Chapter 84: Journeying Together
As rationality returned in the morning light, Fang Jian and Gao Yunqu were still in each other's arms, their naked bodies pressed and tangled together in unprecedented intimacy. Fang Jian instinctively touched the soft, warm, fragrant skin beneath her palm, only to belatedly realize their current state, and her cheeks flushed with shyness. She slipped out of Gao Yunqu's embrace as lightly and quietly as she could and rose to pick up the clothes scattered on the floor.
Gao Yunqu heard the movement and, wrapped in the bedding, opened her eyes, which were still heavy with sleep.
As Fang Jian tidied herself up, she asked, "My lord, would you like to rest a while longer?"
After a moment, Gao Yunqu was fully awake. "No, stealing these few days of leisure has been enough. There are many matters ahead waiting for me."
Fang Jian placed a clean set of inner clothes on the couch for her. Gao Yunqu extended a hand toward Fang Jian, who instinctively took it to help her up. Gao Yunqu was only borrowing a bit of leverage and rose with a single pull. The bedding slid away, revealing her alluring body and causing Fang Jian to secretly avert her gaze.
Gao Yunqu got up and dressed. Meanwhile, Fang Jian opened the door and called for Xiuzhu to bring water in. She quickly and nimbly washed up and had Xiuzhu tie up her hair. By the time she returned, Gao Yunqu had also finished getting ready. She looked at Gao Yunqu and asked tentatively, "Shall I do your hair for you, my lord?"
"Alright." Gao Yunqu paused for a moment, then agreed with a smile. She sat before the dressing table and let Fang Jian gather her hanging hair. Fang Jian combed her hair gently. The wooden comb brought with it a few strands of fallen hair, and Fang Jian's heart ached. "My lord, you have suffered. You've gotten so much thinner, and you've lost quite a bit of hair."
"Losing a few of these three thousand strands of worldly cares is no great matter." Gao Yunqu was unconcerned. She looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Though she was a bit thinner, her complexion was quite good, her face rosy. There was no need for deliberate makeup.
Fang Jian finished tying her hair and inserted the jade hairpin. She leaned down and rested her chin on Gao Yunqu's shoulder, her cheek pressing against hers. "My lord, I will be your support. From now on, you won't have to walk the path alone. Don't put yourself in danger again, alright?"
Gao Yunqu reached back to touch her cheek, gazing at their intimate reflection in the bronze mirror, and smiled faintly. She stood up, took Fang Jian's official robes, and shook them out, holding them open for her to wear. Fang Jian obediently turned around, slid her arms into the wide sleeves, then lifted her head and spread her arms to let Gao Yunqu fasten the ties one by one. First the inner tunic, then the green outer robe, each piece put on in order and smoothed down. They were so close their breaths were clearly audible. Gao Yunqu sighed, "A'jian, I used to have no ties, so I could charge forward without a care. But you insisted on holding me back… I can't say I'll change from this day on, only that I will do my best to keep you in my thoughts. Is that acceptable?"
Fang Jian looked at her earnestly. "My lord, you don't have to stop for me; I will keep up with you. I only hope you remember that from now on, you are no longer alone. I will accompany you in chasing your beliefs, and I also want to see an era of peace and tranquility with you. If you should fall, then I will fall with you."
"You…" Gao Yunqu's heart softened. She cupped Fang Jian's face and pressed her forehead against hers. With equal earnestness, she said to Fang Jian, "Don't just talk about me. The same goes for you. You are forbidden from ever again using yourself as a pawn in the game."
"My lord…" Fang Jian was in the wrong on this matter. She stammered, looking away and trying to change the subject.
Gao Yunqu pulled back and pinched her chin, her voice suddenly turning cold. "Do it once, and I'll punish you once. I mean what I say. Remember that?"
Fang Jian shivered and quickly replied, "Yes, I'll remember."
Gao Yunqu was cold for only a moment. Hearing her reply, the coldness dissipated as if nothing had happened. The amorous, spring-like affection warmed once more.
