The Duke of Ding, Ping Ji, had never liked this boy, Huan Sui.
Why was he born so handsome for no reason? Just to attract unwanted attention!
Why was he so outstanding in military achievements for no reason? Just to provoke jealousy!
Why was he so talented and virtuous for no reason? Just to arouse suspicion!
Why... well, this boy was truly excellent, a worthy match for Ping Huai'an. But which father would willingly let another man snatch away the precious little girl he held dear?
Thus, Ping Ji received Huan Sui with these complex and conflicting feelings.
Huan Sui, on the other hand, didn't have so many twists and turns in his mind. He respectfully gave Ping Ji a deep bow, saying, "Paying my respects to Uncle Ping."
Ping Ji hurriedly helped him up, saying, "You mustn't, you mustn't."
"I must. Uncle Ping and Father Emperor worked hard side by side in their early years to conquer this land. If it weren't for your lack of interest in the throne, it's uncertain whether the imperial surname would be Huan. You are my uncle, so naturally I must."
"Your Highness, these words must not be spoken!" Upon hearing this, Ping Ji almost died of fright. Oh God, this was putting the hat of coveting the throne on his head! If the old Emperor Huan heard this, no matter how much he trusted him, he would surely become suspicious.
Only to see Ping Yan, who had been happily chatting and even had his arm around Huan Sui's shoulder, immediately hit Huan Sui's arm upon hearing these words, and muttered discontentedly, "Huan Yong'si, my father is loyal to His Majesty and has absolutely no disloyal intentions! What are you saying? Do you want to get my father killed?"
"Zi'Ran, behave yourself!"
"Tch."
"It was this junior's slip of the tongue."
"Alright, stop arguing. We're all family. Quickly take your seats." Seeing the atmosphere become tense, the Duke's wife, Xue Guifang, hurriedly smoothed things over.
Upon hearing this, everyone followed suit and sat down.
The Ping family had always been informal. The whole family ate around a large round table made of sturdy and heavy old elm wood, indestructible, symbolizing the unity of the Ping family.
Ping Yan put his arm around Huan Sui's shoulder again, not even asking if the other wanted to stay for dinner, and directly pulled him to sit beside him. Finally, he still didn't forget to tease, "Yong'si, you've really lucked out. Our mother's cooking is top-notch."
"I've long admired Aunt's specialty dishes, thanks to Zi'Ran." Huan Sui patted Ping Yan. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
"Hmph, you managed to freeload."
Servants brought up the dishes, and they toasted each other with raised cups. Amidst the clinking of glasses, the earlier dispute dissipated without a trace.
Ping Ji and Xue Guifang asked a few questions about Ping Huai'an's recent situation, and Ping Huai'an answered respectfully one by one.
Although it was a family banquet, after all, there was a distinguished prince present, so the elders didn't ask any more questions and instead turned to talk to Huan Sui.
Ping Huai'an sat at the lowest seat, picking at the wolfberries in her bowl. She had never liked the red, sweet things. She quietly watched her father and brothers talking to Huan Sui, seeing them sometimes debating excitedly and sometimes analyzing calmly, while her mother occasionally interjected a word or two to express her opinion. Even when their opinions differed, they discussed the matter itself without trying to force others to agree, only seeking to fully convey their own thoughts.
Ping Huai'an rested her chin on her hand, gazing intently at her parents. Unlike her attire in the kitchen just now, her father was wearing a long bamboo-green robe, his neatly combed hair streaked with silver, his nose straight, his jaw firm, and his deep eyes bearing the marks of time. Although he was very kind to his daughter, in his son's eyes, he was a majestic and dignified father. His voice was deep and resonant, full of vigor. Anyone who saw him would know that he was the old general who had achieved brilliant military exploits and accumulated great merits in his youth.
Her mother, on the other hand, was wearing a sky-blue narrow-sleeved jacket and skirt, her hair styled in the most fashionable "spirit snake" bun, with a pair of small and exquisite gold earrings hanging from her ears. Her temperament was gentle and dignified. Although there were a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes, she didn't look old at all. Instead, one could still catch a glimpse of her past elegance in her gestures and the hidden smile on her face.
Ping Huai'an remembered the elders saying that her parents' wedding was a sensational event in the city! A young hero, bold and upright, and a noble lady from a prestigious family, beautiful beyond compare. They first met at the Lantern Festival during the Yuanxiao Festival, fell in love at first sight, and with a second glance, his heart was completely captured. The young hero didn't hesitate and immediately went to propose marriage. After marriage, they lived in harmony, supporting each other and weathering storms together in that turbulent era, becoming a widely told tale of a perfect match.
