The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 61
Wen Shuse had been running about for a full day and night without a moment’s rest, her body and mind pushed to the brink. That she was still able to stay conscious at all was thanks to the solid foundation built over more than a decade of good health.
But her head was still spinning in a daze. When her husband suddenly kissed her, she did not even understand what was happening. Her eyes widened in shock as she stared blankly at the face so close to hers.
Fearing they might be discovered, they hadn’t lit a fire in the forest, but the torches in their hands hadn’t been extinguished. The dim warm glow flickered behind him, dancing across his brows and eyes. His lashes were tightly shut, long and dense, the tips still clinging to fine droplets of water. Even though he did not seem entirely at ease, there was a faint running through him.
A buzzing sound filled her mind as she finally processed what was happening. Wen Shuse’s first reaction was to push him away.
He… what was he doing…? There were still people behind them! When she had just come over, Young Master Wei had been looking in this direction, and Minzhang’s eyes had never left his master.
They must have seen everything.
The first intimate moment of her life… and it had been witnessed in full.
Flushed with embarrassment and anger, she tried to push him away, but could not. He was determined to kiss her, his hand firmly gripping the back of her head, refusing to let go. His lips pressed tightly against her small mouth, motionless.
Sealed so completely, not even a sliver of space remained. Wen Shuse could hardly breathe. The warmth of his breath mingled with hers at the tip of her nose; her face burned crimson, panic rising higher and higher.
Xie Shao himself was somewhat at a loss. Just moments ago, as he stared into her eyes, the sudden urge to kiss her had surged up. Once that thought appeared, it was like a flood breaking through its banks, impossible to contain. Acting on impulse, he had pulled her close and kissed her.
He had only meant it to be a fleeting touch, like a dragonfly skimming the surface, just enough to ease the urgency in his heart. But the moment their lips met, he lost control. He had never known his wife’s lips could be so soft. Where their lips touched, a searing warmth spread, as if there were a faint fragrance that lured him deeper, willing him to sink into it. It felt as though he were caught between fire and water, unable to pull himself free. His heart pounded wildly, his thoughts in disarray. He did not know what to do, only that he did not want to let go.
Seeing her try to pull away, he naturally could not release her. His grip tightened, pressing his lips firmly against hers.
He held her too tightly, her lips ached and tingled, and she could not push him away. Remembering that the others behind them were likely watching the scene unfold, panic surged, and Wen Shuse could only reach out to pinch his arm.
The sudden sting snapped the young man back to his senses.
His hand loosened, and she immediately pulled far away, sitting opposite him with her back to the others, burying her face in her hands, too ashamed to be seen.
Only then did Xie Shao realize what he had done. He lifted his head and glanced around. Not far away, several pairs of eyes were either quickly looking away or hastily averting their eyes. There was no need to ask; they had surely seen everything.
To have their first moment of intimacy witnessed by everyone… his face was thin-skinned after all. He froze for a moment, and in the stillness of the night, a flush of red crept onto the young man’s face, concealed by the darkness. He touched the tip of his nose and turned his head aside. For a moment, the surroundings fell utterly quiet, even the insects in the forest seemed to have gone silent.
It was all because he had failed to restrain himself, too abrupt, too rash, dragging his young wife into embarrassment along with him. Afraid she might be angry, he stole a glance at her. She was no longer covering her face, but had lowered her head, taking small bites of the flatbread.
Clearing his throat softly, he attentively passed her the water at his side. “Have some water… don’t choke.”
In truth, that kiss did not feel improper to Wen Shuse. She was his wife; if he wished to kiss her, it was only natural. What had been improper was that so many people witnessed it.
But then she thought again, perhaps it was nothing to fuss over either. The two of them had just survived a life-and-death ordeal. Having escaped calamity, a moment of heated emotion, holding her close and kissing her, was only human nature and perfectly reasonable.
