Chapter 335: Temporarily Set Aside Frost and Snow

Small wooden hut, night just begun, wrists like frost, cheeks slightly warm.

Beneath the bed, the beauty turns her lone pillow; upon the bed, the young lord ponders in silence.

Her apricot eyes gaze at Wang Lang.

"Hey."

"Heartless fellow."

"Wang Heartless?"

"Wang Heartless... Wang Heartless-poor?"

Wang Yang's mouth twitched, barely holding back.

"Why are you making up such a name..."

"What do you mean 'making up'? It's perfectly fitting."

Bao Yue sniffed, her eyes gliding with a mischievous smile, radiating charm.

Wang Yang, eyes closed, said:

"Fine, fine, Wang Heartless-poor is going to rest now—don't disturb him."

"Pfft, who cares about disturbing him? Ungrateful."

Bao Yue let out a light scoff.

Wang Yang lazily brushed her off:

"What kind of good heart?..."

Bao Yue blinked twice, then suddenly asked:

"I ask you—what are you planning to do afterward?"

"You don't need to worry about that yet—first see how Tian Tian Dadao chooses..."

"I'm not asking what you'll do in the barbarian village—I'm asking what you'll do after leaving it, once you return to Han lands."

Wang Yang's eyelids fluttered; he thought: How could I possibly tell you? Outwardly, he replied indifferently:

"There's nothing to plan—do what needs doing."

Bao Yue grew annoyed, her voice cold:

"So you don't need my help with the Ministry of Personnel's household registration, is that it?"

Wang Yang immediately opened his eyes, turned toward Bao Yue, and put on a smiling face:

"How could that be! This matter rests entirely on Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao's shoulders! Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao's wisdom and influence are rare in this world! Your help now is like delivering charcoal in snow, or finding light in a dark room..."

According to Wang Yang's judgment, if Bao Yue's help with the registration had been three-tenths reliable before, it had now risen to seven-tenths after the psychological maneuver.

Bao Yue knew Wang Yang was pouring on flattery, yet still felt a flicker of pleasure; she hid her quiet delight and said:

"I ask you—if I help you with the registration, will you then claim I helped you impersonate the Langye Wang clan, that you're the main culprit and I'm the accomplice?"

Wang Yang immediately swore:

"Absolutely not! I'm not that kind of person!"

Bao Yue: (→_→)

Wang Yang, feeling uneasy under her gaze, cleared his throat and added:

"Before was different—we were like opponents in a game of weiqi, naturally competing for advantage. Now we're on the same side—there's no reason to turn on each other..."

Bao Yue's cheeks flushed slightly; she spat lightly:

"Who's on your side..."

Wang Yang seized the opening: "If we're not enemies, we're allies. We're sharing life and death, sailing the same boat—we've turned weapons into jade! If you help me, it's a great favor—I'd thank you endlessly! If I turn on you afterward, what kind of person would I be?!"

Bao Yue's eyes brightened, intrigued:

"Oh? How do you plan to thank me?"

Of course he couldn't say something like "I'll return your confession—that's thanks enough." Times had changed; battlefield conditions shifted, tactics must adapt. Wang Yang said warmly:

"I'll compose a poem to express my gratitude to Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao!"

Bao Yue snorted:

"Don't try that trick on me—you used it on other girls. Getting you registered as Langye Wang in the Ministry of Personnel is no small thing—do you think one poem will suffice?"

Seeing he couldn't fool her, Wang Yang probed:

"Then what do you suggest, Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao?"

Bao Yue lowered her eyelids, thought for a moment, then said:

"I won't make it hard for you—I help you with one thing, you help me with one thing. Fair trade, no one gains an advantage."

Wang Yang didn't immediately agree; he asked: "What exactly do you want me to do?"

Bao Yue fixed Wang Yang with her gaze:

"What, are you afraid I'll trick you?"

Wang Yang said seriously:

"How could I doubt you? I only fear I may fail to fulfill your request."

Xiao Bao Yue's lips curved into a knowing smile:

"Relax. I won't ask you to kill or set fire. It'll be something within your ability—neither evil nor political. What it is exactly, you needn't know yet. When the time comes, I'll tell you. One question: will you agree or not?"

That's a wide range—do you mean I have to help you deliver Xiao Shan too?

But it's just a verbal promise; no need to overthink and create distance. First see how the registration goes, then see what help is needed—if I can, I will; if it crosses a line, I'll ask for something else—there's always a reason.

"Fine! I agree!"

Bao Yue's eyes gleamed:

"A gentleman's word is binding—once given, it must be kept. I hope when I ask for your help, you won't forget today's promise."

"Don't worry! I'm not a man who breaks his word—Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao, just speak when the time comes—I'll do my best!"

Bao Yue sensed Wang Yang's reservation but said nothing; she knew she'd find a way to make him fulfill it. She merely smiled:

"Good. Now, please, Wang Young Master, recite your poem."

Wang Yang froze:

"Wait, didn't you say you didn't want it?"

Bao Yue's face turned icy, her dark pupils hard as frost:

"Others can have it—why can't I?"

Wang Yang:???

Who can have it???

Whatever. It's trivial. Don't argue. Consider it a bonus.

Wang Yang smiled:

"How could I refuse? Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao's grace is unmatched—she deserves poetry to match. I shall compose 'To Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao,' and offer it with a smile—please, Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao, temporarily set aside your frost and snow, and listen to the wind and moon recite." (At this time, "wind and moon" was still a refined term, not frivolous.)

