A raincoat wind and snow to the small garden

Chapter 14: Closeness (Part )

Chapter Fourteen
Xiang Xiaoyuan and Eunuch Fusheng have already contacted each other, but they have not met up yet because Huaiyu still has a secret mission to carry out.

Huaiyu once asked Xiang Xiaoyuan whether he wanted to go to Beijing alone or go with him?
If she went to the capital alone, it would only take more than 20 days to travel from Luocheng to the capital. He would give her some change and let her hire a carriage from a carriage shop and go to the capital along the official road. She would usually arrive in the capital before the New Year.

The official certificate on Xiang Xiaoyuan's body had long been rotten by the sea water, and she was alone and a girl. If she encountered bandits, it would be difficult for her to escape.

Thinking of this, Xiang Xiaoyuan shook his head and said to Huaiyu, "I want to follow you."

Hearing this, Huai Yu was startled, and for the first time, his phoenix eyes showed a bewildered look. After a long pause, he glanced at her without saying anything.

Tonight, Huaiyu didn't return to the inn. Having lived in the cave together before, Xiang Xiaoyuan knew he wouldn't abandon her, so she went to bed early.

In the middle of the night, Xiang Xiaoyuan heard footsteps in the guest room next door and thought it was Huaiyu coming back.

She got up, put on her clothes, and when she opened the door, she heard the rumbling sound of thunder and rain.

It was not only raining but also snowing, and the weather was extremely cold. Raindrops rolled down the moss-covered black tiles, creating a hazy mist, and the houses were covered with a clear curtain of water.

A twisted purple dragon exploded in the sky, and the inn lit up for a moment, allowing Xiaoyuan to clearly see the bloodstains left on the door.

Her almond-shaped eyes suddenly widened, and she knocked on the door in panic: "Huai Yu, are you back?"

No one answered her, but fortunately the door was not locked. After struggling for a while, Xiang Xiaoyuan decided to go in and take a look.

She closed the door behind her and walked forward along the bloodstains on the ground.

The bright red blood was washed away by the rain, and its color faded, but the fishy smell was still very strong, which made Xiang Xiaoyuan a little panicked.

Xiang Xiaoyuan saw Huaiyu sitting beside the couch.

His hair was disheveled, soaked in rainwater and shiny black. His face was pale, his eyebrows were drooping, and his breathing was barely audible.

There was a gash on the boy's narrow waist, which had no excess fat. The skin and flesh had been washed white by water, and the wound was turned outward, bleeding faintly. The cloth covering it had been torn off by Huai Yu with his bare hands, but his hands were also injured, and the finger bones holding the medicine bottle were trembling slightly.

This is not an injury that can heal on its own!
Xiang Xiaoyuan was frightened: "I, I'll go find a doctor for you!"

Before she could take a step, a silver leaf broke through the wind and came towards her. The sharp hidden weapon pierced through the floor at the girl's toes, making a loud earth-shaking noise.

Fortunately, no one lived downstairs; it was just the dining hall where guests ate. It was late at night, the inn was closed, and no one was left in the dining hall.

Xiang Xiaoyuan stopped.

Huai Yu took a deep breath. "I was attacked late at night and my injuries are difficult to heal. If you help me find a doctor overnight, won't that just tell those people that I'm staying at the inn?"

Xiang Xiaoyuan bit her lower lip. She no longer went out to find a doctor, but turned and rushed towards Huaiyu.

She snatched the medicine bottle from his hand and touched the boy's wound in the dim moonlight. After finding the right spot, she lowered her head and carefully sprinkled the medicine powder.

As they suddenly approached the small garden, the rich fruity aroma that belonged only to the girl's tent drifted inwards. The girl's fingertips were hot, and when they touched the frozen flesh of Huaiyu, the faint sensation of burning fire lingered for a long time.

Huai Yu was stunned, his thick eyelashes drooped. He dared not move, and his cold white knuckles curled up again and again in the dark.

Xiang Xiaoyuan, it’s hot.

Perhaps because she was afraid that Huaiyu would feel pain, she applied too much medicine to Xiaoyuan, and subconsciously pursed her lips and blew on the wound, and the cool wind blew across the wound... Huaiyu was at a loss, his waist and abdomen tightened, he leaned his shoulders back, and actually wanted to escape.

