Chapter 170: Under the Spring Breeze, All Beings Are Equal

7:00 PM.

In the Jinshen Hall of the Imperial Palace, gilded crane-shaped candle holders illuminated the hall as bright as day.

On the dragon couch, Emperor Wu lay half-propped against soft pillows, covered by a bright yellow brocade quilt.

Compared to his ruddy complexion in the autumn of last year, his face had rapidly aged in just over half a year, with fine wrinkles and sunken cheeks.

His half-closed eyes were clouded by a thin film.

“Father, although the failure of the Southern Expedition is inseparable from the traitor Qin Shou, our army’s lax discipline is the root cause of the rout. Officers are arrogant, soldiers are lazy, military merits are sold, and provisions are embezzled. Orders are not followed, and prohibitions are ignored. Your daughter believes that rectifying military discipline brooks no delay.”

Princess Xingguo sat on an embroidered stool in front of the couch, speaking in her usual gentle voice.

Emperor Wu made a few muffled sounds of phlegm in his throat and slightly raised his hand, signaling her to continue.

“Therefore, your daughter has appointed He Danian and Sun Tie as the primary and deputy envoys to establish the Main Army Division, specifically to inspect the discipline of the Imperial Guards and the troops stationed in the capital, and to clear out stubborn ailments. I have appointed Ding Suian, a Dutou of the Elite Cavalry of the Vermilion Bird Army, as the Commander of the Main Army Division.”

Princess Xingguo tucked the corner of the quilt for Emperor Wu and smiled lightly: “Does Father still remember this young man?”

Emperor Wu’s somewhat cloudy eyes shifted, as if he were struggling to think of who Ding Suian was.

Princess Xingguo did not let her aged father overexert his brain and continued: “He is the small Dutou who rescued Yi’er from the encirclement during the defeat. Father even issued an imperial decree of commendation.”

“Oh, so it’s him.”

“Yes. During this Southern Zhao peace negotiation, he performed another meritorious service as the commander of the guard army. Although this young man comes from a military background, he is brave and resourceful, not comparable to an ordinary brute. Appointing him as the Commander of the Main Army Division not only rewards his merit but is also a role he is capable of fulfilling. More importantly, he is not deeply involved with any party, which is perfect for acting impartially.”

“Hmm, Tang’er, handle it as you see fit.”

“Yes, Father.”

After just a few simple sentences, Emperor Wu’s breathing became a bit heavy.

A short while later, Princess Xingguo walked out of Jinshen Hall, looked back at the tall and deep building behind her, and sighed softly.

“Your Highness, are we returning to the estate?”

The accompanying maid asked softly. Princess Xingguo withdrew her gaze and said, “Go to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.”

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the platform from which one can overlook the entire city.

Above, the bright moon hung high.

Below, there were ten thousand households in Central Heaven, with streets and alleys crisscrossing.

“Teacher, last summer and autumn, Father’s health had greatly improved, but now, in just over half a year, he has already shown signs of decrepitude.”

Princess Xingguo’s calm face could not hide the worry between her brows.

Standing side by side with her, Teacher, with white hair and beard and wearing a peasant’s cloth robe, spoke in a peaceful voice: “A human life is like a spring for grass and trees; this is the cycle of the Heavenly Dao. If one forces a Heaven-Defying act, one will surely suffer a backlash. Your Highness should let go of obsessions, follow the natural course, and let what should come, come, and what should go, go.”

It seemed he was talking about Emperor Wu’s body, and it seemed he was talking about more than that.

Princess Xingguo was silent for a moment, her gaze falling on a certain spot in the vast sea of lights in Central Heaven, and suddenly said: “Teacher’s instruction is correct. The cycle of the Heavenly Dao is indeed not something that can be reversed by human power.”

At first, this sounded very obedient and respectful, but then she changed the subject: “Grass and trees have a spring; sprouting, growing, withering, and flourishing, all follow their time and place. However, some seeds fall into fertile soil, enjoy sunshine and dew, and eventually grow tall and shade-giving; while other seeds happen to be born in shadows and grow among thorns. If one only talks about following the natural course, I fear that they will never see the light of day in their entire life.”