Not just him, even she, in that instant when she saw he was still alive in the pool at the bottom of the valley, had felt the same impulse. If he had not fallen back in time, she might have already kissed him first.
Once she thought it through, it was no longer a big deal. Her shyness came quickly and left just as fast; embarrassment never lingered on her for long.
Without standing on ceremony, she took the water flask, tilted her head back for a drink, then handed it back to him as though nothing had happened. With an open, easy expression, she said, “Husband, hurry and eat. You haven’t had anything for a whole day and night, you must be starving…”
In just a few breaths, the blush on her face vanished as if by magic. He had not expected her to be even more at ease than he was. Relieved, he also felt a faint trace of disappointment, regretful that their first kiss had come at such an ill-chosen moment, leaving her no lingering sweetness to savor.
He himself could not remain as calm as she was.
From Fengcheng to Nancheng, the two of them had shared a single water flask more than once, and it had never felt improper. But after that kiss, he could no longer remain so composed.
As he tilted his head back and drank, even the taste of the water seemed somehow different from before.
His mind was still drifting, unsettled and wavering, when his young lady slowly moved closer again. Leaning in, she whispered softly, “If Husband wishes to kiss… next time, when no one is around, we can kiss again.”
His breath hitched sharply. Her words were unbearably tempting. His mood, which had sunk to the depths, was suddenly lifted to the heavens. With a soft gulp, the mouthful of water he had been holding slid down his throat.
Even the exhaustion in his body seemed to vanish. The future suddenly felt full of promise—when no one is around, we can kiss again… As for how exactly that would be, the thought alone was enough to set his imagination running wild.
Just as his mind began to wander, he caught sight of Young Master Wei approaching. He had no choice but to rein in his wandering thoughts for the moment, his gaze shifting toward him.
The Wei family of the Eastern Capital—he knew of them.
When he was a child, he had even met the eldest young master of the Wei family once. Back then, he had only been a thin, small boy. More than ten years had passed, and now he stood tall and refined, every inch the graceful gentleman.
Wei Yun stepped forward, greeting Third Young Master Xie, and handed him a small bottle of ointment. “This is a wound salve. It should be useful for your injuries.”
Xie Shao was not unaware of the tensions between the Crown Prince and the Yang family faction in court. Yet he had not expected Wei Yun to offer his aid so readily. Rising to his feet, he clasped his hands in a formal salute.
“To have involved Young Master Wei in this affair… I, Xie Shao, am truly sorry. Allow me to first offer my thanks.”
Wei Yun returned the gesture with a cupped-hand salute. “This was entirely my own choice. Having made that choice, I was prepared for the consequences. Third Young Master need not be so courteous.”
Turning to Wen Shuse, his tone softened. “Two months ago, when I came to Fengcheng to request grain, had it not been for Third Madam’s righteousness in relieving the urgent needs of the Luo’an soldiers, I fear I would not be standing here safe and sound today. To be able to offer what little help I can to the two of you today, this, for me, is the fulfillment of a long-held wish.”
Hearing herself mentioned, Wen Shuse quickly rose to her feet. Now that he had been saved, she could speak with ease and grace. “The grain and supplies were donated to the army. Young Master Wei was merely acting on behalf of the soldiers of Great Feng. If there is any debt of gratitude, it should not fall upon you alone to repay. Please don’t keep it in your heart. Whatever great favor there was has now been fully returned.”
She glanced at the flatbread in her hand and asked warmly, “Did Young Master Wei keep some for himself? We still don’t know how things will unfold ahead. It’s no small matter that you’ve now become fellow wanderers with us. You must keep up your strength.”
Perhaps because they had passed through the worst of it, the smile on her face had relaxed considerably. It was no longer guarded and tense as when she had sought his help, nor was it the unrestrained collapse she had shown earlier by the pool.
Bright and radiant, she had returned to the lively young woman he had first met in Fengcheng.
