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Chapter 5: Xige
Early the next morning, before the sun had risen, all was silent save for the cicadas in the small courtyard. Their chirping was exceptionally crisp; having drunk the dew brewed overnight, their song grew more persistent.
Tang Zhuozhuo was accustomed to rising early. In the Cold Palace, one had to do everything for oneself, as An Xia could not always manage every task alone.
Inside the hall, unburnt red candles still flickered, though the light from the night-luminescent pearls was gradually fading. Tang Zhuozhuo rolled over and sat up.
An Xia and An Zhi entered to attend her morning toilette. Tang Zhuozhuo’s eyelids still felt heavy. Her slender white fingers pinched a bamboo stick to stir the dried flowers and fine salt in a jar as she asked casually, "Did His Highness return to the main hall yesterday?"
It was An Zhi attending her side. Although surprised that Tang Zhuozhuo would ask after Huo Qiu, the faint smile on her face remained unchanged. Her voice was sweet and mellow, soothing to the ear.
"In reply to My Lady, His Highness first went to Xige, then returned to the main hall."
Tang Zhuozhuo’s movements stalled for a fraction of a second. She tilted her head to tuck a long lock of hair behind her ear, her almond eyes shimmering.
Xige (The West Pavilion). It was merely an inconspicuous library within the Eastern Palace, housing various obscure and ancient texts. Aside from a few travelogues, it mostly contained books on military strategy and the principles of governance.
But even so, Xige was a place where only Huo Qiu could enter; no one else in the palace was permitted to even draw near.
Tang Zhuozhuo recalled how, in her previous life, shortly after Huo Qiu ascended the throne, several mysteries gradually rose to the surface, and Xige was no exception.
Hidden inside were not just ancient books, but people!
These people were, naturally, Huo Qiu’s strategists. He had many advisors, but the only ones truly famous were the divine strategist Han Suanzi and the elusive Liu Hanjiang.
The former was practically Huo Qiu’s mentor and later became the Imperial Preceptor. Tang Zhuozhuo didn't have a deep impression of him, but this Liu Hanjiang... his fate had been utterly wretched.
That man was a scholar of great talent and young ambition; his strategic mind was peerless, and he was highly valued by Huo Qiu. Unfortunately, his pride reached for the heavens.
At the most critical moment, he turned his coat and defected to the Sixth Prince, Huo Qi. During that period, Huo Qiu stayed in his study day and night without rest to devise a counter-strategy, even falling gravely ill several times. In the end, he managed to seize the initiative and take the throne in one fell swoop.
It was during that time that Huo Qiu had dragged his sickly body to find her. He looked haggard beyond belief, yet Tang Zhuozhuo hadn't wanted to spare him a glance. Burning with fever, he had deliriously called out for Jiaojiao, but Tang Zhuozhuo had only laughed it off.
Later, Liu Hanjiang’s end went without saying. Every form of private torture was used until he became nothing but a skeleton in Emperor Chongjian’s hands. His piercing, miserable wails had made even the veteran officials of several dynasties tremble.
By her count, there were only four months left before Liu Hanjiang’s defection.
Tang Zhuozhuo’s eyelashes fluttered. She let out a silent sigh of relief. Having owed him so much, there was finally something she could help him with.
The light clinking of a jade bowl against the table snapped Tang Zhuozhuo back to reality. Her jaw was set tight. An Xia said with a smile, "My Lady, have a bowl of soup first."
Tang Zhuozhuo nodded slightly. Her gaze fell upon the jade bowl carved with simple flowers; the broth inside was crystal-clear and fragrant. Her eyes brightened.
After finishing breakfast, Tang Zhuozhuo changed into a carmine-colored long skirt with peony and cloud patterns. Leading her attendants, she headed straight for Xige.
In any case, she had always been interested in ancient texts. Even if it was uncertain whether she could get in, it wouldn't arouse suspicion.
If she went trip after trip, she would eventually find a clue. If all else failed, she could simply warn Huo Qiu.
Those two strategists were outwardly recluses living in the mountains, but in reality, they belonged to Huo Qiu’s camp. Thus, their identities could not see the light of day. Tang Zhuozhuo wasn't sure of the exact layout of Xige, but she knew it was far more than a mere library; it involved many great things.
She would only know the truth once she went.
The morning sun had just risen, hanging over the roofbeams like a scorching golden disc. Beads of sweat formed on Tang Zhuozhuo’s forehead, but her face grew even more radiant; in the dappled sunlight, she was a sight one could not look away from.
Xige was not far from the main hall, but it was some distance from her Yiqiu Palace. When Tang Zhuozhuo reached Xige, she was stopped by a guard, exactly as expected.
And this person was actually a familiar face.
It was the young eunuch who had followed Zhang Desheng in her past life, named Sui Chang. He was incredibly clever, adept at guessing his master's thoughts, and very capable.
Sui Chang’s eyes immediately widened. Though it wasn't the hottest part of the day yet, sweat was already dripping down his face. This mistress was a rare sight; usually, aside from Yiqiu Palace, she was seldom seen out and about.
