Chapter Nine, The Beginning of Winter

On the next day, Song Ying got up very early as usual. He saw He Xuan was still sleeping, so he very carefully went out the door and had the servants come in to help wash, placed the court clothing to one side, then called He Xuan up.

He Xuan slept late yesterday, and this morning, his brain got muddled into one whole pile, and muddily had people dress him, tie the waist belt, and once the morning’s cold fog hit right in the face, he then woke up. He rubbed his face, and then bent his waist and went inside the sedan chair.

In the courts, He Yang stood to his back according to the rules. He Xuan glanced at him- today, He Yang had a red glow all over his face, and seeing [He Xuan] look at him, he even lifted his head up proudly, with a look of a small man being intoxicated by success.

Looks like today, the garrison envoy will be in his pockets. He Xuan knitted his eyebrows, and moved away his gaze.

He Heng first chatted about some insignificant matters from the six ministries, instructed on the matter on the ritual for the beginning of winter, and then started talking about the candidate for the garrison envoy.

“Father, this son thinks Liu Guang Yuan[1] is the best choice.” Liu Guang Yuan was originally the main general of the east expedition. A few years ago, they were assigned back from the borders, and took up the post as Jiang Yu Province’s commander in the war ministry, but all was a nominal title. Looks like they can’t sit still.

“Your Majesty, General Liu is already of old age. This subject thinks that as Nan Liang is a new land, we should have Sui Lang[2] go, as it would be much more appropriate.”

Sui Lang was of the Pine Wind Faction, and currently, other than the fourth prince’s faction and the crown prince’s faction, there was a bunch of upright scholars not willing to enter the faction fight, with many of them led by Pine Wind College’s famous scholars. They would praise themselves that as Pine Wind Faction’s people, they were appropriate in conduct and upright, never stooping to flattery.

He Heng sat at the very top, then lightly coughed, saying, “Regarding Sui’qing, Iz have important uses for him in the capital. Liu’qing has been hiding his abilities[3] these years, it is time to light that sword.”

Xu Yu Hang knitted his brows, and did not persist any further. He then clasped his hands together and stood back in the group. He Xuan expressionlessly glanced at him, and saw that the hand he shrunk in the sleeves secretly grasp tight. He sighed inside, and lowered his eyes.

❀

“Duke, do you need someone to stay and serve you tonight?” Qing Xing held up a washbasin, and lowered her head, staring at the tips of her feet standing before the door.

After Xiao Zuo washed his face, he was looking into the mirror rubbing some balm. The winter of the north was dry and cold, Xiao Zuo’s face was so dry there was some skin rising up, and once scraped by the strong winds outside, it would start hurting. These days, he gathered some fragrant balms that Zi Wan prepared for him, and wanted to see if it would be better tomorrow when he went out.

Hearing Xing Qing’s words, Xiao Zuo absentmindedly shook his head, “No need, you should go rest early.”

“Duke……” Qing Xing hesitantly stood by the door and did not leave, “The weather is cold these days, this servant can warm……”

These words were a bit bare, counting it now, Xiao Zuo had come to Jin for some time already, and never thought to call someone to serve in bed. Xiao Zuo knitted his eyebrows, and was a bit angry and ashamed at the bottom of his heart, “I said there is no need, you should hurry back.”

“Yes.” Qing Xing then stamped her feet, and finally closed the door and left.

Xiao Zuo did not have any of those thoughts regarding love between men and women. He curled his body and shrunk into the bed, and thought about this matter for a bit, but in the end, did not find any clues, and thus did not think anymore, then pulled the blankets up and covered over his head, and hid off within his dreams.

In a few days would be the first day of winter. Typically in the courts, the first day of winter needed a ritual for the heavens.

He Xuan, as the proper crown prince, in the morning, was pulled out from the blankets by Li Fu Hai. He was still closing his eyes, still sunk in a good dream, but once he got dragged into the icy cold mortal realm, he very unhappily lost his temper. He would find the face-washing water the maids brought was too cold in one moment, and in the next, would find the food was too sweet. After being unreasonable for a long while, once he finally was ready and arrived at the palace, he then unwillingly withdrew his temper.

Today, he was dressed in a long black robe for rituals, and looked much colder and stiffer in the features. When knitting his eyebrows and watching people, it was like there were ice crumbs hung on the eyes, making even He Yang who was normally arrogant and unbridled obediently follow behind, and did not bother to provoke him.

