Chapter 54: Everywhere in the North, loyal bones lie buried; yet I love only Qingshan

In the capital, Yulong Street, the Xie Fu stands majestic and imposing.

The capital of Daqing is a scene of dazzling splendor, where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold.

The alleyways intertwine in orderly fashion, each adhering strictly to its place.

That the Xie Fu could build its residence on Yulong Street reveals its noble status and illustrious position beyond doubt.

At the gates of Yulong Street, guests throng in numbers, including many court dignitaries and frequent visitors to the Son of Heaven’s hall.

The swallows once fluttering before the hall can no longer enter the homes of common folk!

Though the sky had not yet fully darkened!

Yulong Street was already ablaze with lantern light, as bright as daylight.

The shops, taverns, and teahouses on either side glowed brilliantly, standing in stark contrast to the dim streets around them.

“Sister Xie, are you truly decided to go to Mount Zhongnan?” A clear female voice echoed through the deep courtyard of the Xie Fu.

A woman clad in a palace gown paced within her chamber, feigning an air of mature solemnity.

Her face was adorable, exquisitely painted like a work of art.

Yet compared to the woman seated at the table, bent over a book, she paled considerably.

The woman at the table gently set down her scroll, then slowly lifted her head, revealing a face of peerless beauty.

Her brow radiated wisdom and grace, luminous and radiant.

Truly, she was as lovely as spring plum blossoms blooming in snow, as ethereal as autumn orchids draped in frost.

Her cheeks glowed warmly, like the glow of sunset reflecting on a clear pond; her eyes sparkled brightly, like moonlight piercing a cold river.

Bathed in the lamplight beside the table, she smiled faintly—a smile so radiant and captivating that all the beauty of the world seemed to converge in that moment, enchanting the soul.

The palace-gown woman was momentarily spellbound.

“Sister Xie, you are simply too beautiful!”

The palace-gown woman nearly wept:

“According to my original plan, I was meant to look just like you.”

The Xie woman spoke softly, her voice melodious and sweet.

“When spring comes next year, I shall depart with my father.”

The palace-gown woman sighed lightly.

“Ah, Sister Xie, once you leave, how many talented young lords of the capital will be left heartbroken for you.”

The woman’s name was Xie Lingxuan, eldest daughter of the Xie family, and the “fiancée” arranged for Lu Chen by his mother.

They had been betrothed as children, but the arrangement faded after the northern migration southward.

The Xie family now belongs to the clean stream faction in court, close confidants of the Son of Heaven, often invited to stay overnight in the palace to deliberate state affairs with him.

In just three short years, he rose four ranks—a feat unparalleled in recent officialdom.

Even that famed Lu Shaobao, who conquered Huanglong Prefecture, took six years to reach such heights.

He is a towering figure in court.

The Xie family has since soared to unprecedented heights.

Xie Lingxuan rose slowly and said calmly:

“What they think means nothing to me!”

The palace-gown woman hurried to say:

“Sister Xie, haven’t you noticed how handsome the eldest son of the Wang family is? Gentle, refined, skillful in conduct, generous with his purse, and utterly fascinating—he’s the only one among the capital’s nobles who can truly gather people around him.”

The palace-gown woman’s name was Su Yue.

Her father is a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, one of the Four Departments of the Ministry, a third-rank official.

Next spring, when the imperial decree is issued, Xie Lingxuan’s father will be promoted to Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Among the Three Provinces and Six Ministries, aside from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites stands first.

Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites—the second-in-command—is a title worthy of the honorific “Heavenly Official.”

Yet even so, compared to the current Xie family, it still falls far short.

But!

Su Yue and the Xie family are related by blood; that is why they are so close. By generation, Su Yue should address Xie Lingxuan as her cousin sister.

At this moment, Su Yue’s face flushed with excitement as she continued:

“Then there is the third son of the Chancellor’s household—he topped the imperial examination last year, excels in calligraphy and painting, and his fame has swept the entire capital. Many have longed for even a single brushstroke of his, yet over these three years, how many letters has he written to you? Truly enviable.”

“The second son of the Ministry of Works—his poetry and prose are unparalleled. When his poem ‘Climbing Baima Temple’ was published, countless literati rushed to seek the Zen atmosphere and scenery he depicted. He has long admired you.”

“The third-place graduate of this year’s examination is tall, dignified, and brilliant. At the palace examination, even His Majesty praised his mastery of state affairs. The Princess hosted a banquet in his honor, yet he came specially to deliver the good news to you—unfortunately, you were not there to meet him.”

