Princess Leping did accumulate resentment in her heart.
However, showing her resentment would draw trouble and the ability to address it would be necessary. Although Yang Lihua, as Princess Leping, a God's favoured daughter, those who would truly aid her in terms of power ran thin. Thus, she had never shown this resentment before her parents and could only bury them deep in her heart.
At this present moment, she looked at her mother, her heart beating rapidly under extreme nervousness. Even her ears have perked as if there were people rolling drums next to her, squeezing her heart with every beat.
There was indeed one spilt of a moment, where Princess Leping thought the Empress had seen through her intentions.
Her heart shivered, and suddenly she realized that this woman in front of her was not just her mother, but that she was also the Empress of the nation, a woman whose deceptiveness was not inferior to that of her father.
"Mother." Princess Leping lifted her voice gently, every word and sentence worded carefully, "I know that you think highly of Master Cui, otherwise he would not have headed the Zuoyue Bureau at such a young age."
Empress Dugu patted her hand and smiled, "You've got it wrong. It was not because of my trust in him that led him to succeed in the Zuoyue Bureau. He earned all he has now because of his own capabilities."
"Right!" Princess Leping because anxious for no apparent reason, couldn't help raising her voice, "But he is not in a prime state of health. Mother, Eying is your granddaughter. Do you truly have it in yourself to see her widowed right after she married?"
Empress Dugu's expression was unchanged, "It is true Cui Buqu was born chronically ill, but he is not beyond help, neither does he need to worry over his life. You're overthinking it. Eying is innocent and literate, yet there's a difference in her identity. I know both of you only wish to spend your days peacefully, but those evil-doers running about will not spare both of you so easily. With Cui Buqu present, I can be at peace."
Princess Leping's face turned pale.
She thought that Empress Dugu had spoken in an attempt to test her, but as she listened to this, did she truly intend to betroth Yuwen Eying to Cui Buqu?
Empress Dugu watched her as if she was waiting for her answer, but more eagerly, she was waiting for her expression to answer itself.
Princess Leping, Yang Lihua, has never been in this position before, clearly acknowledging that regardless of how close a mother and her daughter was, it cannot fill in the moat that was once carved out from power.
"I only have one daughter!" Tears fell from her face, a sensation of being wronged brimmed up her chest. For a moment, she sobbed soundlessly, "Mother, I beg you. I guarantee that Eying will do her part, and I will look after her. Those evil-doers will not have their chance!"
Empress Dugu did not comfort her as she did before, neither did she give her a peaceful reassurance. This made Princess Leping's heart sink further down.
"Lihua, you need to remember that your surname is Yang, not Yuwen. Although Eying's surname is Yuwen, the Yuwen family is incapable of offering her any protection." She heard Empress Dugu said.
"Yes." The Princess bowed lower, indicating that she understood the implication of her mother's speech.
The Empress finally reached out a hand, helping her up, yet those words spoken by her have failed to make the Princess even a little bit happy.
"Other than an ill-health, everything about Cui Buqu is good. If one were to wait until he curated his health, he would be no different from normal people. Towards this betrothal, are you still against it?"
Princess Leping's heart was stunned; she greeted her teeth, withstanding the weight that came from that gaze which fell upon her head in extreme pressure.
Things had always been this way: Whatever her mother decided, there was nothing she could do to decline it.
"…Yes."
Only after innumerable twists and turns, and a countless number of thoughts, did she muster up the courage to spill out that word.
"Leave it. Eying is still young; this matter can be left alone for now. Look at how nervous you've made yourself. Wipe your tears before leaving the palace." Empress Dugu's voice was gentle, as if she wasn't mad at her daughter.
Yet, she did not give her a definite answer.
This proved that Empress Dugu hasn't given up her attempt to marry Cui Buqu and Yuwen Eying.
Princess Leping rose to her feet slowly, under the guidance of the palace servants, left as though she was stepping over clouds, for even the view of her from behind looked devastated.
Empress Dugu sighed lightly, "Come out, Master Cui."
From behind the corner, someone walked out. He carried a sickly look, his footsteps light and slow.
"You've seen it. Lihua is fragile; she does not seem like someone who could manipulate the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai." The Empress said, "Just now, I did what you asked and tested her. If she is guilty, she would have gone along the flow and not strongly object to it."
Cui Buqu nodded his head, "The Eldest Princess certainly does not look like it. However, please refrain from explaining yourself about this matter just yet. After the Princess returns, she will relay the news to her people. If there are some evil-doers at her side, they will naturally plot something about it. After Tiannan Mountain, the enemy would lower their banner to go into hiding and not show themselves for a while. Since this is the case, then let us remain inert, and allow them to take the first step."
Empress Dugu laughed bitterly, "Never a day did I think that I would employ the tactics I use against people around me on my own daughter. If I knew this sooner, I would not have allowed her into the palace."
Cui Buqu's face was void of any expression, he did not give a reply.
