Melting Snow

When Pei Rusong returned to the manor in the evening, he was bathed in peculiar, pitying gazes the entire way. Whether he was walking through the courtyard paths or along the covered corridors, he could always hear the lowered whispers of the servants. Occasionally, strange calls of "Touched her?" "Touched her!" would even be heard.

The last time he had received so many sympathetic stares was more than a decade ago, when he was first chosen to be the Princess's Prince Consort. Crow even silently handed him a persimmon cake she had saved from between her teeth. Pei Rusong felt as if he didn't have long to live.

"Thank you, but you should keep it for yourself." Pei Rusong refused her with gratitude, saying politely, "May I ask, did the palace issue a decree to strip me of my post, or is His Majesty planning to exile me to Qiongzhou Island? Why does everyone look as if the sky is falling?"

Crow was very satisfied with his refusal, feeling that he was a very perceptive person. "Oh, the sky hasn't fallen, but you might not be able to take it."

Pei Rusong: ?

Chewing on her persimmon cake, Crow mercifully told him, "Today, Her Highness met someone named Consort Xu in the inner palace..."

Pei Rusong had also attended the morning court and heard Wen Chan's words, so he had a general idea and wasn't too surprised. "Oh, Consort Xu."

Crow: "...touched her face, hugged her, then took her back to her own chambers."

Pei Rusong: "..."

Crow: "Need me to call a physician for you?"

"Touched her? Hugged her? Took her back to her chambers?"

Crow nodded like a woodpecker. Pei Rusong took a deep breath and bolted towards the main hall as fast as an arrow, a monstrous dark aura trailing behind him. His voice was filled with grievance and disbelief, more desolate than the heavy snow blanketing the city. "Your Highness!"

"Touched her, hugged her, took her back."

Wen Chan was looking down, replying to a letter. She had clearly anticipated this. Hearing his commotion, she spoke without raising her head, "But it was a test, a coincidence, and out of sympathy. If you must say there were any other intentions, it was that seeing her kept reminding me of you. She is very pitiful, but you are not pitiful at all. There's no comparison."

Pei Rusong felt a breath catch in his throat. "..."

Only then did Wen Chan shift her gaze from her documents, looking at him with unshakable composure. "Any other questions?"

The three-foot-high flame of his anger silently subsided, like ice and snow falling into a warm palm, melting into a puddle of soft, cool water.

Pei Rusong walked over to Wen Chan, wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug, and petulantly pressed his cold cheek against hers. "Your Highness has said everything. Anything I ask now would make me seem insensible. Your Highness is too cunning."

Wen Chan turned her head and gave him a soothing kiss on the corner of his lips, smiling languidly. "Even better if there are no questions. An idle mouth can be used for other things."

Pei Rusong: "So proactive. You must feel guilty after all, right?"

Wen Chan: "..."

Before she could answer, Pei Rusong had already leaned down and kissed her. The cold, snowy air he brought in from outside intertwined with the warmth of her body, merging into a gentle dampness that smoothly soothed all his ruffled feathers.

After a long time, their lips parted. Pei Rusong held her, unwilling to let go, still whining with a hint of dissatisfaction, "I've never even been to Your Highness's Fuyao Palace."

"That's the inner palace." Wen Chan's gaze subtly flickered downward. "Don't even think about it."

Pei Rusong: "..."

"Besides, I'm right here. Why are you still thinking about Fuyao Palace?" Wen Chan sighed. "The moment you heard I met Consort Xu, your soul flew away, your temper flared, and you're so jealous you've lost your mind. Are you that scared of her?"

"It's just that Your Highness admitted in person that she is more beautiful than I am. What's there to be afraid of," Pei Rusong said sourly. "A beauty in distress in the snow, saved by Your Highness. The tales of heroes saving beauties throughout history have always been written this way. Coincidences, all clichéd coincidences. I don't care at all."

Wen Chan: "...Why do I feel like you're quite fond of this kind of cliché."

Pei Rusong let out a cold snort, pretending to be dismissive.

"It's useless to be fond of it, it's impossible." Wen Chan mercilessly shattered his fantasy, scoffing coolly. "Who would dare make you kneel in the heavy snow? Do they think I'm dead?"

Pei Rusong immediately leaned over and kissed her three times, looking at her reproachfully. "I told you it's unlucky. Such a reckless tongue."

Wen Chan hadn't expected this. For a rare moment, she was stunned, then she burst out laughing, suddenly finding him very cute.

