Chapter 116

Chapter 116: As Long As You Like

Huo Zheng pushed the swing set, sending Chun Zhi up high.

Chun Zhi let out a small cry, gripping the ropes tight. As the swing rose, the night wind met her face and she caught a glimpse of the scenery beyond the wall.

When she was a girl, she envied the young misses who could swing; most of them had fathers and older brothers who doted on them. Back then, Lu Jing Yun treated her fairly well, but his mind was set on study and winning honors, so he never noticed little things like this. Chun Zhi grew up early and worked hard just to get by, so of course she would not trouble him over something so small.

Year after year passed, and she decided she was grown. Swinging, a game for little misses, was something she should not touch again. So every time Song Wan’er played on the swing, Chun Zhi only stood aside and watched. When Song Wan’er called her to join, she always shook her head.

Tonight, when Huo Zheng lifted her onto the swing without a word, Chun Zhi realized: [I still love swinging after all.]

Huo Zheng stood behind her and pushed, again and again.

The swing soared, chasing the last light of evening and tangling with drifting petals.

Chun Zhi closed her eyes and felt the night wind and the joy of the moment.

When the swing sank, Huo Zheng caught the ropes and kissed her brow, then whispered: “As long as you like it, you can swing anytime.”

He meant more than the swing. As long as Chun Zhi liked something, she could do it anytime.

Chun Zhi smiled and said softly: “Then push me a little higher.”

“Alright,” Huo Zheng replied, and he sent the swing higher.

That night, Chun Zhi swung for a long time and only climbed down after she had her fill. Huo Zheng seemed set on making up for all the years she had missed; when she finally stepped off, her head was a little dizzy.

Huo Zheng helped her back to the small courtyard and said: “Rest well. No need to see me out tonight.”

Chun Zhi hummed in answer and lifted her eyes to watch him leave.

Little Xing Hui slept soundly on the bed.

Petals drifted past the window, and everything was quiet and beautiful.

A few days later, the incident at Princess Royal Anyang Manor was known all over the capital.

As Song Wan’er kept Chun Zhi company with their needlework, Qing Ye, who had gone out shopping with the maids, returned. She said: “Miss, everyone outside says Grand Preceptor Wang will marry Sixth Miss Wang to Top Scholar Lu as a co-wife.”

“Is that so?” Chun Zhi asked without pausing her stitching.

Song Wan’er said: “What co-wife? That is just a fancy way to say concubine. Wang Yi Yue and Lu Jing Yun were seen lying on the same bed at the Princess Royal Manor, and everyone is talking about it. Even if Grand Preceptor Wang cannot bear to part with this daughter, he can only marry Wang Yi Yue to Lu Jing Yun now.”

The one who would feel worst about this was likely Ji Ru Zhen. Back in Linshui Town, when Chun Zhi left the Lu Clan on her own, Ji Ru Zhen still hounded her, using her status to press Chun Zhi down. Now another woman of near-equal standing, Sixth Miss Wang, was going to marry Lu Jing Yun as a co-wife. The Lu Clan was going to be lively.

Qing Ye said: “Chancellor Ji has not agreed yet, but the Wang Clan has already made up its mind to marry Sixth Miss Wang to Top Scholar Lu. There will be drama ahead.”

Jin Yi and Luo Shang clapped at once and said: “Serves Sixth Miss Wang right for scheming against our miss!”

Chun Zhi said little. She had no deep feud with Sixth Miss Wang. It was Sixth Miss Wang who wanted to marry Huo Zheng and be the Princess Consort of Chang’an, so she kept picking fights with Chun Zhi. At Princess Royal Anyang Manor, Wang Yi Yue moved first with a bad heart and reaped what she sowed, ending up like this.

Chun Zhi did not wish to make enemies. Now that Wang Yi Yue and Ji Ru Zhen were set to fight over a husband, let them fight. She only wanted to live her own life well.

“Sister,” Song Wan’er whispered when she saw Chun Zhi show no joy at the news: “It seems you really have let go of that Top Scholar Lu, to hear this and stay so calm.”

Chun Zhi smiled and said: “He became someone else’s husband long ago. If I do not let go, what is there to hold on to?”

Even if Lu Jing Yun wanted to take ten or eight concubines, what did that have to do with her?

They were still talking when a maid announced from outside: “Madam Chancellor and Madam Lu are here to visit and have asked to see Miss by name. Will Miss receive them?”

These days Song An Lan was busy and not at Song Manor by day. Aside from Huo Zheng, who came every day, this was the first time guests had come calling.

Chun Zhi thought it over. If it were only Ji Ru Zhen, she would refuse to see her. But today Madam Chancellor had come as well. Chancellor Ji held great power and could not be slighted.

Seeing Chun Zhi hesitate, Song Wan’er stood and said: “Lu Jing Yun is about to take Wang Yi Yue as a co-wife, yet Ji Ru Zhen did not go to the Wang Clan and came to our Song Manor instead. Strange. She asks for you by name, which cannot mean anything good. Sister, do not worry. I will go send them away.”

She started toward the door, ready to protect her sister while their elder brother was gone.

“Wan’er,” Chun Zhi called, stopping her: “They came for me. I should go.”

She put away her needle and thread and rose.

“Then I will go with Sister,” Song Wan’er said. She had heard that the capital’s noble ladies were very good at putting on airs, and that Madam Chancellor was among the best. She would not let her sister be bullied and would stay close, ready to help.

“Alright,” Chun Zhi replied. She led Song Wan’er toward the front hall and told a maid to invite Madam Chancellor and Ji Ru Zhen inside. Since she was going to be the Princess Consort of Chang’an, she would have to deal with people like this; she could take today as a lesson in advance.

The maid soon led the Ji mother and daughter in. When Chun Zhi and Song Wan’er reached the front hall, they saw them enter. With Ji Ru Zhen came a group of senior maids and attendants. At the front was a well-dressed woman in her forties with a string of prayer beads in her hand. The capital was full of talk that Madam Chancellor loved to offer prayers; this must be her.

Chun Zhi stepped forward with Song Wan’er and said: “Madam Chancellor, Madam Lu, to what do we owe the visit?”

Ji Ru Zhen was about to speak when Madam Chancellor caught sight of Chun Zhi’s face and her expression changed. She said: “You, you are…”

Seeing Madam Ji’s look, Chun Zhi smiled and asked: “Madam Chancellor, what is the matter?”

“Mother…” Ji Ru Zhen took her arm and asked in a low voice: “Are you alright?”

Madam Ji studied Chun Zhi, shocked. This Song family miss looked so much like that person. How could she look so alike?