, a figure in black leaped through the window and entered.

Wanqing whispered, "Has something changed?"

No, I just came to see you!

Wanqing frowned upon hearing this, "Better safe than sorry, let's go back quickly!"

"I learned a hairstyle from someone. Come, let me try it out!" The person chuckled and took the comb from the table, then pressed the person down to sit by the window without further ado.

Once outside the Prince's residence, this person became increasingly unrecognizable! Wanqing, not wanting to disturb the servants downstairs, forced herself to sit quietly, her scalp throbbing painfully from the constant pulling...

"Look, how does it compare to Xiao Ran's combing?"

Looking at herself in the mirror under the moonlight, Wan Qing couldn't help but laugh and cry. "My face is already so plain and ordinary, and with this 'unique' hairstyle, I'm afraid I won't even be able to get through the palace gates!"

"Oh, is it that 'unique'? Then I'll go back and practice with my newfound knowledge."

Wanqing immediately pictured Mo Yi's bitter face in her mind. "Right, right, let's go back now!"

The newcomer chuckled, "Remember your promise to me, be careful in everything!" Suddenly leaning closer, Wanqing felt a warmth on her lips. She swung her palm, but the newcomer, as if expecting it, had already leaped over the windowsill with a smile, leaving only the sound of his inner strength transmitting, "You will definitely come back safely!"

The next day, the Vice Minister of Works personally visited the Xianyi Pavilion to invite her. Amidst expressions of envy, Wanqing rode in the same carriage with the official.

"The prince is unwilling to reveal the purpose of your trip, but there are many eyes and ears in the palace, so you must be careful in everything you do!" Jiang Hua looked at the 'unfamiliar' face and whispered his advice.

"I will, otherwise it will implicate Lord Jiang!"

"Don't mention it. Just don't press for the debt too hard!" Hua Lian chuckled.

Wanqing chuckled, "You're a true gentleman! I, the creditor, am not in a hurry, but you, the debtor, are always talking about it!"

"Hehe, I'm worried that if I really can't pay it back, someone will force me to marry him."

"Ha ha"

Amidst soft laughter, the carriage arrived at the side gate of the inner palace. After getting out of the carriage and waiting for a reply, Wanqing, carrying her zither, followed Hualian into the Xuanning Palace.

Xuan Ning Palace was the residence of Consort Xian, the head of the harem. Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Works was her grand-nephew. Because the consort loved listening to music and watching plays, Minister Jiang specially invited Wan Qing, a qin player from the Xianyi Hall who had recently become famous in the capital, to the palace to entertain the consort.

As Wanqing walked through the covered walkway and flower path, she saw Consort Xian enjoying tea in the garden. She bowed and greeted her, then stood quietly with her eyes lowered. She sighed inwardly, thinking that Consort Xian was indeed kind and gentle, virtuous and dignified. Judging from her features, she must have been a stunning beauty in her youth.

Historically, the best qin players have mostly been men. Consort Xian curiously observed the female qin player, whom her grand-nephew had so strongly recommended. She was surprised to find her so young. Although her appearance was somewhat ordinary, her figure was graceful, and her demeanor was composed. In particular, her dark eyes were deep and serene, truly befitting a qin player. Intrigued, she asked someone to offer her a seat and selected the piece "Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake." Everyone waited quietly for the music to begin.

Wan Qing focused intently, and the music flowed from her fingertips. A light gradually appeared in the originally peaceful eyes of the Virtuous Consort. Although it was broad daylight, she felt as if she were on the banks of a still autumn lake, enjoying a clear breeze and a bright moonlit night…

After the music ended, no one spoke for a long time. Seeing the look of amazement on the Empress's face, Hua Lian knew that the matter was settled.

"Is Grandma satisfied with this gift from my grandnephew?"

Consort Xian then came to her senses and said with a smile, "Satisfied, satisfied!" She then turned to Wanqing and said, "Miss Wan's musical skills are superb; no one among the younger generation can surpass you!"

Wanqing hurriedly stood up to express her gratitude, "Your Majesty flatters me. I am but a country musician, how could I compare to the masters in the palace?"

"Miss, there's no need to be modest. I have been appreciating music for decades and have seen countless people play the zither. There are only two or three who can compare with you in terms of zither skills."

"Since you admire Miss Wan so much, why not invite her to stay in the palace for a while to help you pass the time?" Hua Lian suggested from the side.

Consort Xian had already intended this, and seeing her grand-nephew's strong recommendation, she was no longer worried about the girl's background, and smiled at Wanqing.

"Then I'll have to trouble Miss Wan to keep this old woman company for a while!"

Seeing that Consort Xian was friendly, Wanqing said, "Your Majesty is a renowned connoisseur of music in the country. It is my great fortune to receive your guidance on my zither playing!"

Consort Xian was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately granted her residence in the Lan Pavilion, a side courtyard of Xuan Ning Palace.

42. In vain

More than ten days have passed in the blink of an eye. Consort Xian discovered that this young lady Wan was not only excellent at playing the zither, but also had a wide range of knowledge. She told many strange and wonderful stories about the martial arts world, which added a lot of fun to the dull life in the palace.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, tributes from various regions are arriving in the capital one after another. The day before yesterday, many exotic fruits and delicacies from the south arrived. That evening, Consort Xian summoned her close juniors to the palace to listen to music and admire the moon.

Xiao Ran was lost in thought, holding a book in the painting academy. Xing Ge hadn't been seen for a month and a half; she wondered where he'd been sent this time! Looking back at the portrait on the wall, her face was slyly smiling, and she felt annoyed! Just then, a servant rushed in from outside.

"Young master, young master, the Empress Dowager Xian has sent someone to tell you to go moon-gazing tonight!"

Xiao Ran was shocked. Oh no! She had been so busy looking for Xing Ge that she had forgotten that she hadn't been to Grandma Xian's place for almost a month. She was going to be punished tonight!

"What have you heard from Her Majesty?" I wonder what punishment she will receive tonight.

The servant had anticipated the young master's question. "I've inquired and heard that a woman who plays the zither recently came to the Empress's palace. She is very much appreciated by the Empress and probably invited the young master to listen to her music."

Oh, if it's just a few songs as punishment, that's fine!

Prince Li's marriage to the Wang family meant he wasn't close to Consort Xian, who came from the Jiang family. However, Xiao Ran was skilled in music and calligraphy from a young age, and was deeply loved by Consort Xian. Since she had no interest in politics and didn't need to avoid any restrictions, she was often summoned to the palace by Consort Xian to relieve her boredom.