Chapter 38: The first words she spoke to him: “Home…”

Chapter 38: The first words she spoke to him: "Home…"

By noon, the light snow had stopped again.

The dark clouds in the sky parted, revealing a faint ray of sunlight, as if tinted by the snow, slender as a blade of silver.

Steward Chen sat with Cheng Yian in the warm pavilion on the west side of the front hall, waiting for news.

Steward Chen sat on the west side, Cheng Yian on the east, leaving the main seat for Princess Minglan.

Not wanting to sit in silence, Cheng Yian started a conversation with Steward Chen,

"How many years has Mr. Chen been at the princess's residence?"

Steward Chen, dressed in a blue robe, with refined features and a warm demeanor, looked to be around forty years old.

He smiled and replied, "I have been serving Princess Minglan for nearly twenty years."

Cheng Yian had often seen Steward Chen tirelessly managing the princess's residence, attending to every detail, fulfilling all of the princess's reasonable and unreasonable demands. He was truly a capable and patient individual. "Steward Chen is highly capable and a perfectionist in all matters. Only someone like you could serve Princess Minglan."

Steward Chen suddenly stroked his beard and laughed, "Her Highness selected me not because of my capabilities, but because my birthday falls on New Year's Eve."

Cheng Yian was taken aback, "New Year's Eve? That's truly rare. Only someone with great fortune could be born on New Year's Eve."

Steward Chen laughed heartily, "Your father's birthday is also on New Year's Eve."

"Ah?"

Cheng Yian had no idea that her father's birthday was on New Year's Eve.

Suddenly, she understood that Princess Minglan had selected Steward Chen because he shared the same birthday as her father.

What a deep obsession this was.

This made the situation a bit awkward.

Cheng Yian chided herself for speaking too freely and dared not continue the conversation.

Just then, a commotion outside signaled Princess Minglan's return.

Cheng Yian composed herself and, along with Steward Chen, immediately went out to greet her.

As they stepped out of the warm pavilion, they saw Princess Minglan being assisted into the hall by two female officials.

"Your Highness!"

Hearing the voice, Princess Minglan couldn't help but gaze at her.

Cheng Yian held her gaze steadily, feeling that she seemed different, as if someone had suddenly shed a layer of tension, appearing somewhat lost and exhausted.

Cheng Yian assumed she had been wronged at the palace and immediately stepped in to support her, taking over from one of the female officials,

"Your Highness, what happened? Were you reprimanded?"

Supported by Cheng Yian, Princess Minglan entered the warm pavilion and sat down, smiling at her, "No, everything went smoothly. If all goes as planned, I will head south in your father's stead."

Cheng Yian's expression stiffened,

"How is this possible?"

She asked Lu Xusheng for help, and he volunteered to take on the task himself.

Next, she pleaded with Princess Minglan, who also agreed to go in place of her father.

What was going on with everyone?

"Doesn’t the court have any other capable officials?" she cried anxiously. "If one isn’t enough, send two or three. That should do the trick."

Princess Minglan reached out and held her hand, smiling, "Silly girl, didn’t you say you wanted me to become like him and even surpass him? So, I need to take on the unfinished work he left behind."

Cheng Yian, "..."

That was just something she had said casually, not seriously.

How could anyone take it seriously?

"What if there's danger?"

"I won’t be on the front lines, so what danger could there be? Assassinating a royal princess is like committing treason—who would dare? Besides, my palace is heavily guarded. If any villain tried to storm in and assassinate me, that would be perfect. I’d investigate thoroughly, make an example of them, and use force to clear the path. Let’s see who dares to defy me!"

Deep down, Princess Minglan was just like Lu Xusheng—fierce and determined.

Cheng Yian thought it was unlikely the emperor would let Princess Minglan go to Jiangnan alone. The court must have a solid plan in place.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that Princess Minglan seemed less lively than usual, and her heart was filled with unease. "Your Highness, did His Majesty really agree that easily?"

After all, this was a matter of state importance. It couldn’t be overturned just because of a few words from Princess Minglan.

Princess Minglan said no, "His Majesty also set a condition for me."

"What condition?"

"From now on, you must let go of your father!" Princess Minglan said calmly.

Everyone in the room was stunned.

Cheng Yian shot up, staring at her in shock. "Did you agree?"

"Of course." How else could she have enough leverage to convince the emperor to give up on Cheng Mingyu?

