HMAM CH 67 Summer Retreat
As the scorching heat of summer approached, Shaochang Temple took early action to ensure the Huange Mountain Villa was well-prepared. Once May had passed, they reported to the palace and the emperor moved into the villa.
Though it was called a mountain villa, it was actually a temporary palace built by the previous emperor in the southern outskirts of the city. While it was not as grand and imposing as the heavily fortified palaces within the imperial city, it was still architecturally beautiful and had flowing water and pavilions.
Naturally, Jing Ye would not be the only one moving there. Jing Yun and two playmates were to accompany him, and Gu, Lu, and Lin could not be left behind either. All were assigned quarters and brought their personal servants. The Noble Consort Xiang, who had recently gained the emperor's favor, would also go.
The previous emperor loved collecting books, so he had constructed a library in the villa. However, Jing Ye's predecessor had indulged in pleasures and neglected state affairs, causing this library to fall into disuse.
Upon hearing this, Shaochang Temple reported the situation, and Jing Ye ordered half of the palace's library staff to be transferred to the villa, as well as a few scholars from the Hanlin Academy, well-versed in classics and history, to assist in organizing the books.
On the eve of moving to the villa, in the small courtyard of the Feng residence, Feng Ling was concentrating on his painting when he suddenly heard a servant say, “The madam has arrived.”
Feng Ling quickly put down his brush and stood up. Madam Feng had entered the room. Seeing Feng Ling standing by the painting table, she said, “You’re leaving home tomorrow; why aren’t you resting?”
Feng Ling smiled, “I promised Yang Ziran I would finish his painting; he’s in a hurry for it.”
Madam Feng looked at the canvas on the table, which depicted a still unfinished painting of a lady. The woman’s eyebrows and figure were alluring, causing her heart to stir. Yet she said, “You’ve learned tricks to charm ladies son of the Yang family; be careful your father doesn’t scold you.”
Feng Ling displayed a helpless smile, saying, “I wanted to turn it down, but I couldn’t resist his beseeches.”
Madam Feng probed, “I see that though you liked painting, you only sketched with a few strokes. Why are you now painting figures?”
Feng Ling paused for a moment and replied, “I… I’ve found that painting figures is very interesting, so I practice often.”
Madam Feng, having raised him, could tell whether he was being dismissive or truthful. Her eyes glanced over to a corner of the table where scrolls were piled and she said, “Is this all your work? Let me see.”
Feng Ling hesitated, “Mother…” He was about to stop her, but upon seeing Madam Feng already reaching for one of the scrolls, he let it be.
As Madam Feng unfurled the painting, her heart sank. She had once accompanied her husband into the palace to meet the emperor, and the young man in the yellow robe, smiling warmly, was none other than the current emperor.
“You…”
Feng Ling quietly looked at her, his eyes filled with both regret and determination. “Mother, since childhood, Father has taught me to be loyal and steadfast. If I were to abandon that, wouldn’t it be a betrayal of the sage’s teachings?”
Madam Feng was furious, “Loyal and steadfast… what do you mean by that! Your father taught you to be upright, not to disrespect the emperor!”
Feng Ling pursed his lips and responded, “I did not disrespect the emperor.”
Madam Feng rolled the scroll back up, unable to decide whether to keep it or toss it aside. Ultimately, she sighed and returned it to the tube.
She had raised this son, did she not know him? Although Feng Ling always adhered to rules and followed the sage's teachings, there was a time when he acted rashly. While other children learned from their mistakes, Feng Ling was the type to hit his head against the wall repeatedly, continuing until he was bruised and bloodied before finally stopping.
Madam Feng retreated to her chair while Feng Ling knelt in front of her, his robes lifted. “I am unfilial, Mother; please do not let it affect your health.”
Madam Feng waved her hand, exhausted. “You’ve reached the age where you should set up your own household. I only kept you in the family in hopes of having a lively home. Very well. We will not intervene in this matter; if anything arises, you will handle it.”
