Chapter Two
2. [Reeds and rushes]
Chang'an, Taiji Palace, Taiji Hall.
The emperor was holding a court session with his officials when a messenger arrived with news. The messenger, supported by a eunuch, entered the hall, panting heavily. "Lord Hou Junji reports urgently!" the emperor asked anxiously. "What is it?"
"The war is going well. Only..."
"What is it?"
“It was Princess Xianyang…” Everyone listened intently as he continued, “The princess encountered an avalanche near Ganquanshui on the western slope of the Qilian Mountains. A large amount of snow collapsed from that mountain, and Lord Hou searched everywhere without success. It is likely that Her Highness perished along with all her guards.”
At the same time, many panicked voices rang out: "Minister Cao! Cao Ling is vomiting blood! Imperial Physician!" The young official named Cao Ling simply waved to those around him, gently wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, stepped forward, and said, "Your Majesty, I have defiled the purity of the court. Please allow me to resign first." The Emperor said, "You need not worry. I order Hou Junji to search carefully again... Perhaps..." He was already sobbing uncontrollably. Cao Ling was surprisingly calm. When the imperial physician rushed over to treat him, he gently pushed him away with his bloodied hand, bowed to the Emperor, and staggered out.
The reeds are green and lush, the white dew has turned to frost; the one I long for is on the other side of the water. I trace my steps back upstream to find her, but the path is long and difficult; I follow the current downstream to find her, and she seems to be in the middle of the water. The reeds are withered and sparse, the white dew has not yet dried; the one I long for is on the bank of the water. I trace my steps back upstream to find her, but the path is difficult and steep; I follow the current downstream to find her, and she seems to be on a sandbar in the water. The reeds are abundant and lush, the white dew has not yet ceased; the one I long for is on the edge of the water. I trace my steps back upstream to find her, but the path is difficult and winding; I follow the current downstream to find her, and she seems to be on a small island in the water.
Cao Ling narrowed his eyes and smiled softly. At fourteen, due to his father's position as Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, he was selected to study at the Hongwen Academy. Later, his younger brothers Cao Yang and Cao Liu also joined him, along with Chai Lingwu, the second son of Princess Pingyang and Duke Qiao Chai Shao; Du He, the second son of Duke Lai Du Ruhui; Yuwen Shi, the Palace Attendant and Grand Master of the Palace; and Yuwen Shuo, the youngest son of Princess Shouguang. Many sons of officials studied alongside the princes. One day, everyone was pleasantly surprised to find Princess Baling Weizhen, Princess Chengyang Weichi, and the most beautiful and adorable Princess Xianyang Weiying also studying there. Cao Yang and Cao Liu were still too young, so Cao Ling would secretly compete with Chai Lingwu and the others to see who could win the princess's favor.
That day, the Grand Tutor lectured on the poem "Jianjia" from the "Qin Feng" section of the Book of Poetry, explaining that it satirized the king's failure to find virtuous ministers. He then ordered everyone to compose a poem based on it. He quickly finished, but only two lines were completed. The younger brother of Princess Xianyang, Prince Yue Zhen, snatched it and read it aloud: "Where is your home? A single stream separates us, yet we cannot cross." Everyone, including the Grand Tutor, was initially taken aback, then Prince Wei Tai led the applause. "Jianjia" is originally a love poem, telling of a man who searches everywhere for his beloved but cannot find her, always seeing her surrounded by water, longing for her but unable to be near her. Cao Ling disregarded all matters of loyalty between ruler and subject, directly stating the poem's meaning, and even combining the first two lines into an acrostic poem, embedding Princess Xianyang's name within them.