Cheng Yian closed her eyes deeply, her emotions surging like a tide. She saw it as a silver lining in an otherwise unfortunate situation. If she could let go, it might be a blessing for the princess. Cheng Yian couldn't help but rush over and hug her again.

"Your Highness, you must do it..."

Clutching onto an unattainable obsession is truly agonizing.

Just like in her past life, she spent five years yearning for a child, tormenting herself day and night until she was almost unrecognizable.

And Princess Minglan had held on for thirty years.

She hoped Princess Minglan could be herself.

Everyone who met Princess Minglan only felt fear. Cheng Yian was the first and only one who dared to hug her.

Princess Minglan found the feeling of being hugged quite nice.

"Do you really want me to do this?" she asked Cheng Yian.

Cheng Yian lifted her head from her embrace, "Yes."

Princess Minglan's eyes curved into a smile as she gently stroked her hair, "I can’t let our An An down, can I?"

With that, she pulled Cheng Yian up, her gaze fixed on the direction of the window lattice, and she absently ordered,

"Steward Chen, take some servants to my study and bedchamber, and gather all the items related to Cheng Mingyu, seal them up properly."

Steward Chen and the two female officials exchanged looks, hesitating, unsure how to react.

From the moment they entered the residence, they had been informed about everything related to Cheng Mingyu. They knew as much about him as the Cheng residence servants did—his preferences, taboos, stature, attire, birth date, everything was etched into their bones.

Now, suddenly told to ignore him, they were all somewhat bewildered.

If they felt this way, how much more so for Princess Minglan?

Princess Minglan’s orders were always followed without question in the residence.

Steward Chen remained silent, suppressing his heartache, bowing to Princess Minglan, leaving one female official to attend to her, and taking the rest to the backyard.

Princess Minglan, regaining her composure, looked at Cheng Yian, her phoenix eyes never so clear and gentle, "An An, is that so?"

The light in her eyes was like the faint sunlight on the horizon, so faint it seemed it could be blown away by the wind.

Cheng Yian didn’t know what it felt like to deeply love someone, but she understood that removing someone from one's heart was not easy.

"Everything will be alright."

Princess Minglan smiled without speaking.

A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, edging the open azure sky.

Princess Minglan murmured, "Everyone, leave. I need some time alone."

Cheng Yian knelt before her, kowtowing solemnly,

"Your Highness, rest well. An An will be back. If there are any orders, just send someone to inform me."

Princess Minglan smiled and waved her off, her gaze following her far away. When she looked back, she looked just like the spirited youth of the past, her eyes just as bright.

He was so beautiful, like a beam of light from the heavens, making one unable to resist chasing after it. Now, that light was like a winter sunbeam on the courtyard wall, gradually brightening, then dimming in her eyes, until finally being covered by darkness.

She sat there for who knows how long, likely hungry, Princess Minglan slowly rose with the help of the armrest and headed towards the backyard.

Walking down the spacious corridor to the main hall entrance, she stepped into the east chamber as usual.

As soon as she stepped in, Princess Minglan was stunned. The magnificent screen at the entrance was gone. The once lavish east chamber now felt like an empty, desolate well, an overwhelming sense of emptiness hitting her. The colorful lanterns were gone, the paintings and calligraphy she couldn't put down were missing, the various blue-and-white porcelain on the antique shelves, each carved with his likeness, were nowhere to be seen. The sandalwood desk in the middle of the three partitions was empty, save for a stack of newly delivered rice paper fluttering without wind.

Princess Minglan sat down abruptly by the desk, her left hand resting on the desk, instinctively reaching towards where the brush stand used to be. What should she be doing at this hour... oh, right, copying his small regular script. It was truly exquisite, the strokes as fine as blades, each line smooth and beautiful, forming characters that were exceptionally upright and elegant. Just seeing his handwriting made her heart flutter uncontrollably.

But this time, she touched nothing, her hand empty, her heart empty, she suddenly didn't know what to do.

Oh, right, she was hungry.

"Someone..."

The female official at the door immediately bowed in response, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Serve the meal."

"As you wish."

The female official glanced at the maid, who immediately went to arrange the meal upon receiving the signal. The female official then approached Princess Minglan, looking around at the once fully furnished long table, desk, and writing desk, now all empty. In the past, meals were never served here, and no meat was allowed.

"Your Highness, where shall we set the meal?"

