On the outskirts of the imperial city of Tai’an, in a small courtyard with its door slightly ajar, a blind young man and his devoted maidservant sat by the hearth, warming wine on a snowy night.
The maid, named Xinghua, voiced her worries, “Young Master, the world outside seems to be growing more turbulent. When I went to buy groceries, I heard that the three rebellious princes are advancing, nearly clashing with Minister Lu’s army. The price of rice in the capital has soared. If we don’t stock up soon, we’ll be in trouble.”
The young man, who now wore plain white robes yet carried himself with the pride of nobility, replied gently, “Don’t worry, we won’t starve. Still, it’s always wise to have extra provisions at home.”
She hesitated before finally whispering, “Young Master, can we hold out? If Grand Pillar of the State Gu’s border troops from the two Liao regions march south to reinforce us, will they surely quell the rebellion? But even I know that Prince Shu, Chen Zhibao, is a formidable strategist. If he aids Prince Yanchi and the others in their tyranny, what can we do?”
Lu Xu, who commanded the Zhao Gou of Liyang, said softly, “The White-Clad War Saint chose to absorb Wu Zhongxuan’s forces not just for a swift victory. It means his ultimate vision lies not in Tai’an, but in Gu Jian Tang’s border garrisons in the two Liao regions.”
Xinghua looked bewildered. “Ah? What is he thinking?”
Lu Xu chuckled. “Only heaven knows.”
She carefully handed him a cup of warm wine. After years of companionship, they shared an unspoken understanding. Though blind, he naturally took the cup. As he sipped, she sighed, “Ah, just twenty years of peace, and now chaos looms again.”
Lu Xu smiled faintly. “We’re lucky to have lived through those twenty years. The people of the Central Plains during the early Yonghui era, and now in the third year of Xiangfu, must live in fear—the elders before, the children now.”
She brightened. “You’re right, Young Master.”
Lu Xu turned his head “toward” the half-open door, his lips pressed together in serene silence.
She gazed at his profile, her eyes filled with quiet devotion.
She harbored no grand desires, only the wish to stay by his side until she saw his hair turn silver—though he would never witness her own aging frailty.
Lu Xu suddenly broke the silence. “Today, I dismissed the Zhao Gou spies. We can speak freely now.”
Xinghua hesitated. “Young Master, do you ever feel lonely?”
The blind young man shook his head with a smile. “Me? Like a cricket in a jar, content and at ease.”
She stuck out her tongue playfully. “You’re truly remarkable, so calm and detached.”
He laughed self-deprecatingly. “A frog discussing the ocean, a summer insect speaking of ice—now that’s remarkable.”
Not quite understanding, she fell silent.
Lu Xu suddenly said, “I remember a spring in my hometown, praised by the Tea Sage of the Dafeng Dynasty as the ninth finest in the world. If you pour its water into a cup, it brims without spilling and can even float a copper coin.”
Xinghua widened her limpid eyes. “Is it truly that magical?”
Lu Xu laughed heartily. “Floating a coin is surely a myth, but its richness clinging to the cup is real. If we ever get the chance, we’ll brew wine with that spring water.”
She nodded eagerly.
Lu Xu tilted his head slightly and murmured, “This spring is most enchanting, kissed by the spring breeze eighteen times.”
Curious, she asked, “Young Master, who wrote that poem? It’s lovely.”
He pointed at himself, his smile tender.
Xinghua immediately straightened up. “Truly exceptional poetry!”
Lu Xu pointed at her. “Your flattery needs work.”
She blushed in embarrassment.
Then, Lu Xu gently opened his palm toward her.
As if struck by lightning, she hesitated before mustering the courage to place her slender, chilly fingers in his hand.
He clasped it firmly and said, “Xinghua, I’m blind. From now on, you’ll be my eyes to see the world’s splendor. What you see, I’ll see.”
Her voice trembled. “Don’t think me foolish, Young Master.”
Lu Xu shook his head gently. “This husband wouldn’t dare.”
Outside, snowflakes swirled over the mortal world. Inside, their hearts were warm as spring.
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