From that day on, after school, he no longer rushed back to the manor with his younger brothers, but always waited quietly outside the school for the three princesses to come out. Princess Baling and Princess Chengyang, of course, understood and hurriedly left their sister behind. Cao Ling would then happily go boating on the Taiji Palace's lake with Princess Xianyang, and sometimes they would climb Mount Li. He played the xiao (vertical flute) very well, and Prince Zhi of Jin often called him Little Xiao Shi. Princess Xianyang was skilled at playing the qin (a seven-stringed zither), and the two of them would play together harmoniously, very pleased with themselves. Princess Xianyang learned to make knots from her sister and made a knot with the character "Cao" as a gift for him, but he lost it later while playing. She was so angry that she refused to speak to him anymore, so he had to bite the bullet and make it again himself. He was very intelligent, especially skilled in crafts and design, and after two days, he finally made a replica, which he gave to her along with the xiao. She treasured it from then on.
The emperor and his father had tacitly approved of their relationship, and things should have ended happily. However, after Xue Shishu from their hometown of Luoyang arrived, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.
The Cao family of Luoyang, though small in number, were descendants of the Cao Wei imperial family, making them incredibly noble. The Xue family was also a prominent clan in the area, and the two families had a long history of intermarriage. Cao Jing's aunt was married into the Xue family, and one of his cousins also married into the Xue family. In his youth, following family tradition, Cao Jing arranged a marriage between his children and Xue Yan, the second son of the Xue family, and instructed his eldest son, Cao Ling, to be engaged to Xue Yan's eldest daughter, Xue Yuan. Soon after, Cao Jing was summoned to the capital to serve as an official, and his family moved to Chang'an. The two families gradually lost contact, and Cao Jing himself eventually forgot about the marriage. Therefore, when he received Xue Yan's visiting card, he was alarmed. Sure enough, Xue Yan's visit brought up the matter of the children's betrothal. The ensuing events were predictable: Cao Ling naturally refused, and Cao Jing was in a difficult position. The betrothal had been arranged by the heads of both families, who had signed the engagement agreement. Tang law had very strict regulations regarding marriage contracts; neither party could unilaterally break the contract, otherwise, they would not only be severely punished but could even be imprisoned. Moreover, the Xue family has done nothing wrong, and Xue Yuan is beautiful, virtuous and kind. The Cao family really has no reason to break off the engagement. Even if Cao Jing agrees, the Cao clan may not agree, and the Xue family will feel it is a great disgrace.
Finally, Cao Jing ignored Cao Ling's resistance and said firmly, "Whether you agree or not, you must marry the Xue family girl." Then, half-persuading and half-consoling, he continued, "Father knows that you and the princess have a good relationship, but although being a prince consort is prestigious, it's really just bringing a queen home. Taking concubines is out of the question, and you have to obey the princess in everything. Even Father has to bow to the bride. You are a reasonable person. Father signed the marriage certificate with his own hand, and I can't tear it up. The clansmen in Luoyang are watching us, and the Xue family is also watching. Father was confused and forgot for a moment, but, Ling'er, you are the eldest son of the Cao family. The honor and disgrace of the Cao family rest on your shoulders. I beg you this once, no matter what." As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.
Cao Ling didn't remember how she told Princess Xianyang about it, nor did she remember whether she had broken the Emperor's most beloved jade unicorn or had broken it herself to vent her anger when she saw the Princess trying to hold back her tears. In any case, she quickly ran out of the palace, her cries fading into the wind of Taiji Palace, disappearing into the distance, shattered, broken, and vanished without a trace.
On his wedding day, before the ceremony even began, he had already gotten himself drunk, his flushed cheeks quite fitting for the occasion. His only moment of lucidity was when Prince Wei, Li Tai, personally came to deliver his congratulatory gifts. Cao Ling found this strange; since his marriage to the Xue family, figures like Chai Lingwu, Du He, and Yuwen Shuo had all refused to associate with him, and even his court colleagues rarely came to offer their congratulations. Could it be that only Prince Wei still held onto some old affection? Upon Li Tai's arrival, he first slapped him without hesitation, saying, "I don't blame you; you have your reasons, but I'm just angry." Then he handed him a brocade box, saying, "This is Qin'er's congratulatory gift." With that, he strode away.
Cao Ling didn't open the box until three days after the wedding. Upon seeing it, she burst into tears. It contained a pair of jade sparrows, their wings outstretched as if about to take flight. Long ago, he had seen a beautiful painting of a lark that she had drawn and praised it, saying that he would have a pair of such jade sparrows made to hang in their bridal chamber. Little did he know that she had secretly kept it in her heart.