“Hehe, seeds born in fertile soil, though tall and shade-giving, their roots may not be as deeply embedded in the soil and rock, or as tenacious and unyielding, as those born among thorns. How does Your Highness know that the seed among the thorns does not take its tempering as nourishment, but instead thinks of it as suffering? And how do you know it does not take its shadow as shelter, but instead thinks of it as a regret? The creation of heaven and earth has its own time and its own Dao. Forcibly distinguishing between likes and dislikes is merely a self-righteous obsession.”

Just then, a gust of spring breeze blew, causing the clothes of the master and disciple to flutter. Teacher also followed Princess Xingguo’s gaze to a brilliantly lit place and smiled: “Just like the spring breeze at this moment, it blows on peddlers and pawns, and it also blows on emperors and nobles. There is no difference. Under the spring breeze, all beings are equal.”

End of the hour of Xu (9:00 PM).

Ding Suian climbed over the wall to get home.

“Zhao Yan? Yaner?”

The back courtyard was quiet. After calling twice without hearing a response, he went to the front courtyard.

Passing the Buddhist hall in the front courtyard, he had already walked past it, but stepped back two steps and leaned back.

“People are in the midst of love and desire, born alone and dying alone, going alone and coming alone. They bear their own suffering and happiness; there is no one to replace them.”

Inside the small Buddhist hall, AZhi sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, looking solemn.

Opposite him, Ah Ji sat on another prayer mat, resting her chin on her hand, drowsy.

“AZhi. What are you two doing?”

“Amitabha, This poor monk is reciting scriptures for benefactor Ah Ji.”

“Alright. By the way, have you seen Zhao Yan?”

After Ding Suian asked, Ah Ji, who looked like she was about to sleep there, looked up and said: “Zhao Yan was called away by that Princess next door. She has been gone for more than an hour.”

Eh, Lin Hansu returned to the estate tonight?

Why did she call Zhao Yan over?

At this moment, next door.

On the second floor of Ji Pavilion.

Lin Hansu sat upright at the rosewood desk, her slender jade neck slightly tilted forward.

The flickering candlelight on the desk plated her jade-like profile with a layer of warm luster. Her long eyelashes were lowered, casting shallow shadows under her eyelids, making her eyes look like dots of ink, calm and deep.

She was sorting a stack of dossiers into brocade boxes labeled ‘Prince Anping’, ‘Linping’,’Shuochuan’, ‘Luyang’, and so on.

Her movements were unhurried.

Subsequently, she unfolded the last remaining dossier on the desk, with the name ‘Zheng Jinsan of the Third Battalion of the Winged Tiger Army’ written clearly at the beginning.

Inside the dossier, his background, resume, and relationship with Prince Anping’s Estate were recorded in detail.

Her phoenix eyes were deep and focused. After reading it quickly, her fair wrist hovered in the air, and she wrote the words ‘Die-hard Loyalist’ on the blank space at the bottom of the dossier.

If an outsider were to see the pile of things on the desk at this moment, their jaw would surely drop. These were all confidants planted by various imperial descendants and nobles in the Imperial Guards in recent years.

It is not to say that they already have disloyal intentions, but as the Emperor grows older day by day, everyone seems to be preparing for the arrival of a certain day.

Five feet behind her, Zhao Yan, who was standing against the wall, probably felt her legs were sore and quietly bent her right leg to stretch.

Lin Hansu’s phoenix eyes remained on the dossier, but she said: “Stand still!”

“I’ve been standing for an hour already!”

Zhao Yan puffed out her cheeks and protested in a low voice.

Lin Hansu did not turn her head, only raised her hand to pick up the ruler at hand and tapped it lightly on the table.

This was a naked threat!

“Sister, don’t think I’m afraid of you! If we really fight, Sister might not be my opponent!”

Zhao Yan was very unconvinced. “It was all Young Master who told me to respect Sister. That’s why I didn’t fight back when you spanked me earlier!”

Hearing this, Lin Hansu twisted her waist slightly and looked sideways: “Do you know you were wrong?”

“Where was I wrong? That house, Manager Yuan Er offered to waive the rent himself. I didn’t steal, didn’t rob, and didn’t bully anyone with power.”

“Nonsense! If Young Master hadn’t been appointed as the Commander of the Main Army Division, would he have been so obsessed as to waive the rent? You think it’s a bargain you can take, but what they want is more than just this bit of rent! This is bait. Once you take the hook, you won’t be able to control yourself in the future!”

Lin Hansu’s tone was severe and fearful, which was very rare.