Today, He Heng was also dressed in dark-red clothes. While bringing along a complete flag, he led all the officials to pray to the winter god. To the side was Empress Liu’s flag, she wore a heavy phoenix crown, was held up by an eunuch, walking very carefully step by step.

Once they entered the ritual platform, first, they had the Board of Astronomy read aloud the ceremonial verses. After He Heng and Empress Liu lit the incense and walked three circles on the ceremonial platform, they bowed and placed the incense, and then, it would be the crown prince’s turn to light the incense, leading the officials up to recite the ceremony verses.

Those ceremonial verses were something like “Xuan Ming of the frost, engulf those of dormant insects, [so that] in the time of harvest, [we can] collect the grains”[4], words that were difficult articulate. He Xuan forcefully held in his irritation and finished reciting it, and after arduously going through the ritual’s ceremony, was He Heng bestowing all the officials winter clothes.

As was custom, He Xuan received a fur coat. He had Li Fu Hai take it, and then strolled back to the residence with his hands in his sleeves.

“Mm, has Xiao Zuo received any gifts?” He Xuan was just about to take off his overcoat, when he suddenly recalled something, and asked. Li Fu Hai beside him shook his head, “Afraid not.”

“Prepare a few cotton clothes that will ward the cold, I will go see him.”

❀

According to Nan Liang’s traditions, on the first day of winter, one would have to decoct fragrant herbs to bathe in, used to sweep away scabies.

Decocting herbs to bathe could dispel wind chills, get rid of miasma, and radiate a better air.

The south had high humidity, and once winter came, all families would decoct herbal baths, and use it to dispel the humid wind chills. Yesterday, Zi Wan instructed the kitchen to cook Lan Ci, Du Heng, Jiang Li, plus other fragrant herbs, then add hot water in it today for Xiao Zuo to bathe in. Taking advantage that the sun in the afternoon would be strong, and it would not be easy to get wind chills, she had the kitchen lift the wooden tub into Xiao Zuo’s bedchambers, added the hot water and herbs, and prepared it there for him to bathe.

Xiao Zuo did not have much appetite today, and had Qing Xing leave the lunch in the room and had her retreat.

It was easy to get drowsy in the winter. He laid back on the bed and rested for a bit, and was full after having some lunch. Seeing the tub filled with hot water, he reached out with his hand to touch- it was still hot, so he took off his clothes and soaked in, only revealing a head outside. The temperature of the hot water was just right, whatever fatigue and worries Xiao Zuo had were all immediately washed away by the water, and only felt his body was comfortable. He comfortably sighed, then rested his head on the wooden tub and closed his eyes.

He Xuan was wrapped in a fur coat and stopped in front of Xiao Zuo’s bedchambers’ doors. It just so happened that Zi Wan was waiting outside, so He Xuan asked, “Ig have come to send some winter clothes for the Nan Hun Duke, is he inside?”

Zi Wan saw Qing Xing just send in lunch, and thought that Xiao Zuo should still eating, and nodded her head, “The duke should still be eating. Please enter, your Highness.”

He Xuan waved his hand at her, and Zi Wan very consciously retreated back.

Just as He Xuan pushed open the door, he felt a wave of humid and hot steam enshroud over, even carrying a faint, slight acrid fragrance.

Xiao Zuo was sleeping in the wooden tub all barren from head to toe. The water vapour made his cheeks emit a red colour, his eyelashes were even moistened with fine water bead, slightly shaking. He half-opened his mouth, with the lips all a bright red, opening and closing like it was attempting to seduce [him].

He Xuan abruptly closed the doors, subconsciously held his breath in like a thief, and very lightly walked to Xiao Zuo’s side. Seeing Xiao Zuo still asleep, He Xuan lowered his eyes, and, like the ghosts and gods got to him, reached out with his hands, and lightly poked at his red and wet lips. Xiao Zuo seemed to be irritated by his icy cold finger, and let out an uncomfortable whine.

He Xuan’s heart jumped, then blankly took his hand back, and felt like his own breathing turned hurried. He picked up the wooden spoon floating in the wooden tub, and scooped up a ladle of water, then poured it on Xiao Zuo’s shoulders. Xiao Zuo then barely woke up, and muttered with a bit of a nasal tone, “Help me massage the shoulders, it’s a bit stiff from sleeping.”

