Low-hanging clouds blanketed the imperial city, illuminated by a vast expanse of brilliant sunset glow.
The woman in violet dragged her robe across the snow, finally completing a crooked snowman. Xu Fengnian, lounging in a rattan chair, chuckled and asked, “How many sets of purple robes do you have? When I was young, the elders in the Listening-to-Tides Pavilion used to tell stories of martial legends. I always wondered how those swordsmen clad in white robes managed their attire. Last time I went to the Northern Wilderness, at Daoma Pass, I saw one. Now I wonder, will you, Xuanyuan Qingfeng, always stick to wearing purple? But speaking of it, there are many colors in the world, yet pure hues are limited. Green robes already have Cao Changqing, white robes have Chen Zhibao—by the time it comes to your generation, there aren’t many choices left, are there?”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng seemed quite satisfied with the small snowman. She smiled slightly, stood up, clapped the snow from her hands, and then her expression turned serious. “Aren’t you curious why that sword-eating old man surnamed Sui came to the Xiama Wei Inn? Could it be he has ulterior motives? Even setting that aside, Huang Sanjia is said to be even better at strategic thinking than Cao Changqing. Other than Wen Hua’s broken sword, the wounds are even worse than the strikes themselves. Could it be Huang Longshi has no other underhanded tricks? If you were killed in the capital, whether by the rebels who hate the Prince of Beiliang or the hidden forces of the Northern Wilderness, they would all cheer and celebrate. It wouldn’t just be a simple toast. Furthermore, during the Winter Assembly, the ceremonies for granting titles and establishing a crown prince, you didn’t seem to care at all. These days you’ve just been holed up in this inn. Don’t you find it stifling?”
Xu Fengnian glanced at the pitiful little snowman and sat up, smiling. “How about we go out for a walk? Xu Xiao mentioned some delicacies I should try, though I doubt I’ll find them impressive. I bet even sitting down would feel like it dirties me.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng was about to instinctively argue but swallowed her words, instead murmuring with a faint smile, “You and I were never on the same path.”
Xu Fengnian nodded. “Right. You and all those scholars crowding the streets and inns outside Xiama Wei are on the same path.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng ignored him, recalling something from a couple of days ago. Suddenly, he had taken a fancy to go out and buy a rare kind of yellow wine. Despite the heavy snowfall, the streets were already taken over by all sorts of eccentric characters from the three teachings and nine sects. Xuanyuan Qingfeng had accompanied Xu Fengnian, while Liu Wenbao continued shivering beneath the dragon-clawed pagoda tree. Further from Xiama Wei, there was an even sadder sight: an old beggar and a child, worse off than Liu Wenbao. Xuanyuan Qingfeng had assumed Xu Fengnian was going to toss them some coins in a show of generosity, but instead, he simply kicked the old beggar aside, seemingly annoyed at being blocked by a mangy dog, no different from any other spoiled noble. At the time, Xuanyuan Qingfeng hadn’t thought much of it, but after walking a distance, she saw many people rush out from the buildings, throwing down large sums of silver, offering furs and meals. The previously empty bowl was soon filled with shining coins and even several banknotes. Later, when they returned from buying wine, Tong Ziliang from the inn told them that the old beggar and his grandson, who had been begging on that street for years, had been taken in by a wealthy nobleman to a luxurious mansion behind high red walls, where the old man was given a comfortable and worry-free job. That same nobleman had immediately won the admiration of nearly half the city. Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Qingfeng had laughed in disbelief, and looking at Xu Fengnian, who had merely kicked the old man aside, she began to understand. As they walked along the cleared road, the streets on both sides were crowded with beggars who had flocked from elsewhere, mostly idle young men, watching the Beiliang heir with longing but too afraid to block his path and risk a kick or slap.
Xuanyuan Qingfeng recalled her childhood, watching her father brew wine, and he had once said, “The Houfamily’s lanterns and the poor family’s moonlight—both see the Lantern Festival differently, a saying that deeply reflects the ways of the world. The Houfamily’s lanterns shine brightly but briefly, while the poor family’s full moon shines for centuries. That is the true way of the world.”
Hearing Xuanyuan Qingfeng muttering to herself, Xu Fengnian asked, “What are you murmuring about?”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng replied calmly, “I pity you.”
Xu Fengnian smiled lightly. “Do you think I need your pity?”
