Song of the Bright Moon Chapter 57

Looking at the arm stretched in front of her, Shen Yujiao’s cheeks burned.

Half a year apart, and this man was still so reckless!

Yet he seemed wholly unaware, solemnly asking: “Well? Do you smell it? Does it smell good?”

Shen Yujiao forced herself: “It does.”

“Then smell a little more?”

Xie Wuling leaned his tall frame nearer, as if perfectly open-handed: “Go on, smell all you like, don’t be polite with me.”

So close now, Shen Yujiao truly did catch the rich fragrance lingering on his body.

At first whiff, it was the deep, warm fragrance of Penglai incense; on closer breath, the spicy heat of cardamom; mingled within was also the clean, fresh scent of soap pods. All of it surged toward her together with the man’s scorching breath, making her heartbeat falter in confusion. She hurriedly raised her hand to push him away: “Enough, enough—sit back and speak properly.”

Seeing the swift flush climbing over her cheeks, Xie Wuling’s brows twitched, his heart itching as well.

He truly wished he could be closer to her still.

But lowering his eyes, in the end he sat back obediently, and after a thought, shifted his stool farther away.

At least this way he would breathe in less of that soul-stirring fragrance from her body, so as not to grow dizzy and lose control.

“You still haven’t said—how are you here?”

Steadying herself, Shen Yujiao’s face was full of puzzlement: “Shouldn’t you be in Jinling right now? When did you come to Chang’an? And how did you slip into the Marquis’s residence, even finding my aunt’s courtyard?”

“I didn’t slip in—I came openly, as a guest with the young shizi of Marquis Zhennan.”

Though this courtyard, admittedly, he had slipped into.

Xie Wuling gave a cough, and under Shen Yujiao’s questioning gaze, pulled out a waist token: “I’m now serving as the young shizi Huo’s personal guard. Look, this is the Huo family’s token—it couldn’t be fake.”

Every noble household’s tokens had unique markings. At a glance at the craftsmanship, Shen Yujiao knew it was real. Still she asked: “But how did you become the Huo household’s guard?”

With no outsiders present, Xie Wuling did not hide it, and recounted in one breath everything that had happened since their parting in Jinling.

“…The water bandits in Ningzhou mostly stir in spring and summer. In this dead of winter, staying in camp is like growing mushrooms. Since Commander Huo valued me and was willing to give me such a fine post, of course I accepted. See—this time when I return, I’ll be promoted two ranks. I’ll be a squad leader, commanding a hundred men under me!”

His eyes burned with eagerness, his voice brimming with excitement: “Once April comes and the sea bandits show themselves, I’ll wipe them out to the last. If I can seize a few of their chieftains—or, if fortune smiles, cut off Chen Liang’s head outright—such merit would mean not just promotion to company commander, but even directly to a fourth-rank Zhechong Captain!”

In Xie Wuling’s eyes, Chen Liang’s head was no human head, but a golden, gleaming fourth-rank title.

As long as he could claim it, it would be a stepping stone, bringing him closer to Shen Yujiao.

Shen Yujiao too could see the feverish ambition flickering in his black eyes.

No doubt after the tempering of the army and bloodshed at sea, the man before her had changed from half a year ago.

Less of the idle, muddled scoundrel who loitered on the streets, and more of a fierce, intimidating aura that made one afraid.

She could not tell if this was a good thing. A street ruffian lived muddled yet carefree, solid and unburdened; now, in the army, with greater goals before him, he lived days licking blood from the edge of the blade, becoming ruthless and cold.

And these changes—were because of her.

For a moment, tangled emotions surged in waves within her chest. Though the brazier made the room warm and cozy, Shen Yujiao felt hot and cold all at once, her heart swaying as though strung high on a thread.

“Jiaojiao, what’s wrong?”

Xie Wuling’s brows knit as he stared at her suddenly pale face: “Are you unwell somewhere?”

Shen Yujiao gazed at him quietly for a long while before she found her voice: “You… you’ve gone into the army. And Ping’an?”

At the mention of Ping’an, Xie Wuling looked a little guilty, rubbing his nose: “Ping’an has the Pei family’s old nurse and servants caring for him. I gave them our courtyard to live in, and handed Aunt Liu several ingots of gold to help look after him… The money the Pei family left behind, I entrusted all to Sixth Master for safekeeping. If I die in Ningzhou, that silver will still be enough for Ping’an to study and take a wife.”

As for after marriage—that wasn’t his concern. Once grown, a child must make his own way, not depend on his parents forever.