She stepped back slightly and picked up the leather belt. Fang Jian instinctively spread her arms, and Gao Yunqu circled around from behind her, fastening the belt around her waist and adjusting it to the proper tightness, accentuating a slender waist that could be encircled by a single grasp. Fang Jian shook out her sleeves and folded her hands properly before her. The wide sleeves hung down, and the bearing and dignity of a court official emerged. Gao Yunqu stepped back a few paces and looked at her with satisfaction, her gaze sliding down from her neck, over her chest, to her waist and back. Official robes were wide, and scholars knew propriety; no one would stare at a colleague's waist. But Gao Yunqu had, on more than one occasion, looked at and thought about Fang Jian's waist, cinched by its leather belt, and even her swaying hips. No one knew what the dignified and self-possessed Lord Gao was looking at, or thinking about, when she saw the young Lord Fang step out from the ranks to report during the grand court assembly.
Fang Jian felt uneasy under her gaze. She turned, took Gao Yunqu's official robes, and shook them out. The same process of dressing, the same tidying up, only Gao Yunqu wore a brilliant Scarlet Robe. Fang Jian watched her too, her gaze filled with fascination and deep affection.
Gao Yunqu coughed lightly, breaking the delicate atmosphere. "What is it? Do you want to wear a Scarlet Robe too?"
Fang Jian lowered her eyes, no longer letting her gaze fall on Gao Yunqu, and chuckled softly. "How would I dare? How long have I even been in office?"
Gao Yunqu turned to the side, picked up Fang Jian's official tally, and fastened it to her waist. Then she held out her hand for Fang Jian to do the same for her. As she did, she said, "It's not far off. When your term in Chuzhou is complete and you return to the capital, it shouldn't be difficult to exchange your Green Robe for a Scarlet Robe."
"Then when your term is up, my lord, you should be able to change into a Purple Robe?"
"Who knows? Ah, these official ranks… the higher you go, the harder it gets…"
Chatting idly, they walked out of the bedroom. They took the official hats Xiuzhu handed them and put them on, then helped straighten each other's robes and hats. Once they looked dignified, they walked out, one after the other.
In the ninth month of the sixteenth year of Yongxing, the case of the Chuzhou prominent families' rebellion was concluded. The three Chuzhou families were all executed. The officials involved, high and low, had their assets confiscated and were dismissed from office, the severity depending on their level of involvement. Among the bandits and rioters, the leaders were all beheaded, while the rest were conscripted into the army or exiled according to the depth of their complicity.
Those who had rendered meritorious service were also rewarded according to their deeds. Zhou Hui was the sole survivor of the Chuzhou officialdom and was promoted to Assistant Magistrate of Chuzhou, once again becoming Gao Yunqu's subordinate. Wei Licheng was rewarded for her merits in quelling the rebellion, promoted in rank and given honors, and was ordered to continue to clean up the mountain bandits of Chuzhou, helping Gao Yunqu sweep the prefecture clean before leading her troops back.
Gao Yunqu was the one with the greatest merit, but Wei Qi needed her to maintain stability in Chuzhou. After pacifying the prefecture, she still had to implement the New Policies, so Wei Qi had to trouble her to first serve a term as the Prefect of Chuzhou. Since her rank could not be raised, she was given many rewards, her salary was increased substantially, and Wei Qi sent a sincerely worded letter to appease her. As for Fang Jian, she had only recently been promoted to the senior fifth-rank, and to avoid making her too conspicuous, her rewards were also in the form of gifts and a higher salary. Cheng Zhaoyang was likewise Wei Qi's confidante. Her rank was not high, but she had ties of kinship with the imperial family. Wei Qi also had her temporarily remain in Chuzhou as the Commandant of Chuzhou to coordinate with Gao Yunqu. Xie Min was promoted from senior seventh-rank to junior sixth-rank as a Ministry of War Secretary and followed Wei Licheng to suppress the mountain bandits. The most special case was Zhong Yao. Wei Qi personally wrote a commendation for her, praising her as wise, brave, and righteous, and granted her an honorary title of the senior seventh-rank. With an honorary title, she could register with the Ministry of Personnel for official selection, which meant she had entered officialdom.
