The smell of fragrant rice woke Fu Rou up. She opened her eyes and assessed her surroundings. She saw a wooden table, wooden chairs, and everything made of wood. A simple and realistic feeling rose in her. Birds were chirping outside and the sound of a spatula hitting a wok could be heard. Every sound seemed to remind her of Taoyuan. She breathed out comfortably. All of a sudden, wet stone walls, scary white bones and dark human hearts seemed to flood her mind.
Grrrr. Her stomach rumbled. She got up and walked to the neighbouring house. Her footsteps halted beside the door.
It was a simple kitchen with a blazing fire as the steam floated out of the iron wok. The spatula was handled expertly, frying vegetables. Green, yellow, red and green. The colours looked appetising.
However, what made her stop was the man cooking. His back was towards her. He had broad shoulders, muscular arms and was so tall, he looked as if he would break the roof. Who would have expected such a heavenly man to stay in such a simple house and be cooking vegetables.
“Yan Zifang.” She called out his name lightly, seemingly in a sigh.
Yan Zifang froze but did not turn back. “Wait a while. The food is almost ready.”
“Her Majesty and the rest…”
“Sheng Chumu took your map and saved them.”
“Thank the heavens.”
“If you are thanking this heavens, why are you not thanking me?”
“Thank you?”
“Who did you think rescued you from the tiger’s mouth?”
“Thank you.” She was a reasonable person.
“There is no need to thank me. It is natural for a man to save his own wife.” He was someone that was difficult to please.
Yan Zifang scooped the vegetables onto a wooden plate and got ready the bowls of rice. He walked to Fu Rou and prepared the table. Fu Rou was starving and did not stand on courtesy. She sat across Yan Zifang and asked him why he was at Cangshan Mountain.
“Hong Yide was the one who attacked your entourage. I recognised him.” Yan Zifang used his chopsticks to pick up a few vegetables for her. “When he entered Chang’an, I saw him by accident. I have been suspicious of what he is planning.”
“Since you already knew, why didn’t you report him?” If they had been prepared, there wouldn’t be so many deaths and they would not have encountered such a disturbing situation.
“It is not my place so I did not do anything.” Yan Zifang did not think anything was wrong. “Moreover, I was just curious and asked people to watch them. I did not know that Hong Yide was planning to attack your entourage.”
“It is not my entourage. It is the Empress’ entourage.”
“That’s right. The Empress has such a high status. Her movements are not something someone with my status can find out.”
“Perhaps you did not know who they were planning to attack, but you should not have kept silent. Even if it were carriages belonging to citizens, how could you just watch and not do anything?”
“Rou’er, why does it seem like everything I do is wrong in your eyes?” Yan Zifang suddenly placed down his chopsticks and took out the Longevity Pendant. He slammed it down on the table. “Or is it to say that you have degraded me so much that everything I do is wrong. Don’t you feel guilty loving Sheng Chumu?”
“This has nothing to do with you and me. I don’t agree with your actions. You clearly knew someone might get hurt, yet you simply stood by and watched. It is not the behaviour of someone upright.” Fu Rou’s eyes were clear. “As for the Longevity Pendant, it is a promise between our parents. At that time, we were both still very young and did not know any better. I treated you as family. I will never forget the snowy day when you were chased out of my family. However, you vanished since then, leaving only news of your death. In a blink of an eye, over ten years has passed. I have never forgotten you, but not as a fiancé. I think of you as an elder brother that doted on me. Moreover, ever since the moment Sheng Chumu fell from the tree, I have let go of you.”
Yan Zifang remained silent for a long while before standing up. “The food is getting cold. Hurry up and eat.”
Fu Rou looked as Yan Zifang walked out. She could not resist asking, “My clothes…”
“I was the one that helped you change.” Yan Zifang did not turn back. “The handkerchief and bottle that you were carrying are all placed beside the bed. You can check it later.”
Yan Zifang walked out of the room, his hands in fists. He released a long breath. This was the first time Fu Rou told him how she felt. She was very honest but it also hurt him. While he was struggling not to drown and when he had fought to get out of his predicament as a pirate, he had always wished to grow old together with her. He only managed to survive for so long because of this goal.
She said that she had already let go of him. Then what about him? How could he let go of the longing he had all these years?
Empress Zhangsun arrived back at the Royal Palace. The Emperor came out to greet her and everyone was celebrating. The Crown Prince, Prince Han and the young Prince Qin surrounded Empress Zhangsun. They were all extremely emotional.
Empress Zhangsun wanted to bow to greet the Emperor but he quickly supported her and held her hand. They walked through the palace gates. Only after the Emperor and Empress walked past did the various concubines rise from their kneeling position.
Concubine Xi laughed, “Her Majesty must be confused from being too exhausted. She forgot to ask us to rise.”
Concubine Zhen glanced at Concubine Yan. “Sister Xi, you must be joking. If other people are confused it might be okay, but how can the Empress be confused? I think Her Majesty just wants to make it a point to some people that as long as she is still the Empress, they better follow the rules and not have any wild thoughts.”
Concubine Yan was calm. “Sister Zhen, you are becoming more incredible. You even know what Her Majesty is thinking. Hopefully Her Majesty also knows how you feel and encourages His Majesty to go to your place more often. I heard it has been three months since His Majesty went to your place. I feel anxious for you.”
Concubine Zhen’s face was sour and departed.
Everyone dispersed leaving Yu He to accompany Concubine Yan back to her palace. A palace maid served a bowl of ginseng soup.
Concubine Yan shook her head. “Take it away. I don’t have an appetite.”
Yu He coaxed her, “Your Highness, you have to take care of your health.”
Concubine Yan changed her mind as she took the ginseng soup and slowly drank it. “In the past, my Imperial Father told me something. He said when people fight against one another, they are merely fighting to see who can live the longest. When all your enemies are dead and you are the only one alive, you are the biggest winner.”
Yu He lowered his eyes. “The previous Emperor has always been wise.”
“Hence, I have to take care of my body.” Concubine Yan gracefully took her last sip of the ginseng soup.
Chapter 47.1: Ephemeral
It was such a foggy night that it was difficult to see one’s hand when it was stretched out. The outline of the Cangshan Mountain was even darker than the night sky. Sheng Chumu did not know where he was nor how long he had been searching.
Ka-- it was the sound of a twig breaking. He didn't even blink as he stuck his sword out behind him.
In the midst of finding Fu Rou, he was extremely focused. His sense of sight and sound was at its peak sensitivity, as if he was a black panther. Therefore, he knew that there was someone behind him.
That person was skilled and reacted fast. After avoiding his sword, they could even retaliate. However, that person would never expect Sheng Chumu’s actions to be quick and violent. Sheng Chumu abandoned his sword and pounced on the person.