Chapter 852 – Side Story: My Husband is the Spirit Keeper (3)
The woman said, “You’ve secluded yourself here; you must have looked into the past, right? Don’t deny it. I know better than you what books are in the study. The world is unstable, and there are many conflicts within the court. Mother spends seven to eight hours a day dealing with court affairs. You can follow the Grand Tutor into the palace and see her a few times a year, but what about me? You throw tantrums when you’re bored and refuse to study, while the Grand Tutor patiently comforts you. What about me? I can only accompany books, always learning things that never end. In my free time, they drag me to the common folk to see their plight. I’ve been a dock laborer, learned to beg on the streets, and hidden in the countryside to investigate local sentiments… Wei Cong, can I resent you too? I’m even afraid to fall ill; aside from the maidservant, no one stays by my side. If you feel a little unwell, the Grand Tutor stays up all night guarding you while Mother, lost in her duties, keeps asking the court physicians for updates. Wei Cong, you live a carefree and happy life, but have you thought about how others live in deep waters and fiery flames?”
Outside, Wan Yue listened with a heavy heart.
“Before Mother passed, she said she regretted letting you live so comfortably! That’s why you have so much time to think aimlessly. The Grand Tutor feels guilty and has pampered you too much. If mere rumors can leave you unsettled, tell me, aside from the throne, what else do you have that is worth being unsettled about?” the woman continued. “This world was founded by Mother; you are merely her son, not her avatar. She can give this world to whomever she chooses; what does it matter that you are her son? Must she leave the world to you?”
The young man, unable to endure any longer, replied, “I never wanted this world! I just want her to acknowledge my identity, so I can call her ‘Mother’ properly and be recorded in the family tree… but everyone tells me I am merely her shame!”
In his youth, he hadn’t understood and was used by others, becoming a blade thrust into the heart of those closest to him—how could he have thought this way?
He had been the spirit keeper for twelve years, truly believing he was an unfilial child, not feeling a trace of sorrow?
“You are recorded as the legitimate son in the Wei family tree,” the woman said. “The primary wife next to the Grand Tutor is listed as Liu Lan Ting.”
The young man was momentarily taken aback.
“Mother only wanted one child; she took the risk of giving birth to you due to her concern for the Grand Tutor. Her original intent was for you to accompany the Grand Tutor and inherit the Wei clan,” the woman added suddenly. “In front of others, I can only call him ‘Grand Tutor’; I also want to call him ‘Father’ properly.”
The young man had no words to respond.
“Forget it; these are all old tales from over a decade ago. That’s not why I’m here to waste time with you today,” the woman said. “You and that Wan Yue should be getting married; as your sister, I should give you a congratulatory gift. If your descendants can be of great use, I will allow them an official position. If you’ve come to terms with things, send someone to tell me. If not, continue being your spirit keeper.”
Many years ago, before Mother passed, she had a will, forbidding Wei Cong from leaving the spirits for twelve years, and now that time limit had finally expired.
This was Wan Yue’s first and last time seeing Wei Cong’s biological sister, Jiang Yan.
Upon seeing her come out, Wan Yue hurriedly saluted.
Jiang Yan stood beside her and suddenly spoke, “Take good care of him for me, but don’t spoil him too much.”
“Me?”
Wan Yue was startled, realizing the other had already left, leaving behind countless “betrothal gifts” and “dowries.”
“Young Master? Your sister…”
The young man wore a gloomy expression, feeling quite unhappy as he strummed the strings of the qin absentmindedly.
“Call me Fushou; I want to hear someone address me that way again.”
The young man’s name was Wei Cong, with the courtesy name Tingzhang, a once-renowned figure in the “Zhangzuo Crown Prince Incident.”
“Fushou… she…”
Wan Yue hadn’t finished speaking when the young man hoarsely said, “She won’t be coming back; you should… go.”
“Do you want me to leave?” Wan Yue clutched her sleeve, biting her lip, “That’s fair… with my status, how can I match up to you…”
How could she have imagined that the young man, always dressed in simple clothes, was actually of royal blood?
Wan Yue was just a countryside girl; though she had learned from him for several years, she ultimately lacked a few factors.
To say something harshly, even wearing a dragon robe, he didn’t resemble a prince.
The young man silently plucked the strings of the qin, not speaking for a while before saying, “Being with me is too dull for you.”
Wan Yue replied, “I’ve lived here with you for six years; did you ever hear me say it was dull?”
The young man felt annoyed and set the qin aside.
“Call me once more.”
Wan Yue initially thought there was no chance left; hearing him say this, after hesitating, she called out sweetly, “Fushou.”
The young man said, “When I was young, I made a terrible mistake. Even after guarding the spirits for twelve years, the wounds in my heart remain unhealed.”
Wan Yue asked, “Since you regret it so much, why did you argue with that lord earlier?”
The young man did not respond.
He feared conceding would mean even the last willing family member would cease to care for him.
He had been a spirit keeper for twelve years, seeing his sister only twice.
The first time was when he was just sent to the imperial mausoleum behind the mountain; the second time was today.
He was of humble birth, while she sat upon the dragon throne.
