Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 886 - 862: New Year’s Celebration
Xie Jue arrived in Yangzhou just as the city welcomed its first snowfall of the year.
Snowflakes danced in the air, blanketing the earth in white; awakening to a silvery world, the lake sparkled and the frost-clad trees on both banks created a breathtaking scene, a beauty distinct from that of spring.
Xie Jue pushed open the window to admire the view. He favored snowy landscapes, a fondness since his days in Ningzhou; heavy snow buries the traces of bloodshed, slaughter, and corpses, transforming chaotic battlefields into pristine, frozen expanses, erasing signs of past turmoil. The snow in Yangzhou appeared gentler compared to Ningzhou, marking his first time witnessing the snow in Jiangnan.
There is a common saying among the people: an auspicious snow foretells a good harvest; with such a heavy first snowfall, the coming year promises good weather. Xie Jue also hoped for favorable conditions in Beining.
This time, returning from Mudan City to the Capital City, he traveled light with only Shadow Guards, leaving behind the three thousand troops in Mudan City under the command of Dugu Jing, as they were meant for Mudan City. Thus, he and the Shadow Guards discreetly headed towards the Capital City, passing through Yangzhou, though originally it wasn’t necessary to go through Yangzhou. The Shadow Guards were unsure why Xie Jue lingered there.
Yangzhou City was Fang Family’s territory, only half a day’s journey from the Jiangnan garrison’s camp. The local government office had ties to the Fang Family; Mrs. Fang’s mother, from the Yang Family, was the head of the largest clan in Yangzhou City, which boasted many successful descendants involved in both governance and commerce.
Yangzhou City was also, aside from the Capital City, the most prosperous city in Beining.
The Shadow Guards dared not question Xie Jue about his stay in Yangzhou or probe for information. Due to the heavy snow, Xie Jue refrained from leaving the inn.
The Shadow Guards suggested, "Master, since we’re in Yangzhou, shall we pay a courtesy call to the Grand Marshal?"
"No need!" Xie Jue stated while gazing at the snowy landscape through the window. "He may not wish to see me."
The Shadow Guards wondered silently why he was lingering, if not visiting.
The Fang Family had relocated to Yangzhou and planned to settle there permanently. If Fang Chuning were alive, the Grand Marshal wouldn’t have made such a decision; the Capital City was their stronghold. As courtiers, they generally loathed leaving the Capital City, which implied distancing from the power center. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Xie Jue offered no explanation, watching the distant scene in silence. He left Ying Yi and Ying Er behind in Yangzhou as he returned to the Capital City alone.
He was left with only four Shadow Guards; Ying Si was assigned to Ruyi, and Ying Liu was still recuperating. Only Ying Yi and Ying Er accompanied him to Sannan, and now he left both in Yangzhou.
Apart from during the Beiman period, Xie Jue rarely ventured without the watchful presence of Shadow Guards. Ying Yi was a bit uneasy, thinking of escorting him back to the Capital City before returning to Yangzhou.
Xie Jue, with no expression, queried, "Without you all, would I starve in the wild?"
Ying Yi dared not reply, but inwardly thought, "That’s uncertain."
Fastidious and picky, traveling alone without them to serve him, starvation might quickly encourage him to seek food himself. However, orders outweigh worries, and despite concerns, there was no alternative.
In the Capital City, Ruyi was counting the days for her father’s return. Fengyu’s belly grew increasingly large, likely to give birth in March. The Imperial Physician diligently safeguarded the pregnancy, hoping for a smooth delivery to allay fears. Mingzhu and Ruyi, conscientious, minimized disturbances to Fengyu’s rest. For half a year, Fengyu virtually secluded herself in Changshou Palace, meeting few outside the family.
"Will Second Brother make it back for the New Year?" Fengyu worried, as she wasn’t organizing this year’s palace banquet. The Rituals Bureau arranged everything, merely needing her approval. With only five days until the New Year, Second Brother was yet to arrive. "Ruyi is eagerly awaiting."
"Second Brother promised to return by year-end. He will be back on time, don’t worry."
