Chapter 166 – End of Main story

 

In the deep mountains in the northwest, a hundred miles away from Chang’an, the Shizong Mausoleum and Zhaode Mausoleum were located side by side, yet they were divided into two peaks and did not intersect.

The late emperor must have decided long ago not to disturb the underground souls here, nor to be buried together with late empress. He started to build an underground palace for himself next to Zhaode Mausoleum a few years ago. However, whether above or below ground, its scale could not compare to that of the empress. In matters concerning his own final rest, he indeed followed the example of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of the Han dynasty, adopting the practice of simple burials. Thus, Emperor Shizong and Empress Zhaode became the only imperial couple of this dynasty to be buried independently outside the imperial tombs, far removed from the royal mausoleums of the previous generations.

The two mausoleums stood in quiet in that secluded, precious mountain that Emperor Shizong had once chosen for his empress. Facing each other day and night, they did not seem lonely.

Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan temporarily entrusted Xiao Hu’er to He shi‘s care. After seeing Chengping off, they entered the mountain and reached the mausoleums, dressed in plain hempen garments and dwelling in a simple hut. They kept vigil there for three days, thus fulfilling the rites of filial piety.

On the evening of the third day, after the mourning was over, Zhao Zhongfang came over with clothes in his hands, assisting the two in changing their attire. Simple food and drinks were prepared in the thatched hut to send them off. The next morning, the two would leave the mountain.

After the funeral, Zhao Zhongfang never left this place. After the death of his master, he would never leave again. He would guard the mausoleum for Emperor Shizong and the empress until he died of old age.

“With the late emperor’s grace, a burial place has been reserved for this old servant here. This old servant will follow the late emperor and Empress Zhaode in the afterlife and continue to serve them.”

When talking about life and death, the old eunuch’s face, which was covered with marks of time, showed a calm expression. Only when he looked at Xuyu, did his old eyes reveal endless love and reluctance.

“The only regretful thing is that this old servant can’t continue to serve the Grand Princess and Young Master. Fortunately, Yang Zai’en has nothing else but is quite loyal, so he will serve in this old servant’s stead from now on.”

Xuyu knew in her heart that this should be the last time she and her old companion would see each other. She couldn’t help but recall the time when he was forced to carry her on his back to pick pomegranate flowers when she was a child, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Zhao Bandang, you must take good care of yourself. Father and Mother don’t need you to serve them.”

Zhao Zhongfang’s laughter crinkled the corners of his eyes like chrysanthemums, and he nodded repeatedly. “Yes! Yes! This old servant wants to see Grand Princess and Prince Consort live in harmony, and for the young master to gain many younger brothers and sisters. When the young master grows up, he’ll certainly be a strong, magnificent man, just like Prince Consort. Just thinking about this, this old servant is so happy that he almost wakes up with laughter in his dreams. This old servant must live a long life, stay here, and continue serving Grand Princess and Prince Consort…”

He paused, then slowly walked out and looked around at the surroundings. In the distance, the guards guarding the mausoleum were changing shifts. He staggered back in, stopped in front of Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan, and knelt down.

Xuyu was puzzled and tried to help him up, but he stopped her.

“Does Grand Princess still remember the item the late emperor left for the young master?” he said.

Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan looked at each other.

“This old servant will live well and complete the last task entrusted by the late emperor.”

He bowed respectfully to the two of them, raised his head, and spoke respectfully.

After the farewell ceremony, Zhao Zhongfang retreated.

Accompanied by Pei Xiaoyuan, Xuyu walked along the sacred path. The setting sun sank behind the western peaks, and the sky in the mountains quickly darkened. Her heart was filled with sorrow and emotion.

Zhao Zhongfang said that there was another secret underground palace within this mausoleum mountain, where a treasure left to her by the late emperor was buried, which was rich enough to rival a nation.

The late emperor had started doing this since she first returned to the court. The thing he gave to Xiao Hu’er was the key to open the underground palace.

Her father said that she should have no use for it now, but no one knew what would happen to the world in the future.

It was just for peace of mind.

At the end of the sacred path, a gloomy figure appeared in the vast twilight.

It was Han Kerang.

He had taken off the armor of the Grand General of Jinwu Guard, but his burly figure still looked eye-catching in the twilight.