At the far end of the street leading to Xiama Wei, in the opposite direction from Xu Fengnian and Xuanyuan Qingfeng’s group, a carriage had stopped. The curtain was slightly lifted, revealing a woman of peerless beauty. The four-character description of her beauty carried more weight than the usual phrases like “beauty that makes fish sink and geese fall from the sky.”
On the list of beauties, she rivaled Nan Gong.
Besides this beauty, there was a mother and daughter whose looks were far inferior. The daughter had freckles on her nose and showed open hostility toward her. The mother, however, remained calm and composed, exuding the grace of a queen.
The plain-looking woman softly said, “So he really has gone white-haired.”
※※※
In the capital region, a heavy snowfall blanketed the land, a sign of an auspicious year. The faces of the common people, both inside and outside the city, bore signs of joy. Even the city guards, who always took meticulous caution as their first principle of conduct, showed signs of the approaching New Year. The city of Tai’an, vast and inclusive, had seen many strange and unusual people pass through its gates. Yet today, a pair of travelers still drew extra glances from the guards.
The girl was not particularly stunning; in a city where beauty dazzled the eyes, she was merely average, easy to forget. However, the young monk beside her was a different matter. His kasaya was dyed in red and green, a rare sight in the capital. Only monks of great virtue were allowed to wear such robes. The young monk had a fair complexion and neat teeth, drawing many curious glances along the way. In today’s world, the imperial court suppressed Buddhism, and monks were like rats crossing the street—yet this young monk remained calm and composed.
As he approached the city gate, he handed over two household registers different from those of ordinary citizens. Behind him, the girl quietly made a loose snowball and, with a jump, threw it at his head. It splattered into the collar of his kasaya, making the young monk shiver from the cold. He turned with a pained expression, while the girl made a face at him. The guards, after checking the documents, gave the monk a few extra glances but dared not act improperly. They quickly reported to the city gate commander, who verified the documents and then respectfully allowed them entry. Goodness, this young monk was a genuine lecturer from the Two Chan Temples, and so young at that—who knew if he might become a Buddha in the future? Lighting incense and praying to Bodhisattvas with sincerity brought blessings. The guards were all extremely respectful, carefully escorting him, hoping to absorb a little of the holy aura to bring home and protect their families. The suppression of Buddhism was the concern of the imperial officials; for these lowly soldiers, offending the Bodhisattvas was a risk they could not afford.
Seeing the girl about to make another snowball by the roadside, the young monk, with a pained expression, asked, “Dongxi, since it started snowing you’ve been throwing snowballs at me. Now that the snow has stopped, haven’t you had enough?”
“I’ll stop when I feel like it. Why do you have to ask? Are you really that stupid, Benshengnan?”
Benshengnan hugged his head as she hit him again.
“Don’t block!”
Having said that, she went to make another snowball, this time making two in one go.
Benshengnan, gathering his courage, said, “This is my only kasaya. If it gets dirty, I’ll need several days to clean it, which will delay my lectures at the palace. Dongxi, I really will get angry this time.”
“I want you to get angry.”
“I’ll make you angry!”
Papap! Unable to shield himself with his hands, Benshengnan’s bald head was hit by two more snowballs.
Rubbing his head, Benshengnan saw her cheeks puffed out with a smile. Thinking carefully, he decided, “I won’t be angry.”
Dongxi looked at him seriously, realizing he truly wasn’t angry, which made her feel a bit disappointed. She ran off again to make another snowball, then jumped up with a laugh and hit him once more.
Benshengnan wiped his hands with his sleeve. These days, they had been playing in the snow all the way, and her hands were red and swollen from the cold. Looking down the seemingly endless imperial road, she sighed and asked, “How are we supposed to find Xu Fengnian? Dad said the capital has nearly a million people.”
Benshengnan, with a bright smile, said, “Once we get to the palace, I’ll help you ask.”
“Do you think you can do it?”
“I can!”
“If I can’t find him, do you think I’ll make you roll a snowball from the city gate behind us all the way to the other side?”
“I can promise, but I don’t have martial arts skills. I can’t roll such a big snowball.”
“With how stupid you are, how can you be the abbot of our temple?”
“Ah, I’m worried too.”
“Hey? Look! A cosmetics shop!”
“Worried.”
“Benshengnan! Turn your head. Tell me, what are you worried about?”
“…”
“I’ll make you worry! Don’t move, or I’ll hit you!”
“Hey, look look! The cosmetics shop is closing!”
“Oh, hurry!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage