Chapter 47
Ask for Wisdom
A man once believed he had plenty of time to waste in the world, but now he isn't so sure. Feeling cold and somewhat anxious about the Prince of Liang's advances toward the apple of his eye, he set out on a journey to the Woolong Mountains. He promised to return after seven days to find himself and seek advice.
The man arrived at Woolong Mountain to consult a master who had taught him for almost a year, mending his wounded heart and spirit.
"You've come. It must be urgent," the master said, seated in a Zen position. Though he did not look at the man, his sharp senses had detected his presence. The master remained still.
"Yes, master, it is I. This will be a short visit."
The master responded, "A short visit? Then why do you carry supplies enough for a week?" Yuwen Yue, with his cold gaze, said nothing.
The master asked, "Have you found her?"
Yuwen Yue inhaled deeply and replied, "No, master, I have not."
The master pressed further, "Then why are you here?"
Gazing into the vast mountains, Yuwen Yue answered, "I came to find myself."
The master mused aloud, "This time, have you lost yourself again?"
Yuwen Yue admitted honestly, "I think so."
The master replied, "Then you must have found someone."
Yuwen Yue responded shortly, "Maybe."
The master concluded, "Maybe it's a yes, and maybe it's a no."
Yuwen Yue, uncertain, asked, "Master, once you told me an ode:
Her artful smiles, with their alluring dimples. Her beautiful eyes are so clear. The unadorned face is like a canvas ready to be painted. What does this mean?"
The master responded, "*Very few go astray who comport themselves with restraint."
He continued, "*The gentleman wishes to be slow to speak but quick to act."
"*Virtue is never solitary; it always has neighbors."
Finally, the master said, "Yue, learn this lesson and understand it tenfold. Now go. You are not doing what you need to. Return once you can explain what you've understood ten times over."
Yuwen Yue's journey from Woolong Mountain was cut short when the master suddenly sent him home to find his path to happiness. Yuwen Yue couldn't hide the spark in his eyes as he realized it was time to set his heart toward goodness, free of ill intentions.
Back in Xue Fu, a small town in Southern Liang, Yuwen Yue lived a humble life, with no trace of his aristocratic roots. Zuo, his distant spy, who lived apart from him, occasionally reported to him, allowing them to scout the area and observe the people and government.
As after the frozen lake incident, Yuwen Yue blended seamlessly with the Liang people, avoiding suspicion about his high status. He was so adept that he even managed to evade the sharp eyes of Xiao Ce and outwit Xiao Yu, the astute royal spy leader of the Southern State.
After meeting with Zao Baocung from the Thousand Caves, Yuwen Yue returned to Qinghai Palace to study the literature and poetry of his empire. He also resumed his princely duties, and his father issued a decree for him to accept the throne. However, Yuwen Yue wrote back, asking for time to adjust and better understand his subjects and royal family before assuming power.
The King of Qinghai gradually came to admire his son's approach to the Eastern Throne, gaining confidence that Yuwen Yue would become a great king. He expected his son to achieve even more than he himself had for the empire, uniting its political structure with the sage tribal leaders and overcoming the challenges of a patrilineal leadership.
Yuwen Yue also visited the Wei state under his metal mask when an invitation was extended to his stepmother, Queen Zhejue, to attend the proclamation of the chosen crown princess of Wei. Learning of the alliance between the Wei Emperor and his stepmother, Yuwen Yue grew distant and silent. His heart skipped a beat when he first saw Chu Qiao walking on Wei grounds, looking like a true princess. How had this happened? Had Yan Xun, after the frozen lake tragedy, used her again to further his own ambitions?
Yuwen Yue was flooded with questions. He could barely speak or look at anyone else, his thoughts consumed by Chu Qiao. No matter how much he wanted to approach her for a quick conversation, she was closely guarded, as if she might vanish at any moment.
Resisting the urge to act, Yuwen Yue appeared cruel and cold behind his metal mask. He knew people were watching him because of his Poe Yue Jian Sword and Zuo Zong by his side. He was a magnet for attention.
Even as the Sixth Prince of Qinghai, Ra Zhun, frequently revealed his face to the crowd, drawing attention from the Wei palace concubines, the Yuwen household, Wei Valve masters, Shrine Elders, and other political figures (except for Liang and Yanbei), Yuwen Yue's eyes remained fixed on Chu Qiao like a loyal dog. However, his metal mask kept his stares unnoticed by most. But Chu Qiao, with her usual sharp instincts, sensed his gaze and grew wary.
As Yuan Song took her hand, they walked together like a real couple, but Yuwen Yue couldn't shake the feeling of cold rebellion in the air. He sensed that Chu Qiao loathed being paraded in front of the nobles. He overheard rumors circulating about her past as a former lowly maidservant of the Yuwen household, and his palm twitched in frustration. Zuo Zong whispered to him, "Your Highness, what is wrong? I've never seen you this agitated."