Though parents might say such things, if something truly happened, how could they turn their backs?
Feng Ling understood this all too well. The greatest unfilial act is to have no descendants, and feeling guilty, he bowed his head, got up, and escorted Madam Feng out.
The next day, a grand procession set out from the palace to the southern outskirts, arriving at the villa. The villa was situated by the mountains and waters, and the pavilions and corridors were thoughtfully arranged to provide respite from the summer heat, cooling the fierce summer by about half, especially in the Wanhe Songfeng where Jing Ye stayed, which was built by the water and shaded by trees, making it an incredibly pleasant place to enjoy the cool.
The soft couch was laid with hibiscus cushions. After having lunch, Jing Ye intended to take a short nap but fell asleep due to the soothing breeze from the swaying curtains.
When he woke, he found himself in bed with Lin Xiaosheng lying beside him; their black hair intertwined without distinction between them.
Jing Ye supported himself up on his elbow; the moment he moved, Lin Xiaosheng woke, blinking his eyes and lifting his eyelids to look at Jing Ye, then wrapping an arm around Jing Ye’s waist.
Jing Ye asked, “Where are Gu Hong and the others?”
Lin Xiaosheng replied with his eyes still closed, “Seeing Your Majesty sleeping soundly, they did not disturb you and have returned to their own quarters.”
“Hmm.” Jing Ye yawned and called for Ye Mao to come in, “Zhen is hungry.”
Ye Mao went out to instruct the kitchen staff to send dinner, and maids entered carrying food boxes to set the table. Lin Xiaosheng also tied up his hair and got out of bed.
Two bowls of fresh rice porridge and several exquisite summer dishes were served. Lin Xiaosheng noticed that Jing Ye still looked sluggish after sleeping for so long and suggested, “Sleeping too much is not good for your health. Your Majesty should go outside for some fresh air. This subject heard there’s a garden nearby that, being close to the mountains and water, is cool and pleasant even in the hot summer. It would be a good place to escape the heat.”
Ye Mao chimed in, laughing, “If Your Majesty finds staying in Songfeng Hall stifling, hunting and relaxing is the best remedy; if Your Majesty desires, this servant can prepare for it this instant.”
Jing Ye was quite tempted by what they said. Since the heat had intensified in May, he hadn’t ventured out much. But he was not accustomed to being cooped up like a noble lady, and after more than half a month without moving, his limbs had become stiff.
Feeling a sudden desire, Jing Ye quickly set things in motion. The left captain of guards by his side was Yang Ziran, and he swiftly prepared for the journey.
Jing Ye rode on Obsidian and first strolled around the nearby woods. By the time he returned from the outing, the stifling summer heat had dissipated. Although he couldn't draw his bow and shoot arrows, the young guards who accompanied him, seeing their emperor in a good mood, were uninhibited and managed to catch quite a few game.
Yang Ziran, being the head of the guards, was not willing to be outdone and even found a wolf den.
Jing Ye looked at the wolf cubs presented to him, one in particular stood out—a pure white cub without a single blemish.
“Your Majesty is truly blessed to have come across a white cub,” Yang Ziran laughed. “It is said that white cubs are an omen of good fortune, and we congratulate Your Majesty.”
Jing Ye was skeptical of the superstition, but seeing the cubs with their eyes still shut, huddled together and appearing quite adorable, he decided to have them brought back to be kept by Jing Xiao Yun and the others for fun.
By evening, the hunting expedition concluded, and they returned in high spirits.
Jing Ye ordered the kitchen to prepare the game as dishes to reward the accompanying guards. Yang Ziran had also presented a jar of tribute wine from the western regions; since there was nothing else to do that evening, he filled the table with food and wine and excitedly sought out his friend in the library.
“I heard the head of the imperial kitchen, Steward Yan, has excellent culinary skills, and all of His Majesty’s meals go through her hands. Today, let’s take this chance to enjoy this imperial feast.”
