Mi primer marido después de la transmigración

Capítulo 62

Before I figure out what they're up to, what can I say? But all things considered, I still have to thank Shen Zexuan this time. If he hadn't stumbled upon Qifeng Mountain, I'm afraid none of us would have made it back alive.

When Shen Zexuan and I fell down the steep slope together, didn't he think that he might also get hurt? How could a prince be so impulsive as to save a servant?

I shook my head, shaking off the sliver of hope that lingered in my mind, and refusing to harbor any more illusions.

Upon hearing the news of my injury, Song Zhixuan and Lin Zhao, who were out of town, rushed back to see me. Seeing me sitting motionless on the bed, Lin Zhao's voice choked with emotion: "You finally have a moment of peace."

My nose tingled, and I barely managed to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes: "Then let me stay like this forever."

Lin Zhao tapped my head and said, "It's better to be lively and energetic."

After dressing as a woman, Lin Zhao was closer to me than ever before. Suddenly, I felt the injury was worth it, and I foolishly said, "Brother Lin Zhao, if I had known it would be like this before you would treat me the same way, I should have injured myself earlier." Heaven knows how much I cherished my relationship with them in this place where everything is calculated and purposeful. Hearing my words, Lin Zhao hit me hard on the head again. I winced and held my head, but saw Song Zhixuan watching me quietly without saying a word. Seeing him reminded me of Yunshang, and I grinned mischievously as I pulled out the sachet Yunshang had asked me to give to Song Zhixuan from under my pillow.

Perhaps my smile was too malicious, because Lin Zhao moved a little further away from me. I presented the sachet to Song Zhixuan and said ambiguously, "A gentleman is sought after by a lady. Brother Zhixuan, a beautiful woman presents this gift to you." Yunshang embroidered a cluster of clivia, which suited Song Zhixuan quite well. I never imagined that the seemingly quiet Yunshang would have the courage to express her love to her beloved.

When Song Zhixuan saw the sachet, his eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again. I sighed inwardly; even if they were mutually attracted, how could they possibly be together?

Lin Zhao leaned closer and asked gossipily, "Who sent it?"

I pointed at the sachet and said, "It has a name on it." There was a small embroidered character "裳" on it.

Lin Zhao looked at Song Zhixuan with envy and said, "It's Miss Yunshang! Big brother is so lucky."

Song Zhixuan did not accept it, and said indifferently, "Please have Sister Huai'en return it. I cannot accept it."

I put the sachet in Song Zhixuan's hand and said, "Zhixuan, no matter what the reason is, you should explain it to Miss Yunshang yourself. You have to solve your own problems."

Song Zhixuan hesitated for a moment, but still held the sachet in his hand.

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 47

Chapter word count: 3884 Update time: 09-08-08 11:35

Song Zhixuan and Lin Zhao returned briefly to see me before leaving again. I knew their journey was arduous, yet they still made such a round trip, which warmed my heart. Thinking of Song Zhixuan, I couldn't help but think of Yunshang. I wondered if Song Zhixuan would return the sachet to her, and what he would say then. Yunshang had feelings for Song Zhixuan, but she ultimately couldn't control her own destiny. Perhaps one day she would marry into a powerful faction like her sister, to consolidate power for the Prince Qing's mansion. And then there was the serene and gentle Yunyue; she was already of marriageable age, but who would she marry?

I worry about these women and feel sorry for them, forgetting that I am far inferior to them: of lowly status, merely a pawn held in the hands of countless people.

I lay quietly on the bed, carefully recalling every detail of my years in the Prince Qing's mansion. All I felt was confusion. These people were all deeply scheming. Although they shared a single ultimate goal, what roles would they use me or Zinuo to play in the process? Originally, it was only the Prince Qing's mansion, but now the Second Prince and the Third Prince are also involved. Who is truly playing this game, or are we all just pawns in each other's game?