After returning to the Ministry of Works after the wedding, the Minister assigned him to handle the Ministry's memorials and process them according to the Emperor's approvals. Ten days later, he suddenly saw the handwriting on a memorial—his most familiar handwriting—and his heart pounded. Crown Prince Chengqian had misbehaved, and although the Emperor had repeatedly considered changing the heir apparent, he couldn't bear to depose him because he was the eldest son, hoping he would repent and reform. Knowing that all the princes and ministers were eyeing the position of heir apparent, the Emperor also intentionally avoided showing too much attention to any of the other princes to prevent factional strife within the court. Perhaps this was why he had summoned her to his side to assist in government affairs. A slight smile appeared on Cao Ling's lips, as if she could see her sitting beside the Emperor, diligently recording imperial edicts, sometimes turning her head from behind the mountain of memorials to say a few words.
After that, he became the first to arrive and the last to leave the Ministry of Works, just to touch her handwriting as soon as possible and take another look at her lively and elegant calligraphy. Routine official business became a means for him to express his longing for her. If he saw any corrections she had made, he would be filled with anxiety.
That day, he was summoned to the Liangyi Hall, but he did not see the woman he longed for. Instead, he was ordered to stand behind the screen in silence. He waited anxiously for a while, and then heard light footsteps approaching. He sat down.
"Qin'er, there's a vacancy for the Vice Minister of Works. This is the candidate recommended by the Ministry of Personnel. What do you think?"
The quiet sound of pages turning, "Of course it's Cao Ling."
"I am very dissatisfied with the Cao family."
"Cao Ling passed the imperial examination and was the most outstanding candidate in the Ministry of Personnel. She served as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Works for three years. She was meticulous in her work and quick-witted. Father knows that Cao Ling is the best candidate. Is he trying to test my heart? I no longer hate him. Father has me serving by his side every day. You should be able to rest assured that Qin'er is not a child. Some things can be forgotten with a laugh."
The emperor comforted her, saying, "Cao Ling, come out now."
He stepped out from behind the screen, their eyes meeting for a long time without a word. She wore heavy makeup, a rare sight for her. Was it to conceal the tear stains beneath the rouge, or to try and erase the sorrowful confusion? The Emperor gently took her hand and led her away from the palace. He watched, tasting a slightly salty flavor on his lips.
He indulged in endless drinking and wild revelry, recklessly pursuing all forms of sensual pleasure. Even halfway through a meal at a tavern, he insisted the innkeeper bring him several women. When his colleagues returned home, he escorted them to the door, still tipsy, with one on each arm. A slight chill in the air jolted him awake. He half-opened his eyes and saw two luxurious carriages slowly passing by on the road outside. He laughed loudly, "Get down and keep me company!" A woman indeed rushed out of one of the carriages and slapped him across the face. It was Princess Weizhen of Baling. He was stunned for a moment, then saw Weiying emerge from the carriage behind him, and immediately began kissing the prostitute beside him even more brazenly.
Afterwards, he got extremely drunk, went outside to vomit, and perhaps even died drunk by the roadside. He woke up in the middle of the night, and his third brother said that Princess Xianyang's carriage had taken him back to the mansion. The next day, after the morning court session, as soon as he stepped out of Shuntian Gate, he bumped into a group of princes and princesses returning from outside, all of whom treated him coldly. He was used to this and ignored them. However, Princess Chengyang chased after him and told him that Princess Xianyang had gone to Longyou with Hou Junji's troops. He lowered his head and remained silent. Princess Chengyang sighed, "Qin'er has gone far away from you, hoping never to see you hurt yourself or her again. From now on, let's forget each other."
That was the last time he saw Wei Ying. His heart ached so much he could hardly breathe.
My love, I'm here.
I'd rather see you a thousand times when I'm awake than just for a glimpse in my dream.
This time I won't get drunk.
I long to meet you.
Cao Ling calmly tied a pair of jade sparrows around her waist.