The Empress did not need a response. After all, if Princess Leping was not the former Dynasty's Empress, right now, the throne would not have belonged to Yang Jian by being the kin of a consort. If time turned back, they would have still allowed their daughter to enter the palace.
After four hours, Cui Buqu left the palace carrying some valuable medicinal herbs gifted to him by Empress Dugu. Qiao Xian, who has been waiting at the gates until she grew impatient, saw an unfamiliar person following behind him and she was stunned.
A young general with a chubby face put his hands together, "The name is Guan Shanhai, a Sima from the General of the Left Wing1. His Majesty heard that Master Cui faced danger in Tiannan Mountain, feared that the Zuoyue Bureau was short on members, thus gave me special orders to assist left and right."
Assisting Cui Buqu had always been Qiao Xian's duty. She had not expected herself to earn a competitor after Cui Buqu visited the palace this time, and thus grew incredibly hostile.
However, Guan Shanhai had no interest in fighting a lady over jealousy. To him, falling from a Left Wing's Sima to a personal bodyguard was a type of disgrace. Even if Cui Buqu was incredibly highly looked upon by the Emperor and Empress, protecting a sickly invalid like this could not give Guan Shanhai a feeling of achievement. He would rather kill his enemies on the battlefield.
Cui Buqu had no intention to explain too much to Qiao Xian, neither was he interested in undoing the awkwardness between a new member and a former one. He got onto his carriage, keeping a pensive expression all the while, his heart far from where he stood. This meant that he was pondering over matter and he should not be disturbed.
Guan Shanhai did not attempt to get close to Cui Buqu in the carriage. He sat with the driver on his own accord, yet Qiao Xian could not hold back any longer and went inside.
"Commander, why did Her Majesty send someone to your side all of a sudden? Could it be that she wants…" Her voice was already soft, at this moment, it was even softer, "…to spy?"
Cui Buqu shook his head, "No need to think too much. The Zuoyue Bureau had insufficient manpower to begin with. Once duty bounds you, it's difficult not to go about running. On this journey to Tiannian Mountain, perhaps we could have caught Ning Shewo if I had someone like Guan Shanhai."
Qiao Xian felt guilty, "I apologize for my incompetence."
Cui Buqu raised a brow, and said suddenly, "Qiao Xian."
Qiao Xian immediately raised her head.
Cui Buqu, "You perceive my safety far too heavily and you take yourself too lightly. I never hoped for you to just be a personal servant or a nurse, do you understand?"
Qiao Xian remained silent.
This soundless response was what she would always do when she disagreed with Cui Buqu. Cui Buqu's tolerance of Qiao Xian was far greater than his tolerance of the rest of the Zuoyue Bureau, however, this time he did not intend to continue tolerating her.
The Zuoyue Bureau has two Vice-Commanders; Zhangsun Bodhi was in charge of external affairs, and Song Liangchen was in charge of internal affairs. Each of them had their responsibilities, and those further down the hierarchy were Zuoyue guards who listened to orders. Qiao Xian accompanied Cui Buqu often, and thus bystanders treated her like his nurse and bodyguard. However, Cui Buqu never hoped that she would remain by his side all her life. Qiao Xian belonged to a wider sky; regardless of any place in the Jianghu, with her capabilities, she would have achieved something, and not remain here to be Cui Buqu's shadow.
He watched her being silent as if she had been extremely wronged. Cui Buqu had not even been moved when he heard Princess Leping crying, yet at this moment, he reached out with a hand and patted her head lightly.
"How many years have we known each other?" Cui Buqu asked.
"Four years." Qiao Xian said dully.
She remembered very clearly, it was a year before the Zuoyue Bureau was established.
Cui Buqu's voice was very gentle, "So, it's time you should learn to be independent."
"Then, don't go out too far next time, alright?" Only in front of Cui Buqu, she would let go of her pride and stubborn exterior, begging like she never did in front of others. "If I am not with you, who will treat your body?"
"Not recently. I brought the medicine you gave me. Moreover, there is now Guan Shanhai, and also…" Cui Buqu paused, didn't say those two words: Feng Xiao.
Although that man surnamed Feng often made life difficult for him, he couldn't refrain from admitting that both of them fitted perfectly in teamwork. If Feng Xiao hadn't been there at Tiannian Mountain, and it was instead Qiao Xian or Zhangsun, they might not have come out alive.
Qiao Xian was stunned as if she understood the words that he never said. There was a look of disbelief on her face, yet she lowered her head very quickly and didn't allow Cui Buqu to notice it.
Following that, she heard Cui Buqu giving the orders, "Make a trip to the Jiejian Bureau now, ask Feng-er for that name list."
Qiao Xian knew what name list he was referring to. According to what was said, it was won over by Cui Buqu when he had a gamble with Feng Xiao when they were in Tiannian Mountain.
The detailed name list of every official of every state.
However, after they returned to the capital, every time the Zuoyue Bureau sent someone forth to ask for it, they would obtain the same answer: Ask the Zuoyue Commander to come himself.