With Chuzhou wiped clean from top to bottom, it provided a brand new soil for the New Policies, enough for Gao Yunqu to have a free hand.
In the nineteenth year of Yongxing, Gao Yunqu and Fang Jian completed their terms and returned to the capital. Gao Yunqu had an audience with the Emperor in Yong'an Palace, and an edict was issued soon after, promoting her to senior second-rank Minister of Personnel. Promoted two ranks in a row and basking in imperial favor, her doorway was suddenly as crowded as a marketplace.
Fang Jian was promoted to junior fourth-rank Ministry of Revenue Director. As Gao Yunqu had said, she exchanged her Green Robe for a Scarlet Robe, a pace not much slower than Gao Yunqu's had been back then, making her a new favorite of the court as well.
The night she brought her new official robes back, Fang Jian bathed and burned incense, then solemnly changed into the brand-new Scarlet Robe and entered Gao Yunqu's bedroom.
Gao Yunqu had already washed up and changed into her inner clothes. She was reclining on the couch, reading. Seeing Fang Jian enter like this, she was stunned for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Why are you wearing this?"
"I remember that my lord likes to see me in red, so I wanted to wear it for you to see first." Fang Jian was a little shy. She had not yet worn this Scarlet Robe out; Gao Yunqu was the first person to see it.
Memories from years ago flooded back before Gao Yunqu's eyes. The last time Fang Jian had worn a Scarlet Robe was when she had achieved the Triple First. That bearing, that elegance, had truly delighted her heart.
She put down her book, stood up, and walked over to Fang Jian, looking at her earnestly. The official robe suited her perfectly. In the dim yellow lamplight, a hint of allure colored her features. Six years had passed, and Fang Jian had been tossed about in the sea of officialdom, growing steadily more composed, but her sincere heart remained as it always was, making Gao Yunqu's heart race for her, making her fall for her.
Gao Yunqu thought of something and said to Fang Jian, "Wait for me a moment in the outer room."
Fang Jian obediently agreed. She picked up the book Gao Yunqu had set down and sat in the outer room to read, though it was unknown how many words she actually took in. After a short wait, Gao Yunqu came out, also dressed in a Scarlet Robe. She had been promoted and had already exchanged her Scarlet Robe for a Purple Robe, but now she had deliberately found her old one and put it on with great solemnity, standing before Fang Jian.
Fang Jian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "My lord, why are you wearing this too?"
Gao Yunqu raised an eyebrow. "I see you like it too."
Fang Jian's breath hitched. She did indeed like it. She swallowed to hide the desire rising in her eyes and changed the subject. "Why isn't my lord wearing her Purple Robe?"
"You like that one? Then I'll go change into the Purple Robe?" Gao Yunqu said with a smile, turning as if to leave.
Fang Jian caught the corner of her sleeve and said, embarrassed, "No… no need… this is fine… It's quite nice, like a wedding dress." Her entire face burned red, and she cursed herself inwardly for spouting such nonsense.
But Gao Yunqu had heard her. "You're right. Wait here a moment longer." With that, she pulled open the door and went out.
The room fell quiet again. Fang Jian watched blankly as she ran out like a gust of wind, belatedly wondering what she had meant by 'you're right'.
A little while later, Gao Yunqu returned, carrying a tray. It looked like it held a wine pot. As she drew closer, Fang Jian could see that on it was also a gourd that had been split in half and hollowed out, the two halves tied together with a string.
At this, Fang Jian grew completely hot. Her throat was dry, as if there were a charcoal brazier in the room. She gazed foolishly at Gao Yunqu, her heart feeling as sweet as sugar and honey.
