Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое

Глава 58

"No, that's not true. Although everything in the house is a treasure, that ear cup is the best jade I've ever seen. Even the jade on Mount Tian might not be as fine..." Suddenly realizing she had said too much, Jia Ye stopped talking.

The carriage stopped just then. After a moment of silence, she pushed him away and jumped out, vaguely regretting her slip of the tongue.

Although he hadn't finished speaking, Xie Yunshu had already guessed what he meant.

No other Han jade artifact on Mount Tianshan can rival its brilliance…

How could a family like this allow a mother and daughter to be stranded in the Western Regions?

Having been pampered throughout her childhood, why did Jia Ye never think of returning to her old house...?

All the trees in the East are in full bloom, but this flower is unparalleled in the world.

The beauty of the magnolia flower is known throughout the world. The Sui emperor made three trips to the south of the Yangtze River and ordered the construction of the Grand Canal, all to see the flowers.

A unique flower of Yangzhou, renowned for centuries.

The flowers usually bloom in April and May. The Nanjun Prince's Palace was built in the mountains, taking advantage of the cool and secluded mountain air, so the flowers bloomed later than elsewhere, giving people the opportunity to appreciate the magnolia flowers in summer.

The tree grows several meters tall, its branches adorned with snow-white jade flowers, dazzling and crystalline. Its fragrance is delicate and refreshing, making it appear as if a snow-clad fairy has descended to earth. The flowers are as large as jade basins, with eight five-petaled blossoms arranged in a ring, surrounding a cluster of butterfly-like stamens. A gentle breeze causes the branches to sway, creating a graceful, icy beauty.

Xiao Shicheng was dressed in fine clothes, exuding an air of wealth and nobility. He chatted and laughed with ease, his manners impeccable, showing none of the imposing manner he displayed at the Bai family. He was just like a charming and self-admiring young nobleman.

The Prince of Nanjun had long indulged in wine and women, becoming obese and with a sagging face. Upon his first appearance, he immediately returned to his bedchamber, leaving all the reception of guests to his shrewd and capable son. Most of the guests were officials, and the usual bureaucratic pleasantries and formalities were readily apparent. Xiao Shicheng handled these situations with ease, and if given the opportunity to inherit the title, he would undoubtedly be even more adept than his father.

Instead of going to the Wushuang Pavilion, the best place to admire the flowers, Jia Ye chose a less crowded spot to sit down and silently gazed at the jade trees and flowers under the bright lights. Xie Yunshu watched her quietly.

Dressed in a light-colored silk robe, with black hair and a natural face, she was elegant and graceful. As the summer breeze blew her clothes, she resembled a jade maiden transformed from a flower, so beautiful that it seemed unreal.

Xiao Shicheng, who had just arrived, was also stunned for a moment, then smiled casually and picked up a magnolia flower from the tray of the servant behind him and presented it to her. "At such a banquet, it must be my fault for not entertaining you properly, young lady, in such a dimly lit place."

Jia Ye reached out and took it; her slender fingers were as white as jade, seemingly the same color as the flower.

The magnolia flower, white and fragrant, was much larger than her face, and she smiled silently.

"Beautiful flowers."

"Not as beautiful as you, young lady." Though the compliment was flippant, it came from the heart. Xiao Shicheng praised her. "No wonder Young Master Xie is so devoted to you."

The words were laced with sarcasm, but they had no effect on the two of them; they simply ignored them.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. We have already seen the flowers. If there is nothing else, please allow us to take our leave." Xie Yunshu asked politely, reminding the other party of the important matter.

"It was my oversight; I completely forgot that besides admiring the flowers, there's an old friend who wants to see you, Miss." Xiao Shicheng feigned sudden realization, raising an eyebrow to signal to his attendant behind him. A short while later, a figure emerged from the intricately designed palace garden paths. Judging from his movements, he didn't possess any particularly high level of martial arts skill. A careful examination of his features revealed him to be just an ordinary young man from the Western Regions, completely unrecognizable. The two exchanged glances, both utterly bewildered.

The boy didn't notice, and respectfully bowed to Xiao Shicheng, speaking fluent Mandarin.

"Thorp, do you recognize that girl?"

The boy then looked up, his bright eyes widening in surprise for a moment before suddenly becoming excited.

No matter what scenario Jia Ye had imagined, she had never expected this. The boy suddenly knelt down, large tears welling up in his eyes, filled with sincere gratitude and undisguised admiration.