Seeing Shen Yujiao frown in silence, Xie Wuling thought she was angry. He hastily said: “Jiaojiao, don’t be upset. That child is very good. Before I left, I told him—only when father wins honor and rank can he bring your mother back. He stopped crying at once.”

Here he glanced at her expression: “The boy misses you too. He’s hoping we can be reunited as a family.”

Shen Yujiao’s lashes trembled, her heart a mixture of emotions. In the end, she could not bring herself to blame him, only sighed softly: “…When the weather warms, I’ll speak with… him, and bring the child back.”

That “him” made Xie Wuling’s face stiffen.

His fists clenched silently atop his knees. In a muffled voice, he said: “With Aunt Liu and so many others caring for him, there’s no need to hurry. After all, a child only begins learning at three. Who knows, I may soon take Chen Liang’s head and be promoted to fourth rank. Once I have a household of my own, I’ll naturally bring him to me to raise.”

“Do you think killing bandits is so easy? I may not know the exact state in Ningzhou, but exchanging a single head for a fourth-rank post—this Chen Liang you speak of can’t be any ordinary man.”

Shen Yujiao pressed her lips together, worry clouding her gaze as she looked at him: “Why not return to Jinling instead? War shifts in an instant, life hangs by a thread—why must you take such a risk, suffer such hardship? The silver the Pei family left you should be enough to let you live the rest of your life in peace…”

Before she could finish, the man opposite her furrowed his brows: “Do you take me, Xie Wuling, for the sort of man who fears death, who would sell his wife for honor and profit?”

Shen Yujiao was startled, a little dazed. Had she said such a thing?

“You married me, and that makes you my wife. If it weren’t for that Pei, relying on his power to forcibly take you from my side, by now we would be living a fine, peaceful life together in Jinling.”

At the mention of Pei Xia, Xie Wuling’s molars ached with hate. His strong fist clenched tight as he said bitterly: “What is power, after all? Their Pei clan—ten, twenty generations ago, weren’t they nothing but poor scholars? They just had the luck to follow the right emperor and rise with him, passing down wealth and rank until now. I, Xie Wuling, was born lowly. I don’t even know which of my ancestors I descend from—blacksmith, cobbler, carpenter? But so what? Are lords and generals born different from others? If my forefathers left me nothing, then I will be the one to become an ancestor worth remembering. I’ll win merit, build a family fortune, and let the descendants of the Xie name bask in my protection!

“Jiaojiao, you once told me: my name is Xie Wuling, which means there is no mountain in this world I cannot climb, no obstacle I cannot cross. Every word you said—I remember.”

He raised a hand to pat his chest, his expression uncharacteristically solemn and upright: “I’ve engraved every word into my heart. Even in death, I will never forget.”

Hearing his lofty declarations, Shen Yujiao was shocked—shocked that he even remembered what she had once said, shocked he even knew “Are lords and generals born different from others?”—and also moved by his grand ambition and the resolve with which he pursued it.

The man before her, Xie Wuling, truly seemed different now.

Her lips moved twice, hesitant. She wanted to dissuade him, yet did not know how.

Having great ambition was good, but she… would rather he stayed safe.

Even if he hadn’t spoken of the dangers of fighting bandits, she could imagine it with her eyes closed—how perilous, how frightening it must be. Not like the brawls of local ruffians, but real battle, with blades and spears that showed no mercy. One random strike could mean a severed limb, or death.

“Xie Wuling, if you’re doing this for me, you truly don’t need to.”

Her slender fingertips twisted her clothing, dark eyes clouded with sorrow: “I’m grateful I met you when I was helpless and desperate, grateful for the care you gave me in Jinling. But just as I’ve said before, our fate has ended. I am now Pei Xia’s wife, and I carry his child in my belly… Families like his do not allow divorce. I am destined to be his wife in this life.”

“You are a good man. Now that Commander Huo favors you, that you’ve made a name in the army, I’m glad for you. And I believe, with your qualities, you will surely find a good wife in the future, someone to spend your life with…”

“A real man has no second wife!”

Xie Wuling’s voice suddenly rose. His tall, straight body leaned toward Shen Yujiao, black eyes blazing: “I already have you—why would I need another?”

His outburst startled Shen Yujiao. She instinctively reached out to cover his mouth, then glanced nervously outside.

Hearing no stir outside, she secretly let out a breath of relief. But looking again at the man before her, full of fierce momentum, her heart trembled, and she quickly pulled back her hand.

Yet her snow-white wrist was caught in his grip, pinned firmly. Her soft palm pressed against his hot lips; his breath seared her skin, damp and burning.

The heat made her heart race with fear. She yanked her hand: “Y-you… let go!”