Wei Yun smiled and nodded. Then he handed her a paper-wrapped bundle. “Third Madam is soaked through, and the forest air is cold. I happen to have prepared a set of clean clothes. Please change into them and take care not to catch a chill.”
She had already been wearing one of his garments, but in her excitement, she had leapt straight into the pool, soaking herself through once more. Night was not like daytime, and the chill had begun to set in.
Since there was an extra set, it was only sensible to change into something dry. Wen Shuse accepted it and offered her thanks.
Wei Yun then turned to Xie Shao. “I’ve already sent trusted men to draw away the pursuing prefectural troops. They won’t be able to catch up for a while. Third Young Master Xie should take this chance to rest. After you’ve recovered your strength, we can continue deeper in.”
Xie Shao’s expression revealed nothing unusual. He nodded with a faint smile. But as soon as Wei Yun turned away, his gaze fell onto his wife before him.
Earlier, he had been too focused on her face to notice. Only now did he realize that the robe she wore was not her own.
He knew that she had come down the mountain in the middle of the night, drenched by the heavy rain. She must have been utterly drenched and disheveled. That someone had given her dry clothes was something he should be grateful for. Yet the dull, prickling ache in his chest was unmistakable, far from pleasant, even tinged with discomfort. It was not that he minded her wearing someone else’s clothes; rather, he resented his own helplessness, regretting that when she had been at her most vulnerable, the one by her side had not been him.
When Wen Shuse returned after changing, she saw her husband holding a torch close to warm himself.
The flame was too near—she worried he might scorch his hair. She urged gently, “Husband, are you cold as well? Shall I start a fire? I can clean it up tomorrow…”
“Not cold.” He shifted aside, giving her the warmer spot. “Are you tired?”
Tired? Of course, she was tired.
After being on edge for an entire day and night, hovering at the gates of the underworld more than once, she could finally breathe again. The moment she sat down, all strength left her body. Seeing that he was still warming himself, she paid it no mind, lowered her head, and hugged her knees. “I’ll sleep for a bit first… Husband, you should rest soon as well.”
Sleeping out in the wilderness was far from peaceful. Her head slipped off her knees several times. Half-conscious, she felt someone steady her, and heard a voice say, “My shoulder is dry now. Lean over and sleep.”
At last, there was something to support her slipping head. She was too exhausted to open her eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.
—
The Imperial Palace, Eastern Capital.
The emperor had just finished changing his clothes when, outside in the corridor, a eunuch hurried to the door and whispered something to the attendant on night duty. The man’s expression changed, and he immediately turned to push the door open.
Liu Kun helped the emperor sit on the edge of the bed and was just about to assist him in lying down when he suddenly caught sight of someone standing behind the curtain, hesitant in speech, signaling to him with his eyes.
At such an hour, what could it be? He stepped lightly over, frowning as he asked in a low voice, “What is it?”
The man leaned in and whispered something into Liu Kun’s ear.
Liu Kun froze for a moment, then returned to the emperor’s side and reported softly, “Your Majesty, Jing Wang has arrived.”
The emperor was equally startled. Without a summons, a feudal prince was not permitted to enter the capital. Had he not just returned? Why had he come to the capital again and at such an hour?
If he were seen, it would cost him his head. He had already taken off his shoes, but now had Liu Kun put them back on for him, instructing, “Bring him in, but make sure no one sees.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Before long, a palace lantern appeared outside, leading in a figure cloaked in a hood. As soon as the man entered, he removed the covering from his head, dropped to his knees, and pressed his forehead to the ground. “Your son greets Father Emperor. May Father Emperor enjoy boundless health and peace.”
The emperor’s gaze fell upon him, trembling faintly. The last time they had met was at a birthday banquet three years ago. The young man had hardly changed, yet he himself had grown old. Softening his voice, he said, “Rise.”
—
Before dawn the next day, an urgent dispatch arrived from Zhongzhou: Deputy Commander Xie of Fengcheng had rebelled, besieging the Prince Mansion and trapping Jing Wang outside the city gates, intending treason.
