A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated 1

76

Bei Mo's first snow came in the middle of the November.

General Ze Yin chose this time to enter the Royal Residence, to report his retirement from military to the King of Bei Mo.

"Why so sudden?" The Bei Mo King was no longer interested in admiring the snow all of a sudden, as he turned to gape at Ze Yin.

Ze Yin replied, "The danger at the frontier has now passed, so Ze Yin should also fulfill his promise with Yangfeng."

"No longer participating in military affairs so that you can accompany your wife till old, while watching nature unfold itself over the years, am I right? Such a gentlemanly promise." The King of Bei Mo turned away, refusing to say any more. After a while, he finally added, "Does Yangfeng still bear a grudge over the poisoning of Dong Lin's two princes."

Ze Yin sighed heavily, lowering his voice. "A women's kindness should not interfere with national affairs anyway. It's not King's fault."

"So it seems that she still bears a grudge against me. Pity, nothing can replace a good friend." The Bei Mo King had bitter smile as he nodded, "What else could I say? Oh well, oh well. General Ze Yin, you may leave."

The Main General's Residence in Bei Mo, in the midst of snowy skies and earth, had its sign pulled away from above its main entrance, the sign that the King of Bei Mo had personally written.

Ze Yin's intentions in resigning had long been hinted within the residence as the crowd of servants had been with him for many years and were all fiercely loyal. Wherever Ze Yin went, they would follow, so even when news was proved officially, the Residence was calm like usual. Everyone seemed to have mutual understanding as they all packed their luggage themselves without being asked, getting ready to leave Bei Yali.

The snow continued to fall for seven days, no trace of stopping.

The road to leave Bei Yali was snowy white, while only a small group of carriages ambled on it. The carriage wheels pressed against the snow, leaving two long tracks.

One of the most decorated carriages in the middle, a small stove was alit. Yangfeng had her head lowered, looking at the baby in her arms. This child had far too much energy, just like his father, who only slept after much coaxing.

A sweet smile formed at her lips as she put the baby on a tiny blanket, wrapping him up carefully. Yangfeng softly sneezed as she sat by the window.

"Asleep?" Ze Yin moved in to face the two, carefully examining the sleeping child. He was used to picking up swords and killing, but seeing this delicate, newborn baby, he could only think that he would hurt him whenever he tried to cuddle him. He felt more afraid at his first time being a father than his first time being on the battlefield.

Yangfeng saw his expression and startled to chuckle softly, moving close to him, watching their child together. In a loving voice, she said, "Look at his nose and his little mouth. He looks just like a little Ze Yin."

"His face looks like his mother's." Ze Yin was joyous, "The son looks like the mother. He definitely has a promising future. Yangfeng, it's all thanks to you."

Yangfeng was stunned. "Thanks to me?"

"It's all thanks to you, otherwise, how was I going to have such a cute son?"

"What are you saying?" Yangfeng was both angry and pleased. Not wanting to wake the baby, she tugged at Ze Yin's sleeve. The two sat quietly on their seats, which were cushioned with thick fur. Yangfeng lowered her voice, "Does Husband think I'm too stubborn?"

"Why would I?"

"Yangfeng forced Husband to leave his post as the Main General, even leaving Bei Yali to settle down elsewhere. Yangfeng forced you to leave even though the snow hasn't stopped, not to mention that Qing'er isn't a month yet either. Having said that, that was far too stubborn of me."

Ze Yin laughed, his voice deep and soft, while his large, rough hand stroked Yangfeng's face. He asked, "Is there anyone else who could force me, Ze Yin, to retire? Retirement and leaving Bei Yali was all your wish. As it's your wish, I would definitely do so, willingly." He paused, his voice softening. "Besides, I know that you're still feeling uneasy about what happened to Pingting. Although the rewards from the King kept coming, you seemed even more on edge each time."

At the mention of Pingting, Yangfeng's face turned sorrowful. In a low voice, she said, "Yesterday night, I dreamed of Pingting. She was standing in front of me, not smiling, not speaking. I reached out to touch her, but she was like a shadow, something I couldn't touch. Ze Yin, I had to beg Pingting to think of a plan for Bei Mo."

"I know." Ze Yin pulled Yangfeng into his arms, pain flashing in his eyes. "My country, Bei Mo, owes her deeply, yet they pushed all of the blame for killing Dong Lin's two princes on her. Ze Yin is far too ashamed to face her."

"She's not willing to clear the misunderstanding either." Yangfeng was distraught. "Ever since you searched up where Chu Beijie was living, I've already sent someone to pass on my letters, telling her to clear up everything with Chu Beijie, that He Xia was the one who killed Chu Beijie's two nephews. But she hasn't sent anything back to me."

"She should be under house arrest right now. Could the letters we sent, weren't delivered to her, but were collected by Chu Beijie's people?"

Yangfeng shook her head, "Isn't it better for Chu Beijie to see them? But the Dong Lin army doesn't seem to be pursuing He Xia right now, meaning it's highly likely they still don't know what He Xia did. I reckon Chu Beijie is too arrogant, that's why he's not stopping or peeking at Pingting's letters. I'm just afraid, what if Pingting doesn't plan to plead innocent?"

Ze Yin's thick eyebrows creased, not understanding, "Since she knows that He Xia has changed, why is she still willing to be punished in place of him?"

Yangfeng seemed to feel a little cold, shifting her position in Ze Yin's arms, until she was able to hear her husband's heartbeat more strongly. Her gaze was fixed on the sleeping child not far away, as she sighed softly. "Being disappointed in someone is one thing, but hating them is another. Pingting knows this very well, that the moment she says the truth, He Xia will immediately become the most wanted criminal of Dong Lin. How is that any different from personally killing him? Their friendships built over the past fifteen years won't be broken so easily."

Yangfeng's voice got softer and softer, as if her thoughts were even more problematic than before. She hesitated for a long time, before continuing, "I'm just worried that since she's so clever, instead of trying to solve the misunderstanding, she'd use this to test Chu Beijie's feelings for her instead. Sigh, just how can a man's heart be tested?"

Ze Yin heard the sadness in her tone. He was very worried that she'd get sick, as it hadn't been more than fifty days since she gave birth and there were too many worries on her mind. Patting her shoulder lovingly, he assured her. "Don't think about it too much. Although I've retired, it's not like I don't have any influence. If Pingting has any needs, we can definitely help her."

"I hope that god will protect Pingting." Yangfeng pressed her hands together at her chest, praying.

Ze Yin's group of carriages advanced slowly on the snow-covered ground, while the sky was full of fireworks outside the Royal Residence of the country of Yun Chang.

The Royal Residence was covered in red silk, while the maids were all dressed in grand, festive gowns, flowed in and out of the room like water, bringing in all sorts of colourful desserts.

The joyful sound of drums travelled from within the Royal Residence to the outside neighbourhood, causing the peasants of Yun Chang to gather and discuss.

"Princess is going to marry!"

"Heh, our Yun Chang finally has a prince consort?"