But Xie Wuling didn’t release her. Instead, he guided her hand from his lips to his face.

He tilted his head, and like a parched traveler stumbling upon an oasis, rubbed his rough cheek against her palm.

He longed to press closer, yet feared his coarse skin might hurt her tender hand.

His Jiaojiao was soft and delicate—how could he ever bear to let her feel pain?

“X-Xie Wuling…” Shen Yujiao’s fingertips curled; her voice came out tight and hoarse with tension.

“Jiaojiao, have you forgotten? Before the Earth God, we burned incense together. Heaven and earth can bear witness—we are husband and wife bound by hair and vows.”

Still holding her hand firmly, his black eyes burned as he gazed at her: “Unless you look me in the eyes and tell me that in your heart there is only Pei Xia, and never me.”

Meeting his deep, searing gaze was like being scorched by the sun. Shen Yujiao’s eyes flickered, and she instinctively avoided him: “I…”

Before she could finish, a sudden kiss fell upon her palm.

Shen Yujiao lifted her head in shock, only to see the man before her with eyes curved, lips smiling in smug triumph. “You won’t meet my eyes. I knew it—your heart has me in it!”

Flushing, Shen Yujiao retorted in flustered shame: “It does not!”

Her heated denial came out too loud.

A moment later, a maid’s voice sounded outside: “Madam, were you calling for me?”

Shen Yujiao’s brow twitched, and she quickly said: “No, I… I just had a nightmare.”

“Would you like me to bring some calming tea?”

“No need.”

Only after soothing the situation outside did she look back at the man before her.

He finally let go of her hand, lips curling in that same smug smile: “I don’t believe you. You always say the opposite of what you feel—you can lie without blinking an eye…”

Shen Yujiao was left speechless. Xie Wuling’s gaze slid to her round, high belly, and he clicked his tongue: “This little fellow sure does grow fast.”

“Jiaojiao, don’t think too much now—just take good care and await the birth.”

He straightened up and said: “You have me in your heart, and I have you in mine. Just wait in peace for me to come and marry you!”

As he spoke, he glanced at the sky outside, then rose to his feet: “It’s getting late. The young shizi is small but hot-tempered; I’d better go back first, lest he start nagging again.”

Shen Yujiao was slightly stunned. “You’re leaving already?”

Xie Wuling paused in his step, turned to smile at her: “What, you can’t bear for me to go?”

Then he suddenly leaned down, bringing his face close to hers, his low voice tinged with huskiness: “Or… why don’t you kiss me again? One kiss from you would add ten more years to my life.”

“…Shameless!”

Shen Yujiao turned her face away, refusing to entertain the man’s nonsense.

Xie Wuling had only been teasing her; if she truly kissed him, he certainly wouldn’t leave—he’d pounce on her and kiss her to his heart’s content.

Now, seeing her cheeks flushed, his goal was achieved. He was satisfied, though still reluctant, and looked at her deeply several more times. “This household isn’t convenient for talking. Next time, we’ll find a better place to sit and talk.”

Leaving those words behind, he went to the flower lattice window.

In the blink of an eye, his agile figure leapt out, vanishing from the room.

Shen Yujiao stared at the window quietly closing as if it had never been opened. Her long lashes flickered.

If not for the stool still set before her, and the lingering warmth of his lips on her palm, she might truly have thought it was only a dream conjured during an afternoon nap.

This man had come suddenly, and gone just as suddenly.

Only belatedly did she realize there were still many things she hadn’t asked him—

For instance, how he knew she was at Yongwei Marquis Manor. Or when he would be leaving Chang’an. He had just said, “Next time we’ll talk again”—did that mean he would come looking for her again?

Her heart suddenly thumped wildly. Shen Yujiao clutched her chest and lay back on the bed, his words still replaying in her mind.

He had joined the army, come to Chang’an, wanted to become a high official, and still insisted on marrying her…

But she was already Pei Xia’s wife.

Even if he became the highest of officials, she could never be with him.

Her brows furrowed tighter and tighter. She regretted letting him distract her earlier, regretted not speaking more harshly, cutting things off completely.

That thought of his was nothing but a fool’s dream, wasted effort.

Next time…

Next time if he really came again, she must make it clear. She must not allow him to keep harboring such unrealistic hopes.

—

Because of Xie Wuling’s sudden visit, Shen Yujiao never managed to nap.

After eating the red bean rice cakes that Zhou Momo had cooked, she bade farewell to Madam Li and, with her two maids Xiaying and Dongxu, returned to the Pei residence in Yongning Ward.