The morning court erupted into an uproar.
Most found it hard to believe and questioned, “Which Deputy Commander Xie?”
“The elder brother of the former Chancellor Xie, Xie Daoyuan.”
So, it truly was the Xie family.
The expressions of the civil and military officials in court varied. Several led by General Yang stood there in silence, saying nothing. The Right Chancellor, Yuan Ming’an, glanced at him, edged closer, and took the initiative to speak. “The Xie family has, after all, produced a Chancellor before. How could they suddenly turn to treason? What does General Yang think?”
General Yang smiled. “Even in the same chicken coop, you can have a single rotten egg. What’s so strange about that? And if someone harbors ill intent, deliberately prying open a crack, must the entire coop be implicated?”
Yuan Ming’an smiled without replying, studying him. “From General Yang’s words, it seems there may be more to this matter?”
Yang Jingzhi ignored him, sweeping his gaze across the officials flanking the chancellor, and remarked with a hint of mock admiration, “Chancellor Yuan’s network grows broader by the day. No less than having eyes that see a thousand miles and ears that hear the wind would not be an exaggeration. Whatever you wish to know can be learned with a single word. Why bother asking someone as poorly informed as me?”
That sharp tongue of Yang Jingzhi’s had only grown keener. Who would have thought he was once the man who could barely squeeze out a word, his face flushed like a monkey’s backside?
By now it was time for the morning court; all the officials had arrived, and Yuan Ming’an could only fall silent.
Soon, the emperor entered, and the officials paid their respects.
After they were told to rise, a minister stepped forward and condemned the Xie family. “A mere deputy commander, commanding no more than two thousand troops, yet daring to raise arms in rebellion. What arrogance! I humbly request that Your Majesty immediately issue an edict to arrest the traitor, Xie Daoyuan.”
“I concur. Such a rebel shows no regard for law or the emperor. According to the laws of Great Feng, he should be executed by beheading. All male members of his family above the age of sixteen should be implicated and put to death by hanging. The women—mothers, daughters, wives, concubines—shall have their properties confiscated and be consigned to servitude…”
“I concur.”
“I concur…”
In an instant, six or seven men had fallen to their knees.
“Treason against the throne is indeed unforgivable,” the emperor let out a cold snort. “I would very much like to ask this Deputy Commander Xie, who gave him such audacity?”
His gaze swept across the hall as he called out, “Chen Hao.”
One man stepped forward and knelt. “Your humble servant is here.”
“By my decree, proceed at once to Fengcheng in Zhongzhou and apprehend the traitor Xie Daoyuan. I want him alive. If anything goes wrong, you will answer with your head.”
“This servant obeys.”
The Right Chancellor’s expression shifted slightly. Tilting his head to the side, one of the men beside him hurried forward, knelt, and spoke with fervor, “Your Majesty, the traitor Xie Daoyuan has openly raised troops in rebellion. The people within the city can all bear witness. There is both testimony and evidence. To prevent future calamity, Your Majesty should immediately dispatch forces to capture and execute him.”
“Your Majesty, if the traitor is not eliminated, the people’s hearts cannot be settled. I earnestly implore Your Majesty to issue the order.”
“We implore Your Majesty to issue the order…”
More and more officials knelt. Another stepped forward and said, “In my view, while the rebel Xie Daoyuan is certainly beyond forgiveness, Jing Wang, as regional commander, bears responsibility for failing to maintain control, thus plunging Great Feng into peril. I humbly request that Your Majesty also impose punishment upon him, to demonstrate that the laws of Great Feng are strict and impartial.”
“Very well.” The emperor lifted his gaze toward the doors and raised his hand. “Summon him in.”
The officials were momentarily stunned, not yet having recovered their senses, when the eunuch had already received the order and stepped to the entrance, raising his voice, “Summon Jing Wang!”