As if Feng Xiao knew earlier on that Cui Buqu would just give in anyway, and so steadily, he opened his doors wide and cast the lure, waiting for the fish to bite on it himself. However, Cui Buqu refused to grant his wish on purpose, refusing to make the trip himself, and thus the stage play was frozen, unmoving.
"What if he still refuses to give it?" Qiao Xian asked.
Cui Buqu snorted lightly, "If you go, he will surely think that I've already grown impatient. Even if he refuses to give it, he will surely play a few tricks. When that time comes, I can turn the tides and turn the assault back on him, so he is caught red-handed."
This tone didn't seem like he was speaking against an enemy. It seemed, instead, like one was recalling their familiarity with an old nemesis that they have. Know your enemies as well as you know yourself, and they will be your enemies as well as your friend.
Qiao Xian realised that, after they returned from that trip to Boiling, the relationship between these two really has changed.
Author's Note:
Giving a theatre for Mid-Autumn Festival, a bit connected to Thousand Autumn, so those who haven't read Thousand Autumns can skip it.
[A small theatre]
It's been a long time since Shen Qiao returned to the capital.
Daxing City was like this thriving Dynasty; a small change took place every three days, and a big change every five days, other than Xuandu Daoist Temple.
Since, no matter how a Daoist Temple is reconstructed, it cannot turn into a Buddist Temple.
Xuandu Daoist Temple had nothing concerning Xuandu Mountain. Yang Jian built it to express gratification for the year that Xuandu Mountain reached out with aid. He had once invited the people from Shen Qiao's sect to succeed as the Temple's Master, but Shen Qiao declined it.
The present Temple's Master was someone Shen Qiao didn't know.
The other was trimming bushes with his back bent, he looked tall and thin from behind. However, Shen Qiao could tell with a single glance that his body's condition was not prime.
That wasn't all; he was probably chronically ill, an omen that he wasn't destined to have a long lifespan.
Watching the other trimming flowers and leaves, Shen Qiao almost laughed out loud.
He saw a whole, perfect bush being trimmed till there was a bulge in the middle with both adjacent sides slumping. It truly was spontaneous, trimming along the way as the heart wished. There was a tuft tall and a tuft short, incredibly unsightly and making one not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Shen Qiao walked over.
He realized that the other looked very serious.
He was doing this chore in all seriousness, and not from venting anger or haphazardness.
However, this cannot conceal the truth that the bush was being mistreated by him.
Shen Qiao could not bear to watch any longer. He took the clippers from the other person and saved the life of that pitiful bush.
The other turned around to look at him, raising an eyebrow, carrying no look of astonishment on his face.
"Abbot Shen, it has been long since I heard of your name, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Shen Qiao, in turn, felt astonished. It had already been a few years since he last showed up in the capital.
"You know me?"
The other vaguely smiled, "Abbot of the number one sect beneath the Heavens, how can I not know who you are? It's said that Abbot Shen roams the four cardinal directions, perhaps he happened to pass by this place conveniently during the Lunar New Year's Eve, and thus pays his old friends a visit."
Shen Qiao's impression of this person was quite good. He laughed and said, "Today I gained a new friend. When I return in the future, I will have an additional friend to pay a visit to."
The other put his hands together, "My name is Cui Buqu."
Shen Qiao, "Buqu?"
Cui Buqu, "Buqu from: Don't chase after those who have gone, welcome those who come2."
Shen Qiao naturally did not know that Cui Buqu's name used to have an entirely different meaning, and thus he said happily, "Such a brilliant name!"
On the other side.
Yan Wushi watched the one coming. After just a glance, he said, "You are from the Fajing Sect."
Feng Xiao raised a brow, "Brilliant eyesight, Sect Leader Yan."
The three Demonic Sects were never at peace with each other. Since Feng Xiao was the Sect Leader of the Fajing Sect, then he was on the same level of authority as the Huanyue Sect's Sect Leader.
Yan Wushi sneered, "Similar with Guang Lingsan, always thinking that you know better, speaking in one way then behaving differently."
Feng Xiao brushed the tips of the hairs of his temple, "I feel that, compared to my disappointing shixiong, I am one stroke above."
How could he think that he is only just one stroke above? However, before his seniors, it's still necessary to retain a bit of humbleness.
Yan Wushi nodded his head, "Correct. In terms of looks, you should be number two among the Demonic Sects."
Feng Xiao: … I have no desire to know who number one is.
[1] Sima from the General of the Left Wing右卫将军司马 (lit. Left Guard General Sima): The Left Guard was one of the Twelve Guards in the Sui Empire. The Sima is the rank of an official below the Main General of the Left Guard (1 person assuming the post) and Generals (2 persons assuming the post).
[2] Don't chase after those who have gone, welcome those who come 去者不追,来者可交: I translated this literally. I'm not sure if Meng Xi Shi meant 往者不可谏,来者犹可追 which tells someone to let the past remain in the past and move on in life.