Like Yuan Zhi, he would also leave Chang’an to become the governor of Yongzhou.

He saw the two of them approaching, bowed to Xuyu, and then turned to Pei Xiaoyuan: “Master Pei, can I have a moment?”

Xuyu watched Pei Xiaoyuan leave with Han Kerang, and his figure disappeared behind a grove of green cypress trees. She sat on a white stone beside the path, and after a moment, she saw him coming back.

A bright full moon rose from the top of Lingshan Mountain, with mercurial moonlight cascading down, quietly illuminating the valley and also illuminating his tea-green silhouette.

His steps were a little hasty until he stopped in front of her.

She tilted her head back and looked at him.

Slowly, he bent his knees, squatted at her feet, put his palms together, and held her hands which were flat on her knees.

“Han Kerang told me everything! About what happened back then. He wanted to commit suicide to atone for his sins, but I stopped him.

“Hao’er, you must have known what happened back then. You would rather endure the grievance from me rather than speak out. I know why. You worried that speaking up would be useless—or that I would think you were trying to clear your father of blame. But even now, why do you still refuse to tell me? If it weren’t for Han Kerang, were you planning to never let me know?”

Pei Xiaoyuan gripped her hands tightly as he asked, his voice slightly tense.

Xuyu was silent for a moment and looked behind him: “General Han, please come here.”

Han Kerang’s eyes were red. He stopped on the sacred path, knelt down facing Beiyuan, bowed from a distance, and raised a dagger with both hands.

“I am the main culprit for what happened back then. The late emperor took all the blame and never allowed me to mention it before he died. Master Pei cut off one of his fingers because of this. I, Han Kerang, am not someone who fears death. Now that the late emperor is gone, how can I let the souls in the underworld suffer unjustly for me?”

Xuyu shook her head and turned to Pei Xiaoyuan.

“Before my father passed away, I asked you to briefly step aside. I know how much he loved and valued you. If he had to leave this world with you still holding those misunderstandings about him—no matter how slight—it would have been a regret in his heart. That’s why I asked him that after he was gone, can I tell you the truth about what happened back then, so that you would know the helplessness he faced that day? But he shook his head.

“My father told me that all these years, he had asked himself countless times—if he hadn’t been injured that day, hadn’t been unconscious, and hadn’t awoken to find his own officers took their own lives after another in front of his eyes, then in that situation… what choice would he have made?”

“Father said…”

Xuyu stared at his face in the moonlight.

“He asked himself this question, over and over again. However, no matter how many times, he could not deceive himself.

“Even if nothing unexpected happened that day, under such circumstances, he would have made the same decision in the end.

“Nothing will change.

“So he said that he didn’t deserve your understanding. He told me not to mention it to you, and in the future, if he could have you carry him on your back again, to see you anxious and seek the imperial physician for him, it would be enough for him. He would feel extremely satisfied and fulfilled.”

Pei Xiaoyuan froze.

Xuyu stood up from the stone she was sitting on, walked to Han Kerang who was still kneeling on the ground, and took the dagger from his hand.

“General Han, since my dear Pei will not accept your method of apology, then you can let it go as well. From now on, you should do what you need to do and go to your post with peace of mind.”

Han Kerang choked up slightly and said, “Thank you, Supreme Grand Princess, and thank you, Marquis Jingbei. From now on, as long as you have any orders, I, Han Kerang will definitely serve and respond to all of your requests.”

He kowtowed to the two of them, then kowtowed deeply in the direction of emperor’s tomb before getting up and left.

Xuyu watched Han Kerang’s figure disappear into the night at the end of the sacred path. She still stood there, and suddenly felt very emotional.

The way of heaven is difficult to decipher.

For thousands of years, there have always been many people who hold regret. Her father, her mother, Pei Xiaoyuan’s father and mother, Ding Baiya, and even her grandfather and Uncle Pei…

There were so many people in the world, and each had their own regrets.

However, upon further thought, her father realized his long-cherished wish at the last moment; the daughter that her mother once risked her life to protect was now living a wonderful life; Master Ding had the golden hairpin to sleep beside him; Grandpa’s wish had been fulfilled and he had no more worries, and from now on, he was like a crane in the clouds, the white deer wandering freely. And Uncle, who had been the one to watch over everything Father was tied to for most of his life—the court and the people of the land—he may labor tirelessly, but he did so with willing heart and soul.