Once she sat down in her own courtyard, a sudden thought struck her—

Xie Wuling had said he was now serving the young shizi of Marquis Zhennan. And during the birthday banquet, hadn’t those newlywed young ladies been gossiping about a bodyguard favored by Princess Jinhua—supposedly one serving at the young shizi’s side…

As for men of exceptional looks, in Shen Yujiao’s life, she had only met two: Pei Xia, and Xie Wuling.

Unless the shizi’s guards included someone even better-looking than Xie Wuling, then that man the princess had taken a liking to… was most likely him.

The suspicion made her heart skip a beat. Could it really be such a coincidence?

But Xie Wuling hadn’t mentioned a word about it just now…

So was that bodyguard truly him or not?

Shen Yujiao recalled how, back when she was down and out in Jinling, she had secretly mocked to herself that Xie Wuling could probably live off his face alone. If he really had caught the princess’s eye now, then even if he didn’t want to eat that “soft rice,” the princess would surely force it upon him.

But with his wild, stubborn temper—how could he ever accept the humiliation of being kept as a boy-toy? If he offended the princess, he might even lose his life!

Just as Shen Yujiao fretted endlessly, a slender hand suddenly rested on her shoulder.

She instinctively shrank away. Looking up, she met a pair of dark eyes, deep and cold as an icy lake.

“L-Lanjun, you’re back.”

“Mm.”

Pei Xia, in brocade robes and jade belt, slowly withdrew the hand that had hung in midair. His narrow eyes fixed on her: “What were you thinking, so absorbed?”

“N-nothing.”

Shen Yujiao forced down her inner panic, shifted toward the couch: “Perhaps just a little tired from attending the banquet today.”

“Is that so?”

Pei Xia cast her a cool glance, unreadable whether he believed her or not, then sat down across from her with composed sleeves. “I saw you frowning just now, as if troubled. Did you meet with some difficulty at the banquet?”

“With Aunt there, how could there be any difficulty?” Shen Yujiao lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze, murmuring: “Truly, it was only that I haven’t attended such gatherings in a long time, so it drained me a little.”

Afraid he might question further, she hurried to change the subject, asking him instead: “Langjun, how was the banquet for you? I thought you wouldn’t return until late at night.”

Pei Xia said: “It’s already dark outside.”

Shen Yujiao started, turned to look—and indeed the window showed a sky heavy with dusk.

“S-so fast it’s dark already.” She nervously pinched her fingertips, gave a hollow laugh. “When I came back, it was still bright.”

Pei Xia said nothing, only gazing quietly at the wife before him.

Somewhat guilty, Shen Yujiao felt unbearably ill at ease under that penetrating gaze of his, as though he could see straight through her. She pretended composure, picked up a piece of pastry, took two small bites, and murmured softly: “Today Aunt asked why you didn’t come. I told her you were too busy to spare the time. When I was leaving, Aunt even gave me a fresh deer leg, saying it would replenish qi and strengthen the kidneys, for you to eat. I had the kitchen roast some venison—later we can have it…”

Replenish qi and strengthen the kidneys.

Pei Xia’s eyes flickered, his peripheral gaze sweeping toward the little wife beside him who was lowering her head over her pastry.

Her manner seemed as though she herself had no idea what she had just said.

This muddled, absent-minded look… was she truly worn out?

“Aunt is too kind.”

Lifting the blue tea cup with plantain-leaf pattern, the refreshing fragrance of tea wafted to his nose. He breathed it in lightly and said in an even voice: “Next time I’m free, I’ll go with you to pay Aunt a visit.”

Shen Yujiao gave a soft “mm” and also raised a cup of tea to drink.

The couple sat facing each other, chatting idly in fits and starts. Before long, a maid came to report that the evening meal was prepared.

Shen Yujiao let out a secret sigh of relief, quickly rose, and went with Pei Xia to the dining hall.

That night, when all was quiet, husband and wife lay inside the bed curtains.

Breathing in the sandalwood fragrance that clung to the man, Shen Yujiao suddenly thought of that rich agarwood scent she had caught on Xie Wuling’s body that afternoon.

Xie Wuling had gone to Ningzhou to join the army—such a major matter. Could it be that none of the Pei servants in charge of reporting news had mentioned it in their letters?

She felt certain that the people in Jinling must have reported it to Pei Xia. He had simply not told her.

And of course—why would he tell her?

She should not be entangled with that man anymore.

“Not sleepy yet?”

The man beside her suddenly asked.

Shen Yujiao’s eyelids fluttered. She kept them shut and whispered, “I’ll sleep now…”

The curtains were silent for two breaths. Then he turned, stretched an arm around her, and drew her into his embrace. “Holding you—will that help you fall asleep faster?”

