Chapter 39: Nalan Lyrics, Little Stubborn Mule

Back in the room, the woman called Yu'er was still lying in bed, her large eyes flickering as she looked at Xiao Zhi with timidity.

Xiao Zhi looked back at her. She had crescent-moon brows, almond-shaped eyes, a straight bridge of the nose, and soft, rosy lips, with just a hint of baby fat.

She was truly a lady’s maid from a wealthy household; in a place where refugees were scattered everywhere, she still managed to look plump and well-fed.

"What is your name?" Xiao Zhi asked.

"Yu'er."

"What is your surname?"

After a moment of hesitation, Yu'er whispered, "I do not know."

It seemed she was a poor soul sold off since childhood, not even knowing who her own parents were.

Xiao Zhi pondered for a moment. "How about you go by Heqing from now on?"

Xiao Zhi was thinking of the phrase "the rivers clear and the seas calm," hoping that this wretched world might one day transform into the prosperous era described in poetry.

"Thank you, Master."

Xiao Zhi noticed that Yu'er always addressed him as "Master," while referring to everyone else as "Official." Mu Weihu was certainly observant; knowing that Xiao Zhi disliked being called "Sir" or "Official," he had even given instructions on this.

Heqing assumed that Xiao Zhi would soon climb into bed to take her, and she was already prepared.

Instead, she watched as Xiao Zhi took a candle to the table and began to earnestly sketch something on paper with a small black charcoal stick.

Xiao Zhi was required to submit a memorial to Qin Yong periodically, detailing his activities and future plans. However, after witnessing so much misery and hearing so many tragedies, he had no heart to weigh his words carefully.

Therefore, Xiao Zhi decided to submit a unique memorial—one drawn stroke by stroke with charcoal sketches. If you cannot imagine it through my words, I will draw it for you to see.

He drew what he had seen and heard along the way: the human tragedies, the ugliness of human nature, the horrors beyond description, people living worse than livestock, and the "prosperous peace" that the Emperor could not see.

He wanted the Emperor to see exactly what kind of hell the Great Chu under his rule had become.

Every emperor believes himself to be the greatest ruler of all time; even if the world is riddled with holes, they still consider themselves masters of a restoration. Xiao Zhi felt that someone needed to show Qin Yong the reality.

Xiao Zhi drew for the entire night. The candle burned down, and the sky outside the window began to brighten. In the end, Xiao Zhi wrote a line on the drawing: *A thousand miles of starving corpses, skeletons like firewood.*

The girl with the new name, Heqing, had stared at him blankly all night. Having been a maid in a wealthy household, she understood the rules. If the master did not sleep, the servant could not sleep, and besides, Xiao Zhi might climb into bed at any moment; she dared not dampen the spirits of this young master.

Originally, Xiao Zhi had wanted to draw a few more comics for Princess Changping, as he had barely drawn anything during the rush of the past few days. But now, he was exhausted, his mood heavy as if burdened by a thousand pounds.

He stretched, his spine cracking audibly. He rested his head in his hands, pondering for a long time before racking his brains to copy a poem by Nalan, though he changed a few words, altering the meaning slightly. As for whether it rhymed, Xiao Zhi did not care, and Princess Changping would care even less.

*A journey of mountains, a journey of water, heading toward the Eastern Peak, deep in the night, a single candle flickers.*
*A watch of wind, a watch of snow, shattering the heart’s dream of home, the lakeside pavilion knows not these sounds.*

Since Xiao Zhi was in Tai'an, he naturally changed the location to the Eastern Peak. At night, he was accompanied only by a candle, and he imagined rain outside the window—the Princess in the distant capital wouldn't know whether it was raining here or not. The "lakeside pavilion" referred to the pavilion in Princess Changping's estate, expressing his longing.

If Nalan Rongruo saw this, he would probably curse him: "To woo a girl, you’ve butchered my poem into this!"

The verses indicated his current location while expressing his longing for the Princess's estate, making it quite fitting.