I remember Zi Nuo saying she wanted to leave Prince Qing's mansion with me. Perhaps I was wrong from the start, presumptuously leaving Zi Nuo here to talk about the so-called future. Now the situation is unclear, and who knows if Prince Qing will be the final winner? If he loses, what will become of us parasites of Prince Qing's mansion?

These past few days, Yin Yan has been taking care of me, and Shen Haoyu has been keeping Zinuo by his side every day, involving her in many things. Has this cut off our escape route? Have we really tied our fate to the Prince Qing's mansion?

As I was lost in thought, Zinuo came in, followed by Shen Haoyu and Shen Zexuan. I was already used to such a scene, so I respectfully bowed to them and lay back down on the bed. Zinuo carefully helped me adjust the pillows.

Shen Zexuan took out an exquisite red velvet box from his wide sleeves and opened it. Inside was a plump ginseng. He placed the box on the table and said, "This was a gift from my mother yesterday. I'm bringing it to you today to replenish your blood and energy. You bled quite a bit from that sword wound in your abdomen."

I quickly got out of bed to bow and thank him, but Shen Zexuan stopped me and carried me back to bed. I blushed with embarrassment and saw Shen Haoyu's indignant expression again. I wondered to myself, knowing that Shen Zexuan always makes him angry, why does he always follow me? Zi Nuo simply lowered her eyelids, her face expressionless.

Looking at Shen Zexuan's smug smile, I felt nothing but evil. I was extremely disgusted by his attempt to curry favor, yet a pang of pain lingered in my heart. In the end, I couldn't help but say, "Third Prince, I have already said that I will no longer play games with you."

"The game has already begun, how can you stop it just like that!" Shen Zexuan reached out and pinched my chin, not caring whether anyone else was present. His purpose was to anger Shen Haoyu, but how could he be so sure that Shen Haoyu would actually be angered to the point of collapse instead of just playing along? Shen Zexuan whispered in my ear, "It's not all a game." His warm breath on my face made the temperature rise even higher.

Shen Zexuan released me and leisurely strolled to the table to sit down. I glanced helplessly at the two privileged young men sitting at the table, then turned over and lay down on the other side. Seeing this, Zi Nuo coldly gave them the order to leave: "My sister needs to rest. Please, both of you, take your leave."

The room was quiet for a while before I heard footsteps walking out. Once the footsteps had faded away, I turned over. Zinuo sat quietly on the edge of the bed, looking at me, and asked, "Sister, are you acquainted with the Third Prince?"

I shook my head and said, "I'm not familiar with it." Then I pointed to the ginseng on the table and said, "Cook that ginseng properly. I want to eat it all up so I can get better as soon as possible."

Zinuo looked at me with disbelief, but still picked up the ginseng and went outside.

After nearly a month of recuperation in bed, I'm almost fully recovered. Besides the ginseng, Shen Zexuan brought many other precious tonics, so he deserves a lot of credit for my rapid recovery. Shen Haoyu had also ordered some tonics to be brought over, but upon seeing the large bags and packages Shen Zexuan had delivered, he sneered and ordered them all to be taken back.

Besides once again lamenting Shen Haoyu's awkward personality, what else can I say?

The weather was lovely that day. Yinyan helped me lie down in the courtyard to bask in the sun, while she sat down to embroider. This scene reminded me of many years ago, in a cozy little courtyard, where my aunt embroidered while smiling as she watched Zinuo and me laugh and play. It had been a long time since I'd visited my aunt. I had promised to dress in women's clothing and visit her after my coming-of-age ceremony, but I'd kept putting it off until now. Once I'm better, I'll definitely take Zinuo to see her.

Seeing me staring blankly at her, Yin Yan smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

I shook my head and smiled, "Nothing much, I just feel very happy like this."

Upon hearing this, Yin Yan seemed to remember something as well. She stopped what she was doing, turned her gaze to the vast blue sky, and a faint smile appeared on her face. Her delicate features immediately became serene.

