Longwind Post

Xia Yunhe had spent several days recuperating at home. Her condition had improved slightly, but the Emperor Hehui summoned her immediately, leaving her with little freedom to act.

The young eunuch who delivered the message was named Qian He’er, the adopted son of Li Fushun. As Li Fushun had grown older in recent years, he sought to nurture a successor. Though young, Qian He’er was clever and cautious, earning Li Fushun’s high regard. Over time, the young eunuch had developed a streak of arrogance.

When asked about the Emperor, Qian He’er wore a smile that carried a sharp, stinging edge.

"Hurry along, Magistrate Xia. If you delay and displease His Majesty, there will be consequences."

Xia Yunhe suppressed her thoughts and asked no more, following Qian He’er in silence.

After paying her respects to Emperor Hehui, the Emperor asked about her health with a smile, remarking that the days were growing short in winter and advising her to take care to stay warm.

The Emperor spoke at length about the secrets of longevity before shifting the topic to the chaos of the year's end: the troubles in the Jiangdong coastal regions, the locust plagues in Yuanzhou and Dishan, the Rong tribes in the north, the rebellion in the south, the Crown Prince and Prince Ding vying in the shadows, and Prince Fu, who resided in Yuanzhou but kept his heart set on the capital, secretly manipulating who knows how much…

"The hearts of those in court are hard to fathom," Emperor Hehui said, looking at her. His eyes were like an ancient well, devoid of ripples yet radiating an unfathomable, intimidating power.

Xia Yunhe dared not meet his gaze. She knelt abruptly, bowing her head. "Your Majesty’s heart encompasses the world; these are matters beyond my humble comprehension. I can only strive to fulfill my duties to repay your divine grace."

She remained prostrate for a long time. A thin layer of sweat had formed on her brow, yet she had not heard the Emperor command her to rise. She thought to herself: *Prince Qin took center stage at the Longevity Banquet, drawing everyone's attention. Regardless of whether I was there, the Emperor would link that event to me. Today, he is clearly here to warn me.*

After another long moment, Emperor Hehui suddenly laughed. "Rise, Yizhi. I know what kind of person you are. I called you here today because a batch of damaged rare books was discovered in the Wenyuan Pavilion. Mei Wu’an has petitioned for them to be recompiled. Once you recover, go and assist him..."

Xia Yunhe had just breathed a sigh of relief when the Emperor’s next words made her heart tighten again.

"As for the Seventh..." Emperor Hehui paused, looking at her.

She lifted her eyes for a fleeting glance at the Emperor, suppressing her inner panic, then lowered her gaze again, her demeanor becoming increasingly respectful.

Seeing this, Emperor Hehui continued, "He was meant to leave for his fief after the New Year. Seventh has grown so much, yet I have barely had a good look at him. He is in a hurry to leave and will be departing in a few days. You... go and see him off on my behalf."

Xia Yunhe was slightly stunned. Prince Qin was not favored by the Emperor; otherwise, he would not have struggled so much within the palace. Yet today, the Emperor's attitude was inscrutable. Just as she was pondering this, a soft sigh reached her ears, almost like an illusion. Xia Yunhe looked up to see Emperor Hehui circling and marking a memorial with his brush. She snapped back to reality, bowed her head, and retreated.

To keep the narrative brief:

Xia Yunhe rested for half a day. At noon, a servant arrived to report that Prince Qin was leaving the capital that day.

She hurriedly donned a white fox-fur cloak, gathered a parting gift, and rushed with the man toward Changfeng Station.

Five miles past Changfeng Station lay the Li Pass. Beyond it, there was no more spring to be found. Heading north from the capital, the long winds never ceased; one left the willow branches behind and gazed into the distance at an old friend.

The wind, sharp as a knife, scraped across her cheeks. The Li River beside the station flowed slowly eastward, but there was no sign of Prince Qin’s carriage.

Xia Yunhe wrapped her cloak tighter, standing by the water. A wooden boat drifted nearby, held securely by an anchor, preventing it from being swept into the center of the river by the wind and waves.

The servant offered a salute, saying Prince Qin would arrive shortly, and invited Xia Yunhe to take shelter from the cold in the station.

Thanking him, she followed him to rest at Changfeng Station. As they reached the door, a commotion broke out. Sounds of shouting and beating erupted from within, and a disheveled old man was shoved out of the station.