Actually, after the lecture just now, Zhao Yan had already realized that the house in Huaining Lane could not be rented. That Manager Yuan Er wanted to use her to tie Young Master to his boat.

And she had already made up her mind to go over early tomorrow morning to decline it. Anyway, the paperwork hadn’t been done yet.

But tonight she was called over, and Sister used a ruler to spank her bottom without saying a word, and then made her stand for an hour.

What’s this? Just because this little fox doesn’t show her power, you think I’m an old hen!

This grievance, we cannot endure.

However, fighting with Sister is impossible, so she could only fight back with her mouth.

“Sister doesn’t need to lecture me with grand principles. Sister is just jealous of me!”

“I’m jealous of you?”

The last word ‘you’ had a noticeably raised tone.

“Yes!”

“What am I jealous of you for?”

“You’re jealous that I accompanied Young Master to Southern Zhao, jealous that I’m more liked by Young Master than you, jealous that I have more tricks than you, and jealous that I’m younger than you…”

A demon is a demon; she doesn’t know any sense of propriety, justice, or shame!

When Lin Hansu heard Zhao Yan proudly boasting about ‘having more tricks’, her full chest was already heaving rapidly, but the last sentence ‘younger than you’ instantly made her explode.

How did that saying go?

Oh, right, lies won’t hurt people, but the truth is a sharp knife.

Lin Hansu stood up with a swoosh, grabbed the ruler, and rushed over.

“Pia!”

“Ouch!”

“Pia!”

“Ouch, look, look, I was right!”

“Pia!”

“Sister, Young Master said to love small animals! You have to love me!”

“Pia!”

“Ouch!”

Lin Hansu did not speak, only chased Zhao Yan around the room.

9:00 PM.

Ding Suian, familiar with the road, climbed into the neighboring Huguai Garden.

It was still early. He pushed the door and entered, only to see Granny Xu, Wansu, Yi Huan, and others all there, and simultaneously looking up at the second floor. It seemed something lively was happening.

“If Sister hits me again, I’m going to get angry!”

“Pia!”

“Ouch, I’m really angry!”

“Pia!”

“Ouch!”

Ding Suian stood at the doorway, hearing the commotion upstairs clearly.

He couldn’t help but quicken his pace and went directly up to the second floor.

Upstairs, Lin Hansu’s cloud-like hair was slightly disheveled, her cheeks stained with a faint red, her phoenix eyes containing obvious anger, and the ruler in her hand was raised, chasing after that agile figure.

Zhao Yan wrapped her hands behind her back, covering her bottom, scurrying around the room, and she didn’t forget to clamor, looking like a bear child who refused to be disciplined.

“Are you wrong?” Lin Hansu panted slightly, angry and helpless.

“I’m not wrong!”

The Zhao Yan who was talking back a second ago saw Ding Suian standing at the top of the stairs the next second.

But the little fox who was just acting stubborn instantly changed her expression.

Her lips curved, and without any time needed to brew, her long, narrow fox eyes welled up with tears.

The little fox, who was just jumping around and talking back, seemed to have all her strength suddenly drained away. She gave a soft ‘Ah’ and fell accurately and flawlessly into Ding Suian’s arms.

Then, she raised her head, and as her long, narrow fox eyes blinked, tears were already brimming and about to fall. Her voice was soft and glutinous, carrying twelve points of grievance and the forbearance for the sake of family harmony: “Young Master, Nunu knows she was wrong. Just let Sister hit Nunu hard.”

“…”

Lin Hansu, who had just chased up to the front, couldn’t help but brake, her full chest trembling with anger. She raised the ruler and pointed at Zhao Yan: “You just keep acting!”

After saying that, she stuffed the ruler into Ding Suian’s hand, turned her face away, and said with the stifled feeling of being ‘falsely accused’: “You are the head of the household. I can’t control her anymore. You handle it!”

Zhao Yan, seeing this, not only didn’t run away, but instead obediently lay on the soft couch beside her, took the initiative to lift her skirt, revealing her little bottom with faint red marks from the ruler, and looked back at Ding Suian, teary-eyed, full of submissive sorrow: “Young Master, you hit me. As long as Sister can vent her anger, even if you beat Nunu to death, it’s fine.”

“…”

Lin Hansu: Eh? You little harlot, I’ve become the villain instead!