On the eve of the engagement, Yuwen Yue disguised himself as a palace guard, wearing the same uniform and carrying the Poe Yue Jian Sword. His metal mask made him hard to identify. When he reached the Crown Princess's palace, he removed his mask and resumed his usual noble look as Yuwen Yue, the heir of the Eyes of God. He knew the Wei palace well and needed no guide, which allowed him to find Chu Qiao easily.
No matter the consequences, Yuwen Yue was unafraid. He was determined to seize Chu Qiao and end this charade, to save her from the cold-blooded empire. At that moment, he was willing to break every rule, exposing himself to greater danger.
Entering the Wei princess's palace, he swiftly incapacitated several royal guards.
After that fateful night, Yuwen Yue awoke in a Wei palace bed, as if nothing had happened. But he remembered his final encounter with Chu Qiao. Just then, Zuo Zong entered and greeted him, "Your Highness, is something wrong?"
Yuwen Yue replied, "Did you just..."
Not yet finished with his inquiry, Zuo said, "I followed you, Your Highness, because earlier, you looked like a crazed Prince of Qinghai breaching the Wei crown princess's palace."
Zuo, clearly impressed by his master, Yuwen Yue, continued to recount the earlier scene with a corner of a smile on his face. "You walked through the palace like you knew all the routes and then broke a few necks just for the Wei crown princess. I wonder, are you planning to steal her and start a war at her engagement tomorrow?"
Yuwen Yue, coming back to his senses, straightened his back and replied, "No, I was just... having some fun tonight, testing if the Wei crown princess is truly interested in the Wei crown prince. It seems she's looking for someone else and isn't too happy about the engagement."
Zuo gave him a sly smile and said, "Really? I heard she was a lowly maidservant who rose through the ranks with the help of her master, Yuwen Yue."
Yuwen Yue, unable to hide the truth from the clever Zuo, who needed no further explanation, finally admitted, his cold eyes revealing a sad expression. "I was just... hoping for a chance to say goodbye."
Not convinced, Zuo pressed further, "Really, Your Highness? Is this how you end your tragic story? After you showed yourself at the frozen lake in front of your rival and ignored all the warnings from Yue Qi, your former bodyguard, who, as I've heard, really looked like me?"
He continued, "Tell me... Are you after Xinger, the woman whom you once called your heart?"
Zuo, eager to confirm his suspicions that Xinger was the chosen Wei crown princess, watched as Yuwen Yue stopped making excuses, silently confirming Zuo's suspicions.
Zuo said with conviction, "Master Brother, whatever happens, I won't let the frozen lake tragedy happen to you again. Nor will I let myself meet the same fate as Yue Qi. Everyone knows you're better than this, yet you disregarded it all. Yue Qi was brave enough to walk that selfless path with you. If I could turn back time, I would've defied your orders to protect you. But Yue Qi's loyalty was never in question."
Zuo's eyes suddenly brightened as he said, "What if we do a role-play? Say I am Yue Qi, and we turn this empire upside down!"
Yuwen Yue gave a cold laugh and said, "Enough. We're on a business trip, and tomorrow is a big day. Who knows? I might just decide to kidnap the Wei crown princess." His tone grew more serious as he emphasized the last part of his sentence.
Zuo, still smiling, replied, "I'm with you all the way, but I can never truly understand why Yue Qi was willing to do everything to protect both of you, only to meet his tragic end."
Yuwen Yue, calm but cold, remembered Yue Qi and their final stand at the frozen lake two years ago. His thoughts drifted back to Chu Qiao, recalling how she had drawn her Canhong sword against him. During their sword fight, he had slipped a few times, noting that she had greatly improved her martial arts skills. His distraction had come from another woman who resembled Chu Qiao in both face and age.
Confused by the encounter, Yuwen Yue, hidden behind his metal mask, struggled to distinguish who the real Chu Qiao was. He had been caught off guard but was saved by Zuo's quick thinking.
Back on Xuefu Street, Yuwen Yue calmly walked by, looking for the beautiful face he had longed to see. He entered and asked the old lady, "Where is your chef today?"
The old lady replied, "Oh, she's on vacation. Come back tomorrow." Yuwen Yue, with his cold gaze, politely said his goodbye. But before leaving, he turned back to the old lady and said, "Can you tell her I'll be away for a while, but I'll return in seven days?"
The old lady, sensing something more, asked, "Oh, where are you going?"
Yuwen Yue replied in his usual calm, cold voice, "I'll be meeting someone, but I need to trek through the mountains to reach them."