"Drunken fool, get lost! Stealing wine from me? Beat him to death!"

The four men were tall and sturdy, their fists like iron weights. They rained blows upon the ragged drunkard in his hempen clothes, tossing his divination banner, bells, and wine gourd out after him, scattering them across the ground.

Xia Yunhe shouted a rebuke, but it was drowned out by the cursing. She revealed her silver fish tally, and the four burly men were startled. They kicked the drunkard a few more times, cursing, "If you want to die, go die on your broken boat. Don't die here and bring us bad luck."

The diviner lay on the ground, motionless. The four ignored him, clamoring as they prepared to return to the station.

Xia Yunhe greeted the four men and asked what had happened.

One of them stared at the fish tally at her waist, his eyes darting around. "My lady, you don't know. We are delivering imperial wine from Dishan. A few days ago, this madman drifted here from somewhere. A dying man, we kindly gave him food, but after we saved him, he latched onto us. Between drinking and spilling, he ruined all our tribute wine. May I ask where you serve, my lady? Could you put in a good word for us?"

Xia Yunhe frowned. She saw the drunkard pick up his banner, bells, and gourd, then curl up in the wooden boat. Despite the freezing cold, he wore only coarse hempen clothes, seemingly unaffected.

She turned back to the four men and smiled. "Dishan? Judging by your accents, you are from the Long region, aren't you?"

The four men looked pleased and nodded repeatedly.

Xia Yunhe smiled. "The Imperial Court has never requested wine tribute from Dishan."

The men stammered, offering a sheepish laugh. "Well... this... once it's offered, it becomes imperial wine. Please, my lady, say a few kind words for us."

Xia Yunhe spoke sternly, "Dishan is currently suffering from a locust plague; there is no harvest, so where would there be spare grain to brew wine?" She pointed to the diviner in the boat. "Furthermore, the wine has been ruined by him, and there is no evidence left. I suggest you decide on a sum, and I will pay it for him. Consider it my treat for his drinks, and with the money, you can return to complete your duties."

The four men exchanged silent glances and asked, "May we ask where you serve, my lady?"

Before Xia Yunhe could answer, a voice cut in.

"Magistrate, why not let me do this favor?"

A green-topped carriage had stopped by the road. As the voice fell, someone jumped down from it.

Xia Yunhe looked closely and was shocked to see it was Qian He’er.

Immediately after, Prince Qin, Xie Yi, lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at the group. Amidst the general astonishment, he gracefully descended with Qian He’er’s assistance.

A dark cyan cloak outlined Xie Yi’s tall, slender figure. His features were sharply defined, his brows heroic, and his every gesture carried an inherent nobility. The four burly men fell silent instantly.

Xie Yi looked at them, a sharp glint hidden in his amber eyes. He spoke slowly, "Dishan is suffering from disaster, yet you still come to 'deliver wine.' Let this matter end here. Qian He’er, go settle the payment with them."

The young eunuch acknowledged the order and, with neither servility nor arrogance, led the four men to the side.

The young prince shielded Xia Yunhe, moving her to the side, and whispered, "The Crown Prince may make a move soon, Magistrate. I must leave early. The journey ahead is long, and I do not know when I will be able to accompany you again. Please, take care of your health."

The Li River surged before them, and the wind grew stronger.

She had assumed Prince Qin had already left. Seeing that he had not yet departed brought her a touch of relief, and hearing his words eased her heart. She took a set of wolf-hair brushes from her sleeve, presented them to Xie Yi, and said softly, "You once gave me a peace charm. As you depart on this long journey, please accept this pair of brushes. One must study the arts as well as practice the martial; neither should be neglected."

Xie Yi accepted them solemnly with both hands. "It has been so long, yet you still remember that pouch. I found it by chance in my mother’s chambers; it was the only thing I could give you back then. Since you have gifted me these 'messengers of the middle,' I shall cherish them always."

The two shared a smile, but then, a voice broke out near the water. The diviner had uncorked his gourd, taken a swig, and began to sing.

"Drunk, I know not what year or month it is, like a dream upon a boat. Life is a hazy, illusory blur; how can one find leisure in the pursuit of fame and fortune? Yesterday, the yellow earth covered the withered wood; today, the Li River carries a lonely boat. The sky is vast, a cloud of emptiness fades; the grass is lush, bringing memories of a guest from Long. True or false, it matters not; I am but a wisp of idle cloud accompanying a wild crane."