Huaiyu dodged, and Xiang Xiaoyuan failed to catch him in time, and let out an "ah" in confusion.

Xiang Xiaoyuan glanced at the candlestick. She didn't know whether the candle in this room could be lit, but Huaiyu wanted it to be dim, so let it be dim.

Fortunately, Xiang Xiaoyuan was very good at healing wounds. Even though she applied the medicine in the dark, she helped Huaiyu apply the powder.

Huaiyu didn't let her do the rest of the bandaging. She hooked her slender fingers around a few white cloth strips and wrapped them around her waist, covering the wound completely.

The wound had stopped bleeding and they had nothing to say. The house fell into silence for a moment, with only the noise of thunder and rain outside the window being heard.

Xiang Xiaoyuan felt a little sleepy, and saw Huaiyu taking off his shirt and sitting at the foot of the bed meditating and regulating his breathing.

She was afraid that Huaiyu would fall to the ground in the middle of the night, so she wanted to stay here to watch over him.

So, Xiang Xiaoyuan took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed. She patted the soft bedding and crawled into the raised quilt.

Xiang Xiaoyuan faced the side of the bed, facing Huaiyu. She yawned and said lazily, "Huaiyu, I'm sleeping here tonight and won't go back to my room."

The young man suddenly opened his eyes, his breath sinking into his dantian, and a look of bewilderment appeared on his pale face. He looked at the little girl sleeping peacefully in the bed. Her eyes were red and tears were welling up, but her breathing was even and steady, and she had slowly fallen asleep.

Huaiyu stared at Xiang Xiaoyuan, his sword-like brows furrowed ever tighter, his thin lips pressed into a pale line. He couldn't drive her away, so he resigned himself to giving up his bed to Xiang Xiaoyuan.

When the sky gradually brightened, Huaiyu wanted to find a bed to sleep on. He hesitated for a while and walked towards the empty guest room next door.

Huaiyu originally wanted to spend one night in Xiang Xiaoyuan's guest room, but when he approached the bed, the girl's fruity scent still lingered in the air.

Xiang Xiaoyuan had slept here before. She had a terrible sleeping posture. When she spent the night in the cave, she would always roll towards his legs like a moth attracted by the heat, rubbing against him. If she slept in bed, her fair face would be pressed tightly into the pillow, and her slender legs would fall on the folds of the quilt...

The room was filled with her scent. It was obviously not the kind of beautiful floral fragrance, but it still made Huaiyu at a loss.

The young man pursed his lips and finally just asked the waiter to bring hot water. After he washed up, he applied medicine again and changed into a black narrow-sleeved riding suit that could cover the bloodstains.

Huaiyu leaned against the armchair and slept for a while. When he woke up, Xiang Xiaoyuan had already packed his bags and the two of them continued their journey to the capital.

When Xiang Xiaoyuan arrived in the capital, it was already the middle of winter, and the Chinese New Year was just half a month away.

The official road was covered with silver snow, and the river bank was covered with frost. Occasionally, when you lifted the curtain to look, you could see people breaking ice to fish. Even the mountains were white, with clear hoarfrost everywhere.

Xiang Xiaoyuan was afraid of the cold, so as soon as she arrived in the county town, she and Huaiyu took an advance of one month's salary from Xuanqi, the coroner, and bought a box of persimmon cakes, ripe dates, and two pots of warming apricot wine.

Besides food, Xiang Xiaoyuan also bought two pairs of warm rabbit fur gloves. One pair wasn't enough for her, so she grabbed Huaiyu's hand, measured his slender fingers, and helped him pick out a pair.

Huai Yu couldn't refuse. He lowered his head and saw his palm was wrapped in fluffy rabbit fur. Holding the hilt of Mingyue Sword, his murderous aura decreased sharply, which was indescribably funny.

The boy caught a glimpse of Xiang Xiaoyuan's expectant gaze from the corner of his eye, hesitated for a moment, but still did not take off his gloves.

As Xiang Xiaoyuan and Huaiyu walked together, my fear of him lessened a little.

Although Huaiyu was still not very talkative, he spent the whole day either driving the car or sitting in the car staring out the window in a daze.

Xiang Xiaoyuan talked to him about the weather, the falling snow, the birds, and the rabbits running around in the snow. It was a blessing for Huaiyu to reply to one out of ten sentences, but Xiang Xiaoyuan was still very interested.