If she didn’t want to remember him, he couldn’t even enter the imperial city, let alone see her.
“There are some things… you don’t understand…” The young man lowered his head, most of his face hidden in shadow.
Indeed, Wan Yue did not understand.
The young man continued, “She still has patience for me; I can ask her to grant you a good marriage.”
After all, she was a student he had personally guided; considering talent, few noble girls in the royal city could match Wan Yue’s.
If she were given a good status, her later years would surely be prosperous.
Wan Yue, though previously saddened, suddenly smiled upon hearing the young man’s words.
The young man asked, “What are you laughing at?”
Wan Yue replied, “I just think there’s still hope for me to stay by your side. If you didn’t mind me, why bother using the word ‘ask’? I’ve spent many years with you, and you’d never used such a term. Now you’re willing to use it for me, it indicates I still hold weight in your heart. Don’t you think I should be happy about that?”
The young man was speechless.
Wan Yue continued, “I’m just a countryside girl, yet now I have the opportunity to be bound to you; how can I not be happy?”
The young man looked at Wan Yue, vaguely understanding why Jiang Yan’s confidant had chosen her to be by his side.
“Fushou, your sister… is truly the Empress?”
Wan Yue rested her chin on her hands, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling.
She had heard that both previous Empresses were benevolent rulers beloved by the people.
Especially the current Emperor, who was known for his integrity and care for the populace. When he ascended the throne, he vowed to emulate his mother and had remained unmarried.
Though single, a few years ago he had a daughter, with no knowledge of her father’s identity.
However, for the common people, their concerns revolved around the Emperor’s achievements; his private life was of less focus.
When she was little, Wan Yue often listened to her father talk about the merits of both emperors.
Her father, who had come from chaotic times, held both emperors in high regard. In his words, a good emperor was one who allowed the common people to live well. As for court conflicts, they felt too far removed from the commoners’ lives.
Influenced by her father, Wan Yue was also a fan of the Empress.
Seeing her face flush, the young man couldn’t help but feel a little blocked, thinking of his sister’s appearance.
Wan Yue asked, “So… will Fushou continue to guard the spirits here?”
The young man replied, “Mother… the late Emperor punished me to guard the spirits for twelve years… At first, I wanted to leave constantly, but now I don’t want to anymore.”
Wan Yue questioned curiously, “Because the heart knot isn’t resolved? Or is it the twelve years haven’t passed?”
“The term has expired; otherwise, how would the Empress lower herself to come this far?” the young man said, his words somewhat insincere. He was evidently looking forward to this day. Occasionally, he learned from market books how busy this royal sister was, not at all leisurely like Mother had been, to carve out time for such a journey was truly not easy, “I just don’t want to leave.”
Wan Yue asked, “Why not?”
“You probably don’t know… If I hadn’t been so foolish back then and made such a grave mistake… how could the late Emperor have passed away so early?”
But Wan Yue felt somewhat disagreeable, saying, “But I heard… I only heard Father mention, the late Emperor wasn’t in good health, and she had intentions of abdicating back then… I think, given her sense of responsibility to the people, if there hadn’t been insurmountable factors, she wouldn’t have easily cast aside the burden and allowed the Emperor to ascend, right? Perhaps back then, the late Emperor really was unwell and wanted to pass on the burdens…”
The following words might touch the young man’s sore spot, so Wan Yue hesitated.
The young man said, “Keep talking.”
Wan Yue scratched her head, “Well, I was thinking, maybe the late Emperor’s condition wasn’t good at that time; she wanted to rest and truly see her kingdom? She invested most of her life for it, ending chaotic times; if she didn’t take a good look, wouldn’t that be a regret?”
The young man silently stared at Wan Yue.
“Since your time as spirit keeper has ended, why not go out and see more, give the late Emperor a good look at her kingdom? Your painting skills are outstanding; you could capture it all on canvas.”
Wan Yue intended to advise the young man to let go of his burdens. Seeing the redness in his eyes, she found herself unsure of what to say next.
“Let me lean on you… just for a moment.”
The young man leaned on her shoulder, remaining silent for a long while.
Outside, night fell, and the young man gathered his emotions, rising to open a box set aside in a corner of the study.
The box had sixteen compartments, stacked neatly.
For many years, Wan Yue had never seen him open any of the boxes.
“This is Father’s brush and ink.” As the young man opened one, Wan Yue could still smell the ink lingering on it. As he unfolded it, a magnificent scene emerged before her eyes. She realized where the young man’s astonishing talent in painting came from, “He rarely painted people; most were landscapes. Looking at his work before, I always thought he was pent up inside; only now do I understand how shallow I was.”
Wan Yue then understood these boxes contained the young man’s father’s belongings.
They were filled with books, copied poetry, and paintings; aside from a few land deeds, there were no other valuables.
“The gentle breeze has not stopped, the path is filled with floral scents, the crimson clouds stretch for thousands of miles…”
The painting depicted blooming lotus flowers, their leaves swaying in the wind, and one could almost smell the fragrant aroma.
In the lake, a pavilion stood with a graceful figure, seemingly gazing towards the viewer with a smile.
The young man smiled and said, “The person in the painting is Mother; he only painted Mother.”