A gust of wind stirred the dim yellow lanterns outside the corridor. The light filtered through the window screen, casting a glow behind Princess Minglan, accentuating her desolate and cold figure. Hearing the question, she turned slightly, the light catching her eyebrows as her fair fingers gently tapped the desk beside her.

"Here."

He returned late again.

During the New Year season, even someone as disciplined as Cheng Mingyu had his schedule disrupted, not returning to the Cheng residence until the hour of Xu.

At this hour, the elders were enjoying the company of their younger family members, and Cheng Mingyu, as usual, did not disturb them. He entered his study through a side door and called for the steward to discuss any pressing household matters. The steward, holding a ledger, read out each item to him.

Cheng Yiyan had been frequently away from the residence lately, so all major family matters were reported to Cheng Mingyu. With the distribution of dividends, some of the Cheng family's young scions inevitably got into trouble outside. Today, a young master from the eighth branch was caught gambling in public and reported to the disciplinary committee.

"The old lady from the eighth branch appealed to the elder master today, saying that the elder master of the eighth branch has only this one son, who is frail and has been indulged too much. She asked you to consider the elder master's status and show leniency."

This young master from the eighth branch, named Cheng Yike, was the elder brother of Cheng Yian's close friend Cheng Yike. Cheng Yike's father and stepmother had only this one son, raised in luxury, making him one of the most troublesome young masters in the South Mansion.

Cheng Mingyu sat upright in his armchair, his expression unchanged, and said calmly, "This is not the first time he has violated family rules."

The steward replied, "Indeed, this is the third time this year."

"First, deal with him according to family rules. After the New Year, send him to the shop in Suzhou and have Old Xu manage him. Let him endure some hardship at the border and gain experience. If he still doesn't improve, we'll have to give up on him."

Giving up meant that Cheng Yike would no longer receive any support from the Cheng family, effectively being disowned.

"Yes, family head."

This matter was recorded, and instructions were given to execute it. Then, they moved on to the next issue.

"The rent you promised to the court has been fully delivered to the Ministry of Revenue. However, an official from the Ministry came today, seeking to exchange thirty thousand dan of grain for some silk, urgently needed to make New Year's clothes for the palace's masters."

The two canal boats from Tongzhou had lost a considerable amount of silk, and now the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Weaving Bureau were in a frenzy, desperately seeking help.

Cheng Mingyu suddenly looked up, his sharp eyes fixed on the steward, "How did you respond?"

The steward quickly lowered his gaze and bowed, "I said we don't have that much silk, and even if we did, it would only be some old, inferior stock, not fit for the palace's masters. The official then left."

At this point, the steward looked up at him, "I thought since our young master is in the Ministry of Revenue, and they bypassed him to come directly to the residence, it must mean they hit a snag with him. Since the young master didn't agree, I dared not make any promises, so I responded as such."

Cheng Mingyu was satisfied.

Being a steward in the Cheng family was no less demanding than serving in the six ministries. In fact, the stewards' cunning, strategy, and social skills often surpassed those of some officials in the six ministries.

Cheng Mingyu pressed his fingers to his temples, rubbing them back and forth, "That grain is for disaster relief in Jiangzhou, not for the Ministry of Works and the Directorate of Ceremonial to cover their losses."

"Here's what you do: take my name card and visit Xu Kun, the supervising secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, and have him investigate the flow of donated materials within the Ministry."

The supervising secretary of the Ministry of Revenue was responsible for auditing and supervising the Ministry's officials. Any illegal activities discovered would be immediately reported to the emperor. Officials recorded by the supervising secretaries would directly affect their promotions.

This was a significant deterrent to officials in all ministries.

"Additionally, contact the prominent families in the capital who have donated materials, gather a few stewards, and go to the Ministry of Revenue together to demand receipts for the allocated materials. This will pressure them from both sides, preventing the Ministry officials from misusing the materials."

"I understand, sir."

After deliberating on a few more issues, the steward closed the ledger and informed him with a smile,

"Yesterday, our people went to the Lu residence to fetch the third young lady. She said she was too busy with household chores to come. At noon today, we went again but didn't see her, assuming she wouldn't come today. However, at the end of the afternoon, the Lu family's carriage stopped at the gate, and the third young lady arrived with several packages, saying she would stay at the mansion for a few days. The family matriarch was overjoyed and asked if you would like to visit the third young lady later."

Thinking of that pair of mischievous ones, Cheng Mingyu felt a headache coming on.

"No need, she will come to me on her own."

As if he couldn't see through the little girl's intentions.