Look! Even though they were nearing fifty, they still secretly coordinated their outfits, a bamboo-green robe and a sky-blue jacket and skirt, even the hidden patterns were cleverly designed. The corner of her father's robe was embroidered with 'longevity,' while her mother's cuffs were patterned with 'pine and crane.' Tsk tsk, even low-key displays of affection were still displays of affection!
As she watched, Ping Huai'an suddenly heard a "bang!" Turning her head, she saw her second brother, his face flushed red from arguing with Huan Sui over some issue, slamming the table and shouting, "Idiot! Since ancient times, Sizhou City has been easy to defend and difficult to attack! We should cut off water, cut off food supplies, shoot arrows, and burn the mountains! Why take a shortcut! Why go through a tunnel! Do you think you're a Qimen Dunjia sorcerer?!"
Upon hearing this, her father hurriedly stopped him, "No manners!"
And Huan Sui, who was usually gentle and refined, rarely showing his emotions, also became uncharacteristically angry, coldly saying, "You have never been to Sizhou in person, so how do you know that there isn't my so-called 'tunnel'?"
"Fine, we'll go take a look tomorrow."
"Aiya, elder brother, alright, alright! Debate is debate, don't get so impulsive!" Ping Huai'an covered her forehead. Sizhou City was within the territory of Southern Qi. How could he, a young marshal of Northern Zheng, just say he would go?
Ping Yan continued to curse and scold, his tongue like a reed, his speech like arrows, da-da-da-da, words bursting forth, arguing endlessly with Huan Sui. Xue Guifang tried to mediate, but Ping Yan was determined to argue with Huan Sui to the end.
It clearly wasn't a very important topic, but the more he argued, the angrier he became, like a volcano or a tsunami, surging forth, until Huan Sui leaned back in his seat, waved his hand, and said, "You're right, you're all right, I won't argue with you anymore."
Ping Huai'an was puzzled. What had happened to her second brother today? His temper was so fiery. Although he was usually a bit sharp-tongued, he had never been so easily provoked like today. That fellow Huan Sui was also quite unlucky, he must have forgotten to check the almanac before going out and ran straight into her second brother's spear. She really felt sorry for him.
Ping Huai'an pursed her lips, then suddenly widened her eyes, as if remembering something. The almanac! She turned to ask the attendant about the date, and after receiving the answer, she sighed. No wonder her second brother was in such a bad mood. After all, seven years ago today was when Ruoxuan elder sister...
Ping Huai'an's thoughts, which were about to sink into memories, were interrupted by Ping Yan's shout, "Hey, little one, tell Father how you utterly defeated the Luo coalition army this time."
Oh, finished arguing? It's my turn to speak?
"It's nothing, compared to what Father and elder brother did back then, it's not worth mentioning."
"Hey! What do you mean it's not worth mentioning, Father, let me tell you, this time the little one has made a great contribution!" Ping Yan's face was full of smiles, as if the previous argument was just an interlude and didn't hinder him from showing off his little sister at all.
Ping Huai'an once suspected that this man had emotional problems. One second he was furious, the next second he was beaming. Did his mood swings have to be so extreme?
At this moment, she heard him vividly describing to his father, from under the city walls to the top of the city walls, from dodging arrows to single-handedly slaying the Luo coalition soldiers, making everyone present listen in astonishment. Those who didn't know the truth would have thought he was there at the time.
"Ping Huai'an is truly capable, your elder brother's painstaking cultivation over the years has not been in vain." Huan Sui also smiled, his expression natural, not at all concerned about the tense situation just now.
How much longer are they going to talk about this? Ping Huai'an felt a bit helpless. Could they please turn the page?
"That's right, how much time did this general spend cultivating this useless little one? If she doesn't show some of her family's skills, people will think that our old Ping family has no successors."
"Among the descendants of the old Ping family, only Ping Huai'an is capable of taking on great responsibilities." Xue Guifang couldn't bear to hear others belittle her precious daughter, even if it was her own son, so she jumped out to speak for her.
Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere turned harmonious. The old gentlemen continued to discuss state affairs.
After the meal, when the banquet dispersed, Ping Huai'an did not leave immediately but waited outside the hall for someone.
Her family members came out of the hall in twos and threes. Ping Ji patted her head with a gratified expression and said, "My child is good."
