abcnovels
Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Chapter 89
It snowed.
The red walls of the Imperial Palace in the Capital City were covered in white.
The entire palace was draped in a pristine snow-white roof, looking exceptionally pure.
A minister memorialized that the auspicious snow heralded a bountiful year. It hadn't snowed for three years, so this snowfall was a great blessing.
It happened to be Heir Apparent Han's birthday.
The Emperor wished to personally celebrate Heir Apparent Han's birthday.
Everyone in the Capital City knew that Heir Apparent Han was the Emperor's favorite, more revered than even the Crown Prince himself.
Offending the Crown Prince would not lead to severe consequences, for he was magnanimous.
But offending Heir Apparent Han meant dire troubles, for he was not so forgiving and could make one's life miserable.
The Emperor merely smiled it off, finding his nephew's candid nature adorable.
Heir Apparent Han's consort was ill-fated, passing away just three years into their marriage.
The Emperor intended to select a new consort for Heir Apparent Han.
On this day, all noblewomen of rank brought their eligible daughters to the palace.
The palace banquet lasted until midnight.
Songs and dances filled the air.
Wine flowed freely.
The Emperor, inebriated, embraced his young favorite consort and enjoyed the stage performances.
A soldier carrying urgent dispatches was stopped outside the palace gates.
Jingzhou Prefecture has fallen!
In a small room within the palace, a severely beaten young eunuch stumbled out into the snow, staggering.
He lurched and tumbled, crashing onto the ornate stage.
Clad in a tattered red robe, his face paler than snow, he sang a heart-wrenching tune, like a bleeding oriole's mournful cry. The Emperor abruptly left the stage and unsteadily lifted the eunuch.
...
After the snow.
The sky cleared.
The sun did not fail us, and we must not fail the sun. (Note 1)
Jiang Mianmian arose early, bundled up especially warmly.
Her mother said it was colder after the snow than during.
She was dressed like a ball, wrapped in layers upon layers.
She counted about eight garments on herself, with two extra cloaks on top.
The snow in the courtyard was so deep, like a thick cotton blanket.
Bundled up, Jiang Mianmian dashed into the courtyard.
Her little legs wobbled and stumbled, she paused for a moment, then her whole body tilted and she fell face-first into the snow.
Not a hint of pain.
With effort, she pushed up her round ball-like self with her hands, struggling to stand her legs, lifting her little bottom to cheer herself on, then got up and continued toddling forward.
Plop!
Down she went again.
Jiang Mianmian grew tired and didn't want to get up. Her face couldn't even touch the ground, she was so round. Like a little turtle, belly on the ground, limbs flailing.
"Hehehe." A laugh came from outside the courtyard.
Jiang Mianmian strained to look up.
At the gate stood a young boy in a small cloak, with bright armor on his knees and chest, holding a little sword.
Beside him stood a staunchly expressionless tall and sturdy man, and a thin scholar in a long gown with two thin mustaches.
It was the boy who had laughed at her.
The boy had very white teeth and a handsome laugh.
Toothbrushes weren't very effective back then, so white teeth were rare.
Jiang Mianmian's head grew tired from looking up and fell back down.
Another laugh came from the gate.
"Master Jiang, Master Jiang, you have guests," Little Wu called out loudly.
Jiang Mianmian watched the little ants scurry busily at the gate. The villagers were less alert than her little ants - by the time they called out, she could have been carried away already.
The group at the gate found the baby sprawled on the ground exceptionally adorable.
Just then, a white horse in the snow opened its mouth and grabbed the baby's back.
The sturdy man beside the young boy nearly drew his sword to strike the horse.
But they saw the horse had merely grasped the baby's clothes in its teeth and was dragging her up.
Once she was seated upright, the horse released its grip.
It stood before the child like a majestic guard.
Jiang Mianmian sat in the snow, glaring sternly at the mocking little boy. She may have lost this round, but would not be defeated so easily.
Jiang Changtian came out and picked up the seated Mianmian.
The guests at the gate had an effortless, natural air of superiority, including the boy.
Visiting another's home and seeing an exquisite baby was surprising, but not shocking.
After all, she was just a baby.
However, when they saw the long-haired youth in a gray gown emerge, they were stunned.
"A jade-like presence, graceful as a soaring dragon!"
The youth's blue gown was dusted with powder, as if he had been cooking.
He first picked up the baby, gently patting the snow off her, caressing her face and limbs, before turning to greet them.
The youth smiled before speaking, his demeanor gentle and kind.
"I did not expect such honored guests. Please, come in."
The group entered, their footsteps leaving trails in the pristine courtyard snow.
Jiang Changtian paid no mind and ushered them into the receiving room.
It was quite modest - just a table and a few bamboo mats, two wooden shelves on the wall. One shelf held a few books, the other a row of upturned bamboo cups.
No paintings adorned the walls.
No decorative vases.
Not a single flower branch.
But one could see two trees from the doorway.
One was bare branches, the other still had snow-covered leaves.
"Please, sit. My humble abode is plain, but make yourselves comfortable," said Jiang Changtian.
Qin Luoxia arrived carrying two bamboo-woven clay pots, essentially charcoal braziers for heating.
In this small room, the two braziers provided some warmth.
"Thank you, Sister Luoxia. Could you also bring a pot of tea?" asked Jiang Changtian.
Qin Luoxia glanced at the baby in his arms and asked, "Husband, shall I take Mianmian?"
The thin-mustached scholar had assumed the capable woman carrying things was a servant.
A rustic yet vigorous village woman - but given Jiang's refined appearance, having her as a maid was understandable.
He did not expect her to be Jiang's wife.
"No need, Mianmian is well-behaved. I'll hold her. You go prepare some dishes," Jiang Changtian said warmly.
Jiang Mianmian sensed some unspoken tension between her parents. Hmph.
Qin Luoxia blushed and quickly returned with a large pot of water.
Deftly, she warmed the bamboo cups, filled them with water, and placed the pot on the brazier to keep the water hot.
She moved exceptionally quickly, serving hot water before anyone had a chance to speak.
Jiang Mianmian was also given a cup.
She sweetly said, "Thank you, mother."
The little bearded man spoke up, "Many thanks, madam."
The young boy echoed, "Many thanks, madam."
Being called 'madam' twice caused Qin Luoxia to blush, though she still responded gracefully.
Everyone could see her slight discomfort, yet they all sensed she was an extremely kind and gentle woman.
The iron tower man stood outside the house, while the young lad and the bearded gentleman sat inside, along with Jiang Mianmian and her father.
Qin Luoxia came out and offered the iron tower man a cup of water, saying, "Brother, please have some to warm yourself up."
The iron tower man shook his head to decline.
Qin Luoxia did not insist, though while handing him the water, she glanced at his weapons - two large, sharp, and heavy blades that looked like fine swords.