The wind by the water was strong, blowing the diviner’s whiskers wildly. He shook his bells and laughed heartily.

The four burly men heard the noise and roared at the diviner, "Madman, get further away!"

Xia Yunhe heard the diviner’s accent matched that of the four men. She couldn't help but look at him a few more times, but he was acting mad, chewing on a reed stem and humming, and she could no longer make out what he was singing.

As the four men prepared to curse again, Xie Yi gave Qian He’er a look. Qian He’er sneered at the four, "My master hasn't said a word, yet it is your turn to drive people away? Take the money and leave at once; don't make a scene here."

After some grumbling, the four men sheepishly packed their bags and headed south.

Qian He’er came over and lowered his head. "Master, the station has been cleared."

Xie Yi gave a soft "Hmm," glanced at the swaying diviner by the water, and turned to Qian He’er. "Young General Shen will be here soon. Go keep watch. Have the clothes ready; I will take a few guards and leave first."

Qian He’er responded respectfully, completely devoid of his previous arrogance. Xia Yunhe was puzzled. Once Qian He’er left, she asked Xie Yi, "Isn't he the young attendant from Chief Li’s side? Why is he with you now?"

Xie Yi whispered, "He acted on his own accord and offended several attendants in the Directorate of Ceremonial, for which he was punished and sent out of the palace. I checked the roster and only then realized Qian He’er had been assigned to me. I asked Chief Li, and he seemed to tacitly approve. I find him useful, so I kept him."

Xia Yunhe nodded, understanding the situation. Xie Yi turned back to look at her and smiled. "It is windy outside. Let me accompany you into the station to sit for a while."

No sooner had he spoken than the mad diviner stood up, clapping his hands and laughing. "A bird returns to the forest, a fish leaps into the deep—a good omen, a good omen! Ah, truly a good omen!"

Hearing this, Xia Yunhe and Xie Yi looked at the diviner in unison.

The man looked back at them with drunken eyes. "I cast a divination this morning, saying a noble person would arrive. Now I see, there is indeed a noble person."

"Not mad?" Xie Yi frowned.

The man tucked his hair away, scooped up some water to wash his face, wiped his hands haphazardly on his clothes, and chuckled. "Since the noble person paid for my wine, if you don't mind, please give me a bit more for the road."

Xia Yunhe took out her purse, held it in her palm, and said, "If you don't mind, old sir, this bag of silver is for you."

"I do not want your money," the diviner shook his head, pointing at Xie Yi. "I only ask him for silver."

Xie Yi laughed. "What is difficult about that? Qian He’er, give him a pouch of silver."

"No, no, no. A piece of your broken silver is enough for me."

Xie Yi found this strange. "What an odd man." Saying this, he took the purse from Qian He’er, fished out a piece of silver, and handed it to the diviner.

The man accepted it with a smile, pulled three copper coins from somewhere, and said, "Since you have gifted me silver, I shall grant you a divination in return."

Xie Yi looked at Xia Yunhe hesitantly. Xia Yunhe said, "Since the old sir is offering a reading, let us try. It may serve as a prayer for a smooth journey."

The coin divination was cast, and the six lines appeared.

The diviner stroked his beard, nodding and counting on his fingers. He closed his eyes in thought for a moment before saying, "Earth over Wind—the hexagram of Ascent."

"What does it mean?"

"Cultivate oneself and wait." After saying this, the diviner laughed a few times, ignored them, gathered his belongings, and walked into the woods, disappearing in a moment.

Xie Yi murmured to himself, "Cultivate oneself and wait."

Suddenly, he bowed to Xia Yunhe and said, "Magistrate, I must go."

Xia Yunhe was stunned. "Not waiting for Young General Shen?"

"No longer waiting." Xie Yi went into the station to change into tight-fitting clothes. Qian He’er led a sleek, black stallion from the stables. Xie Yi gave a whistle, and four secret guards appeared in the woods, fully prepared.

Xie Yi vaulted onto his horse and signaled the four men. Dust billowed as they rode north, blurring the figures of the five. He suddenly reined in his horse, looked back, and offered a distant bow to Xia Yunhe before turning his horse’s head and spurring it into a gallop.

Xia Yunhe silently bowed in the direction of the distance, praying in her heart that Xie Yi would have a safe journey and that all things would go smoothly.