He took a leap.
The jade bird took flight amidst the billowing clouds of Xixiu Ridge.
P.S.: Cao Ling doesn't seem like a boy's name at all. Oh well, it's a name that appeared in my dream one year. Later, I also dreamed of his younger brother named Cao Yang and Cao Liu, which seems quite absurd. I guess it's the will of heaven. Hehe. Ever since I dreamed of this name (I don't remember what I dreamed about), I've been making up stories about him for many years now.
Secretariat: Similar to the Royal Library, headed by the Director of the Secretariat.
Shuntianmen was renamed Chengtianmen in the first year of the Shenlong era of Emperor Zhongzong.
Xixiu Ridge is a mountain ridge in Lishan.
Chapter Three
3. [Hot Spring]
Huan She said, "A mountain bestowed by heaven? Hmm, I've never heard of it. What kind of mountain is it?" Li Weiying said, "I've read about it in the 'Records of Strange Tales of the Western Regions.' There's a mountain bestowed by heaven in the Western Regions, with three peaks rising abruptly from the ground, majestic and steep, covered in snow all year round, known as the Sea of Snow." Huan She said, "Such mountains are quite common in the Western Regions during the Tang Dynasty." Li Weiying continued, "Although the snow on the mountain is very deep, it's also covered in wildflowers, and there are even celestial birds and beasts." Huan She laughed, "Wildflowers, birds, and beasts are common, I just don't know if they're celestial creatures. Are you looking for snow lotus? Although it's rare, many Hu people sell it to the Tang Dynasty, it's just a bit expensive."
She seemed a little annoyed, and Huan She quickly laughed and said, "You rotten wood, you've said the wrong thing again." She thought for a moment and still said, "The book says that this mountain is the former residence of the Queen Mother of the West. Have you heard the story of Heng'e and Hou Yi?" Huan She nodded, "Hou Yi shot down nine suns and was banished to the mortal world with his wife Heng'e. Later, Heng'e couldn't bear the hardships of the human world, so she stole the elixir given to her by the Queen Mother of the West and flew back to heaven." Li Weiying sighed softly, "Leaving Hou Yi alone to suffer the pain of separation and longing."
Huan She asked, "Is there any elixir that can grant immortality on the Heavenly Gift Mountain?" Li Weiying shook her head slightly, "No. It's a spiritual stone used by the Queen Mother of the West to refine medicine. It's a kind of stone that is guarded by celestial birds and can burn; it can even catch fire when touched on ice."
Huan She's eyes widened.
"But the most amazing thing is that when you burn it, you make a wish, and heaven will silently help you to make it come true."
"With it, wouldn't we have everything?"
“But a spirit stone is gone once it’s burned, so you can only make one wish.” She said solemnly to Huan She, “I don’t know if this story is true, but I’m willing to believe it is. If I can find one, two… ‘The crane cries in the shade, and its young respond to it’ refers to the celestial bird on that mountain; ‘I have a fine wine, and I will share it with you’ refers to you. Heaven has ordained me to go find that heavenly mountain.”
Huan She smiled, looking at her earnest yet innocent expression. "Although I don't know where that mountain is, since the book says it's in the Western Regions, we'll definitely find it. I... I'll go with you." Seeing that the people of Yanqi had already packed their things and were about to set off, he said, "Let's go to Yanqi with them first, and while we're at it, we can ask around to find out where the Heavenly Gift Mountain is."
Huan She borrowed a horse from that unscrupulous merchant from Yanqi—half borrowing, half stealing—because Huan She said that without a horse, he couldn't guarantee he could save the Turks if they came again. He had Li Weiying carry the clothes and food and ride the horse, while he led the horse. Several times he looked back and saw her lost in thought, secretly smiling. Huan She didn't want to disturb her sweet dreams, so he remained silent.
