The document is clear to the world

Chapter 59

I lowered my head and refused to look at him.

"This book was once my wife's favorite. She always said it was a book that could lull me to sleep, but I find it hard to fall asleep while reading it. Only she could fall asleep while reading such a brilliant military treatise. I made several copies by hand, and one of them is kept here. I sometimes come here to flip through it when I stay overnight in the palace. Every word in this book is the essence of military strategy."

"This servant found it by accident, it was unintentional, I hope Your Highness will not take it to heart. If I had known it was the Princess's keepsake, I would never have dared to touch it."

"It's just a copy I made by hand, no need to worry about it. I've long heard that the tea-serving maid in the Emperor's court is clever and quick-witted, but I didn't expect her to be so knowledgeable, reading all kinds of books and tasting all kinds of teas." He glanced at the tea book beside me, spoke casually, walked to the armchair and sat down, fiddling with a collection of poems in his hands.

"Your Majesty has been racking your brains over the war these past few days. If you were to discuss anything with me, I would be disappointed if I couldn't answer. That's why I thought of flipping through some military books, hoping to share Your Majesty's burdens." I knew this reason was far-fetched, but it was the only thing I could say.

"She is indeed a thoughtful girl. I hope she can share our burdens with the Emperor." He smiled faintly, without looking up from the poetry collection, and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

"But...shouldn't the princes be awaiting the Emperor's decree at this moment?"

Lu Li smiled faintly, "That sounds nice, like waiting for orders. I've been scolded so much these past two days that my head is throbbing. The brothers and I have been discussing taking turns to cover for him. Today it's Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother. Tomorrow it'll be Ninth Brother and my turn."

I smiled and said, "If there are no further instructions, this servant will take her leave."

He nodded, I bowed, and then withdrew.

As I stepped out of the South Study, a little eunuch ran up behind me. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was Xiao Si.

"Little Fourth Eunuch, where are we going?"

"It seems our Prince will be spending the night in the South Study again."

Lu Li had been immersed in military books for several days. Was he going to risk his life in the war against the Great Mongol? He should know that it was a quagmire, and once he got stuck, he didn't know how deep it would go.

“Miss—” Xiao Si followed behind me and said in a low voice, “Our Prince hasn’t spoken so much in a long time.”

I ignored it and kept walking.

"It's true. Whether it's Consort Ding or the concubines in the Prince's mansion, he responds more than he speaks. Today, I noticed that our master spoke much more than usual. Could you spend more time talking to our master in the future? Of course, you are someone close to the Emperor and cannot be in two places at once, but it would be best if you could come to the Southern Study more often and say a few words to our master occasionally."

Xiao Si is right about this; the loneliest families throughout history are those of emperors and noble families… If it were me in the past, I would have been willing to share their burdens and relieve their boredom, but today… things are different.

Xiao Si suddenly stopped and said in a low voice, "Your Highness and our Princess Consort look somewhat alike... No wonder our Master always seems to be in a daze when he looks at you."

I was trying my best to hide it...

I slowed my pace and looked at Xiao Si. "Xiao Si, how much do I resemble her?"

"Your appearance is different from our Princess Consort's, but the longer you look at you, the more you feel that you have become her... When the Princess Consort was in the manor, everyone respected her. She was also tolerant towards the Prince, always putting the greater good first. In short, sometimes when I look at her, I feel sorry for her, I feel that she is tired, she stands so high and so far. But you are still a real person, with joy and anger, daring to contradict the Emperor, not hiding your thoughts, and not pretending to gain the Emperor's favor. Unlike our Princess Consort, who forced herself to smile no matter whether she was happy or not. However, every time I see her smile, my heart jumps out of my chest, it makes one feel instantly alive."

I listened casually, and Xiao Si sighed, "But she never gets angry or smiles at our master, and neither does our master. The two of them are so alike."

"Little Fourth, do you think there's any true affection in the imperial family?"

Xiao Si, standing to the side, shook his head.

I smiled and nodded. "So, they're nothing special either. You scheme against me, and I scheme against you. There's not a moment of sincerity between them."

Xiao Si lowered her head, looking somewhat dejected. "But—it seems that the Prince really cared about the Princess back then."

I stopped in my tracks. “Xiao Si—he can only have one person like that, and that kind of love only happens once. Once lost, it can never be regained, just like your princess can never come back.”

If one day he feels like I've come back, I want to tell him through Xiao Si... that I can never go back...