People often mistake momentary sympathy or pity for 'liking'. If the person in question possesses both fragility and beauty, it becomes an extreme form of 'pitiful'. However, of this, about five parts are the charity bestowed by the strong upon the weak from a position of superiority, three parts are for self-satisfaction, and after picking through what's left, what can truly be called 'affection' might not even amount to one part.

As the Prince Consort chosen by the Princess, Pei Rusong was naturally in the weaker position in the relationship, but while Wen Chan would indulge Pei Rusong's tearful pretense of being pitiful, she never truly thought he was pitiful—a Little White Flower, dewy and rain-kissed, was certainly pleasing to the eye, but when he stood firmly by her side, or was occasionally stubbornly cute, she would find her heart unexpectedly stirred.

"Speaking of the 'standing in the snow before the gate' anecdote, I remember another one." Wen Chan shot him a teasing glance. "Around this time last year, some young master disguised himself as a zither master to sneak into the Grand Princess Manor... Mmph!"

"Getting angry from embarrassment, are we, Young Master Pei?"

"Not at all."

"Then when will you play the pipa again?"

"Does Your Highness wish to hear it?"

"It's not that I want to hear the music, I just really want to see that zither master again."

"...You won't see him! There's no one who plays the zither or the pipa, only my humble self. I implore Your Highness to make do with me!"

Tonight, all was peaceful. The Princess Manor was not flooded by a deluge, nor was a vinegar jar overturned to spread its scent for a thousand miles. Outside the window, the heavy snow fell lingeringly. Heaven and earth were a vast expanse, and all sounds were annihilated in the white silence.

The New Year arrived quietly amidst the piercing, howling cold wind.

On New Year's Eve, the Emperor held a banquet in Ziyang Palace. Attending by his side was none other than the graceful and elegant Xu Yingluo, Consort Xu. The Crown Prince was acting as regent, but Consort Xian of the Su Clan could not remain in Zhaojing. Over the New Year, she had to watch Xu Yingluo's triumphant display, her face three shades greener than the vegetables on her plate. Virtuous Consort Xiao, needless to say, looked at Xu Yingluo with eyes that wished to tear her apart alive. Only Pure Consort Yu sat as steady as a mountain, drinking and watching the spectacle. With great leisure, she smiled and said, "Tonight is a night for reunion. Though not all of us are here, we are fortunate to have Sister Xu attending His Majesty. His Majesty's health and happiness is a blessing for the six palaces. It is only right that we raise our cups to celebrate together."

She was flattering him herself and trying to drag others along with her. The Virtuous Consort shot her a glare and sneered, "With Consort Xu for company, His Majesty is naturally not lonely. It's a pity the Prince of Yue is not in the capital this year. I'm afraid Elder Sister is forcing a smile, while your heart truly aches with longing."

Virtuous Consort Xiao's son was not yet an adult and was being raised in the palace, attending to her every day. Pure Consort Yu's son, the Prince of Yue, however, had been assigned a task in Gu Prefecture to comfort the refugees. She deliberately used this to sting the Pure Consort, but the Pure Consort merely smiled calmly. "The Crown Prince remains in the capital, while my second and third sons are delayed abroad on official duties. They are all His Majesty's good children. As their mother, I can only be happy for them. Younger Sister does not understand now, but when your fourth and fifth sons leave the palace one day, you will naturally understand the feelings of myself and Elder Sister Consort Xian."

The Virtuous Consort: "..."

Consort Xian was now the head of the six palaces and the Crown Prince's mother. Hearing this, she also nodded with reserve. "Well said."

When the Emperor heard them mention his sons, he thought of the Crown Prince staying behind in the Capital City as regent, managing everything alone without his father or mother consort by his side. Seeing Consort Xian's dejected expression and forced smile, he was suddenly filled with pity. He ordered the inner treasury to be opened and some fabrics, foods, books, and toys to be sent by express riders back to the capital as rewards for the Crown Prince and the officials of the Eastern Palace.

On the third day of the New Year, the eunuch sent to the Capital City returned to the palace to report. The Emperor casually asked, "What has the Crown Prince been doing for the New Year?"

The eunuch paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully before answering cautiously, "Your Majesty, when this servant arrived, the Crown Prince had gone to Grand Princess Chengyang's Manor. I heard from the eunuchs of the Eastern Palace that they also spent New Year's Eve together... The Crown Prince is extremely close with the Duke of Guan and the Grand Princess."