I let out a breath, lay comfortably on the recliner, and closed my eyes to enjoy the warm sunshine.

When we were having dinner, Zi Nuo came back, looking very excited. As soon as she entered the door, she shouted, "Sister, the city of Shengjing will be lively in a few days!"

"What good news is it?" I asked with a smile. After such a long period of quiet, I was really looking forward to some excitement.

Zi Nuo sat down at the table, poured himself a large cup of tea, and gulped it down before saying, "The Golden Sparrow Kingdom has sent an envoy who will arrive in the capital in five days."

This is indeed a significant event. As the oldest of the four coexisting kingdoms, Jinque Kingdom has its own way of surviving among them. Jinque Kingdom boasts a long history and, despite its remote location in the southwest, is remarkably prosperous and powerful. However, over the years, Jinque Kingdom has never bullied the weak, and apart from defending its territory, it has never initiated a war. This is considered a legend in this era, and therefore, I deeply admire the King of Jinque Kingdom. More than fifty years ago, the Youjing Dynasty launched a war against Jinque Kingdom but suffered a crushing defeat. Afterwards, the two countries signed a treaty, agreeing to intermarry and refrain from intentionally starting wars. In the past fifty years, three princesses from the Youjing Dynasty have married into Jinque Kingdom, and two princesses from Jinque Kingdom have married into the Youjing Dynasty. In the fifth year of Tianxuan, the current emperor's younger sister, Princess Hexiang, married into Jinque Kingdom. Why has Jinque Kingdom come here now?

News soon arrived that Princess Hexiang had passed away, and the Golden Sparrow Kingdom had sent its eldest son and third princess to marry her. According to custom, the two countries would take turns sending their princesses, and this time it was the Golden Sparrow Kingdom's turn. It was said that the third princess, Luoli, was only sixteen years old, possessed unparalleled beauty, was the most beautiful woman in the Golden Sparrow Kingdom, and was the Golden Sparrow King's most beloved daughter. Another most beloved daughter—if she was so favored, why send her for a marriage alliance?

On the day the envoy from the Golden Sparrow Kingdom arrived in the capital, the entire city was practically deserted. Everyone flocked to the streets the envoy would pass through, eager to catch a glimpse of Princess Luo Li's unparalleled beauty. The scene was even more spectacular than the Second Prince's wedding procession. Five thousand Imperial Guards were deployed just to keep the crowd under control. I wanted to see this once-in-a-decade spectacle, but several hands simultaneously pressed me down, saying my injuries hadn't fully healed and I shouldn't move around too much. The owners of those hands were Yin Yan, Zinuo, Song Zhixuan, and Lin Zhao. Two days ago, Shen Haoyu recalled the entire Imperial Guard, probably fearing something might happen in the capital.

Having no other choice, I had to obediently stay in Qiufeng Garden, listening to others go by, their spittle flying as they embellished the scenes on the street. Everyone else had gone out, leaving only Yinyan by my side, watching me very carefully, afraid that I would succumb to temptation and sneak out if I wasn't careful. Finally, when they returned, after hearing Song Zhixuan's description, I realized that the people before me hadn't exaggerated too much. I was even more annoyed that the Golden Sparrow Kingdom delegation had to come at the worst possible time—when I was recovering from my injuries—making me miss such a grand event.

Seeing my displeasure, Zi Nuo quickly said, "Sister, don't listen to their nonsense. It is very lively outside, but isn't everyone here to see that princess? The princess has been covering her face with a white veil the whole time, so no one has seen her. What's bothering you?"

I finally felt a little better.

Lin Zhao said coolly, "Huai'en, why are you so interested in beautiful women? You've been unhappy for days because you couldn't see Princess Luoli. I also heard that you sneaked out several times just to see the Second Prince's Consort!"

"There weren't several times, it was only twice!" I protested, feeling a bit strange about Lin Zhao's words.