Chapter Thirteen: Xi Wen

After walking to the Imperial Garden, Xiao Si and I parted ways. He headed north, while I went east. When I saw Xi Wen admiring the flowers in the garden, I respectfully stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Eighth Princess."

Xi Wen sighed softly, seemingly in a daze, "I'm not a princess anymore."

Then I remembered that Lu Xiu's title had been revoked, and Xi Wen had been divorced by the Emperor on Lu Xiu's behalf. I felt a little awkward and didn't know what to say.

Xi Wen suddenly glanced at me and asked, "Are you Xiao Zheng, the Emperor's concubine?"

"yes."

"Sit with me for a while, it's been so long since anyone has talked to me."

I agreed and sat down with her on the stone bench. She gazed into the distance with a dreamy look in her eyes. "I heard that you were the one who served the Eighth Master not long ago?"

"yes."

Has he lost weight?

"yes."

Do you often feel disoriented?

"yes."

"Is it good to eat the ground?"

"Yes." I finally couldn't help but say. "Princess—"

"Are you sick or in pain?"

"If the princess is worried, why don't you go and keep Eighth Prince company?"

Xiwen stared at me intently. "I always annoy him. It's better not to see him." She said, slowly rising to her feet. "I advised him not to investigate those pointless things. He never listened to a word. His heart is forever set on that Seventh Sister-in-law, whom he considers unattainable. He said she was the only true confidante he could ever have. He went to this point for someone who is already dead. I don't know if it's pathetic or pitiful."

My chest felt empty and quiet. "Princess...Eighth Prince is a rare gentleman."

"Of course I know that our relationship is more like that of siblings than husband and wife. Perhaps we can't really be considered husband and wife. I was just young and impulsive, and I married the least likely person to be my husband. I never expected him to see me as his wife. All I got in my anger was the title of the Eighth Prince's Consort. In this life... we often don't get what we want most, and because of this, we never cherish what we have in our hands. We always look at what's in front of us and forget what's behind us. In the end, we will be left with nothing."

Xiwen's words lingered in my ears. She had already seen through it all, while I was still trapped in the mortal world, unable to escape, and unable to break free.

Two days later, Consort Ding intended to choose a consort for Xiwen, but Xiwen politely declined.

She shaved her head and entered the Buddhist order, choosing a new path in life for herself.

I don't know why, but on the day she retired to Baiyun Temple, I still went to see her off.

I was stunned by her calm smile in her simple clothes.

"Xiwen—" I called her by her full name, "You... have you fallen in love with Eighth Master?"

She smiled faintly, did not answer, and turned to disappear into the swirling snow.

Since then, I have always thought of that woman with the gentle smile, and the undisguised pride in her eyes when I first met her. What kind of woman, who had experienced such great love and pain, could so resolutely break free from all chaos?

Such a willful and proud woman, while with her husband, always had someone else in her heart. Only after her husband left did she realize she woke up every night in her dreams calling his name, only then did she realize the anxiety and unease she felt because he was no longer there, only then did she realize she had nothing left...

The emperor resumed attending court as usual and stopped scolding his sons every day to vent his anger.

After lunch, Marshal Pang Jian knelt outside the Chaoyang Palace and volunteered to don armor and go into battle to rescue the Third Master, but he did not receive a response from the Emperor for a long time.

The emperor sat at his desk, staring blankly at the memorials, unaware that I had even walked past him.

"Is Your Majesty troubled by the matter of Da Meng and Third Master?" I asked, replacing the cold tea in his hand. "Marshal Pang has been requesting imperial decree."

The Emperor was taken aback and frowned slightly. I saw through his thoughts and said, "Does Your Majesty not want military power to rely too much on the maternal relatives?"

He paused, glanced at me, and asked, "What do you mean?"

I turned around, filled the cup with tea, and handed it to him. “His Majesty is afraid that another Rong woman will emerge in our dynasty.”

"Go on."

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, we absolutely cannot use the Pang family to fight against the foreign invaders this time." Although it was my humble opinion, he probably shared that sentiment in his heart.

"Oh?" The Emperor looked at me with amusement. "But I can't find a general like Pang Jian at my disposal."

"I have heard that Marshal Pang has a close friend who is also a descendant of a military family. It is said that he could speak of 'the war of non-action, the victory without fighting' when he was three years old, he was well-versed in military strategy and military manuals when he was five, he went on a military expedition when he was ten, became a vanguard officer when he was twelve, and became a major general when he was fifteen."