Let's see what schemes she can devise.

Having dismissed the steward, Cheng Mingyu called for the old servant to prepare his bath. He changed out of his official robe from the day and into his favorite tea-white robe. Despite his vast fortune, Cheng Mingyu never indulged in new clothes or extravagant items. His possessions were simple, yet crafted from the finest materials.

For example, the wine cup he frequently used was a rare piece from the Chenming era of the previous dynasty, produced by the imperial kiln. This tiny cup, smaller than a wrist, was one of only five exquisite pieces made that year. Three were offered to the imperial palace, one was presented by the emperor to the Northern Qi emperor as a birthday present, and the last one ended up in the Cheng family. After the fall of the previous dynasty, the three cups in the palace were destroyed, and it was said that the one in Northern Qi was also broken. Thus, the cup Cheng Mingyu used became a unique artifact.

Each night before retiring, Cheng Mingyu enjoyed a sip of Gusu Wine. This wine was neither strong nor light, with a deep, blood-red hue and a rich, layered flavor. It offered a fruity aroma upon the first sip, followed by a subtle spiciness, and left a lingering, long aftertaste.

Cheng Mingyu, burdened with worries and suffering from poor sleep, had been prescribed this wine by an elderly physician. It was brewed by a seasoned craftsman of the Cheng family, using a closely guarded recipe. This wine was in high demand in Gusu, with limited annual production. As the locals said, to enjoy a sip of Gusu Wine, one had to place an order at the start of the year and wait until the end of the year to receive a small amount. Only the affluent and influential could obtain it, and even then, they could only secure a small quantity.

Because of its rarity, the term "Gusu Wine" had become a symbol of status and power.

Over the years, Cheng Mingyu had become reliant on this wine. Without a sip, he simply couldn't sleep.

As usual, the old servant poured him a cup. Cheng Mingyu drank it in one gulp, then proceeded through the corridor to the qin room.

Outside the pavilion was a dense grove of bamboo. This season, the bamboo had already withered, but to maintain the scenery, Cheng Mingyu had planted a few old plum trees. Now, the plum branches stretched out, with a faint hint of green peeking through the thin layer of snow, offering the only touch of life in the harsh winter.

Cheng Mingyu's qin room was deep within the bamboo grove, surrounded by lush trees. The dense foliage created a tranquil atmosphere, and the music played here never extended beyond the grove.

As the eldest son of the Cheng family, Cheng Mingyu had received the finest education since childhood. He had started playing the qin as soon as he could hold chopsticks, and over the years, he had become a master of music. When Northern Qi conducted military exercises at the border to pressure the Great Jin Dynasty, he had once played a piece called "Breaking the Formation" to boost the morale of the soldiers.

Compared to his study, the qin room was quite small, with few decorations. The room was unlit, and Cheng Mingyu instinctively closed his eyes, his long fingers resting on the qin strings. A stream of flowing notes emerged from his fingertips.

There was no sheet music, no fixed rhythm—just pure improvisation.

His fingers flew across the strings, moving from the west corner to the southeast, faster and faster. The music was like a flash of swords and blades slicing through the air, then gradually returning to the southeast with a series of sharp, clear notes, each one distinct and powerful. This went on for about ten rounds, until finally, his right pinky slid down, and the music came to an abrupt stop.

The world fell silent.

Sweat dripped down his forehead as Cheng Mingyu leaned on the qin, taking deep breaths.

What was the first thing she said to him?

"You... must be tired..."

Afterward, she hurried over, her slender, jade-like fingers holding a cup of tea, offering it to him. The dim light cast a soft glow on her fair hand, where fine beads of sweat still lingered.

He hadn't even looked at her face, but his peripheral vision caught her figure. She was panting lightly, like a delicate flower drenched in rain, trembling and fragile.

After all that, she told him he must be tired?

He took the cup and drank it in one gulp, then left without looking back.

Opening his eyes, he saw the fine snow falling outside the window, the plum branches swaying gently. Eighteen years had passed in the blink of an eye. In Buddhism, eighteen years is considered a full cycle. So, the snow in the grove now was the same as the snow back then. In a way, they had grown old together.

Lost in thought, he heard faint footsteps at the end of the corridor. The old servant's weathered voice called out,

"Family head, the third young lady has personally brought you some midnight snacks."

The old servant pushed open the door, revealing a long, deep corridor. Cheng Yian, holding a food box, looked up and saw the tall figure standing in the darkness at the far end.