The old lady, believing his words, said, "Go, and come back safely. She'll be fine here, and maybe she'll miss you when you return." She wasn't looking at him as she said this, instead writing something on her table. Yuwen Yue gave a slight smile, feeling a sense of hope as he left.
The old lady, with a twinkle in her eye, watched his tall figure until he disappeared from sight.
Less than a week after his journey to the Woolong Mountains, Yuwen Yue returned sooner than expected. On his usual morning routine, he walked through the streets of Xue Fu, delivering parcels. He passed by the old lady's Kowloon Noodle House, noticing it had opened earlier than usual.
Entering, he remarked, "You've opened earlier than usual."
The old lady replied, "You're back, Ice-Cube Man. Did you meet your someone?"
Chu Qiao, the woman Yuwen Yue had been looking for, happened to pass by as they spoke. Yuwen Yue looked at her as though he hadn't seen her in decades.
He replied to the old lady, but she noticed his eyes locked with Chu Qiao's. In that brief moment, Yuwen Yue said, "I just did."
Chu Qiao overheard him. She almost wanted to laugh, wondering if he was referring to her. But then, doubt crept in, was he engaged or happily married abroad? She brushed it off, assuming her stern look as she returned to her kitchen.
Yuwen Yue, momentarily caught in the moment, turned back to the old lady, who asked, "Oh, what does that mean? Are you going to visit us less often now?"
Yuwen Yue, squinting his eyes slightly, replied, "In fact, I plan to visit more often, and I'm here to ask for your permission."
The old lady was stunned by his words. She never imagined that this cold man would ask her for permission.
She joked, "Be clear with your intentions. Who exactly are you visiting here? Don't forget I'm single too, always available. Or is it the Tiger Beauty in the kitchen den?"
Yuwen Yue, now the target of her teasing, squinted his eyes and, with a slight smile, said, "My father would be very pleased with you. Just to be clear, I'll be visiting the Tiger Beauty more often and becoming a part of her kitchen den."
The old lady, her beautiful smile lighting up her face, approved of his request. As Yuwen Yue was about to leave, Chu Qiao came out with two baskets in her hands. Yuwen Yue casually offered to help, and she handed them over. Their hands touched, sending a spark through her.
She managed to play it cool, but after not seeing him for some time, she almost wanted to embrace the cold man.
After a whirlwind event involving the Prince of Liang, who was wounded and now resting in his palace, Chu Qiao was still trying to put her life back together. Her royal friend was nearly lost, and the experience had been far from what she had expected.
What truly happened remained a mystery. The Crown Prince of Liang had much to explain to the palace. As for Chu Qiao, she found herself, once again, defending herself, but this time, Xiao Ce revealed that he was also skilled.
Together, they had killed more assassins than during their previous battle at Chang'an's hunting grounds.
This time, Chu Qiao's martial skills were sharper than ever. Though Xiao Ce was wounded, this was his first real encounter defending both himself and the woman he cared for. He activated a secret weapon that alerted his spies, and his hidden army rushed to his aid, escorting him back to the palace.
Sun Di, the Viceroy General, explained the situation to King Tang. Chu Qiao, devastated by the sight of the once-playful prince in such a condition, refused to leave his side, until today.
Chu Qiao asked Yuwen Yue, "Will you help me deliver this to the Liang Crown Prince's palace?"
Yuwen Yue heard her clearly and, though hesitant, managed to keep his cold expression as he replied briefly, "Sure."
Delighted by his response, Chu Qiao said, "Alright, here's the payment. Where's your horse?"
Testing her, Yuwen Yue said, "I don't have a horse. I walk to deliver parcels."
Chu Qiao responded, "Oh, is that so? We can walk, then."
Chu Qiao thought to herself that this was going to be a fine day, longer than usual, with the man she believed she had feelings for at that moment.
Yuwen Yue took one of her baskets as Chu Qiao hesitated with the second. Their eyes met, and in that brief moment, some of their feelings were silently exchanged. They left the Kowloon Noodle House and quietly walked under the early morning sun.
Two souls walking together on peaceful, unknown grounds, far from the chaos of their empires, was the perfect retreat. Under the spring sky, with plum flowers blossoming around them, the air was filled with the scent of new beginnings. It was a breath of fresh air, a budding romance at the perfect moment in time.
Connect to Chapter 49: And it begins, late again
Look back to Chapter 45: Graveyard of Flowers
Author's note:
(*) The lines marked with an asterisk are borrowed from the classical readings of Chinese philosophy, specifically Book Three of the "Analects of Confucius," featuring dialogue between Master Kongzi and the Ji family of ancient China. Enjoy reading, and I will continue with the next chapter.
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