The carriage moved slowly along the official road in the early morning, the wheels crushing the frozen crust that had formed on the road surface last night, heading towards the city gate. The mountain shadows were cold and dark, the cold branches were withered and thin, and because it was still early, there were few passers-by and carriages on the road. Under the cold blue morning sky, a group of crows circled back and forth above their nests on the branches by the roadside, crowing hoarsely.
In the early morning of a winter countryside, everything is filled with solemnity.
Xuyu sat in the carriage, listening to the rumbling sound of the wheels, and suddenly remembered an evening in late spring when she was walking on the same road that the carriage was passing at this moment, carrying a bag on her shoulder and looking dusty.
She had no mood to appreciate the scenery at that time, but she still remembered the warm wind blowing, the willow branches like smoke, the countryside and banks on both sides of the road were covered with green elm and poplar groves, and there were patches of flowers in between. The road was stained with red dust, the fragrant carriages on the spring outing were noisy and laughing, and the air was filled with the scent of spices spread by the evening breeze.
It started from a dream. She had stubbornly followed the dusty road under her feet, walking hurriedly in the panicking sound of dusk drums that could be heard everywhere. Finally, she stepped into the city she wanted to go to before the city gates closed at sunset.
The scene seemed to have happened yesterday. She still remembered the feeling of the evening breeze blowing across her forehead, which was covered with sweat from the rush of the journey. However, everything has changed. Just like the road she walked on that day, it will never come back.
She knew Pei Xiaoyuan was following her carriage, keeping a distance that was neither too far nor too close. She just pretended not to see him. After the carriage had passed through the quiet suburban road and entered the city gate, he was still following behind, protecting her until her carriage was about to reach the palace. The rider stopped at a street corner and then turned around and left.
Through a corner of the carriage's roller blind, Xuyu watched the rider disappear at the end of the crowded street. She also lost her direction and ordered the driver to stop the carriage at the side of the street.
In fact, she had no plans to return to the palace today.
Although Aye was still angry with him, she gradually became silent as time went by. Yesterday evening she said that she wanted to go see the murals in the Chongtian Hall, stay overnight, and return the next day. She hadn't been back for some time.
At first, his face was expressionless, and his eyes, which were covered with a layer of light blue film, did not blink. He did not respond at all. He did not nod, nor did he say that he would not let her go back. She took it as a nod. After leaving Ziyun Palace, Zhao Zhongfang chased her out and whispered to her that because she had been by his side day and night recently and had to take care of everything, His Majesty was really annoyed with her, so he asked her to stay for a few more days and not to rush back. Zhao Zhongfang knew a few words, so he could read the memorial to His Majesty on her behalf for the time being.
The old palace eunuch imitated the emperor's complaining tone very vividly, and there was a hint of smile in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
How could she not understand Aye's heart? As proud as he was, even if he had tacitly accepted such an outcome, he would never want anyone to see him bow his head, even in front of his daughter.
The change happened overnight. The maid combed her hair early in the morning and asked her happily if she could stay a few more days this time. Through the half-open window, she looked at the figure waiting for her in the courtyard and said that she had something to do today and had to go back to the palace.
The palace gate was not far ahead. However, she hesitated, not wanting her unexpected early return to arouse any unnecessary suspicion. After his eyesight was damaged, Aye's temper became worse and worse, becoming more sensitive and suspicious than before.