The Emperor was in the middle of writing. At these words, his brush paused slightly. "Liang Jiang."

Liang Jiang, who was attending nearby, hurried forward, slapped the eunuch across the face, and sent him to the ground, roaring, "You muddle-headed fool, your heart blinded by lard! Have you fed all your etiquette to the dogs, daring to privately discuss the nobles? Are you tired of living!"

Only after being berated by Liang Jiang did the eunuch realize he had touched the Emperor's sore spot. Frightened and alarmed, he kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy with tears streaming down his face. "Your Majesty, forgive me! I didn't mean it! I know my mistake and will never dare to do it again! I beg Your Majesty to be lenient!"

Liang Jiang looked back at the Emperor, who didn't even raise an eyelid. He then kicked the eunuch in the shoulder and hissed, "Get out and kneel in proper repentance! If you ever dare to transgress again, you'll be dragged out and beaten to death!"

The eunuch kowtowed a few more times haphazardly and retreated, trembling, to receive his punishment. Liang Jiang returned to the Emperor's side and carefully apologized, "May Your Majesty quell your anger. This is all due to the lax discipline of the Palace Domestic Service. This servant will return and rectify things from top to bottom, making sure every one of them is on their toes and that such a blunder never happens again."

In his later years, the Late Emperor had numerous conflicts with court officials and trusted eunuchs, which resulted in the rise of powerful eunuchs who held sway over the court and interfered in the succession. The current Emperor had suffered greatly at the hands of the palace before his ascension, so after taking the throne, he was particularly wary of eunuch interference in politics. Even a deeply trusted eunuch like Liang Jiang dared not utter a single word about court matters in his presence, let alone discuss the Crown Prince.

The Emperor put down his brush. He stood before the desk with his hands behind his back, looking down at his own calligraphy. His tone remained faint. "It's not just the Palace Domestic Service. I'm afraid there are some restless hearts in Zhaojing as well, taking advantage of the fact that the Crown Prince and I are not together to deliberately stir up trouble."

Liang Jiang bowed his head deeply, not daring to respond.

The Emperor snorted coldly and ordered, "Send someone to deliver a message to the Duke of Guan. Summon him to Pingjing. Say that foreign envoys will be granted an audience in the first month, and he is to be a guest of honor."

Liang Jiang softly complied. His face was as deferential as ever, but in his heart, he thought that insidious words could kill without a trace. The Emperor said it was all provocation, but he had clearly taken it to heart. It seemed he wasn't completely at ease with the Grand Princess and the Crown Prince either.

The daughter of the Duke of Guan and Grand Princess Chengyang was the Crown Princess, and Grand Princess Chengyang was the Crown Prince's paternal aunt. With such close ties, it was not strange for them to be close. In the past, the Emperor might not have cared about the Crown Prince's interactions with his in-laws. However, times were different now. The Crown Prince was not under the Emperor's eye; whatever he did was taken at face value, with no room for explanation. He should have been more cautious, but instead, he had let someone get a hold of him.

Grand Princess Chengyang's intentions were also easy to guess. She had enjoyed the benefits of helping the dragon ascend the throne and wanted to continue currying favor with the next monarch to maintain her life of luxury and wealth. But the Emperor was in his prime; he could even sire another heir now if he wanted. For her to place her bet so obviously, what was she guarding against?

The day after the incident, the eunuch was reported to have died of a sudden illness and was hastily buried. What happened in the hall that day, though it consisted of only a few sentences and was known to only a few, had repercussions that were enough to make many tremble with fear. When Consort Xian of the Su Clan found out, she gritted her teeth in hatred, but with no way to vent, she could only secretly order a trusted aide to send a message to Su Lizhen, telling him to quickly warn the Crown Prince.

And the Crown Prince, far away in Zhaojing, was still completely unaware. With the Emperor absent, he even felt a long-overdue sense of relief.

During the New Year holiday, he and several young officials from the Eastern Palace had spent half a day composing poetry, drinking wine, and enjoying music. Suddenly, he heard a eunuch rush in to announce that Su Xie was requesting to see the Crown Prince on a matter of utmost urgency.

The Crown Prince glanced at Su Yanjun and said in surprise, "Please let him in. Minister Su rarely comes to see me. What wind has blown him here today?"