Gao Yunqu poured wine into the nuptial cup. She picked up the gourd, placed one half in Fang Jian's hand, and held the other herself. Because the red string connecting the two halves of the gourd was not long, the two of them stood very close. Fang Jian's eyes were so soft they seemed about to overflow with water, almost glued to Gao Yunqu, her mind a chaotic mess.
"A'jian, come back to me."
She came to her senses and saw Gao Yunqu's smiling eyes. She followed her instincts and raised the cup with Gao Yunqu.
"Let us drink this wine, and with you grow old. Lutes in hand, all is peaceful and good.1" Gao Yunqu raised her cup slightly. Her words held a smile, each word clear and distinct, filled with emotion, with anticipation, with sincerity.
Fang Jian heard her, and her heart was blazing hot. Everything in her past had become the ingredients for brewing wine, stored and hidden away in her heart, fermenting and transforming day after day. Today, the seal was finally broken. The wine was mellow and rich, its fragrance intoxicating, making her feel so light-headed she could ascend to the heavens. She savored the satisfaction and joy of this moment, thought for a moment, and replied, "You toss me a papaya, I give you a fine jade in return. Not as a repayment, but to be with you forever.2"
I remember all the kindness you've shown me, and I want to be a thousand times kinder to you in return. It's not to repay a debt of gratitude, but because I want to be closer to you, to become the most intimate person by your side, to share the cold tides and enjoy the morning mist with you3.
They looked at each other and smiled, then tilted their heads back and drained the wine together.
"It's a little bitter," Fang Jian said, licking the drop of wine remaining on her lips.
"That's right. There's sweetness in the bitterness. That's the taste of life." Gao Yunqu took the half-gourd from her hand, joined it with her own to make it whole again, and tied the string, completing the hejin4 ceremony.
Gao Yunqu's hands were deft; she smoothly tied a beautiful knot. But as she turned back, she was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace by Fang Jian, their soft bodies pressing together. Gao Yunqu returned the embrace, her hands landing on that slender waist—she had wanted to touch it just now. Fang Jian allowed her hands to roam over her waist as she wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her lips. Gao Yunqu responded in kind. This kiss was light and gentle, filled with infinite tenderness, brimming with love. Even their mingling breaths carried intense emotion. The bitter taste of the wine still lingered on their tongues, but it was soon crushed away by their entwined lips and tongues, slowly turning into a sweetness that filled their hearts and flowed through their entire bodies.
The moonlight was like water, the candlelight flickered, and their overlapping shadows swayed with the breeze. Fang Jian bent down and swept Gao Yunqu up into her arms. She entered the inner chamber and walked to the couch, laying Gao Yunqu down. Gao Yunqu wrapped her arms around her neck, letting her press down on top of her, her eyes sultry as silk, fierce as fire. Fang Jian kicked off her boots and covered her body. The two scarlet robes tangled together, gradually becoming indistinguishable.
The red robes blazed, the beauties were radiant. The bright moon gazed down, the clear breeze offered its blessings. Like Fang Jian's Capping Ceremony, this wedding had no guests and no banquet. It needed no witnesses and no celebration. They simply shared a cup of bitter wine and the rest of their lives. They gave themselves to each other, to rely on and be with one another from this day forward.
The climb is high and the road is long, the celestial winds blow vast. Journeying together, they soar, never to fail one another.
End of Main Story
Author's Notes
- From the Book of Odes, "Airs of the States," "Airs of Zheng," "The Wife Says the Cock Has Crowed."
- From the Book of Odes, "Airs of the States," "Airs of Wei," "Papaya."
- Adapted from "To the Oak Tree."
- Hejin (jǐn): From the Book of Rites, "The Meaning of Marriage": "They eat from the same animal and drink from the same gourd cup (hejin), which signifies that they are now one body, of the same rank, to show their intimacy."
There will be extras after this, and they're basically all explicit scenes. Besides Little Fang and Lord Gao, there should also be ones for Xie Min and Zhong Yao, and Song Qiong and Chen Qingshang.
Thank you all for your continued support~
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