Chapter 25: Prelude to Stirring Clouds and Rising Wind (Part Three)

Chapter 25: Prelude to Stirring Clouds and Rising Wind (Part Three)

As noon arrived, the sun shone high in the sky. After the midday meal, Su Er didn't let Su Rao continue her calligraphy practice but instead engaged her in a martial arts sparring session.

Despite always losing, Su Rao grew more determined with each bout.

It was an exhilarating exchange.

They continued their match, restarting after each loss, until Ying Ying brought news that made Su Rao pause.

Her face flushed from the exertion, the rouge on her cheeks had smudged.

A vivid, crimson hue.

"Prince Dan Liang has gone to the Yun Mansion and has been seated with Prince Jì Yuè for a full two hours. He hasn't left yet?"

Su Rao found it hard to believe what she heard. She took the handkerchief Yi Su offered to wipe her face, her gaze landing on Ying Ying, then swiftly shifting to Su Er.

"Second Brother, do you think Ying Ying's information is true or false?"

Elder Duke Yun had one son and one daughter. His son had tragically fallen in battle at the capital of Great Qin nine years ago, while his daughter had been married off to Dan Liang for a political alliance, and they hadn't seen each other for many years.

It was rumored that the Princess of the Yun Mansion was the most enchanting beauty in all of Yun Lang Principality. Aspiring talents, all vying for her hand, could form a line that encircled the entire principality not just once, but three times over. Even her own royal father had entertained the thought of wedding her.

Yet, due to the Imperial Grandfather's intense fear of my father, he was concerned that should Father marry Princess Yun, the entire Yunlang Principality would become a powerful support behind my father. Thus, Father made the choice to wed my mother, whose status and position were not prominent, in order to reassure the Imperial Grandfather.

Yun Concubine was captivated by the third prince of Dan Liang at that time, who is now the Emperor of Dan Liang. This was the same man who nearly killed her with an arrow. His talents and charisma ensnared her, and they fell in love at first sight.

It was during Emperor Xuanye's prime, when he was determined to reunify the vassal states under the Great Qin's rule.

Yun Lang formed an alliance with Dan Liang through marriage ties. Zhu Xian, another vassal state, had its Fifth Prince's wife as the princess of Dan Liang. Thus, these three powerful states aligned their forces, causing Emperor Xuanye immense apprehension.

Although the elderly Duke Yun and his wife were reluctant to part with their daughter, being born into royalty, as a princess, it was her duty.

The sole comfort was that Princess Yun married for love, willingly leaving the Yun Lang vassal state to become the most esteemed Empress Yun in Dan Liang.

Rong Feng was their eldest son, born from her union with the King of Dan Liang. They had conceived a second child, but tragically, it did not survive birth. This loss deeply affected the Empress, both physically and mentally, leaving her plagued by illness.

Over the years, the Emperor of Dan Liang had summoned renowned physicians to ensure that she wouldn't fall gravely ill at the mere breeze. However, her frail body prohibited her from enduring long journeys by land or sea.

Not once has she returned since the establishment of Yun Lang's kingdom. Each time, it is Rong Feng who comes to convey her greetings to Duke Yun and his wife.

As an ungrateful daughter, I am unable to visit His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother in person. I am deeply ashamed and feel I have failed to repay your grace and upbringing. Thus, I send my son to kneel before you both, expressing the filial piety that I, as an ungrateful daughter, am unable to fulfill.

Each year during festive occasions, Rong Feng would visit Yun Lang, solely to kneel and pay respects on behalf of his mother to his maternal grandfather and grandmother, fulfilling her filial piety.

This year, while we celebrate Emperor Yu's ascension, we also partake in the triennial exchange among the Three Kingdoms. Yet, it is also to pay our respects to Duke Yun and his consort.

This time, however, there was a subtle difference. Rong Feng's visit to the Yun Mansion lasted an entire hour in the company of Prince Jiyue.

In recent years, apart from the elderly Duke and Duchess of Yun, the only person Prince Jiyue had shown any desire to meet was Su Er. Now, he had entertained his cousin, and rumors had it that they had enjoyed each other's company, engaging in flute and lute duets, reciting poetry, and discussing refined arts. The usually tranquil Clear Wind Pavilion hadn't seen such animated activity in a long while.

Even without witnessing the scene herself, Su Rao could easily picture it.

Two elegant gentlemen, one with the demeanor of a clear, moonlit night, the other exuding the charm of a gentle scholar, conversing on poetry, songs, calligraphy, and painting – what a captivating sight that must have been.

Yet, the mere word 'beautiful' would be insufficient to capture the essence of their encounter.

But was that even possible?

From what she knew, the noble and ethereal Prince Jì Yuè would never engage in half a day of poetry and literature with someone like Crown Prince Rong Feng, right?

"I don't think Jì Yuè would, but then again, one can never be too sure."

Su Er's eyes held contemplation as he passed the black handkerchief to Su Han, his expression still indifferent.

No surprise registered on his face.

"Second Brother, you're not surprised at all? Not even a little amazed?"

Su Er's demeanor genuinely made Su Rao wonder what could possibly elicit an emotion other than indifference from her second uncle.

Of course, her outburst about 'Young Master Xiao' didn't count.

Suddenly, Su Rao thought of a person and an incident, but decided against mentioning it. Bringing up that individual in front of Second Brother would undoubtedly lead to trouble.