A moment later, bursts of cheerful singing came from the Yanqi people. Li Weiying asked, "What are they singing?" Huan She replied, "Hua'er." "What kind of Hua'er?" Huan She smiled and said, "Hua'er is love songs." He then translated for her: "A bird flies by in the sky, sees a blade of grass on the ground, mountains upon mountains, so high, tears flow into the sea." The melody wasn't difficult; after listening to it a few times, you'd get it. The Yanqi people in front of them said, "Sweethearts, why don't you sing a Hua'er?" Huan She was secretly delighted, but when he turned around and saw Li Weiying's questioning gaze, he quickly said, "Oh, they're asking if our Tang Dynasty has any good songs?" Li Weiying smiled slightly, "I'll just make one up based on their tune," and then sang in a clear and melodious voice: "The longing of a tree, the lingering of a wall, the weariness of a well, the changing of a flower, the shimmering of a cloud, the entanglement of lifetimes."
Huan She was stunned. The people of Yanqi clamored for him to translate. As soon as he finished translating, the people of Yanqi cheered loudly. Then Li Weiying softly sang: "The meeting of two grains of sand, the entanglement of two sleeves, the complaints of two lamps, the winter of two mountains, the boundary of two pieces of ice, the abyss of two hearts."
She buried her head deeply in her neck, and Huan She looked at her for a long time before translating again. Li Weiying heard the excited voices of the Yanqi people and looked up in confusion, asking, "Why are they so happy?" Huan She smiled and looked at her for a while, then recited, "I changed the lyrics a little—the meeting of two grains of sand, the turning of two sleeves, the lingering of two lamps, the spring of two mountains, the longing of two flames, the vow of two hearts, two hearts, two hearts."
***
It was so cold. Although she had added a newly bought sheepskin coat over her original clothes and wore a fur hat, Li Weiying still couldn't help but huddle up. Seeing that Huan She was still wearing tattered clothes, she said, "Why don't you put on a fur coat?" Huan She was a little embarrassed, "I'm dirty, I'm afraid of getting it dirty." He added, "But I heard they say there's a hot spring further ahead, I'll wash up there and change." Sure enough, at dusk, the group arrived at a natural hot spring, and the people of Yanqi immediately shouted and jumped in to wash. Huan She was about to go down when Li Weiying quietly pulled him back, "Don't go with them, you still have your wrist chained." Huan She realized and quickly retreated.
It wasn't until nightfall and everyone had retired for the night that Huan She said to her, "I'm going down to wash up now. You... wait here for a bit, I'll come find you later." He hadn't gone far when Li Weiying caught up with him, "Huan Lang..." she said, a hint of shyness in her voice, "I... I don't understand, I'm very scared. There's a big bearded man over there staring at me..." She almost pleaded, "Don't leave me... I won't see anything..." Huan She remembered her words from her nightmare the night before, "Don't leave me," and felt a pang of heartache. "I'm not leaving you." He gently took her hand. "It's dark ahead, stay close and be careful." The two walked to the hot spring in the dark. Huan She said, "You wait for me on the shore. I'll be right there." He gently unbuttoned his shirt; some of his wounds were stuck to the fabric. He gasped for breath as he took it off, and then, still with his long trousers, he entered the hot spring.
"Ah, this weather, this water, feels so good." He looked at her on the shore and joked, "Come on, let's go." She hugged his new clothes tightly, shook her head in alarm, and closed her eyes. He burst into laughter.
Feeling the light, she opened her eyes. The moon was slowly emerging, hovering quietly above the hot spring. The once dark spring water had become clear, and she saw a strong, tall figure standing in the water, occasionally scooping up the hot spring water to pour over his head and body. The moonlight illuminated his lean, handsome face, resolute yet gentle, joy intertwined with hidden pain; the iron chains binding his arms had been untied, making a clattering sound with his movements. His chest and back were covered with scars—slashes from swords, piercings from arrows, and the brutality of clubs and whips. What kind of suffering had he endured? And yet, he smiled, reveling in this rare happiness and ease.
Seeing that he seemed to want to raise his left hand to reach behind his back, but put it down with difficulty several times, she suddenly realized that he was still tormented by severe injuries. However, he had not said anything for the past two days and was still wearing such a thin shirt, leading her horse and running around for her carefree life.