The main thing is that since she doesn't talk, there's really nothing for me to do.

When they arrived in the capital, Huai Yu showed the Xuanqisi badge, and the carriage drove smoothly into the market.

Today, I happened to be in the market, bustling with stalls performing kicking bottles, fire tricks, and shadow puppet shows. The crowds were surging and endless. Outside the city, a caravan of Hu people, with deep eyes and high noses, entered the capital with official documents. Their camels were laden with bundles of varying sizes, their bags unsealed, from which unknown spices spilt, leaving a blanket of golden dust and a rich aroma.

Xiang Xiaoyuan stared at the mutton pancakes roasting in the street stove, and said happily, "I've wanted to come to the capital for a long time."

I thought it was just a self-entertaining remark, but Huaiyu unexpectedly broke with her usual behavior and actually answered her.

He asked, "Why do you want to come to the capital?"

Huai Yu's question actually made no sense. Beijing is a vast city with abundant resources, and it is also the capital of the country. Which common people would not yearn for Beijing?

But since Huaiyu asked the question, Xiang Xiaoyuan had to answer him.

She couldn't say she was seeking revenge for her parents, so she just said, "I have an old friend in the capital."

She knew Crown Prince Xie Yunxue, they had exchanged a few words and spent a few days together, so they could be considered old acquaintances, and it was not a lie.

Huaiyu nodded thoughtfully and said nothing more.

In the evening, Xiang Xiaoyuan arrived at the Xuanqi Division's yamen. She jumped off the carriage and gazed at the magnificent palaces in the distance. That area was the inner city of the imperial palace, while her Xuanqi Division was located in the outer city. To its left and right were the offices of the six ministries and nine departments. When they interacted with each other, they would greet each other with the respectful address of "Sir," depending on their official rank.

Xiang Xiaoyuan walked towards the government office, stepping deep and shallow, facing the rustling white snow.

She looked at a pair of red paper spring couplets that Xuan Qisi had just posted, and was about to appreciate them with Huai Yu, but when she turned around, Huai Yu was nowhere to be seen.

Xiang Xiaoyuan stood there in shock, feeling a little lost.

Later, she thought about it. Xuanqi Division was Huaiyu's territory. It was only natural for him to retire after completing his mission of escorting his subordinates to the capital. However, she had just joined Xuanqi Division and had to start from the lowest level of clerkship. Compared to Huaiyu, the head of the secret guards who only obeyed the emperor's orders, it was a world of difference. She didn't know if they would have the chance to meet again. Xiang Xiaoyuan and Huaiyu had traveled together and were the last to arrive. Lin Qiyu and Yan Yun had already arrived in the capital two days ago.

Hearing footsteps coming from the government office, Lin Qiyu quickly opened the door and called out to her in surprise: "Xiaoyuan, you're finally here!"

Yan Yun didn't know what she was practicing. Even in the freezing weather, her forehead was covered in sweat. She grabbed Xiang Xiaoyuan's wrist and dragged her inside: "Come on, come and practice with the other sisters!"

Before Xiang Xiaoyuan could react, she was carried inside by her two friends, one on each side. In her confusion, she saw that Lin Qiyu and Yan Yun both had a fox white jade waist badge hanging around their waists.

Xiang Xiaoyuan pointed at the jade plaque and asked, "What is this?"

Yan Yun said, "This is the waist badge for a Class C disciple. The Xuanqi Division has three levels of disciples: A, B, and C. By completing daily missions, you earn points for advancement. If you can reach Class A, you can complete missions with the Twelve Secret Guards, meet the Emperor in person, and even become a trusted official of the Emperor."

Xiang Xiaoyuan's eyes lit up. If she could see the emperor, her chances of avenging her parents would be even greater. Wasn't she climbing up the ladder wholeheartedly just for a chance to assassinate Xie Zhen?

In order to unite the disciples of Xuanqi Division, all those who join the division must call their predecessors "senior brothers and sisters", and even call the instructors who teach martial arts, piano playing, poetry and books "master". Once they have completed their studies and become apprentices and are promoted to Class A, they can follow the twelve secret guards.

Xiang Xiaoyuan was dragged down by Huai Yu and joined the company the latest. She had to call everyone "senior brother" and "senior sister" when she met them, and she actually became the junior sister in the company's mansion.