He tossed the charcoal stick aside and let out a long yawn. Turning his head, he saw Heqing staring straight at him.

"You're awake? I’ll have someone bring you some clothes."

Xiao Zhi stood up. An officer was already waiting outside the door and handed over the prepared women's clothing. Resting on top was a bright red pair of mandarin duck bodice.

Xiao Zhi threw the clothes to Heqing. "Get dressed."

"I..." Heqing bit her lip. "Heqing has not yet slept."

She liked the name Heqing, and she liked this man whom fate had brought to her even more. She could sense an air of refinement about him. A maid wouldn't know what "refinement" meant, but to her, it meant being kind and not bullying others.

"Hmm?" Xiao Zhi asked, confused. "You just lay there all night? What were you waiting for?"

Heqing felt aggrieved. "Naturally, I was waiting for you, Master."

Xiao Zhi felt this conversation was going nowhere. He waved his hand in frustration. "Get dressed and go out; I need to sleep."

But the girl only shifted inward, her meaning clear: *Master, come lie down; I’ve already warmed the bed for you.*

"Do you not understand what I said?"

"If you do not take Heqing, Master, I cannot go on living..."

"Did someone say something to you?" Xiao Zhi realized something was wrong.

Heqing remained silent. Xiao Zhi could only sigh. It seemed that unless he completely dragged himself into the mud, Mu Weihu and the others would not be at ease.

In truth, Xiao Zhi really didn't like messing around with people he didn't know, and furthermore, he didn't know how long he would be away from the capital. If he really took this girl, she might be pregnant by the time he returned.

What would Princess Changping think then? *I send you away, and you send me a poem every three days and a drawing every five, only to return with a child in tow? Is this how you think of me?*

"Get dressed. I’m going to sleep for a while. If anyone asks, just say you belong to me."

Xiao Zhi had to say this. To put the girl at ease, he added, "While I am away, you will attend to my daily needs, and that is all. When I return to the capital, if you are willing, you can come with me. If not, I will provide a dowry and find someone for you to marry."

Actually, Xiao Zhi had already guessed the ending: Heqing would insist on following him, because in this era, a lone woman could hardly survive. Without a husband’s family, even a child would dare to insult you, and if you died, no one would report it to the authorities.

If you had a husband's family, things were more complicated. Do not be naive enough to think that "seizing an inheritance" is just an obscure term. In later generations, a wealthy woman is called a "rich lady," but in this era, she is called a "fat sheep." Marrying her into the house and having her be a gentle, obedient plaything was one thing. Otherwise, it was easy to stage an "accidental death," and the inheritance would belong to the husband's family.

Master Ximen from *The Plum in the Golden Vase*, while not a murderer of women, frequently built his wealth by marrying wealthy widows to seize their inheritances.

"I am willing to serve you, Master."

Heqing still didn't move, stubborn enough to make one want to drag her out and give her a beating.

"If you are going to be this stubborn, I really don't want you. Even if I took you now, I could still throw you out later," Xiao Zhi said, his face turning cold.

Seeing that Xiao Zhi was truly annoyed, the girl finally got up, shrinking back as she put on her clothes. Xiao Zhi didn't look away; he watched openly for a few moments. It had to be said, this girl perfectly illustrated the meaning of a slender frame bearing bountiful fruit.

Once the girl was dressed, Xiao Zhi lay down into the warm bed and fell into a deep sleep shortly after.

Xiao Zhi had a dream. He dreamt he was embracing Princess Changping in the lakeside pavilion, the Princess leaning into his arms, softly whispering of the loneliness and cold of living alone.

He also dreamt that he hadn't bid the Princess farewell that day, but instead, they were riding together on a single horse, galloping to the ends of the earth.

He dreamt of Jiang Zhu and Jiang Yun, who wrapped themselves around him like two water snakes; that night was truly exhilarating.

He dreamt that the Princess saw it all—her disappointment, her tears, her resentment...

He also dreamt that the Princess was unveiled before him...

It was just as he had imagined.