Xue Guifang held Ping Huai'an's hand, touching and patting her here and there, as if checking the condition of her own product. After inspecting her, she nodded with satisfaction. Suddenly remembering that Ping Huai'an had been stretching her back and turning her shoulders during the banquet, as if trying to relieve shoulder and back pain, she added, "My child has worked hard. Come to Mother's room tonight, and Mother will give you a massage."
Ping Huai'an chuckled and watched her parents return to their room.
Ping Yan, full of food and wine, was in a much happier mood. He casually muttered, "Mother is biased," and then went back to his room, hiccuping.
Huan Sui followed behind Ping Yan, took a few steps, then turned back and asked Ping Huai'an, "Were you looking for me?"
Ping Huai'an nodded lightly.
"What's wrong?"
Ping Huai'an glanced up and saw that Ping Yan had already walked far away before saying, "I wanted... to apologize to you on behalf of my elder brother."
"Zi'Ran?"
"Yes, elder brother was too impulsive today, and his words were somewhat offensive. I hope Your Highness will forgive him."
Huan Sui nodded, smiled gently, and waved his hand, indicating, "It's alright, I understand." He paused, "After all, today is..." He didn't continue.
"Mm."
"Besides, we've been brothers for over a decade. Don't I understand his little temper?"
Ping Huai'an burst out laughing, "Indeed, Your Highness is the most tolerant of elder brother's hot temper."
"In the past, I relied on him a lot, so what's wrong with being a little more tolerant?"
"Your Highness's magnanimity is as vast as the ocean, encompassing all things. Truly, your capacity is great."
Huan Sui laughed heartily, "Ping Huai'an, how long have you been in officialdom? You've already grown into someone who speaks human language to humans and ghost language to ghosts?"
"Your Highness, I am sincere."
"Alright, let's stop with the 'Your Highness' and 'this subject,' it sounds awkward."
"Yes."
"See, so formal." Huan Sui pursed his lips. "Father Emperor ordered me to stay longer this time, precisely so that I can spend more time with you."
"I dare not."
"After a while, the various affairs weighing me down should lessen, and then I'll have even more time."
"In the early years of the establishment of the dynasty, Your Highness had to deal with the remnants of the former dynasty and also maneuver between the watchful Southern Qi and the Western tribes. Your Highness has worked hard."
"It is my duty."
Huan Sui paused. "After the marriage alliance, Southern Qi should also be quiet for a while. Father Emperor can finally focus on dealing with the mess left by the former dynasty. At that time, your elder brother will be busy, and it will finally be my turn to enjoy some leisurely days."
Ping Huai'an remained silent for a long while after hearing this, then opened her mouth as if to speak but hesitated, choosing her words carefully before finally saying, "The marriage alliance with Huan Ruo'cheng, is there really no room for maneuver?"
Huan Sui sighed. "I also hope there is, but Southern Qi would never accept a daughter from a collateral branch of the imperial family as a substitute. Father Emperor only has Huan Ruo'cheng as a daughter. He finally waited until she reached marriageable age and could be married off, so naturally..."
"Doesn't His Majesty feel sorry for her?"
"How could he not? But the Great Zheng dynasty has only been established for a few years, its foundation is not yet solid, and it can only rely on some unorthodox methods to temporarily deceive Southern Qi, but this is not a long-term solution. If we want to free up our hands to completely deal with the remnants of the former dynasty, we must appease Southern Qi. For the present plan, only a marriage alliance can temporarily stabilize the situation and allow us to continue to move forward with difficulty."
Ping Huai'an frowned tightly, but for a moment she still couldn't think of any solution. "I will submit my card tomorrow to enter the palace and see Huan Ruo'cheng." Although she wanted to see Huan Ruo'cheng now, the palace gates were already locked for the night, so she had to wait.
Huan Sui gently shook his head, "I'm afraid not. Huan Ruo'cheng caught a cold a few days ago and has been recuperating in the palace. No one is allowed to see her."
"A cold?"
"Yes, I'm most afraid she was frightened by the news of the marriage alliance."
"Then I must go see her even more."
"What if she infects you?"
"I'm strong and healthy, I'm not afraid of illness. Besides, at such a crucial time, as a friend, I should go see her."
Huan Sui paused, "Alright then, I'll accompany you tomorrow."
Ping Huai'an originally wanted to decline, but the words changed on her tongue, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"So formal again."
"I'll improve next time."
The next day, Ping Huai'an woke up early, practiced her sword, and after washing up, heard a servant report that Huan Sui was already waiting at the door.
She thought to herself: So early.
