BLPSG Chapter 63: Magnolia Porridge

The east is about to dawn and the sun is rising.

 

The wild wind that had blown all night finally subsided with the fading darkness. 

 

Although the snow continued to fall, it had become gentler. 

 

The morning sun illuminated the long streets and palace roads. 

 

Soldiers, clad in heavy armor from the northern lands, had captured and brought back all the palace maids and eunuchs who had escaped with gold and silver during the chaos from the Taishu Palace.

 

These battle-hardened soldiers, forged through countless wars, took only two hours to firmly seize control of the entire Yongdu city.

 

At Dawn, the Wei Dynasty had completely changed hands.

 

The news spread throughout Yongdu with the first rays of sunlight. Inside the Taishu Palace, palace attendants wielded massive iron shovels, clearing away the blood-stained ice and snow from the ground. After several rounds of warm water washing, the once overpowering smell of blood became faint and imperceptible.

 

If not for the broken jade magnolia tree lying on the ground, last night’s events would seem as if they had never occurred, hidden behind the heavy snowfall.

 

Also temporarily concealed were the frenzied actions of the new emperor in front of the Yi Guang Hall that night—the imprisoned Xie Zhaolin, the treacherous Hengxin Guards, and the lingering screams that refused to fade away.

 

This night’s events remained shrouded in secrecy.

 

Within the Taishu Palace, the Huixin Hall.

 

Although the formal enthronement ceremony had not yet taken place, everyone had already accepted that Consort Lan was now the Empress Dowager of the Wei Dynasty.

 

As for the new emperor… he currently had no interest in mundane affairs.

 

Therefore, countless people gathered in the Huixin Hall during this opportune moment.

 

It had been a long time since the hall had seen such liveliness around Consort Lan.

 

Yet, at this moment, she was equally uninterested in dealing with affairs of state.

 

Xie Fuyin curled up into a small ball, nestling in Consort Lan’s embrace. She hadn’t slept all night, her beautiful peach blossom eyes swollen like two small walnuts. Even Consort Lan and the attendant Ming Liu, standing nearby, had red-rimmed eyes.

 

“Fu Yin, it’s getting late. Shall we rest for a while?” Consort Lan whispered to Xie Fuyin, “Or are you hungry? I can have someone prepare some food for you.”

 

The young girl rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and stubbornly shook her head. “I don’t want to sleep…” Her words carried a noticeable nasal tone.

 

Ming Liu took a towel from the warm water, wrung it out, and handed it over.

 

Consort Lan carefully wiped Xie Fu Yin’s tear-streaked face. “Fu Yin, if you don’t want to sleep, then maybe we—”

 

Before she could finish her sentence, Xie Fu Yin suddenly turned and looked into Consort Lan’s eyes. “I want to see Master Wen.”

 

“Ah!” Ming Liu, who was pouring hot water, accidentally scalded herself and let out a soft cry.

 

She quickly lowered the basin and retreated, ensuring Xie Fuyin didn’t see her suddenly pale face.

 

Consort Lan, still wiping the girl’s face, also paused. “…Let’s wait a little longer. Master Wen hasn’t rested all night either.”

 

She smiled gently at Xie Fuyin and tried to sound calm.

 

But unexpectedly, Xie Fuyin didn’t fall for it this time.

 

The young girl stared at her with unblinking amber eyes and asked earnestly, “But they said… they said Master Wen is dead. What does ‘dead’ really mean, Mother? Is it true that I can never see him again?”

 

Death was a profound concept for a child of her age.

 

But upon hearing the words “never see Master Wen again,” Xie Fuyin burst into tears. “But… but last night, I clearly saw my brother holding him. Mother, can’t I go see Master Wen one more time?”

 

As the gates of the Huixin Hall swung open, the courtyard outside bustled with palace maids sweeping snow.

 

Unintentionally, Xie Fu Yin’s voice carried beyond the hall, reaching the ears of everyone present.

 

The palace maids froze mid-sweep.

 

Silently, they exchanged glances, understanding what should be said and what should not.

 

They knew what they could look at and what they should avoid, even what they should pretend not to know.

 

Last night, Emperor Xie Bufeng had abandoned countless guards, cradling a lifeless body in front of everyone, walking through the entire Taishu Palace to the small courtyard of the imperial physician. The scene was etched into their memories.

 

And there was more…

 

Some had witnessed Emperor Xie Bufeng occasionally kissing the physician’s cheek.

 

Rumors circulated that he had locked himself and the physician’s body in the courtyard. A whole night has passed, and the door has not been opened until now.

 

It really completely threw aside etiquette, moral principles, and even human relations.

 

They understood each other tacitly.

 

For a time, the affair between the new emperor and the imperial physician became a palace secret that no one dared to mention.

 

In their opinion, the imperial physician Wen Qingci is now dead.

 

As long as everyone agrees not to mention it, in a few years, the name “Wen Qingci” will be buried in history along with this incident, and will become a secret belonging to the emperor.

