Leaving the Capital

When Zhao Huiluan heard the conversation finally turn to Wen Yan's journey south to gain experience, her heart leaped, though she pretended to be displeased.

"Imperial Father, surely you don't want me to go to Jiangnan with Wen Qingyu?"

"If Jianjian doesn't want to go, then you needn't."

"No, no, no! I want to go! I do! But..."

Zhao Huiluan changed tack. "Imperial Father, please don't actually assign me a post. I haven't the patience for that sort of thing. I just want to have some fun in Jiangnan. Xiao Qinglan has been there quite a while. I'll have him show me around!"

"You!" The Yongzhao Emperor poked his daughter's forehead, his face full of affection.

Zhao Huiluan ran off with a grin and clung to the doorway, making faces at the Yongzhao Emperor.

"I'll go back and have someone pack my things! I'll take my leave!"

The Yongzhao Emperor shook his head helplessly and instructed the little crown prince, "You mustn't follow your sister's example!"

The little crown prince hung his head, looking glum.

"I thought Sister would be able to stay in the palace and keep Ang'er company, but now she's going somewhere even farther away."

The Yongzhao Emperor stroked his son's head without a word.

What could a child know?

The next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival, the fifteenth day of the eighth month, and a bright moon hung high in the sky. The Yongzhao Emperor held a banquet in the palace, attended by officials of the fifth rank and above.

As usual, fireworks were set off at the palace banquet, a magnificent display accompanied by deafening booms. Sovereign and subjects gathered in harmony, and no one noticed that Princess Zhenning's seat was empty.

Zhao Huiluan hid among the flowers by Taiye Lake, wrapped in a cloak. Zhang Yunchi clamped his hands over her ears, but she was still trembling.

Without warning, a warm little hand took hold of her cold one.

Zhao Huiluan opened her eyes in a daze and saw that it was her younger brother, Zhao Jin'ang, holding her hand.

"Sister, don't be afraid."

For a moment, she was in a daze.

She couldn't hear Zhao Jin'ang's voice, but she understood the shape of his lips.

In an inconspicuous little courtyard in Shiyong Ward, Rong An sat alone at a stone table, a wine cup held between his slender fingertips. He looked up at the night sky, and brilliant fireworks burst in a riot of colors before his eyes.

How was that little girl who feared fireworks faring now?

Surely someone was protecting her.

In the inner courtyard of the Wen residence, Wen Yan sat alone in a pavilion. Outside, fireworks filled the sky amid lively festivities, making him seem all the more solitary.

He poured himself a cup of osmanthus wine, glanced at the empty seat opposite him, and tipped his head back to drain it.

Shen Zhiyao had turned down his invitation yet again, even on a day like the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the whole nation gathered with their families.

Passing through the garden, Wen Nihe saw her brother sitting all alone. Ignoring the maids who tried to stop her, she barged straight into his courtyard.

After drinking, Wen Yan drew on the courage the wine gave him and went to the main courtyard to see Shen Zhiyao, only to spot his sister coming out with her people from a long way off, looking haughty and overbearing. The sight scared him sober.

"A-are you all right?"

Wen Yan tapped carefully on the door, and Shen Zhiyao's cool, clear voice came from within.

"I'm fine."

"Was my younger sister... rude to you?"

"Don't worry. I won't stoop to her level."

Wen Yan fell silent for a moment, then spoke again.

"Yaoyao, could you open the door? I... I want to see you."

Chapter 39: Leaving the Capital

There was not the slightest movement inside.

Wen Yan lowered his lashes, hiding the disappointment in his eyes.

"Yaoyao, I'll be leaving the capital the day after tomorrow."

He rested his forehead against the door and waited a long time. Not only did the door remain shut, but the light inside went out.

Wen Yan gave a silent, bitter smile, then turned to leave.

Just as he was about to reach the courtyard gate, a creak sounded behind him. Unable to contain his wild joy, Wen Yan spun around. Shen Zhiyao emerged slowly from her room, wearing a thin outer robe.

"Why did you come out dressed so lightly?"

Wen Yan hurried toward Shen Zhiyao as he undid his own outer robe. By the time he reached her, he had draped it over her shoulders.

"What did you want to say to me?"

Shen Zhiyao was as cool and distant as ever, but Wen Yan was so delighted that he couldn't keep the corners of his mouth down. For a moment, he couldn't remember what he had wanted to tell her.

Shen Zhiyao watched him grin foolishly for a good while. Then a gust of chilly wind blew past, and Wen Yan couldn't help sneezing.

Catching sight of Shen Zhiyao's frown, Wen Yan hurriedly stepped back. "I'll take you back to the Shen residence tomorrow. When I return from gaining experience, I'll come to the Shen residence to fetch you. All right?"

"All right." Shen Zhiyao nodded, saying nothing more.

Wen Yan waved her back inside. "It's cold. Hurry back in."

Shen Zhiyao did as he suggested and returned to her room. When she closed the door, Wen Yan was still standing there watching her.

Once the door closed, Wen Yan couldn't hold back another sneeze and hurriedly covered his mouth and nose. Afraid of disturbing Shen Zhiyao's rest, he softly said, "Yaoyao, I'm going now," before reluctantly returning to his study.

The seventeenth day of the eighth month.

Three carriages stood outside the Yan Capital, along with a group of attendants and guards.

Zhang Yanli kept a grim face as he carried Zhao Huiluan's luggage, and once he was finished, he refused to speak to her.

Left with no choice, Zhao Huiluan lifted the gauze veil of her hat and tried to coax him.

"Wasn't it Your Highness who said before that wherever you went, you wouldn't leave me behind? Why aren't you taking me with you on this journey south to gain experience?"

"Because I told Imperial Father that you'd been my follower for seven years, and I'd grown tired of you."

Those words brought tears to Zhang Yunchi's eyes.

Watching him, Zhao Huiluan couldn't help feeling her own eyes sting, but she would not let herself cry.

"Zhang Yanli! Study hard! I'm waiting for you to earn an official rank!"

Zhang Yanli turned his head aside and answered sullenly, "I know!"

After composing himself, he instructed Nianxia and Fudong, who were traveling with Zhao Huiluan, "You must take good care of Her Highness!"

"Yes! We will!"

Zhang Yunchi clicked his tongue, his frown deepening. "I think Your Highness should take Xichun and Lianqiu along too. A few more people would mean more help looking after you. Wait here, Your Highness. I'll go back to the palace and fetch them right now!"

Speechless, Zhao Huiluan rubbed her forehead. Only then did Zhang Yunchi give up, crestfallen.