Why had she taken an interest in Xige today?
Astonishment aside, Sui Chang didn't dare relax. The Master had given strict orders; even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare let anyone in.
"Your Ladyship, please stop. His Highness has ordered that Xige is not to be entered at will."
Just as I thought, Tang Zhuozhuo said to herself. A strange light flickered in her beautiful eyes. Sui Chang was stunned for a moment before quickly lowering his head.
No wonder the Master’s Eastern Palace had so few concubines; the Crown Princess’s beauty was enough to hook anyone's soul.
"I wish to take a few travelogues to relieve my boredom. Why can I not enter?" Tang Zhuozhuo pursed her lips, her voice carrying a very convincing tone of impatience.
Sui Chang’s face twitched. He lowered his head further, but his body didn't budge an inch.
Tang Zhuozhuo casually toyed with her translucent fingernails. Seeing that she had put on enough of a show, she said faintly, "I will not make things difficult for you. Go and inform His Highness. I shall wait here. Whether I can enter or not depends entirely on His Highness’s word."
Hearing this, Sui Chang hurriedly sent someone to Qianqing Palace to notify Huo Qiu, while Tang Zhuozhuo went to a nearby pavilion to escape the sun.
"My Lady, we actually have a few travelogues in our palace that you haven't read yet," An Xia whispered, thinking she had forgotten.
Tang Zhuozhuo paused, then said without changing her expression, "I've leafed through those; they aren't very detailed."
"His Highness’s collection must be several times better than whatever I can find at random."
An Xia’s face brightened, agreeing that this made sense.
Tang Zhuozhuo saw someone approaching from afar and stood up, preparing to head back.
She likely wouldn't get into Xige today, but this indirectly confirmed her suspicions. The trip hadn't been in vain.
Thinking this, Tang Zhuozhuo felt much better, and the smile on her face grew even wider.
This was the scene Huo Qiu saw when he arrived. The woman had shed her usual resentment and temper; her smile was so brilliant she looked like a peony or a common rose in full bloom in the Imperial Garden. He couldn't help but tighten his hand behind his back.
Sensing the footsteps, Tang Zhuozhuo smoothed the creases on her sleeve and spoke, "Well? May I enter Xige today, or not?"
Her words sounded somewhat aggressive, but that was Tang Zhuozhuo’s usual style.
Zhang Desheng, who was scurrying behind Huo Qiu, felt his mouth twitch. He glanced at the Master’s expression and shrunk his neck.
Huo Qiu’s sleeves billowed in the wind. His eyes were dark and deep. His long fingers tapped against the railing. After a moment, he asked indifferently, "What do you want to do in Xige?"
His voice was slightly raspy from suppressing deep emotions, losing its usual mellow tone and carrying a hint of a freezing gale.
Tang Zhuozhuo was taken aback. She paused, then turned and curtsied to Huo Qiu. "Peace be to Your Highness."
Although she quickly dimmed the smile on her face, she was ultimately feeling guilty, so her voice lacked its usual strength.
An incredibly dark light flashed through Huo Qiu’s eyes—a churning mist that was hard to decipher. He looked at the tender woman before him, who looked like she was still covered in morning dew, and remembered her radiant smile from a moment ago. His heart was thrown into slight disarray.
She was always so capable of stirring his heartstrings.
"I have finished the travelogues in my hall and have nothing to do. I heard from the servants that Your Highness has many books in Xige, so I thought to borrow a few."
Tang Zhuozhuo lowered her head halfway, her earlier momentum completely gone, though her voice remained steady. Hearing no sound from Huo Qiu for a long while, she shot a quick glance at him and continued, "I intended to have someone inform Your Highness, but I did not expect to trouble Your Highness to come personally."
Huo Qiu gave a slight nod. It was unclear how much he believed her, but he turned and walked away without a word.
Tang Zhuozhuo was stunned, unsure of what he meant. Since he had come, shouldn't he give her an answer? Could she enter Xige or not?
Though, she hadn't held much hope to begin with.
Huo Qiu had walked a dozen steps when he realized he didn't hear footsteps behind him. He turned back to see Tang Zhuozhuo standing alone in the pavilion, her hair shimmering in the light. Her figure was graceful and lithe, looking exactly like that arrogant little girl who had fallen into the water all those years ago.
She had been small then, soaked to the bone like a drowned rat, her eyes closed as she shivered. When he pulled her out, Tang Zhuozhuo had been unusually submissive, reaching out to hook her arms around his neck. Her feverish body had been incredibly soft.
He had never been so close to a woman before. That faint, delicate fragrance had driven him into a flustered state, and he had hurried away as soon as he set her down.
Since then, he had watched her laugh and play beside another man, proud as the sun in the sky. But that man was not one to be trusted with a lifelong commitment. Watching her reach her hair-pinning ceremony, Huo Qiu finally couldn't help but use his means to marry her.