"I thought I would never see the fairy again in this life. Please allow Thorpe to express his gratitude." The Kucha language spoken by the boy reminded Xie Yunshu of a forgotten memory, and he quickly recalled a child's face covered in blood and tears.

Jia Ye took a step back, frozen in shock for a moment.

"I don't remember..."

The boy smiled through his tears. "I was saved in a village on the border of Kucha by the song of a fairy girl, which was like that of a kalavinka bird. I will always remember the girl's face; she was as beautiful as a snow lotus from the Tianshan Mountains."

The boy's eyes were honest and sincere, brimming with gratitude. Xie Yunshu, however, began to have a headache.

Xiao Shicheng watched this scene with a smile, clearly quite satisfied.

Jia Ye took a deep breath, lowered her long eyelashes, and carefully examined her palm.

"What a surprise! Besides him, there should be another old acquaintance here. Why not invite them out as well?"

After a moment of silence, Xiao Shicheng burst into loud laughter.

“Young lady, you are truly intelligent. Please invite Prince Chishu.”

The man who stepped out with those words was tall and handsome. Even in Han Chinese clothing, he still exuded an undeniable air of heroism. He was none other than the eldest prince of Kucha, with whom he had a deep-seated grudge years ago.

Her delicate and beautiful neck was as white as a reed. Jia Ye raised her head slightly, and the thought of the person beside her added another layer of worry.

Chishu spoke first, his deep eyes shining.

"It is truly fate that I would meet the Snow Envoy from Tianshan in Jiangnan."

"When did Your Highness arrive in the Central Plains?" She was too lazy to even force a smile.

"It's all thanks to Envoy Xue." Chi Shu smiled, revealing his wolf-like white teeth. "Back then, Envoy Xue's brilliant plan enraged my father, who sent me to the Central Plains as a hostage in a fit of anger, which led to this meeting today."

Having been reduced from the crown prince to a hostage, the resentment of the proud Chishu was palpable. She kept her hands tucked into her sleeves, her lips remaining indifferent.

When will you see me?

"I happened to be on the young master's ship to Yangzhou," Chishu replied cooperatively, seemingly quite pleased. "Snow Envoy's appearance hasn't changed in years; could she truly be the fairy Thorpe spoke of?"

The boy had already retreated to a distance at Chishu's command, and Jiaye glanced at him.

"I never imagined you would actually adopt him."

"After all, they are my fellow clansmen."

“Why not tell him the truth?” She loathed the gratitude and preferred to face hatred.

“Why shatter his dream?” Chishu smiled meaningfully, his eyes subtle. “Besides… back then, you really did look like a celestial maiden.”

The melodious and graceful song, the dreamlike and ethereal person—it wasn't just Thorpe who mistook her for a fairy; at one point, he also mistook the witch for a fairy.

Jia Ye sighed and turned to Xiao Shicheng, who was listening intently from the side.

"I have met all the people. What does Your Highness intend to do?"

"I have no ill intentions. I simply wish to invite Envoy Xue to stay at the Prince of Nanjun’s residence as a guest. I will certainly treat you with the utmost respect."

"Is this a threat?"

“It’s an invitation,” Xiao Shicheng replied with a smile, a hint of determination in his expression.

What if I refuse?

"Snow Envoy is surely aware of the Demonic Sect's reputation in the Central Plains. If the fellow martial artists in the Central Plains were to spoil Snow Envoy's trip, wouldn't that be a real downer?"

"You think this can do anything to me?" His dark eyes were as still as a deep pool.

"Even though Xue Shi is exceptionally skilled and fearless, Young Master Xie is quite different." Xiao Shicheng, hands behind his back, confidently played another card. "Young Master Xie once became a shadow guard of the Four Envoys of Tianshan. This is no small matter and is enough to shake the martial arts world. Especially..." His gaze swept over the two of them, and he smiled ambiguously. "Even after leaving the Western Regions, he is still entangled with the Demonic Sect, and even invited Xue Shi to his home. Once this gets out, the Xie family, who hold sway over the righteous path, will surely be disgraced. Xue Shi risked her life to protect Xie Qinglan, so how could she bear to watch things turn out this way?"

Xie Yunshu remained expressionless, but Jia Ye smiled.

“Since the Crown Prince knows my origins, yet still goes to such lengths to recruit me, I am truly ashamed.” She examined each of her fingers, as if studying the hidden veins. “Those who wish to control me, do they know what the price will be?”

“Naturally, it’s not an easy task.” Xiao Shicheng’s smile faded, and the guards around him became alert.