Xiang Xiaoyuan received the token of the Xuanqisi officer and the fox totem jade card of the Class C disciple from Eunuch Fusheng. With these two pieces of ivory cards for body verification, no guards would stop her from entering or leaving the office when she moved around in the inner court.

Fusheng was ordered to look after Xiang Xiaoyuan, and he would see the Buddha to the west. He smiled and asked, "Mr. Xiang, you are new here. Do you have a home to stay at?"

The disciples of Xuanqi Division have to go to the training ground for training every day. Many of them are children of wealthy families and live in their own mansions. Except for important times, they do not live in the school on weekdays. Even the children of local governors who come to Beijing have their families spend money to buy courtyards for them, so the children do not have to suffer.

After receiving an advance of one month's salary from Xiaoyuan, he now only had two taels of silver left in his pocket, which was enough to buy some food for a month. Renting a yard was a pipe dream.

She was at a loss and asked in embarrassment, "What should I do if I have no place to stay?"

Fusheng had anticipated this. He said, "Don't worry, Coroner Xiang. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already prepared a school for talented people from the public. Although the house is located outside the palace, it's a bit far from the palace, but fortunately it's only a half-hour walk to the government office, making it a good place to stay. Besides, if Coroner Xiang buys a horse to work on the job, he can reach the government office in two quarters of an hour, which is much more convenient."

Xiang Xiaoyuan nodded. She didn't expect that Xie Yunxue would take such good care of them, the servants from the common people.

Xiang Xiaoyuan said gratefully, "Your Highness is truly meticulous and considerate."

Xiang Xiaoyuan learned the address of the dormitory. After she sent Fusheng away, Yan Yun came up to her and took her hand, saying, "Why do you have to live in the dormitory? I bought a bigger house. Come live with me!"

Lin Qiyu also said: "Why don't you stay at my place? My courtyard has three entrances. It's just right for one person to live in the large space and sleep in the small garden. Besides, you are my junior sister now, and I should take care of you!"

Lin Qiyu knew that Xiang Xiaoyuan was a top-notch crime-solving talent, and having more connections would be beneficial in the future. Besides, he had never had a junior sister before. As an older brother, how could he not take care of his younger sister?
Xiang Xiaoyuan shook his head. "I appreciate your kindness. But we all work for Xuanqisi. I have hands and feet and can support myself. I won't rely on you anymore."

Seeing that she had made up her mind, Yan Yun was reluctant to let her go, but she could only nod and agree: "Okay, but you have to come to play with me often."

"Of course!" Xiang Xiaoyuan said with a smile, "I'll treat you to a late-night meal when I get my salary next month."

Lin Qiyu patted his shoulder: "Okay!"

The Xuanqisi runners of level A, B and C don't usually meet each other very often. Everyone has a partner and a mission. When they come back from completing a mission, they either report to the twelve secret guards or meet the Crown Prince Xie Yunxue. There are only two situations in which they will have the opportunity to gather all the runners of the ministry.

One is that when a colleague dies heroically during a mission, everyone will gather together to mourn him.

The other is when a new person joins the company, as the predecessor, we have to come to Xuanqisi to bless and congratulate him.

The Xuanqisi organization is mysterious, and many officers will disguise themselves or wear masks in order to better complete their tasks.

There are also senior brothers and sisters who boast of their great abilities and do not bother to conceal their identities and directly show their true faces.

Xiang Xiaoyuan thought of the time when they were on the boat. Huaiyu wore a Nuo opera mask all day, not even taking it off when he slept. She was the only one who had seen the face beneath the mask, and she didn't know whether it was a disguise or his natural appearance.

But Xiang Xiaoyuan thought that she must have seen Huai Yu's appearance by accident. If she thought about it carefully, they could be considered to have a close relationship.

Xiang Xiaoyuan stood there in a daze.

The courtyard was thick with the scent of sandalwood, and copper Buddha's hand candles lit the snow, curling up into a smoky, smoky air. Xiang Xiaoyuan was overcome by the incense, and she had no idea what kind of new disciple reception this was.

Before she could merge into the crowd, a voice as cold as snow suddenly called her.

"To the coroner."