Su Yanjun was also a little surprised and stood up with the others to welcome him. Su Xie strode in quickly. Seeing the banquet in the hall, his expression darkened. After relaying the news from Pingjing, he suddenly performed a full prostration and solemnly advised, "Countless pairs of eyes in the court are watching Your Highness's every move. Minister Yuan, the Prince of Yue, and that newly favored Xu Clan are slandering you before His Majesty day and night, attempting to subvert the Eastern Palace. Your Highness is at the center of the storm and must maintain your integrity and be even more diligent and cautious. Otherwise, the slightest mistake will be seized upon by others and lead to disaster. I hope Your Highness will take today's events as a lesson."

The Crown Prince's face had turned ashen white. He looked as if he was about to collapse. Su Yanjun quickly rushed forward to help him sit down, comforting him, "Your Highness, do not be anxious. Even if His Majesty has his suspicions, he has only summoned the Duke of Guan away. Since Your Highness has a clear conscience, why be so anxious?"

The Crown Prince's hands were trembling slightly. After a long silence, he finally sighed slowly, his voice as thin as a water-soaked piece of rice paper. "Minister Su is right. I have been too lax these past few days... Ziye, please entertain Minister Su for me. I am a little drunk and will go back first."

It was like a person struggling to breathe who finally took two smooth breaths, only to have their throat seized again. The familiar sense of suffocation returned with a vengeance, almost overwhelming him. The Crown Prince let go of Su Yanjun's hand and, without the help of a servant, walked back to the rear hall alone. He felt a deep sense of sorrow, yet no tears would come.

Su Yanjun watched his figure disappear through the door, his eyes lowered. He then went to help Su Xie up but was flung away. With a dark face, Su Xie said coldly, "Follow me back to the manor."

The Su Manor study.

A family servant carefully closed the door and tactfully stood a few steps away. Su Xie, who had maintained a graceful demeanor in front of others, finally let his expression darken as soon as they were alone. He turned and gave Su Yanjun a heavy slap across the face!

He was a civil official and didn't practice riding or archery much on a daily basis, but he was a grown man after all. Even with little strength, the slap sent Su Yanjun staggering a step, his face turned to the side. The taste of blood filled his mouth.

"Father..."

"Kneel!"

Su Yanjun clutched his stinging face and slowly knelt on the ground.

"I put you by the Crown Prince's side to advise him and protect the Eastern Palace, but what do you do? You spend all day feasting and playing with him, doing nothing but flattering and fawning, treating the family's instructions as wind in your ears! I ask you, Grand Princess Chengyang was luring the Crown Prince to her place every other day, why didn't you stop him?"

Su Yanjun said in a low voice, "Father, please calm your anger. The Crown Prince and the Grand Princess have always been close. Besides, it's the New Year, and the Crown Princess misses her family, so they visited a couple more times. There was no improper conduct..."

"But now His Majesty thinks it's improper!" Su Xie roared. "Don't you know the Su Family's hopes rest on the Crown Prince? If anything happens to him, we'll all suffer the consequences! Consort Xian and Prime Minister Su are treading on thin ice in Pingjing every day, afraid to say a wrong word that might bring disaster to the Crown Prince, and you're here drinking and making merry with him! If an imperial censor were to impeach you tomorrow, letting the entire court know that the Su Family has raised a sycophantic villain like you, would that bring us glory?!"

Half of Su Yanjun's face was swollen high. His skin was originally fair, making the red palm print stand out with particular vividness. He managed a slight twitch of his lips and bowed his head. "Father's lesson is correct. Your son was wrong."

He did not argue, admitting his fault fluently. This submissive attitude slightly calmed Su Xie's soaring anger.

"His Majesty is surrounded by silver-tongued flatterers. First Yuan Shuye, now this Consort Xu, and Princess Chiming is no easy character either. The Crown Prince cannot afford a single misstep." Su Xie glanced at him coldly. "If you can't do your job, there are plenty of others waiting to take your place. I dare not raise a disgrace to the Su Family. Go back and reflect properly. You can come out when you've thought things through."

Su Yanjun was perhaps the one person who could best understand the Crown Prince's feelings. Whenever Su Xie looked at him with that gaze, a question would arise in his mind: 'Does this man who calls himself 'father' truly care about me?'

A person who only valued 'getting it done', who only wanted results, could, by virtue of the title 'lord and father', criticize another's process, manipulate their heart, and punish them at will. He spoke of entrusting great responsibility, yet he was as wary of him as an enemy.

If one day, he no longer craved anyone's approval and completely tore apart this veneer of 'filial piety', what kind of expressions would these people show?

"Yes," Su Yanjun said with downcast eyes. "Your son takes his leave."