"Don't worry, I won't lay a hand on you." Jia Ye's smile was as cold as ice, carrying a hint of murderous intent. "Killing the Prince of Nan would be more useful. Once he's dead, how much power will you have left?"

“You wouldn’t dare do that.” Xiao Shicheng’s face turned pale, revealing a ruthless intent. “Assassinating a king or noble is something even you can’t escape unscathed; you’ll become a public enemy.”

Jia Ye's lips curled into a smile, revealing an arrogant disdain for the world. "Your Highness probably doesn't know that in the Western Regions, the only person who can make me personally take action is a supreme minister of a nation. I can kill you by sacrificing half of my shoulder and arm, so what difficulty would it be to take the life of the Prince of Nanjun?"

"Do you think I care about the siege by the Central Plains people? Do you remember what I told Xuanzhi? I have no interest in the affairs of the martial world, but if anyone insists on not letting go, don't blame me for being ruthless." His arrogant and fierce aura was overwhelming, and everyone's expression changed for a moment.

"You rely on your immense power, while I rely on my life. Let's see who can't afford to lose."

He spoke extremely harsh words, yet his voice remained remarkably calm.

Xiao Shicheng's gaze flickered uncertainly, his quiet corner a stark contrast to the bustling palace gardens.

The wind carries the sweet fragrance of magnolia blossoms.

After a long standoff, Xiao Shicheng suddenly smiled and resumed his polite and courteous demeanor as a prince.

"It is my fault for saying such unromantic things on such a beautiful night. Please forgive me, Miss Ye."

"Not at all." Jia Ye smiled, all traces of murderous intent vanishing. Like a snowflake drifting in the wind, undisturbed. "I came to Jiangnan seeking only a peaceful life, and I hope Your Highness will grant my request."

chance encounter

Watching the two figures walk away, Xiao Shicheng sighed.

"You're right, she really is untamable."

Chishu watched them go, his expression somewhat complicated.

"Even after leaving Tianshan, she remains the Snow Envoy."

"Is she really that amazing?" he muttered to himself, unwilling to accept the answer, though he already knew the answer all along.

"Your Highness has witnessed it as well." After thinking for a moment, Chi Shu said with a hint of self-deprecation. "Back then, she escaped from the secret chamber even after being poisoned by Qingjia Powder, and she even killed six of my close followers. I still can't figure out how she did it."

"What a pity..."

"It might be a good thing to keep to ourselves; she promised not to interfere in the Xie family's affairs anymore."

“That’s because I will never have another chance,” Xiao Shicheng said coldly. “It will take at least five years to restore the power of Nanjun.”

"This failure is purely a twist of fate." The Demon Star, who was supposed to be in the Western Regions, was unexpectedly involved, a coincidence that is truly lamentable.

"Xie Yunshu... he's lucky."

"The young master doesn't intend to publicize it?"

“She’s right, I can’t afford to gamble.” Xiao Shicheng revealed a hint of helplessness that he would never show in public. “Besides, completely angering the Xie family will only make things worse, and now is not the time.”

"Your Highness is wise." For some reason, Chishu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Shicheng remained silent for a moment. "What exactly is her relationship with Xie Yunshu? It doesn't seem like a simple master-slave dynamic."

There was no answer from those around him, nor did he expect one; he pondered to himself. "For Xie Yunshu, to willingly remain subservient to others and not utter a word... that is indeed unusual."

Guided by her maid, Jia Ye stepped out of the palace garden. A beautiful woman in purple robes appeared from the side of the ornately painted corridor, followed by obsequious servants. Her hair was adorned with numerous gold ornaments, and her hairpins swayed gently as she walked, leaving a trail of fragrance in her wake. The two passed each other, and after a few steps, the woman suddenly turned around and stared directly at the person who had already exited the moon gate.

After a moment of stunned silence, he darted through the corridors and hurried up to the nearby corner tower, panting as he watched the figure stepping onto the mountain path.

The handsome man in black blended almost into the night, walking side by side with the petite girl in plain clothes. Under the tall palace lanterns, the girl looked up and said something. A smile flashed across the man's face, and his cold demeanor softened instantly.

She gazed at them for a long time, until the night completely swallowed their traces. Her jade-like hand tightly gripped the handkerchief, suppressing a scream from the bottom of her heart. Uncontrollable love and hate surged forth, and clear tears slid down her pink cheeks like pearls.

"Princess, Princess..." The servants behind her rushed up, bewildered as they watched their mistress weep, her heavy eye makeup smudged. "What's wrong? The Prince is waiting for you; he might get angry if you're any later..."