Fortunately, she had already changed her clothes, so she calmly walked to the gate and saw Huan Sui holding two horses, waiting for her with a smile.
Ping Huai'an saluted Huan Sui and then mounted her horse with him, setting off for the imperial city.
Along the way, they spoke intermittently. Ping Huai'an was preoccupied with Huan Ruo'cheng's matter and didn't respond very attentively, while Huan Sui took great pains to make conversation with her.
So they went from discussing how to improve the current military system to the debate between Censor Zhao and the other officials in the court a few days ago, then to the renovation of the football field in the suburbs, and finally even talked about the sweet and sour perch at Jixing Restaurant in Datong Ward.
As they chatted, they silently passed the outer walls of the imperial city. They each presented their name plaques at the Mingde Gate of the palace city and entered.
Huan Ruo'cheng lived in the Glazed Tile Palace. Going northeast directly from Mingde Gate, turning left at Yongfu Palace, passing through a lush courtyard filled with precious flowers, going around two artificial hills, and crossing a wooden bridge over a small lake, they arrived.
The path in front of the Glazed Tile Palace was paved with bluestones, and two rows of osmanthus trees were planted on either side, their flower buds waiting to bloom. Before they even got close, they could hear a series of coughs coming from inside the house, sounding weak and painful.
Ping Huai'an followed Huan Sui inside. Huan Sui raised his hand and parted the curtain hanging from the door frame. The cypress wood beads collided, making a soft, tinkling sound. A faint fragrance of wood lightly brushed everyone's noses, but it couldn't block the sickly and stuffy air emanating from the room.
"Who is taking care of her? Not opening the windows, not ventilating, are you trying to suffocate the princess?" Huan Sui immediately narrowed his eyes and rebuked. His tone was stern, and his expression was serious and grave, looking somewhat frightening.
A palace maid knelt down in front of Huan Sui with a thud, her body trembling slightly, her head lowered, and she said in a trembling voice, "Replying to Prince of Heng, this was... ordered by Her Highness the Princess, fearing that opening the windows would allow evil winds to enter the body and worsen her condition."
Huan Sui waved his hand, not pursuing the matter further, "Open a crack and use a screen to block it, just let the air circulate."
The servants received the order and hurriedly went to do it.
Ping Huai'an followed Huan Sui into the room and saw the woman on the bed covering her mouth with a handkerchief, coughing softly and then heavily. Ping Huai'an's brows furrowed, and she immediately walked closer quickly, softly calling out, "Huan Ruo'cheng."
Hearing the voice, Huan Ruo'cheng, who was coughing, raised her head, her eyes showing surprise, "Ping Huai'an, you've come." Then, seeing Huan Sui behind her, she gave a slight curtsy, "Third brother."
Ping Huai'an sat on the edge of the bed, patted Huan Ruo'cheng's back, and asked gently, "Are you feeling any better?"
Huan Ruo'cheng sat up and sighed, "Ping Huai'an, do you know..."
Ping Huai'an was stunned for a moment, then understood Huan Ruo'cheng's question. She nodded lightly, "I know."
"I don't want to marry to Southern Qi."
Ping Huai'an didn't answer. In Huan Ruo'cheng's sorrowful eyes, she saw her own reflection and realized that her own eyes were also full of sadness.
"I don't want to leave the North, don't want to leave Father and Mother, don't want to leave home," Huan Ruo'cheng said. "Ping Huai'an, do you know? The palace servants all say that the people of Southern Qi are extravagant and licentious, indulging in wine and women. They also say that Jianye, the capital of Qi, is located on a plain without high mountains for protection, and it becomes unbearably hot in summer. I definitely won't be able to endure it."
"Jianye City isn't as bad as you say," Huan Sui said faintly upon hearing this. "Although the summers are indeed hotter than in the North, Jianye City has the Qinhuai River to the south, the Houhu Lake to the north, and borders the Yangtze River to the west. When the breeze blows, the water vapor rises slowly, bringing a bit of freshness." He had traveled back and forth to Southern Qi for many years and was quite familiar with its capital.
Huan Ruo'cheng glanced at Huan Sui. "In that case, third brother, do you really hope I marry over there?" She pursed her lips and then coughed violently a few times. "That's right, after I marry over, third brother will be relieved and won't have to make diplomatic missions back and forth, suffering the hardship of travel."
Huan Sui sighed, "That's not what I meant. I just hope you don't believe the words of the servants."
"Did His Majesty tell you this himself?" Ping Huai'an asked Huan Ruo'cheng, hoping to divert the argument between the two siblings.