Su Er glanced at Su Rao for a moment before rising and leaving the room.

"Focus on your recovery now."

The reason for his surprise, Jì Yuè mused, was that nothing she did would astonish him.

Su Rao's expression suddenly fell.

Nurturing... wounds...

She has dug herself into a hole!

...

In the Serene Wind Cottage.

There was none of the scene Ying Ying had described—no flute melodies, no zither tunes, no poetic compositions, no refined elegance. Instead, there was a simple Go board with two gentlemen, both equally composed and refined.

One held warm jade white stones, the other warm jade black, and yet another match ended in a draw.

Black and white stones intermingled, like dragons coiling and twisting, encircling each other yet releasing at the same time.

"I thought that Cousin Jì Yuè would be avoiding me again this time."

In the late afternoon, Prince Rong Feng finally spoke his second sentence. His warm and gentle voice was like basking in the spring sun.

His first sentence was when he greeted Jì Yuè for the first time, addressing him as cousin.

Jì Yuè put away the white chess piece. Despite being visually impaired, not a single move had been in error. He spoke with a smile, "If Grandfather wishes for me to meet my elder cousin, then I shall."

Prince Rong Feng suddenly laughed. "Very well! At least I've finally met the renowned Cousin Jì Yuè, whose elegance is like a clear moon after a storm, and whose beauty astounds. Upon seeing you today, I feel a little ashamed to share a name with such an extraordinary cousin. It's truly humbling."

"Cousin, you're being too modest."

Jì Yuè rose from his seat and stepped out of the chess room. The moon-white robe he wore carried a gentle breeze, swaying gracefully. His wide sleeves floated elegantly through the air.

The white silk covering his eyes also fluttered in the breeze, briefly adhering to his eyelids.

Prince Rong Feng followed, running his hand over the crescent moon-white robe, smoothing out any wrinkles.

"This isn't modesty but self-awareness."

As the two of them stepped out of the chess room, Yun Feng appeared once more. His usually amiable expression was now veiled with a subtle frown, though it was barely noticeable.

"Prince Jì Yuè, Prince Zhen Yi of Zhu Xian has come to pay his respects. The Old Duke has instructed Uncle Yun to escort him here."

Prince Jì Yuè turned his head in the direction of Yun Feng's voice, only for an instant, before he proceeded directly into the Moon Chamber. He showed no sign of displeasure or dissatisfaction with the Old Duke's decision to act on his own initiative.

Suddenly, a gust of wind arose, rustling the nearby bamboo grove into a gentle symphony of swaying leaves.

Bamboo leaves danced and drifted downward.

"It seems that there will be quite a bustle at Clear Wind Cottage today."

Prince Rong Feng's prediction was spot on. His gaze shifted towards the bamboo grove, where he saw leaves floating in the air. In the next breath, he followed Prince Jì Yuè into the reception room, the Moon Chamber. Despite it being their first such intimate encounter, there was no hint of awkwardness between them. Seating himself, he poured a cup of tea for himself.

"The Duke of Yì from Zhu Xian Kingdom is likely seeking a martial contest with your Highness, your 'Strategy of War' essay displays such profound military tactics. The Empty City, Counter-espionage, and Chain Strategies alone have already garnered praise from three nations. Not to mention the entire strategy. Zhu Xian Kingdom has always been warlike, so Duke Yì's visit..."

He paused, leaving his sentence unfinished.

The person sitting across from him was astute and perceptive, needing no further explanation.

Jì Yuè, the prince, sipped his tea with refined grace, his demeanor as calm as still water yet as dynamic as shifting clouds. An ethereal aura surrounded him, making even those seated beside him feel a sense of profound distance. His reach seemed untouchable, beyond grasp.

Among the four noble scions, they all said that the Duke of Zhen Yi from Zhu Xian Kingdom was someone to keep at arm's length, cold and distant. Yet Yun Feng found his cousin, Chi Shao, even more inaccessible. It wasn't the chilling aura that Duke Zhen Yi radiated within a three-foot radius; instead, it was an innate sense of detachment that kept people at bay, as if standing miles away.

Just like high-altitude mist, visible yet untouchable, or the morning breeze and light, perceptible but forever out of reach.

In a fleeting moment, a subtle chill wafted into the Clear Wind Pavilion.

It carried a touch of frost.

Zhen Yi and Chi Shao followed Yun Feng into the Moon Chamber.

The Moon Chamber, named for its moon-white hues, was a reflection of Jì Yuè's preference for Yue Hua's colors and the shades of clouds - pure white, yet not entirely devoid of depth, like the lustrous glow cast by a bright moon.

A moon-viewing screen by the pond stood between them and the figure entering the chamber, his tall and straight silhouette visible through the partition.

He was not bulky, but lean and well-proportioned.

"Prince Zhen Yi, please," Yun Feng stepped beside the moon-screen, gesturing for him to proceed without venturing further himself. Despite being a servant to Prince Jì Yuè, he showed no humility, his faint smile carrying none of the insincere charm he had displayed earlier.

For Yun Feng, the appropriate demeanor, gestures, and expressions in any situation had long become second nature to him.

Unlike Yun Ling, whose face would display varied emotions only when interacting with Prince Jiyue, at all other times, he remained cold and unfeeling as if he were on the verge of being paralyzed by his own stoicism.