Su Yue sighed deeply beside her.

Xie Lingxuan appeared oblivious, leaning lightly against the window, her gaze fixed on the book lying still on the table.

It was not poetry or verse by literary masters. On the opening page, it bore a title:

“Essentials of Military Training!”

Written by Lu Chen during his time in the Lu Family Army—nine volumes of proper text, six volumes of miscellaneous notes.

The entire book details troop selection, unit organization, morale-building, weaponry, and the cultivation of commanders.

On the other side!

Su Yue grew more animated, her eyes gleaming as she mentioned another:

“Then there is the second son of General Wang—he is both literary and martial, virtuous and talented, with extraordinary beauty.”

“Not to mention the Sixth Imperial Prince, a true scion of the imperial blood, peerlessly noble. At a banquet, drunk, he swore solemnly that he had two wishes in life: one, that his father remain healthy and the realm at peace; the other, that Lingxuan be by his side to add fragrance to his inkstone—enough to satisfy his soul.”

“Who in the capital does not know this?”

“And… and many other young talents… all secretly adore you.”

Seeing that Xie Lingxuan seemed distracted, Su Yue nudged her urgently:

“Sister Xie, are you even listening?”

Xie Lingxuan smiled:

“Go on—I’m not listening.”

Su Yue sighed helplessly, curious: “Sister Xie, so many talented youths are smitten with you—but who, in your heart, do you truly favor?”

At the mention of the past!

A faint melancholy surfaced in Su Yue’s eyes.

She had once been enamored with a poor scholar who came to the capital to take the exams—he lived in humble poverty, yet played the qin beautifully, gentle and refined, strikingly handsome.

But after meeting her cousin sister just once, his entire soul was stolen away.

The scholar proved worthy—he passed the examination with top honors, and now in the Hanlin Academy, he awaits only his official appointment; a fourth-rank post is already within his grasp.

Yet!

He still cannot forget the Xie family’s elder sister.

Su Yue shook her head, unsure whether to rejoice or grieve.

Long ago, it was Su Yue herself who introduced the two.

What sorrow!

Her gaze fell upon the military treatise on her cousin’s desk—the name “Lu Chen” clearly written upon it.

Su Yue knew well: this Lu Shaobao had once been betrothed to her cousin.

That news had stirred a great uproar in the capital.

Yet the two nations, Daqing and the North, have long been allies!

Lu Chen is merely a warrior who knows nothing but battle.

What does he understand of romance and poetry?

Now he is but a Daoist priest of Mount Zhongnan.

How could he possibly be compared to the high-ranking ministers and powerful officials of the court?

Cousin is a noble daughter of the Xie family!

Her beauty and talent have spread throughout the entire capital.

A celestial being.

How could Lu Chen ever be worthy?

Is he truly worth her lingering thoughts?

“Sister Xie, you’re not still thinking of that Lu Shaobao, are you?”

“He’s just a commoner now, stripped of even his official title—a mere clothed civilian.”

“Besides, you’ve never even met since.”

Xie Lingxuan replied:

“We met when we were seven.”

Su Yue sighed helplessly:

“Who remembers that? And after all these years, what does he even look like? Tall? Short? Fat? Thin?”

“What if he’s an ugly monster?”

Xie Lingxuan spoke softly: “I remember.”

Then she said no more.

This noble daughter of the Xie family turned her gaze toward the window.

Only see!

Night fell, and every household lit their lamps; lanterns were hung and spring couplets pasted for the New Year.

The capital thrived; the moonlight flowed like water, and from thousands of homes came the sound of pounding laundry.

A profound peace!

But there was no Lu Shenzhou!

Where did all these ten thousand lanterns come from?

Where did these thousands of homes, their bright morning suns, replacing old peachwood charms with new ones, come from?

Where did this moon over the capital, and the sound of thousands pounding laundry, come from?

Xie Lingxuan said, her eyes slightly warm:

“One often envies the jade-carved scholar of this world; heaven, moved, grants him a delicate, wise maiden.”

The poem’s original meaning: people often envy the men of this world, as finely carved as jade, noble and radiant; even heaven pities them, bestowing upon them gentle, wise maidens to accompany them.

Xie Lingxuan placed her hand over her chest and whispered softly:

“In the north, loyal bones lie buried everywhere; only I love Qingshan.”

Thank you all for your support! If you spot any typos, I’ll take a moment to thank you all when I get the chance!

The new book period is tough; if you have time, please come read and follow along—thank you!

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(End of Chapter)