Huan Ruo'cheng nodded, "Father personally came to tell me."
"Did you express your wishes?"
Huan Ruo'cheng's shoulders slumped. "Father has devoted all his energy to the Great Zheng. Making this decision must have been extremely difficult for him. How could I add to his troubles? Naturally, I didn't dare to mention it. Besides, I know that as a princess, even if I don't marry out of the country, my marriage is destined to be beyond my control. Right now, I can only complain to you a few times. I suppose in a couple of days... I'll come to terms with it."
"Really?" Ping Huai'an asked doubtfully. If Huan Ruo'cheng could truly accept the arrangement of fate, then she wouldn't have anything to worry about and could just offer her blessings.
"Of course it's not true," Huan Ruo'cheng said with a helpless and self-deprecating bitter smile.
"Oh." Ping Huai'an's eyelids twitched. "Right, if it were me, I wouldn't be willing either."
"Right now, third brother is the happiest. No more tedious affairs to deal with, he's finally free."
"Don't say that, Your Highness has also been busy and tired for several days because of this matter," Ping Huai'an couldn't help but defend Huan Sui.
"Have you found a way?"
Huan Sui shook his head slightly embarrassedly, "The methods within the law have indeed all been tried."
"Could it be... there are methods outside the law?" Ping Huai'an's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Huan Sui pondered for a long time, and finally nodded with difficulty and hesitation, "I have some connections with the people in the Directorate of Astronomy. After the envoy from Southern Qi submits the Crown Prince of Qi's birth date, there should still be some room for maneuver."
Oh God! , so Huan Ruo'cheng's intended is the Crown Prince of Qi.
Upon hearing these words, Huan Ruo'cheng stopped coughing, her illness seemed to disappear, and she suddenly sat up straight, "Third brother, will you help me?"
Huan Sui showed a hesitant expression, his eyes darting around for a while before finally saying, "Even if the Directorate of Astronomy calculates that your and the Crown Prince of Qi's horoscopes are incompatible, there are so many princes in Southern Qi, it's impossible that every single one would be incompatible."
Upon hearing this, Huan Ruo'cheng's shoulders slumped, "Then what should I do?"
Ping Huai'an's eyebrows twitched, and suddenly remembering something, she turned to Huan Sui and asked, "Or... can we delay it further, secretly reorganize the army, and completely wipe out the remnants of the former Qin in the Western Regions? That way, Huan Ruo'cheng won't have to marry." Anyway, the purpose of the marriage alliance was just to temporarily appease and restrain Southern Qi in order to free up their hands to deal with the remnants of the former dynasty. Once the problem was solved, they naturally wouldn't need to bother with Southern Qi.
Huan Sui chuckled, "If it were that easy, Father would have done it long ago. It's precisely because we can't spare the resources to deal with the Western Regions right now that we have to resort to this inferior strategy to appease Southern Qi."
"I can secretly infiltrate the Western Regions as a spy. You said I'm very capable."
Huan Sui shook his head, "Little one, how much do you know about the Later Ruler?"
Upon hearing this, Ping Huai'an was at a loss for words and stammered for a long time without saying anything.
"How old were you during the uprising? You hadn't even finished your studies at the martial arts academy. You don't even know what Emperor Li and the Later Ruler look like, let alone those who loyally follow him, appearing and disappearing like ghosts, and as endless as cockroaches, impossible to kill completely. How would you recognize them? How would you investigate? How would you deal with them?" Huan Sui's expression was serious, but his tone was gentle, like patiently reasoning with a child.
Ping Huai'an lowered her head and didn't answer, just pouting her lips and turning to hold Huan Ruo'cheng's small hand, whispering, "Huan Ruo'cheng, if you really don't want to, let's run away."
"Run away to where?"
"Run away to a place where no one knows you, there will always be one."
Huan Ruo'cheng smiled bitterly, "Under the vast Oh God!, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the land, all people are the king's subjects. Unless I die, there's no escape."
"I will try my best to make the Directorate of Astronomy work. Let's remain optimistic for now." Huan Sui patted his younger sister's shoulder, and Huan Ruo'cheng coughed violently again.
Ping Huai'an smoothed Huan Ruo'cheng's back and stood up, "Huan Ruo'cheng, rest well, don't worry, we will be with you."
Huan Ruo'cheng gave a slight bow, seeing Ping Huai'an and Huan Sui off.
As she left, Ping Huai'an saw that the big eyes that used to be filled with stars now had their light extinguished, leaving only a deep abyss of loneliness and dimness.