Bao Yue's face remained cold, unmoved.

She was truly annoyed. She had wanted to help Wang Yang, yet he guarded himself, was stingy—even unwilling to give her a poem. So this was the famed double standard...

As Wang Yang fell into thought, Bao Yue said:

"I've long heard Wang Young Master possesses the talent of seven steps—when composing linked verses at Yuejia Mountain Villa, you answered instantly, leaving all in awe. Yet now, before me, your wit grows so sluggish? Clearly, your heart lacks sincerity. If so, then don't bother—"

Wang Yang: Did I even think for three seconds???

Whatever. Needing her help—endure it.

Wang Yang's mind raced. Seeing Bao Yue's icy beauty, like plum blossoms dusted with snow, inspiration struck. He interrupted her and recited:

"A sliver of frost—Ningyu's soul—"

Bao Yue sneered:

"Am I really that cold?"

Wang Yang:...

He had a sudden idea and smiled:

"I haven't finished. Who said it's cold? Xie Xie Niangzi Xiao, hear the second line—

"Riding spring wind into mortal dust."

"Still cold?"

Though angry, Bao Yue couldn't help admiring his wit; her face remained cold as she sneered:

"I don't like spring."

Wang Yang, repeatedly interrupted, had already lost his original draft—he wrote as he went, so he didn't mind:

"You rode spring wind, but when you reach mortals, it's autumn! So my third line is—

"Autumn pond reflects a glassy shadow—"

Bao Yue felt something strike her heart; her breath faltered slightly. She turned her face away, feigning indifference and deliberately challenging:

"I don't like mortal dust. I want to return to heaven."

Bao Yue had intended to disrupt him, to make him flustered and vent her frustration—but Wang Yang merely frowned slightly, then smiled:

"To return to heaven is easy: the autumn pond reflects a glassy shadow—now you realize the Moon Goddess is your true form."

Bao Yue froze, stunned in place.

Wang Yang smiled faintly:

"How could this mortal world bind the celestial immortal? Now the pond's reflection recognizes your true form—your power restored, you may ride clouds and air, returning to the heavenly palace—"

Wang Yang paused, sensing the words sounded ill-omened, then shifted tone:

If you ever remember the mortal world, it matters not—as long as the clear moonlight illuminates the path home. Between heaven and earth, come and go as you please, wander freely.

In Bao Yue's eyes, like autumn waters and precious moonlight, layers of ice melted away, leaving only shimmering ripples, radiant and gleaming. In her heart, there was now but one thought—

So talent really does let you do as you please...

"Miss Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie?"

"Miss Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie?"

Only after being called several times did Bao Yue snap back to herself; her heart still trembled, and she lowered her lashes to hide the unusual glint in her eyes, murmuring coolly: "Flattering words and false charm..."

Wang Yang knew he had passed the test. Seizing the moment while Bao Yue was in good spirits, he decided to fix a time for registering his household—better to act early than late, and better still to have clarity.

"So about registering the household..."

Bao Yue fell silent.

"You really switch gears fast! One moment you're talking about ascending to immortality, the next you're down here registering your household..."

Wang Yang feigned a sigh.

"You're a celestial immortal—you don't need a mortal household registration. But I'm just a lowly mortal; I can't get by without one!"

Bao Yue let out a soft laugh, surprised that in this single day she had laughed more than in the past several months. But this man was truly annoying—he must use this kind of talk to deceive people all the time! Thinking this, she suppressed her smile, yet the softness in her voice could not be hidden. She looked at Wang Yang, a gentle light in her eyes:

"Do you even know that becoming a true Langya Wang is not accomplished merely by changing your household records in the Ministry of Personnel?"

I know that well—but I lack the power to overhaul everything entirely. I can only proceed gradually; each small step strengthens my foundation, better than standing still with no progress at all.

Since assuming the Wang surname, Wang Yang had inquired extensively about restoring his scholar-gentry status, but dared not ask directly. He had pieced together fragments through indirect questions and now understood the basics—but he still wanted to hear what Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Bao Yue would say. He sat up straight and bowed.

"I humbly seek your guidance, Miss Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie."

Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Bao Yue sat up as well, speaking seriously:

"Since the household inspection, there are four types of registers. First is the county register, also called the original register. The county verifies it, seals it, and sends it to the prefecture. After the prefecture verifies it, it becomes the permanent official record—the main register. The main register must be submitted to the Ministry of Personnel for archival purposes, called the base file or duplicate register. Lastly, there is the temporary registration for those residing in another prefecture, called the attached register. For scholar-gentry families, this is not mandatory—only required under special circumstances, such as you. Your original register lists Yixing, yet you came to Jingzhou to study. That requires an attached register—you're a prefectural student, so your attached register is under Nanchun."

Though you've now completed your attached registration in the prefecture, it's not unbreakable. Supporting an attached register requires two things: first, an official letter from Yixing Prefecture certifying a copy of the Nanxuzhou main register—which you certainly don't have. Second, the archived record from Nanchun after the prefecture has reviewed and confirmed it. You're surprisingly capable—you managed to secure that yourself. But even if you've successfully added your name to the Ministry's base file, you still lack: one, the official letter; two, your original register; three, the main register; and four, your name on the Langya Wang ancestral genealogy."

"If any one of these four is found to be missing or false, and they trace it back, your claim to be a Langya Wang will collapse entirely. What will you do then?"