Shen Yujiao was a little startled. What kind of logic was that?

But in his arms, the jumble of restless thoughts in her head truly stilled. Before long, drowsiness crept in.

Her eyelids grew heavy. Half in a haze, she felt something warm brush across her forehead.

Like the touch of a feather. She hadn’t time to think further before sleep overtook her.

—

After seeing Xie Wuling at the Marquis Yongwei’s residence on the tenth, Shen Yujiao had not gone out again.

Yet her heart, once calm, was like a lake struck by a stone—rippling endlessly, never settling.

She wanted to send someone to inquire about the matter of the Huo household and Princess Jinhua, but she feared Pei Xia would notice. Yet if she did not ask, she could not help worrying that Xie Wuling really had been “forcibly taken” into the princess’s residence…

Just as she wavered between “ask” and “not ask,” the days slipped quietly by until the fifteenth of the first month.

The Lantern Festival. The emperor celebrated with the people, lifted the curfew, and Chang’an welcomed three days and nights of revelry.

That day, all one hundred and eight wards of the city were festooned with lanterns and decorations. Before Anfu Gate stood an enormous lantern wheel and lantern tower, twenty zhang tall, made of multicolored silk brocade, adorned with tassels, bells, and auspicious knots wrought from gold and silver. When the cold wind blew, metal and jade pieces clinked together, ringing out crisp, melodious sounds.

By nightfall, tens of thousands of lanterns filled the eastern and western markets, blazing like colorful clouds—lanterns shaped like flowers, birds, beasts, and palaces. A dazzling array, enough to leave anyone dizzy-eyed.

Every year at the Lantern Festival, Shen Yujiao had gone out with her family.

Last year she had married into Wenxi, and missed the festivities. Now that she had moved with Pei Xia to Chang’an, even with her belly grown round, once night fell, she and Pei Xia rode by carriage to the lantern fair in the Eastern Market.

Above, the moon was bright and clear; below, throngs of people surged. In the lantern streets, sons in splendid robes and girls decked with pearls and jade thronged shoulder to shoulder, laughter ringing in the air.

In the carriage, Shen Yujiao adjusted her veiled hat, and with Pei Xia’s hand supporting her, stepped down.

“As the saying goes, when the moon rises above the willows, lovers meet after dusk.” Everywhere she looked, families and couples strolled together.

But Pei Xia, in his light cloak and brocade belt, carried a distinguished bearing. The moment he appeared, he drew sidelong glances from many young ladies and young wives.

Seeing the frequent looks from passersby, Shen Yujiao teased, “I should’ve borrowed a veiled hat for Lanjun as well.”

It was a festival, and Pei Xia was in good spirits. Hearing his wife’s jest, he squeezed her hand gently. “Yuniang, are you… jealous?”

Shen Yujiao blinked. “Huh?”

He lowered his gaze to her. “You don’t want other women looking at me?”

Realization struck; under her veil her cheeks grew warm. She hurriedly denied it: “That’s not what I meant. Lanjun is such a fine man—let them look. I’m not some petty jealous woman.”

Pei Xia’s smile faded a little.

Her answer was not wrong. Not being jealous was a good thing.

Yet for some reason, a trace of disappointment brushed his heart.

“Lanjun, look—the Great Ao Mountain is just ahead!” From beneath her sleeve, her hand tugged lightly at his, eyes full of anticipation. “Shall we go have a look?”

“The lantern fair is crowded and chaotic. Yuniang, be careful not to get separated.”

“Are you not holding my hand? How could we get separated?”

Shen Yujiao laughed, yet her gaze was completely drawn to the brilliantly glowing, ingeniously crafted Great Ao Mountain not far away.

It was rare for Pei Xia to see her so interested, and he smiled faintly as well. “Mm. I’m holding your hand.”

Fingers interlaced, the couple walked straight toward the Ao Mountain.

But just as they reached its base, before they had a proper look at its intricate design, a tall figure wearing a Kunlun slave mask, carrying a crab-shaped lantern, came toward them.

At first Shen Yujiao and Pei Xia thought he was only passing by. Unexpectedly, the man’s steps halted right in front of them.

Recognizing that familiar build, Pei Xia’s dark eyes narrowed slightly.

He was about to tell him to move aside, when the man pushed the dark mask up onto his head, revealing a strikingly handsome face.

Amid the brilliant lanterns, in the dazzling play of light, Xie Wuling’s beautiful peach-blossom eyes curved slightly. His smile was radiant. “Well now, isn’t this a coincidence!”