The rise and fall of fortunes had always been destined; what harm was there in partings or reunions?

As for her, her life had become more complete than ever before, so why should she troubled herself with needless worries or act as if she must weep in grief?

She turned and looked at Pei Xiaoyuan.

He was still looking at her father’s final resting place.

She waited for a long time, and in this quiet moonlit night, she heard him let out a low sigh.

It was a sigh of grief, but also a complete relief.

Then he turned and walked toward her, returning to her side with the steady, brisk sound of his boots treading the sacred path.

A pair of strong arms gently embraced her waist.

“What are you thinking about?” His voice also rang in her ears.

“You kept staring at me.”

The bright moon was hanging in the sky. The man in front of her had a handsome face and a gentle expression.

Xuyu looked at him, and out of nowhere, she suddenly felt an impulse in her heart.

“Let’s go. Let’s set off now!”

Bidding farewell to this city that held her memories, and embark on a new journey together with him.

Pei Xiaoyuan obviously didn’t expect her to suddenly have such an idea, and looked at her.

“Why, is it not possible?” she asked with a smile.

He also smiled, stretched out his arms, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her forehead.

“That’s exactly what I want,” he replied.

It was as if they were a pair of wayward young couple who had long secretly yearned for the journey. Once the idea of setting out took root, their hearts were filled with excitement, impossible to restrain. They ordered the attendants to stick to the original plan of leaving early the next morning and waved farewell to the old palace eunuch, who could only smile and sigh helplessly. Then the two of them mounted their horses and set off in the moonlight, the road ahead washed in its glow.

After leaving the mountain, the two deliberately took a detour and turned to the West Mountain, arriving at the home of the old man who delivered water. The wooden gate remained the same, and the black dog lay curled inside. Pei Xiaoyuan quietly put down the offering meat and two strings of money he brought. The black dog was awakened by the noise outside the gate and started barking. A dim light lit up the room, and Chou’er came out rubbing his sleepy eyes. He was much taller than when Xuyu first came to Chang’an, now looking like a young boy on the cusp of youth.

He opened the wooden gate and saw the meat and money at the threshold. He was surprised, but he didn’t dare to take them immediately. Instead, he turned around and ran in quickly.

Soon, the old man who was delivering water came out in a hurry, supported by Chou’er. He stood outside the wooden gate and looked in the direction where the black dog barked. He vaguely saw a pair of horse riders disappearing at the end of the corner of the road in the moonlight.

“It’s that Master Pei Langjun and his young master!”

The old man recognized them, murmuring in astonishment and gratitude.

Traveling along the old path, the memories they had shared in the past came flooding back to their minds. It was not known whether he was craving for the feeling of her in his arms, or whether she was tired of riding and wanted to lean on him, but the two of them naturally changed from riding separately at the beginning to riding together, letting the other horse follow behind.

Jinwuzhui once again carried the master and mistress on its back, walking through the forest at a leisurely pace, tapping his hooves.

The treetops thinned out, and moonlight shone through the leaves like sparse snow falling from Chang’e’s palace, casting silvery shadows that glimmered across Jinwuzhui’s broad, glossy back, whose powerful frame glistened under its ornate, well-polished coat. The master and mistress on its back seemed to have endless things to say, murmuring in low voices the entire way. Luckily, Jinwuzhui was a seasoned companion, unfazed by their private chatter, and kept its head down, steadily following the winding paths that woodcutters, hunters, and mountain folk had trodden for years. It twisted and turned, eventually leading them out of the light forest of poplars, red willows, mountain aspens, and locust trees, before suddenly bringing them into a dense fir forest.

The thick branches of the fir trees stretched up like fans, weaving together to blot out the moonlight.

Pei Xiaoyuan dismounted and took Jinwuzhui’s reins, guiding it carefully through this stretch of the night path that was ill-suited for riding. Amid the occasional, hushed sounds of hooves pressing down on the forest floor, he gradually slowed his pace and finally stopped just before they emerged from the fir forest.

“Why aren’t we moving?”

Xuyu urged, “Could it be that you took the wrong path and lost our way?”