He Xuan pursed his lips, and his throat unnaturally moved a bit. He extended his hands into the hot water to soak for a bit, and once the hands were warm, he then placed them on Xiao Zuo’s shoulders and started massaging.

He practised in horsemanship and archery before, so the strength in his hands would naturally be stronger than typical servant girls. His hands even had old calluses from pulling on bowstrings and practising the sword, and when stroking Xiao Zuo, there would be some numbing itch. Xiao Zuo’s body was sensitive, and not a while later, was so ticklish he could not help but softly laugh, and hurriedly said, “Alright alright, how is the strength in your hands so big, it tickles me so much.”

He Xuan’s heart got even tighter from this laugh of his, and felt his entire brain was so hot it wasn’t clearheaded anymore, and lowered down his head and stuck by Xiao Zuo’s ears, “The duke has such fortune, this is the first time Ig have served someone.”

Xiao Zuo was closing his eyes, and once he got scared by He Xuan, he got so surprised that both arms hit the surface of the water. The splashed up water completely dampened He Xuan’s clothes who stood at the back.

[Xiao Zuo] widened his eyes and turned his head around, and just met with He Xuan’s gloomy gaze, then abruptly recalled that he was still completely bare, and half-shyly half-angrily soaked his entire body down, and slightly awkwardly cleared his throat, “Why is your Highness here?”

He Xuan lowered his head and saw the brocade that had been soaked. The deep-coloured water stains crept at the front of his chest, so he took off his outer cloak while getting the idea to play around, and opened his mouth to joke with him, “This is the winter clothes that his Majesty has bestowed megu , now that it’s been dampened by you, how would you repay me?”

Xiao Zuo knitted his brows, and slightly guiltily looked, “In a moment, I will dry it with hot air then.”

“Mm.” He Xuan stroked his chin, and said in dissatisfaction, “Just this? You should prepare dinner for megu as well, no?”

“If your Highness does not mind it, that is of course.” Xiao Zuo saw He Xuan did not have the intent of leaving yet. The water had already gotten a bit cold, but he didn’t dare to get up either. He hesitated for a while, but still opened his mouth, “Please turn around, your Highness, I will speak with you after I get up.”

“You and I are all men, so what if you are seen.” He Xuan thought of teasing him, and lifted an eyebrow at him. Xiao Zuo’s entire body tightened up from him looking. He used up all his brainpower, yet could not think of words to retort him. He felt like his tongue was tied, and after a while, then stuttered, “I…… i-i-if you look at me like this I, I……”

He Xuan saw him so stifled his face was all red, with two hands grabbing at the edge of the wooden tub, biting down his lower lip while staring at the floor. The water in the tub was probably already cold, if he were to harass him any further, it would be hard to avoid getting a cold. He Xuan sighed, and subconsciously reached out to stroke Xiao Zuo’s wet hair, “Ig will leave, hurry and get up.”

In this lifetime, only Nan Liang’s former emperor touched the top of Xiao Zuo’s head when he was young, there weren’t any other audacious fellows like so who would dare pluck hairs from a tiger’s mouth. So when he was suddenly stroked by He Xuan, he was so shocked his neck was all stiff, and blankly nodded his head. He took a cloth and wiped down his body with his head turned into a mush. When dressing, he almost tripped on himself, but fortunately, in the most critical moment, he propped onto the wooden tub, and then thankfully avoided being laughed at by He Xuan.

Once he fixed his clothes, his hair was still a bit wet, so Zi Wan took a dry towel in and helped him wipe his hair. Xiao Zuo idly stared at the figure in the yellow bronze mirror, unknown what for, but actually recalled just now, that crude and numbing sensation on the shoulders, and that unexpected and intimate action.

“Duke?” Zi Wan finished drying the hair, and laid the towel on the wooden rack, then helped Xiao Zuo fix the collar. Seeing he was still in a daze thinking about something, she lightly pushed him. Xiao Zuo then abruptly came to, and was so shocked by his own deviation and society-shocking idea that he was rejected it, and hurriedly changed the topic, “His Highness the Crown Prince will be staying to have a meal tonight. Have the kitchen make some dishes he likes eating, don’t have them find a fault.”

“This servant understands, this servant will go ask.” Zi Wan was just about lift her foot and leave, but was pulled at the sleeves by Xiao Zuo again, “Where is he?”

“His Highness is at the courtyard.”

Xiao Zuo hummed for a bit, then lifted his chin, “You go then, I will go out and walk around.”