Feng Ling glanced at the wine being handed to him; the white porcelain cup held clear, smooth wine, and when he swirled it gently, the amber light danced, indicating its high quality.
Yang Ziran laughed boisterously, “You’re such an oddity; there’s no alcohol that can bring you down. I’ll see if this imperial tribute can coax some genuine words out of you.”
Feng Ling chuckled, saying, “The painting you entrusted me with is finished. You can go take it from the inner room after we finish drinking.”
Yang Ziran responded, “No hurry, let’s drink, drink, drink!”
Thus, the two enjoyed their food and wine, exchanging banter. As they reached the end of the meal, Yang Ziran swayed his head, let out a belch, and stared at Feng Ling, “You oddity…” He hadn't finished his sentence before he closed his eyes and collapsed onto the table, unconscious.
Feng Ling smiled, pouring more wine, yet despite downing over half a jar of strong alcohol, there was little difference in his demeanor. He placed his cup back on the table, stood up, shook his sleeves, and strolled outside.
The attendant serving him rushed forward and said, “My lord, are you planning to go out? It’s a curfew outside, and no unauthorized personnel is allowed to roam about.”
Feng Ling shook his head, “I have important matters and need to see His Majesty.”
Ignoring the attendant's warnings, he stepped out of the courtyard and indeed headed towards Wanhe Songfeng, where the emperor resided.
According to the previous emperor's decree, the library was quite close to Wanhe Songfeng, and since the Hanlin scholars were close officials of the emperor, they could easily go before the emperor without obstruction. Therefore, the guards, believing Feng Ling held a summons, did not impede his entry.
The attendant, unable to dissuade him, followed behind with a worried expression, saying, “My lord, this isn’t right; His Majesty is likely resting at this hour, and disturbing him would result in severe punishment.”
Feng Ling calmly placed his hands within his sleeves, saying, “It’s fine.”
Upon hearing this, the attendant felt there was something off but had no choice but to follow him to the gates of Wanhe Songfeng. The guards, seeing someone asking to see the emperor at such a late hour, exchanged strange glances, wondering since Lord Lin had just exited, who could this be seeking an audience with the emperor?
Cough, while their imaginations ran wild, the guards still had the little eunuch at the front gate go in to report.
Jing Ye was busy reading a memorial when Ye Mao entered to report that Feng Ling was asking to see him. His heart jumped, fearing something had gone wrong, and hurriedly said, “Let him in.”
Unable to focus on the memorial anymore, he tossed it aside and waited as Feng Ling walked in and stood before him. He looked him up and down, noting he was neither injured nor anxious, and asked, “Feng Qing?”
Feng Ling first saluted formally, then clasped his hands together, saying, “This subject has important matters to inform Your Majesty.”
Jing Ye replied, “Speak.”
Feng Ling fixed his gaze on him, and Jing Ye finally noticed something unusual; there seemed to be a faint blush on the corners of his eyes, and a glimmer of light in his gaze, his eyes sparkling like exquisite amber.
Feng Ling began, “This subject…” and had scarcely uttered a word more before suddenly stumbling forward and collapsing to the ground.
Jing Ye was taken aback, shouting, “Feng Qing!” and rushing down to help him up. “Ye Mao! Send for the imperial physician!”
Ye Mao hurried inside, equally puzzled by the situation. He quickly dispatched a young eunuch to summon the physician while he and Jing Ye carried Feng Ling to a soft couch in the inner chamber.
Jing Ye felt Feng Ling’s forehead, which was a bit warm, but his breathing was steady, indicating he likely had no internal injuries. “What on earth happened?”
Ye Mao, standing nearby, sniffed the air, pondered for a while, and cautiously said, “Could it be that Lord Feng is… drunk?”
As if to confirm his words, Feng Ling turned his head, his forehead grazing Jing Ye’s palm as he murmured, “Your Majesty…”
Jing Ye: “…”