 

But no one expected that the morning was not over yet.

 

Xie Fuyin, who knew nothing, brought it up.

 

Seeing that no one was talking, Xie Fuyin finally couldn’t help but act coquettishly towards her silent mother: “Please, please, please, mother? I really just want to go again… just once!”

 

Consort Lan opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say.

 

At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the yard.

 

She looked up at the door as if she had found a life-saving straw.

 

Then, a eunuch in a purple brocade robe appeared before her.

 

The other party walked in a hurry and just stood there panting.

 

“Xian Gonggong, why are you here so suddenly?” Consort Lan gently put Xie Fuyin down from her arms, stood up and asked him, “What’s wrong with His Majesty?”

 

“…There is indeed something.” There were many things to do today, and they were all very important. The old steward did not keep it a secret any longer, “There is someone outside the palace waiting.”

 

“Outside the palace?” Consort Lan couldn’t help but frown, “Who does he want to see?”

 

Xian Gonggong took a deep breath and lowered his voice and said, “He wants to see His Majesty.”

 

“It’s the Valley Master of the Valley of Divine Physicians, Master Wen’s senior brother, who has come. He wants to see His Majesty.”

 

“Does Xian Gonggong know him?” Consort Lan was surprised and asked subconsciously.

 

The old steward did not answer her question directly, but instead began to talk about what had just happened outside the palace gate.

 

In fact, Xian Gonggong had not expected that Song Junran, the legendary master of the Valley of Divine Physicians who never appeared in the world, would actually appear at the gate of Taishu Palace this morning.

 

At that time, all the soldiers responsible for guarding Taishu Palace had been replaced by Xie Bufeng’s men.

 

Coming down from the battlefield, they are sensitive and serious.

 

Song Junran, who came to ask for a meeting, had a distinguished temperament and was already eye-catching.

 

Not to mention that he was holding something in his hand…

 

Thinking of this, Xian Gonggong finally slowly opened his palm – a token made of pure gold appeared in his hand.

 

The token was carved with a coiled dragon and engraved with the four large characters “Emperor’s Order”.

 

“Your Highness, please take a look.”

 

The soldiers guarding outside the palace had never seen a token that looked like this, not to mention that the emperor of this dynasty had just been replaced a few hours ago…

 

But what he had in his hand was obviously not something that ordinary people could have.

 

Those soldiers reported the matter to Xian Gonggong as soon as possible.

 

After seeing clearly what Xian Gonggong was holding, Consort Lan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “Let him in…”

 

She knew why Xian Gonggong was so sure that the person outside was Song Junran.

 

The token in front of him naturally does not belong to the current emperor, and it has never even belonged to Xie Zhaolin.

 

It is an old object from the previous dynasty.

 

The Valley of Divine Physicians does not care about the secular world. Even for the royal family of the previous dynasty, it took a lot of effort to send the prince to the Valley of Divine Physicians.

 

——This token was the “medical fee” of that year.

 

“Yes, your highness.” Xian Gonggong slowly took the thing back into his hand, bowed and walked out.

 

Xie Fuyin, who didn’t understand what his mother was talking to Xian Gonggong, remained silent.

 

After the old steward left, she gently tugged at Consort Lan’s sleeve again and asked in a low voice, “Mother, can I really not go see him again?”

 

This time, Consort Lan did not refuse directly. She paused for a while, rubbed the little girl’s head, nodded slowly and said, “Okay, wait a little longer, and I will take you there.” –

 

The small courtyard of the Imperial Medical Bureau was surrounded by soldiers in three layers, numbering at least a thousand.

 

But the courtyard was as quiet as ever.

 

The tall magnolia tree is still standing there.

 

After a night of strong winds, many petals were blown off.

 

But some still stubbornly hang on the branches, waiting for the arrival of real spring.

 

The yard is filled with fragrance.

 

Xie Bufeng gently put Wen Qingci on the bed and carefully tucked the quilt for him.

 

The boy, raised in solitude in the province of Suzhou, was already adept at many things. Now, as he tended to the wounded man, he moved with practiced grace.

 

The blood-stained cloak that had once adorned the man named Wen Qingci now lay discarded. Xie Bufeng poured warm water into a wooden basin and gently wiped the blood from Wen Qingci’s face with a towel.

 

Xie Bufeng, now the newly crowned emperor, seemed to have forgotten his own status. He knelt by the bedside, carefully combing Wen Qingci’s long hair with a wooden comb.

 

The room was dimly lit by a single oil lamp, casting a warm glow. Inside, it felt like a separate world from the outside—a sanctuary of shadows and whispered secrets.

 

Once everything was in order, Xie Bufeng lay down beside Wen Qingci. He didn’t bother with blankets, instead cradling Wen Qingci’s body tightly against his own, closing his eyes.

 

It was then that Xie Bufeng noticed how much thinner and frailer Wen Qingci was than he had imagined. 