He turned and said, “Hao’er, do you still remember the forest we just passed through?” His tone was tentative, and after asking, he looked at her with some expectation.

How could she forget? She remembered it the moment Jinwuzhui’s hoof stepped into the forest.

It was here that, because of a single flick of her whip, that she had almost gotten his first kiss ahead of its time—at a moment when he was still very respectful towards, not daring to go beyond the line.

“What’s wrong with this place?” she asked, feigning curiosity as she turned her head and looked around.

He seemed to take her question seriously. After standing there silently for a moment, he muttered a low “Nothing,” then turned back to lead the horse out of the forest.

“Are you angry?” After walking a few steps, she lifted the pointed toe of her riding boot and gave his back a little nudge.

“No.” His voice became increasingly dull.

“You are angry.”

“I’m really not.”

“You are! You’re definitely angry! And you still won’t admit it!

“Hateful! Hateful!”

She grumbled in her soft voice, calling him hateful, while the tip of her foot kept nudging and kicking at his back and waist. At last, he couldn’t take it anymore. He stopped, let go of the horse’s reins, and with a swift motion grabbed her playful little boot and the kicking foot, finally putting an end to her unreasonable behavior.

She tried to pull her foot away, but he held it tighter. She couldn’t move.

“You scoundrel! Why are you grabbing my foot? Be careful, if my dear Pei sees this, he will punish me!” She widened her eyes in an innocent, fearful expression.

Pei Xiaoyuan paused.

Now he finally understood a little bit how troublesome she was when she was still County Princess Zanxing.

He couldn’t help but want to laugh, though he also felt a little exasperated. He knew perfectly well that she was deliberately teasing him, yet in his heart, a faint, smoldering fire was quickly being kindled.

He was truly too shy to speak it out loud. Yet he could not lie to himself. He adored her exactly like this—adored how she treated him this way.

In the whole world, there was no one else she would treat like this, only him.

“Hao’er, have you really forgotten? Right here—once, we came here together as well.”

He simply could not bring himself to say more. Steadying his mind, he once again dropped a subtle hint.

He had made a mistake and angered her then, and she had struck him with a whip as punishment.

That night, in this fir forest, receiving that one whip from her was, to him, the most exquisite punishment in the world. It was the first time in his life he truly tasted how enchanting and captivating a woman could be, and it made him completely infatuated and unable to control himself.

Xuyu could hold back no longer; finally, she burst into laughter, bowing forward on the horse’s back. And just as he was feeling restless from her laughter, she suddenly sat up straight and stretched out her hand to him: “Give it to me!”

He raised the whip in his hand: “You want this?”

She nodded.

Pei Xiaoyuan calmed himself down and handed her the whip. She took it, and just like before, she wrapped it around her palm a few times, testing it—it was exactly the right length.

Seeing her raise the whip, he couldn’t help but feel a shiver run through him before it had even touched him, his whole body slightly tensing up.

“Crack!” A crisp sound.

She raised the whip and lightly flicked the tip across Jinwuzhui’s back. It felt a little painful and itchy. Jinwuzhui cried out, and at the urging of the mistress, it immediately raised its hooves, and left its master behind. In a single leap, it burst out of the fir forest and back into the moonlight.

Pei Xiaoyuan was stunned, but after realizing what happened, he heard her burst into laughter again. In an instant, she turned and left, leaving him behind.

No matter how good his temper usually was, he couldn’t help but get angry out of embarrassment. He immediately called for the other horse that had lagged behind, swung himself up, and galloped after her.

When the two horses were about to be head-to-head, he leaped up and sat on Jinwuzhui’s back again, holding her in his arms. She sensed danger coming. His arms were frighteningly strong, yet she simply couldn’t stop laughing. What had just happened was just too funny. She could only laugh and plead for mercy, but it was already too late—there was no way he would let her off. He stopped the horse and grabbed her so that she was pressed onto the saddle.

One side of her face was crushed against Jinwu’s mane—smooth when stroked, but in reality rough to the touch. Caught off guard, she let out a startled gasp, but the sound was quickly swallowed up by a gentle rustling, like leaves brushing against each other. The man’s stirrup leather had slipped loose, dangling half-on, half-off, from the saddle’s pommel.