The Emperor thought for a moment, then suddenly raised the corners of his mouth, "But he is the beloved son of the Duke of Dingguo."

“It is Yang Wei.” I nodded. “After the Duke of Dingguo died on the battlefield six years ago, Yang Wei took off his battle robes and stayed away from the battlefield. But I heard that he has been on good terms with Marshal Pang all these years. Whenever there is a battle, Marshal Pang will consult him. It is a pity that such a talent only serves the Pang family. If Your Majesty can use him, he will definitely become a pillar of our dynasty.”

The Emperor nodded. "Go and summon Yang Wei—"

Upon receiving the order, Eunuch Chang hurriedly ran out, and I stepped back.

Carrying the cold tea, he walked outside the hall. Pang Jian was still kneeling in front of the hall, pleading for his life. Looking at him, he swallowed his hatred, forced a smile, and walked up to him. "Marshal Pang, His Majesty said that you are not fully recovered yet, so you will not have to take action this time."

"For the sake of our great dynasty's peace and prosperity, I will spare no effort," Pang Jian replied resolutely.

"Marshal, please return. His Majesty is tired and has gone to rest." My voice was cold. "If you are still kneeling, Marshal, I have a cup of cold tea for you to help you relax."

Pang Jian finally got up helplessly, turned around and left. I pretended to be casual and turned back to ask the palace servants, "Have you gone to invite Lord Yang Wei? The Emperor is waiting anxiously."

The departing figure trembled suddenly, paused for a long time, and then dragged its feet away.

I gazed at that figure, a smile spreading across my lips... Pang Jian, Pang Jian, you are now nothing more than a cup of washed-up cold tea. My father gave you his daughter, but you did not treat her well. My Rong family trusted you, but you trampled your own relatives underfoot for your own power and wealth. The one who destroyed the Rong family was not the emperor, but you, this treacherous minister.

I will eventually watch you lose your right-hand men step by step, and be abandoned by everyone. I will make you kneel before the Rong family's memorial tablet and atone with your death. The score between us... has only just begun to be settled.

As rumored, Yang Wei was indeed a cold-faced man, but compared to the Iron-Faced Fourth Prince, who struck fear into the hearts of all in the palace, his coldness seemed somewhat mild.

With silkworm-shaped eyebrows, a sharply defined face, and tightly pursed lips, he exudes a sense of seriousness and authority.

When the emperor explained his intention to recommend virtuous and capable people, her lips pursed even tighter.

Seeing that he remained unmoved by the Emperor's hospitality, I stepped forward and respectfully asked, "Lord Yang, is it because of your close friendship with Lord Pang that you refuse to accept this offer? Are you serving the Pang family or the court?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Wei paled slightly and turned to kneel before the Emperor. "Your Majesty, my wishes have nothing to do with Lord Pang. It is because I resolved never to fight on the battlefield again after my father's death in battle."

I smiled slightly, "Does Your Excellency know who the Mongol general is in this battle?"

Yang Wei shook his head.

“It is Hudutai,” the Emperor said firmly.

Yang Wei's face was deathly pale, and his fists were already clenched tightly.

"Sir, you haven't forgotten, have you?" I said hastily.

Yang Wei frowned, "How can I forget the enemy who killed my father?!"

Back then, Yang Wei's father, the Duke of Dingguo, was killed on the frontier by a cold arrow from the Mongol general Hudutai.

Just when I thought he would definitely agree, he suddenly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please make me your deputy general. I am willing to go on the expedition with Marshal Pang."

How foolish! If we wanted Pang Jian to send troops, why bother asking you to come? I shook my head and looked at the emperor, who also looked troubled.

The emperor did not immediately agree, but gave Yang Wei time to go back and consider whether he wanted to take the position of commander-in-chief.

I suspected that Yang Wei would not easily compete with his friend, and I felt a little disappointed.

I was ordered to escort him out of the palace when I saw a palace maid walking towards me. Yang Wei, who was walking in front of me, was startled and stopped. I, who was walking with my head down, almost bumped into her.

His sudden stop made me realize something was amiss.

Looking at her coldly, it was clear that the palace maid was not from Chaoyang Palace, so why was she there at this time? The woman's eyes held a strange and shy expression.

I took two steps forward and glanced at Yang Wei. Sure enough, I saw a smile on his cold face that I hadn't seen in a century. It turns out that even icebergs can melt.