 

The once sturdy youth, now grown taller and stronger, could even easily hold him tightly in his arms.

 

The young man couldn’t help but rub Wen Qingci’s forehead like a little animal.

 

Xie Bufeng, now the ruler of the Wei Dynasty, could step out of this room and receive the adoration of the people. 

 

He held the highest authority in the world. 

 

Yet, at this moment, he thought that perhaps staying here forever wouldn’t be so bad.

 

He pressed his lips to Wen Qingci’s ear, murmuring about his recent experiences in the northern lands. 

 

“The snow in the north is even heavier than last night. Sometimes it’s strong enough to sweep away cattle and sheep,” Xie Bufeng’s voice was dreamy, “During that season, we cannot wage war. Our troops must find sheltered positions, inspect the camps, and prepare to endure the harsh winter.”

 

He peppered Wen Qingci’s temples with gentle kisses.

 

Perhaps because the room was too warm, Wen Qingci’s body did not seem as cold as before.

 

Xie Bufeng, sleep-deprived, felt a weariness settle over him.

 

He allowed himself to drown in the tranquility and tenderness of this moment. His voice grew softer as he continued, “You know, last spring, I fought a battle. I came close to dying on the battlefield…”

 

The young man’s voice sounded aggrieved.

 

He paused and said,“That night, I think… I dreamt of you.”

 

Still, there was no response from the man beside him. Xie Bufeng assumed Wen Qingci was asleep.

 

The room remained dim, the bed curtains drawn. The hazy dream that had lingered in Xie Bufeng’s mind suddenly sharpened.

 

The originally vague dream hidden in Xie Bufeng’s heart actually became a little clearer at this moment.

 

He suddenly opened his eyes gently.

 

Those amber eyes were no longer as calm as usual.

 

Instead, it was like being drunk, confused and misty.

 

Xie Bufeng slowly moved his gaze towards Wen Qingci’s cold lips.

 

…

 

The oil lamp continued to flicker, casting insufficient light. The cotton curtains floated gently.

 

The scent of bitter medicine permeated the room.

 

Unbeknownst to Xie Bufeng, ambiguous sounds echoed through the room…

 

After a long while, when the oil lamp finally extinguished, the sounds ceased.

 

The youth, dressed in black, descended from the bed. He rekindled the lamp, his gaze neither sad nor mournful, but rather tender and empty.

 

The small medical bureau had seen better days. Once, when Wen Qingci held favor with the emperor, eunuchs occasionally visited to maintain the place. But lately, no one cared for it.

 

The wind and rain had taken their toll, leaving the wooden doors and windows cracked. As Xie Bufeng approached the lamp, a breeze slipped through the gaps, brushing against him.

 

Outside, it was already bright, though he couldn’t tell if it was early morning or noon.

 

He smiled, turning back to the man on the bed. “It’s getting late. I’ll check the pantry for something to eat.”

 

The youth’s gentle voice replied, “Don’t worry. I’ll be here when you return.”

 

From beginning to end, no one in the room responded to him.

 

But Xie Bufeng didn’t care.

 

Xie Bufeng pushed open the wooden door, glancing at the massive magnolia tree in the courtyard. He slowed his steps toward the makeshift kitchen.

 

A breeze carried cold and the fragrance of magnolia. Before he reached the courtyard, a snow-kissed petal fell from the tree, landing on his neck.

 

With it came a faint chill and the familiar scent of magnolia.

 

The smell is inexplicably irritating.

 

Xie Bufeng’s heart actually felt a slight pain.

 

The sudden chill was like a hand that almost pulled him out of his sleep.

 

The young man paused, he forced himself to suppress the uneasiness in his heart, and waved his hand to brush the petals off his shoulders.

 

Xie Bufeng pushed open the wooden door of the small kitchen room and walked in slowly.

 

He was caught off guard by the light warmth and the bone-penetrating fragrance of magnolia, which wrapped him up like a cocoon in an instant.

 

It seemed sweet, but in an instant it deprived Xie Bufeng of the ability to move and even breathe.

 

He stood there, moving his eyes stiffly and fixing his gaze on the small stove not far away.

 

…The fire was still burning, and a small purple clay pot was sitting quietly on the stove.

 

Inside was the magnolia flower porridge that was still bubbling. It had been kept warm all night and was at its sweetest at this moment.

 

This pot of magnolia porridge seemed to have stayed in this room last night, still quietly waiting for its owner’s return.

 

That was done for him by Wen Qingci…

 

This realization crushed the young man in an instant.

 

“…”

 

There was no floor heating in the room, and the cold air seeped up from under his body, waking Xie Bufeng up from his sweet dream in just a moment.

 

Xie Bufeng sobbed silently.

 

The next second, he finally couldn’t bear the burden and fell heavily to the ground.

 

Death to him.

 

It was a long and clear aftermath of pain.

 

 

Abyss: and we are halfway through the novel….