A cloud was pushed by the night wind and floated quietly, shyly covering the moonlight. The surroundings of the forest became dark.

Jinwuzhui tilted his head, pricked up his ears, listened carefully for a moment, then raised its hoof and walked lightly, carrying its masters into the lush fir forest again and disappeared.

The gentle night breeze blew through the dense fir forest.

It was dawn, and the east-side was slightly bright. Under the dawn light that seemed to appear suddenly, the morning birds sang among the trees, and the morning sun burst forth, illuminating a road outside the forest.

Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan met He Jin and Qingtou who came to pick them up.

They had set out at midnight last night, with the purpose of going to the imperial mausoleum early to pick them up so that they could set out to the north. But they had never expected to meet each other here halfway.

“Why Master and Grand Princess were here early?” He Jin was surprised.

Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan looked at each other and smiled.

“We also set out last night. Let’s go now. The sooner we set off, the better.” Pei Xiaoyuan explained briefly.

He Jin did not ask any more questions. He just said “Yes, sir,” and ordered his men to turn around.

The young master and all the other people who would accompany the Supreme Grand Princess and Marquis Jingbei to the north had gathered outside the Kaiyuan Gate, waiting for them to join, and then they would go north together.

Qingtou was deeply grateful for Emperor Shizong’s great kindness. He had originally wanted to take this opportunity—while fetching his master and mistress—to have a proper, close-up tearful bow in front of the mausoleum. But unexpectedly, he encountered his master halfway, and his plan was foiled. He could only hurriedly dismount and duck into the roadside bushes, quickly setting up the incense and candles he had prepared. Facing the direction of the mausoleum, he bowed reverently, murmuring in prayer: “Your Majesty, you are the Supreme Lord, the Great Immortal of the Nine Heavens, the Purple Cloud Celestial Sovereign of Universal Salvation, supreme in all the worlds, all-powerful and all-seeing. Could you please see this good deed through to the end—bless this humble one so he might soon take a wife…”

The image of a young girl appeared before his eyes.

“Her face is round, her eyes are round, her mouth is round, her… her chest is also round… and she always calls me Brother Qingtou… Your Majesty, please look carefully and don’t get it wrong…”

When he finished reciting and praying, he opened his eyes and turned around. The crowd had already gone far away, leaving him all alone. He hurriedly crawled out from behind the bushes, jumped up, and shouted loudly: “Madam! Master! Wait for me–”

 

——End of Story——

 

Postscript:

Later on, Uncle Cui, moved by his son’s earnest pleas and recalling the bond of shared trials, eventually brought Aunt Wang back home. The young Hu woman, Yumei, served Wang shi as the mistress, respectful and docile. She became pregnant the following year. Aunt Wang, however, was stubborn by nature and intensely jealous. Taking advantage of the harsh winter, she ordered her confidants to pour water along the corridor where the young Hu woman often walked. The water quickly froze over. The young Hu woman indeed slipped on the ice, but being strong and healthy, she got up, dusted off her skirt, and went on her way. When Aunt Wang heard the report, she did not believe it, and went to see for herself. In the end, she herself slipped on the ice and fell. Not as fortunate as the young Hu woman, she broke her thigh and was bedridden for more than half a year. Throughout it all, the young Hu woman continued to serve her faithfully and eventually gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Aunt Wang, weakened by illness and resentment, passed away a few years later. Uncle Cui never remarried and formally raised the young Hu woman to the rank of concubine, entrusting her with the management of all household affairs. In practice, she was the lady of the house. Because she handled matters fairly and knew her place, she won the respect of the entire household. When Uncle Cui died at the age of eighty-eight, the young Hu woman was in her sixties, surrounded by children and grandchildren, and was granted the title of an imperial decree wife.

The author has something to say:

The main story ends here. Every time, I have a lot of feelings, and in the end, I can only write one sentence, which is to thank everyone for their companionship and tolerance along the way.

Thanks to the many readers who subscribed, voted and wrote many wonderful comments!

I will update the extra chapter tomorrow. I have thought of two things now. One is about ‘what if’ love story, where Father and Mother will be written together. The other one should be the later life of Xuyu and Pei Er.

As usual, first the reality and then the illusion.

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Translator’s note:

Everything was tidied up nicely, and Qingtou was funny till the end.