It was a man's voice, like knocking on gold and jade, with a clear and cold tone, no different from that of young men like Huai Yu and Lin Qi Yu.

He looked up at the small garden.

Wherever I looked, the crowd dispersed.

The officials surrounded a young man like stars surrounding the moon.

He wore a white fox cloak, white clothes, and even the lotus jade crown that bound his black hair was a pale bluish-white. The young man stood tall and straight, like a pine or cypress. As he moved, his clothes fluttered like a crane. His phoenix eyes were astonishingly sharp and intimidating.

Xiang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but take a step back. She vaguely sensed some of Xie Yunxue's youthful appearance on that face with red lips and white teeth.

He still had the same cold eyes and lips. As he grew up and his features developed, he was still as handsome and charming as ever, so gorgeous that he was beyond compare.

Xiang Xiaoyuan recognized who this handsome young man was. After so many years, she looked at her old friend and felt that he was a stranger.

He bowed to Xiaoyuan and saluted Xie Yunxue: "Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

She bowed her head and saluted, not daring to look directly into Xie Yunxue's eyes, until a pair of black boots with cloud patterns came into view and a cold hand bone supported her up.

This was the second time Xiang Xiaoyuan heard Xie Yunxue speak.

He said, "No need to be so polite. I heard that the case of Hai Niang's haunting was solved by Coroner Xiang alone. Coroner Xiang is young and promising, a true pillar of the country, and I am very pleased."

When Xie Yunxue said this, his tone was actually still cold and icy, without any warmth. He was praising his subordinates according to the rules and regulations to win their hearts.

A jade pendant was handed to Xiang Xiaoyuan's palm. There was no signature in small characters, but there were auspicious cloud patterns. The jade material was precious, but the style was ordinary. This was the reward from the crown prince to his meritorious officials.

Xiang Xiaoyuan clenched his fingers and touched her jade-like face with his fingertips, which felt cold.

She thanked him numbly, "Xiaoyuan thanks the prince for the reward."

"No need to thank me. This is the grace that those who work hard deserve."

Xie Yunxue seemed weak. After speaking a few words, he placed his hand against his lips to suppress a cough. He couldn't stand the wind, so he quickly left through the main entrance, led by Fusheng.

When leaving, the boy's fox fur curled edge gently hit Xiang Xiaoyuan's leg, leaving a wisp of snow and a remaining cold and moist mark.

The banquet to entertain the newlyweds was still going on. The senior brothers and sisters gathered around and complimented Xiang Xiaoyuan highly, and were envious of the rewards in her hands.

Even Wu Jingnu, the prince's cousin, was so jealous that she couldn't suppress her jealousy when she saw that Xie Yunxue didn't speak to her, but instead personally supported a country girl and gave her a jade pendant that he had worn for many years.

What a Xiang Xiaoyuan! First he hooked up with Huai Yu, the head of the secret guards, and went to the capital with him. Now he is trying to show off in front of the Crown Prince Xie Yunxue, and everything he does is eye-catching.

Could it be that she, a village girl, also has the selfish desire to become a phoenix?
"Don't you even look at your own identity? Are you worthy enough to..." Wu Jingnu rolled her eyes and turned away.

Xiang Xiaoyuan was still standing there. She looked at the jade pendant in her hand carefully and remained silent for a long time.

Including the two ivory plaques, she actually got three jade pendants on her first day at Xuanqi Division... She didn't know whether it was good or bad.

Xiang Xiaoyuan absentmindedly recalled the scene when they first met.

Xie Yunxue looked at her with cold and unfamiliar eyes, as if she was seeing a stranger.

He couldn't remember who she was, even though a name as simple and easy to remember as Xiaoyuan should have left a deep impression.

Xiang Xiaoyuan guessed correctly.

He is the high and mighty Crown Prince, and there is a world of difference between them.

Even if she remembered Xie Yunxue, even if she treated him as a friend, even if she was making excuses for him, such as the death of his parents, which Xie Yunxue knew nothing about, he should not have to bear her hatred.

But in the end, Xiang Xiaoyuan could only admit that the royal family was heartless and the kings were unfeeling.

How could someone as noble as Xie Yunxue remember a lowly person like her? Her overwhelming hatred was insignificant to him.

It was Xie Yunxue who never considered Xiang Xiaoyuan as a friend.

(End of this chapter)