And in the end, he had suffered her disdain and hatred.
The brilliant light hit the leaves and then fell across Huo Qiu’s eyelids. He suddenly snapped back to reality, his gaze turning icy as his voice cut like a knife: "Are you not coming over?"
Tang Zhuozhuo met his indifferent gaze and gave a shy smile. Realizing he was going to let her in, she didn't hesitate and followed him openly. Even at a distance of three to five steps, she could feel a chill radiating from him.
His dark green hem, embroidered with cloud patterns, swayed with his steady pace. Whether it was the heat or something else, Tang Zhuozhuo’s palms were sweating. She looked down, stepping on the stones by the path, and failed to notice that Huo Qiu had stopped with a frown. She walked straight into him in full view of everyone.
"Ah!" The cool scent of mint entered her mind along with the pain in her forehead. Tang Zhuozhuo stumbled, tears instantly welling in her eyes.
Huo Qiu wordlessly released the hand he had wrapped around her waist. Even through her clothes, he seemed to feel her impossibly soft body. He felt a sudden numbness in his fingertips, and his eyes darkened.
"Your Highness." Tang Zhuozhuo held her forehead and looked into his eyes, only to feel as if she had touched two boundless, dark pools. She was surrounded by his powerful pressure and the refreshing, sweet scent of mint leaves. Tang Zhuozhuo hurriedly retreated a few steps, her large almond eyes brimming with tears.
"Clumsy and reckless, where is your decorum?" Huo Qiu barked in a deep voice, his sword-like brows knitted tightly, yet the fingers at his side couldn't help but twitch.
He only knew her as a daughter of a military family, arrogant and pampered by nature; he had never seen her with tears in her eyes, except for that night in the bridal chamber.
She had been pinned beneath him, her expression painful and restrained, even mixed with obvious disgust, until finally, she had cried like a child abandoned by the whole world.
In truth, he hadn't felt good either. He was both pained and at a loss. Seeing her continuous tears, he couldn't bear it and could only slow down, kissing each tear away.
That bitter taste had spread from his tongue to his heart. That night had been exceptionally long. Huo Qiu thought her suffering was entirely of his making.
But what did that matter? Since he had made the decision, he ought to pamper her properly, indulge her all the way, and give her all that was most supreme and noble.
It was just that she was as proud as a peacock; though he crossed thousands of mountains and rivers for her, her plumage never bloomed for him.
Tang Zhuozhuo was used to contradicting him and instinctively wanted to argue back. But seeing the hidden trace of worry in his eyes, her momentum weakened. She pursed her lips and said nothing.
Huo Qiu’s brows furrowed deeper. Without another glance at her, he strode into the pavilion. The guards hurriedly knelt in a row. Tang Zhuozhuo left An Xia and An Zhi outside and followed Huo Qiu in alone.
As soon as they entered, the heat on her face was suppressed by the oncoming cool, damp chill. Even the air she inhaled was thick with cold and the musty scent of books.
Facing over a dozen rows of books, Tang Zhuozhuo’s almond eyes grew round in disbelief. She marveled to the man standing seven or eight steps away, "The world says Your Highness is accomplished in both the civil and military arts. Seeing this today, I feel the reputation is well-deserved."
If he didn't truly love books, he wouldn't have gathered so many rare ancient texts in the hall to read day and night. It was no wonder his talents were so outstanding.
Her every word was elegant, every sentence a compliment, the surprise in her voice clear. Huo Qiu’s footsteps paused slightly. "Merely an empty reputation and undeserved praise."
Tang Zhuozhuo lowered her eyes and chuckled, while unobtrusively observing her surroundings. The interior of Xige was vast, and the books were arranged in an orderly fashion against simple blue-stone walls. Tang Zhuozhuo randomly pulled one out. Using the faint light in the pavilion, she saw it was a copy of the Hu Qian Jing (a military classic).
She immediately lost interest. Seeing her change of face, a flash of a smile crossed Huo Qiu’s eyes before vanishing. His voice was as mellow as old wine buried for decades.
"Do you not always claim to be the daughter of a family of generals? Can you not even bear to look at a military text?"
His words were plain, yet Tang Zhuozhuo detected a hint of mockery. She waved the book in front of him and said with a sheepish tone, "Then I shall take it back to Yiqiu Palace to leaf through for a few days. I hope Your Highness will part with it."
Huo Qiu had rarely seen her so vivid. His cold eyes were filled with an indecipherable dark light. He gave a low "Mhm" and looked away from the top of her dark head.
"We rarely collect travelogues. Come and see for yourself."
Tang Zhuozhuo’s figure was slender, her small face brilliant and moving even in the darkness. She was not well-behaved as she followed Huo Qiu, carefully looking around and noting everything she felt was amiss.
Now that she had entered, she would come back every few days to exchange books. Sooner or later, Huo Qiu would relax his guard. If there was nothing out of the ordinary in Xige, she would find other ways to linger around him until she caught Liu Hanjiang's tail.
This was what she owed him from her past life.
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